Not-So-Silent Movies with Neil Brand
Neil Brand talked us through the world of silent cinema at this year’s Cambridge Film Festival, offering commentary as well as a terrific musical soundtrack to a variety of short films.
Category Archives: Reviews
The Ring
A rarity among Alfred Hitchcock’s films in that he wrote as well as directed it, THE RING is perhaps his first fully rounded feature. Nearly two hours in length, this absorbing tale concerns two boxers competing for the love of a girl, and the resulting emotional see-saw is quite compelling, despite an utterly conventional plot. … Continue reading The Ring
Savage Witches
Although SAVAGE WITCHES doesn’t quite work all the time, some parts of this bold and liberated experimental film are simply wonderful, writes Jim Ross.
Unconditional
Bryn Higgins’ first feature UNCONDITIONAL is a remarkable and novel entry into the contemporary landscape of British cinema, with a very sensitive script, a highly dynamic cinematography and an amazing cast. The opening sequence in a shopping centre, where twin brothers Owen (Harry McEntire) and Kristen (Madeleine Clark) are buying groceries, frames the basic needs … Continue reading Unconditional
Aelita: Queen of Mars
This Soviet silent involves mysteries and murder alongside elements of science fiction; it also documents the least explored avant-garde movement in the Soviet Union, writes H. Chan.
ShortFusion: To Cry
Answering the question ‘who likes short shorts’, the briefest offerings were consistently the pithiest in Short Fusion’s TO CRY, writes Tom McNeill.
5 Broken Cameras
Emad Burnat managed to capture, first hand, the actions of Israeli soldiers in a West Bank image in this deeply personal and affecting documentary. Andrew Nickolds reviews.
Confession of a Child of the Century
In CONFESSION OF A CHILD OF THE CENTURY, time-honoured badboy and reputable polemicist Peter Doherty takes on the role of Octave, a 19th century version of his faltering and outré self.
Blackmail
With BLACKMAIL, Hitchcock continued to refine his unique ability to mix murder and suspense with generous helpings of comedy. Gavin Midgley reviews.
ShortFusion: To Accommodate
TO ACCOMMODATE is a well-chosen compilation of films, especially THE PUB by Joseph Pierce and THE OLD WOMAN by Ariane Mayer, writes Max Zeh.