Storytelling
The 3 Story Elements That Jumanji Gets Right
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is satisfying despite its shortcomings. How? Because it gets the three most important aspects of any story right.
Storytelling
3 Worldbuilding Details Your Fantasy Story Needs (and 3 It Doesn’t)
If your story doesn’t hook your audience early, they won’t keep reading. Here are three assets every good story needs, and three more that make readers (okay, me) quit.
Storytelling
The Identity Crisis That Defines Every Sports Story Ever Written
When Nick Foles and the Eagles defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots to win Super Bowl LII, it exposed the fragile “truth” behind every sports narrative.
Storytelling
10 Subtly Amazing Moments in Lady Bird
Lady Bird is a movie that does nearly everything right. Here’s why Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut works so well.
Storytelling
The Story Problems in Molly’s Game
Molly’s Game is missing three key ingredients that keep the story from being truly satisfying.
Storytelling
Why Outlander Is the Show America Needs Now
How do the big differences between two of TV’s most talked-about prestige dramas reflect a vast gap in pop culture?
Storytelling
The Tone Problems in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
As I was watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 yesterday, one thought kept running through my head: Marvel movies have two problems when it comes to onscreen violence: tone and stakes. This problem is actually most noticeable in Deadpool 2, but it first became obvious here. The Tone Paradox Read more…
Storytelling
The Surprising Theme in Pixar’s Coco
For a hero’s journey story, Pixar’s Coco has an unusual character arc… but its underlying theme is even more surprising.
Storytelling
Why the Justice League Movie’s Marketing Flopped
How did Justice League become the lowest-opening movie in the DC Extended Universe?
Storytelling
How to Fix the Storytelling Flaws in Marvel’s Defenders
Marvel’s Defenders has some storytelling problems that could have been avoided. Here’s where it went wrong, and how it could improve in Season Two.