In “Game of Thrones,” What is the Motivation Behind the Faceless Men and the Many-Faced God?
The Faceless Men are a group of assassins in Braavos. They were founded upon the principle that people in the most destitute of situations, like the slaves of Valyria, all pray for death, despite…
In “Game of Thrones,” Who Are the Children of the Forest, and What is Bran Doing?
The Children of the Forest were the first inhabitants of Westeros, even before The First Men. They are said to not be human, though they do take a humanoid shape.
In “Game of Thrones,” are Outsiders the Most Powerful Characters?
Game of Thrones' characters such as Ned Stark, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister may be outsiders, but they seem to emerge as the most powerful figures in the story.
“Winter Sleep” Claims to Be an Adaptation of a Story by Anton Chekhov, But is It?
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Palme d’Or winner, "Winter Sleep", is purportedly an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s short story "The Wife". However, the film expands on the short…
Is There a Link Between “Nymphomaniac” & Tarkovsky’s films? What About their Treatment of Women?
"Nymphomaniac" is rife with references to the cinema of Andrey Tarkovsky, but one would be at a loss trying to connect this ironically nihilistic film with the spiritual cinema of the…
Why Was Lars von Trier’s “Nymphomaniac” Released in Two Parts (And Why is it So Long)?
By breaking up his epically long "Nymphomaniac" into two separate films, Lars von Trier might be riding the recent wave of commercially successful trilogies that expand one-feature…
“Snowpiercer” May Not Be What it Seems. Is it Really Progressive Cinema Criticizing Capitalism?
Snowpiercer's criticism of South Korea's upper class.
How Did “Interstellar” Advisor Physicist Kip Thorne Help Create Visual Images of Black Holes?
Physicist Emily L. Rice explains how physicist Kip Thorne helped create visuals of black holes for "Interstellar" to help audiences better understand the science behind black holes
Is the Hallucinating in “Birdman” Common for Artists?
Scientists discuss how common it is to hallucinate like Michael Keaton's character in "Birdman", especially with creative individuals and artists
Can You Explain the Sexual In-Jokes and Imagery of “Dr. Strangelove”?
Some argue that the film suggests war as a surrogate for male sexual frustration.
How did Linklater Work With the Passing of Time in “Boyhood”?
Albeit fictional, "Boyhood" aspires towards documentary form by consciously opening up to reality, particularly by showing the real life effect of time on the actors, whether through…
Who is Stefan Zweig and How Was He an Inspiration on “The Grand Budapest Hotel”?
Director Wes Anderson virtually channels Stefan Zweig's life and writing into his film.