Re-watching RUN LOLA RUN for the first time in over 20 years. So much stranger than I remember, with many odd narrative choices. Its cool factor is still very cool, but it's also incredibly ridiculous. The fact that the entire premise of the film stems from the anxiety of not being on time, makes it funnier than its meant to be, and also very German.

Still a lot of fun to watch, and oddly refreshing somehow.

On a completely different note, I recently discovered that before landing on BLADE RUNNER for a title, Ridley Scott considered calling his movie ANDROID. While not as inventive a title, it would've been particularly cool after having just come off a movie called ALIEN.

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Awoke the other night at 3am for no apparent reason and started watching BECOMING KARL LAGERFELD on Hulu. Two episodes in and I'm into it. They've dubbed it in English though, with no option to view it otherwise, and I loathe dubbing. Would've much preferred to watch it in its original language (part French part German, I imagine?) and read subtitles instead.

I have come to realize however that I know nothing of Karl Lagerfeld other than the iconic look he has come to adopt later in life. A look that has pushed me to wonder such things as: What does Karl Lagerfeld wear to bed? Has Karl Lagerfeld ever gone for a swim? Has he ever indulged in street-food?

I may be inclined to pick up a book or two on the man, perhaps after I'm done reading FACTORY MADE.

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SCAVENGER'S REIGN on Netflix is very fucking good.

Also watched THE NINTH GATE which I thoroughly enjoyed. First film I've seen set in the world of antiquarian booksellers. Surprised to find it scoring so low across the internet, but I suspect that must have much to do with the director's name. I mean, clearly not something that would have mass appeal, but it's the sort of offbeat, eccentric film that would typically develop a cult following I think.

Or perhaps I just have strange taste.

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Passed out almost immediately after child was picked up by his mother yesterday, leaving much laundry, dishes, and other messes to deal with this Monday. Not an ideal way to start the work week. Managed to ink a page of TSG nonetheless. On the second-to-last chapter as we speak. In that so-close-yet-so-far stage of finally completing the book.

Went to see Garland's CIVIL WAR not once, but twice. It is very, very good. Some of its flaws are rather noticeable the second time around, but it is still very good, very powerful. Manages to suggest a great deal despite a rather simple, straightforward plot. Something I oughtta learn to do myself sometime.

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Insomnia kicked in the other night, and I found myself beaming RIPLEY. Beautifully shot series! Entirely black and white with some of the most unusual angles I've seen on screen. In this iteration, Mr. Ripley is actually not all that talented, and in fact kind of a fuckup.

It's all played far more believably than the Matt Damon portrayal. Though, it's been a very long time since I looked at that one.

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Just finished watching LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND with very low expectations given some of the less than glowing reviews, but I gotta say... it's the best thing I've seen since DON'T LOOK UP. Both masterpieces, both receiving mixed reviews. Starting to see a pattern here: Americans don't seem to be ready for genuine sociocultural criticism, which ironically is a facet that both films thematically touch upon.

Kudos to Sam Ismail though. This is a big leap from anything he's created in the past and a true work of genius. Thoroughly interested in the novel it is based upon by Rumaan Alam.

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