All Netflix Edition

I was talking to a friend yesterday about holiday plans and mentioned that we're not traveling at all. I told her the immediate reason was money (PSA: College costs too much! Somebody fix that!) but then had another realization: I really like where I live. Yes, Austin is a vastly different town than it used to be, and yes, Elon Musk and Joe Rogan are boils on our collective ass, and yes, I would like about 10,000 of the people who moved here from LA to go back to there. But when so many people from around the world come to your town simply to revel in it, it can feel a little greedy to want for more. So I will throw a hot chocolate party at my house and then walk to Zilker Park to spin under the tree, and I will go to all the obnoxious but fun holiday pop-up bars, and I will only curse at tourists once a week, because I'm lucky to call this my home.

Off to the recs.

🎥 Woman of the Hour (Netflix)
Breaking news: Anna Kendrick can direct! I spent most of this movie thinking, "This has to be directed by a woman because she absolutely nails what it's like to be one out in the world." Then, lo and behold, look who's behind it. It's a disturbing movie, to be sure—the true story of a serial killer in the 70s who actually went on The Dating Game—so some of the scenes are upsetting. But she handles them very well and conveys perfectly, in scene after scene, how it feels to tiptoe around dangerous men.

🎥 Fair Play (Netflix)
In a similar vein, this movie examines gender dynamics in the workplace and what happens when relationships meet career. The chemistry between the two leads is pretty damn sparky most of the time, though it feels like the guy (Alden Ehrenreich) is forcing it occasionally. It all spirals into something I didn't see coming and had a satisfying ending, in my view. Someone else watch this so we can discuss!

📺 Kaos (Netflix)
I am bereft that this show has been canceled and beg the streaming gods to reconsider (pun glaringly intended). It's Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, people. What more do you need to know? Gorgeous retellings of Greek mythology, Kaos is just wonderful and I demand the addresses of those who made this decision so I can send them flaming screeds. Anyway. It's only 8 episodes, so savor it.

Enjoy your week, friends!

xoxo,
Carla