Music in the movies: Thomas Newman

Scent Of A Woman I often struggle with this film. This is something that is explored beautifully in the film, as Newmans score accentuates some quite tender moments. I might not be a huge fan of the film, but the score is a thing of beauty. The Shawshank Redemption Newman earned his first Academy Award nomination for his work here. I play this score from time to time. But its not on heavy rotation by any means....

January 18, 2011 · 1 min · 97 words · David Hansen

Teenage Revolution: Growing Up In The 80s book review

Alan Davies charts his youthful experiences in Teenage Revolution: Growing Up In The 80s. Heres Louisas review of funny and self-effacing book… InTeenage Revolution,Davies takes an episodic approach to the decade of his life between the years of 1978-1988. This is really no bad thing. Thats not to say more serious subject matter isnt covered. So far, so right-on. Teenage Revolutionis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store....

January 18, 2011 · 1 min · 75 words · Terry Rogers

Andrei Konchalovsky interview: Tango And Cash, Rocky IV and Hollywood in the 80s

How do you feel your style has evolved over those decades? Ad content continues below You know, I have no idea. [laughs] I think thats a question for someone who can study my films, which I cant. Every film is a reflection of the state of mind of the director. Ive changed completely over these 45 years, in my understanding of good and evil, lets say. When I started, I thought I knew everything about movie making....

January 17, 2011 · 3 min · 555 words · Linda Welch

John Carpenter’s The Ward review

One of Den of Geeks most beloved directors returns to the big screen with The Ward. How does it measure up to John Carpenters earlier work? Could the former master of horror cinema regain his creative muse in the new millennium? Early signs are encouraging. There are two things that become apparent within a few minutes ofThe Wards opening. The second is that everything aboutThe Wardfeels alarmingly familiar, even a little tentative....

January 17, 2011 · 1 min · 114 words · Jennifer Rangel

The Hole Blu-ray review

Instead, the film struggled for publicity as inferior films with bigger marketing budgets stole its oxygen. Certainly,The Holehas many of the hallmarks of Dantes best films. Given Dantes voluminous knowledge of horror and cult cinema, such a reference is unlikely to be accidental. Nevertheless,The Holeis well worth seeking out. Movie: The Holeis out now on Blu-ray andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store. Rating: 4 out of 5

January 17, 2011 · 1 min · 68 words · Jennifer Taylor

Resident Evil: Afterlife Blu-ray review

Paul W S Andersons videogame adaptation arrives on Blu-ray, but how does it fare? Paul W S Anderson may not be a fantastic director, but hes not Uwe Boll. Shes like Ripley and Sarah Connor rolled into one. Together, they escape the building and set out to find the sanctuary that is Arcadia. Arcadia, it turns out, isnt the land of hope that Alice expected. It is an Umbrella facility that has been experimenting on survivors lured there with a promise of sanctuary....

January 13, 2011 · 2 min · 277 words · Aaron Moss

Ryan Gosling interview: Blue Valentine, controversy and NC-17 ratings

However, our interviewee, Ryan Gosling, had what we deemed a valid excuse. You see, that morning hed received a call from the States. So, it’s possible for you to guess what the first question was about. Congratulations on the Golden Globe nomination! How does it feel being at the start of the awards season, withBlue Valentinegenerating such a buzz? For a film like this, for a film so small, these things are really helpful....

January 13, 2011 · 5 min · 989 words · Sophia Hayes

The Muppet Show episode 23 review

Much-loved 70s series The Muppet Show reaches its penultimate episode of its maiden run, starring actress Kaye Ballard. The guest star for the penultimate episode of this series is comedienne and actress, Kaye Ballard. Sadly, that wasnt to be and sees a further dip in quality from the episode that preceded it. Ad content continues below Clearly Floyds too hip to be square. Its not only Floyd, though. The bassist convinced the entire band to leave unless hes able to compose a new theme song....

January 13, 2011 · 1 min · 182 words · Larry Bird

The Girl Who Played With Fire Blu-ray review

Amusingly, I discovered a neat special feature on this one. However, some of them do go some way to informing the film itself. Niedermann is a 7-foot tall Aryan bloke who has the physical quirk of being immune to pain. Film: The Girl Who Played With Fireis out now on Blu-ray andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store. Rating: 3 out of 5

January 12, 2011 · 1 min · 63 words · Regina Hunt

The View From The Bridge: Memories Of Star Trek And A Life In Hollywood book review

As are his own (ambivalent) feelings towards the franchise. Is Meyer happy about this? Heres hoping he gets back behind the camera soon. Rating: 4 out of 5

January 12, 2011 · 1 min · 28 words · Courtney Finley

World Cinema: Get inspiration for your next holiday

The gloom of January getting you down? World cinema can provide the perfect guide to your summer holiday destinations, as Nick explains… So, its January. What a crappy month. No wonder most people have already started planning their holidays. In my office the talk is full of people with one foot somewhere exotic. Or at least Magaluf. But can films provide us with inspiration? I hope so, or else this is going to be a somewhat short column....

January 12, 2011 · 2 min · 345 words · Adriana Hernandez

So you want to be a big screen super villain?

Thinking of becoming a cinematic super villain? Was the love of your life killed in an experiment gone awry during which a costumed vigilante intervened? Forget the costume Ad content continues below Turning a hideous disfigurement to your advantage should always be applauded. Imagine if you were a superhero. Why not get plastic surgery and dress like a librarian? Getting started It goes without saying that the first obstacle to your criminal endeavours will probably be money....

January 11, 2011 · 3 min · 578 words · Dennis Edwards

The Unwritten Volume 2: Inside Man book review

Heres Josephs review… Do I really exist? To you, dear reader, am I anything more than a pair of hands and a keyboard? Every story beat is an intellectual prod at the place and purpose of fiction in our social consciousness. Im doing it again. Its impossible to talk about this comic without grasping for the most pretentious locution in your lexicon. Lest we forget, theres a perfectly functional and occasionally gripping story rumbling along in the foreground....

January 11, 2011 · 2 min · 295 words · Raymond Daniels