When Stephen Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan was released in 1998, it revolutionised the modern war film. It was by no means the best that the genre had to offer, but the first to convincingly capture the shattering sights and sounds of the battlefield. Spielberg launched a generation of imitators, from Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down […]
Review: Rogue One
When put together, the terms “Star Wars” and “prequel” are likely to send chills down the spine of any self-respecting film-goer. Rogue One, a fresh spin-off from director Gareth Edwards, happily breaks with this unfortunate tradition. Set almost immediately before 1977’s Star Wars, Rogue One is a gritty and exciting exploration of an otherwise unseen […]
2016: A Year in Review
It’s been one hell of a year. When looking back over the events of 2016, films might be the very last thing on your mind. But amongst tragedy, political turmoil, and the ongoing collapse of Western civilisation, the cinema screens of the world have provided a few moments of much-needed respite. Of course, not all […]
Review: I, Daniel Blake
From the glum realism of 1969’s Kes, to the tragedy and blood of 1995’s Land and Freedom, English director Ken Loach has crafted an impressive and varied back catalogue. Now aged 80, his desire to broadcast injustice and make demands for a better world remains as powerful as ever, equalled by his immense skill behind […]
“I would have joined the Marines if I wasn’t an actor” – An interview with Henry Cavill
Fresh from the set of the upcoming Justice League, super-star Henry Cavil spent a day in Devon recently to undergo the Commando Challenge, a physical endurance event in aid of the Royal Marines Charity and the Devon Air Ambulance. Before his turn at the starting line, however, Henry caught up with Exeposé section editors Mark […]
An interview with Patrick Swaffer; president of the BBFC
Patrick Swaffer has been President of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) since 2012, and it’s not a position short of responsibility; you’ll notice his signature before every film on British cinema screens, and nothing in the UK is released on physical media without first being studied by the watchful eyes of the BBFC. […]
Some of the Best Societies on Campus For Film Buffs
In their own words, a few of Exeter’s societies for film fans explain why you should sign up this year. 007 Society Good evening Exeter, we’ve been expecting you. The 007 Society is the perfect place for James Bond fans of all shapes, sizes, colours, and creeds. Whether you’re a double-oh expert or you just like Daniel […]
What are critics for?
Alex Proyas, the much maligned director of I, Robot and Gods of Egypt, recently called film critics “a pack of diseased vultures pecking at the bones of a dying carcass”. As part of a bizarre Facebook rant, Proyas said that critics “have no personal taste or opinion”, and would soon be going “the way of the dinosaur or […]
#TheUKDecides: Why the EU is worth fighting for
The European Union, or the EU as it’s known in the common vernacular, is a long way from perfect. Only a few weeks ago, I was genuinely unsure of which way I would vote in the coming referendum. It’s become easy to view the EU as an unaccountable morass of bureaucrats and excessive regulations, controlling […]
“Not bad for a runner up” – an interview with Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham’s 15 years as an MP have not been uneventful. Since serving as both Culture and Health Secretary under the premiership of Gordon Brown, Burnham has been consistently at the frontline of the Labour party. Since September, he’s been the only one of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership rivals to accept a position in his shadow […]