“Call of Duty” and “Wolfenstein” Redefine the Modern WWII Game
A review of two of the biggest games of 2017, a pair that use World War II in very different ways.
Features
Bright Wall/Dark Room November 2017: “Can the Maker Repair What He Makes?” by Dean Buckley
This month’s excerpt from online magazine Bright Wall/Dark Room explores “Blade Runner.”
Flashes of Kindness: Ideological Ambivalence in the “The Last Detail” and “Last Flag Flying”
A look back at Hal Ashby’s “The Last Detail” on the occasion of Richard Linklater’s new film, “Last Flag Flying.”
Thumbnails Special Edition: War on the Press
Disney ends press ban; NY Times sacks Boies; Press banned from White House briefings; Trump claims he invented “fake news”; Federal government conceals gun statistics.
The Lies of the Deathbed Scene (and Also the Truth)
A critic considers the death of his father in light of cinema’s handling of the end of life.
Classic Flix Blu-ray Label Provides Cinephile Thrills
A special look at a new Blu-ray label.
Life Still Blooms: A Celebration of “Bagdad Cafe”
Appreciating a small 1987 film that feels needed very much in this cultural moment.
Short Films in Focus: “Turkey”
A presentation of the short film “Turkey” by director Harvey Benschoter.
Thumbnails 11/7/2017
Margaret Betts on “Novitiate”; Alexandra Billings on transgender negativity; Visual language of oppression; Curious pleasure of TV edits; Collapse of “House of Cards.”
“Assassin’s Creed: Origins” Owes a Great Deal to Cinematic Epics
A review of the newest “Assassin’s Creed” game.
“Do You Know Anything About Witches?”: “Suspiria” at 40
A celebration of Dario Argento’s masterpiece and an interview with Jessica Harper.
“South Park” Gets a Very Fun, Timely Video Game
A review of the new game based on the world of “South Park,” “The Fractured but Whole.”
Dark Fairytales: How Even Well-Intentioned Media Normalizes Gendered Violence
Arielle Bernstein on images of gendered violence in media.
Thumbnails 10/24/17
Jakob Lass on “Tiger Girl”; How fake news could get worse; Gone with the Charlottesville Wind; Evolution of aliens in literature; James Toback accused of sexual harassment.
Tears of a Machine: The Humanity of Luv in “Blade Runner 2049”
No character in “Blade Runner 2049” is more relatably human than Luv.
“Middle-earth: Shadow of War” Transports Players to World of Orcs and Hobbits
A review of “Middle-earth: Shadow of War,” a game heavily influenced by fiction, film, and other games.
Thumbnails 10/13/17
Highlights of CIFF 2017; Frances McDormand’s Difficult Women; Interview with Sananda Maitreya; Denis Villeneuve on “Blade Runner 2049”; Crimes of Harvey Weinstein.
“The Lego Ninjago Movie” Gets Lackluster Video Game While Other Family Titles Shine
A look at the history of Lego videogames, including the recent misfire, as well as two recent family games more worth your holiday season dollar.
Man on the Outside: The Films of Willem Dafoe
A look at the career of Willem Dafoe.
The Fall of Toxic Masculinity and the Rise of Feminine Consciousness
A special edition of Thumbnails detailing the recent sexual harassment cases in the entertainment and tech industries and the brave women who broke their silence.
