When you are arguably the greatest director of all time (or at least occupy a firm position in the pantheon of masterful filmmakers with reputations that are beyond unimpeachable), you can afford to be criticized without it seeming like an attack against their legacy. Few filmmakers are more secure in being considered amongst the most…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Ferrari (2023)
We know the brand and its prestige, but not many of us are aware of the storied history of Ferrari, particularly its origins and the various challenges it faced over the years. Enzo Ferrari is an enigmatic figure in the world of engineering – some view him as a revolutionary who pioneered a new style…
The Meanest Man in the World (1943)
There is a very narrow membrane between being tough and being mean, and as the protagonist in the play The Meanest Man in the World (a starring vehicle for writer-performer George M. Cohan in the 1920s) will attest, it is extremely easy to cross between the two without realising it – and sometimes, it can…
Predestination (2014)
As a genre, science fiction can be either brilliant or excruciatingly dated, and there is often very little way for us to predict in which direction a particular work will veer, since essentially it’s a genre that depends entirely on speculation, and while there are some that tend to be more steeped in reality than…
High Plains Drifter (1973)
He may be a divisive figure based on his political and social views, but in terms of artistic reputation, you rarely find people more iconic than Clint Eastwood, whose talent is only matched by his longevity, his legacy is beyond secure. He is one of those extremely prolific individuals – both as an actor and…
The Iron Claw (2023)
There are some athletes that don’t even require someone to follow their specific sport for them to be historically resonant – in the case of Kevin Von Erich, it wasn’t just sport, but his entire existence that has drawn considerable notoriety. Hailing from a family of wrestlers who were pushed beyond their limits by their…
Sister Act (1992)
There are some films that become so consolidated in the global culture, regardless of how much time passes, they remain fresh and invigorating, with seemingly very little being possible when it becomes to tarnishing their legacy. Despite having been released over thirty years ago, Sister Act has sustained its reputation as one of the most…
Of Human Bondage (1934)
Over time, the deeper you venture into classical cinema, the more you realize how many surprisingly great gems are hidden beneath layers of obscurity, which shows the rich and fascinating history of Hollywood. There is nothing quite like discovering an obscure masterpiece since it shows that some of the best films are hidden in plain…
Close Your Eyes (2023)
This past year, we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of The Spirit of the Beehive, a film that has withstood the test of time and become a cultural cornerstone for much of Spanish-language cinema, which was introduced to many viewers through this remarkable piece of filmmaking. Whether or not it was intended to mark half a…
No Dogs or Italians Allowed (2023)
Culture is nothing more than an expanded family history consolidated into historical fact – and there is nothing quite as beautiful as sincere pride in where one comes from. However, life has not always been easy for those who were born into one culture over another, especially when referring to particular moments in the past….
The Postmodern Pelican 