Whether it’s a rampaging bear, a happy dog, or the return of the woolly rhino … it’s all good in today’s DAILY SPAM.
THEY CLONED TYRONE
Okay, so maybe not as daily as I’d like. But I had some wild stories (or is it “stories from the wild”) come in over the weekend, and I thought I’d share them with you today. Some of these are epic …
Not sure what to watch on Netflix in August? This list from Wired Magazine gives you 44 titles to choose from. Films on the list include John Boyega’s latest film, THEY CLONED TYRONE. It looks fantastic.
Other movies suggested for an evening “in” include THE RAID (complete with classic fight scenes that inspired Netflix’s DAREDEVIL series), MATILDA (the musical), historic/courtroom drama THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, and THE TWO POPES.
SOUND OF FREEDOM
Meanwhile, the debate continues to rage over SOUND OF FREEDOM, which seems to be making the jump from a “little independent movie that becomes a respectable financial success” to a “right-wing talking point.” This story by VOX breaks it down.
Between allegations the filmmakers mislead audiences on the realities of human trafficking, to a press tour that included the feature’s star sharing Qanon-fueled conspiracy theories, to accusations backers of the film were buying out movie theaters in order to give the impression more people were going to the movie than they actually were, this film has managed to persevere and put a respectable take at the turnstyle.
But this last week, word dropped that one of the film’s financial backers was arrested for kidnapping and a new uproar over the film and its depiction of human trafficking started all over again.
It’s exhausting.
Who wouldn’t like to cuddle up with a nice woolly rhino?
But don’t let arguments over political correctness, Q-anon, or wokeness get you down. Not when there are animal stories worth sharing …
And as long as you’re in a cinematic frame of mind, here’s a story from The Guardian that instantly brings back memories of Jurassic Park. As if Dr. Ian Malcolm’s (Jeff Goldblum) warnings weren’t enough, when could it ever be a good idea to bring an extinct creature back to the present?
I mean, really, just how much damage could one woolly rhino do?
Hank the Tank terrorizes Lake Tahoe – all in search of a pic-a-nic basket. Probably.
Apparently, not as much as the 400-pound black bear, Hank the Tank, who was captured this weekend in Lake Tahoe after breaking into at least 21 homes in the area. Lauren McCarthy at The New York Times has the story.
The latest news about Hank is that she (yes, she) may be one of a gang of bears guilty of rummaging and ransacking their way through Lake Tahoe dating back to 2021.
What is it with these gangs of animals putting humans in their place? Between Hank and Friends in Tahoe, pods of Orca’s attacking speeding pleasure craft in the Mediterranean and teaching other Orca how to do the same … I’m starting to get the feeling our place as “apex predators” in this world might be coming to an end (if we don’t end it ourselves).
Have you petted your dog today?
Tired of all this negative news?
Here’s something to share with the kids … petting your dog is good for you. As it turns out, caring for animals (like your fluffy fur babies) is beneficial to our mental and physical health.
My cat says: “You’re welcome.”
Stay tuned for more news updates as they come in.
A dream job … or just a job of dreams?
You need to know one of the true “wizards” of Disney’s Imagineering department. He’s made a real-life lightsaber and now he’s creating the technology that could put a Holodeck experience in every home. Find out more …
So long Leap Day, see you in 4 years (or so) …
Oh sure, it seems obvious. Every four years, we’ll just add an extra day to the calendar. Unless the year ends in a 00, then … well … read this post and you’ll know all you really need to know about “Leap Days.”
Gone but not forgotten – favorite automotive trends from the past
America (and much of the world) has had a century-long love affair with automobiles – of all shapes and sizes. But just like that person you dated back in high school, a second look few decades after the fact may result in a raised eyebrow or two.
Leaping back into the DAILY SPAM … and much more.
It’s well preserved in its own juices and fresh out of the can. The DAILY SPAM is back.
Celebrating the best underwater photography of the year
The online gallery showcasing the best entries of the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition is absolutely stunning. I’ve posted a few samples and a link to the online exhibit.
Nothing to watch on HULU? Not exactly …
Overwhelmed with options when it comes to finding a new series to stream or a movie to watch? If you’ve got a subscription to HULU, I might have a few suggestions …
How Godzilla found his voice
There’s something delightfully nostalgic about the unforgettably corny schreech of a roar coming from the original King of the Monsters (Godzilla) in the original 1954 production. Here’s the story behind the sound …
Additions for your “ttrbyd” list
What’s this? Just another one of those lists of things to do, read, watch, experience before you leave this mortal coil? Maybe, but it’s worth the read.
A little walk can take us miles
How many steps do you take in a day? Believe it or not, there are physiological, mental, and emotional benefits to literally “taking a hike” whether your wife asks you to or not.
Apple’s big bet on the MLS
How does Apple view its 10-year, $2B+ deal between Apple TV+ and Major League Soccer? It’s a way to reinvent sports for a streaming environment and get in on the ground floor of what could be the freshest source of “reality television” on the planet.
Still turning heads at 50 … happy birthday to THE EXORCIST.
Everything from celebrating fifty years of head-spinning thrills to the health benefits of ice cream. It’s all part of today’s nutritious meal of email delights.
Have you had your SPAM today?
Introducing a new column … Daily Spam is what I serve up after digging through the hundreds of emails I get every day … just so you don’t have to. I’ll provide links to interesting articles, videos, podcasts and more with no offers for winning lotto numbers, inheritances from African princes, or the latest NFTs. It’s free content worth every penny. Guaranteed.
You’ll never guess where I found the biggest obstacle to my recovery journey …
It turns out that the mind-body connection works both ways. Sometimes the biggest barrier keeping you from your success is located between your ears – which is why its important to understand how physical trauma can bring on depression and how your mental health affects your recovery.
The patient can go on vacation, but the therapy can’t.
Even when you intentionally “get away from it all” you don’t get away from it ALL. Blogger Mike Bawden explains how to manage travel, touring foreign countries, chasing grandchildren, and rehabbing an injured shoulder simultaneously.
Sometimes physical therapy can be a real pain …
I learned the hard way that pain, and my reaction to it, is one of the useful signals a therapist uses to evaluate the progress of your rehabilitation.
