A Drop of Happy

Keke Palmer Shines in One of Them Days

One of Them Days Movie Review One of Them Days premiered at number two at the box office with Mufasa: The Lion King rising to the top again after being dethroned by Den of Thieves: Pantera the previous weekend. 
One of Them Days starring Keke Plamer and SZA is produced by Issa Rae, the mastermind behind HBO’s hit Insecure. The film follows the two best friends and roommates as they navigate a wild and crazy day trying to gather their rent money so they do not get evicted. It is currently doing well with moviegoers staying with a strong 94% from Rotten Tomatoes and 7.2/10 from IMDb. The cast is popping with fan favorites from Katt Williams to Keyla Monterros Mejia to Lil Rel Howery. I was excited to see Joshua David Neal get his break because I have been watching his talents on TikTok for the past few years, and he’s got skills behind the camera more than in front of it. 
One of Them Days is worth the high audience marks. I laughed out loud a few times in large part to Janelle James. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable movie. I love Keke Palmer but don’t usually love her acting. I think she tends to be a touch over the top but in her role as Dreux, she gave just the right amount of energy needed. Her chemistry with SZA is on point. Although it was a comedy, I found there were subtle layers that made the antics of their day a little more interesting. The pacing was just right, the acting was solid and the vibe was chill. Oh, I did not find Katt Williams funny in this one, but I appreciated his presence. 
One of Them Days 8/10 comedy score
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The Circle of Sound: Mufasa The Lion King Soundtrack

Mufasa: The Lion King Sound Track
So by now, you know how much I adore Mufasa: The Lion King. It is leaps and bounds better than the live-action version of The Lion King. However, that soundtrack though!
It is composed by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda and that might make me biased because of how much I love the music for Hamilton and Encanto. Mind you this soundtrack only has seven tracks but each one is impactful.
Ngomos- I loved this opening to the film because it took me back to the first time I went to the movies. It was to see Coming to America and I got the same feeling from the beginning of that movie when Mbube Wimoweh by Ladysmith Black Mambazo started playing. It was more of a nostalgic moment for me but a great way to start the movie.
Milele—This is a beautiful song that takes the time to lay the groundwork for the viewer to see and be a part of Mufasa’s destiny. I also really enjoyed hearing Anika Noni Rose’s voice again.
I Always Wanted A Brother- This is the song that everyone is having fun with on social media, and I can understand why. It is fun upbeat and showcases the cubs getting to know each other, having fun, and getting into a little trouble. It also gives us a peak into Taka’s tendency towards entitlement in comparison to Mufasa who seems to have more compassion. This is particularly evident when they are talking about the birds being free vs Taka wanting to command them. When Mufasa tries to enlighten Taka, he gets bored with the topic. Taka basically spends the entire song making commands even though he is defending Mufasa. The song itself is a joy though featuring the cubs growing into lions.
Bye Bye- My daughter was not a fan of this song but I enjoyed it. It is the villain’s time to shine and it comes across a little tongue and cheek. He is menacing and mocking at the same time. My favorite part is the “bye-bye” and when the chorus joins him and the cadence goes a little faster.
We Go We Together- This is the song of the ragtag crew led by Rafiki, which, to me, was the heart and soul of the movie. This is my favorite song of the seven. You can get up and dance around and feel the beat. The melody and joining of voices are infectious, especially towards the end. We get to see the group grow closer and a glimpse into Taka’s delusion that Sarabi is somehow his. “If you wanna go far we go together!”
Tell Me It’s You- This too is a well-crafted song between Mufasa and Sarabi as Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone’s voices really complement each other. This is when we see their relationship start to take form as Taka watches with growing jealousy. But here’s the thing, Sarabi was never into Taka. Not ever, not at all.
Brother Betrayed - Taka gets his solo moment to shine and again this song hits especially since we know how things turned out with Scar. He’s still not a complete villain but he’s a spineless idiot. By now the audience knows he’s a coward because he ran when he was supposed to save his mother and he hid when he was supposed to save Sarabi leaving Mufasa to come to the rescue both times. Bother Betrayed is the last track and the strings and melody lead us nicely into the true treachery, which is Taka betraying his “brother” to Kiros.

