In 2025, we mark 160 years since the end of the American Civil War—a brutal conflict that defined, divided, and ultimately reshaped our nation. It’s also been 160 years since the tragic night when Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, was struck down at Ford’s Theatre, just days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. For … Continue reading What If Lincoln Had Lived?
Writing
From Everyman to Icon: How John McClane Redefined the Action Hero
When Die Hard exploded onto screens in July 1988, audiences witnessed something revolutionary disguised as summer entertainment. Bruce Willis, then known primarily for his comedic television work on Moonlighting, stepped into the blood-stained undershirt of NYPD Detective John McClane and fundamentally changed what an action hero could be. Over the course of five films spanning … Continue reading From Everyman to Icon: How John McClane Redefined the Action Hero
The Heart of Heroes: How Partnerships Define the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Spoiler Warning: This post discusses events and character developments throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including major plot points from recent films and series. Proceed with caution if you're not caught up! When we think about what makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe so compelling, our minds often jump to the spectacular action sequences, the witty one-liners, … Continue reading The Heart of Heroes: How Partnerships Define the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Character Couch – Marge Gunderson
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
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 69
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 69
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
The Last Unicorn and the Tax Collector
A Fairy Tale for Modern Times In the kingdom of Eldermere, where morning mist clung to ancient oak trees and starlight pooled in forgotten meadows, there lived a tax collector named Cornelius Quillbottom. He was a man of precise measurements and careful calculations, with ink-stained fingers and spectacles that perpetually slipped down his pointed nose. … Continue reading The Last Unicorn and the Tax Collector
Question of the Week #458
If you were handed an envelope with the date of your death inside, and you knew you could do nothing to alter your fate, would you look? This week's question from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions arrives like a philosophical landmine disguised as innocent curiosity. On the surface, it seems straightforward—a simple binary choice … Continue reading Question of the Week #458
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 Rise and Fall of Physical Challenge Shows: From Double Dare to Wipeout
In the summer of 1986, something revolutionary happened on children's television. Nickelodeon premiered a game show where kids didn't just answer trivia questions—they got gloriously, spectacularly messy. Double Dare, with its iconic green slime and obstacle courses filled with whipped cream and "mystery meat," didn't just entertain audiences; it launched an entire genre of television … Continue reading The Rise and Fall of Physical Challenge Shows: From Double Dare to Wipeout
The Confusing Middle 