In the recent hype around the release of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, many have noted the film’s obvious links to Kubrick’s widely renowned masterpiece of the genre, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Along with many Leeds-based film […]
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is Jennifer Lawrence’s continuing victory
The three films of the lucrative Hunger Games franchise can be understood through colour. If the original Hunger Games was the earthy browns of a woodland arena, Gary Ross’ raw indie sensibility direction and Jennifer […]
Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey? gives us a nice indication of how not to make a Christmas film
Since the beginning of cinema, many films have attempted to capture the unique allure and power of New York City. Manhattan, On The Town, Taxi Driver, and now, Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey, as […]
The Homesman demonstrates Tommy Lee Jones on a late career hot streak
Understated and hopelessly pessimistic, The Homesman falls squarely in the recent trend amongst westerns for quiet introspection shot through with savage violence harking back to Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture winner, Unforgiven. Hilary Swank plays […]
Dirty Dancing at Leeds Grand Theatre proves it will continue to stand the test of time
Dirty Dancing received a well-earned standing ovation as it began it’s month long run at Leeds Grand Theatre. Closely adapted from the fan favourite eponymous film, the stage show depicts protagonist, Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman and […]
Sneaky Experience is immersive like nothing else
For one weekend only, the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey became a playground for cinephiles with Leeds-based Sneaky Experience treating audiences to a special Halloween programme. With films including ‘The Exorcist’, ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and […]
Benedict Cumberbatch is rightly tipped for Oscar glory for his potrayal of genius Alan Turing
Image: Black Bear Pictures A witty, poignant and powerful film, The Imitation Game handles its subject manner brilliantly, giving the viewer a look in to one of the true geniuses in British history: Mathematician and […]
With Interstellar, Christopher Nolan proves once again that intelligent blockbusters can exist
Image: Paramount Pictures Christopher Nolan’s latest feature is a complex, head-spinning journey into other galaxies, blasting the viewer into a story that is as gripping and emotional as it is scientifically intricate. Despite its hard […]
Vertical Cinema is a unique experience, but should there be more?
I suppose it’s something we take for granted, that cinema is presented in widescreen. Over its history, film production practice has stretched ratios wider and wider with the intention of better immersing the viewer; quite […]
Jake Gyllenhaal delivers his finest performance yet in Nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal has, almost unnoticed, risen through the ranks to become one of the greatest American actors working today. Following a duo of fantastic performances last year in Enemy and Prisoners, Nightcrawler’s anti-hero Lou Bloom might be […]
Fury is a glorified portrayal of American strength during the war
Fury tells the story of the 66th Armoured Regiment in during the final months of the WW2, with the tank, and in a wider sense, the film being commanded by Brad Pitt, playing battle-hardened Sergeant Collier, […]
Effie Gray is well crafted, but falls short of anything spectacular
Based on the Victorian critic John Ruskin’s unconsummated marriage, Emma Thompson scripts the account of Effie Gray’s ill-fated marriage with intelligence and craftsmanship. The film boasts a fantastic cast with Emma Thompson as the independent […]