Latest Posts

That Kind of Man: What L.A Confidential Taught Me About Masculinity - Curtis Hanson's all-star crime drama 'L.A. Confidential' is 25, and it remains a concise analysis and presentation of masculinity. One that hit Craig Gent in a particularly personal way.
Beetlejuice (1988) Review - Michael Keaton gives an iconic performance at the head of a brilliant ensemble cast in Tim Burton's macabre Halloween movie 'Beetlejuice' (1988). Review by Elisabetta Pulcini.
Bros (2022) Review - Billy Eichner co-writes and stars in 'Bros', the first gay rom-com produced by a Hollywood studio with a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast. Review by Emily Nighman.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Review - Don Siegel's horror classic 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956) is right to be revered as such, it being an important film with remarkable ideas. Review by Kieran Judge.
How ‘The Night of The Hunter’ Highlights Religious Manipulation for Personal Gain - Charles Laughton's 1965 horror film 'The Night of the Hunter' presents Robert Mitchum's preacher as a man who "manipulates people through their religious beliefs". Essay by Nicole Sanacore.
Rosaline (2022) Review - 'Rosaline', a 2022 Karen Maine film adaptation of "When You Were Mine" by Rebecca Searle, based on characters from "Romeo & Juliet" is a fun, easy watch. Review by Rehana Nurmahi.
Friday the 13th Movies Ranked - All 12 'Friday the 13th' movies ranked. List includes every feature release, from the original in 1980 to the reboot of 2009, via 'Freddy vs Jason' and 'Jason X'. List by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Train to Busan (2016) Review - 'Train to Busan', the South Korean zombie horror film set largely on a moving train, from director Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo, is a must-watch. Review by Kae M.
John Carpenter Movies Ranked - All 18 John Carpenter movies ranked from worst to best, including 'Halloween', 'The Thing', 'Escape from New York' and more. List by Kieran Judge.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) Review - 'The Banshees of Inisherin' (2022), from 'In Bruges', 'Three Billboards' writer-director Martin McDonagh, is an operatic fable on masculinity starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson. Review by Joseph Wade.
10 Best Twilight Moments - The 10 best moments from Twilight, the young adult cinema phenomenon starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson adapted from Stephenie Meyers' best-selling book. List by Holly Carter.
10 Best In Bruges Moments - The 10 best moments from 'In Bruges' (2008), Martin McDonagh's dark comedy starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson set in one of Belgium's most idyllic cities. List by Martha Lane.
10 Sexiest Movie Vampires - The 10 sexiest movie vampires ever. From the silent era to the modern day, gory films to teen classics, the sexiest vampires in cinema history. List by Margaret Roarty.
Original vs Remake: Nosferatu vs Nosferatu the Vampyre - 'Nosferatu' (1922) vs 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' (1979), the F.W. Murnau film versus the Werner Herzog adaptation based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula". Article by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022) Review - Marlon Wayans and 'Stranger Things' star Priah Ferguson lead Netlix Halloween movie 'The Curse of Bridge Hollow' (2022), which is at times fun. Review by Kieran Judge.
Halloween Franchise Movies Ranked The ‘Halloween’ Franchise Ranked - All 13 'Halloween' films, from the John Carpenter original 'Halloween' (1978) to 'Halloween Ends' (2022) ranked from worst to best in terms of quality and scares. List by Kieran Judge.
Jordan Peele Movies Ranked - Jordan Peele movies ranked from worst to best. List includes 'Get Out' (2017), 'Us' (2019) and 'Nope' (2022). List by Emi Grant.
Ringu (1998) Review - Hideo Nakata's iconic J-Horror 'Ringu' (1998) is the rare type of horror that creeps out of your screen and into your brain, promising frightening sights. Review by Emily Nighman.
Halloween Ends (2022) Review - Do not see 'Halloween Ends' (2022). Do not give it exposure. Save your money. Save cinema. David Gordon Green directs, Jamie Lee Curtis stars. Review by Kieran Judge.
