In racing, it’s not who leads the first lap, the halfway lap or even the most laps. Nico Rosberg led the most laps of the Austrian Grand Prix but he didn’t taste the winner’s champagne. In fact, he turned out to be a villain of Maldonado-ian levels after the chequered flag flew. A last lap collision with teammate Lewis Hamilton while defending the lead left Rosberg worse for wear, as is often the case when this occurs, and handed the win to Hamilton.
Sunday Link-Off: Resurgence
For our pre-July 4th edition of the links, I think it’s only appropriate that we title this post after the new Independence Day movie. I haven’t seen it yet but the critical reception makes me think that I should wait until it lands on TV before I consider watching it. After all, the original Independence Day is a mainstay on TV so why not the sequel.
Anyway, it’s Sunday which means that it’s time for the links. Let’s kick off with Jessica Alba.
The Baltimore Police Department is changing its Use Of Force policy for the first time in thirteen years to emphasize de-escalation and ask officers to intervene if other officers are stepping over the line. (Baltimore Sun)
I’m not sure if a podcast helping someone getting a new trial is a good thing or an indictment of the legal system that a random podcast might save a man. (NPR)
The UN says that disrupting internet access is violation of a human right. So everyone that extorts money for wifi should be reported to the UN. (Think Progress)
Entertainment Link-Off: Movies and Music and TV, Oh My
We’re getting into the middle of summer which should be full with all sorts of news and interviews about upcoming movies and TV shows because we’re running up to summer blockbuster movies and a few months from the start of the fall TV season. Unfortunately, it’s the holiday weekend on both sides of the weekend so we’re a bit short on news. The result is a hodgepodge of everything I find interesting. So the status quo, then.
So this weekend, theatres see three big releases. The Legend of Tarzan opens at the lowest Rotten Tomatoes rating of the weekend as we wonder how many Tarzan movies Hollywood has made over the years. The Purge: Election Year might turn out to be decent political satire in hindsight depending on this year’s US Presidential election. And the top movie of the weekend is Steven Spielberg’s The BFG but critical reception says don’t expect an Oscar.
Anyway, let’s kick off the links with Margot Robbie who stars as Jane in The Legend of Tarzan.
Motorsport Manager Review: Checkered Flag
This September, Motorsport Manager is coming to Steam as a rather impressive looking and much enhanced port. It’ll be the same style of game at its core but will turn the graphics up to 11 and make some aspects of the simulation much more realistic including production of parts, rules charges, calendar changes and more. While the underpinnings of Motorsport Manager won’t change, a lot of it will be upgraded from the mobile game.
But what about that mobile game? I’ve been playing it for a while now and while it’s not quite Football Manager levels of complex, it’s certainly the best management game for motorsport fans I’ve ever played.
Game of Thrones: The Winds of Winter Review
What is hype may never die. There were a lot of loose plot threads heading into this season’s finale. Not only were they paid off spectacularly but we are set up for the stretch run of Game of Thrones with a series of mic drops as the episode came to an end.
Wednesday Link-Off: Summer is Coming
Despite the fact that the temperature is supposed to be in the mid-teens (Celsius) in my part of Canada on July 1st, make no mistake. Summer is coming. Everyone around here makes the same damn Ned Stark joke so I want to lazily spin it on its head. Considering that Ned’s head is no longer attached to his shoulders, I can’t imagine that would be difficult. By the way, this week’s Game of Thrones review drops tomorrow rather than the usual Friday post date.
Anyway it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for the links. Since Game of Thrones just wrapped up, let’s kick off with GoT star Maisie Williams.
The House’s Benghazi Report says that there was no wrongdoing on Hilary Clinton’s part. That’s not going to stop it from being a Republican talking point but she has something to fire back with. (New York Times)
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has joined CNN to add his insight on the reality TV star turned Presidential candidate despite his relatively hostile relationship with the press. (Washington Post)
Despite fears of the foolish, the legalization of marijuana hasn’t led to the downfall of society. In fact, their teen marijuana use is lowest in America. (Foundation for Economic Education)
Facebook Fails of the Week
Every so often, we look at the most spectacular fails that the internet has to offer. Well today, we look at the most spectacular fails that Facebook has to offer. This week, we have five of the best fails Facebook has to offer.
Worst of Music: Fall Out Boy – Ghostbusters
It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these. While the Worst of Music isn’t dead (it can’t given music today), I still have to bust it out for special occasions. And the good folks in Fall Out Boy were kind enough to give me a reason to officially christen something the Worst of Music with their new song for the Ghostbusters reboot. Ray Parker Jr. this most certainly ain’t.
Sunday Link-Off: Battling Bregret
Did anything interesting happen in the news this week? Probably not. Nobody abandoned a multi-national political-economic unions. Nobody’s political campaign saw a power struggle end with a change of campaign managers. Nothing at all noteworthy.
Anyway, it’s Sunday so it’s time for us to do the links. Since we just got through the NHL awards and draft, here’s Erin Heatherton with the Stanley Cup.
Was Brexit a series of mistakes and apathy that allowed Leave to win or is it a sign that people are done with globalization? (MacLean’s)
It’s not just Americans planning a move to Canada because of a vote. Brits are looking to make a move to Canada because of the EU referendum. (Global)
Scotland voted to stay in the EU. Now, they’re thinking about separating from the UK so they could join the EU. There’s a hell of a way to galvanize an independence vote. (Mirror)
Entertainment Link-Off: Power Brokers
This week’s edition of the entertainment links is all about people with power and money and ratings and all the things that matters in the acquisition of power in Hollywood. Not to sound too cynical but everybody wants to rule the world. We have a lot of those people featured in today’s ELO.
So how many of you have heard of The Neon Demon? IMDB has that as the best movie coming out this weekend. Also out this weekend are the far too late Independence Day cash-in, the one where Blake Lively gets eaten by a shark and a biopic with Matthew McConaughey. So let’s kick off with Blake Lively before she gets eaten by the aforementioned shark.
The Lowdown 