FILM OF THE WEEK Inside Man (2006), directed by Spike Lee. Paramount, Monday (20/9) at 22:55. Previewed by John Russell This is unusual territory for Spike Lee but definitely worth a look. Denzel Washington and Clive Owen are pitted against each other as hostage negotiator and taker, in a bank heist with unusual features. One is… [continues]

FILM OF THE WEEK By Steve Sasanow The Graduate (1967) It would be quite difficult to over-estimate the social, cultural, cinematic and musical influence of this film. Its take on the American dream, its sexual audacity, its time-frame in American history, its use of contemporary music, all make it one of the most significant films of… [continues]

FILM OF THE WEEK By John Morrish In the early hours of tonight (in other words, Saturday 4/9) at 00:05, BBC2 has The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019). It’s really excellent.  Zak, a 22-year-old man with Down’s Syndrome, has been placed in an old people’s home in rural Carolina by the state authorities. A rebellious old man helps him… [continues]

World Cinema FILM OF THE WEEK By Sim Fox On Friday (3/9) at 01:35, Film4 is showing Force Majeure (2014), overlooked by Cheltenham Film Society in 2015. Tomas and Ebba are a well-heeled Scandinavian couple on a skiing holiday in the Alps with their two young children. Faced with a supposedly controlled avalanche that looks like… [continues]

FILM OF THE WEEK Amy Heckerling’s Clueless (1995), starring Alicia Silverstone, is loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma. Cher, the Silverstone character, is a rich young woman who wants to fix other girls’ romantic lives, just like Emma Woodhouse. Unlike Emma, she does it by taking them to the mall, doing their hair and make-up… [continues]