The Closure of Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh International Film Festival: What It Means to Me - The instant closures of Edinburgh Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival will have profound effects on wider culture, as explained in this personal essay from Mark Carnochan.
Where to Start with Christopher Lee - Here is where to start with the films of Christopher Lee, a man whose personal life and acting career can be considered most extraordinary. Article by Katie Doyle.
Edgar Wright Movies Ranked - Every film directed by Edgar Wright ranked from worst to best. List includes 'Shaun of the Dead' and the rest of the Cornetto Trilogy, plus 'Scott Pilgrim' and more. Article by Christopher Connor.
The Orphanage (2007) Review - Directed by J.A. Bayona, and backed by Guillermo del Toro, 'The Orphanage' (2007) "might be one the most moving ghost stories ever put to film". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
5 Hilariously Bad Horror Movie Rip-Offs - Forget 'Scream', this is 'Final Scream'. Forget 'Halloween', this is 'Halloween Night'. The most hilarious horror movie rip-offs ever made. List by Mark Carnochan.
Mr Harrigan’s Phone (2022) Review - 'Mr Harrigan's Phone' (2022) starring Jaeden Martell and Donald Sutherland is understanding, empathetic, and more mature than other Stephen King adaptations. Review by Kieran Judge.
Martyrs (2008) Review - Pascal Laugier's infamous New French Extreme horror film 'Martyrs' (2008) intentionally refuses us any catharsis, but holds us in a twisted and tight grip. Review by Grace Britten.
The Others (2001) Review - With a twist "so obvious you won’t see it coming", Alejandro Amenábar's 'The Others' (2001) starring Nicole Kidman is still captivating and frightening today. Review by Margaret Roarty.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Review - Tim Curry stars as Dr Frank N. Furter in the camp classic Halloween musical 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975), from the mind of Richard O'Brien. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) Review - The Sanderson Sisters return in Disney's 'Hocus Pocus 2', starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. It fails to live up to the original, but has moments of magic. Review by Emi Grant.
Hocus Pocus (1993) Review - The Sanderson Sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, light up 'Hocus Pocus' (1993), a cult classic for Halloween enthusiasts. Review by Emi Grant.
Suspiria (2018) Review - Luca Guadagnino's 2018 'Suspiria' film places a new focus on the story first told on screen by Dario Argento in 1977. Film stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Blonde (2022) Review - Ana de Armas gives the performance of a lifetime as Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik's Netflix biopic 'Blonde' (2022), a film that wastes her potential. Review by Kieran Judge.
10 Highest-Grossing Horror Films Ranked - The 10 highest-grossing horror films of all time ranked from worst to best in terms of filmmaking quality. List includes 'Jaws', 'The Exorcist', 'It' and more. Written by Joseph Wade.
Where to Start with Jean-Luc Godard - Where to start with the cinema of Jean-Luc Godard, one of the fathers of the French New Wave and one of cinema's most radical and true artists. Article by George Taylor.
Vitaly Mansky’s Two Gorbachevs - Vitaly Mansky used Hollywood's reboot formula to delve into the mind and legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev, the final Soviet leader, across two distinct eras. Essay by Ben Stoll.
Don’t Worry Darling (2022) Review - Behind the scenes controversy surrounds the release of Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' (2022) starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, a film that squanders its potential. Review by Kieran Judge.
Marilyn Monroe: 3 Career-Defining Performances - The performances that defined the career of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most iconic actresses in cinema history. List includes 'Some Like It Hot'. Written by Emily Nighman.
10 Best Lindsay Lohan Performances - Lindsay Lohan's 10 best movie performances, from her early career work on 'The Parent Trap' to later TV-movie offerings like 'Liz & Dick'. List by Jacob Davis.
‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ at 10 – Review - Ten years on from its release, Stephen Chbosky's film adaptation of his own novel 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' still offers a warm embrace. Review by Kae M.
10 Best Spirited Away Moments - The 10 best moments from 'Spirited Away', the Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli animated masterpiece about a young girl's adventures into another world. List by Margaret Roarty.
