Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Critique.

“The Day I Tried to Be a Plant Mom”
I used to think plants were just green decorations that didn't ask for much—just sun, water, and love. Easy, right? Wrong. I found out the hard way that becoming a “plant mom” was not as Instagram-perfect as I imagined.
By Kaitesi Abigail8 months ago in Critique
Why Everyone Suddenly Loves 'Quiet Luxury'—and Why It’s a Lie
In recent years, a new trend has quietly taken over the fashion and lifestyle world—something called “quiet luxury.” It’s become the buzzword on social media, the darling phrase in magazines, and a must-know term for influencers, designers, and shoppers alike. But what exactly is quiet luxury, and why has it gained such a sudden surge of popularity? More importantly, is it really what it claims to be, or is there something deeper beneath the polished surface?
By Muhammad Asim8 months ago in Critique
The Problem With Award Shows Nobody Talks About
There was a time when award shows were magical. Glitzy gowns, heartfelt speeches, standing ovations, and the belief that talent and hard work would always be recognized. But something has shifted. For years now, murmurs of discontent have grown into full-blown criticism, and while the conversations around diversity, snubs, and politics have been heard in mainstream circles, there's a deeper issue that remains largely untouched. The problem with award shows isn't just about who wins or loses—it's about the illusion they’ve carefully built, the emotional manipulation they encourage, and the way they subtly reinforce hierarchy in the creative world.
By Muhammad Asim8 months ago in Critique
M3GAN 2.0 Review: a horror comedy in which the absurd predominates
M3GAN 2.0 is directed by Gerard Johnstone, the film continues the story of M3GAN, an AI-powered android, but now pits her against a new adversary, AMELIA, a military robot created using M3GAN's technology.
By Ninfa Galeano8 months ago in Critique
Why 'Perfect' Movies Are Boring Now
In recent years, there has been a growing conversation about how “perfect” movies—those with flawless production values, star-studded casts, and meticulously crafted scripts—often fail to captivate audiences the way films of the past did. While technically impressive, these modern cinematic offerings sometimes lack the emotional depth and raw imperfections that once made movies unforgettable. This article explores why “perfect” movies can feel boring today and how a critique of modern cinema reveals what’s missing.
By Muhammad Asim8 months ago in Critique
A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers
Introduction This is for Annie Kapur's "Sing Us the Song of the Century" Challenge, which you can find here: I have always loved the music of Van Der Graaf Generator and knew the actual device from which they took their name from school physics lessons.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 8 months ago in Critique
Desolation Row. Top Story - June 2025.
Introduction This is for Annie Kapur's "Sing Us the Song of the Century" Challenge, which you can find here: I don't normally make more than one entry to a Challenge, but I will have two in this one. Even Bob Dylan has so many "story songs" that take you somewhere else, and Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" would be my choice if I were limited to a 7" single and we have Hedrix's guitar and full on vocals (apparently, he was embarrassed about his own lyrics but he lets loose on Dylan's words) but that is not for this story.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 8 months ago in Critique
Dear, MAGA
Donald Trump is a narcissistic, wannabe authoritarian dictator! You think that by supporting him and what he’s doing, you will be rewarded or just left alone. But that is not true. After he gets done attacking the marginalized and vulnerable he will be coming after you next. If you think it is fair to attack journalist reporters or even lawyers who have a different opinion as you/Trump, you are on the wrong side of history. If you are supporting this though, and think that anyone who speaks out against your “beloved” DJT, you are nothing but a blind ideologue. If you feel that way, you shouldn’t be advocating for the constitution. You shouldn’t be saying “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, You shouldn’t be calling “America, the land of the free”. Because our freedom is being taken away slowly day by day. You may not realize it because you have the privilege to not have to worry about your freedom or your lives being taken away from you. People are having their insurance and their Social Security taken away from them, leaving them with barely anything to live on. Veterans, the people that claim to love so much and care so much about, are having their VA benefits, taken away, leaving them to have to pay out of pocket, hundreds of dollars for things like medication, doctor visits and even therapy. Marginalized people are being silenced more than ever. People are being arrested for defending their communities, friends, families. Yet you choose to sit back and do nothing because it doesn’t affect you directly. But believe me, sooner rather than later they will find a way to oppress you too. They always have.
By Abby York8 months ago in Critique
The Day I Tried to Fix a Leaky Faucet and Unleashed Plumbing Pandemonium
Just one innocent, barely-audible drop every few seconds from the bathroom sink. Plink… plink… plink… At first, I ignored it. That’s what mature adults do, right? We acknowledge home issues and then… pretend they aren’t happening for six to eight business weeks.
By Kaitesi Abigail8 months ago in Critique
I Tried to Declutter My Life and Ended Up Arguing with a Pair of Jeans from 2012
It all started after binge-watching a home organization show while eating cookies straight from the box. The host smiled brightly, surrounded by empty white walls and houseplants named things like “Fernanda” and “Leaf Erikson.” She said things like:
By Kaitesi Abigail8 months ago in Critique
Daria And The Destruction of The Status Quo
Daria was an animated sitcom on MTV in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The titular character is a stoic, sarcastic teenage girl who likes nothing more than for everything to stay the same. She idolizes the status quo, so the show follows her lead, at least for the first two and half seasons.
By Kriti Rai8 months ago in Critique
Social Media and the War: Are We Watching the Truth or Propaganda?
In today’s digital world, war doesn’t just happen on the battlefield. It happens on our screens. It plays out in tweets, videos, and live streams. As missiles fly between Israel and Iran, another battle is happening in real time — the fight for truth and control of the narrative.
By Mehmood Niaz8 months ago in Critique