Category: Features (Page 2 of 10)

Finding solace in cinema: how films illuminate the path through grief

21 December 2023 / Adam Brannon / 1 Comment

Grief is an intricate and often overwhelming emotion, one that can feel isolating and insurmountable. Yet, in the depths of despair, unexpected beacons of solace can emerge. For many, cinema has served as a guiding light through the darkest of times, offering narratives that mirror our own experiences and resonate deeply with our emotions.

Among the vast repertoire of films that navigate the complexities of loss, several stand out for their profound ability to provide comfort, understanding, and a glimmer of hope.

Through my own experiences of grief, I’ve pulled together several films which can offer comfort – even in the darkest of times.

2001: A Space Odyssey – The most influential movie of all time?

17 September 2023 / Finley Kettle / 0 Comments

Summer 2023. Audiences are flocking to cinemas to see the eagerly anticipated blockbuster, Barbie. The film begins and we open on a horizon. Cut to children playing with dolls in a desert landscape, only to find something that will change their lives forever, a monolithic Barbie doll.

Now to many, this might have seemed like a strange but interesting way to open one of the biggest films of the year, not realising that director Greta Gerwig is in fact paying homage to one of the most famous opening sequences in cinematic history, ‘The Dawn of Man’ scene from 1968’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The Wolf of Wall Street 10th anniversary review

27 May 2023 / Oliver Traherne / 0 Comments

Leonardo DiCaprio shines as the leader of a 90s financial cult where mansions are churches and Dom Pérignon is holy water.

Resplendent in a Hermes tie and a $50k Rolex, soon-to-be criminal Jordan Belfort stands in front of his obedient mob of brokers, about to utter a phrase that would be etched into the minds of a generation of filmgoers: “I’m not f**king leaving”.

Belfort’s greed and bad choices are embodied by those four words, as Martin Scorsese revives the 80s and 90s era of excess for three hours of cinematic dopamine. It might not be hard to believe that people would be sucked in by Belfort’s rhetoric in an era of Trump, but even 10 years ago, Scorsese’s understanding of wealth worshipers produced a movie of ageless and unmatched entertainment.

The Last of Us: how has it avoided the video-game adaptation curse?

11 March 2023 / Madison Fearn / 0 Comments

When I think of live-action video-game adaptations, there are a few franchises that spring to mind. There’s Angelina Jolie’s sultry Lara Croft swaggering through a senseless plot line. Milla Jokovich going quite literally all guns blazing amidst a constant bombardment of zombie hordes, without any recollection of quite how she got there. Then there’s the painful horror/unintentional comedy of the 2000s Silent Hill films.

What do these all have in common? Well, aside from the Resident Evil franchise having a die hard base of guilty fans (myself included), the films named here are not likely to be cropping up on any critic’s top 10 list. Although the last few years have seen a sudden rise in highly successful animated video-game adaptations like Arcane and Castlevania, The Last of Us seems to be, in my opinion, the first to master a live-action adaptation of the platform: sorry Witcher.

Movies that made a billion

24 September 2022 / Adam Brannon / 0 Comments

As of September 2022, only 51 films have ever crossed the coveted $1billion mark at the global box office. And only 5 have managed to cross the even more elusive $2billion mark.

But does this achievement actually have any meaning? After all, cinema tickets are a lot more expensive than they used to be – often hitting £10 or more per person.

Nevertheless, this list showcases the movies that made a billion dollars at the box office, and whether or not you should spend your time watching them – or give them a pass.

Intrigued? You should be!

Star Wars, a retrospective

28 August 2022 / Matthew Wilson / 0 Comments

Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, the world was introduced to one of the most successful franchises to exist, spanning multiple genres and mediums. While its roots are grounded in Japanese cinema and the Westerns of the golden age, Star Wars over time has grown and evolved to become much more than that, opening the eyes of generations of viewers while becoming a central part in many people’s lives.

Whether it be for casual viewing or hard-core marathons, it isn’t hard to see the attraction of such a universe. If anything, it offers an escape from the sometimes bleak and depressing world we inhabit, showing fans that there can always be light found in the dark.

The Exorcist: Still the scariest film ever made?

31 October 2021 / Finley Kettle / 0 Comments

It’s that time of year folks, pumpkins start to appear in windows and porches, leaves turn orange, the weather gets colder and scary movies are on the agenda. One film that has become a staple of Halloween since its release back in 1973 and is often considered one of the scariest films ever made is, The Exorcist. Nearly 50 years on from its initial release, I’m going to argue why it is still one of the greatest and most disturbing horror films ever made.

The most slept on films of the 2010s

5 July 2021 / Finley Kettle / 0 Comments

With the rise of streaming, it has now never been easier to catch the film that everyone is talking about. Whether it’s at your local multiplex or from the comfort of your own home. However, there are still those films that fly under the radar and have been slept on, the ones that don’t quite get the attention they deserve especially if they aren’t part of an already existing franchise or IP.

This article will look at some of the underrated gems of the 2010s, films that may have underperformed at the box office or just didn’t connect with mainstream audiences for one reason or another but may still deserve your attention. Read on to find out which have made the cut.

DistroTV: free streaming service review

10 June 2021 / Adam Brannon / 0 Comments

DistroTV is ready to shake up the system! Hands up who has spent a lot of COVID lockdowns flicking through Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime? I’m guessing a lot of you nodded your heads in agreement at that one. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but it’s safe to say that streaming has managed to keep me feeling sane, or as sane as can be.

The market for streaming services has become increasingly saturated since Disney launched the imaginatively titled Disney+ in early 2020, but one thing that has been missing is a genuinely free service that people can use without paying for that costly subscription.

Wonder no more! DistroTV is the new kid on the block and it’s here to carve a new path in the streaming service offering. In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on what the service is like, and what you should be checking out.

Father’s Day Gift Guide (Movie Theme)

29 May 2021 / Adam Brannon / 0 Comments

Father’s Day will soon be upon us (Sunday 20th June 2021 in the UK), and if you are like me and always struggle to find the perfect gift for you dad, worry no more.

If he is a movie fan like you (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this), I’ve picked out some amazing Father’s Day gift ideas with a film twist that he is sure to treasure for years to come.

And don’t tell anyone, but I’ve partnered with some amazing small businesses to give you special Movie Metropolis exclusive discounts on their amazing products, so keep your eyes peeled for this in this guide. Without further ado, shall we begin?