Media Diary: May '26

I did a Bend it Like Beckham and She's the Man double feature and I'll do it again!!

Jun 01, 2026

This month felt very long and very short all at once? I spent May sort of relaxing…as much as I am able to with my particular blend of anxiety disorders and just who I am as a person. Dissertation formally submitted to the library, heaps of job applications, lots of knitting, and preparing for a trip back to Ontario for convocation in June. I also watched some excellent movies, some bad movies, and have found myself with several weekly TV shows, a thrill that I miss from the days of cable although I don’t understand how we all pay for these streamers to only end up back with a pseudo-cable situation. I also listened to the new MUNA album many, many, many times.

Watched

New

Sisi & I / Sisi & Ich (2023, dir. Frauke Finsterwalder)

Yeah I’ve decided 2023 still counts as new, okay? Things move fast enough, you know? We can’t watch everything right away! Anywho, this was an interesting take on historical fiction-ish. It was beautifully shot, the sets were stunning, and of course Sandra Huller is an incredible performer. A few things didn’t quite work for me, but I DO love anachronistic music in a period film. 3 stars.

The Running Man (2025, dir. Edgar Wright)

Jayme Lawson should’ve been on screen more. I don’t know how to say this but…this film felt so…American? 3 stars.

Merrily We Roll Along (2025, dir. Maria Friedman)

My good friend purchased this film for me to watch when I finished my PhD. An absolute gift. WOOOOOWEEEEEEEEE!!!! Honestly, even if you don’t like this musical in terms of the plot, these performances were incredible. 4.5 stars.

Is God Is (2026, dir. Aleshea Harris)

I am still processing my thoughts and feelings around this movie. I loved it, I hated that ending, I get it, I don’t get it, it was incredible but it was awful. Thankful that so many people are writing about it (as you’ll see below). 4 stars.

Mickey 17 (2024, dir. Bong Joon Ho)

I waited so long only to be disappointed. Sigh. I had the same reaction to this movie that I had to Snowpiercer (2013) which is that Bong Joon Ho’s American productions simply are not for me? Something about them just does not land for me the same way his Korean films do. 2.5 stars.

The Crash (2026, dir. Gareth Johnson)

I don’t know why I watched this. Her parents?????????!!!!???????!!!!

New To Me

The Wedding Banquet (1993, dir. Ang Lee)

I am an Ang Lee fan, so I am trying to watch the films in his oeuvre that I have not yet seen, and Tubi really had my back! Confirmed to me that the remake was deeply unnecessary. 4 stars.

He Got Game (1998, dir. Spike Lee)

52 Weeks of Denzel continues, and pleaseeeeeeeee forgive me but I did not like this? 2 stars.

Sisters (1972, dir. Brian De Palma)

Okay, sure. There were certainly interesting elements! 2.5 stars.

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007, dir. Sidney Lumet)

Somehow I had never seen this, but I was hooked from the first five minutes. 4 stars.

Crimson Tide (1995, dir. Tony Scott)

Denzel is excellent as always. The plot of this movie is basically Gene Hackman ignoring Denzel most certainly because of racism, almost starting a nuclear war because of it, and then jk he will retire as penance? I don’t know, man. 2 stars.

Postcards From The Edge (1990, dir. Mike Nichols)

Another gap in my viewing history, though not watching something doesn’t mean I don’t know about it or its lore. I MISS CARRIE FISHER’S PEN!!!! Really excellent. 4 stars.

Rewatch

Send Help (2026, dir. Sam Rami)

Rachel McAdams is one of our foremost Canadians. Hate that Zuri had to go like that, though. 3.5 stars.

Mulan (1998, dirs. Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook)

YEAAAAAAH I LOVE IT STILL. Queer transgender cinema. 4.5 stars.

Zola (2020, dir. Janicza Bravo)

I had not watched this since it came out and once again Tubi had the juice. I don’t know, I think maybe The Academy should send back some of Anora’s Oscars and give them to this team — much more layered and compelling, but did not receive the same praise!!! 3.5 stars.

Juno (2007, dir. Jason Reitman)

There is always a special place in my heart for this film. My sister and I couldn’t go see it in theatres but we found the DVD at Walmart shortly after it was released and we immediately watched it twice in a row. Perfect soundtrack. “I don’t know what kind of girl I am”. 4.5 stars.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002, dir. Gurinder Chadha)

One of the greatest films of all time. 5 stars.

She’s The Man (2006, dir. Andy Fickman)

Bring back having silly fun with Shakespeare!!!!!!! 4 stars.

The Woman King (2022, dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood)

My big sister is behind on a lot of movies so we’re catching her up. NEED Lashana Lynch, Viola Davis, and Sheila Atim back together PLEASE. PLEASE!!! 4 stars.

Courage Under Fire (1996, dir. Edward Zwick)

I wish I didn’t have to watch this again, but 52 Weeks of Denzel demanded it. I don’t know, it’s a 90s military movie…what is there to say? I wish Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington did something together again where they actually interacted. 3 stars.

Romeo + Juliet (1996, dir. Baz Luhrmann)

Mercutio forever!!!!!!!! 4 stars.

Television

Rewatch: Pen15 and Adults.
Hacks — what a journey it was. Excellent series finale.
Half-Man — hey so what the fuck?
Ongoing:
- From
- Widow’s Bay
- Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — Tatiana Maslany is BACK!
- Real Housewives of Rhode Island and Real Housewives of Atlanta
- A Killing Eve rewatch.

Listened

Obviously MUNA non-stop. There is something in my drafts about this album and it may stay there, but they are my favourite band for a reason!!!
The return of Lemme Say This remains an absolute TREAT:

Read

Blacktop Wasteland by SA Cosby. Not my faaaavourite of his books, but of course still engaging!
These excellent pieces on Is God Is, including this one from Marion Teniade on beehiiv: