Blu-Ray Review: The Love of Jeanne Ney
While the silent era planted the foundation stones for a global film industry which is now worth countless billions, it feels like it’s often dismissed as merely a genre in conversation. When in fact it was cinema, in all its entirety and diversity. The Weimar Republic played host to some of the most influential directors …
Blu-Ray Review: Menace II Society
Over the last decade, the film industry has taken major steps forward on the diversity and inclusion fronts. However, successful producers and studio heads have traditionally been white men. The same can be said for directors and leading actors. The African-American voice was largely sidelined or reduced in mainstream US cinema, but things began to …
Film Review: The Advent Calendar
Physical disabilities have been used in genre cinema dating back to the silent era, but usually not in a good way. Traditionally, the ‘bad guy’ or ‘monster’ had some form of seen or unseen disability. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way (unless it’s a Bond film) but this stereotype often still persists. Horror filmmakers have …
Tallinn Black Nights Review: Other People
At the beginning of the twentieth century, musical theatre became increasingly popular with audiences who demanded light relief from the socio-political issues leading up to, and during, World War I. With the advent of ‘talkies’ in the 1920s, musicals made the logical transition onto the big screen. This move opened the medium up to a …
Blu-ray Review: Le Samouraï
During the 1960s and 1970s, Alain Delon was one of the most iconic faces of European cinema. He made a string of eye-catching films with famous directors, including Antonioni (L’Eclisse), Visconti (The Leopard), Clément (Plein Soleil) and Losey (Mr Klein). However, it’s probably his work with the great Jean-Pierre Melville which remains the most feted. …
Film Review: The Shop Around the Corner
Jimmy Stewart was one of the most popular film stars of his generation but doesn’t get the plaudits his acting ability so richly deserved. Over a career which spanned five decades, he’s played numerous memorable characters across several genres. Starring in the likes of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Rear Window, Vertigo, The Philadelphia Story, …
Blu-Ray Review: Champion
Boxing is one sport which punches well above its weight when it comes to popularity and media attention. Indeed, the amount of money to be made, primarily for uneducated young men, has made it a way out of poverty and a viable alternative to a life of crime. These factors have also made big box …
Tallinn Black Nights Review: On Our Way
Making the transition from in front to behind the camera can be a tough journey. The abilities needed to act have little in common with those to direct, so in order to gain the skills and knowledge necessary you have to invest a lot of extra time and effort. Traditionally, this move happens after someone …
Film Review: Silent Night
Christmas is a time for families to come together. To put aside their differences and to enjoy the festive season in a spirit of love and understanding. Gathered round an open fire, handing out presents and overindulging in far too much food. Celebrating what you have but also looking forward to what the future might …
Film Review: Night Raiders
It says something about the natural cynicism of our species that dystopian visions have historically been, and still are, decidedly popular. Many writers agree that we’ll end up wiping ourselves out. It seems only fitting given our unnerving ability to make the same mistakes over and over again. There are lots of imaginative ways this …