2019 is almost here and Oscar nominations will be announced Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Since the Academy, movie critics, and people living in huge metropolitan cities (read: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.) get access to some movies before the rest of us, some of these movies made 2017 lists. Oh well!
Here are my favorite movies I saw this year. There are two documentaries on the list that were not released in theaters, but it’s my list and I’m including them. 🙂
If these two weren’t on the list then “The Greatest Showman” would have been my #20 movie of the year and “Halloween (2018)” would be at #19. But, they’re not. 🙂
Before we kick off my countdown of my favorite movies of 2018, this Oscar nominated movie was my 2017 favorite!
“LION”
“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $157.2 MILLION
“JONESTOWN: TERROR IN THE JUNGLE”
“I, TONYA”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $54 MILLION
“BLACKKKLANSMAN”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $88.6 MILLION
“PEPPERMINT”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $51.8 MILLION
“PADDINGTON 2”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $227.3 MILLION
“THE FLORIDA PROJECT”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $5.9 MILLION
“VICTORIA & ABDUL”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $65.4 MILLION
“SEARCHING”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $75.1 MILLION
“BOBBY”
“LOVE, SIMON”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $66.3 MILLION
“A QUIET PLACE”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $340.7 MILLION
“GOD’S OWN COUNTRY”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $335,609
“BORG VS. McENROE”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $231,346
“FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $1 MILLION
“CRAZY RICH ASIANS”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $238 MILLION
“BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $702.5 MILLION
“WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $22.6 MILLION
“THE SHAPE OF WATER”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $195.2 MILLION
Before I reveal my favorite movie I saw in 2018, here are four worst movies I saw this year.
4th Worst: “BREAKING IN”
In September, I gave it a “D+” and I wrote, “This movie will likely have a mention in my year end blog of my 20 favorites movies of the year. But, it’ll be on a different list — the worst movies of the year!”
I added, “it’s terrible. I couldn’t wait for it to be over because it was so unrealistic!”
3rd Worst: “THE FIRST PURGE”
In November, I gave it a “D” writing, “it was so jokey and silly that I was mostly bored. Pretty sad because I really liked the first three movies in the series. Skip this movie if you haven’t already seen it and if you need a “purge” fix, check out the 10-episode USA Network event.”
2nd Worst: “THE SNOWMAN”
It pains me to say that “The Snowman” was the second worst movie I saw this year.
I loved the book and my man, Michael Fassbender, is so hot.
I gave the movie a D+ writing under the headline “THE SNOWMAN (DISASTER)”!
I added, “it was the most disjointed thing I’ve seen in a long time. It was like they had a script and threw out pages here and there and just pieced it together.”
WORST MOVIE OF THE YEAR: “HAPPY DEATH DAY”
In March, I gave it a “D” and wrote, “‘The Snowman’ is no longer my least favorite movie I’ve seen in 2018. This horror movie is atrocious!”
Now it’s time for me to “pick” my favorite movie I saw this year. It should come as no surprise if you’ve read my blog on a regular basis.
I mentioned it last year when I counted my favorite movies of 2017. It made the critics’ list, it was nominated for several Oscars. But, it didn’t open wide until 2018, so it’s on list at the top!
Some people like lists and can’t wait until the end of the year to see the best and worst in the world of entertainment.
More and more, people are downloading songs instead of buying albums. I only bought six this year, but there’s already two on my list for 2019 — new music from Madonna and Reba McEntire!
Before I reveal my five favorite and most underrated albums of 2018, my favorite album last year was “Remnants” by LeAnn Rimes.
Here are my five favorite albums of 2018!
“JAKE SHEARS” — JAKE SHEARS
Flashback to 2005 and a younger (and oh so sexy) Jake with the Scissor Sisters!
“DANCING QUEEN” — CHER
“IT’S CHRISTMAS, EVE” (SOUNDTRACK) — LEANN RIMES
I’m so grateful for the new music from the Queen and I’m still re-living that amazing night last December in Las Vegas!
“CAUTION” — MARIAH CAREY
“GOLDEN” — KYLIE MINOGUE
I’m still holding out that Kylie brings the “Golden Tour” to the United States in the fall of 2019.
It’s already toured Europe and will play Australia in March 2019.
And, Kylie, please bring Jake Leigh with you!!!
Anthony
P.S. So, take my advice and get these albums now with your Christmas gift cards. 🙂
Most of them are from my sister and her boyfriend, Gerald. There’s also three tins of homemade sweet treats from my dear friend Connie and “Crazy Rich Asians” which I bought for myself. 🙂
It’s that time of the year again and I hope life is treating you well.
It’s been another year of changes for me. Luckily, for the better! As you know, 2017 was a life-altering year that I’d rather forget!
However, there were two highlights in 2017, which is where I’ll start!
In July, I got to meet my idol, President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn in Plains, Georgia.
