#I THOUGHT HE WAS A PETER DINKLAGE TYPE

[swan2swan]

NEVER MIND.

I mean, the question still stands, and would consider this a "yes", but I was under the impression that Toby Jones and his character (the odious Gunnar Eversol) in Fallen Kingdom would fall under the category, but no. No.

Toby Jones is 5'5. That's all. That is a fine height.

He just happened to be paired up with Rafe Spall. Who is 6'1. And Bryce Dallas Howard. Who is as tall as me, taller in heels. I know. I stood beside her. I didn't register that. The whole darn Jurassic franchise is populated by GIANTS, and I'm not talking about the dinosaurs!!! Chris Pratt is 6'2.

And then there's Toby Jones, almost halfway past five feet tall, needing to stand on a podium just to experience the same weather conditions as everyone else.

Question: does dwarfism/size difference/whatever the official term is count as a disability?

On the one hand, I can see why it would, on the other, I can see why it might be deferred.

[nancydrewwouldnever]

I was just watching an Actors roundtable on YouTube from last year which featured the likes of Nic Cage, Jonathan Majors, Andrew Garfield and Peter Dinklage. It was incredibly nuanced. I loved the depth of their answers and how well they all played off each other.

I cannot imagine Chris in any of these discussions though. I was wondering what answers he would have given to the moderator's thoughtful questions and all I could think of were chin puppets and Mario Cart. He has turned himself into a joke. Even his answers at cons lack depth. He would be eaten alive in a conversation with seasoned professionals who are widely considered the best in the business.

Had to go look this up, because it sounds amazing!

But, yes, these are considered "awards" level actors. Chris wouldn't be called for this type of roundtable. Now, perhaps a Marvel roundtable.

(LOL, though... wasn't Simon Rex in the infamous "getting kicking out of TV Guide party" video?)

[destinyc1020]

My Movie Review: "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes"

I just saw The Hunger Games last night! 😁

Overall: I really liked it! 😃👍🏾 Dare I say it, I think I even liked it better than "The Marvels"!

I honestly didn't have any super high expectations for this film, but I knew that I def wanted to check it out. I was happy that it was actually a lot better than I thought it would be!

The Pros:

The storyline was really engaging and had me hooked right from the beginning. 😊

The cast was really good! 👍🏾 I meannnn..... you can't go wrong with Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, and Jason Schwartzman lol. But the ENTIRE cast was just really solid. Lots of great acting in this imo.

I had seen Rachel Zeigler already in "West Side Story" and thought she did a fine job in that, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that she carried this film very well and did a fine acting job in this film also! 😃 She really has a knack for doing various different accents. And her voice is so pretty! She can sing really well. 👍🏾There was one song she sings in the movie that I really liked and might have to look up. She definitely stood out to me, and I think she's def going places if she plays her cards right.

I had never seen Tom Blyth in a film before, but he did a really great job as well! 😃 I felt like he and Rachel had really great chemistry together, and for a relative "unknown", I thought he carried the film very well.

Hunter did a pretty good job, and it was nice seeing her on the big screen for a change. 😊

What can I say about Viola? I mean.... it's Viola Davis for goodness sakes. She really steals the show here imo, and she makes a pretty good complicated villain. I love villains who are not so cookie-cutter, but are more complex... almost like they're so charming you don't know whether to hate them or actually LIKE them lol 😆 😂 That's exactly the type she was in this film. 👍🏾

Like I said, the entire cast was superb and really played their roles well. There were NO weak links in this cast from what I saw. Everyone pulled their weight imo. 😁👏🏾

The Cons:

The film is a bit long (2 hours 37mins), so if you prefer your movies UNDER 2hrs long, then you may wanna skip this one lol 😆

The graphic nature of CHILDREN killing each other might be a bit gruesome and disturbing to some

The movie didn't explain much in the beginning, so if you've never read the book, you might feel a bit lost at first for a little while

OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

I really liked it! 😃 Very good origin story. It's one of those films that I will need to watch a second time in order to tie everything together. That cliffhanger makes me feel like they will def make a part 2. They just can't leave us hanging like this lol 😆

[ninewheels]

Random thoughts about Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes:

I cannot believe they found an actor who's both a marketable pretty-boy type, and also legit looks like he could grow up to be Donald Sutherland, because logically those two things should not go together

Peter Dinklage is like Alexis Denisof for me at this point--I'm so used to his English accent that his real American accent sounds put-on now

I don't have any interest in rewatching the original Hunger Games films, but I do want to reread the books

[lakemichigans]

howdy hey, i was wondering what your thoughts on the new hunger games movie were? you made a post saying you were gonna see it, so idk if im too early and you havent yet, but was curious your thoughts on it :)

i really really liked it!!! i just got back from seeing it with my friends and we all agreed it was better than both mockingjay movies in our opinions! i hadn't read the book yet (i know i know i'm kicking myself too) so i was really worried they were going to try to portray snow as the type of person who had good intentions but was corrupted by the system, which would have been aggravating to watch considering the sheer number of children snow will murder throughout his life. i wouldn't have been able to enjoy myself if i knew they were trying to make me feel sorry for snow. instead, they make it clear that he always had his own interests in mind, and although he's fully capable of love, loyalty, and morality (and occasionally does act with those characteristics in mind), he chose to follow a darker path. i absolutely love that writing decision!

when my friend and i realized that snow and lucy gray were flirting we turned to each other and said "are they seriously doing this??" but i was soooo impressed with how they handled the romance and especially with where their relationship was when the movie ended. i mean, i really should have had faith because suzanne collins has never let me down in the "nuanced and uniquely fucked up romance" category before 😌 i honestly think part three (after the arena) was my favorite even though the vibe shifts so harshly it almost feels like it becomes a psychological thriller. i'm just so so relieved they were able to show the inherent humanity in snow WITHOUT being like "see? both sides are bad! all people can be monsters given the right circumstances! the genocidal maniac feels bad about his actions, but what could he have done to stop it? :(" you know what i mean? the narrative allows you to feel snow's emotions without ever using them as an excuse. most of the time his feelings are not even a reasoning for his actions – even when he feels bad about something he's done, he makes no attempt to change. in fact he seems to accept that he's gone too far, so it'll be easier to bury his emotions down deep so he can do even worse shit without feeling bad about it. god it was just so INTERESTING

from a technical standpoint it was less impressive tbh, the cinematography was nothing special (not ugly, just okay). lucy gray's actress was good but she really shined in the subtle facial expressions (such as her growing distrust for snow) and when she was performing on stage, but not so much in emotional outbursts. snow's actor was the opposite, he reallyyy shined during high emotion.

i'm not entirely sure how i feel about viola davis' or peter dinklage's characters. we've seen how superficial, ableist, and classist the capitol is, so i find it odd that two of the most powerful people are visibly disabled. it just doesn't track with who the capitol is. but then again, it also seems that in the early days of the capitol, everything is MUCH less flashy and ostentatious; people are still stuck up and classist, but it's a far cry from the absolute spectacle that the capitol and the games would become 60 years later. compare tigris in this movie to who she becomes later and the shifting culture becomes super obvious:

so if they were trying to show that the people in the capitol used to treat disabled people as equals but no longer do, as a sign of their decreasing sense of humanity and community, then i think it was effective. but i'm not sure if that was the intention, i'll have to look into it more

ANYWAY IT WAS REALLY GOOD!!! i wrote all of this as soon as i got home so i haven't had time to sit with it or anything. i'll post more if i think of anything else!

[rainbowsky]

Hey rainbowsky, idk if you could answer this for me or maybe somebody else but why is there a bad connotation with being called idol? I see this mostly in China compared Korea or Japan but idols in China will try very hard to distance themselves from the word idol and see it as bad, I just wanted to know your thoughts on this. From what I’ve seen idols in Korea and Japan don’t care. Again as far as I’ve seen.

Hi Anon!

Idols tend to be looked down upon everywhere, not just in China.

Yes, it's true that they're massively popular and admired by millions of adoring fans, but only within a narrow group of very young girls. From a mainstream perspective the majority of people would have no clue who these 'massively popular' idols are because they aren't part of daily life in the media they consume.

As entertainers they're usually not taken seriously in the industry when compared with serious actors who went to acting school and perform in serious works, or when compared to other popular figures such as top athletes, musicians, comedians, etc.. They are seen as manufactured marketing products, not serious entertainers.

And this isn't just an 'Asian idol' thing - this is a reality across the globe. Look at how top 40 pop stars are viewed in society vs how well-known actors, comedians, TV hosts, athletes, politicians and other public figures are viewed.

Justin Beiber - as popular and as talented as he is - will never be taken as seriously as film stars like Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman or Michelle Yeoh, or even TV actors like Bob Odenkirk or Peter Dinklage.

There are good reasons to not want to be seen as an idol in the entertainment business or by the public at large:

Idols are broadly viewed as being popular because of their looks and because of the fashion/fad they represent, not because of any special talent, experience or ability.

Idols are viewed as having won some sort of a lottery rather than as having worked hard to earn their notoriety.

Idols will tend to be cast in projects where acting ability isn't a huge factor - projects intended to highlight the idol's looks and appeal to the type of young women who follow idols. The point is to get as much traffic, attention and revenue as possible rather than to create an enduring cinematic masterpiece. Serious opportunities aren't typically given to them.

There is a real shelf life to idols. They tend to be a flash in the pan - people whose careers only last as long as their style is in vogue and as long as their looks are in peak form. They often fly high and fall hard, never to be heard of again. Whereas other popular figures have a longer trajectory to their careers, and often their work spans decades.

Idol fan culture means there is a lot of BS associated with being an idol that most other popular figures don't have to deal with nearly as much - in part because the fan base is so young and less mature, less able to see the seriousness of (or care about the consequences of) their behavior. Stalker fans, toxic fan activity, shipping with everyone they interact with, trying to hack into their private info, installing tracking devices on their cars, harassing family members, wasteful and outrageous consumer behavior, vote-manipulation, fan wars - all of which has serious negative impacts on stars. Especially in China, where stars are held directly accountable for the behavior of their fans.

Idols face bigger career risks than other public figures do. Being seen to be in a relationship, for example, can kill an idol's career moreso than that of a serious actor or musician. They have to maintain a much more 'perfect' image than other public figures do. They come under an incredible amount of scrutiny for people who aren't considered 'serious' entertainers.

Idols are usually very tightly managed and don't tend to have as much control over their careers as other popular figures do, especially if they come out of 'idol search' competition shows. Their contracts are notoriously exploitative and restrictive, and cover every aspect of their public and private lives. Often most of the money they earn goes to their management company.

Idols are restricted not just by their management companies, but also by their fans. Often they are victims of their own success, because their fan bases often have a lot of influence over what they are able to do. For example, DD lost solo fans when he took on The Untamed as a project, because many of them didn't want him appearing in a BL project. GG's popularity means he's had to reel in his often friendly, affectionate behavior around costars because his fans ship him or go to war over it.

There are likely a lot of idols who are perfectly happy in a career as an idol, but most seem to see it as a stepping stone to more serious opportunities. They use the attention they have to get roles that will enable them to transition into a longer, more stable career.

It's true that these extremes are even bigger in China, especially lately, due to the way the government and media have been framing fan culture as corrupting, immoral, wasteful, disruptive, misleading and a massively negative influence on youth.

They've enacted policies that attempt to intentionally place idols at a disadvantage in the entertainment industry there (limitations on which roles idols can play, for example, and limitations on the number of dramas featuring idols that can be made, limitations on behavior and dress in the media that appear to directly target idol fashion/culture, etc.).

The more someone is seen as a 'traffic star' in China, the more restrictions and scrutiny they are put under.

GG and DD both came out of idol groups, and are seen by many as being famous only because of (and only good for) their looks. They have a lot of hard work ahead of them to prove themselves, and to be taken seriously and given more serious opportunities. They appear to be handling that quite well and making great progress, but they still have a ways to go before they'll be accepted broadly as serious public figures with respectable careers that will stand the test of time.

[foxyhunter99]

A hardcore Sansa/Tyrion  writer and shipper’s review of Cyrano.  AKA Foxy goes to the movies.

Needless to say their will be spoilers.  Although let’s get real people, this play is over a 100 years old and despite the change in the lead character’s appearance and the transformation into a musical it’s not that great of a deviation.  Although I will say I am a *cough* a bit older than the average tumblr user so I have very fond memories of Steve Martin’s Roxanne which was how I initially knew the play. (Streaming on Hulu.  I recommend for those who haven’t seen.  It’s a delight with a HEA.)

I have been anxious to see this movie since I heard it coming out because I am dying to see Peter Dinklage in a romantic roll.  He is so so talented and I really want to see more representation of different body types and abilities as romantic leads.  I read a lot of newer chic lit type romance and while I’ve noticed an uptick (at least in the books I read) of the lead women of different ages/races/sizes and abilities somehow the men are always stereotypical super hot male model types. Like I don’t get at all.  (Please if you know of something where the male lead does not look like a super hero recommend below.  I beg of you.)

That being said, I totally think Peter Dinklage is hot.  But let’s get to the movie.

Things I liked about the movie:

*It is absolutely stunning.  The cinematography is beautiful.  The backdrops, the costumes are ethereal and other worldly.  

*The songs are lovely without overpowering the movie.

*This man!

Kelvin Harrison Jr as Christian.  I hope to see and hear more of his beautiful voice in the future.  I also adored this character far more than I thought considering my wanting to ship Roxanne/Cyrano as I will never get my Sansa/Tyrion.  He deserved better.

*Peter Dinklage of course was a treasure to see again.  You don’t see him at first for his first scene in the movie, only hear his voice and gods I’ve forgotten what it does to me.  (I may have put this in my Sanrion stories lol).  The last scene in the movie had a lot of close ups of his face with all the facial mannerisms I came to associate with his portrayal of Tyrion which transported me a bit out of his Cyrano character.  But I will take the blame on that as it means I’ve stared longingly at Tyrion a bit too much.

Things I wasn’t so crazy about:

*I really didn’t care for the character of Roxanne.  The actress (Haley Bennett) was fantastic but I at least could never figure out *why* both men fell in love with her.  Nothing was said or shown of her character beyond her physical beauty and that she and Cyrano were childhood friends. This was a major problem for me. Not sure how one point of a love triangle can have a MacGuffinesk feeling but that’s all she came off to me. (And putting my Sanrion shipper hat on, she reminded me at least in the beginning far too much of young Sansa ie unrealistically romantic and superficial. It put a bad taste in my mouth especially since she was an adult and not a teenager.)  

*Christian really deserved better.  He turned out to be my favorite in the love triangle.  In the end he was no more than an unwitting pawn between Cyrano and Roxanne and deserved to have someone love him just as he was.  Much like Cyrano deserved to be loved just as he was (Hmmmmm, writing this I realized the layers here.  Interesting.)

*The ending well...I’m not sure what to say.  I’m a sucker for a HEA which is not this play.

All in all I enjoyed this movie.  I did cry during the scene/song where all the soldiers send their last words in letters to their love ones.  I was HOPING for a cathartic release of all my Sansa/Tyrion shipping tears but it was not to be.  

