Elmer Gantry [1960]
1. Shoveling coal in the furnace for a plate of black-eyed peas. Without a touch of self-loathing, he takes a job in a Black church.
2. She sticks the wad of cash in the top of her stocking and says, “The best bank in America.”
3. Cat in a cathouse.
Saltburn [2023]
1. “I was a lesbian for a while, you know. But it was all just too wet for me in the end. Men are so lovely and dry.”
2. Runny eggs.
3. We don’t learn the amount of the check.
Just not my cup of tea. Pasolini, John Waters, Brett Easton Ellis, Patricia Highsmith all did it better. Looks beautiful though.
Safe in Hell [1931]
1. Their faces as viewed through the packing crate.
2. One by one the men slouch in their chairs for the chance to peek up her dress.
3. The way Nina Mae McKinney says “mmmhmm.”
The Zone of Interest [2023]
1. She discovers a tube of lipstick in one of the pockets of her “new” fur coat.
2. Fertilizer.
3. An inkling of the future does nothing to alter his course.
I’m speechless, other than to say that quite possibly this film is perfect.
Ikarie XB 1 [1963]
1. A robot named Patrick.
2. “Prepare to sleep for 60 hours.”
3. Magnetic boots with soles that light up.
In a new article at All About Jazz, critic Robert Middleton deems Jason Adasiewicz’s LP “a roller-coaster ride and, so far, my favorite album of 2023.” He concludes his lengthy review by writing “Roy’s World has everything you want in a jazz thriller. What stands out most is the cohesiveness, energy and mastery of a crack jazz band at the top of their game.” Read the rest of the piece for yourself!
The album is available in a beautiful vinyl edition (featuring a new Barry Gifford story) as well as digitally via Bandcamp.
Allow me to wish you all a Happy New Year and all the best in 2024!
Anatomy of a Fall [2023]
1. Strips of gaffer’s tape.
2. Blister packs found in the kitchen trash.
3. Saltwater.
RandomCha 