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one-shot-plus-size · 4 years ago

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From Sons of Anarchy to Mayans MC

Jax's sister must hide from the revenge of SAMCRO enemies, goes to Mayans MC Santo Padre. And he catches the eye of a la presidente.

Chapters 8/20

Sorry for any mistakes, English is not my first language. They will accept any attention and criticism :)

Part 7

6 months later

- You can't get them out of Templo - Ez was shaking his head.

- How much do you bet? - I looked at the oven.

- 50 bucks that they won't come out sooner than after 25 minutes - Ezekiel stretched out his hand to me.

- Agreed - I hugged her - they will come out within 5 minutes of getting her out of the oven.

- There is no option - he twisted his head.

- You don't know the power of my apple pie.

When the oven was written down, I slowly opened the door and pulled out the hot plate. I put it on the bar, Ezekiel turned on the stopwatch and we both stared at the door from Templo. Not two minutes passed and the Templo door opened. Angel came out first, obviously following the smell.

- I did not say - I smiled from ear to ear.

- Did you have to? - Ez was yawning at his brother.

- What smells so good? - Gilli showed up next, followed by the rest.

- Well, look - I reached out my hand to him - jump out of $50.

Ezekiel squinted under his nose, took out his wallet from his pocket and gave me a bill. I slipped it into my bra and smiled widely.

- Querida, why did you pluck the prospect today?

- I don't bet on it anymore," he twisted his head. "I lost $120 this week alone.

- I bet with Ezekiel that I will get you out of Templo in less than 5 minutes. Well, Angel helped me win.

- We should share the prize - Angel was staring at the apple pie.

I twisted my head, unfolded the plates and Ezekiel brought ice cream from the freezer and whipped cream.

- Is it Christmas? - Coco was almost drooling.

- Maybe not holy, but you deserve a bit of sweetness in this bitter life - I sliced the cake.

I put it on plates, Ez added ice cream and I decorated it with whipped cream. The guys grabbed the plates very quickly and settled down at the club. I handed the last plate to Bishop and smiled slightly. He thanked, smiled and sat down at the bar.

- Fuck, that's good - Angel was moaning on the couch.

- You have talent - Taza smiled.

- I am glad you like it - I felt my cheeks warming up.

- Everything that comes out of your hand is tasty - Bishop smiled.

- Thank you - I looked at him.

- Enjoying it is not a big deal - Hank rose up - it is great.

He went up to the bar, put the plate away and smiled.

- You've been here six months and you keep surprising me with what you can cook. You would be a perfect wife - he nudged Bishop's elbow.

- No - I twisted my head - I can't imagine sitting at home waiting for my husband. I can't imagine myself as a wife who takes care of the children and the house.

- What do you mean, "I can't imagine myself as a wife who takes care of the children and the house. - Bishop wrinkled his eyebrows.

I shrug my shoulders and smile poorly.

- I will go to my place, I have a project to complete. Don't leave the brothel here, I don't feel like cleaning.

I left the bar and went to the attic. I closed the door behind me and sat on the bed. Hank came on a sensitive subject for me.

Pov Bishop

I looked towards the corridor where he disappeared, I took a look at Hank.

- Don't look at me like that - he raised his hands - I have no idea what I said wrong.

- You are ignorant - Angel took a breath.

I looked in his direction surprised.

- Don't look at me like that," he growled, "each of you praises her food, her work, her behavior. He praises what he does, but none of you have time to sit down with her and talk.

- And you talk to her like that? - Coco has been growling.

- Just so you know, he picked up, I have time to take a beer from the bar and sit with her before he goes home. What, Brother, surprised ?

He came up to the bar, grabbed two beers.

- Did either of you notice that he was cooking for us but he wasn't eating it himself? - He was looking at us, the ignorant ones.

He turned his head and went to her apartment. I looked at Ezekiel, who frowned his eyebrows.

- He is right.

Pov Angel

I knocked gently on her door.

- I entered - I heard her silent voice.

I pressed the handle and went inside, I noticed her sitting at the bedside. She leaned back against the bed, had a tablet on her knees and stared at it.

- Hey Querida - I sat next to her.

She looked at me and smiled lightly while taking a beer.

- Don't get angry with them, they don't know, Hank didn't want to talk about it.

- I know - she breathed - I just don't like talking about it.

- I know - I nudged her shoulder.

I smiled wide, we drank beer together in silence. She told me everything she feels and how she was raised in Charming. Before 9 pm we entered the main room.

- Sorry - Hank approached her.

- Nothing happened - she smiled - I reacted badly, it is ok.

Hank came up to her and wet her hair.

Pov Olivia

- You'll be able to get over us while we're gone ? - Taza was smiling.

- Yes, I nodded my head - I will blow up the club at most.

- I would rather not - Bishop moaned.

I looked at him and smiled from ear to ear.

- I will take care of the club to the best of my ability, I will clean up a little bit here and get over this brothel.

- Great - Hank clapped his hands.

Each of them kissed me on the head before leaving. I felt like I was surrounded by my fathers.

- How many of you will be gone?

- Three or four days. I went out with Bishop.

- Ok - I confirmed with my head.

- If anything happens, write or call me.

- Bish, I moaned, relax and focus on the task. Come back in one piece and let me know how you're gonna come back, let me know. I'll make you something to eat.

- Thanks to Querida - he's got me on the cheek - we really appreciate your commitment.

- All right, I'm blushing.

