Culture Crash: Why Do We Like Watching Sci-Fi So Much?
From Black Mirror to The Twilight Zone, we explore why the sci-fi genre has always been a hit amongst American audiences.
Culture Crash: One Of Our Favorite Sci-Fi Reads
This week on Culture Crash, we highlight the six-part series “The Forward” – a riveting sci-fi read that’s full of twists and turns.
Culture Crash: Can Authors Predict the Future?
Amazon has recruited popular authors to take a stab at creating a Twilight Zone-esq, six-part book series.
Culture Crash: The World of Harry Potter
Are you more of a Harry Potter book fan or film fan? We discuss this expansive wizarding world this week on Culture Crash.
The Larger Appeal of “Harry Potter”
The Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved stories of all time, unlocking a world of wizarding magic, adventure and intrigue to millions of young readers. We discuss how its unconventional storyline and character development can shift thinking and teach real life lessons to young and old readers alike.
Culture Crash: Exploring the Wonder of Science Fiction
The Forward is a science fiction series comprising of six short novellas written by prominent authors in the genre. We discuss what we like about this unique format.
Culture Crash: Stephen King: The Master of Storytelling (2021)
Stephen King is globally recognized as the master of horror – but how does he create each masterpiece? We break down what sets his works of literature apart from all of the other authors across several genres.
Culture Crash: Are You Team “Harry Potter” Books or Films?
It’s been almost 25 years since the first Harry Potter book was released. Today, the wizarding franchise is worth billions of dollars and has extended out to movie spinoffs, themed amusement parks, merchandise and more. We delve into the magical world and what sets the books apart from the films.
Culture Crash: Revisiting Our Favorite Films & Books
2020 has not been as full of new releases as in previous years due to the pandemic, so we’re rewinding back to some of our favorite selections from a few writers and directors.
Harry Potter Therapy
The Harry Potter series is full of creatures and storylines that parallel real-life adversities like depression, PTSD and grief in a heightened reality. Dr. Janina Scarlet says these stories are so powerful that she uses them to help people cope in real-life therapy sessions.
Culture Crash: The Disappointing Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Last month, JK Rowling’s Wizarding World saw its latest installment, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald be met with a low score on Rotten Tomatoes and countless disappointed Harry Potter fans across the globe.
Pottermania: What we love in the Harry Potter series
On June 26, 1997, one boy changed the world. That young boy was named Harry Potter, the famous protagonist of the seven-book series by JK Rowling. If you are unfamiliar with either of those names, there is a large chance you are living with the confundus charm. With 160 million copies sold in the U.S. alone and over 400 million copies sold worldwide, Harry …
Potter Therapy: How the Harry Potter series is being used to help treat PTSD and depression (2017)
Elements of the Harry Potter series such as dementors and patronuses can be viewed symbolically as representative of the struggle of good versus evil. Many readers connect emotionally to Harry’s loss, struggle, and battle to fight his own demons. Clinical therapist Dr. Janina Scarlet builds on this connection by using superheroes, witches and wizards to help …
Culture Crash: Harry Potter’s Lasting Legacy
A generation of children grew up with Harry Potter. We look at the books and movies they grew up watching, how they differ and what will stay with them until the very end.
Culture Crash: Stephen King’s Mastery of Storytelling (2017)
Stephen King is known for his horror masterpieces, but he’s also written beloved dramas and fantasy novels. We explore what makes his novels click.
Getting It Right: The art of writing historical fiction
Historical fiction is very popular these days, but why? And how do authors weave a fictional story around actual people, places and events? We talk to three best-selling authors of the genre about how they write their books and why.
Teens and Dystopian Literature
A great many books and films these days deal with a dark, forbidding world where young people are warring with the villainous adults to save civilization. Teens are drawn to these stories, but why? What is it about dystopian fiction that fascinates young people? We talk to two successful authors of these stories about how kids are working out some of the …
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
Everyone knows the line “It was a dark and stormy night” from Snoopy’s exploits as a budding novelist. But do you know the real author of that famous line, and why he has a literary competition named after him? We’ll talk to the retired professor of English and contest creator about the famous aristocrat and author who lent his name to a quirky contest, and …
