16th Annual Oscar Picks

Grab your googly eyes and throw some confetti in the air—it's Oscar prediction time! If you're looking for totally and completely correct predictions in all 23 Oscar categories, you've come to the right place. Because I never get it wrong.*

(Previously: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,  2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

Best Picture: "All Quiet on the Western Front" is pushing hard, and "The Fabelmans," "Tar," and even "Top Gun: Maverick" all have a fighting shot at the top prize. But with big wins at all major guild ceremonies (Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild, Producers Guild, etc.), I just don't see anybody but "Everything Everywhere All At Once" going home with this award. (Rightfully so! I'd hand the Daniels the gold for the scene with those two rocks alone.)

Best Director: You may think he already has too many awards in this category already, but believe it or not, Steven Spielberg hasn't won the Best Director prize since 1998's "Saving Private Ryan"—TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. So while there's more than a solid chance the Daniels will grab this one, I think the Academy will find a way to honor "The Fabelmans" with a win in this category.

Best Actor: The only surprise here will be if someone besides Brendan Fraser or Austin Butler wins. And as cool as it would be to see Fraser's "comeback" continue with a win on Sunday, I'm giving the edge to Austin Butler.

Best Actress: The only surprise here will be if someone besides Cate Blanchett or Michelle Yeoh wins. And just like above, although I would love to call this one for Yeoh, I think Cate Blanchett is an unstoppable force.

Best Supporting Actor: I suppose there's a parallel universe out there where someone other than Ke Huy Quan wins this one. But it's not ours! Grab your fanny pack and get your speech ready, Ke—you're up!

Best Supporting Actress: Man, talk about a toss-up. Sometimes this category is all sewn up (like last year with our queen, Ariana DeBose), but this time around it's truly anyone's guess! I want to say Stephanie Hsu because she's phenomenal (and also because I like bragging that I saw her on Broadway in "Be More Chill" back in 2019), but Jamie Lee Curtis, Angela Bassett, and Kerry Condon seem to have the best chances here. It's truly anyone's guess, and mine is Angela Bassett.

Animated Feature: As fantastic as all of these nominees are, I think this one belongs to "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio."

Production Design: Man—talk about a stacked category! It's definitely possible "Babylon" or "All Quiet on the Western Front" could sneak in here, but I don't think it's wise to count a Baz Luhrmann movie out in this category. So I'm going with "Elvis!"

Cinematography: I think this one will either go to "All Quiet on the Western Front" or "Elvis," and it's difficult to predict which direction the Academy will lean. "AQotWF" has picked up several precursor awards for this category, though, so while I wouldn't be at all surprised to see "Elvis" grab this one, I'm still going with "All Quiet on the Western Front."

Costume Design: Right this way, Mr. Presley—"Elvis" has this one in the bag.

Film Editing: It's possible that "Top Gun: Maverick" scoops this one up, but I tend to like to go with my Best Picture pick, so my money's on "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

Makeup and Hairstyling: I could pretend to be waffling between a couple of these, but come on. It's gonna be "The Whale."

Original Score: Okay NOW I'm waffling. (And I want waffles.) It's down to "The Fabelmans," "Babylon," and "All Quiet on the Western Front" for me—although I suppose "Everything Everywhere" could grab this as well. (Or even "Banshees," wow! I didn't realize Carter Burwell composed that one!) Man this is tough. With minimal confidence and pretty much only a gut feeling to go on, I'm picking "All Quiet on the Western Front." (Although I would be delighted to hear John Williams' name being called for "The Fabelmans" come Sunday!)

Original Song: I know it's not wise to bet against Rihanna or Lady Gaga. But I'm going to—I'm picking Naatu Naatu from "RRR." 

Original Screenplay: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is so creative and inventive and well crafted, I have to believe it's going to win this award.

Adapted Screenplay: A lot of people seem to think this one will go to "Women Talking," but I just can't envision it happening. Plan on seeing "All Quiet on the Western Front" pick this one up too.

Sound: While this could be another category clinched by "All Quiet on the Western Front," I think the Academy will be looking for ways to give a nod to "Top Gun: Maverick." So in a tight race, I'm giving the edge to "Top Gun: Maverick."

Visual Effects: I can't imagine "Avatar: The Way of Water" not winning this one. This is probably THE lock of the night.

Documentary Feature: Truly, truly I say to you: I have never heard of ANY of these movies. (Some film fan I am!) But most prognosticators seem to think it's gonna be "Navalny," and I'm a very agreeable person (obviously), so I'm checking that box as well!

Documentary Short: This could very well go to "Stranger at the Gate," but if I learned anything from "My Octopus Teacher," it's to never count an animal film out. I'm going with "The Elephant Whisperers."

International Feature Film: Just going to pause here and acknowledge once again how insane it is that "RRR" was not nominated in this category. So without that competition, the way is clear for "All Quiet on the Western Front," a very deserving film.

Animated Short: My very informed and uh... confident... prediction is that the winner will be... "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse."

Live Action Short: It looks to me to be down to "An Irish Goodbye," "The Red Suitcase," and "Le Pupill." "An Irish Goodbye" won the BAFTA, so I'm going with that one!

*Hey so... I don't know how to tell you this, but... I actually do get it wrong pretty frequently. Like, a lot a lot. I'm sorry I lied. I'll work on it.

2022 Favorites

  My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2022

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3. Love on the Brain
Look, we're all familiar with the fact that my final rating of a book will, in many ways, correlate directly to the number of Heart Sparkles (TM) it gave me. And much like its STEM/rom-com predecessor, "The Love Hypothesis," "Love on the Brain" delivered on Heart Sparkles. Dr. Bee Königswasser finds herself transferred to NASA to work on a dream project... with her nemesis. Luckily for us (the readers), her nemesis just happens to be tall, dark, and handsome. And secretly soft, caring, and filled to the brim with heart eyes for Bee. "Love on the Brain" was sweet, clever, and even a little mysterious, and I can't wait to jump back in for a re-read.

