POTD: A "Funky High-Energy Area"

"Multicultural
Neighborhood invites delight.
Darlinghurst's essence."
—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 20 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Sydney, Australia. According to Google, "Inner-city Darlinghurst is a funky, high-energy area with cafes, sleek multicultural restaurants and intimate cocktail bars. Oxford Street, a centre of the city’s LGBT scene, has nightclubs that thump with music, plus stylishly restored pubs. Edgy shops on Crown Street sell records, offbeat fashion and vintage apparel. Art galleries, independent theatre companies and live music venues draw a young, chic crowd."

Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire (2023): Star Wars ripoff, with a motley assortment of rebels fighting a galactic empire. It even has light sabers and a bar full of weird aliens. What it lacks is the original's humor, cockiness, and rousing score by John Williams. C-

A New Majority is Born in Richardson

At the January 8, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, a property owner asked approval for a rezoning request (ZF 23-14) to convert an office building at 75 and Glenville into a five-story, multi-family apartment complex. On a slide titled "Items to Consider," City staff did everything they could to signal to the City Council that they could ignore the fact that apartments in that location are not consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan.

American Fiction (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

American Fiction (2023): Satire about a black author named Monk fighting a stereotype of what's considered authentically black. Subplots dealing with his mother, his brother, and a romance provide counterpoints to the plots Monk is asked to write about. Does Monk change? Does anyone? B+

The Little Mermaid (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Little Mermaid (2023): Probably unnecessary remake of 1989 animated favorite, with live action humans this time, at least their heads. The story is problematic. Is Ariel even old enough for Eric? And why does a prince fall for a girl who has no voice? For me, the songs were by far the best part. More of that, please. B-

The Color Purple (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Color Purple (2023): Worthy remake, inspired by 2005 stage musical, 1985 movie, and 1982 novel. This tale of overcoming poverty, racism, sexual discrimination, and family abuse needs retelling to each generation. For me, the musical numbers were the most uplifting; the discordant violence was the hardest to watch. A-

POTD: No Water. No Life.

"Sydney Harbor's plea,
Hydrant's call to save decree,
Water's future, key."
—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 20 Sydney

This photo-of-the-day was taken in Sydney, Australia. Heed the hydrant: Save water. Save Earth.

POTD: Sydney Harbor Bridge Up Close

"Great harbor's grand link,
Bridge climb etches memories,
Ants commune with heights."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 20 Sydney

This photo-of-the-day was taken in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney Harbor Bridge is not only a striking landmark visible from all angles of one of the world's great harbors, it also makes for a great climb. This photo shows people (or ants) enjoying a bridge climb.

After the jump, a more distant perspective of the bridge.

Lessons in Chemistry (TV 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Lessons in Chemistry (TV 2023): A prematurely modern woman in the 1950s deals with sexism, grief, and her own ambition. Sets and clothing capture the period well. Scripts tend to have too modern a feel for the times. Brie Larson is fantastic. A-

Fast X (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Fast X (2023): First time viewer of this aging franchise. It helps if you know the backstories, but probably not much. Lots of violence. A few contrived car races because that's its m.o. What I didn't expect was how important "family" is to this franchise. Jason Mamoa as the campy villain saves the movie. C+