Raining Stones, 1993. Directed by Ken Loach. Starring Bruce Jones, Ricky Tomlinson and Julie Brown. SYNOPSIS: Bob Williams (Bruce Jones) is an honest grafter stuck on the dole, constantly trying to grab hold of any bit of work that comes his way. When Bob refuses to accept second best for his daughter’s Holy Communion, he […]

AICN get the low-down on the latest instalment of the reinvigorated Rambo franchise… After the success of his 2008 comeback effort Rambo (a.k.a John Rambo, a.k.a Rambo IV), star and director Sylvester Stallone began talking about his ideas for another sequel, suggesting he “would like to take Rambo to another genre, experiment a little with […]

In which Gerry Hayes stares down the flaming maw of the fanboys and bellows “You shall not pass!” The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, 2001-2003. Time to incur the wrath of the Tolkienites. I’ll have hordes of them sending death-threats in beautifully penned but barely decipherable variants of Elvish. They’ll swarm, costumed as Middle-Earth heroes […]

In the second part of a series of articles examining the various screen incarnations of George Lucas’ Star Wars saga, we focus on the Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back… Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, 1980. Directed by Irvin Kershner. Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams […]

Trevor Hogg profiles the career of legendary writer, director and producer John Hughes in the second of a two-part feature… read the first here. “At the time I came along,” reflected John Hughes, “Hollywood’s idea of teen movies meant there had to be a lot of nudity, usually involving boys in pursuit of sex, and […]

The Maggie, 1954. Directed by Alexander Mackendrick. Starring Alex Mackenzie, Paul Douglas and Tommy Kearins. SYNOPSIS: An old run-down puffer boat the ‘Maggie’ carries a loveable yet reckless reputation, only surpassed by her crafty old master Captain Mactaggart. When Mactaggart gets hold of an expensive cargo by chance, their journey ahead will be anything but […]

In which Gerry Hayes wonders just who it is that keeps giving money to M. Night Shyamalan… M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN Something a little different this week. Last week, as I bitched and moaned about Unbreakable, I noted that I could do a series on the films of M. Night Shyamalan. I won’t subject you to […]

Jon Dudley discusses the career of British writer-director Nick Love… On September 18th this year, a new film about football hooligans will be hitting cinema screens nationwide… The Firm. It is a loose adaptation of an original film written by Al Ashton, and the 2009 release sees Nick Love at the helm. Some of you […]

Let the Right One In, 2008. Directed by Tomas Alfredson. Starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson and Per Ragnar. SYNOPSIS: A 12-year-old outcast who is frequently picked on by his classmates dreams of getting his revenge, and with the arrival of his new next-door neighbour, he may finally have found a friend, ally, and first love. […]