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‘Being James Bond’ Retrospective documentary about Daniel Craig’s adventure as 007 to stream exclusively on Apple TV app for free

Bond fans Can Stream the Special Film as a Free Rental on the Apple TV App Only from September 7 through October 7 Ahead of the Theatrical Release of ‘No Time To Die’


Being James Bond, from Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), will be exclusively available to stream on the Apple TV app as a free rental ahead of the theatrical release of the upcoming 25th film in the James Bond franchise, No Time To Die.* In this special 45-minute retrospective, Daniel Craig candidly reflects on his 15-year adventure as James Bond. Customers in over 30 countries and regions around the globe can rent the film for free and stream it exclusively on the Apple TV app from September 7 to October 7.

Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die, Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, in the lead up to his final performance as James Bond.


A lot of people here have worked on five pictures with me ... I've loved every single second of these movies, and especially this one because I've got up every morning and I've had the chance to work with you guys, and that has been one of the greatest honours of my life.”
    - Craig noted during the conversation with the films’ producers in Being James Bond.


Said Broccoli in the film:
Daniel has just taken this, the character, the series, the whole thing, to a place that is so…extraordinary. And so emotionally satisfying.


It's also emotionally tough being Daniel's last one. It's tough on Barbara, it's tough on me,”
    - added Wilson.


The Apple TV app brings together all the ways to watch shows and movies into one app and is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Customers can visit https://apple.co/-beingjamesbond on iPhone, iPad, and Mac now to add Being James Bond to Up Next on the Apple TV app and be alerted when the film is available to watch.

The Apple TV app also features Apple TV+, Apple’s video subscription service offering original shows, movies, and documentaries from the world’s most creative storytellers, as well as Apple TV channels, personalized and curated recommendations, and movies and TV shows to buy or rent. Being James Bond was directed by Baillie Walsh (Flashbacks of a Fool) and produced by Charlie Thomas, Carla Poole and Special Treats Productions. Colin Burrows served as executive producer.

The 25th film in the James Bond franchise, No Time To Die, will be released in theaters beginning September 30 in the UK through Universal Pictures International and in the US on October 8 through MGM via their United Artists Releasing banner.

To learn about all the ways to access the Apple TV app, view the complete list of supported devices.

*Renting movies on the Apple TV app requires an Apple ID.

Party Store Pizza launches first bricks and mortar site on Maltby Street, Bermondsey

Detroit-style pizza has landed in the UK and has quickly become one of the hottest food trends in London. After gaining a huge following across the pond where “Detroit-style is the fastest-growing trend in pizza”*, Party Store Pizza has single-handedly proved that it’s here to stay with the launch of their new restaurant. The Party Store Pizza team have been behind some of the most exciting pizza pop-ups in London and off the back of this success, Party Store Pizza is now opening its first ever bricks-and-mortar site on Maltby Street in Bermondsey. The doors officially open on Wednesday 1st September after a month long soft launch and walk-ins are now being welcomed with open arms and mouth-watering fresh pizza.


So what is Detroit-style pizza?

First, while traditional slice-joint pizza is topped with mozzarella (or burrata, if you're eating somewhere fancy with actual silverware and Haim is playing over the stereo), Detroit-style pizza is usually made with Wisconsin brick cheese. This cheese has a stronger, more cheddar-y flavor than mozzarella and a higher fat content. Since Detroit-style pies typically have cheese all the way out to their square edges, the melted fat gets infused into the dough. The result is a crust that's crunchy and tender all at once, with a lacy strip of crisp cheese around the edges.

It's also constructed in a different order from New York pizza—instead of dough as the base, then sauce, then cheese, Detroit-style pies have cheese directly on top of the dough, then sauce on the very top. Which means that depending on where you're eating them, the toppings may be underneath the sauce. I know this may be hard to wrap your head around, so please take some cleansing breaths before we keep going.

That dough-cheese-sauce order is the same way Chicago pizza is layered, but pies in the Windy City are round and baked in much deeper pans, for a result that's way heavier and denser than the stuff from Detroit. (The word "pie" is actually pretty accurate—from the side, Chicago slices have that lofty look of an old-school piece of apple pie, only with cheese and pepperoni where the apples should be.) And finally, instead of a flat, ultra-chewy crust like New York's, Detroit-style is more focaccia-esque: As light and fluffy as an episode of Bridgerton.

Source: Realsimple.com


This spontaneous success story has simple and humble roots. When the hospitality industry ground to a halt during the pandemic summer of 2020, a group of pizza heads identified a gap in the London pizza market and decided to bring Detroit-style pizza here from the U.S. The plan was to keep things simple, affordable and delicious. Initially from a pop-up pub kitchen at Market House in Brixton, the team served walk-ins and made local deliveries. Everyone started talking and the kitchen sold out most nights. A pop-up at Lit Bar in Clapham soon followed and locals from both boroughs continue to enjoy unrivalled square slice pizza for dine-in and delivery. Now the hard work pays off with the launch of Party Store Pizza’s first restaurant on Maltby Street.

Says Head Chef Sam Langford,
2020 was an immensely difficult year for small businesses, in particular for the food industry. Thousands of pubs, cafes and restaurants had to close their doors; in many cases permanently. But for us it was a chance to take stock and plan ahead. We asked ourselves what could launch and thrive during a pandemic and what was London missing. The answer was Party Store Pizza where we created what we think is the best Detroit-style pizza in London. Bring on the square slice revolution!”
The new restaurant is a suitably stylish setting for this square slice revolution. Nestled in a railway arch and perched at the end of Maltby Street Market, the space boasts a chic industrial look with graffiti art on exposed brick and steel, an open kitchen and a DJ booth with full Funktion-One sound. As normality returns, Party Store Pizza - the clue is in the title - will become a fun space with carefully selected DJs programmed by co-founder and esteemed London party promoter Fred Letts (Percolate, Waterworks Festival).


The all-important menu was created by accomplished Executive Chef Richard Falk, former Head Chef at The Dairy, Clapham and YBF Chef of the Year 2016. It includes a full vegan offering and applies authentic dough and baking techniques. After going through a 24 hour fermentation process, the dough is tray-baked to create a focaccia-like light and airy base, then baked a second time for a perfect rise and irresistibly crispy cheese crust.

