Welcome, World Travelers! Did You Hear This Tomorrowland Easter Egg in the New Fantastic Four Movie?
by James Coulter
I’ve discussed the new Fantastic Four movie both in my movie review and on the Chattin’ on the Ridge Podcast. What makes the movie especially “fantastic” is how, unlike most other movies set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Fantastic Four: First Steps is practically its own self-contained story set within its own unique world.
And what a unique world it is! Fantastic Four: First Stepsrevels in its retro-futuristic setting with Space Age architecture, flying cars, and talking robots. It’s as if the world technologically progressed from the 1960s onward while maintaining its overall aesthetics.
The retro-futuristic setting of Fantastic Four: First Steps feels reminiscent of Walt Disney’s vision of the future circa 1960s Tomorrowland. In fact, the only thing missing is “A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from the Carousel of Progress playing in the background.
However, while that song doesn’t play in the movie, another song from Tomorrowland can be heard in one scene.
One of the montages played earlier in the movie is set to the instrumental composition, “Nation on Wheels.” The song was composed by George Bruns, who composed music for Disney attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion.
“Nation on Wheels” was originally featured in the 1958 episode of the Disneyland serial, “Magic Highway, U.S.A.”, which examines the history of automobiles and highways, both past and future. The song would later be played as background music on the Disneyland Peoplemover in Tomorrowland.
Its bouncy, optimistic tune served as the ideal anthem for Tomorrowland in the 1960s, which was often referred to as a land set in perpetual motion with attractions like the Peoplemover, Monorail, Skyway, and Autopia all running in conjunction with each other.
So, it’s no surprise then that a song associated with old-school Tomorrowland would be included in the soundtrack of a movie that reflects the overall aesthetic of old-school Tomorrowland.(Also, fittingly enough, the Fantastic Four have appeared as meet-and-greet characters in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.)
Evelyn (Lynn) Murchake Sangster passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Lynn was born on February 18, 1947, in Washington DC to John P. and Evelyn (Graninger) Murchake. Along with her younger brother Stephen (Steve), she was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood in Silver Spring, Maryland. She graduated from Springbrook High School in 1965, and attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio for three years before moving to Florida. In 1973 Lynn was working at a real estate office in Clearwater, Florida when she met Wayne, who became the love of her life. They were married one year later, to the day. They moved to Brooksville and later to Gainesville and had two daughters along the way. Lynn was always surrounded by friends and organized a parenting co-op with friends and neighbors in Gainesville. They moved to Lakeland in 1984 and became active in First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, where Lynn later worked for 22 years. She was busy and involved in church life and her family life, co-teaching Sunday school for several years, volunteering with her daughters’ choir and children’s groups, organizing school fundraisers and activities, and cheering on her kids at softball. She inherited a green thumb from her parents and spent many happy hours gardening alongside Wayne. Their yard was always filled with beautiful plants and flowers. Her orchid collection grew over the years until eventually she and Wayne built a greenhouse to contain them all. Lynn enjoyed being in the kitchen, cooking and baking. She made multitudes of Christmas cookies every year making sure that everyone’s favorite was ready for them on Christmas morning. Her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter were the joy of her life. Lynn spent many blissful hours rocking babies, reading stories, chasing little feet, and sharing her love of cooking and gardening with them. She remained involved at church even after retiring in 2014, participating in Bible study, helping to organize and bake for events, and regularly playing bridge with a group of women. Like her own father, Lynn never met a stranger and was friendly with everyone. She was also an extremely thoughtful person who was always ready to help someone in need.
Lynn is survived by her husband of 52 years, Wayne Sangster, her daughters Kathleen, Kristen and husband Owen, her grandchildren Holly and Finn, her great-granddaughter Leilani, her brother Stephen Murchake, and many cousins and extended family members. She will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Lynn’s family is especially grateful to the many caregivers and medical professionals for the compassion, comfort, and expert care they provided throughout her journey. If you’d like to honor her memory, please consider a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association. A private family service will be held later to honor her life.
