The McPlant isn't popular in the United States

The hard part about getting older is having to think about things like the effects of cholesterol and the cost of raising animals for consumption.

I really think that no one would have noticed if McDonald's had started making their patties more plant based. The Impossible patty makes a perfectly good burger and I know people who go to McDonald's are not going for nutritional value anyway.

Think of the Jack in the Box tacos. No one cares what meat is used. They would also be a wonderful candidate for swapping protein ingredients. 

Source: LATIMES

Rivian x Volkswagen

Have you seen the R3? It's a very good looking car that reminds me of the VW Golf. 

 Source: businesswire

Chappell Roan

The amazing thing about music in the age of streaming is that it's never too late to discover an artist. I am now a fan of Chappell Roan. Her music is so full of life and dynamic. While listening to her album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess", I couldn't help but feel she is the bar that many mediocre pop artists strive to reach for. There are sounds and parts of the songs that sound familiar but are actually more refined than the attempts of bigger artists that left you wanting a bit more.

I rather enjoyed Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore album, Guts, so it's no surprise that Dan Nigro has also executed a marvelous pop album that's covers a range of emotions and is packed with head banging melodies.

Nosferatu

I have been waiting for this trailer for awhile. I'm somewhat literate when it comes to high brow movies and I tend to believe that most Robert Eggers movies are. I might only grasp the subtext after a screening and supplemental YouTube analysis/critic review but I do believe watching more challenging movies helps us appreciate the medium as an art and even a commentary on life.

It's interesting that both Willem Defoe and Nicholas Hault are in this title considering their previous history with vampire movies (Shadow of the Vampire and Renfield respectively). Of course we all know Bill Skarsgård knows how to play a mysterious, creepy, villain.

Trailer

The 2025 BMW X3

This thing looks like a car from a PS2 game and I don't mean that as a compliment in any way, shape, or form.

Source: https://jalopnik.com/the-new-fourth-generation-bmw-x3-is-the-weirdest-lookin-1851547825

Sony + Netflix

It really works out that Sony does not have its own streaming service. We're all getting fatigue from all the different streaming services raising prices but if you have access to Netflix (who doesn't???), then you just get Sony movies. 

This is a very good thing if you're not willing to spend your hard earned money at a movie theater to see a movie that professional movie watches concluded was not good.

Source: https://gizmodo.com/madame-web-streaming-netflix-nielsen-top-10-sony-marvel-1851539260?utm_source=vip

New Adventure Time

Adventure Time is a special show to me. It marks the start of my oldest son building his own taste in media. The show is older than him but he clung to it. He knows it better than me and it seems like he's getting more out of it with each re-watch.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/12/24176988/cartoon-network-studios-adventure-time-movie-fosters-funtime

Only God Was Above Us

This is a solid album if you're particularly moved by melodies. Vampire Weekend takes advantage of a large palette of instruments to paint some really great tracks. There's lovely piano work on some tracks and synth on others. It just feels like it was recorded 20 years ago. I think (??) this was kind of the vibe they were going for based on the album art and music videos.

I'm glad the band has not gotten swept up in the current standard of making shorter tracks to generate more listens. There are a handful of tracks well over 4 minutes in this track list.