Hollywood’s return to making monster films has certainly been a wonderful surprise, since it has become increasingly clear that these films, while not always of the highest quality, usually contain an element of ingenuity and creativity that is often missing from a lot of other genres. Attempts to make the genre more formal and sophisticated…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Calamari Union (1985)
A gang (consisting of a group of men all named Frank, and then later an additional member named Pekka, all of which seem to lack last names) meets in an abandoned building and begin outlining a plan for their upcoming escape from working-class Helsinki, which they are intending to complete within a few hours, given…
The Probability Factor (1976)
We all deal with frustrating people in our own way – some have a higher tolerance for irritation than others, while some may choose to simply cut someone entirely out of their lives. Neither of these are particularly fascinating when it comes to art, since we’re conditioned as a species to be naturally curious about…
In the Summers (2024)
There is nothing quite like the love between a parent and their child, especially when it goes in both directions. Many of us adore our parents and find them to be the cornerstone of our lives. However, it is also sadly quite true that there comes a point where our relationship begins to change, which…
Frontier Gambler (1956)
Few genres have changed more frequently than the western genre, which consists of clear delineations between periods, with very little overlap unless a film is constructed as an intentional throwback. Another genre in which this has taken place is the film noir, which also reached its peak at some point in the middle of the…
Broken English (2007)
We all strive to be the best version of ourselves, not realising that the only way to improve and lead a life in which we can have pride is to stop defining ourselves by the people who surround us, and instead focus on developing the confidence to love ourselves, regardless of the cost. It’s a…
Snack Shack (2024)
Friendship is something that comes and goes with time, and the connections we form in our younger years do not always carry through as we grow older and begin to move on separate paths. This doesn’t necessarily invalidate those who manage to hold onto those lifelong friendships. Still, it does lend itself to some very…
The Most Charming and Attractive (1985)
We all yearn to improve ourselves – but change starts within, and it can only be accomplished through small but significant steps to making a difference in our own lives. Some of these changes are exceptionally easy, others take time and effort, and in both cases, the rate of success is not always consistent, and…
Willie Dynamite (1973)
Much like any art form, cinema is usually crafted as a response to the social and cultural milieux in which a particular artist exists, which means that we usually find every film contains some degree of commentary, even if only in the most subtle cues. We usually find that crime films in particular contain the…
Storm in a Teacup (1937)
There is something about stepping into a small town that can be truly exhilarating. Whether returning home or visiting for the first time, many quaint hamlets have their charms and eccentricities and can be the location of some delightful adventures. This is the initial impetus behind Storm in a Teacup, a film directed by Ian…
The Postmodern Pelican 