Photo: Jamie Feldman
Oh hello there again!
It seems it’s time for the short list of interesting bits ands bobs that have been scrolling and streaming and pilling up around me lately. April showers have not lent themselves so much to any early May flowers yet, but rather to quite a bit of dry and warm indoor television watching. So yes, the list is a little heavy on the TV this week, but I’ve also got a really lovely novel recommendation for you this time, as well, so let’s start with that, shall we?
On to the list!
1.) I finally read Sarah Bernstein’s Giller Prize winning (and Booker Prize shortlisted) novel, Study for Obedience. I loved it. It’s quite short but one of those books that stays with you and really keeps your mind coming back to it again and again. Do check it out!
2.) The strike-delayed Writer’s Guild Awards took place this past week with American Fiction and The Holdovers grabbing the top prizes for film. Both are excellent and you should give them a watch! For a full list of winners, check out this link here.
3.) Ripley over on Netflix is the latest buzz-worthy tv show that folks are binging. While it’s another take on Patricia Highsmith’s famous Tom Ripley character, this version is very different to the most well-known screen version that Matt Damon brought to life. This take, starring Andrew Scott, is incredibly beautiful and the cinematography is really out of this world. However, it is quite slow, and so I’d suggest savouring an episode at a time as opposed to indulging in the usual bring-watch habit.
4.) This article and interview with Ripley director, Steven Zaillian, is a wonderful look into the painstaking effort and attention to detail that goes into creating a television show, especially one that comes across as a masterful piece of art. There’s discussion on everything from editing choices to ambiance to casting to procuring very specific props. It’s a great read.
5.) If Ripley isn’t to your tastes, then perhaps Mindhunter on Netflix would be a better fit. I’ll admit I only heard about this show recently despite it having come out in 2017, but with it being produced and directed by David Fincher, it really recalls Netflix’s earlier ‘House of Cards’ heydays.
Cheers and catch you next week for the long read!