the digest: 06
december 2024: like a rolling stoooneeeee 🎶
Another nearly month late digest, but I’m squeezing it in!
Also I have started a little youtube channel and if you wanna see it here it is: hi
(this post is too long for email)
Film.
REWATCH - The Holdovers (dir. Alexander Payne, 2023): A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam. (Letterboxd).
Getting in a family Christmas movie before me and my mum went away. Didn’t love it quuuite as much as last time but Da’Vine Joy Randolph still shines. ⭑⭑⭑⭑.5
Hello, Dolly! (dir. Gene Kelly, 1969): Dolly Levi is a strong-willed matchmaker who travels to Yonkers, New York in order to see the miserly “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. In doing so, she convinces his niece, his niece’s intended, and Horace’s two clerks to travel to New York City. (Letterboxd)
Plane movie #1. Okay, so Barbra is fabulous but that is about it. I think I just hate the men. The clerks were so fucking annoying what sort of woman would even go anywhere near that, I’m sorry. And the guy Dolly ends up with… ridiculous. She could do so much better. I thought the songs were okay and the dance numbers were too long. Maybe I just don’t have the appreciation for that cause I saw a lot of people raving about the dances. Too long altogether. ⭑⭑.5
Jackie Brown (dir. Quentin Tarantino, 1997)- Jackie Brown is a flight attendant who gets caught in the middle of smuggling cash into the country for her gunrunner boss. When the cops try to use Jackie to get to her boss, she hatches a plan — with help from a bail bondsman — to keep the money for herself. (Letterboxd)
Plane movie #2. Pretty fun. Jackie’s a queen. Like the plot. Maybe not the best “LA movie” to watch on your way to your holiday in LA but that’s okay. ⭑⭑⭑.5
REWATCH - It’s A Wonderful Life (dir. Frank Capra, 1946) - George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George’s modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business’s $8,000 is lost and George’s troubles begin. (Letterboxd)
Watched on E! channel Christmas night in my hotel room. Cried of course. ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
A Complete Unknown (dir. James Mangold, 2024): Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music.
I saw this in an AMC theatre and it was very exciting to see the Nicole Kidman ad IRL. But that isn’t the point. I’m a Timothee stan through and through and like Club Chalamet, I agree that this is his best performance yet. HE DESERVES THAT BLOODY OSCAR!!! (Haven’t seen The Brutalist yet so). Really all of the performances is what counted here. I knew fuck all about Bob Dylan so the storyline itself wasn’t crazily compelling but still enjoyable, however made absorbing by the actors. ⭑⭑⭑⭑
The Most Dangerous Game (dir. Irving Pichel, Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1932): A psychotic big game hunter deliberately strands a luxury yacht on a remote island, where he begins to hunt its passengers for sport. (IMDB)
I honestly have nearly nothing to say about this. Another hotel tv watch. I liked her dress. ⭑⭑
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (dir. Tim Burton, 2024) - After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. (IMDB)
Plane movie #3. Slopppppyyyyy! I’m a decently sized fan of the first film, I loved it a lot as a kid, but this is just lame. Lydia’s character is utterly woeful. Don’t even get me started on the daughter. When she mentions she’s only read Dostoevsky “like… 6 times” or whatever and the guy is like “oh my god? a girl who had read Dostoevsky??? Is this a dream hahha?” That genuinely made me want to kill myself. I had a sinking feeling in my chest. Why is the script actually the worst thing ever? I still cried though and that’s reflected in my rating (I have father issues). ⭑⭑
Didi (dir. Sean Wang, 2024): In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. (IMDB)
Plane movie #4. This was very sweet and fun. I thought it was going to be heavier for some reason and I’m glad it wasn’t, cause I wasn’t in the mood for that. But still moving. Lady Bird but with boys vibes. Haven’t seen Mid90s but probs similar. Lovely. ⭑⭑⭑⭑
Gigi (dir. Vincente Minelli, 1958): Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship which may not stay platonic for long. (IMDB)
Plane movie #5. I have one word. CREEPY! So fucking weird. And boring and long…. and also weird. Musical with the most boring songs award would go to this as well as the pedo as hell award. I fell asleep before they got married (I think they get married?) ⭑
Monkey Man (dir. Dev Patel, 2024) An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systematically victimise the poor and powerless. (IMDB)
Plane movie #6. I had been mean to get around to this, because, well I’m not sure if you guys know this but I’m actually married to Dev Patel! Yes it is true. I thought this was pretty good, but just not my thing. I found the storyline compelling though, especially from someone foreign to India’s perspective. Proud of my husband he did good. ⭑⭑⭑
Television.
