Swipe Up 223: Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World from the Ray Taylor Show

January 26, 2023Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1: Alec Baldwin is facing a criminal trial for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" in New Mexico. Prosecutors will determine whether Baldwin is responsible for Hutchins' death by evaluating whether he "should have known of the danger involved" when he pointed a loaded gun at Hutchins or "acted with a willful disregard for the safety of others." Under New Mexico's involuntary manslaughter laws, Baldwin could face up to five years in prison if a jury finds criminal negligence in his accidental firing of a vintage Colt revolver. Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas, claims that the actor "relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds."

Story 2: Netflix, the Silicon Valley DVD rental company, has come a long way since its start as an ambitious startup with grandiose dreams of being "a global entertainment distribution company that provides a unique channel for film producers and studios." Today, the company's founder and former CEO, Reed Hastings, stepped down from his role, leaving behind a company that has less than 2% of the $8 billion video rental market. Despite the competition from Walmart and Blockbuster, Netflix has managed to double its customer base to 750,000 this year and projects profitability and a million customers in 2003. With its steady revenue stream, low-tech video-on-demand alternative and flexible subscription plans, Netflix is changing the way we rent movies.

Story 3: The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has released a report detailing official sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). The report states that UAP reporting is "increasing", and as of August 2022 there have been 510 UAP reports. The report mentions the establishment of the Department of Defense All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which the US government hopes will aid in resolving UAP sightings. The report also detailed 144 UAP sightings that had been made by “reliable” sources, largely in the military, in the 17 years between 2004-2021, with a significant number of the phenomena in the report not being easily explained.

Shout Out To:

@LATimes
@Wired
@IGNDotCom

Swipe Up 222 - Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World - Ray Taylor Show

January 19, 2023Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1 (00:01:02): In an interview with Variety, Director James Cameron expressed his belief that movies should be seen in theaters and not through streaming services, stating "enough with the streaming already! I’m tired of sitting on my ass." He also addressed the success of Avatar 2, which grossed over $1.7 billion, and the upcoming Avatar 3, 4 and 5 films. However, many critics argue that Cameron is out of touch with the current state of technology and how people consume media in 2023, with the convenience and increased quality of home viewing options.

Story 2 (00:17:13): Discover the incredible story behind the visual effects in the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once." A small team of self-taught artists, led by Zak Stoltz, took on the challenge of creating the VFX for the film using only online tutorials and programs like After Effects. The team's unique approach to VFX, breaking industry standards and prioritizing personal and handmade techniques, resulted in a one-of-a-kind final product. Learn about the team's struggles and successes and how they believe that going off the beaten path can lead to greater creativity and imagination in the film industry.

Story 3 (00:31:03): Protests against the presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil's capital, Brasília, turned violent as thousands of demonstrators stormed government buildings and vandalized iconic works of art. Former leader Jair Bolsonaro has falsely claimed that Lula had stolen the election and refused to concede, leading to the destruction of priceless pieces of art by Brazilian modernists such as Emiliano Di Cavalcanti and Oscar Niemeyer. The Brazilian government has condemned the violence and destruction, and have stated that the value of the destroyed art is incalculable due to the historical significance it represents.

Shout Out To:

@igndotcom
@slashfilm
@artnews

Swipe Up 221 - Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World - Ray Taylor Show

January 12, 2023Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1: Warner Bros. Discovery is undergoing a period of restructuring in 2022, which has included the scrapping of several films and TV shows. Despite facing backlash for these decisions, Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels has stated that it was a necessary move. The company is now "done with that chapter" and has "command and control over the business now", looking forward to growth in the future. As part of the restructuring, more than a dozen shows, including "Westworld" and "The Nevers," will be removed from HBO Max. Warner Bros. Discovery plans to license 13 of these removed shows to third-party free ad-supported streaming (FAST) services, with the remaining shows potentially being available on FAST platforms or other streaming services. It is not yet known which FAST platforms will offer the removed shows, with Warner Bros. Discovery planning to provide more information about its own FAST offering in 2023.

