Catching Up in Snippets

Oppenheimer is the best movie I've seen in decades.  

It's everything a movie can and should be.  Each part of the process - cast, script, cinematography, sound - is wonderful.  There are no flaws.  Though some complained that 3 hours is too long, neither TBG nor Not-Kathy nor Dr K nor I felt the need to get up and stretch our legs.

It is riveting.  It's surprising.  It's startling and deep and nuanced.

And don't worry, you won't spend half the film agonizing over Oppenheimer's downfall.  The time-shifting story solves that problem.  It also allows you to dig into the why's. And those why's will stick with you after you've left the theater.

NB: See it in IMAX or 70mm with surround sound.  It was shot in IMAX.  It's a big film, a movie that couldn't be a play.  You deserve to see it at its best.

*****

The NYTimes ran a story about the Folly Tree Arboretum, a "natural museum" curated by an arborist architect, Tucker Marder, a 33-year-old artist, on five acres of his family’s land in East Hampton, N.Y.

Take a moment and think about the value of his family's land, 5 acres of which is dedicated to his folly.

And folly it is.  Because in addition to the plants he has been gifted or purchased, he's also stolen quite a few cuttings.  And both he and the reporter are very taken with the whole thing:

Mr. Marder drove to the school a few years ago, and (when no one was looking) took a few cuttings.

Taking a cutting does not harm a tree — it’s akin to snipping a lock of hair — nonetheless, there are times when Mr. Marder hasn’t made arrangements with whatever entity is in charge of a tree he’s after, so he will proceed with caution. He often wears a bright yellow utility vest to make him look more official. “Sometimes I just sit in front of the tree in my car for extended periods of time,” he said. “It can be scary, depending on the politics of the place or the tree. You don’t want to be confused for a vandal.”

This past winter Mr. Marder made his move — but after taking his cutting (he declined to say what city and location this particular tree was).....

I'm a garden girl.  I'll go anywhere for a good display.  But the arrogance of this rich kid - how are you not a vandal when you're impersonating a utility worker and taking a piece of someone's property? - has me scratching this one off my list.

*****

A young person of my acquaintance has announced to the world that after 7 years of living a bisexual live, they have now realized that they are pansexual.

I don't care.  I liked her before and I'll like her after.  It's none of my business and I don't know why it should be my business.

I just wonder why she thought the news required an Instagram post.

*****

I'll be back with the Women's World Cup tomorrow..... unless I get distracted again.