culture porn 11/17
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
the curse (paramount + with showtime)
forget CRINGE, now there's SQUIRM! emma stone shows off her comedic timing alongside nathan fielder (THE REHEARSAL) and bennie safdie (UNCUT GEMS). there's so much going on in this truly weird show i had to rewatch the pilot, which was even more enjoyable (and awkwardly squirmy) the second time around. i have no idea where it's headed, but i'm along for the ride.
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sly (netflix)
we started out this documentary thinking it would be a hagiography. we were so wrong. it was a complex portrait of stallone - one that made me respect him a lot more as a writer and director as well. i couldn't help but draw parallels to the recent ARNOLD docuseries, especially regarding childhood trauma that shaped these action heroes.
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squaring the circle: hipgnosis (netflix)
this doc tells the story of the two artistic geniuses behind PINK FLOYD's album covers (most notably, the pink pig flying over battersea station and the iconic prism of DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, as well as LED ZEPPLIN sleeves). it turns out to also be a moving portrait of their partnership – along with their inevitable breakup. a must-see for lovers of graphic design, classic rock, new wave, and anyone who enjoys stories of no-holds-barred creativity.
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great circle: maggie shipstead (vintage)
it was hard to stop envisioning the cinematic version of this novel as i traveled between the lives of the early 20th-century female aviator who attempts to circumnavigate the globe, and the modern-day actress cast to play her in the film. it's a clever narrative device with a neat plot twist. and while i found the actress' story to be (predictably) shallow, the heroine of the story feels vivid and complicated in all the right ways.
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shrinking (apple tv+)
after several recos i watched SHRINKING, a series about uncouth therapists starring jason segal. a thoughtful sitcom with harrison ford taking place in my part of town? it exists! the whole cast was perfect, especially jessica williams and michael urie. per usual, i liked the snarkier parts better than the sappier ones!
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the sopranos (max)
i’ve revisited much of the series in clips on YOUTUBE. it was time to rewatch it properly. goodness, the show is so good, but the therapy sessions are priceless. i appreciate it more 20+ years later, able to understand it on a deeper level.
insights & inspo
‘granfluencers’ are the unlikely next gen of influencers - & we’re here for it
‘granfluencers’ have arrived and they’re slaying it across social apps. bringing forth the obvious: aging is inevitable-it happens to all of us, so why the fright? and moreso, retiring the idea that women should disappear from the social eye after the age of 20. the concept of anti-aging is old and finally, hopefully, on it’s way to resting in peace. 🪦
more insights here
make sure to check out MIDWEEK with CULTIQUE every wednesday
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
through tomorrow, catch the amazing work of new and emerging south asian artists – some of them showing in the US for the first time! – curated by CULTIQUE's own Rajiv Menon at his pop-up gallery in silver lake. a stunning debut!
PHOEBE PHILO got dumped on for her ridiculously-priced, impossible-to-get, and yet long-awaited new collection, as well as her all-white runway shows. but the controversy inspired me to don my $168 faux fur from Free People, admittedly a fast-fashion brand. so i'm not sure who is worse, her or me?
who knew that back in 2004, when i was tapped to lead brand strategy for the relaunch of Bravo TV, that it would manifest in a BRAVO-palooza in vegas crammed with fans dying to touch their fave "Bravolebrities"? congrats to Ellen Stone, Frances Berwick, Andrew Cohen, et al for getting the world to WATCH WHAT HAPPENS all these years later!
more insights here