Girls Just Want to Have Subs
The TGIF Post
Curating isn’t undemocratic or “elitist,” a term that is now used so often that it’s become meaningless. It’s an act of generosity—you’re sharing what you love and what has inspired you. (The best streaming platforms, such as the Criterion Channel and MUBI and traditional outlets such as TCM, are based on curating—they’re actually curated.) Algorithms, by definition, are based on calculations that treat the viewer as a consumer and nothing else.
Sometimes you need a reminder from a living legend you revere to inspire you to keep going after your self-doubt, something that’s plagued me since always.
While I don’t think THE Martin Scorsese had my kind of curation in mind when writing his Harpers Magazine article, I certainly know it’s not high art. Nevertheless, my tiny independent contribution is exactly that.
Zero hot takes (minus the Anon Hot Take feature) or clickbait into its consideration. Additionally, I don’t think my contribution is better than anyone else’s, but writing and creating is something that incenses my soul.
I’m finally pursuing my lifelong dream to write full-time, on my terms, and in my publication. Hopefully, my current fun-size publication continues to evolve because it’s nice to finally take a risk and make content that no one else has a say in what I write. Something that I never thought would occur, much less pursue as a livelihood.
Despite the fun “time-wasting” Youthquake features, there will also be plenty of real-life topics that speak to my grassroots socialist heart. These topics won’t always have the surface-level glossy Y2K edit but instead be something real which is always important to strive for, publication-wise. After all, bringing communities together has always been something incredibly dear to me.
Real women who are smart and pretty and happy to be who they are. These are the women to look up to. Let's put life back into the magazine! And fun and laughter and silliness. I think we all— I think all of us wanna feel something— that we've forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn't realize how much we were leaving behind. We need to remember what used to be good. If we don’t— we won't recognize it even if it hits us between the eyes. -Jenna Rink, 13 Going on 30.
These new creative possibilities are just the beginning. Currently, I have a few things in the works, including a Y2K care package that one lucky subscriber will win. ✨
Lastly, now that Youthquake’s settled in nicely, I wanted to announce that the fun Friday features such as film reviews, The Style Files, The Audio Files/playlists, interviews, Time Warp, and other bonus content) will be accessed via paying subscription only. The Monday post will continue to be free because we all could use laughing at silly rich people shenanigans in our lives.
Occasionally, straight outta of my Letterboxd (which is currently in need of some backlogging), I introduce my fellow, Youthquakes, a brand new feature to you. Film Reviews Mini Edition.
Nomadland
Frances McDormand is such an incendiary actress, although Three Billboards isn’t my go-to for a McDormand fix. It’s beautifully wistful, and precisely what I didn’t know I needed in my life at the moment.
The movie feels so real and raw to what is overwhelmingly happening in the United States. Although seeing such goodness from wonderful characters (Linda May is a treasure) and camaraderie was incredibly refreshing, albeit forlorn.
The film is written, edited, and directed by Chloé Zhao and currently available to stream on Hulu. (For those not able to use Hulu, I suggest downloading the Hola Extension and select the U.S. to access for your viewing pleasure. Hope that helps!)
I Care a Lot
I Care a Lot dives into the real horror and much-needed spotlight on conservatorships’ legal guardian predators. The film focuses on the callousness and manipulation of the elderly or disabled.
The film is steeped in #GirlBoss white feminism, Marla isn’t the hero, and it’s pretty obvious. Her determination is admirable, however, not at the expense of preying on the innocent. Marla’s an irredeemable anti-hero, so why is there still such a discourse? The filmmaker isn’t condoning the protagonists’ antics but merely portraying them. Portrayal ≠ condone.
Like Breaking Bad’s Heisenberg, Marla’s thrust onto a rusty broken-down pedestal like heroes because of their ambition. Ironically, that’s also the problem with most anti-heroes; greed is a hell of a thing. I Care a Lot equivocally shows that it’s something needed, especially in our current #FreeBritney moment in time.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Previously mentioned the dynamic duo that is Barb and Star. They’re ridiculous, deliciously camp, raunchy, yet heartfelt. It’s just a couple of Caucasian Stella’s trying to find their groove back.
Also, Jamie Dornan does his best Kevin Bacon circa Footloose with a song AND dance montage that features seagulls; the film’s precisely what’s needed right now.
The Atlanta music scene was always thriving and established itself as the Hollywood of the South, producing many hits throughout the decades. So for this week’s The Audio Files, let’s go back to 2006 for the party classic Do It To It by Cherish
In 2003, Cherish made their debut with the Jermaine Dupri produced track, Miss P, before returning in 2006 with their “snap music” smash hit, Do It To It, which also features Sean Paul & YoungBloodZ. To this day, if I hear this song, I will turn it up and sing because it’s such a crowd pleaser but also a perfect GRWM track.
For this week’s The Style Files, I went back to one of my all-time favorite MTV Veejay’s, Ananda Lewis 1999 MTV Music Awards.
I still remember when she left the network to host her own broadcast syndicated television talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, which is still one of the few talk shows I’ve ever watched. Tyra Banks later picked up that title with her wildly chaotic talk show, which often seemed like a fever dream.
Also, not that anyone asked, but my favorite MTV Veejay’s are in (no particular order):
Ananda Lewis
Dave Holmes
La La Anthony née Vázquez
Qudduus
Carson Daly, the “OG” of TRL
Time Warp is where I’ll feature moments in pop culture for the day. Here’s what happened on this day, February 26th.
1616 – Galileo Galilei was formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.
1848 – The Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, was published.
HBD Johnny Cash, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor.
HBD Erykah Badu, American singer-songwriter.
The # 1 Hit in 1966 Nancy Sinatra These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.
HBD Patrick Star, cartoon/meme icon.
1993 – Sadly, the 2001 attack on The World Trade Center wasn’t the first time. The ‘93 terrorist attack injured over 1,000 people and killing six.
1995 – Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla-Perez performed her last concert, ever, at the legendary Houston Astrodome.
The # 1 Hit in 2011 Lady Gaga Born This Way.
2012 – Trayvon Martin, was fatally shot in an altercation with a disgusting racist oxygen thief, who will not be mentioned out of respect. Rest in Power, you will not be forgotten.
Do ya thing! Show your love or sound off and comment below, don’t be shy.