FIlm Review
Film Review: Sanctuary
A cursory glance at the list of Oscar winners would indicate that the Academy members love a film about someone with a disability or disease. However, when it comes to casting disabled actors, studios tend to run to the (Hollywood) hills. Thankfully, this seems to be changing. At least in independent cinema. Albeit, very slowly. …
Blu-Ray Review: Brawl in Cell Block 99
Since Vince Vaughn burst onto the scene with his performance in Doug Liman’s critically-acclaimed comedy-drama Swingers, his career has hardly taken the trajectory many expected. Most of his success has come in comedies, with notable performances in the likes of Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Old School and The Break-Up. His forays into …
Blu-Ray Review: Shot Caller
For over a century, there has been a continuing debate regarding the role of the criminal justice system in terms of punishment and rehabilitation. Those of a conservative persuasion largely see the prison system as a deterrent. A place to punish offenders for their crimes. Liberals would argue that the emphasis should be on rehabilitation. …
Film Review: Mountains May Depart
Until recently, the Mainland Chinese cinema was a mystery to almost everyone outside of the country. The economic and public reforms within China this century has led to an opening-up, both culturally and artistically. We’re reaching the stage where we’re exposed to its cinema in the same way as any other emerging film industry. Social …
Film Review: The Unseen
I can only imagine the kind of anxiety and fear being in charge of a child can instil in an adult who is more than a little terrified of the responsibility of parenthood. When it comes to losing a child, your own flesh and blood, I could never even contemplate the effect that has on …
Film Review: The Prince of Nothingwood
Whilst most of the world has heard of Hollywood, and to a lesser extent Bollywood, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cinema industries around the world. Some are highly colourful, such as the Turkish copy-cat film industry, which had a small but devoted fanbase. The love of cinema is something shared by people from …
Film Review: Beyond Skyline
The large majority of sequels tend to be pale imitations of the original. Sometimes, they equal it in terms of accomplishment without managing to really explore any new ground (John Wick, Guardians of the Galaxy). Others, such as Starship Troopers, Tremors and From Dusk Till Dawn, are just cheap knock-offs in a thinly-veiled attempt to …
Film Review: Vampariah
Horror is a genre which likes to borrow liberally from folklore and myth. Most famously in the guise of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but vampires and the undead have been prevalent in legends from all over the world. Asia is by no means an exception. Indeed, spirituality and tales of the dead are plentiful across several …
Film Review: Most Beautiful Island
There are few feats more difficult for a director than to instil a real sense of fear into their films. To build-up tension until the audience is at almost breaking point. One false move can easily break even the most intricately crafted pacing. There are many ways to do this. However, far too often filmmakers …
Film Review: Manifesto
The line between art and film has become increasingly blurred as technological advances allow artists more access to digital media. Indeed, many have decided to specialise in multi-media installations and exhibitions. Julian Rosefeldt’s latest multi-screen installation debuted at Australian Centre for the Moving Image in 2015. After moving to Berlin and then New York, the …