What’s going on in here?
Welcome back to Leave Me Alone! I’m in Here!
Every other week, I invite you into my room, where I’m watching, reading, listening, and dreaming. The door only stays open for a little while, so get comfy while you can…
What am I watching?
I did not get any last minute tickets for Sundance screenings, and I’m still a little bummed! But there’s so much I’ve been watching lately and so much I’m looking forward to this year.
Here’s what I’m into right now:
Evil Dead Rise. I’m rewatching this right now as I write this! I don’t know what it is about this movie that keeps me coming back over and over again. I’m an Evil Dead respecter more than an enjoyer, but this one has really stuck with me since it came out back in 2023. It’s so gross, and so fun, and surprisingly sweet, too. There’s a scene in the kitchen that’s got to be one of my favorite horror moments of the last five years.
RuPaul’s Drag Race. I am a late in life Drag Race gay. I’ve always liked drag, and I’ve loved RuPaul since I was a kid watching The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel. I also remember having a blast watching Trixie Mattel’s set at the Philadelphia Folk Fest the year it went virtual. But I’m not a big reality competition person, and it just took me a while to get here. Over the last year, I’ve gone all in. I fell in love with Trixie and Katya first, and my heart has grown to accommodate many, many queens. Now I’m watching season 17, having a blast, and getting very into Suzie Toot, Kori King, and Pennsylvania’s own Lydia Butthole Kollins.
Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. I’ve been revisiting a number of Catherine O’Hara films since her death in January, but these two are my absolute favorites. O’Hara was a perfect fit for Christopher Guest’s style, and she created characters like Cookie Fleck in Best in Show and Sheila Albertson in Waiting for Guffman that were hilarious, bizarre, and deeply real.
The Olympics! Every four years, I get very into the Winter Olympics. I’m not a sports person, but I love a sports story. I think this is largely because I love watching people doggedly pursue incredibly unrealistic goals. It all goes back to my obsession with obsession, right? I can’t wait to see how many quadruple axels Ilia Malinin is going to do.
I watch a movie every day, and this year I’m really hoping to see more international films, more classic films, and more queer films. Follow me on Letterboxd to see what I’m logging every day!
What am I listening to?
I have a job that involves a lot of tasks that I get to sit and do by myself mostly without interruption. Currently, these songs are on repeat while I do my little tasks:
Sanitized by Katie Gavin
Falling by Ben Kweller
You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) by Orville Peck and Margo Price
Ugotme by Omar Apollo
What am I crying about?
New section! As I’ve mentioned, my late thirties have become a time to cry, and I’m embracing it. Here’s what’s getting me this week:
Taron Egerton as Elton John performing Your Song in Rocketman.
Thinking about my late cat, Nadja. She died last fall of congestive heart failure when she was only five. I’ve been good for a while, but I miss her terribly and was thinking about her.
The general situation of the United States and also the world.
A puppy I saw on Instagram.
What am I thinking about?
This week, other things I feel like talking about include:
My wonderful friend and MovieJawn editor in chief Rosalie (subscribe to her newsletter!) recently showed me how to search the Library of Congress for images, and I’m obsessed. Most of the images in this newsletter have come from their digital archive. They have dozens of scans of movie magazines from the earliest days of film, and it’s so much fun to page through them and do some virtual magazine clipping.
Living alone! I love it. This current situation is my first time living alone. I thought I might be sad in here by myself, or lonely, but…nope. I can go to bed whenever I want! I can decorate however I want! My apartment is not big or fancy, but it’s perfect for me. I love doing my little chores and finding new items to add to my collections.
Back to Booth’s Corner! I hit up the dollar DVD guy again and added a stack of discs and a new plush friend to the collection, pictured below. I really appreciate that the dollar DVD guy rotates his stock to feature holiday-based little stuffed animals. Happy Valentine’s Day!
What am I working on?
A lot of writing, a little less out in the world this time! I recently got to interview a filmmaker friend I met at Salem Horror Fest back in 2023. I’ve also got a review of a new horror film coming up, and I’m hard at work on my piece for the Spring issue of MovieJawn. Stay tuned!
The Winter 2025 print issue of MovieJawn is still available. Click here to get your copy!
This week’s list theme is the late, great Catherine O’Hara. Check out my list, and let me know if you watch any of my recommendations!
Now get out of my room!
That’s it for this edition of Leave Me Alone! I’m in Here!
If you’ve read any part of this, I am so grateful! I hope to see you back here again soon.