In lieu of a traditional franchise-by-franchise NBA preview, we asked Tyler Parker to give us five players to watch on each team. If we want. For reasons entirely his own.

Once punched Juan Carlos Navarro in the balls so hard the continents briefly shifted, realigned, became Pangea again, then stretched back out to what we think of presently as the world. Im sure Nics not altogether stoked about that memory kicking things off but I cant help my brain. It does what it does and it makes my life hard. Id love to get a new one, so, if you hear of anything, holler. Something cost-effective, but reliable. It doesnt need to be MENSA-level or anything. Im not asking for genius. Just give me one of those brains where the persons kind of oblivious but completely content in every way. And maybe give me one with a lot of information on something awesome in there like surfing or bullfighting or Carlos Santana. Batum seems like the type of guy who will find his way onto a contender before his careers up, coming off the bench in the Finals to try and bother DeAaron Fox into some turnovers. The Kings have rolled through the playoffs and are an absolute juggernaut. Buddy Hield is averaging, no lie, 39 points per game. Bogdan Bogdanovic is made of stardust. Fox is making it all hum. Hes averaging 16 assists per game and his latest album just reached the top of the charts. Hes the king of the radio. Hes the king of the world.

Ill be sending around a petition at some point this year. Not sure when yet. This is real in my head and right now Im certain Ill do it, but Im also lazy and could absolutely see myself being all about the task right up until actually doing it. I was this way when I decided I would run a marathon. I was this way when I decided I would learn to play the guitar. I was this way when I bought white jeans. Committed to the max, then not. The petition will be to change Bridgess first name to Nash.

He admitted he was bad last year and Ill root for him for the rest of his life because of that.

Self-awareness is rarer than a thunderstorm in the desert. Im not happy with that sentence. It makes me yawn. I like how the word thunderstorm looks, though, so Im going to leave it. Bridges plays like hes wearing trampolines on his feet. Hes a tank strapped to the back of a jet. The first time I watched the dunk below I was wearing a hat.

Somewhere around the time his feet touched the ground, I stopped being able to feel it. A buzzing in my head. The Great Chiseled Bunny, soaring, looking for bodies.

Scary Terrys in the Tar Heel State with a full wallet and a starting spot. MJ came down from on high with the JNCOs people and the Hanes people and the mustache people. He spread his arms out wide and smiled.

Look, man, look at this energy, said Jordan. Also, have you ever seen The Big Country starring Gregory Peck?

Of course I have, Im not an idiot, said Rozier. I loved Bryant Reeves. Brooks Thompson could cook, too.

We are not talking about the same things.

Mike deemed it wise to bestow upon Ter a chill $58 mil over the course of the next three years. What do the smart people say? I like him fine as a player, but not at that number? Hell have a game this year where he flirts with 40. It will be kind of fun.

I never watched Monk. Shalhoubs a welcome addition to any ensembleWings was fantastic, was and is classicbut Monk never appealed to me. I think it had something to do with the font.

Let Malik take you on fall tours of Bentonville as the leaves of Northwest Arkansas change. See him there, clothed in floral-patterned sweatshirtsthe flowers are orange, I dont know their nameanswering questions about Crystal Bridges.

I do not, ultimately, care about efficiency.

The classic white throwbacks the Hornets played in last season, with the pinstripes like Muggsy and them used to wear, would look great on anyone. Theyre a fantastic choice for any event, any season. Wear it to your daughters friends bat mitzvah. Wear it to the beach. Wear it to a job interview. Jerseys these days have largely been stripped of their personalities. Where have all the eccentricities gone? The strange has fallen by the wayside as franchise valuations reach up into the billions. The 90s were filled with swings for the fences (see: Grizzlies, Vancouver). I almost typed the 90s were filled with swings for fashions fences. I didnt, though. Teams nowadays seem content to try and hit singles. Heres the thing about singles, though. Theyre boring.

Hit triples. This is what we were promised Monk could do. He plays defense like someone told him it was optional. One day hell start for the Spurs, average 18 a game, get it. For now, hes in Charlotte, refusing to play in summer league, trying to not get slapped by Michael Jordan again.

Last winter, Devont Graham showed up in D.C. with the rest of the Greensboro Swarm and put up 42 on Capital City Go-Go. Bags are outdated and should go the way of the dodo. He was in his treasure chest in our nations capital. I like it in National Treasure when Nic Cage says the word spectacles.

Get Bill Self the Enid Plainsgod to talk about Graham and hell just start reading the thesaurus entry under the word supreme. Self has his reasons and theyre good. At Kansas, Graham was a dog. See him in Phog wearing a chain with a jayhawk piece the size of a yoked-up hamster, a constellation around his neck. Let me go full JVG herehe plays with remarkable energy. Burns bright. Hes all diamonds and gasoline.

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NBA Preview: Five Guys to Watch on the Charlotte Hornets - The Ringer

Photo credit to Texas Isaiah

Catherine Harris-White, better known as SassyBlack, worked with other folks first (THEE Satisfaction, Shabazz Palaces), before flying solo. Her new album is Ancient Mahogany Gold, released on September 13th is burning up the northwest right now and shell be sharing it with fans on her engagement with Kate Tempest, September 29th at the Showbox Sodo; at the Stampede Cocktail Club on October 4th; and another bill with Mary Lambert at the Neptune, November 11th. She was kind enough to take some questions.

