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
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“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
After ICE’s Rampage Across Minnesota, We Must Say No to Centrist Democrats
Even after 20 years in power, Minnesota's Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has not had enough. This winter, she announced she is leaving her Senate digs. But rather than start wrapping up her professional life like non-criminally insane people do at her age, she's decided instead to make a run for the Governor's mansion on Summit…Read more After ICE’s Rampage Across Minnesota, We Must Say No to Centrist Democrats
On Peter Jackson’s King Kong and the Problem with Directorial Final Cut
This December will be 20 years since Peter Jackson’s remake of King Kong was released. Premiering on the heels of his iconic, Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy, few films have probably ever been more anticipated. But when it arrived in theaters (lol, remember going to those?) in Dec. of 2005 it was a…Read more On Peter Jackson’s King Kong and the Problem with Directorial Final Cut
“There Are No More Surprises” – On The Last Kiss and The Problem With the Zach Braff Brand
Between his starring role in Scrubs, and his auspicious directorial debut Garden State, Zach Braff was endeared to nearly an entire generation of viewers in the early/mid-2000s. However, by 2006 things were starting to slow down. I'll never forget seeing Braff's pensive mug staring at me that year from the posters of The Last Kiss,…Read more “There Are No More Surprises” – On The Last Kiss and The Problem With the Zach Braff Brand
Adam Mohrbacher 