#Ferrel Warden

[springbreezc]

persephonyed​:

       “if everyone judged their relationship’s viability on whether they both liked will ferrell or not, i’d be highly concerned with the status of our society,” malia laughed, although there was plenty else wrong with it that went unmentioned. it was bittersweet to hear jeb’s laugh, and maybe focusing on the abhorrent shitty state of the country were temptingly easier to dwell on, but her heart had it’s own mind. the noise brought back joyful memories, though painful as they flashed through her mind, and malia just tried to be happy he could still laugh despite everything. even if she’d once imagined sharing a house together full of that beautiful laughter for the rest of their lives. “mine too,” the girl admitted gently. and though it pained her to imagine all the years they could’ve had together, at least she had a fruitful distraction. malia couldn’t begin to imagine the way it had plagued him since they last parted. so she nodded as he spoke, letting jeb confide in her, letting him tell it the way he needed to. “is it something you’re going to get into again? the drugs? i don’t care, just don’t lie to me, okay?” but she did care. and malia’s heart raced in anxious anticipation, curious if the oncoming worry she already felt for him would be one to last, or if he was changing his ways.

“you should be highly concerned regardless.” he couldn’t help the quip, his cynicism in his bloodstream like a disease that had only spread during his time in lockup. he felt rotted, dusty, far more like a puppet that had been going through the motions the last five years than a human being. the last time that he truly had felt alive had occurred when he had been with malia. now that his everyday wasn’t determined by the wardens of the jail, jeb didn’t know what to do. he was lost at sea, and his past was like an anchor around his ankles. he expected to drown in this newfound freedom. so when his ex-girlfriend asked for candor from him in regards to his future, he paused, lips thinning into a rueful line. “i don’t know what else to do, malia,” he acknowledged, shoulders shirking and feeling small. “i gotta make money somehow, gotta find a way to live. and a person with my record can’t exactly go and get a stable nine to five office job. besides, you know me, even if i could land a job like that, i would be bored to tears. that kind of life isn’t meant for me.” drawing his hands into his lap, he picked underneath his fingernails, gaze flitting from the digits over to her. “i don’t even know if i could make my way through a job interview, it’s been so long. not like the convenience store would even hire me again.”   

[ferrelwarden]

I’ve been wanting to work on a new maned wolf character for myself recently. With my week off I decided to finally take the time to do that! I had wanted to get a full reference sheet out but for now this will have to do.

[al-mora]

Spent a little longer than planned on this page. Almost fell into the trap of being a little too precious with it! 

[moonibinbon]

Honestly though, Megamind has chemistry with every single character he interacts with, except for Hal, and I just want to acknowledge everyone who worked on that because we will never see anything like it ever again.

[erenstevenson]

The 8th room

Then:

My name is Noah. It started in college I guess, these people on the news drugged out on some new addictive smoke. They called it pandora. I wasn’t into that kind of stuff. I thought nothing of it as I was focused on a girl in class, her name was Sonya. I walked past her “hey did you get a haircut? It looks like you got a haircut” she asked, “why yes, I did get a haircut” she smiled “it looks very nice sir” she said “thanks” I said back. I then awkwardly looked at her and said “I always thought you looked nice ma’am” with a shaky smile. It was then we saw our friends troy and carrie walking towards us, “guys” said troy “there’s a kid tripping out on that new drug come take a look.” We went unknowingly to a gruesome scene, Deric a kid I only spoke to once was eating another student. School was cancelled for the week after what had happened everyone started calling our college the murder campus. Sonya, Troy, and a few other of our friends were in our apartment when we got the news that incidents like that one were happening all over.

Now: we’ve been holed up in the apartment complex with as many of us as we can but we’ve come across an unsavory group called the ghouls who want the place for themselves. We were called into a single apartment for a meeting among us were Troy, Carrie, Erik, Benjamin, John, and Colin. I got bored of the meeting and went to my room I put on my jacket and a ball cap I had found in one of the apartments and pocketed a face mask just in case. I must have fallen asleep because when I came out into the main space everyone was gone. I walked out onto the street in time to see them running. I tried to catch up to them but instead I was cut off by horses running by. It was the ghouls, they were coming to finish us. I pulled my mask up over my nose in the confusion and one of the other group looked at me and said “he’s just a random guy, leave him” as I turned to run one of the ghouls recognized me and knocked me unconscious. When I woke I was in a makeshift cell. Sonya was there with me in the cell and I soon discovered the warden was completely insane. The guards were Ferrell and the warden treated them as pets. Just then they opened the cell door wide open I said out loud “you gotta do what you gotta do” and brought a splintered piece of wood I had hidden in my sleeve. I stabbed right through the wardens neck. The undead were upon us now eating the Ferrell people giving Sonya and I an opening to escape. While running down the city streets we passed an almost unrecognizable pile of disemboweled body parts. “That was Troy!” Said Sonya. I almost threw up as I kept running. We finally reached a large house outside the city where she took me inside and said “this place is called the 8th room, you’ll be safe here until I return. Please Noah I need you to be safe here.” We kissed for the first time and then she was gone. I’ve been waiting here in the 8th room ever since then.

[tobehonestifeelcompletelyalone]

Angel vs pain pt 1

notes: this was supposed to be one part thing but nooooo… now im going to possibly write sequal to Trading with the death

warnings: death, suicide, drugs, cursing, 2 supernatural references, tell whow many i missedd

words: 2650

summary: Roman is an guardian Angel to signed to man named Virgil who had lived over 8 years in Romero’s mental institution, because he had tried to take his life more times then anyone else. Roman has to make sure Virgil doesnt kill himself and his task becomes lot harder when Roman realizes after a day he has developed feelings for Virgil.

pairings: prinxiety

idea: i was llistening this song https://youtu.be/DocprDR7rRU

Roman Blackburn was woken up by beeping noise. He opened his eyes. His room was filled with red light. He got up fast and pulled first clothes that he could find on. He ran from his room to the hallway. He stretched his arms, legs and wings. He slowly opened his golden wings. His wings were big and golden like every guardian angels. He jumped to the air, but he didn’t come down. He flew straight to the headquarters. The prime guardian angel Jade was already waiting for him.

