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⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Priya has newly acquired Lyme Disease and is stuck at her parents' home dealing with chronic pain while mourning her life as a premed student. But she joins an online chronic illness support group and connects with some new friends, except when she gets worried about her unresponsive best friend and goes to her house to see if she's okay. There, she's confronted with the fact her friend might have an unexpected illness that makes her furry and grow long teeth... It's hard to know how to classify this book, since it's generally a contemporary YA novel about dealing with chronic illness, except one character happens to have lycanthropy. So there are definite elements of speculative fiction and even horror here and there. Priya and her friend Brigid are mostly trying to figure out how Brigid became a werewolf and how to keep from turning randomly, but they're also just trying to navigate life when their bodies are fighting...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I feel like this is my first real adult high fantasy in a while, mostly because I haven't loved any lately and was worried fantasy and I weren't compatible anymore. But to my pleasure, I really enjoyed this book! Evike is a pagan wolf girl who doesn't have any powers, and so has been ignored her whole life. When the woodsmen come for their sacrifice, she is given up quickly. But she finds out the head woodsman is actually the prince in search of a way to get his seat as heir back from his super religious and evil brother, so they make a deal to work together. I'm not sure what it was that made me enjoy this book more than others and kept me turning the pages instead of it feeling like a slog. The setting and culture were really rich, inspired by Hungarian and Jewish history (the Jewish part was actually very overt - I was surprised). There's quite a bit of brutality in the book - people are cutting off body parts, torturing...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is exactly my kind of show. An emotional, fast paced drama. 8 episodes long at 30 minutes each. It’s about a chef who leaves the big city to take over his brothers diner after the brother kills himself. Its pretty emotional and the family is trying to cope by keeping a struggling diner afloat. The cast is really diverse and great and the dialogue is rapid fire. The cooking scenes make me hungry and I feel like that type of environment would break me and excite me. The final episode was a real doozy and had me in my feels. They wrapped it up a bit too nicely but I am not one to complain about good endings. I did really like this, but I’ll be surprised if I think about a lot down the road.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) So this is actually my introduction into Peele’s cinematic universe. I’ve been too scared to watch his other stuff but Keke Palmer really drew me into this. She was stellar and feel like she stole the show. I don’t think this movie is particularly scary, but it was very unsettling. There’s this monkey scene they keep going back to that just hurts to watch. I think there were a lot of themes around our insatiable need for entertainment and greed, as well as what it means to be a predator. I’m not great with symbolism but I feel like Peele is a grade A producer and definitely will watch his other stuff now.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Jordan Peele has my lifetime pass after Get Out, and while I wasn't super in to Us I will always be excited for his original and exciting movies. This one was no exception, and while it didn't turn out to be what I expected I had a great time and feel like it will be replaying in my head for a while. Its a bit unfair that everything he will make will forever be compared to Get Out, but that's what you get for debuting with a masterpiece. This one is a very different movie, taking place on a ranch in the middle of nowhere where some alien entity keeps gobbling up their horses. Kaluuya is amazing, as always, and I loved his lack of energy as a rancher who appears to be more emotionally tied to horses than to people. I do think this movie was slightly too long, and the slow build up of the first hour leads to exciting scenes that felt a bit drawn out. I think when I said it wasn't what I expected I meant that I wasn't expecting t...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) I had a great time watching this movie outdoors at a local park with tons of people, but other than the fun viewing experience I didn't think it was a great movie. Don't get me wrong, its fun, and I am happy for the actors who clearly loved being in Greece making this movie. But the story is so boring to me, and the songs they sing are fun but completely shoehorned into the story. The story is anything but deep, but I kept asking how what they were singing related to the plot in any meaningful way. I'm not going to spoil, but the finale was so confusing to me that I could not believe they were happening. They just completely throw out the driving plot of the movie for something that's supposed to be feel good but didn't land at all for me. If you want a singalong romp in a beautiful location, this is for you.