Hi it’s me!
This month was different than most because I traveled the globe* (*Nevada and California). I went to Vegas for the first time as an adult and it was SENSORY OVERLOAD (not to be confused with Sensory Overlord) but also really fun. We walked 15 miles in one day, played craps, I made $$ and then promptly lost it, tale as old as time. I loved the air conditioned sophistication. I even rated the hotels based on scent that they use to keep people coming back for more (1. Cosmo 2. Wynn 3. Bellagio 4. Aria 5. Venetian).
THEN I went to Palm Springs which is my ideal vacation. I remember when I was 7 going to Club Med Mexico with my parents thinking it was peak luxury (the pools! the juice! I remember it so fondly) only to hear that they thought it was stale and tacky. I always secretly or not so secretly yearned for an air conditioned, swimming pool, yummy food, luxury haven. I’ve finally found that with Palm Springs and I’m never turning back.
What else? Poppy is back on Prozac and acting relatively normal except I did find her sitting in the shower just staring at the wall.
I felt odd because of various vibe shifts occurring (I’m going to overuse this phrase sorry) so I stuck to what I know best, mystery procedural dramas and ate popcorn with my special seasoning- olive oil, brewer’s yeast, salt, garlic powder, and everything bagel seasoning.
I did make a pretty good dent in a bunch of new shows popping up in the last week. And of course our beloved Bri is back for her fan favorite movie reviews. She’s going to start her own newsletter, so count your blessings!!
TV
Under The Banner Of Heaven (Hulu)- I’ve read/ listened to this book 3 or 4 times and I was still completely blown away by the series. The mormon boys are chilling and cast so well. I don’t even care that half of them are actually British. I’m rushing to write this newsletter so I can watch the new episode tonight.
The Outlaws (Amazon Prime) - Stephen Merchant is back, baby! He’s not better than ever but he’s still fun! Outlaws was hard to get into because you can’t tell which genre it is, but when you settle in and latch onto the characters, you’ll be hooked.
Hello Ladies (HBO) - I rewatched Hello Ladies and it was so fun now that I live in Los Angeles. I even had the thought that maybe I should try clubbing in LA to experience the scene and then guffawed at myself. Stephen Merchant really represents the abnormally tall community very well.
Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount Plus) - a town whose economy revolves around the maximum security prison. Too dark, too much death, and not enough Kyle Chandler!
Anatomy of a Scandal (Netflix) - Did everyone know that Sienna Miller was this flawlessly gorgeous?? Anatomy reminds me of all the mystery/thriller books I read. Fast paced, twist at the end, hot characters. I was disappointed that it ended where it did. I could have watched many more episodes.
FBI (CBS)- My comfort food procedural drama of the month. Of course it’s exactly what I needed because it’s a Dick Wolf production. My only complaint is that the cases didn’t vary enough. There were a looottt of bombings and cyber threats. What about cases that take place on college campuses or deal with family secrets?
Pivoting (Hulu) - I wanted to dislike this show but it’s very pleasant. Friendship! romance! life changes! weight loss journeys! Nothing groundbreaking but it’s very nice to have on while I fold laundry (JK I don’t fold laundry lol) or playing with Poppy.
Flight Attendant (HBO Max) - Kaley and her curtain bangs are back!! It’s a very stressful plot this season but I’m so happy to be back with Kaley, Shoshana, and the gang. This season is set in Venice Beach so I say “I’ve been there” to Poppy every time I watch.
Barry (HBO) - I only just started the first episode of season 3 but I’m SO HAPPY it’s back.
UNSCRIPTED
The Home Edit (Netflix)- My sister kept telling me to watch and then I of course didn’t because I was busy doing a million other things like thinking about walking to CVS at some point. She finally supervised me watching the fist episode and it was quite nice! It’s calming to watch people organize. My only complaint is that they should organize messier houses rather than just visiting celebs they’re friends with. I did order little fridge organizers on Amazon which is a major feat for someone who doesn’t even fold laundry.
Summer House- guys, why doesn’t the cast “like” Carl and Lindsay’s couple posts? Is there something I need to know??
BOOKS
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanan- Remember the iconic mystery thriller that took place in the Hamptons? This is by the same writer duo. I got it on Audible and listened to it in one day. A therapist whose license was revoked gets too involved with the couple she’s therapizing, what could go wrong? 5/5!
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth- an Australian mystery! It’s VERY Big Little Lies. Lots of twists and turns and secrets unearthed. 4/5!
In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead- As we know, my favorite genre is Dark Academia. If you loved the Secret History, you will like this book but wish it was more like Donna Tartt. It goes back and forth between a College reunion and a MURDER that occured. There’s an incredible twist. 5/5!
The Club by Ellery Lloyd - I really wanted to to like this book because it’s about a murder that takes place at the fictional version of London’s Soho House. Lots of celebs and celeb wanabees but no likeable characters :( 3/5
MOVIES reviews by Bri!!- I also watched The Batman and liked the first 70 minutes or so and then got v antsy and stir crazy.
The Batman (2022) -If you know me, you know that I adore a tight under two-hour movie. If a film is three hours and isn't part of a multiple movie epic (Avengers: Endgame) or not a fictional take of a well-known historical event (Titanic), under no circumstances does it have to be three hours long. Unfortunately, The Batman is 176 minutes and has two endings. Nevertheless, I actually had a fun time watching it and felt like a teenager again despite its longevity. HBO Max released The Batman 45 days after its cinematic debut, and for that, I am grateful because my bladder is not what it used to be.
Robert Pattison is a fantastic Batman/Bruce Wayne. He is weird, cute, and sad. I'm excited to see where his character will go in future movies (DC, if you see this and replace Robert, you are seriously going to fumble the bag.) Catwoman, played by Zoe Kravitz, is superb, and her character actually shows a genuine interest in cats! The Batman should have been more structured from a storywise standpoint, but Matt Reeves...bring on the sequel! Grade: B
Bri Movie News: This section will be short and sweet, but I have something to say. Last week, the release date of James Cameron's Avatar sequel was announced. The original Avatar came out in 2009, and while "groundbreaking" at the time because of visual effects, the film has aged horribly. Avatar: The Way of Water is about eight years too late. James, we have all grown up and have moved on to rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Ok bye!! TTYL!! I’m gonna go watch Under the Banner of H-ven
Well done! Love the whole update! 🌸🌸