#Aesthetic | Horrors Beyond Life’s Edge

[unhxngxd]

Mercy Addams

Go to pinterest.com and enter your character name+core and post the first nine pictures. (I 100% cheated to not just have pictures of Jenna Ortega, you can too)

Tagged by: @richardxoliverxmayhew Tagging: anybody who wants to!

[nitrosodiumfmp]

Developer Research Part 2: Dynamic Pixels

This studio is the one behind Hello Neighbor, an infamous horror (?) puzzle game from the golden age of mascot horror. (Mascot horror is a relatively new genre, referring to derivative walking simulators that focus more on recognizable characters than horror). While the game has been rightfully savaged, it would be fair to say that throughout its long development cycle, it retained a very interesting aesthetic. In the first few Alpha builds, the game looked vaguely realistic, though it retained an edge of wackiness to it.

As you can see, even in Alpha 1, a point in development people point to as being more grounded, the house has multiple decks, balconies and floors essentially stacked on top of each other. I jokingly referred to this crooked architectural style as the 2fort-Yharnam Spectrum, and the vibrant colours definitely make it stand out. Beyond that, though, there's another angle to the strangeness of it. The windows are slightly crooked, and there's a train going through the house.

Beyond being there just to add to the nonsensical architecture, the train immediately acts as a sort of lure for players - not only is it something to strive for, getting to the top floors of the house and riding the train (albeit something you can't do in this build), it is a moving component and makes the level more interesting. Of course, on a primal level, the human eye is designed to lock onto movement, but moving components, at least in my opinion, make a level seem so much more alive and real. Even looking back to my early research with Kingpin and Half Life 2, there's always some flickering screen or rusty wind turbine adding a tiny bit of motion to an otherwise still screen. But, back to Hello Neighbor. As Alphas evolved into Betas, the art style essentially extrapolated, shedding the more realistic elements and leaning harder into the surreal.

I'm not a massive fan of the new Seussian look everything has; some of it looks good, but most of it is garish, over-the-top, and does not inspire an atmosphere of horror in the slightest. What I do think is interesting, however, is the look of the machinery around the neighbor's house.

Everything appears wacky and cobbled together, covered in levers and gears and valves and gauges and rivets. There's an interesting focus on brass, giving the whole thing a pseudo-steampunk vibe. It is definitely in line with my aesthetic for Sinister Workshop. However, it's clear through watching various video essays that people didn't like the overly vibrant later Betas. That's fine, since I planned for my game to be considerably gloomier, while retaining the strange machinery aspect I have borrowed from Hello Neighbor.

Edit: Dynamic Pixels' other work is on tamagochi-esque mobile games, such as the MewSim series. It's not too relevant, just vector art-esque designs, very simplistic and not too interesting either. It's not like HawkSandwich where there's a definite vibe in all their work, Hello Neighbor seems like a one-off.

[polishmymarble]

PolishMyMarble: The Best Marble Polishing Services in Tollygunge, Kolkata

Marble has always been a symbol of elegance and sophistication in home design. Whether it’s a polished floor, a kitchen countertop, or exquisite marble decor, the beauty of marble is unmatched. However, over time, even the most stunning marble surfaces can lose their luster due to wear and tear. This is where PolishMyMarble comes in, offering the best marble polishing services in Tollygunge, Kolkata. In this blog post, we’ll explore why PolishMyMarble is the go-to choice for marble care, share relatable stories, and provide practical tips for maintaining your marble surfaces.

Why Marble?

Before we dive into the benefits of using PolishMyMarble, let’s take a moment to appreciate why marble is such a popular choice in homes. Marble offers a unique blend of beauty and durability, making it an excellent investment. Its natural veining and glossy finish can elevate the look of any room. But like all things, marble requires maintenance to keep it looking its best.

Real-Life Scenario

Consider the Singh family who recently moved into a beautiful apartment in Tollygunge. They were thrilled to find marble flooring throughout their new home. However, after a few months of living there, they noticed scratches from furniture and stains from spills. The marble that once gleamed now appeared dull and uninviting. It was time for some professional help, and that’s where PolishMyMarble stepped in.

The PolishMyMarble Difference

1. Expertise You Can Trust

PolishMyMarble prides itself on having a team of trained professionals who understand the nuances of marble care. They know that different types of marble require different approaches. This expertise ensures that your surfaces receive the care they need without risking damage.

Customer Testimonial: Mrs. Chatterjee from Tollygunge shares, “I was hesitant to hire a service for my marble floors because I’d heard horror stories. But PolishMyMarble reassured me with their expertise. They brought my floors back to life!”

2. Tailored Solutions for Every Need

Every marble surface tells a story, and PolishMyMarble treats each one uniquely. They assess the specific needs of your marble, considering factors like its age, type, and usage. This personalized approach means you receive exactly the care your marble requires.

3. Cutting-Edge Techniques

Utilizing advanced tools and techniques, PolishMyMarble can effectively remove scratches, stains, and dullness without damaging your marble. Their methods not only restore the shine but also help to protect your investment.

4. Transparent Pricing

One of the standout features of PolishMyMarble is their clear and honest pricing. Homeowners can budget confidently, knowing there won’t be any hidden fees or surprises.

5. Eco-Friendly Practices

In an age where sustainability is paramount, PolishMyMarble uses environmentally friendly products. Their commitment to eco-friendly practices means you can enjoy a beautiful home without harming the planet.

Benefits of Professional Marble Polishing

Investing in professional marble polishing has numerous benefits that go beyond just aesthetics. Here are a few compelling reasons to consider:

1. Restored Beauty

The most obvious benefit is the immediate transformation in appearance. Polished marble gleams, enhancing the overall look of your home. A freshly polished floor can become the centerpiece of any room.

2. Increased Durability

Professional polishing removes minor imperfections, helping to protect the marble from future damage. This proactive care can significantly extend the lifespan of your marble surfaces.

Anecdote: Mr. Mukherjee, a Tollygunge resident, neglected his marble for years. After finally hiring PolishMyMarble, he learned that regular maintenance could save him from costly repairs down the line. Now, he schedules yearly polishing services to keep his marble in top shape.

3. Higher Property Value

Well-maintained marble adds to the overall value of your home. If you ever decide to sell, potential buyers will be drawn to beautifully polished surfaces, making it easier to secure a favorable offer.

4. Safety Considerations

Dull marble can be slippery, particularly when wet. Polishing can improve traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls, which is especially important in homes with children or elderly family members.

The PolishMyMarble Process

You might wonder what happens when you book a service with PolishMyMarble. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Initial Assessment

The process begins with a thorough assessment of your marble surfaces. The team inspects for scratches, stains, and overall wear to determine the best approach.

2. Deep Cleaning

Before polishing, it’s essential to clean the marble thoroughly. PolishMyMarble uses specialized cleaning solutions to remove dirt and debris, ensuring the polishing process is effective.

3. Polishing

Using advanced polishing machines, the team works through several stages to achieve the desired shine. This meticulous approach ensures that your marble looks brand new without being damaged.

4. Sealing

Once polished, the marble is sealed to protect it from future stains and scratches. Sealing is a crucial step in maintaining the beauty and longevity of your marble.

5. Final Inspection and Care Tips

After the work is completed, the team conducts a final inspection to ensure everything meets their high standards. They also provide you with valuable tips on how to maintain your marble after the service.

Customer Experiences with PolishMyMarble

Nothing speaks to the quality of a service like customer feedback. Here are a few stories from Tollygunge residents who chose PolishMyMarble:

Mr. Roy’s Transformation

“After years of neglect, my marble floors were a shadow of their former self. PolishMyMarble worked wonders! The floors look like they did when we first moved in. I couldn’t be happier!”

Mrs. Das’s Delight

“I was concerned about the kids and the slippery floors, but after polishing, not only do they look fantastic, but they also feel safer. I highly recommend PolishMyMarble to any family!”

How to Maintain Your Marble After Polishing

After investing in professional polishing, you’ll want to keep your marble looking stunning. Here are some practical maintenance tips:

1. Regular Cleaning

Use a soft mop or cloth along with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for marble. Avoid acidic or abrasive products that could damage the surface.

2. Prompt Spill Cleanup

Marble is porous and can absorb liquids quickly. If you spill something, clean it up immediately to avoid staining.

3. Use Coasters and Mats

To prevent scratches and stains, always use coasters for drinks and mats in high-traffic areas. This small step can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

4. Schedule Regular Professional Care

Aim for professional polishing every 6 to 12 months. Regular maintenance is key to preserving the beauty and integrity of your marble.

The Value of Routine Marble Care

Many homeowners underestimate the importance of routine marble care. Regular polishing not only enhances aesthetics but also protects your investment.

A Wise Choice

Take the case of the Saha family in Tollygunge. After experiencing the joy of freshly polished marble, they decided to schedule routine maintenance with PolishMyMarble. Their floors have remained beautiful and in excellent condition, proving that a little care goes a long way.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best marble polishing services in Tollygunge, Kolkata, look no further than PolishMyMarble. Their expertise, personalized service, and commitment to quality set them apart as the premier choice for marble care.

Your home is a reflection of you, and dull or damaged marble shouldn’t detract from that. Contact PolishMyMarble today and let them help restore the beauty of your marble surfaces!

Get in Touch with PolishMyMarble

Ready to give your marble the care it deserves? Visit PolishMyMarble or call [7059276431] their dedicated team today. Experience the joy of stunning surfaces and elevate your home’s elegance.

Investing in professional marble polishing is not just about aesthetics; it's about preserving your home’s beauty and value. With PolishMyMarble, you can enjoy beautifully maintained marble for years to come. Happy polishing!

[staccato-fever]

Dead Sea Scrolls - Wikipedia

DEZI Theistic Satanism Eastern Tewahedo Catholic Gnoticism (SALESIAN CROWN BELGE)

Left Handed Path

Urban shamanism distinguishes traditional shamanism found in indigenous societies from Western adaptations that draw on contemporary and modern roots. Urban shamanism is practiced primarily by people who do not originate in a traditional indigenous society and who create unique methods that do not follow or claim authenticity in any prior tradition. Urban shamanism traces its beginnings to efforts by Westerners to come to terms with psychoactive plant experiences using their own modern frames of cultural reference influenced by, but outside of, the indigenous rites in which plant medicine is traditionally based. Surautomatism is any theory or act in practice of surrealist creative production taking, or purporting to take, automatism to its most absurd limits. Action painting, sometimes called "gestural abstraction", is a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied. The resulting work often emphasizes the physical act of painting itself as an essential aspect of the finished work or concern of its artist. An acid house party was a type of illegal party typically staged in an Art Gallery After Party between 1987 and 1989. Opium dens were typically dark, hidden, underground spaces or an Art Gallery After Party. Dazecore is an aesthetic inspired by sleepless nights and the buzz of late night/early morning thoughts. It is very closely linked to Urbancore, Geek, and Dark Minimalism, heavily influenced by artists working in the early hours of the morning and students staying up late at night working on papers. Urbancore is an aesthetic based on imagery of urban cities and street life. Urbancore is associated to real-life, modern-day society and almost always is based in recent decades. As it is a really broad aesthetic, it can revolve around city streets and architecture, graffiti, skate parks at night, urban fashion and picnics. Thriller is a genre of fiction with numerous, often overlapping, subgenres, including crime, horror, and detective fiction. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving their audiences heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. A thriller generally keeps its audience on the "edge of their seats" as the plot builds towards a climax. The cover-up of important information is a common element.[2] Literary devices such as red herrings, plot twists, unreliable narrators, and cliffhangers are used extensively. A thriller is often a villain-driven plot, whereby they present obstacles that the protagonist or hero must overcome. bon vivant (plural bon vivants or bons vivants) A man who enjoys luxurious things in life, especially good food and drink; a man about town. Olfactory art is an art form that uses scents as a medium. Olfactory art includes perfume as well as other applications of scent. A clay-court specialist is a tennis player who excels on clay courts, more than on any other surface. Due in part to advances in racquet technology, current clay-court specialists are known for employing long, winding groundstrokes that generate heavy topspin; such strokes are less effective on faster surfaces on which the balls do not bounce as high. Clay-court specialists tend to slide more effectively on clay than other players. Many of them are also very adept at hitting the drop shot, which can be effective because rallies on clay courts often leave players pushed far beyond the baseline. Additionally, the slow, long rallies require a great degree of mental focus and physical stamina.

