It’s that time of year again! A day where we can eat more than we really should but also a day where we can reflect on what we are truly thankful for. It’s Thanksgiving! Last year I decided to make a post talking about what I was thankful for in pop culture. A year has already passed and it’s time to do it again!
MOVIES
Joker
At the end of every year, I like to look at the global box-office and for the most part, the top 10 and especially the top five are usually big, visually stunning blockbusters with huge budgets. This year however we have Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix to thank for making a movie that people were invested in, which made over a billion dollars which WAS NOT a blockbuster and was treated more like a drama. Joker is not only the only movie in the top 10 at the box-office which isn’t a blockbuster, it’s also the most profitable comic-book movie of all time and it is the movie with the lowest budget to enter the billion-dollar club. I think that speaks for itself why it’s such an amazing accomplishment.
Rocketman
I am thankful for Rocketman not only because I love the movie and it’s genuinely a great movie but because it reintroduced Elton John to a new generation and it’s giving Taron Egerton a legitimate chance for getting nominated for an Oscar, something he immensely deserves. Also Rocketman is the first mainstream movie which features an intimate scene between two gay men which is awesome! Late but awesome nonetheless.
How To Train Your Dragon:
The Hidden World
2019 featured many, many goodbyes to favourite franchises. Some were great, some were not so great. Y’all know what I mean. However The Hidden World gave the perfect ending to a ten-year franchise which is beloved by millions of fans around the world. I saw this movie four times at the cinema which is a record which also goes to show how wonderfully crafted this trilogy was. Thank you Dean DeBloise!
Us
Firstly I am thankful for Jordan Peele, period but what he is doing with horror is amazing. Us was a movie that sparked conversation and theories and actually got people interested in the movie even after it ended. In a way, the movie was interactive cause it left the audience figure out the ending for themselves, which I love. Not only is he getting audiences invested in smart, high-class horror with Get Out and Us but he is giving darker-skinned African American actors a chance to shine when Hollywood goes for more light-skinned actors. Also I would like to take this chance to thank Peele along with Keegan Michael-Key for voicing Ducky and Bunny in Toy Story 4, easily the best part of that movie.
Captain Marvel
So, after eleven years, we finally, finally, FINALLY get a female-led Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. Better late than never, right? While I wouldn’t say Captain Marvel had the same effect that Wonder Woman had for me where it almost felt like I was witnessing history watching the No Man’s Land scene, it was extremely entertaining to see a female character kick ass, take down spaceships in a single blow and know her worth. The movie is genuinely entertaining, fun and even hilarious at times. It’s just sad that it took Marvel this long to release a female-led movie especially when they could have released a Black Widow movie back in Phase One and Two.
John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum
Every few years we get an insane action movie which blows everyone away. In 2015, it was Mad Max: Fury Road, and in 2018 it was Mission: Impossible – Fallout. This year the John Wick franchise ups the game with Parabellum which offers a beautifully shot, insane action movie which includes mostly if not only practical effects. Just like Tom Cruise, love of the internet Keanu Reeves does most of his own stunts and it’s this type of attention to detail and love for filmmaking that makes an action movie actually great.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu
I am thankful for Pikachu. I will literally die for Pikachu. That’s it. Send Tweet.
TV
Steven Universe
I finally decided to catch up with Steven Universe at the beginning of the year and in all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever connected with a show this deeply. Since binging this show, it has helped me in more ways than one can imagine. It helped me deal with anxiety and look at life through a more optimistic and loving lens which I haven’t done that much lately. The themes of love, self-empowerment and kindness make this show a show worth watching and quite frankly a show kids should be watching. It’s a show which demolishes toxic stereotypes, represents all types of love, teaches kids about what it means to be human, finding and loving yourself and knowing your worth and for that I cannot be more thankful to Rebecca Sugar and the Crewniverse for creating such an powerful and loving show. It’s honestly a way of life.
Stranger Things
I love this show but I just wanted to add it here to say that I’m incredibly thankful for this trio right here. SCOOPS TROOP FOREVER!
Euphoria
Zendaya is always a win so it’s like a bonus since she is the star of the show. So I’m thankful for more Zendaya content, I’m also thankful for the show introducing the world to the wonderful Hunter Schafer and the rest of the cast who are just as wonderful. I’m thankful that the show represents teenagers in a realistic way and show that it is actually hard being a teenager. Also very thankful for the incredible music by Labrinth.
The Mandalorian
Disney+ hasn’t come to Europe yet but Twitter exists so literally everyone knows what’s going on in the show, especially with Baby Yoda who has graced my Twitter timeline everyday for the past two weeks. That’s it, that’s what I’m thankful for, Baby Yoda.
Game of Thrones
While the final season was not anyone’s favourite, I am still immensely thankful at the hard work that was put into literally everything and every aspect of making this season, (except the writing, that no one is thankful for). Everyone from the cast and crew gave their A game and it shows. It’s one of the most gorgeous looking shows of all time and it sets a high standard for upcoming shows.
MUSIC
BTS
I finally joined the K-POP train earlier this year when the Boy With Luv MV dropped. I wanted to see what the hype was about and yes, I understand now. I totally understand. These guys can sing and dance like their life depends on it. They work tirelessly to give their fans the best they can. They put out so much positivity and love into the world, it’s impossible not to love them! Boy With Luv is a (and I say this as seriously as I can) BOP.
Frozen II
I don’t know how they do it, I really don’t but the Lopez’s managed to make a set of songs that are just good as the ones from the first movie which as you all know gained quite the reputation. This is all I’ll say because of two things, spoilers and I have something planned in which I’ll be talking about this in more detail.
Ariana Grande
Like last year, Ariana Grande is on the list of people I’m thankful for. In 2019 she has released a record-breaking album, three singles, produced the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack and was featured on songs with Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel and Lizzo. She is one of the most hard-working singers of our time. Thank U, Next was amazing, I still listen to that album every now and then. Like BTS, she puts out so much love and passion into her music and cares incredibly deeply for her fans.
Lizzo
You cannot listen to a Lizzo song and not feel like a boss who knows their worth and can conquer the world. Loving yourself is hard, it takes time and it’s a journey which can never really end. Lizzo makes it a tad easier with her energetic and empowering music. Good as Hell and Juice are instant mood boosters. You can’t help but feel thankful for someone who is preaching self-love.
*Last but certainly not least, I am thankful for every follower, every reader and anyone who actually reads what I have to say about movies, shows and music.
owen is a filmaholic 