Remaking one of Disney’s most successful, beloved classics (and the first animation to garner an Oscar Best Picture nomination) is a tall task, and one it seems many filmmakers will be tackling in this flurry of live-action remakes. Bill Condon and his brilliant cast and crew though, manage to pull it off. What could have…
With the third film in the a capella-based franchise starting shooting this week, I thought I’d look back at how an unexpected sleeper hit has become a blockbusting trilogy. When an original comedy about a college a capella group hit screens in late 2012, it came out of nowhere, becoming a huge hit that earned…
In honour of International Women’s Day, I thought I’d take a look at the Bechdel Test, what it is, and whether it is useful. The Bechdel Test is primarily used to examine the representation of women and whether their characters are people in their own right, or, effectively, ‘accessories’ to the men. In order for…
Jeff Nichols’ most recent release is the kind of character-orientated story that he is an expert at delivering. This time it focuses on real-life couple Richard and Mildred Loving, and a historic case that changed the United States’ constitution. The film follows the aforementioned couple, as they are persecuted for their marriage under the law, and…
There’s not a lot on offer this month as we reach the DVDs of the limbo period between Summer and Awards Season. There are still a couple of great picks, and some new options for kids. The Girl on the Train Based on the best-seller, this adaptation boasts a great cast and director with an Oscar-winning…
[Sidenote: I saw this before the Oscars] Based on the remarkably untold true story of the black women behind some of the most important calculations in NASA’s space race, Hidden Figures is a brilliantly entertaining and inspiring film that is a great tribute to the work and the women whose story it depicts. The film…
[Sidenote: I saw this before the Oscars] Another of the big awards film’s finally makes it to UK screens, and brings along an acting masterclass. Based on August Wilson’s award-winning play, Fences details the life of Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington), a sanitation worker, and his relationships with his family as they are put through the trials…
[Sidenote: I saw this before the Oscars] Barry Jenkins’ critically acclaimed coming of age story should be celebrated not only for its cinematic achievement, but for its depiction of minorities not seen enough on film. Based loosely on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, the film follows Chiron, a young black boy struggling…
OKAY, WOAH. HOLD UP. WHAT JUST HAPPENED. Let’s start at the end because that’s the only place to begin on an Oscar night that was quite historic, and not just for good reasons. So…the Best Picture winner was Moonlight, but due to an envelope mix-up, La La Land was announced as the recipient of the award.…
Film’s biggest night is finally here; it’s the Oscars. We’ve had awards ceremonies galore leaving certain locks and open races in the various categories here tonight. Will La La Land sweep the board? Who will be named Best Actor? What upsets or shocks might there be? With Jimmy Kimmel as the host, the night should…