Soon after they left, I started to clean up

Part 9

#jax teller #chibs #jackie boy #jackson teller #filip telford #chucky #olivia teller #soa #sons of anarchy #samcro #mayans mc #mayans #bishop losa #angel reyes

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catalinda04 · 6 years ago

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Carried Away Chapter 37: Apologies and Plans

Masterlist

NSFW

When Lucy hadn’t returned by 3:00 that afternoon, Henry started to panic. He called Charlie, who was staying with friends in London for the week, to see if Heather had heard from her.

“Charlie, has Heather heard from Lucy at all?” Henry asked, trying to sound casual, but his panic seeped into his voice.

“Not that I’m aware of. Why, what’s wrong? Trouble in paradise?” Charlie teased.

“We had a fight last night, and she left me a note this morning, saying she was going out. She’s been gone all day, and I haven’t heard from her.” Henry said, pacing circles around the living room.

“Wow, what did you fight about?”

“She ran into Emily at the party last night.”

“Did Emily say something to her? That doesn’t seem like her.”

“No, Emily was her usual self apparently, I didn’t talk to her, but see, Lucy didn’t know about Emily.” Henry admitted.

“What‽” Charlie all but screamed into the phone, “You didn’t tell her about Emily? Sorry brother, but I’m on her side.”

“I’m on her side too. I should have told her, and now she’s off thinking and I have no idea where she is.” Henry’s voice rose with annoyance and concern with each word.

“Listen Hank, she’s hurt, but she loves you. She’ll be back. You’ll need to be prepared to grovel. But listen to what she’s asking for, even if she doesn't come out and say it.”

“How did you get to be so smart about women?”

“Heather’s holding up cue cards for me.” He laughed.

“Thanks Chuck.”

“Anytime Hank.”

Henry disconnected, set his phone on the coffee table, and continued pacing in his living room. A half hour later, her heard a key in his front door, and there she was. Standing in the doorway, looking as beautiful as ever, holding a bright pink bakery box.

“Lucy.” It was all he could do to get her name out, as his emotions choked him. He had almost started thinking that maybe she wasn't going to be back, yet here she was.

She walked toward him, setting the box on the coffee table next to his phone. He remained immobile as she approached him. She slowly wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, bringing his mouth down to hers, in a kiss that felt like coming home.

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, resting her head on his chest, he returned the embrace and released a sigh of relief, no matter what came next, she was here; she was in his arms. Without releasing her, he moved them both to the sofa and sat.

“I’m sorry I was gone so long, but I brought back a cake.” She indicated the pink box. He glanced at the it, noting the name and the address on the label.

“You went to Amsterdam?” He asked incredulously.

“I wanted to talk to Sarah. The phone just wasn’t cutting it. She helped me process everything. I’m sorry I left.”

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. I should have told you.”

“I should have just talked to you. Sarah helped me realize that I shouldn't be upset with you for things 20 year old you did. And I’m not upset that you were engaged. Emily seemed nice enough, it’s just the way I found out. Mean girls will always be mean girls, and for some reason I let them get to me.” She ran her hand over her face in frustration. “I think it just hit a nerve. I feel like I barely know you. We’re never together long enough to even have a fight, with the exception of yesterday. 6 months in, and we’re not to the point of being really real with each other. It feels like we’re one step up from fuck buddies. Couple that with, I never feel like I’m good enough for you, and well it was just the perfect storm.”

“What’s this talk about not being good enough. You are an amazing woman, who I love. No you’re not an actress or a model, which I love about you. You’re more concerned about the state of the world, and the future of your students than you are in the number of calories in your dinner. Most of the time I wonder what you’re doing with me. You deserve someone who can share your life, not just drop into it from time to time.”

“Henry, I love you, and I will take any time with you that I can get.” She replied, raising her face to his. His lips met hers in a kiss that was sweet yet yearning. He leaned back so she was laying on top of him. She pulled away from his kiss. “There’s no other big news that you’ve just forgotten to tell me about, is there? Kids? Any other fiancés, I should know about?”

“Other than my wife and 3 children in Scotland, there are no others.” he replied cheekily.

“I’ve known about them for ages.” She smiled back, kissing him again. Once she had kissed her fill. She laid her head on his chest, reveling in the feel of him, listening to his heartbeat, feeling his big strong arms wrapped around her.

“I still can’t believe you flew to Amsterdam.” Henry marveled.

“Neither can I. But I was so grateful to have Sarah so close. Plus it was nice to see her again so soon.” Lucy said sitting up. “But Henry, we need to talk.”

“Uh, oh. No good has ever come from those words.”

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean it’s not something that needs to happen. I feel like we barely know each other. Half the time I’m certain that I love you and want to be with you forever, but the other half of the time, I wonder if this is just a holiday romance that we’re trying to force into something it's not.”

“I’ll admit, I’ve been thinking about that too. Which is why I wanted to ask you if you would be agreeable to me using my christmas present.”

“Your christmas present?”

“Yes, the one you gave me.” He smiled.

“You want to use my house key.” Her mind refusing to make sense of his words.

“Yes. I was thinking, daily. Or even several times in a day.”

“You want to come live with me?” She asked, her brain finally catching up to the situation.

“Yes. I don’t have any other projects scheduled until April when I have to do press for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. So I’d like to spend it with you. A lot of ordinary days, where we can learn all sorts of things about each other. I’ll probably have to fly out to meetings here or there, but that will be much easier if I’m based in the U.S.”

