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It all started with their 36th birthday. Jack was getting a sensual lap dance from his wife who is 34 weeks pregnant with triplets. Kevin is waking up next to two models while he is having an identity crisis. Kate is living as a personal assistant as she vows to take her weight loss seriously this time and makes a friend in some big guy named Toby. And then there’s Randall who is overworking himself but still finds time to track down his biological father and confront him.
While countless other voices will be able to explain how this show was able to instantly tap into the zeitgeist of pop culture, that is not what you all will find here. The beautiful stories brought to audiences by Dan Fogelman and his talented team of writers are something that should be studied and examined, and nobody here is denying that.
For me, there is only one storyline that stood out to me above anything else. To make sure you all know why one specific storyline stands out to me, it is important to know where I was when this show premiered. In the fall of 2016, I was “on my own” for the first time by being away at college (even though I only lived about 15 minutes away from campus). Regardless, this time period allowed me to find out who I am and a big chunk of that was my bisexuality.
20th Television
These words uttered by Tess in season 1 episode 10 made my ears prop up and had me lean a little closer to the screen. The reveal of a bisexual man on a primetime network television show took my breath away in all the best ways. Being a queer child growing up in a catholic environment was damaging for me more than I knew at the time, but by the time 2016 came around I was ready to overcome this pain and William Hill’s character arrived at the right time.
William would describe how he and his friends in the 1970s viewed love, sex, and, relationships vastly different than what I had been conditioned to think. During this era, William was a member of the counterculture movement as a “peace and love” and anti-war hippie who did not allow his life to be restricted by boxes that certain corners of society try and put you in. Even though I heard all of this info for the first time from a first-person perspective, everything William was saying aligned with what I believed deep in my core.
“Dad, grandpa’s gay. Or at least bi.”
Tess Pearson (Eris Baker) This Is Us, season 1, episode 10; “Last Christmas”
Yes, there was plenty of bisexual representation before 2016, and much more popular examples both in fiction and in reality, but William Hill’s character unlocked the door for me and I had to make a choice. Am I going to finally accept this real part of who I am, or am I going to continue to ignore it?
Something that made William’s bisexuality so beautiful and extraordinary is that it was a subdued reveal and minor story, even for supporting character standards. For the main characters and the full Pearson family, there was no hatred shown to William and he was instantly accepted. While some het people might not fully understand how rare this is, I loved that this show decided to include it without making it a multi-episode arc. William’s bisexuality would come up in future episodes, sure, but it did not stand out more than any other heteronormative love story in This Is Us.
There have been plenty of heartbreaking queer stories in television and movies, and some of them are rightfully lauded over for being cinematic and queer perfection. Including a bisexual man as someone who is more than just his sexuality is so amazing to see in any year or in any genre or any medium. If there were more examples like William Hill when I was growing up, I would not have suppressed such a beautiful and natural part of who I am.
20th Television
As many of you know, I am no longer ashamed of or hiding my bisexuality. It has proudly become a part of who I am and if anyone has an issue with that then nobody is making you stay. I am still learning so much about myself and my sexuality and loving every second of it. There are still some doubts and anxieties that creep into my twisted brain that makes me not love myself for a brief moment in time. But thanks to therapy, only allowing the best people in my life, and prioritizing my mental health more, I am the best version of myself.
There is no doubt in my mind I would have loved myself regardless of This Is Us or William Hill. However, thanks to the perfect culmination of this beautiful series airing mixed with me having some independence in my life allowed me to push the first domino to evolve into this self-love Colin writing this blog.
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As 2021 comes to a close and 2022 begins, I decided to look back at my life over the last fifty-two weeks for myself. As some of you know little, and others might know more, I wanted to take a moment to jot down everything that went on with me. I will be raw and honest about my journey but I do not know any reasons for trigger warnings besides my discussions about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety. I will give you all a spoiler alert, the ending is very happy and satisfying.
I will get out the juicy stuff first. After over eight years, I found myself single after my partner broke up with me. While this would be painful regardless, it was after five months of us being separated since they enlisted in the US Air Force. I will be honest, I threw myself into working and distracted myself. My Kübler-Ross stage of grief was in the natural stage of denial and that was being aided by my desire to not want to move on. I stayed in contact with them even after broke up since there was so much history and a once strong connection there. I maintained this for about a week before I explained my situation with my therapist and she explained this was natural since I was used to talking with them every day and phrased it as I had an “addictive response” to my partner. Since that session with my therapist, I cut off ties and stopped talking with my ex. After dipping my toes into dating apps and modern dating (not even talking about during the middle of the COVID pandemic) I can honestly say I am thankful for Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Adele.
If you just asked, “did this dude just thank three of the biggest pop singers/songwriters of today?” the answer is yes and welcome to my bisexual brain. This year I finally found the courage to come out as bisexual after only explicitly telling two close friends at the time before I sent out my post on social media. Yes, that means no family members knew about it, and reading my post was how they found out. This was nothing to do with my family. I wanted to come out once to everyone and thanks to modern technology, I could do that. Except for some minor judgmental comments, I felt like I was accepted by everyone close to me and that mattered. Since I sent out that post, I have felt an unimaginable weight lifted off my shoulders. Nothing about me changed, I was simply honest with myself and with others and it felt fucking exhilarating.
The most amazing thing to experience is finding out so much about my sexuality and how crazy and anxious it makes me feel. Instead of ignoring a puzzle I knew needed to be solved, I am now figuring out which pieces connect with others. The satisfaction of connecting two pieces together that you spent hours trying to find one of its mates is one of the most unmatched feelings of euphoric bliss. Being able to say, “yes, this is who I am” is something only the few can honestly say and honestly mean. I hope all of you reading this has said this or will say this multiple times in your lives. It is one helluva feeling.
Apart from the double-edged sword style of anxiety from my sexuality, my life is filled with anxiety in many facets of my life. This has been treated for the last three years through therapy and medications and these treatments have done wonders. But like anyone, I still suffered from anxiety in everyday events like driving to a shift I know will be crazy, sitting in front of a laptop before an interview, waiting for an editor to greenlight an article idea that is a bit out of the box, or the night before a day with some challenges. Do not get me wrong, three years of therapy have helped extend my life and given me improvements to my daily life.
In the recent months, however, I finally added something to my daily life that has helped my anxiety subside, and that is weed. Oh my goodness, I am mad at the “war on drugs” mentality that tarnished my thinking of something with so many beneficial qualities. If anyone is on the fence about weed being able to help them, and you live in a state/country that allows you to do so, I highly suggest trying it out. My brain has never felt clearer, my body feels better, and so much emotional pain has felt less impactful.
The last thing I want to touch on is what I am doing right now, and what you are reading, my writing. This school activity turned hobby turned profession has changed my life for the better dramatically. I am all but confident that writing in my life has only just begun, and I am fully aware that my starting point is later than some, but that will not stop me. I will become at least a part-time writer by this point next year and not be tied down to the full-time, non-writing job I am at now.
In 2020, I started writing for a blog that I called The Direct Cut.
In 2021, I became a published and paid writer.
In 2022…
The Direct Cut does not own any of the images used throughout this blog
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Look, mistakes have been made in the short timespan of The Direct Cut’s life. If you thought, “wow this dude is asking for money for his work after not proving himself yet…” then congrats because you are correct. So there is no paywall or PDF needed to be downloaded to see these award announcements or the eventual celebration post.
Before the winners are announced in the first week of January (see the exact date below) these are the nominees for the 15 categories of the 2nd Annual Odyssey Awards.
Best Film: Comedy
8-Bit Christmas
Don’t Look Up
Free Guy
The French Dispatch
Shiva Baby
(L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr. Randall Mindy, Jennifer Lawerence as Kate Dibiasky. Courtesy of Hyperobject Industries/Netflix.
Best Film: Drama
CODA
The Harder They Fall
Judas and the Black Messiah
Tick, Tick… Boom!
A Quiet Place Part II
Best Film: Animated
Luca
The Mitchell’s vs The Machines
Raya and the Last Dragon
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Tom & Jerry
Best Film: Action / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Dune
Gunpowder Milkshake
The Matrix: Ressurections
The Suicide Squad
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Best Documentary
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass
Seaspiracy
Summer of Soul
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
Best TV Show: Comedy
Dickinson
Ted Lasso
The Sex Lives of College Girls
Succession
The White Lotus
(L-R) Ella Hunt as Sue Gilbert, Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson. Courtesy of Tuning Fork Productions/Sugar 23/wiip/Anonymous Content/Apple
Best TV Show: Drama
The Crown
Dopesick
The Handmaid’s Tale
Mare of Easttown
Pose
Best TV Show: Animated
Big Mouth
Inside Job
Invincible
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
What If…?
