I’m Still Here, 2010. Directed by Casey Affleck. Starring Joaquin Phoenix. SYNOPSIS: Announcing his retirement from acting, Joaquin Phoenix embarks on a journey to establish himself as a successful rapper. I’m Still Here is one of those curios, that which the hype and marketing surrounding the film end up completely overshadowing the film itself. For […]

Betrayal (Norwegian: Svik), 2009. Directed by Haakon Gundersen. Starring Lene Nystrøm, Götz Otto, Kåre Conradi, Hary Prinz, Jørgen Langhelle, Fridtjov Såheim and Jockel Tschiersch. SYNOPSIS: A nightclub singer and British double-agent recounts her experiences in occupied Norway. Set in occupied Norway amidst the Second World War, Betrayal concerns itself with opportunists who trade in liquor, […]

It’s been quite an eventful week in the world of movie superheroes with a first look at two of Marvel’s biggest characters in addition to a steady stream of plot rumours and possible casting movement on The Dark Knight Rises. Kicking things off is the first shot of The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield as everyone’s […]

Continuing our Peter Weir Blogathon, Trevor Hogg chats with Academy Award-nominated film editor Lee Smith… Lee Smith began his career in the movie industry as a sound designer for internationally respected directors such as Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm), Jane Campion (The Piano), George Miller (Lorenzo’s Oil), and Peter Weir (Green Card). “I was fortunate enough […]

Trevor Hogg continues his Peter Weir retrospective with a look at the director’s seventh feature… The Mosquito Coast, 1986. Directed by Peter Weir. Starring Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, River Phoenix, Andre Gregory, Conrad Roberts, Martha Plimpton and Dick O’Neill. SYNOPSIS: Inventor Allie Fox uproots his wife and children from the comfort of their New England […]

The Hole, 2009. Directed by Joe Dante. Starring Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett, Nathan Gamble, Teri Polo and Bruce Dern. SYNOPSIS: Two brothers discover a mysterious hole in the basement of their new home that forces them to confront their darkest fears. In the vein of 80’s kids horrors such as Gremlins, The Hole (from Gremlins […]

Trevor Hogg continues his Peter Weir retrospective with a look at the director’s Academy Award-nominated US debut… Witness, 1985. Directed by Peter Weir. Starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Jan Rubes, Danny Glover, Lukas Haas, Viggo Mortensen and Angus MacInnes. SYNOPSIS: Internal Affairs Det. John Book’s perfectly defined world of right and wrong is turned dangerously […]

The King’s Speech, 2010. Directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Guy Pearce and Timothy Spall. SYNOPSIS: Britain’s Prince Albert strives to overcome his humiliating stutter with the help of an unconventional speech therapist. His Royal Highness, Prince Albert, the Duke of York, stutters. […]

Trevor Hogg continues his Peter Weir retrospective with a look at the director’s fifth feature and final Australian film… The Year of Living Dangerously, 1982. Directed by Peter Weir. Starring Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Michael Murphy, Linda Hunt, Bill Kerr, Noel Ferrier and Bembol Roco. SYNOPSIS: In 1965, Indonesia is embroiled in a civil war […]

Continuing our Peter Weir Blogathon, Trevor Hogg chats with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Russell Boyd… Checking the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) I was surprised to find that Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Boyd was listed with sixty-one production credits. “[Every year] since the mid 70s through the 80s and early 90s I would often do two pictures and […]