LUNA CINEMA PARTNERS WITH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

 

If you’ve not yet attended a Luna Cinema event in London, now’s the time to try! Hosting an array of springtime screenings in the iconic main hall, cinemagoers can catch their favourite film, grab a free bag of popcorn and settle under the, erm, skeletons to watch a flick.

Hitting the big screen in London are:

A Quiet Place – 9th March

The Jungle Book – 10th March

The Greatest Showman  – 10th March

Bohemian Rhapsody – 11th March

A Star Is Born – 11th March

Night At The Museum – 12th March

Jurassic Park – 12th March

Tickets are also available for Leeds Castle in Maidstone Kent

All tickets cost £27.75 per person and a bag of popcorn is included in the price. A pop up bar will serve drinks at an additional charge

For more information, visit the Luna Cinema website

Re-ignite your love of Cinema with The IMAX with Laser experience at Empire Leicester Square

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Remember the days when going to the Cinema used to be a welcome treat, watching the latest Blockbusters and then discussing them with everyone who managed to book in advance…? Of course, I may be referring to Titanic in particular when I mention this, but long gone are the days when this was the culture. With our tech industry improving and developing every year, it’s no surprise that as consumers we have become impatient and demanding. The advanced speed at which film releases become available to viewers and huge factors such as piracy, have become major contributors to the dip in cinema attendance, so it’s important the movie technology industry do everything they can to improve and enhance our cinema experience.

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Enter IMAX with Laser. Dubbed ‘The Future of Movie Technology’ IMAX have set out to maximise your experience of film with brighter images, sharper contrast, more colours and double the sound. Launched at the beginning of this month, IMAX with Laser really does fully immerse you into film. It is designed to fill IMAX’s largest screens and will draw you into the action like never before.

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Technically, advances have been made in the following areas;

Brightness has been enhances by a laser light source which provides more brightness than a xenon bulb and allows IMAX with more lifelike images. In short it will allow you to enjoy a film with unparalleled brightness in both 3D and 2D.

Contrast can be altered in post production and for us means that we will see much more detail in the image and a heightened level of realism will make you forget you are watching a movie.

The Colour scale has been expanded offering a much more vivid and realistic palette that has never been explored onscreen and with all IMAX with Laser screens dressed in all black everything, this helps you to fully immerse yourself into the imagery.

The next-generation Sound System features built-in image calibration and audio tuning features. The most amazing thing we heard from the team behind this revolutionary technology is that attention to detail is paramount. Even after release, IMAX with Laser will make sure the film is never compromised over time by including an industrial camera next to every projector screening one of their films, this will monitor thousands of system components ensuring optimum performance for every showing.

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Today we can be extremely grateful that we can probably experience most new releases at the drop of a hat from our computer screens but there is nothing quite like that full Cinema Experience. Personally, I can remember every detail of my first experience of an IMAX film about 17 years ago watching an underwater film in IMAX 3D. Today, watching the various trailers in IMAX Laser in both 3D and without, has something of a revolutionary feel about it which would be extremely difficult to replicate outside of an IMAX cinema. No amount of talking about IMAX with Laser will do it justice but what can be assured is that you will not be disappointed. Prepare to be blown away and immersed into the world of film.

IMAX with Laser can be experienced at the Empire Leicester Square IMAX in London, which is the first cinema in Europe to have this system installed. With more cinemas to introduce this in the pipeline, hold on to your seats. Bookings can currently be made for The Walk, Crimson Peak, SPECTRE and Star Wars: The Force Awakens here:

http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/imax/t5

The Rise and Rise of Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict_Cumberbatch_SDCC_2014Since becoming a household name with his star-making turn as the iconic Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Cumberbatch has notched up an astoundingly impressive resume of film and TV roles. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, he’s demonstrated a remarkable range, and gained a hugely loyal fanbase in the process. Often cited for having a startling aptitude for playing geniuses, his latest character is no exception, as he takes on the role of war hero Alan Turing. To celebrate the release of The Imitation Game we take a look back at some of his most memorable roles.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Based on the true story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, this historical biopic recounts the nail-biting race against time by Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The film spans key periods in Turing’s life, from his unhappy years at boarding school and the triumph of his secret work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical ‘Bombe’, which broke the Enigma code, to the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for a now outdated criminal offence. Cumberbatch garnered multiple leading actor nominations for his astounding performance, including for an Academy Award, BAFTA and SAG.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