“Henry, I,” Lucy stammered. This was the result she had hoped for, without realizing it, but now that she was actually hearing him say the words, she couldn’t believe her ears. “Yes! I would love to have you with me in Minnesota.” She replied, throwing her arms around his neck, knocking him back into the couch, claiming his lips with hers. “But what about Kal? My house is barely big enough for 2 people, let alone 2 people and that that bear you call a dog.” Kal, who had been sitting at the end of the couch lifted his head when his name was mentioned.

Henry couldn’t hold in his laugh at her sudden change of topic. “I’ll see if one of my brothers, or my parents can watch him.” Henry said after a moment.

“He’s not going to like that.” Lucy warned, looking over at the dog.

“I’ll Skype with him at least once a week. He’ll be fine, and with the kids to play with, he’ll be in heaven.” Henry assured her.

“So we’re really going to do this? We’re going to live together for more than a few days.” Lucy said, her nerves starting to build.

“Yes we are.” Henry smiled, then pulled her close. “I was so worried. You were gone all day, and I didn’t know where you were.”

“I’m sorry I worried you. I really didn’t mean to, I just needed to get my head right.”

“And is it? Is it right now?” He asked looking into her eyes.

“Yes, though I’m disappointed you never got a chance to see what I was wearing under my dress last night.” Lucy smirked.

Henry felt the temperature in the room rise 10 degrees. “Why don’t we go upstairs, and you can show me?”

“How about we take that shower of yours for a spin instead?” Lucy suggested, standing, tugging on his hand to follow her.

Lucy and Henry made it to the bathroom in record time, just inside the door, Henry spun Lucy around to face him, and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. When they parted Lucy had a dazed look on her face, and she swayed a moment before her senses returned.

While Lucy’s head spun, Henry turned the water on in the big glass enclosed shower, before returning to press his lips to Lucy’s. As their tongues dueled, Henry’s hands dropped to the hem of Lucy’s shirt. They parted only long enough to slip the shirt over her head. His hands tangled in her hair, keeping her mouth right where he wanted it. Lucy’s hands smoothed over the planes of Henry’s chest, taking her time to map each ripple of his abs, before gripping the bottom of his soft shirt, pushing it up, until he took it over his own head.

When finally they were both naked, Henry walked Lucy backward, his mouth still staking claim to hers, into the shower. She groaned at the first contact of the hot, pounding water against her skin. She dipped her head back, letting the water saturate her hair and sluice down her back. Henry turned her, and rested his hands on her shoulders, his strong hands massaging the tense muscles of her neck. Lucy groaned when his thumbs found the knot that always formed when she was stressed.

His hands migrated from her neck to her breasts, each hand cupping their weight, as his thumbs stroking over her sensitive nipples, bringing them to hard peaks, while his mouth feasted at her neck. Lucy’s hand rose to bury itself in the curls at the nape of his neck.

The small glass walled cube trapped the steam, wrapping the two in a world where only they existed. When Henry’s hand dropped even lower to play over her folds, Lucy's gasps were lost in the sound of the water pounding around them. When her cry of ecstasy echoed off the tile walls, Lucy’s hand flew out to brace herself against, her hand slipping in the condensation there, but Henry’s arm wrapped around her kept her upright.

When Lucy’s legs would hold her again, Henry turned the water off, and grabbed two towels, they spent long minutes stroking the fluffy cotton over every inch of each other’s bodies.

Lucy led Henry back into the bedroom, and pushed him down onto the bed, dropping her towel, she spread her legs to straddle his lap, sliding his length all the way inside, joining them completely. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, fusing the two together from pelvis to shoulders, each craving the closeness, before undulating her hips slowly, rocking her hips against his.

Henry let her lead. Her torturously slow pace, teasing him, but there was no rushing them this time. This was about connection, coming together, being close to each other. When at last they did climax, they did so together staring deeply into the other’s eyes.

“I love you Henry.” Lucy whispered, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her lips pressed to his ear.

“I love you more, Lucy.” Henry responded.

Chapter 36 Chapter 38

#Henry Cavill #Henry Cavill fanfic #Henry Cavill fan fic #Henry Cavill fanfiction #Henry Cavill fan fiction #Carried Away

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ryanmeft · 7 years ago

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Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Movie Review

Fred Rogers has experienced a rather timely upsurge in interest. Tom Hanks is set to play him next year, and while it’s hard to imagine a better actor, it’s fair to ask why such a movie is even necessary. Rogers played himself both on and off-screen; he was never in a role. It’s also a hot topic to wonder what he’d think of our current atmosphere of division. Morgan Neville’s documentary both displays the this-is-always-me idea of Rogers, and insists that it wouldn’t be inappropriate to ask him the aforementioned question.

Both things are easy to do by showing Rogers as he was---in his entirety. His landmark children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was pastel doors in a 1950’s home, friendly chats, and of course many, many different sweaters. It was also a place where children learned that people die and things hurt. I was not yet around when Robert Kennedy was killed. The film shows footage from a special episode in which Daniel Striped Tiger, Rogers’ own puppet alter-ego, asks his human friend Lady Aberlin to blow up a balloon and let the air back out, seeming sad…and then asks her what the word “assassination” means.

On the screen and in my theater, the question is allowed to hang in the air for a few seconds. Aberlin, whose name was Betty, not only does not ignore it or attempt redirection, but does not give a sing-songy, patronizing answer, either. The reputation of Mister Rogers among those who do not know him well or have forgotten is that he was a milquetoast, a charming and pleasant but empty provider of platitudes. The film, arguing entirely through archival footage and interviews with his surviving friends and family, says firmly this was not so. Rather, he was a fierce fighter for one simple principle: children were people, too, and deserved to have media that respected them.

