#I think Eddie would take offense to people saying you shouldn’t do stuff because it’s ‘cringe’ and how originality is just cut out of

[morganbritton132]

Eddie decides that he wants to do a whole Day in the Life of a Middle School Math Teacher thing when Steve gets the go-ahead that Eddie can come talk to his class. Steve thinks that’s dumb because it’s not like he has an interesting life.

The first video in the series starts the night before. Eddie is filming Steve while they get ready for bed (mostly removing the five hundred pillows Steve insists they need

on their bed) while he warns Eddie that these kids are not like The Party. Middle school kids have not developed empathy yet and they’re mean in like, an accurate way. It’s like having 16 to 22 Erica Sinclairs every class period.

It then cuts to the morning where Steve is lecturing Eddie on the do’s and don’t’s. DO encourage students to find safe creative outputs to express themselves. DO talk about your struggles in school and how you overcame them. DON’T tell them about the illegal shit we used to do. DON’T antagonize student athletes and, for the love of god, DON’T climb on the tables. This lecture spans every room in their house as they both get ready.

The second video is filmed inside of seventh grade English teacher, Mrs Casal’s Honda Civic. Steve doesn’t drive anymore and Eddie insisted on joining his teacher carpool, a decision he has come to regret and Patty Casal drives like she wants them all to die. He’s squeezed in the back between Ozzy and another teacher that keeps fussing with his jacket collar.

The whole video is just zoomed in on Eddie’s face while you can hear four middle school teachers telling the most batshit insane stories you’ve ever head. The caption is: Why am I having RV flashbacks?

The third Tiktok is just Eddie filming Steve reviewing the last test with the students before Eddie’s Q&A. The text overlay says, “Why is this so hot?” Hot for Teacher is playing.

Eddie doesn’t actually film his little Q&As with Steve’s classes because it feels weird to film kids he doesn’t know, but a lot of the students do so videos go up on Tiktok of Eddie answering each question sincerely while still maintaining his usual chaotic Eddie charm. A student called his music old and Eddie flipped backwards off his chair, grabbing his chest, “You wound me! Rock n Roll never gets old and it never dies!”

He does talk about the hurtles he had to jump to get into the music industry, how his uncle bought him his first guitar and that he had to teach himself because they couldn’t afford lessons. He talked about school and his three repeats of senior year. He talked about how Dustin and Nancy sat down with him and worked out a way to teach him that actually worked. One student asked why he was with a math teacher when he could be married to a celebrity and Eddie tells them, “Don’t let the dorky sweater fool you. Mr H, over there is a total bad A S S. Coolest guy I’ve ever met. He’s saved my life.”

Someone does try to ask about the murder allegations but Steve shuts that down so fast no one dares to try again. It gives Eddie the worst case of heart eyes ever seen by man.

Steve’s class before lunch asks Eddie if he wants to eat with them and he says of course. It’s only by good fortune that one of the students catch on video Steve calling ‘Mr Munson’ back to his desk and then tells Eddie that if he climbs on a table, Steve will give him detention.

Eddie does, in fact, stand on the tables. He gives a big dramatic lecture about forced conformity but instead of talking about jocks and basketball, he talks about instagram and Tiktok and how it’s constantly hounding kids into looking a certain way, acting a certain way, and it’s destroying creativity. And that’s what’s killing the kid’s.

And Steve does, in fact, walk into the cafeteria mid-way through this speech. He lets him get through the important bits before calling out for Edward Munson to get off the table.

Someone post this whole speech on Tiktok and Eddie duets the video from detention because Steve was not kidding.

<- Last Post | Next Post ->

[curious-menace]

Have I really ever requested one thing of you (the pegging telltale Riddler h/c)? Time to change that; let's see how the Eddies would respond to being told by their partner that they're a "bad boy" and "need to be punishment" (sexually, of course) - Pegging Anon.

I really enjoy these kinds of asks. honestly just give me a blank check for mayhem, unleash me upon the riddlers like a plague of locusts 

nsfw below the cut

Arkham! Riddler

please be careful with this riddler. He has problems reading peoples tone and if he thinks youre angry at him you're liable to send him into a panic.

he really doesn't like dirty talk. dont call him a slut or a whore or anything like that. Not only is it demeaning and humiliating( 2 things this riddler doesnt deal well with) its just a terrible way to get him to do what you want.

again, the idea of punishment in a sexy setting is a turn off for him. He’s afraid of being strangled or choked and he doesn't find being hit sexy.

to put it simply, this riddler reacts better to the carrot than the stick. if you want a good reaction out of him, praise and affection work better. call him a good boy, give him pets and rewards. 

IF you were to coax him into it, safeword, soft restraints and reassuring from you that everything will be ok, he’ll still probably cry. he might enjoy himself but the emotional stress will still leave him in an utter state.

i know some people use BDSM to cope with trauma but maybe dont try this on him. pitch the idea and let him mull it over. dont bring it up more than once or twice and let him decide

he always needs a lot of aftercare. he needs to be constantly reassured, not just after sex, that you love him , that he’s done well. lots of kisses and soft words and let him rest from the heavy stuff for a little while. 

Blacklight riddler

another riddler you need to tread carefully with. he’s a kinky shit but like...a soft kinky shit who bruises easily.

He wont need coaxing. its either a hell yes or a hell no and you shouldn't push that. He likes sex games but he’s got trauma, sometimes something that was fine yesterday is triggering today so please be gentle and respectful with him.

He doesnt mind being called a bad boy, just not too often. mix it up and don't patronise him all the time . you can tell him off without treating him like a kid. 

he likes edging and orgasm denial as a punishment. just dont ruin his orgasm or he wont let you do it again. 

please don't ever hit him during sex. a playful thump on the arm when he’s telling a bad joke is one thing but if you touch him roughly during the act, even if he knows its coming, he finds it triggering. 

He’s pretty exclusively a sub but don't think that means he’s into punishment all the time. mostly he just likes his dominant to take care of him.

BTAS Riddler

i feel like it would throw him for a loop. he’d be confused as all hell, even if you said it in a sexy voice he might not get the message.

 he’d probably scoff at the idea. the notion that he’s anything other than perfect is laughable. he’s certainly not some sort of bad boy. you should sit on his lap and get him on the same page as you. watch his mouth go dry and his eyes go wide as you explain all the things you're going to do to him for being bad. he’ll do his best to stay composed but we both know its you who’d be wearing the pants by the end of the conversation. 

he’d want to be tied up. he’ll be gibbering and rambling the entire time, desperately trying to stay in control of the situation.  He’ll try to do things for you but a gentle reminder that you’re in control and if he doesn't anything he’ll be punished more will have him biting his tongue. 

I think humiliation works best on this one. im imagining something with rope or his suits since he’s so fond of them. maybe try and make him cum while still clothed? maybe some shibari under his suit jacket? i’ll let you decide. 

he doesnt have a safeword bc he thinks its strictly a bdsm thing and refuses to admit he’s into that. he prefers to use the traffic light system. although you probably had to teach him that. before hand he was using some nonsense riddler made system involving humming different songs. ode to joy for fun/keep going and  vivaldi winter for slow down.  you will have to gently explain what a batshit insane idea that was. 

Original Riddler

I imagine he’d be into it, moreso initially than the others. He doesnt have so much emotional baggage and he’s game to try anything once. 

I dont know if he’d find the idea of punishment sexy but he’ll try it for you. he’d probably just prefer you to frame it as impact play or degradation or whatever “just because” you wanna try it. something about it being a meant as a punishment just seems weird to him 

he does like being called names but in a cute playful way. he’s not liable to take offence at anything you say, inside or outside the bedroom but digs at his appearance do sting a little. even if youre “in character” so to speak when you say them. just reassure him after that you dont really think those things.

He’s one of the tallest riddlers and also has zero shame so you’ll need to be inventive when thinking of punishments. tying him up could actually hurt him with his circulation, he runs around in glittery spandex all day anyway so good luck trying to humiliate him. 

Because he is so tall and strong, its hard to hurt him. you could try spanking him, ask him to count out the spanks and listen as his voice gets higher and more unsteady with each one. 

actually in that note and given his penchant for dress up maybe you could try sub/dom roleplay? pretend you're a doctor/nurse or something and you're punishing him for his bad diet? if the punishment thing doesn't work out at least you’ll both get a giggle out of it. 

Telltale Riddler

Oh he is absolutely going to fight you on this one “i think YOU'RE the one who needs punishing , love.” . if you want to punish him you’ll have to fight for that right

he’s never really subbed before he met you. He’s happy to show you how to punish a sub but he really needs practice letting someone else hold the reins.

he pretends he doesn't like dirty talk. if you get him riled up and start whispering filthy things in his ear he’s going to melt a little. 

