The Ryan Thomas Collection

Popularity: 12% [?]

In its third edition, Rihanna released The Remixes – Good Girl Gone Bad. This album originally came out as simply Good Girl Gone Bad. Almost a year later, the CD was released with a couple additional tracks that were released as singles and this was named Good Girl Gone Bad Reloaded. People were enticed to buy an album they pretty much owned already, but if this second addition was bought, extra new tracks would be found. Approximately six months following this release, the third addition of this album was released Tuesday, January 27th. The Remixes- Good Girl Gone Bad is a full album, and all songs remixed. The original LP versions are not found on this CD. Thankfully this third edition of the album provides somewhat new material. At least three of the remixes are on the maxi-singles, including Umbrella and Take A Bow.

Madonna released a full remix album in her earlier career called You Can Dance, but the content on this album spanned a couple albums. It wasn’t simply an album remixed. It was a great way for Madonna to keep her name in the public between new albums, and provide the clubs with some material. I understand the logic of releasing remixes. As a huge fan of Rihanna, I am excited about this release, because dance remixes all in one place are great and these new versions of the songs feel like a new album. However, it feels like Rihanna is riding too long on this album. She recently released Rehab as a single with Justin Timberlake in the video. At this rate, the whole album will be released as singles. It would be nice  to get a full album of NEW material from Rihanna. The time has come! Three releases of one album is the end of line for this material. For an artist that is visually stimulating with fantastic videos and live appearances, the logic behind this release schedule is odd.

Rihanna, we love you! We’ll support a new album… if it’s good, but we can’t keep dancing to Good Girl Gone Bad. A rose by any other name is really still a rose.

Popularity: 14% [?]

It what sounds like a publicity stunt, the Polarland Zoo in China wed their two gay penguins to honor their superb parenting skills of an abandoned egg. The two gay penguins were reported a few months back because they continued to steal eggs from their heterosexual counterparts to nest. Seeing this, the keepers decided to give the gay penguin couple a serrogate egg that had been rejected by a mother. Watching the couple, keepers found that the two were superb parents, exceeding many of the heterosexual penguins’ skills. To reward their efforts, the keepers decided to wed the gay penguin couple in a traditional Chinese wedding. The keepers decided which penguin would dress like a groom and which would dress more like a bride, so they haven’t quite come to terms to with same-sex marriage. On the other hand, one can only imagine what proponents of Prop 8 may do with a story like this. Envision it now, “If you let same-sex marriages be recognized by the state, what’s next penguin marriage?” Come on… you know they are capable of it!

Popularity: 15% [?]

The premiere of Lifetime’s latest original film, Prayers for Bobby, aired Saturday night. Sigourney Weaver stars in the true story about a mother’s journey as her son, Bobby, comes out of the closet and commits suicide years later. Weaver’s character begins as a self righteous religious fanatic convinced that God will heal Bobby of his homosexuality. The story depicts both Bobby’s struggle and that of his family before and after his suicide. The struggle between some church preachings and the self become a core aspect of the touching film.

Bobby’s story begins in the late 1970s, but the story could have just as well have taken place in 2009. The struggle of young LGBT in America has become easier for some in the past thirty years, but remains a difficult time for many. The complexity behind self discovery, acceptance and revelation makes for a situation that requires much effort, fortitude and support. Some are lucky and others not. With so many people saying so many different things, it’s hard to create, let alone maintain, a sense of identity. Prayers for Bobby depicts, with a strong hand, this complexity and this idea of identity, using dramatic cinematography and moments of intense emotional fury. The montage of imagery used at various moments throughout the film vividly displays the type of intermixed ideals someone in Bobby’s position endure, juggling the expectations of others, of society and of one’s self.

Prayers for Bobby is an ideal film to release to a large television audience, providing it an opportunity to reach audiences that may not actively pursue it a cinema, but may come upon it whilst channel surfing, and ulitmately are the ones in most need of viewing it. Prayers for Bobby may make you angry; it may make you sad or give you hope. Sigourney Weaver is passionate in her portrayal of Mary Griffith, the unforgiving mom who ends the film with a touching idea that all must remember.

Make a point to watch this Lifetime Original. It’s already getting Emmy buzz. The film’s premiere comes on the heels of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annoucing eight nominations for the Milk, including a nomination for Best Picture. Both Milk and Prayers for Bobby successfully use a tragic event to inspire and give hope for a brighter tomorrow.

For more information on the story of Bobby and Mary Griffith, as well as showtimes of Prayers for Bobby:

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/prayers-bobby

Popularity: 14% [?]

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Today, a nation is reborn with the hope and the reality of the American people. After years of treacherous mismanagement, the United States of America can once again return to the founding principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Each citizen being motivated under new leadership to prosper individually and as a country. Unfounded prosperity beckons.

For too long have we suffered under the chains and confinement of narrow thinking. Today, we break free from years past and sit at the dawn of an era where once again the United States of America can innovate and lead by our example rather than simply a strong fist. As we begin to work together to rebuild a nation destroyed by power, greed and pure negligence, we stand before a world ready and waiting. We must not disappoint.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama make me want to be a better American. They remind me of the pillars that this great nation is built upon, the American Dream. Through hard work and determination, we can succeed. The socio-political situation was rocky yesterday and it will be rocky tomorrow, but the Obamas have reminded all of us that each of us has the ability to change the world. Sitting like oligarchs, the GOP worked to destroy this ideal, and humbled they now sit. The time has come for the land of opportunity to once again live up to its name.

Our streets may not be paved with gold, but we can once again stand behind Lady Liberty proudly and work towards our new bright future together with our new President. President Obama, welcome to the White House, our house. We the people are ready for you!

Popularity: 14% [?]

A momentous week begins with the observing of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, followed by the official inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama. The irony that our first African American president will be inaugurated within a week where we remember MLK and the work he did for our nation.

San Francisco has a memorial to MLK, Jr. and in honor of the great civil rights leader, here are some visuals of the memorial to commemorate his American legacy.

I have a dream that one day gay equality will no longer be a political issue, but simply the law of the land. What is your dream? Share it here.

Popularity: 13% [?]

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Madonna may have had a facelift in 2008. Cher has had enough tucking to last her through the decade. The new year will bring a new look to The Ryan Thomas Collection. However, due to technical delays and complications, the site facelift took longer than expected. To maintain some quality and uptime during the transition, the site has been left live, as work is done in the background. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on the great content. Besides, Disneyland always keeps up a good face when they redo their rides. You’ll just experience some odd formatting and random visual changes until the final changes have been made. Estimated completion… JANUARY 20th, 2009!

HAPPY 2009!

Popularity: 23% [?]

2009 is here and in less than three weeks, we will see President Elect Obama sworn in, replacing the horrid and treacherous President Bush. With the new year, comes a new president and new era for America. As they sing  in Rent, “Time’s are shitty, but I’m pretty sure they can’t get any worse.” 2009 may be economically rough for a lot of Americans, but with new leadership in this new year, Americans should remain inspired and optimistic.

2008 ended with an active social uproar for LGBT equality. 2008 ended with President Elect Obama announcing a push for scientific advancement and stronger focus on scientific research within the nation. His calls are reminiscent of America’s quest to be the first nation on the moon in the late 50s/early 60s. We’ve begun this new year poised for  real change and growth for our nation, similar to the advancements we made in the 1960s. 2009 should be the year where the United States reclaims its position on the global stage.

The new year will start with a continued push for equality, as a nationwide protest is planned January 10th to ask President Elect Obama to quickly work towards the repeal of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). Here’s a video that puts together the new civil rights movement that will continue into this new year.

Popularity: 20% [?]