In which Gerry Hayes wants to believe it can be better than this… The X Files: I Want To Believe, 2008. Directed by Chris Carter. Written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz. Starring David Duchovny, the lovely Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, X to the Z. Full disclosure: In common with many men who […]
British Cinema – Genova (2008)
Genova, 2008. Directed by Michael Winterbottom. Starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Willa Holland, and Perla Haney-Jardine. SYNOPSIS: A haunting, eerie journey to a place where souls stir and hearts go to mend themselves, Genova is the dark, brooding voyage of discovery for one family, torn apart by tragedy. Acclaimed British director Michael Winterbottom continues to […]
World Cinema: The French New Wave
Santosh Sandhu discusses the French New Wave… French cinema in the post war years consisted mainly of genre movies with high production values. It was often studio bound and formulaic. The Gaullist regime came to power in the late 1950s and wanted to promote a home grown industry to compete against the dominance of Hollywood. […]
British Cinema – Get Carter (1971)
Get Carter, 1971. Directed by Mike Hodges. Starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, John Osborne, and Britt Ekland. SYNOPSIS: Jack Carter (Michael Caine), a classy but brutal criminal, travels to Newcastle from London in an attempt to find out the real cause behind the suspicious death of his brother. As the sinister facts behind his brother’s […]
Five Essential… Films of Alfred Hitchcock
Gary Collinson selects his Five Essential Films of Alfred Hitchcock… Without question, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock is among the very best filmmakers in history, and in my opinion the greatest British directing talent of all time. The Master of Suspense enjoyed a long and hugely influential career across six decades, beginning in the silent era […]
I Sat Through That? #1 – Hostel (2006)
In which Gerry Hayes explains why Hostel is pointless twaddle… Hostel, 2006. Written and directed by Eli Roth.Starring a bunch of people you’ve probably never heard of.Presented by Quentin Tarantino? Hostel wins the award for Most Flagrant Use Of A Tenuous Relationship To A Famous Name To Foist Tripe On The Public. Tarantino was executive […]
Thoughts on… I, Robot (2004)
I, Robot, 2004. Directed by Alex Proyas. Starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, and Bruce Greenwood. SYNOPSIS: In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop investigating the death of a scientist suspects that the crime may have been committed by a robot, leading to a greater threat against humanity. Starting off within the prolific field of science […]
World Cinema: The rise and fall of Italian Neo-realism
Santosh Sandhu discusses Italian neo-realism… In Italy, the fascist movement came to power in 1922. Fascist leader Benito Mussolini took advantage of the Italian peoples’ disillusionment with the liberal government and its inability to bring prosperity in the aftermath of the First World War which saw mass poverty, inflation and unemployment. Having created a totalitarian […]
R.I.P. Karl Malden (1912 – 2009)
Acting legend dies aged 97… Oscar winning actor Karl Malden has died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on July 1st, aged 97. The star enjoyed a long and successful Hollywood career, making his screen acting debut in 1940 and claiming an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in […]
Connery blasts “British Bullshit Corporation” coverage of the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Legendary Scottish actor slams the BBC… Screen legend Sir Sean Connery launched a scathing attack on the BBC for its lack of coverage of the 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival. Speaking on the final day of the two week event, Connery – a patron of the festival – referred to the broadcaster as the “British […]
