#Disney vs Victorian era

[zoeloveconvers99]

Finally after months of hiatus I’m back,I decided to put aside for a much more busier period studying and working In accounting,while that I had a new comfort zone and even created a much more grim version,I decided to create the first design of the main protagonist and put in confrontation with the most popular adaptation just compare the aesthetic and personalities of the characters + a funny draw of me rising from the dead maybe,let’s see if I can keep up

[vetinarivimesy]

Okay okay okay. I'm enough of a nerd that yes I own those damned Disney Star Wars themepark cookbooks, and I've been steadily working my way through most of the recipes in them.

Mostly the recipes are a great balance of fun, interesting, and vaguely deliberately shifted around a really solid base to make it just a little unfamiliar so it's 'space' themed. But actually something you'd be willing to cook, without a million and a half rather finnicky steps and a ton of things to wash up before the thing even meets heat.

(With one or two minor SNAFUs caused by ye olde separated by a common language - tomato paste vs tomato puree woops)

But ahem, anyway that 'spicy' Mandalorian stew, ey?

For all of the advertised heat in the thing... You essentially end up with a rather tasty Japanese style curry with couscous in it, rather than rice on the side.

Nice? Yes.

Spicy? No not really. Even compared to other similarly mild curries, and taking spicy to mean spiced not hot. The Japanese style curry this recipe seems to be based around somewhat infamously comes from the bland for the UK-palette generic curry powder of the Victorians...

Sooo. I am spitefully choosing to follow a large chunk of fandom's example and picking bits of Star Wars at random to pick and choose my canon from... I'm now taking that recipe as 'proof' that Mandalorian cooking... really isn't all that hot.

And yes, I made that Pog soup too. Tasty? Yeah sure. Spicy? ...Eh?

And again, spitefully logicking my way through, which culture is always depicted in the films as actually extremely multicultural, and actually allows its members to retain their home traditions from their roots, and actually is based loosely around Asia rather than the old colonising empire building bounty hunters and rogues mashed with Knights Templar thing that is still the bulk of what the Mandos have?

The Jedi.

Who, notably, are absolutely missing any representation whatsoever in either of the two Disney-era Star Wars cookbooks. Since the setting is post the second Jedi genocide in the Skywalker Saga...

So whilst I'm now headcanoning, Mando food as all bark and very little bite, spitefully and based solely off of a very dubious bit of 'canon'.

I can also with impunity go, Sichuan cooking for the Jedi? Yes. Yes. Yes. Genuinely interesting Indian cuisine? Sure why not? Spicy Uzbek style stews? Great! Shakshouka as fiery as you can get it for breakfast? Amazing! Enough spicy kefta to feed fifty ravenous knights? Fabulous!

There's a brisk, and expensive given they're just cheap space-ramen, trade in the Jedi Temple sector of Coruscant of all the numerous flavours of Space-Buldak Chilli Noodles, since the Padawans basically live off of them.

Swimming in chilli already? Well that's not hot enough for old Master Rancisis! Add more! And don't forget the numbing peppercorns, that's Master Sifo-Dyas's favourite part!

Cue a fanfic, with the usual increasingly irritating set-up. Ahahaha, lets laugh at the culture that supposedly eats nothing but the blandest thing on the menu encounter the Manly Men we only eat the Hottest Vindaloo because we're hard! culture... And... Nope, nosiree the Mandos cannot handle it at all, cue much blue milk chugging, and not from the jedi half of the contingent. Despite all their showboating about how spicy they love their spicy spicy stew, they're like the old stereotype about white Brits in an Indian Curry House in Goodness Gracious Me.

(Seriously still far too spitefully amused that the official 'Spicy Mandalorian Stew' recipe produced bland but tasty comfort food in reality.)

[thegreatyin]

&*$$$$$£HNf i meant it as like.. basically whichever oc you wanted to answer those for. like. receiver's choice kind of thing

BUT how about the scoundrel for those questions (2, 7, 23, 30)

ohhh. okay i overthought that. that's on me. lol.

2 - What sort of music would they like? Have you thought about what genres or bands do they lean towards? Do they have a favorite song?

The Scoundrel feels like they'd adore classical music more than anything else. Lots of violins, pianos, harps... the works. I've even assigned them Vs. Yinu as a boss battle theme, which feels like it sets the stage for their entire aesthetic lmao

As for favorite song.. I have absolutely no idea, since I know literally nothing about music and especially nothing about what kind of stuff was popular in the Victorian era.

That all being said, in a fallen berlin modern context, I could see them being a swiftie. I have absolutely no reasoning or explanation for this. I just feel it in my soul.

-

7 - Favorite animal? Why?

If you had to ask them, they'd say bats. For reasons that may potentially be obvious. If you had to ask me, however, I think they'd love a good moth or butterfly. Maybe the cinnabar moth?

-

23 - How would you describe their voice? Can they sing?

I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED BECAUSE I FIGURED THIS OUT A FEW DAYS AGO AND IVE BEEN LOSING MY MIND. Their voiceclaim is a weird mashup of Starscream TFP and Medic TF2 and this has haunted me.

Nasally little fucker. Horrid little weasel bastard. They have a very strong German accent and they sound like a scheming evil advisor absolutely chomping at the bit to throw their boss off a cliff. They tend to purr most of their words and devolve into high-pitched shrieking when they don't get their way. They sound absolutely goofy when they do this. Don't point this out or they'll throw you into the unterzee.

It can probably sing pretty well, in the same sort of way a disney villain can pull off its evil jazzy solo number. Which is to say good. They sing good. They're probably insufferable about singing good.

-

30 - Do they smell like anything notable?

Flowers! Specifically surface flowers. The exact scent varies wildly, but they always smell strongly of flowers and they make no secret of being proud or smug about it. They feel like the type to lather on perfume regardless of the occasion just so they always smell, at minimum, "vaguely pleasant". It probably earns them a lot of scandal.

[marsnolias]

I was bored so I compiled a list of my favourite-ever media.

Books

Proofiness: the Dark Arts of Mathematical Deception, by Charles Seife

A nonfiction book about how statistics and math can and will be used for nefarious purposes.

Humble Pi: When Math goes Wrong in the Real World, by Matt Parker

(The UK version of this is subtitled “when Maths goes Wrong in the Real World”). Another nonfiction explaining how many disasters in many different areas of science and technology are caused by seemingly minor errors with basic math and geometry.

Flatland, by Edwin Abbott Abbott

The journey of A. Square, an inhabitant of a 2d plane called Flatland, and his encounter with a sphere from the third dimension. Though fiction, it presents a good picture of how two, three, and four dimensions are represented in math. It's also a satire of Victorian class structure.

The Cyberiad, by Stanislaw Lem

A collection of short stories about a pair of androids named Trurl and Klapaucius, who fly about the galaxy building machines and robots for various kings and such. A very nice blend of sci-fi and fantasy.

Mortal Engines, by Stanislaw Lem

Similar to the Cyberiad, except there are no recurring characters. Describes itself very aptly as “fairy tales for the cybernetic age”.

Aliens: Phalanx, by Scott Sigler

The first Alien media I ever experienced. It features a colony of humans on a planet where the most advanced technology is a crossbow, and where humanity lives in underground networks to avoid xenomorphs (which they call demons).

Alien versus Predator: the Rage Wars trilogy, by Tim Lebbon

Consists of Predator: Incursion, Alien: Invasion, and Alien Vs. Predator: Armageddon

Features the Rage, a rebel group of humans that have found strange alien technology that not only prolongs their lives, but allows them to control xenomorphs. The climax ends with the Rage returning to earth to attack the human sphere of colonization, and they fight against the earth humans and their temporary allies, the Yautja (predators). One of my favorites. It breaks from the antagonistic humans being Weyland-Yutani for once.

