Today is my friends birthday! His name is Eli. The last time we saw each other, he told me he was getting into horror movies and asked me for my top 10. We haven’t seen each other in a year or two and I just finished the list. Because how can I ever finish a list like this?
Every once in a while, I would go Into the notes app of my phone to work on it. I still don’t know if it’s done, but as a birthday present to Eli, here it is!
Oh, and I obviously couldn’t narrow it down to 10. I had to break them down by genre. Also, I added rubbers ups for most.
Also, I know people are going to disagree with me on a bunch of these!
Every day, you log onto social media and learn of a new celebrity who has passed away.
It seems we have lost some great people over the last week. Some, way too young.
This morning, we lost a great character actor. Mark Margolis was best known for the character of Uncle Tio in Breaking Bad, but the Pennsylvania native had quite the career.
He was in almost all of Darren Aronofsky’s movies. He played a great role in Requiem for a Dream. He played the leader of the Sicilians in Oz. And he played another leader, this time a mob leader in one of my favorite shows, the short lived Black Donnellys.
The passing of Angus Cloud, of Euphoria came, came as a shock to so many. He passed away on July 31st at the young age of 25. And only a week after his father passed away.
Paul Reubens, the hilarious and brilliant creator of Pee-Wee Herman passed away on July 30th after a private battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.
Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor passed away on July 26th at the young age of 56. The outspoken “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer was also very vocal about her issues with mental health.
Tony Bennett, Alan Arkin are just some of the other names.
I am a huge fan of the Saw franchise. I have seen every single one in theaters. Many on opening night. I own all of them.
The story behind Spiral is such a cool one. So, Chris Rock made a movie about being someone who makes movies. In that movie, he goes to a theater to see how the turnout for his film is doing. What he stumbles upon is a giant turnout for a new Madea movie that is all about Halloween. Now in real life, at the time, Tyler Perry had not put out a Halloween themed film in his franchise. It is said that this encourage Perry to make Boo! A Madea Halloween. Now, Lionsgate films is the company behind both the Saw franchise and the Madea franchise. Chris Rock went to a wedding where the President of Lionsgate was and he joked that he should be thanked. Thanked because he helped lead to a Halloween Madea film that made the prediction company a ton of money. He then mentioned having an idea for a new Saw story. Shortly after, he received a call from Lionsgate and just like that, Chris Rock helmed Spiral, the 9th film in the installment.
Now for a little James Wan backstory. Wan made Saw originally as a short. Just like District 9 started as a short. And then got the reception and funding that it deserved. Wan then went on to create a massive franchise with The Conjuring, which had multiple spin-offs including Annabelle, The Curse of La Llarona, and The Nun. Wan also directed Aquaman and became the first Asian director to make a billion at the box office.
What is exciting about this 10th installment is that it is coming out a month earlier than the others. The release date is set for September 29th.
If you are a fan of Saw, make sure to check out these other movies that have similar attributes: Cube, Escape Room, Would You Rather?
Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/t3PzUo4P21c
It was announced two days ago that SNL alumni and 30 Rock creator, Tina Fey, could take the reins of Saturday Night Live come Lorne Michaels’ departure.
Michaels, a Canadian born television writer and film producer, has been running the show since it’s birth in 1975. It is assumed that once the show hits its 50th season, Michaels will hang his coat up. I had heard that the show will probably end once he leaves, as the sketch show has become too expensive to produce. But I am all for more seasons of the show, as I have really enjoyed the recent featured players. Also, head writers and Weekend Update correspondents, Colin Jost and Michael Che, have such a great chemistry.
While I am 100% onboard with Tina Fey taking over, here are some other people that I think would be a strong fit.
Conan O’Brien
Steve Higgins
Amy Poehler
Dana Carvey
John Mulaney
Kristen Wig
Kenan Thompson
I didn’t mention named such as Jimmy Fallon or Seth Myers as they host talk shows and are preoccupied with that.
Yesterday, during a court hearing, it was admitted that aliens do exist. Read more about it here! Nobody is happier about this news than Blink-182 guitarist, Tom Delonge. The Californian just recently rejoined the band and is currently on a world tour with the trio and is back on their upcoming 9th album. The guitarist left the band in 2015 to focus on his side project, Angels & Airwaves, and also focus more on researching aliens. In 2017, DeLonge was actually awarded the Alien Researcher of the Year Award. Anyway, this article isn’t about Tom, I am just a huge fan.
