DVD/Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review: Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (Criterion Collection)
Akira Kurosawa is widely considered one of the greatest film-makers in Japanese cinematic history. In 1990, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honoured his contribution to worldwide cinema. He’s synonymous with war/samurai films such as Ran, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo. However, his other works, whilst less well …
Blu-Ray Review: Roxanne
There was once a time when Steve Martin was the biggest name in film. The former stand-up comedian, who came to prominence for his appearances on Saturday Night Live, made an almost seamless transition into film. His first feature Jerk, was a huge success. He followed it up with star turns in Dead Men Don’t …
DVD Review: Billions
There’s always been a fascination in the US with money and power; the epitome of the American dream. Whilst it’s not a unique phenomenon to one country, chasing the big bucks is part of their national psyche. At its peak in the 1980s, it was captured on TV through shows such as Dallas and Dynasty. …
Blu-Ray Review: Punch Drunk Love (Criterion Collection)
Amongst the film-going and critical intelligentsia, Paul Thomas Anderson is vying with Terrence Malick for the title of greatest living American auteur. During the late ‘90s, Boogie Nights and Magnolia defined contemporary film-making. Every new release seems like a media event, with Inherent Vice, The Master and There Will Be Blood all walking away with …
Blu-ray Review: The Small World of Sammy Lee
London was a very different place in the early 1960s. No area more so than Soho. At the beginning of a decade which would put swinging London on the map, Soho had a reputation of being seedy and dangerous. Whilst tame by today’s standards, at the time many of the clubs and shops were considered …
Blu-ray Review: La Grande Vadrouille
It’s fair to say that the Colonial European powers have a long and bloody history of not getting along. Since World War II, this has mainly manifested itself in political bickering. However, there no shortage of gentle ribbing, to all out abuse, in European film and TV fare. From ‘Allo, ‘Allo! to Luc Besson’s Taxi! …
Blu-ray Review: Kes (Masters of Cinema)
Along with Mike Leigh, Ken Loach has been the forerunner in British cinema in terms of documenting prevailing social issues and gritty ‘kitchen sink’ realism. His latest film, I, Daniel Blake, won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and is generating fevered social and political commentary about the benefits system. However, his best films are more …
Blu-Ray Review: Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies
Traditionally, mixing horror and comedy has proven to be thwart with peril. There were few directors who could pull it off, but Peter Jackson (Braindead/Bad Taste) and Sam Raimi (Evil Dead trilogy) were notable exceptions. Of late, the likes of What We Do in the Shadows, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Housebound and Dead Snow …
DVD Review: Fuga
There’s a good chance, come February, that Pablo Larraín will be collecting his first Academy Award. The Chilean director has previously been nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category for No. Next time out he’s likely to have two films in the mix, both biographies. Neruda is Chile’s selection for the gong, whilst his …
DVD Review: The Lighthouse
It’s not so long ago that the whole of Europe relied on sea travel for prosperity. The Spice Wars were probably the peak of maritime engagement, but we still rely on shipping for commercial transportation heavily today. Equally important as the vessels themselves were the lighthouses which kept them away from the rocks. Chris Crow’s …