#Genre: Heist

[bedlamsbard]

for love of god I wish I hadn't trained my brain into generating sequel ideas.

[laurasimonsdaughter]

Heist movie where everyone in the team has a fairy tale code name:

Frau Holle, head of the operation, pulls the strings, coordinates from above

The Fairy Godmother, arranges everyone's covers and equipment, supports from the side lines

Jack, world class burglar, bit too impulsive for his own good

Molly Whuppy, world class con artist, has a friendly rivalry going with Jack

Donkeyskin, master of disguise, you won't even know you're talking to her until she chooses to introduce herself

Goldilocks, housebreaking prodigy, cocky young upstart

[aleksanderscult]

Hello, I started following your blog pretty recently and I agree with most of what you think. I felt so confused when I finished the books and came on tumblr to see everyone hailing malina as the perfect relationship and I was glad to know that I wasn't the only one who disliked him.

I wanted to ask you something, im not sure if I saw this on this blog, but someone said that zoya is an example of toxic feminism in YA fantasy. Which checked out to me, but it also felt that bardugo added misogyny, feminism and toxic feminism in the SaB series.

Misogyny since alina had to face sloot-shaming in every book (almost entirely by Malyen ugh 😒). I felt that she really tried and suceeded to be feminist with genya, since she actually stood up for herself and had many facets to her personality. She also wasn't an important character just because of her beauty or anything super superficial. Genya IS a strong female character, and she wasn't 'broken' by the king, despite the foul things he did.

But zoya.. my god, I really wanted to like her, but I just couldn't. She is mean and hot headed to the point where I really don't see any redeeming factors to her. I always liked 'mean girl character who isnt as shallow as she seems' in fantasy novels, but she didnt exactly have a redemption arc either. If the darkling had warned her about expanding the fold in the first book, she would have fought for him. I think she isnt a strong female character, but just a girl who is a bully and decided to help mc since the antagonist hurt her specifically. She doesnt even think of the other casualties of novokribirsk. I think the 'break nikolais heart, I'll comfort him and make a magnificent queen' part was a joke, but still....

Please excuse my yapping. I haven't read crooked kingdom and nikolais duology, so I don't know if the characters had any developement since then, so please ignore any innacuracies of this text pertaining to that. Do you have any thoughts on this?

(Do you allow emoji annons? If so, can I be 🎀 annon?)

(Of course I do! You can use any emoji you want and ribbons remind me of coquettish things 😍)

Genya in S&B was my favorite version of her. She was traumatised by the King's abuse, that's true. But she wasn't solely that.

(Here's a meta about that version of her that I once did)

She was very brave, vengeful, intelligent, politically aware, had a sense of humor and was kind. There were different aspects to her personality and wasn't solely "the victim" as many fans of the Grishaverse like to portray her. But in Nikolai's duology Bardugo either forgot how to write complex situations within a court or just doesn't know how to (or it doesn't suit her 🙃).

She threw all the blame to the Darkling (as if he was entirely at fault for her sexually abuse), forgot that Grisha were serfs meant to please and serve the royal family (hence why the Darkling gave her to the Queen) and also forgot how it was the Queen who withdrew her protection and allowed her husband to abuse her. Also, a slight amnesia to how Genya herself decided to stay and take revenge. Essentially, the character became Leigh's mouthpiece to remind the reader that the Darkling is a heartless motherfucker that is undeserving of redemption. How banal.

Now about Zoya. Zoya is the typical female character that we encounter in media nowadays. A girlboss that kicks ass, is rude, has no sensitivity and threatens everyone. Again, cliché. But Leigh broke her own in-universe laws when she gave Zoya the protagonist's role.

Meaning:

The narrative with Alina as a protagonist: "You can't have feelings for your enemy!! You can't be independent! You need to depend on your toxic, childhood friend and...what is this? Power?? You took three amplifiers?? WELL SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR POWERS THAT KEEP YOU HEALTHY AND STRONG!!"

The narrative with Zoya as a protagonist: "Take the amplifiers, take the power to turn into a dragon, let's also have a Saint in your head giving you advice and guess?!? You just got promoted into a Queen and soon enough you will marry the love of your life!! Kudos!!"

That's basically what happened.

It would be an amazing end if only:

- Otkazat'sya didn't hate the Grisha's guts.

- Zoya had the qualities of a leader and a Queen instead of being handed the throne on a silver plate from an illegitimate son who failed in his job.

- The author didn't break her own rules just to prove and show how "awesome" her protagonists are.

- The same author didn't copy paste the storyline of Daenerys Targaryen into Zoya's (somehow she needed to appear cool and sympathetic)

- Half of the fandom didn't hate the primary protagonists now than they ever did before.

So basically Leigh infuriated the fandom even more about Alina's fate when she gave Zoya everything.

And about your question if the characters had any development in the later books after the trilogy. I've got some bad news, my friend. 🥲

[theosjunkdrawer]

Once again thinking about(watching) tiny heist - the moment in ep 5 when Ti sets the flame thrower off and Brennan is about to move on, but Justin stops him with a "hey!" And there's silence at the table for a second before he leans forward and says "That didn't set off the bomb?" AND BRENNAN. JUST STARES AT THE CAMERA. AND GRINS.

Anyway. Tru ttrpg moment

[raifuujin]

“I just don't like Gosho's use of ideas nowadays” do you have some examples? I’ve been feeling the same but I still don’t have like articulate thoughts on it

Well, 'nowadays' has been for. About ten years, ish? The most glaring example that always sticks out in my mind is the Sun Halo MK chapters, with the complete and utter waste of the very common fanfic tropes of 'Aoko gets suspicions' and 'Kid gets injured around someone'. But it kind of matches the general problem I have with his writing that I don't think used to be this bad: He's trying to stuff too much around the strict case-by-case structure (or for MK, introducing the heist-by-heist structure) without actually giving anything focus. (And for MK it's so much worse because he writes it so rarely, that he makes everyone cameo every time but they tend to just get hand waves to whatever drama plot gets instigated by Kid having his next heist.)

For DC, it's the whole. 1) Overarching plot with the BO and suspects and 'here's the available suspects for who's involved with the BO that we introduce one at a time at the end of cases and then maybe leave more clues about them during future cases'. 2) Dangling character or relationship progress and then constantly pulling it away, usually as a joke. 3) When we do occasionally get some of the major plot, it's all at once and then maybe mentioned once in the next case, but otherwise completely dropped. (Amuro and Akai and Kudo tea party tease also lingers as a 'Gosho is just evil at this point'.) Basically rigid structure that doesn't allow for much of the subplots aside from breadcrumbs.

For the current situation, it's also tied into interview comments. Which. have no bearing on the story until he actually uses them. But instead of even that, the movie gets exciting stuff instead and puts it in a giant limbo of is it meant to be canon or not, because no one has been able to settle on that for any movie, even as some details get connected back to the manga more and more.

It's bad writing. Gosho has been a bad writer for a long time, and it's kinda just getting worse. It's my opinion that it's because he tries to have his case after case after case (because mystery manga), and then stuff little bits of everything else in the seams, whether it works well with the case he's writing or if it's a good delivery or (more usually) it's just. Kinda tacked on.

It's partially because of time investment, partially because I have low standards of entertainment, and partially because I want to see how it all ends that I stick with DC. MK is. Similar, but hurts more because I really hate how it morphed into the DC structure when old MK had more you could do with it. Gosho will never drop his rigid case-by-case structure at this point, but it really would be better if he did at this point. Things need development that they're not allowed to have. Or at least smooth out the lines between his hints. And stop with Heiji and Kazuha, just. God. Stop. Is this how people felt about Kid appearances? I feel like at least when people were mad about Kid, they knew nothing was going to happen from the get go, the romance 'tease' is just painful.

[playstationvii]

#GTA:MagicKingdomDisney

Game Development Overview:

Title: GTA: The Magic Kingdom Platform: PlayStation 7 Developer: Rockstar Games in collaboration with DearDearestBrands Genre: Open-world Action/Adventure

Storyline:

In GTA: The Magic Kingdom, players explore a dark, reimagined version of Disney's iconic Magic Kingdom. The world is divided into themed lands, each with its own rules and factions. At its core, the story follows a criminal protagonist who is embroiled in a high-stakes battle for power and survival within the kingdom's chaotic, secretive underworld.

The protagonist (you) is a mysterious figure drawn into the Magic Kingdom's politics, where a sinister force is using the enchantment of Disney’s original lands for darker purposes. The hunt for Bambi, who is rumored to possess extraordinary powers tied to the kingdom’s survival, becomes a central pursuit, while the player navigates treacherous alliances, heists, and confrontations.

Main Character:

Name: Maximus Dark (or choose your own name) Backstory: A former magic thief, Maximus was exiled from the underworld for crossing a powerful figure. Now, forced to work in the Magic Kingdom's black market, he must hunt down Bambi and unlock secrets from deep within the kingdom's enchanted areas. Maximus has a personal vendetta against the kingdom’s rulers, who wronged him in his past. Throughout the game, the player will uncover the protagonist’s lost memories and long-forgotten connection to the forest kingdom that Bambi hails from.

Motivation: Maximus's primary goal is to reclaim his lost power, discover the truth behind Bambi’s existence, and stop a powerful corporation that seeks to rewrite the very essence of the Magic Kingdom. As the story unfolds, Maximus will face moral dilemmas, where every choice shapes the fate of the kingdom and his own soul.

