Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 25

🎬 “A Strange Journey: How The Rocky Horror Picture Show Changed #Cult Cinema Forever”

🔥There's new documentary in the spotlight after @sheffdocfest.bsky.social. If you're a fan of cult cinema & #RockyHorror, this @soundspheremag.bsky.social article is for you

screensphere.co.uk/reviews/stra...

Strange Journey: How The Rocky Horror Picture Show Changed Cult Cinema Forever - Screensphere

As a new documentary about the story of The Rocky Horror Picture Show premieres at Sheffield DocFest 2025 on Thursday 19 June, we look back at the cult classic that reshaped queer culture and why its ...

screensphere.co.uk

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 25

"Scoring Silence – Soundtracking #Garbo: Where Did You Go?"✨

My @soundspheremag.bsky.social interview with Digital 21 &
Stefan Olsdal explores the process of translating Greta Garbo's on‑screen persona into an evocative score for Lorna Tucker's new #documentary

screensphere.co.uk/news/digital...

Scoring Silence – Digital 21 & Stefan Olsdal on Soundtracking Garbo: Where Did You Go (2025) - Screensphere

Christina Brennan speaks to Digital 21 & Stefan Olsdal about capturing the persona of Greta Garbo, the most famous star of Hollywood's golden era.

screensphere.co.uk

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 23

Had the pleasure of joining @ifwtpod.bsky.social to talk about The #Vanishing (1988).

We dug into the production history, its American remake, and why this #Dutch classic lingers in minds of #film fans. If you're into psychological-thrillers, give it a listen 🎧

t.co/WTlutpMLuj

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 12

🎬 New review at @soundspheremag.bsky.social:

“Piglet” is a gore-driven twist on childhood nostalgia. Director Andrea Catinella leans into cheap horror clichés, but delivers brutal kills #PigletReview

screensphere.co.uk/reviews/film...

Film Review: Piglet - Screensphere

When you thought the "Poohniverse" had squealed its last, along comes Piglet, directed by a relatively new filmmaker Andrea M. Catinella. Piglet isn't an official spin-off of the Twisted Childhood Uni...

screensphere.co.uk

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 12

💼 THE STRESS IS KILLING ME (dir. Tom Carroll) @vaguevisages.bsky.social

A reunion comedy with a clever premise: eight burned-out 30-somethings swap their real jobs for their “dream” ones. Chemistry’s there, but the script spreads thin.

vaguevisages.com/2025/05/13/t...

Review: Tom Carroll's 'The Stress Is Killing Me'

Review: Tom Carroll's 'The Stress Is Killing Me' | Vague Visages

vaguevisages.com

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 12

🏠 ALL HAPPY FAMILIES (dir. Haroula Rose) @vaguevisages.bsky.social

Josh Radnor plays a sad Chicago actor living through family drama and chaos. A warm, slow-burn family comedy that’s more lived-in than groundbreaking.

vaguevisages.com/2025/06/02/all-happy-families-review-amazon-movie-film/

'All Happy Families' Review - A Gently Chaotic Portrait of Multigenerational Family Life in Chicago

'All Happy Families' Review - A Gently Chaotic Portrait of Multigenerational Family Life in Chicago | Vague Visages

vaguevisages.com

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 12

🔪 INVADER (dir. Mickey Keating) @vaguevisages.bsky.social

A 70-minute panic attack: raw, relentless, and intentionally disorienting. Shaky cam, pounding sound, and no room to breathe. Less about plot, more about unease.

vaguevisages.com/2025/05/28/invader-review-movie-film-mickey-keating/

Review: Mickey Keating's 'Invader'

Review: Mickey Keating's 'Invader' | Vague Visages

vaguevisages.com

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jun 12

🎬 New reviews live at @vaguevisages.bsky.social!

I've been digging into the latest indie offerings, from brutal home invasions to sun-drenched ensemble dramas. Here's a roundup of what I’ve watched and written about lately 👇

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · May 30

The #NorthernYouth season is taking over @picturevillecinema.bsky.social! This electrifying season (May 30–June 13) celebrates Northern coming-of-age stories and is curated by #Skins director Dominic Leclerc 🎥

Read more in @soundspheremag.bsky.social:

screensphere.co.uk/news/film-ne...

