Odds & Ends (2/14/25)
happy valentine's day!
THOUGHTS & VIBES
my review of CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD should be up at the Reader soon. I’ll send it out with Monday’s “Movies I’ve Watched This Week” if it’s up by then. there’s been a brewing controversy over the inclusion of the Israeli super heroine Sabra, but I appreciated this Vulture piece that delves into the history of the character and how her portrayal in this latest film is too milquetoast and inconsequential to register as offensive by any regard. having seen the film, I’d tend to agree. I’d say just avoid seeing the movie mainly because it’s Very Bad.
for this week’s Cine-File, I wrote about this year’s crop of Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films. I think the one about the magic gumballs will win, but my favorite is the one about the weird puppet children’s show. a nice set of nominees this year!
the trailer for the new Tim Robinson/Paul Rudd comedy FRIENDSHIP was released this week. this was getting great buzz last fall while it was making the festival rounds, and i’m thrilled A24 picked it up to give it proper theatrical life. i will be there as close to opening night as possible.
a whole troupe of LA-based comedians and improvisers got together at Dynasty Typewriter to do a staged reading of THE MUPPET MOVIE to raise money for people affected by the horrific LA fires. I believe the stream is up for another week(?) for anyone who wants to purchase it and watch. it’s very silly and even emotional in some moments. there’s great joy in seeing which performers attempt to mimic their characters entirely (David Dastmalchian’s pitch perfect Gonzo, Nina West’s exemplary Miss Piggy) or who just puts their own spin on it (Paul F. Tompkins’ typically droll Fozzie Bear, Bobby Moynihan’s chaotic Doc Hopper). it’s the Muppets and indie comedians, how can I not love it?
I have now seen all ten Best Picture nominees. a full ranking piece will arrive next week, with a larger Oscars Piece coming the week after. I’m so ready to stop talking about these same ten movies over and over again.
that’s all for this week! anything you watched that you’d recommend? is Valentine’s Day a silly holiday, or perhaps a great day to remember that love between friends is a wonderful thing too? anyway, have a lovely weekend!
