From time to time when I want something explained to me, I’ll resort to these places. Sometimes I find something I didn’t even know was a thing until they bring it to my attention, which is maybe the best feeling in the world. If you think of any other places where this happens to you, let me know and I’ll add it.
Pop Culture Detective. 20 min length, critiques of movie tropes like how Passengers could’ve been improved by changing PoV of narration and how creepy Rick Deckard’s romantic plot is in the original Bladerunner.
Every Frame a Painting. Video essays on themes from film, including critique of the Marvel Universe’s Music. Brother recommends Akira Kurosawa episode on movement.
TVtropes. An exhaustive repository for explaining tropes of modern pop culture and literature with links to examples in many different media.
Slate’s WatchSmarter. Video essays and quick explainers of the politics that shape the aesthetic of film, with lots of historical context.
Lessons from the Screenplay. Another recommendation from Brother, video essays.
