(Life Through the Lens - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

“Why greatness? Isn’t goodness enough?”

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Here is a wild question: is it better to be good or great?

In pursuit of something truly great, is it OK to stretch (or abandon) goodness? In a world full of faded glory and rotted greatness, is it enough to simply strive toward goodness? Questions like these make me wish I was a kid again where the only questions that mattered were: “What’s in this casserole?” “Can Batman come to my birthday party?” and “What would happen if I jumped out the window (asked from every car, building, and airplane that sports a window)?” Some questions simply carry the weight of the world.

Let me pitch the question like this: say you were a knight in King Arthur’s service. Surrounded by the prestige and accomplishments of other knights, your only claim to fame is you are related to the throne. Although you long to prove your worth, still you only spectate the spectacular. How long will “my mom’s the king’s sister” be enough to get you through the door? Relation is not ample reward … the trophy you seek may only be gained through trial.

Finally one presents itself in the form of a challenge. A mysterious person-figure rides into the king’s hall and presents a game (of sorts): any knight brave enough may step forward and fight. Here. Now. Oh, and there is a catch: any wound inflicted will be returned in a year’s time. That sounds like a fight most would undertake, especially in the king’s presence … and yet no one accepts initially. It might have to do with the fact that the mysterious figure is a green giant made of wood and shrouded in magic. That would give me cause to check and prune my fingernails for-sure!

Well, say you threw your hat in the ring, decapitated the oddly passive plantlike-pioneer, and was instantly showered with praise! We are talking parades and so much daily pomp you have to start taking an afternoon nap!

A year goes by, and your time has come. If you do the valorous thing, you will ride to the Green Chapel and there be beheaded … it is only fair. Or you can appear to ride to the Green Chapel, kill a few days in the mountains, and return a grander hero than before. Your legend will grow as you defy death a second time. Heck, you may even be crowned king when Arthur kicks the 6th century pail. All that worship and command is but a lie away. Goodness or greatness?

Did that scenario help? No? Tough crowd … how about this one: say you were a comic. A female comic. You started your journey back when it was a man’s world in comedy, unwelcoming and unsafe. Instead of retreating, though, you just spoke louder and worked harder. You forged a path where there was none, clearing dense jungle for others to follow. After decades of relentless hard work, you earned your title as Queen of Comedy.

Your one-woman Vegas show is the most successful show in the history of the town. Your merchandising is consistent and lucrative. Your calendar is full. Your house is titanic. Your collections are endless. You are, for lack of a better word, “great.”

To those closest to you, you aren’t so great, though. You might be described as “sadistic,” “heartless,” “egocentric,” “callous,” maybe even downright “mean.” But hey, those are the traits that led to your greatness …

As your career enters its twilight years, the easy thing to do would be to ride that greatness into the sunset. Just milk it until the universe’s udders are dry. But then this nagging voice enters your cynical brain: is surviving and succeeding enough? Is “she was a great comic” an epitaph worth your years on earth? What of the new generation of young women out there struggling through abuse and aggression … what of the countless wrongs swept under the rug for so long … is it enough to just make-it-through? Would it be worth sacrificing it all to give a voice to the voiceless, to ditch the easy-funny for the harsh-truth? To trade “great” for “good”?

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I love me an artsy film more than most. Director/writer David Lowery seems almost unconcerned with narrative; his story slogs its way through a fairly simple plot. Instead, he places all his importance on ethereal-ambiance and unconventional-aesthetics. While his focuses are refreshing in some ways, they left me feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled in the end. From plot holes to foxy sidekicks, random runs rampant.

I felt the movie’s performances were forgettable. Dev Patel’s Gawain was empty of emotion and purpose; he didn’t draw the audience in or ask much in return. Alicia Vikander was fine as Essel/The Lady but left very little impression. Joel Edgerton was passable as The Lord. I felt the only performance that left a mark was Barry Keoghan as Scavenger – he is a budding master at discomfort.

The film’s standout star is Andrew Droz Palermo as cinematographer. His avant-garde eye is truly something to behold. It doesn’t always please, but it always pleads. It is raw but beautiful.

The Green Knight can be seen in theaters now.

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REPORT CARD: The Green Knight.

Grade: C.

Comment: Original but out-of-reach

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Hacks is “TV” (whatever that means anymore) at its best! HBO gave writers/creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky the perfect amount of freedom and trust. It is an unflinching exploration that proves unafraid to “go there” … especially when “there” is a place of painful-purpose and cathartic-comedy. I respect so much of where this show goes, as well as where it is coming from.

Jean Smart is fearless as Deborah Vance. She is strong yet tender, unapproachable yet human. Her comedic timing is impeccable, as well – truly wonderful! This feels like a character lived in and understood. Bring on the Emmy!

Hannah Einbinder is extremely impressive as Ava, Deborah’s new (and obstinate) writing partner; she shows grace and power throughout. Kaitlin Olson is hilarious as Deborah’s daughter DJ. Each of the show’s performances fills the screen!

Hacks is a show that clicks on all cylinders: from writing, to acting, to production, to directing. The entire first season can be streamed right now through HBO Max.

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REPORT CARD: Hacks.

Grade: A+

Comment: As enjoyable as it is enlightening