The Writer's Lens

EP78: How Do We Bring Value In Our Stories?

A reflection episode on what (most) every creative feels when it comes to the content we create. As a storyteller, I believe we are all part of a bigger story. But how can we be most effective in that bigger story at play? 

Live Show: "I, Robot" and the Logic of the Heart

Talking about one of my favorite A.I. films, I, Robot and more specifically, a scene where Sunny (the good robot), shares an exchange with V.I.K.I. (the bad robot) about her decision to lock up humanity so that it can no longer hurt itself. Considering the list of lockdowns we've endured during the pandemic, this one felt strangely relevant and in need of some deeper analysis and discussion. 

Live Show: "Tenchi Muyo" and Delusions on Marriage

Going back to my teenage days and a popular show at the time. Tenchi Muyo! was a popular anime that caught my attention and has just recently been making the rounds again on social media. This is me diving into the source material and discussing how its main canon has come to a close and what I think of this old tale. 

Hindsight is 2020: Star Wars

Ah, Star Wars. The biggest, the baddest, and the most heavily distributed franchise that Hollywood has to offer. What could go wrong with that arrangement?!

Anyway, doing hindsight on one of the most influential and popular franchises might seem like a daunting task...And you'd be right - it absolutely is. But just for the sake of this channel and because I'm a glutton for punishment, here is a take on George Lucas' highly loved, highly watched, highly followed, oft-criticized, flagship series, Star Wars. 

Hindsight is 2020: Jurassic Park

Dinosaurs have been a fascination of human beings for a long time. They've inspired writers and creatives to imagine what life would be like if these massive creatures were still alive today. Perhaps the most well-known attempt to mainstream that idea is the franchise, Jurassic Park. Originally penned by the late Michael Crichton and later adapted for the big screen by Stephen Spielberg, Jurassic Park is a monster-sized film franchise. With five movies, novels, several video games, and countless amounts of toys and merchandise, Jurassic Park - if nothing else - is one of the most recognizable film series in the West. 

That being said, how has it done over the past 25 odd years? Is it still as fantastical as it was when it first premiered? Or is the franchise better going, er, extinct? Today's episode is a riff on what Jurassic Park could have been...in hindsight. 

Hindsight is 2020: The MonsterVerse

Today's episode on Hindsight is 20/20 is the recently finished "MonsterVerse". With Godzilla vs. Kong officially released, the four-film series has come to a close. Or has it? Or better yet, should it be finished at this point? 

As a monster movie fan, I've been looking forward to all this giant-monkey-on-giant-lizard action. But does it conclude the series well? That's what #Hindsight is all about. 

#GodzillaVsKong #MonsterVerse

Hindsight is 2020: The DC Extended Universe

The Writer's Lens returns this spring with a new mini-series! 

For the next few (perhaps even more) episodes, I'll be riffing on some of my favorite franchises, films, and stories - doing so with the intent of reorganizing and analyzing what I thought worked; what didn't; and ultimately what could have been. 

So to cap things off, we'll be looking at the DC Extended Universe. Timely for me in the wake of the controversial #SnyderCut of the Justice League. Full disclaimer: any and all spoilers abound if I happen to touch on any. 

Welcome to The Writer's Lens alternate reality: the Hindsight is 2020 series. Emphasis on hindsight with hopefully some emphasis on good discussion too. Enjoy the first episode of this short mini-series I'll be working on over the next few weeks. 

EP77: "Cain and Abel" and the Origins of Heroes and Villains

Imagine two brothers trying to appease the ruler of the universe. One does what is asked of him while the other does what he thinks is best. As a result, the former is rewarded and the latter is turned away. And due to the latter brother's disgrace, he takes out his jealousy, envy, and anger upon his own brother, killing him; thus, inviting even more darkness into his already fragile world. 

This is the story of Cain and Abel. And though it may not seem like the thing of heroes and villains, there is something remarkably familiar about this ancient tale. Something that resonates even in today's superhero and supervillain-obsessed culture. 

EP76: "A Christmas Carol" and Whether God Blesses Us All

"God bless us. Everyone." - Tiny Tim 

 

It's the annual holiday episode of The Writer's Lens. And this one is packed with an analysis of the famous line from Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol". We often hear about 'God's blessings' but what does that look like? What is it supposed to mean? Tiny Tim's perspective is a unique one in spite of his circumstances, serving as a great foil to Scrooge's selfish and embittered nature. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Writer's Lens. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe if you haven't already and enjoy!

EP75: "Terminator" and the Near-Extinct Macho Dad

The first Terminator featured an unstoppable killing machine. The 2nd film had a similar villain, but in a stroke of creative genius, the previous film's antagonist was transformed into the hero of the 2nd. Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 has long been lauded as an iconic character in cinema. His portrayal as a man with a plan toes the line of what it means to be a "man's man". But as far as I can tell, the Terminator holds a unique space in the quest for what constitutes the true measure of a man. And if this machine, played by a man, has anything to teach us, the "man's man" is more than big and strong. He invests; he is attentive; he protects; and he knows what his priorities are. The "macho Dad" is more than machine, he's something more.