Leave the World Behind – Waste of Time or Time Well Spent?

Hello there! Have you watched “Leave the World Behind” yet? I watched it a few days ago, because it gets dark at 4pm so what else am I supposed to do? The premise hooked me right from the trailer. Something extraordinary is happening, chaos, a mystery to be solved. The main characters are searching for clues and soon they’ll put together a plan to overcome the setbacks they’re facing. You know, movies with a beginning, a middle, and an end. In other words: the setup, the setback, and the payoff. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

The End of the Beginning. The setup and the setback for this movie were fine. Characters were established even if not one of this was likable. The mystery was there. Then boom, credits roll. No payoff. It felt like they ended the movie at the beginning of the story. I was very disappointed to realize I’d spent a couple of hours watching something where nothing actually happened. What is this, a Seinfeld episode!? Also, the Rotten Tomatoes ratings should be enough for you to avoid this movie.

Fish or Cut Bait. I should’ve cut bait (as they say here in the south) when the huge tanker ship crashed into the beach. As I watched this scene unfold, I kept thinking, “That ship would run aground hundreds of feet before reaching the beach.” Someone commented on social media that even with the technology blackout (which allegedly caused the ship to come ashore), wouldn’t the captain see the beach and steer clear? It doesn’t take radar to not be an idiot. Honestly, the movie lost me a little bit during that scene.

If you’re looking for a thrilling action movie, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a satisfying ending, this isn’t it. It’s a mystery without the resolution. A question without an answer. A movie without a good reason to watch.

The payoff of this post: Leave this movie behind.

-Out of the Wilderness

Swimming in the winter!?

It’s that time of year again when I wake up to 32° weather, it warms to the 50s, then back down to the 30s by nightfall. Today I was going to run. Then I was going to ride my bicycle. Then changed my mind back to running. “Not too cold to run,” I thought. But that was an easy decision. As I walked around the pool on the property where I park my travel trailer, I had another thought. Someone should get the leaves out of this pool. I thought, “I’ll show off my toughness by doing a swim cleaning” (that’s where I bring the net with a snorkel mask and get all the leaves out). It’s so much more effective than scooping up from the side of the pool with the long pole.

I can officially say we’re at the point of the year when your face hurts if you go swimming. The water was frigid. All I could think about was the people on the Titanic. It’s no wonder most of them died quick. Just in a backyard Florida pool, my breathing was shortened, my face hurt, and after I got out I shook for about 20 minutes.

Kudos to the guy who shaved his chest to do the polar plunge in this Amazon commercial. He’s a real man.

-Out of the Wilderness

The Amazon Ugly Mittens Commercial – The Music, Token Gays, and More!

Amazon is using a new voiceover artist for their holiday commercials this year, instead of the British woman we’ve come to know. The VO in this ad introduces us to friends celebrating the holidays with an ugly Christmas sweater party. Take a look then scroll down for more info!

The Song. Party music for this commercial is one of those situations where I don’t know which is the band and which is the song title. But as I researched, I found out. Here’s the full track of “Ante Up” by M.O.P.

Wrap Up. The ad doesn’t really give us anything we don’t already know. Shop Amazon. Get stuff. The commercial also includes the token gay couple, which is obviously important to Amazon since a lot of their ads are “inclusive.” God forbid they not be evolved enough for Americans!

How do you feel about the commercial? Do you know where we can score those mitten costumes? I’m guessing Etsy might be a great place to start. 😉

-Out of the Wilderness

Christmas in Los Angeles? No Thanks!

I’ve been to Los Angeles a handful of times, mostly for work before I was laid off in epic fashion about 8 years ago. This legendary city fits in one main category: Cities I visit but would never live in. I’m thinking of other cities like New York, Miami, Seattle, and the newest addition– Nashville. Ok, yes I lived in Nashville for 16 years but got out probably 5 years later than I should have. It’s a zoo, people. Just visit but think twice about moving there… that is, unless you like gridlock traffic almost all day. If you feel like throwing caution to the wind, though, hire my friend Jonathan Mills as your Nashville realtor. He’ll make sure you don’t get completely bamboozled.

I promise this is a post about Christmas. I guess it’s time to talk about it. THE BEST SAD CHRISTMAS SONG I’VE EVER HEARD. Starting this post off writing about Los Angeles wasn’t an accident. The Christmas song is called “Christmas in L.A.” and I stumbled upon it while I was making a list of sad Christmas songs. I think the reason even a sad song can become a Christmas classic during the happiest time of year is because sometimes those tunes capture the mood more than the cheery ones we all sing along with. Life is messy, even during the Christmas season. I can’t believe this song is 10 years old and I’m just hearing it for the first time in 2023. It’s from The Killers with guest band Dawes and even if you don’t like being sad this time of year, how about the harmonies and the melody in the music? The smooth strum of the guitar, the support of violins and a piano. I could even listen to this without lyrics and love it almost as much. But I can’t get over Brandon Flowers’ voice (The Killers) and Taylor Goldsmith’s, too (Dawes). If you have some time, listen to these 3 different takes on “Christmas In L.A.” and let me know your thoughts in the comments below! First up is the official music video…

Live backstage somewhere.

Live on stage somewhere.

Merry Christmas.

-Out of the Wilderness

The Suchard Brand Chocolate Commercial That Sweetens Our Hearts This Christmas

Hola! Cómo está? Muy bien! Sometimes you don’t need to know what’s being said to know what’s being said. I’m sort of talking about films and short videos that might not have any talking at all. The one that comes to mind right off the bat is Disney’s Lava. It was clear this was a love story between two volcanoes. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Volcanes in love? Really!? Well, whatever. I might have choked up the first time I saw these two love lavabirds together.

Get read for another heartwarming clip but this time it isn’t two volcanoes. These grandparents might be ancient like volcanoes, but their love for their family is as hot as lava. hace calor! Take a look at the Christmas commercial from Suchard over in Spain…

The transitions going back in time were very creative and clever but what really got to me was the pup. Looks like a pug, and how they give him reverence in the commercial is so touching. Dogs are often cherished in families (healthy families, at least!) and this ad shows that very well. It’s a sentiment shared in these commercials also…

Apple iPhone 14 Three-Legged Dog Commercial

DoorDash Dash Pass Commercial – The Bassett Hound

KIA Robo-Dog Commercial

I can’t say what traditions people in Spain have around Christmas but over here in the States, leaving Santa chocolate isn’t common. Neither is leaving Frito Lay chips out for the big guy, but this ad wants to change that. I guess, though, eating chocolate around the holidays is not out of the ordinary. And maybe chips are popular for New Year’s Eve parties.

Either way, dogs are awesome and I love the animated commercial from Suchard!

-Out of the Wilderness