If an epistolary novel is made up of letters, most novels are epistolary.

This Is Just To Say

I have turned off
the AI features
that were in
the update

and which
you were probably
hoping
to monetize

Fuck you
they were stupid
so unnecessary
and so annoying

Maybe that's everyone who's both willing to take the abuse that comes with being a Green MP and able to be reasonably vetted.

Watched Resident Evil (2002) for the first time and there's a scene where Michelle Rodriguez gets bitten by a zombie, then thoroughly bandages every part of her hand except the wound.

‘Lyrical, important, educational, moreish’: Hugo Grrrl on a book everyone should read 'My attention span has been scrambled by screens, same as everyone else. Getting absorbed in a novel makes me feel like my brain is actually working again.'

My old flatmate! It's been great seeing him succeed, despite being targeted by a certain famous bigot.

thespinoff.co.nz/books/21-04-...

"Kiwis elected me to deal with the cost of living, to get our economy back, creating jobs and lifting incomes and improving the education of our kids. That is what I came to Parliament to do, and that is what I’ll keep doing."

At the start of his prepared statement, Luxon listed the things he believes he was elected to do. He hasn't actually done any of them. So when he said, "That is what I'll keep doing," did he mean keep not doing them?

Chris Luxon's greatest achievement is being the first Prime Minister whose coalition with Winston Peters led to NZ First increasing in popularity. Now they won't let him leave because they want to fail even harder.

Haha you were correct. Though I would also accept an argument that the position remains vacant.

"One hundred years ago on the 21st of April, out in the waters around Spivey Point, a small clipper ship drew toward land. Suddenly, out of the night, the fog rolled in. For a moment, they could see nothing, not a foot in front of them."
- Old Mr. Machen, "The Fog" by Debra Hill & John Carpenter

Ooh if we're doing horror I have a couple. Jack Be Nimble is a unique NZ Gothic, starring Alexis Arquette (with a flawless Kiwi accent) and featuring Bruno in a supporting role. It's all kinds of messed up though.

I think Milly's tv suggestions are probably the best bet - very much along the lines of British kindertrauma tv shows. I'd also add Children of the Dog Star.

Sadly NZ doesn't have a great tradition of sci-fi movies, especially uncampy. The Quiet Earth is an exception amidst things like the madcap mad science gorefest Death Warmed Up, the goofy postapocalyptic Battletruck, and Peter Jackson's alien invasion splatter comedy Bad Taste.

How many days until a new Prime Minister?

Love it when an episode of Doctor Who had the credit "Action by HAVOC."

I am obsessed with this clip and have watched it multiple times

I hate it when people uncritically say, "The purpose of a system is what it does." As a heuristic, it can be useful, but it's usually stated as a truism, which is fatalistic.

After seeing all of these horror movie ads that say "Lee Cronin's The Mummy," I am disappointed to learn that Lee Cronin is not, in fact, the mummy.

The Italian Connection - directed by Fernando Di Leo - Full Movie HD by Film&Clips Free Movies YouTube video by Film&Clips in English

RIP the great German actor Mario Adorf (The Bird With the Crystal Plumage, The Holcroft Covenant, Major Dundee). He first came to my notice as the pursuer in an incredible seven minute chase scene in Fernando Di Leo's The Italian Connection. This should take you to it (if not, it starts at 52:00)

A competent driver in charge of a steamroller who doesn't care if people in the path gets run over would be incredibly dangerous. An incompetent one who doesn't even have a plan for where to drive it is much more dangerous. And that's the end of my written assessment of the Prime Minster.

"We want the funk. Give up the funk. We need the funk. We gotta have that funk." - George Clinton

Brooke van Velden telling the Spinoff she's got nothing left to learn after her two terms in Parliament is staggering, even from her.

This is a dance off!
If you see this, post a dance or you're eliminated.

The Wild Bunch (1969) (Ft The Directors Chair Network Head Honcho Ryan Rebalkin)

On this month episode me and my special guest Ryan Rebalkin (Directors Chair Network) tackle Peckinpah's most famous film and the one that solidified him as "Bloody" Sam. It is,of course, "The Wild Bunch" open.spotify.com/show/5XEwQd8...

My favourite kind of online book and movie review is, "this is in a genre I don't like, one star."

Thank you! That's how my entire life feels.

Just catching up now due to my relationship's 10th anniversary being yesterday, but yes: all of this. Malpass said the Government's response "has been more than competent - it's been good," but all we've heard are empty platitudes and a refusal to act. The bar is so low, it's subterranean.

Apropos of nothing: IMO Chris Hipkins is inconsequential to the success or failure of Labour. I doubt that his personal charisma or policy positions have convinced anyone to vote one way or the other.

I liked Sinners but IMO the Oscar went to the better movie. It often doesn't.

Just finished the short story collection Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls by Alissa Nutting. Dark and funny, with a sharp turn of phrase and unusually strong storytelling sense - everything here feels complete, even the 3-pagers. A good enough writer to give the most absurd premise verisimilitude.

I honestly think that doing this kind of thing day in, day out, just feeds hopelessness and exhaustion.