DVD/Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review: Villa Rides
The line between good and evil has always been a little blurred in Mexico. Whilst American cinema likes to have a clear delineation between its heroes and villains, the reality is often much more complicated. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. Some of the best westerns operate within these grey areas. Villa Rides …
Blu-Ray Review: The Fighting Kentuckian
While time hasn’t been on his side, Marion Robert Morrison, aka John Wayne, was one of the most iconic stars of his generation. Working during the Golden Age of Hollywood, usually starring in westerns or war films, The Duke was a household name across America and beyond. In the course of his career, he made …
Blu-Ray Review: Adrift in Tokyo
If you’re based outside of Japan, you might naturally assume that the culture is dominated by manga, anime, overwrought historical dramas and young adult fiction. While this is true, to an extent, there’s often much more interesting fare bubbling just under the surface. Most of it never seems to travel but, when films do appear …
Blu-Ray Review: Ghost Stories for Christmas: Volume 1
There’s something very persuasive about a traditional ghost story. Tales which may have been initially spoken around a campfire. Passed down from generation to generation. Each country, and regions within those nations, have their own legends and folklore. While these are inherited through word of mouth, they’re often augmented and adapted by the minds of …
Blu-Ray Review: The Cat And The Canary/The Ghost Breakers
If you’re from a certain generation, Bob Hope was arguably the most quintessential American comedian. He made over fifty films in a career which spanned a number of mediums. Probably best known for his collaboration with Bing Crosby in the ‘Road’ films, he was an ever present in the entertainment industry for decades. His major …
Blu-Ray Review: The Driver
It takes a great deal of planning and coordination to pull-off the perfect heist. You need to do your research, without looking suspicious. Know your target inside out. Then, you need to assemble a team of reliable and trustworthy criminals who all have their own individual skillset. Each member will play their part in doing …
Blu-Ray Review: The Infernal Affairs Trilogy
While Hong Kong is geographically small, it has always punched well above its weight. It became one of the biggest financial centres in the world. Space is at a premium and it can feel like they built upwards towards the stars; which can be a dizzying experience. Its status has sadly changed since the Chinese …
Blu-Ray Review – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Many white Americans seem obsessed with tracing their genealogies back through Europe. Indeed, a visit to Scotland isn’t complete without bumping in to at least one person from the ‘new world’ who is searching for their ancestral home. While history is perennially popular, so are myths and legends. The likes of Kind Arthur and Robin …
Blu-ray Review: The Trial
There are probably no other American directors who can hold a candle to Orson Welles when it comes to being an enigma. The larger-than-life figure left a huge mark on cinema. He was a genius who had a habit of starting a project and then getting distracted. Or running out of money. Then again, when …
Blu-Ray Review: The Teckman Mystery
Today, while women still struggle to experience a level playing with men when it comes to filmmaking, it was rare to see anyone but a white man behind the camera in post-war Britain. Indeed, along with Muriel Box, Wendy Toye was one of the only pioneering female directors during the 1950s and 1960s. She started …