Bird Box (2018)

This week on The Spectator Film Podcast…

Bird Box (2018) 1.11.19
Featuring: Austin, Maxx

Commentary begins at 14:55

— Notes —

• The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms & Literary Theory by J. A. Cuddon — This book’s a very helpful resource for grappling with the otherwise challenging or inscrutable terminology frequently encountered in academic writing. I’m linking to the 5th Edition, which also credits M. A. R. Habib, although I used to 4th Edition for the definition of diachronic/synchronic I’m including below:

  • “A term coined c. 1913 by Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913). A diachronic approach to the study of language (or languages) involves an examination of its origins, development, history and change. In contrast, the synchronic approach entails the study of a linguistic system in a particular state, without reference to time. The importance of a synchronic approach to an understanding of language lies in the fact that for Saussure each sign has not properties other than the specific relational ones which define it within its own synchronic system.”

• “What Netflix didn’t tell you about the ‘viral’ Bird Box Challenge” by Sarah Manavis on New Statesman America
• “The Bird Box Effect: How Memes Drive Users to Netflix” by Alyssa Bereznak on The Ringer
• “How Netflix engineered Bird Box to be a viral triumph” by Sanjana Varghese on Wired
• “‘Bird Box,’ Reviewed: An Apocalypse Built for Netflix” by Richard Brody for The New Yorker
• “Bird Box review” by Amy Nicholson for The Guardian