Books:
Non-Fiction: Who Cooked The Last Supper? A Women’s History Of The World by Rosalind Miles
Who Cooked The Last Supper is one of the most eye-opening books we’ve ever come across. It’s a comprehensive study of gender history that outlines the creation and the evolution of gender roles, starting from the early pre-civilisation period to modern times. It’s easy to read and fascinating in its commentary. Definitely recommend this!
Play: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
This play continues to be a delight no matter how many times we read it. One can never tire of Oscar Wilde’s endless witticisms and sharp social commentary. If you’d rather watch it, we recommend the film as well, which stars Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, and Reese Witherspoon in a most charming adaptation ;)
Science Fiction: The Eternity Artifact by L.E Modesitt, Jr.
Five thousand years into the future, when humanity has colonized most of the galaxy, a shuttle pilot, an artist, and a history professor are recruited by their government and sent to a remote, sunless planet and investigate mysterious alien ruins that could become a powerful political tool. A spy is amongst them. Interstellar war is one mistake away. This book is a good old science fiction that deals with the same human problems of today and imagines them tenfold in a future spread across the stars. Great escapism.
Articles:
“Love Sick: It’s Time To Uncouple Care Work From Romantic Love”
This is a thoughtful piece that really makes one think about what exactly is the role of the romantic relationship in society, and more specifically, about who benefits from it and who doesn’t. “Romantic love is a resolution, narratively: it’s a happy ending and an assumption of mutual care in perpetuity. But this past year has forced a lot more of us to consider the limitations of that narrative. What happens to those who fall through the cracks of romantic love? Who catches you when the systems intended to secure your survival in growing older assume that you won’t be doing so alone?”
“Hollywood Sure Knows How To Pander To Masculine Panic”
A great article that cleverly points out the ways in which toxic masculinity seeks to make itself relevant again in a shifting political climate; aka, by creating fantasy scenarios in which traditional masculinity saves the day, as opposed to the future “gynecocracy” that conservative men fear so much. “Now, the manospherian argument often goes, feminism has fomented a feminized, misandrist era, where men’s traditional skills, industries, and behaviors are delegitimized. Men like Forester [the protagonist of The Tomorrow War (2021)] are put out to pasture, which is to say: placed in jobs traditionally reserved for women (like educating the next generation, blech). Stubbornly stuck in their entitlement, outrage, and outdated notions of masculinity, the only thing that can save such men is giving them a chance to save the world. Cue: the alien war.”
Movies:
(Action, Comedy) — The Suicide Squad
The reboot to 2016’s Suicide Squad, this film is everything that a comic book movie should be and more. It’s hilarious, it’s action-packed, and it’s got great political commentary that is expressed through ridiculous metaphors, such as a giant alien starfish. Good fun! Be warned though, it’s pretty gory, so if you’re squeamish you might not enjoy it.
(Drama, Comedy) — Hail Caesar!
This is a wacky film by the Coen Brothers that seamlessly blends reality with comedy and the theatrics of a classic Hollywood film. Partially based on a true story, Hail Caesar! takes us behind the scenes of the golden era of Hollywood and exposes all the political hijinks and scheming that goes on, ultimately ending with a funny twist that gives hope for the progressive future of the industry.
TV Shows:
(Mystery, Drama, Comedy, Period) — Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Set in 1920’s Melbourne, this show follows Miss Fisher, a lady detective, as she uses her wit and charm to solve murders. The sets, the acting, the costumes, and the banter are all fantastic, so if you’re looking for something fun to watch that will also endear you to the characters, then this is it!
Once again, we hope you guys enjoy these recommendations. Let us know if there are other things you would like to recommend as well! We’d love to hear from you. Have a lovely week!
R. Jordan Ortiz and A. Jordan Ortiz