Analysis

Analysis: Politics of the Jack Ryan Movies

MikeDawson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:58:50 -0700

Tom Clancy is one of the most high-profile literary figures in the US, an author that most people are familiar with regardless of whether or not they may actually have read one of his best-selling novels. Noted for the exhaustive breadth of his books’ technical prowess and militaristic know-how, he is to the political thriller what John Grisham is to the courtroom drama; they both deal in gripping stories of dramatic and sensational content but rarely tip the balance into ludicrous extremes.

Analysis: The Politics of the Jack Ryan Movies - Podcast

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:19:41 -0700

Tom Clancy's spy novels have been adapted to the silver screen for many years. John McTiernan's The Hunt For the Red October (1990), Phillip Noyce's Patriot Games (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994) and Phil Alden Robinson's Sum of All Fears (2002). Whilst the quality has waxed and waned the politics have remained fairly consistent.

Analysis: The First Ten Minutes of Serenity

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:00:16 -0700

WARNING: Contains spoilers throughout

Joss Whedon’s short-lived 2002 Science Fiction television series Firefly lasted mere fourteen episodes before it was summarily executed by 20th Centaury Fox for crimes against high ratings. Thanks to positive critical reactions and a wider distribution on DVD, Firefly became a cult-hit with a massive fan base of dedicated viewers who continually lobbied the Fox network to re-commission the show for another season.

Analysis: The First Ten Minutes of Serenity - Podcast

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:55:01 -0700

Joss Whedon's film adaptation of the flop TV series Firefly had to both inform new viewers of its complex context whilst avoiding potential alienation of the die-hard fans. This edition examines the perfectly balanced pre-title sequence of the film moment by moment.

Analysis: The Sexual Context and Subtext of Internal Affairs

MikeDawson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:50:33 -0700

Coming at the end of the decade famous for its buddy cop movies and somewhat fluffy glamorising of American police detectives in ethnically mixed partnerships – Internal Affairs was Mike Figgis’ darker brooding take on the genre which pitted cop against cop as Andy Garcia’s internal affairs detective Raymond Avilla takes on Richard Gere’s dirty beat cop Dennis Peck.

Analysis: The Sexual Context and Subtext of Internal Affairs - Podcast

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:32:57 -0700

Mike Figgis' 1990 cop thriller maybe the most highly sexualised film of its genre, this edition tackles the many facets of sexual conduct, insecurities and associative connections explored within the film.

Analysis: Aliens – The Vietnam War Metaphor

MikeDawson — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:58:27 -0700

WARNING: Contains spoilers throughout

1986 saw the release of Canadian-born director James Cameron’s sequel to the 1979 Ridley Scott film Alien. Aliens has been praised over the years by Science Fiction, Horror, and Action film fans alike, not to mention fans of the original film and cinephiles in general. It is considered by many to be superior to Ridley Scott’s horror in space; whether the film is or is not superior to its predecessor is a matter for debate (I personally do not believe it is).

Analysis: Aliens - The Vietnam War Metaphor - Podcast

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:02:45 -0700

James Cameron's high profile sequel to Alien is more complex than it's predecessor and as such is open to interpretive possibilities including the view that the film is actually a Vietnam War metaphor.

Analysis: Is Panic Room a Black Comedy?

MikeDawson — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:43:25 -0700

The Director: In the short sixteen years since David Fincher’s directorial debut, he has only made one film that has fallen below what was otherwise a consistent level of excellence. Critically, different viewers may have more negative opinions on his work, especially Alien 3. After building a successful career in the world of music videos, Fincher attempted to move from the world of pop stars to the world of movie stars.

Analysis: Is Panic Room a Black Comedy? - Podcast

Left_Field_Cinema — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:05:35 -0700

Examining one of David Fincher's most under rated films. Is this chamber piece thriller actually a black comedy in disguise? This episode also features an extended look back at Fincher's career thus far.