Month: September 2018

I See You, Bojack Horseman

Dorrie Sacks2 Comments

*SPOILERS FOR SEASON 5 OF BOJACK HORSEMAN – READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

Every time I begin a new season of Bojack Horseman, I can’t help but feel this knot in the pit of my stomach. Shakily clutching my Roku remote, I think to myself, “Will this be it? Will this be the season where the writers’ room completely falls apart, and turns this masterpiece into more soulless Hollywood schlock?” I only think this because: 1 – I’m a cynical 22 year old, and 2 – I can say, without a doubt, that this is my favorite show. Ever. Of all time. Every single episode manages to deliver both razor-sharp wit and gut-wrenching raw emotion that can make anyone, human or horse, star or civilian, look themselves in the mirror and ask, “Am I the best version of myself that I can be?” Thankfully, season 5 is on top of its game, and has given me so much to think about that I can’t seem to focus on anything else. Seriously. Ask my family and friends, they’ll tell you it’s all I talk about.Read More »

The End of the F***ing World and the Portrayal of Teenagers

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cw: mentions of rape, violence and suicide

*SPOILERS FOR THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD – READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

When I heard that the TV series, The End of the F***ing World, based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel of the same name, was getting renewed for a second season, I honestly had mixed feelings. In my opinion, the British Channel 4/Netflix black comedy concludes its first season right where it needs to after a span of eight 20-minute episodes. Sure, it could be argued that the finale ends on a cliffhanger, but I struggle to figure out what exactly they can do in season 2 that won’t feel like a total shift from the carefully grounded tone the show has built thus far. I do, however, remain hopeful that I’ll be pleasantly surprised, and that the team behind the show can create a narrative that is just as gripping as the first season’s.

I recently rewatched this series for the second time through, and I found myself really thinking about the title: The End of the F***ing World. It’s brutally honest, and so incredibly teenager. Nothing screams teen angst more than swear words and the intense feeling that everything is going to shit. That is what TEOTFW does best, though: portray teenagers honestly.Read More »

Bubblegum and Marceline: The Importance of a Well-Written Relationship

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*MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ADVENTURE TIME – READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

My salad days are long gone, but my love of cartoons never seems to wilt away.  Animation is a medium that continuously astounds me in the way that it grows and shifts as time goes on.  Cartoons are certainly not the same as they were 20 years ago. No longer are “children’s” cartoons short lessons of the week with some lowbrow slapstick humor (which, don’t get me wrong, I also love,) but instead creator-driven projects with ambitious plots, mature themes and complex character relationships.  It is wonderful that kids and adults alike can enjoy smart, creative shows like Steven Universe and Gravity Falls in today’s day and age.  This is a privilege that we owe to the show that started the trend all the way back in 2010: Pendelton Ward’s totally mathematical Adventure Time.

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Introductions!

Dorrie SacksLeave a comment

Hey, what’s up!  I figured it was about time I started one of these.  I’m not much of a talker in person, but give me the time and space to write, and I’ll be spewing out words like it’s nobody’s business.

I recently graduated from college (Ithaca ’18 pride) where I received a bachelor’s degree in screenwriting.  I’ve always been the type of person who turns to fiction in times of need because fiction has always been there when the going gets tough.  I love stories.  I use stories to tell others about myself: what makes me laugh, what makes me cry, and what issues are important to me.  I’m hoping that the stories I’ve created will make it to the big screen one day, so other’s will enjoy watching them as much as I enjoy writing them.

For now, I want to use this space to share my thoughts and feelings about the media that inspires me.  There will be pieces on films, television, video games, and of course – cartoons!

So please, read at your own leisure!  If you ever feel like chatting about the topics I blog about, feel free to comment!  I’m always happy to further the discussion.

Peace.