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
Review: "Avatar: Fire and Ash" is more of the same, but 'the same' is still spectacular
Come for the Tulkun, stay for Miles Quaritch's midlife crisis
www.jonathanlack.com
My review of AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH is now live at Fade to Lack.
The first James Cameron film you could ever accuse of being “more of the same,” but “the same” still means something pretty spectacular. Lots to love here.
www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-ava...
The first James Cameron film you could ever accuse of being “more of the same,” but “the same” still means something pretty spectacular. Lots to love here.
www.jonathanlack.com/p/review-ava...
Watching JAY KELLY with the family on Netflix. Good movie, but I’m constantly distracted by how bad Netflix’s streaming quality is. Noah Baumbach shot this with the great DP Linus Sandgren on 35mm, and their compression algorithm just chews the whole thing up. Grain becomes a swarm of clumpy noise.
December 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Watching JAY KELLY with the family on Netflix. Good movie, but I’m constantly distracted by how bad Netflix’s streaming quality is. Noah Baumbach shot this with the great DP Linus Sandgren on 35mm, and their compression algorithm just chews the whole thing up. Grain becomes a swarm of clumpy noise.
“Restart the world’s idea machine.”
What the fuck does this even mean? When people say there are “no new ideas” anymore, they usually mean something like Hollywood endlessly regurgitating IP. How would AI - which literally just regurgitates existing ideas - possibly *help* with that?
What the fuck does this even mean? When people say there are “no new ideas” anymore, they usually mean something like Hollywood endlessly regurgitating IP. How would AI - which literally just regurgitates existing ideas - possibly *help* with that?
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“Restart the world’s idea machine.”
What the fuck does this even mean? When people say there are “no new ideas” anymore, they usually mean something like Hollywood endlessly regurgitating IP. How would AI - which literally just regurgitates existing ideas - possibly *help* with that?
What the fuck does this even mean? When people say there are “no new ideas” anymore, they usually mean something like Hollywood endlessly regurgitating IP. How would AI - which literally just regurgitates existing ideas - possibly *help* with that?
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I want to watch someone run over these guys. Real slow. ICE is a cauldron of psychopaths, hopped up on white nationalism, and the entire agency has to cut off like a diseased limb. There is no reforming this shit.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
ICE detain father shopping on Christmas Eve—then steal his family's groceries.
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
December 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I want to watch someone run over these guys. Real slow. ICE is a cauldron of psychopaths, hopped up on white nationalism, and the entire agency has to cut off like a diseased limb. There is no reforming this shit.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I mean, if they did, they would.
Another tell: AI “writers” don’t like writing. AI “artists” don’t like making art.
This is a really good point that I had not run into before: these "creators" have no further insight into their alleged creation than the average audience member and that is why it cannot be called art (besides all the other obvious reasons).
December 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I mean, if they did, they would.
People who try to shill AI on the backs of the disabled are lower-than-low trash humans exploiting people who never asked for this bullshit to make a quick buck. It is so profoundly insulting to the disabled to assume they need the plagiarism machine to make stuff. I find it deeply offensive.
Ive been blocked by some pro-gAI academics on here who think Im "ableist" for refusing to allow gAI in my classrooms, but the thing is I do fundamentally believe that we make a moral statement when we decide to teach students that they must rely on this kind of theft to read, write and think.
This is a great example of how genAI steals from us all on multiple levels. It's stolen a promotional spot for real books and authors, it's stolen a job from an actual journalist who could have compiled this, it's stolen an opportunity for parents to be recommended good NZ books for their kids
December 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
People who try to shill AI on the backs of the disabled are lower-than-low trash humans exploiting people who never asked for this bullshit to make a quick buck. It is so profoundly insulting to the disabled to assume they need the plagiarism machine to make stuff. I find it deeply offensive.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Goddammit… Marty has me teary on Christmas.
December 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Goddammit… Marty has me teary on Christmas.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Legitimately might be the best season-ending line in American TV since “We have to go back!” on Lost nearly 20 years ago. Hell of a mic drop to end the season on.
Pluribus finale: great final line of a season, or greatest final line of a season?
December 24, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Legitimately might be the best season-ending line in American TV since “We have to go back!” on Lost nearly 20 years ago. Hell of a mic drop to end the season on.
PLURIBUS finale absolutely ruled. The exact kind of season ender Gilligan and company do so well: not necessarily closing *plot* threads, but focusing character and theme in a way that puts everything we’ve seen so far into context, and gives clear next steps for the future. Fantastic.
December 24, 2025 at 3:37 AM
PLURIBUS finale absolutely ruled. The exact kind of season ender Gilligan and company do so well: not necessarily closing *plot* threads, but focusing character and theme in a way that puts everything we’ve seen so far into context, and gives clear next steps for the future. Fantastic.
