Napoleon Bonaparte is a figure that has loomed large in the history of Europe. As Emperor of France, he ruled over an empire that stretched from the Spanish coast to the borders of Russia (and a little beyond). As a man his life was filled with political intrigue, family drama and a passionate, enduring love, … Continue reading Napoleon review
Hollywood is known for drawing on true stories for inspiration... and Cocaine Bear is no exception. In 1985, drug smuggler, Andrew Thornton unloaded his illegal cargo over Georgia national parks when his aircraft started to crash... the cocaine survived the descent, Andrew Thornton did not. The cocaine was then discovered by a brown bear who … Continue reading Cocaine Bear review
If ever a film had a recipe for success it's Where the Crawdads Sing. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, starring Daisy Edgar Jones (fresh from her breakout role in Normal People) and produced by Reese Witherspoon. To steal a sports analogy, it should have been a home run. Despite the star … Continue reading Where the Crawdads Sing review
It’s important to know when stop, to bring things to an end and say goodbye, even when audiences are clamouring for more. Advice, the creators of Downton Abbey should have heeded, leaving well enough alone after the drama’s first cinematic outing. After all, by the end of the original film, the Dowager had passed the … Continue reading Downton Abbey: A New Era review
When it comes to history, the Second World War is arguably the period that interests me the most. If you were to look at my historical book shelf, it dominates. Yet, I must acknowledge that my understanding of the period leading up to the declaration of War on September 3, 1939, is limited at best. … Continue reading Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
Every so often a film comes along that captivates you, gets under your skin and haunts you. With it’s primal, brutal, visceral intensity, Robert Eggers' The Northman, is one such film. While narrative inspiration is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Eggers unapologetically leans into the world of Norse mythology, as protagonist Amleth, played by Alexander Skarsgard, … Continue reading The Northman Review
We all love a good murder mystery... an Agatha Christie, a Val McDermid, an Arthur Conan Doyle. We've all read them and we've played at being an armchair detective and worked out who the murderer is, feeling both frustrated and excited by the twists which change the game and throw us off track. But what … Continue reading Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi
Every single one of us has that small collection of films that we'll watch over and over again, even though we can quote it line for line and know all the twists and turns. These films are our comfort blankets, the escapes we turn to when we need a lift and the friends we know … Continue reading Steel Magnolias review
In the world of 21st century cinema, films must thrive despite vast competition during their opening weekend, leading to a studio tendency to over-hype supposed brilliance in the weeks before release, in a desperate bid to sell tickets. Too often phrases like 'greatest film of the year' and 'masterpiece’ are bandied about without the film … Continue reading 1917 review
Ever since the Second World War ended, 75 years ago, historians and commentators have pulled apart the Bombing War, examining it in exacting detail and passing their knowledge onto the general public through books, documentaries and podcasts. It’s reached the point where you’d think nothing new could be added to the conversation. Yet ‘new’ is … Continue reading Lancaster: The Forging of a Very British Legend by John Nichol
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