Jeremy Thompson
@rollercoasterphilosophy.com
Writer & themed experience creative. Roller Coaster Philosophy. U.S. Marshals Museum. Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. Lionsgate Entertainment World. WB Studio Tours.
rollercoasterphilosophy.com
rollercoasterphilosophy.com
My Top 10 Films of 2025.
Overall a pretty good year, including a "best of the decade" contending headliner.
Still a bunch more on my watch list that could shake things up, especially a number of foreign films, but I won't likely get to them all until they're streaming in the coming months/years.
Overall a pretty good year, including a "best of the decade" contending headliner.
Still a bunch more on my watch list that could shake things up, especially a number of foreign films, but I won't likely get to them all until they're streaming in the coming months/years.
January 20, 2026 at 7:08 PM
My Top 10 Films of 2025.
Overall a pretty good year, including a "best of the decade" contending headliner.
Still a bunch more on my watch list that could shake things up, especially a number of foreign films, but I won't likely get to them all until they're streaming in the coming months/years.
Overall a pretty good year, including a "best of the decade" contending headliner.
Still a bunch more on my watch list that could shake things up, especially a number of foreign films, but I won't likely get to them all until they're streaming in the coming months/years.
A few more shots. (No pun intended.)
January 17, 2026 at 11:53 PM
A few more shots. (No pun intended.)
I had an hour to kill today in the San Gabriel Valley, so stopped in at the American Military Museum.
Basically some volunteers have collected a bunch of tanks, jeeps, and so on in an open lot, and for $5 on weekends you can wander around. (Just remember rule #1: no throwing rocks.)
Basically some volunteers have collected a bunch of tanks, jeeps, and so on in an open lot, and for $5 on weekends you can wander around. (Just remember rule #1: no throwing rocks.)
January 17, 2026 at 11:48 PM
I had an hour to kill today in the San Gabriel Valley, so stopped in at the American Military Museum.
Basically some volunteers have collected a bunch of tanks, jeeps, and so on in an open lot, and for $5 on weekends you can wander around. (Just remember rule #1: no throwing rocks.)
Basically some volunteers have collected a bunch of tanks, jeeps, and so on in an open lot, and for $5 on weekends you can wander around. (Just remember rule #1: no throwing rocks.)
Poetry is everywhere you look.
January 12, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Poetry is everywhere you look.
In other news, Lightwater Valley has been purchased by the Mellors Group, with plans to shift it back to an all-ages park.
Glad to see it has a future again, but frustrated the previous management's "kids only" strategy achieved nothing but the demise of The Ultimate.
blooloop.com/lightwater-v...
Glad to see it has a future again, but frustrated the previous management's "kids only" strategy achieved nothing but the demise of The Ultimate.
blooloop.com/lightwater-v...
January 11, 2026 at 1:23 AM
In other news, Lightwater Valley has been purchased by the Mellors Group, with plans to shift it back to an all-ages park.
Glad to see it has a future again, but frustrated the previous management's "kids only" strategy achieved nothing but the demise of The Ultimate.
blooloop.com/lightwater-v...
Glad to see it has a future again, but frustrated the previous management's "kids only" strategy achieved nothing but the demise of The Ultimate.
blooloop.com/lightwater-v...
When I first saw this entry pop up on RCDb, I figured how nice it is that MagicLand is finally taking steps to expand and is next in line to get a family wooden coaster.
But the end of this article hints that it may be something quite a bit bigger and more thrilling.
blooloop.com/martin-vlemi...
But the end of this article hints that it may be something quite a bit bigger and more thrilling.
blooloop.com/martin-vlemi...
!["This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of MagicLand," says Guido Zucchi, CEO of MagicLand. "Working with Martin & V|eminckx allows us to introduce an attraction that is truly unique for Italy and [BOLD] highly distinctive on Europeans scale. [/BOLD]
"This project underscores our commitment to continuous innovation and our ambition to offer memorable, high-quality experiences to guests of all ages. It is a cornerstone of a broader strategy that also includes significant investments scheduled for 2026 and beyond."
Chuck Bingham, senior executive vice president and sales director at Martin & Vleminckx, adds: "Bringing Europe's [BOLD]most exhilarating wooden coaster[/BOLD] to life is a milestone for us.
"Partnering with MagicLand has allowed us to fuse bold design, precision engineering, and beautiful theming to create an experience that will redefine thrills for guests."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hczjhx46qskrmb26c2q2za53/bafkreiglizymiqmahaso5ulugezdsl7hdkfxd3fgv5u37wpig6rmxqfxz4@jpeg)
January 11, 2026 at 1:14 AM
When I first saw this entry pop up on RCDb, I figured how nice it is that MagicLand is finally taking steps to expand and is next in line to get a family wooden coaster.
But the end of this article hints that it may be something quite a bit bigger and more thrilling.
blooloop.com/martin-vlemi...
But the end of this article hints that it may be something quite a bit bigger and more thrilling.
blooloop.com/martin-vlemi...
Streaming platforms are the worst.
January 6, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Streaming platforms are the worst.
One of my favorite things I did this holiday season was to catch the Winter Wonderland show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Eagle Rock. Insanely cute puppets and musical acts featuring insanely talented puppeteers.
December 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
One of my favorite things I did this holiday season was to catch the Winter Wonderland show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Eagle Rock. Insanely cute puppets and musical acts featuring insanely talented puppeteers.
Lastly, we took a drive down Altadena's famed Christmas Tree Lane.
Lots of burned and vacant lots a bit farther north, but this stretch was protected by the rows of tall, mature trees lining the street that have been covered by thousands of Christmas lights each season for over 100 years.
Lots of burned and vacant lots a bit farther north, but this stretch was protected by the rows of tall, mature trees lining the street that have been covered by thousands of Christmas lights each season for over 100 years.
December 20, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Lastly, we took a drive down Altadena's famed Christmas Tree Lane.
Lots of burned and vacant lots a bit farther north, but this stretch was protected by the rows of tall, mature trees lining the street that have been covered by thousands of Christmas lights each season for over 100 years.
Lots of burned and vacant lots a bit farther north, but this stretch was protected by the rows of tall, mature trees lining the street that have been covered by thousands of Christmas lights each season for over 100 years.
It even included an entire holiday Star Wars segment... complete with a brief Reylo fanfic scene, lol!
December 20, 2025 at 4:29 AM
It even included an entire holiday Star Wars segment... complete with a brief Reylo fanfic scene, lol!
The Harbeck Lights house was the most impressive in this neighborhood, with a fully synchronized sound and light show with quite a few different programs. Lots of people gathered around here for good reason!
December 20, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The Harbeck Lights house was the most impressive in this neighborhood, with a fully synchronized sound and light show with quite a few different programs. Lots of people gathered around here for good reason!
The Upper Hastings Ranch Holiday Light Up in Pasadena is an entire neighborhood that goes all out with decorations. Each street is coordinated with a unique theme, from world peace to Minions.
We spent nearly an hour driving around. Here are a couple houses we stopped to photograph up close.
We spent nearly an hour driving around. Here are a couple houses we stopped to photograph up close.
December 20, 2025 at 4:20 AM
The Upper Hastings Ranch Holiday Light Up in Pasadena is an entire neighborhood that goes all out with decorations. Each street is coordinated with a unique theme, from world peace to Minions.
We spent nearly an hour driving around. Here are a couple houses we stopped to photograph up close.
We spent nearly an hour driving around. Here are a couple houses we stopped to photograph up close.
Tonight we did a Christmas light neighborhood drive around Pasadena / Altadena / San Marino.
The tour started with San Marino's St. Alban's Road, a short but beautiful drive decorated with towering Christmas trees.
The tour started with San Marino's St. Alban's Road, a short but beautiful drive decorated with towering Christmas trees.
December 20, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Tonight we did a Christmas light neighborhood drive around Pasadena / Altadena / San Marino.
The tour started with San Marino's St. Alban's Road, a short but beautiful drive decorated with towering Christmas trees.