Supporting Characters:

Bambi - The elusive and powerful figure whose very presence is tied to the survival of the kingdom. Bambi is the key to restoring balance but is hunted by those who wish to harness their power for dark purposes. They are often seen as a mystical being, guiding the protagonist toward their true destiny.

Claire Jorif Valentine – An enigmatic leader of a rebel faction, Claire operates in the shadows, challenging the corrupt rulers of the kingdom. She provides Maximus with missions, allies, and sometimes betrays him to further her hidden agenda. A powerful figure in the underworld, she seems to know more about Bambi than she lets on.

The Enchanted Guardians – These figures protect each themed land within the Magic Kingdom. They could either be allies or enemies depending on how the player approaches them. The Guardians are immortal beings who represent the natural forces of the kingdom—ranging from corrupted versions of iconic Disney characters like Captain Hook, Maleficent, or the Queen of Hearts.

Tiger Lily – A key ally who once helped Bambi and holds secrets to unlocking the magical energies in the kingdom. She is on a quest to stop the dark forces from taking over the kingdom. As a supporting character, she aids in quests related to nature and magic and can unlock special abilities for the player.

Walt - A mysterious figure who seems to control the Magic Kingdom’s darkest secrets. He appears to have been a creator of both the magic and the corruption that now threatens the lands. Maximus will need to confront him as the story builds toward the final confrontation.

Gameplay:

Open-World Exploration: The game world is split into different magical lands, such as Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and others. Each land offers unique challenges, missions, and enemies. Players can freely explore these areas and engage in side missions while unraveling the main story.

Combat: Players can engage in both ranged and hand-to-hand combat, using magical powers, enchanted weapons, and advanced technology. The combat system is dynamic, blending traditional open-world combat with the ability to wield magic and technology.

Heist Missions: As Maximus tries to gain control of the Magic Kingdom, he must undertake heists to infiltrate high-security areas and steal vital items—such as keys to unlock magical areas or magical artifacts that help in the hunt for Bambi.

Choices & Morality: The game emphasizes player choices, with the narrative changing based on decisions. Will Maximus become a hero, villain, or something in-between? The relationship with Bambi and other characters is crucial, as decisions affect both alliances and the kingdom’s fate.

Stealth and Deception: Players can also use stealth to infiltrate the kingdom’s high-security areas or employ deception to manipulate enemies. Using disguises, magic, and technology, Maximus can change the course of battles or avoid them altogether.

Motivation of Player:

The player is constantly driven by the need for power, knowledge, and redemption. They must build their empire, uncover the dark secrets of the kingdom, and forge relationships with various characters—each with their own agendas. However, the hunt for Bambi represents more than just a physical chase; it's a quest for deeper understanding, as Bambi’s powers could either save or doom the Magic Kingdom.

Key Objectives:

Locate Bambi: The primary objective is to find Bambi before the forces of darkness do. Along the way, players uncover the mysteries of the forest kingdom and its connection to the greater magical world.

Restore the Kingdom: Players must gather allies, defeat corrupt leaders, and unlock ancient powers to restore balance to the kingdom. Each land requires the completion of key quests, often involving battles, negotiations, and solving puzzles.

Uncover Maximus’s Past: As Maximus’s memories return, the player will unlock hidden abilities and unique storylines. The past is filled with betrayal and secrets that will help guide the future of the kingdom.

End the Corruption: Maximus must dismantle the oppressive corporation that seeks to control the kingdom's magical energy. This requires sabotaging their operations, stealing key documents, and confronting their leaders in epic battles.

The Final Confrontation: In the game's climax, the player must decide whether to join Bambi in their fight for freedom or betray them to seize ultimate power. The fate of the Magic Kingdom—and possibly the world—rests in the player’s hands.

This game blends classic open-world gameplay with dark fantasy elements and a rich narrative, providing players with the chance to explore a re-imagined Disney universe full of intrigue, magic, and moral complexity. The pursuit of Bambi adds layers of mystery and suspense, making this a truly unique entry in the GTA franchise.

To project the potential success of GTA: The Magic Kingdom in 2025, we need to consider various factors including market trends, audience engagement, and the unique elements of the game. Here's a breakdown:

Market Growth for Open-World and Action-Adventure Games:

Current Trends: The gaming industry, especially for open-world games and action-adventure genres, has shown steady growth. Titles like Grand Theft Auto V, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 continue to drive demand for expansive worlds with immersive stories.

Projections: The global gaming market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9.5% from 2024 to 2028. As GTA: The Magic Kingdom combines elements of beloved franchises (GTA and Disney), it could tap into both established fanbases, providing a unique mix of nostalgia and innovation.

Audience Engagement and Sentiment:

Nostalgia Factor: The reimagining of Disney’s Magic Kingdom with dark and mature themes will likely engage both nostalgic fans of Disney and mature audiences looking for an alternative take on Disney. This could boost both initial sales and long-term engagement.

