#Gary Ross did him dirty

[queenlawrenceskingdom]

I’m listening to the whole series on audiobook and then watching the movies, and tonight is Catching Fire. I think it’s been over five years since I’ve watched it. Other than disgracing us with a Gale kiss in the first five minutes, I forgot how much dialogue comes straight from the book. Francis Lawrence really was our saving grace

My inbox is open for discussion!

[allthecoolboysaredead]

Leopold “Butters” Patrick Stotch Bio + Tags + Headcanons

Name: Leopold Patrick Stotch Nicknames: Butters Age: 21; Can Change Birthday: September 11th Sign: Virgo Gender: Intersex, Partial Androgen Sensitivity Syndrome Pronouns: He/Him Sexuality: Homosexual Biromantic Monogamous; Moderately Sexual Hair: Naturally Blond Eyes: Right Eye Cerulean, Left Eye Powder Blue Skin: Lightly Tanned Height: 5′1″ Weight: 136 lbs Faceclaim: Ross Lynch Piercings: Both Nipples, Gauges in both ears Tattoos: None Scars: Over his left eye, his stomach, and around his chest

Alignment: Chaotic Good Religion: Raised Roman Catholic, Questioning Allegiance: Stan’s Gang, Chaos, Professor Disarray, The Melvins

Family: Stephen Stotch (Father; Alive), Linda Stotch (Mother; Alive), Nellie Stotch (Aunt; Alive), Budd Stotch (Uncle; Alive), Grandma Stotch (Grandma; Deceased)

Pets: Hammy the Teddy Bear Hamster

Personality: Gullible, Easily Influenced, Positive, Optimistic, Loving, Scapegoat, Sweet, Temperamental, Attention Starved, Overly Affectionate, Flip-Flopper, Terrified of his father, Struggles with guilt, Naive, Exaggerates, Mock Innocent

Likes: Candy, Friendship, Hamsters, Rodents, The Wind, Kites, Eating People, Hello Kitty, Cute Clothes, Crafts, Singing, Writing, Making Believe, Dancing

Dislikes: Negativity, Misunderstandings, His Parents, Horror Movies, FPS Games, Most Leafy Greens, Driving, Smoking, Being Bullied, His Scars, Bitter Things

Can Do: Drive, Advanced Math, Cartography, Remember Small Details, Cook, Butcher People, Hide His Killings

Can’t Do: Write Poetry, Go Out Most Of The Time, Drink Alcohol, Eat Spicy Foods, Stomach Regular Meat, Draw Well

Mental Health Diagnosis:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Butters is terrified of most things, of getting things wrong, and he constantly fears that everything is his fault, one way or another.

Paranoia: Everything makes him fearful and worried, and he obviously is scared of doing anything at all that could make him get into trouble.

Physical Health Diagnosis:

Autocannibalism: Butters will chew his lips/the inside of his cheeks/his fingers and nails and swallow it. He does this mostly when he is nervous or bored.

Chronic Cystitis: Considering his father often doesn’t even let him leave his bedroom to pee when he is grounded, he often gets bladder infections from holding it too much. He has found ways to use things as a bathroom, of course, but it doesn’t stop him from having frequent bladder infections.

Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: Born with a severe case, Butters was almost found to be female from the initial view of his genitals. However, later it was discovered that he had the internal workings of a male, which prompted doctors to have his family work with him to get treatment. However, his parents neglected it, and his body began to manage itself on its own, leaving him somewhat androgynous, leaning towards female in appearance.

Fears: His Father, Being Grounded, Getting Caught, Being Eaten Alive

Positive Traits: Gentle, Loving, Willing To Help, Selfless

Negative Traits: Gullible, Can be hateful, Cannibal, Deceptive, Manipulative

Quirks: Plays innocent to get his way; Talks to animals more than people; Loves rodents; Almost always wears yoga pants

Tends To: Knock his knuckles together when nervous; Not make eye contact; Drink lots of juice; Jump at the slightest of sounds

History: Butters was born with the short end of the stick in many cases. His neglectful parents, his genetic disorder, among other things, separated him from the rest of society. His naivete and desire to be liked by anyone often influenced him to do stupid things, or believe the wrong people.

After becoming Marjorine and returning home ‘from the dead’, his parents kept him in the basement for two months, feeding him people. His desperation eventually turned him to feeding from them, and eventually he decided he liked it. He kept his cannibalism a secret for an awful long time, but he eventually couldn’t hide it. He was very good at butchering people in order to feed, hiding the transients he took in the basement. His parents never knew, and he was careful to keep his hunger a secret from them. His father became suspicious when he began sneaking out, and he often found himself grounded through middle and high school. It hurt his self esteem and his need to escape for a long time, until he finally couldn’t take it anymore.

Nobody is totally sure what happened to his father, but his disappearance sparked a sudden, very terrible investigation. Butters was never implicated, so used to acting innocent that it was like a second skin to him.

