Honestly you touched on my main issues (the LITERAL baby brain and the learning about poverty) succinctly. I just feel like it’s another example of white women projecting onto a basic character who’s story overall misses the point with only a slight “that’s sad” nod to intersectionality and no real understanding or analysis of it. I was speaking to a friend about this movie, media generally and white women specifically and concluded that I’m at the point where I don’t want to hear from white women about patriarchy, feminism or sexism. White women as a whole love these systems because they allow them to take up the role of victim while also ignoring the plight of those who are truly oppressed. Honestly I can go on and on about how I think white people, not just women, who have one point of their identity that is generally considered marginalized need to get a grip or stay quiet but yea… I just get tired of seeing white women take concepts like feminism, which they have historically had a marginal position in to start with, and run it into the ground.
Hahahahaha OMG LOVE - like I listened to Strange Currencies on repeat after that episode!!
“Garrett, can that critique also be directed at your favorite piece of art from 2023, namely Season Two of the television program The Bear?
Lalalalalaa I can’t hear you because “Strange Currencies” is somehow playing in the ice cream section of this Chicagoland supermarket. What was that again?”
❤️❤️❤️ I’m not going to lie, I have been so stuck on that and “Half a World Away,” from the final scene of season 2 ever since finishing it several months ago 🤣
Listen, my criticism of what they did and didn't do well with Claire's character aside (and also my desire to finally give the two guys in the dishpit speaking roles) the season was perfect and I love it so much that I acknowledged it in my book.
JUSTICE FOR 'MARGARET'!!!! What a beautiful, thoroughly human movie. I can't believe how absolutely buried it was. We say we want films by women directors that take the experiences of women and girls seriously, but when we actually get those movies, we don't seem to act like we want them! I think Greta Gerwig is the only major exception.
Also, I personally loved The Holdovers and made it my entire personality from November through January, but that's just because it was tailor-made for me and my highly specific tastes (*love* a small movie about the mundane tragedies of life, and set in the dead of winter in the early '70s?? *swoon*). It's definitely not a deeply unique or "important" movie, and I really won't be mad if it doesn't win a single award. I think we'd all do well to just love things because they give us joy and not worry about whether the establishment or even a majority of people validate our preferences. So while I won't disagree with any reasonable criticisms of the film (I have some of my own!), and I certainly believe others deserve the awards more... nonetheless, I will be watching it every Christmas for the rest of my life.
Oh my goodness yes to everything you said about Margaret!
And re: Holdovers. That makes me so, so happy that movie was and is that "this movie became my entire personality..." film this year. Isn't that the greatest feeling? And I think that's the unique power of those kind of films that aren't "important" but human-sized. I also love that everybody gets to have a different one that hits that way (Past Lives was probably mine, along with a movie called 'Season Two of The Bear') but I've heard from a lot of other folks for whom Holdovers took that spot. I think one thing I'm going to play with/evolve for this list in the future is that because I use it as an opportunity to talk about White Pages-style themes, it puts the thumb on the scale for the message-y movies, and goodness knows I love a message-y movie, but I also love, love, love movies that just let us live fully in other people's messy, lovely lives.
Yes, it really is such a special thing to find that movie every few years that just stays with you on an emotional level, and those films are different for everyone! Past Lives also really sat with me this year because, for me, it was about how there is no ideal version of your life out there that you failed to attain because you made too many mistakes. In fact, there are no mistakes! You simply make the best choices for yourself at the time, and no combination of decisions can ever yield a perfect life anyway. That's a message I really need to hear whenever I start to wonder: what if I'd done things differently, had I been who I am now, ten or fifteen years ago?
And also, yes! I totally understand why this newsletter should highlight films with larger themes. Good message movies should be recognized for telling difficult stories well and making people think critically about hard truths. But also, these are not usually our favorite movies that we watch multiple times year, and I do not think we need to feel bad about that? Like, there's a tendency to apply a critical filter to beloved popcorn movies to prove that they're "actually secretly subversive and progressive," which can be a fun and valuable discourse. But I think it happens more because we worry when we enjoy things that aren't "deep enough," that it implies we're not deep enough. If a film provides a rewarding emotional experience, then that is *also* a good film, because emotional catharsis is the reason we tell stories in the first place!
Oh that's a great take on Past Lives. And yes, yes, yes to that weird, unnecessary dance we do too much, of feeling we have to justify art (movies, music, etc.) that we love by arguing that it's actually much more, when "making us feel something" is quite enough, actually.
thank goodness for that poor things section. i’m so tired of yt women acting like it’s the pinnacle of feminism.
Would you add anything to the critique?
