Introducing Myself as a Critic
Media has always played a huge role in my life. Growing up, I’ve always loved watching TV shows and movies, but over time, I have become more interested in how these things make me think and what they say about the world. I do not seek out something to waste time; I’d like to learn more about the stories, themes, and characters that bring media alive and make them so effective. I’m a critic, so my goal is to move beyond a simple judgment of whether something is “good” or “bad” and try to analyze it in terms of the big picture—what something is trying to say and how it goes about saying it to the people it’s intended for. I am particularly interested in crime drama, psychological thrillers, and social issue films.
Such programs as The Wire, Breaking Bad, and The Sopranos have always been of interest to me since they are highly effective at developing rich characters while addressing challenging subjects such as morality, power, and the repercussions of criminality. These shows not only entertain, they make you think about the way the world works and how we, as individuals, work within bigger systems of power. Another thing I like about these shows is that everything’s connected. In The Wire, for example, it’s clear that everybody’s playing their part in the system, either consciously or unconsciously. I also enjoy films like Get Out and Parasite because they blend great storytelling with excellent social commentary. They show how media can be used to talk about problems in the world today, like racism and class warfare, but do so in a personal and meaningful way. Of course, not everything of mine is necessarily that serious or heavy all the time. Occasionally, I just want to watch something light or fun.
Comedies, action movies, and happy tales are as important as more serious fare. I think it is important to understand that different media exists for different purposes. A comedy does not necessarily need to be insightful to be worthwhile, but it needs to be humorous. An action movie might not be a deep movie, but it needs to be good and paced well. Every type of media exists for a reason, and a good critic understands that. Now, I would not call myself an expert or anything, but I try to be critical when I’m watching something. I like to deconstruct what makes a story work (or not work) by analyzing how the characters are developed, how the plot is structured, and how the themes blend. Healthy criticism isn’t necessarily “this is good” or “this is bad,” but understanding what something is trying to do and how well it manages to do that.
As an example, a movie that has incredible action scenes and well-done fight choreography can still be a fantastic movie even if it does not have anything to say as social commentary. But a film that aims to comment on society somehow has to be judged on how effective it is in
conveying that message. In this newsletter, I hope to provide reviews and critique that look deeper than the surface. I hope to analyze why things work, why things appeal, and how they’re built. I also want to consider how media portrays the time period in which it is made, how it addresses issues that people care about, and how we, as audience members, connect with it. I hope that, over the years, I will be able to continue learning and developing my perspective as a critic.