Critical Hits & Misses #275

• The New York Times has a worthy list of books to remind children--and adults--what friendship means. Check it out! 


• Speaking of the New York Times and book lists, a conservative publisher is now refusing to consider NYT book sales as a source, so its conservative authors can no longer lay claim to being "New York Times Bestsellers." That's kind of a big deal in the publishing world. This all comes from accusations that NYT favors liberal books over conservative ones. I mean, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that 'liberal' books sell better overall, right?

For today's musical hit, we have the live performance by Lady Gaga of "Scheiße" at Fenway Park

Today's critical rolls: Books are the subject of the day, so what are some of your favorite books these days?


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Critical Hits & Misses #269

• The New York Times has an in-depth look at hate groups and online social media platforms, and how those hate groups are being pushed into their own little corners of the internet. 


• YMMV on how you feel about Taylor Swift these days, but her new video is pretty cool (link  below), and she takes the time to answer every single one of her haters and their criticisms. As a woman, she's had to endure all kinds of stupid shit. 

For today's musical hit, we have Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Monday! Anything exciting happen this weekend in your world?

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 #268

(Editor's Note: we apologize for the lack of CH&M yesterday... stuff happens)

• The New York Times has a rather amazing and in-depth article about how white supremacy didn't just pop up all of a sudden because 45 was tone deaf after the Charlottesville tragedy. As the article points out, tv and film have been chockful of white supremacist nonsense for a while now. 
• Comicbook.com has a list of the ten DC comics events that would adapt well to the standalone film treatment. Check it out and see if you would like to see any of these on the big screen!

For today's musical hit, we have Computer Games, Darren Criss and "Lost Boys Life," starring the adorable Gaten Matarazzo from Stranger Things.

Today's critical rolls: Happy last Friday in August! What's on the agenda for the weekend for you?

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 #238

• New York Times columnist David Brooks accidentally kicked the internet ant hill when he talked about taking a friend with only a high school degree to a fancy sandwich shop and she freaked out. While the whole episode is eyeroll-worthy, this article in the Washington Post discusses how fancy food can be a class divide, but that it has nothing to do with lack of education as Brooks seem to suggest. 


• NPR has a great list of the ten comics that changed the industry in a major way. 

For today's musical hit, we have No Doubt and "Just A Girl"

Today's critical rolls: Are you into fancy or ethnic food at all, or do you prefer simple and familiar? Are you willing to try out new foods?

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 #218

• The New York Times has an interesting article on how Axe Body Spray and other companies are changing their advertising to reflect changes in American masculinity. While we still see plenty of traditional (and often sexist) masculine roles in commercials, Axe and other companies are also showcasing dads, men with long hair, men wearing pink, men that are bad at sports, and gay men. You mean masculinity doesn't have to be toxic? Shocking.  


• Bustle has a story on a trans teen and his mother who are changing the conversation. This is a podcast where you can hear about this teen and prosthetic penises for transmen. 

For today's musical hit, we have Childish Gambino and "Redbone"

Today's critical rolls: What's in your wallet? (hey, I had a hard time coming up with a question today)


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 #188

• This excellent New York Times piece on a mural in Chicago featuring Michelle Obama is worth a read, as it discusses how artists of color are easily exploited and forgotten. 


• Speaking of black women and how they are treated in the US, this Black Girl Nerds piece discusses black women in film and tv: "Within media, Black women are rarely deemed with a super power; instead, they are deemed with the ability to assist, agree with, or be the love interest of, those who are predominantly male and predominantly White."


• And speaking of being Super, Comics Beat has this great interview with Mariko Tamaki, writer of Supergirl: Being Super. 

For today's musical hit, I'm feeling some Queen Bey. Here's Beyonce and "Pretty Hurts"

Today's critical rolls: there aren't a lot of them out there, but they are out there still: tell us about some of your favorite fictional black women, regardless of genre or medium.


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 #180

• Last Sunday was Easter, and even if you're not a person of faith, Patheos has a blog post worth reading, for those of us who care about feminist issues. It has to do with Mary Magdalene, the Biblical figure and follower of Christ, and how she has been wrongly maligned as a prostitute for a long time. Turns out that theologians are trying to right the narrative, and prove that Mary Magdalene has simply been reduced to her sexuality... a story that modern women are familiar with. A fascinating and rather academic read that's well worth checking out. 


• In case you hadn't heard, Fox blowhard Bill O'Reilly is facing the music these days, after several women have accused him of sexual harassment. After tons of advertisers pulled out of supporting his show, O'Reilly has gone on a "two week vacation," although some folks in the know think he won't ever be coming back to Fox. The New York Times has an excellent article on O'Reilly, and how his behavior drove away Megyn Kelly, another former superstar at Fox who is now at NBC. 


• Everything is awesome (sometimes): Steven Universe is getting its first soundtrack album!

For today's musical hit, the super cute dodie and this homemade but adorable video for "you"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Hump Day! How was the week been for you so far?


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 #179

Photo credit: Geeks of Color

• Are you tired of white people trotting our black Nick Fury, or black Heimdall, or black insert-this-character-here, as a response when you point out the bullshit whitewashing that goes on constantly in Hollywood (hello Ghost in the Shell)? Well Geeks of Color has written a great post on the differences between whitewashing and racebending, and it's worth a word. 


• For this week's feminist indie artist, we direct your attention to this New York Times interview of Diet Cig and her "peppy feminist pop-punk." 


• Pretty Little Liars’ last season premieres this week. Over on Autostraddle, Heather Hogan takes a critical feminist look at the show and its development over time, posing one question for the final season: "Will an adult man be forced to take responsibility for literally anything?"

For today's musical hit, we have Diet Cig and "Tummy Ache"

Today's critical rolls: I've asked about racebending before, but it's worth revisiting. What kinds of characters/stories do you want to see racebent?


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 #173

• The New York Times discusses the Kendall Jenner ad that Pepsi pulled after a whole lot of controversy last week. The ad used imagery from the Black Lives Matter movement. Not really a good look there, Pepsi. 


• Also from the New York Times: the 'Penis Seat' on the Mexico City subway caused quite a stir. It was part of an awareness campaign and had the following sign with it: "It is annoying to travel this way, but not compared to the sexual violence women suffer in their daily commutes.” Kind of an awesome campaign, if you ask me. 

For today's musical hit, we have Mumford & Sons and "I Will Wait"

Today's critical rolls: Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Let us know if you did anything exciting!


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.