Matthew Hammond

In Review: The ABCs of Death

by Matthew Hammond 10 April 2013

It might be argued the power of horror cinema has waned since the glorious heyday of the 1970s and 80s. However, occasionally, a film arrives that captures and embraces the spirit of retro exploitation cinema while also being modern and dynamic. The ABCs of Death is such a work and the sheer level of freedom [...]

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In Review: Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

by Matthew Hammond 4 October 2012

Bond. James Bond. There has arguably been no more successful or important British ‘brand’ in pop culture history than James Bond. 50 Years ago the journey from pulp fiction into national icon began with Dr. No exploding onto the screen in 1962, leading us all the way (and five James Bonds later) to the year [...]

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Films that time forgot: Martha (1974)

by Matthew Hammond 3 October 2012

Rainer Werner Fassbinder is one of cinema’s great rebels and social critics. Alongside the other visionaries of the New German Cinema, he shaped a new vision of socially conscious, intellectual and artistic cinema. Visually excessive and yet minimalist, his films are filled with characters who seem emotionally distant but are in fact laid bare, isolated [...]

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Films that time forgot: Angel Heart (1987)

by Matthew Hammond 28 September 2012

Alan Parker’s Angel Heart (1987) is an experience in total atmosphere and mood. There is only one way to adequately describe the sensation and affective power of the film: pressure cooker intense. Tension, intrigue and fear bubble up, all the way to boiling point…

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“What are you?!”: The identity crisis of Batman in film.

by Matthew Hammond 24 July 2012

Last Friday marked the release of one of the most anticipated films ever made…The Dark Knight Rises (2012) . It’s been seven years since Christopher Nolan brought Batman back from the clutches of camp and redefined the Dark Knight for a whole generation as a truly modern cinematic icon. However, looking at the representations of [...]

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In Review: Swandown

by Matthew Hammond 14 July 2012

At first glance, Swandown is something of an oddity. It’s a film concerning the journey of two men: the film’s director Andrew Kotting and writer Ian Sinclair, as they travel from Hastings to Hackney on a swan shaped pedalo called Edith. This description conjures up screwball comedy rather than a thought provoking lyrical documentary. And [...]

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Films that time forgot: Hulk (2003)

by Matthew Hammond 6 July 2012

In a summer of big superhero releases, the fruition of Marvel’s dream project, The Avengers has been perhaps the most unlikely and impressive. Most surprisingly of all, the film has brought redemption to one hero no one expected would steal the show: The Incredible Hulk.  Indeed, for many, The Avengers is the best Hulk film [...]

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Girl Power? The strange suppression of female superheroes

by Matthew Hammond 26 April 2012

Supergirl. Barb Wire. Elektra. Catwoman. These four distinct super heroines are all strong-willed, powerful and determined role models from the world of comics. They all, however, share a specific critical legacy: each have been the stars of eponymous films that have crashed commercially, critically and financially. Without exception.

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In Review: Blackthorn

by Matthew Hammond 11 April 2012

The western was once the most recognisable and popular genre in cinema. Alas, as that medium has developed, the power and presence of the western as a popular genre has waned.

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In Review: Headhunters

by Matthew Hammond 6 April 2012

In recent years the international pop culture phenomenon that is Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo has introduced the world to an entirely new landscape of crime thrillers: from successful transportable TV series such as The Killing and Those Who Kill, to the bestselling novels of Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo.

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In Review: Mirror Mirror

by Matthew Hammond 1 April 2012

There is an exchange of dialogue early in Mirror Mirror, between the Queen and her desperate servant, which perfectly captures the style, tone and direction of this film whilst also encapsulating director Tarsem Singh’s distinct cinematic identity. Upon witnessing the bizarre lengths to which the queen will go to look beautiful, the servant asks, “Isn’t [...]

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