Hunter-Gatherer: What I Watched and Read in July
Conspiracies, Longlegs, Julianne Moore, Vampires, The Bear, deranged Jake Gyllenhaal
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July’s intake was a little lighter than usual ‘cause of life (specifically a big move into a new apartment!), but I still got around to some fabulous movies, shows, and books including both Twister(s), a riveting mystery page-turner, the summer’s biggest TV shows, Longlegs, and some amazing classics.
Let’s get into it, and please share what you enjoyed this past month.
Presumed Innocent S1 (2024) - Is Presumed Innocent “Brat?” The series was chaotic, loud, sexy, and bizarre, with heat being thrown in every episode, no matter how overly stretched the season felt. David E. Kelley and his collaborators delightfully returned us to the over-the-top vibes of ‘90s legal and erotic thrillers. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance was keyed up and strange, but ultimately a joy to behold, but the real stars were all the supporting players, from OT Fagbenle to Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, and the TRUE hero of the show, Peter Sarsgaard. Presumed Innocent has been renewed for a second season, and while I’m officially done with the Sabich family, I need the other characters to remain in my life.
SchmearCast - Presumed Innocent Pilot
SchmearCast - Presumed Innocent Finale
Far from Heaven (2002) - Gobsmacked by the gorgeousness of this film. The colors and lighting are tremendous. Like a feminist photonegative of Mad Men, with Julianne Moore doing her A-lister thing. Todd Haynes’ movies are such delights that I like to parcel them out to myself slowly, like luscious treats. There is no better example than right here.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) (Rewatch) - Ah, the last time Francis Ford Coppola knew how to direct (see my Cannes Megalopolis review). My 6th grade teacher showed this to us in history class due to its nominal connection to Vlad the Impaler. That teacher was a deeply unserious educator but quite an astute film buff. FFC plays with a vast visual toolkit here, from wild costumes to evocative matte paintings, trippy practical effects, and insane prosthetics. While I’m excited for Robert Egger’s Nosferatu, I have a little trouble believing it’ll achieve this vampire film’s gonzo maximalism.
The God of the Woods - Liz Moore (2024) - Moore crafts a highly compelling summer saga—a near-perfect mystery thriller tightly plotted, richly realized, and filled with complex, easy-to-root-for female characters. A rare page-turner with depth. I expect to see this on many end-of-year lists.
Longlegs (2024) - A seat-gripping theatrical experience whose emptiness emerges ever-so-slightly upon reflection. This was still such a fun summer moment, even as it revealed both the blessing and curse of our modern hype machinery.
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