FIlm Review
Film Review: Exit
The Western view of Asian cinema is mainly influenced by what mostly predominates our popular culture. The majority of films with big releases over here involve horror, swordplay or kung-fu. Thankfully, this is gradually changing, with a more diverse range of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and other Asian films seeing the light of day in Europe …
Film Review: The Duke of Burgundy
In a very short space of time, Peter Strickland has become one of those directors whose films become essential viewing. There are very few film makers working today who have the same understanding and application of sound and imagery in their work as the British maestro. Berberian Sound Studio was a masterclass in audio-visual horror. …
Film Review: Predestination
There are sadly many great films which unfortunately don’t get extensive theatrical releases. Last year the fabulous Violette, Finding Vivian Maier and Human Capital only got very limited screenings. Already this year, Enemy, Coherence and Maidan have sadly failed to get a firm foothold in cinemas. Whilst digital has changed the way we watch movies, …
Film Review: Maidan
The situation in Eastern Ukraine has scarcely been out of the news over the last few months. The battle for supremacy between Russia and the West is not a new phenomenon, but it’s becoming an increasingly dangerous one. As a precursor to the current troubles, the Ukrainian parliament decided against signing an association agreement with …
Film Review: Love Is Strange
Given the amount of money spent on advertising for Valentine’s Day, you could be forgiven in thinking that love consists of handcuffs, whips, expensive dining or tacky cards. Cinema itself often concentrates on extremes or confrontation when dealing with the subject of romance or love. Ira Sachs is more interested in quiet affirmation in his …
Film Review: Coherence
All too often films fall into the nasty habit of replacing the need for a well-written and intelligent script with eye-popping visuals. However, there’s been many examples of mind-bending low budget films becoming cult hits. Cube, at its sequels, are probably the best examples of this. However, Fermat’s Room, Pi and Primer demonstrated that there’s …
Film Review: Selma
Many of the most important and famous people throughout history have been subject of a biopic. Some of the most successful include American Splendour, The Aviator, La Vie en Rose, Raging Bull, The Elephant Man and I’m Not There. Political figures are also well-represented – JFK, Gandhi, Nixon, Milk and Malcolm X, to name but …
Film Review: The Turning
Australia have produced more than its fair share of famous actors over the last few decades. Cate Blanchett, Mia Wasikowska, Naomi Watts, Mel Gibson, Guy Pearce, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush, Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth are all firmly established in Hollywood. Behind the camera there’s a similar story. Baz Luhrmann, James Wan, Peter …
Film Review: Into The Woods
What do you get if you blend Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and The Beanstalk with Stephen Sondheim? Well, once upon a time… Into The Woods is a film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and Jame Lapine musical, which jumbles several different fairy tales to create a dark and delightful story. The …
Film Review: Inherent Vice
As you’re probably already aware, Inherent Vice is the hotly anticipated new film from Paul Thomas Anderson. His Magnolia is one a small handful of films I can directly attribute my love of cinema to. I remember being completely obsessed and besotted with it. Hoy on the heels of the success of Boogie Nights, PTA …