40 Things I Learned Hiking The First 40 Miles of the Appalachian Trail

April 23, 2016August 17, 20217 Comments

Last week, my dad and I spent 5 days hiking the first 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail, starting at Springer Mountain and ending at Hogpen Gap (just past Blood Mountain). This was my first time taking a multi-day hiking/camping trip, and it was an incredible experience. Here’s what I learned along the way:

Nothing prepares you for the excitement/nervousness of beginning a big hike
Starting early in the morning can take some getting used to, but you’ll appreciate the cool morning air once the afternoon sun hits
Wild owls are cool as heck
The best way to start the day is with a view of the sunrise from the top of a mountain
The trail may be pretty empty at the beginning of the day…
But the later the day gets (and the closer you hike to popular campsites), the more hikers you’ll see
Peeing in the woods is both freeing and terrifying
While hikers seem mostly divided on whether to use sunscreen or not…
Bug spray is a must
Giant millipedes are not cool as heck
Hitting your mileage goal for the day is super rewarding…
But having a long afternoon at an isolated campsite on your first day of hiking can get pretty boring
Setting up camp for the first time can be pretty stressful
Sleeping in a tent may take some getting used to
Seeing the stars at night is unreal
Getting up to pee in the middle of the night is a decision you have to thoroughly think through and commit to
Candy is a luxury most hikers have no problem carrying extra weight for
You’ll feel really proud of your 8-mile-a-day average until you talk to other hikers who are averaging 15-20 miles…
But you’ll learn it’s not a competition and at the end of the day, everyone is equally excited and exhausted
You can’t skimp out on stocking up on water
The key to tackling uphills is going slow and steady – stopping and starting is a painful process that will only drain you physically and mentally
Seeing people in their 60s+ tackling the AT will give you some serious inspiration
You’ll meet people from all over the country (and sometimes the world)
Staying in shelters may not be your cup of tea…
But take the time to get to know your tent neighbors…
Because you’ll probably end up encountering the same people multiple times on your journey
If you have a trail name, use it! (even if it’s something pretty uncool, like Spitz)
Creeks and streams are a literal godsend, and a popular resting spot for hikers of all distances
9:00 p.m. is a late night for most hikers – once the sun starts setting, anytime is fair game to turn in for the night
Make sure to dig a big enough hole when you stop to go #2
You may think you’re getting an awesome tan, but it’s probably just dirt
The downhill on Blood Mountain is almost worse than the uphill…
And you’ll learn that hiking on flat ground is infinitely better than hiking downhill
Neels Gap feels like a home away from home after a couple days on the trail
You’ll have a whole new appreciation for things like running water, picnic tables, and bathrooms with actual toilets and toilet paper
You’ll meet some of the coolest, weirdest, nicest, craziest, and friendliest people on the trail…
And all it takes is a nice campfire and a round of swapping trail stories or showing off battle wounds to feel like you’ve known your fellow hikers for ages
People who set up “trail magic” stations deserve medals of honor
Hiking a section of the trail will only leave you wanting more…
And hiking any part of it, no matter how big or small, will make you realize how beautiful our world is, and how much of a gift it is to experience, explore, and just exist in it

College/Life/Future Updates

April 16, 2016August 17, 20211 Comment

It’s been awhile since I’ve had the chance to update you all on what I hope to do with my life and what my post-high school plans are. Check out the video below to get all the details:

The Best Vegan Ice Cream

February 28, 2016August 24, 20211 Comment

When people first hear I’m vegan, they usually ask some questions: why are you vegan? Where do you get your protein? How do you survive without ice cream? This last question is hardest to answer because I do have a deep and personal love for ice cream, and vegan ice cream has had a history of being a pretty disappointing substitute for the real thing. Recently, however, a number of brands have released vegan ice cream that is actually really good, and may even fool some dairy-lovers. The newest vegan ice cream release was from the infamously rich and delicious Ben & Jerry’s brand, and I can tell you: they did not disappoint. With that in mind, here are my top picks for the best vegan ice cream brands on the market.

5. So Delicious Dairy Free Soymilk

This brand of ice cream has been on the market for quite a while now, and when you’re in desperate need of a late night ice cream fix, it’ll hit the spot. These ice creams probably won’t wow any new vegans or “regular” ice cream lovers, however, but some of their flavors are worth a try (I like Turtle Trails and Peanut Butter Zig Zag).

4. Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss

This brand (which you’ll mostly find at health food stores like Whole Foods, although it is available in some supermarket chains) is pretty dang delicious. There are a number of fun and delicious flavors, with my favorite being Mint Galactica. The texture is a bit lacking though, as it can be a bit icy, and the coconut-y undertones may not be your cup of tea. Still, this is one vegan ice cream brand I will be happy to enjoy any day.

3. So Delicious Dairy Free Cashewmilk

This line of ice creams, which was recently released by the previously mentioned So Delicious brand, is super tasty with an amazing, creamy texture. The choice to use cashew milk as a non-dairy base is a definite step up from soy milk, as cashew milk is creamier and has less of a noticeable taste. Sadly, this line of ice creams doesn’t have many flavors to choose from, but the Snickerdoodle and Cappuccino flavors are the perfect sweet treat.

2. Steve’s Ice Cream

Steve’s Ice Cream is a fairly small, Brooklyn-based, artisan ice cream brand that serves up some of the best vegan ice cream out there. They have a substantial number of delicious and somewhat fancy flavors to choose from, with my favorites being Burnt Sugar Vanilla and Cinnamon Coffee. This ice cream brand is impossibly creamy (with a base of coconut cream), and the flavors are so unique and daring, you won’t even notice you’re eating non-dairy ice cream.

1. Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy

Boy oh boy is this ice cream good. Ben & Jerry’s is a brand probably best known for their emphasis on organic ingredients and their wacky, over-the-top delicious ice cream flavor combinations. Before going vegan, Ben & Jerry’s was my ice cream brand of choice, so it was a huge bummer to have to miss out on their delicious ice creams. I knew that it was only a matter of time before they would offer something up for their non-dairy lovers out there, however, and they have not disappointed. Although they are only currently offering 4 non-dairy flavors, I have faith they will expand the line given the incredibly hype and stellar reviews. I’ve gotten to taste 3 of the 4 non-dairy flavors, and my favorite has to be P.B. & Cookies. This flavor is rich but not overly sweet, with the perfect amount of peanut butter, and crazy delicious cookie chunks. These flavors are a bit hard to find at the moment, but Ben & Jerry’s has assured non-dairy fans that the flavors will be rolling out into stores throughout the coming weeks. I urge you to run to the nearest store offering these non-dairy flavors and snatch them up; I can guarantee you’ll love them, and your dairy-loving friends will enjoy them too.

Sundance 2016

February 13, 2016August 17, 20211 Comment

Sundance Film Festival: the cornerstone of indie filmmaking and a miraculous melting pot of hipsters and rich folk alike. Several years ago, my family had the opportunity to attend several days of Sundance by the grace of God and a conveniently scheduled work trip on my dad’s part. We stayed in a hotel that reminded me of The Shining and spent our days wandering around Salt Lake City, paranoid that we would spot a stray celebrity (which never happened), and catching a few short films through the festival. It was a downright awesome experience and I’m pretty sure I tried to write a script for my own short film on the flight home (which I’m sure will be premiering at Sundance any year now) – so we decided to come back again in 2016 for my 16th birthday.

The City

Although we were staying in Salt Lake City, we spent quite a bit of time in Park City, the true hub of Sundance. Both cities are really cool and beautiful, but strikingly different. Salt Lake City feels very casual and relaxed: there are a lot of vegan restaurant options and health food stores, and everyone looks like they either just woke up from a nap or just got off the ski slopes. Most of the film screenings and festival events, however, are to be found in Park City, a swanky but cozy-feeling town that is overrun by celebrities, filmmakers, and press peeps during festival season (and yet, despite the small size of the town, I never once ran into Joseph Gordon-Levitt). I love being able to spend time in both cities, and I would definitely recommend taking the time to explore both of them. Maybe you prefer the space and chillness of Salt Lake City, or maybe you’ll thrive in the excitement and energy of Park City.

The Activities

Most of our time in Utah was spent watching films, riding shuttle buses, and sleeping, but we found some time to do a couple other cool activities as well. In Salt Lake, we spent some time in a beautiful, snowy park where I got to take some senior pictures and experience a strange man yelling at me to smile in my pictures. We also took the time to visit Whole Foods about 28 times and check out various vegan restaurants and bakeries, where I consumed an ungodly amount of delicious vegan food. In Park City, we did some book-browsing at local bookshops and checked out New Frontier, a Sundance spot that’s part tech convention, part film festival, and part art gallery, with a big focus on different virtual reality experiences (we got there half an hour after the doors opened and slots to experience The Martian virtual reality were already booked 7 hours out).

