the apartment (1960): a holiday movie that’s honest about pain & hope
A reflection on The Apartment (1960), holiday films, and the emotional reality of surviving suicidal thoughts — and the quiet hope that can follow even our darkest moments.
becoming our best self: confidence, curiosity & change in my old ass (2024)
Elliott’s journey in My Old Ass offers a realistic look at what it means to be confident in who we are while still being open to change. Through self-discovery and heartfelt awkwardness, the film shows how growth can feel brave, messy, and completely attainable.
the gift of being young & dumb: reflections on my old ass (2024)
A surprising coming-of-age film leads me into a conversation about inner child work, creativity, and the wisdom our younger selves still hold. My Old Ass reminded me that sometimes the bravest, clearest voice in the room is our young, dumb selves.
life isn’t a movie: reflections on “the end of the movie” from crazy ex-girlfriend
Life isn’t a movie—but sometimes we try to make it one. Inspired by Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s “The End of the Movie,” I reflect on chaos, meaning, and the stories we create for ourselves along the way.
sibling bonds & survival: reflections on prey (2022) for native american heritage month
November is Native American Heritage Month, and I’m reflecting on Prey (2022)—a fresh take on the Predator franchise featuring a Comanche heroine and her brother, Taabe. Beyond the alien hunt, Prey offers a powerful look at sibling love, rivalry, and the tension between being seen and being outshined
repurposing the unfinished: lessons on failure from everything everywhere all at once
What if failure isn’t real? Everything Everywhere All At Once invites us to reconsider what it means not to succeed—and to see the leftovers of our choices as the beginning of something new.