Iraq War part 2: A look back at 2003

In 2003, The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on reentry into earth’s atmosphere; The US and allied forces invaded Iraq; The Human Genome Project was completed; The Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia joined the European Union; Tesla was founded; Robert Novak controversially identified Valeria Plane as a covert agent; 4chan… Continue reading Iraq War part 2: A look back at 2003

Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999

In 1999: The euro was established; US President Bill Clinton was acquitted in impeachment proceedings; Nunavut became Canada’s third territory; Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School; Napster debuted; The US Women’s team defeated China to win the Women’s World Cup; Kiribati, Nauru, and Tonga joined the… Continue reading Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999

Best of the 2000s

  The Gleaners and I (2000) Agnes Varda’s beautiful film follows gleaners at work, from people who depend on the practice for survival to hobbyists. She exposes how connected we are and shines a light on our coldness to the needs of others as she pointedly interviews jurists about the seemingly arbitrary French laws which prohibit some forms of… Continue reading Best of the 2000s

Ernest and the we and the I am Sam

  The We and the I (2012) On the last day of school, a group of teenagers experience petty jealousies, bullying, and sexual insecurities. In other words, it’s a typical day for an adolescent finding their way in the world. The problem is, I didn’t care about any of the characters. Most of them were broad… Continue reading Ernest and the we and the I am Sam

Camille’s secret life

  Camille (1936) Marguerite Gautier (Greta Garbo) uses her femininity to rise from humble beginnings to a preeminent position in French society as Dame Camille, but complications arise when she falls in love with Armand (Robert Taylor). Armand’s father (Lionel Barrymore) convinces Camille her sordid past will ruin his future, so she leaves him.  A heartbroken… Continue reading Camille’s secret life