The Rainy Saturday Info Dump....
May. 9th, 2026 05:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatWasted time watching two movies today. One took way longer than it should have and ate up all of the afternoon.
* Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix) - adapted and directed by Olivia Wilde, and starring Sally Field, Lewis Pullman (who looks a lot like Bill Pullman), Colm Meany, and Kathy Baker along with Alfred Molina as the voice of the octopus. It's adapted from Shelby Van Pelt's novel of the same name. I remember enough of the novel - to see where they veered away from it (they excised a lot of the dead weight and fixed the pacing, also it ends on a happier note in some respects, the novel was more realistic and slower). [So, yes, I was completely spoiled - since the plot was more or less the same, just tighter. The book meanders all over the place, to the point that I had issues following it at times - because it unlike the movie, felt the need to be in every character's point of view. The movie is just in Tova's (Sally Field) and the Octopus's point of view for the most part.]
It's okay. It's a nice little sentimental film, with the oomph removed from it. The novel wasn't great? But it had a bit more going on?
Some books don't adapt well? Although I'm not sure I'd made it through a series. The interesting thing about Sally Field - is you can see her grow up and grow old on screen - if you watch enough of her films.
That said, the movie has a good line - said by the Octopus:
"With all their good points, humans have abysmal communication skills."
God, yes. We're all horrible communicators. Which is kind of ironic if you think about it? Only one species can manage to come up with a way to complicate language to such an extent that they can't understand what the majority of their species is actually saying.
* Marty Supreme (HBO MAX) starring Timothy Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa Azion, Fran Dreschler...and directed by Josh Safdie, has the distinction of not having any likable characters. It's loosely based on the story of Marty Reiseman who wanted to become the best pin pong player in the world. In this film - he does it by doing a lot of underhanded side-hustles against a lot of low-lifes, including a movie star and her rich corporate husband who manufactures ink and pens. All the while, his grade-school married girl-friend (that he's been sleeping with off and on) is trying to convince him that he's the father of her kid, and to help her out of her horrible marriage.
It does have some ridiculously painful scenes - such as a tub falling through the ceiling onto a black labador and a grumpy old man. The tub injures the man not the dog. No animals were injured in this film. Very frenetic film, lots of yelling, and characters talking or yelling over each other.
It's the sort of movie that I find myself hate-watching? You know when you can't quite stop watching a film - because you want to know where it goes and your curiosity outweighs the dislike?
At least it had a satisfying ending. I'll give it that. I felt the ending worked for the most part. And honestly, my favorite scene in the film is the last one. So it's worth it to stick it out?
***
Okay, I'm done with hyper-realism, I'm off to watch Daredevil and From next.
Meryl Streep stated that modern movies are marvelizing all the villains and making them one dimensional, and Miranda in Devil Wears Prada has more layers?
I'm guessing she's not actually seen any of the Marvel films? Because Killmonger in Black Panther, Thanos in the Avengers, not to mention King Pin, Magneto, Loki, Ultron, Scarlet Witch, and Agatha Harkness were far more developed than Miranda was in Devil Wears Prada. Miranda, I'm sorry, wasn't that developed and kind of two-dimensional. Devil Wears Prada is a fun flick, I enjoyed it for what it was, memorable cinema, it's not. Darth Vader had more layers.
I wish people wouldn't dis something they've not actually watched? This is a huge pet peeve of mine. It makes people look like nitwits? Film watching like all things is a subjective experience. It's okay to dislike something? But dissing a whole genre - which granted isn't to your taste and making the assumption films have been ruined by that genre? Is just stupid troll logic. Also, Meryl? You made both Mama Mia films? Great Cinema, it's not. Give your ego a rest.
Also on social media:
* Poster: The MET is just a Fashion Museum for Rich People
* New Yorkers on Threads: Eh, actually the MET is free for the most part, and pay what you can afford. It also is not a fashion museum. The Fashion exhibit is seasonal, lasts maybe two months, and is actually rather small. Blink and you miss it? You'd know this if you googled it on your phone. It's not hard to do. Just google - the Met.