Best TV Show: Action / Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Foundation
Loki
Shadow and Bone
Superman & Lois
The Wheel of Time
(L-R) Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius, Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
Best Docuseries
Allen v. Farrow
History of the Sitcom
The Lady and the Dale
PRIDE
Q: Into the Storm
Best TV Duo
Chucky & a Reboot (Chucky)
Gossip Girl & Bad yet Addictive writing (Gossip Girl)
Kate Bishop & Clint Barton (Hawkeye)
Ted Lasso & Dr. Sharon Fieldstone (Ted Lasso)
Selena Gomez & Comedy Legends (Only Murders in the Building)
Best TV Ensemble
Big Mouth
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Succession
Sex Education
This Is Us
Best Film Duo
AAPI & Marvel Studios (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
Dominic Toretto & Family (F9)
Eddie Brock & Venom (Venom: Let There Be Carnage)
Neo & Trinity (The Matrix: Resurrections)
Taylor Swift & a director’s chair (All Too Well: The Short Film)
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock. Courtesy of Columbia Pictures/Marvel/Sony Pictures Releasing,
Best Film Ensemble
Dune
The French Dispatch
The Harder They Fall
Spider-Man: No Way Home
The Suicide Squad
Mount Rushmore of Performers
Male
Andrew Garfield
Brian Tyree Henry
Dwayne Johnson
John Cena
Jonathan Majors
Female
Hailee Steinfeld
Olivia Colman
Renée Elise Goldsberry
Stephanie Beatriz
Zendaya
Who do you think will be walking away with these esteemed awards after the turn of the calendar? Let me know on social media @TheDirectCut on Twitter and Facebook!!
Catch the blog go live on JANUARY 5TH, 2022!!
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While I do LOVE writing about mental health, some of my blogs take some more time and care to write. Because of this, I will have these Retro Review blogs in between my main ones to lighten the load and to also give my own opinions on the latest TV shows and movies that have recently premiered.
Just like my first Retro Review, these reviews will not be “retro” in the sense that I am reviewing Citizen Kane (1941) or Psycho (1960). I will, however, be reviewing TV shows and movies that were released over the last couple of months and I will give my grade of F to A+ (I just really like alliteration, ok…). I do not know how frequently these Retro Reviews will occur, but I do know that they will be a must-read to ensure that you all lovely readers know my personal opinions on the programs that have recently graced our screens.
TV Shows
Mythic Quest (Season 2)
Courtesy of Apple TV+
This show might be one of the most underrated shows from the Apple TV+ streaming platform. Sure there is Ted Lasso and TheMorningShow earning the big accolades and praise, but this show that documents the workplace of a video game development company is right up there in my eyes. This second season made the necessary evolutionary steps when it comes to the stories and characters involved. The writing that is done for this show is truly exceptional and succeeds in writing stories about a workplace, video game development, gender dynamics, sexuality, mental health, and a myriad of other things. Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Megan Ganz have another hit show on their hands following their show about bar patrons. This show is so carefully curated for all kinds of TV fans while succeeding through the age of COVID-19 by shortly addressing the pandemic before swiftly moving on.
GRADE: B
The White Lotus (Season 1)
Courtesy of HBO
White people, especially those with financial privilege, are oftentimes the worst. Considering how this show was made by a rich cis white man, I am honestly shocked to see it be so well received by the public. No matter what side plot was going on during this series, the first season always traveled back to colonialism and how the white guests at the titular hotel did not know how much damage they were creating with their patronage. Music, editing, and camera angles all helped hit the theme home throughout these episodes and did so beautifully. The characters that Alexandra Daddario and Murray Bartlett played perfectly encapsulate what the writers were going for and should be looked into when learning about how to write flawed characters. Although the future seasons might not address the same themes and topics, I trust Mike White to be conveying and poignant with the future episodes of this anthology series.
GRADE: A-
Superman & Lois (Season 1)
Courtesy of The CW
Another superhero show is something that a lot of folks might want, but those people are wrong. For whatever reason, The CW and Warner Bros. threw loads of money at this show and I am not mad about it. Tyler Hoechlin might be one of my favorite depictions of the Man of Steel for numerous reasons but the main one is how much he conveys the innocence and awkwardness of Clark Kent while looking like a sexy Greek god and being one of the most powerful characters in all of fiction. This series also had a successful ensemble cast that I was not expecting. The way that Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass, Alex Garfin, and Inde Navarrette have shined through this first season makes me very hopeful the following seasons will develop these characters even more and the incredible actors will succeed in portraying them. Making Superman feel fresh in 2021 is not an easy task, but the fact that this show chose to go down the route of an established Clark Kent and Superman has aided them in creating fun and interesting television.
GRADE: B+
Schmigadoon!
Courtesy of Apple TV+
If you know nothing about me know this, I have grown up loving Saturday Night Live. Because of that, I will tend to watch the shows and movies the cast members perform in. With this in mind, it is no surprise that I watched this Apple TV+ musical comedy and I am thankful I did. Cecily Strong has firmly established herself as my favorite current cast member for so many reasons and so I was more than happy to watch this series for her. The concept was nothing new considering it is common that the meta and fourth-wall-breaking story can be found in shows desiring to do a musical episode, but that did not take away from this series too much. This show looked to be more focused on the overall theme and destination than the actual journey to get there. The journey was fun with exciting and creative ways to portray typical musical characters like religious zealots, shady bad boys, and adulterous men, but the jokes did always land. The development and writing between the jokes and songs are what lacked in this show, but it almost did not matter since it was a fun ride.
GRADE: B-
Ted Lasso (Season 2)
Courtesy of Apple TV+
At this point, a person is either in love with Ted Lasso or refusing to watch it and tired of people talking about it. Well, guess what, I am in love with this show for numerous reasons and I will always be its champion. The first season talked a little about mental health while making jokes about an American in England, but this second season turned into the skid and accelerated. The addition of Dr. Sharon Fieldstone opened the floodgates of so much more great writing that I honestly did not expect when finishing the first season. However, considering how you all know how I care about mental health awareness (see the sidebar for proof) it should be no surprise how much I loved this newfound focus. This show also excelled in the development of all of its minor and supporting characters, which is no surprise if you have watched Bill Lawerence’s Scrubs. If you are somehow on the fence about watching this series, let this be a sign to go out of your way and absorb this excellent television series.
GRADE: A
Movies
F9: The Fast Saga
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
As we all know by now, the “Fast and Furious” franchise is never going to try to be anything more than a high-octane-filled adventure filled with insane stunts and even crazier stories. I have deemed this series of movies the perfect Popcorn Movie franchise because they are all just that, popcorn movies. This ninth installment is no different and takes a surface-level dive into the ever-changing definition of “family.” With his estranged brother, Jakob (John Cena), reentering his life, audiences learn a bit more about everyone’s favorite Dodge Charger driver and occasional government black-ops agent in Dominic Toretto. This film was never going to be anything more than a two-and-a-half-hour stunt show where the word of the day is “Family”, but that’s ok. I definitely enjoyed the movie for what it was and I always love seeing John Cena in things so that boosts my review.
GRADE: C+
In The Heights
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
A lot of people might want to compare this to Hamilton’s movie adaption due to Lin Manuel Miranda’s involvement in both, but these two are completely different styles of movies. I went into this movie with high expectations because of the musical’s high accolades it earned, so that could be why I felt let down when the credits rolled. Let me be clear, this is not a bad movie. And this movie is coming at a time where black and brown folks are receiving more positive representation in media and fiction so that is obviously a plus. The music being performed is fun and exciting, but it’s not that memorable like other musicals exceed at. The story is easily the best talking point and most successful part of the film, but I still felt like it left some potential behind and that is a shame.
GRADE: B
Black Widow
Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Everything about this movie’s preproduction life annoys me because of how prominent Natasha Romanoff has been since the third MCU movie. The story of the film, however, is slowly becoming one of the most prominent in this wave of feminism, powerful man uses an expendable resource (women) to his advantage before the women turn on him. I think this MCU movie could have been something special if it focused on Black Widow’s spy roots rather than her former Nuclear Family, however, if this means more Rachel Weisz and David Harbour in future MCU projects, I will not be mad about that at all. Plus, Florence Pugh is a welcome addition to any project and she shined the brightest in this film so I am looking forward to her presence in the upcoming Hawkeye series along with future movies.
