Chiya-Pop Guff"July Edition"

Hello and Good Morning Everyone, Welcome to the July Edition of Chiya-Pop Guff. In Chiya-Pop Guff, I take a step back from the algorithm-fueled frenzy and just have a chill conversation about the movies I’ve watched, the games I’ve played, and the songs that have been on repeat — the kind of stuff you’d talk about with friends during a late-night call or a random cafe meet-up.Whether it’s a random indie film that surprised me, a game I finally got around to finishing, or a track that got stuck in my head for days, you’ll find a little bit of everything here. No hot takes just for clicks — just honest vibes, some mild overthinking, and a love for storytelling in all its forms. This month I watched quite a few movies and got around listening a few album and these are the few that caught my liking to write something about it.

Sinners was a film I really wished I could have experienced in IMAX — big screen, big sound, fully immersed in its dusty world of blues, broken pasts, and moral rot. But hey, for god’s sake, I live in Nepal, and that dream’s off the table for now. Still, even without the theatrical setup, this movie hit hard — in the best way possible.

There wasn’t a single moment that felt dull or stretched out. The pacing (up until the very end) was tight, and the atmosphere was magnetic — you don’t just watch this movie; you sink into it. It instantly took me back to my personal “blues era”, a time when I used to listen to old-school blues obsessively. There’s something about the way Sinners uses music; not just as background but as a character, a mood-setter, a form of storytelling that felt incredibly personal.

In the early parts of the film, I kept thinking about Red Dead Redemption 2 — that same gritty, open-sky vibe, where you feel the weight of every silence, every decision, every scar on the character's face. It’s not just a Western — it’s a slow, soulful unraveling.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say the ending felt a bit rushed, like it was trying to wrap up too quickly after building up such a steady emotional rhythm. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, but I would’ve loved for it to breathe a little more in its final moments.

That said, none of that takes away from the fact that Sinners completely won my heart. It’s a raw, emotionally heavy, beautifully shot film that respects its music and its characters. Whether you’re into blues, moral grey zones, or just good old cinematic storytelling — this is one film you shouldn't miss.

F1 was one of those movies I threw on with a simple “let’s see what this is about” mindset. I wasn’t expecting much — maybe some fast cars, dramatic rivalry, decent visuals — but what I got was so much more. Honestly, it blew past my expectations like an overtake on the final lap.

The second half of the film is absolutely gripping the kind of suspense that makes you sit up straight, lock in, and forget to blink. It kept me so invested, I forgot I barely knew anything about Formula 1 to begin with. Other than the occasional Max Verstappen meme, my knowledge of the sport was close to zero. And yet, the film made it incredibly easy to follow and deeply enjoyable, not once did it feel like I was sitting through a mechanical lecture on strategy or tire compounds. It was fast, emotional, and most importantly, human.

The music selection throughout the film deserves a shoutout, perfectly placed tracks that elevated both the emotional beats and the high-speed tension. It wasn’t just background noise; it was part of the storytelling, adding weight to the victories, heartbreaks, and moments of stillness.

What really surprised me was the emotional impact the film had. It’s not just about engines and podiums — it’s about legacy, pressure, relationships, and the brutal loneliness that can come even in the middle of roaring crowds. It made me feel something, and I didn’t expect that from a racing movie.

Just like with Sinners, though, there was one small regret: not watching it in IMAX. I can only imagine how much more intense those race sequences would’ve felt on a massive screen with surround sound — the rumble, the roar, the silence before the storm.

Overall, F1 isn’t just for racing fans. It’s for anyone who enjoys a well-told story with heart, adrenaline, and style. A surprising favorite for me this month — and definitely worth the watch.

Watching WarDogs felt like diving straight back into the chaotic, money-fueled madness of The Wolf of Wall Street. The fast-talking characters, the reckless ambition, the absurd deals, the money flying like confetti — it’s all there, but with a twist: instead of stocks and yachts, it’s guns, government contracts, and the shady underbelly of global arms dealing.

Even though the film came out years ago, I only just got around to watching it recently — and honestly, it was such a fun ride. It doesn’t try to be overly serious or heavy-handed, even though it’s based on a real story.

The performances are solid across the board. Miles Teller brings the right amount of “how did I end up here?” energy, while Jonah Hill goes full unhinged — charming, manipulative, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Their chemistry carries the film and adds to the rising tension as their empire grows beyond what they can handle.

What makes it even better is knowing that it’s based on a true story — which just adds a deeper layer of "WTF" to every shady deal and reckless decision they make. It’s one of those films that constantly has you asking, “Wait… this actually happened?” and somehow that makes it even more addictive to watch.

In short: War Dogs is a wild, fast-paced crime comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s exactly why it works. If you enjoyed The Wolf of Wall Street, you’ll probably love this one too. It’s got all the chaos, with a little more grit and a little less glam.

Anyone But You falls into that unfortunate category of romcoms that look fun on the surface but don’t really deliver when it comes to emotional payoff or originality. It’s one of those movies that has all the ingredients — a good-looking lead pair, scenic backdrops, the classic enemies-to-lovers setup — but somehow still manages to feel hollow.

There’s a vague sense of _something_ being there — a spark here, a joke that lands there — but overall, it just didn’t have the depth or charm to make it feel like a good use of time. The chemistry between the leads was decent at best, but nowhere near enough to carry the film through a predictable plot and underdeveloped character arcs.

The humor felt forced, with way too many moments that relied on awkwardness or physical gags rather than actual wit. The dialogue was often cliché, as if it was plucked straight from an AI-generated romcom script.

Honestly, by the end of it, I couldn’t help but feel like this was a waste of time — not in an infuriating way, but in that forgettable background noise kind of way. There was potential in the setup, but the execution just didn't land.

If you’re in the mood for a mindless romcom to have on while you scroll your phone or to have something as a white noise, maybe it’ll do. But if you're looking for something with genuine laughs or heart — this one’s probably a skip.

This album came out a while back, and I hadn’t really gotten around to giving it a proper listen — but wow, I’m glad I finally did. Lil Tecca seriously outdid himself. The project feels tight, clean, and surprisingly consistent throughout. It’s not just a collection of random tracks; there’s a mood and sonic identity that flows really well from start to finish.

While not every single song is an all-out banger, there are barely any misses. Even the tracks that don’t instantly hit still carry that chill, melodic Tecca vibe that makes them super easy to keep in rotation. Standouts for me were “Dark Thoughts” and “Owa Owa” — those two hit especially hard. "Dark Thoughts" has this moody introspection layered over a clean beat that really showcases Tecca’s growth, while "Owa Owa" brings that bounce and energy that made me run it back instantly.

Overall, Dopamine feels like a solid evolution in Tecca’s discography — more refined, more confident, and with a vibe that’s hard not to enjoy. It’s one of those albums that catches you off guard in the best way and makes you wish you’d gotten to it sooner.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s edition of Chiya-Pop Guff.It wasn’t the busiest month for pop culture on my end, but sometimes that’s the charm finding those unexpected gems when you're not even looking. Whether it’s a cozy Nepali film, an emotional video game journey, or a movie you watched just for the plot , there’s always something worth sharing over a good cup of chiya.

Thanks for reading — genuinely. If anything here made you curious, made you smile, or made you want to queue something up for the weekend, that’s all this newsletter is about.