“She’s everything I ever wanted and I want to inject her into my veins and also to never see her again.”

2. The Do-Over
From Lynn Painter, author of my #1 read from last year, "Better Than the Movies," comes "The Do-Over," another clean dive into a high school rom-com pool filled with heart-shaped sprinkles and a dash of impossible magic. Emilie Hornby is fully prepared to have the best Valentine's Day ever, but instead it turns out to be... the worst. She sets out to fix everything the next day, but finds herself somehow reliving Valentine's Day again. It's Groundhog Day by way of enemies-to-lovers, but better, because "The Do-Over" has broody Nick Stark, sarcasm-laced banter, and a dark ribbon of melancholy running throughout. It's a quick, easy read, one that will leave you eager to find a way to step back into the same day over and over again—if only a Nick Stark is waiting on the other side.

"And as we ran over the snow-packed pavement, I felt magically, wonderfully, not like myself. I was the manic pixie dream girl in a movie, a character created solely to be uncomplicated, unexpected, and utterly unpredictable."

1. The Replacement Crush
After her summer fling turns out to be a not-so-great guy, Vivian Galdi decides she needs someone else to swing her heart-eyed gaze onto. Enter her idea for a "replacement crush"—a new guy she can fixate on without risking heartache. It's a concept easier said than done, especially with new "McNerd" Dallas Lang on the scene, a Clark Kent-lookalike who ends up working side-by-side with Vivian at her mother's bookstore. There's a ton to love about "The Replacement Crush," including the delightful small coastal town setting, tons of book talk, and some excellent character growth. What tips this one into the #1 slot, though, is the Grand Gesture at the end of the book. I was sitting on my couch listening to the audiobook, and I was so delighted by the unexpected surprise awaiting me that I literally stood up in excitement and pumped my fists in the air. Who could literally ask for anything more?

"It's like a bad movie, watching you pretend you don't like him."

Honorable Mention

Cupcake, Cookie O'Gorman (This one NARROWLY missed being in my top three—it made me grin and sigh and swoon.)
The Bookworm Crush, Lisa Brown Roberts (A worthy follow-up to "The Replacement Crush!")
The Body in the Garden, Katharine Schellman (A solid mystery.)
When You Get the Chance, Emma Lord (Entertaining and fun—and packed with tons of Broadway references!)
Moment of Truth, Kasie West (Another heart-swooping story from my girl Kasie.)
Just Haven't Met You Yet, Sophie Cousens (Well-written and super sweet.)
The Wrong Prom Date, Alexandra Moody (Adorable! It had shades of "A Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad," another fave of mine.)
Reluctantly Yours, Erin Hawkins (Fun, sweet, cute. The ending made me cry—in a good way!)
Blind Side, Kandi Steiner (Sweet (and spicy) and made me tear up!)
Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Talia Hibbert (Hibbert's use of similes and metaphors—stars streaming across the sky and camera pops behind eyelids—is incredible.)

 I was going to try to read 80 books this year but I only read 67. Oh well! Who cares! Full list here.

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2022

3. (tie) Bullet Train
What an absolute blast. Every actor riding the "Bullet Train" seems to be having the time of their life—including those popping up in the handful of surprise cameos I had no idea were coming. It was a highly entertaining mix of hilarious jokes, sly references, fun characters, and tons of bloody mayhem—almost like a Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino joint. I mean, any movie that introduces each new character with a splashy, stylized title graphic automatically wins extra points in my book. The whole thing is crazy, twisty, and surprising—just so much fun. Come for Brad Pitt, stay for Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s over-the-top “Fanks but it's a Bullet Train, innit?” accent.

3. (tie) Vengeance
Continuing our run of excellent late-summer movies: "Vengeance." Smart storytelling, unique characters, and a solid (and satisfying!) mystery all added up to make up a brilliant and incredibly entertaining film. BJ Novak turned his sharp and observant eye on Texas, and the result is a hilarious, familiar, and spot-on portrait of the Lone Star State. From the characters' use of phrases like "fixin' to" to their fierce love of Whataburger, everything that ribbed them about their "Texan-ness" felt like it came from a place of love. And even though Novak's character clearly came to the state to make fun of the "local yokels," they often make him the butt of the joke and roll their eyes at what he THINKS he knows about them ("I know what South By is!"). Can't recommend this one highly enough.

2. Matilda the Musical
"Matilda the Musical" is one of my favorite Broadway shows. Seeing it felt like experiencing lightning in a bottle, so I was delighted to discover it was being adapted for the screen. And while the stage version still reigns supreme, Netflix certainly created a worthy film adaptation. The story remains inventive and heartbreaking, the casting was top notch, and elements like the production design and costuming dazzled. The breakout, though, is the music and choreography. From our sweet lead actress Alisha Weir doing handstands on her roof as she sang her heart out about being naughty to a group of children dreaming and singing about what it will be like to be grown up to the iconic red beret girl dancing fiercely down the school hallways, it's all magic. If you're a musical fan at all, this one is not to be missed!

1. Top Gun: Maverick
Part of me is convinced that I'll never have a movie theater experience like "Top Gun: Maverick" again. How could anything surpass it? It had so many things working in its favor: nostalgia, adrenaline, humor, pathos... it's movie magic at its finest! Everything in this movie works: the tight, straight-forward plot, the mix of old and new characters (all perfectly cast, although the standouts are Glen Powell and Miles Teller), the music, the cinematography, and, of course, those adrenaline-inducing stunts. Seeing it in a packed theater of people who were all genuinely pumped to be there—everyone laughing, clapping, and cheering (yes, CHEERING!)—felt absolutely electric. By the end I felt like I was levitating in my seat, and I couldn't wait to go see it again. (And again.) (And again.) I just hope we don't have to wait another 30+ years for the next one.

