Opinions

Just our “humble” opinions

Think smarter: Why we trust streaming services more than traditional networks

Darby RatliffJuly 11, 2018

While streaming services do tend to perpetuate the argument that millennials and generation Z-ers require media delivered to them immediately rather than waiting, I also think that the quality of content also happens to be better because it’s smarter....

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Six reasons why “Billions” is the most enjoyable show on TV

Stephen SilverJuly 10, 2018

'Billions' began with a very simple premise: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damien Lewis) is a billionaire financial whiz who runs a hedge fund called Axe Capital and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) is the U.S. attorney out to put him away. But there’s much much more to it than that. 'Billions' may not be the best show on TV, but it’s certainly the most entertaining....

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Musical hospitality – the specialty of a small venue

Darby RatliffJune 29, 2018

A small venue doesn’t allow for a large audience; that’s self-evident. They also make it hard for an artist to hide behind distance. The 9th Ward, which recently hosted Mary Lambert and Mal Blum - and other small venues - hold a special place of importance. They provide a unique space, one often with a story, and only allow a select few to wander in at one time....

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Reachability vs. Representation: LGBTQ+ Characters in TV & Film

Darby RatliffJune 14, 2018

The lack of LGBTQ+ characters in television and film isn’t too awe-inspiring, yet, there are over 10 million individuals identifying as such in the United States alone, according to Gallup....

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Why is (was) nobody talking about The Matches?

Shannon GriffithsJune 13, 2018

You might have missed out on one of the best pop punk bands of the 2000's... The Matches may have been eclipsed by bigger name bands during the alt-renaissance of the 2000s, but there's no denying that their music is true to its roots 'til the very end....

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A few moments of silence, now trending in Hollywood

Shannon GriffithsJune 5, 2018

In a world filled with way too much noise, auditory and otherwise, nowadays it says more to not say anything at all. The movie business started with silent films, and in recent years more movies have been getting a silent treatment all their own....

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The acclaim of The Shape of Water: Shaped by the Kuleshov Effect and Del Toro’s reputation

Petar PetrovMay 29, 2018

Everyone is entitled to their own film preferences and opinions, and nobody could say who’s right and who’s wrong. All we can do is keep the Kuleshov Effect in mind, try to take the filmmaker’s reputation out of it, and watch a film as it is....

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The blurred line separating life and art

Francesca EscarragaMay 24, 2018

The second we get a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we leap into a world of creative imagination where life and art intertwine, and as we relentlessly explore endless content in the media library, we're bound to find something that we'll invest our time in (mostly years), that hits all the right buttons of our psyche. There are many reasons as to why we get more emotionally involved in fiction than the lives we lead....

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Thank you, Netflix, for doing A Series of Unfortunate Events justice

Shannon GriffithsMay 15, 2018

Finally, A Series of Unfortunate Events gets the dismal treatment it deserves....

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Everyone has something to say about Marilyn Manson…

Shannon GriffithsApril 18, 2018

Marilyn Manson...love him? Hate him? Too scared to say?...

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Was Green Day the best pop-rock band of the 2000s?

Jeff MitchellApril 12, 2018

Green Day may have been the best rock band of the 2000s. At least, they were for those of us blessed to be teens at the time. Those of us once willing to spend 4 hours straight mastering moves in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land instead of actually skating. Those of us savvy enough to acquire bootleg copies of 'Parental Advisory' level Green Day albums because "hey, we're old enough and it's on the radio!"...

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When art needs an explanation: Revisiting Aronofsky’s Mother!

Shannon GriffithsApril 11, 2018

I think it says a whole lot when a director has to explain what his film is trying to say; and Aronofsky certainly had something to say once the audience had enough to time to compose themselves after seeing Mother!...do we believe him?...

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The only thing separating you from creating a cinematic masterpiece is the excuses you make

Francesca EscarragaApril 3, 2018

There are so many things happening around us that could potentially be the next best story ever told, which you could tell, only if you keep a positive mindset and reach for that phone in your pocket. Skeptics would say you're delusional for making such a move, well I'd say, at least you're living the dream....

