Summer MEDIA Recommendations CULTURE

TV Show: “The Summer I Turned Pretty”

Adapted from Jenny Han’s bestselling romance novel, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a heartfelt coming-of-age series that follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin on her annual summer getaway to Cousins Beach. Caught in a love triangle between two gorgeous brothers and an innocent romance with a John Ambrose–eque local boy, Belly is bound for an eventful summer. Add a splash of “coastal chic,” a touch of teenage drama, and a whole lot of wholesomeness, and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” becomes the perfect tooth-rotting summer series for some mindless fun. The show’s plot, though similar to the premise of the original novel, also takes some creative liberties in adding a debutante ball to close out the season, sure to delight even the most loyal novel purists. But the most heartwarming moments of the show come from the friendship between Laurel (Belly’s strict writer mom) and Susannah (the Fisher boys’ mother and summer home’s easygoing owner) as the two college best friends struggle to deal with bittersweet memories and personal tragedies. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is the perfect easy watch for summer escapism, delicately dealing with issues of race and class while balancing wistful teenage romance with the ups and downs of adult life.

Taylor Swift’s seventh studio album, “Lover,” is a fun and bright listen, a resounding contrast to the darker concepts of “Reputation.” Indeed, the flu y pink and blue skies of the album cover signify the dawn of a new era of Taylor Swift, complete with pastels and butterflies. The album’s theme is splayed out in glittery cursive in the title and alludes to the people and experiences that Swift loves. With hefty synthesized beats and reverb, songs on the album feel a little bit like the fizzy bubbles in an alcoholic drink. The mishmash of songs hark back to Swift’s journey as an artist, including the track “Lover,” which reminisces on sweet and slow fairytale romance. But the album “Lover” also marks growth in Swift’s maturity, both in music and relationships. In an interview with “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” Swift reveals that “Lover” was written from a place of true and genuine love. Balancing heart-fluttering crushes with self-reflections from past relationships, “Lover” also serves as an exploration of uncharted territory for Swift: political commentary. Songs like “The Man” and “You Need to Calm Down” rebu sexism and homophobia, while “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” is a commentary on the disillusionment of American youth. “Lover” appeals to a wide spectrum of listeners, including those in search of a poolside anthem such as “Cruel Summer,” as well as those who prefer to mull over her lyrical advocacy.

Movie: “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”

Dominating the recent award landscape, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” has quickly become the most awarded film of all time (IGN). The absurdist comedy-drama follows laundromat owner Evelyn Wang as she undergoes an IRS audit, navigates tense relationships with her husband and daughter, and taps into the parallel universe versions of herself to save the multiverse from a powerful being. Wang is played by the iconic Michelle Yeoh, and the film nods to her previous work with well-choreographed fight sequences reminiscent of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” As for Ke Huy Quan—who plays each version of her husband, Waymond—a role in “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” came as his first in almost 20 years since his rise to fame as a child actor. His acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor and reunion with Steven Spielberg is sure to bring a tear to any eye, and his performance especially shines as CEO Waymond declares: “In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.” “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” explores the nuance of the relationships between immigrant parents and their children, including the xenophobia and language barriers that immigrants encounter, as well as the intergenerational trauma and disconnect that their children may inherit. As Evelyn and her daughter Joy come together to bridge the gap that has driven them apart, viewers are compelled to recognize the sacrifices that their own families may have taken, and to hug their loved ones a little closer. The film is a heartwarming watch and the perfect occasion for a family movie night for those who do not mind some tears.

—Compiled by Maddie Cheung, a Writer.