“Never underestimate the power of computers.” Introduction The Salkinds seem to be key to all the problems surrounding the original series of Superman. It was the Salkinds who pressured Richard Donner during production of Superman and it was Alexander and Ilya [...]

“What sort of fragile life-form is this…?” Introduction Considering Marlon Brando’s voice is used a considerable amount in Superman Returns, you imagine his presence would be integral to the original four films. In reality, this original theatrical cut, he was purposefully ignored [...]

“I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs” Introduction In the current climate, it is always interesting to think back to a time when comic-book films did not exist. To [...]

“This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, with a whimper.” Introduction It is strange how some films introduce themselves to you. A Star is Born, I knew nothing about until I saw a brief clip on [...]

“Don’t forget, a great impression of simplicity can only be achieved by great agony of body and spirit” Introduction I originally watched this film to ‘inform’ me of the Powell and Pressburger influence on Shutter Island. The influence is clear [...]

“I don’t like the way this script of ours has turned out. It’s turning into a seedy little drama” Introduction David Mamet and Aaron Sorkin surely watched this film hundreds of times before beginning their own careers. Indeed, Sorkin paid [...]

“He conquered fear, and he conquered hate, / He turned dark night into day, / He made his blazing saddle / A torch to light the way… “ Introduction Blazing Saddles is regularly highlighted as a film amongst the very [...]

“It must be the most marvelous supper. We may not eat it, but it must be marvelous.” Introduction This is paddling into the Lubitsch territory. Master filmmaker Billy Wilder co-wrote some late-Lubitsch pictures, and turned to him for inspiration on [...]

“I guess Rosebud is just a… piece in a jigsaw puzzle… a missing piece” Introduction After analysing every film in the Sight & Sound Top 10, we finish on Citizen Kane. Of course we do. Only now has the film [...]

“You forget she belongs to society; the rules are strict” Introduction The only film that has featured consistently in the Top 10 of the Sight & Sound poll since 1952 is La Règle de Jeu. Translated as The Rules of [...]