This Week
Hey, we made it. The end of 2020. I’ve written many times before about the acknowledged arbitrary nature of calendar years ending and beginning and how it can still be a useful tool for reflection and renewal. And so it is, especially in a time when the world is caught in a difficult and depressive stasis. There are still new beginnings. So let’s celebrate that simple fact.
At my freshly redesigned and redeveloped website, I posted a list of films, books, albums, podcasts, articles and other assorted things I liked in 2020.
I also posted a rundown of the first six episodes of my horror film podcast Quiet Little Horrors, for those looking for something to listen to.
And, since the year is closed, so is my 2020 media log. Everything I watched, read and listened to for the full year. For those new around here, you can also read about the background of the media log.
Links
“I think it’s easy to forget that being angry isn’t the work of social justice, that feeling fear won’t protect us from the fearful thing. Maintaining a low-level boil at all times can give us the sense that we’re keeping our guard up, but on the contrary, staying rooted in these emotions wears us down.” The defiant power of rest.
The best horror movies of 2020.
Behind the scenes with the crew who worked on the Hoth segment of The Empire Strikes Back.
“I think it’s important if you’re a creative person, or aspire to be, that you don’t spend too much time aspiring or asking advice. Just get going and address what’s roaring inside you.” Henry Rollins.
Reading/Watching/Listening
I absolutely loved I’m Your Woman, an emotional slow burn of a 70s-set crime film. Particularly recommended for other women who are fans of Michael Mann’s Thief but can’t help but wonder about the fate of Tuesday Weld’s character, whose plight is where this film takes off.
I found Wonder Woman 1984 an ill-advised affair of several likable and talented performers stuck in a slow-moving molasses spill of a plot. It pains me to say it, but so it is.
For no particular reason, I decided to spend the week after Christmas in a mini marathon of Kurosawa noir-tinged films I had never seen before: Drunken Angel, Stray Dog, The Bad Sleep Well and Scandal. It seems that Kurosawa fellow is pretty good at directing motion pictures. (These films are all streaming on the Criterion Channel, for those interested.)
I don’t know why the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place” has been in my head a lot lately. Maybe because it strikes just the right note of bittersweet, longing shot through with hope.
And a classic:
Happy new year, friends.
Love,
Jen
Connections
Substack archive: https://jenmyers.substack.com/archive
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Essay archive: http://modernadventuress.com/
Website: http://jenmyers.net
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Email: hello@jenmyers.net
Post: P.O. Box 13114 Chicago, IL 60613
This week’s quote is from Ralph Ellison.