Cinderella 1950 Directed by Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, & Clyde Geronimi Welcome back to Movie Monday, folks! Since this is the first Monday of the month, we're taking our scheduled break from my ongoing series about the worst movies I've ever seen. Consider today a palette cleanser as we dive into the world of Disney … Continue reading Disney 12 – Cinderella
Movies I’ve Seen
Exploring the Use of Color Symbolism in Disney Animation
From the pristine snow of a fairy tale kingdom to the vibrant streets of Colombia, Disney's use of color has been far more than decorative—it has been a powerful storytelling tool that shapes our emotional connection to characters, conveys cultural meaning, and guides viewers through narrative journeys. Color in Disney animation isn't simply aesthetic; it's … Continue reading Exploring the Use of Color Symbolism in Disney Animation
Prequel Politics in the Star Wars Galaxy
The Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for decades with its epic space battles, mystical Force powers, and compelling characters. Yet beneath the spectacle lies a sophisticated political narrative, particularly in George Lucas's prequel trilogy (1999-2005). While casual viewers might see only lightsaber duels and space dogfights, these films offer a nuanced examination of how … Continue reading Prequel Politics in the Star Wars Galaxy
The Worst 65 – Ghost Dad
Ghost Dad 1990 Directed by Sidney Poitier Welcome back to Movie Monday, where I'm slowly working my way down my personal list of the worst movies I've ever seen. This week, we've reached number 65: the 1990 fantasy comedy Ghost Dad, starring Bill Cosby and directed by Sidney Poitier. Before we dive in, I should remind … Continue reading The Worst 65 – Ghost Dad
The Worst 66 – See Spot Run
See Spot Run 2001 Directed by John Whitesell Welcome back to Movie Monday, fellow cinematic masochists! We're continuing our journey through the depths of my personal celluloid hell as we work our way down my list of the worst movies I've ever seen. This week, we've reached number 66: See Spot Run. As always, remember that … Continue reading The Worst 66 – See Spot Run
The Importance of Iron Man
In the summer of 2008, a relatively modest superhero film was released with tempered expectations. Iron Man, starring a comeback-seeking Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Jon Favreau (then best known for Swingers and Elf), wasn't projected to be a cultural watershed moment. Yet seventeen years later, we recognize it as the cornerstone of what … Continue reading The Importance of Iron Man
The Character Couch – Jack Torrance
Welcome to another exciting edition of The Character Couch! This is that section of The Confusing Middle where we take a look at well-known movie and TV characters and examine them from a psychological point of view. What makes them tick? Grab some popcorn because today we're diving into the fractured psyche of one of … Continue reading The Character Couch – Jack Torrance
Disney 11 – The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad 1949 Directed by Ben Sharpsteen, Jack Kinney, Clyde Geronimi, James Algar Welcome back to Movie Monday, dear readers! Since it's the first Monday of the month, we're taking our regular break from my ongoing countdown of the 100 worst movies I've ever seen to cleanse our palates with … Continue reading Disney 11 – The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Westworld: Reimagining a 1970s Sci-Fi Film for the Peak TV Era
When Michael Crichton's Westworld hit theaters in 1973, it introduced audiences to a prescient nightmare: a theme park where life-like robots, indistinguishable from humans, malfunction and turn against their creators. Four decades later, HBO's ambitious reimagining would transform this straightforward cautionary tale into something far more complex – a philosophical meditation on consciousness, free will, … Continue reading Westworld: Reimagining a 1970s Sci-Fi Film for the Peak TV Era
The Worst 67 – Jury Duty
Jury Duty 1995 Directed by John Fortenberry Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we continue our descent through my personal list of the worst movies ever made. Today we're examining number 67: the 1995 legal "comedy" Jury Duty, starring... oh no... Pauly Shore. As always, remember that these rankings are purely subjective – though I suspect … Continue reading The Worst 67 – Jury Duty
The Confusing Middle 