Happy Thanksgiving! TYF Writers Share Who/What We’re Grateful for in the World of Entertainment

Happy Thanksgiving!

The annual tradition continues as TYF writers come together to share what they are grateful for in the world of entertainment. We encourage you to share what you’re thankful for from the world of cinema, books, TV, music or video games!

I’m thankful for another year in which I have learned many things, a year in which I have failed but only to learn how to get back up. I’m thankful for being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our kickass team. I’m thankful that Adele released her album before Frank Ocean, but that doesn’t mean that the wait for Frank’s album will make it any less special. I’m thankful for Justin Bieber’s new music which for some reason I really like? I’m thankful for Mr. Robot. I’m thankful for all the Marvel Netflix series. I’m thankful for Tom Hardy, Chris Pratt and Michael B. Jordan because without them my #MCM wouldn’t be the same. I’m thankful for YOU reading this, I’m thankful for so many things, and I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! Abrazos for everyone! – Luciana Villalba

I am grateful for Abel Tesfay aka The Weeknd. I’ve been listening to him since about 2011, and I remember when I went to a concert of his that was at a small venue. Now, he has his arena tour. He had massive hits with Fifty Shade’s “Earned It,” which I love!, along with “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” He also released what I believe to be a classic album. Almost every song is a potential single. Yes, they are about drugs, cheating and toxic relationships, but Abel is singing about his experiences, and I never take it as a general statement. Also, his voice is something else. Listen to “Shameless” from BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS. You’ll see. I’m such a proud fan seeing him skyrocket to so many people’s radar now and counting down the day til I go see him on tour. – Melissa Berne

This year I’ve done my best to see as many female directed films as possible, and it has been a fun and inspiring process. I’ve discovered how women shoot friendship is highly different than how I’ve seen male directors tackle the same subject (which is rare). I’ve found new talents that have lead me to digging around in their previous works; I’ve watched scenes that have stuck with me months later and have even found films that have become ones that I’ve urged others to watch. From The Namesake, to The Dish and the Spoon, Beyond the Lights and this year’s Suffragette, 2015 has been a year rich with female stories for this writer. That coupled with series such as AKA Jessica Jones and Supergirl, the entertainment medium has grown more vast for this viewer. I love seeing representations of myself on film and television, I love being able to watch a show and understand what is going on in a character’s head because I too have experienced what they’re feeling. 2015 has been a big year in terms of feminism, becoming a greater focus in the media spotlight and while there is plenty of room to grow (something that can’t be emphasized enough), this year I’m thankful for the women’s stories I’ve watched, the ones I’ve seen shared, and the ones that are still being written. – Allyson Johnson

Us Michael F’s have got to stick together. Not only has this absolute powerhouse thespian delivered arguably the year’s best performance as the title character in Steve Jobs, but is about to make the Academy have a really hard time deciding just what to nominate him for when he goes Shakespearean in Macbeth. His ability to bring not only tremendous physical presence, but rich empathetic humanity to a character, makes him capable of playing just about any role. At the beginning of the decade, we were only just starting to realize who this guy was. Now as he spans genres in his upcoming projects (Assassin’s Creed, The Light Between Oceans and many more!), he’s proved himself to be one of the most ferocious talents working in movies today. – Michael Fairbanks

There’s much to be thankful for in the entertainment world this year. With all the great movies, music, and books that came out this year, it’s hard to choose. But from a music lover like myself, I’d have to be thankful for the amazing music that was released in 2015 so far. We’ve got much to look forward to in the last month of the year, including the highly anticipated new Coldplay album to the new full length album by Troye Sivan. We were blessed with a comeback album from Adele, which was positively divine all around, and a farewell album from One Direction, which ended up being their best (so far). We had new artists making a name for themselves in the industry, and the rare moments the pop genre was taken seriously. It was a great year for music and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the tracks I continuously have listened to. My bank account probably doesn’t feel the same way. – Brooke Pawling Stennett

