“Captain Marvel” Dazzles MCU Fans and Puts the “Her” in Hero

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gained its 21st entry this month with the release of “Captain Marvel.” It features Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ben Mendelsohn, as well as other great actors, both in returning and debut roles in the MCU, which is now entering its 11th year. In order for such an entity to exist, years of planning and development must first also exist. This is important in a twofold way, regarding “Captain Marvel..."

Smiglowski Anticipates the 91st Academy Awards: Who Will Win What?

The 91st Academy Awards are less than two weeks away, and Hollywood’s best and brightest are preparing for a night that honors their work and dedication to film. There are 24 categories, and an abundance of talent all vying for the top awards and for critical esteem. As I do every year, I’ve made it my mission to see as many nominated films as possible, and I’d like to share some of my predictions with you...

Netflix Review: “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

New to Netflix and select theatres nation-wide is Joel and Ethan Coen’s newest movie, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” As the zany movie title and the previous works of the Coen Brothers (“Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men”) would suggest, it’s a rather quirky movie filled with nuance and twists. This particular film is comprised of six vignettes set in the Post-Civil War midwest, and certain aspects of an early America filled with dangers and discord. Together, these six short films paint a rather unorthodox picture of what life was like in the frontier of a western United States that had yet to be tamed...

Netflix Review: "Maniac"

Netflix’s newest original limited series, “Maniac,” is a dystopian psychological thriller with unmistakable “Cloud Atlas: and Inception vibes. It’s no surprise that Emma Stone (“La La Land,” “Birdman”) finds herself in yet another groundbreaking role, with a performance that follows suit. And Jonah Hill (“21 Jump Street,” “Wolf of Wall Street”) continues to distance himself from the quirky comedy actor that he used to be known for, by excelling in yet another more serious role...

Film Review: "Operation Finale"

With exceptional talent like Oscar Isaac ("Ex Machina," "Star Wars"), and Sir Ben Kingsley ("Gandhi," "Schindler’s List"), one might think "Operation Finale" could be something really special. But, although the film touches upon some important and intrinsic human questions, the nuances and gradations of them are often lost amidst the poor chemistry of the actors in the film. And a muddled plot, with an unnecessary and poorly-developed love story, distract from what otherwise is a compelling story of ethics, justice, evil, and the distinctions between vendetta and due process of the law...
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About Me

I am a writer, an editor, a tutor, and a linguist; I am a published poet and short storyist, a former entertainment columnist, magazine editor, and college-level English tutor. Currently, I work as a barista, and I recently moved across the country to pursue further education and a writing career. My expertise is on pop culture, media, and film - especially when viewed critically and through a progressive lens.