OBSESSION

OBSESSION

We watched Obsession on our son’s recommendation.

Horror isn’t realy my thing, although this isn’t your typical horror movie

When we watched it, I didn’t know anything about it; it was only later that I discovered how hugely successful it was: something like $500 million on a budget of $750,000.

In fact, even without knowing any details, by the end you’re left with a simple yet very effective message conveying.

This movie opens up a whole range of discussions and lends itself to a conversation about universal themes.

And then there’s a spotlight shone on the long-standing issue that urgently needs to be finally addressed in all its reality.

Although, to be honest, I was already annoyed by the very first scene.

No spoiler if I say that the object you see in the image above, with all its cheap-looking gadget vibe, is actually magical and has the power to grant a wish.

A single wish.

We grew up hearing the three rules of Aladdin’s Genie: he cannot kill anyone, he cannot make anyone fall in love, and he cannot bring the dead back to life.

Obsession

The One Wish Willow grants only one wish in the lifetime of the person who makes it, with the caveat that the wish will end only with the death of the person who made it.

Here’s the crux of the matter: if you found yourself thinking about what you’d like to see come true, would you also consider the consequences

Director Clive Burker encapsulates this concept in his two main characters.

His bio describes him as an Alabama-born Generation Z director who got his start making horror short films on YouTube.

In 2026, he broke into the studio system with Obsession for Blumhouse and Focus Features.

Michael Johnston plays Bear, while Danielle Fabiola Inde Navarrette plays Nikki.

Inde Navarrette was a Call of Duty streamer on Twitch, and in this role, she demonstrated great acting ability by embodying Nikki Freaky, her obsessive and uncontrollable alter ego.

The director himself summed up the frustration of the real Nikki in a metaphor: experiencing everything as if you were sitting in the back seat.

So the ingredients are firmly rooted in the web: YouTubers, streamers, horror, and obsessions…

Tony’s blog mentioned it in his June list; and you? Have you seen it?

STILL WATER

STILL WATER

Still water commonly refers to natural water, but literally means water that is not moving.

We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us that they may see, it may be, their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer, perhaps even with a fiercer life because of our quiet.
William Butler Yeats

Stillwater is also the name of a town in the United States that inspired the title of a 2021 film starring Matt Damon and Abigail Breslin.

Stillwater

 

 

Have you seen it?

As the trailer clearly shows, it is the story of a father who arrives in France from Stillwater to help his daughter who is in prison.

When the film was released, Amanda Knox sparked a heated controversy by writing:
Does my name belong to me? My face? What about my life? My story? Why does my name refer to events I had no hand in? I return to these questions because others continue to profit off my name, face, & story without my consent. Most recently, the film #STILLWATER

Still water

Right? Of course.

I saw the film and honestly didn’t notice any correlations or references, apart from the fact that an American girl was in prison.

Furthermore, the film’s plot reveals an unexpected twist, and frankly, the fact that Amanda Knox strongly insists that this is her story surprises me, because it leads to a very specific consideration.

You know I never reveal details that could be spoilers, but if you’ve seen it, I’d love to hear your opinion.

Regardless, it happened again.

The Rip, the new film starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, was recently released, and they are promoting it.

During an interview for his podcast, Joe Rogan asked the two actors for their opinion on cancel culture.

Definition of cancel culture: an attitude of blame, usually expressed through social media, towards public figures or companies who have said or done something offensive or politically incorrect and who are therefore stripped of support and approval.

In short: media pillorying to achieve oblivion.

We know it well, would you like to give some examples?

Matt Damon responds by expressing his opinion:
I bet some of those people would have preferred to go to jail for 18 months or whatever, and then come out and say, ‘I paid my debt. Like, we’re done. Like, can we be done?’” The thing about that getting kind of excoriated, publicly like that, it just never ends. And it will just follow you to the grave.”

First of all, it’s an opinion.

And it refers to prison as the place where one pays their debt. It’s also a strong concept, undoubtedly, precisely to reinforce the comparison with the consequences of cancel culture.

But Amanda Knox once again felt compelled to attack Matt Damon, this time writing:
Another thing Matt Damon could have run by me about before putting out inyo the world.

Still water

Well… so Matt Damon should consult her before doing anything?

I would say that the water has become stagnant.

By now you know that I occasionally repeat Evelyn Beatrice Hall‘s quote. 

Am I too harsh on Amanda Knox?

Perhaps, you tell me.

Or is it just another case of “all publicity is good publicity”?

On January 26, a documentary entitled Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy, edited by Amanda Knox, will be released. It was filmed during her return to Italy, in Umbria, where she met again with Giuliano Mignini, who coordinated the investigation into the murder of Meredith Kercher.

MIRANDA IS BACK!

MIRANDA IS BACK!

Miranda is back!

Rumours have been circulating for some time now: the iconic success of The Devil Wears Prada has placed it among the films that film producers are considering investing in for a remake or sequel.

We will therefore see Meryl Streep reprise her role as Miranda Priestly.

