100
Infused within those iconic stars and stripes are nearly 300 years of pain. Pain of the immeasurable sort, unleashed on practically every walk of life; the likes of Natives, Colonists and Immigrants have all seen their fair share. Yet amidst all that pain, what America has yet to experience in metaphysical droves is unity. Sure, it arrives in fleeting spurts, often cultivated in the aftermath of tragedy. Even so, as pain occasionally acts as a conduit for unity, it…
98
Just three chords is all it takes, to separate string-based artistry from a vehicle for healing and a conduit for perpetual emptiness. Unfortunately for the film’s titular character, Llewyn - and myself - it’s the latter. Self-imposed isolation and monetary misfortune - are all artists destined for it? As an aspiring patron of the arts, am I destined for it? Aided by the brilliance of Oscar Isaac, the Coens have crafted a revelatory exploration of an artist’s fractured soul,…
48
Rapid Review No. 80
Allow me to propose a few alternate titles for The Crimes of Grindelwald, a film that shows occasional glimmers of cinematic hope in the form of bombastic & wondrous setpieces, but ultimately fails to resemble anything cohesive or unique, unlike its famed sister franchise:
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Amateurish Cinematography
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Rowling’s Retcons
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Underutilizing Bearded Jude Law
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Corporate Greed and Their Incessant Attempts to Take Advantage of Nostalgia
That last one’s still a work in progress.
100
Words from a letter I have yet to throw away:
“I’m shit at words but there are a million things I want to say to you. I think it will always be like that, but for the sake of ending this beautifully, I will try to sum up my last words here. I think you’re the first person I’ve ever truly loved. Somehow, without giving you my body, I still gave you more of myself than I have to…
90
I haven’t been taking my meds.
While it’s a factor that’s not entirely to blame for my unplanned absence, it’s played into my disappearance nonetheless. On the surface, everything feels fine. I’ve received five A’s and one C on my report card (damn you economics), my work hours have lessened, which has resulted in more “me time” than I know what to do with, and my current significant other supplies fulfillment in a way I’ve never experienced before. But,…
98
“I’m tired. I thought I just needed a night’s sleep but it’s more than that.”
Upon my first viewing of this film, I perceived the character of Llewyn Davis as someone I admired, yet never wanted to become. Ripped apart by tragedy, and scorned by the art he holds so dear. Him and I share similar passions: we simply want to make impactful art, and have it generate enough cash to live a sustainable life. I never wanted to…
