Films

With the recent, Eddie Redmayne-fronted, re-release of this story in a big budget TV format, it seems now might be an appropriate time to revisit the original film that inspired the series.  A co-production of the UK and France (showing that sometimes we can get along) and based on a Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name, this film is a political thriller telling the story of an attempted assassination attempt on General Charles De Gaulle. Although it is based on real cha

Christopher Nolan is probably the single best director working in film and television today. He has reached that rarified space wherein his name alone warrants an immediate green light from studios and guarantees box-office draw. His films are generally always pushing the envelope of what a big budget studio blockbuster can be and he is one of only a few working directors today for whom you drop everything and insist on seeing his latest release at the cinema. Such was the ca

Someone once said that romantic comedies are the hardest stories to execute, because you always know how it's going to end. Therefore it becomes about the journey and, for many romantic comedies, the chemistry between your two leads. Some films go for sweeping romance (The Notebook, Titanic etc), some go for something reflective of the times (The Apartment, 500 Days of Summer etc.), and some go for appealing to as many people as possible. This film certainly falls in the latt

Even if you've never seen Don Siegel's 1971 film starring Clint Eastwood, you probably will be aware of it's titular character and his famous quote:  "I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Now to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Wel

While the world is familiar with Robert Downey Jr, his father is perhaps lesser known. This is both a shame and also the inevitable result of a career which was devoted almost entirely to subversion. Robert Downey Sr was one of the more bizarre filmmakers in history, who developed an absurdist style all of his own and this film explores not only the career of the man but, more importantly, his relationship with his now mega-famous son. 

By 1977, William Friedkin was firmly established in the upper echelons of Hollywood. His two hits, 'The French Connection' (1971) and, most famously, 'The Exorcist' (1973) were both heralded as classics. The latter, of course, being one of the most famous films of all time. Then he wandered off to spend the next few years in five countries on three continents making his next film. The result was 'Sorcerer'.  Allow me for a moment to go on a diatribe about film consumption in

If you were to rank modern directors, most people would have David Fincher near the top of their list. He is a master, capable of matching style to story while still keeping all the distinctive features that let you know it's a Fincher film. In 2007, he released 'Zodiac' which tells the story of the still unsolved case of the Zodiac killer, who terrorised the San Francisco / Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  As with all of Fincher's work, it is exquisitely put tog

You may or may not of heard of Bobbito Garcia and DJ Stretch Armstrong, but if you were in New York City, or in any way involved in Hip Hop in the early 1990s their names were two of the most important in the game. During this time, their radio show was probably the single most vital showcase in the industry. Such was the prestige around it that an appearance on this platform alone could make or break your career. Almost every single one of your favorite artists came throug