“Blackburn, good thing you were able to come here so fast. Unfortunately Ferrell has past and you are our only available guardian angel. Her human is in big trouble. He needs someone guarding him all the time. He is badly depressed and he has tried to kill himself already 105 times. I know that’s a lot. Get ready and leave as fast as possible.” Jade said. She looked sad. Roman knew that she and Ferrell had been training together.

“Jade, what happened to Ferrell?” Roman asked. He noticed that Jade wiped tear from her cheek.

“You know that she had been sick for along time. Her sickness finally won.” Jade sighed and Roman walked away. Jade’s secretary gave Roman his new human’s file. I started to read it as he walked back to his room.

Virgil Sanders was sleeping in room that wasn’t his. Room was made only from soft surfaces. Walls were covered, door, table and chair, all made from soft thing. Virgil was sleeping on the floor. On his neck he had long and wide bruise that was already turning into scar. It wasn’t only scar that Virgil had. His hands were full of scars, his neck had already 5 scars and his stomach had big scar. If there was award for those who have tried killing themselves lot of times Virgil would win it. He had tried to kill himself over 100 times. He was locked in Romero’s mental institution, Romero’s insane asylum like Virgil said. Doctors had told him that he might never get out if he wouldn’t take pills they offered him.

It was 8 am and warden Dixon entered room where Virgil was sleeping.

“Sanders, time to get up. Do you want you pills? Are you ready to go back to your room or do you want to stay here?” Dixon said. He looked at Virgil and Virgil noticed that Dixon was pitying him. He got up.

“I’m not going to take my pills. But I’d like to get back to my room” Virgil said. Dixon smiled little bit. They walked together back to Virgil’s own room. After Virgil was send to Romero for 6th and last time Virgil was given the best room from the hospital. He had beautiful view and when sun was setting Virgil always sat down the floor and watched it. Once a week Virgil was send to the safe room. People came and left but Virgil stayed.

Dixon left Virgil to his room. Before closing the door he turned and looked at Virgil for the last time.

“You know Virgil, you have been here longer than I have. I have worked here 5 years and you have been here for 8. I escort you to the safe room every week and offer you pills every day. I see you more then I see my family. Virgil try to get better” Virgil heard pity from Dixon’s voice. Virgil sat down and looked around. Dixon was right. He had been there over 8 years. I didn’t take his medication but he tried. He truly did.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in!” Virgil yelled. It wouldn’t mattered if he didn’t answer because they would come in either way. Warden Hart came in with some guy. Virgil noticed that this guy was were good looking. He had beautiful brown hair and the most heart stopping eyes. His eyes were green like grass in the summer. Virgil realized he had stared little bit too long so he turned his eyes back to the window.

“Sanders, this is Roman Blackburn. He is your new roommate.” Hart said. Virgil turned toward her.

“Wait what. What happened to Linda?” Virgil sounded worried, what surprised Roman because he had read file about Virgil. Linda was Virgil’s last guardian angel.

“Well she went passed on her sickness” Hart sounded sad. Virgil didn’t smile. He just said ‘oh’ and Hart left. Roman was standing awkwardly in the middle of room. He had sport bag full of his stuff in his hand. Virgil didn’t say anything a while.

“That closet is yours. So is that bed and pillow and blanket. That chair and table is for both if us. I don’t use it a lot. So you can put your stuff on it too. I only write letters on it.” Virgil said quietly. He laid down to his bed. He looked up to the roof. Roman opened his bag and started to put his stuff to their place. He took golden cross frim his bag and placed it under his pillow. Once in a while he glanced at Virgil.

“So… have you been here for a long time?” He tried, but Virgil didn’t answer. Roman acted like Virgil said something.

“I think you have been here for a long time” He said. He did know that Virgil had been there for over 8 years. He was hospital’s longest patient to not to leave. Roman had to act like he knew nothing from Virgil.

“Is it time for breakfast? I’m kinda hungry” Roman knew that Virgil had passion for food. Virgil got up and without saying a word he led Roman to the cafeteria. Roman didn’t actually have to eat but he knew that Virgil did so he ate too. They sat down together, but Virgil still didn’t say anything. Roman asked lot of questions.

“Sanders! Still here I see. How did you try this time?” Young man with sunglasses walked to Virgil and Roman. He didn’t notice Roman at all. He sat on table and smiled to Virgil. Man noticed bruise on Virgil’s neck.

“Oh, hanging again. Well I think it was time to try that again. I know that wardens make sure you don’t have rope so where did you try to hand yourself?” Man said and Roman thought he was really rude. Virgil surprised him again. Virgil turned towards man.

“Remy, yes I tried hanging myself. To your other question: on tape. Now go and take your meds you are being annoying. No wait, you can’t. so Remy fuck off” Virgil said. Man nodded and ran off.

“Who was that?” Roman asked and Virgil answered him.

“Remy. He is here because of drugs. You?”

“I’m here because of… self-harm” Self-harm that was first thing that came to his mind. He didn’t believe that Virgil would ask that. Virgil lift his other eyebrow, he didn’t believe Roman. Roman realized he had looked for marks to know why he was in here.

“How about you?” Roman tried to change the subject to Virgil.

