Henry Bevan binge-watches the Spider-Man movie series… Inspired by our viewing of Spider-Man: Homecoming, a film this website called “the best Spider-Man movie to date” and “another hit for the carefully crafted MCU”, a mate and I decided we should binge watch the previous five movies. While I’m personally conflicted about my favourite superhero’s latest […]
In Defence of Conventional Storytelling
Henry Bevan defends conventional storytelling… One of the most annoying and backhanded critical compliments is “it’s great but conventional.” So many films met with critical acclaim are often simultaneously bashed for presenting their stories in a popular way. It is lazy and naive thinking to dismiss something as conventional without engaging with why it is. […]
Do We Judge a Film Before We Watch It?
Henry Bevan on whether we judge a film before we watch it… One of the most disheartening things ever happened a few days ago. Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, generally awesome dude and woke bae, attacked film critics on Twitter because they didn’t like his new movie, Baywatch. According to Dwayne, “Fans LOVE the movie” whilst […]
The Rise of the Stupid Smart Character, or Why Helmets Matter
Henry Bevan on the rise of the stupid smart character… If you’ve been browsing this website over the last couple of days you will have noticed there has been a lot of Alien: Covenant content. We’ve published not one, not two but three reviews. We’ve written letters to David Fincher, we’ve talked about Ridley Scott, […]
Dear David Fincher, Please Return to the Alien Franchise
Henry Bevan with an open letter to David Fincher… Dear David, I’m going to jump right into it: you should consider lobbying to direct the next Alien movie, whatever it may be. Don’t stop reading! I know your last experience of the franchise on Alien 3 was a clusterfuck and you felt your career was being […]
What is the modern teen movie?
Henry Bevan on the modern teen movie… Jerky jocks; nebbish nerds; the girl next door who is unfairly called a whore; the hot girl; the bitchy cheerleader; the ugly girl who’s actually a swan; the self-loathing teachers; teachers who sleep with students; teachers who are bad at their jobs; crowded school corridors; cool kids who […]
Why Spider-Man will stay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond 2019
Henry Bevan on Spider-Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe… Some things in Hollywood are inevitable. One, Tom Cruise will do a ridiculous stunt. Two, James Bond will return. Three, the weird Sony-Marvel Spider-Man adoption deal is going to be hit with some studio politics. It happened this week with Kevin Feige telling the Hollywood Reporter […]
The Top 5 Movie Explorers
Henry Bevan with his top five movie explorers… After debuting to generally positive response in the UK, director James Gray’s absorbing, thought-provoking, and fascinating The Lost City of Z is opening in the United States. The film follows the exploits of the real-life explorer Percy Fawcett, played by Charlie Hunnam, leading up to his famous […]
When Will Animation Get the Respect It Deserves?
Henry Bevan wants to know when animation will get the respect it deserves… With the live-action Beauty and the Beast breaking records this weekend, it appears Disney’s animated classics are still cherished. Yet, as the original was the first animated film nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award, the remake’s success also highlights how Hollywood, and the […]
Why Have People Forgotten That Superhero Cinema’s Golden Age Was the Mid-Noughties?
Henry Bevan on the golden age of superhero cinema… Wonder Woman will save the DC Extended Universe. This is a loaded statement, but at this point, it seems everyone will save the DCEU. We all need a hero, and my money is on Diana Prince. The latest trailer only strengthens my belief. My belief that […]