Monthly Archives: June 2015
An Everest-Sized Movie…Literally
“…Everest is another beast altogether.”
Make no mistake about, absolutely zero part of Jimmy’s Daily Planet is missing one degree of the freezing cold weather from winter. However, the trailer for the upcoming movie, Everest, seems to create the perfect goosebumps for these warm spring nights. It’s Friday, so sit back and relax with this new movie trailer with an outstanding cast that debuts in September…and then pop right back up from witnessing the life-threatening thrills.
It gives you chills just watching it.
The Spinning Top Generation
(Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite)
What did forthcoming Princeton University graduates want to hear this week as they prepare to enter the overwhelmingly expansive real world that’s full of twists and turns and unlimited pathways that are equal part linear and non-linear?
A speech from today’s cinematic and storytelling expert on grit, epic realities and dreams: Christopher Nolan.
“In the great tradition of these speeches, generally someone says something along the lines of ‘Chase your dreams,’ but I don’t want to tell you that because I don’t believe that,” he told the students at Class Day. “I want you to chase your reality.”
One of the constants in movies by Nolan is that regardless of the setting, everything is realistic (and yes, this applies to those astonishing dream sequences). He proposed a novel idea in his speech: aspiring to our desired reality. This certainly includes, Inception, which he referenced to and added just a little context to that excruciatingly famous ending.
Instead of floating off onto a cloud above our reach towards the bright light of our dreams, he wants us to pick a reality and do anything we have to do to reach it. Like his movies, the main protagonist(s) are thrown into extraordinary situations, yet they choose to battle whatever barriers stand in their way. However psychologically draining or physically dominating their enemy/wave/tumbling hallway is, we must feel the bumps in the road on our feet, the rain on our faces and feel terrified by the surrounding thunder and lightning.
Why?
Because we have the knowledge to achieve a lot, but it’s only by testing and adjusting this knowledge through life’s unsuspecting experiences that we will ultimately learn how to reach and become our coveted reality. In essence, Nolan’s message is to add practicality to our journey and future, no matter the environment:
A dream is above us, but reality is in front of us.
I think the students listening were just glad that he adjusted the mind-bending element of his speech down from 90% to 70%.
You could say that was a bit of a dream come true.
The Beautiful Resignation
(Daily Mail)
FIFA’s mountain of corruption, bribery and destruction towards the beautiful game for decades has been hit at the place many demanded, yet presumed was impossible to reach: the summit.
“Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s long-time president, announced on Tuesday that he will be resigning as soon as an extraordinary FIFA congress has elected a successor,” Leander Schaerlaeckens wrote (FC Yahoo).
The four-term president (who was elected to a fifth-term just days ago) signifies that the 14 arrests made late last week of FIFA officials and executives is truly the seismic shift the soccer world has been wanting amid relentless controversies and favoritism for more than 20 years that violated clear ethical grounds and the very integrity of the game itself. This is not a minor moment. It has shaken soccer’s foundation, for the better. While this news currently looks like a cloaked admission of guilt or impropriety in the very least by Blatter, it’s a massive declaration, nonetheless, that will prove to be a powerful pivot for soccer.
What was discovered about Blatter? Was this a strategy/agreement to prevent the disclosure of damaging evidence? How much pressure did soccer’s biggest advertisers apply to Blatter and FIFA? Will votes be recast for the 2018 World Cup? The 2022 World Cup?
These are important questions that need to be asked and answered. As of right now, the future is unclear. However, this rainy, overcast feeling is far superior to the smoke that was created by the multiple fires of corruption and bribery the soccer world has been living under for far too long with Blatter in charge. The chance for a bright sunrise on soccer fields around the world is finally here. As soccer is the world’s most popular game, the subsequent decisions made by FIFA will define this broken institution and be analyzed by fans of this sport for generations to come. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for genuine change for good.
The penalty kick has been given in the championship game and it’s tied in extra time. It’s golden goal.
Whose going to take it?
Jimmy's Daily Planet 