Northern Youth: Pictureville’s Electric Celebration of Northern Identity and Rebellion - Screensphere

The award-winning Pictureville Cinema in Bradford is putting a spotlight on young changemakers with its Northern Youth season.

screensphere.co.uk

Reposted by Christina Brennan

Loud and Clear Reviews @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social · May 27

Vincent D’Alessandro blends realism with a poignant coming-of-age story in his striking debut film, BOTTOM FEEDERS, out now on Vimeo on Demand!

Read @christinabrennan.bsky.social's review!

loudandclearreviews.com/bottom-feede...

Bottom Feeders Review: Bleak & Bold Debut

Vincent D’Alessandro’s Bottom Feeders is a memorable debut about clawing out of poverty in rural Pennsylvania.

loudandclearreviews.com

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Reposted by Christina Brennan

National Science and Media Museum @mediamuseum.bsky.social · Apr 23

👻 A great read ahead of our first Cine Spotlights tomorrow!

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

6. I also chatted with Screen Mayhem about The Vanishing and its production history & reception ahead of its screening at @picturevillecinema.bsky.social in Bradford (Thursday 24 April 📽️)

screenmayhem.com/it-makes-you...

“It Makes You Uncomfortable in Different Ways”: Dr Christina Brennan on The Vanishing

Can you tell me about your first experience seeing The Vanishing? I was first aware of the film when I was very young. I caught a snippet of it on a programme by Channel Four in 2004 or 2005, calle…

screenmayhem.com

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

6. I also chatted with Screen Mayhem about The Vanishing and its production history & reception ahead of its screening at @picturevillecinema.bsky.social in Bradford (Thursday 24 April 📽️)

screenmayhem.com/it-makes-you...

“It Makes You Uncomfortable in Different Ways”: Dr Christina Brennan on The Vanishing

Can you tell me about your first experience seeing The Vanishing? I was first aware of the film when I was very young. I caught a snippet of it on a programme by Channel Four in 2004 or 2005, calle…

screenmayhem.com

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

5. The fab @ramblingcinema.bsky.social will also be hosting a special screening at #Nottingham Central Library (they'll be a special intro + Q&A with me about The Vanishing 👀)

Thurs 15 May | 📍Nottingham
@mynottingham.bsky.social

nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/the-vanishing/

The Vanishing | Nottingham City Libraries

Film screening of 'The Vanishing' with The Rambling Cinema and a special talk with author, Dr Christina Brennan.

nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

4. I'll be at the Glossop Cinema Club for a screening of The Vanishing (1988) followed by a Q&A at the Globe Pub (film chats in a pub, what’s not to like!) 🍺

Sunday 11 May | 📍Glossop
eventbrite.co.uk/o/glossop-ci...

Glossop Cinema Club

Cult, obscure, off-beat, indie, flop-blockbuster, so-bad-they're-good, B-movie, weirdo classic and peculiar hand-picked films brought to the good folks of Glossop.We love films, all sorts of films, an...

eventbrite.co.uk

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

3. I'll also be speaking, along with other fab presenters, at the next BAFTSS Horror Event (@baftss.bsky.social), NO SAFE SPACE: PLACES AND SPACES OF HORROR CINEMA

Wed 30 April | 📍Zoom - registration free & open to all: forms.office.com/e/3vQFi35du0

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

2. Yorkshire folk! I'll be in Bradford this week at the @mediamuseum.bsky.social for an illustrated talk + screening of The Vanishing (1988)

24 April (7pm) | 📍 @picturevillecinema.bsky.social

Tickets: scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema/vanis...

#CineSpotlights @visitbradford.bsky.social

The Vanishing (15) + illustrated talk | National Science and Media Museum

The Netherlands’ most famous psychological thriller, introduced with an illustrated talk by Dr Christina Brennan.

scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Apr 22

My new book is out with @livunipress.bsky.social 📽️

It's the first book-length study on the psychological-thriller THE VANISHING (1988). It's also packed with materials from the British Film Institute and it's written for scholars and film fans alike

Screenings & events: christinabrennan.net

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Reposted by Christina Brennan

National Science and Media Museum @mediamuseum.bsky.social · Apr 11

Launching our brand new film education season, Cine Spotlights, @christinabrennan.bsky.social will be joining us in Pictureville to host an illustrated talk on The Netherlands' most famous psychological thriller 🔦

🎟️ Tickets here: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema/vanis...

