Antagonism for your Inbox
‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ Surprises
If you were lucky enough to enjoy the lovely, prosaic novel of the same name by Amor Towles, you may have approached this television adaptation by Showtime with the trepidation I did. It chronicles the story of one man during the fallout of the Russian Aristocracy, and the years afterward. A red wave sweeps over Russia, where all the nobles…
Pain Don’t Hurt but Love Does: The Road House Remake Removed All the Sex and Philosophy
There is a small moment in 1989’s Road House that is oddly missing from the 2024 remake. It’s not very vital to the overall film, but I think it highlights a major shortcoming of the remake. Newly arrived in town to help turn around an unruly bar, protagonist Dalton is awoken by friendly waitress Carrie Ann who has brought him…
Damsel Makes the Tiniest Bit of Progress
SPOILERS for Damsel. And 1981’s Dragonslayer. When I was a kid, there was a movie called Dragonslayer that played on cable over and over. It featured a cross-dressing girl and Peter MacNicol as the titular hero, which in retrospect is hilarious but was bizarre even at the time. It also had a dragon that demanded–and received–virgin girls as…
Silo Has The Best Sweaters On Television
While you were busy yelling at Disney+ about the crap coming out of Star Wars and the MCU, Apple TV+ has been quietly building a stable of quality shows, several of them really good sci-fi. One of my recent favorites was Silo, a tightly acted slow burn of a show about a post-apocalyptic society living underground. It’s a little bit…
Keri Russell’s Character In ‘The Diplomat’ Kicks All The Ass
I could play a thousand videos of men being held to lower standards than women, both in the private and public space. Perhaps nothing boils the blood more than this example, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Brett Kavanaugh at their respective Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Frankly, it’s sickening. It’s sickening that a man like that is on the Supreme…
Rebecca Ferguson is the Coolest Member of the Dune Cast
I recently binged the Apple TV+ show Silo starring Rebecca Ferguson. She plays a very dour character who might smile once during the entire first season. Emphasis on the “might.” So I was unprepared for the version of Ferguson who showed up for the spectacle that is the press tour for Dune: Part Two. Witness her. I have a Mission:…
‘Shōgun’ Feels Like The Next Big Thing
I was trying to figure out a way to properly and respectfully capture my feelings after the first two episodes of Shōgun when Dustin Waters shared this, which, frankly, does most of the heavy lifting. To say that Shōgun feels like the next big thing is to understand that there isn’t, currently, any big thing, and there hasn’t really been…
The One Thing Mr. & Mrs. Smith Got Absolutely Right
SPOILERS FOR SEASON ONE OF MR. & MRS. SMITH! Mr. & Mrs. Smith on Amazon Prime has a lot going for it–Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, for starters. Those two are each phenomenal, and together? Well, actually together they seem kind of odd. But whatever! It’s a terrific premise–assassins and spies who are married? Based on the movie that…
“Rust Spots/Corrosion is the Norm”: Inside the Tesla Cybertruck Forum That Blew Up the Internet
It began simply enough — a simple post on the aptly named CybertruckOwnersClub.com. Little did commenters know that their online debate would make headlines across the internet as outlet after outlet took the opportunity to dunk on Tesla. After years of hype, the company’s much-talked-about Cybertrucks first began reaching customers last fall. But as more and…
The Super Bowl Proves Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are Soulmates
Cast your minds back to a whole week ago. It was the Grammys, and Taylor Swift had just made history as the only person to ever win four Album of the Year awards, beating out Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra. So of course that’s all anyone could talk about! Just kidding, nobody talked about that. Instead, the internet…
The Best and Worst Ads From The 2024 Super Bowl
Well, the NFL season is over and it’s a good thing I’m not a betting man because I would have bet my house on the Niners and bet my soul on the Ravens before them, so yeah. I have lots of thoughts about the actual football, but I’ll save them for the dorks I hang out with. Let’s just get…
The Marvels is Delightful
The Marvels began streaming on Disney+ this week, which means you can finally see for yourself why nobody flocked to the theater to watch the MCU’s far-too-delayed sequel to Captain Marvel when it was first released. Just kidding! What I mean is you can watch it and realize all that nonsense was just because of sexism. And MCU exhaustion. This…
Did The Grammys Just Win the Awards Shows War?