Big Mood (season 1): Another plane watch. Very quick enjoyable episodes with just fun little details (I love their Love Actually themed party). Also an interesting subject matter and kinda moving. Would watch another season! ⭑⭑⭑⭑
Books.
Second Place - Rachel Cusk
Read a lot on the beach of my schoolies trip. I thought it was beautifully written but I didn’t connect a whole lot. I’d love to give Cusk’s Outline trilogy a go though. ⭑⭑⭑
Daydream and Drunkenness of a Young Lady - Clarice Lispector
I’ve been wanting to read Clarice Lispector for ages and I was keen to pick this little baby up for $2.50 in a Byron Bay bookshop. 3 incredibly written short stories and I am very very excited to read some of her longer works! ⭑⭑⭑⭑
Mayflies - Andrew O’Hagan
Cried!!!!! Was a moving friendship story and a lovely perspective on life. Reminded me of people (once) in my life :’) ⭑⭑⭑⭑
Music.
My top ten artists:
Lana Del Rey
The 1975
Charli XCX
Ethel Cain
Caroline Polachek
Ariana Grande
Mazzy Star
Big Thief
Cynthia Erivo
The Cure
My top fifteen songs:
anthems - Charli XCX
claws - Charli XCX
What Is This Feeling - Wicked film cast
Billions - Caroline Polachek
Blood and Butter - Caroline Polachek
Don’t Delete The Kisses - Wolf Alice
Five String Serenade - Mazzy Star
party 4 u - Charli XCX
Open Wide - Inhaler
Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
English Rose - The Jam
Glory Box - Portishead
A Sunday Kind of Love - Etta James
Criminal - Fiona Apple
California Gurls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog
It’s all very much the same as usual… I never change… However you will notice a couple of USA themed songs because of of course, my trip to LA.
Moments.
Well before I left for LA, I was driving home from my grandparents (I am a learner driver still oops) and I may have hit a pothole and slashed a tire… and damaged a rim! Anywayss…… all is well now. But we were stuck in my mum’s hometown for a few extra days.
Anyways on to Los Angeles!!! Started out in West Hollywood, then to Studio City, then to Anaheim and then to Santa Monica. A big highlight for me was the second hand scene - Melrose trading post made me feel like Emma Chamberlain and I got a gorgeous tan leather fringe back for $20USD. But CROSSROADS TRADING OMFGGGGGG! Guys I got frye boots. For $56USD or something like that.
Also I have been desperate for a good pair of brown boots and Frye was just an extra cherry on top. Also going to Goodwill as an avid Aussie op shopper was very fun and I found a coach bag straight away.
Another highlight was the Academy Museum. Duh, I love movies, so this was very exciting. Seeing all the furniture from The Godfather kind of blew my mind a little. And the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz… wow.
Went to Universal and Disney as well, but honestly not highlights. Disney was so packed. Could barely move.
I’m a huge Gilmore Girls fan, so visiting Stars Hollow was probably the most exciting part of this trip. I got teary as they blasted There She Goes on the speakers and I watched everyone looking very happy with their little Luke’s takeaway cups in hand.
Also the best thing I ate was easily Dave’s Hot Chicken. I need one in Melbourne. Please.
Anyways, that is it for the month of December. My Jan digest will hopefully actually be on time.
Thanks and lots of love,
Isla
P.S another reminder to check out my youuuutuuuube