Great Wall, Pandas, and Mcdonald's

Guess what? Hollywood is not trying to white wash Mulan, so far.  They actually hired a Chinese actress.  Lui Yifei will be playing Mulan.  She was in The Forbidden Kingdom and Ip Man 3.  I look forward to future casting, as long as they are Asian.  Anything less would be an insult to the culture and story. 

I finally got to see this movie.  If you have not watched the current series, you are missing a really great story.  The story lines, the acting, the special effects.  Rise, Dawn and War represent the character arc of Caesar.  If you saw the original Ape movies, you would know he established their community and way of life.  In addtion to having action, these movies have a lot of emotion/drama built into the stories. 

I saw Ghost in the Shell.  It was an ambitious film.  Much like Blade Runner.  I know there was controversy over Scarlett Johansson's casting.  I think it would have been better served with an Asian actress.  Would it have done better? That's hard to say.  They wanted a named actor to sell the movie.  It explores themes similar to Blade Runner.  We saw how that ended up doing.  I liked it.  It is a visual overkill.  Sort of like Speed Racer.

In Florida, we have lots of panhandlers.  Some are just desperate for food or money.  Some look like they have made it their fulltime job.  One day, a couple of them were converging on a street corner.  It looked like an employee meeting.  I have even seen where one person will stand back while another stands at the corner.  I wondered if that was a training day.  Yesterday, I saw a new low.  An Egret was standing at an intersection.  I looked around and saw a police car.  So, I do not know if he had a cardboard sign.  They hide signs when they see the police.

At the amusement park with two of my daughters and one friend.  I brought the youngest with me.  She's a daddy's girl.  I felt I could tire her out.  We have just returned from eating.  The rest is fiction. We walked into the park.  A crowd had gathered.  The girls were excited to return, but they were a little full.  At the front, we noticed a sign we must have missed.  $10 Sky Coaster.  This is a ride where 1 to 3 get in a harness held in place by a big white cord.  Once in place, another line pulls them up high into the sky.  At the top, the person(s) has to pull a cord to release. Gravity does the rest. Of course, my daughter would see it.  "Dad, can we? It's only $10.  You will save a lot of money". "I can save more by not paying for it". "Please?"  she looks at me with a sad puppy dog look.  Usually, that does not work.  I would just walk on and ignore it for the rest of the day. But, ...

I gave blood today.  They were happy to see me.  Being O negative makes me kind of popular. They had me use this special machine.  I don't think I have used it before.  I would feel cold then warm.  I made it through without passing out. I got some movie tickets and a Tervis tumbler.

I have a movie or two to watch.  Movie theaters will be prepared, also.  I don't miss it though.  It was one day the theater expected us to be there.  New movies would open that day.  It usually is something big.  Sometimes, we'd get food.  You'd think the companies would pay for something.  Not movie theaters.  That would mean spending money.

It's Thanksgiving day.  We generally sit around the house, watch things on TV, and eat.  We might do some internet Black Friday shopping.  Angie may go out.  I will not.  It's not much fun.  If you wait a month or so, those hard to get things are plentiful.

What is everyone doing the day before Thanksgiving?  Well, I mean those in America that celebrate it.  I'm at work.  We get off tomorrow and Friday.  Friday, we have black Friday.  For those who do not know what it is.  It is a massive sale day.  Most stores offer great deals on a couple of items to entice people out to buy Christmas gifts.  Black for these sales means keeping the stores out of the red, as in they are making profit versus not hitting those sales goals.  I will be at home with the girls. I hate going out on that day.  People are really rude during those sales.  You see stories about people fighting over things.  Do you really need it that bad? 

David Cassidy has died.  My mom says I had some kind of musical instrument when I was a kid, but I don't remember that.  I know my brother had a Donnie and Marie instrument set.  Maybe, I am blocking it out on purpose.  You know these entertainers who die like this should be an example to the younger generation.  This is what drugs and alcohol do to you and your career. 

At the doctors for my annual checkup.  I hope to go back before he goes on lunch.  I'm hungry also.  My meds ran out and they will not reup.  I knew it was coming.

Another hell day on Interstate 4.  A tractor-trailer had an accident.  I'm guessing it is going across all lanes.  I thought I could get to my exit before it backed up to where I was.  I was wrong.  It was close, but I still had to wait.  Not only that, it was causing side accidents. 

Justice League was the top movie.  I'd expect them to make serious changes.  It was an underwhelming win.  They need to get better writers.  One's who can be faithful to storylines.  Thor is still bringing in money. They changed up their formula.  DC could have used Marvel as how to do things better or correctly.

I am sleep deprived today.  My daughter woke up at 12.  She thought it was time to start playing around.  I drifted back to sleep.  She did not.  Around 3, she decided it was a good time to go back to sleep.  She is going to be irritable.  I may be a little. 

We went to get pictures today.  Everyone is getting them done.  Most have matching sweaters or because we live in Florida, they are resorting to tshirts.  One family looked like Cousin Eddie's family from Christmas Vacation.  Then I saw a woman that looked like Newt Gingrinch's wife.  I kid you not.  She was a doppelganger.

Malcolm Young died yesterday.  He was 64.  He and his brother were founding members of AC/DC.  I was lucky enough to see them in concert in 1988.  I know.  It was a long time ago.  They played with Cinderella.  Cinderella was okay.  Their sound was distorted and loud.  My brother and I had tickets in the floor area.  My brother saw seats in an upper area near the stage.  We went up there.  The ticket holders never showed.  We had amazing seats.  My ears rang for three days.  I'm glad I got to see them.  They came to Tampa last year.  They charged $100 for tickets.  We paid $19.00 for our concert.

