Few films define the 1950s better than Sweet Smell of Success, which is quite bizarre in retrospect, considering how reviled it was at the time. Directed by Alexander Mackendrick (who had mostly found success across the pond with a series of very successful British comedies), the film was considered an enormous failure when it premiered,…

It’s always fascinating to be a part of a historical event, and look back at reports and discussions on that particular era that you lived through, even if only as a mere observer. One of the more memorable that I can remember is Joaquin Phoenix’s announcement in 2009 that we would be stepping down from…

When you have had as prolific a career as Spike Lee, there are some films that tend to get lost in the shuffle of time, perhaps not fading into obscurity, but at the very least not being as well-known as some others. This is certainly the case for Girl 6, which occurred during Lee’s most…

In an Italian prison, Cossimo (Memmo Carotenuto) sits stewing in anger – a career criminal known for his elaborate heists, he has been caught before managing to achieve the riches he had always envisioned for himself – and the fact that he was sent to prison for attempting to steal a car only increases his…

The year is 1947, and Great Britain is still recovering from the ravages of the Second World War. Rations are constantly being decreased, and the quality of life is rapidly declining, meaning many are struggling to get a proper meal on the table. Two people who are feeling the burden more than most are genial…

Ethics have always been the passion of Professor Jack Lambert (Dan Aykroyd), a mild-mannered college lecturer who has perfected the art of morality, teaching it to legions of students who he manages to captivate with his unique perspective on human behaviour. However, despite his immense moral grounding and understanding of how any individual should conduct…

I normally tend to start my reviews with either a brief summary of the plot, or some preamble that sets the stage for the following thoughts. However, there are occasionally films that just appear and make such an incredible impression, it’s better to cut right to the chase, and proclaim it as something quite extraordinary….

When it came to exploring the postwar experience of Italy, and commenting on the more bizarre sides of society, very few filmmakers were able to match Dino Risi. An exceptionally divisive filmmaker, particularly when looking at his comedies, he was capable of touching on issues that far superceded the general themes of his films. Occurring…

Andrei Gennadievitch (Vitaliy Khaev) just wanted to eat his dinner in peace. A police officer who is respected (perhaps even feared) by his peers, he leads what appears to be a highly-principled life, based on a strong set of morals instilled in him from an early age. However, this afternoon turns out to be something…

Juha (Pekka Strang) is a very successful heart surgeon who used to have the perfect life – a happy family, a few houses that they could escape to for the weekend and a generally pleasant position in the world – it is essentially what many dream to accomplish. This is until his wife accidentally drowns…