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas

A classic. I love how the letter that lands Dantés in prison also sets in motion a series of events that basically ruin the people that conspired against him.

Short Stories

In the Hills, the Cities, by Clive Barker

This is the only media I've ever seen that emotionally moved me. It's incredibly vivid, and equal parts terrifying and sad.

The Transformers: Showdown! (US #20) by Bob Budiansky

My favorite issue of Marvel G1 Transformers. It features the Autobot Skids falling in love with a human woman named Charlene.

Movies

Quasi at the Quackadero by Sally Cruikshank

A somewhat surreal and very fun animation about a couple of strange creatures and their adventures at a fair.

The Treasure Planet (1982), directed by Rumen Petkov

A Bulgarian animated film, not to be confused with Disney's Treasure Planet. Basically a retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, with a sci-fi twist. Contains some of the strangest, most off-the-wall scenes I've ever seen. In the English dub, Felipe, this movie's version of Jim Hawkins, is voiced by Bryan Cranston. Yes, the same one that would go on to play Walter White.

The Swindlers, directed by Jang Chang-Won

A Korean movie about a group of Swindlers banding together to take down another, bigger swindler that was the head of a giant ponzi scheme. Absolutely needs to be watched twice because, boy. The twists in this one.

Bongyi Kim Seon-Dal | Seondal: the Man who Sells the River, directed by Park Dae-Min

A movie set in the Joseon Era of Korea about Kim Seon-Dal, a legendary con man of Korean folklore.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, directed by Robert Zemeckis

The only one I like for the cinematography and behind the scenes stuff more than the actual plot.

Kshay | Corrode, directed by Karan Gour

A black and white Indian movie about a woman who desperately wants to conceive, and becomes obsessed with a statue of Lakshmi, Hindu deity of fertility and wealth.

[thewickedbohemian]

Another poll related to my project ideas (please DO NOT STEAL)

Some clarification because the poll options had a word limit

the girl reporter lead in my queer Twelve Dancing Princesses is intended to be inspired by Katherine from Broadway's version of Newsies (and this movie would take place around that same historical era) and I thought it'd just be better to have a girl reporter lead initially after the story (and who can blend in better with the twelve princesses) who then ends up falling for one of the princesses than how the original story has a guy after princess-as-prize-to-be-won

the Tiger Lily thing is because not only have I felt Disney should deserve a shot at redemption for how the original Peter Pan ended up but (unless it was explained and I just don't know) it's always fascinated me what the hell Native Americans were doing in Neverland in the first place so I thought (if it wouldn't be offensive to write about a fictional tribe that doesn't exist in reality) it'd be a cool sort of prequel to write (albeit with Native cultural consultants or w/e) about a tribe escaping white settlers to a land always thought to be mythical perhaps mainly due to a badass princess leading the way. I apologize if any of this would end up being insensitive, I won't make it if it's too disliked and it wasn't meant to be.

what I mean by modernized-a-la-Tangled is my version of The Marvelous Land Of Oz would be tweaked-somewhat for modern sensibilities the way Tangled did to the original Rapunzel story (e.g. getting rid of the scene where this book's particular wicked witch gets scared off via talking mice because women are afraid of mice right) but it'd keep more of the core story than Tangled did

yeah I know the story of Purim goes to some R-rated places but those would be toned down (e.g. offscreen implied-violence or the sexual elements getting dialed back to around the level something like Aladdin could get away with) and while this would still be on the thematically-darker side of Disney movies if it was indeed made one (like The Hunchback Of Notre Dame or even Coco) I think it still has the potential for a cool story with some relevant themes (like inner beauty or the importance of speaking out) and it'd give us a Jewish Disney Princess that's more than just what Elena Of Avalor gave us with Princess Rebecca and do so without mentioning God (as the story of Purim is one of the only "Jewish holiday backstories" if not the only one that doesn't involve god at all)

[acircusfullofdemons]

Storybook City sounds so cool!! I know you're focusing on the Wonderland paras right now, but have you thought about the others yet? Is there anything in particular about the world they're living in?? Sorry, if these seem like weird questions, I'm just enthralled right now by the concept!!

YES OH MY GOD!!!!!

This paracosm actually started a WHILE ago, when I re-entered my Jekyll & Hyde phase. So, the only other "section" SC has rn (with semi-fleshed out paras) is called "Victorian Gothic", which has, well, characters from books that fall into the "Victorian Gothic Era". Characters like Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, Victor Frankenstein, essentially all the Iconic mad scientists are there! (...and those from Dracula....)

The VG Characters, when I first made them, lived in this college dorm/large school? Because, well, most of them are scientists (or, trying to be, anyway).

NOW, however, with the addition of Wonderland, I'm thinking of having a sort of "hub" all the characters can visit, mainly because Wonderland is....another dimension, or something. Idk.

There's also Sleepy Hollow (from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow), which is just Halloween Town from The Nightmare Before Christmas ngl. They love Ghost Stories. The only one from there thats appeared is Ichabod Crane (who might be a ghost idk yet) & Katrina's descendant, who doesn't have a name atm. But! Ichabod is a salty old man & doesn't like her.

And the most recent location/section is "Ever After", which is where all the Disney Princess live. So, so many kingdoms like WHAT.

This is also lowkey ripping off Ever After High (rip 😔) BUT instead of the descendants having to follow their parents/ancestors paths, they sort of have to....make new fairytales/stories. Like, keeping the cycle going, in a sense?? After they graduate, they have to choose which dimension they wish to live in, be approved, and then HOPEFULLY take part in a new Story. Fun!

OH!!! I'm sorry this is already long BUT! Each dimension/section has a "spokesperson", someone who makes the overall decisions for their dimension. The way its determined is sort of funky, but its usually who's the most "popular"/who gets the most recognition from readers. So, Snow White is Ever Afters spokesperson since she was the first Disney princess to get a movie. Phineas/Mad Hatter is Wonderland's spokesperson & Rosa/Queen of Hearts is SO SALTY about it lmao. The Brothers Grimm (Alder & Beltop) are the....I'm not sure how to say it. They're the spokespeople for SC as a whole? Like. They're the leaders of everyone else, keeping track of which dimensions do what, that sort of thing. Its like if they were the principals & the spokespeople were....assistant principals??

(The Brothers also knew some characters before they became, well, characters. Phineas & Beltop were actually best friends. I think Cinderella & Phineas knew each other before their respective stories, too).

Anyway, I will leave you off with an explanation of how their adventures get turned into Stories. I'll use LIW as an example bc yeah. So. When Alice came back from her first two adventures in both Wonderland & LookingGlassland, she told lots of people (who...didn't believe her, because she was an 8yo Victorian Child who had a very active imagination, probably wrote it off as some vivid dream). But!! One person did believe her, that being Lewis Carroll. Everything she told him, he wrote down into a book, which of course became the one we're all familiar with today. Essentially, A Protagonist must find a Narrator to write down their story for them. Characters have varying opinions on the book events vs irl events (Phineas claims that the tea party scene went on much longer than in the book), but overall they agree that their books/original adaptations are the best adaptations provided.

I hope that satisfies some of your curiosity!! I really didn't know what to write so....I kinda jumped everywhere lmao 😅

[artist-ellen]

The next Disney Heroine getting a redesign is Jane Porter!

