Watch This Space Festival
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 00:00
As part of the National Theatre’s Watch This Space festival, London’s South Bank is turning into a sky-high, outdoor cinema featuring some of the best (BAFTA winning) British short films around.
Seven movie review: You Dont Mess with The Zohan
Written by James Sherwood
Sunday, 17 August 2008 00:00
Directed by Dennis Dugan
Starring Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rob SchneiderIt has been argued that Adam Sandler has had a ‘dip in form’ with regards to his more recent films, but in collaboration with fellow writers Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live) and THE comedy writer of the moment Judd Apatow (Superbad, Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) the trio have come up with a hilarious new character in ‘The Zohan’.
Seven movie review: Elegy
Written by James Sherwood
Saturday, 09 August 2008 00:00
Directed by Isabel Coixet
Starring Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Clarkson, Peter Sarsgaard
What’s the future of interactive cinema?
Written by Jenny Wong
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00
Have you ever watched a film and ended up screaming at the screen because what happens didn’t match your expectations? Your favourite character ends up getting killed, albeit heroically, by their nemesis. The girl you’ve cheered on throughout the film ends up in the arms of the villain. Or perhaps the film finishes on a cliffhanger that won’t be resolved until the sequel which is expected to come out in 2012. Well, if you want a chance to make right all of those wrongs then interactive cinema could be for you.
Seven movie review: The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00
Director: Rob Cohen
Starring Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Luke Ford, Michelle Yeoh
Read more: Seven movie review: The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Seven movie review: The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 31 July 2008 00:00
Directed By Chris Carter
Starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet
Read more: Seven movie review: The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Seven movie review: The Dark Knight
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 24 July 2008 00:00
Of course patience is one of the seven virtues, and ever since it was announced that Christopher Nolan was to begin work on the sequel to his 'new' Batman, the movie world has waited eagerly for the finished product.
Read our review of Nolan's masterpiece, The Dark Knight.
Seven movie interview: Georgia Groom
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Thursday, 24 July 2008 00:00
It would seem that Georgia Groom - the captivating youthful starlet in Gurinder Chadha's new film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - is on the fast track to acting greatness. Not only is her performance of the precocious and intense Georgia Nicolson extremely funny, but Groom manages to act out an elegant and poignant understanding of early teenage life that is convincing.
Seven movie review: Donkey Punch
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 17 July 2008 00:00
Directed by Olly Blackburn
Starring Jamie Winstone, Jay Taylor, Tom Burke, Robert Boulter
If you go into this movie knowing exactly what a ‘donkey punch’ is then you’re one step ahead of me; don’t worry if you don’t though as its explained pretty early on, and as events unfold the significance of the film’s title is obvious.
China earthquake: the movie
Written by Jenny Wong
Monday, 14 July 2008 00:00
On 12th May 2008 at 2:28pm (local time) an earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitudes devastated the Sichuan Province in Southern China. The earthquake destroyed over 69,000 lives and left five million people homeless. The effects of the earthquake were felt all over the country with buildings in Beijing, almost 1,400 miles away, swaying for two minutes and tremors being felt even in Taiwan. The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit China for 30 years.
Seven movie review: The Visitor
Written by James Sherwood
Monday, 07 July 2008 00:00
Starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
With this film Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent) has taken the extremely political subject matter of immigration and placed it alongside a man’s journey of re-discovery in a very empathetic and human situation.
An interview with Charles Burnett
Written by Irenosen Iseghohi-Okojie
Thursday, 03 July 2008 00:00
As the seminal Killer of Sheep is finally given theatre release nearly 31 years after it was made, Seven Magazine interviews director Charles Burnett about his cinematic masterpiece.
Seven movie review: A Complete History of my Sexual Failures
Written by James Sherwood
Saturday, 28 June 2008 00:00
Directed by Chris Waitt
Starring Chris Waitt and Girlfriends
This documentary from struggling filmmaker Chris Waitt (Fur TV) does ‘exactly what it says on the tin’, and as far as that subject matter is concerned he’s already braver than most that will have the pleasure of viewing his amusingly honest and self exploratory documentary.
Read more: Seven movie review: A Complete History of my Sexual Failures
Seven movie review: Wanted
Written by James Sherwood
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 00:00
Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Terrence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, and Common
After creating the two biggest films in Russian cinema history (Day Watch and Irony of Fate : The Continuation) Timur Bekmambetov has been given reign over his first English language movie, and after seeing Wanted you will agree that there is absolutely no way this will be his last.
Seven movie review: The Escapist
Written by James Sherwood
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 00:00
Directed by Rupert Wyatt
Starring Brian Cox, Liam Cunningham, Joseph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Damian Lewis, Seu Jorge, Steven Macintosh
I keep re-writing the opening to this review because I can’t find the words that immediately express how IMPRESSED I am with this movie (there you go, I’ve done it!); all that’s left to do now is try and explain how and why!
