The Writer's Lens

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. 

 

EP74: "TMNT" and the Fight Against Nihilism

You probably thought the Ninja Turtles' greatest enemy was the Shredder. And if you did, you wouldn't be alone in that assumption. The Shredder has always been touted as the greatest threat to the Turtles' livelihoods, if not the city in which the Turtles reside. But I happen to see a much greater nemesis at play. A true arch rival lurking behind the scenes, snatching up the outcasts and downtrodden youths of New York; all in exchange for family and community. Buckle up - or should I say 'shell up' - for this latest episode of The Writer's Lens. #PardonThePun

EP73: "Robin Hood" and the False Virtue of Stealing From the Rich

Robin Hood is a beloved, if not timeless, character that has become part of American folklore. Though the character's origins cannot be found in American culture, the idea of an outlaw who steals from the wealthy and gives to the poor has inspired numerous adaptations over the years. From Disney's animals-only musical, to the comedic "Men in Tights", Robin Hood challenges its viewers to consider what it means to stand up to those in power. Moreover, to stand up to those who hoard their riches and refuse to share the wealth. 

But is the idea of Robin Hood inherently 'good'? Can we be thieves and maintain our moral righteousness? This episode will explore that idea in depth. 

EP72: "Perelandra" and Gender, As Told By C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of my all-time favorite authors. He's written many stories that are internationally known (and loved). But one in particular he's not as well-known for: his Space Trilogy. Three stories about our solar system and the spirits who are waging war over our planets. In Lewis' second of the three, Perelandra, Lewis explores the planet Venus through the eyes of his protagonist, Ransom, who has been sent there to keep Venus' inhabitants from turning into another "bent" world like Earth. 

Spoilers aside, Ransom eventually encounters some high order angels who are the embodiments of Mars and Venus. And when he does, he sees something on display that he can only recount as being the "spiritual expressions of gender" - male and female, or rather, masculine and feminine. 

This fascinated me and thus, wanted to dive into Lewis' explanation a bit further with this episode. 

EP71: "Tombstone" and The Necessity of Law and Order

Tombstone is one of my favorite movies of all time. Which is saying a lot as I'm not the biggest fan of western films. Packed with an ensemble cast, Tombstone tells the story of Wyatt Earp, his brothers, Doc Holliday, and the cowboy gang whose hatred for law and order clashes with the Earp brothers and Holliday. 

This episode explores Wyatt Earp's quest for a rich and exciting life while ignoring his past as a peacemaker. Can he actually achieve a life of fine wine and riches without law and order? This arc of human experience will be the focus on this edition of the Writer's Lens. 

EP70: "Dark" and the Mystery of Original Sin

Adam and Eve. Two people synonymous with what many consider to be humanity's greatest mistake. By taking fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve catalyzed humanity's fall from grace. They ushered in a world where we experience suffering, pain, and loss of identity. All sons and daughters who descend from these two have to experience a world less than ideal, but still beautiful in its own right. It's just not quite as good as it could be. 

Netflix's "Dark" recently finished its three season run and though it's one of the greatest time travel stories I've ever witnessed, that topic is not one I'm going to tackle with this episode. Instead, I'd like to discuss one of Dark's core components: the issue of causality and choice. Can one choice create a ripple so drastic that every other person, whether they know the origin of that choice or not, become affected by that choice? Can we adequately pin the centuries of undue pain on two people we've never met but only read about? 

This episode is as deep and engaging as the show itself. Promise. #NeverBelieveAnythingElse