Chapter 13
Psycho Studios: The Sprinkler
Chapter Thirteen – Lucky Thirteen!
9.1.2024
Editor – Mr. Z (Mykal) - Content – Technical
Research & Editor – Mr. W (Mike) - Content
Psycho Studios is an independent Film/TV production company. A multimedia platform with a podcast as well as this newsletter. Feel free to reach out to Psycho Studios through their website/email.
Psycho Studios – Film-TV Production – Phoenix Arizona
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Psycho Studios: The Sprinkler (Our Newsletter)
Phoenix Arizona
Email – psychostudios66@gmail.com
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Forward
Mr. Z (Mykal) and Mr. W (Mike) are a father & son duo that started a production company about two years ago. They are working on the next phase of their production company and look forward to being involved in feature film making. They rolled out a podcast and newsletter to give their audience a means to hear where they are headed and what they are experiencing. The newsletter (The Sprinkler) is fun, informative and value add! They remind their audience that they leave politics at the door. They want their energy to be positive and wellness based. Share gratitude and be cool to one another!
We hope you will join us monthly as we explore different ways to enrich our lives and have some fun exploring the human race.
We bring old school and contemporary to the table. We bring practical value add life skills to our newsletter to make it worth everyone’s while!
Mykal & I are authentic & lucid and we operate with the credo; be cool to one another.
We want to connect with people, and be present while we enjoy this journey. We have embarked on something that is moving in a direction that affords us to display our creativity and love for film & music in our podcast too!
We have a contrasting way in which we were brought into this world and our perspectives meld in a way that is entertaining, rewarding and beneficial to those that trust sage advice.
Come with us as we explore ways to live in the moment and appreciate all we have, rather than what we have not.
Welcome psychos one and all!
The Sprinkler
Film – Music - Wellness – Commentary – Some Sports and Random Headlines
Let’s start with a film quote we love:
“When people ask me if I went to film school I tell them, no, I went to films!”
Quentin Tarantino
Before we jump into the rest of this Sprinkler, we would like to give a shout out to our Psycho Studio’s podcast! We continue to evolve with this piece and for our September episode we will have video along with our normal audio delivery! We will focus on one film we went to see at the theatre and do a unique dive into said film. We roll out our Psycho Studio’s Scale – which is our movie scoring scale which is from 1-Psycho (10). Available on our YouTube Channel as well as Spotify. (Audio)
Film
Let’s start with some brief reviews. We are rolling out our Psycho Studio’s Scale (scale of 1-Psycho-10 for rating films.)
Alien Romulus 2024 – Rating – 3
This film is derivative of Alien and Aliens. It is a big, small movie with huge sets and special effects but it is small from a cast standpoint. There are six main characters and the film plays like a spaceship filled slasher – monster film. The film is doing great at the box office, it did not do great with Mykal and I. We explore a uniquely deep dive in our rebranded podcast with video for September!
Alien & Aliens – Rating – 8 for each
These films were ground breaking and for the late 1970s and into the 1980s they were incredible. Many into movies will reference these films for the sequel being better than the original. That, like all reviews are personal opinion. Ridley Scott and James Cameron had different thoughts on this great story and characters! The story. The acting. The music. The special effects. They all rock in both films!
Horror Express 1972 – Rating -1
This film was promoted on X (formerly known as Twitter) as one of those hidden gems of horror. The movie is unwatchable. Keep it hidden!
Freaks 1932 – Rating-1. I watched this film based on articles I read about Tod Browning’s bizarre film. Tod directed the classic 1931 Dracula. I’m sorry, but this film is off putting and not for the right reasons. Yikes.
Slime City 1988 Rating– 2. Slime City was a little nugget Mykal sent to me. This low budget film is weird, gross and all over the place. If you are into low budget horror, I dare you to watch it!
Blood Beach 1981 Rating- 2. I recently came across this odd early 80’s horror feature which was released in August of 1981. The film is low budget, but boasts a bunch of known character actors. The story is thin and the dialogue is weak. The title makes you think it will be gory, it is anything but. I can’t in good conscious suggest anyone see it.
Frogs 1972 Rating– 2. This film was part of the nature takes over the world films that came out in the 1970s. Yes, frogs are supposed to be the bad critters! There are other critters involved too. Several known actors are in this film including Sam Elliot and Ray Milland. The film is offensive and stupid. I will leave it at that.
Against All Odds 1984 Rating– 7. Jeff Bridges, James Woods and Rachel Ward star in this Taylor Hackford thriller. If you have not seen this flick, it’s a good watch. Good acting. Great story. Beautiful settings. There is a football element to it and a cool twist. Phil Collin’s hit Take a Look at me Now plays at the end. The film has many elements and is a great blast from the past!