GRADE: B-
Gunpowder Milkshake
Courtesy of Netflix
This movie was barrels of fun and visually stunning. The editing, photography, and color palette of this movie mixed with their affection for neons and other brightness is a beautiful dichotomy for the dark and haunting subject matter. Starring Karen Gillan as Sam, this hitwoman is a personified weapon utilized by a mysterious underground cabal called The Firm. When she kills the wrong goon, The Firm cuts ties with Sam and leaves her to fend for herself against a citywide crime organization and eventually her fellow assassins from The Firm. Gillan excels in this movie like anyone would expect and the cast is filled out with other heavy hitters like Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Paul Giamatti. This story has become reminiscent of most modern anti-hero characters, but that does not take away just how simply fun this movie is.
GRADE: B+
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
This movie showed a whole lot of action but didn’t have a lot of story development to go along with it, especially for an origin film. I definitely hold the “G.I. Joe” movies close to my heart because they are just so bad and nothing like the original cartoons which makes for some car crash movies. This movie stood out from those because it felt as though this movie was trying to take itself too seriously. The first two starring Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson just felt like a fun and exciting adventure that has no real purpose, this movie was trying too hard while having shotty camera work and honestly below the work that Henry Goulding has put in in his career. Also, and mainly, I was not a fan of how audiences never found out why Snake Eyes was silent in the other two “G.I. Joe” movies.
GRADE: D+
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I have written and erased the start of this blog multiple times and I did not know why. Often throughout the last couple of days and weeks, I have found myself staring at my reflection on my laptop’s screen, unable to write. This Netflix series has made an impression on me beyond any other show, like it has for many folks, since its 2014 premiere, so why can’t I write about it with ease?
Netflix, Inc.
My working theory is that this show is a certain kind of special. It doesn’t just talk about serious topics like mental health, addiction, and sexuality, it screams about them. No other show has even come close to tackling issues as Bojack Horseman does. It has been difficult to analyze this show like I have done for Thor in Avengers: Endgame, Quentin Coldwater in The Magicians, or the film Good Will Hunting.
Like so many viewers, I started watching this show thinking it was just going to be an ordinary adult animated show like The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy have done so well since the 1990s. However, this Netflix series was not an ordinary sitcom that one would find on cable television. By its admission, Bojack Horseman is a tragicomedy that can easily bounce back and forth between those two genres with grace. One moment viewers will be laughing at the fact that everyone calls their town Hollywoo now because the sign’s “D” was destroyed, the next they will be crying because the titular character is struggling with his inner demons.
Netflix, Inc.
Even though this show did include a lot of amazing and well-written characters, it is hard not to focus on Bojack Horseman (portrayed by Will Arnett) himself. Audiences meet this horse as a 50 something has-been actor who is now struggling with being an alcoholic and trying to find work after his career peaked. As the series went on, his jaded behavior became complex when audiences learned why his career took a nosedive, why he lost some of his closest companions, and also how Bojack’s demons shaped his life.
The writing of Bojack’s character sometimes toes the line of a character who is hated but always takes a turn and gives a significant gut punch and viewers find themselves wanting the best for Will Arnett’s anthropomorphic horse. Three major events stand out that leave audiences questioning if Bojack Horseman is beyond reform.
The first is when he almost becomes intimate with his former girlfriend’s 17-year-old daughter even though she was trying to seduce him. The second is when he takes his former co-star, who has documented addiction problems, on a bender that ends with her overdosing and dying. Lastly, Bojack abused painkillers to the point where he ended up strangling his current romantic partner and co-star for real while shooting a scene. Even when Bojack did these awful things, the well-developed character and the series never reach a point of no return.
Netflix, Inc.
This focus on mental health was not just reserved for Bojack either. Diane Nguyen (controversially portrayed by Allison Brie) has the second most powerful arc of the entire series. She starts as Bojack’s ghostwriter for his autobiography, but this role propelled her career into one that was a rollercoaster. She struggled to find recognition as a writer and strived (but failed) to write with a purpose and a larger meaning. Diane travels around the world to find these existential meanings but only finds herself sleeping on her friend’s couch, falling into a bad bout of depression, and writing mindless nonsense to earn a paycheck.
Diane’s life throughout Bojack Horseman has some clear parallels to Bojack’s which makes their final rooftop scene the more powerful. They both have gone through emotional turmoil and done a lot of bad things in recent years. Despite that, they have maintained folks in their lives that still love and care for them, regardless of their demons controlling their actions and failed relationships. Most other shows have short arcs where they struggle for a few episodes or a season, but Diane and Bojack’s mental health arcs are constant throughout and deserve to be studied for television writing purposes and mental health awareness purposes.
Netflix, Inc.
The legacy of Bojack Horseman will outlive the cast and crew of the series and likely me as well. So much awareness and accurate depictions are riddled throughout the six seasons. Not only does it depict mental health, but it also explores sexuality, addictions, racism, sexism, the human condition, and various other self-destructive behaviors. However, not much other television series on a streaming platform or cable has ever embraced mental health like this Netflix show.
The Direct Cut does not own any of the images used throughout this blog
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Before we get started, I will give you all a content warning. I am not going to write about the actual events and potentially triggering topics discussed in the book and film, but if you decide to read and watch “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” then I recommend you check out the website Does The Dog Die for this movie and any movie you are concerned about any triggering images or content.
Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
As Stephen Chbosky’s latest film Dead Evan Hansen (2021) hits theaters, I think it is a great time to look back at his most popular film based on his own book. To the surprise of very few, this novel and film adaption played a very large role in my life growing up. This was the first major example of a person, never mind a young boy like myself, not being ok and talking about it. Before I was really mature enough to fully understand the importance of Good Will Hunting (1997), I had Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).
I do admit, like so many things in everybody’s life, Stephen Chbosky’s book and film was recommended to me. This suggestion came at a time of my adolescence where I was going through a lot mentally and did not know how to handle things in a healthy way. I never was really a big book person until I was gifted this coming-of-age novel. The letters Charlie wrote are so important and helped me become the person I am today, for better or worse. But this is not a blog about books, because I am far from qualified to do that, this is a blog about movies and television, something I am slightly more qualified to discuss.
This recap obviously will skip over a lot of details about the story for the sake of time and for the sake of not wanting to be too spoiler filled. However, I will talk a lot about Charlie and his mental health because of how much this story resonated with me as I read the book and watched the film and also how it still resonates with me to this day.
Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
For anyone that does not know, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about Charlie Kelmeckis, played by Logan Lerman, who is a shy and anxious incoming freshman who has been suffering from clinical depression since childhood who is recently discharged from a mental health care institution. This 14 year old eventually makes a bond with two seniors in Sam and Patrick, played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller respectively. Noticing that Charlie is alone, the good person of Sam brings him in to her group of friends. Charlie eventually begins a strange romantic relationship with Mary Elizabeth, played by Mae Whitman, but it is always destined to end. After Charlie isolates himself from his new friends, he sinks back into his depression.
Even though he is alone again, Charlie eventually helps and defends Patrick against the school’s homophobes but blacks out while doing this. This puts him back in favor with Sam and the friend group which leads to prom. Sam finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her and goes to Charlie for some comfort. The two get intimate back in Sam’s bedroom but this causes Charlie to remember some repressed memories that caused his depression when he was younger. All of this pain and bringing up old trauma causes Charlie to go back into his mental health care institution. When he is ready to be discharged, Sam and Patrick pick him up and they drive off in the moonlight into infinite bliss.
Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
I feel like coming-of-age films tend to lean towards focusing on the age group being depicted in the story, and there is honestly nothing wrong with that. Teenage years are filled with some of the biggest changes in one’s life physiologically, emotionally, mentally, and physically. So a middle-aged adults who are in their forever career job will likely not relate to a bunch of seventeen year olds struggling to figure out who they want to be or what they want to do with the rest of their lives. This is doubles over when you think of the fact that the human brain is not fully developed until the age of twenty-six. There are just some things within coming-of-age stories that a full fledged adult will not appreciate in the same way that a person who is actually coming of their age. However, there are some exceptions to this generalization…
I will admit that the point I am making could be very wrong since I do have an established personal and emotional connection to the story. But, the amount of emotional baggage and empathy that this movie conveys can be felt by anyone who views the movie, regardless of age. This is mainly because Charlie has been through some traumatic experiences that has matured his brain more than any other high school aged kid he interacts with. Because of this, it makes sense that Charlie does not relate to anyone except one of his teachers (not to mention that the teacher was played by the delicious Paul Rudd).
Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
There are for sure more examples of stand-alone films and stories that can be felt and resonated with by all ages, but none stand out to me like The Perks of Being a Wallflower does. The amount of strain that Charlie’s mental health has on his personal and romantic relationships is something I still relate with to this day. The themes analyzed and examined in Stephen Chbosky’s story is something I will always keep close to my heart.
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It is crazy to see how far television has vastly improved in quality and standards over the last 10-15 years or so. The most prominent example of this is the amount of black actors and actresses nominated for these prestigious awards from the Television Academy. However, as I was looking over the nominees more closely recently, I realized there are a large amount of characters and shows that healthily deal with mental health depictions.
Considering how stigmatized mental health has historically been because of things like harmful how TV shows portray the disorders, this is a breath of fresh air. Popular shows like Will & Grace and Pretty Little Liars depicted mental health severely wrong. This anachronistic trend did not feel out of place in the moment, but it definitely is hard to go back and watch Debra Messing’s Grace Adler claim to have borderline personality disorder in order to get out of jury duty.
Thanks to groups like the NAMI and other mental health advocates with large platforms, this trend has rightfully been put to rest. So ahead of this Sunday’s ceremony of the 73rd Primetime Emmy’s, let’s take a look at the nominated shows and performers that shine a healthy and bright light on mental health.
Therapy
Courtesy of HBO
The first thing I have to talk about is the television series is In Treatment from HBO. This series is about all about mental health and the therapy that helps minimize the symptoms of mental health disorders. This fourth season starred Uzo Aduba as Dr. Brooke Taylor during her sessions with four patients of hers. This whole series is a beautiful and grounded portrayal of how mental health and therapy can be for any type of person. Some of these patients are white collar criminal, a home health aid, and a disrespectful teenager. Some patients are naturally skeptical of the whole therapy process but that just makes it all the more relatable for the viewers. I love that this type of show can be made in 2021 and do so accurately and inoffensively.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
I do not know a lot about this mental health disorder, but I do know this can come from any sort of traumatic event. These Emmy nominated shows are evident of that. First, there is Perry Mason and it’s titular character played by Matthew Rhys. He is a private investigator in the early-1930s who fought in the Great War. We see flashback memories of Mason in the war and on the battlefield. Perry Mason was fighting for his life and country in the trenches of France, making decisions no person should have to make. This leads to Mason becoming a sheltered and reserved person in everyday society which makes sense since mental health was associated with “crazy” people back then. I think the showrunners could do some great work with Perry Mason’s PTSD in the coming season.
Next is Montrose Freeman in Lovecraft Country, played stunningly by the late great Michael Kenneth Williams. Montrose is a closeted gay man in the 1950s, but more importantly for this article, he is a man who survived the Tulsa race massacre. Due to some science fiction time traveling, audiences are able to go back to Greenwood the morning of the massacre. We witness Montrose’s experiences and understand more why adult Montrose has PTSD. But more importantly to me, we see that same adult Montrose rewatch the riots from above, unable to change the past. This whole episode is powerful and purposefully disturbing, and perfectly tells the story of how generational trauma is passed down.
Eli Joshua Ade | Courtesy of HBO
From the start of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, we only think Cassie Bowden has some issues with alcohol before she is traumatized by waking up to a dead body. As the show progresses however, audiences and Cassie retrieve some repressed memories from growing up with her alcoholic father. This trauma is brought to the forefront due to her current day problems surrounding the dead body she woke up to and the “whodunnit” that follows. This show also does a creative storytelling technique where whenever Cassie is feeling her trauma, she gets inside her own head and is surrounded by her pain and anxiety. As the show goes on, this headspace becomes a tool for Bowden which is really nice because it shows how processing trauma is healthy and useful.
The final entry of PTSD comes from the miniseries that everyone should watch, I May Destroy You. Written and co-directed by Michaela Coel, who also is the lead as Arabella, this series tells the story of a struggling writer (is there any other kind) who is raped after a night out and her drink being drugged. The type of person who Arabella is means she typically lets things roll off her back, and she tries to do that here. As her days and weeks go on, however, Arabella realizes how severe this experience was and takes action. This show especially stands out to me because I feel like shows typically do not have an easy going and laid back character have a traumatizing event like this and initially stay laid back. It feels accurate, real, and raw and for that reason alone (among hundreds of others) this show is Must Watch.
Anxiety Disorders
I am starting with Ted Lasso because it will be the quickest due to how limited Ted’s mental health is explored. Within the fourth episode “For The Children,” we see the titular character, played by Jason Sudeikis, suffer a panic attack during AFC Richmond’s annual fundraiser. This is extremely significant because Coach Lasso is consistently the beacon of hope and optimism, so seeing him struggle with his emotions four episodes in has a strong impact on the viewer. If I do a blog like this again next year, I am confident Ted Lasso and Ted Lasso will earn a more in-depth and detailed breakdown.
Courtesy of Apple TV+
Bo Burnham’s Inside. Need I say more? This whole special is a whirlwind of emotions and has been dissected and discussed ad nauseam since it released on Netflix. From someone who is not a big Bo Burnham fan, that is not to say I do not think he is talented I just never got into his specials, this one hit home a little too well. This special almost feels like a documentary that was initially going to be about one thing, but as the filming went on, the subject matter changed drastically. Burnham’s honesty and openness to share this side of his life, a sensation that a lot of us likely felt during the early months of the pandemic, is inspiring and revolutionary. Obviously the reasoning behind the special is due to unprecedented circumstances, but that does not take away the strength, courage, and art that Bo Burnham put into this astounding Netflix special.
While This is Us’ stardom has diluted since it premiered and earned the post-Super Bowl slot, their storytelling has remained consistent. This rings true for Big Three member Randall, played eloquently by Sterling K. Brown, and his battles with anxiety. After dragging his feet and experiencing multiple panic attacks throughout his teenage and adult years, he finally made the brave decision to talk to a professional and see a therapist. The only unfortunate part, but realistic, is that it took a home invasion to make Randall realize his emotional pain was not something that working out or ignoring could fix. He clearly has some PTSD from this terrifying event as well which the therapy looks to be helping, especially since he is able to talk to a black therapist now.
Depression
On the other side of this mental health coin in This Is Us is the lovable Toby Damon and his struggles with depression. After discovering his anti-depressants are a potential factor in him and Kate having a baby, he flushes his medicine and (naturally) spirals into a depressive state. We find out through his bickering divorced parents that this is what happened before he went on the anti-depressants in the first place. These two characters are at the focal point regarding the show’s depictions of mental health, but that is not even mentioning the generational addiction issues with Jack and Kevin, Tess’s anxiety, Nicky’s PTSD, or the respective eating disorders between Kate and Madison.
Courtesy of NBC
Possibly the most prominent example of a show being about mental health (at least in my circle of shows is that of WandaVision. This series did so well in preparing for a real breakthrough of super heroes experiencing a legitimate mental health crisis in their science-fiction and fantasy way. It all initially made sense, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff endured a horrible trauma in losing her lovely Vision twice so she did something many widows and widowers likely want to do and lives in a fantastical suburban town where she can live in harmony with her husband and kids. The follow through has been picked apart (including by myself) but I do not think that this should take away from the real promise and potential this MCU series had.
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Miramax Films
For anyone that does not know, I love Robin Williams and also raising awareness of mental health. With that in mind, I hope there is no surprise that Good Will Hunting (1997) is my favorite movie of all time. I have already outlined this film in some detail during the 1.0 version of The Direct Cut in the short lived series titled Rewind The Tape. While that movie just basically outlined the movie, this blog is going to go in-depth with the mental health aspects of this Academy Award winning movie.
The first aspect I want to examine is the trial-and-error montage that Will Hunting (Matt Damon) endured when he was trying to find a therapist. Now these scenes are played for laughs since the rebellious Will is trying to avoid talking about his feelings and follow through with his court-mandated therapy. Damon’s titular character tries exposing the counselors and therapists weaknesses, but these scenes are so much more than that.
I really enjoyed the various styles of therapy and counseling displayed in the film. Some were the stereotypical and farcical “shrink and couch” combo, while others were more realistic with two people sitting in chairs and talking. The realism mixed with fantastical scenes pair perfectly with the theme and vibe of the movie, all the while developing Will Hunting’s character and moving the story along.
Miramax Films
Now onto the more writing and story elements. To fully understand Will Hunting and his behavior, one must first take a look at his developmental years long before the movie starts. Will journeyed through multiple foster homes where the parents were likely doing it for the money stipend rather than helping out orphaned children. This leads to Will being assaulted and abused by his foster parents. Although we never witness the violence, audiences are given a glance at pictures from a teenage Will with bruises, cuts, welts, and cigarette burn marks all over his body. To the surprise of nobody this created the criminal Will Hunting who was in and out of juvie and jail throughout his life.
The most beautiful scene takes place at the end of the film where it is Will and Sean Maguire’s (Robin Williams) final scene together. Sean has Will’s file that outlines his troubling upbringing and what other psychiatrists have diagnosed Will with. The line when Will explains how one of his father’s would beat him is the most poignant for me in the entire movie. Will describes, “He used to just put a belt, a stick and a wrench on the kitchen table and say ‘choose.'” As seen in this beautiful scene below, when Sean (like most audiences) chooses the belt, Will shockingly states that is not the choice he made and his reasoning is what sticks out to me. Will says, “I used to go with the wrench . . . Cause fuck him, that’s why.”
YT : Miramax
I cannot express the weight this one line has over me. Will Hunting was told by society, by the people raising him, and basically everyone that he was worthless and would never achieve success. Even after he realizes and develops his genius level intellect and photographic memory, Will doesn’t think he deserves to achieve a successful professional life. As the film goes on, Will begins to find true joy in life with Skylar (Minnie Driver), and with Sean Maguire’s expert and determined assistance, Will Hunting becomes a much more healthier and happier person.
Speaking of Skylar, the subplot of Will and this stunningly beautiful English woman is vastly underrated (mainly because of the scene above). The two of them are vastly different people. Will is a person who will work as janitor or brick layer while Skylar is pre-med and is going to one of the best medical schools after she goes to Harvard. All of those superficial aspects do not matter though since when the two are with one another, their personalities mesh so well and the chemistry they have is adorable. Since Will has his own internal issues however, friction occurs.
Miramax Films
The two share the second most heart breaking scene in the entire movie when they are having a fight in Skylar’s dorm room. Skylar asks Will to come to California with her when she goes to Stanford. Will, who has never left Boston never mind been on a plane, becomes scared and anxious about his life being happy and successful. This leads to him having an outburst against Skylar and Will projecting his pain and trauma onto this innocent woman. For those who are unaware, they would be confused on why Will is acting like this. Since I have some experience being in Will’s position, I can’t help but cry when I watch this scene in full. The writing, the acting, the cinematography, and everything is so well beautiful done to create harrowing moment.
People who watch this movie, and particularly this scene, hopefully will understand how important it is to take care of your mental health so you do not torment a romantic partner because of your unchecked trauma. Movies like these are tricky to make because the mission of it is to show how poor mental health needs to be improved for true happiness in your life. In order to do this, however, the filmmakers have to show the bad stuff and negative consequences. I truly believe the folks behind Good Will Hunting (except for the person at the head of the distribution company) did a great job in not over-glorifying mental illness but having it be raw and honest throughout the film.
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Let me get this out of the way first, I am fully aware how late I am in watching The Magicians. This show has been popular for a few years now because of various reasons. For one reason or another, it has taken me until this year to watch this show based on Lev Grossman’s novel series.
For anyone that might not know, The Magicians is a fantasy television series about about a group of post-grad-aged folks who learn about the world of magic in their mid-twenties. These people practice and learn their newfound craft at Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. While this show has been called “Harry Potter but with adults,” this show is so much more than this basic description. I will admit that the comparisons between the Wizarding World franchise can be clearly seen, but The Magicians has challenged social constructs like sexuality, gender, race, class, and (for the sake of this article) mental health. Something J.K. Rowling and her TERF ass wishes she could do.
The cast of The Magicians gathers on their new thrones | Syfy
The first character we meet in the pilot episode is the lovable Quentin “Q” Coldwater, played expertly by Jason Ralph. This is a somewhat strange introduction because he is being discharged from Midtown Mental Health Clinic after he checked himself in there shortly before. Audiences discover that Quentin has a history of depression and suicidal thoughts, but not in the way that one might think.
There is never a doubt in Quentin’s mind or the audiences’ that he will take his own life. Now one might think that Q is just talking about this heavy stuff for attention, however I do not think this is the case. Quentin was trying to understand himself and since he never felt like he belonged, he asked the question, “what’s the point of me being here?” This question has some heavy weight to it, but Quentin Coldwater never wants to lose his life. There was, and always has been, a sense of hope and wonder to Q that he would find his purpose eventually.
As someone with a similar path to the lovable Quentin Coldwater, it is hard for me fully and coherently describe how it feels to resonate with a character I am watching on my screen. While I do not see any invitations to Brakebills in my future, I do think I have found my magical purpose with writing for Poptized, Show Snob, and hopefully many other publications as well. While my spells are not done through hand gestures or finger tutting, I do hope my articles and blogs do help my readers experience some magical feelings.
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios
The first time Quentin was hospitalized, he threw himself into the fantasy books titled “Fillory and Further.” This series of novels described a magical and wonderful world called Fillory (that I compare to a Narnia-esque world). There are talking animals, some magical creatures, all-powerful gods, and so many other aspects that I would love to experience and witness. In the first season, Quentin eventually is privileged to discover that this world he read about during a challenging time in his life, and fell in love with, is actually real.
However, rather than living up to his dreams and expectations, Quentin soon figures out Fillory is a place filled with hate and is dominated by selfish gods. This discovery by Q bursts his bubble and slowly but surly crushes what he thought about this one time dreamland. To me, the perfect example of Quentin Coldwater’s mental health struggles comes from Season 4 Episode 12 titled “The Secret Sea.” After years of being in love with this fantastical world, Quentin is responsible for saving Fillory. He has to do this through expressing his love the world, and the end result is something Jason Ralph should be proud of.
Check it out here:
YT : SyFy
The amount of passion and emotion conveyed in this scene makes it my favorite of all time (at least my favorite that does not contain singing). This scene also says a lot about mental health. Throughout his hospitalization, Q held onto to a promise that Fillory was a place where outsiders can belong. This promise ended up not being real, which put Quentin in a sense of loss once again. However Q was not the same Quentin Coldwater we met in the pilot episode. The work Quentin has put in and his experiences have made him so emotionally strong to a point where he does not need to believe in the Fillory he once did to stay alive.
I have found so much love in this television series and most of that is because of the incredible Quentin Coldwater. I did not even have a chance to talk about “Royalty Bitches!”, Peaches and Plums, Repair of Small Objects, the bond with Penny-40, his friendship with Julia, his relationship with Alice, “Take On Me”, and so many other aspects of his character.
I really love that I am able to resonate with a character like Quentin and can go back and watch his journey as much as I want to.
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Pixar has been crushing its movies since Toy Story (1995) premiered over twenty-five years ago. Since then, their films have entranced audiences with their progressive animation styles and intuitive themes. While some people might have assumed these films were just innocent family-friendly movies directed at kids, that reputation is long gone.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
For the 2015 Pixar film Inside Out, this trend went up a couple of notches. While previous films made everyday and inanimate objects anthropomorphic by adding emotions and free will, Pixar decided to breathe life into humans’ emotions. While the characters are limited to only Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling), these limitations did not impact the overall brilliant story. In actuality, Inside Out was able to resonate countless feelings from its audience with a focus placed on the emotional changes that are inevitable during an adolescent’s journey through puberty.
The character of Riley (the person whose emotions we see the most) would have been the main character for another movie, but not this one. Throughout the film, the main plot is an adventure film with Poehler’s Joy and Smith’s Sadness traveling through Riley’s subconscious to retrieve her core memories and make it back to the emotion control panel. Sadness is doing nothing wrong throughout this adventure, but Joy has such strong tunnel vision and sees her blue emotion as her opposite and must be prevented from impacting anything with Riley’s emotions.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Joy’s mentality here makes sense without thinking things through (like if you have tunnel vision). As the film goes on, however, audiences see that being sad and not being happy all the time is not the worst thing. Riley left her hometown and is in a foreign area, her sadness makes sense. This hockey-loving Minnesotan is now in California during the most emotional period of her short life. Audiences and Joy learn that Sadness does not ruin or tarnish Riley’s life. This adorable blue emotion, with the help of the bubbly yellow one, can create some impactful and formative moments together.
The other thing that Inside Out teaches its viewers is the importance of the relationship between emotions and memories. When asked about her old home, Riley’s once joyful memory turns saddening since she is no longer in her hockey town. This is very natural for everyone to experience and by the time the credits roll, the viewers know this development is not an overall negative. Personally, I know that some of my once happy memories cause me to be sad because of the passing of loved ones, heartbreak, or other external circumstances. This I do admit is easier than done. Plenty of people will talk about how emotional depression and anxiety can possibly cause memory loss, but not a lot talk about how memories can be changed through strong emotions.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
This film does a lot with its colors and themes throughout the film. Some obvious, like the personified emotions, and others subtle, like Riley’s clothes becoming blander and blander and monotone with every new scene. Those are well and good, but I think this film truly excels with its normalizing the conversation around mental health disorders. Some psychologists have criticized the film for its accuracy about how the mind works, I have no issues with those faults (and likely agree with them).