I will rely on all my fellow Sanrion fanfic writers for that.  I adore you all.

[vegietribe]

Actors Who Turned Vegan

If you're one of the non-vegan diets following readers, I would like to ask you to set your philosophical and cultural ideas of what it means to be human aside. I know if I were reading this article about veganism instead of writing it, that's exactly what I'd be thinking about.

It is strange that most of us are still not aware of what veganism actually means. What is it? Where does this term come from? There are going to be two points of view about this post. First, veganism is a type of healthy diet that excludes the consumption of animal products. It includes total abstinence from meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. This term denotes ethical vegetarianism.

As time is changing, a vast section of society is considering the problem due to unplanned and unhealthy food. Hollywood celebrities and big companies are turning to the vegan lifestyle. The list is quite long, we will discuss some of the leading red-carpet celebrities who recently turned vegan.

Joaquin Phoenix ‍ We are sure you have seen his incredible Oscar-winning performance in Joker. Who would have thought that people who don't like animals would start eating plant-based food? Because a celebrity likes Joaquin Phoenix switched to such a healthy type of eating habit?

Woody Harrelson

We are very confident that you must have loved the "Now you see me" series. Then you must be a fan of him; but, did you know that Woody Harrelson has gone vegan? Woody Harrelson is the poster boy for ethical eating and has turned vegan almost ten years back. He's also invested in Vegan's parent company for more than five years now. To top it all off, he's an active supporter of ethically vegetarian meat substitute vegan buffets, plant-based snacks and more products, Tofurky.

Peter Dinklage ‍ Peter Dinklage doesn’t seem like a man who’d be on board with the Red Wedding. Like Tyrion Lannister, he’s a charming, diplomatic, thoughtful guy. Dinklage has been a complete vegetarian since the age of 15.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish, the pop singer, is a vegan. She decided to become a vegetarian at 13, and then a few years later, she made the leap to veganism. For her, it was a matter of principle. She kept telling people that no one should murder animals for others to eat them. Hence, supported vegetarianism on her behalf.

Zac Efron

‍Zac Efron is a great example of boldness in action. He says veganism helps him stay fit and be healthy organic food. Zac Efron is an actor in many movies, but I'm not here to talk about his acting career. Zac Efron is vegan. He also decided to become a bodybuilder. He didn’t want to exploit animals for personal means. It shows a lot of courage and reveals his boldness too.

Since there are so many misunderstandings about what vegans can (or should) eat. Vegietribe takes pride in offering you the service with all vegan nutritionally healthy and organic food platters at one place. Basically, veganism is a way of living that excludes the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, or any other purpose. To be vegan is to support all animal liberation, animal rights, and anti-specialism movements. A vegan strives to live in harmony with animals. Basically, the vegan lifestyle seeks compassion and decency toward all creatures. There are many reasons to go ethically vegetarian or vegan, but there is one that rarely gets mentioned. It's the only diet practical for someone who wants to live a long time.

[jennhoney]

f*cking elevators: a story in gifs

@neonvillager tagged me (thank you!) I had already written and queued my elevator scene so I just collected some gifs to capture the beauty of the moment. and honestly, I got exhausted searching for the gifs. I would never survive the elevator.

[a34trgv2]

In Defense of The Angry Birds Movie

When it comes to movies based on video games, more often than not they're recieved less than favorable by critics and audiences. The Angry Birds Movie was one of those video game based movies that critics didn't care for and most audiences thought it was okay. I'm of the rare opinion though that this movie is actually a really funny and well written story about why anger is an important and necessary emotion when used correctly. In this post, I'm going to talk about why I really liked Angry Birds in spite of its reputation.

Based on the popular mobile game by Rovio, this film focuses on Red and how he's put down by everyone for his temper. When the pigs lead by King Leonard come and manipulate their way to steal the birds' eggs, Red and his fellow bird companions must band together to get their eggs back before they're served Sunny side up. The film does a good job at showing Red getting rightfully annoyed to the point of violence after one inconvenience after another. This is very much how I often feel on a daily basis and as such I very much relate to Red. The film also takes the time to show what Bird Island is like and how its inhabitants commute. Everything from the birds living in huts to their diet is handled well thanks to very clever visual gags. Speaking of, I found a lot of the jokes to be really funny, including the use of gross out. Normally I'm disgusted by gross out humor, but here they managed to get a laugh out of me because I found their set ups to be quite clever and the punchlines executed brilliantly.

On to the characters beside Red, I found Chuck and Bomb to be both funny and entertaining to watch. Chuck is always on the move, has some of the funniest lines as well as the funniest gags. Bomb is more mellow and a bit dimwitted, but nonetheless funny and caring. Matilda tries her best to maintain her posture, even when Red makes it difficult. Terrence is the strong silent type who normally growls, yet what he lacks in dialogue he more than makes up for in action. Mighty Eagle is a very funny hasbeen that still thinks he's the coolest ever and just about every scene he's in is just so goofy. Then there's Leonard, the big bad pig of the film. Leonard is a very smart swine that plays the long game in gaining the birds' trust by manipulating them and distracting them with parties and gifts. Leonard rules over his pig kingdom with a toothy grin and the upmost confidence, even if his subjects are as dumb as, well pigs.

What truly brings these characters to life is the very stellar voice acting on display. Jason Sudeikis perfectly embodies the cynical and frustrated attitude of Red and makes him sound like a generally easy going guy who's had one too many bad days. Josh Gad really sells the speedy nature of Chuck and makes him sound like he's always in a hurry. Danny McBride really nails Bomb's mellow and dimwitted personality and makes him sound like he could be a good friend if he didn't explode every time he gets excited. Maya Rudolph gave a really fun performance as Matilda, making her sound quirky and zen, yet appears to be one minor inconvenience away from really letting loose. Sean Penn did a really good job providing the grunts and growls for Terence. Sure, anyone of the people involved in the animation or storyboarding department could've done it, but Penn was intentionally chosen by the directors because they felt it'd be a missed opportunity otherwise. Peter Dinklage sells the real showboaty and self-indulgent attitude of Mighty Eagle. Bill Hader makes Leonard sound like a smart and eccentric pig and delivers some funny lines of his own.

The animation is really well crafted and that's thanks to the wonderfully talented people over at Rovio Animation. The character designs were given a significant upgrade from their mobile game counterparts, becoming anthropomorphic bipedal characters with big expressive eyes, fingers and detailed textures. The characters move in a believable and natural way, with Chuck of course being the exception as he's always running and moving in just about every scene he's in. The village and landscapes of Bird and Pig Island are all very well detailed and feel lived in. The animation truly comes alive during the comedic scenes and the action packed climax. Scenes such the open with Red running late, Bomb and Chuck's Mighty Eagle day dreams and Red fighting with an annoying sign are all very well crafted and funny scenes. The climax best showcases the birds powers and as well as bring amazing destruction to the pigs' kingdom.

I should also mention that the score and song choices for the film were all well crafted and incorporated brilliantly. Heitor Pereira did a really good job incorporating the iconic Angry Birds theme music into the score and also provided some great comedic cues. Blake Shelton's song Friends sung by the pigs was a great way to show how the birds were manipulated over the course of a montage. Other notably catchy songs from the soundtrack include Demi Lovato's cover of I Will Survive, Imagine Dragons' On Top of The World and Explode by Charlie XCX.

