I think it is safe to say that the seventies bore witness to the greatest decade for cinema. The fifties saw a post-war stagnation, the sixties saw experimentation and a liberation of ideas, and the seventies saw expansion and, as was often the case, a reach for excess. The Hollywood elite lost all semblance of … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1970s
The following twenty films from the 1960s are included in the top 100 on the Sight and Sound critics' list of the Greatest Films of All Time: Black Girl (1965, Ousmane Sembène) (=95) Once Upon a Time in the West (1968, Sergio Leone) (=95) The Leopard (1963, Luchino Visconti) (=90) Pierrot le fou (1965, Jean-Luc … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1960s
Often seen as a stepping stone to the more experimental sixties, the fifties offered some low-key cinematic experimentations in itself. Hollywood continued to focus on their traditional popular genres like Musicals and Westerns, but even in those parameters one can determine some variation and expansion taking hold. And this was mostly down to a subtle … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1950s
Truth be told, this is not a comprehensive list. I never get to see all the films I want or have been recommended during the year, although I do try and continue to catch up as I move into the new year. For example, many films released in the latter half of 2021 only caught … Continue reading 2022 – Another Year in Film
Movies may not have had sound 100 years ago, but the silent era of film saw a thriving period of public engagement in the Arts all across the world. Stage theatre still played a major part, but the 1920s saw a ramping up of ‘moving pictures’, and it was not just unique to Hollywood and … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1920s
Smile (2022, Paramount Pictures / Temple Hill Entertainment) Featuring Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Caitlin Stasey and Kal Penn. Music by Cristobal Tapia de VeerWritten and directed by Parker Finn. ★★★ This Halloween I found myself craving something different so thought I'd give Smile a go. It was by far one … Continue reading The Two Reviews – Smile and Top Gun: Maverick
The whispers in the morningOf lovers sleeping tightFrom The Power of Love by Jennifer Rush Since time immemorial, many have ruminated on what love is. Stevie Nicks doesn't know what it is but agrees that it's very powerful. Pat Benatar thinks its a battlefield. Todd Rundgren thinks that its the answer. The Beatles told us … Continue reading The Power of Love, Part 2: Broadcast News (1987)
Belfast (2021, Universal Pictures / Focus Features / Northern Ireland Screen) ★★★★★ Featuring Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan and Jude Hill. Music by Van Morrison. Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Belfast is a self-biographical film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Filmed mostly in black and white, it is … Continue reading The Two Reviews: Belfast and Nightmare Alley
I'll protect you from the hooded clawKeep the vampires from your doorThe Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood A love story is often regarded as having high-scoring box office potential - there are limited special effects or action sequences required, therefore rendering the budget relatively low (though this can be dependent on the … Continue reading The Power of Love, Part 1: All That Heaven Allows (1955)
A love of film never ceases, but an enthusiasm to write about film sometimes wanes. I had intended to write more about the films I watched last year but alas, time got the better of me. And it's not as if there wasn't enough madness to deal with in the world last year. It was … Continue reading 2021 – Another Year in Film
Momentary Cinema 