NWMS: What are your thoughts about Seattle over the time youve been here? How have things changed, for good, bad, or odd? SassyBlack: Seattle was really peculiar when I first moved here, not to say that has changed too much. Its still a sweet weirdo palace, but it has grown on me. I love its lushness and the opportunity that lives here once you dig a little deeper. Same with the community. Its changing in a lot of ways as everything does, but I am still drawn to be here. NWMS: What are your favorite places to play in Seattle, and why? SassyBlack: I love playing at the Croc, Nectar Lounge, the Showbox, KEXP, the Moore, Neptune, and the Paramount (when I get the chance to). Ive been performing on the stages of the Paramount & Moore since I was about 14 when I was doing more acting. The Croc & Nectar Lounge always feel like home to me as well.

The staff in all these venues have been tremendously and consistently kind to me over the years. Those spaces hold a special place in my heart. I know when I get booked to play these venues I will have a great experience. NWMS: Favorite places to visit in Seattleshops, restaurants, snacks, books, etc.?

SassyBlack: Everyday Music is a sweet spot for me to lose, I mean invest, money. I also dig Little Thai in the University District and Ba Bar on Capitol Hill. Light In the Attic [the record shop] at KEXP is great, so is KEXP in general. Like what a joyful spot to go and just chill. NWMS: Youve been on your own awhile now. How does the music you mastermind solo differ from what you did with collaborators? SassyBlack: My solo music brings me more joy. I am getting back into collaborating with more artists and was lucky enough to have some of my favs play on Ancient Mahogany Gold. NWMS: Where did you record this new album, and who were your wingpeople? SassyBlack: I recorded in LA at Bedrock & in Seattle at Jack Straw thanks to a residency I was lucky enough to receive. In terms of wingpeople, I was lucky to work with Claire Morison (Bedrock) & Ayesha Ubayatilaka (Jack Straw) to record my vocals. Ebonie Smith (Atlantic Records) mixed it all and Adam Straney (Breakpoint Mastering) mastered it. Adam and I have been working together for years. WuTang McDougal did the artwork and Texas Isaiah shot my press photos. Overall I am a pretty lucky gal.NWMS: What would you say are the overall themes of the new album, musically and lyrically?

SassyBlack: Self-love, self-awareness, appreciation, gratitude, struggle, jokes, self-worth, value, experience and self-evaluation. NWMS: The first three singles are Antidote, Depression, and Do It. How do these three tracks compare and contrast with each other?

SassyBlack: Its all about lifes experience and how we deal with things. Depression and Do It are about comprehending the situation you are in and taking the time to process and uplift yourself to get out of that mindset. If we have a negative voice, or a few of them, we have some positive voices as well. Antidote is recognizing and accepting that it all begins and ends with self-love and realization. NWMS: The Strangers Dave Segal referred to you as At once a self-help guru, a concerned lover, and a sage philosopher. Do you relate to each of these roles?

SassyBlack: Yes, I relate to these roles, and I love that he saw them in me. NWMS: Whats in the future for you, after the album drops? SassyBlack: Now that the album is out, I am joyous. I am also working on several projects that will be released in due time. I will be teaching music production classes with a focus in Ableton very often at Coyote Central, the Bellevue Library as well as Patchwerks over on Eastlake.

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Interview: SassyBlack chats with NWMS - Northwest Music Scene

TheSustainable Favela Network(SFN) is a project ofCatalytic Communities(CatComm)* designed to build and reinforce solidarity networks, bring visibility and develop joint actions to support the expansion of community-based initiatives that strengthen environmental sustainability and social resilience in favelas across the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. The project began with the 2012 filmFavela as a Sustainable Model, followed in 2017 by the mapping of 111 sustainability initiativesand the publication of afinal reportanalyzing the results.

In 2018, the project organizedintimate on-site exchanges among eight of the oldest and most established organizationsthat were mapped in the Sustainable Favela Network, followed by afull-day exchange with the entire networkthat took place on November 10, 2018. Watch the video that accompanies the exchanges featured in the 2018 series by clickinghere.

In 2019, the project is organizing the second round of on-site exchangesthis time open to both SFN members and the general public alikeat projects based in Babilnia,Camorim, Pavuna, Vila Kennedy and Manguinhos. This fourth exchange of the year had participants visit the Kennedy Brothers Community Center (CCIK) in the Vila Kennedy favela. The exchange kicked off with a weekly community yoga class, followed by introductions from community organizers and a presentation on the history of Vila Kennedy by local historian Alex Belchion. The afternoon saw participants split into groups for newspaper basket-weaving and gardening workshops before reuniting for a self-care capacity-building circle led by CatComm director Theresa Williamson. All SFNexchanges are supported by theHeinrich Bll Foundation Brazil.

On the morning of Saturday, September 14, 42 people came together at The Kennedy Brothers Community Center (CCIK) in Vila Kennedy, in Rio de Janeiros West Zone, for the fourth Sustainable Favela Network exchange of 2019. As a quiet rain fell outside the community center, inside, yoga instructor and Vila Kennedy resident Giorgio Freitas guided a community yoga class. A regular self-care activity at the CCIK, the Saturday morning class saw near-full attendance, and Freitas led nearly 30 local women through the restorative session, encouraged participants to be bold while also respecting their limits in each of the different yoga positions. As members of the Sustainable Favela Network from across the city trickled into the CCIK, they too stretched and strengthened their bodies, and the newly-integrated session came to a close with all participants lying down, closing their eyes, for a final Shavasana exercise.

Vernica Gomes Martins da Silva, president of the CCIK, greeted the days now energized participants, followed by Theresa Williamson of Catalytic Communities, Geiza de Andrade Moura of Agentes Ambientais (Environmental Agents, community members trained as part of the Rio city governments Center for Environmental Education), and Alex Belchior, community historian and tour guide. Williamson explained the Sustainable Favela Networks purpose, emphasizing the importance of the days exchange to the network. Andrade introduced the fundamental work that the Environmental Agentsundertake in the community, explaining one of the programs central campaigns, whose theme is that poverty is not synonymous with dirty. The project aims to create a more sustainable community, reducing the level of trash in the streets and introducing additional garbage collection points around the neighborhood, among many other elements.

CCIK celebrated its 50th anniversary this April. It is a hive of activity, and has consistently provided vital support and services to the community. Gomes praised the CCIKs tireless volunteers as beacons of light for Vila Kennedy, which, due to a lack of public sector supportsave for in the form of police intervention and military occupationstep in where the State is absent, carrying out social projects to improve, empower, and provide opportunities for the community. The center offers a range of services, from therapy to assistance with college entrance exams. Above all, though, the center is a place for residents to simply stop, take a break, and catch their breath.

Kicking off the days activities, Belchior introduced his work in compiling a comprehensive history of Vila Kennedy (accessible to all at http://www.vilakennedy.com) and went on to explain the neighborhoods origins. Vila Kennedy, constructed under the mandate of Rio (then the State of Guanabara) Governor Carlos Lacerda, sprouted from Cold War era assistance from the US under President John F. Kennedys Alliance for Progress program. Founded in 1964 as Brazils first planned communityformerly an orange grove, according to BelchiorVila Kennedy was intended to house the evicted residents of Favela do Esqueleto, near the Maracan stadium, whose homes had been demolished to make way for the construction of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).

Belchior, a resident of Vila Kennedy for 46 years, emphasized that just as important as the neighborhoods documented history was, that residents connection to the communitys history was equally vital. He asked local participants if they knew their familys histories, especially in regard to how they came to live in Vila Kennedy. Some described their families having no say in how they arrived, having been forced to move after being evicted from other favelas. Others, however, came out of choice, drawn to Vila Kennedy by its early-on planned facilities, such as medical posts, supermarkets, and schools.

As residents exchanged stories and recognized their similarities, community pride surged. Participants were full of ideas, such as instituting regular community meetings and bringing old photographs to help Belchior create a fuller picture of the history of the favela and its people.

I do it out of love, said Belchior, an amazing storyteller, when asked about the purpose behind his work. His long-term project of collecting stories from residents, researching, and archiving the communitys history, is more than a hobby: Belchior believes that if people understand their communitys history, they will begin to see where they live differently, feel more connected, and move towards creating a collective identity of proud residents. He hopes to portray Vila Kennedy as more than an area afflicted by violence. Rather, as a place that has history and memories. Belchior encouraged residents to continue to explore their familys histories in the community and to remember the battles the first residents of Vila Kennedy faced in making the neighborhood what it is today.

Participants in the conversation agreed that documenting a communitys memories and stories is essential, and a fundamental element in engaging residents in community sustainability efforts. A sense of history and pride in ones place is what drives the sense of belonging that in turn engages residents in improving their communities and engaging with its outcomes.

Following a delicious zero-waste lunch prepared by volunteers in the CCIK kitchen, participants split into two groups and dove into the afternoons workshops, run by the communitys Environmental Agents. Geiza de Andrade led one group through a sustainable newspaper basket-weaving workshop, while Nair Romo took a second group outside to a planting workshop in CCIKs garden.

At the sustainable crafts workshop, Andrade showed participants how to create their own baskets out of recycled materials: using rolled-up magazines and newspaper pages, Andrade stuck the carefully prepared paper tubes to a cardboard base using glue. The tubes were then layered one by one on each side, interlacing to create a spiraling square basket. The end products were sturdy, beautiful baskets of various sizes. Andrade explained that the baskets are one of many products she encourages participants in her Womens Empowerment group to sell at local markets and fairs.

Participants also had a chance to exchange ideas on how to reduce waste in their daily lives. Andrade explained ways in which residents can not only reduce waste and consumption of disposable plastics, but also save money by using homemade crafts for events like childrens birthday parties. Andrade dispelled the myth of it being easier to simply buy a whole load of disposable materials for such events.

On the theme of environmental responsibility and sustainability, the conversation moved on to the importance of reforestation, work which is championed by the Environmental Agents in Vila Kennedy. Andrade highlighted the benefits of reforestation, as natural anti-flood barriers and in bringing improved air quality, referencing the successful reforestation which took place in the Babilnia favela in 1995, which led to a noticeable improvement in air quality a decade later. In fact, it was due to reforestation projects that the craft-making workshops came to be. Some areas that were to be reforested were full of trash, so the Environmental Agents began by talking to residents and analyzing the content of the trash. They realized that much of the waste was the result of discarded newspapers and magazines and developed an alternative destination for this material: crafts that residents could then sell and generate income with.

Outside in CCIKs vegetable garden, Nair Romo from the Environmental Agents led participants in a gardening workshop. As the group gathered around, ready to get their hands dirty, Romo gave advice on how to prepare and water the soil. Collectively, the group planted spinach and cilantro, and some residents took seeds with them to plant at home. There are future plans to have a suspended garden made using recycled plastic bottles.

For the final session of the day, participants once again came together in a circle, this time to discuss self-care and mental health. Theresa Williamson began, passing out post-it notes and markers, requesting that participants write down the themes, thoughts or feelings that most gave them anxiety. As the responses were collected and read out one-by-one, participants were prompted to raise their hands if they too felt, or had felt, anxiety in the varying situations. Many hands shot up surrounding themes related to money and employment. The floor then opened up to a frank discussion where participants were free to share experiences or give advice. They explored what having financial issues means to the people of the community, and how the economic system we live in causes a need for money that is sometimes dissociated from the pursuit of life quality.

Aline Barcellos da Cruz from the Sepetiba Ecomuseum, located in Rios West Zone, then led the group in an interactive activity involving balloons and music. Each participant had their own balloon and was asked to keep it in the air, alternating from hand to hand. Barcellos explained that the balloons represented each individuals life and responsibilities, and the challenges of keeping the balance. Everyone was then encouraged to think of how we try to help others with their lives and responsibilities, and how without keeping our own balance and respecting our own limits, we are unable to help others. Returning to the circle as the exercise came to an end, Marcella Vieira from the Reciclao program in Morro dos Prazeres, mentioned the practice of Nonviolent Communication as a means of self-care, and others also stressed how self-awareness and healthy interpersonal communications are key to well-being.

The self-care session ended with a guided meditation session, led by US-born Adam Newman. Newman, the creator of Favela Inc., moved to Rio seven years ago and has lived in the Vidigal favela for the past five. He explained that he moved to Rio for love of the culture, but also in search of a simpler, more balanced life. Newman invited the group to share their life priorities one by one. As responses like love, service, and family repeated themselves around the room, participants were encouraged to think about finding balance and discovering themselves on the path to achieving these priorities. The activity closed with a six-stage guided meditation session. As the session closed, participants stood, joined hands, and, in homage to the spirit of the day and the community of Vila Kennedy, shared their gratitude, making for a beautiful finish to an inspiring day.

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4th Sustainable Favela Network Exchange of 2019: History, Art, and Self-Care in Vila Kennedy - RioOnWatch

The biggest feud of every wrestler's career is the one with their physical limitations.

By Amelia Emberwing Sep. 21, 2019

Wrestling documentaries are typically pretty grim. Breaking into the industry is relatively easy, all things considered. Getting out of it? Generally speaking, that's a different story. A lot of folks hear the phrase its scripted and assume that these men and women arent putting their bodies on the line just like every other athlete. Enter men like Ian Hodgkinson or, as most know him, Vampiro.

The amount of injuries Hodkinson has experienced isnt what makes him unique. All of your favorites have destroyed their bodies time and time again for the sake of the industry they so love. Its not the drugs, either. So many wrestlers find themselves wrapped up in substance abuse, whether it be because of the chronic pain from their injuries, or the crushing depression that can come with being on the road and away from your family the majority of the year.

What makes him unique is his origin, and the understanding that he was never meant to be a wrestler. Hodkinson outright admits that he could never do many of the classic wrestling moves early on in the film. His rise to stardom was never about his technical ability. It was about his charisma and his willingness to do the most insane shit possible. Not being hard to look at certainly worked to his advantage as well. That level of self-awareness isnt necessarily common in the wrestling world.

Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro, while a documentary focused on the wrestler, starts off as a love letter to Mexican wrestling. Hodkinson repeats several times throughout the doc that he hates wrestling. Though the statements probably not untrue, its also made evident just how deeply he loves it. The films focus evolves shortly after to include the love for his daughter, Dasha, and continues on to illustrate his complicated relationship with an even more complicated industry.

Its Dasha that makes this heartfelt documentary a little less grim than the others of its kind. All of the devastating factors are present. Vampiros broken his neck, back, and most of the other bones in his body, as well as suffered from somewhere around twenty-seven concussions. He has the aforementioned history of substance abuse, and was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. But above all of that pain is his love for his daughter.

Michael Paszts documentary on the wrestler weaves all the pain and love of Vampiros history into something truly special. His vision combined with Hodkinsons dark humor and seemingly ever-present self-awareness make Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro so much more than your standard wrestling documentary. Its heartbreaking while still being hopeful and refreshing. More documentaries focused on the industry could really benefit from following the model set up here.

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Fantastic Fest Review: NAIL IN THE COFFIN: THE FALL AND RISE OF VAMPIRO Is Ready To Fight - Birth.Movies.Death.

Meghan played Mike Ross wife on the show (Picture: Usa Network/Netflix/Kobal/REX)

Its nearing the end of Suits, and Patrick J Adams is getting emotional just thinking about it.

The Suits star, who played Mike Ross as a regular from season 1 through 7, shared several carousels of photos from the shows set, which includes fantastic shots of The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle before she quit her acting career to become a full-time royal.

Patrick captioned his first post: The best family you can ask for.

Aww, we all need a family like that.

The 38-year-old actor shared a total of 11 posts on Instagram that made us all feel like were part of the Suits family.

One post featured a snap of his former on-screen wife Meghan pretending to look away (at Harry?) with a transparent umbrella over her while filming in Toronto.

He shared several more gems of the Duchess and her co-stars behind-the-scenes of the long-running show.

One shot showed Meghan dressed in a bathrobe and stilettos, probably waiting to get back on set.

Captioning the first, Patrick wrote: This week the last episode of Suits will air and the nearly 10-year journey weve all been on together will finally be over.

So it seems right to post some photos the next couple of days from the early days.

Other photos included Patrick and Meghan with other cast members looking way more relaxed than they usually do on the show.

