February 17th, 2024. 11:50 PM

I’m sleeping on the opposite side of my full mattress, while my dad is on the regular side. I do this because he snores loudly and I need to sleep as much as I can before this Half Marathon that I signed up for, in haste, a couple of months prior. It’s the night before and my dad, brother, and Quyen helped me carbo-load with a generous dinner at one of my favorite pasta places in Austin - Artipasta. Everyone is asleep, but I can’t seem to quell my anxiety (Perhaps my racing thoughts got a head start).

You need to resign yourself to the awkwardness of life.

I feel like I’m sinking. Not only being washed away by unpredictable waves of anxiety. I’m being sucked into an inevitable hole that’s only power is to go slow. I can’t stop doubting myself and my life compass. The direction always feels wrong and I never put all my weight into one step. I’m no writer. I’m no personality. I’m no worker. I’m no friend. I’m nothing.

Film is a medium that helps me sit still and focus. With good storytelling, it allows me to step out of myself for a few hours. I get enveloped in the atmosphere of the film and for a few hours, I hand myself over to the creators of the story. The Stranger allowed me to experience a tense and almost overwhelming anxiety through the direction of the film. Two of my favorite movies are Burning and No Country for Old Men. Their ability to capture my attention, while tactfully asphyxiating me with its slow burn has been a treat to be a part of. The Stranger joins that short list of slow-burn movies that I can watch multiple times.

I never cook without knowing what I want my end product to look like. Although there will be variations and flavor testing along the way, I know exactly how I want the presentation of my meal to be. Before I even start, I can almost taste it. Its allure slowly sheds as its shape begins to form in the process. But that does not stop me from striving to attain the picture-perfect final vision in my limited recipe catalog.

There’s a pool near my way of Austin named Barton Creek Pool. In the blistering heat of summer, it’s an attraction that draws tourists and residents to cool down and submit themselves to a natural basin. Stretching over 3 acres long, Barton Creek is filled by nearby natural springs that were rumored to be used for purification rituals by Tonkawa Native Americans. When you arrive, you’re slightly overwhelmed by not only the vastness of the pool but its inhabitants as well.

I wanted to promote a video onto my limited audience. Let’s be honest, if you’re here, I either just gave you the link to my website, or you’re online stalking me for whatever reason. In any case, here’s a video that I hope moves you. It helped give me permission to be creative and helped me understand how creativity is everywhere.

I want this blog to be an ongoing record of my thoughts and feelings. The lessons I’ve learned are all important, but I often forget about them; perhaps that is one of the effects of life.

Gone are the times in which the average American needed to get off his/her keister in order to shop for a new summer outfit. With the prevalence of online shopping, it is easier now more than ever to order that scandalous bathing suit from the comfort of the infamous couch. But even when the day arrives where you decide you want to physically feel the softness of silk before you purchase it, where do you venture? Where does one go in order to seek a variety of clothes, a weird amalgam of food, or aggressive kiosk merchants? The answer is: The Shopping Mall.

Michael B. Jordan delivers a knockout trilogy film that shines brightest on its characters and direction. We finally enter a world without our franchise character, Rocky, and although his presence is missed, the fresh story in this film outweighs the appearance of the Italian Stallion. The characters we have in this current saga have their own legs to stand on.

As a Houstonian, I often forget that the city does not represent the whole of the state of Texas. Despite being the most populous city in Texas, Houston is a modest piece compared to the acreage of this enormous state. While Texans will utilize the same phrases (“Everything is bigger in Texas”) and unify when abhorring the heat during the summer, there are a few differences in culture when you compare the different regions.

The advent of the internet opened a deluge of information for the everyday consumer. Drinking from the metaphorical firehose while researching a topic can be overwhelming and anxiety-producing, especially when it comes to one’s well-being. There is an abundance of health and wellness advice on the internet that is spouted by businesses, influencers, and Brad_Biceps32 from bodybuilding.com. It is becoming increasingly frustrating and exhausting with how often new health information that’s just released contradicts our old beliefs.

I’ve been reading, watching, and breathing poker for the past few weeks. There’s something about the game that draws me towards it. I think it’s the opportunity (not ability) to win money, specifically from others. It scratches my competitive itch and quells my mind when I’m anxious. My favorite players to watch play are the big dogs: Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Tom Dwan, etc. They have the traits that I want in a poker personality. Calm and collected when the heat turns up, cutthroat when its time to bet big. Obviously, that will come with time, experience, and a bit of luck. When I was in college, I watched the movie Rounders and the ending really inspired to “go after it” as some would say.

Much of poker is all about risk management, something I’m not very good at. I either go 100% all-in or play my hand too close to the vest. I’m realizing more and more that it’s looking like I’m getting more gun-shy too. I need to get that edge back.

