Being a film fan is an interesting hobby, because you sometimes need to go through some really dreadful stuff before finding something amazing, and sometimes what surprises you the most is a film that comes out of absolutely nowhere. For me, getting pleasant little surprises like this is what motivates me to keep on doing…

With the increase in international entertainment becoming distributed by mainstream production companies, more and more British films are becoming popular, and allowing smaller films to be made because of the increase in funding. One of those films is the adorably quirky Submarine, which was written and directed by comedian Richard Ayoade. It proved to be…

As I am sure a lot of you know, I have a very special place in my heart for independent cinema, and it makes me giddy to discover some new, unique piece of independent cinema, mainly because they don’t have the promotion of bigger films, and can spring up on you out of nowhere. Frank…

The first time I heard of The Skeleton Twins was right at the beginning of the year, when I discovered Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig made an indie comedy together. I thought it was too good to be true – after all, when people have such undeniable chemistry and brilliance together like Hader and Wiig…

I always enjoy it when filmmakers find new, exciting ways to make biographical films about interesting people. Let’s face it, the same dreary drama is not for everyone, and some extraordinary subjects deserve extraordinary biopics. That is why when I watched American Splendor, the absolutely excellent film based on the life and works of comic…

I am a huge fan of Alexander Payne. I think there are very few directors who concentrate so meticulously on characters and performances quite like him. He is truly an actor’s director, and every single one of his films have been masterclasses in performances. People like Jack Nicholson, Laura Dern and Reese Witherspoon have career-highlight performances…

Melissa McCarthy has become one of the most bankable leading ladies in movies today, and she is no longer a supporting funny lady, but instead a full-on, intense comedic force. Her film, Tammy, was a passion project for McCarthy – she and her husband, Ben Falcone, came up with the idea for the film and…

There are few people that epitomize the 1980s cinema world quite like John Hughes and Michael Keaton. In what was only their sophomore film efforts – Hughes writing and Keaton starring, they create one of the most endearing family comedies of the tumultuous eighties. Keaton plays Jack Butler, the ultimate 1980s family man – loving…

Smart satire and broad comedy are both very popular forms of humour, but they very rarely overlap. A great example is seen when we look at the smart, neurotic humour of Woody Allen, and the more lowbrow, but equally excellent, work of Mel Brooks. Both were excellent filmmakers that carved out their niches in Hollywood….