Nina Metz
@ninametz.bsky.social
TV and film critic for the Chicago Tribune
https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/nina-metz/
Newsletter: Nina Watches Everything
https://buttondown.com/NinaWatchesEverything
https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/nina-metz/
Newsletter: Nina Watches Everything
https://buttondown.com/NinaWatchesEverything
Pinned
Nina Metz
@ninametz.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Why is the reboot of “Law & Order” so bad?
It’s as if everyone forgot how to make the show.
buttondown.com
Why is the reboot of “Law & Order” so bad?
I get into it in this week’s newsletter
Read! Subscribe! It’s free!
I get into it in this week’s newsletter
Read! Subscribe! It’s free!
Reposted by Nina Metz
Israel attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in 5 years, data reveals. Armed forces & settlers used bombs, dogs, poison & machinery to attack people & infrastructure. It's "an important part of a genocidal strategy" says Pedro Arrojo-Agudo
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Israel attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in five years, data reveals
Armed forces and settlers used bombs, dogs, poison and machinery to attack people and infrastructure at key sites
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Israel attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in 5 years, data reveals. Armed forces & settlers used bombs, dogs, poison & machinery to attack people & infrastructure. It's "an important part of a genocidal strategy" says Pedro Arrojo-Agudo
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Remember Millennial pink?
That was a good color
That was a good color
November 16, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Remember Millennial pink?
That was a good color
That was a good color
Reposted by Nina Metz
as a big GDT guy, I wish I had fewer frustrations with the way this FRANKENSTEIN reinterprets the Creature into another of his misunderstood monsters -- but I have them, and here they are.
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ is a little too in love with the monster. Jacob Elordi is phenomenal as the Creature, but the film’s happy ending saps the character of its original complexity.
The Ending of Frankenstein Is a Little Too in Love with the Monster
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ is a little too in love with the monster. Jacob Elordi is phenomenal as the Creature, but the film’s happy ending saps the character of its original complexity.
www.vulture.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:59 PM
as a big GDT guy, I wish I had fewer frustrations with the way this FRANKENSTEIN reinterprets the Creature into another of his misunderstood monsters -- but I have them, and here they are.
I mean, why have a functioning society when you can have a dysfunctional one, right?!
Congress’s shutdown deal eliminated key food safety rules, blocking agencies from enforcing measures to prevent contamination and trace outbreaks. This rollback has coincided with a surge in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
Shutdown Deal Kills Rules to Prevent Food Contamination and Foodborne Illnesses
The gutting of these rules coincides with a huge increase in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
truthout.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I mean, why have a functioning society when you can have a dysfunctional one, right?!
Reposted by Nina Metz
I am gutted to learn of @sfdirewolf.bsky.social (Alice Wong’s) passing. She was always a warm friend, a wonderful spirit, and someone who fostered my own growth. She helped me see that, as a #disabled person with chronic illness, I matter—I am whole. I’ll be posting some of Alice’s work. ❤️ forever
November 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I am gutted to learn of @sfdirewolf.bsky.social (Alice Wong’s) passing. She was always a warm friend, a wonderful spirit, and someone who fostered my own growth. She helped me see that, as a #disabled person with chronic illness, I matter—I am whole. I’ll be posting some of Alice’s work. ❤️ forever
Reposted by Nina Metz
Here’s her final message to the world, shared by her friend Sandy Ho.
November 15, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Here’s her final message to the world, shared by her friend Sandy Ho.
Reposted by Nina Metz
I am very sad to learn of Alice Wong’s @sfdirewolf.bsky.social passing.
I will miss her razor wit, her wisdom, her love for good food, and her red lipstick.
I will miss her razor wit, her wisdom, her love for good food, and her red lipstick.
November 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I am very sad to learn of Alice Wong’s @sfdirewolf.bsky.social passing.
I will miss her razor wit, her wisdom, her love for good food, and her red lipstick.
I will miss her razor wit, her wisdom, her love for good food, and her red lipstick.
Reposted by Nina Metz
This week in Art I Am Obsessed With: this self-portrait by Suzanne Valadon. It looks so incredibly contemporary (I would literally wear that exact outfit on hot summer day) but it’s from 1923. Anyway, love a queen with flowy pants and a dangling cigarette!
November 15, 2025 at 2:18 AM
This week in Art I Am Obsessed With: this self-portrait by Suzanne Valadon. It looks so incredibly contemporary (I would literally wear that exact outfit on hot summer day) but it’s from 1923. Anyway, love a queen with flowy pants and a dangling cigarette!
Reposted by Nina Metz
Smaller classes *behave* differently, like organisms. A class of 6 is a different organism than 15 or 30 or 100 or 300. But in classes under 20 it’s easier to create safety, get kids to focus, and create community. But we wouldn’t want that!
November 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Smaller classes *behave* differently, like organisms. A class of 6 is a different organism than 15 or 30 or 100 or 300. But in classes under 20 it’s easier to create safety, get kids to focus, and create community. But we wouldn’t want that!
