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A Beautiful Mind: And The Autonomy of Connection

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  A Beautiful Mind: And The Autonomy of Connection “She never gets old… Marcy can't be real. She never gets old.” “Maybe Rosen is right? Maybe I have to think about going back to the hospital again?” “No…come here…maybe try again tomorrow.” -A Beautiful Mind (2001) John and Alicia Nash's biographical silver screen debut is a quintessential example of the innate eloquence of cinematic visual language to help us understand and empathize. A Beautiful Mind is a film about the contradictions and connections that are defined by a mental illness that is not eradicated but accepted as part of a lifelong journey of healing. A Beautiful Mind is therefore a film about love, and its power to create avenues of separational connection. In other words. It is an autonomy, on the part of John and Alicia Nash that paradoxically brings them together rather than tears them apart. Indeed, A Beautiful Mind is a sea of wayward contradictions as varied as the schizophrenic delusions of its ...
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Persons of No Interest, season 1 (2026)

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  Persons of No Interest, season 1 (2026) “He just… He showed me the world was so much bigger than my parent's little bakery in Rhode Island.” “Now she's dead and uh… no one's going to ever remember she existed…That's really sad.” “It matters…Twila, you matter.” -Ponies, season 1 (2026) In every story there are moments that have the possibility to captivate us, to motivate us and help us realize that stories matter. Not in the artistic sense of the word, but in the real human sense. People matter. Everybody matters. Perhaps that is why Ponies' first season is so affecting in its exploration of the dignity of the human person. Truthfully though, this 1970s era spy thriller comedy deserves far more than the word “perhaps” in its initial thematic narrative description. Ponies is far more than just an exuberantly engaging, and comedic journey through the spy-craft of the 1970s. The series is also remarkably grounded in its thoughtful examination of voyeurism and...
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Wicked (2024 and 2025)

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  Wicked (2024 and 2025) “What is going on? People are watching.” “Don't we all know there's no place like home?” “Because all that's required to live in a dream is endlessly closing your eyes.” -Wicked: For Good (2025) Wicked is at its core uniquely orchestrated to take advantage of all the dramatic nuances of the musical form. It is a story that calls into question perceptions and manipulations that evoke the most wily of propaganda tools. Though fret not, this backstage pass to the wonderful world of Oz, and the two witches that dominate its most iconic tale, is not seeking to deceive you, but to show you what it may look like beyond our preconceived notions. Therefore, Wicked seeks to find the realities that motivate trust and truth. When taken as a whole, it really is an impressively moving achievement of the musical narrative form that Wicked resolves as beautifully and coherently as it does. Wicked inventively and innately comprehends its melodic power in ...
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One Battle After Another (2025)

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One Battle After Another (2025) “From here on in, it's one battle after another." “Viva la revolution.” “It's your dad Willa” -One Battle After Another (2025) At first glance, it may seem completely out of place to say this, but One Battle After Another is an enormously heartwarming and tremendously engaging political satire. Once the film reaches its stride you come to realize a truth, politics should never replace the love of family. In a way, Willa and Bob’s father daughter relationship is a touching reminder of the true purpose of freedom. Freedom isn't the ability to do whatever we want. It is the ability to do what is best. Freedom asks us to seek the good of the other. Here, then, is where this film's satirical method comes into play. One Battle After Another uses satire to elevate rather than to denigrate its characters. At least from a narrative perspective humanity is the focus point of the film's ideological gaze. Even when the satirical meth...
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The Muppets (2015 TV series)

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“Screw the mountain bike, my daughter is getting a Prius.” “When one person is very powerful they make the other person change who they are.” “I'm telling you this because we are friends. ‘We are no longer friends'. " -The Muppets (2015 TV series) It's rare that an actor achieves worldwide fame, and it is even rarer that a troop of actors receives that same level of honor. They achieve such respect that their very names become synonymous with the idea of quality. The Muppets are among these rarefied few. Encountering fame and fortune with a grace and poise that draws all into their orbit. Perhaps that is why a documentary crew has seen fit to delve into the inner workings of The Muppets most ambitious, yet intimate come back yet to date. Kermit and the gang have certainly outdone themselves this time. Allowing Miss Piggy to poke and prod at the upper crust of Hollywood's most glamorous elite. Though, Up Late with Miss Piggy isn't your average late-nig...
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Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft, season 2 (2025)

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  Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft, season 2 (2025) “Why do you keep trusting me?" “Because I believe we are more than our pain. “The time has come to rebuild." -Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft, season 2 What are the masks we hide behind? What are the realities we seek to accommodate by granting anonymity in our minds to the corresponding pain. Hiding pain behind masks ultimately creates more pain, and disconnects us from the avenues of healing and connection that bring us truer understanding and fulfillment. Contentment lies in the realization that we are broken human beings in need of reconciliation. If we are able to come to terms with the scars of our past, they can often be redirected, redefined by healing, and turned into a hope for the future. I can't precisely tell you why, but the nuances of simple stories consistently surprises me with their richness and depth. Though, now that I think about it, that surprise and delight may come from the fact...
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My Top 5 of 2025

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My top five is slightly different than last year. I decided to include all forms of visual narrative, video games, TV and film. So here it is, my overall top 5 of 2025 5.   Ken Burns's The American Revolution (2025) documentary series= “We the people.” -The United States Constitution “I wish the Constitution which is offered had been made more perfect. But I sincerely believe that it's the best that could be obtained at this time. And as a constitutional door is opened for amendment here after, the adoption of it is in my opinion desirable.” - George Washington “Our government daily acquires strength and stability. The union is complete. Nothing hinders are being a very happy and prosperous People. Provided we have wisdom rightly to estimate our blessings, and hearts to improve them.” - Abigail Adams There are certain moments in history that are emblazoned onto the popular consciousness. It is fascinating to me that these moments become so accepted as pivotal components of...
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