Disney did something interesting here. They changed the time period of the book to suit their historical costume decisions. Which I (generally) approve of. As long as the story has in-world consistency changing unimportant specifics are all good if they make sense. Changing Tarzan to be 20 years earlier so Jane can rock a bustle doesn’t really impact the foundations of the story. If anything it makes Jane visually unique & “dated” in a way that even a kid can recognize. Which is good design. I like having my cake & eating it to... so I’ve explored both options ;). These first two designs are 1880s Jane. 

Her first look is a version of her yellow bustle gown. It’s based on a combination of walking gowns from that era, with her customary parasol & hat. Her hat is more feminine & has less “safari” in it’s design, but ultimately the colors haven’t really changed. In contrast her gown is more masculine- with a faux-cravat, imitation shirt-bodice & masculine collars. (Late Victorian women’s fashion had a lot of fun co-opting male fashion to suit their purposes - it’s pretty great)

The second look is based on her evolution from “Civilized Lady” to Jungle Aficionado. Specifically her white tank top + red skirt look she wears towards the end of the film & meets the gorillas in. My idea was that her wardrobe was starting to cannibalize itself as she cares more about maneuverability and less about proper “fashion”. So she has on a red bustle-skirt without the bustle and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. If you're surprised at the layers there is this really cool video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHTgi51z6I ) by Abby Cox about testing historical fashions vs high temperatures & modern clothes vs high temperatures to prove that old fashion clothing wasn’t as crazy as most people assume. If you’re wearing the right kind of fabric more layers can help keep the sun off the skin. Of course Jane is in Equatorial Rainforest Africa soooo the humidity might be killer but a breathable fabric does wonders.

Come visit us on Insta! https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7dlpBDb25/

I am the artist!! Do not repost without permisision & credit! Thank you!

[faireladypenumbra]

My ask that presumably got eaten was a request that you tell us about the post ww2 perception of Germanic versions of fairy tales that you hinted at in the tags. I'd love to hear!

My apologies to the asker here: I knew Tumblr was eating the contents of my ask box, and I was right, because I only just got this.

I do remember this post however, and some of my tags. ^^ Generally, our perceptions about German folklore and fairy tale culture, in America, has been heavily colored by the Disney variations of these stories (which are, of course, not wholly claimed by Germany anyway). Grimm's Fairytales by itself has gone through a complicated history: the Victorian Era saw these fairytales heavily sanitized to make them audience-friendly, and now, in modern perceptions, Grimm's has become the Darker, Grittier cousin to Walt Disney's well-known adaptations- this was a popular topic for clickbait within the last decade. Headlines teasing the "dark" original tales for either Grimms' or Anderson, where the mermaid dies and Cinderella's stepmother is killed, etc. It's possible World War II played some role in this pop culture change: Adolf Hitler praised Grimm's Fairytales as full of protagonists with "sound racial instincts seeking racially pure marriage partners." Allied forces pushed back on this, and warned against the text. The image of the German people, during and after WWII, also morphed into a stereotype that contacted German culture with cruelty, barbary, and at the least, a briskness in personality. On a personal level, I do think that Americans have inherited cultural stereotypes about Germans, usually from our own pop culture, and this allows people to confirm biases when they read articles about German fairytales being "scary" or "R-rated." If you don't know Grimms' history and the long tradition of Germanic folklore, but have the last 60 or so years of pop culture + Disney's heavily American adaptations as your reference points, of course you will be disturbed by Grimms' fairytales. That's just what German culture is- if you know nothing about Germany. (This comes with a super big disclaimer that I only scratched the surface of this topic: there's a lot to read about Grimms', their preservation of folk tradition vs. their sanitization for Victorian audiences, Hitler's later usage of German heritage, and how American WWII propaganda still ripples into our media today. It's a huge topic).

[agent-42]

I've been looking back at the lxg film and the league of extraordinary gentlemen comic series. and I was hoping as an alternate universe lxg is fine but there a few things I would have fixed. so the lxg universe is supposed to be all Victorian era books have happened. and I think instead of making up stuff they should have pulled from various books. like instead of tanks and Nazis, Moriarty got his hands on the Steam men of the the prairies. and maybe the Scientists he kidnapped were all famous scientists like Professor Selwyn Cavor, and Doctor Frankenstein. because Moriarty wants to build the ultimate warship and the ultimate army.

also why Venice? was the party in Venice even from a book? I feel like there could have literature reference could have been used there.

and what was with the tiger? I know is supposed to be an omen for Allen Quatermain's death or whatever but they couldn't use Pluto from Black cat? that cat was even on the cover of the graphic novel. also what is the history involving Moriarty's castle.

now on to the cast of characters, I am okay they didn't use fu man chu isn't that character considered a racist caricature, and unlike say the mandarin would have been hard to do justice without coming off racist?

sure I would have been awesome if they had pit to criminal masterminds together like Dr. Nikola vs Moriarty but this is fine. Dorian grey is an okay addition I think more people found out about him because of the movie. Tom Sawyer was fine but apparently he is too young but him being tom sawyer the third could have been an easy throw away line. I think Allen Quartermain should have been a different actor like Anthon Hopkins. someone to draw in crowds but wouldn't change to whole film to be centered around him. apologies to the late great Sean Connery. Mina Harker should have been both the leader and a vampire because that's the best of both worlds. Skinner is better than Griffin fight me on this. the graphic novel has a R*pe scene involving Griffin and I am glad it's not in the film.

I kinda wish this film had became it's own film slowly separating it's self from the graphic novels to be it's own universe. the comic book series is pretty good but let's be real it does drive into madness by the third book.

but Imagine a world were the lxg movie Franchise became more successful then the xmen Franchise? like Imagine If Fox had traded the xmen and fantastic four film rights for and Victoria era film rights Disney had owned. if Universal has dracula, the invisible man and Frankenstein then disney must own something right? who knows maybe disney would have never bought fox.

[bi-guy-filmbuff]

My Top 10 favourite movie's of all time...

(The post that no one asked for, but you're getting anyway)

10. Barbarella (1968)

A cult classic staring Jane Fonda as the sexy traveller from earth, on a mission to find the scientist known as Durand Durand. Honestly this film is amazing and so before it's time. It has a blind Angel, a sexy evil queen, and a death sex machine! Its so 80s...yet in the late 60s! Seriously Jane Fonda is such an amazing human whether it's in this or something current like Grace and frankie. She's reason enough to watch this crazy film.

9. To wong foo (1995)

Okay but Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes in Drag? Yes please. It's unlike any other drag film I know, especially with straight male leads. It deals with so many serious issues such as homophobia, domestic abuse, transphobia and sexism. It's hilarious and drag is shown in such a true and positive light. Swayze, Snipes and Leguizamo did their research and portrayed the role of a drag queen perfectly. (Rupaul, Miss Coco Peru, Lady Bunny, Candis Cayne and Quentin Crisp all make an appearance)

8. Death Becomes Her (1992)

This film is another cult classic (you'll hear that a lot, sorry) staring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis (with hair wow) Who wouldn't want to stay young forever? It's campy, creepy and hilarious. There's so many iconic scenes filled with superb acting, and the love hate relationship between Madeline (Meryl) and Helen (Goldie) is amazing.

7. The Lost Boys (1987)

This film is everything I love combined into one. 80s punk vampires? Yes. It's so 80s filled with the music, the fashion the hair it's wonderful. A badass gang of punk vampires lead by the gorgeous Kiefer Sutherland vs Corey Haim and Corey Feldman (the two Corey's of the 80s) it's just an absolute masterpiece.

6. Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton is by far my Favourite Director and Writer for film. His movies are what shaped me as a human (human?) Beetlejuice will always have a place in my heart, it's dark funny and so twisted, Tim Burton creates this other world not unlike our own. Just exaggerated. I think everyone loves Winona Ryder as a melodramatic edgy teen yearning to be apart of the land of those who are recently deceased. The use of the Banana boat song is still one of the best scenes in cinema history.

5. Treasure Planet (2002)

Okay yes, don't judge me for having an animated film on the list because this film was literally my childhood. Treasure island...but in space! How is that not amazing? Emma Thompson is a humanoid British Cat captain...again another reason it's the best Disney film of all time. It's so heartwarming and features some really serious stuff, it's classic Disney. I highly recommend this no matter your age.

4. Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie and his glittery crotch of doom. Another 80s masterpiece (can you tell it's my favourite era?) The music in this movie is superb and the characters created by Jim Henson are amazing. Everything about this movie is magical from the puppetry to David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly's performance. The ballroom scene takes my breath away every single time, it's so romantic yet dark since Jareth is trying to distract Sarah so he may keep her as his queen (Honestly seems like a good deal) My heart does ache a little more since Bowie's passing but atleast he has such a large legacy left behind.

3. The Rocky horror picture show (1975)

A real cult classic, and huge staple for the LGBTQ+ community. I first watched this film at 10 or 11 (probably too young oops) and it immediately became an obsession. This film is part of the reason I'm proud to be who I am today, it gave me so much confidence and pride in being weird or different. Tim Curry is utterly amazing, he is sexy, crazy and talented. Don't even get me started on it's soundtrack, Richard O'Brien is so clever. Using references from other classics such as forbidden planet, king Kong and flash Gordon. Honestly this film started my love of musical theatre and Drag.

2. Sweeney Todd (2007)

Tim Burton appears once again. This film combines my two favourite genre's, horror and musicals. It takes the story from an old Victorian Penny Dreadful of the barber who kills his clients and the baker, who's desperately inlove with him. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter bounce off eachother so well in every film they do together, Sweeney Todd is no exception. It's dark, funny and poetically tragic. The score by Stephen Sondheim is amazing and so well written it makes the film what it is.

1. The Silence of the lambs (1991)

A true cinematic masterpiece. Everything about this movie is perfection, not only is it my favourite film, it is also my favourite book. The casting of Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie foster as Clarice Starling was pure genius. The chemistry between them is almost frightening as if we are truly watching an interview of a well educated killer, by a green southern FBI agent in training. The camera work, the soundtrack, the lighting, everything was so well thought out throughout the entire film. It's one I could watch over and over again.

If anybody actually read this then thank you...

[thenightling]

How my obsessions work:

When I was a kid the school psychologist suggested that I was “obsessive impulsive.”  Keep in mind this was some twenty five or so years ago, before the era of autism being understood, so I don’t know (and can’t claim to know) if I fit in the spectrum but I do tick a lot of the boxes. 

Anyway, she had explained that it’s not the same as obsessive compulsive.  What she meant was that I fixate on something, obsess about it and become impulsive in regard to that obsession.  I’m not sure how right she was...

Also every psychologist I’ve spoken to since then has more or less claimed there’s no such thing and asked me repeatedly if I meant Obsessive Compulsive.  So I guess she was trying to make something up to explain what today many people call hyper-fixations.  

Here’s how I analyze myself...

When I was about four or five years old I morbidly imagined it was a dungeon in the form of a big donut.  The cells were pointed inward and in each cell was a favorite fictional character like Zummi from Disney’s Adventures of The Gummi Bears or Egon Spangler from The Real Ghostbusters and so on.   And every so often one of these characters would get free of his or her cell and run loose in my brain.

Today I imagine it more like a carousel (Merry-go-round).   And each mount is an obsession.  My obsessions alternate but the order is not always consistent so it may be hard to figure out the pattern if there is one.

The current mounts in the obsession Carousel include:

Dracula (various incarnations but not the NBC show.  I hated that one.  I didn’t really like Dracula 2000 either.  But i do love most versions, particularly the the Frank Wildhorn Dracula musical, and Fred Saberhagen’s Dracula book series.) Frankenstein (Literary version of The Creature only).  This is a very specific obsession as I do not like the simple minded version of The Creature in pop culture.  Nor do I like the bald head or flat head also common in pop culture.  Versions that fit my obsession are the Richard Campbell Frankenstein Metal Opera, Frankenstein a New Musical (2010 off-Broadway cast recording), the version from the 2004 Hallmark mini-series starring Luke Goss, the version from Penny Dreadful, the comic book series Frankenstein: Alive, Alive, and, of course, the novel itself.  Goethe’s Faust (Parts 1 and 2).   Adaptations include The A. S. Kline translation of the original German to English, the Harry Clarke illustrations, the silent film adaptation by F. W. Murnau, and the Kamelot power metal albums Epica and The Black Halo.  Even the version retold in the kids’ show Wishbone.   My preference is for adaptations that try to tackle both parts.  Too many people only know part 1 if they know the story at all.

Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.  A new obsession to the carousel but it has the potential to linger here for decades like the ones I listed above. Pretty much only the content written by Neil Gaiman himself and a few well made fan films like 24 Hour diner, The Motion comic of Sound of Her wings, and the fan film of Fear of Falling. Loki from Norse Mythology  Puck AKA Robin Goodfellow from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the version from Disney’s Gargoyles.  

  Minor obsessions that come and go sporadically include:  Fright Night (specifically the character Peter Vincent), and by extension from that: Doctor Abraham Van Helsing (of the original Dracula novel, older movies and particularly the Hammer Dracula films).  I always loved brain vs. Brawn, and the cunning, kind, older man vs. the powerful and predatory immortal.   

Dark Shadows (Original TV series) Beauty and the Beast (various adaptations) Guillermo Del Toro movies

Tim Burton films (Mostly until around Frankenweenie...) Roger Corman / Vincent Price movies  Various comic books.

Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes  Disney’s Gargoyles 

   Overlapping themes to my obsessions include The Supernatural (Not the TV series, mind you): Magick, the arcane / occult, folklore, Gothic Horror, The Victorian era, and humanoid monsters such as vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein’s monster, ect.

Anyway, that’s how my brain works.  Most of my obsessions are old ones that just occasionally circle back to the front of my mind.  Faust is one of these and he’s currently hogging the spotlight.  I don’t know how long he’ll be there but rest assured, the old ones are still there as well.  

[immaculate-benediction-batch]

5 ways to get your Sherlock Holmes fix without seeing the stinko Ferrell-Reilly movie

1. Without a Clue (1988)

This gem has Dr. John Watson as the brains behind the entire operation. Played by Ben Kingsley, Watson has invented the character of Sherlock Holmes in this comedy. He hires Michael Caine’s character to portray the detective in public, all while solving the cases and writing them up himself. There’s about everything you want in a comedy here: slapstick, banter, ridiculous situations, and just a touch of drama. Also, Ben Kingsley looks mighty fine.

2. Asylum's Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes (2010)

Often referred to in Sherlockian circles as Sherlock Holmes vs. Dinosaurs, The Asylum’s go at the great consulting detective premiered around the same time as the first Robert Downey Jr. romp. Starring a delightfully bewildered Ben Syder as Holmes and Gareth David-Lloyd of Torchwood fame as a Watson in far too small a waistcoat, this film is everything you want in a parody. There’s robots, dinosaurs, robotic dinosaurs, long-lost family members, questionable historical eras, and a giant balloon. Also Dominic Keating?The Asylum tends to make films that are so bad they’re good, but they’re also quite self-aware of that fact. That makes this a fine choice for some epically hilarious entertainment. Also, dinosaurs in Victorian England. What’s not to love?

