Movie Musings

Once upon a time, independent films were just that – films produced outside of the studio structure that emphasised the development of characters and thought-provoking stories. However, following the boom in demand for VHS in the 80’s and the substantial box office successes of particular indie films over the...

“Hello and welcome to the 87th Academy Awards, Live from Los Angeles…” (Translation: “Let’s party and celebrate Hollywood… in Hollywood!”) On February 22nd, the 87th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. No surprise here. Hollywood is the home of the entertainment industry,...

Are you a fan of The Exorcist, Paranormal Activity or The Shining? Ever wondered what the first horror movies were like? Many film critics consider the movement of German Expressionism to hold such a significance. The movement’s importance within cinema derives from the intuitive work made in terms of addressing...

In 1975, Steven Spielberg released Jaws, a suspenseful tale of a terrifying shark that terrorises Amity Island, which boasted one of the most chillingly recognisable theme tunes ever (from composer John Williams, a Spielberg regular). Star Wars followed in 1977, with Indiana Jones joining the fray in 1981. Spielberg...

The rise of the blockbuster and its high-impact style of storytelling came to a natural conclusion in 1995, when four young Danish directors founded the Dogme 95 Collective. The most prominent of these was the highly controversial part-provocateur, part-pornographer Lars von Trier. The group operated within the confines of...

Often when looking at Hollywood, the term The Big Five (or Big Six) will crop up. Disney, during the Golden Age (1920s-60s), was an independent production company and an important player but not yet the powerhouse that would make it one of the modern Big Six studios. It was...

Carthay Circle Theatre, Los Angeles, 21st December 1937. The setting for a significant moment in cinematic history. Though it may not be as widely remembered as other film movements, there is no denying that the creation of the first full-length cel animated feature film is quite an astounding feat....