The Bear 

Have you ever dreamt of coming home from work, putting on a show, and feeling like you’re working again- in a high-stress kitchen in downtown Chicago? The head chef is screaming at you to cook for your life, while you try not to pass from heat exhaustion as there’s definitely no air conditioning. If you answered yes, this IS the show for you! If you answered no, you definitely need to watch it for character development!

I’m not going to lie, I was late to the party, only discovering this show recently because of my crush on Jeremy Allen White (shoutout to that Calvin Klein campaign!), who stars as the lead Carmie’. The storyline follows him as his twin brother passes, leaving Carmie his downtown sandwich shop. Carmie, who has been out of contact with his brother and working in Michelin Star restaurants, drops everything to take over the downtown Sammy shop. Opposite to everything he’s used to, it drives him a bit insane. 

The show is so real, in every aspect from the way it’s filmed to the script. Everyone I’ve talked to about it has had to watch both seasons within a week as the emotional involvement you develop for the characters in this show is second to none. The passing of Carmie’s twin brother was a result of his drug addiction, which makes Carmie confront his own, with alcohol. This storyline alone is not like anything I’ve ever seen before, and you honestly forget any of it is acting. Ayo Edebiri plays Sydney, a young chef who ends up being Carmie’s second, and I’ll let you watch it and see, but the tension between herself and Carmie during the two seasons is undeniable. She won a Golden Globe for her performance, and Allen White won two. 

Not bound by blood, but love, the Kitchen team in this becomes a family, which you’re made to feel a part of as a viewer.

Gosh, it’s hard to write this without giving anything away, but if you ever listen to me, let it be now. This show gets a perfect 10 for me. It’s even made me want to go to Chicago- you can actually visit the original sandwich shop!

Priscilla 8/10 

Another aesthetically beautiful film by Sofia Coppola, heartbreakingly amazing.

All of Us Strangers 6.5/10

As much as I wanted to love this film, it lost me a bit! Very indie, very film festival. Casting was perfect though.

One Day 8/10

I’m still recovering. It made me cry and text my exes, which made me cry even more. So good!