FIlm Review
Film Review: Moloch
While new religions might have taken-over the job of social control in most countries nowadays, folklore used to play a huge part in community life. While the new god(s), on the face of it at least, are more palatable, the old ones preyed on fear. Lurked in the dark, waiting to pounce. Demanding tribute or …
Film Review: This is GWAR
You might never have heard of GWAR but if you’ve ever seen them live you would never forget the experience. There is certainly no other band quite like them. Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 1984 by a loose collective with a shared punk ethos, GWAR is a heavy metal band who go on stage as …
Film Review: A Dark, Dark Man
During the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the twentieth century, most of the satellite states took the opportunity to declare their independence. As Russia gradually dipped its toes into capitalism, other nations took their own paths. Today, mostly thanks to oil and gas production, Kazakhstan dominates Central Asia. However, political reforms …
Film Review: She Will
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Scotland carried out numerous witch trials, resulting in thousands of deaths according to historical estimates. Many more than their English neighbours. This disparity can be attributed to many factors, but the end result remains the same. It goes without saying that the vast majority of these victims were women. …
Film Review: Executive Order
The last couple of decades have seen a worrying jolt to the right in world politics. Especially in countries where you’d not necessarily expect it. With religious fundamentalists and extreme nationalists trying to role back decades of hard-won rights for women and minority groups. This is often done under the banner of ‘democracy’ but in …
Film Review: The Deer King
Japan is blessed with breathtaking vistas. A natural world which is characterised by rugged mountain terrain, lush verdant forests and rocky coastlines. With most of the human population densely crowded into narrow coastal plains, the flora and fauna are largely free to flourish. Rich and varied, thanks to the country playing host to a range …
Film Review: Explorer
There have always been people who are inexplicably driven, from an early age, compelled to test the boundaries of what mankind is capable of. To stretch the limits of human endurance and to be the first to reach the most inhospitable and isolated places. They will strive to do this, regardless of the cost. This …
Film Review: Anonymous Club
Given our nations’ intertwined histories and the amount of things we have in common, there seems to be an unspoken connection between the UK and (post-colonial) Australia. This is especially true when it comes to popular culture. The likes of Neighbours and Home and Away pulled incredible viewer numbers and many of their stars have …
Film Review: McEnroe
Tennis had long been a very reserved, genteel and upper-class sport, but in the 1970s things began to change. As the ‘Open Era’ began to hit its stride, with characters like Connors, McEnroe, Ashe, Borg, Gerulaitis and Vilas ensuring its popularity, it was suddenly awash with money. Whilst the overall standard was not a patch …
Film Review: A Chiara
The eternal debate over nature versus nurture will no doubt rumble on until the final days of humankind, but it’s undeniable that both factors play crucial roles in shaping and determining where someone ends up. However, the path we choose is often determined by a number of large and small decisions we make over the …