Summer 2018 was the summer of watching a ton of movies and listening to albums I should’ve listened to a long time ago. Each movie and album I immersed myself into elicited a different reaction from me, so I figured I’d share a brief review of every single movie I watched and every single album I listened to this summer; some of them are recently released while others are not.

*Disclaimer: This is me sharing my honest opinion. My interests and opinions may be different from yours, and that’s okay. Just please don’t be rude and spread any kind of hate.
*Also, each album and movie title is a link, so you can check them out for yourself if you’re interested.

Movies

*I tried to talk about these without giving away any of the plot, which was kind of difficult.

Candy Jar
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: It was a cute movie with a few hints of sadness. There were moments where it got boring, and I almost turned it off. Jacob Latimore and Tom Bergeron were in it, and I love them both as actors, especially Tom Bergeron; I’m so used to seeing him host Dancing with the Stars.

Dr. Strange
Rating: 8/10
Overall impression: It was a very great and unique Marvel movie. There were some intense graphics, which made it super trippy at times. I feel like watching that movie under some sort of influence (like drugs) would be a completely different experience. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch was the perfect person to play Doctor Strange.

The Space Between Us
Rating: 6/10
Overall impression: There were several moments where it got boring, and I hoped for more action, adventure sequences. However, the ending wasn’t what I was expecting; it just felt like it took a long time to get there.

Harry and Meghan: A Royal Romance
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall impression: The actors played their parts very well; that combined with great chemistry made this TV movie better than some of the other TV movies I’ve seen. I watched it twice and honestly would’ve watched it again. Well done.

The Kissing Booth
Rating: 9.5/10
Overall impression: This was the cheesy rom-com I didn’t know I needed until I watched it. The actors played their parts perfectly, and even before watching any behind-the-scenes, I could sense the cast was like a big family. Also, Joey King and Jacob Elordi are such a freaking adorable couple, both in the movie and in real life.

Step
Rating: 4/10
Overall impression: This movie wasn’t what I expected at all. It was very boring most of the time and became uninteresting after the first ten minutes. The story had the potential to be inspiring, but I think it could have been executed better.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Rating: 8/10
Overall impression: I was slightly grossed out in the beginning, but after that, it was just as good as the first Guardians of the Galaxy. There were definitely some elements I wasn’t expecting; however, they didn’t ruin the movie.

Avengers: Infinity War
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: I absolutely loved how all the Marvel movies are starting to connect and intertwine; it’s all clicking in my head, and now I feel like I’m part of the Marvel Universe. I am heavily invested in Marvel movies, so having all the movies finally connect provided relief. Also, I cried… a lot. I need the next one as soon as possible.

The Week Of
Rating: 8/10
Overall impression: There were so many hilarious moments in this movie, but they weren’t obvious. A certain type of subtle humor was used in this film, and luckily, it was my kind of humor. There were a couple of times when I laughed to the point where tears were falling out of my eyes.

Amateur
Rating: 6.5/10
Overall impression: This movie definitely wasn’t what I expected, especially the ending. After it was over, I felt like I wasted my time watching it. It had the potential to be a really great basketball movie, but it didn’t do it for me.

Incredibles 2
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: I am so happy with this movie. It is literally perfect for every age, and honestly, it was kind of empowering. Mrs. Incredible kicks butt. This movie was worth the wait; I hope there’s a third one, but I hope I don’t have to wait another fourteen years before it comes out.

Set It Up
Rating: 9.5/10
Overall impression: Besides feeling like there were a few things missing from the plot, this movie was phenomenal. There were some familiar faces, and the actors did extremely well playing their parts. Harper (the main female lead, played by Zoey Deutch) is future me, and I’m not mad about it. There were definitely some memorable quotes from the movie, like when Becca (watch to figure out who that is) says, “You like because, you love despite,” and when Charlie (the main male lead, played by Glen Powell) says, “You’re not hard to get, you’re hard to earn.” Both of those quotes made my little hopeless romantic heart melt.

Fahrenheit 451
Rating: 3/10
Overall impression: That 3 out of 10 is me being nice. This movie was extremely mundane, anticlimactic, boring, etc. Honestly, the best part was Douglas dying, and I don’t think Douglas is the main character.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: I cried my eyes out. After watching that movie and learning more about his life at an older age, I have a deeper love and respect for Mister Rogers. Television isn’t the same without him.

Sideways
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: “Extremely long” are two words I would use to describe this movie. It was full of relatable content, but it didn’t go the way I thought it would.

Ferdinand
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: It was a great family movie, but once again, it got boring at times. My favorite parts were when the animals danced, which surprisingly happened more than once.

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Rating: 9/10
Overall impression: Paul Rudd is the perfect person to play Ant-man; I just had to start with that. It’s another one of those movies without obvious humor, but I still found several hilarious moments. I thought I would leave the movie unscathed, but I bawled like a baby at the end.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again 
Rating: 8/10
Overall impression: It definitely wasn’t better than the first one, but it was still good. They didn’t intertwine the past and present the way I expected, but it wasn’t horrible. I really liked the inclusion of songs from the first one, such as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.”