We weren’t even planning to properly watch The Grammy Awards at my house. It’s one of those shows that’s usually turned off halfway through, if not forgotten about completely. The Grammys are just too sprawling, covering every possible genre of music–or rather, trying to and failing miserably. Somehow, while attempting to include everything…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: The Recruit
It’s winter! Winter sucks. Let’s curl up under blankets and binge spy shows. There’s always adrenaline-pumping action and hot spies to keep you warm in the winter chill. This week’s entry is The Recruit on Netflix. Is it based on a book? Nope. Seems like this time, the story was based on reality. Which is kinda horrifying, actually. Nobody…
MAGA’s Worst Nightmare is Taylor Swift
If you thought a couple as wholesome (and frankly, straight and white) as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce couldn’t get the MAGA crowd riled up, you were wrong. After all, MAGA is all about “traditional” American values, and if movies and music videos have taught me anything, there’s nothing more “all-American” than a beautiful, popular blond girl cheering…
Is It Wrong That I Find the Saltburn Family Sort of Likable?
SPOILERS! Have you seen Saltburn? Doesn’t matter. You’ve seen the jokes, you know what it’s about–a nerdy con artist who infiltrates and sabotages an uber-wealthy British family. The Catton family is the sort of rich that Fitzgerald was talking about when he said “they are different from you and me.” The sort of rich that…
The Most Telling Moment in Pro Wrestling Accountability
Kayfabe: (noun) the tacit agreement between professional wrestlers and their fans to pretend that overtly staged wrestling events, stories, characters, etc., are genuine. Broadly, the tacit agreement to behave as if something is real, sincere, or genuine when it is not. — Merriam-Webster Professional wrestling is compelling because it asks the most of its audience.…
One Year Later and I Still Can’t Figure Out Why Miss Denmark Was A Grunt
One year ago in the 10th episode of Season 48, SNL dropped this “Miss Universe” sketch. It was written by Mike DiCenzo, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Jake Nordwind, Ceara O’Sullivan and it’s as fun as it is crazy. There are a few lines that are far better than you’d expect, like Kenan’s opening, “One of several shows still on the…
Fargo Season 5: Come for the Hamm, Stay for the Tiger
This is our second season five Fargo piece because it’s that good. You can go to Thor’s if you want a concise and coherent take, but stay with me if you’re more into reading a confusing account of the season as a result of what I’m sure is my undiagnosed and untreated case of ADHD. Also a lot of spoilers…
20 Years Ago Usher Dropped “Yeah” And It’s Still Fun As Hell
January 13th, 2004. That’s when this song hit the airwaves, landing on the charts at #53 before shooting to the top where it would stay at #1 for twelve consecutive weeks. It was the most listened song of 2004. “Yeah,” in its long lifetime broke a billion Spotify streams last year. With a B. There’s not much more to say…
The Horrifying Morality of Netflix’s ‘Bodies’
When I say “horrifying morality,” I’m somehow not talking about the naked, dead man in the header. Not exactly. I’m speaking more about how and why the man ended up naked and dead. But let me back up a second. Bodies is the new(ish. It came out in October 2023) series from Netflix based on the graphic novel of the…
Niecy Nash-Betts Crushed the Emmys
The 2023 Emmy Awards were boring. Nothing scandalous happened. Anthony Anderson was a fine host, not particularly funny, not offensive to anyone. His mom was there to yell at award recipients when they went over their speaking time–which seemed to work, because this show ended before 11pm! There were no surprises among the winners. Beef won a lot, The Bear…
True Detective: Night Country is a Return to Metaphysical Form
The great tragedy of True Detective’s incredible first season is that it fell prey to the same thing as a lot of other pieces of fiction that focus on the hyper masculine. I’m talking about your Fight Clubs and your American Psychos. All feature incredible lead performances of severely damaged men that are often too captivating to not fall for…
Why Does Brian Cox Keep Doing These Things?
