by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
We all have that feeling. You know the one: You finish watching a movie and something about it hits you in just the right spot.
Whether it was the theme, the story, or even the characters, there was a quality about it that almost makes you want to turn around and go back a second, third, or even fourth time!
Bar the reality of living in the movie theater for the rest of your days, you turn to the rest of pop culture and start to look for other avenues where you can find that same feeling.
Well I’m here to make this plight easier for all. Each month, I take a piece of pop culture that was prevalent in the social consciousness — whether it is a movie, TV show, or something else — and then recommend other forms of media for those who want to stay in that world a little bit longer.
Welcome to your One Stop Pop, internet!
For the beginning of summer season, the cinema has left much to be desired. The question on everybody’s lips is, where is the big blockbuster to get people talking? It feels like May was a bit of a paused month, a month of waiting, a month of fillers even.
Luckily, there was a movie that lit up social media and commentary upon its release: The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. Once upon a time a fan fiction story, then a highly successful book, and now an incredibly well-performing film, this movie is a fantasy fulfiller for those who have always wanted to fall in love with their celebrity crush. Correction: for those who have wanted their celebrity crush to fall in love with them.
So while we wait for what June might offer, and if your eyes are still very much heart-shaped, let’s have a look at what other media could tickle your fancy.
Book: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Since the emergence of social media platforms like TikTok, the literary genre of romance has taken a long-awaited step into the spotlight. Once the subject of whispers, secrets, and hidden covers, romance novels are now one of the most popular forms of reading, spanning heart-wrenching fantasy epics to cute fluffy comedies.
A change that has occurred across the board, however, is the maturing of the text, allowing it to generally speak to a wider, older audience, while keeping the story compelling and characters magnetic.
The Idea of You was one such book, and so its origin point might be a great example for this recommendation. However, as we know, that would be too easy a choice for your friendly neighborhood columnist. So let’s go to something similar but different.
The Love Hypothesis is the first in a trilogy by Ali Hazelwood wherein she combines science, romance, and a little bit of fan fiction.
Beginning as a contemporary retelling of Kylo Ren and Rey from the recent Star Wars movies, the book follows Olive, a PhD student who begins a fake relationship with local “rake,” Adam Carlson, in an attempt to convince her best friend that she doesn’t need any help in the romance department.
Drama and chaos ensues as these two previously “unlovable” characters become closer and start to find that comfort in another can be not just a good thing, but a missing necessary element.
With tropes like grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, and of course some hardcore yearning, this is a fluffy romance with the spice, wish-fulfillment and exciting antics that is sure to have any reader kicking their feet and wanting for more.
TV Show: Maxton Hall
Speaking of forbidden relationships, let’s take that angst and turn it up all the way to the next level from age-gap celebrity romance to enemies-to-lovers class difference — and add a little touch of German.
Enter Maxton Hall. Also based on a popular book series, the season follows Ruby, a scholarship student at the prodigious school, the titular Maxton Hall, as she witnesses a secret that arrogant millionaire heir, James, is determined to silence. But of course their clash of wills results in an unexpected spark being ignited between them.
Similar to The Love Hypothesis, chaos, tragedy, tension, and crazed events happen as a result of this chance encounter that keeps exploding throughout the six-episode run. Everything that readers typically love in this sort of story is present in spades, and although just being one season at the moment, there is a possibility of there being more due to its unexpected success.
Subtitled The World Between Us, this show has taken the internet and many romance lovers by storm. The chemistry between the leads is certainly a big part of it, as are the plot lines that are often reserved for books and websites like Wattpad and AO3.
Upon release Maxton Hall became the most popular show on Amazon Prime, ranking number one in over 120 regions. However, with it being a German show, and therefore having German-speaking characters in it, those who do not abide international watching need not apply.
Album: Room Under the Stairs by Zayn
Another vital element to the inception of The Idea of You is of course that of the boy band, and most importantly, the boy band member who is wanting to strike out on his own.
Rarely is there a boy band exit more famous than that of Zayn from One Direction — the band that inspired August Moon in this month’s movie. Since consciously decoupling, Zayn has spurred forth with a solid single career, and has arguably been be the third most successful individual member after Harry and Niall.
However, the leaderboard might now experience an upset with the release of his new album, Room Under the Stairs, wherein like a few of his peers, he has shed his previous signature sounds of moody R&B, and now dives into country and adult contemporary.
His fourth studio album, this exploration of self is more of a storytelling gesture than any of his previous. Intimate, and with calls to his daughter, family, and real-life experiences, Zayn invites the listener to get more insight into who he is as a human being, rather than just a once-upon-a-time pop star.
With singles like “What I Am”and “Alienated,” this album was written over the course of several years at his rural home in Pennsylvania, and is truly his most individualized project. Longtime fans are sure to enjoy, but if you were once a staunch supporter and found his latest releases middling, then this might in fact finally be the one for you.
Video Game: The Artful Escape
While romance is at the center of The Idea of You, there is also a central plot surrounding music in its many forms, and how it affects the characters throughout their story. So, of course, there may be some viewers who want to experience their own story of music after a watch.
Where better to escape to, then, than the aptly named The Artful Escape?In it, you play as a teenage boy who wants to perfect his musical talents in order to step away from the lingering presence of his uncle, under whom he’s felt stifled. Described as psychedelic, this is about developing a legacy, learning from the past, engaging in actual legendary tiles, and drawing inspiration from unlikely sources.
A first-player action adventure game, some famous voices that show up as characters are Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and the late Carl Weathers. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a science-fiction genre amongst the musical elements?
Visceral and exciting are definitely the words to use when describing this game, resulting in an experience that will capture many a heart, as well as many an ear. Not to mention that visually this is truly a treat. So really you’re engaging all of your senses, while also having a great, fun time. What’s not to like?
It turns out that May was the month of love and music! Who would have thought? From fan fiction writer doing good, to steamy international experiences, to something for the musically inclined, there should be plenty to sink your heartbroken teeth into after a watch of Ms. Hathaway’s new film.
June is sure to be quite a packed month, so I’ll return then with whatever sets the month on fire. Until then, thank you for visiting SiftPop’s One Stop Pop. We hope to see you again soon!