Essays

Brokeback Mountain Landscape

Landscape as Metaphor in ‘Brokeback Mountain’

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Ang Lee shoots his subjects predominantly in long lenses to convey a sense of inescapable loneliness.

Star Trek Uss Enterprise starship registry numbers

In New ‘Star Trek,’ is Discovery “A” OK?

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We look at the history of Starship registry numbers and why the latest may be a controversial addition to the canon.

Black Swan OCD Portman

The Portrayal of OCD in ‘Black Swan’

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Beyond its body horror and psychedelic visuals, the 2010 film tells a story of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Zodiac Beginning

‘Zodiac’ and Setting the Scene for a Serial Killer

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In the first scene of ‘Zodiac,’ David Fincher makes it clear that catching a killer is no easy feat.

Ace In The Hole

Good News is No News: The Corruption of American Media in ‘Ace in the Hole’

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Billy Wilder’s 1951 film noir masterpiece is an unforgiving satire of the American media and its audience.

Mank David Fincher Netflix

David Fincher’s Long and Winding Road to ‘Mank’

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This movie and its lack of serial killers and murder is a strange choice for the filmmaker. Or is it?

The Christmas Chronicles 2 Netflix

‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ Brings Cheer by Any Means Necessary

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The sequel continues its presentation of a gruff, badass Santa Claus in the form of Kurt Russell, and we require his forceful feeding of good cheer more this holiday than ever.

Sound of Metal

‘Sound of Metal’ and the Superpower of Silence

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Riz Ahmed crackles with powerful and recognizable distress in the film. Through his characters’ confrontation, we can all find a path to letting go of our past selves.

Happiest Season Gay Christmas Movie

Make the Yuletide Gay: Why We Need More Queer Christmas Movies

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Clea DuVall’s ‘Happiest Season’ proves the want and need for LGBTQ+ Christmas stories.