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Top Gun: Maverick, The Reluctant Traveler, and Oscar predictions

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Top Gun: Maverick, The Reluctant Traveler, and Oscar predictions

Jet piloting and jet setting, plus our wishes and our guesses for the 2023 Academy Awards

Criticism Is Dead
and
Jenny G. Zhang
Mar 7
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Top Gun: Maverick, The Reluctant Traveler, and Oscar predictions

criticismisdead.substack.com

Hello!

On this week’s episode of Criticism Is Dead, we discuss Top Gun: Maverick and The Reluctant Traveler, a film and a series about older men discovering that they have plenty left to live for.

Click here to listen to the full episode on the web

Or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts, or other podcast apps.

02:41 Don’t overthink Top Gun: Maverick — the film, streaming on Paramount+ and MGM+, is the epitome of “turn your brain off and rock on.”

We know, we know, we’re beyond late to viewing the blockbuster of 2022. Please forgive us; to be honest, neither of us care about Top Gun, so this wasn’t exactly on the priority watch list. Regardless, here we are, and what can we say? Top Gun: Maverick is unabashedly predictable, surface-level, old-fashioned American military propaganda — and it’s shameless fun! Look at those stunts, look at those action sequences, look at those big brawny Yanks. This is a competently crafted throwback of a Hollywood movie, which is sometimes all you need for a good time.

P.S. Here’s the GQ piece Pelin mentions.

21:59 The Reluctant Traveler, streaming on Apple TV+, is a sometimes relatable, sometimes frustrating, always gorgeous travel show.

Before the premise of “unadventurous movie star reluctantly embarks on a whirlwind worldwide voyage to some of the most beautiful places on the planet” turns you off, let me just say: I know. It’s a shtick, for sure, and one that definitely grates at time. But beneath that gimmick, this show is pretty enjoyable, in my opinion. Eugene Levy is a charming enough host — no matter how much he grimaces, he is basically a good sport. There’s something touching, too, about his embarking on this journey at the age of 75, and realizing that he still has so much left to see and do in life. And even if none of that appeals to you, the series is so expensively, beautifully produced that it is almost guaranteed to stoke your wanderlust.

36:42 Plus, 2023 Oscar predictions: what we want to win versus what we think will win.

Let us know your own picks/predictions!

Bonus etc.

I—

Twitter avatar for @WrittenByHanna
I could’ve just sat on in with massa @WrittenByHanna
Euphoria is not well written, its over directed, its poorly acted (to no fault of the actors who have proven with other projects they are great!) It doesn’t have anything particularly insightful to say about Gen Z. Its simply was a lightning in the bottle phenomenon
7:52 PM ∙ Mar 1, 2023
9,293Likes593Retweets

^ Context.

Alison Herman on The Last of Us and Station Eleven.

We are sorry if we contributed even an iota to what’s happening to Pedro Pascal:

Twitter avatar for @djarinluck
lauren | tlou & mando spoilers @djarinluck
this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen
9:52 PM ∙ Mar 1, 2023
76,378Likes2,530Retweets

Finally, yes Pelin!!!!

Twitter avatar for @onelongpiece
pelin @onelongpiece
itsa me 🫣🫣🫣🫣
Twitter avatar for @FilmarketHub
Filmarket Hub @FilmarketHub
These talented writers have impressed the Jury with their incredible storytelling skills and we can't wait to see what they come up with next! 😍 The competition is fierce, but only three writers will advance to the final round. Who will come out on top? 🤔 Stay tuned🗓️🏆 https://t.co/Iwa2CxyHeu
5:35 PM ∙ Mar 1, 2023
87Likes3Retweets

That’s it for now. Thank you and see you next week!

— Jenny

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Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Some credits:

  • Music: REEKAH

  • Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

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Top Gun: Maverick, The Reluctant Traveler, and Oscar predictions

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