It’s the beginning of March and I should have a February Favorites post for you, and I do… ! Combined with January’s, that is. January proved to be out-of-the-ordinary, so I didn’t have enough of a list to post when February began.

I’ve got mostly viewables to share with you today. There’s no food on this list, and there’s just one product at the end. The rest is movies, documentaries, docuseries, and fictional series.

[Summary of the food I ate in February: salty things, spicy things, garlicky things, and dark chocolate]

Without further ado, then, here’s what I’ve watched (and enjoyed) this year so far! (I say “enjoyed” because I also watched a couple of things that I did not enjoy and would not recommend.)

DO RECOMMEND:

 

1). Nomadland (Hulu)

 

 

She did it again. Not that I doubted her. I knew it would happen: I hit “play” and it took Frances McDormand three minutes to bring tears to my eyes. She was born to take you to other worlds with her expressions, with her on-screen presence, and she does. She makes you feel things. It’s inexplicable.

Nomadland is a wondrous, poignant, and thought-provoking film not just about van life, but about life. You deserve to see it, especially for McDormand’s genius performance.

 

 

2). Promising Young Woman (Amazon rental)

 

 

I loved Carey Mulligan’s performance in this film, and I enjoyed this take on Revenge. Yes, that’s a capital-R Revenge.

 

 

3).  Tiger (HBO Max)

 

 

I’m not a golf fan. I’ve never watched golf, so I’ve never seen Tiger play. I only knew of Tiger Woods because he’s Tiger Woods. After watching this excellent two-part documentary, I feel like I know him somewhat.

Honestly, I’d be shocked if the man hadn’t been involved in a scandal or two. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a prodigy and do nothing but that one thing all of my life, since babyhood. A lifetime of scrutiny and competitive pressure will lead to a breaking point somewhere along the way, and eventually, life will demand to be lived. Tiger went to extremes with Las Vegas and the Navy SEALS, and I don’t blame him.

So you don’t have to like or watch golf in order to enjoy Tiger. It’s that favorite classic story: you have a hero who falls, gets up, and comes back. And what a come-back!

 

 

4). The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (Hulu)

 

 

Like Tiger did with Tiger Woods, Framing Britney Spears introduced me to Britney Spears. Summary of my thoughts post-viewing: I’m furious on Britney’s behalf, and not just because of the bullshit conservatorship in which she’s entangled. This documentary is a fascinating watch from the standpoint of mental health, alone, but I enjoyed it all around.

Also, #FreeBritney

 

 

5). Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Netflix original docuseries)

 

 

I dedicated a post to my thoughts on this horrifying Netflix docuseries. That is all.

 

 

6). Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (Netflix original docuseries)

 

 

Another interesting Netflix docuseries! The subject of this one almost seems to be window-dressing, though. The production is creepy, interesting, and entertaining, but it actually serves as more of a spotlight on the treacheries of social media. It amounts to one big “teaching moment.” I highly enjoyed it.

 

 

7). Behind Her Eyes (Netflix)

 

 

I love a good spooky love triangle plot every once in a while, especially if the triangle manages to change shape while still being a triangle.

 

 

8). The Sinner, season 3 (Netflix)

 

 

Season 3 of The Sinner finally hit Netflix! I’d been waiting for it. It did not disappoint. Bill Pullman is perfectly cast in this role, and I’m glad they’re keeping the seasons coming.

 

 

9). A Discovery of Witches (Shudder original series)

 

 

The series A Discovery of Witches is my most recent Shudder watch. I haven’t seen season 2 yet, but it’s there, and I’m looking forward to digging in!

 

 

10). Pacifica Silver Moon perfume.

 

 

I wore Hypnotic Poison (Dior) back in the 90’s. Pacifica’s new perfume line includes Silver Moon, which is so similar to Hypnotic Poison, I would believe you if you said that that’s what it was. Thanks to Pacifica, there’s now an affordable version of HP that’s also vegan and cruelty-free!

 

And there you have it, my friends. I’ve got a list going for March, and I plan to get back on my regular “Monthly Favorites” schedule.

Happy Weekend Eve!