By late 1988 John Hughes had become one of the most powerful script writers and directors in Hollywood. His back catalogue of work including Train, Planes and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Breakfast Club to name but a few. However, unlike many other writers and directors, Hughes continued to plough his own unique journey through the Hollywood system. …
As a seven year old watching The NeverEnding Story for the first time at my local Granada Cinema in 1984. I found myself swept away by the films fantasy and imagination. While equally suffering a small degree of trauma as Artax the horse was sucked into the swamp of sadness. With this combination of both sadness and joy leaving an …
Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Peccadillo Pictures During the late summer of 1985, as AIDS ripped through global communities. A small budget, hastily made film was about to make its debut at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. ‘Buddies’ intended to not only challenge the public debate on a condition still being labelled as the ‘the …
Baby Driver arrived in UK cinemas with bang on the 27th June 2017. The films carefully selected musical score humming with the energy of a high-octane engine. While its narrative played with several genres ranging from the action thriller to the heist movie. However, very few people would label Baby Driver as a musical. Possibly due to its testosterone soaked …
River Jude Phoenix was born on August 23, 1970, in Madras, Oregon. His name coming from ‘the river of life’ in Hermann Hesse’s book Siddhartha. While his parents, John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Dunetz both followed a lifestyle born of the 1960s hippy movement. Both working as farm labours in a life where their roots were never truly fixed to …
Following hot on the heels of the success on A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), the first sequel in a long line of sequels and prequels trod very different ground to the original film. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 found itself derided by the critics of the time. Only recently finding exploration in its unique take on sexuality in …
Hocus Pocus debuted in British cinemas on Friday 29th October 1993. A week in which Meat Loaf reigned supreme at number one in the UK singles chart. And Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park continued to dominate UK cinema screens 16 weeks after its initial release. While a new boyband named ‘Take That’ stormed through the music industry. Wooing a whole new …
Ever since the dawn of film, Horror has played a part in its development. Acting as a mirror to our inner most fears, while challenging us to face the ghosts of our deepest anxieties and terrors. Whether fictional, religious or real, horror has played with the psychology of human fear, shining a light into the darkest corners of human existence. …
Stephen King published his 22nd novel ‘IT’ back in 1986 to a mixed reception from critics. The novels coming of age themes sitting alongside a supernatural presence who fed on fear, captivated some and bemused others. Its 1300+ pages demanded attention and commitment from the reader. While its core themes dug deep into childhood and adult fears, providing an uncomfortable …
Released in 1993, The Good Son had a turbulent journey to cinema screens. Beset with re-writes, production changes and Hollywood politics in casting. However, despite its tumultuous journey, The Good Son remains a fascinating insight into child criminality on screen. A mainstream film that tentatively dared to imagine that children can and do hurt others. Within a Hollywood system where …