One Movie Later: Freakier Friday is, As Kids These Days Say, Cringe!
by James Coulter
Disney, I think you need an intervention. You haven’t been yourself lately. You used to be so cool. You made unique, original movies. But you’ve fallen into a slump. Like you’resuffering a midlife crisis.
It’s like you feel your best days are behind you, and you’re desperately trying to relive the good old days. That’s why most of your recent content has been live-action remakes, soft reboots, and sequels to decades-old movies. Like Freaky Friday.
Look! I get it. I was a teenager when Freaky Friday was released in 2003. I was the target audience for the movie. I thought it was a cool and hip take on an old classic. The movie really vibed with me and other millennials. But no one was demanding a sequel. Especially 20 years later!
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Because there’s no question about it. This movie was bad. The only real question is, “How bad?” Let’s answer that question and jump straight into the review.
Freakier Friday takes place two decades after the events of the original Freaky Friday. Anna (played by Lindsay Lohan) is now a single mother raising a teenage daughter with her mother, Tess (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). Anna is about to tie the knot with her fiancée. There’s only one problem: their children don’t get along.
Following some wacky supernatural shenanigans (thankfully not caused by Chinese stereotypes like in the old movie), Anna and Tess end up swapping bodies with Anna’s daughter, Harper, and soon-to-be step-daughter, Lily. Can the four of them break the curse in time for the wedding?
Anyone remember “Gen Z Hospital”? The SNL skit where a bunch of 30-to-40-something actors pretended to be “modern” kids? And how that skit was “cringe” because they were trying to speak in “modern” lingo? And how it was even cringier because it starred Elon Musk?
Stretch that skit out over two hours, and that’s what this movie feels like.
Freakier Friday is a prime example of a piece of media written by people 30-and-older trying to appeal “young” and “hip” with “kids these days” by misusing their language. (Or rather, what language the writers imagine people 30-and-younger use!)
IMDB Poster
Here’s a few notable offenders:
• A sign on Harper’s door that reads: “No triggering. This is my safe space.”
• Lily arguing her dad misused the word “gaslighting.”
• Tess recommending Harper and Lily braid each other’s hair in styles that aren’t “culturally-appropriative.”
• The teacher in detention telling his students to read something “in books, not on screens.”
• Lily (in Tess’s body) calling her tennis opponents “Boomers”, only for those opponents to rebuff that they’re”Gen X” (or, actually, “Elder Millennials.”)
• Anna’s assistant reading out several potential magazine feature headlines, one of which uses the word “slay”, prompting Harper (in Anna’s body) to ask “what out-of-touch adult wrote that?” (I’m asking that very question about the dialogue in this movie!)
Ugh! Screenwriters! Some free advice: you’re never going to appear “young” and “hip” with “kids these days” by trying (and failing) to use modern slang. You’re only going to come across like Steve Buscemi in 30 Rock with a backward baseball cap and skateboard, saying, “How do you do, fellow kids.”
Not going to lie: I never felt “older” watching a film since I reviewed Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. But give that filmcredit. At least it was written specifically for young children.
I have no clue who Freakier Friday was made for. The movie feels like it was made for older audiences who grew up watching the original and younger audiences to get them interested in the original. And it feels like Freakier Friday failed in both regards.
And I don’t know what makes me feel older: watching the older women in the younger girls’ bodies saying how much they love having faster metabolisms and not suffering from fragile bones and arthritis, or the younger girls in the older women’s bodies finding out that older people wear adult diapers and dentures?
Take one scene where the younger girls in the older women’s bodies decide to speed through LA despite neither of them knowing how to drive. I know younger people are supposed to feel liberated imagining themselves as the kid characters driving, but I could only scream out in horror, “Dear Lord! They’re going to get killed or arrested!”
