Why did The Stand 2020 not work?

 

    

   Some of Stephen King's books become movies or miniseries. When they do, depending on the book...it can either work or become a gigantic mess.

     I don't want to badmouth Stephen King. He's a great writer, but sometimes creaming a miniseries from a book that has over 1,000 pages can be done well enough to make the viewers enjoy.

  

  The story is longer and I feel...might be considered overwhelming. The acting is ok, but not great. James Marsdan is Stewart who is considered one of the main characters. Alexander Skarsgard portrays the evil Randall Flag.

   Whoppi Goldberg is Mother Abagail; Odessa Young is Frannie and.....if you don't read the book or have seen the 1994 version...you might get lost.

  

   They did another version when I was 9 of The Stand, and it was actually pretty good...sort of. You had Gary Sinease, Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan and many more actors.

    The story was well put together, and it was actually...enjoyable. Although it was six hours. The new one...is over nine hours if you watch every episode.

 

   I think they ran into some problems with this miniseries since it came out during the 2020 pandemic. They finished making it right around the time we were on lockdown.

    Some people fear that The Stand was predicting the world going into a pandemic from a virus. Why is this version of The Stand...not as strong as the 94 version?

   The acting was ok, but it was the story that fell apart. Especially with certain actors ending up becoming newsworthy. Amber Heard played Nadine...a woman who falls for one of the characters but is with the side of the Devil and ends up having sex with the devil.

    Now....Amber Heard is considered a pariah when it comes being an actress. She isn't the only one.

Ezra Miller...who used to be the flash, played 'Trashcan Man' who also served with the devil. Now.... he's more seen in mugshots for weapon use and violence towards women.

   I think Whoopi Goldberg does a pretty good job as Mother Abagail. Then again, I wouldn't know. I haven't seen it. The reviews on it.... are not positive. Some even.... downright negative. Saying that the acting wasn't as strong as the 94 version.

    I've only seen bits and pieces near the climax where some of the characters are brought in to executed.

    One of them gets shot and the other two are chained to the bottom of the pool about to be filled with water.

   In the 94 version, the elderly man gets shot....so similar I guess...and the other two are brought in as examples to their execution.

   In the 2020 version... it's supposed to a new version of Las Vegas...but it looks like a stage show.

   Lighting strikes as it was considered the 'hand of god' as almost everyone, even Randall Flag end up killed. Even the two that were persecuted...end up drowning.

    It looked pretty....weird. At the end of the 94 version.... 'The hand of god' is a literal hand' and it blows up an atom ball killing everyone except Randall Flag, as well as Stewart and a few others.

   Again...noting negaive to the acting, but I feel the 2020 version was trying to one up the other and didn't really stick to the book or even the 94 version.

   They made it flashier, stranger, crazier and it came out right before the pandemic happened. It was shown on CBS and can be seen on Paramount+. For me.... I'd rather have someone else review it and give their sites to it. In my opinion...I will stick to the book, and I guess the 94 version

      Thinking about how good the acting was in the 94 stand, it's embarrassing to see a new version of 'The Stand' go to a new low. I think Alexander Skarsgard is pretty good at Randall Flag, but he's no Jamey Sheridan. I'll skip the 2020 version and just listen to people explain why it didn't work for them.

    Not because it was so long, but it was just...not worth it.

What happened to the kids in Kindergarten Cop?

 

    I was recently watching Kindergarten Cop. When it came out, I was the same age as those kids were. I would have been one of those kids, but my autism wasn't the only thing stopping me from acting. I never wanted to be a child actor when I was little. Maybe when I was a teen but, now....I'm happy where I am.

    It got me thinking...those kids must be my age. Some 41 or 42...maybe 43. Where are they now?

   The first I want to start with is some twin actors (before Cole and Dylan Sprouce were born) Christian and Joseph Cousins took turns playing Dominic, the young boy Arnold Schwartzanager looks after when he falls for his mother who is a fourth-grade teacher.

    Both actors were in a movie called 'Twin Sitters' as well as a few others. They both stopped acting when they went into high school. Now Joseph and Christian are taking normal jobs and semi-acting. They like to talk about their acting past.

   Another child actor who I've only seen in this movie is Justin Page. He portrayed Zach Sullivan, a young boy who is being abused by his father.

   Thinking he was the kid that Arnold's character was looking for, he soon learns that he was being abused. He decides to take matters into his own hand by hitting the father in front of the kids. 

  

    What happened to Justin Page? He left acting and went into the military. He's still alive but left acting for good.

   Miko Hughes was huge in the early 90's. He plays a young kid in Arnold's class. He was the one that quoted, "boys have a penis, girls have a vagina." I feel he can't leave that line ever. He went into acting for other movies and TV shows.

    He stopped acting for a while to focus on school. He looks really good now compared to how cute he was when was little. I saw him recently on "99 to beat" which is a game show. He didn't win but, wanted the money to support his family. He dedicated the show to his late brother.

  Sarah Ross Karr was one of the kids named Emma. I knew her more as the girl in "Beethoven" movie involving a dog. She was my age, I think...maybe older. 

