We’ve hit July, the temps are soaring nationwide, and the news is invariably terrible, so join us, the Trivia Mafia staff, as we turn inward to share some the media of all types that have been fueling our creativity, piquing our interest, and slaking our thirst for entertainment through those long, hot summer days. Enjoy!
On the Big Screen
I already told you to watch “I Saw the TV Glow,” and you don’t need me to tell you to watch “Challengers,” so my other favorite new movie of the spring is “Problemista.” Julio Torres is a fave, and if you liked “Los Espookys” or “My Favorite Shapes,” you’re going to have a great time with “Problemista.” I had my quibbles (would have liked more from Ale’s mother Dolores, for example), but I had a great time watching Torres and Tilda Swinton bouncing off each other. It would be easy to write off the Swinton character, and it’s fun that the movie doesn’t let you. Worth watching for the cameos alone: Greta Lee; the butch lesbian from the “A League of their Own” TV show; Mr. C’s boyfriend from “Abbott Elementary”; many of the shapes from “My Favorite Shapes.” —Editor Ruby
June Squibb has two movies in theaters, and I saw both of them. “Inside Out 2” was, as expected, a heartwarming and nostalgic look at growing up and all of the awkwardness that comes with being 13. She only voices a minor character in it, though. “Thelma” is the real star of the show. She shines as a beloved grandmother seeking revenge on the people who scammed her. Call your grandma, and then take everyone you know to see this movie. —Editor Megan
On the Small Screen
Before Buffy or sparkly Edward or “Vampire Diaries,” there was Anne Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles,” and as a former gloomy goth teen, I can put my eyeliner-ed stamp of approval on AMC’s newest adaptation. “Interview with the Vampire” just finished its second season (and got renewed for a third), having given us 16 episodes of sprawling, bloody, messy, intensely sexy television. It’s the rare adaptation that improves dramatically on its source material, offering up trenchant observations on race, queerness, and mental health while sidestepping the parochial hand-wringing and long-winded metaphysical lectures that bog down Rice’s originals. Jacob Anderson’s Louis is a mixed-up, conflicted headcase; Delainey Hailes (replacing Bailey Bass for Season 2) turns in a gangbuster performance as Claudia; and Sam Reid’s Lestat is just note-perfect, full stop. It’s a show worth… sinking your teeth into. (Sorry.) —Editor in Chief Aaron
It doesn’t need my endorsement, but I really liked “Shōgun”! Content warning: the first episode is incredibly, shockingly violent, but by episode four, we’re talking about the challenges of maintaining quorum, and just doing regular sword-fighting violence. Huge shout out to my man Yabushige, the prince of screw-ups. I wish they had someone other than knockoff Tom Hardy in the lead role, but everything Mariko does makes up for it. The process of translating the show is very interesting to read about. —Editor Ruby
My kid and I have been making our way through the original “Twilight Zone.” Talk about a show that holds up — nearly every episode is a masterpiece of concise storytelling brought to life by world-class actors, some of them household names and many of them unknown even to a vintage film buff such as myself. Rod Serling didn't shy away from political progressivism, complex metaphysics, or the dark corners of the human soul. I've watched plenty of piecemeal episodes over the years, but this is the first time I've sat down for a proper viewing of the series as a whole. It's somehow even better than its spotless reputation, and if my kid is any indicator, it still packs a punch even for the younger generation. —Editor Ira
Putting in a plug for “Delicious in Dungeon,” an anime series about adventurers scrounging for meals as they delve into a mysterious fantasy dungeon. “Delicious in Dungeon” has excellent worldbuilding, fantastic characters, and an intriguing plot, but what really ties it all together is the series’ emphasis on food and the way it connects people to their environment, as well as to each other. Just make sure to eat before you watch, otherwise you’ll come out the other side craving boiled mimic, roasted basilisk, or a tart made from man-eating plants. —Editor Sophie
Music
I know we’re all bumping “Brat” all summer, but in addition to that, for even more nostalgic tunes to keep the poolside playlist going, I’m turning to “NO HANDS” by Joey Valence & Brae. The ’80s NYC/Beastie Boys influence is undeniable. Perfect for summer in the city. It’s Tenacious D approved. —Editor Andrea
Song of the Summer, Gloomy Art School Kid Edition goes to “Frogs” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. This is one of the more epic things Cave has ever put out, all orchestras and choirs and U2-esque arrangements. It's a sweeping, swelling journey through murder, love, rain, God, and Kris Kristofferson — everything you look for in a new Nick Cave single, basically. —Editor Ira
I have no particular interest in the movie that spawned it, but the soundtrack to “Boy Kills World” by El Michels Affair is fantastic stuff. Michels has long specialized in a genre known as "cinematic soul," so it stands to reason that his soundtrack work would be on point. This is groovy, danceable wildness covering a swath of styles. It's an album that easily stands on its own, movie or none. —Editor Ira
Games
Nothing says summer like reunions, and I’m getting back in touch with “Pokémon Go.” I probably haven’t played it seriously in about three years, which means I’ve been able to encounter a wider variety of ‘mons, which means I’ve got meaningful work to do in my Pokédex. Working from home means needing good excuses to get out of the house, and it’s as great a reason for me to do that as it was eight years ago. You can “Pokey-mon Go add my friend code” at 5065 8430 1271. —Content Creator Tony
