Are Depictions of Different Cultures in “Hector and the Search for Happiness” Racist, or Juvenile?
One of the largest negative criticisms leveled at "Hector and the Search for Happiness" is its tendency to generalize cultures, representing the things that happen to Hector within them…
In “Hector,” What Is The Significance of the Multi-Colored Chinese Flags?
The Tibetan prayer flags showcased in "Hector and the Search for Happiness" are an ancient custom that predates Buddhism, which are used to send prayers throughout the land. The belief is…
Why is Season One Episode 7 of “Ballers” Significant in the Three-Act Story Arc?
Two thirds of the first season of "Ballers" has aired and the seventh episode functions for the season story arc like the turn from the second act to the third. The characters have faced…
How Does “Showrunners” Help Explain Why Television Shows Sometimes Produce Bad Episodes?
“When you’re writing a script every ten days, you start to realize every episode is not going to be a home run, and start looking at the seasons as a whole, realizing that the bad episodes will…
How Does Film & TV Portray Female Characters in Traditional Roles of Power?
One of the most well known female characters on television (or Netflix) today is Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) on House of Cards, the cold-blooded and inspiring wife to the President of the…
What Does “Showrunners” Reveal About the Personalities of Many of Television’s Notable Showrunners?
Showrunners are equally elated and miserable about the jobs they have - but a definitive characteristic between them all is a burning, insatiable dedication to producing the best program they can.
How Does “Showrunners” Explore How the Internet Age Has Turned Showrunners Into Public Figures?
Showrunners aren't just miscellaneous names behind the scenes anymore. They're celebrities, publicly praised or condemned for the success or failure of the show they're working on.
Did “True Detective’s” “Church in Ruins” Effectively Utilize Character Backstories?
Most of the major players in "True Detective" Season Two dealt with an origin story in the episode "Church in Ruins" - whether their own, or someone else's.
On “True Detective” (Season Two), Who Is The Girl Always Singing In The Bar?
Lera Lynn is an American singer/songwriter and collaborator with T Bone Burnett. While her real-world image is not as dark and miserable as her "True Detective" character, her sound has…
Okay, “True Detective,” (Season Two) Exactly Who Is Stan?
Stan is one of Frank's henchmen who only appeared on "True Detective" (Season Two) twice prior to his death, causing great confusion to viewers as Frank continues to reference him.
Is Daisy’s Determination To Get Back to Eddie in “How I Live Now” Believable?
Given the brief time period that initiated Daisy and Eddie's romance, her motivations through the rest of the film could seem like a stretch. But when analyzed through the same scope as the…
Was The Nuclear Explosion Scene In “How I Live Now” Scientifically Accurate? Is That Important?
"How I Live Not" is a story of children living through a horrendous event, and that’s the nucleus by which all other events and occurrences revolve. Details are fuzzy, motivations are…