Invocation Occult

Syncretism with Rosier

Count as Noble Title

9th Prince of Hell

Arbiter Choir 

St. Matthieu Classification 

Sylphs

Cardinal-Mutable Lightning Air Sagittarius 

Jupiter-Uranus Astral Body Heavenly Intelligence 

Enochian Magick 

DEZI Effect as a Mural Crown Invocation Sin (Invocation, Oversoul, Lightning Demigod Wing Exchange, Planetary Intelligence Natal Charts, Jupiter Evening Star Invocation, Apocalypse Text, Enochian Magick, Sensory Play, St. Matthieu Classification, Spiritual Catalyst, Cul-de-sac Drug-Crime Nexus, Solvent Levelling Effect Chemical Reaction Engineering, Habitants Monopoly, Larousse Gastronomy, Fragrance Wheel, Refus Global, Blue Ocean Strategy Series, Drug Sorcery, Reckless Abandonment, and Impulsive Borderline)

Lesser Satans (Grigori)

Sin City Angel

Mischievous over Malevolent

Fallen Angel who tempts Sin 

Incubus

War Responsibility

Underworld Fleur-de-lys: Dualism in cosmology or dualistic cosmology is the moral or spiritual belief that two fundamental concepts exist, which often oppose each other. It is an umbrella term that covers a diversity of views from various religions, including both traditional religions and scriptural religions. Moral dualism is the belief of the great complement or conflict between the benevolent and the malevolent.

It is difficult to find real women represented in sources characterized as 'Gnostic.' The few that are mentioned are portrayed to be chaotic, disobedient, and even enigmatic.[70] However, significant Gnostic texts like the Nag Hammadi place women in roles of leadership and heroism, contradicting the narrative that women in Gnostic spaces were mere victims to their circumstance.[70][71][72] The role women played in the evolution of Gnosticism is an area of study still being explored.

The pneumatics ("spiritual", from Greek πνεῦμα, "spirit") were, in Gnosticism, the highest order of humans, the other two orders being psychics and hylics ("matter"). A pneumatic saw themselves as escaping the doom of the material world via the transcendent knowledge of Sophia's Divine Spark within the soul. In Gnosticism, the divine spark is the portion of God that resides within each human being.

An illusion is a distortion of the senses, which can reveal how the mind normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. Although illusions distort the human perception of reality, they are generally shared by most people.

Yahweh[a] was an ancient Levantine deity, and national god of the Israelite kingdoms of Israel and Judah.[4] Though no consensus exists regarding the deity's origins,[5] scholars generally contend that Yahweh is associated with Seir, Edom, Paran and Teman,[6] and later with Canaan. The origins of his worship reach at least to the early Iron Age, and likely to the Late Bronze Age, if not somewhat earlier.[7] In the oldest biblical literature, he possesses attributes typically ascribed to weather and war deities, fructifying the land and leading the heavenly army against Israel's enemies.[8] The early Israelites were polytheistic and worshipped Yahweh alongside a variety of Canaanite gods and goddesses, including El, Asherah and Baal.[9]

Carl Jung approached Gnosticism from a psychological perspective, which was followed by Gilles Quispel. According to this approach, Gnosticism is a map for the human development in which an undivided person, centered on the Self, develops out of the fragmentary personhood of young age. According to Quispel, gnosis is a third force in western culture, alongside faith and reason, which offers an experiential awareness of this Self.

Tracksuits and Outerwear 

Raguel and Sachiel are adversaries 

French Apocalyptic Treatise Text: Underworld Angels: Spiritual Angelogy not Religious (Bibles: De Coelesti Hierarchia and Summa Theologica), Creates Apocalyptic Texts Influenced by Revelations 7, Black Angel Wings, Arbiter-Serpah-Virtues Paradise Angels, Spiritual Catalyst, Angelic Sin, Evening Star Astral Body, Mandatory Uranus-Pluto Planetary Intelligence, St. Thomas Aquinas is God Like, Sin Cities Habitants, Grants Invocation Possession Angel Wings, Angelogy Students, et Angel Philosopher), Mural Crown (Tutlery Deity, Civil Heraldy, Heraldy)

COUP D'PIED Analytics, Bioengineering, and Geometry Football.

Examples: Stylistic Biomechanics, Nutritional BioChemistry, Dribbling Geometry Visual Aids, Plyometric Training over Sprint Training, Football Pitch Shape Cutting Playing Zones with Key Stats.

Recette Belgique Welfare

Gougère

Roux Basa Chowder

Waffles Belge 

Frappé 

Hache Parmentier

Potatoes au Gratin

Boeuf Bourguignon

Salmon Rillettes

Cervelle de Canut

Bourride

Belmont Carton

Belgique Sociocultural Theory of Development

Tobacco-Pill Press Based Black Market

Chef Psychopaths

5 Senses City

Underage Prescription Meds

Polydrug Use

Trap Shooting

Extraversion Sensory Aesthetic Psychopathy

Belgique Festivals

Fragrance-Bralette

Bocuse d'or

Boat Racing Weekends

Art Gallery Memberships

Cannes Film Festival Foreign Thrillers Memberships

Belgique Engineering Atheltics

Boat Racing

Motocross

Terrain Jeeps After Market Tuning

Belgique Decentralized Habitant-Tableau Économique Art Financing

Olfactory Arts

Painting

Gastronomy

Graphic Design

Interior Design

Belgique Cul-de-sac 

Body High Ecstasy Water; (Binding Agent) Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydrocolloid Water-soluble Proteins, (Potentiation) Grapefruit Powder, (Activating Ingredients) meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), and Alprazolam

New York Minuite: Duds and meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP)

Fentalogs: acetyl fentanyl, butyryl fentanyl, beta- hydroxythiofentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, acryl fentanyl, and U-47700.

Tablet presses are machines designed to compress pharmaceutical powders and granules into tablets. They must be highly precise in order to create uniform tablets that each contain the same amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients.

Habitants (French: [abitɑ̃]) were French settlers and the inhabitants of French origin who farmed the land along the two shores of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf in what is the present-day Province of Quebec in Canada. The term was used by the inhabitants themselves and the other classes of French Canadian society from the 17th century up until the early 20th century when the usage of the word declined in favour of the more modern agriculteur (farmer) or producteur agricole (agricultural producer). A fragrance wheel [1] also known as aroma wheel, fragrance circle, perfume wheel or smell wheel, is a circular diagram showing the inferred relationships among olfactory groups based upon similarities and differences in their odor.[1] The groups bordering one another are implied to share common olfactory characteristics. Fragrance wheel is frequently used as a classification tool in oenology and perfumery.

Baisers Parfumé: Startup Accelerators et Business Incubators Fragrance Festivals.

Neuroplasticity Drug-Crime Nexus in Belgique based on Trafficking.

CPP, CNS Depressants, et FENTALOGS: Cul-de-sac

Bastilles: Cul-de-sac Artist Résidences Penthouse Complexes

Big Room House Raves

Acid House Art Gallery

International Film Festival

Hôtel Chefs

Seigneurial System/Tableau Economique Raw Material Économics Production Spot

Surautomatism

Discount Networking Acid House Party

Opium Dens and Fragrance Festivals

Pill Pressers

CNS depressants

Upper-tier County System

Defense Lawyers are Traplords (Trafficking P4P and Malicious Prosecution)

Brain Receptor Dealing

Neuroplasticity Drug-Crime Nexus

Religious Ecstacy

Entheogens are psychedelic drugs—and sometimes certain other psychoactive substances—used for engendering spiritual development or otherwise in sacred contexts

Live-Pool Betting Monopoly Board Game

Summary Sentencing

Urban Level: Street Culture Art Gallery (Street culture may refer to: Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities, Street market, Children's street culture, Street carnival, Block party, Street identity, Street food, Café culture, Several youth subculture or counterculture topics pertaining to outdoors of urban centers. These can include: Street art, Street photography, Street racing, Street wear, Hip-hop culture, Urban fiction, Street sports, Streetball, Flatland BMX, Freestyling)

A designer drug is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug, while avoiding classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests

Books

William A. Hustrulid and 2 more

Open Pit Mine Planning and Design, Two Volume Set & CD-ROM Pack

3rd Edition

Jr. Walters, Charles

Raw Materials Economics

GANGLANDS ANTWERP

[maroonghoul]

Cozy Horror?

I've been hearing this above term recently plus some of the blowback against it. I'm one of those who doesn't care for it, but it doesn't make me angry like how I am with "Elevated Horror". I'm more confused. It's like every term I hear to define it, I think they're already terms for.

"it has low stakes and is not all that bloody." Oh you mean like gateway Horror or a kid's horror movie?

"It has the aesthetics of a horror movie but is not all that intense" so it's spoopy?

"it reminds me of all the nice things of fall" because it's a horror movie set at fall?

The term itself again feels redundant. As for the attitude of those who championed the term and get angrily defensive? I kind of get it, but I think they're looking at it the wrong way.

I get not finding the more intense or hardcore horror films fun to watch or easy to rewatch. It's typical. But the edgelord a-holes who would apparantly shame someone for not liking harder horror films don't speak for the general horror community. They are just another loud minority. A lot of female fans like horror media that don't invoke coziness at all, and plenty of male fans like the cozier horror films just as much as the non-cozy variety, whatever that is.

People who talk about it see it as a binary. But for me, I see all of Horror as an abyss or cave. That sounds negative, but hear me out. What would be called "Cozy Horror" would be around the edge if not a little bit in. All the other varieties are further in, with something like the French New Extremity as the bottom. (If I'm wrong, I'm not ready to guess what is.).

All of us, casual and superfans alike, are climbing into it all the time. A few just pear over the edge from time to time. The reason I picked an abyss instead of a mountain for this is that with a mountain, there's more of an assumption of either competition or "you're less of a man" if you don't try it. Instead, it's with something a bit more spooky, (heh), and more understandable about not wanting to go down there, if you're afraid of the dark or tight spaces. But because of that, most of us are understanding if others don't want to go far in, even if some of us have been doing it long enough to only feel satisfied going a bit deeper. It's all actually a matter of personal comfort.

If your favorite subgenre of horror is one that gives more deliberate cozy vibes or that's the only one you can stand, that's okay. That's fine. The least I can ask for is similar understanding that what gives me the same comfort is, for example, a bleak future where people who are still underpaid or overworked are force to make first contact with a brutal alien species that uses them more for breeding than food just because their employer only sees dollar signs. Or a bunch of naive college students trip out to the woods ends with their bodies eviscerated and their souls literally torn apart by demons beyond human comprehension who did it just to amuse themselves. Or a selfish abusive family man drags his family to a remote sketchy place in the middle of nowhere only to go crazy because of his lack of foresight and his inability to accept any real responsibility and grow up cause him to be susceptible to a horrible plan involving said family. Or a last of it's kind dinosaur is painfully irradiated to the point it lashes out on any nearby life, regardless if they're victims of the same disaster, only to die in one of the worst possible ways at the hands of a man who destroyed himself as well because he couldn't forget the full horrible implications of all that he found. Or, in the most isolated and inhospitable place on the planet, people deadened to any sort of attachment to each other, are invaded by an organism so alien to them, not can it look like something out of their nightmares, but it can also imitate them to such a degree so as to not only tear their bonds to each other asunder, if any, but can also make one realized how limited the human perception of the natural world, each other, and themselves really is.

I don't know why these make me feel cozy, but they do. Are they cozy to you? They might not be now. But they could be later. Along with much worse.

If the time comes you're ready, I'll wait for you deeper in the cave. We can share a blanket.

[omorinintendoswitchedition]

So I made a tier list on all the Black Space soundtracks. So here are my rankings. (I had to make a twitter account for this worst day of my life I deactivated it immediately after I made this)

Anyways, allow me to explain my choices to you, going from the bottom up. (images on the tierlist courtesy of the OMORI wiki)

D TIER

Drone (Scribble Area)

It’s exactly what it says. A track that just drones on and on and on. Not much music wise is it? Very boring imo.

