Q1 Roundup
Well we’re officially hitting Q2, I’m maybe quiting my job, and I’ve seen 23 movies so far. In the absence of having much more to say and in a desire to not repeat whatever my ChatGP2 thing was two weeks ago, I’ll be giving some thoughts on the movies I’ve seen so far.
Five great newly released films
Love Lies Bleeding: This turned me into a lesbian. And violent. More of whatever that was, please.
Dune Part Two: This turned me into a gay nerd. Also, because one of Poppington’s advisors and his bf didn’t know…AUSTIN BUTLER IS IN THIS. And he is clearly still trapped in Elvis even doing an unrelated, crazy vocal performance.
All of Us Strangers: This turned me into a gayer nerd. And made me both horny and deeply sad. The movie equivalent of a Sufjan Stevens album.
1-800-Hotnite: I don’t actually have anything pithy to say here, it was just a deeply engaging film about the trials and tribulations of adolescence. The kind of teen movie I feel like we don’t get enough of these days. Highly recommend.
Zone of Interest: This is the best movie that I never need to see again. If you, like me, have family who, erm, live in Germany and did during the Holocaust, let this be part of your journey of unpacking all of that.
Four great films I hadn’t seen the first-time around
Killers of the Flower Moon: Obviously there’s very little more I can say that hasn’t been said. I’m sad I missed it in theaters, but I’m glad I saw it under my covers with not one, but two la croixs and some grocery store sushi on a low day.
Black Swan: I think I saw this when it came out, but in the mean time I’ve had a brain injury (lore dropped), so I’m counting this as the first time. Jesus Christ why doesn’t Natalie Portman do more?
The Handmaiden: New favorite queer movie tbh. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. Run, don’t walk.
Red Rocket: Former porn actor Simon Rex playing a washed-up porn actor. In the words of my mother in reference to Reese do-you-know-who-I-am Witherspoon and Toby Mcwhat’s-his-face starring in Pleasantville together, “what more could you ask for?”
Eight songs I couldn’t get out of my head:
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult: The Iron Claw was depressing and not what I expected and I’m not sure how much I love it in hindsight, but putting this song back on my radar earns it one million points.
The Start of Something by Voxtrot: Just a twee little number that makes me feel like I’m walking around a small liberal arts college campus again…
No Reply at All by Genesis: Once a year I randomly get into this song and it feels like rollerskating on cocaine (I think). Enjoy at your own risk.
Such Great Heights by the Postal Service: Let’s not talk about the sad couple weeks I had…
Tiny Garden by Jamila Woods and Duendita: File under bops to walk around the city to.
Inside Out by Eve 6: Sorry, babes, I’m into corporate “punk” again.
Lonely No More by Rob Thomas: This song made me go feral as a kid and was part of my gay awakening. It feels soooo good to rock this now.
Even Flow by Pearl Jam: Dad rock resurgence when?
Two newly acquired special interests
The French horn: Yeah I’ve played nearly every day of 2024 and have started taking weekly lessons lmao. I’m a renaissance man, if renaissance means watching movies and playing the French horn.
Smosh: Sowwy, but sometimes it’s really funny! Give it a shot if you’re theater kid adjacent.
General moods for Q1
Ennui