This film does, however, let kids know that sadness can healthily coincide with joy, and emotions are not so black and white. Emotions, feelings, and mental health struggles are all naturally occurring things, and Inside Out tells that story beautifully.
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While countless people around the world live with Mental Health, too many of them believe they are alone. In actuality, Mental Health knows no bounds and does not care if you are rich and famous. According to Johns Hopkins Hospital, 26% of people aged 18 and up have a mental health disorder. This means that one in four adults are living with some sort of mental illness, ranging in severity.
Even though these next fourteen celebrities have reached mainstream success and are likely all household names, that does not prevent them from being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. It is amazing that these famous folks talk so openly about their struggles, no matter the size, because it helps their fans and audiences understand they are not alone. And if you have not figured that out by now, helping people feel like they are not alone is the main goal of The Direct Cut. So let’s take a look at these celebs and how they have succeeded in diminishing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Demi Lovato
Photo Courtesy of Rich Fury/Getty Images
Starting off with a more popular example, Demi Lovato has been speaking openly about her inner demons for years now. While I do not know enough about the topic, I have to imagine Lovato talking about her addictions has helped those struggling with substance abuse as well. And with the former Barney and Friends actress announcing she is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, she is able to be a flawed role model for so many folks. Throughout all of this, Lovato has had the caveat that she is not a spokesperson for any detail of her life, just someone who is being open about her problems with life and I find that very admirable.
Pete Davidson
Photo Courtesy of Will Heath/NBC
Another more obvious example, but a cis male. With him being in the spotlight while being on one of the most recognizable shows in the United States, Davidson looks to be managing his mental health rather well. Obviously the media will dissect his appearance and he will give his occasional updates sitting next to his fellow Staten Islander at the Weekend Update desk, but the general audience will never know how Pete Davidson is really doing. I do admire the comedian’s willingness to talk so open about it and I know I have felt inspired by his comments about his mental health and wish him nothing but the best.
Naomi Osaka
Photo Courtesy of Loren Elliott/Reuters
While women in sports have always been scrutinized and attempted to be made to look small by the media and audiences, this can obviously take a toll on the athletes. While Serena and Venus Williams, Amanda Nunes, Danica Patrick have succeeded in sports long dominated by men, Naomi Osaka has quickly reached that upper echelon of professional athletes. Because of this, Osaka has been the victim of racist harassment on top of the (horribly) normal misogynistic comments. In the recent months she has been speaking openly about the toll of dealing with the general media that tends to be ingrained with asking the wrong questions. Good on her for taking some agency about her career.
Someone who has struggled with various addictions in front of the world, these demons naturally caused Russell Brand’s mental health to struggle as well. On top of that, Brand has been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder. While Brand is not a comedian for everyone, it is hard not to admire his dedication to getting better through making a documentary of becoming sober and writing multiple books about his recovery and health, all of that helps to diminish the stigma around mental health and addiction. While his career peaked (so far) at the turn of the decade around 2010, I think Russell Brand has the acting, dramatic, and comedic chops to still work in Hollywood and that success will only increase if he stays strong against his demons.
Miley Cyrus
Photo Courtesy of Alana O’Herlihy/Billboard
One celebrity that is one of the more understandable examples, Miley Cyrus fell victim of a Disney Child Star being forced to always be a Disney Child Star even though she was an adult. This led to her becoming the opposite of her childhood persona and the media did NOT like that. Miley had to figure herself out through a lot of trial and error and not all of the decisions she made were best for her overall mental health. All of her negative decisions had a natural negative response on herself and she had to deal with all of that with cameras always on her. It is great to see that Miley Cyrus has found out who she is and what she wants, and that is always lovely to see.
Ryan Reynolds
Photo Courtesy of Keith Tsuhi/Getty Images
Due to his beautiful face, beautiful wife, humorous social media presence, while also starring in some of the biggest blockbusters in the modern era, Ryan Reynolds is one of the most recognizable faces in all of Hollywood. Therefore, it was a nice little surprise to see the Canadian heartthrob put out posts about his struggles with keeping up with his schedule and all of his responsibilities, both personal and professional. Obviously the actual content of his daily life is something hardly any of us will experience, but hearing that someone with so much money and privilege in his life also has anxiety in his life is truly beautiful. The work he does to diminish the stigma around mental health disorders is something that should be celebrated.
Simone Biles
Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
Another recent example, Simone Biles has been on the top of the gymnast game for years now. This pressure from the sporting world and the media will take a toll on anyone (no matter the time period). So when the 24-year-old elite gymnast started talking about this pressure and the impact it has on her mental health, it was groundbreaking and inspirational. Discourse like this has almost been unheard of for athletes at the top of their game and in their prime, so Simone Biles’ talking so openly about her mental struggles will do some great wonders for anyone who looks up to the gymnast.
John Hamm
Photo Courtesy of Danny Moloshok/Reuters
Easily one of the most charismatic actors of today, Jon Hamm is able to excel in dramatic, comedic, and suspenseful roles throughout his career. Even though he is a successful and recognizable actor, this does no prevent him from being the victim of mental illnesses. At a young age Hamm lost both his parents which was the first time he recognized his depression. Since then he has been an advocate for mental health, drawing comparisons to taking meds for a twisted ankle with taking meds for anxiety and depression. I have always been fond of Jon Hamm, both as an actor and as a sex symbol, so reading about this larger-than-life actor be vulnerable has been a welcome discovery for me.
Selena Gomez
Photo Courtesy of Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic
Quite possible the cis-queen of vulnerability, Selena Gomez has always been quite open when it comes to her personal life, her physical health, and (you guessed it), her mental health. Being a child star is something that is proven to possibly cause some serious emotional trauma. Gomez talks very openly about her own anxiety and depression along with the benefits of going to therapy. After being diagnosed with lupus, and suffering through the symptoms of this auto-immune disease, Gomez’s physical health started taking a toll on her mind and emotions. She very much is in the forefront of being vulnerable for celebrities, and that will always be a beautiful thing.
Kid Cudi
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Rapper turned actor, this performer has never really strayed away from the battles he has with his demons. Throughout his life, Kid Cudi has suffered from an addiction to anti-depressant medications following a bad relationship break-up. This also led to the rapper writing and performing songs titled “Dr. Pill” and “The Nothing” that discusses his troubles with anxiety, addiction, and suicide. Eventually, the talented entertainer checked himself into rehab in 2016 for his demons so he could get the help he needed. Since he has found a career resurgence with acting in so many projects, it is nice to see Kid Cudi doing better.
Kristen Bell
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
While Bell was recently the center of controversy due to her voicing a roll of a biracial character on the Apple TV+ series Central Park (2020+), there is no denying the talents of this actress. Even though her husband might have the more prominent struggles, Bell does not shy away from discussing her own journey with her mental health. On the “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum” podcast, Bell talked about how she has looked into how anxiety can be passed down by parents and this led her mom taking a look at her own mental health. She was also conscious of the fact that she should not disclose what her exact medication is because of her public image, and that awareness is very cool to see from the Veronica Mars actress.
DeMar DeRozan & Kevin Love
Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports/Nick Turchiaro
I will be honest with all of you, I am not a big sports person. However in 2018, when DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love helped spark a discussion about anxiety and depression within the sports world, I leaned in to read up on it. Specifically hearing that Kevin Love had experienced a panic attack during an actual game is one of those eye-opening moments that reminds audiences and fans that high-level athletes are still human. Their vulnerability within an industry that can often times be filled with toxic masculinity, both on the court and in the crowds, seeing two men take a stand against this behavior, is amazing to witness.
Beyoncé
Photo Courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment
Beyoncé is quite possibly the biggest and most recognizable celebrity in the world, so her talking about her struggles with mental illness is very important. While she has not necessarily talked about this stuff lately, in 2011 Beyoncé admitted to be hazy about her life and career and was just going through the motions with out any major emotional connection. While she has remained relatively quiet in recent years, she supported her Destiny’s Child bandmate Michelle Williams with her struggles while also pledging $6 million to the relief of black folks’ mental health due to COVID-19. I have no problem with someone wanting to keep their personal life private, but it is also very nice to see Beyoncé helping out in other ways too.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Photo Courtesy of Robin Beck / Getty Images
While he is (understandably) a big advocate for climate change and environmentalism, Leonardo DiCaprio also has spoken about his mental health on multiple occasions. On the set of the mediocre film The Aviator (2004), DiCaprio’s childhood affliction of OCD became much more severe while playing Howard Hughes. Some of the more stronger compulsions from DiCaprio have included walking on the crack of a sidewalk and turning around so he didn’t make that same step and also taking multiple attempts to walk through a door to make sure every step and breath were aligned. Since OCD is one of those mental health disorders that can be tastelessly mocked, hopefully folks learn how serious it is when they hear about DiCaprio’s experiences.
