Abel Brainz Digest, Vol. 11 - July 18, 2023

This one's eleven. 

I didn't mention the elephant in the room last week, but SAG/AFTRA is officially on-strike. I'll be picketing as much as I can, and that's TBD. 

What does the strike mean?

If you're an actor, it means solidarity at a very important moment.

If you're not, it means you're also witness to an important moment and get to ask yourself how important art is in your life? 

Alright, time for some cool stuff:

Movie stuff!

I rewatched Singles the other night. It still holds up! I actually remember that time period and other than the technology, you wouldn't know it was 1992. All the clothes are popular again! It has a veritable "who's who" of Alternative 'Grunge' Rock cameos- Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell (RIP) and Alice in Chains (RIP Layne Staley)

It's also a great character study with solid performances by Matt Dillion, Kyra Sedgwick, and really the whole ensemble. 

I have this theory that decades don't really start until 3-5 years in. Most movies (and especially music) have this carry over from the decade before. Singles is DEFINITIVELY 90's. No doubt about it. Released in 1992, it proves my theory wrong and can absolutely be included in a 90's time capsule. 

Cameron Crowe, the writer/director of Singles, also wrote Fast Times at Ridgemont High (released in 1982) It's interesting (maybe just to me) that both movies have no previous decade carryover. None. Fast TImes is arguably the movie for an 80's time capsule. 

These movies are kind of a premonition to what their decade was going to be and Cameron Crowe is responsible for both of them. 

ALSO! Include Amy Heckerling in terms of directing movies that define a decade. She directed Fast Times and Clueless, both excellent character studies. 

What makes a 'good' character?

Art is subjective, so if you're talking about someone's performance, or if it affects you positively or negatively, it has done its job.

In my opinion, a memorable character asks and answers "if this is true, what else is true?" over and over again. 

Reading Stuff!

I'm half way through The Sentence by Louise Erdrich and am digging it. I've also endeavored to read a couple of other books simultaneously. What It Is by Lynda Barry is delightful so far and I have yet to start Breaking Bread With The Dead by Alan Jacobs. 

Fun Game Stuff!

Send me an actor and I will give a watchlist six degrees of separation style. It could be a fun part of the newsletter. 

TV Show Stuff!

I finished The Bear and it was fantastic. Highly recommend it. Great performances all around and great writing. Heard. 

This newsletter is fun and a labor of love. The option is always there to send a few bucks to the venmo (@Abel-Arias). Consider it a subscription ;)

Until next week, lizards. 

Much love, 

Abel