It's early in the morning.  I'd like to sleep, but my daughter is used to waking this early.  I'm hoping she will go back to sleep. 

My youngest is talking about toilets.  I am hoping this means potty training.  She mentions it and wants us to bring her back.  When we do, she plays in the bathroom.  I can not force her to sit on it.  I think that part scares her.  We have to wait until she is ready.  I do not want to scar her for life by forcing her to do it. 

Reviews are coming out.  It does not sound very good for the movie.  This whole production has been marked by issues.  First of all, I think it is a rush job.  WB wants an Avengers type movie.  Instead of slowly building up to it like Marvel, they are trying to start with it and then branch out characters.  Second, the director left the project.  He says it was because of his daughter's death.  I don't blame him for stepping away for that reason.  I think the studio put pressure on him to take the leave.  Third, they use a villain that only comic book people would know.   Why not bring out a more recognizable villain?  Brainiac.  People kind of know him.  You can only use Lex Luthor so many times.  He's not even invincible.  Finally, from the previews, it looks just like Avengers.  A space villain comes to earth with minions.  The super heroes have to battle the minions.  When they go aft...

I hate entertainment news.  It is so stupid.  The hosts sit there and gush about these people.  They call them by pet names or their first names, like they know them.  Yesterday, I saw that Kardashian is having another baby.  But, since she did not want to carry it and it would disturb her fashion empire, she has paid someone to have the baby for her.  Then, we found out that she created a new fragrance that she came up with after her robbery.  I was wondering if it smelled like piss.  Who knows?  I usually try to turn it off as soon as I can.  Every time I watch it, I feel brain cells dying. 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is around the corner.  I have to start getting ready for Christmas.  I don't even know what to buy people.  My older daughters say that we can just give them money or a phone.  I don't think either is going to happen.  I wish they would slow down and enjoy childhood while it is here.  I guess I was the same way. 

I love movies.  I really hate when storylines repeat.  We all saw the Avengers.  We saw an alien with lots of minions try to take over.  This looks like the plot of Justice League.  The irony is that Joss Whedon was brought in to finish the film.  He's the director of the Avengers.

Lucasfilm must have been impressed with Rian Johnson.  He's been hired to write a new trilogy for Star Wars. He will direct the first movie of that series.

We took the girls to Fun Spot.  At first, I was getting worried.  We hit rain on the way there.  This is Orlando.  It can rain one minute and be dry the next.  As we pulled up, we saw a sign welcoming a company.  It was not that bad.  I was worried there would be lines.  It turned out to be a great day.  There was a little rain.  Our younger daughters got to ride some of the rides.  They seemed to enjoy it. 

Someone posted that they could not believe that parents would let their kids out like they do on the show.  I remember the 80's being that way for me.  My brother and I would ride bikes around the neighborhood and city.  As I look back, it was not the safest thing to do.  It was the way it was. 

Disney is looking at buy 20th Century Fox.  News not included.  I can see this.  That would give them X-Men, Star Wars (first three movies), Avatar, etc.  Are they going to become like the Empire from Star Wars?  I don't know.  So far, they have done great things.  I can not see this being a bad move for them.  I still think they should work with Netflix, instead of trying to go against them.  They are already a powerhouse.  To compete, Disney will have to produce original content for the platform.  Will they be able to do it at the rate Netflix is already doing it?  Only time will tell. 

I keep seeing the preview.  I'm wondering if it is going to be any good.  It looks just like Avengers.  They are all going after random minions, but they need to be together to go after the main villain.  Batman seems like he is putting on more padding every movie he does.  I'm surprised he can walk with all they body armor.  He looks like one of those ridiculous action figures.  You know, the ones where it looks like the toy is on steroids.  I guess kids can't imagine strength without all those un natural muscles. 

I just saw the second preview for this movie.  I can't wait to see this one.  Hong Chau is an actress that I have like since seeing her in Inherent Vice and Treme.  Word is that she may get nominated for this on.  Check it out.  Check the movie out when it hits theaters.  Downsizing Preview

Thor is back.  I want to see this one.  Mainly, because of the director.  Taika Waiti has done some really fun movies.  If you have not seen one of his movies, search them out.  What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary about Vampires living in a house.  Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a movie about a foster child who goes on an adventure.  I can't wait to see if he will do Akira.  He says that if he does, he would look to Asian youths to play the roles. 

I finished Season 2 of Stranger Things.  I loved it.  It really captures the 80's  I remember driving around town on my bike.  My brother and I were latchkey kids.  Mom was at work during the day.  We would go to the beach, downtown, etc.  I would go see movies.  When my dad would visit, we would go see double features and eat spring rolls at a Vietnamese restaurant.  Now we have to wait a year for the next season. 

We took the girls out.  It was as fun as a day trick or treating in Florida can be.  Main issue is mosquitoes.  We have not been cold enough to kill them off.  With the hurricane, they have more water to grow from.  I spent the time with my 4 year old on my shoulders.  She didn't want to walk.  She will have to do so soon.  She's getting heavy.  We lasted about 2 blocks.  Two of the older girls stayed out later with their friend. 

New York had an attack.  Guess what?  Trump's lame Muslim ban would not have prevented it.  He came from a country not on his list.  Yet, he still touts it as the reason it happened.  He thinks that if it were fully allowed it would have stopped him.  He came here 7 years ago and Uzbekistan was never on his Muslim Ban list.