It’s been a while, but welcome back to The Art Idiot!
Let’s talk about Drake.
As a fellow, biracial-lightskin, sometimes corny, wannabe, I get it. The vibes, the rico-suave, the gangster softness, the chase for depth yet falling short. Drake’s been in the game since I, and most of us, began to intently listen to music. So Far Gone, Take Care, and Nothing Was the Same, were (and still are) all instantly classic albums of the 2010s, and now, he fights (and succeeds) to remain relevant. However, with his most recent project, which was immediately out-shined by Beyoncé’s new single Break My Soul, it seems that his (very large) fandom, is not giving the artist the space to grow, change, and attempt to tap into new genres and mediums.
I must admit, I, too, am not the biggest fan of what he’s created with Honestly, Nevermind. It feels rushed, thrown together, and would’ve been better off a brief EP for the Summer season. Perhaps what bothers me the most is the genre, “dance,” is heavily reliant on the producer, so what exactly did Drake contribute other than empty lyrics? Yet, as always, there are a few tracks that will live on, and as always, Drake remains #1 on the charts.
I conclude with: there is more to be said, however, this is a newsletter, not a novel, and I am unsure whether Drake deserves lengthy critical thought from anyone. Regardless, I am going to listen and find guilty pleasure in it.
Featured Films…
In Theatres…
Top Gun: Maverick – 4/5 stars
A sequel being better than the original is rare, and shockingly this has been the only win for the United States this year. Keeping this brief to avoid any potential sign of patriotism but can’t say I didn’t enjoy this one!
Elvis – 3/5 stars
3 stars is a bit generous for this film, but anything less would be disrespectful to Austin Butler’s performance and commitment to his role as Elvis. Knowing the director’s, Baz Luhrmann, style and approach to story telling (he created the 2013 rendition of The Great Gatsby), I knew that this film would be colorful, slow moving, and rely heavily on a great soundtrack. While the creators attempted to showcase Elvis stealing from Black artists and marrying a teenager, it seems they wanted the audience to leave the theatre feeling bad for him due to his even more problematic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, disgustingly played by Tom Hanks. In spite of my own qualms, I’d watch it again and again for my sweet Nana, the original lover of Elvis’s music (and to look at Austin Butler).
HBO Max..
GoodFellas – 4.5/5 stars
I’ve been thinking about this film since I first watched it on June 12th. Although I am deep into a re-binge of HBO’s classic, The Sopranos, GoodFellas solidified my ability to enjoy borderline-problematic, somewhat-organized, Italian crime content. This is arguably Martin Scorsese’s best work, and while his shot at The Wolf of Wall Street has a similar aesthetic sentiment, the story and authenticity is incomparable to that of GoodFellas. Despite being a 2.5 hour film, there wasn’t a moment where my eyes strayed away. Queuing up The Godfather and making some gabagool.
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain – 4/5 stars
There are overall mixed reviews about the depiction of Anthony Bourdain in this posthumous production. While I agree that there is more to the story, it must be nearly impossible to entirely capture all that this man was. My fellow cancer saw the beauty, and the despair, in everything, and he was able to articulate those observations in such a way that impacted and resonated with millions. What has stuck with me most is this line from a mourning fan of Bourdain: “Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew… Icarus was not failing as he fell but just coming to the end of his triumph.”
Showtime…
The Watermelon Woman – 4/5 stars
A 90s movie about a black lesbian that works in a movie store and loves movies? And it’s a mystery? What’s not to like! Albeit, mystery may be a slight exaggeration, but nonetheless, Cheryl Duyne has written, directed, and starred in a one of a kind film that was monumental for the queer, specifically lesbian, community. If you are looking to push your boundaries a little and watch something new (or shall I say old), I encourage you to watch The Watermelon Woman.
C’mon C’mon – 4/5 stars
Joaquin Phoenix further solidifies his greatness as an actor with his performance in this late 2021 film, C’mon C’mon, and his co-star, child actor Woody Norman, also delivers authenticity and dedication. My first instinct is to describe this as a “feel good” film, yet there are a number of conflicting emotions that one feels throughout the duration of the film. To further explain, there is particular art to encapsulating the triumphs and frustrations of raising a child. As we continue to navigate a world where the future is uncertain, it is crucial to continue to protect children. C’mon C’mon is a small, niche, example of how relationships, especially our relationships with children, are transformative, uplifting, detrimental, frustrating, scary, but most importantly, deserving of our patience and energy. Maybe it’s “not that deep,” however, there is no use in stripping things of their meaning or impact.
Real-Life Recommendation…
Chicago is filled with an immense, immense amount of festivals throughout the summer; there are multiple every single weekend. A few I’ve visited thus far are Taste of Randolph, Goal Coast Art Fair, Old Town Art Fair (which was a pathetic excuse for an Art fair), Music in the Park (at Millennium Part), Logan Square Arts Festival, Pride Festivities, and many more. Here is a comprehensive list from WTTW:
Festivals are one of the best way to become immersed in your own community and branch out to the culturally diverse 77 neighborhoods that Chicago is composed of.
Book Blurbs…
Just Finished…
All About Love by bell hooks - 4/5 stars
For those that know me personally, you may be generally aware that my life motto is “LOVE IS COOL,” but to read about love, as a subject matter rather than a feeling or object of desire, in a “professional” and academic focused manner is something I had not previously considered nor experienced. To study love is to swim to the 5 oceans – endless. While All About Love lacked diverse, well-thought evidence from other writers, hooks still explores the many forms of love that humans experience and is able to make the plethora of concepts digestible, concise,and enjoyable. This is a book for anyone and everyone. Throw aside your cliche self-help book and engage with love and the writing of bell hooks; you’ll be better for it.
Currently Reading…
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
My inspiration to read this stems from its inclusion of the short story Drive My Car which was developed into an Oscar-nominated film. Excited to share more and eventually feature a segment on books/stories that developed into major motion pictures.
As I become more heavily immersed in the writing, Substack, and art critic spheres of society, I begin to worry about how saturated each circle is with opinions, many of which are the same. How can I, how can The Art Idiot, differentiate and stand out? Who knows, but “nevertheless, she persisted.”
Reading Bossypants by Tina Fey and truly appreciating the come up story of a seemingly average woman. Her "come up" happening in Chicago making it even more enjoyable.
Also - Drake lives in a fiercely protected portion of my heart and I loved reading your take on the new album drop.
Watched- “Naked” by Mike Leigh is like a more introspective “Taxi Driver”. Everyone in it, including me, was deeply wounded by the end of the film. It was as elegiac as it was punishing to watch (also “High Hopes” and “Mean Time” by him).
Listened to- Episode 177 of “Feel Better, Live More” by Dr. Rangan featuring professors of Stanford’s “Touchy-Feely” course on how to build exceptional relationships