Hello! Every week, our internet culture staff will discuss the world of streaming entertainment in this newsletter. In this edition:
- It’s Taurus season
- Hulu’s Sasquatch turns into an investigation of memory
- Why Captain America’s shield is the MCU’s best MacGuffin
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NOW STREAMING
It’s Taurus season: Here’s what to stream
It’s now officially Taurus season, which always kicks off on 4/20, and that’s definitely not a coincidence.
There are core Taurus values—sleep, comfort, food, stability, sensuality—but we also enjoy a sensory experience, as evidenced by this photo of Grace Jones‘ dressing room rider, which calls for oysters on ice (unshucked), sashimi and sushi, fresh towels, a sofa, and several vintage red and white wines.
In honor of the season, here are some appropriate streaming recommendations that feature Taurus celebs:
- Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (Hulu): Sophie Fiennes’ 2017 documentary looks at the iconic singer’s public and private life, though this one might be more for hardcore fans.
- Good Time (Netflix): Josh and Benny Safdie’s 2017 film is much more anxiety-inducing than Uncut Gems. Robert Pattinson’s documented culinary adventures are a true indicator of Taurus’ chaotic streak, and that translates to his portrayal of stubborn bank robber Connie.
- Jennifer’s Body (Starz): There’s no shortage of media urging you to watch (or reassess) Jennifer’s Body, Karyn Kusama’s 2009 horror film about a demonic cheerleader (Megan Fox) who unapologetically devours men and is bent on revenge. It’s a piece of high Taurean cinema.
—Audra Schroeder, Senior Writer
SPONSORED
Why masking up matters
Wearing a mask in your everyday life may seem like a new and unwelcome intrusion, but they’ve been around for a long time. Face coverings have been recommended for protection during respiratory pandemics since the 14th century. Mask wearers were onto something way back then—and they didn’t even have Twitter to start a #MaskUp movement! In honor of those pioneers of safe health practices, we’ve built a comprehensive, science-driven database that’s just as easy to understand as it is to share.
REVIEWS
Hulu’s Sasquatch turns into an investigation of memory
“This place is fucked up beyond belief,” David Holthouse says in the final episode of Sasquatch, assessing an area and a story that has apparently haunted him for decades.
In the new true-crime docuseries, produced by Jay and Mark Duplass and directed by Joshua Rofé (Lorena), investigative reporter David Holthouse attempts to reconstruct a story he overheard in 1993, when he was working at a pot farm in Northern California: Three cannabis farmers were murdered on Spy Rock Road and a suspect was never caught, but there are rumors that a Sasquatch was responsible.
Sasquatch tries to excavate facts from fuzzy memories and overgrown rumors. But, as Holthouse says in the final episode, when he suggests he might have misinterpreted the story from the very beginning: “Memory is tricky.” —A.S.
CULTURAL OBSESSIONS
Why Captain America’s shield is the MCU’s best MacGuffin
Marvel loves MacGuffin-based storytelling. A significant portion of the MCU revolves around the Infinity Stones, a series of props that rarely hold much emotional weight. Of course, MacGuffins don’t have to be interesting in themselves. That’s kind of the point. But right now, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is making a compelling case in favor of Captain America’s shield. That glorified frisbee is far more compelling than some of the apocalyptic superweapons we see elsewhere in the MCU.
In a practical sense, the shield is only valuable as a chunk of vibranium. Its real power is symbolic. The U.S. government could probably manufacture a decent replica, and anyone could independently declare themselves to be the new Captain America. But Sam, Bucky, and John Walker all care deeply about Captain America’s legacy, so for them, only the real deal will do. They’re actually more invested in that shield than its original owner, Steve Rogers.
—Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Staff Writer
BTW
- ‘This the fastest I’ve seen someone get cancelled’: Questionable tweets from ‘Shang Chi’ star resurface hours after Marvel trailer
- Did ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ delete a pandemic subplot?
- Scott Rudin accused of contributing to former assistant’s suicide
Now Playing: “Andean Condor” by Pixx
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