He may be a director who works quite infrequently, and his output is often seen as divisive at best, but Hal Hartley is one of those filmmakers whose entire career embodies the spirit of pure independence. One of the pioneers of the movement towards more small-scale, arthouse-inspired productions, he has been celebrated as one of…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Never Say Goodbye (1946)
Something that becomes very clear when looking into the Golden Age of Hollywood is that what makes the industry run is the balance between reliability and ambition – they are not mutually exclusive, but we can easily divide the majority of mainstream films into one of the two categories – either, its a film aiming…
Just to Be Sure (2017)
When it comes to secrets, it is undeniable that some should remain unsaid, since the aftermath of certain revelations can have quite a harsh impact if whoever is receiving it is not adequately prepared. In the case of family secrets, we often feel we are entitled to know the truth about those we share our…
Sabrina (1954)
Billy Wilder’s approach to cinema was nothing short of exhilarating, with the stories he told and their vibrant execution being highlights of the period in which he was active, which mercifully stretches nearly half a century. Even when doing something decisively minor in terms of tone or storyline, he always found ways to make his…
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
One of the most encouraging and motivational stories of a filmmaker rising above adversity to have his work produced is found in the career of Robert Townsend, whose film Hollywood Shuffle is the epitome of tenacity. Profoundly dedicated to the premise, Townsend not only made the film on a shoestring budget, but whatever resources went…
May December (2023)
Reality is often stranger than fiction, and few contemporary filmmakers understand this better than Todd Haynes, who has made a career from taking inspiration from real-life figures or entire periods in the past and repurposing them into masterful examinations of the human condition, each one beautifully handcrafted by a director who has consistently proven his…
American Symphony (2023)
“What we love about music is not that it sounds good – what we love about music is that it sounds inevitable” Music has always been a part of Jon Batiste’s personal and professional life, and few contemporary artists seem to have their entire existence revolve around the art of creation quite as much as…
History of the World, Part I (1981)
There are many reasons to appreciate Mel Brooks, but his sense of humour is perhaps the most important, and he built an entire career out of his quick wit and ability to make any subject funny. The story of how he came up with History of the World, Part I is one of the most…
Wish (2023)
Perhaps it is presumptuous, but it’s entirely possible that anyone reading this grew up at least aware of Disney. We have gotten to a point where the studio is now older than the vast majority of the global population, which is both a thrilling fact, and an opportunity to reflect on what this company has…
The Front Page (1974)
If you have been reading here for a while, you will undoubtedly know about my fondness for The Front Page, the magnificent play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur which is perhaps the finest piece of comedic theatre to come out of the first half of the 20th century, and like any well-received production, it…
The Postmodern Pelican 