“The Cabin in the Woods” is a smart, original horror film that critiques our love of horror films as a participation in vicarious penal sacrifice.
Category: Movies
Over the past several posts, I’ve explored the story of Suzanne Collins’ first Hunger Games novel (and the excellent film adaptation). We’ve seen that while we identify with Katniss, we have much more in common with the Capitol. That our culture distracts us from injustice with pleasure and entertainment just like the Capitol does. That […]
Categories
What Katniss Stole from Jesus
Katniss uses her body to resist the Capitol’s claims to own her. This echos Jesus’ crucifixion and models for us how to resist Empires today.
In The Hunger Games, Katniss uses her body to resist the Capitol’s story of power and control. She becomes our model for resisting today as well.
Since the rebellion 74 years ago, the government of Panem has staged Hunger Games once annually. The purpose of the games is ostensibly to remind the districts of the cost of rebellion, to showcase the Capitol’s strength and to celebrate the high cost of peace. But like every Empire, the real reason the Capitol stages […]
While we sympathize with Katniss, we’re actually more like the Capitol. We’d do well to heed the story’s warning!
Categories
The Lorax
With a strong message about the dangers of Greed, The Lorax is a fun, funny film with a big heart and a powerful, timely message. Not the best of the Seuss films, but definitely worth seeing.
The best comics stories are the most human stories. Chronicle nails this by telling a great story about the danger of power.
Categories
Why “The Grey” Ended Like it Did
Though it’s billed as an action/suspense film, The Grey is really a philosophical musing on the nature of reality and our place in it. If we miss that, the film’s outstanding conclusion feels instead like major disappointment.
The Descendants, Tree of Life, The Artist, Moneyball, Midnight in Paris, The Help, Hugo, Warhorse and Extremely Loud & Incredibly close. What’s your pick?