I'm currently reading Janine R. Wedel's "Unaccountable," in which she argues that a new form of corruption that thwarts public accountability has become institutionalized and routinized in U.S. governance. "Formal procedures, hierarchies, and bureaucracies that have stood the test of time are giving way to trust-based informal social networks and ad hoc organizations," and this creates a system which is "unaccountable and lacks democratic oversight" (18). A major part of this development has been the blurring of lines between different…

An absolute masterpiece. The film's near-total silence creates an unparalleled sense of tension which makes every snap of a twig heart-stopping, especially when in combination with the movie's terrifying creature design. In the same way that a loss of one sense heightens the others, "A Quiet Place" manages deep and impactful story-telling almost entirely through scenery, body language, and various other visual cues.

There's a lot to unpack here, but I think one of the most significant developments about this…

"BlacKkKlansman" is a compelling assault on white supremacy in America, and the funny execution doesn't at all take away from the importance of its message. Lee digs deeper than many others are willing to in this film, exploring not just the history of white supremacy, but also asking poignant questions about double consciousness in black identity, the complexities of Jewish experience, and more. My criticisms of the movie are mostly minor: some bad score choices, some contrived plot points, and…