February Pop Culture Picks
January/February 2024
March 2, 2024 (sorry)
I know, I’m late. 2024 is not the year of timeliness I suppose. But better late than never, and wow we are back baby, and quite frankly a little overwhelmed with picks. By taking a bye month (that works here right?, I’m such a football girlie), we have a lot of things to get through. So let’s begin. For starters, I had a cool girl wannabe celebrity influencer adjacent moment and I was asked to contribute to this fun Valentine’s day newsletter. Because of all the content, I couldn’t fit the food section, but DC girls, please go to Lutece.
Anyway, I’m so glad we’re back to the regularly scheduled programming. Hope you enjoy the newsletter!
MOVIES
The Holdovers- Cozy. An instant Christmas Classic. That’s the only way I can describe this movie. It’s been a while since I forgot that people were acting. Paul Giamatti, DaVine Randolph, and Dominic Sessa really were those characters. It was wholesome, sweet, and perfect for a cold day in. (Peacock)
If You Were The Last- I don’t know if you can call this a movie. It actually felt like more a music video? I still loved it. If you know me, you know I detest all things Sci-Fi (not you Dune, I love Dune), but this movie despite being about two astronauts being lost in space was just a wonderful little watch. If you watch it, please let me know what you think. (Peacock)
American Fiction- This is the first GREAT movie I have seen in so long and surely my favorite of the year so far. Jeffrey Wright and Sterling Brown are unbelievably good in this. This movie is everything— it’s funny, it’s sad, it’s heartfelt, it’s sarcastic, and incredibly genuine at the same time. I know the Oscars is packed with stuff this year, but I really hope this brings home a few awards. A great movie that is easy to watch, what a concept. Also Seth Cohen pops in for a few minutes which is always a delight. (Theaters)
Anyone But You- If Sydney Sweeney has one hater, it’s me. I am not a fan. But man was this movie great. Give the girls what we want, rom-coms. This is the type of movie that I will always watch if it’s on TBS. Glen Powell is so handsome and there are truly some laugh out loud moments. Bonus points if you go see it with your best friend (Theaters)
Players — We need more of these. We need more sub two hour very easy to watch rom coms. We need more movies where the plot is predictable and the people are pretty. I watched this on a plane and gotta say it was a perfect in flight movie. Tom Ellis is so handsome. (Netflix)
TV
Mr and Mrs Smith- I had mixed feelings going into this show. I distinctly remember the excitement seeing Brangelina in 2005 and just knew nothing could replicate that feeling. I was right and wrong. That feeling was not replicated but something a little different emerged. I loved the first half of this season, and had mixed feelings about the second half. The show is worth a watch for Donald Glover’s style alone. (Amazon Prime)
One Day- Another remake. I held off on watching this show because I remember watching the Anne Hathaway movie and honestly feeling very mediocre about it. But representation matters, and we had to show up for our girl Ambika Mod who is amazing in this. If you want to feel sad, nostalgic, and general pain in your heart, I highly recommend this show. (Netflix)
BOOKS
Sharp Objects- I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately and decided I needed to read something ‘decidedly good.’ I remember this book being all the hype, and I loved Gone Girl. Thankfully the Libby gods obliged and I was able to read it immediately. Gotta love instant gratification. This book is haunting, and slow, and a bit scary— not things I typically enjoy but I couldn’t put this down. It was giving Mare of Easttown vibes with perfect writing. Highly recommend. (Gillian Flynn)
“They always call depression the blues, but I would have been happy to waken to a periwinkle outlook. Depression to me is urine yellow, washed out, exhausted miles of weak piss.”
MUSIC
Fast Car - If you grew up with the radio (G105 hive rise up), you definitely remember hearing this song on the way to and from school. You loved it but didn’t exactly know why. This grammy performance of Tracy and Luke might be my favorite live music performance to date. It was beautiful, emotional, and perfect. I can’t stop listening. (Tracy Chapman)
Texas Hold Em’ - Similar to Sci-Fi, I do not love Country Music, but that was before Miss Beyonce decided to take a stab at it. Since then, I can’t stop listneing to this song. Thank god I already own two pairs of cowboy boots. We are ready for the album ma’am. (Beyonce)
Vibey Beachy Hindi Music- Ishq Jaisa Kuch and Akhiyaan Gulaab. Remember when Nashe si Chadh Gayi came out and we all lost our minds, but then there was this huge lack of tro ho hindi music until Gehriyaan came out. Anyway, even if what I’m saying sounds like absolute gibberish to you, go to spotify and listen to these two bops. I love the era of chill bollywood jams. (Spotify)
Things I’m Thinking About- Why Steph Curry is the godfather of Lindsay Lohan’s baby and if they met on the set of Irish Wish. Why Jenny Lyons is commenting on Arjun Kapoor’s instagram. How Pookie always manages to look fire. How good Usher was on roller skates at the Halftime show. Sabrina Ionescu. Who decided to cast Monica Lewinsky for Reformation ads. If Zuck asked his colleagues what to wear for the Ambani wedding celebration. Where Kate Middleton really is. Who yelled at Rebecca Ferguson, reverend mother. How much money the Wonka experience made.
That’s a wrap on this special double edition. Thanks for tuning in. If you have any recommendations for me please email, text, dm, or facetime. (No calls)
I too have been thinking about the thought process behind Reformation’s Monica campaign (she looked great in it though)!!! Also about to go down a Steph Curry - Lindsey Lohan rabbit hole.