The RUSSH team has been watching, reading, and listening their way through the first month of the year, and the verdict is in: Severance is worth the wait, Anora in 35mm is a must-see, and Bob Dylan remains an enigma (even with Timothée Chalamet’s best efforts). There’s a mix of country music prep, nostalgic Avril Lavigne throwbacks, and the eternal quest for a book that hits as hard as Just Kids. Whether it’s horror premieres, tennis obsession, or an unexpected neo-jazz fixation, here’s everything we’ve been consuming this month.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaign Manager
Watch … A Complete Unknown. I saw this the weekend before it came out and it has stuck with me every since. Overall it was a good movie that depicted the era well and satisfied my constant craving for insight into the NY golden years. As someone who knew very little about Bob Dylan before the film, I did feel out of my depth at times, as it felt like it was a film for Dylan fans. A lack of education about Bob Dylan aside (which was my own self-created expectation for the biopic after watching a slew of very educational ones like Bohemian Rhapsody), I thought that Timothée was really great and I was engaged the whole time. I recommend!
Listen … My January playlist has a very interesting mix of music on it. We’re talking I Want by Mk.gee, Princess of China by Coldplay and Rihanna, Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead and Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton. Don’t ask me how they all fit together.
Read … I’m on the hunt for a new book because I ran through all my summer reads over the break. I’m considering the Didion & Babitz tell all by Lili Anolik. I’m just trying to find a book that makes me feel as fulfilled as Just Kids did.
Kirsty Thatcher
Digital Editor
Watch … Severance (obviously). The three-year wait for season two was torturous, but I am SO excited to have this bizarre show back on my screen.
Listen … I can’t get anything done without a podcast playing in the background, which has made the last month difficult because most of my favourite shows have been on hiatus for the holidays. That being said, it’s made space for a new show: The Severance Podcast, with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott. (Yes, I really love Severance). I’ve also got Bad Bunny’s new music on repeat, and a little bit of Bob Dylan thanks to A Complete Unknown.
Read … Moving house this month has forced me to take stock of all the books I’ve been meaning to get to, but that won’t stop me adding to the pile. I’ve got my eye on Yael van der Wouden’s The Safe Keep, next.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … My comfort watch has been Wishbone Kitchen’s YouTube channel, but I’ve also found myself at en route to the cinema to watch Anora, Babygirl, Nosferatu and Emelia Perez. (Loving a strong female lead it seems!)
Listen … A post-Babygirl re-listen to Night Time, My Time by Sky Ferreira. Loved the day-in-age analysis on Joshua Citarella’s podcast ep: Doomscroll 08: Matty Healy. And have had Chinese neo-jazz band Pu Poo Platter’s album A Chilling Winter Night on repeat. A new favourite for sure.
Read …
Lots of great articles I’ve consumed this month: ARCA’s ‘Endlessly Scrolling’ (on how our relationship to technology has changed with scrollable feeds); Grace O’Neill’s Substack piece on ‘The Return of Skye Ferreira’ (on the fated return of the enigmatic pop star); Lauren Mazzo’s piece for SELF ‘Doing Nothing With Your Favorite People Is Really, Really Good for You’ (self-explanatory); our Partnerships Manager Lilli recommended this great piece after a recent cinema trip from Angel Food Mag: ‘Romance Labor: on Sean Baker’s Anora’ (on sex worker centered films and dehumanising consumer fantasies); and lastly Jess Molina’s Substack piece ‘So Much of Loving is Letting Go’ (on growing pains and not quite knowing the new you yet).
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … This month I’ve been adding to by ‘to be watched’ list more so than watching. I’m a little behind on new releases from the past month or two, so there’s a lot to catch up on. At the top of the list is We Live In Time, Severance S2 and Gladiator II – I know, I know – how have I survived?
Listen … Luke Combs has been a frequent loop in my house. Lots of dance parties in preparation for his concert in Sydney on Jan 31. Not to mention the country music festival is on here in Tamworth – which has encouraged the line dancing in my living room.
Read … Along with millions of others, I’ll be reading the new release of Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor In Chief
Watch … It’s always a month of movies for me. This month I saw Anora in 35mm and it was incredible, so raw and actually, really funny, I couldn't recommend it enough. I also went to the premiere for Wolf Man. Leigh Whannell was the creator, who has done Saw, Insidious and all those great horrors – so I knew this would be good, and it was! Also I watched Spotlight which was incredible too, if you like journalism/investigating movies you will love that. Heretic, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and Saturday Night were all stand outs too. And I’m seeing Queer next week, so stand by!
Listen … Bad Bunny! I’m loving his new album. I’ve also been listening to a bit of Mk.gee, Olivia Dean (always), and Tyler, The Creator.
Read … I’m reading Sally Rooney's Intermezzo, like the rest of the world.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch … The Australian Open. If I’m honest, it’s really the only thing I’ve watched TV-wise this year. For films, I did see Nosferatu and Heretic. The former I liked, although it was deliberately convoluted and unnecessarily so. I loved Heretic though. I thought it was excellent. I also saw a screening of Companion – it was excellent.
Listen … Alas, I once again eschewed new music in favour of nostalgia. This month it’s been Avril Lavingne.
Read … I’m doing Iron Flame again in preparation for Onyx Storm which has just come out. I’ve also started the first chapter of Quicksilver, which I really like. I’ve also been spending a bit of time trying to work on some of my own writings.
Megan Nolan
Marketing Manager
Watch … Is it just me or does it finally feel like cinema is back? At the insistence of our Creative Studio and Campaign Manager, Liv, I saw Anora and surprisingly loved it. It wasn’t as heavy as I was expecting it to be, and I’m all about a strong female lead. The emotional depth of it also caught me off guard. I also saw We Live in Time at the Moonlight Cinema (the perfect summer activity if you ask me) and it was exactly as beautiful and heartbreaking as I was expecting. *chefs kiss*
Listen … Jazz and soul music have been my bread and butter this summer. It just makes me feel good. Paris Cat in Melbourne has been fulfilling all of my live jazz needs, and Cleo Sol has been filling my headphones.
Read … I’ve finally got my hands on a copy of All Fours by Miranda July and am very excited to find out what all the hype is about.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch … Babygirl! I have gold class tickets for this weekend and cannot wait.
Listen … I am very into The Row’s January 2025 playlist, I think it’s one of their best. Lots of Gracie Abrams, and the Anora soundtrack of course. The Robin Schultz opener is a guaranteed mood boost. I also found this Nancy Meyers mood playlist via someone's Instagram and it’s the perfect soundtrack to a Sunday at home. It makes me want to roast a chicken…
Read … I’m finishing Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking for the second time and it’s just as good, if not better than the first. Sadly I couldn't get into Didion & Babitz though…
