Tag: Independent Cinema
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A Woman Under The Influence.
When A Woman Under the Influence first came out in the mid seventies, many rejoiced in its honest and realistic depiction of marriage and family. Where Hollywood provided either ‘happy’ or ‘unhappy’ marriages, John Cassavetes’ masterpiece presented a much more truthful and complex image of love, madness and marriage. Mabel, first and foremost, loves her family. Mabel’s…
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Coffee and Cigarettes.
It took a little while for me to understand the charm of Jim Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes. Twenty minutes in, I was completely enchanted. A ninety minute film, made up of eleven vignettes, Coffee and Cigarettes is an amusing and charming film that shows a variety of actors, actresses, artists and musicians meeting and having a variety of…
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Edinburgh: September.
I’ve been living in Scotland’s capital for almost a month now. Balancing my part time job and my university work is proving to be a tough struggle but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge. My MSc course is proving to be fascinating, enjoyable and encouraging. Working to pay for my tuition fees is a frustrating necessity…
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Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
When you do an internet image search for “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” the majority of photographs that appear are just like the one above. Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck interlocked as the two lead characters; their heads as close as possible to one another as the infatuated couple, Ruth and Bob. The montage of images…
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The Moo Man.
Stephen Hook has named each individual dairy cow that he owns. With only seventy cows, all named and known, Stephen Hook is an unusual and incredibly unique dairy farmer. The Moo Man explores Hook’s caring attitude towards dairy farming and his passion for his animals and the way that they are treated. Stephen’s farm remains…
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Upstream Colour.
After undergoing the most severe, personal and destructive theft imaginable, Kris must attempt to re-build her life. She seems to find herself drawn to Jeff, who has also undergone some severe life changes due to his personal, out-of-control actions. Both individuals become somewhat addicted to one another and before long they struggle as their identities…
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What Maisie Knew.
When Susanna and Beale divorce their daughter Maisie becomes a weapon, a trophy and a tool. The custody battle for Maisie damages and changes Maisie’s daily routine. Things become even more complicated with each parent’s new relationships. As the new partners are drawn into the charming world of Maisie, as well as the poisonous atmospheres that…
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Berberian Sound Studio.
I first experienced Italian Giallo cinema nearly two years ago when I sat in the Hyde Park Picture House at Halloween and witnessed Dario Argento’s Suspiria. The sounds of smashing glass, gruesome screams and the violent musical score were some of the most enchanting elements of the film. The bright crimsons that splashed onto the screen…
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A Field in England.
When I finally got round to watching Kill List several months ago, I began to fall slightly in love with Ben Wheatley’s ability to not only direct films but his audience. Despite leaving me utterly bewildered and unsure about what I had just witnessed, Kill List was admirable and exciting. Two years later Wheatley has returned with his boldest…
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Buffalo ’66.
Vincent Gallo has always been a controversial figure. He is remarkably unpopular with some particular critics and film writers and his dramatic criticism of legendary film critic Roger Ebert left Gallo lacking in credibility. His filmography is still quite young and fresh and there is room for growth. Having only directed a small handful of…
Hannah McHaffie 