music

Notebook Reviews: THE GRADUATE

Mike Nichols – 1967. A cinematic game-changer when it was first released in 1967, Mike Nichols‘ The Graduate still impresses after all these years. Sure, it’s dated a little but the film’s core message still rings true. [...]

January 5, 2022

Uncovering Curiosities: Andrew Slater’s ECHO IN THE CANYON

Andrew Slater’s wonderful music documentary, Echo In The Canyon, is a textured look at a very special time in music history, Slater’s film is an exceptional journey into the music scene in and around LA’s Laurel Canyon in the the [...]

December 31, 2021

Behind The Scenes: Michael Nesmith & Jack Nicholson On The Set of The Monkees Movie HEAD

Running for two seasons between September 12, 1966 and March 25, 1968, The Monkees was a musical sitcom which followed a young band as they tried to make it in the music business. Created by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, the show was inspired by [...]

December 30, 2021

Obituary: Music Video Pioneer, Country Rock Legend & Monkees Star Michael Nesmith Dies

Michael Nesmith, the music video pioneer, country music legend and iconic member of 1960s group The Monkees has died at the age of 78. Born Robert Michael Nesmith in Huston, Texas on 30 December 1942, Nesmith shot to fame in the TV series The [...]

December 10, 2021

Notebook Reviews: JAWS

Steven Spielberg – 1975. I don’t care what you say, but I believe that Jaws is Steven Spielberg’s greatest cinematic achievement. Spielberg’s film works on every level – as a horror movie, a drama and as an adventure [...]

October 14, 2021

Behind The Scenes: Roger Moore & Madeline Smith On The Set Of James Bond Adventure LIVE AND LET DIE

Guy Hamilton’s Live And Let Die is one of the finest James Bond movies. The 1973 release is also the best (and first) of Roger Moore‘s twelve year run as Ian Fleming’s super spy. The story is a blast (if a little dated) and the [...]

September 30, 2021

The Great Leonard Cohen

The great Leonard Cohen was a novelist, poet, actor, artist, singer, songwriter and a gentleman. He created a body of work that that will be forever cherished and prized amongst those who admire him. Cohen had a respectability that few could match [...]

September 21, 2021

Notebook Reviews: OUT OF SIGHT

Steven Soderbergh – 1998. Out Of Sight is as slick and fun crime film from director Steven Soderbergh. If you need an example of a movie in which all the elements come together in a perfect way, then this is it. The direction is superb, the [...]

September 20, 2021

Trailer: Documentary UNDER THE VOLCANO Tells The Story Of George Martin’s Caribbean Hit Factory

George Martin is one of the great music producers of all time. The man behind most of The Beatles hits had a long and varied career – even composing the score for James Bond adventure Live & Let Die. One of Martin’s many [...]

July 20, 2021

Notebook Reviews: ELVIS – THE MOVIE

John Carpenter – 1979 Elvis is an exceptionally well-made TV movie from John Carpenter. This is a serious change of pace for the horror director, but he shows a deft touch in delivering an impressive musical biopic. Carpenter regular, Kurt [...]

July 7, 2021

Uncovering Curiosities: Ron Howard’s THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK – THE TOURING YEARS

You’d think that every story about The Beatles has been told, explored and extrapolated upon over the last half century. In truth, they probably have, but Ron Howard’s 2016 documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years [...]

June 30, 2021

Notebook Reviews: ARMAGEDDON

Michael Bay – 1998 Michael Bay‘s Armageddon is totally preposterous – but it’s great fun. You need to embrace the concept or you’ll never enjoy this Jerry Bruckheimer produced disaster movie. This oil-riggers on an [...]

June 28, 2021

THE STONES IN THE PARK – The Iconic Rolling Stones Concert Film

The Stones in the Park is a worthy watch for both the hardcore Rolling Stones fan and the casual viewer. The Hyde Park concert was filmed just two days after the death of guitarist Brian Jones, and the atmosphere is electric. The group rattle [...]

June 24, 2021

Uncovering Curiosities: Neil Young’s CSNY/Déjà Vu

CSNY/Déjà Vu is a 2008 documentary directed by Neil Young (under the pseudonym Bernard Shakey). It’s an exceptional piece of filmmaking which is not only about the war in Iraq (which was raging at the time) and the then political climate, [...]

June 24, 2021

THE BEATLES: GET BACK – Peter Jackson’s Documentary On The Beatles Now A 3-Part Disney+ Event

Originally announced in 2019 and set for release last year, Peter Jackson‘s documentary on The Beatles was supposed to be a feature-length film set for a cinematic release. That is no longer the case – COVI19 and the launch of Disney+ [...]

June 20, 2021

Uncovering Curiosities: Martin Scorsese’s THE LAST WALTZ

Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz opens with the declaration that ‘This film should be played loud!’. And it really should. Scorsese’s film charting The Band’s farewell concert at San Francisco’s Winterland [...]

May 19, 2021

Hoth Stuff: Varèse Sarabande To Release THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK – Symphonic Suite

1980’s The Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars movie – it also features John Williams‘ finest musical score from the series. The soundtrack has been available in many formats over the years, but now Varèse Sarabande [...]

May 5, 2021

Notebook Reviews: VANILLA SKY

Cameron Crowe – 2001 Writer/director Cameron Crowe‘s Vanilla Sky is a masterpiece. Crowe’s ‘cover version’ of Alejandro Amenábar’s Open Your Eyes is a glossy and surreal romantic-drama-sci-fi-thriller. Tom [...]

April 28, 2021

Dolenz Sings Nesmith

Movies In Focus is a huge fan of The Monkees – and also the solo career of Michael Nesmith. I actually saw the full Monkees line-up – Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith – play in Belfast in 1997. Michael [...]

April 27, 2021

Uncovering Curiosities: Nick Broomfield’s MARIANNE AND LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE

Nick Broomfield’s Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is an epic poem dedicated to Marianne Ihlen and the great Leonard Cohen. The latter was a struggling writer who would become one of the 20th century’s greatest singer-songwriters, while [...]

March 24, 2021

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