I cant think of a specific he’d like or something he’d find egregiously offensive, so i think you've got a blank cheque for mayhem here. do what you like and he’ll tell you then and there if he’s into it or not.  

but no blinders or restraints though. he’s claustrophobic after being in that icebox. He IS an escapartist mind you. even if you put him in something he’ll have wiggled out of it before you can blink . he MIGHT tolerate something just there for aesthetics or because the fabric feels nice, like maybe his tie or your hair bow tied loosely around his arms.

in the same vein, he’s sensitive so maybe you could lightly torture him with some sensory stuff. ice cubes or wax play?

Zero year Riddler

i Cannot stress to you enough what a horny fuck this one is. at the mere MENTION of sexy punishment he’s like “oh yes punish me ive been bad “ wiggling his ass in the air like a target. will call you Daddy regardless of your gender because we all know he has  issues. 

He’s 100 percent going to lean into it, goad you and taunt you to punish him more, get angrier or hit him harder. he gets off on the pain, yes but he also just really enjoys being an insufferable shit. 

“EDWARD THIS IS PUNISHMENT YOU ARENT SUPPOSED TO ENJOY IT” - you, probably. 

i dont think the traditional sexy punishment things will work on this one. youre going to have to get creative. like tell him you are in charge of his wardrobe and death traps for the week. 

something that MIGHT work would be forcing him to wear a toy or even just some lingerie under his suit. He’s going to be embarrassed as all hell because this riddler is a big buff cheeto puff who takes his appearance seriously. BUT he cant deny the thrill of maybe the lace poking out over his waist band when he bends or the outline of a bralette being seen under his shirt, isnt a little arousing.

please dont be surprised when he turns around a week later and pulls this exact same shit on you. 

there you go nonnie !  this one was quite a lot of fun! i have a rule of trying not to write more than 6 points for each but it was hard to compress down this time around. so much variety in personality and temperament in the one character there's a lot to write about 

got something you wana talk about? send me an ask or a dm! im always game to talk about our favorite curious menace 💚💜

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Ten: Ethnic Food ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

Well...today’s the day. While she knows, in truth, there’s no avoiding what she’s about to do...Hinata still takes a sliver of comfort in knowing that she can, at least, make peace with it.

The last several months have been the oddest of her life. Being saved from one vampire by another, befriending said savior vampire, and slowly finding herself more and more familiar with a world so few know exist.

Of course...Hinata has known about monsters - or as they prefer to be called, Nightwalkers - for most of her life. Her mother’s bloodline, tracing all the way back to the ancient miko who claimed to speak to gods, makes her neither human nor monster. A strange in-between that most nowadays call witches.

Try as she might to ignore her lineage, ignore her nature...it came to find her in the end.

And now, her rare, thought-extinct powers have attracted unwanted attention in the form of her dear friend’s employer and coven leader, Madara. He’s made her a deal she can’t refuse. Not because the reward is tempting...but because to say no is almost certainly a death wish.

She tells herself that, so long as she has Sasuke to rely on, she can get through this. While she’s a complete novice with her abilities, Madara seems convinced they can grow, and she can master them...all for him to use against his enemies.

So, given she has little choice, Hinata has decided to give her answer: she’ll work for him as needed. Otherwise...she just hopes she can keep some semblance of normalcy.

Which is why, once she’s made her peace, she texts Sasuke.

Want to get some dinner?

Hopefully it sounds casual enough. Because according to Madara, Sasuke’s protective inclinations toward her have been born out of a growing affection. And while Hinata cares for him greatly...she just has too much on her mind to sit and puzzle out her feelings. She’s never really dated anyone...never really been in love. Had crushes, but was never bold enough to act upon them.

...and is it wise to pair with a Nightwalker, given what she is? She’s not human...but she’s not vampire, either.

...she’ll think about it later.

Thankfully, his reply is swift...and cuts right to the point.

Made up your mind?

The words earn a small smile and a soft snort.

Yes. Not that there was much to think about, huh?

...true enough. The usual place?

Mhm.

Be there in ten.

Reading the last message, Hinata idly runs the pad of her thumb over the cracks in her mobile’s screen. She really needs to replace it...just her luck she was grabbed when it was in her hand, dropped to the parking lot asphalt. But at least it still works...she’ll put it off a little longer.

Mind still eddying with thoughts, Hinata makes her way to their typical meeting place: her favorite little eatery she discovered while going to university. It’s more traditional in style, quaint, and just what she likes.

And, as usual, Sasuke beats her there.

“Car or feet this time?” she asks with a small smile.

“Feet. Couldn’t find my keys.”

“Showoff,” Hinata gently chides, letting him open the door for her. “But at least you’re still a gentleman.”

“Only for you. To everyone else, I’m an asshole.”

“C-consider me flattered, then.”

“You should be.”

That earns another laugh, the pair of them guided to a cozy corner table. Sitting with a relieved sigh, Hinata takes a moment to glance out the window beside her. The night life of her city plays out beyond the panes, all seeming so...normal. It’s funny how much her perspective has changed since she met the man now sitting across from her. How much more...aware she feels. She knows she still has much to learn when it comes to those like her companion...but to think that so many people are completely blind to a world just over their shoulder...it’s odd.

“Hinata?”

“Hm?”

“You spaced out there for a second.”

“Oh...s-sorry.”

Sasuke studies her face, dark eyes flickering over her features. “...you all right?”

“Mhm. I’ve just been doing a lot of...thinking lately.”

“Good thinking, or bad thinking?”

“Just...thinking. Not really good or bad.”

“Objective, then.”

“...yeah.”

“Speaking of...I’m honestly blown away by how well you’re handling all of this, y’know.”

That earns a blink. “...really?”

“Yeah. Sure, you’re not human...and you’ve been aware of us most of your life. But that’s not exactly a guarantee for understanding or keeping calm in the face of everything you’ve got going on.”

“...I guess I just...d-do my best to look and move forward. I don’t know...maybe it is weird, but I just feel...calm. I know there’s danger, but...for some reason, it doesn’t bother me.”

His brow furrows, clearly not quite comprehending.

Hinata takes a moment to think, trying to figure out a way to explain. “...I think...it’s because I know I’m not facing it alone. Because I know you’re there to protect me.”

Sasuke’s face goes slack with surprise.

In turn, she gives a small smile. “...hungry?”

“...uh...yeah, sure. This place only got traditional food, or is there anything, like...ethnic?”

“M-mostly traditional…? I always get the same thing, so...I guess I’m n-not the one to ask,” she replies with a small laugh into the cuff of her jacket sleeve. “Though...n-now that you mention it, that reminds me of a question I’ve always meant to ask you.”

“...okay. What held you back?”

“Mostly I just forget, but...I guess I’m not sure if it’s, um...offensive…?”

Sasuke can’t help a snort. “Trust me...I doubt anything that passes through your mind could offend me. Hit me with it.”

“Well...your kind need blood to survive...right?”

“Yeah. It varies a bit from person to person, but typically we can’t go more than about three days without before we start getting...dangerous. We usually try to get about half a liter a day, but some skip around, depending on their schedule.”

“...oh! I...didn’t know it was that strict.”

“Mhm. So, was that your question?”

“Well, partly. I’ve obviously seen you eat food, but...is that n-necessary for...someone like you?”

“What, regular food? Oh, yeah. See, uh…” He hesitates, gathering his thoughts. “The ‘needs’ of Nightwalkers are typically sort of...additional beyond the typical. Like...fiction often depicts us as undead, but that’s nowhere near true. I have a heartbeat, my blood pumps, my gut functions...I still need food, water, rest, and all that like anything else alive. I just need blood on top of that to satisfy and sort of...alleviate what makes me a...what I am.”

“Ohhh…”

“...you thought that would offend me?”

“W-well, I just...I honestly thought you...didn’t need to eat,” Hinata replies, tone quite sheepish. “And I don’t like making assumptions about people, let alone an entirely different...type of people. S-sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Some species have it a lot easier than others. For example, most bestial lines - like...harpies, werewolves, nagas - they don’t really have a need like we do? There’s is more like...an instinct. You could, in a way, think of their brains as having two halves. A more human-like half, and the animal half. And suppressing the animal half for too long can make them...irritable. Or even affect their mental health. Some have mastered it and live almost completely like humans. But for most, they have to have breaks where they take their beast forms and live a little. Otherwise they’d go mad.

“But with the humanoid sorts, ours are usually more...conditional. Typically, it’s something that feeds off of another creature. My kind need blood - any kind will do, but humans are just the...best suited? It’s hard to explain. And like succubi and incubi need sexual energy. Sirens crave giving people pain, or even killing them...but most are satisfied just by being heard and adored. Stuff like that.”

At the mention of the middle sort, Hinata can’t help but go light pink. “I...I see. Do...do witches have any conditions like that?”

“Not that I know of, but...with how rare your kind became there for a while, a lot of information about you has probably been lost. Have you ever felt like there’s something nagging at you? Something you need to...do, or eat, or...whatever?”

“I don’t...think so.”

