There is a moment in Lost in America where it is made abundantly clear that Albert Brooks is not simply a great comedian, but has finally achieved brilliance as a filmmaker as well. It occurs towards the end of the film, when Brooks’ character returns to his humble mobile home, where he and his wife,…
Parallel Mothers (2021)
One of the great marvels of modern cinema is how, despite having made his directorial debut over four decades ago, Pedro Almodóvar remains a trailblazer in his medium, an individual whose existential curiosity and unique approach to constructing art have made him one of the most celebrated filmmakers of any generation. There are far too…
Where Chimneys Are Seen (1953)
Somewhere in residential, working-class Tokyo sits a power station – the community surrounding it have been engaging in a spirited debate about how many chimneys the factory has. The opening narration to Where Chimneys Are Seen (Japanese: 煙突の見える場所) states that it all depends on where you are standing – for some, only one chimney can…
The Humans (2021)
At some point earlier in the previous decade, a play appeared on the New York stage that almost immediately become something of a phenomenon. Stephen Karam’s The Humans received widespread acclaim, being seen as one of the finest achievements of the year, and celebrated as a major new entry into the canon of American literature….
Barefoot in the Park (1967)
In the history of romantic comedies, few films have done quite as much heavy-lifting as Barefoot in the Park, Gene Saks’ beloved adaptation of Neil Simon’s adorable play about two people who discover how easy it is to get married, with the challenge coming in staying together, especially in contrast to the obstacles they face….
The Jump (2021)
Is there any story that embodies the idea of the American Dream better than a Lithuanian fisherman trying to escape Soviet rule by literally leaping across the open waters of the ocean from one boat to another, in the hopes of defecting to the United States? What sounds like an amusing premise for a charming…
Claire’s Knee (1970)
The career of Éric Rohmer is one filled with contradictions, and we can see this clearly in any of his films, such as Claire’s Knee (French: Le Genou de Claire), which is often considered one of his crowning achievements. It is a film centred on dialogue, but it is never overly verbose. It is set…
Being the Ricardos (2021)
I Love Lucy isn’t just an iconic comedy show, it was an absolute institution. One simply cannot read any analysis on the history of television without this particular programme being mentioned, whether it be for its enormous viewership that put modern shows to shame, or its enduring legacy as one of the most important pieces…
The Earrings of Madame De… (1953)
Some films exist to tell a story, others to make the viewer feel a particular sensation. On some rare occasions, we even find a film that’s primary function is to weave together pure visual poetry. This is the most appropriate way to look at The Earrings of Madame De…, the wonderful romantic melodrama by the…
Don’t Look Up (2021)
There is a great film somewhere in Don’t Look Up, it just takes a short while to fully manifest. This is much more than can be said about the two previous forays by Adam McKay into a more serious-minded form of filmmaking, with his recent efforts being the infantilizing The Big Short, and the absolutely…
The Postmodern Pelican 