How Does “The Twilight Zone” Episode “The Obsolete Man” Criticize Totalitarianism?
Wordsworth, both in action and in name, challenges the ideology of the totalitarian state in this "Twilight Zone" classic.
Does “The Twilight Zone” Episode “The Dummy” Reflect Rod Serling’s Own Inner Demons?
The episode appears to be a meditation on alcoholism and the inner demons of the artistic personality, themes the show's creator had explored in a previous episode, "A Passage for…
What Influenced “The Twilight Zone” Episode “Five Characters in Search of an Exit”?
Luigi Pirandello's "Six Characters in Search of an Author" and Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit" influenced this episode of Rod Serling's classic anthology series.
Why Do Many People Identify as a “Star Wars” or a “Star Trek” Fan? Does It Have to Be Either/Or?
Why do people align with either "Star Trek" or "Star Wars?" Can the fandom not cross over?
What Does “Spirited Away” Say About Environmentalism?
"Spirited Away" isn’t preachy in its environmental commentary, but it offers a concise observation about human behaviors and global pollution.
What Are the Notable Recurring Motifs in “Blue Velvet”?
Light and dark, robins and insects, reds shoes and a severed ear all help to symbolize the battle between good and evil in David Lynch's Neo-noir masterpiece, "Blue Velvet."
In “Grey’s Anatomy,” Where Are Everyone’s Parents?
Meredith Grey and most of her cohorts lack the support of a parental network. They rely instead on their "hospital family" and play out their personal lives over the backdrop of their…
What Makes “Baraka” as Poignant Today as When It Was Released in 1993?
People will forever be able to view "Baraka" in any year, any climate, any culture, and apply its mesmerizing images to the world as they see it.
When Making “Baraka,” What Was Ron Fricke’s Approach to the Film?
Ron Fricke invented new technology specifically to film "Baraka" the way he wanted.
What Is the Group Chanting Ritual Performed Early in “Baraka”?
"Baraka" spends several minutes showing a tribal dance and music drama known as Kecak, where 150+ men chant and tell a story from the Ramayana.
How Does “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” Illustrate Nietzschean Philosophies?
Nietzschean philosophy permeates "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The story of Joel and Clementine relates to his philosophies on forgetting and remembering, and his quotations…
What Is the Message of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”?
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" shows us that memories aren’t files to be deleted. They are more than simple thoughts stored in the mind, as they shape the core of the self.