The fightin’ side of Rogers can be seen when he testifies before the Senate to secure funding for the then-fledgling Public Broadcasting Network (public arts are again under heavy siege as I write this). It had been affirmed by Lyndon Johnson and come under attack by Nixon. Rogers argued against vociferous anti-TV bulldog John O. Pastore, who had never seen his show and had spent two days growling at all other testimony. He argued not with numbers but by relaying his vision of what television could do. Part way through, Pastore asks what it would take to make Mr. Rogers feel better, and half sounds like he really wants to know. At the end, the roar has gone out of him, and he announces right then and there that PBS will get their funding. You have to really be tight in the soul to not melt before this man.

This is all about Rogers, though, and you can find dozens upon dozens of clips of him on Youtube. Why go to a theatre for that? Well, Neville and his team have perfectly organized footage and friends into an hour and a half that summarizes everything Rogers was about. Consider it a curated exhibit, a sort of greatest hits. And some of these tracks, you won’t likely be expecting. There’s the fact that Rogers loved a good joke, as when a crew member took a picture of his butt using Rogers’ camera, and Rogers later blew it up to poster size and gave it to him as a Christmas gift. There’s the fact that he was ordained a minister but his ministry seems to have been television; several colleagues and relatives affirm his faith was based on the goodness of all people and was inclusive, something increasingly unpopular in American Christianity.

Then there’s the fact that he had doubts, and fears, and beliefs and passions, and was a person. During the very first week of the show, the Land of Make-Believe, the part of the program where Rogers himself never appeared, ran a story in which a misguided king attempts to build a wall to keep outsiders away. This establishes something important: the message of peace, love and inclusion never neglected the real world. Then there is the despairing line in a journal entry kept by his wife Joanne, about feeling he had done no good and that things were as bad as they always had been. There’s little doubt Rogers’ fears about his own efforts were unfounded. Whether we learned anything from them is, naturally, up to us.

There’s a moment not fully included in the film that I want to mention. It’s in footage of Rogers’ acceptance speech for the TV Hall of Fame. The film shows his joy when his old friend Jeff Erlanger, confined by a childhood tumor to a wheelchair, appears on stage. It does not show the speech. In the footage, the audience members, all of whom work in the cutthroat world of media, give a standing ovation, which isn’t so unusual. What is unexpected are the tears. Not a single drop barely escaping. Grown men and women holding back, with effort, a full-on, makeup-ruining, face-distorting broken dam of tears. All defenses gone, brushed away unneeded on the wind. All human, all children, for a moment.

Yes, Mr. Rogers, I will be your neighbor. And I am so glad you decided to visit us today.

Verdict: Must-See

Note: I don’t use stars, but here are my possible verdicts. I suppose you could consider each one as adding a star.

Must-See

Highly Recommended

Recommended

Average

Not Recommended

Avoid like the Plague

#mister rogers #pbs #documentary #movies #fred rogers

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angeltriestoblog · 5 years ago

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I watched a couple of movies! (Part 2)

Back again with the second bunch of my latest quarantine companions! My last post wasn't that long ago, but I’ve already gone through an additional 21 and thanks to the extension of the lockdown and the abrupt cancellation of the rest of my sophomore year in college, I predict that this number will only increase exponentially. I obviously have to start looking for a sustainable way of reviewing the media I consume (probably will try dumping mini-reviews on Letterboxd instead), but until then, here is today’s little catalog: divided into four neat categories so there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.

Dead Poets Society (1989, dir. Peter Weir) ★★★★½

John Keating is the teacher we secretly deserved yet never had, which is probably what's behind the fervent loyalty audiences have had for this movie since its release around three decades ago. His methods of teaching are admittedly unorthodox, but they effectively instill in fictional students and real-life audiences the core message: to seize the day and be extraordinary. I definitely would have appreciated more of Williams, though: I noticed later on that he was used mostly as a plot device, as the focus started to shift to the impact his words had on the group of young boys under his tutelage. But, thankfully they are endearing and lovable in their own little ways (special mention goes to ambitious Neil, played by Robert Sean Leonard; and Ethan Hawke as timid Todd), which is why the last half-hour remains one of the heaviest in recent memory.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993, dir. Chris Columbus) ★★★★

When Daniel Hillard’s (Robin Williams) wife splits up with him and takes their kids, he disguises himself as an English nanny called Mrs. Doubtfire and applies as their housekeeper to be with them. Not exactly the most realistic and practical approach to an issue as serious as divorce, but it succeeds by banking on heartfelt humor to strike a chord in products of broken families. When you take his several antics, punchlines, and vocal impersonations aside, he is simply a father willing to do anything for his children. Williams was destined to be the lead for this: his comedic timing, sheer versatility, and natural ability to bring joy remain unparalleled. Such a shame I didn't get to grow up with this guy, but maybe this saved me a lot of heartbreak.

Catch Me If You Can (2002, dir. Steven Spielberg) ★★★★★

A con man successfully cashes in millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and lawyer, whilst evading the FBI agent who’s hot on his heels. And this is all before he turns 19 years old--what a total underachiever. The best part? It’s a true story. I find it hard to believe that this clever cat-and-mouse story lasted more than two hours: it's easy to lose track of time thanks to its dynamic and snappy screenplay, coupled with the chemistry of its brilliant lead actors (no less than Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks). But beneath the complex and technical aspects of his scams that have high entertainment and educational value lie touching moments that may be admittedly easy to miss. At the end of the day, these escapades were nothing but some twisted coping mechanism of Frank Abagnale, Jr.’s to deal with the divorce of his parents. *blows nose into handkerchief* Wow, I seriously didn't think something could be so fast and fun, yet so depressing either!

