NOMADLAND

Nomadland (2020) directed by Chloé Zhao. A melancholy film that feels like a modern/updated version of The Grapes of Wrath. It's about loss, loneliness, community, freedom, humanity, and the beauty of being alive, the beauty of other people, the beauty of this nation. Frances McDormand lives in her role.

I'll be thinking about this film for quite some time. This is a "must see."

Streaming on Netflix.

PRESENCE

3 of 5 in my series of worship folder cover art for the Sundays of August. The pastors are focusing on the Old Testament lectionary texts, working with the theme of "Restoration and Renewal." Once I created the first paper cut collage, the others came to me in quick succession. It was serious play!

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"Presence"
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

KATSU BURGER

KATSU BURGER! Katsu Curry pork burger + fries with nori flakes + miso honey mustard dipping sauce + black cherry soda. Heavenly!

Adventure Time with The Wife, who had the flagship Tokyo Katsu beef burger.

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The crunch of the burger was perfect. It added texture. The ingredients were well-balanced and I can honestly say this was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Next time, I want to try beef.

GRAVE of the FIREFLIES

Grave of the Fireflies (1988) directed by Isao Takahata. This is one of the most melancholy Studio Ghibli films I've ever seen. For that matter, it's simply one of the most melancholy films I've ever seen. It is the story of two Japanese orphans trying to survive the last few months of the war amidst firebombings, deaths, starvation, and neglect from other family members and adults of the area. They eventually carve out a small paradise for themselves, but it comes at a cost.

(The person who picked the film to watch didn't realize it was the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, which added to the solemnity of the viewing.)

Highly recommended.

Streaming on Netflix.

SILENCE

2 of 5 in my series of worship folder cover art for the Sundays of August. The pastors are focusing on the Old Testament lectionary texts, working with the theme of "Restoration and Renewal." Once I created the first paper cut collage, the others came to me in quick succession. It was serious play!

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"Silence"
1 Kings 19:9-18

WOOBLING

I was TODAY years old when I discovered Korean BBQ. This might be humanity's greatest invention ever—a grill right in the middle of the table (the top of which they switched out seven times during our meal) and all-you-can-eat meat and side dishes. Spectacular!

(We've made bulgogi at home for years, but this was leveling up!)

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) directed by Olivia Newman. Remember the outrage when Deckard's voiceover was added for the original theatrical release of Bladerunner? Now imagine Deckard is a CGI octopus, and you have this film. The story of the broken people in this film is predictable and meant to tug at heartstrings. (It's related to The Odyssey because the main storyline is about what constitutes home, and returning to it.) Plus it ends with a big old Hollywood happy ending plus the cherry on top of the sundae plus the chef's kiss. Like the gum stuck on the floor of the aquarium lobby that is one of the movie's main sets, "it's gross."

And don't even get me started on the arrogance of the octopus character or it's strange behaviors and movements!

Streaming on Netflix.

ABUNDANCE

1 of 5 in my series of worship folder cover art for the Sundays of August. The pastors are focusing on the Old Testament lectionary texts, working with the theme of "Restoration and Renewal." Once I created the first paper cut collage, the others came to me in quick succession. It was serious play!

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"Abundance"
Isaiah 55:1-5

BON ODORI

Bon Odori. Tacoma Buddhist Temple. 

 

Good food. Good friends. Brief worship. Dancing for the ancestors. Taiko drumming.

ANGINE de POITRINE

VOL. 1 (2024) and VOL. II (2026) by Angine de Poitrine.

Did you ever wonder what it sounds like when a Pokémon creature evolves through its various stages?

Angine de Poitrine is a Québécois math rock duo, consisting of Khn de Poitrine on microtonal guitar and bass and Klek de Poitrine on drums. Think progressive rock meets jazz meets klezmer music meets layered guitar loops, with a peppering of techno. It's wild. I've watched videos of them playing in their black-and-white polka-dotted costumes and makeup, and can't quite figure out how they do what they do. Obviously, they practice and practice and practice.

Recommended if you like Primus or Battles or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard or Writhing Squares or instrumental Devo, but don't actually expect it to sound like any of those. This is its own unique thing, and I absolutely love it!