IN THE ISSUE
Moving Pictures
Vendor Writing
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Since The Contributor started in 2007, more than 3,200 different vendors have purchased $2.3 million worth of The Contributor and sold over six million copies, generating over $15 million in income for themselves.
In 2019, our C.O.V.E.R. Program (Creating Opportunity for Vendor Employment, Engagement, and Resources) was the natural expansion of our mission of removing obstacles to
We see the one-stop-shop team approach radically transforming a vendor's image of self and their place in
Guillermo Del Toro brings the Mary Shelley classic to life. Frankenstein is monstrous and masterful on
The Unknown Songwriter, Vol. 1
BY M.E. MARTIN, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
I have been given the privilege of filling this little space, both in life and on paper. And so, what I would like to do here is share with you all my love of music and the craft of songwriting. Some call it a gift. It’s magical when a song comes to you with just a line or a chorus and we are able to shape that into a song for others to hear.
Where would we be as a culture — or as a nation — without some of these songs? Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land is Your Land” that we all sang in grade school. Pete Seeger had, “Where Have All The Flowers Gone,” “If I Had a Hammer,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Turn Turn Turn,” made famous by The Byrds in 1965. Hedy West gave us, “500 Miles,” Ewan MacColl wrote “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Gordon Lightfoot wrote “Early Morning Rain.”
Then along came Peter, Paul and Mary to record and perform these songs and place them forever in our hearts and minds. “Puff The Magic Dragon” was never about drugs as some have suggested, and was written by Lenard Lipton and Peter Yarrow. “The Times They Are a Changin’” and “Blowin’ In The Wind” were given to us by Bob Dylan. One must take pause and wonder where our civil rights would be if not for these songs!
Songs take us back in time, invoke memories, remind us of friends and loved ones, and help us remember where and when it was when we first heard them. My mother had a small collection of 45s and a little record player, and I sang “Hang On Sloopy,” written by Bert Russell and Wes Farrell, recorded by the McCoys in 1965. So I must have been
four years old. I wish I had a tape of that fine performance to put on YouTube, as I am sure it would go viral! At the same time I would sing Roger Miller’s “Dang Me” and “King Of The Road.” We would take long car rides just to get out of the house and sing to the radio at the top of our lungs.
When I listen to music I listen to it intently, to every note, every sound. Those are the only things that I can attribute to my being able to write a song today. Because I can’t play any instrument and never had any musical training. I write lyrics and melodies at the same time and don’t know how I do it. But I attribute it to my early childhood, and my dear Mother all those years ago. What a long strange trip it’s been!
I think it’s important that we make sure to share these tunes with our children. “Pick
Yourself Up” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Best version is on Diana Krall on the album “When I Look In Your Eyes.” “What A Wonderful World,” written by Bob Thiel and George David Weiss. It was first covered in 1967 by Louis Armstrong, but I like the Ray Charles cover the best. Theses songs and artists helped to shape our history, and allow us to grow as human beings. And I will always give first credit to those who wrote them, because without the songwriter, all those singers, producers and engineers could have stayed home. And before I dare write about anything I wrote, in this little space that I am so privileged to fill, I want to pay homage to those. Please stay tuned, and thank you the reader for the privilege of your time.
Woody Guthrie, 1967. WORLD TELEGRAM PHOTO BY AL AUMULLER.
Peter, Paul and Mary, 1963. INTERNATIONAL TALENT ASSOCIATES
Giant Nobody Can See
Written by Chris Scott Fieselman, Vendor #0015
“Responsibility” for the sake of “Security.” Doing what you have to do? To take care of your family. Trying to find the time to be? What everybody needs you to be?
A Man who stands against a Giant, Nobody else Can See?
A Man against a Giant, Nobody else Can See?
Sometimes life feels like?
It’s going to get the better of me. When everything is said and done, The battle will be won, By the Man who stands for what he believes, Against a Giant Nobody Can See?
Sometimes you find yourself, Standing alone. They don’t know what you go through? Cry out to God, When it gets too hard.
