Film
Film Review: Psycho Goreman
One of the major complaints about mainstream genre cinema is that much of it is highly derivative and annoyingly unoriginal. It often seems like there’s frighteningly little innovation or imagination involved. Independent horror is another beast entirely. There are so many creative and brilliant people working within the industry but none are quite as distinctive …
Blu-Ray Review: Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
Given the rather troubling rise of the far right and a resurgence in support for views espoused by Benito Mussolini, in modern Italy, the country is once again facing a turbulent socio-political period. Of which there have been many. Towards the end of the 1960, and throughout the next decade, there were a spate of …
Blu-Ray Review: JSA – Joint Security Area
Since the end of the Korean War, there has been an (very) uneasy peace between the North and South. Located within the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Joint Security Area was the only place where soldiers from both armed forces directly faced each other. This area was traditionally used for diplomatic events and peace negotiations, …
Blu-Ray Review: The Tin Drum
During the period on either side of the 19th Century, Eastern Europe was a region in constant flux. No country personifies this more than the territory which is classed as modern-day Poland. Whether under partition or occupation by Prussia, Russia, Germany or Austria, a desire for independence and nationalistic movements were repeatedly thwarted. Often by …
Film Review: Daniel
Hostage-taking has played an important role in warfare since time immemorial. Providing an easy way to raise funds quickly, a bargaining chip for any negotiations and a way to guarantee someone’s compliance. It’s still widespread in many places around the world, but the focus is usually on conflict zones. Most recently, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. …
Film Review: MLK/FBI
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important, influential and pivotal social and political figures in America during the second half of the twentieth century. His central role in the civil rights movement and his untimely death are ingrained within the psyche of the country. His determination to protest peacefully and exact nonviolent …
Film Review: Dear Comrades!
Communism, like its Marxist foundation, is one of those political ideologies which sounds great in theory but in practice always seems to be twisted to suit whoever is in power. During the Cold War, the word was wielded by many to symbolise some kind of utopian alternative to capitalism, where everyone is equal and works …
Film Review: Imperial Blue
The spectre of the white Western traveller going to India on a voyage of self-discovery has become something of a cliché. Whilst people still backpack round the country to ‘find themselves’, it’s a distinctly different experience in the modern world. However, this idyllic vision of paradise can sour very quickly. Hedonism can easily traverse the …
Film Review: Freshman Year
Going to college (in the US), or university (in the UK) can be a scary, exciting and daunting experience. For many, it will be the first time they’ve lived away from home. Had to cook their own meals, wash their clothes, manage their finances and generally be independent. Whilst some take to it like a …
Blu-ray Review: [REC]
The release of The Blair Witch Project in 1999 sparked a wave of ‘found footage’ films which has continued to sweep across genre cinema. As you’d probably expect given the relative low cost of this approach, there have been a number of duds. However, it’s a format which can produce impressive result. Lake Mungo, Cloverfield, …