Seven movie review: Irina Palm
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 12 June 2008 00:00
Directed by Sam Garbarski
Starring Marianne Faithful, Miki Manojlovic, Kevin Bishop
According to whispers at the Berlin Film Festival Irina Palm was the stand out offering from 2007’s event. The film sees Marianne Faithful take on the role of Maggie, a grandmother who takes a ‘hostess’ job at a Soho brothel in a desperate attempt to raise funds for the life saving treatment that her grandson requires. The stand out feature of this tale is that at no point does director Sam Garbarski overly indulge in the obviously vulgar and crude aspects of the sex industry but rather manages to form a story based on the heartfelt and subtly comic relationships between these characters in the most extreme of situations.
Seven movie review: In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Written by James Sherwood
Thursday, 12 June 2008 00:00
Directed by Alex Holdridge
Starring Scoot McNairy, Sara Simmonds, Brian McGuire
The film begins the morning of New Years Eve, and Wilson (Scoot McNairy) seems set to have his gloom and depression magnified by his inevitably non eventful ‘celebrations’; that is until he is coaxed by best friend Jacob (Brian McGuire) into joining dating site ‘Craig’s List’ and waiting for the sea of women to knock down his door. The idea is pretty much disregarded by Wilson, but upon his first meeting he is hit by the assertiveness of Vivian (Sara Simmonds) who proceeds to ‘interview’ him with a strong willed manner to find the right guy before the end of the year!
Seven interviews Lucian Msamati, star of ‘The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency’
Written by Kendall Beaudry
Thursday, 29 May 2008 00:00
Lucian Msamati is not fazed by celebrity. “I’ve been broke and bottomed out in three continents,” he says. “I’ve eaten beans from a can” and in the hours before scraping the tin pot, he has bowed to standing ovation crowds in top theatres across Britain.
Read more: Seven interviews Lucian Msamati, star of ‘The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency’
Seven movie review: The Unwinking Gaze
Written by James Sherwood
Wednesday, 28 May 2008 00:00
Directed by Joshua Dugdale
Starring: Dalai Lama
The Unwinking gaze is not a conventional film in the cinematic sense, but as a device commenting on society and provoking thought/reaction in an audience it completely fits the bill! Joshua Dugdale’s documentary IS current affairs, and after viewing the film it will make a lot more sense as to why people seem to be ‘randomly’ upsetting this year’s procession of the Olympic torch, which is set to end its journey at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China this summer.
Sex and the City: The Movie - Can Carrie’s New York take on Hollywood?
Written by Jenny Wong
Wednesday, 28 May 2008 00:00
Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolos are soon to walk onto the silver screen as the Sex and the City film comes to UK cinemas on 28th May. Will they follow the successful steps of ‘The Simpsons Movie’ or take a walk of shame like ‘Wild Wild West’?
Read more: Sex and the City: The Movie - Can Carrie’s New York take on Hollywood?
Seven movie review: Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Written by James Sherwood
Wednesday, 28 May 2008 00:00
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee
Starring: Martin Lawrence, James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, Michael Clarke Duncan, Cedric the Entertainer
On a lighter note, Malcolm D. Lee (Undercover Brother, Roll Bounce) has a brand new offering for any fans of the African-American film circle in Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Although this film may never rival the box office success of mainstream Hollywood releases it may surprise a mainstream audience to see how many recognisable faces there are in this family comedy; and rather than playing supporting roles they get to take centre stage here.
Seven movie review: Cassandra's Dream
Written by James Sherwood
Friday, 23 May 2008 00:00
Directed by Woody Allen
Starring Colin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, Tom Wilkinson, Hayley Atwell
Some would mention that it is becoming a slight obsession as Cassandra’s Dream marks Woody Allen’s third consecutive venture based in London, and although dealing once again with the dramatic and sinister there is also an underlining of black comedy in this tale of two brothers who reach a desperate point in trying to better their situations.
Seven movie review: Dangerous Parking
Written by James Sherwood
Friday, 23 May 2008 00:00
Directed by Peter Howitt
Starring Peter Howitt, Saffron Burrows, Sean Pertwee, Tom Conti
Peter Howitt’s labour of love has finally come to fruition upon completion of Dangerous Parking; the project he has written, directed and ultimately stars in. Based on the best selling semi-autobiographical novel by Stuart Browne, we are presented with the character of Noah Arkwright (Howitt); a successful cult film director who lives a life of excess very much in the ‘sex, drugs and rock n roll’ mould.
America’s Next Top Actress
Written by Cheryl Jacobs
Friday, 09 May 2008 00:00
Yaya DaCosta talks to Seven about life in front of the lens and her role in John Sayles’s new film ‘Honeydripper’
Lesbian love in apartheid South Africa: ‘The World Unseen’ makes its UK film debut
Written by Natalie Bartlett-Foster
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 00:00
British author Shamim Sarif is well-known for her award winning book The World Unseen and this fascinating story has now been adapted for the big screen, directed by the author herself. The film made its UK debut at the British Film Institute’s 22nd Lesbian and Gay film festival this month, followed by a complementary Q&A session with Sarif at the end of the screening.
