Film and Pen

Social Commentary

3 articles

A shadowy figure peers from a window of a suburban house at dusk, embodying the unsettling nature of a nosy neighbor in 'American Dollhouse'.
Film & TV

American Dollhouse's Nosy Neighbor Embodies Modern Anxieties

In John Valley's 'American Dollhouse', the villain Sandy isn't just a nosy neighbor; she's described as a manifestation of the panopticon and the terror of polite society itself, according to...

Julian Mercer·June 24, 2026
Aziziam by E R Anderson and the Future World Behind the Series
Books

Aziziam by E R Anderson and the Future World Behind the Series

Dystopian science fiction offers readers more than just an escape; it provides a lens through which to examine our own world, exploring potential futures shaped by technology, society, and human nature. For enthusiasts o…

Sponsored·June 15, 2026
A diverse group of students and teachers working together collaboratively in a bright, engaging classroom environment, emphasizing community over individual heroism.
Film & TV

Portrayals of teachers in 2026 film and television get the 'hero' narrative wrong.

In 2026, the Sundance Film Festival will feature 'Jane Elliott Against the World', a documentary about the educator whose 1968 'Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes' exercise exposed the raw mechanics of prejudice, a

Julian Mercer·May 2, 2026