My daughters and I just finished watching a excellent new film: "My Octopus Teacher." Stunning camera work, calming, educational and an enchanting story. It was a great change of pace to everything that has ailed us for the past 12 months. On Netflix.

Late last night I watched the movie "Hillbilly Elegy" on Netflix. I won't spoil the film, but I will say that it was often emotionally wrenching and it was not a good choice of a movie to watch right before trying to fall asleep. I suspect I'll be processing these scenes for weeks and months--the film offers a massive serving of food for thought and suggests a take-home message toward the end. The movie (by Ron Howard) is based on a memoir by J.D. Vance. Glenn Close was especially compelling every time she walked into a scene. Excellent acting throughout the film. So much so that it made me feel like I was actually there in person. I had originally learned of the Vance's Memoir (and this movie) while listening to Episode 32 of "The Portal," where Eric Weinstein interviews the real life J.D. Vance.

On FB, this comment was posted to my above intro:

I've hesitated to watch the movie because I've heard criticism that it reduces the lifestyles depicted to tropes. As someone with deep redneck roots, I am already greatly frustrated with the lack of understanding of my culture. This lack of care has led to alienation of millions of Americans with catastrophic results. Do you think the movie is too harshly criticized in this aspect?

In response this comment, I added this:

The movie is based on a memoir of a man who grew up in that environment. I watched it through that lens. It unveils many harsh truths, but also beautiful moments. I didn't watch it through a political lens--many people are on social media obsessing about whether the movie is politically or socially "appropriate." I have very little tolerance for the PC mobs. I simply watched it to see this man's story after hearing him on Eric Weinstein's podcast (which was also a worthy endeavor). I saw the harsh reviews, but ignored them. I make up my own mind on these things. Rather stunning that I often think a movie is absolutely terrible when it is highly rated and vice versa. It never occurred to me that he is pushing the viewpoint that everything he experienced should be extrapolated to every other person in Appalachia.