Jen V’s March Recs
March simply flew by so forgive my tardy post! I’m also honestly not sure what I did this month, so guess we’ll find out together as I write this!
I finally watched was Spielberg’s West Side Story – gosh, it’s a beautifully shot film. The colour grading! Not something I’d normally notice but it is so sumptuous. I also fell immediately in love with Ariana DeBose, just magnificent. I also started Power of the Dog but wasn’t really paying attention so abandoned it – feels like the kind of film you actually have to pay attention to!
I was going to go see the new Batman (begrudgingly because Robert Pattison is my nemesis and all DC heroes are boring af) but the fact it’s three hours long kept getting in the way. I cannot start a three hour film at 8.30pm. I’m too old for that! I did however see Dog, a road trip type film about a traumatised former soldier (Channing Tatum) taking a traumatised army dog to a funeral. I don’t think the point was how absolutely messed up the US military industrial complex is, but that’s what I took from it.
I have watched a lot of television this month. Here’s what stuck with me:
We are lady parts – this is so good! It follows the members of a Muslim female punk band and it’s just a breath of fresh air. It’s nuanced and genuinely funny. Punk was my first love so this really ticked a lot of boxes for me!
Our flag means death – I almost gave up on this one ep in cause I don’t love Rhys Darby (sorry, please still give me NZ citizenship) but honestly, it just keeps getting better every episode. Just so fun and silly and heart warming and slapstick. Found family being idiots but still loving each other! No toxic masculinity to be seen! Pirates in leather! What more could you want?
The White Lotus – Haven’t decided how I feel about this one yet. The thing that really stood out to me was the use of music, I thought it was a really clever thread woven through the whole narrative. It’s interesting and I was obviously invested enough to keep watching but I don’t know… it’s odd.
Wynnona Earp – Watched the first season of this because one of my colleagues love it. Big Supernatural vibes, but set in a small community. I scare too easily so this is a bit much for me. But if you like Supernatural, I think this is a natural next step!
Drive to Survive - My friend has been recommending this to me for what feels like years but I resisted because a reality series about Formula 1 did not exactly excite me. And I say that as someone who grew up watching F1 every Sunday until my family moved to Australia and time zones made it impossible. Turns out that was a terrible decision on my part because this show is amazing. AMAZING. It is so good. So well done. The production values are off the charts. Every episode is a compelling little narrative. It’s just absolutely captivating. I’m obsessed.
As for books, been cracking on with things. Here are the highlights:
Taste: My life through food by Stanley Tucci – This is a lovely wee read that charts the actor’s life through his relationship with food. There’s a real passion for food that comes through so beautifully in all the anecdotes about family and friends. Truly just a delight and you can so clearly hear his voice as you read it. A good comfort read for sure!
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – Jenn D recommended this to me and again she hit it out of the park! This is a standalone fantasy epic with various female protagonists and it’s just a really refreshing take on classic fantasy tropes. It’s not often that I wish things were a trilogy instead of a standalone but I do actually think if this was a trilogy it’d be an instant classic up there with Lord of the Rings, and as a big a deal as A song of ice and fire. It’s so close to it, it just needed a little more room to explore some of the relationships. But regardless, it’s still really great!
The gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue by Mackenzi Lee – I’m just putting this on the list because the protagonist is basically just every fanfic version if Draco Malfoy and it cracked me up reading it through that lens. Ridiculous? Yes. Fun? Also yes.
I also re-read the Heartstopper graphic novels because the Netflix series drops in April. Get ready people! It’s going to be so toothachingly sweet.
Ok, now podcasts:
Let’s talk about myths baby – get your Greek and Roman mythology fix with a healthy dose of feminism.
The Ladies Guide to Dude Cinema – two comedians talk about the movies dudes can’t believe they haven’t seen yet. I’ve only listened to one ep but it was like arguing with my mates so I’m into it.
The History Chicks – learn about women throughout history!
I’m very late to the party on this but, over the course of March, I got properly into Phoebe Bridgers. So, like, get on that if you’ve been sleeping on her too.
I hope April is good to you all!