We Need More Weird Stuff

Normally I'll just delete the Short of the Week email I've been getting for goodness knows how long. But every now and then I'll ignore the black hole of responsibilities just long enough and find gems like this short film by Babak Ganjei.

What's more rad is the fact this short film was from the same people who brought us the weird AF surrealist horror comedy Don't Hug Me I'm Scared. And more rad-erer is the fact that YouTube series by Blink Industries is now a fancy pants TV show on British Channel 4 (that I can't watch here in the U.S. until I figure out how to use a VPN).

In a roundabout way, this nonsense connects me even more with a podcast I'd heard last week. The Daily podcast from The New York Times interviewed one of their own, film critic A.O. Scott, about why he's done with the movies.

"After 23 years as a film critic, Mr. Scott discusses why he is done with the movies, and what his decision reveals about the new realities of American cinema." - The New York Times

They get into major studios leaning so hard into superhero movies and crowding out other other potential film projects as well as how streaming platforms have changed the game. Seriously worth a listen.

The budding MBA brain of mine is down to argue the economics of this nonsense with the other part of me who just wants to make weird art kid stuff no one asked for. It makes me optimistic knowing that the film Everything Everywhere All at Once did so incredibly well this year at the Oscars and will hopefully further open the door to more independent and original films.