This multi-award winning historical biopic of Solomon Northup, the free black man from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery, is regarded as a modern classic and won the Academy Award for Best Picture on its release. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Northup, with Cumberbatch taking the supporting role of William Ford, a benevolent but weak-willed plantation owner who is impressed by Northup’s innovative ideas for running his plantation, but ultimately sells him on to sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender).

August: Osage County (2013)

Based on the play by Tracy Letts, this darkly comic look at a family in turmoil boasts a star-studded cast, including Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Meryl Street, Julia Roberts, Ewan Macgregor and Margo Martindale. Cumberbatch plays Little Charles, the shy, awkward son of Mattie Fae (Martindale), summoned home by his grandmother (Streep) after his grandfather (Sam Shepard) goes missing- with the ensuing crisis unearthing long-buried secrets and resentments.

Parade’s End (2012)

This BBC mini-series based on Ford Madox Ford’s novels was adapted for the screen by Tom Stoppard and garnered five Emmy nominations. Cumberbatch stars as the protagonist Christopher Tietjens, a conservative, deeply honourable English aristocrat who finds himself in a love triangle between his cruel, calculating socialite wife (Rebecca Hall) and headstrong young suffragette Valentine Wannop (Adelaide Clemens), all against the backdrop of WWI.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

This atmospheric spy drama based on John Le Carre’s novel boasts a star-studded cast which includes Cumberbatch alongside British acting stalwarts Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth and Kathy Burke. Nominated for three Oscars, and winning three BAFTAs, it follows ex-spy George Smiley (Oldman) as he is forced out of retirement to investigate an allegation by rogue agent Ricki Tarr (Hardy) that there is a Soviet spy operating within MI6. Cumberbatch plays Peter Guillam, one of several agents who are under suspicion.

War Horse (2011)

Cumberbatch stars alongside Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and Tom Hiddleston in this war epic based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, and directed by Steven Spielberg. The acclaimed drama follows young Albert Narracott (Irvine), separated from his beloved horse Joey when he is sold to the British cavalry and shipped to France. Albert enlists in WWI and embarks on a hopeful, heartbreaking journey to reunite with him, as the war rages on around them. Cumberbatch plays Major Jamie Stewart, leader of the cavalry company and a fellow soldier of Albert’s.

Third Star (2010)

This moving drama stars Cumberbatch as James, a terminally ill young man who embarks on an ill-advised trip with his three closest friends, Davy (Tom Burke), Miles (JJ Feild) and Bill (Adam Robertson), to visit his favourite place on earth before he dies- Barafundle Bay in West Wales. As they make the trip, the bonds of their friendships are tested with comical, poignant results- and a wonderfully heartbreaking performance from Cumberbatch.

Sherlock (2010-2016)

Widely considered to be his breakout role, this BBC series created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss catapulted Cumberbatch into the mainstream, winning him legions of fans and launching him into the A-list. Taking on the titular role, he’s joined by an equally brilliant Martin Freeman as the consulting detective’s best friend and colleague, Dr John Watson, with supporting turns from Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves, Louise Brealey and Andrew Scott. Critically acclaimed and adored, Cumberbatch has won countless praise for his unique, fresh and pitch-perfect portrayal of the beloved literary character, and the show picked up three Emmys in 2014; leading actor for Cumberbatch, supporting actor for Freeman and writing for a miniseries for Moffat.

Atonement (2007)

This heartbreaking wartime drama based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel boasts a stellar cast, including Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan and Vanessa Redgrave. When the budding romance between Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (McAvoy) is cut brutally short following a lie told by Bryony Tallis (Ronan), the repercussions span several decades. Cumberbatch provides a brilliant, deeply unsettling and sinister supporting turn as confectioner Paul Marshall, a guest of the Tallis family whose actions reverberate across the lives of the entire household…

Starter for Ten (2006)

Based on the novel by David Nicholls, this British comedy follows the trials and tribulations of student Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working class student in 1985 who finds himself navigating the campus of Bristol University, and attempting to impress the object of his affections, Alice (Alice Eve), while finally succeeding in his lifelong ambition to win University Challenge. Cumberbatch steals every scene he’s in, demonstrating a brilliant knack for comedy as the socially inept and uptight captain of the team, Patrick Watts.

The Imitation Game is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download from the 9th March 2015, courtesy of StudioCanal

 

 

 

Great Movies For a Couple’s Night In

couple's night in, night in, The daily drag can become rather monotonous at times. Wake up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep, repeat; such a routine could make even the most positive individuals among us screech with boredom. For couples, this monotony can be even more tedious, repetition ruining an otherwise blissful co-habitation. If you need an injection of fun though, getting your fix isn’t difficult- just pop on a movie, tear open a bag of popcorn and have a couple’s night in! Here are some of the top films if you’re struggling which to pick.

 

Romance

 

A genre often reserved for couples that feature a man who is highly permissive, romantic films aren’t all painful watching for guys and there are a host out there that both partners will enjoy. For those dabbling in hipsterdom, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a fun, rock-filled bet, or perhaps you’d both like to go classic with the Woody Allen original Annie Hall. Failing these two, Lost in Translation is a great flick that dabbles in romance whilst still preserving the humour of Bill Murray that any film-lover will enjoy.

 

Action
The opposite of romance flicks, most guys would be stunned if their beloved offered to watch an action film, but the experience doesn’t have to be a Michael Bay explosion-fest. The Bourne Trilogy- they’re all very good- is a great mix of action and espionage, plus a little romance for the ladies, whilst Johnny Depp’s drug docudrama Blow will enthral both of you. Oceans Eleven and Twelve are also two pretty good picks; both paint a very true picture of the high-stakes, dangerous lifestyles of casino thieves, and are naturally a great choice if you or your partner are interested in the new craze of online gambling sweeping the globe! If you’re enthused after watching, a great, fun idea could be to join Euro casino games lounge for a few online rounds of poker together; you won’t be able to card count, but hey- don’t let that ruin the fun!

 

Horror

 

Scary films are a great divider when it comes to date nights. Having one spook-averse member of the couple regularly stops the notion in its tracks, though if both of you love a little scare. The Shining is a classic that’s not too gory, so could be a good choice, plus the performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. 28 Days Later, a haunting zombie flick that still keeps a nice bit of indie filmmaking swagger, is also a lot of fun to watch, Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle not getting too bogged down in zombie killing, gore and action, instead focusing largely on emotion and character development.

 

 

Le Fear II: Le Sequel Review By Jason Croot

After reading BFI advice on writing a review of your own film I thought why not!

Le Fear II- Le Sequel Review By Jason Croot

Le Fear II: Le Sequel is a 90 minute 100% improvised feature film about the making of a film. Based in London U.K it follows the journey of hapless 22 times film director Carlos Revalos [Kyri Saphirs] who is about to embark on his biggest movie yet Le Fear II: Le Sequel a film noir horror love story. Carlos’s journey starts with a meeting with the shrewd movie executive Dirk Heinz [Andrew Tiernan] who agrees to back Carlos’s film as long as Revalos puts up some of his own cash as collateral, one other condition is that Carlos intertwines his movie with Nollywood  [Nigeria] the fastest growing film industry in the world. Dirks Secretary Helga [Shona McWilliams]does the paperwork and the deal is done commence the movie.

Le Fear II: Le Sequel Review , Catherine Balavage. actress, Scottish actress, actor, British, actor, Scottish,  Jason Croot

The world’s worst director Carlos Revalos meets the world’s worst film producer Efi womonbogo [Seye Adelekan] the clash of the titans or rather the clash of the tits, because these guys each are as clueless as the other about filmmaking. Efi has his entourage, Africa special effects [Roxy Sternberg], Femu [Schee Bell] the runner and Witch Dr Charles [Sean Earl McPherson] none of which really have a clue what to do. Carlos has his film crew Jacques the French cinema photographer, [Hadien Mekki], Jessie [Leila Reid], the production assistant Chafarafa the Script Supervisor [Jay Croot] Berwyn [Catherine Balavage] the stunt coordinator and Queenie [Victoria Hopkins] the Makeup artist. Hollywood meets Nollywood this is where the fun begins, and Conflict time! Everything Carlos wants, romance, film noir and horror is not delivered by Efi who has a different take on it with his motley crew. Africa the vibrant special effects girl, who apparently worked on big movies, Efi Tells Carlos “Avatar and Pride and plagiarist”. Africa brings Carlos nothing but cheap sci-fi effects which she believes is the best thing since sliced bread. That’s the problem with the Nollywood guys they believe their shit is good shit, and Carlos the man who has his own money on the line £500000, is in deep lumber. Bring on the Piece de résistance the actors within the film. We have the fiery French actress Racquel [Denise Moreno] and the green drama school first time film actor Oliver[Jack W. Carter] they cause poor Revalos’s pain to deepen not only is he combating of a motley crew from Nollywood he has disgruntled actors to please now can it get any worse? YES. The film set is not a beautiful purposed built location but a make shift set the input of Efi, “I wanted to make a film noir not a camping film” Jacques tells Carlos. The plot thickens and Carlos calls Dirk to sort out this rabble “Dirks going to have your arse” Carlos tells Efi who replies “My ass is he gay?” Dirk arrives and puts Carlos straight, the movie continues we now bring in two other actors within the movie these hired by Efi Vanessa [Vampire] Eleanor James Dr Strange [Julian Lamoral Roberts] Bmovie actor, Vanessa drives Berwyn the stunt coordinator barmy and proceeds to act more like a L’Oreal shampoo advert than scare people. We also have a student filmmaker Mickey [Warren Taylor] who is filming behind the scenes of the film within the film.

Le Fear II- Le Sequel

The night scenes have to be the most classic and funniest ones we have Witch doctors, Lesbian Vampires, Alien Explosions and a very angry actress “SUSHI DE MERDE Carlos you are a piece of shit little man! I’m going back to Paris right now” Carlos now one actress short of a picnic or rather of making his worst movie, and now without a location when disgruntled land owner Tom Dickinson[Ian Cullen] arrives and kicks them off “my land what are you doing in my land are you filming one of those pornographic films?” Efi replies “I swear on my father’s grave and my mother’s goat”

Le Fear II: Le Sequel will go down in history if Carlos can manage to complete it won’t be the classic he longed for but his worst yet. Bring on a new actress Racquel replacement Lucy Lou [Aiko Horiuchi] a Japanese actress brought in by Efi she joins the madness. “Can we use it?” Carlos asks Jacques about the new location, “Yes but I don’t want my name on that movie” Jacques replies “At this stage fuck your name” Carlos tells him the film gets more crazier and continues to deliver humour right until the end.

Summary Comedy is complex some people laugh at Dad’s Army, Fawlty Towers and Porridge all classic British Comedies others won’t get the humour of those classics! some will love Flight of the conchords and Curb your enthusiasm and others won’t, you can’t make everyone laugh no matter how good the comedy is, Le Fear II: Le Sequel has already made a few people smile and laugh and we hope to continue to do so, I’m not going to say we created the best film within film the world but we have made a film that me and the producers are very proud of we are proud of the cast and how hard they worked to create the humour the crew and how hard they worked to get the camera lighting and sound to be as good as it is the editor who has done a great job and the musicians who have supplied us with a great soundtrack.

 

I will leave you with some other funny lines from the film Le Fear II: Le Sequel

Cast Lines

Carlos Revalos [Kyri Saphiris]

“They Buy a bloody blow up doll, stick some sparklers up its arse, and call it special effects of a high budget production”

Dirk Heinz [Andrew Tiernan]

“You’ve got a fucking film to make, so pull it out of the bag”

Lucy Lou [Aiko Horiuchi]

“My English is very little”

Jacques [Hadrien Mekki]

“You’re just crazy fucking English people who want to drink tea; I just want to make a good film”

Racquel [Denise Moreno]

“If we die what happens? Because I don’t feel I’m going to come out this film alive”

Africa [Roxy Sternberg]

“It’s beyond Hollywood, Nollywood, Woody Allen my gosh we have it”

Dr Strange [Julian Lamoral Roberts]

“If Crossed I get cross if cross I need Blood”

Jessie [Leila Reid]

“Can you teach Carlos to keep the fire inside of him”

Vanessa [Eleanor James]

“I’m a professional actress I have been in god knows how many movies”

Queenie [Victoria Hopkins]

“Do you like it wet? I bet you do I bet you like it real moist Don’t you?”