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Don’t expect many answers from the Sopranos movie

Stephen SilverMarch 28, 2018

Sure, there are reasons to be skeptical about the Sopranos revival. The flashback episodes of The Sopranos were never among the show’s better episodes, and the time period change alone indicates that however great it is, the movie won’t be the Sopranos that we remember. Even so, David Chase has been missed, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this project. Just don’t expect it to give you the Sopranos answers you never got from the show the first go-around....

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Everyone has something to say about the Red Hot Chili Peppers…

Shannon GriffithsMarch 22, 2018

In my experiences, just mentioning Red Hot Chili Peppers is often enough to spark a full-on debate. I think this speaks to the fact that they're just one of those bands that you either love or hate. So, like any millennial would, I posted a status on Facebook asking my friends to tell me how they feel about them, and they sure came through....

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The revolutionary shift in on-screen storytelling

Francesca EscarragaMarch 20, 2018

Through proper representation, cultural diversity, and equality, Hollywood could make wonders and unravel new ways to elevate the craft of storytelling that entices our imagination, speaks the truth, and brilliantly captures the beauty and struggles of humanity without compromising its structural integrity....

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The return of blaming Hollywood for real world violence

Stephen SilverMarch 13, 2018

This year’s usual Oscars reaction followed another, more old-school right-wing freakout over entertainment. When the Parkland high school massacre led to more of an anti-gun cultural groundswell than such tragedies typically have, those on the other side of the issue turned to a typical alternate scapegoat: Hollywood, and video games....

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Why Falsettos still matters after nearly 30 years

Darby RatliffMarch 6, 2018

Following Falsettos' 2016 revival the fact that it's now getting a national tour shows how it's themes and topics are still relevant and important for the times and LGBTQ+ individuals....

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Why does everyone always go back to The Office?

Shannon GriffithsMarch 1, 2018

Oh look, here I go again giving my late-ass opinion about a show that's been off TV for a while! However, it's The Office and there's no such thing as a bad time to start such a miraculous journey. So what's so special about The Office, you say? Let me tell you......

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After Black Panther, is it right to steer promising young directors to huge franchise films?

Stephen SilverFebruary 24, 2018

It’s very clear, from the artistic and financial success of Black Panther, that Ryan Coogler was the right director for Black Panther, and that Black Panther was the right film for him to make at this stage of his career. However, that’s not always the case when it comes to talented young directors who are brought into high-profile franchise filmmaking....

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Where have all the rock critics gone?

Ljubinko ZivkovicFebruary 23, 2018

Most of the big names like Greil Marcus, Robert Christgau, and Simon Frith are still around; somewhere in columns in established cultural magazines, books, and even academia. But it seems that their style of integrated cultural, musical and sociological analysis that at the same time deconstructs and reconstructs certain musical work is less and less visible. What has happened?...

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We must cultivate our garden; how to support the artists you love

Nick HildenFebruary 23, 2018

Artists have always faced an uphill battle, but new obstacles are being thrown in their way. Emerging technologies have been both a gift and a curse. Over the past decade, artists have grappled with historic levels of economic uncertainty and discord and federal funding for the arts is under attack. In the end, if we’re going to ensure that the arts we love thrive, we’re going to have to do it ourselves....

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The trailer for Hereditary is here and it looks batsh*t crazy

Shannon GriffithsFebruary 8, 2018

It's not often that a movie trailer leaves me absolutely speechless, so major kudos to any preview that's capable of demanding silence; even if it's only temporary. Less than a week ago, A24 released the trailer for upcoming horror flick Hereditary and it did just that (it is possible that I muttered "What the f*ck" under my breath)....

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The resurgence of vinyl and what it means for music

Darby RatliffFebruary 8, 2018

With Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify, I don’t think people will stop customizing their music experience. People will use their creativity to make their own albums that tell a story, and that’s great. However, with the resurgence of vinyl, I hope people take time to really listen, to the ups and downs, to the story that’s told....

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