Time for some movie recommendations/reviews again. I have been watching a lot and am a bit behind here.
Some absolute gems and a few disappointments.
Fatma ๐น๐ท
Turkish short series about a tormented cleaner who goes on a killing spree. Exceptional acting by lead actress in a highly intelligent, intense, and original series. 9/10
Black Crowes ๐ธ๐ฆ
Long Arabic series that is supposed to portray live in the ISIS Caliphate. Pathetic acting and dramatic music together with thin story makes this boring anti-ISIS propaganda. 4/10
The Fury of a Patient Man ๐ช๐ธ
Spanish thriller about an average Joe waiting patiently to take revenge on a group of violent robbers. Slow but captivating. 8/10
Clickbait ๐บ๐ธ
This is how you make an intelligent crime series. Excellent plot, great twists, well-made, with some smart critiques of contemporary culture. 9/10
Aziza ๐ฑ๐ง
Very short movie about a man, a woman, and a car, working through the trauma of loss and refuge. 8/10
Imperial Dreams ๐บ๐ธ
Heart-wrenching movie about a young Black father who tries to do the right thing when he returns for prison but the system is not set up for it. Incredible acting. 10/10
The Climb ๐ซ๐ท
A young Senegalese-French guy from the Paris banlieu climbs the Mt Everest to win over the love of his life. Based on real story, this is an absolutely delightful movie. 9/10
Nigerian Prince ๐บ๐ธ
Nigerian-American teenager is sent to his aunt in Nigeria and gets involved with his scamming cousin. Highly original and well-made movie. 8/10
They Might Comes For Us ๐ฎ๐ฉ
Over the top Indonesian action/slasher movie that gets boring very fast. 3/10
The Squid and the Whale ๐บ๐ธ
Remarkable, almost un-American independent movie about a dysfunctional family dealing with a divorce. Exceptional acting! 9/10
As said, some amazing movies, which you should really watch if you can -- I watched all these movies on Netflix USA.
Tomorrow another batch!
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I often get emails from European students who want to do a PhD "with me." So, let me try to explain how US PhD system and academic system work, so that you can make a more informed decision. ๐งต
1. First and foremost, in the US you do not apply to a professor but to a department!
2. Unlike in most other countries, in the US you go to grad SCHOOL, which means you must take 2-2.5 years of classes, take a (pointless) "comprehensive exam", before you actually start working on your PhD research.
1. Let me start by saying that I will not make a moral argument for tenure. Clearly, I support it, and think it is crucial for academia, but there is a moral question why some people have ob security and others do not (particularly in US context).
2. In the simplest terms, tenure means job protection. It means you have a "job for life" barring exceptional circumstances -- such as, your university/department goes bankrupt, you are involved in (serious) criminal activities.
It's time again. Some movie tips, mostly from Netflix US. I've got 20 movies and series, so ignore the next 20 Tweets if you are not into movies (or think I have shite taste ๐). Here are four of the best. ๐ฅ๐๏ธ๐ฌ๐ฝ๏ธ๐ฆ
The Sound of Metal 8/10
Metal drummer goes suddenly deaf and tries to deal with it. Gritty, original, powerful, and unexpected. On Amazon Prime.
Dead Man Down 7/10
Fairly classic, if elaborate, US revenge film but still quite entertaining. For when you just want some violence and don't want to think much.
Raw independent movie about two transgender sex workers showing the underbelly of Los Angeles. Incredible acting and cinematography. It was shot on 3 iPhones! ๐ฎ10/10
Below Zero
Excellent Spanish thriller about a prisoner transport that is ambushed but the plan is different than expected. Original twist to classic theme. 9/10
As expected, after being kicked out of EPP (finally), Orbรกn is trying to merge ECR and ID (under his leadership). This "Joint Declaration on the Future of the European Union" looks like important first step, but various parties of groups are (still) missing.
Ok, some quick thoughts:
1. A detail for most, perhaps, but the fact that the key unit is the "nation", not the "state", is very significant within the far right. It's quite interesting that state nationalists like FdI, RN and Vox have signed on to this.
2. There long has been schism between "ethnic nationalists", who prefer the "nation" (cultural), and "state nationalists, who prefer the "state" (political). They have long worked together but with tensions (FN-VB).