Gangster films are a polarizing form of artistic expression – for some, they’re predictable forms of entertainment that don’t offer much outside of the bare minimum, while for others, they’re the epitome of enjoyment, fascinating glimpses into the machinations of the criminal mind. In the years before film noir was at its peak, there was…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Charlie’s Country (2013)
Despite constant urging by those around him, Charlie (David Gulpilil) has never wanted to leave the small community in which he lives in exchange for a more conventional life amongst what is considered conventional Australian society. His home has always been the bush, and he’s only known the Aboriginal way of life, which is something…
Porco Rosso (1992)
There are few filmmakers who are so associated with artistic integrity and unrestrained, pure expression of their vision, the mere mention of their names evoke a wealth of emotions in any viewer who has experienced their films. Hayao Miyazaki is undeniably one of the most beloved directors to ever work in the medium, with his…
Top Hat (1935)
Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) is a world-renowned dancer and performer who has quietly made his way to London, where he has been hired to be the star of a new revue by theatre impresario, Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton), who is very excited to have a major American performer as the lead in his show,…
Love at First Fight (2014)
Somewhere in working-class France lives Arnaud Labrède (Kévin Azaïs), a wayward young man who works as a carpenter, along with his brother (Antoine Laurent), who inherited the company from their late father, with their first solo assignment being to make him a casket after they realize that they may not be able to afford all…
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
Wally Karew (Richard Pryor) and Dave Lyons (Gene Wilder) are two ordinary, middle-aged New Yorkers – they go about their day in their usual way, trying to pick as few fights as they can, all the while trying to stay ahead of those around them, since they’re both not in the most comfortable position in…
Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Do critics matter? This is a question that has been asked in some form for about as long as art has been produced. The extent to which we have asked whether a work exist entirely objectively, without the interference of supposed experts in artistic analysis giving their opinion and determining whether something is a success…
A Special Day (1977)
It could’ve been any ordinary day in 1938, but for the occupants of Rome, the 6th of May is one that they’re going to remember for their entire lives, and boast about to everyone they encounter, because it is on this day that Adolf Hitler was making his journey through Italy to pay a visit…
Gilda (1946)
Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) is a low-level gambler and petty criminal who has been living hand-to-mouth for a while, having found his way to Buenos Aires, where he engages in any illicit games that can put a few pesos in his pocket. A chance encounter with a mysterious man (George Macready), who saves him from…
About Time (2013)
Perhaps its a sign of having grown accustomed to nearly every kind of emotion embedded in the cinematic form, or maybe just an indication of callousness, I don’t tend to find myself brought to tears by a film very often. There are numerous occasions where I feel my heartstrings being plucked with great ferocity, and…
The Postmodern Pelican 