Ben-Hur

 

Being produced, filmed and released towards the end of Hollywood’s golden age, Ben-Hur was an MGM studio film of epic proportions. The film took nearly 9 months to shoot on the biggest studio in Europe, Cinecittà in Rome, used over 10,000 extras and over 2,000 horses. The film was nominated for countless awards, winning 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and is stapled in people’s mind for the myths surrounding on set deaths, as well as the sight of a caravan in the infamous chariot race scene.

Full review is over at Filmhounds.

Arco

 

Courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment

In the distant peaceful future, 2932,, time travel is a normal occurrence, where anyone aged 12 and over is able to experience. Impatient to travel through time himself, 10 year old Arco steals his sister’s flight suit and sets out, only to find himself, by mistake, in 2075. Robots are common in homes and society, performing essential jobs and services. Extreme weather conditions ravage the Earth, but most homes and buildings can be kept in protective bubbles. Here is where Arco befriends 10 year old Iris who had been wishing for something in her life to change.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Same Same But Different - SXSW

 

Courtesy of SXSW & 42 West

Romantic comedies are never just about the romance or the comedy, its all about the drama that each character can bring to the situation they all find themselves in. Same Same But Different encapsulates what it means to celebrate differences, honour your heritage and be honest about what you truly want, as well as making sure its all as chaotic as that sounds.

When poet Rana has her visa application denied again, she resigns herself to returning home to Iran, which she is looking forward to. But when Adam, the son of her wealthy employer and whom she has been secretly seeing over the summer, proposes to her. She decides to embrace this opportunity, after much deliberation and rationalising. She invites her two Iranian best friends, along with their American boyfriends, who each have their own dramas to deal with, resulting in a whirlwind weekend.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Spaceballs

 

Courtesy of Arrow Video

Decent spoof or parody films are hard to come by these days, so much so we have to turn to the past and to one director who really knows how to tell a story, keep the jokes going and keep with whatever genre he’s chosen, Mel Brooks. Released in 1987, just 4 years after The Return of the Jedi, Spaceballs earned mixed reviews upon initial release, but like every other sci-fi film, it gained a cult following. At nearly 100 years old, Mel Brooks is still making films. Having gone back to his previous material and filmography to bring his films to the stage, he’s also involved (though not directing) the upcoming Spaceballs sequel.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

How to Make a Killing

Courtesy of Studiocanal

Though loosely based on the Ealing Comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets, there are far too many similarities. Modernised and characters updated, some slightly changed to fit the times, it still feels very much like a copy. Very much in the vein of the Coen brothers version of The Ladykillers, but the less said about this film the better. How to Make a Killing however, tries to be it’s own story and film, but not relying on comedy as the key, which is a shame as this could have been the darkest of comedies if it had really leaned into it. Unfortunately, writer-director John Patton Ford decided to emphasise the drama and the tragedy, which, along with missing a prime opportunity to offer a different ending, is the film’s downfall.

After his mother was disowned by her own family, the insanely wealthy Redfellows, Becket decides to reclaim his inheritance by killing off his relatives, one by one.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

The Man Who Wasn't There

 

Courtesy of The Criterion Collection

The masters of the genre twist, Joel and Ethan Coen, known mostly as the Coen Brothers, know exactly how to follow up on a hit. Releasing O Brother Where Art Thou? in 2000 to critical praise and award nominations as well as box office success, they decided that their next film was to be the slow burn neo-noir, a genre they are very comfortable in, The Man Who Wasn’t There. An ironic title as this is probably one of the least talked about or mentioned films in their catalogue. Unlike O’Brother, The Man Who Wasn’t There was not a box office success, nor did it really click with audiences, though critics on the whole admired it. Joel and Ethan did actually win Best Director at Cannes the year of release, a joint win with David Lynch for Mulholland Drive, but its a fact that is quietly forgotten about. The cinematography was universally praised and definitely reflected in the nominations for their frequent collaborator Roger Deakins, yet apart from these facts, the film has remained a piece of background history. Obviously seeing something in the film and believing it deserved its turn in the spotlight, the Criterion Collection has chosen to release a 4K version, giving fans of the Coens a chance to revisit it as well as curious new viewers to witness this unusual yet straightforward film.

Full review over at Filmhounds.