Meghan appeared on Suits for the last time in an episode that aired on April last year, which was just a month before she married Prince Harry.

Meghan invited her co-stars to her wedding at Windsor Castle last May, and some even made the special guest list at her lavish baby shower in New York.

Now that the former actress quit Hollywood life, she can be seen with Harry getting involved with multiple charities.

The latest adventure sees the couple arriving in South Africa for their first royal visit as a family.

Their official tour, which will be the first with baby Archie Harrison in tow, will start this afternoon in Cape Town.

Among their first stops will be a visit to an initiative that teaches children about their rights, self-awareness and safety, and also provides self-defence classes to young girls.

Meghan and Harry are said to have brought numerous gifts with them for the tour including several presents which were donated to them for four-month-old Archie.

All the gifts are expected to be presented to the charity mothers2mothers, who are dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV through education and support services.

If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: Meghan Markle ordered to remove Suits characters ring in public to prevent engagement rumours about Prince Harry

MORE: Victoria Beckham praises old pal Meghan Markle for keeping it cool to be kind

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Never-before-seen pictures of Meghan Markle in dressing gown and heels - Metro.co.uk

Like a rocket inching its way across the vacuum of space, for stretches of time, Ad Astra is stagnant and lugubrious, its lumbering and turgid runtime being both a test of patience and harbinger of despair because more interesting things dont seem to be on the horizon. It is certainly beautifully shot (youll want to immediately stargaze by the time the credits roll) but thankfully, director James Gray did not seek out merely to entertain, and his work here revels in the journey of thematic exploration rather than trying to accelerate to a destination for the narrative. Truly, Ad Astra is more meditation than movie and its dialogue, more poetry than prose. Gray uses the environment of space in all of its uncertainties, dangers and wonders as a springboard to launch into a larger analysis on the human psyche, asking questions of whether meaning is found outside or inside of oneself while highlighting the dangers of compartmentalizing ones emotions. At once relevant and prophetic, his film is an emotionally resonant and introspective study of the examined human life that isnt afraid to ask more questions than give answers.

Set in the ominous near future and in a time of hope and progress, while Ad Astras world is not quite as technologically advanced as other sci-fi films, it is in this construction of acute normality that Gray layers salient commentary. He knows that the generation watching has the worlds of Gravity, Interstellar, The Martian, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the like in their mental orbit and he opts for something more down-to-Earth. Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) accepts a mission to go to Neptune in order to locate his missing father H. Clifford (Tommy Lee Jones) who is suspected to be the progenitor of dangerous power surges that could threaten all life on Earth. For the first part of his journey, Roy takes a commercial flight to the moon (big airlines like Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic have nicely adjusted to the demand for space travel) and is horrified to see how humans have crafted the moon in their own image, making it a carbon copy of Earth. We are world-eaters he mutters in a voice-over, while the camera pans to a shot of people dining at the newly installed Applebees and Subway. Gray presents a future that is familiar to audiences but that is precisely why it is so terrifying; rather than thinking of new ways of living, humans only rinse and repeat their destructive tendencies. Elsewhere on the moon, pirates run about claiming any spot of uncharted territory as their own in a sort of galactic recapitulation of Manifest Destiny. It is haunting to see this primordial greed set against this majestic lunar backdrop and Gray frequently mixes awe and disgust in the same scenes.

Audiences are first and foremost supposed to relate with Roy himself, but rather than frame Roy as likable, Pitt does a brilliant job of presenting the major with weaknesses you can empathize with and vices you feel obligated to chastise. The relationality comes not from the personality traits but the tumultuous journey of self-discovery he undergoes. For Roy, he views space in its voidless, shapeless form, as his way of escape from all he experiences on Earth. His determination for solitude manifests in a veil of dutiful service, whether he is doing his psychological evaluation despite its repetitiveness or dispatching pirates a l Mad Max: Fury Road or Fast and the Furious style. He is distant from his friends and family, particularly his wife Eve (Liv Tyler) who he sees as a distraction from him achieving his own potential. Space is a frontier of hidden discovery and limitless possibilities and Roys well-deserved happily ever after.

Yet once Roy finally gets on his coveted rocket and blasts off to Neptune, he finds that his problems have not disappeared but have instead come back in full force. The pain of having to go through his adult life without a father figure resurfaces once he comes to grips with the fact that maybe his father had the chance to leave the space station on Neptune but refused to. As he goes to various checkpoints before finally landing on Neptune, he likewise realizes that he has the same detrimental and power-hungry vices his dad displayed with his own crew members. Ironically, as Roy moves farther and farther away from Earth (i.e. the source of all his anxiety) he finds he comes to grips with his own humanity and flaws. He discovers himself, more than he would like, and all the emotions that he has kept bottled up come out in torrents. Gray uses these scenes of waiting (it takes seventy-nine days to get to Neptune; the film mercifully bridges that time) to ruminate on what humans are supposed to do when we come to the end of ourselves. Do we keep running away in denial or do we stand to make a change?

While Gray stops short of giving definitive responses to the inquiries he raises, the picture of Roy at the end of the film perhaps best describe the films grandeur. Once Roy has his Damascus Road encounter, he returns to rectify the mistakes he made; in the beginning of the film, Roy recites that he is mission ready and that he is focused on the essential to the exclusion of all else. The camera then pans to Roy in the kitchen with his wife standing by the doorway but the focus is on Roy while she and everything else is the scene is blurred, highlighting her unessentiality. After Roys revelation and his return to Earth, he recites the same creed but this time with Eve in focus. It is a clever visual cue to signal Roys inner transformation. So while Ad Astra does not reinvent the rocket engine when it comes to space exploration in cinema, it deserves encomium for its commentary in that it challenges individuals not only to seek revelation for themselves but to then use that self-awareness to better their communities.