Berwyn [Catherine Balavage]

“Oh I’m swishing my hair like I’m in a 1970’s fucking porn film”

Witch Dr. Charles [Sean McPherson]

“Ring Nigerian now £5, no problem”

 

Twitter https://twitter.com/Lefear2lesequel @lefear2lesequel

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Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/163431550389968/
IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1982759/

 

[Editorial note: Frost Magazine founder and owner Catherine Balavage played Berwyn in Le Fear, Le Sequel]

 

 

 

Imitation Game Film Review

iimitationgameCast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Mark Strong

I was very excited about seeing this film. The cracking of the enigma code is one of Britain’s greatest accomplishments, saving millions of lives and ending a war. Alan Turing is one of the most underrated and greatest Britons that ever lived. Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Cumberbatch does an excellent job of portraying the man who essentially invented the computer. He could have just done another Sherlock-type performance but his performance is astounding, believable and as good as expected from an actor who is fast becoming one of our true greats. It is just subtle enough. The script is great, the entire film just works very well. Strong performances are given from the rest of the cast too and Keira Knightley’s performance gives Joan Clarke, a woman who did great work and contributed to history when too many were never given the chance, the credit she deserves.

Whilst I watched this film, myself and the rest of the audience were engaged and laughed many times. But the overwhelming feeling at the end was of injustice. The injustice of homosexuality ever being illegal, the injustice of one of our greatest, who helped stop a war and saved tens of millions of lives. is hard to take. Forced to take pills that chemically castrated him. Turing ended his life when he was only 41 after being forced to take these pills or face prison. His ‘crime’ was his sexuality and being caught with a young man. No one helped him or stopped the appalling behaviour. It wasn’t until 2013 that he was posthumously pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II. This film is a must watch. It tells an essential part of our history, but it also says far too much about the brutality of injustice and hate.

Based on the real life story of Alan Turing, who is credited with cracking the German Enigma code, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team at Britain’s top-secret code-breaking centre, Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. Turing, whose contributions and genius significantly shortened the war, saving thousands of lives, was the eventual victim of an unenlightened British Establishment, but his work and legacy live on.

The Imitation Game is out now. 

 

Actresses Deserve Much More Than Being ‘The Girl’ And a Naked One At That

film characters - anna paquinIn my other life as an actress I have noticed a worrying trend. Well, I say ‘trend’ but actually it has been going on for years: female parts in films were the character has no name and is called ‘The girl’. The girl is usually the only female part in the film and will also have at least one nude scene. Just because it is not humiliating enough to be offered a script where all of the men have names and you don’t, you also have to get your tits out. Nameless and objectified: actresses deserve better than this. WOMEN KIND deserves better than this.

It is hard to describe just how depressing it is to work in an industry where women are reduced constantly to the sum of their parts and not even named. the worrying thing is that this is a common practice. Upon complaining about this on my Facebook, prominent film maker and casting director Rory O’Donnell said: “This is incredibly common. I made fun of it when I wrote The Landlady and gave all the female characters first, last and nicknames and called the only male character ‘The Boyfriend’….but he did get a name during shooting.” If only there were more people like Rory. 

But what is to be done? Well we need more female filmmakers for a start. Here are some highlights from an amazing survey done by Stephen Follows on his must-read blog.

 

  • Between 2009-13, women made up 26.2% of crew members on British films.
  • This compares favourably with top US films over the same period (22.2%)
  • Of all the departments, the Transportation department is the most male, with only 7.7% women.
  • The only departments to have a majority of women are Make-up, Casting, Costume and Production.
  • Visual Effects is the largest department on most major movies and yet only has 16.5% women.
  • 6.4% of composers on UK films were women.
  • 14% of UK films had a female director, compared with 3% of top US films.
  • The percentage of women on British films has barely changed in the past five years.

