Incoming: I, Tonya
Based on the unbelievable but true events, I, Tonya is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater, Tonya Harding, and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axle in competition, her legacy was forever defined by her association with an infamous, …
Blu-Ray Review: Breathe
It’s that time of the year where producers and studios have one eye on the awards circuit. There’s nothing judging panels like more than a tale of success in the face of adversity. The likes of The Theory of Everything, The King’s Speech, Hidden Figures, Captain Phillips and 127 Hours all scored big. One would …
Film Review: A Suitable Girl
It must be an absolute nightmare for teenagers growing up in a world of social media, Snapchat, Tinder and Grindr. Everything we do or say nowadays can be instantly captured and uploaded. Dating agencies and ads in the paper have been replaced by swiping right and Instagram filters. Imagine the complication of adding family into …
Incoming: Dark River
Following the death of her father, Alice (Ruth Wilson) returns home to Yorkshire for the first time in 15 years, to claim the tenancy of the family farm she believes is rightfully hers. Once there she encounters her older brother Joe (Mark Stanley) a man she barely recognises, worn down by years of struggling to …
DVD Review: Beyond the Woods
Woods and forests have played an important role in fairy tales, folk stories and legends, through the generations. Whether it’s the helpful woodland spirits and mischievous fairies of Russian folklore, the evil witch’s gingerbread house in Hansel & Gretel or as a home for the trolls of Norwegian fable. They’ve also loomed large over many …
Incoming: Lady Bird
Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird’s father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, amidst a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird …
Blu-ray Review: Brimstone
Whilst in many ways the Old West was a lawless place, that didn’t mean to say that a lot of people didn’t hold fast to religion. As you’d expect in a such a wild and unforgiving place, the (fire)brand of Christianity favoured was that of Hellfire and damnation. In Westerns, preachers are not always benevolent, …
Blu-Ray Review: The Colour of Pomegranates
Sergei Parajanov will be an unfamiliar name to most Western readers, however he was notorious and famous within cinematic circles of Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s. His directorial vision was at odds with the social realism demanded by the regime. He was frequently in trouble with the authorities, banned from working and ultimately …
Blu-Ray Review: Once Were Warriors
Ever since Peter Jackson brought Frodo and Bilbo Baggins to the big screen, the New Zealand film industry has often seemed to double as an advert for the national tourist board. However, Kiwi cinema has produced a rich tapestry of life, with films such as The Whale Rider and The Dark Horse showing a side …
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 …