A list of beautiful things #9

from what history does the future dream?

• Two black-and-white films that took my breath away: One that captures the complex relationship between two women and their carefully constructed realities; and one about a man who finds the meaning of life, of all places, in his relationship with his young nephew.

• “From what history does the future dream?” The thesis of this documentary stuck with me.

• Even in prison, an artist finds a way to create life

• I watched all 22 minutes of this heavenly video

• This article on the lasting power of the Peanuts comics has a deeper message about what great comics should be: “a space in which she is invited to think, to contemplate the big picture on a small scale, like soaking in the emotional ambience of a Rothko painting.”

• The extremely calming series I’ve been binging on YouTube.

• “I knew the city was still home as long as I had someone to pick me up at the airport — and more important, as long as I had someone to drop off.”

• “To never sin is to never truly know piety” — one of the many pearls of wisdom in You Will Die At Twenty (available to watch on Criterion).

• What a masterpiece

• I wish I could stay here for the weekend

Little things from me

• Why didn’t we talk about race in high school?

• It’s always something

• The things you miss — you can always find a way to bring them back

• Please consider buying my book, “I Was Their American Dream,” as a present for a loved one this Christmas. It’s a great book for both kids and adults of all ethnicities. Pick it up at a bookstore near you, or order it from my local indie bookshop in Nashville, Parnassus Books.

Happy, happy holidays to you, thank you for reading my little newsletter and I hope you stay as cozy as these two cats.