Greetings again from the darkness. With new music being created every day, it’s important to keep alive the history of those early musicians who, decades later, are still influencing contemporary songwriters and musicians. This is exactly what Kirsty Bell accomplishes with her informative profile of Eddie Cochran, a young man whose stardom and artistic pursuits were cut short by a fatal car crash at age 21.
Most are familiar with “the day the music died”. On February 3, 1959, a plane crash in Iowa killed Buddy Holly (age 22), Richie Valens (17), and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson (28), each a talented and rising star. Not as many are familiar with the car crash that killed Cochran barely one year later, on April 17, 1960. Cochran wrote and performed the classic “Summertime Blues”, which charted for him, and has since been recorded and performed by many artists, including The Beach Boys, Blue Cheer, The Who (yes, at Woodstock) and Alan Jackson.
Filmmaker Bell serves up a true profile of Eddie Cochran, going back to his childhood and his formative years in music (studio sessions). Jack Harris appears periodically as Eddie in reenactments and as narrator, as does Frances Barber as his beloved mother. Eddie’s older sister is interviewed, reminding us that not only is his story musical history, it’s also a personal tragedy. We learn Cochran’s guitar playing was influenced by Chet Atkins and that he was enamored with the music of Ray Charles. He not only befriended Gene Vincent (of “Be-Bop-A-Lula” fame, and another too-soon passing), but also the aforementioned Buddy Holly, with whom he had a friendly competition that found the two passing musical notes and ideas to each other.
The list of icons interviewed here includes Keith Richards, Albert Lee, Ronnie Wood, Peter Frampton, Alice Cooper, Cliff Richard, John Waters, Suzi Quatro, Garry Tallent, Yungblud, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltrey, Sting, and Kiefer Sutherland (among others). It’s a partial lineup that demonstrates just how influential and respected Eddie Cochran was, despite his unfortunately short career. Of course, I’ve only mentioned “Summertime Blues”, but Cochran left other memorable tunes, including “C’mon Everybody”, and “Twenty Flight Rock”. Because of his age, we will never know what directions he might have gone – music production, film acting, and/or continued songwriting and performing.
The film travels back to Cochran’s hometown of Albert Lea, Minnesota and also goes into detail about his 1960 European Tour with Gene Vincent. We are fortunate to have the 1956 movie, THE GIRL CAN’T HELP IT, which features a performance from Eddie (and others). In a remarkable twist of fate, it was Police Officer Dave Dee who found Cochran’s guitar after the fatal crash. This police officer went on to be part of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, an English rock band from the 1960’s (and mentioned in Quentin Tarantino’s DEATH PROOF). The message delivered by Kirsty Bell’s film and Eddie Cochran’s story is that good music connects the generations … even if tragedy strikes far too often.
The film opens in UK cinemas on September 11, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Whether it’s flight attendants, dock workers, or Amazon, we tend to think about, and dread, the inconvenience a labor strike will cause us personally. Documentarian Yael Bridge gives us a rare peek inside … sometimes behind closed doors … to show us how a potential work stoppage (strike) could affect those workers and their families. This time, the company is UPS, which according to the film handles approximately six percent of all goods in the United States.
Greetings again from the darkness. I guess we were due for a “Cold War Buddy Comedy”. And who better to deliver than co-directors John Francis Daley and Johnathan Goldstein, the team behind GAME NIGHT (2018) and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023). This time out, they deliver excellent visuals to go along with stellar comedic chemistry between first class wisecracker Ryan Reynolds and expert straight man (and Oscar winner) Kenneth Branagh.
Greetings again from the darkness. With the mere mention of Jimmy Buffett, we immediately envision a sea of ‘Parrot heads’ sipping margaritas and having a blast as they sing along to the feel-good coastal tunes being played at a sunny outdoor venue. The beloved singer passed away three years ago, and now documentarian John H Cunningham provides an in-depth look at the early days. This is the origin story of the cultural phenomenon that Buffett built with his band … The Coral Reefers.
Greetings again from the darkness. For those of us who grew up belly-laughing at Looney Tunes, the characters are considered sacred ground, so a bit of anxiety hits when movies like SPACE JAM (1996) hit the big screen. This especially holds true for this latest from director Dave Green, since we know so many of the beloved characters will be on display. Samy Burch (MAY DECEMBER, 2023) adapted the screenplay from a 1990 article in “The New Yorker”, with an assist from James Gunn (SUPERMAN, 2025) and Jeremy Slater (FANTASTIC FOUR, 2015). The blend of animation and live action is reminiscent of the 1988 classic, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT.
Greetings again from the darkness. We envision the makeup of a champion to be confident, fearless, and to possess the heart of a lion. Documentarians (and brothers) Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema profile legendary cross-country skier Jessie Diggins who courageously shatters that myth while telling her very personal story.
Greetings again from the darkness. Circumstances. Fate. Luck. Determination. It’s been said that what we make of our lives is up to us. Still, it seems likely that these factors play a role- often a significant role. Writer-director Emmanuel Corcol and co-writers Irene Muscari, Oriane Bonduel, and Khaled Amara have delivered a film that’s touching, funny, and grounded in emotional sincerity. The film never moves too quickly or too slowly, instead allowing the characters to guide the pace.
Greetings again from the darkness. Writer-director Tessa Blake and screenwriter Jennifer Manocherian have adapted Lisa O’Donnell’s 2014 novel, “Closed Doors”, and set the story in small town Minnesota rather than Scotland. This relocation works beautifully thanks to the contrast of the wide-open natural spaces of Boundary Waters with the claustrophobic nature of family life. Parents are tasked with a balancing act: protecting kids with teaching them, while also maintaining our own peace of mind. Where is the line between being honest with kids and protecting them from situations that are beyond their age bracket?
Greetings again from the darkness. Director Ben Gregor may have delivered the rarest of films in this day and age … one filled with adventure, goodness, and life lessons … and one the entire family can watch and enjoy together. Simon Farnaby (PADDINGTON 2, 2017) adapted the screenplay from Enid Blyton’s series of four books published between 1939 and 1951. Ms. Blyton passed away in 1968, yet she remains one of the best-selling authors of children’s books.
Greetings again from the darkness. This is a Jason Statham movie on a boat. For anyone who would be interested in this one, that description is all that’s needed. By now, we know what to expect from a Statham movie: lots of action, plenty of mano-y-mano fisticuffs, and a reason for him to flash a heart of gold buried under that tough and well-toned exterior. Director Jean-Francois Richet was behind the two excellent “Merine” movies in 2008, and here is back with his PLANE (2003) screenwriter JP Davis (joined by co-writer Lindsay Michel).
Movie Reviews from the Dark 