Actually, you know the worst part about this movie? It has a Walgreens commercial in the middle of it. No, I’m not kidding. An entire scene takes place in a Walgreens, and that scene opens with an exterior shot of the building that lasts two to three seconds. (Just so moviegoers are reminded where the characters are shopping! And where those moviegoers should go shopping after the movie!)
What else is to say about Freakier Friday? The story plays out like any other body swap story. The characters learn to empathize with the person they swapped bodies with. And Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are still decent actors even 20 years later.
Look! I know I’m getting old. But it’s not like I can’t enjoy a movie aimed at younger people. I just gave a glowing review of an animated movie about pop stars in a musical genre I know nothing about. I can still be hip with what kids these days like.
Freakier Friday, on the other hand? This movie was made for me, a millennial who watched the original movie 20 years ago. But this movie didn’t make me relive my younger days. It just reminded me I’m 16 months away from turning 40!
You want to feel nostalgic for Freaky Friday? Watch the original movie on Disney Plus.
Your home’s first big impression is its curb appeal, so if your place is in need of some sprucing up, you may wonder how you can make some updates without breaking the bank.
These 10 ideas are easy on budgets, but they can also make a big impact on your home’s exterior image.
Paint your front door. As long as your front door is in good condition, there’s no need to replace it completely. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update your home’s facade. Go bold or stick with a classic hue – it’s all up to you. Need professional help? Call Gator Pressure Cleaning & Custom Painting at 863-238-6030.
Dress up the windows. Add character and charm by enhancing your front windows. You might add wooden shutters, window box planters or both. Also look at the trim around the windows. If it’s chipped and peeling, adding a fresh coat of paint doesn’t just look nice, it can protect your windows from damage, too.
Clean up flower beds. An unkempt flower bed can drag down an otherwise stunning home. Keep beds tidy and vegetation trimmed, even during the offseason. Watch for weeds and replenish mulch or rock ground cover as needed to keep the beds looking healthy and inviting.
Install new lighting. Replacing outdated light fixtures can give your exterior an instant upgrade. There’s no right or wrong style; just choose a color and look that matches the rest of your design.
Replace worn welcome mats. A cheerful mat at your front door can be an inviting sight for visitors, but those mats inevitably wear with time, and what was once bright and charming becomes dingy and dull. A new mat can help bring back that cheery entry you once cherished.
Pressure wash the drive and walk. Over time, driveways and sidewalks collect an incredible amount of grime. Pressure washing not only eliminates the filth, but the clean surfaces also add to your home’s visual appeal. No pressure washer? No problem! Call Gator Pressure Cleaning & Custom Painting at 863-238-6030.
Add new vegetation. Landscaping is a relatively inexpensive way to introduce more personality to a yard. Aim for a mix of pretty and practical, such as some low flowering bushes and some trees or bushes that offer privacy and shade.
Keep up with basic maintenance. When your home is in poor repair, it shows. Pay attention to bent or rusting gutters, imperfections in the roof and other maintenance matters that aren’t just aesthetic; left unrepaired, they can also result in major damage.
Pay attention to details. Functional items like the mailbox might not seem like much of a design element, but these small details can be a big distraction if they’re not in good condition. Update or replace as needed to keep your aesthetic in sync.
Add seasonal decor. Fall is right around the corner so this is a great time to turn your home into an Autumn feel- Fall wreaths, sunflowers, mums, pumpkins, etc. There’s no need to go all out for every occasion, but some timely decorations that celebrate the holiday or season can make your entry fun and festive.
Herbert A. Hattaway, 93, of Haines City, FL went home to be with the Lord and our mother on September 9, 2025.
Herbert was born in Alamo, GA and moved to Waverly, FL with his family as a young boy. He went to Lake Wales schools. In his high school years Herbert played Orange Belt League Semi-Pro baseball and was scouted by the NY Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals as a left-handed pitcher and catcher.
Herbert joined the US Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War. He was also sent to college by the US Army. Herbert retired after 29 ½ yrs with a medical discharge in 1980. He was a member of DAV, VFW, American Legion and Military Officers Association. Herbert was a past member of Baptist Training Union and a Deacon of Eastside Baptist Church. He was a member of NorthRidge Church in Haines City.
