Contributions from Anton Bitel | Little White Lies

Contributor Anton Bitel

Robed figure with a star emblem, gesturing amidst flames.
Home Ents

Discover the allegorical terror of this landmark silent era horror

by Anton Bitel

Paul Wegener’s nightmarish take on the Golem of Jewish folklore introduced German Expressionism to the world.
A woman in a vibrant, flame-coloured dress stands in a dimly lit room, surrounded by children in school uniforms.
Review

Little Monsters

by Anton Bitel

Lupita Nyong’o defends a group of school kids from a zombie horde in Abe Forsythe’s tame comedy-horror.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A man's face peering out from a dimly lit doorway, his expression stern and focused.
Review

Doctor Sleep

by Anton Bitel

Ewan McGregor retreads familiar ground in this sequel to Stephen King’s (and Stanley Kubrick’s) The Shining.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Shirtless male with eyes closed, face covered in blood, biting into something bloody
Home Ents

Is An American Werewolf in London a love story?

by Anton Bitel

Romance, tragedy and horror combine to potent effect in director John Landis’ iconic 1981 feature.
Woman in pink robe sitting on bed, thoughtful expression, bedroom interior with framed pictures on wall.
Home Ents

Discover the troubling eroticism of this twisted ’70s thriller

by Anton Bitel

Stanley H Brassloff’s Toys Are Not for Children centres on a doll-like heroine with severe daddy issues.
A close-up of a woman's face, with her eyes closed and mouth open, surrounded by long, wavy, reddish-brown hair.
Home Ents

Discover the sordid pleasures of this late-career Mario Bava slasher

by Anton Bitel

The Italian horror maestro’s 1971 film A Bay of Blood remains one of his most shocking works.
A woman in a green embroidered jacket sitting at a table, examining a green ceramic dish.
Festivals

Programmers Picks from the 2019 BFI London Film Festival

by Anton Bitel

Away from the showpiece gala screenings, these are the films worth seeking out at this year’s LFF.
Weathered older man holding gun, aiming it purposefully.
Review

Rambo: Last Blood

by Anton Bitel

Rambo starts off breaking horses before breaking skulls in this strangely laconic revenge fantasy involving the Mexican cartels.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Red trolley on dirt path, with sign warning "Travellers advised not to leave paved road" against blue sky and trees.
Home Ents

Does The Hills Have Eyes II contain that Wes Craven slasher magic?

by Anton Bitel

A new Blu-ray of this 1984 cheapjack sequel shows there’s more value to it than meets the eye.
Four people standing in a lush, green forest.
Review

IT Chapter Two

by Anton Bitel

Time stands still in more ways than one as this dull rehash of Andy Muschietti’s 2017 horror overstays its welcome.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect