A Drop of Happy

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

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

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.

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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

Ready to watch The Recruit Season 2 on January 30, 2025

The Recruit is an espionage drama series that follows the chaotic life of Owen Hendricks, and a headstrong lawyer who just started working for the CIA. Played by Noah Centineo, Owen is thrust into the deep end of international intrigue when he stumbles upon a threatening letter from Max Meladze, a former CIA asset currently in prison, demanding the agency clear her name or face the exposure of classified secrets.

What starts as a simple legal investigation quickly spirals out of control, pulling Owen into a world of high-stakes deception, deadly conspiracies, and global danger. With no field training and little experience, Owen must navigate ruthless criminals, foreign operatives, and dangerous CIA politics—all while trying to survive his first year on the job.

Listen at your own risk because this is full of spoilers

Owen

Max

Amelia

Lester and Violet

Terrance

Hannah

Dawn

Season 2 release date January 30, 2025

Tackle Procrastination and Find More Time and Less Stress

10 Steps

Acknowledge where you are and where you want to go (SMART goals)

Break down into smaller steps

Create accountability

Set deadlines and reassess

Access resources and ask for help

Create a time management plan

Reward yourself along the journey

Engage in healthy mind, body, and soul habits

Commit yourself by committing to yourself

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I needed a moment so I wrote a couple of poems and recorded a podcast show because I just needed a moment to be. 

I Need a Moment

Ya’ll gonna give me a moment 

A moment to feel what I feel 

- Wanda Toby

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