...If you're hyped to see The Odyssey

Hi friends,

Welcome to SCREEN SOMM, a newsletter filled with recommendations of what to watch, from me, Kristen, a screenwriter. Last week our guest SOMM kept us in the revolutionary spirit long past the 4th of July. Next week’s a wild card. You can find Daily recs and Thursday 11a PT chat sesh with me on Substack (site or app).

On to this week’s recs ahead of summer’s biggest blockbuster event. If you’re not hyped yet, you’re about to be.

I’ve not seen this movie yet, but don’t let that stop me from telling you what you should watch before you go.

Christopher Nolan has been one of my favorite directors since I was 17. I am very excited to see what he does with this story, much more than I am excited by the story itself. (I mean… it’s fine.) If Christopher Nolan isn’t part of your personality, you weren’t forced to read The Odyssey in Freshman English, or you’re a psycho like me, here’s your homework ahead of Friday’s opening relase.

If you’re new to Nolan, watch Inception. It most encapsulates who he is and wants to be as a filmmaker and storyteller. It is very entertaining, it doesn’t always make logical sense but you’re still along for the ride. He wields movie stars and character actors with equal power. You’ll understand why people love his movies, and by the time you’re done, you probably will love them too.

If you’ve never read The Odyssey, watch…O Brother, where art thou. Directed by the Coen Brothers, it’s another adaptation of Homer’s work, set in the depression-era South. It’s different vibes than Nolan’s version and I’m not sure the Coen’s ever read The Odyssey, but you’ll get the basic idea. Plus, it’s hilarious and has an incredible soundtrack I listen to frequently.

If you just want an excuse to rewatch Nolan and get hyped, rewatch… Interstellar. A movie I don’t love, but structurally, I have to imagine it will most closely echo to The Odyssey, given the classic shape of the (long) journey the Hero goes on. I’ll be rewataching it, persuaded by all the love it gets from people whose taste I trust.

Bonus, read - Circe by Madeline Miller. A feminist imagining of many of the stories of the Odyssey, from Circe’s perspective.

Bonus Watch - Mad Max: Fury Road to fill up on women having agency, life, and screentime in an epic masterpiece, cuz I doubt any gal is getting all 3 in this film.

Yes she’s in The Odyssey, but also… she’s Zendaya

The Odyssey - Steal this custom dress and these 3,000 year old earrings. Cool cool cool.

The Drama - Stalk eBay for 90s Charter club cashmere and Polo button downs or just buy this sweater from The Great.

Spider-man: Brand New Day - Get this Coach skirt w/jersey is preppy AF

Dune - A good spf for good measure. Chani might not need it on Arrakis, but JIC, cuz remember you’re not actually Zendaya.

Challengers - Nab the shirt, of course. But also, I mean, all of it tho.

From Real life - Sneakers designed by Zendaya. Truly have never wanted On Sneakers until now.

MOVIES • ‘Series’ • Did Not Finish* • Rewatched • Ongoing… •  🍼= first rewatch >20 years

07/08 - PARIS IS BURNING

07/09 - PROJECT HAIL MARY, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU…

07/10 - THE BEEKEEPER - Well, I was in the room where it was on.

7/11 - THE PRINCESS DIARIES, THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2

7/12 - TOP GUN MAVERICK, …10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, INCEPTION*

New releases on my radar

• THE ODYSSEY (obvs) - Go see it in IMAX if you can.

• The Hawk (Netflix) - A Will Ferrel Golf comedy series - I’ll watch this guy do anything. Also, spotted Luke Wilson in the cast, whilst his brother is in the other Golf comedy series on Apple.

This week, last week, next week? Let’s discuss. And remember, life’s too short to waste it trying to decide what to watch. If you ever need a rec, I’m your SOMM.

Happy watching, everyone!

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