James Balmont

James Balmont

James Balmont is a freelance journalist based in London, whose work has been published by The Guardian, BBC Culture, Sight & Sound and more. He specialises in coverage of contemporary East Asian cinema, and has previously worked as a music reporter for outlets including NME and Crack Magazine.

Hellraiser’s Haunted Shooting Location: The Dark History of Dollis Hill

Features

Hellraiser’s Haunted Shooting Location: The Dark History of Dollis Hill

We explore the haunted North London suburbs where Clive Barker's Hellrasier was filmed and gristly true crimes took place...

2023-10-24 09:57:03By James Balmont

Yūsaku Matsuda: Game-Changing Maverick

Features

Yūsaku Matsuda: Game-Changing Maverick

Star of The Game Trilogy and one of Japan's greatest action heroes, we look back at the short but sensational career of cinema icon Yūsaku Matsuda.

2023-06-16 11:47:24By James Balmont

The Street Fighter and the nasty world of Japanese ultra-violence

Features

The Street Fighter and the nasty world of Japanese ultra-violence

Those of a sensitive disposition please look away now as we take an eye-opening look at six of the most extreme, ultra-violent films from Japan.

2023-04-14 16:32:29By James Balmont

From Bertolucci to Brian de Palma - the great scores of Ryuichi Sakamoto

Features

From Bertolucci to Brian de Palma - the great scores of Ryuichi Sakamoto

As Ryuichi Sakamoto continues to be sought after as one of the world's leading film score composers, we look at his highlights including The Last Emperor.

2023-02-17 17:55:11By James Balmont

Ju-on: The Curse and four other Y2K J-Horror movies you may have missed

Features

Ju-on: The Curse and four other Y2K J-Horror movies you may have missed

The early 2000's saw a huge interest in J-Horror due to the phenomenal success of the likes of Audition, Pulse and Ju-on: The Grudge.

2022-12-13 11:26:45By James Balmont