Craig York
Bio
A film nut job who one day got bored and decided to write some film reviews.
Stories (23/0)
A Short Review of 'Suspiria' (2018, Luca Guadagnino)
When I first heard that there was going to be a remake of one of my favourite horrors ever, Suspiria (1977, Dario Argento), I was quite skeptical and apprehensive. However, after hearing more and more about it and seeing the trailer, I gradually became more intrigued. I soon decided that it's at least worth giving a chance and I am certainly glad that I gave it a chance.
By Craig York5 years ago in Horror
A Short Review of 'Halloween' (2018, David Gordon Green)
Tonight is the night he returned. That's right, Myers is back, for another bloody Halloween rampage. This new instalment of the Halloween saga was apparently pitched by a group of writers, Jeff Fradley, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green, and from what I have read, all three are true lovers of John Carpenter's original classic. What they pitched was a direct sequel, taking place years after the original time setting and ignoring the other numerous sequels of the failed franchise. The pitch even got the approval of Carpenter himself, who also returned as the soundtrack composer. With this information already circulating, I immediately knew I had to see this film no matter what. I am most certainly glad I saw it. It exceeded and met all expectations.
By Craig York6 years ago in Horror
A Short Review of 'The Predator'
First we had Predator (1987, John McTiernan). A cheesy, fun, action filled Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi film loved by many, including myself. Then we had Predator 2 (1990, Stephen Hopkins), which consisted of Gary Busey going mental, Bill Paxton being a douche bag, Danny Glover calling the alien hunter a, quote, 'Pussyface,' and a raunchy sex scene disrupted by some typical violence associated with the Predators usual M.O. (Yes, that is literally all I remember from Predator 2). Then we had the rather underrated crossover, Alien vs Predator (2004, Paul W. S. Anderson). Not a great film but still quite a decent and an engaging one.
By Craig York6 years ago in Geeks
A Short Review of 'Slenderman' (2018, Sylvain White)
7 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, 3/10 on IMDB, 29 percent on Metacritic, what the hell did I get myself into!? As well as bad reviews, this film has received controversy and even a petition to stop its production, because of the characters association with a number of crimes that were committed in the U.S. following its popularity, with accusations that the project was trying to cash in off real life.
By Craig York6 years ago in Horror
A Short Review of 'Secret of the Marrowbone' (2018, Sergio G. Sanchez)
Secret of the Marrowbone really fell short for me. Actually no, not short, not short at all. More like fell into a massive hole that lay before me in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Yes dear readers, that much of a disappointment. The film admittedly still has some merit and is a capable psychological thriller/drama but unfortunately something did seriously just slightly spoil it for me. There are two twists. I'll try not to mention specifics in case any of you wish to see it, although why you'd wish to see it after reading this review would be slightly baffling. One of these twists, the main one that occurs at the end, was well executed and brings everything together nicely and fully complimented the plot, even though it did get slightly predictable towards the end. The other for me was too far fetched and knocked the story off balance. Completely off balance.
By Craig York6 years ago in Horror
A Short Review of Mary Shelley (2018, Haifaa al-Mansour)
Being a committed and passionate reader of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley (also a fan of the rather unfaithful Universal and Hammer adaptations, forgive me Mary), I had to investigate this film, which is notably directed by Saudi Arabia's first female filmaker, Haifaa al-Mansour.
By Craig York6 years ago in Geeks
A Short Review of 'The Happy Prince' (2018, Rupert Everett)
Shown at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and the 2018 BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival, The Happy Prince has been taking critics and audiences by storm, receiving rave reviews from a large number of critics across the country. Written and directed by Rupert Everett, who also gives an extremely convincing performance as Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince depicts the final days of the famous writer, who was imprisoned because of his sexuality.
By Craig York6 years ago in Geeks
A Short Review of 'In the Fade' (2017, Fatih Akin)
In The Fade (German Title: Aus Dem Nichts) is a film that I very nearly missed. I literally saw the trailer by chance on YouTube and thought that it could be a decent film to watch. Luckily for me it was shown at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. I definitely can say that it was decent—not particularly great or groundbreaking but definitely very decent and well worth seeing.
By Craig York6 years ago in Geeks
A Short Review of 'La Strada' (1954, Fedirico Fellini)
I am going to be frank, I consider this film an underrated classic. When I first saw it, I didn't know completely what to expect. What I found was a powerful and emotional experience, of an extremely well written and well directed drama, from the depths of Italian cinema history. With some people stating it to be one of the most influential films ever made and even went on to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, in 1957.
By Craig York6 years ago in Geeks
Depictions of Communism in Cinema and Other Media
Communism has always been an ideology that has keenly interested me. As a Democratic Socialist I 'believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few.'(Qoute taken from Democratic Socialists of America Website, 06/02/18.) I personally do have sympathies towards some of the ideals associated with communism but then also my political opinion is that the ideal only works in principle. It does not and never has worked in practice.
By Craig York6 years ago in The Swamp