#7.5 minute masterpiece

[xxbrightshadowxx]

Trolls Band Together Review

Huh. Didn’t think I’d be doing this. But here we are. I watched the new trolls movie on Saturday and have rewatched three times on ‘legal’ sites to see how I felt about it.

And I give it, a 7.3/10. Now while that doesn’t sound the best, my ratings go like this.

0-Toy Story 4

.5-This is the worst piece of shit I have ever seen

1-who thought this was a good idea

1.5-this is fricking terrible

2-this is a bad movie

2.5-I can see the vision but the writing is terrible

3-if you squint, you can see one good thing about this film

3.5-this is the type of film where, you have to get drunk to enjoy

4-not good but not terrible

4.5-I feel nothing towards this movie

5-mediocrity at its finest

5.5-this is a decent movie

6-not bad

6.5-I enjoyed this more then I should

7-This is an enjoyable movie I’d be willing to watch it multiple times

7.5-This is a good movie

8-Probably will obsess over this movie for a while

8.5-this is a great movie

9-This a fantastic movie, holy sh-

9.5-This will be on my top five

10-this is a masterpiece aka Toy Story 3

Now that you know that the rating is good, let me now talk about why I feel like I like this movie.

Cons

Let’s get the negative out of the way before. Quick warning, there will be spoilers so if you haven’t seen the movie and want to, go watch it before my review. Now that’s out of the way, the cons

I’m going to be honest I have a few minor flaws for example: some of the dialogue is a bit off and could’ve been fixed without changing much, the whole talk about Branch and Poppy getting married could’ve been cut, I found Tiny Diamond flat, but these are just personal pet peeves.

I also had a small problem with the ending there’s nothing bad about it but Branch having been in another band doesn’t make sense since he became emo depressed when he was a small baby. And if you wanna say that he joined a band before his grandma died when he was still a baby that still doesn’t make much sense. And if you wanna argue that he joined after the first movie, you can’t tell me poppy didn’t find and if she did, that would lead her to know about BroZone’s.

My real problem is the Poppy’s long lost sister reveal. This section of the movie dragged out for so freaking long. Viva, while interesting, feels so out of place. They took like almost more then twenty minutes of screen time where I feel like it could have been devoted to more Brozone family bonding to make it so when we had the third act breakup more heartbreaking. While you could argue that they needed Viva and Gretchen and the king(I can’t remember his name) in the movie to help Poppy and Branch, you really are going to tell me that Poppy and Branch couldn’t find a different method to get on the boat?

Overall, the biggest problem I have is that I wish they cut Viva out of the movie, simply to tighten up the pacing and to create more time for Branch to get along with his brothers and for to see more of his brothers’ flaws so we could’ve built up to a more dramatic fight scene. If you still want the scene with Gretchen and Viva and the king, then I feel like it should’ve been a short. I personally think that it would’ve worked better as a short where the bergen king and queen went on a honeymoon and witness the damage the Bergens did to the trolls.

Pros

Each movie has its cons and pros and this movie had a decent amount of pros. I’m going to let you guys on a secret. I watched the Wish movie, and I don’t have any major problems like I did with this movie. Do you wanna know what I rated it? 4.5/10. Why did I rate it lower than this movie? Because unlike Wish, I had so much fun with this movie.

This movie was investing and fun and the rule for me is if a movie is so fun that I can ignore some dumb things it does for the first and second watch, then it will automatically get a 4/10 for me.

So other pros? The humor was decent, nothing that me laugh out loud, but some made me smile and I was SO glad to know that there was no poop or fart jokes. I also loved the character designs of Branch’s brothers. (Especially Floyd for…reasons) they look a look like him but the same time don’t which is exactly how me and my sister look.

I also look how depending on which creature we are interacting with, the props that, that character has, matches a different vibe. When we meet Brandy, Spruce’s extremely tall wife, the props such as the cookies look plastic and childlike. That also goes for her design and her kids design. Everything looks as if a 4-6 year old played with it and had unrestricted access to glitter glue. The same goes to the trolls. Everything is whimsy and cheesy, just like they are. Poppy’s scrap book and their homes really shows how small and outdated they are compared to the other creatures. This also applies to Velvet and Veneer. They give 80’s vibes and look so different compared to the other characters. Even though they look like a different artist designed each of the creatures, they all work and look great together not out of place.

Speaking of Velvet and Veneer, I loved them as villains. Not only do they have a good motive that’s not a sad backstory nor they want to just be more evil for no reason, they are iconic. I love their one liners and how stretchy they are. While they couldn’t sing at all, they were gorgeous and I love how they aren’t exactly alike. Veneer reminds me of that one meme of “I can excuse racism but I draw the line at animal cruelty” except replace racism as torture and kidnapping and replace animal cruelty as killing.

Another part I like is Poppy. Not gonna lie I found Poppy slightly annoying in the first movie. But she was funny, sarcastic, and was street smart. However, in the second movie she was so unbearable. Not to mention her and her relationship drama with Branch was boring in the second movie.

In the third she was so much more fun and I didn’t wanna gouge my eyes out when she was being optimistic. It wasn’t over the top and it was helpful in helping Branch. Speaking of Branch, the moment they share when Branch is leaving his brothers is so cute. I’m so glad they didn’t decide to have a third act break up with Poppy with Branch. It was so much more refreshing and it made me find the ship so much more sweeter.

My last pro is the music. While the Trolls movies just do covers, they are damn good at doing covers. Especially when they sang to stop Velvet and Veneer. I loved the beginning and you can never go wrong with Justine Timberlake. He has my favorite vocals out of all the cast.

In conclusion, this movie was by no means ground breaking or brilliant. But this was a good movie and I enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you for me Ted-talk.

[findhomeaway]

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[asailorsdrunkeneulogy]

Switchblade Jesus || Heavy Is the Mountain

[sincewerealone]

day 11: a song you never get tired of

[eliyager]

every single movie i watched in 2021

i’m only including movies that i watched for the first time 

tw \\ blood and somewhat nsfw at number 10

1. (500) Days of Summer - 2009

date watched: february 11th 

directed by: marc webb

rating: 8\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 95 minutes 

would i watch again: probably 

2. To All the Boys: Always and Forever - 2021

date watched: february 12th 

directed by: michael fimognari

rating: 10\10 

age rating: TV-14 

movie length: 109 minutes 

would i watch again: absolutely

3. Us - 2019

date watched: february 15th

directed by: jordan peele

rating: 10/10

age rating: R

movie length: 116 minutes

would i watch again: hell no extremely creepy 

4. The Emperor’s New Groove - 2000 

date watched: february 26th 

directed by: mark dindal 

rating: 10\10 

age rating: G 

movie length: 78 minutes

would i watch again: absolutely, i don’t understand how i never watched it before

5. Framing Britney Spears - 2021

date watched: march 5th

directed by: samantha stark

rating: 10/10

age rating: N/A

movie length: 74 minutes

would i watch again: absolutely, however it was absolutely chilling and a bit disturbing

6. Man Up - 2015

date watched: march 9th

directed by: ben palmer

rating: 10/10

age rating: R

movie length: 88 minutes

would i watch again: absolutely, this movie is a hidden gem i found wanting to watch something with my mom (she fell asleep though). i highly recommend this movie it's amazing!!

7. Scott Pilgrim Vs the World - 2010

date watched: march 13th

directed by: edgar wright

rating: 6/10

age rating: PG-13

movie length: 112 minutes

would i watch again: i guess, it wasn't amazing but i did enjoyed it, tbh without the songs i probably wouldn't have liked it as much. it was okay, definitely a bit disappointing.

