|
Written by: Kevin Berge  And so ends the legendary run of the mostly silent space marine... until Microsoft wants to make more money off Halo, which did not take long. (Image Courtesy of: alphacoders.com) Quick Take: Halo 3 has everything you look for in a trilogy ender. It is epic, emotionally resonant, and brings fresh ideas to a franchise that feels complete with this chapter. While some of the gameplay decisions feel like steps back, most make this an unforgettable ride.
2017 Film Review: The Babysitter9/29/2020 Written by: Kevin Berge  This movie is a PSA to parents about babysitters: If you don't want to be around your kids, your babysitter certainly doesn't... unless they're a part of some kind of weird demonic ritual cult thing. (Image Courtesy of: bagogames.com) Quick Take: The Babysitter may not be complex or insightful, but it is ridiculous fun, fully committing to its comedy horror aesthetic. The cast are fully invested in the stylized insanity, and it makes for a complete easy ride of a film anyone can enjoy after turning off their brain.
Death of the Author: Why the Transphobia of J.K. Rowling Matters to Understanding Harry Potter9/26/2020 Written by: Kevin Berge  Strap in. This won't be pretty. It's time to get serious and long... really long for these articles. (Image Courtesy of: inc.com) Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: I do not support J.K. Rowling. Her transphobic statements have gone far beyond a simple mistake to the point of active vile hatred toward a group that is already marginalized and belittled by those in power. I will not even link her hateful statements to lend them credence.
Despite repeated criticism and the likelihood that she has been repeatedly told to apologize and drop the issue by those she should respect, she has only continued to use her platform to spread hateful remarks insinuating that the transgender community is invalid, even stating that the community is actively oppressing women (like an insane person). This article is not in fact an attempt to tell you that you should consume Harry Potter media. Quite the opposite. Trans women and trans men are completely valid as are all people. Gender is a social concept and defined by one's individual understanding of their own identity, not the rigid biological labels assigned at birth. If you do not agree on the above points and began reading this article with the hope that I would validate your continued consumption of Harry Potter media, you can feel free to get off the train now. This conversation will go many directions, but none will ever validate J.K. Rowling's hate speech.  Man, isn't Godfrey a dreamboat? I mean, you really can't beat that mustache. No lady could in this entire story, and I'm pretty most of the men couldn't either. (Image Courtesy of: peacocktv.com) Quick Take: My Man Godfrey carries ridiculous humor to a level that feels timeless. Its cast stand firm in memorable roles with a central absurd hook that makes this an enduring comedic classic for those that are not averse to old films.
Random Thoughts During a Pandemic: Star Wars Reflections, The Magic of Old Film, TV vs. Film9/19/2020 Written by: Kevin Berge  I have watched 50+ movies in the past month, and I decided to do something bold... talk about Star Wars for the 50+ time. (Image Courtesy of: etonline.com) As I continue to manage in this pandemic, I find myself overwhelmed with thoughts. In order to get them all out, I wanted to make sure I got them all on the page.
My girlfriend spent a few weeks with me, and we did a lot of movie watching. Thus, films are on my mind. I watched far too much Star Wars, all of the Lord of the Rings movies, and a variety of others as well. All of it together led to an interesting rush of thoughts while we were stuck mostly inside due to this massive global pandemic. I have tried to put together my thoughts in a cohesive form. Instead, it became this, a reflection on film, TV, streaming, and the world at large. |
