Carlo Collodi’s 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio is one of the world’s most famous and best-selling works of children’s literature, and as such has long been a source for film and television adaptation. Walt Disney’s 1940 animated adaptation dominates, of course, … Continue reading REVIEW: The Adventures of Pinocchio (1972)
One of the absolute pleasures of this glorious age of streaming media, collector’s edition blu-rays, and international distribution is that it has never been easier than ever to track down and watch films. Old and new, any genre, any country … Continue reading REVIEW: The Mad Fox (1962)
Last year the Chinese videogame Zhengtu (aka Double World) received a film adaptation courtesy of Hong Kong-based director Teddy Chen – his first feature since 2014’s Kung Fu Jungle. Due to the closures of cinemas last year it was released online … Continue reading REVIEW: Double World (2020)
The 1980s saw a new wave of fantasy pictures in Hong Kong, ones that combined pre-existing elements of Chinese wuxia with a Hollywood-inspired use of visual effects. The poster child for this wave is almost certainly Zu: Warriors from the … Continue reading REVIEW: The Peacock King (1988)
Coming in at the end of 2020, Patty Jenkins’ widely anticipated sequel Wonder Woman 1984 has been framed as the last great hope for this year’s Hollywood box office. While almost all other blockbusters have been rescheduled for 2021 or beyond, Warner … Continue reading REVIEW: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer), convinced that he is a uncontrollable serial killer, seeks to find the rumoured secret city of Midian – a place where monsters are said to go. He is trailed by his therapist (David Cronenberg), actually the … Continue reading REVIEW: Nightbreed: The Director’s Cut (1990)
With the various coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions keeping many cinemas around the world shut, Hollywood’s various studios and distributors have been understandable reluctant to release many films in 2020. Those cinemas that have remained open, however, have struggled with a … Continue reading REVIEW: Hocus Pocus (1993)
In the aftermath of the death of vampire lord Viktor (Bill Nighy), vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) go on the run from the revived super-vampire Markus (Tony Curran) – who is on a quest to release … Continue reading REVIEW: Underworld: Evolution (2006)
In a 14th century Cumbrian village the people are fearful of the fast-approaching Black Death, and rely upon a boy named Griffin (Hamish McFarlane) to ensure their safety. Cursed with dream-like visions, Griffin foresees a group of villagers will travel … Continue reading REVIEW: The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988)
Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is a ‘death dealer’, a vampire assassin fighting in a vampire-versus-werewolf war that has lasted for many centuries. When she rescues ordinary human Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) from werewolf (or ‘lycan’) attack, she grows to suspect that … Continue reading REVIEW: Underworld (2003)
