The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man UK (1980) Dir. David Lynch In this current climate of people desiring fame and attention for the vainest and shallow of reasons, we must not overlook those who achieve it through their misfortune as exploited by others. That this is more infamy than fame, there are few more notable the tragic case …

Scandal (Shubun)

Scandal (Shubun) Japan (1950) Dir. Akira Kurosawa Celebrities have never had a great relationship with the press, for better or worse. The public rely on the media to inform them in an impartial manner and hold the corrupt and venal to account for their actions with some impunity from state censure. Unfortunately, the media appears …

Black Clover Season 2 Part 1

Black Clover Season 2 Part 1 (Episodes 52-63) (Cert 12) 2 Discs DVD/Blu-ray (Distributor: Manga Entertainment) Running time: 287 minutes approx. Usually I’d begin a review with something along the lines “And we’re back” as this the official second season of Black Clover, but the truth is, it never went away! There was no break …

La Grande Illusion

La Grande Illusion France (1937) Dir. Jean Renoir Anti-war films usually impart their message by exploring the horrors of war, the fickle nature of man’s blind nationalism, and the effects it has on the loved ones left behind. Trust the French to take a different stance in their case against the futility of war. During …

I, Olga (Já, Olga Hepnarová)

I, Olga (Já, Olga Hepnarová) Czech Republic (2016) Dirs. Petr Kazda & Tomás Weinreb “I know I’m a psycho but an enlightened one.” Reading the mind of a murderer will not make for an easy experience, as I am sure any psychologist will agree, though it is not always the case that the subject is …

Valentin

Valentin Argentina (2002) Dir. Alejandro Agresti Too many people in life think they know it all yet know nothing. They have an opinion on everything, try to enforce that opinion on others and believe that whatever they do to fix a situation is the only correct method, even if they are sometimes successful. No doubt …

First Love (Hatsukoi)

First Love (Hatsukoi) Japan (2019) Dir Takashi Miike You know what they say about best-laid plans. In real life, it can be very frustrating when they go awry but in cinema, it often leads to one hell of a rush.  And when such a scenario is depicted by the enfant terrible of Japanese cinema, Takashi …

Funeral In Berlin

Funeral In Berlin UK (1966) Dir. Guy Hamilton Everyone’s favourite bespectacled laconic cockney secret agent is back for another death-defying mission at the behest of the Ministry of Defence, crossing international borders and unravelling a sinuous mystery that develops seemingly out of nowhere. Bifurcated Germany is the current base of Soviet intelligence officer Colonel Stok …

WWE – Super Showdown 2020

WWE – Super Showdown 2020 (Cert 15) 1 disc (Distributor: Fremantle Media) Running Time: 191 minutes approx. I suppose it was an act of purest optimism to expect WWE to start taking these blood money shows more seriously after last year’s Crown Jewel was actually pretty good, and actually progressed some major storylines with a …

Good Newwz

Good Newwz India (2019) Dir. Raj Mehta Pregnancy is a difficult situation for all involved, more so for the woman who has to carry a tiny human being in their belly for nine months but I digress. It can also be a cruel process where people who want children are unable to whilst others can, …