Good Will Hunting (1997, dir. Gus Van Sant) ★★★★★

Academy Award-winning writers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck may look like they share a solitary brain cell in total (a prime example would be this footage of their acceptance speech), but it was the power that radiated from that which brought us this instant favorite of mine. This engrossing story revolves around a janitor at MIT, with a genius-level IQ but a troubled and traumatic past. A scuffle with a police officer leads him to Sean, his therapist (and platonic soulmate) who breaks down his dangerous defense mechanisms and self-destructive patterns, helps him tackle his inner demons, and ultimately transforms his life. There is a lot to adore about this film that’s equal parts wit and heart, but my favorite has to be the razor-sharp and realistic dialogue between Damon and Williams. Smoothly transitioning from topic to topic—genuine friendship, abusive relationships, and everything in between—it gives us the opportunity to monitor Will’s growth while carefully examining these aspects of our own lives. With every word said, the audience is reminded once again of any person's innate capacity to change for the better as long as someone else believes in them.

Lost in Translation (2003, dir. Sofia Coppola) ★★★

Film Twitter and the Letterboxd community both made this out to be an outstanding piece of modern cinema, so I went in with very high expectations only to be sorely disappointed and unable to understand the hype behind it. This revolves around two lonely people who find solace in each other and the unfamiliar and unpredictable territory they're in, a storyline brimming with potential that just fell flat to me. I normally appreciate the beauty in silent and ambient scenes, but the ones that made up a huge bulk of this feature didn’t have substance—it was similar to watching mashed-up clips from some random travel vlog. I did find the choice of location fitting though, I am now a hundred percent convinced I should travel to Japan once this pandemic is over. And Scarlett Johansson is incredibly talented for her age: her ability to channel and characterize emotions that a 17-year-old may not even be able to comprehend is above par, which is the main reason why this gets a passing rating from me.

Forrest Gump (1994, dir. Robert Zemeckis) ★★★★★

What I would give to run into a chocolate-eating, Nike Cortez-wearing Forrest Gump at a bus stop, and hear him tell me these fantastic stories himself! This heartwarming tale shows the manner in which he weaved himself into significant historical narratives (literally and figuratively, thanks to the power of deepfake) and injects timeless lessons along the way. Tom Hanks is undoubtedly brilliant as the titular role, and as we see the world according to this feeble-minded and well-meaning man, we come to admire his values, appreciate his efforts, and forgive his occasional shortcomings. In this fast-paced and overly complicated world that we struggle to navigate, this can serve as a necessary breather, a reminder of the simple joys that the world has to offer.

Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012, dir. Lee Toland Krieger) ★★★★

I think this is the first time I’ve witnessed a breakup end rather amicably on the big screen: there's no screamfest that concludes with a cold slap to the face and a dramatic walkout, or a courtroom confrontation that unearths past transgressions, et cetera. Instead, the leads are forced to confront the fact that the friendship they have forged years before that eventually blossomed into something more will never be the same again. Even if they want to so, so bad. I guess that’s why this is so heartbreaking, and thus the perfect companion for any person in the process of finding themselves after the demise of a long-term relationship. Celeste (Rashida Jones) meanders through the process with an extreme lack of finesse—which is the most realistic way to do so—that heavily accentuates her several fatal flaws. But, she manages to finish strong, emerging as a self-reflective and action-driven version of who she was in the beginning. I definitely wanted additional exposure for Jesse (Andy Samberg), though, who was not only surprisingly tender and sensitive in contrast to the Jake Peralta we know and love (and want to pick on), but also an unexpected perfect onscreen match for Jones.

A Star is Born (2018, dir. Bradley Cooper) ★★★★

The third remake of the 1937 movie starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, this edition of A Star is Born strays far from the paths traversed by its predecessors (and this I am aware of, from that film analysis video binge I did recently). It’s the first to give Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), the has-been with a raging alcohol and drug problem, extensive back story that draws audiences closer to him. But, this character arc comes at the expense of Ally's, the talented singer that he propels to fame, played by Lady Gaga. It was a shame she wasn’t fleshed out as much as she should have been, given that Gaga was a natural, her vulnerability a far cry from her outrageous onstage persona. But, then again, expectations must be kept realistic: it would’ve been impossible to cram that into the specified duration. Nevertheless, I thoroughly appreciated it: though rehashed several times, a romance done this way keeps its key components while catering to the preferences of this generation. The soundtrack is outstanding, and the climax—though somewhat expected—finds new ways to reduce us to a puddle of tears, particularly as the last song number start to roll.

