The role of a film director is evolving beyond the confines of the editing room. Directors like Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino and Greta Gerwig are no longer just behind the scenes — they are the brand. Increasingly, their names alone become the primary draw for audiences, sometimes eclipsing the very stories they tell. This phenomenon […]
Tag: OpEd
The Struggle for Authentic Representation in American Politics
In today’s hyper-strategized political arena, authenticity is often claimed but rarely preserved. Candidates speak of their humble origins, wear denim to county fairs, and roll out personal anecdotes as campaign soundbites — but beneath the charm offensive lies a sobering question: Do politicians lose their roots in the name of electability? Every election season seems […]
The Imaginative World of Speculative Evolution in Video Games
Speculative evolution can be defined as a science-fiction subgenre and an artistic movement that considers hypothetical and scientific creativity to bring about fictional organisms with an entirely imagined evolutionary history. There are many pieces of successful media that contain elements of speculative evolution such as C.M. Kösemen’s book “All Tommorrows,” “Expedition,” by Wayne Barlowe and […]
Wave-Notes After Image: Adaptation of Story Into Song
Imagined sound albums are generally an intriguing type of music, with many being created with the intention of placing emphasis on sound design, atmosphere, image or a story. “After Image,” released on Dec. 31, 2006 and produced by Morrigan, also known as WAVE, is one such album that takes a unique approach to its composition. […]
Why More Movies Should Let the Villain Win
I must admit — I can’t stand how a lot of movies always have the usual good guy protagonist defeating the antagonist. This is unrelated to the phenomenon of morally grey anti-heroes and villains taking the spotlight. “The Joker” films are a recent example of this — considering how they attempt to humanize the iconic, […]
Zohran Mamdani Leans Into Identity Politics During NYC Mayor Race
Zohran Mamdani, a current New York State Assemblymember, is running for New York City mayor as a Democrat. With the primary election only four days away, he is quickly closing the gap on front-runner Andrew Cuomo. Earlier this month, Mamdani released a political ad that looks a little different than usual – unapologetically rooted in […]
Steroids in Global Athletics: Level Playing Field or Arms Race?
In the intricate world of international athletics, one truth remains: the line between peak human performance and pharmaceutical enhancement grows blurrier by the year. The fight against steroid use — anabolic-androgenic substances that build muscle and boost performance — is far from uniform across countries and sports and that inconsistency is threatening the integrity of […]
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Gamera Rebirth: What Does It Mean for the Dying Franchise?
Gamera, a giant turtle monster originally featuring in the film “Gamera, The Giant Monster,” on Nov. 27, 1965, was a blatant knockoff of Godzilla, however with time and future installments, it eventually grew into its own as a Japanese movie icon, popular enough to rival Godzilla. Even in what’s known as the Heisei era, it […]
Fashion Brands Need To Upcycle More
The fashion industry is one of many that struggle with excess waste and pollution. While thrifting has become an important step in helping to alleviate clothing waste, upcycling is emerging as another viable option. That said, the industry has been slow to adopt the method. Upcycling brings new life to older clothing by transforming it […]
Sabrina Carpenter’s New Album Cover – Ironic or Objectifying?
Sabrina Carpenter seems to be doing it all. Riding a wave of momentum during her global tour, she recently announced her next album, “Man’s Best Friend,” set for release in late August. Fans everywhere were stirring with excitement…until they took a closer look at the cover art. Controversy erupted all over the internet. People were […]
Next NFL Season Is Important for the New York Giants
With the next NFL season around the corner, this upcoming season may prove to be very important for the New York Giants, with the expectations of fans weighing heavy, it’s important that they play their cards right. Especially after recent circumstances, this next season may very well either make or break the team. The New […]
Hollywood’s Obsession with Reboots: Nostalgia or Narrative Stagnation?
In the golden age of cinema, originality was currency. Today, a stroll through your local theater marquee might yield a different impression. Oh look, another Ghostbusters reboot. Hey, there’s a live-action reimagining of a Disney classic. You remember Lilo and Stitch? Good, here’s your favorite childhood character rendered in 3D! Check out this gritty sequel […]