Toppings include the finest Mutti San Marzano tomatoes, Shipton Mill heritage flour from the UK and high-grade Italian mozzarella. Pizzas include the Top Boy with vodka sauce (tomato sauce with cream), mozzarella, ricotta, nduja, pepperoni and spicy honey, and Smacks of Mac with ground seasoned beef, pickled gherkin, white onion and burger sauce.

The fully realised ‘vegan mode’ includes the likes of the Bianca with béchamel, marinated courgettes, basil, dried chili and Max’s green sauce, and Bombay Bad Boy with curried aubergine, vegan mozzarella, green chili, pickled red onion, raita, coriander and Bombay mix.

The pizza can be washed down with a selection of natural wines, beers on tap (including a Party Store Pizza brew from their friends at Signal Brewery) and an extensive range of canned beers from Siren, Beavertown and Tiny Rebel, amongst others.

Party Store Pizza is a pizza shop for the people. It's about good food and good times, so make sure you're a part of the square slice revolution. Find out more at: partystorepizza.co.uk

More information:

The doors officially open on Wednesday 1st September after a month long soft launch and walk-ins are now being welcomed with open arms and mouth-watering fresh pizza.

Party Store Pizza
35 Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
partystorepizza.co.uk

Party Store Pizza Pop Up at Market House, Brixton
Market House, 443 Coldharbour Lane , Brixton, London, SW9 8LN
market-house.co.uk

Party Store Pizza Pop Up at Lit Bar, Clapham
15-16 Lendal Terrace, Clapham, London, SW4 7UX
litbar.co.uk

Duran Duran Announce intimate shows to launch new album FUTURE PAST

Legendary British band Duran Duran were meant to celebrate their 40th Anniversary together by closing the British Summer Time Hyde Park 2020 festival, however the show was postponed until July 11, 2021 where instead they would be headlining BST Hyde Park 2022. Sadly a global pandemic had other ideas - I sadly as Simon Le Bon had explained that it means something for Duran Duran to play in an iconic London stage like Hyde Park as all the greats have including The Rolling Stones.

It has been confirmed that Duran Duran will play next year's BST Hyde Park 2022on Sunday 10th July 2022 at 2pm and will be joined by Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Hopefully Grace Jones will make it and we'll get an ultimate rendition of A View to a Kill.

July next year seems a long, long way off - so it's good news that:

DURAN DURAN ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE, INTIMATE SHOWS AT O2 INSTITUTE BIRMINGHAM THIS SEPTEMBER

The iconic multi-platinum and award-winning British band, Duran Duran, announce two intimate performances in their hometown of Birmingham, at the O2 Institute. Duran Duran will play on 14th and 15th September 2021 ahead of the release of their highly anticipated album ‘FUTURE PAST’, due 22nd October. Tickets go on sale for their September performances at 9am Friday 27th August at LiveNation.co.uk


Duran Duran Future Love Album Cover
Duran Duran Future Love Album Cover

Enrolling the help of some of the biggest and most successful names of the past 50 years, with ‘FUTURE PASTDuran Duran have produced another incredible genre-spanning piece of work that once again sets them apart from the pack. Working alongside legendary producers Erol Alkan and Giorgio Moroder, the band have also enlisted the help of some of the most exciting names in pop at the moment - including Swedish hit-maker Tove Lo, ‘Queen of Drill’ Ivorian Doll and Japan’s CHAI on ‘MORE JOY!’; alongside Blur’s Graham Coxon who lends his guitar to several tracks on the record and David Bowie’s former pianist Mike Garson on album closer ‘FALLING’. The album, which was recorded across studios in London and LA over lockdown, also features Mark Ronson who co-wrote and played on ‘WING’, and was mixed by long-term friend and collaborator Mark ‘Spike’ Stent.

FUTURE PAST will be available on all digital platforms. As well as the standard CD, a limited edition Deluxe hardback book CD format will be available featuring three additional tracks. The album will also be available on coloured vinyl. The official album store will offer exclusive vinyl and cassette formats. [PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE 'FUTURE PAST']

The band also continue the trend of being trailblazers across both technology and music with a special collaboration with 360 Reality Audio, a new immersive music experience using Sony’s spatial sound technologies. A separate version with 360 mixes will be released of ‘FUTURE PAST’, together with new 360 versions of their back catalogue. 360 Reality Audio is on supported streaming services Amazon Music HD, TIDAL HiFi, and Deezer HiFi.


More information:

General tickets on-sale for Duran Duran live at the O2 Institute Birmingham will be 9am Friday 27th August at LiveNation.co.uk

Members of the Duran Duran VIP Community will have first access to tickets on Tuesday, August 24th at 9am local venue time. For more information members should log in and click the pre-sale page at duranduranmusic.com

TOUR DATES:
14th September 2021 O2 Institute Birmingham
15th September 2021 O2 Institute Birmingham

Later in September, the band will play their own show at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, on Friday September 17th, and headline the Isle of Wight Festival on Sunday September 19th.
Ticket details at www.duranduran.com.

Blade Runner in Concert

Experience Ridley Scott’s multi-Academy Award-nominated cult classic, Blade Runner (2007 Final Cut), on a vast HD screen accompanied by The Avex Ensemble performing Greek composer Vangelis’ original synthesiser led score in sync with the film.

Blade Runner in Concert


The 1982 motion picture will come to venues across the UK, with an 11-piece musical ensemble featuring synthesizers, strings, woodwinds, bass, and percussion, bringing the film’s stunning soundtrack to life.

In this stylish noir thriller, detective Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) must continue as Replicant Hunter following the escape of 4 Replicants from colonies who’ve returned to earth. His mission however is complicated when he falls for Rachel (Sean Young); a Replicant based at the Tyrell Corporation.

Vangelis’ iconic soundtrack was nominated for ‘Best Original Score’ in 1983 at both the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, and has become influential both in the world of film scores, as well as wider electronic music in general.


More information:

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Saturday,04 September 2021 at 19:30

Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Sunday,05 September 2021 at 19:30

Birmingham Symphony Hall
Monday,06 September 2021 at 19:30

For full details and more information head over here:
Senbla

Tickets here:
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/blade-runner-tickets/artist/1238053

Joker - Live In Concert: See Todd Phillip's acclaimed film accompanied by a live orchestra

On 26 September, Todd Phillips’ ground-breaking, award-winning film Joker will be screened with the accompaniment of a live orchestra playing composer Hildur Guðnadóttir’s award-winning score for the first time ever at London’s Eventim Apollo, followed by a UK & Ireland Tour.
Joker - Live In Concert
Joker - Live In Concert


Central to the emotional journey of Joaquin Phoenix’s character Arthur Fleck in the film is Guðnadóttir’s beautifully haunting Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning score. The fusion of looming industrial soundscapes with raw, emotive string-led melodies - led by a lone cello - creates a melancholic shroud marked with moments of hope, which unfolds gradually to become a fever pitch of disquieting tension. 

