NYC is still on “PAUSE”, but I feel like I’m realigning myself with my greater goals and wants, which is a positive spin on this situation. I haven’t been outside much, except for a weekly walk and to the grocery store (trying to do once a week but keeps turning into once every 5 days because I’ve been running out of things at weird times) #doingmypart. I also love hearing all the applause and cheers every night at 7pm. It feels like it gets louder every night!
Socially, I’ve attended a few Netflix Parties, some live trivia, and some virtual birthday Happy Hours. I can’t wait to see y’all again! But for now, let’s keep it up.
I’ve also reconnected with a few people I haven’t spoken to in a while – some even years! So keep ’em coming, it’s always nice to get reacquainted!
A great quote I read during this time as I eased myself back into a writing mode: (On First Drafts) – “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so later I can build castles.” – Shannon Hale. I’m ready to build y’all some fantastic castles.
What I’m into:
Film lists: Mostly Sight & Sound Magazine’s top film list of the last few years.
Sight & Sound’s Top Films of 2017: (This one I’m closest to finishing)
Let the Sunshine In, dir. Claire Denis (2017). I wasn’t too keen on this, it kinda hit me weird – like this character was embodying an idea where there was only a black and white in relationships and no in-between.
mother!, dir. Darren Aronofsky (2017). I think the fact I went into this knowing that it was a Biblical Allegory definitely helped the like the film more. I think I would have eventually realized it, but I think the prior knowledge made the film seem less bonkers. So I enjoyed it: discuss.
Zama, dir. Lucrecia Martel (2017). I loved the period look of this, one of those where you could feel the textures on screen. I’m not familiar with the novel but it seems like it might be an interesting read.
All I have left are: Personal Shopper, Strong Island, Western, The Other Side of Hope, BPM, I Am Not Your Negro, and Loveless.
Sight & Sound’s Top Films of 2018:
The Other Side of the Wind, dir. Orson Welles (2018). Remember that time we all thought that Orson Welles would get a Posthumus Oscar Nomination? This film definitely has his style, that let’s-not-leave-a-beat-and-talk-over-each-other-because-we’re-smart-plus-I’m-smirking-to-show-I’m-cheeky thing that he does with his dialogue (ex. The Lady from Shanghai) combined with his more Avant-garde style he uses in F is for Fake.
Sight & Sound’s Top Films of 2019:
The Souvenir, dir. Joanna Hogg (2019). A pretty slow burn, but some great shots. (Her up those stairs in that dress!) The story seemed rather familiar: loving someone that’s not right for you and has a drug problem. The twist? You live in 1980s Sunderland, England and you’re a film student. While I’m not trying to diminish the director’s pain or experience, I didn’t love this as much as I had wanted to. But it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve such a high standing on this list. Film is subjective and people forget that a lot of the time. Is it a well-made, well-written film? Yes. Did I like it? Meh, what else ya got?
Quite a few left for 2018 & 2019, so I won’t list them.
I’ve noticed that some of Sight & Sounds top films overlap each year – so I try not to list them if they are redundant. I also noticed that the films I wrote down for the 2016 Sight & Sound top films were about a quarter of the list. So that one is new to work on too – luckily a lot of the films are on other lists too, so I’m excited to add them.
Other Films:
His Girl Friday, dir. Howard Hawks (1940). I once told two people (jokingly) that when I grow up, I want to be Rosalind Russell. They didn’t get it. But those who know me and know of her work/persona, I think you get it. I’ve seen this about a dozen times, and it’s a fantastic watch. Plus Cary Grant!
Film Church:
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, dir. Jay Roach (1997). Eesh, didn’t age as well as I thought. It’s weird after watching so much Mad Men lately which really expressed the misogyny of the times, Austin Powers as a character seemed tame. While he was still a womanizer, he was moderately progressive in having a female partner in the 1960s. Though I have fond memories of seeing this for my 13th birthday with a group of friends that I still talk to in some capacity to this day.
Monty Python: The Life of Brian, dir. Terry Jones (1979). Always a treat, and one of my favorite songs! “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. I love Monty Python, and this seemed like a fun choice for us to watch on the Easter Holiday.
Shows:
Mad Men binge continues! Seasons 2 through the first few of season 5. Such craft in these episodes! I am really enjoying this rewatch.
Avenue 5, 2020 Season 1. I wanted to like this just a teensy bit more. It’s all right and I’d probably watch another season. It just felt like it was missing something.
Barry, 2018 Season 1 (pilot). I’m so used to seeing Bill Hader be silly, this was an interesting change of pace.
What We Do In The Shadows, 2019 Season 1. I adored the movie (which I was lucky enough to see at Sundance in 2014, aka the fest I sprained my ankle, including a Q&A with Taika and Jemaine.) Plus I love Matt Berry, so naturally, I adored this too. It’s very dry, and that’s what I love about it.
Mozart in the Jungle, 2014 Season 4. So I’m not loving this season – the addition of the WAM robot makes me feel like the show definitely jumped the shark. In season 1, they made the Classical music world feel as big and as expansive as it is. This season, it’s suddenly small and only about as big as the single orchestra the show focuses on. Very disappointing.
Archer, 2009 Season 9 “Danger Island”. This seems less slick than in previous years, like they cut back on some of the sharper jokes they used to tell. But I love all these characters and making Lucky Yates’s character into a Parrot this season is a fun choice.
Killing Eve, 2018 Season 2. Man, Villanelle is crazy. I have a few episodes left, but I am enjoying this one as well.
Books:
If on a Winter’s night, a traveler, Italo Calvino (1979). This was a fun meta experience, and really why I love that some authors play with form and expectation. I definitely recommend it.
Starting Educated, Tara Westover (2018). My roommate, Patrick, suggested this as a roomie book club and so far it’s pretty engaging. I’m only a few chapters in, but pretty sure I’ll finish it soon!
Redheaded Rewrites 