Fanbase Growth: By 2025, your fanbase could grow significantly as the game's story unfolds. Assuming solid marketing campaigns and collaborations with influencers or streamers, you might see a steady increase in followers and engagement leading up to and after the game’s release.

Projections: Positive sentiment is expected if the game's unique blending of fantasy, technology, and dystopian elements resonates with audiences. Projections for engagement could range from a 15-20% increase in social media mentions in the first year after release.

Technological Advances and Game Development:

PlayStation 7 and Future Hardware: Given the expected launch of PlayStation 7 around 2025, GTA: The Magic Kingdom could be designed to take full advantage of next-gen console power. This will allow for an even more immersive experience with advanced graphics, smoother gameplay, and expansive worlds.

Projections: With the integration of next-gen technologies (such as AI-driven NPCs and advanced virtual reality options), GTA: The Magic Kingdom could have a 30-40% higher player retention rate due to these enhanced features.

Sales Projections:

Market Demand: Based on trends for similar games (open-world, fantasy, and action-adventure), initial sales could range between 5-10 million copies within the first year.

Projections for 2025: The game could potentially reach 15-20 million copies sold by 2025, depending on post-launch expansions, updates, and downloadable content (DLC). A strong, loyal fanbase built from the early adoption of the game could help push this figure higher.

Expansion and Future Growth:

DLCs & Expansions: By 2025, the game could see its first major expansion, adding new zones, characters, and stories to keep players engaged.

Projections: Expansions or sequels could drive continued engagement. This could result in an additional 10-20% increase in sales in the second year post-launch, especially if the game incorporates user feedback and evolves based on community input.

Marketing and Brand Partnerships:

Brand Alignment: With ties to Disney, GTA: The Magic Kingdom could attract partnerships, cross-promotions, and collaborations with major brands.

Projections: These collaborations could increase visibility, leading to higher-than-expected sales and engagement. With a proper marketing push and potentially viral content, the game's overall reach could expand significantly, especially if there are partnerships with influencers or Disney-themed events.

Summary of Projections for 2025:

Sales: 15-20 million copies sold globally

Player Engagement: 30-40% higher retention with the introduction of new technology

Audience Growth: Significant increase in fanbase with positive sentiment and engagement, likely 20-25% growth year-over-year

Brand Partnerships and DLCs: Increased revenue from post-launch content and collaborations

Overall, with the unique blend of popular genres and the anticipated growth of gaming markets, GTA: The Magic Kingdom could be positioned for strong performance by 2025, with significant growth in both sales and player engagement.

[princehendir]

Thoughts now that I've finished Six of Crows

- I have definitely aged out of YA

- "I didn't watch very many heist films in prep for this actually" yes ma'am, we could tell.

- still pretty fun. I will be reading the second one.

- "I love you but I respect myself too much to settle for what you're currently offering" is an absolutely insane thing for a YA girl to say to a brooding bad boy love interest I loved it so so much 10/10 epic iconic good for her.

- scary Nina 👍

[femme-foucault]

Award Season Guesses - late December 2024

Alright, well I still haven't seen The Brutalist (or Nickel Boys) because it's not releasing outside NYC and LA until sometime in January and I have no intention of seeing A Complete Unknown precisely because I am a Bob Dylan fan. So I haven't really updated my list of predictions from about a month ago or so. I am tempted to include The Substance but it is a sliiiiiim possibility given how the Oscars snubs work in horror. So here are my predictions as of late December 2024.

Above the Line Awards:

Alphabetical order as usual. My suspected winners in bold and runner-ups/potential "upsets in italics.

Best Picture:

Anora*

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune Pt 2

Emilia Perez

Nickel Boys

A Real Pain

Sing Sing

The Substance (????)

Wicked Pt 1

I am going on a limb and guessing The Substance does get in even though I think it is reeeeally a stretch. The Academy snubs horror films all the time, especially in acting (see Toni Collette in Hereditary and Mia Goth in Pearl). But the GG noms made me reconsider even though the GG is a critics/journalism awards show and the Oscars are an industry awards show and like any "election," demographic patterns vary. But actually if anything I think critics are snobbier about horror than industry people so that's a good sign. No idea what will win -- which is fun! 2024 was not nearly as good as 2023, which was an unusually packed year for great movies. But in a way, that makes Awards Season more fun because there isn't a clear front runner. I am leaning Anora right now for BP like I have been all year, but I would NOT underestimate either Wicked or Emilia Perez. I don't like the latter movie very much and while I did really enjoy Wicked I wouldn't say it was the best of the year. But don't underestimate the Oscars leaning populist because all three of the last BP winners in awards season were very much "crowd pleasers" over more "artsy" choices like Power of the Dog or Poor Things. (It feels odd to call Oppenheimer a "crowd pleaser" as that movie is so bleak, but technically, it counts in the sense that many people saw it and both general audiences and industry people liked it. So I'd put it next to EEAO and CODA as a "crowd-pleaser" Best Picture winner and a "populist" choice due to it making so much money because of Barbeheimer despite being, technically, a kinda weird movie when you dissect it. So don't underestimate Wicked!).

Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), maaaaybe Coralie Fargeat, but ONLY if The Substance gets into Best Picture. I have taken Denis Villeneuve (Dune Pt 2) out of my predictions even though he deserves it because Dune Pt 2 was better than the first one. But until I see The Brutalist, I can't evaluate it. I wouldn't be surprised if we got a rare Best Picture and Best Director split.

Best Actress in A Lead Role: Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Perez), Angelina Jolie (Maria), Mikkey Madison (Anora).....and if and only if The Substance The Substance gets into picture, maaaaaybe Demi Moore. She probably deserves it (I haven't seen The Substance because I'm squeamish), but the Academy is awful about nominating horror performances (see Toni Collette for Hereditary). The alternative might be Nicole Kidman for Babygirl.

Best Actor in a Lead Role: Adrian Brody (The Brutalist), Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Daniel Craig (Queer), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave).

I am leaning Brody based on trailers alone (the Academy loves an accent and a WWII-post Holcaust drama) but even if Chalamet is mid -- and apparently he is quite good -- the Academy isn't above rewarding lame music biopics. See Austin Butler's nomination for Elvis and Rami Malek winning for Bohemian Rhapsody. ACU is apparently good -- I really hate that kind of biopic so I am not there for it -- so all Chalamet has to do to be decent for the boomer crowd who likes Dylan to vote for him.

Best Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez), Margaret Qualley (The Substance).

Still leaning Saldana but Grande is not to be underestimated (the Academy are more likely to award comedic performances in supporting -- see Ryan Gosling's nom last year. He might have won if RDJ didn't have The Narrative). I am putting Rosselini in there now that she got into GG and if I am going to lean towards The Substance, maybe Qualley. Felicity Jones isn't doing well in critics circles but I think if The Brutlaist is popular, she could be the Emily Blunt of the season (the person who gets nominated for being in a popular movie and tags along but doesn't win anything, which is what happened with Emily Blunt last year because Oppenheimer was so popular with the industry and critics that she got a lot of "tag along" noms but no real wins).

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Denzel Washington (Gladiator II)...and someone else. Idk maybe one of the Anora guys (Yura Borisov (Igor?). I don't see the supporting performances from Conclave aside from Rosselini getting in because while everyone was good...that is part of the problem. No one but her really stood out because everyone in the supporting cast was so solid and I think Anora is a bit similar in that regard except that Borisov's character sticks out as having a sliver of decency. It's weird to think that the sentence "Oscar winner Kieran Culkin" might be a thing. As much as I like Culkin from Succession, my actual vote would be Maclin. But no one saw that movie :( I am including Washington even though Gladiator II got poor to mixed reviews because he's Denzel. He is such a great actor who was snubbed for his best performances that now they nominate him all the time to make up for it, and it's such a weak year in this category that I'm not complaining.

Original Screenplay: Idk what is original and adapted, but I think Anora wins Screenplay, especially if it doesn't win Best Picture. The recent trend is sometimes to throw a movie that won't be awarded anywhere else a screenplay award (see last year with both American Fiction and Anatomy of A Fall). The other possibility might be A Real Pain if they decide to award it.

Other than Anora, I think: The Brutalist, A Real Pain, The Substance, and maybe September 5 if they follow the Globes (which they don't always do because the Golden Globes are a press/critics award and the Oscars are industry so different voting demographics).

Adapted Screenplay: No idea what is even in this category. The distinction between Original and Adapted is pretty arbitrary at times (see: Barbie in Adapted last year). My guesses are A Complete Unknown (based on a specific Dylan bio apparently), Conclave (based on a novel), Emilia Perez (I think inspired by something?), Sing Sing (loosely based on a true story) and idk what the fifth slot is.

Who I think will win in the tech categories:

Best Production Design: Wicked. Dune Pt 2 might be an upset.

Costume: Obviously Wicked.

Special Effects: Probably Dune Pt 2 but it could be something I haven't heard of that the effects branch likes, because that happens often.

Hair and Make Up: If The Substance gets in, maaaybe. This is the one category that horror is recognized so I wouldn't be surprised if The Substance and maybe even Nosferatu gets in. But it might be Wicked if the Academy does what it often does and people outside the nominating branches just vote for the movie they like more, in which case it would be Wicked. Dune Pt 2 should get at least a nomination for Rebecca Ferguson's possessed henna.

