235 | Kristian R. Hill (God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines)

My Summer Lair Chapter #235: How Many Of The Techo Six Can You Name?

Future Shock is a 1970 book by American futurist Alvin Toffler and Adelaide Farrell. The shortest definition for the term Future Shock  is a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time.” And that truly describes Detroit. It’s no surprise director Kristian Hill featured the book in his documentary God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines.

In 2008 Marvel Studios released Iron Man. This is how it all started. By 2012 all of Marvel’s cinematic superheroes had assembled in Avengers. The MCU was up and running; having established a formidable pop culture experience.

Similarly Detroit was home to a group of techno DJs…a sonic Avengers: The Techno Six.

Smokey Robinson, J Dilla, Jackie Wilson, White Stripes, Eminem, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, The Supremes I’ll even toss in Stevie Wonder…Detroit has given us so much music. And you know all these musicians; you know all their hits.

But one of Detroit’s greatest musical contributions has been overlooked and undervalued: Techno. The electronic-music phenomenon was created by Detroit DJs in the 1980s…big banged by The Techno Six. That spark transformed dance music internationally and blossomed into the multibillion-dollar industry of EDM today. 

And just who were The Techno Six who gifted us all with this incredible techno music? That’s the exploration of Kristian R. Hill’s God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines…screening at Tribeca Film Festival.

Though often techno sounds like the future and sci-fi and space ships God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines lets us look back in the past…like a time machine. So let’s visit Detroit in the late 80s by talking to director Kristian Hill.

God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines trailer:

God Said… @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Friday June 17, 2022 at 11am

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…dancing to loud techno!

#SetTheVCR: June 13-19, 2022

We got miracles and music, high stakes baseball and basketball…so it’s either The Summer I Turned Pretty or the latest #SetTheVCR.

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233 | Alex Mallari Jr. (The Adam Project & Hello (Again))

My Summer Lair Chapter #233: Are you impressed with how hard a time traveler from Scarborough hustles?

You know how New York City has Brooklyn? And Brooklyn has blessed New York City and really the world with Jay-Z, Michael Jordan, Spike Lee. Lots of really cool creatives from a really cool borough.

Well in Toronto we too have a super cool borough; our Brooklyn is Scarborough. Which has fashioned a lot of dope creatives. The Weeknd is from Scarborough as is Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and myself. That’s right. I’m putting myself on that list. As well as my guest Alex Mallari Jr.

He and I do talk about Scarborough throughout this conversation. We talk about the hustle and the heart; you can hear the vibrant passion and an electric gratitude: honestly from both of us. Scarborough is a beautiful borough populated with remarkable energy.

This isn’t just a conversation about Scarborough. Rather Alex and I discuss The Adam Project now streaming on Netflix. And Hello (Again) streaming on CBC Gem.

They’re both stories that involve time travel which is code for regrets or mistakes as well as a snarky kid. The Adam Project is a movie starring Ryan Reynolds who crash lands near his younger self and together to save the future they must overcome obstacles. Such as the main goon Christos played by Alex Mallari Jr. As Christos Alex was so Scarborough…a little bit rough; a little unrefined but constantly hustling. While Ryan Reynolds is so B.C. just a gorgeous view from every angle.

As for CBC’s Gem’s Hello (Again) it’s a time loop romance! Well technically a Canadian time loop romance; as it’s on the CBC. Behold the relationship with chef Jayden and ER resident Avery. Only for a chef the relationship is not cooking. So naturally a supernatural time loop situation grants him the chance to get things right…or keep trying. That’s the magically power kid in this project who trapped him in a loop. The first season of this time loop romance is 9 episodes. As for CBC’s Gem’s Hello (Again) it’s a time loop romance! Well technically a Canadian time loop romance; as it’s on the CBC. See what I did there?

Let’s exit this loop and start this My Summer Lair conversation by asking Alex about Canadian trash talking with Ryan Reynolds.

Alex Mallari Jr. @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday January 26, 2022 at 11:30am

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because the F in FOMO doesn’t stand for Fun.

When The NBA Prey Becomes The NBA Shill

Another NBA Season; Another Jurassic Park Raptors ESPN Commercial. This is one of the strangest NBA traditions.

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The 2022 Purge

Happy Purge Day!

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232 | Jefferson Moneo (Cosmic Dawn)

My Summer Lair Chapter #232: Why Do You Believe What You Believe?

Welcome writer and director Jefferson Moneo to My Summer Lair; his latest feature is Cosmic Dawn. A trippy UFO cult saga starring Camille Rowe and Emmanuelle Chriqui.

I’ll give you the basic description but know there is lots more going on than this:
“After witnessing the alien abduction of her mother as a child, Aurora joins the UFO cult The Cosmic Dawn.”

As you’re about to hear in this far-out My Summer Lair conversation, this movie…visually yes it’s an arresting kaleidoscope.

Yet it’s also inspired by Jefferson’s unexplained experience he had in his youth…what he says are “crazy lights.” He openly shared his unique experience and I dunno what to make of it. Part of me is Mulder, part of me is Scully.

Like being prompted by the movie…you have to question your assumptions. Between the UFO cult and the experience of Aurora who witnessed the alien abduction of her mother as a child…it’s all off-kilter. What’s going on here?

The only certainty is uncertainty. Which is what you’d expect from a nonlinear movie.

This close encounter suggests an equally difficult question: Why do you believe what you believe?

Some contemplation music is provided by MGMT who contributed a number of songs to the Cosmic Dawn soundtrack; that wonderful synth and the style of the movie smoothly combine to offer up a warm 80s sci-fi movie feeling.

Currently Cosmic Dawn is available on On Demand Platforms.

But oh yes let’s start with Jefferson’s personal experience with the crazy lights.

The Cosmic Dawn trailer:

Cosmic Dawn @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday January 26, 2022 at 11:30am EST

What are you watching on YouTube? There’s divine delight at discovering delicious pop culture. Sign up now so you can enjoy the My Pal Sammy newsletter.

232 | Jefferson Moneo (Cosmic Dawn)

My Summer Lair Chapter #232: Why Do You Believe What You Believe?

Welcome writer and director Jefferson Moneo to My Summer Lair; his latest feature is Cosmic Dawn. A trippy UFO cult saga starring Camille Rowe and Emmanuelle Chriqui.

I’ll give you the basic description but know there is lots more going on than this:
“After witnessing the alien abduction of her mother as a child, Aurora joins the UFO cult The Cosmic Dawn.”

As you’re about to hear in this far-out My Summer Lair conversation, this movie…visually yes it’s an arresting kaleidoscope.

Yet it’s also inspired by Jefferson’s unexplained experience he had in his youth…what he says are “crazy lights.” He openly shared his unique experience and I dunno what to make of it. Part of me is Mulder, part of me is Scully.

Like being prompted by the movie…you have to question your assumptions. Between the UFO cult and the experience of Aurora who witnessed the alien abduction of her mother as a child…it’s all off-kilter. What’s going on here?

The only certainty is uncertainty. Which is what you’d expect from a nonlinear movie.

This close encounter suggests an equally difficult question: Why do you believe what you believe?

Some contemplation music is provided by MGMT who contributed a number of songs to the Cosmic Dawn soundtrack; that wonderful synth and the style of the movie smoothly combine to offer up a warm 80s sci-fi movie feeling.

Currently Cosmic Dawn is available on On Demand Platforms.

But oh yes let’s start with Jefferson’s personal experience with the crazy lights.

Cosmic Dawn @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday January 26, 2022 at 11:30am EST

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because the F in FOMO doesn’t stand for Fun.

Morning Tea: Yo quiero Moonfall

Chicken Wings!

Jetpacks!

Moonfall! Brew a strong tea: yo!

The First Yo of The Day.

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

~ Plato


Ain’t No Thing But A Chicken Wing…

As for today’s cover image: Yo quiero Taco Bell?

Taco Bell has added Chicken Wings to give you yet another reason to spend dedicated time in the bathroom (“Ma bell, I got the ill communications!”).

Least you can catch up on your reading; right?

McDonald’s couldn’t make chicken wings work; what the hubris…welcome to 2022.

NHL Lockdown Business

That’s not good business:

“The NHL and its teams said they lost more than $1 billion from canceling 189 regular-season games in 2019-20 and barring fans from that season’s playoffs.”

And the ugly audacity of going back to that for the Leafs…and the Raptors. That’s horrible. (It gets worse if you factor in that it’s not “working.” How many people have gotten sick from going to NHL or NBA games? In Toronto or outside of Canada?)

NBA: All Star Returns…So Far…

Kyrie Irving has played in only 1 NBA game and still has more votes than 4 other guards including DRose.

That’s why he’s signed to Nike. Never doubt the marketing machine.

Otherwise no real surprises in the East Returns for NBA All Star.

While here are the West Returns for NBA All Star. Klay Thompson earning all these votes is a single tear sign of love. That’s nice; every so often humanity gets it right.

But like who is voting for Melo?! Are you drunk and/or high? West NBA All Star voting returns. #NBA #BallorFall

#NBA: Is Playing for Team Ruckus?

This has been an utterly enjoyable chippy NBA season.

I dunno if it’s men with cojones who refuse to back down or fraying mental health during an endless pandemic or players with a chip on their shoulders, lack of respect: the why doesn’t matter if we get more. #TeamRuckus #BallorFall

Rescuing Norman Mailer

Back on March 6, 2020 Hachette employees had a childish temper tantrum and embarrassingly refused to publish Woody Allen’s Apropos of Nothing.

(It’s his best book; highly recommended for comedy nerds!)

Skyhorse Publishing wisely published it; now they’re doing good again. Thank you for your service.

“The independent press Skyhorse acquired a new book by Norman Mailer after Mailer’s longtime publisher, Random House, declined to make an offer on the submission.”

Sweet Sci-Fi Jetpacks!

(Please Note: I’ve no way to verify this video is accurate or under what agenda it was upload to Twitter.)

If this is real this is fresh. How soon until everyone gets a jetpack?

Can we use this for action movies? Create ruckus??

#TrailerAlert: Moonfall

We got a last-ditch space mission to save Earth, a dismissed conspiracy theorist who was right! And a mysterious alien force hell bent on destroying earth.

I’m 100% In for Moonfall. #TeamRuckus reporting for duty. Mash Those Puny Humans! Mash em good!

#SetTheVCR…PSA: Indivisible – Healing Hate

Paramount+ cashes in on January 6th with Indivisible – Healing Hate.

The six-part docuseries is narrated by Mandy Patinkin and is streaming now. Yup.

It asks: “how did we become so divided, and what can be done to heal the hate?” Okay.

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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

Morning Tea: Uncharted Children of Men

Children of Men!

The Black Phone!

Uncharted! Brew a strong tea: yo!

The First Yo of The Day.

“Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.”

~ Washington Irving #HandleYourBusiness


The Black Phone…It’s For You?

As for today’s cover image: “New Black Phone; Who Dis?” The Black Phone will be in cinemas on June 24.

A Raptors Dynasty??

I’ve grown weary of this Masai narrative: “He is not content with just winning one title.” He says this all the time.

Raptors are great at identifying talent; yet lousy at winning. Even if they stumble into the playoffs this season then what? A first round exit?

Dynasties are inspiring. They deny others glory and firmly establish a viciously high standard of excellence. Look what Jordan did 3 times. Kobe and the Lakers. High standards by which others must rise and fall.

NBA: Boogie Is Free

Can the Nets Boogie with DeMarcus Cousins??

Here’s my honest truth: I have zero respect for the Bucks. The coach is lousy and frowzy; I wouldn’t trust him in a pie eating content.

So can Brooklyn employ DeMarcus like an assassin with a 6 Foul Gun to Hack-a-Shaq Giannis? Maybe even gather a rebound or two? #BallorFall

#NBA: Kyrie Irving Has Returned…So Now What?

Why didn’t Kyrie Irving play earlier in the season? Even part-time?

While the science is sound as a pound this whole pandemic we’ve over sold the “benefits” of militant solidarity.

This ain’t high school, yo: a trail means you’re just following in somebody else’s footsteps. Yes some people won’t follow the pandemic rules; nobody promised a fair life. #BallorFall

No Dancing At Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival has gone online.

That sucks raw eggs for all the filmmakers most especially for the rookies.

Instead of a theatrical premiere you get a distracted dude at home watching from a cracked ipad and pausing anytime he wants well…when he isn’t on his phone. (That lack of transparency is what makes it difficult to trust reviews like that. Did you actually watch the movie or needlessly pause it or ignore whole chunks by texting??)

And that’s the film aspect…for rookie filmmakers there is all the networking. Film Festivals are great because they pack the room…you can meet anyone at a party or event. How are we supposed to network during a pandemic when the media continues to advocate for social distancing via stranger danger??

Sweet Sci-Fi

The only good Alfonso Cuarón movie: Children Of Men. (Gravity can suck it…twice!) So much sci-fi ruckus and I say that knowing Clive Owen never picks up a gun.

I appreciate super dark; super grim #scifi. Hopefully we gets lots in 2022.

#TrailerAlert: Uncharted

Uncharted released the Plane Fight scene that was the highlight of the trailer.

