A Ghost Story Review

I can think of few films that are as distant from their promotional photo, and indeed their title, as David Lowery’s A Ghost Story. We might anticipate a post-modern, self-aware horror; what we get is an original and emotionally profound depiction of love, loss and how humans move through time. Lowery has described the film…

LFF2017: First Time Up

What’s the best part of going to a film festival? The endless discussion in the queues? The wealth of talented filmmakers presenting themselves for Q&As and talks? The booze? Close, but no. For me it is the chance of discovering a diamond; of watching a filmmaker’s first offering and knowing you could enjoy their movies…

LFF2017: Brits at home

It’s a weird time to be British, right? Brexit, rising xenophobia, a governing party with the competence of a drunk baby trying to conduct major surgery. And yet we still have our artists. British filmmakers are amongst the finest in the world, & over recent years at LFF have showcased brave, innovative work. This year…

London Film Festival 2017: Catch them first

You can’t start Christmas festivities until Halloween is out the way. But when can you start the Halloween fun? For me it’s after the preceding major event is done, and that’s London Film Festival. The 2017 edition is almost upon us; some of you may not have selected your cinematic gifts, whether for your nearest…

God’s Own Country Review

Dramas about unspoken homosexual love often follow a familiar pattern at the cinema. The human triumph of God’s Own Country, the first film from British director Francis Lee, comes in showing how love is tough to express whatever the sexuality of the afflicted. Set amongst the windswept Yorkshire hills, it depicts two farm workers whose connection…

LFF2017: Female directors

The good news: a quarter of the films at this year’s LFF were directed by women! The bad news: a quarter of the films at this year’s LFF were directed by women. Yes, it’s a step in the right direction, but we’re still a long way off. And no, boneheads, we don’t want an exact…

Christopher Nolan: the Bond debate

This week in cinema brings two industry titans back into focus. There is the new Christopher Nolan film Dunkirk, stretching the screen in an IMAX near you now, which is reviewed here. And Monday evening rewarded cinephiles further: James Bond will return, on November 8th 2019 in the US & slightly earlier in his beloved…

Dunkirk Review

It almost goes without saying that Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan’s 10th feature film, is thrillingly good. The motif of Nolan’s work is an astoundingly high quality level. By turning one of history’s most famous battles into a desperate existential drama, he invigorates yet another genre. Watching a new Christopher Nolan film is as good as cinema…

The definitive ranking of Christopher Nolan’s films

You’ve read the rest; now read the best. With the release of Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan’s 10th feature film, this is the perfect time for a look back through, and indeed a ranking of his work up until now. He is the most popular director of his generation amongst cinema-goers, with his signature style and frequently flexible…

Sundance 2017: Preview

For so many films, the journey begins here. The preparation has been done, the music tweaked, that shot of a neanderthal reality star being inaugurated as President removed because it’s too damn unrealistic. The film is ready for Sundance. But are you ready for the Sundance films? You will be, once you’ve read this preview, featuring…

La La Land Review

What separates a high-quality, enjoyable film from a cinema classic, etched in the public consciousness? Star performances? An unforgettable soundtrack? Resounding, colourful images? This question is a timely one, as La La Land has all three & much, much more; the level of chatter it has created amongst regular and casual movie-goers alike suggests it is…

Top 5: #BFIBlackStar performances

What is your favourite performance by a black actor? This is the question posed by the BFI & Independent Cinema Office ahead of #BFIBlackStar, a celebration of the most memorable black characters from film and TV. Its a tough one – so many powerful roles to choose from, right? Or perhaps it’s easy for you…