Metrodome
DVD Review: Arrowhead
The quintessential Australian science-fiction films are undeniably the original Mad Max trilogy. The first film remains a classic and launched Mel Gibson’s career. George Miller’s reboot was arguably the best action films of last year. It’s easier to overlook some of the smaller sci-fi films which the nation has produced such as Predestination, Dark City …
Film Review: Partisan
The Australian film industry is having somewhat of a purple patch currently. Off the back of the huge success of George Miller’s new Mad Max outing it has been a bumper year. The likes of The Suicide Theory, The Dressmaker, Frackman and Spear are helping establish Australia one of the most vital and exciting places …
DVD Review: Howl
Werewolves are a perennial favourite with horror fans. By far and away the greatest lycanthrope film is An American Werewolf in London. However, this area of horror has also produced Ginger Snaps, Dog Soldiers, The Howling and, erm, Teen Wolf. Fans often obsess about ‘the change’, which is something Paul Hyett manages to successfully solve …
Film Review: The Messenger
Statistically, the British Film Industry appears to be in rude health. Over 150 films were made in the last year and the amount of investment continues to rise. In reality, this often means little in terms of quality of output or scale of theatrical release. As this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival attested, it’s often …
Film Review: Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
I’m showing my age here, but I miss video. The humble VHS may have been as compact as a brick, have a picture which often resembled the end of the world (any female nudity was often accompanied by the kind of major crumpling which only repeated rewind, pause and playing causes) and truly classy covers, …
Film Review: Rigor Mortis
Mr Vampire, and its loose sequels, formed the heart of a comedy horror craze in Hong Kong during the mid to late ’80s and early ’90s. It spawned many imitators and headed its own sub genre in Asian horror cinema. Juno Mak’s Rigor Mortis is a tribute to Mr Vampire, but approaches its flavour of …
DVD Review: What We Do In The Shadows
When done well, comedy and horror can be a fantastic combination. The Evil Dead sequels are probably the best example of this, with Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi creating one of the biggest cult horror franchises. New Zealand has a fine pedigree in this area, notably Peter Jackson’s early work: Braindead, Bad Taste and Meet …
Film Review: Coherence
All too often films fall into the nasty habit of replacing the need for a well-written and intelligent script with eye-popping visuals. However, there’s been many examples of mind-bending low budget films becoming cult hits. Cube, at its sequels, are probably the best examples of this. However, Fermat’s Room, Pi and Primer demonstrated that there’s …
DVD Review: In Order of Disappearance
Stellan Skarsgård is one of a handful of actors from non-English speaking countries to forge a long term career in Hollywood over the last couple of decades. Parts in The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, Avengers Assemble, Thor and Railway Man have seen him become a familiar face to many. However, it was leading roles …
DVD Review: The Haunting Of Black Wood
I’ll open this review with a confession: Apart from confusing snatches whilst trying to eat my tea, I’ve never seen Lost. That said, I do enjoy something a bit different. I really enjoyed Josh Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods and love watching something that’s a bit off the beaten track. Whilst The Haunting Of …