There are some offers you simply can’t refuse – not because they are appealing, but rather since they seem to be the only choice when it comes to survival. This is what we find John Hillcoat beautifully negotiating in The Proposition, a film written by Nick Cave, who takes a momentary sojourn from being the…
Tag: movie-review
The Color Wheel (2011)
Over the past two decades, there have been certain filmmakers who have adhered quite strictly to the concept of being independent, embodying the spirit of remaining true to their original vision and not daring to pander to the mainstream. With the exception of a couple of quick deviations as a screenwriter on studio films, Alex…
Quartet (1981)
The choice between excitement and security can be challenging, and many have fallen victim to the consequences of venturing down one avenue when the alternative is actually the one that is more reliable and worth their time. In the case of Quartet, this manifests in the very simple story of an impressionable young French woman…
Funeral Kings (2012)
Growing up is never a particularly simple journey, but it is made marginally easier by the presence of a good friend or two with whom you can tackle life’s challenges. There is nothing quite as important as a meaningful companion, especially when navigating your adolescent years, which prove to be a difficult time for any…
As Young as You Feel (1951)
As the well-worn adage goes, some of us work to live, whereas others live to work. The concept of labour as the foundation of any functioning society is something that we’ve found debated in every arena, from political machinations to philosophical thought, all of which set out to determine the merits and shortcomings of dedicating…
100 Nights of Hero (2025)
There are some stories that are universally known and adored, and can be traced back over the centuries, or even going as far back as antiquity. It can often be fascinating to see where these stories originated, and while it is more likely than not that they emerged through the oral traditions that populated most…
Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025)
A good film lingers with you after the credits end and you walk out of the cinema. A truly great film stays with you forever, settling in your memory and being recalled whenever it is required. This isn’t a description of Kiss of the Spider Woman itself, but rather the central premise of Bill Condon’s…
You Can’t Take It with You (1938)
You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family – at least not for the most part. The people who raise us are responsible not only our welfare, but also for instilling in us a set of values and principles that guide us to becoming valuable members of society. In most cases, they…
The Plague (2025)
Growing up is never easy, and it can be even more daunting to navigate adolescence when you are seen as an outsider. Teenagers have a tendency to resort to the most dehumanising cruelty imaginable, engaging in acts of mockery and disdain for anyone they view as a viable target for their ire. As someone who…
Drive Back Home (2025)
When starting this discussion, I wanted to find a quote that best described the core themes of the film we’ll be exploring. I considered the profoundly philosophical and deeply moving, before settling on one that I feel best describes the core themes, which is taken from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, where she simply states, “what…
The Postmodern Pelican 