Friendsssssss. (Mirror Area)

It’s just distorted sounds. Boooo lame get off that stage boooooooooooo

C TIER

Friends. (Neighbour Area)

It’s just a Lost at a Sleepover remix with a long note and a distortion. Was very close to putting this in D but at least the first part is okay to listen to.

Waiting For….. (Faceless Area)

I really do not know how to describe this one. But it’s just…..not very exciting. It’s just a bunch of sounds.

Calm (Town Area)

I could barely hear it. Like most of the time it’s silence. Fitting for the area, but as a soundtrack I want to hear more of it. Aside from my gripes with the silence it’s pretty nice. I actually had this in B beforehand but then bumped it down to C. But this is a high C. Like just on the edge of a B.

August/Water (Beach Area)

I do not get why people like August/Water so much. Like it’s okay, just not spectacular. It’s kinda relaxing, I guess??? To me it’s just mid. Not great not bad.

B TIER

Nawa (Treehouse Areq)

It’s pretty good. It’s nice on the ears and relaxing in a weird sort of way if you catch my drift.

Fleur (Pain Area)

Really the same as Nawa. I mean it’s less good than Nawa but it’s not trash. Oddly relaxing and it reminds me of this image

Bloom (Watermelon Area)

Haha funny Basil explode into watermelon track. Anyways it’s a funky little thing. I like the drums(?) in it, but I couldn’t find a reason to place it any higher than B. So it’s going in B.

Welcome Again (Main Hub)

For a remix of the main White Space theme, I enjoy it. There’s not a lot to say beyond “White Space remix” but it’s just. neat

A TIER

Distance (Disco Area)

I really like how it sounds so childish. Like it sounds like a distorted sunrise. It’s like a track for the end of a horror where you’ve managed to escape from the monster and are running to freedom, watching the sun rise over the horizon, but the the monster appears before you, cutting off your path to freedom and trapping you forever. Perfect for the cartoony aesthetics of this room.

Glade (Backyard Area)

It sounds so devastated and upset. Like you’ve done something wrong and hurt someone you love. But there’s no one to help, you’re alone, and you can’t help them either, so you just sit and watch them as they’re in pain. It’s like repressed despair that’s finally bubbling to the surface. It sounds like being betrayed but someone you loved the most or betraying someone who you care for deeply but you have no choice but to hurt them. And I love it.

5Ths (Spider Area)

When I hear this I picture shaking hands and nervous sweating and just general anxiety. I see someone somewhere they shouldn’t be, walking quickly so they’re not noticed with a creeping feeling of dread rising up their spine. Like there’s something bad about to happen, and this is moments right before.

Temple (Church Of Something Interior)

To me Temple speaks of being in disguise amongst enemies, rising a staircase with all eyes on you. This is your one and only shot at taking them down, so use it wisely. I like how it’s funky and you can bop your head to it a little bit. And it’s relaxing too.

Numbers (Reef Area)

I was so super close to making this an S tier but there are some parts that sounded disjointed that held this back from being S tier. But it’s still a high A song. The German counting is very cool as well. It does have the underwater vibes, like you’re down deep and you’re starting to hear voices, and you don’t know if it’s real or you’re imagining things.

S TIER

56-12-2 (Punishment Area)

I fucking love this track man it’s so funky. And I love how it’s a reference to CAS acid that makes your neurons fire off less and makes you calmer. Which makes sense for an area where you cut someone open (rip Mewo) anyways I love just vibing to this track. I don’t have a scenario connected to this track, only vibes.

Come and See (Raft Area)

It sounds like you’re slowly walking down a long forest path. You know that there’s something terrible at the end of that path. And you know that it’s meant for you. But you know you have to look. Or else there will be consequences. I love how relaxing and unsettling it is. Super cool track.

Spaces In-Between (Rain Area)

Man Spaces In-Between is so fucking underrated what. It’s relaxing it’s calming it’s somber it’s perfect for this little room. It feels like a lazy, rainy afternoon with your friends where everyone is indoors playing games, and you’re sitting at the window, just watching. Eyes drifting closed and at peace.

White Pillars (Fishbowl Area)

White Pillars is even more underrated. It sounds like distress and peace at the same time. Mental conflict, guilt. Kneeling at a grave knowing you’re the reason that person is no longer where with us. It sounds like crying. I love White Pillars so much one of my fave OMORI tracks of all time.

Orchard (Church Of Something Mountain)

This song sounds like poison slowly killing you. Like escapism. Like Basil’s catchphrase of “everything is going to be okay”. You’re surrounded by haze but you know that everything is going to be okay. It’s being surrounded by repressed memories, ignoring them and choosing to live in a fake reality. Ignorance is bliss, everything is going to be okay.

[sunforgrace]

something something the shifting dynamics from the kripke era on represent a metanarrative examination of the role of the characters in the story and the world around them, changing from a grounded, cohesive, dark, and contained aesthetic to a more saturated, bright, artificial aesthetic. like seeing the empty streets of film set suburbias, the artifices and empty houses. a peek behind the curtain. this is no longer a horror film contained to each episode, it’s a grand overarching story that brings in cosmic players. practical effects turn to cgi, obvious in its falsehoods as in an attempt to represent that which is so Other, so Incomprehensible, that which is not natural to our day to day lives. we can afford cgi now, no longer the little show that could but a legacy, but we still can’t afford to make it good enough to really be believable. the curtain shifts. god is watching you, you’re his favorite television show. you are bathed in stage lights that glare against all your imperfections, you are bathed in orange light. this is your life but it is all sets, all a stage. it’s so bright, it’s so saturated. you’re in the footlights. god wants to see you. it’s all performance. even the grit and the shadows and the artistic shots of when you were young and it was just you, your brother, the road, a demon, are all a part of the whole, the performance. you are the stars of god’s favorite show, and 15 years of your life are on display; shifting and twisting as the story goes on, has to go on, has to get bigger, while still remaining contained. if truman sails out to sea he will meet the wall in the sky, and find the staircase into the unknown. you cannot expand beyond the edges of your set, you can grow and develop, but not too much! we still need yet another emotional brothers conflict, we still need to play around the feelings between the angel and the other main character, always hinting at more but never giving it. something’s gotta give. we need a new season and the colors will be brighter, the players will be older. angels aren’t supposed to age. we can’t get his hair to do the thing people were so captivated by. it begun looking as if it were an artful student film, grainy and dark and beautiful to look at, the curtain opens just a little more as time goes on, letting the light peak through. it looks fluorescent. 

[rebrandedbard]

Number 16 - “It could be worse.”

My writing method is just chucking prompt phrases into a mixing bowl with Cool Historical Artistry Facts, a pinch of aesthetic, and a dash of lore, baking it in a pressure cooker and seeing what we get and I love that you encourage this.

16. “It could be worse.”

wc: 1738

Thunderstruck

Geralt and Jaskier come face to face with a violent lightning storm and hide out in a cave. Jaskier is afraid of thunder and lightning. Geralt helps him through it.

-

 Zeniths were a spectacle. To be present in the height of a storm, to be in the midst of its power and bear witness to its thrall is a mighty thing, even in its horror. It served as a reminder of one’s insignificance, and what a magnificent blessing it was to be thus. Jaskier stared out at the storm in awe. He jumped back from the mouth of the cave with a shriek as a bolt of lightning crashed down, splitting the bark from a tree not fifty paces away. Strong arms reached out to catch him as he went stumbling backward.

“It could be worse,” Geralt joked.

The thunder’s echo still rumbled through the cave’s walls, dying under the crash of another, and another, the cave never silent. Jaskier covered his ears and scowled at Geralt. “Oh really?” he asked, raising his voice against the deafening noise. “I feel I’m inside a war drum! I’m jumping out of my skin!” There was a crackling in the atmosphere that stood his hair on end. He’d never experienced anything more frightening in his life, and he’d had to drag Geralt from the edge of death with a mad nightwraith on the prowl.

He shouted and buried himself under Geralt’s arm as another bolt of lightning touched the earth, the sound following not a fraction of an instance after the light flashed. “Why is it touching the ground?” he panted, heart racing in his chest like a frantic horse. His skin was pale in the darkness, almost white, illuminated by the flash of lightning. He shook, his eyes wide with fear. “It’s so close. I swear, a god is trying to smite us, Geralt.”

Another crash outside and Jaskier tucked his head, hands flat against his ears. He whimpered, and Geralt had never known him to show such fear. The fear he knew was comical at times, more urgency or discomfort than any true terror. But this—this was a fear Geralt knew in others. Jaskier reeked of it, and it burned to breathe it in.

Geralt wrapped an arm around Jaskier, leading him back into the depths of the cave where Roach waited. He set to work making camp, removing the saddle and setting out their bedrolls. With a tug, he pulled Jaskier down onto one, then positioned Jaskier so he lay with his head against his arm. He placed his own hand over Jaskier’s other ear so the sound was twice as muffled.

“Close your eyes,” Geralt said. He then made a sign with his hand and a bright purple glow spread over them. The storm seemed to disappear, only the low bass rumbling through. It sounded distant as if their heads were under water.

Jaskier opened his eyes, blinking in the odd glow. He slowly pulled his hands away from his ears, squinting at the pulsating barrier in a dome around them. “Is this …?”

“Quen,” Geralt answered. “It … dampens the noise.”

Jaskier turned his head to look at him. “You used a sign for me? But you said using signs outside of battle was frivolous.”

Geralt did not meet his eye. He shrugged, putting his hands over Jaskier’s ears once more. “It’s a precaution. In case the storm collapses the cave,” he grunted.

“And covering my ears as we lay together?”

“Would you rather I cover your mouth?”

Jaskier managed a nervous laugh. His heartbeat began to slow—cautiously—and his trembling to cease. He closed his eyes once more. To Geralt’s surprise, Jaskier rolled over, tucking his head beneath his chin. Geralt’s hand fell over his shoulders, cradling him.

For a moment, Geralt felt uncertain. But as Jaskier nestled, breathing gently against him, he wrapped his arms more securely around his form. Though there was little need with the barrier in place, he flattened one hand over Jaskier’s exposed ear and used the motion to tuck his head closer. They lay together until the storm passed, the hours fading into sleep.

 Geralt followed the faint hum of his medallion in the early dawn. His boots crunched over the splinter of charred wood. The fragments littered the area, and the tree had collapsed in the night. He found the place they’d been camping before the rain broke over their heads. The wood of their campfire now lay in a soaking pile, barely blackened. Beyond their camp lay the sandy shore of the lake, and it was there that his medallion led.

Upon the yellow sands he crouched. He brushed the sands carefully as he searched. It was something he’d read about before, something left in the wake of powerful storms when the sky reached down to touch the earth. In the old tales, it was meant as a gift from the gods; a promise that no storm should ever again harm the one blessed with it. The stories were so old, he thought they had no true merit, but the medallion made him rethink his position. He felt a solid bump on the surface of the sand and dug around it. As he dug, a strange tendril emerged. Then another, like the root of a tree in its shape.

Geralt dug the lightning from the earth, made solid and harmless. The glass was explosive, its many branches reaching outward, smooth in places where the lightning melted the sand best, grainy in others. He turned it in his hands, struck with wonder. Touching the thin ends of one branch, the glass snapped free. Upon examination he found that it was hollow within; the lightning had escaped its vessel.

Fishing out his dagger, Geralt selected a wide tendril and scored one end. He tapped it with the handle of his dagger and it fell free in his hand with a clean line. He scored it again, tapped, and a ring fell from the glass. After a bit of searching in his bag, he found a sanding block, pasted with dogfish. He sprinkled a pinch of sand over the block and rubbed the sharp ends of the glass ring over the abrasive surface, smoothing them away.

He washed the ring in the lake and tested its edge carefully. When he was sure the edge was dull, he fished a length of leather cord from his bag and looped it around, tying off the ends. He wrapped the rest of the glass in his spare clothes and carried the lot back to the cave.

By this time, Jaskier was beginning to stir.

Geralt tapped his shoulder. “Hey,” he coaxed. “Wake up, I’ve brought you something.”

