John Carpenter’s original Halloween from 1978 is an iconic horror film because of its Hitchcockian suspense, clever use of creepy music and its memorable characters, particularly Jamie Lee Curtis’ heroine Laurie, Donald Pleasence’ hammy Dr Loomis and of course the indestructible, knife-wielding killer Michael Myers. While it didn’t originate the slasher genre it certainly set the modern template for it
Read moreHalloween is approaching and while it might have been pinched from Europe via the US on ‘Built For Speed’ we appreciate a celebration of spookiness. Accordingly, this week we pummel you with a selection of scary tunes from the likes of Danzig, Alice Cooper, Roky Erickson and many more. We also take a look at the sequel to John Carpenter’s 1978 horror classic
Read moreGus Van Sant’s latest film, Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far On Foot, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, is the confronting biopic of provocative American cartoonist John Callaghan, a person who, in this film at least, recalls both Robert Crumb and Larry Flint. After unwisely getting into a car with a drunk driver following a party in the late 70’s, Callaghan
Read moreThe premise of Alpha is a familiar Disney ‘boy meets animal in the wilderness’ story but with a prehistoric setting and contemporary cinema flash. Set 20,000 years ago in what is now Europe, the film centres on sensitive young hunter gatherer Keda (Australia’s Kodi Smit-McPhee). While on a hunting expedition designed to take the young males into manhood, Keda fails
Read moreA Simple Favour from Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is an intriguing, mildly intoxicating and mostly successful attempt to transplant a classic film noir scenario to contemporary sunlit suburbia. Built around modern female anxieties, the film stars Anna Kendrick as nerdy, buttoned-down Stepford wife-like widower Stephanie. She tries to present herself as the ultimate in committed and resourceful mothers through her
Read moreTake a break from the footy hype by tuning into ‘Built For Speed’ this Friday. We’ll tell you all about Rowan Atkinson’s attempt to resurrect the Johnny English franchise with his latest film, Johnny English Strikes Again. We’ll also review noir mystery thriller A Simple Favour which stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. There’ll be plenty of fine tunes with new Aussie
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