To delay inevitable cabin fever, I’ve been trying to get more adventurous with my media choices. It’s been fun to create pairings, a shot/chaser if you will. Below are a few of my fav double features from the last few months.
“You Don’t Nomi largely takes its cues from author and critic Adam Nayman’s book It Doesn’t Suck, where he argues that Showgirls isn’t a “piece of shit,” nor is it a masterpiece. To him—and to McHale as well—it’s a “masterpiece of shit.”
I’m trying to chip away at the camp film curriculum, and one night I decided it was time for Showgirls. I didn’t fully know what I was getting into, but my jaw was on the floor within minutes. What a wild, hilarious, and utterly bizarre ride (feat. a young Kyle MacLachlan!) I had so many questions after the credits, watching a follow up documentary was pretty much a given. You Don’t Nomi did a wonderful job of unpacking this history of the movie, director, and cultural critique. Highly recommend both, but huge tw: rape, sexual violence. Definitely give it a google before diving in.
Everything Is Copy and the Heartburn Audiobook
“Because if I tell the story, I control the version.
Because if I tell the story, I can make you laugh, and I would rather have you laugh at me than feel sorry for me.
Because if I tell the story, it doesn't hurt as much.
Because if I tell the story, I can get on with it.”
Nora Ephron feels like a hug. Everything Is Copy was a wonderful piece of remembrance from her son. What a force she was, what a personality, what a piece of New York! I was grateful to see such an intimate peek into her personal life. Honestly I would consume any scrap of content about Nora. Right after watching, I got the Heartburn audiobook from the library. It’s read by Meryl Streep, what more could you want! Her voice lulled me through a particularly bad OCD episode, so I highly recommend it if you need an anxiety release. Follow it up with I Feel Bad About My Neck (I’ve read it twice this year)!
Fiddler On The Roof and Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles
“A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no?”
A while back I had a few glasses of wine and decided to revisit Fiddler, and I was NOT disappointed. The classic songs! Topol as Tevye! It might be the perfect movie-musical. From the first BADABABOM I was dancing around my apartment singing at the top of my lungs. I think musicals are such a balm, especially now when we’re not able to attend performances (I’m living for my new subscription to Broadway HD). The perfect chaser was Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles which gives a deeper backstory to the cultural influence of the show. I loved hearing from the cast of the recent Yiddish-Language Fiddler, which I just missed in New York. Hopefully they release a recording. Also worth reading about the real life love story backstage!
Now You See Me and The Prestige
“Are you watching closely?”
MAGIC! Still dorky, but these movies had some fun twists. They’re a nice way to turn your brain off in an action-y way minus the fight scenes which I find tiresome. The Prestige was a lot darker than I thought it would be, so that was nice. Also, Jesse Eisenberg’s facial hair is a draw in and of itself! Just… chaotic.
Some Other Tidbits:
Green Room was honestly fantastic. Did NOT get enough pub when it was released.
Ever just cry softly while watching puppy compilations on Youtube?
Tangerine was perfect.
You Cannot Kill David Arquette was AMAZING. Never thought I would be actively rooting for a celebrity wrestler, but here we are.
You might try reading some of the Bridgertons books before its adaptation hits Netflix this Winter.
Loving the Lumberjanes. Friendship to the MAX!