10/22/25
The Black Guy Dies First
The “black guy dies first” line has become shorthand for a long-standing, maddening expectation in American horror: Black characters show up, they warn us of danger (or crack a joke), and then, too often, get dispatched before the final credits roll. That shorthand isn’t just a punchline; it’s a pattern with roots in Hollywood’s representational habits, and it carries cultural meaning about expendability, narrative function, and who is allowed to survive fear on screen. Robin R. Means Coleman...
10/22/25
Women in Horror: Revenge of the Stereotype
We want WEIRD horror. We want women lead horror. And studios are delivering. Women have always been a crucial and integral part of any good horror film. Carrie (1976), Scream (1996), and Alien (1979) all come to mind when thinking of classic horror films that feature a female lead. Recently however women have been featured throughout horror movies in a new way. With the rise of women starring on the screen in horror as a heroine - even if she is a demented one - rather than a cutaway gag...
8/20/25
Bring Back Comedy: How American High is Bringing New Life to the Coming-of-Age Comedy in the Digital Age
While most production companies are focused solely on making content for the big screen, American High saw the potential to grow on the smaller screen. The Syracuse-based production company, founded by Jeremy Garelick and Will Phelps, was founded on the passion to make this generation’s teen comedies. Their dedication was solidified when they bought an abandoned high school to operate as their home base for their production office and filming location for future projects. The studio has grown...
7/26/25
Superman (2025) Review - James Gunn’s Man of Steel Swoops In to Save the DCU
After seeing James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman, I am glad to say good riddance to Zack Snyder’s reign of dark, hard-to-see, gritty “realistic” movies. For a long time, the Snyderverse seemed to be the only hope for DC to break into the mainstream, but they always fell short. The issue with Snyder’s films was the fact that they were always so grim and gloomy compared to Marvel’s free-spirited, comedic, action-filled fun (and star power). Sure, the point may have been to show how this...
7/2/25
Brewing Empathy Through Film: An Interview with Gabriel Noble, Writer/Director of A Cup of Tea
In an intimate, candid conversation full of empathy, insight, and mutual understanding, filmmaker Gabriel Noble opens up about the journey behind their debut short film , A Cup of Tea, a layered portrait of grief, community, and the humanity behind headlines. The project, born out of adversity, became not only a personal triumph but also a work that stirs collective reflection on justice and healing. Recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Master's in Fine Arts majoring in Film...
4/18/25
How to Make It?: A Podcast Dissecting Success in Hollywood
In the corporate world, a pre-determined ladder is presented. Marking a path of how to make your way up to success. Laying out clear steps to go along with your journey. When it comes to the entertainment industry, there is no ladder. While many have searched for it or tried to copy other’s paths to success, it is an industry of unique journeys, requiring everyone to find their own way. It is not a surprise that there is a lack of guidance for performers pursuing a career in entertainment,...
1/12/25
The Haunting Vision of The Woods: A Deep Dive with Director Sarah Lyons
In the realm of independent filmmaking, few debuts captivate and linger as deeply as Sarah Lyons’ The Woods . Set against the backdrop of dense, shadowy forests, this psychological thriller unfolds a chilling narrative of mystery, memory, and haunting metaphors. In a candid conversation, Lyons, the creative force behind the film, shared insights about her journey from conception to execution, as well as the personal and practical elements that shaped her cinematic vision. From Page to Screen...
12/30/24
Glory and Gore: Corruption and Masculinity Through a Feminine Lens
In an era of entertainment where the majority of Hollywood productions are sequels or remakes, audiences are starving for original and authentic stories. While independent In an era of entertainment where the majority of Hollywood productions are sequels or remakes, audiences are starving for original and authentic stories. While independent filmmakers have the stories, the lack of funding prevents their work from reaching a wider audience. With all of social media’s vices, free marketing...
10/22/25
The Rise of Coogler
Ryan Coogler’s career is often described as meteoric, but his rise as a filmmaker is also a testament to vision, discipline, and collaboration. From his earliest short films to helming one of the highest-grossing superhero movies of all time, Coogler has built a reputation as both a sensitive storyteller and a bold director unafraid to tackle cultural and political themes head-on. At the heart of his journey is his recurring partnership with actor Michael B. Jordan, a collaboration that has...
10/3/25
From Broad City to Too Much: The Return of The Twenties on TV
Where were you back when being an adult became “adulting”? How many times have you proclaimed that “you’re just a girl” in the face of inconvenient responsibility? And are you often called back to the incoherent sitcom advice of Carrie and Miranda or Abbi and Ilana? In the mid-2010s, television peaked for twenty-something comedies that gave levity and brilliance to the messiness of this era in life. Broad City , Girls, and the oh-so-rewatched SATC taught us that friendship could survive (and...
8/6/25
Games! Games! Games!
Growing up in the 2000s and 2010s meant exploring the internet with curiosity and few restrictions, often stumbling upon random websites by chance. There were no TikTok game recommendations, and Instagram was in its infancy. My after-school ritual in grade school consisted of sitting on my family’s computer playing hours and hours of online computer games, all while soaking my feet in my Orbeez Soothing Spa. Looking back now, this was the life, an at-home foot spa, accompanied by an...
8/6/25
Binge, Stan, Repeat: Television Fandom in the Times of Stan Culture and Streaming
( Slight Warning: Spoilers for The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and The Bear ) On May 6, 2004, millions of New Yorkers gathered in Times Square to experience the season finale of arguably the most famous sitcom of all time: Friends. After the episode aired, folks presumably chatted about their thoughts with their friends and family on the subway ride home, and furthermore with their coworkers in the break room the next day. Then we all moved on. Television has a way of integrating...
7/23/25
Mid-20s Crisis: A Gen-Z Coming of Age
From a young age, we are asked what we want to be when we grow up, and our minds are filled with endless possibilities. As the years pass, those dreams slowly fade, until one day we are left with a pervasive sense of panic. Having no clue of who we are and what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Some people look back at their 20s, often through rose-tinted glasses, calling them "the best years of their lives", but in truth, they might just be the scariest, often filled with immense...
