There’s a sub-genre of comedy that was wildly popular throughout the 1980s, but has seemingly either been mangled to the point of being beyond recognition, or disappeared entirely. These films were based on a simple premise – either an individual or group of people set off for a day out in some major city or…

When Cheryl Dunye set out to make her first feature-length film after a few years of short-format filmmaking, she had quite a challenge ahead of her, not only because she was a relatively novice director, but also because there were simply very few people like her making films, even in the independent sphere. However, these…

As unheralded as a filmmaker as he may be, Albert Brooks certainly has quite a knack for telling stories that resonate with many viewers, in a way that is accessible and endearing, rather than being contrite in the way many mainstream comedies tend to be. A populist filmmaker, but one that uses his platform in…

There are many ways to identify a great filmmaker, but one of the most reliable methods is whether they turn the most simple premise into a profoundly moving experience. In an industry driven by spectacle and artistic innovation, sometimes the most effective works entail a director simply having a good story, a room in which…

There are two categories of films that feature comedians in the central role – the first are vehicles made to showcase their talents, essentially working as a means to further monetize their popularity. The second are films that see the comedian playing against type, either taking on a more dramatic role, or one that isn’t…

There came a moment in the 1990s when several young and burgeoning filmmakers believed that they were on the precipice of making the next teen classic. John Hughes had inspired many artists with his masterful and precise glimpses into the teenage experience, focusing on the angst and joys of being young – but it was…

That’s Life! is the perfect title for the film written and directed by the legendary Blake Edwards, since nearly every character in the film seems only inches away from throwing their arms up and letting out an exasperated sigh in response to their steadily confusing lives. Taking place over a single weekend, and focusing on…

If there is a complaint that one can find when it comes to the subject of Hairspray, it would be how inconceivably enormous it has become. Whether it be the elaborate stage musical (which has been produced both professionally and by amateur theatre groups) or the film adaptation that remains one of the most profitable…

Lester (Eric Stoltz) doesn’t know who he wants to be, or the direction he intends to take his life. All he does know is that he’s unhappy where he is at the moment – having just turned thirty, he wanders aimlessly through his Brooklyn neighbourhood, cavorting with his fellow artistically-minded (read: thoroughly pretentious) friends and…

James L. Brooks may not make films that necessarily stand out as the most innovative or experimental works, but are instead the epitome of consistency, which is likely drawn from a long career working as one of the more powerful executives in Hollywood, being responsible for the creation of many cherished works, many of which…