Shakespeare: “If money go before, all ways do lie open.” Logan Roy: “Would you like to hear my favorite passage from Shakespeare? Take the fucking money.” Two years after debuting his iconic role as Succession patriarch Logan Roy, classically trained actor Brian Cox took on a somewhat surprising gig. Yes, in 2020 Cox began his stint as the voice of…
Goodbye, New Year’s Resolutions
By now I’m sure you’re all tired of those inspiring posts or articles about New Year’s resolutions, how to make and follow through with them. That’s where I come in, to undo all that inspiring and make life easier on you by helping you set lower standards, or no standards at all. Only two weeks into January and I’ve made,…
Hollywood is Proving Barbie’s Point
Jo Koy made a lot of bad jokes at the Golden Globes. His dig at Taylor Swift got the most attention and I’m glad TayTay iced him for it. But that one paled in comparison to his take on Barbie. “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies,”…
5 Things the Golden Globes Got Right
The Golden Globes returned last year after taking a year off due to scandal, did a fairly decent show, and then sold themselves to Dick Clark Productions in June 2023. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which has been running these awards shows since 1944, was disbanded as part of that sale. So now The Golden Globes are just…you know, The…
The Iron Claw: The Impossible Task of Adapting Wrestling’s Most Tragic Family
Content Warning: This post discusses suicide It’s ironic that a film featuring the absurdly muscular physiques of Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White is so bare bones. And that seems somewhat intentional. As an adaptation of the real-life tragedies that befell professional wrestling’s Von Erich family in the ’80s and early ’90s, The Iron Claw is a film…
The Antagonist’s Holiday Gift Guide for Dads with a Secret Second Family
Another Christmas and Dad’s not around. That’s OK. He’s busy. Busy with his secret second family. But that’s no reason to leave him off your gift list. In fact, you probably want to try your best to get him the perfect gift. If only so that you can beat out your siblings several time zones away for the paternal attention…
Leave the World Behind Chooses Politics over Character
Netflix’s Leave The World Behind has quite a pedigree. First of all, it stars some of the best out there: Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke as Brooklyn couple Amanda and Clay, Mahershala Ali as Manhattan aristocrat G.H., and Kevin Bacon as weirdo contractor/prepper Danny. It’s written and directed by Sam Esmail of Mr. Robot fame. And listed as Executive…
Are We Witnessing the Birth of a Philanthropist on The Gilded Age?
Everybody’s favorite thing about the robber baron Mr. Russell on HBO’s The Gilded Age is his beard. But everybody’s second favorite thing about him is the gooey center inside his flinty exterior. Honestly I can’t even write that without laughing. Mrs. Russell is the tough one in that family, I don’t even know how Mr. Russell got to be…
‘Fargo’ : Season 5 Is Great
I was a huge ‘Fargo’ fan until showrunner Noah Hawley took his love to town and split his affections between ‘Fargo’ and ‘Legion.’ The quality dipped. Hawley forgot Ron Swanson’s sage advice: Then there was the Chris Rock season of ‘Fargo,’ which, while still objectively ‘good,’ nevertheless felt…
How ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Overcomes the Franchise’s Biggest Weakness
Few things are better than Godzilla. I say this with no irony. Of course, Godzilla can be silly, campy, and downright cheesy, but as a piece of entertainment, the franchise has unlimited potential. But that’s not to say the Godzilla franchise is without its faults. Perhaps the largest among them being the struggle to get viewers to connect with the…
For All Mankind Feels a Little Too Real
It was interesting to watch a show about a public/private partnership on Mars during a weekend when yet another SpaceX rocket self-destructed. As Apple TV+’s alternate history drama For All Mankind moves into the 21st Century, we’re beginning to see more of these collisions between our current reality and the reality of the show. While the first two…
‘Faraway Downs’ Is Pure Cheese You’ll Want To Turn Off But Won’t, Somehow
‘Faraway Downs’ on Hulu is a story from the brainmill of Baz Luhrmann which revisits his 2008 film ‘Australia,’ except now it’s told in a six-part movie. We used to call that a ‘miniseries,’ but whatever. Luhrmann had some time during the pandemic and wondered if he could really flesh out some of the elements of the story…
The Antagonist’s Holiday Gift Guide for the Most Damaged Man in Your Life
The holiday season is upon us, and we here at The Antagonist want to help you navigate the hectic world of finding those perfect gifts for the ones you love. That’s why throughout the remainder of the year, we’ll be publishing carefully curated shopping guides specifically geared for the people in your life. Starting with the most damaged dude you…
