The new TV adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's The Day of the Jackal  starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch is days away. It looks to be a tense and exciting game of cat and mouse that sees the classic novel brought into the 21st century. But this isn't the first time Forsyth's novel has been adapted for the screen. So I decided to take a look back at the two previous big screen adaptations - one of which I had seen before, the other I had not. I am almost ashamed to say that Fred Zinnemann’s 1973 classic is the version of this story that I hadn't seen before. Thankfully it is as taught a thriller as it was back when it hit the big screen. There's a flare and sophistication to both the titular hitman and his attempt to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. While Edward Fox brings charisma and a sense of mystery to the character. He looks like a man who could kill you without blinking - for a fee, of course - and at the same time manages to be very unassuming. F...

After the riots that took place at the 1968 Democratic Convention, a group of anti-war protestors were named as defendants in a show trial brought by the Nixon administration. They were charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines with the intention of inciting riots, and what followed was probably one of the most controversial trials in the history of the American Justice system. With 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' Aaron Sorkin delivers an enthralling courtroom drama - and not for the first time.  Fans of the writer/director have another opportunity to enjoy the man's unique storytelling style, not to mention his awesome approach to dialogue. No one writes dialogue quite like Aaron Sorkin! Events j ump seamlessly between the '68 Democratic convention, the trial, and Abbie Hoffman's (Sacha Baron Cohen) recollections of both during an amusing stand-up routine. Sorkin - with the help of some clever editing and good use of soundtrack - expertly drives the tension up ...

When Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escapes from prison, a world-wide manhunt begins to re-capture him. But what is he planning? And how does Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) fit in? In order to find out, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) asks Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to head to Paris. David Yates delivers another fun instalment in J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World, and there's a hell of a lot going on! Firstly we've got some catching up to do with some returning characters, as well as meeting some new (and newish) ones. The Crimes of Grindelwald does do a good job of opening up the pre-Potter Wizarding World. Newt has some interesting new magical creatures to take care of, not to mention the creature that's had babies since the first movie. But as the title would suggest, this one is mainly about the big bad of the story. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them merely introduced the evil wizard. So this time around we're getting to know the bad guy, a...