The Films

Of course, one of the highlights of the week was getting to watch so many amazing films. All in all, we ended up mostly seeing documentaries, although we did manage to catch one nonfiction feature film and a group of New Frontier short films (these films are very experimental in their format and/or plot). Here’s the complete list of what we saw:

“Richard Linklater: dream is destiny”
“Jim: The James Foley Story”
“The Fundamentals of Caring”
“Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper”
Documentary Shorts Program
New Frontier Shorts Program

My favorite films that I had the opportunity to see were “Jim”, “The Fundamentals of Caring”, and several of the documentary short films. One of the coolest parts of getting to see these films was being able to interact with the filmmakers in Q&A sessions that followed the screenings. Hearing their passion for their art and stories, and experiencing the response from the audience, was such a cool and exciting experience that I think is really unique to Sundance.

The People

Despite the undeniable coolness of getting to see a bunch of interesting films in such a beautiful place, the best part of going to Sundance is the people. It can be a bit overwhelming at first to be in so many crowded spaces with all sorts of random people, but it’s actually a really eye-opening experience. You get to people watch and meet so many incredibly talented and awesome people, from the Sundance volunteers, to the locals, and the travelers who are just passing through. Sundance is one of the few places where I can feel comfortable talking to a stranger about what movies they’ve seen and which they liked, and it’s the perfect place to meet people from all over the world and experience an incredible amount of culture, art, and storytelling. Although there may be a few zany grapes in the bunch (looking at you, strange man who yelled at me in the park), the majority of them are just people like you who love to watch and make movies, and there’s nothing more beautiful or inspiring than that.

The Jean-Luc Godard Cooking Show

February 6, 2016August 24, 2021Leave a comment

I’m really excited to share the latest installment in the Food on Film series with you all: The Jean-Luc Godard Cooking Show! The first Jean-Luc Godard film I saw was “Une Femme est Une Femme”, and I fell in love with his unique style and captivating characters. With this video, I hope to pay a small homage to his iconic films!

I would like to mention that although I studied French for several years in middle school, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had to flex my French-speaking muscles, so I apologize for any incorrect grammar or pronunciation! At the end of the day, I am mostly hoping to capture the feel of his classic black-and-white films from the 60’s. I hope you all enjoy!

Plan Your Own Galentine’s Day Gathering!

January 30, 2016August 17, 2021Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day: for some, it is a day of celebration and romance with that special someone in your life, but for others, it is nothing more than just another day in the life of a single Pringle. This year, I propose we cast aside our relationship statuses and gather to celebrate Galentine’s Day. What is Galentine’s Day, you might ask? I’ll let my friend and role model, Leslie Knope, answer:

To better answer your question, Galentine’s Day is a special day created by the ever wonderful, uplifting, magical (but sadly fictional) being that is Leslie Knope of the TV show “Parks and Recreation”. You see, Leslie Knope is all about girl power, and celebrating your fellow woman, and showing the people you love just how much you love them, and Galentine’s Day is all about doing those things! It’s a day for gathering with your best gal pals, doing something fun, exchanging some heartfelt words and/or gifts, and having a super fun day of positivity. The best part about Galentine’s Day is that everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of whether you’re in a relationship or not!
Last year, I got to celebrate Galentine’s Day with some of my awesome friends, so I have a couple tips for organizing your own celebration:

Do something fun and casual
Whether you decide to go for a group hike, see a movie and grab dinner, or just meet up at a coffee shop and talk, pick a place and an activity that the whole group will enjoy! Keep it casual and fun, but get creative: try a new activity or take a mini, group road trip and see what happens!
Gather a group of uplifting friends
Maybe you plan your day with a big group of friends, or maybe you just meet up with one close confidante: either way, celebrate the day with good friends that you know will make the day awesome. Don’t feel an obligation to invite every single girl you know, but don’t be exclusive! Reach out to some friends you haven’t talked to in a while, or some you’re just starting to get to know.
Take a moment to commend each other
One of my favorite parts of my Galentine’s Day celebration was taking a moment to give a little shoutout to everyone there and let me know some of the things I love about them. This can be a really special moment, or a fun opportunity to remember hilarious moments from your friendship – just keep it sincere!
(Optional) Give a small, thoughtful gift
At my Galentine’s Day celebration, I gave each attendee a different plant that I felt reflected a specific quality about them. It was really fun seeing my friends’ excitement and getting to share with them why I chose specific plants for specific people. Don’t feel obligated to spend loads of money on these gifts – and don’t give any at all if you don’t feel compelled to! It may sound cliché, but it really is the thought that counts: even a simple, handmade card with a little note inside is a really sweet gesture that your friends are sure to appreciate.

And there you have it! I hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day this year, and I hope you take the opportunity to plan your very own Galentine’s Day!

Double the Bubble Tea Recipes!

January 20, 2016August 17, 2021Leave a comment

If you’ve never tried bubble tea, you probably aren’t living your best possible life. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea drink that has recently become popular in the U.S., with some shops even opening up that deal exclusively in this entirely unique drink. The drink itself is tea-based (although there are tons of different variations and recipes out there) and the “bubbles” are actually small, black tapioca pearls (also known as boba). Drinking bubble tea is definitely a strange experience, and you’ll probably either love it or hate it: the boba is tasteless, although sometimes sweet from being soaked in honey or sugar, and chewy. In my opinion, bubble tea is fun, refreshing, and a perfect sweet treat, but it’s hard for me to find good bubble tea (especially bubble tea that can be made dairy-free) near me, so I did some research and concocted 2 dairy-free bubble tea recipes that are super easy and fun to try at home. Here’s how to make them:

The Boba

For enough boba for 2 drinks, you will need:

1/3 cup black tapioca pearls (these can be purchased online or at an Asian market)
3 1/3 cup water
A small bowl of agave or honey
A bowl of cold water

Your bag of black tapioca pearls should have instructions on them for how to cook the pearls, but my method is: bring the 3 1/3 cups of water to a hard simmer and add the pearls. Cover the pot and cook for about 6 minutes. Remove the lid, lower the heat a bit to a soft simmer, and cook for another 6 or 7 minutes (test a pearl every now and then until they’re as soft as you want them). Drain the pearls and add them to the cool water. Let sit for about a minute and then drain the pearls and throw them into the bowl of agave/honey to soak while you make the rest of your drink.

Taro Bubble Tea

For 2 servings:

1/3 cup taro powder (can be ordered online; try and read the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t include any milk products!)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk (I accidentally used water – although it still tasted delicious – but I find cashew milk to be the creamiest non-dairy milk)

Simply blend all of the ingredients together and serve with the boba!

Creamy Avocado Bubble Tea

For 2 servings:

1 banana
1 ripe avocado
Agave or honey (eyeball how much you want and add more to taste – you shouldn’t need more than a tablespoon)
1/2 cup non-dairy milk (again, I prefer cashew milk)
1/2 cup crushed ice

Scoop the avocado into your blender and add the banana, broken up into pieces. Add the rest of your ingredients, blend, and serve with boba!

Giant straws are not necessary to enjoy your homemade bubble tea treats, but they are definitely recommended (you can order them online!). Give these recipes a try and decide if you’re ready to join the dark side and become a bubble tea fan.

Tips for Relaxation

January 10, 2016August 17, 2021Leave a comment

Listen – I am in no way claiming to be a chill person. In fact, I have very little chill. But throughout high school, I’ve come to realize that one of the most important things you can do is take time for yourself to just hit the pause button and relax. I think it’s time we start introducing mindfulness to our lives and creating time within our schedules to get comfy and de-stress, whether that means scheduling a full day of relaxation or carving out a quick hour or two in between tasks. To get the most out of your relaxation time, here are some of my favorite tips to just chill out:

Write it Out

A lot of times when I get stressed throughout the day it’s because my mind is racing with everything I have to do and when it needs to get done. Before you dive into your relaxation time, take a moment to actually write out what you need to get done throughout the next day or week, whether that means making a quick list or committing some time to scheduling out your tasks. After you’ve written out your to-do list, let it go and completely forget about it (at least for the next couple hours as you relax). Anytime your mind starts to wander back to everything you have to do, simple remind yourself that you know what you need to do, and you’re going to get it done, and then return to the moment.

Dress to De-Stress

Aside from leaving the house for school, work, and other errands, I pretty much live out of pajamas and sweatpants. To me, there is nothing more relaxing than changing into a T-shirt and a comfy pair of pants after a day of jeans and assigned shirts. I encourage you to put on your comfiest pair of pants to get into a relaxation mindset, whether those are funky yoga pants, a reliable pair of sweatpants you’ve had for years, or some downright awesome pajama bottoms that combine your love of food and comfiness.

