Category · 31 questions
Entertainment
Streaming wars, celebrity culture, and the slow death of the monoculture.
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31 entriesAre short films worth watching?
People are deluged by content - via social media, TV channels, OTT platform, box sets, websites, brands etc - but have less and less time to watch them. Short films offer narratives, story arcs etc but delivered in a condensed form.
Are the Kardashians-Jenners feminists?
The Kardashian-Jenners have built an empire worth over a billion dollars around their name alone. While some argue their entrepreneurship is inspiring for young women, others point to their sexualization and fixation on appearance as evidence they are bad influences on young women. Are the Kardashian-Jenners empowering, feminist figures? Or do they demean all that feminism stands for?
Are The Simpsons racist?
The Simpsons is possible the most popular cartoon television show of all time in the United States. Some events depicted in episodes have not aged too well. There are critics who would argue that The Simpsons are racist.
Did Tony die in the finale of The Sopranos?
The abrupt cut to black ending The Sopranos sparked one of television's great debates. This entry sets out the two readings of the finale — that Tony Soprano died, and that he did not.
Do film stars matter anymore?
In an age where story, special effects, and marketing can drive so much of the success of a movie, do film stars have the same importance to the success of the production as they used to?
Do films and TV series glamourize crime?
Films and TV series have always depicted violence. However, as the trope of the 'anti-hero' becomes more popular, as does showing violence on screen. Additionally, it is seemingly getting more violent and grotesque, especially as special effects allow violence to become more realistic. Is this just harmless entertainment? Or does it encourage violence in real life?
Is Black-ish a good show?
Black-ish is a funny and creative show about a successful upper middle class African-American family led by Andre 'Dre' Johnson (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross). The show revolves around the family's lives, as they juggle personal and sociopolitical issues, mainly pertaining to cultural differences and controversial topics. Critics claim the show is slightly tone deaf to issues in the African American community, and that the show is not a realistic parody of black family life. Though the show has had criticism, it still pushes the black televised family forward.
Is King Joffrey in Game of Thrones a product of unconditional love?
Was Game of Thrones' cruel boy-king Joffrey the product of being unconditionally loved? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Joffrey is a product of unconditional love, and that he is not.
Is Marvel or DC better?
With both making profits in the billions of dollars, the Marvel and DC franchises are juggernauts. Both have existed for nearly a century, and have spanned comic books and movies as well as every piece of merchandise imaginable. Every fan has their own opinion of which is superior, so which is it?
Is Taylor Swift a gay icon?
Taylor Swift is a talented musician and songwriter, one of the most famous people in the world, and has built a net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars through her immensely personal songs. Her millions of 'Swifties' are as fierce as they are loyal. But has Taylor built the same kind of following in the LGBT community? Could we consider Taylor Swift to be one of the modern day gay icons?
Is television the new cinema?
Has prestige television eclipsed film as the home of ambitious storytelling? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that television is the new cinema, and that it is not.
Is the dating ban for Korean idols in the K-Pop industry fair?
Dating ban is a rule that should be familiar to K-Pop fans, which strictly limits Korean idols dating life. It's a culture, and westerners might have a difficult time understanding why the rule exists. Unlike their western counterparts, for whom making their romantic lives public can be a key part of promotional activities (including allegedly staged relationships), K-Pop stars are often forbidden from disclosing personal details, with some even having a "no dating" clause in their contracts.
Should animated films be considered for Best Picture at the Academy Awards?
The Academy Awards is among one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies for film in the world. The most coveted award of the ceremony is that for Best Picture. While animated features, such as Disney's Beauty and the Beast, have been nominated for this award, none have ever won. Further, there is a separate category for the Best Animated Feature that does not consider live-action film. Is there a way to acknowledge both forms of media in a single category without stigmatizing either?
Should Carrie have ended up with Big in Sex and the City?
One of television's most debated romances: should Carrie Bradshaw have ended up with Mr Big in Sex and the City? This entry sets out the cases for yes and for no, and what each says about the show.
Should movies produced for streaming platforms be eligible for awards?
