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Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” wore many things well – flashy dresses and sensationally self-made wigs, among other fashionable items. She also wore her smile in a way that brought life to Maya Angelou’s words in the poem “Phenomenal Woman” – “the curl of my lips.”That sensuous smirk stood out notably in a 1997 interview with TV host Larry King, which made the rounds after Ms. Turner died on Wednesday. In that interview, Ms. Turner explained her exodus from America – and alluded to another important separation.“I left America because my [biggest] success was in another country and my boyfriend was in another country,” she said. “Europe has been very supportive of my music.”When Mr. King later asked about her ex-husband, musician Ike Turner, she offered a one-word response: “Who?”Ms. Turner earned her freedom, both as an entertainer and lover. Her suggestion in the King interview that she experienced success rivaling the Rolling Stones spoke to a country and a culture that often waited too late to appreciate Black women in pop.“Anna Mae Bullock,” as she was born, was a callback – to the harsh realities of systemic racism and spousal abuse. It was a reminder of her Tennessee upbringing, the lineage of sharecropping, and her domestic servitude.“Tina Turner” was an expression of emancipation. Her persona burst onto the scene passionately with “Proud Mary,” which in her hands became a soul-stirring personal commentary chronicling servitude to stardom. Mary was a fitting name that captured the duality of Ms. Turner. Onomatology suggests that Mary means “beloved,” and also “bitterness.”Ms. Turner was the recipient of 12 Grammy Awards, including three in 1985 for the song “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame both as a solo artist and as a duo with Mr. Turner. And her 1988 concert before 180,000 people in Rio de Janeiro set a record for audience attendance.It’s hard not to see Ms. Turner’s influence on entertainers such as Beyoncé, or feel her essence in Mary J. Blige’s tales of tragedy. In all honesty, the entire industry mimics her excellence.Yet the most stunning tribute to her life came from the woman who portrayed her so profoundly in the 1993 film about Ms. Turner’s life. Angela Bassett simply asked:“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?” When it came to overcoming adversity, Ms. Turner was simply the best.
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An event at a local GameStop celebrating the release became an opportunity to come together – and find sweet nostalgia.
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Last Thursday, a few hours before midnight, I left my house in a folktale-like fashion.
As the moonlight draped the bedroom, I tucked my oldest boy under the covers for the evening. Then, I picked up a sword in search of adventure. What I found was sweet nostalgia.
One of Nintendo’s staple franchises, The Legend of Zelda, enjoyed its first release in six years: Tears of the Kingdom. I celebrated the occasion at my local Gamestop, which allowed gamers and enthusiasts to win prizes, pick up the game, and quite frankly, be kids again.
I often chuckle when people suggest that a Blockbuster card is a form of ID for millennials. I was close to my son’s age when I begged my parents to rent video games every weekend. Blockbuster, of course, is a thing of the past, but the childlike desires of kids at heart remain.
Such callbacks aren’t just therapeutic – they’re marketable. I recently saw a movie preview for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” which provided some polish for a franchise first made famous in the 1980s. As summer approaches, we’ll see blockbusters from comic book giants Marvel and D.C., featuring familiar names such as Spider-Man, Batman, and The Flash.
As people filled up the store last Thursday night into Friday morning, I was reminded of a simpler time. I can remember when my local Blockbuster held a video game competition, and one of the games was Sonic The Hedgehog. When I saw a Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis with a free controller, my only concern was to rush to the machine before someone else got there.
Things are a little different now. Ever since 2020, the gaming monitors in stores haven’t been accompanied by controllers. Walking around late at night, or sometimes in broad daylight, contains its share of risks.
It was refreshing to be a part of a community, if only for a few hours. The shared anticipation of the game’s release linked us together. Folks either dressed for the occasion, reminisced about the past, or both.
The Legend of Zelda, which premiered in 1986, is only rivaled by Mario in the Nintendo pantheon. It’s the story of Zelda, the princess of Hyrule, and her companion, Link, who helps her overcome the schemes of the evil Ganon. As the story evolved, Zelda became less of a damsel and more of a colleague. The three of them are linked through The Triforce, a source of power which reflects their character. Link represents Courage, Zelda Wisdom, and Ganon’s desire to conquer yields him the Triforce of Power.
Tears of the Kingdom picks up from the wildly successful Breath of the Wild. The gameplay is vast, with Link exploring lands that take hundreds of hours to fully comb through and explore. The game encourages innovation as Link uses his powers to craft technology and magic. A nerd’s nirvana, for sure, but also the type of good-natured fun that constitutes Nintendo’s reputation.
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The more I think about it, the hero’s name is perfect for the effect of nostalgia on people. It binds us together in a way that transcends the nature of entertainment. Movies and sports and games seem like fleeting, lofty wastes of time, until we look deeper into the credits, or the box score, or gameplay. Our heroes are reflections of us, as are our interests.
I’m turning 40 in a few months, and I enjoy toeing the line between big kid and being responsible for two kids. In a world where we continue to prioritize mental health and finding balance, sometimes refuge is as simple as flipping a switch.
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A selection of the most viewed stories this week on the Monitor’s website.
Every Saturday
Hear about special editorial projects, new product information, and upcoming events.
Occasional
Select stories from the Monitor that empower and uplift.
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An update on major political events, candidates, and parties twice a week.
Twice a Week
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A weekly digest of Monitor views and insightful commentary on major events.
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