“If it wasn’t clear, suicidal thoughts and depression and of course my many suicide attempts.” Virgil sounded bored. Soon they got up and walked back to their room. Roman took couple of minutes and suspected this young man who he knew so much about. He knew that when Virgil was out he wore black eyeshadow to look more edgy, now bags under his eyes did that, he wore skinny jeans what were ripped and hoodie that he had made himself. In here he wore still skinny jeans but unbroken ones and basic black hoodie that dint have any stings to it. Virgil wasn’t allowed to wear sneakers that had laces so he wore his Converse sneakers without laces. Roman himself wore basic red t-shirt and white jeans.

They finally came back to their room. Virgil had been quiet all the way back. Roman knew what he was thinking about.

“was she your friend?” Roman asked. Virgil nodded and wiped tear from his eyes.

“She was here almost as long as I was. I have been here for over 8 years she was here for 6,5 years. She was my only friend.” Roman heard sorrow from Virgil’s voice. He didn’t realize why Virgil was so sad. He knew that Linda Ferrell was now in better place.

“Isn’t she in better place now?” Roman asked. He knew that because Linda had been guardian angel she was in the best place possible.

“yea, but she died because of me. I tried killing myself and she found me, again, and as she was saving my life her sickness won. I thought she’s be okay like always but apparently not this time.” Virgil said and he sat on his bed. Roman knew that many guardian angels died saving their humans but he was still shocked. His last human had died, he wasn’t able to save him from old age. Once again they sat quietly. Virgil thought about Linda and maybe he should kill himself today for her. He also thought about his new fellow. Roman had taken Rubik’s cube out from his bag. Virgil took picture from under his pillow. He showed it to Roman.

“You two look happy” Roman said sincerely. In the picture Virgil and Linda were both looking very happy. Virgil was giving Linda little kiss on the cheek. Linda’s eyes were closed and they were apparently sitting on couch that was still in common room. Roman gave Virgil the picture back. Virgil smiled and hided it back under his pillow.

“Why do you hide it?” Roman asked. He had spotted that there were no pictures anywhere.

“We aren’t allowed have pictures. Not even about our families. Wardens say that pictures are reminders and those might convince us to lie about our health. Even I’m not allowed to have one, but old warden Clayton took this picture and gave it to me when he retired. He was here when I first came in and he retired last year” Roman noticed that people did like Virgil a lot. People who suffer do have love surrounding them, sometimes they just don’t see it. Roman started to solve his Rubik’s cube again.

There was a knock on the door. Virgil had closed his eyes, but still he yelled ‘come in’. Warden Dixon came in. He had his clip board in his hands.

“Sanders time for your music therapy. You can join him Blackburn because you haven’t been listed to any therapies yet” Dixon said. Roman noticed that Dixon was really fat man with bolding spot on his head.

Virgil and Roman followed Dixon to the music room. Roman wasn’t expecting to see room full of instruments and big stereos. Virgil gave thin man a nod. Man was like a opposite of warden Dixon. Where Dixon was fat and bolding this man thin and had hair like Rapunzel. Dixon left and thin man smiled to Roman. They shook hands.

“I’m doctor Emile Picani. I come here 3 times a week and have music therapy. We play and listen to music. You are?” Man had really high voice.

“I’m Roman Blackburn. I’m here because I haven’t signed to any therapies and Virgil there is my new roommate.”

“I can hear from your excitement that this is your first time in Romero.” Man smiled and turned around to face other people. He greeted other people and changes couple of words with some.

“Virgil, I heard you tried again. I thought things were going better” Virgil just shrugged his shoulders.

“Remy, you should really stop trying take get pills from the nurses. They know you don’t need any.” Man with sunglasses laughed like dr. Emile Picani had make a joke.

“Lori here again. I thought you got out.” Women started telling long story how she did get out but was send back in because he tried to jump from building. 10 minutes later they finally got to start.

“Today were going to sing some songs. Roman this is your first time so would you like sing a song?” Dr. Picani asked and Roman was eager to sing. He walked to Dr. Picani who showed him list where he’d have to choose a song. Roman pointed a song and dr. Picani looked surprised.

“Okay then. This song is from FireHouse and it’s called Here for you.” Picani pushed play button and song started to play. He gave Roman a microphone. Roman started singing from his heart.

“Everybody needs somebody to help them out and you know I could be that someone” Roman’s singing voice was amazing. He pointed at Virgil and he gave him a little smile. He used his leg like a air guitar like Jensen Ackles.

“I am here for you, always here for you when you're needin' someone to hold you remember I told you I am here for you, I am here for you” Roman finished the song. Virgil had hidden his little smiled behind his sleeve. Everyone else were clapping.

“Thank you Roman. I hope you’ll sign in here, because wow. Well who is next?”

Therapy ended. Virgil and Roman were walking together. Virgil hadn’t sing but Roman had sang 2 other songs. Remy ran and jumped on Virgil. They fell down and Roman stared at them in shock. Virgil was bottom and wasn’t strong enough to push Remy from top of him. Remy took comfortable position. He was lying on Virgil’s back.

“So Roman, what is your deal? Is there someone waiting for you outside?” Remy asked and winked to Roman after he took his sunglasses off. Roman had been looking at Virgil who looked handsome even he was lying on floor under some one, but now he had to look at Remy.

“There is no one waiting for me. But I think I have my eyes already on someone” Roman said and smiled. Remy sighed and turned so his back was on Virgil’s back. Remy was totally a drama queen.

“Is it Virgil? I know it is. He is really handsome, isn’t he. He just won’t go out with me. He doesn’t date anyone, ever. Guess why? Because…” Remy was cut off by Virgil who pulled all of strength together and pushed Remy off him.

“That’s enough” he said and walked away. Remy was baffled on the floor. Roman followed Virgil.

