Studiocanal
Film Review: In Bed with Victoria
Whilst gender disparity remains in almost all worldwide cinema, it’s fair to say that French directors are much more included to give female actors leading roles. It’s hardly surprising when you consider the wealth of talent they have at their disposal. Catherine Deneuve, Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche, Mélanie Laurent and Clémence Poésy are …
Blu-Ray Review: Casque d’Or
Cinema loves a good romance. Even better when this includes a large slice of tragedy, murder, betrayal and melodrama. However, there’s nothing quite so compelling as a big screen love-triangle. Whether it’s in classics such as Casablanca, Jules et Jim or Gone with the Wind or more modern young adult films such as Twilight and …
Blu-Ray Review: Le Trou
When discussion turns to the greats of French film-making, the name Jacques Becker isn’t one which instantly springs to mind. Whilst Truffaut, Godard, Malle, Melville et al all attract swathes of devotees, Becker struggled to escape the shadow of his mentor, Jean Renoir. Whilst his peers established their own visual signatures, Becker preferred to focus …
Film Review: The Boy and The Beast
Studio Ghibli has been the powerhouse of Japanese animation for decades now. However, with the on/off departure of Hayao Miyazaki and many of their key players reaching retirement age, the market has opened up to a new wave of talented animators, creatives and directors. Mamoru Hosoda, who was originally helming Howl’s Moving Castle, is one …
Blu-Ray Review: Lola
Whilst Barbara Sukowa may not be a household name, she’s arguably one of the best European actresses of her generation. She won Best Actress at Cannes for her role in Rosa Luxembourg in 1986. She also stared in Europa and Hannah Arendt. However, her most iconic role was also her first feature. After starring in …
Blu-Ray Review: Pilgrimage
With the Edict of Milan in 313, which guaranteed the freedom of religion across the Roman Empire, Christianity spread north and west across Europe. Indeed, it tended to mirror the progress of the Romans and meet with the same difficulties. War and strife were endemic across Europe. Ireland, perched on the edge of the empire, …
Blu-ray Review: Mulholland Drive
With all the excitement around season 3 of Twin Peaks, along with the recent statement from David Lynch that he will not be making any more films, there’s no better time to re-watch Mulholland Drive. Interestingly, when Mulholland Drive was originally released, the opposite was the case. A frustrated director jumping ship from TV to …
Blu-Ray Review: Melody
You may never have heard of a 1971 film called Melody but it marked an important moment for the British Film Industry. A new wave of screenwriters, producers and directors arrived on the scene from the advertising sector. It was David Puttnam’s first film as a producer. A career which has seen him to go …
Blu-Ray Review: Seoul Station
Train to Busan was a blessed release. Not only was it one of the best action films of 2016 it also breathed life into the stale genre of zombie movies. Yeon Sang-ho’s film pitched the apocalypse against the background of societal decay. The Korean director, responsible for The King of Pigs and The Fake, returns …
Blu-Ray Review: The Chamber
Whether you suffer from claustrophobia or not, it’s a good bet that you feel uncomfortable in a confined space. Film makers have often played on this fear. And a small set is perfect for directors with a meagre budget. However, this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Aliens, The Thing, Das Boot, The Descent, …