Moral ambiguity has always been the most notable quality when it comes to looking at how Todd Solondz makes his films, with the director himself even remarking on his tendency to go for more perverse stories, especially those that touch on issues much deeper than simply dark comedy. This has always been the case, as…
Young & Beautiful (2013)
While his days of being more intentionally controversial are more contained to the earlier stages of his career, where he was seen as somewhere between an agent provocateur and wunderkind of contemporary European cinema, François Ozon still tends to make films that can cause quite a stir, even if they’re done in a way that…
American Heart (1992)
There are so many layers to American Heart, that one can easily spend nearly the entire film trying to find the right entry-point into the world director Martin Bell presents us with. However, the most logical approach would simply be to drop anchor anywhere in the film, and allow yourself to just be immersed in…
The Munekata Sisters (1950)
Despite being one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation, to the point where he is considered a pioneer of an entire nation’s cinematic culture, Yasujirō Ozu has had a few films produced that are more obscure than others, regardless of the efforts many have put into preserving and distributing his work. For someone…
Empire Records (1995)
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…
Orpheus (1950)
Despite having been composed thousands of years ago, Greek mythology still carries an oddly significant amount of cultural cache, often being perceived as the basis for many later artistic works that took inspiration from these tales of mystery and intrigue, which continue to mystify and entertain us, many years later. The primary reason is likely…
That’s Life! (1986)
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…
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021)
The theme that dominates throughout Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (Romanian: Babardeală cu bucluc sau porno balamuc) is that of unequivocal chaos, and Radu Jude is clearly relishing in this fact. The director, who has previously made some equally fascinating films, has crafted a film that is best described as pure cinematic anarchy. Composed…
La Ronde (1950)
There are moments when I genuinely start to believe Max Ophüls may have just been the greatest filmmaker in the history of French cinema, and perhaps even beyond that. These don’t even necessarily occur in the immediate aftermath of watching one of his films, but rather whenever one of the evocative memories of his work…
Fire Island (2022)
We are living in an era where queer stories are not only becoming more widespread, they’re actively emerging as some of the most poignant works in contemporary cinema. One of the fundamental signs that a certain kind of story is starting to be readily embraced by a viewership wider than the niche audience that they…
The Postmodern Pelican 