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Tags List - Personal

I’d Rather Be A Crying Pussy (Butters) I’m Going To Get Grounded Anyway I Might As Well! (Butters’ IC Posts) Hello Kitty Underwear (Butters’ Closet) Gotta Collect It All! (Butters’ Stuff) All I Ever Wanted Was The World (Butters’ Desires) Tin Foil Hats (Butters’ Aesthetic) No Minions Kill Them (Hammy Tag) If Only Sheep Could Put Me To Sleep (Butters’ Music) Here Comes A Thought (Butters Musings) Sunshine And Gummy Bears (Butters Headcanons)

Tags List - With X - Canon

I Can’t Believe She’s A Vampire (Butters And Annie Barlett) Beauty Can Be A Beast (Butters And Bebe Stevens) Ladies Don’t Start Fights But They Can Finish Them (Butters And Bloodrayne) You’re Perfectly Normal The Way You Are (Butters And Bradley) Mintberry Crunch! (Butters And Bradley Biggle) I Fucking Hate Guard Dogs! (Butters And Christophe “The Mole” DeLorne) Taco King (Butters And Clyde Donovan) If Things Would Be Boring I’d Be Soooo Happy (Butters And Craig Tucker) Weekend Satanists (Butters And Damien Thorn) A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Is More Than A Warning (Butters And Eric Cartman) Go Straight To Heck (Butters And Gary Harrison) Too Smart To Tie His Own Shoes (Butters And Gregory) She’s The Walmart Version Of You (Butters And Heidi Turner) Big Girl You Are Beautiful (Butters And Henriette Biggle) Genius In Canadian Clothing (Butters And Ike Broflovski) The Bard (Butters And Jimmy Valmer) A Rose Blooming From Mud (Butters And Karen McCormick) I Will Buy You A New Life (Butters And Kenny McCormick) Sticks And Stones (Butters And Kevin McCormick) The Mom Friend (Butters And Kyle Broflovski) Sweet As Sugar (Butters And Larry) Ads Are People Too! (Butters And Leslie Meyers) Gimme Gimme Bloodshed (Butters And Michael) I Want To Be Like You (Butters And Mike Makowski) A Loveable Giant (Butters And Mimsy) I Wear My Sunglasses At Night (Butters And Nathan) For A Makeover Call (Butters And Nichole Daniels) Too Pretty To Be Evil (Butters And Pete) Every Rose Has It’s Thorns (Butters And Red Tucker) You Can’t Sit With Us (Butters And Ryan Ellis) Oddballs (Butters And Scott Tenorman) It Was A Past Life (Butters And Stan Marsh) Left Stains On My Sheets And Stains On My Soul (Butters And Stuart McCormick) Livin’ A Lie (Butters And Timmy Burch) He Plays Bass (Butters And Token Black) I Don’t Want To Die! (Butters And Trent Boyett) We Blonds Must Stick Together (Butters And Tweek Tweak) Smart And Strong (Butters And Wendy Testaburger)

Tags List - With X - OC

None At This Time

Tags List - With X - Crossover

The Meek Will Get What’s Coming To Them (With Eddie Kaspbrak) A Little Crazy Is OK As Long As Nobody Says Any Dirty Words (With Jerome Valeska)

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Verses - In-World

A Liquid Dream (Elementary Verse)

Butters started off as a sweet, gullible child. He did things to help, and often fell victim to Eric Cartman’s pranks. He became aggressive, after some time, and eventually blew up the gymnasium and even went on an anti-woman rampage. He eventually petered out back into his old persona, sweet and innocent, but with a temper unmatched by most.

Kids With Guns (Middle School Verse)

Starting off middle school quiet and reserved, Butters’ groundings were becoming even longer, even harder. He had a bad habit of biting his nails, and would chew on his fingers until they bled. Most of the time, he didn’t talk to other students, afraid his father would find out and give him a worse punishment. He excelled in social studies and math, though he had to repeat his English course once. *Note: Beyond this is triggery, and also combined with my Tweek. It will be ignored if rping with another Tweek.* When he was 11, Tweek invited him to his house for a sleepover. Tweek’s dad touched both of them and made him kiss the other. They don’t talk about it, but they are very close friends, now.

I Wish I Could Have Been A Teen Idle (High School Verse)

Every day seemed to bring another grounding. His parents thought it would keep him away from parties, and that was their main goal. For some reason, they only entrusted him to Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick, otherwise, he was confined to his room. He began tutoring in math and social studies in order to get out of the house more, and his father barely let him do that. Occasionally he would sneak out in order to spend time with his friends, coming out of his shell once more when he was with them.

Studious (College Verse)

Having finally escaped his family to go to a medical college in Denver, Butters felt freedom for the first time. Which meant that he overdid it a lot, and was back to his innocent ways. A lot of the time, people could convince him to do whatever they wanted.

Had To Catch A Ride With A Man Who’s Deranged (Runaway Verse)

Butters ran away from home at fifteen, needing to escape the constant abuse. He ended up in a boys’ home in San Francisco, a runaway without a home or a name, and grew into himself as time went on. When he returned to South Park, he was very different.

He’s Going To Strip For Attention (Stripper!Butters Verse)

Denied attention from his parents, and often grounded, Butters found freedom in being an adult. He rented a small apartment downtown, shitty as it was, and began work at the Peppermint Hippo. He worked drag nights as well as regular, and went by the name Marjorine.

No Ray Of Sunlight’s Ever Lost (Teacher Verse)

Butters went on to become a teacher fresh out of college, devoting himself to his Kindergarten class. He often spends more time and money working on things for his kids than he needs to, but he loves them all like they were his own. 

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AU Verses

Sweet As Sin (ABO AU)

Born a male Omega, Butters was shunned by his parents and left to walk the streets of South Park. He joined a Rut Helpline and helps talk Alphas through their ruts.

