Tom Jolliffe offers up an essential John Woo selection… John Woo has been a little quiet of late, but the legendary Hong Kong filmmaker is set to make his Hollywood return this year with his “comeback” movie Silent Night, which has just received its first trailer this week. To the uninitiated, John Woo was once […]
The Essential 90s Action Movies
Following our deep dive into 1980s action cinema, lock and load for our list of essential 1990s action movies… The 1990s brought about a shift in the action genre. As the decade progressed there seemed to be shift from the 80s icons into the likes of Nicolas Cage and Keanu Reeves becoming action stars. Likewise […]
Action Movies Blessed with Stunning Cinematography
Tom Jolliffe looks at ten action movies blessed with stunning cinematography… There are great action movies and there is great cinematography. Not always, but occasionally, the two meet in the middle and we get an action film that also looks especially incredible. In general, the action genre may go for a more neutral palette, to […]
The Films of 1992: A Great Year For Movies
Tom Jolliffe ventures back 30 years to 1992, a year full of breakouts, action spectacle, iconic soundtracks and more… In my retrospective delve into the year of 1982, I boldly claimed that it might have been the greatest year of film ever. As I thrust my time machine forward a decade, I wandered the cinematic […]
The Art of the Visually Striking Film
Tom Jolliffe looks at the art of making visually beautiful films… Cinema is a visual medium. A way to tell stories through a combination of visuals and sound, through script and direction, and the manipulation of the editing. Some films are emotionally crushing, involving, gripping. Some are audio-visual sensory overloads. Directors can opt for a […]
The A-Z of Action Movies: E-H
In part two of our action A-Z, we look at a selection of films beginning with E-H… After an action packed A-D of action films, what does the next batch of carnage have to offer? Once again I delve into an eclectic mix of cult favourites and obscure video specials, with an array of action […]
The Essential Tony Leung Films
Tom Jolliffe offers up ten essential Tony Leung films… With boyish good looks, charisma and immense gravitas, Tony Leung has been mesmerising audiences for over 40 years. As well as an ability to convey so much through saying so little, he also has the rare ability to drift between genres as comfortably as anyone. He’s […]
When a Soundtrack Becomes Beautifully Contrary to Violence on Screen
Tom Jolliffe looks at the effective use of contrarian music in films which show violence… There’s something about a great film soundtrack whether it’s the score or songs (or both). You can have a melancholic drama which will usually be laced with melancholic music. You can have the rousing action adventure with the John Williams […]
10 Great Long Takes
Tom Jolliffe looks at some of the best long takes in cinema history… The beauty of cinema, is the sheer litany of techniques available for film-makers to convey their story. It’s a collaborative effort between actors, directors, cinematographers, editors and everyone in between. The power of editing lies in the ability to manipulate the audiences […]
The Moments Which Made You Love Cinema
Tom Jolliffe on those moments which made you love cinema… It’s different for everyone and maybe for some it never happens. Not everyone (shock horror!) is into film. For those film buffs, nerds, geeks, or even merely casual enjoyers of cinematic delights, there are always defining moments. Maybe it’s a moment within a film. Maybe […]
