Infinitely Entertained

                “In time, you will know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right. Yet to fail all the same.” – Thanos

Rights to Disney/Marvel

The Review           

            To be a proper hero you need a great villain. Someone who is powerful, intelligent, persuasive, maybe some can even be sympathetic to the cause. To sum it up; heroes need a substantial threat, especially the super-powered kind. The viewer (see also reader or player) needs to feel as though there is some sense of danger and suspense surrounding the protagonist for which they are rooting. Avengers: Infinity War accomplishes that in this writer’s view.

            So it’s here I want to write about my experience with Avengers: Infinity War. Now that I have completed enough therapy sessions after watching it to feel that I can discuss it and not need a safe space.

            I won’t go into spoilers here, even though I imagine if you are interested in the MCU you’ve likely already ventured to the theater or at least uncovered details of the plot elsewhere. It’s safe to say,  it was full every emotion;  action on many different fronts, touches of great humor between the characters (Bucky and Rocket to name just one), love, respect, and much, much more.

            You may have guessed by now overall, I loved the movie. I grew up with these heroes in nothing but comic book form and the imagination of a teenager to power them. There is something deeply appealing to me about seeing these heroes literally come to life. It is even greater to see them come together in order to overcome the impossible. It motivates me to press on in the face of adversity. That quite simply is the highest compliment you can pay to any art form (Yes I just referred to a genre where the main characters wear tights as an “art form”), is that it pushes you to be a better human being.

The Haters

            What’s odd to me is I continue to see people on social media express their disdain for the super hero genre as overdone, childish or predictable. And to those people, I would say it is. It’s based on fictional characters that have incredible otherworldly powers, also there’s a guy that shoots arrows. All of them are equally interesting to me because of what they stand for, even the villains. So if you don’t like super hero films I have two pieces of advice: 1) Go back to watching Downton Abbey, and 2) Fuck right off because no one asked for your opinion (Somewhat ironic coming from a blogger, no?).

Where I’d Like to See the Next Movie Go

      I enjoy the Avengers (and many DC characters as well). However, my favorite team is the X-Men, specifically Wolverine. As such, it is my hope that at least in the post credit scene of Avengers 4 we get a sneak peek of the X-Men and/or the Fantastic Four. Although, if Disney/Marvel really wants this writer (and many other fanboys and girls) to completely geek out, a full crossover and meeting of these teams fighting side-by-side with the Avengers would be epic (And trust me I’m not the type of guy to throw around the word epic very often)!

            For now, the opening day for the yet untitled Avengers 4 is slated for May 3, 2019. In the meantime, I’ll keep snapping my fingers in anticipation.

Rights to Disney/Marvel

When the Going Gets Tough

...the tough throw their hands up in the air and scream “FUCK!!!”

But then they roll up their sleeves and get to work fixing whatever shit they need to in order to right the wrongs of life.

Its no secret that life can be hard sometimes, maybe even for some of us, it’s even hard a lot of the time.

But here’s a little secret you probably aren’t reminded of enough:

There is something to be said for your resiliency, your innate strength that helps you overcome obstacles, deal with problems and get through the tough times.

You are battle tested and have proven that you have the power to overcome whatever is thrown your way.   Even if you do not feel equipped to deal with the problem that you are facing, that mountain that is in your way is there because God knows you can handle it and someone else can’t. Some people might chalk this up to some sort of cosmic “test” (and maybe it is, what the hell do I know?) - I however, would categorize it as an experience that is both designed and destined to make you stronger.

I also realize that seeing any negative experience in this light, while you are going through it, can be near impossible. But hold it in your heart, tuck it in your pocket- whatever you want to do with it, keep that notion safe, because you will overcome.

10 Songs to Sweat To

“Eww why did he put the word ‘sweat’ in the title?”

            Well the sweating is optional, but I felt compelled to reveal some of the songs that I absolutely love to have on while running. Oh, and don’t worry the running is optional as well. In fact, I don’t care what you do to these songs, or if you even listen to them at all. You’re loss!

            But beyond that be aware this is not a countdown, this is just a few lil’ ditties (Does anyone even use the term ditties anymore?) that I think make for a great running / workout experience. I figure I’ll list them out, describe a few of them and maybe why I think they are motivational.

NOTE: I am an adult so some of these songs contain adult themes and language!

            So here goes….

1. Thousand Foot Krutch – Born This Way

If you’re not acquainted with TFK than you are missing out. In related news, if you have never ran sprints while listening to a song that has lyrics like; “I got lightning running through my veins /

Ain't nobody gonna stop this train / So hop on board, or get out the way / 'Cause I was born this way” -  you are likewise missing out.

2. Charles Bradley - Ain’t It a Sin

I first heard this song while watching the Netflix series Luke Cage. It immediately stopped me in my tracks. No, literally, I stopped the episode so I could research who was singing this song, and then went immediately to ITunes to buy it! It was as if I was hearing James Brown 2.0, and several of the lines in the song are custom made anyone who’s tried to be the nice guy, and had it blow up in their face.

3. Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow

Breaking Benjamin is a powerhouse when it comes to workout songs for me personally. Their powerful, driving guitar chords, coupled with their dramatic and evocative words always seem to help me push the pace and keep it there.

4. Childish Gambino - Bonfire

To paraphrase perhaps the most famous line regarding taste in art; “I may not know rap, but I know what I like.” While some lines might seem like the typical misogynistic, threatening fare you’ve heard in 1,000 other rap or hip-hop songs, this stands alone because of the unique construction. It’s built to last, which shows as this song is pure fire from beginning to end.

5. Johnny Cash - Hurt

I know, you’re thinking; “But David why the hell would you run to this song?” See, for me running isn’t just about going the farthest or the fastest, it’s about emotion, a feeling, releasing stress. Sometimes it is also about feeling anything other than what you might be feeling during a run (fatigue, soreness, dread etc.). One listen to this and you can only focus on Mr. Cash’s timelessly haunting vocals coupled with Trent Reznor’s gloomy libretto.

6. Disturbed - Indestructible

Motivation, if motivation were a thundering barrage of kick ass lyrics and guitar riffs. Turn it up (LOUD) and go get you some!

7. Run the Jewels – Oh my Darling Don’t Cry

“Don't need a preacher preachin' on my behalf / No teacher can't teach my arrogant ass / I'm blowin' on crippy while readin' the scriptures as written by Egyptians while sippin' on whiskey / Aye baby you with me?”
I’ll be honest, trying to find a coherent theme in this track is difficult, but damn it sure sounds cool!

8. 7L & Esoteric - Godless America

Only recently did I discover 7L and Esoteric, and I’ve already added several of their songs to my running playlist. For me, this one has it all, the bass line is sick (is that what all the cool kids say nowadays?), the lyrics deliver a punch, and it has its own unique sound.  

9. Paul Simon -  You Can Call Me Al

Oh how do I love thee, let me count the ways: One; this is nearly the first video I ever saw on MTV. Two; Chevy Chase was in it. Three; this song is fun and just makes me happy. Four; it reminds me through not-so-subtle phrases that I need to remember to work on my abs after I run.

10. Eminem – Cinderella Man

This guy takes up a great deal of space on my Ipod as well. This song (IMHO) has near perfect cadence to match Eminem’s lyrical beating, just what one needs to take their mind off their feet beating against the pavement.

            Well and there you have it. I’m sure if you’ve heard of any of these artists than you have an opinion of them already formed. And that’s fine, I don’t expect everyone to start cranking Cash at the gym (but how awesome would that be?).

            Anyway, hope you enjoyed my ramblings and maybe even found a few good jams (Does anyone even say jams anymore?) to get through your workout.