Blood For Blood (Deadman Wonderland AU)

Butters’ Branch Of Sin burns through his veins when he uses it. He calls it the Claws Of The Peregrine, and can use it to have almost claw-like blades on any part of his body. He was brought to Deadman Wonderland for killing his parents in a fit of desperation.

Nobody Would Suspect That Behind This Sweet Face I Want To Destroy You All (Demon!Butters AU)

A demon of envy, Butters takes pride in messing with people and leading them to believe that he is innocent and sweet. He takes lives when he wants, but most often is found toying in people’s affairs.

Feast not on the flesh; consume only the blood. This is our strength. (Fallout AU)

Butters turned to the Family when he accidentally killed and ate his parents in a violent attack in Rivet City. He left to escape being killed, and finally found his place in the world. He looks up to Vance like a father figure.

What To Do When You Are Dead (Ghost!Butters AU)

Dying in his room was the first thing that he remembered. He didn’t feel like he belonged there, but always returned when he was tired. His room was turned into an office and his mother became an alcoholic. His father blamed himself. They saw his ghost often but nobody believed them.

Mermaid Melody (Mer!Butters AU)

Butters is a lionfish with albinism, and is blind on land. He cannot see when he comes on land to sing and draw people to him to feed. He enjoys taking down ships and sending them along as ghosts of their former selves.

All Will Fall To Me! (Fractured But Whole AU)

Professor Chaos wanted desperately to take over the city. He needed to be in control, he needed to be loved or feared or hated, any kind of attention was good attention.

The Ungroundable (North Park AU)

Butters is hateful and cruel to others, though he is passive and soft to some people. His parents hate him but fear him at the same time.

I Got Your Back (Stick Of Truth AU)

Butters was a human Paladin, charged with protecting Princess Kenny or Dovahkiin. He loves his job and his friends, even if he grew weary of Eric’s deeds and Clyde’s transformation.

Say Goodbye To The Sun (Vampire!Butters AU)

Bitten by a vampire during a school trip to New Orleans, Butters was never the same again. Learning to be a vampire on his own proved to be difficult, so he sought out the South Park Vampire Society to try and help him learn.

Cannibals! (Wendigo!Butters AU)

It was painful when he was dropped down an old mine shaft and left for dead. It nearly killed him, but he found himself capable of eating Dougie, since he had died when they fell. It turned him into a Wendigo, and he prowls the mountains for food, now, constantly ravenous.

It’s Too Late To Switch Back (Werewolf!Butters AU)

Butters was bitten by a rabid dog one night, walking home from the library. He hid the wound from his parents, and eventually found that he was a werewolf. It was odd and scary at first, but he took it as a new freedom.

Invisible To The World (X-Men AU)

Butters was born with the ability to become invisible and to move through solid objects. It made his groundings easier to escape, and eventually led to him running away from home to an academy for mutants. His parents had always hated him for his powers, and he found camaraderie and kindness there.

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Shipping

None At This Time

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Open Starters

None At This Time

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Headcanon Posts

* ( positive personality   traits!

Physical Traits Of Your Muse

Detailed Profile Tag

Bold Your Muse’s Aesthetic (Spooky Edition)

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Faceclaim - Ross Lynch

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Art By Me

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Pets

Hammy is a Syrian Short Haired Teddy Bear hamster. He is Butters’ best friend, and he pampers him as much as he can.

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCILLE BALL IS ON THE WARPATH

January 15, 1973

By ELAINE SHEPARD, HOLLYWOOD (WNS) 

Faint-hearted TV and film executives had better start circling the wagons. Lucille Ball is on the warpath. 

Lucy never does anything by halves, and is feisty enough to take on the whole show business establishment. She has become one of the television industry's richest, most influential leaders, and she has a very personal set of moral weights and measures. 

"A lot of dirty old men have been on a ragged, jagged toot of making money and pandering to an audience's basest instincts. As soon as they are not making money which is happening already those pictures will sit in the vault.” 

"I know my audience is still out there so I'm not worried. But it's a terrible thing as a mother or father to try to shape your children morally and in every other way and have it torn down in one short season of movie-going. Because once they are 15 and a certain height they are allowed in to the theatres and everything they were taught to believe in is ripped apart. All this permissiveness has put tremendous responsibility on young people's shoulders. At least you and I had guidelines. Now they are not even allowed a conscience that tells them right from wrong." 

Tacky pictures are something to be avoided like drafts and bad cooking, says Lucy. "At home, I've stopped many movies in the middle and sent guests and projectionists home.” 

"Violence has gone beyond the bounds of tolerance. Today's films leave the young people in a spiritual wasteland. No direction. Everything is dirty, smelly, icky, lousy. They should have something to hope for, to dream about. We need a little fantasy. Not just sexual fantasies. We give them no hope any place." 

Lucy was one of the first to demolish forever the cliché that beauty and brains are incompatible. Her energy is atomic. Smoking cigarettes at a cancerous rate, she was on the phone arranging last-minute details for her 80-year-old carrot - topped mother, Dede, to go fishing in Colorado. "My condominium is at 9,800 feet. You should see Dede going down the mountain with the kids on a belly-whacker at 40 miles an hour." 