“Lord, what am I going to do?” Like David before Goliath. A sling and stone against a spear. Fight for what you know, Is right and remember, That God is always near. What have you got to fear?
A Man against a Giant, Nobody else Can See? Sometimes life feels like?
It’s going to get the better of me. When everything is said and done, The battle will be won, By the Man who stands, For what he believes, Against a Giant Nobody Can See?
Last night I stroked the head of my daughter, Till she finally fell asleep. The last words I heard her say to me were? “Good-Night and I Love You Daddy.” Lord knows, there’s no other place, In the world, that I would rather be? Father to my little girl, Fighting a Giant Nobody Can See?
A Man against a Giant, Nobody else Can See? Sometimes life feels like? It’s going to get the better of me. When everything is said and done, The battle will be won, By the Man who stands for what he believes, Against a Giant Nobody Can See?
Happy Birthday Terri Lee Adkins 12/11/1957
Lay Your Head Down Lullaby
Written by Chris Scott Fieselman, Vendor #0015
I remember being lonely, And I know that you do too. When no one was there for me, And no one was there for you.
Then that day we finally met. Seems like only yesterday. I meant every word I said. By your side I’ll always stay.
Lay Your Head Down. Go to Sleep.
Lay Your Head, Down to Rest.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
I am lying right beside you.
That is where I’ll always be.
Feel my fingers brush your brow.
Feel my arm around you now.
Feel me holding you so tight.
Everything will be all right.
Lay Your Head Down. Go to Sleep.
Everybody needs somebody, They can count on all the time.
I am your special somebody, And I know that you are mine.
When this world has got you down. You can’t find the strength to stand. Count on me to be around,
Pick you up and lend a hand.
Lay Your Head Down. Go to Sleep.
Now, I see you’re sleeping soundly, And my song is almost through.
Like a gentle summer breeze, It slowly drifted over you.
And tomorrow when you wake, Make it through another day,
Knowing I’ll be there for you,
When the day is finally through.
Lay Your Head Down. Go to Sleep.
Lay Your Head, Down to Rest.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
I am lying right beside you.
That is where I’ll always be.
Feel my fingers brush your brow.
Feel my arm around you now.
Feel me holding you so tight. Everything will be all right.
Lay Your Head Down. Go to Sleep.
THEME: HAPPY HOLIDAYS
ACROSS
1. Shapeless form
5. Hot springs resort
8. Not square
11. Private theater box
12. Relating to ear
13. Rome’s Colosseum, e.g.
15. I ____ you so!
16. *The opposite of a store the day before Christmas?
17. *”Auld Lang Syne” poet
18. *Partridge’s perch (2 words)
