vampire in the corner
August round-up
reading corner
Pride and Prejudice: I was familiar with Jane Austen's game and yet this book still blew me away. It's so damn funny, charming, warm, and real. Lizzie is incredible but I also adore Jane. I think the fact that she strives so hard to be understanding and to never think ill of anyone is so admirable. I read the annotated edition by Patricia Meyer Spacks, which included a wealth of historical context and artwork. While Spacks writes that Lizzie is more interesting than Jane, I have to disagree. It takes such Herculean effort to be a good person, to be steadily consistent in your views, to look for the good in other people despite evidence to the contrary. The author also examines how this novel functions as a fairy tale which is great. It owes a debt to Beauty and the Beast, it's true.
The Crazy Rich Asians trilogy - Kevin Kwan: Escapism at its best. Whenever I'm feeling down I venture back into this ridiculous world of the obscenely wealthy. The main characters Rachel and Nick are sympathetic but they're not as vivid compared to the supporting cast. That does work in the series' favor; they're the readers' stand in since they're both so normal and down to earth. It makes discussions of class and wealth a lot of fun to read about. And the clothes! Nothing makes me more covetous than Astrid Leong's wardrobe.
Walt Disney and Europe - Robin Allan: Thoroughly researched and illuminating. Walt borrowed extensively from European sources for his adaptations and the artwork also heavily influenced the animators. German Expressionism is the clearest example but there's plenty others dating back centuries too. Walt was able to fuse American vaudeville with European tradition. I learned a lot! I also came away with a deeper appreciation for the earlier films, which are superior to whatever they’re churning out today.
Really great essays:
music notes
Heaven Knows - pinkpantheress: The hype is very well deserved. Immersive and lush, bright longing, perfectly arranged and produced. Awash in a very romantic, candlelit atmosphere but with some chirpier tunes.
One Of A Kind - loossemble: One of the best k-pop releases this year. The sound and vibes are similar to LOONA but also distinct. Hyunjin is my favorite and she really stands out with fewer members to overshadow her.
This is How Tomorrow Moves - beabadoobee: I would love for her and Laufey to collab on a song! I like the wistfulness of her voice and the songs.
Fe304: Stick Out - NMIXX: See That is powerful...an in your face anthem, still very sleek, has the nmixx attitude but almost subdued? It fits perfectly with Dash, just brash enough but much cooler. SICKUHH has some nice moments but Kid Milli is grating so it's the weakest track. Faves: Beat Beat, Red light sign but we go, and Love is Lonely. The vocals on the latter are especially beautiful, capturing the melancholic feel. Moving On is another fave and reminds me of aespa's live my life, the 2000s vibe is brilliant!
Short n' Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter: I actually managed to avoid Espresso when it first came out; I liked Please Please Please though and that made it to my on repeat playlist. Bed Chem is also very good. It's short n' tart.
Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay: Sublime, incandescent, ethereal, hypnotic, intoxicating. Album of the year maybe. It not only makes me feel like I’m floating but like the entire space around me has been transformed. No longer in my bedroom but in outer space or a mysterious threshold. Faves: Death & Romance, Vampire in the Corner, Fear, Sex and Watching T.V.
Black Out - Chanyeol: A bit on the safe side but I could change my mind about that. The same way Black Out grew on me even more after a few listens. I liked it well enough the first time but loved it after. Chanyeol's passion for music is so tangible, making his long-awaited EP a lot more special. First off, I'm so glad the rapping is minimal - not that he isn't one of the few talented idols in that arena - but his voice is just so lovely and one of my favorite underrated ones in EXO. This EP has the clearest link to the group while also being thoroughly Chanyeol's. I love the blend of pop and rock. Back Again is the most sonically interesting, my favorite along with Ease Up. Just wish this was a full album!
screening room
Tokyo Drifter (1966) dir. Seijun Suzuki: Just magnificent, this tale of a Yakuza boss and his underling trying to go straight, and a rival gang thwarting their efforts. Brash and bloody, all sharp angles and radiant colors, the coolest and moodiest movie.
A Brighter Summer Day (1991) dir. Edward Yang: This story could've been told in a much shorter runtime, but the nearly four hours aren't a challenge to get through. It's a lush film bathed in a romantic glow, shattered by spurts of violence.
Tarzan (1999) dir. Chris Buck, Kevin Lima: One of the lesser praised Disney movies. The lighting in this film...! The colors, the action, the scenery, all of it is so gorgeously rendered. It might not be a masterpiece, but it is a full-blown symphony of emotion and power. I love how weird and scatterbrained Jane is, a screwball heroine with Belle's fiery spirit.
Lilo and Stitch (2002) dir. Chris Sanders: Such an endearing movie with endearing characters. Wacky and heartfelt, one of Disney's most unique stories. Stitch is lovable despite his destructive tendencies. And Lilo is too, the quintessential weird little girl. Her and Nani's relationship is one of the purest committed to film, not just Disney. I'm glad I was reminded of how wonderful it is.
The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008) dir. Kim Jee-woon: Can a film with such blunt displays of brutality also be funny? There is a lot of unsettling imagery here. It clips along at an energetic pace, kinetic and lively.
Here’s to a lovely September 🍰