Late but not entirely forgotten – a 2014 Review Round-up!
Dear Under Southern Eyes Readers, Yes I did forget to post my customary round-up of the films I saw in 2014 and before we knew it,…
An affectionate if subjective review of a musician’s life in “George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Part 2)”
Martin Scorsese, “George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Part 2)” (2011) I had expected the second part of this documentary on George Harrison to be…
The Theory of Everything: an amazingly lightweight romantic drama
James Marsh, “The Theory of Everything” (2014) Despite the title, this biopic about English cosmologist Stephen Hawking is less about his work and its importance to…
Puce Moment: a nostalgia piece that foresees the arrival of pop music videos
Kenneth Anger, “Puce Moment” (1949) In the space of just 6 minutes, this short acts as a homage to Kenneth Anger’s grandmother, a dressmaker and designer…
Scorpio Rising: an amazing concoction of film collages, music and themes
Kenneth Anger, “Scorpio Rising” (1964) One of the most amazing concoctions of film collages and music soundtracks, “Scorpio Rising” is perhaps Kenneth Anger’s most famous and…
A survey of social and cultural changes in 1960s Britain through one musician’s life in “George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Part 1)”
Martin Scorsese, “George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Part 1)” (2011) A really very thoughtful and fascinating documentary (in its first half at least) on…
Essays, Multi-media Presentations
The Charlie Hebdo False Flag in Paris: Theory, Evidence and Motive – analysis of the attacks as a covert operation to disguise and to deceive
Stuart J Hooper, “The Charlie Hebdo False Flag in Paris: Theory, Evidence and Motive” (21st Century Wire, 13 January 2015) If like me, you suspected something…
Full Metal Jacket: how people are dehumanized by the culture of war
Stanley Kubrick, “Full Metal Jacket” (1987) According to Wikipedia, a full metal jacket refers to a bullet consisting of a soft core (usually made of lead)…
British Films, North American Films
The Imitation Game: another simplistic cog in the propaganda war aiming to demonise Russia
Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game” (2014) One of a slew of historical films from the UK depicting hitherto unknown or unfamiliar aspects of Britain’s role in…
Troll Hunter: comedy horror flick works in popular Norwegian stereotypes and fears of a police state
André Øvredal, “Troll Hunter / Trolljegeren” (2010) Inspired perhaps by the example of “The Blair Witch Project” and “Man Bites Dog” from the 1990s and “Cannibal Holocaust” from…