Starring: Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Matthew Cook Director: Paul Schrader Vivid and stylised, with hints of Cohen Brothers, Tarantino and Fear And Loathing, this film is based on a novel by Edward Bunker, a career criminal turned writer and actor. It's about as crazy and weird as you'd expect, but no less enjoyable for… Continue reading Dog Eat Dog (2016)
Biography Of The Month: Orson Welles
As you may know, this year I set the goal of reading one biography per month, and this month goes to Orson Welles, actor, director, writer and wunderkind, 1915 - 1985. The biography is Rosebud by David Thomson. Where does one even begin to talk about Orson Welles? He's a huge figure on the landscape… Continue reading Biography Of The Month: Orson Welles
105 Must See Films: The King’s Speech (2010)
Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey Rush Director: Tom Hooper In this true story, the prince becomes King George (Firth) unexpectedly when his brother abdicates to marry the woman he loves. With the kingdom thrust upon him, his stutter means that he is painfully shy, and he must learn to overcome his bashfulness in order… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: The King’s Speech (2010)
105 Must See Films: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Starring: Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Glover Director: Wes Anderson When he finds out that his estranged wife is planning on remarrying, Royal Tenenbaum (Hackman) tells his family that he's terminally ill in order to reconnect with them. His reentry into their lives sets off… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Horror Round-Up: Psychics, Psychotics and Unexplained Epidemics…
The Dead Room (2015) A solid entry, this New Zealand horror is all about the atmosphere and the slow build, as a psychic and two scientists investigate an isolated farm house that the inhabitants have fled, due to it's being haunted. At first, it all seems inconclusive, but then things start to get weird. What… Continue reading Horror Round-Up: Psychics, Psychotics and Unexplained Epidemics…
Preview: A Cure For Wellness (2017)
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth Director: Gore Verbinski It's Shutter Island meets Crimson Peak in this psycho-thriller fantasy about a young ambitious banker Lockhart (DeHaan) who is sent to convince his company's CEO to leave the sanctuary of a spa in the Swiss Alps and return to work in NY. But when he… Continue reading Preview: A Cure For Wellness (2017)
Rings (2017)
Starring: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Vincent D'Onofrio Director: F. Javier Gutierrez It's the movie remake/update that we never needed, and surprisingly, it's actually pretty entertaining. Most of you will remember the wave of Japanese horror US remakes that did the rounds, and how The Ring was a huge phenomenon in it's time. It's… Continue reading Rings (2017)
105 Must See Films: A Place In The Sun (1951)
Starring: Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters Director: George Stevens George Eastman (Clift) is a poor relation who goes to work for his rich uncle. He's not immediately accepted, and has to work his way up. At which point, Alice (Winters) falls for him, and they're soon dating. But Alice is afraid that as he… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: A Place In The Sun (1951)
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaugn, Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer Director: Mel Gibson Mel Gibson directs this true story of a man, Desmond Doss (Garfield), who signed up to fight in WWII, but who could not carry a gun under religious principles. It's a remarkable story, as the first half we see how hard… Continue reading Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
105 Must See Films: Raging Bull (1980)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci Director: Martin Scorsese The true story of Jake La Motta, a boxer whose personal life derailed his professional one. His life goes from contender to washed up has been. A truly violent figure, whose weight balloons and who isn't afraid to turn on anyone in a jealous… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Raging Bull (1980)
