FIlm Review
Film Review: Werewolves Within
The history of modern cinema is littered with a trail of not good, bad, very bad and appalling computer game adaptations. Uwe Boll is the uncrowned king of the diabolical (Alone in the Dark being a personal ‘favourite’) but the likes of Silent Hill, Assassin’s Creed, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Mortal Combat and Tomb Raider …
Film Review: Sweat
As far as I’m concerned, there’s little more pernicious in today’s society as the rise of the cult of the influencer. What began as Youtubers or Instagram accounts gaining large followings has evolved into a cottage industry of money-making self-promotion. Why anyone would trust these people is beyond me, let alone worship them. However, whilst …
Film Review: Echoes of the Invisible
Today, when there’s talk about the spheres of exploration and discovery it’s almost guaranteed to be about space travel and potential colonisation. Humans have been obsessed with the stars for centuries and more, but after a long break to tackle more terrestrial problems the focus is very much on Mars, the Moon and even further …
Film Review: Treasure City
Whilst Hungary might not seem, on the face of it, to be a hotbed of filmmaking talent, over the years it has produced a number of exciting directors. The likes of István Szabó, Miklós Jancsó, Zoltán Fábri and Béla Tarr made their name in their homeland and garnered a reputation across Europe and beyond. Whilst …
Film Review: It Must Be Heaven
Unfortunately, once again our news feeds are dominated by tensions in Israel and it seems that there’s unlikely to ever be a satisfactory resolution to this lengthy conflict. Whilst there are often Israeli films at European festivals it’s much rarer to get content from Palestinian directors. Let’s be honest, occupation tends to focus the mind …
Film Review – Occupation: Rainfall
Most of today’s modern science fiction films, and there is nowhere near as many as there should be, are big budget star driven vehicles. They tend to be very hit and miss, with an emphasis on disappointment, but the cost means ideas are often sacrificed for bangs and whooshes. Occasionally, a small budget sci-fi comes …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Sing, Freetown
In many ways the more recent history of Sierra Leonne is not so different to that of its neighbours. Its climate and habitat shielded it from conquest until the European colonisers arrived by sea. Perched on the west coast of Africa, several nations established trading posts until eventually the British created the settlement of the …
Tribeca Review: My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To
It’s natural for siblings to squabble and bicker. The power dynamic between brothers and sisters is often established in early life and usually remains until they’re old and grey. Whilst families routinely disagree or hold long-standing grudges, they usually come together when something major happens. Like the death of a parent or loved one. Some …
Film Review: Caveat
There’s a tendency today, especially within mainstream genre cinema, to rely on jump scares and manufacturing tension using abrasive soundscapes and invasive camera techniques. This can often leave a bad aftertaste and is no replacement for conjuring up a genuine atmosphere of dread. Of wrongness. Of anticipation. Look deep into the shadows and you’ll find …
Film Review: Flashback
The history of cinema is littered with child stars who struggled to adjust to the adult acting world. Hollywood seems to have addressed this by casting older actors as younger teenagers. It has worked remarkably well for many stars of YA adaptations, with Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson becoming household names. Dylan O’Brien …