Hour 21: A Film and Interactive Media Blog

  King of the Hill, season 14 “Bobby, this…” “What's wrong dad?” “This isn't some ash tray you made in art class I have to pretend to like, this is The Cowboys.” “Are you ready to make some memories dad?  - King of the Hill, season 14 There is something wonderfully average about King of the Hill. Perhaps it's the show's ability to succinctly drill down to the core a cultural viewpoint, it may also stem from the show's down to earth humor that rings true on all levels of social satire and cultural commentary. All the while never losing its clear and simplistically profound understanding of the human endeavor. King of the Hill is the joy and struggle of being human distilled down to its very essence, and its 14th season delivers this truth with a relevance that we've seemingly been missing since the show ended its first run 15 years ago. Animated TV show revivals seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays. Though King of the Hill takes this now well-worn pattern o...

  The Chosen, season 5 “What have you done?” “It would have been enough." “But none of that's the point. The point is that you would have said yes to the world’s no.” -The Chosen, season 5 As of yet, I do not think the depths of human doubt and misunderstanding have been as eloquently and heart-wrenchingly explored as they are in the fifth season of The Chosen. It is extraordinary how this show about the life of Christ is able to revitalize our appreciation for the greatest sacrifice of all time. Most remarkable of all, by focusing mainly on human weakness and mistrust The Chosen situates its fifth season in the liminal space between belief and faith in that which we cannot and do not fully comprehend. This season is a marker, a demonstration of what separates the Chosen from its cinematic biblical siblings. It is a show that is willing to dwell in and on the difficulties of life and human frailty. Honing in on the necessity of human growth in times of struggle, rather...

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps "Are we safe? I don't know.” “Let me make the sacrifice.” “It's not yours to make.” -The Fantastic Four: First Steps      I honestly didn't think this would happen. If you asked me three months ago I would probably tell you that Marvel Studios was headed down a path of no return. A path, by all accounts, that seemed to be dominated by the pursuit of the ever present almighty dollar. Though, after seeing their recent slate of films, that may not be the case. I could be giving them too much credit, but credit is due where credit is due. In any case, Marvel's pursuit of money should not be a factor in a story like this. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fascinatingly resident excavation of the themes of sacrifice and family. At first blink this film may just seem like a charming 60s inspired alternate future journey of a superfamily, coming to terms with their relationship with those they protect. In other words, What is more...