What I’ve been watching: Alien: Romulus, Emily in Paris, Doctor Who, and The Wild Robot

I had the best of intentions to write a full review of Alien: Romulus (which, I am embarrassed to admit, premiered all the way back in August, so as you can see I’ve been sitting on this for a while). Now here we are, well into October, and even though I’ve been catching up on quite a bit of content, I haven’t been doing such a great job logging my thoughts. 

While I’m not exactly striking while the iron is hot, I liked all these movies/shows well enough that I still want to talk about them! Here are some quick thoughts on each:

Alien: Romulus

If you’re looking for some sci-fi scares this Halloween in the style of the original Alien movie, the newest sequel, Alien: Romulus, is definitely worth a watch. The Alien franchise has produced some great and some not-so-great films over the years, and maybe you gave this one a pass in the theater because Hollywood’s fallen into the bad habit of trying to over-extend popular franchises. But Romulus is actually a great little sci-fi/horror film, keeping things classic and simple. And since it falls under a two-hour runtime, it knows how to not overstay its welcome. 

While the plot doesn’t deviate too far from the standard Alien movie template (people engaging in risky, overconfident behavior, which leads to aliens running amuck), it’s still a worthy sequel. David Jonsson as the android “Andy” is a standout in the cast. And just when you think the film’s over, hang on, because more scares await. 

Emily in Paris

Although it’s going to take a lot to dethrone Netflix’s Bridgerton as my favorite guilty-pleasure binge watch, I had so much fun watching through Emily in Paris this year. The show is about an American marketing expert who falls in love with her new life in France. Of course this series is unabashedly soapy, and some of the subplots are over the top. But if you love a little drama (yes, there is more than one love triangle!), fashion (how does Emily afford her very expensive wardrobe? Don’t ask!), and some fun characters, Emily in Paris is indeed a great guilty-pleasure I just couldn’t seem to stop watching. 

Doctor Who

I finally got a chance to watch the new season of Doctor Who on Disney+ and overall, I enjoyed it! It always takes a bit to adjust to a new Doctor, but I liked the enthusiasm and energy that Ncuti Gatwa brought to the role. His eyes are filled with such a sense of childlike joy as he goes on adventures in the TARDIS, and I loved his friendship with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Some of the earlier episodes seemed a little weaker, but by the end I was all in. “73 Yards” was eerie and intriguing, and of course, as a Bridgerton addict, I loved the Regency setting of “Rogue.” I also appreciated that the main storyline wrapped up by the end of the season, though a few intriguing mysteries remain outstanding. I’m eager to see more!

The Wild Robot

Confession: This movie hit me in the feels like a freight train. While I didn’t exactly cry in the theater, I can tell you, my eyes were definitely watery, and it wasn’t just allergies. What a charming little film this was, about a robot who finds a new home on a remote island. The animation was lovely, the story was touching, and I was delighted from start to finish. The movie is all about the beauty of found family and community, and how life is better when we celebrate what makes us unique and realize how much we all need each other. This was very well worth a trip to the theater!

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