Structure
The Fall of Arthur
The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien/Chris Tolkien Naturally I’d start this series with my hardest evaluation of the year. I snagged this copy from Shakespeare & Co in Paris to appropriately cap off a trip that included seeing the Bayeux Tapestry (a lecture series for a different time, but it’s so important to the fantasy genre).
By Matthew J. Fromm2 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 4— Review & Analysis
Episode 4 is one of the most psychological episodes of the season. Every character is fighting not only monsters, but also their own fears, memories, and inner worlds. Through Will and Max especially, the show explores a powerful theme:
By Ceyda Uztosun3 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 3— Review & Analysis
Episode 3 builds the emotional core of the season. The show focuses on vulnerable children, parents carrying old guilt, and the thin line between what is seen and what is hidden. This episode develops both the characters and the growing danger in a very balanced way.
By Ceyda Uztosun3 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 2 — Review & Analysis
1. Opening Scene & Immediate Tension Episode 2 starts with a pretty wild moment: the Demogorgon finally shows itself to Mrs. Wheeler, and she realizes that Holly wasn’t just imagining things. The scene is loud, chaotic, and honestly more emotional than I expected.
By Ceyda Uztosun3 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 1 — Review & Analysis
1. Opening & Atmosphere The season opens with a nostalgic scene: Will, the Demogorgon, and the iconic “Should I Stay or Should I Go”… It’s a direct callback to Season 1. Right after that, the breakfast scene brings back Hawkins’ familiar warmth. But the calm doesn’t last long; the town is completely sealed off and under military control.
By Ceyda Uztosun3 months ago in Critique
The Sequel Stumbles (But does not Falter)
Jon M. Chu's conclusion to his ambitious two-part adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon arrives with considerable fanfare but delivers decidedly mixed results. Released on November 21, 2025, "Wicked: For Good" runs 2 hours and 17 minutes and picks up immediately where its predecessor left off, following Elphaba's exile and Glinda's ascension to Ozian celebrity. While the film has proven commercially successful—opening to $150 million domestically and setting a record for Broadway adaptations—the critical consensus suggests a marked decline from the original's magic.
By Parsley Rose 3 months ago in Critique
U.S. Government "Shutdown"Farce Nearing End, but Bipartisan Conflicts Intensify
In the late hours of November 9, the U.S. Senate cleared a procedural hurdle for a temporary funding bill aimed at ending the record-breaking government shutdown with a vote of 60 in favor and 40 against. As Republican leader Thune declared "the democratic system is still functioning" after the vote, a long queue had already stretched to the street corner in front of the food assistance center in Arlington County, Virginia. This queue was packed with federal employees who had been without pay for months and low-income individuals who had lost their food stamp benefits, creating a stark contrast between their plight and the "political victory" on Capitol Hill.
By Sima Kumari4 months ago in Critique
Truth Demands Proof
I saw a post on Facebook where a man shared a letter he had sent to his elected officials calling for the impeachment of the sitting president. He claimed that the offenses were “so obvious” and “so well documented” that he did not even need to include them. That single assumption captured everything wrong with modern political thinking. When someone says “the reasons are obvious,” what they often mean is that they cannot defend them. Emotional conviction replaces evidence. The appearance of certainty replaces truth itself.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast5 months ago in Critique
