If there is a half-way coherent theme in Zach Snyder's polarizing mega-film, Man of Steel, it is the trauma of choice. More specifically, Steel relates the dichotomized inner-life created through the experience of immigration, where one simultaneously feels the pressures of nationalism for one's current home, and vestiges of loyalty towards the individual's original homeland, and then must…Read more “I’m As American As It Gets” – On the Murky Immigration Politics of Man of Steel
Essays
Alright, Alright, Alright: Matthew McConaughey and the Inescapable Fusion of Player and Part
After a lost decade of rom-coms Matthew McConaughey roared back to life with a trio of indies in 2012. In each film he created lively even somewhat audacious performances. While all of these characters were embraced with acclaim – particularly his turn as the chiseled strip-club owner Dallas from Magic Mike – dissenters began to rear their ugly…Read more Alright, Alright, Alright: Matthew McConaughey and the Inescapable Fusion of Player and Part
“Don’t Lose Your Way” – Thoughts on Christopher Nolan’s Transformation from Hard-Boiled Nihilist to Simpering Moralizer
From the ice-cold amorality of his debut feature, Following, to the electrifying and nihilistic conclusion of Memento, Christopher Nolan's film career seemed to once hold great promise. However, in the years that followed Nolan's sensibilities changed dramatically. This seismic change is evident not only in his films possessing a continually inflated scope, or his casts…Read more “Don’t Lose Your Way” – Thoughts on Christopher Nolan’s Transformation from Hard-Boiled Nihilist to Simpering Moralizer
“Do You Want Me to Wear Your Face?” – On Gratuity, Manipulation and Mathew McConaughey in Killer Joe
William Friedkin rediscovers his electric and pulpy 70′s roots in Killer Joe – which stands as one of the best American films so far produced this year. Joe’s success as a film revolves around one of its few scenes of actual violence, the infamous fellatio/deep-fried chicken scene which easily takes the prize as one of the…Read more “Do You Want Me to Wear Your Face?” – On Gratuity, Manipulation and Mathew McConaughey in Killer Joe
Adam Mohrbacher 