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Will) I typically love about 25% of Metric's songs and think the rest are bad, but this album was a lot more consistent for me. I love the general vibe, and it's brought me back to some of their other best older stuff as well. I skip the first song every time, but otherwise every song is solid at minimum. My highlights are All Comes Crashing and Paths in the Sky.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I think this score is higher than it would be because I just saw her live but man I love this album. I randomly heard it on tiktok and decided to check it out. I would say it’s somewhere between indie/dream pop. Very ethereal and lots of echoes. It’s a slower album with mostly deep tracks about love and loss, religion and family. At first I was super sad I found this album in the summer because I think the sound suits fall and winter weather better but the more I listen to it the more I am convinced this is a true up and coming summer album. She captures exactly what it feels like to meander down a dirt road, with no place to really be but having a longing. I love it so much. The first 7 tracks are like, unbelievable. So so good. And then there are about 3 towards the end that I just don’t care for. I continuously find myself coming back to this album and I hope it sticks with me. American Teenager, House in Nebraska, Hard Times and Thoroughfare a...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Above all the reviews in recent weeks, this is the one piece of media most precious to me. I started reading this book at 8pm last night and didn't put it down till I finished at 1:30am. What a beautiful, magical journey it's been reading these books this summer. Throughout my time reading, I've had a hard time putting into words exactly why I love this series so much. It's really hard to say. The world building is terrific and atmospheric, but also The Continent isn't crazy unique and can sometimes get bogged down by politics and history. The plot is certainly fun and exciting, but not necessarily epic or engrossing, and has quite a lot of aimless wandering. I praise Sapkowski's writing ability quite a bit but heck, this is only a translation and he didn't even write the words I'm reading! What it honestly boils down to for me is just that this series is a delight to read. It feels poetic without being flowery, e...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Because I've been writing so many reviews lately, and also because I don't have that much to add, I will just say this show remains amazing, and then conclude with a poem: Yes, no, maybe I don't know Can you repeat the question? You're not the boss of me now You're not the boss of me now You're not the boss of me now, and you're not so big You're not the boss of me now You're not the boss of me now You're not the boss of me now, and you're not so big Life is unfair. Some highlights: Pearl Harbor, Motivational Speaker, Buseys Take a Hostage. MVP to Hal once again.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I've watched this movie at least once a year since I've known Jess, and again this was her choice for her birthday. I think I reviewed it on the previous sheet, and complained it was too long. I still think that it could stand to have thirty minutes chopped, but I happily admit this movie has grown on me. Julie Andrews is so fantastic here, both musically (incredible) and also her charisma! Who is more loveable than Maria! I've also really come to love the performance by (checks Google...) Christopher Plummer?! What?! I had no idea. But he was fantastic, as were the kids and even the supporting cast (FYI I'm team baroness, she did nothing wrong and she deserves better than the spoiled-ass Van Trapp family). One shameful thing I love about this movie is that it reminds me of the Family Guy rendition that has me howling every time. Well anyways, this review got a little off track. But it really is great. The music is wonderful and w...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Another movie while I ride this wave of 18th century-ish movies I loved as a kid. I just want to see people fight with rapiers! Unlike the other recent movies I've watched, this one was both my favorite (i dressed as Zorro for like six straight Halloweens) and also the one I've watched the least since I was a kid. I remembered zero events from this movie. I had no idea how it would hold up. Turns out, not bad! This more plays out as a telenovela which is not my thing at all. But I think it works out here because it's supposed to be funny, so the drama out of left field feels more appropriate. The other stuff works great. The sword fighting is really, truly impressive, as are the stunts, and this almost had the same fun choreography as a Jackie Chan movie. And that's the highest of high praise I can give. Antonio Banderas is great in this role, as are his white-playing-Mexican costars with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins. ...