20. Vegas numbers
21. New Zealand’s indigenous people
22. Fuss
23. Tabby’s favorite herb
26. More so than swell
30. Big-headedness
31. Resembling an ape
34. John Wayne Gacy’s ____ the Clown
35. Photographer Dorothea of “Migrant Mother” fame
37. Type or kind
38. Like a sheep after a haircut
39. D’Artagnan’s weapon of choice
40. Superlative of #33 Down
42. U.S. central bank
43. Wilma and Fred’s hometown
45. *Latke’s main ingredient
47. Word of possibility
48. Turning token taker
50. Exclamation of sorrow
52. *____ Odbody of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
55. Raspberry drupelets
56. Saintly glow
57. Letter opener
59. Hunts for food
60. Banana leftover
61. Guesstimate phrase
62. *Color on a Kwanzaa flag
63. Not divisible by two 64. Scholarship criterion
DOWN
1. Deli acronym 2. Chicago’s central district, with The 3. Gawk at 4. Wish harm upon, arch.
5. One of The Beatles
6. Pileus, pl.
7. “The Road Runner” corporation
8. Group of cows
9. Bed-and-breakfast alternative, pl.
10. *”The Nutcracker” step
12. Certain cephalopod, pl.
13. It’s sometimes humble 14. *Chuck Berry’s “Run, ____, Run”
19. Reason to strike 22. Grass bristle
23. Famous one, slangily 24. Open-mouthed
25. Like a well-defined muscle
26. Hot alcoholic beverage
27. Washing sponge
28. Type of heron
29. Rondeau, alt. sp.
32. *Santa’s beverage of choice
33. Not well
36. *Original home of Christmas tannenbaum
38. Fur shawl
40. Extremely unfriendly
41. Plane trick
44. Reprieve in a desert
46. Muscle to bone connector
48. Skidded
49. Weighed
50. 4,840 square yards
51. Told an untruth
52. Head of family
53. Wrap in waxy cloth
54. Comfort
55. Financing acronym
58. Stewart of “Maggie May” fame
Unzine Nashville and The Contributor Partner to Create Wrapping Paper
The pages of wrapping paper tucked inside this newspaper were created as part of collaboration between vendors who sell The Contributor newspaper and Unzine, a project started by Stagger Press, The Contributor and the Nashville Street Poetry Project.
Local artist and educator Paul Collins began working with The Contributor newspaper earlier this year, and that collaboration between Nashville’s street paper and his DIY publishing venture, Stagger Press. Self-described anti-artist and Contributor volunteer Melissa Willis joined in on the effort as well. For Willis, it was just another way to connect and build community with folks who often get overlooked.
“Everybody has the ability to make art,” says Willis. “It’s limitless. Anyone can create a zine or collaborate on something meaningful — this project gives that creativity a place to go.”
Willis is also a licensed mortician in Nashville, a parent and a recovering addict of 13 years who spends time advocating for harm reduction and building relationships. Willis is hoping Unzine can continue to grow and invite people who may not realize how open art is to them to create.
Throughout November, Gallery 56 displayed UNZINE, a pop-up exhibition curated by Collins. The show runs through Dec. 13. Unzine hosted a number of events in the space
BY AMANDA HAGGARD
throughout the month as well, including an opening, several artist and poet profile events and a children’s zine-making session. Instead of inviting folks in to just look, they wanted to be intentionally about inviting them in to be part of the process.
Vendors of The Contributor have worked alongside local artists and writers to create low-cost, lo-fi highly personal comic-style zines they sell independently. Volunteers like Willis, Benji Anderson and Joe Nolan, long-
Contributor freelancer who also lead the Nashville Street Poetry Project, as well as artists Fynalle Fre Organically Gifted, Howard P., newly married Contributor vendors Katie and Matthew, formerly homeless artists and poet Lisa A., longtime Contributor vendor and writer Norma B., Jeffrey, advocate Sarah Champion, artists Shawna B., Wendell J. and musician, artists and framemaker Phillip Willis, Director of the Contributor Will Connelly and Zero Mannino, artist who also works at
The Contributor, have all contributed to the project, among others.
The collaboration was as much about the zines as it was bringing people together to create in communal spaces.
“What I love about this community is how people who seem so different come together,” Willis says. “It’s what I love about collage, sometimes two pieces that shouldn’t fit end up fitting beautifully. Everyone [at the wrapping paper making event] was talking, laughing, supporting each other. It was just really beautiful to see.”
The wrapping paper extended another opportunity for folks to see the work and see people in a different light, as artists and creators and human beings.
“A lot of people experiencing homelessness go unseen,” Willis says. “We want people to see their work — and to feel welcome collaborating with them. This project brings people together who might never cross paths otherwise.”
Willis also points out that projects like this allow people to begin creating as they begin to get their basic needs met, regardless of which stage of that they are in.
“Once people’s basic needs are met, their creativity can finally come alive,” Willis says. “Everybody has that potential. Sometimes starts with housing, support and opportunities like The Contributor, but it’s a space where everyone is welcome to create.”
CEO of Community Foundation Reflects on Spending Anniversary on Unseen Nashville Tour
On the day I write this, today marked my third anniversary as CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. I couldn’t have planned a better way to spend the day than on an Unseen Nashville tour led by a Contributor vendor who knows these streets far more honestly than I ever will.
It felt like grace to spend this milestone shoulder-to-shoulder with someone whose goodness is unshakable, whose story is often overlooked, and whose presence reminded me why I said yes to this work in the first place.