Fall in Love At First Kiss (2019, dir. Frankie Chen) ★★½

Our Times has been a favorite of mine for years, so I couldn't believe that I missed this work from the same director which starred the same male lead during its initial release. Turns out it didn’t make much of a difference whether I watched it or not. The storyline was silly, but forgivably so: in a school where students are segregated based on intelligence, a stupid girl is smitten by the smartest boy in school and gets rejected as soon as she confesses. Consequently, hell breaks loose after they are forced to live together for reasons you have to see to believe. I remember enjoying the first half, squirming in my seat because of Jiang Zhishu (Darren Wang) every chance I'd get. I can’t pinpoint where exactly it started going wrong, but I remember realizing that it is possible for something to drag along, yet also move so fast: to bore me with excessive detail in a single scene, then cut to the next so fast it loses a sense of continuity. In addition to that, the female lead (Jelly Lin) was so unbearable in terms of her acting style and character development (or lack thereof). She seemed to think that constantly complaining in her shrill voice and thrashing her limbs was a fitting substitute for dialogue, thus making it difficult to want her to get her happily ever after. Also, I’ve had pretty intense crushes in the past few years but what she has for Zhishu is bordering more on an unhealthy obsession—I have trouble believing he reacted so calmly to the shrine that she built for him (which included life-size pillows with his face on it).

The Object of My Affection (1998, dir. Nicolas Hytner) ★★½

I was very confused as to why I had never heard of a chick flick that starred two of my favorite actors from the 90s, but now I understand why it didn't take off. (Phoebe would probably share my sentiments. What's her best friend doing with her husband anyway? And why is he attracted to men?) Nina (Jennifer Aniston) is hopelessly in love with her gay best friend George (Paul Rudd), so much so that she decides she wants to raise her unborn child with him instead of with her overbearing and borderline manipulative boyfriend (John Pankow). Though it wasn't a complete disaster given that she didn't successfully convert him, Nina was far too demanding, constantly overstepping her boundaries, and feeding her delusions. Maybe it could afford a modern retelling since I know our generation could tackle the concepts of platonic soulmates and LGBTQ+ relationships in a way that is simultaneously vibrant and sensitive.

How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days (2003, dir. Donald Petrie) ★★★★★

Once I had tried my luck in a number of different genres, I decided to reward myself with a return to the cheesy, corny, and conventional chick flicks I am familiar with—and I’m glad that I picked this one! Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is a magazine columnist with her biggest scoop yet: an article on how to lose a guy in 10 days. To test this idea out, she tries it out on Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey), who’s on a mission to make a girl fall for him within that duration as well. Their conflicting agendas lead to disastrously hilarious results as they realize that they’re both *gasp* catching feelings for each other! I enjoyed this very much despite the predictability, although I’m honestly unable to judge it based on any criteria other than what I felt which was pure and utter, slamming-the-table, throwing-my-stuffed-toy-across-the-room “kilig”.

Just My Luck (2006, dir. Donald Petrie) ★½

I didn’t expect this to be on the forgettable side of the romcom spectrum, when it had Chris Pine as the leading man and Brit-pop band McFly lending their music to most of the scenes (the sole redeeming factor I found). But, I guess it’s Lindsay Lohan’s character and her surprising lack of chemistry with the equally attractive and talented person opposite her that killed it for me. Here, she plays Ashley, the luckiest girl in the world who gets everything her way and is thus as snobbish and stuck-up as you’d expect her to be. A chance encounter brings her to Jake, who is the human equivalent of a black cat standing in front of a broken mirror, and swaps their fate. She is then left to deal with poorly contrived misfortunes with effects that are bordering on slapstick comedy: she gets doused in mud, mildly electrocuted, and soaked in bubbles shortly after blowing up a washing machine and I get that they’re probably supposed to be funny, but all I’m seeing is a live-action version of the Looney Tunes show.

Eighth Grade (2018, dir. Bo Burnham) ★★★★★

Entering our awkward preteen years has always come with a certain and specific kind of mortification, but I reckon it’s become increasingly difficult in the age of the Internet. It’s become easier to find fault in oneself for the pettiest of reasons: why isn’t my crush accepting my friend request? Why do I look like a monster in my #wokeuplikethis selfies? Why is no one viewing my YouTube videos even if I work hard on them? Eighth Grade encapsulates this difficult period in the lives of Gen Z kids with the use of experiences and references which are so specific to this generation: I may have gotten whiplash more times than I would care to admit. Elsie Fisher shines in her painfully relatable performance as Kayla: you can sense her desperation for social acceptance. She just wants to be worth noticing and remembering, is that so bad! Although his role is often overshadowed, I also felt for her dad (Josh Hamilton), who tries to hide the struggle of looking out for a daughter who's growing in ways he simply can't understand.

Boyhood (2014, dir. Richard Linklater) ★★★

This ambitious effort by the director of my favorite film trilogy observes the growth and development of a typical American boy named Mason. No fancy plot devices or major conflicts are in sight, but by using the keeping the cast members fixed during the 12 years it took to put this project together instead of swapping them out for older counterparts, audiences are expected to form an emotional connection with them because they were given an intimate and prolonged look into their lives. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me. Yes, I did watch him grow up before my eyes, but I barely know who he is. These mundane snippets of his life haphazardly stitched together, without any indication of how much time has elapsed since the previous scene, made it hard to keep up with the pace and look at the viewing experience as anything but a chore. I honestly am puzzled as to why I endured 165 minutes (I’m kidding, it was for Ethan Hawke) worth of footage, and sadly it wasn’t even worth it.

Brooklyn (2015, dir. John Crowley) ★★★★

This drama about the migration of an Irish girl to New York to seek better opportunities delves into the concept of what home truly is, as Eilis is left to choose between two men from two different countries. Divided into three segments revolving around pivotal events in the protagonist’s life, it sensitively tackles the experiences and issues familiar to any immigrant, remains true to the period it is set in, and engaging to audience members of all ages. Most in the historical genre are incapable of doing all three, so that's definitely no mean feat! And I’m not biased because Saoirse Ronan plays the starring role, although her compelling performance renders it impossible for anyone who claims to have a beating heart to finish this without puffy eyes and a heavy chest.

