Category Archives: Movies and Television

More than Nostalgia: Stranger Things and Our Upside Down

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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Logan & why I take my students to the movies

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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Reading Media: How are Students Watching?

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

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

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.

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

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

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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Do you watch Canadian film? You should.

Last week I was schooled by award winning Canadian director Jerry Ciccoritti. If you teach film / media or proclaim yourself a cinephile then Jerry Ciccoritti is a name you should know and recognize. If not his name, you surely recognize his diverse and … Continue reading

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Why American Crime Story Matters

I remember exactly where I was when the verdict was announced in October 1995. I was in grade ten and traveling the halls between English and Art class where I found myself stopped in front of a TV located outside … Continue reading

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“Fuller House” is counter-culture. Wow!

Forget Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Dare Devil and Jessica Jones.  Fuller House is Netflix’s greatest victory. This may be deemed a rather odd critical proclamation considering the calibre of original programming Netlfix has produced over the … Continue reading

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