While we do love us some books, believe it not, we do have a life outside of reading. So to highlight our other pop culture interests, on the last Monday of each month, we each will highlight three other “happenings” from the last month. Big events on favorite TV shows, new movies we’ve watched, old movies we’ve “discovered,” etc. Pretty much whatever we found of particular interest outside of the book world during the last month. Share your own favorite things in the comments!
Serena’s Picks
Video Game: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”
Like many video game players, I had never heard of this game until it dropped a few weeks ago. For me, it seemed to come out of nowhere and taking the gaming world by storm! After watching the trailer, I was easily sold on the visuals alone. It doesn’t hurt either that the cast is phenomenal (we’ve got Charlie Cox AND Andy Serkis!). But even with all the hype, even I wasn’t expecting how much I would love this game! It’s beautiful, heart-wrenching, and had me fully engrossed for its entire play through. One of those games that leaves you with a gaming hangover, wondering where to go next. Probably back to “Baldur’s Gate 3” for a comfort run, honestly…
TV Show: “Top Chef: Destination Canada”
I feel like have a variety of cooking reality shows I go to for different things. Want something kind of trashy but fun? “Master Chef.” Want something full of trash people getting yelled at this is all about the drama and barely about food at all? “Hell’s Kitchen.” However, if I want a show about people who can actually cook well who will be evaluated objectively by quality judges, than “Top Chef” is the obvious choice. I’ve even got my husband watching it with me, and it’s the perfect “end of the day” wind down kind of comfort show I need after the craziness that is the end of the school year madness.
Movie: “Thunderbolts*”
The last few years of Marvel movies has been…rough. However, other than the most recent “Captain America” movie that I’m waiting to catch on streaming, I have managed to keep up with it. However, it’s felt more like an obligation done in the hopes of being prepared for a return to greatness at some point. And while “Thunderbolts” may not have been considered “great” when Marvel was at the height of its powers, it’s by far the most enjoyable movie I’ve seen in the franchise for quite some time. Honestly, the executives at Disney/Marvel should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars that they somehow managed to nab Florence Pugh years ago. Wisely, they now seem to recognize the talent they have and, while the movie definitely has an ensemble cast, Pugh takes center stage through much of it. Not only does she bring the necessary gravitas the movie needs, but her deadpan humor also reigns in the goofy/aggressive quirkiness that has too often overtaken Marvel movies recently. The rest of the cast is also excellent, and by the time I got to the end of this movie, I found myself in the almost novel state of being excited to see what comes next!
Kate’s Picks
TV Show: “Conan O’Brien Must Go”
Conan O’Brien has been a fave of mine since I was in high school (probably like many weirdo elder millennials), and I’ve followed his career through the years, constantly impressed with the way he expands his horizons and niches. His travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” is back, and it’s still as charming and entertaining as ever! This season, Conan goes to visit Spain, Austria, and my very favorite place in the world, New Zealand! We get some really interesting insights into the culture and history of the places he visits, but we also get the trademark Conan humor and quirkiness as he interacts not only with locals, but also celebrities that call these countries their home. And while I loved seeing Taika Waititi for New Zealand showing off his Kiwi pride, it was Javier Bardem in Spain who REALLY entertained, as you could tell that he and Conan were having a blast (also I have a huge thing for Javier Bardem). Their chemistry was palpable. My only complaint? I want MORE than three episodes a season! Oh well.
Video Game: “Hello Kitty Island Adventure”
I’m trying to prevent another burn out moment this summer, as LAST summer I was in a pretty rocky place right around this time going through June. So I’m taking more time to rest, more time to connect with friends, AND I’m leaning in to more cozy things. One of those things is the video game “Hello Kitty Island Adventure”! It’s basically “Animal Crossing” with Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, Keroppi, My Melody, and more. You get to design your own character, and then go on puzzles and quests to restore an island community and theme park with known adorable favorites. And it also has a cameo from Retsuko of “Aggretsuko” fame! I’m playing with my daughter, who adores Hello Kitty, and that has been a fun experience as well (though she has a LOT of opinions about what I should be doing). It’s just cute and cozy, and it’s so easy to get lost as I fish, create, help out friends, and explore.
TV Show: “Drag Den”
Whenever a season of the regular “RuPaul’s Drag Race” wraps up, it’s guaranteed that “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” will be hot on its heels. But I’ve been a bit reticent when it comes to “All Stars” in the past few years, and I’m not quite ready to pass judgement on the season as a whole yet. BUT, there is another drag show that I am fully on board with, and that show is “Drag Den”! Hosted by my all time favorite Ru Girl Manila Luzon, “Drag Den” is a drag/pageant competition that showcases and focuses on Filipino Drag and Pageantry. Based in the Philippines, “Drag Den” has a number of Filipino drag artists competing for the title of “Next Drag Supreme”. The contestants are all quite talented, the focus on Filipino culture, drag and otherwise, is refreshing and enlightening to this Western drag fan, and I just love having Manila on the screen again. Some of my favorites in Season 1 are Barbie-Q, Shewarma, and Naia. And something I LOVE about this show is that no one gets eliminated episode by episode, instead giving them points that will determine the top 3. So they all get to shine and show off all their talents the entire run! Show off that Pinoy Pride, queens!!!
The Library Ladies 