Device Review: Samsung Galaxy S25 on T-Mobile Network

Samsung continues to redefine excellence in the smartphone industry, and the Galaxy S25 solidifies its position at the pinnacle of mobile innovation. This device isn't merely an incremental update; it's a meticulously crafted flagshop that maintains the company's reputation of excellence in the Android market. The Galaxy S25 seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with an exquisite user experience, making it a truly compelling choice for discerning consumers.

The design of the Galaxy S25 is a testament to Samsung's commitment to refinement. It boasts a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with premium materials that feel luxurious in hand. The device strikes a perfect balance between a substantial feel and comfortable ergonomics, making it a joy to hold and use for extended periods. The robust build quality, coupled with subtle design enhancements, speaks volumes about the attention to detail. It's a phone that not only performs exceptionally but also looks and feels like a high-end piece of engineering.

At the heart of the S25's visual prowess is its stunning Dynamic AMOLED 3X display. This panel delivers an unparalleled viewing experience with breathtaking color accuracy, incredible brightness, and the deepest blacks imaginable. Every image, video, and application comes to life with vibrant clarity and astonishing detail. The adaptive refresh rate ensures butter-smooth scrolling and responsiveness, dynamically adjusting to content to optimize both visual fluidity and battery efficiency. This display truly immerses you in your content, making every interaction a visual delight.

Connectivity is paramount in today's world, and the Galaxy S25 excels with its advanced 5G capabilities. On the T-Mobile 5G network, the Galaxy S25 consistently demonstrates exceptional performance, leveraging T-Mobile's extensive Ultra Capacity and Extended Range 5G for blazing-fast download and upload speeds, incredibly low latency, and robust connectivity. Whether you're streaming 4K video on the go, engaging in competitive online gaming, or conducting crystal-clear video calls, the S25 on T-Mobile provides a seamless and uninterrupted experience, ensuring you're always connected at the highest possible speeds.

For photography enthusiasts, the camera system on the Galaxy S25 is nothing short of revolutionary. Samsung has equipped it with a multi-lens setup that pushes the boundaries of mobile photography. The main sensor captures an extraordinary amount of detail and dynamic range, even in challenging lighting conditions, while the enhanced ultra-wide and telephoto lenses provide unmatched versatility. Features like advanced AI scene optimization, improved Nightography, and professional-grade video stabilization mean every shot is a masterpiece. The front-facing camera also delivers stunning selfies, making the S25 a complete photographic tool.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 is a true powerhouse. It's driven by the latest flagship processor, paired with generous RAM, allowing it to handle the most demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games with effortless grace. The performance is consistently fluid, with instantaneous app launches and smooth transitions. This raw power is complemented by Samsung's highly optimized One UI, which offers a feature-rich, intuitive, and customizable Android experience. Despite its immense power, the battery life is remarkably optimized, easily providing a full day of heavy usage, ensuring you stay productive and entertained without constant recharges.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a definitive statement in the top-tier smartphone category. It combines a sophisticated design, a world-class display, an exceptional camera system, unparalleled performance, and robust 5G connectivity, all while delivering impressive battery longevity. It's a device that not only meets but consistently surpasses expectations, setting a new standard for what a premium mobile experience should be. For those seeking the top of the line in baseline smartphone technology, the Galaxy S25 is a device that promises to elevate many aspects of your digital life.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Box BreakL 2024 Panini Mosaic Football Blaster

See what the retail box yields.

Book Report: 'The Courage to be Disliked'

 

The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an eye-opening introduction to Adlerian Theory. The title is pure clickbait, but the content within is intriguing and engaging.

The main idea is to rid your life of unnecessary interpersonal entaglements that hold you back from pursuing your higher goals. Set up as a Platonic dialogue between a patient master and skeptical student, the speakers discuss contradictions, hangups, presuppositions and ingrained social and mental blocks that tend to lock people up.

There is a subtle, cult-like feel of preachiness that pops up fairly often, but that doesn't detract from the gems worth grasping onto. There is nothing in the book that overtly encourages you to be disliked, and it pretty much proclaims that happiness is fleeting and unattainable. However, it does advise you to look out for manipulation attempts, both from outside and within, and highly encourages you to check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Above all, this is an extended version of the Serenity Prayer, which it cites within. By staying within yourself and not allowing outside forces you have no control over to trouble you, you can strive for peace, if not happiness.

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Device Review: Samsung Galaxy A36 5G on T-Mobile 5G Network

One of Samsung's strengths as a top-flight smartphone competitor is its abilit to offer excellent devices across all price points. With the Galaxy A36 5G, they have once again demonstrated their prowess in the mid-range segment, delivering a phone that beautifully balances cutting-edge features with an accessible price tag. This device isn't just another option; it's a compelling choice for anyone seeking a robust, reliable, and feature-rich smartphone experience without venturing into flagship territory.

The first impression of the Galaxy A36 5G is one of refined elegance. Samsung has imbued it with a design that feels both modern and premium, featuring clean lines and a comfortable, ergonomic build. The choice of materials ensures a durable feel in hand, and the subtle color options give it a sophisticated look. Despite its generous screen size, the phone is well-balanced and easy to handle, making it suitable for extended use. It's clear that Samsung has paid attention to aesthetics, crafting a device that looks far more expensive than it is.

The display is, as expected from Samsung, a standout feature. The Galaxy A36 5G boasts a vibrant Super AMOLED screen that delivers stunning visuals. Colors pop with incredible richness, contrasts are deep and impactful, and the brightness levels are excellent, ensuring readability even under direct sunlight. Whether you're indulging in your favorite streaming content, browsing photos, or simply navigating through apps, the visual experience is immersive and highly enjoyable. The inclusion of 5G connectivity is a significant advantage, providing lightning-fast internet speeds for seamless streaming, gaming, and video calls, truly future-proofing your mobile experience. Notably, on the T-Mobile 5G network, the Galaxy A36 5G consistently delivers impressive performance, leveraging T-Mobile's extensive coverage for strong signals and reliable speeds, whether you're in a bustling city or a more suburban area. This ensures that your high-bandwidth activities, from video conferencing to large file downloads, are smooth and uninterrupted.

For photography enthusiasts, the camera system on the Galaxy A36 5G is remarkably capable. Samsung has equipped it with a versatile multi-lens setup that excels in various scenarios. It features a powerful 64MP main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for sharp, steady shots, an 8MP ultra-wide lens perfect for expansive landscapes or group shots, and a 5MP macro lens allowing for creative close-up photography. On the front, a 32MP selfie camera ensures your self-portraits are always crisp and vibrant. The main sensor captures detailed and well-exposed photos with natural colors, making everyday moments look fantastic. Even in challenging low-light conditions, the camera performs admirably, thanks to intelligent processing and features like Night Mode. The overall camera experience is intuitive and reliable, empowering users to capture high-quality images with minimal effort.

Performance-wise, the Galaxy A36 5G is a smooth operator. Powered by an efficient processor and ample RAM, it handles daily tasks, demanding applications, and even graphic-intensive games with impressive fluidity. Multitasking is a breeze, with apps switching seamlessly and no noticeable slowdowns. This strong performance is complemented by Samsung's One UI, which offers a user-friendly interface with extensive customization options and a wealth of useful features. Furthermore, the battery life is truly commendable, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy usage, alleviating the constant worry of running out of power.

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a highly impressive mid-range smartphone that delivers exceptional value. It combines a sleek design, a magnificent Super AMOLED display, a versatile and capable camera system, robust performance, and excellent battery life. For those seeking a well-rounded, future-ready smartphone that doesn't compromise on the essential features, the Galaxy A36 5G is an outstanding choice and a testament to Samsung's commitment to the mid-range market.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Early Game Review: 'EA Sports NCAA Football 26'

The dawn of the college football season is an incredibly upbeat and invigorating event, and the anticipation is considerably amped up now that EA has reignited its annual college football sim, buttressed with authentic players instead of the generic versions from days of yore. The presence of "EA Sports NCAA Football 26" on your hard drive means that it won't be long until America's touchstone sport is back in action.

