Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 29-92 – It’s Already Gone

Hello once again to my thousands upon thousands of adoring followers and fans throughout all corners of the world. I know what you’re thinking. When I last signed off, it appeared as though you may have seen and heard the last of ol’ Adam. I had regaled you with countless vignettes from the first 28…Read more Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 29-92 – It’s Already Gone

Film Review: Castle in the Sky (1986)

"All good pirates listen to their Mom!" - Castle in the Sky Hayao Miyazaki's 1986 effort Castle in the Sky represents the famed writer/director at perhaps his loosest and most freewheeling. Helmed shortly after the founding of Studio Ghibli in 1985, the film follows the characters of Sheeta and Pazu (voiced in the Disney dub…Read more Film Review: Castle in the Sky (1986)

Why Zedd’s “Beautiful Now” is the Greatest Recession Pop Song

Back in 2008, a then fresh and iconic Lady Gaga encouraged all of us (at the time) young millennials to "Just dance; it'll be ok." It was a message we desperately needed to hear. When Gaga's song first appeared, the Great Recession was still hanging over the country like a mushroom cloud. Jobs were scarce.…Read more Why Zedd’s “Beautiful Now” is the Greatest Recession Pop Song

Film Review: Daredevil (2003)

"How am I going to find you?" Ben Affleck's blind superhero Matt Murdock wistfully says to his lady love, Jennifer Garner's Elektra, about halfway through 2003's Daredevil. "I'll find you," she says in response. The exchange is a strange one, far more poignant than it has any right to be given the film's script. At…Read more Film Review: Daredevil (2003)

Film Review: The Illusionist (2006)

If someone asked me to describe Edward Norton’s career so far, I would say it breaks down into three distinct stages. The first and third periods lasted from 1996–2003 and 2012–present, respectively. For many people, one of these probably ranks as their favorite. Norton starred or co-starred in a slew of acclaimed movies in each,…Read more Film Review: The Illusionist (2006)

Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 10-28 – On What’s Real

Hello my friends. It's your friendly neighborhood travel guide Adam Mohrbacher. I'm back with another report on our epic journey throughout the two islands and many biomes that make up New Zealand, aka the most beautiful country on the face of the earth. I have fallen far, far behind in my travel blogging of late.…Read more Adam and Adrienne Abroad: Days 10-28 – On What’s Real

Kingdom of Heaven is a Beautiful Fantasy About Escaping History

Ridley Scott's masterful Crusades epic Kingdom of Heaven from 2005 is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I don't mean it's a comedic film where people are cracking jokes or dropping their pants—although its star, Orlando Bloom, would do exactly the latter in some iconic paddleboard paparazzi photos 11 years later. No,…Read more Kingdom of Heaven is a Beautiful Fantasy About Escaping History

“Take a Chance on Me”: How Mamma Mia’s Non-Singing Actors Elevated the Movie

Almost 20 years ago, the adaptation of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia was released into movie theaters. Outside of my family of two, few would probably describe the film as a great musical. On some level, I would tend to agree with them. Like many jukebox musicals, Mamma Mia has structural problems. Yet I'd argue…Read more “Take a Chance on Me”: How Mamma Mia’s Non-Singing Actors Elevated the Movie