For The Culture: January 2026 In Review

Design by Katareena Roska.

This 2026, I’m being intentional about writing and keeping track of what I watch. This series of monthly summaries is for any comments I have that could not be stretched out into complete articles and are not meant to serve as a review or with stars or ratings. Let’s stop placing a numerical value on art! These are simply the thoughts of someone who loves movies, TV and pop culture history.

I’m out of practice, so forgive me if I’m not as entertaining as I used to be, but if you’re a reformed Tumblr user and any level of chronically online, I hope you read and enjoy.  

And special thanks to this Letterboxd comment that inspired all of this:

Film

“While You Were Sleeping” (1995)

Not exaggerating at all when I say I’d also go psycho for Bill Pullman. This movie is the definition of warm and cozy, despite being set in Chicago winter. It’s paced for a generation with brains unrotted by Subway Surfers TikToks. A good rom-com, but not one of my all-time favorites. Still, I love a good Northwestern shoutout. 

“Confessions of a Shopaholic” (2009)

Cute, dumb fun. Patricia Field’s costuming work is the most redeeming aspect of this film. Watch if you love fashion and are craving more of the outfits à la “The Devil Wears Prada.” Hugh Dancy is a close second. Bring back the journalism industry of the 2000s.

“Marty Supreme” (2025)

The worst person you know is going to watch this and think it’s a lesson plan, not a cautionary tale. I still have special love in my heart for “Uncut Gems” because I’m a sucker for a well-known comedian breaking out of their typecasts, but I understand why this was so popular. 

“People We Meet on Vacation” (2025)

Props to director Brett Haley for breaking the “Netflix lighting” curse, because this was more visually pleasant than the usual Netflix product. I actually stopped writing my Canvas post in the background to watch this. 

I have not read the book, but I do wish this expanded more on the relationship between our protagonists. 

Every great rom-com has to thoroughly answer two questions: 1) Why do these two people belong together? 2) Why should we care if they don’t? “People We Meet on Vacation” didn’t have enough time to expand on this, and it might’ve been a better movie if it did. 

“The Prince of Egypt” (1998)

You can take the girl out of Catholic school, but you can’t take the Catholic school out of the girl. I’m currently taking a class called “The Bible As Literature,” and it’s forced me rewatch this in a different light. All of my Catholic guilt has been made worth it for “The Plagues” — snubbed by the Oscars. Did the animators intend to make Moses that hot? 

Rest in peace, Val Kilmer.

“Bride Wars” (2009)

The body positivity movement of the 2010s makes a lot more sense when you have 2000s movies like this to put things into perspective. Kevin from “Shameless” plays a great husband in this one. Chris Pratt is Chris Pratt. And Anne Hathaway, as always, is a delight to watch. This is a chick flick you can skip, though. 

“Joy Ride” (2023)

Hilarious at every turn and heart-wrenching when you least expect it. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg clearly had a hand in this. This is my “Superbad.” Thank you to Adele Lim for beating the shit out of the “docile Asian woman” stereotypes. More hot Asian American men on our screens! More Sabrina Wu in everything!

“Pitch Perfect” (2012), “Pitch Perfect 2” (2015)

Wow, I wish collegiate a cappella was real. Way more vomit than I remember. I have also realized I will watch anything with a female leading cast. 

> College girls just trying to win an a cappella competition. So funny. 

>> More fatphobia. Not funny. 

>>> I’m currently at a point in my life where an a cappella remix featuring “Give You Everything” by Pitbull will bring me to tears. 

“Better Luck Tomorrow” (2002)

For class. A fascinating preview into the beginning of Justin Lin’s career. This is a scathing look at the shortcomings of Asian American youth, and I hope we get a “Better Luck Tomorrow” that suitably criticizes Gen Z too. I wish I was there to see Roger Ebert defend the film at Sundance.

“Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011)

Where, oh where did the 2010s go? I watched this while my roommate was asleep and had a hard time stifling my laughs (Sorry, Darlene!). Phenomenal use of “Blood” by The Middle East. One of the truly great rom-coms, and underrated at that. 

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Television

“Bridgerton,” Season 4 (2025)

An upgrade from Season 3. I adore the subtle K-drama elements, but I wish we had more of her Asian culture featured. What I’ve seen so far still doesn’t beat Season 2 for me, but Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley put up an act that will forever be impossible to follow and chemistry incredibly difficult to recreate. Regardless, I’m excited for Part 2. 

“30 Rock,” Season 1 (2006)

Liz Lemon, this 19-year-old loser girl sees you. I’m going to pretend this show is exactly like being in a college comedy club. 

“The West Wing,” Season 1 (1999)

I would’ve been a Lemon Lyman if I watched this while it was on air. I recently finished the first season of The West Wing and started Season 2. This show is one of those shows that deserves my full attention, so I haven’t been speeding through episodes as I usually would. Part of that is because watching the ‘90s dream about the future of this country gives me whiplash, switching between this to the news of the day. 

“Heated Rivalry” (2025)

I’m cheating a little bit, because I watched this in December, but it deserves a mention. I’m gaining a better understanding of the popularity of erotica and “smut.” However, I think this show rides (pun intended) a lot on the direction of Jacob Tierney and the performances from Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. I’m currently reading the book, and it really does feel like fan fiction at times. That’s not shade; that’s coming from someone who used to voraciously consume and produce John Laurens x Alexander Hamilton content. 

We are in a shortage of romance media that isn’t vomit-inducing (see “Pitch Perfect”). Gen Z doesn’t have sex and we don’t party, so we’re also lonelier than ever. It’s no wonder why “Heated Rivalry” became as popular as it did. 

I will have more on this soon — stay tuned for a rave review. 

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January was cold, but I’m betting on February to be better. Thank God for Lunar New Year. 

See you next month.

Do you have a recommendation for me? Email me at katareenaroska@tangentzine.com with the subject: “A REC FOR THE CULTURE.”