[If you don't currently live in NYC, it's probably wise not to comment on NYC? Visiting it repeatedly as a tourist, doesn't count.]
Apparently the MAGA nitwits want to cancel Mark Hamill for supporting Obama. Folks say they missed the point of Star Wars. Not exactly, they interpreted it differently? Keep in mind that the villain doesn't see themselves as the villain - they see themselves as the hero. We're all villains and heroes depending on one's perspective. It's all a matter of perspective. [That said, cancelling Mark Hamil is akin to trying to cancel Big Bird or Santa Clause, people like him, I like him - he's not being cancelled. Any more than Obama is.]
**
Union had a rally out on Long Island. My spy (Babs) texted me about it.
And showed a photo. It was near the railroad tracks out in Massapequa on a rainy dreary Saturday. I'm not sure if it has actually rained all day? But it's definitely threatened to. Eh, it's doing it now.
Everyone in the photo was male, mostly white, appeared to be over the age of 40, and wore caps and red and black shirts. It wasn't a bad turn out? But it wasn't that many people either.
ME: What's with the Red?
Babs: they handed out t-shirts?
ME: Why Red?
Babs: No clue.
ME: Maybe they want to stand out or they are closet Kansas City Chiefs fans. (Possibly closet Red Sox fans.)
I hope it's not MAGNA like mother suggested. I'm having enough issues with this strike as it is.
***
Book Instagram doesn't appear to like "This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Illona Andrews". (which is a best seller, so no worries there - and damn the writers are selling the bejesus out of it? They have pictures you can buy, stuffed animals, t-shirts, book marks, tea bags...when did writing a book become a massive marketing and cross-product merchandizing event? Also some of the merchandise spoils the book. So if you pick up a book now to read, you have to jump off of social media and not follow the writer at all until you are done reading it. And some people read at the speed of light, and then insist on spoiling everyone else.) As a result of this - I kind of figured out the plot twist early on.
I can understand why people are having issues with the book. There is a lot of info dumping. Also it's ambitious. The writers are kind of satirizing A Song of Ice and Fire, gentle satire, and the portal fantasy trope. They are also satirizing the Song of Ice and Fire fandom (who honestly, deserves it) and to some degree fandom in general (who also deserves it). They even have a male boy character who is the heir of a dead King, who may or may not have died in the fire and is hiding in plain sight. The moment they mentioned him - I knew where it was going. And the author of the book world that the protagonist inexplicably falls into - has not completed the series, and it's been years since they got the next book. I'm enjoying the wry sardonic satiric commentary - perhaps more than I should?
And, Illona Andrews has a pattern in their writing or a romantic trope they are a wee bit overly fond of and tend to repeat in all their books. I knew who the romantic male lead was going to be from the get-go, because I've read all their books. It's always the strong, militaristic, isolationist, wounded, powerful, strategic guy - who pays attention and is kind to the heroine. Usually ex-military, and often a strategist. (Illona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team, the husband is an ex-Army Sgt. and the wife a Russian Immigrant steeped in Russian folklore). You'd think would bother me - it doesn't. Mainly because they go against the standard trope - the guy isn't an asshole, and the woman isn't weak. They are kind of equals, and have good banter. They don't bicker, they banter. So for me, it works. But it won't work for someone who is triggered by anything remotely military or military related? I respect the military. My Dad got the GI bill and most of my uncles served in the military. And I've known a lot of folks who have. It's not an easy gig, and it is a necessary one - they do a lot of good. People are more than one thing. Occupations are more than one thing. While it's tempting to generalize, it's better not to fall into that trap, which many people do. Also, Illona Andrews unlike a lot of fantasy writers and romance writers do not romanticize the military or service. They depict it rather realistically.
Anyhow, I'm enjoying it, even if it is slow going. But everything is at the moment. This year feels a bit like slugging through quick sand.
***
May Question a Day Meme
Catching up on the May Question a Day Meme - prior to making dinner, now that it is finally raining after spending most of the day pondering it. Honestly? The sky looked constipated. It's looking a bit better now.
