An American Dream Deferred

An American Dream Deferred

One of the most important lessons I learned growing up was that if I played by the rules and worked hard, I could accomplish anything. This was — and still is — an American value taught to all children who grow up in this country and attend our public education...
A Recipe for Better Disaster Movies

A Recipe for Better Disaster Movies

It’s hard not to love mediocre, bad, or even awful movies that portray a post-apocalyptic or utterly dysfunctional future. If you’ve watched Logan’s Run, Water World, The Day After Tomorrow, AI, or Soylent Green more than once, you’ll know what...
The Clear and Present Danger of Pentagon Contractors

The Clear and Present Danger of Pentagon Contractors

Hollywood covets action movies, especially the kind where our nation faces mortal danger. Sticking with a longstanding tradition, these flicks often feature alien invaders. Another common strain portrays terrorist networks seeking to destroy or take over our...
Our Road to Elysium

Our Road to Elysium

The Hollywood blockbuster film, Elysium, depicts a polarized Los Angeles in the year 2154. The vast majority of inhabitants live in overpopulated and polluted slums, toiling in grinding poverty. Meanwhile, a wealthy elite live on Elysium, a space station modeled after...