Cult Films
Blu-ray Review: The Ape Woman
The popularity of the circus reached its height during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An excitable public went seeking spectacular marvels and freak shows were a staple. These sideshows usually featured a bearded lady. Julia Pastrana was born with a genetic condition, hypertrichosis terminalis, which meant she was covered with thick black hair. …
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, …
Blu-ray Review: One Deadly Summer
Iconic is a perfect word to describe Isabelle Adjani. The French actress had a face and persona you were unlikely to forget in a hurry. She had sex appeal and wasn’t afraid to use it, but what made her such a charismatic actor was her innate talent and ability to leave a lasting emotional impression. …
Blu-Ray Review: Opera
The opera, like theatre and the ballet, is a place where emotions run high and passions can overflow. It’s a stage for the greatest romances, the funniest comedy and the harshest tragedies. An arena to experience your wildest dreams and endure your greatest nightmares. It’s can also be a boiling pot of jealousy, danger and …
Blu-ray Review: Il Postino
The first Academy Award for Best Picture was awarded to Wings back in 1929. In the ninety iterations which have followed there have been a wide range of winners in all categories. However, in all those years there have only ever been ten films made in a foreign language which have received nominations for the …
Blu-Ray Review: I Vitelloni
Federico Fellini was one of the greatest directors and screenwriters ever to work in Italian cinema. Films such as 8 ½, La Dolce Vita, La Strada and The Night of Cabaria still regularly feature in ‘best-of’ lists and grace special screenings and retrospectives around the world. After beginning his career as an assistant and writer …
Blu-Ray Review: The Battle of Algiers
After World War II the nature of combat, resistance and indeed war changed markedly. Countries were no longer prepared or able to be involved in traditional arenas of conflict. The nature of armed forces has shifted towards technologically driven killing machines. With the price of human life depending more on socio-political considerations rather than risk …
Blu-Ray Review: Umberto D
Italian Neo-realism emerged after the end of the Second World War. It was a direct reaction to the changing social and economic climate in Italy, characterised by a focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people. Amongst The major players in the movement was Vittorio De Sica. His film Bicycle Thieves became the most iconic …
Blu-Ray Review: The Innocent (L’Innocente)
After a couple of misfires, Luchino Visconti returned to familiar territory for his final film. Whilst The Innocent (L’innocente) may not reach the heights of The Leopard, Death in Venice or Le Notti Bianche, it’s contains all the elements which make his one of the greatest Italian directors of his era. Over a period of …
Blu-Ray Review: A Special Day
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni were two of the most iconic and best-loved actors in Italian cinema history. They did the vast majority of their best work within European cinema. Mastroianni most notably for 8 ½, La Dolce Vita and La Notte. Loren for Two Women, El CID and A Special Day. Indeed, the pair …