Fire Island – Hulu
Where else would this movie be set but in the iconic Fire Island Pines. This movie is an unapologetic, modern day rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The story centers around two best friends who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation with the help of cheap rosé and a cadre of eclectic friends. Those two best friends are Bowen Yang and Joel Kim Booster. Bowen (Saturday Night Live fame) gives one of the most likeable performances I can remember. This is probably because Bowen is just such a genuine likeable person. I really want him to be my BFF! Joel Kim Booster, who I honestly never heard of before, is in three of the seven things I recommend you watch in this article. He plays the handsome best friend (and hot he is) of Bowens character. Joel plays sexy and comedy equally as well. The movie also stars Conrad Ricamora, Matt Rogers, and Margaret Cho. This cast alone should make you want to watch the movie, but if you need more motivation, I promise you will finish the movie with a smile on your face.
Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual – Netflix
This comedy special was filmed at Catch One in Los Angeles, where Joel Kim Booster makes his Netflix comedy special debut. In a uniquely crafted three act set; Booster discusses learning the cultural nuances of being Asian as he gets older, shares his preference for threesomes with tips for successful masturbation and his fascination for human sexuality and much more. I promise you will be laughing your ass off, but this one is not for children or any of your conservative family members. The thing I liked the most about this Stand-Up special is that Joel clearly has his own lane…he is ORIGINAL!!
Queer as Folk – Peacock
This is a vibrant reimagining of the groundbreaking British series created by Russell T. Davies (of course it had an American version in the early 2000’s), exploring a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy. We here in Florida will forever be affected by the PULSE shootings, but I urge you to give this show a chance. Once I was able to get passed the tragedy, I was able to settle in to the well written and very well acted storylines. The show stars the very sexy Devin Way who plays Brodie; Fin Argus (Mingus), Jesse James Keitel (Ruthie), CG (Shar), Johnny Sibilly (Noah), who is also very sexy and is alsp in one of my favorite shows “Hacks,” and Ryan O’Connell (Julian). Some of the more well-known guest stars are Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, and Ed Begley Jr. Now even though I just called two of the stars sexy, I do have to say that the show has a bit too much sex, but I forced myself to deal with it…LOL!!
Umbrella Academy Season 3 – Netflix
If you are like me, you got addicted to the first two season of Umbrella Academy and were pulling your hair out waiting for the third season, which was delayed due to Covid. I was on pins and needles waiting to see how their home, the Umbrella Academy, was now the Sparrow Academy, and I also couldn’t wait to see how they were going to write in Ellen Page’s former Character Vanya into the script to fit his now true self of Elliot Page. Vanya is now Viktor and hats off to the writers and producers for not only respecting their actor but telling the story with class and for showing that you can be who you authentically are, and true family loves you just the same.
The Brothers and Sisters realize that the Sparrow Academy are smart, stylish, and about as warm as a sea of icebergs. The Sparrows immediately clash with the Umbrellas in a violent face-off that turns out to be the least of everyone’s concerns. Navigating challenges, losses, and surprises of their own – and dealing with an unidentified destructive entity wreaking havoc in the Universe (something they may have caused) — now all they need to do is convince Dad’s new and possibly better family to help them put right what their arrival made wrong.
The returning cast features: Cast: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Justin H. Min, Colm Feore, Ritu Arya, Jordan Claire Robbins
The Sparrows consist of: Justin Cornwell, Britne Oldford, Genesis Rodriguez, Cazzie David, Jake Epstein, and Justin H. Min (the only cast member in both families).
Real Housewives Girls Trip – Season 2 – Peacock
For the first time since their departure from “The Real Housewives,” several of the most unforgettable ex-Housewives will collide for a much-anticipated vacation at one of the most iconic homes in franchise history: Dorinda Medley’s Bluestone Manor. Viewers will be taken on a trip down memory lane as the ladies indulge in the lush countryside of the Berkshires with top-notch luxury, hilarious escapades, and non-stop drama. The new season will feature eight all-star Housewives alumnae from coast-to-coast, including Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Phaedra Parks and Eva Marcille of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” and Brandi Glanville and Taylor Armstrong of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Three of the seven episodes will drop on premiere day, with a new episode available to stream each Thursday following. If you are looking or love housewives’ drama like I do, watch this as I am eating it up!
Minions: The Rise of Gru
A lot of you will be saying I am too old to watch and enjoy movies like this and to you I say: You don’t know what you’re missing as this is the biggest global animated franchise in history. I have seen and enjoyed all the Minion movies, and I wasn’t about to stop. Generally, I am not a fan of bad guys, but Gru is so adorable you can’t help but love him. The movie tells the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled. Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles – Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. Starring the voices of: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, with Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin.
Loot – Apple TV+
In “Loot,” billionaire Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph) has a dream life, complete with private jets, a sprawling mansion and a gigayacht — anything her heart desires. But when her husband of 20 years betrays her, she spirals publicly, becoming fuel for tabloid fodder. She’s reaching rock bottom when she learns, to her surprise, that she has a charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez of Pose fame), who pleads with Molly to stop generating bad press. With her devoted assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster…I told you he would appear three times I this feature) by her side, and with the help of Sofia and team — including mild-mannered accountant Arthur (Nat Faxon) and her optimistic, pop-culture-loving cousin Howard (Ron Funches) — Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Giving back to others is exactly what she needs to get back to herself. Combining the immeasurable talents of Maya Rudolph, with one of my new favorites Joel Kim Booster and the girl who should have won an Emmy, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (thanks Golden Globes for getting it right), how could this not be a hit…Super funny and addicting!
I hope you enjoy watching all of these, as I certainly did!