Due out Thursday, the game builds considerably on the impressive base of last year's long awaited series reboot, EA Sports NCAA Football 25. The most notable addition is head coaches. Other than the notable absence of high-profile coaches Deion Sanders of Colorado and North Carolina's Bill Belichick, all of the notable honchos are here, and their presence makes the game feel that much more authentic.

Last year's game made its name by absorbing the sights, sounds, traditions and chants from just about all recognizable programs, but there is always room for improvement and expansion. The dev team took that to heart, adding a ludicrous amount of detail, including 34 new mascots, 88 new marching band tunes and loads of new player gestures, animations and celebrations.

Unique flourishes abound, including the Oklahoma Sooner Schooner, Georgia's Savage Pads, the TCU Frog Horn, and, most importantly to me, Arizona's Turnover Sword, a cactus-shaped weapon that players pull out to celebrate a recovered fumble or interception.

Everything that made last year's game such a breakout hit is not only back, but refined and bettered by a year of fine-tuning, player feedback and innovations. Each team is bolstered with its own formations, playbook, playcalling tendencies and substitution patterns. I'm a stat nerd, and I appreciated the dev team's adherence to tradition, drawing on more than a century and half of statistics and records to inform the commentary and graphic stat flashing that bolster the presentation.

Dynasty Mode gets rivalry-protected matchups to make the schedule generation more realistic, and Trophy Room allows you to collect and store all sorts of accolades you earn on the gridiron. Road to Glory, Play Now and Road to the College Football Playoff allow you to test out your skills in quick-hit or long-game ambitions. Crossplay evens the playing field between Xbox and PlayStation gamers, expanding the opponent base and obliterating the tribal line that separates console loyalists.

A new physics system emulates real-life wear and tear on players, emphasizing the tax that a game and season can take on starters. Offseason, there is a major emphasis on recruiting from the transfer portal and making use of NIL treasure troves to satisfy star prospects from other schools, as well as keeping those on your roster satisfied.

With a fine-tuned ear for the pageantry, rivalries, action and excitement that makes the college game stand out in pop culture, "EA Sports NCAA Football 26" is yet another resounding success for the revitalized franchise. I relished the time I've spent with the game, and look forward to returning every week throughout the season as I relive the highlights I watched on Saturdays and try to make right everything that went wrong for my poor Wildcats.

Publisher provided review code.

Hot on Home Video: 'Sinners'

SINNERS

Michael B. Jordan thrives in a dual role as twim brothers who face down a supernatural small-twon menace. Director Ryan Coogler crafts an elevated horror film that deals with themes of cultural clas,hes socioeconomic disadvantage and religious repression in an intricate and action-packed tale. The dynamite cast includes Halee Steinfield, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell and Wunmi Mosaku. The film is one of the best-reviewed and highest-grossing horror movies in history, and seems a lock to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

Extras include a slew of making-of and thematic breakdown featurettes, including "Dacing with the Devil: The Making of 'Sinners'," "Thicker than Blood," "Blues in the Night," "Spirits in the Deep South" and "The Wages of Sin: The Creature FX of 'Sinners.'" There are also deleted scenes on which to feast.

Studio sent screener for review.

Device Review: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on T-Mobile 5G Network

The smartphone market is a fiercely competitive arena, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Samsung has consistently been at the forefront of this innovation, and with the release of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung's engineers show they are capable of expanding their vision while shrinking the width of the lithe device. 

From the moment you lay eyes on the Galaxy S25 Edge, its design captivates. Samsung has refined its signature Edge aesthetic, making the curves even more elegant and the device feel incredibly ergonomic in hand. The premium materials – a robust, yet lightweight frame and the latest generation of Gorilla Glass – contribute to a luxurious feel that exudes quality. The subtle refinements in button placement and the seamless integration of the camera module into the overall design speak volumes about the meticulous attention to detail. It's a phone that looks as good as it feels, a true piece of modern art that fits comfortably in your palm.

