Tag: Arts & Culture

The Cyber Slaves | Documentary

This film is only available in the United States because of territorial licensing. Shocking insight into Chinese cyber-scam human trafficking in Cambodia. An investigation into human trafficking and enslavement by Chinese cyber-scam operations in Cambodia and their links to the government and elite. Chinese cyber-scam operations are stealing tens of billions of dollars from victims…


Tremble and Obey | Documentary

This film is only available in the United States because of territorial licensing. ABC uncovers previously unseen footage for the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. “Millions of Chinese for the first time, maybe the last time in their lives, tasted freedom in the air of Beijing,” says Zhou Fengsuo, a student leader at…


Film Review: ‘Living’: Bill Nighy Delivers a Career-Defining Performance

 PG-13 | 1h 42min | Drama | 23 December 2022 (USA) As a character actor best known for his reoccurring roles in the “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” and “Underworld” franchises, Bill Nighy makes every film he appears in better simply by showing up. His boozing and aging rock star from “Love, Actually” was the sole interesting…


The Top 10 Movies for 2022

In most years, the problem with assembling a Top 10 list is in finding enough titles that I would deem to be excellent. In 2022, the exact opposite problem arrived: I had to cut an additional 10 or so superb features. In my line of work, that’s a good problem to have. ‘Corsicana’ With a…


Michael Clark’s Top 10 Movies of 2022

In most years, the problem with assembling a Top 10 list is in finding enough titles that I would deem to be excellent. In 2022, the exact opposite problem arrived: I had to cut an additional 10 or so superb features. In my line of work, that’s a good problem to have. ‘Corsicana’ With a…


Epoch Watchlist: What to Watch for Dec. 22–Jan. 5

This week, we feature a peppy animated adventure about a fearless feline and a charming coming-of-age tale about a child of deaf parents. New Release ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ In this action-packed, animated adventure (under the Shrek franchise’s umbrella), we follow the titular-hero Puss on his latest daring enterprise. Puss’s previous perilous escapades…


Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Dec. 22–Jan. 5

This week, we feature a warm novel set at Christmas, riveting biographies of WWII reporters, and vital findings on how space travel effects health. Fiction Finding Faith in Lost River ‘A Redbird Christmas’ By Fannie Flagg Oswald T. Campbell, 52, receives a dire health prognosis. He leaves chilly Chicago for what he believes may be…


Film Review: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’: Mostly Outstanding

PG-13 | 3h 12m | Fantasy, Action, Adventure | December 16, 2022 The biggest cinematic mistake I made this year was getting impatient, and watching “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2D. Do not do this! I need to watch it again, in its natural habitat of 3D and IMAX. And if I feel compelled to see a…


Celebrating North America’s Cowboy Arts

Idahoan Cary Schwarz puts his heart into saddle making–a lifelong student keen to improve and perfect his work. Now in his fourth decade as a saddler, Schwarz is surely a master craftsman, but that’s something that he’ll never call himself, he said in a telephone interview. Schwarz sees ”becoming a master” as a byproduct of…


Profiles in History: Lee Mendelson: The Man Behind ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

Lee Mendelson (1933–2019) was the man behind the scenes. He preferred it that way. The Californian had run into success as a local documentarian, winning a Peabody Award and producing a documentary on Willie Mays. Soon he decided to shoot a documentary on another California legend: Charles Schulz. In just six months “A Charlie Brown…