Power Nap #104
I was wrong about KPDH / Nate's rapid fire movie reviews / the most comfortable shoes
I was wrong about KPDH, and em dash woes
Hey friends! I just need to get this off my chest: I love KPop Demon Hunters (if you are wondering what the heck this is, it’s the newest kids’ movie on Netflix and also the most streamed movie on Netflix. Ever!) I judged the proverbial book by its cover and said, “Oh great, another show involving girls in belly shirts Scout will want to watch 24/7.” But when my friend Lindsey came to town last week, she looked me square in the eyes and said, “No, Kate, it’s actually really good” (a sentiment my friend Hannah had also shared a week earlier). I watched it, and I loved it. I love when a movie can be popular with the general public but contain truths that deeply matter. I actually think the underlying message regarding shame is pretty powerful. Especially shame in friendship. I’ll stop gabbing, but let’s just say we all have our demons. I’ll let you be the judge—but if you watch it and have thoughts, let me know!
My favorite song is “This Is What It Sounds Like,” and that scene in the movie is my favorite.
Second thing that also feels em-portant to say: I now have very complicated feelings around the em dash. I love this punctuation mark, but now it is so closely associated with ChatGPT that I have found myself deleting it when I type it. But that feels silly. So I guess I just want you to know: I write these emails, and I also love the em dash.
In Case You Missed It
Here’s the message behind I Just Wish I Had A Bigger Kitchen in video form.
Here’s an easy lunchbox idea when you’re tired of sandwiches.
I’ve been on a lot of podcasts talking about the book this month. You can find them all here. Most recently, I spoke with Annie F. Downs on her podcast, That Sounds Fun, in person in Nashville and it was indeed, SO FUN.
We created Book Club Questions (a free printable!) to accompany I Just Wish I Had A Bigger Kitchen that released last week. Here’s why you should consider it for your book club this fall.
This Power Nap is brought to you by Rothy's! Some of you might remember the slippers I discovered last year: they were extremely comfortable and also had a hard bottom (this matters a lot to me for being able to walk out and grab the mail, sip my coffee outside, or chase Annie down the street — I need a hard bottom!). The exact style I had is no longer available, but they have a similar version that seamlessly transitions between an indoor slipper and an outdoor one. You can wear these babies to coffee or carpool pickup, around town, or simply in the house. They are so good!
Secondly, meet the most insanely comfortable, trendy Mary Jane. I got them in safari mesh, and I can already tell I am going to wear the heck out of these shoes. I love the detail on the buckle and the V on the top of the foot, as opposed to a classic rounded Mary Jane — it gives it some edge! However, if you’re looking for a more traditional Mary Jane but with all the comfort Rothy’s provides, you’ll love this version (I love the texture on the basketweave options!)
Thanks for sponsoring this email, Rothy’s!
Nate’s Movie Reviews
To Catch a Killer (2023) - A Baltimore police officer teams with the FBI to help solve a mass murder on New Year's Eve. Just ok. I thought it was sort of far-fetched that Baltimore cop was chosen by the FBI to have such a prominent role in the investigation. From GPT: It’s like Se7en but without the tension, the surprises, or the reason to care.
Oppenheimer (2023) - Another Christopher Nolan rewatch. Still good. One of the best movies of the last twenty years. Cast is awesome.
AlphaGo (2017) - I'm learning that my kids really like watching documentaries. Seems better for them to watch that then most of the other crap out there? This one was about the 2016 showdown between Google's AI program AlphaGo and world champion Go player Lee Sedol, exploring the clash of human intuition and machine intelligence. It was ok. I had recently read the book the Maniac, and AlphaGo featured prominently in that book, so I thought I'd also watch the documentary.
A Complete Unknown (2024) - This is the Bob Dylan movie starring my boy Timmy. It was just ok. It may be that it was because I don't know Bob Dylan's music very well (embarrassing I know), but I just didn't feel much during this one.
Anora (2024) -- Kate and I had to watch last year's best picture winner. So, a couple of things: 1. Lots of sex. If you aren't wanting that, you will not make it past the opening credits (seriously). It does level off about halfway through the movie. 2. I laughed a ton. The Russia boy I found hilarious. 3. the ending made me uncomfortable. I read a bit about it and I think I understand it a better (although I think it is meant to be ambiguous in part). All in all I'm glad I watched it.
Geostorm (2017) - Netflix really wanted me to watch this (right in my genre wheel house) and I ALMOST made it to the end.
Black Bag (2025) - Is it just me or is Michael Fassbender on a nice little run? The Killer, The Agency, and this I all enjoyed. He's really finding his pace in the "secret agent" genre. Good for him.
Bullet Train Explosion (2025) - I wanted to like this movie, but I just didn't. Japanese subtitles.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) - Watched with the kids. Enjoyed overall. Hard to make a bad movie starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner.
The Mountainhead (2025) - I stand corrected!! It is possible to make a bad movie starring Steve Carell. Satirical movie about four tech bros—including Steve Carell —who bunk up in a Swiss‑Alpine–style mansion to play poker and plot world domination. Skip it. It was bad.
Beat on Repeat
Jess here. If you enjoy Christian music and haven’t listened to Josiah Queen yet, stop what you’re doing. Like Forrest Frank, he is taking the music space by storm. This is my new favorite song of his, released 2 weeks ago. His most popular song “Dusty Bibles” is SO GOOD and also found on this album.
I had to look up what an em dash is 😂
You are the third person that suggests to this 43 yo to get on the Kpop train and ok, i'll do it! Nate - thanks for talking me out of the Mountainhead! On the other hand, I fear no one will ever cast Fassbender for anything else than a CIA agent or spy, I fear for his future even though im enjoying his present 🥴😂