Blog Archives

Blackwood - Hit Stop

2/26/2015

by Cookie N Screen

Imagine a horror movie where a family move in after an undisclosed incident forces the father to take up a job somewhere remote. That the family are still a little unhinged because he is suffering from all sorts of anger management issues. However, whilst there, something mysterious starts happening in the household that only the father can see – causing him to be pushed further to the edge of his mentality and making his son and wife worried not just for his health, but for their own safety. Very unique storyline huh?

And no, I’m not talking about The Shining. Nor am I talking about The AmityVille Horror. Or The Haunting. Or any other godforsaken horror movie based in a house. But nevertheless, Blackwood tries it’s hardest to strike its own voice. But doesn’t do well.

Hit Play: Evita

2/25/2015

by Laura W

Don’t cry for me, fellow geeks. If you are – please stop.

It’s one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musicals, and the film version truly showed Madonna could act. Evita also happens to be one of the best film adaptations of a musical to date. Originating, as a stage show, in the West End of London in June, 1978, it starred Elaine Paige, David Essex and Joss Ackland. In 1996, Alan Parker directed the film adaptation starring Madonna as the title character, Antonia Banderas as Che and Jonathan Pryce as Peron, the film was a hit at the box office, despite having a mixed critical reception.

Hit Play: Rabid

2/16/2015

by Cookie N Screen

If you were to ask me who my favourite director is, there would be a small pause. Deliberating over the Tarantinos and the Scorseses and the Burtons, there is so much richness in cinema that picking just one director is seemingly impossible. Except it really isn’t. Because if you are looking for someone who has the strongest body of work then I’d argue the toss over David Cronenberg. From A History of Violence to the stunning Videodrome (I said stunning!), Cronenberg has mastered dramas and horrors with gleeful perfection. More akin to body shocks such as his work with The Fly, Cronenberg started his career sickening audiences in the most joyful of ways and one of the first he started with was Rabid.

Hit Play: The Comedy of Terrors

2/16/2015

by Helen Langdon

Sadly, for all Shakespeare pastiche fans, Comedy of Terrors isn’t all about two sets of twins attacking each other with chainsaws.

Instead, the 1963 comedy horror, which has just received a new release on Blu-ray, is a macabre, absurd tale which features horror legends Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff together in one household.

Hit Play: Election

2/11/2015

by Laura W

Oh, high school. So many memories, many of which most of us never want to revisit. Time spent in high school could be the best of times, or the worst of times. One of the most obvious staples in most high schools is that of the student council. If, and when, you decide to run, it’s basically a battle of the best and a battle of the wits. If you want to make the student council badly enough, you’ll stop at nothing to get to the top.

Hit Stop: The Great Museum

2/9/2015

http://widehouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/TheGreatMuseum_Front-61.jpg

by Cookie N Screen

Museums are great, aren't they? I mean who doesn't enjoy taking a stroll around these quiet places all the whole soaking in their exhibits and artistry. As for me, I struggle the same way I agonise over books - I have a very short attention span. Actually, I am attentive but it's on many different things that I can't spare more than a few moments on each thing. Like a hungry Pac-man, I zoom through museums whilst trying to absorb as much information as possible. Cinema is easier for me as I am forced to sit down and concentrate on what's being thrown at me. But a film about a museum? More so than this, a film about a Great Museum?

Could that be any good?

Hit Play: Shallow Grave

2/5/2015

by Jennifer Drewett

There are many films that come and go at the blink of an eye so fast you wonder why anyone made a fuss over it. Other films, rightly or wrongly, live on in the collective consciousness of the cinema attending public.

A lot of them come from the jaws of Hollywood but one I want people to Hit Play on comes from mid-nineties Edinburgh, Scotland. Of course I'm talking about Danny Boyle's debut film Shallow Grave.

Hit Stop: Chasity Bites

2/3/2015

by Gloria Daniels-Moss

If one were to judge this film by its poster – it would be very wise. The artwork encompasses a somewhat satirical image of what appears to be a blow-up-doll with a knife held to its throat. The films tagline, “Who says the virgin always lives ‘til the end?” also fills one with doubt before sitting through this supposedly comedic horror flick.

Hit Play: Gone Girl

2/2/2015

by Sean Narborough

I love the genius of 20th Century Fox, releasing the ultimate alternative Valentine’s Day film just in time for the day itself, I’m of course talking about Gone Girl. David Fincher’s twisted version of a date movie is released on DVD and Blu-Ray today and if you are alone this Valentine’s Day, it may, very oddly, be the perfect alternative film to watch this year.