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Austin Garrick recommended Videodrome (1983) in Movies (curated)

 
Videodrome (1983)
Videodrome (1983)
1983 | Horror, Sci-Fi

"Sometimes my biggest reasons for connecting to a film are simple, primitive, just about a feeling. Videodrome and Repo Man are two that fit into that category. In addition to the fact that it costars Debbie Harry in my favorite roll of hers, I love Videodrome for its particular use of my hometown, Toronto. Sure, Toronto is used in films all the time, but usually disguised as New York, or Chicago or Detroit. No filmmaker has used Toronto better and more consistently over the years than our hometown hero Cronenberg, though, and Videodrome he shot and set in the downtown Toronto of my childhood, complete with a central part of the story revolving around our local cable station CityTV (as “Civic TV,” the station James Woods’s character, Max Renn, works for), which really did play soft-core porn if you stayed up late enough. To this day, my dad lives on the street Max Renn lives on, and Barry Convex’s Spectacular Optical is a bakery on the same street as the Electric Youth studio downtown, just a minute away, making the connection both past and present. Repo Man has my favorite Criterion release cover art; it’s amazing and designed by movie poster artist Jay Shaw, who also designed the artwork for singles from our album Innerworld. With Repo Man you get Harry Dean Stanton in his first big-screen lead role, Emilio Estevez as his partner, and the streets of Reagan-era Los Angeles set to a classic punk soundtrack. What more would I need to love this film? Nothing. But like with all great Criterion selections, there’s always something new to take from it with every watch."

Source
  
Bone Canyon
Bone Canyon
Lee Goldberg | 2021 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Burning Need to Solve a Cold Case
A recent wildfire in the Santa Monica mountains has had a surprising side effect. The bodies of several people dead for many years have started to be found since the brush that’s been hiding them is no longer around. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, have landed the most recent one of these cold cases. Their case proves to be complicated when they identify the body as that of a twenty-something who vanished several years before. As they begin to investigate, they make several startling discoveries. What exactly lead to her murder?

I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I wasn’t disappointed with this one in the slightest. Part of the fun is learning the twists of the case as they unfold, and then watching Eve try to make sense of it all. There is plenty of action on the way to a wonderful climax. Eve is a strong main character, and I enjoyed getting to know her better here. I did feel like a few of the supporting players could be stronger, but maybe that was my reaction to their poor attitudes which aren’t fully explained. While the overall tone of the book is serious, as it should be given the case, there are some very fun moments, most of them coming at the expense of Hollywood. This isn’t one of my typical cozies, so there is language, sex, and violence; be prepared before you pick up the book. I’m glad I picked up this fast paced, twisty mystery.
  
Holiday - Single by Dana Williams
Holiday - Single by Dana Williams
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Dana Williams is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a lovely music video for her “Holiday” single.

“My, how time, how it flies away. ‘Cause I used to dream of you, but now I wish you’d go away. It’s only a holiday when you’re away. It’s only a holiday when you’re not here. ‘Cause that’s when I have my space when you’re away. It’s only a holiday when you’re gone. And now the only difference is that I’ve come too far to care. But now the only difference is that you’re not there.” – lyrics

‘Holiday’ tells a bittersweet tale of a young woman who needs a break from her significant other and their problematic relationship.

Oftentimes, she thinks about leaving when he’s away but is too afraid to do so because she fears the loneliness of being single.
Even though they fuss and fight, she admits that she finds comfort in his companionship and that’s why she keeps him around.

‘Holiday’ contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses hard-hitting instrumentation embedded with thudding drums and dreamy strings.

“‘Holiday’ is an expression of self-love and realizing that it is better to be alone than in the company of a turbulent relationship.” – Dana Williams

Dana Williams was raised on legendary singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

Not too long ago, her “Honey” single landed on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist. So far, the likable tune has amassed over 3M streams online.

Also, Alex Da Kid, a multi-Grammy Award-winner producer (Skylar Grey, Rihanna), will be producing Williams’ upcoming project featuring her “Holiday” single.