Thought I'd give a monthly Scavenger Hunt for 2023 a try as well as my other ones I've got going on.
Thanks Hannah for the prompts. You can find the Master List here.

Ended at 9/30

The Prompts

1. I come from a small, heavenly slice of this planet called Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Not many people suspect that my little town is actually a pretty decent spot for filming, but we’ve hosted our fair share of movie sets. Watch a movie filmed or set in or around Pittsburgh.

2. I am a cusp Aquarian and share my birthday with such icons as Molly Ringwald, John Travolta, Cybill Shepherd, John Hughes, and Matt Dillon. Watch a movie by someone who shares your birthday or sign.

3. I grew up as a Navy brat. Watch a movie set in the military or with an ex-military character.

4. When we were kids, my brother and I got along and still beat the shit out of each other. Now, he’s still one of my best friends. Watch a movie about siblings.

5. During college, I was lucky enough to travel South America. I spent a lot of time in Brazil and even learned Portuguese. Watch a movie set in Brazil, by a Brazilian director, or in a language you want to learn.

6. In a complete 180 from the tropical island of Florianopolis, I went for a Masters in Literature in Toronto, Canada. I fell in love with the city and was fortunate enough to go to my first film festival at TIFF. Watch a movie that played at TIFF or is set in Toronto.

7. After I graduated, I managed hotels and it was a wild, filthy, and oddly traumatic ride. Watch a movie set in a hotel, about a hotel or resort, or that happens on a vacation.

8. Unfortunately, COVID happened and like a lot of professions, hospitality became a really difficult place to work, so I went back to school. I just finished a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences. Watch a film based on a book, set in a library or museum, or with a librarian as a main character.

9. For the final semester of my degree, I did an internship working for the South Florida Collections Management Center in Everglades National Park. The SFCMC provides museum and archival support for the 5 national parks of South Florida. The largest is the Everglades (third largest national park in the US). The Everglades is not just a marsh or swamp, but rather the slowest moving river in the world, averaging about ¼ mile per day. Watch a movie set in a swamp, bayou, marsh, or river.

10. In 1539, the explorer Hernando de Soto landed in present-day Tampa Bay and began his exploration of America. This site is now home to De Soto National Monument. Watch a movie about colonization, contact between settlers and indigenous peoples, early American exploration, or conquistadors.

11. Biscayne National Park is 95% marine and houses some of the best examples of shipwrecks, including what is postulated as the earliest Spanish Shipwreck in North America. Watch a movie about pirates, sailing, shipwrecks, or the ocean.

12. 70 miles west of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park. Made up of several small islands, the biggest part of the park is Fort Jefferson, which was designed as a defensive post in the Gulf of Mexico before it was used as a Civil War outpost and prison. Most famously, this prison housed Dr. Samuel Mudd, the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth’s leg after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Watch a movie set in, or at least a significant portion takes place in a prison. (bonus points if it is about a prison break since Mudd tried to escape numerous times).

13. The final park is Big Cypress National Preserve. This area has a unique history of oil, tribes, and wildlife. It is home to the famous crocodiles and alligators of South Florida, as well as otters, deer, cranes, egrets, and various snakes and fishes. Unfortunately, there are many invasive species that are harming the native flora and fauna. In particular, the python and boa have plundered South Florida. In some areas of the parks, it is estimated that 90% (in some places up to 98%) of mammal life has been eaten by these snakes. There is also a new problem where the pythons and boas are mingling, and their offspring are becoming hybrid Super Snakes (I don’t think we talk about this enough as a nation)! Watch a movie where an animal is the villain or is misunderstood.

14. After my internship, I was fortunate enough to get a job as the Tribal Archivist in the Everglades. Since then, I’ve discovered how little I know about Indigenous history and rights in America. Take this as a chance to watch a film by an indigenous director, starring a predominantly indigenous cast, or about Native Rights or history.

15. When I’m not working, I love going to see movies in theaters, and I love seeing as many new-releases as I can. Watch a film that has been released this year.

16. During COVID, since theaters were closed, I spent a lot of time catching up on older movies and reading. I read Peter Bagdanovich’s Who The Devil Made It and fell in love with Howard Hawks. Watch a film by Howard Hawks. If you’ve seen all of his movies, watch a movie from another director featured in that book.

17. I suffer from Completionist Disease where I really have to finish things or it bugs me. As such, I’ve started watching entire filmographies of actors, directors, and cinematographers I like. Choose your own actor, director, or cinematographer that you really enjoy and watch one of their movies you haven’t seen yet.

18. When I’m not watching movies, I really like to bake and cook (and eat). Watch a movie about chefs, cooking, eating, working in kitchens, or food in general.

19. Happy Juneteenth! For those not in the US, it is the recognition of slavery finally ending in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Watch a movie by a black director or starring a predominantly black cast. You can spend some time with this amazing list.

20. And if I’m not watching movies or cooking, I’m usually watching whatever sports are on. I’m big into football and hockey, and slightly into some sports betting. Watch a movie about football, hockey, or gambling.

21. It's June, therefore it's pride! As a card-carrying queer, I’ve even worked hard on watching tons of queer content. Watch a movie about an LGBTQIA+ character or storyline, or by a queer creator. (Here is a lesbian-centric list and a Queer list to help get you started)

22. Often while doing these Scavenger Hunts, I find films I’ve never heard of and I get really excited. Sometimes though, the prompts are for musicals, and I use a substitution every time because I really hate musicals. Take this as a moment to pick a movie you actually just really want to watch, but it cannot be a musical. You can shuffle your Watchlist and pick one from the first row, or use this space to re-watch a favorite.

23. I am hitting the age where all of my friends are getting married. Even my little brother just got engaged, so going to weddings has become part of the norm. Watch a movie about getting married or weddings or has a wedding scene.

24. Speaking of real life, I don’t think I watch enough documentaries. Watch a documentary about something you care about or something you don’t know anything about.

25. Not only am I a National Parks nerd, but I’m also an Academy Awards dork. My favorite category is Cinematography. I also love Supporting Actress. Watch a movie nominated in your favorite Oscars category.

26. As expected, I have a pretty eclectic and big Watchlist. I also won’t begrudge you the chance to put a dent in your own. Watch a movie from your Watchlist.

27. I’m sure you can tell from my job with the National Parks that I really love nature and camping. Watch a film about camping (a cabin works too), hiking, or a trip to nature.

28. I also love to travel. I was supposed to visit Japan right as COVID shut down the world. Watch a movie from, about, or set in a country you most want to visit.

29. I currently live in MIami now, and the city is so much different than any place I’ve ever lived. Watch a movie set in or about Miami.

30. Now, beaches are nice, but every so often I miss the cold of my native north. Watch a movie set in winter, the more snow the better.

Substitution Options:
If there's a few prompts you don't like, please take them as a chance to:
1. Watch a film by the BIPOC community.
2. Watch more LGBTQIA+ Content .
3. Watch a film from my Contemporary Westerns list.
4. Watch a film about Female Rage™
5. Watch a film from the Official Top 250 Narratives.