Happy Halloween recovery!
Hey! Wanna chat at 1 p.m. ET?
I hope you had a rockin' Halloween and your bag overfloweth with Twizzlers. Today I'm trying something different: a live chat at 1 p.m. Barring unforeseen technical difficulties, you'll see me on video for about an hour and can chat or ask me anything. (And don't worry: You won't be on video, unless I invite you.)
Anyway, let's see what happens! (By the way, the above photo is of me. Last weekend I attended a fun, fancy-pants costume ball, and I'm kinda still recovering.)
This year my daughter suggested I dress up as Salvador Dali for Halloween. The only downside was I had to carry this heavy lobster phone all around the neighborhood.
Stuff I'm into this week:
MOVIES: I saw an early screening of Martin Scorsese's THE IRISHMAN, which arrives on Netflix Nov. 27, just in time for your annual "Let's eat turkey and watch a mob movie" tradition. It's fun seeing Marty get the band back together -- De Niro, Pesci, Keitel, Pacino -- though prepare for a much quieter version of what you might expect from the Goodfellas/Casino king. The more I think about the film, the more I like it (although the 3 1/2-hour runtime is tough on the ol' mind and bladder).
TV: I caught up on WATCHMEN, and I'm digging it so far -- maybe even more than I expected. I haven't read the book in forever, but the show is doing a commendable job of expanding the universe while pulling in plenty of references to the original story. And THAT CAST, hoo-boy ... not a slow swimmer in the bunch.
MUSIC: I was just listening to the remastered version of R.E.M.'s MONSTER, which is out today. The New York Times interviewed Michael Stipe this week, and I'm feelin' pretty psyched about the upcoming ep of R U Talkin' R.E.M. RE: ME? with Stipe 'n' Mills.
MUSIC VIDEOS: Paul Thomas Anderson directed HAIM's new video, which looks as good as it sounds. ... I adore Jonathan Ross' interview with Iggy Pop, in which he asks about the time Iggy spent with David Bowie in Berlin. ... And Stephen Malkmus did Amoeba's "What's in my bag?" feature this week.
READING: Quartz did a big ol' feature on pinball! ... The Guardian profiled Charlotte Gainsbourg. ... And filmmaker Caveh Zahedi talked about his latest experimental project, THE SHOW ABOUT THE SHOW.
HEY, THANKS: The other day I posted something about my recent (benign!) biopsy. Thanks for all the kind comments, and please make self-exams and mammograms a priority! (The Replacements and a steady diet of Gene Hackman movies are also priorities.)
What you're into:
MUSIC: BIG BUSINESS points us to the new record from one of the all-time greatest American rock bands, Guided by Voices. ... Mike is down with Kelsey Wilson's mellow performance of "Sir Woman" via KUTX.
MOVIES: Billy F. wants us all to watch the strange comedy in GREENER GRASS, which you can stream now or see in select theaters.
TV: Jed tells us that "THE GOOD PLACE's final season is not disappointing in the least. While I'm sad the series is wrapping up, I'm heartened that the team is ending the show on its own terms. It's clear they're throwing their all into this one, as usual."
PODCASTS: Chris B. recommends the latest ep of HIT PARADE: "The Lost and Lonely Edition" is about the British goth (-like) bands and singers of the '80s, such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, The Cure, The Banshees and more!" he says. I'm in.
SHOPPING: Thanks to everyone who is aiding my search for the right winter coat (which I need to get ASAP). Liz points out this affordable coat from Amazon is back in action.
Notable new releases:
TV: Apple TV's new streaming service debuts several series, including THE MORNING SHOW, which stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell; the Emily Dickinson comedy DICKINSON; the futuristic show SEE; and Ronald D. Moore's sci-fi show FOR ALL MANKIND (Nov. 1) ... QUEER EYE heads to Japan (Netflix, Nov. 1) ... HBO debuts HIS DARK MATERIALS (Nov. 4) ... THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD returns (Nov. 5).
MOVIES: Edward Norton leads an all-star cast in MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN ... Martin Scorsese's THE IRISHMAN plays in select theaters before its Netflix debut ... TERMINATOR: DARK FATE reminds us that Linda Hamilton can beat you up while standing on one foot with one hand behind her back ... Ethan Hawke stars in the indie ADOPT A HIGHWAY ... THE KINGMAKER examines the life of Imelda Marcos ... Jim Gaffigan stars in the Tennessee-set drama LIGHT FROM LIGHT ... And I'm intrigued by SPELL, a feature about an American illustrator in Iceland.
MUSIC: This week brings new records from Cold War Kids, Vetiver, Jeff Goldblum and others. There's also that 25th anniversary edition of R.E.M.'s MONSTER!
BIRTHDAYS:
Nov. 1: Larry Flynt, Lyle Lovett, Calvin Johnson, Anthony Kiedis, Toni Collette
Nov. 2: k.d. lang, Nelly
Nov. 3: Lulu, Adam Ant (pictured), Hal Hartley, Courtney Barnett, Josh Kantor
Nov. 4: Loreta Swit, Ralph Macchio, Matthew McConaughey
Nov. 5: Jim Steranko, Art Garfunkel, Tilda Swinton, Tatum O'Neal, Sam Rockwell (Sam Shepard and Gram Parsons were also born on this day.)
Nov. 6: Sally Field, Lori Singer, Ethan Hawke, Thandie Newton, Emma Stone
Nov. 7: Judy Tenuta, Lorde
Nashville-based writer/podcaster Olivia Ladd has a memorable Halloween getup: "I’m a huge fan of Orville Peck after seeing him a couple of times this year, so I decided to make a mask to match some western wear I had for a costume!" she says. If you're unfamiliar with Orville, watch some of his tantalizing music videos here. Follow Olivia on Twitter/Instagram, and check out her podcast, BANDSPLAINER, in which special guests discuss influential bands like Joy Division, Black Flag, The Slits and others.
Let's hit it,
Email me at whitmath@gmail.com or leave me a text/voicemail at 929-515-1988. Also email for my mailing address or if you want to hire me as a writer/editor/speaker/casino queen. I'll gamble like a fiend on your table so green.
Like this newsletter? Forward it, , find/tag me on Twitter & Instagram. If this got trapped in spam, try this.
Sleeping with Prince Valium,
Delia Deetz
"Never eat broccoli when there are cameras around." - Michael Stipe
Don't forget to read my kids' book, WE MAKE COMICS, on getepic.com!