Kintsugi (2022) Short Film Review - 'Kintsugi' is "a beautiful little original animation" from Sugar Animation Studios and director Cleto Acosta-McKillop, "a wonderful creation". Short film review by Kieran Judge.
10 Unsung Women Filmmakers of the Silent Era - It's a well-kept secret that women were writing, editing, directing, and producing movies as early as the late 19th century. These are the unsung heroes of the silent era. Article by Cynthia Scott.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) Review - Halina Reijn makes a name for herself amongst the horror-comedy fanbase with 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' (2022), a pointed and funny Gen Z fable. Review by Morgan Barr.
‘The Master’ at 10 – Review - Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master', starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams in Oscar-nominated performances, is 10 years old. Review by Rachael Norris.
Pinocchio (2022) Review - Robert Zemeckis ('Back to the Future', 'Forrest Gump') reimagines classic Walt Disney Animation 'Pinocchio' in CG/live-action for Disney Plus. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Where to Start with Powell and Pressburger - Have you ever thought about exploring the cinema of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger? Here's a handy guide on where to start with the filmmaking duo also known as The Archers. By Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked - All 9 movies from the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' franchise, from Tobe Hooper's 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974) to the 2022 Netflix film via 'Leatherface', ranked from worst to best. List by Luke Hinton.
Capturing Modernity: The Challenge of Portraying the Contemporary World - For the first time in cinema history, the most prominent filmmakers of the day are retreating from portraying modern life. Why is this? And what effect does this have? Essay by Noah Sparkes.
Making Sense of Alex Garland’s ‘Men’ - Understanding the filmmaking intent of Alex Garland: an analysis of Garland's philosophy and use of iconography in his 2022 feature film 'Men'. Essay by A. D. Jameson.
Marie Antoinette and the Art of Historical Inaccuracy - How Sofia Coppola mastered the art of historical inaccuracies in her modern and influential 'Marie Antoinette', starring Kirsten Dunst as the titular teenage royal. Essay by Emi Grant.
After Yang (2022) Review - Kogonada takes inspiration from Hirokazu Koreeda for his "exceptionally beautiful" 2022 film 'After Yang' starring Colin Farrell as the father of a young robot. Review by Mark Carnochan.
The Forgiven (2021) Review - John Michael McDonagh returns to form with 'The Forgiven' starring Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain, an upper class couple who accidentally kill a Moroccan boy. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Return to Seoul (2022) Review - Park Ji-min embodies someone trying to find their place in the world in Davy Chou's tale of lost identity, 'Return to Seoul' (2022). Review by Jake Gill.
Winners (2022) EIFF Review - A young boy seeks to return an Oscar statue to its rightful owner in the UK-financed, Iran-set 'Winners' (2022) from director Hassan Nazer. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Full Time (2021) EIFF Review - Eric Gravel directs Laure Calamy in 'Full Time' - picture the Safdie Brothers directing a film about a single mother. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Axiom (2022) EIFF Review - Upcoming Swedish director Jöns Jönsson proves he's a filmmaker to keep your eye on with the subtle but interesting 'Axiom' (2022) starring Moritz von Treuenfels. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Cineworld Is Dead. Long Live Content. - Cineworld Group plc is filing for bankruptcy. Here's what happened, how it happened, and why you should care about it. Story by Joseph Wade.
Sick of Myself (2022) Review - Kristine Kujath Thorp is Signe, arguably the worst person in the world, in Kristoffer Borgli’s satire of culture's glorification of victim mentality, 'Sick of Myself' (2022). Review by Jake Gill.
Official Competition (2021) EIFF Review - Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martínez star as three filmmakers in 'Official Competition', an hilarious satire on the film industry. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Nope (2022) Review - Jordan Peele follows 'Get Out' and 'Us' with 2022 sci-fi 'Nope', starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun, a film that may prove he's the next Spielberg. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Flux Gourmet (2022) EIFF Review - Infamous director Peter Strickland follows his divisive 'In Fabric' with 2022's 'Flux Gourmet' starring Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie, a repetitive and messy satire. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Aftersun (2022) EIFF Review - Paul Mescal stars as a dad managing anger issues in father-daughter relationship drama 'Aftersun' (2022), from screenwriter-director Charlotte Wells. Mark Carnochan reviews from EIFF.
