Thot Flicks & Lit Picks.

Welcome to a silly little email that covers: movies, books, and other pop culture discussions. Book recs will be spicier than the movie recs but reversing the title just doesn't sound as good ;)

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year…

Strap in, everyone, because this newsletter is long, but there is so much good content to discuss! I love November/December because that is when some of the year's best content gets released. Many films are pulling for that Oscar release time slot, so we have many incredible movies. Now let's scroll for one of my most unhinged movie reviews…

Cinematic Thots: A Saltburn Review

Saltburn will go down as one of the best films of 2023 and one of the most discussed films of the decade. How does one even begin to describe this movie? This movie will be divisive for some, but I hope this review will help you decide if this is a film you should see in the theater.

First, do not see this movie with your family/parents. There is content that will cause a lot of discomfort. I have never been happier to have seen a movie alone. If you go with someone, be prepared for a quiet drive home together or a really intense debrief.

Visually, this film is stunning. Every shot looks like a painting, and the use of color theory is very clever. Every performance is also fantastic. Every single lead and side character held their own and really impressed me. The only way I can describe this film is that it is like you took a horror movie but showed it through the lens of a gothic, literary fiction book.

When I left the theater, I had no idea what to make of what I just saw. It took me a few days to fully process it, and I haven’t experienced that in a very long time- maybe ever. Emerald Fennel, The director and writer, is my dark and twisty Greta Gerwig; more people need to discuss her. She is so intelligent with her storytelling.

This experience reminds me of when I saw Midsommar. At first, I was so put off by the content that I thought I didn’t love the movie. Then I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and after a rewatch, I saw how brilliant this movie was, and it became one of my all-time favorites. All of this to say, Saltburn is a true Thot Flick and deserves a crown.

Release Radar

Challengers, Directed by: Luca Guadagnino

During the SAG strike, many releases were pushed from 2023 to 2024. The one that made me the most upset? Challengers. If you have known me for a while, you know that Luca Guadagnino’s film, Call Me By Your Name, Is easily in my top 5 favorite movies of all time. While his darker films like the Suspiria remake or Bones and All have not been my favorites, I am always curious to see what he does next. Seeing that Zendaya will star in a dark drama about tennis prodigy turned couch piques my interest. Zendaya has serious acting chops, and I’m excited to see what she will do under a director who is NOT Sam Levinson (seriously, put this man in jail).

Lit Picks: Iron Flame

Currently, I am diving into Iron Flame, the sequel to the ever-popular Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

This book's word count is insane, so it is taking me a minute to finish, but I love the journey these books take us on. The experience of reading a popular book that everyone seems to be reading simultaneously makes me feel like the whole world is in a book club, and I LOVE IT. Many of my subscribers have either finished this one or are currently reading it, so I won't dive into too many details. But if you have been scared to dip into fantasy novels, try this series. The world-building is easy to follow, and the characters are complex and fascinating. This is a book trend worth hopping on.

Why Everyone Should Read Ghosts

I am doing this section differently and including a completed book review because Ghosts is a novel that greatly impacted me.

This Dolly Alderton novel follows an early thirty-something named Nina. She is navigating online dating, a friendship with her ex-boyfriend, complicated female friendships, and a sick parent (to name a few). So why is this book so incredible? It shines a light on all the complexities of what being a single woman can feel like. And no, it doesn’t just talk about Nina’s desire to be loved by a man. It covers the pain one feels when everyone (but you) seems to move on in life and the complex feelings of knowing you are good enough, but you can’t shake your loneliness.

This is such a beautiful story that had me both laughing and weeping. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thotify Your Watchlist: Underrated Recommendations

I watched this movie back in July, and it hasn’t left my top ten movies of 2023 since. Also, hardly anyone is talking about it! Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is based on the beloved Judy Blume novel of the same name. If you watched Barbie and want to watch something that gives you that same warm yet emotional feeling, please watch this movie. It portrays girlhood, religious trauma, and parental relationships across generations in such a beautiful way. I adore this movie.

Final Thots and Prayers

Next month, we will dive into my round-ups for my favorite books and movies of the year. I can’t wait to share them with you!

Thanks again for reading and supporting me! See you next month!