8. Instant Family - 2018

date watched: march 30th

directed by: sean andres

rating: 8/10

age rating: PG-13

movie length: 118 minutes

would i watch again: definitely, it had become one of my feel good movies!!

9. Three Identical Strangers - 2018 

date watched: april 2nd

directed by: tim wardle

rating: 10/10

age rating: PG-13

movie length: 96 minutes

would i watch again: yes, it was an absolute masterpiece it gave me chills

10. Cam - 2018

date watched: april 7th

directed by: daniel goldhaber

rating: 5/10

age rating: N/A

movie length: 95 minutes

would i watch again: I don't think so, it was okay-ish kind of feels unfinished

11. Iron Man - 2008

date watched: april 16th 

directed by: jon favreau 

rating: 9.5\10

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 126 minutes

would i watch again: for sure 

12. Iron Man 2 - 2010 

date watched: april 30th 

directed by: jon favreau 

rating: 7.5\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 124 minutes 

would i watch again: oh yeah i really enjoyed it 

13. Thor - 2011 

date watched: may 1st 

directed by: kenneth branagh 

rating: 6.5\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 115 minutes 

would i watch again: i don’t think so, it was okay nothing more 

14. Captain America: The First Avenger - 2011 

date watched: may 5th 

directed by: joe johnston 

rating: 10\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 124 minutes 

would i watch again: for sure, my favorite marvel movie so far 

15. The Avengers - 2012 

date watched: july 5th 

directed by: joss whedon 

rating: 7\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 143 minutes 

would i watch again: it was really good but also really long and it was hard for me to pay attention for so long so i might watch again 

16. But I’m a Cheerleader - 1999 

date watched: july 14th 

directed by: jamie babbit 

rating: 10\10 

age rating: R 

movie length: 85 minutes 

would i watch again: omg yes, instantly became one of my favorite movies 

17. The Kissing Booth 3 - 2021 

date watched: august 20th 

directed by: vince marcello 

rating: 7\10 

age rating: TV-14

movie length: 112 minutes 

would i watch again: yes, the kissing booth is a guilty pleasure of mine 

18. Iron Man 3 - 2013 

date watched: august 25th 

directed by: shane black 

rating: 10\10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 130 minutes 

would i watch again: yes! i really loved it 

19. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - 2019 

date watched: october 19th 

directed by: marielle heller 

rating: 6.5/10 

age rating: PG 

movie length: 109 minutes 

would i watch again: probably, it was nice 

20. Little Women - 2019 

date watched: october 19th 

directed by: greta gerwig 

rating: 10/10 

age rating: PG 

movie length: 135 minutes 

would i watch again: yes!! this movie is exactly my type, an instant fave 

21. The Nightmare Before Christmas - 1993 

date watched: october 27th 

directed by: henry selick 

rating: 5/10  

age rating: PG

movie length: 76 minutes 

would i watch again: no, I’m sorry I wanted so hard to like it :((( 

22. Perfect Strangers - 2021

date watched: november 11th 

directed by: lior ashkenazi 

rating: 6/10 

age rating: N/A 

movie length: 90 minutes 

would i watch again: not sure, it was okay 

23. Dancing Arabs (A Borrowed Identity) - 2014 

date watched: november 16th 

directed by: eran riklis 

rating: 10/10 

age rating: N/A 

movie length: 104 minutes 

would i watch again: yes!! It was amazing 

24. tick,tick…BOOM! - 2021 

date watched: november 27th 

directed by: lin-manuel miranda 

rating: 10/10  age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 121 minutes 

would i watch again: yes!! absolute masterpiece 

25. Image of Victory - 2021 

date watched: december 8th 

directed by: avi nesher 

rating: 10/10 

age rating: N/A  movie length: 128 minutes 

would i watch again: I think but it was really heavy

26. West Side Story - 2021 

date watched: december 9th 

directed by: steven spielberg 

rating: 10/10 

age rating: PG - 13 

movie length: 156 minutes 

would i watch again: absolutely it was amazing 

27. Mustang - 2015

date watched: december 28th 

directed by: deniz gamze ergüven 

rating: 8/10 

age rating: PG-13 

movie length: 97 minutes 

would i watch again: yes, but I need time to recover 

[pair-annoyed]

Anime I Watched This Fall

My first semester of college is officially over and the December holidays are upon us! I hoped to make one of these posts sooner, but I have been incredibly busy with schoolwork. Now that things have slowed down, let’s take sometime to reflect on things I’ve watched. 

These anime are listed in chronological order and encompass everything I’ve watched from 9/1/2020 - 12/15/2020

Like always, they will be rated on a 1-10 scale; 1 meaning complete garbage, 10 meaning masterpiece. I will offer my thoughts on what I did/didn’t like about each show!

1. The God of High School - 6/10 

Despite the stellar animation from MAPPA and my high expectations, I was really disappointed by how this series was treated. Most of the story’s crucial elements were handled poorly. I finished this series feeling more confused about the plot than when I first began. The power system is really cool, but poorly explained. More time should have been spent on exposition and world building for this series, instead the fights were given the most screen time. 

2.  Doukyuusei - 7/10 

I really liked the style of Doukyuusei. Granted, this was another movie I chose to watch primarily because of the hype surrounding it. The dynamic between Kusakabe and Sajou is an interesting one, and I also enjoy how the movies different acts were separated by the seasons. However, there's nothing that really sets Doukyuusei apart from other romance movies, its a little generic. Still, I enjoyed it nonetheless. 

3.  Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season - 8/10 

My opinions on Re:Zero’s second season are biased. This was, by far, the sequel I was most hyped for during the summer/fall anime season. I was so happy to see the story’s continuation and I’m looking forward to the season’s second part coming sometime in January. Re:Zero is one of my all time favorite series because of the way it handles it characters and power dynamics. I also really enjoy the show’s psychological aspects. If you haven’t already, give Re:Zero a try! 

4. Saint��Oniisan (Movie + OVA) - 8/10

This was a wonderful comedy. I wasn’t sure how the subject of Jesus and Buddha living together would be tackled, but it was handled wonderfully. I was laughing for pretty much the entire movie. I love the art style and little references to both Buddhism and Christianity, plus the incorporation of Japanese culture. Saint Oniisan is a bright comedy, with two eccentric main characters. If you like a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and need a good laugh, I can’t recommend this more.

5. Clannad: After Story - 10/10 

Never, while watching anime, did I cry as much as I did while watching Clannad: After Story. I didn’t realize how much I related to Okazaki until I saw him grow up in After Story. I was left sobbing, especially after episode 18. I still, to this day, cannot listen to the Dango song without tearing up. The original Clannad is nothing special, but the continuation of its story its something heartfelt, emotional, and down-to-earth. I love Kyoto Animation with all my heart, and Clannad made me appreciate everything the studio has done just a little bit more. Thank you Clannad, for reminding me about the kind of person I strive to be. 

6. Nakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu - 5.5/10

The art in A Whisker Away was beautiful. The story itself, however, is nothing too enjoyable. I found it difficult to like our protagonist or her love interest. Nothing about this movie is inherently memorable. The emotional climax came far too early which made the second half of the film seem long and drawn out.  All in all, the movie has a wonderful concept, I just believe it could have been so much more emotional than it was. When I watch a move, I like to empathize with the characters. It’s difficult to do when the characters aren’t given the proper exposition to be empathized with. 

7.  Shikioriori - 6/10

This is less of a movie and more of a collection of short stories. Flavors of Youth is something you shouldn’t watch on an empty stomach, all of the food looks incredible. The same cannot beside for the rest of this feature. The stories themselves seems heavily clichéd. Much like A Whisker Away, the initial premise is intriguing, but the execution results in something that comes across as trying too hard and carries no emotional weight with the viewer. If you plan on watching, pay more attention to the artwork and animation than the actual plot. You won’t be missing anything. 

8. Vinland Saga - 7/10

Vinland Saga helped me get out of the rut that Clannad: After Story. Not only does this show have a great story, its action packed with lots of interesting fights. I especially enjoyed all the Nordic history embedded within the show. Its really unlike any of the other historical anime I’ve watched. I will say, it’s gory. But, compared to all the other things I watched this time around, I finished this series the quickest. Its good, its graphic, its fast paced! 

9.  Mononoke Hime - 7/10

It’s ironic considering how much anime I’ve watched that I have yet to watch all of the most classic Studio Ghibli films. Princess Mononoke is grittier than most other Ghibli films I’ve seen, but it’s message is positive and its characters are wonderful. I can’t really speak ill towards classics like these. I guess maybe my one complaint is that this movie could’ve been a faster pace. Other than that... I really enjoyed everything Princess Mononoke offered! I understand why it’s so popular.  

10. Howl no Ugoku Shiro - 8.5/10 

Can you believe it took me this long to finally watch Howl’s Moving Castle? Me neither!! This movie is so endearingly beautiful. I loved every second of it, from the characters to the soundtrack. So many iconic things come from just this one movie. I would like to take this time to thank my best friend for reminding me that Studio Ghibli films are wonderful! Thank you for watching this with me, I loved it! All in all, I regret not watching this sooner! 

11. Toradora! - 6.5/10 

Toradora took me a while to finish, just because I lost interest about halfway through. But, I powered through it, and ended up really enjoying the show! I’m not the biggest fan of the ending, but that’s just a personal preference. Somehow, this show also made me cry? I’m not entirely sure why because Toradora! is probably the thing farthest from sad. Apart from the show’s dull slice of life moments, it was super cute! A much needed light-hearted romance. 

12. New Initial D Movie: Legend 1 - 5/10 

Full disclosure, this is the only thing related to Initial D that I’ve ever watched. My band and I watched this expecting to hear some of that iconic Initial D music, itself all we got was a mildly confusing story about different types of cars. It was cliché and frankly a little boring. Although, I am still considering watching the original Initial D just so I can hear the music in the way it was original intended. I’ve got no other opinions on this movie. It’s best not to watch these movies without the context from the rest of the franchise.  

13.  Uchuu Patrol Luluco - 7.5/10

I didn’t really understand why people enjoy studio Trigger so much until I watched Space Patrol Luluco. I loved all the fun references to other studio Trigger works. I loved the humor, and I loved all the bright colors. The animation was extremely high energy, and the art style fits the show’s premise. Each episode was only 12 minutes long so it was a super quick binge. If you’re looking for something quick, light-hearted and comical, this is the perfect show to watch.

14. Orange - 7/10 

I owe a big thanks to a tumblr mutual for recommending this show to me! This holds the honor of making me cry by episode 3! I honestly did not expect the subject matter of this show to be as dark as it was. Usually when I see the genre ‘shoujo’ I do not associate it with a love story like that of Orange. The heavy subject matter made it a little too close to home for me, but I still really enjoyed this series. It reminds me off all the good times I had with my friends in high school, and of all the regrets I carry with myself to this day. 

15. 3-gatsu no Lion - 7.5/10 

March Comes in Like a Lion is another show that was a bit of a slow burn for me. Each episode left me feeling emotionally drained, so I had to take a lot of breaks while I was working on watching this series. Shaft, the studio behind this anime, holds a special place in my heart because I loved their work on the Monogatari Series. March Comes in Like a Lion is a little different. It’s driving force it is characters, and it was cathartic to watch our main character transform through the entire duration of the first season. I know the show’s second season is much better, so I’ll be starting that soon! 

16. Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei - 8/10 

I loved how artsy and smart The Tatami Galaxy is, but honestly I couldn’t watch too much at once cause it would hurt my head. I also couldn’t watch this show while I was tired because the speaking rate is much faster than typical anime. The Tatami Galaxy is so unique for its medium. I loved the different time loops and the crazy animation. The characters were fascinating. The dialogue, although very fast, it also fantastic. There’s an element of humor to this unique story telling, and I enjoyed ever minute of it! 

Currently Watching:

Hunter x Hunter - 6.5/10 (As of Episode 30)

I pride myself in having watched a lot of shounen anime, but I was reluctant to start Hunter x Hunter for years because I thought I would find it boring. I was oh so very wrong. Considering great shows like Naruto and Fairy Tail that fall under the same category, I expected Hunter x Hunter to be subpar in comparison. It gets a low score for two reasons. One, the power system was introduced a little too late and now I’m wondering if all the fights post episode 30 will involved nen in some way, shape, or form. Two, its still on hiatus. 

Two Cursed Additions For This List

Please to do not let these be representative of my anime taste. 

1.  Yarichin☆B*tch-bu - 4/10

I am a CLOWN for not knowing this was 18+. The only reason I watched this was to see why everyone was talking about the pink-haired boy with the glasses and tongue piecing. I know why now, and I regret it. This was a massive mistake on my part. But hey, at the least the art and ending song kinda slap? 

2. Euphoria (Dropped After 1 Episode) - 2/10

If you know what I’m talking about when I say Euphoria, I am so sorry. And no, I am not talking about the HBO series. Seriously, don’t google this. Don’t watch this. Don’t interact with anything related to this. You’re probably wondering, “Then why did you watch it?” I did not watch this willingly. You see, I have a very bad habit of starting anime and then taking months to finish them. I made an ultimatum with a friend, lost, and then was forced to watch this a punishment. Not a fun experience. I’m very glad there are no GIFs of this on tumblr...

[timotey]

#29: The Tuxedo

✨SPOILERS✨

This is an 8 episode drama and each ep is barely 20 minutes long, so don't expect a masterpiece. But it was actually a good one, IMHO. I appreciated what they tried to do with the little time and money they had.

I liked that it showed mental issues that weren't pretty in their portrayal and that didn't miraculously go away once the characters got together. I liked that, yes, Nawee decided to finally actually do something about his agoraphobia, abandonment issues etc. and so on with Aiaoon's help - but just because he decided so, it didn't mean that he was cured. He just took the first step.

I was also glad that he finally cut ties with his horrible, terrible, no good, very bad family who didn't appreciate him or help him in any way. When he finally got angry and told his brother off? I cheered!

I was also glad that Aiaoon simply told Chanjao the truth, that he wasn't just not ready to marry yet - he didn't love her anymore. After so many years that she spent studying abroad - years during which they apparently barely saw each other, barely even stayed in contact with each other - no wonder. And I was glad he didn't let himself be dragged along into a marriage. And another thing that I liked? That Chanjao didn't turn into some vengeful harpy but she stayed his friend, even though it hurt.

This drama is chock-full of whump, both physical - Nawee keeps fainting more often than your average Victorian romance heroine - and the care that Aiaoon shows to Nawee is just *chef's kiss*

Overall? Not really a masterpiece but a sweet little drama full of tropes and clichés and pretty people with great chemistry.