“You’ll go out with me eventually!” Remy yelled behind them but he didn’t sound so sure.

Virgil sat on the floor of their room when Roman entered it. Roman sat on his bed.

“Soooo…. why don’t you date anyone?” Roman wanted really know. He knew that he was an angel but maybe if Virgil had a boyfriend he’s stop trying to kill himself. Virgil thought couple of minutes.

“Because I wanna die. Why on earth I would wanna date someone and break up with them by dying? That is just rude.” Virgil sounded like he knew how it felt. Roman hadn’t seen this in his file.

“You sound like you know how that fells” Roman said. He was able to fell pain that Virgil had felt when he said the next thing.

“My ex, Derek, was narcissistic bastard, who broke up with me by killing himself. And he did that only because he wanted me to suffer. And before you even ask, I know that because he told me.”

After than conversation Roman and Virgil didn’t talk anything until it was time to sleep. Roman had went to dinner but Virgil had been far asleep.

“Good night Roman.” Virgil said. Soon he fell asleep again. Roman was examining Virgil. He looked so peace full and beautiful. Roman putted his head on his pillow and closed his eyes.

30 seconds later Roman sat up fast and gashed in horror. His eyes were wide in shock.

“I have fallen for that human.”

[aion-rsa]

Sky Cinema: What’s New in December 2020?

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

In December on Sky Cinema, Robert Downey Jr. talks to the animals, Sonic the Hedgehog has gotta go fast, and Cats arrives in all its glory.

Check out the full December line-up below…

Premieres

Dolittle (2020) – 4th December

Robert Downey Jr. followed up his long run as Marvel’s Iron Man with this family adventure film based on the kids books by Hugh Lofting. Despite a big supporting cast that includes Emma Thompson, Michael Sheen, Rami Malek and Tom Holland, it’s not brilliant. Any Downey Jr. completists will want to check it out regardless.

Emma (2020) – 5th December

Anya Taylor-Joy leads this new adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel playing Emma Woodhouse, a gal who spends so much time setting up the people she knows with ‘happily ever after’, she forgets about her own romantic possibilities.

Critical Thinking (2020) – 6th December

This 90s-set drama focuses on the story of Cuban-American teacher Mario Martinez and the national championship-winning chess club he ran at Miami Jackson High School.

A Christmas Feast (2019) – 7th December

The Oliverio family prepares their Feast of the Seven Fishes, a centuries-old Italian tradition while Tony Oliverio (Skyler Gisondo) opens his heart to the world.

Love Sarah (2020) – 9th December

Mimi (Celia Imrie) opens a new bakery in Notting Hill with the help of three generations of women.

Little Women (2019) – 11th December on Sky Cinema and the Sky Cinema Pass on NOW TV

Directed by Ladybird’s Greta Gerwig, this latest version of of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a slam dunk, as a huge cast helps retell the story of the March sisters. Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep star.

Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) – 18th December

Go Fast You! Blue Hedgehog. Sonic gets his first live-action movie as he battles against Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik. It is …surprisingly watchable!

Misbehaviour (2020) – 20th December

The 1970 Miss World pageant made history when the Women’s Liberation Movement interrupted its live TV broadcast. Emma Corrin, Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Suki Waterhouse help revisit those events in this comedy-drama.

Moomins and the Winter Wonderland (2017) – 21st December

The Moomins return for a Christmas special filled with love, adventure, friendship and kindness. Just what the doctor ordered!

Clemency (2020) – 23rd December

Prison warden Bernadine Williams has been through countless inmate executions at the jail where she works, but as she unravels from the nature of her job, she makes a connection with a new death row inmate that could change everything.

Like A Boss (2020) – 24th December

Rose Byrne, Jennifer Coolidge and Tiffany Haddish star in Like a Boss, a comedy about two mismatched friends who decide to launch a beauty company.

Trolls World Tour (2020) – 25th December

Poppy and Branch are back in this sequel to Trolls, which ended up causing a stir as one of the first big films to go straight to streaming during the early events of 2020.

Cats (2019) – 26th December

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical gets a hilariously bad makeover. This is your chance to witness the pure pandemonium of Cats, a movie that became an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons.

Downhill (2020) – 27th December

Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus lead the cast of this remake of Force Majeure. When a family barely escape an avalanche during a skiing holiday in the Alps, the incident escalates into a bit of an existential nightmare.

Collections

Christmas – Ongoing

Sky does Christmas right with a collection of new bangers and some absolute yuletide classics.

Highlights: Love Actually, Last Christmas, Die Hard, The Polar Express, Gremlins, It’s a Wonderful Life, Black Christmas, The Holiday, the complete Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series

Harry Potter – 19th December to 3rd January

The Harry Potter franchise lingers for the holiday season, so you can still get your fill of witches and wizards.

Highlights: The complete Harry Potter series

5 Star Movies – 31st December to 6th January

This collection only contains movies that have scored 90% or above on Rotten Tomatoes, so you know you won’t end up wasting precious Chrimbo time on a clanger.

Highlights: E.T, Wizard of Oz, Little Monsters, Corpus Christi, Blood Diamond, Alita: Battle Angel, Psycho, Groundhog Day, Forrest Gump, The Lion King, The Big Lebowski

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The post Sky Cinema: What’s New in December 2020? appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/331QQum

[ingayderzim]

Who decided this. He landed in jail when he was 8 days old, and the warden is the same throughout the movie. If the warden was 25 when megamind landed that would make him 81 which

No. No, he's not.

Also metro man is DEFINITELY NOT fifty fucking 6 and theyre the same age.

(Megamind's age isnt based on Will Ferrel's, either, bc Will Ferrel is only 52 NOW.)

Does anyone have answers??

