Diversity in the arts is important. This is less of an opinion and more of an objective fact. Mainstream media has a tendency to often give attention to some groups over others, and the bigger the production, the less likely it is to find diverse representation, because of the outdated notion that audiences are attracted…
Category: comedy
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
There is nothing that imbues me with as much unbridled joy as seeing “A Spike Lee Joint” flash across my screen when I am watching a film. Spike Lee is amongst the finest filmmakers working today, and he has consistently been one of the most revered voices in contemporary cinema, directing quite possibly the greatest…
Moonstruck (1987)
What is the factor that takes something from being an excellent film to a masterwork that endures through generations? Normally, I’d argue innovation and subversion are the main ways that most of the greatest films of all time have upheld their reputation. Yet, this isn’t always the case, as many films (including the subject of…
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Ten years ago, my mother took me to see Mamma Mia!, and I was immediately transfixed by this experience. Perhaps not a towering masterpiece (not that it ever attempted to be), but it was an energetic and exuberant musical that paired some of the most iconic songs ever recorded with beyond brilliant performers in a…
Life Is Sweet (1990)
Here’s a fact that I have made very clear throughout the years: I love Mike Leigh. I adore his films, and one in particular (as I’ve said on multiple occasions) is Naked, possibly my personal favorite film, and something I revisit often. It may be perceived as poor writing to constantly start my reviews with…
Duck Butter (2018)
I went into Duck Butter not knowing much about the film. I knew that it was directed by Miguel Arteta, who co-wrote the film with the star of the film, Alia Shawkat. I had heard that it was quite a unique film and one that was unlike anything really being made nowadays. The fact that…
Flower (2018)
On first glance, there is nothing particularly original about Flower – it just seems to be another independent comedy-drama with a quirky teenager as the lead, making her way through a hostile world, encountering challenges and overcoming them with a blend of plucky courage high-spirited humor. Flower doesn’t contribute anything innovative to the landscape of…
Game Night (2018)
Here’s something I’ve learned: never have exceedingly high expectations for a film, but also don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a well-made film either. This lesson has been learned through countless disappointments and pleasant surprises, and I can say that recently, I have added another film to one of these categories. I was not expecting too…
Loves of a Blonde (1965)
Before he made two of the greatest English-language films of all time – Amadeus and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Miloš Forman was a defiant, rebellious filmmaker in his home country who helped define the period we now affectionately refer to as the Czech New Wave, representing the political tension and social strife…
Paddington 2 (2017)
Let me say this in absolutely no uncertain terms and with complete, unshakable confidence: Paddington Bear is probably the best thing to ever happen to the world of fiction. Is this sentiment hyperbolic? It certainly is. Is it also profoundly true? Absolutely, and I will stand by this idea with all my might. Paul King,…
The Postmodern Pelican 