RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 12 (2020)

Title: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 12
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: February 28, 2020
Genre(s): Reality, Series, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: World of Wonder Productions
Starring: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews


Who would I recommend this to?
Drag Race Fans.

What is this about?
Thirteen queens compete to be the next drag superstar!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Two years ago.

Where does it take place?
The main stage and the workroom!

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love this show but I missed this season.

How did I like this?
This season started off rough for me. I liked the queens, but the challenges just weren't that good. But it does pick up around the middle, and I really enjoyed it! It was also interesting to see them lip sync for the crown at home! 2020 feels so long ago, but also like yesterday.

Obviously, I already knew who won, but that didn't stop me from having favorites who didn't win (Gigi, Jackie, and Nicky). I do wish they had moved Jackie into the finale after disqualifying Sherry though.

Have you seen RuPaul's Drag Race? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

HoriMiya (2021)

Title: HoriMiya
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: January 10, 2021
Genre(s): Anime, Romance, Comedy, Series
Production Co.: Aniplex
Starring: Haruka Tomatsu, Koki Uchiyama, Seiichiro Yamashita


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of awkward teen romance and friend groups.

What is this about?
A group of students who come together during their final year.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was drawn in by the loner boy with glasses, tattoos, and piercings who gets the girl!

How did I like this?
This is a really cute series, but the pacing and focus was all over the place. The first half is a really cute romantic comedy between Kyoko and Izumi. Then it shifts to being more episodic stories about each member of the friend group. Then it goes back to the romance, but not fully. I liked all of the characters, but shoving all of their stories into a handful of episodes didn't seem like the best choice. If only this series had been longer. Or shorter, and just focused on the initial romance.

Have you seen HoriMiya? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Heart Shot (2022)

Title: Heart Shot
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 19 minutes
Release Date: February 17, 2022
Genre(s): LGBTQ+, Suspense, Short Film
Production Co.: Story Ink
Director: Marielle Woods
Starring: Elena Heuze, Nia Sondaya, Bethany Michelle Curry


Who would I recommend this to?
I guess if you like incomplete artsy short films...

What is this about?
A teen girl with a mysterious dangerous past that isn't so past.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
No idea.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It seemed intriguing.

How did I like this?
I didn't. At all. It simply felt like an extended preview rather than a full story. There's no character development, no plot, no conclusion, no suspense. It just is.

If this were to become a longer form series or movie, I'd watch it though.
 

Have you seen Heart Shot? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Grease (1978)

Title: Grease
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Release Date: June 16, 1978
Genre(s): Romance, Musical
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director: Randal Kleiser
Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of musicals.

What is this about?
An opposites-attract romance and other relational difficulties

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you want a good singalong.

Where does it take place?
Rydell High School.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I cannot remember the first time I saw this movie, but I've always been fond of musicals.

How did I like this?
I adore this movie. It's delightfully cheesy. Yes, it's super dated and some of the content is questionable by today's standards, but it still holds up really well. The songs are super catchy and the fashion is amazing.

The only thing I don't like about it, and never have, was how Sandy had to be the one to change for Danny. Sure, he put in some effort, but threw it all out when he saw the new Sandy. Do NOT change yourself for a man, even if you do wind up looking super hot and getting a fun duet!

Have you seen Grease? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Plastic Memories (2015)

Title: Plastic Memories
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: April 4, 2015
Genre(s): Anime, Sci-Fi, Romance, Series
Production Co.: Aniplex
Starring: Yasuaki Takumi, Sora Amamiya, Chinatsu Akasaki


Who would I recommend this to?
Doomed romance fans, or those interested in what makes us human.

What is this about?
A young man falls in love with an android at work who is approaching her expiration date.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now, if you haven't seen this yet.

Where does it take place?
AIS Corporation. Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love robots. I love robots with emotions.

How did I like this?
I adored Isla and Tsusaka! I knew it couldn't possibly end happily for these two, but I loved what time they did have. The idea of Giftia (androids with emotions and memories) with expiration dates was a fascinating concept. Of course, you could just say that every living thing has an expiration date, so we should cherish every moment with those we love.

Have you seen Plastic Memories? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Steins;Gate - Episodes 1-3 (2011-15)

Title: Steins;Gate
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 24 mins
Release Date: April 6, 2011
Genre(s): Anime, Sci-Fi, Series
Production Co.: Frontier Works
Starring: Mamoru Miyano, Asami Imai, Kana Hanazawa


Who would I recommend this to?
Not me.

What is this about?
A self-proclaimed mad scientist invents time travel using a microwave.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever...

Where does it take place?
Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I had the visual novel on my wish list.

How did I like this?
I did not. I watched the first three episodes and could not get into it. I didn't like the characters. I didn't find the plot interesting. It wasn't visually appealing. It's just not for me.

Have you seen Steins;Gate? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Death Parade (2015)

Title: Death Parade
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: January 1, 2015
Genre(s): Anime, Drama, Series
Production Co.: Madhouse
Starring: Jamie Marchi, Alex Organ, Asami Seto


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of psychological dramas or dark anime or have an interest in human behavior in the face of death.

What is this about?
People who die together enter a mysterious bar where they're forced to play a game to determine their fate.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you're in the mood for something twisted.

Where does it take place?
Quindecim, a kind of limbo...

Why did I decide to watch this?
The premise was too interesting to ignore.

How did I like this?
First impression, I was not expecting that intro song! I am here for it! Also, the premise is even better than I thought. You never really know someone until their life is at stake...and I thought I knew where things were going, but nope. This show will keep you guessing!

It does get less dark and twisted as it moves along, but gets more introspective. It really make you think about what it means to be human and really live.

Have you seen Death Parade? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Your Lie in April (2014-15)

Title: Your Lie in April
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 22 minutes
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Genre(s): Anime, Drama, Series
Production Co.: A-1 Pictures
Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Risa Taneda, Ayane Sakura


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone, as long as you can handle death and despair. Plus depictions of child abuse.

What is this about?
A fourteen-year-old piano prodigy has been out of the spotlight for two years following his mother's death, until a violinist pushes him back into the music scene.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have 8ish hours to have your heart torn out, put back together, torn out again...

Where does it take place?
Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I've been wanting to get into anime, and this seemed like a good one to start with.

How did I like this?
First impression, the animation is so pretty. And there's some really amazing effects that pop in as we get into Kousei's head.

I was concerned at first about how pushy Kaori was about getting Kousei to play again. Clearly this boy has some trauma surrounding the piano. Thankfully, this is addressed early on, and I was able to settle into this narrative about him going back to what he dedicated his entire childhood to. It certainly messed with my emotions, because I couldn't decide if I wanted Kousei to play competitively again, or be like EFF YOU to his mother's memory. She was emotionally manipulative and physically abusive, but was also his piano teacher. It's all very emotionally complex.

It's clear from the beginning that this one is not going to have a happy ending, but I wasn't quite prepared for this roller coaster. It was amazing to watching how many lives Kousei touched without even realizing it. And all of those people ultimately help him take back his life.

Have you seen Your Lie in April? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?