Pop Culture Chronicles

EDM or Electronic Dance Music has hit the music scene hard for the last 6 years or so and there have been numerous DJs to displace their music, but the DJ who is one of the leaders in EDM is Steve Aoki. Steve Aoki in his new documentary, I'll Sleep When I'm dead, chronicles his life as a Japanese-American living in Southern California and the son of famous Rocky Aoki, founder of Bennihana, wrestler, real estate mogul, and much more. Aoki gives the viewers a glimpse into his life as a child and growing up under his father's shadow, being bullied based on his Japanese heritage at school, and trying to find his place in the world, until as a young adult, when he discovered punk rock music and later DJ-ing , and starting his own record label with some friends. Initially, Aoki didn't see himself as a DJ but as a record executive, but he found a way and his talent shined through. He also found mentor-ship and friendship with the late great DJ, DJ A.M.  Aoki began to gain noto...

For those of you who are looking for a new summer show to watch, I suggest the new Netflix series, The Getdown. The Getdown chronicles the lives of urban youth in the South Bronx, NY in the late 1970s.  The youth who were faced with much violence, poverty and crime, find outlets in music, and developing a new sound, with hip-hop. A group of young teen guys assemble and call themselves, the Getdown crew, the make rhymes and beats with their DJ and make new dances and compete with rival crews in nearby neighborhoods. In addition, there's a group of young ladies that sing and try to make it out of the Bronx as well, by forming a disco group.  Yet, they are faced with the backlash of parents and their religious upbringings that may hinder their road to stardom. The show encompasses the life and times of the NYC youth in the late 70s and the people, especially in the Bronx. I highly recommend you watch this show and the new season is set to debut in 2017. It is now streaming on Net...

With college football coming up in the US in a couple weeks, this new show on Netflix sparks the fire for football again. Last Chance U, with its 6-episode first season, entails a community college, Eastern Mississippi Comunity College, and head coach Buddy Stephens. Stephens and his staff have won multiple NCJAA football titles in the past 10 years , and have resurrected the college careers of former D-1 athletes that come to the school with off the field issues. Stephens and his staff and the athletic tutors look to mold these players and challenge their off the field issues, such as academic failure, crime, drug/alcohol usage and most of these players come from underprivileged backgrounds. The show does an excellent job of interviewing and highlighting these players and giving their stories. In addition, once these players follow this program and achieve their athletic and academic standards, the players have gone on to play in new D-1 college programs, graduate, and potentially hea...

Just saw this new film, expected to hit theaters this fall, entitled, The Phenom. The Phenom stars Paul Giammatti , Ethan Hawke, and Johnny Simmons. It is a baseball tale about a young highschool prodigy, named Hopper Gibson. Hopper is about to embark on future major league success and gets drafted by the Atlanta Braves. He starts out well as a rookie, but hits a slump , and gets sent down to the minor leagues, and has some performance  issues. Therefore, the team issues a top sports psychologist to help Gibson, and addresses his realtionship with this abusive father, who obsesses over him and the game of baseball, his personal relationships and personality as a whole. Hopper begins to realize that he does not  have to meet everyone's expectations and just play the game for fun, like he did as a child. Overall, the film is dramatic, exciting and heartfelt. My rating for the film is a 8.5/10. it is expected to hit theaters this fall or spring. Be on the lookout for the Phenom...

A recently new show that came out this spring of 2016 on Netflix, starring Will Arnett in Flaked. Flaked is about a Southern Californian  AA counselor , who also owners a hardware store, named Chip. Chip spends his time around the beach and partying , but after a couple of failed relationships and a serious drunk driving accident, Chip needs to find out what matters most in life and what can he do to be truly happy. The show is funny, yet has a serious and dramatic element. I highly recommend this show. My rating so far would be a 9/10. If you have Netflix, or don't but find access to watch this show, its a good one!

In a new Netflix special, a documentary on Tony Robbins, a world renowned life coach, public speaker and motivator who has changed thousands of lives with his seminars and techniques , he is documented with his most popular seminar , Date With Destiny,(2014). Date With Destiny is a 6 day seminar in Boca Raton, FL. Robbins and his guests are gone through a series of mental, psychological exercises , goal settings, and Robbins individually interacts with guests and challenges them about their biggest fears, regrets, problems, or the simplest problem that hinders that person's happiness.  Many of these guests struggle with suicide , depression, anxiety, bad relationships, family abuse, physical and emotional abuse. He also shares his life story and his battles with depression, anxiety, and family abuse and how that shaped him and wanted to help others.  I personally recommend this documentary and its now streaming on Netflix, , so check it out! Its for everyone who is struggling ...

A new series on Amazon prime follows the NFL team , the Arizona Cardinals during the 2015-16 season and a quest for a championship. The Cardinals did very well this season and won a franchise record, 13 of 16 games and advanced to the NFC Championship , one game away from the Superbowl and came up short to the Carolina Panthers, under the their dynamic quarterback , Cam Newton. Although, the Cardinals did not achieve their goal of winning a superbowl this season, don't count them out for the 2016-17 season, this fall. They are hungry and have the talent to go all the way next year. In the documentary series, similar to HBO's Hard Knocks, the camera crew interviews head coach Bruce Arians, team leaders Larry Fitzgerald who is most likely a hall of fame bound wide receiver after his career is over, and veteran quarterback, Carson Palmer. The Cardinals also have defensive leaders such as Tryann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson who are pro bowlers and just coming into their athletic p...