My Favorite Things: May & June
My Favorite Things is a monthly segment where I share my personal and current favorites in seasonal products, health & beauty, food, decor, movies, TV, and more. I hope you enjoy these personal picks!
Movies
Extra Ordinary
A driving instructor is requested by a father to use her supernatural abilities to save his possessed daughter. Though she has a love-hate relationship with her abilities, she decides to help the man and his daughter.
I love a good horror comedy and Extra Ordinary delivers on balancing scary moments with those that make you laugh out loud. It reminded me a bit of another film, Night of the Living Deb, except that one takes place during a zombie apocalypse. It’s a wacky and wonderfully weird movie were you are not sure what to expect (and it has some surprising plot twists as well!). It’s a movie that feels very heartfelt and I instantly loved the main character, Rose, and her awkward journey of finding herself and love in the process. This one has a bit of gore (if you’re squeamish), but is not too scary overall.
Natchez
A sharp look at the American South’s unreconciled history through a Mississippi town that mixes antebellum tourism with a community deeply divided over its past.
A big thank to goes out to PBS for making this documentary even more accessible to a wider audience. It’s a beautifully shot documentary while the content itself is a hard watch while only reinforces the message it’s trying to make. So often many documentaries feel overly structured and in Natchez the camera lets the subjects/people speak for themselves (even to their own detriment). It’s a powerful documentary about race, history, and trying to preserve a false image. It can best be described as a unsettling clash between history and memory. I highly recommend it and I feel like this is a documentary that should also be shown in schools.
The Menu
Margot joins Tyler on a trip to a secluded island restaurant, where a renowned chef’s elaborate tasting menu reveals disturbing intentions beneath a flawless exterior.
The Menu is a movie that has been on my watchlist forever since it’s been recommended to me so many times. Its a dark comedy horror that feels fresh and very clever in how the plot and its characters unravel. Without giving too much away of the film I can best describe its criticism of elitism and disparity of social classes. I loved the slow-burn feel of this movie and plot twists that I didn’t see coming. It’s engaging and Anna Taylor Joy and Ralph Fiennes at the helm of this film make it such a memorable watch. It’s funny, shocking, and highly entertaining!
YouTube
The Analog Trend
Sarah shares some great takes and reviews about horror films. This video is a departure from he usual content, but as a fellow physical media collector I really appreciate it. She discusses the overconsumption of physical media and how it’s become a trend like everything else. She gives some tips of how not to fall into the trend pitfall and to be more conscious with their hobbies.
The Dandridge Drama
I love channels that do deep dives on pop culture and Hollywood and RAE’s channel came into my algorithm. This video alone made me a instant subscriber. I love Dandridge’s work so I was intrigued by this video and learned a lot after watching it. Rae does a fantastic job breaks down the complicated story behind Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black woman ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and the struggle to bring her life story to screen,
Music
Bumpa by BIBI
If you’re looking for a Summertime bop that also makes you want to salsa dance, Bumpa is that track. It’s light, airy, and has lyrics that are easy to sing along with. It’s such a fun track that is great for the warmer weather months and the music puts me in a happy mood.
Don’t Break Her Heart
FLO’s second single from their upcoming album Therapy at the Club (which I can’t wait for!). Like their other songs, this one uses their beautiful harmonization to pour emotion into a song about heartbreak and being their for your friends. The music video is a lot of fun and the song is so catchy. I’m curious to hear what the rest of the album sounds like.
Give It All You Got by Chuck Mangione
I am a huge Jazz listener and an even bigger Mangione fan! This record is my latest addition to my music collection (and it was only $6!). His music manages to be equally smooth and groovy. I love putting on this song when I need to relax.
What are some of your favorite things from May & June? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
