It was the incredible Mel Brooks who once said “I’ve been accused of vulgarity. I say that’s bullshit”, a wonderful and witty quote from the master of comedy himself. This sentiment could easily be applied to the characters in Wicked Little Letters, a film that tells the little-known story of a community in the small,…
Author: The Postmodern Pelican
Paris Blues (1961)
There was a movement in the early part of the 20th century, where people from all around the world descended on Paris, which they saw as the epicentre for creativity and artistic expression, more than any other city on earth – New York City was too harsh, Los Angeles a cesspool of crime and debauchery,…
Civil War (2024)
“I believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” The iconic photographer Diane Arbus isn’t mentioned by name in Civil War, the most recent directorial outing by Alex Garland, but her spectre lingers heavily throughout this film, as does the spirit of many people who dedicated their lives to photography, the…
Young Ahmed (2019)
There was a time when Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne were considered the heirs apparent to the role of greatest social realist filmmakers, their work being the gold standard for films about the lives of ordinary people navigating challenging circumstances, each one reflecting deeper conversations on the nature of life and death and everything in between….
The First Omen (2024)
Being a devotee of classic cinema can sometimes be a challenge, considering how much the industry has grown to be dependent on legacy sequels and reboots, which is particularly rife within the horror genre since it seems like every great horror film needs to be revisited in some way, whether through starting from scratch or…
See the Sea (1997)
Over the course of a three-decade career, François Ozon has gone to many distinct places, both geographically and psychologically, and his films span a wide berth when it comes to genre and specific details of the narratives. We may normally associate him with more lavish, detailed productions, but there is a side to the director…
Asphalt City (2024)
Anyone who has spent any amount of time with a paramedic will know that it is a career path made for those who are not only physically at their peak, but also willing to handle the mental strain that comes with this profession. It’s quite obvious that saving lives can take a psychological toll on…
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
For about as long as we have been sentient, there have been questions about what happens to us after we die, and whether or not there is an afterlife – and if so, what are the conditions to enter into it? The answer is almost always leading a principled, morally strong life with minimal diversions…
Monkey Man (2024)
In a world that is stricken with poverty, there are seemingly only two ways to escape: through hard work, or sheer force. In the case of the protagonist in Monkey Man, a blend of the two seems to be the best option. In his directorial debut, Dev Patel crafts a film that has a lot…
The Omen (1976)
Some horror films make you question whether it is a good idea to remain seated or retreat from the very first moments. They’re rare but they certainly exist, and from the first haunting note of Jerry Goldsmith’s score for The Omen, we are immediately plunged into a state of terror and despair, with the carefully-constructed…
The Postmodern Pelican 