In the final throes of COVID, I decided to choose one of my favorite films from my last semester in college. Dave, recently plagued with COVID, wishes I had chosen something else. We're in a fight rn.
Dave: I feel like I just watched Sliding Doors (1998) as if it was directed, starring, and with music by Björk. Instead of Goop-eth Paltrow missing a train, about half of this movie is a Björk-like character careening full-tilt through a city in what look like Doc Martens while scheming to commit various crimes and misdeeds. Also, very occasionally she is a Squidbillies-like cartoon character who hates her neighbor's dog. I realize this is supposed to be art, but the scenes with Lola’s father and his girlfriend in the bank were so poorly lit that the characters look like they’re in front of a bad green screen. I couldn’t un-see that, and couldn’t get over that there was, essentially, no plot. Instead the connecting thread was just a bunch of EDM tracks that sounded like they came out of the dregs of mp3.com. (️️⭐️⭐️)
Maybe it’s just because I’m getting over COVID, but this popcorn felt both very sweet and surprisingly sour at the same time. I never lost my sense of taste or smell, but the horrific head cold has played havoc with my senses. On paper, I should have positively adored this popcorn, but I only liked it (even if I liked it a lot). I am patting myself on the back for the inspired addition of freeze-dried blueberries, which added a crispy texture that the otherwise borderline-mealy popcorn needed. Still, the flavor base was peanut butter and white chocolate, one of my favorite flavor combinations, so I hoovered it up like it was my job. This might be one that I make again for myself when all of my tasting and smelling faculties have completely returned (️️️️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Joe: I was obsessed with Lola Rennt when it was released stateside in 1999. It was thrilling, fast-paced, and exceptionally creative. I probably haven't seen it in more than 20 years, and I must say: it holds up. The plot is scant, but director Twyker keeps an eye on several threads: the lives of tertiary characters that spin out based on their interactions with Lola, the timing of several machinations (the ambulance, Herr Meyer, the dog in the hallway), and the complicated relationship between Manni and Lola. Are there contrivances? Sure. Have we seen this sort of story before? Yes, but 25 years ago it was pretty damn fresh, and I maintain that it's aged really well. I remembered quite a bit, which is a testament to how solid the storytelling is. Die Tasche! (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
I have a love/hate relationship with peanut butter and jelly. My grandmama (rest her soul) made the very best: Wonder Bread with Peter Pan peanut butter and Welch's grape jelly. She always thought it was pretty weird that we kids favored this simple sandwich over anything else she made. But it's true. Anyway. This popcorn, though it failed to reach Grandmama's dizzying heights of PB&J greatness, was damned delicious. The perfect balance of creamy salty goodness and tart sweetness. I might ask Dave to make it for me again. Tomorrow, preferably. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Popcorn recipe from: The Popcorn Board
Lola Rennt on IMDB.
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