One of the things I’m most thankful for this year is Bandcamp. The site has always been a great resource for independent and underground musicians to get their music out on the internet, and directly to the fans that support them. I’m not an anti-streaming zealot, but there’s always something great about shelling out $10 for some MP3s or a t-shirt through Bandcamp and knowing that most of that sale is going directly to the band. This year in particular, Bandcamp has been one of the most consistent ways I’ve found out about under-the-radar acts. I mentioned in my mid-year favorite albums list that I really loved Something So Personal, the debut album from DC emo act Makeshift Shelters. A music critic friend posted the Bandcamp link on Twitter and I was so hooked by the first few songs I bought the whole thing before I was even done listening to it the whole way through. That’s an album that’s certain to factor heavily into my year-end list this year, and I wouldn’t have heard it without a recommendation from a real human and a link to the record through Bandcamp. It’s quite a shame that Makeshift Shelters broke up just a few short months after they put out the record, but I’m really glad that I heard it, and that I did so through Bandcamp.. – Ryan Gibbs

The collaboration between Marvel and Netflix: This year two of my favorite TV shows – Daredevil and Jessica Jones – was brought about through a marriage of worlds between Marvel and Netflix. Both DD and JJ were well written, have excellent direction and action, were well cast and acted and were groundbreaking in many senses. I am grateful that Netflix has cultivated this world where stories can be told in these 13 episode series where extra attention is given to quality over content, and that some of my favorite comic book characters were given the opportunity to shine here. – Caryn Welby-Solomon

I’m thankful for this year marking a revival for Star Wars. I’ve been burned by things not turning out so well when I over hype them in the past, but with Star Wars, I and millions of others just can’t contain the excitement. I’ve done enough of the math to determine the probability of The Force Awakens being any good: from the trend of the best Star Wars entries having the least to do with the nutty prophet George Lucas, to the fact that J.J. Abrams made two solid Star Trek films, yet is even more of a fan of Star Wars. But more than the new hope that The Force Awakens is a good film, it’s ushering into the world has made the Star Wars saga relevant once more. Between the promise of new films by a variety of directors like Gareth Edwards and Rian Johnson, and games like Disney Infinity 3.0 and Battlefront accessible to be enjoyed by fans of any age, people are finally talking about the good things of Star Wars again, instead of dwelling on the bad. Not to mention the genius move by Disney to release the film right in the middle of the Holiday season when families will most certainly be together, uniting the moms and dads and aunts and brothers who stood in line in ‘77, with the young ones seeing the opening crawl in a movie theater for the first time, and everyone in between. Star Wars has the power to bring people together like no other franchise, and that alone is definitely something to be grateful for. – Evan Griffin

This year I’m thankful for Superheroes. Let’s face it, without them, the whole entertainment industry wouldn’t be what it is today. 2015 was a great year for superheroes, not only on film, but on TV as well. Jessica Jones, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Gotham, Ant-Man, Fantastic Four, Avengers: Age of Ultron…they all made this year quite memorable and very exciting. Thanks fellas! – Cristina Moreano

I am constantly thankful for the art of animation and what it brings to the film industry. Some may argue that animation films are only for the kids, but I wholeheartedly believe that when done right, there is something that everyone can gravitate and connect to. Pixar continues to bring the same level of depth, art, and creativity in each of their films. Animation lives on to be cherished and valued in the film industry. – Camille Espiritu

Despite how much I complain about it, I’m thankful for Peak TV. There is just a wealth of good television available ALL OF THE TIME. I find myself getting more excited about TV than movies, which is something I never thought would happen. From the latest stuff like Jessica Jones to the wonderful Jane the Virgin to the sweeping Outlander, I love that there are so many great stories centered around strong but different types of women. The medium still has a long way to go with representation, but it’s making big strides and it’s a joy to see that happening. – Gabrielle Bondi