Tag: film
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Stoker.
It is understandable why some people have taken a really strong dislike to Stoker. Firstly, the trailer led us to believe it was going to be a very different film, moving at a much more rapid pace than it turned out to do. Secondly, the style and genre of the film is particularly unique and hard to…
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A Deserved Winner.
His outstanding performance as the beloved William Fisher in the glorious film adaptation of Keith Waterhouse’s beloved novel Billy Liar was witty and intelligent. From Dr Zhivago to The Dresser, Tom Courtenay has become one of the most respected actors in the country. He began as the face of the ‘kitchen-sink’ drama and, since then, has moulded himself into a highly…
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Arbitrage.
Arbitrage follows the sudden deterioration of Robert Miller, as a father, husband and businessman. As the story unfolds, we see Miller’s health, happiness, safety and success collapse steadily. Richard Gere gives a typically wooden performance, although there are several powerful moments delivered amongst the stilted mess that is the other hour and a half. I never find him…
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Welcome Back Cinerama…
Bradford National Media Museum is proud to welcome back its Widescreen Weekend. From April 26th-28th, as part of the 19th Bradford International Film Festival, the National Media Museum will be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of CinemaScope. The first three-panel film to be made in 50 years will also be screened at the festival. In the Picture, directed by…
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“I Don’t Want Realism, I Want Magic!”
Sometimes, when you wait to watch a particular film for so long, it can be a complete disappointment. Waiting in anticipation for a new release or to finally watch an old classic can occasionally lead to an anti-climax. Thank goodness that this does not apply to A Streetcar Named Desire. The 1951 film adaptation of the Tennessee…
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Happy Birthday India.
In 1913 Indian audiences witnessed the birth of the country’s first feature length film, Raj Harishchandra. 100 years on, Bradford International Film Festival plans to celebrating the Birthday of Indian Cinema in style. To coincide with the National Media Museum’s upcoming exhibition, Bollywood Icons: 100 Years of Indian Cinema, the festival is putting on a specially selected programme of…
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Nightmares from the Lens.
As my passion for film grows, I sometimes forget that my first love was still photography. Photographers who explore truth and realism fascinated me the most. Some photographers, such as Martin Parr, amused me through the comedy they provoked through their photographs. Others moved me. Three years ago I went to see the Don McCullin…
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Occasionally, I will watch a film that will truly haunt me. When this happens I can not seem to get the images or sounds of the film out of my head for several days. After watching The Arbor and Haneke’s Amour, I found myself constantly referring back to these films in my mind and replaying…
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The Return of the Brothers.
I am counting down the weeks until Bradford International Film Festival returns to the National Media Museum. Last year I attended several events at the festival and formed some wonderful memories and had some very insightful experiences. I watched Mark Kermode interviewing the sensational Ray Winstone about his career and reflections upon it. Winstone proved…
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Amour.
There is always a high expectation of a new Michael Haneke film. His recent success with films such as The White Ribbon and Hidden (Caché) have established his importance within contemporary European cinema. What I admire the most about Haneke is his ability to merge beauty and horror so seamlessly. His films, despite their occasionally overbearing messages, rely on the…
Hannah McHaffie 