Film

Film theories: cinema techniques, how to ‘read’ movies, and what makes them work.

Joker (2019): a fine line between good and evil

Joker plays on good and evil, Chaplin’s comedy … and stairways

The Departed (2006) explained: dirty rats and the ‘double’ theory

The mirror game: doubling and identities in The Departed

Jaws explained: Why the shark isn’t the film’s only villain

How conflict gives Spielberg’s shark tale its bite

Bride Wars (2009): weddings, weaklings and girl power

Is Bride Wars a feminist film or a fail complication?

Inception (2010) explained: back to reality

The question isn’t whether Cobb is still dreaming at the end of Inception, but who is dreaming Cobb

Knowing (2009) explained: sci-fi, sin and damnation

How Knowing subverts its genres … and mirrors 2002’s Signs