The Swipe Volume 2 Chapter 12
In a perfect definition of the universe giving with one hand and taking from the other, the last payment on The Big Loan went out at the same time as an escalation of domestic horrors, culminating in a four-figure bill to address the sort of plumbing issues you get when you live in a near-hundred-year old house. Cosmic checks and balances in place clearly, because gods know it wouldn’t do to become smug about the improved financial situation.
In other news, we watched some Australian Rules Football, ate at a two-Michelin starred pub and bought some adult Lego and a car. No, not a Lego car. Yes, it’s been a birthday week.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
Clean Room, written by Gail Simone with art by Jon-Davis Hunt and Walter Geovani. An SF-nal take on the concept of demonic possession which grooves flawlessly between hardcore horror, action and twisty corporate drama. It’s also, because this is the work of Comic’s Queen Bear, incredibly funny. I cannot recommend the series highly enough. A real highlight of my jump into Kindle Unlimited.
Rob is watching…
Channel 5 (no, not the UK home of Cruising With Susan Calman) is doing great work with the sort of street-level journalism we see less of and need more than ever. I’ve included a ride-along with the Border Convoy, the sort of grassroots protest which is all too easy to sneer at—the situation is, of course, more nuanced than an eye-roll would justify and the people Andrew Callaghan talks to are treated with respect and empathy. A channel worth following (fair warning, though, some of the films, particularly those dealing with drug addiction, are hard watches).
Rob is listening…
to that voice.
Rob is eating…
Well, it sounds revolting, but if you’re of the opinion that mayo is effectively just oil and eggs and therefore a valid baking ingredient, there are cakes to be made this weekend with a certain special something. It is Eggmas, after all.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Snif And Snüf reminds me of the short European animations BBC1 would show as a filler between kid’s TV and the early evening news of a weekday. It feels timeless, universal, a simple story told with economy and grace holding more emotional weight than the big studios can manage with their huge budgets. So beautifully done.
We’ll stay with animation for a sec, and check out Drawing For Nothing, a gorgeous history of unfinished and unappreciated cartoon movies. The work, craft and talent which go into projects that never see the light of day almost boggles the brain. Should we be sad the films were never completed, or happy that we can still enjoy the beauty of the process? Hey, we’re grownups, we can have both. Now, about Coyote Vs. Acme…
A bit more on the shift in how the news landscape is shifting, and how there is room for rigorous uncompromising journalism in the most surprising places.
And, much as I hate to bang on about it, if you’re digging Channel 5 (no, not the one which seems obsessed with air fryers) you may enjoy the work of Peter Santenello, who is taking a camera into some of the most deprived areas of America and giving the people living there a voice. Like Andrew Callaghan, you should keep a wary eye on some of the editorial choices, but in general it’s a fresh perspective which starts from the base direction that everyone has good in them. And boy, we need a little more of that.
A thought on the work of one of the most distinctive visual stylists working in cinema today. He divides opinion and, I’ll be honest, his most recent films have left me a little cold. But I do admire his unflinching commitment to the bit and believe his forays into animation represent a high point in the medium.
Tribute bands are such a massive part of the live scene, so it’s surprising no-one’s thought of officially franchising them before now. All power to The Hives, who clearly believe in quality control and protection of their carefully-controlled brand…
The announcement of the Nebula long-list is out, and there’s a lot in there you can read for free. Fill your boots, and let’s hope the controversy which mired the Hugos in toxic sludge earlier in the year doesn’t repeat.
The very idea of ChatGPT creating recipes gives me the squick. It doesn’t feel right, and I believe the food which comes out at the end will be somehow—compromised. Tainted. Silly, I know, but our visceral reaction to the creatures of The Uncanny Valley is there for a reason. Gut instinct has a place, especially in cooking.
I will flag this one as adult content, and point out the flawed opinion that sex started in the sixties is way, waaaaay out.
Here’s a bit on an essential element of film-making which, if done with art and skill (all of which the women interviewed or mentioned have in abundance) you shoudn’t even notice. No, it’s not CGI. It’s far more fundamental.
I’m really looking forward to the new version of Patricia Highsmith’s charming psychopath Tom Ripley, as played by Andrew Scott, sliding onto Netflix soon. Michael Colbert digs into the character, particularly Matt Damon’s portrayal, and how their two paths briefly aligned.
Last up, as we’re into Eggmas (may the Jesus Bunny bless you with his chocolatey ovoids) let’s consider the object in question. There’s more than one way to crack this issue…
I’m happy to report that Elbow, whose last couple of albums have kinda skidded off me, have regained my attention. Audio Vertigo, the new album, is full of spiky verve. Lovers’ Leap, the lead single, bounces and struts, teetering on the edge of collapse while never losing the groove. This is all very pleasing to my ears.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