Jaskier turned over groggily. “Is it breakfast?” he asked. “If it is, you can leave it by the fire. I’ll get to it. Just … twenty minutes.”

Twenty minutes indeed. Geralt chuckled and pried one of Jaskier’s eyes opened. “It’s not breakfast. It’s something rare. Something I think you’ll find fascinating.”

“Can’t I be fascinated in the late morning for a change?” Jaskier complained. But in spite of the early hour, he sat upright and rubbed his eyes. “Alright, I’m up. What’s so rare and fascinating? Are we off to see some nigh-extinct bird that only comes out at dawn in this isolated range of the mountain? Some magical fish that walks on land two days of the year during mating season?”

“Give me your hand,” Geralt said.

Jaskier squinted at him in suspicion. “Geralt of Rivia, I swear: if you’ve woken me up to put a bug in my hands, I will spit in your eye.”

Geralt sighed as he reached into his bag. “It’s not a bug. Will you just do it?”

Cautiously, Jaskier held out his hand, still keeping it rigidly close to snatch away should he spy any hint of a creepy crawly thing, whether by leg or antenna. Geralt rolled his eyes and pulled his hand forward. He dropped the ring into his palm, letting the cord drape over the side.

Jaskier’s eye widened and he picked up the ring, inspecting it in the early morning light. The glass was a marbled yellow and white, speckled with flecks here and there of brown and tiny black particles. “Oh,” he whispered in admiration. “Oh, what is it?”

“Fulgurite. Lightning glass.”

“Lightning glass?”

Geralt nodded. “When lightning strikes sand, it melts it into its shape. There are stories of it, though I’d never seen it before. In some stories, the lightning becomes trapped in the glass, released only when it is broken; a punishment from the gods for those who wished to claim their power of nature for themselves.”

He opened his bag and removed the hollow glass for Jaskier to inspect. “There are friendlier stories,” he explained, “wherein the glass is a blessing. After difficult storms pass, a mass of fulgurite is left behind. He who finds it and carries it with him is blessed with fair weather all his days. The hollow in the glass is the eye of the storm, the one place of calm amid the chaos.”

Jaskier poked a finger through the eye of the ring. “Fascinating doesn’t begin to cover it. Song worthy better hits the mark.” He passed Geralt the ring as he packed away the glass once more, but Geralt stopped him, closing his hand around the ring.

“I want you to keep it,” he said. “To protect you. Lightning will never strike near you so long as you wear it.”

Jaskier stared down at his fist, opening it slowly to reveal the cold glass ring within. “I thought you didn’t believe in stories like that,” he replied.

Geralt picked up the ring by its cord and lowered it round Jaskier’s neck. “Some stories—some superstitions—are facts forgotten by time. Whether or not it truly will guard you from storms, we’ll learn in time, but I can feel that there is magic in this.  There are charms in this world, if you know where to find them.”

Jaskier pressed the tips of his fingers to the ring, a small smile tugging his lips. It rested against his collar with a comforting weight. When he looked at Geralt, his eyes were bright and crinkled at the corners.

“Thank you, Geralt.”

He stood up, one hand on Geralt’s shoulder for balance. As he did, he leaned in and pressed a grateful kiss to his cheek in passing, then went to see about getting breakfast started.

Geralt knelt frozen on the spot.

Thunderstruck.

[unhxngxd]

TAG DUMP

[neocatharsis]

NCT 127 Reveal The Hobbies & Obsessions They Can’t Give Up In Their Down Time

In Elite Daily’s series Rent-Free, celebrities unpack the one thought, memory, or unforgettable pop culture moment that'll always live in their head. In this piece, NCT 127 reveals the interests and hobbies even die-hard fans will be surprised to learn about.

In the past year, most musical acts had to cancel their highly-anticipated tours due to the coronavirus pandemic, and NCT 127 was no exception. That’s why its members — Johnny, Haechan, Mark, Taeyong, Jaehyun, Yuta, Taeil, Jungwoo, and Doyoung — have taken every opportunity to get closer to their fans with new music. After dropping their second Japanese EP, Loveholic, in February, the group returned on June 4 with “Save,” their latest single all about making unforgettable memories. Up next? An entirely new era. On July 7 (the group’s fifth anniversary), they announced their next album is coming in September. In celebration of all the exciting things ahead, NCT 127 opened up about how they wind down after a hard day’s work.

NCT 127 tells Elite Daily these past five years as a group have been worthwhile, and it’s all thanks to their fans, called NCTzens, who have supported them throughout their journey. “[We have so many] memories from practicing together pre-debut to our actual debut stage, and also all those times we spent working on our music and performance to meet our fans at our first concert and first world tour as well,” the group collectively says. “Each and every moment we spend on our music is for our fans, and we are working hard to better show ourselves in various different ways, so we hope you’re all excited!”

Fans have impacted the group so much that they’ve become the muse behind NCT 127’s biggest tracks. “The inspiration [behind ‘Save’] comes from wanting to save our precious memories with each other and with our fans,” the group says. And NCT 127 hasn’t let go of a single one. While they haven’t been able to perform in front of a live audience since early 2020, they held their online Beyond The Origin concert in May. They add, “It was new getting to meet fans from every part of the world at the same time.”

While the guys have their hands full recording their next project, they’re making sure to get some much-deserved R&R whenever they can. Below, NCT 127 reveal the interests that have been living in their minds rent-free.

Johnny

Johnny is a major fan of horror movies. “I love how they keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time you’re watching,” he says. His favorite scary movie of all time is Shutter, which is about a couple who accidentally run over a woman and then see her ghost in photographs they develop. “Even though I watched it when I was young, I still remember the movie, and it’s one I think about often. I’ve seen the movie multiple times since I first saw it in high school, and I recall being scared of red-lit rooms for quite some time afterward,” he says.

His most recent watch was The Conjuring franchise. He adds, “After I saw the movies, I looked up some articles about the behind stories. They were pretty interesting!”

Taeil

Taeil keeps music on his mind even after a full day of rehearsals. “Audio speakers really amplify music so you can hear the intricate details of the track, and there’s also that sense of excitement from when you hear a sound you like!” Taeil says, explaining his love for audio. “I like the speaker brand Focal. There’s still a lot I don’t know about speakers, but I find the brand very attractive since you can experience a flat sound that’s similar to what the songwriter intended to create.”

Taeil says the group’s sound has changed a lot since their debut in 2016. He says, “With time, our team color is definitely becoming more distinct and defined. I think the sound we have now is a very captivating one with strong hip-hop and R&B colors.”

Taeyong

The group’s leader enjoys connecting with others, but especially with NCTzens. “[Our relationship] is a very precious and one that I’m truly grateful for. Not only do we enjoy the same things, but we also try to improve and show that to each other. All of this is very special and meaningful to me,” he says. “It’s nice to learn of each other’s culture, and by singing in different languages, it makes me feel as if I’ve grown closer to our fans from those countries.”

Yuta

Yuta loves exercising because it’s very rewarding, and although he doesn’t have a specific fitness routine, he prefers working out at a gym rather than at home. “I like how exercising makes me feel stronger and helps me to build up my strength... which is very helpful when practicing group dances that require attention to body angles,” he says. “We had a short preparation period [to learn ‘Save’], but I was able to learn the choreography quickly and had a fun time preparing.”

Doyoung

Ever since he was cast as Axel von Fergen in the Korean adaptation of Marie Antoinette, which is based on the 2006 musical of the same name that originally premiered in Japan, Doyoung has found a newfound appreciation for theatre. “I find it very precious how you can share emotions through singing and acting,” he says. “It’s been very meaningful preparing for my musical debut, and it’s really all thanks to the amazing seniors and producers! The process in itself has been a very fun one, and I have been preparing with a heart of gratitude.”

Doyoung is set to make his musical debut on July 13 when the production opens at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul.

Jaehyun

Jaehyun says he “fell in love” with tennis in April because it helps relieve stress. “I’ve always enjoyed trying out new sports like basketball, bowling, and boxing whenever I had the chance. But I actually started tennis because my father recommended it,” he says. “I know this is the case for all sports, but tennis isn’t something you can master after a few tries. It requires persistence, and I started to enjoy it even more as I saw myself gradually improving.”

Jaehyun’s favorite tennis player is Jannik Sinner, a 19-year-old Italian athlete who competed in the 2020 French Open as the youngest quarterfinalist in the men’s singles event. He says, “I’d really like to go see a tournament.”

Mark

Lately, Mark is interested in taking better care of his hair. “It’s really important to me because I change my hair color a lot, and because I want my hair and scalp to be healthy,” he says. While he’s experimented with just about every color in the rainbow, there’s one he always loves going back to. He adds, “I think I liked my blue hair the most. It is my favorite color, after all, and I believe my fans liked it as much as I did. I was glad to be able to film the ‘Save’ music video during my blue-haired period. It fit well with all the scenes and the aesthetics!”

Jungwoo

Similar to Yuta, Jungwoo has also had exercising on his mind. “My life has become more lively since I started exercising. More so than exercising to improve my physique, I exercise in order to have a healthier, richer life. Also, it makes me proud knowing I’m spending my day more productively,” he says. “The first thing I do after I wake up is to start off the day with simple stretches that improve body balance... Stretching helps to warm up the body, which reduces the risk of injury, and can also boost your mood! I think this is why when I dance, I’m able to express those movements in more detail.”

Haechan

Haechan is now experimenting with all things fragrance. “I started using perfume since scents can give a sense of self-satisfaction and because I wanted to smell good all the time!” he says, adding he doesn’t have a favorite perfume. “The scent that suits me well, that I personally like, and that will suit me is always different!” However, there’s one scent that will always remind him of a certain memory with NCT 127. “This might sound funny, but I’d have to say the smell of sweat in our practice rooms,” Haechan says, adding it’s “satisfying” because it makes him feel like they worked hard after a long day. As for what draws fans to NCT 127, Haechan credits their “sincere music and performances.”

© Elite Daily

[tumblingxelian]

Why I don't care about the Blood Elves?

Petty Reasons: I think the name sounds silly, Sindorei sounds great but 90% of the time people use Blood Elf and it just sound so forcibly edgy and awkward to me; High Elves isn't great but its got a lot of meta weight to it that carries it very the finishing line just barely, Blood Elves just sounds awkward. I hated their design and aesthetic in Frozen Throne compared to Reign of Chaos, sleek, sharp magical Barrack's replaced by the boring, squat human one's the cute, weirdly curved farms replaced by boring box farms? Laaaame. Plus red and gold just doesn't vibe with me as much as blue and gold/white. The Real Reason: OK, so here's the thing, the Blood Elves are fantastic in concept. A willfully isolated proud people at the top of the world laid low by horror and tragedy, discovering the former source of their resplendent lives has left them with a crippling weakness now that it is absent for they grew dependent on its power. Desperate and with few options they turn to desperate and questionable means to survive, binding demons, draining magical energy/life energy from others to bolster their strength and fight off the pangs of pain and loss, giving them new strength but at a great personal cost, like forming a compact with a demon, this is truly a double edged sword/devils bargain. But in execution... It doesn't amount to much. Sure early on they have Mu'Ru which is interesting and fucked up and creates tons of interesting potential avenues for problems to develop but that's about it really. Beyond the almost joke scene of two people being publicly mind controlled which is never followed up on that's it. Their eyes change color and they dress in red now, OK. Like, this isn't to harp on aesthetics specifically, but if they had started to resemble stuff like the Felblood elf, Wretched or Felborn, (heck maybe even Satyr a little?) or something more vampiric then it might at least feel like this act has meaning and weight to it. If the implications of their increasingly authoritarian society and its methods of control were given a real look in then I might have an actual interest in exploring that society. Like, for reference, I quite like the Sindorei in Travelogue cos that stuff does get explored and it makes the trip into Silvermoon and through Eversong fascinating, but even then only so much can be done with it. I get the potential of 'something rotten behind a pretty face' but given Burning Crusade caps off with redemption and the Light, gods the Light again, somehow fixing all those problems... What is there to them now? The High Elves honestly feel like they have a more dynamic story going on because they resisted the seemingly easy way out, were exiled from or refused to return home because they took a moral stance against their kinds methodology and thus are adrift and scattered across the world trying to hold true to who they feel they should be and should have always been. Plus the potential fun of outside looking in on the shifts in their homeland. But yeah as it is, that's why I don't care for the Blood Elves, I think the premise was interesting but the execution never really went anywhere and what few interesting points it did have were cancelled out within one expansion, which is about the amount of time it took for me to stop playing my Blood Elf.

