Hillsdale Forum

A Ghost Story—4.5/5 Stars

A woman devours an entire pie in a five-minute sequence that is divided by only a single cut. A deceased man lies on a hospital bed, a white sheet covering his corpse. The shot lingers for thirty seconds, the camera static and the frame unchanging, until the body sits up, the sheet still draped over his figure. He turns his head. Where his eyes would … Continue reading A Ghost Story—4.5/5 Stars

The Glass Castle—2.5/5 stars

Woody Harrelson might be the best contemporary actor at playing an alcoholic. Naomi Watts and Brie Larson star alongside Harrelson in The Glass Castle, the third feature film (and first under a major studio) from writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton. With so much talent and so many resources, a film like this shouldn’t go wrong. It does. Harrelson plays Rex Walls, husband and father of four. … Continue reading The Glass Castle—2.5/5 stars

Hillsdale ForumDecember 26, 2017December 26, 2017Leave a comment

Wonder Woman

In a world where feminism and femininity often seem at odds, Wonder Woman presents an alternative: a woman too secure in her own purpose to bother with such labels at all. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) is raised by the Amazons, a tribe of warrior women dedicated to defending the world against Ares, the god of war. When British soldier Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands near … Continue reading Wonder Woman

Baby Driver

In Summer 2017, Hollywood reached peak block-buster ad-nauseum. “Baby Driver” looked like it was going to be more of the same – another cliched action film riddled with car chases and explosions. Going to the theater, I was prepared to be thoroughly bored. Yet, within minutes of the film starting, “Baby Driver” had my complete attention and wouldn’t let go. “Baby Driver” – Edgar Wright’s … Continue reading Baby Driver

New Eyes in Greece

This summer I traveled with the Collegiate Scholars to Greece. The highlight of the trip was that my husband Kerry came with us. Because he travels so much for his work as a management consultant, he is loath to board a plane for pleasure. (Or rather, it is inconceivable to him that taking a plane anywhere might be pleasurable.) Somehow, I was able to convince … Continue reading New Eyes in Greece

Michigan Lakes

I grew up swimming in the Pacific Ocean. The salt would burn my nose, but it kept me buoyant. The waves could be rough, but they delivered me to shore. Of course I thought about sharks and little stinging things, but never had an encounter. Perhaps it was the vastness, or maybe it was because it was all I knew of open water swimming, but … Continue reading Michigan Lakes

Cleaning with Funk

It is evening and supper is through. The shorter, noisier humans who live with me have evacuated the kitchen in order to pursue some brand of havoc outside. Their taller, wiser maternal figure is putting little ones to bed, and it is finally time. The dishes are scattered throughout the room and roped about with remainders of clingy pasta. Cutting boards with … Continue reading Cleaning with Funk

Hillsdale ForumDecember 26, 2017December 26, 2017Leave a comment

Splendor without Spectacle

Some wry reflection in the current style on how the wonder of the eclipse seemed rather darkened by the contraceptive glasses that my eye doctor insisted must be worn to keep my sight, partially was obscured by clouds blowing in at the totality and contemplated by naked eyes, an unexpected splendor needing no interposition. Benjamin Beier is an Assistant Professor of Education. Continue reading Splendor without Spectacle