Doing these little lists gives me something to look back on at the end of the year, so I’m going to keep it up through 2020. I want future me to know that this month of January felt incredibly long. It dragged. There were good things about this month, like the new routines I started which I hope to continue for the rest of the year. I also liked these things:
Succession
The first time something has made two of my monthly favourites, which feels very Succession-y. Season 2 though is exceptional television. I enjoyed the different event per episode set up they took with these season, plus the development of all the characters.
Obviously my favourite moment of the season was Kendall Roy’s rap, closely followed by everything and anything cousin Greg does. I thought Roman was one of the best characters of the season, the way he started to become vulnerable and his relationship with Gerri. I loved the addition of Holly Hunter’s character Rhea, I hope we see more of her in season 3.
Florence Pugh’s Insta
I am obsessed with ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE Florence Pugh. Her Instagram, especially her insta stories with her ice cream machine, is a joy. Seeing as J Lo was snubbed, I am hoping Pugh wins the Oscar.
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Before the moment.. the exact moment. #nominated #forafuckingoscar!!!!!!
Hadestown
In typical Nadine fashion, I listened to one song from a musical by accident, then researched everything about it in one night leading to a new infatuation.
I was listening to the delightful Elaine Paige on Sunday on BBC Radio 2 where she played She Used To Be Mine from Waitress which I love, then Truth Beauty Freedom Love from Moulon Rouge! which I am dying to see, and then she started talking about Hadestown and how it had done well on Broadway during 2019. Then she played All I’ve Ever Known and I was HOOKED.
It’s my type of favourite song from a musical, a love song. After that first listen, I started listening to the whole soundtrack and researching everything about it. Now my favourite songs are: All I’ve Ever Known, Come Home With Me, Wait for Me, Wait for Me (Reprise), and Doubt Comes In. The transitions between songs in the soundtrack are beautiful.
Though it’s not just the music I like, it’s the background to the story too. It tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice from the Greek myth, in a 1930s/post-apocalyptic setting from what I understand. I’m really curious about Greek mythology, even though I don’t know much about them. I’d say I know the basics and I’m always keen to find out more, like reading Circe by Madeline Miller last year, so the premise of Hadestown really appeals to me. It’s a bonus that the music and story is really well done. I hope it comes back to the UK.
Listen to Eva Noblezada’s voice at 2:19. It’s INCREDIBLE.
Feels so, feels so, feels so good to dance again
It is taking a while to warm up to the whole of Rare, because I was such a huge fan of Revival before. However there’s a handful of tracks from Selena Gomez’s latest album I do like, like Rare, Look At Her Now, Lose You To Love Me and my favourite: Dance Again. It’s pure pop goodness. Upbeat and catchy and makes me wanna dance.
Sex Education season 2
I love Sex Education season 2 so much that I blogged about it. You can read about what I loved most about season 2, but to summarise: the representation is perfect, I like how it depicts sexuality and teen/young adult sex, I think it’s stylish, and it’s funny. If you’re the last person in the world to see it, I would recommend.
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Film and TV viewings
TV wise this month I’ve: finished Succession season 2, continued Schitt’s Creek season 3, started rewatching Modern Family and am on season 2, and watched Sex Education season 2.
Of 18 films I’ve watched in January, 2 of them were rewatches. The classic Mrs. Doubtfire I caught on TV and Booksmart because I introduced it to my family. This time of year usually brings a lot of good films to cinema, my highlights of the month were: 1917, Waves and Parasite which is SOOOOO good. Even with the hype, Bong Joon-ho’s black comedy/thriller delivered.
