Category: Topic / Theme
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‘Monster’: Young, Black, and On Trial Means Guilty in Most Cases
Monster’s plot is built around Steve Harmon’s false accessory to felony murder accusation, and the anxiety and desperation experienced by him during incarceration and the corresponding trial.
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Who Needs ‘Independence Day’ When You’ve Got ‘Sorry to Bother You’?
Sorry to Bother You ultimately speaks to the unfair advantages that the country’s power structures award to those with the resources to control others, as Lift’s easy access to the media allows his opinion to be the only one that matters in the eyes of the unsuspecting and easily impressed public. Moreover, it reveals the…
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How ‘Jojo Rabbit’s use of Child Imagination is Ingenious
This Comedy-Drama set in Nazi Germany, shows a young boy, Jojo who wants to be Hitler’s personal guard and even conjures up Hitler to be his imaginary friend. His nationalism and prejudices of Jews change when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his attic.
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The Crown Assuages White Guilt
Americans love the British monarchy. This may seem confusing because only a few short hundred years ago they were our worst enemies, and every year we celebrate our independence from them. The Crown humanizes the monarchy, which might explain its popularity.
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‘Luca’ is No Classic, But a Worthy Celebration of Acceptance and Italy
When you don’t factor in the plethora of inferior sequels that have been produced, Luca is one of Pixar’s simplest and most unassuming films in years — and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The film thrives on being a visual feast with a warm message for all ages, so much so that its…
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The Rise of a Kindhearted Comedy Hero: The Anti-Toxic Masculinity Message of Brendan Fraser Films
Throughout Brendan Fraser’s career, he has played a plethora of unique, layered characters who explore the importance of not being afraid to display your emotions, something that is often seen to not be a masculine trait. This idea of regulating emotion and what traits men are able to possess creates a toxic atmosphere for men…
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Marion Ravenwood, the Unsung Hero of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
For the entirety of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Marion remains in full control of both her body and her personality, a rarity for female characters at the time of the film’s release. She’s granted depth with personal demons from her past and emotional vulnerability when the situation deems it appropriate for her to grow…
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The Best LGBT Films and Shows to Watch Online
Celebrate Pride with these movies and TV shows available on popular streaming services. (Good news: a lot of them are available for free.)
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In The Heights: The Case for Diversifying Diverse Films
In the film adaptation, director Jon M. Chu turns each musical number into a massive show stopper, with grand set pieces and a wealth of diverse dancers. Yet, in this attempt to show reverence for the people of the Washington Heights barrio, Chu, or maybe more specifically those in charge of casting, left out a…
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Is Blood Thicker Than Water? ‘Moonlight,’ Father Figures, and Their Representation
(Disclaimer: Harmful Language) In celebration of Pride Month, Father’s Day, and father figures (and whoever supports you), I revisit Moonlight’s brief but spectacular character, Juan. With overarching themes tied to masculinity, I reexamine his intimacy with Little.