Favorite Firsts - November 2022
My favorite film, music and TV watches of the month.
Film
The African Desperate (2022) - dir. Martine Syms
Supreme slacker greatness that reminds me why I left the art world at nearly every step. Unashamedly crass, sexual, and lounging: Martine Syms’s vision is brought to life by the magnetizing and laid-back performance of Diamond Stingily.
Streaming on MUBI
Stars at Noon (2022) - dir. Claire Denis
Claire Denis takes inspiration from Italian neorealism in a story of romance and espionage. The specifics of the politics (or lack thereof) may put some viewers off, and rightfully so if that is an issue for you. But Denis is clearly more interested in the tragic romance that our lost protagonist finds herself in. Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn give performances among the year’s best, with charismatic dialogue breaking through Denis’s verite approach.
The Hunt (2012) - dir. Thomas Vinterberg
Like M and Doubt before it, The Hunt follows what suspicion and the desire to protect children will drive a community and/or specific individuals in power to do, even if their intentions are misguided. Vinterberg walks a tight balancing act - Lucas did not commit the crime he is being accused of, but also accosts the people around him as his mental state deteriorates. The adults of the tight knit community have been led to believe a falsehood, but vigilantly protect their fellow man. The ending illustrates the psychological effect of this perfectly: the spectre of doubt following you, even when you are one of the only people who know the truth wholly.
Menace II Society (1993) - dir. Albert & Allen Hughes
Stunning in its examination of family, faith and nihilism amidst a tightly paced west coast crime drama. The aimlessness of youth inevitably leads down a path of violence when you’re surrounded by enough of it. Even in a hospital bed, gunshots rattle from the fuzzy televisions. Masterful.
Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery (2022) - dir. Kevin Perjurer
I'm loving the feature length documentaries on small corners of the internet that puts the archaeologist of these discoveries front and center, and their journey to the answers the plot of the movie, rather than the movie being the end result of their journey to the answers. Between this and the latest hbomberguy film that dropped the same week, documentarians putting their struggle to create the very art we watch into the art, makes the euphoria of finally discovering the white whale they were chasing even more relatable to the audience. Perjurer, ever a trickster, reveals a subtle element of the production towards the end of the film that blew me away.
Why it’s Rude to Suck at Warcraft (2022) - dir. Dan Olson
I have always been fascinated by the sociology of online communities, especially around video games. Many journey to optimization, and World of Warcraft is no different. WoW is its own beast thanks to the long form social nature of the game. Paratext evolves intended play to the point where external sources become key to succeeding on the optimal level. Olson and Warcraft expert Nathan “Choice” Landel explore the sociological and technological development of Warcraft over time, the relationship players have with each other and the creators at Blizzard, and the eternal truth of the pursuit of superiority.
Music
The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die (1994)
Biggie is an effortlessly charming performer. Even though I like Life After Death more, Ready to Die is a classic of this era of hip hop. Catching up with this era has been extremely rewarding.
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
This has been my favorite of the 90’s classics I’ve spent the past few weeks checking out. Wu-Tang’s tactical approach to sampling and collaboration bolster each MC’s skills from the first track to the last. Posse cuts like “Bring da Ruckus” are offset by softer tracks like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Can It Be All So Simple.” It’s a rager.
Gravediggaz - The Pit, the Sickle and the Shovel (1997)
A very honorable mention in this 90s journey is the second album from supergroup Gravediggaz. Featuring Wu-Tang leader RZA, Too Poetic, Frukwan and Prince Paul, Gravediggaz went deep in founding the horrorcore subgenre of rap. While their debut 6 Feet Deep is impressive, their follow up is even more so. It has a more run of the mill boom bap production, but makes up for it with highly ambitious song structure. Featuring a Tales From The Hood style anthology story on “Fairytalez,” wordplay-laden posse cut “Unexplained,” and narratively dense stories about fatherhood and lost love, The Pit, the Sickle and the Shovel is an underrated classic of the era.
