What Has Given Season Two of “The Leftovers” Its Unique Structure and Narrative Approach?
"The Leftovers" uprooted its focus and narrative content for its sophomore season, changing the location and the way it tells stories and explains its characters.
Does Katniss Choose Peeta or Gale at the End of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2”? Why?
In "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," Katniss finally chooses between Peeta and Gale. Her choice tells us about the woman she has begun and completes a love story that has been…
What Does the Title of “Carol” Mean? Why Was the Source Novel Originally Called “The Price of Salt”?
The source novel for "Carol" was originally titled "The Price of Salt," before author Highsmith changed it in the 1990s to "Carol." Screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, who was…
Does Jennifer Lawrence Play the Same Character in “Winter’s Bone” and “The Hunger Games”?
Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen and Ree Dolly both echo Diana, goddess of the hunt. They both come from extreme poverty and have to care for their young siblings due to an absent father…
How Does “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” Comment on the Nature of Spectacle?
For a big-budget Hollywood franchise, "The Hunger Games" offers a strong critique of spectacular society. But by the end of "Mockingjay - Part 2" the distinctions between the…
What Is the Significance of the Title of “Ran”?
Due to the rough English translation, the title of Akira Kurosawa's late masterpiece has multiple interpretations.
How Does “Spirited Away” Tell a Story About a Child’s Fear of Growing Up?
"Spirited Away" starts as a story about a little girl and her parents moving to a new town, and turns into a glorious story of friendship, hard work, and finding identity.
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.