This extraordinary music will be brought to life by a full orchestra to create a vivid, visceral and entirely new Joker viewing experience. Performed live, Guðnadóttir’s inimitable score illuminates further the emotional weight, texture and atmosphere of Phoenix’s captivating portrayal. 
The London opening of Joker - Live In Concert will be conducted by Jeff Atmajian - the conductor and orchestrator of the original soundtrack - with SENBLA’s Dave Mahoney conducting the rest of the UK Tour dates. 

One of the most acclaimed young composers of her generation described by The Times as “music to Hollywood’s ear”, and the first-ever solo female winner of the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for Best Original Score, Hildur Guðnadóttir is also known as the Grammy-winning composer of HBO’s celebrated miniseries Chernobyl. 

On Joker - Live In Concert, Hildur Guðnadóttir said: 
“I'm thrilled to get to see and hear Joker in the cinema with a live orchestra. When we recorded the music, the orchestra brought such depth and detailed attention to the performances that we were all literally holding our breaths during most of the recording sessions. It was a beautiful trip. I’m so happy to get to go there again and for an audience to experience that too.” 

Director Todd Phillips said: 
“I speak for the entire Joker team when I say how thrilled we are to be working with SENBLA and Ollie Rosenblatt on Joker - Live In Concert. I think its a wonderful way for audiences to experience Hildur Guðnadóttir‘s haunting and immersive score while bearing witness to Joaquin Phoenix’s descent into madness as Arthur.”

Joker - Live In Concert is produced and promoted worldwide by Senbla and following its London opening and UK and Ireland tour will embark on an international tour. More dates to be announced soon.

Joker - Live in Concert

UK & Ireland Tour 26th September – 9th November 2021

Tour Dates
Sunday 26th September 2021 - London Eventim Apollo
Thursday 14th October 2021 - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Friday 15th October 2021 - Edinburgh Usher Hall
Sunday 17th October - Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Tuesday 19th October 2021 - Birmingham Symphony Hall
Wednesday 20th October 2021- Bath Forum 
Monday 25th October 2021 - Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Wednesday 27th October 2021 - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 28th October 2021 - Brighton Dome
Monday 1st November 2021 - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 2nd November - Liverpool Philharmonic
Tuesday 9th November 2021 - Cardiff Millennium Centre

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/joker-tickets/artist/5306122



Joker
Directed, co-written and produced by Todd Phillips, “Joker” stars Joaquin Phoenix in this character study of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham City’s fractured society. Longing for any light to shine on him, he tries his hand as a stand-up comic, but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty and, ultimately, betrayal, Arthur makes one bad decision after another that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events.

Phoenix stars in the titular role alongside Robert De Niro, stars Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Bill Camp, Shea Whigham, Marc Maron, Douglas Hodge, Josh Pais and Leigh Gill. Phillips directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Silver, based on characters from DC. The film was produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner, and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. It was executive produced by Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Aaron L. Gilbert, Joseph Garner, Richard Baratta, and Bruce Berman.

Behind the scenes, Phillips was joined by director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Mark Friedberg, editor Jeff Groth, and costume designer Mark Bridges. The music is by Hildur Guðnadóttir.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in Association with BRON Creative, a Joint Effort Production, a Film by Todd Phillips, “Joker.” It is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

www.joker.movie

Ringo Lam's FULL ALERT arrives on Blu-ray October 2021

Eureka Entertainment to release FULL ALERT, the raw, intense & gritty psychological crime thriller from Ringo Lam, presented on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK as part of the Eureka Classics range from 18 October 2021. The first print run of 2000 copies will feature a Limited-Edition O-card Slipcase and Collector’s Booklet.

Ringo Lam FULL ALERT Blu-ray
Full Alert Blu-ray


A late career highlight from Ringo Lam, an action-packed tale of cops and robbers presented in the director’s inimitable style.

Perfectionist, workaholic Inspector Pao (Lau Ching-wan, Running Out of Time) finds himself up against Mak Kwan (Francis Ng, The Mission), a seasoned criminal intending to use his explosive skills to pull off a huge heist. Pao must use his own resources to stop Mak and prevent heavy civilian casualties.

With heart-stopping car chases on the streets of Hong Kong and brilliant performances by the two leads, Full Alert is an intelligent, high velocity action movie considered to be one of director Ringo Lam's finest works.

Legend of The East End Exhibition brings Kray Legend to life

To celebrate the upcoming release of the new Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy starrer Legend into UK cinemas on 9 September. StudioCanal are bringing an exciting and iconic LEGEND OF THE EAST END Exhibition  to the heart of the East End 28th August - 11th September 2015. 

 We have been quietly anticipating director Brian Helgeland's tale of the notorious 60s London crime lords - The Kray twins for awhile now. Helgeland has been building up a varied and impressive portfolio of work including being involved in the writing or adaptation of; Paul GreengrassGreen Zone, Tony Scott's Man on Fire, Richard Donner's Conspiracy TheoryClint Eastwood's Mystic River & Curtis Hanson's superbe 50s crime thriller L.A. Confidential. as well as directing corkers like; A Knight's Tale and the Mel Gibson remake of John Boorman's phenomenal Point Blank - Payback

 To be fair I'm not a particular fan of straight up 50/60s British crime thrillers they always seem to unsuccessfully offset downbeat kitchen sink realism with tinsel glamour. There are of course notable exceptions, one of them being Paul McGuigan's much underrated Gangster No. 1. Yet despite being a peak in modern art, music, fashion and culture with Britain bouncing back after World War II the swinging sixties struggles to be framed as an attractive period in film. But Helgeland's work on Payback and L.A. Confidential are more than enough to have me very interested in seeing what he does with 60s London.