I do have one problem with the film as a whole though: all the birds on Bird Island are a bunch of mindless sheep. I'll detail my problems with this trope in a later post, but it honestly bothers me that the entire island is against Red. How come there isn't at least one person on this island that sympathizes with Red and his frustrations? Personally, I think there should've been an additional member to Matilda's anger management class, someone's whose been there for years and yet is just as frustrated as Red. And that character, to me should be Stella, the pink bird that has a minor role in the finished film. Stella could be Red's first friend as she would share his frustrations with him, but rather than resort to violence, Stella would pull pranks on her victims. Stella could also go through her own little arc by not going with Red, Chuck and Bomb to Mighty Eagle's cave because she'd rather solve her problems herself rather than ask someone else to do it for her. This culminates in her getting injured during the climax and her asking Red for help, which he does without hesitation.

Overall, I think The Angry Birds Movie is a really good movie with excellent humor, relatable and funny characters, stellar voice acting and very well crafted animation and music. I also really liked the sequel to this film and I hope Rovio and Sony team up again to make another one. See you in the next post ;)

[leowrites]

introduction: i’m highkey supposed to be working rn but it felt right for an admin to be the first one to post an intro....so hello, it’s-a-me, em ! i’m 22, live in est, and use she/her pronouns.

any skeleton(s) you’re particularly excited about? my BABY the chameleon ofc.... cannot wait to write her dumb ass

what’s the last play/musical you saw? i think it was cyrano on broadway !! it starred peter dinklage and he was *chef’s kiss*

which shakespeare character do you most relate to? bold of this question to assume i know enough shakespeare to give a thoughtful answer. can i say rosencrantz and guildenstern tho

if you were a pretentious theatre major, what types of roles would you get? background parts with like 1 or 2 spoken lines that i’d still stress the hell out over

UQUIZ: would you survive the alderidge theatre program? ok the most recent time i took it i got “yes, but you made enemies along the way” which is NOT what i was expecting, like i know i made the quiz but

[monicalorandavis]

The definitive list of sexy, ugly dudes

I ain’t got no type, ugly motherfuckers is the only thing that I like. Some of y’all are patting yourselves on the back for supporting the dad bod. I double down. I am here for the weirdos, the creeps, the fat ones and the like. If you don’t quit playing with these pretty boys who don’t know where a clitoris is already, you’re just hurting yourself, sweetie. Here is the official list of the sexiest ugly dudes, living and dead.

1. James Gandolfini. The fucking GOAT. I want a Gandolfini in the streets and a Tony in the sheets.

2. Steve Buscemi. Yes, he’s got huge, watery bug eyes that are always seemingly reddened from stress, or maybe allergies? Doesn’t matter. Steve Buscemi has a certain je ne sais quoi that leaves me shivering in me timber(land)s.

3. Paul Giamatti. Ever since Sideways I knew that Giamatti had that special self-loathing gift of gab that is simply irresistible.

4. Philip Seymour Hoffman. RIP, big dude. You were a fucking maestro in the art of acting. Scary, unhinged, impulsive, emotional - a tour de force in sexual energy.

5. Anthony Bourdain. Also dead. I’m suspecting a theme here. Do I want to be dead?? I don’t think so...

6. Rhys Ifans. Not a household name. But you know his face. He’s Hugh Grant’s insane, unemployed, lurching roommate in Notting Hill. Sweet, honest, funny and principled. What he lacks in good hygiene he makes up for in heart.

7. Adam Driver. This one is so obvious it’s dumb to include it. Have you seen him shirtless? Good grief.

8. Pete Davidson. I even wrote a whole goddamn sketch about it because the man’s sexual magnetism is off the charts. He’s bagging the baddest ladies in the world so casually that it feels like there’s no one he can’t holler at.

9. Tim Roth. There is nothing quite like an Englishman who is so disinterested that it comes across hostile. It’s rude, it’s self-important, it’s hot.

10. Robert De Niro. He’s maybe 85 (??? I’m not fact-checking so...) and can get it any day of the week. Best part of all, he probably doesn’t even want it!

11. Peter Dinklage. Tyrion Lannister was such an OG that he didn’t need the famous name to woo the finest of maidens. I’m not one but he can woo me any time he feels so inclined.

12. Billy Bob Thornton. Damn, just writing his name gives me goosebumps. The thought of his beady, judgemental eyes stirs my mind up with lurid thoughts.

13. Daniel Day Lewis. Is he ugly? Is he handsome? I don’t know anymore. His nose is crooked and he seems weird as fuck so you know I’m on board. He can get lost in the character study that is my bosom. Knowing him, he’ll probably refuse because it’s “too easy”. He isn’t wrong!

14. Tommy Lee Jones. Can’t forget this raspy devil. He’s old and gritty and we haven’t seen him in a while but something tells me he’s doing chin-ups in a garage as we speak.

15. John Malkovich. The creepiest man I’ve ever seen is also...the sexiest? I don’t write the rules, guys. I’m just a hot-blooded, American woman with a thing for men with emotional problems. Sue me!

Good looks are so overrated. Don’t @ me.

[sanrionharbor-blog]

For Everybody Still Worried About the Leaks

Clues from the Cast Interviews, GRRM Hints, and My Own Gut Feelings

Disclaimer: Hey, nobody knows nothing, but life’s too short to stress about things we can’t control, and stories are supposed to be maps to help us learn more about ourselves and about life in general–not hair-pulling inducements.  So I’m going to enjoy all the speculating that I can regarding the GOT season finale, and want to share some thoughts on why I think certain “leaks” are most likely bunk.

I’m mostly focusing on the pervasive “Does Tyrion die by trial?” leak, and everything that links to that, including any betrayals or major deaths.

Tyrion’s Ending and The Ending, In General

First, let’s quote Peter Dinklage himself:

I had all these ideas in my head and a version of one of them is how it ends up [for Tyrion]. David and Dan have a brilliant version of what I had. If I use any adjectives it will give it away. But I love how it ended up. And how it ends up for everybody. They had a beautiful gentle touch with some, and a hard touch with others.

But that’s just on Tyrion’s ending. Before I get into what that quote tells us, let me quote what other people have said about the Overall Ending of Game of Thrones:

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau:

I’ve never read anyone who got the whole thing. And when I read it the first time, I was blown away.

George R.R. Martin:

So many readers were reading the books with so much attention that they were throwing up some theories, and while some of those theories were amusing bulls*** and creative, some of the theories are right…At least one or two readers had put together the extremely subtle and obscure clues that I’d planted in the books and came to the right solution.

What the above quotes tell me is:

No one has guessed the ending completely–but parts of the ending? Yeah, they’ve been guessed. Which just goes to show how much this show and its themes have resonated not only with GRRM, but with his audience. Because,as a writer, I can tell you that no storyteller tells a story alone. There’s something guiding us and we can’t put a finger on it but it’s often the source of our best ideas. And it’s the same ineffable something that stirs all of us when we’re creating, sharing, and participating in stories. It’s the reason you see the same patterns in stories over and over. In short, the fact that part of the ending CAN be guessed is NOT a bad thing. It’s natural. Some postmodern storytelling theories have taught us that tricks and surprises are where it’s at–but a story isn’t true unless it can surprise us and, in retrospect, give us the only answer that makes any sense. You can see a pithier version of this kind of storytelling in Ye Olde Riddle–for example, the Sphinx in Oedipus Rex could tell us the answer to her riddle is orange, and that would throw us for a loop, but it would tell us nothing and mean nothing and add nothing to the story and thus would be forgotten. Surprise doesn’t count unless it has a ripple effect. So, about-face turns and OOC arcs may shock and subvert, but they’ll ultimately end up as dross and not as gold. (But hey, more on my thoughts on what can and can be accepted as canon in the last blurb below!).

