British Cinema

Film historian Anthony Slide discusses the frenzied and once hugely popular ‘everyman’ British comedian Arthur Askey, who has finally become a biographical subject.

Alien: Covenant (2017) movie review: An excellent Michael Fassbender (in a dual role) stars in Ridley Scott’s creepily suspenseful horror thriller.

Yvonne Monlaur: Sensuous cult horror movie actress and James Bond Girl contender whose career was nearly ruined following boat explosion has died.

British Cinema vs. Hollywood: Q&A with author Anthony Slide about ties between US and UK talent, from Alfred Hitchcock to Harry Potter.

Michael Caine Movies: From Gay Villain to starring in the Best British Film in a series of vehicles presented on TCM including Get Carter.

Lord Montagu (2013) movie review: Real-life victim of British anti-gay bigotry went on to become a successful businessman and popular jet-setter.

Henry V Movie (1944) Actress Renée Asherson: Laurence Olivier’s Leading Lady was London stage star married to Oscar winner Robert Donat.

Autumn Crocus (1934) movie review: West End legend Ivor Novello stars in wistful romantic drama about middle-aged longing. Fay Compton costars.

Best British Movies of All Time: Get Carter or Lawrence of Arabia or The Third Man? That depends on who gets polled. And when, by whom.

Topics at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s Amazing Tales from the Archives included Fred Ott’s seminal ‘sneeze face’ and the technological Charles Chaplin.

Una Noche (2012) movie review: Lucy Mulloy proves herself a capable screenwriter-director with this mostly Havana-set refugee drama.

Richard Griffiths in The History Boys with Dominic Cooper. ‘Harry Potter’ actor Richard Griffiths dead at 65: Renowned for gay roles in ‘The History Boys’ & ‘Withnail & I’ Richard…

What is an indie movie? Silver Linings Playbook with Jennifer Lawrence. What is an indie movie? All-star Harvey Weinstein release tops Spirit Awards As expected, Silver Linings Playbook was the…

Joyce Redman, Academy Award nominated for both Tom Jones and Othello, died in Kent, England, earlier today. The Newcastle-born Redman, who was either 93 or 96, had been suffering from…

Stage and screen British actor Nicol Williamson, who played Hamlet onstage and Merlin on screen, died on Dec. 16 in Amsterdam, where he had been living since 1970. His son…

Ken Russell, best known for his movies featuring sex-starved nuns, nude male wrestling, “offensive” religious symbolism, and kaleidoscopic musical numbers, died Sunday, Nov. 27, ’11, in the United Kingdom. Russell…

Shame with Carey Mulligan and Michael Fassbender. Oscar chances? There have been precious few Oscar-winning “sex movies.” Now that Steve McQueen’s psychological drama Shame has received an NC-17 rating from…

Actor George Baker, best known for playing Tiberius in the British television series I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, died on Oct. 7 according to The…

Lawrence of Arabia with Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif. White men rule on TCM: ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ & ‘The Four Feathers’ + ‘Young Winston’ Turner Classic Movies’ “Race and Hollywood:…

Sylvia Syms, Dirk Bogarde in Basil Dearden’s Victim. 30 Rock‘s Tracy Morgan is in the news today because of viciously anti-gay remarks he made while performing a comedy routine in…

Jean Simmons in Great Expectations with Martita Hunt. Jean Simmons is Turner Classic Movies’ Star of the Month of June. Though never a major box office draw, Simmons either starred…

Álex de la Iglesia vs. Anti-Piracy Sinde Law: Polemical Goya Awards with political speeches, party crasher and homage to Maria Schneider.

Brief Encounter with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Brief Encounter one-line synopsis: A married doctor (Trevor Howard) and a housewife (Celia Johnson) have an adulterous (and platonic) affair. The Pros:…

Susannah York in Robert Altman’s Images. Susannah York, one of the best (and best-looking) performers of the 1960s and 1970s, died today. York’s son, Orlando Wells (the Duke of Kent…