Gus Van Sant's Constant Thematic and Cinematic Elements
The differences in these films could not be more blatant, and yet Gus Van Sant has found a way to portray the same messages and use the same techniques in each.

In this offbeat whodunit, Bernie Langille sets out to uncover the truth around the strange circumstances of his grandfather (and namesake) Bernie Langille's death. Fifty years after the fact and with the help of meticulous miniatures, he reconstructs the bizarre events of one fateful winter night in 1968. What exactly precipitated the shocking discovery of Grandpa Bernie, dead in his own bed? The labyrinthian task of answering this question leads Bernie to interview a range of characters, including forensic experts and family members. Along the way, Bernie entertains increasingly absurd scenarios—including the possible involvement of Agent Orange. His obsessive musings, just like the constantly changing miniature sets, never get old. Ultimately the film provides a quirky yet thoughtful look at family ties, the fault lines of memory and intergenerational trauma.
The differences in these films could not be more blatant, and yet Gus Van Sant has found a way to portray the same messages and use the same techniques in each.
Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, 'Shang-Chi', deserves praise for balancing epic superhero action, a heartfelt family plot, and positive Asian representation.
Barry Jenkins' masterpiece holds up as the story of a lifetime centered on the intersection of Blackness and gay identity.
An aspect of She-Ra that I find refreshing is even though a large portion of the cast is on the LGBTQ+ Spectrum, being gay is never mentioned. While this might initially sound like a negative thing, in the show’s land of Etheria being on the gay spectrum is shown to be so common and normalized that straight isn’t the default. As much as there is to appreciate about narratives revolving around the obstacles that may come from being non-heteronormative, it’s nice to get immersed in a world where no one bats an eye at all to any sort of differing identity.
A simple question often sparks intense debate. Incluvie attempts a working definition for the beloved horror genre.
A throwback to the last months of the 20th century in this comedy film.