Column and culture talk
Well, I might not be able to protest this week, as my kids are sick. We’ll see.
My short column about animal issues being prepartisan was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. There was some back and forth over whether they’d let me use the word “fascist” to describe Republicans, but it looks like they kept it in the final version. If you want to send out columns of your own, these email lists work well for that too:
Anyway, it’s time for (Cell) Culture Talk, that feature in which I highlight some of things I’ve been watching and listening to lately.
Film — Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Man, these movies are magical. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them. Sadly, it’s kind of a reminder of the degree to which the Rings of Power series is lacking. I’m following along with the Amazon show, but it’s so cold and humorless in comparison to the Jackson movies.
The one thing Rings of Power does better is diversity in casting. Rewatching Jackson’s films, they’re shockingly white. I mean the original Star Wars trilogy was very white, but they at least had Lando. I don’t think there is a single person of color in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.
Podcast — Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra. This is a fascinating and obviously topical history of a World War II-era fascist plot to overthrow the United States government. I’d heard of the Business Plot, but I gather this is different. I’m excited to learn more.
Podcast — Knicks Film School. There’s something about being greeted with Jonathan Macri’s signature ‘Hey there, Knicks fans’ after a tough loss or an inspiring win. Any good basketball take I manage to have is likely a reheated version of something I’ve heard him, Jeremy Cohen, or guests say. Obviously, the bad takes are all my own!
Sports — Knicks lose to Bucks, 119-108. This was a bit of a reality check. Still New York kept it competitive for most of the game. As losing goes, losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t so bad. He’s incredibly talented, but he also seems like a good guy. I’ve been fond of him ever since he asked vendors to stop selling t-shirts with an image of his humiliating dunk on then Knick Tim Hardaway Jr.
Sports — Knicks lose to Cavs, 121-108. I really wanted New York to win yesterday. It looked like they might in the third quarter, but things got away from them in the fourth. Of course, Donovan Mitchell, New York’s summer trade target who ended up in Cleveland, looked fantastic. So that was tough to watch.