Many liberals know that Elon Musk has taken such a bizarre stance against transgender people, that he makes J. K. Rowling look like an ally. Most recently, he banned the word “cisgender” from Twitter, and called it a slur. This is yet another sad day for Twitter, and a true sign of how far it’s…
Episode 95–The Future of the Past
Alabama Liberal looks at History, and how fluid it truly is in this wide-ranging episode that discusses the roots of conservative backlash towards homosexuality, why “Free Speech” conservatives aren’t radically different from Chinese censors, why so much energy (and political capital) is devoted to the past instead of the future, Trump finally going where he…
No, the Republican Party is Not “the Party of the Working Class” Now
I have seen so many Republicans promoting this idea that the Democratic Party has lost touch with its working class roots, that they actually seem to believe it. [They also seem to believe everyone from JFK to Martin Luther King Jr. would be a Republican now, and that even FDR would somehow struggle to belong…
Reviewing, Grading, and Ranking the “Succession” Seasons From Worst to Best
I had planned to post this article right after the “Succession” series finale, but the bleak finale (combined with “Barry”‘s equally hopeless ending that aired right after it) was a little too harrowing to review immediately after it was over. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised that it ended in a depressing place (some of…
“Succession”‘s Apocalyptic Series Finale Made “Barry”‘s Look Upbeat, and Confirmed Kendall was Always Surrounded by Assholes
“Succession”‘s series finale was so bleak it made “Barry”‘s bruise-black finale (which aired right after it) look downright sunny in comparison. More than half of “Barry”‘s main cast was killed or wrongfully convicted for murder–with Hollywood even giving them the full villain treatment, which is probably worse than death for most of Barry’s limelight-obsessed characters–and…
Predictions for “Succession”‘s Series Finale
“Succession” is widely thought of as TV’s Best Drama (winning that very award the last two times it was up for it at the Emmys). There’s going to be a serious hole in quality to fill when it, “Barry,” and “Ted Lasso” all end over the next week. So let’s look at how it might…
Season Finale Reviews: “Schmigadoon,” “Lucky Hank,” “The Diplomat,” and “Rabbit Hole”
“Schmigadoon”…I loved the first season of what turned out to be one of the best TV series Apple+ had ever produced (no small thing on a platform rapidly becoming known for its high-quality), but was skeptical if it really needed a second season. It turns out that it probably didn’t, but the second season is…
All 2022 Movies Reviewed, Graded, and Ranked From Worst to Best
Note: More than ever, it would be truly impossible to watch all the movies that came out in a modern calendar year. I’ve seen well over two hundred 2022 movies, but there were still a dozen major ones I would’ve loved to have seen before finalizing this countdown–although, frankly, I doubt it would’ve made much…
TV Reviews: “You,” “Your Honor,” and “Mayor of Kingstown”
Although “You” remains the worst show I watch, it definitely had some competition with the completely unnecessary second season of “Your Honor.” Both had such lousy seasons, that it makes me question watching any more shows with variations of the word “you” in the title. “You”…Although I’m sure this isn’t actually the worst show on…
Actresses that Could Play Pauline Kael in Tarantino’s Final Film “The Movie Critic”
Rumors are flying that Quentin Tarantino’s final movie will be called “The Movie Critic,” and that it’s about Pauline Kael in the late-70’s, possibly about her experience going from movie critic to Paramount studio consultant (for a few months). None of this is confirmed, but if Quentin’s final movie really is about Pauline Kael (and…
Episode 94–Fame & Fascism
In this darkly thrilling episode Alabama Liberal explores loads of new topics like the links between fascism and fame, the lack of any meaningful difference between communism and fascism, why he thinks Ron DeSantis is the first conservative communist, the ridiculous hypocrisy of Will Smith’s celebrated Oscars slap during the “Time’s Up” era, showbiz nepotism…
“Groundhog Day” is the Best Romantic Comedy of All Time
On the (actual) 30th anniversary of “Groundhog Day,” Alabama Liberal talks about why it’s the rare romantic comedy that is actually funny and romantic. Also, why the movie’s unique character study and heady philosophical questions (is it actually a stealth Buddhist movie too?) make it not only one of the best movies of all time,…
All 2022 TV Shows Reviewed, Graded, and Ranked From Worst to Best
Note: It would actually be impossible to watch all of the scripted series that came out in 2022, but 100 shows is certainly nothing to sneeze at. I usually just do a movie countdown, but I figured I watched enough TV series to be close to complete for the year’s best shows (somehow I just…