Everything that follows is older than Chappell Roan: A look back at 1997

In 1997, Madeline Albright became the first female United States Secretary of State; Heaven’s Gate committed ritualistic mass suicide in San Diego; Tony Blair became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Deep Blue defeated Gary Kasparov in a chess match; The WNBA debuted; Hong Kong was returned to Chinese control; Two billion people watched Princess… Continue reading Everything that follows is older than Chappell Roan: A look back at 1997

Santa’s theory of the girl in a cage: A film by Bergman

  La Cage aux Folles (1978) Renato owns a nightclub featuring his longtime lover, and accomplished drag performer, Albin. This creates complications when Laurent, Renato’s son from a previous relationship, brings his fiancée and her conservative parents home. After watching Robin Williams and Nathan Lane enthusiastically two-step their way through an energetic love affair alongside the perfectly cast Gene… Continue reading Santa’s theory of the girl in a cage: A film by Bergman

Best of the 1930s

    All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Inspired by a patriotic teacher, Paul Baumer enlists in the first World War, but quickly finds the reality of the fighting much less glamorous than he was promised. Thirty years before Eisenhower warned of the dangers of embracing the military industrial complex, this film asked many… Continue reading Best of the 1930s

Ernest and the we and the I am Sam

  The We and the I (2012) On the last day of school, a group of teenagers experience petty jealousies, bullying, and sexual insecurities. In other words, it’s a typical day for an adolescent finding their way in the world. The problem is, I didn’t care about any of the characters. Most of them were broad… Continue reading Ernest and the we and the I am Sam