Students on De Montfort University’s Music, Film and Entertainment Journalism module pick the films, plays, music, TV shows and books that shaped them
My favourite film
I’m a massive horror fan. I can’t stand any of that mushy romance stuff. I always say: “the more people who die the better,” but then I realise that makes me sound like a psycho.
It’s hard to choose between the classics but I have to say the original Scream film. I first watched the film the day after lockdown was announced in 2020 and have been obsessed with the franchise since.
The only thing I hate is the current merch of it – it’s weird – why is pink now associated with a cold-blooded killer who wears all black?
My favourite TV show
My favourite TV show is Stranger Things. Even though I’m a 2000s baby I love the 80s soundtrack and setting. When the kids dressed up as Ghostbusters for Halloween in season two, I was overjoyed – I’ve even got the Funko Pops of them! It’s weird for me as well, as I am the same age as the kids in the show, so I’ve oddly grown up with the actors. I don’t think I’m mentally prepared for the final season.
The TV show I’m currently binging
Thanks to my dear anime-obsessed boyfriend, I am currently binging Demon Slayer on Netflix. He’s desperate for me to enjoy anime, and to be fair to him, I have been liking this series. Much to the dismay of fans, I have to watch it dubbed – I’m sorry! I just can’t focus and absorb when it’s not English.
My favourite band
Foo Fighters are my favourite band by far. I grew up on the band thanks to my parents, specifically my dad who would always blast them out in the car on journeys. I can’t even pick my favourite song of theirs because they’re all just so good! I must admit I was sad when drummer, Taylor Hawkins, died. I was also upset when Dave Grohl announced he had a child with another woman outside of his marriage. I try not to think about it while I’m listening to their greatest hits.
The lyric I love
“I don’t relate to you, no. Cause I’d never treat me this shitty, you made me hate this city,” from Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish is a lyric I love. I’m not a massive fan of break-up songs as I think there’s just too many out there. But this lyric helped me realise my own emotions and feelings in my past relationship. The sudden change in tone of the song as this lyric is sung would make me feel an indescribable way. So thank you Billie Eilish for making me realise I had to get out of that relationship and understand why there’s one city in the Midlands I will never go to again thanks to a certain someone.
My favourite author
Lucy Foley is my favourite author. She writes bestselling mystery novels with some of my favourites being The Hunting Party and The Guest List. She manages to create compelling characters that you either strongly dislike or love. I’ve learnt with her books that nothing is ever as it seems!
My guilty pleasure
When I’m in chronic pain and want a distraction from my own misery, I binge watch Grey’s Anatomy. I don’t know why it is, but watching other people’s health problems makes me feel better about my own. There are 21 seasons so plenty for me to watch in bed with my comfy pjs on and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. I will never forgive them for killing Derek though.
