L.A. Confidential, May December, and John Legend
I’m still hoping to protest this week, but it might not happen. My daughter, who longtime readers of the blog might remember is autistic and nonverbal, has been very resistant to going to school recently.
I haven’t updated my email list for Senator Richard Blumenthal’s staff in a while, so I think I’m going to do that. There’s a lot of turnover in congressional offices. If you’d like to create a similar contact list, check this out: https://slaughterfreeamerica.substack.com/p/how-to-create-an-email-list-for-a?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FCongressional%2520email&utm_medium=reader2
Anyway, let’s do (Cell) Culture Talk. Here’s what I’ve been watching, reading and listening to lately.
Movie — L.A. Confidential. I hadn’t seen this 1997 classic in forever. Of course, as a nominee for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the film was excellent. It made me want to replay L.A. Noire, a 2011 game that was inspired by the movie.
Movie — May December. That was a strange, depressing film. Julianne Moore portrays someone with a scandalous past, who Natalie Portman’s character hopes to play in a movie. I didn’t really understand the tone director Todd Haynes was going for, especially with the music.
Book — They Are All Red Out Here by Jeffrey A. Johnson. The text chronicles the history of socialist politics in the Pacific Northwest over a 30-year period, beginning in 1895. It takes a very bird’s-eye view. I’d have appreciated more personal stories, but I guess that would be a different book.
Music — A Legendary Christmas by John Legend. I’m fairly sure the version I listened to on Spotify is the deluxe edition, even though it’s not labeled as such. The album is pretty long, but, as far as I’m concerned, all the songs are great. Christmas in New Orleans was a highlight for me.
Music — Dear Santa… by Puss N Boots. This is an enjoyable, five-song EP made by a trio that includes Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The satirical Christmas Butt is my favorite track. It’s a little Grinchy, but it makes me chuckle.
Sports — Knicks lose to Bucks, 146-122. Going into the game, New York had one of the top-rated defenses in the league, however they just couldn’t get stops here. With this loss, the Knicks were eliminated from the new in-season tournament. Julius Randle led the team with 41 points.