FanFare

16-year-old Henry has been regularly abducted by aliens since he was 13. But now they've given him a job. The earth will be destroyed in 144 days unless Henry pushes a button to stop it. It seems like an easy choice, but Henry hasn't been digging life lately. His boyfriend committed suicide last year, his best friend dropped out of his life too, his dad left years ago without saying goodbye, and his mom is an alcoholic chain smoker trying to get by on a waitress' income. His brother is a sadistic bully who just dropped out of college and moved back home because his girlfriend is pregnant. School is no better. Henry is doing poorly and is a target for the bullies there too, including the popular "straight" kid who he is secretly hooking up with on occasion. Henry isn't seeing any reason that the world should continue on in 144 days. He might be doing the world a favor by putting everybody out of their misery. Will he find a reason to push the button? The book gets into big issues of depression, mental health, self-worth, friendship, relationships, and bullying as Henry navigates the 144 days of his life before the world lives or dies on his command.
posted by COD on Apr 6, 2023 - 1 comment

Moth is a teen grieving the loss of her parents and brother in a car accident that only she survived. She feels unseen at school and home. Sani is the new kid in town stuck with a stepdad that has no use for a Navajo stepson. Moth grew up schooled in Hoodoo traditions by her grandfather. Sani is schooled in Navajo customs by his Medicine Man father. Together they decide to ditch their Virginia suburban town and head west on an epic road trip of self-discovery and healing. This outstanding YA debut novel is written in free verse and touches on grief, depression, family, self-identity, and first love; while weaving Hoodo and Navajo mythology throughout the story. The ending will make you want to go back to the first page and re-read it immediately. The book was a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award for young people's literature.
posted by COD on Apr 5, 2023 - 0 comments

Welcome back, John Oliver! This week... Fox News is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems for amplifying conspiracy theories involving them about Trump losing the election, revealing that privately, the people at Fox mocked Trump's lies. "Multiple Fox hosts seem to see telling the truth as a possible existential threat." The story after that was on the train derailment in East Palistine, Ohio and the burn from it, causing burning eyes and dead animals, despite not being termed a "high hazardous material train." And Now: Jim Cramer Will Not Shut Up About His Brioni Suits. Main story: Psychedelic drugs, like Psilocybin, LSD and MDMA, and their transformative use in therapy in treating conditions like depression and PTSD. The potential is vast, can we avoid stigma this time? And Now: A Retirement Tribute To NBC4 Washington's Beat Poet Pat Collins. [more inside]
posted by JHarris on Feb 22, 2023 - 4 comments

The Joad clan is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom (Henry Fonda) -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jan 31, 2023 - 3 comments

Romance is sweet and bitter — and life riddled with ups and downs — in multiple stories about people who live and work on bustling Jeju Island. [more inside]
posted by oh yeah! on Jun 13, 2022 - 2 comments

A woman adjusting to life after a loss contends with a feisty bird that's taken over her garden -- and a husband who's struggling to find a way forward. (Streaming on Netflix) [more inside]
posted by mefireader on Oct 11, 2021 - 1 comment

Jenny Lawson's back with her third book, Broken (In the Best Possible Way). In it she chronicles her treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression, battles with hospital bills, and the many questions that come up in everyday life. Her husband Victor and her daughter (plus the many delightful animals both real and taxidermy) also make appearances throughout. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Apr 14, 2021 - 3 comments

We meet Pope Eyeliner II [more inside]
posted by Huffy Puffy on Jan 21, 2020 - 6 comments

Abby is a 45-year-old self-identified fat, queer dyke whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship. Chicago improv mainstay Abby McEnany co-created and stars in this uniquely human comedy series. Includes roles by Julia Sweeny, Al Yankovic, and Lilly Wachowski writes and executive produces the first season. [more inside]
posted by Stanczyk on Dec 22, 2019 - 7 comments

BoJack travels around the country reconnecting with loved ones, while Mr. Peanutbutter embarks on his own national tour as the face of depression. Princess Carolyn sets a new work-life balance.
posted by filthy light thief on Nov 1, 2019 - 4 comments

Doctor Champ tells BoJack it's time to leave rehab. ("BoHo go bye-bye for JoJo Pogo? That's a no-go, bro. Worth it.") Mr. Peanutbutter's reputation takes a hit. In Chicago, Diane wrestles with writer's block. ("The working title is, One Last Thing, and Then I Swear to God I'll Shut Up About This Forever: A Definitive Retrospective of the Choices We Make, People We Hurt, The Places We Go: Part One. How could it be part one if it's definitive?")
posted by filthy light thief on Oct 31, 2019 - 1 comment

The film is divided into two episodes: Episode 25': Love is Destructive and Episode 26': ONE MORE FINAL: I need you. They are meant to either replace or complement the original ending in Episode 25 and Episode 26 of the original series with a more "real world" account of the episode's events. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 24, 2019 - 22 comments

A recap of the first 24 episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, followed by a 30-minute continuation of the plot that would later form the first third of The End of Evangelion. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 24, 2019 - 8 comments

Shinji continues his existential journey amidst the Human Instrumentality Project, and must figure out what kind of existence he wishes for himself... [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 22, 2019 - 29 comments

The Human Instrumentality Project commences. As the souls of humanity merge into one, Shinji finds himself, for the first time, truly alone... [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 22, 2019 - 2 comments

Shinji meets a young boy named Kaworu Nagisa, the one person with whom he feels the most at ease with... and also a dangerous enemy. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 20, 2019 - 14 comments

