Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/21/24

3 Up

1. Japan Moon Landing - It's kind of crazy to think in a world with budding AI and all of the technology we are trying to wrap our minds around here on Earth, landing on the moon is still a rarity. Congratulations to Japan for becoming the fifth nation to do so. It'll be nice to get more info as I'm sure the race to the moon for more exploration is on. 

2. Spelman College Donation - The largest-ever donation for an HBCU happened this week with Spelman College receiving a $100M gift. That's cool, and it should be interesting when higher education and institutional power within higher education are at their most fragile. 

3. Taylor Swift Impact - It's 2024, and Taylor continues dominating in amazing ways. One of those is that Swift is responsible for 7% of all vinyl record sales in 2023. Considering her music and the intersection audience that typically adores her and collects vintage which seems on the surface very unlikely - Swift's power and influence knows no boundary. 

3 Down

1. Immigration - From the continued migrants in cities to the discussion at the border, to really nothing being done, it raises the discussion on the seriousness of how we approach immigration, or if we just want to utilize it for political rhetoric. 

2. Cancelled Debate - A Nikki Haley vs. Donald Trump debate is now off after Trump refused to show (again), and Haley refused to do it if Trump declined. I mean, after all, what's the point. Our politics are broken. 

3. Sports Illustrated - Sad week with the announcement of the demise of Sports Illustrated. An establishment for any sports fan of the past, the medium and landscape changed, and SI fell behind. I sort of miss it - coverage and discourse of sports haven't been the same.

Cover Photo

A large statue depicting rapper and actor Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, is installed in front of the Palais Brongniart in Paris, France, on January 12, 2024. The statue appeared, unannounced, as part of a campaign to promote the release of Kid Cudi's new album. #

Alain Jocard / AFP / Getty

Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Friends With Kids (2011)

What is it about?  Two friends decide to have a child together without all of the strings attached of romantic emotion to avoid the changes that children can have on a relationship.  Who is in it?  Jennifer Westfeldt - Julie Keller Adam Scott - Jason Fryman
Read more

Dome Pondering Movie Review: I Used to Be Funny (2023)

What is it about?  A former stand-up comedian struggles with PTSD as she struggles to reclaim her life and to look for the missing girl she used to nanny.  Who is in it? Rachel Sennott - Sam Cowell  Olga Petsa - Brooke Renner Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert]  As the plot comes together (going back and forth from present and past PTSD trauma), we see Sam go back to the house she served as a Nanny, tying the film together.  Favorite Quote:  "Are you going to ask me what I was wearing next?" Review:  After finishing I Use to Be Funny, I struggle to place this film in a box. Comedy?? Not sure why it is labeled as that on Netflix...while it has tremendous humor and one liners, a natural as Sam is a comedian, the deeper story arc surrounds deeper tones of sexual assault, parental death, awful parents, and tons of collateral damage by way of a horrific event.  It's complex to say the least, but it doesn't take away from the film. You're invested in...
Read more