One of my more controversial and contentious opinions in regards to cinema is that I never quite bought into the idea that Steven Spielberg was some cinematic doyen, an elder-statesman of quality (and as of late with his one-film-a-year output, quantity) cinema. Many of his more enduring films, such as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost…
Lady Bird (2017)
One of the most pleasant surprises of the previous year in cinema was the unexpected moment where independent mumblecore cinema goddess Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial Lady Bird became the most acclaimed film at the time (as of writing this, that honor belongs to the delightful Paddington 2), becoming almost universally-praised, which not many saw coming…
Quiz Show (1994)
1994 was an absolutely astonishing year for cinema, and many of my favourite films of all time were released that year – Pulp Fiction, Ed Wood, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Chungking Express all made their mainstream debuts over the course of that one extraordinary year. However, in all honesty, there…
Lucky (2017)
Despite being one of the most straightforward and simple films I’ve seen in a while, it is difficult to speak about Lucky in a way that actually makes sense. There are some films that are almost celestial in how perfect they are, and while I don’t through around the word “perfect” very often, Lucky is…
The Polka King (2018)
There are very few things in life that bring me as much joy as dark comedies set in quaint small towns, especially when they are based on true stories, and Jack Black plays an individual beloved by the entire community but is soon reviled for his criminal activity. Bernie was somewhat of a shocking revelation…
Snow Angels (2007)
I have had a very complicated cinematic relationship with David Gordon Green. He has made such cinematic misfires as Your Highness and The Sitter, as well as the funny (albeit entirely lacking in cultural significance) stoner film Pineapple Express. I enjoyed the latter, but have nothing but utter disdain for the former. Yet, for every…
The Honeymoon Killers (1970)
In the late 1960s, Martin Scorsese – at that point working as a director for hire, only having directed Who’s That Knocking at My Door, a deeply personal film, two years before – was relieved of his responsibilities from helming The Honeymoon Killers, based on the true story of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, and…
Election (1999)
For some reason, I had constantly been putting off seeing Election, despite the fact that it seemed to be a film right in my wheelhouse – a dark comedy, directed by Alexander Payne (at this juncture an up-and-coming indie film darling), with a story that blended high school and politics, featuring a great cast. I…
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
If history is to be believed (which, by its very definition, it should, despite a rise in revisionism and challenging of historical institutions, but I digress), theatre has its earliest roots in Ancient Greece, where the Antiquity and its plethora of historically-significant artists and thinkers, gave rise to the conventions that are now popularly known…
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
There are some actors who have shown to be adept at directing, and then there are those that just cannot convincingly bring a film together in a way that is satisfactory. Many in the latter category only try once or twice, but then there is that occasional rambunctious spirit who just keeps on trying to…
The Postmodern Pelican 