Sasuke leans his elbow atop the table, considering her as he rests his chin in a hand. “...it’s funny, but...no one really knows the origins of those like us. Nightwalkers, and witches - Twilightwalkers. Some say we evolved from humans, others say we’re cursed, but no one really knows for sure where we came from. But your kind seem to be a kind of...middle ground between us and humans. The way I’ve heard it put is that Nightwalkers are those with power to alter themselves...and witches have the power to alter what’s around them. Humans can do neither, at least...not the way we can.”

“That...makes a lot of sense. But I wonder if there’s any way to find out where our roots r-really lie.”

“No idea. But that’s more the sort of stuff my brother likes to puzzle over. I’m more of an ‘in the now’ sort of guy. My roots don’t really offer much in terms of effects here and now for me. Might be neat to know, but it doesn’t really do anything for me.”

“I think I’d like to know,” Hinata muses. “I already know s-so little about what I am...maybe it would shed some light. But I guess I don’t have much means to find out.”

“Yeah...we’ll get you figured out. Soon enough you’ll be the strongest witch in Japan.”

“I might be the only witch in Japan,” Hinata rebukes with a giggle.

“...you have a fair point. But still...you’ve clearly got talent, given how you managed to influence me, even with no training and in a state of panic. That’s promising.”

“I’ll t-take that as a compliment!”

Sasuke manages a grin as a server finally finds them, apologizing for the wait. “No worries. We’re night folk,” he assures her smoothly, giving Hinata a none-too-subtle wink.

She just snorts.

“Well...we’ll get you a full stomach, and then go have a little chat with Madara,” Sasuke then offers, sobering them both slightly. “There might be some paperwork to get you legally tied into everything, but...overall we shouldn’t have to be there long. Unless he decides to ramble on about what you’ll be doing. Hopefully he’ll save that for another night.”

“Yeah, I’d...prefer that, honestly.” She’d almost let herself forget why she’s really here. One last little outing with her full freedom before finding herself in Madara’s claws.

“...it’ll be fine,” Sasuke then assures her softly. “Like you said: I’ll be there to protect you.”

“...thank you, Sasuke.”

                                                              .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 35, 44, 52, 80, 82, 105, 115, 133, 159, 162, 188, 193, 289, 298, and 307!)       First of all, let me just apologize for falling yet another day behind: yesterday was super stressful, so I took my typical evening time to work on another fic. By the time that was done, I was in a lot of pain from my broken teeth, and just...called it a night. And odds are, the rest of the year is going to be VERY busy for me, so...I might very well fall further behind rather than catch up, though I REALLY hope I can do so before next year. But I won't hold my breath. Once things are more...finalized, I'll clue you guys in more. Just...please be patient with me, I'm doing my best ;w;      ANYWAY. Onto the actual fic!      This was a very...odd prompt, lol - hence it mostly just being a passing phrase, which I sometimes just...have to do when the prompt is weird xD I had a joke I was going to have Sasuke make to tie into it, but...upon further thought, I wasn't sure if it would be too crass, so...I tossed the idea. Instead, we have just some angst-laced fluff between them on Hinata's last day (well...night) of freedom. Things are going to get...interesting from here on.      I might tie in some old RP plots, and honestly might save more of this verse for a proper fic...? I'm not sure how I want to do that, as it might make more sense to do a "rewrite" from the beginning, since this method has been a bit...disjointed. We'll see. But as I've said before. any longer fics I want to do after this challenge will be after a pretty hefty break. I love this challenge, but WHOO has it been a burnout, lol - at least there's less than two months left. I love it, but...I need a break. Especially since Life is ramping up as we near the end.      ANYWAY, I'm...majorly rambling, so I'll stop there! Thanks, as always, for reading...and all of your support and patience <3

[worldwrestlingfanatic]

Classic Review: Royal Rumble 2006

This is definitely a "spur of the moment" idea for me to review. I have no idea what brought me to wanna watch and review this pay-per-view. As I'm watching the intro while typing this I dont remember any of the feuds or big matches going into this event so I've got an open mind going into the pay-per-view.

Kid Kash (C) vs. Funaki vs. Jamie Noble vs. Nunzio vs. Paul London vs. Gregory Helms

This match feels so weird. A match name so complicated and long I didn't even bother including it in this review, its pretty much just a six man free for all with the first person to score a pinfall or submission winning the match. To me it kinda just feels like around this time the cruiserweight title picture didn't have much going on but WWE still wanted to include all these guys so they were just all put together last minute to make this match. A few quick notes, Jamie Noble looks a bit odd to me in any attire other than jean shorts and it's insane to me how Paul London wasn't better utilized. Hes easily my favorite in this match and arguably the most talented. That being said, Paul London did attempt a shooting star press off the top rope into the crowd of opponents and he kinda just missed everyone and landed face first on the outside of the ring. Another quick note, does anyone actually remember Kid Kash or anything he did in WWE? I knew of him before watching this but other than this match I can't name anything he did during his time with the WWE. Gregory Helms ended up winning by pinning Funaki. The cruiserweight championship, a smackdown exclusive title was won by a Raw superstar. Not only that but he kinda had the lowest amount of impact in this match. He hit a neck breaker on Paul London off the top rope but other than that he was kind of a nonfactor. Last quick note, on commentary they mentioned that Gregory Helms used to be the Hurricane. That's crazy to me, that's like if WWE referred to Stardust as Cody Rhodes. Weird way to start the show. Not boring, not overly exciting, just... weird.

Odd Rant: I dont typically speak on backstage segments in these reviews but watching Vince McMahon interact/touch on the "Divas" was pretty uncomfortable to witness, I feel the further I go back to do these reviews, the more common stuff like this is going to be and I'm not looking forward to it. But in this same segment we got to see a young Randy Orton and that's always great.

Mickie James vs. Ashley - Special Referee - Trish Stratus

Ah yes, the storyline of unrequited love between Mickie James and Trish Stratus. Not too sure what role Ashley plays in this storyline but I'm guessing it isn't because she was super over with the fans at the time considering the crowd was pretty silent as Ashley made her way to the ring. I was confused seeing Trish be the special referee of this match since at the time she was the womans champion. Just odd to see a champion at a ppv with her championship but not defending her title. Mickie James gets the win and immediately tries to celebrate with/hug Trish but was just met with Trish not wanting anything to do with her. Neither Mickie or Ashley were really.... the greatest wrestler at this point in their careers to say the least.

Odd Rant: its increasingly getting more uncomfortable to watch Vince interact with the "Divas". If we're going to keep cutting here between matches I'm pretty worried how far these segments will go

JBL vs. The Boogeyman

The man who ate worms for real for the sake of the character who gave me creeps as a kid taking on the corrupt wall street millionaire. Wrestling has certainly given me plenty to talk about over the years. I cant even imagine how people who faced the Boogeyman planned for these matches. "Oh you're going to spit a worm into my mouth at this point in the match, okay sounds good". The Boogeyman was more entertainer than wrestler. A guy that wasn't very diverse when it came to in ring talent and was very reliant on his gimmick to get him over. Boogeyman wins in a pretty uneventful match. His finishing move was a pump handle slam and just one was enough to put away JBL which is odd because I've seen this man bleed buckets in an I quit match against John Cena so I guess Boogeyman and his pump handle slam was just that damn strong.

Royal Rumble Match

Weird that the selling point for this pay-per-view takes place less than half way through the event but like I said, I don't know any of the matches going into this show so maybe they just have a big main event planned. As I'm watching I'm now a little more than half way and this certainly isn't a very star studded rumble match. Out of the 17 entrants so far the only notable superstars have been Triple H, Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kane, Chris Benoit and Bobby Lashley. Not even surprising returning legends its just been some mid carders who aren't too great and jobbers like Simon Dean. RVD now comes in at number 20, hopefully this is a sign of things starting to pick up. Matt Hardy is now being dry humped by Viscera in the middle of the ring and before I could even finish typing that sentence Viscera eliminates Matt Hardy. I just felt that was a notable highlight to add. Now that I've seen all the entrants I feel like I can now fully discuss the match since I already know the winner. Rey Mysterio wins if you don't know. The lack of star power in this match caused really legitimate possible winners to be a bit of a short list. It's very disappointing that it took the death of Eddie Guerrero for WWE to give Rey Mysterio a title run. A pretty forgetful title run but a title run nonetheless. The match wasn't really much to talk about until we hit the final five. I do wanna add that I appreciate that this match was also treated as a Raw vs. Smackdown event. I mean, it was everyone for themselves but on commentary they frequently added who in the match currently was on which brand, which makes sense because Raw and Smackdown are competing against each other and whenever theres a match where superstars from both brands are present, on commentary at least, it should be treated as a competition. Just something I wish WWE would do more of today, I hated when Raw was just one big "supershow" I prefer the brand split, but that's a different topic for a different time. Overall the match did feel like a bit of a chore to get through but in the grand scheme of things I did appreciate the story they told of Rey Mysterio overcoming all odds with the deck stacked against him to make good on his promise that he dedicated a victory to his best friend, Eddie Guerrero.