4. Today is a holiday in many countries, either to celebrate Labour Day or May Day. If you have a day off today, what are your plans?
Well in the US it was May the Fourth Be With You - or Star Wars Day. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Memorial Day is May 25, I think or the last Monday in May. We don't celebrate May Day - mainly because the US has issues with the Harvest Calendar, except of course for Halloween.
5. Do you like rhubarb?
Depends on how it is fixed? I like rhubarb pie. Ages ago, when I was kid, on one of our first trips to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we discovered this out of the way little restaurant which had a to die for strawberry rhubarb pie. It was the best pie we ever had. We couldn't find the restaurant again and spent years trying to recreate experience. Had a similar thing happen with Key Lime Pie (discovered in the Keys) albeit better luck recreating it. Turns out, it's easier to make.
6. Have you ever completed a cryptic crossword, or do you stick to the easy ones?
I don't know what it is? Probably not. I suck at crosswords. My brain doesn't understand them - it's probably a dyslexic thing? My father hated them, yet he worked in cryptology or code breaking while in the army.
7. Do you take your phone everywhere, or sometimes leave it at home and not worry about it?
I take it everywhere now. Why? I wear a diabetic sensor and the damn thing is linked into my phone. I miss the days, I could leave it at home.
8. Henry Dunant was born today in 1828 – he was the co-founder of the Red Cross. Have you ever learned first aid? Could you resuscitate someone?
Yes. Ages ago. No, I can't resuscitate anyone. I learned first aid over thirty years ago. I've forgotten most of it.
9. In 1896, the first horseless carriage show in London featured ten models. Do you own a car? What kind of car is it?
No.
***
* Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix) - adapted and directed by Olivia Wilde, and starring Sally Field, Lewis Pullman (who looks a lot like Bill Pullman), Colm Meany, and Kathy Baker along with Alfred Molina as the voice of the octopus. It's adapted from Shelby Van Pelt's novel of the same name. I remember enough of the novel - to see where they veered away from it (they excised a lot of the dead weight and fixed the pacing, also it ends on a happier note in some respects, the novel was more realistic and slower). [So, yes, I was completely spoiled - since the plot was more or less the same, just tighter. The book meanders all over the place, to the point that I had issues following it at times - because it unlike the movie, felt the need to be in every character's point of view. The movie is just in Tova's (Sally Field) and the Octopus's point of view for the most part.]
It's okay. It's a nice little sentimental film, with the oomph removed from it. The novel wasn't great? But it had a bit more going on?
Some books don't adapt well? Although I'm not sure I'd made it through a series. The interesting thing about Sally Field - is you can see her grow up and grow old on screen - if you watch enough of her films.
That said, the movie has a good line - said by the Octopus:
"With all their good points, humans have abysmal communication skills."
God, yes. We're all horrible communicators. Which is kind of ironic if you think about it? Only one species can manage to come up with a way to complicate language to such an extent that they can't understand what the majority of their species is actually saying.
* Marty Supreme (HBO MAX) starring Timothy Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa Azion, Fran Dreschler...and directed by Josh Safdie, has the distinction of not having any likable characters. It's loosely based on the story of Marty Reiseman who wanted to become the best pin pong player in the world. In this film - he does it by doing a lot of underhanded side-hustles against a lot of low-lifes, including a movie star and her rich corporate husband who manufactures ink and pens. All the while, his grade-school married girl-friend (that he's been sleeping with off and on) is trying to convince him that he's the father of her kid, and to help her out of her horrible marriage.
It does have some ridiculously painful scenes - such as a tub falling through the ceiling onto a black labador and a grumpy old man. The tub injures the man not the dog. No animals were injured in this film. Very frenetic film, lots of yelling, and characters talking or yelling over each other.
It's the sort of movie that I find myself hate-watching? You know when you can't quite stop watching a film - because you want to know where it goes and your curiosity outweighs the dislike?
At least it had a satisfying ending. I'll give it that. I felt the ending worked for the most part. And honestly, my favorite scene in the film is the last one. So it's worth it to stick it out?
***
Okay, I'm done with hyper-realism, I'm off to watch Daredevil and From next.