Snack On, But Snack Smart

Let’s be honest: if you’re spending some time lazing around the house, it’s really easy to just snack on anything that’s quick and tasty (I’m talking chips, cookies, trail mixes, and all other kinds of food that I am definitely guilty of stuffing my face with). But during your relaxation time, I encourage you to be mindful of what you eat, and why you’re eating. Don’t just snack around because you’re bored or you want something to do: eat when you’re actually hungry, and only eat until you’re satisfied, not until you’re uncomfortable or stuffed. And try to keep your snacks and meals balanced: commit to eating more fruits and veggies as snacks, but don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a delicious vegan espresso chocolate chip cookie. Most importantly: stay hydrated throughout the day and keep a water bottle handy. You’ll end the day with a refreshed body and an especially happy tummy.

Tend to Your Scentsitivity

If you’re like me, you might be an especially scentsitive person, meaning you may have strong reactions to certain smells, and even get bad headaches or have other physical side effects if a bad smell lingers too long. So take a moment to make yourself and your house smell good: burn a little incense, rub some lightly-scented lotion on your hands, knees, and elbows, or go for the gold and break out those essential oils. I love putting a drop of orange essential oil in my water bottle for a refreshing twist, or you can take your favorite scent and rub it on your wrists and temple. Sometimes it’s also nice to put a few drops of lavender or peppermint oil on a tissue and carry it with you throughout the day.

Stretch it Out

Doing yoga is one of the most relaxing things for me, personally. I get to really notice how I’m feeling (both mentally and physically) and focus on being present in the moment and stretching out any sore or tense areas in my body. Check out Yoga With Adriene’s channel for some awesome yoga videos: I love her “Yoga for Stress Relief” and 30 Days of Yoga videos, and if you’re interested in starting a regular yoga routine, I encourage you to dive into her Yoga Camp, which started January 1st of this year (although you can join whenever you like – it’s totally flexible and totally free!). Her “Quick Stress Fix” video is also a great resource for anyone who just wants to take a quick stretch break before moving on with their day.

Cozy Up

It can be really beneficial to take a chunk of time and dedicate it to a calm and engaging activity, so I encourage you to cozy up with a blanket and do just that. You can watch that movie that’s been on your Netflix list for ages or catch up on whatever you’ve been reading. This is really an opportunity to settle in and treat yourself to some quiet time doing something that you enjoy. If you end up feeling sleepy, embrace it and take a nap – your body may need the rest. If you watch your movie or read for a good half hour and then feel ready to move on: get up, stretch it out, and find another calm activity to do.

Create Something

Whenever I have a couple of hours to relax, I love to spend part of that time creating some art or doing another constructive activity along those lines. I always find it rewarding to invest some time in creating something, whether it be a quick drawing, a piece of origami, or a much-needed journal entry. This is also a great time to write letters to family or friends or make some homemade cards or thank-you notes. If you’re not a particularly artsy person, I still encourage you to do something creative and constructive: you can always go online for tutorials on quick, fun projects (like how to make an origami swan or use cool patterns to cut intricate paper snowflakes).

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I hope you are able to implement and benefit from these tips and that you are able to create plenty of relaxing moments throughout the year. Stay chill, my friends.

A Note on New Year’s

December 28, 2015August 17, 2021Leave a comment

Christmas is (sadly) over and New Year’s Eve is right around the corner which means we’re right in the thick of that exciting, scary, “how did the year go by so fast” season. On one hand, the prospect of a new year and a fresh start is exhilarating and promising; on the other hand, the thought of the upcoming year and all the twists and turns that may unfold can become unsettling.
Another trademark of this “in-between-season” is the mounting pressure to create a set of resolutions for the year: activities you want to begin, changes you want to make, and dreams you want to realize. Although I appreciate the general idea of New Year’s resolutions, I think the mindset of becoming a new person overnight and pressuring yourself to be a certain way or do certain things can become very dangerous. Instead, I think we need to realize the importance of setting healthy, challenging goals, and making practical changes that we can actually maintain throughout the whole year. So this year, let’s promise ourselves to:

Remember it all – whenever something fun, crazy, or exciting happens, grab any nearby paper and write a quick note about the event, including the date. Gather the scraps of paper in a jar or bowl and go through them all at the end of the year.

Listen to our bodies – eat food that tastes good and makes you feel good. Push yourself to get active; experiment until you find something that makes you want to stay active. Sleep in when you need it.

Create quiet moments – read in bed until you fall asleep. Burn incense and practice yoga. Take a walk (or a hike). Bake cookies and watch a movie.

Get uncomfortable – go to that party you’re unsure about. Host your own event. Talk to someone new. Try an activity that secretly interests you. Embrace embarrassment and laugh it off.

Adventure – explore a new, local area. Take a mini road trip to a nearby town. Travel out of the state, or out of the country.

