Whitewashing has been cemented in the culture of Hollywood since it has existed. The term “whitewashing” is defined as a casting practice in the film industry of the United States in which white actors are cast in historically non-white character roles. In the early days of Hollywood, […]
Author: Billy Faulkner
A Media Snapshot of What’s to Come
It is that time of year again to talk about upcoming summer films and television shows (and at least one currently airing as well). So to mark my final contribution to The Waltonian, here is a look at some of the films and shows I am looking forward […]
“Legion” Review- A look at an unreliable narrator
Noah Hawley’s new television series “Fargo” has been held in critical acclaim, having already aired two seasons, and with an upcoming third season starring Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. In between, Hawley has created what could potentially be one of the most twisted and […]
Controversy at the Oscars- The evening that will go down in cinema history
Who would have thought that the 2017 Oscars would have given us one of the most controversial moments of the year? The Academy Awards were in full swing on Feb. 26. Hosted by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the awards were a mixture of joy, sorrow, confusion and […]
“Elle” Review- A study of emotion, sexuality and revenge
“Shame isn’t a strong enough emotion to stop us from doing anything at all. Believe me.” One of the most overlooked of all of the award-winning films that were released this year, Paul Verhoeven’s psychological thriller “Elle” is certainly one of the darker-themed ones. The film is a […]
Celebrities Speak Out at Women’s March
On Jan. 21, millions of women and men across the globe marched together in solidarity to protest, among other matters, the presidency of Donald Trump. Among the public marching were celebrities such as Ian McKellen, Nick Offerman and Cher. Several prominent female celebrities, specifically Scarlett Johansson, Madonna and […]
In Memoriam- Remembering Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
In 2016, we lost a lot of people, both famous and non-famous. It almost seemed like a rehash of 2009, another year in which a bunch of celebrities died. They dropped out one by one this past year: Prince, David Bowie, Natalie Cole, Alan Rickman and Patty Duke, […]
Mental Illness and the Arts The case of Shelley Duvall
Mental health is a very common yet complicated issue. Sylvia Plath wrote her only novel about it, a Roman à clef titled “The Bell Jar.” When we see celebrities who deal with mental health issues, they tend to be glamorized and mocked in the media. The arts as […]
Wonder Woman: From superhero to icon to UN Ambassador
In a year that has seen death, destruction and the most controversial election of all time, some light shines through the darkness. On Oct. 21, 2016, the United Nations anointed the DC Comics Superheroine Wonder Woman an official ambassador of the U.N. in recognition of her 75th anniversary […]
Movie Review: “The Girl on the Train”
I believe there is a lot to be desired when a novel is adapted for the big screen. Sometimes an adaptation of a book can work, such as in the cases of “Stardust” and “Gone Girl.” Sometimes it does not work, like in the cases of “Fifty Shades of […]