WAIT EHAT THE FUCK

[christophergill8]

Oscars, tax breaks and best tax-themed films

When the Academy Awards are handed out Sunday, Feb. 26, it's a good bet that most of the films already were tax winners. They used special tax breaks to help offset their sometimes enormous production costs.

As of Jan. 1, all those credits will come from states.

End of the federal film tax break: The only federal tax incentive designed specifically to keep film and television production in the United States ended when 2017 arrived.

It was part of a group of extenders — temporary tax breaks that must be periodically renewed by Congress — that lawmakers last year decided not to renew.

The law, section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code, reduced investors' risk by allowing a 100 percent loss against taxable income in the year or years the money was spent. For example, a producer or investor in the 30 percent tax bracket who put up $1 million for a film could save $300,000 in taxes.

The deduction was allowed on the first $15 million invested in every qualified project. For shows made in certain low-income areas, the cap increased to $20 million.

In 2015, the same federal tax break was extended to theatrical productions. Thanks, Hamilton.

It's possible that the film and TV tax break, which was enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in an effort to stem the stem the flow of shows to foreign countries, could be renewed, either separately or as part of expected tax reform.

It's more likely, however, that with budget hawks, who are looking to trim any and everything, and Donald Trump, who has his own issues with Hollywood, now in charge of shaping U.S. expenditures, the federal film and TV tax incentive will not be revived.

State, local options remain: that means there will be more competition for state tax incentives, which have been around for a quarter century.

The National Conference of State Legislatures provides a brief history —

Louisiana was the first state to adopt state tax incentives for film and television production in 1992. In 2002, Louisiana expanded its program and the state's film industry began to experience strong growth. Other states responded to Louisiana’s success. By 2009, 44 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. offered some form of film and television production incentives. However, popularity for these programs has waned, and support for the film industry has decreased in recent years. In 2016, only 37 states continue to maintain film incentive programs, and several of these states are tightening the requirements for qualifying expenses and reeling-in per-project and annual program caps.

A count by The Hollywood Reporter in April 2016 shows 33 states, along with Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, offer film and TV producers a variety of tax credits, grants, rebates or a combination of the tax breaks.

Many cities also offer additional tax enticements for movie et al makers. Down I-95 from me, San Antonio is adding as much as 7.5 percent in incentives for film projects on top of Texas-offered incentives.

Weighing total cost of movie tax breaks: The key for lawmakers at all levels is finding a way to balance the creative arts' production incentives with the fiscal needs of other state programs.

During the recent recession, that became more difficult, with growing budget deficits forcing many states to reduce or eliminate their film and TV tax incentives.

Others, however, have extended or expanded their tax breaks.

Once the film industry luminaries get past the Oscars, the final and most important event of the current awards season, expect its members to start lobbying for the return of the federal tax credit.

Financial film favorites: While tax breaks for movies, television shows and even video game productions do cost us taxpayers at the state and possibly federal levels, the immediate money matter to us as movie goers is whether our Cineplex ticket price was worth it.

This time of year also generates a lot of discussion about not only the current best movies and performances, but also of classic films.

In advance of the Oscars, FindLaw has been taking to its Twitter account to highlight Hollywood's on-screen connections to attorneys. Most recently, the legal marketing component of Thomson Reuters, directed us to a Business Insider article on what movies get right and wrong about lawyers.

But what caught my eye were FindLaw's polls, like stereotypes of onscreen lawyers and favorite legal classic movie. The results of that last one shocked me.

"Legally Blonde." Really?

My reaction:

Judgy? Yes. But I had some legitimate alternatives. I sent FindLaw my list of best legal movies (they asked!). And it got me thinking about tax-related flicks.

Best tax movies: That social media conversation got me thinking about movies in which taxes played a plot role. Sometimes it was a major creative component. In others, it was a glancing tax mention.

Regardless, to celebrate the 2017 Oscars, here are my favorite movies, in my preferred order, in which a tax matter is part of the plot.

The Shawshank Redemption: Taxes aren't the film's major focus, but Andy Dufresne's knowledge of the tax code helped him survive and -- spoiler alert -- escape prison, first by his helping prison guards and then getting inside the warden's financial double dealing. Plus, it's got a great cast (Morgan Freeman!). Regardless of where Shawshank is in its broadcast, when I run across it on TV, I must watch it to the end.

The Untouchables: This sleek version of mob boss Al Capone's vicious reign and the efforts of a select group of Armani-clad Treasury Department agents to bring him down boasts a cast of three Oscar winners (Robert De Niro as Capone; Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness; and Sean Connery, who snagged his best supporting actor statue as Ness' streetwise lieutenant Jim Malone). There are plenty of shootouts, but the film's most frightening scene may well be the one in which the Untouchables' tax accountant brandishes a Tommy gun.

The Producers: The plot for this zany movie, co-written by comic genius Mel Brooks, is one big giant, funny, zany tax fraud. Down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world's worst show. Three words. "Springtime for Hitler."

Stranger Than Fiction: Will Ferrell plays an IRS auditor who suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear. The narration, by a writer portrayed by Emma Thompson, begins to affect Farrell's character's entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death. The movie wasn't a commercial success, but I enjoyed it, even Ferrell playing against type. But the movie makers probably would have made more money if they'd come up with a story of the IRS auditing the Talledega Nights drivers.

The Descendants: The plot includes an arcane tax law, the rule against perpetuities, which helped make it a hit with estates and trusts attorneys. Oscar winner George Clooney made it a hit among the general public. The screenplay writers took home an Oscar for their work.

The Firm: In this thriller, based on a book by John Grisham, lawyers deal with taxes and securities for incredibly wealthy and awful people. It has an impressive cast of Oscar winners and nominees, including Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter and David Strathairn, and the late, great Sidney Pollack in the director's chair.

