Film Review: Exit
The Western view of Asian cinema is mainly influenced by what mostly predominates our popular culture. The majority of films with big releases over here involve horror, swordplay or kung-fu. Thankfully, this is gradually changing, with a more diverse range of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and other Asian films seeing the light of day in Europe …
Film Review: The Duke of Burgundy
In a very short space of time, Peter Strickland has become one of those directors whose films become essential viewing. There are very few film makers working today who have the same understanding and application of sound and imagery in their work as the British maestro. Berberian Sound Studio was a masterclass in audio-visual horror. …
DVD Review: The Other
If cinema tells us anything about children, it’s that they’re inherently evil. Children and adolescents are often the scariest thing you’ll find in a horror film. Damien traumatised an entire generation in the Omen films, whilst more recently small Japanese girls terrorised a whole new generation. Much of director Robert Mulligan’s career has focussed on …
DVD Review: Spring in a Small Town
Little is widely known about early Chinese cinema is West. To a lesser degree, the same can be said in China itself. Much of the influence of early film making in the country was dictated by wars and politics. The 1930s witnessed the first great era of cinema, which was brought to an abrupt end …
DVD Review: Fury
There have been many films about World War II, and as such an important period in our history, it’s a conflict which continues to occupy thoughts and minds. This century has seen a plethora of releases from around the world including Downfall, Inglorious Bastards, City of Life and Death, The Pianist, Letters From Iwo Jima, …
Film Review: Predestination
There are sadly many great films which unfortunately don’t get extensive theatrical releases. Last year the fabulous Violette, Finding Vivian Maier and Human Capital only got very limited screenings. Already this year, Enemy, Coherence and Maidan have sadly failed to get a firm foothold in cinemas. Whilst digital has changed the way we watch movies, …
Film Review: Maidan
The situation in Eastern Ukraine has scarcely been out of the news over the last few months. The battle for supremacy between Russia and the West is not a new phenomenon, but it’s becoming an increasingly dangerous one. As a precursor to the current troubles, the Ukrainian parliament decided against signing an association agreement with …
Incoming: Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter
From executive producer Alexander Payne and acclaimed filmmaking duo the Zellner Brothers. A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried and lost in a fictional film, is in fact, real. With a crudely drawn treasure map and limited preparation, she escapes her structured life in Tokyo and embarks on a foolhardy …
DVD Review: Wild River
Elia Kazan is often considered to be one of the most influential directors working in post-war American cinema. Responsible for introducing the world to James Dean and Marlon Brando, he was rewarded with two Best Director Oscars for Gentlemen’s Agreement and On The Waterfront. He also received an honorary award from the Academy. His films …
Incoming: The Duke of Burgundy
Day after day the couple act out a simple ritual that ends in Evelyn’s punishment, but Cynthia yearns for a more conventional relationship. Evelyn’s obsession quickly becomes an addiction that pushes their relationship to breaking point. The Duke of Burgundy is a dark melodrama from Peter Strickland, the award-winning writer and director of Katalin Varga …