Film
Visions du Réel Review: Courage
Despite campaigning on an independent platform, Alexander Lukashenko soon showed his true colours after his became the first democratically elected president of Belarus. One of his first major actions was to cement ties with Russia and twenty-six years later he’s often referred to as the last dictator in Europe. As you can probably imagine, his …
Visions du Réel Review: The Bubble
Largely thanks to an unusually long period of peace and decades of medical and scientific advancements, most, if not all, of the Western world has rapidly aging populations. Whilst standards of living and life expectancy are undoubtedly improving, birth rates are increasingly falling; with many now choosing not to have children. As societies, we’re not …
Blu-Ray Review – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
There’s something very British about James Bond. It’s a franchise which has captured the heart of many throughout the nation, and across the world, with its stereotypical portrayal of many clichéd and archaic elements of London society. Whilst this has changed, somewhat, with the Daniel Craig era, there’s still much which remains the same. It’s …
Film Review: I Blame Society
Our evolution into the wonders of modern technology has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. With the ability to trace every moment, capture every nuance and reaction of every second of the day. To project our thoughts, ideas and experiences into the internet void, at the touch of a button. It’s fertile ground …
Film Review: Jakob’s Wife
There are no fans more committed in their dedication to, and their celebration of, iconic stars than the horror film community. A major role forty years ago can lead to a lifetime of appearances at genre festivals and countless film cameos. Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator) has achieved a lot more than just securing bit parts in …
Blu-Ray Review: Silent Action
Of all the countries in Western Europe, it is perhaps Italy which has the worst reputation (whether deserved or not) for corruption, crime and bribery. Much of this can be attributed to the Sicilian Mafia, undoubtedly the most famous illegal organisation in modern history. Political and criminal subterfuge played a large role in Italian cinema …
Film Review: Citizen Lane
Born in County Cork, Hugh Lane played an intrinsic role in championing the arts in, and of, Ireland. A dealer and collector, he was renowned for having a nose for a bargain and eye for spotting both painting and painter. A man of myriad contradictions, whose generosity knew no bounds but who established a reputation …
Blu-Ray Review: Tales From the Urban Jungle
During the 1940s, Jules Dassin was somewhat of an underrated powerhouse within Hollywood. However, like so many he fell foul of the blacklist which decimated the US entertainment industry at the beginning of the Cold War. Barred from fully completing post-production on Night and the City, he had no option but to flee to Europe. …
Blu-Ray Review: The Frightened City
Sean Connery has been one of the most iconic faces of British cinema for decades. The passionate Scotsman started picking up film roles in the late 1950s but it wasn’t until he played James Bond in 1962 that he made a major breakthrough. It’s a role which made him a star, a household name and …
Film Review: The Power
The UK economy was beset by high levels of inflation throughout the 1970s. As a response, governments capped public-sector pay, leading to unrest within trade unions. Eventually resulting in work-to-rule followed by strike action by the National Union of Miners. The response from Edward Heath’s Conservative Cabinet was to introduce a three-day week. Power outages …