Wizards Unite, Rocketman, and “You Need to Calm Down”
Hot Takes & Not Takes for June:
I’ve gone head over heels for this series and this franchise in general (read: I’ve started buying the merch). Between watching the entire series twice (and now a third time as I’m forcing my mom to watch it with me) and listening to the soundtrack nearly everyday it’s easy to say this is the most charming and wholesome thing I will interact with all year. Reasons you should watch: it’s queer (and so is the author); it will make you feel better; the animation is so well done. Bonus reason: Taron Egerton.
Where to watch: If you’re in the US you’re going to have to look around since it hasn’t aired here (and it doesn’t appear there are plans at the moment to import it) but I recommend checking through Reddit and Tumblr…
Also queer, also lovely. I’m a fan of the book and I’ve always read Aziraphale and Crowley (love the ship name, by the way) as being, maybe not “in love”, completely and utterly dedicated to each other and each other’s well being. So, yeah. The show amps it up to 90%, particularly with a 30 minute cold open before episode three that has made my life so much better. The show also manages to balance all the stories whereas that was the biggest issue I had with the book—I would want to read about one character but be stuck in fifty pages of another. Reasons you should watch: David Tennant & Michael Sheen; brilliant storytelling (I mean, duh, it’s Neil Gaiman adapting his and Terry Pratchett’s novel); Anathema’s wardrobe. Bonus reason: you’ll piss of the Christians.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
I’m 100% biased when it comes to this band—Bastille has been my favorite band EVER since high school. They’re one of the few groups I’ve ever seen in concert and I’d go every opportunity I could if I had the funds. This album, while not my favorite of their three releases (Wild World was absolutely defining for me), it’s definitely in my top twenty albums of all time. Best tracks: Doom Days, Divide, 4AM. Also of note: the album is organized by time.
Where to listen: wherever you stream music; the vinyl sounds beautiful and there’s also a limited edition cassette tape (objectively, cassette is the best way to listen to music)
You Need to Calm Down—Taylor Swift
My first thought was “wait, did she just say that?” not because it was a mic-drop moment but because I thought I misheard what would otherwise be a tacky line that feels like it came out of nowhere. But, nope, “shade never made anyone less gay” and “when you could be GLAAD” are real lines. I’m not saying I don’t like the song—it’s a total bop—but it feels kind of like a misplaced Connor 4 Real song. There’s certainly something in her message of Love Yourself and the fact that she is clearly trying to reach out to her queer fans is nice.
Where to listen: wherever you stream music
Rocketman
The best movie I’ve seen all year, hands down. I didn’t want it to end—the music, the costumes, Taron’s performance, it was all perfect. I cried, I laughed. It hits every box for me. It’s also a good example of what defines nonfiction and whether being completely accurate will be more truthful or less. It’s also made me really think about who tells stories and who has the right to tell stories for other people… big thoughts, really. This movie is perfect. Why you should watch: Elton John; all the glasses; Taron Egerton. Bonus reason: Taron Egerton performs all the music and he’s so good; I keep listening to the soundtrack.
Where to watch: In theaters
This game is a slog if I’m being honest. They made it overly complicated and, because Harry Potter doesn’t exactly have the same design as Pokemon they had to build from the ground up to have a reason why you would need to go around catching things for this game. The story holds up so far, I guess? I think it’s a bit of a stretch. I also really dislike the design for how you catch the Confoundables—with Pokemon Go you don’t have to click the Pokemon to see if you already have it you can just tell on the map whereas here you have to go into the Confoundable, see you have it, and then click out. It’s also, at least for me living in the suburbs, a Pay to Play game because I don’t live close enough to have easy access to a way to replenish my spell energy. I’ve sunk $6 into this game and I won’t be spending anymore because I’ve determined it’s a waste.
Where to play: Download from the app store
A few other thoughts and things I’ve enjoyed this month:
- The Moominvalley Soundtrack is as charming as the show
- Old Town Road only just entered my life and I am all the better for it
- I’ve also recently discovered web comics via Castle Swimmer which is a must read
- Regarding reading I’ve been doing, I finished up Beasts of Extraordinary Value and The Ocean at the End of the Lane; I would recommend both
- Only a few hours ago I went and saw Yesterday and it was so much funnier than I thought! It was a good movie (with the best ending it could have) though the previews did give quite a bit away, in my opinion
- When I wasn’t hitting my head over Wizard’s Unite I was playing through Pokemon: Let’s Go Eevee and it’s so cute! It’s easier than other Pokemon games but no less fulfilling
