Bittersweet art + tacostacostacos = a lovely way to spend a Friday evening.
Dave: I’ve never really understood the appeal of watching improv. I’m sure doing it is fun - having to be on and responsive and creative in front of an audience during a show. But watching it just isn’t my bag. Despite the improv-centric plot, the cast of this movie appealed to me, and I thought it would just be one joke about improv after another. Instead, it tried to follow members of an improv troupe that have to deal with professional jealousy and dashed hopes and dreams. That last part felt a tiny bit like being on the academic job market with friends and colleagues competing for the same jobs. The film had too many subplots that dangled, and some seemingly main characters that felt really underdeveloped, but the acting was solid. And like most improv shows, it seemed like it was going to be funny, but left you feeling a little sad and conflicted (⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2)
I think I’d eat taco seasoning on tofu. Or hard tack. Or dirt clods. If this pandemic goes on for much longer, we might have to explore some of those taco substitution options, so I’m glad we have this particular seasoning blend in our back pockets. For now though, the taco popcorn hit the spot: salty, smoky, and spicy. We loved it so much we made a second bowl! (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Joe: I've been thinking a lot about the role of the artist during the pandemic. How many of us have turned to literature, music, or cinema in these times? And how many of us don't think twice (unintended pun, all apologies) or even care about artists when everything is hunky-dory? This film hit me hard, perhaps even more so because of The Role of the Artist in These Times. Artists struggle. They struggle for recognition and acclaim and yes, even fame. And they often go largely unnoticed, despite being so important to the fabric of society. Don't Think Twice isn't a laugh riot, but it isn't a black comedy either. Nor is it really a drama. It's a celebration of art, of comedy, and of the artist's struggle. It's poignant and big-hearted and bittersweet. God, is it bittersweet. And it points to what matters the most: surrounding ourselves with people who get those around them. Powerful stuff. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
This popcorn is under the "Backyard Fun" link on the Popcorn Board's website. None of the suggestions on that page provide a recipe, but rather suggestions for how to make popcorn "fun". I latched onto the idea of taco seasoning, but we don't buy that spice blend. We in the Nerdery™ usually wing it we make tacos. So I poked around on the interwebz and found a recipe for making taco seasoning, and I whipped a batch up, but modified it slightly because of course I did. I had a nibble of the blend sans popcorn and had Dave try some as well: we both kinda shivered in ecstasy. On popcorn, it was über-heavenly [1 tbsp chili powder; 1/4 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano; 1 tsp paprika; 1 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp pepper, 3/4 tsp salt - you're welcome]. We made a second batch.That's right friends. We ate two full bowls of this. You're welcome. (⭐️⭐⭐⭐️⭐️)
Popcorn recipe from: Popcorn Board (popcorn.org)
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