Cinematography: Either Conclave or Anora. It really depends how 1) Anora does in general and 2) if it does well, if there is a "share the love" vibe. The Academy doesn't do the massive Titanic/Lord of the Rings sweeps anymore (and I'm fine with that) -- see last year giving Zone of Interest the Sound award and American Fiction got Adapted Screenplay when a lot of people thought Oppenheimer was a lock for both because it was the BP frontrunner and, if this was the 2000s, probably would have taken them by default. In the EEAAO year, an Edward Berger film (All Quiet on the Western Front) won cinematography over EEAAO in an upset, so it wouldn't be unprecedented if that happened again with Conclave.I hope it's not Emilia Perez. That movie is very flashy but I don't like the cinematography much. It's all flash no style. Dune Pt 2 will definitely be nominated but I feel like its spring release hurt it.

Score: It'd be cool if Challengers got nominated but I don't see it, unfortunately. The score branch is not that cool and prefers instrumental scores over tech/synth music, even though Trent has been nominated before. I don't know what will win, since Dune 2 is not even eligible.

Sound Design: It better be Dune Pt 2. I think Wicked and probably A Complete Unknown will get nominated because of the music mixing (which, in Wicked, was very subtle and well done and apparently ACU sounds great too). But I really don't like biopics about musicians so I'd rather it not. I wouldn't mind a Wicked nom here, but Dune Pt 2 is so inventive in its sound design that I am rooting for it.

[allsassnoclass]

omg I just saw the drabble prompt thing!! if you're still doing it, can I request 54 for mashton? -megs 💙

hi @igarbagecannoteven, whipping this out from a year ago!

mashton: “Finally, some common sense.”

Michael walks into the dining room to find his table covered in what look like blueprints, copies of some old documents, and a photo of what appears to be a very fancy, very blue painting, printed on plain printer paper and wrinkled from the ink.  Luke, Calum, and Ashton are all seated around the table in various states of disarray, and the conversation immediately dies when Michael enters the room, which isn’t suspicious at all.

“Uh, hi guys,” he says, looking at Calum still in his pjs, Luke all dolled up, and Ashton in his workout gear and his hair messy, like he’s been running his fingers through it in frustration.  “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Luke says mulishly.

“Luke wants–ow!  That was my shin, you fucker!  Luke wants to steal a painting,” Ashton says, glaring at the guy in question.  Michael tilts his head and steps closer, wrapping an arm around Ashton’s shoulders.

“What the fuck, Luke?” he asks.  Luke sighs.

“You know my friend Sammy, right?” Michael nods because he has, in fact, met Luke’s friend Sammy on multiple occasions.  “His grandma had this painting.  It was a gift from his grandpa, the artist was a friend of his, but they lost touch and it’s just been a painting ever since.  Two weeks ago some guy approached them about it, said he was the grandson of the painter.  He gave them a whole sob story about lost art and how difficult it is to find works by small artists, then showed them a will saying the artist left the painting to him.  He offered them a couple hundred bucks and they felt bad, so they gave him the painting.  Well, it turns out it’s going to be part of a museum exhibit and this guy wasn’t the grandson, he’s some random art collector who knew this piece is worth over a hundred thousand dollars.  He lied to them to get the painting, and the police said they can’t do anything about it because Sammy’s grandparents technically sold it.  I want to get it back for them.”

“Luke, you can’t steal a painting,” Michael says, grabbing the museum pamphlet with the painting front and center.  “You’re way too clumsy and gangly.  You’ll get arrested, and the grandparents would have to keep the painting hidden anyway or they’d be charged with harboring stolen property.”

“Finally, some common sense!” Ashton says, throwing his hands up.

Michael opens the pamphlet and reads the short piece on the exhibition while Luke grumbles.

“I can’t stand that this guy got away with stealing from them and there’s nothing anyone can do,” Luke says, laying his chin in his hands.  Calum rubs his back in sympathy.

Michael glances at Luke and feels a pang in his chest at his dejected expression.  Luke has a big heart, and he doesn’t like it when people get hurt.  He can be the most cynical out of all of them, but he also constantly hopes that the world and the people in it won’t prove him right.  This must be eating him alive.

“You can’t steal the painting,” Michael reiterates, “but you could grift him out of it, or at least distract enough for Calum to steal it.”

Ashton’s head hits the table with a thunk that makes Calum wince.  Michael rubs his back while he works through this betrayal.

“Me, grift him?” Luke asks, lifting his head slightly.  “I don’t know if I can.  I’m so awkward.”

“Think about it,” Michael says.  “Yeah, you can be awkward, but once we get some confidence in you, you become a completely different person. Remember how easily you charmed the manager of that restaurant into giving us a free meal?  And you completely dominate on stage.  You totally could do it.”

“You know, he has a point,” Calum says.

