There was a very specific point somewhere between the late 1980s and early 1990s where many films tended to gravitate towards exploring the folly of youth – no longer were teenagers and young adults viewed as world-weary, complex individuals worried about their future (as was the case with the iconic films made by John Hughes),…
Tag: review
Rope of Sand (1949)
We all appreciate a solidly made, well-constructed adventure film. Hollywood was well-aware of this fact, with the classical era being filled to the brim with stories that take place in the furthest corners of the world (the more exotic, the better), and focus on valiant heroes that overcome every obstacle without acquiring so much as…
Straight Up (2019)
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they suddenly realise who they are supposed to be – or at least that’s the myth that we have been sold for decades. The belief that within us lurks our true identity patiently waiting to emerge is nothing more than a fallacy, since we’ve often found that…
Wish You Were Here (1987)
One of the more universal experiences that we all seem to encounter during our journey towards maturity is that particularly ambiguous space between adolescence and adulthood, which can be a challenging period for many people, even those who are relatively well-adjusted and responsible. Its the time when we are old enough to be aware of…
Broken English (2007)
We all strive to be the best version of ourselves, not realising that the only way to improve and lead a life in which we can have pride is to stop defining ourselves by the people who surround us, and instead focus on developing the confidence to love ourselves, regardless of the cost. It’s a…
The Most Charming and Attractive (1985)
We all yearn to improve ourselves – but change starts within, and it can only be accomplished through small but significant steps to making a difference in our own lives. Some of these changes are exceptionally easy, others take time and effort, and in both cases, the rate of success is not always consistent, and…
Easy Money (1983)
We all dream of becoming repulsively rich, to the point where money means nothing other than being the fuel that propels a lavish, over-the-top lifestyle – or at least this is what the general culture seems to think is the case, since everyone is seeking ridiculous amounts of wealth, which is either a result of…
The Actor (2025)
Paul Cole wakes up in peculiar surroundings – it appears to be a small Midwestern town, and it seems to be somewhere in Ohio, according to the people he encounters. He doesn’t know how or why he got there, and he is desperate to get back to New York City – no one in this…
Meet the Applegates (1991)
Whenever the subject of domesticity and suburbia comes up in a film, I tend to refer to the time David Lynch very effectively stated “I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath”, a simple sentiment that says everything we need to know about the…
The Great Escaper (2024)
There are some stories that are simply too fascinating to be anything other than entirely truthful – as the old adage goes, sometimes reality can be stranger than fiction. A decade ago, there was a mild flurry caused by a man by the name of Bernie Jordan, a 90-year-old veteran of the Second World War…
The Postmodern Pelican 