Tall and handsome Gary Morton says his 11-year alliance with Lucille is "the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him." It is a marriage that hums. You can sense the little waves of approval and the love arrows going back and forth. He gave Lucy a white juiced-up golf cart with her name on the door to carry her around the Universal Studios lot. Gary is executive producer of "Here's Lucy." This season represents his wife's 22nd year as a major CBS Television Network star. 

With every rung of the theatrical ladder greased and the most slippery one at the top, Lucille keeps her watchful big blue eyes on 21-year-old daughter Lucie, a costar on the program. "She is quite serious about her career." 

Lucie and her brother Desi IV (20 this month) have been raised with every advantage that wealth and love could provide. "Their father (Desi Arnaz III) is proud of them. He has a Moroccan palace in Baja. The kids, including Liza Minelli, visit them there. My son loves Liza very much and so do we. I knew her before I knew my own children. Our family is so close now it hurts. Very close. So close that the telephone bills from Desi's movie locations in Japan and Israel are astronomical." 

She has no plans to retire. "I don't know what I'm going to do from one minute to the next. When it's time to make a decision I make it. I don't feel any need to change the comedy format. Response from the fans indicates it works." 

How did movie standards get twisted? "Some producers have been given so much rope they are hanging themselves. A lot of pornographic stuff is going begging. We have good directors but no big studios with jobs for them. No 'papas' around anymore; nobody to set standards and give direction. Among the exceptions in this town are Disney and Ross Hunter. I say 'thank God' for them."

Former waitress, soda jerk, wholesale garment model and chorus girl, Lucy became the first woman president of a major Hollywood film producing company (Desilu Productions) with an estimated annual gross of $25,000,000. In 1967 she sold her interest in Desilu to Golf & Western Industries and is a substantial shareholder in that financial empire. 

In 1968 she formed Lucille Ball Productions. Headquarters is rented from Universal Studios. "I am happy to be a tenant and not interested in being a big tycoon anymore. We will create new TV programs, specials and movies." 

We didn't discuss Women's Lib. For Lucy is Women's Lib personified. 

She also is Auntie Mame. The movie starts this month, will make a fortune for Warner Bros., and be a coronation for the queen of comedy. 

Monday, January 15, 1973, also saw the premiere of “Lucy and Her Genuine Twimby” (HL S5;E17) guest-starring Robert Cummings. 

On the same date, UPI reported that “Here’s Lucy” would return for a sixth season, marking Ball’s 23rd year on TV. Coincidentally, the following item reports that Lucy’s friend and frequent co-star Mary Wickes would recreated her Broadway and film role in a television version of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” for Hallmark Hall of Fame. 

[January 15, 1973, was also just before production began on the film musical Mame. Joan Crosby reported on the press event.]

It was like the old days of Hollywood. The red carpet was laid at Studio One at The Burbank Studios (nee Warner Brothers) and 200 people showed up for lunch with Lucille Ball and the cast of "Mame," the day before production. 

Lucy made a great entrance in her silver-and-black outfit, with long earrings, cigarette holder to match, close cropped black hair and tightly wound silver turban. If you wonder why Mame couldn't be, like Lucy, a redhead. Lucy says a lot of thought went into the color, which will be used in the early scenes. Before the 20 years of Maine's life are finished she will also be seen as a blonde, redhead and finally, blue-tinted, silver-haired lady. Told that it's hard to get used to her with dark hair, Lucy smiled and said, "I can't get used to me, either." 

Lucy will have about 45 costume changes in the musical, which delights her and should please the ladies. 

Robert Fryer, who is co-producer of "Mame," said they needed an actress for the role who was "chic, humorous, warm and loving," and Lucy mugged her way through that. 

Lucy said she was delighted to do "Mame" because it is "a four-letter word and so is love, so is care and so is hope." She added that so many films today lack these qualities. "Also, they don't give us anything to hum unless you want to come out of the theater humming a manure pile."

Lucy introduced costars Robert Preston, Bea Arthur (who played Vera on Broadway and will recreate it here), Jane Connell, the original Agnes Gooch, and darling Kirby Furlong; who will turn 10 during production. 

Kirby, who is very small for his age, was wearing a tuxedo and director Gene Saks said, "Kirby always dresses that way. He gets up in the morning and jumps into his tux." Kirby laughed. 

Meanwhile, in other papers, Mame’s casting was reported, concentrating on adult Patrick, played by Bruce Davison. The release incorrectly lists Madeline Kahn, who was initially cast as Gooch, but left the production, reportedly due to a conflict with Lucille Ball. 

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Deck the Hall, his jokes are folly

RIGHT, well, been some sort of seven days.

The highs of celebrating one of the most exciting players in our generation giving up the game suddenly midseason, through to an awful piece of radio causing nothing but further grief in its wake 

The footy is pretty good as well, or is it, because we’re changing the whole game so much it will resemble bat tennis come the end of the year are we not? 

Lots to get into, all this redundant intro is just holding back the inevitable..

 1.       Let us start with the infamous Barry Hall joke last week. This will be of no surprise to most of you. Firstly, Barry’s comments, yeah not funny, came from nowhere. Yes, Liz Ellis, from nowhere, but we’ll get to you soon Liz let me assure you!

The background I want to touch on first is that Erinn’s pregnancy has often been discussed on Triple M when Leigh has been on air. On numerous occasions the radio has got Erinn on the air for a quick chat, and last Friday again was no exception. Leigh has shared some of his biggest moments on air with the listeners, from the calamity of their wedding plans on the breakfast show through to updates with the Erinn and the baby’s progress as he joined the football team this year.

