For those of you who've been on the edge of your seats for the past few weeks watching HBO's drama 'The Night Of' there's a lot more more to actor Riz Ahmed who plays 'doe eyed'  Nas than what meets the eye. And regardless of your thoughts on last night's finale there's one thing you can't deny, that dude is a freaking great actor. There's no doubt in my mind that this British-Pakistani is going to take America by storm!

About a year ago I read an article where Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarados promised that the streaming service would deliver more, in fact, double its original content. I thought to myself...'this is crazy talk! There's no way that's possible'. Now sure, they had a few big names shows going for them, 'Orange Is The New Black', 'House Of Cards'...but I never could have imagined that they would continue their dominance in a time where major networks still rule the airwaves.

Unless you live under a rock most of you probably heard about and maybe even watched Scream Queens, from creator Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck, Glee)  2 hour debut last night on FOX. The show revolves around a suburban college campus gone awry when its most notable Sorority begins to lose its members by the hand of a masked devil killer.

The show's initial intent seems to be to make a big splash this Fall with huge guest stars (Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande) and be a force to be reckoned with in the ratings. But I must say, the show really failed to pack a punch (with me at least) and attempted to make up for this with quippy teenage dialogue like 'basic bitches' and the ever so topical pumpkin spice latte and all the other things the cool kids are doing these days.

In 1996 a film came out that would forever change my love of movies and draw me into the world of horror films forever more.  Yes,  I was only 10 when Scream came out so as you can imagine I didn't see it until later in my teens.  Side note, some friends and I did scour the local mall looking for some poor schmuck to buy us tickets to Scream 2 when it came out a year later. And yes, it worked, And yes, I was scared shitless.  But in the best way possible!

This movie is the reason some girlfriends and I started making prank calls when we hangout after school. Terrifying the person on the other end of the line with those famous words, "What's your favorite scary movie?"
Okay okay,  so I'm not condoning this juvenile behaviour. We were just some dumb kids with way too much free time on our hands.

But still this movie made such an impact on me. And little did I know how it would influence me in my writing and choice of wanting to make work like this that resonated with a generation one day if I ever got the opportunity. A realization I made well into my twenties.

 For me, I think this film intrigued me because although it was a scary movie it was so self aware that it also made the movie funny as well. And although I still jump every time I watch.  I also now watch the films again and again not just for the scares but for it's incredibly witty dialogue and well rounded characters. I can quote almost every line from every one ever made. My poor boyfriend has watched these more times than he can count and will be again this evening in honor of the passing of its director Wes Craven. And while I'm saddened by his passing. I am grateful that he has left behind work that has not only entertained me but inspired me. So thank you Wes Craven and thank you Scream for continually scaring me after all this time.

Most notably Lena Dunham came under a barrage of  scrutiny after showing her body on screen for her show girls just a few years back.  There numerous complaints from men about why Dunham was 'flaunting' her body rather than co star Allison Williams (Marnie) were in abundance.  Suggesting that William's was clearly nudity worthy and not Dunham.

Honestly, the first thought that comes to mind is...why is this even a topic of discussion?  Shouldn't we be having conversations about Dunham's actual work.  Her role and voice in popular culture rather than what she looks like without her clothes on? I'm just not sure when it became okay to talk about a woman's body and degrade her on a public platform.  I mean, we can't even keep this commentary out of politics (remember all that Sarah Palin looks like a sexy librarian talk).  I mean, there is even a Sarah Palin porn parody!

It seems like 'millennials' much like generations that have come before them are  drastically misunderstood. Being a part of a generation that would prefer to work for themselves, set their own rules and make an impact doesn't seemed that far fetched.  However, words like 'lazy', 'selfish' and 'entitled' are words most often used to described this generation.

So why is this generation not those things. That's a questions I'm desperately seeking an answer for.  I can't speak for a whole generations but for me it comes down to the simple point that creativity fuels me.  I'm inspired and excited by the impact that can be made through sharing words with others. I couldn't see myself doing anything else.  And while it may not pay the bills it fulfills me on the inside.  And that, is where things seemed to get kind of muddled with our generation.


This going against traditional values of 9-5 and marriage and family still seems so confusing to most.  I feel that one thing that has been lost in all this is self fulfillment.  Just because society says one thing doesn't mean that it's necessarily right for you. If not addressed it seems like these sort of things can lead to anxiety and depression when if we could just take a second to ask ourselves what is it we really want then we could be much happier people.

So why is this movie 'We Are Your Friends' important in this fight to understanding Millennials? Right off the bat the scrolling words over a running Zac Efron seem to emulate the thoughts racing not just through his character's head but through the heads of a whole generation.; drowning is student loan debt, not sure where your life is going and not following social norms. So how do we as a generation begin to make ourselves understood...well I don't have an exact answer to that but for now I just think that if we continue to not give up and put work out there that is genuine and from the heart then we will eventually be heard as the rest of society cannot continue to ignore us us.

Lena Dunham on Variety's Power of Women Cover

There's a new trend going on nowadays. And it's pretty hard to miss. Short hair, minimal makeup, jean wearing girls. Yes, girls! Shocking, I know right?  And I guess I bring this up in lieu of all the the discussion surrounding the huge Bruce Jenner interview that just occurred.  I feel like there is no better time than the present to have in depth and meaningful conversations about gender norms and what's expected of us versus what we want and feel comfortable with.

Those who know me know I'm certainly the furthest thing from your stereotypical 'girly-girl'.  I have zero interest in spending hours putting gunk on my face, 'accessorising', or getting a 'mani-pedi.  Nor do I envision myself as the doting wife who always has a perfectly almost Martha Stewart-esque type kept home and dinner ready for her husband when he gets home. But just be to be clear I don't think there is anything wrong with women who express those points of views or value those ways of life.

However, there is sadly still a stigma attached to women like myself for whom tend to not value these things or have a desire to raise children or be a nurturing force in someone's life. And although I may not fall into the typical categories women fall into 'dainty' 'soft spoken' 'a wearer of dresses' 'lover of pink colored drinks' 'graceful' doesn't mean that with every fiber of my being that I'm not proud to be a woman.  A goofy, occasionally dress wearing and strong woman.

And I think it's time we begin to set an example for our youth that it's okay to like or appreciate things that don't  align with what your gender is stereotypically suppose to like. It's time we create  an environment where people are comfortable expressing their true selves.  Because living in a society where freedom of expression is subject to certain preconceived notions of what is 'normal' isn't really living.  So lastly, I just want to say let your 'freak' flag fly and go boldly and unapologetically out into world as your true self, one that you are proud of!