3. The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)

"Sheer-luck!" That's what Gene Wilder's character, Sigerson, calls his famous older brother. Desperate to get out from underneath the consulting detective's shadow, he tries to solve a puzzling case while his brother is away. To… varying degrees of success.While a bit of a farce and not as tight as classics like Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles, this film is still worth it to watch for the cast alone: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Dom DeLuise.

4. NRK's Sherlock parodies (2014)

If you want whimsy with an intense dash of WTF, Norway's trio of Sherlock parodies are the perfect way to highly entertain yourself. Aired originally on the Norwegian TV show Underholdningsavdelingen, they made their way online relatively soon after and were instantly loved by the then-blossoming Sherlock fandom.They're weird. They make little sense. But they're also proper laugh-inducing spectacles of true absurdity. Vidar Magnussen (Sherlock Holmes) and Bjarte Tjøstheim (John Watson) are a hilarious pair who kind of make you wish they'd done a full-length episode of their own. After all, "rebooting is for cheesecakes."

5. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

While not technically a comedy, this much overlooked gem of the Disney renaissance is a great and fun retelling of Sherlock Holmes in the world of mice. Basil of Baker Street is charged with finding the father of a young girl that’s brought to him by Dr. David Q. Dawson. The mystery becomes more intriguing once Basil discovers his arch nemesis Professor Rattigan is behind the kidnapping.

Beyond a fun and engaging story with some seriously sweet tunes thanks to Vincent Price, who voices Rattigan, The Great Mouse Detective is true to the heart of Sherlock Holmes. It also has an animated cameo from Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s turns as the detective and doctor; after all, Basil lives in 221B ½.

[adhdvane]

uhg now i’m just getting feelings about my dnd characters. dysfunctional disney prince(ss) harley the bi aro neutral good ranger with his dire wolf pups but also more anthony the chaotic neutral conman lv3 bard. who plays the fiddle named helel, weapons are a tire iron and a dagger (but last session picked up a pistol and colt revolver off of dead occultists), who also only has 17 fucking hit points. but really he prefers to not engage in battle if it can be avoided. but also fuck the church of celestia and their bullshit lawful rule. (bc this world isn’t good vs evil rule its lawful vs chaotic)(also victorian era steampunk)(also anthony’s initials are ajc bc there is a joke here) (other jokes include: “they like my playing unlike some people” [immediately proceeds to roll a nat 1 on preform check] that little boy npc named channing is actually just a small boy with the head of channing tatum [enters large mansion at start of first session][dm plays jesus is my friend quietly in background] paladin ned flanders anothny, joking while drinking bc completely done with situation and wants to move on: why don’t you just give us the horses for free “Mysterious Person” (actually three goblins in a trench coat): FREE HORSE!! FREE HORSE!! HAVE FREE HORSE!! except we actually got an immortal battle horse out of that (they characters don’t know he’s immortal but oh my god) gabriel, became part of the party bc his parents basically disowned him bc he let his sister die of bog rot (aka the two people who joined us for second session, one came back for the third bc thank god we needed a healer and the other one was just in town visiting) me: hey are those dead necromancer’s pants clean? dm: uh [rolls] yes actually me: are they in my size dm: [rolls] .... yes me: i take his pants. i might need them if i can’t get the blood out of my own pants.)

[aion-rsa]

Got Wood: 15 Plant-Based Comic Book Characters

In the regular world, plants don’t amount to much to us. They decorate our houses and gardens, clean the air, grow food, and occasionally get chopped up to make our furniture. They certainly don’t fight crime or try to take over the world. That’s where comic books come in.

RELATED: Men of Steel: 15 Superheroes That Are Metal AF

In the comic world, plants can become powerful weapons or even superhuman beings, fighting for heroes and villains. From Marvel to DC to independent comics, the plant world is one of danger and mystery. With the adorable Baby Groot set to return in 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” it’s time for CBR to review 15 plant-based characters in the world of superheroes. We won’t be talking about characters who have power over plants, but ones who actually have plants in them or are made of plants.

TUMBLEWEED

The superhero Tumbleweed first appeared in 2008’s “Number of the Beast” #1, written by Scott Beatty and penciled by Chris Sprouse. Edward Dane was caught in the detonation of the Trinity atomic bomb test in the New Mexico desert, turning him into a collection of desert plants in the shape of a human being. Tumbleweed is made of desert fauna (mostly tumbleweeds and cactus) and has the power to control the flowers and branches inside him. He can adjust his shape by changing the way the plants are arranged, and also grow new ones inside himself.

With his new powers, Dane became Tumbleweed, a member of the World War II-era superhero group, the Paladins. Along with the other Paladins, he was kept inside a virtual reality simulation to keep him under control, but escaped in modern days. After the apocalyptic events of “Number of the Beast,” Tumbleweed used his powers to make an oasis in the Nevada desert in the post-apocalyptic world.

GOLDENROD

In 1984’s “Firestorm” #19 (written by Gerry Conway and Carla Conway, and penciled by Gene Colan), a broke lawyer named Frederick Delmar agreed to become a test subject for an experimental antihistamine drug called Nuvafed. The drug was just supposed to be harmless, but it caused a violent reaction in Delmar that killed him. Not wanting to admit the drug was a failure, Delmar’s body was dumped in a deserted field, where the body combined with the plants around him, bringing him back to life as a monster nicknamed Goldenrod.

Goldenrod went on a rampage to try to track down the people responsible for his transformation, but went up against the nuclear man himself, Firestorm. Goldenrod was made of plants and had the power to shoot concentrated pollen at his enemies, triggering fatal allergic reactions, and could also pollinate the area around him to grow plants that he could control. When he got out of control, Goldenrod realized he had gone too far and killed himself by dissolving into a cloud of pollen. A supervillain who kills with hay fever? Only in the comics.

BLACKBRIAR THORN

Created by Len Wein and Joe Kubert in 1984’s “DC Comics Presents” #66, Blackbriar Thorn was a Druid high priest whose sect was attacked by Roman soldiers. In order to escape, Thorn used his power to turn himself into wood so that he could hide in the forest. He intended to revert to normal upon being exposed to moonlight, but an earthquake buried him underground before that could happen. Thousands of years later, an archaeologist dug him up and put him on display in a Gotham City museum, where the moon’s light brought him back to life.

As a druid, Thorn has mystical power over the elements, able to cause wind and storms, even indoors. He also has power over plants, causing them to grow and move however he wanted, including the growth and shape of his own wooden body. Since his inception, Thorn has been a part of the DC Universe as one of the most powerful members of the magic community, often fighting heroes like the Justice League Dark, but also helping to stop the “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

LADY WEEDS

2013’s “Swamp Thing Annual” #2 by Charles Soule and Jesus Saiz introduced the cruel and sadistic Lady Weeds. In the Victorian Era, Lady Weeds was an avatar of the Green, another dimension where all plant life is connected. It’s also the source of Swamp Thing’s power. Lady Weeds abused her power, though, deliberately causing the Great Potato Famine in Ireland that led to the deaths of millions, in order to convince the members of the Parliament of Trees (the Parliament helped other Green avatars like Swamp Thing) never to challenge her claim as an avatar of the Green.

Lady Weeds had all the power of Swamp Thing with none of the conscience. She could manipulate and control plants both within and outside of herself, was basically immortal as long as plants existed in the world, and could draw upon power from the Green to make herself superhumanly strong. She ended up becoming expelled from the Green and paralyzed, but reborn as an avatar of the Metal.