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Marvel Studios
When it comes to fictional portrayals of mental health and trauma, the accuracy and importance is sometimes second-place to the story. Especially in genre movies and TV shows, the focus is typically on the dynamic between good and evil. While this has typically been the case within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are some changes occurring in the superhero franchise.
Kevin Feige and the writers of the Phase 4 television shows have put a newfound focus on mental health and in particular processing trauma. The focus of this blog will be on Wanda in WandaVision, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki in Loki. Even though the Scarlet Witch is the only show that had processing trauma at the heart of it’s show, the other two Marvel and Disney+ shows have been doing their own unique work in breaking the stigma of mental illness and raising awareness for mental health.
It is only fitting that we start with the show focused on trauma in its roots, and the first show to be released. Within WandaVision, Elizabeth Olsen’s Maximoff twin stood out for her titular role and was rightfully lauded for it. A big part of this was because of her responsibility to bring her iconic Wanda to her next character evolution. As someone who just lost the love of her life, and with her powers, Wanda Maximoff accidentally creates a halcyon bubble around a suburban New Jersey town. This whole show had one of the Avengers in the argument of strongest, showing various signs of vulnerability and weakness. Wanda’s issues with losing Vision led to her being in a deep state of denial and filled with wishful thinking.
Marvel Studios
The repercussions of the younger Maximoff twin’s grief is the biggest talking point since that is the whole Hex business and why S.W.O.R.D. was trying to hunt her down. My biggest gripe is that Wanda really never had any comeuppances for her horrible behavior to all the townspeople. Genuinely, I do not know what the writers could have done while still having Wanda be a free person for Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Maybe this will occur in future projects, but I was let down by the conclusion of her story.
Marvel Studios
The next television series had some trouble with its story. Due to the ongoing pandemic, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier had to have their overall plot rewritten. Initially, this show’s story dealt with a virus that the Flag Smashers were trying to help oppressed and marginalized people gain healthcare and vaccines for. The one part of this show that did not suffer as much as the character developments that the showrunners intended for Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. In terms of the former Falcon, this whole show saw the former paratrooper becoming comfortable with picking up Captain America’s shield and fulfilling Steve Rogers’ wishes.
This theme is brilliantly apparent when Sam and Bucky are practicing throwing the iconic shield in New Orleans. Wilson talks about being a black man in America and how the stars and stripes does not mean the same thing that it did when Steve first became Cap, or it means the same thing for black folks in this country. Although I am far from the right person to talk about this, the response to this scene from black folks has been relatively positive. This show also saw Sam Wilson coming to terms with mourning the man he looked up to as a hero and Avenger, while still balancing his familial obligations. Even though the story was cut up, rewritten, and pieced back together, I did admire the work that the showrunner’s did to make sure Sam Wilson’s story did not suffer as much, culminating with his speech in the finale to the international bureaucrats.
Marvel Studios
While Bucky’s character evolution does have a lot in common with Sam’s, the former Winter Soldier’s past is the main focus within this series. While being purposefully on the nose, Bucky’s experiences with going to therapy in this show have the Brooklyn native going headfirst into his brainwashed and villainous past. His list of former Hydra members that he is bringing to justice is a start, but that does next to nothing for Bucky’s internal struggles and pain from his former life. We see Bucky’s struggles when it comes to confronting his past with his interactions with Yori Nakajima and Barron Helmut Zemo. When it comes to Zemo, he is aided by his Wakandan allies, but Bucky still makes the conscious decision to not choose violence and murder when stopping the Sokovian murderer.
Marvel Studios
Yori Nakajima is where Bucky struggles more, and honestly, rightfully so. We see a flashback of the Winter Soldier putting an end to a Hydra opposer, but we also see Hydra’s human weapon murder some innocent bystanders. One of these victims is Yori’s college-aged son. Multiple times throughout this series we see Bucky have the opportunity to come clean to Yori, but his shame and fear prevent him from moving on. Audiences eventually find out that coming clean to the elderly Yori is the final person Bucky Barnes has to make amends with to complete this chapter of his recovery. After his missions with Sam, and listening to his climactic speech, Bucky finally takes that leap and stops letting his fear dictate his happiness. Going forward now, Bucky Barnes will hopefully be able to live his life without any sort of connections to Hydra and his Winter Soldier past.
Finally, there is the god of mischief Loki…in Loki. As I said in my review for Poptized, I strongly believe that this series is the best one from premiere to finale. The story made sense all the way through and every plot development served a (glorious) purpose for a future scene or episode. While we have seen so many iterations of this bisexual Norse god, I can happily admit that I am not bored of him yet. Marvel has somehow found a way to keep evolving this character into multiple versions, and a good chunk of credit has to be given to Tom Hiddleston. In this series, however, we see a classic Loki who believes he is the only one who can rule Midgard, evolve into a romantic softie who still has some mischievous roots inside of him.
Marvel Studios
Along the way of this version of Loki, we instantly see him confronted with an identity crisis in the form of Mobius M. Mobius and the TVA. Sexy Owen Wilson’s Mobius shows Loki the scenes that audiences recognize with his adopted mother dying and Thanos strangling him to death. This leads to the Frost Giant-born, Asgardian-raised god to question his “glorious purpose” and if his actions are actually good for him, the world, and the limited amount of people close to him. So throughout the series, Loki takes a hard look at himself and must find some answers to his existential questions. I’m not sure if it is because this show came at a point in my life where I was struggling with my own “glorious purpose,” but I know that I really love this show.
While these are not the first MCU projects to have elements of Mental Health within their story (Thor, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Far From Home) these shows put a much larger focus on it than anything before. I do not know how much this will carry on into movies, especially since Black Widow didn’t have this same feeling, but I will always cherish these three shows for what they did for mental health.
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Universal Pictures
Just to be clear with anyone, this blog will just be about the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) and not the equally popular Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series. I know there are a lot similarities and some major differences between the two, so I have to make the distinction now.
Also, since I have yet to read the novels (it’s on my list, don’t worry) and because this is a blog about Movies and TV, I will just be referring to Edgar Wright’s 2010 action romance film.
Side Note: If you would like to read about why I love this movie so much and why I think it is a pop-culture reset, check out my Rewind The Tape about the movie!
On the surface, and during early viewings, this movie has clear heroes and even clearer villains. Obviously the Seven Evil Exes are antagonists to Scott Pilgrim who is believed to be a hero, but that is just not the case. Sure the despicable Gideon and the six other people who try to kill the titular character are evil, but Pilgrim is far from a saint. The 22-year-old bassist has had a lot of pain and trauma from his past that he ignores and avoids which leads him to becoming an asshole in his present life.
Universal Pictures
Let’s start at the point from before the film starts. Scott Pilgrim was in a beautiful romantic relationship with Natalie V. Adams. Both were artsy musicians and had so much in common, but Nat eventually gained more traction and popularity. This led to Natalie dumping Scott, becoming Envy Adams, and becoming an international rockstar as the front-woman for the band The Clash of Demonhead. Following all of this, Scott Pilgrim would go on to lose massive amounts of self-esteem and be emotionally scarred. This is where his mental health takes a steep dip while he also ignored all of the signs, and this is when he becomes an asshole.
Mental health, just like physical health, needs to be cared for and tended to. For example, when you scrape your knee, you have to put ointment on it and cover it with a bandage so bacteria and germs do not get in and infect it. The same thing goes for one’s mental health regarding emotional injuries and trauma. Scott Pilgrim’s mental health was hit HARD with Natalie breaking up with him and rather than taking the necessary steps, Pilgrim ignored everything and tried living his life with this pain still having a hold on his emotions and life.
Universal Pictures
Taking a term I first learned from my favorite TV show of How I Met Your Mother, Scott Pilgrim ignored the trauma from his previous relationship and performed an overcorrection. Because Envy Adams took some mature life choices and left Scott, the titular character overcorrected to a romantic relationship where that would not occur. The 22-year-old Scott Pilgrim began dating the adorable 17-year-old Knives Chau so he could be in control of his relationship. The judgments from his friends, family, and fellow Sex Bob-Omb members was rightfully justified, but not so healthily expressed. To be fair to Julie, Stacey, Stephen, Kim, and Young Neil, it is not necessarily their full responsibility to fix Scott (especially if Scott isn’t ready to be fixed).
Because Scott Pilgrim ignored his emotional pain and tried repressing it, the choices he made in his romantic life made him (deservedly so) a dick.
