Art
Am I the only one who cares about print media?
High school is a microcosm of the society at large. That's a horrific thought, I know, but I do believe that what we learn during our educational journey those four years is more than a "coming-of-age" young adult novel. It is a prelude to the "real world" as young adults practice and ready themselves for "adulting" or "real world" life. So what? What the heck does that have to do with critiquing newspapers or worrying about the future of print media? I know, sometimes my introductions seem off topic, but it's all connected, really.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in Critique
Gladiator II: A Return to the Sands of the Colosseum!
In the distant yet somehow close year of 2000, Gladiator burst into cinemas like a storm, earning box office glory and a rain of Oscars while solidifying Russell Crowe’s career. Ridley Scott managed to enthrall audiences with the epic tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius. The film’s monumental success resurrected the peplum genre, leading to a cascade of sword-and-sandal films such as Troy, Alexander, 300, and King Arthur. Even video games weren’t left untouched, with Shadow of Rome and the now-iconic God of War taking up the gladiatorial torch.
By Simone Nunziataabout a year ago in Critique
Lots of Spoilers for "Joker: Folie a Deux" movie
I invested in Todd Phillip's films on the Joker character from the DC comics. I do not regret my investments, whether it was time or money. I read some reviews after Joker 2 was at the theaters, and then I watched some reviews on Youtube, but I did not let any review stop me from purchasing the movie today and watching it very carefully. I'm a committed comic book fan, reiterating my loyalty to DC and Marvel. DC is definitely on the come up, with Joker and Penguin success, while Marvel is struggling big time since their biggest hit with "Avengers, EndGame". If Joker 2 got slammed by fans, I suspect it has more to do with the hope that Marvel can make a comeback or that other villains can get some more attention and Joker can get some rest.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in Critique
The Utopian Concept of Gender Equity
There is a thin line of disparity between self-respect and arrogance that most people err in their lifetimes and cannot distinguish when the time arrives. I wonder how Indian society finds it appalling for women to be assertive and bold in their stance as they try to voice out their opinions on what they believe in. While I respect our culture of virtue, values and morality, it is baffling how patriarchal our society is, as it still perceives women through the fragile glass lens of being demure, nurturing, soft and family-oriented while she is working and expects her to be silent in her stance when men of the house are talking.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in Critique
Vampire Stories appeal to gothic romantics
I just finished reading a Top Story written by Angel Hepworth, a negative review of the "Twilight" movie based on Stephanie Meyers books. I did not read any of those books, but I was a passionate fan of the movie series and watched the films more than once. After reading the points made by Hepworth in her review, I feel like I may be in the minority (although that does seem awkward considering how successful the books and movies were) when I say that I still love those movies. I read all of the negative feedback, but I just couldn't make myself agree. The only thing I could say in my defense as a fan of the Twilight saga, is that it's like creamed corn. I love creamed corn, especially in entertainment.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in Critique
The Night Cafe by Van Gogh
A pro and con critique of The Night Cafe by Van Gogh I have a kind of empathetic love for Van Gogh. His entire life was akin to the tortured existence which is so reminiscent of the emotional ups and downs which govern humanity's inner turmoil. A kind of madness which exists inside of us all, and rears its head, some can control it some cannot. And therein lies the rub. Who can say which of us is mad and which is, partially or completely, sane?
By Antoni De'Leonabout a year ago in Critique
Diversity and the Critic
One of the weirder problems with being a critic is the wokeness problem. The essential problem is that encouraging diversity is good, but there are times when diversity gets pushed to the point where it actually becomes a parody of itself, and there are even times when it distracts from the film itself. Worse are those times when the need to diversify character types creates some weird situations due to the change in race or sex of the characters. This makes life interesting for the critic because calling it out can call down a lot of fire on the critic, creating its own issues. There needs to be some way to navigate the problem.
By Jamais Jochimabout a year ago in Critique
