Hits the Fan blog

Music to my eyes: A Star Is Born is the nostalgia we need today

To think that Cooper writes, produces, stars, directs, composes much of the music and sings his own material is astonishing – this is the genesis of a multi-talented artist to rival the likes of Welles, Beatty, Eastwood and Chaplin.

Is Shane Black’s revamp of The Predator franchise worth a shot?

Shane Black’s shot at revamping the Predator franchise is a mess of offbeat comedy, thrills and spills that succeeds at hunting down and killing its audience.

Three years in the making: Orson Welles’ Othello is a triumph of independent cinema

With a riveting performance by Welles in the title role, some wonderfully dark photography and perfect pacing, Othello is a genuine classic.

How did Orson Welles follow up Citizen Kane? A look inside the Magnificent Ambersons

Orson Welles followed up Citizen Kane with another impossibly fresh masterwork. Even with studio interference, The Magnificent Ambersons shines brightly.

A Simple Favour – the silkiest of cinematic spider’s webs

A Simple Favour starts as a sleek, twisty thriller before revealing an increasingly dark heart – a tricky balancing act that fizzles in and out. Director Paul Feig is probably best known for his string of Melissa McCarthy comedies including Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), Spy (2015), and Ghostbusters (2016) so he might not be…

My friends electric: 2018’s under the radar ambient music roundup

This isn’t the usual best ambient releases of 2018 or the year end review of electronic music’s greatest hits or whatever but rather a few emerging artists who have got in touch to me directly with new material that I would like to pass back on to you.

Hits the Fan blog

Dave Lancaster releases new ambient album DRONE ALONE

The smell of acid in the morning: Is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Terry Gilliam’s Vietnam war movie?

Crime fiction you can’t ignore: The Listening Walls by Margaret Millar

A war story that explores instead of explodes: Why you must read the devastating Will by Jeroen Olyslaegers