The most striking part of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013) is its fresh and innovative animation style which parts from the boldness we are so used to seeing in Studio Ghibli’s more refined films. Director Isao Takahata, who has worked on other Ghibli films (Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday, Pom Poko and My Neighbours…
Film
Film Review: Ava’s Possessions
“Demons are a girl’s best friend.” Jordan Galland brings a fresh taste to the demonic possession subgenre of horror in Ava’s Possessions as he begins his film where most of the others end: the exorcism. After she is freed from her demon, Ava (Louise Krause) is facing charges for property damage, assault, indecent exposure and two counts…
Film Review: Daughters of Darkness (1971)
“I’ve seen many a night fall away into an even more endless night.” Lesbian vampire films became a phenomenon in the 70s with Belgium film director Harry Kümel’s Daughters of Darkness (1971) as no exception. Known as Les Lévres Rouges (The Red Lips) in France, the beautifully crafted film is about two lovers who cross paths with the vampire…
Film Review: Chappie (2015)
“Don’t let people take away your potential, Chappie.” For a film I had heard a lot about, I was still unable to grasp exactly what it would be like. I had only heard anecdotes about a piece of AI technology called Chappie (voiced by Sharlto Copley) and not much about how he fit into the…
10 Feel Good Movies For A Bad Day
On March 28th, Bustle posted an article titled ’13 Movies to Watch When You’re Having a Bad Day’ and they have some pretty wonderful recommendations. I agree with their premise that a movie remedy to a bad day should either remind you that life is beautiful and meaningful and the bad days are worth it, or it…
Film Review: A girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
“So… what did you see all this time watching me?“ Advertised as the “first Iranian vampire western,” A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) is a stunning film, shot in monochrome black and white, written and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. The film is set in the Iranian ghost-town Bad City and tells the story of…
Film Review: Obvious Child (2014)
“You’re dizzy because you played Russian roulette with your vagina.“ I came across Obvious Child (2014) whilst searching for more films to watch for the 52 Films by Women project. Obvious Child was both written and directed by Gillian Robespierre, who said whilst she loved films like Knocked Up (2007) and Juno (2007), she did not see herself relating to them and set…
Film Review: Jenny’s Wedding (2015)
“When you meet the right person, you go the distance. And let me tell you about the distance: everybody changes. But if you’re with the right person, and they change; you meet the right person all over again.” Jenny Farrell (Katherine Heigl) and her immediate family are brought together for a baptism, and Jenny learns…
International Women’s Day: Female Screenwriters
In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8th, I have decided to bring some attention to women in film; more specifically female screenwriters. As a whole, screenwriters tend to be overlooked by your most general film viewing/cinema going fans, especially the women. Without further ado, here are some great screenwriters who have…
RIP Andrzej Żuławski
Polish director Andrzej Żuławski sadly passed away on February 17th at the age of 75 after a long battle with cancer. Żuławski is mostly known for his controversial and violent art-house films. He mostly enjoyed the praise from EU art-house audiences. His most famous film is Possession (1981) which stars Isabelle Adjani as Anna; a young woman…