Honestly you touched on my main issues (the LITERAL baby brain and the learning about poverty) succinctly. I just feel like it’s another example of white women projecting onto a basic character who’s story overall misses the point with only a slight “that’s sad” nod to intersectionality and no real understanding or analysis of it. I was speaking to a friend about this movie, media generally and white women specifically and concluded that I’m at the point where I don’t want to hear from white women about patriarchy, feminism or sexism. White women as a whole love these systems because they allow them to take up the role of victim while also ignoring the plight of those who are truly oppressed. Honestly I can go on and on about how I think white people, not just women, who have one point of their identity that is generally considered marginalized need to get a grip or stay quiet but yea… I just get tired of seeing white women take concepts like feminism, which they have historically had a marginal position in to start with, and run it into the ground.
Really well put.
Feel exactly the same about the Bear. 😂
Also, Barbie & Oppenheimer.
Thanks for helping me weed out which of the nominations I won’t have to watch. 🍻
One thing I will say: even the movies I ranked lower down the list are super fun to talk about!
Hahahahaha OMG LOVE - like I listened to Strange Currencies on repeat after that episode!!
“Garrett, can that critique also be directed at your favorite piece of art from 2023, namely Season Two of the television program The Bear?
Lalalalalaa I can’t hear you because “Strange Currencies” is somehow playing in the ice cream section of this Chicagoland supermarket. What was that again?”
So far, the best thing about writing today's newsletter is that it reminded me to listen to Strange Currencies on repeat again.
❤️❤️❤️ I’m not going to lie, I have been so stuck on that and “Half a World Away,” from the final scene of season 2 ever since finishing it several months ago 🤣
Very justified choice
SAME!! Now I have such mixed feelings about this relationship and also just cued up “strange currencies.”
You can’t ruin Richie’s Forks for me though! Fav episode of 2023, maybe ever
Oh man, that was such a great episode!!!
Listen, my criticism of what they did and didn't do well with Claire's character aside (and also my desire to finally give the two guys in the dishpit speaking roles) the season was perfect and I love it so much that I acknowledged it in my book.
This article is awesome! Thanks!
Thanks!
JUSTICE FOR 'MARGARET'!!!! What a beautiful, thoroughly human movie. I can't believe how absolutely buried it was. We say we want films by women directors that take the experiences of women and girls seriously, but when we actually get those movies, we don't seem to act like we want them! I think Greta Gerwig is the only major exception.
Also, I personally loved The Holdovers and made it my entire personality from November through January, but that's just because it was tailor-made for me and my highly specific tastes (*love* a small movie about the mundane tragedies of life, and set in the dead of winter in the early '70s?? *swoon*). It's definitely not a deeply unique or "important" movie, and I really won't be mad if it doesn't win a single award. I think we'd all do well to just love things because they give us joy and not worry about whether the establishment or even a majority of people validate our preferences. So while I won't disagree with any reasonable criticisms of the film (I have some of my own!), and I certainly believe others deserve the awards more... nonetheless, I will be watching it every Christmas for the rest of my life.
Oh my goodness yes to everything you said about Margaret!
And re: Holdovers. That makes me so, so happy that movie was and is that "this movie became my entire personality..." film this year. Isn't that the greatest feeling? And I think that's the unique power of those kind of films that aren't "important" but human-sized. I also love that everybody gets to have a different one that hits that way (Past Lives was probably mine, along with a movie called 'Season Two of The Bear') but I've heard from a lot of other folks for whom Holdovers took that spot. I think one thing I'm going to play with/evolve for this list in the future is that because I use it as an opportunity to talk about White Pages-style themes, it puts the thumb on the scale for the message-y movies, and goodness knows I love a message-y movie, but I also love, love, love movies that just let us live fully in other people's messy, lovely lives.
Yes, it really is such a special thing to find that movie every few years that just stays with you on an emotional level, and those films are different for everyone! Past Lives also really sat with me this year because, for me, it was about how there is no ideal version of your life out there that you failed to attain because you made too many mistakes. In fact, there are no mistakes! You simply make the best choices for yourself at the time, and no combination of decisions can ever yield a perfect life anyway. That's a message I really need to hear whenever I start to wonder: what if I'd done things differently, had I been who I am now, ten or fifteen years ago?
And also, yes! I totally understand why this newsletter should highlight films with larger themes. Good message movies should be recognized for telling difficult stories well and making people think critically about hard truths. But also, these are not usually our favorite movies that we watch multiple times year, and I do not think we need to feel bad about that? Like, there's a tendency to apply a critical filter to beloved popcorn movies to prove that they're "actually secretly subversive and progressive," which can be a fun and valuable discourse. But I think it happens more because we worry when we enjoy things that aren't "deep enough," that it implies we're not deep enough. If a film provides a rewarding emotional experience, then that is *also* a good film, because emotional catharsis is the reason we tell stories in the first place!
Oh that's a great take on Past Lives. And yes, yes, yes to that weird, unnecessary dance we do too much, of feeling we have to justify art (movies, music, etc.) that we love by arguing that it's actually much more, when "making us feel something" is quite enough, actually.
SO good! I love a redemption story and it’s so believable. I also love Tina’s story arc 🥹
agreed!