Honorable Mention: Apollo 10 1/2, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Gray Man, Nope, Ticket to Paradise, She Said, The Menu, The Fabelmans

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2022

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

3. Bridgerton
Okay, right off the bat let me just come clean and admit that I never watched season 1 of "Bridgerton." I just wasn't interested, for whatever reason. But when I saw a few clips and pictures from season 2, I was intrigued and decided to check it out. (Apparently I wasn't the only one to do this—bff Julie admitted she did the exact same thing!) I love an enemies-to-lovers romance, and "Bridgerton" delivered that in spades. The show is far from perfect, and at times it's downright silly, but Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, and the chemistry between my favorite pair, Eloise and Theo, went a long way in endearing the 'ton to me. Bring on that Colin + Penelope pairing, season 3!
Stream it on Netflix 

2. Players
I absolutely adore mockumentary series with high production values that balance humor with real drama. Off the top of my head, this list includes "American Vandal" one of my top shows of 2017, and now "Players," a new series from the creators of... "American Vandal." Taking you behind the scenes of the cutthroat world of professional e-sports, "Players" rides the line between the ridiculous (the main character's gamer name is "Creamcheese") and the believable extremely well, whipping the audience between poignancy and hilarity at breakneck speeds. It kept me on my toes, made me laugh out loud, and left me wondering what Cream, Organizm, and the rest of the Fugitive gamers would be up to now.
Stream it on Paramount+ 

1. The Bear
"The Bear" is one giant ball of tense, anxiety-inducing excellence. And I loved it. From the opening scene to that final surprising, promising shot, "The Bear" was an absolute ride. The story of a world-class chef who finds himself back at his family's local Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop unfolded in exhilarating sequences of beautiful food preparation, stressful business-ownership, and sharply realistic characters—mostly fighting with and yelling at each other. At the center of it all is Jeremy Allen White's Carmy, an expert chef setting out to prove himself, lead his kitchen, and process some heavy grief. It all culminates in a series of smart revelations and one of the best television monologues I've ever seen, delivered deftly and emotionally by Jeremy Allen White. 
Stream it on Hulu

Honorable Mention: Murderville, Starstruck, The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window

I just want to add a note that many of the shows I watched and ranked as favorites in previous years are still releasing new episodes—namely Cobra Kai (Netflix), Girls 5Eva (Netflix), Never Have I Ever (Netflix), and Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). These shows are still killing the game, and if you didn't take me up on it before, go check them out now! 

My Three Favorite Events of 2022

3. August Galveston Trip
At the beginning of August, I escaped the confines of my house (I'd recently gotten over Covid) and enjoyed the best, most leisurely long weekend at the beach house. For a few days it was just me, my stack of books, coffee and cinnamon rolls, and easygoing trips to the beach. Then I was joined by my parents and brother, and Dad treated the four of us to a delicious, fancy dinner at a restaurant overlooking Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn. It was fun and special and delightful and I am more than ready to go back. (How 'bout it, Dad?)

2. Oregon College Friends Trip
Last spring, Julie and I flew up to Oregon to see Dani and get away for a girls trip in Bend! It was so fun not only to get some face time with two of the best, but to do it in such a cool, tourist-y setting! We shopped at cute stores, ate amazing food, hiked the gorgeous Deschutes river trail, saw Dani's home/family/horses, watched "West Side Story" (😏), and talked non-stop. It was good for my soul, and I can't wait to Girls Trip again with them soon!

1. Family Time in Galveston + Christmas
There's truly nothing better in the world to me than being with all of my people, relaxing and enjoying time together at the beach house. This year we rode the ferry, sang karaoke, went go carting, swam in the canal, took the boat out, threw all the water balloons, ate ice cream on the Strand, went to see the peacocks, and took many, many trips to the beach. It was heaven on earth.
 

Then in December, the whole family got together again to celebrate Christmas in Houston! I could write a whole paragraph about it, or you could just press play on this video:

Honorable Mention: Dallas Fan Expo/Hobbit reunion with Lara, Clay singing "Red and Black" from Les Miserables AT KARAOKE, March trip to Phoenix, Dani's book "Buzz the Not-So-Brave" finally releasing, Austin pool day with Ellie, double feature movie day with Stacy, and Taco Club!

15th Annual Oscar Picks

If I were an Academy voter, I'd be ticking the box next to "West Side Story" all the way down the ballot. Unfortunately they still haven't invited me to be a member (crazy, right?), so it's not up to me. Instead, these are my predictions of what I think Academy voters will do. And I know I'm 100% right, as I have never been wrong before. What's that like?*

(Previously: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,  2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

 

Best Picture: For the longest time, all anyone was predicting for this category was "The Power of the Dog." Then "CODA" won the SAG and the PGA, and the tide turned its favor: everyone seems to be forecasting a "CODA" win. But I've got to go with my gut—I'm sticking with "The Power of the Dog." It's got a pile of awards on its side, plus a slew of the right Oscar nominations like director and editing, and I just don't think it's enough for "CODA" to overcome. (Side note: if anything other than those two wins, I will be truly shocked.)

Best Director: I'm pairing this category with Best Picture: I think it's going to Jane Campion. What's cool is that a win for Campion would mean back-to-back female winners in this category after Chloe Zhao's took home the prize last year!

Best Actor: The name I wish I was writing here: Andrew Garfield for "tick, tick...BOOM!" The name I am writing: Will Smith.

Best Actress: This is the rare category where almost anyone could walk away with the prize. It makes it super tough to predict, but I think Jessica Chastain might finally pull out a win after two previous nominations.

Best Supporting Actor: I mean, the SHOCK I will feel if anybody but Troy Kotsur gets this one. I will be ON THE FLOOR.

Best Supporting Actress: Let's hear it for our girl, Ariana DeBose! She has danced her way through this awards season scooping up every prize on her way to the Oscars, and I can't wait to see her smiling face shining on the stage of the Dolby Theatre.

Animated Feature: Listen, this one may very well go to "Encanto." Which is... fine. But I just don't see how a kind of lackluster film (granted, with great songs) gets more love than the supremely well-crafted and insanely creative "The Mitchells vs the Machines." I'm praying for an 11th hour miracle and hoping the Academy shows up for the Mitchell family. 