The Spy Who Dumped Me
Rating: 9.75/10
Overall impression: I don’t understand how it got a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was extremely hilarious and hands down one of my favorite movies from the summer. There was action, a bit of romance, and a ton of comedy; I don’t think I went five minutes without laughing. I docked a little because I think they could have found a more fitting title. I don’t know; I just feel like The Spy Who Dumped Me doesn’t fit the movie that well.

Ant-Man
Rating: 9/10
Overall impression: There were several hilarious moments. I don’t know if I’ve stated this already, but I love when Marvel movies cross over and connect, which was made extremely obvious in this one. My favorite part (I tried not to spoil, but I just have to share) was at the very beginning when Ant-man is picked up from jail by his best friend. Ant-man asks his best friend “How’s your girl man?” With a giant smile on his face, his best friend answers, “Oh she left me. And my mom died. And my dad got deported, but I got this van though.” I’m not sure if I quoted it correctly, but you get the gist. I cried from laughing so hard at that part.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: I think it’s safe to say Peter Kavinsky is the Internet’s boyfriend, and though I think he is every girl’s dream, I would like to stop seeing it on all my social media feed. Anyway, this movie is a beautifully done teen rom-com based on the book To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han; I’ve watched it three times and am definitely planning on watching it a fourth time. I relate to Lara Jean soooo much. There were moments when I was like “Wow, I’m looking in a mirror.”

Crazy Rich Asians
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: After we left the movie theater, my grandma said, “Get you a Asian,” and I thought that was too funny not to share. I love this movie; it was the perfect movie to end my summer with. I bow down to everyone involved with this beautiful film. I would see it many times more if I had the funds to; you better believe I’m going to be the first to buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Albums

Syre by Jaden Smith
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall Impression: I loved how it was continuous. Like, there was no weird pause at the end of every song. The entire album felt like one super long song, and I loved that. Well done.
Fave: “Lost Boy” (*warning: this song is almost ten minutes long)

Laila’s Wisdom by Rapsody
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: Some songs had messages I really liked and made me yell “Yeah!” Other songs didn’t vibe well with me, which is perfectly okay. After listening to the album, I genuinely believe Rapsody is underrated.
Fave: “Sassy”

Atlas by The Score
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: This entire album is amazing; it was so hard for me to pick a favorite song because I literally love every single one. This summer, I fell in love with The Score’s music.
Fave: “Who I Am”

*The next three albums are by NF. He’s someone else I fell in love with over the summer. Like, where have I been? A lot of people try to compare him to Eminem, but he is completely different. He raps about real stuff, and I love it; I have never related to music as much as I relate to his.

Perception by NF
Rating: 10/10
Fave: “Outcast”

Mansion by NF
Rating: 10/10
Fave: “All I Have”

Therapy Session by NF
Rating: 10/10
Fave: “I Just Wanna Know”

Lost & Found by Jorja Smith
Rating: 10/10
Overall impression: I believe this was her debut album (I could be wrong), and it was pure perfection. I love Jorja Smith and her voice; both are extremely gorgeous.
Fave: “Wandering Romance”

Expectations by Bebe Rexha
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall impression: Throughout this album, I definitely got a sense of other pop influences, but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard. I really liked the inclusion of “Meant to Be” and “I Got You.” I still think All Your Fault Pt. 1 is my favorite of Bebe Rexha’s works.
Fave: “Self Control”

Memories… Do Not Open by The Chainsmokers
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: This album was a little hard to get through. I think the next full album will be a lot better. I’m already liking the new singles (“Sick Boy” “Side Effects”) more.
Fave: “Bloodstream”

Flume by Flume
Rating: 9.5/10
Overall impression: This album sounded like chill EDM if that’s even a thing. I found myself bopping my head and dancing a little. I vibed really well with it, which makes me pretty happy.
Fave: “Holdin On”

Night & Day (Day Edition) by The Vamps
Rating: 7/10
Overall impression: It sounded like very generic pop, kind of like background music you play when you need to clean the house but want some sort of noise so you don’t get creeped out or feel alone. I started yawning.
Fave: “For You”

Syre (The Electric Album) by Jaden Smith
Rating: 9.5/10
Overall impression: This album was super chill. I vibed really well with it. It would be awesome if it was just a little bit longer (but not as long as the first one).
Fave: “Lost Boy”

American Teen by Khalid
Rating: 9/10
Overall impression: I really loved it, to put it quite simply. There were a couple of songs I wasn’t too fond of, but I loved it for the most part. Again, well done.
Fave: “Keep Me”

This concludes a long list of movies and albums that kept me entertained this summer (for the most part). If you made it this far, first off, I appreciate you; thanks. Secondly, you should totally comment your all-time favorite movies and albums (you don’t have to pick just one). I would happily check them out.