The true Hitchcock universe begins with “The Lodger: a Story of the London Fog”
Alfred Hitchcock, “The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog” (1927) Only the third film made by a young Alfred Hitchcock, “The Lodger …” already has…
British Films
The 39 Steps (dir. Alfred Hitchcock): the movie with the secret code that cracked success for Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock, “The 39 Steps” (1935) Very loosely based on John Buchan’s novel “The Thirty-Nine Steps” – it’s best if you don’t read the novel first…
The War You Don’t See: an incisive and passionate John Pilger documentary
Alan Lowery and John Pilger, “The War You Don’t See” (2010) Last night (Sunday, 10 April 2011), I caught this documentary presented by veteran Australian journalist…
Not “Frenzied” enough: a re-run of familiar ideas for Hitchcock but no more
Alfred Hitchcock, “Frenzy” (1972) Coming at the tail-end of the UK film director’s illustrious career, “Frenzy” is a straightforward murder thriller set in London in the…
The Draughtman’s Contract: perhaps too multi-layered but enjoyable all the same
Peter Greenaway, “The Draughtsman’s Contract” (1982) British director Peter Greenaway’s first full-length feature film is a lovely feast for the eyes and ears, and the…
The Shooting Party: stodgy, genteel film detailing decay of British nobility
Alan Bridges, “The Shooting Party” (1985) Mainly notable for being the last movie to feature James Mason before his death in 1984, this film about a group of…
Orlando: lavish and lovely lightweight film with nothing to say
Sally Potter, “Orlando” (1992) Based on British writer Virginia Woolfe’s novel “Orlando: a Biography”, this film by Sally Potter is a flimsy work that fails to…
Monsters (dir. Gareth Edwards): likely to be a minor cult classic but lacking in refinement
Gareth Edwards, “Monsters”, Vertigo Films (2010) Some time in the not too distant future, a NASA space probe has gone and collected some alien…
Made in Dagenham: perky comedy-drama that’s a little shallow but enjoyable nevertheless
Nigel Cole, “Made in Dagenham”, BBC Films / UK Film Council (2010) Much in the vein of other British comedy-dramas that revolve around social and…
Control: apt title for Joy Division / Ian Curtis biopic where control is not much in evidence
It’s apt that this biopic about Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis should be called Control because, apart from the reference to the famous Joy Division…