Proving yet again CGI is incredible; unlike practical effects you can use CGI to increase the danger; tighten the tension while keeping the actors relatively safe. (see the John Wick movies for more examples.)

#SetTheVCR…PSA: Pam & Tommy

Pam & Tommy contains a Mötley Crüe cast; you’ll recognize all the faces.

Though word on the street is the 8 episode limited series has a lot of “shortcomings.” #Rimshot

February 2nd: #Disney+ in Canada; Hulu for Americans. That’s nice…we’re all on the same page.

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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

Morning Tea: Archive 81 in The Umbrella Academy

John Wick 4!

The Umbrella Academy!

Bowie! Brew a strong tea: yo!

The First Yo of The Day.

“Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am.” ~Harvey Specter

Get Savage…it’s Monday; New week: New boldness, New year.

Gird Your Loins. Get It Done.


The Umbrella Academy…Is Coming?

As for today’s cover image: On January 1st The Sparrow Academy via @thesparrowacad_ released these individual character images tweet by tweet. Here’s the whole collection of the Sparrows.

Marketing hype means we’re inching closer to a drop date: November 2020 The Umbrella Academy was renewed for a third season set for release in 2022.

To C-B-C or Not To C-B-C…That’s The Question…

Tara Henley a writer and broadcaster most notably with the CBC has penned: “Why I resigned from the CBC and went to Substack. Speaking freely.”

This is a fascinating perspective; freedom is far more valuable than acceptance.

Getting upset because someone is “abusing” free speech is silly; that’s like freaking out over self-driving car accidents. That’s naturally going to happen: that’s the process.

In April 2021 Paul Pierce was fired from ESPN and being a regular on The Jump. He talked to SI about his frustrating TV experience and saying:

“There’s a lot of stuff over there that you can’t say. And you have to talk about LeBron all the time.” (Ugh I know…some of them on ESPN even refer to him as King. I understand how rating economics work especially for ESPN I just don’t agree with it.)

So I get it. I can understand the frustration with an arduous institution like the CBC which echoes Paul Pierce’s comments.

So Tara Henley like many other journalists has found an outlet that facilitates her freedom; she’s now “free” to pursue different stories; elevate unique voices and have fun. Okay then. Let’s see where all this goes. Without the backing of a large organization her work will rise and fall on timeless principles such as quality and sound journalism.

Bottom Line? That’s fantastic.

Be Free.

#ChairDancing…David Bowie

Sirius XM are Heroes because they’ve launched a David Bowie Station to Station so Ziggy can score Modern Love in his Golden Years.

We lost the Rebel Rebel in January 2016 Ashes to Ashes; more than Five Years ago.

For now Let’s Dance to his Sound and Vision. #CouchWorthy

#PantsWorthy: New Exhibition in San Fran

The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is the latest recipient of Last Week Tonight’s Masterpiece Gallery. On Right Now!

This travelling showcase shares John Oliver’s “art” collection while supporting museums that have been impacted by the global pandemic. Go To Museums!!

Team Ruckus: A John Wick 4 Update

This violent franchise works because it’s stingy with details; MCU movies while loads of fun are burdened with long slow scenes of exposition. I get it.

Still it’s refreshing 3 movies in and we know so little about this dirty underworld. Yes!

Clancy Brown a new face for the franchise talks about his Wick role and…the High Table. oooo. John Wick 4 has been pushed from its May 2022 release date to March 24, 2023.

Go To The Movies!! (When They Are Not In Lockdown…Again??)

A Moment of Silence For…

All the staff.

The ecosystem of curators, critics and creators…from writers to podcasters and much more.

A Third Place…for community experience where nobody talks and we all share a common experience.

Go To The Movies!!

#TrailerAlert/#SetTheVCR: Archive 81

Oh: creepy Netflix! That’s my fav Netflix.

“When archivist Dan Turner takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994 he finds himself reconstructing the Melody Pendras’ investigation into a dangerous cult.” 8 moody episodes drops on January 14.

#SetTheVCR…PSA: Through My Window

Prime Video scored a hit with The Voyeurs because…well lotta people wanted to enjoy the Sydney Sweeney peep show. She did what was expected; the corny movie was a big hit for the streamer and we all went on our way. The System Works.

Netflix’s version is a pervy Rear Window (emphasis on Rear…) called Through My Window.

Enjoy for the peep show.

Stranger Things: Season 4 | February 4 | Netflix

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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

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