The display, as expected from Samsung, is nothing short of breathtaking. The Dynamic AMOLED 3X panel on the S25 Edge is a visual feast, boasting unparalleled color accuracy, incredible brightness, and deep, inky blacks. Whether you're streaming high-resolution videos, browsing vibrant photo galleries, or simply navigating the UI, every pixel pops with stunning clarity. The adaptive refresh rate, now even more intelligent, ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and responsiveness while efficiently conserving battery life. The Edge itself isn't just a design flourish; it subtly enhances the viewing experience, making content feel like it spills over the sides, drawing you deeper into what you're watching.

Photography enthusiasts will find the camera system on the Galaxy S25 Edge to be a revelation. Samsung has taken an already excellent setup and elevated it to new heights. The main sensor captures an astonishing amount of detail and dynamic range, even in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light performance is particularly impressive, producing bright, clear, and noise-free images that rival dedicated cameras. The versatility offered by the enhanced ultra-wide lens and the improved telephoto capabilities means you're always equipped to capture the perfect shot, no matter the scenario. Features like advanced AI scene optimization and refined video stabilization make capturing professional-grade content effortless.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Edge is a powerhouse. Equipped with the latest generation processor and ample RAM, it handles everything from demanding games to intensive multitasking with remarkable ease on T-Mobile's remarkably fast 5G network. Apps launch instantly, transitions are fluid, and there's never a hint of lag. This raw power is complemented by Samsung's optimized software, providing a user experience that is both intuitive and highly customizable. And despite its powerful components, the battery life is surprisingly robust. Samsung has clearly worked wonders on efficiency, ensuring that the S25 Edge can comfortably last a full day of heavy usage, and often beyond, alleviating the common smartphone anxiety of constantly searching for a charger.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a triumph of mobile engineering. It combines a stunning, refined design with an unparalleled display, a class-leading camera system, and blistering performance, all wrapped up in a package that offers excellent battery longevity. It's a device that exceeds expectations, proving itself to be an investment that will undoubtedly bring joy and productivity for years to come.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Book Report: Crossroads

 

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jonathan Franzen continues to establish himself as one of the definitive literary voices of his generation. "Crossroads" delves into the psychological angst of growing up and raising children amid a hypocrisy-laden structure in a time of tremendous cultural upheaval. Like Franzen's "The Corrections" and "Freedom," the writing pulses with rich dialogue, fascinating character development and sly cultural insifght.

Set in 1970s small-town Illinois, "Crossroads" centers around a family whose father is a minister at a powerful church. In addition to its numerous other connotations, the title serves as the name of the edgy youth group, which shepherds teens into channels of emotional expression and spiritual searches as a distraction from the allure of drugs and booze.

I was captivated throughout. Franzen's characters are all dense and soulful, and his writing shifts to guide you toward sensing their yearnings and drives as you see similar situations from differing perspectives. His clever narrative design allows for sudden flashbacks, insightful streams of consciousness and distanced, third-person bridges that allow you to lose yourself in his steady, confident storytelling.

Arresting themes emerge, as the parents and childrens come of age in intertwining paths. Deception, trust, religious-driven masking of psychological issues and sexual repression. It all flows naturally, with arresting storytelling threads pulling you along at high speed.

The first part of a proposed trilogy, "Crossroads" was a tantalizing effort, and by far my favorite of Franzen's considerable roster of novels thus far.

View all my reviews

Review: 'Duster'

 

Duster: The Grooviest, Most Funky-Fresh Show on the Small Screen Right Now Oh, man. So, I just finished binging Duster, and I gotta tell ya, the moment the credits rolled, I just sat there staring at the TV, grinning like an idiot. This show… this show is my jam.

