Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Critique.

Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard (1988) Redefining the action thriller genre Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, an NYPD cop battling Terrorists to save his Wife at the Nakatomi Plaza, Christmas party.
By ColdHardCash3 years ago in Critique
A Song of Ice and Fire - A Throne in My Side
The enormous popularity of HBO’s Game of Thrones led many to believe that the source material — the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin — must be even better. It's not. All subtlety and character depth were creations of the show’s writers and actors.
By Scott C Lillard3 years ago in Critique
The Sound of Music's Synecdoche
Sound of Music doesn’t just enchant audiences for its catchy tunes but for its ability to show a warring world in microcosm. The children represent Austria. The Captain and Maria have opposed ideologies that echo those grasping for power in WWII. The war is won by a “problem” like Maria.
By Emma3 years ago in Critique
Mitigating Circumstances, a Critique
An international crime syndicate takes over a pharmaceutical company to produce a highly addictive drug. Several board members block its release. They hire male and female assassins to eliminate the troublemakers. The assassins use a motorcoach tour to move from city to city. Mitigating Circumstances disrupt their murderous plans.
By Mark Gagnon3 years ago in Critique
Inception: What Just Happened?
If you ever need to define the word “cliffhanger” for someone, you could just say it’s a plot device featuring a character confronted with a shocking revelation to end a film.
By Alexis Dean Jr.3 years ago in Critique
The Gift of Administration
I can't say it's popular. Not Donald Senior’s book. This one was from the 1980s. Something like ninety-seven pages. Longest book I ever read.
By Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock3 years ago in Critique
Solo: A Star Wars Story. First Place in Critique Challenge.
While Rogue One relies on trite Star Wars cliches and a single spine-tingling Vader scene, Solo tells a more compelling story.
By Ava Mack3 years ago in Critique
NO. 6 (Violet,Green and Blue)
Created in 1951, Mark Rothko’s painting, “NO. 6 (Violet, Green and Blue),” sold in 2014 for an unbelievable $186 Million, making it the highest price ever paid for a piece of abstract art.
By Gerald Holmes3 years ago in Critique
The Lord of the Rings and Women
It changed the course of fantasy representation and story telling with beautiful scenes and compelling heroes in a traditional tale of good conquering evil. It was the story of a great quest, best friends, and war. It had everything yet still lacked strong female characters and representation. Another Bechdel failed.
By Laura Lann3 years ago in Critique
Critique Challenge: 'Titanic'
Titanic is wildly melodramatic. It appeals to the lowest common denominator of emotional manipulation. The film uses a real life tragedy to frame a tacky romantic plot that only works because of two remarkable actors. The direction is assured but it demonstrates, almost accidentally, the dilettante qualities of its creator
By Sean Patrick3 years ago in Critique
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
Tom Cruise and the team has done it again! This is how you do an action movie! This is how you do a two-parter! I'm in love with Hayley Atwell
By Don Anderson II3 years ago in Critique
Critique: 'Casablanca
Casablanca is one man’s journey from being bitter and selfish to loving and selfless. It’s about acknowledging that there are things in the world that matter more than your desires. It’s elegant in its simplicity and made colorful by its characters who color the margins of this simple story.
By Sean Patrick3 years ago in Critique