Culture Crash: Breaking Bad and the Shortcoming of Binge-watching
Breaking Bad is a modern classic of TV, and insanely compelling. But is binge-watching such shows really the best idea or do the best plots take time?
Culture Crash: Filmmaking the old-fashioned way
The digital revolution has changed much of the world around us, including the movies we watch. We explore the virtues of filmmaking the old-fashioned way: on film.
Culture Crash: Amazon’s Catastrophe
Emmy nominations always bring with them some disappointing snubs. With only one nomination, the show Catastrophe has largely been overlooked this year. We explore what makes the series special.
Culture Crash: A Ghost Story
Quiet films such as A Ghost Story can provide a transformative experience if viewers give them a chance.
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: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan set the box office on fire with his Dark Knight trilogy and made a cultural phenomenon with Inception. We explore his directorial career and what sets him apart.
Culture Crash: Pop Music
Liking pop music is usually thought of as shallow and immature, but why? Pop music gave us The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and yes, Justin Timberlake.
Culture Crash: Aaron Sorkin’s Mastery of Screenwriting
Aaron Sorkin is the man behind many beloved TV shows and movies. We look at one thing that makes his scripts truly shine: his pointed, duel-like dialogues.
Culture Crash: TV Theme Songs (2017)
TV theme songs: they’re the soundtrack to our childhoods, adolescence, and Sunday nights. But have you ever stopped to think about their evolution or how many of them you know well?
Culture Crash: Streaming Libraries Secret Strength
We often think about streaming apps as vehicles for a new wave of TV, but streaming also allows us to revisit old shows.
Culture Crash: Overcoming Franchise Fatigue
It seems like many movies coming out are franchise movies and that can get pretty dull. But the success of Wonder Woman sheds light on one way studios can keep their ‘tent poles’ fresh.
Culture Crash: HBO’s The Leftovers: Storytelling on grief
The Leftovers will air its final episode this week on HBO. Though its tough subject matter and study of grief can be overwhelming, it’s a show with a lot to admire and themes worth exploring
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.
Culture Crash: Logic’s 1-800-273-8255
Rapper Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255” is a mental health anthem, designed to help suicidal listeners realize the value of their lives.
Culture Crash: Aziz Ansari Has a Lot to Say in “Master of None”
This weekend, you may have noticed a Netflix banner for the new season of Master of None. The show was created by, and stars, comedian Aziz Ansari and made a big splash in the fall of 2015 when it first debuted.
Culture Crash: Radio Dramas Get an Update in Gimlet Media’s “Homecoming”
Homecoming, a podcast from Gimlet Media, harkens back to an age when the family would gather around, not to watch TV, but to listen to radio dramas like The Shadow or the famous Orson Welles War of the Worlds broadcast.
Culture Crash: The Impact of “Hamilton: An American Musical”
We look at the musical people can’t stop talking about: Hamilton, the brainchild of Lin-Manuel Miranda, that has already won numerous awards.
Culture Crash: Tis’ the Season for X-Mas Music
Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… One particular moment, where Paul McCartney strums and hums his way through an unfinished version of the song “Get Back,” went viral, and it’s no wonder. It truly feels magical to be let in on the moment when one …
Culture Crash: Tis’ the Season for X-Mas Music
We discuss some of our favorite festive tunes from over the years, including Frank Sinatra’s, “Let It Snow” and Nat King Cole’s classic, “Joy to the World”.