It was also the perfect reminder that this work isn’t about power meetings or power lists. It’s about proximity.
It’s about letting someone’s story rearrange you. It’s about seeing the unwavering goodness in people our city too often overlooks.
What I witnessed today wasn’t “homelessness.” I saw neighbors only in need of encouragement, not judgment. I saw belonging trying to break through in places we rarely go.
Anniversaries usually look backward. Today helped me look deeper into the heart of this role and into the kind of community I want to believe is still possible: one where no one runs out of relationships, everyone knows
BY HAL CATO
they matter, and I never forget to keep walking this city with an open heart.
This piece was first published as a Facebook post.
On Sept. 24, The Contributor launched a new Downtown street tour called Unseen Nashville. Our four trained tour guides — Pedro L, Shawn L, Keith D, and Lisa A — have experienced homelessness and will open up about their personal experiences of being on the streets of Nashville and their process to obtaining housing again.
Unseen Nashville aims to make homelessness visible and give voice to the people who have for too long been unseen in communities across the nation including Nashville.
The tour follows a one-mile stretch in Downtown and talks about how policy decisions implicate people’s lives on the streets. You can sign up for Unseen Nashville online at https://thecontributor.org/unseen-nashvilletours/ or by emailing unseen@thecontributor.org. The cost is $20 per person. We organize tours once we have a minimum of six participants.
time
PHOTO BY FREEPRESSGMA
Unseen Nashville
Current Continuum of Care Allocation for Permanent Supportive Housing in Nashville
ORGANIZATION
Learn More About Federal Funding Changes to Homelessness
If Metro does not step in, more than 100 Nashvillians are at risk of losing their permanent supportive housing by May 2026. Under the announced federal funding changes to the local Continuum of Care (CoC) program competition, hundreds more will miss out on permanent housing opportunities moving forward.
The CoC program offers a major homelessness funding formula to specific local geographic areas, including Davidson County, where stakeholders work together to build a homeless crisis response system. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees those funds.
Under HUD’s new funding priorities, Nashville will be forced to reduce the CoC dollars spent on permanent housing from about $10.3 million to about $3.14 million.
The Trump Administration’s focus has been to move away from the evidence-based Housing First approach and shift funding from permanent housing, which ends homelessness, to transitional housing with mandated support services. Under HUD’s own homelessness definitions, people living in transitional housing are still considered homeless.
The consequence could mean that nationwide potentially 170,000 people could lose their housing through this extreme funding shift.
Let’s take a closer look at our local funding. Currently, Nashville receives $11.38 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) CoC Program (plus $465,700 in planning funds). The $11.38 million are allocated across 10 organizations and fund a total of 20 different programs. About 90 percent ($10.3 million) of all programs in Nashville are dedicated to some form of permanent housing where a client holds a one-year lease.
BY JUDITH TACKETT
According to the Office of Homeless Services, which serves as the lead agency for the Nashville-Davidson County Continuum of Care, the CoC grants currently provide permanent housing for 826 people, including 302 children, 436 disabled persons, 220 survivors of domestic violence, 80 who are 65 years or older, and 23 veterans.
These 826 people are served by 90 percent of the CoC funds, which will be required to be reduced to no more than 30 percent, from $10.3 million to $3.4 million.
When we talk about permanent housing, we are looking at three program types:
• Permanent Supportive Housing, totaling $5 million here in Nashville;
• Rapid Rehousing, totaling $3.5 million; and
• Joint Transitional to Rapid Rehousing, totaling $1.8 million.
While Rapid Rehousing and Joint Transitional to Rapid Rehousing programs help people access one-year leases and offer temporary and partial rent assistance and support services, any cuts to Permanent Supportive Housing programs will ensure people are going to lose their housing — unless there are local dollars to pick up the slack.
The people in those permanent supportive housing programs are what need to be the major priority for our city leaders as Metro currently has the funds to help keep them in housing permanently.
Nashville CoC leaders have already determined that they intend to focus on saving as many permanent supportive housing grant dollars as possible, meaning that $3.4 million of the currently $5 million in permanent supportive housing projects may be secure. The remaining $1.6 million need to be made up locally to keep people housed.
