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
Movies I’ve Seen
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
Haddonfield’s Dark History: A Deep Dive into the Setting of Halloween
Few fictional towns in horror cinema carry as much weight as Haddonfield, Illinois. This seemingly idyllic Midwest community, first introduced in John Carpenter's 1978 masterpiece Halloween, has become synonymous with seasonal terror and generational trauma. Over more than four decades, we've watched this small town transform from an unsuspecting backdrop for evil to a community … Continue reading Haddonfield’s Dark History: A Deep Dive into the Setting of Halloween
The Worst 68 – In the Army Now
In the Army Now 1994 Directed by Daniel Petrie, Jr. Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we're continuing our journey through my personal list of the worst movies ever made. Today we're diving into number 68 on the list: the 1994 military "comedy" In the Army Now, starring Pauly Shore. As always, remember that these rankings … Continue reading The Worst 68 – In the Army Now
The Mushroom Kingdom’s Ecosystem: A Closer Look at Mario’s World
From its humble beginnings as a series of simple platforming backgrounds to its modern incarnation as a vibrant, living world, the Mushroom Kingdom has captured gamers' imaginations for over four decades. This fantastical realm, brought to life through Nintendo's creative vision, presents one of gaming's most distinctive and well-realized ecosystems. Let's explore the incredible biodiversity … Continue reading The Mushroom Kingdom’s Ecosystem: A Closer Look at Mario’s World
The Dark Knight Trilogy’s Commentary on Post-9/11 America: Fear, Chaos, and Recovery
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy stands as one of cinema's most profound explorations of heroism, morality, and justice in the modern age. While Nolan has stated he did not intentionally include commentary on the War on Terror, the trilogy—released between 2005 and 2012—inevitably reflects and engages with the anxieties, moral questions, and societal transformations that … Continue reading The Dark Knight Trilogy’s Commentary on Post-9/11 America: Fear, Chaos, and Recovery
Spider-Verse: Exploring the Multiverse of Spider-People
In the ever-expanding landscape of superhero cinema, the Spider-Verse films stand as a testament to the power of animation to push both technical and narrative boundaries. These groundbreaking films have not only revolutionized animation but have also redefined what superhero storytelling can achieve. A New Visual Language When Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse swung into theaters … Continue reading Spider-Verse: Exploring the Multiverse of Spider-People
The Worst 69 – Drop Dead Fred
Drop Dead Fred 1991 Directed by Ate de Jong Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we're continuing our journey through my personal list of the worst movies ever made. Today we're diving into number 69 on the list: 1991's Drop Dead Fred. Before we begin, let me remind you that this list is entirely subjective. One … Continue reading The Worst 69 – Drop Dead Fred
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