Zachary Lee is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. He can be reached at zjl4@cornell.edu.

Continued here:
'Ad Astra,' A giant leap (of Faith) for Sci-Fi - Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun

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The Patriots didnt cover the spread this week and they didnt pitch a shutout, but they are still 3-0 three weeks into the 2019 season.

New England built a 30-0 lead before mistakes by rookies on special teams and offense allowed the Jets to get into the end zone twice. That made the final score 30-14 at Gillette Stadium and gave the Patriots a couple of things to stress about after another comfortable victory.

Gunner Olszewski muffed a punt that Arthur Maulet recovered for the first Jets touchdown. The second came in the fourth quarter when Jarrett Stidham relieved Tom Brady and promptly threw an interception that Jamal Adams returned for a 60-yard score. That led Bill Belichick to put Brady back in the game to play out the string.

Brady was 28-of-42 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Those touchdowns moved him into sole possession of second place on the NFLs all-time passing touchdown list and Drew Brees wont be able to catch up anytime soon.

Brady had a couple of sparkling hookups with Josh Gordon, who shook off a finger injury. Julian Edelman was not able to return to the game after hurting his chest, however, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower also picked up a shoulder injury that will be worth keeping an eye on as the week unfolds.

While the special teams and offense had those stumbles, the Patriots defense never wavered while allowing the Jets 101 yards of offense. They sacked Luke Falk five times and Devin McCourty picked off a pass for the only takeaway of the game for the unit.

The Jets are 0-3 and riddled with injuries of their own. Theyll have a bye in Week Four and hope to get quarterback Sam Darnold and others back for Week Five against the Eagles.

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Patriots up to 3-0 after 30-14 win over Jets - NBCSports.com

TBBT has come to an end after 12 years (Picture: Getty/NBC)

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards are in the history books, and once again we cant help but feel The Big Bang Theory deserves far more recognition than it actually received.

Despite getting more than 45 nominations over its incredible 12 years run on the air, Chuck Lorres sitcom creation only won 10 times in total, with Jim Parsons being the only cast member to actually take home a prize at the prestigious ceremony.

Honestly, thats just not good enough!

This year, as the show came to an end after over a decade, it was noticeably conspicuous by its absence, with its nod coming from finale episode The Stockholm Syndrome with Mark Cendrowski at the helm category.

The Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series prize would go to the debut of Fleabag (directed by Harry Bradbeer), and while we cant begrudge Phoebe Waller-Bridges incredible sitcom getting the recognition it earned, it does mark yet another year where we cant help but feel The Big Bang Theory has been massively shortchanged at the Emmys.

Lets just take a moment to break down the 10 wins the show actually had over the years while Jims portrayal of Sheldon Cooper was undoubtedly a highlight and deserving every plaudit coming his way, it says a lot that hes responsible for four of the prizes, with another five being awarded for camerawork, editing and the like.

Rounding off the list is Bob Newhart as an outstanding guest actor which is absolutely right but come on now! There have been so many incredible guest spots in The Big Bang Theory over the years, from Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill to William Shatner and Adam West. Honestly, anyone of those and more could have earned that nod over the years.

Its also a shame that as incredible as Jim was in his role other cast members never got given their due at the ceremony. Were not saying every performance in the show was groundbreaking, but there are some definite standouts who at least should have been given some recognition for the great work they did.

Lets go off-brand for a second and admit Johnny Galeckis turn as Leonard didnt do enough to justify a win but can anyone explain why Mayim Bialik didnt take home the outstanding actress gong over the years for her wonderful portrayal as Amy? She was robbed and we wont hear any different.

Her chemistry with Jim is undeniable, but she would constantly elevate the show with her dry delivery, sarcastic remarks and incredible comic timing. Whether it was dealing with Sheldons most difficult moments and total lack of self-awareness or showing Amys more romantically-charged side, Mayim lifted the character behind a caricature into someone well-rounded, sympathetic and hilarious often all within the same scene.

From the quick wit of the Fun With Flags segments to her early attempts to get Sheldon into bed, there were a lot of sides to Amy in a show that doesnt always get the credit it deserves for character depth and growth.

Four nominations and no success is a real shame, especially when a great deal of Sheldons success in later series came down to his relationship with Amy and how they were able to bounce off each other.

And OK, it could be a stretch to suggest Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg or Kunal Nayyar did enough to get that level of recognition, as wonderful as they were in their roles. But surely Kevin Sussmans performance as the comically tragic Stuart Bloom could have at least got a nomination in a supporting category?

For such a popular programme with a wealth of nods on the shortlist, its actually surprising that The Big Bang Theory only took home the 10 prizes it did, and even more of a shock that it was only in the running four times in the outstanding comedy category the most recent of those coming five whole years ago.

Its a shame that the sitcom wasnt able to go out on a real high by adding another trophy to the collection but lets end this little rant on a more positive note. Take a look at Friends, one of the absolute greatest TV comedies of all time.

Looking at the Primetime Emmys, youd be forgiven for forgetting how beloved Friends actually was and is, with just four wins from a possible 28 and a sole victory in the outstanding comedy category in 2002.

If the organisation can overlook that show, maybe we shouldnt be surprised to see Big Bang Theory get shafted once again and it could simply show a bit of a divide between what viewers enjoy, and what the award ceremonies suggest we should be paying attention to.

