Week of February 6, Survival of the Illest

This week, I'm all about survival.


1) Kill the Irishman

Every so often, it's important to watch (the first half of) a really bad movie to remind us how incredibly difficult it is to make a pretty good one. For me, this movie is usually directed by Ed Burns, one of the biggest hacks in Hollywood. I have nothing against him personally, but I still don't understand how he became so successful off a shit movie like "The Brothers McMullen." Anyway, that's certainly not the case of this movie, Kill The Irishman. This film is good, and definitely worth watching. It doesn't feel like a big movie and sometimes I got a tiny little amateurish vibe, but the story is compelling and the acting is great. That's because there are only good actors in it: Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, even Paul Sorvino makes an appearance. The film is based on the true story of Danny Greene, a Cleveland native with strong Irish roots who collaborated with the Italian mafia and later turned on them quite violently. He is credited with causing the dismantling the Cleveland mob. And that ain't bad. 



2) The Endurance

This is a film that big banks and MBA programs recommend their people view to learn about leadership. Yes, Sir Ernest Shackleton's disastrous attempt to explore the South Pole with a crew of 27 men is the blueprint for leadership under incredible duress. Where was Sir Shack in 2008, huh? huh? This is a great retelling of how Shackleton managed to save the lives of his entire crew after their ship, The Endurance, got trapped in ice. The footage that was captured by the ship's photographer is amazing given the circumstances. 


3) Any Episode of PBS Nova

Every so often, it's important to ponder our mortality. It's also important to remind ourselves of just how very insignificant we are in the universe. "Dust in the wind", Kansas once sang, all we are is very insignificant, tiny little specs of dust in the wind. Nova, one of PBS' staple shows, is a great way to get us thinking that way. All that talk of science and nature and ancient history puts a whole hell of a lot into perspective. When you think of things like dinosaurs being extinct 65 million years ago and the earth being 4.2 billion years old, then place that next to our meager million years, you realize that we will likely be extinct before the official end of earth. And then you go to all sorts of weird places in your mind that make you go "whoah." And then you stop and go back to thinking that you're important because all that pondering is a little intense and scary. But it's good to think for a few seconds, hey, one day, I will disappear from the earth, and the earth won't give a shit.


4) Touching The Void

This one's an oldie but goodie. Plus I'm running out of shit to like this week. So if you haven't seen this beyond harrowing tale of surrival, you are lucky and I am jealous. Because this story is so incredibly insane in its unbelievable-ness that all you can do is believe. Trailer here, but you might as well watch it already.








5) Jay Z and Beyonce's Kid

If this kid doesn't grow up to be president, then God help her. 

Week of January 30

1) PBS: Empires, The Medici Godfathers of the Renaissance
    

An in-depth look at the Medici family and their influence on one of the most renowned eras in history. Let's face it, they bankrolled the Renaissance. Really, without PBS and Netflix, I would be an ignorant fool. Instead, I am an arrogant bastard.










2) The New Yorker "Goings-On" App

So, this is a great idea. I receive the New Yorker at home, like a good New Yorker, but like most New Yorkers, I can't keep up with my stack of New Yorkers. The articles are too long and I rarely finish them. But that said, I do like their Goings On section and I always regret getting to it late because I'm three issues behind. This app remedies that problem with instant access on your mobile device! Whenever and wherever I need it! I can search on the go! I hope this means I'm gonna do more stuff in New York.

3) Update on "Haiti: Where Did the Money" Go Documentary

I just wanted to let you know when this doc will be airing so youse can see it. OK? It's going to be on PBS, channel 13, on Feb 19 at midnight (or Feb 20 if you want to be horlogically correct). If this time changes, I will let you know. In the meantime, check out this article by columnist Clarence Page about Michele's documentary.

4) Maggie Smith is My Betty White

Lady Grantham is the best character on Downton Abbey. She has the best lines in the show and the best delivery of said lines. Plus she's often the one pulling the strings in the background, acting like an aristocratic Trojan Horse carefully placing ideas in people's heads under the guise of, well, something aristocratic. One of my favorite retorts takes place when she's talking to her daughter, Rosamund:

Rosamund: You know me, Mother, I always have to speak my mind.
Lady Grantham: But why? Nobody else does.


And not that I dislike Betty White in any way. She is lovely. But if I had to pick amongst the old lady actresses of the world, Maggie Smith would be my girl all the way. 


5) Fridays

Fridays are like Soup for the Psyche. They are the best part of the entire weekend. Because Fridays are all about the anticipation of the weekend, but not the weekend itself. The hope for a better day, but not the day itself. And anyone can tell you, fantasizing about the weekend, is just a little bit better than the actual weekend.