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total darkness. you shift uncomfortably in your seat; a flicker of light, a sound-tech setting up an amp. you latch on to these ephemeral details in the twilight, searching desperately for answers. why am I here? what am I watching? when will it start?

the curtain twitches. more darkness. fidgety now, almost panicking. then it falls, all at once the house of cards collapses and you can see now and its bright and beautiful. a drum roll, a jaunty tune, an 80’s late-night talk show announcer spins on stage, flirting with the mic stand, and you’re hopeful again. the neon banner descends, and you gaze up, ecstatic now, triumphant, omnipotent, and the whole world fades away around you until your entire vision is taken up only with the great luminescent letters before you, and you’re laughing now and crying uncontrollably, and all your emotions are clambering on top of one another, and the sign reads:

MEDIA ROUNDUP #2 - INSIDE AMERICAN PIE

liftoff.

Contents

spoilers for all below to follow:

• Project Hail Mary

• Ready or Not / Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Books

How To Travel With A Salmon, Umberto Eco

i’ve said already how unbearably pretentious this guy is; the Italian Ethan Hawk. it’s undeniably good, and some of the stories are funny, even relatable. but the whole thing has this underlying air of trying; trying to impress me, trying to woo me, trying to seduce me with flowery language and niche references. I told you already Umberto. I’m not gonna kiss you, not on the first date anyway. leave me alone.

The Wretched of The Earth, Franz Fanon

a sprawling, comprehensive look at the things that people do to each other in times of war and under colonial pressures. often, these things are no different from what people do to each other outside of war, only exacerbated. some case studies and character evaluations that are shocking, traumatising. wouldn’t read if u wanna believe people are fundamentally good. the French ruin everything.

Movies

Project Hail Mary

oh man. I entered the cinema a sceptical, moody adolescent and left a joyous child, the whole world shimmering and gold and sweet. the greatest Rocky character in fiction; I love rocks. I love dancing rocks. this is the best film of the year and it has dancing rocks.

okay it’s not technically perfect and yeah the editing is this or that and shut up. just shut up have a heart it’s not trying to compete with Bergman. No one’s making you put it in your letterboxd top 4. you’re allowed to enjoy a childish, slightly cringy, fun film without worrying about the mise-en-scene. it’s a perfect movie its gorgeous. you’re mise-ra-ble.

Ready Or Not / Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come

firstly, I think watching any sequel immediately after rewatching the original makes the entire thing better, but Ready or Not is a genuinely good horror franchise in its own right. feels like it pulls a lot from Knives Out, but it has one of those rare sequels that does the typical sequel thing - bigger, stronger, longer, international - and actually sticks the landing. A really impressive sequel, though the first is still probably more fun. surprisingly powerful on the big screen; holds its own.

Music

INSIDE AMERICAN PIE, CURVE THEATRE, MIKE ROSS & CO

okay.

a totalising, glorious tour through the lyrics and musical context of Don McLean’s masterpiece. four Canadians from PEI serendipitously ended up playing the curve theatre in Leicester, where my girlfriend and I were the youngest in attendance by at least 60 years. the best thing i’ve ever been a part of. put my own interpretation (below)

to shame.

no other musical notes. nothing could compare. nothing will compare.

Art

Untitled, Pauline Mauruschat

We Folk, Isabella Cotier.