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The Personal History of David Copperfield, based on the novel by Charles Dickens, tells the story of David Copperfield’s (Dev Patel) journey from childhood into adulthood. It focuses on the relationships he develops with a huge cast of characters who he meets as he travels “from rags to riches… and back again”. Sold as a […]
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So far this year I’ve seen two films in the theatre, 1917 and Little Women. While both are critically acclaimed, the former has received a good deal more commercial and awards success than the latter. The different responses to these films, both in the media and among my own friends, has prompted me to think […]
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When the trailers were almost all for children’s animations, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from December’s Screen Unseen (a scheme in which Odeon shows previews of films they believe to be future classics for a fiver, the only catch being that they don’t tell you what it will be). I was beginning to […]
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The Pillowman is the ultimate combination of sadism, subterfuge, heartbreak and humour and Tom Fisher’s adaptation will certainly leave a haunting impression. On an unlit stage occupied by only a table and three chairs, The Pillowman opens in silence and we are dazzled by the glare of a torch which interrogates the faces of the […]
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Premiered in Milan in 1904, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly was first met with outcry, amidst an uproar of hisses and obscene sneers directed towards the seeming sexual licentiousness of its titular character. Fortunately, the extreme nature of these reactions failed to discourage Puccini who would go on to deem it his best work and ensure its […]
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It seems like Netflix has been churning out some excellent television recently. It is difficult to understand how a show with a concept as bold as Sex Education has managed to worm its way into our hearts. But I am not mad about it. In fact, the second season was so terribly delicious that I […]
Continue ReadingThe excitement of going to see a Scorsese film in the cinema is unparalleled. He has made some of the greatest films ever made, so going to a new one I felt like I could be witnessing history in real time. And this film fascinates over the course of its three and a half hours. […]
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Image description: film poster for ‘His Dark Materials’ In just a couple of years, I’ve seen a lot of TV shows and movies use the cobbled streets of Oxford as their backdrops. From Tolkien, to Killing Eve, to The Discovery of Witches, I’ve weaved my way through film crews, knowing that I could later annoy relatives […]
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Picking your favourite film is a very difficult task indeed. When getting to know somebody, presenting an elaborate list of every film you’ve ever considered interesting or meaningful isn’t the best way for them to understand you better. So, if I had to pick a favourite film, it just might be Handsome Devil. Released in […]
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Silent films have always intimidated me. At first glance they seem outdated and inaccessible, only useful for studying a bygone era of cinema. Most people who aren’t film critics or academics struggle with the idea of watching a film which lacks one of the key elements of any modern production. For my part, I assumed […]
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I won’t lie, when I first saw the running time for Sübverse I was skeptical. A sketch that can maintain audience interest for over 90 minutes is an impressive feat even for the most seasoned of comedians. And yet, it quickly became apparent that my fears were misplaced. Sübverse was consistently entertaining and hilarious, and […]
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The majority of the people who know me are aware that I love Scream. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the best horror films ever made. It manages to tackle meta-humour, whilst still creating compelling characters and a creepy atmosphere. For that alone it occupies a special place in my heart. However, my […]
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What is the relationship between modern films and climate change? Ask most people this question and they’ll say that there’s little overlap. Too few films have tackled the issue and cinema in general is often seen as a means of escape, a place to take a break from the real world. Others acknowledge that cinema […]
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Brad Pitt is having a bit of a moment in 2019. Following on from his star turn in one of the other biggest films of the year, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he now carries the much-hyped Ad Astra on his hunky shoulders. Both performances are studies in restraint, portraying capable yet closed-off professional […]
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I was curious to see what Simon Bird (of Inbetweeners fame) would make of his directorial debut. I expected a comedy, but perhaps not one as touching as this. Set in an “everytown” somewhere in the Midlands, the film’s plot is simple. Daniel lives with his divorced mother in an English suburb and can’t wait […]
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From Dracula (1958) to The Devil Rides Out (1968), in their 82 year history, Hammer Films Productions have produced some of the most iconic British horror films released in the 20th century. The Man Who Could Cheat Death isn’t one of those films. One of the lesser known entries of the production company’s output, it’s […]
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A well timed family holiday to Toronto meant I was fortunate enough to attend the 44th Toronto International Film Festival. It’s interesting to first note that every film began with a thanks to the indigenous tribes that owned the land where the theatre stood. This is was a welcome recognition of First Nation peoples, one […]
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“It’s true what they say. Rich people really are different.” This is the message of Ready or Not, the second film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett who’s previous credits include the horror anthology V/H/S (2012). Samara Weavings stars as Grace, a young woman marrying into the uber-wealthy “Le Domas” family. Instead of being […]
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Quentin Tarantino’s passion for cinema has always been a dominant presence in his work. It’s there in his use of pastiche, in his references to other films and in his gleeful engagement with genre tropes. In his latest effort, it’s more evident than it ever has been. His ninth film, Once Upon a Time in […]
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