In recent years it has become more and more common for movies produced for streaming platforms (like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) to be nominated for prestigious awards like Oscars or Golden Globes. However, some argue that these are not cinematic art like movies released through major studios and therefore should be ineligible. Are movies released by streaming platforms on the same level as major studios?
Should the BBC license be mandatory?
Introduced in 1923, more than 25 million UK TV owners pay the annual license fee that fund the BBC’s television and radio operations. Non-payment is considered a criminal offence and can result in a hefty fine. As other European nations move away from mandatory license fees, should the UK government follow suit?
Should the movie industry focus less on remakes and sequels?
Currently, many of the movies produced in the film industry are remakes, reboots or sequels. At times, these franchise films seem to outnumber films at the cinema with new, standalone plots. While remakes and sequels are often more certain bets for the producers, does this trend negatively impact the film world?
Was Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones a feminist Icon?
Was Brienne of Tarth a feminist icon in Game of Thrones? This entry weighs the two views of the warrior knight who defied the gender expectations of Westeros: that she stands as a feminist icon, and that she does not.
Was Daenarys in Game of Thrones insane or calculating?
Was Daenerys Targaryen's turn in Game of Thrones a descent into madness or a cold calculation? This entry sets out the two readings of the character — that Daenerys was insane, and that she was calculating.
Was Game of Thrones epic or an epic fail?
Did Game of Thrones earn its place among television's greats, or collapse at the finish? This entry sets out the two verdicts on the series — that it was epic, and that it was an epic fail.
Was the "Lost" finale terrible or iconic?
Few television endings divide audiences like the one for Lost. This entry sets out the two verdicts on the finale of the long-running mystery series — that it was terrible, and that it was iconic.
What are the most successful social media "quarantine challenges"?
As the world looks for escapism to take their thoughts off the coronavirus, social media "challenges" are taking off. With more time on their hands, the world's citizens are getting creative in what they share with the world. Which ones have proved popular so far?
What does the popularity of The Simpsons say about American culture?
What does the enduring popularity of The Simpsons reveal about American culture? This entry maps the readings — that its characters satirise American life, and that its vast audience made its jokes part of shared cultural knowledge.
What is the world’s most offensive sitcom?
What is the most offensive sitcom ever made? This entry gathers the contenders — among them the notorious 'Heil Honey I'm Home!', 'All My Babies' Mamas', 'Work It', and, more debatably, Family Guy and M*A*S*H.
What makes star quality?
Celebrities are people who inspire and rise above the rest of us. They are stars who shine down. Celebrities appear like divine versions of the rest of the crowd. But what exactly makes "a star"? Is it a combination of many qualities like charisma and talent? Or does one characteristic seem to be the most important?
Which Doctor Who actor is the best?
Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction show ever, beloved in Britain and across the world. As The Doctor regenerates, a new actor is brought in to replace the last, with 13 regenerations so far. Of this selection of the most iconic doctors, which is your favourite?
Which Real Housewives franchise is the best?
Which Real Housewives franchise reigns supreme? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Beverly Hills, Atlanta, New York City, Potomac, New Jersey, Orange County, Dallas and Miami.
Who is James Bond?
From the beginning of the James Bond movie franchise in 1962, 007 has proved to be a long-lasting cultural icon. The spy for the U.K. Secret Service has now starred in 26 movies, accruing many high-tech gadgets and charming huge amounts of women as he goes. But who is James Bond? Is he a hero? A villain? A symbol of a time gone by? Or totally irrelevant?
Who is the best Simpsons character?
Who is the best character in The Simpsons? This entry gathers the cases for the contenders — among them Homer and Lisa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Principal Skinner, Chief Wiggum, Milhouse and Troy McClure.
Who should pay for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security?
On March 31 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially ceased to be senior members of the royal family. Their decision to step down from royal duties comes at a price. Their high security detail is alleged to have cost the UK taxpayer upwards of $9 million. No longer entitled to any public protection, and now based in Los Angeles, some argue the couple must foot the bill themselves. Others call this irresponsible, and say the state - wherever they live - should pay.
Why are the Simpsons good at predicting future events?
How has The Simpsons seemingly predicted so many real events? This entry maps the explanations — that the future is easier to forecast than it seems, that the show's writers were unusually sharp, and that its huge output made coincidences inevitable.