Fall 23’ Wrap Up (September/October)
Hello friends!
Welcome to another wrap up of my moderately exciting life! Kidding. Someone should buy the rights to my memoir and write a screenplay, I swear. I cannot even describe to you, dear reader, how unexpected the turns are in my continually being written story. I wish I could divulge more!
I will say, however:
Something I’m constantly struck by is the fact that whenever I think I’ve gotten this whole thing of “adulting” figured out, something always arises that makes me question my entire existence. As someone who is a meticulous planner and attempts to find the shortcomings in every road trip, party, and point-A to point-B, this inevitable occurrence has been a bit hard to come to terms to.
Lately, it’s been helpful taking a brief moment to remember that this chaos is almost a requirement of being in your 20s. Every avenue is going to have its own challenges and instability—whether that’s in romantic relationships or friendships, career and professional development, or just simply figuring out what your head needs. Everyone is at their own pace. Including myself.
Only advice? Breathe.
It’ll all be okay.
As for me, my personal chaos is continuing. If you’ve been keeping up with me in person or over the dreaded social medias(!), I finished up my season at Rocky a few weeks ago and I am on a brief hiatus from work until I start up a retail position back in my off-season town of Fort Collins, CO. It’s been nice to relax from such a hectic, go-go-go summer, but hiring for new jobs (wildlife adjacent careers) are already on their next cycle—so it’s been a healthy amount of prepping (& stressing) for the future. There’s a lot to think about!
I know if you’re a new wildlife professional the whole hiring process can seem cripplingly daunting, with government 10-page resumes and seemingly pointless cover letters, but I hope you’re taking care of yourself during this time. Take the opportunity to relax. Yes—some of us aren’t blessed with the pause button. But something will pan out, I promise you. Your future self will thank you for taking advantage of the downtime.
While I am feeling in a particular writing mood, I won’t delay what I consider to be the fun section. I know no one probably gives a single flying fuck about my opinion about movies or books or music, but I still consider it fun. I’d be surprised if anyone read this blog at all, but it helps me place all my ever-wandering thoughts.
Thanks for being here, regardless, ya ghosts.
As always, spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.
Music
In September I had the opportunity to attend a concert with my roomies to see The 1975. Now, let me fill you in.
Little Aves in 2013-2016 was a closet alt/Tumblr girly. I had the black knee high socks and tattoo chokers and black eyeliner on lock. I listened to Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, All Time Low, 5SOS, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, and Marina and the Diamonds like my life depended on it. And of course, notably, The 1975.
Matty Healy, in all his British chain-smoker heroin addict glory.
So, when I had the opportunity to see him and the rest of the band, in the flesh, with my dearest friends, I jumped. And it was incredible. As a continuation of their infamous “At Their Very Best" tour, where Healy was being an active menace to society and snogging fans in the front row, the set design and structure remained much of the same.
The 1975
, “Still… At Their Very Best”
Fiddler’s Green
Amphitheater
-
October 7, 2023
The Purge House members looking absolutely adorable with their sparkly hair tinsel, soft-grunge-alt fits, and the starting lyrics of “Love It If We Made It” bouncing off the walls of their lovely brains.
I’d never seen a concert much like it—interactive, clearly well thought out. It was an experience. And while I hadn’t kept up much with the most recent music releases (their title album is my favorite), I enjoyed both the old and new hits equally.
Though, I will say, hearing Girls live—a part of that 13-16 year old self died of happiness.
All that to say, The 1975 has been on the tip-top of my listening. This really rad human created a full playlist of all the songs played on the tour, so I’ve been replaying that pretty frequently. My favorites are About You, Girls, Sex & Love It If We Made It.
Oh! Last thing! Their saxophonist was a fucking LEGEND. Honestly might have been the best part of the entire show.
Television
I’ll be honest, guys. I don’t think I’ve watched a single full series of any TV show in the past few months. Likely due partly to the recent strikes, but it seems like the streaming platforms have really been lacking in this category.
I will say, I’m currently making my way through The Handmaid’s Tale and Glee (totally, completely opposite vibes), so next’s update will likely have more on those shows.
Spoiler alert, I love both.
Film
Prisoners (2013) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
At first glance, I thought this movie was going to be a similar premise to the Taken series. Which side note: I watched far too young and became scarred that I was gonna get abducted while traveling in a foreign country for a good long while afterward. My parents had never really been the type to shield us kids (me & my siblings) from much, but still… kidnapping?? Of young women?? C’mon.
Anyway, Prisoners was kinda an anomaly. I didn’t hate it—in fact, far from it. However, I don’t think it’s going to stack up in the long term as something that I remembered and loved—despite all the actors putting on a SHOW.
I doubt Hugh Jackman or Paul Dano or Viola Davis can be in anything bad, by themselves, let alone together.
