My Reviews(16)

Crimson Peak
A gorgeous Gothic tragedy from Guillermo del Toro - what else could be better? Though marketed as a horror movie, Crimson Peak excels more as a dark romance, with Mia Wasikowska and Tom Hiddleston perfectly selling their doomed love story. Jessica Chastain makes for a deliciously unhinged villain, and the impeccable production and costume design is enough to make it one to check out.

Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a laugh-out-loud-funny teen show that also knows how to pack an emotional wallop. Devi is a flawed character, and at times she can really try my patience, but her overall growth throughout the show's run makes this a highlight of the YA genre. Plus, her relationship with her mom is complex and well-written, and the love interests are all pretty stellar.

Succession
Over a year since the finale aired, and a day hasn't gone by where I don't miss this show. Easily one of the most riveting and well-written shows I've ever seen, filled with fascinatingly horrible characters. "Connor's Wedding" is by far one of the most thrilling live viewing experiences I've had, the perfect example of Succession's ability to have you recoil from characters one minute, and then wish you could hug them the next. Plus, its theme song is one of the best.

Little Women
Absolute perfection. I've loved Little Women since I first read an abridged version as a kid, and I'm amazed at how Greta Gerwig managed to make this one feel so timely and perfect for today, while still keeping it very much a complete period piece. So many moments resonate deeply for me, such as Jo mourning the end of childhood. This just might be my absolute favorite movie.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Yes, its status as a cop show hurts its reputation, but I will always maintain that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of the best ensemble comedies out there. Every member of the team feels wholly realized, and they all play so well off each other, even when the usual dynamics are mixed up. Jake and Amy are perhaps the best-written sitcom couple of the modern era (sorry, Jim and Pam!), and it will always baffle me that the late, great Andre Braugher never won an Emmy for his perfect performance as Captain Holt.

The Wheel of Time
When I first dove into this show, I hadn't actually read any of the books. Now, I'm three installments in, and that's left me with an interesting impression of the show. I don't love its breakneck pace, as I think the story suffers as a result, but I do think its production and costume design does a great job of bringing Robert Jordan's world to life, and the cast is excellent, especially Rosamund Pike as Moiraine. Very curious to see how it sustains itself in future seasons.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
The perfect conclusion to a magical franchise. There are some parts I maybe wish were a little different, but overall I've always been satisfied with how this ended things. Snape's memories are a high point for me, mostly thanks to Alan Rickman's performance, and the battle scenes perfectly capture the urgency and high stakes that a good finale should have.

Black Widow
I honestly think this movie is underappreciated. Yes, Scarlett Johansson's Natasha deserved a solo movie years before she finally got one, but this is such a fascinating look into the environment that raised her and the family she had before the Avengers. Florence Pugh's Yelena is one of the best post-Endgame MCU newcomers, and the sisterly dynamic she shares with Natasha is the heart of this movie. That, plus the grounded action, make this a movie I wish people talked about more.

Leverage: Redemption
Truthfully, I haven't watched the original Leverage, but I'm still obsessed with this reboot. Yeah, it's a bit corny, but the effortless chemistry between the cast and the utterly satisfying cons in every episode are enough to make this an incredibly fun watch.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Just complete wholesome fun. It says a lot that the most compelling relationship in this movie isn't even the excellent enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine, but the long-simmering second chance romance between Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo. With both of these relationships giving everything on top of juicy palace intrigue, this is a fun sequel that will always be a comfort watch for me.

Set It Up
This past winter, everyone was talking about Anyone But You, but for me, Glen Powell's best rom-com (so far!) is Set It Up. When paired with the perfectly bubbly Zoey Deutch, Powell excels at that leading man charm that has now boosted him to household name status. The premise of this movie is genuinely fun, with two desperate assistants conspiring to get their ruthless bosses together, and it leads to laughter and swoon-worthy moments. Easily one of my favorite comfort movies.

The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch gives one of his best performances in this moving biopic with an incredible story. This movie has stuck with me ever since I first saw it, particularly because of the way it tells Alan Turing's story across three different time periods. Every part of The Imitation Game feels perfectly constructed, from its production design to its beautiful score. This is easily one of my favorite movies.

Downton Abbey: A New Era
The movie equivalent of a warm hug. One could argue Downton Abbey doesn't need as many movies as it has, but I will always enjoy returning to this household and these characters. The silent movie plot in this one brings out so many fun layers to various characters, and the costumes and sets are as gorgeous as ever. It's also a very fitting send-off for Maggie Smith's iconic Violet.

Dharma & Greg
Hilariously, I found this happy, romantic show through Criminal Minds, as nothing sounded funnier than watching Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) get impulsively married to a hippie. Dharma & Greg is a delightful opposites-attract rom-com that never fails to make me laugh. Sure, the show eventually falls into the boring trap of causing unnecessary drama between Dharma and Greg, but their chemistry throughout makes their story one that's easy to get invested in. Throw in hilarious performances from their parents, and you've got an all-around good time.

Galaxy Quest
Few movies can make me as unabashedly happy as Galaxy Quest can. A large portion of my fondness for this movie comes from the late great Alan Rickman, who reminds viewers he can do funny just as well as he can do scary, but there's so much about Galaxy Quest that works. From its gleeful celebration of fan culture to its endlessly quotable script (I love going around yelling "IS THERE AIR?? YOU DON'T KNOW!!"), this movie both mocks and blows a kiss to the sci-fi genre, particularly as depicted by Star Trek. It's so clear the filmmakers have the utmost respect and affection for Trek, and everyone seems to be having a good time. To me, this is a comfort movie that can make me laugh right before I get emotional over the power of storytelling. It's easy to scoff at how excited fans can get over their favorite movies/shows, but these stories can have a real impact, and Galaxy Quest doesn't forget that for a second.

Star Trek Into Darkness
I know this may be controversial for some people, but Star Trek Into Darkness will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the movie that got me interested in Star Trek (with a little help from the 2009 movie!) and it rekindled my love of movies. I was instantly drawn in by Kirk's personal struggles as he reckoned with a horrible loss, and how his friendship with Spock acted as a beating heart beneath all the action. Spock right away became my favorite character.
Yes, it essentially copies a previous Trek story, and I won't even try to argue that Benedict Cumberbatch's Khan sures the original. But as a newcomer to the franchise, I was enthralled by Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise crew battling enemies that hit close to home. This movie kickstarted a much bigger love for me, and for that I'll always be grateful!