Understanding Fellini's 8 1/2

I first tried watching Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 fourteen years ago when I was a film major in college.

I watched it mostly out of obligation, hoping to discover why it was such a “big deal”. The result was less than satisfactory. As much as I loved the way the film looked, I couldn’t make it past the first thirty minutes. So frustrated by my inability to even finish the film, let alone enjoy it, I tried again (and again) throughout my twenties, to watch it and comprehend why it was so beloved. Again (and again) my experiment failed. I childishly chalked it up to film-buffs being pretentious: “They’re the ones who don’t get it. They’re all pretending. Not me!”

This afternoon, all of that changed.

EDITORIALSTim KailJanuary 16, 2023federico fellini, 8 1/2, film, movies, film review

ON THE BEAUTY OF QUEEN SUGAR: AN ANALYSIS OF THE BIRTHDAY SCENE

Queen Sugar is a television show on OWN created by director and writer Ava DuVernay.

The story centers on the Bordelon family, three adult siblings, Charlie, Nova, and Ralph Angel played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rutina Wesley, and Kofi Siriboe respectively. Charlie, Nova, and Ralph Angel inherent their family farm, and despite their lack of farming-experience, they eventually decide to take on the challenge of rejuvenating and managing the land.

While the initial hook is intriguing in its own right, this represents the tip of the iceberg's tip when it comes to the complexities of Queen Sugar's characters, and the way their lives intersect.

THREE QUESTIONS FOR DENZEL WASHINGTON

The best podcast currently available for download is Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period. Hosts W.Kamau Bell & Kevin Avery take listeners on a thought-provoking, laughter-inspiring Denzel-adventure every single week, using their conceit as a gateway into a larger discussion about diversity in Hollywood, institutionalized racism, and what defines greatness in art. Their show has evolved beyond the original intent of reviewing Denzel's filmography in alphabetical order as Denzel-conversations aren't limited to his films and the show would have ended far too soon had it remained beholden to that original format. The show continues to grow as the guests become even more varied and even more famous, as Denzel fans (or Denzealots) are drawn to the show like moths to the flame, and as Kevin and Kamau's creative efforts continue to expand outside of the podcast.

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