Fans certainly paid attention at its peak, it was watched by an average of just over 20 million for season nine in the US, and looking from the first to last series it rose 10 million to an impressive 17.31 by the end. Great figures for a show still going strong when things finally came to an end.

Of course, The Big Bang Theory sadly did conclude earlier this year, and its legacy will become clear over the next decade as we look back. At least its in good company with the Emmy snub, and we have no doubt it will enjoy similarly enduring popularity as time rolls on.

MORE: Johnny Galecki pines over The Big Bang Theory as he throws it back to 100th episode

MORE: The Big Bang Theory finale voted shows best episode ever

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The Big Bang Theory is more like Friends than we realised - Metro.co.uk

Prince Harrys world was forever changed when his mother, Princess Diana, died in 1997. He carried that traumatic experience with him through the years and finally got help with processing his grief, thanks in part to his brother Prince Williams suggestion. In a 2017 interview, Prince Harry admitted that he was close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions.

Prince Harry opened up about his mental health struggles during a 2017 interview with The Telegraphs Bryony Gordon on the Mad World podcast, sharing that he was very close to having a complete breakdown in his late 20s, as he struggled with his mothers death.

He shared: I can safely say that losing my mum at the ageof 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years,has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.

Prince Harry continued: I have probably been very close toa complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and sort oflies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle.

There were understandably some dark days for Prince Harryand he admitted he sank into a depression. He didnt take the time to grieve untilhe was 28.

Prince Harry explained: My way of dealing with it wassticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mom, because whywould that help? [I thought] its only going to make you sad, its not going tobring her back. So from an emotional side, I was like Right, dont ever letyour emotions be part of anything.

He continued: I was a typical 20-, 25-, 28-year-old runningaround going Life is great, or Life is fine and that was exactly it.Things changed, however, as he recalled: And then [I] started to have a fewconversations and actually all of a sudden, all of this grief that I have neverprocessed started to come to the forefront and I was like, there isactually a lot of stuff here that I need to deal with.

Prince Harry said it was two years of total chaos before he could manage his emotions and his brother, Prince William, was instrumental in helping him.

Harry shared: My brother, you know, bless him, he was ahuge support to me. He kept saying this is not right, this is not normal, youneed to talk to [someone] about stuff, its OK. The timing wasnt right. Youneed to feel it in yourself, you need to find the right person to talk to aswell.

He credits boxing with helping him work through his emotions, noting, that really saved me because I was on the verge of punching someone, so being able to punch someone who had pads was certainly easier.

Prince Harry faced tragedy at a young age and it took him avery long time to address his feelings, but the experience has certainlyinspired him to help others. During the interview, he remarked: What we aretrying to do is normalize the conversation to the point where anyone can sitdown and have a coffee and just go, You know what, Ive had a really s**t day,can I just tell about it? Because then you walk away and its done.

Prince Harry is now working with Oprah Winfrey on a documentary series and shared with Gordon how important their 2017 conversation was.

Harry explained: When I did your podcast two years ago the response made me realize what an impact sharing my story could have, and what an impact other stories can have for so many who are suffering silently. If the viewers can relate to the pain and perhaps the experience, then it could save lives, as we will focus on prevention and positive outcomes.

He shared: Im very much still on my own path. What I have learned and I continue to learn in the space of mental health, mental illness and self-awareness is that all roads lead back to our mental wellbeing, how we look after ourselves and each other.

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The Heartbreaking Reason Prince Harry Was 'Close to a Complete Breakdown on Numerous Occasions' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

JAY-Z famously cemented the idea that numbers dont lie into hip-hops psyche. Numbers do lie, undoubtedly so, but they can also reveal the truth. Gangsta rap scored its first commercial victory over rock 'n' roll on June 22, 1991, when N.W.As second studio album, Niggaz4life, outsold R.E.M.s Out of Time to become the first hardcore hip-hop album to top the Billboard 200. Derek Thompson documents this historic moment in the 2015 essay,1991: The Most Important Year in Pop-Music History.

Within a few weeks, N.W.A. replaced R.E.M. on the charts. The swapping of acronymsout with soft rock, in with hip-hopwas a harbinger. In the early 1990s, the "hip-hop/rap" genre exploded to become, by far, the most common genre of music on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two decades.Derek Thompson, The Atlantic

Another notable, by-the-numbers victory occurred seven years later in 1998. Based on data reported by Christopher John Farley in his "Hip-Hop Nation" essay for Time Magazine, hip-hop sold 81 million units that year, nine million more than country music. "For the first time ever, rap outsold what previously had been America's top-selling format, Farley wrote. A tremendous milestone for a genre that arose from Americas underground.

During its infancy stage, hip-hop was thought to be a temporary fad. That line of thinking, of course, ceased well before the new millennium. Somehow, the genreDJ Kool Herc created during a 1973 day party on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx had managed to avoid the doom of disco and continued to rise as rock declined.

Gradually, the numbers revealed global interest, a new phenomenon that couldnt be contained by a ceiling. In their 2017 year-end report, Nielsen reported that for the first time, hip-hop and R&B surpassed rock as the most popular genre in the USpowered by a 72-percent increase in on-demand audio streaming.

Hip-hop moves into a new decade on a mountaintop. No genre is more prominent; no culture stands on equal ground, and everyone wants a piece. Is it possible to maintain a status this significant without sacrificing what makes the music and artists so engrossing?