2.       Next is that, and we don’t need to address Barry, he had a shocker, we know this, but Leigh was asked by Mark Howard first for the latest ‘milestone’ if you like in the lead up to the big day, to which the sweep indeed had happened just that day, and for those who care to realise, it was then Nathan Brown who then took it up to the cliff’s edge. Mark Howard opened the bowling by asking Leigh “have you had the old stretch”, Leigh at one point then said, “I can’t really explain it…” either unsure or uncomfortable, and then old Browny really got the wheels in motion by “explain it, talk about your wife’s sweep, go on…” and so he did, apologised on the run for being so honest about it, Barry then went with his zinger, and here we now are.

3.       Barry doesn’t make the joke nothing is even mentioned. That’s the truth. Leigh has copped it since for his explanation, his description. Two things, not only was the way Leigh described it honest if somewhat off the cuff, but to be real it is what that procedure is – it need not be taboo. Sure, others may have found it uncomfortable (Leigh’s comments, not Barry, we aren’t touching on Barry today), but to suggest Leigh is at fault for what brought this all to a head in the first place, which is Hall’s joke, if you can even call it a joke, is farcical.

4.       And before we take aim at some individuals to end this topic, can I just say, some perspective please, for all those who enjoy being offended, and seek offense out so they can proclaim they are offended – little Noah arrived Sunday, he is a gem, he is a little star and maybe one day he’ll pull on his dad’s red, white and black and may he never know about a stupid fallout to some dumb radio only a couple days before his arrival.

5.       Ok, so, who’s first up for a lashing. Liz. Right. So she went national on her Sunday morning TV spot, and she’s accruing some poor form in this area, by having a whack at Leigh for talking about his wife. Yes, Triple M, its culture, its style, up for conjecture, no doubt. But as I’ve touched on, Erinn was on the radio herself, and then for Howard and Brown  spurring the conversation on, if you’re going to whack Leigh for a moronic link between his comments warranting Hall’s brainfade, then you have to go back a further step – if Leigh wasn’t asked, he wouldn’t have said a thing, and I’d be probably talking about Ross Lyon at this point or something. If we’re going to talk about sanctioning people for being silly on a national broadcast, I’m sure there’s a candidate in the mirror at home, Liz.

6.       Now onto my new mate Darren Levin. I don’t know him, he mustn’t be that important. Nor am I, granted, but still nor is he. But I like two of his tweets from last Friday. I’ll give you the second one first, which is “I’ve listened to the Triple M audio and *everyone* should be sacked. Why were they even talking about it in the first place?”. Wow, ok, settle down. But only minutes earlier he tweeted, “CAN SOMEONE PLS TELL ME WHAT HE SAID? IT’S KILLLLLLING ME”. Now Darren. No. We aren’t sacking everyone, don’t be so alarmist. But if you’re going to be so curious and dirty for something that your desperation for the audio is killlllllllllling you, then you’ve got larger issues mate. I do hope you can find a way out of this sadness. Best wishes.

7.       And lastly, Grant Thomas. Now mate, Grant, old wobblearse Thommo. Let’s go the the audio:

“I am a big fan of Leigh’s but I think Joey should resign. I wouldn’t sack them, that’s the easy way out. Because one man’s been sacked I would think hang on I was actually culpable in this and if it hadn’t have been for my stupidity poor old Barry wouldn’t have said what he said. It’s at least his responsibility to suspend himself for a period of time to make a statement.”

Facts are important here, and clearly the failed Saints ex-coach has gone large on his former player not knowing or caring for the facts. Thommo has form on Twitter and his podcast, deliberately being controversial to spike an interest from the public he otherwise wouldn’t have. Perhaps he suffered a bad head knock from one of his chins when one day he was far too vigorous when nodding. Who knows.

8.       I’m happy to move on.

9.       State of the game, this one continues to infuriate. Kinda feel like this year’s premiership race is just getting in the way, the sooner the season ends the sooner we can all preach at the church of reform and the summit to work out the gazillion rule changes to save the sport from certain doom can take place. Um. Do we need to send Guide Dogs Australia down to Town Hall? With the return of a nine-game round after the byes period, last week we had, and let’s be balanced here, Thursday night, cracker, Friday night, belter, all four Saturday games meandered between just fine to really engaging tight games, Sunday gave us one lopsided upset but a high scoring spectacle and a two-point thriller. Steve Hocking, yes you man, baby, bathwater, don’t do it mate, step back from the ledge.

10.   Whilst we’re on mistakes, Susan Alberti. Not her, she’s lovely no doubt, even if she does make a right mess of security doing their jobs, especially when they wouldn’t know her from any other AFLW spectator, but she’s been awarded Victorian of the Year. And well done to her for all the work she does. But how has Neale Daniher, in all the years since he started his crusade, miss out on being awarded Victorian of the Year? Mike Brady got it last year. Yes, the ‘Up There Cazaly’ guy. Yet Neale is overlooked. Who’s in charge? Sir James Gobbo I hear is the chair or something of the Victoria Day council. Now Gobbo. Fix it. Neale’s a legend. Don’t go past Go, don’t collect $200, Gobbo, just fix it.

