"The Book Of Life" Movie Review (written on 03.12.16)

I left Los Angeles (CA) in the afternoon on the 12th for a 14.5 hr plane ride to Taipei, Taiwan. Since I managed to watch a highly recommended movie, I decided to write a review. It's much later than the release, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!! 

But first, I want to gripe! I got on the plane and someone was in my seat. When he moved, he acted like I had stolen the seat from HIM. WTfudge, right? So as I'm sitting there, the guy moved ENDLESSLY. When I tried to sleep, his elbow found its way over to my side, and he kept it there. He was the WORST plane seat neighbor I'd ever had!! Most people keep to their side of the arm rest, and yet, he acted like I had less of a right to sit there. So, I moved and kept to myself, but, eventually, I couldn't help but want to smack him. I didn't... or did I? No, I didn't!! I'm not like that!! And when he woke up, he had the WORST BREATH ever!! Man, and he kept talking and yawning, I was eating cough drops just to breathe out and kill that disgusting smell!! Ok, griping done!! Here's my review!

A truly sweet and cultured story is this tale of life, love, and all that is precious in the moments we pass with those we are close to. Featuring Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum and an array of voices, this story is sweet, touching, and relatable to everyone who watches it. Naturally, many are unnoticed due to the nature of the films, but as for promoting Hispanics and Mexico, I really find new love for the culture.

The light and colors that differentiated between the worlds was most mesmerizing. I wanted to watch it to no end and found it a delightful viewing experience. As many films with such goals tried to do in the past, this film truly illuminated the visual experience with bright colors contrasting with the dim and darkness of the World of the Forgotten. Despite the darkness and sadness, there is so much for the eyes to see. Proud should be the creators of wuch a film. I think it was superbly done and I would readily watch it again. Indeed.

The dialogue was expertly woven together. From the colloquial language to those of children, I found it pleasant and easiy to understand. With everyone talking, with accents and not, I wanted, I was left without want. The different styles and tones really stimulated my thoughts and imagination. If only we could have such stark contrasts in our world, right? Overall, I found it always a pleasure to hear and learn from the story.

Character development was nice and very easy to follow along. With the color and appearance differences, the consistencies were enogh well done so that I could follow along easily, as could any child. The love story from childhood to adult was brief for a moment and then everywhere, which made things all the more interesting. I did wonder, at some point, why their forms changed so dramatically, but there were definitely some things in the story that I didn’t like. Physical depictions of how Mexicans ought to look disturbed me, which seemed to go unnoticed by some. I guess, reading into things is just like that, then?

Sound was key, definitely! With cool music and sound effects, the foley and more made me feel like each experience and movement was real. I know @MoonLiteWolf would have LOVED it!! OMG!! Well done!!

The overall theme of love and life is very heavy and sweetly told through the entire story. In every moment, one or the other was highlighted and I felt an overwhelming sense of my questions being unanswered and brushed aside by the two heavier themes. It’s nice and I’m touched, but I do have questions that were unanswered. So... I give it a 3 of 4 Stars!!

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!

Fun Apps I Wish Existed (03.10.16)

So, as always, when you go to somewhere new in the world, there are things you wanna try that you couldn’t usually be so inclined to at home. Here are a list of a few Apps I wish did exist for these purposes… In fact, if you choose to take my idea, just give me some credit, alright? Hehe!

Local Guide – App that sets people up 1-on-1 with clean reputed local either as a blind date or plutonic friend tour guide

What’s the first thing most people want to do when they experience a new city? They want to experience the life without the restraining relative or judgmental friend. This way, you can find someone local who doesn’t know you and may be just as interested as where you’re from. This is a friendly exchange unless you plan for it to be a blind date. As for me, I’d love to see what dating in foreign countries is like, so I’d want to find someone to take me around and give me the date treatment. The tour guide option is like a friend option; having a new friend take you around and show you the local highlights. OMG, that would be fun!

Friend Date – App that lets you meet people and go on friend dates, like a pre-blind date

I WANT THIS SO MUCH!! For me, I make friends very easily, so without the pressures of it developing into anything more. Think of it as a pre-date where you are connected by interest and goals. I go on dating sites for this and end up closing my account because most guys on dating sites just want to hook up. There’s no relationship in it. And I’m not looking for that. So, why can’t we make something that connects like-minded people without the pressures of sleeping with someone to get to know them? Shouldn’t it be the other way around anyway?!

