Loss is something that everyone processes differently, and much has been written about the fact that no two people mourn in the same way, which is precisely why no one has been able to craft the definitive text on grief, despite it being one of the most common philosophical and artistic motifs across all of…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Blink Twice (2024)
When an actor makes the decision to take the leap into directing, there are usually two broad categories of films that they tend to make – the first are extremely personal, simple endeavours that may not be particularly challenging but do feel like they come from a very meaningful place, whereas the second are high-concept…
The Kiss of Death (1977)
While he is viewed as arguably one of the most important filmmakers to have emerged out of the United Kingdom (perhaps only second to Sir David Lean in terms of cultural impact), there was a time when Mike Leigh wasn’t the massively acclaimed cinematic stalwart he is considered today, but rather a dedicated writer and…
His Three Daughters (2024)
Death is a peculiar concept – it is something we all understand is inevitable, and it can be argued it always sits at the back of our minds. Yet, artistically it feels like it is a subject that is both present in many works, but still hasn’t quite been entirely understood. The reality is that…
Waterlily Jaguar (2018)
Being an artist is not always an easy endeavour – certain challenges come with being a creative individual that can cause a range of personal and professional issues. Melora Walters set out to explore this subject in her directorial debut, the well-meaning Waterlily Jaguar, in which she examines the trials and tribulations of a well-liked…
The Deliverance (2024)
Over the course of a career (which is close to going on a quarter of a century now), Lee Daniels has been something of a polarizing figure as far as filmmakers tend to go. Some view him as a genuinely gifted, original voice that aims to elevate stories of marginalized communities and the people who…
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2024)
Life can be difficult when you are immortal, which is a lesson that Sasha encounters the hard way. Part of a family of ancient vampires, she has only recently started to reach maturity, but much to her parent’s chagrin, she finds herself unable to hunt victims, leading them to become quite frustrated as it becomes…
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)
Love is a funny concept – it’s something nearly everyone feels at some point in their life, whether intimately or from a distance, but it’s also not something we entirely understand. Science claims that it is the result of some kind of chemical reaction, philosophers view it as having very deep existential roots, and religious…
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Nostalgia is perhaps the most powerful drug when it comes to art, and like many substances, it tends to be abused quite frequently, especially in recent years when studios have grown increasingly reliant on replicating the success of existing properties. It seems like every year, we encounter examples of the dreaded triage of “reboots, remakes…
Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024)
Imagination is the most powerful currency known to man. Perhaps an overly hackneyed sentiment that invalidates more concrete forms of wealth, but it is still very motivating and the premise on which many creative individuals choose to base their lives. One of the great examples of this concept in practice comes in the form of…
The Postmodern Pelican 