Jonathan Lack
@jonathanlack.bsky.social
I'm critic, scholar, and podcaster Jonathan R. Lack, PhD. Follow my writing at https://www.jonathanlack.com. Links to podcasts and other socials at http://linktr.ee/jonathanrlack
Pinned
Jonathan Lack
@jonathanlack.bsky.social
· Sep 13
Review: "Demon Slayer" Returns to Theaters with "Infinity Castle Part I: Akaza Returns"
As always, ufotable works miracles
www.jonathanlack.com
My review of KIMETSU NO YAIBA: INFINITY CASTLE is live at Fade to Lack. If you're one of the uninitiated wondering about this 'DEMON SLAYER' thing breaking box-office records, I explain that, and why this film starts the final phase of the story with such aplomb
www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-dem...
www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-dem...
Genuinely don't get the cynicism people have for Toy Story 5. Every Toy Story movie is great. The writer/director for this one is Andrew Stanton, who co-created the series before making Finding Nemo and Wall-E. It is a blessed franchise. The John Wick of animation. Let them cook.
November 11, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Genuinely don't get the cynicism people have for Toy Story 5. Every Toy Story movie is great. The writer/director for this one is Andrew Stanton, who co-created the series before making Finding Nemo and Wall-E. It is a blessed franchise. The John Wick of animation. Let them cook.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Happy birthday Kamille Biden!!!!!!! To celebrate this fictional character’s birthday, here’s his introduction in Zeta Gundam where he punches a military dude after getting misgendered
November 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Happy birthday Kamille Biden!!!!!!! To celebrate this fictional character’s birthday, here’s his introduction in Zeta Gundam where he punches a military dude after getting misgendered
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Step 1 in the complicated process of rebooting/reintroducing James Bond to an audience that saw the last James Bond movie is having the new person playing James Bond introduce himself as, "Bond. James Bond," early in his first movie. There is no Step 2. From there, just make a good James Bond movie.
If you're having trouble sorting out the continuity of James Bond, that suggests to me that you do not understand the enduring appeal of James Bond. Continuity is not that franchise's strong suit. It's been soft rebooted repeatedly, and everyone understands. Dumb People Problems.
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Step 1 in the complicated process of rebooting/reintroducing James Bond to an audience that saw the last James Bond movie is having the new person playing James Bond introduce himself as, "Bond. James Bond," early in his first movie. There is no Step 2. From there, just make a good James Bond movie.
Interesting choice for the first $70 Pokemon game* to be this, of all things. At a glance it looks like a $30 title.
*(Yes, Legends ZA is $70 on Switch 2 but its base Switch 1 price is $60)
*(Yes, Legends ZA is $70 on Switch 2 but its base Switch 1 price is $60)
Pokémon Pokopia is $69.99 on US eShop (and a key card title) www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
November 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Interesting choice for the first $70 Pokemon game* to be this, of all things. At a glance it looks like a $30 title.
*(Yes, Legends ZA is $70 on Switch 2 but its base Switch 1 price is $60)
*(Yes, Legends ZA is $70 on Switch 2 but its base Switch 1 price is $60)
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
What the fuck are these people talking about? The Daniel Craig era was a hard reboot. It was very clear his Bond was not the Bond of 1962-2002. You can just have a new actor and a new continuity. Nobody will be confused. Not one single person. This is complete gibberish.
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
What the fuck are these people talking about? The Daniel Craig era was a hard reboot. It was very clear his Bond was not the Bond of 1962-2002. You can just have a new actor and a new continuity. Nobody will be confused. Not one single person. This is complete gibberish.
Just rolled credits on POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A, and the ending sequence is so good that it bumped the game up another notch in my estimation. A nice big loopy JRPG finale that brings in all the characters and makes cool, expressive use of the game mechanics. Some amazing imagery, too.
November 11, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Just rolled credits on POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A, and the ending sequence is so good that it bumped the game up another notch in my estimation. A nice big loopy JRPG finale that brings in all the characters and makes cool, expressive use of the game mechanics. Some amazing imagery, too.