EL SEED

In 1992, the animated TV show “The Tick” aired “The Tick vs. El Seed,” written by Ben Edlund and Richard Liebmann-Smith with storyboards by Christopher McCulloch and Stuart Yellin. In the episode, the superhero Tick faced a humanoid flower turned revolutionary named El Seed. No one knows where El Seed came from before he went to school for agriculture, but in the process he developed a chemical “vitilizer” to make plants grow arms and legs, and rise up against humans.

El Seed wanted to raise an army of plant soldiers to overthrow humanity and have plants take over the world, and his chemical concoctions almost let him do it. He tended to avoid fighting himself, but had two female insectoids called the Bee Twins to do his dirty work for him. Fortunately, the Tick and Arthur managed to get the drop on him by infiltrating the plant army as “kernels.” El Seed should have branched out to helping people instead of overthrowing them.

TIMBERIUS

Timberius first appeared in “Incredible Hulk Annual” #1 in 1968, written by Gary Friedrich and penciled by Marie Severin. A member of the Inhumans, Black Bolt found him guilty of treason and banished Timberius to another dimension along with other rebels. When the Hulk was transported to their dimension, Timberius worked with Maximus the Mad to escape. They also tried to take over the Inhuman city of Attilan. As a member of Maximus’ guard, Timberius continued to wreak havoc as part of the leader’s mad schemes.

Like all Inhumans, Timberius was exposed to the Terrigen Mists, but the combination of plant DNA gave him a wooden appearance and control over plants. He can grow plant life and make it move, much like the other entries on this list, although he’s much more ambitious. Over the years, he’s fought the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, but keeps on going.

FLORONIC MAN

Written by Gardner Fox and pencilers Gil Kane, 1962’s “Atom” #1 introduced Jason Woodrue as the Plant Master, who used inter-dimensional technology to grow plants in order to take over the world. However, an experimental formula later turned him into a plant humanoid and he changed his name to the Floronic Man. He later became a villain of Swamp Thing, and at one point, the Floronic Man even became a hero when he joined the Global Guardians who formed after the events of the “Millennium” storyline. However, he since went back to the side of evil.

Even as Woodrue, he was dangerous because of his knowledge of plants, but as the Floronic Man, Woodrue gained the ability to control and combine his body with plant life. His powers increased when he ate parts of Swamp Thing and connected with the Green, making him able to control plants all over the world. In the New 52 reboot, Woodrue became the Seeder, fighting Swamp Thing for the right to be the avatar of the Green.

POISON IVY

“Batman” #181 (1966), created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, introduced the supervillain Poison Ivy to the DC universe. Poison Ivy was a botanist injected with experimental poisons by Woodrue that transformed her into a toxic woman who could control plants. Obsessed with plant life over human beings, Poison Ivy became an eco-terrorist who fought, robbed and even killed in order to fund her attempts at destroying humanity and saving the natural world. That’s made her one of Batman’s deadliest enemies.

Poison Ivy can control plants, making them grow and move wherever and however she likes. She can also connect to plants with her mind, communicate with them over long distances and is immune to all forms of poisons and toxins. Poison Ivy herself is riddled with poisons, able to kill someone with a kiss alone, and can also produce pheromones to control people’s minds (particularly men). She tends to fall on the side of evil, but isn’t above working with Batman on the side of the heroes every now and then.

BUSHROOT

In the 1990s Disney superhero TV series “Darkwing Duck,” Darkwing fought a lot of weird villains, but one of the strangest was Reginald Bushroot. In the 1991 episode “Beauty and the Beet” (created by John Behnke, Rob Humphrey and Jim Peterson), we met the mild-mannered scientist named Reginald Bushroot who experimented on himself and became a half-duck, half-plant hybrid.

In his new form, Bushroot could control all plants around him, making them steal and fight for him. He’s also still a genius and uses his knowledge to breed new plants for different purposes. Though Bushroot has a lot of power, he’s not really a bad guy. He just wants to help the world and find love, even going so far as to try to create a female plant for companionship. He can also regrow parts of his body that are injured, making him immortal. He’s always a thorn in Darkwing Duck’s side.

KRAKOA

Written by Len Wein and penciled by Dave Cockrum, 1975’s “Giant Size X-Men” #1 introduced a new team of X-Men assembled from mutants around the world. Cyclops explained that they needed to find the original team of X-Men, who had gone missing on a remote island named Krakoa while looking for a powerful mutant. When they arrived on Krakoa, the new X-Men discovered that the island itself was the mutant they had been looking for.

When an atomic bomb had detonated near the island of Krakoa, the radiation caused the entire island to mutate into a single conscious entity. All the trees, flowers and plants on the island could work together to fight the X-Men and drain their life energy for Krakoa’s purposes. Though the story was later retconned to say Krakoa was just a hallucination caused by Xavier, it was one of the X-Men’s most bizarre adventures, fighting piles of rocks and tree branches trying to kill them.

SEQUOIA

Sequoia first appeared in “Fantastic Four” #325 (1988), written by Steve Englehart and penciled by Rich Buckler, as the result of years of plotting and development for the character Mantis. Created by Steve Englehart and Don Heck in “The Avengers” #112 (1973), Mantis is a half-Vietnamese martial artist who was raised by a sect of the alien Kree. She joined the Avengers, and began a journey to become the Celestial Madonna, a legendary woman prophesied to give birth to the most important being in the universe.

She finally mated with a Cotati tree in human form and gave birth to Sequoia, who has the power to absorb and control energy, using it to create energy beams and heal himself. Sequoia (who also goes by Quoi) also gained incredible psychic powers on the level of Thanos and can survive without food or air, thanks to his plant-based biology. He’s become one of the most powerful beings in the universe, which is pretty impressive for a tree.

PLANTMAN

Making his debut in “Strange Tales” #113 (1951, written by Stan Lee and Joe Carter with pencils by Dick Ayers), Samuel Smithers was an orphaned British botanist who become convinced that he could give intelligence to and communicate with plants. He invented a gun designed to bring plants to life called the “vege-ray,” and used it to become the supervillain Plantman. Over time, Plantman developed plant-based versions of himself called “simuloids,” which he used to do his bidding. Some of them have been programmed with his mental pattern to the point that they are essentially Plantman. Over time, his body mutated from exposure to the vege-ray energy, and allowed him to merge with the Earth’s biosphere.

Plantman can animate and control any form of plant life. In his simuloid form, Plantman has superhuman strength and resistance, as well as the ability to control and change form. He’s living proof that plants are out to get us.

MAN-THING

“Whatever knows fear burns at the touch of the Man-Thing.” That’s the slogan of one of the most powerful monsters in the Marvel Universe, who first appeared in 1971’s “Savage Tales” #1, created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Gray Morrow. Dr. Ted Sallis was a scientist working on a variation of Captain America’s super-soldier serum when he was attacked by thugs trying to get his formula. Sallis was hurt and injected himself with the serum in order to try to save himself, but instead mutated into a monster made from the swamp.

The Man-Thing is a terrifying creature, made even more fearsome by his powers. Man-Thing is superhumanly strong and fast, thanks to his huge plant-based body, and can heal and regenerate from any injury, but also has empathic powers that let him sense fear and evil intentions. Those emotions make him seek out the source, excrete an acidic compound, and burn whatever causes it. So if you see Man-Thing lumbering towards you in the middle of the night, try not to be scared…if that’s possible.

SWAMP THING

A scientist working in a swamp on a secret formula gets attacked and his own formula mutates him to become a plant-based monster. No, this isn’t a repeat of the last entry. This is Swamp Thing, created for DC in “House of Secrets” #92 (1971) and later rebooted in “Swamp Thing” #1 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. Whether Swamp Thing was developed independently of Man-Thing is a matter of debate, but the two characters diverged wildly after their origin.

