Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Sinead O'Connor - It came as quite a shocker, but celebrity deaths usually are. O'Connor was a culture game-changer. What struck me most as we look back on her life is the courage it took to go after the Catholic church and its sexual abuse during a time when that wasn't quite so easy.  2. Kimberly Mata-Rubio - Speaking of courage, the story of Mata-Rubio is one that stayed with me this week. I can't imagine losing a child to gun violence in a town, then having that fortitude to run for mayor of the town. That is perseverance, courage, forgiveness, humility, emotional control, and so much strength, all in one. More power to Kemberly Mata-Rubio. 3. Katie Ledecky - Ledecky continues to be a swimming monster. The legend now owns the record for most Gold medals - sixteen! - at the World Championships.  3 Down 1. Extreme Weather - Another summer week, more insane heat and extreme weather. It's really hard to refute climate change these days.  2. Interest Rates -

You ever wonder,  do they see my cup?  The depth, The width, The strength of its transparency. Do they see my cup? The portion that is,  the portion that isn't, and the part that is not real. Do they see my cup? Is there room for one more pour?  Just. One. More. Please! Of course, there is... Of course, there is. 

What is it about? A woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime. She re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her, all while looking for her little sister.  Who is in it? Sandra Bullock - Ruth Slater Vincent D'Onofrio - John Ingram Viola Davis - Liz Ingram Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] After peacefully and amicably coming to a meeting room, the meeting of Katie's foster parents and Ruth eventually explode into emotion with both sides understanding the other side through the animosity.  Favorite Quote: "Guess you got this freedom thing all figured out, huh?" Review: Netflix will make sure you watch The Unforgivable. It is featured all over the platform's interface, and quite frankly, the film carries an interesting trailer with a star-studded cast that pretty much makes it an easy addition to your list.  So yeah, on an off-day, I gave the film a try and wasn't disappointed. The Unforgivable is good. It's a film that carri

I don't believe for a second that Jason Aldean's latest single, "Try That in a Small Town" is an innocent song.  I don't. It's intentional. It's exactly as we interpret it. The art - specifically when partnered with the visual concept of the music video - is designed with a purposeful message.  And yet, I don't particularly care about canceling or censoring it.  I don't.  The two can be true in this scenario.  We find ourselves in the midst of a society that is searching for its equilibrium after 2020. More than ever are the words that ring true from Dr. King's "The Other America" speech. "Culture Wars" or "Cancel Culture" is at the root of our inability to see American life from another perspective. To have empathy for the American experience through other prisms.  ...to deal with this problem of the two Americas. We are seeking to make America one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. - Rev. Dr. M

Slammiversary has always been Impact Wrestling's top event of the year for me. I've never quite bought into the Bound For Glory hype, despite the company repeating its "biggest show" narrative every October. Slammiversary has meaning, it has a solid history, it used to have a concept match (where are you King of the Mountain match?), and let's be honest, it bears one of the coolest names in a landscape of many wrestling events.  I say all of that to come to this point - Slammiversary just never felt, well, Slammiversary-ish this year. I can't quite explain why. Maybe it's a combination of things - quick buildups, random matches, and the feeling of merely being in-between creative arcs on many fronts.  Despite the aura and general feeling, the event still was a good one, though, it wasn't over-the-top great. I likely may never fire this one up again to rewatch, but it was entertaining. And Impact continues to be just that - solid - despite everything sa

3 Up 1. Emmett Till Monument - This is pretty cool. The story of Emmett Till is still one of the most raw examples of this nation's history, and of course, one we have not come to grips with. Till should be honored, and more so, a monument that immortalizes the tragedy that defines so much of our ugly past.  2. Lionel Messi Debut - Messi is just a megastar. The impact is already seen on the expansion InterMiami has been amazing. Even more amazing? Messi's storybook debut included a game-winning goal. Because, well, of course. A great sports moment this year.  3. Barbie Weekend - Look, I don't quite understand the phenomenon of the film. However, Barbie has always been empowering for women. The film set a North American debut for a female director. So fitting. Congrats to Greta Gerwig.  3 Down 1. Extreme Weather - The world continues to be HOT. Like, everywhere is just, HOT. Rising temperatures and odd weather patterns - are very concerning. Arizona is in the midst of 19 s

What is it about? Clemence Miller leaves college after a sequence of behavioral outbursts. During her leave, she is finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  Who is in it?  Alex Heller - Clemence  J. Smith-Cameron - Sherri Emily Robinson - Carlin Kyanna Simone Simpson - Beth Favorite Scene:  Clemence meets Beth on her first day at Big Deals.  Favorite Quote:  "So you have friends. That's a flex" Review:  "The Year Between" is quite the complexity of a film that balances dealing with serious issues with a comedic and varied perspective. Alex Heller, the writer and director of The Year Between, plays the character of Celemence who can be crass, rude, obnoxious, and creates her own poor scenarios, but runs concurrently with a character who intrinsically understands the actions and consequences.  Clemence uses her condition throughout the movie which is often cringe, but yet - and again, plays right into the external encounters she faces and the relationships she en