Rating: 7.5/10

[kursed-arcana]

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Review

So im gonna make a brief review for the movie. It kind if has a slow start but it builds to something really beautiful. The last 10 minutes and the after credit kiss scenes make the whole thing worthwhile in my oppinion. 8 think the way it juxtaposed their problems against each other worked well. I girl whose afraid to show her mouth and smile but is socially outgoing and friendly, and a boy who had trouble with speaking words and keeps himself closed off, except for writing haikus. The girl hides behind a mask. The boy hides behind a pair of headphones to keep people from talking to him. I think the slow build up to the confession at the end was worthwhile. It took the time to show the chemistry between the characters and built up their relationship well. You can see how they influence eachother in positive ways. With Cherry's growth being more apparent as he opens up to her and stops covering his ears with his headphones. While Smile doesn't really get past her self confidence issues until the end of the movie, it repeatedly shows her searching for a way to overcome her insecurities. Most notably by learning of the girl on the record and her having buck teeth as well, before finally unveiling her face at Cherry's bold haiku confession.

Seriously those last 10 minutes made it all worthwhile to me. It tied all the plotlines and side characters purposes into that grand moment nicely. Everyone plays a part. The record shop owners son, the graffiti kid who writes cherry's haiku around town, the old man and his record, the other senior citizens and the other friend who ends up playing it. While Cherry gets his big haiku moment and proclaims his feelings, in response to Smile's heartfelt broadcast to him so they could be together even if apart. And that song is just so nostalgic. Those flashbacks had me in tears, so I ate the rest of that confession up.

Make sure to watch till the end of the credits so you can see their kiss.

Lastly I want to say while the animation wasn't my favorite, it's grew on me throughout the film. I though it was a dry low in detail and the colors a little too bold , but I think it suited the story and it's nostalgic tone nicely. I think the animation really captured the feeling the title gives off. A bubbly, fizzy, ticklish, vibrant feeling. Maybe water color like would be a good descriptor?

If you awant a fairly insightful, relatable and charming story I recomend you give this movie a try. The stakes aren't high, but they don't need to be. It's not a masterpiece but it accomplishes what it set out to convey. I think it hits the slice of life notes quite well. I happily rate it a 7.5/10 and refomend it as a good movie if you dont have anything else to do or don't feel like thinking too hard.

[ordinaryschmuck]

What I Quickly Thought About “What If...Zombies?!” from Marvel Studios’ What If...?

...Did you know that we were going to get a Spider-Man episode of Marvel Studios' What If...? Yeah, it was about how he became more spider than man, but it ended up getting dropped. Apparently, it was because it would have scenes of body horror that would go beyond the PG-13 format of the franchise...Zombies, however.

(Spoilers ahead)

Yup, here it is. The thirty-minute retelling of Marvel Zombies, a comic storyline that makes people like me wonder, "What the f**k?!" It's an episode that knows what the fans exactly want, that it doesn't even have the extra-long episode title. It's just simply "What If...Zombies?!" And I actually kind of appreciate that.

As for the episode itself, it's...alright. It doesn't beat last week's masterpiece, but it still has some really great elements.

First off, the zombies themselves. I am shocked at not only how far Marvel went with the sick, twisted designs, but there were also some brutal ways of disposing of them. Zombie Captain America's death in particular really shocked me, as well as Zombie Sharon Carter. In fact, I'm also impressed with how dark the writers were willing to go with this episode. Things don't get too dark, primarily thanks to the PG-13 rating of this series holds the horror back a bit. But the things they do get away with are some extraordinarily grim scenes. Like Bucky catching Zombie Cap eating Sharon and seeing Hope Van Dyne turning into a giant and having a horde of zombies eat her whole. The writers could have gone further, but I think they did as well as they could with what they've done.

And then there's the thing I appreciate the most: The inclusion of Spider-Man. We may have been robbed with an entire episode dedicated to him, but "What If...Zombies?!" tries so hard to make up for it. The writers make him the heart of the team formed in this dark time, and they couldn't have picked a better character. Especially when they shine a light on why he tries to keep things upbeat through cracking jokes and telling people to keep hope despite all the people he lost in his life. It's a core aspect of his personality that I love more than anything else, and I couldn't be happier that this episode shined a light on it.

(Also, he finally says, 'Uncle Ben.' Thus shutting up nerds who've been complaining about it since his introduction.)

Unfortunately, there are some complaints that I have with the episode. Such as how it really needed to be longer. I'm not saying it needed to be an hour-long, mostly because--

...Mostly because THAT SHOW is a rarity in televised animation. What I am saying, however, is that it should have at least had a part two. I've been fine with the thirty-minute glimpses we've been given into each universe, but this was the one time I'd say the series would have benefited from more time to let the story develop.

I'd also say that we could have cut out some jokes. I liked the little video Peter made for the zombie apocalypse, which was a cute and smart way to reveal the few heroes alive in this dark time. And I even loved Scott Lang's contribution, for the most part. But making a joke about how Hope is 'covered in Sharon,' even though she just killed one of the few friends they had in the apocalypse? Yeah, maybe that's not the best time to do that.

Overall, I'd say this is a 7.5/10 episode for me. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.

[beevean]

So I watched the movie

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? It was good! Not a masterpiece by any means, but cute and enjoyable.

I was right about the plot - it’s not a Sonic movie, it’s a movie with Sonic in it. But, much like the games, it was obvious that the writers focused more on the characters than the actual story. Surprisingly, my favorite part was the middle one - the beginning was a little slow and the ending was too fast, but the “road trip” part was the most engaging and funniest one.

Sonic was simply adorable <3 easily one of the cutest iterations of the character since the Classic era. He was much more emotional than the canon version, and even sad, but for most of the time he’s pretty believable as a younger, inexperienced Sonic. But more importanly, I guess the full movie confirms that this Sonic is way more powerful than canon Sonic. Like, at the end, that spectacle of lightning... that looked like something usually reserved for Super Sonic. Holy crap, now I’d love to see the two have a friendly race.

Eggman Robotnik was... well, what I expected from Jim Carrey. He was a nice blend of the good ol’ doctor we know and love and Jim Carrey Carreying it up. I wouldn’t say he carried the movie like many thought (Sonic did, by far), but I bought him as, again, a younger Eggman who still doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Also he’s super cool with his gloves and holograms, he had so many good shots. (and that dance scene? *chef kiss*)

Surprise surprise, Tom was even better than I hoped for! Which, I admit, wasn’t much. The trailers absolutely did not make him justice, he was legit funny in certain scenes, his character arc was good, and the guy is both strong and smart. After the bar scene, he developed a strong chemistry with Sonic.

As for the minor characters... 

Maddie was cool and also a more fleshed-out character than I thought (that cake scene made me laugh), but I wish she interacted with Sonic more - basically she was the Blue Oni to Tom’s Purple Oni to Sonic’s Red Oni.

Agent Stone was okay, his best scene was already spoiled by the trailers (the one where he brings Robotnik coffee) , but ultimately he was so overshadowed by Robotnik, which is a pity.

Longclaw was the most egregious example of They Wasted a Perfectly Good Character I’ve seen in a long time - she was Sonic’s mentor, she sacrificed herself to protect him, she gave him those powerful Rings... and she had maybe 5 lines at best? She wasn’t mentioned again? Does Sonic even remember her, let alone miss her?

The sister-in-law whose name I forgot... why the fuck was she even there? Why does she hate Tom so much? Does she hate white people or policemen or something? I have no idea but that was a waste of a good actress and maybe 5 minutes of movie. (her daughter on the other hand was a cutie and had another of my favorite jokes)

The way the music was used was good too! I know many people loved Boom during the bar fight, but I’m still not over Don’t Stop Me Now and especially Friends. Tunes of Anarchy is my new earwoom! And at the end there was a snippet of the original Green Hill, and I wanted to scream. (although now I wonder why they cut Gotta Go Fast, if they were going to keep Green Hill anyway)

The major negative, aside from the cliché storm that was the plot, some of the jokes... not only they kept the “child in a bag” joke, but that random fart joke just to reference Sonic’s love for chili dogs? Yyyeah...