Read more: Lesbian love in apartheid South Africa: ‘The World Unseen’ makes its UK film debut
An interview with Antonio Cupo
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 00:00
After years of working in TV, rising star Antonio Cupo has finally hit the creative big-time with a role in ‘Elegy’, a new film from the Spanish director Isabel Coixet.
Finding Fox: Matthew Fox exclusive
Written by Cole Smithey
Saturday, 26 April 2008 00:00
Lead roles in top US dramas Lost and Party of Five have made Matthew Fox one of the most recognisable faces on international television.
He talks to Seven's film editor Cole Smithey about his latest big screen roles in the seminal thriller Vantage Point and The Wachowski brothers' Speed Racer
Michael Pitt Plays Haneke's Games
Written by Cole Smithey
Saturday, 26 April 2008 00:00
Michael Pitt has been described as the Johnny Depp of his generation. He considers himself to be more of a musician than an actor; he frequently performs and records with his band Pagoda, and plans to tour sometime. But if the gifted and flawed list of film directors with whom Mr. Pitt has worked with is any indication, the young actor is carrying out a great second career.
One for the team: Seven talks to Trey Moore
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Saturday, 26 April 2008 00:00
Starring as a Chicago teamer in a struggling american football league in the new comedy Leatherheads (directed by George Clooney), Trey Moore certainly doesn't seem to be a person who gives up on his goals. Although he's been named as one of Cosmopolitan magazine's most attractive bachelors, Seven met with him to talk more about what he's been up to as an actor, and what projects he has for the future.
African Cinema: an interview with Rahmatou Keita
Written by Solange Moffi
Sunday, 13 April 2008 14:00
International Women’s Month has come to an end after a number of excellent cultural programmes celebrating and considering the female gender. Among the many were the Gathering Festival presented by north London’s Bernie Grant Arts Centre, the Asian women film festival Tongues on Fire, and its Afro-Caribbean equivalent, the Images of Black Women Festival. I was delighted to attend the latter, particularly as I had the opportunity to become acquainted with with Niger-born director Rahmatou Keita’s work, whose documentary Al’leessi...An African Actress retraces the birth of African cinema through the life of Zalika Souley, the first professional African actress who operated from the late 1960s through to the mid-1980s.
A cinematic passage to India
Written by Anjali Ramachandran
Sunday, 13 April 2008 14:00
Why does the country that brings out the largest number of films annually go almost unnoticed in the global arena?
Chaos and Ambition: an interview with Manuela Velles
Written by Kieran O'Mahony
Thursday, 13 March 2008 23:13
From puddles and lakes to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, we've always sought our own reflection. Most of us look at our image every morning and preen ourselves, perhaps comforted by the familiarity, or wondering who and why we are - but do we always want to be ourselves, to be the same embodiment of our mind? We could choose to visit fairgrounds and their house of mirrors, where personalities can split, appearance can become apparition and the ghosts of our mind can become reality. Alternatively we can use digital photography to become another person, with a thousand potential effects to twist our features. Some, however, can choose drama, like Manuela Velles.
Read more: Chaos and Ambition: an interview with Manuela Velles
Cinema Romanie
Written by Kendall Beaudry
Thursday, 13 March 2008 23:13
Eastern European cinema is often written off as 'bland' or 'raw', 'rough' and at times painstakingly 'tedious', as if to say that an entire cinematic region as varied as Hungary to Lithuania and Bosnia is a parboiled steak. But over recent years, with a stream of films emerging from the furthest corners of a once isolated expanse, the former Bloc is wiping out clich's and making waves in the art house. Romania's 'New Wave' cinema movement has particularly turned film critics' heads, having picked up accolades and awards internationally.
A sight to behold
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Thursday, 13 March 2008 23:13
Born in the Kanagawa prefectures near Tokyo, Kikuchi is already famous in her native Japan for films such as the The Taste of Tea and Funky Forest: the First Contact, as well as several TV adverts. However, Kikuchi's intelligent, bravely innocent yet provocative performance in the hypnotising Babel is sure to take her to new, movie-making clouds.
The Chosen One
Written by Cassam Looch
Thursday, 13 March 2008 23:13
One of the few performances of recent months to have truly got our attention on the big screen was Ben Whishaw's central role as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Beautifully shot by German filmmaker Tom Tykwer, Whishaw's unflinching portrayal of an unrepentant murderer has rightfully claimed the plaudits (including a Bafta nod in the rising star category). Cassam Looch caught up with the actor to find out more...
Not just at that age or Young Faces
Written by Marissa-Catherine Carrarini
Thursday, 13 March 2008 23:13
Hoodies, gang culture, child labour, obesity, crime and disadvantage - is this the modern day childhood? Forget about newspapers and TV, and take some heart from the movies. Many up and coming films are tackling the culture and class of 21st century children from all over the world. Do they believe the kids are alright?