Monthly Recap: September 2021

I'm thinking of ending things. And by "ending things" I mean stop blogging as I yet again find myself not enjoying writing on it anymore. Even the weekly Thursday Movie Picks series, which I always loved doing, has become somewhat of a burden, a chore I have to do each week and that it's bringing me very little joy.

Also, I don't really have the time for it. Although I work part-time, I still "lose" about seven hours of my days working, I still want to have my morning walk because it's relaxing, and, now that I'm seriously thinking of taking the admission test for med school next year and have started studying biology, I don't even have the time to do things I love like studying German — yes, I enjoy it —, practising yoga, watching films,  and TV series, and reading books. Not to mention creative writing and doodling, both of which I haven't done in forever.

And then I'm stressing because I missed my period for the past three months and I don't know whether it's because of my physically exhausting job, not eating enough, the COVID vaccine — there's plenty of women who had this side effect —, or maybe a combination of all of them. The good news is that for the first time in my life, at the age of twenty-seven and a half, I want to fall in love. You hear me, Universe?!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella was okay but could have been so much better. While the writing is good, and the novel reads very well, it focuses too often on Audrey's brother rather than Audrey herself and it really takes away from it.

Circe by Madeline Miller was slightly disappointing. Miller is arguably a very talented writer, and she has such a unique way to retell tales we are familiar with, and made them feel as if it's all original content. However, Circe didn't flow as The Song of Achilles did. While it was lovely to learn more about Circe, a character that if often overlooked, I didn't find the story very compelling and didn't have an emotional response to it. 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong broke me in so many different ways it's hard to explain. Like, I would read the most random sentence and, out of nowhere, there'll be tears in my eyes. It is so beautifully written it feels like reading poetry, and it is so emotional and filled with meaning. It's one of the few books that made me feel the emotions the writer wants to convey. If you haven't already, please, please read this book. 

Money Heist - Part 5

Yes, I cried my way through this part too. They killed a character I didn't care much about but, guess what, turns out I cared about them. A lot. Heartbreaks aside, I loved it. I'm curious to see what they'll do with Berlin's son, although I already have a theory, and I really, really can't wait for the final part which will release in December. 

Sex Education - Season 3

The character development in this season is spectacular. They could have delivered the shittiest plot ever — they didn't though — and I still would have been glued to the screen because of how well-written these characters are. They keep avoiding stereotypes and further explore themes of sexuality. The acting is great as usual, there are some very emotional bits, and it has its funny moments. 

I only watched six films in September which is the lowest this year. So far. As I'm pretty sure I'll somehow manage to do even worse in these three final months of the year. Anyway, at least I didn't watch anything dreadful. 

CODA (2021)

Plot: As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family’s fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.

I was a bit sceptical about this Apple original because I've seen the French movie it's based on and it was not good. But the reviews were ravishing so I gave it a chance anyway, and I'm glad I did because it's such a good film. The characters are well written, the humour works well, way better than it did in the original, the story is engaging, and the acting and singing is just lovely. Rating: 4/5 

Prey (2021)

Plot: A hiking trip into the wild turns into a desperate bid for survival for five friends on the run from a mysterious shooter.

I woke up one day and said let's see what's new on Netflix and they had just realised this German original film so I ended up watching it. And it's not as bad as I thought it would be. It's not the best horror/thriller ever, but it's quite enjoyable, the plot is compelling enough, there's a bit of tension, and Klaus Steinbacher is a blessing for the eyes. Rating: 3/5

Pray Away (2021)

Plot: It follows survivors of conversion therapy and former leaders.

This documentary was disturbing, I'm not going to lie. As fucked up as conversion therapy is, it was devastating to see how many LGBTQ+ people made it possible, how many hid their true selves just to make money with this bullshit. There's a man, I don't remember the name, who wanted to become a woman and says that conversion therapy and Jesus saved him, and he's basically pretending to be a straight man when he clearly is not. I loved how Julie Rodgers managed to use her experience to help others, and how conversion therapy didn't take the faith away from her. And her marriage was so damn moving. I wish her and her wife all the best. Rating: 3,5/5

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)

Plot: Down the road from Woodstock in the early 1970s, a revolution blossomed in a ramshackle summer camp for disabled teenagers, transforming their young lives and igniting a landmark movement.

I have to thank Getter over MettelRay for putting this documentary on my radar because I would have never watched it if it wasn't for her. And it would have been a shame because it tells such empowering story about people who fought for their rights. I wasn't a fan of the talking heads style, but the subject was such an interesting and important one so I'm willing to overlook that. Rating: 3,5/5

Schumacher (2021)

Plot: Through exclusive interviews and archival footage, this documentary traces an intimate portrait of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

Although I never rooted for him because he drove for Ferrari, Schumacher will always remain one of the best F1 drivers in history. He didn't just win seven worlds championships, he did it with cars that weren't supposed to be winning, like the Benetton, and then the Ferrari, which hadn't won for the past 20 years when he signed with them, and it was just beautiful to see the highlights of his career as well as those rivalries I never witnessed myself because I either wasn't born yet or was too small to care about F1. But it's also one hell of an emotional documentary. The Senna accident is so, so difficult to watch, just as all the bits featuring Michael's wife and kids, which are very, very emotional, and he just comes across as this amazing human, a wonderful husband and father. Rating: 4/5

Jarhead (2005)

Plot: It chronicles Swofford's life story and his military service in the Gulf War.

At this point you should know how shallow I am and Jake Gyllenhaal wearing a Santa Hat on his dick is the only reason I decided to watch this film. And it's maybe because of it that I didn't really like it. The film, I mean, not that scene. Seriously though, I thought it was just an average war movie. It doesn't really add anything to the genre, and it's not even very engaging. Rating: 2/5