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. […]

Trevor Hogg profiles the career of legendary writer, director and producer John Hughes in the first of a two-part feature… Tired of their infantile portrayal in the movies, Chicago-based filmmaker John Hughes became the voice of a generation of teenagers by treating them like adults. “I was kind of quiet,” recalled the director of his […]

In which Gerry Hayes feels a strong urge to break something… Unbreakable, 2000. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright Penn. Written by M. Night Shyamalan. Right, let’s get this out of the way first: I liked The Sixth Sense. There… happy? I thought it was a, mostly, well […]

With Inglourious Basterds released this week, we take a look at the cinema of Nazi Germany… Prior to 1933 the German film industry enjoyed a highly influential and critically acclaimed period of creativity and originality but the rise of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party would see many key figures emigrate from the country, including […]

Trevor Hogg profiles the career of acclaimed filmmaker Sir David Lean in the third of a three-part feature… be sure to read the first and second parts! While David Lean was directing Summertime, he received a cable from Sam Spiegel asking if he would direct The Bridge on the River Kwai. Lean sought advice from […]

In which Gerry Hayes dons a ‘Trading Places’ ape-suit and prepares for some musky monkey-loving. Planet Of The Apes, 2001. Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Michael Clarke Duncan and Estella Warren. Special make-up and effects by Rick Baker. Relax, nerds, it’s the remake. Take a puff […]

A look at the development and current status of the Gears of War movie… Back in 2006 Microsoft and Epic Games unleashed the brutal and bloody third-person action shooter Gears of War on Xbox 360. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth-like planet called Sera, players take on the roles of COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) soldiers […]