Articles + Quotes on Film & TV

Usually I wait until I've seen at least three episodes of a series before posting a review, but this time, I decided not to wait. Those who loved Carnivale and despaired at it being cancelled after two seasons, can now rejoice, something has finally arrived to plug the gap where it once was on TV. Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Harry Treadaway, this particular (regulars) combination of fine actors in a unpredictable storyline set in early twentieth century London, with regular references to period literature and different, original takes on the supernatural, why are you still reading? The score is by Abel Korzeniowski, which as every great score should, adds that extra layer to the scenes. Very much looking forward to the third episode now, an appearance by Rory Kinnear, not just Bond's and M's Tanner in the Bond films. Who knew?

Heartwarming, uplifting, for once a film is exactly what it says on the tin. Set in 1984, a group of gay and lesbian activists, regularly on the march for equality and having to deal with police coming in, discover that for once, its been relatively quiet on that front. A quick check with the newspapers (its 1984 don't forget) and they find its the strikers' protesting that has taken the heat off them, and its decided they should help the miners and raise money to support them. The fact that the film is based on true events makes it all the more special and every reaction, laughter, tears are well founded. Both are prompted more than once. This being a British film, they have the greats out in full force, Bill Nighy with a great Welsh accent, Imelda Staunton, Jessica Gunning, Dominic West and Paddy Considine. And the next generation of greats, Ben Schnetzer, Andrew Scott, George Mackay, Joseph Gilgun, Faye Marsay, Freddie Fox, Chris Overton and Joshua Hill. All in a...

This film is a true masterpiece in every sense of the word, in every possible way, costume and production design. The score has been composed by the brilliant Alexandre Desplat and of course acting, directing and editing. A great film entertains, a masterpiece such as this opens your eyes, to a little known story that should be taught to all. Alan Turing was the man who created something that helped shorten a war, so many peoples and places owe themselves to his work. Benedict Cumberbatch completely disappears into the role of Alan Turing, it is as though the real Alan came back to make this film before leaving to give Mr Cumberbatch the credit of his miraculous reappearance. The other actors are similarly transformed into their roles, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Keira Knightley, Mark Strong, Allen Leech, Tuppence Middleton, Rory Kinnear, Steven Waddington, Tom Goodman-Hill and Matthew Beard all bring such depth to their characters and combined with the strength of Mr Cumberbat...

When I first saw the trailer, I was quite excited by the greatness that it promises. Unlike many trailers that only give away the entire plot and show all the best bits, this one served only to give a taster of what is to come. And it does not in any way disappoint. Not for a moment. The story flows exceedingly well, the pace is fast and yet you have no trouble following the many turns that they take you on. First time director Gary Shore, with first time writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (though it doesn't seem like it) create a great story with actors who all portray their characters with zeal and passion, taking the written word on the script to create three dimensional characters that have both their good points and their flaws. Luke Evans leads the cast as the titular character, and considering the history behind it, it is quite a heavy mantle to carry. Lesser actors would fall and make the character a mere caricature. Mr Evans gives his all in every frame and e...

It has been some time since I first ventured forth on this subject and since then a lot more audio commentaries have been listened to and thought about. Which makes it high time that this topic is re-opened and discussed once more. In the previous article, I made my own definition of this special feature, and listed, from the least to best favourite, a top eleven. Here, I will go further and outline what defines a great commentary. First off, number of people on the commentary itself. Here's the thing, a single comedian can keep a collective audience entertained for a good hour, telling jokes and stories and generally being, well, entertaining. Unfortunately, the same principle doesn't really apply here. I have listened to many commentaries, since before this article and the first, and no, despite being the producer, director whatever title you have, if you are the only person to speak on a commentary, it becomes pretty boring very quickly for the poor soul listening, wi...

We have always known Ralph Fiennes to be a great actor. Its one of those things we take for granted and so when he puts forward a typically consistent, multifaceted, award deserving performance, regardless of the character, "baddie or good guy" we are predictably blown away. Be it Harry in In Bruges, Lord Voldemort, Christopher Marshall or M Gustave, he commits to each and every role. So it must have been maybe a little disconcerting for his co actors in this film, for them to be dealing with a reincarnated Charles Dickens one moment and Ralph Fiennes, working also as the director of this film the next. That is another thing that comes to you when watching The Invisible Woman, the direction in this is flawless. Move over Ben Affleck, you're not the only one who can do both acting and directing in one film and be brilliant at both. The story of this film is also a shock to the system. Charles Dickens had an affair with a young actress much younger than himself, E...

With one great film, you get many others trying desperately to emulate the style, or humour, feeling of that one film. Sometimes its the same makers, whenever they make a sequel. Or try to. One obvious example of a great one, is Shrek. One of the reasons this was so well loved and its style copied, was because of its humour and its focus. It took the mickey out of fairy tales, but cleverly. It didn't do too much and topple under the weight. This film, has heart. It is a great comedic story, if you ignore the opening scene and has the added bonus of being set in, for the most part - space. Its a movie to watch with friends, as its a fun movie to do that, and that is the main theme of the whole story, something that is strangely missing from most films these days. Shrek fans, rejoice, someone has not copied, but has been inspired by one of the greats. Chris Pratt's character, Peter Quill, also known as Star Lord, a nickname he is desperate to have stick, introduces us to ...