And, in December, I saw three incredible concerts in Las Vegas.
With all of the sadness I felt last year, it was forgotten for 90 minutes at Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” show.
To this day, the beauty and spectacle of that holiday treat still brings a smile to my face. 🙂 The sets were magical and Mariah looked and sounded flawless!
Also on that trip, I saw Tanya Tucker and Lionel Richie.
I met Lionel and he told me that he doesn’t shake hands, he’s a hugger! Then, he hugged me! 🙂
In March 2018, my sister, Tammy, and I escaped for several days to Cancun, Mexico.
Weeks later, I accepted the Chief Meteorologist position at Fox 21 News in Duluth, Minnesota, and I moved there in June.
I spent a year in Panama City, Florida, and it’s no secret that I was very unhappy there. However, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to leave when I did. In October, Hurricane Michael devastated Northwest Florida, including Panama City.
Much of my apartment complex was totally destroyed and my dear friends, Cathy and Gerard
and Robbie (left) and Diane (right)
are still picking up the pieces of their lives! 😦
In memory of my apartment and the complex in Panama City, here’s my balcony from last Christmas!
On a happier note, after 19 months, I saw snow again in October!
I can’t wait to have a real winter, but it scares me a bit. It’s not the 86” of snow that Duluth picks up in an average winter (more in some years), it’s that the city is built on a hill that leads down to Lake Superior! And, I’ll have to endure months of bitterly cold temperatures in the Northland!
This is my apartment’s backyard view toward Lake Superior down the “hill”!
In October, I went to Morocco, in northwest Africa.
This was the first time I traveled internationally by myself. I met some fun people that made the trip very enjoyable.
It was incredible learning about the African continent, the Muslim faith, and enjoying delicious Moroccan food!
I’m very excited for the next chapter in my life. I’m already trying to decide what I want to do next (when I grow up)!!! 🙂
For now, I’ll just have an Olivia Pope Christmas and enjoy my beautiful tree, free flowing wine and popcorn!
If you had a great year, I hope 2019 is even more fantastic. If 2018 was a tough one for you, I hope things turn around in the New Year!
“May hope and faith conquer fear and hate this Christmas!”
Since I’m taking a break from my “Random Friday Thoughts”, I still wanted to share some recommendations on things I watched and enjoyed lately.
If you saw these, too, let me know what you thoughts. If you didn’t, you have some things to check out!
A QUEEN BRINGS LIFE TO THE NEWBORN KING!
Leave it to a queen, BeBe Zahara Benet, to bring life to the newborn king holiday ballad, “The Little Drummer Boy” !
This is an incredible, fun version of the song and I love the video. 🙂
BABY, BRING THE BUBBLY INSIDE!
CHRISTMAS SONG THOUGHTS
I’m not even going to get into the whole “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” debate. It was already one of my least favorite holiday songs even before this year!
But, here are a few things to think about when listening to Christmas music this year!
In “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, it lists the other reindeer and then asks a very silly question, “but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all”!
Seriously, if he’s the most famous reindeer of all, of course we remember him!
From “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “a child, a child, shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold”.
While silver and gold would be nice to have, why not a damn blanket since the baby is cold!!!
And, I love the Carpenters! But, in “Home For The Holidays”, I shake my head when Karen sings of going home and “Geez, the traffic is terrific!”
Traffic is terrific???? SAID.NO.ONE.EVER.
It’s more like…
… of my way!
“IT’S CHRISTMAS, EVE”
I finally got around to watching “It’s Christmas, Eve” with LeAnn Rimes, which made debuted on the Hallmark Channel in November.
Rimes stars as Eve Morgan, who goes back home as Interim school superintendent to get the district out of financial trouble. The easiest way to do it is to cut the arts program.
And, who does she meet living across the street from her mother and stepfather? You probably guessed it — a very handsome music teacher, Liam (Tyler Hynes), at one of the schools on the chopping block!
While predictable, it’s still a cute movie.
The only thing I cringed about was the use of my least favorite (and widely overused) term these days: “meet cute”. It wasn’t used once or twice, but three times, if I’m not mistaken! 🙂
GRADE: B
Before the show premiered, I wrote, “the soundtrack is incredible! Okay, incredible is an understatement. It’s the best Christmas album in the past few years!!!!” and I gave it an “A” grade!
REMEMBERING DREW & JUAN
After the summer 2016 Pulse Nightclub massacre, I vowed that as long as I blog, I’ll remember the victims — especially 32-year-old Christopher “Drew” Leinonen and his 22-year-old boyfriend Juan Guerrero.
While that Christmas was perfect for the young men and their families, I know the following ones have been difficult for the grieving families.
To their families. Christopher and Juan are still not forgotten this Christmas!
“JONESTOWN: TERROR IN THE JUNGLE”
This past November marked the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. Some called it “mass murder” and others, a “mass suicide”.