11.   Who else? Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield. Yep, not good enough. I think they’ve been getting tips off Zali Stegall. Downhill skiers the lot of them. Numerous passages of play against the Dogs where they’d get into a strong sprint when they had possession, but, turnover, the Bulldogs player that was chasing them, turns and burns, ends up being part of the scoring chain uncontested whilst the Brownlow medallists are sauntering miles back assuming one of the non-Brownlow medallists will do their dirty work for them. Lazy? Selfish? Dunno, you chose your own adjective. Chose all of them if you like, don’t let me pressure you Nathan Brown style.

12.   Melbourne footy club. Hmm. Let’s not worry about which parcel of Yarra Park land you want to train on, how about just screw your heads on and don’t let St Kilda embarrass you on your home ground. The Saints had no right to escape from a loss to the Gold Coast, yet made you all look like fruits, stewed fruits. I have no idea of the analogy here, other than to say I’m reasonably confident stewed fruits don’t make the finals, and you did it last year Demons, go on, lose the unlosable finals spot again, it would be as the kids say ‘so lit’.

13.   We mentioned the Suns, which players have the Gold Coast improved? Jack Martin was supposed to be a gun, he isn’t, Ainsworth's played 27 games but so what, Touk Miller is at 74 games but wouldn't get a gig for North Ballarat, David Swallow's had injuries, so we'll give him that, Aaron Hall has played 100 games but we'd forgotten about him, then there's Day, Lonergan, Sexton, even Peter Wright doesn’t scare anyone at 44 games. Jarryd Lyons may be the only improved player on their list. Don’t give them concessions, you can give them an all-star team, the issue is that talent dissipates once it lands at Coolangatta airport. The Logies were ok in Melbourne, goes up to the Gold Coast, looks like a Channel 31 production. The Gold Logie winner doesn’t even have a show. Staggering.

14.   Quick change of sports but I’ve got my back up and I’m running downhill with the wind – so Aaron Finch is in form is he? An 84, 68* and 172 in his last three matches, all in twenty 20s. The Aussies more broadly, two big wins from two in the Zimbabwe T20 tri-series. Hang on. No. Who the hell cares about some T20 games in Zimbabwe in July when there's a 50-over World Cup 12 months from now and in the most recent series of that format, in England, five minutes ago, we got sodomised five nil. Don't want to hear about how Finchy or the rest of the team looks great in a hit and giggle in Harare, it’s like if old mate brought a high-pressure hose to Hiroshima in August 1945 saying a quick rinse is all this place needs. Don’t wanna hear about it Finchy, get some runs in a longer format and I’ll reconsider.

15.   Oh, do we want to mention the nation of the Philippines before we get onto some other stuff? How Chris Goulding walks away with only some bruises from a dozen men punching, kicking, stomping, hitting him with chairs, is so fortunate. But, obviously the Philippine basketballers can fight as well as they can play basketball. Right mugs the lot of them. But if you’re stuck in an alleyway between confronting an angry Filipino basketballer or a sleepy field mouse, I’d be running away from the field mouse, their teeth are surprisingly sharp.

16.   Cyril. How’d you get this far down the list champion? So his Dad had heart issues I believe last year (I’ll stand corrected in case I get a call from Liz Ellis), and basically, unlike Dayne Beams who could get a trade to a new club based in the city where his ailing Dad resides, Cyril’s old man lives in Darwin, and if Tassie can’t get a team yet, then Darwin is way behind them. So, for a player who has always said he wouldn’t be a league footballer too long after turning 30 (he is a couple weeks shy of turning 29), ‘Junior Boy’ has called it a day a year or two early to be around his family. He was this close to doing this last offseason, Shaun Burgoyne essentially twisted his arm to go one more year, a knee injury and then officially putting a line through it now brings us to here.

17.   We’ve all seen the record the last couple of days, but four premierships, one of six in that famous dynasty to be a part of all of them (Burgoyne has four, but one was at Port). Three All-Australians, don’t forget the Norm Smith in 2015, but that he was also so influential in turning the game in the ’08 granny as a teenager. For freakish, athletic ability, be it leaping, tackling, borking, sprinting, unparalleled in our time.

18.   Want to give a shout out to the Tiwi Islands. A series of many islands, two larger ones though, Melville and Bathurst Islands, about 1000 people each. Melville Island though, tiny, tiny place, yet it has produced 3 Norm Smith medallists out of the 37 to receive the award: Cyril in 2015, Michael Long in 1993, and Cyril’s uncle Maurice in 1982. Not only from the same island, but the same family to boot.

19.   On that family, Maurice Rioli, South Fremantle and Richmond superstar of the 1980s, uncle to Cyril, great uncle to Daniel, his son, Maurice Jr, he would be the 2020 draft but already playing cracking senior footy for St Mary's in the NT as a teenager. Will be a gun first round father son pick to Richmond or Fremantle and the lineage will continue. His cousin Willie also, looking fairly good for the Eagles too, who is Ronnie Burns cousin on his mother's side as well. What a family!

20.   Lastly, World Cup, I’m as confident that Vladimir Putin had a hand in ‘organising’ the five-nil result for the hosts against Saudi Arabia as I am Liz Ellis having another shocker this Sunday morning on the telly. So all this talk of “its coming home” from those with bad teeth and confused by the concept of the shower, the fact that it’s merely Sweden and then Croatia in the way to a first World Cup final since 1966, don’t underestimate the nerve, or is that nerve agent, of the Russian leader. Golden Boot nominees to this point:

Kane, Mbappe, Putin.

(originally published 5 July)

[lerin1024-blog]

Top 20 Movies (in my opinion) from Jan-June 2017, first half of the year!

1. GOLD - (Stephen Gaghan) Starring Matthew McConaughey. The release date of this was December 30, 2016. But, I couldn’t help but put this on my list. A true story of the biggest gold mining scam in history, with the mystery surrounding who was involved and who is actually still alive today. Very intriguing all the way through. Such a touchy subject to touch base on! The way McConaughey warps into each and every one of his characters is something so incredible and memorable. This is a must see.

2. MEAN DREAMS - (Nathan Morlando) Starring Bill Paxton, Sophie Nelisse, & Josh Wiggins

Bill Paxton’s last movie released after his unfortunate passing earlier this year. Mean Dreams was an adventure. Sophie & Josh worked so well together in this film, which is why it really worked so well for me. On a mission to run away from her father who is a dirty cop, this combination of young actors really ran away with the show! I hope to see them work together in a future film.

3. THE DISCOVERY - (Charlie McDowell) Starring Robert Redford, Jason Segel, & Rooney Mara

We all have questions of what happens when we die. Is there an afterlife, and if so...what is it like? The Discovery attempts to explain a scientific finding and I think it’s findings were pleasant enough to make me enjoy this movie, as well as shed a few tears. It’s moving and incapsulating...even sentimental to say the least. It never bored nor confused, as many movies will when this is the topic. Easily memorable with no frustrated questioning afterwards. Charlie McDowell also co-wrote this with Justin Lader. Two thumbs up guys. 

4. GIFTED - (Marc Webb) Starring Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, & Jenny Slate

Raising a child prodigy isn’t easy. Especially when you are the uncle and your niece is so intellegent you would move the earth to help her, protect her, and keep her challened and safe. But what IS best for little Mary? I absolutley adored this movie and I know you will too. An emotional and heartfelt drama.

5. KING ARTHUR LEGEND OF THE SWORD (Guy Richie) Starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Astrid Berges-Frisbey & Eric Bana

Growing up in a sweltering city and brothels unknowing his own birthright brought this movie to life, as so many Arthurian movies have been made, this is my first look at one, and I was impressed. Very impressed with the way that Guy Richie made this action packed film. The sound effects and music were outstanding and really got it moving. Saw it twice, back to back. The sword coming out of the stone and wall like butter and Hunnam’s extrordinary acting abilities really made this truly the “one and only” Arthur movie, I believe. It opened my eyes to a whole other genre of films I’ve probably been missing!

6. THE SHACK - (Stuart Hazeldine) Starring Sam Worthington & Octavia Spencer

A story about a family tradgey, which leads a father to question his faith. This sends him on a mission to find answers. And answers he gets, and maybe even more than that. A kind of myseterious movie that surprises you mid-way through with picturesque beauty and underlying emotion. Tip: Grab a box of tissue and stay with it. You’ll be glad you did,

7. GET OUT - (Jordan Peele Writer & Director) Starring Daniel Kaluuya & Allison Williams 

I have never seen a movie quite like this before! Peele deserves much acknowledgement from this. During a trip to visit the parents of his girlfriend Rose, Chris is in for the shock and awe of his life. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but this is a must see and I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a “horror” film as it suggests, but certainly a strong thriller. Parts played by all were spot on and flowed well throughout this nail biter. OR should I say nightmare? (But in an entertaining way...) 

8. A DOGS PURPOSE - (Lasse Hallstrom) Starring Josh Gad & Dennis Quaid

A dog who is looking for his real purpose in life. He experiences his life and death reincarnated five times. A movie with so much soul, it is not easily forgotten. A nice one for the family to see together. It’s a tear-jerker for sure, but during the happy times as well as the sad. Josh Gad does a great voice for the dog in all the phases of his lives. A wonderful book to movie adaptation. 

9. BLACK BUTTERFLY - (Brian Goodman) Starring Antonio Banderas & Jonathan Rhys Meyers

“A Killer Story with a Twist”....Now who doesn’t love that type of movie! I know I do! This was a thrill to watch, more so because I didn’t read about it first, not even the cover. So, I was really happy with the storyline. I will admit, Meyers performance didn’t match up equally to Banderas, but that comes with eons of experience! Or, perhaps I just wasn’t use to the way he talks. Don’t get me wrong, this story was GREAT. Make sure you stay with it though. It also had the potential to be so many other things as well, but for what it was, I think it was a great watch and would recommend this to anyone!

BEAUTIFUL 10 - (Mark Pellington) Starring Shirley Maclaine & Amanda Seyfried 

Shirley does it again, and this should be in my number one spot, but this isn’t in any specific order. Harriet’s character was wonderful and powerful as Shirley’s characters always are...Strong, Independent, Wise, and Indifferent. This incredible movie teaches you to treat each day as a challenge to yourself. “Have an honest day”, Harriet will say. The risks she would take in her life would define her and she deeply wanted to be remembered, not forgotten. “Make mistakes because that’s living...” This was an honest movie, with a grest cast, storyline, music was SUPURB! And the vocabulary of basically every sentence written was perfect. Thank you Stuart Ross Fink! Many life learning messages throughout this movie, which I loved. It will not EVER be forgotten as one of the best movies I have ever seen.

