Film
Blu-Ray Review: Toto the Hero
When it comes to the powerhouses of global film-making Belgium would not be at the forefront of anyone’s mind. Indeed, I would guess that most people would struggle to name half a dozen films which hail from the low county. Outside of the more recent work of the Dardenne Brothers, you’d be struggling to find …
Film Review: Around the Sun
Do you ever run the same encounter over and over again in your head? Even if it hasn’t actually happened yet? As humans, we’re often incredibly skilled at overthinking every situation. Playing out each possible scenario in our heads, running through every possible permutation; trying to vouchsafe every eventuality or outcome. If you could live …
Film Review: The Vigil
There are strong links between religion, the supernatural and the occult. As human beings we seem to be fascinated by the unknown. Our genetic make-up seems to make us long for something else. A higher or outside power. This superstition or belief works so well in horror. Most obviously in a film such as The …
Film Review: Make-Up
Today, us Brits seem to have a love/hate relationship with our traditional seaside resorts. With the elemental power of the sea and beautiful coastal walks comes the faded and crumbling glamour of the glory days and the sound of deserted arcades. Cheap airfares and package holidays marked a steep decline in their popularity. Leaving in …
Film Review: Proxima
Whilst Eva Green proves to be consistently popular with viewers, she doesn’t always get the credit she deserves for her acting ability. The French actor is an equally at home in English as French, best known for her eye-catching performances in Penny Dreadful, as Versper Lynd in Casino Royal or hamming it up in a …
Film Review: In Search of Darkness
We’re currently living in a rare period for genre cinema. Suddenly, it has moved into the mainstream and filling multiplexes around the globe. Films like Get Out, It Follows, Midsommar, Us and Hereditary have proved to be critically and commercially successful; becoming almost instant cult classics. However, the golden age for horror films was undoubtedly …
Film Review: The Fight
I find it highly unlikely that any liberal-minded person would argue that the election of Donald J. Trump was anything other than a disaster for human rights in America. His administration has systematically stripped back any legislation around equal opportunities and minority rights. With the Supreme Court now stacked in his favour, those opposing him …
Blu-Ray Review: Story of a Love Affair
After the post-war neoliberalism movement, which saw Italy become a leading player on the world stage, there was a huge gap to fill. Along with a spree of lighter comedies, two major figures stepped into the breach; Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni. The latter is best known for the L’Avventura, La Notte, and L’Eclisse trilogy, …
Film Review: The Rifleman
Due to its geographical location, Latvia found itself heavily involved during World War I. What started out as border skirmishes and even limited success pushing into the west as part of the Russian Units, soon turned into occupation at the hands of the Germans. Between 1915 and 1917 the volunteer Latvian Riflemen fought against the …
Film Review: Alice
Men are bastards. Or at least, there are a fair proportion of men who will put money or their uncontrollable libidos ahead of any relationship, family or personal responsibility. Cinema has tackled these situations in many ways, but it always seems to end up with the woman carrying the can. As well as doing the …