What is it about? Three best friends navigate relationships and prepare themselves for the inevitable moment where you have to decide where the relationship is going.  Who is in it?  Zac Efron - Jason  Michael B. Jordan - Mikey Miles Teller - Daniel  Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert] After going back and forth with his wife in a relationship where they "checked each other's boxes", Mikey finally admits to himself what he's been avoiding and tells his wife to say it, for the both of them.  Through the door, his wife eventually says, "I don't love you anymore".  Favorite Quote: "Being there for someone when they need you, that's all relationships are." Review: I have this developing habit of selecting obscure movies on random streaming platforms while working out. Some have been good, others, well, it got me through the workout.  I saw this film on the Peacock Network and saw the heavy names colliding and figured it was a good bet. I never und

3 Up 1. Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Captured - The break in this case feels like something out of a Law and Order episode. Nonetheless, this gets the top spot for the sheer perspective of some break and information (maybe closure?) for the families of the loved ones who perished without answers.  2. Wimbledon Winners - Alcaraz did the thing and went through Novak Djokovic to win his first major at 20 years old. Marketa Vondrousova became the Major's first unseeded champion. Both, VERY impressive.  3. Sabrina Ionescu - 37 Points! The greatest three-point shooting display for a three-point competition round in either the WNBA or NBA. I've been a big fan of Ionescu, and super happy the WNBA gets some love this week via her accomplishment.  3 Down 1. Extreme Weather - Floods and Heat everywhere. It seems like we're all suffering from one of the two, and some, both. Some crazy stuff going on.  2. Hollywood Entertainment - SAG-AFTRA now joins the Writers Guild on the picket line

What is it about?  Ally returns to her hometown after leaving for Los Angeles and reconnects with her ex, Sean. Her life becomes confusing, yet clearer, once she meets Sean's fiance, Cassidy, who reminds her of the person she used to be.  Who is in it? Alison Brie - Ally Jay Ellis - Sean Kiersey Clemons - Cassidy Favorite Scene:  With both women being passive-aggressive for Sean's attention, Cassidy and Ally have a drink at the bar and soon realize how much they have in common.  Favorite Quote:   "You can't just fully close off one whole side of yourself, that's no way to live." Review:  I kind of had high hopes for Somebody I Used to Know . As you probably can tell from that statement, I was let down by this film. Off the heels of watching GLOW on Netflix - which was damn good and just let me down that it wasn't renewed by Netflix - I really grew fond of Allison Brie's ability as an actor. So when I saw that she helped write this Amazon Prime vehicle

3 Up 1. Yusef Salaam - I'm always in amazement at the grace and resilience of the men known as the Central Park Five. Taking that respect up another notch is Salaam who recently won the Democratic primary in Harlem to represent the New York City Council. The entire story of the Central Park Five will go down as one of the most remarkable and fascinating situations in American history. So much to unpack.  2. Leqembi Drug - The US Food and Drug Administration gave FULL approval to the Alzheimer's drug, Leqembi, this week. The drug is the first medicine proven to slow the course of memory-robbing disease. That's great news, and for this guy, hits home. Here's to hoping it works wonders.  3. Threads Socials Platform - 30 million downloads in a few hours. Twitter feels like it's on the back end of what will make for a crazy documentary. At the same time, how many different avenues do we need to connect?  3 Down 1. Earth Climate - We saw THE hottest day on Earth in 125,0

3 Up 1. Domingo German - The 24th perfect game in MLB history. Still one of the most awesome things in sports (and so random). German has gone through quite a bit, and some still haven't forgiven him for his transgressions, but for one night, the dude was perfect. That's the beauty of baseball.  2. Bloodline Storyline - Easily the best storyline in pro wrestling in decades, and likely one of the best ever, this entire ordeal continues to morph, develop, get deeper, and suck us all in. This weekend was no different with the WWE Money in the Bank premium live event in London.  3. Independent State Legislature - The Supreme Court, which has been active this week (more below) voted to shoot down this theory that would give state power in federal elections. The proposal was shot down in a vote of 6-3. The ultimate win here doesn't radicalize our elections, but most importantly, keeps voting front and center away from legalized gerrymandering and other state sanctions that could

WWE Money in the Bank 2023 will surely go down in history. For starters, it's directly tied to the United Kingdom, and being the first...premium live event (still getting used to that phrase) since Summerslam 92, it'll carry that cache.  The other reasons are tied to the fact that it was just a really entertaining event.  WWE has been absolutely crushing it in 2023. After many years of being disgruntled with the product, and oftentimes feeling insulted by the booking and the creative, the overall feeling as a fan I now get from the WWE really mirrors sentiments of being a kid again. Sure, it's not Steve Austin stunning Mr. McMahon heights or Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith, but it is genuine interest in what is going on with the characters, and the desire to want to know what will come next.  Yes, so much of that is attributed to Roman Reigns and the Bloodline storyline. The Bloodline story is everything right now. Everything. So good.  The WWE legit moved me to get my erran