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
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)
With a mocking smile, he placed one hand upon my shoulder and, holding me tight, bared my throat with the other, saying as he did so: 'First, a little refreshment to reward my exertions...' And oh, my God, my God, pity me! He placed his reeking lips upon my throat! Mina Harker narrates in Bram … Continue reading Horror in Store, Part 1: Dracula’s Influence
Time for a driving movie. From low budget to big budget via Tina Turner, there is the glory that is the Mad Max films. But not today. Let us assume that for a moment the cartoon crassness of The Fast and the Furious franchise is not welcome. You could refer back to a whole blog … Continue reading Saturday Afternoon Movies, Part 5 – Hell Drivers (1957 Cy Endfield)
Absolutely everything! Well, when they are done well that is. One fresh example is They Shall Not Grow Old, Peter Jackson’s recent, extraordinary and awe-inspiring documentary presenting World War I footage. Painstakingly restored with colour and realistic sounds added, this film is composed entirely of archival footage from the British National Museum and a soundtrack … Continue reading War Films, What Are They Good For?
Many of my favorite horror or supernatural movies have been inspired by Stephen King, so I thought it was fitting to take a look at the role and influence that the 'King of Horror' has had on cinema. King has published a plethora of novels and short stories in the horror, fantasy, supernatural, science fiction … Continue reading A short look into Stephen King’s influence on cinema
This may be an easy question, but what do Tom Cruise, Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton all have in common? They are of course famous for doing their own stunts, but also they have each broken ankles whilst creating such stunts. The Cruise-meister recently broke his ankle on the set of Mission Impossible – Fallout … Continue reading Looking at Buster Keaton: The Marvel of Early Cinema
I have always been a fan of the slasher-horror genre. The raw and chilling, but sometimes passionate, horror that provides a continuous thrill of the chase in which you never know whether the predator or prey will win. Some slasher movies can be almost comedic but Halloween from 1978 is a quintessential horror classic that … Continue reading Forty Years of Terror: Halloween (1978) vs Halloween (2018)
Foreword by Robin Stevens Akira Kurosawa (黒沢 明 1910 – 1998) was a master of film craft, and one of the greatest directors of all time. He grew up in Tokyo, watching silent films from around the world and going to see traditional and modern Japanese theatre. He became a painter, and in his 20s … Continue reading Akira Kurosawa – A Master of Film Part 3: Dersu Uzala and the Russian Wilderness
Akira Kurosawa (黒沢 明 1910 – 1998) was a master of film craft, and one of the greatest directors of all time. He grew up in Tokyo, watching silent films from around the world and going to see traditional and modern Japanese theatre. He became a painter, and in his 20s got into script writing, editing and … Continue reading Akira Kurosawa – A Master of Film Part 2: The Humanity of the Seven Samurai
Momentary Cinema 