Brian McMahon

Brian studied English and Psychology in the College. He wrote for the Voice's Leisure and Halftime sections, and is the former Executive Editor for Culture. He likes the Patriots a lot, but don't judge him.


Leisure

A Small Step for Man: Life Frightens Without Inspiring

In recent years, the moviegoing masses have been blessed with a varied and compelling assortment of space movies—the expansiveness of Interstellar, the claustrophobic survivalism of Gravity, the mere presence of... Read more

Halftime Leisure

Fear and Self-Loathing in Oxon Hill, MD

Casinos are magical places, unless you’re inside of one. Driving from Georgetown, the first glimpse of the MGM National Harbor you catch comes from I-295, a few miles out from... Read more

Leisure

Americana Dream: The Founder Details McDonald’s Cutthroat Origins

Pursuits of the American Dream — successful or otherwise — litter our nation’s films, but rarely does the success story make you cringe. With The Founder, director John Lee Hancock... Read more

Opinion

Fortune Cookie Wisdom: The Electoral College Dilutes Purple Votes

My family has an odd tradition when we eat Chinese food. Everyone finishes their food and grabs a fortune cookie, but before unlocking its secret, you have to wait for... Read more

Leisure

Best of 2016: Movies

1.) Zootopia Zootopia includes effective humor, impactful themes, and introduces a beautiful, immersive environment to boot. The film follows Judy Hopps’s move to the city of Zootopia where she attempts to... Read more

Leisure

In with the Old: Fantastic Beasts a Welcome Addition to Rowling’s Wizarding World

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a sort of prequel to the Harry Potter mega-franchise that is home to eight films that grossed a collective $7.7 billion, but... Read more

Leisure

Need Not Apply: Beatty’s Rules is Strange Fun

Billionaire Howard Hughes’ eccentricity was known to be legendary, stranger than fiction even, and capturing it on screen has led to mixed but mostly entertaining results. With the arrival of... Read more

Leisure

Doctor Strange Has Dimensionality

The trope of the arrogant, assholish genius is one familiar to both Benedict Cumberbatch and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both actor and movie empire have thrived because of the archetype,... Read more

Leisure

Necessary Evils: The Birth of a Nation Finds Beauty in Hate, Hope in Atrocities

Having been both coronated and condemned in the months preceding its release, The Birth of Nation arrives as one of the most complicated pieces of cinema in recent memory. Adored... Read more

Halftime Leisure

Case for the Classics: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Many factors combine to make Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory a unique delight: life-saving burping; an edible backyard accompanied by a timeless tune; Jack Albertson’s lovable Grandpa Joe; Roald... Read more