Out In The Media

Out In The Media

The True Team review some of their favorites!

Dumplin'

By Chris Leaming

Starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston, Dumplin’ was released on Netflix in late 2018. Aniston plays an ex-beauty queen that stays in the spotlight by running the same pageant she won years ago as a teen. Dumplin’ (Macdonald) is your not-so-typical daughter of said ex-beauty queen, and was majorly influenced by her aunt who loved Dolly Parton. Their relationship was very special and they use Dolly as a way of life. Parton herself plays a major role is this film and I love it. The film is about Dumplin signing up out of spite for the beauty pageant that her mother runs, and the struggle between mother and daughter. Towards the end of the movie, the theme turns to self-love and body positivity. And did I mention drag queens?! There is a scene in the movie that combines drag queens, including Ginger Minj from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 7 and Dolly Parton! It is pretty awesome. I really enjoyed this Netflix original film. It will make you laugh, cry and everything in between.

Cover design by Lisa Knight; illustration by Svetlana Kolomeytseva.

Awaken Love, Dr. Anna Huff and Dr. Teresa Reyes Castillo

222 pp. Publish Your Purpose Press. $18.97.

By Kaylee Duff

Ever been curious about your intuition? Ever wondered about others who experience the truest of loves? Looking for a heartwarming read during the cold month of February? Published in September 2018, Awaken Love is a call to rising consciousness and true love. It’s the story of how the two authors (both licensed psychologists) met during grad school, fell in love and embarked on their life journeys together. Told in multiple parts from their two perspectives (with corresponding icons that make following the narrative an absolute breeze), Awaken Love is more than a love story — it’s a book about self-discovery, sexuality, ethnicity, spirituality and strength. It’s aesthetically engaging, as the tone settles perfectly somewhere between a documentary and a conversation with a dear friend. But the beauty of Awaken Love lies, without a doubt, within the story’s raw vulnerability. In the middle section of the book, the authors take you on a trip through the roughest patch of their relationship. Sharing the imperfect parts of a solid and energetic relationship takes an extreme amount of bravery and confidence. By the end of the book, you’re left with hope and a newfound curiosity about what it means to truly live life to the fullest, either with a partner or without. This book is perfect for those who have ever experienced a rough patch (in a relationship or outside of one) or who are looking for ways to get more out of their lives. Even the most cynical skeptic should be moved by Awaken Love; after all, there is not a more comforting idea than the universe being on your side.

Bird Box

By Jeff Skinner

Bird Box, a Netflix original, is a suspenseful thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat! Also, the line-up of stars in this film is unreal. Sandra Bullock is the main character, and there are parts in the movie that include some great stars like Sarah Paulson, Machine Gun Kelly and Danielle Macdonald from Dumplin’! The movie starts out with Malorie (played by Sandra Bullock), who is pregnant. The goal is to save her and her kid(s) from whatever monster is taking over the town. I felt like the movie didn’t go into detail as much as I would have liked it to, but I am happy for all the blindfold Bird Box memes that have been created because of this movie. In all seriousness, I thought that movie was pretty good, and I would highly recommend it to anyone that likes watching Netflix originals or suspenseful films!