⭐ 5.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) You know, after all these Jane Austen adaptations I've been made to watch against my will, I've actually kinda come to like them. In fact, I was kinda looking forward to this! It features the goddess Dakota Johnson even! But I, like pretty much everyone else, was pretty disappointed by this. This is not a lot like Pride and Prejudice, nor is it a fun modern adaptation, but just a movie that is untrue to either. There is a ton of really corny, anachronistic writing that just feels icky. Kinda feels like they were trying to follow the Marvel format of trying to mix serious scenes with weird Gen Z tiktok humor. This movie also makes light of those great moral dilemmas that Austen loves and makes her writing special. But maybe that's just part of the book that I've never read... Anyways, not great. It's not the worst movie ever, but don't expect another great entry into the Austen adaptation pantheon. More just feels like a st...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) The classic train continues to roll through the summer! Another great rewatch. I feel like this was the golden age where Disney/ Pixar were just brimming with these wild and creative ideas. A world of monsters runs on the screams of children?! Genius. Everything is pretty much perfect in this movie. Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi are all phenomenal, not to mention some nice side performances by Waternoose, Celia and all these other fun one-joke characters. It also features the cutest child ever rendered in animation. Good stuff.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Season 1 was one of my favorite seasons of TV and season 2 manages to improve on it still. Again, this show is incredible from a comedy standpoint with lots of characters really coming into their own. The highlight is always NoHo Hank and his role in being a terrible gangster, but the acting class being full of horrible actors is still gets at least a laugh every episode. The girl who saw the horse, or the guy who over acts in every scene kills me. This show is also perfect from a drama-thriller standpoint. I always say Breaking Bad is the gold standard in this respect, and this show comes awfully close to making me feel the same way I did there. I love how you can feel more nervous about Barry's acting performances than when he has to do a hit. Just knowing his brain might break at any moment keeps you at the edge of your seat. This season is a masterpiece. I think what really sets it apart though is an episode in the middle of the season t...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This movie I watched because apparently I will watch almost anything with one of the young actors from It: Chapter One. They were just so good in that movie! This is a fairly typical teen movie about two unpopular friends who want to form a heavy metal band and win the Battle of the Bands. I just like seeing a bunch of regular-looking teens being weird and awkward, plus friendship themes!

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I picked this movie at random because I needed a movie I could safely watch with my mom, and pg-13 rom-coms are a pretty safe bet. It ended up being a little more risqué than I expected, but we survived. An uptight English writer's book is not selling well at all because it's super boring, but then he finds out it's a bestseller in Mexico. He goes there for a book tour, only to find out his translator took some creative liberties and turned it into a very spicy romance novel. I thought this premise was super funny and laughed at his reaction every time he saw the bodice-ripper Mexican cover of his book. It was mostly a very mediocre movie, and the central romance didn't convince me. But I did laugh quite a bit, and I have a soft spot for beautiful locations and anything involving languages or translation.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This book 100% deserves the "cozy sci-fi" label I've seen it be given. Dex is a non-binary tea monk who lives on an Earth where robots have become sentient and gone to live in the wild to do whatever they want. They stumble upon a robot while on a journey, the first contact for about 200 years, and they learn about each other as they travel together. The future that is imagined in this book is so different from anything I've ever read before. It's a novella, so it's short, but I wouldn't say it's a fast-paced read. It's just sweet and funny, but also the conversations between Dex and Mosscap are fascinating, as they discuss purpose and happiness, and what humans truly need. Book 2 just came out, and I'm eager to read more.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is a book about an intense canoe race/challenge that sounds so difficult and painful, I don't understand why people would willingly participate. But Sadie is intent on completing the race that everyone in her family has done, especially after she failed last year. But then her brother bails on her the night before, and her only choice is to team up with her former best friend and now bitter family enemy, John Cullen. It's a fun sports adventure story mixed with a rom-com, and a really fast read. Especially because I did really want her and Cully to do well and survive this brutal competition, and then also I had to find out why they stopped being friends and when they'd realize they're in love. There was some good stuff too about resilience, family pressure, and the importance of communication. I really enjoyed reading this.