DA 5 BLOODS (NETFLIX)
With everything happening right now in the country, Spike Lee’s new film, “Da 5 Bloods” seems pretty appropriate. Set in present day, the film follows 4 Vietnam vets who venture back to Vietnam in search of lost gold and their fallen comrade. Flashbacks in the film recall how intense the war was and the brotherly bond each of the guys have with one another. As with all of Spike’s films, the themes revolve around race relations and their effects on culture and society at large.
BETTY (HBO)
When I first watched “BETTY” I was hooked. A show about girls and skateboarding in NYC is always down my alleyway. The show centers around four girls, (Kirt, Indigo, Camille and Honeybear) who’s lives revolve around skating the local digs and getting in as much trouble as possible (not always intended). I was drawn to each of the characters and their stories and it made for a refreshing take on growing up in the eyes of young women.
I MAY DESTROY YOU (HBO)
Another HBO series I’ve been binging is called “I May Destroy You”. It’s a different type of series in that it focuses on different characters going through the same situations (at least a few episodes in). Series focuses on Arabella, a woman who is assaulted in a nightclub and has to deal with what has happened to her as the series goes on. It’s a great character study on trauma victims and I’ve been really glued in since I started watching this week. I really miss London while watching it, too! (IMDY takes place in London). Just be prepared because there is a lot of sexual scenes in this show and that may offend certain people.
CHARLI XCX (HOW IM FEELING NOW)
OK, so I’m going to cheat for a minute because this album came out May but it’s definitely one of my favorite albums this year! I’ve been a fan of Charli XCX for awhile now but something about this album just clicked. Maybe because the fact that it was made in quarantine and Charli let her fans decide the artwork/tracks on the album, it made for a more “intimate” feeling to me. A near perfect pop album from one of my favorite pop singers.