*Editor’s note: Today’s newsletter is a long one! In case Gmail clips it, you can read it in full here. Thank you!
It seems only fitting to end Space Month with where it began: the 1998 blockbuster, 'Armageddon.' As I mentioned, this mini newsletter series came to me during my 8th full viewing.
I know your big question is: why is 'Armageddon' one of my favorite, most rewatched films of all time? Because it embodies all I love to see in a movie: the assembly of an ensemble of underdogs taking on a mission greater than themselves, (American) patriotism, action, comedy, and the ultimate sacrifice, (SPOILER ALERT) human life for the safety and betterment of humankind. *Oh, and there's some "romance" in there for you too, just know that it wholly embraces the cheese.
People tend to remember this film as, well, a joke. It was only Michael Bay's third feature film (his first being Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the second was The Rock with Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris), yet if you look closer, it was a huge production feat. The budget alone was $140 million (one of the highest that summer), and it went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year (earning upwards of $553 million worldwide). Of course, the visual effects don’t hold up, but they’re not the worst. The original soundtrack is very moving and similar to Titanic’s (instrumentation and both feature a song with lyrics by an artist or group). And let's not avoid the obvious: so much of it is so cheesy, that all you can do is laugh (especially now that film and acting have come so far). But what changes the fate of this movie from bad to great is the incredible cast. Each knew what they were getting into, but each gave it their all and took it very seriously. It's their performances that hold, tether, and propel this film. The casting is truly spectacular. It was home to some of the biggest stars at the time (Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, Michael Clarke Duncan), but it also took a risk with lesser-known actors and propelled their careers (Owen Wilson, Will Patton, William Fichtner). There's nothing like an American blockbuster to put you on the map of all Earth movie-watchers.
Let's talk about the look of 'Armageddon' first. The color palette of this movie is undoubtedly RGB (red, green, blue). It's also one of the major giveaways that this is a 90s movie. There are several reasons production design could've gone for this color palette: thermal mapping, red and blue for patriotism, the fastest way to get across "SCIENCE" and "SCI-FI" without saying it, etc. But it wins you over because it's so diligently used. From the different lights used to frame our actor's emotions to breaking down the three acts, one can't deny that RGB is a character in this film.
It's no coincidence that this is the movie for this week's newsletter. Yesterday was July 4th, and while there's much to ponder (dedicated section below), one also can't deny the prevalence of patriotism and idyllic Americana in 'Armageddon.' Again, this is a 90s movie, and most of it is over-the-top cheesy, but there is assuredly a nostalgic factor. And being an American movie, of course, the heroes would be Americans. And in case you couldn't feel the patriotism, look no further than all the gratuitous shots framing our leads in front of a giant American flag backdrop.
There's also an exciting push and pull with a coming together of America's "elite" (NASA, U.S. military, U.S. Air Force) and its blue-collar "roughnecks" (described by Willis' character, and even if oil drillers are among the highest-paid). I also appreciated Bay's portrayal of the bustling metropolis (NYC) against the midwest farmland.
As mentioned earlier, the ultimate sacrifice is made to save the world: human life. It's shocking how quickly the team numbers dwindle throughout the mission. In my first Space Month newsletter, I talked about how all space epics are about connection. And in the case of 'Armageddon' boy, does it make me tear up. Not only does this band of misfits come together for each other, but they do it for humankind. A world filled with strangers they've never met, yet they step up to do the greater good, putting themselves in danger for the continuation and livelihood of the human race. How could we not root for this eccentric family to pull through? (Especially when the world is cheering them on.)
And for a 90s movie, I was surprised by the diversity. General Kimsey (Keith David) plays against Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) for most of the film, and Bear (Michael Clarke Duncan, one of my favorite Black actors, RIP) delivers some of my favorite moments in the movie (heartfelt, hilarious). Not to mention Chinese clients (played by a Chinese man, Japanese man, and Japanese Woman) visit Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) on the rig, and his daughter, Grace (Liv Tyler), speaks Cantonese to them (the chopsticks in her hair, on the other hand, I could've done without)! There's also a Samoan (K.C. Leomiti) in the beginning as well as two other Asians (even if they're a tourist couple just trying to go shopping, played by two Japanese actors). And one of my favorite reaction lines is delivered by a Black nurse (Ellen Cleghorne) during the team’s medical exams. And who could forget our favorite Russian Cosmonaut Lev (Peter Stormare, Swedish)?
