It’s safe to say that this year has been one of the most challenging school years I’ve had, and I’ve definitely found myself turning to “feel-good” entertainment more and more. I love turning on an episode of “Parks and Recreation”, re-reading Lord of the Rings, or making a matcha latte as a reward for getting through another long day of working from home. As exam season approaches and stress levels rise, heartwarming entertainment becomes my favourite way to de-stress.
This year, I thought I’d share some of the shows and movies that I found that feel like warm hugs and help me recover from staring at my laptop screen and typing for three hours straight. (Best enjoyed at night, with some tea and candles, I find.)
“Superstore”
This NBC comedy follows the lives of the eccentric employees of a big box store named Cloud 9, located in St. Louis, Missouri. America Ferrera, of “Ugly Betty” fame, stars as Amy, a jaded and disillusioned floor supervisor. Amy’s co-workers include people like Jonah (Ben Feldman), determined to be everyone’s “manic pixie dream girl” and Cheyenne (Nicole Sakura), a flighty teenager whose mother is in prison. They’re overseen by bumbling store manager, Glenn (Mark McKinney) and the drill sergeant of an assistant manager, Dina (Lauren Ash).
“Superstore” may feel like a show you’ve seen before. It definitely follows the lead of other witty, heartfelt workplace comedies like “The Office”. There’s witty humour, social commentary, and ordinary people that eventually become a family. However, I argue that it’s a formula that works well, as you grow attached to the employees of store 1217 and their quirks. The twenty-minute long episodes are usually light and funny, providing the perfect distraction from the ten weeks of lecture recordings that you still have to listen to.
“Palm Springs”
This take on the famous Groundhog Day concept stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as wedding guests who find themselves stuck in a time loop. A pandemic definitely makes one feel like they’re stuck in a time loop, so Nyles and Sarah’s situation felt somewhat relatable. Their zany adventures are undeniably fun to watch as they try to find a way out of the time loop while causing chaos and escaping J.K. Simmons. Of course, they eventually develop feelings for each other along the way. There are some genuinely deep themes in this lighthearted movie, including the characters going through feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. But overall, it’s full of laughs and the signature Lonely Island charm.
Anything by Studio Ghibli
Ever since I was a child, Hayao Miyazaki’s serene, beautifully animated movies have been the perfect escape, from “My Neighbor Totoro” to “Howl’s Moving Castle”. The heroes are usually precious young girls and the villains (if any exist) are defeated in the end, but there is an undeniable charm to his movies. However, if there’s one recommendation I have, it’s “Grave of the Fireflies”. You won’t be able to see your notes through your tears, the perfect excuse to procrastinate.
Okay, the real recommendation is “Spirited Away”, the true classic. The beautifully animated adventure stars Chihiro, a young ten-year-old girl who finds herself working for a witch in a magical bathhouse in the spirit world after her parents are turned into pigs. Although initially upset, Chihiro eventually resolves to find some way to break the curse on her parents. Watching Chihiro face insurmountable odds and form bonds with the other spirits in the bathhouse will surely make you feel better about that Property exam!
These underrated gems definitely give me a much needed serotonin boost, and hopefully they provide some distraction or escape from the stress of law school for you. Even if it’s only for thirty minutes, take some time this particularly difficult exam season for some lighthearted joy.