 
Ronnie Kray and Reggie Kray Drink Tea Image: © Hulton Archive Getty Images
Ronnie Kray and Reggie Kray Drink Tea Image: © Hulton Archive Getty Images(ZOOM)
They were the best years of our lives. They called them the swinging sixties. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were rulers of pop music, Carnaby Street ruled the fashion world, and me and my brother ruled London. - Ronnie Kray, in his autobiographical book, My Story
It looks like Brian Helgeland is already bringing his A game as he has managed to assemble an incredibly talented, and very strong, craft oriented cast for Legend. Which includes; Emily BrowningPaul BettanyTaron EgertonChazz PalminteriChristopher Eccleston and the legend that is Mr. David Thewlis - which will no doubt be a key strength of the film, particularly with performers having to bounce off Tom Hardy in what may be a career re-defining performance for him, in the dual roles of Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

In a quirk Legend pulls former Gangster No. 1 co-stars David Thewlis and Paul Bettany back into the 60s London underworld.

In the 1960s, they were widely seen as prosperous and charming celebrity nightclub owners and were part of the Swinging London scene. A large part of their fame was due to their non-criminal activities as popular figures on the celebrity circuit, being photographed by David Bailey* on more than one occasion; and socialising with lords, MPs, socialites and show business characters including actors George Raft, Judy Garland, Diana Dors, Barbara Windsor and singer Frank Sinatra. - From Wikepedia

* Aneurin Barnard will be playing a young David Bailey before he became the master photographer and Legend we now know. Which brings me to - Legend will be in UK cinemas from the 9th September in the meantime StudioCanal's The LEGEND OF THE EAST END Exhibition will brings the Kray Legend back to life with a rare look into the lives of the notorious East End gangsters - Ronald "Ronnie" Kray and Reginald "Reggie" Kray aka The Kray Twins, a look behind the scenes of the making of the new Legend film, an amazing opportunity to view - iconic East End photography from Steven Berkoff, Duffy & Don McCullin as well as a FIRST LOOK at Jocelyn Bain Hogg's The Firm- a photographic retrospective documenting the British organized crime world.

Legend

Legend tells the story of two twins, Reggie and Ronald Kray and how they became two of the most notorious gangsters in history.


Director:
Brian Helgeland


Writer:
Brian Helgeland, John Pearson


Stars:
Tom Hardy, Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton, Paul Bettany, Aneurin Barnard, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Chazz Palminteri
Legend Film Poster
Legend Film Poster(ZOOM)

Thunderball Villain Emilio Largo's Palmyra Lair Film Location

James Bond's 50th Anniversary is turning out to be as big as 2008 was in commemorating Ian Fleming's Centenary year. 2012 sees the production and release of Bond 23 Skyfall, the release of the Bond 50 Blu-ray box set that includes all 22 films as well as the launch of  the BOND IN MOTION exhibition at Beaulieu National Motor Museum celebrating 50 years and 50 vehicles of James Bond.


Update: Of course the BOND IN MOTION exhibition now has a home of it's own at the London Film Museum in Covent Garden.


To commemorate 50 years of Bond rather than present some modern media from Skyfall which is currently filming in London using an unprecedented number of local locations. I thought I would go retro and highlight a location that would please true Bond aficionados. So here is a location used in a classic James Bond film and one of my favourites - Thunderball.


A couple of years ago I jetted off to the Bahamas to visit locations used in James Bond films and my enthusiasm for watersports get married.


As well as staying in two Bond hotels (One&Only Resort from Casino Royale and the British Colonial Hilton from Thunderball & Never Say Never Again - unfortunately not in their Bond suite), diving both the local Bond undersea wrecks with Stuart Cove (the outfit that taught Sean Connery to dive) and visiting many Bond film locations across the Bahamas.


We were fortunate enough to stay at the incomparable Staniel Cay Yacht Club used as a Bond base whilst filming some Thunderball water based scenes and situated right next to Thunderball Grotto (or James Bond Cave or as it was known in Thunderball - Golden Grotto, fictional home of Largo's "the most dangerous, the most savage Golden Grotto Sharks - which I snorkelled almost every day. If you visit Staniel Cay Yacht Club you can still find a couple of old photos taken during filming on the wall in the bar area.


I remember the first time I saw Thunderball and being mesmerised by those incredible underwater scenes and wondering how much of that incredible beauty was real and how much was manufactured. Well I can assure you that the Bahamas are absolutely magnificent and the water really is that crystal clear. It's beauty is only matched by the friendliness of the Bahamians. It is no wonder that Sir Sean Connery decided to relocate there
Original Thunderball Film Poster
Original Thunderball Film Poster


Contrary to online reports the Bahamas have been used in eight six Bond films. Three of them; Thunderball (1965), Never Say Never Again (1983) and most recently Casino Royale (2006) actually featured Bahamas locations. Whilst four; You Only Live Twice (1967), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and The World is Not Enough (1999) used a second unit to shoot underwater scenes only. Testament to just how good the underwater conditions are, as Pinewood Studios - home of James Bond have one of the best underwater shooting facilities in the world.


An eagle eyed Bond fan and long time Bahamas resident has pointed out the gate below from the Rock Point location does not actually feature in Thunderball. But the entrance from the Lyford Cay Estate.


In Thunderball James Bond heads to The Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by SPECTRE agent Emilio Largo in an international extortion scheme. Originally intended as the first Bond book to be adapted to film Thunderball was the fourth Bond film. Marred by copyright issues due to claims that Ian Fleming's novel used elements of a screenplay that Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham had collaborated on previously. Resolved out of court and giving Kevin McClory some rights to the material meant that Kevin McClory ended up with a Producer credit on Thunderball, Dr No became the first James Bond film to end up on screen and McClory was able to make Never Say Never Again the unofficial Bond film in which Sean Connery returned as James Bond in 1983, using similar elements as Thunderball.


With an estimated budget of somewhere between $6 - $9 Million, higher than all the combined budget of the previous Bond films, Thunderball signalled James Bond's shift into the realm of large scale epics and became the formula for Bond  films that followed. It was also a major return to the underwater world that Ian Fleming was so enamoured by with a quarter of the film taking place underwater.


Thunderball became one of the highest grossing of the time as well a reached many critics Top 10 films of the year lists. If adjusted Thunderball's taking would make it the highest grossing Bond film ever. But it also signalled the beginning of Sean Connery's disinterest in playing Bond - as the focus had shifted from character to gadgets and stunts and was Terence Young's last Bond film.


