Eureka Entertainment
Blu-Ray Review: Birdman of Alcatraz
After watching Birdman of Alcatraz, you might be surprised to discover that Burt Lancaster’s performance didn’t get rewarded with an Oscar. On further investigation, 1963 was a special year for male leads. Gregory Peck eventually prevailed and picked-up the gong for his role in To Kill a Mockingbird. The other nominees were Peter O’Toole (Lawrence …
Blu-Ray Review: Iron Monkey
When it comes to the Hong Kong film industry, I’d argue that no one who has been more important and influential over the last 35 years or so than Tsui Hark. Working in various roles as a director, screenwriter, producer and choreographer, he’s been responsible for A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Zu Warriors …
Blu-Ray Review: No Way Out
Joseph L. Mankiewicz was a true Hollywood all-rounder. As a writer he penned forty-eight screenplays during his career, winning numerous awards and accolades. He produced over twenty films, including The Philadelphia Story. When he was finally given a chance to direct by Twentieth Century Fox, he didn’t disappoint; winning Oscars for Best Director (and also …
Blu-Ray Review: The Defiant Ones
In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field. He went on to become one of the most famous actors of his era and direct films in his own right. In a prodigious career, some of the highlights included: In the Heat …
Film Review: King of Hearts
Whilst today he may not get the credit or acknowledgement that some of his peers receive, Alan Bates was unquestionable one of the most versatile and well thought of British actors of his generation. Some of his more acclaimed roles are in Gregory’s Girl, Women in Love, The Fixer, Far from the Madding Crowd and …
Blu-Ray Review: Breakheart Pass
The 1960s were boom time for Charles Bronson. With roles in a string of hits including The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape and The Sandpiper, his star was definitely in the ascendancy. After a brief sojourn in European cinema he returned to the States. By then in his 50s, Bronson continued to …
Film Review: The Old Dark House
Whilst he railed against being typecast as a horror director, James Whale is unquestionable one of the most important pioneers of genre cinema. He virtually (re)invented Gothic Horror and had a huge influence on directors in the 1960s and ‘70s. Today, his depiction of Mary Shelley’s macabre creation in the 1931 film Frankenstein is the …
Blu-Ray Review: Re:Born
Tak Sakaguchi caused a bit of a stir when he burst onto the scene in Ryuhei Kitamura’s absolutely stunning film Versus in 2000. He went on to have successes with Azumi, Azumi 2 and Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, amongst others. The action director on Shinobi was Yûji Shimomura, who had worked as a stuntman/stunt coordinator …
Blu-Ray Review: The Barefoot Contessa
It’s no surprise that in an industry powered by ego, narcissism and self-interest, Hollywood is no stranger to making movies about itself. The recent Oscar successes of Birdman and The Artist demonstrate that they’re also quite happy rewarding themselves for it. This is hardly a recent phenomenon. As Sunset Boulevard and Singing in the Rain …
Blu-Ray Review: Michael
Without doubt, Carl Theodor Dreyer was one of the greatest directors of the silent era. He’s best remembered for The Passion of Joan of Arc, but he made a number of notable films, including Leaves on Satan’s, Master of the House and Michael. Whilst his brief forays into talkies also proved fruitful, it’s his silent …