Inversion (Cert PG) 1 Disc DVD (Distributor: New Wave Films) Running Time: 81 minutes approx. When the legendary Tammy Wynette sang the immortal lyric “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman” I doubt she had the women of Iran in mind, but films like Behnam Behzadi’s Inversion do add a certain poignant and desperate potency … Continue reading Inversion
The Boy And The Beast
The Boy And The Beast (Cert 12) 1 Disc (Distributor: Studiocanal) Running Time: 119 minutes approx. In the unofficial race to be crowned the “Next Miyazaki” the two names that appear at the top of most lists are Makoto Shinkai and Mamoru Hosoda. While the former has been breaking records with his latest film Your … Continue reading The Boy And The Beast
Godspeed (Yi lu shun feng)
Godspeed (Yi lu shun feng) Taiwan (2016) Dir. Chung Mong-hong Michael Hui is one the biggest names in Hong Kong comedy, his heyday being in the 70’s and 80’s, but over the last decade is film work has slowed down a little. This black comedy from Taiwanese director Chung Mong-hong puts Hui firmly back in … Continue reading Godspeed (Yi lu shun feng)
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Magnificent Ambersons US (1942) Dir. Orson Welles Having wowed everyone (except the paying punters) with his debut film, a little flick you might have heard of called Citizen Kane, Orson Welles felt he could do better with this adaptation of the novel of the same name by Booth Tarkington. And he may well have … Continue reading The Magnificent Ambersons
Dead Or Alive: Final
Dead Or Alive: Final Japan (2002) Dir. Takashi Miike Concluding a story is often hard for a writer; concluding a trilogy is going to be even harder but it seems Japanese provocateur’s decision to make his Dead Or Alive trilogy a largely unconnected affair made it a bit easier for screenwriter Ichiro Ryu and his … Continue reading Dead Or Alive: Final
Dead Or Alive 2: Birds (Dead Or Alive 2: Tôbôsha)
Dead Or Alive 2: Birds (Dead Or Alive 2: Tôbôsha) Japan (2000) Dir. Takashi Miike After delivering one of the most conclusive endings possible to a film, the idea that there could be a sequel to Takashi Miike’s Dead Or Alive seems rather preposterous. But this is Miike we are talking about - and who … Continue reading Dead Or Alive 2: Birds (Dead Or Alive 2: Tôbôsha)
WWE – Unreleased: 1986-1995
WWE – Unreleased: 1986-1995 (Cert 15) 3 Discs DVD (Distributor: Fremantle Media) Running Time: 501 minutes approx. After numerous occasions bragging about presenting “never before seen” matches, the WWE finally delivers on that promise with this collection of unseen bouts sourced deep from the bowels of the WWE archives. Hosted by Charley Caruso and Sean … Continue reading WWE – Unreleased: 1986-1995
The Student ((M)uchenik)
The Student ((M)uchenik) Russia (2016) Dir. Kirill Serebrennikov If one is going to make film about religion then in this current, politically charged climate of egg shell treading, being openly confrontational isn’t necessarily a smart move, unless you can safely predict the audience is going to divine your intentions. Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov either didn’t … Continue reading The Student ((M)uchenik)
Dead Or Alive (Dead Or Alive: Hanzaisha)
Dead Or Alive (Dead Or Alive: Hanzaisha) Japan (1999) Dir. Takashi Miike Takashi Miike’s reputation as a major proponent of extreme cinema proceeds any of his works, no matter how innocent the subject matter may be. Therefore, the violent world associated with the Yakuza seems tailor made for him - with Miike’s unique twist liberally … Continue reading Dead Or Alive (Dead Or Alive: Hanzaisha)
Crush And Blush (Misseu Hongdangmu)
Crush And Blush (Misseu Hongdangmu) Korea (2008) Dir. Lee Kyoung-Mi “Everybody does something for no reason” is the sophistry behind the odd behaviour of the central character of this black comedy but she does have a reason - that old devil called “love”. Not that it justifies how she chooses to deal with this issue … Continue reading Crush And Blush (Misseu Hongdangmu)
MIB's Instant Headache 