FIlm Review
Film Review: Two for Joy
Personally, I would argue that the greatest British actor of my generation is Samantha Morton. She has been recognised for supporting roles in Sweet and Lowdown, Minority Report, Control and The Messenger and as a leading actress for Under the Skin, In America and Morvern Caller. The latter is, for me, her greatest moment in …
Film Review: Of Love and Law
Whilst the image many have of Japan may be one of strange gameshows, jaw-dropping fashions and general craziness, at heart it’s an incredibly traditional and conservative country. As a society, it is one which is very much bound by norms. Any deviation from the pack is often viewed as delinquent behaviour, weird and just plain …
Film Review: Piercing
One of the most popular low budget areas of the horror genre is unquestionably a plot which revolves around one person taking another ‘captive’. The premise is simply. Two people in a confined space. One has power over another, but this dynamic is not necessarily set in stone. In recent times, there’s been a new …
Film Review: Jellyfish
The British film industry has always had a troubled (and troubling) relationship with the working classes. Most likely due to the inherent socio-economic bias within the sector. More often than not they’re depicted as plucky underdogs or the chirpily oppressed. We often end up with the middle-class laudanum of the likes of I, Daniel Blake …
Film Review: Her Love Boils Bathwater
In a conservative country like Japan, the traditional family plays a central role. Whilst attitudes are changing rapidly, there’s still a lot of emphasis placed on the nuclear family. This duty of care is broadened to looking after the old and infirm. When someone become sick it’s the responsibility of their family to take care …
Film Review: Crucible of the Vampire
In the space of just a few years horror cinema has gone from being a niche genre to one of the most popular and mainstream. Even pompous film critics have embraced what they ignorantly term ‘elevated horror’. However, whilst it has become the norm to see slick and stylish movies on the big screen, independent …
Film Review: Bergman: A Year in a Life
We live in a culture which has a seemingly insatiable desire to learn everything possible about the rich and famous. Social media is riven with people demanding and expecting knowledge about their heroes. They often don’t like what they find. Being a film director is a position which brings both great power and implied responsibility. …
Blu-Ray Review: Occupation
Australia isn’t exactly renowned for producing large-scale action or science fiction blockbusters. The notable exception to the rule is the Mad Max trilogy. However, it’s a country which has given birth to a number of thoughtful and intelligent genre movies. The likes of Predestination, The Rover, These Final Hours and The Infinite Man have demonstrated …
Film Review: Newly Single
The film industry, and particularly Hollywood, often tends to attract some rather unsavoury characters. They tend to be almost always men. Those working and living in Los Angeles often live in a bubble. Populated by people so wrapped up in their own little worlds that real life doesn’t always get a look in. The role …
Film Review: The House by the Sea
It is said that blood is thicker than water and to a greater extent that appears to hold true for most people. That doesn’t mean we necessarily like our brothers and sisters, spend much time with them or have anything in common. One thing that does bring families together is the illness or death of …