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…
British Films, French and French-language Films
Mr Turner: a microcosm of 19th-century British society through the life of J M W Turner
Mike Leigh, “Mr Turner” (2014) I confess I always have the time of day for the under-rated British actor Timothy Spall who always had the talent…
Funny Games (English language version): an ultimately empty and boring remake that misses the point of violence in American films
Michael Haneke, “Funny Games (English language version)” (2007) Austrian director Michael Haneke originally had wanted to make “Funny Games” as an American film due to his…
North American Films, Russian and Soviet Films
No Russian troops but plenty of Donetsk determination and pluck in “Donetsk: An American Glance”
Miguel Francis Santiago and Alexander Panov, “Donetsk: An American Glance” (RT Documentary, 2014) Cheerful LA film graduate and investigative journalist Miguel Francis Santiago, fresh from filming…
North American Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Crimea for Dummies: entertaining travelogue, history lesson and Western media propaganda critique rolled into one
Miguel Francis Santiago, “Crimea for Dummies” (RT Documentary, 2014) A unique and interesting film by Los Angeles film school graduate Miguel Francis Santiago, “Crimea for Dummies”…