Columns, Anora and Severance
I’m going to send out that column about the Democrats’ insufficient response to Trumpism this week. If you’d like to submit your own writing, feel free to use the newspaper email lists I’ve compiled here: https://slaughterfreeamerica.substack.com/p/how-to-write-letters-to-newspapers-6eb
Anyway, it’s time for (Cell) Culture Talk. Here’s what I’ve been watching lately.
Movie — Anora. Mikey Madison stars as a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn, after a whirlwind romance. The young man’s parents seek to get the union annulled in this entertaining comedic drama, written and directed by Sean Baker.
Movie — Conclave. It’s an exciting, albeit over-the-top, political thriller about the selection of a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Edward Berger directed the film, which features an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others.
Movie — Inside Out 2. This is a strong follow-up to the 2015 original, which is a classic in my book. Amy Poehler leads a group of voice actors who play the personified emotions of a hockey-loving girl entering high school. The animated film was directed by Kelsey Mann.
Movie — The Apprentice. Sebastian Stan stars as a young Donald Trump, mentored by Jeremy Strong’s Roy Cohn. Ali Abbasi directed the biopic. I’m not sure how historically accurate it is, but the film does a good job showing how the future Republican president came to be.
TV — Severance. The surreal workplace thriller was my favorite show on the air back when it premiered in 2022. I don’t have the clearest memory of everything that happened in the first season. However, I think I recall the important stuff. The new season is fantastic so far.
Sports — Knicks beat Nets, 99-95. Aside from the final few minutes, in which Brooklyn gave them a bit of a scare, it rarely felt like New York was playing at full speed. The Knicks didn’t need to expend that much energy on the second night of a back to back to defeat the lowly Nets.
Sports — Knicks beat Kings, 143-120. OG Anunoby had a strong offensive game, logging 33 points. Off the court, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were the first Knicks duo to be named All -Star starters in 50 years, when Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe achieved the same.