Have you ever watched a movie and found yourself swept away by the emotion, tension, or excitement? That’s usually because of the music. Soundtracks have the power to convey emotions and themes that resonate universally with audiences, across all languages. It can evoke nostalgia, inspire hope, or evoke a sense of adventure, creating a powerful connection between viewers and the story on the screen.
Imagine the iconic theme from “Jaws” or the sounds of “Star Wars” – these scores are not just background noise; they are characters. Growing up, I watched more Tim Burton films than Disney. He is one of my favorite filmmakers, so naturally Danny Elfman is one of my favorite composers. I love Elfman’s whimsical and dark sound compared to Tim’s very distinct visual style. His music helps establish a tone that captures Burton’s unique storytelling. My favorite scores by Elfman are from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Alice in Wonderland. I played the flute for 8 years and always tried to get my orchestra to agree on learning some of his songs, but most preferred learning the Pirates of the Caribbean scores, by Hans Zimmer.
I am constantly in awe of other people’s creativity and I really appreciate how well Elfman and Burton work together to produce such masterpieces. The next time you find yourself immersed in a film, take a moment to appreciate the sounds woven into the narrative. What would it be like if there was no music at all? Music is not just an accompaniment but an integral part of the viewing experience that enriches emotions, enhances the storytelling, and leaves a lasting impression.
– Kaylyn
YOUR LIFE
As we settle into the new year, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the lessons of cinema and principles of sound financial planning. Just as a great film can inspire and enlighten, so too can the journey of wealth management offer challenges, triumphs, and growth.
“Forrest Gump” reminds us that sometimes, simplicity and patience are the most valuable assets. Forrest’s investment in a “fruit company” (Apple Inc.) was a decision made with little knowledge of the tech industry’s complexities, yet it paid off handsomely. This mirrors the wisdom of a diversified portfolio and the power of compound interest over time. By investing in a mix of assets and allowing time to work its magic, we can aim for a similar happy ending.
The financial crisis of 2008, depicted in “The Big Short,” serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding and mitigating risk. As your financial advisors, we strive to identify potential risks in your portfolio and the broader market, always seeking to position you for stability and growth, even when the economic narrative takes an unexpected turn.
The story of “Moneyball” is a testament to the power of data-driven decisions. In wealth management, we too rely on data and analytics to inform our strategies, always seeking to optimize your portfolio’s performance. As we continue to write our own stories, let’s take inspiration from these cinematic lessons. Together, we’ll craft a narrative of financial success that’s worthy of the big screen.
– Jason
YOUR LEGACY
My wife says it’s a guy thing, but I respect a well-timed movie quote in everyday life, it’s an easy quick laugh. I usually pull my own material from my two favorite comedy movies- “Dumb and Dumber” and “Stepbrothers.” On the golf course, I’ll rely on the classic lines from “CaddyShack” and “Happy Gilmore” to make sure I’m having fun and keeping it light all while my game is slowly deteriorating.
Am I the only one that thinks “they don’t make them like they used to?” I know “they don’t make them like they use to” is a common argument that gets included more and more as one gets older – but come on. When “Deadpool 2”, a marvel movie, gets included in the list of 5 best comedies in last 5 years, I’m beginning to lose faith. The Marvel movies are good and all, but I would like a good comedy I can see at the theater and enjoy the audience’s grand laughter like the “good ole days”.
Maybe there are some good comedies that came out and I missed them during COVID, or maybe they stopped making comedies until they knew we could go to the theaters again. Either way, I’m hoping they will come out with at least one good comedy here soon. I just googled “Upcoming Movies” and another Ghostbusters movie is coming out soon, but I’ll keep my expectations low on that one. I am internally an optimist and will not give up hope that one day we can all go to a packed movie theater and LOL with everyone.
– Travis