Music
Creed – Human Clay – Deluxe Edition 2024 – 34 tracks – almost 3 hours
It’s great to have a comprehensive list of Creed tracks on one album and a couple new tunes. We have always dug Creed, and often found it interesting how many people for years laughed at this group. One of our favorite tracks is What If. That amazing rock song is on the Scream 3 soundtrack and is actually played in the beginning of the film. Give this excellent compilation a listen! Rating - 9
Royal Blood – 10th Anniversary Edition – 21 tracks – 75 minutes
I remember when Mykal turned me onto Royal Blood a handful of years ago. Their sound is unique but still rock! This compilation is outstanding and with a new track or two this is a must listen for all rock and roll fans! I still love Figure it Out – exactly what I always try to do!
Rating - 9
RATT – multiple albums and live concert videos available on Spotify and other platforms. Stephen Pearcy has been crushing it this year with his Ratt tour. We have heard nothing but great things about his stage presence and vocals bringing to life all the Ratt classics. Ratt is one of my top 10 favorite groups of all time. I have been listening to them from the days of their EP as well as their early name Mickey Ratt. It’s very cool to me that my son, Mykal has picked up the 1980s rock torch and he really digs Ratt too! (No Def Leppard for him please!)
We are including an amazing Ratt playlist. For those rock and rollers that have not heard Ratt or listened to them in a long time – check them out! They never got the pub some of the other heavy weights of the 1980’s rock scene had like Motley Crue, Poison and the like!
Check out this Ratt playlist on Spotify – Ratt n Roll – 16 tracks – almost an hour
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZweFg8BCd4bVt4xlBpYbI?si=erlmUH5dTXeMa8KskrCRFA&pi=u-kacVhNEBTlm_
Wellness
Psycho Studios wants to make sure our psychos are taking care of themselves. Remember, we have to take care of ourselves first in order to be there for others.
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Here are some self-care tips:
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Pay attention to your intake of caffeine and alcohol and how they affect your mood and well-being—for some, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption can be helpful.
Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected. Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.
When should I seek professional help?
Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:
Difficulty sleeping
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning because of mood
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
Inability to complete usual tasks and activities
Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
These tips are being more and more prevalent as the country realizes how important our mental well-being is. Make them your own. Get out there and do at least one of the tips each week.
Eating right. Getting good sleep. Exercise, which can include simply walking. Consistency is the key. Go the gym, or exercise at home. Check in on friends and family as well as neighbors. Let those people in your life know that they are important to you, what they mean to you. Ask your family and friends if there is anything you can do to help them. Practicing gratitude and reaching out to those around us can feel awkward at first – it takes repetition and consistency. Once you have tackled the initial gratitude element breaking through it will benefit those in your circle as well as your own well-being.
Take care of yourself!
I have been inconsistent with breathing exercises. I’m challenging our psychos as well as myself to make September breathing month!
Developed by Dr Andrew Weil, the 4-7-8 method is one of my favorites. Simple. Impactful.
The 4-7-8 breathing may help you gain control over your breathing. It involves inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds.
Check out this great video. It’s under three minutes! WE can do this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8fjYPC-k2k
The key to a healthy life, is a healthy mind.
Commentary
This commentary is broad. It can be labeled as communication; as most everything in life centers around talking.
We always leave politics at the door. Regardless, we all know this is an election year. The November 5th election is a little more than two months away. While refraining from going into the election, and politics, I implore everyone to hear one another out and show grace when listening and responding. I recently went on a journey with a neighbor of mine who is also a friend. We went to pick up a new to us desk and chairs for Psycho Studio’s podcast studio. I truly appreciated my friend taking the time and using his truck for the pick-up. We were heading back to the ranch and or conversation turned to politics. I try my best to refrain from talking politics and religion with my friends and family. I know they say that can lead to being in a bubble, it seems to me since 2016 politics has turned uglier than I can ever remember. I was really surprised to hear my friend’s take on the election, and we had a heated conversation. We continue to maintain our friendship, and I believe things are good between us. I listened, but the divisive nature of this election made it a challenge for me to not respond.
I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up and my face flush while hearing my friend out. I should have done a better job with biting my tongue, and I will learn from this experience.
I challenge all our psychos, and myself to have open conversations about anything, whether it be politics, religion, sex and more. The key is to listen, and be mindful when sharing that we are staying out of the negative zone.
I really thought that as I got older things would become easier across this country and the world. The challenges across the globe are plenty. I can hear my son Mykal telling me to live in the moment. Be in the moment. It is something I work on daily and weekly. This boils down to wellness. Taking care of ourselves. Being there for our friends, family and neighbors. I remind myself that in the big scheme of things so many of the day-to-day frustrations are overcome through communication and perseverance.
