Film

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

Knife tip against a blue background resembles a sharks fin slicing through water

Jaws (1975): why the shark isn’t the film’s only villain

Why Jaws is about more than what’s in the water, and how conflict gives Spielberg’s shark tale its bite

Close-up of woman wearing boxing gloves

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

Is Bride Wars a feminist film or a fail complication?

Two mirror reflections create a futuristic chasm.

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

The Earth seen from space - half of the planet is consumed by fire

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

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

Low-angle shot of an airplane flying directly overhead.

Die Hard 2 (1990): why does John McClane smoke?

Why the plot of Die Hard 2 depends on John McClane being a smoker