Tom Jolliffe double bills two Ron Shelton sports films, White Men Can’t Jump and Bull Durham… Some will never get the passion that sport can inspire in fans and indeed the athletes (whether professional of amateur). Whether you love a sport as a spectator, or an active participant, that love is something almost unique to […]
Willem Dafoe: An Underrated Great of his Generation
Tom Jolliffe looks at the career of Willem Dafoe, and why he should be held in even higher regard… There are some actors who magnetise the limelight. Historically we’ve had the movie stars, those great headliners who would surf acclaim and awards as long as they were in good standing in a big studio. Further […]
The Joys of Old School Practical Effects
Tom Jolliffe looks at the use of old school effects and filming techniques and whether they still have a place in the CGI age… Computers are a wonderful thing. The computer generated image has take cinema up to a point where almost limitless creative possibilities are at a film-makers disposable. You can create a whole […]
Please, can we just scrap Indiana Jones 5?
Tom Jolliffe on why another delay for Indiana Jones 5 should spell the end of the character… I love Indiana Jones. I love Harrison Ford. Both character and actor are absolutely iconic in cinema. Ford has had the distinct pleasure and star power to be both Jones and Han Solo, as well as star in […]
A Peep Into Peeping Tom: Is it time for a modern reboot?
As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, Tom Jolliffe looks back at the seminal classic, Peeping Tom and whether the film could be successfully remade… Having recently re-watched the seminal psychological horror/thriller, Peeping Tom (celebrating its 60th anniversary this week), there are several things that stand out. In terms of the setting, mise-en-scene, social attitudes and the […]
Robby Müller: A Genius Among Cinematographers
Tom Jolliffe takes a look back at the work of cinematographer Robby Müller… The cinematic process involves a mass of people. Whether you’re an indie production shooting for no money, or the biggest film on the planet, it takes a team to make things happen. Actors get on screen and take most of the acclaim […]
How Brian Dennehy owned First Blood
Tom Jolliffe looks back at Brian Dennehy’s iconic role in First Blood and how he stole the film… It was very sad to hear the news that Brian Dennehy has passed away. Like many film fans, he’s a familiar face to me. A long and industrious career certainly had a share of highlights including cult […]
Lockdown: A Time to Expand Your Cinematic Horizons
Tom Jolliffe on cinema in lockdown life. The time to catch up on the films you’ve been meaning to see… It’s a world in lock down. For many it has meant having more time. As film fans, you may feel yourself gravitationally pulled toward cinema as an escape. This might be a revisit of old […]
A Post-Pandemic Film Industry
Tom Jolliffe looks ahead to how the landscape of film may change in the next few years… The entire film world, top to bottom, across most of the world has hit pause as we deal with more pressing life affecting matters. Studios have delayed releases and productions. We’ve seen a number of films switch from […]
Al Pacino at 80: One of the all time greats
Tom Jolliffe looks back at the career of Al Pacino as he turns 80… Ready your best Al Pacino impression. We’ve all got them. Those usually tend to be Al at his explosive, unrestrained best. Maybe it’s one of several scenes in Heat, or something in his scenery chomping brilliance in Scent of A Woman. […]