Blu-ray Review: Modern Times
While he had stiff competition from Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton, there’s no doubt that Charlie Chaplin was the king of American silent cinema. While they were all brilliant physical comedians, the Londoner had the advantage of having the ‘little tramp’ up his sleeve. His much-loved creation is undoubtedly the iconic face of the era. …
Blu-Ray Review: Pale Flower
They say that if you go looking for love you’ll never find it but it will often find you in the most unlikely places. Opposites attract or birds of a feather stick together, depending on which magazine you’re reading at the time. It’s clear though that attraction doesn’t conform to any social hierarchies or cultural …
Film Review: Master Cheng
There is an inherently large amount of humour which can be mined from a clash of cultures. You’ll usually find at least one character in a comedy film or TV series who fits somewhere within the definition of a fish out of water. There have also been a number of successful movies, including Borat, The …
GFF Review: Women Do Cry
When the USSR began to rupture at the end of the twentieth century, the transition from Communism to Capitalism wasn’t exactly a smooth one for most countries. Even countries which have now been integrated into the EU aren’t exactly the most progressive when it comes to human rights, diversity, multiculturalism, LGBT+ rights and gender equality. …
Film Review: The Ledge
It seems to be a particular breed of people who take up serious climbing. There are inherent risks attached to rock climbing, let alone mountaineering, which are too much for a coward like me. The mere thought of taking away the ropes or the ‘safety net’ sets my nerves on edge. Films like Valley Uprising …
GFF Review: The Braves
While we can’t choose our family, we can decide who we want to spend our time with. In this sense, close friendships are often stronger than blood ties. They have to be. Your family is always your family, no matter what, but people come and go over a lifetime. However, when there’s a special platonic …
GFF Review: La Civil
Mexico has many social, economic and political problems but one of the most pernicious and devastating is that of kidnappings. It has been an ongoing problem, but one which has increased markedly since the start of the century. Criminal gangs began abducting in greater numbers to raise funds through ransoms, but many victims are never …
Film Review: Young Plato
The troubles began sometime in the late 1960s. It’s impossible to identify a precise date but needless to say there had been tensions, on and off, between unionists and nationalists for generations. This conflict lasted for the best part of thirty years, operating across a strict sectarian divide. Whilst peace has largely been maintained since, …
GFF Review: Silent Land
White European privileged is often understated, it’s hard to accurately quantify the benefits and entitlements afforded by dint of birth. One is tourism. We love to travel. To experience a different culture/climate and place all our daily worries on hold for a week or two. Everything has to be prefect. There’s little or no thought …
Film Review: Offseason
Some of the greatest horror films conjure up an atmosphere of the uncanny. Set in insular communities where there’s something not quite right, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Whether it’s the pagan old ways of The Wicker Man or the Lovecraftian nightmare of In The Mouth of Madness, the off-kilter environment …