“The only thing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose is a franchise that refuses to let anyone die.” – Anonymous In my review of the 2021 reboot, I found myself largely indifferent to the cinematic resurrection of this arcade legend. For the sake of complete transparency, I didn’t care for the first film—it felt like a hesitant preamble to a tournament that never arrived. It was a movie that existed in a state of "perpetual potential," promising that the real fun was just one sequel...

"When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back." - Yoda Few things in pop culture or in general really have the staying power that Star Wars has. Since its debut, Star Wars has achieved a state of cultural permanence, transcending the lifecycle of a typical media franchise to become a foundational modern myth. What began in 1977 as George Lucas’s simple desire to create a "space opera" has since taken on a life of its own. It has evolved with an organic...

“Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding.” – Chinese Proverb In I Swear, director Kirk Jones doesn’t just ask us to look at John Davidson; he demands we look at ourselves through the lens of John’s involuntary outbursts. It is a film that functions as a high-velocity moral mirror, reflecting the thin veneer of "civilized" society back at the audience. It captures the essence of a man trapped in a body that refuses to follow the social contract,...