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
A lot of things changed in the 1940s. The physical and mental landscapes of the world’s population was massively impacted by the events of war. Despite this, we can be very grateful that movies were still made throughout that time, and in many cases they tell a story of that turbulent period both on- and … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1940s
Anna Christie, an adaptation of a Eugene O’Neill play, was the first big Hollywood release of the 1930s. It starred the Swedish icon Greta Garbo in her first talking role, and it delivered her famous line at the beginning of the film: ‘Gimme a whisky, ginger ale on the side, and don’t be stingy, baby!’ … Continue reading Travelling Through Time: The Best Films of the 1930s
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 Banshees of Inisherin (2022, Film4 Productions / Blueprint Pictures / TSG Entertainment) Featuring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Pat Shortt, Jon Kenny and Barry Keoghan. Cinematography by Ben Davis. Music by Carter Burwell. Written and Directed by Martin McDonagh. ★★★★ Martin McDonagh hits all the right notes on his return to Ireland and … Continue reading The Two Reviews: The Banshees of Inisherin
You make me stare, when I should not Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me? The Weakness in Me by Joan Armatrading We all love a good love story. Sadness and happiness, tears and laughter, fear and hope - all thrown together is what makes a love story work. Hollywood developed … Continue reading The Power of Love, Part 4: Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
CODA (2021, Vendôme Picture / Pathé Films / Apple+) ★★★★ Featuring Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Durant, Troy Kotsur and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo. Screenplay by Sian Heder, based on the film La Famille Bélier by Éric Lartigau. Directed by Sian Heder. CODA is a coming-of-age drama with clear award-winning aspirations right from the start. … Continue reading The Two Reviews: CODA and Red Rocket
Me and you and you and me No matter how they toss the dice, it had to beFrom Happy Together by The Turtles There is a scene in Stephen Frears' My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) where the lead, a young British-Pakistani man played by Saeed Jaffrey, is shown having sex with his romantic partner, a neo-Nazi … Continue reading The Power of Love, Part 3: Happy Together (1997)
Momentary Cinema 