This weekend I was in Colorado looking at wedding venues. It was a lot of fun and we found our favorites! It was a little stressful, but I’m so happy to have a wonderful partner to plan this with.
I’ll be happy to share some more details once things are nailed down a bit, but I’m so excited by what we found!
That being said, let’s get to what we’re all here for: the Weekly Recap!
FILM
Highlight: Kiss of the Spider Woman | 1985 | Héctor Babenco ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story of two radically different men thrown together in a Latin American prison cell. One is Valentin, a journalist being tortured for his political beliefs. The other is Molina, a gay window-dresser who fills their lonely nights by spinning romantic fantasies drawn from memories of old movies.
The SCAM Girls movie club pick was this beautifully shot, moving drama. I was familiar with the story from the musical stage version. My college put on a production of this, and is still my favorite show the school did while I was there. This is an instance of the stage version elevating above the source film, though. This is still great, though. William Hurt and Raúl Juliá give excellent performances, though this is an instance where I think an actual gay man playing William Hurt’s Molina would’ve added that little extra something to the performance. For all taking place mostly within the confines of the cell, the cinematography never feels stifled or still, somehow Rodolfo Sánchez’s camera feels vibrant and alive.
Abigail | 2024 ⭐⭐⭐½
I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. It is a very gory film, in an almost comedic way; which I love! The narrative is fairly uninspired, and rote, with a fairly dull ‘twist’ near the end. It’s not perfect, but for most of the film it is a fun time!
TV
Highlight: Shōgun | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.
I haven’t been as totally absorbed in a show and the dialogue surrounding this as I was with this show since Game of Thrones. As a bit of a historical nut, this scratched a deep itch I hadn’t realized needed scratching. Everything about this show from script, to direction, to performances, to art direction, to music, to every aspect of this show is top-notch. The narrative is gripping and delicately balances tense relationship drama, bloody action sequences, and tender romance. I am in awe of what the creators pulled off with this show. If you haven’t been watching weekly for the last couple of months, do yourself a favor and get to it.
In Progress
Spring Baking Championship, Season 10, Episode 9
YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, Season 1, Episode 2-3
Books
In Progress
Fire & Blood | George R.R. Martin — 3%
The Big Read
Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë — 40%
The Weathered Tome Society
The Shamshine Blind | Paz Pardo — 65%
Games
In Progress
Persona 4 Golden | PS Vita | Atlus
Tales of Kenzera: Zau | PS5 | Surgent Studios
YouTube
A guest on a podcast I was listening to brought up Craig Russell and waxed poetic about his impersonations of famous women, so I had to check out what he was talking about. These are some of the best impersonations I’ve ever seen, and Russell’s ability to switch between the personas is seamless.
That’s it for this week, fairly light, but so it goes!
Thanks for reading, though, I appreciate it!
Til next time!
— Colton