Herbert is preceded in death by his wife, of 65 years, Evelyn; parents, Charles A. and Mattie Lou Hattaway; brothers, Jim Hattaway, Thomas Hattaway and Charles Hattaway. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Miller; daughter, Brenda Ryan (Dennis); son, Phillip Hattaway (Kelly); grandchildren, Justin Ryan (Kristin), Dallas Ryan (Dana), Ashley Hattaway (Felisha), Brandon Hattaway (Autumn) & Brice, Camryn Hattaway, Connor Hattaway & great grandson, Riley Ryan.
A visitation with the family will be Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10 am until the funeral at 11 am, all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City. Burial will follow at Lakeside Memorial Park, Winter Haven, FL.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Florida Baptist Children’s Home or Cornerstone Hospice.
One Movie Later: Bad Guys 2 is Real Bad! (As In Good!)
by James Coulter
I have a confession: I am a furry. No, I’m not someone who dresses up in animal costumes. I’m more of a casual furry, someone who likes art and media with anthropomorphic animal characters.
Case in point, there are two movies this year I’ve been looking forward to watching the most, and they’re both sequels to popular animated furry flicks: Zootopia 2, which releases later this year, and Bad Guys 2.
I love the original Bad Guys. It was my favorite animated movie of 2022. And the only thing preventing me from calling it the best animated film of the year was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
I loved the movie’s blend of 2D and 3D animation. I loved itsover-the-top chase and heist scenes. I loved the wacky hijinks of its characters. And I especially love Diana Foxington. She’s a real foxy…fox.
So, will Bad Guys 2 give double the pleasure and double the fun of the original movie? Or is the second verse not as good as the first?
Set shortly after the events of the first movie, Bad Guys 2 has the titular bad guys attempting to turn over their criminal past. However, being former convicted felons doesn’t make their new lives as good guys easy, especially when it comes to applying for potential jobs.
Complicating matters even further is how the characters are suspected of pulling off a recent wave of robberies. And when they try to clear their names by hunting down the real culprits, they only get roped into a much bigger crime heist. Will the bad guys be able to pull off this heist and clear their names?
A common trend in Dreamworks Animation is that the second animated movie tends to be better than the first. Shrek 2? Better. Kung Fu Panda 2? Better. How to Train Your Dragon 2? Better. And Bad Guys 2, I’m glad to say, proudly continues that trend. Because Bad Guys 2? Better!
The original Bad Guys was one of the many animated movies, along with the Spiderverse films and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which helped introduce a new style of animation that combines the best of 2D and 3D animation, creating a unique blend that feels like hand-drawn illustrations transformed flawlessly into three dimensions.
The movie’s unique 2D/3D animation style served as a refreshingly radical departure from the generic Pixar-style computer animation. And while the movie also helped popularize the art style derided by some people as “bean mouth” (so named because of the character’s bean-shaped mouths), theGhibli anime influences certainly gave the characters personality in their designs.
The animation of the sequel shines the most in its actionsequences. Its heist scenes are much more cartoonier versions of Ocean’s Eleven heists, and its chase scenes combine the high-octane action of the Fast and Furious movies with the comedic hijinks of classic Keystone Cops capers, resulting in scenes that are equally exciting as they are hilarious. How else can you feel when one scene has the characters running away from a human crowd turned tidal wave?
Aside from ramping up the action and heist sequences, Bad Guys 2 also ramps up the tension. No spoilers, but this movie raises the stakes for the characters, as failing the mission will harm more than just them.
Adding to the tension is the characters’ overall arc. Mr. Wolf and the other former Bad Guys desperately want to prove they’veturned over a new leaf, even though life has thus far made doing so hard. And the new characters serve as a good foil for them, making them question whether trying to be “good guys” is even worth it.