Happy Old Year (2019, dir. Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit) ★★★★

I thought Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying couldn’t top her role in Bad Genius, but she just had to come along and star in this personal take on new beginnings. Here, she plays Jean, a girl in the process of decluttering her house so she can transform it into an office space. While sifting through her possessions, she finds certain things belonging to people from her past, that remind her of broken relationships and question her philosophies on forgiveness and letting go. Her performance may be understated compared to the cunning and reckless Lynn she has become popular for, but I see this mastery of restraint as indication of her growth as an actress. The film is relatively simple in its execution, staying true to its central theme of minimalism. By stripping the structure down to the bare essentials of actor and dialogue, the audience can focus on the poignancy ingrained in the most mundane part of our everyday routines.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016, dir. Kelly Fremon Craig) ★★★★

It's actually true that a coming-of-age movie has been written based on every definitive moment a teenage girl experiences, they weren’t lying. The Edge of Seventeen could serve as part of Eighth Grade's cinematic universe, but instead we’re dealing with another reflection of who we were (or maybe still are). Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is a teen constantly teetering between arrogant self-assurance and sheer hopelessness. When she loses her best friend to her worst nemesis, she suddenly has to learn to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence and deal with her mental illness on her own. Besides focusing on the several firsts that we often encounter during this stage in our lives, the film accurately portrays our angsty and self-deprecating nature without resorting to mockery, therefore calling us out on this reflex we have of beating ourselves up and giving those around us permission to do so during such a critical part of our lives. I swore I was actually going to try not to cry here, but I guess Nadine's tearful monologue left me with no choice. (I'll leave it below so you can suffer with me.)

You know, ever since we were little, I would get this feeling like, like I’m floating outside of my body, looking down at myself… and I hate what I see: how I’m acting, the way I sound, and I don’t know how to change it. And I’m so scared that the feeling is never gonna go away.

The Kingmaker (2019, dir. Lauren Greenfield) ★★★★

This documentary is a fitting introduction for anyone who isn't familiar with the ill-gotten wealth and abuses the Marcoses have lying underneath their glossy veneer of opulence as well as the consequences of their actions that we suffer from to this day. Greenfield’s juxtaposition of this family’s fabricated stories and the testimonies of victims and first-hand witnesses was a smart move, as we observe the lengths they often go to, to revise the course of history. By spotting the parallels in their narrative and that of Rodrigo Duterte, the next strongman the voting population would unfortunately elect as their leader, we are also given a glimpse into the selective amnesia of the Filipino people that keeps these people in power. The danger lies in the fact that being an outsider herself, Greenfield leaves plenty of room for interpretation: there is no clear-cut statement of what was right and wrong among the several interweaving statements we heard. I was able to determine which was which is due to the fact that I already had prior knowledge, but where does that leave those who don't?

By the way, if you’re wondering why this has been grouped under this category, it’s because I remembered from Grade 6 science class that anger is one way to trigger adrenaline in the body.

Inception (2010, dir. Christopher Nolan) ★★★★★

Perfect always felt like a lazy way to describe what is supposed to be of superior quality. If you want to sing praises about anything that good, you're gonna have to do a better job than that to convince anyone that it's worth their time: was it inventive and bold or cerebral or emotional? Well, I'm afraid I have to bend this rule for Inception for the sake of brevity, because if I leave myself to ramble on about everything this did right, I would surely run out of adjectives. This sci-fi-heist-psychological thriller is in a league of its own, with its intricate plot and layered method of storytelling further amplified by stellar cast performances, masterful editing and special effects, and a thundering musical score that keeps audiences on edge for the entirety of its run. These elements come together to create a production that resonates and lingers with viewers long after the credits have rolled, partly thanks to that highly disputed final scene. (If my opinion is worth anything here, I believed that it stopped. Iykyk.)

The Lobster (2015, dir. Yorgos Lanthimos) ★★★★½

In this dystopian society, single people are required to check into a hotel in the hopes of finding a suitable partner within 45 days. If they fail to do so, they are sentenced to live the rest of their lives as an animal of their choice. It’s an absurd plot, far removed from reality, executed in a bleak and dry fashion. Yet, it manages to mirror and even satirize the world of modern relationships rather profoundly, particularly the societal pressure to couple up and find our ideal match instantly, or face harsh judgment. I doubt I've watched anything this dark in my life, but I found the unpredictable twists and turns, the deadpan humor, the sheer strangeness of it all very amusing and recommend it to anybody who wants to learn a thing or two about how blind love can be.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001, dir. Steven Soderbergh) ★★★★

I admit I was as pissed as Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) following his discovery that the reason why Danny Ocean (George Clooney) was keen on carrying out an elaborate heist of the three biggest casinos in Las Vegas was to win his wife (Julia Roberts) back. But, along the way, I was reeled in by the airtight pacing of the multiple scams that were a part of the scheme and the natural banter that takes place among the members of the ensemble. Also, it’s quite impossible to be annoyed at something that starred so many big names during the peak of their careers. (I have a soft spot for Matt Damon, thanks a lot Good Will Hunting.) Although I already knew what was going to happen, it was a joyride to see everything unfold. Based on the ending (and the copies of Ocean’s Twelve and Thirteen that my dad owned as a kid), I can tell that it’s far from over and I’m surely looking forward to what happens next.