Edge (C) vs. John Cena

John Cena came to the ring in what Joey Styles called a "Spaceship Catwalk" and I cant really think of a better name for whatever this was so I'll just go with that. Cena isn't even the champion and he got a wrestlemania style special entrance and Edge didn't. It was such an odd touch, could've went without it but at least it looked cool I guess. Edge was such an absolute heat magnet, he knew what to do and what to say at all times to make the crowds boo him it was a bit of disappointment to see Edge drop the title in this match. I understand that in the long run Cena winning was probably the smarter move but if their plan all along was to send Cena to wrestlemania as champion I wish they didn't tease us with an Edge title run. I mean, in 2006 everytime Edge won the title, he beat Cena to get it and everytime he lost it, it was to Cena. Edge had a nice title run as world heavyweight champion on smackdown years later but in relation to this event, that smackdown title reign felt like it was an eternity away. If nothing else this WWE title run turned Edge from a midcarder to a main event talent and he was deserving of it. All in all, I just wish Edge had a more lengthy run with the title instead of losing it in a month after being the first superstar to cash in money in the bank.

Kurt Angle (C) vs. Mark Henry

Listen, I get it, Mark Henry is a cool guy, but he isn't really an amazing athlete. Maybe its just me but I've never been able to get behind anything Mark Henry has been apart of, besides the hall of pain storyline but doesn't have for another few years. I don't know the story going into this match or the full smackdown roster at the time but I just feel like this match shouldn't have main evented. After seeing that this was the match they picked to go on last I wish they would have just saved the royal rumble to be the main event, they would've sent the crowd home happy with Rey Mysterio winning. I know we got a surprise Undertaker return at the end and that made people excited but looking back, Undertaker vs. Mark Henry at wrestlemania wasn't really all that great. Kurt Angle is fantastic but he cant carry everyone to a good match. Angle retains but other than that there just isn't too much to say about this match, it was slow paced and just didn't pack any real punch for me.

I cant really make a pros and cons list for this event, nothing was overwhelming entertaining and nothing was offensively bad. It was just a pretty "meh" event. Rey Mysterio won the royal rumble and Kurt Angle did an interview that made me laugh a little bit before his match and those are the highlights for me. The real lowlights I guess would be just how underwhelming this event was and how bland everything felt. Say what you want, I love womans wrestling today but watching the story progress between Mickie James and Trish Stratus was mildly entertaining too. I'm really reaching here.

2/5

[literaryspinster]

Forever Yours, Iris West, Chapter 4: The Sad Girl

Chapter 4: The Sad Girl

When Saturday rolls around, I spend a short time wondering if I should go out. I go so far as to make a half-cocked attempt at planning a trip to the movies, but Scott has a family thing, so he’s out, and Cynthia has a date so she’s out too. I know I shouldn’t be relieved, but I am, least of all because Fefe and her pet dweeb have been popping up everywhere all week and I refuse to accidentally run into them again on my own time. Luckily, Barry knows not to talk to me anymore, and he sensibly cuts Felicity off every time she starts to steer into asshole territory, but just seeing them at all is enough to make my entire body clench.

That’s why I plan on spending the weekend with my brother, the one guy I really trust anymore. Coming to America, Our favorite movie, just hit Netflix again and we’re watching it with the biggest horde of popcorn and candy known to man. We already have the movie on DVD and Blu Ray, but it's reappearance on the streaming service still feels like cause for mini celebration.

“Boob alert!” I say, hitting pause frantically as Prince Akeem’s bath scene pops up. I’ve seen this one a million times and I always manage to forget about the nudity.

“I’ve seen boobs on TV before sis,” Wally says, rolling his eyes instead of shutting them.

“I’m not thinking of you, I’m thinking of me and how highly awkward it is to look at boobs with my kid brother, if you won’t shut your eyes then this seems like the perfect time for a soda refill.”

I hit play again and get up just before the naked women pop up out of the water. I go into the kitchen, Dad and Cecile are cooking dinner and it smells like roasting poultry in here.

“Are you sure that’s an appropriate movie for Wally?” Cecile says, taking a break from cutting up a tomato for the salad.

“Nope,” I reply casually. “But he was ruined ages ago, blame Roy Harper and his bootleg copy of ‘I Spit On Your Grave’ in fourth grade.

Cecile laughs and starts again at chopping the tomato.

“What about you?” dad says as he peeks into the oven. “I’m sure there are more teenager friendly things you can be doing right now.”

“Here we go,” I groan deeply as I open the refrigerator and grab a half full two liter out.

“I’m just saying, there’s a big world out there honey, no use in making it smaller your senior year.”

“I still miss the days when you were overprotective and crazy.”

I pour the soda quickly and put the two liter bottle back in before dad can say another word. When I join Wally in the living room again, the onscreen boobs have long passed.

“Dad has a point, you know,” Wally says.

“What do you have super hearing?” I say.

“Nope,” he says, shrugging. “Just nosy.”

“I’m not gonna argue with you there kiddo.”

He gets quiet, but there a weight to the silence, like he's contemplating what to say next.

“I’m just saying, and no offense, but I’m 13 and I cancelled plans to hang out with you tonight.”

He should have kept it at contemplating. I hate that he's a kid and I can only ever be so mad at him for being a jerk.

“Wow, that is way harsh Wally.”

He looks up at me to interpret my silence, and his stupid face does seem sorry, so I toss a handful of popcorn at him to let him know we’re cool. But maybe what he said, and what Dad said, did get to me a little. Was I really so abnormal?

After the movie, Wally goes up to his room to do some online video game thing with his friends and I step outside to feel the cool night air on my face. If it weren’t in the wee hours of the morning over in England, I’d call up Linda to see how she is and tell her that I miss her. I knew that I would the moment she left, but I didn’t expect it to hit quite so hard. She at least would have come over for a night of Eddie Murphy and popcorn if she knew I’d rather stay in, and she wouldn’t have given me crap about it either. In fact, I think Linda might be the only person who understands why I started to pull into myself and avoid all but a handful of people. Linda was easier to trust with that sort of thing even more than my family was, because as much as I knew Linda worried about me, I also knew that she’d never try to change me.

I look up at the stars, thinking they look impressively bright tonight, like the city must be darker than usual out there. Maybe I’m not the only one sitting at home after all, maybe everyone is needing a break right now. I like watching stars, most of the time they never move, but they still seem like they're putting on a show. A romance maybe. I know I can be cynical, and antisocial, but unbeknownst to most people, I'm into that sort of thing. Why else would I have written those letters? It was a writing exercise, and a way to be in my feelings away from watchful eyes. But I also wrote them because I legitimately enjoy the idea of being in love, even if it is just an idea. Mom and Dad were in love, so I know that it can be real, but she still died, it still ended, and he still moved on. I love Cecile, but her being here will always remind me that loving only one person forever is only a thing in stories. And maybe that's what the letters truly are, just stories.

Right before I decide to stand up and head back into the house, I hear that sound, that annoying, bizarrely familiar sound. How do I always know when it’s him running toward me? Do his feet fall in such a specific way that it can’t be mistaken for anyone else?

I try to get inside the door faster but not nearly fast enough, because he calls out to me before I can properly twist the knob.

“Hey Iris,” he says, but his voice doesn’t sound like it usually does when he says my name, it doesn’t sound inappropriately cheerful in that way that makes me want to violently flick his ear until he snaps out of it. He sounds sad, almost choked up really, and my annoyance fades into concern.

“Are you okay?” I say, letting go of the knob and turning to face him.

“I’m fine,” he says, catching his breath. “Everyone gets dumped sooner or later right?”

Before I can say another word, he’s run off again.

By Monday, I’ve mostly forgotten about my weird encounter with Barry Allen. High school relationships end all the time, and even if I do feel weirdly sorry for Barry, and even Felicity, it’s not enough to stick with me through the weekend.

It isn’t until I make my way down the hallways that I’m taken back to the other night. Unsurprisingly, Felicity is right there by the lockers for the world to see, surrounded by well-wishers. I don’t know why they broke up or who’s fault it was, only that Felicity dumped Barry and not the other way around. And yet, she’s the one being consoled.

“I just thought we were different you know, special,” Felicity cries, dabbing her cheeks with a Kleenex.

“The only thing special about Felicity and Barry is Felicity,” Her friend, Caitlin I think, says. Of course I know that’s bull. I have a couple of classes with Caitlin and she’s always singing Barry’s praises. I promise that I never try to absorb any of this stuff, being a journalist just means being naturally observant, and that proclivity gives as well as it takes. I pass to my locker before I take in another sad word.