No genre is more prominent; no culture stands on equal ground, and everyone wants a piece.

To answer that question, we have to think first about hip-hop's fluidity. We have to think about a genre born in a park. There were no commercial sponsors, or angel investors, or wealthy relatives. Just a man with a turntable, some records, speakers, and the people.As hip-hop enters 2020, the 47th year since its birth, even without data and statistics to support the enormity, the genre holds a sense of omnipresence.

Musically and culturally, the art form dominates streaming services and festival lineups; television commercials and feature films; social discourse and social media. This level of largeness isnt surprising, though. Rappers had the power to influence before the term influencer. Rappers were culture curators long before entering the bloodstream of pop culture.

Rappers are a branch of a larger cultural tree, but they incorporate many of hip-hops most appealing elements. At once, they are the voice of slang, the face of cool, the sound of rhyme, and the movement of dance. These qualities have made rap artist billboards of youth. Every new generation yearns for a way to speak, a life to admire, a style to mimic, and a form of music that is solely theirs to own.

At once, [rappers] are the voice of slang, the face of cool, the sound of rhyme, and the movement of dance.

In Nelson Georges excellent New York Times editorial How Hip-Hop Transformed New York, he explains hip-hops journey through New York City in the 1980s. One significant factor George touches upon is language. The culture had a coded slang; words that were foreign to the dated and unhip. Breakdancers represented hip-hops movement, while graffiti translated the visual wording.

Before radio introduced The Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight over the airwaves or Blondies Rapture airing on MTV, hip-hop traveledaform of virality that was physical. It was a wide-spread presence that could exist any and everywhere.

"So when Deborah Harry said, And you hip-hop, and you dont stop, the new-wave diva would be proved a prophet. Though the Funky 4 + 1 never made it back to the mainstream promised land, the voyage hip-hop took from uptown to downtown was the first of many steps it would take toward pop-culture domination."Nelson George

The physicality of rap moved the music through streets and cities, states and countries, but adapting to the internet allowed the wildfire to continue spreading without a halt. As far as genres go, raps transition to online platforms was the most seamless. For example, hip-hop had a message board on Okayplayer, a popular presence on Myspace, made the best of Facebook, changed industry infrastructure through the blogosphere, thrived on Twitter, and even carved a niche on Tumblr. Whoever houses black expression, hip-hop finds a home.

At present, no other genre or art form has found better promotional use of free applications like YouTube, Instagram, Vine, and the newly popular, TikTok. The record-breaking success of Lil Nas X and Old Town Road is inseparable from his internet savvy and masterful social media marketing. Although catchy, for a new artist, a popular song isnt enough to create a moment that captivates the world.

In 2019, to achieve a massive single, the song needs an entire campaign, a way of reaching the masses, and impressions across every modern channel. Progressively, these channels are on every smartphone; thanks to apps, music can move through portable means. In terms of communication and exchanging information, there is no tool more efficient.

At 20 years old, Lil Nas X has known the internet his entire life; its atool no different than what fire was to the cavemen. He understands memes better than Drake ever could. Lil Nas X comprehends virality as if he was born to go viral and has a level of self-awareness that goes well beyond his years on earth. His success is further proof of how youth culture isnt just shaping music, but the mediums that make music and artists accessible. Old Town Road embodies the importance of moving where the people will see you.

Thats what rap has always done correctly: remained in constant motion. Musically, sonically, and culturally, the art form has advanced with the times. When the entire music industry experienced declining CD sales, rappers gave away free mixtapes on Datpiff; after the blogosphere collapsed, rap transitioned toSoundCloud. Instead of aiming to fix problems existing in old models, new methods emerged.

As a form of black culture, hip-hop marries style and substance. There is no hip-hop without the spirit of black life, black angst, and black cool. At its genesis, the worldwide appeal wasnt foreseeable, but now, almost 50 years later, its impossible to imagine a world without hip-hop and rap music.

What would drive social media discourse? What would substitute the influence? Imagine Happy Days without The Fonz, Walt Disney without Mickey Mouse, or the body without a heart. Losing hip-hop means pop culture must replace its nucleus.

Becoming the nucleus isnt what Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa or any other hip-hop pioneers sought to accomplish. They were the young, capturing the spirit of their youth. But that didnt stop them from becoming old. Its that youthfulness, not aging, that people found contagious; what was fun, fresh, and fundamentally outside the mainstream. Things are different now. Rap is the mainstream. Selling out was once frowned upon, now everyone wants to buy-in.Black life, black angst, and black cool continue to be a currency that is continually being cashed in.

Selling out was once frowned upon, now everyone wants to buy-in.

Nas was wrong, hip-hop never died. It simply became wealthy. Rich in both impact and influence; wealth that continues to accumulate. But with wealth comes change. So what happens to an art form that sprouted from the soil and became worth billions? Once it becomes so big that society can not be divorced from its global takeover? Where and how does this progressive music continue to move?

As we move closer to 2020, thats the question. How will this wealth, influence, and impact shape hip-hops forthcoming decade? Is it possible for hip-hop to continue to reach the people, exist in communities, remember its origins, and continue to maintain a robust presence on and offline? Can hip-hop keep its soul? For every soul has a price, and where hip-hop is today, there are more bidders than ever willing to pay that number. Some might say its already been sold.

Well let tomorrow answer the questions of today.

By Yoh, aka Y2020h, aka Yoh31

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Hip-Hop Is Americas Biggest Genre. What Happens When We Enter 2020? - DJBooth