Welcome back to The Character Couch! This is where we put on our amateur psychologist hats and examine what makes our favorite fictional characters tick. Today we're diving into the wonderfully grounded psyche of Marge Gunderson from the Coen Brothers' masterpiece Fargo—the seven-months-pregnant police chief who became an instant icon when Frances McDormand brought her … Continue reading The Character Couch – Marge Gunderson
Film
Disney 17 – One Hundred and One Dalmatians
One Hundred and One Dalmatians 1961 Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi Welcome back to Movie Monday, dear readers! Since this is the first Monday of the month, we're taking our customary break from my ongoing exploration of cinema's most spectacular failures to enjoy a palate cleanser. Think of it as a … Continue reading Disney 17 – One Hundred and One Dalmatians
Practical Effects vs. CGI: How Star Wars Evolved from Miniatures to The Volume
When the first Star Wars film launched in 1977, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) revolutionized cinema with groundbreaking practical effects that made audiences believe in a galaxy far, far away. Nearly five decades later, the franchise continues to push visual boundaries, but the journey from handcrafted miniatures to cutting-edge digital technology—and back to a sophisticated … Continue reading Practical Effects vs. CGI: How Star Wars Evolved from Miniatures to The Volume
The Worst 47 – The Avengers
The Avengers 1998 Directed by Jeremiah Chechik Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we're continuing our relentless march down my personal list of the worst movies I've ever seen. This week we're suiting up for number 47: The Avengers, the 1998 satirical spy action comedy that managed to take a beloved British television series and … Continue reading The Worst 47 – The Avengers
What Went Wrong: A Retrospective of MCU Phase 4
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's ambitious fourth phase promised infinite possibilities through the multiverse, but delivered finite patience from audiences. For over a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe operated like a finely-tuned machine, building from Iron Man's modest beginnings to the universe-spanning crescendo of Avengers: Endgame. Each phase felt deliberate, with films that functioned as both … Continue reading What Went Wrong: A Retrospective of MCU Phase 4
The Worst 48 – Joe’s Apartment
Joe's Apartment 1996 Directed by John Payson Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we're continuing our journey down my personal list of the worst movies I've ever seen. This week we're crawling into the grimy world of number 48: Joe's Apartment, the 1996 musical black comedy that asked the burning question, "What if cockroaches could … Continue reading The Worst 48 – Joe’s Apartment
How Scream’s Meta Humor Changed Horror Forever
"Do you like scary movies?" With just four simple words, the Scream franchise didn't just launch a conversation—it launched a revolution. When that iconic phone call crackled through theater speakers in December 1996, audiences had no idea they were witnessing the birth of a new kind of horror film, one that would turn the genre … Continue reading How Scream’s Meta Humor Changed Horror Forever
The Worst 49 – Speed 2: Cruise Control
Speed 2: Cruise Control 1997 Directed by Jan de Bont Welcome back to Movie Monday, where we're continuing our journey down my personal list of the worst movies I've ever seen. Today we're docking at number 49: Speed 2: Cruise Control, the 1997 sequel that somehow took everything exciting about the original Speed and replaced … Continue reading The Worst 49 – Speed 2: Cruise Control
From Cult TV to Cinematic Gold: How Star Trek Conquered the Big Screen
When Star Trek premiered on NBC in September 1966, few could have predicted that this modest science fiction series would eventually become one of the most recognizable and highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The journey from a television show that struggled with ratings and faced cancellation to a major cinematic franchise is a fascinating … Continue reading From Cult TV to Cinematic Gold: How Star Trek Conquered the Big Screen
Disney 16 – Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty 1959 Directed by Clyde Geromini Welcome back to Movie Monday, dear readers! Since this is the first Monday of the month, we're taking our customary break from my ongoing exploration of cinema's most spectacular failures. Think of it as a monthly detox—a chance to remember that movies can actually be visually stunning, emotionally … Continue reading Disney 16 – Sleeping Beauty
The Confusing Middle 