Critical Hits & Misses #279

• Mine! is a comics anthology to benefit the long-beleaguered Planned Parenthood, an organization that is vital to serving the health needs of vulnerable communities. Check out this IO9 article about the star-studded anthology, and consider picking it up!


• IndieWire takes a look at how the Star Wars franchise, while promoting diversity in front of the camera, is having a much harder time promoting diversity behind the camera. A solid piece on why Lucasfilm is sticking to known quantities, and why that means the likelihood of a minority director is slim to none. 

For today's musical hit, we have Calvin Harris and "This Is What You Came For"

Today's critical rolls: If Lucasfilm DID pick a minority director for Episode IX, who do you think it should be? If you've got nothing in mind, here's another question for you: what do you think of JJ Abrams being back in the franchise?


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 #232

The King of Rock & Roll... but also the King of Cultural Appropriation?

• NPR has a potent commentary on the indefensible nature of cultural appropriation, a response to the New York Times op-ed in which Kenan Malik attempted to suggest that cultural appropriation could be defended. 


• The Establishment blog has quite the post on Laci Green, a feminist hero, once a defender of the abused and a voice for Planned Parenthood, who has turned anti-feminist and is currently dating a Nazi. 

For today's musical hit, we have Lorde and "Liability"

Today's critical rolls: Have any of your heroes or cultural icons or feminist icons ever disappointed you, by going astray? Or maybe you used to look up to an actor or someone else, only to find out later that their politics or social stances are disappointing? Let us know!


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 #138

• This is the final time we're posting this, mostly because today is the 20th of February, aka President's Day. Get your donations in today! “On Monday, February 20, 2017 America will observe President's Day, but our current president gives us little cause for celebration. As Trump and the GOP-lead Congress work to repeal the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood, women across America will need their services more than ever. Donate today so we can give Planned Parenthood a reason to celebrate this February 20th! Bonus points if we can raise enough to make a statement and annoy our fear-mongering leader.”


• Family is an important theme of The LEGO Batman Movie. Evan Narcisse of io9 recounts how watching the film gave his six year old daughter a new way of understanding that concept.

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

Today's critical rolls: Lego Batman is all about family, even if it means forming one of your own if life's cheated you out of your natural one. Tell us about what family means to 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 #133

• Matt Lees discusses Kingdom’s meditative atmosphere in Cool Ghosts’ “Best Game Ever” series.


• Did you see the Grammy's last night? Did you notice the "trophy girls?" If not, check this out, because these times, they are a-changing (despite American Conservatives fighting this sort of normalizing tooth and claw). Turns out that a transgender woman and a male model handed out the golden trophies, because the Academy president felt that "trophy girls" are antiquated. Hats off to you, sir!


• On Monday, February 20, 2017 America will observe President's Day, but our current president gives us little cause for celebration. As Trump and the GOP-lead Congress work to repeal the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood, women across America will need their services more than ever. Donate today so we can give Planned Parenthood a reason to celebrate this February 20th! Bonus points if we can raise enough to make a statement and annoy our fear-mongering leader. (Editor's Note: we will be posting this every week until President's Day. We feel this is too important!)

For today's musical hit, we have M.I.A. "Borders"

Today's critical rolls: What's your "Best Game Ever?" Doesn't have to be PC, could be any game, of any age, on any platform.


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 #129

• People features 10 celebs of color who discuss representation, why it matters, and why we need inclusivity in the media. 


• Image Comics is raising money for Planned Parenthood! In the month of March, all proceeds from the sales of their Womens History month variant covers will go to PP! There are 11 variant covers total. Time to buy comic books in March, everyone!

For today's musical hit, we have Dessa's "Dixon's Girl"!

Today's critical rolls: why do you think representation matters? Does it matter to you personally?


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 #128

• On Monday, February 20, 2017 America will observe President's Day, but our current president gives us little cause for celebration. As Trump and the GOP-lead Congress work to repeal the ACA and defund Planned Parenthood, women across America will need their services more than ever. Donate today so we can give Planned Parenthood a reason to celebrate this February 20th! Bonus points if we can raise enough to make a statement and annoy our fear-mongering leader.


• The AV Club has a short but fascinating piece on how the stars of HBO’s Veep are making politics funny in a time where we have nothing to laugh about.


• NPR discusses the Great Debate over what it means to be American, and how Budweiser's Super Bowl ad stokes the flames. 

For today's musical hit, we have Sharon Jones' "This Land Is Your Land"

Today's critical rolls: What did you do this past weekend?

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.