The Cold War was a state that the Western world found itself in from the end of the Second World War right up until 1991. Tensions arose between USA, with allies NATO and what is now known as Russia and their satellite states. After the war as they were the remaining two super-powers, and having such profoundly different ideologies and politics caused great tension, which was … [Read more...]
Review: The Last Unicorn (1982)
It's difficult to compare The Last Unicorn to anything which has come before or after it. Part children's animation, part epic fantasy, part fable, Peter S. Beagle's adaptation of his original novel is as beautiful as it is simple, as sweet as it is sad and as enjoyable for adults as it is for children (perhaps even more so). An immortal unicorn (Mia Farrow) lives in her forest … [Read more...]
Review: Shrek 2 (2004)
The Shrek series is, it's fair to say, DreamWorks' most popular series of films, although I suppose it's possible that Kung Fu Panda may yet overtake it, and Shrek 2 is the best of the bunch. Grossing over $1 billion worldwide, it's certainly the most successful film of the franchise, and also marks the last time, at least until recent prequel Puss in Boots, that the series was … [Read more...]
Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
One Disney tale that is sure to put children off eating their 5-a-day is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Disney has always prided itself as being an innovative production company and surpassed itself when creating this story, becoming the first American animated feature film created in full colour. To gain perspective of the reception Disney showcased the film once in December … [Read more...]
Review: Titanic (1997)
James Cameron, before the release of Titanic, was considered one of the world's most daring action film-makers. His previous canon of work, including The Abyss, Aliens, True Lies and the first two Terminator films made the world stand up and pay attention to a man whose vision of action and adventure ranked with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Then he announced he was … [Read more...]
Review: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Reviewing a comedy is always difficult, since if you explain what makes it funny you're giving away the jokes and effectively spoiling the film. Reviewing something like The Big Lebowski is especially difficult, since it can be very hard to tell what it's actually about; the plot is wildly incoherent, and there are enough weird digressions and threads that go nowhere that … [Read more...]
Review: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A Tale as old as Time¦Disney again catches the imagination of all children in the 1991 hit, Beauty and The Beast. Mindful of its audience Disney creates another film with an important message. Looks are not the be all and end all, despite what many think. Disney jumps on the band wagon to teach children that to respect people of all backgrounds is a trait no one should grow up … [Read more...]
Review: The Iron Giant (1999)
The Iron Giant is an animated film directed by Brad Bird and based on the Ted Hughes book The Iron Man. Loosely stylistically based on Hayao Miyazaki's ˜Clear Line Technique' it avoids the similarities of a Disney film by being a proper, realistically drawn film. In total it cost $70m to make and only took $23m at the box office, making it a clear commercial flop. However, a … [Read more...]
Review: The Little Mermaid (1989)
In the vast ocean that is ˜Disney' where anything can occur, a young red head resides. Taking it back to 1989 and one of Disney's finest, The Little Mermaid continues to entertain and amaze. When thinking of Disney and the masses of films that have been churned out over the years, very few have stuck in the hearts and minds of audiences around the world like this one has. The … [Read more...]
Review: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) is a 13-year-old witch in training. An old tradition states that at 13, a young witch can leave home and study to become a full time witch. So, even though her parents are not overjoyed, she decides to leave. She takes her broomstick and her cat Jiji (Phil Hartman) and sets off for Koriko, a big port city. Once there, she finds she does not have any witch … [Read more...]