A Villain Arrives in The Gilded Age
Well, well, well, look who’s decided to add some drama to their drama! I am just as scandalized as Adelheid the lady’s maid to see the return of Turner to the scene in The Gilded Age. You may remember Turner as Bertha Russell’s sexy, backstabbing lady’s maid from season one. She tried to seduce George, failed miserably, made a deal…
Professional Wrestling Is Primed for Another Major Breakthrough
Professional wrestling could very well be on the way to its biggest cultural breakthrough in years. All the pieces seem to be moving in the right places. Let me explain. With the rise of All Elite Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment found its first true challenger since buying out its primary competition in 2001. This was followed by creative decisions in…
The Gilded Age Takes a Mulligan
The big reveal at the end of season one of HBO’s The Gilded Age was that Peggy Scott’s secret child, who she thought had died at birth, was in fact alive! Her terrible father had stolen the boy and adopted him out to some other couple, all because he didn’t approve of Peggy’s husband. Or something. I don’t really remember…
Nothing Feels Finished Anymore
I’ve been reluctant to engage with most mainstream media recently — or to put it another way, I can’t think of the last time I felt compelled to rush out and experience anything fresh upon its release. Sure, you could chalk this up to simple burnout, but I realize now that it’s something else. Nothing feels finished anymore. I came…
Taylor Tomlinson, Pro Bed Making and Thanksgiving Desserts
I’ve missed a lot while watching the world burn down. Like how Taylor Tomlinson is going to be the new Late Night host except it’s going to actually be called After Midnight. Good for her and anyone who is up that late to watch. I will watch clips at a reasonable hour the next day like the good lord intended.…
Loki Season 2 and the Elephant in the Room
**MAJOR SPOILERS FOR LOKI SEASON 2!** Marvel is in a slump. Nobody is looking forward to The Marvels, and I’m waiting resignedly for the post-opening crowing of the incels about how people don’t want to see movies led by women when really it’s because Marvel is in a slump. Quantumania was straight-up terrible and a box office disappointment, the…
That One Time Scorsese Went Full Horror
Despite his diverse catalog of films, Martin Scorsese has never veered into directing a full-on feature-length work of horror. But that doesn’t mean the Killers of the Flower Moon director hasn’t dipped his toes into the genre in the past. In 1986, Scorsese directed an episode of Amazing Stories, the anthology series helmed by Steven Spielberg. The story for…
‘What Josiah Saw’ Is Pure, Unforgiving Southern Gothic
Southern Gothic is an underrepresented genre in modern horror, most likely because it remains so brutal and transgressive that wider audiences simply aren’t willing to stomach it. What Josiah Saw (2021) embodies this concept, not so much relying on gore and violence to shock viewers, but instead focusing on characters willing to do anything to escape a past they…
‘Skinamarink’ is the First Backrooms Movie
It’s not a stretch to say that Skinamarink is a divisive film. Nor is it too broad a generalization to say that it divides more or less into halves: one that finds it captivating as hell and one that has seen drying paint with more going on. And there is a great deal happening in the film, though you need…
Are Cash Register Donations A Scam? Mostly No, But Yes Also
Just to set your expectations at the right level, yes, I’m going to be discussing accounting, auditing, and tax law. You should now be riveted. But in case you’re not, I’m also going to be hopefully helping you decide what’s become an overwhelmingly ubiquitous decision: Do I donate an extra dollar at the check-out at CVS? Actually, this is…
We Are All Swifties Now
I took my daughter to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie, but that’s just an excuse because I fully intended to see it anyway and my similarly middle-aged friend from college wanted to go while there were still crowds of people who would be singing and dancing in the theaters. So off we went. We were supposed to dress in…
This Iconic Piece of Horror Cinema Is Set for Auction — and the Price Might Keep You Up at Night
One, two, Freddy’s iconic blade-fingered glove could be coming to you — if you’re willing to part with a boiler room full of cash. Yes, the original bladed glove worn by Robert Englund in 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and its sequel, Freddy’s Revenge, is up for auction. But your dream of owning this classic piece of cinema could…
The 8 Things You Have To Overcome To Enjoy Moonlighting On Hulu
I was a huge Moonlighting fan back in the day and could not wait for the re-release of the show on Hulu after the renegotiation of music rights, etc. had been sorted. Since it’s been off the air, Moonlighting has held a very sacred spot in my heart for a few reasons: But it’s back. Aaaaaaaaaaand I probably wasn’t prepared…
Guests and Ghosts: The Horror of Being in Another’s Home
I want to talk about a very specific type of fear. And I’ll do so by starting out with a scene from the 2000 Ben Stiller comedy Meet the Parents. During his first visit to his longtime girlfriend’s family home, Stiller’s Greg Focker sleeps in late, only to find the entire family well into breakfast. “Hey, look who’s up,” one…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: The Little Drummer Girl
The world has gotten darker this week with news of the vicious attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas terrorists. The situation between the Israeli and Palestinian people, and between their leaders, is a complicated one that has been riddled with unrest and violence for decades. This week’s spy show is set during one such period of unrest, in the late…
You Should Watch: Extraordinary
I binged an entire show in one sitting because this scene came across my feed. Extraordinary on Hulu isn’t a particularly original show, or even necessarily a great one. But goddamn if it isn’t the most fun I’ve had in ages! We follow the adventures of London 20something Jen and her flatmates Carrie and Kash, who are a couple. Everyone…
You’re Being Followed: The Rise of Influencer Horror
Horror’s love affair with the internet started back when the producers of The Blair Witch Project leveraged a burgeoning online culture to build a viral marketing campaign around the low-budget film. Over two decades later, horror is now turning its attention to the potential terrors that await those met with massive online success. I give you the rise of the…
Swifties, Cherlato and the 13 Going on 30 Musical
No one in the world bridges gaps like Taylor Swift. I had not heard of this Travis Kelce guy until she attended the Chiefs game, and now I’m obsessed with how hard Kelce’s friends have worked to help him impress his new famous girlfriend. “I think he wanted to get in the end zone just as much as all the…
Why Can’t DC Comics Keep Its Biggest Creators Happy?
Writer and artist Bill Willingham shocked the industry earlier this month when he announced that he had placed his celebrated series Fables into the public domain rather than continue doing business with DC Comics. It’s a bold move indeed, but it should come as little surprise from a company with a long history of alienating some of its biggest names. …
Besties in New York, Ronaldo in Iran, and Crossroads Back in Theaters
Behold, the most iconic duo of the century, Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner, hanging out in New York, probably brainstorming Swift’s next lyrics about Joe Jonas. (Lainey Gossip) Sophie Turner has now sued Joe Jonas for – wait for it – kidnapping her kids. (Page Six) Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of Fox and News Corps. He’s only…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: Bodyguard
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. It’s time once again to get our thriller on with another spy series! Thanks to Joe Jonas and his clumsy attempt at sexist pre-divorce PR, the Queen in the North has…
Stop Being a Jackass to Your Mom Friends
I came across an article on The Cut called Adorable Little Detonators: Our friendship survived bad dates, illness, marriage, fights. Why can’t it survive your baby? Maybe it was the stupid title that caught my attention (well played) but I immediately hated it. And then I actually read it. And you know what, I hated it even more. This was…
Hollywood Strikers Risk Losing Healthcare and Celebs Are Auctioning Off the Most Random Crap to Save It
It makes sense that medical dramas have become such a staple of American television. It’s likely the only way most folks are going to be able to see a doctor. Yes, that’s right, we’re talking about healthcare, the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and the odd lengths to which actors are going to support their crews. So let’s scrub in and diagnose…
Why Are Men Doing This to Me: Newsboy Cap Edition
Hey, guys? Specifically men guys? Dudes? Fellas? Why are you doing this to me? I don’t mean why Cillian Murphy. I get why Cillian Murphy. He’s here to be angelically beautiful while also menacing. He’s got a face where if your lesbian cousin started dating him, you’d be like, “Yeah, actually I get it.” He’s also here to be…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: Treason
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. It’s time to watch another spy show! This week’s selection is Treason on Netflix, which I carefully chose by letting Netflix autoplay it for me after I watched last…
Picket Fences: The Most Bonkers Plotlines from an Overlooked Classic
Months ago when scenes from The Good Doctor went viral online, I thought, “I can’t wait until the internet finds out about Picket Fences.” From the mind of landmark television creator David E. Kelly, Picket Fences premiered in 1992 and served to broaden the blend of small-town surrealism that Twin Peaks had popularized. Currently available for streaming on…
Are White Men OK?
