Martin Scorsese’s iconic gangster films such as Goodfellas and Casino have given us fascinating insights into the history and mechanics of American organised crime and the male rituals that define gangster behaviour. These films have an amphetamine-fuelled rock’n’roll rush which, while exhilarating, don’t leave a lot of space for emotional introspection or a critique of gangster culture. In his latest
Read moreThis Friday on ‘Built For Speed’ begins a series of specials as we take a look at the music, films and TV of the 2010’s. This week we’ll be playing our favourite tunes from the first half of the decade (roughly 2010-2014) and talking about some of the best and worst movies and TV from the period. We’ll also have
Read moreAfter a lumbering foray into the Star Wars franchise with The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson returns to what he does best, quirky character-based crime dramas in the flawed but highly enjoyable murder mystery Knives Out. The film plays like an alternate reality Agatha Christie story as a group of suspects (played by a typical all-star cast) gather at a
Read moreFor nearly 40 years, Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s films have intrigued, infuriated and delighted audiences. His provocative but highly personalised subject matter, idiosyncratic style, striking images and ability to draw searing performances from his cast have made his films the arthouse equivalent of event cinema. His latest film, Pain And Glory, the third in a semi-autobiographical trilogy, features most of
Read moreFalling somewhere between Run Fat Boy Run, Muriel’s Wedding and most Rebel Wilson films, comedy/drama Brittany Runs A Marathon is an amiable, subtly subversive but underwhelming story of fat shaming, destructive self-loathing and the mixed blessings of life transformation. Brittany (Jillian Bell) is an irresponsible, partially employed, 28-year-old New York party animal who thinks responsibility, commitment and healthy living are
Read moreFrom its plot to its dialogue to its action sequences and its overwrought clanging metallic soundtrack, Terminator: Dark Fate has been engineered to mimic the beloved early films, particularly Terminator 2: Judgement Day. While tightly-constructed, occasionally exciting and moderately inventive, this latest instalment in the 35-year-old franchise is just too familiar to really thrill. It starts encouragingly with a refreshing
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