Now, has anybody assumed that Tyrion would betray Daenerys and end up dead simply for 1) loyalty to the Lannisters, 2) suddenly losing faith in humanity?, or 3) suddenly wanting to usurp power himself? No. This is not a popular theory by a longshot. Tyrion dying? Sure. Somebody betraying Daenerys? Sure. Tyrion as a ruler? Sure. But this very specific, shoehorned version of the story is simply too contrived to have been picked up by fans organically.

The leaks so far have painted nothing but harsh endings for ALL the characters. Don’t tell me those leaks are pro-Stark. Those leaks point out backstabbing, loneliness, and emotional stagnation–forget what characters live, think about what these leaks have said about these characters. Not only does this not jive with the “bittersweet” aspect of the ending, it doesn’t jive with Dinklage’s assertion that, while some characters will go down harshly (R.I.P. Missandei especially–at least Edd and Jorah and Beric got heroic deaths and funerals), others will be treated gently. A heartbroken Brienne? A cold, lonely, manipulative Sansa? A suddenly hopeless, headless Tyrion? I don’t think so. (I also don’t think that means that Brienne and Jaime will necessarily ride into the sunset–but I do think we’ll have Jaime’s feelings for her confirmed, along with the completion of his redemption arc. I also don’t think that means Tyrion definitely won’t die–but I don’t think he’ll be character assassination, either. And I also don’t think that Sansa WILL end up in a canon relationship–but, logically, they can’t leave all the Stark’s COMPLETELY UNABLE TO LOVE, and um, somebody has to be willing to have legitimate heirs to the Stark House. Ok, just to continue this aside, but it seems theoretically impossible to me that the Stark House, which is all about the continuation of the Starks and the independence of the North, would not be given any canon marriages/alliances at the end of their arc. Arya’s already rejected marriage, Bran drove Meera away, and Sansa’s always wanted a happy marriage, even if she’s got very understandable trust issues right now. Anyhow–).

Peter Dinklage was able to guess how his character arc ended. What are the odds that Betraying Somebody He Cares About Without Good Reason (Daenerys–I could see him betraying her reluctantly, but not easily)/Being Betrayed By Somebody He Cares About (Sansa)/Dying Guilty After All The False Trials His Character Has Been THrough were in the mix? I don’t think so. Dinklage has gone on record multiple times to say how much he admires Tyrion and thinks he’s a good person. He’s also gone on record stating that Sansa and Tyrion’s relationship is full of true affection. Even if Tyrion dies and/or he and Sansa don’t end up as a couple, betrayal just seems so far out of the scope of what these characters’ storylines have been building to. And again, I can’t see that being even one version of one of Dinklage’s headcanons. What I think is most likely? A) Hand to the Ruler, B) Part of a new council that replaces or supplements the King/Queen, C) the King himself, or D) a heroic death.

How Long They’ve Planned the Ending:

They had talks with GRRM in 2014

They’ve been planning the ending for five years

They’ve known it was Arya who would take out the NK for three years

So some decisions weren’t set in stone, even by GRRM (such as who would take out the NK…an interesting thing not to know, actually, but that just points out how inflated the importance of the Others/White Walkers was–do I still think it will be handled better by GRRM, yes, but that’s another story), and even if D&D’s execution feels more like “here’s an outline of what’s happening” rather than “here’s the organic progression of that storyline,” I can only imagine that if core pieces were given by GRRM AND they’re not completely winging it, then there will be a certain amount of narrative cohesion once this comes full-circle.

Let’s not forget, we still have a third WTFudge moment that was came straight from GRRM himself, with the other two shockers being Hodor’s origin and Shireen Baratheon’s death. Could this third twist be Dany going completely mad? Maybe, though it doesn’t fall into the same category of completely-unexpected-but-honestly-possible, like Shireen and Hodor. Only because the foreshadowing for Dany’s madness was heavy-handed in the last few seasons (taking away the ‘unexpected’ bit), and is now quite uneven here in Season 8.

I think the third twist will likely be a specific action (a la Shireen’s death) or another origin story-type twist (a la Hodor). Some people have speculated that “Tyrion’s Trial” would make for that final twist, but here’s why I don’t think so:

The Nature of the Leaks

It’s very interesting to me that this leak, supposedly this Huge Most Important Leak, was one of the very first ones released. Like, months ago. While the rest of the leaks, the ones that have actually been accurate, are usually only released at the max a few days before each episode airs.

It’s also interesting to me that HBO has not done more to shut down this particular leak.

And, I would not put it past HBO to have actually filmed one entire fake-out scene. Most of the Dragon Pit/South scenes were filmed after the first three episodes, so they probably knew that they had the time and money to just throw fans for another loop. Sound tinfoily? Perhaps, but the idea that this big twist–and a twist that so far doesn’t make much sense given what we’ve seen in what is now ⅔’s of the season–was such an easy leak just makes me suspect.

Another possibility? Tyrion IS on trial, but is pardoned. Or Tyrion thinks he’s on trial, but it turns out to be somebody else’s funeral (a la that Littlefinger Fake Out 2.0.). I’m not saying any of this makes for the best handling of his character or for a particularly compelling scenario, but considering we haven’t seen it, I can’t say for certain.

GOT’s Recent “Plot Twist” Pattern

D&D have switched to information-withholding tactics in the last few seasons. Just look at Sansa and Arya’s arc and the Littlefinger Fake Out. Were these well-written? Not entirely–but they don’t make for the worst entertainment either. Yeah, we had better quality storytelling in the first four seasons, but soap opera can still be fun.

And how long have they been teasing Dark!Sansa without actually delivering? And let’s not forget–show-Sansa’s arc is still, broadly, based on book-Sansa’s arc. Book-Sansa remains far more in tune to the archetype of the Lady/Maiden, while show-Sansa is slightly blended with Jeyne Poole’s arc (and, unfortunately, a dash of Pop Feminism). But the fact remains that whatever meeting D&D had with GRRM back in 2014 contained information based on the broad trajectory of Sansa’s arc as GRRM has been writing it. (I’m writing a character arc meta on Sansa that’ll be out…soonish).

And let’s just say I don’t see Dark!Sansa hinted very well in the books at all. Sansa learning to pull strings like Littlefinger and Cersei and Margaery? Heck yes. But Sansa will do it Sansa’s way.

So, given that D&D usually try to shock us by hinting at a character’s worst possible tendency AND by withholding information AND by trying to get us to see one scenario while giving us another (another example being Jon Snow vs. Night King actually being Arya vs Night King), I can very well see them turning Sansa into a reluctant last-minute ally of Daenerys, Tyrion being pulled out of hot water at the last minute, Jaime’s running to Cersei being about taking out Cersei not making out with Cersei (yeah sorry/not sorry about that one), and heck, maybe Dany won’t go mad–she’ll just realize she doesn’t want the Iron Throne anymore, or the Iron Throne shouldn’t exist, or she dies tragically but not as a monster. Time will tell.

Who We Haven’t Seen So Far That Can Introduce New Complications

1. Edmure Tully

Tobis Mennzies (Edmure Tully) has been confirmed to return this season. Could it just be a cameo? Maybe. But I wouldn’t put it past Sansa, Arya, and Bran to be planning a back-up plan to help out Jon (and thus Dany). Arya is probably planning on killing Cersei, Sansa can rally what’s left of the Tully’s, and Bran will hopefully do something Three-Eyed Ravenish (or regain some of Bran’s humanity–which would be a twist worth waiting for).

2. Khal Drogo

Motherhood is an important theme in Dany’s life. I think ultimately, book and show wise, it’s what’s truly important to her. She just doesn’t realize it. In this way, Dany is a very interesting parallel with Cersei. Both of these women are tempted to replace their intimate losses with power. They believe power will protect them and their own. And that mentality can slowly shift into the classic Mother Bear conundrum: Us vs. Them.

