We do not know the code of our own cognition.
human inferiority complex, refuge from the butt-kissers, and I like indie vampires
¿What you heard?
“We do not know the code of our own cognition.”
When Khayyam Khan (a man who absolutely lives up to his awesome name) said this to me at an AI studio event in West Hollywood on Tuesday, I had to stop him before he could spit his next bar.
“Let’s just take a moment to recognize what an amazing sentence you just said,” I interrupted.
We were in the one quiet corner at The Peppermint Club, and he was explaining AI algorithms versus human brains and why he thinks the robots will never really be better than us.
I agreed with him, but then, when the event ended, I stood outside chatting with a woman named Jagger Waters (who also lives up to her outstanding name) as she waited for her ride — a Waymo because, she said, they’re just the best drivers.
What you doin’?!
The Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival (LAICFF) was such a good time.
It was super low-key. I stayed the whole day, and the small James Bridges Theater at UCLA was never more than 75 percent full, and at the end of the festival, I had to help Dan Bennett, the founder, pack up the step and repeat banner we’d just taken pictures in front of because, aside from the UCLA staff, he was one-man-banding the entire event.
Some folks may sniff and huff and lift their noses at a thing like this, but I thought it was completely exceptional.
Whereas the bigger festivals I’ve attended are usually filled with folk puckering for a butt to kiss and begging for a break, everyone I met at LAICFF was there for one reason, the right reason— because they love film.
What you seen??
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008) has reminded me of what I like in a vampire movie, and sorry not sorry, it isn’t Sinners (2025), although I did enjoy that film.
My favorites are about understated, relatable monsters who exist in society very nearly as one of us. In order, my three favorite live action vampire films are…
The Lost Boys (1987)
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Let the Right One In
Also, animation-wise, Vampires in Havana (1985) is superb, although definitely not in the same category of vampire film as these other three.
You disagree? Bite me.