As someone who’s never liked Jimmy Fallon, this article about how horrible it was to work for him is not surprising to me. (Rolling Stone) Danny Masterson was just sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape. Pro-tip: Don’t rape. (Variety) I still have not processed the Britney Spears divorce and now we have the Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: The Night Agent
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. Let’s watch a spy thriller in series format! Everybody loves a good spy story, they’re as perennial as romances and vampire stories. We’ll start with The Night…
The Story of the Greatest Spoiler in Film History
Little did they know, but in the summer of 1978, the San Francisco Examiner revealed one of the greatest surprises in film history. And they did it years before the movie even came out. In the modern era of the internet and film discourse, the concept of a “spoiler” has become a serious issue for many. The act of ruining…
Goshdarnit, Ahsoka Feels Tonally Off
I’m pretty sure I was among the top 1% of Ahsoka Tano fans on the planet before the launch of the new Dave Filoni series. This is me. But here’s the thing: after watching the first two episodes…I’m pretty bummed out. I know that this isn’t meant to be your grandpa’s Ahsoka; characters grow and change and have their own…
The Integrity of Joseph Chambers: A Perfect Dissection of Modern Masculinity
Much like the movie that surrounds it, at the core of The Integrity of Joseph Chambers lies one question: What does it mean to be a good man? Written and directed by Robert Machoian, the film tells the story of an insurance salesman looking to prove to himself that he could provide for his family in the face of societal…
Happy Ahsoka Day!
At long last, today is the day the new series from Dave Filoni launches: Ahsoka, the coolest Jedi ever. (Don’t come at me with the technicality that she’s not a jedi proper. She’s the most Jedi Jedi ever.) I know that may be an overstatement. People do love Obi-Wan. Or, they did before he had his own show, anyway. But…
Internet Sleuths Solve A Breaking Bad Conspiracy on Cameo
Cameo is a bit of an oddity in the celebrity landscape. I mean, where else can you pay Brian Cox $689 to call your cousin an asshole on their birthday? So of course folks took notice recently when Twitter user @DaveMcNamee3000 (yep, still calling it Twitter) pointed out that Daniel and Luis Moncada — best known as the Salamanca hitmen…
CM Punk Promotes SAG-AFTRA Strike on Live Warner Bros. Discovery Broadcast
Love him or hate him, CM Punk isn’t afraid to stand up for a cause. This was made apparent during this past live broadcast of AEW Collision on TNT when the man also known as Phil Brooks appeared sporting a “SAG-AFTRA on Strike” shirt. Cameras were noticeably careful not to show any close-up shots of Punk’s shirt, but his message…
TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is Everything. Including One Perfect Mid-Credits Gag
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. *Spoilers for TMNT: Mutant Mayhem* As suggested by its title, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has always been a shameless hodge podge of influences and intentions. What began as an indie…
The Afterparty Gives Us What We Want
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. The Afterparty on Apple TV+ has been delightfully spinning its way through season two, treating us to a Wes Anderson-esque episode, a heist, a noir episode, and my personal favorite,…
Celebrate Return of the Jedi’s 40th Anniversary with This New Comic Anthology
I will be the first to admit that much of the allure of Star Wars has left me. There’s just been too much to it over recent years. Too much debate. Too much studio intrigue. Too much… well, too much Star Wars. For the most part, my admiration of Star Wars was never based on its epic scale. Rather, it…
Are Super Hero Studios Recreating the Same Mistakes that Led to the Comics Crash of the 90s?
