My Favorite Things: December & January
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
Black Barbie
Tracing the origin of the first Black Barbie doll to the filmmaker’s aunt, who asked why Barbie couldn’t look like her, this documentary explores her quest for representation and diversity.
What an inspiring and informative documentary! While I knew some things about the first Black Barbie, I learned a lot from watching this documentary. It was great to see the faces behind the creators who not only worked on doll designs, but also in the factory and media production at Mattel. Mattel still has a way to go, but I’m looking forward to them continuing to continuing to diversify their line of dolls so that everyone can see themselves represented.
TV
Assassination Classroom Season One
Forget about homework and pop quizzes. The students of Class 3E have a far more important assignment: kill their teacher before the end of the year.
Despite the title and premise this anime is very wholesome at its core. It’s an older anime, that I’ve had on my list for years and I’m so glad I can finally get to watch it. The class of classmate are lovable and diverse, especially Koro-sensei who is such an amazing teacher. I also like the deep emotional themes within the story and how each episode gives some life lessons to take with them after viewing. Looking forward to watching Season Two soon.
The Killer’s Shopping List
One day, a dead body is found at an apartment near the supermarket. Finding this murder odd, Dae-sung, his mother, and his girlfriend Ah-hee gather around to find the real murderer, starting by looking through the receipts of the market.
This drama feels like a cozy mystery with its blend of comedy and solving a crime. This series is short but it’s great, it makes you laugh and involves you in the suspense of the plot at the same time. While I do think it could have been written more as a movie than a series, I would recommend it if you like something lighthearted and fun. I think the cast of characters is entertaining to watch and the plot is not too heavy making it a show for easy viewing.
YouTube
Why Media Sucks Now – And What You Can Do About It
I love Digging the Greats channel and I think he touches on some great points about how to create your media collection/consumption. A lot of music and movies seem a bit empty and I have seen myself (while I love using physical media all the time) shifting back to less digital formats and taking joy in my own collection.
The Decline of Christmas Magic
In this podcast, Tanner talks about the shift of holiday culture not just as adults but in today’s society. I can definitely relate to this topic of losing traditions as well as simplicity when it comes to the holiday. The biggest struggle is trying to maintain the wonder you had when you were younger.
Podcasts
My Victorian Murder
Here you’ll find mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, disturbing stories, and otherwise spooky events from the Victorian Era.
This podcast was recommended to me by my friend Jennifer. This podcast blends history with morbid curiosity as it delves into darker aspects of Victorian culture. It’s informative, the host is engaging, and the podcast covers a variety of topics.
Music
You Don’t Know My Name- Hell’s Kitchen Cast
Back in December I got to see Hell’s Kitchen and loved it! What a phenomenal Broadway show will all my favorite Alicia Keys songs. The cast did a great job showcasing this vibrant coming of age story. The singing and choreography blew me away.
I Just Might by Bruno Mars
Bruno is back! I won the ticketing war for his new tour and can’t wait to see him in concert this Spring. This song has such a feel good sound that is uplifting and is definitely needed in these trying times.
What are some of your favorite things from December & January? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Black Barbie was great; I loved all the interviews and the note on which it ends!
In January, I listened to In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez and found it so gripping, so I’m enjoying a mini-binge right now. For watching, I really liked Left-Handed Girl, for a single-mother story where just getting-by is A Thing, as it is for so many of us. Lucky you for the Bruno Mars tickets AND for seeing Hell’s Kitchen!
I agree, I like that Black Barbie ended on a positive note. Watching the documentary made me do some other research of doll companies that arose around Mattel/or before it. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez was a book club read for me. It was such a good novel, but hard to read at times.