The Rabbit Hole August 2024
Happy August everyone, wherever you are in the world. If you’re anything like me, you’re watching the Olympics with the glee of someone who only watches these sports every four years, yet still deems herself an expert on gymnastic floor routines (!). In all seriousness, with everything happening in the world, there is something so collectively joyous about the Olympics and the people competing in it, from the Egyptian fencer who competed while being seven months pregnant, to the Clark Kent pommel horse guy, to the super casual Turkish pistol shooter.
It’s been a fun month for content as well, and while I’ve been digging into political podcasts after a long time (Kamala Harris running for President out of the blue will do that to you), I also have some good, funny & inspiring apolitical recommendations for you. See below for my top 3 pieces of content for you to enjoy:
Recommendation #1: Simone Biles Rising (Netflix)
You have to be living under a rock to not know who Simone Biles is. She is, without a doubt, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and, if you watched her most recent Olympic run, you often questioned whether she was even really human.
This Olympics cemented her GOAT status, with Biles becoming the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history. But some may not know why this tournament was so monumental for her legacy. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles withdrew from the competition because of a case of the “twisties,” which is “the psychological phenomenon a gymnast experiences when they encounter a disconnect between their body and mind while performing skills, like twists, in competition.” What happened to her wasn’t medical or even physical, it was emotional and mental, and Biles has since spoken openly about mental health. A few weeks ago, just prior to the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles Rising released on Netflix. It’s a docuseries that delves into this period in her life, as well as how she overcame it to start competing again.
It’s emotional and authentic, and it’s such an important watch for those who want context behind this icon. It’s also a healthy reminder of human fallibility and vulnerability, that even someone like Simone Biles experiences self doubt and fear. The first two episodes are out already, which covers the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, and the last two episodes will release in September, and will cover her time during the tournament.
Recommendation #2: Babes (Streaming)
As a new(ish) mom, Babes is the laugh out loud film about pregnancy, motherhood, and friendship I didn’t know I needed. Starring Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau, the movie follows Glazer’s character’s decision to have a baby on her own after a one night stand. Since becoming a mom about 18 months ago (!), I have felt constantly thrown by how much is unsaid about parenthood. For instance, everyone talks about sleep training your baby (if you so please), but NOBODY mentions that your hard work will be casually undone the minute your child teeths, is sick, is going through some sort of development leap, insert other inane reason here. No one talks about the complexity of it all, how you can feel endless joy and unadulterated love for this new person but also grief and loneliness for the life you’ve left behind.
This film touches on so much in such an honest way without feeling preachy or prescriptive. I also loved that it was a romantic comedy where the love story was actually centered on female friendship. I truly loved it, from start to finish, and you don’t have to be a mama to love it too.
Recommendation #3: Ramy Youssef, More Feelings (Max)
This is an older recommendation that I thought I had included in a past issue, but apparently I just sent ESP signals to the universe for you to watch it. Apologies for that transgression, friends, and I am fixing it now by telling you to go and watch Ramy Youssef’s brilliant comedy special More Feelings, which came out a few months ago. I was lucky enough to see Ramy perform this comedy set in person, and I really love his delivery, how he views the world, and also how honest he is about everything. It’s also just really cool to see a Muslim American comic lean into his identity in a way that feels unapologetic, something you also feel if you’ve seen his comedy series Ramy (also really great). It is also amazing how Ramy is everywhere and arguably part of the zeitgeist! But not in an annoying way!
Bonus Recommendation: Hot Ones w/ Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman
I typically don’t make mainstream recommendations in this newsletter because you’ve likely already heard about it. So, as you may have noticed, I did not recommend you watch Deadpool & Wolverine even though I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I did enjoy the many, many clips & interviews of stars Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman on their press tour, but especially loved their Hot Ones episode. Not only does Sean ask great questions (what he’s known for), but the ensuing chaos (Hugh insisting that the ice cream also had spice in it made me cry laughing) is so funny that I’m giving it a bonus nod in this month’s issue.
Until next time friends x
Kals