LFF Review: When a Farm Goes Aflame
How much do we really know about the ones we love the most? The people closest to us. As children we naturally concentrate on what’s directly in front of us and it’s rare to think about what our parents’ lives were like before we came along. As we get older, we become more inquisitive and …
LFF Review: Brother’s Keeper
In the UK, boarding schools are often seen as the preserve of the rich. A place for the wealthy to deposit little Tarquin or Jemima while they enjoy their jet-set lifestyle. To abdicate responsibility for raising them through the power of the chequebook. In cinema, they tend to be unhappy places. Institutions where bullying is …
LFF Review: The Storms of Jeremy Thomas
When we talk about British cinema we usually focus on actors or directors. Occasionally a cinematographer or two and maybe even an editor or sound engineer, if we’re feeling generous. Although hey play a pivotal role in bringing films to fruition, it’s rare to talk about producers. One of the best is Jeremy Thomas. He’s …
LFF Review: Money Has Four Legs
Nepotism plays a huge role in film industries across the world. While having a famous mother or father might allow you to jump the queue, it can also mean that you are forever stuck in their shadow. Even with this kind of head start, making a film is hard. One of the biggest problems is …
LFF Review: Cop Secret
There’s something about the buddy movie which captures the imaginations of cinemagoers. Especially when it comes to fighting crime. We have been treated to a weird and wonderful variety of combinations over the years, which have included dogs, robots, ghosts, Pokémon and even Mel Gibson. These pairings are often wild and whacky but when they …
Blu-Ray Review: The Dark Eyes of London
Bela Lugosi remains one of the most iconic and recognisable faces in horror cinema. Most famous for his portrayal of Dracula in the pre-code Universal Pictures version of Bram Stoker’s ‘Count’, the Hungarian actor went on to play a number of memorable roles. However, his career was stunted by his thick accent and later addiction …
Film Review: V/H/S/94
Once upon a time, anthology horrors were fairly common. During the 1960s and 1970s, the British production company Amicus made a number of much-loved portmanteau films. The likes of Tales from the Crypt, Torture Garden and From Beyond the Grave proved to be very popular. While the Creepshow collections in the 1980s caught the imagination …
Film Review: Pier Kids
It’s estimated that there are over half a million homeless people living in America today. Although that number could easily be much higher. There are many reasons why people have to (or choose to) live on the streets, including addiction, unemployment or simply having nowhere to go. One of the main reasons young LGBTQI+ adults …
Film Review: My Little Sister
Nina Hoss is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors working in European cinema today. Most of her career has been spent performing in German films and theatre, which has meant the Stuttgart native hasn’t had the impact on the global stage her talent deserves. She’s best known for her collaborations with Christian Petzold. The pair …
Film Review: Fruits of Labour
Traditionally, one of the most popular jobs for migrants has been working the land. The appeal is obvious. Agricultural work does not usually require verbal or written knowledge of a country’s language. It’s a job which can be largely carried-out in the same, or in a similar, way everywhere. However, the sector has a reputation …