Features

Fun Time VHS Bonanza #2: Bibleman!

First, there was Batman. Then, there was Birdman. One caused the demand for gritty comic-book movies to skyrocket.

Infographic: Gender Inequality in Cinema

The New York Film Academy have kindly asked for Film Inquiry to discuss and respond to their new infographics. With one of their topics being on gender inequality in cinema (seen below and also found here), I was instantly drawn to writing this article because the issue is very close to my heart, alongside the fact that I would like to go into the cinematic industry when I am older. Will my gender affect my chances of having a job in this male-dominated industry?

Birdman
The Oscars and Show Business Movies: A Love Story

Birdman was the big winner at the 87th Academy Awards, tying for most awards won and also taking home two of the biggest awards: Best Picture and Best Director. That it won Best Picture shouldn’t have been a surprise, especially given the Academy’s recent track record.

Clerks
Links, Camera, Action Vol. 5: Savvy a Sequel?

From ideation to financing, distribution to production, the movie industry is just that, an industry. Let’s take a peek behind the projectors and movie screens at all facets of the films, and the people behind them, that we love. Let’s take another look at some of our favorite movies.

Wolf Creek Australia
Australian Cinema in 10 Films

Australia’s film industry has always been a little unstable. From the decline of Australian-made films in the inter-war period to the increased arts funding by the liberal government of John Gorton, the industry seems to travel in peaks and troughs much more than the American industry. Indeed, the fierce competition from American-made movies no doubt contributes to the infrequency of big-selling Aussie flicks.

A Franchise-Free List Of The 10 Films You Need To Look Out For In 2015

“Excuse me,” I hear you say, “I know exactly which films I need to see in 2015.” You’ve no doubt been bombarded with teasers and trailers by now, and you wait with baited breath for… which franchise is it?

Doodlebug short film
Links, Camera, Action Vol. 4: Who Directs Short Shorts?

From ideation to financing, distribution to production, the movie industry is just that, an industry. Let’s take a peek behind the projectors and movie screens at all facets of the films, and the people behind them, that we love. Let me direct your attention to these wonderful shorts.

Leonard Nimoy
Remembering Leonard Nimoy

The passing of a film icon always hits me hard. Mostly because of the realization that actors are as human as the rest of us; knowing that I’ll never have the chance to meet him in person or see him in another movie. Leonard Nimoy started his performance career at the age of 20, but did not become truly recognizable until 1966, when his portrayal of the half-human, half-Vulcan science officer on Star Trek put him on the map.

Inception quality film
Wheat vs. Chaff: 10 Elements of Quality Film

From the tiniest blog to the inked pages of Empire magazine, society’s devotion to film coverage highlights just how deeply moving pictures resonate in modern culture. It’s why you’re here reading this very article right now. The finances back it up too.

La Haine gangster
10 Gangster Films From Abroad: Part II

This is a continuation of “Beyond Hollywood’s Mafia” with more great gangster films from around the world. There’s a rich tapestry in this field to draw from, as films influence filmmakers, writers and directors making more and more fascinating movies about crime. Some directors may have already appeared in the first list, but all these titles are new and differ, one way or another from the first installment, enjoy!

couple
Staff Inquiry: Our Favorite Film Couples

Did you ever think about your favorite film couple? We sure did. This month, the Film Inquiry team was asked which is their favorite couple in film.

Alien women
Neill Blomkamp is the best thing to happen to the Alien franchise in decades

Back in January Neill Blomkamp, the director of District 9, Elysium and the forthcoming Chappie posted online some intriguing fan/concept art for an as-yet-announced project related to the now floundering Alien franchise. The art featured some very intriguing illustrations of not only Sigourney Weaver as an almost fully evolved Ripley/xenomorph hybrid but also Michael Biehn as a battle scarred Corporal Hicks. At the time nobody knew what they were for:

American Psycho cult
What Constitutes A Cult Film?

Cult films are difficult to define, as they vary in scope, themes, genre and in just about every other way. Despite these ambiguities, it is demonstrable that the revered Roger Ebert once got the definition entirely wrong. Avatar just isn’t cool enough In his review of Avatar, Ebert described the film as an “event” that was “predestined to launch a cult.

scribbler dark
Links, Camera, Action Vol. 3: Dark Times

From ideation to financing, distribution to production, the movie industry is just that, an industry. Let’s take a peek behind the projectors and movie screens at all facets of the films, and the people behind them, that we love. Let’s check out the links for this week.

Birdman
History of The Best Picture Oscar: Who Won And What We Remember

Awarding movies with titles like “Best Picture” is a bit of an overstatement when you consider what goes into making a movie. And when you look through the winners over the years it’s frequently a surprise when you see who won, and the films that got snubbed. For example, 1998 is the year when Steven Spielberg shocked us with his WWII movie Saving Private Ryan, and yet Shakespeare in Love walked away with the Oscar for Best Picture.