Robert Towne: 1934-2024
Another important showbiz death? I’m afraid so…
A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987)
An enormously iconic Hong Kong fantasy, although I’ve never been all that impressed by it.
Donald Sutherland: 1935-2024
In the category of underappreciated actors, the recently deceased Donald Sutherland looms rather hugely
BLOODSTONE
In an occurrence that should surprise no one, this US-Bollywood RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK wannabe flopped spectacularly
Roger Corman: 1926-2024
R.I.P.
THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD PLANET
The undoubted magnum opus of the late Roman Kachanov, and a highlight of child-based sci-fi animation from the Soviet Union
CANNIBAL ERROR: ANTI-FILM PROPAGANDA AND THE “VIDEO NASTIES” PANIC OF THE 1980s
One of the key textual resources on the “video nasties” scare that swept England in the 1980s
PHRA ROT-MERI
Another example of an Eastern made film that was a commercial blockbuster in its native land but to Western eyes seems downright Jorodowsky-esque
AKIRA
This is the 1988 cyberpunk-themed anime feature that, prior to game-changers like GHOST IN THE SHELL and PERFECT BLUE, irrevocably altered the format
GOING BERSERK
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the untimely March 4, 1994 death of the great John Candy, here’s a look back at his first-ever Hollywood starring vehicle