ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, Taylor Swift, & a Government Shutdown
The Week of September 28 - October 4
As Carole Radziwill cringely posted to her Instagram story this week when she dropped her weekly Substack, “it’s the Life of a Writergirl.” A truly horrible tagline, but I’m still co-opting it for my little introduction here.
It’s been a chaotic start to October.
We are UP↑ one (1) Taylor Swift album and DOWN↓ one (1) federal government. We (movie fans) are also back like never before with Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER in theaters.
This week we are covering a bunchhh of things because, I don’t think anyone noticed, but there was indeed no newsletter last week. So Justin Bieber is a Coachella 2026 headliner, SNL Season 51 premiere, Paris Fashion Week, and more.
Thanks for being here & happy reading!
Love,
Emma
The Life of a Showgirl
As someone in history surely once said, “keep it one hundred on the land, the sea, the sky…”
The long-awaited 12th album from Taylor Swift has finally arrived and, naturally, the internet has lost its mind.
As I have always maintained, to be certain about your thoughts regarding any Taylor Swift album, you must listen to it at least five times over a span of three to five business days. Only then will you know how you feel.
Lots of people do not seem to utilize this philosophy, unfortunately.
I think our inability to evolve with Swift into this new era is down to the fact that our relationship to her, while usually parasocial, we are still not really privy to her personal life in any way.
I mean, we knew (well, assumed) that this album would be a happy album. She’s engaged to be married to a great, albeit CTE-impacted man and she’s truly so rich it’s insane. So the boppy, happy, pop-girly-ness of the album, to me at least, was expected.
And while some (ok, a lot of) her lyrics this time around aren’t quite up to par with those past (evermore and folklore are triple platinum in my home) I think it’s just the side effect of yet another foray into a new Taylor “era.”
Regardless of what Swift released, the internet was going to be divided. There are always those who get upset when a new album of hers fails to live up to preconceived expectations. And there are always those loyal Swifties who would praise anything she released, because she’s Taylor Swift.
I don’t think this particular album will be winning any Grammys but I can believe it’s songs will be going on a ton of “getting ready” playlists lol.
One Battle After Another (no spoilers)
Calling all lunatics, haters, & punk trash
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is the movie of the year. I haven’t yet seen Chloe Zhao’s HAMNET, but for now, Paul Thomas Anderson reigns in this household.
Have you ever had immense buyer’s remorse over a movie ticket?
You pay X amount for the ticket (nowadays, like a stupidly high amount), you might buy popcorn, candy, etc., totalling the cost of a fancy dinner. Then, you sit in a dark room, unsure of what you’re about to witness, which brings a level of excitement in and of itself. And then, the movie just kind of sucks…?
I’ve experienced this many times, most recently probably with, respectfully, THE ROSES. It wasn’t bad per se, just kind of a big nothing burger. But, I have AMC A-list and brought a snack from home in my purse (thank you so much.)
But, all this to say, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is NOT one of these times. I believe this movie is SO good that you will want to go back a second time; it is arguably the best way in October you could spend a Friday night.
Nothing from the film will be spoiled; this is purely an advertisement (unpaid, mind you) for you to go see OBAA. If for nothing else, go for Benicio del Toro alone. THANK YOU, SENSEI. THANK YOU.
There is nothing better than leaving a film with an immense appreciation and reminder of why you love cinema than to also leave with a new personality. Coming out of OBAA, you get both and that is so beautiful.
And, as an aside, if you are a girldad, go see this movie. Immediately, if not sooner.
I have lots and lots to say about ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, but I need to see it again and then write more about it. But, in the meantime, GO SEE IT. VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
Etc.
Bad Bunny & the Super Bowl: After a residency in Puerto Rico and avoiding touring in the United States for obvious reasons, Bad Bunny will be the Super Bowl halftime performer! Time for me to finally learn Spanish.
SNL Returns: Bowen Yang is Dobby! Veronika Slowikowska makes her SNL debut. Jane Wickline is also somehow still there…
Justin Bieber Coachella: Justin Bieber was announced as a headliner for Coachella 2026. Cool, but also worrisome because will it actually happen? We all remember the Frank Ocean Coachella comeback fiasco from a few years ago. Will Bieber be another letdown? His touring in the past has been problematic…All I know is that he'd better play “One Less Lonely Girl” to Hailey Bieber on stage!
Paris Fashion Week: Jonathan Anderson's debut Dior women’s collection was a somewhat androgenous take on the couture house’s classics. Similar, in many ways, to his men’s debut from a few months ago, but slightly stunted. I will follow JWA to the ends of the Earth, but I do think that right now, his custom looks for celebrities are doing the heavy lifting for the collection. Regardless, love you, Jonathan!
Everything Else
The government has shut down! Hide your kids, your wife, etc. As the federal government officially goes into its second week of a shutdown, things are not looking great. The last government shutdown was in 2018, which lasted 35 days, the longest government shutdown to date. Maybe we will break that record this year; same president, same unfortunate shutdown situation…
Dua Lipa X Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Dua Lipa brought out the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders at her show in Dallas, Texas (naturally), and it was amazing to behold (via the internet.)
Amazon is set to pay about $2.5 billion settlement for allegedly tricking customers into signing up for Prime. This is the largest settlement regarding an FTC rule violation, tea. Anyways, I would go on the stand and say they tricked me into signing up for Prime if I got money from it. Someone let me know if that’s needed!
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: It’s no original RHONY, but it is something…I am on Season 2 and I think things are just getting good (someone is totally going to get arrested soon.)
E for Everything: Emma’s Choice
Revisiting Things!
As I mentioned above, some things need time to be digested, seen or listened to again, and given appropriate thought. We must revisit things - former opinions held of others, of the world, of albums, of movies, of y’know, kind of anything.
It’s like how when you’re a kid, you say you hate sushi and you will never like it. Only to, when you’re 16 and liking sushi is cool, revisit your opinion and realize sushi is really good.
That is why you must listen to The Life of a Showgirl multiple times to form an opinion and watch ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER multiple times just because it’s that good. This is a great time to visit and revisit. There’s always time to change your mind!
That’s all for this week’s round-up. I hope you feel more informed than when you arrived! If you don’t, keep it to yourself. See you next time.
There’s so much beauty in revisiting things :) when TLOAS dropped, I stayed up and journaled my immediate thoughts. It’s very safe to say that they’ve changed over the past few days! Consider this a season of mulling things over :)
I was on the fence about seeing one battle after another--but you convinced me to see it! excited for some new pta stuff :)