Happy Cancer-Free Saturday

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Hello! A quick health update before we get to this week’s movies.

I’m happy to report that I’m cancer-free. Yesterday, I had a follow-up appointment with my breast surgeon, and she confirmed what I suspected but didn’t want to assume, or announce: That she got rid of all the DCIS and atypia with the lumpectomy she did the previous week.

It’s crazy how quickly all of this has happened, how much breast cancer upended my life, and how it’s over just as quickly. My first suspicious mammogram was Feb. 11; my surgery was May 5. This is the way it should happen, ideally: An annual exam finds the problem early, doctors pounce on it quickly, and you’re able to resume your life. Now I’m just waiting to hear about when I should start radiation, or whether I need it at all, given what a small amount of cancer there actually was in my body.

I feel incredibly fortunate for medical technology, for my husband’s health insurance, for the flexibility in my work to make all those biopsies and MRIs and the transportation to get to them, and for the incredible support system of family and friends who looked after me and made me feel so loved. I realize how lucky I am. I know my experience is unusual. But it’s also inspired other people to get their mammograms and stay on top of their own health, and I’m gratified for that.

It’s going to be a long Saturday but a fun one as Chris and I head to the Rose Bowl for this year’s Cruel World Festival: an all-day concert featuring tons of ‘80s bands we love. I’ve so glad I’ve recovered from surgery enough to attend, because we’ve had this on the calendar for a while. We’ve seen some of these acts before (New Order, Nick Cave, Devo, OMD) but haven’t seen others (The Go-Go’s, Garbage, Madness). This is the first time ‘Til Tuesday is playing together in 40 years, so that’ll be cool. And Nick Cave always puts on an incredible show. Cruel World is essentially Goth Prom: a bunch of middle-aged people dressing up like Robert Smith and Siouxsie Sioux in their most elaborate black eyeliner, teased-up hair and fishnets. I always feel like the bitchy, preppy best friend in an ‘80s rom-com by comparison. But it’s going to be a blast, I’m psyched.

OK, thanks for indulging me with all these personal updates. As for movies, things are getting back to normal somewhat at our Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast. Here’s what we reviewed this week:

• MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING. Tom Cruise puts his 62-year-old body in harm’s way, again, for our entertainment. This can only mean one thing: Summer is officially here. The eighth and supposedly last installment in this action franchise is both thrilling and exhausting — self-serious, but also very silly. We have a super-early, spoiler-free review. In theaters May 23.

• FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES. The sixth film in this wild horror franchise actually has a lot in common with the latest “Mission: Impossible,” in that it incorporates and reframes elements of the previous ones. But you don’t need to have seen any of the others to enjoy the hilariously elaborate, meticulously paced kills. This movie is fun. In theaters.

• HURRY UP TOMORROW. The Weeknd casts aside his on-stage persona in what amounts to a feature-length music video for his new album. It seems that Abel Tesfaye — the real name the pop star now plans to go by — intended this as his “Purple Rain.” Instead, it’s a cringe vanity project. Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan can only do so much. In theaters.

Over at our Patreon, Alonso and I recapped the final three episodes of “Andor.” We’re heartbroken to say goodbye to this series, which took the “Star Wars” mythology into deeper and more complex places. The prequel to “Rogue One” was unlike anything we’d seen before from this storied franchise: We were blown away by the performances, the production and costume design, the music, and the brilliant writing from creator Tony Gilroy and his team. Nic and I held our breath during those last hours, hoping they’d stick the landing, and they did. You can watch all of our “Andor” recaps here, even if you’re not a subscriber. (They’re available for individual purchase, but why not join us and get all the benefits of membership?)

And once you’ve watched the series finale, check out this lengthy, insightful Q&A in Vanity Fair between Gilroy and my old friend and former Associated Press colleague Anthony Breznican.

Also at our Patreon, we’ve started recapping “Poker Face” season 2. We love this show so much: The vibrant creative connection between creator Rian Johnson and star Natasha Lyonne is so playful and clever — plus, I enjoy the effortless cool of everything she wears. This modern-day “Columbo”-style detective series features a different murder each week for Lyonne’s character to solve, and an exciting array of guest stars shows up each time. “Poker Face” is on Peacock, and we’ll have recaps on Tuesdays.

Gonna wrap it up here to start planning my Cruel World outfit. THANK YOU so much again for all of your support and well wishes over the past couple months. I appreciate it more than you know. If you’ve enjoyed my newsletter, I hope you’ll pass it along to someone else who might like it. Have a great week, and I’ll see you back here next Saturday.