It's like someone took a time machine back to the '70s, kidnapped a badass muscle car, a crate of vinyl records, and a dude who could stare down a freight train, and then made a TV show about it. It’s got that cool-as-all-hell, greasy-fingers-and-a-greasy-spoon-diner vibe that just scratches an itch you didn’t even know you had. From the first frame, you know you're in good hands. The whole thing looks like a lost film from the New Hollywood era, all grainy and sun-drenched and full of beautiful, worn-out faces. And the music? Holy cow, the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission.

It’s a flawless mixtape of funk, soul, and rock that perfectly underscores every chase scene, every quiet moment of reflection, and every time the main dude, who’s basically a walking, talking Clint Eastwood movie, gives a look that says, "I'm about to f--- you up, but I'm gonna look cool doing it." And let’s talk about that cast. The lead is just… perfect. He’s got that swagger, but it’s not obnoxious. It’s the weary swagger of a guy who’s seen too much and drives too fast. 

He's a wheelman, a professional, but you get the sense he’s always one bad job away from a permanent dirt nap. He's supported by a bunch of incredible actors who feel less like characters and more like real people you'd meet in a dusty gas station, all with their own stories and their own scars. The chemistry is electric, and the dialogue feels so natural, you forget you’re even watching a show. 

You’re just a fly on the wall, watching a bunch of outlaws try to make a buck and stay out of jail, which is, like, the whole American dream, right? The plot is this lean, mean machine. It’s not overstuffed with a bunch of expositional nonsense. It just drops you in the middle of a high-stakes job and says, "Catch up, buttercup." It’s a heist show, a crime thriller, and a character study all rolled into one, and it never slows down. I found myself holding my breath more than once, and that's a testament to the storytelling. They know exactly when to hit the gas and when to pump the brakes, creating this perfect rhythm that hooks you and doesn't let go. 

 Look, if you’re a fan of movies like Vanishing Point, Bullitt, or even something more modern like Baby Driver, you have to watch this. Duster is a love letter to that era of filmmaking, but it’s so much more than just a throwback. It’s a fresh, thrilling ride that proves you don’t need a cape or a laser beam to be the coolest person in the room. This show is the best kind of escapism, and it left me jonesing for more. Go watch it. Now.

Box Break: 2025 Bowman Baseball Value Box

 I pulled an autograph from a value box!

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical'

"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical," is the Neil Diamond retrospective you didn't realize how much you needed it.

Boasting electric choreography, stunning song and dance numbers and an overpowering energy that captures the spirit of Diamond's many incarnations over the decades, the musical serves as a glorious celebration of all things Diamond.

Borrowing its title from Diamond's 1976 album, the jukebox musical runs through the highlights of the rock star's catalogue, dating from his early days as a songwriter for the Monkees. 

A loose, somewhat weak framework has a modern-day Diamond talking to a psychiatrist, who tries to psychoanalyze Diamond via his song lyrics. No matter, whatever excuse to pump "Coming to America" and "Sweet Caroline" into the crowd multiple times is an inherent win.

The entire enterprise is clearly a well-earned Diamond ego trip, careful to touch on controversial aspects of his life while glorifying in his many successes. On multiple occasions, Diamond humblebrags that he drew more fans and outsold Elvis.

A musical like this is only as good as the actor cast as Neil Diamond, and this production thrives on the back of Joe Caskey, who fills in admirably for Nick Fradiani, the 2015 "American Idol" champ. Thriving with a charisma that echoes off the rafters, the electric Caskey seizes ownership of the crowd with a voice that, in the words of the book, sounds like gravel wrapped in velvet.

Most of the musical's most powerful moments belong to Fradiani, with a share going to his present-day counterpart, Robert Westenberg, but arguably the most powerful performance belongs to Hannah Jewl Kohn, a Disney princess musical national tour vet who thrives as Marcia Murphey, Diamond's second wife, and delivers a showstopper with a stunning rendition of "Forever in Blue Jeans."