The Wine Down Rewind: Entertainment Highlights 3

The Wine Down Entertainment Rewind 3
California Fires
Protect your safe space
Squid Games 2
Chloe Baily and Burna Boy
Megan Markle
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Goode
Aaron Pierre
Mufasa
Wicked
Don Lemon
Jamie Foxx
Short Drama's
Allison Holker
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynold, and Justine Baldoni

Mufasa: The Lion King- A Majestic Prequel Worth Roaring About

Mufasa: The Lion King- A Majestic Prequel Worth Roaring About
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Mufasa: The Lion King tells the story of a young Mufasa’s journey to become the Lion King. Along the way, the audience learns how Scar became Scar and how the two brothers came to have a falling out. Before I get into the spoilers, I have to say that I enjoyed the cinematography and setting. The voice acting was on point. I was surprisingly impressed with Blue Ivy as the voice of Kiara. Upon first watching, I gave it a 7/10 but then went home, and listened to the soundtrack after which I watched it again in the theaters. I definitely had a much more enjoyable experience the second time around because I was ridiculously engaged. I might as well have been one of the kids at that point. I have to say, this was so much better than The Lion King live-action.
The soundtrack track is a banger. Lin Manuel Miranda strikes again.
Beyoncé can't act
Blue Ivy potentially can
Mufasa: The Lion King: 9/10
What the internet is saying:
Chat GPT Summary
"Mufasa: The Lion King," released in December 2024, is a prequel to Disney's 2019 "The Lion King," directed by Barry Jenkins. The film explores Mufasa's origins, depicting his journey from an orphaned cub to the revered King of the Pride Lands.
The narrative begins with a young Mufasa, voiced by Aaron Pierre, who is separated from his parents, Masego and Afia, due to a catastrophic flood. Alone and vulnerable, he is adopted by a royal lion family, becoming a brother to Taka, the future Scar, portrayed by Kelvin Harrison Jr. This relationship is central to the story, highlighting the complexities and eventual rift between the two lions.
As Mufasa matures, he faces numerous challenges, including defending his adoptive pride from rival white lions led by Kiros, voiced by Mads Mikkelsen. His bravery and leadership during these conflicts pave the way for his ascension to kingship. The film also delves into Mufasa's romantic relationship with Sarabi, adding depth to his character development.
The story is framed through a narration by Rafiki, voiced by John Kani, who recounts Mufasa's tale to Kiara, with Blue Ivy Carter providing her voice. This storytelling approach enriches the film's depth, connecting past events to the present.
Critics have praised the film for its photorealistic animation, compelling storytelling, and musical score composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Notable songs include "I Always Wanted a Brother" and "Bye Bye," which enhance the narrative's emotional resonance. The film's exploration of themes such as orphanhood, family conflict, and the struggle for power has been highlighted as particularly engaging. The
Times "Mufasa: The Lion King" has also performed well at the box office, leading the Christmas Day earnings with $14.7 million from 4,100 theaters, and accumulating a total domestic gross of $64.3 million shortly after its release.
Entertainment Weekly Overall, "Mufasa: The Lion King" offers a rich backstory to one of Disney's most iconic characters, blending stunning visuals, a captivating narrative, and memorable music to create a compelling cinematic experience.

Exploring Looper’s Ultimate Sci-fi Countdown: A Dive into the Top 107 Best Sci-Fi Movies Part 2

Exploring Looper’s Ultimate Sci-fi Countdown: A Dive into the Top 107 Best Sci-Fi Movies Part 2
My first look into Looper’s list was last June 2024. Obviously, I should have looked at the rest of the list to create a part 2 review long ago but here we are. Over six months later, they have updated from 98 to 107 which is understandable since new movies continue to make an entry. Will there be a part three? Yes, but I will try not to wait so long for the next installment before they change it up again. Link to the full article is below.
 
Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse
93 from 76 Lilo and Stich
79 from 71 Men in Black
78 from 70 Gravity
Gattaca
Black Panther
Pacific Rim
Sorry to Bother You
Looper 
The Iron Giant
Minority Report
Frankenstein
Predator
Edge of Tomorrow
The Invisible Man
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Total Recall
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Superman: The Movie
Annihilation
Looper's Best Sci-Fi Movie of All Time Ranked

Curiosity Unleashed: Why Wonder, Not Doubt, Fuels True Knowledge

Curiosity Unleashed: Why Wonder, Not Doubt, Fuels True Knowledge
Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.
To wonder is to be curious but also to be in awe. I think we can sit back and be in awe of things and admire them and appreciate them while still maintaining a sense of self. Having states of awe, I believe, inspires ingenuity and curiosity. It makes sense to me why then you can be in wonder of something and also wonder about something. Wonder opens our minds to exploration.
Articles
Eight Reasons Why Awe Makes Your Life Better
Awe may improve your mood and make you more satisfied with your life.
Awe may be good for your health.
Awe may help you think more critically.
Awe may decrease materialism.
Awe makes you feel smaller and more humble.
Awe can make you feel like you have more time.
Awe can make you more generous and cooperative.
Awe can make you feel more connected to other people and humanity.
The Mental Benefits of Seeking Awe
Why You Nee to Protect Your Sense of Wonder- Especially Now

The Beyoncé Bowl: A Celebration of Power, Performance, and Unstoppable Inspiration

Christmas Day football game and Beyoncé Bowel performance inspired me
Netflix to release a stand-alone special
Blue Ivy
Post Malone
Netflix IT made sure there were no glitches
Shaboozy
What is happening 1.14.25
CMAs made her get up out her seat with this special: My House
Black Bird: Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tierra Kennedy and Reyna Roberts
Homage to Black Cowboy Rodeo
Ashley Everett
Ja'Dayia Kursh: First Black Rodeo Queen
Let's review Harvard Business Review: Why Inspiration Matters

Losing You The Art of Letting and Finding Yourself Again

Losing You: The Art of Letting Go and Finding Yourself Again Be forewarned.
I sing on this podcast and it is bad but the song is so good.
Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good? We used to kiss all night but now there’s just no use. I don’t know how I fight it, clearly we are through. Tell me the truth, boy, am I losing you for good?
In 2012 Solange Knowles, yes that Solange, released an album called True. I don’t even know if it was a real album release because it only had seven tracks but when I tell you, I loved that album. No. I love that album. It is an in-your-feelings album with the first track, Losing You, and it is a vibe. The entire album is a moody vibe and Losing You is a great way to kick it off.
Have you been in a relationship you know is over or feel is about to be? This song really captures the essence of being in that ambiguous space because maybe you still want to fight for the relationship but you only end up fighting alone. You end up wondering if is it really worth it if you are the only one willing to fight, willing to put in the work to continue.
“I know you’re waiting for the worst that you can get from me. Just treat me good and daby I’ll give you the rest of me. Im not the one that you should be making your enemy.” “There’s nothing more, I know you’re taking it away from me. I gave you everything and now there’s nothing left of me. I’m not the one you should be making your enemy.”
How do you manage a situation like that? It is more than you are in an argument and need to get past it by one of you apologizing and moving on. This is one where you know the other party has checked out but for whatever reason you are not ready to let go. It is a devastating experience if you have had the misfortune to go through it. Unfortunately, you do have to reach a point when you have to let go.
The emotional turmoil is even more challenging if you still love the person, but their behavior towards you makes it clear that the relationship is over. While letting go is never easy because there are so many doubts and questions about the future, it is an essential step towards healing and rediscovering your sense of self. That new plane and exploration can also be scary in itself.
Here are seven steps to how you can start on that path:
Acknowledge the reality of the situation
Allow yourself to feel your emotions
Set clear boundaries
Focus on self-care and discovery
Challenge false beliefs about love and loss
Seek professional support if needed
Visualize a better future