It can’t be stated enough just how much the release of King Boxer (aka Five Fingers Of Death) in North America changed the landscape of this very regional film industry. Suddenly the largest film market in the world was available and a flood of Kung Fu movies would find their […]
Movies & Documentaries
Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms (2023) Ancient Chinese Folktale with Spectacle as Epic as Lord of the Rings (Review)
I can see the quotes now, “The Chinese Lord Of The Rings” they’ll call it, and whilst that isn’t a wild and inaccurate statement (and genuinely meant as a compliment), it does undermine the cultural significance of Creation of the Gods’ story and how only now is it possible to […]
Lisa Frankenstein (2024): Quirky Throwback Comedy Horror Lacks Spark (Review)
Fifteen years after the release of Jennifer’s Body, now firmly considered a cult horror hit, Diablo Cody makes a highly anticipated return to the genre. Interestingly, it is also her return to teen centred horror even though it feels closer to noughties teen life than teens today. Its retro eighties […]
Adrianne and the Castle (Fantasia 2024): Clinging onto a Lifetime of Fantasy When Reality Takes Over (Review)
Adrianne and The Castle is a fascinating oddity of a documentary from filmmaker Shannon Welsh, a fantastical love story told from the perspective of a fairytale that is sadly over. It follows Alan St-George, an artist and entrepreneur of a world famous mascot company, responsible for numerous iconic cuddly heroes […]
In a Violent Nature (2024): A New Breed of Post-Slasher Horror (Review)
One of the year’s most extraordinary filmgoing experiences must surely go to Chris Nash’s In a Violent Nature. Taking the basic premise of “Friday the 13th seen from Jason’s perspective”, this unique slasher turns the entire genre on its head, and has more to say between the long stalking shots […]
Soldier Blue (1970): Vietnam Allegory Via Violent Revisionist Western (Review)
“I saw the bodies of those lying there cut all to pieces, worse mutilated than any I ever saw before; the women cut all to pieces … With knives; scalped; their brains knocked out; children two or three months old; all ages lying there, from sucking infants up to warriors […]
Loop Track (2023): Sometimes It Doesn’t Have To End With A Bang (Review)
One of Arrow’s unsung strengths is their championing of worldwide genre cinema, and much as Tartan had done with J-Horror in the early 2000s, it’s thanks to their efforts that films like Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, Hounds of Love and Harpoon were all brought to our […]
What Remains (2022) A Bummer Scandi-noir from the Skarsgårds (Review)
At the height of a glorious summer I’m sure many people are thinking “You know what? I’m really in the mood to see a brooding, muted, Scandinavian true crime drama about a serial child-killer that’s set in the dead of winter”, and would you believe it? Icon Films have us […]
Kill (2024) In the Action Tradition of The Raid, Only Lesser (Review)
One dude progressing through an enclosed location killing many other dudes in quick succession has long been one of cinema’s greatest pleasures. It’s a simple premise, a simple action, a base repetition. At its best, this elevator pitch has produced films such as Gareth Evans’ tower block extravaganza The Raid. […]
Night of the Eagle (1962) Behind Every Great Man Is A Magical Woman (Review)
Norman Taylor is the envy of every man on Hempnell Medical College’s campus, and the darling of every teenage girl. He’s young and dynamic, with high grades that make him a shoo-in for tenure, and he’s got the tremendously sexy Tansy waiting at home. He seems to have it all, […]