John Cage, submitting the sheet music for "4'33"" to his publisher: What do you think? Publisher: No notes.

Always fun to not care about football but be part of a Packers family

One glimmer of light in the darkness: I have to admit I approve of the modern usage of "cinema" to describe when something (not necessarily connected in any way to movies) rules. For obvious reasons, but still, it's nice hearing slightly confused people say "it was absolute cinema."

Feel like he’s breaking the 4th wall bc he realized this is kinda f’d up

It's a special app that can make me angry that I got a $75 thank-you credit.

Successful product launch so work gave folks a $75 gift card from DoorDash. It has taken me 45 minutes to figure out that DoorDash basically refuses to deal with an order that combines credit + me paying more, to the point where I can't order and pay for something myself. Nightmare app.

Idk, as a professional word appreciator, I actually think “unalive” is a terrific coinage — it’s forceful, shocking, Joycean

Now posted: The full list of nominees for ADS Word of the Year 2025. The final vote will be held this evening at 6:45 pm CST at the New Orleans Marriott. #WOTY2025 #ADS2026 #LSA2026 americandialect.org/nominations-...

#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched

I want to submit an abstract to a historical #lexicography conference and would like to DM or email with a #lexicographer or linguist regarding a topic relating to the term "antisemitism" -- looking for a very clear and narrow approach. Help please, and share widely!

"We’re foie gras ducks being force-fed escapism." Nice line, incisive piece. And yes, we've neglected the value of friction.

"We're from the government, and we're here to kill you."

A little bit of trans joy I found while walking the dog this morning.

Recently learned that somber (meaning serious or grave) and sombrero (the wide-brimmed hat) are related. Both come from subumbrare, a Latin term meaning "under shade": sub- (under) and umbra (shade, shadow). Made perfect sense yet was a little surprising. #etymology

Fully agree this isn't a good idea. I also fully understand why people do this. It's vastly more understandable than most medical jargon, far more accessible than 99% of people's healthcare that they can afford, and very often pretty accurate in broad strokes, especially compared to WebMD or Reddit.

The Lowdown has been renewed for season 2!

Bad year for years. Great year for movies. Here's my big year-end piece, with my Top 15 and other big-picture thoughts. It's free for everyone, but please consider supporting The Reveal in 2026. We'll make it worth your while. thereveal.film/the-best-fil...

Since ChatGPT came out in late 2022, over *half a million* tech workers have been laid off. That fact, and their voices, aren't really shaping the conversation about AI, and what "AI" really means in culture. So I started to get into it: www.anildash.com/2026/01/06/5...

Mikey Mittner & Nicky Gondolin return in the new trailer for AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY.

If You Wanted to Come, It Would Be Good If Frankie Were to Go to Hollywood

I don't know why music turning 40 feels harder to believe for 1986 than it did for 1983 or '84, but somehow this makes me feel much older than those anniversaries. (Maybe just because I vaguely remember, say, Graceland sounding fresh and new.)

This raven pair gave off strong "Statler and Waldorf commenting on passing hikers" vibes. #photos #iceland #bird #birds #raven

Watched a new-to-me Barbara Stanwyck movie this evening, 1946's My Reputation, directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Phenomenal performance by Stanwyck, who does amazing things with flashing eyes and a spine of steel.

Every time I watch an older movie and see a credit for “screen play” I mean to figure out when Hollywood ditched the space and closed up that compound noun.

(Just for clarification, work is also not a net negative for me. It's not draining. And I really do appreciate the ability to see a shit ton of movies and do some traveling, while doing a job that on balance is making life better for people. Not nothing!)

Really enjoyed having a week and a half off. Not looking forward to work tomorrow. If I had an income I think I could retire and be happy. (I'm grateful for my job, I like the work, but it's been a few years since work has been a truly nourishing part of my life.)

Made this revithia for dinner last night. It was pretty good. In the late-stage tasting I thought it needed oomph, so added some lemon juice, which helped. But I think paring it down to 5 ingredients may pare it down a little too much. But I'll likely make it again and experiment.

Post your First Film / Last Film of 2025 🍿

Given that Conan O’Brien has a movie out during awards season, and that he had the greatest Hot Ones appearance, they need to let him loose in the Criterion Closet.

Confining your interest in cinema to the time you’ve been alive and in the language that you speak is spiritual deprivation

2025 was a solid movie watching year for me. And yes, I did listen to a lot of Blank Check, why do you ask?

Celebrating my last day of PTO by getting new tires installed at Costco.

This aged well.

Over halfway through the decade! What are your favorite films each year so far? 2020: Da 5 Bloods 2021: Pig 2022: The Banshees of Inishirin 2023: Killers of the Flower Moon 2024: Anora 2025: One Battle After Another

I'm remember arguments about the year 2000 not being the first year of the 21st Century (but the first year of the 2000s). Recently I've seen some people fold 2000 into the 21st Century, and others argue that 2020 is not the first year of the 2020s.

What book is sacred enough to you to get sworn in on? Boring answer: Merriam-Webster collegiate dictionary that I received senior year in high school for my mad skillz in English class. More fun answer: The Phantom Tollbooth

I have at least 25 movies logged on Letterboxd within the past few weeks that have no review. Today's goal may be to fill in those blanks.

A message for you all to carry through the year

What was the last movie or TV show you watched in 2025?

What jazz song sounds the most like an illegal sex act and why is it “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo”

Ending 2025 with … 301 movies watched. Personal record. Last film: Notorious. Great companion to Casablanca.

How I am walking out of 2025

How I am walking out of 2025

Watching two movies today, which will take me to an even 300 features watched in 2025. Certainly the most I've ever seen as an adult, and I'd be surprised if any year in my youth topped it. (One will be Notorious; the other TBD depending on what my son wants to see.)

I’ve been getting a lot of new followers in the past day or so. Welcome. I may not talk as much about UX or content as you anticipated.

Got obsessed with this video before I ever had MTV (which might have been in college?).

How I am walking out of 2025

Casablanca: Still fucking great.