   She was the quiet girl in the movie. Needing help with getting her snaps off. Dancing with Arnold and other stuff. Where is she now?

    She left acting after the sequel of Beethoven 2nd. I don't know what happened to her. I guess she wanted to have a normal life.

 

  Odette Annabel was one of the kids that explained what her father did. I didn't remember her character much in the movie. What I did find out was...

  ....After Kindergarten Cop ended, she went into acting. Staring in Cloverfield. She was well known for that role than Kindergarten Cop. I think she ended up in Hallmark movies like Lacey Chabert. 

  Another pair of twins starred in the movie. Their names are Krystal and Tiffany Mataras. They starred as twin girls who said, "our mom thinks our dad is a sex machine."  Went over my head when I was little. Until I got older.

   Where are they now? Still acting. They've been in other movies like Camp Nowhere, Problem Child 2 and even the Kindergarten Cop sequel. Yes, they made another.

   There was a cameo in this movie that I didn't know till years later. The kissing boy was Ivan Reitman's son Jason. Ivan directed the film and placed his teenage son in the movie.

  Now, Jason is carrying on his late father's journey. He too is now a director. He directed a few movies like Juno, Saturday Night, Up in the Air and Young Adult.

 30 years later, after the movie, COVID happened. They were going to do a reunion special, but they did through Zoom.

   Most of the kid actors were there. One of the Cousins brothers were in it as well as Miko, Adam Wylie, the twin girls and many more. Arnold showed up as well surprising them all.

   All these kid actors are now adults. Even me. And I'm writing about them because you never know what happens to child actors. Some go on to acting and some leave it. For these kids, it depended on how they felt when it came to acting.

   36 years later, and this movie is still worth watching. I wouldn't see the sequel.

House Anniversary- POEM

 

35 years

In that house

35 years

on this day

the last day

of July

I was only six

brother

only four

this

was our forever home

well, mine

of course,

Every home

feels sacred

once it's yours

feels as if

unless invited

no one else 

can come in

It took a while

and a lot of money

to make it

the way it is

changing the carpets

the bedrooms

the bathrooms

35 years have past

much has changed

from the outside of the home

to the inside

of the home

35 years,

and I'm still here,

wanted to leave,

long ago,

but I found out,

this,

is where I belong,

no place like,

home sweet home

The End of Exton Square Mall

 

   Another death has happened. Not to a celebrity.... but to a mall. The Exton Square Mall is gone. Died on June 30th, 2026.

    Most of my childhood was spent in that mall. Most of it when I was sick in high school and my mom would take me to shops.

   Malls were considered popular in the 80's and 90's. They were the go-to place to hang out, shop, spend money and well...they just were known to be the place to be.

   Even certain movies would have people in malls. But never the Exton one. I guess it wasn't popular enough to be in a movie.

  I remember they had stores like Yankee Candle, Sam Goody, Auntie Ann's Pretzel, JCPenney, Hot Topic, Game Stop and many more.

    I liked a few of those stores. Sometimes I would go to both Spencer's Gift and Hot Topic to see which is better. 

    I think Hot Topic was better.

    The Exton Square Mall opened up in 1973. It had been around for 53 years. When Amazon started to become big on-line, many of the stores in the mall started to close.

    Malls were starting to fade, and Exton was one of them. It didn't show it truly fading until mid 2010's. Some stores couldn't stay in business long enough.

  

   Exton Square Mall isn't the only mall that has gone downhill. Many other malls are showing the same fate as Exton is.

   Not all malls are closing. The Mall of America, King of Prussia and a few other big malls are still in business. Some are expanding and adding some new stores.

   What is going to replace the mall? Well...the story is that they might replace it with apartments or some condos.

  Question is.... who will live in them? Not a lot of people can afford housing. It could just stay empty until they come to an agreement. But worse comes to worse... it'll end up being apartments.

   Not all of the mall is gone. There are two stores still there. One is Boscov's a clothing store that is still in business and another is a Chuck E. Cheese like place called Round1. An arcade/bowling alley like place.

   Never been in there, but I might check it out in the future. Thankfully, the library is still there, but I don't think that will last long either.

     Another mall had the same fate. Granite Run Mall, which was near Delaware County, closed as well. A few stores stayed open, but other things like apartment buildings and a gym have taken its place.

     I used to go to that mall when my mom was still teaching not far from where it was. Now...it too is gone.

   My childhood is disappearing. The last day of June...was the last time the Exton Square Mall saw daylight. Now...it is gone.

   Not many malls are left, and we should enjoy going to some before it is too late for any mall. Thanks to Jeff Bezos and Amazon...on-line shopping has become the new norm. Even I have shopped on-line. Shop in a mall before it's too late, because Exton Square Mall...is no more.

Goodbye, Lilo-POEM

 

My childhood dies,

when I find out,

a character,

is gone,

Lilo,

is gone

Sadness,

in Hawaii,

as Stitch,

is now alone,

and childhood,

fades

Ohana means family,

but family does die,

as well as the life,

they've given,

Even in your nightmares,

she finds ways,

to kill,

that was the girl,

that voiced Lilo,

and now,

she is gone

The young girl,

named Daveigh,

died of aids,

and was ill,

for some time,

Lilo,

will never be the same,

even if someone,

replaces her

New voice,

from young girl,

from live action movie,

will it feel the same,

will it dedicate to the original

Lilo?