I’m in the “mass murder” camp, since the Reverend Jim Jones was deranged and pretty much forced those people to drink cyanide-laced Kool-Aid at gunpoint!
More than 900 people died.
This SundanceTV documentary following Jones’ life from Indiana to the jungles of Guyana was incredible.
GRADE: A
“PADDINGTON 2”
2014’s “Paddington” was fun. The little bear is adorable and especially so, voiced by my big-time crush, Ben Whishaw!
Plus, Nicole Kidman as a villain was icing on the cake.
This year’s $40 million sequel was box office gold. It made $226.9 million.
Paddington is living in London and wants to buy his aunt a picture book. But, this movie’s villain (played by Hugh Grant) wants the book because it holds clues to a treasure that no one knows about, except him.
The movie is very cute and heartwarming. With just minutes before the end credits, Iit brought tears to my eyes! 🙂
Also, at one point near the end of the movie, a scene with two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins made me feel like I was watching “The Shape of Water 2”! 🙂
GRADE: A-
“SEARCHING”
This incredible movie was made for just a million dollars and brought in an astounding $70.6 million in theaters.
It was shot mostly on smartphones and computer screens and is eerie and creepy.
John Cho stars as a dad that learns he knows very little about his 15-year-old daughter when she goes missing.
Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”) is a detective that’s helping solve the case.
Cho is nominated for the “Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead”.
GRADE: A-
“THE GOOD DOCTOR” WINTER FINALE
While I still like “The Good Doctor” on ABC, I recently wrote that I’ve cooled on the show. Well, that all changed with the winter finale, “Quarantine”!
If you’ve never watched the show or you don’t watch it religiously, watch this episode “On Demand”!!!
And, if you’ve never watched it, all you need to know is that Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) is autistic and is considered a savant!
It was intense and scary to think that this could really happen! And, which major characters will die?
“The Good Doctor” returns on ABC Monday, January 14, 2019.
“JANE FONDA IN FIVE ACTS”
Two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda, who turns 81 next week, is still turning out award nominated work both on the big screen and on television (“Grace and Frankie”).
There are still people in the U.S. that dislike (okay, hate) Fonda for a mistake she made back in the Vietnam conflict.
But, this HBO documentary is amazing.
It shows Fonda in five acts: from Henry Fonda’s daughter and her first years as an actress through the men that try to define her (three ex-husbands) to her current work.
GRADE: A-
“BLACKkKLANSMAN”
This Spike Lee picture was made for $15 million and made $88.2 million in theaters.
It’s based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first African-American to join the Colorado Springs Police Department in Colorado in the early-1970s.
John David Washington (Denzel’s son) plays Stallworth, who contacts the Ku Klux Klan and then has to coach a white officer (Adam Driver) to pose as Stallworth to meet the hooded haters!
While this story took place in the ’70s, there were subtle and not so subtle references to “that man”, 45!
The nominations are coming in for BLACKkKLANSMAN”! It’s up for five Critics Choice Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (Driver).
It’s also nominated for four Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Actor – Drama (Washington) and Best Supporting Actor (Driver).
While this movie was very enjoyable and entertaining, my favorite Spike Lee movie is still 1999’s underappreciated “Summer of Sam”.
GRADE: B+
“SORRY TO BOTHER YOU”
Lakeith Stanfield will be a name you’ll hear more of in the future.
He leads this movie about a telemarketer who learns that using a “white voice” helps his sales and will move him up the corporate ladder at WorryFree faster.
But, it comes with a price.
This comedy is crazy and definitely goes off the rails with well-endowed horse people (you’ll have to watch the movie)! 🙂
Sexy Armie Hammer (“Call Me By Your Name”) stars as the CEO of the company.
It made $17.6 million in theaters and is nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards.
GRADE: B
“HEREDITARY”
I like horror movies and I love Toni Collette (“Muriel’s Wedding”), but I wasn’t drawn to the theaters to see “Hereditary”.
I finally saw it on DVD and I made the right decision to avoid it.
Supernatural movies have less appeal to me than horror movies with deranged serial killers! Hello Michael Myers!
“Hereditary” does have a very surprising and shocking death scene that I didn’t see coming.
While Collette and Alex Wolff, who plays her 16-year-old son, are great, the movie was too long and convoluted.
Yet, it was a box office hit earning $79.3 million.
GRADE: B-
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
Can you believe that 2018 is already winding down? I admit that the second half of the year was better for me than the first and I’m excited about 2019!
While I have a couple of more blogs coming this year, this will likely be the last “Random Friday Thoughts” of 2018.
Thanks for checking it out!
Happy Holidays!
“WORLD AIDS DAY”
December 1st marks the 30th anniversary of “World AIDS Day” — it originated in 1988 to raise awareness to the spread of HIV and the AIDS pandemic.