I’m going to send out gratitude statements to all in the month of September. The very taxing summer in the desert is on the downslope, and I’m going to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. For the last four months of the year, I’m going to be consistent with my breathing exercises, exercise and walk abouts and being present!
Here’s to a great September for one and all!
Some Sports
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have finished their preseason schedule and their regular training camp days. The Packers played their offensive and defensive starters for about one series in the first preseason game. There is much to do about the quandary of playing starters versus sitting them in the preseason. It looks like the NFL is moving to an 18-game regular season (currently 17) soon and reducing the preseason games to just two (currently three).
Packers coach Matt LaFleur sees great value in the joint practices with other teams and this appears to be trending that direction league-wide.
The Packers were flat in the joint practice held in Denver against the Broncos. The following week the Packers hosted the Baltimore Ravens and were considerably sharper! The Packers stuck to their plan and did not play any starters in the final preseason game against said Ravens. The second and third units looked ready to go and played hard from opening whistle!
Coach LaFleur seemed less than confident in the two biggest battles of training camp. Place kicker and backup quarterback looked shaky all training camp and preseason. Cut down from about 90 players to 53 takes place by August 27th at 4pm Eastern Time. There are 16 spots open on each team’s practice squad.
As of this writing, the Packers are making moves:
- Running back – AJ Dillon is most likely sticking with the team. Third round pick MarShawn Lloyd is injured and may be placed on injured reserve. Josh Jacobs is the stud from the Raiders
- Place kicker – 6th round pick Anders Carlson has been waived by the Packers this morning. There was a kicking battle all camp between Carlson and Greg Joseph. Anders has been less than consistent in his second year, and last season he missed more extra points and field goals than any other kicker. Let’s hope Joseph is the answer
- Backup quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt looked rough around the edges in camp and all three preseason games. The Packers are looking for a solid backup to their superstar Jordan Love. (Love signed a new contract going into this season and is poised to press for NFL MVP this season). As of 8.26 the Packers presented more questions than answers when they traded for a backup quarterback with the Tennessee Titans; Malik Willis, a 25-year-old nonstarter. Willis is a head scratcher as he does not know the Packer’s system and is joining the team after all the preseason games and the bulk of training camp have been completed.
Update regarding quarterbacks; Packers release both back up QBs – Clifford and Pratt
The Packers open the regular season on September 6th, at 5:15pm Arizona Time. They face the Philadelphia Eagles. The unique nature of this game is twofold. It is being held on a Friday night to kick off the regular season (along with the Thursday night game of Raven at Chiefs). As if a Friday night game in the NFL weren’t unique enough, the game is being played in Sau Palo Brazil! Goal!?
Our not too early prediction for the Green Bay Packer’s 2024 season;
Me – 12-5. Mykal – 13-4
Cheers to a great NFL season! Carry the G!
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are looking to run it back with keeping their core starters intact and Doc Rivers leading the team. Darvin Ham has been brought back as an assistant and will most likely take over for Rivers when he decides to exit stage left. We look for the Bucks to bounce back this season – staying healthy is key! The Fear the Deer season kicks off on 10.23.2024.
Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers – 76-55 – 21 games above 500!
The Brewers continue to crush this season. With new manager Pat Murphy, it’s awesome to see how great the Brew Crew is taking on this season! Craig Counsell flew the coup at the end of last season and moved over to the rival Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are surging and are sitting at .500 as of the end of August. The Brewers have about 30 games remaining in the regular season and don’t seem to be letting up. Christian Yelich is out for the season with a back injury. I have to admit when I heard the news about Yelich, I was sure the Brewers were done. Baseball is a fickle sport compared to NFL, NBA. One stud player out of the line up could easily derail the season. The Brewer’s bats have been lively, with a hot and cold pitching line up. The Brewers are currently in first place in the National League Central! It’s a long season!
Random Headlines & Stuff
- The NFL season kicks off on September 5th with the Ravens at Chiefs and follows it up with a Friday tilt with Packers at Eagles – in Brazil!
- Summer is coming to a close across the country, in the desert we are looking forward to September as it is a mild month of summer here
- Buzznet had a great article in August about the many uses of baking soda. They claim that adding the white powder to your grey hair is a game changer! I’ll stick to keeping it in the fridge with the top open!
- In the too gross department, doctors warn of the hidden risks of adults drinking breast milk. This trend amongst viral individuals and others is creating a gross buzz. There are many doctors that tout the potentially harmful aspects of drinking the natural milk. There are several women who sell their milk! (No use crying over spilled milk?)