 

Read more about his survey here. It was in all of the papers so Stephen is truly doing his part for equality.  I often get asked why I don’t leave the industry. The truth is I did take a little break. Of course if my agent had called during that period I would have not said no, but it was a quiet period and I took the moment to reflect on my chosen path. One of them anyway. I often think that if I did not have this magazine and did not make my own projects I might go slightly mad. Luckily I do and I can fight instead. I made Prose & Cons which had a strong female cast and I am making more films with my filmmaking partner Steve McAleavy. The way forward is not to quit the industry, not to let these men give our breasts the starring role while our actual talent is just a nameless supporting character: the key is to raise awareness and FIGHT. Get men to join the battle and equal the playing field. Women deserve more and we won’t stop until we get it. The fightback starts here.

 

Catherine Balavage is a writer, film director, actress and the owner and editor of this magazine. She is also a published author and wrote the book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur which has received rave reviews and is a must for actors everywhere.

 

 

‘TOP DOG’ … One Man, Two Lives

Top_Dog_UK_IE_ENG_DVD_RET_ORing_3DPackshot_8297293-11 TopDogStill2[1] Leo_punch-copy[1]

How many superlatives can be used to describe ‘Top Dog’? I can think of many that have been used in other reviews, but let’s just keep it simple… this new offering from Richwater Films and Universal Pictures UK and directed by Martin Kemp, is just plain ‘good’… damn good.

Produced by Jonathan Sothcott (‘Vendetta) and exquisitely constructed, this is Martin Kemp’s (‘The Krays’, ‘EastEnders’) second outing as a film director, a testing piece of work that lays its cards on the table and dead body on the mortuary slab right from the outset. Blood, a tense opening narrative, you get the gist that this is going to be messy.

In the adaptation of the novel by Dougie Brimson (‘Green Street’), Leo Gregory (‘Green Street’ and ‘Cass’) plays a formidable and believable part as Billy Evans, a thirty-something East End car salesman who’s got it made, trophy wife, child, home, car, job, wants it all and wants the top dog position that will allow him to reclaim a family member’s pub as the home of his football firm, ‘Acton Casuals’. With the goading of the ‘AC brethren’, cocky Billy takes his lust for leadership one step further, violently cutting swathes through a trajectory that brings him face to face with gangland boss Mickey, played to perfection by Ricci Harnett (‘Rise of the Footsoldier’, ’28 Days Later’) who isn’t about to hand the title over without a fight. Vincent Regan (‘Clash of the Titans’, ‘St George’s Day’), with his mellow Irish tones, acidly accentuates the backbone of fear that runs through this film. It sounds a simple plot, but the exchanges of violence are as charged as I’ve ever seen in a film of this budget, and the spiralling depths to which the emotions sink are hard-hitting and raw.

Martin Kemp intended this film to be a ‘kitchen sink’ drama, void of Hollywood gloss, powerfully showing the perils of being top dog, being number one and of saying ‘I’m the leader’. The wives and partners play strong and potent roles, showing the realism of households living with the underlying deceitfulness and tensions associated with hooliganism and gangland violence. Danielle Brent (‘Cockneys Vs Zombies’) as Billy’s wife Sam, Lorraine Stanley (‘The Hooligan Wars’) and rising British acting talent, George Russo punctuate the storyline, stepping up to the mark with the confidence this gritty film demanded.
It’s not a pretty film, it’s not a clever film, it works within the boundaries of the budget, but it’s the sort of film that is truly British, an insight into the deep and ugly world of football hooliganism and gangland rivalries that existed in the depths of London in the 80s and 90s.

TOP DOG – in cinemas from Friday 23 May and is out today to own on Blu-ray £15.99) and DVD (£12.99) through Universal Pictures UK

A re-written version of ‘Top Dog’ by Dougie Brimson is soon to be published through Caffeine Nights Publishing.