The tour started with San Marino's St. Alban's Road, a short but beautiful drive decorated with towering Christmas trees.
Magic Mountain is removing the Magic Flyer coaster and Tweety's Escape spinning cage ride from the kids area. Two of the more uniquely historic rides at the park, but understandable given their restrictions.
At least that red check on Coaster-Count will no longer taunt me.
ktla.com/news/theme-p...
At least that red check on Coaster-Count will no longer taunt me.
ktla.com/news/theme-p...
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Magic Mountain is removing the Magic Flyer coaster and Tweety's Escape spinning cage ride from the kids area. Two of the more uniquely historic rides at the park, but understandable given their restrictions.
At least that red check on Coaster-Count will no longer taunt me.
ktla.com/news/theme-p...
At least that red check on Coaster-Count will no longer taunt me.
ktla.com/news/theme-p...
Upgraded to a Pixel 10 Pro during a Black Friday deal and I got to test out the camera for the first time at the Huntington Gardens this weekend.
Definitely an improvement given my phone has become my primary camera for the past few years.
Definitely an improvement given my phone has become my primary camera for the past few years.
December 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Upgraded to a Pixel 10 Pro during a Black Friday deal and I got to test out the camera for the first time at the Huntington Gardens this weekend.
Definitely an improvement given my phone has become my primary camera for the past few years.
Definitely an improvement given my phone has become my primary camera for the past few years.
Do you think Dracula would have been a gamer?
December 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Do you think Dracula would have been a gamer?
I was disappointed at how little Romania's proposed "Dracula Land" theme park has to do with its source material.
But upon further reading, I think they nailed the concept of undead suave aristocratic bloodsuckers preying on the feeble-minded.
10/10 as far as vaporware money-laundering schemes go.
But upon further reading, I think they nailed the concept of undead suave aristocratic bloodsuckers preying on the feeble-minded.
10/10 as far as vaporware money-laundering schemes go.
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I was disappointed at how little Romania's proposed "Dracula Land" theme park has to do with its source material.
But upon further reading, I think they nailed the concept of undead suave aristocratic bloodsuckers preying on the feeble-minded.
10/10 as far as vaporware money-laundering schemes go.
But upon further reading, I think they nailed the concept of undead suave aristocratic bloodsuckers preying on the feeble-minded.
10/10 as far as vaporware money-laundering schemes go.
13. Shrimp and Grits with Crab & Corn Bisque and Bone Marrow Escargot at Luke (final in NOLA)
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
13. Shrimp and Grits with Crab & Corn Bisque and Bone Marrow Escargot at Luke (final in NOLA)
12. Round Two with 3 lbs of a fresh Crawfish Boil (with Andouille Sausage and Gumbo) from Cajun Seafood delivered to our hotel courtyard
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 AM
12. Round Two with 3 lbs of a fresh Crawfish Boil (with Andouille Sausage and Gumbo) from Cajun Seafood delivered to our hotel courtyard
11. Slice of King Cake at Mardi Gras World
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
11. Slice of King Cake at Mardi Gras World
10. The Collared Green Melt and Fried Bologna Sandwich at Turkey and the Wolf
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
10. The Collared Green Melt and Fried Bologna Sandwich at Turkey and the Wolf
9. Char-Grilled Oysters with Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya and Calamari at Felix's Restaurant & Oyster House
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 AM
9. Char-Grilled Oysters with Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya and Calamari at Felix's Restaurant & Oyster House
8. Non-alcoholic cocktails at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone
November 24, 2025 at 1:38 AM
8. Non-alcoholic cocktails at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone
7. Chocolate Strawberry Beignets at Cafe Beinget on Royal Street
November 24, 2025 at 1:11 AM
7. Chocolate Strawberry Beignets at Cafe Beinget on Royal Street
6. Fried Oyster Po-Boy and Seafood Gumbo at Johnny's Po-Boys
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
6. Fried Oyster Po-Boy and Seafood Gumbo at Johnny's Po-Boys