I’ve been watching an 11-hour Ken Burns documentary titled “The Vietnam War” about the epic conflict in Vietnam. This topic recently has been a point of interest to me for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and learning more about the history of where I “came from” even though I was born next to a Sonic Drive-thru in Houston, Texas. I’m trying to get a better understanding of my ancestral history. Another topic for another post though.

What stood out to me while learning about the War is how truly senseless war can be. There were two million civilian deaths on both sides of the Vietnam War, and a countless number of those who are affected by it. That’s only ONE war. Civilian deaths were being used as pawns in a “greater” plan. Deaths of dogs, cats, and even people.

Don’t Worry Darling (DWD) parallels its subject matter in the fact that it may look extravagant on the outside, but the mechanisms within are severely flawed. Olivia Wilde explores a theme that is more carried through the performances and clout of the actors rather than the plot of the movie.

Despite the beautiful set designs and costumes, the film does not really explore many themes that would be worth mentioning in a satirical thriller movie like this. The theme of the “Control of Patriarchy” is handled very plainly and is one that has been portrayed more effectively in other films. While writing this review, I struggled to come up with another theme that is worth diving into (Paranoia, Discrediting Mental Illness, etc), but they are all small embers to the larger flame of the “Patriarchy” theme.

Speaking on this, I noticed a trend in Hollywood recently of putting down men in order to uplift women. DWD is no exception. Wilde calls out a subset of men called “Incels” in this film. “Weak” men who can’t attract women and instead follow hollow leaders like Chris Pine’s character. While I agree that some of these men’s views can be toxic towards women, I also see that some women shame men in the same vein. Obviously, not in the same manner, but still in a destructive way that is detrimental to building a society that is loving and fair. Harry Styles portrays a kind-hearted dream-husband in this movie, but only because he is in a literal dream. ALL of the villains in this film are men, even all of the “Dream Guards”, who are all dressed in red and are complete duds. They literally have a multi-car collision in an empty desert somehow. It would have been nice to see one redeeming male figure, to showcase maybe that not all of us are trying to brainwash people.

Tick Tick Tick. ***SPOILER****

What a ride! This movie is not suited for those with anxiety. Do you ever feel so overwhelmed with things that it often feels like you need a third or fourth arm to make a dent on your to-do list? This movie is the epitome of that feeling.

Right out of the gate, the film hits us with that fast-paced tone that it wants to set for the rest of the movie. We open with one of the more action-filled sequences in the movie with gem-miners finding the mystic opal that entrances the viewer with an extreme close-up as we fade into the title of the movie: Uncut Gems.

What we know about Adam Sandler: he’s a comedic actor who can sometimes find an emotional gem in his acting abilities. He showcases his range in this movie and still hits the comedic beats that made him who he is today. Although the humor in this film is far different from his usual schticks. Career-changing performance by Sandler. Speaking of career-changing, Kevin Garnett makes his major motion picture debut in this film with the best acting that I’ve seem from a basketball superstar. I also appreciated how the director wasn’t afraid to display his talents front and center stage at times. This movie looked intense to film for the actors at times, but Garnett handled it spectacularly. Props to Sandler and Garnett for their performances.

2019 was an amazing year for films, but 1917 is what takes the cake. After watching 1917 win the Golden Globes for “Best Picture” and “Best Director”, I knew that I needed get my ass to the nearest IMAX theater as soon as possible to see what the hype was about. I knew that the movie was going to be a technical feat from promotions (the movie, it seems, was shot in one continuous shot with little to no edits), so I was expecting something big. And boy, did it live up to expectations.

Schofield and Blake

The story follows two young British soldiers, Blake and Schofield as they make their way across the battlefield during WW1 to deliver a message to the 2nd Battalion of Devonshire regiment that they are walking into a trap. If they do not make it, 1600 men will die, including Blake’s brother. How’s that for a dramatic need?

I realize that this movie is basically Date Night (2010) in many, many ways, however, the jokes are distinct enough to leave me satisfied and give the movie its own legs to stand on. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae arguing with each other as a veteran couple is something I could listen to for hours. ’The odd couple’s dynamic and banter gets them out of dire situations throughout the movie, injecting heart-felt comedy in an otherwise bleak situation. I also enjoyed how many of characters in the film were just as ridiculous than our protagonist couple.

I have been seeing Kumail Nanjiani’s picture a lot lately. Yes, partly because I am interested in seeing how he obtained that bodacious bod, but also because he’s a genuinely talented guy who deserves the spotlight he has been getting. He’s a hilarious comedian and it’s admiring to see his comedy developing topped off with the occasional dramatic performances. I could not stop laughing at him screaming “JUSTICE!” as he and his co-star mistakenly aid a murderer during his bloodlust.