Story 2: Breaking news: the FDA has granted accelerated approval to Leqembi, a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease that can slow cognitive decline in patients with early stages of the disease. Leqembi is the first drug of its kind with clear evidence of effectiveness in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's, although it is not a cure. A large study found that patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's who took Leqembi saw a 27% slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who took a placebo. However, there are potential side effects including bleeding in the brain, which patients should discuss with their doctors. Biogen and Eisai, the companies that make Leqembi, will need to request full approval based on additional studies. It is not yet clear whether Leqembi will be covered by most insurance providers under accelerated approval or if that will come later after full approval.

Story 3: A video has sparked outrage online after it appears to show New York police officers allowing members of the far-right group, the Proud Boys, to ride the subway for free after they protested a drag event in Queens. The incident occurred on December 29, 2022, after members of the group clashed with supporters of the drag event at the Queens Public Library. The NYPD said they were escorting the Proud Boys out of the area and placed them on the subway to remove them before the situation could escalate further. However, the Proud Boys were allowed to ride the subway without paying, while Black and Latino New Yorkers reportedly accounted for 88% of the arrests for fare evasion in the first six months of 2022. The video has led to accusations of hypocrisy and favoritism towards the Proud Boys by the NYPD. The NYPD said they are reviewing the incident and that the officers involved will face disciplinary action if it is found that they violated any policies.

Shout Out To:

@igndotcom
@abcnews
@buzzfeednews

Swipe Up 220 - Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World - Ray Taylor Show

January 5, 2023Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1:

Actor David Harbour has plans for a "Violent Night" Cinematic Universe and has suggested that Pedro Pascal and Oscar Isaac join him as the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy, respectively. Harbour's idea for the universe is similar to the 2012 film "Rise of the Guardians," in which holiday characters become an Avengers-like team. However, the "Violent Night" version would be far more violent. The film, "Violent Night," follows Harbour's unconventional Santa as he fights off a group of elite mercenaries who have taken hostages in a wealthy family's compound on Christmas Eve. The film is directed by Tommy Wirkola and stars John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Cam Gigandet, and André Eriksen in addition to Harbour as Santa.

Story 2:

Canadian marathoner and environmentalist Antoine Moses set a new world record by planting 23,060 saplings in less than 24 hours, breaking the previous record of 15,170 trees set by Canadian Kenny Chaplin in 2001. The feat received widespread praise on social media and the Guinness World Record website recognized it as an official achievement. Moses has planted over 1.3 million plants across Canada over the years and was supported by a crew of six people in his record-breaking effort. The video of the feat has received over 1.7 million views on social media. Deforestation is a leading cause of global warming, and planting trees is one way to combat climate change. Global leaders are currently meeting at the COP 27 summit in Egypt to discuss limiting global warming as part of the fight against climate change.

Story 3:

Over 6,000 children have been killed or injured by gunfire in the United States in 2022, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive. This marks a record high in the nine years that the organization has been tracking such incidents. At least 306 children 11 years old or younger and 1,323 children between the ages of 12 and 17 have been killed in shootings this year. The increase in gun violence among children coincides with ongoing debates over gun control measures in the United States.

Shout Out To:

@entertainmenttruefacts

@pubity

@abcnews

Swipe Up 219 - Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World - Ray Taylor Show

December 29, 2022Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1: The toy industry is seeing growth due to the "kidults" consumer group, ages 12 and older, who are responsible for about $9 billion in toy sales annually and are drawn to merchandise such as action figures, dolls, and Lego sets that remind them of their childhoods. Toy companies have begun creating product lines specifically for this group of adults who still want to have fun. The trend of "kidulting" gained popularity in the past decade with the rise of superhero movies and comic book culture.

Story 2: A US District Judge has ruled that movie studios can be sued for false advertising if they release deceptive trailers. The case involves the 2019 film Yesterday, in which two fans of Ana de Armas rented the film after seeing her in the trailer, only to discover that she was not in the final film. Universal tried to throw out the lawsuit, arguing that trailers are entitled to protection under the First Amendment and should be considered non-commercial speech. However, the judge rejected this argument, stating that trailers are commercial speech and the First Amendment does not protect against false or misleading commercial speech. This ruling could have implications for the film industry, as studios may be more careful in the content they include in trailers to avoid potential lawsuits. It remains to be seen how this ruling will be applied in practice and if it will lead to a decrease in deceptive trailers.

