Italian writer/director Andrea Pallaoro clearly goes for quality over quantity. He’s made only three films in ten years, but all of them (Medeas, Hannah, and Monica) have been critical hits which feature the phrase “an intimate portrait” in their synopses. His latest was hailed out of Venice for exploring a trans woman‘s return to a complicated family situation, seeking some kind of connection from a mother who literally does not recognize her anymore.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Monica is an intimate portrait of a woman who returns home after a long absence to confront the wounds of her past. Reconnecting with her mother (Patricia Clarkson) and the rest of her family for the first time since leaving as a teenager, Monica (Trace Lysette) embarks on a path of healing and acceptance. The film delves into Monica’s internal world and state of mind, her pain and fears, her needs and desires, to explore the universal themes of abandonment and forgiveness.”
Lysette looks dynamite here, and Clarkson looks like she’s doing the Clarkson thing of being awesome in every single thing she’s in.
Monica, which also stars Joshua Close, Adriana Barraza, and Emily Browning, is set for limited release from IFC Films on May 12th.
The Las Vegas Aces have had quite the past 12 months, as they won their first championship under first year head coach Becky Hammon, with A’ja Wilson collecting her second MVP award in the process.
This offseason, they added Candace Parker in what has become a two-team arms race with the New York Liberty, who added Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Courtney Vandersloot to create a clear top-two in the WNBA entering the 2023 season. On Thursday, the Aces made another big name addition, but this time to their ownership group, as Mark Davis and the team announced the recently retired Tom Brady has purchased an ownership stake in the team. Both Davis and Brady released statements on his acquisition of a stake in the team.
“Since I purchased the Aces, our goal has been to win on and off the court, explained Davis. “Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces, and the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports as a whole.”
“I am very excited to be part of the Las Vegas Aces organization,” said Brady. “My lovefor women’s sports began at a young age when I would tag along to all my older sisters’ games – they were by far the best athletes in our house! We celebrated their accomplishments together as a family, and they remain a great inspiration to me.
“I have always been a huge fan of women’s sports, and I admire the work that the Aces’ players, staff, and the WNBA continue to do to grow the sport and empower future generations of athletes. To be able to contribute in any way to that mission as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”
Davis is among the “new-money” WNBA owners, in that he purchased the Aces fairly recently and, like Joe Tsai in New York, has a very different approach to spending than some of the long-time WNBA owners. Those factions have started butting heads over things like player travel, with Tsai and Davis pushing to change league rules that disallow teams from providing chartered flights to games. The addition of Brady figures to only add to what the Aces will be able to do financially, as well as giving them another big name to promote the team.
Given the recent growth of the WNBA, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more ownership moves in the near future as more people are starting to view the league as a unique investment opportunity in sports considering the opportunity for continued growth, where buying in now could pay considerable dividends in the future.
When he got the chance to conduct a dream interview with Joni Mitchell for Rolling Stone in 1979, Cameron Crowe led off by asking her if there were any myths about her she wanted to dispel. She answered that, “I do have this reputation for being a serious person. I’m a very analytical person, a somewhat introspective person; that’s the nature of the work I do. But this is only one side of the coin, you know. I love to dance. I’m a rowdy. I’m a goodtimer. Mind you, I haven’t seen too many good parties since I left my hometown. People go to parties here mostly to conduct business.”
Genius. Poet. Desperate for a good shindig.
Hopefully that personality shines through if Crowe and Mitchell get their biopic off the ground. According to Above the Line, the pair have been collaborating to bring her life story to the big screen. From the report, it sounds like that collaboration is akin to a ghost writer relationship with Mitchell advising and providing input while Crowe is the one putting pen to paper with plans to also producer and direct.
If they can get the project off the ground and into production, it would mark a return to feature filmmaking for Crowe, whose last film was 2015’s Aloha. Although his Roadies series at Showtime was cancelled after one season, acting as conduit for Joni Mitchell‘s autobiography sounds firmly in Crowe’s personal, creative sweet spot. With any luck, they’ll be able to announce that it’s all happening.
In the more than half-century since “Rocket Man” first shot its way to the top of the charts, it would be safe to assume that Elton John has performed the song hundreds — if not thousands — of times. The tune has become so synonymous with the artist that it was used as the title of the 2019 John biopic. But it turns out that the singer-songwriter had no idea what he was warbling about.
As NME reports, John and his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin recently sat down to discuss their famous collaboration, including “Rocket Man.”
“‘Rocket Man’ was our first-ever Number One record I think,” John explained. “It was a pretty easy song to write a melody to because it’s a song about space so it’s quite a spacious song.”
That’s when Taupin chimed in with a story that surprised even John:
“It was actually a song inspired by Ray Bradbury from his book of science-fiction short stories called The Illustrated Man. In that book, there was a story called The Rocket Man, which was about how astronauts in the future would become sort of an everyday job… so I kinda took that idea and ran with it.”
A surprised John admitted: “Do you know, I never knew that.”
Beyoncé and Adidas have mutually agreed to end their partnership, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Beyoncé will retain ownership of her Ivy Park brand.
It was first reported in February that the partnership was troubled; according to internal earnings documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the Ivy Park brand had underperformed under Adidas to the tune of a $200 million loss. When the partnership was first signed in 2019 after Ivy Park moved from TopShop, it was expected that Beyoncé’s name would bring in the sales — however, while Adidas expected $250 million in sales, it only brought in around $40 million.
The Journal‘s also reported creative differences between Adidas and Parkwood, the title under which Beyoncé operates her disparate business ventures, as fans expressed their disappointment in the Ivy Park offerings over the past year. According to THR, “Beyoncé is excitedly looking to reclaim her brand, chart her own path, and maintain creative freedom” of the brand going forward.
The end of the Ivy Park partnership is the latest in a string of rough patches for Adidas over the past year, as well. In October of 2022, Adidas also ended its partnership with Kanye West after the rapper made a series of antisemitic remarks in several interviews. The company’s CEO told the company early this year that Adidas is projected to lose nearly $1.3 billion in sales of Yeezy merchandise, although it also reached an agreement with him to sell remaining inventory without the Yeezy branding.
Whether you’re a fan of bourbon, dark rum, gin, vodka, or tequila, have you stopped to consider all the sips you’ve tried over the years? It’s not a simple task — though you likely only remember the sips that were truly awful and a few of the most amazing ones.
Today, we’re much more interested in the latter than the former. The sip that changed everything. Specifically, we’re talking about a single sip of tequila that bartenders deem their “best ever.”
The best sip of tequila I’ve ever had is Mijenta Blanco. The name “Mijenta” is a reference to the Spanish phrase “mi gente” which translates to “my people”. This flavorful, sustainably-produced tequila was crafted to be enjoyed with “your people”.
Tasting Notes:
Mijenta Blanco has some nice notes of honey and the small batch refinement process really enhances the flavor of agave. It’s a very sippable tequila too.
Tequila Ocho Plata 2020 La Loma. One of the best sips of tequila I’ve ever had was the La Loma batch Tequila Ocho Plata. It was affordable enough to be your daily driver. The kind of tequila you’d sip on a Tuesday or make a margarita with, but knockout delicious enough that you could break it out during parties and blow people away with how refined and elegant it was.
Tasting Notes:
It was extremely agave forward but had citrus, brightness, a little pepper, and this kind of mouthwatering quality to it.
Patrón El Alto is undoubtedly my favorite tequila to sip. I’ve always been a fan of reposados because they are so easy on your palate, and there isn’t any lingering after-burn.
Tasting Notes:
One sip of El Alto gives hints of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. It’s one of the cleanest yet smoothest finishes from a tequila without any mixers needed.
Fortaleza Winter Blend
Fortaleza
Charles Crisp, beverage manager at InterContinental in San Diego
One of my favorite tequilas would definitely be Fortaleza Winter Blend. Only about 11,000 bottles were bottled at cask strength of 92.6 proof. The tequila is aged in American Oak for six months, then matured for a final six months in used French Oak Marsala wine casks.