So, that’s it for today’s round-up! Hope something caught your interest: I’d be happy to send 123m*vies links for any of those that aren’t available on Netflix. Feel free to hit me up too: I'm honestly up for thought-provoking discussions and straight-up keyboard smashing. Wishing you love and light always, and don’t forget to wash your hands, check your privilege and pray for our frontliners!

#recs #angeltriestoblog #life dump #movies #movies to watch during quarantine #my eyes are irreparably strained #quarantingz

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junker-town · 5 years ago

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9 sports TV shows to binge without real sports to watch

Walt Disney Television via Getty

Without sports competitions, not much else to do but binge some really good TV, so get to it.

There are no more live sports on TV — at least for a while — but there is still plenty of sports-related programming to ease the sting of sports’ absence. From sitcoms to dramas to docuseries, there are shows to suit almost anyone’s binging needs now that doubleheaders are no longer an option.

Of course, your first stop should be the SB Nation YouTube channel, which has oodles of videos about the wildest, weirdest and best moments in sports, including some that are purely hypothetical. But once you’re done watching a few (dozen) episodes of Rewinder and Fumble Dimension, check out the list below for of some of the SB Nation staff’s favorite shows, with information on where to find them.

Sports Night (1998)

Most episodes available on YouTube, others purchasable online

Before Aaron Sorkin went off the deep end and became a parody of his own writing style, his first TV show Sports Night was a highly entertaining sitcom about a nightly SportsCenter-type show. Featuring many special guests from the late 1990s in sports!

— Pete Volk

The only non-awful Sorkin show. Robert Krause will never transcend his role as the Keith Olbermann of an alternate timeline.

— John Ness

Friday Night Lights (2006)

Available on Hulu, Starz and NBC

If not the grand-daddy of them all, FNL is at least the grand-daddy of a whole sub-genre of small town-meets-big sports dreams reality series (Cheer, Last Chance U, QB1: Beyond the Lights, etc. — all worth watching in their own right). That’s how affecting this show is: its closest analogues depict a gorgeously edited, still tragic reality. FNL’s roots are in non-fiction (the book of the same name by Buzz Bissinger), but the strength of the acting, the plot (even if Season 2, filmed during the 2007-08 writer’s strike, is controversial) and rough-hewn cinematography fuel its realism. FNL painted an unflinching portrait of an American heartland where football is central, but not everything. The parts of the show that take place off the field tend to be the ones that stick with you most. Clear eyes, full hearts — if you don’t already know the rest, you absolutely must watch this show.

— Natalie Weiner

Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)

Available on Netflix

Kim McCauley laid out all the reasons why this show rocks, both as an intro to the mad world of Formula 1 and as flat-out entertaining television.

— Pete Volk

Ballers (2015)

Available on HBO

This is TV at its silliest and least demanding, which might just be pitch perfect for this particular moment. The Rock doing just about anything is entertaining. In this case, he plays a harder luck version of himself: a retired professional football player. Cameos from just about every relevant professional athlete, as well as topical (if not wholly realistic) storylines make it sing. Escapism at its finest.

— Natalie Weiner

Sarah and Duck (2013)

Available for purchase

Sarah and Duck is a children’s show about a little girl named Sarah and her best friend, a duck. Neither are very good at sports. But Sarah and Duck also features one of the most skillful athletes in the history of children’s television. Scarf Lady is a multi-sport genius. She participated — many decades ago, admittedly — at elite level in ice hockey, figure skating and bobsled, winning gold in the latter. Even in her old age she’s active in the nascent sport of hot air balloon racing. Far from being hung up about past glories, Scarf Lady is humble about her many achievements, enthusiastically inviting Sarah and her friends to participate whenever they show any interest. Any show with Scarf Lady in it is de facto sports.

— Graham MacAree

Avatar: The Legend of Korra (2012)

Available on CBS All-Access and DirecTV

Cheating a bit here, as both Avatar series are among my favorites ever and I wanted to find a way to fit one in here. The Legend of Korra heavily features a pro-bending league, an awesome fictional sport to which the show’s writers clearly dedicated a lot of time figuring out the minutiae.

— Pete Volk

Brockmire (2017)

Available on Hulu

Hank Azaria plays an MLB announcer, named Jim Brockmire, who has a meltdown on air after finding out his wife cheated on him (it’s bigger than that, but that’s the basic idea). He ends up getting hired by Amanda Peet, who owns what appears to be an independent Minor League Baseball team. The show is about Brockmire’s lows and highs. He goes through rehab at one point. He acknowledges he has all sorts of problems. It parses through his various relationships. But the show also uses baseball to center him, and it’s fantastic if you’re a baseball fan. The best part of the show might be his love/hate relationship with Joe Buck, who makes semi-regular, hysterical cameos on the show. Also, Brockmire claims to be responsible for Bob Costas getting pink eye at the Sochi Olympics. I think that should be enough to justify watching it.

— David Fucillo

All American (2018)

Available on Netflix and The CW

Don’t be put off by the CW teen drama gloss, All American is a smart look at how race and class divisions are amplified by football. With lots of heightened drama that mostly steers clear of after-school special-style moralizing, the show impressively navigates a lot of issues around racism and poverty that a lot of others wouldn’t touch.

— Natalie Weiner

Pitch (2016)

Available for purchase

A really, really smart and thoughtful show based on the hypothetical first woman to make it in MLB (she’s got a killer screwball). It deserved way more than the 10 episodes it got. Makes for an easy binge, though.

— Natalie Weiner

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