Issue 5: The Iron Claw
Currently on wrestling, interviews, craft, concerts, and clubs.
đ Reviewing: The Iron Claw (2023)
Set in 1980s Texas, âThe Iron Clawâ tells the tragic tale of the Von Erich brothers inheriting a professional wrestling legacy from their father. Writer/director Sean Durkin demonstrates sincere respect and curiosity for the Von Erich family, as evidenced by how he captures the spectacle of the sport, the heartache of loss, and the glory of an inseparable bond between the brothers.
However, the film grapples with a common biopic hurdleâthere simply isnât enough time. Condensing an entire familyâs life into a standard feature length while maintaining historical accuracy through a cohesive narrative structure leads to pacing problems. Important dynamics are reduced to montages, and the audience is bounced from tragedy to tragedy without having the time to process the weight of the events. Iâm still sorting out whether the heaviness I felt came from a reverence for the facts instead of the film.
Unevenly paced and straightforwardly presented, âThe Iron Clawâ shows us the physical fights endured by the brothers inside the ring, the mental battles endured by the family outside the ring, and how toxic masculinity will pin you down until you tap out. âThe Iron Clawâ debuts exclusively in movie theaters on December 22nd.
đș Watching: Actors on Actors
I love listening to artists discuss their art (Actors Roundtable, Notes on a Scene) as it contextualizes their work and offers new respect for the artists. Variety's 'Actors on Actors' series features actors engaging in personal discussions about their craft, covering a range of topics such as their roles, on-set experiences, and reflections on the industry. These conversations provide viewers with a more personal and intimate look into the lives and perspectives of these actors. The current season, Season 19, has been the most successful yet, garnering over 145 million views across social media. Highlights from this season include discussions between Emma Stone and Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman paired with Paul Mescal, and Cillian Murphy with Margot Robbie. Season 19 of âActors on Actorsâ is currently available to stream on YouTube.
đ Reading: Water, Wood, and Wild Things
As a recent visitor to Japan, an admirer of unnoticed details, and an advocate of the intentional, Iâve been eager to continue my exploration of Japanese craft and culture. 'Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town' takes readers through the Japanese landscape to witness intricate processes and meet the masters behind them. Part memoir, part cookbook, part travelogue, author Hannah Kirshner shares anecdotes on the power of tradition, purpose, and deliberate lives deeply connected to place.
đ§ Listening To: She Her Her Hers
While in Japan, I had the opportunity to see a performance by the Tokyo-based band 'She Her Her Hers.' It was a unique and memorable experience, as I had never witnessed such a calm, quiet, and polite crowd at a rock concert. The atmosphere was so hushed that you could hear the sounds of ice cubes shifting in people's drinks. This experience introduced me to a new level of respect for the music and musicians, qualities that I rarely see evident in local events. The latest album from the band, titled 'Diffusion of Responsibility,' was released in November of this year.
𧱠Building: Podcast Club
At work, Iâve started a Podcast Club (like a book club, but for podcasts) where once a month, we vote on what to listen to and then gather virtually to share insights and questions. In our first meeting, we covered one of the most shared podcast episodes of the year, 'The Paradox of Pleasure' by Hidden Brain. Facilitating the discussion, I posed key questions to stimulate thoughtful reflections: What did you learn that can improve your work? What did you learn that can improve your life? Which snippet from the episode are you most inclined to share? What did you change your mind about? Iâm currently working on ways to refine the episode selection process and craft intentional questions to discuss, aiming to create a space where the group can explore the intersections of media, life, and work.
Thanks for being here.
â Justin