Lil Bites

Scream 4 had an anniversary last week. You know what the best part about Scream 4 is? It's Kirby. Julieann Stipidis very clearly agrees. This isn't pop-culture-y, but this Wired post wonders if humans could survive where the dinos didn't, and it's neat so it's here. (I make the rules! 😋) We've got two from the incomparable Stephanie Williams with week. She discusses both the Dora Milaje and Isiah Bradley for Geeks of Color. Meagan Navarro talks monster anatomy in her new (exceptional) column and, finally, Angelica Jade Bastién discusses the degradation porn in Them.

ICYMI...

• Dominic Purcell is leaving Legends of Tomorrow after Season 6.
• Ginny & Georgia was renewed for Season 2.
• Olivia Coleman is in talks to join Samuel L Jackson in Marvel's Secret Invasion.
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings released its first trailer yesterday! (eeee!!!)
• The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is being submitted to the Emmys as a drama, not a limited series. (Meaning you can probably expect a Season 2!)

The Good News Is,

There are weeks when doing this section is harder than others. But I think that makes it more important than the weeks that it's easy. So, some good news for you!

• In the continued saga of Guy Fieri doing Good Guy stuff, his restaurant fund has raised almost $25m for struggling restaurant workers.
• Good Boy Rocky saved his owner from a burning building.
• The rhino population in Nepal has seen a 16% increase!
• Here's a pretty swell round-up of good news from around the world, too!

Get Loud

This section was initially created because it's important to continue pay attention to what the government's doing, even when your team's the one in power. Joe Biden might be a Democrat — and he's sure as hell a better option than where we were at before — but that doesn't change the fact that he's pretty centrist and continues to uphold Trump-era immigration policies despite his campaign promises not to.

• The Biden administration defends sticking with Trump-era refugee caps. Biden himself rolled this statement back later, but it's important we remain vocal until action occurs.
• Whatever the hell a "more humane" cage is, it's still a cage. And America still has children in them.
• Outside of empty prayers to shattered families, the Biden administration has both said and done very little about the militarized police forces brutalizing people across the country as protests break out for the continued murders of our Black neighbors. The response to police violence has been more police violence, and they watch it on their televisions and offer re-worded "thoughts and prayers."

Issues like these have been able to grow into the systemic issues that they are because polite people are afraid to discuss "politics" at the dinner table. Democrats and Republicans alike have to learn that the American people will no longer watch genocides at our borders and murders on our streets. That's not a guilt trip! It's a reminder that your voice matters. For every 9 people who ignore you, there's 1 who feels a spark. That 1 sees someone being brave enough to speak out and they speak out themselves. And then the words become actions. Talking about it matters.

The Baby Step

• There will be a full committee hearing on the attacks on the right to vote across America called Jim Crow 2021: The Latest Assault on the Right to Vote. Watch the discussions today if you're able.
• Pay attention to what Ryan Coogler is doing in Georgia. Grassroots activists have begged the rest of the US not to boycott GA over the voter suppression bill not because they're in support of it, but because a boycott hurts the people more than it will the major corporations in this instance. Boycotts are very important tools of actions, but when the activists with boots on the ground tell the rest of the nation what doesn't help, it's our obligation to shut up and follow their lead.

I Want to do More

The Minnesota Freedom Fund got so swamped that they recommended these other great organizations helping those continuing the fight:

• Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence
• Racial Justice Network
• Communities United Against Police Brutality
• NAACP MPLS
• CAIR-Minnesota

You can also call the following numbers to demand the release of protestors marching for justice for Adam Toledo.

• Internal affairs 612-348-8318
• Public Safety Facility 612-348-5112
• City Hall 612-348-5112

It's so very important that we let our Black friends and family know that we're there for them right now. Don't be weird about it! Just remind someone you care about that they're valued and that you're there for them. Make it clear that you don't need a response, you're just making your intentions known. As the Chauvin trial comes to a close, many communities find themselves constantly on edge. The fact that it's murder after murder after murder makes it worse. Just take the time to show your support in whatever feels appropriate for you and your folks' given relationships.

More importantly, if things continue to escalate, be sure to take whatever substantial steps you can to provide tangible support. Resistance looks different from person to person, just make sure you're actually participating in it.

Whatcha Watchin'?

• Mortal Kombat hits theaters and HBO Max this week! Might I recommend the quite swell Mortal Combat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge before Friday's main event?
• I'm positive I must have recommended Nobody already, but it's on VOD now. So, you're getting reminded again!
• Re-watch A Few Good Men because you love yourself.
• Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist has been kind of hit or miss for me this season, but it still made me cry this week so obviously you should go watch it and cry too.

Patreon Update

We are officially less than $100 ($86, to be exact!) away from launching the Pickety Witch Book Club! What will PWBC be? I'm so glad you asked!

• Once a quarter, patrons will help me pick out a book that fits our vibe (meaning it'll be both fun and socially relevant. Because art is political. No. You can't have my soap box. It's mine. Mine!)
• We'll break things down in chapter discussions and dig in as deep as we want on a given story. What we'll use as a discussion forum is currently TBD, more on that soon!
• PWBC, like this newsletter, will remain 100% free to all subscribers. Patrons get their own exclusives through the Patreon, but what we build together will always be free to the community!

Speaking of what we build together, we're currently at $26 for this month's charitable donation. Pickety Witch's Patreon donates 10% of each month's gross proceeds to the charity of the patrons' choosing! (Voting to occur at the end of each month.)

Books

We think author and fellow nerd journo Amy Ratcliffe is pretty swell 'round these parts, and she's got two new books coming out. And you can pre-order personalized copies of both!

The first is A Kids Guide to Fandom

Synopsis: Boost kids' creativity! Help young fans get in touch with their inner geeks with the ultimate guidebook for creating, sharing, and enjoying the world of fandom. Amy's book is the first-ever fandom guide for all kids, designed to teach fans how to create fan fiction and art, start their own podcast, and more.

And the second is The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Synopsis: Has the pandemic kept you from making a journey to a galaxy not so far away? The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge fills you in on all you'd want to know, from concept artwork to final photos of these Star Wars destinations. The book also offers an inside look at the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience, a first-of-its-kind immersive two-night adventure

Only the forgotten are truly dead.

Certified Forgotten highlights the horror films that fall through the cracks of modern distribution. The Matts™ host a bi-weekly podcast featuring forgotten gems with five reviews or less on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as acting as a home for new voices in the horror genre! You can follow them on both Twitter and Instagram.

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