Tag: Animation

The Legacy of Stephen Hillenburg

Dorrie Sacks1 Comment

I heard the news on my way to work last week. I was on the train, mindlessly scrolling through Twitter as usual, when I saw that Nickelodeon had posted something much less cheerful than their usual real-time content. It read: “We are sad to hear of the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work.” The tweet was surrounded by yellow heart emojis. Next thing I knew, I was forcing back tears on the MTA, trying not to look like a complete basket case.

I certainly wasn’t the only person who felt this emotional upon hearing the news. Dozens upon dozens of tweets, posts and articles were being shared by the minute about the passing of the Nickelodeon veteran, from television networks and fans alike. Every single one of these posts seemed to have something in common – They were all honoring the legacy that Hillenburg had created in his simple little slice of life show about a talking yellow sea sponge who flips burgers and loves life.Read More »

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 »

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

Dorrie SacksLeave a comment

*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.

Read More »