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is a memoir written by a woman with Crouzon Syndrome. She and her twin sister both have this syndrome, which means their faces didn't grow correctly, and so they have to suffer from many surgeries throughout their lives and live with a facial difference. She talks about growing up with the syndrome, being bullied, being seen as unintelligent because of her appearance, having her face constantly change, and just overall being "ugly" in a world that values beauty so much. It was really eye-opening how all of these things would affect someone, and the way we all strive for beauty. Ariel and her sister dealt with a lot of mental health issues related to their appearance - anxiety, depression, eating disorders - all because humans have such a hard time separating a person's appearance from their inherent worth.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Is this the perfect action-adventure movie?? Again, one I loved as a kid and then one I wanted to watch after Count of Monte Cristo made me love 18th century-ish era settings. Where this movie takes me is anyone's guess! But seriously, this movie is awesome. It's funny, charming, the action is exciting and the way all the plot points work together is just perfect. I think it's truly excellent screenwriting. And then the score! Definitely among the ten most recognizable themes of the 21st century. This is Johnny Depp in the role he was born to play (though I haven't been following the news so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to like his movies right now?), and then Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are terrific. It's complimented by Barbosa being the perfect pirate, as well as the pair of goons on either side. Just the perfect movie! It's cool that Disney was willing to try out what was a pretty unique IP at the time, th...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This was an old favorite of mine that came to mind after watching Shawshank. Outside of the prison setting, there still remain a ton of similarities. Again, like that movie, it's sometimes nice to have a movie where there is zero moral ambiguity, where there are good guys and bad guys and it's very clear who is who. Even in the finale, the hero does something perhaps morally ambiguous, and yet the dividing lines are so clear that nobody is questioning him. Great movie. I love Jim Caviezel and along with Mercedes the duo make an all-time attractive movie couple. There is a fifteen minute stretch where Caviezel is a peak sexiness and I now aspire to have that look. The beautiful French cities and vistas made we really want to visit France. Just a terrific movie. Great performance by Dumbledore also that I forgot about. This is an easy movie to watch, and while it may not challenge you in any type of way, it will sure make you smile. Jess li...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This has got to be one of the most universally beloved movies ever. And how could it not be? It's truly the perfect movie for nearly every audience. There are a few disturbing scenes that might make one queasy, but the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad, and at risk of spoiling a 30 year old movie, I'll just say it's a people pleaser. Not much else to add to this one. We randomly watched it because Jess has been wanting to and it's on my top 100 poster and I wanted a rewatch before I scratched it off. I was happy to do so. It's got this great one-off performance by Tim Robbins (I truly don't think I've seen him in anything else) as well as the beautiful, beautiful dolcet tones of one Morgan Freeman at the peak of his powers. They really utilize that voice in this one so good on them. Going to leave it just short of a ten because despite the emotional payoffs, I can't say this movie moves me like some others.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) Another 8, although I felt like the first half of this book was really easy to read and the last half slowed down a bit. I am very curious how the final book will wrap all this up, since I still have a lot of questions 4 books in. Everything I like from the others is here, and the answers we get to some of the mysteries are satisfying and ask other interesting questions. I feel like the twists manage to be unique and I appreciate the author's attempt to make something special with these. However, there is a huge twist in this book the undermines one of the best arcs of the entire series to date. He is trying to be way too twisty, and I think on a reread there are large portions of the other books that become completely useless now. Hard to explain without spoiling, but there is an amazing reveal in the first book that now essentially means nothing. Not great, and I am not sure why the author couldn't have just left it alone without tryi...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Easily the best season, since it is a shorter final season and there is no filler. This show manages to have more stakes than any of the live action movies or shows in the past 10 years, and emotional moments that actually mean something. Really hoping the Ahsoka show is a direct followup to this one, because talk about a cliffhanger!

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This was actually fun to watch. There were a lot of laughs and the cast is just so beautiful. The first half was pretty bad. But got much better after. There was a really cool black and white sequence with what felt like good cinematography (I say good knowing it’s marvel and there was no CGI in this specific scene). +1 point for seeing Chris Hemsworth’s bare ass! And Tessa Thompson being so magnetic, and Christian Bale being an incredible villain!

