Critical Theory Through Popular Movie Franchises
Film Analysis Fundamentals - A curated collection from Lindsay Ellis
About this Rabbit Hole
Ever wondered why some films stick in your memory while others fade into obscurity? Join the rabbit hole of Lindsay Ellis's Film Analysis Fundamentals as she unravels the mysteries behind cinematic storytelling. Delve into the dissected remains of The Hobbit, question the complexities of Transformers, explore the blurred lines of authorship and genre, and even discover how Marxism sneaks its way into blockbuster films. Along the way, you'll uncover surprising connections and insights that will forever change how you view movies. Watch in order or skip around — each video adds a new layer.
Videos in this Rabbit Hole
The Hobbit: A Long-Expected Autopsy (Part 1/2)
Our Commentary
Just when you thought you had finally moved on from the Hobbit trilogy, here comes a deep dive autopsy to remind you of all the questionable choices made. Thanks for the traumatic flashbacks, Lindsay Ellis.
Why is it So Hard to Remember What Happens in Transformers? | The Whole Plate: Episode 3
Our Commentary
I've watched all the Transformers movies and still can't recall a single plot detail, but at least now I know it's because Michael Bay is too busy blowing stuff up to worry about coherent visual storytelling. Kudos for the Nolan shoutout!
Death of the Author
Our Commentary
Death of the Author? More like, Death of the Brand. With all this literary drama, my Audible credit might need to go towards some self-help audiobooks instead.
Genre | The Whole Plate: Episode 4
Our Commentary
Transformers: The existential crisis of robots disguised as cars. Genre classification? More like genre confusion.
Queering Michael Bay | The Whole Plate: Episode 8
Our Commentary
Just when you thought Michael Bay explosions couldn't get any gayer, Lindsay Ellis comes in and turns the lens on his hyper-masculine filmography with a fabulous queer twist. Werk it, girl!
Marxism! | The Whole Plate: Episode 9
Our Commentary
So, Marxism and jazz...am I the only one picturing Karl Marx playing the saxophone in a smoky underground club? #RevolutionaryJazzHands
Final Thoughts
From Our Blog
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The Attention Economy: What Your Focus Is Actually Worth
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Why We Trust Strangers Online More Than Experts | Online Trust Psychology
Explore the psychology of online trust: parasocial relationships, the authenticity heuristic, social proof, institutional distrust, and why anonymity creates false intimacy.