- In the too creepy department, a Michigan doctor is charged with recording women and children in his hospital with hidden cameras. WTF? Despicable!
- In this too wet news, major US lake reaches 100% capacity for second year in a row! California’s second largest reservoir, Lake Oroville. At one-point officials feared it would never be full again! There is positive news out there!
- Scientists say do this once a month and extend your life by 10 years. No gym required. What is that once a month thing? Be creative! This includes writing, sculpting, drawing, painting and more! Be consistent with this! Journaling falls into this category as well!
- Motivational speaker David Rush holds 181 Guinness World Records! It began as sibling rivalry, and now it is has become crazy! Check out the full story in the Washington Post
- Nicole Kidman’s latest film Babygirl is set to release this year. She exclaimed What have I just done? The buzz is this film has lots of long-winded sex scenes. We don’t expect to see Tom Cruise at the premiere!
- Red Lobster continues to close more restaurants. The well-known seafood restaurant chain is struggling and many say it is due to the all you can eat shrimp specials from last year. If you have an opportunity, check out more about this popular chain and see how the purchase from a seafood provider may be the real culprit!
- A resident in Malibu California, is calling out the billionaire owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. The owner (Mark Attanasio) is accused of bulldozing a restored beach to take the sand for his own property. A lawsuit has been filed. Talk about not playing nice in the sandbox!
- There is an article about the pilot who tried to crash the plane he was on with 83 onboard. He is speaking out and blaming psychedelic mushrooms. Holy shit Batman!
- In the too creepy and gross department, an OnlyFans model felt violated after a hotel worker went into her room and stole a thong from her dirty laundry bag. WTF?
- I came across this article titled The Paternal Urge to Toss your Baby. I’m sorry, I couldn’t even bring myself to read it. I never had the urge to toss my son, I know many do. Think about your baby’s safety – please!
- Many teachers wonder if kindergarten has become too much! I know back in the day my kindergarten time was just silly. We learned or were taught very little and jokes were made over the years. Milk. Cookies. Quiet time. We went for half a day. We fast forward over the decades and from what I read and what teachers say kindergarten is like first grade. Come on, let’s find a middle ground and let the kids play!
- On a much lighter note, lets speak to popcorn. We prefer popcorn made old school on a stove top, a little oil and some golden kernels! In a pinch, we will turn to the microwave. Our top three micro-pops are Orville Redenbacher’s, Skinny Pop and Pop Secret! A great Friday night; A film on your TV, some popcorn and disconnecting from the social media platforms. Enjoy!
- Lastly, do you like to make ground beef tacos and burritos? I know we do, and one of my pet peeves is getting the ground been small and uniform. Many suggest asking your butcher to grind your beef finely. I can’t find a butcher in the stores I go to. Some will say buy an old school metal beef grinder. I’m not down with the cost of that or the space for it. Simple hack? Use your mashed potato masher. A metal one is preferred or a plastic one that maintains under heat. This simple trick will make your ground beef restaurant quality!
Interesting individual of the month [IIM]
This month’s interesting individual is Todd McFarlane.
Todd is a Canadian born comic book artist and creator. We know him best for his Spawn comics as well as the Spawn feature film. He became famous for his work within the Spider-Man comic book series. Todd was the first to fully show the character Venom in the comics. Todd left the art element within the comic industry in the late 1990s to focus on his McFarlane toys and his TV/Film production company. Todd was also a co-owner of the Edmonton Hockey team from Canada, and designed one of the team’s logos. Todd is also heavily into collecting baseball memorabilia, more specifically MLB baseballs. Todd has focused on TV and Film and continues to work within his entertainment company. Todd has lived inside and outside of the United States, but has settled in the Ahwatukee Foothills, which is just outside of Phoenix since 2007. My son Mykal suggested I write something about Todd based on him being a fan of his works and that Todd lives in the Valley. Todd is for sure an interesting individual. Mykal and I have a special history with McFarlane and his toy company. The toy company use to have a small retail element within their warehouse in Tempe back in the day. Mykal and I would visit it infrequently, and Mykal has a sweet collection of some of the cooler McFarlane designs with an emphasis on Spawn. Thanks for the great memories, Todd!
Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read Chapter Thirteen of Psycho Studios; The Sprinkler. We always look forward to sharing our thoughts, ideas and more!
Be safe and stay psycho!
We would love to hear from our audience. Comments, feedback & suggestions are welcome!
Email us at - psychostudios66@gmail.com
Reach us at our website - psycho-studio.com.
Find our podcasts, newsletters and more on our website! We make announcements on Instagram, X and Facebook when we drop new content!
Mr. W (Mike) ~ Mr. Z (Mykal)
Psycho Studios ~9.1.2024