Secrets & Lies: The Weight of Empathy
Mike Leigh's acclaimed drama expresses the intensity and catharsis of seeing those around you as full, complete people.
Film & TV
An Ode to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Performance in The Big Lebowski
There are no small parts, only small actors. Philip Seymour Hoffman's six and a half minutes as an exasperated henchman in The Big Lebowski is a case study of the maxim.
Why the Decline of the 20+ Episode Season Hurt us All
Do longer seasons really represent the bottom tier of television, or have we just gotten lazy?
Andor: Luthen's Legendary Monologue
The stirring speech encapsulates the qualities that make Andor stand out from other Star Wars projects, and speaks to the brutal reality that lies behind the myths of rebellion.
In Defense of Asteroid City
The desire for praise and achievement can hinder our creative expression. Asteroid City’s criticism should remind us that art will always be subjective, and sometimes doing “too much” isn't always a bad thing.
Animators Learned the Wrong Lesson From Into the Spider-Verse
Le Bonheur and the Fabrications of the Picturesque
Agnès Varda’s Le Bonheur uses radiant visuals to mask a deeper critique of male privilege, emotional labor, and the illusion of happiness. Through François’s idyllic perspective, the film questions who truly benefits from the picturesque.