We now live in an age where, with proper medication and taking it as prescribed, HIV is a treatable disease and those that are HIV-positive can live with “undetectable” viral loads, which mean they cannot spread the virus.
Yet, in 2017, 38,739 people in the U.S. and six dependent areas (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Palau, and the US Virgin Islands) became HIV-positive.
People, have sex, but use condoms!
This isn’t just to keep from contracting or spreading HIV, STIs are on the rise!
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the highest number of STIs ever in the U.S.!
I read an interesting “Out” magazine article in May 2018 quoting veteran AIDS activist Peter Staley.
Staley says that an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease (which killed a reported 34 people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976) prompted the “New York Times” to write 62 stories on the outbreak — 11 of them appeared on the front page.
He added that before AIDS ever got a front page story in “The New York Times”, more than 6,000 people were already dead.
Staley: “Imagine if the Times put AIDS on the front page 11 times in 1981. How would that have changed the course of the epidemic?”
FINAL THOUGHTS ON HIV
If you don’t know your status, get tested. It’s painless and knowing one way or the other is the first step to healthy or healthier living!!!
“CAUTION”
The incredible, the incomparable Mariah Carey is back with “Caution”!
It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 becoming her 18th Top Ten album and it topped the R& B album chart!
The album contains ten fantastic songs. Seven of them are flawless and classic Mimi!
In addition to the two songs I’m featuring below, the other five standouts are the title track, “A No No”, “The Distance”, “Giving Me Life” and “8th Grade”.
Even the three other songs on “Caution” are great!
In September, Mariah’s teased the album with “GTFO” and I think it’s one of the most awesome songs on the album!
Yes, GTFO stands for what you think it does!!!!!!!!! 🙂
“With You”, the first official single is already in the Top Ten in Hungary and here in the U.S., it’s just outside the Top Ten on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary, Adult R&B Songs, and Hot R&B Songs charts!!!!!!
The album is beyond amazing, so GTFO and get it now. 🙂
GRADE: B+
MARIAH CHRISTMAS!
Not only is Mariah’s new album in the Top 5 on the big chart, she’s also in the Top 5 on the Billboard Holiday Album chart with 1994’s “Merry Christmas”!
And, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” made its debut this season on the Hot 100 at #29!
“SONS OF ANARCHY”
I just finished the FX series “Sons of Anarchy”. It really was a binge-watching event!
This includes psuedo-spoilers!
I was on the third (of seven) seasons when I found out that it was leaving Netflix on December 1st!
That meant I had to watch the last 56 episodes in three weeks or less. I did it!
If you’re not familiar, the 2008-2014 series is about a northern California “motorcycle club” that dealt heavily in guns, drugs, prostitution, and porn, along with violence and a lot of sex!
It starred the amazing Charlie Hunnam (Jax) and Katey Sagal (Gemma).
I really enjoyed the first two seasons.
SEASONS 1 & 2 GRADE: A
While still good, the series began to drag a bit when it became repetitious with the same story lines, the same violence and who would be the bad guys this season (the Irish, blacks, Mexicans, white supremacists, etc.)
SEASONS 3, 4, 5 GRADE: B
While Gemma and Jax were my early on favorites, as the series went on I fell in love with Dr. Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff) and Sheriff Wayne Unser (Dayton Callie), two characters that were the closest thing to a “moral compass” for the show. 🙂
As season six progressed, the show was down to its last two seasons and an end game was in sight!
Two major characters were killed off! Well, that sounds too innocent.
Season six ended with the most horrific and brutal scene involving two main characters on the series!!!
I knew it wasn’t going to end well for the one character, but I didn’t expect the brutality and the viciousness of the murder! WOW, but incredible!
SEASON 6 GRADE: A
Skip the horrible last season!
Except for two scenes in two different episodes and the highlight of the season, the “Red Rose” episode, it was unbearably stupid!
Watch the series through the sixth season, watch the “Red Rose” episode in season seven, and the last ten minutes of the series finale!
SEASON 7 GRADE: D
OVERALL GRADE: B
“SONS OF ANARCHY” FUNNY
SANTA CHARLIE!
Thanks to my sister for sending me this.
And, we don’t have to sexist! Ladies aren’t the only ones that might be interested in a new Santa Baby! 🙂
LAST RANDOM THOUGHTS IN 2018
Next year, I don’t want to be thinking of “last Christmas”.
I want to be celebrating with fun, sexy friends. Okay, they really don’t have to be “sexy”, just lively and fun!
And, this very chic or elegant (whichever word you prefer) video is my inspiration! 🙂
“AMERICAN HORROR STORY”
The latest installment of FX’s “American Horror Story”, “Apocalypse”, wrapped up a very uneven season.
It was incredible seeing Joan Collins and Jessica Lange again!