I did pick this up yesterday while it was on the price error sale, b/c at a price that low I’m willing to give the game another shot. And it’s one I’ve wanted to see on Switch 2 anyway b/c these crazy console ports really fascinate me.
CD Projekt Red is honoring the Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition US eShop price error for those who purchased the game yesterday at $17.49
The price is now $39.99 at the correct discount (42% off) www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
The price is now $39.99 at the correct discount (42% off) www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
December 23, 2025 at 11:34 PM
I did pick this up yesterday while it was on the price error sale, b/c at a price that low I’m willing to give the game another shot. And it’s one I’ve wanted to see on Switch 2 anyway b/c these crazy console ports really fascinate me.
We are in a phase of absurd student entitlement at Universities. They think they don’t have to do assignments, don’t have to come to class, can cheat with AI, etc.
And it’s becoming epidemic because admins and politicians are allowing them to do so, and clawing back rights of instructors.
And it’s becoming epidemic because admins and politicians are allowing them to do so, and clawing back rights of instructors.
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
We are in a phase of absurd student entitlement at Universities. They think they don’t have to do assignments, don’t have to come to class, can cheat with AI, etc.
And it’s becoming epidemic because admins and politicians are allowing them to do so, and clawing back rights of instructors.
And it’s becoming epidemic because admins and politicians are allowing them to do so, and clawing back rights of instructors.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
literally fuck anyone who doesn’t see at this point that it’s an organized nationwide effort to make trans people unemployable.
every trans person they push out of public life is a win for them & a whole hell of a lot of cis people need to start stepping up and saying fuck off to freaks like this.
every trans person they push out of public life is a win for them & a whole hell of a lot of cis people need to start stepping up and saying fuck off to freaks like this.
December 23, 2025 at 1:50 AM
literally fuck anyone who doesn’t see at this point that it’s an organized nationwide effort to make trans people unemployable.
every trans person they push out of public life is a win for them & a whole hell of a lot of cis people need to start stepping up and saying fuck off to freaks like this.
every trans person they push out of public life is a win for them & a whole hell of a lot of cis people need to start stepping up and saying fuck off to freaks like this.
What the fuck are these morons talking about? They’re treating DOOMSDAY like it’s a big legacy sequel to a bygone era, when ENDGAME was only 6 years ago. This is a direct sequel that stars everyone from the last movie. The strategy of treating it like distant nostalgia is BAFFLING.
The Russo Brothers break silence on Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’
“The character that changed our lives. The story that brought us all here together. It was always going to come back to this.”
“The character that changed our lives. The story that brought us all here together. It was always going to come back to this.”
December 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
What the fuck are these morons talking about? They’re treating DOOMSDAY like it’s a big legacy sequel to a bygone era, when ENDGAME was only 6 years ago. This is a direct sequel that stars everyone from the last movie. The strategy of treating it like distant nostalgia is BAFFLING.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
See how white men get chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance—
But Nia DaCosta? Chloé Zhao? Chinaka Hodge? Leslye Headland?
But Nia DaCosta? Chloé Zhao? Chinaka Hodge? Leslye Headland?
The Russo Brothers break silence on Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’
“The character that changed our lives. The story that brought us all here together. It was always going to come back to this.”
“The character that changed our lives. The story that brought us all here together. It was always going to come back to this.”
December 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
See how white men get chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance—
But Nia DaCosta? Chloé Zhao? Chinaka Hodge? Leslye Headland?
But Nia DaCosta? Chloé Zhao? Chinaka Hodge? Leslye Headland?
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
okay but seriously, from Ben Shapiro to Hitler why are so many fascists people who want to be in the arts but are utterly incompetent at it and make that everyone else's problem
a) this is pathetic regime shit from CBS.
b) this is genuinely his dream, he would so much rather be a TV host than president.
b) this is genuinely his dream, he would so much rather be a TV host than president.
December 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
okay but seriously, from Ben Shapiro to Hitler why are so many fascists people who want to be in the arts but are utterly incompetent at it and make that everyone else's problem
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Christmas fucking miracle right here
NEW: By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court blocks Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to assist immigration agents. A majority holds that he likely lacks authority to do so. Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissent. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
![The Government asked this Court to stay the District Court's order. After the response and reply were filed, JUSTICE BARRETT referred the application to the Court. We directed the parties to file supplemental letter briefs on an issue that the District Court had addressed but the parties' initial briefs had not: the meaning of the term "regular forces" in §12406(3). In its supplemental brief, the Government argues that the term refers to civilian law enforcement officers, such as those employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Federal Protective Service.
Respondents, echoing the District Court, maintain that the term refers to the regular forces of the United States mili-tary.