[aimoosh-blog]

BERSERK: A MASTERSTROKE IN VIOLENCE

Berserk is a series that is both influential and overlooked. This might sound pretentious to fans of the gory medieval anime, but hear me out. Despite having a long-running manga which was originally released back in the ‘90's, after two anime series, a trilogy of movies and various video game adaptations, Berserk still remains somewhat niche and obscure.

The series is known for its gruesome imagery and I would strongly advise that if you've experienced abuse or are easily affected by violent and distressing material, that this series simply isn't for you. However, it's this cycle of violence that makes Berserk so compelling. 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the Soulsborne series doesn't shy away from this. Hidetaka Miyazaki has openly discussed how Berserk inspired games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne and you don't have to look far to find Berserk's influence spread throughout the Souls series.

But when you think of your favourite hefty sword-wielding himbo, I'm sure Guts isn't the first to spring to mind. Before we get into the debate of who wore it better, let's talk about Berserk's creator.

The most distinct and memorable aspect of Berserk is the apparent pleasure the series takes with relishing visceral imagery which is brought to life by Kentaro Miura. Berserk's first volume was released in 1990 when Miura was twenty-two years old. At this point in his life, Miura was already experienced within the industry after having written his first manga at the age of ten and eventually self-publishing in 1982.

With his experience and indisputable style, Miura's abhorrent rendition of the numerous satanic beasts and mythological creatures that populate the bloodthirsty world of Berserk, are both horrifying and captivating. The series manages to succeed in simultaneously being horrendously violent and strikingly beautiful. This parallel is prominent throughout the story and feeds the reader/viewer with a morbid curiosity.

The first and most obvious juxtaposition can be found in Guts' and Griffith's appearance. If you put Berserk in front of a newbie, they would most likely assume that the androgynous Griffith was the series’ main hero.

With his petite frame, feminine features, and charismatic charm, he certainly looks the part of a typical anime protagonist. Especially when set side by side with Guts who's hulking physique, stoic disposition, and hardened exterior is a stark contrast to the Hawk of Light. But scratch the surface and you'd find something entirely different.

Once you pull back the curtain and look beyond his angelic façade, you'd uncover Griffith's selfish, almost sociopathic personality which is accompanied with an unyielding ambition to stop at nothing until he achieves his dream. In contrast, Guts’ intimidating appearance and seemingly aloof attitude are a front concealing a lonely and tormented individual.

Shrouded by death, Guts was born from the corpse of his executed mother and eventually discovered by a group of mercenaries, who find the infant beneath a hanging tree covered in blood and entrails. The baby is presumed to be dead until he begins to cry, to which prostitute Shisu immediately rushes to comfort the child and is permitted to keep the newborn by leader Gambino. The baby is given the name Guts after the gory manner in which he was found. However, many members of the group are unsettled by Guts’ arrival and consider it a bad omen. 

Shisu had been deemed mad following her miscarriage and quickly became attached to Guts as a result. The pair seemed destined to meet but their happiness is tragically short-lived as three years later, Guts’ adoptive mother contracts the plague and dies while Guts watches over her. Unfortunately Shisu’s death only strengthens rumors about Guts’ reputation as a source of bad luck.

Guts promptly begins practicing swordsmanship and joins Gambino on the battlefield in an effort to gain approval. However, one night while Guts is sleeping in his tent, fellow sellsword Donovan, sneaks in and forces himself on the young boy. Guts later lures his abuser away and forces his sword down Donovan’s throat, killing him. No longer feeling safe, Guts begins to sleep clutching his sword.

Guts’ relationship with Gambino rapidly deteriorates following Shisu’s death. Gambino resents Guts for the subsequent loss of his leg and fixates on the misfortune that seems to have followed the boy. Gambino soon begins to verbally and physically abuse Guts, and consequently makes an attempt on Guts’ life. It’s in this moment that Gambino confesses that he had sold Guts to Donovan for the night. 

Horrified by this revelation, Guts is forced to kill his paternal figure in an act of self-defence and is hunted down by Gambino's men. After narrowly escaping with his life and defending himself against a pack of wolves, Guts eventually falls unconscious. The cycle begins again as he is discovered and enlisted by a separate mercenary group where he becomes a child soldier.

After surviving battlefield to battlefield, Guts eventually crosses paths with the Band of the Hawk. Impressed by his skills, leader Griffith, openly expresses that he is eager for Guts to join the Band of the Hawk. Guts agrees to this proposal but only if Griffith defeats him in a duel. Much to Guts’ disgust, he is defeated and begrudgingly joins the new group of mercenaries. But soon finds himself at home among his companions within the Band of the Hawk and is swiftly promoted to Captain of the Raiders.

It is clear that Guts is conflicted in the first arc of the story. After years of coping with isolation and abuse, he is torn between carving his own path or sticking with the Band of the Hawk. It's safe to say that whether you read the manga or watch the anime, the series doesn't sugar-coat the trauma Guts is forced to endure. But despite everything, Guts still carries on and it’s his mental fortitude that makes him such a sympathetic character.

But after forming strong friendships and concealing an unrequited love, it's Guts' decision to leave the Band of the Hawk and break free of Griffith's control that ultimately leads to The Band of the Hawk's downfall.

Amidst this complicated bromance you have Casca. A seasoned warrior who commands the respect of The Band of the Hawk and is Griffiths right hand – that is until Guts steals the spotlight. This setup may sound like a clichéd love triangle but Casca plays a crucial role in Berserk. Without her, Guts would've likely given up following the aftermath of the eclipse. She is the driving force in the story, feeding Guts' lust for revenge.

If you're considering checking out Berserk, I can highly recommend the manga as the best way to consume the series, as you are able to see Miura hone his craft over the years and create some truly remarkable panels. Another benefit is that with over 300 chapters, you'll have more than enough content to keep you occupied. But if that's not your style you have a few options to choose from.

The Golden Age Arc Film Trilogy concisely summaries the first narrative arc, if you want to get up to speed quickly. The larger budget in the subsequent movies allows for less 3D animation and more stunning hand-drawn sequences. However, if you have the time and patience for it, the 1997 adaptation spares no details and has an alluring nostalgic 90's aesthetic, if you can forgive it being a little rough around the edges.

Whichever version you decide to pick if you still can't get enough, I would advise saving the 2016 Berserk anime for last. Not only because it takes place after the first arc and follows the aftermath of the eclipse, but fans of the series have openly criticised this version's cheap animation style that fails to do justice to Miura’s concepts.

As previously mentioned, Berserk is unashamed in its cruelty and some might say the series renowned violence is needlessly excessive. Although this may seem off-putting, Berserk also has it's softer moments. It's in these more subdued scenes that you're drawn deeper into the fascinating narrative.

If asked how best to describe the series, I would say that it's the love child of Japanese horror artist, Junji Ito and fantasy author, George R. R. Martin. The medieval-fantasy setting allows for breath-taking architecture and scenery which often resembles Salvador Dali's surrealist paintings, but inhabited with monsters from Hieronymus Bosch's famous works such as The Harrowing of Hell. It's this contrast that makes Berserk so bewitching, in the thick of all the violence, gore, and carnage, you have a tragic story bursting with drama, rivalry, betrayal, lost love, and most importantly, revenge.

But if The Last of Us Part 2 taught us anything about seeking revenge, it is that it comes at a high price. However, the story remains largely unfinished with the current hiatus and recent chapter having been released as far back as 2019, it's uncertain when we'll see how this revenge story will play out. Nevertheless much like the A Song of Fire and Ice series, having no ending has its positives...

[stillwinterair]

I am once again trying to Establish Looks for my DS3 character, Epitaph. Please forgive all of my own interpretations and postulations on lore, because there’s... a lot of it, here.

Look #1: Dragon Knight -- Profaned Greatsword + Golden Wing Crest Shield + Ragged Mask + Brass Armor + Brass Gauntlets + Brass Leggings

Before she was the Epitaph, before she was a knight of a lowly kingdom, a thousand lifetimes ago she was a knight of the Nameless King. She was a promising young warrior found by the dragonslayer Ornstein after abandoning Anor Londo and setting out on his own, abandoning Gwyn and embracing his forsaken son. Together they fled to Archdragon Peak to fight alongside dragons. When the Nameless King began to turn his followers toward the Path of the Dragon, she abandoned his order -- and her lover, Ornstein -- and fled.

Her skills found their use pledged as a knight to a king of a small kingdom. Soon after, the First Flame sputtered and began to die, and she was sent with an entire retinue to link the flame. They failed, and died. She became unkindled.

Look #2: Shadow of the Moon -- Moonlight Greatsword + Ethereal Oak Shield + Dancer’s Crown + Dancer’s Armor + Wolf Knight Gauntlets + Lorian’s Leggings

After waking as an Unkindled One, this is how I imagine Epitaph heading to link the fire... something she will ultimately fail to do. In my head, this is sort of the antithesis to the endgame eclipse aesthetic: blue and silver, to the endgame’s red and black. As she finds the Kiln of the First Flame, she is wreathed in moonlight.

When the time comes to link the First Flame and rekindle the Age of Fire... together, she and the Fire Keeper snuff out the flame and allow this decrepit, entropic, tireless world to finally breathe a sigh of release and end this endless age. The pair of them leave the Kiln of the First Flame in utter darkness.

The last two are sort of... two different interpretations, I guess, of how I see her post-game aesthetic. Neither are quite what’s in my head, so imagine something between the two:

Look #3: End of Fire v1 -- Gael’s Greatsword + Black Knight Shield + Lorian’s Crown + Undead Legion Armor + Fire Keeper Gloves + Drakeblood Leggings

Look #4: End of Fire v2 -- Gael’s Greatsword + Black Knight Shield + Lorian’s Crown + Drakeblood Armor + Black Gauntlets + Draekblood Leggings

Centuries after the end of the Age of Fire, the Unkindled One -- the Epitaph to the walking corpse that was the Age of Fire -- slumbers upon a stone-carved throne in Firelink Shrine, along with the Fire Keeper. Their ash-coated forms come to life when, far away, a single ember of the First Flame is found by a hapless traveler, plucked from an icy sea wind in the dark. Together they rise, duty-bound to snuff the flame out forever.

In my head, Epitaph wears dark, ash-coated armor that seems to have been boiled onto her flesh, along with a long crimson cloak. The crown she wears is, in my head, the melted remnants of Firelink’s coiled sword. The world they now inhabit is... dark. Dark and cold, and... something fresh and new. Humanity scrapes and claws for life at the edges of a rising, icy sea. Firelink Shrine itself is dilapidated, off-kilter, filling with water. The old kingdoms of the world have all crumbled and collapsed, fallen into the seas, and the human age that followed Gwyn’s flame is cold and dark, but... gentle, and slow, and good. There is no war, no undead, no sprawling kingdoms, just humans living out their lives.

The single ember of the First Flame, to the Epitaph, represents a return of the Age of Fire; a return of gods and entropy and the eldritch horrors she faced in the waning days of the last age -- and the horrible future she witnessed beyond the Ringed City, which she blissfully ended before it could begin -- and she will stop at nothing to extinguish it.

Of course, there is a problem: the one she hunts, the one who plucked the ember from the wind and took it into her safe-keeping, is an innocent, representative of all that is good in the Age of Dark. But that’s a conundrum for another day.

[starrysupercell]

Second paternal-centric piece, centered on the highly dramatic Graveyard Fam! The patchwork family <3

Do I put way too many serious thoughts in things? Maybe. But I am a storyteller.

Heavily headcanon based that I've mentioned before.

Warnings: mentions of formerly living in a toxic and neglectful environment, and a current abrasive and struggling relationship between Mortis and Frank.

Ask to tag.

