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 […]
Thoughts on… Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)
Hannah Montana: The Movie, 2009. Directed by Peter Chelsom. Starring Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. SYNOPSIS: The world famous singer is forced to return to her hometown in order to rediscover her roots. I’m sticking my neck on the line here because I am offering Hannah Montana: The Movie to you, the cinephiles of […]
Five Essential… Stephen King Adaptations
Gary Collinson selects his Five Essential Stephen King adaptations… Acclaimed writer Stephen King is one of the best-selling authors of all time and his stories have served as inspiration for countless theatrical features, TV movies and miniseries. While his words may well be his power, adaptations of said words often leave much to be desired. […]
DVD Review – Diagnosis: Death (2009)
Diagnosis: Death, 2009. Directed by Jason Stutter. Starring Raybon Kan, Jessica Grace Smith, Suze Tye and Rhys Darby. SYNOPSIS: Locked in a medical facility over a weekend as guinea pigs for a drug trial, two cancer patients discover that the clinic may pose more harm than good. Diagnosis: Death is a low-budget horror comedy from […]
A Weir View: A Peter Weir Profile (Part 2)
Trevor Hogg profiles the career of director Peter Weir in the second of a two-part feature… read the first part of the article here. “I start out to tell a story,” Peter Weir responded when the acclaimed director was asked about his signature cinematic style. “All the tools at one’s command, including mood, atmosphere, and […]
British Cinema – London to Brighton (2006)
London to Brighton, 2006. Directed by Paul Andrew Williams. Starring Lorraine Stanley, Georgia Groome, Johnny Harris and Sam Spruell. SYNOPSIS: A gritty and unflinching drama about the lowlifes and criminals that inhabit London’s seedy underworld. Kelly and eleven year old Joanne burst into a grim public toilet at 3am in the morning. Joanne is frantically […]
I Sat Through That #4 – Meet The Parents (2000)
In which Gerry Hayes considers Meet The Parents and punches himself in the face again and again and again… Meet The Parents, 2000. Directed by Jay Roach. Starring Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo. Screenplay by Greg Glienna. Gah! Nooo! How can one film have so much bad in it? Please, why do you […]