I can’t say that I’m reuniting with the “Tony Hawk” franchise, as I didn’t get in on the ground floor when it started coming out in the ‘90s, nor when it was remastered in 2020 (“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2”). But now? Here I am, doing everything I can, pretending I’m a Superman, and it kicks ass. I don’t know if there’s ever been a tutorial so fun that I spent multiple days playing it before wanting to move on. I weirdly find parallels to it with “Breath of the Wild,” in that the game is a physics laboratory, and you get to experiment with what works and what doesn’t. It makes succeeding at your goals fun, but the creative ways you can (and will) fail equally a blast. If this series also somehow missed you, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up and get ready to ignore all your earthly responsibilities in the name of shredding. —Content Creator Tony
Books
Until recently, I was only dimly aware of Cory Doctorow as an editor of Boing Boing and a champion of Creative Commons, the coiner of the online-platform-decline term “enshittification,” and a person who made occasional cameos in the webcomic “xkcd.” But then I was on vacation and finished both of my other books: Jamie Loftus’ “Raw Dog,” which I also enjoyed and recommend, and another modern sci-fi classic, which I straight-up hated and won’t name here. My wife had brought a library copy of Doctorow’s “Radicalized,” and I needed something to read, so I promptly stole it from her and fell in love. While Doctorow has a ton of novels under his belt, “Radicalized” is a collection of four short stories in the speculative science fiction vein, and not since Ted Chiang have I so enjoyed that genre. The genius of “Radicalized” is to set each story what feels like just a weensy half-step away from where we are now, and to explore that space with a very familiar modern sense of cynicism and malaise. He deals with the never-owning-anything-anymore, microtransactional nature of modern tech; with arrogant tech bro doomsday prepping; and yes, with online radicalization — although you may be surprised which side you end up taking for that one. It’s wonderfully written and endlessly entertaining in its gimlet-eyed view, and I’ll definitely be reading more of Doctorow’s stuff. —Editor in Chief Aaron
I recently read (okay, okay, I listened to the audiobook of) “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston. If you like contemporary romance and a little bit of time travel, it is a must-read! I don’t want to give too much away, but I listened to it in a day because I simply couldn’t stop. If it ever gets adapted into a limited series (it’s too good to squish into a movie) I’m thinking Dev Patel and Margaret Qualley should play the romantic leads. If you have any connections at Netflix or Max, you have my permission to pitch this idea. —Editor Megan
“Party of One” by Dave Holmes: This 2016 memoir smartly waits until you’re past the halfway point to talk about MTV. If you only know Holmes as a VJ, you’ll get some fun dish on celebrities and the tale of how he lost to Jesse Camp on live television. But if, like me, you were only peripherally aware of him anyway, you’ll enjoy the self-effacing humor in stories of growing up feeling like a misfit in your own life. I laughed and sighed and kept reading lines aloud to my spouse, then I went and made a playlist from his recommendations. —EVP Brenna
“I Feel Bad About My Neck” by Nora Ephron: If you only know Ephron from movies (say, by way of “Sleepless in Seattle” or “Mixed Nuts,” which she wrote and directed) I highly recommend picking up any of her books; this collection of essays is just the one I read most recently. Her writing feels very breezy and candid, as if you’re sitting to brunch with her (which she probably cooked - food comes up a lot in her work), while being packed with pithy observations and tight sentences. —EVP Brenna
“Excavations” by Kate Myers: First off, let me say how much I like mysteries and how much I dislike that so many are about murder! Growing up with Nancy Drew, who was just trying to find lost letters and missing candlesticks, I have a hard time with so-called “cozy” mysteries that always start with dead bodies. So here, you have four women (and their rotating POV chapters) who are involved with an archaeological excavation in Greece. Something fishy is happening to artifacts, and not only do they sort out what happened, they determine how to hold someone accountable. Feelings are involved, as well as the risk of heat stroke, and if you liked “A Visit From the Goon Squad” but wished it had more of a plot or less indulgence in literary side characters, this book is for you. (I did not like “AVFTGS,” if you couldn’t tell.) —EVP Brenna
“See You Yesterday” by Rachel Lynn Solomon: A time loop YA romance that’s also about how hard it can be to try to reinvent yourself when you go to college. The pacing doesn’t always keep up the right momentum, but it’s light, sweet, and fun. —EVP Brenna
“A Fever in the Heartland” by Timothy Egan: This book is not fun, but it is incredibly well-assembled, meticulously researched, and some of the best historical journalism I’ve read in a while. It talks about the terrifying rise and reach of the KKK in the 1920s through the story of D.C. Stephenson, and the court case that ultimately brought him down. Really good, but not always great bedtime reading. —EVP Brenna
The Internets
Hey, how about we wrap up with an online media recommendation? If you enjoy our editor Megan’s map-based TikToks (and you should, they rule—and stay tuned next week for more on that!) you may enjoy the YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok content created by the so-called Map Men: two doofy snarky nerdy Brits who have been making entertaining and educational map-based videos for eight years. Two particular picks: this breakdown on British cities, and this one on what, exactly, constitutes the thing called “America.” The tone is very much “what if Philomena Cunk actually taught you stuff?” and I’m on board.
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