Everyday Liminality

In the art and entertainment industry, there are certain things that "haven't aged well." Whether it be a portrayal of a certain race or ethnic group, our use of language, or the overall values we express, something that was acceptable in a certain time may not be acceptable in our time today. What do we with these works today? 

There are certain works of cinema that defy explanation. Despite being a technical train wreck, unappealing to the majority of people, they find a home among a fanatical base. What is it with these films that makes them so likable among some groups of people?

War movies are among the most popular in the industry, often given large budgets and grossing hundreds of millions of dollars. There are certainly some well-made films about war, but should we be watching them? Br. Tito and Fr. Casey discuss the merits, and dangers, of this popular genre.

Network television and major production companies can create awe-inspiring works of art, but they are often limited by industry standards, engrained expectations, and bottom lines. Not YouTube. On this platform, creators are in charge, meaning the world gets an incredible mix of informative, inspirational, and weird.

Her is one of the most beautiful, creative, thoughtful, and weird movies ever made. So contends Br. Tito and Fr. Casey in this episode, as they analyze the nature of human communication in light of artificial intelligence.

In the absence of an NCAA tournament, we figured that it was important that people be able to fill out a bracket. This week. Br. Tito, Fr. Casey, and guest T.J. Cofield discuss 32 classic sports films in an attempt to crown one the greatest of all time.

To follow along with our bracket, you can access the file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o5oF-LcbufTZcZ2erJ43WBKmhY4-deOH/view?usp=sharing

What's it like working in a hospital? At first glance, Scrubs gives the impression that it is a wacky, slapstick, and absolutely absurd existence, filled with games, fantasies, and constant fun. But beneath the comedic exterior, what we see is that it is all a coping mechanism to the tragic occurrences that happen on any given day. The show makes you laugh, but it also packs a punch.

One of the obvious casualties of the coronavirus shutdown is the loss of all sports. No NCAA tournament. No NBA. No NHL. No MLB. No nothing. Because of the immediate health risk to fans, nothing can take place. It has left a void so deep in our lives that ESPN has resorted to showing anything they can to keep fans interesting, including stone skipping, cherry pit spitting, belly flopping, and my personal favorite, "Slippery Stairs." 

But it got Br. Tito and I thinking: why couldn't sports still be played, even without fans? Just 10 guys on a court, athletes in small numbers spread out on a field. Obviously, there's a health risk to the athletes, but that's small. And even more obviously, there's a financial hit that many would take. But surely there are aways around these things.

No, what we want to suggest is that the reason we have no sports now has nothing to do with the health of the athletes or lost revenue... and everything to do with the importance of the fans. (We're only partially joking.)

Today, there is only one thing on the world's mind: the COVID-19 virus. It is causing many to get sick, but more widespread is the panic and fear that it is causing. This week, Br. Tito and Fr. Casey reflect on a movie that captured this exact scenario 9 years ago: Contagion.

Agatha Christie made the detective novel famous and for years directors have been emulating her style. Knives Out clearly draws from that tradition, but offers a bit of a twist.