Story 3: A mother in Michigan has been charged with cyberbullying and obstruction of justice after an investigation found she had sent harassing messages to her daughter and other teenagers under a fake name and number. Kendra Licari, 42, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, is alleged to have used software to conceal her location and used several numbers and area codes, trying to make the messages appear to come from her daughter's classmates. Licari is also accused of sending tens of thousands of text messages in a yearlong campaign of harassment. She has been released on a $5,000 bond and her attorneys declined to comment on the charges.

Shout Out To: @pubity @igndotcom @abcnews

Swipe Up 218 - Unfiltered Opinions on the News and Entertainment World - Ray Taylor Show

December 22, 2022Ray TaylorComment

Welcome to Swipe Up, part of the Ray Taylor Show! In each episode, host Ray Taylor gives his honest and unfiltered opinions on the latest news, current events, entertainment updates, and other random posts he finds on Instagram. Join Ray every Thursday as he shares his thoughts and insights on a variety of topics and encourages listeners to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SwipeUpPodcast. Whether you're looking for a fresh perspective on the news or just want to be entertained, Swipe Up has something for everyone. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now!

Story 1: Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have achieved a successful fusion reaction between two hydrogen atoms and maintained it in a controlled setting, marking a significant step towards developing a new, sustainable form of energy that releases virtually no carbon dioxide or other types of air pollution. The reaction generated more energy than was put in, proving the potential for this kind of reaction to be a source of power in the future. If successful, fusion energy could be used to produce electricity, transportation, fuels, power, and heavy industry, and could be a major contributor to a clean energy economy and reduce the release of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. However, the technology is still decades away from being ready for large-scale application and the Department of Energy and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are planning to build a pilot fusion plant in the coming years to continue researching and developing the technology.

Story 2: James Cameron, the director of the 1997 film "Titanic," has announced that he has conducted a "scientific study" to prove that only one person, not two, could have survived on the floating door at the end of the film. The study, which involved placing sensors on two stunt people in ice water to test their survival rates, will be featured in a mini-documentary set to release in February 2022. The special will coincide with the release of a 4K restoration of "Titanic" in theaters on Valentine's Day weekend in 2023. The debate over whether or not the character Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, could have survived has been a topic of discussion among fans of the film for years.

Story 3: US President Joe Biden has signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act, which repeals prior federal legislation that excluded the LGBTQ community and ensures that the federal government will recognize same-sex and interracial marriages in the event that the Supreme Court overturns the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that stopped states from discriminating against same-sex couples in marriage. The law also formally repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed in 1996 and defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and allows for the surviving spouse of a same-sex marriage to receive the same federal benefits as a surviving spouse in a heterosexual marriage. The signing ceremony was attended by hundreds of LGBTQ activists and entertainers.

Shout Out To: @abcnews @moviefacts @buzzfeednews

Swipe Up 217 - Opinion - Ray Taylor Show

December 15, 2022Ray TaylorComment

Ray gives his opinions on current events and other random happenings.

Story 1: “ajplus - Women’s basketball star Brittney Griner is coming home for the holidays.⁣

⁣

Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for “drug smuggling” charges, after Russian customs found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner had a prescription for severe chronic pain, according to her lawyers.⁣

⁣

When negotiating Griner’s release, the U.S. also wanted to free ex-marine Paul Whelan, who has been sitting in a Russian prison for alleged spying. The U.S. government says these are manufactured charges. Whelan remains in Russian custody.⁣

⁣

Griner’s release was traded for a Russian arms dealer named Viktor Bout, who has returned home to Russia from a U.S. prison, according to Russian state media.⁣”

Story 2: “abcnews - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said, "This kind of attack raises a new level of threat."

But similar attacks and foiled plots suggest electrical grids and other infrastructure across the U.S. have been targeted over the past decade.”