Knick Knacks (February 2024)
Things I've Saved Just For You
Knick Knacks is a monthly newsletter where I recommend things to my audience that are outside the bounds of movies and television shows. Recommendations typically include videos, music, social media accounts, podcasts, YouTube channels, and books. If you’re interested, you can subscribe to this Substack to get it delivered to your inbox.
Greetings, everyone!
It’s the 29th already.
God only knows how crazy it’s going to get between the time I’m writing this letter and its release date. It’s funny (as in “peculiar”) how quickly the landscape can change in one’s life, in the social fabric, or in multiple crises globally.
I really try not to dive into the news these days, having been released from my professional obligation to do so last year. But I try to be a broadly informed citizen via other sources, and in spite of my ability to avoid clickbait and cable news dookie-dumps, I still open my emails each morning and read nothing but chaos. Our conspiracy theorists are going strong, our political pool is full of cowards, and our Congress has historically done jack shit. Not to mention violence abroad, violence domestically, I could go on.
The best way I know to approach all the insanity is this: one day at a time.
Take care of yourself, your family, your people. Make sure everyone is good, and then see what you can do to help make things right. Be respectful, follow the law, listen, learn, and be open to changing your views.
In the meantime, try to consume art that can fulfill you.
As is the purpose of this newsletter, I’ve compiled a few things that I’ve been enjoying lately, things that weren’t covered in my film and television podcast, and I’m recommending that you give them a look, because they’re great.
Listen
“Turn the Lights Back On” - Billy Joel
I’m not enough of a Billy Joel fan to know anything about the man, let’s start with that. I’m not attached to him or his music in any way, save for a long-running familiarity with “Piano Man”.
It recently made the news when Joel unexpectedly released some new music. Along with Freddy Wexler, the co-writer/producer of the song, he was working on finishing several unfinished songs he wrote in the 70s/80s. This new one, “Turn the Lights Back On” is a brand new song, not from that group of unfinished ones, and was written by Wexler for Joel. Joel said it sounded like the kind of song he would have written, so he agreed they should record it.
I like it. It feels like Joel to me. See what you think.
“The Walk Home” - Young the Giant
Similarly, I am almost a complete stranger to the music of Young the Giant. This song comes to my awareness courtesy of the greatest radio station in the land, 92 Zew.
This song is ear candy without being overproduced or too commercial. I think the kids call it “vibes”. The vibes of this song are ethereal, relaxing, existential, and somehow hopeful. I don’t know how else to describe it. Just listen to it.
“Want Want” - Maggie Rogers
Upon a search, I apparently like several of Maggie Rogers’ songs. Go figure.
This is another radio discovery. I just like her voice a lot, I don’t have anything clever to say about this one.
Watch
“Lone Survivor” (2013)
I don’t usually recommend films in this newsletter, but I recently rewatched 2013’s “Lone Survivor”, an absolutely incredible movie retelling the pulse-pounding fight for survival of US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. It’s an incredible true story and a genuinely excellent movie.
Today, February 29th, is its final day on Netflix. If you have Netflix, watch it tonight. I don’t know where it’s going tomorrow, but wherever that is, find it there too and pay whatever they ask so you can see it.
Read
“Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America” - Heather Cox Richardson
The more I read about history, and American history, the more I feel like I understand the present day, and the less I’m surprised by almost everything that happens in the news. I recently became aware of Richardson, who is a professor of history at Boston College. I heard her speak on a podcast and I was captivated by her knowledge and perspective on American politics.
I could not put this book down. Our history is fascinating, terrifying, shameful, complex, educational, and inspiring. At times the book, and her writing in general, can come off somewhat one-sided in favor of the Democratic Party, which may frustrate some people. But the reality is that the book is the tale of how and why the Republican Party became what it is today, a party that has found itself embracing authoritarian tactics and attacking dissenters.
The book goes back through history, explores recent events under the influence of Donald Trump, and offers some prescriptive lessons for our nation and shows us a way forward, and yes, it involves wholeheartedly rejecting the strongman, authoritarian political manipulators out there. Sorry, but that’s reality.
Like I said, I loved the book. I read it in 3 or 4 days, which is rare for me, but its short chapters, skillful writing, and synthesis of historical and contemporary political events had me riveted. I think this book is essential reading for anyone looking to history to make sense of what’s happening today, which ought to be everyone reading this.
“Letters from an American” by Heather Cox-Richardson (Email)
You guessed it. I enjoyed Heather’s book so much that I am now a subscriber to her free daily newsletter. It’s become the first one I read each morning, just to keep an eye on national news. It’s often centered on politics, specifically the previous day’s events and some broader context and catch-ups to help explain what’s going on and, in her opinion, why.
Fair warning, the newsletter is largely about how the Republicans suck and how progressive policy is actually helping middle-class Americans, so if that’s not your thing, be warned. But since that’s what I myself have come to believe, partially due to this new thing called evidence, I enjoy it, even if sometimes the rhetoric is a bit one-sided.
You’ve got to be careful not to silo yourself.
As always. my podcast, The HooperCast Movie Hour, is where we talk about film, television, filmmaking, storytelling, and also life. I think you’ll enjoy it. We recently discussed religious and authoritarian extremism on the show. I know, right? We’re not just a silly movie podcast, we discuss real important things sometimes.
As for my essays, you can find it all right here, along with previous Knick Knacks newsletters. Look forward to new essays beginning in March.
Thanks so much for reading and I’ll see you next month!