Issue 17: Civil War
Currently on journalism, jokes, and moons.
đ Reviewing: Civil War (2024)
Once you start asking yourself those questions, you canât stop. So we donât ask. We record so other people ask. Want to be a journalist? Thatâs the job.
Some images in life stay with you for the rest of your life. Witnessing a police officer shoot a man in the head is one of those images for me. That experience in 2018 buried a haunting feeling so deep in me that I hoped could not be uncovered. Well, âCivil Warâ dug that feeling right the hell up.
Written and directed by Alex Garland ('Annihilation', 'Ex Machina'), âCivil Warâ tells the story of journalists, led by celebrated war photographer Lee (Kirsten Dunst), as they immerse themselves in the front lines of a speculative second civil war.
On the surface, âCivil Warâ is a road trip film â it features a ragtag group overcoming unexpected obstacles, encountering eccentric characters, and forming camaraderie in a race against time to reach their destination. Beneath the surface, however, âCivil Warâ is an intense, unsettling, and anxiety-inducing account that prompts questions about the repercussions of war, desensitization to violence, ethics of the media, addiction to adrenaline, and the hypothetical future of our country. âCivil Warâ isnât a war story; itâs a warning story.
Because âCivil Warâ blurs ambiguous lines between right and wrong, north and south, and shooting a gun versus shooting a camera, some critics of the film argue that it fails to take a side or have anything to say. But thatâs the point; thatâs the power of photography â it doesnât say things; it shows them. âCivil Warâ is currently playing in theaters.
đș Watching: Good One: A Show About Jokes (2024)
I first heard comedian Mike Birbiglia on âThis American Lifeâ in 2008. Since then, heâs gone on to record five stand-up specials, write and direct two films, perform two shows on Broadway, and start a podcast. Birbiglia's comedic prowess extends beyond punchlines; it's a deeply personal story woven from relatable anecdotes and keen observations, and that story doesnât come easy.
As someone intrigued by the creative process, and the inner workings of talented minds, Birbiglia's latest project, 'Good One: A Show About Jokes,' naturally caught my attention. This documentary special offers a unique peek into his creative journey, showcasing the evolution of his comedy from raw punchlines to polished personal truths. Comedy, as Birbiglia illustrates, is an experimentation with subtle adjustments and relentless editing all finely tuned based on the immediate feedback of a live audience. Through this show, we get to witness the alchemy unfold, revealing how jokes become good ones. 'Good One: A Show About Jokes' is available to stream on Peacock.
đĄ Inspired By: Moonlight
A social club for side projects, but itâs scheduled around the moon.
I am always working on a project. While they provide a sense of purpose and an easy way to fill my nights and weekends, they also enable me to take a seasonâs worth of thoughts or ideas and package them into a tangible item. Sometimes thatâs a book, a game, an app, or a newsletter. However, these projects, being personal, often lack strict deadlines, leading them to linger for longer than expected. Iâve learned that Iâm not alone in this dilemma, and thankfully, I have friends who share my creative drive and are also working on their own projects.
To address this dilemma, some friends have established a club centered around the lunar cycle. Each new moon marks a new beginningâa time to share your project, set goals, seek advice from other members, engage in collaborative work sessions, and even participate in monetary wagers for an extra oomph of motivation. Then at the end of each lunar cycle, work is showcased and celebrated.
This system is invaluable because it harnesses the proven effectiveness of accountability in goal-setting. It provides a structured framework for tracking and measuring our progress toward our creative objectives. At worst, I get to hang out with friends for a month. At best, I have something cool to show for it. I'm excited to delve deeper into the details of my project for Lunation #1253 soon.
Thanks for being here.
â Justin