“Cut to the Feeling” is a monthly column by Anne T. Donahue about art and pop culture that evokes joy, sadness, nostalgia, and everything in between.
If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that that time is just a myth. Illusion. Time is the bedtime story we have told ourselves over and over again, and despite all the evidence that it has never existed and never will exist, we still find ourselves in numbers. We believe in the passage of days, months, weeks, and years, and we write them down as if they mean something. .
Actually, it’s 2004. More specifically, it’s the most hellish version of a year that’s questionable at best.
Although everything old is inevitably new again (and I base my entire identity on it), 2024 is an anomaly defined by the cultural legacy of its predecessors from 20 years ago. Relics of the past are emerging to claim the throne or usher in a very specific renaissance, even in Marvel-adjacent blockbusters (see below) madame web, (set in 2003) reminds us of the dawn of one of the ugliest eras in modern history. can’t believe it? A receipt will also be included. In 2004, we hadn’t adopted digital records yet, so keep only your physical copies.
Leap Year and Justin Timberlake’s Comeback
Let’s start with the most obvious. Like 2004, this year is also a leap year, extending the worst month of the Gregorian calendar. Sure, his February this year was unseasonably warm, but that sunshine, unlike his previous Februarys, is a reminder that this year we’re not that close to the catastrophic endgame of climate change. It’s a constant reminder. Also Justin Timberlake.
In 2004, Justin Timberlake infamously ripped off Janet Jackson’s shirt and threw her under the bus at the Super Bowl, leaving her unharmed. His career flourished and she was vilified, but only by those who couldn’t see beyond the brim of his fedora, who were apparently blinded to the truth. (See: Justin Timberlake has always been an average performer, and Timberland’s take on this song was “Sexy Back.”)
In 2024, Justin Timberlake releases a song called “Selfish” to coincide with his recent announcement that he doesn’t owe anyone an apology and threatens us all with a new album and world tour. There is. Of course this is not true. Not only should he bow down at the altar of Janet Jackson every day, but Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir proves that Justin is a cultural (and literal) threat. But he persevered, continuing to perform at big venues, dancing like someone’s cousin at a big family wedding. Worse, unlike his 2004 catalog, “Selfish” is boring and forgettable, proving that 2024 is the worst version of most things, especially JT.
apprentice premiered
In 2004, apprentice When it premiered, for just a split second, we all said, “You’re fired!” As if we were brandishing power and wit like some scary man who directed the show. But this joke applies to all of us. Because our commitment to watching the worst people try to win over the worst people is not only a travesty from 2016 to 2020, but a possible sequel to 2024. Because it also led to I will curse Mark Burnett until I can curse no more. That’s all I can legally say.
sex and the city Ended, just start again
In 2004, sex and the city ‘ has come to an end, bringing an end to all good stories about Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. We learned that Big’s real name was John Preston (of course it was), that a woman in a couple meant a positive ending, and that the series, which is primarily about female friendships, was called “You’ve Got I learned that ending the song with “the Love” evokes a sweet feeling. Despite your best judgment, those beautiful tears helped justify seeing the second movie in theaters.
As far as I know, the movie doesn’t exist.but And just like that… Season 3 will be filmed in 2024, set in a new apartment and featuring a small cat. is this bad? At least not. But imagine if the original had just ended in 2004, free from Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker’s feud, or whatever character Steve might have evolved into. Big is going to die in the peloton, but it’s never going to affect us. Glory to you!
Lindsay Lohan was dragged and dragged again
In 2004, Lindsay Lohan became a mainstay in the tabloids, making that niche of the industry thrive until the 2010s. Perhaps she has come to evoke the worst versions of us all. As if you were so intoxicated by the power of clicking on Perez Hilton’s junk blog that you couldn’t see any context other than a “train wreck”-like description and didn’t do the equivalent in Waterloo, Ont., on Saturday. , enjoyed photos from her party in Los Angeles. night.
Fortunately, in 2024, we know better. Lindsay Lohan’s trajectory may be different than it was 20 years ago, but old cultural habits die hard.Rohan’s mean girls The cameo was accompanied by Hilton’s once-favorite insult, which brought up another point for me. Why haven’t we moved on from making someone who was still a teenager the villain? Especially within the scope of a movie based on a musical based on a movie about mean girls?
spiderman to madame web
All of them are linked (in a particular year) on her web.
In 2004, spiderman 2 ‘ was released, finally answering the eternal question: ‘What would Tobey Maguire look like if he tried to stop a train?’Of course compared to Marvel’s latest work. spiderman The 2004 version failed to evoke the vulnerability and seriousness that characterized Tom Holland’s Peter Parker (or any other character). spider verse lead). But let’s not forget that back then we were hooked. Alfred Molina was the perfect Dr. Octavius (or Dr. Oct if you’re mean). Kirsten Dunst was a charming MJ. The soundtrack was perfect for the story of an angry Spider-Boy who is well past his 20s but still passes as a high school student (Dashboard Confessional, Yellow Card, Take Back Sunday).
madame webOn the other hand, is symbolic. It’s not so much its plot, its characters, or its ability to tie together the various components of Marvel’s various organizations, but rather its 2003-era fashion, hairstyles, and Dakota Johnson’s participation in the film and supporting junkets. It is more important to be clearly indifferent to After all, this is what 2024 is all about for her. I’m completely exhausted thinking about another comic book based movie. And I blame Tobey Maguire.
low rise pants
Just like in 2004, it’s important that 2024 usher in a new wave of low-rise pants. None of us are safe. We will all suffer. Pray for those you love and those close to you.