A Tad Bit of Gumption

“I will not accept a life I do not deserve.” - Maxine Minx

This past Monday I attended a screening of Ti West’s final installment in his X horror trilogy, Maxxxine. The picture was fine (find my review here for MovieJawn), however I did manage to leave the cinema with something in my pocket: a tad bit of gumption.

Maxine’s determination to become a Hollywood star is undeniable. She is willing to do whatever it takes - even murder - to accomplish her dreams. Her methods are more extreme than I am willing to partake in, but I will say this: I am willing to do whatever takes - legally and respectably - to accomplish my goals. I will keep hustling, keep moving forward and most importantly reassess. It is crucial for me to keep in the back of my mind that I am responsible for my own destiny and it is I, alone, that can decide when I need to change direction or take a much needed break. Much like Maxine, I won’t quit until I am living the life that I deserve.

I mentioned in a previous newsletter the Summer of Lugosi - a grand film watching adventure - that I am partaking in with a pal of mine, the friendly village doctor and esteemed Dracula scholar, Dr. Ashley Jane Carruthers. This endeavor of ours has been going quite swell. We have watched two pictures thus far; both silent films. Seeing these early flicks has revealed to me that Bela Lugosi always had an affinity for two things, eye acting and fine threads.

This has inspired me to begin work on another one of my dreams & schemes: learning to sew.

At the present time, I very much am a Dr. Frankenstein in terms of my sewing skills. I have aspired to be more proficient and finally have obtained a mentor (thank you, cousin Deedee) to assist me with this undertaking. The first experiment I would like to attempt is the design and construction of a proper cape.

As a person that sweats profusely from every orifice of my body, summer is my actual living nightmare. Possessing apparel such as a cloak would shield my flesh from the burning rays of the sun and provide me with instant shade. It would also add an overall mystique to my wardrobe that would provide a sense of awe to my aura.

There are several considerations when creating a blueprint for what I am deeming “The Magnificent Cape: a garment of magic and wonder.” I have deemed the following factors to be pertinent to this project:

• Fabric Choice: color, weight, texture

• Pockets: it must have the capability to carry bits and baubles

• Lining: a cape that is yet classy yet rugged, it must stand the test of time

• Performance: i demand it flutter in the breeze

• Showstopping: when I strut down the street, double takes should occur

Here is some inspiration that I have dug up. I’ll keep you posted on my cape crusade.

This week I am proud of… the updates that were made to the MovieJawn Patreon page. If you’re looking to support something that is very meaningful to me, the MovieJawn Patreon is your ticket to do so. We have four tier offerings. However, I think the $5 Box Office package is the most advantageous.

After three months of support, patrons receive a copy of our print publication in their mailbox. Check out the MovieJawn Patreon page here. If you’re undecided, you can watch a short video I posted last week over on TikTok here or Instagram here, explaining the various tier benefits.

This week I recommend checking out… The Criterion Channel 

The Criterion Channel is my second favorite streaming app out there; the first being Turner Classic Movies, of corpse. I love all of their offerings in terms of classic flicks, foreign pictures and deep cuts. They also have great special features which include interviews with film historians, critics and filmmakers.

Right now there are some great curated collections. Below are three collections I recommend checking out along with a flick pick or two from each. You can sign-up for a seven day free trial. Afterwards, it is $10.99 per month or $100 annually. With the amount of motion pictures available and the constant updates, there is always something to watch, making this service well worth the price.

•  His Girl Friday

• It Happened One Night 

• Wild Strawberries

• The Magician

• The Seventh Seal 

• Targets

• Shock Corridor

• What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? 

• Pretty Poison 

If you end up checking out any of these great motion pictures, let me know! I am always up for a cinema chat.

Happy you are here. xx. goodbye.

Tell a friend.