PicoBlog

Today has been a good day. I started the day with listening to Christmas songs while making breakfast, then followed that with many hours working on what will (hopefully) be my second book. I took a break for lunch and a 2-mile walk with Winnie. It’s 35 degrees today and the wind is biting and brutal, but the sky is that particular kind of bright blue that it only seems to be in fall and winter, and the sun is shining, so I’ll take it. After that, I showered, put on some comfy clothes, and now I’m here, listening to a Christmas jazz playlist, drinking hot chocolate, and writing this post. Name a better day, I dare you!

Honestly, though, I’ve been feeling really good for most of the past week, swept up in writing (and re-writing, and editing) in a way that I haven’t felt for many months. And after such a rough few weeks of anxiety, I can’t tell you what a welcomed, pleasant, much-needed surprise (and escape) that has been. My brain is constantly churning with ideas and sentences and plot twists, and in a way, the feeling has given me a whole new perspective on 2023, and how proud I am of myself. I told myself that I would write this year. That I would prioritize it. And when all is said and done, between this book and SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE (I think I will be able to share the cover with you very soon, by the way— eek!) and this Substack, I think I’ve written something like 500,000 words this year. Between drafts and edits and catastrophic laptop meltdowns and what was a chaotic year all-around, in so many ways, I just kept writing. Just kept going. I’ve had weeks where I wrote nothing at all. Months, probably. I’ve had lots and lots of moments where I was convinced I sucked. But I just kept doing it.

I wrote an entirely new chapter the other day and at the end of it kept writing and re-writing the last sentence, the cliffhanger, the kicker. I don’t know how many versions I went through. But eventually I got to the perfect option, and god, I don’t think there’s a better feeling than that. I don’t know how many books it will take to make writing books my job, but I do know that I’ve never felt more lucky to find something that I love to do so god damn much. What could be better?

All this is to say: I didn’t have many topics for essays in my head this week. But when I’m not writing, I have been watching a lot of movies. Jake and I have been on a movie kick for a while now, actually, a fact which I think is mostly inspired by the lack of good television out right now (though, if you’re not watching this right now… you must). Particularly, I’ve been thinking a lot about cozy movies. To me, these aren’t necessarily only happy and easy movies to watch, but films that make me feel swept up, or that make me want to describe them as atmospheric or beautiful. Often, there’s overlap there, of course, but I won’t say there’s never going to be crying involved. Anyway, here are some of my favorite movies to watch on a cold winter morning, curled up with a mug of coffee, or at night with a warm dog by my feet and some tea brewing next to me. The list is by no means exhaustive, but I tried to at least make sure I included some of my favorites that I hear mentioned less often. Some are critically acclaimed, some I enjoy watching mostly for the poofy sleeves and classical music. In any case, enjoy, and be sure to let me know some of your favorites and suggestions in the comments.

Ok, it says a lot about this movie that a dog dies in it (it’s not on screen, but implied, so you’ve been warned) and I still consider the vibes to be immaculate. I know, I know. Just stay with me. The chemistry between Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenharts in this movie is just… divine. The setting? The hair bows? Incredible. I want to live inside this movie (except, you know, the dog thing). It is truly a beautiful film, and I really enjoy it every time I watch. I also never hear people talk about it. But if you loved Pride & Prejudice… I think you’ll enjoy this.

The 2005 version, obviously. I mean, this had to be on the list. I don’t need to expand on this, do I?

Going in a totally different direction, there is this movie, which I adore. Adore. It’s a perfect cozy film for the holidays I think, too, and says a lot about family, love, and relationships. Steve Carrell is incredible in it, from start to finish. Just great. It’s like a warm hug in movie form.

I’ve talked about this one a lot recently, and love it as much as the rest of the world seems to love it, but there’s something about this movie that is very calming, even as you’re wondering the whole time what’s going to happen at the end. It’s simply shot, beautifully acted, and will have you sobbing at the end but not necessarily out of just sadness. It’s nuanced!! It’s complicated! It’s gorgeous! You know, all the things.

If you know me, you know my attachment to this movie. I was obsessed with John Keats as a teenager, and though this movie is painfully, painfully sad, it is gorgeous. Art in motion. The colors and setting and everything is just stunning.

I didn’t watch this until last year, maybe, and wow, what a treat. I don’t need to tell you about the powers of Greta Gerwig, but if you are like me and for some reason haven’t watched yet even though it’s been out for a few years… do it! You must!

This is a movie that I can vividly remember renting at Blockbuster multiple times. I’m aging myself, but I just need to explain how committed I was to watching this movie again and again as a teenager. It’s a coming-of-age film that is very hard to watch in parts, but ultimately really beautiful.

I’ve only seen this once, but the cinematography has still stuck with me. It’s another sad one, but absolutely gorgeous. I still think about the various tones of blue featured in this movie.

You’ve got time travel. You’ve got Rachel McAdams. You’ve got Domhnall Gleeson, one of my favorite actors ever. You will bawl your freaking eyes out, but it’s worth it. Not a niche pick, of course, but a classic.

This movie, along with Becoming Jane, are two more movies that though I don’t know how they are rated critically, always bring me comfort. Great costumes. Dramatic love stories. What more could one want? Also, honestly, Becoming Jane is worth watching just for Anne Hathway and James McAvoy’s kissing scenes, which I will say are pretty much top notch — and it’s rated PG, so that’s saying a lot.

This is the movie that Jake and I watched recently that inspired me to make this list. I watched it when it first came out, but even just a few years later, I appreciated it even more than I did the first time. Just an incredible film, from start to finish, and really made me think about the choices we make for ourselves and why.

[When I wrote this, I forgot to add Ever After (a grave error), but I did make sure to talk about it in the audio version of the post (I always record a day after writing the copy). In fact, the audio of these types of posts tends to always have extra tidbits throughout, by the way, so if you always read instead of listen… maybe give the opposite a try next time!]

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