Justin Kownacki

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Storytelling

Dwayne Johnson leaps off a supercrane and into America's heart in the movie Skyscraper
Storytelling

6 Ways to Interpret Skyscraper as Dwayne Johnson’s Defining Movie

The missing ingredients in Skyscraper accidentally define Dwayne Johnson’s true appeal.

By Justin, 7 months7 months ago
Heath Ledger as the Joker and Christian Bale as Batman in Christopher Nolan's film The Dark Knight
Armchair Sociology

Why We Replaced Heroes with Antiheroes

From Superman to Iron Man, the difference between a hero and an antihero was always clear.. until now. Here’s what changed, and why it matters.

By Justin, 7 months6 days ago
Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly headline the cast poster for Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp
Storytelling

Why Ant-Man and the Wasp Is a Movie About Nothing

Ant-Man and the Wasp has a plot built entirely out of MacGuffins and a villain who finally breaks Marvel’s mold.

By Justin, 8 months7 months ago
Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Sarah Paulson star in the feel-good heist comedy Ocean's 8
Storytelling

8 Reasons Why Ocean’s 8 Is the Perfect Feel-Good Heist Movie

From the humor to the pacing, Ocean’s 8 works in a way that provides a template for other heist movies to follow.

By Justin, 8 months ago
Franklin, Owen, and Claire are trapped in a dinosaur stampede in the poster for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Storytelling

The Biggest Story Problems in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Remembering the story and plot lessons that Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park got right but sequels like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom keep forgetting.

By Justin, 8 months8 months ago
Bob Callahan (Jon Hamm) and Hogan "Hoagie" Malloy (Ed Helms) in the movie Tag
Storytelling

How Tag Hid a Heartfelt Movie in a Crass Comedy

Tag shouldn’t work as a movie, but it does — almost despite itself. Its crass, uneven comedy hides a surprisingly satisfying emotional payoff.

By Justin, 8 months8 months ago
Detail of the movie poster for Pixar's Incredibles 2
Armchair Sociology

How the Villains Define the Themes of Pixar’s Incredibles Movies

Brad Bird’s Incredibles 2 asks a question that serves as the movie’s theme. But does the Pixar sequel provide a clear answer, or does it contradict itself?

By Justin, 8 months8 months ago
Social Media

Author and YouTube Star Jenna Moreci’s Writing and Vlogging Tips

Author and vlogger Jenna Moreci shares tips for writing fiction and building a YouTube channel.

By Justin, 8 months8 months ago
The Hollywood Sign over Los Angeles
Business Advice

11 Surprising Facts About How Movie Box Office Works

How Hollywood and America went crazy over box office reports… and why the numbers aren’t always what they seem.

By Justin, 9 months9 months ago
Domino (Zazie Beetz), Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), and Cable (Josh Brolin) in Deadpool 2
Storytelling

The Tone Paradox in Deadpool 2

It’s no surprise that Deadpool 2, the ultra-violent R-rated superhero action comedy with the heart of a cartoon puppy, has a tone problem.

By Justin, 9 months9 months ago

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