Menu Charted – App that shows me where the foods and cravings I have can be found according to taste and location

There are SO MANY PEOPLE who love spicy foods and yet… they’re left to hunt through the city for what they want. So, make an App that rates food on spice levels and, add something that makes food equivalences to help me, the foreigner, understand the importance of these foods! Show me the ‘Denny’s’ of China… or the ‘In-N-Out’ of Taiwan. Where is the ‘Olive Garden’ or ‘Chipotle’ of Africa or Europe! And likewise, the App can go the other way around showing tourists in America their ‘Denny’s’ and more. Know what I mean? Get what I’m trying to say? It’s not a replica or mimic, but more like telling me, a tourist, what I’m eating means what where I am at. This is so hard to explain without knowing what the abroad restaurants really are. For example, I think I’ll be safe if I say that the ‘In-N-Out’ of Taiwan is ‘Mos Burger’. Right? Get it?

Treasure Hunt (Live!) – App that gives me the thrill of a treasure hunt through the city of my visit

Depending on your budget, any treasure hunt is possible. Instead of relying on a travel agency, give me an App that lets me customize my time and route, so that I can see the treasures of the city before I embark on my journey. The Broad Museum had it synced up so as to digitally show me more about everything in front of me based off of either a QR code or something that links me somewhere else where all the information is stored and accessible by curious minds, like myself. Maybe the hunt can be a competition, to see if we can find all of them and take photos and experience the city in the way more locals do. I mean, isn’t that WHY we travel and visit the world?

Knowledge On Call – App that connects me to people who has answers to my questions

I think about A LOT of things that really blows my mind. I want answers so I want to have a conversation with someone without physical appearances getting in the way. Instead of talking to an AI, I want to talk to someone of that field, and speculate with them. I want them to encourage me to think and so that I can think more on my own, before coming back to talk to them. Whether they be old or young, interest is interest. Curiosities need to be satisfied, especially if I just need to know the POV of one idea that can take minutes… I don’t want to do hours of research in the wrong direction. Come on… HELP should be readily available and free!

Okay, these are just a few. But I feel like I’ve vented a lot of my frustrations and it makes me happy. You got any ideas, any recommendations, and thoughts and feelings about these? Want to collaborate or make one? I’d love to hear from you!! 

A Week Of Thoughts (03.02.16)

Well, Ben Higgins from 'The Bachelor' said 'I love you' to two of the three women he led into the fantasy suite. And then, social media and all the writers of multiple outlets that get hundreds of eyes exploded with commentary, hate, love, and imbalanced admiration towards him. Some of the past Bachelors are even writing that they would advise Higgins the other way, but, hey, maybe the ought to give the advice before he goes through his episode, right?

So, I wanted to list some people I feel 'love' for. It varies, and I'm not defending Higgins, I'm just saying that there are different types of love and maybe he's just... mistaking one of them?

RainBridge Family, I love you. As a team, we are strong, fun, and life is exciting! Sure, we don't always flow the same way, but some of us grab boats to stay afloat and follow along in the way the world works. One love, one family, one similar goal. They keep me at the top of my game and I LOVE THEM!!

Friends, I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Everyone needs friends! The more the merrier makes sense despite Sheldon's persistent refusals! I love each brain breaking, heart aching, soul searching moment we are together!! You guys are what keeps me alive and happy, away from depression and very much alive and growing up!!

I LOVE THE COLOR GREEN!!

Chris Pine, I love you. As a celebrity crush, you are amazing! You're tall, handsome, and my friends can't find any dirty or leaked photos of you online. Your team protects you well and you are just so wonderfully upstanding.

K-Pop, you are wonderful. Oh, I guess I don't love it. HAHA. Well, that is just me. Okay, I got to find more things and people and topics to love.

Here is the most recent Podcast Episode from CoTangent!! #cot_agents



And here is the *SPECIAL* Podcast featuring 2 guest for Umbrella Thoughts!!



Do check out The Network Studios!! They are amazing, the owners are awesome, the facility is wonderful, I highly recommend them for podcasting, vodcasting, and everything, even if just bouncing ideas around!

Until next time!!