Human beings are NOT the apex of evolution [that would be dolphins…]; and we are certainly not any more important than any other living creature on this planet. We have the right to exist and that ought to be good enough. Our lack of respect for the earth extends to our dysfunctional society. We don’t […]
No matter how many times I return to Los Angeles, I always make a point of visiting Venice Beach. The nearly two-mile beachfront walk is the quintessential L.A. experience, and it‘s usually the highlight of my trip. If you’ve never been there I will take you. Venice Beach is the biggest open-air freak-show on the […]
LeiLane Nishime’s essay The Mulatto Cyborg: Imagining a Multiracial Future argues that SF cinema is so effective because it uses fantasy to tell stories about problematic social issues in our own reality. SF cinema can be more bold and take far more risks than if the story was set in the ‘real’ world. Effective SF […]
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the supreme achievements of Norman culture. Indeed, it is a monument to all of Western Civilization. The fact that it has survived nearly intact over nine centuries is nothing short of miraculous. Its exceptional length, the vibrancy of its colors, its exquisite workmanship, and the genius of its creation […]
Espionage, counterintelligence, and covert action are essential components in the military arsenal of every great civilization. This was especially true for the United States and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. The need for high-quality intelligence on the enemy’s capabilities was even more critical back then. Effective counterintelligence operations have played a pivotal […]
Nicolo Paganini [1782-1840] was arguably the world’s greatest violinist. His incredible virtuosity totally revolutionized the instrument, and his amazing skills led many people to believe he had made a Faustian deal with the Devil in order to acquire his seemingly inhuman abilities. Paganini was so unbelievably good that audiences in the pre-Victorian era were convinced […]
Science Fiction (SF) cinema warrants serious critical analysis. The genre thrives on terror, and society is full of fear-induced bigotry, intolerance and endless warfare. By invoking fear, SF cinema can subvert viewers’ expectations and put sexism, racism and class warfare in stark juxtaposition. In a purely ideological context a violent, sexist narrative can become a […]
Science Fiction [SF] cinema has never received the degree of analytical and theoretical attention devoted to other film genres. In her book Alien Zone, author Annette Kuhn demonstrates that SF has been difficult to define as an actual genre, simply because it encompasses so many different elements. SF films rework and transform established themes and […]
In Federalist Paper #30, Alexander Hamilton argues that the new American government must possess unrestrained power to impose taxes to support all the basic functions of that government – particularly the power to raise and supply an army or militia. He mentions building fleets and paying debts, but most of his examples deal with the […]
Scholars have recently presented critical analyses of the popularity of zombies, vampires and witches to help explain the social and psychological implications of the undead in contemporary popular culture. Zombies are quick and easy metaphors that can be used for many purposes, representing any number of different themes. The proliferation of zombies in films, video […]
Jason Darensburg's Blog-o-rama 