Production Design: I kind of want to be controversial and pick "West Side Story" or "Nightmare Alley." But—despite how not great I may be doing so far—I actually want to pick the most winners. And in this case, the winds seem to be blowing in the direction of "Dune."

Cinematography: There are a few indicators out there that point to a win for "Power of the Dog," but the American Society of Cinematographers gave their top prize to "Dune." So I think it'll be "Dune."

Costume Design: If Paul Tazwell were to win for "West Side Story" (which I think would definitely be deserved), he would be the first Black male to win in this category! But "Cruella" has this one in the bag.

Film Editing: Feels like it could really be anyone! (Wouldn't it be cool if it was "tick, tick...BOOM!" though?) I kind of think it comes down to "Power of the Dog" and "Dune," though, so eeny, meeny, miny, "Dune."

Makeup and Hairstyling: I won't be surprised if "Cruella" picks this one up, but I'm putting my fictional money behind "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

Original Score: If there's a lock on this ballot, it's gotta be "Dune" winning Best Score, right?

Original Song: I think it's more than possible that Billie Eilish will scoop this one up for "No Time to Die." But I can't shake the feeling that Academy voters will be looking for a way to award the whole "Encanto" soundtrack (most notably "We Don't Talk About Bruno") when they select "Dos Oruguitas" to win this category, so let's go with "Encanto."

Original Screenplay: This will probably the only award of the evening that "Belfast" goes home with.

Adapted Screenplay: It's a showdown between the two top Best Picture contenders—if it's not "CODA" it'll be "The Power of the Dog."

Sound: It's gotta be "Dune," right? I feel pretty comfortable saying no other movie has a chance here.

Visual Effects: I don't think the Academy is ready to give Marvel the gold in this category, so count on "Dune" grabbing this one too.

Documentary Feature: It's going to be fun seeing Questlove accept the award for "Summer of Soul!"

Documentary Short: We're going with "The Queen of Basketball" for this one, folks!

International Feature Film:  I can't envision a future where "Drive My Car" doesn't win here.

Animated Short: "Robin Robin" is the only one of the nominees I've even heard of, and it seems to have some steam behind it, so that's going to be my pick!

Live Action Short:  This is me spinning a giant wheel with all five potential winners on it and landing on... "The Long Goodbye!"

*For legal reasons, this is a joke.

2021 Favorites

 My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2021

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Mariana Zapata
 As many books as I read in a year, I still don't come across many that I would consider "un-put-down-able." This one definitely qualifies. I stayed up way too late immersed in this sweet, warm blanket of a romance leaving me heart-eyed and daydreaming of a gruff and caring Aiden of my own. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and it doesn't feature the most beautiful writing I've ever experienced. It does, however, constantly invoke a slow, dopey grin at the push-pull of Aiden and Vanessa's love/hate relationship, and sometimes that's all we're looking for in our comfort books.

“You haven’t left me when I needed you. Why wouldn’t I do the same for you?” 

2. More Than Maybe, Erin Hahn
I literally read a dozen books last year before I made it to a five-star read: "More Than Maybe." And I fell hard and fast for this sweet gem! An intelligent and passionate female lead? Check. A dashing yet uncertain (and British!) male lead? Check! Erin Hahn truly has a gift for romance writing—her descriptions of the thoughts you have when you have a crush on someone... like, GET OUT OF MY BRAIN! This was fun and lovely and tinged with sadness—I cried my way through the end. And even though I'm not much of a popular music fan, I still found myself admiring and respecting Luke and Vada's zeal for it. "More Than Maybe" is a book that feels alive with passion and anticipation, and Hahn really seems excited to be telling this story. It's absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to read it again.

"We want to be moved and changed and knocked over and pieced back together. We want to swoon and taste and cry and scream to the sky, yes, Yes, this."  

1. Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter
Oh my heart! It's pretty rare that you read a book that feels like it was written just. For. YOU. But that was "Better Than the Movies" for me! A high school-set rom com? With an enemies-to-lovers story? And endless film and song references? Sign me UP! This is the kind of book that I found myself truly losing myself in. I would listen to it in my car, and then arrive somewhere and then just sit in the front seat staring out at the middle distance and smiling as I listened to Liz and Wes banter their way to their happily-ever-after. I love this book. I want to listen to it a hundred more times. If you love a sweet young adult rom com as much as I do, you owe it to yourself to hunt down a copy of "Better Than the Movies."

“She. Isn’t. You. When I see her, I don’t feel like I have to talk to her or mess up her hair or do something – anything – to get her to swing that gaze on me.”

Honorable Mention

The Bookshop on the Corner, Jenny Colgan (This will make you want to move to Scotland and fall in love with a farmer.)
Frankly in Love, David Yoon (I couldn't read this one fast enough!)
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, Erik Larson (Our research king strikes again!)
The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood (Ridiculous and cliche and SO MUCH FUN.)
Well Met, Jen DeLuca (I'm in love with Simon Graham and I don't care who knows it!)
The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams (So, so cute! I had a lot of fun reading this one.)
New Morning Mercies, Paul David Trip (Precious and holy, full of reminders of the gift of grace.)
If I Never Met You, Mhairi McFarlane (What an author! Can't wait to read more by Mhairi McFarlane.)
Wallflower, Cookie O'Gorman (A book as sweet as the author's name!)
The Tourist Attraction, Sarah Morgenthaler (Absolutely delightful. Alaska, here I come!)
A Very Punchable Face, Colin Jost (Super entertaining. I laughed out loud multiple times!)
Don't You Forget About Me, Mhairi McFarlane (The final "declaration of love" speech was one of the best I've ever read!)

I ended up reading about 77 books, and I feel like you can sense a theme as to the category most of them fell into! If you're interested, you can view my full list here.

