The relationship we have with our parents is something that is inherently built on a foundation of mutual love and affection (at least in the ideal scenarios – sadly we cannot speak for everyone, as individual domestic situations tend to differ quite notable), but like any other relationship, it requires constant work and maintenance, from…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)
While it is tempting to view it as a singular chronological entity (particularly since we are predisposed to preferring the orderly structure it contains), cinema is nothing more than a series of movements, occurring concurrently and often in slightly different ways when it comes to themes and overall artistic innovation. Breaking it up into smaller…
Insomnia (1997)
Recent scientific findings have determined that roughly 10% of people suffer from some kind of insomnia, and whether it is a temporary inability to fall asleep or a more chronic disorder, it is certainly a notable concern, particularly since there are numerous reasons for the condition, ranging from medical problems to psychological issues. Yet, every…
Dumbo (1941)
Every child has a few sets of films that undeniably shaped their formative years, playing a vital role in their development and aiding in their growth over time. Some tend to cross over between generations, which is usually a sign of not only the strength of storytelling, but also emotional brilliance and genuine creativity. This…
Friendship (2025)
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value. Rather, it is one of those things which give value to survival” These words by C.S. Lewis can be found in his book Four Loves, his meditation on faith, friendship and life in general. It has always stood out to me as a…
They Shot the Piano Player (2024)
At some point in our lives, we have all been entranced by the genre known as bossa nova – the soothing rhythms intertwining with the lyricism that exists somewhere between philosophically profound and hopelessly romantic, there is a reason the world was utterly taken when this genre emerged out of Brazil and underwent a cultural…
Dolly and Her Lover (1990)
The concept of opposites attracting has been the foundation of a lot of romantic films over the years, especially those designed to be slightly more comedic in nature, since there’s very few topics simultaneously funny and heartfelt than two very unique individuals overcoming their differences and falling in love with one another, which gives hope…
All My Friends Hate Me (2022)
We all know that familiar feeling of walking into a room, and suddenly being struck by a truly intrusive thought – “everyone here hates me”. Perhaps some have been lucky enough to have avoided such irrational and nonsensical delusions. Still, the vast majority of us have felt insecure from time to time, especially in arbitrary…
Blackbird (2020)
While you may not know it by looking at her, but Lily (Susan Sarandon) is about to die. Afflicted with a rare, deadly disease that gradually causes her muscles to deteriorate, her prospects for leading a normal life grow increasingly sparse as the days progress. If she can’t live as herself, dying on her own…
Doomed at Sundown (1937)
Once you have seen enough of a particular genre, the work starts to blur together. It can seem very repetitive, especially if we are dealing with either the earlier years of Hollywood filmmaking or a genre that didn’t initially allow for much space for exploration and experimentation. Unfortunately, a film like Doomed at Sundown meets…
The Postmodern Pelican 