Film
Tallinn Black Nights Review: My Favourite War
Whilst so much has been said, written and shot about World War II, most of it has largely concentrated on the Western Front and the Pacific theatre. This is largely due to who is speaking, writing and filming and where their audience resides. Unless you’re from that arena, the conflict on the Eastern front is …
Blu-Ray Review: Goodbye, Dragon Inn
Like many people reading this review, I’ve had a love affair with cinema for most of my life. It’s never been just about the films, it’s the whole experience. From arriving in the foyer, to entering the screen. The ads (sadly). The trailers. The whole kit and kaboodle. There’s nothing quite like it. It’s a …
IDFA Review: Nothing but the Sun
One of the consequences of conquest is the impact this invasion has on the indigenous populations, who, in most cases, had been living happily on their land for countless generations. Whilst the white man was more than happy to kill for what they wanted; Europeans were often equally as deadly when trying to help. Diseases …
Tallinn Black Nights Review: Fugitive Dreams
There’s something distinctly American about the road movie. Whether that stems from the likes of Jack Kerouac heading out On the Road or the tradition of freighthopping which has taken generations of Americans far and wide across the country; in search of jobs, a new home or simply temporary shelter. More than just a means …
Film Review – Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist
Whilst there have been many iconic films over the history of genre cinema, few have had such an impact and lasting appeal as The Exorcist. Whether that’s through the number of scenes which have become entrenched in popular culture or the whole controversy it generated upon release. Whilst Mark Kermode’s favourite film is now almost …
Film Review: Collective
Since the fall of the Ceaușescu regime in 1989, Romania has struggled to mirror the democratic countries to its west. Corruption has been rife and has wheedled its way into most aspects of everyday life. This has caused consternation within the European Commission and led to a number of demonstrations and reforms to tackle the …
Film Review: The Nest
Whilst she might have starred in a number of great TV shows, Carrie Coon remains one of the least recognisable great American actors. Coming late to the industry by way of the stage, the Ohioan has made a huge impression in just a short period of time. Most viewers will recognise her from roles in …
Blu-ray Review: La Haine
Paris, the City of Lights. The most romantic place in the world. When you visit the French capital you mostly see the dream. Travel out of the city into some of the more dubious suburbs and you’re in for a shock. The poorest Banlieues are sometimes little better than ghettos, their residents often face segregation, …
Tallinn Black Nights Review: Enfant Terrible
As the saying goes, the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. That was certainly the case with one of Germany’s greatest film directors. Rainer Werner Fassbinder made his first feature film in 1969 at the age of twenty-four. Thirteen years and Twenty-two films later, he was found dead in his room. …
Tallinn Black Nights Review: Exemplary Behaviour
Whilst the last resort for the most serious crimes in civilised countries is life imprisonment, that doesn’t mean to say that the bad guys always get their comeuppance. Or if they do, the sentence they deserve. And even if they do face incarceration, they can often halve their time behind bars for ‘good behaviour’. Whilst …