I manage to get through trig, AP Lit, and AP US History without another whisper of secondhand drama, and by lunch I’m feeling relatively positive about the day. Scott and I are supposed to sit together so we can discuss the Teacher’s Union story we’ll be assigning to two hopeful underclassmen. To be perfectly honest I’d love to tackle that one myself. It’s the kind of piece that if executed properly will bore the student body to tears but get college admissions guys in death match mode over whoever wields the byline. Unfortunately, part of being Co-editor in chief is to delegate and lead, which sometimes means sacrificing the big, important scoops.

I flip through the notes I’ve already jotted down on this piece, because there’s only so much I can help myself. I keep going even when Scott takes the bench across from me, and I launch into the idea storm that’s been brewing since early Sunday.

“So I jotted down a few notes, thoughts you know? It’s mostly Just stuff that I’ve sort of heard through the grapevine and general speculation. I also took the courtesy of taking down all the important phone numbers, email addresses and URLs I think our staff picks are going to need. By the way, I think Kara Danvers would be perfect for this, she’s bright, she’s curious she’s everything this story needs, and I—

I stop mid ramble when I realize I can feel the silence on the other side of the table. Usually Scott would have interrupted me two sentences ago. I finally look up at him. He looks weird, almost edgy, his hands clutching his backpack straps for dear life, his eyes wide and frantic.

“Scott, what’s up? You look like you just found out Don Lemon died.”

“Um Iris, I really think we need to talk.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, letting my notebook fall closed. “About what?”

He’s silent as he removes one strap of his backpack and swings it around to his side, unzips it and reaches in.

And when he takes it out, it’s almost as if my blood freezes a split second before even seeing it. It’s Scott’s letter, in a pulpy brown envelope with a big Malcolm X stamp in the corner, his address in thick, sturdy black ink, just the way I wrote it. It’s neatly unsealed across the top, like he used a letter opener because of course he would. He definitely opened it, which means he definitely read it.

And I think I have to go die now.

Next Chapter: Leo Snart, The Boy From Homecoming

[celticheartedfangirl]

Some thoughts on A&E and the Rumbelle fandom as we head into the finale . . . . .

First of all, I’m very grateful for Rumbelle for many reasons -- the best being it sparked my writing muse again and that it’s brought me many new, wonderful friends.  I’m grateful it was created and it exists and will CONTINUE to exist for decades to come in fanfic.  (All you folks worried about no more fic or art -- fandom doesn’t work that way.  If this is your first fandom experience, you will still be able to find Rumbelle stuff when you’re in your 70′s to show to your grandchildren. Count on it.)

All that being said . . . . I’d like to address two things in this post: The way that A&E handled Rumbelle and the way the fandom reacted to it.

First A&E:

I’m convinced that A&E fully intended for Skin Deep to be a one off episode.  They had no intention of exploring the pairing further, and only did so because of fan reaction.  There is absolutely ZERO evidence to the contrary.  In fact, all evidence in their subsequent writing proves me RIGHT.  They wanted Rumple to be and remain a shady character until the end, and with a character like Belle as his love interest, that wasn’t possible.  Which is why they constantly had to find ways to fridge Belle and break them up.  They couldn’t figure out a way to write her into the narrative without making adjustments to the story.  And they REFUSED to budge on that one sticking point: Rumple.  They were willing to budge on everything else but him.  (See: Neal Cassidy.  I won’t go into that here, you know what I’m talking about.  That’s just ONE example.)  

I also don’t think that A&E really understood how popular Beauty and the Beast were and ARE and I don’t think they grasped that a BatB story should NEVER be a one off.  They aren’t side characters, there are and always should have been a power couple on the show.  But A&E dug in their heels and refused to acknowledge that.  That was a serious mistake on their part.  Not only fandom, but the GA was willing to embrace them, as a complex couple.  

If we’d had a better writing team, we would have gotten that.  But we didn’t and now here we are.  We’re approaching what is possibly the end of the series, and PROBABLY the end of canon Rumbelle.  And the fandom is no more secure than it was when the pairing first took off.  It’s very frustrating and aggravating and I really wish A&E could see how utterly cruel they come off in regard to Rumbelle.  Especially Eddy.  

Speaking of the fandom . . . . . ahem . . . . . where do I begin?

The Rumbelle fandom took a VERY sharp turn in S4 and has become more and more fractured over the last two years.  We have factions, we have this group that hates that group and this group that won’t even acknowledge that those people are even IN the Rumbelle fandom and we have fandom policing and people blocking people left and right -- I just don’t get it.  

For those of you who hate me (and are only seeing this because someone you don’t hate reblogged this and you’re quietly cursing them for doing so because now my shit is on your dash) -- here’s a fun fact for you:

There’s a blog out there called @bellematters.  This blog was created in S3 by a Belle fan who has loved Belle since seeing BatB, who has been inspired by Belle and who was even moved to LEAVE HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND because of Belle.  Belle changed that person’s life.  She was tired of seeing Belle constantly shafted and sidelined and basically treated like an unimportant entity by the writers.

I AM THAT PERSON.  I CREATED THIS BLOG.

I walked away from the blog last year and left it to the other mod who volunteered to help me, because I could no longer support who Belle had become on the show.  I didn’t like the way she was written, I didn’t like the way she was being portrayed (no offense to Emilie -- I just felt very chilled by some of her performances from 4B on, I’m sorry), and I especially didn’t like actual words that my former abuser had said to ME coming out of my hero’s mouth.  

But don’t you DARE tell me I don’t love Belle.  I fucking ADORE Belle.  I could write a whole dissertation on how this character literally saved my life.  

Because I chose to point out that Belle was being written OOC, that she was being mean, saying mean things, doing mean things, and often displaying hypocritical behavior -- I was blocked.  I was shunned.  And so were many of my friends who were also seeing what I was seeing.

I really hope, when all is said and done, that somehow the Rumbelle fandom can rebuild and stop with the infighting and taking sides and all of that nonsense, and it IS nonsense.  It is stupid.  And it’s very naive to think that the people who ship the same thing you do should only ship it in the exact same WAY you ship it.  I really thought the Rumbelle fandom was bigger than that. I wasn’t asking anyone to agree with my perspective.  I was simply asking that people understand that it EXISTS and it’s just as valid as your perspective. It especially frustrates me when people who have me blocked that I don’t have blocked (I have THREE Rumbellers blocked -- literally THREE.  There are reasons for that beyond “I don’t like their attitude.” If you can reply to this post, you aren’t one of them.) reblogging and liking my posts.  Or seeing them on Twitter saying EXACTLY what I’ve been fucking saying over here.  Cause we’re really not that different.  I just have a more cynical viewpoint.  I’m an old lady who still fangirls and I’ve got a different perspective on things because I’ve been burned BADLY in my fangirl life and never have I been burned by writers more than I have been with Rumbelle. And yeah, that pisses me off, because I really thought maybe I had found a ship that wasn’t going to screw me over in the end.  Sue me.  

So I’m putting an olive branch out there to anyone who has me blocked, shunned, whatever -- come into my inbox and ask me stuff.  You can do it on anon, I’m fine with that.  I usually don’t like anons for stuff like this but in this case I will make an exception because I’d really like to see the fandom be a united front and not a divided mess, and that’s not going to happen if we don’t start talking to each other without judgment.

http://charmedrumbelle.tumblr.com/ask

Finally . . . . . remember the @rumbellelibrary?  Yeah, that was me too.  I kind of abandoned that in S4 because A) my then laptop was on the fritz and I couldn’t deal with it plus I was having difficult issues with my life in general, and then B) I found myself not caring because of all of the reasons I just listed above.

That is NOT a side blog.  It is an individual blog because at the time I created it I didn’t understand that side blogs were a thing.  (I’ve mentioned I’m OLD right?) 

After much thought, I’ve decided I’m not going to return to running that blog.  Ever.  And since it’s a dormant URL, I think anyone who is interested can take it over.  If you want it -- it’s yours.  It’s up for grabs.  Take it.  Rework it, delete it, do whatever you want with it.  I’m sure someone can do something with it -- if not, it will remain a Tumblr relic.  I’m just not interested.  I want to focus on my own fanfic and my original stories that I’m writing and I don’t have the time for it.  

All I ask if you do take over the library is that you please don’t block anyone, no matter how much you dislike them or disagree with them.  I made that blog for everyone.  Please respect that.  

If you want the blog and are having trouble claiming it (I really don’t know how that works) please let me know and I’ll find a way to get it into your hands.  

Whatever happens on the show this week, I’m pretty sure that I, personally, won’t be happy about it.  The show has burned me, personally, too much to enjoy it any longer.  But I’m still a Rumbeller.  I always will be.  And so will the people that enjoy the outcome.  We all love Rumbelle --- shouldn’t that be the thing that matters most?  

[furederiko]

I've sort of lost track of holidays and festives since the year began, but today's Good Friday!!! Meaning it's a good friday to post a Random News Digest as well... Ahahahaha!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The quest for young Albus Dumbledore has come to a close. Warner Bros has entrusted the iconic role to... none other than Jude Law. Which shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the Brit actor's long history with the studio, from the "Sherlock Holmes" series to the upcoming "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword". Personally, I still think Rafe Spall would make a better Albus, but perhaps the movie needs more of Law's... star power considering the first "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" wasn't exactly the big "Harry Potter" hit that WB expected. Beside, Law also suits the "younger man and quite a troubled man" criteria better than Spall.

