Your May Watchlist

“Guava Island,” a 56 minute short film produced by Donald Glover and starring Rihanna, aired at Coachella then exclusively released to Amazon Video. On Guava Island, a local musician (Glover) is determined to throw a festival for every Islander to enjoy, but the island is ruled by a dictator who forbids fun. “Guava Island” features a few of Glover’s recent songs, specifically “This Is America” and “Summertime Magic,” so this short film is essentially a musical. The overall meaning of this short film expanded on Glover’s “This Is America” video. If you’re a fan of Childish Gambino AND Rihanna, this is a must watch.

Do you enjoy smart, witty banter? A tv show that never skips a beat and always keeps you on your toes? Then you need to check out The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel! With season 3 on its way, this American period comedy-drama has won three Golden Globe Awards and five Primetime Emmy Awards. Still not convinced this series is worth your time? It was created by a woman, stars a woman, and centers around women’s suffrage. Along with the fight for women’s equality, the series follows the journey of Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a housewife in 1958 New York City, who discovers she has a serious knack for stand-up comedy. Stream this series to cheer for Midge as she pursues a risky career as a female comedian in the 1950s. 

Here are some buzz words: Beyoncé, first black woman to headline Coachella, Beyoncé. Honestly, must I go on? This Netflix documentary is an intimate look into the 2018 Beychella set and the cultural movement that is Beychella. Beyoncé’s goal was to center the HBCU homecoming experience, the joy, swag, and pure talent alongside her personal history, mistakes, and staggering triumphs of her 22-year career, into a two hour, twice executed Homecoming performance. Homecoming is a once-in-a-lifetime historic event that I am ever so blessed to be alive to witness and consume. In the documentary, Beyoncé acknowledged that she has never pushed herself as hard as she did for this event, and that she doesn’t think she will ever recreate Homecoming. As I write, my emotions begin to bubble over due to the sheer amount of power and influence this woman will carry with her forever. During my first viewing of the documentary, I truly had to hit pause a handful of times because I had to take a moment to blink through my tears of happiness and admiration.

Written, directed, starred by women, this hour and a half Netflix rom-com will make you feel seen. Ranging from queer identity, fear of long term/distance romantic relationships, and douchey men, “Someone Great” successfully broke my heart in an almost refreshing way. To a surprisingly eclectic soundtrack, three roommates ebb and flow through their separate love lives and careers. As I clicked play, I had set no expectations for this chick-flick. By the end, I had laughed out loud, thoroughly sobbed, and hardcore related on multiple occasions. This movie is best paired with alcohol, your favorite crunchy snack, and your closest friends.

Disney released “Christopher Robin” last summer, but I discovered this smothering-ly cute and purest of pure take on Winnie the Pooh just recently. “Christopher Robin” became the highest-grossing film in the Winnie the Pooh franchise and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. Indeed, the visual effects were pristine, seeing how Winnie the Pooh and all the residents of Hundred Acre Wood were brought to life with grace and detail. Cozy up for this cuddly sweet tale about the reunion of Winnie the Pooh and a grown Christopher Robin. Tally the number of times you utter an emotional “Aweee” or “I’ve just died and the cause of death was an overload of cuteness.”