Meryl Streep stated that modern movies are marvelizing all the villains and making them one dimensional, and Miranda in Devil Wears Prada has more layers?
I'm guessing she's not actually seen any of the Marvel films? Because Killmonger in Black Panther, Thanos in the Avengers, not to mention King Pin, Magneto, Loki, Ultron, Scarlet Witch, and Agatha Harkness were far more developed than Miranda was in Devil Wears Prada. Miranda, I'm sorry, wasn't that developed and kind of two-dimensional. Devil Wears Prada is a fun flick, I enjoyed it for what it was, memorable cinema, it's not. Darth Vader had more layers.
I wish people wouldn't dis something they've not actually watched? This is a huge pet peeve of mine. It makes people look like nitwits? Film watching like all things is a subjective experience. It's okay to dislike something? But dissing a whole genre - which granted isn't to your taste and making the assumption films have been ruined by that genre? Is just stupid troll logic. Also, Meryl? You made both Mama Mia films? Great Cinema, it's not. Give your ego a rest.
Also on social media:
* Poster: The MET is just a Fashion Museum for Rich People
* New Yorkers on Threads: Eh, actually the MET is free for the most part, and pay what you can afford. It also is not a fashion museum. The Fashion exhibit is seasonal, lasts maybe two months, and is actually rather small. Blink and you miss it? You'd know this if you googled it on your phone. It's not hard to do. Just google - the Met.
[If you don't currently live in NYC, it's probably wise not to comment on NYC? Visiting it repeatedly as a tourist, doesn't count.]
Apparently the MAGA nitwits want to cancel Mark Hamill for supporting Obama. Folks say they missed the point of Star Wars. Not exactly, they interpreted it differently? Keep in mind that the villain doesn't see themselves as the villain - they see themselves as the hero. We're all villains and heroes depending on one's perspective. It's all a matter of perspective. [That said, cancelling Mark Hamil is akin to trying to cancel Big Bird or Santa Clause, people like him, I like him - he's not being cancelled. Any more than Obama is.]
**
Union had a rally out on Long Island. My spy (Babs) texted me about it.
And showed a photo. It was near the railroad tracks out in Massapequa on a rainy dreary Saturday. I'm not sure if it has actually rained all day? But it's definitely threatened to. Eh, it's doing it now.
Everyone in the photo was male, mostly white, appeared to be over the age of 40, and wore caps and red and black shirts. It wasn't a bad turn out? But it wasn't that many people either.
ME: What's with the Red?
Babs: they handed out t-shirts?
ME: Why Red?
Babs: No clue.
ME: Maybe they want to stand out or they are closet Kansas City Chiefs fans. (Possibly closet Red Sox fans.)
I hope it's not MAGNA like mother suggested. I'm having enough issues with this strike as it is.
***
Book Instagram doesn't appear to like "This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Illona Andrews". (which is a best seller, so no worries there - and damn the writers are selling the bejesus out of it? They have pictures you can buy, stuffed animals, t-shirts, book marks, tea bags...when did writing a book become a massive marketing and cross-product merchandizing event? Also some of the merchandise spoils the book. So if you pick up a book now to read, you have to jump off of social media and not follow the writer at all until you are done reading it. And some people read at the speed of light, and then insist on spoiling everyone else.) As a result of this - I kind of figured out the plot twist early on.
I can understand why people are having issues with the book. There is a lot of info dumping. Also it's ambitious. The writers are kind of satirizing A Song of Ice and Fire, gentle satire, and the portal fantasy trope. They are also satirizing the Song of Ice and Fire fandom (who honestly, deserves it) and to some degree fandom in general (who also deserves it). They even have a male boy character who is the heir of a dead King, who may or may not have died in the fire and is hiding in plain sight. The moment they mentioned him - I knew where it was going. And the author of the book world that the protagonist inexplicably falls into - has not completed the series, and it's been years since they got the next book. I'm enjoying the wry sardonic satiric commentary - perhaps more than I should?
