I have written a lengthy essay on the political economy of the Dark Knight. The essay is at a companion site to the Driftless Area Review called Coffee is for Closers. Continue reading Critical Appraisals: The political economy of the Dark Knight
Good bye, Echo. Sent to the Attic Echo: Everyone’s unhappy today. Topher: Somebody put her tiny little thinking cap on! Spy in the House of Love The inevitable has occurred. Dollhouse, the science fiction series masterminded by Joss Whedon, fought against dismal ratings and executive meddling only to finally get canceled after two seasons. To use the jargon of Adele DeWitt, the series was “sent to the Attic.” While the Dollhouse cancellation is traumatic for fans, viewers must also take a step back from emotional reaction and explore the possibilities. The TV landscape and the media landscape are radically different … Continue reading Dollhouse Riffs: Riff #7: Dollhouse sent to the Attic
“Americans love sex scandals, and nothing better tells the story of American than sex scandals.” So begins David Rosen’s Sex Scandal America: Politics & the Ritual of Public Shaming. Sensational title aside, Rosen charts the hidden history of America from the erotic shenanigans of the Puritans to the erotic shenanigans of Eliot Spitzer, Larry Craig, and Ted Haggard. Rosen does a magnificent job of placing sex scandals into a historical context. Each era derived specific things from the sex scandals. These sex scandals found use as either cautionary tales or political fodder or entertainment. Rosen remains even-handed on a topic … Continue reading Sex Scandal America: Politics & the Ritual of Public Shaming, by David Rosen
Battle for the Abyss by Ben Counter begins with the construction of the gigantic battleship, the Furious Abyss, within the hollow center of Thule, a moon of Saturn. The Mechanicum construct the ship using the ancient technologies they preserve. Unbeknownst to the Emperor, the Mechanicum build the massive warship for the Word Bearer Traitor Legion. Those familiar with the Cylon basestars of Battlestar Galactica will recognize the Furious Abyss. Heavily armed and holding a contingent of fighters, the Furious Abyss is an intimidating force. Unlike the sleek basestars, the Furious Abyss resembles a giant battlestar with Chartres Cathedral sitting on … Continue reading Battle for the Abyss (The Horus Heresy, Book 8) by Ben Counter
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