11. EXTORTION - (Phil Volken) Starring Eion Bailey, Barkhad Abdi, & Danny Glover

A man in a desperate situation, without the time or the resources he needs to save his family while on vacation in another country. These things really happen, and in a world that can be uncertain at times, this movie really tuggs at the heartstrings for this man...and for the viewers! Brilliantly played by who I thought was Michael Fassbender...So sorry to Eion Bailey, who did a remarable job! I am one of your newest fans! Thriller for sure, so if you settle in with popcorn...get ready for one fast paced movie that will make time pass so fast, you won’t know it until it happens! I dare you to fall asleep during this! I’m so glad this is a nominee. Much respect.

12. THE SPACE BETWEEN US - (Peter Chelsom) Starring Asa Butterfield, Britt Robertson, Gary Oldman, & Carla Gugino

Men are from Mars & Women are from EARTH. That’s the story. But don’t be fooled by the online reviews by others. Yes, it’s a “coming-of-age” movie, but it certainly has a big spark inside of it’s whole. Born on the planet Mars, “Gardener” wants nothing but to go down to earth and live a normal life. This has consequences to his health, obviously. Undetermined, yet, even by the astronauts and medical staff astronauts, and life itself on earth...things seem pretty clear...until they aren’t. Upon finding out and missing out...the end of this movie was great...it didn’t leave me hanging (I hate that!). So, take a chance on this one and see it for yourself.

13. BRAIN ON FIRE - (Gerard Barrett) Starring Chloe Grace Moretz

She was a professional reporter, living her dream in the big city, when something goes unexplainably wrong within her. This a true story, so it stood out to me in a huge way. No spolier’s here. Although, it’s an amazing movie! So many people with this same undiagnosed conditioned have been saved because of this woman’s parents never giving up to find answers. Enough said.

14. THE LOST CITY OF Z - (James Gray) Starring Charlie Hunnam & Robert Pattinson

Based on a true “legend” of a story.... A persumed lost city in the Amazonian rain forest. British research and map explorer Persy Fawsett travels into the deep debths of the rainforest to find the truth. Is there another civilization? And if so, can he proove it? Can he even get back home alive, or at all? What is the sacrifice worth? Watch this stellar movie, which is at it’s best, although it may leave you to find the true meaning of it all for yourself.

15. I DONT FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE - (Macon Blair) Starring Melanie Lynskey & Elijah Wood

After a home invasion, Ruth shows the normalcy of how sometimes theres just nothing the police can do. Irritated with rude people, its clever that she enlists the help of her abnoxious neighbor, Tony to help her find her computer through her GPS laptop finder on her phone. This is a dark comedy, to me...I loved every part of it. But it also moves into the suspense catagory as well, making it even better. This is Sundance! Nice to see it got the Jury award this year. Much deserved.

16. HIDDEN FIGURES - (Theodore Melfi) Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer & Janelle Monae...and Kevin Costner.

An untold true story of the launch of astronaut John Glenn into space. Back when African American women weren’t treated equally, these three brilliant woman’s minds go to work everyday at NASA and are the real (competent and confident) brains behind the whole operation. This story was powerful, and got much appreciation and respect from me and many others who have seen it. 

17. BEFORE I FALL - (Ry Russo-Young) Starring Zoey Deutch & Kian Lawley

How can the power of one single day have an impact on your whole life? Based on this best selling novel by Maria Maggenti. Sam seems to have the perfect life, but she wakes up living the same exact day over and over again, tring to change things and figure out what it all means. It’s a fun watch and the book is amazing! So, give this one a shot if you want to see something teenager-ish with big twists. I have a girl teen myself, and we enjoyed watching this together! It just had to make my “Top 20″.

18. COLOSSAL - (Nacho Vigalondo) Starring Anne Hathaway & Jason Sudeikis

Now this was just FUN. Not usually my style (Monster’s)... but this was the exception because of the story and the amazing cast. A Rivalry, between two friends happens to be a very dangerous one! I enjoyed not just the cast, but how grounded it was. An easy watch, and like I said...pretty fun, and quite original in itself. 

19. SPLIT - (M. Night Shyamalan Writer & Director) Starring James McAvoy

Split personalities come out to play around in a kidnapping of 3 teenage girls in this deep seated thriller. One they leave a surprise, although each and every one is played brilliantly by McAvoy and told in a clever way by Shyamalan. All of his movies are great, in my opinion with this one taking a top spot in my mind. I loved how darkly insanely crazy this was, watching each character emerge on screen. And just knowing that the final personality took over 15 years to create. Wow! 

20. LIFE - (Daniel Espinosa) Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson

On board the International Space Station, astronauts go on a mission to brig back proof if there is life on Mars. Extraterrestrial Life. And their findings proove to be very dangerous and life threating to everyone on board. Clever, and suspenseful, I would watch this one again. It’s interesting and the cast is great. There may or may not be a few twists! 

Honorable Mention: THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, where “Office Space” meets “Battle Royale”. A disturbing game insues inside of a huge titanium or crazy metal impenetrable building full of office workers. Very blood thirsty & a thriller that does have its twist, which of course, I’m all into. Not for everyone, thats for certain, but if you like “games” like these on the screen, this is a great new one to see!