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A kind of new experience last night: I attended a SAG Award nominee screening with Shobhit. They actually had a theater blocked out for the screening at Regal Meridian 16, and we saw
American Fiction. Shobhit hadn't seen it yet, but it was my second time.
This was actually the first movie I went to in the new year, even though it was already a full week in. As of now, though, I have gone to the theater to see a movie nine times so far this month, and I have written 8 reviews. Because one review was of a streamer and one theater-going experience was to a reissue that I did not review, my working movie log is now at 10 entries.
Anyway, neither of us had any idea how packed the theater might be. It was no surprise that the reserved theater was one of the smaller ones, but we still went out of our way to get there early, walking downtown from home. In the end we were one of only six people there.
And I have to say, both the makeup of an audience and how big it is can really affect how you take in a movie. When I saw it the first time, with Laney at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, it was pretty well attended, with a lot of noticeable audience reactions. This time, with only six people, at least half of whom were there to gauge whether to vote for Jeffrey Wright for the SAG Award for Male Actor in a Leading Role or Sterling K. Brown for Male Actor in a Supporting Role for for the entire cast for Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture, the vibe was definitely different.
Even I found myself taking in the movie's first several minutes in a different way, and I kind of found myself wondering if I had overrated it the first time around. But, as time went on, it sucked me in just as effectively, and I was pleased to find Shobhit very much engaged with it as well. I don't know that he'll vote for this movie (I actually have no idea but it seems likely he'll have preferneces for its competition), but at least he clearly liked it.
And: as always, my favorite thing about seeing a movie I've already seen—I did not have to write a review after this movie, because I had already done it.
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— पाँच हजार पाँच सौ उनचास —
So, what else? Still kind of on pins and needles regarding a potentially catastophic turn of events at work that I can't talk about. When it comes to the possible moral conundrum I could find myself in, after speaking with a few people, I feel a little more settled in a difficult decision I'm likely to settle on. Honestly it's a little dispiriting to be in this position at all, contingencies being planned being based entirely on hypotheticals (for now) notwithstanding.
I did have an opportunity to give updated clarity on my position in a team meeting with Gabby and Amy this morning. I mentioned that this is a test of my standing as a person of principle, and I don't want to disappoint myself. "I really respect that," Gabby said, and I believe her.
The prevailing hope is that things get resolved and it never comes to getting truly tested.
In other news, this morning there was a wave of sample treats that came through, and I broke down and ate way too much of it. I already had a Mighty-O mini donut that was out in the kitchen; then Noah offered me a sample six-pack of Franz
apple glazed donuts. I did eat one, and set the rest out in the kitchen. But on my god, that donut was fucking delicious. Absolutely worth the calories.
That is a principle I will absolutely stand by.
I also got a gift package from a broker, several Primal Kitchen products, including a jar of vegan queso dip that's actually pretty good, a jar of avocado oil, and some other condiments. Sometimes it's like Extra Christmas around here. A strange, and weirdly typical, juxtaposition with what's going on this week.
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[posted 12:31 pm]
