Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I can’t stop talking about Challengers.
This movie has fully taken over my brain space. I fear my brain is forever altered, in fact. I’ve thought about this film every day since I saw it last Saturday. The music has fueled my workweek and plagued my dreams. I’m reminded that ears never left (IYKYK). This film has completely infiltrated every part of my existence and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How I feel about Challengers speaks to a larger trend I’ve been feeling as a movie-goer. Hollywood is finally letting movies get made. This is arguably the most anticipated film of the year and it’s a mid-budget, non-Blockbuster production. It’s not a rom-com, but a rom-thriller like the ones we had in our youth (one of the best films ever made, Cruel Intentions, comes to mind). It puts fresh voices and POVs at the forefront to remind us that, ah, yes, this is why I watch movies and these are the kinds of movies I’ll watch over and over again.
Additional reading: This is Justin Kuritzes talking journey from YouTuber to screenwriter, upcoming collabs with Luca, and how he drew inspo for Challengers from Naomi vs Serena in 2018 and the Federers. Also just think about how absolutely iconic it is that he and Celine Song are the power couple that they are. One couple shelling out two of the best scripts in the past year!? Swoon.
My first Challengers viewing (and I say first because I’m literally going again tonight) was ripe with anticipation and excitement. This is a film we were promised months ago—we were given trailers and exclusive photos, but for strike reasons, the premiere was pushed until now. Needless to say, my friend Sarah (fellow chronically online person) and I were almost happy-kicking our heels in those plush Regal seats. We had our popcorn, we had our soda, and we were SAT. And it simultaneously met and exceeded every expectation. The film captured our whole attention aside from the occasional “omfg,” “what’s gonna happen!?” and “we’re definitely watching this movie again” whispers to one another.
At the end of the day, Luca Guadagnino is a director who wholly understands how to create tension (sexual, mostly) in the most squeal-worthy way possible. In Challengers, he proves that he can go beyond making a movie look like art, by making it feel like Art giving us what we have longed for—a fun, hot, competitive thriller that is over-the-top in every way and leaves you walking out of the theatre screaming, “COMEONNNNNNN!!!!!”
Something I Thought of in the Shower
I’m not even a Sabrina Carpenter fan but she really put her whole esprussy into the song of the summer.
Something Pretty
Everyone and their mom was at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden this past Sunday because LOOK at these blooms!!!
Something To Laugh About
I’ve just been trying to watch anything that isn’t blanket couple coverage (if you don’t know, consider yourself lucky). Here are this week’s gems:
I love feeling seen like this.
This is actually my internal monologue every time I take the train. This is what competitive spirit looks like #TashiMadeMeDoIt.
I feel like I recently gave a shoutout to Jesse McCartney’s talents, and I will continue to by saying that he had the best cameo episodes in every show. Like this one, and the Hannah Montana episode that lives rent-free in my head.
This lol. I miss Pret.
Challengers spoiler but I agree with 100% of this. This is how the tension is created and this is what makes it great. They’re playing a game in every sense of the term!! This lady simply doesn’t get that.
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
Yulin Kuang is directing the EmHen novels into films, but she has her own that I acquired this week. Very excited to curl up in a corner this rainy weekend and read this in one sitting.
And I’m watching this.
I mean there is SO much. I’m finishing Dead Boy Detectives and One Day. Meanwhile, the new season of Hacks is out and I am itching to watch Turtles All The Way Down. Last night I watched The Idea of You, a fanfic-turned-rom-com starring the Queen of Genovia and that dude from Red, White, & Royal Blue (famously one of the worst film adaptations I have EVER seen). My review is this:
Anne Hathaway will forever be hot.
Rom-com’s aren’t dead! Stop saying that! Here’s the proof!
Was I / all of us too harsh on Olivia Wilde?1
Finally St. Vincent is getting some mainstream recognition, but now her tickets will be even more impossible to get ugh.
This is how you do a montage like the old days! Why was it not longer??
Happy Friday! Today is my last day of class and I’ve been heads down working on my final presentation all week, so I plan to vibe and enjoy these two weeks of perfect weather in NYC before the return of the heat.
Til’ next time, Challengers. Your friend,
Clarice
but also NEED to know what happened on the set of Don’t Worry Darling in this lifetime—will Ms. Flo release that memoir???