I also feel like this movie would be completely different if it weren’t for the style and kind face of Issa Rae. I have admittedly never seen her in anything before this movie, but if this flick is any indication of her comedic abilities, I’m a fan. She hits the comedic beats perfectly and plays off Kumail with such spunk. You kind of fall in love with her in a way. She’s a hoot to watch.

The Ritual paints a picture of a demon that can haunt us the most throughout life: ourselves. It does a wonderful job of slowly easing the viewer into the twisted dimension its created. As our characters descend deeper into the mountains and the forest on their unforgettable trip, their sanity slowly begins to unravel simultaneously. It’s not riddled with jump scares, but is still very eerie as the movie progresses. The themes, settings, and relationships in this movie weave together expertly and make this film a fantastic viewing experience.

We are all guilty of something, whether we admit it or not. For Ritual, the guilt lies within Luke, a man deeply traumatized from a small-time convenience store robbery that left one of his best friend, Rob, dead. However, it’s not exactly the robbers who scarred him, but rather, his own inability to act in the moment to attempt to save his friend when he had the chance to. We see flashes of his guilt throughout the movie and this becomes the emotional crux of the film. Luke and his mutual friends of Rob go on a hiking trip that they dedicate to their passed friend.

Their journey gets increasingly weird and disturbing when they decide to take a shortcut through the mountains to find civilization early because of a mishap. Sort of like how you shouldn’t take shortcuts in life (maybe you should confront your guilt head-first), you shouldn’t take uncharted shortcuts on demonic mountain trips as well.

You ever have really low expectations for a movie from watching trailers and advertisements only to be pleasantly surprised when you step out of the theater. If you haven’t, then you probably need to see more Hollywood movies or go outside more to see some advertisements. In any case, Gerald’s Game was a film that kept me on the edge of my bed frame for a majority of the film. I appreciated its direction, ending, and even its major theme points, but let’s dive a little bit deeper into it.

In an attempt to spice up their flailing relationship, Jessie and Gerald drive to a secluded home in the woods and plan to have one of those 50 Shades of Grey nights. Our main character, Jessie, feels uncomfortable before it all goes down and Gerald, after handcuffing Jessie, falls dead from a heart attack. A huge coincidence for a set-up, but we’ll let it slide since it’s just the set-up and it’s a movie. She is then stuck to a bed-post plagued with hallucinations of previous trauma, a supposed ghoul, and taunts from her currently dead lover. Oh, also there’s a dog!

I expected the movie to basically be an escape room with cheap hallucination tricks. While I was close to being right, it’s a lot more than what I expected it to be. Much of the uncertainty in the film stems from the fact that you weren’t sure if Jessie was hallucinating some scenes or not. Throughout the movie, she technically has internal dialogue, however, it is shown as her observing two projections of herself and Gerald. She is passive during these scenes; merely observing and not taking action. What’s interesting is that she develops this projection of herself arguing with imaginary Gerald instead of just talking to him herself. I would have preferred to watch the latter as a viewer, but if the writer intended to show how helpless and on the brink of insanity this ‘cuffed Jessie is watching herself argue with another figment of her imagination, then I get it.

Have you ever had a neighbor who was a girl as a kid that was the same age as you and your parents always pushed that you could possibly date her in the future, but you couldn’t seem to like her despite her being really nice. Well, that’s how I felt about this movie. I had to stretch really far for that analogy. I liked the movie, but I felt like it was missing another X-factor that could rank it as a spectacular horror film.

The film is about two children who recently lost their mother being forced to spend time with their new potential step-mom by their father. The children, Aiden and Mia, absolutely despise their father’s girlfriend, Grace because they blame her for their mother’s sudden suicide. The father thinks “hey! I know what will get them to like each other. I lock them in an isolated cabin during a snow storm and leave in the middle of the vacation.” That’s seriously what happens. So already, not feeling the dad on this one. He leaves the kids with the lady, who it turns out has a past that involves a cult and mass suicide. Strange things begin to occur at the lodge with just the children and Grace.

I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, but I did feel understand how they felt about Grace throughout the film. To them, she was this person who potentially broke up their parent’s marriage and caused their mother to commit suicide. I loved the way they only showed her silhouette in the beginning of the movie instead of having her on-screen. However, looking back, it did seem odd that they introduced her so ominously, only to have her be the focus of the film. I didn’t care too much about Grace throughout the movie either as she wasn’t the warmest to the kids nor did anything happen that made me want to root for her to live. They painted her too much like a villain in the beginning.