one Asian under a groove

Dear people who are occupying things at the moment,

You rock. I do hope you get more people of colour to join you. I regret I’m not one of them — I’m too chicken, my immigration status being iffy at the moment. Still, the protests are absolutely worthwhile no matter the demographics — just remember that your demographics aren’t necessarily representative of the people you’re trying to help. Keep it up.

Hugs,

Brad

Hello, Dolly! (1969): Kael called this archaic, and it is, but Streisand herself was an anachronism. That was to her advantage not just because she lacked competition, but because the era meant they could build movies around strong female characters. So we end up with a wrong movie that Streisand is absolutely right for.

Caesar and Cleopatra (1945): Vivien Leigh could have been a great comic actress, if that were what she wanted. But it wasn’t, so she plays her role dangerously, and it threatens to justify the epicness of the production. Unfortunately, no one besides Flora Robson responds to it, even when they straight kill a dude.

Burlesque (2010): Telling moment: Christina is dancing to Etta James; the sound cuts out, so Xtina starts singing, and all the underdog sympathy dries up. You can’t build a camp movie around her — her serious schtick and her camp schtick are indistinguishable. You wish they built it around Cher because she lets you know she doesn’t give a shit that her serious schtick and her camp schtick are indistinguishable.

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Terakaft, Aratan N Azawad: consensus desert blues album of the year, I don’t disagree

Bombino, Agadez: my second-favourite desert blues album of the year

Shabazz Palaces, Shabazz Palaces/Of Light/Black Up

Jimmie Dale Gilmore/The Wronglers, Heirloom Music: Warren Hellman only gets in the way when he sings.

Sonny Rollins, Road Shows Vol. 2: On first listen, better than vol. 1, and not because of Ornette.

Dave Alvin, Eleven Eleven: I’d rather listen to this than Non Fiction.

Das Racist, Relax: “Are you being sarcastic, dude?” “I don’t even know anymore.” 

Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, ch. 24-26: Excellent book, but my limited attention span means I’m just about ready to shelve this. Clever sentence after clever sentence wears me out.

C.D. Wright, One with Others pp. 3-20

J.S. Mill, On Liberty: “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion”

Jaime Hernandez, Locas: “Machanics”/”Hey Hopey”/”Maggie Vs. Maniakk”/”Locas Tambien”/”100 Rooms”: Wordy! 

Avengers #165-166

Lots of soccer highlights

About ten minutes of The Sing-Off before I yelled at the TV and stormed off

Got a bunch of tests done. Decent day’s work.