DGM DIGEST: January

"To cook well, you have to like to eat, like sex, movies, things that feel good." -Anthony Bourdain.

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Why would anyone want to walk out of a restaurant or a theater feeling just satisfied? You should walk out of these local establishments, both exhausted and gratified about whatever you just finished up in there. Feeling euphoric, a little tired, and, even tho you’re full, it was so good you’re considering going back for round two; especially if you’re paying for it, you want to get your money’s worth.

I have always been a fan of cinema, and while I was an extremely picky eater until the ripe age of 20, I became an even bigger fan of food once I began traveling on a limited budget, eating street food. My nickname growing up was the “carb queen” because my favorite meal was bread; bread before dinner, bread in place of dinner. When we used to go to church on Sundays, I couldn’t wait to receive communion so I could finally eat the bread, also known as the body of Christ, at the end of mass. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to broaden my palate and find unique pairings of food and beverage that I enjoy, but no matter how much I explore, my favorite pairing is still dinner and a movie.

While January tends to be a slower month than most, after the come-down of the holiday season and the ringing in of a new year, followed by a surge in sobriety, I still managed to watch eight movies, go out for drinks, and try a handful of delicious dishes both at home and out. One night, while I was out—as I often am—over shared apps with friends about a month ago, this idea hit me: a newsletter that brings together my two great loves—food and film—how groundbreaking, I know. So here it is: DGM Digest.

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My favorite season of the year is Awards season, which happens to fall in the dead of Winter here in Buffalo, NY, so making it out to the theater isn’t always convenient with all the snow and unwelcome ice. Sadly, I haven’t had my ass in a heated recliner since Marty Supreme. I have, however, spent plenty of time sunk into my couch browsing various streaming platforms, scanning for something new to watch without a paywall. Don’t you just love modern-day movies and television? While I can dwell on all the films I haven't yet had a chance to see, I’d rather recommend to you what I did end up watching this January.

DGM’s first log into Letterboxd for 2026 was The Row, directed by Matty Beckerman. I don’t have any requirements for my first movie of the year, after three years of tracking each and every watch in chronological order. La La Kent was the draw here, but the obscure casting and predictable plot were what kept my eyes glued to the Tubi TV screen. If you're into Slumberparty Massacre or the 2017 deep cut Frat Star (population: me), The Row is your jam. And if you watch Vanderpump Rules? This is required viewing.

If I had to choose a favorite watch from this past month, it would have to be Bugonia, which technically doesn’t count because it was a rewatch, but I still can’t fathom how Jesse Plemons did not get more nominations this season. As a fan of Yorgos Lanthimos, I have seen his previous work in Kinds of Kindness, but his role as Teddy in Bugonia was unlike anything I’d seen before, and if I may be so bold, I really think his name should be in conversation when it comes to best performance.

Sinners made history, again, with the most Oscar nominations for a film ever, reining in a total of 16. People text me to this day when they sit down to watch it for the first time, and to me, that’s an honor and a testament to how much I loved it. I look forward to seeing them take home many golden statues, including best director for Ryan Coogler, and, if not him, please be Chloe Zhao for Hamnet, which I still have not seen in its entirety, so I understand how that may come off as biased. These limited theatrical releases are a problem for me, know that.

Sorry, Baby was one of my top films of 2025; unfortunately, neither the film itself nor the brilliant Eva Victor, who wrote, directed, and starred in it, recieved nominations. The film is deeply personal and vulnerable, tackling themes of friendship, trauma, and sexual assault- specifically in higher education. I’d offer a comparable film in terms of plot, also coming out in 2025, is After the Hunt, directed by Luca Guadagnino. But these films are worlds apart in style, composition, and execution. For my money, Sorry, Baby is the superior film—though honestly, they’re too different to pit against each other.

Rounding out 2025, I saw Marty Supreme, of course, after months of embarrassing myself online trying to acquire a Marty Supreme jacket by posting into the Ether. I was a big fan of the film, especially Timothee Chalamet’s performance. Good Time and Uncut Gems are also two wildly eccentric, stylized movies I really enjoyed, and this wasn’t so far off from those previous Safdie films; it felt almost like a trilogy.

Looking ahead to the year, I couldn’t be more excited for Charli XCX’s The Moment, which stars Alex Skarsgard, who I also can’t wait to see in Pillion. We will finally get answers to the casting of Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights.” A Valentine’s Day release couldn’t be more romantic. It appears my first theatrical experience of 2026 will be Dracula: A Love Tale on February 6th, so stay tuned for my review. I’ve been waiting months for this to come out, and it took everything in me not to pirate it. Send Help, The Bride, The Drama, Dune: Part Three, The Odyssey, and so many more movies are coming out this year.

As for new releases I’ve had the chance to see, the list is singular: People We Meet on Vacation, available on Netflix. A sweet and sensual friends-to-lovers story that brings new light to the rom-com genre. Emily Bear and Tom Blyth radiate chemistry and sex appeal, let’s be honest, as they accompany one another across the world under the guise of travel companions. That is, until they inevitably confess their feelings for one another, because how could you not, and it’s bold, and it’s beautiful. However, it is vastly different from the Emily Henry book it’s adapted from, so I’ve heard, which has led me to add it to my TBR.

My TBR couldn’t be any longer at the moment, while I sink deeper and deeper into the depths of a reading slump, not having picked up a book since the beginning of December. Instead, I’ve resorted to binge-watching TV, and so many shows are coming out all at once that I’m spoiled for choice. Industry, Traitors, Tell Me Lies, and the new Vanderpump Rules have been eating up all my time.

Speaking of eating, the other half of DGM Digest is food, so let’s dig in. January was full of leftovers for the most part, home-cooked meals sent in tupper ware containers your mom will absolutely expect to be returned. I did manage to dine out once with my father and sister at a local Thai spot, and I am here to report that it is the best Buffalo has to offer.

We split an assortment of delicious appetizers before ordering separate entrees that we ended up taking home in boxes because the portions were so large. Each course was made fresh, and you could tell. The crab rangoons were like kissing someone with gum in their mouth to cover up the smell of liquor; there’s a noticeable kick, but it’s worth every second. My favorite was the Bamboo fried rice, which I had for three days to follow, making every bite count.

The best spots to eat in Buffalo are the ones that never look open, yet seem to never close. Three other groups came in to dine alongside us at Bamboo Ridge, and we all left with paper menus because we will be back, and we will be back soon. I haven’t stopped thinking about my spicy tuna roll and shrimp tempura. As a fan of the variety of Asian cuisine here in town, I can safely say I will be eating at Bamboo Ridge indefinitely.

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New Year's Resolutions aren’t typically my style; I prefer to set goals month to month based on my mood and other factors, like my cycle. Last year, I watched 149 movies and read/listened to 19 books. Rather than resorting to a numeric goal for my media consumption this year, I’m going to do something different. This year, I’m trusting my gut. I’m watching, reading, eating, and exploring based on what I actually want—not what the algorithm tells me to want. I want to seek out what I haven’t seen yet and surprise myself along the way.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not quite yet the year of the horse. That officially begins February 17th, so be aware that any loss you may have experienced in January is a necessary shedding. It’s the way the universe cleanses you and prepares you for what’s ahead, like melting away all the bad, like ice. Snow in the winter makes sense, but the ice is just out of control. Be safe out there as we transition in February. Till next time, stay flirty, stay thirsty. Watch more movies together. Make more movies together.

Cin Cin,

Paige B.