Censorship boards do not like sex and yet nothing gets them more excited. Whether it’s straight, gay or fetish, there is a major discomfort with movies showing the power of sexuality and sexual acts up close and in detail. Even today, in the age of the Internet and the easy availability of online porn, arthouse […]
Author: Martyn Conterio
10 Visually Stunning Movies with Neon Lighting
Neon lighting was invented in the early 1900s and was used throughout the century, mostly for advertising purposes. One immediately pictures New York’s Time Square lit up at night. In the movies, it often feels like cinematographers and directors discovered neon lighting in the 1980s. But that’s not quite true. There was a resurgence in […]
10 Movies Featuring Body Modification and Tattoos
Body modification and scarification, in the movies, is often associated with body horror. Yet there have been several titles in recent times exploring the subculture, separating fact from fiction and taking a more neutral, non-judgemental approach. Tattooing is seen as less extreme and more socially acceptable. It might seem all very trendy at the minute, […]
10 Australian Movies to See in 2015
Australia produced one of the world’s oldest surviving feature films, 1906’s “The Story of Kelly Gang.” However, it wasn’t until the 1970s, some sixty-odd years later, that Aussie films gained a proper foothold on the international scene. Since the days of the Australian New Wave, their national cinema has never looked back. It has emerged […]
10 Best Movies of the Decade So Far
Here we are, in the middle of the decade. What better time to look back at the previous five years and pick out ten movies that have impressed me the most? Lists of this nature are as much about personal preference as they are attempts at objectively celebrating the very best in cinema. That’s why […]
An Analysis of Art & Design in the Films of Tim Burton
Tim Burton is one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. He started out as an animator at Disney and directed well-received short films such as “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984), before making the leap into feature-length movies. He made his big screen debut in 1985 with “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” From that, Burton has built a remarkable […]
2015’s Best Movie Posters
Movie posters are primarily used as an advertising tool. However, when done correctly, they are equally their own art form. It can be a very tough job designing one-sheets and promotional imagery. The design team have to, in effect, capture the essence of the movie they are tasked with promoting. And without giving too much […]
10 Movies You Should Watch in 2015
It’s that time of year, the beginning of a new one, where we take a close look at the movie calendar and pick out upcoming titles that have caught the eye. It feels like cinema is in very good health at the minute, with classic picture after classic picture being released. Is this a golden […]
10 Comedy Movies That Were Banned
The old saying goes that “laughter is the best medicine.” Unfortunately, the art of comedy is not as universally appreciated as you’d think. What plays well in one country might cause offence in another. With the controversy surrounding Seth Rogen’s “The Interview” still fresh in the pop culture ether, because it almost started World War […]
30 Best Movies of 2014
During the year, certain films stick out from the crowd. However, writing up lists can be a pain. You end up leaving plenty of worthy titles by the wayside. What you freaked out about in January can be forgotten by September. It happens. Some movies that my fellow critics raved about, I don’t see as […]