Modern Beauty Trends: In: Leaving Meryl Streep Alone

Friday, December 22, 2017

In: Leaving Meryl Streep Alone | Out: More “Pitch Perfect”

Here’s what you should catch up on over the holidays.
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“Follow what you are genuinely passionate about and let that guide you to your destination.” - Diane Sawyer

Christmas Movie Choices

Pitch Perfect 3

Welcome to the big glut of holiday movie releases. There’s a lot to navigate at the box office in the coming days, so here’s your quick and easy guide to sifting through it. The Greatest Showman (out now)? If the idea of Hugh Jackman fronting a musical about the creation of a circus really tickles your gut, then, sure, go for it, but don’t expect it to be anything profoundly transformative. Same for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (also out now). It’s not great, but it’s not as bad as it could be, and should be fine cross-generational family fare. Downsizing (premieres tonight), which stars Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig as a couple who decides to shrink themselves for economic purposes, might be director Alexander Payne’s most critically divisive film in years, but it’s still an intriguing little parable, and supporting actress Hong Chau certainly deserved her Golden Globe nomination. The Post is just as good, or better, than you’d expect a movie that pairs Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and a cast of all your favorite distinguished character actors to be, but it only premieres tonight in nine theaters before going wider in January. All the Money in the World (December 25) proves that, if nothing else, Christopher Plummer is a national treasure for replacing Kevin Spacey on short notice and giving an astounding performance (though it may be Michelle Williams who deserves the most raves). That same day, Molly’s Game and Phantom Thread premiere, and you really can’t go wrong with either. In fact, maybe the only place you can go wrong is Pitch Perfect 3 (out tonight), which is the kind of threequel that really is only valuable to franchise completists. Even cute, feel-good franchises can get strung out by the third time around.

Catching Up on Oscar Films at Home

Basic Cable Christmas Films

Suddenly it’s the holidays. Suddenly you have lots of time on your hands and gift cards to use. What better way to solve that problem than catching up on all the notable films released earlier in the year? Here’s your heads up on where to find them: Get Out, in case you’re one of the few people who hasn’t seen it, is on HBO’s streaming platforms. Netflix, of course, still has its possible awards contender Mudbound (but also check out Okja, which could, at least, get some technical awards love). Dunkirk is now available on iTunes and VOD, and it’s still a strong contender for the ultimate Oscar (just don’t tell your film-snob friends you didn’t see it in the theater). Also available for purchase on iTunes: Killing of a Sacred Deer (yes, the stunningly weirdo parable with Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman), charming (and rudely ignored by the Golden Globes) rom-com The Big Sick, The Beguiled (yes, the other stunningly weirdo parable with Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman), Baby Driver, Battle of the Sexes, and Detroit. Sure, you could just watch those adorably drab basic cable Christmas movies (as SNL just parodied) with your family, or you could be a person who supports the arts. Your choice ... unless it’s actually the rest of your family’s choice. In which case, fine, we understand. We’re just giving you options. Of course, you could just use the break to instead catch up on some of the best TV of the year as well.

Leaving Meryl Streep Alone

The Alt-Right

As we are sitting here in the midst of a sexual harassment and abuse crisis brought about by the weakness and evils of powerful men, how exactly does Meryl Streep become a controversial flashpoint? The mind boggles. After Streep’s name was attached to reports of a rumored plan for actresses to wear all-black to the Golden Globes in a show of support, Rose McGowan lashed out at Streep but soon apologized. Streep, who has been vocal with her support for the purging of Hollywood predators, came out with her own public statement clarifying that she had no idea that Harvey Weinstein was using his power to prey on women. Still, soon afterwards posters started popping up around Hollywood with Streep’s eyes blocked out by the words “She knew.” Turns out, it was the work of a Trump-supporting, “alt-right” street artist. He wants to be the right-wing Banksy, but has a problem with staying anonymous. He soon came forward to explain his posters and suggested ludicrous conspiracies that not only did Streep know, but that she was perhaps supplying women to Weinstein. The only thing you need to take away from this is to always remember that even in the midst of scandals caused by men, someone, somewhere will still find a way to twist it and blame a powerful, outspoken woman.

Nan Goldin

@NanGoldinStudio

Nan Goldin was a goddess of Instagram even if she didn’t join the platform until today. The legendary photographer’s gritty and personal photo documentation seemed to, in some ways, anticipate the platform. Now she’s finally joined the ‘Gram and is posting archival work and even a selfie. See our breakdown of her new account here.