Author: George J. Aulisio
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Gattaca: The Enduring Rejection of Reductionism and the Triumph of the Hegemonikon
When Gattaca (1997; dir. Niccol) premiered, it offered a vision of the future that was uncomfortably plausible. Its central philosophical message—one that champions human potential and rejects reductionism—still resonates over two decades later. Today, the film feels even more relevant in a world grappling with genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and cultural engineering that seems designed to leave…
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Despair, Morality, Redemption, and Forgiveness: A Comparison of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and Bicycle Thieves
At first glance, the feverish Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009; dir. Herzog) and the neorealist masterpiece Bicycle Thieves (1948; dir. De Sica) couldn’t seem more different. One is a wild, chaotic exploration of a cop’s descent into corruption and madness; the other, a restrained and heartbreaking portrait of a father and husband…
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A Tale of Two Lives: It’s a Wonderful Life and The Green Knight
I tend to dislike Christmas movies but two of my favorite (Christmas) films are It’s a Wonderful Life (1946; dir. Capra) and The Green Knight (2021; dir. Lowery) both revolve around a central, existential question—What would life be like without the protagonist? Despite the different genres and moral frameworks, the two films contrast how they…
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Taking a Chance on Genius: Caroline Shaw and the Attacca Quartet’s Orange and Evergreen
At times, culture can find you when you aren’t looking. Several years ago, I was thumbing through the clearance section of my local record store, an eclectic jumble of forgotten albums, obscure indie bands, and the occasional misfiled treasure. In that day, I stumbled upon Orange (2019; Nonesuch) by Caroline Shaw and the Attacca Quartet.…
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The Twilight Saga (2008-2012; dirs. Hardwicke, Weitz, Slade, & Condon)
Though I tried watching the first installment of this series in 2009 or 2010, I fell asleep during it and never went back. I decided to watch the whole series for one reason, the Instagram memes made these movies seem too funny to miss. In the end, I’m glad I watched them with a more…
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Comparing Ran (1985; dir. Akira Kurosawa) with Throne of Blood (1957; dir. Akira Kurosawa)
Ran has always been on my radar but I never got motivated enough to watch it before this week. The reasons I would want to watch it are straightforward and of obvious appeal to me, it’s a Jidaegeki (i.e., Japanese period piece) featuring samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa and typically considered one of his best…
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What’s on tap
While my son slept on me I scrolled Kanopy for something to watch. I’ve been doing this (on Kanopy, Criterion, Netflix, etc.) since he was born on 10/05/24, understanding that I may only get to watch 30 minutes at a time and have to finish the film on another day. This general approach is not…
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Welcome
This blog is, ostensibly, a culture review through the perspective of one man. A person with an advanced education and some credentials. (I work in a university, get to converse with many scholars, attend talks, and engage with all different types of intellectual content. I also, have the authority to invite scholars, get to teach…
The Curated Life Worth Reading 