Such tension is especially heightened during many of the heist and action sequences. Again, no spoilers, but there were many moments where it appears the characters messed up big time, only for the scene to end on a surprisingly pleasant twist. These are the type of scenes that make you simultaneously gasp in horror, only to cheer in victory a second later and exclaim, “I can’t believe they did that!”
And yes, this movie actually elicited a lot of exclamations from me, even to the point of nearly jumping out of my seat.
Bad Guys 2 is the most fun I’ve had watching an animated movie in forever. The movie had everything I loved about the original movie and more. I wasn’t kidding when I said this movie elicited the most reactions from me while watching it in the theater. It had me laughing out loud, cheering for joy, and even gasping in shock. It was that good.
How good is this movie? Let’s just say I still haven’t purchased the DVD of the original movie. Now, not only do I want the first Bad Guys movie on DVD, but Bad Guys 2 finally gets a home release. I’m even curious to read the books these movies were based on.
If you loved the original Bad Guys, not only will you love Bad Guys 2, but you’re certainly going to be hyped up for any potential sequels, which this movie may or may not be hinting at. (Again, no spoilers!)
Twenty-four years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, America continues to honor those killed that day and the many more who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses.
On September 11, 2001, 2,977 victims were killed in the attacks—not including the 19 hijackers. The toll includes 2,753 at the World Trade Center, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 aboard Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Among the fallen in New York were 343 FDNY firefighters and 23 members of the NYPD.
The loss has continued long after the smoke cleared. The New York City Fire Department now lists more than 400 members who have died from World Trade Center–related illnesses—surpassing the 343 firefighters lost on 9/11. At an FDNY ceremony this week, 39 additional names were added to the department’s memorial wall in Brooklyn.
The health impacts reach far beyond New York. The federal World Trade Center Health Program (administered by CDC/NIOSH) reports more than 134,000 currently enrolled members—responders and survivors—receiving monitoring or treatment for certified 9/11-related conditions. Florida ranks third among all states with 9,507 currently enrolled members. (Program data through March 31, 2025.)
Joanne Capestro (left) with a colleague at Broadway and Park Row after the collapse of the South Tower. (COLLECTION 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM, GIFT OF PHIL PENMAN)
Independent reporting based on WTC Health Program data indicates a sharp rise in cancer diagnoses linked to 9/11 exposure—nearly 50,000 cancer cases to date—and notes that over 8,200 program enrollees have died, including more than 3,700 deaths involving cancer. (The Program itself cautions that “deceased members include all causes of death” and does not attribute each death to WTC exposure.) Even with that caveat, the count of post-9/11 deaths among those affected has surpassed the 2,977 lives lost on the day of the attacks.
Identification efforts also continue. In August 2025, New York City officials announced three new identifications of World Trade Center victims, bringing the total identified to 1,653. Roughly 1,100 victims from the WTC site still have not been identified as forensic teams keep working with advancing DNA technology.
Credit: 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The NYPD continues to honor the 23 officers killed that day and the growing number lost since to 9/11-related illnesses. Families of firefighters, police, construction workers, volunteers, office workers, and Lower Manhattan residents continue to navigate cancers, respiratory disease, and other long-term conditions tied to the toxic dust and debris from Ground Zero.
For many, 9/11 is not just a date in history—it is an ongoing public-health chapter. The World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) remain in place to support responders and survivors. The VCF reports awarding $14.9 billion to more than 65,600 claimants since reopening in 2011.
As communities across the country pause for moments of silence and name-readings each September, the numbers tell a difficult truth: the human toll of 9/11 did not end in 2001. It continues, silently and steadily, in hospitals, at memorial walls, and around family tables—here in Florida and nationwide.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREA BOOHER, FEMA
Editor’s Notes (sourcing and context for readers):
• Official 9/11 death toll and location breakdown per Encyclopaedia Britannica.
• FDNY post-9/11 illness deaths now exceed 400 per NYC media coverage of FDNY memorial events.