Also, this only matters to me lol, but the Italian dub was so good! As far as I know, it’s the only version where Sonic kept the save VA as the games, and man, much like Roger Craig Smith, as long as he’s given a decent script he’s pretty convincing as Sonic. But I can’t wait to re-watch it in English to enjoy me some Ben Schwartz.

So overall? 7.5/10. Not very memorable if you’re not a Sonic fan, but the best word I can use is “charming”, which is a far cry from what we all thought this movie was going to be one year ago. Took them almost 30 years, but we finally have a ‘90s Sonic movie!

Also some spoilers down below!

SPOILERS

Sadly I got spoiled the mid-credits scene just before the movie started (some random kid spoiled it to his friends and I was within earshot lmao), but it got me hyped for a sequel! My boy Tails is here! I’m still not used to that design, though, but maybe I will. If Tom and Maddie already adopted Sonic, they sure can adopt his lil bro.

As for Eggman’s ultimate fate... unpopular opinion, but that was almost harsh? Like, okay, I get the irony, he hated every human around him so now he’s stuck on a deserted planet and lost his brilliant mind, but that final shot of the mushrooms on top of mushrooms... kinda gave me anxiety. Now I’d love to see him back.

[struggle-but-its-all-ocean-floor]

Every Agust D Song + Suga’s Solos Rated and Ranked

Skit, Intro, Interlude: Dream, Reality (from Agust D) not included.

1. The Last: Absolute masterpiece 20/10. The beat is aggressive and unsettling; the lyrics explicit and real. With his flow Suga’s pain, anxiety and fear hit different lows (mental exhaustion) and highs (anger and bravado) throughout the song.   2. First Love: Another masterpiece 10/10. Suga’s storytelling skills are no joke. He makes me feel like I’m home, with the windows open so I can hear the children outside, while someone plays at the piano and tells me a story. But the power of the song is unbelievable - it literally reaches a climax that leaves Yoongi breathless. I’ve no words. 3. Interlude: Set Me Free: 9.9/10. Sounds of nature, Suga’s soft, soulful vocals, an idyllic portrayal of peace and freedom? When I’m really sad I picture myself standing at the top of a cliff, arms spread wide and wind blowing on my face; it calms me knowing there is a way out, even if I can’t take it. Suga knows freedom doesn’t actually exist but he lets us pretend for awhile...   4. Hansool: 9.8/10. Another D2 song that makes my chest feel tight. I love its soft melody, and the beginning is so beautiful. The auto-tuned parts don’t sound great but they’re a needed, sharp contrast to the rest of the song,  5. 28: 9.7/10. I think the song’s gorgeous and it’s the best collab in the album. NiiHWA’s voice goes perfectly with Suga’s. I really love it. 6. Agust D: 9.5/10. A classic.  7. Interlude: Shadow: 9.5/10. Agust D is just a bit better imo.    

8. Tony Montana: 9.3/10. That last part starting with Yankie’s “hip hop zombie” when the beat drops and then back to the chorus, with a twist? Genius. 9. Give it to Me: 9.2/10. The beginning of the song is so fun and brilliant, and Suga’s sarcastic laughter is iconic.  10. So Far Away: 9.2/10. Really beautiful song. Suran fits it so well too.  11. People: 9.2/10. Tbh, Suga’s singing brought my rating down a bit, but it’s still a lovely song. 12. Strange: 9.1/10. I really love the lyrics and the song in general. I wouldn’t say RM fits the song perfectly though...  13. Daechwita: 9/10. Great hype song, great music video, but not Suga’s best work. It’s less interesting to listen to, and more repetitive than, Agust D. 14. What Do You Think: 8.9/10. Song’s cool and all, but that last auto-tuned bit is the reason why the song is rated so highly - that shit slaps.  15. Seesaw: 8.3/10. It’s a nice song, but not amazing imo. It’s a bit repetitive.  16. Burn It: 8.3/10. I like Suga’s parts, but the song is a bit repetitive and I don’t really like Max’s parts.  17. Dear My Friend: 8.3/10. I know how it feels to love someone you can’t have in your life, someone who needs help you can’t give. It’s painful; it feels like a waste of human life - why be born just to end up like that? That’s what I hear in Suga’s voice. I don’t like this song more because of Kim Jong Wan. He sounds too powerful and confident for me. I honestly think JK would’ve been a better fit.  18. Moonlight: 7.7/10. Not a very good song. Sound-wise it’s a weak intro to the album, but lyrically it serves a purpose.   19. 724148: 7.5/10. I can never recall this song tbh. The only full song in Agust D that isn’t very good.  20. 140503 At Dawn: 7/10 Is this even a song? It’s just a minute and half.

[sweetsmellosuccess]

The Sátántangó Experience

How exactly does one prepare to watch a 7.5 hour film? A bit like what you might do in preparation for major surgery: Pack a bag of necessities (in this case, water and protein bars), kiss your loved ones goodbye, and try to make peace with your god. Or, maybe less dramatically, treat it as you would a long train journey, one that takes you through some harrowing terrain on half a rutted track before depositing you to your eventual destination.

Of course, this sort of conception of time is entirely relative: If you have to drive somewhere that takes half an hour, it feels unduly long; but if the trip were normally three hours long, and you somehow found a shortcut that would cut the time down to 30 minutes, you would be flying on dulcet wings for that amount of time, and think you were blessed by angels. In other words, spending an entire standard work day watching one film might seem excessive, but it all has to do with your expectations.

In my case, I was at Philadelphia’s newly renovated Lightbox Theater at the University of the Arts to take in Béla Tarr’s magnum opus Sátántangó, all glorious 450 minutes, in a new 4K restoration (it’s currently playing at select theaters across the country). Armed with my snack survival kit, and safe in the knowledge that we would get intermissions at roughly 2.5 hour intervals, I settled in to watch what has been described as a masterpiece in cinephile circles, and currently resides at number 36 in the most recent Sight & Sound critics’ poll.

Tarr’s beyond-bleak film is broken up into 12 segments, each having to do with a failing farmer’s cooperative in Hungary during the last throes of communism in the late ‘80s. Each section has its own feel and perspective  —  some of them are more lighthearted, others are desolate beyond measure  —  but all expertly shot in low-contrast black and white (by Gábor Medvigy), which renders the people and landscape in various tones of drudgery grey.

It originally opened in America as part of the 1994 New York film festival, at a time when Hungary was undergoing a transformation from Communism to shaky democratic capitalism, so it served as a kind of epigraph to the era, a showcase, as it were, as to the imperfections of a political system built on a promise of human egalitarianism that proved to be depressingly difficult to put into practice.

The landscape makes up a lot of Tarr’s vision, the flat, moody farmland upon which the collective has been toiling, and the unceasing rain and wind that constantly pelts the characters as they venture outside for one business or another. As the film opens, the collective  —  made up of three couples; a curious “doctor” (Peter Berling), who spends his time spying on the others, making copious notes in his stacks of file folders, and daily drinking his considerable body weight in Palinka (Hungarian plum brandy); and the cagey Futaki (Miklos Szekely B.), who has to walk with a cane from an unspecified accident, but seems a bit more shrewd than the others  —  is anxiously awaiting their annual wages, which come all at once and is meant to get divvied up amongst the members equally.

Early on, there are various halfcocked plans from individuals to try and steal the small fortune for themselves, reflected in much idle talk about meeting that evening and decamping for parts unknown, but that ultimately come to nothing. However, when word reaches the group that the mysterious Irimiás (Mihály Vig, also the film’s composer) is, in fact, not dead as they had been told, but alive, and returning to the collective he started, the group dynamic is thrown akimbo, with various members fretting for their future, and, one, the owner of the local bar (Zoltán Kamondi), furious at the thought his business will be taken from him. 

