Fine: A Comic About Gender(DNF)

Written and Drawn by Rhea Ewing

Non-Fiction Comic

The culmination of about a decade of work interviewing people across primarily the Midwest United States primarily on the topics of gender. I will be completely honest in saying that this just did not work for me – which is fine of course – and I don’t have too much to say beyond that. I appreciate the effort that went into translating the interviews into the comic format, even if that feels like a bit of a strange choice, including preserving the subjects identity, while mixing in the authors own gender experiences. I guess I just don’t find this kind of exploration interesting and what I read did not win me over to finding new value in the subject. For the right person though, I imagine this would be a slam dunk.

Chan is Missing

Directed by Wayne Wang, Written by Isaac Cronin and Wayne Wang

Film

A conceptually interesting exploration of Chinese American identity and culture in early 80’s San Francisco, with the backdrop of a mystery story. My knowledge of Chinese mainland history leading up to this point is very thin, and my knowledge of the Immigrant experience in this time period is even lower, so I can’t really comment on its efficacy or truth but it was compelling as an outsider looking in. One nice formal touch was increasing the exposure on the camera in scenes presenting heightened paranoia. Not completely sure why this was in the “Neo-Noir” section of Kanopy but it was definitely worth a watch despite not being what I expected.

Oh it would be a crime not to mention the utterly unreal scene where the main character, Jo, says “The only thing I use the oven for now is to store gadgets.”, opening his oven to reveal a radio, an oscilloscope, and assorted cords. Top tier scene in media.

The Fade Out

Written by Ed Brubaker, Art by Sean Phillips, Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser

Comic Ongoing Series

I’m a noir-head. Noir-pilled. I can’t come up with a third one but you get the idea; I love me some moody morally compromised brooding crime adjacent dramas. This basically had my name written on it, and it certainly delivered, though slightly hampered by attempting to read it in more or less one long sitting. Crucially, the setting of post-war Hollywood allows for commentary on the era that would have been impossible to explore in the films it is so clearly inspired by. I don’t know man I felt like I had better words for this but I really don’t. Just read it.

I’m a newcomer to Brubaker and Phillips’ work but they are quickly becoming some of my favorites, though Pulp is still my favorite of theirs and I’ll probably have to write some stuff on it at some point.

Dressed to Kill

Written and Directed by Brian De Palma

Film

Utterly abohorent, not just for the clear and ever present transphobia, leering at womens bodies, and frankly horrible dialogue, but because it somehow manages to be BORING at the same time. I cannot fathom why this film is as well received as it is. This is my first De Palma and this had better not be a sign of things to come.

I’m being slightly unfair as there were a few good sequences, but they must’ve been accidental because they barely feel a part of the same film.

I also tried starting ‘Naked Lunch’ by William S. Burroughs but my brain was fried from incompotence, so I have nothing to report except that it is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Even what little Pynchon has felt more grounded and naturalistic. but it might be too much in this case. Ok write tomorrow I will, I play gaming too but I’m a goober whose brain isn’t working today, so i’m off.