The opening scene of Thunderball was shot in France and the film continues in the UK and then James Bond heads to The Bahamas for Operation Thunderball where the bulk of the shooting took place apart from some aerial parachute shots taken in Miami. There are a number of Thunderball locations to visit in The Bahamas but one of the most memorable locations of Thunderball is the villain's lair. The eye patched Emilio Largo played by Adolfo Celi had his Bahamian sea side headquarters Palmyra Estate with pools filled with man eating sharks (although they do look like relatively harmless Nurse Sharks). Of course James Bond makes short work of navigating the shark infested waters but it does make for good albeit incredulous viewing.


The Palmyra Estate is actually a private home called Rock Point with two pools overlooking the sea as portrayed in Thunderball . In fact the Palmyra Estate is exactly as you see it in the film albeit a little worse for wear 45+ years later. Whereas many other locations have sadly had complete face lifts or been redeveloped.



In 2006s Casino Royale in one scene Daniel Craig's James Bond is seeing driving his rented Ford Mondeo towards his hotel the One&Only Resort on Paradise Island. In real life he is actually a couple of minutes from passing Rock Point. Interestingly enough Bond lands at a private airport on Paradise Island, is then seen driving on West Bay Street,  New Providence Island before returning to Paradise Island.

As a reference to Thunderball  when arriving in The Bahamas Daniel Craig's water plane is seeing flying by British Colonial Hilton before landing.



Thunderball
James Bond heads to The Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by SPECTRE agent Emilio Largo in an international extortion scheme.

Director: Terence Young
Writers: Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum, John Hopkins, Jack Whittingham, Kevin McClory
Stars: Sean Connery, Claudine Auger and Adolfo Celi

Star Trek Into Darkness All The Updates

Star Trek Into Darkness All The Updates

Star Trek Into Darkness is 49 days away from its UK release on 9th May 2012. We have steadily been drip fed bits and pieces from the film and have been promised the launch of the first full trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness at around 11 am UK time tomorrow. See the trailer further below.

- Star Trek Into Darkness gets a New mind bending Cinemosaic poster

- Star Trek Into Darkness advance tickets now on sale

- Star Trek Into Darkness gets a new Star Trek Into Darkness DESTRUCTION poster featuring  Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison

- Star Trek Into Darkness celebrates WWF’s Earth Hour in London

-  Glorious Hi Res Star Trek Into Darkness Poster of the International variety.



- Within the Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer released this morning there were some hidden URLs with apparently more still to be discovered. One of these URLs led to a glorious Star Trek Into Darkness Poster of the International variety.

- We now have a high resolution UK Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer

- We get another image showing Captain Kirk hanging on for his life

- Two more Star Trek Into Darkness images are released and we get to see Chris Pine as James T. Kirk Zachary Quinto as Spock  and separately Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison all looking very tense

- Another image of John Harrison captured (You think your world is safe?) and a behind the scenes shot of J.J. Abrams and Alex Kurtzman on the set of Star Trek Into Darkness are released

- We get a look behind the scenes with a Star Trek Into Darkness Featurette.

- A batch of 12 New first look images from Star Trek Into Darkness arrived

- Matching Empire -  Kirk and Harrison covers

- Star Trek Into Darkness Super bowl trailer released

- Official Star Trek Into Darkness announcement teaser trailer is released

- Star Trek Into Darkness Motion Poster

- Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser Poster released

- Images of Alice Eve, Benedict Cumberbatch and Producer Bryan Burk at the Star Trek Into Darkness IMAX Presentation

- Star Trek Into Darkness First Look Image gives us a look at Zachary Quinto as Spock, Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison in a holding cell.

- The first 9-minutes from the anticipated sequel Star Trek Into Darkness will be released exclusively in digital IMAX 3D theatres worldwide on December 14th

Thankfully the plot and twists are still under wraps - even though we suspect that the Eugenics Wars may play a part in this latest instalment of Star Trek from from J.J. Abrams with the arrival of Benedict Cumberbatch's super powered villain John Harrison - we are holding thumbs that he heralds the return of Kirk's greatest nemesis - the  genetically augmented super warrior Khan to the big screen.

A couple of weeks ago we got to whet our appetite when we experience what it is like being James Tiberius Kirk when we got to play the new Star Trek game written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (the same guys behind Star Trek and this sequel Star Trek Into Darkness) and I have been jonesing ever since for some Star Trek, earlier today we got our hands on two brand new exclusive images from Star Trek Into Darkness.

Both images show the opposing characters from Star Trek Into Darkness looking tense and gearing up for what will likely be a confrontation (of epic proportions).

This summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Sponsored Video: O2 Priority - Star Wars

Star Trek Into Darkness Cinemosaic Poster

Federico Fellini's 8 ½ and Four Film Box Set coming to Blu-ray

Born on 20 January 1920, this month marks the centenary of Italian director Federico Fellini, one of the most original creative minds of the twentieth century. To celebrate this landmark, the director’s incredible body of work is being appraised across the United Kingdom with a series of events and theatrical releases of his greatest works.

On this 100-year anniversary, CultFilms is proud to present two new Blu-ray releases, giving audiences the opportunity to revisit and rediscover his most influential films in sparkling restorations.




8 ½  (1963)
Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, Federico Fellini’s landmark 8 ½ is the story of filmmaker Guido (played by long-time Fellini collaborator Marcello Mastroianni) who, embarking on his next film, discovers he has director’s block. Hassled by his producers, his wife (Anouk Aimée) and his mistress (Sandra Milo), Guido retreats into a world of memories, dreams and fantasies - personified by a heavenly beauty (Claudia Cardinale) - to escape his tormentors.

Following its release in 1963, 8 ½  won two Oscars including Best Foreign Film and has stood the test of time with the BFI ranking it the twelfth best film ever. To celebrate the centenary of the master director’s birth, CultFilms are proud to release his most cherished work in a ravishing new 2K restoration.

Special features
- New intimate interview with actor, and Fellini’s off-screen companion, Sandra Milo
- New interview with Lina Wertmuller, Fellini’s assistant director on 8 ½
- ‘Lost Sequence’ documentary on the making of 8 ½ featuring interviews Fellini and cast and crew. The documentary examines one of the film's great mysteries, where a massive sequence was shot with all the cast, but not included in the film, and never seen again
- New, improved English subtitles

FELLINI: FOUR FILMS
Four essential Fellini films in one must-have collection: 8 ½, La Dolce Vita, Juliet of The Spirits and I Vitelloni.

