Film Festival
EEFF Review: Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts
The Wild West may be a long-forgotten and largely fictionalised part of America’s past, but its mythology and tropes still captivate film-makers today. However, whilst American society has left (most of) that period of its history behind, many of the characteristics of that time are still at play in less developed countries. Indonesia, for example, …
Full Frame Review: Capturing the Flag
American politics has been in a state of flux for the last few years, culminating with the surprise victory of Donald Trump to become the 45th President of the United States of America. However, the legitimacy of his win has been called into question on several counts. Most recently due to the power of outside …
Film Review – Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story
Comedy comes in many shapes and sizes but occasionally there are mavericks who manage to create something so absurd that it’s brilliant. Britain has a proud history in this field. The forerunner was undoubtedly the peek into Spike Milligan’s mind afforded by The Goon Show in the 1950s. Monty Python and The Flying Circus followed. …
Berlinale Review: Infinite Football
Name me a football fan who hasn’t ever dreamed of managing their favourite club. Personally, I was addicted to Football Director on the Spectrum at an early age. It’s funny how a lot of data can occupy an avid mind. Then Championship Manager and Football Manager took things to another level. I spent hours inventing …
Berlinale Review: The Green Fog
There are many directors whose work keeps returning to the same focal point. That could be a period in history, a theme, or sometimes a place. In terms of location, the most famous example is probably Woody Allen’s continuing love affair with New York. However, Guy Maddin has gone one step further in his new …
Film Review: Pyewacket
Witchcraft and the occult have proved a powerful attraction to thousands of dissatisfied, lonely and disenfranchised teens for generations. Whilst Wiccans and practitioners of witchcraft have been stigmatised, demonised and persecuted for centuries. A Pyewacket is a witch’s familiar spirit. They’ve occasionally appeared in popular culture, most notably in Richard Quine’s 1958 film Bell, Book …
Preview: The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2018
Since 2004, the Japan Foundation has organised a touring Japanese film programme in close partnership with distinguished film venues across the UK. Each year, a handpicked selection of films are carefully chosen to highlight trends in Japanese cinema and showcase the versatility and uniqueness displayed by Japanese filmmakers. It also acts as a showcase for …
Celluloid Screams Review: Tragedy Girls
For someone of my age, the online habits of Millennials can be more than slightly perplexing. It wasn’t until recently that I realised Facetime was actually a thing and not just a way of talking about social media without namechecking a particular site. I’m not alone. Hollywood has struggled with concepts of new media, language …
Celluloid Screams Review: Better Watch Out
Take a look on the high street and you could be mistaken in thinking that the festive season has already begun. Christmas for most people is a time of celebration, but for some of us in can feel more like a horror movie. Thankfully, we have the sub-genre of Christmas horror to fall back on. …
Celluloid Screams Review: M.F.A.
The recent horrific revelations spilling out of Hollywood about Harvey Weinstein seem to have come as a shock to many. However, the abuses within the film industry have been an open secret for decades. Most people have chosen to ignore it, accept it or bury their heads in the sand. The same can be said …