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) I have about a million complaints about this season and I think the writing was quite bad and I actively dislike what they're doing to several of my favourite characters. However I have thought about this show every single day since the first episode of this season came out and it brings me joy to do so, so it gets an undeserved 10 from me. -.5 stars because of what they did to my best friend Eddie Munson.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) So this is book 4 of the Witcher Saga (and the sixth in the universe, for those keeping track at home) and yeah, this continues to be awesome. This series has been my life this summer. By now the books are getting a little chunkier which I think is kinda cute because one of the oddities about this series is that books and chapters have zero meaning. There is nothing that distinguishes one chapter from the next, and aside from a couple thematic elements in each novel, there is really nothing starting and ending between books. Still, this series continues to be incredible. It's hard to describe just what distinguishes it from other fantasy series and yet it's there. I think Sapkowski is simply a better writer than I lot of fantasy novelists, and in these books especially I've started to feel he's a master of setting up these atmospheric scenes, each setting feeling completely unique and different. I think it speaks to his versatili...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) I think that if a show can overtake time and space the way this one does every year a new season comes out, AND still be a really fun, immersive watch, you just gotta give credit where credit is due. My girl El is simply elite and I really love her character except I wanted her to absolutely crush that bully and send her into the upside down. They do a really good job of making you care for a lot of characters and I think that’s impressive and important. That Max scene with Running Up That Hill was damn near perfect and I hope I never forget it. Eddie shredding the guitar to Metallica was also super cool. This show really knows how to implement incredible, show stopping music. I didn’t really love the Russian plot point. Especially by the end. Like bruh we’re going BACK?! Except Joyce continues to be a favourite of mine. And then also Will and Mikes conflict just felt dragged on for no reason. I also didn’t really like the geographical distance be...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Had a bit of a tough time coming up with a final score for this one. On the one hand, this show continues to be a fun cultural experience. I thought this season was more fun than 2 and 3 and I really was all-in to start again. The way they build up tension and mystery is always great, and I always love when it becomes the kids vs the world again. It really made me wonder if I'd underrated the other seasons. And then there are the highlights like the the Kate Bush scene and you think this is just an altogether awesome show. But man, basically beginning after that Kate Bush scene, this show has some serious problems for me. I think the biggest issues revolve around the show needing every character to have their moments in equal measure. A lot of this is focusing on truly boring events, like the whole Eleven flashback stuff, or giving the Pizza Van crew boring side quests. I don't need an episode about Susie getting access to her dad's c...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) While the world is busy working through the layers and complexity of Minions: Rise of Gru, I decided on something a little lighter and easier to process. This is an old movie that many consider one of cinema's best. For some reason when I hear that, I always suspect some high-octane, big budget movie. Of course this is nothing like that, but is rather a slow-moving story about essentially one oddball character as he gets more and more detached from society. I feel like this movie is a perfect watch right now with all the conversations about gun violence and what makes up the psychology of the school shooter types. I think this is an amazing portrayal by De Niro as the progression to that point feels very realistic. He's not a straight up evil villain, but makes your stomach churn as you start to understand how his brain works. There are lots of other great characters and acting performances across the board, including a nice cameo by Scor...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Movie of our generation. If minions has a million fans, I am one of them. If minions has 5 fans, I am one of them. If minions has 1 fan, that one is me. If minions has 0 fans, it means I am dead. All hail minions.

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I need to write this review before Tim poisons my mind completely. I thought this show was fine. I'm not expecting too much from a Star Wars show because despite calling myself a Star Wars fan, I also admit almost everything within the universe is bad to average including the movies. I remember falling asleep during Mando, and I fell asleep and missed half of the finale here. These aren't sacred works of art to me! But there is one sacred movie to me, and that's episode III. I love Ewan's Obi Wan and I'm glad to see him on screen again. It's sad that this clearly wasn't a story someone was itching to tell, but obviously one slapped together to profit off a beloved character. There is little intrigue, no heart, no emotion. But there is Ewan dressed as Space Jesus and having a heart of gold and that's worth a few points in my books. There is also a nod to one of my favorite cinematic moments in the Duel on Mustafar. ...