Poster for The Wicker Man (1973) Jesse Pasternack looks at the musical aspects of the unsettling horror masterwork The Wicker Man. The Wicker Man (1973) is an enduring cult classic for several reasons. It has a fantastic sense of worldbuilding, an excellent cast of iconic actors (Christopher Lee, Ingrid Pitt, etc.), and a finale that… Read more »
Jesse Pasternack reveals how the Coen Brothers turn noir elements on their head with visual gags, a rambling voiceover narration, and the iconic, carefree protagonist at the center of it all. There are few types of films which have as many distinctive characteristics as film noir. Just hearing or reading those words — “film noir”… Read more »
There are certain films that, if you see them at the right age, will never leave you. They become a part of your life in the way that favorite albums or books do. You might find yourself quoting it every now and again, or thinking about how a shot or a song choice thrilled you… Read more »
It’s hard to watch The Heroic Trio (1993) and not feel like you’re seeing one of the most entertaining movies ever made. Its collection of gonzo delights (some of which are best left unspoiled) and imaginative sense of worldbuilding make it a treat for fans of cinema that is a little off the beaten path…. Read more »
When A24 distributed writer-director Paul Schrader’s film First Reformed (2017), there was talk that it would be the last film he ever made. Schrader had recently turned 70. The critical and financial success of First Reformed — complete with Schrader’s first-ever Academy Award nomination for its screenplay — would have made it a high note… Read more »
There are many films which seem to be influenced by Joseph Campbell’s famous book The Hero of a Thousand Faces (first published in 1949), which is about his conception of an archetypal storytelling pattern known as “the hero’s journey.” They include but are not limited to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), The Lion… Read more »