~

🧟‍♀️📱 Picture Perfect 🦇🎧

Emz awoke naturally, opening her eyes, and blinking away the sleep. She stared up at her ceiling blankly. What a good day's sleep!

She pulled her arm from the tightly wrapped blanket around her and slipped it under her pillow to grab her phone.

She held it above her face to replace the ceiling as the point of interest in her line of sight. It was around 1:30 pm. What have people talked about ever since she went to sleep earlier that morning?

She began to scroll through posts, ready to begin her morning regime of giving only a few hearts to a handful of posts, and maybe even one or two coveted comments from her. (It was best to leave them wanting more!)

However, she froze in her browsing when she quickly noticed a trend in today's posts. A long winded paragraph by some random of how lucky they were, a meme about single mothers, grilling pictures.

Oh, today was no day to lay in bed for half an hour before beginning her day! It was Father's Day. Emz twisted around, trying to roll out of her bedsheets.

"Ogh, stupid covers--!" She grumbled despite the fact that she loved twisting herself up in them. It helped her sleep at night.

The zombie rolled too far one way and gave a cut off yelp as she fell clean off the bed and landed on the ground painfully on her stomach. How embarrassing, she huffed, peeved. She slapped the ground in frustration and pushed herself up with the same palm. She sat on her knees and leaned on her bed, fixing her hair with her other hand. Okay, fail, but at least nobody saw that.

Absent-mindedly, the teen brought her phone up again and unlocked it fluidly. She scrolled through a few posts and ended up giving the first like of the day.

"Wait, no," She said, looking up. She had a plan for today and everything! Emz stood up and slipped her phone into her back pocket. First up, the gifts!

She bounded over to her closet and opened it. There they were. Two gift baskets for today. One for her Uncle, and one for Frank. Emz smiled. They were handmade of course, because premade goodie bags were absolutely lame!

As if she would settle for giving anything less than perfection. No, she hand picked what would go into each basket, decorated and placed it to be aesthetically pleasing, and wrapped it up with a gorgeous ribbon. She's even refrained about bragging about any of this online, to keep it absolutely secret. Man, was she just amazing or what? That was rhetorical, of course. She knew she was flawless already.

Like an instinct to survive, Emz had her phone out of her pocket and in front of her once more, camera open. She winked and stuck her tongue out with a smile, and took a picture. She grimaced.

Ugh, she had to go through her morning routine first and then take another picture afterwards. This was a terrible excuse for a selfie. With that thought in mind, Emz stretched properly, and strolled to her bathroom.

~

"Talk to me, Franklin. You know it's a mutual effort." Mortis said, poking Frank's cheek. He was leaning over the back of the couch where Frank was sitting at. The big guy tilted his head away with a grunt. His eyes were trained on the television as he tried his best to tune out the vampires.

"...Is this still about the dishes?" Mortis decided to guess since he refused to answer. "I'll have you know that I got started on them the other day. But then I got a call that simply couldn't go unanswered." Mortis paused and studied the lack of change in grump level in Frank. Okay. Maybe not that. "...If this is about my bats, I am not making them sleep outside. They like it in here. Only Robata likes it outside." Still no answer. Mortis tapped on his chin. What else could possibly be on his spouse's mind? It was already hard to believe that Franklin was mad at him, but he was just not budging in giving any hints. (Yet again!)

"Ugh," Frank grunted. "It's not just about the dishes or the bats." He started to explain quietly. Mortis leaned in attentively with a small smile on his face. Oh, it was such a rare treat now when Franklin opened up to him. Even if this was about an argument, Mortis adored the fact.

"It's about the fact that you still make excuses for your laziness." He finished.

Mortis frowned. Except for when he spouted spiteful lies and insults! "They aren't excuses! I'm telling you what happened. You know, you're not the only who lives here, Franklin. There's a thing called--"

"Good afternoon~!" Emz called out, stepping down the staircase with flourish.

Mortis ruffled Frank's hair and lowered his voice. "Hold that thought." With a pirouette, he shot a cheerful grin at Emz. "Poisoned Apple! Good afternoon!" The gravedigger greeted. Frank was annoyed, but he held up a hand to wave at Emz pleasantly. With his other hand, he turned the volume down on the show he was watching.

"Hi!" Emz said, stopping right before she reached the bottom. She was using the railing to hide the baskets. "You guys know what today is, right?"

"....Sunday?" Mortis questioned happily.

"I guess so, yeah," Emz said, "But beyond that."

Frank blinked and shook his head lightly.

"It's..." Emz paused for dramatic effect, and then lifted the baskets into view. "Father's Day! Look what I made!"

"Ooh," Mortis smiled, fangs glinting. He held his arms out as Emz walked forward to hand him his basket.

"This is for you and--" she moved on to Frank. "--this is for you!"

Mortis marveled at the items he could see, and turned it to see it from a different angle. The plastic wrap crinkled as he did this.

Frank smiled at her as she passed it over to him. With just a glance, he could already see some of his favorite things in there, he placed it aside and stood, prompting her for a hug as he walked around the sofa.

Emz was wrapped and lifted up in his large stature, pleasantly smiling. "I'm glad you both liked it." She laughed, muffled.

"Naturally," Mortis remarked, "Your craftsmanship is to die for!"

Emz was finally let go by Frank, landing on the floor. "Oh, tell me about it," she smirked. "I stayed up a couple of days ago finishing those up and they turned out perfectly!" She flipped her hair with an obvious flourish. "You can go on gushing," she said, only half jokingly as she brought out her phone to idly glance through any messages.

Mortis laughed in amusement. Frank smiled patiently. Emz was sharp around the edges, but she was endearingly so. As long as she didn't go too far...

"Oh, yeah!" She put her phone away. "You should both, like get dressed up. There's an event on the beach later on tonight, and I was thinking we could go out today. Like... my treat."

"You?" Mortis voiced for both he and Frank. "You have money?"

"Yeah? I save up. Don't you?" She asked haughtily. "Or do you just not want to go?"

Frank gave short laugh, and patted his stomach in jest. Mortis shrugged in amusement, catching on to Frank's joke. "Well, if you think you have enough for Frank, we'll be your guests, sweetheart."

~

"Oooh, futuristic," Mortis marveled, taking off the wide-brimmed hat he wore as the Trio walked inside. They were at the Zero-Gravity diner. It was a part of Starr Force's attractions.

A bored-looking feline straightened up in attention as the doors slid open. "Welcome, Civilians!" She greeted from her silvery podium. "Feeling low on energy? If you want to help out Colonel Ruffs in his quest against the Dark Lord, you should fill up while you've got the chance." She recited in character, "Luckily, you're safe here, and we've got plenty of foodstuffs that'll fill you up! So, how can I help you today?"

Emz scoffed. Did Kit not recognize them or something? "You could have skipped the spiel. Like, you know that we're Brawlers, right?"

The cat blinked slowly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Okay. What do you want then?"

"I've got a reservation for three, under Emz."

Kit shifted her focus to the high-tech screen right beside her. It was see through. From the perspective of the Graveyard Trio, the images, texts and buttons were flipped.

Kit pressed through a few buttons, navigating through menus, and then confirmed Emz's arrival. "Alright. If you'll follow me." She picked up three devices from her podium, and began to lead the way through the restaurant. Her tail swished as she walked along.

When they got to the table, Kit waited until they were seated and placed the devices in front of the three. "Press the blue button to activate your menus." She said.

Mortis pressed it, and a holographic screen flashed into view, akin to Kit's own screen at her podium. He laughed. "This is spectacular! We should add a horror-themed restaurant to our section. It would be a hit!" Mortis exclaimed. "What say you two?"

"Ooh, that'd be sooo cute! I can run it." Emz said.

Frank grunted, and pressed the menu button. It didn't spring to life like Mortis' did, so he pressed it again, and then once more even rougher. It broke under his strength.

"Oh," Kit reached over. "Sorry about that. You can hand me the pieces, and I'll get you a replacement menu. I'll be right back." Frank did so, a bit embarrassed.

As soon as Kit was out of earshot, Emz laughed. "Our place won't have cheap stuff like here though."

Mortis grinned. Frank was less than amused and gave a shrug. It was simply an accident, and they shouldn't be rude about it.

Kit returned and activated the device before handing it to Frank. "Here you go. While you look through that, what can I get for you to drink?" She asked, readying a tablet.

"I'll have a peach iced tea." Emz told Kit.

"I'll have a glass of Merlot." The mortician decided.

Great. Now he'd have to drive. Frank rolled his eyes, and looked through the sodas.

Mortis looked over at him. "What would you like, Franklin?"

After eyeing the selections, he pointed out his choice. Mortis made a face and looked at Kit. "He'll just have a Coke."

"Okay. I'll get that to you. A waiter will be right out to get the rest of your order." Kit said. She departed from the table.

Emz hummed and stood up. "I'll be right back. Remember- order whatever you want! I'm paying." She reminded, smoothing out the cute dress she wore and then walking off towards the restroom.

Mortis watched her go, and then moved aside the menu device.

"Okay, Franklin. Let's talk." he interlocked his fingers like this was a business deal.

Frank ignored him, swiping through the menu.

"This is a fancier restaraunt. Emz is treating us, and you can tell how important this is to her, can't you? I hope you do."

Mortis paused for any telling gesture or expression, but Franklin remained quiet. The mortician continued. "Well, it'd be great if you'd drop the pettiness, if only for tonight. This is between us, not Emz."

Frank glowered at Mortis. Pettiness? Him? The big guy shoved aside the device now. He was tired of Mortis' tone and habits and everything.

"Don't even think of causing a scene here, Franklin," Mortis tensed up. "Think about Emz!" Frank frowned.

"Here are your drinks, Sirs." the black cat returned. She either didn't notice or chose to ignore the quiet tension at the table as she put the drinks down and then left.

Frank grumpily put his face in his hand. "Fine. But you're being a dick." Frank said.

Mortis was offended. "How!?" He asked indignantly.

"Drinking without even asking me, nitpicking what I want, and those are on top of the bats and dishes. And I bet you're ready with some excuse now too." Frank listed.

Mortis clamped his mouth shut. He was going to point out that it was only one, and that plain old coke at a more fancy place, really? But, that would just prove Franklin right. "Well," he struggled on what to say for only a second before finding a string. "You always keep things to yourself! How am I supposed to guess what you're thinking? You wait and get mad and then out of the blue, you just attack me!"

Frank furrowed his brows and looked aside, feeling a bit guilty.

"Hey!" Emz arrived and sat down, and scooched up in her chair. "You guys are being an itty bitty loud, you know? I'm sure you don't want people staring."

"Uhh..." Mortis said. "I suppose not. So... Franklin." He said awkwardly, trying to think of some different topic. "I think... our Brawl Ball strategy should change." He sighed, disappointed in himself. How weak of a subject.

Emz was puzzled and looked like she wanted to say something. So, of course, she did voice her thoughts. "Weren't you guys talking about, like being mad or whatever?"

"No....?" Mortis said. "Nobody's mad here. Am I right, Franklin?"

"Uh. Yeah." The big guy shrugged.

Emz pursed her lips. "Right... So this afternoon too?"

Mortis gave a tight smile. "This afternoon?" He pretended.

Emz was merciless in completely demolishing this lie. "This morning, when I walked downstairs, Frank was on the couch with the T.V. on. It wasn't muted, even though you were beside him presumably chatting. That's some weirdo way to talk if you weren't mad at someone." She said, matter-of-factly. "You think I don't know body language?"

"...." Mortis was stunned. Frank laughed at the absurdity. She had guessed it perfectly!

Emz crossed her arms though. She waited for Frank's chuckle to die down. "So, what gives? You two are going to start lying to me all of a sudden?" She looked between the two, waiting impatiently for an answer.

".....No." Mortis said finally.

"Then?"

The vampire faltered. "It's just that... well, you know. The discussions Frank and I gave, ah, doesn't have to do with you? So... why involve you?" Mortis managed.

"Okay? But, like, why lie about it." She repeated. She had an inkling about it now, given both of their awkward glances and fidgets. Her sharp tone softened, and she sighed inaudibly. Guess it was sappy truth time.

