Issue 29: Conclave
Currently on selecting, soaring, spiraling, and spending.
📝 Reviewing: Conclave (2024)
There is one sin which I have come to fear above all others… certainty. If there was only certainty, and no doubt, there would be no mystery. And therefore, no need for faith.
Edward Berger’s Conclave, based on the 2016 novel, is a fictional portrayal of the power struggle among 118 Cardinals in the Vatican following the death of the Pope. At its core, it’s a political thriller that draws relevant parallels to real-world figures—especially in the U.S.—who have sidestepped accusations of crime and corruption.
While Conclave moves quickly with political intrigue, it’s also slow and meticulous, finding tension in the smallest of moments. Yet, it’s never so slow that it loses your attention. This is achieved through its cinematography, with a striking color palette that pops off the screen. The compositions aren’t just visually appealing; they serve the storytelling, subtly reinforcing the film’s power dynamics. Thematically and tonally, Conclave is reminiscent of 2008’s Doubt, though it’s much more beautiful to look at.
What stands out, too, is the modern setting—Cardinals smoking and scrolling on their phones—creating a fascinating juxtaposition between the ancient institution and present-day realities. Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow deliver excellent performances, making every sharp line of dialogue land, which is imperative for a film mainly about men arguing.
Though I’m not deeply familiar with Catholicism or religious practices, I still enjoyed what was going on behind the Vatican’s closed doors and closets. Conclave is currently available to stream on Peacock.
📣 Recommending: Fly (2024)
I want to live every day, all day as hard a I can. Because we realize that you could go any day.
Like Free Solo, which took to rock climbing, The Deepest Breath, which plunged into diving, and Skywalkers: A Love Story, which scaled buildings, Fly soars through the sport of BASE jumping. Over seven years, this National Geographic documentary follows three couples who test the limits of love, life, and gravity itself.
I learned that BASE stands for the four categories of jump points: Buildings, Antennas, Spans, and Earth. And like rock climbers with “El Cap” or skaters with “El Toro,” BASE jumpers also chase iconic jump spots they call “exits.” It’s fascinating how each subculture has its own language, landmarks, and lore.
But Fly isn’t just about the sport. In fact, it doesn’t spend much time on the history, techniques, or latest boundary-pushers at all. Like its predecessors, it asks: when you have something—and someone—to lose, why selfishly risk your life? What drives people to gamble everything for a few minutes of flight?
One of the film’s most poignant moments comes when the filmmakers ask their subjects what they’d want viewers to know if they didn’t survive. One responds: “Don’t feel sorry for me. Just be happy I lived my life the way I wanted.” It’s a bold reminder of how some embrace life’s fragility by chasing its most precious moments. His choice to recognize the preciousness of every moment is not for everyone, but I love getting a glimpse into why it works for some. Fly is available to stream on Disney+.
📣 Recommending: Key Lime Trailer
All this? Over a smoothie?
This summer, I had the privilege of working on a feature film written, directed, and starring my friend Justin Heinz. The story follows Roni, who, after losing her job as a barista, decides to reinvent herself by starting a smoothie business. She enlists the help of her well-meaning but clueless friends, Brett and Jared, to bring her dream to life.
However, their ambitions take a wild turn when they stumble upon the legendary Mr. Lime Cereal recipe. What begins as a simple venture quickly spirals into chaos, leading to shady deals and moral compromises in a tangled web of ambition gone awry.
Key Lime is aiming for a Summer 2025 release. Stay updated on Instagram, add it to your watchlist on Letterboxd, and check out the trailer on YouTube!
🎧 Listening To: How To Build A Happy Life
Even when we’re trying to do nothing, we’re not doing nothing.
The How To podcast— hosted by Arthur Brooks and presented by The Atlantic — focuses on various aspects of building a fulfilling and meaningful life. Each season takes on a different lens, from How to Build a Happy Life to How to Talk to People and How to Keep Time.
This latest season is a curated “best-of” of their favorite episodes from past seasons highlighting making space and finding meaning. One episode that resonated with me features professor Ashley Whillans alongside Arthur Brooks as they discuss how to rethink the time you crave versus the time you have. This episode is worth a listen for those looking to reshape their relationship with time. How To Spend Time on What You Value is available to stream on Spotify.
Thanks for being here.
— Justin