The down side of this casting, is the general assumption that the sequels will put more focus on the bromancing frenemy between his Dumbledore and Johnny Depp's Gellert Grindelwald. It has been hinted that the two characters have shared a rather 'close' relationship in the past, perhaps even something that was somewhat romantically inclined. Okay, let me correct that. J.K. Rowling has said it herself that "Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was.", so it's more than just mere speculation. Thus, it IS going to be interesting to see how Law and Depp come to blow with one another, which is what many "Harry Potter" fans should be dying to see. Then why do I call it a 'down side'? Because at least for me, it's Eddie Redmayne's Newt Scamander...'s magical ZOO that was the prime highlight of the first movie. Those creatures, with the chemistry between Alison Sudol's Queenie and Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski coming hot in second place, are the part that I found to be delightful. These three characters, alongside Katherine Waterston's Tina, have all been confirmed to return, so one would easily wonder how these New Yorkers are going to fit in the story that takes place in Paris and Watford, England. Admittedly, Tina and even Newt himself, were pretty dull and boring for a lead. But it would feel like such a crime if they are put aside to the corner, as the spotlight is stolen by Law and Depp instead.

It is currently unclear whether the next movie will once again feature two separate storylines going in parallel with one another. But that's exactly what's currently generating the concern for some people. David Yates will be returning to helm the second movie, so let's just hope he'll find a way to make the sequel feel more... balanced and evenly focused. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2", a tentative title for now because I'm not even sure if it will be accurate to the story anymore, is set to be released next year on November 16th, 2018. That's when we'll see whether this will turn out to be a magical Brokeback Mountain between Law and Depp, or another adventure of Newt & Co.

DC Films

Pray tell, why are we getting another poster for "The Justice League"? The popular notion is that WB is launching one as preparation for that last trailer debuting in theaters alongside "The Fate of the Furious". Yet when you look at the timing, somehow it just feels rather inappropriate. I mean, why not release it alongside those character posters and teasers last month? Can't remember? Those ones that oddly arrived on the same week to Spider-Man's posters and trailer. Sounds dejavu? Because Marvel Studios had just debuted the trailer and first poster for their upcoming Thor movie as well! You know, the one that will premiere just two weeks ahead of "The Justice League"!

Aaaah yes, THAT is the reason why calling this as coincidence is hokey at best. As if WB is trying to convince audience that... yes, despite the muted colors and the joyless forced humor, their grand ensemble movie is as colorful and fun. Now I can't help but wonder if this is a direct answer to that hillarious FANMADE video that's casually making fun of Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne and Gal Gadot's Diana Prince... LOL. Anyway, my point is... hogging on another movie's spotlight is acceptable, since many studios have been doing this since the Hollywood's dinosaur age. But I do really wish WB would stop being so dickish, while at the same time, being utterly obvious about it. Stop positioning themselves as the angry envious rival, subtly but blatantly creating flame wars with Marvel, because it does them no good. Acting all offensive in a non-existent competition is the wrong thing to do, because it makes them look BAD instead!

"Wonder Woman" also made news because the movie is said to be tracking for a $83 million opening. Eventhough it is unfortunately lower than DC Films' previous two movies, it sure didn't stop fans from turning into bragging mode and stuff. After all, that's how the internet works, and sorry to say, precisely the way 'DC fans' tend to overreact with things both good and bad. Meanwhile, another outlandish rumor hit the internet, claiming that WB will release not one, not two, but FOUR Batman-related movies in the year 2019. Yeah, judging from the studio's track record on announcing DC projects, only to end up losing directors or getting back to first page rewrites... over and over again, that sounds too good to be true, right? Despite all that, just imagine the headlines and numerous thinkpieces immediately run by various entertainment, and fansites. Well, at least until WB's producer Jon Berg and DC Entertainment's President Geoff Johns themselves shot down this report in their own hillarious way. I don't know about you, but THAT is what I call FUN.

Last but not least, Dolph Lundgren has joined "Aquaman" to play merman(?) King Nereus of Xebel. Making him the third antagonist after Patrick Wilson's Orm, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta. That's not counting the likelihood of Willem Dafoe's Dr. Vulko turning evil, of course. Director James Wan has confirmed this casting himself, and Lundgren will likely join production when it begins on May in Hawaii. Although having the former Punisher sounds good, once again, this casting felt a little toooo obvious to be a coincidence. After all, we just got a hot rumor surrounding Sylvester Stallone's important role in the upcoming Guardians movie. And when you start remembering that Lundgren used to play as Stallone's rival/opponent in "Rocky IV" before teaming up in "The Expendables" series? Aaaaaah, it's another act of spite, right there! Oh WB, when will you ever learn...

Transformers

Have you seen the latest trailer for "Transformers: The Last Knight"? I certainly haven't, because I'm totally not looking forward to see this movie anytime soon. But I heard it was great, and well... probably the best one this movie has released so far. Honestly, after the lackluster tragedy that was "Transformers: Age of Extinction", I never would've thought that we're going to get a 5th movie of this winding-down franchise. And this is just the beginning of another array of sequels, because director Michael Bay himself has explicitly stated to MTV that... "There are fourteen stories written. And there’s good stuff. So, I would like to do one of them, though.". 14? SERIOUSLY?!! Dang it, for a guy who thought "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" was meant to be the last, this statement felt like an offensive mockery. Anyways, this 5th movie is set to arrive on June 23rd. I'm personally more curious about whether it will rake as much money as the previous one. Somehow I suspect it won't, but general audience seems to love this franchise... so, we'll see.

SONY Marvel Universe

SONY Pictures has found its Miles Morales! What for? That animated "Spider-Man" movie that is set to be released on December 21st, 2018. Yes, the same date that recently has been occupied by "Aquaman". The young actor privileged to lend his voice for the animated Miles is none other than Shameik Moore. Fans might argue that Morales is half black, half latino in the comics, whereas Moore is not. But this is an animated movie, which only requires his voice, so I don't think it should be a problem. The actor himself shot to fame following his debut in Rick Famuyiwa's "Dope", later starred in the Netflix drama "The Get Down", and will next be seen in "The Pretenders". Speaking of "Dope", who would've guessed that it was such a good movie, eh? I mean, most of its main cast has gotten big comic book roles now. Tony Revolori is soon to be seen as Flash in MCU's Spider-Man. Kiersey Clemons is Iris West in DC's who-knows-when Flash movie, a feature that was almost directed by Famuyiwa. Zoe Kravitz was in "X-Men: First Class". And now Moore. Should we expect anyone else from that movie?

Aside from Moore, another cast who has joined the movie is Liev Schreiber. Schreiber portrayed Sabretooth in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", and is currently well known as the lead actor of "Ray Donovan". According to the same report, Schreiber will be voicing the movie's antagonist/supervillain, though his character is being kept a secret for now. If I didn't know better, I have a feeling that Schreiber is going to voice Otto Octavius, or more popularly known as Dock Ock. Unless he's being assigned to voice Kraven the Hunter, which might also work when you put into account his previous ferocious comic book role. Then again, just like Moore, only his voice will be utilized, so he can practically play anyone. LOL. Hollywood's favorite duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller are writing and producing this movie, while Bob Persichetti and Peter Ramsey will co-direct the movie. Considering this is an animated movie, shouldn't they start working from now? I mean, animation is unlike live action movie, because it needs to be done at least 2 years in advance to achieve the highest quality. Let's just hope that this movie will be able to stand against the rising tide of "Aquaman" when it arrives next year. Otherwise, this might spell trouble for SONY's ambitious universe.

X-Men Universe

In a very surprising (but seriously pleasant) announcement, "Deadpool 2" has discovered its future-mutant Cable. And my oh my, it's Mad Titan Thanos himself, Josh Brolin!!! Yes, scoring his second Marvel role, Brolin's Cable will be featured in not one, nor two, but FOUR future X-Men movies. Popular speculation says that his next movie will be "X-Force", if not "New Mutants" as well. He's joining Ryan Reynolds who is returning to produce and star as lead character Wade Wilson, as well as Zazie Beets who will portray Domino. Interestingly, Brolin has played a comic book character before, as the titular character in the critically and financially failed DC movie "Jonah Hex". Which means, he and Reynolds are fated kindred spirits from the get go! That's nothing but true fact, no matter how Reynolds openly 'complains' about it... LOL.