Now, Khal Drogo not only represents a happy time in Dany’s life where she was both powerful and protected, but where she was a mother. After her losses, she gained her dragons. She truly loves her dragons as children, but they are also a liability to everyone but Dany. Interestingly, Dany’s human child with Khal Drogo was a liability to everyone but the Khalasar. The priestess from season 1 knew this, and so she prevented it. It doesn’t make the loss any less of a tragedy, however.

Will we see the same thing play out here in the final act of Game of Thrones? I’m not sure, but Khal Drogo’s presence will be heavily symbolic. Either Dany will meet him in the afterlife or reject death another time–but perhaps she’ll realize that her true desires were always for belonging and motherhood (just not at the expense of her own free will).

And, as an aside–I’ve really come to see Dany in a different light this season. I’ve always been anti-Daenerys as Ruler, but Daenerys as a character is truly fascinating. So what I see implied in her final arc is truly heartbreaking (and I hope it’s handled better overall than it was, in snapshot, here in 8x04). [Dany’s also my dad’s favorite character, haha, and I respect my dad’s opinion almost more than anyone else’s, so she gets props for that too lol].

3. Robin Arryn

I have a feeling this will be a cameo, but honestly the worst-case scenario for me would be Sansa being engaged to him lol. It would certainly be a Margaery Tyrell move on her part (knowing she won’t have to marry him for some time and he’ll be easy to influence), but the Knights of the Vale are already dedicated to her and I’m a Sanrion shipper so you know where I stand on any other Sansa ship. ;-)

Regardless, the Vale could become an important wrinkle in the plot, and I’m all for us not having a complete Doomsday scenario.

And In The Worst Case Scenario

The worst case scenario is that the leaks are legit. Bran as an emotionless king? The Starks are forever alone? Tyrion’s character assassination? Bleh.

But I’ve already hinted at my philosophy on canon storytelling.

Look, most fanon is crap–but so is most fiction. There are millions of stories out there, but it’s hard to find (and tell) one that resonates across all borders of sex, ethnicity, age, and epoch. You know what CAN exist in both fanon and canon–and what actually matters as canon in the end? The stories that are true.

If characters don’t act true to themselves, if deep-in-the-bones themes suddenly drop off, if crucial scenes that are present in every single successful outline are missing (don’t go postmodern on me–just read The Story Grid), then that story is incomplete. And it’s a lie.

Madeleine L’Engle once said “All truth is God’s truth.” She was trying to make the point that fantasy, and fiction in general, is important because it tells the truth. It’s not about the facts (dragons aren’t real! This is just a TV show! Etc.). It’s about the truth (dragons can be beaten! There is wonder in the world! We are united by our mythologies!).

So no, fanon can be a lot more than making heterosexual characters gay or inserting fluff without dealing with the consequences of character actions or erasing parts of canon. Fanon can be more true than canon when the author is on the tail of the actual Story.

Steven Pressfield does a much better job of explaining this in The War of Art. Madeleine L’Engle does a much better of explaining this in Walking on Water. Shawn Coyne does a much better job of explaining this in The Story Grid.

So don’t just take my word for it.

For me, then, I’m excited to see how the show plays out. And I’m fine if certain things that I only WANT don’t happen–but if the story doesn’t have what NEEDS to happen, then I’ll sadly and reluctantly reject it, and wait for GRRM’s books to come out, or simply contribute to the ASOIAF lore as best as I can. Hopefully not as wish fulfillment, but simply to respect the core of the story itself.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

[skarletterambles]

8x6 liveblog

I’ll be editing this post as I watch the finale.

I’m not emotionally prepared for this on any level.

So Tyrion is going to look for Jaime?  Great, he’ll find him alive, and they’ll go pick up Brienne and go live happily ever after somewhere far, far away.  The end.  Yay!

...wait?  That didn’t happen and the episode is still going on?

Well, shit.

*watches what actually happens*

Well, double shit.

RIP Jaime Lannister Lives Clown Club.  It was a fun week.

Peter Dinklage’s acting was almost enough to make me forget how damn mad I am about this.  Almost.

...

Meanwhile, Drogon continues to be awesome.

Although, that camera angle that gave Dany wings?  I burst out laughing.  Probably not the effect they were going for.

Impressive speech, especially considering it’s in a made-up language.  Kudos to Emilia for delivering it with that much emotion and vehemence.

Tyrion, good for you.

Jon, your turn.

Oh hi, Arya.  Glad you washed your face since last episode.

“Oblivion is the best I can hope for.”  The way this show has gone, well...  Same, Tyrion.

I swear Tyrion is talking to the audience, not Jon, when he explains Dany’s slippery slope from killing evil people to killing everyone.

A+ acting, Peter and Kit.  I hardly breathed through that conversation.

Awwwwwwwwww, sleepy Drogon in the snow!  Poor baby’s all tuckered out from all that mayhem.  <3

JAIME WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT MOVE, DAMN IT

THIS SHOULD BE JAIME AND CERSEI

THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HOW SHE DIED

ARG

Ohhhhshit Drogon knows

DROGON HONEY, NO, NOT JON

DRAGON HONEY, YES, MELT THAT STUPID CHAIR

POOR DROGON IS SO SAD FOR HIS MOMMY I CAN’T TAKE IT

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS THE MOST EPIC THING I’VE EVER SEEN

and it was all because of the dragon, mind you

I both hate and love the epic tragic schmaltz of the murder but damn the dragon stuff is so freaking awesome

...

Sam?  What the hell is he doing there?  I thought he was north of the wall?  Or at least at the wall?

I don’t know who half these people are.

Wow they actually acknowledged that it took weeks to travel from Winterfell to King’s Landing.

Bran, this would be a good time to have SOME KIND OF FACIAL EXPRESSION.

I mean, that’s kind of your thing, but...come on.  Okay, a tiny smile there, as I was typing this.

Congrats, Tyrion, you just invented democracy.  *golfclap*

My mom is so damn smug because she called King Bran from the beginning of the season.  Long before there were spoilers.  Props to her.

Whoa, Jon looks rough.  And of course he goes back to the Wall.  I think we all saw that coming.

Callback to season one piss joke.  Joy.

Aww, at least Grey Worm will get to see Naath.

Arya’s pulling a Frodo?  Okaaaay...  Maisie’s acting is almost good enough make me not realize how dumb that is.

And then Brienne did The Thing with the book and now I’m crying too hard to type.

Oh, ha ha, A Song of Ice and Fire.  *trombone noise*

Seriously, why is Bronn still here?  How can anyone trust him in any capacity?

SER Podrick?  Aww, okay, I like that.

And I liked Davos being Master of Grammar.  That was worth a tiny chuckle.  Stannis would have approved.

Back to the Wall...I predict a hint of White Walkers still existing somewhere.  Maybe.

Oh hi Tormund.

GHOST!  Yay!  Good boy!

Sansa as queen is gorgeous, and actually pretty satisfying.

Okay, what’s going to happen beyond the wall?  Where’s Jon going?

I see the symmetry with having the north woods full of live people after starting with the undead in the very first scene.

I...didn’t hate it as much as I expected to, honestly.  It doesn’t make up for the bullshit of the past couple episodes, but I’m crying so it must have done something to me.

[grootiez]

Russo Brothers Headcanons

The Russos were inspired by the Game of Thrones Episode titled “The Red Wedding” while they were writing the script for “Avengers: Infinity War.”

The Russos also forced the screenwriters to binge watch Game of Thrones too.

And the Russos also acted out the pivotal scene of “The Red Wedding” in excruciating detail.

