Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: The Viewing Booth
Now, more than any other time in human history, we’re beginning to take a long hard look in the mirror and question our core beliefs. A wave of political populism has polarised societies like never before. Everything has to be black and white. There is no room for ambiguity. Every human has prejudices. It’s natural. …
Blu-ray Review: Tokyo Story
Yasujiro Ozu was unquestionably one of the best, if not the best, Japanese film director of all time. His unique style and perspective made him one of the most singular and visionary film makers of his generation. The main themes running through his work, particularly in the post-war era, are of family and inter-generational relationships. …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: The Go-Go’s
Many of the best bands burned fast but burned twice as bright. This could have been said about The Go-Go’s. They started out as a punk bad before gradually gravitating towards the power pop which would make them famous. After a tour of the UK, their debut album, Beauty and the Beat, was a surprise …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Aswang
During Rodrigo Duterte election campaign to become the President of the Philippines he promised to kill thousands upon thousands of criminals and eradicate crime within the country. Whatever you think about the controversial figure, he was certainly true to his word. Since he came to power in 2016, and subsequently issued a shoot to kill …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Flint
Once known for its automobile production, Flint, Michigan is now synonymous with public health issues, specifically the water crisis the city has been suffering since 2014. It’s a story which has hit news channels across the world. The scandal has also been covered extensively on TV and in film; most notably by Michael Moore in …
Film Review: The Ground Beneath My Feet
Almost everyone will experience mental health issues at some stage in their lives, either directly or through someone they love. It’s a disease which is highly personal in the way it manifests and one which is extremely difficult to defeat. Representations of these conditions on the big screen have generally been less than impressive. However, …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Us Kids
In 2019 there were more mass shootings in America than days. Let that just sink in for a moment. These murders take place in a variety of locations, but all too frequently happen in schools. Many of these massacres are now notorious. The list seems endless, but the most well-known are Sandy Hook, Columbine, University …
Film Review: This is Not a Movie
Robert Fisk is the embodiment of a certain generation of foreign correspondent. Privately educated, he started out reporting on The Troubles in Northern Ireland before eventually becoming the Middle East Correspondent for the Times in 1987. Always outspoken and fiercely committed, he has lived in Beirut ever since. When one of his stories was pulled, …
Film Review: The Australian Dream
It’s incredibly difficult to grasp what racism looks like in Australia if you’re not from a similar country where an indigenous population has been subdued, subordinated and slaughtered by a Colonial invader. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like to grow up in a country where many still consider you to …
Blu-Ray Review: The Vanishing (Spoorloos)
I think it’s fair to say, especially in relation to its larger European neighbours, Holland hasn’t exactly set the world alight when it comes to cinema. Indeed, outside of Paul Verhoeven’s work (Soldier of Orange, Turkish Delight, Black Book etc), films from The Netherlands have generally had only a limited impact on the wider world. …