Island Waves & Movie Days - Rediscovering the Magic of AMC

cbr, 2025, #nowplaying - why you gotta kick me when i’m down? - bring me the horizon

Aloha everyone, Koa Smith here. As a professional surfer, television personality, and juice bar owner based in beautiful Hawaii, my life is a whirlwind of waves, cameras, and smoothies. While I love every moment of it, I often find myself reminiscing about the simpler days when I had more time to hit the theater with friends.

Growing up in Hawaii, there was nothing quite like gathering a group of buddies and heading to the local AMC. The excitement would build as we approached the theater, the scent of buttery popcorn wafting through the air. We'd grab our tickets, load up on snacks, and find the perfect seats. As the lights dimmed and the screen flickered to life, a sense of anticipation and wonder would wash over us. It was a shared experience, a momentary escape into different worlds, and a chance to bond over the stories that unfolded before our eyes.

These days, with my packed schedule, I don't get to enjoy those theater outings as often as I'd like. But I urge all of you, especially young conservatives, to check in with your local movie theaters from time to time. Streaming services are fantastic, offering convenience and a vast library of content at our fingertips. However, just as we limit our screen time, let's also consider limiting our streaming time. There's something truly special about the communal experience of watching a film in a theater, surrounded by fellow moviegoers.

Supporting local theaters like AMC is not just about nostalgia; it's about preserving a cultural tradition and supporting local businesses. So, next time you're planning a movie night, consider heading to the theater instead. Grab some friends, enjoy the big screen, and create new memories.

Remember, "We Make Movies Better." Let's keep that magic alive.

Introducing La Roux, Bulletproof Manifesto

cbr, 2009 - #nowplaying - La Roux - Bulletproof

cbr, 2009 - #nowplaying - La Roux - Bulletproof

How An Electropop Anthem Became the Unlikely Soundtrack of Conservative Resilience

In the tumultuous landscape of modern cultural warfare, symbols of resistance emerge from the most unexpected quarters. Such is the case with Eleanor “Elly” Jackson, better known by her stage name La Roux, whose 2009 electropop anthem “Bulletproof” has transcended its original context to become something far more significant for today’s young conservative men.

Jackson burst onto the international music scene in the late 2000s with her distinctive flame-red quiff and piercing falsetto vocals. Originally performing as a duo with producer Ben Langmaid before later continuing as a solo artist, La Roux delivered a sound that fused 1980s synthpop nostalgia with contemporary electronic production. “Bulletproof,” the third single from her self-titled debut album, topped charts worldwide and earned her international acclaim.

But beneath the pulsing synthesizers and dance-floor ready beats lay lyrics that would eventually resonate deeply with those who feel increasingly under fire in today’s polarized cultural climate.

ARMOR OF CONVICTION

“The first time I really listened to ‘Bulletproof,’ I was driving home after getting destroyed on social media for posting something pretty basic about traditional values,” says Cody, a 26-year-old conservative podcaster from Arizona. “That chorus hit different: ‘This time, baby, I’ll be bulletproof.’ It was exactly what I needed to hear.”

The song’s central metaphor—emotional resilience transformed into impenetrable armor—speaks directly to young men who feel their perspectives are constantly under attack in mainstream spaces.

“It’s basically the anthem for anyone who’s been canceled and came back stronger,” explains Tanner, who runs a conservative campus organization at his university. “The lyrics are all about someone who’s been burned before but refuses to be vulnerable to the same tactics again.”

Indeed, a closer examination of the lyrics reveals why they’ve found such resonance:

Been there, done that, messed around
I’m having fun, don’t put me down
I’ll never let you sweep me off my feet

“That opening verse is literally describing what happens when you express traditional viewpoints in most college classrooms,” says Brody, a recent graduate who now works in conservative media. “You get shouted down, called names, told you’re on the wrong side of history. But after you’ve weathered that storm a few times, you develop immunity to it. You’re standing in your truth and having fun with it.”

