Pop or Flop
Television Takeovers: Abbott Elementary
Sporting a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, Abbott Elementary, a satirical comedy about the highs and lows of elementary education, is a must watch. Quinta Brunson, who won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series, writes for and stars in this witty mockumentary that details the struggles teachers face in a poorly funded public-school setting. The series follows Janine (played by Brunson), a new teacher who hopes to be as respected and successful as her veteran colleagues. Janine quickly learns that although teaching is not a glamourous job, it is a rewarding one. Full of clever digs and Office-Style camera side-eye, Abbott Elementary offers a unique and often overlooked perspective to the viewers. If you love shows that provide comedic commentary on serious topics, Abbott Elementary is perfect to add to your list.
Blockbuster Hits: A Man Called Otto
In some ways, it’s easy to compare A Man Called Otto to one of Hanks’ more famous films – it’s basically the anti-Forrest Gump. However, Hanks’ appearance in A Man Called Otto is much more than that of a grumpy old man. This is a film that explores the bleak existence of an elderly man who’s stuck in limbo after losing his wife. Thankfully, it’s not too long before he finds a new purpose when the Mendes family moves in across the street. While a perfectly heart-wrenching set-up, A Man Called Otto doesn’t bring much else to the table, leaning on old tropes and a simple plot to tell a just-okay story about Hanks’ old grouch. Although the plot may be relatively simple, there won’t be any dry eyes in the theatre once the journey ends.
Stellar Reads: Spare
Prince Harry’s Spare is best described as an increasingly angry string of drunk texts to a bitter ex. Amidst rambles about his courtly life before Meghan, Harry details his struggles with drug abuse, his mother’s death, and crumbling relationships with his fellow royals. His fights with Prince William are often juxtaposed by memories of the two with their mother, which gives insight to the reader that Harry isn’t fully ready to let go of the life he once knew despite fully supporting his wife after years of discourse. Overall, Spare feels like one big episode of Keeping up with the Royals. I can’t recommend it unless you enjoy stream-of-consciousness narration mixed with the angst of a YA novel.
