As the barrage of remakes, reboots, and legacy sequels keep reminding us, never underestimate the power of a brand name. A franchise’s most recognisable and distinctive elements can be repurposed and reshaped to fit any mould. Even if the elements are the least bit tangentially … Continue reading Bates Motel (1987)
The inner workings of government have often been compared to the inner workings of a sausage factory, as you don’t want to see how either gets made. But when our officials get deep in the muckraking and the callous rule-breaking, we can’t help but be … Continue reading Casino Jack (2010)
Whether it be the life of Tristram Shandy or some ancillary players in a Charlie Kaufman film, adapting a great story from one medium to another can be a daunting task. Dimensions must be added or shrunk to accommodate the new platform, and the prose … Continue reading London Falls (2018)
There is a romanticised allure of the big city; the national metropolises in your home nation can provide the highest highs, but also the darkest depths of living. With high concentrations of people in the concrete jungle, this is certainly to be expected. In 1988, … Continue reading Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
The seductive lure of excess, combined with the naivety of youth is a dangerous, yet captivating mix. In 1985, a book of these themes brought commercial and critical success for author Bret Easton Ellis. Although somewhat overshadowed culturally by the following triumph of American Psycho, … Continue reading Less Than Zero (1987)
Crime capers, murder mysteries, and whodunits have been a captivating form of artistic expression for centuries. These creative conundrums have been set in exciting locales and feature a wide variety of professions, regardless of if it made sense or not. As such, it is a … Continue reading Basic (2003)
Every four years, the nations of the world band together, in a competition pitting the best of the Footballing world against each other, known as the World Cup. We have all come to expect this global celebration as if it has always been. But this … Continue reading United Passions (2014)
True life crimes are by their nature compelling in their details, unsolved true crimes are doubly so, with the perpetrator still out there. What if you could reach out to them, or at least who you think it is? In 2010, a potential narrative based … Continue reading All Good Things (2010)
Jury trials can be mentally intimidating for those involved, asking strangers to condemn or exonerate a person is an emotionally stressful task for 12 people. As such, those who are professionals in preserving, and those breaking the law have certain tactics that help their side … Continue reading Trial by Jury (1994)
Any good democracy or republic, or any institution in servitude to the public, is only as good as a diligent press, to keep these bodies into account. But over the years, many in the public feel that the free media may have overstepped its mark, … Continue reading The Front Runner (2018)
The Real Mr. Positive 