Five Good Things #2
Notes from a brain permanently altered by Arrakis
Hey there, party people! So, you might wonder why this newsletter is fashionably late to the Tuesday party by two weeks. Well, strap yourself in for a tale of woe and missing mojo! Last Tuesday rolled around, and let me tell ya, I was scraping the bottom of the joy barrel. I mean, I couldn't even muster up enough excitement to count to three, let alone find five things worth celebrating. It was like my week was auditioning for a role in a black-and-white movie. So here we are, two weeks after the debut issue; let's dive in and make up for lost time, shall we?
1. CHRISTOPHER NOLAN WINNING AT THE OSCARS
As Christopher Nolan strutted onto the Oscars stage like a boss, snatching up those golden statues for Directing and Best Picture, I couldn't help but feel like I was witnessing the coronation of a filmmaking god. I mean, this guy doesn't just make movies; he conducts symphonies of storytelling.
In a town where trends change faster than you can say "action," Nolan is the rockstar who stays true to his vision, ignoring the siren call of flashy distractions to create cinematic masterpieces. He's like the Gandalf of Hollywood, leading us through the dark forests of our imagination with nothing but a camera and a dream.
But what really sets Nolan apart isn't just his knack for blowing stuff up on screen (though he's pretty darn good at that, too); it's his humility. While certain directors in Hollywood are perpetually focused on inflating their own egos and basking in the limelight, Nolan's just like, "Nah, I'm good with my coffee and a quiet night in with my script."
In a world where everyone's a critic and cynicism runs rampant, Christopher Nolan is the hero we didn't know we needed. His Oscars win isn't just a victory for him; it's a big ol' slap in the face to all the naysayers who think movies are just popcorn flicks. With each film, he's like, "Hey, you wanna go on an epic journey of the mind? Buckle up, 'cause we're going to infinity and beyond!"
So here's to you, Christopher Nolan, you magnificent storytelling wizard. Thanks for reminding us that in a world full of CGI and green screens, there's still magic to be found in the power of a damn good story.
“Movies are just a little bit over a hundred years old. Imagine being there a hundred years into painting or theater. We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here, but to know that you think I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.”
Christopher Nolan
2. A NEWFOUND LOVE FOR STRUDEL
Strudel has basically taken over my entire existence for the past three months. I couldn't tell you how that happened if my life depended on it. For the longest time, I harbored this intense dislike for it. Want to know the truth? Every strudel I encountered was just a saccharine assault on my taste buds. It felt like swallowing three tablespoons of sugar straight down the hatch. Now, I have a sweet tooth, but I draw the line at desserts that could single-handedly induce diabetes.
So, whenever I found myself wandering around the chilly expanses of northern Austria or Germany, I'd always decline the offer of strudel. Maybe those particular ones weren't overly saccharine, who knows? They're the strudels that got away, and one day, I'll have to come to terms with that. We all have regrets, and most of mine revolve around culinary choices.
But you know what changed the game? Three months ago, I found myself seated in a quaint little restaurant, and what do you think was on the menu? You guessed it, strudel. So, I figured, why not give it another shot?
Let me tell you, it was a symphony of flavors, the strudel that flipped my world upside down. It wasn't cloyingly sweet; I could actually taste the apples (which, by the way, I adore), along with all the other delightful additions like pine nuts and raisins. Since then, I've been on a mission to recreate that magnificent strudel, armed with nothing but a recipe I stumbled upon online.
Trust me, it's the simplest recipe you'll ever come across. Give it a whirl yourself, and who knows, you might just embark on your own strudel-fueled journey of self-discovery!
3. DUNE 2
I must tread lightly, avoiding spoilers like landmines, but let me whisper this: the film is a tapestry woven with threads of brilliance, a testament to Villeneuve's visionary prowess. His photography mastery is a symphony for the eyes, leaving me utterly captivated. He's spun a tale that defies gravity, rendering the impossible tangible.
As for the future, I'm positively quivering with anticipation to witness how he'll navigate the labyrinthine absurdities of the forthcoming volumes. We're embarking on a wild ride, and I'm on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each twist and turn.
Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson? Oh, they carry the weight of the narrative with such grace, their performances a dance upon the screen. And while Zendaya may not have struck the same chord for me this time around, I sense a crescendo building in the wings, ready to showcase her true grit in the third act.
But ah, Florence Pugh! A mere ten minutes of screen time, yet she commands the stage with an effortless magnetism that leaves me spellbound. Indeed, she is a force to be reckoned with.
And talent? She's got it in spades.
Listen up, folks. This isn't your run-of-the-mill flick you catch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. No, this is a cinematic event. Don't even think about waiting for it to pop up on your streaming service. You have to witness this spectacle on the biggest screen you can find. Trust me, it's worth every penny.
4. DIET BROKE ME, THEN REMIXED ME INTO AWESOMENESS!
Winter's chill always seems to have a peculiar hold over me. As soon as the fire crackles to life, it signals the onset of bruschetta and mixed grills season. It's a beckoning I simply cannot resist, akin to a seductive siren's call. Please refrain from passing judgment.
Yet, it's precisely this indulgence that's been weighing on my conscience lately. I embarked on a diet, a decision fueled by a desire for change. With the arrival of sunnier days, I've committed myself to daily walks and drastically slashed my intake of red meat, bread, and pasta. The initial days were sheer agony, an exercise in self-restraint. But now? Now, I'm reveling in newfound vitality. I feel lighter and more invigorated, nourishing myself with an abundance of vegetables and fish while limiting meat and pasta to a mere two occasions a week. Why did I not embark on this journey sooner? It's a recurring pattern, this self-inflicted struggle.
Why do I subject myself to such a cycle? I could maintain a year-round state of fitness and vitality if only I prioritized health over my love affair with food. Yet, as the adage goes, "Balance is not something you find, it's something you create." How right they were.
5. MANHUNT
Once upon a time, I was the oracle of all things historical TV. My knowledge was so extensive that I could predict a show's premiere date just by catching a whiff of a production rumor. But now? I couldn't tell you what's on the streaming sites next week if my life depended on it. Blame it on the chaos of my existence or the fact that streaming services seem hell-bent on churning out more content than my brain can handle. Honestly, I've been glued to the screen more than ever, but if asked about any show other than Reina Roja on Amazon Prime, I would draw a blank faster than an erased whiteboard.
So, picture my skepticism when I stumbled upon news of an Apple TV series chronicling the manhunt for Abraham Lincoln's assassin. My initial reaction? Doubt with a side of eye roll. But then, in a moment of uncharacteristic optimism, I thought, "It's Apple TV, right? They've got the Midas touch when it comes to shows. How bad could it be?"
Thank the TV gods, I decided to take the plunge. Two episodes in, and I'm ready to hand out awards like candy at a Halloween parade. This show? It's so good that it's practically a cinematic masterpiece in episodic form.
Thank you for reading!
And as always, remember to be kind to one another.
Love, Rina