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From the archives : NYE at Mystic Hot Springs
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The Penske Racing Museum
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It’s now been almost two weeks since I left work for the final time. I’m working on a life balance of “routine” vs. doing “what I want when I want”. I found a website that showcases thing to do in and around Phoenix, both free and for the price of admission. Today I went the free route and drove up to the Scottsdale Penske Racing Museum.
I’m not a rabid racing fan, nor a big lover of cars. I’ve been out to the Phoenix raceway twice in my eleven years here. The Museum is squarely located between two high end car dealerships, one being Bentley and the other Aston Martin.
Technically, I wouldn’t classify this as a Museum per se, two floors in total, both relatively small. Upstairs had models of race cars and a trophy case. Downstairs though had some sweet race cars from both NASCAR as well as the Indy 500. Outside were the high end cars for sale and it was fun to walk around them, and then laugh out loud when I saw the price tags on a couple. Both marked down about $50,000 to $303,000 and $333,000. I’ve never paid $50K for a car, let alone the new asking price. Have you?
Pressure
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I’ve always been interested in history, especially World War Two. I’ve only heard about the new movie Pressure from previews in the theater until yesterday when a youtube movie critic reviewed it, and stated it was the perfect movie to take your Dad to. Sadly, my Dad is in another State.
Pressure is the true story of the days before the Allied invasion of France on the beaches of Normandy, with the goal of being able to defeat the Nazi’s. General Eisenhower doesn’t want to miss a thing, with so many young lives on the line, and that includes any severe weather.
This film is fantastic, from great performances ( Brendan Fraser as General Eisenhower in particular) all around, an interesting perspective on the days/hours leading up to D-Day, with an emotion punch that had me tearing up with pride thinking about the men on the beach that day. I can’t recommend it enough.
Backrooms
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I would say that at least in circles around the internet, the movie Backrooms is getting all the buzz and hype. From the Youtube web series that I haven’t seen (too old) comes the directorial debut of a talented twenty year old. The movie reminded me of Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but I have seen others describe it like Alice in Wonderland or The Shining.
Honestly, it was it’s own unique story, and can’t be compared to anything else. It does leave you making up your own mind about what is happening, with a very vague and open ending that may frustrate some people.
I loved this movie, and with earlier releases this year like Hokum and Obsession, the box office has really returned to form with high quality movies that do not rely on CGI or formulaic story telling.
Inside Llewyn Davis
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The year is 1961 in Greenwich Village, New York City. We find ourselves in the gaslight cafe, a lone folk singer on stage.
“Early one morning, drizzlin’ rain
And in my heart I felt an achin’ pain
Fare thee well, oh honey, fare thee well
Now one of these mornings, it won’t be long
You’ll call my name and I’ll be gone
Fare thee well, oh honey, fare thee well
If I had wings like Noah’s dove
I’d fly up the river to the one I love
Oh fare they well, oh honey, fare…fare thee well”
The start of Folk music could be thought of as the start of the Peace, Love and understanding movement here in the USA. Imagine though if a folk singer’s personal life was anything but that….full of misery and heartache. He only sings to make a meager living, no greater aspirations to change the world. Just give him a couch to sleep on for the night, a bit of food if it isn’t too much bother.
“One of these mornings
It won’t be long
You’ll call my name
And I’ll be gone”
My local theater is showcasing movies about music this month, and Inside Llewyn Davis played yesterday. A film directed by the Cohen brothers, it slipped passed me in 2013 when it was originally released, but I was glad to see it on the big screen. This week in the life of a struggling NYC musician is a masterpiece of storytelling, acting, directing and cinematography.
“I’m goin’ away to leave you love
I’m goin’ away for a while
But I’ll return to you somehow
If I go ten thousand miles”
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
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When this movie was first released back in in 2016, I completely missed the boat. I never heard of it, let alone see it. Ten years later, it was re-released at my local theater and so I took a chance. I’ve never laughed so hard at a mockumentary since the classic This is Spinal Tap.
The bevy of talented musicians that had cameos, the outrageously crude jokes and the satirical commentary were so witty that I was crying with laughter. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better time at the movies. Enjoy!
“It takes a whole village to make me look dope”
back to baseball for the summer
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Summertime in the Phoenix area doesn’t hit the same as it may in other parts of the country, as it is a time many look to stay indoors to escape the killer heat. The Chase Field baseball park is a great place to do just that.
For yesterday’s game I decided to take the metro rail from Mesa to the ballpark. For a round trip price of four dollars in comparison to twenty eight dollars or more for parking, and with the added benefit of not dealing with traffic in the downtown area, it was a no brainer. Some may be concerned with the “type” of people found on the Metro, but I had no issues, and actually truly enjoyed seeing the city and getting to downtown on this mode of transportation. It definitely will be what I use going forward.
For our Memorial Day holiday long weekend here in the USA, it was a perfect day full of fun, hotdogs, beer and a Diamondbacks win over rival Colorado by a score of 9-1. With great hits and infield plays, my first baseball game of 2026 was a success. Let’s bring on a winning season!
I love Boosters
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A Booster is a person, action or device that increases power, effectiveness, or support. In slang, Boosters refers to shoplifters who steal high end items then resell them at reasonable prices.
A new independent movie was released this weekend from director Boots Riley. I hadn’t seen their previous films, but I needed to cleanse my palate after watching the corporate slop that Disney released the day before, and so I was looking forward to a weird, crazy and unique film. I love Boosters delivered on all cylinders in that regard. It’s all about the three F’s, Fashion. Forward. Philanthrophy.
All about Corporate greed and capitalism gone to the extremes, with Robin Hood type urban women trying to get ahead by taking from the riches excesses of the fashion industry to help their own communities, and marginalized communities around the world. The movie was over the top, unashamedly bold in it’s style and message, and just all around a freaky good time in the theater.
The Mandalorian & Grogu
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I’m a big fan of Star Wars, going all the way back to 1977 when my Dad took me and my brother to the theater to see the original. We also love Westerns, and so when the world first got introduced to Mando and the iconic gunslinger music, I had high hopes for these new stories in the Star Wars Universe.
Settling in to my seat at the theater yesterday, I was excited for the new Mandalorian & Grogu movie. We had a good audience in attendance, and the first scene was pretty exciting and cool, but then it all went downhill in spectacular fashion. First, all of the best parts of the movie were in the trailers, and I hate those kind of spoilers. It left nothing to surprise or thrill me.
The middle of the film was a snoozefest. The CGI of the Hutt’s was so bad, slimy in the worst possible way. The actors all felt stilted and the dialogue must have been written by childish AI generators. At least they got paid….
The 2nd half of the movie, I’ll admit, was better, but at this point it was too late to save the film, at least for me. I was so disappointed. No story, no character development, and it wasn’t even that funny or cute. Who was this movie even made for? I can’t imagine kids, families, or fans of Star Wars would enjoy it. But perhaps you will….
