Film Reviews

Hannah and Her Sisters is arguably one of Woody Allen’s most accomplished and deeply human films. Released in 1986, it captures the complexity of familial bonds, romantic entanglements, existential anxiety, and personal growth with a blend of comedy, pathos, and philosophical introspection.

Ordinary People is one of the most quietly devastating films ever to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Marking the directorial debut of Robert Redford, this 1980 psychological family drama is as emotionally complex and delicately performed as it is reserved and understated in its visual style.

Released in 1986, Top Gun is a quintessential example of Reagan-era blockbuster cinema—patriotic, adrenaline-fueled, and stylized to the edge of fantasy. It catapulted Tom Cruise to superstardom, set the standard for aerial cinematography, and embedded itself in the cultural lexicon with quotes, catchphrases, and a legendary soundtrack.

The Nutty Professor (1963) is not only one of Jerry Lewis’s most iconic films but also a defining work in American comedy. Co-written, directed by, and starring Lewis, the film serves as a loose parody of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, filtered through Lewis’s unique brand of slapstick, pathos, and satire. It blends outlandish physical humour with a surprisingly poignant story about identity, self-esteem, and the cost of conformity.

Silver Streak (1976) is a delightful blend of comedy, action, romance, and mystery—an ambitious cinematic cocktail that helped establish the buddy-action formula that would flourish in the 1980s. Directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Colin Higgins (Harold and Maude, Foul Play), this film stands as a mid-’70s crowd-pleaser that combines Hitchcockian intrigue with slapstick humour and sly social commentary.

Woman of the Year (1942) is a seminal film in Hollywood history—not only because it marked the beginning of one of cinema's most iconic on-screen pairings (Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy), but also because it straddled the line between romantic comedy and serious social commentary.

The Jerk (1979) is one of the most iconic and influential American comedies of the late 20th century, launching Steve Martin from stand-up stardom to full-blown movie superstardom. Directed by veteran comedian and filmmaker Carl Reiner, The Jerk is an unapologetically absurd, slapstick-heavy, and irreverently satirical film that revels in its own silliness.

Private Benjamin (1980) is a landmark film in American comedy, blending slapstick humour with feminist undertones in a way that helped redefine the woman-centred narrative in mainstream Hollywood. Starring Goldie Hawn in what became a career-defining performance, the film tells the story of a pampered young widow who joins the U.S. Army on a whim and finds her strength, independence, and self-worth.

Road to Morocco (1942) is the third entry in the wildly popular “Road to…” series starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, with Dorothy Lamour as their frequent romantic foil. Directed by David Butler, the film is often regarded as the peak of the franchise and a high point in 1940s Hollywood comedy.

Released in 1979, 10 is a landmark romantic comedy written and directed by Blake Edwards, best known for his stylish comedies (The Pink Panther, Victor/Victoria). With 10, Edwards turned his attention inward, crafting a semi-autobiographical, frank, and often absurd portrayal of middle-aged male anxiety, sexual obsession, and the quest for perfection.

Victor/Victoria (1982) is a dazzling, witty, and daring musical comedy that exemplifies the stylistic flair and satirical edge of director Blake Edwards. Set in 1930s Paris but released during the socially progressive early 1980s, the film is a seamless blend of classic Hollywood musical traditions and contemporary conversations about gender, identity, and performance.

Monkey Business (1931) is the third feature film starring the inimitable Marx Brothers and their first to be based on an original screenplay rather than an adaptation of a Broadway stage production. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod and written by S.J. Perelman and Will B. Johnstone, this anarchic comedy marks a critical transition for the brothers—from musical vaudevillians to full-fledged cinematic troublemakers.

Released in 1980, Caddyshack is a cult classic that captures the spirit of an anarchic new wave of American comedy fuelled by improv-trained comedians, rebellious writing, and a complete disregard for traditional cinematic structure. The directorial debut of Harold Ramis, and co-written with Douglas Kenney and Brian Doyle-Murray, the film is a riotous satire of class, golf, and country club elitism, held together by a parade of outrageous characters and iconic one-liners.

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is one of the defining films of 1930s American cinema, a cornerstone of the Capra-corn ethos—a blend of idealism, humour, populist sentiment, and individual virtue. Released during the heart of the Great Depression in 1936, it struck a chord with audiences desperate for decency, optimism, and a sense that the "little guy" could stand up to the forces of corruption and cynicism.

The Awful Truth (1937) is a cornerstone of the screwball comedy genre and the film that definitively launched Cary Grant as a leading man with comic brilliance. Directed by Leo McCarey, the film is a dazzling blend of sophistication, farce, and romantic tension, built around the story of a divorcing couple who realize — perhaps too late — that they’re still in love.

Horse Feathers (1932) is the fourth Marx Brothers film and one of their purest distillations of manic energy and anti-authoritarian glee. Released during the depths of the Great Depression, the film targets the twin American institutions of higher education and collegiate football, skewering both with the brothers’ trademark blend of puns, visual gags, and surreal logic.

In the early 1970s, American cinema was undergoing a radical transformation, with auteurs focusing on gritty realism and social commentary. Against this backdrop, Peter Bogdanovich’s What’s Up, Doc? stood out like a Technicolor fever dream — a pure, unapologetic comedy that paid tribute to the rapid-fire, madcap spirit of films like Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, and The Awful Truth. Rather than feeling retro or out of place, it was a huge hit with critics and audiences a

Released during the golden era of screwball comedy, Topper (1937) stands apart thanks to its inventive blending of fantasy and farce. Based on the 1937 novel by Thorne Smith, Topper is a whimsical tale of ghosts, liberation, and high-society satire that paved the way for later supernatural comedies like Blithe Spirit and Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

The Marx Brothers were the reigning kings of cinematic chaos throughout the 1930s, and A Day at the Races represents one of their last great ensemble outings. Following up on their monumental success with A Night at the Opera (1935), the trio once again paired with producer Irving Thalberg and director Sam Wood at MGM, seeking to replicate the blend of musical romance and manic comedy that made their previous film a hit.

The Lady Eve is a masterclass in sophisticated comedy and one of the finest examples of the screwball genre at its peak. Written and directed by Preston Sturges, it combines biting social satire, impeccable timing, and sparkling performances into a film that’s as agile as it is romantic.