Nas - Magic (2021)
Nas and Hit-Boy have been on a creative streak that a lot of other people have enjoyed more than I have, but Magic is an undeniable success. Nas reflects on his elder statesman status and his legacy with poise, while Hit-Boy provides the better beats across this shorter record than anything on the King’s Disease trilogy. (Listen to me talk about King's Disease III on the Jams & Tea Podcast.)
Weyes Blood - And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022)
My first time listening to Weyes Blood didn’t disappoint. I need to catch up with Titanic Rising, but this record feels ethereal and gorgeous. Natalie’s vocals and her quick shifts from major to minor key are stunning, and “Grapevine” is a contender for song of the year. (Listen to me talk about And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow on the Jams & Tea Podcast.)
Hendrix - Band of Gypsys (1970)
I dusted off some old records and discovered this absolute gem. The last album released by Hendrix before his death, Band of Gypsys is an all time great jam session, featuring the stunning Vietnam War opus “Machine Gun.”
Richard Dawson - The Ruby Cord (2022)
A post apocalyptic concept album that feels like a collection of short stories brought to life through music. Dawson plays a bardic character exploring these world, and crafting songs that tell stories of connection to nature and people. Don’t let the daunting nature of 41 minute opener “The Hermit” scare you away, this is one of the most daring albums of the year. (Listen to me talk about The Ruby Cord on the Jams & Tea Podcast.)
Ghais Guevara - Black Bolshevik | There Will Be No Super-Slave (2021; 2022)
The best thing about Ghais is his potential for growth in the future. Though his first two albums are great examples of a new wave of abstract hip hop that’s heavy on samples and social commentary, Ghais has more work to do to make his personality fully realized in his music. I’ll be happily following his future releases. For the best JPEGMAFIA track JPEGMAFIA never made, check out “Patrisse Cullors Stole My Lunch Money.”
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die (2022)
A math pop band that combines dense instrumentation with fruitful collaboration. Polyphia certainly has their own sensibilities fully realized here - one of the best tracks is an instrumental led by a playful but precise flamenco guitar (“Playing God”) - it’s when they bring in a guest vocalist that they really shine. The bubblegum J-pop of “ABC” featuring Sophia Black mesh perfectly with the reverb soaked, Chino Moreno led “Bloodbath.”
Left at London & G.Rola - STONE FRUIT (2022)
An EP of only three tracks made in just 24 hours, Left at London continues a strong creative streak following t.i.a.p.f.y.h and Transgender Street Legend: Volume 3. The dense harmonies and instrumentation come together perfectly, and only makes me with these two artists would work together again and soon.
TV
The Bisexual (2018)
Shoutout to Verity Ritchie and her video "Why Queer TV is Getting Worse" for putting me onto this. In a media era where corporate queer purity is slid down the content factory it’s refreshing to have a miniseries full of messy characters navigating disastrous identity crises. Creator Desiree Akhavan is wonderful in front of and behind the camera, and her writing is brutal and honest about the isolating nature of bisexuality. A feeling I can certainly relate to. All of a sudden you don’t fit into either world, the community of gayness or the normalcy of straightness. And god forbid you don’t like any of the things gay people are supposed to like, which is the kind of petty storytelling I need more of in my life. Its weakest point is its flashback episode but it rounds out with a strong finale.
Drink Masters (2022)
Look, I like a competition show just as much as anybody else if done right. This cocktail coliseum was a blast to go through, and the best part was seeing the contestants genuinely support each other in a way I haven’t really seen in shows of this kind. Plus, I’m starting to become a nerd for this kind of thing.
Conclusion
All in all this has been a turbulent month. I turned 23, I graduate college in two weeks, and everything seems to be flying by. But I’m still challenging myself with this column and this publication to exercise writing that I’m passionate about. Thank you for continuing this journey with me.