Just why they respond like this remains vague. In ensuing segments, we see Irimiás, along with his associate, Petrina (Dr. Putyi Horvath), navigating through a police interview  —  where the local Captain informs them they will be working for him now in ways unspecified  —  though it appears the collective had very actively planned on not having to include their former leader (and his right-hand man) in their financial arrangements. As for the non-collective characters, including the aforementioned barkeep, and various prostitutes sitting idly around, the collective is virtually their only business, such as it is, so they, too, await this potential flood of cash eagerly.

As the segments begin to collect, they also begin to fold upon themselves: Scenes that we see from one vantage point in an earlier segment are revisited later on, from the perspective of a different character, enabling a thrilling moment of realization that the stream of time we’re following has breaks, jumps, and hiccoughs throughout. Never more poignantly than a moment with a young girl peering into a window of the bar  —  one of the only lit buildings in the otherwise dismally dark countryside  —  watching the adults inside drunkenly dancing and cavorting.

About that girl. Easily the most emotional moment of the film involves her, but not first without the audience paying a heavy price, depending on your empathy for other creatures. Before the film screened, during its introduction, we were made aware that there was a scene of animal cruelty involving a cat somewhere in the proceedings. The sympathetic presenter, himself a cat lover, suggested looking away for parts of that segment, though a friend of mine in attendance who had seen it before assured me looking away wasn’t really an option. Fortunately, he also told me that the cat in question wasn’t actually hurt, and was still alive at the time of a 2012 interview with Tarr.

Needless to say, my worry about this poor cat dominated my experience in the early going: Every time I saw a feline in the background of a scene, I worried that it was coming up, such that it was almost a relief when it finally happened. The situation is this: Estike (Erica Bók), the young daughter of one of the local prostitutes, caught up in her world of half-fantasies after being sent out of their apartment by her working mother, holes up in an attic with a grey tabby. At first, she pets and cuddles him, but eventually, she desires to control him, bend the cat to her will. To the cat’s increasing discomfort and fury, she grabs him by the front paws and rolls around with him, all the while muttering how she alone can determine its fate. Looping up the poor fellow in a net bag and hanging it from a post, she goes downstairs to mix a batch of milk with some rat poison powder and force feeds him until he dies (though in actuality merely tranquilized).

Wandering around the farm that night with the stiffened body of the cat tucked under her arm (a prosthetic, the director assures us), Estike runs into the doctor, shuffling outside to refill his giant jug of brandy, shortly after peering through the window of the bar. Eventually, she lies down amongst the deserted crumble of a bomb-blasted church and takes the poison herself.

As gruesome as the segment becomes, its haunting evocations permeate the rest of the film (though not immediately: in a jarring juxtaposition, the very next segment takes us back to the bar, where everyone is still dancing wildly about to a loopy accordion refrain —  only towards the end of this extended scene do we see the face of the soon-to-be-dead Estike peering inside). Eventually, Irimiás does indeed return, in time to give a moving eulogy for Estike, while at the same time transitioning the group towards his next vision, a new farm some distance away where he assures them they can finally live freely and thrive. All he needs to achieve this goal for them is the money they just received from their previous year’s efforts.

With nowhere else to go, and no other plan on the horizon, the members of the collective dutifully deposit their wages on the table in front of their leader. He sends them out to pack their things so that they may meet with him in a couple of days at the new farm he’s selected.

Gathering their miserable belongings, the group reassemble and trudge down the muddy road on foot, as the rain pelts down on them without ceasing. Distressingly, the members don’t have any proper rain coats  —  in an earlier soliloquy in the bar, Kráner (János Derszi) laments that his leather coat is so old and stiff he has to bend it in order to sit down  —  so they wear their woolen winter coats, which do little to keep them from getting soaked in the heavy fall rains.

As they make their way to this new destination, it’s clear that Irimiás is up to something. Most obviously, he could make off with their wages and move on, but it turns out his scheme is less direct than just taking their hard-earned money for himself.

Towards the second half, Tarr’s penchant for long, elegantly composed shots gives gradually away to more adventurous camerawork, including a single steadicam shot in the woods that’s like something out of a Sam Raimi film. There are extensive elliptical shots with the camera spinning slowly on an axis, this particular effect never more effective than when after the group arrives at their new farm, yet another dilapidated series of box-like concrete buildings. Once they dump their belongings and lie on the floor of the unheated, broken-windowed main house, trying to sleep, our narrator makes one of his occasional VO appearances to describe in intimate detail the dreams each character is having.

It’s a shot that could have served as an excellent final salvo, one would imagine. Indeed, by the last hour of this opus, time and again, Tarr arrives at what might be considered a conclusive moment  —  in this, the confusion is aided by his particular style: It turns out many films end on a superbly composed, static long shot  —  only to keep the narrative flowing, circling back, eventually to the original farm, where the doctor, having just returned from a stint in a hospital, begins to narrate, again, the original opening lines. Such is the perfection in this device (the segment is titled “The Circle Closes”) that once you finally arrive there, it’s clear there could be no other ending that would have sufficed.

When finally the film ended, it was later in the evening. I met up with my compatriots also in attendance, and the three of us ventured back out into the city, heading to a bar where we could nurse a beer and attempt to articulate the tangled mass of feelings and impressions of the previous nine hours. In one of the very few bars in the city that still allows smoking, appropriately enough, we debated about the film in an atmosphere swirling with the poisonous fumes of an earlier era. It seemed hopeless, but still necessary, somehow; like bidding farewell to someone already in a coma.

[iristial]

At long last...I can switch off my blacklist for a bunch of Star Wars tags because I really didn’t want to get spoiled for this movie (alas, Twitter...yeah. I still wish I never saw that)

I wouldn’t say this movie is a masterpiece in any way, but I did get emotionally invested, there were plenty of points I liked, and so on. Overall, 7.5/10

I’ll be using #tros spoilers here, so blacklist if you need it! And #long post too, because this is long, even if I feel like I haven’t covered everything

After this, I need to read a whole bunch of TVTropes because I have questions. Many of them

I was so hyped that I was feeling a stomachache while stress eating at the same time XD

Me, literally every second: PLEASE DON’T DIE

I think out of the three Rey movies, this one has my favourite fighting choreography in it. I was living for the one where Rey and Kylo (should I call him Ben from here on out...) were battling it out in the middle of a wild sea - all that sea spray - the flips - the lightsabers clashing...just good stuff

Also Rey at the height of her Force powers...I read somewhere that this took place three years after the previous movie, and it shows

Though I do feel like at some points they kind of forgot about what the Force could offer in battle? Like when Kylo/Ben was cornered in the climax, I was internally screaming “YOU CAN CHOKE PEOPLE WITH THE FORCE WHAT STOPS YOU”

But then again he’s on the light side now...so...

Watch as I literally cannot choose which Rey relationship is my favourite, be it platonic or romantic, because Rey/Poe is just intriguing to me in general; there’s that whole “I never told you” scene Rey/Finn had (I’m guessing that it’s an open-ended question and could become a meme); and then Rey/Kylo...

