Throughout the course of my three year academic journey, the life and works of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche have been a continuous subject of study and interpretation. His influence goes beyond just philosophy, reaching the limits of mainstream popular culture much in the same lines of fascination and admiration of historical…

James Joyce is considered one of the most innovative writers in history in large part due to his dense and carefully crafted masterpiece Ulysses. Despite publishing only six major works during his lifetime — a play, a poetry collection, and four novels, Joyce managed to uncover and collect through fiction…

It’s that time of the year again, the one where every writer comes up with a “best of” list on whatever niche they’re known for, all in a veiled attempt to cater to popular demand. Nothing inherently wrong with the idea itself, only with the way it’s being used. “Best…

The prolific rock critic continues to attract interest as one of the best hidden gems of pop culture. — What does Lester Bangs mean to me? I’m not entirely sure that’s the right question to go about asking. It’s subjective as shit and personal to the core, the supposed biggest sins an essay can ever commit. Years of rigorous academic research have told us so, entire PhDs on the…

Some small thoughts on the early works of one of cinema’s most celebrated auteurs and the movement surrounding his films. — I’ve been slowly getting acquainted with the works of Wim Wenders over the past few weeks. Needless to say, they have left me in a state of contemplative bliss. These god-damned Germans with all their introspective nonsense, they always have something to say. Somehow they managed to find the perfect…

An intense journey into the heart of cinema, I think. — Call it impulsive, call it silly, call it whatever name you want, but there is nothing else I rather do for the rest of my life other than watch as many movies as it’s conceivably possible. Every single aspect about the medium, from the editing to the lighting, framing, acting…

May the best team win in what promises to be a spectacular NFL season — It’s that time of the year again, the time where things become magical with the touch of a button, and all your worries are gone through the magnificent display of high-octane football. For many people football is Shambhala, the perfect venue for which to drown their sorrows and kick back…

Author Thomas Pynchon finds a way to create a book with absolute meaning and no meaning at all. — Two months into my Thomas Pynchon iceberg has finally led me to The Crying of Lot 49. Arguably his most famous book, Pynchon was three years fresh off his debut novel V. when it was published. With little known about his modus operandi, we are left to assume he wanted…

The 80s’ classic stands the test of time as the perfect time capsule of a weird era in American history. — I’ve avoided this film for almost two decades. No matter how much I’ve read or seen the numerous cultural references about it, I couldn’t bring myself to watch it. Aside from the complete lack of direct interest, I was never that big of an 80s flick guy, preferring instead the…