Category: Writing
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How subtitles enhance the viewer experience
In his 2020 Academy Awards speech, Director Bong Joon-ho said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Subtitles can be one of the most controversial topics on family movie nights. Whether it be frustration with sound mixing, being troubled by accents, a hearing…
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Social media mistakes brands should avoid
In today’s age, social media has become one of the more important parts of a brand’s overall strategy. The reach of a new generation requires a new form of engagement. However, having followers doesn’t mean your audience pays attention to what your brand is posting. Everyone in the world is fighting for eyes on their…
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Best thrill rides of 2021
During the course of 2021, I was lucky enough to visit 5 theme parks throughout the year, despite the pandemic: Universal Orlando (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure), Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom), Worlds of Fun, Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Here are my top…
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History of American Girl
Girls have played with dolls all over the world for thousands of years. The earliest type is the wooden paddle doll, found in Egyptian tombs dating back as early as the 21st century BC. However, one of the most prominent doll brands of today is not the wooden paddle, as much fun as that would…
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The competition of holiday advertising
The anticipation around the holiday season is both exciting and stressful, and as the prospect of holiday shopping slowly becomes a reality, no one reaches into these confused audience emotions like big brand advertisers. The list of companies that tap into the frenzy of feelings at the holidays seems endless: Aldi, John Lewis, TK Maxx,…
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The truth behind Etsy
Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and if you’re ordering from small businesses, that deadline creeps even closer. A Brooklyn-based online artisanal marketplace has become New York tech’s poster child within the past 15 years. From starting as a storefront for small sellers’ arts and crafts, the marketplace now has over a $27B valuation, and…
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Ranking the Gilmore Guys
After my obligatory Gilmore Girls rewatch, I, of course, have my thoughts on who Rory should end up with, who’s best for Lorelai and if Lane decided to marry the right guy. While the revival clears up some of these worries, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered as well. Here is my ranking of the 31…
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Is the 2013 film The Great Gatsby actually a good movie, or do we just think it is?
Just as F Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” shows the highs and lows of New York life in the 1920s, Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of the novel shows the highs and lows of modern Hollywood filmmaking. The premise of the film is roughly the same as the book. Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a self-made…
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Jughead Jones: The perfect man in teenage media culture?
When Sixteen Candles came out in 1984, the quintessential John Hughes film changed the face of movies and television in popular teenage culture. One year later, The Breakfast Club was released, taking stereotypes of high school and exposing complexities and contradictions within them. Much of John Hughes’ 1980s filmography did this, combining the issues of…
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Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary: What’s the big deal?
On October 1, 2021, Walt Disney World opened its gates to thousands before 5 am, Gift shops were madhouses, the Wi-Fi was often non-functional, the park ran out of FuelRods as guests tried to recharge their devices, and it took restaurants over an hour to get people their food. I wish I was there. Why?…
Madalynn Abele 