I figured, since now we know that we are not alone, I would suggest my favorite alien movies to watch. I will add some more info on each one eventually.
These are in no specific order
10 Cloverfield Lane A Quiet Place Alien Alien VS. Predator Annihilation Arrival Attack the Block Avatar Close Encounters of the Third Kind Cloverfield Contact District 9 Edge of Tomorrow ET Galaxy Quest Independence Day Interstellar Mars Attacks Men in Black Nope Pacific Rim Prometheus Psycho Goreman Signs Starship Troopers Super 8 The Fourth Kind Under the Skin
In 1997, the world was introduced to Netflix. Back then, it was a monthly subscription service that mailed DVDs to your house. Fast forward 25 years later and the streaming giant has been nominated for countless Academy Awards, Emmys, and even some Grammys. The California company could win an EGOT in the near future if they get some Tony-nominated content on there.
Netflix is not only a global company that is worth billions, there were 230.7 million subscribers as of last year. Now more than ever, it would be a good time to open a Netflix Amusement Park.
The park could open in Vermont or New Hampshire, somewhere there is a lot of land, and easy access to have people from Canada come to visit.
The Rides:
The Haunting of Hill House – See if you can escape the house along with The Bent-Neck Lady and the other ghosts that well, haunt the hill house. This ride will be similar to the Forbidden Forrest ride at Universal Studios.
Stranger Things – In this ride, you start out entering a float tank. Lightning strikes above you and when you get out, you are in the Upside Down. Now, you and the Six have to fight Demobats, Demogorgons, and Vecna, to save Will.
Squid Game – Unfortunately, this attraction doesn’t let in all 456 people at a time, but you do get to compete against other guests at the amusement park. Each time you visit this attraction, you will play just one of the games from the popular show. So, make sure you go back a few times to try to get as many in as possible.
Round 1: Red Light, Green Light.
Round 2: Dalgona/Ppopgi.
Round 3: Tug Of War.
Round 4: Marbles.
Round 5: The Glass Tile Game.
Final Round: Squid Game
The Shops and Snacks
11 Waffles – A small waffle shack, designed as the living room from Stranger Things, that sells different flavored waffles. Hopefully, you don’t get a bloody nose while eating it! Hopefully, Eggo agrees to license their product at the park
Paul Hollywood’s Pie Extravaganza – This sit-down eatery is under a giant white tent and sits on top of astroturf. Just like in The Great British Baking Show, one of the more popular dishes here is Pie Without a Soggy Bottom.
Dalgona Delights – This Korean candy was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, but Squid Game really made it popular once again. Enjoy this melted sugar and baking soda treat and don’t worry, you can cut it and eat it any way you want to!
Crumpets and Crowns – Enjoy tea and crumpets in a replica of the dining room from the royal palace.
Gambits and Gumballs – Enjoy candy and other tasty delights while sitting at a chess table and playing a friendly game against friends you traveled with or make some new friends!
Tan- This store features clothes and accessories, cookbooks, and self-help books that are all approved by the fab five.
The Live Shows
Glow: Enjoy some popcorn and Cracker Jacks while you watch local Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling take down one another in the arena!
One of the biggest television hits of the year is The Last of Us. And for good reason. The show starts the loveable Pedro Pascal and the even more loveable Bella Ramsey. The relationship between the two of them, on-screen and off, could not be more wholesome. Watch interviews with them. It almost, but does not ruin their on-screen rough characters. Kind of like when you see that picture of the Fawn from Pan’s Labyrinth in between takes!
The television show streamed every Sunday on HBO Max and is being hailed as one of the greatest video game adaptations. But maybe the people who are saying this never saw the original, live-action Super Mario movie with Dennis Hopper. That thing was a fever dream. People wouldn’t complain about Christopher Pratt being cast as the titular character in the new Mario movie even if they saw the 1990s film or really any of the movies.
Back to The Last of Us. I played a little of The Last of Us and even started up again when I started watching the show. I am not good at that game. I think I am more of a Super Mario person. Back to Mario.
Anyway, here are the things that I didn’t like about the finale:
The finale should’ve been two parts – The action sequence in the hospital seemed too rushed.
What did Joel think was going to happen when he brought an immune person to a science center?
