I’m profiled in the AJCU’s “Connections”

I’m honored to be profiled in the recent edition of “Connections,” the online magazine of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. You can check it out right here. 

 

It’s an overview of classes I teach, my research and commentary on mass media issues, popular culture and popular entertainment and why I think certain media products like vampire stories and this summer’s Barbie movie touch the collective nerves in audiences to make these products blockbuster successes. Barbie and vampires I had written about in this blog earlier as well.

 

I also discuss how my research into fandom led me to my interest in the conspiracy theory phenomenon. As I discuss, conspiracy theorists are basically no different from Trekkies writing fan fiction. Just like the fan fiction writer wants to take control of some text he did not originally create and make his own—often subvert it and rewrite it—so do conspiracy theorists want to write their own fan fiction about every day’s headlines. They want to take reality and reinvent, to rewrite those headlines to match the creative fantasies inside the conspiracist’s head. Of all the classes I teach, the one about the conspiracy theories, I firmly believe, is my most important one.

We deep dive into a classic on the CineVersary podcast

Where were you in '62? If you lived it or not, check out this CineVersary podcast special on the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' classic, "American Graffiti." I'm the special guest for a discussion of a movie packed with romance, racing and amazing rock 'n' roll. Since I was named an honorary member of the Pharaohs and the reigning sock hop champion, you need to listen!

Always let vampires onto your viewing list!

Directed by Tomas Alfredson, the 2008 Swedish horror film Let the Right One In—an adaptation of a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (who also penned the screenplay)—centers on the dynamic between a young boy named Oskar and Eli, a vampire child who appears to be Oskar’s age but who has lived for centuries. The film unfolds against the backdrop of a small wintry Swedish village, contributing to its distinctive visual approach and ambiance. Through a blend of horror, romance, and themes related to coming of age, the movie crafts a one-of-a-kind and thought-provoking storyline.

Let the Right One In garnered significant critical and popular praise thanks to its inventive take on the vampire genre, capacity to elicit both fear and compassion, evocative cinematography, deliberate pacing, and deep exploration of the intricacies of human emotions and connections.

Listen to our CineVerse discussion right here.

Check out this lead on Glengary Glen Ross on CineVerse!

In 1992, James Foley helmed the cinematic adaptation of David Mamet’s Pulitzer-prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross, setting critics and audiences abuzz with excitement about its performances, dialogue, and tense dramatic sequences. The screenplay, also penned by Mamet, ensured a faithful representation of the play's dialogue and themes.

The movie boasts an exceptional ensemble cast, including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey, and Jonathan Pryce. Set in a cutthroat and highly competitive real estate sales environment, the story revolves around a group of salesmen who resort to extreme measures to secure deals and achieve success. It’s a gripping narrative that delves into themes of desperation, morality, and the unforgiving realities of the American Dream.

Check out our CineVerse discussion right here.

Read all about Barbie's smash hit success!

Have you seen one of this summer’s blockbusters? Since true runaway super blockbusters were very few and far in between all the major duds like The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ant Man and the Wasp, Elemental, Fast and Furious…uh, whatever number it was, and underperforming embarrassments like the live action Little Mermaid, there aren't many of them. But the buzziest and money-makingest movie of the summer turned out to be Barbie. If you want to know all about this history of the iconic doll that inspired the film, along with all of its various controversies, check out the special edition magazine in the picture above. While the Barbie juggernaut keeps rolling along and playing in theaters, the magazine is still on shelves everywhere. And pay close attention to the comments about the doll’s long, colorful, controversial history by yours truly.

The best of the best war films on CineVerse

This is the second of our summer double-feature on Steven Spielberg with what I would argue is the best World War II film ever made and Spielberg's best film to date. In 1998, filmmaker Steven Spielberg unveiled "Saving Private Ryan," a war epic that is celebrated for its gripping and realistic combat scenes and depiction of ethical dilemmas faced by men during wartime. The film’s narrative centers on a perilous odyssey: locating and rescuing Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon). The mission's urgency is underscored by the tragic fate suffered by Private Ryan's three brothers, all of whom perished in the line of duty. Retrieving him from the heart of enemy-held territory is deemed imperative to offer solace to a grieving mother. The movie meticulously chronicles the expedition led by Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and his unit, charting their tumultuous passage through enemy-occupied France to find Ryan.

Check out our discussion right here.

Our discussion of an important modern classic on CineVerse

In another CineVerse discussion from this summer, we looked at one of the most riveting of Steven Spielberg’s films. His most important, personal, revered, and critically acclaimed work, "Schindler's List" tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who bravely saved around 1,200 Jewish workers during the Holocaust. Spielberg's exceptional storytelling abilities are evident in this picture, the screenplay for which was crafted by Steven Zaillian, based on Thomas Keneally's novel Schindler's Ark.

Listen to our analysis why this film is still so powerful and relevant at this link.