You may have heard me say it before, but I’m a fan of creating cocktails. I like the experience of measuring out the ingredients, stirring or shaking and pouring them into vintage glassware, and serving them on a tray to my guests. So, I am typically skeptical of the idea of a cocktail in a can. But I also respect that we each enjoy the cocktail experience in different ways and have unique taste buds. So please take the time to explore the many non-alcoholic spirits and form your own opinions. But here, I offer one woman’s point of view.

David Sheff’s Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction is a searing exploration of addiction’s devastating impact—not just on the individual but on the family caught in its relentless wake. Chronicling his son Nic’s descent into a methamphetamine addiction and the accompanying cycles of hope, despair, and recovery. 

When I first heard about Anora, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A modern-day Cinderella story set in the bustle of Brooklyn and the high-stakes world of Russian elites? Color me intrigued. A film that seemed to press all the right buttons for Hollywood and the Oscars, Anora was clearly designed to dazzle with its beautifully shot visuals and evocative storytelling. But here’s the thing about Anora: beneath the glossy exterior lies a deep, almost uncomfortable exploration of love, addiction, and the ways we yearn for connection.

By the end, I was left thoughtfully wrecked—exactly what I look for in a great movie.

Maid is the new 10-episode Netflix series you are going to want to binge…mindfully. This series stars screen legend Andie MacDowell and her daughter Margaret Qualley as the on-screen mother and daughter Paula and Alex. The breathtaking backdrop of this story is set in the beautiful, ferry-filled Pacific Northwest. Those of you from this upper left corner of the country may also recognize Seattle native Nick Robinson, who plays Sean, the abusive boyfriend of Alex (Qualley). The film is inspired by Stephanie Land’s page-turning memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.

His life on TV and film seemed so happy and calm compared to the chaos I was growing up with, in my dysfunctional home with my alcoholic parents.  Little did I know that Van Dyke quietly struggled with addiction as well.

He has admitted in interviews that he started drinking as a teenager: Shyness and social anxiety played a role — alcohol “loosened” him up and helped him feel more comfortable around others:  “I was very shy, I couldn’t talk to people. And I found that if I had a drink, it would loosen me up. The barriers went down and I became very social. That’s what got me started.”