Music

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a weaker operation with some dazzling high points

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The movie “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” started off with an exciting blend of ominous apocalypse anticipation and playful silliness. In this installment, characters seem to accept that the apocalypse is imminent, while other scenes feature Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davies in a comical chase reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote chasing Road Runner, with Tom Cruise as the Road Runner. As we approach the final two-part series, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” the tension becomes more catastrophic (at times recalling Sidney Lumet’s “Fail-Safe”), and there’s an overabundance of explanatory dialogue. Unfortunately, this dialogue is excessive and heavy on lore, but luckily, the grandest action sequences remain enjoyable.

Hollywood’s disability dilemma: The need for authentic representation

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Repeatedly, Hollywood has neglected to cast disabled actors in roles suitable for their talents. This omission not only deprives them of employment opportunities but also hinders audiences from experiencing authentic storytelling. By refusing to acknowledge true representation, the industry perpetuates outdated narratives rather than dismantling barriers and enabling disabled actors to flourish.

Everything Dropping at Palace This Week

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For the fifth installment of Palace’s Summer lineup, they’ve teamed up with skate brand Sci-Fi Fantasy based in Los Angeles, as well as showcasing their own key items. Sci-Fi Fantasy, led by skater and photographer Jerry Hsu, infuses technology into its design philosophy, evident in the repeated motifs of city tech, modern Chinese fonts, and abstract digital simplicity.

First Look at the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Nitro”

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A new partnership between Jordan Brand and Nigel Sylvester is upcoming, focusing on Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Nitro.” Due for release this summer, these shoes showcase Sylvester’s design influence. The sneaker will feature a black, muslin, and varsity red color scheme and boasts scuffed premium leather to reflect skate and bike culture. The vintage aesthetic is enhanced by the sail-colored Swoosh. The insoles and tongue branding bear Sylvester’s “Bike Air” logo, with contrasting red, while the white Wings logo appears on the heel. The liner displays “Jordan Biking Co. EST. 2017.” Look forward to the release in early August.

Official Look at the New Balance 2002R “Pastel Blue”

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For the summer season, New Balance introduces a pastel-inspired color scheme for its beloved 2002R silhouette, expanding its line of casual footwear. Dubbed “Pastel Blue,” this new colorway features soft blue tones on the mesh base and suede overlays, with deeper shades of blue appearing on the inner lining and branding. The shoe’s design is further enhanced by contrasting accents of lemon yellow and pink across the upper. The release date for this stylish footwear is scheduled for early June, perfectly timed for the summer months.

Item: Enso’s “Soft Grounds” Collection Explores Permanence with Fruit-Inspired Designs

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At NYCxDesign, Yuria Kailich and Joel Harding, two designers I admire, showcased their “Soft Grounds” Collection 02. Through Item: Enso, their creative playground, this collection delves into a complex exploration of permanence and impermanence. Each unique piece within the collection bears a name derived from fruit, symbolizing an ideology centered around ripeness, imperfection, and sensory recollection, thereby fostering a deep bond with nature and the gradual ticking of time.