• WTC Health Program enrollment (including Florida’s 9,507 current members) from CDC/NIOSH quarterly program summary, March 31, 2025.
• Aggregate counts of cancer diagnoses and deaths among program enrollees based on WTC Program data as reported in recent coverage; CDC notes deaths among enrollees are “all causes.”
• Ongoing OCME identifications (three new in Aug. 2025; ~1,100 still unidentified).
POLK COUNTY – A Polk County jury has found Cheryl Williams guilty on all charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the death of 21-year-old Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane.
Sheriff Grady Judd released a statement following the verdict:
“This suspect’s outrageous criminal actions were the cause of my deputy being killed in the line of duty, and the jury appropriately found her guilty as charged. Her family can visit her in prison, but Blane’s family has to visit his grave in a cemetery and can only have a one-sided conversation with him. We will never forget Deputy Blane Lane, and his family remains in our prayers.”
Williams, 49, was also convicted of resisting an officer without violence, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of methamphetamine.
The incident that led to the case occurred on October 4, 2022, when deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant at a residence in Polk City after receiving a tip through Heartland Crime Stoppers. Williams, who had an extensive criminal history, was inside the home when deputies arrived. Deputies reported that she stepped into view with what appeared to be a silver handgun and pointed it at them. Two deputies fired their weapons, striking her multiple times. During the exchange, Deputy Lane, who had taken a tactical position outside, was struck by one of the bullets fired from inside. He was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he later died. The weapon Williams carried was later determined to be a realistic-looking BB gun.
The courtroom was filled with emotion as testimony and evidence were presented. Audio of the chaotic moments was played, with deputies’ voices shouting “Shots fired, shots fired!”
Deputy Lane’s mother, Shellie Lane, spoke about the pain of losing her son to WTSP. “He was doing what he was supposed to be and what he was called to do, and he’s no longer able to do that because of her actions,” she said. Struggling to contain her emotions, she added, “I’m sitting in the courtroom with a monster that initially took my kid. She still gets to breathe, and he doesn’t.”
Deputy Lane had joined the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as a detention deputy in May 2021 before becoming a deputy sheriff in January 2022. He was assigned to the Northwest District Patrol and was honored with a line-of-duty funeral following his death.
Once upon a time, I hated pork chops. My late mother used to make them all the time. She prepared them without any seasoning, not even salt or pepper, and with only apple sauce. I’d rather eat a car tire. They’d probably taste better.
However, my opinion quickly changed upon recently moving to Virginia. Both my niece and nephew had prepared pork chops for dinner. And in both instances, their pork chops tasted lightyears better than the ones my mother used to make.
What especially shifted my opinion was how my sister’s children seasoned their chops. That is, they actually seasoned them in stark contrast to my mother’s bland chops. My nephew even seasoned his with taco seasoning.
It was then that I realized that I didn’t hate pork chops. I hated unseasoned pork chops. And I actually loved them–when they were properly seasoned.
As I mentioned in a previous article, I’ve been experimenting with barbecue since my big move up here in Virginia. I’ve been cooking barbecue ribs and chicken wings, preparing my own rubs, and even fermenting my own hot sauces and barbecue sauces from fermented peppers.
Again, I’ll be saving my foray into fermentation for another article. For now, allow me to share my experience with preparing pork chops.
*****
Barbecue Pork Chops
Ingredients
Pork Chops
Four pork chops, boneless or bone-in
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Olive oil
Dry rub
Dry Rub
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
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Directions
1. Mix dry rub ingredients together until combined.
2. Pat pork chops dry with a towel. Drizzle with oil and apply dry rub evenly on each side. Let sit for half an hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pork chops for 20-25 minutes, or until the meat is almost cooked thoroughly.
4. Remove chops and brush on barbecue sauce, coating both sides completely.
5. Cook the chops in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and caramelized. If desired, broil for the last three minutes for an extra sticky, caramelized crust.
6. Remove from oven and let sit for five minutes until cool. Serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.
