Studiocanal
Blu-Ray Review: Quai des Orfèvres
The bright lights of showbusiness has led many astray over the years. As recent events have sadly illustrated all too well, the power almost always rests with men, and it’s a far too regularly abused and misused. As a young actress and singer seeking her big break, the lively music halls of 1940s Paris are …
Blu-ray Review: Le Corbeau
World War II was a difficult period for many European film directors. There was a migration ahead of the Holocaust and Nazi rule, which trundled West from Germany along with the Panzer regiments. If you were Jewish, there was obviously not option, but those who remained in occupied territory faced the choice of complying or …
Blu-Ray Review: Ice Cold in Alex
The subject of World War II has been approached from almost every conceivable angle by film-makers. Most dwell on the major events or pivotal moments in the conflict. J. Lee Thompson preferred to focus on the smaller skirmishes and battles, concentrating on the peripheries or human stories. He did this successfully in the big budget …
Blu-Ray Review: Melville – The Essential Collection
It’s no exaggeration to say that the French aren’t exactly short of great film directors. Bresson, Godard, Clouzot, Truffaut, Varda, Tati, Chabrol, Rohmer, Demy – the list goes on and on. Jean-Pierre Melville is easily up there with such vaunted company. Much of his work was influenced by his time serving in the French Resistance …
Blu-Ray Review: Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter
No film studio can claim to possess the wonder and magic that Studio Ghibli manager to inject into everything they do. Not even Disney or Pixar. They’ve created a raft of unforgettable films including Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro, The Tale of Princess Kaguya and Grave of Fireflies. However, they’ve never previously …
Blu-Ray Review: Blood Simple
Joel and Ethan Coen are two of the most unique film-makers working in American cinema today. They burst onto the scene with Fargo and The Big Lebowski and have never looked back. They’ve subsequently had hits with O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country for Old Men, Hail, Caesar and Inside Llewyn Davis. However, whilst …
Blu-Ray Review: Hammer Horror Collection One
For two decades, beginning in the mid-1950s, ‘Hammer Horror’ was the epitome of genre cinema in the UK. With a cast of familiar faces (including Peter Cushing, Vincent Price and Christopher Lee) Hammer Film Productions churned out an almost constant stream of terror, blood and monsters. There most popular titles revolved around Dracula, Frankenstein and …
DVD Review: Replace
The quest for eternal youth is one which has fascinated humankind from time immemorial. The multi-million-dollar market in cosmetics and beauty products has morphed into an ocean of anti-aging and skin replenishing therapies. Not to mention medication, herbal supplements and all manner of weird and wonderful treatments and plans. In Norbert Keil’s new film Replace, …
Blu-Ray Review: The Howling
Werewolf movies have become a popular sub-genre of horror cinema. Whilst they’ve been knocking around for a while, it probably wasn’t until the 1980’s that they seeped into popular culture (who can forget Teen Wolf?). Whilst not the most cinematic subject, An American Werewolf in London, Ginger Snaps and Dog Soldiers demonstrated what could be …
Film Review: My Journey Through French Cinema
Whilst most eyes look to Hollywood and American independent films for their inspiration, it’s arguable that the most innovative, influential and important international cinema has actually come from France. The likes of Renoir, Malle, Godard and Truffaut have inspired countless filmmakers, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In My Journey Through French Cinema, …