“And you!” Michael says, turning on him.  “You’re quiet and unobtrusive, plus you’re fast and surprisingly agile.  You could totally sneak in if the grifting doesn’t work.  Sure, you’re too big to fit in an air vent, but maybe we can get Sierra to help.”

“You’re all insane,” Ashton groans, rubbing at his forehead.  “You realize that museums have security, right?  If this guy is into shady stuff like stealing paintings from grandparents, he’s going to protect the stuff he stole.”

“Good thing we have someone here who works in cybersecurity and did a brief stint testing security systems for an insurance company,” Michael says, doing jazz hands.

“Baby, no,” Ashton says, turning big, sad eyes on him.  Normally they would have an effect, but not when Michael knows he’s right.

“Baby, yes,” he replies, cupping Ashton’s cheek.  “We can do this.  We just need a good plan.”

He raises his eyebrows, waiting.  He doesn’t dare look away from Ashton, but he can feel the force of Luke and Calum’s pleading, too.

“No,” Ashton states.  “Absolutely not.”

“I mean, the other option is that we try to do this ourselves and get arrested,” Michael says.  “I don’t think you can afford bail.”

“I’d leave you in there,” Ashton says.  Michael pouts, then threads his fingers through Ashton’s hair.  It’s a dirty trick, but it works, because Ashton tilts his head up to meet Michael’s eyes again.

“This guy stole a sentimental work of art from an elderly couple, and he’s probably done it to others.  Our justice system is too fucked to do anything about it.  Someone should.”

“‘Someone’ doesn’t mean us.”

“Why not?” Michael asks.

“Why not?” Ashton repeats, a disbelieving laugh bubbling up.  “Why not?  I don’t know, Michael, maybe because none of us have stolen anything bigger than a candy bar from Walmart? Or because if this goes wrong our lives will be ruined forever?  Or because we don’t know anything about this guy or his security system?  Or how about how you can’t hack an actual human security guard, which the museum has a lot of?”

“Every team of thieves has to start somewhere,” Michael offers.  “We won’t let it go wrong.  We’ll do our homework and be prepared.  As for the security guards, you’re literally going to go teach a self-defense class at the gym this afternoon.  You can take care of it.”

“You’ve got to admit, it sounds almost feasible,” Calum says.  Next to him, Luke has a cautiously hopeful look on his face.

“Almost,” Ashton insists.  “Almost doesn’t mean it’s a good plan.”

“That’s what we need you for,” Michael says.  “You’re good at plans.”

“I thought you needed me to knock out security guards,” Ashton counters.  Michael beams.

“What can I say?  You’re invaluable.”

“Don’t flatter me right now,” Ashton says.  “Flattery will not help you, especially when all of us get arrested.  What happened to the grandparents harboring stolen property?”

“That won’t matter if we take him down,” Luke says.

“Exactly!” Michael agrees, pointing emphatically.  “If we prove that he stole the painting or ruin him in some other way, then the physical stealing will be an afterthought.”

“If that doesn’t work, we can swap it with a copy, then have someone authenticate it and make him look like an idiot,” Calum offers.  “The authentication papers he already has are fake because the grandparents didn’t have any.  Maybe we just need to give authorities an excuse to look closer at them.”

“If we can’t get him arrested for stealing, let’s get him arrested for forgery,” Michael says.  He wants to rub his hands together and laugh maniacally.  Oh yeah.  Everything’s coming together.

Ashton sighs, long and heavy.

Right.  They still have to convince him.  As crazily feasible as this plan seems now, Michael  knows that they won’t have any hope of pulling it off without Ashton’s eye for detail and careful contingencies.  Michael may bring the drive, Luke the heart, and Calum the glue of their little group, but Ashton gives all of them direction.  He always has.

“Hey,” Michael says, kneeling next to Ashton’s chair with a hand on his thigh, thumb swiping over the skin his shorts leave visible.  “If you really think this is impossible, we won’t do it.  We can’t pull it off without you.  But if there’s a chance that we can help Sammy’s grandparents, I think we should.”

Ashton sighs again, looking at Michael long and hard.  He turns his gaze over to Luke and then Calum in turn, taking in their pleading and hopeful faces, then gives his attention back to Michael.  Michael holds his breath.  Ashton searches his face, and Michael doesn’t know what he’s looking for, but he hopes he finds it.

“When is the exhibit?” Ashton asks eventually.

“It starts next week and runs for two months,” Luke says, pushing the museum pamphlet closer to him.  Ashton presses his lips together, then nods.

“Right,” he says.  “That means we have two months to think of and execute a plan.  We’d better get started.”

Luke whoops.  Michael leans forward and presses a kiss to Ashton’s cheek, then pulls up a chair.  They have a painting to steal.