And, I love this t-shirt modeled by star Evan Peters!
So, what are your favorite and least favorite seasons? Here’s my rankings:
#8 “Freak Show” (season four, 2014) — The highlight!
#7 “Hotel” (season five, 2015)
#6 “Roanoke” (season six, 2016)
#5 “Apocalypse” (season eight, 2018)
#4 ” Coven” (season three, 2013)
#3 “Murder House” (season one, 2011)
#2 “Cult” (season seven, 2017)
#1 “Asylum (season two, 2012)
And, we’re still living the continuing episode of the real “American Horror Story”.
PICK HIT
Kylie Minogue is the last of my divas that I still haven’t seen in concert. Hopefully, in the fall of 2019!
“Golden” is my favorite album of 2018 and here’s the latest video.
Isn’t Jack Savoretti just so adorable???? Okay, that question can be rhetorical! 🙂
“DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS”
THEY SAID WHAT???
Cody Fern on his first day on the “House of Cards” set for the final season: “I was so intimidated because I’ve been watching HoC longer than I’ve been acting. The first day, I walk down the hallway and Robin [Wright] says, ‘Cody’ because we met at the reading. And I said, ‘Claire’. On my God! I could have vomited.”
Director John Waters on what worse than Taffy (“Female Trouble”) joining the Hare Krishna, “Worse than a Hare Krishna? I suppose a Trump supporter!”
“12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS”
And, my blog about the holidays wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include this twisted version of the holiday classic! 🙂
AND, THIS MORE RECENT FUN ONE!
“You ruined my Christmas, you made it a drag!” — classic Boy George!
He co-wrote the song and directed the video!
Thank you. 🙂
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
UPDATED POST: Monday, November 26, 2018, 10:31 a.m.
The final official snowfall for the Quad Cities in Moline is 13.8″. Davenport picked up 11.9″.
This is the most snow that has ever fallen on any day or from any storm in Moline in the month of November.
Other snow totals: 14″ Fulton (IL); 14″ Dewitt (IA); 13″ Washington (IA); 13″ Chadwich (Carroll County, IL); 12″ Clinton (IA); 11″ Muscatine (IA); 11″ Park View (Scott County, IA); 11″ Richmond (Washington County, IA); 10.5″ Wheatland (Clinton County, IA); 10.1″ Long Grove (Scott County, IA); 10″ West Burlington (IA); 10″ New Boston (Mercer County, IL); 10″ Fairfield, IA; 9.8″ Geneseo (IL); 9″ Bettendorf (IA); 9″ Morrison (IL); 9″ Rock Falls (IL); 9″ East Moline (IL); 8.8″ Hills (Johnson County, IA); 8.3″ Iowa City (IA); 7.6″ Camanche (IA); 7.4″ Sterling (IL); 7″ Galva (IL); 7″ Fairfield (IA); and 7″ Milan (IL).
UPDATED POST: Sunday, November 25, 2018, 12:20 p.m.
Much of the area has been upgraded to a “Blizzard Warning” through 6 a.m. Monday. This replaces the “Winter Storm Warning” for many of you.
What this means is that blizzard conditions are more likely.
This is a life threatening situation with about a foot of heavy snow falling, colder temperatures, and wind gusts over 40 mph.
Alert your friends and please be safe!
Anthony
ORIGINAL POST: Sunday, November 25, 2018, 8:15 a.m.
Heavy snow and blizzard-like conditions are on the way to Illinois and Iowa today and some locations will see a foot or more of snow!
The latest computer models are coming in with more moisture to work with and this means higher snow totals!
Early Sunday morning, rain was still falling across eastern Iowa, but it had already changed over to snow in Des Moines.
By mid-morning, the rain will become a wintry mix and then all snow. Heavy snow, with rates of an inch or two per hour, will fall this evening and early tonight.
Along with the heavy snow and falling temperatures, winds will be very strong. This will cause “white out” and blizzard-like conditions.
Here’s the wind forecast for today through Monday morning.
A “Winter Storm Warning” covers much of northern Illinois and eastern Iowa and just to the west of this warning is a “Blizzard Warning” for parts of Iowa.
Here’s the updated, higher snow forecast for the Quad Cities and surrounding areas!
When all is said and done, some locations may see slightly less than this range and some will see more.
But, this is going to be a major snow and wind event!
Please prepare early for the heavy snow and be safe!!!
UPDATED POST: Saturday, November 24, 2018, 3:27 p.m.
The timing on the storm below still looks good.
In the latest models, it looks like the heaviest of the snow is shifting some to the south.
So, I’ve updated the snowfall totals map and here’s the latest warning and advisory map.
The “Winter Storm Watch” from earlier over toward Chicagoland is now updated to a “Winter Storm Warning”, as I expected.
And, a “Blizzard Warning” is now in effect around Ottumwa, Iowa!