One of the greatest actors of all time, and right next to Toshiro Mifune as the greatest and most significant star of Japanese cinema. The rare movie star who carried undeniable star power, but was also a total chameleon. Could be or do anything. “Legend” doesn’t do him justice. RIP.
RIP legendary Japanese actor Tatsuya Nakadai. Star of Kurosawa's Kagemusha, Ran, many other classics. He was 92. news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6558551
俳優・仲代達矢さん死去 92歳 - Yahoo!ニュース
映画「人間の条件」や黒沢明監督の「影武者」などに主演し、主宰する「無名塾」で後進を育てた俳優で文化勲章受章者の仲代達矢（なかだい・たつや、本名元久＝もとひさ）さんが死去したことが11日、分かった。9
news.yahoo.co.jp
November 11, 2025 at 3:49 AM
One of the greatest actors of all time, and right next to Toshiro Mifune as the greatest and most significant star of Japanese cinema. The rare movie star who carried undeniable star power, but was also a total chameleon. Could be or do anything. “Legend” doesn’t do him justice. RIP.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
God I want to see a million “Dems demanding new leadership” articles today, I want it to be a narrative Schumer can’t escape
Democrats are demanding new leadership after Schumer failed to stop a GOP-backed funding deal that doesn't guarantee continued health care subsidies. Progressives like Ro Khanna blasted him for giving in and warned premiums could soar as a result.
Democrats Call for New Leadership After Schumer Caves on “Terrible” GOP Deal
“If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing … what will you fight for?” said Ro Khanna.
truthout.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 PM
God I want to see a million “Dems demanding new leadership” articles today, I want it to be a narrative Schumer can’t escape
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Democrats Sick Of Being Blamed For Cowardice On Issues They Actually Just Don’t Care About
Democrats Sick Of Being Blamed For Cowardice On Issues They Actually Just Don’t Care About
WASHINGTON—Having thus far caved on eliminating the filibuster, advancing an adequate climate change agenda, and protecting voting rights, congressional Democrats told reporters Wednesday they were si...
theonion.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Democrats Sick Of Being Blamed For Cowardice On Issues They Actually Just Don’t Care About
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
i think ezra is basically on the money here
Opinion | What Were Democrats Thinking?
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
i think ezra is basically on the money here
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Everybody to Senate Dems today:
a man says i 'm the guy who does his job while standing next to another man
Alt: Mark Wahlberg in The Departed says "i'm the guy who does his job; you must be the other guy"
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Everybody to Senate Dems today:
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Do not help your opposition is politics 101. Do not help fascists who have turned government into a weapon against our people is human 101. So is, don't draw a line you claim represents your unwavering principles and hurl yourself across it.
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Do not help your opposition is politics 101. Do not help fascists who have turned government into a weapon against our people is human 101. So is, don't draw a line you claim represents your unwavering principles and hurl yourself across it.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Every federal worker who has been clocking in without pay, every protestor who showed up for No Kings, every voter who turned out for Dems Tuesday, every community member confronting SS ICE in our streets - all of us braver & better than these "leaders."
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Every federal worker who has been clocking in without pay, every protestor who showed up for No Kings, every voter who turned out for Dems Tuesday, every community member confronting SS ICE in our streets - all of us braver & better than these "leaders."
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
November 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Astonishing and unconscionable that there hasn’t been a revolt amongst Senate dems to replace their leadership. Even if purely out of narrow self-interest, why would you trust Schumer to lead your caucus to victory next year after this debacle?
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Astonishing and unconscionable that there hasn’t been a revolt amongst Senate dems to replace their leadership. Even if purely out of narrow self-interest, why would you trust Schumer to lead your caucus to victory next year after this debacle?
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Thank you New Jersey for picking this leader and allowing her to send a very clear message about what "real Americans" (TM) want.
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Thank you New Jersey for picking this leader and allowing her to send a very clear message about what "real Americans" (TM) want.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
This is a lovely sentiment but Schumer isn't up for re-election until 2028 and he knows this. At which point he will be 77/78. There's no mechanism to recall a sitting senator AFAIK.
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.