In which Gerry Hayes feels a strong urge to break something… Unbreakable, 2000. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright Penn. Written by M. Night Shyamalan. Right, let’s get this out of the way first: I liked The Sixth Sense. There… happy? I thought it was a, mostly, well […]
Video Nazi: Cinema of the Third Reich
With Inglourious Basterds released this week, we take a look at the cinema of Nazi Germany… Prior to 1933 the German film industry enjoyed a highly influential and critically acclaimed period of creativity and originality but the rise of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party would see many key figures emigrate from the country, including […]
Lean Times: A David Lean Profile (Part 3)
Trevor Hogg profiles the career of acclaimed filmmaker Sir David Lean in the third of a three-part feature… be sure to read the first and second parts! While David Lean was directing Summertime, he received a cable from Sam Spiegel asking if he would direct The Bridge on the River Kwai. Lean sought advice from […]
I Sat Through That? #6 – Planet of the Apes (2001)
In which Gerry Hayes dons a ‘Trading Places’ ape-suit and prepares for some musky monkey-loving. Planet Of The Apes, 2001. Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Michael Clarke Duncan and Estella Warren. Special make-up and effects by Rick Baker. Relax, nerds, it’s the remake. Take a puff […]
What’s Happening with… the Gears of War movie??
A look at the development and current status of the Gears of War movie… Back in 2006 Microsoft and Epic Games unleashed the brutal and bloody third-person action shooter Gears of War on Xbox 360. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth-like planet called Sera, players take on the roles of COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) soldiers […]
Lean Times: A David Lean Profile (Part 2)
Trevor Hogg profiles the career of acclaimed filmmaker Sir David Lean in the second of a three-part feature… read the first part here. “It was one of the worse times I’ve had in my professional life,” reflected David Lean on the circumstances surrounding Ronald Neame’s sophomore directorial picture The Passionate Friends. “I should have never […]
I Sat Through That? #5 – Castaway (2000)
In which Gerry Hayes rolls up his trouser-legs and paddles on the shores of FedEx Island… Castaway, 2000. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, A. Volleyball. Written by William Broyles, Jr. Astonishingly, the story goes that FedEx were reluctant to have their brand used in this film (didn’t like the idea that […]
Cult Classics – G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)
G.I. Joe: The Movie, 1987. Directed by Don Jurwich. Featuring the voice talents of Michael Bell, Don Johnson, Chris Latta, Burgess Meredith and Bill Ratner. SYNOPSIS: G.I. Joe must battle against an ancient civilization determined to enslave mankind. Back in the mid-80s, toy giant Hasbro planned to bring their three most popular children’s animated series […]
R.I.P. John Hughes (1950 – 2009)
Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller director dead aged 59… Filmmaker John Hughes has died of a heart attack while out walking in Manhattan earlier today, Thursday 6th of August. Hughes was one of the most prolific and successful writing, directing and producing talents of the 1980s and his credits include National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Sixteen […]
Lean Times: A David Lean Profile (Part 1)
Trevor Hogg profiles the career of acclaimed filmmaker Sir David Lean in the first of a three-part feature… Even as the Germans bombed London during WWII, the British film industry soldiered on, allowing a new directorial talent to emerge – David Lean. Overshadowed by an academically smarter younger brother, the floundering eighteen year old found […]
