The Complex Identity and Emotions of Pokémon Detective Pikachu
It would be easy to dismiss Pokémon Detective Pikachu as “just” any number of things: “Just” a kids’ movie. “Just” a video game movie. “Just” a funny-animal movie. “Just” a supernatural mystery. “Just” a live-action spinoff of a long-running anime.…
Reflections on a Sense of the Self: Toy Story (1995) and Us (2019)
In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.” – Erik Erikson, Identity, Youth, and Crisis One of the first films that comes to mind when thinking of explorations of…
The Unearthing of Class in a “Class-less” Society: The Red Scare of Jordan Peele’s Us
“And the Lord said to me, ‘A conspiracy has been found among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to…
Reel World: Rewind #020 – Rango
On this episode of Reel World: Rewind . . . Blaine and Shannon talk about Gore Verbinski’s Rango (2011). They talk about their first experiences with the film, its numerous allusions to other films and genres, and the theme of identity and…
Oh! The Horror… | of Double Features, Vol. II
I am so pleased this week to be collaborating, once again, with my good friend, Joseph Nooft, who is a contributor for Mockingbird. We wanted to bring to you some more suggestions for double features—a non-horror film paired with a horror…
Reel World Rewind #008 – The Iron Giant
On this episode of Reel World Rewind: Blaine is joined by Reed Lackey to talk about The Iron Giant. They speculate about Brad Bird’s sources of inspiration, and they talk about how the film speaks to issues of fear and…
Review| X-Men: The Last Stand
Everyone wants to be accepted. Even those who spurn acceptance do so to be accepted for not accepting who they are. Perhaps the biggest theme of any X-Men story is identity and being accepted. The whole premise of the original…
Serial Identity
(Don’t worry. You’re reading a spoiler-free article.) This is a Global-Tel link prepaid call from — Adnan Syed — an inmate at a Maryland Correctional facility. On October 23, 2014, the first episode of Serial was released. Buoyed by its…
Netflix Your Weekend – The Double
Happy Boxing Day everyone! The day after Christmas is recognized in Canada and the UK as a day for those who worked as postmen, errand-boys, etc. would receive a “Christmas Box” from their employers. This year, since it falls on…