The Boundless Optimism of Japan’s “City Pop”
The music of artists like Toshiki Kadomatsu sounds utterly disposable but I can’t get enough of it these days.
The Best of Opus
These 166 posts represent some of Opus’ finest content from throughout the years, hand-picked for your entertainment, education, and edification.
Random Thoughts About Avengers: Infinity War and the Future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Review)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe reaches an apocalyptic milestone ten years in the making.
Exploring the Strange, Ultra-Futuristic World of Tsutomu Nihei’s Blame!
Tsutomu Nihei’s manga masterpiece is a journey through a bizarre world filled with nightmarish technology run amok.
Soaring Through the Spaceways With the Silver Surfer (Review)
Dan Slott and Mike Allred’s take on the Silver Surfer is a far cry from the comics of my youth — for better and worse.
My Favorite Songs of 2017, Featuring Cloakroom, Grails, Lingua Ignota, Mount Eerie, Slowdive & more
This mix is a collection of songs that helped me get through the year — that encouraged, uplifted, challenged, and yes, moved me.
The Last Jedi Challenges the Star Wars Status Quo to Go Beyond Mere Nostalgia (Review)
By striking it down, Rian Johnson helped ensure that Star Wars could become more powerful than we can possibly imagine.
Should Netflix care how much you watched A Christmas Prince?
We need to get over any notion we might have that online services like Netflix are neutral platforms, or platforms that care about us.
What keeps us from falling down?
Once again, the moral failure at the heart of American Christianity is exposed for all to see.
Stranger Things 2 Is a (Mostly) Satisfying Return to Hawkins, Indiana
Also, let’s talk about what’ll happen in season 3 and why the series is so affecting to begin with.
Let’s Be Honest About Hugh Hefner’s Legacy
In light of his death, some have examined Hugh Hefner’s legacy and found it deeply wanting.
From Industrial Noise to Serene Ambience: Exploring vidnaObmana’s Early Years
Dirk Serries’ acclaimed ambient project underwent some pretty dramatic shifts as evidenced by these early recordings.
Ingmar Bergman vs. The Spirit of Our Age
What happens when we make ourselves the highest goal of our own existence?
It’s Time to Adopt a Block-Oriented View of Website Content Management
Think of a webpage as a collection of discrete, self-contained blocks of content — and edit it accordingly.
Star Trek Has Always Been More Religious Than Its Creators Want or Realize
It’s a stretch to say that “religion basically no longer exists” in the Star Trek universe.
As a Man, I’m Thankful for an Awesome Female Superhero Movie
Or, some random thoughts about Wonder Woman, inclusivity, and how women are objectified in movies.
Sometimes You Really Can’t Go Home Again
The demolition of my childhood home and the impermanence of memory.
PWR BTTM’s Disgrace Reminds Us That Separating Artists From Their Art Is Difficult
Art can be transcendent — but enjoying it in spite of the artist’s flaws and transgressions can be difficult.
Finding Mono No Aware in Japanese Films
These films typify “the sadness of things.”
My Favorite Songs of 2016
2016 sucked in many ways. But there was beautiful music to be heard in the midst of the year’s ugliness.
The Perils (and Positives) of Politicizing Pop Culture
Pop culture nerdery won’t save the union but it could help us understand each other a little better.