Category Archives: Film Reviews

What Dario Argento’s Suspiria did for witches, and what Nobuhiko Obayashi’s Hausu did for haunted houses, Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula does for the titular vampire: create a film as out-there as the myths & tales themselves. Dracula is a character immortalized in pop culture, born out of the 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker and adapted into a string ofContinue reading “Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992): The Blood is Life”

There is a reason why the horror genre is a staple of cinema and literature, because it taps into some of the most basic human emotions, which in this case is fear. And the thing I think we all fear the most is the unknown. We as human beings feel the need to understand everythingContinue reading “The Thing (1982): A Study in Fear”

There is something inherently human about not giving up in the face of terrible odds. For some reason far beyond my capability of explanation, human beings simply won’t give up and will try to fight until the very end. So when a person encounters great difficulties and dangers, the person must overcome said dangers, andContinue reading “The Way Back (2010): A Story of Human Resilence”

Animation is a medium that has fascinated us to no end. Whether the artist wields paints, pencils, clay, or even a computer, animation affords us near-limitless possibilities for telling stories and crafting images. Animation of maturity is not a rarity as some would assume, granted that the bulk of Western animation is dominated by largeContinue reading “The Plague Dogs (1982): “Can’t You See It? Our Island!””

What would you do if there simply was no hope whatsoever? Many would probably answer that it’s better to fight for a better tomorrow and that things and circumstances can always change for the better. But what would you do if there simply was no hope for a tomorrow, or more precisely, no tomorrow forContinue reading “Children of Men (2006): The Importance of Hope”

In the throes of Mike Leigh’s career at the BBC devising and directing tele-plays for Play for Today, came Abigail’s Party one of the most talked about and impactful of all of the plays produced. With a lasting legacy that launched the career of leading lady Alison Steadman, and solidified Mike Leigh’s status as aContinue reading “Abigail’s Party (1977), or Who’s Afraid of the Middle Class”

Genre is a funny little thing. The boom and bust cycle of genres have always fascinated me. It seems to me that as soon as genres become defined they immediately become unfashionable. A cliche only becomes cliche when we put a name to it. All we need as evidence is to look at the riseContinue reading “Bait (2019): The Best Cornish Western Ever Put To Screen”

Where to begin unpacking this strange, strange beast. First of all, does Paul Fieg even direct his camera at all? That seems to be the most annoying trend in contemporary blockbuster comedy, no one is making use of their camera to enhance their movie. I mean, at least there are pure black values in thisContinue reading “Last Christmas (2019): A Saccharine Car Crash of Colliding Good Intentions”

Where to even begin. I suppose with context.  So.  I went in really, really wanting to like this. I’ve really felt like ever since ‘Joker‘ won the Venice Film Festival people have been out to take it down, as some kind of inner cinematic white-knighting, if I’m even allowed to say that. Some kind ofContinue reading “Joker (2019): Please Don’t Give This Awards”

It’s just ridiculous how Miike is pushing 60 now, he’s made over 100 films and he’s still making films with that joyful, youthful verve. He’s making the kind and variety of movies that Quentin Tarantino forgot how to do when he hit puberty. Ironically though, this does in a way feel like Miike’s ‘Once UponContinue reading “First Love (2019): Takashi Miike Hasn’t Lost His Ability to Surprise in the Best Way”