Reposted by Nina Metz
this is what downplaying infectious disease on a societal level gets you. companies/ C-suites that believe they have the god-given right to kill your baby and face zero consequences and also continue to kill more babies
On the ByHeart formula recall: “I have never seen a company so aggressively fight to deny the evidence against them," @cspinet.org's Sarah Sorscher said. Why food safety experts are alarmed by the company's response to the infant botulism outbreak:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/b...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/b...
ByHeart’s ‘bizarre’ response to infant botulism outbreak worries food safety experts
ByHeart’s ‘bizarre’ response to infant botulism outbreak worries food safety experts.
www.statnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:53 AM
this is what downplaying infectious disease on a societal level gets you. companies/ C-suites that believe they have the god-given right to kill your baby and face zero consequences and also continue to kill more babies
Reposted by Nina Metz
Pluribus is interesting, but I wish these stories focused on people who weren't privileged white people. I am FASCINATED to know what life looks like for say, mentally or physically disabled. do their disabilities get cancelled out by everyone else? what happens if you're the Carol?
November 15, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Pluribus is interesting, but I wish these stories focused on people who weren't privileged white people. I am FASCINATED to know what life looks like for say, mentally or physically disabled. do their disabilities get cancelled out by everyone else? what happens if you're the Carol?
Reposted by Nina Metz
Far too many studios confuse red carpet/social media famous with actually being a star. The vast majority of the current “stars” fall into the former and not the latter.
Another issue: The gap between who media and the internet thinks is a big star and who normie moviegoers think is a big star is widening. We can talk about Sydney Sweeney all day long, but say her name to a lot of people over 40 and I promise you, you will be greeted by a blank stare. >
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Far too many studios confuse red carpet/social media famous with actually being a star. The vast majority of the current “stars” fall into the former and not the latter.
“you can't really articulate anything [without it being misconstrued]” is a 🥴 line of reasoning for someone whose makes lotsa money talking on stage!
(The is an interview with Jim Gaffigan)
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Lotsa dodging and evasion from celebs! I got into it in last wk’s newsletter 👇
(The is an interview with Jim Gaffigan)
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Lotsa dodging and evasion from celebs! I got into it in last wk’s newsletter 👇
![Oh, absolutely. I've always liked the fact that at my shows, a lesbian couple could sit next to a Mormon family and enjoy the stand-up I'm doing.
But I do find politics fascinating. We live in an age where you can't really articulate anything [without it being misconstrued]. My best friend from childhood was furious that I did the Al Smith Dinner. He said, "I can't believe you didn't destroy Trump." And I'm like, "I know it's not going to change anything." And the task was to attack both sides — in a setting where you're surrounded by billionaires.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iqtkxhjp3ler2i3kfcwukuie/bafkreiauwphbwcyqzsvuplrqxnwxzixjt6uqb3swm7v7jta3fd2ezpx7vi@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
“you can't really articulate anything [without it being misconstrued]” is a 🥴 line of reasoning for someone whose makes lotsa money talking on stage!
(The is an interview with Jim Gaffigan)
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Lotsa dodging and evasion from celebs! I got into it in last wk’s newsletter 👇
(The is an interview with Jim Gaffigan)
variety.com/2025/tv/news...
Lotsa dodging and evasion from celebs! I got into it in last wk’s newsletter 👇
Reposted by Nina Metz
Use the formula of a sports movie.
Put together a rag tag bunch of folks with diff.skills. Organize(coach) them to utilize those random skills to fight back against injustice. Montage to show building confidence.Come together through a series of wins/loses ending with a Big Win over corruption!
Put together a rag tag bunch of folks with diff.skills. Organize(coach) them to utilize those random skills to fight back against injustice. Montage to show building confidence.Come together through a series of wins/loses ending with a Big Win over corruption!
'Instead of “How are our attitudes being reflected in TV and film?” I think the better question is “How is pop culture attempting to shape and mold attitudes?”' -- @ninametz.bsky.social
The hollowness of Hollywood’s rich people stories
TV and film of the moment aren't going to galvanize anyone. But stories closer to home just might.
buttondown.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Use the formula of a sports movie.
Put together a rag tag bunch of folks with diff.skills. Organize(coach) them to utilize those random skills to fight back against injustice. Montage to show building confidence.Come together through a series of wins/loses ending with a Big Win over corruption!
Put together a rag tag bunch of folks with diff.skills. Organize(coach) them to utilize those random skills to fight back against injustice. Montage to show building confidence.Come together through a series of wins/loses ending with a Big Win over corruption!
Reposted by Nina Metz
"But unexpectedly, by altering their desire for food, some people say they’ve lost their desire for everything else, and what’s left is a long-lasting state of meh, bleh, numb, flat, take-it-or-leave-it."
Meanwhile there's a ton of pressure to get on ozempic...
Meanwhile there's a ton of pressure to get on ozempic...
Life in Beige
Are GLP-1’s worth a life devoid of pleasure?
www.thecut.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
"But unexpectedly, by altering their desire for food, some people say they’ve lost their desire for everything else, and what’s left is a long-lasting state of meh, bleh, numb, flat, take-it-or-leave-it."