Marlene should have never let two guards take Joel out into the outskirts of town and give him a knife, knowing what he is capable of
Marlene should have never let two guards escort Joel out of the building on their own, knowing what Joel is capable of
I do understand how Joel had adrenaline when it came to get Ellie out of the hospital; the same as a mother lifting a car off of her child. However, how did Joel kill every single one of those Fireflies? I know, I know. It’s like watching John Wick and asking, “How exactly did he kill all of those guys with a pencil?” But this isn’t John Wick. How did Joel, a former revolutionary militia member take down all of those other revolutionary militia members? They didn’t split up? One didn’t sneak up behind him? They all were just shooting all willy-nilly. They weren’t taking cover correctly.
In the garage, Joel was about to take off with Ellie and Marlene stopped him and gave him a speech. Once again, she put her gun down and didn’t think Joel was up to any tricks. She put way too much trust into Joel. And her men.
Marlene should have locked up Joel until the surgery was over.
Would Ellie have survived the surgery? Did we know if she would or not?
What is going to happen next season?
Ellie will eventually find out that Joel was lying to her about the ambush at the hospital and how he had to pull her out of surgery.
Also, Joel killed Marlene who was pretty much like a mother to her.
Other people will find out about Ellie. Maybe a Firefly in the hospital radio-ed someone else and let them know about Ellie being immune.
Joel lied to Ellie saying that there were other immune people. Ellie will find out that this isn’t true, but not until she spends a lot of time looking for these people like her.
We will meet up with Joel’s brother, sister-in-law, and nephew or niece.
We will come across more protagonists and more antagonists, obviously, but we won’t be able to tell who is good and who is bad for some time.
Love interests for the characters? Maybe. It is very, very rare that any television show or movie doesn’t have a love story. And I think that’s because this shows the love story here is different. Joel is like the father that Ellie never had and Ellie is like the daughter that Joel has not had for a long, long time.
We will find out more about Joel and Ellie’s backgrounds in full flashback episodes.
On March 3rd, 2023, Macklemore released his third studio album, Ben. Depending on how much of his career you have been following, you might be thinking this is his second album. On September 22nd, 2017, the Seattle native released Gemini. However, on New Year’s Day in 2005, Macklemore released his first album, Language of My World.
Well, there’s a quick history lesson on the solo career of Ben Haggerty. If you haven’t listened to any, I highly recommend it. I have had the album on repeat in my car. It’s the perfect album for the weather getting nicer, the sun staying out longer, and the windows down. If you are a fan of his illustrious career, then you will really appreciate this album. It feels like a perfect blend of all of his music, including the two albums, and other releases, he put out with Ryan Lewis. The album has some fun, upbeat songs such as “No Bad Days (feat. Collet) and “1984.” Other songs like “Chant (feat. Tones And I)” and “Gods’ Will (feat. Vic Daggs II)” have Mackelmore reliving moments from his life.
The song “TEARS” is the most impressive song from the album. The lyrics start off as if the song is a ballad about his first love and it is. But not in the way you would think it is. The song is a love song to Ben’s first true love, alcohol. The song details the pains of addiction, arrests, deaths, and the things he has done for the drug.
“Lost / Sun Comes Up (feat. Jackson Lee Morgan” detail the bullshit of our current times, with the following lyrics that make you rethink your social media addiction:
“Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now Scroll (scroll) Refresh (refresh) Turn it off (yep) Now do it again That’s the dance now”
And this leads me to my favorite song on the album, “Sorry (feat. Livingston).” I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to this. Especially on repeat. As one of the most nostalgic people, this song hits hard. The first four lines especially:
“It’s too late to get the past back But I’m stuck in the sandtraps And I thought that I was past that My eyelids live in a flashback”
The Red Carpet interviews are obnoxious. It’s just people asking how J-LO and these other people manage to look so good at their age. Well, they have nutritionists, home gyms, concierge doctors, money for touch-ups, personal trainers, time to cook healthy meals. So on.
When I was losing my hair, my mom told me not to worry because I would look like The Rock and Jason Statham. Watching them walk the red carpet was just like looking in a mirror!
The fact that “Nobody Like U” wasn’t nominated for best song is bullshit. I know that 4Town is a fictional band from Seeing Red, but still. Great song.
Also, why wasn’t the Raccoon that played Raccacoonie nominated?