The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) holds the largest portion ($3.3 million) of permanent supportive housing dollars under the CoC funding, followed by Urban Housing Solutions with $1.2 million.
Danielle Allen, MDHA’s assistant director of communications, said that MDHA will apply for the entire $3.3 million in CoC funding, but is “also working on a contingency plan for the anticipated reduction in funding.”
Currently, close to 350 people are served by MDHA’s Shelter Plus Care program, which offers rental subsidies and requires ongoing support services.
Brent Elrod, managing director at Urban Housing Solutions (UHS), said in an email that UHS provides permanent supportive housing to 96 people through their CoC grant, fielding referrals for another eight apartments.
“We are still evaluating our options for a FY25 application, but HUD’s strict cap in permanent housing dollars means that UHS likely will lose much if not all of our funding,” Elrod said. “If that happens, many if not all of the residents currently supported by our PSH program will lose their housing subsidy starting in May 2026 and, worst case, they may potentially become homeless again.”
Elrod continued that the UHS team, “will do everything we can to avoid that outcome, of course, but I think the only real safety net — and our current contingency plan — is for Metro government (and hopefully also local foundations) to secure/pool funds like the Metro Rapid Rehousing Fund to provide rental assistance until each of our residents can secure their own Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.”
The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) held its first contingency planning call on Nov. 20 and will continue to facilitate conversations with local nonprofits regarding
this year’s HUD funding competition, but it is unclear whether OHS intends to utilize some of its own budget to ensure Nashvillians won’t lose their homes due to the HUD changes. On the same day, 20 states filed a federal lawsuit to block the Trump administration from implementing the sweeping changes to the CoC program.
“Should the Nashville CoC be limited to a 30 percent renewal for Permanent Housing funds, it is inevitable that a large number of clients currently in Permanent Housing will lose potentially years-long safe, stable housing,” said Demetris Chaney Perkins, OHS’ public information coordinator, in a written statement. “Given that these clients experience a disability of some kind — as required for program participation — they would be at a high risk of returning to unsheltered homelessness. Indeed, clients who are currently in subsidized Permanent Housing would not qualify for transitional housing programs unless they first return to homelessness.”
Metro Council provided OHS with an additional $5 million budget increase in the current fiscal year, including at least $2 million that seemed to be dedicated to permanent supportive housing, which may not have been allocated to a specific program yet. OHS has an overall budget of more than $11 million.
Metro cannot easily make up the $6.9 million in permanent housing funds we’ll see cut by the CoC program.
However, if — as announced — the local CoC leaders prioritize permanent supportive housing and potentially save MDHA’s Shelter Plus Care program, then Metro certainly can step in and ensure that the more than 100 people who are currently in other CoC-funded permanent supportive housing programs remain in their homes.
My Experience with Case Management
My first experience ever having a case manager was when I moved here to Nashville. And I had a really bad experience. My first case management was through the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) when I was still on the streets, and I was under the impression. that they were helping me get into housing. But I kept getting told at first, “It’s better if we put you in rehab.” And I kept telling them that there weren’t any rehabs that would take me because of my disability being so severe. Well, as time went on, they were supposed to help me get a referral for Urban Housing Solu-
BY ASHLEY R.
tions. They were supposed to do paperwork for my Section 8 voucher. And come to find out, none of that stuff was ever done.
I was one of those folks who was really good at keeping my appointments with case managers. I did everything I was supposed to, got them my birth certificate, social security card. Well, after a while, I found out that they had quit giving out Section 8 vouchers. And then I was like, oh no, what am I going to do?
Well, my social worker from another organization got me in touch with People Loving Nashville. I had my housing coordinator from
Spread the Word
BY CHUCK C., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
Having been involved with The Contributor since its beginning in December of 2007, I have seen many changes in our street paper with great strides being made in issues produced, vendors selling our paper and local, national and international recognition.