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Reposted by Christina Brennan

Horror Lex® @horrorlex.bsky.social · Mar 28

Two Friday releases from @livunipress.bsky.social: @drdjohnston.bsky.social & pals' "Nigel Kneale and Horror," a look at the famed writer's eerier adaptations & @christinabrennan.bsky.social's monograph on Dutch chiller THE VANISHING.
tinyurl.com/yck82k46
tinyurl.com/bdc3p842

On the left, the cover of the book "Nigel Kneale and Horror: Medium, Time, Culture and Genre" featuring a still from a black-and-white film or TV show in which the skeleton of a giant Praying Mantis-like creature hangs from the ceiling of a lab.

On the right, the cover of the book "The Vanishing (Spoorloos)," in shadowy black with a still from the film showing a young woman cowering in a car, fearful of something outside.

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Mar 28

My book with @livunipress.bsky.social is out today!

It's a brand new study of The Vanishing and how this Dutch chiller redefined psychological horror

I have some special events in the works with @picturevillecinema.bsky.social & more. Keep your eyes peeled 👀🌟:
www.christinabrennan.net/events

Horror Lex® @horrorlex.bsky.social · Mar 28

Two Friday releases from @livunipress.bsky.social: @drdjohnston.bsky.social & pals' "Nigel Kneale and Horror," a look at the famed writer's eerier adaptations & @christinabrennan.bsky.social's monograph on Dutch chiller THE VANISHING.
tinyurl.com/yck82k46
tinyurl.com/bdc3p842

Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Mar 28

Gaming fans, this one's for you! @terrorbytesdoc.bsky.social is a five-part doc exploring the past, present, and future of horror in video games💀🕹️

Check out my write-up @soundspheremag.bsky.social:

screensphere.co.uk/news/terrorb...

#TERRORBYTES #HorrorGaming #SurvivalHorror #Documentary #Gaming

TerrorBytes: A Thrilling Five-Part Documentary Dive into Horror Gaming's Legacy and Future - Screensphere

Horror has always thrived in the shadows, and for decades, horror video games have lurked there, too — dismissed as niche entertainment compared to cinematic horror. But TerrorBytes: The Evolution...

screensphere.co.uk

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Reposted by Christina Brennan

Film Stories @filmstories.bsky.social · Mar 10

Hot off the virtual presses! The digital edition of #FilmStories magazine issue 54 is available to purchase and download here:

Film Stories issue 54 digital edition | Buy and download it here

Get issue 54 of Film Stories to download in PDF format right here - and support our independent film magazine as you do so!

buff.ly

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Mar 3

I have an interview in the latest @filmstories.bsky.social with the directors of a new documentary about Laurel and Hardy's Yorkshire tours and adventures 🌟🎬

Fab to have written for this edition alongside some talented writers. Buy it now!

Film Stories @filmstories.bsky.social · Mar 2

The shiny new edition of Film Stories magazine is available to order now. Get your 168-page, feature-packed issue 54 here:

Film Stories issue 54! 168 pages, Alien On Stage, Alien On Page, Sally

SHIPPING END OF FEBRUARY Issue 54 of Film Stories magazine, with 168 pages! On really nice paper too. A film magazine the kind of which people used to make! Inside:ALIEN ON STAGE: A bunch of Dorset…

buff.ly

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Reposted by Christina Brennan

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · Feb 25

AI is profiting from human creativity – isn’t it time creators got their fair share?

A fair deal for creators isn’t just about making things right, it is essential for the future of creativity and AI.

Find out more: societyofauthors.org

#PayTheCreator #MadeByHumans

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Christina Brennan @christinabrennan.bsky.social · Jan 14

Pleasure to speak to writer @blakenorthcott.bsky.social about Sydney Sweeney in Sony's #Barberella 💅

Filming should start later this year. Follow @nerdspin.com for the latest pop culture news 👀

Nerdspin @nerdspin.com · Jan 13

#SydneySweeney is Sony’s New ‘#Barbarella’: Exclusive Talk With Writer Blake Northcott

Sydney Sweeney is Sony’s New ‘Barbarella’: Exclusive Talk With Writer Blake Northcott

Exclusive: Nerdspin Talks with 'Barbarella' Writer Blake Northcott on Why Sydney Sweeney is Perfect for the Iconic Role.

nerdspin.com

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