Random Thoughts: House of Gucci

Tweets from December, 2021:

• 2021-12-02: House of Gucci (2021): More or less true story of business troubles of Gucci brand brought on by family infighting (and some tax evasion). Part satire, part camp. More than a little over-the-top acting. Jared Leto goes too far. Adam Driver not far enough. Lady Gaga is perfect. B+
• 2021-12-03: The Power of the Dog (2021): Set on a remote ranch in 1925 Montana owned by two brothers, one a bully, the other with a new wife and a bookish son. Like a kettle on a hot stove, the tension slowly builds to a climactic boil. The mystery at heart is what drives the characters. B+
• 2021-12-05: In the 1996 election campaign, Bob Dole expressed his frustration that his campaign's attempt to paint Bill Clinton as a randy snake gained no traction. Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign succeeded in painting Dole as an out-of-touch old man. In hindsight, the voters were stupid.
• 2021-12-06: The Curse of Von Dutch (TV 2021): Documentary of a clothing brand that became wildly popular in the early 2000s, then flamed out. The people behind it were an odd assortment of losers, crazies, double-crossers, and even a killer or two. All get to tell their side here. C-

After the jump, more random thoughts.

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• 2021-12-06: Yet Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cares more about people being asked to wear a face mask than he cares about 70k deaths.
• 2021-12-07: The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020): Adaptation of Dickens. Not melodrama, but is it a comedy? Everyone has loads of fun, with just enough earnestness to keep from collapsing into camp. Colorblind casting makes Victorian England the most diverse place in history. B-
• 2021-12-10: The Other Two - S01 (TV 2019): Boy becomes pop star. Jealous older brother and sister's careers struggle. Ambitious mom exploits her son's success. All snobs. Sitcom that isn't funny, doesn't go anywhere, and is a struggle to finish S01. No interest in S02. C-
• 2021-12-12: Headline: "President Biden approves disaster declaration for Kentucky after deadly tornadoes." No hesitation. No musings about whether a "red state" deserves it. President of all. Refreshing.
• 2021-12-13: The Pursuit of Love (TV 2021): Adaptation of 1945 English novel about two young women who pursue different paths to happiness. Part costume drama, part satire/comedy. The whole arc of the novel condensed to 3 episodes. Refreshing, but it does make it feel rushed. B-
• 2021-12-13: I'm a Packers team owner and even I thought that comment was over the top. Rodgers is a great quarterback, but honest he isn't. He's a literal cheesehead.
• 2021-12-14: Full house at RISD board meeting.
• 2021-12-14: 7:50 pm. And it's done.
• 2021-12-14: Never Let Me Go (2010): Coming-of-age tale of 3 friends who grow up in a boarding school for kids being raised to be organ donors. Yikes! Dark, sci-fi/horror setting, but it's the sweet characters that make this movie. Watching future stars early in their careers is a bonus. B-
• 2021-12-15: DMN newsroom: "Violent crime down 8.5% in Dallas." DMN editorial board: "We are all aware that crime has been rising around us." Different missions. Newsroom informs. Editorial board propagandizes.
• 2021-12-19: On Wisconsin!
• 2021-12-19: On Wisconsin!
• 2021-12-20: West Side Story (2021): Spielberg's homage to the classic musical. Faithful remake with a modern look. The fights look less like choreographed dances. Wisely, Spielberg doesn't mess with the music. If this love story doesn't appeal to today's youth, there's no hope for them. A-
• 2021-12-20: Tragic news for Texas journalism. RIP @WayneSlater.
• 2021-12-23: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004): Mock documentary that's part Jacques Costeau, part Moby Dick. Maybe in 2004 this would have seemed fresh, but there have been so many better Wes Anderson films since then. This one never takes off. Script and acting are lifeless. C-
• 2021-12-27: Headline: "Cotton Bowl band to rehearse at Wildcat Stadium." It's the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Marching Band, not "Cotton Bowl band." Show some respect.
• 2021-12-30: I understand that many don't believe that your refusal to mask or vaccinate puts young children at risk, but what if you're wrong? If I'm wrong, all I'm doing is inconveniencing myself. If you're wrong, ???