False Memories – A Pseudo-Documentary (2022) Review - In 'False Memories', filmmaker Jack Caffrey brings together an imagined story born from photographs he found and had developed. It's a pseudo-documentary on life and meaning. Jacob Davis reviews.
‘Black Narcissus’ at 75 – Review - Although dated in parts, Powell and Pressburger's 'Black Narcissus' remains iconic and influential even 75 years after it was released. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Bullet Train (2022) Review - Brad Pitt leads an ensemble of star names in 'Bullet Train', from 'Deadpool 2' director David Leitch, that features plenty of shiny neon-soaked fight scenes but little by way of character. Kieran Judge reviews.
Prey (2022) Review - The Predator has returned for Dan Trachtenberg's 2022 film 'Prey', "a lean, mean and completely thrilling hunter vs hunted historical action movie". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Gray Man (2022) Review - Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans star in Netflix summer action film the "utterly lifeless" 'The Gray Man', from 'Avengers: Endgame' directors the Russo Brothers. Review by Joseph Wade.
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) Review - Daisy Edgar-Jones stars in Olivia Newman's sloppily-directed feature adaptation of Delia Owens' 'Where the Crawdads Sing' (2022). Review by Kieran Judge.
Blue Sky Studios Animated Movies Ranked Worst to Best The Film Magazine Blue Sky Studios Animated Movies Ranked - Every feature animated film release from Blue Sky Studios - the people behind 'Ice Age', 'Ferdinand' and 'Rio' - have been ranked from worst to best.
10 Best Thor Ragnarok Moments - The 10 best moments from Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi and Marvel's take on Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder co-starring Hulk, Hela and Loki. List by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Review - Thor returns in Marvel's 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022), an inconsistent MCU entry that makes the most of Natalie Portman and Christian Bale but doesn't do justice to its hero. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Elvis (2022) Review - Elvis Presley biopic 'Elvis' (2022), starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, may be famed director Baz Luhrmann's magnum opus. Fans are in for a treat. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Jurassic Park / World Movies Ranked - All 6 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World' movies ranked. Which is the best Jurassic dinosaur movie? 'Jurassic Park' (1993) to 'Jurassic World Dominion' (2022) ranked worst to best. Article by Joseph Wade.
Top Gun: Maverick Is in Love With Companionship, Familiarity - 'Top Gun: Maverick' is the biggest hit of 2022 because it's more than an action movie, it's a romance flick dedicated to all the things we love, and love, and love again. Essay by Callum McGuigan.
Straightwashing Removes All Rainbows: Removing Bisexuals from Comic Book Films - In 2022, the blockbuster sphere's choices in representation must face more scrutiny, particularly with regard to straightwashing bisexual comic book characters. Essay by Paul Klein.
10 Best Moments from The Thing - The 10 best moments from John Carpenter's 'The Thing' (1982) starring Kurt Russell, from the dog to the defibrillator and beyond. List by Kieran Judge.
‘Blade Runner’ at 40 – Review - 40 years removed from the release of Ridley Scott's Philip K. Dick adaptation, starring Harrison Ford, 'Blade Runner' (1982) has lost none of its potency. Review by Kieran Judge.
Jurassic Franchise Directors Ranked - The directors of the 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World' movies ranked from worst to best in terms of their overall directorial work. Ranked article by Joseph Wade.
Spiderhead (2022) Review - Joseph Kosinski's Netflix Original 'Spiderhead' (2022), starring Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller, is a film with so much unrealised potential. Review by Joseph Wade.
‘Minority Report’ at 20 – Review - Twenty years on from the release of Steven Spielberg sci-fi 'Minority Report', starring Tom Cruise, it remains one of the great contemplative mysteries on film. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Blue My Mind’ and New Female Monsters - 'Blue My Mind' cathartically redefines the old-fashioned film logic that pain must be felt in the coming-of-age period and thus redefines the rulings of the monstrous feminine. Essay by Grace Britten.