Speaking of Finn - I felt like the kiss he had with Rose from the previous film was forced onto the script, but at the very least, I expected...something to come out of it? Of course, relationships irl don’t always have happily ever afters, but *shakes my box of almonds* WHAT WAS THE POINT

There was so little Rose screen time why

Also the minute that Stormtrooper lady came on screen - I do take that as a message of “you are never the first or the only one who will fight against evil”, yet at the same time I kind of knew she was going to be Finn’s new partner

I do, however, know that I ship Poe with that lady he used to work with as a spice runner (also something I never expected)

When Chewy seemingly died, my heart also died. Rey’s scream of horror...that sent shivers down my spine. Thank the Force he was alive

Rey being Palpatine’s granddaughter was a reveal that had me going “HOLY SHOOT” for the next two minutes because before this I was hoping she wasn’t going to be a Skywalker but then again, why else would Palpatine be here

Palpatine is super creepy, I would never want my children near him

I must ask, how old are you sir?

In all honesty...I was a bit disappointed? The previous movies established that Rey comes from nothing - that she isn’t part of some heroic lineage or the bearer of a prophecy. I guess her being related to one of the greatest evils in the galaxy counts as this, but...like, think of the imagery, of having the descendant of the chosen one fighting alongside a “nobody” who didn’t have to fight but her sense of right and wrong overpowered any survival instincts

Then again, Kylo and Rey fighting side by side - with matching lightsaber colours, golly - as the descendant of a Jedi turned evil and the forerunner of a galactic empire was quite powerful too

Kylo using the blue lightsaber seemed to symbolize how he’s finally reached inner peace, as most religions talk about as a ‘ideal’ you’d want to reach

Also this adds a bit more weight as to why Rey was super attached to her parents’ memory even until now, because she knew they wouldn’t abandon her like that (though the fact that Rey has nothing and clings onto whatever can be called normal in spite of that abandoning her too would be equally, if not more, powerful)

I expected a bit more Leia scenes tbh, though I guess when they said “using what they did have of Carrie Fisher filmed to suit the movie”, this is the best we could’ve gotten. I got to say though, I was half crying when she shared a hug with Rey and died to reach out to her son one last time

WHEN HER BODY DISAPPEARED AFTER KYLO’S DID - THEY ARE ONE WITH THE FORCE - STOP IT STOP IT S T O P

WHEN CHEWY WAS CLUTCHING HIS HEAD BECAUSE HE’S LOST ANOTHER OLD FRIEND TO THIS WAR SAJHKASDHJKDASKJH

I never suspected that Hux would be the spy...even if his reasoning for it was every bit as petty as I expected (despite him being admittedly a more effective commander than Kylo would be in the long run). He got shot in the leg for nothing though...I felt bad for him

I must ask just why did Kylo have to glue back his mask

Are you telling me the First Order casually keeps the skull/mask of Darth Vader? If so...please incinerate it. I’m not having a dead person’s face used like this

In some ways, I feel like Kylo’s change back to good could’ve been done better, but at the same time I liked that it wasn’t Rey who pulled him out of the darkness, but his family. He killed Han Solo yet was haunted by it; his mother is probably the one person of his old life he couldn’t hurt; he tried to erase his own uncle but his true opponent was himself. Kylo couldn’t find anything fulfilling about the darkness he was supposedly seeking, he knew it, and yet he clung onto that like an old habit. It seems like his personal struggle is kind of similar to Rey’s, in a way - where people insisted they knew who he was better than he could. Kylo struggled with that - kept trying to insist one part was dead when it was struggling to come back into the light - but then Leia reaching out to him at the cost of her life cemented that he could redeem himself (somewhat). He chose his own path, much like Rey did

There were certainly portions where Kylo tried to draw in Rey as if she was the only person who “understood” him and could comfort him when an empire wasn’t enough, but at least Rey always denied the hand he gave her because she knew, even if the darkness calls for her, she won’t follow down that path

Kylo throwing the lightsaber into the ocean after talking with Han was something I liked too - no more pretenses at being Vader, or something else. He’s just Ben Solo

BUT DOES THIS MEAN HAN IS WITH THE FORCE TOO DSJHSDJHDASKJHKDAHJ

Kylo Ren’s death....

This was the spoiler I saw on Twitter and I’m still fuming that I ever came across it

I actually suspected this a year ago? That perhaps, to indicate that the end of an era has come, that the galaxy no longer has to cling onto a blood line - that to finally redeem for the sins Anakin committed - that Kylo would die? So I guess that’s why I didn’t feel like it was tacked on - not to mention that while you don’t need to die to get redemption, Kylo spent all his life being conflicted, and it feels like the only way he can be really be at peace is to die and be with his family and the Force

I’ve said before that I don’t feel like I ship Rey and Kylo, so I was rather apprehensive of the kiss that was going to happen (which I also got spoiled about, why). I was absolutely certain that it was going to be a forced romance...yet when it happened...it didn’t feel romantic? The kiss just felt like - relief and peace that two people from opposite sides, and maybe even mixed in the middle, are finally free from the burden of their pasts? Like it was done in the absolute height of ecstasy? Idk, if there ever is a culture where kissing on the lips doesn’t necessarily imply romance, then I would push this Reylo kiss into there

He gave up his own life to save Rey...

She died with her eyes wide open, as opposed to Kylo who died with closed eyes and the most peace I’ve ever seen on his face

Also his smile - dude, why can’t nice things last forever on this earth

When he died...no tears came out, but I was trying so hard not to wail in the theatre. I was making crying sounds until the end of the whole fleet’s destruction

I EXPECTED THIS BECAUSE OF MY PREDICTION AND THE SPOILER BUT WHY WAS THIS SO SAD

AND HIS BODY DISAPPEARED HE IS ONE WITH THE FORCE

Rey burying Luke and Leia’s lightsabers at her old home seemed to indicate that the Skywalker line is now gone - that perhaps, they’re no longer needed - that we can look to a new future that isn’t tinged with the sins of an ancestor or solely dependent on a family...it just felt like a good ending to the heroes many people grew up with in this franchise

Rey’s lightsaber being yellow though...I LOVE IT

That Luke and Leia force projection, dajhdashjkdsa

I was whispering/yelling “SAY THAT YOU’RE A SKYWALKER REY” and then she said “I’m Rey Skywalker” sadkhjdaskjhfakjh

SHE SAID REY SKYWALKER AND YOU CAN TAKE IT IN SO MANY WAYS BECAUSE

She is rejecting her supposed destiny of being Palpatine’s successor

Luke, Leia and Han were the adopted parents/teachers she desired and yet received so much more

You could even say she’s cementing a bond to Kylo Ren, be it romantic (I can literally see the shippers saying “Reylo are married”) or platonic (they could understand each other, and Rey received as much love from them as Kylo did, even if he couldn’t understand it until the last moment)

[what2watch2night]

YESTERDAY Will Sure Make All Your Troubles Seem So Far Away!

Yesterday might not be the best film of the year as expected but it is so far one of the best and it sure delivered some and more! It delivered (with an accompanying hilarious delivery) 2019 best line (so far): 'In the name of Money please stop COME BACK!!!' by Kate Mckinnon in YESTERDAY as "the sleazy manager"! 

Well it is becoming a thing of a stock character now that we saw  a "sleazy manager" 3 times in less than a year (not that it was not around before but this very modern version is more all pretentious douchebagery than the possibly abusive / POS /criminal we used to see without questioning because it was indeed sadly a thing)

Likewise we can vouch for Kate McKinnon for any and all Best supporting actor in award 👏 Like for real !