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2021

Runner-Up: Even though it feels like I hear a lot of people talking about "The Mitchells vs. the Machines," I still find myself thinking, "Why aren't more people talking about 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines?'" It is the most hilarious, most creative film of the year, and you owe it to yourself to check it out as soon as possible! You will laugh out loud and probably cry (I certainly did!), and I really can't imagine anyone not enjoying it.

3. Kid Detective
I don't think I could describe this movie any better than Kevin Smith did on his podcast when he said, "What if 'Brick' was funny?" And I don't mean funny like "parody" funny or "silly" funny, I just mean layered, deadpan, noir humor embedded into the DNA of this script and all of the performances. It's definitely got a "Veronica Mars" flair, but also a dash of something Jason Reitman-y and maybe Edgar Wright-y. If any of those references piqued your interest, then I cannot encourage you enough to check it out. Adam Brody is perfect as a private detective trying to live up to his former glory days as a young Encyclopedia Brown-type who gets served up an intriguing and twisty case. I promise you will not see the ending coming in any way, shape, or form. Please watch this movie—it's amazing.

2. Tick, Tick... Boom!
If you're envisioning a dry or hard-to-follow or rote, uninspired movie musical whenever you hear about "Tick, Tick... Boom," you need to take a giant eraser to your brain and replace those misconceptions with the reality of this vibrant, sparkling film full of swirling songs, breathless storytelling, and performances that will make your hair stand on end. The entire film, to borrow a phrase, "crackles and pops with incendiary wit." Andrew Garfield is a musical revelation and he infuses every frame with the jittery time-is-running-out creative spark that the real-life Jonathan Larson exuded every day of his too-short life. Garfield dances, sings, smiles, and cries out in such desperation that it's hard to believe the Oscar doesn't already have his name engraved on it. He takes viewers on such a personal, complete journey of emotions that by the time he's raw and pouring out his heart on a stage in Central Park wailing "Why?", our hearts are raw and yearning right along with him. "Tick, Tick... Boom" is an incredible piece of art, and you owe it to your heart, your soul, and your ears to check it out.

1. West Side Story
If you're surprised by this pick, you haven't been paying attention. I've been looking forward to "West Side Story" since 2019 (its released was delayed to 2021 due to you-know-what) and proceeded to see it five times in the theater. I absolutely could not get enough! Suffice it to say, Steven Spielberg and company more than met my expectations. Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist and the entire cast burst onto screen with style and flair and soul and passion that I haven't seen on screen since... I don't know when. Justin Peck's choreography is mindblowing, and watching the Jets dance together is like watching a grown-up cast of "Newsies" roam the streets (mostly because half the Jets are literal former members of the cast of "Newsies"). "West Side Story" paints the story of Romeo and Juliet in bold, beautiful strokes, and it pushes one of my all-time favorite stage actors into the spotlight he's always deserved. As Tony's right-hand man Riff, Mike Faist grabbed the camera with both hands and wouldn't let go until... well. You know. If you haven't seen this one yet, run to the theater as soon as you can so you don't miss this incredible, heartfelt movie musical on the biggest screen possible.

Honorable Mention: Free Guy, Black Widow, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Finding 'Ohana, Last Night in Soho, Always and Forever

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2021

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

3. Girls 5eva
Busy Philipps, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, and two of Broadway's "Mean Girls" (Erika Henningsen and Ashley Park) were always going to be a winning combination. So we're not surprised this show was a WIN! Whip-smart writing, memorable songs, and countless all-star cameos add up to one intensely fun and funny show, one I am thrilled to know is getting a second season. It harnesses early-2000's nostalgia, hilarious song lyrics, and unexpectedly silly sight gags into an unstoppable joyride that will have you laughing out loud and seeking out the music to listen to on repeat.
Stream it on Peacock

2. WandaVision
By the end of episode one I was intrigued. After episode two, I was hooked. By episode three my mind was blown, I was all in, and I'd bought the t-shirt. (Sweatshirt, actually, but you get the idea. I literally bought the shirt.) "WandaVision" is the perfect bridge between Wanda's experiences in "Infinity War" and "Endgame" to her next adventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What's amazing is that they could have used "WandaVision" to tell a relatively straightforward story about Wanda's grief and introduce a new adversary for her. Instead, they placed the characters and elements of the show into a kaleidoscope, spun it, and held it up to the light of a television screen playing famous sitcoms from throughout television history. The result is an imaginative and affecting journey that kept me guessing the entire way.
Stream it on Disney+

1. Only Murders in the Building
I love this show. I love the opening credits, I love the cast, I love the writing, I love the cinematography, I love the jokes, I love the costumes, I love the twists, I love the cameos, I love the music, I love the references. I just love it all. A murder mystery with comedic elements? Set in New York City? Featuring tons of Broadway favorites (not to mention Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as pitch-perfect trio of amateur detectives slash podcasters)? Sign. Me. UP. Was this made for me? I was hopeful that I'd like it, but from the moment the murder victim broke the fourth wall and looked at me and told me that he would be dead in approximately 12 minutes, I was hooked. It's brilliant and unpredictable and fascinating, and the second season just cannot come soon enough.
Stream it on Hulu

Honorable Mention: Schmigadoon, Loki, Reservation Dogs, One of Us is Lying

My Three Favorite Events of 2021

3. Vaccination Station
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in March truly felt like a miracle. After I received in my first dose I sat in my car and just felt a sense of awe and thankfulness that a year into the pandemic, I had finally received protection against the worst affects of Covid. Thank you, Lord, for creating the incredibly smart researchers and doctors and systems that led to my first dose, second dose, and booster shot. All glory to God!

2. Summer Family Time + Christmas
My sister and nieces were in Texas for the entire month of June this year—thanks, home renovations! I got to soak up time with them in Houston and Tyler, and then for an entire week in Galveston when we were joined by my brother-in-law (and my parents and brother, of course). During these four weeks we went to the pool, picked blueberries, surfed in the ocean, played games, collected seashells, went on boat rides, visited the zoo, and so much more! It was amazing and my favorite and I wish I could relive it all again now.

 Christmas? You know I have a video for that!

1. Morby Madness in Virginia
My babiest cousin Dawson got married to his bride Hannah in Virginia this past November, and their wedding was lovely. What was really memorable for me, though, was seeing family members stretching from 12-year-old Lexi to my 92-year-old grandparents make the trek to the east coast to celebrate the new couple. Consistently showing up for family members is one of my favorite parts of being a Morby, and all of us coming together to dance, laugh, toast, and honor Dawson and Hannah filled my heart with enough joy to tide me into the new year. 

Honorable Mention: Really fun office shenanigans, Maddy starring as Cruella in her elementary school's production of "101 Dalmatians," Dani surprising me in Galveston for my birthday, seeing some of my articles published in Pine Cove's magazines, celebrating Ellie's 30th birthday in Austin with an amazing rom-com themed bash, and seeing my neighborhood blanketed in snow.

I feel like I can't close out any sort of summary about my year without mentioning the passing of one of my closest friends, Grandma Doris. She stepped out the door of this life and into her new body and new life with Jesus on Christmas Eve. While it still feels surreal and I'll never stop missing her, I'm also at peace knowing she was more than ready to go, and got to do it on her own terms—at home, surrounded by loved ones, and with the promise that we'll all see her again one day. I love you, Grandma.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn good night! I hate to go and leave this pretty sight...

14th Annual Oscar Picks

It's been a weird year for movies, and it very well may also be a weird Oscars ceremony. But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate films! Or that I can't make correct predictions in every single category, as I do every year.*

(Previously: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,  2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

Best Picture: As always, I think this is pretty much anybody's game—particularly "Nomadland," "The Trial of the Chicago 7," and "Minari." However, with a whole pile of wins in various awards show's best picture categories, I'm calling this one for "Nomadland."

Best Director: This category doesn't always go to the Best Picture winner—but I think it will this year. Count on Chloe Zhao to be the second woman to ever win Best Director!

Best Actor: If ever there were a lock, it's this one. Chadwick Boseman is sure to win a posthumous Oscar for his performance in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Bless you, Chadwick.

Best Actress: This one feels a little bit like a toss-up to me. I really think anyone in this category could pull off a win—well, except for Vanessa Kirby. (But you're lovely, Vanessa! I'm sure your time will come!) I think it's actually going to come down to Frances, Viola, and Andra, and in the end I'm putting all my (fake) money on Viola Davis.

Best Supporting Actor: We could potentially see an upset here, but ultimately all the signs are pointing to a win for Daniel Kaluuya for his performance in "Judas and the Black Messiah."

Best Supporting Actress: A category I don't feel confident about: this one. It's coming down to Youn Yuh-jung and Maria Bakalova for two films at opposite ends of the spectrum ("Minari" and "Borat"), but in the end I'm going with sweet Youn Yuh-jung.

Animated Feature: Look, TECHNICALLY anything is possible. But not any film other than "Soul" walking away with this award.

Production Design: "Mank" has a lot going for it in this category, chiefly its old Hollywood aesthetic that Academy voters won't be able to resist.

Cinematography: Who will reign supreme in the world of cinematography: the sweeping vistas of "Nomadland," or the black and white artistry of "Mank?" I wish I could pick two—maybe there'll be a tie! (hey, it could happen!)—but in the end I'm going with "Nomadland."

Costume Design: It's hard to imagine a Regency-era film like "Emma" not taking home Best Costumes, but it's really looking like "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is the one to beat.

Film Editing: When all else fails, I like to predict the Best Picture winner to also win this category, so it's entirely possible "Nomadland" could win here as well. However, the addition of actual archival footage woven into "The Trial of the Chicago 7" means I believe they're going to win this category.

Makeup and Hairstyling: Okay, it's really hard not to pick "Hillbilly Elegy" here, because did you see the transformation they pulled off for Glenn Close? Insane. But I don't think it's "Hillbilly Elegy's" night. (Do you think Academy members are too embarrassed that people might find out they voted for that movie in ANY category to actually check that box?) Instead, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" will almost certainly take this one home.

Original Score: An animated film hasn't taken home the award for Best Score since 2009's "Up," which we all know is one of my all-time faves (movies and scores). This year Pixar will make a return trip up to the stage for this category when they win for "Soul's" breathtaking music.

Original Song: Listen. I actually, genuinely think the song "Husavik" from "Eurovision" is truly, unironically good. And it's entirely possible that it could win. (Seriously.) However, we've all heard Leslie Odom Jr. sing, and I don't know how they can vote for anyone else. "One Night in Miami" will win its only award of the night for "Speak Now."

Original Screenplay: I wouldn't be at all shocked if Aaron Sorkin were to win for "The Trial of the Chicago 7"—he is a master, after all. But I think the Academy will want to honor "Promising Young Woman" in some way, so look for their support to show up in this category.

Adapted Screenplay: I can't bring myself to predict a win for "Borat" here, I just can't—despite what some prognosticators are saying. Others think it will be "The Father," but I think "Nomadland" will get the gold here. 

Sound: They finally, finally combined the two sound categories of years past (editing and mixing) into one and lo, there was much rejoicing. No shade to the sound professionals, it just made predicting difficult! That being said, I think we'll all be shocked if "Sound of Metal" doesn't take this one home.

Visual Effects: Honestly, "Tenet" should be up for more categories. There, I said it. But the important part is actually winning, and I think "Tenet" will win for Visual Effects.

Documentary Feature: This category is weirdly giving me a lot of trouble. I keep trying to visualize the moment they open the envelope—will they say "Time," or will they say "My Octopus Teacher?" Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, I've got it: it's going to "Time."

Documentary Short: Ah yes, everyone's favorite category. I'm ticking the box next to "A Love Song For Latasha" for this one.

International Feature Film:  This will probably go to "Another Round." Probably.

Animated Short: I've heard so much about "If Anything Happens I Love You" this year, it's hard to imagine anything else winning.

Live Action Short: Sorry, just gotta pick between "The Letter Room" and "Two Distant Strangers" real quick. Eeny, meeny, miny... "Two Distant Strangers."

 

*Here's the thing: that's just not true. And I'm sorry I lied. I'm so sorry.

2020 Favorites

 My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2020

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3. By Your Side  Kasie West
One of the coping mechanisms I turned to during this absolute swamp of a year was reading light, bright young adult romance novels—the easier, the sweeter the better. And the author that delivered the joyful champagne bubbles that I needed again and again was Kasie West. Of the eight Kasie West books I read this year, By Your Side was my soft, heart-eyed favorite. One fateful Friday night, Autumn Collins finds her locked inside a gigantic, empty library. Only it's not so empty: the school "bad boy" soon makes his presence known, and the two find themselves pairing up to fight off boredom, hunger, and perhaps some burgeoning feelings. This book was just exactly what I was needing when I read it, and I found myself grinning and feeling bubbly throughout. I see myself reading it again soon!

“What was I scared of? Letting someone close? Handing him the power to hurt me? Letting go of control? Possibilities don’t hurt as much as realities. Possibilities are exciting and endless. Realities are final.”

2. Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, Roselle Lim
I gobbled this book up in one day, and it's hard to say what I enjoyed more—the story line, the love interest, or the food descriptions! When they're all vying first place like that, you know you're in a good spot. Natalie Tan returns to her childhood home after the death of her mother determined to reopen her grandmother's old restaurant, and finds herself armed with an old cookbook containing recipes for more than just delicious dishes. Incredibly, this is Roselle Lim's first novel, and we are so fortunate that she chose to bestow on us her exquisite descriptions of everything from food to grief. With a touch of the fantastic, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune is the perfect novel to whisk you away into a swirling world of charm, steam, and mystery.

“Wishes are worth nothing because there’s so many of them. If they turned into stars, there will be no sky left.”

1. Alex, Approximately, Jenn Bennett
A blonde movie fan with a penchant for crushing on charming gentlemen? No, unfortunately this book is not about me. However, it is about lover of all things retro Bailey Rydell, who moves to a tiny California town, takes a job at a quirky local museum, and sets about searching for her fellow cinema-lover and pen pal, Alex. In the meantime, she makes friends, has more than one adventure (including rescuing a replica of the Maltese falcon), and even catches the eye of a terribly attractive museum security guard slash surfer. With every chapter beginning with a different movie quote ("10 Things I Hate About You," "The Force Awakens," "You've Got Mail), it felt at times that Alex, Approximately was written just for me. This book absolutely turned my heart into confetti, and I can't recommend it enough.

"I'll give him a pass. Because, hello! The Philadelphia Story. I could watch this a thousand times and never get weary of it. Watching with someone else who's never seen it is so much better. With Porter? I can't believe my luck.”

Honorable Mention
There's Someone Inside Your House, Stephanie Perkins (Terrifying and unputdownable.)
The Fill-In Boyfriend, Kasie West (This one VERY narrowly missed making my top three.)
My Life Next Door, Huntley Fitzpatrick (I'm in love with the main character's love interest!)
Serious Moonlight, Jenn Bennett (Mysterious and lovely.)
How to Speak Boy, Tiana Smith (Gave me heart eyes for days!)
One Of Us is Next, Karen M. McManus (Even better than the first book in the series.)
Girl at Heart, Kelly Oram (Gave me all the butterflies!)
P.S. I Like You, Kasie West (More like P.S. I Love This Book!)
Shuffle, Repeat, Jen Klein (Sweet and well-written.)
The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, Cookie O'Gorman (Listened to this in one day!)
Two Can Keep a Secret, Karen M. McManus (Twisty and fascinating.)
Our Stop, Laura Jane Williams (I literally cried from the loveliness.)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson (I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to be released!)

My goal heading into this year was to read 60 books. Thanks to the-virus-that-shall-not-be-named, I had a lot more reading time and ended up finishing 83. If you saw me throughout the year, this doesn't surprise you. "I've read 50 books." "I've read 60 books." "I've read 70 books." Maybe I thought if I said it enough, it could be something other than my only accomplishment of the year. Regardless, I genuinely enjoyed almost everything I read! You can view my full list here.

My Three Favorite Movies of 2020

3. The Gentlemen
Exceptionally dynamic and unmistakably Guy Ritchie, "The Gentlemen" has to be the most fun I had watching a movie this year. Stacked with the most impressive cast this side of "Ocean's 11" (Matthew McConaughey, Henry Golding, Hugh Grant, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, Michelle Dockery) and an intricately spun and delightfully twisty script, Ritchie's latest film takes us on a wild ride of blackmail, betrayal, and more than a little hilarity. "The Gentlemen" had me laughing, gasping, and covering my eyes, and thinking back on it now, it's taking everything in me to not abandon this blog in favor of watching this movie again.

2. P.S. I Still Love You
Dear Peter Kavinsky... If you're surprised to see the second film in the "To All the Boys" series on my list, you clearly do not know me well at all! While it didn't quite live up to the first (mostly due to its undercurrent of sadness and edge of heartbreak), I still found it to be a fun and charming escape. Jordan Fisher was a brilliant (and swoon-worthy) addition to the cast, and Lana Condor and Noah Centineo are still the perfect, absolutely magnetic center of the franchise. Overall "P.S. I Still Love You" was absolutely delightful, full of tender moments, swirling snowflakes, and a sky full of lanterns.

1. Palm Springs
What a breath of fresh air! From its very first moment, "Palm Springs" showed itself to be smart, original, and laugh-out-loud funny. Starring the brilliant Andy Samberg and a lovely Cristin Milioti (who was more than up for the task of holding her own against Andy), the latest film from the Lonely Island crew is more than a "Groundhog Day" retread. It's a bright, colorful, and unexpected joy ride that keeps you guessing for the entirety of its runtime. While the story of a man trapped reliving the same day again and again, desperate to create joy where he can may not sound like much of an escape from our current reality, it's nevertheless an enchanting and surprising diversion with more than a little heart—and a GREAT use of J.K. Simmons. Now hand me my jean jacket—it's time to go dancing.