[a-dotrivenitupontop]

fuck your horoscope what do you refer to each genre in the afterparty season two as

[homoeroticvillain]

the type of movie or show i can always get myself to watch will be heists or gentlemen thieves or etc cause i can call it research for geistverse

[aprotestforyourheart]

I’ve been very slowly working my way through watching every season of d20. At first the sheer amount of content was kinda overwhelming but now that I’ve finished a starstruck odyssey and moved on to neverafter I’m a little bummed that after this I’ll be finished with every main intrepid heroes season :(

[chayscribbles]

what kind of cats are they? :)

*starts vibrating*

so Zeya would be a feral little black cat who hides behind crates and WILL hiss at you if you get too close. actually hold up imma google some visual references

Gabi would be a chumby little calico who is nervous at first but will warm up to you eventually and is very sweet

Leo is a long-haired brown tabby who is Definitely Judging You. she will protest if you try to cuddle her (secretly she likes it)

the twins Illiana and Kalen would be majestic ragdolls who are also Definitely Judging You and are spoiled rotten

and Euna is a bengal with wayyyy too much energy

[francesderwent]

Jonathan Stroud: Kipps wore his uniform to the ball

Netflix: fuck that he’s gonna wear a tux and he’s gonna look extremely hot

[yougotcheddared]

i have 121 movies that i haven't watched downloaded, but instead of watching any of them i am rewatching oceans 11 again

[cinema-hallucinations]

Prompt: Write a movie concept where pets commit crimes behind their owners' backs.

Title: Pawsecuted

Logline: By day, Mittens the cat and Duchess the Doberman are pampered pets. By night, they lead a double life as notorious jewel thieves, pulling off daring heists alongside their ragtag crew of criminal critters. However, when a ruthless new dog gang enters the scene, our furry felons must put aside their rivalry and pull off their biggest heist yet to ensure their turf – and tails – remain safe.

Characters:

Mittens (Voice): A sophisticated Siamese cat with a penchant for luxury and a talent for cracking safes. He leads the "Petty Paw" gang, a crew of pampered pets who utilize their owners' routines to their criminal advantage.

Duchess (Voice): A tough-as-nails Doberman Pinscher with a surprising amount of finesse. She heads the "Doggone Dirty Dogs," a rival pet gang known for their brute force tactics. Despite their rivalry, Duchess has a grudging respect for Mittens' skills.

Squeaks (Voice): A nervous but enthusiastic hamster, the getaway driver for the Petty Paw gang. He uses his hamster wheel to power a miniature but surprisingly fast remote-controlled car.

Biggles (Voice): A cynical parrot with a gambling addiction, the lookout for the Petty Paw gang. He provides intel from his perch on the highest shelf.

Rex (Voice): A hulking Rottweiler, the muscle for the Doggone Dirty Dogs. He lacks intelligence but makes up for it with sheer size and intimidation.

Frankie "The Ferret" (Voice): A smooth-talking ferret, the brains behind the Doggone Dirty Dogs. He relies on cunning schemes and inside information to pull off his heists.

Plot Summary:

Mittens, the notorious cat burglar, leads his crew – Squeaks the hamster getaway driver and Biggles the lookout parrot – on a daring heist to steal a priceless diamond necklace. Their plan is flawless, relying on their owner's predictable schedule and Mittens' nimble paws. However, their victory is short-lived when a new dog gang, the Doggone Dirty Dogs, led by the ruthless Frankie "The Ferret," announces their arrival on the scene.

The Doggone Dirty Dogs utilize a more aggressive approach, terrorizing owners and leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. This disrupts the delicate balance of the "pet underworld" and threatens to expose the entire criminal animal network. With their territories and reputations at stake, Mittens and Duchess are forced to swallow their pride and form an uneasy alliance.

Their combined skills – Mittens' cunning and Duchess' brute force – make them a formidable team. They plan an elaborate heist to steal "The Emerald Eye of Cleopawtra," a legendary feline artifact, hoping to lure Frankie and his gang into a trap. The action-packed climax sees the two rival pet gangs facing off in a hilarious showdown, with Squeaks' high-speed car chase and Biggles' sharp beak playing pivotal roles.

Themes:

Teamwork and the importance of overcoming rivalry for a common goal.

Finding humor and adventure in the seemingly mundane lives of pets.

The unexpected skills and intelligence hidden within our furry (and feathered) companions.

Visual Style:

The film utilizes a combination of live-action shots (showing the "normal" lives of the pets) and animated sequences (depicting their criminal activities) seamlessly blended together. The animation style for the pets is expressive and cartoony, capturing their personalities and adding a touch of humor to their daring heists. The action sequences are fast-paced and visually exciting, showcasing the unique skills and gadgets used by the different animal gangs.

Pawsecuted is a hilarious and action-packed adventure that takes viewers on a wild ride through the secret lives of pets. It's a story that reminds us that even the most pampered and domesticated creatures can harbor unexpected talents and a thirst for adventure (and maybe a little bit of bling).