Buttressed by an impressive ensemble that includes the likes of Zoe Maloney, Vanessa Aurora Sierra and Tasheim Ramsey Pack, who run through costume changes and shifting dance styles like wildfire, the show rarely loses its sense of headlong momentum. 

The crowd-pleasing bows, which enlist the audience to sing along to a pair of Diamond's grandest smashes, sends the production off in thunderous delight, with the soundtrack shifting to the beautiful noise of unbridled cheering and applause.

"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" plays through June 29 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Hot on Home Video: 'A Minecraft Movie'

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Now that the likes of Sonic and Mario have shattered the curse of video games adapted to movies, "A Minecraft Movie" takes the ball and runs with it. Filled with clever gags, abundant fan service and original music by lead Jack Black, the film is more fun than it has any right to be. A spiritual successor to "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre," the film bears director Jared Hess's signature penchant for absurdist satire. Jason Momoa, Roy Lee, Job Berg, Mary Parent and Jill Messick round out the cast, which complements Black's manic style.

Extras include a slew of featurettes, including "Building the World of Minecraft Block Party," "Creepers, Zombies and Endermen Oh My!," "A Minecraft Movie: Block Beats," "A Minecraft Movie: Pixel Pals" and "Marlene + Nitwit."

Studio sent screener for review.

 

Review: '1000-Lb Roomies'

In the ever-expanding universe of reality television, where the human condition is often turned into a spectacle of melodrama and excess, a show like 1000-lb Roomies stands out for its raw, unpolished honesty. This new series from TLC, which centers on two roommates, Jaz and Nesha, on a journey to lose weight and get bariatric surgery, feels less like a manufactured television product and more like a window into a difficult, complex, and intensely personal struggle. This isn't just about weight loss; it's about the emotional architecture that supports—or, more often, undermines—a person's health.

The premise, which places two individuals with similar struggles under one roof, is a potent device. It creates a dynamic of both shared support and mutual accountability that is often absent from shows of this nature. We see the sisters in their most vulnerable moments, from the quiet despair of a doctor's appointment to the small, hard-won victories of a healthy meal. The camera doesn't flinch, presenting the grim reality of their lives—the physical pain, the emotional baggage, the constant, low-grade sense of failure—without resorting to sensationalism. It's a sobering and, at times, difficult watch, but it's also a deeply human one.

What makes 1000-lb Roomies compelling is its refusal to be a simple, straightforward weight-loss success story. The show is unflinching in its portrayal of the setbacks and relapses that are a fundamental part of the process. We see Jaz and Nesha celebrate milestones, only to have their progress stalled by health scares, emotional eating, and the temptation of old habits. The show doesn't provide easy answers or a neat, tidy narrative arc. Instead, it demonstrates the messy, non-linear reality of trying to change a lifetime of patterns. The series asks a question that is more profound than "Can they lose the weight?": it asks, "Can you truly break free from the past when it’s sharing the same room with you?"

This series is for people who appreciate reality television that aims for something more than just a fleeting diversion. It's a show about the quiet battles we fight every day, the power of friendship, and the difficult, often lonely, road to personal redemption. It's a genuine, unvarnished look at a shared struggle, and in that honesty, it finds a universal truth that is both powerful and resonant. 

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 2 Baseball Hobby

See which autograph I pulled.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Heritage Hobby Box

 See which relic I pull.

Box Break: 2023 Bowman Chrome Baseball Mega Box

 

Not the best box.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Heritage Value Box

Pulled an autograph from a value box!

Review: 'The Last of Us' Season 2

 Oh, man. So, I just finished the second season of The Last of Us, and my brain is completely melted. It’s like, you think you’ve seen it all, you know? You've seen the dragons, the spaceships, the superheroes... but then a show comes along and just absolutely lays you out. This season, brother, it’s not just television; it's an emotional demolition derby. And I loved every single, heartbreaking second of it.

