I live and write in Philadelphia, PA.
But the best way to get to know me is to check out these quick takes on what I'm watching, eating and reading.
So, here goes ...
WHAT I'M WATCHING
... and you should too
Been getting into films and filmmakers lately other than those in the States and have found a few real gems. If you like quiet character studies, I can't recommend this one enough. In 'Revoir Paris', Virginie Efira stars as an average woman who finds herself literally caught in the crossfire when a bistro where she's enjoying a late evening drink becomes the site of a terror attack. Afterwards, though her body heals, she cannot move on emotionally, and finds herself drawn to the other survivors, people she would otherwise never have come to know but with whom she shares a deep bond, born of their shared trauma. Unless you understand French, you'll watch this with subtitles, but believe me when I tell you, that will not compromise the emotional resonance of the performances. And at the end, despite the very grim premise, I promise you will feel a sense of deep hopefulness about who we all are, and how we connect with each other. Watch on Amazon Prime.
Virginie Efira was so good, I went on to watch two more films of hers in the ensuing days. If you like her as much as I did, try 'Other People's Children' and 'Sybil'. Have my eye on two more: 'Madeleine Collins' and 'Night Shift'.
Definitely Oscar-worthy. This one, I believe, was nominated, and also won the Palme d’Or. And if so, well-deserved. Stars another international film star whose work I really admire, Sandra Hüller. It's a psychological thriller in which a woman is accused of murdering her husband who fell from the third floor of their chalet when only he, she and their son were present. It turns out to be a study of a marriage, and the ways in which a relationship's worst moments can come to define it for those looking at it from the outside.
Watch on PrimeVideo and Apple+ TV. But note that it's a long one at about two-and-a-half hours. You'll need to carve out that time but it's more than worth it.
If you like British crime dramas, this one will definitely do the trick. Cush Jumbo stars as DS June Lenker, a police officer who gets wind of a possible wrongful conviction of a Black man for the murder of his girlfriend, a white woman. Lenker begins to investigate and immediately runs afoul of another, higher ranking officer, DCI Daniel Hegarty (played by Peter Capaldi). Hegarty insists the conviction is sound, but his overreaction to Lender's inquiry leads Lenker to believe there's more than meets the eye. And she's right. Classic cat-and-mouse thriller. 3 episodes in so far. Watch on Apple+ TV.
There was a lot of buzz about this one, and I understand why. Though the plot wasn't particularly original (hardened detective, kind of a crusader type falls in love with a suspect), the cinematography was beautiful. If you're a K-drama fan, you'll enjoy this. For me, the visuals were more memorable than the story.
Watch on Amazon Prime or MUBI.
I used to watch a lot of true crime documentaries, but I've recently begun to sour on the genre. After a while, you begin to lose touch with the fact that these aren't just trippy stories, but about real lives and real people who were taken too soon and often under the most horrific circumstances. Not to mention that there is a new movement by victims and their families to have the public, podcasters and filmmakers to be more cautious about how and why they share these stories. This one felt smarter and less salacious than most. And had a lot to say about class, and misogyny. Watch on Netflix.
WHAT I'M EATING ...
The Savory ...
I've been devouring sushi like it's nobody's business lately. So much so, thatI had to start paying attention to the amount I spend on it. At about $25 a visit to my favorite local sushi spot, it was starting to add up.
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And then there's my perennial obsession with red meat. That's still a thing, but since I've been cutting back on sodium, I've had to dial it back on that and focus on other spices more. And y'know what, I still enjoy a good rare steak or lamb chop.
and The Sweet.
Still not a big 'sweets' person, which is just as well. Lately I've been sticking to plain ol' vanilla ice cream with berries.
And if you like classic tiramisu, I won't lie, the matcha version might not be your thing. But I was into it. Loved the grassy taste.
WHAT I'M READING
No reviews, just covers. The only review worth paying attention to is your own, so happy reading!
