Midday Musings

Today we're doing a spoiler-free review of the mind-bending indie horror film, "Strange Darling" (2024). Winner of the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (2024 Popcorn Frights Film Festival), written and directed by J.T. Mollner and starring Willa Fitzgerald ("Fall of the House of Usher") and Kyle Gallner ("Smile"), this indie darling premiered last year at Fantastic Fest and hung out for months in distribution limbo because no one could figure out how to market the movie without spoiling its twists. And boy is it twisty -- a cat-and-mouse thriller told out of sequence in bewitching red and blue colors and constantly shifting dynamics. With riveting one-on-one scenes and a storyline that changes chapter-by-chapter, horror fans (and romance fans, I'd say) simply MUST catch this film in theatrical release or on streaming. Let's get into it!

Today we're talking about the 2020 megahit video game, "Hades" (produced by Supergiant Games). A roguelike hack-and-slash game taking place in the Ancient Greek underworld, you play as Hades' son Zagreus ("Zac"), the prince of the underworld, in a seemingly-impossible quest to fight through the afterlife, back to earth, to be reunited with his birth mother, Persephone. Featuring Olympians, Titans, demigods, and ancient heroes, Hades is a beautifully designed and written game that will offer a Chthonic challenge even to seasoned players. Stephen has spent fifteen hours on it over the last four days, so let's get into it!

Today we're reviewing and analyzing Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, "Blink Twice" (2024). A psychological thriller taking place largely on a tech billionaire's (played by Channing Tatum) private island paradise, "Blink Twice" is informed by centuries of Greek mythology, themes of trauma and memory, and a delicious twist ending that will leave your jaw on the floor. The film is fleshed out by great performances by many new actors (Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Liz Caribel, Trew Mullen, and Levon Hawke) and some old favorites like Geena Davis, Christian Slater, and Haley Joel Osment. Witty, high concept, and with sharp commentarial bite, "Blink Twice" is a visually gorgeous thriller that's worth more than one watch. Here we share highlights and historical influences -- let's get into it!

Today we're tackling season 2 of the 2010's cult classic, "Fleabag" (created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Widely considered the best season of "Fleabag," and still starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge and company, series two follows our protagonist getting her life together after the grief-fueled antics of series one. To the backdrop of her sister's (Sian Clifford) professional successes and her father's (Bill Paterson) imminent wedding to an antagonist godmother (Olivia Colman), Fleabag is dismantling her coping mechanisms, bettering her behavior, and falling in love. Religious faith, connection, grief, and restoration are all huge themes in a work that hosts some of the best scenes I've seen on television. Plus, Andrew Scott plays a priest beset by foxes -- and very real human foibles. It's transcendent. Let's get into it!

Today we're discussing Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington's goal-setting system, "The 12 Week Year." Aimed at encouraging consistent execution on your annual goals, this system reduces a 12-month year to just 3 months -- dialing up the time pressure, necessity of commitment, and utility of accountability buddies. Simple, non-cult-y, and iterative, Stephen is 4 weeks into his 12 week year and has already lost 8 pounds. Very impressive. If that sounds like something useful to you, pull up a seat, and let's get into it!

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Today we're discussing series one of the 2010s British television masterpiece, "Fleabag." Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this 6-episode series is adapted from Phoebe's successful 2013 theater piece and follows the grief-fueled misadventures of a messy 20-something who has recently lost her closest friend, is navigating complex family drama, and who has a deeply dysfunctional relationship with relationships. Hilarious and heavy, "Fleabag" is a significant entry into the female antihero cannon, tackling issues of human fallibility and the bad things we do when we feel bad. Anticipate pathos and the particularities of British culture -- let's get into it!

Today we're analyzing the newest Mad Max film, "Furiosa," now streaming on HBO MAX. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth, and written and directed by George Miller, "Furiosa" is the most detail-rich Mad Max we've yet seen. Crossing an epic 20 years of history and giving insight into the inner workings of Immortan Joe's vast Wasteland empire, we follow young Furiosa from her kidnapping by raiders, to her imprisonment in Dementus' road warrior gang, to her arrival in the Citadel -- first as a potential wife and then as a Wasteland-ladder-climbing War Boy. It's giving Viola from Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and it's wonderful. Epic car chases, a brutal war for resources, and a war buddy romance for the ages are all elements that make this entry into the Mad Max saga unforgettable. Let's get into it!

Today we're reviewing the 2024 horror film, "Immaculate," now streaming on Hulu. Starring Sydney Sweeney and taking place in a remote Italian convent, this religion-themed thriller centers on an improbable, seemingly immaculate conception by novice nun Cecilia. But, of course, there are more sinister forces afoot than any divine plan. With delightful side characters (including Benedetta Porcaroli and Simona Tabasco) played by Italian actors you probably haven't seen before, the idyllic countryside hides layers of secrets that include ancient Christ relics and one monk's mysterious biological preoccupations. There's gore if you want it and Ancient Roman catacombs -- so, let's get into it!

Today we're discussing television shows that we (and the redditors of r/AskReddit) consider to be 10-out-of-10 amazing. Mind-bendy, rewatchable, and much beloved, these shows defined our childhoods, broadened our adult perspectives, or just plain burrowed themselves into our hearts. Are your favorite shows classic anthologies that defined a genre like the original "Twilight Zone"? Or do you prefer cinematic, well-acted series with Shakespearean stakes like "Breaking Bad"? Or are you the sort to snuggle up to rewatchable comfort shows like "30 Rock"? We share our lists and we hope you'll share yours -- let's get into it!

Today we're talking about some of the ghostly residents of the Pacific Northwest (informed by Margaret Read MacDonald's book, "Ghost Stories from the Pacific Northwest"). Widely considered to be horror-movie-spooky and a nest of cryptids, the PNW is also known for housing a number of jolly ghosts. We're sharing the stories of three such post-human entities, all of whom reside in PNW museums. Are you ready to hear the tale of Grace Ceperley, the grey lady ghost who just wanted her home's proceeds to be used to build a children's playground in Stanley Park? Or the chilling encounters attributed to ceremonial objects at Seattle's Luke Wing Museum? Or, what of the long-suffering public servant who's set up office in historic Smith Tower? Imagine there's a campfire, let's gather around it, and listen to these PNW ghost stories.