The Blues Brothers: A bit too long, especially for a concept that came out of a Saturday Night Live skit, but the soundtrack alone — Aretha! — gets this on my list. Jack and Elwood spend 2 hours and 13 minutes on a mission from God to raise money to pay taxes on the orphanage where they were raised.

The Mating Game: Yes, I know, you haven't heard of this one, primarily because it was made in 1959. Tony Randall plays a tax collector who heads out to rural Maryland to find out why a farm owner hasn't paid taxes, ever. As he tries to calculate the farm's income, his task is complicated by the lovely farmer's daughter, played by Debbie Reynolds. Hilarity ensues.

The Young Philadelphians: Another cinema classic, also from 1959. (What happening with taxes that year?). A young Paul Newman is an up-and-coming tax lawyer, struggling to climb Philly's Main Line social ladder. The tax connection is overshadowed by themes of class, principle, loyalty and manipulation as Newman's character must move from the Internal Revenue Code to the criminal legal world after his best friend is charged with murder.

Say Anything: Earnest slacker Lloyd Dobler, portrayed by John Cusack, and his boom box have become iconic symbols of devotion. Oh, yeah, the object of his love must deal with her dad going to prison for tax fraud and tax evasion. But that boom box belting out Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes." Perfect.

If nothing on the 2017 Oscar list catches your film fancy, consider tracking down one of these 10 tax-related movies.

You also might find these items of interest:

Movie and TV production tax credits, trick or treat?

Did tax credit cut cause Pixar to close its Vancouver office?

Film tax incentives sometimes lead to extra state costs for criminal prosecution

from Tax News By Christopher http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DontMessWithTaxes/~3/__zPYslPcGM/oscars-tax-breaks-and-best-tax-themed-films-.html

[citrus-robot-world]

Things that FAR have done in front of That Shaman...

1. Be Naked 2. Golem Wedding 3. Golem adultery

[ferrelwarden]

“So I felt like updating my sona. Worked on the skull shape, markings, clothes. Only slight tweaks but pleased with the result.” - F.Warden

[al-mora]

So... This was meant to be a simple page. Guess THAT went out the window!

[ferrelwarden]

“Figured I'd share some design sketches I did for Finn. As much as I like his original design (Left) I didn't think he quite fit in with the rest of the crew. He will fit well in another location in the universe, so we will probably see him used as a background character later on. Oh and after this I was convinced to get rid of the boob tube and make the bandanna design more reproducible. I learnt a lot from Aarav's over complicated stripe pattern!” - F.Warden

[ferrelwarden]

“Birthday gift for my partner in crime. Happy B-day man!” - F.Warden

[VERY Different from my usual colour schemes, was fun!]

[ferrelwarden]

To Be Lost At Sea

        Too quiet, that was my thought for the majority of this year. Faye having moved on and the guild having temporarily dissolved after the whole ‘host’ incident, I have to say I was relatively pleased to have my time to myself again. Few months that was enough. Taking on a few deals, joining up with some old acquaintances it was normal or at least as normal as things get for me these days. It wasn't until a few months ago when an old friend came up to me with a proposition and I realized something might have changed.

        “Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft!”

        Halvar, Hal for short. Met the guy after first arriving in Lion’s arch, gave me my start, or at least the push to it so to speak. “What d’ya mean?” I remember shooting him a cold look after that to which the Norn responded with a huge bellowing laugh. Who knows how this guy managed to sneak around so long, and after he told me he took up piracy I had to agree sea life suited the guy better.

        “Don't play me like that” He would start walking up to me and condescendingly patting my shoulder against the dark wet wall of the tunnel. “Trekking off to the Reach once a month, I know you won't admit to it but ya got friends there I can see it” at the mention of that a pang of annoyance at Faye triggered in my mind. Thinking on it, maybe I didn't miss her so much. “And now!” he would start then stop as if holding back a laugh. “And now you reject my offer for one of the biggest scores you’ve had in over a year.” he shakes his head and moves past me into the light outside. “Whatever Charr” he would toss a wave back which i would nod to grunting slightly. I intend not to follow, still, I can’t say my intentions ever lead me well so I found myself following anyway.

        “How big we talkin’…” I start gruffly, staying a few steps behind the Norn who, now that we were out in the light of day and the warm breeze of Lion’s Arch I could smell the scent of salt lingers on his clothes tattered clothes.

        He would turn round sharply, a knowing grin over his face. “Big” he would laugh heartily “And I ain’t talking ripping off the trading company big, I'm talking busting into the Queen’s throne room big.” I pondered on those words for a second, attempting to not give the Norn any sign I was considering it. Still I was following him and asking for more so maybe the act was in vain. Due to Hal’s reputation I didn’t doubt the legitimacy of his claims but I made a point to scale all of them down by half before really taking them in.

        What can I say, the guy gets me. After walking around Lion’s Arch long enough for the sun to start setting and enough drinks that I could start believed the lofty profits he bragged about I tentatively agreed.

        My only real concern about disappearing for three, maybe four months was Faye, the aforementioned twig that has become a persistent thorn in my side. Even though at this point, one I was strangely unwilling to be rid of. I couldn't let her know what I was doing but at least to shut up her nagging voice in my head I should consider telling her I won't be around.

        So that’s what I did. Sending a bird from the Lion’s Arch docks with the most vague details I could muster that wouldn't trigger some sort of idle brained panic, we were off.

