Cannes Film Festival 2012: Woody Allen: A Documentary Review

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As many of you probably know, I am a huge, devoted and unapologetic Woody Allen fan – for years he has been my favourite filmmaker and despite his recent career being a little shaky, for the man to still be writing and directing feature films every year is beyond admirable. Allen is also an extremely talented prose writer, poet… Read more

Cannes Film Festival 2012: Rust and Bone Review

Rust and Bone

Today saw the first particularly early start to this year’s festival with an abundance of critics clambering around outside Cannes prestigious and gob-smackingly beautiful Grand Théâtre Lumière to enter the day’s 08:30 screening. Thankfully I’m an early riser anyway and surely the beautiful, baking French sunshine is enough to get anyone out of their pit (sorry to brag Britain). Thursday’s… Read more

Official Selection for 65th Cannes Film Festival Revealed

Source: Festival de Cannes

What do the Cannes Film Festival, Sir Alan Sugar, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hillary Clinton have in common? Apart from being extraordinary in their own right (oh come on they are pretty cool), they all turn 65 this year. Far from being “has-been’s”, this marvellous motley crew shows no signs of stopping. It isn’t difficult for… Read more

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 – A Retrospective

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The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival came to an end on Sunday after 10 days of movie madness across the capital. 2012 marked the 10th year of the festival and was a stellar year for movie fans. Movie stars flew in from around the world to attend screenings of their movies; Mark Wahlberg (Contraband), Glenn… Read more

Film Review – Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Alfred (Ewan McGregor) is approached by Harriet (Emily Blunt) to help fulfil the wishes of an Arab Sheikh and bring the sport of fly-fishing to the Yemeni desert. UK government press secretary Patricia (Kristin Scott Thomas) backs the plan and maintains, “We need a good story about the Middle East that doesn’t have explosions”. Ewan… Read more

Four New Films Added to Sundance 2012 Line-Up

2012 Sundance Film Festival

With all the blockbuster trailers airing this week you’d be forgiven for thinking that nothing else is coming out next year.  However let’s not forget that the year begins with the worlds premiere festival of independent movies, Sundance 2012.  The festival, now in it’s 33rd year, features films and documentaries for all tastes.  Not least… Read more

LFF Film Review – Like Crazy

Like Crazy

I preface this review by saying that it is probably loaded with significant bias.  Having personally successfully navigated a long distance relationship, I was looking forward to seeing how a couple on the big screen would handle a similar situation.  And this is Like Crazy‘s basic premise.  Boy meets girl (or rather girl stalks boy… Read more

BFI London Film Festival Announces Winners

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The competition winners for the 55th London Film Festival were announced last night at a gala award ceremony Held at London’s LSO St Luke’s. Those honoured at the ceremony included Ralph Fiennes and David Cronenberg who were awarded a BFI Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by the film body. Lynne Ramsey was awarded the much… Read more

LFF Film Review – A Dangerous Method

A Dangerous Method Poster

Psychoanalysis is the art of releasing repressed emotions and experiences in order to ‘cure’ a psychological disorder, like depression or anxiety.  Developed in the early 20th century, most credit is given to the very famous Sigmund Freud.  However, what isn’t always brought to light is the influence of others on the development of the process.… Read more

LFF Film Review – Shame

Shame Movie Poster

“We aren’t bad people, we just come from a bad place”.  A simple line, but when Carey Mulligan‘s character Sissy utters its words to her brother Brandon, played by Michael Fassbender it resonates in truth.  And surely this is the underlying thought in writer/directors Steve McQueen‘s newest film, Shame, a movie wrapped in desperation while… Read more

LFF Q&A – Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick & Will Reiser of 50/50

50 50 Movie Poster

Viewers who stuck around after the premiere of 50/50 on Thursday, October 13 were treated (after a lengthy and well deserved round of applause) to a Q&A with two of its stars, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick, as well as its talented writer, Will Reiser. For those unfamiliar with the film, the story follows Adam… Read more

LFF Film Review – 50/50

50-50movie poster

Cancer isn’t funny, nor does 50/50 look to make fun of it.  Instead, 50/50 treads a fine line between comedy and tragedy, and does so successfully due in great part to the ensemble of actors, and an especially connected writer who are obviously passionate about their story. 50/50 is the story of Adam (Joseph Gordon… Read more

LFF Film Review – Martha Marcy May Marlene

Martha Marcy May Marlene Film Poster

Martha Marcy May Marlene is the intelligent, atmospheric, suspenseful, dramatic, psychological, thrilling and masterful feature film debut by director Sean Durkin. That’s quite a few adjectives to describe the film, yet they’re all deserved and woefully understating.  Elizabeth Olsen makes her debut appearance in the central role as Martha, a young woman who has recently… Read more

The 55th BFI London Film Festival Begins Today With the European Premiere of 360

BFI LFF London Film Festival

Today marks the start of the 55th BFI London Film Festival.  From the 12th to 27th October a vast selection of films will be shown in selected venues across London, with World Premieres, European Premieres and British Premieres littered amongst the packed programme schedule.  This evening the opening ceremony gets underway with a the European… Read more

LFF Film Review – The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975

The Black Power Mixtape 1967 - 1975

Director Göran Hugo Olsson’s snapshot of the civil rights movement in America between 1967 – 1975 can be summed up as a fascinating collection of beautifully preserved footage from that era. It certainly makes for interesting viewing. After browsing the library of film footage at a Swedish television centre, Olsson discovered a collection of archive… Read more

LFF Film Review – Take Shelter

Take Shelter Film Poster

Take Shelter, is the brand new film directed and written by Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories).  The movie tells the tale of Curtis (Michael Shannon). A stable family man, Curtis leads a fairly normal life, working as a construction worker to bring home enough money to support his wife Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and his young deaf… Read more

The 55th BFI London Film Festival Announces Competition Shortlists and Juries

BFI LFF London Film Festival

The shortlists and juries for The 55th BFI London Film Festival (in partnership with American Express) have been announced. The festival, which takes runs from 12th – 27th October, features over 250 films, masterclasses and special gala events. The award ceremony, which takes place on the 26th October, will honour actor Ralph Fiennes (whose directorial… Read more

Exclusive: Shawn Levy Talks Real Steel

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At Empire Big Screen, Shawn Levy hosted one of the best Q&A’s I have ever witnessed. The Director of Night at the Museum and Date Night was perhaps not one of the biggest stars of the weekend but he certainly was one of the most enthusiastic, the most passionate. His love of films is impossible… Read more

Exclusive: David Tennant talks Fright Night

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At Empire Big Screen, I got the pleasure of hearing David Tennant talk about Fright Night and what it was like to be part of the vampire remake. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, also stars Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell and Toni Colette.  Charlie Brewster struggles as he discovers his new neighbour Jerry (played by Farrell) is actually… Read more

And The Top TIFF Award Goes To….

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Each year at the Toronto International Film Festival, they award the top prize in the form of the Cadillac People’s Choice Award.  Since TIFF is known as an audience friendly festival they let the general public and industry alike vote for the picture they liked best.  The last two out of three years the award… Read more