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Wordle


In today’s online world of incessant pop-ups and ads, there’s something comforting about a plain white screen with 30 blank squares and a light-gray keyboard. Wordle, a free daily word game—guess a hidden five-letter word in six tries—was originally designed by a Brooklyn software engineer for his partner. Through word-of-mouth, the game has gone viral around the globe, with millions of people now playing each day. It was going swimmingly until last Wednesday, when the hidden word (Wordle No. 207) turned out to be “favor,” something almost most everyone outside of America would spell “favour.” Backlash ensued, with one British user commenting: “Wordle 207 will go down in history as the one that pushed Britain and America the closest they’ve been to war since 1812.” If you haven’t tried your hand at the game yet, go see what all the fuss is about. (powerlanguage.co.uk) —Julia Vitale

RED ROCKET, from left: Suzanna Son, Simon Rex, 2021.
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Red Rocket


Mikey Davis, a charming, once successful porn star, flees Los Angeles. With nowhere else to go, he returns to his hometown, Texas City, to crash on the couch of his estranged wife’s mom. As in his other films, writer-director Sean Baker cast the lead roles in Red Rocket with unknowns—amateurs who you would guess are Method actors. Simon Rex—a total hunk turned porn star turned MTV V.J. turned Scary Movie actorstars as Davis, a total hunk turned porn star turned weed dealer. His love interest: 17-year-old Strawberry, played by Suzanna Son, some girl Baker saw outside the ArcLight Hollywood in 2018. Their manager-pimp-sweetheart relationship is more tender than you’d guess from that description. (a24films.com) —Jensen Davis

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Ta Khut at Posada Ayana


In José Ignacio, a quaint Uruguayan seaside town, South America’s first freestanding Skyspace by James Turrell recently opened. The installation, called Ta Khut—“the light,” in early Egyptian—sits inside the eight-bedroom, family-owned Posada Ayana hotel. Lapacho-wood sliding doors open onto a granite rotunda, where a circular white sphere reflects and refracts colored lights. Visiting times are at sunrise (5:00 a.m.) and sunset (7:30 p.m.). Prepare for a meditative 45-minute light show. It’s most dazzling at sunrise, if you can manage it. But bring a sweater. (posada-ayana.com) —Elena Clavarino

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Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera


Over six episodes, Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera, a new podcast from Wondery, tells the story of how a 2004 reality show billed as a dating show “with a twist” turned into something a little more complicated. Sky TV’s There’s Something About Miriam followed six British men enjoying a palatial villa in Ibiza as they fought for cash and the affection of Miriam Rivera, a Mexican model. As for that twist, which is revealed in the season finale, Miriam is a trans woman. Narrated by Trace Lysette, and including excerpts from Rivera’s blog and diary, along with interviews with the show’s cast and crew, the podcast looks at how a program with such a manipulative premise managed to make it on TV. (wondery.com) —Bridget Arsenault

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Adidas by Prada Re-Nylon


Just in time for These Times, Prada and Adidas have teamed up for the third incarnation of their sustainability-minded capsule collection. Made by Prada in Italy, Adidas by Prada Re-Nylon uses that textile, which comprises textile fibers and plastic waste pulled from the ocean. Equally suited to staying at home and hitting the town, the collection offers 21 pieces, including jackets, pants, bags of all persuasions, and sneakers—many of which feature Adidas’s signature three-stripes motif. It will sell out quickly, but if your favorite piece disappears, fret not; at the end of 2021, Prada shifted all of their nylon production to Re-Nylon. Feel free to pick up a few earth-friendly essentials from Prada’s ready-to-wear collection as well. ($495–$2,480; adidas.com) —Ashley Baker

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Tracie Martyn


According to Kate Winslet, a Tracie Martyn facial makes “you look like you’ve been on a two-week retreat to Thailand.” Since tropical retreats are a tricky proposition these days, Martyn’s trademarked Resculpting Facial is the next best thing—especially when it’s done by the Resculptor machine at her opulent loft in New York’s Flatiron District. Many of America’s most recognizable faces are a testament to its effects—Brad Pitt, Cindy Crawford, Oprah Winfrey, Kaia Gerber, Rihanna, and dozens of others who put their makeup-free selfies all over Instagram. For those in more far-flung locales, the lifting, tightening, and hydrating can be approximated at home, thanks to Martyn’s top-notch product line. In the winter, when banging radiators leave skin dry, the Firming Serum must be applied liberally. An all-in-one marvel, it works as both a hydrating and an anti-aging agent for the face and eye area. ($198, traciemartyn.com) —Ashley Baker

Issue No. 131
January 15, 2022
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Issue No. 131
January 15, 2022