8 ½ (1963)
In 8 ½, Fellini's most acclaimed work, Marcello Mastroianni plays Fellini’s alter-ego, Guido, a director struggling with creative block who he retreats in dreamy recollections of his life and lovers.
Presented here in a brand new 2K restoration.
Also starring: Sandra Milo, Anouk Aimee and Claudia Cardinale

Special features
- New intimate interview with actor, and Fellini’s off-screen companion, Sandra Milo
- New interview with Lina Wertmuller, Fellini’s assistant director on 8 ½
- ‘Lost Sequence’ documentary on the making of 8 ½ featuring interviews Fellini and cast and crew. The documentary examines one of the film's great mysteries, where a massive sequence was shot with all the cast, but not included in the film, and never seen again
- New, improved English subtitles

La Dolce Vita (1960)
La Dolce Vita is Fellini’s most popular masterpiece, presented here in a 4K restoration. Filled with mesmerising images such as Anita Ekber frolicking in Rome’s Trevi fountain, it is one of the most influential and truly iconic films of all time.
Also starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anouk Aimee

Special features
- Interview with star Anita Ekberg
- New, improved English subtitles

Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
Juliet of the Spirits is Fellini’s first colour masterpiece. Presented here in full-HD finally doing justice to the director’s dazzling vision. This idiosyncratic paean to women is a breathtakingly beautiful and fantastical carnival ride.
Starring: Giulietta Masina, Sandra Milo and Mario Pisu

Special features
- ‘Understanding Fellini’: an audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger
- ‘Dazzling Spirits’: an exclusive video essay by Italian cinema expert Prof. Guido Bonsaver
- New, improved English subtitles

I Vitelloni (1953)
Rooted in neorealism, I Vitelloni is a pivotal Fellini masterpiece, observing the mores of 1950s Italy where a clique of idlers, the ‘Vitelloni’ of the title, try to avoid adulthood.
Starring: Alberto Sordi and Franco Fabrizi

Special features
- ‘Becoming Fellini: an exclusive video essay by Italian cinema expert Prof. Guido Bonsaver
- New, improved English subtitles

I visit George Lucas' Star Wars: Visions Exhibition in Tokyo

I have been quietly anticipating the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. To that end I have been avoiding the marketing and hype as much as I can - until a couple of evenings ago when after seeing a snippet of Daisy Ridley and John Boyega chatting on the news - the switch flipped - there is no containing my excitement - bring on December 4orce, secondarily I thought I would finish this piece on my visit to George Lucas' Star Wars: Visions Exhibition in Tokyo. Incidentally since writing this I believe I have the entire Legacy featurette that the aforementioned Ridley & Boyega interviews were part of, I have embedded it below and it's worth watching just to see their reactions to being on the Star Wars: The Force Awakens set.

Earlier this year I was fortunate to fulfil a lifelong dream and visit a land far, far away. And I have to say - Japan, the land of the rising sun, far exceeded my expectations on every level. I hasten to add that Japan might be famed for its rising sun but its sunsets are absolutely spectacular. Whilst I didn't manage to team up with a travelling troupe of Ninjas and defend beleaguered farmers against an out of control warlord's hordes or find a Hattori Hanzō sword (or even an ancient Masamune Katana folded 200 times) I did however manage to wander the land, meet people... get into adventures and stuff.



When planning my Japan itinerary I was stoked to see that an exhibition dedicated to Star Wars called Star Wars: Visions would be on in Tokyo at the same time as I would be there. This was fortuitous as a little while back I had made tentative plans to visit the Star Wars: Identities Exhibition in Paris, my plans fell through and the exhibition moved on to its next international destination. London doesn't seem to be getting any Star Wars Exhibition love of late, in comparison to The London Film Museum's exceptional 2007 Star Wars: The Exhibition at least, so Star Wars: Visions was something I was keen to visit. However, my itinerary was fairly loose to say the least, as I intended to do a lot of travelling around Japan and as much as I intended to “plan the dive then dive the plan. I had no idea where I would end up from one day to the next or how long I might be there. If I may digress? My experience is that when it comes to travel you can plan for your expectations but if you can be flexible - some of the best experiences are the unexpected ones and you never know what new adventure or taste lies around the corner in wait. So there was a good chance I might not see the exhibition but it was on my radar.


Star Wars was released in 1977 and firmly placed itself into film history as well as became a cultural phenomenon.

An ingenious mix of a universe with compelling characters, an engaging weave of history and war, a variety of diverse planets, spacecrafts and weapons, the use of state-of-the-art video technology combined with a timeless story has captured the imagination of many, many fans.

Given Japan's contribution to Star Wars, particularly the films of Akira Kurosawa and its ardent Star Wars following it's no surprise that in the run up to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens George Lucas decided to bring the Star Wars: Visions Exhibition to cities around Japan before taking up a permanent residence in Chicago at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in 2018. George Lucas even wanted legendary and influential Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune most notably known for his collaboration with Akira Kurosawa and roles in films like; Rashomon, The Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, Yojimbo and Red Sun or Soleil Rouge, for the part of Obi-Wan Kenobi, then Darth Vader but Mifune past on both roles. Clearly Obi-Wan's Jedi robe and Lightsaber are nods to Japanese culture and Darth Vader's head gear is a modernised Samurai helmet.

George had described Vader as having flowing black robes. In the script, Vader had to jump from one ship to another and, in order to survive the vacuum of space, I felt he needed some sort of breathing mask.

George said, 'OK', suggested adding a samurai helmet, and Darth Vader was born. Simple as that.

VIDEO: THE ESTABLISHING SHOT: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - STAR WARS LEGACY FEATURETTE - 18 DEC 2015

Sir Christopher Frayling's Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece

I must confess to some shame on my part, despite many posts knocking on about great books delving into the making of film I discovered that I have only included mention of Sir Christopher Frayling only once.

That was in relation to a talk he was giving as part of a Sir Ken Adam Retrospective, as Sir Christopher is an authority on Ken Adams along with film, culture and history.

