We have SO much to talk about! Let’s start with..

Movies

Let me begin, again, by encouraging you to go to the movie theater to see a movie. Most of these movies were made for you to enjoy on the big screen. All these movies I’m about to recommend will show at their best in that environment. Theaters had a couple big weekends this summer which is great (they really needed them) but that’s not the norm. Go support!

Barbie

While it’s an A for me, I know it’s not for everyone. I thought it was wholly entertaining and a visual spectacle. The acting was fantastic and everyone had a lot to say, much more and much more deeply than I was anticipating. When America Ferrera gave her speech, I teared through the whole thing (side note, I cry at almost anything remotely emotional, but I did not expect to cry through the last fifth of this movie.) I loved it.

The Little Mermaid

I’m a little late recommending this one, for which I apologize, because seeing it on the big screen was a joy. I was blown away by this film. Halle Bailey all but glowed the entire time, she is pure light. I was also impressed with how they made this film; I actually want to see a “how they did it” because they had me believing they were under water talking and singing, like you do. Another A.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

If you love Indiana Jones (how can you not?), go see this movie. In the spirit of, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” it is everything you would want from this franchise. Jones is coming to terms with his age and is retiring, but that doesn’t stop the adventure (brought to him by his goddaughter) from swooping him up. Throw in some great cameos and callbacks to the series’ past installments and you have a more than worthy final chapter.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

I LOVE the Mission: Impossible and Jason Bourne movies! This latest entry is no disappointment, in fact it is a GREAT time!! It’s a two-hour 43-minute film that does not feel long at all, and it’s only part one! The stunts are unreal (I cannot stop thinking about the train sequence) which is why we go. It isn’t really for the story because the plot is a bit unwieldy (I still haven’t quite figured it out – but who cares?!). Basically the AI in this version is bad news. I do recommend a little homework, if you haven’t seen the last couple M:I’s, it’ll make it easier to follow if you watch them first.

TV

I was alone in my house for about a week so I did some major TV catch up. Way back when, I recommended “Never Have I Ever” on Netflix. I really enjoyed the first season but, as is often the case, I didn’t stick with it because new shiny shows came along. Well, I caught up and I loved it! I kinda think it was made for people my age which is funny since it’s about an Indian teenager navigating her way through high school, but it gave me all the feels and John McEnroe (the narrator) is fantastic.

“The Diplomat” – I love Keri Russell. This show is also on Netflix. Russell plays Kate Wyler, a career diplomat who, out of nowhere, lands a high-profile job where a lot is expected of her from the second she steps foot in England. Is it realistic? Nope. Does it matter? Nope. She is a smart cookie amid chaos and that’s always fun to watch.

“The Bear” – on season one (Hulu), Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) plays a fine dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop. I liked it and was happy to give season two a go. Season two is a totally different program. Carmy is trying to open the restaurant he wants to open and, this time, everyone involved gets a little time in the sun, and each episode showcases unbelievable cameos and character depth arcs. Highly recommend.

Women’s issues

Recently I have been pointing out how women’s health has been largely ignored by every facet of the health industry/community. Turns out, big surprise, ignoring women’s issues is prevalent in every area. The Gist is a 4x-weekly newsletter that focuses on sports, often zeroing in on the women playing them. Edition #833 from July 16th was eye-opening to me (here is a link to The Gist but you may have to search for this particular issue). The whole issue is interesting, I hope you’ll read it all the way through, but this little nugget has stuck with me (regarding how often research has excluded women and yet applies its results to us as a gender): “One study of obesity’s effect on breast and uterine cancers failed to include any female subjects.” WHAT?! Also this, “…studies on the effect of aspirin, estrogen, or diet and exercise on heart disease – the leading cause of death for U.S. women – enrolled between 8K and 22K men…and zero women.” Astonishing. Equipment is often not made with the female body in mind either, affecting competitive cyclists, among others. It goes on and on.

In the same vein, if you can take more, try listening to the first episode of the most recent season of the Serial podcast called “The Retrievals.” (linked) Dozens of women seeking to become mothers went to a fertility clinic at Yale. You will not believe how these women were ignored, their pain was disregarded and how they were made to feel (crazy, shameful, problematic). No one listened to them when they were telling them what was going on.

Also, if you read or listened to the NY Times Magazine article on menopause that I mentioned previously, the author, Susan Dominus, had a really interesting follow up on The Daily, you can listen here.

Books

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

The title may make it seem like a frivolous read, but there is real depth here. Gay Uncle Patrick, due to a tragic event, has agreed to care for his niece and nephew over the summer. I laughed and cried and laughed some more. Apparently a movie version is in the works.

My usual suspects; Emily Henry, Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood all have new books I highly recommend. You just can’t go wrong with them as long as you enjoy well-written, funny, charming, intelligent romance. You should check out all three!

Happy Place

True Love Experiment (helpful to read The Soulmate Equation first)

Love, Theoretically

Happy back to school, for those going through it! May this school year go well! And happy rest of summer to all! Thanks for reading – xo.