On the snowfall totals map here, the swath of blue is where the best likelihood of the heaviest snow will fall.
Another update will be posted Sunday morning!
ORIGINAL POST: Saturday, November 24, 2018, 9 a.m.
Quad Cities, the first really big snowstorm of the season is on the way!
Enjoy the great weather Saturday because moderate to heavy snow and strong winds are forecast for Sunday, just as the Thanksgiving holiday weekend wraps up!
I’ll keep it short, so you don’t have to read a lot. I’ll tell you what you need to know because I probably won’t be answering questions!
Here’s a snapshot of what I’m thinking. Keep up on the latest forecast, especially Sunday morning because the axis of heavy snow could shift!
Most of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois are under a “Winter Storm Warning” Sunday.
La Salle County, Illinois, that blue indicates a “Winter Storm Watch”, which may be upgraded to a “Winter Storm Warning” later Saturday for Sunday.
Rain will develop Saturday night and change over to snow Sunday morning from north to south.
The snow will be heaviest from late Sunday morning through the afternoon hours.
Gusty winds and falling temperatures will also produce blizzard-like conditions and low visibilities.
As for snow totals, the faster the rain changes over to snow, the better chance that you’ll see higher the snow totals in this range.
Again, keep up on the latest forecast. Any shift in the storm track will affect these snow totals (“snotals”) 🙂
If anything major changes in my thinking on this storm, I’ll post another update.
I’m just looking out for my Peeps back home! Be safe!
I hope you’re having a great and happy Thanksgiving holiday and the kick-off to the Christmas season!
Thank you checking out my Random Friday Thoughts!
THANKSGIVING
Before work, I enjoyed the Thanksgiving feast with my friend, Katie, and her family and friends.
I still have vivid memories (and pictures) of Thanksgiving pasts!
PLAY THAT CHRISTMAS SONG NOW!
A few weeks ago, I highlighted the soundtrack to “It’s Christmas, Eve” on the Hallmark Channel by LeAnn Rimes.
I wrote, “It’s the best Christmas album in the past few years!!!!”and I gave the album an “A”!
Not only am I telling you again to get the album, but I’m thrilled that LeAnn saw my review and called me “sweet” on Twitter. 🙂
By the way, LeAnn and I crossed paths back in Salisbury, Maryland, in 2005. She was just as sweet and fantastic then as she is now!
Check out this mix from the soundtrack! Incredible!
LeAnn and family, Merry Christmas and Happy 2019!
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
While “Bohemian Rhapsody” went through cast changes (Sacha Baron Cohen was originally cast as Freddie Mercury) and a rocky road from development to screen, the movie was amazing!
In just three weeks, the $52 million production has already made $404.1 million (one-third of that in the U.S.)
Emmy winner Rami Malik (“Mr. Robot”) was incredible as Queen lead singer Mercury and will very likely be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar!
GRADE: A-
QUEEN — BY THE NUMBERS
In the U.S., the band scored eleven Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Its first “Killer Queen” reached #12 in 1975.
Queen hit the Top Ten five times (two of those were with “Bohemian Rhapsody” — #9 in 1975, #2 in 1991). “Rhapsody” also reached #33 on the Hot 100 this year, too, when the movie soundtrack came out.
They topped the chart twice: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (1980, 4 weeks) and “Another One Bites The Dust” (1980, 3 weeks).
As risque as Mercury could be, in 1984, the band’s relatively tame video “I Want To Break Free” was banned on MTV because the band was wearing women’s clothes!
Because of that ban in Reagan’s uptight America, the song only reached #45 here.
However, it hit #1 in three countries and the Top Ten in eight others around the world!
“MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN”
In 2008, “Mamma Mia! was one of my favorites of the year and it grossed $615.7 million worldwide.
I was excited when the sequel was announced to hit theaters in the summer of 2018.
Well, that was until I heard that a major character (my favorite) was dead in the sequel, but would appear briefly.
So, I refused to go see it in theaters. But, it made $393.4 million worldwide.
Now that it’s on DVD and Redbox sent me a free movie for my birthday, I saw it.
Pros: Jeremy Irvine, Lily James, Meryl Streep (in the closing credits production number), the closing production number, Cher, and Jeremy Irvine. 🙂
Cons: incoherent mess (at times), the “I Kissed The Teacher” production number and several others, and Cher.
Instead of sharing the trailer for the movie, here’s the amazing closing credits production number!
GRADE: B-
JEREMY IRVINE
I put Jeremy Irvine in my “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” review because I’ve loved him since his 2011 movie debut in “War Horse”.
I even enjoyed him in 2015’s reviled “Stonewall”! About that movie, I know it was “white-washed”, but it still told a very important story in LGBTQ history!
“BOY ERASED” & “BEN IS BACK”
There are a few more movies I want to see this year.
