Things have been heavy lately. The news is horrible; if you’re like me, you have cut off a good portion of news for your sanity and self-care. The weather is hot and muggy; delightful June of cool nights and pool days will be a distant memory soon as we head into the dog days of summer. The pandemic has been long and is stretching out still, like a ghost over our heads. Changes have been made to our routines and to our relationships. Every decision right now takes a lot of brain power; inflation makes every dollar count. It’s all exhausting.

Then, bam! Dogfighting jets!

When I listened to the audio of Jenny Slate's essay collection, Little Weirds, a couple of months ago, I had no idea it would be so emotionally prescient.

Less than a month into 2020, in the midst of awards and ceremonies, critics and cinephiles are in an uproar over accolades given and not given to last year’s films and performances. So goes the passion for moving pictures. I have my own opinions on the best of 2019, and how it’s shaking out this award season.