Commenting on the Critics with Simon Columb…The recent UK release of Fruitvale Station has inevitably provoked conversation on this side of the Atlantic, whereby re-reading articles from last year only seems to blur lines further:“Hoping to stir the public, though, the film dances around the facts. Its first problem is how to handle its 22-year-old […]

Edge of Tomorrow, 2014. Directed by Doug Liman Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson, Jonas Armstrong, Tony Way, Kick Gurry, Franz Drameh, Dragomir Mrsic and Charlotte Riley.SYNOPSIS:Tom Cruise is repeating his final two days in battle as he tries to stop the Earth from the destruction of alien creatures that have the […]

Commenting on the Critics with Simon Columb…The Ant-Man news regarding Edger Wright’s (and Adam McKay’s) departure gained a considerable amount of coverage and criticism. Forbes writer, Scott Mendelson, manage to argue a point that may not seem so obvious, claiming “Hollywood Doesn’t Care About ‘Fanboy’ Approval”:“They will protest and criticize, perhaps rightfully so, but they […]

A Farewell to Arms, 1932Directed by Frank Borzage. Starring Gary Cooper, Helen Hayes, Adolphe Menjou and Mary Philips.SYNOPSIS:A tale of the love between an ambulance driver and a nurse during World War I.Based on the Ernest Hemingway semi-autobiographical A Farewell to Arms,Frank Borzage’s1932 filmis considered one of the best adaptations of his novels. An important […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews My Neighbours the Yamadas …  Rather than the bold and bright animation of Pom Poko, Isao Takahata’s My Neighbours the Yamadas is a collection of short stories celebrating family. Indeed, the anime style of Studio Ghibli is considered a defining element of the studio […]

An Autumn Afternoon (Japan: Sanma no aji), 1962.Directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Starring Chishu Ryu, Shima Iwashita, Keiji Sada and Mariko Okada.SYNOPSIS:An aging widower arranges a marriage for his only daughter. An Autumn Afternoon tells the story of Hirayama (Chishu Ryu), an older man, who has three children. His eldest son, Koichi, is married. His daughter Michiko […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews Pom Poko… “Testicles play an important role in tanuki mythology” writes Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc when discussing Pom Poko. Directed by Isao Takahata, this is a far call from the deeply serious war story of Grave of the Fireflies. Rather than humans, […]

Rather than Commenting on the Critics, this week it’s a Comment on Television…This morning, scrolling through the articles on a Facebook feed, I am recommended a clip from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. This time, it is Kevin Spacey as part of a barbershop quartet. Indeed, Fallon himself is amongst the singers and, not […]

Commenting on the Critics with Simon Columb…We talk about VOD and streaming services, against the illegal piracy audiences turn to when watching Game of Thrones, but we are forgetting about the obvious. Home Theatre Review writes:“The Kaleidescape Cinema One, (or the K-scape we call it here at HomeTheaterReview) the high-end storage locker for your Blu-rays […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service…A broom, a black cat and black gown; all that’s missing for Kiki is a pointy hat. Miyazaki’s fifth film (and third for Studio Ghibli) adapts a novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono, but still fits neatly into the Ghibli […]