When Todd Phillips announced that he intended to make a film based on the classic DC supervillain The Joker, there was a collective sense of skepticism and sincere incredulity towards a filmmaker known more for irreverent, broad comedies that usually aimed for the low-hanging fruit and developed a reputation for their simplicity. He was the…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
The Only Son (1936)
As is the case with many incredibly influential and prolific filmmakers, choosing a standout in the career of Yasujirō Ozu’s storied career is not always easy, even if certain films tend to be discussed more often than others. Some people present the argument that The Only Son (Japanese: 一人息子) is his greatest work, as well…
Bad Genius (2024)
For as long as we have been placing value on academic results and viewing them as the ultimate indication of success as far as scholastic achievement, there have been conversations around whether something such as ethical cheating can exist – is it possible that going against the honour system presented by every academic institution can…
Jeffrey (1995)
While there is a rule of thumb that states that tragedy plus time equals comedy, there are some subjects that are considered too taboo to be subjected to humour, or at least the kind of comedy that is appreciated by general audiences. HIV/AIDS is one such subject – despite the considerable efforts to eradicate the…
Come to the Stable (1949)
“Something tells me that an irresistible force has been let loose in New England.” There is something magical about the idea of unbreakable faith. We may live in an era where a lot of Western culture advocates for a more secular view of humanity, and where art that positively tackles religion is usually relegated to…
Apples (2020)
There are several cinematic movements that are still unfolding as we speak, with one of the most exciting and unique being the Greek Weird Wave, formed by filmmakers originating in Athens and other urban metropoles around the country, crafting films that are deeply unnerving and often take place in more peculiar, off-the-wall versions of reality….
Bernadette (2023)
As we are constantly reminded by the hackneyed adage, behind every successful man is a woman helping him on his journey. Those with knowledge of European or global politics throughout the 20th century will undoubtedly be familiar with the sometimes divisive and always controversial career of French president Jacques Chirac, something of a polarizing figure…
Will & Harper (2024)
Behind every massively successful comedic actor, there is usually a brilliant writer who works closely with them to help develop material. Very rarely do we find comedians being entirely independent when it comes to producing work – even if they craft their own material, there is usually someone who assists in shepherding those ideas or…
The Fly (1958)
There comes a moment in every film lover’s life when they put away the prestige work and stop pretending that the only true cinematic giants were those consolidated into the mainstream through high-quality filmmaking, and instead start to realise that the industry is as much built on these works of artistic integrity as it is…
Lee (2024)
When it comes to stories of war, it’s often not the soldiers or those in charge that yield the most fascinating tales, but rather the people who existed on the periphery. Unfortunately, they’re rarely given the attention they deserve, since we tend to prioritize those who showcased clear depictions of bravery, even though so many…
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