In The Adventures of Superman #583, Superman happens upon the corpse of Batman nailed to the walls of the Gotham City Police Department. He solemnly buries his fellow crime fighter and flies away only to soon return when he hears a newly resurrected Batman claw his way out of the fresh grave. Superman learns that the Joker, newly imbued with…
My Favorite Things From The Opening Two Weeks of the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Get ready, this is epic. Kristie Mewis’ sentimental cleats This is the cleat of USA player Kristie Mewis, #22. Her sister Sam Mewis, #3, also a USA player, was forced to miss the World Cup due to a degenerative lower leg injury. Kristie honored her by putting Sam’s number on her cleats. “SM3KM22” I’m a sucker for adorable sister…
14 Years, Cash, Tamils, and Casual Murder
I was listening to M.I.A.’s ultra-catchy Paper Planes today when I realized that it’s 14 years old and still a banger. It was originally released in 2007 but really hit the public consciousness when it was included on the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire the following year. The song is super catchy, but the part of it that always haunts me…
Why Men Should Run, Not Walk, To See Barbie
I took my 13-year-old son and his two best friends to see Barbie on opening weekend. It was easy. They got caught up in the whole gestalt of the event and wanted to go. My experience was similar to Laura’s. Sold out house. People dressed in pink everywhere. It was exhilarating, and brought me back to a time when movies…
2023 Women’s World Cup Day 2 Recap
Three matches today. I was coming off of a huge high from that stunning New Zealand victory on day one. How did day two stack up? Costa Rica goaltender Daniela Solera, who faced FORTY FIVE shots from La Roja, letting only three get past her and saving ten. She was all over the place keeping her match from becoming a…
Barbie Really is Everything
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. After what seems like a year-long onslaught of PR–the most perfect, spot-on movie marketing campaign in memory–Barbie is finally in theaters. It’s the first film of…
2023 Women’s World Cup Day 1
I’m going to need some oxygen. I knew I was excited about the opening of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but I had no idea that the play would be so ferocious right out of the gate. On opening day not one, but BOTH host nations won their openers 1-0. One, New Zealand, was a considerable underdog and played the…
Behold The Greatest Women’s Soccer Commercial Ever
The women’s game isn’t as fast. The women’s game isn’t that strong. It’s not real “football”. It’s just not that exciting to watch. All of these misogynist, uninformed, and frankly, flat out incorrect sentiments come into sharp focus in this jaw-dropping advertisement for Orange, a French telecom company. The ad plays…
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Deserves the Big Screen
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. Listen up, slackers! If you really liked the first animated Spider-Man movie, I’m here to tell you that the second one is even better. And it’s been out for a while…
Does Jury Duty Have a Strategy Problem?
“WATCH JURY DUTY.” Said two friends of mine. “It’s on FreeVee.” I complained. “FreeVee is stupid, and I am a platform snob.” “Yes, we know.” They said. “It’s owned by Amazon.” I said. “Can you imagine the dildo that actually came up with that terrible name? Can you imagine someone saying…
Solidarity
The Screen Actors Guild, SAG-AFTRA, went on strike yesterday, joining the WGA on the picket lines. The writers have been striking for more than two months now, fighting the AMPTP for fair wages, better working conditions, and a solid roadmap for workers through the future of AI technology. The last time these two unions, who together represent the creative backbone…
So, What IS In #USWNT Superstar Rose Lavelle’s Bag?
I know what you’re thinking: I CANNOT even consider continuing to exist on this planet without knowing what kind of shit All-World goddess Rose Lavelle stuffs into her duffle bag. I know. I know. Me too. Well, wonder no longer. The thing about ridiculous promotional spots like this one from Chipotle, is that they’re GREAT for the players of the…
Actors Strike, Barbie Airbnb, Drake the Poet
For the first time in 60 years, both screenwriters and actors are on strike. Disney CEO Bob Iger is very inconvenienced by the “disruption.” (Variety) On that note, here’s a list of this year’s Emmy nominations. Writers and actors are the reason all of these shows are so good. (Entertainment Weekly) Here’s Juvenile just being Juvenile.…
If You Loved ‘Ted Lasso’ You Should Watch ‘The Bear’
The real thing about Chicago winters is that they’re quiet. They’re cold and gray and miserable, but what you notice most is how quiet they are. Windows shut, birds are all gone, people don’t stay outside unless they have to. You might have late December shoppers out, but by February, you don’t. You know that feeling of being at elementary…
Barbra Banda Scores Twice As Zambia Stuns Mighty Germany 3-2 In A Pre-World Cup Friendly
