For The Culture: February 2026 In Review

Katareena Roska
2 minutes ago
3 min read

February, the month of love. Sure.

It’s been a slow month for me, unfortunately. Things have been ramping up at work. No juicy updates from me. Here’s everything I watched to cope.

Film

“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)

Would it be controversial of me to admit that I do think Randall Park is hotter than Keanu Reeves? But seriously, a decent romcom. Marcus was not the perfect leading man, but he does grow on you. Go Asia America!

“Friends with Benefits” (2011)

I would’ve enjoyed this more if the two leads weren’t terrible people.

“Ali Wong: Single Lady” (2024)

As a kind 6, I feel seen. What Ali Wong has done for Asian American women in glasses needs to be commemorated in a museum.

“Marcello Hernández: American Boy” (2026)

There is no one who deserves their SNL fame more than Marcello Hernández. I can’t wait to see what else he does.

“This Is 40” (2012)

Paul Rudd, don’t piss me off. But the random Fiona Apple needle drop hit me harder than I thought. Oh, the joys of sophomore winter.

“Wuthering Heights” (2026)

If you forget everything you know about the book and the 18th century, I think “Wuthering Heights” might actually work as a comedy drama. I watched this with a lovely group of girls, who laughed along with me when Isabella Linton was panting like a dog over Jacob Elordi with an earring. Seriously, the casting director that gave him his big break genuinely needs to pay for what they have unleashed onto the world.

This was not a movie for people who like Wuthering Heights, however. This was a movie made for people who like Jacob Elordi. And yes: Dev Patel, or another person of color, should have played Heathcliff. I cannot stress that enough. I genuinely don’t understand how people left the theater crying though. We got shushed multiple times. How? If you do take anything away from this, it’s that Charli xcx can make a damn good soundtrack with any source material.

“Valentine’s Day” (2010)

HYPERLINK CINEMA! I just learned what this means. It’s fun, it’s cute. It won’t cure your heartache, but it’s enough to make you remember the 2010s fondly. But Taylor girl, you need some acting classes. And hell yeah to gay Bradley Cooper.

TV

“The Studio” (2025)

I rewatched this entire series to prepare for a job interview, but mostly because I love Seth Rogen. Rest in peace Catherine O’Hara. Thank you for making me laugh my entire life.

“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette” (2026)

I fear I am somewhat late to the party, but I severely underestimated the magic of this series. I’ve never been a Ryan Murphy fan, nor have I ever found myself bewitched by the mythos of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. I don’t even like biopics. But somehow, this show has got me hooked. It’s probably my obsession with the 90s soundtrack, and my discovery that Carolyn Bessette (or at least in Ryan Murphy’s head) is everything I want to be. Cheers to that Tribeca loft, I dream of it. Full review coming soon.