Critical Hits & Misses #227

A cast that looks like this can make Hollywood some serious money, if they can just wake up...

• Today in "No Shit, Sherlock" Hollywood news: a top agency has put out a report that not only do non-white moviegoers buy a whole lot of movie tickets, but that films with diverse leads have been doing particularly well since 2014 (the scope of the study was 2014-2016). Can Hollywood finally put the tired notion of whitewashing everything to rest, please?


• The New York Times has a story on the never-ending phenomenon of men interrupting women. It's both enlightening and enraging. 

For today's musical hit, we have Trina and "If It Ain't Me"

Today's critical rolls: What was your weekend like? Do anything fun? Or was it too hot to do anything but stay inside? Let us know!


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Critical Hits & Misses #206

• Deadspin has the story about Tony Reali, an ESPN host, and his experiences with postpartum anxiety after becoming a new dad. He discusses the stigma attached to anxiety disorders, especially in men, and how important it is for men to be ashamed and to seek help. 


• Today in Things That Make You Go... WTF? Jezebel discusses how Robin Swicord, director of The Jane Austen Book Club, has only just now gotten her second directing gig. Yup, ten years later. Swicord discusses how despite showing her competence, she lost out jobs to men for the past decade. 

For today's musical hit, we have Lana Del Rey and "Lust For Life"

Today's critical rolls: What other women directors do you know of that deserve more chances at directing films?


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #164

• The New York Times chronicles how the comics industry is finally making strides towards diversifying not only characters, but creators as well. The star of the article is America Chavez and Gabby Riviera, the gay Latin woman writing America's first solo book. But this article mentions Luke Cage, Kim & Kim, La Borinquena, plus others, that are books written about minority heroes, and written by minority creators. Well worth a read!


• Speaking of diverse representation, this time at the movies, ABC writes about how there's been an uptick in diverse films at the theater, and as a result, we're seeing an uptick in Asian-American and Black-American movie goers as well. You mean when minorities see more of themselves in films, they might actually go to the theater more often? Shocking!

For today's musical hit, we have The Chainsmokers and "The One"

Today's critical rolls: Tell us about your favorite hero of color, and why they are your favorite! Brownie points if you happen to like a hero written by a person of color too!


Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.

Critical Hits & Misses #121

• Recently, ABC has been making an attempt to have more diversity in their comedy programs. That doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon, as the network is developing a comedy about a Muslim model. Zainab Johnson, Tom Straw, and Wanda Sykes are attached.


• As one of his last acts as President, Obama commuted Chelsea Manning's prison sentence. NBC examines how Chelsea Manning has become such an important symbol for Transgender-Americans. 

For today's musical hit, Woody Guthrie's "All You Fascists Bound To Lose" seems particularly relevant these days.

Critical Writ has a super-duper strict comment policy that specifies a single rule above all others: we reserve the right to ban you for being a terribad citizen of the internet.