Some final comments about the film:
Billy Bob Thornton is the MVP as Truman
A PG-13 rating allows for a one-time use of the word "fuck," and it was reserved for a critical Truman line. It was the right and perfect decision
Harry has a line where he talks about not raising his daughter Grace so she could marry a "roughneck." Little easter egg moment, is when you see it on the Space Center patch when the team returns to Earth
There's an eerie foreshadowing of real-world events in this movie: one of the World Trade Center towers aflame pre 9/11
While searching for stills, I captured a ton more than what's shown here today. And I had the toughest time narrowing them down. Head here to see all the captures. As a whole, this blockbuster looks great! John Schwartzman (cinematographer) was on to something
And if all this wasn't enough to convince you to (re)watch it, did you know that it's part of the Criterion Collection? Shocking! But in the best way. ::wink:: (Currently available on HBO Max, and occasionally Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.)
Yesterday marked another year of Independence for the United States. I've read many different accounts and views of what this day means to individuals within the past few days. Some have celebrated it always, others merely remember the fireworks and time with loved ones, and many never felt this day was for them. It's important to know that all accounts are true, whether they're heartwarming or heartbreaking. The fact of the matter is, this Fourth of July is and should be different from the rest.
While I'm outwardly Taiwanese, inwardly, I am 100% American. I was born here, grew up here, no matter what, America is my home.
In the past few weeks, I've dug up memories that were buried deep within my overly active brain. Some of them bad, a lot of them purely good and filled with love. Among the many, are memories of my Black childhood friends and their families, mainly their moms, who welcomed me into their homes and watched me while my parents worked in the evenings. And vice versa, when they would stay with me, and we'd be up to our little pranks and mischief, just having fun growing up together. Another bright light was my elementary school principal, Mrs. Smith. A Black female principal. I remember how she encouraged me not to be shy and to speak up. My mom still ran into her from time to time before we sold the house, and I love that she remembers us.
Growing up in a predominantly Black and Latinx community wasn't always easy. Like others, I was often on the receiving end of racist remarks and bullying (especially being the only Asian until fourth grade). Bless my mom for standing her ground and continually making my Asian lunches despite my begging to have a regular ham and cheese sandwich instead. I remember a Black student would make fun of me and my lunch, yet at the same time, take a bite out of it. And I remember how tough it was standing my ground, trying not to cry because I couldn't say anything back since my English wasn’t great. (Yes! English is my second language, and I took ESL for the majority of elementary school!)
Life is the culmination of all that is good and bad. And I wouldn't be who I am today without those experiences. You can't appreciate the light if you haven't been in the dark.
This Fourth of July, I am hopeful for an America we all have dreamed of since its inception. I am grateful that we are Independent. I am thankful for all that America has provided me while acknowledging its errors, envisioning a better one, and moving towards it. I don't expect overnight change, but I expect what is right: decency, equality, the opportunity of the American dream, and liberty and justice for all.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may remember when I posted a series on the Boxwalla April box featuring Monastery! I've been continuously using the two included in the box: the Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost ($79, 2.03oz | 60ml) and XX Rose Glycolic Gel ($74, 2.03oz | 60ml). Since then, my dear friend, Bird, was also so kind to pass along the Rose Cleansing Oil ($43, 2.03oz | 60ml)!
A few quick notes about the brand overall: as suspected, these products truly shine when used together with the rest of their line. They work so beautifully and synergistically with one another, and if you're looking for a minimalist routine and maybe lean towards the oily side, this may be the one! From my design perspective, I always smile when I see these beauties in my skincare cabinet. These bottles have an aesthetic that stands apart from the rest of my skincare. And as a lover of all things typography, it always sends my heart soaring.
Now onto my updated thoughts of each item. *For reference, I have a normal-dry skin type. Though let's be honest, my skin has a mind of its own and changes through all seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter, and of my life).
Even though this is the newest item of the three, I would venture to say it's the most used on a daily or weekly basis.
