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I can never remember my wedding anniversary. Even writing this now, I’m not sure if it’s October 23 or 26. All I know is that one day last week was our 10-year wedding anniversary. It’s been a decade since Christopher and I walked down the aisle to the Mission Impossible theme song. It made us laugh, that winking commentary about the impos… ncG1vNJzZmisopawuq%2FLmqmknpykv7p60q6ZrKyRmLhvr86mZqlnlqe8rnnHqGStp12dvLa%2FxLCgn50%3D

This entry is a continuation of an unofficial series of essays focusing on controversial books: the first essay was about The Bell Curve, and the second about The End of Racism. With the latest round of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians entering its sixth month, I would like to revisit a book whose reception represents the intensity and bitterness that this prolonged conflict has wrought. That book is From Time Immemorial: The Origins of the Arab-Jewish Conflict over Palestine, published in 1984 and authored by Joan Peters.

Welcome to The #Content Report, a newsletter by Vince Mancini. I’ve been writing about movies, culture, and food since I started FilmDrunk in 2007. Now I’m delivering it straight to you, with none of the autoplay videos, takeover ads, or chumboxes of the ad-ruined internet. Support my work and help me bring back the cool internet by subscribing, sharing, commenting, and keeping it real. - I can’t remember which Weird Twitter user coined the phrase “inventing a guy to get mad at,” but it’s one of those instantly recognizable online phenomena you’ll start to notice everywhere once it has a name.

I really love this film, as did those I watched it with. However, it's very much not made in a mainstream way, despite its mainstream production values, so it will never have a mass audience. I think the problem is that its main character is the sort of sensitive artist who most people will just not feel kinship with, plus it has an "outdated" 19th-century worldview. I'm glad that it was completed and released - truly a miracle.

I’ve spent more time than is reasonable defending one of the most recognisable and celebrated filmmakers in the world. I know how absurd that is, of course. The job of the film critic is generally to avoid this kind of emotionalism around directors. But Martin Scorsese has always been a filmmaker very close to my heart. As an artist, a teacher, and a human being, he holds a pivotal place in my film education, and his tireless passion for film history and preservation underlines why so many people regard him highly.

A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.

~ To the tune of Hallelujah ~ Now I heard there was a new(ish) restaurant, That opened up where Pipal Tree was, You want to know if it’s good or not, do ya? ~ I’m sorry but if you name your restaurant after a song lyric you’ve walked into it, as far as I am concerned. On my third and most recent visit to the Baffled King, we booked the table muttering idioms about luck, having heard news of a new chef and spotted a rather inviting menu on social media.

The weather is playing hide and seek here in Hyderabad. The day has been an alternating thread of rain and sunshine suspended from a sky teeming with clouds of various hues. The afternoon saw a short burst of November rain. Just before it set, the sun crept out gingerly from its cave, before the final flourish for the day. The red evening light reminded me of a song that is an old favourite.

I’m sending this to the entire 15,000+ subscriber list, because now is the time for all fans of Live Not By Lies to step up if y’all want to see it become a documentary film series. You’ve heard of Angel Studios, most likely. They’re the innovative crowdfunding organization that harnesses the power of the masses to fund film projects that people actually want to see, and believe in. They’ve had a massive hit this year with the blockbuster Sound Of Freedom.