Author Archives: Dan Hassler-Forest

Celebrating SUPERGIRL

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Dan Hassler-Forest

Following a recent discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of superhero movies, triggered by my surprisingly positive response to Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, I was reminded of the first time I live-tweeted a screening of the objectively terrible but totally awesome Supergirl (1984) … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

My Top 10 Blu-rays of 2016

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

As part of what must be a swiftly-diminishing subculture of movie lovers who still buy stuff on shiny discs, I thought I’d mimic Film Freak Central editor-in-chief, film critic extraordinaire, and all-around good guy Bill Chambers and do my own Top 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Book Talk: “Magical Thinking, Fantastic Film, and the Illusions of Neoliberalism” by Michael J. Blouin

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

It’s a little unsettling for me to come across other books that are eerily close to my own work. Having written a PhD dissertation and subsequent monograph on superhero movies and neoliberalism, and more recently completed a book on fantastic fiction and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Neoliberalism, politics | Leave a comment

Star Wars fandom and toxic masculinity

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

Last year, shortly after the first full trailer for The Force Awakens was released, news started circulating that a bunch of crazy white people had somehow taken offense about the decade’s most anticipated blockbuster. The trailer’s revelation that the two new Star … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet videos, politics, Trump | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trump Media: A Film Studies Syllabus (V)

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

Over the past week, I’ve assembled a long list of films that I thought might be appropriate choices for reflecting on Trump’s presidential campaign, and what I still can’t see as anything but the dystopian nightmare of an actual Trump administration. The themes … Continue reading →

Posted in Film analysis, Lists, Neoliberalism, politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Trump Media: A Film Studies Syllabus (IV)

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

Throughout the Trump campaign, I’ve had endless arguments with other white people over the degree of racism in Trump’s campaign. It seemed completely obvious to me that the phrase “Make America Great Again!” was primarily a direct appeal to white supremacy. But I have encountered responses … Continue reading →

Posted in Film analysis, Lists, Neoliberalism, politics, Trump | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Book talk: “Platform Capitalism” by Nick Srnicek

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

For some years now, I’ve been a degenerate addict of social media. Hardly an hour goes by on an average day without checking my Twitter and Facebook feeds repeatedly. And as soon as some idea strikes me, I must confess that my … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Neoliberalism, politics, Trump | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Trump Media: A Film Studies Syllabus (III)

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

In the previous two sections of this provisional Trump-era film studies syllabus, I have grouped together films that examine two key thematic aspects of Donald Trump as a political phenomenon: first, how populism has been expressed and critiqued through Hollywood film; and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film analysis, Lists, Neoliberalism, politics, Superhero stuff, Trump | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Trump Media: A Film Studies Syllabus (II)

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

As the second thematic section of my work-in-progress post-election film studies syllabus, I have selected a few films that engage with the ongoing commercialization of media. Already a huge problem for the democratic process in all capitalist countries, the growing involvement of capital in … Continue reading →

Posted in Film analysis, Neoliberalism, politics, Superhero stuff, Television, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Trump Media: A Film Studies Syllabus (I)

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Dan Hassler-Forest

Struggling as I’ve been in these first few days after Trump’s election to do something –anything!– constructive, I started seeking out films that I felt might offer some insight, inspiration, or critical reflection of a world that has suddenly gone from … Continue reading →

Posted in Film analysis, Lists, Neoliberalism, politics, Trump | Tagged , , | 4 Comments