Every generation is defined by a genre of film that is inexplicably popular, and despite the rallying cries against them in terms of artistic relevance, audiences devour them en masse, primarily because they offer something that entertains and enthrals, which can be frustrating to those who can see through the illusion and can only fixate…
It’s a Gift (1934)
It seems that within every generation, there is at least one comedic voice that defines the humour, being the definitive voice of comedy during this period. The 1930s had some of the most exceptional, and we were truly spoiled for choice, with the likes of The Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, Mae West and Laurel and…
Wicked Little Letters (2024)
It was the incredible Mel Brooks who once said “I’ve been accused of vulgarity. I say that’s bullshit”, a wonderful and witty quote from the master of comedy himself. This sentiment could easily be applied to the characters in Wicked Little Letters, a film that tells the little-known story of a community in the small,…
Paris Blues (1961)
There was a movement in the early part of the 20th century, where people from all around the world descended on Paris, which they saw as the epicentre for creativity and artistic expression, more than any other city on earth – New York City was too harsh, Los Angeles a cesspool of crime and debauchery,…
Civil War (2024)
“I believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” The iconic photographer Diane Arbus isn’t mentioned by name in Civil War, the most recent directorial outing by Alex Garland, but her spectre lingers heavily throughout this film, as does the spirit of many people who dedicated their lives to photography, the…
Young Ahmed (2019)
There was a time when Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne were considered the heirs apparent to the role of greatest social realist filmmakers, their work being the gold standard for films about the lives of ordinary people navigating challenging circumstances, each one reflecting deeper conversations on the nature of life and death and everything in between….
The First Omen (2024)
Being a devotee of classic cinema can sometimes be a challenge, considering how much the industry has grown to be dependent on legacy sequels and reboots, which is particularly rife within the horror genre since it seems like every great horror film needs to be revisited in some way, whether through starting from scratch or…
See the Sea (1997)
Over the course of a three-decade career, François Ozon has gone to many distinct places, both geographically and psychologically, and his films span a wide berth when it comes to genre and specific details of the narratives. We may normally associate him with more lavish, detailed productions, but there is a side to the director…
Asphalt City (2024)
Anyone who has spent any amount of time with a paramedic will know that it is a career path made for those who are not only physically at their peak, but also willing to handle the mental strain that comes with this profession. It’s quite obvious that saving lives can take a psychological toll on…
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
For about as long as we have been sentient, there have been questions about what happens to us after we die, and whether or not there is an afterlife – and if so, what are the conditions to enter into it? The answer is almost always leading a principled, morally strong life with minimal diversions…
The Postmodern Pelican 