She looked down at the table, focused on the closed menu device. "I know you two argue. Like. Duh. That's normal. And, I'm guessing that you want to pretend like everything's peachy because you don't want to remind me of... well, you know who already!" She shook her head. "But I'm okay, really. I actually wake up on my own and not from endless yelling, and I'm not picked up hours late from wherever because you never agreed on whose turn it is to pick me up.." Emz paused, feeling quite at unease from sharing this, but pushed through. This was just another step at breaking her own tough shell. "What I'm trying to say is, simply arguing isn't going to remind me of my 'parents.' You two are leagues better, okay? I know you actually care about me. So you dont have to lie to me. Bicker and argue all day until your jaws fall off. You wouldn't be my Uncle Mortis and Frank without it." She smiled up at them.

Mortis had his upper face covered, just about already to cry. "Emz... I don't know what to even say..."

Frank leaned to her and gave her a kiss on her head. "It means a lot, sweetheart..." he said genuinely. Maybe he still had things to learn... He glanced over at Mortis who happened to look up then from his heartfelt pause. "I think I speak for the both of us."

They exchanged a soft smile.

"How about a picture?" Emz asked as she held her phone up.

"That sounds grand," Mortis sighed contentedly. Frank nodded with a smile.

The graveyard family bunched in together to fit into Emz's screen that she held up for all of them. On their way to posing for the perfect picture, their glasses were knocked down. The mixture of the three drinks short-circuited the menus, stained the white tablecloth and started to drip on the floor. Kit was walking by at that moment to check on another table when she saw the damage. That troublemaking team. Her tail swished around dangerously. She pulled a communicator out of her pocket and held it up to talk into it. She never took her eyes off of the Graveyard Trio. "Colonel Ruffs. This is MerXanary Special Agent Kit. Over."

"Roger!" He answered. There were squeaks in the background. No doubt the new Private was fooling around.

"There's Brawlers here giving me trouble. I'm requesting backup at the Zero-Gravity Diner. I'm going in now. Over."

"Willco." Colonel Ruffs confirmed. Kit pocketed her radio transmitter, and readied to Brawl.

Emz's camera flashed, capturing the moment.

[ratingtheframe]

Films you need to watch if you want to fit in at film school.

By now, you’re probably knee deep in your filmmaking course at film school or university and if you want to keep up with the film discussions in between classes, then here’s a list of exemplary films to watch (and flex on) whilst at school. 

It’s never a fun moment when you’re sat in a group of other film buffs and everyone but you have seen one particular film. Not only that, but they continue to bang on about it, and in those 12 minutes you’re left wishing gosh, I wish I had watched that now.

I know the feeling and to make sure you don’t get caught out again, this list of films not only covers your filmmaker wannabe basics, but also a few swarve anomalies that you can throw into the discussion like a true culture vulture. 

Pulp Fiction (1994)

I shouldn’t be saying this but if you haven’t seen Pulp Fiction and you made it to film school, just leave. Hand in your student ID at reception and walk out the door, watch Pulp Fiction and come back to the next day. If you haven’t seen the 90s cult classic directed by Quentin Tarantino, it’s likely you’ve had at least one person disgusted by your lack of engagement for the film. But why is it such a necessity amongst the filmmakers of today? Well after a highly successful debut of Reservoir Dogs at Cannes Films Festival in 1992, Tarantino created another world of filmmaking. What he brought to the industry was a perspective and whole landscape that had never been seen before and the release of Pulp Fiction in 1994, certainly proved that Tarantino wasn’t a one trick pony. With a stellar cast, most of which were in their early days, and an outstanding storyline, Pulp Fiction is any filmmaker's paradise. And seriously, you can’t keep avoiding it. 

Fight Club (1999)

Keeping it in the 90s, is David Fincher’s Fight Club, another revolutionary film from the king of psychological thrillers. If the name David Fincher doesn’t mean anything to you, it probably should, seeing as his films have grossed over $2.1 billion at the box office globally and earnt him 30 Academy Award nominations. Story, script and cast align perfectly in all of Fincher’s films, with Fight Club being no exception. Based on the 1996 novel by Chuck Palahnuik, Fight Club follows two men (Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, enough said) who initiate in an organised fight club. Sounds pretty straight forward until you get to the end and realise Fincher has been messing with all of us the entire time. In terms of early filmmaking and story structure, Fight Club is an excellent cult classic to sink your teeth into.  

Psycho (1960)

Another name to be aware of, Alfred Hitchcock laid down the foundation for thrillers for generations to come. For it’s time, Psycho was revolutionary as it broke the strict censorship and threat barriers created in the world of filmmaking in the 60s. There are some iconic scenes in Psycho, along with an unnerving score and a whopping $39.2 million profit in the box office. Hitchcock also took a gamble killing off the star of the film, Janet Leigh, 45 minutes into the film. However, Psycho just goes to show that risks can also pay off. 

La Haine (1995) “The Hate”

There’s a reason why some of the most revolutionary films can be found in the 90s. The 90s was the year of filmmaking that gave two fingers to the world and most of its stories belonged to the misfits and outcasts of society. Films were violent, punchy and led by young protagonists, raking in teenage audiences and voices. La Haine is a prime and clear cut example of the injustice between races and class in Paris, winning a Best Director award at Cannes in 1995. The film was so thought provoking and hard hitting, that the Prime Minister of France at the time forced his cabinet ministers to watch it. I’m sorry, if La Haine is good enough for the Prime Minister of France, it’s good enough for anyone. 

Any Bong Joon Ho Film 

With the success of Parasite still looming over Hollywood, Bong Joon Ho has to be the industry’s biggest underdog. Before the 2020 Oscars, most weren’t even aware of the director’s work or how gratifying he is as a storyteller. Each film is meticulously executed, with a hard hitting political message sewn beneath the surface of the overall film. Bong Joon Ho was quoted saying that this technique isn’t intentional and the breadth of the films he makes is found once they’re completed. From Okja that explores animal cruelty to Snowpiercer which explores class division, Bong Joon Ho has a way with imbedding societal issues into his films in a stylstic and structured way that should have any filmmaker filled with envy. He’s a strong voice for Asian cinema who’s had a sharp impact on western cinema without feeling the need to have all his films in the english language. 

The 400 Blows (1960) “Les Quatre Cents Coups”

Whether you’re at school, in a lecture or amongst friends GUARANTEED the 400 Blows is going to worm its way into conversation at some point. The film was part of The French New Wave movement of the last 50s that created the foundation for French Cinema for films to come. The French New Wave was a significant movement that sought out to reject traditional ways of filmmaking and introduced new, more experimental ways of telling stories on screen. Francois Truffat won Best Director at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut about a young boy struggling through Paris between his teachers at school and parents at home. The film shone a light on the misunderstood youth of the late 50s and early 60s, setting off a whole co-ord of films within the same genre later on. 

Moonlight (2016) 

Barry Jenkins became the underdog of 2017, with his beautiful and captivating story Moonlight, following a young boy through early adolescence and adulthood. The film is impeccably shot with rich colours and seamless shots. Moonlight won big time at the 2017 Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay. The film certainly set the world of filmmaking on fire and carved out space for more black filmmakers to enter into the industry. 

Hereditary (2018)

It’s easy to forget that this film was released 2 years ago as it has had some groundbreaking reception since then. Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster, sets a bar and tone within horror films that has never been touched on before. Before him, your average horrors came from low budget gimmicky films where the lead actress would be running around in her underwear by the end of the film. Hereditary keeps everyone in their clothes (for the most part) and viewers on the edge of their seats for the entirety of the film. What stands at the forefront of this film is the slow pace and artistically beautiful frames that Ari Aster has meticulously curated to create a work of art. It’s everything you wanted in a horror film but could never really ask for, due to the over saturation of the horror films on the market and predictable jump scares that come with them. I found that the jump scares in Hereditary were put in the most unpredictable places, leaving me and most people visibly shaken and disturbed. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) 

Probably the first PG film on this list, Wes Anderson’s most iconic film The Grand Budapest Hotel, is a production designer’s paradise. Not only that, it features an insanely good cast with the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law and Edward Norton starring in the film. Wes Anderson’s mind is like a fairy tale book; he has the ability to create other worlds filled with bright colours and characters that EVERY ACTOR are dying to be. The Grand Budapest is probably Anderson’s most ambitious film to date and features some production design techniques that are beyond real.

Amélie (2001) 

Amélie is your basic starter pack in French Cinema. Seeing as every charity shop has at least one copy of Amélie for sale, you have zero excuse for not having seen it yet. Even if French Cinema isn’t your thing, it’s very likely the entirety of French Cinema will be a topic of interest within your filmmaking course and Amélie is a fine place to start. The film ties the story, soundtrack and visuals perfectly and for any indie filmmaker, it’s a good example of taking a simple story but executing it in a complex way. In terms of box office, Amélie scored pretty well, with a humble budget of $10 million and making over $173 million globally. It was also nominated for five Academy Awards in 2002 and remains as one of the best and most iconic films to come out of France.

Good Time (2017)

With a humble budget of $2 million, Good Time made double in the box office and had a Hollywood star at its forefront. In fact Good Time skyrocketed Robert Pattinson’s career and since it’s release, Pattinson has gone on to be part of some amazing projects. Seeing Pattinson in such a gritty role in Good Time, was highly refreshing and totally suited him in every way. New York based filmmakers, Josh and Benny Safdie co directed and wrote the crime thriller after having an impressive response from their previous film, Heaven Knows What. They recently completed Uncut Gems for Netflix starring Adam Sandler, which continued the crime thriller neon lights aesthetic that's come with their two previous films. Good Time is jaw droppingly good, and for those wanting to go into lighting, it is a must watch. The deeper the story goes, the more you feel the urge to gasp as Robert Pattinson feeds us with an unrecognisable performance. 

8 ½ (1963)

We are getting into sophisticated territory here with Fredrico Fellini’s 8 ½ . For those Scorsese and Tarantino fans out there, Fellini is your filmmaking bread and butter as both filmmakers have admitted to being heavily inspired by the Italian’s cinematic masterpieces. Fellini had the ability to tie reality with fantasy in a personal way, depicting a lot of his own life within his films. 8 ½ is no expectation, as it details the making of the actual film in the film and the rocky relationship he had with his wife, who starred in a few of his films. Fellini is named as one of the best filmmakers of all time, for his experimental style and off the wall filmmaking techniques. No one can or could do what Fellini did and there’s yet to be anyone who measures up to him. 

Get Out (2017)

You like Get Out, I like Get Out, we ALL like Get Out. The film was the first of its kind in many ways and resonated with an audience that hadn’t yet been found. Jordan Peele wrote and directed the film, which grossed 100 times more than the film’s budget at the box office. This film is the epitome of less is more, taking a somewhat simple idea and heightening the possibilities of it. Jordan Peele became world renowned for it, along with British actor Daniel Kaluuya for his performance that earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 2018 Academy Awards. Get Out stands as a film that did what no one else has done before and for that, it deserves all the praise it gets. 

All Celine Sciamma films

It’s likely the first time you heard of French filmmaker Celine Sciamma was from her groundbreaking, break through film Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Premiering at Cannes 2019, the film earned the Queer Palm d’Or and Best Screenplay Award. The film is simple, gorgeously shot and significantly deep in its telling. Not only will Portrait of a Lady on fire set you on fire, but all of Sciamma’s films sit on a level of filmmaking that is praise worthy. Her past films, Waterlilies and Girlhood explore coming of age stories amongst women and are executed in a highly personal and understanding way. She is the queen of female indie filmmakers and certainly one of the best french filmmakers in the industry to date. 

I, Daniel Blake (2016)

It can be hard to remove the gimmicks and big names from the stories being sold on screen and get straight to the heart of a film. Ken Loach has brought an incomparable style of filmmaking to the table that sets him apart from almost every filmmaker out there. It's easy to compare a Tarantino film to a David Fincher one, however, throw Ken Loach into the mix there's just about zero relation to either filmmaker or their styles. I, Daniel Blake won Outstanding British Film of the Year in 2017 BAFTAs and the Palm d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It’s no wonder why the Cannes Film Festival ate this film up seeing as the realism and grittiness of I, Daniel Blake gave a voice to a large part of society that is heavily ignored. This film leaves you nodding in agreement at the reality of the way things are even if that reality is incredibly hard to bear. 