And, Illona Andrews has a pattern in their writing or a romantic trope they are a wee bit overly fond of and tend to repeat in all their books. I knew who the romantic male lead was going to be from the get-go, because I've read all their books. It's always the strong, militaristic, isolationist, wounded, powerful, strategic guy - who pays attention and is kind to the heroine. Usually ex-military, and often a strategist. (Illona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team, the husband is an ex-Army Sgt. and the wife a Russian Immigrant steeped in Russian folklore). You'd think would bother me - it doesn't. Mainly because they go against the standard trope - the guy isn't an asshole, and the woman isn't weak. They are kind of equals, and have good banter. They don't bicker, they banter. So for me, it works. But it won't work for someone who is triggered by anything remotely military or military related? I respect the military. My Dad got the GI bill and most of my uncles served in the military. And I've known a lot of folks who have. It's not an easy gig, and it is a necessary one - they do a lot of good. People are more than one thing. Occupations are more than one thing. While it's tempting to generalize, it's better not to fall into that trap, which many people do. Also, Illona Andrews unlike a lot of fantasy writers and romance writers do not romanticize the military or service. They depict it rather realistically.
Anyhow, I'm enjoying it, even if it is slow going. But everything is at the moment. This year feels a bit like slugging through quick sand.
***
May Question a Day Meme
Catching up on the May Question a Day Meme - prior to making dinner, now that it is finally raining after spending most of the day pondering it. Honestly? The sky looked constipated. It's looking a bit better now.
4. Today is a holiday in many countries, either to celebrate Labour Day or May Day. If you have a day off today, what are your plans?
Well in the US it was May the Fourth Be With You - or Star Wars Day. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Memorial Day is May 25, I think or the last Monday in May. We don't celebrate May Day - mainly because the US has issues with the Harvest Calendar, except of course for Halloween.
5. Do you like rhubarb?
Depends on how it is fixed? I like rhubarb pie. Ages ago, when I was kid, on one of our first trips to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we discovered this out of the way little restaurant which had a to die for strawberry rhubarb pie. It was the best pie we ever had. We couldn't find the restaurant again and spent years trying to recreate experience. Had a similar thing happen with Key Lime Pie (discovered in the Keys) albeit better luck recreating it. Turns out, it's easier to make.
6. Have you ever completed a cryptic crossword, or do you stick to the easy ones?
I don't know what it is? Probably not. I suck at crosswords. My brain doesn't understand them - it's probably a dyslexic thing? My father hated them, yet he worked in cryptology or code breaking while in the army.
7. Do you take your phone everywhere, or sometimes leave it at home and not worry about it?
I take it everywhere now. Why? I wear a diabetic sensor and the damn thing is linked into my phone. I miss the days, I could leave it at home.
8. Henry Dunant was born today in 1828 – he was the co-founder of the Red Cross. Have you ever learned first aid? Could you resuscitate someone?
Yes. Ages ago. No, I can't resuscitate anyone. I learned first aid over thirty years ago. I've forgotten most of it.
9. In 1896, the first horseless carriage show in London featured ten models. Do you own a car? What kind of car is it?
No.
***
no subject
Date: 2026-05-09 11:20 pm (UTC)5. My mother made rhubarb pie when rhubarb was in season most years when I was growing up. We all loved it. When I tried making it for myself decades later, it was less great than okey-dokey. I only had strawberry-rhubarb pie when I was an adult away from home. I have to say the strawberries didn't add much. It was far from terrible, but just okay. (I'm a fan of key lime pie, too!)
6. I always found other kinds of puzzles more fun the crosswords. Yes, I could finish the easy ones, but as they got harder, they always had vocabulary that devotees were familiar with, that nobody else knew or cared about. Don't think I ever tried a cryptic crossword.
7. At my age I should always take my cell phone with me, but being old, I often forget and leave it at home. Nobody calls me on that phone, anyway. I use it for texting and should have it with me for emergencies.
8. I was in the Boy Scouts and we learned a certain amount of first aid. I know the basics of resuscitation. Thankfully never needed to use them.
9. Yes, I own a car. People might look at it and think horseless carriage.