The Russo Brothers and George R.R. Martin are secretly Best Friends.

They even have sleepovers at each other’s houses!

The Russos have George R.R. Martin’s phone number on speed dial.

After viewing “Infinity War”, George R.R. Martin called to congratulate the Russos on making “The Red Wedding” look like a picnic.

The Russos almost had Thanos say “Dracarys” when he snapped his fingers.

When George R.R. Martin heard that the Russos casted Peter Dinklage for their movie, he demanded that Dinklage be given “The Biggest Part in the whole damn movie.”

The Russos said “Challenge Accepted.”

George R.R. Martin wasn’t disappointed.

The Russos almost had a Daenerys Targaryen reference, but were told to scrap it.

There was also talk about having Joffrey make an appearance too, but he would overshadow Thanos as the main antagonist.

Littlefinger was also hinted at appearing, but was cut from the movie for the same reason.

George R.R. Martin likes to stalk the Russo Brothers dressed like the nun while walking behind them, ringing his bell and shouting “Shame!” as they walk down the street.

There was also supposed to be a “Walk of Shame”-type event in Avengers: Infinity War, involving Thanos, but it had to be scrapped or the movie would’ve been given an R-rating.

It would’ve involved Tony Stark ringing the bell and shouting “Shame!”

While Infinity War was in production, the stage name for it was “The Red Wedding.”

George R.R. Martin has a cameo in “Avengers: Infinity War.” It is hard to spot him, but once you do, it’s the best cameo compared to all of Stan Lee’s cameos combined.

It is said that in the early drafts of Infinity War, the Russos had Jon Snow equip the completed Infinity Gauntlet and Thanos was snapped out of existence.

Also in the early drafts of Infinity War, the Russos had planned for the Night King to show Thanos the way to the Soul Stone instead of Red Skull.

Another thing that was in the early drafts of Infinity War was Bruce Banner riding Drogon into the Battle of Wakanda instead of the Hulkbuster suit.

The Russo Brothers almost had Groot meet Hodor. The conversation that they would have had would’ve been LEGENDARY!

It is said that the Russos wanted Groot’s final word to be “Hodor.” But was too afraid that the audience wouldn’t get the reference.

The Russos have hinted that at least ONE character is going to pull a Jon Snow in Avengers 4.

George R.R. Martin is going to write the script for Avengers 4.

That means that we’ll be seeing Avengers 4 in 3019.

The Russos gave George R.R. Martin explicit instructions to make it as much like the Red Wedding as possible.

The most shocking death according to George R.R. Martin was Loki’s. His response was “You think his character is safe, but looking back to the first Avengers, Thanos’ right hand man at the time, The Other explicitly told Loki that if he failed, there was no place that he could hide where Thanos couldn’t find him.”

George R.R. Martin also cried when Groot died.

George R.R. Martin felt Rocket’s pain.

He cried manly tears.

Upon seeing the mid credit scene in “Antman and the Wasp”, George R.R. Martin got dirty looks from everyone in the audience.

George R.R. Martin saved face by saying “What you looking at me for? I only write about the most gruesome deaths in pop culture. The Russo Brothers actually kill people by turning them into confetti and ashes that float away like dust to the wind.”

George R.R. Martin further proved his theory by posting a grainy video to YouTube of stock security footage of the editing room at Marvel Headquarters of the Russo Brothers sneaking in late at night to change the original mid credit scene to the one as seen in the theaters.

George R.R. Martin has over a million subscribers on Youtube. The Russos account for half of those subs.

The Russos are going to have very important roles to play in Game of Thrones Season 8.

The Russos are going to be cleaning up dragon poop!

It is widely believed that the final battle of Avengers 4 is going to take place in Westeros.

Specifically, the Russos are going to set the battle up in Kings Landing.

When they first hinted at the Avengers: Infinity War trailer dropping, the Russos toyed with the idea of Tweeting “Brace yourselves, Thanos is coming.” But they thought that was too obvious.

The Russos have coined Avengers: Infinity War the “Game of Thrones of the comic book movie world.”

George R.R. Martin has seen the ending of Infinity War and was not prepared for it.

The Russos look up to George R.R. Martin as a role model.

They even have posters of him in their offices.

When they were little, when asked what or who they wanted to be when they grew up, the Russos both said “George R.R. Martin.”

In school, the Russo Brothers sent letters addressed to George R.R. Martin in the hopes that he would become their pen pal.

In their pitch for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russos said to Marvel: “What if the Marvel version of Jon Snow had a metal arm and was brainwashed?”

Marvel had no choice but to hire the Russo Brothers because the night before the meeting, they invited Kevin Feige over to their house where they held one of their infamous “Game of Thrones” marathons where they watch every episode in existence.

The Russos’ pitch for “Avengers: Infinity War” was “The Red Wedding, but with a snap.”

The Russos said that their inspiration for Thanos was Joffrey’s entire story arc in “Game of Thrones.”

It is said that the working title for “Avengers 4” is “A Game of Stones.”

When taking fan questions about the ending of Avengers: Infinity War” and the plot of “Avengers 4”, the Russos’ reply was “You know nothing, Jon Snow.”

George R.R. Martin replied “You know nothing, Russos!”

The Russos have confirmed that there will be a dragon sighting in Avengers 4. And his name is Drogon.

When Bruce Banner crash lands in the Sanctum Sanctorum and utters the line “Thanos is coming!” The Russo Brothers have confirmed that the line was inspired by the line “Winter is coming!”

The production name for Avengers 4 is rumored to be “A Game of Stones.”

During production, the Russos would hum “A Song of Fire and Ice” as they walked around the set.

The Russos begged Marvel to use a remix of the “Game of Thrones” theme song at the beginning of “Avengers: Infinity War”.

The Russos said that they had George R.R. Martin’s blessing.

The Russos lied.

Marvel, however, saw through the lie. The Russo Brothers begged until Marvel relented and agreed to obtain the rights. But, Marvel couldn’t obtain the rights to the song in time and told the Russos that they had to choose another song.

The Russos threw a hissyfit and by the time they relented, there wasn’t enough time to create a song and that’s why there is an eerie silence at the beginning of the movie.

George R.R. Martin felt sorry for the Russos and agreed to score the song for the end credits.

The Russo’s inspiration for the soundtrack of “Infinity War” was heavily taken from the “Game of Thrones” soundtrack.

It is expected that George R.R. Martin will score the soundtrack of “Avengers 4”.

When the Russos presented the FINAL“Infinity War” script to Marvel, Marvel’s response was “Are you trying to make a comic book version of ‘Game of Thrones’, because that’s how you get the comic book version of ‘Game of Thrones.’”

The Russos originally wanted George R.R. Martin to play Thanos.

But Marvel killed their dream when they googled “George R.R. Martin”.

Marvel was afraid that them being connected to “Game of Thrones” was too risky.

It has been leaked that when Thanos is defeated at the end of Avengers 4, he quotes what The Other said to him at the end of Avengers 1 to an unseen figure. Albeit a little too familiar to Joffrey’s final lines before he died.

The Unseen Host is The Night King, who walks right next to Thanos as he is dying and whispers to him. “Don’t worry, Winter is Coming.” as Thanos dies and the screen fades to black.

[positivelyamazonian]

10 Favorite Game/Anime/Movie Characters

Tagged by: @a-super-evil-cat-who-murders (thanks!!! It was fun!)

The Rules: Name your top 10 favorite characters from 10 different fandoms, then tag 10 different people.

Well I’ve already done a tag for FEMALE CHARACTERS so I’ll leave this in case you wanna check it. For not repeating myself, I’ll do this time just male characters.

