I appear to be having something of a mini-freak out this morning, for reasons I’m guessing only my doctor can explain to me, so I thought I’d put pen to paper in an attempt to take my mind off things. Usually, I’d dive into an alcoholic slump at a time like this, but I am trying to be a little more sensible at the moment. At least the weather has finally turned so there’s a brisk chill in the air, which always cheers me up. It also means the local noise-makers have retreated inside until spring. Hurrah!
Anyway, here are some musings on popular culture…
EMPATH
I genuinely can’t remember how I stumbled across this noise-rock band. Perhaps Spotify recommended them in their “Fans Also Like” section of another artist’s page. Regardless, I’m utterly hooked on their sound, which is somewhere between Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. It says something when, even though the vocals are nonsensical and mixed down low, a song can make you cry. Kudos to them! I heartily recommend the tunes: “Hanging Out of Cars”, “Rodeo Fever”, and “Born 100 Times”. “Rodeo Fever” will make you want to run outside and sing at the top of your voice to the sky, even though you’ll have no idea what the devil the lyrics are about. Turns out it really doesn’t matter, at the end of the day.
EMPEROR OF ROME
I have nothing but time for historian Mary Beard, although apparently many people disapprove of her simply due to her age and nerdy appearance. Aren’t people awful?! It is fortunate then that I have ceased listening to the opinions of others, as I feel I have lived long enough to trust my own. I’ve got all of Beard’s audiobooks, which she has now started narrating herself. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about her replacing her original reader, Phyllida Nash, but Beard has clearly grown confident enough as a broadcaster, where she narrates her own television documentaries, that she has decided to crack on without the aid of Nash. Anyway, I was slightly concerned that Emperor of Rome would just be an amalgamation of Beard’s previous major works, Pompeii: Life of a Roman Town and SPQR, but this definitely feels like its own thing. She still makes some of the same references, but I think she is now conscious of not repeating herself. She still doesn’t seem to understand what an antihero is, as, when she yet again brings up Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, she describes Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus as one. No, Commodus is an unredeemable psychopath, not an antihero. Characters like Robin Hood and Brian Mills are antiheroes, as they go about heroic deeds by questionable means, but we still root for them. Nobody is rooting for Commodus. I hope. Well, Emperor of Rome is gloriously gossipy about the more intimate side of the life on an ancient Roman emperor, written and narrated by a fabulously eccentric person. I’m about 5 hours in at the moment and loving every second of it!
GLADIATOR II
Speaking of Gladiator. No, I’ve not seen this film, but I laughed quite heartily when I saw that it was actually a thing. What is it with Scott producing unnecessary sequels to his best movies?! At the very least he directs this one himself. I wanted to kick Blade Runner 2049 to death, not only for retconning certain things, but by stylistically standing in opposition to everything I love about the original. Wait, what was I talking about?! Oh yes, Gladiator II! It’s a shame Spencer Treat Clark hasn’t reprised his role as Lucius, as he is still working, but I’m sure the buff dumbass they have hired is competent enough. Sigh. I hope Scott gave Clark a curtesy call just to let him know what was going on, you know, just so there was no hard feelings, but I have my doubts. Scott does seem like a rather stern chap. I have no interest in seeing this movie, but I may rewatch the original because, well, one doesn’t need a reason. It’s still one of the greats.
MEDITATION
Well, my version of it anyway. I’ve not bought any of those sleazy self-help books that seem to infest bookshops nowadays, instead adapting what I was already doing to help with my anxiety and low moods. As I found myself drifting off into fantasy more and more, I felt mildly concerned that I was beginning to lose my grip on reality in general. Goodness knows why one would be concerned about this, as it seems like a good deal to me. But, as I was about to contact my doctor about going back onto antidepressants, I suddenly thought: “Wait, so when I’m feeling anxious, I stop what I’m doing, go lie down, put on some headphones, listen to some white noise, and focus my thoughts on something positive that I have complete control of until I calm down. Isn’t that meditation?!”. I believe it is, so I’ve stopped being concerned, however mildly. I also realised that I’ve done this all my life, in fact. I walked away from school at 16 with barely any qualifications, thanks to my penchant for staring out the class window lost in my own fantasy world. I’m also an idiot, but that’s a story for another day. Basically, I lie there meditating, or mentally role-playing, until I stop shaking and find myself in a creative cul-de-sac, then I get up and make some coffee, which probably doesn’t help with the anxiety. I hope this “meditating” or whatever it is will continue to aid my battle against mental illness. We shall see.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SEX COMEDY
My Woody Allen boxset was still out after I reviewed Love and Death, so I thought I’d try one of his films I hadn’t seen before. I always assumed A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy was one of his early screwball comedies, due to its title, but it’s definitely one of his more mature works. Lusciously set around the 1920s, this, like much of Allen’s work, is a very charming affair indeed. In fact, I may watch it again today. I’m not sure he made the right decision in casting three women with similarly annoying voices, but it’s fine. All we need is for Melanie Griffith and Jennifer Tilly to turn up and we really wouldn’t have a reason to live. Anyway, if you can find a copy, I recommend watching this very simple, intimate, and beguiling little tale of six confused individuals spending the weekend at a country retreat together. Dammit if Tony Roberts isn’t the coolest motherfucker on the planet.
TREMORS
Yes, I’ve purchased the boxset. There appears now to be about six sequels in there, which is a terrifying prospect. I’m wondering whether to turn it into a whole-day movie marathon, but I don’t believe I hate myself that much. Let’s have a show of hands from you fine folks. Oh shit. Well, maybe I’ll do it for Halloween, even though I’m never too fussed about getting involved in the spooky goings on. Hmmm…
Right, I think that’s about all for now. I’m still feeling rather anxious, so perhaps I’ll make myself a sandwich. A full tummy usually does tie-in with a more stable state of mind, I must say. Well, I don’t have to say, but I just did.
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
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