We conclude that the term "regular forces" in §12406(3) likely refers to the regular forces of the United States mili-tary. This interpretation means that to call the Guard into active federal service under §12406(3), the President must be "unable" with the regular military "to execute the laws of the United States." Because the statute requires an assessment of the military's ability to execute the laws, it likely applies only where the military could legally execute the laws. Such circumstances are exceptional: Under the Posse Comitatus Act, the military is prohibited from "execut[ing] the laws" "except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress."
18 U. S. C. §1385. So before the President can federalize the Guard under §12406(3), he likely must have statutory or constitutional authority to execute the laws with the regular military and must be "unable" with those forces to perform that function.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h7b2i6ttw3l4t7pvbvxdith/bafkreiftbhzwvn3vgwhqsi7k2paizvdw4t26ailljvovso3chqupnmj364@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Christmas fucking miracle right here
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
“lol can you even remember the characters’ names in avatar” okay but if you watch it you’ll get to see the characters pray to God and then God sending them a bunch of squids that pop out of the water and snap whalers’ necks while inspirational music plays
December 23, 2025 at 5:13 AM
“lol can you even remember the characters’ names in avatar” okay but if you watch it you’ll get to see the characters pray to God and then God sending them a bunch of squids that pop out of the water and snap whalers’ necks while inspirational music plays
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Avatar discussion online is so boring because every “lol no cultural impact” joke will never be as funny as actually watching the movies and seeing the cat boy teen almost killing himself with an AR because he’s upset about the verdict from whale court and his dad told him “the wrong kid died”
December 23, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Avatar discussion online is so boring because every “lol no cultural impact” joke will never be as funny as actually watching the movies and seeing the cat boy teen almost killing himself with an AR because he’s upset about the verdict from whale court and his dad told him “the wrong kid died”
2 screenings now, one more crowded than the other, both so quiet you could hear the shrugging.
Marvel is so completely fucked, it’s hilarious.
Marvel is so completely fucked, it’s hilarious.
I gotta confirm everyone else’s reports and say that I was in a sold out theater full of people of all ages, from young kids to 20 year olds to senior citizens, and the “Steve Rogers will return in Avengers Doomsday” trailer was met with complete silence and an overwhelming aura of disinterest
December 23, 2025 at 6:15 AM
2 screenings now, one more crowded than the other, both so quiet you could hear the shrugging.
Marvel is so completely fucked, it’s hilarious.
Marvel is so completely fucked, it’s hilarious.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I think it’s pretty likely Bari Weiss quits far sooner than anyone expects because if there’s anything we learned from her tenure at the New York Times it’s that this lady hates working, absolutely despises it, and she probably had to send like four emails today
December 22, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I think it’s pretty likely Bari Weiss quits far sooner than anyone expects because if there’s anything we learned from her tenure at the New York Times it’s that this lady hates working, absolutely despises it, and she probably had to send like four emails today
I wish people would educate themselves just a tiny bit about frame rates before saying stuff like AVATAR looks 'motion smoothed.' 24fps is not some divinely-ordained rule we can never change, and there's a *world* of difference between your TV's motion interpolation and *producing* a film at 48fps.
December 22, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I wish people would educate themselves just a tiny bit about frame rates before saying stuff like AVATAR looks 'motion smoothed.' 24fps is not some divinely-ordained rule we can never change, and there's a *world* of difference between your TV's motion interpolation and *producing* a film at 48fps.
It’s just impossible to express how deeply evil you’d have to be to watch this deeply reported, entirely fair story of inhuman abuses of power and determine it has to be hid from the public.
But we already knew Bari Weiss is a profoundly evil person from her Gaza coverage, didn’t we?
But we already knew Bari Weiss is a profoundly evil person from her Gaza coverage, didn’t we?
I just uploaded @jasonparis.bsky.social 's recording of the segment CBS News pulled from "60 Minutes" to YouTube:
WATCH: Segment CBS News Pulled From "60 Minutes"
YouTube video by Phil Lewis
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
It’s just impossible to express how deeply evil you’d have to be to watch this deeply reported, entirely fair story of inhuman abuses of power and determine it has to be hid from the public.
But we already knew Bari Weiss is a profoundly evil person from her Gaza coverage, didn’t we?
But we already knew Bari Weiss is a profoundly evil person from her Gaza coverage, didn’t we?
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I will quit my job and work for any candidate who promises to put the leadership of this administration in the same overseas gulag they've been shipping people to
April 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I will quit my job and work for any candidate who promises to put the leadership of this administration in the same overseas gulag they've been shipping people to
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I just uploaded @jasonparis.bsky.social 's recording of the segment CBS News pulled from "60 Minutes" to YouTube:
WATCH: Segment CBS News Pulled From "60 Minutes"
YouTube video by Phil Lewis
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I just uploaded @jasonparis.bsky.social 's recording of the segment CBS News pulled from "60 Minutes" to YouTube: