“The street is watching” is a weighty and ominous line that conveys paranoia and trepidation, as well as knowledge of one’s surroundings, and it’s a line that echoes throughout Carlito’s Way, a fine example of one of the oldest and most American of film genres – the crime movie. When […]
Reviews
Gang War in Milan (1973): Violence, Misogyny and Political Commentary (Review)
If you’re looking for a film about a gang war, one that just so happens to take place in Milan, then Radiance Films (through partner label Raro Video UK), has got you covered with their latest release – Umberto Lenzi’s 1973 debut into Italy’s contemporary urban crime genre (or ‘Eurocrime’ […]
Chopper (2000) A Darkly Comic True Crime Story (Review)
Out now with a glorious Second Sight blu-ray is Chopper, which tells the story of Mark “Chopper” Read – a modern day Robin Hood (in Read’s version), a career criminal according to his criminal record. Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, the film takes its liberties from Read’s own autobiographical […]
The Retirement Plan (2023) Nic Cage kicks back in unfunny geriaction comedy (Review)
What will Nicolas Cage’s retirement plan be? There is perhaps no actor who loves his work more than the adventurous nouveau shaman, who will pump out film after film with barely any time to breathe. Clearing a staggering seven films released widely in 2023 (if one is to include the […]
Worlds: Selected Works by Ben Rivers (2003-2022): Ghosts in the Machine (Review)
Released on Blu-ray by Second Run this week, Worlds: Selected Works by Ben Rivers is a collection of short films – some twenty-four of varying length across two discs – by the internationally renowned British artist and filmmaker, whose experimental work often focuses on subjects that have separated themselves from […]
There’s Something in the Barn (2023) Festive Comedy Horror that needs a sprinkle more Horror (Review)
Christmas can be an intense experience for everyone, and who hasn’t wished to spend the festive period in snowy, rural Norway to escape the hectic rush of the big city? Well Magnus Marten, (SAS Red Notice, Jackpot), seeks to answer this with the Christmas comedy-horror There’s Something In the Barn. […]
Femme (2023) An Engaging, Intelligent, and sometimes Shocking Experience (Review)
What if the true revenge was the friends we made along the way? 2023, whilst perhaps not the greatest year for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream cinema, has certainly had its fair share of interesting titles. Queer cinema is all about breaking rules: the anarchic irreverence of Bottoms; the rebellious spirit […]
Lost in the Night (2023): the environmental thriller too pulpy for Cannes? (Review)
Barcelona-born Mexican director Amat Escalante made his name internationally when he won Best Director at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for Heli – a slow, unflinching film that posited cartel violence and police brutality becoming mutually supportive forces. It drew plaudits, but also some accusations of feeding into American preconceptions […]
Blackhat (2015) Mann’s Misunderstood Cyberthriller Outshines its Reputation (Review)
Despite being very divisive Michael Mann’s globetrotting techno thriller Blackhat has found its fair share of dedicated fans (so large that the decision to include the director’s cut was made by large scale demand) who act as a solid rebuttal to the tepid critical reception it got on its initial […]
Jet Li: Heroes and Villains (95/96/98) Even middling Jet Li is very entertaining (Review)
Born Li Lianjie in Beijing 1963, Jet Li was always going to be a star. Showing to have a natural talent for the traditional performance martial art Wushu, from as early as the age of 8, he would dominate the sport between 1974 and 1979, winning the Men’s All-Around National […]