august media-digest
what caught my eye: emily in paris S4, movies, sabrina carpenter with "short n'sweet" & more
Hi friends, and welcome back to the second episode of my monthly media digest. This episode will focus on August and everything that caught my attention.
We have officially entered September, and that means only one thing: goodbye summer, and hello autumn.
I absolutely love this season, and I’m not lying when I say that I look forward to autumn all year long. The warm tones, shorter days, orange leaves, rain, sweaters, and hot coffee mugs.
Everything that makes up this magical atmosphere enchants me every time.
Very soon, I’ll be starting my master’s degree in media and culture, and I absolutely can't wait. I’m really excited to return to studying things I’m passionate about and that are a part of me. Plus, with autumn just around the corner, studying with the sound of rain in the background is so relaxing and makes me incredibly productive. I’ve missed the university routine, and I’m really excited about getting back into it.
Enough chatter, let’s talk about my favorites of the month!
📺 WATCHING
I'm so proud of myself because this summer I kept up with almost all the new releases in theaters. I watched a lot of movies on the big screen, and I couldn't be happier. I discovered a new favorite cinema that not only offers wonderful films but also provides a complete cinematic experience. So how could I not keep going there?
MOVIES:
Twisters (2024)— How could I possibly miss this movie? Of course, it had to be seen in theaters; the world is obsessed with it, and I completely understand why, because I am too. I love disaster films, and I couldn’t pass this one up (especially with the incredible cast). I managed to catch it a few days after its theatrical release, but it was something I had to see eventually. The 2024 film is a sequel to the 1996 blockbuster ‘Twister’. The story follows Kate, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, a former tornado chaser who had theorized a scientific solution to eliminate tornadoes but, after a traumatic incident in her past, returns to New York and abandons her research. She reconnects with a former colleague and friend, Javi (Anthony Ramos), who involves her in a scientific project to track tornadoes, bringing her back to Oklahoma. There, she meets Tayler Owens (played by the incredible Glen Powell, who is driving everyone crazy), a social media superstar known for being a reckless tornado chaser who posts his wild adventures. It’s a story of competition, adventure, and full of adrenaline. I loved the action scenes, as well as the realism of the tornadoes and how they draw you into the film. It’s a product that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of movie genre. After watching it with my boyfriend, I won’t lie: it influenced us quite a bit. We came home blasting ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’.
Civil War (2024)— I finally watched 'Civil War' on streaming after months of its release, and I have to say I'm glad I did, because, after hearing countless comments, I finally understood the significance of this film. Set in a dystopian future in the United States, 'Civil War' follows a group of photographers and journalists caught up in a sudden and violent civil conflict that divides the country. Lee Smith, played by Kirsten Dunst, is a war photographer documenting the civil unrest sweeping through the nation. Throughout the narrative, she is accompanied by a young aspiring photographer, Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), who follows the events trying to emulate her mentor Lee. The story is incredible, and the war scenes are extraordinarily immersive, capturing the chaos and intensity of the conflict with a visual style that plunges the viewer into the heart of the action. The cinematography uses a mix of handheld shots and wide panoramas to create a sense of urgency and disorientation. A film that deserves all its stars, both for its plot and its social commentary.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)— As I already mentioned, I finally saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' in theaters. It’s a film I had been looking forward to for months and couldn’t wait to see with my own eyes. Being a big fan of the X-Men franchise, I enjoyed the film a lot, although I was expecting a bit more in some respects. 'Deadpool & Wolverine', as the title suggests, follows the adventures of two Marvel superheroes: Wade Wilson and Logan, who must team up to defeat a powerful common enemy and prevent a plot that could destroy the mutant world. This duo entertained audiences worldwide, from their hilarious banter and Wade’s breaking of the fourth wall to the love-hate dynamic that defines their relationship. I liked the film. I found it perhaps a bit underdeveloped. There were numerous cameos that were not fully explored, leaving the story feeling somewhat incomplete. But overall, it’s a fun, light film to watch with friends. I’m now curious about what will happen next in the Marvel universe.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)— A film I wish I had seen much earlier. It’s incredible how little has been said and is said about the condition of women in the 1950s. This film struck me deeply, both for its extraordinary female cast and for the importance of the themes it addresses and how they are developed. Set in the 1950s, 'Mona Lisa Smile' tells the story of Katherine Watson (played by our beloved Julia Roberts), a young and idealistic art teacher who arrives at Wellesley College, a very traditional women’s institution. Katherine challenges the social conventions of the time and encourages her students to look beyond the predetermined roles of wife and mother, urging them to think independently and consider alternative careers and lives. It’s a reflective drama that explores the conflicts between tradition and change and the role of women in society, highlighting how they have always been seen and considered solely in terms of serving their husbands and families, often at the expense of their own identities. It touched me deeply and made me reflect a lot. You can find it on Netflix, and I highly recommend watching it.
