THE SECOND MURDERER (2023) *** by Denise Mina This hardback edition published by Harvill Seeker, 2023, 245pp © Denise Mina, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-78730-285-3 Blurb: It’s mid-September, a heatwave has descended on the parched hills of LA and Private Detective Philip Marlowe is called to the Montgomery estate, an almost mythic place sitting high on top of Beverly Hills….
Book Review – 77 NORTH (2023) by D.L. Marshall
77 NORTH (2023) **** by D.L. Marshall This paperback edition published by Canelo, 2023, 362pp © D.L. Marshall, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-80436-431-4 Blurb: An agent the world thinks is dead can be useful. John Tyler has gone rogue, pursuing an international vendetta against those responsible for killing his brother. But he’s lured back by the CIA for one…
50 years since Shaft debuted on TV – a missed opportunity
On Tuesday 9 October 1973, Shaft made its move from big to small screen with the broadcast of ‘The Executioners’ as part of the CBS New Tuesday Night Movie series. “Shaft on TV makes Barnaby Jones look like Eldridge Cleaver,” was the verdict of critic Cecil Smith of the Los Angeles Times after viewing the…
UK Monthly Film Review September 2023 (Vol 1 No. 9) issue now available
Volume 1 Number 9 of UK Monthly Film Review is now available in PDF format. The bulletin includes all movies that went into general theatrical release for the first time in the UK during the period 26 August to 29 September 2023 or debuted on a streaming platform having been released theatrically in other territories….
Film Review – E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982, USA, 115m, PG) ***** Family, Sci-Fi dist. Universal Pictures (USA), United International Pictures (UIP) (UK); pr co. Universal Pictures; d. Steven Spielberg; w. Melissa Mathison; pr. Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg; ph. Allen Daviau (DeLuxe | 1.85:1); m. John Williams; ed. Carol Littleton; pd. Jim Bissell. cast: Dee Wallace (Mary), Henry Thomas…
Genesis’ self-titled twelfth studio album celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Today sees the 40th anniversary of the release of Genesis’ self-titled album… GENESIS UK Release: 3 October 1983. LP. Charisma/Virgin. GEN LP1. Album Score: 79% Mike Rutherford – guitars, bass, backing vocals Phil Collins – drums, vocals, percussion Tony Banks – keyboards, backing vocals Recorded and Mixed at The Farm, Chiddingfold, Surrey, May to August…
Film Review – TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (1976)
TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (1976, UK, 91m, 18) *** Horror dist. EMI (UK), Cine Artists Pictures (USA); pr co. Hammer Film Productions / Terra-Filmkunst; d. Peter Sykes; w. Christopher Wicking, John Peacock (based on the novel by Dennis Wheatley); pr. Roy Skeggs; ph. David Watkin (Technicolor | 1.66:1); m. Paul Glass; ed. John Trumper;…
Film Review – NIGHTFALL (1956)
NIGHTFALL (1956, USA, 78m, PG) ***½ Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Romance, Thriller dist. Columbia Pictures; pr co. Copa Productions; d. Jacques Tourneur; w. Stirling Silliphant (based on the novel by David Goodis); pr. Ted Richmond; ph. Burnett Guffey (B&W | 1.85:1); m. George Duning; ed. William A. Lyon; ad. Ross Bellah. cast: Aldo Ray (James Vanning),…
Film Review – THE UNLIKELY PIGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY (2023)
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY (2023, UK, 108m, 12) ***½ Drama dist. E1 Films (UK); pr co. Ingenious Media / Essential Cinema / Free Range Films / Rose Pine Productions; d. Hettie Macdonald; w. Rachel Joyce (based on the book by Rachel Joyce); pr. Juliet Dowling, Kevin Loader, Marilyn Milgrom; ph. Kate McCullough (Colour…
Selling England by the Pound celebrates its 50th anniversary
50 years ago today Genesis released Selling England by the Pound, one of their best-regarded albums. SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND UK Release: 28 September 1973. LP. Charisma. CAS 1074. Album Score – 83% Peter Gabriel – vocals, flute, oboe, percussion Tony Banks – Hammond organ, Mellotron, Hohner Pianet, ARP Pro Soloist, piano, 12-string guitar…