Writer Q&A with Simon Dillon — Author’s note: The Pro Files recently approached me for an emailed interview as part of its series of writer interviews. This is an unedited excerpt of everything writing-related that came out of the conversation. Interviewed by Ben Human. What is on your writer’s CV? I’m primarily a writer of fiction novels, mostly gothic mystery horror-thriller tales…

Novelist. Short Story-ist. Film enthusiast. Book enthusiast. Purveyor of sarcasm and dark humour. And somehow, he escaped… — If you’re reading this, it’s already too late. To click on this page is to open Pandora’s Box. So why not satisfy your curiosity, and chew on a mouthful of my Medium articles? I submit these to a variety of publications, including Fictions, Fan Fare, Frame Rated, and The Writing…

Jorma Tommila cuts a bloody swathe through Nazis in Jalmari Helander’s agreeably ultraviolent wartime action romp. — Sometimes, all one needs from a film is 90 minutes of Nazis getting their comeuppance in brutally bloody style. Finish director Jalmari Helander delivers these genre goods at a surprisingly low budget, with major value for money onscreen and cult status all but assured. Sisu isn’t going to change the…

A glum Ben Affleck stars in this silly, derivative, humourless thriller from Robert Rodriguez. — The plot of Hypnotic contains more holes than a Swiss cheese factory and makes about as much sense as an education law passed by the Florida legislature. Not only is it derivative of numerous superior thrillers and sci-fi films, but it also features a glum and unconvincing Ben Affleck in…

Ought Spielberg and Lucas to have drawn the line after the third adventure of the intrepid archaeologist? — Warning: Contains spoilers. Some consider Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) the best Indiana Jones film. I don’t, as my vote goes to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), not only as the greatest of the series, but also the greatest adventure film of all time. …

Masterpiece? Pretentious drivel? Or is Ari Aster’s Oedipal psychological horror starring a one-note Joaquin Phoenix a bit of both? — It’s worth acknowledging upfront that Ari Aster is an admirably visionary director, whose uncompromised artistic vision results in singular work. I loved Midsommar (2019), even though a more amusing title might have been The Wicker Man: He’s Just Not That Into You. …

Vin Diesel and gang are back with more of the usual CGI-smothered nonsensical vehicular mayhem. — More of what is referred to in the film as violating “the laws of God and gravity”, this latest instalment in the interminable Fast and Furious franchise has the dubious distinction of being the first in a trilogy that will supposedly bring the series to a close. The key word…

Another look at James Cameron’s Arnie-starring 1994 hit in the wake of a recent TV series remake. — James Cameron’s action-packed 1994 spy thriller True Lies has recently been remade as a TV series. I have read many scathing reviews; further evidence iconic action movies of the 80s and 90s really shouldn’t be turned into television. The utterly unremarkable Lethal Weapon TV series is another case in point…

Judy Blume’s coming-of-age classic gets an excellent adaptation from Kelly Fremon Craig. — There’s something particularly joyful about films that make you feel better coming out of the cinema than you did going in. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret has that extra-dimensional feel-good factor. …