08/19/22
This week: Two very different movies you should stream this weekend, along with an oldie-but-goodie podcast and a v heartwarming page-turner.
TRENDS THIS WEEK:
Youtube BLACKPINK - Pink Venom
Letterboxd NOPE
Spotify As It Was - Harry Styles
Netflix NEVER HAVE I EVER
Twitter Sesame Street
Trailer TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
Shopify It’s Been A Week
Life & Culture
Billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos are apparently turning to the west coast of Greenland for their newest energy source. And while this is all possible because of climate change (Greenland’s quickly-melting ice reveals new mineral-rich land and makes it logistically easier for equipment and minerals to be shipped), it’s also meant to fight climate change as well. Mineral exploration startup Kobald is specifically looking to mine metals that can be used to power electric car batteries. The land is potentially capable of powering 100 million electric vehicles, which could in turn lower costs for consumers.
On Tuesday, American Airlines announced that it’s buying up to 20 supersonic jets from plane manufacturer Boom Supersonic. The planes are set to debut in 2029 and can reportedly take you from New York to London in about three and a half hours, and from San Francisco to Tokyo in about six hours. And if that’s not enough to get you excited, the planes will run on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuels.
Yesterday, Nielsen reported that streaming viewership has surpassed cable viewership for the first time ever last month, with 34.8% of all TV viewing.
And of course, my favorite moments of the internet this week. I loved this video that depicts how roads were created in the days of the Roman empire. I also enjoyed this video of a snail playing with a baby carrot, and this video of a cat perfectly emulating the MGM logo.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
This is a PSA that UNCHARTED (trailer here), starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, just hit Netflix. The movie is as action-packed as the video game that it's based on, with witty humor to top it all off. Holland and Wahlberg’s characters set out to search for the hidden keys that lead to billions of dollars of gold lost in a shipwreck in the sixteenth century. Antonio Banderas plays the main villain in the film, a profoundly rich billionaire who is willing to kill anyone for what he believes is his family’s fortune. The movie includes a huge number of fight scenes where Tom Holland’s character, Nathan Drake, fights off big bad guys and resembles Holland’s other major role as Spiderman (possible UNCHARTED x Marvel crossover one day, maybe?). All in all, the movie is hilarious and a fun summer watch that is sure to motivate you to go off on an adventure of your own.
—Saad Hamid, Digital Intern
It wouldn't be a film rec from me if I weren't at least a year late to the party, so here I am! I'm totally shook after watching British director Andrew Gaynord's 2021 comedy-horror film ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME (trailer here). Currently available to stream on Hulu, the film follows co-writer and star Tom Stourton as Pete, a quintessential thirtysomething "regular guy" who reunites with his school friends to celebrate his birthday weekend. Pete is overcome with paranoia at every turn, worried that his longtime friends and their strange new friend Harry (Dustin Demri-Burns) are out to get him. The horror tone and pacing heighten the tension of seemingly small interactions, calling out uncomfortably funny nuances of male insecurity through the characters' one-upmanship, bravado, pranks, and roasts. Pete's misdirected outbursts bring CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM-esque cringe comedy to this dark exploration of subtly toxic masculinity. Watch it this weekend...but don't overthink it after watching. I'm sure all your friends love you!
—Dustin Sloane, Development Assistant
Book
I purchased Emily Henry’s BOOK LOVERS shortly after it was released in May, and finally got around to reading it, and wow! I can’t remember the last time I tore through a book so quickly. A literary agent and a book editor—both workaholics living in New York City—unexpectedly run into each other in a small town right out of a Lifetime movie. The novel is genuinely sweet, but not just in a romantic way. The relationship between the main character, Nora, and her sister made my heart swell. It’s an especially wonderful read during these Great Resignation times: it explores ideas how closely we tie our identities to our professions. And as the title suggests: it’s full of amazing literary references book lovers will adore.
—Rosemary Brennan, Marketing Consultant
FROM THE VAULT
Podcast
Today I’m recommending an oldie but goodie that’s very much worth your time. BUBBLE, by the guys at Maximum Fun, is one of my favorite fiction podcasts of all time. It notably strays from the sort of earnest thrillers we so often see in the scripted space and gives us some quirky gore that feels like an ADULT SWIM romp in audio. And that makes a ton of sense given that writer/creator Jordan Morris’ credits include stints on Comedy Central as well as Comedy Bang! Bang! On TV.
BUBBLE is the story of badass monster killer Morgan, who grew up outside the safe city bounds of FAIRHAVEN, a kind of hipster Utopia created by a Jeff Bezos-type (played out to his most dangerous conclusion). She puts her skills to monetizable use by joining HUNTR, a highly competitive app for those helping keep the city streets safe and doing it with style. The dialogue is sharp, the insights are witty, and don’t worry—there’s a mysterious backstory too. Enjoy!
—Emmanuelle Stahler, VP, Audio
Have a great weekend! And as always, be kind, stay healthy, and stay creative. ツ