Welcome Welcome Welcome to another edition of the My Pal Sammy newsletter. Thank you for coming. And speaking of gratitude...
Inch by inch we are slowly attempting to resume our B.C. lives (Before Covid). Film productions have resumed in Winnipeg, Los Angeles, and London. The Public Library is opening; I am picking up my first books today. We’ve gone from still life to...symbolism?
I feel as if I've been in a long-distance relationship with pop culture. I know we have Netflix and we have podcasts however in the absence of happenings that's like writing an email to somebody you adore.
For a relationship to thrive it requires events which become memories: road tripping to a concert; attending a midnight movie screening; complaining about the drink minimum at a comedy club. These are some of our best traditions and our finest rituals.
Just like watching a spectacular movie trailer which ends with the words “Coming Soon.” You want to get that movie into your life now yet acknowledge the anticipation will make it sweeter.
So for now we live with Coming Soon; we live with anticipation and we live with the following 3 Morning Tea links.
In 1990 Star Trek: Next Generation released a devastating episode where Captain Picard was captured by the Borg: a harrowing collective of cybernetic humanoids that assimilate individuals into their hive mind. Picard as he stood his ground; valiantly fighting for his humanity, his independence, and his free will was assured by the Borg: “Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile." A haunting line and pre-internet it felt like a sci-fi nightmare. Which came true as we fell asleep sometime after 2000.
“In a collectivist culture, one hoped-for result of group condemnations is control—both over the target of abuse and the broader society.” Though Izabella Tabarovsky doesn’t employ the metaphor she is talking about the Borg and the punitive way we handle ourselves online: erasing all humanity. “Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile." We’re scary.
The end of credits: why doesn't Netflix want us to watch them? Soon as a Marvel movie is over people are up and out the door: why? We know a stinger is coming...is it the babysitter? Bored? I dunno. But we have a strange relationship with the end credits: we adore movies and enjoy going to the movies but don’t want to share any of that love with the people who make the movies. We’re weird.
My Summer Lair
Oh and I’ve attached My Summer Lair Chapter 158: my conversation with comedian Nick Reynoldson. We cover his comedy album I’ll Be Fine (it is fantastic!), Scarborough (it is fantastic!), the NBA (it is fantastic!) and other...ah fantastic topics. We’re funny.
#SetThe VCR, Weekend Addition
FRIDAY: 7500 (Anytime / Amazon Prime)Remember Harrison Ford’s Air Force One? Well, now it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Get Off My Plane!” turn in 7500. (Why is a plane hijacking movie a rite of passage for Hollywood stars: Flight Plan, Wes Craven’s Red Eye, Executive Decision, Non-Stop, Con Air and the ever classic: Passenger 57! (Does Snakes on Plane count?) This genre is wonderfully straightforward; though airplane hijacking movies are especially satisfying on streaming services. That’s partly what you want from a handy streaming service. At the cinema paying for this eh…50-50. At home no pants: perfect. Mash that pilot up real good.
SATURDAY: Gemini Man (8:00 p.m. / EPIX)It’s Will Smith vs. Will Smith in Ang Lee’s sci-fi action thriller. Ummm yeah that’s the hook. It is what it is. I’m sad this movie isn’t called Double Trouble or Double Team…something on the nose like that. Seems like a missed opportunity. Double Cross?! Oh I got it: Double Take! Yessss…
A Hidden Gem
A Hidden Gem from Jon Corbin to close the proceedings and the final Morning Tea Link. He wrote: “I wrote Outcry on May 20, not knowing what grief was coming. Now, it's my cry that we listen with those who are crying. Closed ears will only do damage.”
Dope lyrics worthy of a pause and reflection. We’re sad.
Still Not Wearing Pants,Sammy Younan-28-
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