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Happy Monday
The final curtain fell late Sunday (May 21, 2017) on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, known widely as “the Greatest Show on Earth.”
The circus, which traces its lineage back to showman P.T. Barnum’s traveling museum in the 1800s, performed its final show at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
–Greg Toppo, USA Today, May 21, 2017
Sadness is the emotion most of us felt when we heard about the news described above from a couple months back. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was famed tradition and a pioneering act in the art of show business. Its theatrics should still be wowing audiences today and far into the future.
Happiness (at least in a mild sense) is the emotion an increasing number of us are feeling upon learning of a brand new musical produced for the silver screen titled, The Greatest Showman. Starring musical veterans Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams, the new movie is slated for release this Christmas. The film tells the story of P.T. Barnum…
See for yourself.
First, the music in the trailer is, well, not the greatest. However, it is a musical, so it gets a free pass. Second, is it fair to say that Hollywood, specifically 20th Century Fox, was a little late to the show “the Greatest Show on Earth”? This is to imply that the promotion and potential widespread success of The Greatest Showman could have provided the rejuvenating spirit the circus desperately needed before giving its final performance earlier this year.
Ultimately, will The Greatest Showman be so awe inspiring as to help bring back “the Greatest Show on Earth” to and for the people?
Hey, Twinkies came back from the dead…
and now it’s even an ice cream flavor! Anything can happen in this world when a fond memory from our childhood is involved.
Especially a great memory.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
An Eternal Rey of Light
YouTube is nothing but goofy videos, like cats that open doors, dogs that rap and a gerbil with a lightsaber.
That presumption is only partly correct (But c’mon…a gerbil with a lightsaber!).
Despite the preconveived notions about YouTube’s content, the videos that can be discovered while exploring the popular website are actually infinitely diverse. There are ridiculously silly and absurd videos, yes, but there are also amazing feats captured for millions (even billions) to see for an eye-opening surprise.
John Williams is a movie soundtrack legend. Mr. Williams has written and composed some of the most iconic scores in movie and cultural history.
- Jaws (1975)
- Star Wars (Beginning in 1977-Present)
- Superman (1978)
- Indiana Jones (Beginning in 1981-Present)
- E.T. (1982)
- Home Alone (1990)
- Hook (1991)
- Jurassic Park (1993)
In addition, what’s equally noteworthy of the past legacy of John Williams is the future legacy of John Williams. Returning to compose The Force Awakens (Star Wars: Episode VII) in 2015, one of the best instrumentals on the soundtrack is “Rey’s Theme.” And it sounds like YouTube user Chelsea Comeau is quite the good student in the John Williams school of brilliant character themes, with just a piano.
Now compare to the genius John Williams version, complete with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at his disposal. And, of course, let’s not forget that John Williams came up with this beautiful instrumental from his imagination.
Amazing.
It’s pretty great what you can find on YouTube, isn’t it?
Or what you can be inspired by on YouTube…
P.S. You’re welcome.
This Kingdom’s (Title) Has Come
Jurassic World 2 would not be a great title for the highly-anticipated sequel to Jurassic World.
Thankfully, that won’t be an issue.

Ladies and gentleman, the Jurassic World team is, unlike the viability of a real Jurassic Park, on the right path with the (literally!) just released movie title and poster shown above. The juxtaposition of “Fallen Kingdom” and “Life Finds a Way” sparks an undeniable sense of curiosity one year out from theatrical release into what this story entails and where this story will lead for the third film in this trilogy. The only issue I have (and it’s minor) is the somewhat bland color scheme for the iconic logo in the Jurassic World trilogy’s posters. Maybe the logo’s color, like the story, has a 3-film story arc that won’t bring its full vibrant color scheme to light until the third installment?
Maybe? Hopefully.
However, the slogan (“Life Finds a Way”), the brilliant phrase spoken by Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park back in 1993 (who is in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), is perfect on so many different levels. This brand new movie poster found a way to be modern, yet nostalgically awesome.
June 22, 2018. Mark it down.
When can we reserve tickets?
Happy Monday
Spring is known as the season of rebirth. Monday, therefore, could be defined as the day of the week for rebirth.
In other words, Mondays seem like a perfect occurrence to hit an internal reset button from the now past week and weekend. To put a finer tip on it, each Monday provides us the unique opportunity to be something we weren’t during the prior days that we wish we were…that we wish we could be.
However, before we make any drastic changes to our lives, it’s important to rediscover our origin story, of sorts. What is our true character? Purpose? Drive? This way, we may better understand the place(s) we really want to go, literally and metaphorically.
Here’s an origin story for the ages that should inspire grand adventures as large as a house perfectly located on the banks of West Egg.
The source of J. Gatsby’s money aside (we all know that side of the story), the relentless ambition of one of the most famous literary characters is undeniable.
And admirable.
Perhaps, admirable extraordinary…?
(Bonus points for those who remember that 2013 cinematic reference)
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.