Unlike Man-Thing, Swamp Thing retained his intelligence and identity as Alec Holland, living as an exile in the swamps of Louisiana. He has incredible strength and power in his vegetable form, and can grow himself into different shapes. He can also disassemble himself and create new bodies from any plant matter, allowing him to go anywhere and live forever, as well as control other plants that aren’t part of him.

Alan Moore’s run in the 1980s made him a more monstrous and philosophical character, questioning his existence and identity. It would later be revealed that he wasn’t actually Alec Holland turned into a swamp creature, but rather that he was the swamp itself transformed into thinking he was the scientist.

GROOT

Groot first appeared in 1960’s “Tales to Astonish” #13 by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers as an alien plant monster who wanted to try to conquer the world. He’s obviously changed a lot since then, beginning in 2006 as a captive and later a member of Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos. From there, Groot joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and became a true hero.

Groot is made of a wood-like structure that allows him to change shape, growing and shrinking all or parts of his body at will. He can also change his body to become covered in thorns, perfectly smooth or any other texture in between. Whenever he’s damaged, he can grow himself back from any individual part, even able to survive being almost completely destroyed and growing back from just a twig to full sized, which he’s done several times. Though it seems like he’s a simpleton who can only say “I am Groot,” he’s actually very smart. He’s also extremely loyal, especially to his best buddy, Rocket Raccoon.

Which is your favorite plant-based character? Let us know in the comments!

The post Got Wood: 15 Plant-Based Comic Book Characters appeared first on CBR.com.

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[plantrock]

Hi Internet!

It’s that time of year again. I’m pleased to report that even with moving, traveling, and starting school again, I still managed to read 53 books in 2017. Not as many as last year, but given the chaos my life has been through in the last 12 months I am not in the least upset. 50 books is a good goal for me, as it’s roughly one book a week–though in reality I read in jumps and spurts. Sometimes a book will take two weeks, whereas, in weeks like this one, I’ll read three books in one week.

For this year’s recap I am going to separate the books I read into categories by my ratings, as well as give a one-sentence (ish) review. Want more info? Message me or look up the book!

FIVE STAR

THE POWER, Naomi Alderman

   Women around the world spontaneously obtain the ability to generate and control electricity and the chaos that ensues left me shaken in the best way. (WORLD WAR Z meets THE HANDMAID’S TALE.)

GLAMOUR ADDICTION, Juliet McMains

A very readable academic analysis of the socioeconomic landscape of competitive Ballroom dance that had me excitedly annotating from page one.

HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION, Lin-Manual Miranda & Jeremy McCarter

I mean do I really have to explain this–there’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait.

THE END OF THE DAY, Claire North

A slow-but-emotional travelogue of the adventures of the Harbinger of Death–not my favorite of North’s novels, but contains her characteristically beautiful prose.

THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE, John Scalzi

The first installment in a cinematic space opera series by sci-fi giant Scalzi, EMPIRE is tightly plotted, has fascinating characters, and the far-future world feels familiar without exactly copying others in the genre.

REJECTED PRINCESSES, Jason Porath

Tired of the Grimm and Disney versions? This collection of women from myth, legend, and history around the world explores less convenient and less kid-friendly tales of women who stuck to their guns and caused a ruckus.

SO YOU’VE BEEN PUBLICLY SHAMED, Jon Ronson

Though slightly dated in our modern light-speed internet world, this exploration of the power of social media is required reading for anyone participating in the Feed.

PANDEMIC, Sonia Shah

Yes, I’m a sucker for the world-wide-plague book, but this non-fiction depiction of how epidemics begin, spread, and shape the world we know today is excellent.

SPINNING MAMBO INTO SALSA, Juliet McMains

An ethnographic and historical comparison of the three US cities that spawned Salsa and Mambo, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in social dance and the phenomenon that is Salsa.

EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU, Celeste Ng

A deft and moving family drama about immigration, middle-class America, and the secrets we keep from those closest to us.

FOUR STAR

SAILING TO SARANTIUM & LORD OF EMPERORS, Guy Gavriel Kay

A lyrical and occasionally violent duology that walks the line between alt-history and fantasy based on the Byzantine empire.

THE REFRIGERATOR MONOLOGUES, Catherynne Valente

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES meets every superhero story ever–this short-story collection is piercing look at (loosely) veiled comic book tales and the women they have wronged.

THE NURSES, Alexandra Robbins

A non-fiction account of lives of those in the medical field who often seem to play second-fiddle to doctors. (Honestly I don’t remember much about this one, but I must have enjoyed it.)

STORIES OF YOUR LIFE, AND OTHERS, Ted Chiang

A mind-bending collection of science fiction short stories, including the one that inspired the 2016 movie ARRIVAL.

VAMPIRE GOD, Mary Hallub

The most comprehensive academic analysis of vampire media in the 19th through 21st centuries I have ever read.

IT DEVOURS!, Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

This second book in the Night Vale world tackles science vs religion, and though they miss the mark a little, I will always love their prose and the universe they have built.

DANCE WRITINGS AND POETRY, Edwin Denby

This collection of original poetry and arts reviews contains gems from mid-20th-century dance critic Edwin Denby, including a fascinating interview regarding classicism with George Balanchine himself.

THE CITY AND THE CITY, China Mieville

  Is it science fiction? Is it artfully written detective fiction? I don’t think I’ve read a book so able to walk that line between fantasy and reality–as the characters walk the lines between their inexplicably separated cities.

BEAUTIFUL FLESH: A BODY OF ESSAYS, edited by Stephanie G’Schwind

 A collection of essays from a variety of authors, each focusing on a particular body part and their relationship to it. My personal favorite was a musing on the heart and humans’ relationship to electricity from an author with an implanted defibrillator.

WHAT IS LIFE? HOW CHEMISTRY BECOMES BIOLOGY, Addy Pross

A systems chemists attempt to re-frame how we think about life and its origins on our planet. This book is short but technically dense–good for the trained scientist, less so for the layperson.

THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, Jen Campbell

A quietly creepy collection of fairy tale and folk-lore-influenced short stories. My favorite was the first story, about a man who buys his girlfriend a new heart to ensure that she won’t leave him.

THE QUEEN OF BLOOD, Sarah Beth Durst

A bit of a guilty pleasure read, this fantasy series opener explores a world where the ruler of the realm must fight back malevolent natural forces.

AMBERLOUGH, Lara Donnelly

 CABARET the musical in novel form–this darkly beautiful story details the rise of facism in a fantasy world and how it impacts a colorful cast of miscreants.

THE ESSEX SERPENT, Sarah Perry

A beautiful and suspenseful tale of romance and loss in Victorian England, set again the backdrop of a hunt for a fantasy creature.

HILLBILLY ELEGY, J. D. Vance

  Both an autobiography and an attempt to explain the socioeconomic situation of Appalachian folks–but I’m conflicted on how much to buy into his arguments. Worth a read, though.

THE DIABOLIC, S. J. Kincaid

This story of a test-tube-grown bodyguard finding her humanity in a crumbling, corrupt space empire is the first YA sci-fi in a while that I didn’t hate!

BALLROOM DANCING IS NOT FOR SISSIES, Elizabeth & Arthur Seagull

Despite the sub-title, there is nothing R-rated about this how-to guide in balancing relationships and ballroom dancing.

DANCE WITH ME: BALLROOM DANCING AND THE PROMISE OF INSTANT INTIMACY, Julia Erickson

Despite the author’s obvious disdain for GLAMOUR ADDICTION (see Five Stars), this sociological analysis of studio ballroom culture lands on many of the same points as that other title, in addition to a hilariously accurate layout of the different performances of gender roles seen on the social dance floor.

