Film

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

An ominous crow against a bleak, mountainous landscape.

The Wicker Man: religion, remakes, and the unholy pile-on

Making sense of horror cult classic The Wicker Man … and its doomed remake. Yes, we’re doing this

Night-time space shuttle launch sends smoke clouds billowing up into the sky.

Ad Astra (2019) explained: to the stars … and back again

Mirrors, metaphors and the meaning of the monkey in cerebral sci-fi movi, Ad Astra

Legs and Nike shoes just visible as a basketball player leaps for a shot

Air (2023): big business, bare Jordan | Review

An up-and-coming underdog defies the rules and changes history. No, not Michael Jordan, silly: Nike

Low-angle shot of a spiral circle creating concentric circles of vivid blue against a deep black background.

Her (2013): AI and the puzzle of beautiful, handwritten letters

How the story of a guy who can’t catch a break in love reveals our twisted romance with technology

A woman's thigh wearing fishnet stockings. We can just see the top of her skirt. The image has a strange mustard hue.

Peeping Tom (1960) explained: sex, death and sinister cinema

Decoding the symbolism, significance and dark art of Peeping Tom

Abstract close-up of darkened leaves on a red background.

Children of Men (2006): dystopia or disaster movie?

Children of Men and the parallels of dystopian and disaster stories