As a director, Joe Dante will forever be associated with more recognisable achievements like Gremlins (1984), Explorers (1985) and The ‘Burbs (1989), but in 1993 he also made a wonderful little film which serves as both a celebration of the monster movies of his youth, and a biting satire of ’60s Cold War hysteria. Matinee […]
Tron Legacy (OST) by Daft Punk (Walt Disney Records, 2010, CD, out now, £: shop around for a bargain) I remember back in the pre-production phase of Tron Legacy, when it was announced that Daft Punk had been commissioned to do the soundtrack for the film. Part of me felt it was a far too […]
Last month I had the fortune to interview John Higgins, a vastly experienced lighting engineer in the film industry, and his most recently released work has been on the Captain America: The First Avenger movie, as Chief Lighting Director. The look of the movie is beautiful, with a golden-era Hollywood glow to the scenes (the above […]
Conan The Barbarian (15) Released in the UK 24th August 2011. Running Time: 113 mins. Directed by Marcus Nispel, written by Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer & Sean Hood. (Adapted from the Conan stories of Robert E. Howard) Starring: Jason Momoa, Steven Lang, Rachel Nichols, Rose McGowan & Ron Perlman. Narrated by Morgan Freeman. By Crom! Conan […]
13 Assassins (15) 2010. Running time: 141 mins approx. Directed by Takashi Miike, written by Kaneo Ikegami & Daisuke Tengan Starring: Kôji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yûsuki Iseya, Gorô Inagaki and Masachika Ichimura 13 Assassins begins with a defiant act of hara-kiri – the ritualistic act of suicide performed by the shamed samurai. Begin as you […]
I read the online Guardian review of the new Conan movie yesterday and had a wee smirk to myself. Marcus Nispel’s film did not, as I expected, get a good review. I haven’t seen it yet but I am looking forward to it. Let us be honest, now; it will not be up for […]