Ohana,

means family,

family,

never gets left behind,

or forgotten,

no matter who voices Lilo,

Goodbye,

Daveigh

Nova Knicks

 

   I'm not a New York fan. I am a Villanova fan for sure. This year New York Knicks won the whole Basketball games becoming Champions and it hasn't happened to them in years. I didn't really care after the Sixers blew it (as usual) 

  This year, a piece of Villanova won when the Knicks won. Three players went to Villanova University, and they were the reason the Knicks made it all the way to the championship

  Jalen Brunsen, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges are the three players that went to Villanova and won in 2018 for Villanova. Now...six years later, they won again but for the wrong team. I have nothing negative on the players, but the fans are another reason I don't like them.

  Jalen Brunsen is now the MVP.

  The Knicks haven't won in almost fifty-three years. That is a long time.... but the Sixers haven't won in years either. When will it be our turn? Actually, I'm not upset, I'm somewhat happy, but not too happy. If it was any other team (besides the Sixers) that won...I wouldn't be happy.

   A piece of Villanova won the night the Knicks won the whole series.

  There are so many fans of the Knicks. Mostly New Yorkers...but the biggest one is from their celebrity fans.

   Timothee Chalamet, Fat Joe, Hank Azaria, Ben Stiller to the biggest one of all Spike Lee. He would be seen in every Knicks game. He has a seat in the front row for every game. 

   After their win, fans went insane. They would cause riots, cheer, and one person even stole a trash can

 Jalen Brunson is their MVP. He had been strong throughout the whole game. He was carrying the team. He did the same with Villanova when they won the championship. I'm happy for him and his family.

    I'm not counting out the other two players; they were great too. Even the coach of the Villanova team when they won in 2018 was proud for them as well.

   Six years after their Villanova victory win, they did it again. Even though it's for a team I'm not a fan of...I call them the Nova Knicks because it sounded better than the New York Knicks.

     They came, they saw and they conquered just like they did all those years ago. 

   I think their win back in 2018 was better than this one. But still happy in some way. That's why I call them the Nova Knicks. The only time I'm a fan of New York Sports is when the Nova Knicks play.

   That's what I'm calling them from now on. I'm more a college basketball fan than I am the others. Proud for Jalen, Josh and Mikel and no one else. Congrats to the Nova Knicks

Happy Birthday, Ringo Starr

 

  July 7th...at 12 o'clock you must say "Peace and Love" Which Ringo wants every July 7th. Today is his birthday, and he looks good for 86. (I think it's because he lives on a Vegan diet and might have gotten plastic surgery)

    Richard Ringo Starrsky was born in Liverpool, England. And...he was the drummer for the Beatles

   He didn't meet John or Paul until later in his life. Pete Best was considered the fifth Beatle until he was replaced by Ringo. 

    He was considered an only child, and his father wasn't around much in his life. He learned to play the drums later in life. He was sick most of his childhood ending up in a coma when he was six years old.

 His life, as well as Paul, John and George's life changed when they were in the Ed Sullivan show back in 1964 around February. It changed their lives forever.

   It made my mom, aunt, late aunt and many other women scream for them. My mom was Paul fan; My aunt...loved George. But...not many people loved Ringo (unless you count Marge Simpson)

 They even made movies together. One of them was named "A hard Day's Night" It was about the four of them trying to escape their fans after they became famous.

   It happens. I wish my mom was in that movie. She would aways think Paul would drive her house upstate Pennsylvania. Ringo was considered one of the forgotten Beatles to some fans. 

 A year later, they made another movie and Ringo is more involved. Actually....Ringo is considered a sacrifice after getting a ring from a fan. 

   He wears it and it's stuck on his finger. He, along with Paul, John and George are involved in escaping from danger, even if it follows. I watch this movie on Ringo's birthday. It seems fitting one of the movies I would remember the most.

  The Beatles went through some strange phases from their Sargent Pepper's album to having John marry Yoko. (Big Mistake).

   Soon, around the seventies...Paul called it quits and that was the end of the Beatles. John and George sadly are no longer with us. Ringo and Paul are still around and still making music.

  Ringo, as well as George (before his death) and Paul all guest voiced on the Simpsons. Ringo was first as Marge had a crush on him.

   In reality, he did get the most fan mail and is now asking his fans to stop. He got a painting of himself Marge made. It took years later for him to thank her while she was at her lowest. Ironically, Paul eventually wrote Thank you letters to his fans that have been waiting for his reply.

   Now, at 86...he's doing pretty well. Today we will say peace and love to one Beatle who is still around even today. He misses George and John, but he has been reuniting with Paul on projects. Both the voices aren't the same as they were as they are getting older. Ringo is still the oldest Beatle, and Paul is now the youngest. Happy Birthday, Ringo. Peace and Love