FIlm Review
Film Review: Slumber Party Massacre
As a rule of thumb, remakes are pale shadows of the original concepts they seek to imitate. Especially, when it’s a case of simply taking a film from a smaller market, say Japan or South Korea, and making a shot for shot copy, but in English. Some of the best examples have been American remakes …
Film Review: Citizen Ashe
The sport of tennis has always been popular, but it wasn’t until the late 1970s that it became the huge money-spinning business it is today. That was largely down to the characters who dominated the game during that period, such as Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. In many ways, it was a time …
Film Review: The Advent Calendar
Physical disabilities have been used in genre cinema dating back to the silent era, but usually not in a good way. Traditionally, the ‘bad guy’ or ‘monster’ had some form of seen or unseen disability. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way (unless it’s a Bond film) but this stereotype often still persists. Horror filmmakers have …
Film Review: The Shop Around the Corner
Jimmy Stewart was one of the most popular film stars of his generation but doesn’t get the plaudits his acting ability so richly deserved. Over a career which spanned five decades, he’s played numerous memorable characters across several genres. Starring in the likes of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Rear Window, Vertigo, The Philadelphia Story, …
Film Review: Silent Night
Christmas is a time for families to come together. To put aside their differences and to enjoy the festive season in a spirit of love and understanding. Gathered round an open fire, handing out presents and overindulging in far too much food. Celebrating what you have but also looking forward to what the future might …
Film Review: Night Raiders
It says something about the natural cynicism of our species that dystopian visions have historically been, and still are, decidedly popular. Many writers agree that we’ll end up wiping ourselves out. It seems only fitting given our unnerving ability to make the same mistakes over and over again. There are lots of imaginative ways this …
Film Review: Red Snow
Given the antics of someone like Vlad the Impaler, it seems strange that vampires have become sexy. Indeed, it’s hard to pin an exact date when these blood-thirsty abominable creatures morphed into tall brooding member of the aristocracy. However, it’s likely that Byron, as usual, was at least partly to blame. Today, there are millions …
Film Review: Celts
When considering the human cost of war, most of the emphasis is normally placed on those soldiers fighting in, or civilians directly affected by, them. Whilst these impacts might be much more evident and easier to quantify, conflict takes a toll in many less obvious ways. During the Yugoslav Wars, for instance, even those geographically …
Film Review: There is No Evil
The use of the death penalty remains controversial, to say the least. While in most developed countries, but tellingly not all of the United States of America, it has been phased out, there are over fifty countries where it’s still actively used. Even Iran’s fairly dreadful COVID record didn’t stop the Islamic republic using it …
Film Review: Dying for Divorce
Domestic violence is a major issue in every corner of the world but in more traditional cultures it’s almost endemic. In Turkey, for example, more than one-in-three women (and girls) has been a victim. As with almost all Muslim countries, women are treated as second-class citizens. Men often see their wives, partners or daughters as …