Also whoever is concerned, better nominate YESTERDAY for best original screenplay because is 100% fresh and in the age of prequel sequel reboot & co we need more movies like this (and even tho there is some similar material out there, it is truly a brilliant premise)

And yep, best director for "Danny Boy" Boyle lol and maybe even a best picture (it is a bit of a long shot but guess so far so good as there is not much competition out there! BUT we all know ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD and MIDSOMMAR are just around the corner with anticipation at 100000000% 🔥Also THE IRISHMEN will drop last minute to get an universal Hallelujah right?! Not like we need awards to go to a white man again this year (little lol) but we actually genuinely not even sorry for wanting this just this time 🙈🙉🙊 Well maybe something miraculous will happen by Christmas.... So 6 months to go y'all! #filmfolk! But in all seriousness there is so so so much greatness to come and more actually, so not sure how YESTERDAY will hang in there... Cuz it ain't no SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE despite it being a thrilling piece of entertainment👍)

Also lets not overlook possibilities of Best actor in a comedy musical because it could/should be happening (or at least some breakthrough recognition for Himesh Patel on the UK side of things looking good!)

MORAL OF THE STORY: 7.5/10 

All in all, it is fresh that YESTERDAY is totes different from what was expected AND  #SPOILERALERT 

"that one scene" was so bizarre, out of the blue, perhaps mildly disturbing for The Beatles' fans,  and yet much much much appreciated. So #gratitude  

Considering we’ve been sincerely waiting for this one for a longgggg time, the result - altho not the masterpiece of #Cinema we were hoping for -  did not disappoint... Not at all Sir🙏 So YESTERDAY sure is another great addition to your 'Music in Film' list!

Side note: Beatlemania and all concerned! YESTERDAY is extremely different but might be as good as ACROSS THE UNIVERSE minus great visual... Alas we cant have it all (even tho less "love story" more psychedelic trip would have been an interesting choice and more of our cup of tea :)  But we take YESTERDAY as it is a possibly fitting tribute to a legendary band that proclaimed " all you need is love" ... So whether true or false - false! - we do take it for our Love of Music and Film lol! )

[clarkgriffon]

can you rank the episodes of s5?

this one’s a little out of the blue, but sure! why not? as a disclaimer, s5 isn’t really my favorite season to begin with (well, it’s my least favorite actually), but ranking within the season i definitely have some fave episodes

Sleeping Giants (5x03) - The cinnamon topography in this episode… truly a masterpiece. The way it was written, shot, acted… it was everything. I think it’s super telling that, as someone who’s in love with Bellarke, I love this episode so much even though they only see each other for a moment at the end. The buildup to that reunion was perfect. 100000000/10

Eden (5x01) - Eliza’s acting in this was phenomenal, and an entire episode on Clarke’s journey made my heart so full. 10/10

How We Get to Peace (5x08) - The high drama and intrigue in this episode, especially with the conclusion of Bellamy poisoning O was gripping. Of all the episodes, this one probably had my favorite sideplots. The Memori and Marper side stories were so good and this episode had the best line of the season IMO: “Everyone dies, Monty. Let’s show them how to live.” 8.5/10

Shifting Sands (5x05) - Fun adventures through sandstorm season! The return of Bellarke as the adventure couple! Octavia’s gonna fight the wind! 7.5/10

Damocles Pt. 2 (5x13) - Honestly there’s a lot of this episode I don’t enjoy, but there are good moments in there that I love so much it overpowers the bad stuff. The good moments being the last 20 minutes with Jordan, Bellamy, and Clarke, the flirting convo between Bellarke about meeting on the bridge, and Bellamy talking Madi out of killing everyone. 7/10

Pandora’s Box (5x04) - To be honest, I don’t remember a lot of this episode because it was mostly reunions, but the reunions were cute. There wasn’t much plot, but at least they got me in the feels. 6/10

Exit Wounds (5x06) - I know what you’re thinking, “You don’t have the B/E episode at the bottom?” But no! I don’t! I’ve been saying from the dawn of the day that B/E needs to be developed if they’re ever going to break up and this is the ONLY development they’ve ever gotten, plus it was rife with Bellarke subtext. The transition from the B/E sex scene to Clarke’s hands, Bellamy freaking out about Clarke leaving - good shit. A bit slow of an episode. 5.5/10

Red Queen (5x02) - Of the bunker flashback eps, I preferred this one, the establishment of the fighting pits and watching Octavia struggle to make a decision on how to control her people. I actually felt connected with her in this episode, and Jaha dying was so heartbreaking to me. Again, it was a slow episode, even though it was the better of the two flashback eps. 4.5/10

The Warriors Will (5x10) - Monty’s a godsend, the rest of the episode is the embodiment of the shrug emoji. 4/10

Acceptable Losses (5x07) - I literally do not remember this episode. 3/10

The Dark Year (5x11) - Big build up to this reveal for extremely little payoff. I liked the snow scenes. 2/10

Sic Semper Tyrannis (5x09) - No. 0/10

Damocles Pt. 1 (5x12) - This is my least favorite episode of The 100 literally ever. E V E R. It’s trash. -1000000000000000/10

[jimmysmusiccorner-blog]

ALBUM REVIEW: Dire Straits - Dire Straits

Introduction: 

This debut album was released in October of 1978 and the world hasn’t been the same since. The two brothers, Mark and David Knopfler, delivered this nine-song masterpiece after signing a record deal on the back of the success of Sultans of Swing, easily their most iconic tune. 

The Highlights: Down to the Waterline, Sultans of Swing. 

Down to the Waterline opens the album, was a mysterious like silence broken by what sounds like an initially lonely guitar, only to catch the listener off guard when the band jumps in. The song recounts a fiery relationship between two young lovers, a man and a woman who would “run and hide” down to the docks and make-out. Each line of lyrics is almost countered by a lead guitar, almost representing a voice that isn’t there, maybe one of the lovers themselves. However, what we presume to be years later, the woman can “Still hear him whisper” and remembers the memories they shared down by the docks. We don’t know what happened, but we can assume they are no longer together. The song ends on a Bm9, and the note hangs in the air as if there could be more to the tale than we know. This song sets the tone for the album, the themes being love and relationships between two people and the psychological side of love. 

  Sultans of Swing is arguably one of the greatest songs ever written. The 149 beats per minute tempo and the way the song starts immediately throws the listener into a groovy and active environment. The song recounts members of an amateur swing band, all of who have their own lives and backstories. One of my favourite parts of the song is the change in beat between verses, it’s so subtle but really moves the song along. Swing is characterised as simple, with a strong beat and with clear melodies all of which is employed by the Dire Straits. However, what really makes this song so memorable is the guitar that winds the song down, right after the declaration of the band who we learn are the Sultans of Swings. The ensuing guitar solo is one of the most memorable is in history, quickly picking up in pace, till we reach almost a fever pitch with an juggling of notes which quickly fades after a few squeals, returning back to the usual chord progression seen throughout the song. 

Hidden Gem: Wild West End

This song, as seen through Mark Knopfler’s eyes, is a narrative of walking down London’s West End, an area known for its cafés, markets but more notably their world-class theatre. Compared to Down to the Waterline, this song is incredibly descriptive and more orientated around the lyrics than the complexity usually seen in their songs. The song celebrates London for all that it is, a diverse and seemingly incredible place to live (Lions, the final track in the album also follows this idea). Knopfler’s descriptions of Chinatown, the beautiful stranger he encounters and even the gogo dancers make the listener feel as if they are truly walking the streets with him, taking in all that he sees. I personally have always loved this song, because it follows the more brash and sophisticated In the Gallery, providing a nice contrast to begin to close the album. 

Conclusion: 

This was one of the first albums that I ever owned on vinyl when I was 15, and my limited rotation meant I truly did spend absolutely hours listening to this. Alongside this, my father also bought this album at the same age, so there is admittedly some sentimentality in that sense. 

Although I don’t adore all the tracks inside and out, I can still tell you all the words and what they all mean to me. This album is important to listen to and to know, simply listening to Sultans of Swing is not enough because this band is so so much more than that. 

My verdict for this album is 7.5/10.