Hour 21: A Film and Interactive Media Blog

  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 ...

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...

“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...

  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...

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...

  Clair Obscure Expedition 33 (2025) “Sometimes, we paint the bars of our own prison.” "And repaint your throat while you're in there, before you completely forget how to have a conversation." “I treat you as if the shadow from the worst day of our lives is going to suffocate you, and take you from us too!” "It's going to be okay… it's going to be okay… huh. You have this incredible power to paint. You'll never have to suffer a life you don't want.” -Clair Obscure Expedition 33 There seem to be moments every year where a film or video game truly understands the medium that they inhabit, conveying to an audience, to you and to me, a powerful understanding of the impact and nuance of the human experience. This year is no different, perhaps it's a medium that may be unfamiliar to some of you. However, by my estimation that does not lessen its emotional and thematic relevance by one fraction of a pixelized inch. I wish there was some way to e...