culture porn 5/12
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
dead ringers (amazon prime)
this new take on david cronenberg's 1988 psychological thriller is not for the squeamish, but i blasted through the 6-episode season.
rachel weisz is compelling and committed in her dual roles as twin female gynecologists beverly and elliot, whose misplaced ambitions cross paths with pharma billionaires, bleeding-edge science, and queer romance.
most notable: in an era when female bodies (and their functions) are being destigmatized, creators are increasingly exploring the other end of the spectrum from the sexualization of women. recent shows like DEAD RINGERS, BEEF, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, and YELLOWJACKETS aren't afraid to graphically depict the often agonizing (and sometimes gruesome) experiences of childbirth, menstruation, and menopause.
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drops of god (apple tv+)
BEST SHOW YOU'RE NOT WATCHING: does a lusciously filmed, franco-japanese drama about wine tasting based on a hit manga pique your interest? how about a dramatic version of a reality competition where the winner gets a wine cellar filled with $150 million worth of bottles? that plus childhood trauma, family squabbles and a heightened sense of smell make for a riveting and highly original show.
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jewish matchmaking (netflix)
i may be half jewish but i was all in to binge this over the weekend. it follows the INDIAN MATCHMAKING formula pretty closely, showing NETFLIX's interest in growing its love & dating franchises. matchmaker aleeza is lovely, and it's nice to see both cultural and religious jewish folks get some airtime. i do wish we'd get more time with each person looking for love, though - i want to find out what happens after a few dates!
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ed sheeran (asylum/atlantic)
ed sheeran should feel great these days, winning his recent copyright trial as well as for renting a splashy penthouse in brooklyn. but his latest album pulls on sadness – the loss of a friend, complications during his wife's pregnancy – and collaborator aaron dessner of THE NATIONAL provides the somber underpinning. listen in a quiet moment.
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100 gecs: 10,000
haven’t you heard the news? nu metal is cool now! artists like 100 GECS, off their album 10,000 gecs, are reimagining the sound of mainstream music by incorporating elements of the brash music genre with more recent sonic innovations and trends in order to make it more palatable for widespread audiences.
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raising cinephiles (apple podcasts, spotify)
a filmmaker, friend, and mom, jess kantor, just launched a podcast that delves into how movies shape little humans into adults. featuring interviews with industry leaders, it's a great listen to remind you of the magic of movies and think back to what your own iconic film memories were.
insights & inspo
how brands are selling luxury to the masses
stealth wealth. quiet luxury. old money. these concepts are nothing new but minimalism and logo-less styles are trending all over social platforms thanks to gwyneth, everyone’s favorite tv family (especially shiv), and perhaps due to the wake of the COVID pandemic. do you think it will last? 🤫💲
more insights here
some millennials and older generations are ‘kidulting.’ maybe you should, too.
feeling nostalgic? you’re not alone. the ‘kidulting’ trend has taken off with boomers, xers, and millennials aiming to defy their age and connect with younger family members by embracing fashion, food, experiences and even toys from their childhood. what kidulting are you doing these days?
more insights here
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
with the chaos of the world swirling so fiercely around us, i've found myself more introverted this year, retreating inside my shell like the true cancerian i am. on my beach walk with marcel and william kendall, we stumbled upon this driftwood structure that feels like the perfect metaphor for my current frame of mind.
roxane gay's provocative NEW YORK TIMES op-ed about the senseless death of jordan neely evoked thousands of passionate comments, but no consensus. is the real tragedy that society's pervasive sense of threat – through fears both real and imagined – has instilled a feeling that no one, no where is safe?
proving music's ability to truly move people, a woman's passionate response to the LA PHILHARMONIC's performance of Tchaikovsky's fifth symphony made national news. while onlookers described her screaming and moaning as a "full-body orgasm," only she will ever know. will she ever tell?
for linda’s full debrief, head here