Magical realism has been a dominant force in literature, but has rarely managed to break through significantly in the cinematic sphere, since it doesn’t appear to be one that necessarily lends itself to the visual form, despite the fact that numerous artists have demonstrated the joyful results that can come from combining the hope of…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
From “Oh captain, my captain!” to To Sir With Love, and from “Gangsta’s Paradise” to Mr. Holland’s Opus, there has never been a shortage of great films focused on teachers. A vocation that is perhaps not as respected as it should be, there have been many films that have attempted to bridge the gap between…
Pecker (1998)
There was a decade-long period between 1988 and 1998 when esteemed provocateur John Waters did something revolutionary: he dared to become mainstream. This period brought out his most culturally-significant works in Hairspray and Serial Mom, as well as the film that established him as more than just a vulgar filmmaker, but also someone who could…
The Range Feud (1931)
Buck Gordon (Buck Jones) is the sheriff of a small town, and he works exceptionally hard to maintain the peace. Most of the residents adhere to his strict but understandable rules, and there is very little trouble. However, a recent event has come to the sheriff’s attention, whereby two local landowners, Turner (Will Walling) and…
Dating Amber (2020)
Eddie (Fionn O’Shea) and Amber (Lola Petticrew) are two young people heading towards their final days of high school. Their paths have barely crossed, and they hardly know each other – but they soon realise how much they need each other, since they both carry a secret neither one of them is willing to admit…
The Sunshine Boys (1975)
“I can’t tell the difference between our act and us anymore” The Sunshine Boys is one of those films that has always been omnipotent in my life – from the earliest days, I recall it being shown on television, and over the years, it captivated me in ways I could never quite describe. It’s a…
Picnic on the Grass (1959)
There’s no need to relitigate the career of Jean Renoir, since his reputation has always preceded him, right from the early days of his work as one of the most prominent French filmmakers in the post-silent era. He made many films, some of which have gone on to become unimpeachable classics, respected as if they…
Ms. White Light (2020)
Alexis ( Roberta Colindrez) is a young woman who has never quite fit in with anyone around her. She tends to keep her circle of friends extremely small – in fact, the only person she has a genuine long-lasting connection to his her father (John Ortiz). They run a small business, where they offer a…
Shadows (1959)
Over the years, I’ve shown my support for independent cinema, not only in its modern iterations (as well as its gradual increase in success as a viable form of filmmaking that gives many artists the chance to have their voices elevated to the mainstream), but also in its origins. One of the most frequent allusions…
The Castle (1997)
The Kerrigans are a mild-mannered middle-class Australian family living in a small suburb on the outskirts of Melbourne. They’re led by the mischievous but resourceful Daryl (Michael Caton), whose commitment to his family is truly admirable. He may work a low-paying job as a tow-truck driver, but he always makes sure to provide for his…
The Postmodern Pelican 