He is the man who who explained that Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is actually pronounced Dr Jeekle and Mr Hyde as in Hide and Seek. An English professor, who when knighted (for Services to Art and Design Education) decides that his badge is a Saguaro Cactus and the motto to adorn his coat of arms will be:

Perge, Scelus, Mihi Diem Perficias"

     Translated by the College of Heralds to mean:

"Proceed, varlet, and let the day be rendered perfect for my benefit"



     - a man with such wit and deep passion for film should be blogged about every day. But a man who can so succinctly deliver insight into a challenge of the arts that has been on my mind a lot lately, should surely be revered?

I explained that my teaching and my writing were crucially concerned with the ‘neogeneration’ of artists, designers, writers, and filmmakers: at a time when most commercial filmmakers are concerned with making films about films about films, I try to ask why there is this obsession with referring to other peoples' work in an explicit way.

Could it be that the artist's experience is increasingly limited to experience of other artists? Was it always like this?”

- Sir Christopher Frayling

     Christopher Frayling's career is immense; spanning academia, consulting, broadcasting and presenting. He epitomises the word doyenne.

 Yet he has found the time to author a staggering number of insightful books (between 18 – 20 depending on who you ask) across a vast variety of interests including translating the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon Wrote Fiction) through Strange Landscape: A Journey Through the Middle Ages via On Craftsmanship: Towards a New Bauhaus up to Ken Adam Designs the Movies: James Bond and Beyond and landing with The 2001 File: Harry Lange and the Design of the Landmark Science Fiction Film.

Frayling has written 3 books about Sergio Leone and the Italian Western genre; Spaghetti Westerns: Cowboys and Europeans from Karl May to Sergio Leone (1981), Sergio Leone: Something to Do with Death by Christopher Frayling (2000), Sergio Leone: Once Upon a Time in Italy (2005) as well as a Clint Eastwood biography (1993).  So he knows something about the Western genre, the Italian spin off and particularly the great  Sergio Leone.

 With Leone's Dollars or the Man with No Name Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)) having just passed it's 50th anniversary and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West turning 50 this year.

 And knowing that Sir Christopher belie
     And knowing that Sir Christopher believes it’s one of the greatest films ever made - it makes sense that Christopher Frayling's long awaited fourth book looking at the final of Sergio Leone's Westerns - Sergio Leone Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece is on our mind this month.

Everything you always wanted to know about Once Upon a Time in the West, but were afraid to ask... And I mean everything...!”

- Sir Christopher Frayling

Christopher Frayling Once Upon A Time In The West Shooting a Masterpiece

SalonQP 2015 Highlights Part 1

The Establishing Shot: SALONQP 2015  SAATCHI GALLERY QUEUE AT NIGHT , LONDON

This post was originally intended to be a “Must see things at SalonQP 2015”. You know the type of post I'm referring to - low on content and high on hyperbole - but after spending some time at SalonQP absorbing the atmosphere and chatting with some of the talented and clearly determined watchmakers. I thought I really would be doing them a disservice if I didn't at least try to capture some of the innovative essence and elegance that SalonQP and their watchmakers bring to London - once a year for their annual luxury exhibition dedicated to fine watches.


...the name? It’s from the abbreviation for Quantième Perpétuel, the French term for “perpetual calendar”. QP is all about the long view and the highest standards.”
                                                                  - excerpt from the SalonQP website


How could I not take some time and try cobble together something a little more substantial? Initially I had thought I may be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of time pieces and objects of desire on display from the 80 exhibiting brands at SalonQP 2015. Also the large number of people that typically attend these kind of events was a factor in my concern that I might not get a chance to see  everything I hoped. Last year over 7,000 people visited and as SalonQP is growing from strength to strength - this year even more were expected.

Thankfully this was not the case at all as the exhibition is spaciously laid out over all three floors of giant The Saatchi Gallery. I was able to make my way around the entire exhibition in a couple of hours but more time was needed for visits, demonstrations and browsing pieces as there is more than enough to keep you occupied for days if needed.

After a visit it is easy to see why SalonQP is the UK (if not Europe's) premier fine watch exhibition. I hasten to add that although the focus of SalonQP is time pieces - it is very much a lifestyle exhibition - with high end luxury houses from other areas like; Lotus (because cars & watches), Linn Audio, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Creed Fragrance, Harrods, et al, showcasing their goods to meet the needs of people who enjoy, nay celebrate life.  I would be surprised if SalonQP did not grow into a complete luxury lifestyle exhibition in the future.

The Establishing Shot: SALONQP 2015 - HARRODS LOUNGE & BAR - SAATCHI GALLERY, LONDON

SalonQP is an extraordinary opportunity to research your next purchase, meet some of the most talented crafts people in the watch business, see early watch samples before public release as well as view limited and rare examples of some of the finest watches ever made, listen and discuss aspects of the art & science of Horology (there are talks and seminars from leading watchmakers), view specially curated exhibitions as well as have a jolly good time which seems core to the SalonQP experience.

The Establishing Shot: SALONQP 2015 - OBJECTIF HORLOGERIE EXPERT WATCHMAKER - SAATCHI GALLERY, LONDON

But for me, if there is one overriding take away from my visit SalonQP 2015 it is that I may never look at a watch the same way again - for most of us watches arrive as fully formed objects of function and beauty an almost abstracted thing distant from its origins, so understandably it is easy to forget that they are the composite of a long road and meticulous hard work. Nowhere was this more pertinent for me than when I stopped by Objectif Horlogerie to watch one of their craftsmen busy constructing a time piece.

The Justice League Experience comes to London 9 November

The London installation of “The Justice League Experience,” a global celebration of the original Super Hero team and the much-anticipated, epic big-screen adventure, Justice League, will open to the public on 9 November and 10 November, at The College, in Southampton Row.

Warner Bros. Pictures releases Justice League worldwide beginning 17 November.


The exhibition features five character-themed environments inspired by the Justice League members Aquaman, Batman, Cyborg, The Flash and Wonder Woman, with sets, props and costumes from the film’s production bringing their worlds to life.

Prior to its public opening, “The Justice League Experience” will serve as home to the film’s worldwide press junket.

To secure your tickets please go to:  www.seeitfirst.com/justiceleague.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes the first-ever big screen epic action adventure Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder and starring as the famed lineup of DC Super Heroes: Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.  Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat.  But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

The film also stars Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta, and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.

