Why stories matter to me
Lessons from the Screen
There are countless films I enjoy, but only a few are truly unforgettable in my mind years after watching them. These stories resonate with me for what they reveal about ambition, friendship and sacrifice.
La La Land
La La Land is one of the most thoughtfully crafted films I've seen. While it captures the allure of Hollywood, it never loses sight of the realities that come with pursuing a dream. The dialogue feels natural, the music is exceptional and Damien Chazelle's attention to detail makes every scene feel intentional. What resonates most with me is its honest portrayal of how personal ambitions can sometimes pull people in different directions, even when they care deeply for one another.
Snack Shack
Snack Shack strikes a rare balance between comedy and sincerity. It never takes itself too seriously, yet it tackles meaningful themes through characters that feel authentic and fully developed. Shane is my favorite character in all of cinema, and the friendship at the center of the film is one of the most genuine I've seen on screen. Beneath the humor is a story about growing up, connection and the people who shape us along the way.
Interstellar
For me, Interstellar is a story about sacrifice and endurance. Its central theme asks what we're willing to leave behind in pursuit of a better future for the people we love. The film explores loss, hope and perseverance on both a grand and deeply personal scale. Hans Zimmer's score elevates every moment, helping tell a story that remains as emotionally powerful as it is visually breathtaking.
Stories Set to Music
The songs I return to most often are the ones that make me truly feel something. Whether through a lyric, a melody or a feeling they create, these songs tell stories that have remained with me long after I first heard them.
“Shade of Yellow” – Griff
There is something special about the way “Shade of Yellow” begins. From its opening moments, the song feels warm, comforting and familiar. The lyric that resonates most with me is, "There's a lamp in your room and it burns like a shade of yellow, and it makes me feel safe in the head, and I swear that's rare these days." The phrase safe in the head captures a feeling that is difficult to describe but instantly recognizable – the comfort of being completely at ease with someone you care about. As someone whose favorite color is yellow, the imagery feels especially meaningful, making the song feel personal.
“Silk Chiffon” – MUNA feat. Phoebe Bridgers
“Silk Chiffon” is one of the best musical representations of being in love that I've heard. It is colorful, playful and completely unconcerned with taking itself too seriously. The song captures the excitement of attraction in a way that feels lighthearted and genuine. The lyric, "She turns ‘round, hallway down the aisle with that 'you're on camera' smile like she wants to try me on," perfectly embodies that feeling. It's vivid, charming and full of personality. Every time I hear it, it reminds me that some of the best love stories are the ones that know how to have fun.
“Aloe Vera” – Greyson Chance
If one song defines a chapter of my young adulthood, it might be "Aloe Vera." The song feels effortlessly cool and almost ethereal, creating an atmosphere that is as memorable as its lyrics. The line that stays with me most is, "Reading William S. Burroughs like a beatnik freak, say there's poetry in the way we fall asleep." There is something romantic about finding meaning in ordinary moments, and that lyric captures it beautifully. The song feels reflective without becoming heavy, and years after first hearing it, it still sounds like possibility, nostalgia and growing up all at once.
My Story