Sidney Lumet

The Apology writer-director Alison Star Locke on the huge impact Running on Empty and Gas Food Lodging had on her growing up.

Acclaimed writer-director Nicholas Jarecki on why his debut, Arbitrage, and new film Crisis both focus on societal systems in collapse.

Jim Hemphill attempts the improbable task of listing the best – or at least most pleasurable – that the small screen had to offer in the past year.

With echoes of classic Lumet and two outstanding central performances, Shades of Blue is a rare welcome addition to the crowded cop show genre.