Film Review: The Student
Since 9/11, the rise of religious fundamentalism has (if you believe the news) been spiralling out of control. Almost all the media attention has fallen on Islamic terrorism, whilst many of the atrocities perpetrated in the Western world are carried out by other forms of radicalisation. Russia is a country with many troubles, exacerbated by …
Incoming: Logan
In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces. Logan is out in cinemas from Wednesday.
Blu-Ray Review: The Anderson Tapes
The Heist movie has established its very own niche somewhere between the genres of crime drama and gangster films. Whilst there are a raft of (often British) heist films every year, it’s fair to say that it’s often a case of quantity of quality. There are, however, exceptions. Rififi, Reservoir Dogs, The Usual Suspects, Heat, …
Blu-Ray Review: Cul-De-Sac (Criterion Collection)
Controversy over his personal life aside, there are few directors with a record of accomplishment over the last six decades as strong as Roman Polanski. Chinatown is one of the best films ever made. Rosemary’s Baby regularly features at the top of horror lists. Then there’s The Tenant, Repulsion, The Pianist, Macbeth and many more. …
Incoming: It’s Only the End of the World
After 12 years of estrangement, a writer (Gaspard Ulliel) returns to his hometown, planning on announcing his impending death to his family. However, his mother (Nathalie Baye), tempestuous siblings (Vincent Cassel and Léa Seydoux) and beleaguered sister-in-law (Marion Cotillard) have their own personal grievances to air. As buried resentments threaten to surface and fits and …
Blu-Ray Review: Mr Darling Clementine
When it comes to Westerns, there’s no director who comes close to the innovation, imagination and exquisite film-making of John Ford. In 1939, Stagecoach not only defined and revitalised the Western genre, it had a profound influence on the whole medium of cinema. It’s an essential on any film studies course. Along with The Man …
Film Review: We Are X
Whilst Japanese rock has never been able to carve more than just a niche outside of Japan, many bands have garnered a cult following around the world. Acts such as Luna Sea, Melt Banana, The Boredoms, Nightmare, The GazettE and L’Arc-en-Ciel have all built a small but meaningful following. However, there has been one band …
Blu-Ray Review: Bunny Lake is Missing
Whilst Otto Preminger may have had a formidable reputation of being difficult to work with, highly strung and temperamental, he was also one of the best American filmmakers of his generation. He made his name in film noir through great films such as Laura and Fallen Angel before producing more high-profile work like Anatomy of …
Incoming: Patriots Day
Based upon the dramatic real-life manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, this powerful action-thriller follows Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) as he joins brave survivors, first responders, and investigators in a race against time to find the bombers before they strike again. Directed by Peter Berg and featuring a stellar cast, Patriots Day is …
Blu-Ray Review: The Last Detail (Indicator)
Jack Nicholson was one the most iconic actor of the ‘70s, with many of his biggest roles coming during that decade. Roman Polanski’s Chinatown is one of the best films ever made and it rived to be Nicholson’s defining role. Milos Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest gave him the opportunity to really let …