The Neon box set. Most movie studios distribute screeners as links these days, but Neon still sends a handsomely designed box set that always manages to contain several of my favorite films of the year.
My walkable 15-minute neighborhood: Despite the danger posed by aggressive drivers and the disinclination of the SLPD to enforce any traffic laws at all, I’m still able, without a car, to buy groceries, receive medical and dental care, get books from the library, frolic in an enormous park containing several free museums, hang out in an independent bookstore, and connect with the rest of the Metro area via public transportation. In the United States, that’s a rare blessing indeed.
Film festivals that offer streaming options. One good thing that came out of the pandemic was that film festivals started offering streaming options. Some have continue to offer streaming alongside their in-person offerings, giving me the change to cover favorites like NewFest (based in New York City) and Fantasia (based in Montreal) without leaving my living room.
Legal recreational pot. I’m old and arthritic and THC gummies have been a game-changer for me. No more journeys to Sauget, and I also appreciate that the tax revenue from pot sales is staying here in Missouri instead of going to our neighbors on the other side of the Mississippi River.
Screening season. Every year, in November and December, I get access to hundreds of movies to view for awards consideration, many of which have not played in St. Louis, and every year I am reminded of the riches available to people willing to read subtitles. If my end-of-year lists seem heavy on foreign releases, that’s the reason: there’s so much out there worth seeing if you don’t limit yourself to American films. | Sarah Boslaugh