It (2017) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favorite piece of pop culture is when James Charles tweeted about It being a terrible movie WHILE IN THE MOVIE THEATER and then proceeded to do a full makeup look of Pennywise for his YouTube channel.
And then, proceeded to get called out for it by the cast of literal children.
God, the internet drama in 2017 was the best.
Past Lives (2023) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I cannot tell you how excited I am to write a review for this movie! It feels like a long time coming. I went in with super high expectations for Past Lives, which I’ll admit—it’s usually a mistake, but something in me knew this was going to be an instant favorite. The tone and pacing reminded me a lot of Aftersun (another A24 film that I reviewed last month) with it’s simplicity and softness. I’m gradually finding that minimal dialog is more of a strength than a weakness (words, many words, has always been my favorite—this is changing), since it really packs a punch.
In the end, I’ll always be a sucker for films that integrate different cultures and their respective philosophies within their screenplays—I’m happy the silver screen is promoting these stories more readily. I’m only hyped for more and more.
Zodiac (2007) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll be honest—I’ve never been a huge serial killer/true crime girl, despite fitting snugly in the demographic. So, going into watching Zodiac, I had little prior knowledge to the real life cases that inspired the movie. I was surprisingly into it. Even though the run time was a beast (45 minutes in I was shocked to find out this was an over 3 hour movie), the quick pacing of events helped everything along.
Plus, not only was I on the edge of my seat for the unraveling of the mystery that was and is the Zodiac Killer, but I was hanging on by a thread, waiting with enamored anticipation for RBJ to walk into the scene with his INCREDIBLE set of costumes. There’s something special and emblematic of the 70s, don’t you think?
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 & 2 (2011, 2012) ⭐️
For years, I had only seen the first three installments of the Twilight series.
Although not a super-fan myself, I’ve been surrounded by many people in my life who are avid serial watchers (namely one of my best friends, Lauren). All that to say, I’ve been dragged into many a movie marathon—though, notably, always missing the last two movies.
Though finally, through an amazing set of events, I finally checked them off my list.
During my time living in Estes Park for my summer gig, I attended a local weekly trivia night in order to acclimatize to the social scene and more frequently than not, bond with my roommates. Unfortunately, in my last few weeks of mountain living, I had to miss a trivia night due to some scheduling mishaps. Low and behold, after months of attending trivia and turning up empty handed, my roommates won the entire thing without me.
I was floored—halfway impressed and halfway dumbfounded. Was I holding them back all this time? One can only speculate.
Regardless, in their victory they got to choose a category for the following week. Hence, my dedication to finally finishing out the Twilight series in preparation for the following week’s throwdown.
It ended up turning out that you could answer the given Twilight questions with your eyes closed (one of the questions legitimately being: who are Bella’s two love interests). Still, I can now say I’ve seen the entirety.
I will say, however, I wish I didn’t. The CGI half vampire, half human baby that was the culmination of these two movies will haunt my dreams, forever.
Like, forever ever.
The Shining (1980) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
*Rewatch
After putting on the sequel to The Shining (Doctor Sleep) during a family movie night, we quickly decided we needed to go backwards to understand the overall plot.
If there’s one thing that I forgot about this movie, is that it’s a slow burner. I remember watching it the first time and thinking to myself: “people are scared of this movie.”
Call it desensitization to creepy/horrible things in the world or what, but while The Shining won’t keep me from sleeping, it certainly hits the happy thriller part of my taste.
If you’re unfamiliar, Stephen King got inspired to write the book while staying at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park—where I was living this summer. So, it was only inevitable that I re-watched the undeniable classic during my time there.
The Princess Bride (1987) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To keep it short:
I am in love with young Cary Elwes. I’ll even excuse the mustache!
I am not one of those girls who thinks she’s destined to be a mother, or even, that I have a strong desire to have kids (another discussion for another day). But, I’ve already decided I am naming my first child Westley. Partly due to my love of this movie, partly due to my love of Wes Anderson films, but mainly because of my love for the wildlife biologist, Wes Larson. Lotta good Wes-es out there. It kinda works as a genderless name, right? Right? Just imagine a little girl named Wes. Iconic. It’s happening.
And, finally, I’m convinced there are no greater words in the English language than a man saying “As you wish.” Whoever wrote those words into the script understood the female gaze, that’s all I’m saying.
Quick aside: Princess Buttercup is an absolute travesty of a character. I’m convinced she, alone, set back women’s rights for another 30 years.
Do better, buttercup.
Escape Room 1 & 2 (2019, 2021) ⭐️⭐️
I forget the exact context, but one night after a full day of the usual insanity of working outdoors (you know—almost getting stomped by a bull moose, or nearly falling into rivers and getting swept downstream, or the stress of the government potentially getting shut down, or visitors slamming on their brakes for a couple of mule deer, or many, many other instances) my roommate, Amelia, and I decided we needed to veg out on the couch and watch something with the sole requirements of mindless, yet consuming.