Meanwhile there's a ton of pressure to get on ozempic...
Meanwhile there's a ton of pressure to get on ozempic...
Reposted by Nina Metz
This was a spectacular read centered on a super vital question.
'Instead of “How are our attitudes being reflected in TV and film?” I think the better question is “How is pop culture attempting to shape and mold attitudes?”' -- @ninametz.bsky.social
The hollowness of Hollywood’s rich people stories
TV and film of the moment aren't going to galvanize anyone. But stories closer to home just might.
buttondown.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
This was a spectacular read centered on a super vital question.
Reposted by Nina Metz
“There are Epsteins everywhere for those with eyes to see”
Wrote about Epstein, the misogynistic culture that protected him, and the banality of evil when it comes to harming women and children. He was not a unique man.
open.substack.com/pub/houseofm...
open.substack.com/pub/houseofm...
This Is How The World Works
Epstein, and the violence we all live with
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“There are Epsteins everywhere for those with eyes to see”
Reposted by Nina Metz
Exactly. The only true “out of towners” we’ve met in Broadview are media & streamers.
Broadview is approximately the size of a postage stamp. Here are two maps for reference. The ICE facility is in the NW corner of Broadview, where if you travel more than a block N,E, or W you are in another town.
Broadview is approximately the size of a postage stamp. Here are two maps for reference. The ICE facility is in the NW corner of Broadview, where if you travel more than a block N,E, or W you are in another town.
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Exactly. The only true “out of towners” we’ve met in Broadview are media & streamers.
Broadview is approximately the size of a postage stamp. Here are two maps for reference. The ICE facility is in the NW corner of Broadview, where if you travel more than a block N,E, or W you are in another town.
Broadview is approximately the size of a postage stamp. Here are two maps for reference. The ICE facility is in the NW corner of Broadview, where if you travel more than a block N,E, or W you are in another town.
Reposted by Nina Metz
The Sun-Times has been doing great work too. I've also been absolutely wowed by local coverage from Block Club, the Triibe, unraveled and WTTW (PBS), all of whom are doing a ton of original investigative work.
November 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The Sun-Times has been doing great work too. I've also been absolutely wowed by local coverage from Block Club, the Triibe, unraveled and WTTW (PBS), all of whom are doing a ton of original investigative work.
Reposted by Nina Metz
I am so impressed with the Chicago journalists covering the invasion of their city, and this interview with @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social is inspiring. A must read. Brava! pressingissues.org/when-the-gov...
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I am so impressed with the Chicago journalists covering the invasion of their city, and this interview with @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social is inspiring. A must read. Brava! pressingissues.org/when-the-gov...
Reposted by Nina Metz
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Nina Metz
It is probably reasonable for everyone in a thirty mile radius of a detention center to feel upset about its existence
November 14, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It is probably reasonable for everyone in a thirty mile radius of a detention center to feel upset about its existence
Reposted by Nina Metz
Broadview's mayor keeps calling the protesters "out of towners." Every time we are there, we talk to people from the town on the front lines.
(Also this is a tiny town y'all, it's reasonable for someone in like...Brookfield or Melrose Park to feel like this is their community as well!)
(Also this is a tiny town y'all, it's reasonable for someone in like...Brookfield or Melrose Park to feel like this is their community as well!)
Twenty-one people were arrested Friday morning during a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview following a skirmish in which several police officers were injured.
21 arrested, police officers injured at protest outside ICE processing center in Broadview
A scuffle between police and protesters broke out outside the ICE processing center in Broadview.
trib.al
November 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Broadview's mayor keeps calling the protesters "out of towners." Every time we are there, we talk to people from the town on the front lines.
(Also this is a tiny town y'all, it's reasonable for someone in like...Brookfield or Melrose Park to feel like this is their community as well!)
(Also this is a tiny town y'all, it's reasonable for someone in like...Brookfield or Melrose Park to feel like this is their community as well!)
Reposted by Nina Metz
All jokes aside, this is by far the most serious concern I have about sports gambling today. And players in all sports are loudly sounding the alarms right now.
Just wait until gun violence and gambling scandals collide and we wonder aimlessly as to how this possibly could have been avoided.
November 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
All jokes aside, this is by far the most serious concern I have about sports gambling today. And players in all sports are loudly sounding the alarms right now.
Reposted by Nina Metz
This essay starts in one place and becomes a very, very thoughtful essay on the heroic in the human condition.
I highly highly recommend it .
I highly highly recommend it .
'Instead of “How are our attitudes being reflected in TV and film?” I think the better question is “How is pop culture attempting to shape and mold attitudes?”' -- @ninametz.bsky.social
The hollowness of Hollywood’s rich people stories
TV and film of the moment aren't going to galvanize anyone. But stories closer to home just might.
buttondown.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This essay starts in one place and becomes a very, very thoughtful essay on the heroic in the human condition.
I highly highly recommend it .
I highly highly recommend it .