The State of Star Wars or: An Elongated Reaction to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Like millions, I grew up watching A New Hope or, as I prefer to call it, Star Wars. Luke Skywalker, to my very young eyes, was the essential hero figure. He was an underdog who was wet behind…

The Cultural Criticism of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

There’s one thing that ultimately separates Once Upon a Time in Hollywood from the rest of Quentin Tarantino’s work.

It’s not nostalgia. Thanks to the director’s liberal borrowing from what he considers great…

Running from Faith and Doubt: A Review of Stephen King’s Revival

With the title “Revival,” Stephen King prods one’s curiosity about religion and spirituality. Throughout this 2014 novel, King resembles a culturally and politically hip H.P. Lovecraft, hinting at an undefined power (is…

Breaking Headlines, Vol. 1

Ignoramuses Politicize Supreme Court

Public dialogue across the United States in 2019 should trouble anyone with a soul, if not anyone with a brain. A unique type of ignorance shows up in a lot of commentary surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court. People often…

God Over Country: Rejecting The Pledge of Allegiance

The only reason I ever said The Pledge of Allegiance was that I was told to. In school, in church, at games, during special events — we were all told to say it as children, and so we said it. And later, even if we came to understand or…

Breaking Headlines, Vol. 2

Not-So-Kind Critic Plans to Release Fictional Political Thriller

In case you’re not sure, the not-so-kind critic is me. I’m planning to retire early from my blogs (including this very one!), as well as from all other non-essential activities in my life, in…

A Hidden Life Review: Terrence Malick as a Product

The subject matter of A Hidden Life, based on a true story, demands seriousness. An Austrian farmer, Franz, is called to fight on the side of the Nazis during World War II, but he refuses to pledge allegiance to Adolf Hitler. Franz is then…

Bad Boys For Life Review — God’s Name in Vain

The Bad Boys series is popular for one main reason: Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have exquisite chemistry. In Bad Boys For Life, they oscillate between humor and heartfelt drama like masters. Even the predictable, stereotypical, and silly ideas in…