It’s remarkable how much untapped potential lies in the work of H.P. Lovecraft -one of horror’s slipperiest and most indefinable writers. His weird tales of eldritch oddities and cosmic calamities have been the influence for many on the page, but few successes on the screen – despite a recent (if […]
Simon Ramshaw
Fist of the Condor (2023) – John Wick star leads a strange, uneven Chilean beat-’em-up (Review)
The impact of the John Wick franchise on modern action cinema cannot be overstated, and its ultra-slick camerawork and gorgeously sexy lighting have led many to imitate, but none to better. It’s also elevated stunt work across the globe to borderline high art, and franchise helmsman Chad Stahelski’s own tenure as […]
The Wicker Man (1973): Folk horror’s towering icon catches ablaze in new 4K restoration (Review)
It towers over the horizon, casting shadow over everything below. It inspires dread, reverence and devotion, cutting an impressive figure of iconic proportions. It catches alight quickly and blazes with a terrible truth, and it becomes impossible to look away from its purifying, eye-opening vision. And we’re not just talking […]
Sympathy for the Devil (Frightfest 2023) Nicolas Cage finds a new vehicle for his insanity (Review)
Every fresh Nicolas Cage film comes with a rare weight of expectation, and 2022 saw that come to a head with a film whose title and content seemed to embody that thought. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – where the image of Nicolas Cage embraced its own meme – […]
River (2023) Junta Yamaguchi with another ambitious time-twisting treat (Frightfest 2023) (Review)
Junta Yamaguchi is a filmmaker who loves repeating himself, which is understandable given that his feature film work so far has concerned itself with two-minute cycles and loops in time that infuriate and complicate in equal measure. It should be clear from the outset, however, that this is not necessarily […]
Cross of Iron (1977) Sam Peckinpah’s unconventional war story just as gritty and grim today (Review)
Legendary filmmaker Sam Peckinpah is always destined to be one of cinema’s most misunderstood voices. His predominantly macho body of work dealt with frustrated, pent-up groups of men on missions that traverse the abyss, often losing themselves and sending many others into its deep nothingness along the way. Although milder […]
Frontier(s)(2007) – Far From Subtle, But Packs A Punch Where It Counts (Review)
The explosion of extremity in French genre films from the noughties was a force to be reckoned with. Essentially redefining what on-screen nastiness was, such sights hadn’t been seen since the heyday of Lucio Fulci. Filmmakers like Gaspar Noé (Irreversible) and Alexandre Aja (Switchblade Romance) have evolved out of this […]
The Lair (2022)(II) Very Far Removed from Marshall’s Glory Days (Review)
We all end up rooting for the underdog, don’t we? From humble beginnings to a series of trials, tribulations, knockbacks and naysayers, Neil Marshall has had ’em all. Many will harbour plenty good will for his one-two cult hits of Dog Soldiers and The Descent, both British gold standard uncompromising horrors […]