On Purpose #6
Mr. Morale, Hanif Abdurraqib, and much more.
Things I’ve Watched/Read/Listened To On Purpose
This week has been creatively difficult, so in lieu of an essay, I’m going to share some things I’ve watched/read/listened to on purpose.
As I write this, I am listening to Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers for the second time in 3 hours. The album runs 1 hour 13 minutes. My first listen, I put on my big headphones and just laid in bed with my eyes closed. I just wanted to hear it. I truly feel lucky to be alive at the same time as Kendrick releasing art. It’s too soon for me to really write about this album, but my first impression is, I’m blown away.
I am excited to see what Hanif Abdurraqib writes about Kendrick’s new album. I was gifted his book of essays, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, and loved all of it. One of my favorites was his entry about Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and the reality of fear that we live in. Hanif grew up Muslim in Columbus, OH. I grew up Jewish an hour north in the largely rural Mansfield. Reading his experiences oddly mirrored a lot of my own. I’ve never felt stronger about wanting to buy an author a drink than I have reading Hanif write about everything from the brilliance of My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade to the racism of Ohio sports to the disappointment that the band that got famous from Columbus is Twenty-One Pilots. Following him on instagram reminded me of the value of social media. He often recommends new music, opinions on basketball, and flash social commentary. His work is illuminating and I really hope we get to meet and hang out, in Columbus or wherever.
When my brother gifted me a book, I figured a book in return was fair. I sent him Simon Rich’s New Teeth. His book is full of hilarious and heartfelt comedic essays about the struggles of being a new parent, and my brother welcomed his second son nearly 8 months ago. I actually listened to this as an audiobook which was fun, but I don’t think better than just reading it. I admire Simon Rich not just comedically, but for the optimism he brings to his writing. It’s one thing to write an essay about a physician getting jealous of the relationship his wife has with The Elephant Man. It’s another to capture the emotion at the core of the joke, and to let the characters explore their feelings, grow together, and ultimately reconcile. Comedy is so often acerbic. Rich’s writing chooses to look on the bright side. I love that.
I feel like the hype has passed and we’ve entered the backlash portion of reception for Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. I saw one post where the viewer was disappointed that the film didn’t change their life. Don’t listen to the hype or the backlash, just go watch it. The two movies I’ve seen in theaters since seeing EEAAO were Nicolas Cage’s meta-action-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. I walked away from both wondering if I would have enjoyed them more had I not just seen Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. I don’t like arbitrary comparisons of art. I’m not saying that because Everything, Everywhere, All At Once was good, those other films are bad. For me, Everything, Everywhere, All At Once set a new standard for the ambition and execution of an artistic vision. Unbearable Weight takes some fun swings but felt restrained by a desire to be accessible. Dr. Strange 2 was straight-up goofy story-wise but delivered some fun Marvel surprises. The creativity and heart that The Daniels delivered in their film is inspirational. Go see it.
Kate and I normally watch shows together but I went rogue and watched Severance by myself. Now all I want is to make her watch it so we can talk about it and SHE WON’T. Severance is a masterclass in episode pacing and prioritizing character over premise. I found myself with my jaw literally dropped multiple times through the season because I was so invested in the characters. Caring about the characters makes you care about the world! All I want is to walk around the severance floor and peek into every room. Every glimpse we are given is thrilling, the same way learning more about the island in LOST felt. I will give you caution that there are 9 episodes in season 1, not 10. I watched the ninth episode thinking there was one more and I was wrong and, not going to lie, it hurt. What’s the long, German word that means pain-you-feel-when-you-expected-one-more-episode-but-the-streaming-service-didn’t-communicate-that-this-was-the-finale? Also, Zach Cherry is amazing in it. I know I’m biased. Be a fan of your friends.
I would hate for you to leave this thinking I only watch/listen/read good things. I mostly watch trash and I do it on purpose.
If you’re looking for an amazingly bad film, rent Moonfall on any streaming service. Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson play astronauts who, for reasons unexplained, are the only people who can save the world from an alien that has impregnated the moon, which isn’t actually a moon but an engine or something. In one sequence, you get to watch people running away from the moon which is sucking the air out of the atmosphere. What more could you want from a movie?
What should I watch/read/listen to On Purpose? Send me recommendations!