DECODING THE MESSAGE

The song continues with lines that many young conservatives find particularly relevant:

I won’t let you turn around and tell me now
I’m much too proud to walk away from something when it’s dead

“That’s exactly how it feels when the mainstream tries to tell us our values are outdated or that we need to ‘evolve’ on issues where we have principled stands,” says Jayden, a 24-year-old political activist. “They want us to abandon our beliefs because they’ve declared them dead, but we’re too proud—in the good sense—to walk away from what we know is right.”

The chorus’s repetition of “This time, baby, I’ll be bulletproof” serves as both promise and warning—a declaration that past vulnerabilities have been identified and fortified against.

“Every conservative I know has had that moment where they realized they needed to toughen up,” says Tyler, who hosts a popular YouTube channel analyzing cultural trends. “You can’t survive in today’s environment if every criticism feels like a fatal wound. You have to become bulletproof.”

ARTIST VS. THE ART

What makes this conservative interpretation of “Bulletproof” particularly interesting is that Jackson herself has expressed political views that likely don’t align with those of her newfound conservative audience. The separation of art from artist becomes a central question.

“Look, I know La Roux probably didn’t write this song for guys like me,” admits Zack, a conservative activist who often uses the song at campus events. “But that’s the beauty of great art—it transcends the creator’s intentions and takes on meanings they might never have imagined.”

This willingness to embrace art regardless of its creator’s politics points to a hunger for cultural products that speak to conservative experiences, even if only metaphorically.

WHY WE NEED MORE LA ROUXS

The unlikely connection between an electropop hit and conservative resilience highlights a significant void in contemporary culture. Young conservatives increasingly find themselves searching for artistic expressions that reflect their experiences, often looking to unexpected sources or reinterpreting existing works.

“The establishment has made it nearly impossible for openly conservative artists to break through,” argues Blake, a music producer who identifies as conservative. “So we’ve gotten really good at finding the universal themes in mainstream music that speak to our experience. ‘Bulletproof’ is a perfect example.”

This phenomenon points to a larger truth: the hunger for authentic artistic expression transcends political boundaries. When young conservatives embrace “Bulletproof” as an anthem of resilience, they’re demonstrating the power of art to forge connections across ideological divides.

“We need more artists like La Roux who create music with universal themes about standing your ground and being true to yourself,” says Reef, who organizes conservative youth outreach events. “Whether she meant to or not, she created something that speaks to the experience of being a young conservative today—feeling under attack but refusing to back down.”

In a cultural landscape often defined by division, perhaps there’s something profoundly hopeful about finding common ground in unexpected places. As “Bulletproof” continues to resonate with listeners across the political spectrum, it serves as a reminder that beneath our ideological differences lies a shared human experience—one that can sometimes best be expressed through the universal language of music.

This time, indeed, they’ll be bulletproof.

OMG! Cardi B's 'Outside' Shocks Conservatives - You Won't Believe Why

written by a member of the WCB

Prepare for an intellectual deconstruction that will challenge every preconceived notion about cultural commentary. Cardi B's "Outside" emerges as a startlingly profound exploration of societal norms, personal accountability, and ideological subversion.

This isn't merely a musical composition; it's a surgical dissection of contemporary moral relativism. The track's lyrical landscape transcends its explicit vernacular, presenting a nuanced critique of societal expectations and individual potential that resonates deeply with conservative philosophical principles.

Cardi B's narrative becomes a powerful discourse on discernment and self-actualization. Her words are a calculated dismantling of permissive cultural narratives, championing a rigorous standard of personal conduct that demands intellectual and moral excellence.

The unapologetic tenor of her lyrics represents a sophisticated rejection of mediocrity. It's a manifesto of boundary-setting, self-valuation, and uncompromising personal integrity that speaks directly to the core of conservative thought: the primacy of individual responsibility.

This is more than artistic expression - it's an intellectual provocation. The track challenges listeners to transcend societal complacency, to interrogate their own limitations, and to construct a more intentional existence.

