Movies, music and books for Christmas – and beyond…

December again. For some years, I've posted recommendations for recent BluRay/DVD releases, CDs and books that might be of use for anyone wondering what Christmas gifts to buy. (I find choosing presents very difficult, so am myself always open to ideas from friends.) So here we go once more. I hope some of the suggestions … Continue reading Movies, music and books for Christmas – and beyond…

More Gems from Michael Haneke: the TV Films

It is our loss that Michael Haneke, undoubtedly one of the most important writer-directors of recent times – and, in my opinion (for what that’s worth) probably our greatest living filmmaker – seems no longer to be at work. Before Covid hit, the Austrian had apparently written a television series about the effects of globalisation … Continue reading More Gems from Michael Haneke: the TV Films

The 2017 BFI London Film Festival – some personal recommendations

With this year's edition of the London Film Festival due to begin in a few days, I thought I'd suggest a few titles to look out for. There are many movies in the Festival, of course, which I haven't yet seen, but of those I have managed to catch already – in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, … Continue reading The 2017 BFI London Film Festival – some personal recommendations

Cannes 2017: My personal best from the 70th edition

This year’s Cannes Film Festival – the 70th edition of the event, and my own 30th attendance at the gig – was far from remarkable; indeed, in terms of the films in the main competition, it was probably a little underwhelming. Yet Cannes is the world’s most famous film festival, and that arouses very high expectations … Continue reading Cannes 2017: My personal best from the 70th edition