Listen:
Mucho gusto for Resident Advisor's Real Scenes series..makes me want to fall into more techno.
Read:
Adam Grant's Originals will likely end up on plenty of people's to-read list. Intriguing theories and worth taking notes.
Watch:
Everything Is Copy documentary makes you want to revisit the world of Nora Ephron.
Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.
Pullbox Issue 33
Listen:
Jessy Lanza makes music that's the lovechild of 90s RnB and minimal techno..her Fact Mag mix hits all the right spots. Eagerly awaiting her new album.
Read:
In between several books at the moment, kind of been slacking on my reading pace..but will try to get back on that.
One comic book team I dig is Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The Fade Out is their latest series and it doesn't disappoint.
I also dig Brubaker's spy twist Velvet.
Watch:
Daredevil Season 2 keeps the action going. Jon Bernthal's The Punisher is a scene stealer. Nearly done with this installment, but already looking forward more.
Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.
Pullbox Issue 32
Listen:
I love cheesy cover songs. Lucky Chops do a horny version of Adele's Hello.
Read:
You get real appreciation of Philip K. Dick's influence on culture anytime you go back to his books. The Man in the High Castle was the latest on the bucket list. Ready to try out the show.
Watch:
House of Cards - failure, on my part. Show is designed for binge-watching. Spread the binge over a few days instead of sitting.
Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.
Pullbox Issue 31
Listen:
Going to the library and finding a singer or band's greatest hits or best of collection has been educational. Some folks think I'm a music snob, but I have plenty of blind spots. When Foo Fighters had the HBO show, which was basically a promo for the new record, it had that subversive documentary spin. So I started looking into some of those bands. The one that stands is Cheap Trick. Their catalog holds up. Go ahead and Surrender.
Read:
Eddie Huang burst onto my radar via Vice. Who is this Asian with that hip-hop swagger breaking bread like Anthony Bourdain? Since then, I've been a fan. Even did try some of his baos when I had a vacation in NYC some time ago. His book, Fresh Off the Boat, was a good read and I wouldn't mind a sequel or spin-off. Fans of the TV show, very loosely based on his book, might feel a bit disappointed. So I can't say in what order you should go, but do know that there are very different worlds.
Watch:
House of Cards is one of the few shows that I'll binge watch as soon as it comes out. Likely it's because it's the original show to give you the option to do so. But this year, I totally forget to do so. The pacing of the first episode totally makes you feel like they know people are binging and invites you to keep up. However, I'm going to try to do 2 episodes a week.
Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.
Pullbox Issue 30
Listen:
Rather than tell you about the death of a podcast like last week, I'm recommending a fairly new one. The New Yorker Radio Hour has hopped on the bandwagon and started one a few months ago. It's still evolving and has borrowed from all your favorite podcasts and put it in a blender. Unlike other shows, the podcast does a commendable job of including humor. From the in-process discussions with cartoonists and even the celebrity short form readings..it's a nice break-up from the more serious pieces.
Read:
For someone that calls weekly email updates "Pullbox," I recommend very little comic books. To my understanding, the term comes from comic book stores pulling regular customers' favorite titles and holding them before they sell out. I still have boxes at my parents' home. However, ever since moving, it has been very difficult to keep up.
One creator that I'll forever check out is Adrian Tomine. He's best known for his Optic Nerve series and his cover illustrations for the New Yorker and other outlets. About half way through his latest work, Killing and Dying. Would also love seeing his work made into animated short or feature.
Watch:
EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony - it's hard enough to grab one of those awards, but there some entertainers that cover all worlds. Becoming Mike Nichols is a great conversation made into a documentary. In his own words, the late director examines his formative years. Revealing.
Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.