Here is an indication that we are living in a renaissance of queer cinema: filmmakers are able to make films with a pair of same-sex leads and not have the focus be on their sexuality, but rather on other parts of the story that do not relate to the sexual identity of these characters. Andrew…
Nothing Like a Dame (2018)
What happens when you get four of the finest actresses of their generation together, talking about their lives and careers? The answer is Roger Michell’s latest film, a documentary entitled Nothing Like a Dame (also alternatively known as Tea with the Dames) that is nothing short of an exhilarating, hilarious and irreverent look into the…
First Reformed (2018)
Nobody writes tortured protagonists quite like Paul Schrader. He has worked in constructing some of the most complex characters ever depicted on screen, such as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, Jake La Motta in Raging Bull, Julian Kaye in American Gigolo and Jesus Christ in The Last Temptation of Christ. Schrader is a magnificent writer…
Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Cinematically, when lightning strikes, why shouldn’t a filmmaker try and replicate that success, even if there is very little chance that it will be as successful? In 1962, Robert Aldrich directed Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, one of the greatest horror films ever made, and a film that persists to this day as a towering…
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…
The Night Eats the World (2018)
I’ve got a theory that I stand by relentlessly: the stories that mainstream American films refuse to make are the treasures of the European arthouse. The past decade has seen some truly memorable and unique horror films coming out of Europe, and France, in particular, continues to push boundaries of horror cinema. Moreover, one of…
The Band’s Visit (2007)
Cinema, like all art, has many intentions and has the power to convey any story or theme imaginable. One such theme prevalent in many films is that of current political affairs, with contemporary issues often pervading the cinematic landscape. While many of these films are very effective, writing about them can be a challenge, because…
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…
Cries and Whispers (1972)
This is quite a noteworthy review, not because of the content necessarily, but rather because of the fact that this is my 600th review, which is a revelation I am still astonished by. I normally celebrate these milestones by reviewing something special to me, possibly a favorite film or a film by a director I…
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…
The Postmodern Pelican 