Angelina Jolie is badass. We all know that. But what I loved about her newest movie, Salt, was the fact that the directors didn’t have to play up her sexuality at all, even dressing her as a man in some scenes, to make the movie seem good. She stood on her own, stepped out of her beauty, and proved her acting chops. I don’t know too many actresses who can outrun angry, disgruntled men and captivate your attention for two hours while doing it. But aside from praising her acting abilities, the movie itself was just… alright.

Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent Evelyn Salt who is set up by a tipster claiming that she is a Russian spy. Her partners assume it’s the truth when she decides to run after the accusation, and trust me, the whole time you are left debating where her loyalties truly lie, to the US or the Russians. The plot had some twists that kept your attention and definitely left you guessing, and a pretty good ending. In all sincerity, though, it was much like any other CIA, spy-themed movie. You expect to have twists and car chase scenes, but is it actually anything groundbreaking and mind-boggling? No. Would I still see it? Yes, but maybe not for 8-12 dollars in the theater. Red box this with your dude and snuggle up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. He’ll thank you for choosing something other than one of those horrible chick flicks people have been producing lately. 

After falling in love with her breakout hit, “Dog Days Are Over” (aka, that song in the Eat, Pray, Love trailer), I made sure to check out the London-based songstress’ album, Lungs. At which point, I discovered what true love really means. I was in lust after “Dog Days Are Over”, but I am in the midst of full-on relationship, commitment mode with Florence + the Machine, where I want to wake up to her music in the morning, and can’t imagine going to bed without her at night. Her music is literally haunting; the beauty of her voice just overwhelms you, leaving you spellbound and captivated, and of course, just like true love, ever-so desperate for more.

My newfound admiration for the 2008 album, Bring Me Your Love, perhaps suggests that I’m a little behind the times mentioning City and Colour’s awesomeness. Despite that little detail, I still think they are mostly under the radar, meaning it’s critical that you (yes, you!) download as much City and Colour as you can presently afford. (Yeah, pay for it! It’s worth it!) The epitome of chill music, City and Colour features some great songs for kicking back and relaxing, such as “Constant Knot,” “What Makes a Man?”, and “The Girl”. Pair it on a playlist with Bon Iver and relax as you watch the sunset and listen this music.

I’ve already mentioned my love for British songstresses, and Kate Nash is no exception. To be honest, I’m not crazy about all her music, but I do love the song “Stitching Leggings” because it could probably be my motto. You know, like the soundtrack to my life. Picture the opening segment of the movie of my life, and this song would be playing. It’s goofy, light-hearted, and unassuming. I especially love the lines “Well at least I don’t have all the power in the world so I can’t f*** everything else up”. Cracks me up!