2018 Oscars in Review Part 1

Back in 2018, I undertook the ever more thankless task of seeing and reviewing every movie nominated for any Oscar, and I made it much closer to accomplishing that goal than I ever had before. Most of said awards contenders didn’t merit more than a Not Worth the Effort treatment, and in retrospect it seems foolish to have spared some of them even that much time. Regardless, the deed is done, and it would be a waste to let such writing be lost now. I hope the reflections captured in these reviews have retained their vitality for longer than the films that animated them.

... No, U

Site Update and How to Support the Files

I may be dying but I’m still alive.

5000 Beers On Elizabeth Warren After Tulsi Gabbard Debate Disqualification

The new person to beat in the Democratic primary said “Mahalo” to her ohana shortly after hearing about whom she would and wouldn’t be facing on live TV.

It's Time for #Russiagate to End

Scientists say that Democrats have just 10 more months to talk about Russian collusion until they reach a tipping point where the damage becomes irreversible.

Raging Homophobia in "Stuber" Exemplifies the Moral Hypocrisy of Hollywood

In a rare useful film, Nanjiani and Bautista accidentally expose Hollywood elitism: it’s OK for them as “allies” to mock protected groups, but anyone else caught doing so is a bigot.

Criterion Collection #1000 Revealed: Inside the Most Complete MCU Box Set to Date

After days of nail-biting tension, Criterion fans can finally bury their fears and pre-order spine #1000.

The Most Important Moment of the Democratic Primary Debates

The Author breaks down the most essential sound bite of the first 2020 presidential debates and several runners-up. Spoiler: it’s not a good look.

Pixar Fans Are Relieved that "Toy Story 4" Isn't Rated R

For long, Toy Story 4 battled rumors that it would be Pixar’s first film with a hard R rating. We broke the timeline down and explored whether it’s really a horror film.

Roman Polanski Shares Harrowing Rape Story In Brave Speech

After he opened up on the horrific experience, some are calling the director’s choice more relevant now than ever.

"Booksmart" Crams Problematic Predecessors for the P.C. Midterm, Forgets about Comedy

Olivia Wilde's faux-indie, go-for-woke directorial debut epitomizes the meekness of artists in the shadow of our cancel culture. It's Superbad without balls.

© Annapurna Pictures, modified

"GAME OF THRONES" SCANDAL: Inside the Shocking Fall of the Nation's Top Recap Writer

After the Battle of Winterfell, USA Today fired their most trusted expert on Game of Thrones. What got us here, and what does it mean for the future of journalism?

Left: Arya Stark fights the Army of the Dead at Winterfell; Right: Wes O'Fink. © Home Box Office / Wes O'Fink

Belated Thoughts on "Us", "Shazam", and the State of Art Criticism

Two of the most successful flicks of the year, and one of the most popular. Is either a masterpiece? Should white liberal critics even try to review films by minorities?

"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" of Good Animated Sequels

After years of anticipation and speculation, The Author finally finishes the epic trilogy... of his How to Train Your Dragon reviews.

© Dreamworks

"A Private War" Review – Indie Movie Round-up #2

A Private War dispenses the most punishing kind of Oscar bait with on-the-nose politics and excessive reverence for its subject Marie Colvin. Also reviewed: Mandy and The Sisters Brothers.

"Fahrenheit 11/9" – A Conservative Review

Michael Moore serves up one of the year’s most entertaining movies (except when it’s dull), drawing a line between Trump and Hitler while simultaneously arguing for gun control.

© Midwestern Films

The Top 10 Best and Worst Trailers of 2017-2018

You'll never guess where Toy Story 4 lands.

Indie Movie Round-up #1 – Sorry To Bother You, Eighth Grade

Discouraged by an endless wave of sequels, the Author seeks refuge in the Sundance Sacred Cow Class of 2018, and explains why they are actually not so good.

In Age of Trump, Pepperdine Weighs Validity of Free Speech

Pepperdine Professor Christopher Soper and the Intercultural Affairs office openly question the importance of free speech to a democratic society.

"Solo" Redeems the Disney Wars – An Unexpected Appreciation

A radically traditional neo-noir cartoon romp, Solo: A Star Wars Story is simply the best film to bear the series’ name since Revenge of the Sith.

Listening to "Homogenic" in 2017

The Author poses a retrospective appreciation of Björk’s Homogenic, a seminal electronic record sure to enrich western pop culture if more people would listen to it.