Take care of yourself – get in tune with what you need, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Open up to someone you love and trust about how you’ve been feeling. Spend time with people that make you excited about life. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Explore your interests and find what you love: don’t just dream about it, figure out how to make it happen. Organize your life once in a while: clean the house and do the laundry, even if you don’t want to. Love yourself, especially when it seems impossible. Be mindful of what you say, and the impact of your words. Acknowledge your imperfections: identify and strive to improve those that you can influence, and move on from those that are beyond your control. Laugh as often as you can. Cry and scream until you’re exhausted and then pick yourself up and move forward. Become the kind of person that you looked up to as a kid. Try to accept that life is messy and terrifying and thrilling and rewarding and ultimately an opportunity to create and fail and experience and accomplish and learn and adventure.

Seize your opportunity, and have a beautiful year.

My Favorite Movies of 2015

December 18, 2015August 17, 2021Leave a comment

From huge box-office hits (Jurassic World) to acclaimed indie films (Room) and all the highly-anticipated, soon-to-be iconic films inbetween (The Revenant, The Hateful Eight), 2015 has been quite the year for movies. As the end of the year approaches, I’m taking a look back at some of my favorite films from the past year:

Mad Max: Fury Road

Image courtesy of youtube.com

As one of the earlier big-budget releases in the year, this film really set the stage for a pattern of huge box office returns and a resurgence of already-established movie franchises. Fury Road was one of my favorite films this year because it perfectly combined insanely choreographed action sequences, beautiful cinematography, and a host of crazy cool characters.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Image courtesy of nuvo.net

Based on the real-life controversial Stanford Prison Experiment of the 70’s, this movie is moody, claustrophobic, and quietly disturbing. The cinematography is dark and monotone, often reflecting the tone of the action, and the cast expertly anchors all of the panic, viciousness, and violence that erupt.

The Martian

Image courtesy of foxmovies.com

One of the most unique things about The Martian is that it truly created its own place amongst some of the greatest space movies in history. Where it could have veered off into unrealistic science fiction or hopelessly doomed drama, The Martian is unafraid to explore the full reach of human emotions, and it succeeds in keeping the storyline grounded and actually plausible.

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Image courtesy of rollingstone.com

For die-hard Nirvana fans, this was probably one of the most exciting releases of the year, and the film’s inventive use of home footage, sit-down interviews and animated sequences narrated by personal recordings from Kurt Cobain himself should place this film on anyone’s top list of documentaries. Tracing the musician’s journey from his troubled youth to his massive success, and interweaving stories from his career and personal life, this documentary is a heartbreaking, all-encompassing, intimate exploration of Cobain, with a notable focus on his life rather than the circumstances of his death.

Ex Machina

Image courtesy of blastr.com

The beauty of Ex Machina is really in the horror of it: the film seeks to explore the question of what might actually happen if we one day succeed in creating artificial intelligence, and the answer is not very assuring. The whole movie has an undercurrent of ominous anticipation, and almost every aspect of the film – the characters, the setting, the score – could be summed up as “beautiful but deadly.”

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Image courtesy of theatlantic.com

At first glance, it would be easy to compare this movie to The Fault in Our Stars, and although both movies deal with the emotional baggage that comes along with being a teenager and dealing with cancer, that’s pretty much where their similarities end. This movie is charming, quirky, darkly funny, and incredibly moving. Every scene feels completely sincere: from the awkwardness of trying to cheer someone up at their darkest time to the depression and anger that result from undergoing cancer treatment, this movie will leave you laughing, crying and emotionally exhausted in the best way possible.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Image courtesy of gamespot.com

Simply put, this movie is incredible: the score, the action, the visual effects, the editing, and the characters are impeccable, and this movie masterfully revives a franchise that some had feared ruined after the unfortunate trilogy of prequels. For those who grew up watching the Star Wars films, this movie is both familiar and refreshingly new, and will hopefully launch a new set of equally dazzling continuations and spin-offs. For the people out there who aren’t as familiar with the Star Wars universe, this movie is equally enjoyable, having skillfully blended homages to the original trilogy with an exciting new story and set of characters that are straight-up kick-butt. I can promise you, almost nothing can compare to the experience of sitting in a theater and hearing the iconic score begin as the audience erupts into cheers.

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This list is really just a taste of all the incredible movies that came out this year. As 2015 comes to an end, I’m excited to catch up on all the great movies I missed, and get excited for all the new movies that will be released in 2016. What were your favorite movies of 2015?