#88 Nerve-jangling joy
Issue #88 Nerve-jangling joy
15th November 2023
Hope this finds you well?
It's me. Chris Mead. I am under the weather presently.
Not super sick but run down in a way that makes me want to drink Lucozade from the early 90s. I can still work but the spring is very much not in my step.
Welcome to this week's low power version of my newsletter.
Rule of three
[Film] The Marvels
I don't normally bother recommending big movies with marketing budgets in the millions. But The Marvels is a film being led by three women and so the whining manboys of Marvel fandom are trying to make out it's awful in an attempt to tank its chances at the box office. But my friends, it isn't even close to awful. It is warm and pacey and tremendous fun. The three leads are charming and share a chemistry rarely seen in these kind of blockbusters. It's not a perfect film, by any means, but I absolutely loved it. ALSO, Ms Marvel is one of my favourite characters in comics and she is brought to life to absolute perfection by Iman Vellani.
[Documentary] Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton is the best silent era movie star. Take that Chaplin! I said it. This 8 minute documentary explains why I am correct. Watching him gives me the same visceral, nerve-jangling joy that watching Jackie Chan does. If you haven't seen The General in full, then check it out. It's definitely in my Top 10 films of all time.
[Podcast] Paper Cuts
There was a segment on UK breakfast shows back in the day where presenters would just read out the best bits from the newspapers. Thrilling telly. Paper Cuts has updated this concept for the 21st century. It's out every weekday and features funny and incisive summaries of the British press plus a competition to find the best headline. For me this walks the perfect line between being informed and being entertaining.
Spotlight
The Amsterdam festival version of my Mockumentary Now! workshop sold out in 18 minutes today but if you're in the UK you can still snag a 2-day intensive version in London. I'm running it on 4th-5th December, 10am-5pm both days.
Here is some testimonials to let you know what to expect:
"Chris is such a fantastic teacher. He brings the benefits of his experience as a performer and helps us to see what works well and, alternatively, what gets in the way. He stresses the positive and he is always excited at what the group achieves. His clarity of vision and guidance and his excitement just spurs us on to do more and to try to improve."
"Do this course. It will bring joy to your life."
"Chris’ passion and enthusiasm is so infectious, I knew his Mockumentary Now! course would be an absolute winner and it exceeded even my own expectations. I’ve particularly loved the way that Chris has taught the format, allowing us to explore the various (hilarious) elements of the genre. I’ve also met some wonderful and talented new improv friends who have made me laugh until my face hurt. On the whole it’s been an incredibly freeing and joyful experience."
Radio contact
Ruby Radio.