Ultimately, "Outside" embodies a profound conservative principle: true liberation emerges through rigorous self-examination, unwavering personal standards, and the intellectual courage to challenge prevailing narratives.

Silhouettes of Becoming - Tom Blyth

written by a member of the WCS

A canvas of raw potential, etched against the landscape of contemporary cinema. Tom Blyth - more than an actor, a narrative architect sculpting characters with surgical precision and visceral intensity.

Born in the quiet corners of England, he emerged not with a whisper, but with a controlled explosion. The Hunger Games franchise first illuminated his trajectory, casting him as a young gunslinger in "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" - a prequel that became his crucible of transformation.

His journey is not a linear narrative, but a complex tapestry of artistic exploration. From the moment he stepped onto stages in local theaters to his breakthrough in international cinema, Blyth has consistently defied expectations. Each role is a deep dive into the human psyche, a meticulous excavation of emotional landscapes.

The Hunger Games was merely a prologue. His performances reveal a profound understanding of character that transcends typical Hollywood archetypes. He doesn't just portray roles; he deconstructs them, rebuilding human complexity with an almost surgical precision.

His range is a testament to his craft. Historical dramas, contemporary pieces, each performance becomes a philosophical inquiry into human nature. He moves between personas with a chameleon's grace - each character a different frequency of human experience.

Those who watch closely understand: Blyth is not performing, he's revealing. His eyes hold stories untold, his movements speak volumes beyond dialogue. A performer who doesn't merely act, but inhabits - dismantling the boundaries between representation and raw, unfiltered emotion.

He walks the razor's edge between vulnerability and strength, between the seen and the unseen. Tom Blyth is not just an actor waiting to be discovered - he is a continuous revelation, an artist perpetually in the process of becoming.

Critics and audiences alike sense something different. This is not mere performance, but a profound artistic statement. Each role is a brushstroke, each character a complex composition in the ongoing masterpiece of his career.

Watch closely. He's not arriving. He's perpetually transforming.

A name that doesn't announce itself, but quietly rewrites the grammar of performance. Tom Blyth - an artist whose potential seems as boundless as his commitment to the craft.

Declining Value of Talent: Cautionary Tale of Arch Manning

written by a member of the WCB

In the ever-shifting world of college athletics, the recent news about Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) valuation speaks volumes about the current state of our sporting culture. What was once a testament to pure athletic skill has devolved into a marketplace of personal branding and financial speculation.

The Manning Legacy: From Gridiron Greatness to Market Commodity

Arch Manning, bearing the weight of a legendary football family name, has seen his NIL value plummet from $6.8 million to $3.6 million according to recent reports tracking his market evaluation. This dramatic decline mirrors a broader narrative of how we’ve commodified young athletes, turning their dreams into dollar signs.

Echoes of “Yukon”: Metaphor for Lost Authenticity

The haunting lyrics of Liv Grace Blue’s “Yukon” resonate deeply with Manning’s journey. Just as the song speaks of a journey through wilderness and self-discovery, Manning finds himself navigating the treacherous landscape of modern collegiate athletics – a terrain where personal worth is measured not by character, but by marketability.

Reclaiming Athletic Integrity

Our great American sporting tradition was never about multi-million dollar deals for teenagers. It was about:

• Discipline

• Hard work

• Representing something greater than oneself

• Serving one’s team and community

The NIL era has transformed student-athletes into walking billboards, diluting the pure spirit of competition that once defined collegiate sports.

Call to Restoration

We must return to values that made American athletics great:

• Merit over market value

• Team success over individual branding

• Character development over financial gain

The Manning Moment

Arch Manning’s NIL valuation is more than a statistic. It’s a symptom of a larger cultural shift – one that prioritizes personal brand over personal growth. While he now sits third in NIL rankings, behind BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, his true value lies not in his market price, but in his potential to inspire and lead.

Like the wandering spirit in “Yukon”, Manning stands at a crossroads – will he be defined by his price tag, or by his principles?

America is watching.