Behind the Couch

A long-time darling of the art-house film circuit, Jim Jarmusch is one of the most acclaimed directors working in America independent cinema today. While his latest offering, Only Lovers Left Alive , isn’t his first foray into genre cinema, it is his first take on the vampire film. And it’s as untypical as you’d expect from the man who brought us Night on Earth, Dead Man and Ghost Dog . It tells of ancient lovers Adam and Eve, who reunite when Adam contemplates taking his own life. A languid, mesmerising film, it follows the couple as they kick about Detroit attempting to find fulfilment and stimulation. No easy task when you’ve already seen and experienced everything life has to offer... Head over to Exquisite Terror to read my full review . While you're there, why not pick up a copy of Exquisite Terror , the periodical ? Taking a more academic, analytical approach to the genre — however not necessarily to focus on film alone — it features in-depth essays, exclusive, ha...

Last night Belfast’s The Crescent Arts Centre played host to a very special screening of the classic German horror title, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari , complete with a live score courtesy of Dublin based instrumental ensemble, 3epkano. Formed in 2004 by Matthew Nolan and Cameron Doyle, 3epkano, pronounced three-ep-can-oh, which derives from Andrei Tarkovsky's film Зеркало ( The Mirror ), specialise in composing and performing contemporary soundtracks for classic films from the silent era of cinema. Spirits surround us on every side... they have driven me from hearth and home, from wife and child. Made in 1920, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari was written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. Now considered one of the most influential films of the German Expressionist movement, and indeed of horror cinema, it tells of the sinister Caligari, a mad carnival performer who uses a cadaverous somnambulist to carry out his nefarious deeds, including manipulation, murder and kidnap… Oh my! Beg...