THREE STAR

FOSSE, Sam Wasson

High on the drama and the page count, this biography of choreography legend Bob Fosse wastes no opportunity to dip into his sordid history and the seedy side of Broadway.

FUTURE HOME OF THE LIVING GOD, Lousie Erdrich

Despite its lovely prose, this novel doesn’t rise above the fact that it’s basically a less-good retelling of THE HANDMAID’S TALE.

MINDSET, Carol S. Dweck

My boss at my old job ‘suggested’ I read this. I remember nothing about it.

 THE MAD SCIENTIST’S GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION, Edited by John Joseph Adams

This collection of mad-science-themed short stories was sadly a mixed bag of quality–I loved one or two, barely finished others.

THE AERONAUT’S WINDLASS, Jim Butcher

A rollicking romp through a steampunk fantasy world, though I found the characters stock and the world forgettable. (The cat, though, is worth the price of admission alone.)

THE PALACE THIEF, Ethan Canin

Four not-particularly-memorable short stories concerning isolation and mid-century masculinity.

THREE DARK CROWNS, Kendare Blake

You’d think I’d have learned by now that YA fantasy does not float my boat, but, alas, I went into this tale of warring island factions and powerful queens-to-be expecting more than it delivered.

HOW TO BUILD A GIRL, Caitlin Moran

Sadly the details of this book have also faded, though I recall not understanding the nuances of British classism.

HEADS IN BEDS, Jacob Tomsky

A bit memoir, a bit how-to on cheating the hotel system of years gone by, a bit forgettable.

YOU’RE NEVER WEIRD ON THE INTERNET (ALMOST), Felicia Day

I’ve been a fan of Day since the Guild years, but this memoir suffers from the same problem as most of its internet-personality cohort–her story isn’t over, and the book feels unfinished.

JEROME ROBBINS: HIS LIFE, HIS THEATER, HIS DANCE, Deborah Jowitt

An interesting but dense biography of Broadway legend and second-fiddle-to-Balanchine Robbins. I was glad of the information, but am wary of glorifying a man who had a reputation as a tyrannical director.

DANCING OUT OF LINE: BALLROOMS, BALLETS, AND MOBILITY IN VICTORIAN FICTION AND CULTURE, Molly Engelhardt

Some interesting comparisons between Regency era and Victorian era social dance norms, but this book’s focus on dance depictions in time-period fiction did not hold my interest.

THE HOUSE OF GOD, Samuel Shem

A bizarre and polarizing account of the lives of medical residents in the 1970s that reads like a fever dream.

THEN WE CAME TO THE END, Joshua Ferris

I think this fictionalized account of office life was supposed to be equal parts pathos and satire, but I found it just vaguely sad and forgettable.

FROM BALLROOM TO DANCESPORT: AESTHETICS, ATHLETICS, AND BODY CULTURE, Caroline Picart

The author makes some interesting points about changes necessary to the DanceSport world in order for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics, but the rest of the book is superseded by GLAMOUR ADDICTION (see Five Star).

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, Sabaa Tahir

Again with the I-apparently-don’t-like-YA-Fantasy, and this one had the added bonus of being way too violent for my tastes.

THINKING WITH THE DANCING BRAIN, Sandra Minton

Neuroscience 101 for dancers–a nice refresher for me, but not much beyond that.

THE CROWN’S GAME, Evelyn Skye

Romance! Czarist Russia! Romance! Magic! Sadly I didn’t get into the relationship of the main characters.

TANGO AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PASSION, Marta E. Savigliano

This academic analysis of the history of tango and the socioeconomic forces at work during the dance’s creation had some interesting tid-bits, but I found it difficult to read and some stylistic choices hard to decipher.

TWO STAR

ZONE ONE, Colson Whitehead

I love zombie novels, but this one tries to be ‘litrary’ and cerebral and I just found it dull,  forgettable, and overly wordy.

THE ANUBIS GATES, Tim Powers

The cover of this absurdist time-traveling fantasy promises way more Ancient Egypt than I actually got. Crazy premise, idiotic characters, and only enough rollicking fun to laugh at.

YOU ARE A BADASS, Jen Sincero

For all its bluster and wanna-be subversiveness, BADASS is a pretty standard self-help book. Sadly I am one of the most self-motivated people I know, so the get-up-and-go was lost on me.

THE BLACK PRISM, Brent Weeks

The fascinating magic system was the only thing carrying me through this mess of unlikable characters and fantasy tropes.

ONE STAR

BALLROOM! OBSESSION AND PASSION INSIDE THE WORLD OF COMPETITIVE DANCE, Sharon Savoy

Never have I disagreed so completely with advice given and conclusions drawn as I did from those of professional-ballet-dancer-turned-cabaret-division-star Savoy. Want a rant? Ask me more.

  And that’s a wrap! If you made it all the way down here, thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful New Year!

A Reading Re-cap: 2017 Hi Internet! It's that time of year again. I'm pleased to report that even with moving, traveling, and starting school again, I still managed to read 53 books in 2017.

[awakaruwrites]

arrogantlycompassionate replied to your post:…

// yoo, i love talking about VK and its settings. Reason why I think it’s set in the far future is mainly rooted in the fact that there’s speculation about Disney’s Aladdin movie being set in the far future. Also, the fact that we see Kaname as a scientist/alchemist(???) while the hooded woman was still alive kind'a confirms my theory. Their outfits are very modern too. Overall, the whole society looks super vulnerable like after a cataclysm. Think Star Wars 

Maybe bits and pieces of technology and some history books/architecture are scattered all over the world, but who really cares about tradition and culture in a post-apocalyptic world? There are other things they have to focus on, one of them being not dying of starvation and rebuilding society somehow. 10.000+ years in the future the world might still be somewhat suffering from the consequences that massive disaster caused. And with powerful beings that are somewhat in higher control, you’d be surprised how little the world can evolve. some of them could be really old vamps that simply don’t WANT the world to head to a more modern future because their heads are still stuck 500 years into the past. It’s a mix of everything that amounts to nothing, with various cultures mingled into one that doesn’t make sense. It’s the evolution of society as a whole

Oh yeah, I remember that Aladdin theory! owo It’s a really good one

I see what you mean, yeah. What you’re describing sounds a lot like something that happened in the canon of another fandom I’m in, and it was just. Not a fun experience for those people. But they made a huge effort, after all was said and done, to try to piece their culture back together, from the bits and pieces that remained. I can’t imagine that the people in VK wouldn’t make a similar effort.

I can’t really imagine the kind of catastrophe that would leave the world scrambling to rebuild from scratch. It would have been… something that mankind would not have been able to pull off by themselves.

Science/alchemy is not an inherently modern thing! And I would put forth that Kaname’s coat doesn’t appear modern to me; it seems more like Victorian fashion, or something along those lines. And in the same vein, so does the Hooded Woman’s attire. Modern fashion does not include cloaks, and traveling by horseback is not a practice most people do in this era either.

I will concede to your point about older vampires not wanting the world to advance technologically, but unless it was a majority vampire survivors vs human survivors, I don’t think it would work too well after a certain amount of time. Humans are stubborn and rebellious almost by nature and they’ll do what they feel like, authority figures be damned!

Basically, if indeed VK takes place in the far future, after a horrific catastrophe reduced all that humanity had achieved to rubble, it likely would not have evolved in a way that would lead to… -gestures at VK generally- There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to that, and not all of them - if any - were taken into account. From what I can remember at least