Cultural Default

Napoleon may have said that "History is a set of lies, agreed upon". That easily may also apply to civilization as a whole. This video explores the stories -- the "lies" that become "truths" as the basis of society. If this one is confusing, well, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

There's a new film on Netflix starring Adam Sandler called Spaceman. It's about a lonely man in space. There's also a giant empathetic alien spider and some severe marital problems. So... here's a review of that.

To this day, the identity of Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, is a completely unsolved and – perhaps – unsolvable mystery. What’s more, this puzzle may be enormously consequential. I am pleased to have wrapped this video on a day when Bitcoin has soared to an all time high in US dollar valuation, so what could be better than to explore its origins?

To quote the great Count Dankula, in the business they call this "foreshadowing"... Or they might call it a big ol' hint for the next video to come.

A quick review of the film Saltburn, which came out very late in 2023 and is now available for streaming. It's salty, it's burny, it's a rich people journey. It's the Talented Mr. Ripley with most of the talent. Too bad I thought of that joke now instead of when I recorded for this video, but hey, who's reading the description anyhow?

A list of 24 things one is supposed to think to navigate the year of 2024. I'm absolutely sure not everyone will agree, nor like what I've included... but the point is not that any one of these is correct. Questioning official narratives or stances.... should be worth doing. Should be-- meaning, there is a cost/benefit ratio. Do you think we have it right....?

This video explores the fictional characters that Elon Musk has fully embodied... in real life. Elon is considered particularly "controversial" since he bought Twitter, and while he's always been a bit of a roguish scoundrel who plays by his own rules, it's interesting to see how his reputation has shifted with societal elites. That said, this is something to explore at another time-- for now, enjoy the comparison to imaginary characters that the billionaire resembles in our own world of reality.

This video is putting Santa's boot down on the longstanding argument... Is Die Hard... a Christmas Movie? The answer is yes. Obviously, yes. But what does that really mean? Let's explore. Strap in, and have a Merry Christmas! Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100270 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

What if Nicolas Cage replaced Godzilla... for some reason? What on earth would possess someone to ask that question, let alone make a video of it? I have no earthly notion of an idea why. Some sort of degenerative madness. I do know that I saw the trailer for Dream Scenario and Godzilla Minus One, both of which looked very good. And saw a few overlapping moments that seemed like they would be funny to roll with. To quote Frank Reynolds, I don't know how many years on this Earth I got left, I'm gonna get real weird with it. I went to go see Dream Scenario, because.... well, I was feeling down to see the man, the meme, the legend that is Nicolas Cage. It's good! Worth seeing... it's a quality A24 film. It's a contemplation on fame, and how notoriety can become an altogether different entity from the person to whom it is attached. It's got a bit of Horror, a lot of Comedy, some Drama. A bit of Charlie Kaufman in the style of Being John Malkovich or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, along with some... Inception? Anyhow, here is Nick Cage as the big lizard. Why not?

The first video in an exploration of The Jungle Book, beginning with some thoughts on Disney as a company at the end of 2023. I recommend a new mascot for them-- the vultures from the Jungle Book, pecking at the remains of what once was vibrant and alive. Also looking at the 1994 live action (actually), the 2016 live action (not actually, CGI) and the original book. If I ramble, well, I wrote this in pieces, which is how the original book is structured as well. Sometimes you get lost in the jungle, folks.

Rachel Zegler has gotten a lot of criticism stemming from her interviews after being cast as Snow White in yet another Disney remake. This is meant to be silly, having some fun at her expense before I soon dive deeper into a different Disney film I've been researching for a long discussion video.

Trick or Treat? You decide. I watched three movies for this Halloween and I do a short review on things that might be interesting about them, and find some connective threads. This year's crop: The Invisible Man (2020), Renfield (2023), and The Babadook (2014). Enjoy!

I met a traveler from an antique land who said: Watch this here video. It's about the cultural impact of the 1818 poem, Ozymandias, and some exploration as to why it's frequently been referenced. Think you don't know it? I bet you are more familiar than you think. Know it already? Then enjoy the refresher.

The miniseries "Midnight Mass" on Netflix gets some more analysis, this time diving deeper into spoilers.

This video is a musing on the cultural moment created by the Trump mugshot, which extends beyond politics and into new, strange territory. This is framed with the final scene of the film "Burn After Reading" in which characters are perplexed by how events unfolded.

A quick pull from a longer video on the Trump mugshot.

The breathtaking miniseries "Midnight Mass" on Netflix gets some analytical attention. Please, as much as I want you to watch my video, watch it first and then watch this. I've done my best to avoid bigger spoilers, but will likely get further into those in the next video.

A quick look at the film Oppenheimer, and the required tangential attention to the Barbie movie, because these films somehow became inseparable bedfellows when they released on the same weekend and became a smashing success. I'm not above using some Margot Robbie clickbait, now am I? Enjoy!

A very (very) quick video on the new Mission: Impossible film, Dead Reckoning - Part One. It's fun, it's impossible, Tom Cruise is over jumping on couches and has moved to jumping motorcycles off of cliffs.

The debate (or lack thereof) between RFK Jr and Peter Hotez brought to mind a fantastic King of the Hill episode, Trans-Fascism. This video explores the lessons and characters from that episode and how it may apply to this recent controversy. So... reactions are likely to vary.

A swift debate (or in this case, more of a contemplation) on whom revenge is really for, and if a time delay or immediate action better carries the spirit of the action.

A Scooby Gang of Feline Females Rocks the Kitty Casbah and Scoops Out Some Corporate Litter. Cat Puns, Meow. It's a quicker video about the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats, based on the spin-off from Archie Comics. Why this? Watch it. Why not? It's short. Do I need to dangle my keys and use the laser pointer?

Cultural Default continues an analysis of the Stanley Kubrick film "Eyes Wide Shut" and the strange thematic links to real-life events 20 years after the film was released.

Dust off the rust and take a quick look at the one true classic of the 90's Warner Bros. Feature Animation era.

Cultural Default begins an analysis of the Stanley Kubrick film "Eyes Wide Shut" and explores the surreal, dreamlike tone and its themes of passion and power. Kubrick himself is also discussed, as his fingerprints are all over his final product.