Essaying the pop culture that matters since 1999

Donald Collins

Donald Collins is a writer and trans advocate based in LA. His work has appeared in Vice, Salon, PopMatters and more. www.donaldcollins.me/writing

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’: Queer Acceptance at the Edge of Oblivion

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‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’: Queer Acceptance at the Edge of Oblivion

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Donald Collins / 13 May 2022

Balancing its serious side with silliness and sincerity, queer-positive Everything Everywhere All At Once speaks to a communal determination to press forward, even when it seems the whole world is pressing back.

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What ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Taught Me About Unlearning Toxic Masculinity

By

Donald Collins / 10 July 2020

When I first came out as trans, I desperately wanted acceptance and validation into the "male gender", and espoused negative beliefs toward my femininity. Avatar: The Last Airbender helped me transcend that.

I Can Do Zat!: Anton Yelchin’s ‘Star Trek’ Legacy

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I Can Do Zat!: Anton Yelchin’s ‘Star Trek’ Legacy

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Donald Collins / 25 October 2016

Remember how Yelchin wrestled with vampires, neo-Nazis, pirates, and adultery to earn his place as Chekov aboard the USS Enterprise?

‘Traveling the Stars, Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient Aliens’ – Season 1

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‘Traveling the Stars, Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient Aliens’ – Season 1

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Donald Collins / 12 October 2016

Pot, snacks, rapper Action Bronson, and the series Ancient Aliens is a surprisingly winning and entertaining formula.

“What’s Wrong With You?” Girlhood, Genre, and ‘Stranger Things’

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“What’s Wrong With You?” Girlhood, Genre, and ‘Stranger Things’

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Donald Collins / 6 September 2016

Stranger Things is part of a long cinematic tradition of boyhood, including steamrolling more nuanced portrayals of girlhood.

‘Fright Night’ Revisited: The Dubious Pleasures of the Vampiric Remake

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‘Fright Night’ Revisited: The Dubious Pleasures of the Vampiric Remake

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Donald Collins / 26 July 2016

The original Fright Night is a cult classic of the '80s horror genre; the remake features a classic Anton Yelchin performance.

Love in the Time of Reboots: My 2017 ‘Twin Peaks’ Dysfunction

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Love in the Time of Reboots: My 2017 ‘Twin Peaks’ Dysfunction

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Donald Collins / 22 June 2016

Despite the specter of disappointment, it's hard not to get excited over the potential of Twin Peaks' reboot.