good morning -
It’s been hot as hell in DC lately. You know, the kind of hot where you can’t even be bothered to walk for like ten minutes because it’s just so dang hot. I pity the visitors here who are walking around so much.
One activity I enjoy doing when it’s so hot outside is going to the cinema. I love a matinee. You get to escape the heat, the busy streets of DC and enjoy a film for a couple hours with some refreshments.
I’ve gone to the cinema a few times lately. Some other movies I’ve watched at home. Here are some quick, spoiler-free reviews:
Challengers: Probably one of the better tennis movies out there (There aren’t many good tennis movies out there). But the score was pretty comical. And in a film where Zendaya was the big star, she delivered the weakest performance of the three main characters. It was seriously hard to watch at times, none more cringey than the final scenes. They could probably cut at least 20 minutes out of this.
Thelma: A 94-year-old woman gets scammed $10,000 and tries to get it back. Fun concept! And it was a fun movie, really, if perhaps predictable. What annoyed me? The unnecessary subplot with her grandson that delivered nothing for the story. All in all, a pretty sweet film about ageing.
The Bikeriders: I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was a good watch. Kind of what you get if you mix Goodfellas and A Rebel Without a Cause (though perhaps more Goodfellas). It’s about the birth of a biker gang. Tom Hardy was stellar in his supporting role - at least I think that’s he billed it. Jodie Comer carried many scenes herself and helped propel the story forward. And you couldn’t take your eyes off Austin Butler, who didn’t have many lines but carried superb presence. Maybe it’s because he’s so good looking.
All in all, a little fun to watch. Sometimes I wondered where it was going. But once it got there, I was pretty pleased.
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough: Okay, this is from 2023 so we don’t get to see Cavendish revel in the glory of winning his 35th stage at the Tour de France. Think he’s a pretty controversial fellow, but I root for him. And I appreciated how open he was about his struggles.
A Family Affair: Starring Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman and Joey King, this film goes about as you’d expect it to. Efron’s character is a jerk, falls for his assistant’s (Joey King) mom (Nicole Kidman) and the rest devolves from there. It’s kinda awful. Only turned it on so I could have something play in the background whilst I napped. When I woke up it was still on. And it was still terrible.
Sports (in general): What a few weeks this has been in sports. We’ve got the Euros, Wimbledon and the Tour de France. All of these events have been so dramatic too. That Stage 9 race in the Tour was one of the most exciting pieces of sport I’ve seen this year - what a battle on the gravel! Also, did I mention Cavendish’s 35th stage win? We’re still in a battle for the GC too.
And then, of course, the knockout stages of the Euros, where England face Spain in the final. At Wimbledon we’ve got Andy Murray’s sendoff, and now championship weekend.
Oh that’s right - baseball too! What a time to be a sports fan.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Jackie Down The Line, by Fontaines DC
And now for your links:
Alasdair Gold: Tottenham given green light to continue building new hotel next to stadium
Conmebol investigating clash between Darwin Nunez and fans
The Athletic ($$): Jurgen Klopp turns down USMNT offer