Peter Biskind, has for years, been one of my favourite writers. His definitive book on the New Hollywood of the 1970′s – Easy Rider’s Raging Bulls, is rightly regarded as a key text in rehabilitation of many of the films and directors of the 1970′s. The first chapter of the book deals with the film, and the star, that started it all. The film that scandalized Hollywood was Bonnie & Clyde, and the force behind the film, was Warren Beatty. (more…)
About a month ago, Edgar Wright (director of the fabulously inventive Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz) was the curator of the Curzon Soho Midnight Movies night. Midnight Movies, since way back in the 1970′s have been the perfect space for the obscure and the ludicrous outer reaches of film have gathered, from Alejandro Jodorowsky’s El Topo (nuts) to the rather unique charms of Wright’s choice. Death Wish 3. While I had to miss out on the big screening, I took the opportunity to take in this classic of the 80′s B-Movie scene and boy was it worth it. (more…)
So with Sundance just round the corner, buzz is already building around the Banksy documentary (over it) and of course numerous films we haven’t got a clue what they are will no doubt bubble to the surface. However in the meantime, Absolut Vodka has jumped into the fray with a 30 minute short film from Spike Jonze (You know his credit list no doubt). Entitled ‘I’m Here’, the film, a collaboration with TBWA/Chiat/Day (Absolut’s agency of record) it’s an idea that has already been done with Mother’s sponsorship of Shane Meadow’s short films for Eurostar as well as the film Somers Town,and always attracts top talent. (more…)
Well 2010 is here, and to be contrary, I have put together the inevitable list of what moved me, thrilled me and blew me away from films in 2009. Oh and the stinkers as well. So, in the order in which they popped into my head, are my top films… (more…)
To American readers, you may not be aware of the work of Director Nick Love, his work, being of a very distinctive class of Britishness. Namely cockney football hooligans, south east london wide boys and the world of the 80′s casual. So it’s no surprise that Love decided to take on and re-make what for many is the definitive statement on the rise of the football hooligan in 1980′s Britain. Alan Clarke’s The Firm. (more…)
I certainly am not the first person to blog about the Tarantino film Inglorious Basterds, but I doubt somehow I will be the last. Why? Because this is a film that you need to go and see, as contrary to the seemingly deluge of bad reviews surrounding the film, it is in fact brilliant and along with District 9 and the Hurt Locker, one of the films of 2009. (more…)
Last night i sat down and watched a film that totally and unexpectedly blew me away, not just for the quality of acting, writing and directorship that was on display, but for the fact that it told a story that seems more real and relevant that it was in 1976. The film was Network and here’s why it’s essential viewing. (more…)