I Watched and Read Some Cool Sh*t in Q3
We Were Inside!
The last quarter has been bursting with life changes so please excuse the complete radio silence. Sean and I moved in together; After a gluten intolerance diagnosis, I have experienced peaks and valleys with my diet and body; Sean’s family graciously included me in their beautiful family vacation in Northern California and I went out to Denver to visit my friend Tess. And finally, after 4 years of working from home I started a new job, in office, at a production company. I am so grateful.
July and September were big indoors months for me. The New York summer was hot and muggy, and honestly, I took August off in between jobs and I’ve been pretty broke since then. No ragrets though. Now the leaves are starting to crunch beneath our feet and the weather is chilling. Also, our new couch is comfy as hell. Why wouldn’t I be inhaling TV? Here are my highlights:
Television
Bad Sisters on Apple TV
I was introduced to Sharon Horgan in This Way Up. She plays the responsible older sister again, however, this time with a murderous intent. Bad Sisters will piss you off, make you cry and then laugh the tears away. I zoomed through this show just in time for its second season coming in November. This was also my introduction to Eve Hewson who is actually an amazing actor. Win for nepo-babies all over.
Industry on Max
Season three aired this past Sunday so I am still reeling. This season this show has been what I think they were going for this entire time. I enjoy Industry for the acting, the fast pace and glimpses into a world I want no part in. This season we got humor (primarily from Kit Harrington which was such a pleasant treat), thrill and a bit of heart break. I was so excited to see Yas and Harper fully come into themselves, Eric flesh out a bit more and Rishi…f*ck that guy. I had to pause in the middle of his bottle episode because it was too intense.
Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu/FX/Disney+
The entire docu-series about Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds buying a welsh football team is an incredible lesson on the power of marketing and money. I like the umbrella of sports. I like the camaraderie it brings to a community and the emotions it brings up in people who, maybe, you didn’t think had any. Sean and I randomly started watching this and got hooked. I want a Paul Mulin jersey now! We keep up with their scores (doing amazing this season) but they’re still not good enough to have their games streamed. The show will do for now.
Queenie on Hulu/FX/Disney+
I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams when it first came out and I didn’t really know what to think of it. Maybe it was that I wasn’t ready for the messages about womanhood and blackness in predominantly white spaces. I also wasn’t ready to read about a young Black woman being deeply flawed. In my opinion the show was better than the book, which truly never happens. It’s hard for movies to go into as much depth as books do. But a limited series? We can expand. I hope this continues in the industry. Carty-Williams herself created the show and has main writing credits on all eight episodes. Another trend that needs to continue for book adaptations. She had space to give deeper glimpses into why Queenie does what she does, versus the book where we follow Queenie’s stream of consciousness through her chaotic life. If you’re looking to dig deep and change your life, this show is motivation.
Nobody Wants This on Netflix
Who knew Kristen Bell and Adam Brody had incredible chemistry? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone believably fall in love like they do on screen. This is a romantic comedy that anyone seeking to create in the genre should watch as a prime example. This show is a gorgeous, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner story about a hot Rabbi and an agnostic blonde girl. Ten digestible episodes with amazing music, a great cast and genuinely funny moments.
Weekly/Continued Watches
The English Teacher on Hulu/FX/Disney+
Kevin Can F**k Himself on Netflix
The Penguin on Max
Heartstopper on Netflix
Only Murders in the Building on Hulu/Disney+
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Hulu/Bravo/Disney+
Movies
Didi 2024 Directed by Sean Wang
Not enough people I know are talking about this movie. This film has next level nostalgia for my peers. It’s set in 2008 which was the first year I started to remember, like, anything. AIM, the beginning of YouTube, Facebook, MySpace; Being a minority in a place that does not understand you, but not being old enough to understand the concept anyway.
Love & Other Drugs 2010 Directed by Edward Zwick
I do not understand why people actually hate this movie. Maybe it’s because they’re criticizing it from a ~film ~ lens, while I’m absorbing it from the Romantic Comedy lens. From the latter, it’s a perfect movie. It’s so funny that Pzfizer didn’t sue production for not only using their name but completely calling them out as a problematic lead in the pharmaceutical industry. I cannot remember a romantic comedy where the scene is set in actual, real problems. Anne Hathaway was amazing as always (except for that Les Mis era where she annoyed me).
Do The Right Thing 1989 Directed by Spike Lee
Initially, my friend Terran and I celebrated this film’s 35th anniversary in July in the pouring rain where Spike Lee hosted a block party. Flava Flav performed “Fight the Power” for what felt like 20 minutes. Later in the summer BRIC hosted a less hectic viewing in Prospect Park that we attended. Watching this movie on a grand scale, in Brooklyn, was really special. It is a great summer film, as well as the perfect Radicalization origin story for any viewer.
The Batman 2022 Directed by Matt Reeves
First time I watched this I kept falling asleep. It is my fault, as I was watching right before bed, snuggled up with the lights off. It is also a pretty quiet movie. But this time I watched with Sean who forced me to stay awake. It timed up perfectly because Penguin is releasing weekly now on Max.
Love Lies Bleeding 2024 Rose Glass
Look I am really trying to watch more serious things. I am a depressed person who takes on other people’s emotions very easily, so I naturally stay away from anything possibly intense. I didn’t really know anything about this movie outside it being gay and starring Kristen Stewart. I’m In! It was gory, gripping and kind of ridiculous. I liked it.
Movies I’m Looking Forward To Seeing in Q4
His Three Daughters (September 2024)
I saw The TV Glow (May 2024)
The Substance (September 2024)
Anora (October 2024)
My Old Ass (September 2024)
Wicked (November 2024)
Saturday Night (October 2024)
This quarter I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab for bookclub. I enjoyed the fantasticalness the book gives as I typically go for narrative, plain fiction about people’s lives. If someone has any insight into how this book stars a girl named Adeline who can’t grow old…and The Age of Adeline also exists without conflict? Let me know in the comments. I would read a prequel from Luc’s (the antagonist) perspective.
I just picked up The Trust by Hernan Diaz for bookclub and Yellowface R.F. Kuang from the library. Excited to get into both!
Although I have some things queued up for the quarter, I’m always open to suggestions! What do you think I should add to my list before the year ends?