FIlm Review
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Dark Suns
Despite its geographical closeness to the United States, Mexico is a country far removed from its rich neighbour. Decades of struggles between different cartels, police, the military, local militias and the American war on drugs has left much of the country in a state of lawless poverty. In many places, society, as we know it, …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: The Fortress
In this modern connected world, football is possibly the closest thing we have to tribalism. Football is not just a game for some. It’s a way of life. Supporting your team can be the be all and end all. Ties and bonds can compete with those of family and friends. It’s hard to explain if …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Romantic Comedy
I must admit, of all the film genres in the world, romantic comedy is the one I struggle with the most. Love them or loathe them, it’s fair to say that rom coms are often critically denigrated regardless of how good or bad they are. Whilst they may not be up there with the Citizen …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: MOTHER
If you’ve known someone who has suffered from Alzheimers or dementia, you’ll understand what a difficult, debilitating and demoralising disease it can be. Personally, it’s watching a loved one slowly lose their sense of identity which I find the hardest. With life expectancy continually rising, more and more people will fall prey to this condition. …
Film Review: Eating Animals
Over the last decade or so we’ve seen a movement across Europe towards veganism and away from a meat-based diet. Whilst there are clearly some health benefits, one of the main reasons people cite for making this lifestyle change is animal cruelty. At least in Europe there is some levels of regulation, whether countries choose …
Film Review: Kind Hearts and Coronets
For many people, Sir Alec Guinness will always be remembered as Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Indeed, in that sense he’s possibly one of the most recognisable faces in cinema history. He was a phenomenal character actor and starred in a number of memorable roles. These include Fagan in Oliver Twist, Scrooge, Colonel Nicholson …
Film Review: Last Summer
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic and memorable coming-of-age films of the past few decades is Stand by Me. The concept of a gang of kids getting into scrapes and growing together is one which has consistently appeared in literature, on TV and in films. Whether that’s adventure comedy like The Goonies, horror such as …
Film Review: Dirty God
One of the most insidious and insipid phenomena to creep into British society over the last decade has been acid attacks. Due to a sharp rise in incidents from the start of 2017, press and politicians have begun taking notice and calling for action. It’s up there with knife crime as one of the greatest …
Film Review: A Vigilante
Whilst Olivia Wilde has made over thirty films, she’s an actor whose career has never really taken off. There have been some good roles in films and on television but she’s probably best known for starring in uninspiring Hollywood blockbusters Cowboys & Aliens and TRON: Legacy. If you look at her career to date, it’s …
Film Review: Thunder Road
Traditionally, especially in Western societies, men and boys have been expected to control their emotions. Show a stiff upper lip and not let anything get to them. If there’s crying to be done then that’s women’s work. Whilst these perceptions have thankfully begun to change, male leads in films still regularly ascribe to the mean …