Movies as Ideology (Part I)

In its domestic opening weekend Suicide Squad, the latest adventure in the DCEU, earned 135.1 million dollars. As of this writing the reboot Ghostbusters has earned an estimated 116.7 million domestic in 3.5 weeks of release. The two films Rotten Tomatoes critics scores are 73% for Ghostbusters and 26% for Suicide Squad respectively. In the realm of public opinion (as measured by IMDB user ratings) this trend is reversed.  Suicide Squad pulls in an weighted average score of 7.0 (median is 8.0) and Ghostbusters lags behind with a weighted average of 5.5 (median is 7.0). Why is there this difference in opinion?

Its Sexism Stupid.

Why Liberals Dismiss Donald Trump At Their Peril (And Why They Could Vote For Him)

Consider this meme:

Diversity & Science Fiction (Part II: A Case study of Star Wars)

(Via)

In July of 1977 the LA Times published an article entitled  "The Great White Void" by Raymond St. Jacques, a black actor and director. In it James critiqued the fact that while science fiction was supposed to be free "from worry about acceptive norms of our present racist society". But instead, popular science fiction films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Logan's Run and Star Wars were nearly devoid of African-American actors and actresses. In the weeks ahead the Times would publish letters to the editor in response of Jacques.  One of these was by a reader, Linda Buzzwell, who added on to Jacques observations, saying: "there are no women pilots, soldiers, or other professionals" in Star Wars.  Despite this, Buzzwell had seen the film five times. The same number, as it happens, as Jacques.

On Diversity & Science Fiction (Part I)

The first Star Wars: Rouge One trailer dropped today.  You should it see it. Go, right now. I don't mind.  Its awesome. In response to the film's main protagonist seemingly being a woman (played by Felicity Jones) conservative luminary John Podhoretz, film critic for the Weekly Standard  tweeted (and quickly deleted) this 'joke'

(Via)

Grappling With Vigilantism: A Review of Jessica Jones & Daredevil (Part II)

(Here be spoilers)

Fred punches me in the face and walks away. Do I: A -report Fred to the police and hope he is arrested for assault- or B -ask my my masked vigilante friend to beat him up? How one answers that question has important implications for the role of the state in your life.  To explain why, and how superheroes fit into all of this, you have to understand the idea of a "Monopoly on Force"

One Bad Day: A Review of Jessica Jones and Daredevil (Part I)

(Here be Spoliers for Jessica Jones and Daredevil)

Via

Early on in season two of Daredevil The Punisher and our titular hero have a discussion about morality. Matt's a Catholic, The Punisher used to be. Matt argues that his absolute prohibition on killing is justified because  "everyone deserves a chance at redemption".  The Punisher counters by saying that not all people can be redeemed, and that killing people before they have a chance to kill others is the utilitarian thing to do. The Punisher then sets up a twisted version of the Trolley Problem. Daredevil can kill the Punisher, and save who he was about to kill, or not kill the Punisher and allow him to kill.  Matt chooses a third option, but despite his best efforts someone still dies. During the confrontation the Punisher declares "One bad day and you'd be just like me!" He's wrong, Matthew Murdock has had bunch of bad days. From loosing his sight to losing his father, Matt has had more then his share of misery.

The Case for Bernie Part IV (on feminism and other concerns)

I could say more about Hillary's non progressive record (The Patriot Act! Sexual and reproductive health! a live and let live attitude towards Wall Street!) but there is really no point, Hillary is basically a moderate-to-conservative Democrat, and from a left wing policy position is bad.