In this day and age, we have become used to a certain standard when it comes to the documentary. You can expect drone shots of stunning vistas, beautifully shot interviews, a score to accompany the drama - the format has gone high-end. However, there was a time when the documentary film was less about creating a cinematic experience and more about simply capturing real life as it unfolds before our eyes. The pioneering classic 'Hoop Dreams' (1994) being the first real breakou

"A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come... And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself." When you think of the words "Kung" and "Fu" and "Hollywood" you will almost certainly think of Mr. Bruce Lee - prowling around, screaming like a mating monkey and kicking many villains in the face. He is, and still remains, the greatest of all time when it comes to the martial arts su

When you think of the words "John Rambo" you are likely immediately overcome by images of a long-haired, headband-wearing, probably wounded in some way, muscular man holding a massive machine gun in one hand and an endless chain of high-calibre bullets in the other. He is gurning and yelling while mowing down bad guys at a staggering rate. He also has that knife, which by today's street youth standard isn't much to write home about, but back in 1982 looked more like a sword w

Since acquiring the rights to Star Wars in 2012, Disney have released 6 feature films and 17 television series - not to mention the cartoons, LEGO spin-offs, short films and so on. It's almost as if the board of directors have stumbled upon some sort of magical money tree... CEO: "Hey guys, check this out. Every time you shake it, millions of dollars falls out" All: "Yaaaaay!" As for the quality of the output, it would probably be fair to say it's been a mixed bag. None

Humanity's journey into darkness has been an oft-visited creative well over the years. Be it 'Apocalypse Now', 'Breaking Bad' or 'Dante's Inferno', it is a subject that has compelled us for centuries. Is there some element of all of us, on some primal level, that wants to give in to that voice on the shoulder that just wants to throw it all on the bonfire and see what happens? Maybe. Regardless, these stories will likely never cease as long as we have a conscience. They are n

Okay here it is. The big one. The biggest director in the world adapting the epic to end all epics. Shot entirely in IMAX 70mm magnificence, starring possibly the finest actor of his generation, and filmed in locations all over the world. This is big. As big as big can get. And it's finally here.  Homer's original story, widely considered one of the most (if not the most) seminal works in the history of mankind, focuses on the time after the Trojan War. The Greeks have won t

It seems hard to recall here in 2026, but there once was a time when Robert DeNiro was the man in the business of show. With a career forged in towering, serious, dramatic performances of range and seemingly unlimited skill - he was, at a certain time, the absolute best actor in the business and every new DeNiro film released was an event in and of itself.  However by 1988 he wanted a change of pace. Coming off the back of a memorable turn as Al Capone in Brian DePalma's 'Th

It has been said that you can often judge a person's inner state not by their words, but their actions. If this is indeed true, then it would seem fair to say that John Cassavetes, when making this film, had obviously grown tired of being a marquee studio actor, felt constrained by the Hollywood process and felt the need to express himself in the most unhinged way imaginable. The result is this film.  To say that this film bucks traditional convention would be like saying br

On the quiet, Richard Linklater has carved out a deeply impressive directorial career over the years. From his breakout hit 'Dazed & Confused' (1993) to the 12 year odyssey (and Academy Awards darling) 'Boyhood' (2013), he has not only brought a completely original style to cinema but is probably one of the few auteurs birthed in the 90s independent film movement who manages to have written and directed a wide, varied, cannon of work.   To further illustrate this point, afte

When thinking of great films starring the legend that is Jack Nicholson, few would immediately name this 1973 cult classic. However, Jack himself considers this his finest moment on screen, famously stating "I did it in that movie. That was my best role". When you watch this largely unheralded gem again now, it's not hard to see why.  At the dawn of 'New Hollywood', Hal Ashby became quite an important figure. However, by 1973 he was coming off the back of the abject failur