                                                              *****

        At this point I should probably mention what we were doing. Turns out Hal was spending his year a lot more wisely than I had on small petty projects or strange Twig based business ventures. He on the other hand had come across news, some of which I had heard floating around some of the less reputable parts of the city but had assumed was some bullshit rumor. Some old Lion’s Arch shipwreck that hadn’t been found until recently. Hal, as he put it was planning on “Getting down there quick as bloody possible, bashing some heads together and making off with the loot.” Not the best laid plan, but I guess that’s why he wanted me to come along. Unfortunately the only directions we had came in the form of an encrypted note that had been intercepted on the way to the Lion Guard. It seemed it was my job to figure this all out and get their crew to set our target.

        Luckily being an experienced crew it wasn't too hard for them to atleast put the first pieces together. Judging by the bird used and the layout of the seas around here it had to be set in the Sea of Sorrows, at very most the edge of the Strait of Malchor. Fortunately for me, Hal said I was needed, being more familiar with the political side of Lion’s Arch and that gave me a higher chance of deciphering it. He would later add, though a mug of ale that he’d hoped that would give us an edge on any other crew that got wind of this.

        So that's what we did, setting off in high spirits fresh salt air and strong wind freeing up the pressures of land and a heavy mug of ale to bring them all right back. I wouldn’t admit it to Hal as the old brute comes over,  heavily barging his shoulder to my side, but it felt good to be around guys who got my line of work. Not to mention half of them being complete assholes, in the truest sense of the word, helped me settle in relatively quickly.

                                                              *****

        The note took a little longer than I had hoped to crack, tossing what Information I could to the captain. A larger, brutish Charr called Vidar who definitely had a head more for exploration than the politics of Lion’s Arch. We could at least head in a vaguely positive direction.

        By now having gotten close to completely solving the thing, I remember resting back in my chair, taking in the air and closing my eyes to feel the rock of the boat, the wind around it and the clatter of people above. My eyes open, a devastating crunch of wood from above my head. Frowning I quickly pushing myself up from the desk remembering to lock my pistol and sword to my belt before barreling my way up to the top deck.

        What met me, I wasn't quite ready for.

        My experience as part of the crew so far had lead me to connect breaking wood to a few rowdy crew members, nothing that a kick to the back of the leg and a well placed sword wouldn't fix. This on the other hand might get a little messy. The crew, most of which was now up on deck, would be manning cannon as another ship [surprisingly quickly] gained pace on us firing and sending waves of ocean clattering over deck.

        Jogging up to the front I quickly found Hal who desperately set me to carrying cannon balls over as he returned fire. Now I think back on it things should have probably been the other way around. Though I could handle the task easy enough, the Norn was at least two heads taller than me and had a physique more of a warrior when compared to mine that was more used to lifting pens and skirting the darkness of hallways than siege warfare. I imagine I would have considered that at the time but the noise of the waves and the rabble of the crew around me didn’t exactly put me in the mindset for considering my actions.

        It was only now I understood how close the ship had gotten. Feeling the salt spray of the ocean slash over my face and bringing my sight up to see heavy boards thumping down against the side of our own ship. I heard Vidar screaming, maybe spiting would be a more accurate description. “Three of you fix the hull! I want the rest of you dogs to meet them head on, I'm taking those fuckers for all they are worth!” With that he would leap down the stares skidding across the water soaked deck and quickly mount the planks to meet the approaching crew head on.

        I remember [at the time] thinking this was either incredibly inspiring or incredibly stupid i couldn’t say which but I couldn't comment anything on the guys skill. Seeing him displace two of the approaching force to the sea below and a third quickly follow I took my sword in hand as the two planks that weren’t blocked by a wall of angry Charr funneled people onto the ship.

        At this point, things start to get foggy. Initially sticking close to Hal, we try to keep an eye on each other, but the sea of incoming bodes doesn't let that last long. The clash on metal and the ring on gunfire in my ears was not the kind of fighting I was used to so I had to adapt quickly.

        Being used to quick and quiet strikes strangely found the idea of that very alien now, being completely trapped out in the open two opposing forced butting heads I tried to focus on what i knew. I stayed like that for awhile, not taking much in, not more than I needed to.

        A slash to the right.

        Gunshot to the left.

        It seemed to be working for me until I gained a moment of clarity.

        Hal, reeling back against the side of the ship another Norn at his throat. Now that felt natural more what I was use to. Quickly deflecting an incoming strike and kicking my attacker in the chest to loose him in the crowd then tucking down to get lost between them as well, it wasn’t to hard to get over to Hal. Clearly the Norn had been enjoying his time or Hal might have been overboard by now. Taking a deep breath I dash forward as if disappearing and reappearing at his side, raising my pistol and firing as I use my speed to kick the Norn over the side of the boat. Hal seems to out of it to react  but offered a grunt as he gets his breath back.

        Unfortunately I wouldn't have been as stealthy as I might have thought. Seemed my friend knew a little bit about losing himself in the crowd as well.

        Pain strikes its way up my shoulder feeling his sword slash my skin. Spinning on one foot I don’t have time to respond. I hear a bang and feel myself spin off balance crashing back against the side of the boat knocking my head. Swearing loudly I growl, my vision foggy with blood I kick back against the weakened wood of the deck and lunge forward bringing my knee quickly up to his abdomen sending him lurching forward then shoving him back with the butt of my gun, winded and gasping for breath. Looking down at him I try to regain myself. Through my blurred vision I kick him back down to the ground, drawing my pistol, my foot bearing his chest down to the deck.

        Three short bangs.

        I only fired twice, Once to make my point and another to finish it. Moments later I’m thrown forward feeling a splitting pain in the back of my skull. Cursing again I watch as the ship seems to turn on its side and everything fades to black.

                                                          *****

        “Damn it!”

        I clattered back against the back of the wooden headboard as the light seers its way into the back of my skull. Shielding my eye I tried to look around. Noise of movement outside the chamber wall called my attention as I tried to figure out where I am.

        Not dead thats for sure and by the looks of it we are still afloat.

