Film Review: MLK/FBI
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important, influential and pivotal social and political figures in America during the second half of the twentieth century. His central role in the civil rights movement and his untimely death are ingrained within the psyche of the country. His determination to protest peacefully and exact nonviolent …
Film Review: Dear Comrades!
Communism, like its Marxist foundation, is one of those political ideologies which sounds great in theory but in practice always seems to be twisted to suit whoever is in power. During the Cold War, the word was wielded by many to symbolise some kind of utopian alternative to capitalism, where everyone is equal and works …
Film Review: Imperial Blue
The spectre of the white Western traveller going to India on a voyage of self-discovery has become something of a cliché. Whilst people still backpack round the country to ‘find themselves’, it’s a distinctly different experience in the modern world. However, this idyllic vision of paradise can sour very quickly. Hedonism can easily traverse the …
Film Review: Freshman Year
Going to college (in the US), or university (in the UK) can be a scary, exciting and daunting experience. For many, it will be the first time they’ve lived away from home. Had to cook their own meals, wash their clothes, manage their finances and generally be independent. Whilst some take to it like a …
Blu-ray Review: [REC]
The release of The Blair Witch Project in 1999 sparked a wave of ‘found footage’ films which has continued to sweep across genre cinema. As you’d probably expect given the relative low cost of this approach, there have been a number of duds. However, it’s a format which can produce impressive result. Lake Mungo, Cloverfield, …
Film Review: Robin’s Wish
Following his success on the stand-up comedy circuit and the brilliant Mork & Mindy on TV, Robin Williams soon cemented himself as one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood; quickly becoming a household name. Whilst much more than just a comic actor (Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings etc), he’ll be remembered by …
Film Review: Deliver Us from Evil
Cat and mouse thrillers often provide some of the most engrossing cinematic experiences. The battle of wits. The oscillating power struggle between two protagonists. Blurring the lines between good and evil. These elements combine to create nail-biting action. This concept has been embraced warmly in Asian cinema, with the likes of I Saw the Devil, …
Film Review: Sing Me a Song
How often do you find yourself watching a film and when it ends wondering how it will all turn out? Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but several years down the line. Richard Linklater answered that question quite beautifully in his ‘Before’ trilogy. That prospect of a brighter future can easily sour. In Happiness, Thomas …
Film Review – The Blackout: Invasion Earth
Whilst most people in the West might not be aware of it, over the past couple of decades Russian cinema has set its sights on rivalling Hollywood. This has resulted in a number of blockbusters, which are often heavy on the CGI and light on the writing. However, the likes of Stalingrad, Viy, Day Watch, …
Film Review: Coded Bias
Today, more and more, our lives are steered, influenced and decided by algorithms. Major corporations and governments have realised that it’s much more efficient for them to let computers make decisions instead of humans. Whilst Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly a game changer, these innovations are only as good as the people who program them. …