Meh. Raffey Cassidy Is So Much Better At Giving Birth To Herself.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14620641/demi-moore-reveals-feelings-oscars-loss-mikey-madison.html

But then she has had more practice.

I'm in the unenviable position of having to write an explanation of a movie which, not only haven't I seen, I haven't even had time to properly background it. A real challenge to even my Meta-Heuristic Problem Solving. Plus I'm in a bad mood.

So I am a bit worried I might be selling; "The Substance" (2024) short in the contributions it's making to the issues of Motherhood and aging. I'm that old even my days of parenting teenage girls is long behind me. I'm really going to have to clarify the 1970's and 1980's obsession with TV Aerobic shows, Jane Fonda etc, as part of how weight is a big part of how women are judged on their physical appearance.

However I just get a bit of a feeling that many of the themes have been addressed better by other nominated movies. "The Brutalist" (2024) in particular. Brady Corbet actually had an acting role in; "Melancholia" (2011). All of its St. Elmo's Fire set to the Prelude to Wagner's; "Tristan Und Isolde." That theme of the conflict between the private, ugly, inner-self and the pretty public face we present to mainstream society.

Fair point Demi Moore was actually in the; "Metropolis" (1927) influenced 2020 TV adaptation of; "Brave New World." Its themes of seemingly very nudity-friendly Jessica Brown Findlay's sex tape being leaked. Possibly as part of the Jennifer Lawrence hack. I can't remember, I wasn't paying attention. Something I regretted throughout Brave New World.

However when it comes to the hot flashes, vaginal dryness, brain fog. All the unspeakable symptoms of that shocking end of menstruation. Then I'll be reaching for Halle Berry's Social Media presence and activism.

So The Substances does have an air of; "Better Movie Bingo" about it. The Harvey Weinstein style producer is very reminiscent of; "Don't Worry Darling" (2022).

Emily Meade, rather than Margaret Qualley, being; "The Leftovers" alumna who appeared in; "The Deuce" (2017-2019). Where she was an actress involved in all sorts of sex work, from Prostitute to Porn Star. A transition made possible by the 1970's relaxation of New York State's obscenity laws. 

In its visual Horror style The Substance is very reminiscent of; "Baise-moi" (2000). Although if it had included the same graphic scenes of actual sex then it wouldn't have been Oscar nominated. By turning a sex worker into an actress Baise-moi is certainly a relevant case study in the discussion about actors as sex workers.

Something which is actually far less weird than my seeming obsession with Human Geography themed Sci-Fi movies. When you think about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFB3IhBSB7s&pp (Minor Threat, Pennywise, Official Audio).