Miranda is back

Surprisingly, during Milan Fashion Week, Miranda and Nigel arrived together with the other guests to attend the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. 

Gabbana with two b’s 😉 😀

Miranda is back

In particular, for this fashion show, the two famous designers were inspired by the idea of pyjamas.

What do you think?

Since we are at the beginning of autumn and, although the days are still beautiful and pleasant, the temperature drops significantly during the night, I ask you:

pyjamas yes or pyjamas no?

Classic pyjamas or fancy pyjamas?

Returning to Miranda, we know that, unlike her alter ego in the real world she retains her position as editor-in-chief of Runway.

Miranda is back

I find this image, which depicts the two of them almost as mirror images, very amusing.

But Andy?

We left her in jeans and a very casual jacket, about to embark on a new editorial project. How will she fit into the glamorous clothes of Emily 2?

Miranda is back

JULIA IN VENICE

JULIA IN VENICE

Julia in Venice for the first time at the Film Festival

Julia returns to Venice after Woody Allen’s Everyone Says I Love You.

I have always liked her and therefore follow her with admiration.

Among other things, as you know, I adore Venice, so her presence at the Film Festival is a very special combination for me.

Once again, she has graced us with her smile, framed by her unique, personal and ironic, or simply iconic, style choices.

Julia Roberts is not known for her glamorous appearances, and in Venice she is showing her true self: a combination of simplicity and elegance, practicality and refinement.

Here she is in black and white, with the trendiest bag of the moment: the Celine tote, the luggage phantom bag paired with a pair of Superga trainers like the ones we could all have.

Julia in Venice

 

Minimal sporty = chic

But there’s more: the completely unexpected cardigan featuring Luca Guadagnino’s face.

Julia in Venice

 

This version of the outfit shows us ballet sneakers that have already gone viral.

Julia in Venice

 

Is that all?

Absolutely not!

Of course, we all saw the splendour of the blue dress on the catwalk, but I would rather focus on a secondary outfit, if we can call it that, also by Versace, because in this case too, in addition to the dress, there is a message: sharing is caring.

There was a time when two women wearing the same dress to an event could be considered a tragedy.

Julia Roberts and Amanda Seyfried, on the other hand, appeared like this:

Julia in Venice

 

What do you think?

Absurd or brilliant?

Have you ever shared your clothes?

I cannot conclude without mentioning Julia’s look for the 1990 Golden Globes ceremony: history, and I will say no more.

APPLICATION FOR A JOB

APPLICATION FOR A JOB

I wonder if you have ever applied for a particularly coveted position.

Even when faced with the impossible, do you think it is worth taking a chance, perhaps hoping for a stroke of luck, confident in the idea that “one in a thousand makes it”?

Are you a dreamer even in the concrete act of sending a CV?

I ask you this because in August, Condé Nast published an advertisement for an Executive Assistant to the Global Chief Content Director. The salary was up to 125,000 usd.

The end of June brought us the sensational news of Anna Wintour‘s  “resignation”, although in reality she left her role as editor-in-chief of American Vogue to take on the role of Global Editorial Director of Vogue, as well as being responsible for Condé Nast’s global content.

This is not fiction: Andy Sacks‘ candidacy is really required! 🙂

And all this while 20th Century Studios tells us that The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in the works…

The recruitment campaign, i.e. the search and training of staff, a neologism according to Treccani, was launched on August 13,

Who will now be bringing hot coffee to Mir… oops, to Anna?

And you? Will you tell me about your special application?

Have you ever had to face a difficult challenge at work?

THUNDERBOLTS*

THUNDERBOLTS*

Thunderbolts* released in cinemas, will the MCU succeed in electrifying audiences?

My husband, my son and I went into the theatre hoping to see a Marvel movie that could interrupt the drift of recent years.

Thunderbolts* name inspired by an anecdote told in a scene.

But the asterisk?

The asterisk brings the film full circle, as if it were a palindrome.

Originally in fact the title of the film was *The New Avengers

Thunderbolts*

But *The New Avengers become Thunderbolts* by their very nature, they are not actually classic superheroes.

Not Super Not Heroes

Yelena Belova = Black Widow
James Buchanan Barnes = Bucky – Winter Soldier
Alexei Shostakov = Red Guardian
John Walker = U.S. Agent
Antonia Dreykov = Taskmaster
Ava Starr = Ghost

and then Bob i.e. Robert Reynolds = Sentry

Bob encompasses strength and fragility, simplicity and complication, naughtiness and goodness, with a nerdy air about him.

The actor who embodies Bob is Lewis Pullman.

Yes: Pullman son of Bill, memorable performer of various loser roles.

Do you remember any of the films Bill Pullman starred in?

The resemblance made me smile

But Bob embodies the dark abyss of the burden of life that deflects the movie into something extremely difficult to portray.

I particularly liked Florence Pugh for the way she mixed depression and irony.

On the other hand, David Harbour is pumped, as well as businesslike 🙂

So is Thunderbolts* electrifying?

My husband is not entirely convinced, for my son it’s a yes, and what do you think?

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