“Boy Erased” (with the always incredible Nicole Kidman and the incredible Lucas Hedges) about gay conversion therapy ( P.S. IT’S WRONG AND IT DOESN’T WORK!),
“Green Book”, “Mary Poppins Returns”, and “Ben Is Back”. (I may have to wait until 2019 for some of them since they’re only playing in bigger cities for now!)
I absolutely love Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges (him again) blows me away. When I heard they were doing a movie together, I was excited.
All I knew about it was that Ben is a drug user and he shows up on Christmas Eve. So, I figured it was going to be a drama-filled holiday.
However, when the full trailer debuted, I was floored. It’s so much more intense and powerful than I expected.
I’ll definitely be there when it opens in Duluth, Minnesota! WOW!
Final note from the trailer: When Ben says, “I’m not going to die.”
Really? If this is like horror movie foreshadowing when they say “I’ll be right back”, you’re know they’re doomed and they won’t be back!!!
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
Where does the time go? It’s a week before Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping season.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my random thoughts.
THE “N-WORD”
“Green Book” is a drama-comedy set in the 1960s racist-South (as opposed to the current-day racist South — okay, not all of the South is racist).
Viggo Mortensen plays “Tony Lip”, a big city club bouncer hired to chauffeur a famous black pianist (Mahershala Ali) on a tour of the South while navigating racial tension.
Before the movie even hit theaters to tackle that subject, there was a tense conversation last week during a screening of the movie. Mortensen was talking about generational use of hate speech and used the “n-word” specifically as speech that’s no longer commonly used.
That didn’t set well with Ali. He responded, “However well-intended or intellectual the conversation may have been, it wasn’t appropriate for Viggo to say the n-word… An excellent and poignant thought was unfortunately overshadowed by voicing the word in its fullness. Which for me, is always hurtful.”
In his apology, Mortensen said,“Although my intention was to speak strongly against racism, I have no right to even imagine the hurt that is caused by hearing that word in any context, especially from a white man. I do not use the word in private or in public. I am very sorry that I did use the full word last night, and will not utter it again.”
Ali adds, “The use of the word within the black community has long been debated, and its usage should continue to be examined within the black community… The use of the word by those who aren’t black, is not up for debate.”
Ali accepted Mortensen’s apology.
“GREEN BOOK”
I’ve been wanting to see this movie since the trailer came out.
I can already see Academy Award nominations for two-time Oscar nominee Mortensen (“Eastern Promises” and “Captain Fantastic”) and Oscar winner Ali (“Moonlight”) and a Best Picture nomination!
And, if you never saw “Captain Fantastic, do so. It was my #2 movie in 2016!
SPEAKING OF RACE
The first eight episodes of the fifth season of “How To Get Away With Murder”, which just went on winter break with the revelation of who was killed at Connor and Oliver’s wedding, were great!
The show, headed by a white man with a black lead (Oscar and Emmy winner Viola Davis), has never shied away from problems that people of color face in the U.S.
In last week’s episode at a celebration before Connor and Oliver’s wedding, Michaela made a very bold and, sadly, honest toast,“Is this country a scary, evil, racist place? Yes. Are those guards probably home with their families right now, not giving a damn about what they did.”
After a few more responses, Oliver toasted, “To Nate Senior and the hope that, someday, we will live in a world that isn’t always so terrible all the time.”
ANOTHER “HTGAWM” THOUGHT
I’ve always thought that Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber) was hot, but he’s exceptionally sexy this season.
SALT & STRAW
If you live in California, Oregon, or Washington, chances are that you’ve enjoyed or at least heard of Salt & Straw.
I definitely want one or I have to visit one of their shops!
The West Coast ice cream company is chef-based and everything is made from scratch. The ice-cream base is churned into five to ten gallon batches from locally sourced cream.
So, you might be thinking, big deal. There are many companies that make their own ice cream!
But, Roasted Peach & Sage Cornbread Stuffing (ice cream infused “with fresh-picked sage…handfuls of sweet and crunchy cornbread brown sugar shortbread cookies and spoonfuls of spiced peach jam brightened with a splash of peach vinegar)?
I’d also love to try the Spiced Goat Cheese & Pumpkin Pie (“warm spices, fresh local goat cheese, and streaks of fresh baked pumpkin pie filling… It’s almost as if we scooped out that yummy pumpkin custard straight from the pie shell and smattered it into a spicy, goaty, cheesecake ice cream.”)
Now, the one I’d definitely take a bite or two, but might not (or might) want a full serving of is the “Salted Caramel Thanksgiving Turkey” (“sweet and buttery turkey brittle into a turkey fat caramel ice cream”)!
When it comes to culinary delights and if you’re curious like me, you can check out their other non-Thanksgiving flavors here: https://saltandstraw.com/flavors/
Until I get to a Salt & Straw, I’ll just have to enjoy the interesting flavors of gelato at the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
“CRAZY RICH ASIANS”
The blockbuster is coming to DVD next week — November 20, 2018!!!
