If you want to see an enormous divide between mainstream audiences and those who cast a more critical eye over the contemporary film industry, simply mention the concept of the musical biopic. These films have always existed and been quite popular over time, but in recent years they have reached a fever pitch, primarily because…
Tag: reviews
The Only Son (1936)
As is the case with many incredibly influential and prolific filmmakers, choosing a standout in the career of Yasujirō Ozu’s storied career is not always easy, even if certain films tend to be discussed more often than others. Some people present the argument that The Only Son (Japanese: 一人息子) is his greatest work, as well…
Jeffrey (1995)
While there is a rule of thumb that states that tragedy plus time equals comedy, there are some subjects that are considered too taboo to be subjected to humour, or at least the kind of comedy that is appreciated by general audiences. HIV/AIDS is one such subject – despite the considerable efforts to eradicate the…
Come to the Stable (1949)
“Something tells me that an irresistible force has been let loose in New England.” There is something magical about the idea of unbreakable faith. We may live in an era where a lot of Western culture advocates for a more secular view of humanity, and where art that positively tackles religion is usually relegated to…
Apples (2020)
There are several cinematic movements that are still unfolding as we speak, with one of the most exciting and unique being the Greek Weird Wave, formed by filmmakers originating in Athens and other urban metropoles around the country, crafting films that are deeply unnerving and often take place in more peculiar, off-the-wall versions of reality….
Bernadette (2023)
As we are constantly reminded by the hackneyed adage, behind every successful man is a woman helping him on his journey. Those with knowledge of European or global politics throughout the 20th century will undoubtedly be familiar with the sometimes divisive and always controversial career of French president Jacques Chirac, something of a polarizing figure…
Will & Harper (2024)
Behind every massively successful comedic actor, there is usually a brilliant writer who works closely with them to help develop material. Very rarely do we find comedians being entirely independent when it comes to producing work – even if they craft their own material, there is usually someone who assists in shepherding those ideas or…
Bad Education (2004)
“I wanted to see how far you would go…and how much I could take.” Pedro Almodóvar is a filmmaker who is very much aware of the power he has over his audience. He is a skilful artist who has mastered both the art of writing and visual composition, creating works that are as beautiful as…
Trouble in Paradise (1932)
Few filmmakers can lay claim to having a career even marginally as successful as Ernst Lubitsch, whose work as a writer and director quite literally changed the way the film industry viewed comedy. Choosing his masterpiece is a challenging endeavour since there are a number of terrific films that he helmed during his peak, which…
The Postmodern Pelican 