Let's start with the scent. It's potent! As the name suggests, it smells of rose bourbonia mixed seeped into its mixture of sweet almond, hazelnut, rosewood, and orange oils, hitting a grounding, earthy-sweet, and slightly spicy tone. It's a rose scent I don't come across often, and I'm not a rose fan, but this one is lovely. I just wish it weren't as strong as it is since it tends to linger on the skin. I can usually smell it even after 20 minutes or so, and it saturates the room and washcloth. But if you’re a fan of roses and perfumed scents, you can’t go wrong with this beauty.
This is also a very luxurious oil. It has a bouncy feel in the palm of your hand, but once on the face, it seeps in and works quickly! What's peculiar about this cleanser is that while it feels substantial, it almost seems a bit astringent on the face. It's by no means irritating, but it is a strange sensation I haven't encountered with other oil cleansers before.
It does a fantastic job of removing makeup. I'll use around seven pumps for makeup (though directions suggest 10–12 pumps if wearing heavy makeup) and five pumps on bare skin. Just apply it on dry skin, massage, and steam remove with a hot washcloth (it doesn't emulsify and rinse clean). The best part is when you use the washcloth because of the incredible scent. It's like you're at the spa in a steam room surrounded by fresh roses. It is transporting, especially after a long workday!
This is a cleanser I really adore if I keep it in rotation. Remember that strange sensation I mentioned earlier? I called it astringent because if I use this cleanser consecutively, my skin tends to develop dry patches. I've tried using less, but I feel I'm not adequately removing the day's makeup and grime when I do. So I rotate this cleanser with another, and whenever I come back to it, my skin loves it! While it's an odd relationship, I love it in my routine, especially when I use it with XX.
From the photos, it's clear that I only have a third left! First and foremost, I love the scent of Monastery's Aloe. I wish this were a perfume! Aside from the scent, there's one other reason why I'm plowing through this bottle. And that's because I'm using it for the body.
The body?! What! Yes. You read it correctly. Unfortunately, this product just doesn't work on my face. I love and adore its matte feel, but it doesn't hydrate enough and tends to make my skin dry. I have another friend who also lives here in Portland, and it doesn't work for her as well. Perhaps it's just not a match with our Portland climate? I should also note that I rarely use a hydrating serum. My skin is very selective when it comes to hyaluronic acid serums, and it takes the right mix for it to work on my skin. If your skin loves hyaluronic serums, I would recommend this one.
However, I have loved using this to create a custom body lotion! I mix almost equal parts this (pump) with a facial oil (drop, Wildcare SunRoot Solar Serum), and it makes the best body lotion, I swear by it. Even Husband has commented on how soft my legs have been! I usually use around 8–10 pumps for the body right after the shower. The scent of these two mixed is exceptionally striking. I'll be sad when I finish this bottle! I'm already tempted to repurchase just to continue making my ideal body lotion.
I don't use this one too often, but whenever I do, my skin relishes it! I've tried using it as an overnight serum, but it leaves my skin feeling too dry (even with preemptive heavier moisturizing). I much prefer using this as a flash mask. I'll take three pumps and mix it with a facial oil or serum of some sort to take the edge off. I find this way, I still feel and see results without it being too shocking to my skin. Once I rinse it off with a washcloth, my skin is smoother, brighter, and, most importantly, not dried out. At max, I do this once per week, usually keeping it to every other week.
Using this right after the Rose Cleansing Oil feels like a match made in heaven. Something about the two just work harmoniously together. One of the many reasons might be because of the scents.
I must admit, there is something quite off-putting about the scent. The word "pungent" comes to mind. The formula is not off or expired since this is how it always smelled, but it has a very sour quality. It makes my face pucker every time I use it. But since the Rose Cleansing Oil is so fragrant, it ends up masking some of XX. It usually dissipates once it's on the skin for a minute, so I don't mind it. I am just putting it out there for those sensitive to scents!
*Shameless plug: in case you're curious to try any of these Monastery gems, I have a 20% discount here!
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Space Month. If you're looking for more sci-fi movie recommendations, don't worry! They'll no doubt be included in upcoming newsletters since it's one of my favorite film genres. Remember, you can comment on this newsletter or reply directly to this email. Let me know how you're spending the Fourth of July, your thoughts, your hopes as we move forward, building a greater country, and if you've tried any Monastery skincare. I hope you have a great start to your week!