I am SO happy that Guillermo Del Toro won. I haven’t seen all of the movies yet, but this movie was a labor of love, took about the same time as Avatar, and Del Toro is one of the best Directors and Producers today. I haven’t seen Puss in Boots 3 yet, and while it does look great and the reviews are stellar, I am glad that Pinnochio beat it out!
I am a big fan of Ariana DeBose. I like her headphone brand a lot.
Stephen Spielberg giving Ke Huy Quan a standing ovation and Harrison Ford presenting was just magical. Everything comes full circle. One could almost say, everything everywhere all at once comes full circle.
The crowdcheering for Jamie Lee Curtis. Her and her husband, Christopher Gust, adopted children. He is part of British royalty. Adopting children took him out of inheritance and he still did it. They are great people.
They just announced a freaky Friday sequel, so that will be the second Oscar for Jamie lee Curtis
I didn’t care for women talking, but I also didn’t like the movie either
As soon as Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis won, I felt ready for bed.
Tar backwards is rat 🤯. I haven’t seen the movie so I don’t know if that means anything.
I forgot that Quest Love is an Oscar winner. Love that guy.
David Byrne is great. I saw him at Red Rocks. Go see him when you can. I also love his friendship with Maggie Rogers. He also directed one of her music videos.
The Daniel’s for Best Original Screenplay
I didn’t get to see all of the Oscar-nominated films, but I am really rooting for the indie film about the Chinese American immigrant who is about to lose her business, has been served divorce papers by her husband, and is trying to come to terms with her daughter who has recently come out. Oh, and there’s also multiverses and hot dog fingers!
I love movies. And I love music. And I love it when the two worlds combine.
I am a big fan of Owl City. I have been for years. I listen to super sad music most of the time (emo, folk, ambient), so I like to mix things up by listening to the happy, pop sounds of Adam Young. The man has had some great duets over the years, Aloe Blacc, Hanson, for example. Anyway, Owl City is putting out a new album in June, the first in almost five years. Like most artists these days, he has released a few songs in anticipation. One of these songs is called Kelly Time.
The first time listening to this, it didn’t take me long to realize that this song was from Wilson’s perspective. Yes, the volleyball from Cast Away. Check out the lyrics below and listen along to the song from his YouTube channel.
Well video tapes and ice skates Are beautiful things Like a birthday card for Johnny And a pair of angel wings You were tryna light a fire And all you wanted was a match But you knew I didn’t have one So it was odd that you should ask No, it wasn’t just the plane crash That shake you to the core But the very thought of losing her That made it all worth dying for
I’m sorry I’m sorry
We both washed up on that island All alone without a friend Thinking you and I were gonna die there And that would be the end But as the weeks turned into months I saw you overcome your fears And as we became companions All those months turned into years We would talk and talk for hours You would make sure I felt heard Cuz you knew what I was saying Though I never said a word
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
After fifteen hundred days You and me escaped to sea And I knew that you still loved the girl From Memphis, Tennessee Out there on that lonely ocean We met a passing humpback whale Cause all the way from Bakersfield The tide gave us the sail And just like that it happened The waves took me away And I’m sorry, I’m so sorry That you lost a friend that day
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
Well you and me went on a journey Full of tragedy and pain But I’m grateful I was with you Through the sunshine and the rain And when I wonder where ya are now I’ll probably never know But my friend I hope you made it And somehow you finally made it home I have an ocean-worth of questions But if I do know one thing Is that the sun will rise tomorrow And who knows what the tide could bring?
Da da da da daa
Doo doo doo doo ooo ooo ooh
Hey, hey, hey, Kelly are you there? Pick up! I know I said I’d be back And like that Nobody knew where I was at And all my logic said “I would never see you again” After four years, I’m missin’ you so bad But here I am And now I have to learn to let you go Even though I love you more than you’ll ever know I’m gettin’ used to half a heart and the way things are But Kelly, I never should’ve gotten outta the car I’m sorry
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring? Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Yeah, I’m ready for anything Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooh Who knows what the tide could bring?
I’m sorry For everything But nobody knows what the tide could bring You know, nobody knows what the tide could bring
Videotapes and ice skates are beautiful things Like a pocket watch on Kelly Time and a pair of angel wings When the birthday card to Johnny It made me realize That the most beautiful thing in the world Is, of course, the gift of life The most beautiful thing in the world Is to be so wonderfully alive
