The wildwood lies at the heart of English folklore. There's a good reason for that. Once upon a time, these isles were covered in forest practically from coast to coast. Tales of the Green Man, Jack-of-the-Green, Herne the Hunter and Robin Hood all sprang from that ancient wooded realm. Our oldest stories were first told … Continue reading “Mythago Wood” by Robert Holdstock
“Rush” – It’s a Wrap for Cinefex
If you've landed here hoping to learn something about the visual effects of Ron Howard's Formula 1 film Rush, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. Yes, I've finished my article on that very subject and yes, I've submitted it to the publishers. But you'll have to wait until it appears in the winter edition … Continue reading “Rush” – It’s a Wrap for Cinefex
Launching Today – The Cinefex Blog
Today sees the launch of the brand new Cinefex visual effects blog. The inaugural post is written by Cinefex publisher Don Shay, and it does a splendid job of setting out the new blog's agenda. While the parent magazine's mission remains unchanged - "to report rather than editorialize, to remain diligently objective, rather than subjective" … Continue reading Launching Today – The Cinefex Blog
“After Liff” by John Lloyd and Jon Canter
It's always a thrill to get something published. My latest appearance in print is especially important to me, despite the fact it comprises just eleven words. It's my humble contribution to After Liff, a book written by John Lloyd and Jon Canter and just published by Faber and Faber. Why do these eleven words mean … Continue reading “After Liff” by John Lloyd and Jon Canter
“Alien”
Anyone who knows me will be unsurprised to learn that Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) is one of my favourite films of all time. So much has been written about this futuristic horror movie, however, that it's hard to add anything useful to the conversation. I suppose I could start by telling you the story folllows … Continue reading “Alien”
“A Matter of Life and Death”
I first watched A Matter of Life and Death on home video while playing truant from school in order to avoid an English lesson. I justify the crime by asserting that films don't get much more English than this 1946 fantasy from legendary filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. What's more, the movie riffs on A … Continue reading “A Matter of Life and Death”
Neolithic Board Games
'Tell me about this game,' said Talus. 'You mark out lines on the ground. Then you cross them with other lines. Each person takes a number of stones - one takes red, the other black - and you move the stones from one place to another.' Arak licked his lips, clearly excited. 'There are rules … Continue reading Neolithic Board Games
“Rush” – Heading Behind the Scenes
Regular visitors to this blog will know I've been writing about the world's best visual effects journal Cinefex for quite some time now. Well, I'm delighted to announce that now I'm writing for it. The article I'm working on will look at the visual effects of Ron Howard's new film Rush, which is scheduled for … Continue reading “Rush” – Heading Behind the Scenes
The Pudding Club
Like all true Englishmen, I like my puddings. Not desserts. Puddings. There's a big difference. Desserts are for sissies. Puddings are big, steaming affairs, mountains of sweetness constructed for stout-hearted men possessing more appetite than shame and, preferably, wearing trousers equipped with an elasticated waistband. Imagine my pleasure, therefore, when the wonderful Mrs E took … Continue reading The Pudding Club
Fishing for the Right Words
When I started out writing fiction, I thought all kinds of things were clever. Like using lots of different words. Better still, using really long ones. Like antidisestablishmentarianism (OK, maybe not that one). Over the years, my tastes have changed. Now that my hair is a little greyer and my joints are a little stiffer, … Continue reading Fishing for the Right Words