Category Archives: classic cinema

Best Movies of 2016: An Eclectic Roster

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Cliff Burns

I managed to squeeze in over 100 films in 2016. A good mix of foreign and domestic releases (those looking for blockbusters, comic book flicks and eye candy should search elsewhere). Here’s my list of favourites: “High Rise” (Director: Ben … Continue reading →

Posted in Academy Award, Best movies of the year, Cinema, classic cinema, cult film, Czech New Wave, Documentary, film, foreign language film, movie | Tagged Ben Wheatley, Best films of 2016, best movies of 2016, Cinema, Czech New Wave, David Lynch, film, Jeff Nichols, movies, The Wolfpack | Leave a comment

“High-Rise” (Directed by Ben Wheatley)

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Cliff Burns

High-Rise (2016) Director: Ben Wheatley Writers: Amy Jump & Ben Wheatley Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons, Luke Evans, Elizabeth Moss A magnificent adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s cooly savage, satirical novel, Ben Wheatley’s “High-Rise” is gruesomely faithful to Ballard’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, cult film, film, film review, movie, movie review | Tagged "Eraserhead", "Fight Club", "High-Rise", Amy Jump, Ben Wheatley, British cinema, Cinema, film, J.G. Ballard, movie review, Tom Hiddleston | Leave a comment

More from Andrew Sarris

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Cliff Burns

“Visual style is never an end in itself, and it cannot be ultimately defended except as it relates to a director’s taste and sensibility. Any visual style can be mechanically reproduced, but without the linkage to a directorial personality, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, film, movie | Tagged Andrew Sarris, auteur, Cinema, classic directors, film quote, Josef von Sternberg, movies | Leave a comment

Andrew Sarris quote

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Cliff Burns

“In cinema, as in all art, only those who risk the ridiculous have a real shot at the sublime.” (Andrew Sarris, The American Cinema)

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, film, film review, movie, movie review | Tagged Andrew Sarris, Cinema, film quote, film reviewer, movie | Leave a comment

Words of wisdom from Werner

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Cliff Burns

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, cult film, Documentary, experimental film, film, foreign language film, movie | Tagged Cinema, film, film advice, guerrilla film-making, movie quote, movies, Werner Herzog | Leave a comment

A pearl of wisdom from Pauline Kael

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Cliff Burns

“It’s the emotionlessness of so many violent movies that I’m becoming anxious about, not the rare violent movies (“Bonnie & Clyde”, “The Godfather”, “Mean Streets”) that make us care about the characters and what happens to them. A violent movie … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, crime movie, film, film review, movie, movie review | Tagged "Mean Streets", "The Godfather", Bonnie and Clyde, Cinema, film, movie, movie violence, Pauline Kael | Leave a comment

“Strange Love” (poem)

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Cliff Burns

Strange Love (for Stanley Kubrick) Stanley Kubrick’s eyes belie dispassion: remoteness was his only defence. Look how frankly he regards you, the way you shrivel from that gaze. © Cliff Burns (All Rights Reserved)

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, film, film review, movie, Stanley Kubrick | Tagged "Dr. Strangelove", Cinema, film, great directors, movie, poem about movies, poetry, Stanley Kubrick | Leave a comment

“Down Terrace” (movie review)

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Cliff Burns

Down Terrace (2009) Director: Ben Wheatley Screenplay: Robin Hill & Ben Wheatley Cast: Robert Hill, Robin Hill, Julia Deakin, David Schaal, Tony Way, Kerry Peacock, Michael Smiley Count me among Ben Wheatley’s great admirers—it is directors like him (along with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, crime movie, cult film, film, film review, movie, movie review | Tagged "Down Terrace", Ben Wheatley, British cinema, crime, film review, Michael Smiley, movie review, Robin Hill | Leave a comment

“Bunny and the Bull” (movie review)

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Cliff Burns

Bunny and the Bull (2010) Writer and Director: Paul King Cast: Edward Hogg, Simon Farnaby, Veronica Echegui, Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Richard Ayoade Due to circumstances that eventually become clear, Stephen (Edward Hogg) hasn’t left his apartment in almost a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, cult film, fantasy film, film, film review, movie, movie review | Tagged "A Private Function", "Bunny and the Bull", "The Mighty Boosh", "The Missionary", Edward Hogg, Handmade Films, movie review, Paul King, Simon Farnaby | Leave a comment

“Biutiful” (film review)

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Cliff Burns

Biutiful (2011) Director: Alejandro Inarritu Screenplay: Alejandro Inarritu, Armando Bo, Nicolas Giacabone Cast: Javier Bardem, Maricel Alvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella, Eduard Fernandez Director Alejandro Inarritu is a hot prospect in Hollywood these days. His latest film, “The Revenant”, just … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, classic cinema, film, film review, foreign language film, movie, movie review | Tagged "Amores Perros", "Birdman", "Biutiful", "The Revenant", Academy Award, Alejandro Inarritu, Golden Globe, Javier Bardem | Leave a comment