No-one shoots beautiful, ‘troubled’ people with great hair (in slow-motion, to electronica) quite like Xavier Dolan. For this and other affectations, the young Quebec auteur inspires devotion and derision in equal measure. Incredibly he’s only 23 years old, yet Laurence Anyways is his third feature and another Cannes prize-winner. The most exciting young filmmaker in the world today? Possibly. A great director? No, not yet, but this is a major… Read More »
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Festival round-up: Doha Tribeca Film Festival 2012
Now in its fourth year, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival is both an eight-day international movie event and a celebration of the year-round work of the region’s film institute, which is engaged in an ambitious mission to build a sustainable industry through nurturing local talent. Fortunate enough to attend this year and, having already seen many of the festivals glossier, high-profile US and other world cinema entries, I set about… Read More »
Disaster on the screen: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
IT’S part three of my look at films that have failed to set the box office alight. After focusing on the abomination that is Battlefield Earth and the brilliance of John Carter, I turn my attention to a film – and a director – famous for being as odd as it is entertaining. TERRY GILLIAM has always been a director with a grand vision. His films rarely have the look… Read More »
The Critical List : David Lean
With a special 50th Anniversary Lawrence of Arabia Blu-Ray out this week and a restored cut of the timeless epic being given a cinematic re-release later this month, it seemed like an opportune time to take a glance back at the work of legendary English director, David Lean. Lean was brought up by very strict Quaker parents and wasn’t even allowed to watch movies until he was an adult. Once… Read More »
Films on TV this Week
From a movie that tells you that you can’t handle the truth to a timeless classic that reminds you that there is no place like home, here is our weekly round up of the top films on the small screen this week. Monday A Few Good Men (1992) – Channel 5: 11:05pm Plot: Navy lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a… Read More »
And Introducing… 4. Wendy Hiller
After discussing John Ford, Janet Gaynor and Lee Tracy, we reach Wendy Hiller. I’m a Wendy Hiller fanboy, and I’m about to explain why… Who? One of the most distinctive actresses of the 20th Century, with an inimitable, tremulous voice, arrestingly unusual features and an irresistible presence, guaranteed to wrench your attention away from everything else on screen. She sounds good. Why haven’t I heard of her? The Cheshire-born actress… Read More »
Films on TV this Week: 12/11 – 18/11/2012
From one of the best films of last year to a 90s blockbuster classic, here is our round up of the top movies on the small screen this week. Monday Submarine (2010) – Film 4: 9pm Plot: Quirky teen Oliver Tate is determined to lose his virginity before his 16th birthday to his feisty classmate, whilst trying to keep his parents’ rocky relationship together when his mother’s smooth talking ex… Read More »
Spoilt in Sixty Seconds: #20 – Jurassic Park: The Lost World
The twentieth Spoilt in Sixty Seconds sees a possible end to the series (I am as of yet undecided as to its fate; with a possible return for Unscene Heroes next week). Whilst exposing those nasty people who decide to include every interesting aspect of a film within its trailer is fun and, for some at least, rather interesting, it has also been infuriating to uncover the carelessness in the… Read More »
