Author Archives: Tom Cooper

Media Animals Who Matter

When I was a child, like many of my peers I enjoyed TV programs about animals such as Lassie, Mr. Ed, and Rin Tin Tin. As I grew older I took note of the endless parade of other animal stars from Flipper and Cheetah to the animated celebrities like Bambi, Mickey Mouse, and Nemo. InterspersedContinue Reading

The Inspiration List

The Inspiration List Almost all professional media critics and pundits put out a top 10 or top 100 list of the best films, TV programs, albums, websites, or books of the year. I note that many people question these lists, especially since some choices may seem highly subjective. Indeed many lists have been controversial sinceContinue Reading

RADIO THAT MATTERS

asn’t it the great writer, Max Beerbohm, who said, “radio is like a friend in one’s room?” If you’ve ever been in your room alone or despondent and then your favorite song was aired or a familiar radio host said something upbeat, you may recall the “instant friendship” which lit up your otherwise dreary day.Continue Reading

Media at Fault? Or Default?

In recent years one has heard the media blamed for everything from excessive violence, foul language and sex available to children and to the ruining of elections, reputations, and the truth itself. But is the media at fault? Or is it rather the default state of human beings to dig for dirt, amplify gossip andContinue Reading

EMILY DICKENSON AND THE POETRY OF THE SPHERES

Emily Dickenson enthusiasts have long awaited the recently released movie, A Quite Passion, the 2017 biopic by Terence Davies. Unlike most feature film-making, “Passion” is unafraid to be somber, static and stiff in an attempt to capture the sedentary rhythms of nineteenth century western Massachusetts where Dickinson grew up and old. For those craving aContinue Reading