That was a braving breath of fresh air Ira. Thank you. “ they just want things to argue about based on pieces of their identity” will be tattooed on my brain to help me stay sane
Inigo Laguda said something similar in a note! This was originally a piece on The Drama and Obsession, but I took so long to finish it I swapped out The Drama for The Odyssey and only left those couple sentences
Loved every word in this piece, especially: "In 2026, many of us scroll the tiny machines in our hands and pose the daily question, “Can HUMANS think?”" (lol), despite the fact that I did not enjoy The Odyssey one bit and think only Memento is worth a rewatch (sorry, not sorry)
i think there are plenty of critiques of the drama but that one was always weird to me. it's like saying you didn't like gone girl because a women wouldn't actually fake her death and frame her husband for murder when she finds out he's cheating.
Ooooh, I love this angle. I’ve always had this belief that the best films, especially well-researched dramas or ambitious sci-fi, are one of the ultimate expressions of human collaboration.
You have artists creating the costumes, music, makeup, performances, and cinematography. You have historians, scientists, or technical experts helping ground the world in reality or imagine plausible futures. Then there’s the cutting-edge technology behind the visual effects, animatronics, stunts, and sound design. And somehow all of these people, with completely different skills and perspectives, align around telling one story.
For a couple of hours, you get to experience the result of thousands of people creating something together that none of them could have made alone. I think there’s something really beautiful about that.
“it’s not legitimate to critique what doesn’t exist” is about 90% of my issue with this wave of cinemasins style nitpicking. you can hate the final product, but a base refusal to even meet the artist/creator on their terms signals such a lack of curiosity about the world around you. we all need to be asking “why did that happen” more and “should that be allowed” less. great piece ira!!
Pulling up in case anyone tries to swing on you for standing on business about Tenet.
Artists should take big creative swings that look and feel different than what their audience has come to expect from them. And you’re spot on that the culture of nitpicking just to participate in the discourse whether it’s actually relevant to the art in question is unproductive and also changing the nature of what gets support, budget and infrastructure to be realized.
That being said, no one come for Joanne, ok? I loved that album because it’s a complete departure from the rest of Gaga’s ouevre and I wish more pop stars were doing the same.
So effective to use the Obsession "take" to open this! I streamed it finally this weekend and was shocked people thought Bear was a hot take -- post-wish Nikki almost immediately begins shouting and screaming to let her old self out of this new one wish prison. Great entire essay but I was bursting to read a little bit from you on Obsession, thanks for the fix. :)
I think the reason people believe that “Bear is the real villain” is a revolutionary idea is because the film doesn’t fully commit to him being the main villain. On a very surface level, possessed Nikki is the villain. And the story is told through Bear’s eyes, so we’re not getting more of Nikki’s POV on what it’s like to be victimized at his hands. So for some (definitely not me lol), there was some confusion about who they’re supposed to be rooting for. And unfortunately, I still see popular takes that posit Nikki is the film’s villain (!). Quoting this piece from Bilge Ebiri’s Vulture review:
“Maybe the reason why so many intriguing ideas are left unexplored in Obsession comes from a fundamental conceptual conflict: Bear is a monster, but the movie is unwilling to go too far in that direction. He essentially enslaves Nikki, but because he regrets it immediately and tries to undo it, he still gets to act like something of a hero, albeit a dopey one, while she goes through the motions of a monster, albeit an occasionally tragic one.”
He doesn’t try to undo it at all! And is wish isn’t even to free her and he chickens out on freeing her in the end but is only stopped by Nikki making her wish. I find his villainy to be quite explicit!
What a great read, Ira, thank you! I'm reading Wilson's translation right now before I see the film, and almost skipped this to preserve my experience, but you drew me in so thoroughly with your COMPLETELY CORRECT and cathartic take on the Obsession discourse I couldn't stop myself, and I'm so glad I didn't. Your note that "Homer’s story was written from the perspective of a rising civilization, whereas Nolan made a moral story for a civilization in decline" sent me down SUCH a rabbit hole! thank you for that link and underscoring Nolan's take. It really speaks to the magnitude of taking on an ancient text for modern times and how much intention matters. Really appreciate your nuanced take on this.
I’m curious what you think I’d change about my critique! My piece for MTV News was on the film’s tone deaf white jazz savior narrative while generally acknowledging that the film was fine! I regret my name becoming part of the overall ammunition against La La Land in its Moonlight fight, but I’ve never really changed my opinion on the film.
I just went back and reread it (glad at least some of the MTV stuff is on Medium!). You’re totally right, you did become the poster boy for that fight while being fair to the film. So I’ll admit my memory was skewed! Apologies. I really appreciate this piece, especially bc some of the discourse is from people who don’t even bother to see the movies.