Let me be clear, I do not blame Scott Pilgrim for being in pain or for Natalie breaking up with him, for that I sympathize with him. However, he projects his insecurities and toxicities to his future relationships and that is where he crosses the line. To remind those who haven’t seen the movie in a bit, or for those who have not seen it at all, let me give your a brief rundown. Pilgrim dumped Knives AFTER spending some intimate time with the more mature Romona Flowers, then he hypocritically blamed Romona for her own past relationships, all the while being selfish at every opportunity.
Universal Pictures
Scott Pilgrim was not, and is not, a bad person. He for sure made some poor life choices when he was not in the right mindset, but that all helped him redeem himself in the end. Audiences saw him grow from a lovesick and selfish asshole who did not know what he wanted, to a compassionate man who was ready to move on with his romantic life. This did come at the expense of the innocent and naive Knives Chau, but she endured her own growth through this film as well. Ramona is easily the most likable character of these three, and her being mature enough to forgive Scott just adds to her brilliant image.
Look, I know Scott being an asshole is a part of his character and is a crucial part of Edgar Wright’s film progression. However I know there are some people (like me) who can watch this movie and not see the full scope of Scott’s personal and mental health struggles. A redemption story arc is not what one might expect to see from a movie that presents its lead character as taking on the world. But this just adds to the beauty of this movie and another reason why I love it so much.
Universal Pictures
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While I do LOVE writing about mental health, some of my blogs take some more time and care to write. Because of this, I will have these Retro Review blogs in between my main ones to lighten the load and to also give my own opinions on the latest TV shows and movies that have recently premiered.
Just like my first Retro Review, these reviews will not be “retro” in the sense that I am reviewing Citizen Kane (1941) or Psycho (1960). I will, however, be reviewing TV shows and movies that were released over the last couple of months and I will give my grade of F to A+ (I just really like alliteration, ok…). I do not know how frequent these Retro Reviews will occur, but I do know that they will be must-read to ensure that you all lovely readers know my personal opinions on the programs that have recently graced our screens.
Television Shows
Dickinson(Season 2)
Apple Inc.
A show about a longtime recluse does not sound that interesting. However, the work Alena Smith put into her Apple TV+ show goes above and beyond the word of “interesting.” This show takes the writings of famous poet Emily Dickinson along with the stories that come from this era, does so with a modern presentation. This second season saw Emily struggle with getting her poems published by dealing with a two-faced editor in Sam Bowles. This season also kept the story going of the beautiful and hidden romance between Emily and Sue, which my words will never be able to do justice. The work that the beautiful Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Hunt, Adrian Blake Enscoe, and Anna Baryshnikov put into this show is unparalleled. The writing and story of this second season excelled beyond its first and will likely continue to a third.
Grade: A
Apple Inc.
For All Mankind (Season 2) Another second season and another Apple TV+ series. This alternative history show takes a unique look at the Space Race and Cold War. After canceling his trip to Chappaquiddick to focus on the space race, Ted Kennedy defeats Nixon in 1972, the US pulls out of Vietnam much earlier to focus on the Cold War threat from the USSR, and thanks to the gender inclusion of NASA’s space program, the Equal Rights Amendment is passed. The showrunners did clearly have fun with changing history but this show is also filled with emotional turmoil. Both the US and the USSR have set up bases on the moon and tensions are boiling. As mentioned above, equality in gender, race, and sexual orientation are much more prevalent and substantial in the 20th century. The cast makes this show for me since it is an ensemble and every person fulfills their role beautifully.
Grade: A-
Invincible(Season 1)
Amazon Studios
To me, this show came out of nowhere after the first season was almost done. By the time I got around to watching it, this animated series already become a pop culture phenomenon and had an iconic meme. Robert Kirkman took his not-so-mainstream comic book series and made it an overnight household name. This show, which eloquently presents people of color with nuance and subtlety, also presents audiences with the cost of having superpowers. These costs will impact one’s personal life, one’s legacy, and one’s mental health. Thanks to the animation and streaming elements of this show, Invincible uses blood and gore in a creative and unique way that always garners emotions. If you have not watched this series yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
Grade: A+
Netflix, Inc.
Shadow and Bone(Season 1) I will admit that I did not know a lot about this series of novels or the universe before I saw the trailer for this Netflix series. Based on The Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo, this first season saw a typical story of person plucked from obscurity meant for bigger and better things. While this simple trope is not unique, the character-building, world-building, and dynamic components blend fantasy within the suspenseful mystery. This series also does very well in mixing in xenophobic and racist themes under the subtle guise of fiction and magical beings. Finally, this was all performed brilliantly by the ensemble cast including the likes of Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, and Kit Young.
Grade: B+
Jupiter’s Legacy(Season 1)
Netflix, Inc.
One of the most consistent comments/complaints that the MCU receives is the accuracy of the iconic costumes for the characters. The MCU tries to take place in a modern reality so it makes sense to not have the colorful attires seen from the comic book pages. If you are wondering what those vibrant costumes would look like, check out this subpar Netflix show. While the show was not ruined by the costumes looking out of place, it sure did not help. The main reason why I believe this show has received so much flack is because of the story’s potential left on the table. The title was a double entendre regarding a person’s individual legacy along with their offspring and next generation, and there is so much more that could have been done. I think making this season the first of an anthology, thus creating a soft reboot, is a smart decision and one that will benefit everyone in the future.
Grade: C
Movies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Godzilla vs. Kong If you tuned into this movie and were expecting great cinema or for Godzilla to fight Kong in the film’s final battle, you clearly do not know how these movies work. That being said, I did enjoy this movie for what it was. The story was a little too complex and convoluted, much more than it needed to be. That being said, the fighting sequences did reach the same level of excitement that was set by the previous Monsterverse films so that is always a positive. I also feel like a lot of the subplots were not needed for the film to be successful and dynamic, in particular, that of podcaster Bernie Hayes and Walter Simmons’ attempt to be a dynamic and strong Machiavellian character. If this is the end of the Monsterverse, I think it was a good film to conclude the series for now.
Grade: C
Mortal Kombat
Warner Bros. Pictures
There is A LOT to love about this movie, especially compared to the previous movie adaptions. There were actually Asian folks playing Asian characters and also plays up to the violence that the source video games have become known for since their arcade release in 1992. The main gripe people have, myself included, is that this was clearly a set up for future movies. The entire video game is based around the player competing in the titular tournament, and this movie just set up the tournament while not having the heroes compete in it. This tournament will likely occur in future sequels, but that was not how they advertised the movie. I will admit that the performances by the cast did lessen the blow of this movie, particularly Josh Lawson as the laser-eyed Kano. But if the story does not live up to the action, there is only so high a review can go.
Grade: C-
Netflix, Inc.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines This movie, directed and co-wrote (with Jeff Rowe) by Mike Rianda, endured some production speed bumps before finally releasing on Netflix this past April. For the last few years, Gen-X and older folks have often gotten annoyed with how much the world is reliant on emerging technology while Millennials and younger have grown up with the technological advancements. This movie, however, was able to eloquently present both sides of this generational friction with their own respective positives and negatives. The best way to describe this movie is a combination of National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and The Terminator films had a beautiful baby. The animation style of this movie puts the phrase “chef’s kiss” to shame. This movie is must-see.
Grade: A+
A Quiet Place Part II
Paramount Pictures
Like many folks, I was unsure if this movie needed to be made. The first installment was a beautiful tale filled with suspense, mystery, and familial love. After watching it myself, however, I am extremely happy this film was made. Emily Blunt’s backseat in this movie allowed her children plenty of room and space to grow and develop and all of it made sense while being executed with nuance and care. Then, the little glimpses we saw of the world outside of the family’s home, again, gave audiences just enough to be happy but allowed that door to be open for future movies. With the news that John Krasinski said he has an idea for a full trilogy, and with the success of this movie despite COVID-19, I am sure we will see a part three in the coming years.
Grade: A
Warner Bros. Pictures
No Sudden Move This period neo-noir crime film, which is slowly built and has its tension built through dialogue and its cinematography, will not be for everyone. This ensemble led film promoted this film around the iconic Don Cheadle and that was a great decision by Oscar-nominated director Steven Soderbergh. Cheadle is (unsurprisingly) brilliant with his role of Curt Goynes, while Benicio del Toro plays a more subdued character than he usually portrays. Because this is about criminals dealing with criminals, there was some backstabbing and double turns aplenty throughout the film’s runtime. I do admit that even though this was a slow burn movie, there were too many boring moments that felt unnecessarily slow for a movie like this. I did enjoy the story’s progression and the acting, but a little more juice would have made me gawk over this film more.
Grade: B
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