Little did we know that we’d stumble into this beautiful atrocity.
I have to give this movie credit. The set design was honestly spectacular. It felt like the characters were legitimately in a high-tech, super realistic but also very clear escape room. And the concept... a ragtag group of players who have to compete in a game without their full consent, a group who has to face their very worst fears in a setting (room) that directly targets those fears? Stellar.
Where the Escape Room series ultimately lost me was the acting. The opening, in particular, which featured Ben’s (Logan Miller) character pleading for mercy in a very particular “I sit on my ass and play video games, so I’m quirky?” grating way. Cut that whole scene and I could’ve been way more on board.
I say that with my full chest, even though Amelia and I have made plans to watch the 3rd installment together—despite the fact that we will likely be living on opposite sides of the country.
A Haunting in Venice (2023) ⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
I feel like it’s a sign that I’m getting older that I cannot possibly start a movie at 8pm and expect to be awake by the end of it.
Still, I find myself choosing that path more often than not. A Haunting in Venice, to it’s own credit, only had me falling asleep for the first 10-15 minutes before the first jumpscare happened and scared me so badly in my half-cognizant state that my eyes were peeled open for the rest of the runtime. For my siblings, who journeyed out to the movie theater for an approximate 8:34pm start time, were not so lucky.
Still highly confused on why the nuns in this story took children to a house that has known demon/spirit activity. Seems a little against the pillars of Christianity, if you’d ask me. Weigh in if you have any ideas.
Choose Love (2023) ⭐️
Reflecting on my one star rating of this movie, I feel almost that I’m discrediting the absolute sheer entertainment I got out of this. If you’re unfamiliar, Choose Love is essentially just a feature length Episode story.
That might be more of a deep cut, now that I think about it. I digress.
Regardless, you got to choose the direction of the story and ultimately, who the main character ended up with through interactive buttons/choices. I will admit, whenever I saw Avan Jogia my jaw dropped and I couldn’t see any other option.
Within minutes I broke off this girl’s engagement, sidelined the UNICEF ambassador and booked it straight to Jogia so fast. That was, until I had to jump over a picket line to be with him.
I repeat: YOU HAD TO JUMP OVER A FUCKING PICKET LINE TO BE WITH HIM.
Halsey, this your man?
It was at this very moment that my sister turned to me and said “wow, we really fucked up this girl’s life.”
Atonement (2007) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
I have Pinterest to thank for this one. That green dress was everywhere on my feed. That green dress. The only green dress that matters. If there was one thing I wish for my life is that I can one day get my hands on a replication piece of that gorgeous, gorgeous dress. Note to self: look that one up.
Anyway, besides the dress (which I was mainly watching for, to be perfectly honest), the movie was just aight. The one thing I would change was the glowy film over everything. It just didn’t age great.
Fight Club (1999) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 1/2
First rule of Fight Club is that you don’t—
Sorry Brad, I’ll keep it brief.
For a long time, I was scared to watch Fight Club. Somehow the incels and degenerates of the world have latched onto this film as this pinnacle of masculinity, despite missing the entire satirical nature of the story—still I figured to understand the male psyche, I had to. Surprisingly, I managed (in my short 23 years) to avoid any spoilers for the ending of Fight Club AND really unsurprisingly loved it. Ah, I’m a victim to the classics like anyone else.
By the way—my new favorite thing is telling men that Fight Club is essentially the Barbie movie, for dudes. They eat it up every time.
27 Dresses (2008) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*Rewatch
27 Dresses is the most underrated rom-com, save my personal all-time fave Crazy, Stupid, Love!!!
I will shout this truth from the rooftops. This was one of the movies from my childhood that I distinctly remembered and loved, but honestly, even the rose-colored glasses of childhood doesn’t taint the absolute beauty. Katherine Heigl and James Marsden’s chemistry should be STUDIED in acting masterclasses. The scene where they’re in the bar, singing Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets,” made me want to love again so deeply and suddenly, that I briefly throughout about downloading a dating app just to ease the pain of singledom.
Ugh. I could go on and on.
If you’ve never seen this movie—stop what you’re doing and watch it. You won’t regret it. IF you do regret it, I’m happy to give you a number for a licensed mental health professional. They can help you figure out why you have such an opposition to happiness.
And that’s a wrap!
Thanks for tuning in friends, colleagues, random guy on the internet, etc.
I’ve decided to cut a few silly films/less notable movies from my list in order to make this whole culmination of my inner monologue a bit more readable. But! If you’re ever interested in, at the very least, my ratings of said movies or my funny quips that I come up with—check out my Letterboxd.
It’s a fun place to be, promise.
Although technically autumn (fall, for us American losers) isn’t over until the end of November, this feels like a good place to wrap up until winter. I hope, wherever you are, that you’re staying warm, cozy, and fully submersing yourself into hibernation season.
I’ll see you all soon,
Aves