No offense to David Harbour, Brad Pitt, or Michael Shannon, but Brolin sounds too perfect for this role. Not just in terms of looks, but also in the actor's ability to play the straight-faced man with a penchant to infuse his character with various kinds of intensity. "Old Boy", and "Sicario" are great examples of this. Created by Rob Liefeld and writer Louise Simonson, Cable is the complete opposite personality to the obnoxious, oddball, and foul-mouthed Deadpool. He's a tough, no-nonsense mutant whose gruff attitude and mysterious aura didn't waste time to attract a great number of fans. He has also been paired with Deadpool ever since. Suffice to say, it's a character that is right up on Brolin's alley, with "Men in Black 3" as its easiest example. With this sequel expected to arrive in 2018, production for the David Leitch feature is set to have a June start in Vancouver. Brolin is currently filming his Thanos role with Marvel Studios in Atlanta, and might even have completed his motion-capture part already. So rest assured, scheduling issue is not even a thing. Interestingly, both movies will be released next year, which means, 2018 would be a truly Marvel-ous year for Brolin!

Marvel Studios

Have you seen the mindblowing first teaser of "Thor: Ragnarok"? The long awaited teaser was simply rock and roll AWESOME, wasn't it! Not only director Taika Waititi delivered a Thor Odinson's movie that already felt distinctly different to his previous solo features, he also imbued it with his signature quirky fun but gorgeous colorful style. It felt like this least-favored franchise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally embraced its funky Asgardian glory and cosmic side, eh? As if that's not enough to please us, it has already scored an amazing achievement by being the most-watched trailer that both Disney and Marvel Studios ever released! Is this a good sign? Most definitely. In fact, this was such a splendid teaser, I'm actually hoping that Marvel Studios won't be releasing anything else after this. This one's more than enough to grab audience's attention.

The official poster that came afterwards, though? Perhaps it didn't quite leave a similar impression, but arguably still emitted a strong promise of colors and style. Especially with all those Rainbow-Bridge-tone illuminating the titular character. Just look all those gorgeous colors, right? Chris Hemsworth is looking cool with that new haircut, and of course, don't forget the absence of Thor's beloved Mjolnir. Seriously, this movie is going to be strangely fun but epic! November 3rd, 2017 can't come soon enough.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves too soon. "Ragnarok" is still 7 months away, and there's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming" that we need to anticipate first! With all three releases of the year looking equally fun and colorful, it would be a mistake to skip any one of them, right? HUGE mistake. And we can expect the first screenings reactions from "Vol 2" pretty soon. Why? Director James Gunn, along with stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista have kicked off the sequel's worldwide promotional tour in Tokyo, Japan last week. Not surprising, because it is set to hit theatres in Australia, Southeast Asia, and other international countries theatres starting on April 25.

As for the North American region, if I'm not mistaken, some of the press members are going to be the first to see it, just a few days from now. I bet early social media reviews and responses will arrive pretty much the same day. That's also the same reason why it's going to get harder and harder to avoid spoilers spreading throughout the internet. Even interviews and press roundup have slowly reveal details about the movie, much earlier than we expected. For example, Kurt Russell has spoken to Total Film (via Flickering Myth) on whether we'll be seeing a "Tango and Cash" reunion in this movie between his Ego the Living Planet, and Sylvester Stallone's mysterious character. Nah... I won't spoil anything about it, just go ahead and read the article if you're up with a little spoiler.

For the time being, "Vol 2" is tracking for a $150 million domestic debut. This is considerably close to the opening of "Captain America: Civil War", and also a solid improvement to the $94,3 million debut of the first "Guardians of the Galaxy" back in 2014. It's hard to predict whether this opening estimation is on point or not, because even "Beauty and the Beast" have magnificently surpassed its initial tracking number (and has broken the $1 billion mark yesterday). There's always a chance that the same accomplishment will occur with "Vol 2", considering the franchise is now sitting on everyone's top 5 most favorite among the MCU. Not to mention, "Vol 2" is the first movie that will kick start the 2017 Summer Movie season in the US. I guess we'll have to wait and see, and hope the best for the sequel. Because if it's good, then I bet Gunn would not shy away from returning to create a "Vol 3".

As for "Homecoming", several rather spoilery details of the movie might have landed online as well. In this case, regarding the "Daily Bugle" existence in the MCU, several scene descriptions from an event held in Tokyo, the possible appearance of other Avengers beside Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, as well as actress Angourie Rice's true role in the movie. Hailing down from a Tom Holland's fanbase account on Twitter, these reports felt... a little hard to fully believe, because it could very well be a subjective assumption on their part. So do take them with a huge grain of salt.

Finally, remember that candid photos of Elizabeth Olsen filming an action scene for "Avengers: Infinity War" in Edinburgh? There's a video version of it now, and one that looks rather... dire and serious. This scene once again hinting that Olsen's Scarlet Witch and likely Paul Bettany's Vision will come into blow with a CGed henchmen, presumably the Black Order members. If you're curious, then go ahead and check it on Youtube. Assuming it hasn't been taken down, of course. Inline with the casting announcement from FOX, it seems Josh Brolin would have concluded his part as Thanos in May so that he can join the production for "Deadpool 2" in Vancouver. Which is probably why the "Infinity War" production will then proceed with his Black Order members instead.

Netflix

This might sound surprising, but it's the last category for today! Yes, because I have no topics for the game section. LOL.

It wasn't long ago that we heard Marvel's "The Defenders" has wrapped its production, to pave way for the second season of Marvel's "Jessica Jones". Looks like Marvel's "The Punisher" has followed suit as well with its completion. A Twitter fanbase account for lead actor Jon Bernthal, reported that the cast has thrown away a wrap party for the production that began on October 2016. Judging from this, it's safe to assume that the series will in fact arrive later this year instead of next year. It's a little suspicious though, that it wrapped just a few weeks after "The Defenders" eventhough they started at relatively the same time. Considering the mini series only has 8 episodes, does this mean "The Punisher" might be a more compact/shorter series than those previous four? I sure hope so, because forcing these serialized shows into a 13 episodes with materials enough for maybe 10 at most, certainly didn't work charm. Said sentiment has even become one of the loudest talked-about criticism thrown at them. Here's hoping Netflix will realize this issue and solve it accordingly, because seriously, watching Marvel's "Iron Fist" alone has already worn me out.

Meanwhile, Netflix is reminding its audience that the 2nd season of "Sense8" will arrive in May 5th, by launching an official trailer. Which is highly necessary, because even I have forgotten that I've written about this fact before! YIKES!!! The inability of Netflix to set a fixed annual release date is admittedly troublesome, as it tends to wore out its devoted audience due to uncertainty of when to expect any continuations. "Sense8" and "Voltron Legendary Defender", as well as their uncertain delays are good examples of this particular issue.

IMHO, "Sense8" is a show that would have benefitted from having its second season arriving as soon as possible, preferably in mere months apart (just like the Network side, perhaps?). The first season was undoubtedly slow if not poorly paced, and the story only got interesting and intense in the last two-to-three episodes. It undeniably felt like an extended intro for the real story, thus forcing viewers to wait too long (remember, first season was launched in 2015!) to see what's next (one that hopefully explores the REAL intrigue behind them), simply doesn't do any good. Sure, there was a "Sense8: Christmas Special" on December 23rd last year, but I doubt many even knew it existed nor have watched it. I sure haven't, because even I only remember about it just now, FOUR months later. LOL. And to be honest, although I'm probably among the few who DID enjoy the first season, I've realized I'm not that anxious to see the second. Why? I have forgotten whatever was happening in it, so seeing this new trailer only succeeded in making me scratch my head in confusion. That is NOT good...

Thankfully, Netflix's bingewatch functionality helps to counter this problem. After all, unlike movies that come and go, we can view any of their original shows anytime we want. So those who haven't seen the first, can plan their start later by watching both seasons all at once. Trust me, I believe that would be more effective for this series. So right now, I'm patiently waiting for the critics' reviews first before actually checking the second season. While at the same time, re-watching the first season one by one, which might be a challenge because sadly this show doesn't have a strong rewatchability. My only hope is, I won't end up forgetting about this plan in just a few weeks after release. LOL.

[junker-town]

The 14 steps along the path to a college football coach getting fired

Barring a sudden surprise firing, it goes something like this every time. Where’s your coach right now?

Think back to the day your college football coach was hired. He was the right guy. He was excited to be there, and you were excited to have him. His intro press conference filled you with optimism.

But that was then. Your team’s falling on hard times again, and it’s time to make a change.

There is a rhythm to the head coach exit. The ebbs and flows that beget the pink slip are largely the same at each school. While there are always going to be unpredictable, overnight breakups, programs tend to progress through the same stages, and it usually plays out over a two-season stretch.

So, where is your program on the progression?

1. The first bad loss.

Maybe the coach has had some time to tear the program down to the studs and rebuild. Maybe he’s an institution, and things are just starting to stale. Either way, the fanbase needs some proof this thing is going to work long-term.

This isn’t the loss that signals the end. This is just planting the seed. You shouldn’t lose to this team, but here we are.

Like when Texas lost, 24-0, to Iowa State in Charlie Strong’s second year.