The $30 million dollar production has already brought in $236 million in theaters (74% of that in the U.S. with $173.6 million)!
“MEET CUTE”
I know pop culture comes up with little words and phrases that go on to be overused very quickly.
I’m not a fan of “meet cute”!
Come on! People “meet” and some start dating. Sometimes these introductions are not in perfect Hollywood situations.
Stop using this phrase! “Crazy Rich Asians” didn’t bore us with a “meet cute” with Nick and Rachel. 🙂
Oops, “SPOILER ALERT”! 🙂
“THE WALKING DEAD” IS TRULY DEAD TO ME NOW!
I didn’t like seasons 7 and 8 of “The Walking Dead” and I vowed that I was done — until I heard that my favorite character was leaving!
So, I gave the first five episodes of season nine a chance and they were great.
That was up until the final moment of episode 5 when my favorite character should have been eaten alive by walkers.
That’s when “TWD” “jumped the shark” with a rescue and flash forward of six years! Judith Grimes as a kid badass! Gimme a break!
I didn’t even think about it. At that moment, I took the recordings off the DVR. I’m done!
And, just in case you haven’t heard, there’s a reason for the last minute rescue. My favorite character will be starring in three future “The Walking Dead” movies.
Um, probably, no thanks!
Notice I didn’t say who the character was. If you haven’t caught up, you’re really good at avoiding spoilers because it’s been everywhere.
If you want to know who it is, the actor’s picture is at the bottom!
If not, stop scrolling down at the Carly Rae Jepsen video!
MORE FALL TELEVISION
The first season of the “The Purge” and Lifetime’s “You” wrapped up (both have been renewed for a second season).
While very uneven, this season of “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” is over. It was enjoyable at times, especially the scenes with Joan Collins and with Jessica Lange.
The finale was so over-the-top and “WTF”, but mostly fun — only because it was so crazy and ludicrous! Nice to see you again Angela Bassett!
I’m still loving “Madam Secretary ” and “Manifest” and while I’ve cooled on “The Good Doctor”, I’m still watching it.
NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING
“WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE”
Since most of the country will be feasting on a lot of food next week for Thanksgiving, it’s unfortunate that there’ll be a lot of waste!
I watched an incredible documentary on how we can use more of the crops we grow for creative dishes and even use the waste in more creative ways.
It’s very eye-opening!
“Wasted!” features the late chef and television star Anthony Bourdain.
While his views are very bold in the 2017 documentary, he made a very chilling comment about people hanging themselves in one of his soundbites.
It’s eerie and creepy since he was found dead in France this past summer from an apparent suicide by hanging!
GRADE: B
PICK HIT
Carly Rae Jepsen will always be known by her signature hit, “Call Me Maybe” from 2012, but she’s had so many more incredible songs!
“Emotion” was my #3 album of 2015. I still love it and listen to it.
I saw her in concert in March 2016 at Terminal 5 in New York City and it’s still one of my favorite shows.
Here’s the final number, “I Really Like You” and around the first chorus, you’ll see just how close I was! 🙂
Her latest song, “Party of One”, just came out.
It’s about moving on from relationships, self-love, and being intimate — even it’s alone!!!
The video is a happy, sad, and peppy!
P.S. It’s also a little risque with toys not usually seen in mainstream music videos! Read between the lines and enter at your own risk! 🙂
GOODBYE SEXY ANDREW LINCOLN!
“The Walking Dead” is dead to me now, so goodbye Rick Grimes!
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
“It’s Christmas, Eve” with LeAnn Rimes makes its Hallmark Channel debut this weekend and the soundtrack is incredible!
Okay, incredible is an understatement. It’s the best Christmas album in the past few years!!!!
There are three original songs on the soundtrack — two ballads and the upbeat “You and Me and Christmas”.
LeAnn doesn’t just sing the classics. The arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” (Ring Out Remix) and “White Christmas” are stunning.
The North Pole Remix of “I Still Believe in Santa Claus” gives the song new life and there are two medleys that make the album an instant classic.
The Jolly Remix of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”/”Hark the Herald Angels Sing”/”Angels We Have Heard on High” has a dance club sound to it.
And, “Christmas Jam on Snow” is funky, upbeat fun with “Jingle Bell Rock”/”Here Comes Santa Claus”/”I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”/”Last Christmas”.
Radio programmers gearing up for holiday music through Christmas need to add each of these songs to their playlists, especially “White Christmas” and the medleys!
LeAnn is becoming the new voice and face of Christmas!
And, if you’re lucky and you live on the West Coast, you can see her on the “You and Me and Christmas” tour.
“WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE” 
What's Peeps Thinking About Now? It's Probably Random! 