Sometimes I think we take this great gift of The Contributor for granted. There were times when labor pools, panhandling and, small cash-paid odd jobs were all many of us had to look to to earn any income. Thanks to much hard work and dedication of many, many
“Drinking With the Angels”
SEAN L., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
I met a barrel master once, in Nashville, Tennessee, He talked about what is, what was, and what was going to be. ‘Life’s about much more than aging liquor in a tree’
But this was not the only thing the big man told to me.
The first cut is for the Angels, that heavenly, golden goo. Last cut, the potent, dark resin, is reserved for … you know who.
Now, let that marinate a sec, and there you have a clue. It helps to know who you’re drinking with, so you’ll know what to do.
The last thing that he told me on that sunny, autumn day: “May Jack always be with you.”
It still goes a long way.
When nine o’clock approaches, And the Angels have been good, Drink up! Yet still remember, You sip from the Devil’s … barrel.
About Homeless
LASHIKA, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
They walk the streets
Try to find food and a place
That they can call home they out here eating out of the trash can and they be sleeping on the bus stop try to find some help to find some where to live they out here struggle but they don’t have much money cannot sit down and have Thanksgiving with they family.
there from January until April 2nd, literally four months, and I was in housing. Come to find out that I had no Section 8 voucher paperwork done. My Urban Housing Solutions application had never been put in. But my housing coordinator through People Loving Nashville helped me get all that done. All he said was I had to keep my appointments with him, and that was easy. If I wasn’t able to get to him, we planned for him to get to me. He even helped me get my ID. He helped me get a home. I feel like OHS just strung me along because they just wanted me to go back home to
people we have a product worth reading, selling and being proud of.
That’s where spreading the word comes in. There are still many folks who have not heard of The Contributor or have not heard of our struggles, successes and for many the ultimate goal of substantial, permanent housing.
Those of us who have been fortunate enough to be housed for a good number of years, owe it to the reading public to be en-
They
REE CHEERS,
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS
They have had shortcomings. They have faced darkness.
They have been overlooked, forgotten in rooms where their names should have been spoken.
They have lost pieces of themselves trying to hold everything together.
They have known sadness that words could never fully describe. They have wandered, searching for peace in places that offered none.
They have been lied on, laughed at, and pushed aside. They have been abused — in body, mind and spirit. They have been wild, learning lessons the hard way. They have left, not because they wanted to, but because staying wouldn’t broken them.
They have been frowned upon, whispered about, and judged by those who never took the time to understand.
Who is They?
They is me.
They is you.
They is the person you cross paths with every single day.
So be mindful — as you elevate in life, stay humble in spirit. Because the same person you frown upon today may be the same person you’ll have to cross paths with on your way back down.
Treat people with kindness. You never know the story behind their eyes.
The Nashville Homeless Choir invites you to attend a performance on Dec. 17 at the Downtown Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
my family or figure out how to get off drugs on my own. I don’t understand if they’re here to help us. Why didn’t they help? I did not want to live outside, and that was the whole reason why I even said I would even do the whole case manager thing. So why didn’t OHS do what they were supposed to? And then when I got involved with People Loving Nashville, I was in housing within four months. Was there something wrong with me? Was it because I was disabled? Was it because I was a drug addict? I don’t know, but that is a big question I have.
couraged to buy our paper, read our paper and share our stories with anyone who will listen. I myself think that spreading the word about The Contributor through our personal testimonies and success stories will be the living proof of how this little street paper has transformed the lives of untold hundreds and provided income and housing and restored dignity, self worth and pride in many of us since 2007.
Unexpected Treats
NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
The day did not appear to be going my way
The first few hours most people stopped only to chat
To offer me a single slice of pizza
Water, coconut juice, a Mountain Dew and things like that, Not that I’m complaining mind you
A girls gotta eat
And it goes down even better when you have something tasty to drink
I must admit, though the pizza hit the spot
But I was still as hungry as could be
That is until Jordan stopped to visit with me,
She asked: ‘you take food don’t you?’
I nodded yes, as a smile came across my face,
As I began to wonder what goodies her cool bag contained
I continued: ‘I like to know what I’m about to eat’
I’m not a BIG fan of mystery meat!
