Michael Wong, the Malaysian film-maker whose debut short The Story of 90 Coins picked up a host of awards (and was reviewed on this blog!), has released his second film – and it marks quite a change of direction. While 90 Coins was an engaging romance which ran to nine minutes, The Tattooist is a … Continue reading
Fergus Riordan: bridging the artistic gaps from behind the lens
Fergus Riordan was a childhood movie star, but now he is more at home behind the camera. The Madrid-based artist, born to British parents, appeared in I Want to be a Soldier (2010), Fragiles (2005), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), and most recently Don’t Grow Up (2015). Now his creativity is taking him in … Continue reading
Rediscovering Sparrows Can’t Sing and its cast of future stars
It’s interesting to watch an old film and spot a future star in a small role. I noticed some of Hollywood’s biggest names when I rewatched Annie Hall, and recently I enjoyed a whole cast of soon-to-be-big actors in the British comedy-drama Sparrows Can’t Sing. This is a fascinating film in many ways. I hadn’t … Continue reading
Swansea Jazz Festival takes time out
Around this time of year, I’m usually looking forward to the announcement of the line-up for the Swansea International Jazz Festival, but not this year. Sadly, the festival isn’t going ahead in 2019. Continue reading
A haunted house and killer clowns – the Mychoverse continues
As British indie horror company Mycho Entertainment prepares to unleash two new feature films, I spoke to Professor Mycho himself, MJ Dixon, about Bannister DollHouse and CleaverS: KIller Clowns, as well as the films that went before them and those to come. I was an associate producer on Mycho’s Slasher House 2 (2016) and am … Continue reading
A spooky old house and vampire eroticism – it’s almost like Hammer time again
What could be better than an intelligent, high quality new movie in the tradition of classic British horror, with familiar faces among the cast and set in a spooky old mansion? How about a large format graphic novel version of that movie, based on stills from the film? Continue reading
The Story of 90 Coins – simple, engaging, and captivating
The Story of 90 Coins is a beautiful little film, marking the directorial debut of Malaysian film-maker Michael Wong. He tells me it is inspired by a true story, which just adds to its appeal – with a running time just over nine minutes and with only three characters, it’s a simple, engaging, and captivating … Continue reading
Florence leaves the ‘wedmin’ to talk about playing an on-stage beauty and an on-screen psychopath
Florence Cady is a rising star of stage and screen. She was one of the leads in the successful UK tour of Ruth Rendell’s Gallowglass, and stars in a new horror feature, Crucible of the Vampire. She kindly took time out [in July 2018] from her ‘wedmin’ (wedding admin, apparently – what a great word!) … Continue reading
In the Dark? Yes, I was
Detective Inspector Adam Fawley is back in the second thriller by Cara Hunter – which means I got to enjoy more reflected glory (Cara is a friend) and another launch event. Cara’s debut Close to Home has been a runaway best-seller, a Richard and Judy book club choice, and an audiobook starring Lee Ingleby. Continue reading
Swansea jazz festival triumphs again (with or without Herbie)
When James Taylor introduced his Quartet’s version of the theme from Blow-Up at Swansea International Jazz Festival last night [Sunday June 17, 2018], he told the audience it was written by Herbie Hancock. “And,” he announced, gesturing to the wings, “he’s here tonight!” For a split second, you sensed some people believed it – because … Continue reading