Honorable Mention: Tenet

I obviously didn't get to see the number of movies I would have liked this year—yet another thing the pandemic ripped away from me. One of my favorite moments of last year was unrepeatable this year, and the less said about it the better.

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2020

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

3. (tie) Outer Banks
This show? This show right here? Is absolutely ridiculous. And stressful and dramatic and unbelievable... but I don't know! It's also eternal summer and pretty people and a treasure hunt and friendship and storm surfing and wait why are you running from the cops and WHY DOES THAT GUY HAVE A GUN I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK. I just kept coming back for more, and when a BIG MOMENT happened in the penultimate episode, I legit stood up and screamed from the SHOCK of it, and honestly isn't that what we want from our suspenseful TV shows? And then when my winter needed an extra dose of eternal summer, I found myself diving straight back into the OBX for a second time.
Stream it on Netflix

3. (tie) Downton Abbey
A few months into lockdown I was desperate for something new to watch. Enter the Crawleys, their household staff, and a truckload of Maggie Smith one-liners here to transport me to World War I-era England. I started the series not knowing the difference between a housekeeper and a lady's maid, and left scoffing at the idea of household with only one footman (can you IMAGINE). At times over-the-top and incredibly soapy (jail! illegitimate babies! blackmail!), Downton nevertheless offered a brilliantly written and perfectly acted escape from the mundanity of yet another evening spent at home.
Stream it on Amazon Prime

2. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Before she blessed us with "Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo was lighting up the screen and tugging our heartstrings with songs like "All I Want" in the Disney+ small screen treasure High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. There's honestly just too much to love about this show: the songs, the musical theater in-jokes, the breaking of the fourth wall, the love triangle, the callbacks to the original HSM. I'm here for it, I'm in heaven, I just started watching it for the third time, BRB.
Stream it on Disney+

1. Taskmaster
Just when the long days of quarantine were realllllly starting to drag, lo: the heavens opened up and the Lord bestowed upon me the MOST perfect show for escaping pandemic living: Taskmaster. It's premise is incredibly simple: Greg Davies, aka "The Taskmaster" forces a set of five comedians to complete a task, and then awards them points based on their performance. The tasks range from the straightforward (create the tallest cardboard box tower) to the bizarre (measure the circumference of a caravan in baked beans), but they are always, always hilarious. Even better are the moments between tasks in the studio when the Taskmaster passes judgement on the performances of the comedians (nothing makes me laugh harder than Greg Davies staring in silent disappointment at a contestant who knows they totally failed their task). This hilarity, along with the show's puzzle-solving aspect (certain tasks contain a hidden clue, while some contestants parse the language of the task itself to find a workaround), combined to create my ideal television show, and my most favorite of the year.
Stream it on YouTube 

Honorable Mention: Never Have I Ever, The Mandalorian, The Baby-Sitters Club, The Queen's Gambit

My Three Favorite Events of 2020

3. New York, New York
Some people call the day the pandemic became real—like, really REAL—"Tom and Rita Day," because it was the first day most people finally felt like they knew someone (albeit two very famous people—the Hankses) who'd been diagnosed with COVID-19. Well I just happened to be in New York City on Tom and Rita Day. (I know, I know. I know.) I was there with Lori and Emily, and while our trip kind of folded in on itself due to... gestures around wildly at the all of everything... we still pieced together a memorable holiday spent thrifting, visiting my favorite restaurants (Buvette and Valerie!), spotting celebrities on the street (Hugh Dancy!), and seeing Six in its as of yet final performance before the shutdown. And even as the world crumbled around us, I was fortunate to face it all with slightly unhinged laughter ("MHMMM!") and pizza consumed on our hotel room beds with Lori and Emily.

2. Gal Pal Weekends
Before, during, and... also during quarantine (lockdown?), I was blessed to get weekends away with some of the best ladies in the land. In February several handfuls of Britt's nearest and dearest descended on her family's lake house to celebrate her bachelorette weekend with food, games, Mamma Mia, and all the catching up with far-flung friends. It was glorious. 

Then in August, I grabbed a few close buddies and escaped down to the Morby beach house for a relaxed birthday weekend. It was incredibly, blessedly chill, full of coffee and reading and laughing and talking. We made more than a few trips to the beach, walked down to watch the sunset each evening, played games (a movie game AND a To All the Boys game), made homemade pizza, and watched Taskmaster. Though we never ventured into town, I think this low-key time away was just what we all needed. (As Melissa put it, "All I want to do is sit on the deck and drink coffee." And we did.)

Finally, early in the fall Ellie and I booked a room at a charming hotel in Dallas with pink doors, twinkling string lights, and a sparkling pool. We spent our time reading in the pool, reading next to the pool, eating good food, and watching Cobra Kai. We never left the hotel grounds and I still find myself longing for a repeat visit. (Ellie?)

1. Double Family Vacays
The very best people, in one of my very favorite places. If I had to pick a bright spot for the year, as I've been doing for each day, this would be it. And that we got to do it TWICE in 2020? All glory to God. Because it was dreamy, dreamy, dreamy. Trips to the beach and swimming at the club. Boat rides, catching crabs, flying kites, fishing, golf cart rides, catching crabs, playing card games, jumping in the canal, watching movies... Literally, what more could I want. What. More.

The last thing I want to do is leave the impression that my year was full of highs, or that I was exempt from the lows. This year took so much from me—from all of us, of course—and we won't be forgetting its effects anytime soon. The important thing to remember is that there are bright spots, even if they're as mundane as morning coffee, and that they're bestowed on us by the very One who holds this whole thing together. Be near, Oh Lord! (And open Broadway again as soon as you can, thanks SO very much.)

XOXO,
Val