Here’s what I watched and read…
MOVIES
Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982). I saw this a long time ago on cable in the late 1990s, so I was excited to see it available to stream on the Criterion Channel—along with a bunch of other Robert Altman films. It’s a very good film with great performances. I especially loved the set design. Anyone interested in fandom studies should definitely check this out.
Fool For Love (1985). I read that Altman was adapting a lot of plays in the 1980s. This one I’d never seen, and am not sure if I understood it. But I enjoyed the motel set and the performances.
That Cold Day in the Park (1969). Excellent film. I had no idea what was going to happen when I was watching it. Sandy Dennis’ performance is amazing. This was Altman’s third film and you can see he’s developing his style.
Friendship (2024). Couldn’t connect with the film’s dark humor.
TV
Task. First episode was very good. Gritty and dark. I love Mark Ruffalo - one of my favorite actors. And it was very cool to see Martha Plimpton!
I finished the seventh season of Little House on the Prairie and enjoyed it. I watched the show when I was very young and don’t remember much from it. I’ve heard the last few seasons aren’t that great, so I watched episode one of the eighth season. They introduced Nancy to replace Nellie. Not sure if I’m going to continue.
I really enjoyed the Strange New Worlds episode “Terrarium.” It might be one of the best they’ve done. It reminded me of “Darmok” from The Next Generation, where Picard is stuck on a planet with a Tamarian. They have to use metaphors to communicate with each other.
“Wink of an Eye,” Star Trek, season three of the original series. I always loved this one. Kirk accelerates and everyone around him slows down. I watched it for research for a new novel I’m writing, which I’m almost done with!
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, “Hangover.” Tony Randall plays an alcoholic who blacks out frequently. Good twist at the end.
BOOKS
Still conducting research on Psycho.
This week I read a chapter from Slavoj Zizek’s The Fright of Real Tears and “In His Bold Gaze” in Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lacan. . . . But Were Afraid to Ask Hitchcock.” Zizek offer some fascination insights into Hitchcock’s films, using Hegelian and Lacanian concepts. I am particularly interested in Lacan’s concept of drive and how it operates in Psycho.
I’m also reading Tales from The Crypt. They are so much fun! I highly recommend it, especially as we get closer to October!
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