reviews

In Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene

by Jamie Gildea 4 February 2012

By Jamie Gildea Martha Marcy May Marlene focuses on a girl who escapes from a cult commune in upstate New York after two years of sexual abuse, isolation and servitude to her captors. The film follows the thoughts of Martha, as she tries to readjust to normal life after living an existence that is simply [...]

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In Review: Coriolanus

by Darryl Griffiths 24 January 2012

By Darryl Griffiths Bringing a contemporary feel to a work of Shakespeare is arguably a daunting and quite audacious prospect for anyone, especially with the purists ever-ready to sharpen their tongues. But reinterpreting a play that is one of the least performed and recognisable on a wide scale, you have to wonder.. what was Ralph Fiennes [...]

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In Review: War Horse

by Helen Cox 21 December 2011

By Jeff Galasso Ever wonder what Sam and Frodo’s relationship in The Lord of the Rings would be like if Frodo had been a horse? Steven Spielberg must have and War Horse is his answer. It is also his entry into the 2011 Academy Awards race; a move that can be charitably described as “misguided”.

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Unveiled: Our 2011 Year Book Cover

by Helen Cox 25 November 2011

Behold! The front cover of our 2011 Year Book is unveiled and our Hollywood Homogetron is finally unleashed on the world. Order your copy here.

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In Review: Melancholia

by Maryann O'Connor 4 October 2011

By Maryann O’Connor After watching Melancholia I stepped out into the sunlight, blinking, feeling bereft. All I knew for sure was that I needed chocolate.

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In Review: The Change Up

by Lucia Hodgson 16 September 2011

By Lucia Hodgson The ‘family’ genre is often one of nonconformity, a colourful mix where pretty much anything goes so long as it’s safe viewing for wee-uns. Silly concepts also tend to work in kid’s flicks – silly concepts like body swapping. Ticket sales for tween faves 17 Again and Freaky Friday are testament to [...]

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Outside the Law (2010) on DVD

by Phil Harman 2 September 2011

By Phil Harman Outside the Law (2010) is a deeply moving story about three brothers who are ousted from their land in Algeria under French rule. The brothers later endure further tragedy at the hands of the French when they are present at a protest which ends in bloody terror as the French butcher the [...]

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In Review: The Skin I Live In (2011)

by Danielle Richardson 31 August 2011

By Danielle Richardson Pedro Almodovar, the infamous Spanish director responsible for European cinema classics such as All About My Mother (1999) and Volver (2006), is known for making films that cause a stir. From project to project he brazenly tackles topics of sexuality and gender and examines how each can shifted and blurred.

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In Review: Essential Killing on DVD

by Adam Glasspool 30 August 2011

By Adam Glasspool It can be frustrating when half way through a film you ask yourself why you’re watching it and can’t come up with a satisfying answer only, to continue watching it.

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Unveiled: New Empress Magazine Issue 3 Front Cover

by Helen Cox 21 August 2011

Following the success of issue one and two the team at New Empress HQ are gearing up to deliver their third instalment of quirky film criticism and review.

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In Review: Point Blank (2010)

by Mike Richardson 23 June 2011

By Mike Richardson A generation ago the phrase “French cinema” used to conjure up images of pretentious surrealist New Wave fare, usually garnished with breathless beauties and an endless supply of Gitanes. Then came the painfully cool Diva (1981), the ridiculously stylish Subway (1985), and the seriously sexy Betty Blue (1986), making French Cinema the date movie of choice for [...]

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