Category Archives: Media Literacy and Pop Culture

More than Nostalgia: Stranger Things and Our Upside Down

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Anthony_Perrotta

Much has been written about Stranger Things as a nostalgic throwback to the glory of 80’s pop culture where all things now retro, felt new. As an 80’s baby, admittedly, the show pulls at my heart strings. From allusions to … Continue reading →

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Wicked World: A Parents Guide to Watching Descendants 2

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Anthony_Perrotta

If you’re like me and have children under the age of 13 , then I’m certain you know the lyrics of Wicked World or Chill’in like a Villian , songs from Disney’s Descendants and Descendants 2 that may vibrate from … Continue reading →

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Love Transcends: Gender, Equality and Teaching Wonder Woman as an Anti-War Film

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Anthony_Perrotta

Much has been written about the phenomenon of the Wonder Woman film. From the onset of its June 2 release, the film became the most “tweeted” about movie of the summer season thus far. I found myself tweeting my fondness … Continue reading →

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Logan & why I take my students to the movies

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Anthony_Perrotta

Let me begin by stating that although I’m a huge fan of comic book movies, I do feel that the preoccupation of creating a global box-office and merchandising behemoth, glossed over by hyper special effects and characters who passively exist to … Continue reading →

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Trump and the classroom lesson.

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Anthony_Perrotta

We’re living history. With the morally dysfunctional Donald Trump igniting a reform in societal political awareness, there is something great coming out from the ashes of his contempt. Rebellion. People are rebelling. From the Women’s March to the universal decrying … Continue reading →

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Reading Media: How are Students Watching?

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Anthony_Perrotta

In teaching media and communications in high school for nearly 12 years now, the meaning generated by popular media such as film and television always seems to be a barrier for students. Unlike English studies, which students embrace as legitimate, … Continue reading →

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Coming Soon: The Catholic Film Reader

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Anthony_Perrotta

With sincere thanks to the Catholic Curriculum Corporation for their forward vision to fund a project that speaks to critical literacy through the mediated lens, The Catholic Film Reader will be released later this fall/early winter. The resource looks at popular Hollywood … Continue reading →

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Streaming Scream: Why Horror Matters

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Anthony_Perrotta

Scream returns to Netflix weekly. This alone is an annoyance. A show like Scream is perfectly binge worthy. I indulged on the first season over two very late nights and looked forward to the continued narrative of a small town, … Continue reading →

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Why I take my Kids to the Movies.

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Anthony_Perrotta

Imagine this scene: A five year old girl and her soon to be three year old little brother argue outside of a movie multiplex. The brother argues that Alice can’t be a ship Captain because she’s a girl. The sister … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Theory, Media Literacy and Pop Culture, Michael Bay, Movies and Television, Star Wars, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Thinking 1st. Skills 2nd. A Media Lit Reflection

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Anthony_Perrotta

I often write and speak openly about the need to engage in a deep and critical conversation of media studies. Undeniably we all engage with media within a rapid and evolving milieu. Although this is truly the case as evident … Continue reading →

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