        I attempted to open my eyes again, with more luck this time. Shielding it from the light of the torch though it still stings and even beyond that my vision couldn't quite seem to stay still, my left eye blurred and unclear, burning at the light of the room.

        I quickly decide to keep it closed.

        Using only my right eye now I can put together a more complete picture. Hal pressed into the room followed by a Charr who introduces herself as Ylva. I was in to much pain to care and the laugh of the Norn rang in my already battle weakened ear. “Man they did a number on you!” He laughed shaking his head as Ylva brought a sodden rag up to my other eye. Before I can shoot something snide back in Hal’s direction the pain is back. Cursing loudly I wince as Ylva held my head still as she digs the cloth in deeper.

        “What are you..!” My protest is cut off my Ylvas unimpressed tone. “Alcohol” I heard her start with a little bit of glee in her voice now as she set down a bottle to my side. “Rum! Actually!” she added even more pleased now “Not great use for it but should stop any real infection” she took a moment to think before continuing. “You were lying on the deck quite some time before we got to ya.” she put her hands on her hips as I considered continuing to belittling her but reconsidered it and instead spit out a half-hearted thanks, biting my tongue to not add anything more. She nodded pleased at the reaction and glanced over to Hall who is now Awkwardly checking over my face.

        “How is it?” he started, pointing at what I could only assume is a pretty heavy gash at this point. I frown bringing up a hand to touch the soft tissue of my eyelid, even the roughness of my own pads burn as the pain seems to ward me away from trying it again.

        I considered my words for a moment “Not great, Blurred and anything I am making out is either painfully bright or only serves to confuse the other eye.” I bite my tongue again to distract from the pain that came when I tried to relax my face and let it open.

        Ylva instead responds “Sounds about right” to which she reaches into the draw next to me pulling some black leather patch over my head. I'm starting to get a little annoyed, feeling crowded by the two of them so I start to push myself out of the bed pulling the rest of it on myself. “Open your eyes” she said, which I did and thankfully I found the lack of light helped my good eye finally focus.

        I snort “Great…” I mutter to myself staring over to the light to check before cursing again. Despite myself I nod in thanks to Ylva who throws an unimpressed look at Hal which was returned with a shrug that could only be interpreted as ‘Well-that's-the-Best-You’re-gonna-get’

                                                          *****

        In not to much time, though I still feel my head throbbing from the impact and despite the recommendation from Ylva I get back to my note preferring to have something to focus on rather than being dead weight to the crew. Having the burning pain in the front of my skull to concentrate on didn’t appeal much to me also. Still I couldn't work on it for long. Growing more and more frustrated with myself and the extra distance I had to move my head to take in both sides of my desk between jotting my own notes and the letter itself which by this point is pretty much complete, bar any professional farewells and a few side notes.

        Feeling almost complete with the piece but mostly annoyed I pushed myself off the chair pacing up and down the cabin growling at myself and slamming my fist down hard against the wall. Keep my eyes closed for a second I looked up into the glass of one of the port holes. Its night out and I hadn’t noticed time passing so quickly. That isn’t what struck me so hard though.

        Reflected back at me in the Darkened glass.

        The first thing I remember looking into that reflection was not recognizing the face that looked back, drained and tired, fur still blotched with red and burn marks from before, just under the thick leather blocking my eye from the pain of the light. The second thing that hit me was how much it reminded me of Trib.

        I stood there for a moment staring blankly at the tired face looking back not wanting to consider where thoughts of my sire might lead me. Even knowing that I couldn't help my mind wander anyway.

        I never disliked the guy. Hell after I left he’s the one bit of guilt I have cutting my ties to the citadel so quick. I’d checked on him a few times and he seemed happy. I say seemed, maybe I just wanted to see it that way. He was never particularly close to his partner but the few times I’d managed to catch sight of him she was never around. I wondered if he's lonely. If he blames himself. How he continued on with his life now his old one seemed to be gone but beyond all that, I hoped he still saw me as the Brevet he once knew and not what was looking back at me then. I can’t help but give a quite saddened laugh. Hell if he didn’t think I was already dead he’d probably kill me. That thought, at least, in its grim nature gave me some levity and I made it a point to try to check on him the second we hitch back into port.

                                                           *****

        The next passing weeks that thought didn’t leave my head. Less to my concern were the weekly arriving birds with notes from Faye about her bizarrely normal life to which were replied to with fittingly vague lies. Not long after what I started to referring to internally as the Trib incident I dedicated myself to finishing the note and not soon after that, my job done. The rest of my trip was relatively calm, still adjusting to my new situation, I found myself helping around deck and drinking with Hal recounting his stories and sharing mine from when Lion’s Arch was attacked and hearing about Ylvas experience leaving another crew based out in Gendarran Fields to join up with this one. She expected that would bite her in the ass soon enough.

        Being completely honest with myself, apart from getting used to the less subtle combat situation it was a life I could get used to. Little dedication beyond the men around you and freedom of the worry of the land. It had been awhile since I’d managed to mesh so easily with a group. Thinking back on that now, it was probably thanks to Faye that I’m even able to enjoy these quiet moments right now.

        As the evening calms down and the rest of the crew finish up, I set down to writing her another note, more genuine this time;

            “How’s it going soldier.

           Should be back in a few more weeks. Been thinking

           about ya and hope your store is going well [For my

           wallets sake more than anything else!]

           I won’t be able to pop straight up there when I get

           back, I’ve got some loose ends to clear up will fill you

           In when i get there.

                                 Best of luck

                                                                    -Ferrel Warden”

[al-mora]

It was fun to experiment with different panel shapes for this one!

I’ve been uploading time-lapses of my Almora art live-streams, Check out the final part of this page here! Earlier parts can be found on YouTube.