Tasting Notes:
The final result features notes of baking spice, butter, vanilla, and herbs with a toffee-like finish. This is the perfect sipping tequila for any special occasion.
Siete Leguas Reposado. I had it a very long time ago and I remember thinking, “this is what aged tequila is supposed to taste like.” Not those overly vanilla bomb tequilas. It’s supposed to have previously used bourbon barrel notes. It’s not supposed to taste the way the candle aisle of a Walmart smells.
Tasting Notes:
Fairly herbal with subtle notes of caramel, cracked black pepper, and wintry spices. Spicy, sweet, and highly sippable.
Codigo 1530 Origen
Codigo
Garth Poe, bar manager of Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Codigo 1530 Origen. This extra a ñejo tequila is aged six years and has tons of character from the barrel. This brand distills from 3 times the amount of agave used in normal tequila production which results in a slightly sweeter product while remaining additive free.
Tasting Notes:
This tequila is bursting with bold flavors like toasted vanilla beans, cinnamon, dried fruits, cracked black pepper, and rich oaky wood.
I always love Tequila Ocho Plata. This 100% Blue Agave tequila is known for its collectability as the label reveals the year each batch was made as well as the field where the agave was harvested. This single-estate tequila is just as flavorful as it is collectible.
Tasting Notes:
It features very crisp, clean, pepper and citrus notes. It’s a highly flavorful, nuanced tequila you’ll crave after only one sip.
Siembra Azul Reposado
Siembra Azul
Stephen Hood, assistant food and beverage operations manager at The Notary Hotel in Philadelphia
I would have to say the best sip of tequila I had would have to be Siembra Azul. The blanco is amazing however the Reposado is in a league of its own. If I’m out and I’m in the mood for tequila and I see Siembra Azul I’m going for it.
Tasting Notes:
This highly complex tequila is known for its aromas of vanilla beans, oak, and cracked black pepper and a palate of cooked agave, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak.
Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength
Fortaleza
Alex Barbatsis, head bartender at The Whistler in Chicago
When it comes to tequila, I like it strong. Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength comes in at a whopping 46% ABV, much higher than most sipping tequilas. This blanco comes right from the still and into the bottle. A little goes a long way, so a bottle will last you a long time. It also works great as a small dose in a cocktail. Try adding a 1/4 oz to your next margarita, you’ll be wowed by the results.
Tasting Notes:
This complex tequila is earthy, herbal, vegetal, and filled with flavors like cooked agave, vanilla beans, cracked black pepper, and citrus zest.
Tapatio 110
Tapatio
Will Krepop, beverage director at Wiggle Room in New York City
Tapatio 110. At 110 proof with a great peppery spice to it, it absolutely shines in citrusy tequila cocktails. This is the highest proof allowed in the tequila world and it still manages to be complex, flavorful, and highly warming.
Tasting Notes:
Awesome notes of cinnamon and black pepper compliment a core of cooked apples with a hint of caramel.
I think my favorite sip of Tequila I have ever had was Siete Leguas Blanco. It is very sentimental to me for many reasons. The broadest reason is that it was the Tequila that showed me you can sip a blanco tequila without it tasting disgusting and bitey. I also had it for the first time with one of my best friends in the world, who explained to me that he and his dad and family would sip this in Mexico at the end of long days, and that is pretty much what we were doing at the restaurant we worked at the first time I had it.
Tasting Notes:
It is such an expressive and bright tequila with great lime a salinity quality but also carries a richness that I adore. It is not a “lean” tequila.
Even if you haven’t seen The Room, you probably know what it is, or what it isn’t, because it’s not a very good movie. But it’s one of those cult favorites with a fanbase that grew over time and steadily made Tommy Wiseau a god-like figure for campy movies. And you know, he’s gonna do it again!
It might seem surprising, but Wiseau actually hasn’t made another movie since The Room in 2003. He will often host screenings of The Room around the country, but he had yet to make a feature-length follow-up to his “hit” movie, that is until Big Shark, the upcoming disaster film about a giant shark. He has done some voice acting, though.
Big Shark is not a sequel to Big Fish, though that would have been a really good concept. Instead, Big Shark seems to take the idea of Jaws with the CGI budget of Sharknado and mix it with…Rocky, maybe? It’s actually kind of hard to tell. The movie follows three firefighters named Georgie, Patrick, and Tim (good firefighter names) as they battle a…big shark. That’s really all the information that has been provided, but it gets the point across.
Wiseau himself stars alongside Isiah Laborde and Mark Valeriano. While the movie was originally rumored to star Wiseau’s friend and Room collaborator Greg Sestero, it seems like does not appear in the trailer. Hopefully, there is no bad blood between them, as they already have a pretty rocky relationship as is.
Big Shark (the more you read it, the more the title just makes sense) will get a limited release this summer in various cities across the country: New Orleans on April 28th and 29th, San Francisco on May 5th and 6th, Los Angeles on June 2nd and 3rd and in New York City on August 10th, 11th and 12th. A perfect lead-up to Shark Week.
As Donald Trump awaits a possible indictment for his alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair with the adult film actress, Melania Trump is reportedly still angry about the fact that her husband apparently cheated on her shortly after she gave birth to their son Barron. According to a new report, the former First Lady is attempting to remain positive, which involves not engaging with her husband’s current legal troubles.
“She remains angry and doesn’t want to hear [the alleged hush money payment] mentioned,” a source told PEOPLE. “She is aware of who her husband is and keeps her life upbeat with her own family and a few close friends.”
As for whether Melania is concerned with her husband being arrested, like her infamous jacket, she doesn’t seem to care. “She doesn’t sympathize with Donald’s plight,” the source told PEOPLE before detailing how the couple are keeping up appearances at Mar-a-Lago:
While the source tells PEOPLE that Melania and Donald live in separate quarters of their Mar-a-Lago estate, the two are still often spotted eating dinner together or attending events at the private club.
“She does very well with all of her socializing duties,” the source continues. “They still see friends for dinner at the club, but live separately and do what they want on their own. They don’t spend that much time together.”
It should, however, be noted that part of Trump’s legal defense is to claim that the hush money payment was not related to his presidential campaign, and therefore, isn’t a violation. Instead, a former attorney for Trump claims that he was worried about Melania learning about the affair and leaving him.
Although, a public divorce would’ve been bad for Trump’s campaign, too, so not exactly the best strategy.
While the ocean remains untamed, the precision and balance needed to carve towering wave faces and dance inside roaring barrels represent more than just a professional sport. They are the pillars of a unique art form all its own. While soccer is often called “the beautiful game,” surfing certainly deserves a shout-out in that conversation, too.
And just like soccer, surfing is global. While certain countries are deeply associated with certain sports, beaches are everywhere and so are great waves — making pro surfers excellent travel ambassadors. From the coasts of Australia to the shores of Hawaii, there are plenty of barrels to ride and people to meet along the way.
On the World Surf League 2023 Championship Tour, surfers travel the globe riding the best waves on the planet (while taking plenty of time to chill). We got the chance to ask eight female WSL CT surfers about their favorite breaks and what they do (besides surfing) while they’re there. Check their answers under the video!
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) – Hale’iwa Beach (North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii)
World Surf League
My favorite break to surf is probably my home spot of Haleʻiwa Beach (North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii), it’s one of my favorite waves in the world and I grew up on that wave. I like that it’s very powerful and it’s a very strong, dominant wave. You have to match its power of it or you won’t be able to surf the wave as well as it offers. I always have a good time no matter the current out there, so that’s what makes it so beautiful.
Other than surfing, I love just hanging out with friends on the beach and fishing and diving. That’s also the main barbecue spot for families there because it offers the perfect gathering spot.
My favorite break to surf would probably be in Fiji at this perfect right hand point break called Swimming Pools. I love the area, it’s where I live part time and it’s very simple living. It has everything you need: ocean, salt, sand, clarity, warm water, and it just brings the best out of you.
When I’m not surfing there, I like to snorkel, stand-up paddle, kind of everything that involves the ocean. It’s a place where I feel the most relaxed and calm, it’s a special place for me.
Courtney Conlogue (USA) – Teahupo’o (Tahiti, French Polynesia)
World Surf League
My favorite break to surf is Teahupoʻo (Tahiti, French Polynesia). For me, I just really love the beauty of the wave and the power. There’s something about the energy and the lineup that is just amazing. It’s very powerful yet graceful at the same time. It’s the perfect balance.
It’s also a great area for fishing and cruising around.
Isabella Nichols (AUS) – Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
World Surf League
I think Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa) has got to be my favorite wave to surf. South Africa is just so beautiful, the culture there is amazing, the wildlife, the waves are insane, the food is incredible, and the people are just beautiful too.
Outside of the water, I like to go on safaris, find great places to eat, go around and find new breaks, and hang out with some really good friends I have over there and have some authentic South African barbecues.
Lakey Peterson (USA) – Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
World Surf League
On tour and throughout the entire world, my favorite break would have to be J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa). I love that wave and the place. Any right hand point break is kinda gonna be my favorite. The overall environment and aliveness of it all kinda reminds me of West Oz (Western Australia) the same culturally. There’s so much happening, the ocean is alive, the animals are alive, and it’s thriving. It’s a beautiful place.
Africa definitely has a special place in my heart. When I’m not surfing, I’ll usually go down to Cape St. Francis for the day and hit up some good cafes and play some golf. Obviously, the safaris are always a great option for fun things to do.
Sophie McCulloch (AUS) – Stradbroke Island (Queensland, Australia)
World Surf League
I love some places at home on the sunshine coast, there are a lot of fun beaches. Otherwise, I love going to Stradbroke Island which is also in Queensland. They can be really peaky and fun with short paddle outs. You can do a little bit of everything, get tubed or do some cool turns. It allows you to tap into your creative side on the water.
The lifestyle on Stradbroke is also really nice — there’s a big coffee culture. You can go for an early surf because the sun rises really early. The climate is nice and temperate most of the year. I’m always so grateful when I’m able to be back there in my home.
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) – Teahupo’o (Tahiti, French Polynesia)
World Surf League
My favorite break to surf is probably Teahupoʻo (Tahiti, French Polynesia) because it’s very beautiful and it has always felt like a home away from home. It’s one of the most gorgeous places ever.
There’s not much to do there besides surfing, haha. But if you’re really looking for something else outside of the wave, there are great locations for workouts, hanging out with friends and watching the sunset, and playing soccer on the lawns.
Tyler Wright (AUS) – Fiji
World Surf League
Fiji has some cool waves. The waves, water, culture, and people there are all amazing.
When I’m not surfing… Basically, you can do anything to do with being in the ocean here. There’s great: swimming, snorkeling, fishing.
Ultra Music Festival — one of the biggest EDM-centric festivals in the US — returns this weekend with a lineup headlined by some of the genre’s biggest names, including Martin Garrix, Marshmello, and Swedish House Mafia. The Miami-based festival begins this Friday, March 24 at Bayfront Park, and continues through to Sunday, March 26. The set times for all seven stages at the festival were announced earlier this week, and you can check those out below.
Friday, March 24, the festival begins at 4:00 pm and runs until midnight. On Saturday, March 25, the gates will open at 12 noon, with headliner Marshmello taking the main stage at 10:45 pm. Finally, on Sunday, the festival will end at 10:00 pm, with Swedish House Mafia closing things out at 8:45 pm.
This week’s event marks the second Ultra Music Festival since the long-running festival — first established in 1999 — was canceled in 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, the 2021 event was also pulled due to concerns of a rise in cases of the novel coronavirus. The festival resumed in 2022 with an attendance total of 165,000 and a lineup including Kygo, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, and Gareth Emery. Hardwell closed out the festival.
The Ultra Music Festival website currently touts general admission tickets as “99% sold out” but that still leaves one percent for latecomers. Check out the website for more information and see the set times below.
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