Jsv94

It is rare for a film to capture one's attention so completely and linger long after the credits roll. CMBYN is a profoundly cathartic drama, resonating with LGBT+ viewers in ways that are difficult to articulate. The film encapsulates the intoxicating contradictions of first love: the butterflies stirred for someone you assume is unattainable, the feeble attempts to hide your attraction, the overwhelming joy when that desire is reciprocated, and finally, the penultimate crushing desolation when the affair ends without the promise of a future.

Chalamet conveys this spectrum of emotions with remarkable authenticity, every nuance of longing, joy, and despair written on his face. Stuhlbarg's portrayal of the father is equally unforgettable. His closing monologue remains one of cinema's most compassionate and haunting speeches, capturing experiences and emotions queer viewers recognise intimately. It was impossible not to see myself mirrored in both the words and in Chalamet's silent response, which made the scene devastatingly personal.

Beyond its emotional weight, the film excels in its craft. The cinematography, direction, editing, and script combine to create something of rare precision and beauty. Were it not for the unavoidable shadow of Armie Hammer's presence, this might be close to a flawless 10. However accomplished his performance, it feels disingenuous to ignore the controversy surrounding him.

Call Me By Your Name stands as a haunting meditation on love and loss, and a work of art that evokes reflection and raw emotion with each viewing.

Did I hate it? No. Would I watch it again? Also no. Nothing really wrong with the show, and it kept me interested enough to see it through. That said, when under review, it really falls apart in an amateurish way. Too many wild plot twists and gaps that felt rushed and uninspired. The ridiculous number of security breaches and oversights made British and French intelligence agencies look like Scooby-Doo. A few characters like the PM's daughter, were incessantly annoying and didn't add anything to the story. I didn't mind the political threads, but they felt tacked on and mostly ended up as red herrings with little connection to the antagonists' actual motives.

All that said, it still managed to entertain me. It's not a show anyone will be talking about for weeks to come, but it's worth a watch if you've got a free night to binge something.

I started watching The Golden Girls as a kid with my mom. She enjoyed the show, and I enjoyed spending time watching it with her. At the time, I didn't understand all the jokes, but the ones I did understand still made me laugh. As I got older, the nostalgia of those memories and the show's nightly rerun slot lined up perfectly with my work schedule. I would come home from work, turn on Lifetime or AMC (I don't recall which), and watch the familiar show I grew up with.

I quickly realised how hilarious the show truly is, but also how incredibly ahead of its time it was. The topics it addressed are arguably more relevant today than they were then; race, religion, identity, poverty, healthcare, sexual orientation, immigration, and more. For a show from the '80s to confront such divisive topics speaks volumes about how progressive it was.

As a gay POC immigrant, the show spoke to me on a level far beyond any other show or movie I have seen. Coupled with the nostalgia it evokes, it's safe to say The Golden Girls will forever be my all-time favourite show. The chemistry between the women, the comedic timing, the entire dynamic of the show worked absolutely perfectly. It amazes me how many times I can watch the same episode and still laugh at the same jokes endlessly.

To this day, I bake a cheesecake every year on Betty White's birthday in commemoration of her life and the show as a whole. On both bad days and good, I know I'll always have my girls there to support me, as they have for countless others.

Thank you to my Forever Golden Girls for being a friend.