With Michael Bay’s “Transformers,” in 2007 being a smash hit, it allowed the franchise to really shine in the eyes of the public, with four sequels being pumped out to recreate the success of the first live action film since. However, with each release, the quality of each film took a hard nosedive and by […]
Tag: OpEd
Ambiance and Music: How They Work Hand in Hand
When considering music as a whole, ambience isn’t something that’s always necessarily recognized or thought of, however ambiance has a major role that a good number of people fail to recognize, not only as an aspect of music, but as a genre of its own as well. Music that utilizes ambiance predominantly could be described […]
More Than Makeup – It’s Therapy
I never thought a tube of mascara mattered much – until I needed it to. I mean it’s silly in theory, but doing my makeup each morning gives me a reason to start the day. And no, it isn’t about wanting to look different – it is a time that is mine, and mine alone. […]
Why Prestige Cinema Can’t Stop Fetishizing Pain
Prestige cinema has a pain problem. Not the kind that invites empathy or understanding but the kind that fetishizes suffering as a shortcut to artistic legitimacy. From Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale” to Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave”, the industry’s most lauded films often hinge on the spectacle of agony. Physical degradation, emotional torment and […]
Fantasy Sports and the Commodification of Pain
Fantasy sports have revolutionized how fans engage with games, transforming passive spectators into active strategists. But in the process, they’ve also done something more troubling: they’ve turned real human injuries into little more than strategic inconveniences. When a National Football League (NFL) running back tears his Achilles or a National Basketball Association (NBA) star tweaks […]
Tankinis Are Overhated
With summer being in full swing, the swimsuit design debate has started all over again, and will resume when the next summer rolls around. While everyone has their particular swimsuit design they gravitate towards, recent years have seen internet users expressing their hate for tankinis. For years, tankinis have been seen as a modest option […]
Upcoming Shows in 2025 to Look Forward To
With Summer now in motion, it may be a good idea to look ahead to see what options are available for people to binge not only throughout the summer, but the rest of the year. Premiering on July 9, 2025, “South Park,” is returning with its 27th season. With the trailer showing a small view […]
Can Musk Do What Democrats Cannot – Break the Republican Party?
One common critique of the Democratic Party is its chronic inability to present as a united front. Unlike Republicans, who have successfully rallied behind Donald Trump, Democrats struggle to back just one single candidate. The GOP has increasingly become the Trump party, with critics likening the loyalty to cult-like, where actions are almost never questioned. […]
Why Pixar’s Elio Is Bombing
Pixar’s newest film, “Elio,” has just hit theaters on June 20, 2025 and has bombed abysmally. Its opening weekend performed at an embarrassing $21 million compared to its $250 million budget, which has set a record for Pixar’s lowest performing opening weekend, beating out the previous, staggeringly low, $30 million opening weekend set by “Elemental.” […]
Thrifting Is Just Gentrification in Disguise
Remember when your local thrift store was the best way to find new clothes on a budget? Now, that flannel that used to be $4 is costing you over $50 to take home. Thrifting’s whole goal used to be about serving low-income communities, but now it has become a trend that is actively harming them. […]
The Gig Economy Reflected in Game Design
In the sprawling digital landscapes of games like “Cyberpunk 2077” and “Grand Theft Auto Online” (GTA Online), players are promised freedom — limitless cities, endless choices and the illusion of autonomy. But beneath the neon lights and high-octane missions lies a familiar grind: the fetch quest. These repetitive, low-stakes tasks mirror a deeper truth about […]
Trump’s Domestic Policy Bill and What It Means
Recently, a Republican house bill has been passed and approved, which will largely operate to further President Donald Trump’s ambitions, which largely entails tax changes as well as more monetary investment into military and anti-immigration efforts. As amendments to the bill are currently underway, Trumps seems to be pressuring his party to pass his bill […]
