In a Year of 13 Moons (1978)

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are supposed to make the decision as to who they want to be, or at least this is the social mandate that has been consistently communicated for as long as we have been sentient. As society has grown, so has the tendency to place individuals into…

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Originality is a concept that is becoming increasingly more optional as Hollywood lays out their future plans, and there is ultimately very little point in resisting or wishing that the system would change – the industry is simply becoming overrun with sequels, reboots, revivals and remakes, a quartet of terms that have divided audiences and…

Rafiki (2018)

For every city, there is usually at least one filmmaker that is its definitive poet laureate. New York City has Woody Allen, London has Mike Leigh, Tokyo has Yasujirō Ozu, Rome has Federico Fellini – the list goes on ad infinitum, and the act of pairing cities with specific filmmakers is often quite fascinating. Nairobi…

Time to Leave (2005)

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it’s often worse to lose someone without having the opportunity to express your love and affection, even if it is for the last time. This is one of the few blessings given to those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness – in cases where a disease can be…

Party Girl (1995)

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),…

The Killing of Sister George (1968)

One of the most important moments in the history of Hollywood was when Robert Aldrich, the gifted journeyman director behind some of the most successful films the industry ever produced, decided to step aside from making blockbusters and instead opted to make a trio of films that are starkly different in terms of story and…

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…

The Life of Chuck (2025)

When all is said and done, it is going to be fascinating to see where Mike Flanagan’s career leads. He has already made quite a name for himself, both through his prolific body of work that has allowed him to find a home in both cinema and television, and his very peculiar approach to different…

Magic Farm (2025)

Every artist finds themselves in pursuit of something elusive – whether a particular project or to attain a specific status within their field, there’s a sense of urgency that comes with any artistic endeavour. The desire for fame is one of the most destructive and can often lead to unintentional challenges, from which recovery can…

Bloody Mama (1970)

For nearly a century, we have been enraptured by the story of “Ma” Kate Barker – and whether we hear of her story through detailed accounts of her criminal career, or through the song by Boney M that immortalised her within the culture, she has become a figure of American folklore, a fascinating individual whose…