Strong Women Part I - Shows Before 2010 (written 03.08.16)

Didn't get a chance to post this on 03.08.16 ~~ So here it is!! Yay!!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!! OMG!! Remember "Deadpool"?? What THEY did to celebrate? Hahaha, so funny!!

So, 'Umbrella Thoughts' wanted to do something a bit less conventional but also more traditional. Each series brought up contains SPOILERS and details that, if you want it to be a mystery, SKIP AHEAD!! But please enjoy and look forward to more on this!!

First discussed is "Xena: The Warrior Princess" (1995). Chris and I got into our pros and cons of this show, who and what we loved and how character development truly brought us up to be who we are. Everything about this show inspired Chris and myself into our current life roles, giving us strength and power. We LOVE Xena!!! We love Lucy Lawless!! And, okay, Renee O'Connor is okay, too.

Second discussed is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997). I collected all the series and then sold it after watching it all. It was the college days that I did all this and loved it all. But, we talk about Buffy and Willow, the two powerhouse women who grow to become their most memorable personalities. Also there are story arcs discussed that highlight both women and their changes, which we LOVED!! And then, came Faith talk and some Kendra, but the story is set and the family is real. We love them!

There is a slight comparison between Xena and Buffy that Chris and I went into. Things happened and well, we moved on, slowly, but we couldn't help geeking out! Forgive us, we are merely fans!!

I managed to move things along into sit-com television's "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" (1996) series. The balance, the relatability, and the lessons learned that really get to us all. And then Chris brought his up, "That's So Raven" (2003). Chris REALLY loved the show and I liked the show a lot, but didn't keep up with it so much. From Raven's history on "The Cosby Show" (1984) to where she is now, on "The View" but, her show on Disney really grew her up and changed her into the womanist she is today.

And this conversation, inevitably, led Chris and myself into the lack of diversity in Hollywood. Oh, yes, we got started and things got good. "Family Matters" (1989) was brought up... Be sure to listen to it all and the takeaway is that INCREASING DIVERSITY IS NOT REVERSE RACISM and FILMS SHOULD REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

So, take a listen and @rainbridgeS for your thoughts!! Or @tiffrz me on Twitter!

The Good Dino Vs. The Good Human (12.21.15) [SPOILERS!!]

What an interesting story. Of all the movies about dinosaurs and humans... Ok, to be honest, I've wanted to write earlier, I did. I tried and I sat down, brewed my tea and warmed my feet in cute fuzzy socks, and yet, the words never came to me. So I put something up first and waited for my words to return. A week passed and still, my comments about the 'Good Dino' seemed... very dry.

Obviously, it's a film truly about human nature and mother nature, but what else was there? And then I watched 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' and now, I feel a renewed desire to write. This... yes, THIS was my element... More so than the dinosaurs, but it will all wrap together, I promise you!

First of all, Google gives you the choice of the Light side or the Dark side. And because of who I am and what I do... Nope, I chose the dark side because the character development on that side was just so much better. Hahaha! Anyhoo, so I'm on that side now... And though I didn't much like Kylo Ren's weakness nor the lack of action from Captain Phasma, I still remain on the dark side because I feel I can improve them. :D

Heh, well, the 'Good Dinosaur' was just that to me. A good dinosaur doing good and dinosaur-ing in the world. It was cute, classy, and a bit on the boring side for a Pixar film. The short just before it held more action and content, but was very well done and I was sad it was over when it was. The story is centered around Arlo and his family before he gets lost and goes on an adventure getting home. I've heard it compared to 'The Lion King' and 'Wicked', but I think it's just a big mixture of Pixar's uncreativeness and it shows that the company is a bit more lost than we had originally though they were. Especially after reading about the history, about how they held it back from the original release date so that they could go over it again... COME ONNNNN!!! You can do better than that, Pixar!! Where is the amazing creativity that goes into bringing to life countless stories the way you did before?! What happened to making us dream and soar within the confines of walls, and cry within the confines of minutes?! ... You could do better than this half-assed piece of a film. I don't like cussing, but this time, it was necessary. Please pardon my language. I had to rate it a C. That's how sad it makes me. 

And now, as for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' ... how could they?!?!?! Oh, well, first, as a fan, I enjoyed it immensely. To be brought back into the world of the warring stars and the light and dark force, it was a CG feast for my eyes, ears, and heart. The aching was real, there were no tears nor were there surprises. And in the end, I couldn't wait to see the next one! Yay!

Now... onto the review the filmmaker side of me had. OOOOOOOOH MAAAAAAAAN!!! JJ Abrams was supposed to unleash his awesomeness on the franchise to open the world back up to the wonders of what 'Star Wars' was, originally, meant to be. And somehow... the film had so many holes, the characters were so under-developed, the CG was a bit over the top, and the dialogue and cheesiness oozed from every minute that passed!! WHAT HAPPENED?!?! I get that bringing back the old characters helps anchor emotional value and connections to the new characters, but that is NOT the best way to go about doing so!! Why would you waste Han Solo and let him die so weakly and predictably?! Leia is stronger but also does nothing, AGAIN. And finding Luke at the end, well, as great as that is, he's in no state to train anyone! 

My favorite character was BB-8. I mean, the little guy can travel anywhere, suspend itself in mid-air, and had an attitude like a puppy or a Black-person, as @moonlitewolf and my friend Chris, also Black, pointed out. Hahaha. Well, I see it, too, but I liked him a lot and I wish I had a friend like him to travel everywhere I went with! I rate the whole thing an overall B for solid effort and creative concept. I have SO MUCH MORE to say about this but will refrain!! 

As for those who have yet to see the film... (why are you reading this?!) here is my recommendation. For watching Star Wars, if you want to appreciate the film aesthetics and see how filmmakers have ruined it throughout time by being too liberal with the applying of CG and the over use of green screens, you would have to watch numbers four through six and then one through three before watching seven. However, if you just want to appreciate the story of the entire series then go ahead and watch one through six and then watch seven.

And first, as Tea, I'm a bit surprised by the sudden outburst of hate Rain Bridge received due to our reaction video to 'Daddy' by PSY. RIGHT?! According to Moon, RB had to stop defending us because there was too much to respond to, so I jumped in and then had to stop, too!! What a crazy world we live in!! Geez, opinions and reactions are simply just that... OPINIONS. 

And as for a recap on the rest of the world... 'Quantico' whaaaaaat?! 'Once Upon A Time' is where?!?! And... SHELDON AND AMY HAD SEX?!?! But, oh, wait, there is a new trailer out for 'Star Trek'!! If only Chris Pine could navigate his ship to me! I'd hop aboard quite happily!!


HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Eat a lot and get ready for the consequences!!

Want to meet new people online from around the world and maybe in your city or area? Check out the WireClub! I did and I've made new friends already! Stay away from the creepers, be nice, and always kind! It's up to you how it goes, so I hope it goes well.