The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)

For those budding screenwriters out there, the work of Noah Baumbach is necessary in understanding three dimensional characters and the dialogue that comes with them. The Meyerowitz Stories stands from Baumbach’s other films, seeing as the screenplay and actual film are completely the same. On reading the screenplay of this film, I found not one single word of dialogue was forgotten about or changed, which is a pretty incredible achievement for any filmmaker. It certainly showed the actors (Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Emma Thompson, Adam Driver) had a lot of respect for the words on the page and each one of their performances sought to lift them off it. Baumbach’s writing style is beautifully accurate to real speech; there’s interruptions, over layered conversations and a great deal of tangents. The dialogue is like music and is only elevated by the well rounded cast.

The Master (2012)

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson has this hypnotic way of arresting his audiences to invest in his films for two and a half hours, then drop them at the last second. You don’t know why you’re watching or feel so absorbed in the worlds he creates, however it’s as if something over takes your attention, forcing you to carry on watching till the end. The Master is no different with a prolific cast and slow burnt pace to it. It's hard to explain what it is about this film that makes it so great. The cast made up of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Jesse Plemons bring a top level performance and it feels like they’re always sitting on a secret. Every moment, every word, every shot is unmissable and the entirety of the film sets a bar of filmmaking that is flawless. Paul Thomas Anderson is a master (pardon the pun) of arresting his audiences and is someone to follow if you wish to do the same with your own films. For budding cinematographers, all of PTA’s films are worth a watch. 

12 years a slave (2013) 

Probably the best film out there that depicts slavery, 12 years a slave is a heart wrenching and moving film directed by Steve McQueen. The sensitivity and authenticity Steve McQueen brings to his films is A class, as he does an outstanding job of really transporting his audiences to a time before. There are many scenes in 12 years a slave that can be considered some of the best ever made. The cast is in-sane with the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt and even a young Storm Reid and Kelvin Harrison Junior, all joined within this story. Films with such casts are rare and it’s unquestionable why the film was nominated for Nine Academy Awards, winning three back in 2014.

The Social Network (2010)

Even though I wasn’t a fan of The Social Network, I can still appreciate the musicality behind the work of Aaron Sorkin and the screenplay he wrote for this. The collaboration between David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin on this film is something the world certainly needed, as two highly skilled masters of film came together and served us a huge slice of their talent. The Social Network is 100% the screenwriter’s film, and one to watch when trying to analyse successful dialogue within films.

 Babel (2006)

Those who are into the episodic film, you are advised to look into the work of Alejandro G. Iñárritu. A name you might not be too familiar with, but you only need to have seen Birdman or The Revenant to appreciate his talents as a director and unique voice. Babel struck me as a poignant and INCREDIBLY structured film, with a satisfying 360 to it, as all the stories connect to one another in a distinct way. It’s so clear that a lot of time was put into writing such a screenplay and the production itself is to be noted, for scenes are filmed in Morocco, Tokyo, California and Mexico. That takes a LOT of money, time, effort and people, however if was certainly worth it as Babel is hands down one of the best films you’ll ever see.

The films of Xavier Dolan. 

Xavier Dolan is Cannes Film Festival’s godson. The man has attended every festival for the past 10 years and each time, when in competition, he brings a personal and hard hitting perspective within his films. I have seen all but one of these films, and I suggest you do too. Xavier Dolan’s directorial debut I Hate My Mother scooped him numerous awards at the Cannes Film Festival and was made when Dolan was only 20. From then, he went on to direct several french/canadian films that won him the Jury Prize, Un Certain Regard and Queer Palm at Cannes. He’s a filmmaker who puts so much passion and devotion into his work, which is seen through the incredible acting, story and dialogue shown within his films. Two must see films of his would be Mommy and Laurence Anyways, especially for the acting. Xavier Dolan also directed the music video for Adele’s Hello music video which is one of the most watched music videos of all time, with 2.7 Billion views on YouTube.

You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Lynne Ramsay’s 2017 film starring Joaquin Phoenix is everything and more that you want from a thriller. It’s probably one of the best thrillers out there on the market and is highly underrated. Lynne Ramsay’s previous spellbinding feature We Need To Talk About Kevin sent pulses racing through the industry, giving Ramsay the recognition she deserves and even earning her a Palm d’Or nomination at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. As a female filmmaker, Lynne Ramsay is one to watch for she has a knack at creating her own original slow burning, deep stories and directing them in a seamless way. 

The films of Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan’s 11th film recently hit cinemas and no one knows what the hell is going on in it. However, there are plenty of other Christopher Nolan films that don’t melt your brain or send the guy next to you at the cinema cursing throughout the film in frustration at not understanding the film. The Dark Knight is said to have one the best performances in cinema history, with the late Heath Ledger taking on the role of the Joker. Not only that, but the likes of Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway and Christian Bale are also featured alongside Ledger, creating an untouchable cast. Dunkirk also deserves an honourable mention as one of Nolan’s films, seeing as I couldn’t breathe throughout the entire film. The second Dunkirk begins, the tension builds and you’re kept in a constant state of panic for the characters on screen. As far as war films go, Dunkirk is up there and it’s cinematic qualities were recognised at the 2018 Academy Awards, picking up three awards. What we can take from Christopher Nolan and his ability to execute stories on screen is that he spends a great deal on his screenplays before production. Tenet took FIVE YEARS to write (and probably another five to understand) certainly showing his devotion and dedication to his ideas as a filmmaker.

Honorouble mentions (that u should definitely check out)

Taxi Driver (1976) A Clockwork Orange (1971) Call me by your name (2017) Her. (2017) Do the right thing (1989)

Obviously there are 100s of other films worth watching that aren’t on this list, however if you were to watch all films mentioned on this list, you’d certainly get a different perspective on the possibilities of filmmaking and the stories they tell. 

[novantinuum]

that fantasy au concept is so interesting! it has such a cool emotional core with neat worldbuilding while still staying true to the spirit of the show, and just seems to... idk how to put it but it Works?

a aaa thank you ;w;

i have a metric butt load of ideas for it, some of them being:

-Lots of typical fantasy creatures like elves, dwarves, dragonborn, gnomes, orcs, etc etc etc alongside humans

-The visual aesthetic of the larger cities is strongly victorian steampunk. This is a world right on the edge of technological revolution, and as a result, oftentimes magic and those who perform it are kinda left behind and ignored in lieu of new inventions and ideas.

-Magic is something all denizens of this fantasy world can learn if they put their minds to it enough- but there are definitely some people who have an innate closer connection to the magical aspect of this world and have an easier time with it. This often runs through family lines- i.e. if a parent is a powerful witch, for example, their child will also have an innate inclination towards performing powerful magic.

-All the magic in this world is really personalized. Each individual will have an inclination towards a few types of magic that speak towards their personality and heart. It’s kinda... soul magic? So when I said the eldritch beings Rose was once a part of consume people’s souls, they’re basically feeding on pure magic. 

-Rose is, of course, secretly an eldritch horror disguised as an elf. She’s like... super long-lived? She’s been around for hundreds upon hundreds of years in this world, far beyond the normal lifespan of elven folk. However, she flies under the radar and is never really questioned because everyone just assumes the immense power of her magic is what’s keeping her alive. She deals very deeply in eldritch magic, and also boasts considerable healing/restorative powers. She’s still alive when Steven is born, and is loving as a mother, but... she tends to be very reclusive, and starts to keep him at arm’s length the older he becomes. (see: she’s super stressed and distracted about trying to find a way to save this realm when her ward fails in a few years.) This may be an AU, but Steven still gotta have mommy issues. 

-Pearl is her first love, the elven woman she fell for when she first came to protect this world. Rose has granted her long life, afraid to see the people she loves die. Pearl is a skilled fighter and mage, able to show others impeccably accurate visions of her memory in a cloud of smoke, conjure an illusionary version of any item she’s seen, and even summon light soldiers to cover her.

-Garnet is another early friend she made, during that initial fight against the eldritch beings trying to consume this plane of existence. Garnet has also been granted the power of long life. She is a clairvoyant seer who can see potential paths of the future, but while she uses this power she temporarily goes blind as she accesses her “third eye,” so to speak. As a result, this is a magic she must use wisely, outside immediate dangers. Haven’t decided what fantasy people she’s of.

-Amethyst is a young human girl these three came into care of much later, someone without a home to call her own. She’s scrappy, and is adept with forming illusions and shapeshifting. Her magic is very handy in conflict with distracting and disorienting others, and is also fun for cheap tricks to get a laugh. These days, it’s a rare day she’s NOT in some shapeshifted form.

-Greg is a human, and he’s absolutely a bard :D Most of his magic he actually learned from Rose, as his parents didn’t allow him to seek out magic training when he was a kid under their thumb. 

-Connie is a human who lives in one of the larger cities of this world with her parents, and she quite literally ran into Steven in the streets one day... which eventually lead to them striking up a close friendship and their stories intertwining. She’s always wanted to study magic, but as of late, with all the technological revolutions, texts on it are becoming harder and harder to find. Magic is becoming something that is more often only passed down within families... something unfairly insular. Neither her mother or father are innate magic users, so she has no one to teach her. No one, that is... until she met Steven and his family. Steven... who is the son of the literal most AMAZING sorceress who ever walked this world.

She is a quick learner, and over time picks up some mid-level telepathic abilities- which allow her to poke into people’s inner thoughts at will. She also becomes adept at scouring information- magically soaking up words in a book like a sponge, and at sensing hidden sources of magic many others cannot. She trains with Pearl as a swordfighter, as well. 

-Steven... genuinely believes he is a half-elf for most of his childhood. His mother is an elf, of course, and his father a human. He’s got pointed ears like his mom, and shares her natural magical aptitude. However, since he is actually half-eldritch instead, there’s a lot of very, very subtle, unusual physical quirks about him he doesn’t know to mask, some of which are:

His eyes shimmer with little pinpricks of light occasionally, almost as if an entire galaxy were encapsulated within them. This only happens when he’s feeling very strong emotions. It’s not something anyone would notice unless they were looking for it.

Sometimes... rarely... when you look at him close, it’s as if for a brief glimmer of a moment his form feels off. Like something’s missing, or your sight is somehow glitching. Like there’s something about him you can’t quite see.

He doesn’t feel warm to the touch, nor does he feel cold. The closest description of sensation I could make for what someone feels when making contact with him is like... TV static.

If you know him long enough, eventually you’ll grow to recognize a slight dissonant harmony within his voice. It’s very subtle, but always there.

These quirks are things Rose shares, but knowingly masks. Every single day she doesn’t tell him the truth about her origins is a day she fears these quirks will grow so strong it’ll put him in danger, but what’s even more dangerous is the thought of having to burden him with her secret, and... likely have to deal with the fallout of everyone discovering that she’s lied about what she is for all this time.

Steven’s magic is heavy on abjuration. He’s very adept at summoning barriers and shields and at casting all sorts of defensive spells. He can also bring plants to life, but this is incredibly draining for him earlier on in his magic training. He’s got a bit of healing ability, although nowhere near his mother’s, and he’s also a strong empath. As his power grows, so too does the strength and longevity of his shields and creations. However, along with that, his empathic abilities become so powerful that he often finds himself overwhelmed by the emotions of people around him. He’s largely unable to just “turn it off,” and thus prefers to stick to peaceful, secluded areas rather than trundle through highly populated areas all the time. Music is a really good diversion for him when he feels too overwhelmed by everyone’s emotions.

-At some point, Steven and Connie come to question Rose’s secrecy, and pry into what she’s doing a bit... Connie attempts to use her telepathy to peek into her surface thoughts, and... hoo boy, that’s not a super wise move on Connie’s part, because Rose can feel this girl picking around in her mind. The two of them get into big trouble, as Rose is terrified at people discovering her true identity at this point, at people learning about the truth and then pressing into her dangerous world. While she doesn’t intend to be, Rose gets kinda... scary when she’s upset. Don’t upset her.