You know that thing where you get so invested in characters that you start to feel their pain? This season is a masterclass in that. After the first season, you're all cozy and comfortable with Joel and Ellie. You're like, "They're a team! They're gonna go on more adventures and kill more zombies!" And then the show's like, "Nope! Not on our watch!" They take everything you think you know and just… smash it. It’s a bold, ballsy move that I completely respect, because it’s not for the sake of shock value. It’s for the sake of the story. It's the kind of storytelling that makes you lean forward and scream at the screen.

And Ellie's journey this season... holy smokes. Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey both played this character, and they’re both incredible. You watch her transformation from this snarky, kind of guarded kid into this absolutely rage-filled, grief-stricken adult, and you feel every single moment of it. It’s a performance that should be studied in acting classes, man. It’s that good. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion—it’s awful, it’s beautiful, and you just can’t look away.

The show, once again, doesn't pull any punches. The violence is brutal and unflinching, but it’s always in service of the theme. It’s about the cycle of violence, about how hate consumes you, and how trying to get revenge just turns you into the very thing you hate. It's heavy stuff, man, but it's handled with such grace and humanity that it feels important. It feels like they're telling you something real about the world, even though it's all fake zombies and fungus.

So, yeah, if you’re a fan of the first season, buckle up. This isn't just a sequel; it’s a necessary, powerful expansion of the story that will leave you thinking about it for days. It's a testament to what television can be when it trusts its audience and commits to telling a difficult, complicated story. Absolutely loved it. Go watch it. Just have a box of tissues ready. And maybe a therapist on speed dial.

Book Report: 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'

How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an essential read that works as as tool to refine your skills of persuasion, manners, message delivery, and far most importantly, manipulation.

The last part may seem like a cynical take, but it's tough to deny that the book preaches that getting your way is paramount, and the means to an end, no matter how seemingly virtuous are nothing more than your "Art of War"-like stratagems.

Most of the advice centers around detachment and empathy. By separating yourself from the task at hand and seeing things from your adversary's perspective, you can design gambits that get them to drop their inhibitions and shift to your manner of thinking.

The examples given of the success of such tactics often seem exaggerated, but there's little debate that in most cases, underplaying your hand works far better than intensity and pressure.

Recommendations include softening bad news or criticism with compliments, ignoring the objective of your conversation in order to forge a connection that will make the person you're speaking to more agreeable.

Timeless, reliable and still ahead of its time decades after publication, Dale Carnegie's book provides crucial words to live by. I recommend it to all, as well as to myself to reinforce the stark, beneficial truths within.

View all my reviews

 

Arizona Theatre Company Review: ''Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B'

Offering a fresh, feminist twist on the Arthur Conan Doyle dynamic, "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B" is a breezy, crowd-pleasing production filled with mystery, humor and pizzazz.

The four-member cast bursts with energetic aplomb, delivering rapid-fire dialogue packed with pop culture references, broad physical gags and displaying ample chemistry.

Kelen Coleman, as Sherlock Holmes, is the focal point and undisputed star of the production. A veteran of TV series "How to Get Away with Murder," "The Mindy Project," "The Office" and "The Newsroom," she thrives on dry, pompous mystery explanations. Her counterpart, Regina Fernandez, plays befuddled roommate Joan Watson, thriving on zealous reactions and excelling as the constant butt of jokes.

Aaron Cammack thrives as Inspector Lestrade, a prim, by-the-book detective who scrambles to keep up with Holmes, and wildcard Michelle Duffy, as notorious escort Irene Adler, offers off-kilter momentum shifts, forging a rift in the Holmes-Watson friendship with her shameless flirtation.

The cast makes up for the often uneven writing, willing jokes into laughter with grand flourishes and subtle touches. Interacting like clockwork, the performers sell a series of vignettes with self-aware panache, letting the audience in on the fun as the ludicrously complicated mysteries unravel with improbable twists.

Well worth a look for fans of the Sherlock Holmes oeuvre, "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson" doles out whimsical delights. The decision of whether or not to spend a night with the two sleuths should be elementary.

"Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B' plays at The Temple of Music and Art trough June 7 and in Phoenix June 14-29. Buy tickets here.