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Political Rhetoric Done Right
Matthew McConaughey gave a speech at the White House about the mass shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. While I’m not particularly passionate about the legal status of guns, I think his speech was a master class in political rhetoric.
Socialism is a Dirty Word
There’s a growing number of progressives who have embraced the “socialist” label. I explain why this is a rhetorical mistake, regardless of the validity of their policy positions.
Trust the Experts: Why Appeals to Authority Make Sense
I wrote this at the beginning of the pandemic. It has missed its relevancy window to be published so it will remain here in the archives.
NERD STUFF
MOVIES
When Fact and Fiction Collide
When fact and fiction collide we are often presented with the most compelling stories. Does learning the truth change the quality of the film?
Tower Heist
Tower Heist is the worst Ben Stiller movie ever made. Despite having the traits of a hidden gem, this pile of garbage was buried for a reason.
The Thin Red Line
The Thin Red Line achieves the seemingly contradictory feat of creating a beautiful war film about life. It’s an exceptional film that everyone should see.
The Northman
The Northman adheres to the genre conventions you would expect from a Viking action story, but it extends on the story of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in such a unique way that it in no way feels derivative.
Don’t Worry Darling
Don’t Worry Darling begins promisingly, with a well designed world with plenty of intrigue, but when the curtain of mystery is pulled back it’s very disappointing.
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys is a great comedy even if it’s shallow beneath the surface. It’s most notable for fantastic comic timing and great chemistry between its two leads.
Lucky
John Carroll Lynch’s Lucky is a good film that falls just short of its ambitions. It’s a film by a character actor for character actors.
What’s a Good Story Worth?
What’s a good story worth? I compare a good adaptation of Hamlet, which severe story problems, to a poor adaptation of Twelfth Night, which has an excellent story.