Mr. Langdon’s Fiery Cinematic Return
(The Telegraph)
- Felicity Jones (Dr. Sienna Brooks)
- Irrfan Khan (The Provost)
- Omar Sy (Christoph Bruder)
- Sidse Babett (Dr. Elizabeth Sinskey)
Fans of Dan Brown (and “Inferno” in particular) are no doubt excited that details have and are being finalized for this amazing story’s Hollywood treatment. Along with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, next year is lining up to be well worth the wait.
2016 Fashion Prediction: Tweed jackets and Mickey Mouse watches will be in.
From Sea to (Shining) Sea
America’s shining, beautiful soccer jersey?
The 2015 away kits have been revealed for the USMNT and USWNT. The human Bomb Pops appear to have finally melted away its final steady defender (sort of like the real USMNT) in favor of a jersey that features shades of blue, blue and blue.
(Footy Headlines)
The above design is virtually the exact same for both the USMNT and USWNT, with the primary exception of the two World Cup stars for the women. Also, the design is the same on the front and the back. Considering the fact that the shade of blue closest to the one stitched on the American flag is the darker portion at the bottom, that seems like a really peculiar miss for Nike. By the way, did Nike run out of the color red or is that going to be more prominently featured in a new home jersey? It’s kind of a great color. After all, the U.S. is the red, white and blue.
Speaking of which, what was wrong with the “Where’s Waldo?” jersey?
As has been mentioned on this blog before (as starting points), the collar should be blue to represent a gritty, relentless blue collar work ethic with a jersey design that is sharp to symbolize a cool and innovative white collar style of play. This would encapsulate the spirit and identity of America and its daring declaration of independence, from its inception in 1776 through today and into the future.
The new jersey is better than the Bomb Pops, but it looks like a training shirt. When the designers and the brightest minds at Nike Soccer have the American flag, its beautiful combination of colors, our nation’s history (soccer and non-soccer) and lots of time, it’s a sincere mystery how this becomes the final product.
Perhaps I’m being too harsh, except I don’t think I am. It may look a little better on the field with names and numbers, but it still begs the question of what the design could (and should) have been.
Most of all, I wish American ingenuity had been a component for this new soccer jersey.
Happy Monday!
Saturday Night Live has been providing late night sketches with some of the biggest names in comedy beginning with its very first cast back in 1975. Whether cast members and/or writers stayed for one season, seven or more, or if comedy greats today auditioned but didn’t make the cut, last night’s celebration at Studio 8H was an iconic moment for comedy. There was a history of SNL rap by the fan-favorite Fallon-Timberlake bromance, Steve Martin (need I say more?), a Jeopardy game with perfect categories for Sean Connery to mispronounce, a Californians sketch with a vintage mile-high goodbye, musical melodies from unforgettable duos, classic fake commercials, before unseen audition tapes, an In Memoriam remembering past giants, including with the very much alive and well Jon Lovitz sitting stunned in the audience, the return from one of its greats, a Q&A about nothing, a Wayne’s World episode 40 years in the making, cameos galore and countless clips from our favorite skits.
(Click the bottom right icon for sound and click on the video to stop and play)
One of the best parts about live television (and SNL in particular) is waiting for comedic professionals to break character. In so many situations, when the actors and actresses start laughing, that actually makes the skit so much more hilarious and memorable. Fortunately, there’s a special digital short for that:
Once again, let’s not forget to give another standing ovation to the man who envisioned it all 40 years ago and who has discovered and launched some of the best careers in comedy: Lorne Michaels.
Live from New York, it will always be Saturday Night!
Sweet Serendipity
First off, it’s Friday the 13th. Hopefully, nobody sees any black cats, walks under ladders or steps on a crack that breaks your mother’s back. Today’s post has nothing to do with superstitious behavior. However, to help ensure that nothing bad happens, it feels like the right thing to at least acknowledge this freaky Friday occurrence.
Stay safe everybody!
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We never know who we are going to meet. Life is great that way. In a moment, you’re scrolling through a menu at a restaurant in Agoura Hills, California with a New Zealand-inspired menu. That apple and pear drink was too inviting not to RSVP to, especially on such a warm, sunny afternoon. As the waitress (who lit up the shaded patio area with her beautiful smile) took our drink orders, there was something about her that hinted at some hidden intrigue. There are polite, charismatic waiters and waitresses. And then there are polite and charismatic waiters and waitresses who are merely making a quick stop as a culinary transporter on their way to something big.
Our waitress was the latter.
With our delicious non-alcoholic fruit concoctions in-hand, a conversation was born of “what brings you out to southern California from Ohio?” After a minute of conversing, as soon as the word, “Broadway” was enunciated, the fun started. Katie (our waitress) told us that she had co-written a play that’s going to be work-shopped at The Mint Theater in New York City this June. She wrote a children-appropriate play, “Devil in the Deep” with Graham Russell, the former guitarist from Air Supply. The story is based on “Treasure Island,” which is enough to gain the attention of children and adults like, quite honestly.
Culturally, we’ve become familiar with stories of a waiter or waitress saying, “I’m writing a screenplay” or “I’m just waiting tables at the Cheesecake Factory until I get my big break!” But to meet someone who has written a play that is going to run in a theater in New York City for a month was quite incredible. A testimony of hard work. Another special moment from this past weekend was eating at a beer and wine selling tavern called the Ojai Beverage Company and sitting at a table next to Jason Segel of How I Met Your Mother and I Love You, Man fame. It just goes to show that we sometimes realize, and sometimes may not realize, who we’re sitting next to or speaking with.
Randomly going to a casual joint in Ojai on an overcast, rainy afternoon for the best fish tacos around (true story!) or engaging in conversation with a sweet waitress can change our days (and summer plans) in a matter of moments.
Talk about an off-the-menu special…
“Devil in the Deep”
The Mint Theater, NYC
Playing in June
Jimmy's Daily Planet 