Film
Film Review: Path of Blood
Whilst we’ve recently seen a plethora of documentaries covering the ‘war on terror’ and conflicts taking place throughout the Middle East, they’re often told a story from a similar perspective. Given the nature of groups like Al-Qaeda and daesh, it’s very rare that we get a glimpse into their world. When we do, it’s often …
Incoming: First Reformed
Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is a solitary parish priest at a small church in upstate New York, which is on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Now more of a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, it has long been eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities. …
Blu-Ray Review: Black Peter
Making films under the curtain of censorship is an extremely precarious and potentially life-threatening undertaking. It can easily lead to a very short career. This is what makes the achievements of the Czech new wave film-makers even for impressive. The likes of Miloš Forman, Věra Chytilová, Ivan Passer, Jiří Menzel and Pavel Juráček put the …
Incoming: Whitney
With over 200 million album sales worldwide, and remaining the only artist to chart seven consecutive US No.1s, Whitney Houston was the voice of a generation. Coming from an esteemed lineage of singers, Whitney was destined to be plucked from her gospel-singing roots to rule the world stage. She inspired a generation of singers from …
Blu-Ray Review: Detective Bureau 2-3: Go to Hell Bastards!
After the end of World War II, Japan spent the best part of a decade in dire straits. When it did finally begin to emerge from a deep Depression, it no longer had its old confidence or self-belief. Previously strong nationalistic tendencies were eschewed in favour of copying its conquerors. American culture streamed into Japanese …
Blu-Ray Review: The Boondock Saints
Whilst Willem Dafoe has a distinct look, his ability as an actor has often been overlooked. However, his Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Florida Project this year was the third Oscar he’s been up for (the other two were Shadow of a Vampire and Platoon). His most iconic roles have probably come in films …
Film Review: Ideal Home
In Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan created a character who is not only hugely popular with British audiences but also put Norfolk and Linton Travel Tavern on the map. However, outside of playing the mercurial radio show host, TV presenter and woman’s man (citation needed), Coogan has struggled to gain a foothold on the big screen. …
Film Review: Mom and Dad
It’s only normal to approach parenthood with at least a hint of trepidation. There’s no special pill or bestselling novel that can prepare you for the trials and tribulations to come. It’s normal to pick things up as you go along and second time round is usually a lot easier. There’s no denying the invisible …
Incoming: The First Purge
To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community. But when the violence of oppressors meets the rage of the marginalised, the contagion will explode from the trial-city borders …
Incoming: Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is the latest haunting film from Debra Granik, a moody, mysterious and mesmerising exploration of an unexpected existence on the edge. A teenage girl and her father have lived undetected for years in Forest Park, a vast woods on the edge of Portland, Oregon. A chance encounter leads to their discovery and …