Before Supergirl ever reached theaters, thousands of people had already decided whether it deserved to succeed. That's a strange way to experience stories. Somewhere along the line, we stopped letting movies surprise us and started treating them like arguments we were expected to win. I saw Supergirl this weekend. I thought it was very good. … Continue reading Before the Cape: Supergirl, Sincerity, and Why We Decided to Hate It First
pop culture
Hogwarts Houses: Stereotypes, Unity, and Personal Growth
There is a question that has followed Harry Potter fans around for nearly thirty years now, surviving playground arguments, Pottermore quizzes, and at least a dozen personality tests designed to help you figure out whether you belong with the brave ones, the loyal ones, the clever ones, or the ambitious ones. The question is deceptively … Continue reading Hogwarts Houses: Stereotypes, Unity, and Personal Growth
Surviving the Night: The Friday the 13th Saga
There is a specific kind of commitment required to watch all twelve Friday the 13th films. It is not the same commitment demanded by, say, reading Tolstoy or learning a second language. It is more the commitment of a person who has looked at the weekend stretching out before them, sighed contentedly, and decided that … Continue reading Surviving the Night: The Friday the 13th Saga
12 Characters I Hate From Movies I Love
Let me be clear about something right off the bat: I have excellent taste in movies. I do. I'm not going to sit here and pretend otherwise. But even the most beloved films — the ones you'd fight someone over at a dinner party, the ones you can quote in your sleep, the ones that … Continue reading 12 Characters I Hate From Movies I Love
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 102
Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Be sure to share your own memories and … Continue reading Rewatching Smallville – Episode 102
The Worst 21 – Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel 2009 Directed by Betty Thomas Welcome back to Movie Monday. Before we go any further, the standard disclaimer applies: everything that follows is my own opinion, shaped entirely by my own experience with this film, and none of it is meant as a criticism of anyone who watched The … Continue reading The Worst 21 – Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel
From Nakatomi to Nowhere: How Die Hard Forgot It Had a Heart
Let me be upfront about something before we dive in: I love Die Hard. I have gone on record — multiple times, including as recently as this past December — arguing passionately, even aggressively, that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. And one of the central pillars of that argument is that the movie is, … Continue reading From Nakatomi to Nowhere: How Die Hard Forgot It Had a Heart
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 101
Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Be sure to share your own memories and … Continue reading Rewatching Smallville – Episode 101
The Uncomfortable Laugh: How Satire Turned Comedy Into Social Commentary
There is a particular kind of laugh that catches you off guard — not because something silly happened on screen, but because something true did. It's the laugh that comes with a little bit of recognition, maybe even a little discomfort. The kind that makes you think, "Wait, that's actually... yeah." That's the laugh satire … Continue reading The Uncomfortable Laugh: How Satire Turned Comedy Into Social Commentary
The Evolution of Robot Characters in Film: From Threatening to Sympathetic
From HAL 9000's chilling monotone "I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that" to WALL-E's endearing mechanical chirps as he tenderly holds EVE's hand, robot characters in cinema have undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in film history. What began as Cold War nightmares of mechanical overlords has evolved into a rich tapestry … Continue reading The Evolution of Robot Characters in Film: From Threatening to Sympathetic
The Confusing Middle 