A new Angel attacks, forcing Rei to sacrifice herself to defeat...only to be found alive and well. But how?! [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 20, 2019 - 9 comments

Asuka, haunted by childhood memories of her mother's suicide and a notion that she "lost" to Shinji in the previous battle, begins to lose her precious self-confidence as a pilot. A new Angel appears in space and invades Asuka's psyche through a strange beam of light, rendering her helpless. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 18, 2019 - 9 comments

As Kouzou is interrogated by SEELE, he reminisces about the history of NERV, its parent company GEHIRN, Yui and Gendou Ikari, and Ritsuko's mother Naoko Akagi. At the same time, a horrible fate is in store for Kaji concerning his shadowy dealings. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 18, 2019 - 8 comments

Misato is promoted to the rank of Major, but she reveals her long-buried sentiments concerning her work at NERV. A massive Angel appears in Earth's stratosphere, and all three Evangelions are deployed to stop it. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 8, 2019 - 7 comments

A city-wide power outage puts NERV into a crisis as another Angel invades Tokyo-3. Shinji, Rei and Asuka attempt to make their way into the headquarters as NERV personnel ready the Evas for manual deployment. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 8, 2019 - 4 comments

Banned by Misato from going on a class trip to Okinawa, Shinji and Asuka catch up on their studies. An embryonic Angel is found inside a volcano, and Asuka volunteers to carry out the perilous task of retrieving the creature. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 6, 2019 - 7 comments

A quick attack against a new Angel by Asuka and Shinji ends in an embarrassing defeat when the Angel suddenly divides itself. Shinji and Asuka undergo learning a series of synchronized dance movements as per a new team-oriented strategy. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 6, 2019 - 4 comments

Misato, Shinji, Touji and Kensuke travel to a famous aircraft carrier to collect the new EVA-02 and its prideful pilot, Asuka Langley Souryuu. A seaborne Angel strikes the fleet, and Asuka leads Shinji into her Eva's entry plug for an immediate demonstration of her skills. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 4, 2019 - 6 comments

A new Angel invades, striking a critical blow against Shinji. Taking the enemy's abilities into account, Misato crafts a special strategy involving Units 00 and 01 as well as an enormous positron rifle. Shinji also discovers Rei's motive as a pilot. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 2, 2019 - 10 comments

Rei Ayanami, the pilot of Evangelion Unit 00, is scheduled to undergo another activation test following a horrible accident nearly a month earlier. Shinji makes attempts to understand Rei and her close relationship with his father. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jul 2, 2019 - 9 comments

Frustrated by his newfound responsibilities, Shinji runs away from Misato and NERV. After being escorted back to the organization by armed officials, Shinji must decide whether he truly wants to abandon his role as a pilot. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jun 29, 2019 - 20 comments

Shinji transfers into a new school within Tokyo-3, catching the fascination of his classmates - and igniting the ire of one student whose sister was injured in the EVA's last battle. Meanwhile, a second Angel makes its way into the city. [more inside]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit on Jun 29, 2019 - 9 comments

In Furiously Happy, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea. But terrible ideas are what Jenny does best. As Jenny says: "Some people might think that being 'furiously happy' is just an excuse to be stupid and irresponsible and invite a herd of kangaroos over to your house without telling your husband first because you suspect he would say no since he's never particularly liked kangaroos ... [more inside]
posted by Faintdreams on May 28, 2019 - 2 comments

Set in France during the mid-1970s, Vanessa, a former dancer, and her husband Roland, an American writer, travel the country together. They seem to be growing apart, but when they linger in one quiet, seaside town they begin to draw close to some of its more vibrant inhabitants, such as a local bar/café-keeper and a hotel owner. [more inside]
posted by hydra77 on Jun 29, 2018 - 0 comments

A filmed version of Chris Gethard's one man comedy show about suicide, depression, alcoholism, and all the other funniest parts of life. [more inside]
posted by dnash on May 16, 2017 - 1 comment

During the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership. [more inside]
posted by MoonOrb on Apr 12, 2016 - 9 comments

Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.
posted by gemutlichkeit on Jan 29, 2016 - 2 comments

The story of the 2007-2008 credit and housing bubble collapse, seen through the eyes of a handful of misfit financial investors who predicted it would happen. Based on the book by Michael Lewis.
posted by zarq on Dec 28, 2015 - 41 comments

Two toxic, self-destructive people fall in love and attempt a relationship.
posted by DirtyOldTown on Dec 28, 2015 - 17 comments

Bread causes friction between Josh and Tom. Arnold workshops his plan to come out to his parents. Mae and Dad have their biggest fight yet. Sick of staying at home, Mum and Hannah have a big night out.
posted by misfish on Oct 23, 2015 - 3 comments

Jamie Keiles is a writer who decided to photograph something that's practically invisible. Her story plus a new Yes Yes No. [more inside]
posted by lunch on Oct 8, 2015 - 11 comments

BoJack has a FAB (Fresh Active BNA (Brand New Attitude)), he gets rid of the burdens of his life sofa(r) and is ready to start shooting Secretariat. Or maybe not. [more inside]
posted by bjrn on Jul 18, 2015 - 16 comments

An emotionally distant and depressed writer of travel guides must carry on with his life after experiencing family tragedy. [more inside]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome on Dec 27, 2014 - 7 comments

A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake. [more inside]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle on Dec 23, 2014 - 13 comments