Gary Collinson selects his Five Essential Films directed by Clint Eastwood… Despite a mantlepiece that boasts four Oscar statuettes (Best Director and Best Picture for both Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby) and an Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood remains synonymous with his on-screen persona while his talents as a filmmaker are […]

Trevor Hogg profiles the career of director Jason Reitman… Trading the doctor’s stethoscope for the director’s chair, Jason Reitman found his accomplishments being weighed against those of a famous Hollywood filmmaker. “Recently, I’ve been thinking about how my work and my father’s work compared,” reflected Jason about Ivan Reitman, the man responsible for the comic […]

In which Gerry Hayes repeatedly mouths the word “huh?” 88 Minutes, 2007. Directed by Jon Avnet. Starring Al Pacino (really), Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brennerman, Neal McDonough. Written by Gary Scott Thompson. 88 Minutes is one of those films you watch open-mouthed wondering how such a thing could ever be – how someone could […]

Dorian Gray, 2009. Directed by Oliver Parker. Starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. SYNOPSIS: Think Peter Pan meets Dr Faustus – oh, and a painting – and a lot of maggots… Another devil and soul barter! Why is this absurd premise attractive and a plot of many stories? It’s set to feature in Terry Gilliam’s […]

Moon, 2009. Directed by Duncan Jones. Starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey (voice). SYNOPSIS: An isolated lunar astronaut begins to lose his grip on reality in a cerebral sci-fi thriller. Moon is an independent sci-fi film directed by Duncan Jones (the son of David Bowie… that’s not relevant at all, just an interesting fact!). It […]

Robot Chicken is back and this time it’s personal… Conceived during a chance Comic Con meeting between life-long action figure fanatics Matthew Senreich and Seth Green, the Emmy and Annie award-winning comedy series Robot Chicken has gone on to become one of Adult Swim’s most popular shows. The second season – which finally arrives here […]

Somers Town, 2008. Directed by Shane Meadows. Starring Thomas Turgoose and Piotr Jagiello. SYNOPSIS: Tomo (Thomas Turgoose) a homeless boy from the Midlands and Marek (Piotr Jagiello) a Polish immigrant come from completely different worlds. When they forge an unlikely friendship, they discover that despite their differences, they are very much alike. Somers Town is […]

Trevor Hogg profiles the career of legendary director Stanley Kubrick in the second of a two-part feature… read the first part here! “It’s not a question of my own satisfaction or lack of it,” answered Stanley Kubrick when questioned on why he was not drawn to contemporary stories or themes, “but of the basic purpose […]

In which Gerry Hayes beats up Elijah Wood to steal his salvation-ticket for the comet-shelter. Wood’s only short and if Hayes can avoid his massive feet, he should be ok… Deep Impact, 1998. Directed by Mimi Leder. Starring Téa Leoni, Robert Duvall, Elijah Wood, Morgan Freeman, Leelee SobieskiWritten by Bruce Joe Rubin and Michael Tolkin. […]

Evil Aliens, 2005. Directed by Jake West. Starring Emily Booth, Chris Adamson and Sam Butler. SYNOPSIS: A television crew must try to survive a bloody alien encounter on a remote Welsh island. Jake West’s Evil Aliens begins with a man having a large pointy thing rammed up his arse by an alien. It would have […]