The more famous a filmmaker, the more likely it is that entire generations will be in search of ways to emulate their work – and very few directors have been the source of as much imitation as Alfred Hitchcock, whose exceptional and prolific career spurred half a decade of young directors who sought to draw…
Tag: film
Time to Leave (2005)
Saying goodbye is never easy, but it’s often worse to lose someone without having the opportunity to express your love and affection, even if it is for the last time. This is one of the few blessings given to those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness – in cases where a disease can be…
Party Girl (1995)
There was a very specific point somewhere between the late 1980s and early 1990s where many films tended to gravitate towards exploring the folly of youth – no longer were teenagers and young adults viewed as world-weary, complex individuals worried about their future (as was the case with the iconic films made by John Hughes),…
National Anthem (2024)
Some people are born to be a part of a community, others have to spend their formative years navigating a hostile world to find a sense of belonging. In both cases, it is clear that we all exist to fit in somewhere, even if only on the margins, and finding the right place for ourselves…
Zombeavers (2014)
At some point in the last few decades, we found the concept of the B-movie losing a lot of meaning, undoubtedly the result of filmmakers become far more self-aware, and the rise of the “so bad, it’s good” approach to genres that were often considered to be nothing more than filler, done to capitalise on…
The Killing of Sister George (1968)
One of the most important moments in the history of Hollywood was when Robert Aldrich, the gifted journeyman director behind some of the most successful films the industry ever produced, decided to step aside from making blockbusters and instead opted to make a trio of films that are starkly different in terms of story and…
Materialists (2025)
At some point in our youth, we encounter the dreadfully trite adage “there is someone for everyone” – it’s often used to comfort someone who feels lonely and has struggled to see any romantic spark in their humdrum life. For about as long as we’ve been sentient and developed the desire for relationships (whether in…
Rope of Sand (1949)
We all appreciate a solidly made, well-constructed adventure film. Hollywood was well-aware of this fact, with the classical era being filled to the brim with stories that take place in the furthest corners of the world (the more exotic, the better), and focus on valiant heroes that overcome every obstacle without acquiring so much as…
The Life of Chuck (2025)
When all is said and done, it is going to be fascinating to see where Mike Flanagan’s career leads. He has already made quite a name for himself, both through his prolific body of work that has allowed him to find a home in both cinema and television, and his very peculiar approach to different…
Straight Up (2019)
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they suddenly realise who they are supposed to be – or at least that’s the myth that we have been sold for decades. The belief that within us lurks our true identity patiently waiting to emerge is nothing more than a fallacy, since we’ve often found that…