Hi, my name is Josh! I am a senior screenwriting student with a love for all things film and music. All of my recommendations are strictly opinions and not facts, and you are more than welcome to disagree with them. This is just a collection of what I like to listen to and watch, and throughout the semester I will be sharing lots more.

“Deadpan Love (Deluxe)” | Cautious Clay

Some albums you listen to once and never think about it again, some albums you listen to a couple times and put the good songs in your playlist, but this album… you listen to it 15 times and make it your whole personality. 

This album has had me in a chokehold the last three weeks. I know I’m late and the album came out in 2021, but better late than never. I genuinely believe this album has no skips, and I can listen to every song over and over and over. 

I chose the deluxe version because it has four extra songs and then the most popular songs with strings. I strongly recommend you listen to this album and some of the artist's other music. 

“Rosie” | John Mayer 

I love John Mayer. He’s great, but if he releases an album, I don’t typically rush to go listen. Every once in a while though, he will release something, and it’s just fireworks and I think, “Oh yeah, this is the one.” 

This song is nothing short of beautiful. It just makes me feel good. When I listen to this song, I feel at ease, relaxed and like I’m in a little coffee shop where Mayer is serenading me. 

Give this song a listen, you won’t regret it, I promise. 

“Hacks”

All the film kids are going to come for my head for this one, but I love this show. As a screenwriting major, we have had to watch the pilot and write an episode for this show, but no matter what, I will stand by it. 

It features Jean Smart and Chapman University alumna Hannah Einbinder in a hilarious comedic team up. The concept of the show is that an old static comedian is forced to team up with a young struggling writer in hopes of a resurgence for both of their careers. 

There are a ton of great moments in this show and it is a quick, easy 30- minutes per episode watch. It is on HBO Max and has two seasons so far. 

“Smile”

I want to start this by saying this will be my first and last horror recommendation. I hate horror. Yes, yes, I get scared. I can’t help it. Everything scares me, but this movie terrified me while maintaining a really strong story. 

I was interested in seeing it after I saw the initial teaser for it, but if it wasn’t for Chapman alumnus Parker Finn writing and directing it, I probably wouldn’t have watched it. I don’t want to give the whole movie away, as I am a believer in going into movies blind … sSo just go see it. Part of the reason I want to recommend this movie is strictly the struggles they went through getting it made. 

Not only was it made on a very low budget, but it was made on the verge of a strike. Every day, the crew didn’t know if everyone was going to show up the next day. It was also made for a small release on streaming … until they showed it to test audiences and people loved it, for good reason too. 

It just passed $100,000,000 in the box office, so if that isn’t a sign to see it then I don’t know what is. If you haven’t seen “Smile” yet I strongly suggest you do.