One of my motivations in returning to recommendation-based first-person writing last (!!) year, is that I wanted to do my part to make everyone watch The Pitt. This was an entirely selfish motivation as I wanted to create more people to talk about The Pitt with. Unfortunately The Pitt led to an obsession with ER, so I’d like it if all of you watched that now, too.

The Pitt is the best of serialized network television — a model that, between streamers and cable, we have wandered too far from. A 15-episode series, airing weekly, with A, B,and C plots, acted out by working television actors, and sometimes with a little morality lesson about the healthcare system thrown in as a treat. Doesn’t feel like a lot to ask, but if ‘10-hour movies’ are the disease, The Pitt is the cure! Oh and it didn’t take three years to shoot a second season. The one-day shift of Season 2 takes place on the 4th of July, and I, for one, am ready for some fireworks related injuries.

Nothing is cozier in winter than a snuggly little murder mystery set amongst England’s upper class. Is there anything that warms the spirit more? Agatha Christie is best known for her classic detectives Miss Marple (little old lady, garden appreciator) and Hercule Poirot (mustachioed, obnoxious) but they were not her only crimesolvers. Seven Dials is unique in that it sees socialite Lady Eileen Brent, a teen It Girl, take up the metaphorical magnifying glass. Obvi there have been many a Christie adaptation, but this one is from Chris Chibnall (more on him in a second) and, because there are only five actors in Britain, stars Martin Freeman, Helena Bonham Carter and Mia McKenna Bruce.

Something Old:

Okay so if Agatha Christie creates “feel-good” cozy murders, Broadchurch is definitely a feel-bad murder mystery (complimentary!!!!) Chris Chibnall (see above) former Doctor Who writer penned this absolutely devastating series about the murder of a boy in a small English beach town. Ya it’s as depressing as it sounds but the acting is TOP TIER. Chibnall brought over the best Doctor (Tennant, duh) as a jaded detective and paired him with an on-the-rise OLIVIA COLMAN. The whole thing is jam-packed with Brit goodness including a pre-fame Jonathan Bailey and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Truly one of the most devastating season finales (again complimentary) — prepare to ugly cry and enjoy saying “Mill-ah” in various accents.
*Gracepoint is not acknowledged on this blog

In my heart, I am 13-years-old and can’t believe they named a movie ‘Bone Temple.’ Coincidentally, I was also 13 when I saw 28 Days Later in theaters and fell in love with both zombies and Cillian Murphy’s ice blue calf eyes. Unfortunately, the zombie genre is hard, and years of The Walking Dead shambling along has all but rendered it inert. UNTIL last year’s 28 Years Later, helmed by OG director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, made a triumphant return. It was violent, poignant, shot on 100 iPhones, and featured Ralph Fiennes covered in iodine. THIS is what movies should be. Although Boyle is not back for the second film in what is, I guess, a sequel trilogy, Cillian is and so is my boy Jack O’Connell (Skins hive stays winning). 

I am legit interested in this upcoming satirical mockumentary from Charli XCX, and not just because I am a digital It Girl and all my cool It Girl friends will be in it. Presumably, the titular “Moment” is 2024’s Brat Summer coupe, where everything was lime green and Charli almost made Kamala president from vibes alone (take me back!) I am here for Charli’s foray into films, and think this is an interesting way to go from a pop star who hit the zeitgeist after a having been around the block (not an age knock, as she is younger than me and I am only 22). I really hope this is as good as the album!!!

Mousy office worker Rachel McAdams (lmao) is trapped on a deserted island with her asshole CEO Dylan O’Bryan after he threatens to lay her off. Reminiscent of 2022’s Triangle of Sadness,  but in today’s economy, who amongst us wouldn’t want to test their survival mettle against the head of their company in a life-or-death situation, immediately triumphing because your millennial grit has shaped you into the perfect worker, only for the entire economy to collapse over and over as you look to advance in the work force. Anyway, this seems fun, and because it’s Sam Raimi, there’s sure to be some cathartic body horror.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s follow up to abovementioned 28 Days Later was this sci-fi thriller about a group of astronauts trying to restart a dying sun. I’m not usually into “outer space,” we have enough problems down here, but Sunshine is a gorgeous, heartbreaking movie that absolutely scared the shit out of me. It also has one of the all time best ensemble casts — Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Chris Evans (pre-Marvel!), Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Wong, and Cliff Curtis HELLO. So if you wake up one morning, and it’s a particularly beautiful day, and you walk outside and see a rep theater marquee that says Sunshine, proceed immediately inside. 

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but let’s be real. Libraries are the one good thing we have left in this world, the one sturdy bastion against the tides of destruction. In this novel, a librarian in the midst of a mental breakdown must take up her duties and battle bookbanners and reference desk requests alike. Who amongst us cannot relate.

When two sisters in 1980’s Wyoming off their Indian immigrant uncle, they blame, what else, colonialism. Sounds right to me! The novel investigates family, heritage, and of course, the legacy of living in this, our postcolonial world. I appreciate an author who understands everything is better when viewed through the lens of murder. Which leads me too….

Okay remember three months ago when I said I was a huge mystery snob and had a Tana French shrine? Well, it’s time to become a believer! Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad book series (of which In the Woods is the first) are the BEST in mystery writing ! French’s background is in theater and acting, which really shows up in how she writes character and frames (haha) suspects. Nuanced, haunting, imaginative — if you have not read these and have even an inkling of interest in the word ‘detective,’ get thee to a bookstore (or library!!). Plus the second one is a straight up Secret History fanfic (complimentary!!!)

Phew, the theme of this month’s New Year’s blog turned out to be murder! Who would have thunk.

For our bullets this go round, I am here to bring to you the BEST (aka my favorite) TV, BOOKS, + MOVIES from 2025!! What were yours???

BEST TV:

BEST FILM:
I loved so many movies this year! If you missed my FILM FESTIVAL recap, I go into relentless detail about a lot of my favorites!

BEST BOOKS: