No Other Choice (2025)
No Other Choice is a new South Korean dark comedy that explores the pitfalls of capitalism and advancing technology, with a violent twist.
Last week, I actually made it out to a movie theater (!!) to see Park Chan-wook’s latest film, No Other Choice. Chan-wook also directed Oldboy (2003), which if you’re familiar, gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re in for: revenge and violence.
The story follows an award-winning paper plant employee who suddenly loses his job, essentially to advancing technology. Man-su, a husband and father of two, struggles to move on and find another job that allows him to maintain the idyllic life he’s created for his family, including reclaiming his childhood home.
It is a dark comedy (like American Psycho, for example) so it balances tragedy with comedy. Much like Patrick Bateman goes on a killing spree, Man-su also goes to great – and violent – lengths to not only get his job back, but to take out “the competition” along the way.
Needless to say, the themes definitely hit hard, as AI continues to lead to massive layoffs across sectors. Literally, this morning, Amazon announced 16,000 additional layoffs to “as part of broader tech restructuring,” affecting about 10% of its corporate workforce.
Dark Money Game: Ohio Confidential (2025)
If you’re like me and you’re relatively new to Ohio, you had a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the state’s history of political corruption. If you want a primer on one of the largest bribery scandals in Ohio, check out The Dark Money Game documentary on HBO. It’s only two episodes, and depending on your familiarity with campaign finance laws, you might be able to skip the second one.
In short, utility companies – such as FirstEnergy – spent roughly $60 million in 2018 to influence elections and install statehouse leadership that would result in a $1.3 billion bailout for the company. As a result, residents paid more than $500 million, and investigations are still ongoing. A bill to undo the subsidies for two 70-year-old coal plants, one of which is in Indiana, did not take effect until August 2025.
“We the People” by A Tribe Called Quest (2016)
Honestly, I just really love this song and don’t think it needs any further introduction. RIP Phife Dawg, who passed away right before this song was released in 2016.