Seen: July 2024
My monthly watch list
Say hello to a new paid feature! There’s so many TV shows and movies that are consumed here that it would make the monthly highlight reel unbearably long. Just like a sommelier needs to taste a whole lot of wine in order to describe and sell it, I firmly believe that a film and entertainment writer needs to watch a lot of material with a critical eye and a fan’s heart. If this is the practical application for my performing arts degree and my wine certifications, I’m the happiest camper.
That being said, this is not a complete list of every movie or show I’ve seen over the course of a month. Occasionally, I’ll watch a scene of something here or there, or I’ll watch an episode or two of a specific show. My personal Rule of Thirds dictates that if I’m not sold on a movie by the end of the first act or a TV show’s first three episodes, I’ll turn it off. I have yet to walk out of a movie I’ve seen in theaters, but the Rule of Thirds applies for theatrical releases, too. If I’m watching a TV show over the course of two months, I’ll write a little blurb about it when I finish the final episode of the season.
Below is a list of all the complete movies and TV seasons I’ve watched over the course of the previous month. This is my version of director Steven Soderbergh’s annual roundup, although Hunter Harris also provided a lot of inspiration.
Without further ado, here’s what I watched in July:
MOVIES
A Few Good Men (1992)
Re-Watch
Sometimes, you just need to dig into some Sorkin. This movie made me consider law school for a hot second before I realized I play with wine for a living.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
First Time Watch
Truly Eddie Murphy at his comic, unhinged best. The Beverly Hills Cop theme was the bane of my existence as a piano teacher, but it is such a fun theme to hear in context.
In The Heights (2021)
Re-Watch
Read my wine and movie pairing here. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie on re-watch. My first viewing was in theaters upon the movie’s release, and I remember feeling very critical, almost unduly so. Maybe it’s taken a few years, but there’s a lot of fun stuff happening in Jon M. Chu’s film version of this beloved musical.
Jaws (1975)
First Time Watch (yes, I know)
Read my wine and movie pairing here. A standard bearer for a reason. There’s a slightly jarring dissonance between the thriller in the first two acts and the buddy comedy/Moby Dick remake in the final act. This is one of my husband’s favorite movies of all time, and it’s always an extra treat to watch a movie that’s influenced his craft to the degree that Jaws and Steven Spielberg have.
Sing Sing (2023)
New Release - Seen In Theaters
This is my first serious awards contender screening of the year, and what a way to start the 2025 awards season. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others a sobering look at life in maximum security, with a whole lot of heart throughout. I found myself getting teary eyed when the final credits rolled.
The Client (1994)
First Time Watch
Susan Sarandon’s fashion game in this movie is unbeatable. This is part of Enrico’s unofficial “summer of the legal thriller” film festival at home, and to date one of my favorite John Grisham movie adaptations. What a screen debut from a young Brad Renfro, too.
The Great Outdoors (1988)
First Time Watch
Never thought I’d see John Candy in a John Hughes movie, but here we are. Give this one a go if you’re in need of a summer family vacation comedy with big dad-in-airport energy.
Twisters (2024)
New Release - Seen In Theaters
Read my wine and movie pairing here. Picture it: Thursday night, 10:30 PM, just you, your person, your snacks, and a 4DX screening of Twisters. One of my favorite movie theater experiences ever. In 4DX, you can’t help but get caught up in the tornadeo of it all. The perfect recipe for a summer blockbuster movie theater viewing.
TV SHOWS
Acapulco Season 3 (2024)
New Release
When someone’s looking for a new show to get into, I always recommend Acapulco at the top of the list. A brilliant little comedy on Apple TV, it hits home for anyone who’s ever had to “code switch” between home and work. Come for the flamingo pink production design, stay for the 80s power ballads sung in Spanish.
BrainDead (2016)
Re-Watch
A show that was way ahead of its time, but feels eerily on the nose after 2020. This was Robert and Michelle King’s first project after The Good Wife wrapped its seven season run, and it’s a quirky, smart, underrated diamond in the rough. If you’re a Mary Elizabeth Winstead fan, or someone who has a minor obsession with Washington D.C. as seen on TV, watch BrainDead!
Palm Royale Season 1 (2024)
New Release
This show has been popping up on recommendations lists for a while, and the mixed reviews made me hold off for a while. I saw this after the Emmy nominations came through, and fell in love with the impeccable production design and a whole new side of Kristen Wiig’s endless talent. Also, why are we all still sleeping on Ricky Martin as an actor?
Simone Biles Rising (2024)
New Release
Thanks to
for putting this two episode miniseries on my radar! Trust one of the greatest athletes of all time to provide the motivational kick in the butt I needed to see this summer. I’ll revisit this to hype me up before my next big wine exam.
The Traitors Season 1 (2023)
First Time Watch
I am obsessed. Alan Cumming getting to speak in his real Scottish accent is only rivaled by Alan Cumming’s extravagant and delightful wardrobe. A fascinating study in sociology, especially because half the cast is made up of “normal people” and the other half have experience on American reality TV.
The Traitors Season 2 (2024)
New Release
This is the season currently nominated for Emmy Awards, including Best Reality Competition Series and Best Reality Competition Host for Alan Cumming. An all-reality star cast is a different experience, but one that comes with some serious perks. The still images from the funeral episode live rent free in my mind forever.
Veep Season 1 (2012)
Re-Watch
All I have to say is that we started this before the Harris announcement! Funny enough, I got through a few (but not all) seasons of Veep in 2016, but this was Enrico’s first time seeing the show. We both laughed at things we didn’t expect. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ physical comedy is still unmatched.