All the good feelings, all the talk about the potential for bowl eligibility and progress? Out the window. This team won't have a postseason and Strong has major questions to answer. Saying that the team is better than it showed will no longer suffice. If there's one positive, it's that he didn't try to do so in the post-game press conference.

Strong would get one more season.

2. The buck-stops-here press conference.

Everyone’s upset, and it’s time for the coach to take responsibility, like Will Muschamp after Florida lost to then-FCS Georgia Southern:

“You got to change the scoreboard offensively. You got to be able to change the scoreboard. We’ve just struggled scoring points offensively. It’s been a week-in, week-out occurrence. My job to get it fixed and it will get fixed.”

Oh, that did not get fixed. Muschamp would exit stage left the next season.

3. The vote of confidence.

There’s blood in the water, but your AD or school president isn’t punting yet. They just need a little bit more time. Like Kyle Flood at Rutgers, when then-AD Julie Hermann pledged support.

Flood is 15-10 in his two seasons.

“Our football program continues to evolve and grow, as evidenced by the changes Coach Flood just announced," Hermann said in a statement. "I support these moves and Kyle’s leadership as we transition into the Big Ten.

Flood would be gone after two more flailing seasons.

4. Firing assistant coaches.

One side of the ball just isn’t working like it’s supposed to. It’s time to axe a coordinator to placate the masses. The new guy can promise the offense/defense will be more multiple and physical.

Finish 97th nationally in total defense like Maryland did in 2014? It’s time for a change.

The Terrapins' defense had declined statistically over each of the past two seasons, culminating in disappointing performances for the senior-heavy unit against Rutgers and Stanford to end the season. Randy Edsall has decided to overhaul the defense[.]

Edsall would get the boot at the end of the 2015 season.

5. “How many wins does he need?”

Is it a magic number, or is it the “right” wins on the schedule? Either way, if media days are dominated by trying to figure out the right combination of wins and losses, the goose is likely cooked.

How good is good enough for Michigan, and Brady Hoke, in 2014?

Not only in regaining the respect the Wolverines have lost since the shocking upset loss to Appalachian State to open the 2007 season, but to justify Hoke remaining as the Wolverines’ head football coach.

Hoke was gone by the end of 2014.

And the jig is close to up if one particular game is make-or-break.

There is a dwindling number of scenarios wherein [Al] Golden keeps his job, but all of them include Miami winning in Tallahassee (and then doing quite a few other things).

Golden couldn’t beat FSU, among other teams, and was out.

6. Benching the QB for a younger guy.

Your QB might be a veteran junior starter, but the offense just doesn’t look like it’s clicking. It’s high time for that backup to play and show the administration how great the future looks under you.

The bye week is a perfect time for this. He’s got the first week to get adjusted to the first-team offense, and the second week to get the game plan.

Helfrich became the first coach Oregon had fired since the 1970s.

7. Young alum coordinator or head coach is getting it together, wherever he is now.

Y’all see that grass over there? It’s green as hell.

You think it’s time for your AD to make a phone call to that former player coaching somewhere else, damnit. Certainly he’ll come home.

"I left Texas A&M because my school called me," Bear Bryant said when he took the Alabama job 60 years ago. "Mama called, and when Mama calls, then you just have to come running."

You might not have even fired your actual head coach yet, but it’s time for some public flirtation by the fanbase (Lookin’ at you, Nebraska).

This is the type of ENERGY and PASSION we need from a head coach! https://t.co/y5kGvSOpZc

— Scott Frost to NU (@frost_to_NU) October 18, 2017

8. Social media is fed the hell up, way beyond the usual. Your entire timeline is unified.

This one can take a ton of different forms. It could be calling for a Lane Kiffin tarmac firing this instant:

4 years ago, USC fired Lane Kiffin. If Helton doesn’t want a similar fate at the end of the year, he needs to fix his ship.

— Victor The Great ✌ (@vicorly) October 27, 2017

Leave him on the tarmac like Lane Kiffin when he was fired at USC

— #DutchDestroyer (@_Philly_Talk) October 24, 2017

Perhaps the former players start weighing in:

#WAREAGLE http://pic.twitter.com/2Qp0Dm3Zt5

— Heath Evans (@HeathEvans44) October 14, 2017

I think it's time for the UT leaders to have a come to Jesus meeting with Butch!!! #changeisamust #VFL

— Albert Haynesworth (@haynesworthiii) September 23, 2017

Your area’s entire Twitter presence turns entirely to the cause:

And once that crosses over into the real world, you’re REALLY in trouble:

FIRE BUTCH JONES signs have appeared at every pro venue in the state, random colleges elsewhere, a grocery bakery, https://t.co/0jZGVcISfk

— SB Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) October 21, 2017

9. Plane banners.

The effort here, just to get rid of guys who already seem like dead men walking, is truly stunning.

Annnnnd here's the banner. Says "I Flew 1124 Miles Just To Say #FireAlGolden" http://pic.twitter.com/KKNlsst6uc

— Matt Porter (@mattyports) October 1, 2015

http://pic.twitter.com/1Fes8eMLov

— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) October 21, 2017

10. Booster shade.

The highest-ranking rich guy has had enough. He’s called the folks he drinks with at suite level and started to pass the hat. Your coach has a buyout number to hit.

Beat writers are getting wind that the people who control the pocketbooks have had it up to here.

But when Ed Hansen — lawyer, multimillionaire, University of Washington alumnus and former three-term Everett mayor — wrote UW President Mark Emmert six weeks ago, he abandoned all sense of delicacy.

Hansen, unhappy with the state of Huskies football, placed a price upon the head of the football coach and the school’s athletic director. His e-mail said:

“By this letter I hereby pledge to contribute a minimum of $100,000 towards a law school scholarship within 90 days, conditioned upon the termination of Ty Willingham as football coach.

Willingham would be gone by the end of that season.

11. Coach is saying some really weird stuff now!

The message board chatter is at a fever pitch, and the season isn’t going well at all. But the head coach is trying to stay positive and wants you to be too, like Gene Chizik in 2011.

“They’re going to say what they’re going to say and discuss what they’re going to discuss, and you have absolutely no control over that. I call those energy vampires. They’re not going to suck my energy out worrying about that. That’s how we work.”

Chizik would last through 2011, but be gone after 2012.

12. The local columnist is finally done.

As media members, we often want to give coaches a bit more benefit of doubt than fans. Particularly if the coach seems like a good guy. Mid-season firings sometimes seem impulsive, after all.

But when the local columnist does drop the guillotine, it’s another indicator that the situation is untenable.

Has Bob Diaco coached his final football game at UConn? He’s done little to earn himself another season. The Huskies lost to Tulane Saturday to finish 1-7 in the American, a game almost nobody attended, and went an entire month — 16 quarters over parts of five games — without a touchdown.

A month after that story got published, Diaco was shown the door.

13. The death-knell loss.

It could be a blowout, or it could be a close shave, but there’s always one loss that signals that the end is truly nigh. An example? Losing to Kansas, if you’re Texas.

The Texas Longhorns, a titan of college football, just lost to Kansas in overtime, 24-21. This is the first time the Horns have lost to the Jayhawks since the Great Depression.

Strong would get canned the next week.

14. The actual end.

It’s probably a Sunday morning, and your coach is about to have a closed-door meeting with the AD. The loss last night was rough. It’ll all be over soon. Players start finding out on Twitter or via their news apps, just like the rest of us, and begin to voice their displeasure. The news is leaking, but they are yet to have their team meeting to make things official.

Gotta love finding these things out through twitter.... a heads up would’ve been nice

— Luke Del Rio (@Ldelrio12) October 29, 2017

Whatever happens today just know that @CoachMcElwain has been a father figure and a great mentor in my life and family’s life. #GotyourBack

— Eddy Piñeiro (@eddypineiro1) October 29, 2017

— Drè Massey (@D1Masseyy) October 29, 2017

Recruits who are experiencing the business end of college football for the first time start chiming in.

Im not answering any interview questions about whats going on, that isnt my place to speak about. Nothing is changing this class.#AllBite18

— M A T T Y (@corral_matt) October 29, 2017

I will not do any interviews about the situation with Coach Jim. #GoGators

— Ja'Marr Chase (@10jayy__) October 29, 2017

#Gators WR commit Corey Gammage posted this, deleted it a minute later. http://pic.twitter.com/FBTID9pW3P

— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) October 29, 2017

The team meeting is announced.

#Gators players meeting now expected to be at 5:30 p.m.

— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) October 29, 2017

And around the time the meeting goes down, the end comes.

McElwain, UAA Mutually Agree to Part Ways Details: https://t.co/QsGUA7spfI

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 29, 2017

The official statement brings an end to the often long (but sometimes short) march through the hot seat stages. It could termed be a “mutual parting of the ways,” could be a firing, or a forced resignation.

Either way, your team’s coach is gone, and it’s time to reset the program to try all over again.

Certainly the next hire won’t end like this one did, right?