Alien + Alien Romulus— I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi horror, but I admit this franchise has surprised me. I should note that I haven’t seen all the films, just the original from 1979. I caught up on 'Alien' and then 'Alien: Romulus.' It’s a truly intriguing saga that has captured the attention of audiences worldwide, including mine. The story takes place in space, specifically aboard the spaceship Nostromo, which intercepts a distress signal from an unknown planet. During the exploration, one of the astronauts is attacked by an alien creature. This sets off a series of unsettling and thrilling sequences. It’s revealed that the alien is a deadly life form that grows rapidly inside its hosts before emerging and hunting. 'Alien: Romulus' (2024) is set in the same universe and follows six people searching for cryosleep pods on an abandoned ship, only to discover that it’s not so abandoned after all, as it’s inhabited by dormant alien creatures. It’s a dynamic film that engaged me even though it’s not my usual genre. It piqued my curiosity and motivated me to continue with the saga.
World War Z (2013) — I know, I'm arriving late. But I've only just had the chance to catch up on this film. Am I entering my Brad Pitt phase (20 years late)? Probably, and I’m excited about it. Now I want to watch all his films, and this one is at the top of my list. With a completely original plot, 'World War Z' offers a cinematic experience that pulls you into a whirlwind of adrenaline and suspense from start to finish. The film manages to refresh the zombie genre while also addressing the theme of global crisis. Brad Pitt, in the role of protagonist Gerry Lane, brings a presence of strength and determination, guiding the story through a series of devastated landscapes and extreme situations. It’s definitely a powerful film that might be divisive, but for me, it’s a great action movie with a magnificent Brad Pitt in his role.
TV SERIES:
Emily in Paris S3 & S4: I’m absolutely loving the world of Emily in Paris. This month, I caught up on Season 3 because I realized I had missed it, and I also watched Part 1 of Season 4— all in less than two days, lol. I love the character dynamics and how they continue to evolve even after four seasons. Lily Collins is perfect for the role of Emily, and as the seasons go on, I feel more and more connected to the story. What I’ve appreciated most is the work aspect—the market environment, promotional events, dinners, advertising ideas, creativity—everything related to marketing and communication is very close to my heart. After watching this series, I always feel inspired to pursue this path
The Bear S3: As I mentioned in the update post, I finally watched the third season of The Bear. I’m surprised at how, as the series progresses, it continues to impress me. From stunning cinematography to brilliant writing, this series captures my attention in every episode. Season 2 remains unbeatable, both in terms of plot, where we see an extraordinary leap in quality and narrative, and in the dialogue. I felt that Season 3 was more of a transitional season, setting the stage for Season 4. It’s still a magnificent season, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Sex and The City: I feel bad and curse myself for not having watched it sooner. This SERIES is the ultimate SERIES, rich in plots and with extraordinary writing. I’m only on the first season, but I already feel like I know all the characters perfectly. The style and aesthetics of the series are impeccable, and I feel so connected to the protagonist Carrie Bradshaw—played by the magnificent Sarah Jessica Parker. It's a sort of guilty pleasure to be savored like a sweet treat in a New York café.
🎧 LISTENING
‘Why Why Why’ & ‘Isn’t That Enough?’ by Shawn Mendes— ‘Shawn,’ Shawn Mendes’ new album, is coming soon, and in the meantime, he’s treated us to two new singles released at the beginning of August. I’m really excited for his return, and these two new songs are a testament to that. I absolutely love his new country style and feel that he has finally found himself.
‘Short ‘n Sweet’ by Sabrina Carpenter— Sabrina's new studio album released this month is something extraordinary. Even the album's name encapsulates the perfect review of itself—36 minutes of soft songs with carefree and slightly cheesy (in its embarrassing but funny sense) lyrics. The vibes are wonderful, conveying everything about her. I admire the honesty with which she expresses her thoughts and how she tells her story. Sabrina Carpenter has called it her first adult album, but also 'one of the most special, honest, high and low, silly and fun experiences of her life.' I’ve known Sabrina since her Disney Channel days and have only recently started following her as a singer. This album communicates something incredible, and I’ve been listening to her songs on repeat.
And since autumn is coming, my personalized playlists on Spotify are a must. I've created some all-autumn playlists, and I'm sharing them with you below.
As for reading, I’ve had practically no time to read anything, so I have no updates. But now that the cold season is approaching, I’ll have many more opportunities to stay home and read. I’ll keep you updated on my autumn TBR list.
That's all for August, and now that September is here, a new year begins—a fresh start filled with so many good things. Thank you for being with me, and I hope I've given you some ideas and a bit of inspiration. Let me know in the comments what your favorites of the month were; I can't wait to hear from you! See you in the next post ;)
Love,
—Michela.
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Extremely useful, thank you!!
I loved Twisters and Civil War, I havent watched the new Alien because of the baby but I cant wait! I am a huge fan of horror films 🤣