Film
Fantasia Festival 2019 Review: Sadako
In 1998 Hideo Nakata released Ringu in Japan. It would go on to change the face of genre cinema forever. Introducing the Western world to Asian horror and paving the way for cult favourites like The Grudge, A Tale of Two Sisters, Pulse, Dark Water and Audition. Whilst the golden age may be behind us, …
Blu-ray Review: Hold Back the Dawn
Whilst Donald Trump’s US-Mexico border wall might be the zenith of his crazy, bigoted and idiotic ideas, the issue of controlling migration from the south has been one haunting politicians for decades. The country has long been a beacon of hope for those looking for a better life and the promise of the ‘American dream’ …
DVD Review: Ashes in the Snow
The Holocaust was undoubtedly the lowest point in human history, but it’s worth remembering that the Nazis weren’t the only players in World War II who committed horrendous atrocities. There’s nothing that Joseph Stalin liked more than a good old purge. After the Soviets occupied and annexed the Baltic states, they instigated mass deportations of …
Film Review – Kursk: The Last Mission
Whilst a whole new generation is learning about a nuclear disaster which occurred in the Ukraine in 1986, it’s not the only ‘mishap’ which has been swept under the carpet over the years. Chernobyl highlighted just how far the Soviet regime would go in order to save face and cover-up systematic failures. The Kursk is …
Film Festival Preview: Fantasia International Film Festival
Since its inaugural edition back in 1996, Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival has been pushing boundaries by showcasing the best in new international genre cinema. Now in its 23rd incarnation, the festival’s reputation with both audiences and the film industry continues to grow. With a commitment to diversity and screening challenging ground-breaking cinema from Canada …
Film Review: Never Look Away
Whilst the Academy Awards may claim to consider cinema from all around the world, in reality only English-language films usually get a look in outside of ‘best foreign language’ category. Back in 1983, Das Boot was nominated for six Oscars. Although perversely, not in the most obvious category. This year, Never Look Away became only …
Film Review: Party Hard, Die Young
If there was an element of horror cinema which is the equivalent of comfort food, then it would definitely be called ‘annoying attractive teenagers die horribly’. Whilst these slasher flicks are hardly the most progressive or innovative areas of genre film-making, they often provide the most pound for pound entertainment. The likes of Scream(s), I …
Film Review: She’s Missing
Almost since the inception of film, audiences have been ‘treated’ to a dizzying array of buddy movies. These bromances have taken many shapes and forms but there’s almost always been one common denominator. Men. Indeed, until recently, mainstream cinema generally overlooked female friendships. Thankfully, this anomaly is finally being rectified. The likes of Ladybird and …
Incoming: Support the Girls
Lisa Conroy is the last person you’d expect to find in a highway-side ‘sports bar with curves’, but as general manager at Double Whammies, she’s come to love the place and its customers. An incurable den mother, she nurtures and protects her girls fiercely – but over the course of one trying day, her optimism …
Blu-Ray Review: Demonlover
Olivier Assayas has always been a writer and director overflowing with ideas. Since his directorial debut Disorder in 1986, the Frenchman has consistently produced challenging and interesting films. However, they didn’t always come together to make a cohesive whole. With Personal Shopper and Clouds of Sils Maria he’s now proving to be one of the …