Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

8, 10 & 39 – Numerical titles cover a variety of sins over the years: A Year In Movies 2021 – Part 8

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. By Dec. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 8, 10 & 39 – Numerical titles cover a variety of sins over the years: A Year In Movies 2021 – Part 8

What is the DeSantis v. Disney battle really about?

Note: See bottom of post for updates on this story. It’s been hard to miss the recent battle going on between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s largest employer – Disney Corp.  Gov. DeSantis wants to take away tax … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on What is the DeSantis v. Disney battle really about?

Movies on Twitter: Representation, Nimona Rescued from Disney, & Respect for Animation

I know, I know, this is my third consecutive post on movies, and the next one is likely to be about movies, too. Little obsessed with them lately. We’ll get back to exciting media corporate mergers soon, I promise! Why … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Movies on Twitter: Representation, Nimona Rescued from Disney, & Respect for Animation

1952’s The Narrow Margin is a noir thrill ride: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 7

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. By Dec. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 1952’s The Narrow Margin is a noir thrill ride: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 7

1976’s King Kong to 2019’s Godzilla King of the Monsters: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 6

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. By Dec. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1976’s King Kong to 2019’s Godzilla King of the Monsters: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 6

What does the 1st Amendment and Freedom of Speech Really Mean?

The New York Times is getting a fair amount of static for the opening paragraph of their editorial about the First Amendment and free speech this morning. Here’s the headline and first two paragraphs: America Has a Free Speech Problem … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What does the 1st Amendment and Freedom of Speech Really Mean?

Media News on Twitter: Journalist killed in Ukraine, disinformation, Disney v. Employees on gay rights & TV news

American journalist/documentarian killed covering war in Ukraine Our Nieman Fellow Brent Renaud was gifted and kind, and his work was infused with humanity. He was killed today outside Kiev, and the world and journalism are lesser for it. We are … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Media News on Twitter: Journalist killed in Ukraine, disinformation, Disney v. Employees on gay rights & TV news

Old movies don’t always seem that old: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 5

In December of 2020, when it became clear we were not going to be returning to normal life any time soon, we purchased a big honking 55-inch 4K TV and settled in for a year of watching movies at home. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Old movies don’t always seem that old: A Year in Movies 2021 – Part 5

Guest Blog Post: Media framing the news out of Ukraine very differently than that from Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan

Yesterday morning while I was reading Twitter,  Dr. Rosemary Pennington, associate professor of journalism at Miami University of Ohio, had a great thread on how the news media have framed the story of what is happening in Ukraine so very … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Guest Blog Post: Media framing the news out of Ukraine very differently than that from Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan

Remembering Dr. Paul Farmer

Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard-educated doctor who devoted his life to serving the health needs of the poorest, most remote, and sickest of the world, died of an “acute cardiac event” earlier this week at a hospital in Rwanda he … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Remembering Dr. Paul Farmer