That was a braving breath of fresh air Ira. Thank you. “ they just want things to argue about based on pieces of their identity” will be tattooed on my brain to help me stay sane
Inigo Laguda said something similar in a note! This was originally a piece on The Drama and Obsession, but I took so long to finish it I swapped out The Drama for The Odyssey and only left those couple sentences
It really sings. 5”( there’s more proof..🌞)
Loved every word in this piece, especially: "In 2026, many of us scroll the tiny machines in our hands and pose the daily question, “Can HUMANS think?”" (lol), despite the fact that I did not enjoy The Odyssey one bit and think only Memento is worth a rewatch (sorry, not sorry)
i think there are plenty of critiques of the drama but that one was always weird to me. it's like saying you didn't like gone girl because a women wouldn't actually fake her death and frame her husband for murder when she finds out he's cheating.
Ooooh, I love this angle. I’ve always had this belief that the best films, especially well-researched dramas or ambitious sci-fi, are one of the ultimate expressions of human collaboration.
You have artists creating the costumes, music, makeup, performances, and cinematography. You have historians, scientists, or technical experts helping ground the world in reality or imagine plausible futures. Then there’s the cutting-edge technology behind the visual effects, animatronics, stunts, and sound design. And somehow all of these people, with completely different skills and perspectives, align around telling one story.
For a couple of hours, you get to experience the result of thousands of people creating something together that none of them could have made alone. I think there’s something really beautiful about that.
“it’s not legitimate to critique what doesn’t exist” is about 90% of my issue with this wave of cinemasins style nitpicking. you can hate the final product, but a base refusal to even meet the artist/creator on their terms signals such a lack of curiosity about the world around you. we all need to be asking “why did that happen” more and “should that be allowed” less. great piece ira!!
Pulling up in case anyone tries to swing on you for standing on business about Tenet.
Artists should take big creative swings that look and feel different than what their audience has come to expect from them. And you’re spot on that the culture of nitpicking just to participate in the discourse whether it’s actually relevant to the art in question is unproductive and also changing the nature of what gets support, budget and infrastructure to be realized.
That being said, no one come for Joanne, ok? I loved that album because it’s a complete departure from the rest of Gaga’s ouevre and I wish more pop stars were doing the same.
I like some Joanne songs 😂
So dang smart! Thank you!
Damn, caught a stray by having the Drama spoiled when I was about to watch it this weekend! My fault for waiting until it was on streaming.
!
So effective to use the Obsession "take" to open this! I streamed it finally this weekend and was shocked people thought Bear was a hot take -- post-wish Nikki almost immediately begins shouting and screaming to let her old self out of this new one wish prison. Great entire essay but I was bursting to read a little bit from you on Obsession, thanks for the fix. :)
Thank you 🙏🏾
I think the reason people believe that “Bear is the real villain” is a revolutionary idea is because the film doesn’t fully commit to him being the main villain. On a very surface level, possessed Nikki is the villain. And the story is told through Bear’s eyes, so we’re not getting more of Nikki’s POV on what it’s like to be victimized at his hands. So for some (definitely not me lol), there was some confusion about who they’re supposed to be rooting for. And unfortunately, I still see popular takes that posit Nikki is the film’s villain (!). Quoting this piece from Bilge Ebiri’s Vulture review:
“Maybe the reason why so many intriguing ideas are left unexplored in Obsession comes from a fundamental conceptual conflict: Bear is a monster, but the movie is unwilling to go too far in that direction. He essentially enslaves Nikki, but because he regrets it immediately and tries to undo it, he still gets to act like something of a hero, albeit a dopey one, while she goes through the motions of a monster, albeit an occasionally tragic one.”
He doesn’t try to undo it at all! And is wish isn’t even to free her and he chickens out on freeing her in the end but is only stopped by Nikki making her wish. I find his villainy to be quite explicit!
The identity argument of it all is especially prevalent in reality TV now. Somehow everyone has become an avatar, everything is a symbol.
The average Wendy Osefo fan from seasons 5-8…
What a great read, Ira, thank you! I'm reading Wilson's translation right now before I see the film, and almost skipped this to preserve my experience, but you drew me in so thoroughly with your COMPLETELY CORRECT and cathartic take on the Obsession discourse I couldn't stop myself, and I'm so glad I didn't. Your note that "Homer’s story was written from the perspective of a rising civilization, whereas Nolan made a moral story for a civilization in decline" sent me down SUCH a rabbit hole! thank you for that link and underscoring Nolan's take. It really speaks to the magnitude of taking on an ancient text for modern times and how much intention matters. Really appreciate your nuanced take on this.
“She is a classicist, after all.”
I don’t know about this one Ira
https://littlenemo098.substack.com/p/odysseus-at-mcdonalds?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
We would have a ball Ira
Genuine, really not trolling question: does this evolution of cultural discourse change your critique of La La Land?
I’m curious what you think I’d change about my critique! My piece for MTV News was on the film’s tone deaf white jazz savior narrative while generally acknowledging that the film was fine! I regret my name becoming part of the overall ammunition against La La Land in its Moonlight fight, but I’ve never really changed my opinion on the film.
I just went back and reread it (glad at least some of the MTV stuff is on Medium!). You’re totally right, you did become the poster boy for that fight while being fair to the film. So I’ll admit my memory was skewed! Apologies. I really appreciate this piece, especially bc some of the discourse is from people who don’t even bother to see the movies.