She responded: I’m not really sure what kind of sandwich it is I know it has pork, is that ok?
Again I smiled and explain
I am hungry and right now even my arm is looking good enough to eat!
I grabbed my cane and attempted to stand
Then my cane fell to the ground
She got out of her truck and brought it to my chair
I started eating it then and there!
This is PROOF that God answers prayers!
You see I’d been speaking to him as I sat on the side of the road
Telling him I had plenty to drink
Now if only I had something to eat
I went on to explain I don’t want to spend what little money I had made on food
And I was confident that he understood what I meant I had more important things to do with it instead
But then again he already knew that
He didn’t have to be told
We’d had that conversation many times before
Don’t get me wrong, I’m ALWAYS grateful no matter what I get
But this one was special because I received one of my favorites
A Muffaletta on crusty Italian bread
It was THE BEST!!!
Frankenstein is monstrous and masterful on Netflix
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein delivers Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel as the sprawling gothic epic it was always meant to be. Leading up to the film’s release (it hit theaters on Oct. 17 and landed on Netflix on Nov. 7), the writer/ director told interviewers he wanted to give viewers the adventure story thrills that he felt the first time he read Shelley’s masterpiece. Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist consumed by his ambition to create new life after he experiences grief as a young boy. Mia Goth plays Frankenstein’s mother and Elizabeth — a forbidden love interest who serves as the conscience in a story marked by obsession and extremism. Of course, the doctor’s experiment succeeds in bringing a Creature into existence (Jacob Elordi in the film’s standout performance), but the results prove monstrous in ways Victor never anticipated. The aftermath sets creator and creation on a collision course ranging from remote Arctic reaches, to bloody European battlefields, to big questions about what it means to be human.
BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC
Fans of the various Frankenstein film adaptations will find new revelations here, but most are in keeping with — or at least inspired by — Shelley’s original novel. Many critics have made hay about del Toro turning the monster into a superhero. Although the director exaggerates the monster’s physical abilities, the book describes the Creature with exceptional size, strength, speed and a stubborn resistance to injury. Despite James Whale and Boris Karloff’s iconic, clumsy, zombie-like creation, Frankenstein’s monster was always intended to be a superhuman built to live beyond death, and del Toro’s movie restores him in all his athletic glory.
The film, like the book, includes the interweaving narratives of the scientist and the monster: Victor, driven by scientific hubris, loss and family trauma, and the Creature, who grapples with his unnatural origins and a desperate need for companionship in a world that only sees him as a threat. The movie explores the fraught father-son dynamic between the pair, as the Creature seeks meaning and con-
nection while Victor confronts the devastating consequences of playing God.
Del Toro has described his Frankenstein film as a lifelong passion project. The director built practical sets for Frankenstein’s laboratory and other key locations, eschewing digital effects in favor of old-fashioned craftsmanship. Del Toro fans will understand how the writer/director’s old school movie making experiences for his Crimson Peak (2015) period haunted house film served as a warm-up for this project. Frankenstein’s production design is the film’s biggest star with Frankenstein’s tower, countryside villages and war-torn battle fields drenched in theatrical light and shadows, as well as gallons of phony scarlet blood.
The results are gorgeous and fantastically stylized, rejecting horror-movie realism for a celebration of the over-the-top aesthetics of gothic romance. Elordi’s Creature undergoes a series of transformative makeup and costume changes as his character’s jigsaw puzzle physicality heals. He wears a set of 42 prosthetic applications in early, full body shots of the
newly-risen Creature, but by the end of the film, his various sewn-together pieces are defined using only various colors of makeup and body paint. The effect is visually arresting, and it doubles down on the movie’s theatrical look. Del Toro’s Frankenstein movie has been one of my most highly anticipated films of the year, and I was hoping for a great new adaptation that would combine the best of the original book with the writer-director’s unmistakable style. Viewers less familiar with the book may be surprised or even confused with some of del Toro’s choices, but most fans of classic horror and period movies will find lots to like here. And The Contributor’s readers will relate to this timeless story about an outsider in search of community and a home.
Frankenstein is streaming on Netflix
Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.
