MIB’s Top Ten Films of 2014

Another interesting year in the world of film as the crossover between more esoteric and - forgive this term but - “arthouse” type films into the mainstream continues with a great force than before, with many films that would usually slip under the radar of the multiplex audiences have been embraced. The likes of Boyhood, …

Michael

Michael Austria (2011) Dir. Markus Schleinzer Tackling a sensitive and contentious subject as paedophilia requires some sensitivity and chutzpah, especially if you are a first time director. Former actor and casting director Markus Schleinzer is the one who has taken on this unenviable task for his directorial debut, which is said to have its roots …

Walesa – Man of Hope (Walesa. Czlowiek z nadziei)

Walesa - Man of Hope (Walesa. Czlowiek z nadziei) Poland (2013) Dir. Andrzej Wajda Bio-pics are a tricky thing to get right since one has to serve many masters. If the subject is still living then obviously they’d want to be portrayed in a particular (read: flattering) light. Then there are the facts which will …

WWE – The Best PPV Matches Of 2014

WWE - The Best PPV Matches Of 2014 (Cert 15) 3 Discs DVD (Distributor: Fremantle Media) Running Time: 528 minutes approx 2014, it has to be said, was not a great year for the WWE, behind the scenes at least. TV ratings are down, PPV buyrates are down (internationally), live attendance is wavering, the much …

Michiko & Hatchin Collection One

Michiko & Hatchin Collection One (Episodes 1-11) (Cert 15) 2 Discs (Distributor: MVM) Running time: 239 minutes approx.  The Yeti, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, the popularity of Justin Bieber are all mysteries which have plagued mankind for many years but one remains the most baffling of all: how did a series like Michiko & Hatchin …

One Piece Movie – Episode of Alabasta: The Pirates And The Princess Of The Desert

One Piece Movie – Episode of Alabasta: The Pirates And The Princess Of The Desert (Cert 12) 1 Disc Blu-ray (Distributor: Manga Entertainment) Running time: 90 minutes approx This is an interesting release. Not only is this film a condensed recap of the central happenings of the popular Alabasta Arc from the main One Piece …

Winter Sleep (Kis uykusu)

Winter Sleep (Kis uykusu) Turkey (2014) Dir. Nuri Bilge Ceylan A confession – I always approach films from Turkish auteur Nuri Bilge Ceylan with a touch of apprehension. This is partly due to the lofty praise his films always receive making me feel like an ignoramus when I am less enthused (but still enjoy them). …

Surviving Christmas

Surviving Christmas US (2004) Dir. Mike Mitchell I’d not heard of this film before and I literally found it by accident on TV. I wouldn’t have normally given it the time of day but for some reason it was on and I found myself going the distance with it, despite it starting a little before …

Alléluia

Alléluia Belgium (2014) Dir. Fabrice Du Welz For his fourth film, Belgian director Fabrice Du Welz has chosen to add to the many inspired by the real life story of the Lonely Hearts Killers of the late 1940’s, murderous husband and wife Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck. Alléluia is the tale of hard working single …

MIB’s Top Ten Anime of 2014 (Japan)

2014 has proven to be an interesting year for new anime debuting in its homeland, largely as it has seen many attempts to break out of the same hackneyed moulds of the past decade, while others just can’t help to fall back into these lazy habits no matter how interesting the new idea may be …