The Justice League screenplay is by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon, story by Chris Terrio & Zack Snyder, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  The film’s producers are Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns, with executive producers Jim Rowe, Ben Affleck, Wesley Coller, Curtis Kanemoto, Daniel S. Kaminsky and Chris Terrio.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual Production, a Zack Snyder Film, Justice League.  The film is set for release in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX beginning November 17, 2017.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Nicolas Winding Refn announces a new free digital film based platform

Alittle while back I was very fortunate to go along to an exceptional talk by leading practitioners in the film sector hosted by the FDA. One of the experts on the panel was Alan Jones of Frightfest, who gave us some insight into the inner workings of what has made FrightFest the success it is. When pressed he revealed that one of the projects he is working on is another collaboration with Nicolas Winding Refn called “NWR”, they had previously worked on a The Act of Seeing -  a journey through Nicolas Refn's collection of rare American film posters and how the imagery evokes a certain response in the eye of the beholder.

#Update: Apologies I have checked my recordings from the panel discussion and Jones clearly states that amongst other projects that include a TV Show with Eli Roth his next collaboration with Nicolas Winding Refn is in fact another book called Discomania.

Jones was clearly reluctant to go into any detail but said that this new project was similar, I had imagined it was another book focused on a different sub genre's posters. But with this week's exciting announcement it is possible that the project he was referring to could be part of something much bigger and more ambitious in in scope.





NICOLAS WINDING REFN ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ‘BYNWR.COM’AN UNADULTERATED CULTURAL EXPRESSWAY FOR THE ARTS

Lumière Film Festival, Lyon: Film Director Nicolas Winding Refn announced today the launch of his new digital project byNWR.com - An ever expanding content platform inspired by quarterly themes.

Launching online in February 2018, byNWR shares Nicolas Winding Refn’s passion for the rare, the forgotten and the unknown, breathing new life into the culturally intriguing and influential. Quarterly volumes of content divide into three monthly chapters, each featuring a fully-restored film. These revived cinematic gems inspire a wealth of original content, curated by special Guest Editors.

Claudio Simonetti's GOBLIN to perform Profondo Rosso in LONDON live

Goblin's upcoming gig has me very excited indeed! In fact I have only been this excited about this particular kind of gig three times previously; once a couple of years ago when Fabio Frizzi was going to play at the Union Chapel on Halloween, on HALLOWEEN! Once when Jim Jarmusch's & his band SQÜRL (& others) performed music from Only Lovers Left Alive earlier this year and a couple of months ago when a special music and video event A Trip To The Otherworld was held to launch Richard Stanley's The Otherworld scored by Simon Boswell.
Claudio Simonetti GOBLIN 21st Feb 2015 Barbican London
Claudio Simonetti's GOBLIN 21st Feb 2015 Barbican London


But it looks like the mother ship is landing in London this February when to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of Dario Argento's hugely influential Giallo classic Profondo Rosso (aka Deep Red) Composer Claudio Simonetti and his band GOBLIN playing their original score live to a screening of Profondo Rosso for the first time in the UK.

Dario Argento needs no introduction, his psychic psycho films are pretty much a genre all of their own and vastly influential. Just last year watching Arrow Video's flawless re-release of Tenebrae I was struck by the very clear similarities between Dario Argento's Tenebrae and Michael Mann's brilliant Manhunter, one of my favourite films of all time.

The incredible existential atmospheric experience of Dario Argento's films comes from the merging of gorgeously composed visuals with a heightened soul tingling auditory experience.

Goblin's Profondo Rosso theme cheekily hints at Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells used in William Friedkin's The Exorcist before letting you know it is very much its own unique music for the film that spawned a lengthy collaboration with Dario Argento.

This is a rare opportunity to experience Goblin's Profondo Rosso live at the acoustically renowned Barbican Hall, the home of the London Symphony Orchestra and is going to be an memorable event for any +18 film lover.

Profondo rosso (Deep Red)
A musician witnesses the murder of a famous psychic, and then teams up with a feisty reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on their lives by the unseen killer bent on keeping a dark secret buried.
Director: Dario Argento
Writers: Dario Argento, Bernardino Zapponi
Stars:David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia


See a one of a kind film series curated by Quentin Tarantino

In the run up to the release of his ninth feature film Quentin Tarantino has personally curated a collection of 9 films from the Columbia Pictures library to get you in the mood for Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.

The nine films collection entitled the “Swinging Sixties, A Movie Marathon” will allow viewers to immerse themselves into the world that influenced Tarantino when creating Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.Swinging Sixties, A Movie Marathon will be screened on the Sony Movie Channel from Monday 5 through to Monday 12th August.
Once Upon A Time in... Hollywood Film Poster - Quentin Tarantino, 2019
Once Upon A Time in... Hollywood Film Poster - Quentin Tarantino, 2019  [+]

The Nomad Cinema presents Prince's Purple Rain at St Paul's Cathedral

London in the summer time is truly something to behold just ask the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and this summer certainly seems to be carrying the flag of Great British Summers. So much so that there just doesn't seem to be enough time to fit everything in during the daylight hours. Now more can be made of  your time as the growth of spectacular outdoor pop up cinemas continues steadily and makes the most of the London Summer.  No doubt your days were packed but oh oh the summer nights.       One of the better outdoor pop up cinemas, not only in terms of: attention to detail, comfort, variety, consistently stunning architectural backdrops for their screenings, entertainment and social consciousness is without doubt - The Nomad Cinema. Get ready for Prince's Purple Rain as you have never experienced before!

NOMADIST: intrepid, bold, adventurous, film-lover

The Nomad Cinema is the roaming pop-up that gives back: since 2010, The Nomad has earned the reputation as ‘London’s best outdoor cinema’ [Evening Standard], popping up at an inspiring range of beautiful, unique and intriguing screening locations across London and beyond.

The Nomad is about community: our sister cinema is the acclaimed and much-loved independent boutique cinema The Lexi in Kensal Rise, London NW10. Both cinemas are partly run by dedicated volunteers and have developed partnerships with a diverse range of kindred cultural organisations, ethical companies and fairtrade suppliers.

Stephen Fry Returns To Host the EE British Academy Film Awards

This morning, in the run up to the much anticipated EE BAFTAS 2015 - the host with the most Stephen Fry revealed this year's EE British Academy Film Awards poster via Twitter.

Good to see more of a focus on class than novelty for this prestigious event.

EE British Academy Film Awards 2015 Poster
EE British Academy Film Awards 2015 Poster (ZOOM)