‘Hercules’ at 25 – Review - The Disney Renaissance offered a number of animated feature film classics, but can 'Hercules' be considered one? Danny DeVito and company offer their voices. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022) Review - Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Golblum return in the 3rd 'Jurassic World' film 'Jurassic World Dominion', a modern tentpole blockbuster heavy on nostalgia. Review by Joseph Wade.
Is Marvel’s Insistence on Being So Firmly On-The-Nose Rooted in a Distrust of Its Audience? - In 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness', Marvel, writer Michael Waldron and director Sam Raimi, tell rather than show. Is this because they don't trust us to understand film language? Essay by Callum McGuigan.
One Fine Morning (2022) Review - Mia Hansen-Løve's Cannes Film Festival entry 'One Fine Morning' starring Léa Seydoux as a single parent navigating Parisian life, depicts a bittersweet transitional period. Gala Woolley reviews.
What Film Can Teach Us About Heartbreak - "Real life is often nonsensical and absurd – if art can truly mirror that experience, something special can occur." What abstract ideas in film can teach us about heartbreak. Essay by Sam Florsheim.
10 Best Sam Raimi Movie Moments - The 10 best Sam Raimi movie moments, from the upside down kiss in 'Spider-Man' to the chainsaw arm in 'Evil Dead II', ranked. List by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Men (2022) Review - 'Men' (2022), the new film from 'Ex Machina' and 'Annihilation' director Alex Garland, is either a godsend or a void of nothingness, but never clear. Review by Kieran Judge.
The Before Trilogy: How to Capture a Moment - A love story is made of moments, and in no place are those moments captured better than in Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy - Sunrise, Sunset, Midnight. Essay on why, by Jack Fanning.
Ex Machina (2014) Review - Alex Garland's directorial debut 'Ex Machina' (2014) is a film that becomes richer and more enthralling upon multiple viewings and through intense debate. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022) Review - Animated sitcom 'Bob's Burgers' transitions from television to cinema with the feel-good and family-friendly 'The Bob's Burgers Movie' (2022). Review by Jacob Davis.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) Review - Joseph Kosinski directs Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022). "Do you remember how movies used to feel when you were a kid? This is it." Review by Joseph Wade.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) Review - Daniels' witty and imaginative 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022), starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, will leave you breathless and in tears. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Cooper Raiff and the Strength of Vulnerability - Cooper Raiff uses his films 'Sh*thouse' and 'Cha Cha Real Smooth' to re-evaluate the limits of masculinity, confronting limited stereotypes to present vulnerability as a strength. Essay by Tina Kakadelis.
The Innocents (2022) Review - Eskil Vogt mixes Stephen King with 'Let the Right One In' for 2022 Norwegian art-house film 'The Innocents', a relatable, "quiet, creeping, and always charged" horror. Review by Kieran Judge.
10 Best Moments from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy - The 10 best moments from Sam Raimi's seminal superhero blockbuster trilogy, 'Spider-Man'. List includes moments from 'Spider-Man 2' and 'Spider-Man 3'. Article by Katie Doyle.
Firestarter (2022) Review - Zac Efron stars in Blumhouse's 2022 Stephen King adaptation 'Firestarter', but uninspired filmmaking makes for a bland and derivative experience. Review by Kieran Judge.
10 Most Important Comic Book Movies Ever - What are the most important comic book movies of all time? Which superhero films are the most influential? Find out in this Movie List from The Film Magazine by Joseph Wade.
Dobermann (1997) Review - Jan Kounen's 'Dobermann' (1997), starring Vincent Cassel, marks 25 years on the big screen. It is 'enjoyable with vulgar stylings' worthy of the international cult spotlight. Review by Jacob Davis.
The Takedown (2022) Review - Omar Sy, Laurent Lafitte return for Netflix's 'The Takedown' (2022), a forgettable buddy cop film from 'The Incredible Hulk', 'Now You See Me' director Louis Leterrier. Review by Kieran Judge.