From wonderlands to ganglands…
COLOURS OF FILM: THE STORY OF CINEMA IN 50 PALETTES
★★★★★
After making the devastating claim that a movie’s original palette is forever lost over time through degradation and manipulation, film critic Charles Bramesco explores the importance of colour in cinema. With a keen focus on emotional and thematic value, he deep-dives into 50 films that “attempt to explore the full potential of colour”, ranging from The Wizard Of Oz’s glittery wonderland to the “filthy tones” of Se7en. Each entry’s forensic analysis is a tad verbose, but therein lie shrewd conceptual interpretations and expert technical insights. MATT LOOKER
A GANGS OF LONDON STORY: GHOSTS
★★★★★
Free to read online (at gangsoflondongraphicnovel. com), this is a short, snappy prologue to the recent second season of Sky’s visceral gangland drama. It’s centred on ex-undercover cop Elliot, who’s holed up in a hotel room and haunted by the faces of those he’s killed now that he’s a hitman for powerful group The Investors. Ferenc Nothof’s evocative illustrations recall the show’s rich visuals, while writer Rowan Athale elegantly captures Elliot’s tortured inner monologue. More a snapshot than anything, but let’s hope it opens the door to more substantial Gangs spin-offs. JAMES MOTTRAM