This week the trend is Ripley

Ripley is a new limited series on Netflix. Even before I finished the show it was lodged in my mind. Not for its beautiful cinematography or fantastic acting—both are true—but for its story deeply rooted in a specific era.

People say things like, “Time moves so fast now,” or “Things were slower in my day.” But in the context of a story about a con artist, the delayed communication and lack of digital records stand out even more pronounced in Ripley. This same story couldn’t be told with 2024 as the backdrop.

It stood out much less, but I remember thinking something similar the first time I saw the movie Catch Me If You Can. Things start in a primitive state, in that case, checks, and then keep getting more advanced and technical. Eventually, simplicity is lost.

It makes me wonder what kinds of technologies and devices are still burgeoning right now that are exploitable, even if they don’t seem that way on the surface.

Ripley is a well-done show with a well-paced story, but I think its genius is doing it in black and white. That’s the constant visual reminder that this is not a current tale. Whether he was talented or not, Tom's luck wouldn’t be possible today.

Movies

Ryan Gosling has signed on to the Project Hail Mary movie. This is a reminder to go read the book. It's such a captivating story that's about as human-centric as it could be while still discovering alien life.

TV

I started Sugar (Apple TV+) and wasn't expecting much from its very stylized private investigator whodunit. Four episodes in, however, and I think I may be hooked. Without divulging a theory, I think there's another layer to the story coming.

I don't know if it'll finish strong, but it's definitely worth starting or adding to your queue.

Music

Did you know Local Natives put out a new album yesterday?

Misc Links

• I tried a credit card-sized AI voice recorder and it kinda blew my mind. The AI hardware is coming.