My Favorite Things: October
My Favorite Things is a monthly segment where I share my personal and current favorites in seasonal products, health & beauty, food, decor, movies, TV, and more. I hope you enjoy these personal picks!
Movies
Five Night’s At Freddy
A troubled security guard begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the late shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.
I think this film will appeal more to fans of the video game rather than a general audience in my opinion, but if you like horror movies with a bit of campiness to it watch the film. I thought it was a pretty solid adaptation off thought it was a pretty solid adaptation off the game however there were some plot holes and moments that didn’t explain things for those who aren’t familiar with the story. The acting was good but could have been better at some moments but what I enjoyed the most about this film was how they brought the animatronics to life. It was so cool!
The Changeling
After the death of his wife and daughter in a car crash, a music professor staying at a long-vacant Seattle mansion is dragged into a decades-old mystery by an inexplicable presence in the mansion’s attic.
This 80s movie is labeled as horror but ultimately feels more like a thriller at times. If you like spooky old houses, ghost stories, and things that go bump in the night this is a movie you’ll enjoy. It’s suspenseful as the main character discovers decades-old secrets hidden in a house that wants no visitors at all. The horror elements are subtle and I loved the slow buildup to the climactic ending that is a show stopper. I enjoyed piecing together the mystery as well as the special effects that add to the spookiness of the film.
Us
Accompanied by her husband, son and daughter, Adelaide Wilson returns to the beachfront home where she grew up as a child. Haunted by a traumatic experience from the past, Adelaide grows increasingly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Her worst fears soon become a reality when four masked strangers descend upon the house, forcing the Wilsons into a fight for survival. When the masks come off, the family is horrified to learn that each attacker takes the appearance of one of them.
I love Jordan Peele’s film and with the Halloween season, I figured it was finally time for me to watch Us. While spooky and brilliant, I think the only downside of the film is that it was trying to tackle too many plot lines at once, and at the end of the film, it felt like there were some loose ends. Other than it’s still a movie I would recommend and rewatch again as I feel like I missed some of the Easter eggs Peele always includes in his movies. I did appreciate the discussion the film brings about ignoring the ramifications of privilege.
Magic
Corky, a failed magician, adopts a new ventriloquist act with an abrasive dummy named Fats, and suddenly finds himself lined up for a television show. When the unbalanced Corky fears he won’t pass the required mental exam, he runs away with Fats to his hometown, where he meets an old love from high school, Peggy. Corky persuades Peggy to leave her loveless marriage — but Fats, who seems to be taking on a mind of his own, doesn’t approve of the relationship.
I love to watch other movies and while flipping through the channels I stumbled upon this film that stars a young Anthony Hopkins. I was immediately hooked on the plot of this suspenseful thriller as the main character, Corky, descends into madness. The cinematography and quiet moments really lean into the psychological horror genre of the film and while the film isn’t outright scary it has an intense performance from the cast making it unsettling at times. This 1978 film is a gem in my book and it holds up well to modern horror films. The reluctance to use cheap jumpscares makes the film all the more realistic and keeps the viewer’s attention from beginning to end.
YouTube
The Rise, Fall and (almost) Rise AGAIN of Reading Rainbow
This video gives a great overview of the legacy of Reading Rainbow from its initial concept to how the program has been adapted for today’s generation. It’s truly a great homage to a great show that left such a lasting impression on its viewers (like me!).
What happened to cheap food? Diners, Automats, and affordable eating
I got a delightful mini-history lesson from this video about how diners, cafeterias, and automats have been removed from modern eating. As much as I wanted to argue at first some of the few diner-style dining places I used to go to as a kid no longer exist and the price of eating out has become such a luxury. This video made me miss the simplicity of diner food and the comfort it brings.
Celebrity book clubs: why IT girls love the TikTok reading aesthetic
This was a very interesting thinkpiece that discusses the rise of celebrity book clubs and asks the question if celebrities can genuinely claim that they’re just sharing their favorite books online for the sake of connecting with their fans. I think it’s multilayered myself, but I do see the business of it and how profitable the “book club model can be. What do you think?
Music
Don’t Leave Yet by Eric Nam
I recently got to see Eric Nam in concert for the second time in October and had so much fun! Don’t Leave Yet is one of my favorite tracks from Eric’s new album. It’s a fun song and will get you moving. Its lyrics about trying to fill an inner void resonate with the listener and its message is very relatable.
What are some of your favorite things from October? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