Just when you think you’ve seen it all in women’s soccer, something new always manages to knock your socks off. For example, when the #1 ranked USA team lost to both Germany and Spain back in November of 2022, it sent ripples of excitement through the world. The US women lost 3 straight matches for the first time in almost…
Grab Your Caboose, New Northern Boys Just Dropped
Fans of a good (but also kinda bad) time have been blessed once again with a new track from UK’s most unlikely party rappers, The Northern Boys. And damn have they been through the wringer since last we saw them. The video for the new single “Sexy Train” opens with a shot of our favorite raunchy lads chatting with strangers…
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Is an Old-Fashioned Good Time
You should go see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. It’s fun! I’ve read all the complaints and honestly, people need to stop complaining about movies. Back in the day, you went to movies because they were fun, and the most fun movie of all time was Raiders of the Lost Ark. None of the sequels ever quite lived…
The Grimace Invaded Roku City and Everything That Felt Good Is Bad
For a time, Roku City was a seemingly pure escape. The infinitely scrolling screensaver filling millions of televisions with a purple cityscape populated with familiar characters was a place where you could leave the rest of the world behind. And then the Grimace arrived. Everyone who streams using a Roku device knows the familiar skyline of Roku City. The…
Madonna Lives, Grave Recipes and Vampire Ballads
RIP to Alan Arkin, who I forgot (or didn’t even know) was in Edward Scissorhands. (The Guardian) At least we still have Madonna, who was in the ICU after she was found unresponsive due to a bacterial infection. Can you imagine losing her during Pride month of all times? No, thanks. (Healthline) The last thing I want to think about…
The Hollow Satire of ‘The Other Two’
Spoilers, but come on, we did say “finale.” I should start by saying I really love The Other Two, and therefore the announcement this week that the show would be ending with the season three finale under accusations of a toxic work environment was disappointing, to say the least. You’d think a show that skewers the entertainment industry’s…
Here is Your Feel-Good Professional Wrestling Moment for Pride Month
As I have often said in the past, professional wrestling is about men enjoying each others’ strength. Of course, not just men. But you know what I mean. Well, in honor of Pride Month, please let’s all celebrate with a special installment of wrestling news. This past Friday on All Elite Wrestling Rampage, we saw former tag team champions The…
You Should Listen To: Corrections: The Podcast
One of the less important, but still pretty important, aspects of the ongoing WGA strike is that I know very little about the news. I’m not super thrilled about that fact, but it’s true. We need to start paying writers for what they’re worth immediately because I desperately need to know what John Oliver would have to say about the…
Sunk Submarines, Cream Cheese Elixirs and Barbie Bitch
I’m irrationally obsessed with the fate of the submersible (because why the fuck would anyone do this?) The final verdict is it imploded not too long after it lost contact. (CNN) There’s a lot to unpack about ridiculously rich people making dumb decisions (and putting others in danger, like a 19-year-old kid in this case) and then there’s this guy…
Marvel Has Been Screwing Over Artists Long Before Secret Invasion’s AI Intro
While most shows manage to wait until after the opening titles to piss off viewers, Marvel’s new mini series Secret Invasion struck with immediacy. The premiere of the new Disney+ series irked many viewers who were met with an opening title sequence that closely resembled the now recognizable style of artificially generated art. Those behind the series…
Taylor Swift Leads An All-Star Revue To Announce The USWNT World Cup Roster
For fans of women’s soccer, the moment is finally here. The final rosters for the FIFA Women’s World Cup are being dropped across the globe, but nowhere is there more pomp and circumstance than here in America where the #1 ranked team in the world and defending Women’s World Cup Champions are announcing which players will make the trip down…
Black Mirror Cements a Bold Departure with an Homage to The Twilight Zone’s Worst Episode
Longtime fans of Black Mirror were likely taken aback by the recent release of the show’s sixth season. More humor. More horror. And even elements of the supernatural have been introduced to the series that has thus far stood out for its bleak examination of technology’s influence on everyday life. Creator and writer Charlie Brooker has been up front…
Never Have I Ever … Found a Way to Take a Healthy Break
We’ve all been there. Sometimes you just want to check out and not deal with whatever is coming your way. When this happens to me, I tend to cram salted peanuts into my mouth until I can barely chew or breathe. It takes awhile to soften and chomp the mass into a homogenous slurry, but when I finally do, I…