I’ll tag: @luluvonv @luthienamell @adayka @hydraballista @anyathebloodshell @anentireamazon @jar-cup @kim-v-croft  @autumn-star93 @lady-trent

Of course don’t feel obliged to do this. And yes my characters come in not a particular order!

1. Haplo the Patryn - The Death Gate Cycle (book series)

Posting an amazing fanart by Melusaaste because there’s not an official art that shows him so close-up, and honestly, this is the most accurate depiction of him I’ve ever seen. 

Haplo is the anti-hero and main character of The Death Gate Cycle series written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Personal childhood hero (despite being an antihero himself), husbando and whatnot, until today he’s one of my fav characters ever, because through him I learnt the most perfect character development, from a cruel, merciless and amoral villain, to... well, not a hero if you think so, but to redeemed human being. 

“A 'why' is a dangerous thing... It challenges old, comfortable ways, forces people to think about that they do instead of just mindlessly doing it.” - Haplo in Dragon Wing, the first volume of the series.

2. Johan Liebheart - Monster

You don’t know what’s a villain until you meet this bastard. I am not an otaku or very enthusiastic of anime series, but Monster by Naoki Urasawa are probably the best manga/anime series ever written. And his villain, Johan Liberheart, one of the most twisted fucks ever written by an author.

Tortured, mentally ill, twisted, cruel, amoral, there’s no way to explain Johan. He experiences no character development and he has not a single redeeming quality, yet you just can’t let him go. An unforgettable character, not recommended for the weak and vulnerable.

There's nothing special about being born. Not a thing. Most of the universe is just death, nothing more. In this universe of ours, the birth of a new life on some corner of our planet is nothing but a tiny, insignificant flash. Death is a normal thing. So why live?

3. Geralt of Rivia - The Witcher (book/videogame series)

I’m so sorry I met this amazing character through The Witcher videogame series, because he existed already in the book series of the same name written by  Andrzej Sapkowski, and I really feel like posting this video because it perfectly sums up the spirit of the character.

Geralt is a witcher, a mutant specialist in killing demons and monsters for coin. He’s shaped like an anti-hero and despised by his society because of his nature and his mercenary job, but despite having everything for being just a rogue scoundrel, he manages to become a very rich character. Full of redeeming qualities despite his grey morals, Geralt struggles in a cruel Middle-Ages world to keep something human for himself, when everyone surrounding him tries to turn him in the heartless freak he was trained to be.

“People," Geralt turned his head, "like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves. When they get blind-drunk, cheat, steal, beat their wives, starve an old woman, when they kill a trapped fox with an axe or riddle the last existing unicorn with arrows, they like to think that the Bane entering cottages at daybreak is more monstrous than they are. They feel better then. They find it easier to live.” ― Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish

4. Raistlin Majere - The Dragonlace (book series)

Again, I’ve to go back to a character created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (man, this people CAN write characters I tell you), this time for the Dragonlance series. These books are less original and brilliant than The Death Gate Cycle, but more popular and beloved because they are easier to read. And Raistlin Majere is probably the best character written for these series, being saved among them because of being, probably, the less cliché and the more complex of them all.

And again, anti-hero at times, redeemed hero at other times, tortured, twisted, cynic and cruel, but also able to show kindness and a human heart at times. Raistlin was born weak and sick and sacrificed everything (including his own health) for one sake: magic. And power. His only life desire is what will lead him to his own destruction.

"Of course this means a lot to me, Caramon. It means everything! I have worked and studied almost my entire life for this chance. What would you have me do - cast it aside because it is dangerous? Life is dangerous, Caramon. Just stepping out that door is dangerous! You cannot hide me from danger. Death floats in the air, creeps through the window, comes in with the hand-shake of a stranger. If we stop living because we fear death we have already died."

5. Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Ice/Game of Thrones series)

This little amazing piece of awesomeness needs no presentation. I am again sorry I met through the Game Of Thrones TV series and not A Song Of Ice And Fire books, but it was totally worth it because it’s one of the most well-written characters I’ve had the pleasure to meet, and I must say Peter Dinklage was born to play him.

What can I say? Tyrion is one of those characters who are worth living. A dwarf, deformed, ugly, with no physical or war skills, relying only in his extreme intelligence and wisdom and his political talent to survive, he’s one of the most strong inspirations one can find. Definitely go check him.

6. Kurtis Trent (Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness videogame)

I included Lara Croft in my female characters list, it would be absolutely unfair to forget Kurtis as he’s the other character that got my heart in TR series. Not gonna rant long about him here, because you already know my opinion. He was amazing. He deserved better. Ex-legionnaire, demon hunter and Lux Veritatis warrior, I’ve devoted all my fanfics to develop him as there was no chance for Core Design to do it so.

Fitting more in the role of a hero, I think he was also the perfect partner for Lara. His background is very well written and he had a lot of potential. The fact I will never see it doesn’t change anything. He deserves his place here.

"And I thought this would be one of my easy days." - Kurtis, The Sanitarium.

7. L Lawliet - Death Note (manga/anime series)

Again, I reinforce the statement that I’m not a fan of manga/anime series, but definitely Death Note is, together with Monster, one of those you should watch. And yes for everyone who loves Death Note, I’m a L fan. You always choose between L or Kira sides, and despite I’ve to recognize that Kira is a very complex, well written character, it’s L who gets my heart.

Supertalented, amoral, brilliant, extremely unpredictable and surprising, L is the first one of the agents that will try to catch Kira, the murderer who uses a Death Note to implant his particular justice world. L deserves your attention more than Kira, I presume. Or at least, it’s what I think.

“There are... many types of monsters in this world: Monsters who will not show themselves and who cause trouble; monsters who abduct children; monsters who devour dreams; monsters who suck blood, and... monsters who always tell lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance. They are much more cunning than other monsters. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart. They eat even though they've never experienced hunger. They study even though they have no interest in academics. They seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such a monster, I would likely be eaten by it. Because in truth, I am that monster.”

8. V - V for Vendetta (graphic novel/movie)

I know, easy to love him, right? Again I’m sad that I met this character through the movie and not the original graphic novel, though you can’t say a thing against Hugo Weaving’s magnificent delivery. I wish I could get my hands on the graphic novel, so I can know him better.

Anarchist, terrorist, idealist, V is the incarnation of the protest against dictatorship and opression in a dystopian England that has supressed all the rights and human freedom. If you don’tknow him, I strongly recommend at least the movie, for the inspiration this character delivers goes beyond that the mask that has trascended the movie itself to become a symbol of citizen fight.

9. Roger - American Dad (TV series)

Well technically he’s not a he, he’s rather an it, but whatever. Also he’s it’s a different trend in this post since I love him particularly because he’s funny and incarnates all the non-political correct you can expect from someone.

He also gives me, kinda, TR vibes. Roger is an alien who landed in Earth during Cold War and was rescued and sheltered at his home by Stan, a CIA agent who’s the main character of the series. Honestly I think Roger is the best of American Dad - a TV show which basically and mercilessly mocks every American value - because despite being an alien is absolutely, indecently human. I prefer him and this show much more than the overrated Family Guy.

10.  Dwight Schrute - The Office (TV series)

Last but not the least, the efficient, clever and adorable bastard hillbilly from The Office. I loved him from the very first moment he appeared. Yeah I know many people hate him or prefer the goofy boss of the handsome Jim but Dwight is really my spirit animal and speaks to me in so many levels. No more comment needed. He’s the best of the show to me.

Well this took forever, right? Sorry for the length of this post but now I’m free I wanted to give it some thought. I see again that I’ve a soft spot for grey morals, redeeming qualities, bad boys and complex characters. This is how it goes! ;)