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A Brief Study of Argentinian Cinema

Argentina is likely not a country that jumps to your mind immediately when you think of countries with a thriving film industry. The ones that probably jumped to your mind most immediately are likely Japan, India, America, and more recently South Korea. When you think of Argentina you probably think more of things like its thriving wine industry or international superstar soccer player Lionel Messi who has recently become a household name in America. I would like to argue however that Argentina deserves to be thought of when it comes to great movies. Furthermore I would like to also argue that it is largely due to the influence of one key film, the 1998 film Pizza, birra, faso or as it’s known in English. Pizza, Beer and Cigarettes. Pizza, birra, faso written and directed by Israel Adrián Caetano and Bruno Stagnaro is a crime drama film centered around a gang of youths in Buenos Aires. The central gang consists of El Cordobés, Megabom, Pablo, Sandra, and Frula. The group commits act...

The Last Jedi and Letting Go of the Past.

Star Wars Episode VIII the Last Jedi is one of my favorite films in the franchise. This statement alone I know can be considered rather controversial amongst the Star Wars fandom online. The film is probably the most divisive subject in a community full of divisive subjects. I fell in love with the film when I first watched it opening night and I love it more with each subsequent watch.  The Last Jedi is a complex film that balances many themes some admittedly much more successfully than others. The primary theme I want to focus on in this piece is letting go of the past. On a first watch of the film I completely misread the films message regarding this, and I do think that is an easy mistake to make. Throughout the film we hear from both Kylo Ren, the primary antagonist and Luke Skywalker, the mentor figure and legacy protagonist that the past should be left in the last. Kylo Ren going as far as saying "Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to". This line was even used in t...

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

I never realized how much of an impact Anthony Bourdain had on my life until I read about his passing. I've never been the type of person to make a big deal when a celebrity dies. I didn't know them it's not really my place to mourn them you know? I liked, or hell even loved their work sure but did that give me the right to make this about myself? Something about Bourdain's passing though hit me in away that hadn't happened before. Now here I am a few years later being one of those asshole's making it all about me.  I grew up watching No Reservations and Parks Unknown. I liked alot of travel shows but Anthony Bourdain was almost my favorite. When I got older I read Kitchen Confidential the novel that novel that kick started his career and thoroughly enjoyed it. His no bullshit, no pomp, no fluff just worked really well with me. He was never afraid to show the truth about his travels. Crucially, he wasn't afraid to call out America and Americans on their bull...