#Killer Kowalski

[l00k4tm4m45c415]

Jayne Trcka w/Killer Kowalski

[joearlikelikeswrestling]

[jhsharman]

Man of Iron

Actually they should have changed it to the gray sweatshirt for the rest of the scene.

[ringthedamnbell]

Spotlight on Killer Kowalski

Spotlight on Killer Kowalski

Robert Segedy I can clearly recall the time that I had met the legendary Killer Kowalski. My friend Bill and I had traveled to the town of Springfield to attend a meet and greet of various wrestlers. This was the first time that I had attended one of these events and I didn’t exactly know what was in store. We pulled up to the parking lot of a local motel where the greats and near greats had…

[mostbelovednjpwtournament]

Most Beloved WWE Wrestler Tournament

[flownwrong]

something like this (due south fic)

F/K + F/K/V, rated T; ~1000 words

Summary: Ten ways Ray Kowalski's day can go.

A/N: For @thegoodthebadandtheart's birthday. Hap birth, friend! You're the real one <3

read on ao3

1. Back before The Great Frasering, my days went something like this: groan my way out of bed, try not to slip in the shower with my eyes not quite opening the whole way, inhale the coffee smell from the coffee mug, inhale the coffee from the coffee mug, Turtle feeding time, pants, shirt, holster, car, work—repeat in reverse, swapping coffee for beer and shower for a jerk-off-and-feel-sorry-for-myself session. Sprinkle in some evenings out with the guys—good collars, or someone's birthday, or impending fatherhood, or retirement—with bar games and shooting the shit, out of which I'm mostly good at that last one.

Work went something like this: come in, argue with anyone who's looking for an argument, try to make sure that doesn't include the witnesses or the Lieu, talk to people, shout at people, slap cuffs on people. On a good day, help people. Or at least try. Sprinkle in staying late in the attempts to keep all the papers in check, which wasn't as hard as you'd think considering back home it was mostly the TV and the Turtle waiting.

2. Then there was one day when work went something like this: Lieu calls me in, says, here's a doozy, wham, bam, I'm outta there, outta my own skin, outta my depth.

3. During The Great Frasering, my days went something like this: get to the station, hang out with Fraser, take a fat pill's worth of trippy shit, argue with Fraser, work with Fraser, hang out with Fraser, get slobbered on by wolf, go to bed, sleep the sleep of the dead—not necessarily in that order. Same on weekends, only without work. Well, not every time. Sprinkle in some letting Stella go, some letting Fraser in, some times my heart would feel so huge with needing him I was sure that was all she wrote.

4. Then there was one day that went something like this: Fraser catches a weirdass fish, gets on the trail of the killer of his mother, wham, bam, I'm outta Vecchio's skin, outta a plane, outta a partner. I'm lucky Fraser didn't get the memo.

5. The adventure went something like this: learn so much new stuff my brain felt three sizes too big for my skull, get why Fraser can't shut up about this place, spend so much time looking up at the sky one night I got a crick in my neck and felt dizzy, kiss Fraser, some more dizzy, try to figure out whether I said I loved him out loud only for him to say it first. Not find any hands, reaching out or otherwise, except for Fraser's hand down my pants, which, I'll be honest, I'll take over Franklin's any day of the week.

6. Then there was one day that went something like this: pack up my shit and go back to Chicago, listen to Fraser snuffle in his sleep on the plane, thank whoever's in charge about two hundred and eighteen times. Come home, curl up together in bed in the puzzle pieces way we worked out, only this time it's my bed, and technically it's the next day, but it's not like I stay up to check the clock.

7. After, it was The Great Frasering 2, bigger and better and like nothing I ever hoped for, until—

8. —the day that went something like this: Fraser sneaks off after lunch, which is nothing that pings my radar because he's his own guy, but then he comes home late and miserable and tells me Vecchio's back in town, which, yeah, maybe isn't something I was gonna do a victory lap about, but he looks way worse than I feel, which is ten different kinds of wrong, and then he says he owes me a bare minimum of honesty about his desires, with this face that gives me the idea he maybe isn't talking about me decked out in latex swinging a whip at him kind of desires, which scares the brains out of me because when it comes to the big feely things Fraser hardly ever talks, and I don't know if I will sock him one or curl up on the floor and sob until he tells me and it's so queer I end up laughing.

9. The days after that went something like—like something I don't even—but the important part is Fraser stays right where I want him, where I will always want him, and it turns out that's not the only thing I can want.

10. So, today went something like this: wake up late to an empty bed, inhale the coffee—the good stuff I never ask for but get nonetheless, have a bad hair day, go to work pissed off, piss Fraser off, piss the perp off, watch Fraser piss the perp off, take one in the jaw, give as good as I got, slap cuffs on the perp, sit through his song and dance, finally get rid of him. Endure the party, blow the party early, drive Fraser home. Open the door to Vecchio cooking, see him see me and swear, get the third bag of peas today slapped onto my face, get a beer and watch him chew Fraser out, better than TV. Eat half the whatever Vecchio's cooking right from the pan, listen to Fraser chew me out for bad behavior when all he really cares about is that there's less left for him. Make out with Fraser, pause for dinner, make out with Vecchio, try to stop the wolf from making out with me because I still smell like the good sauce, watch Vecchio make out with Fraser. Say wait, wait, what about the cake, hear Vecchio say what cake, say the one you made, hear the eyeroll as he says if you wanted one, should've made it yourself, say fuck you and get only today, Kowalski. Get herded off into the bedroom by Fraser, get horizontal, get—well, use your imagination.

So maybe this isn't exactly how I envisioned forty, but hey, my definition of a good day? Probably something like this.

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

Frankie Kazarian in the ring at a memorial show celebrating the late Killer Kowalski , 2008. Kazarian was trained by Kowalski.

[blowflyfag]

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT/FEDERATION MAGAZINE: OCTOBER 1998

Beneath The Skin WITH CHYNA

AN INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY KEVIN KELLY

[For more exclusive photos of Chyna, check out the October issue of the RAW Magazine and see a side of the Ninth Wonder of the World you have never seen before!!!]

There’s an old adage which says that the people who are the quietest often have the most to say. 

Since departing from Walter “Killer Kowalski’s school for a role in the World Wrestling Federation, the only impression fans have received of Chyna is the powerful-and intriguing-bodyguard of D-Generation X. In reality, behind the stoic athlete there resides an extraordinary human beijing who was able to rise above a broken family and make it in a sport some have said she had no business being in. In this exclusive first-ever interview with the quiet leader of DX, we find out what it’s like to be the Ninth Wonder of the World. 

KK: First question: Where were you born?

CHYNA: In Rochester, New York.

KK: How many brothers and sisters do you have? 

CHYNA: I have one sister. She is my sister, mother, best friend in the world, everything to me. She’s five years older than me and I basically live with her. I have one brother I'm not real close with, but in my latter adult years I've been making the attempt to become more family-oriented with him. He’s four years older than me and he lives in Syracuse.

KK: Tell us about your parents.

CHYNA: It’s a very dysfunctional family. I have no contact with my father or my mother. After several attempts, my mother’s been married five times. I left home when I was about 15 years old. My father, who is a recovered alcoholic, hasn’t cut the mustard when I've tried to contact him, so it’s always just one disappointment after another. So, I have absolutely no contact with them.

KK: Sounds like your older sister really filled in when it came to parenting?

CHYNA: Yes. That’s the same with all us kids, which is probably the reason I'm not that close with my brother. But my sister and I have always held that bond together. Because of the age difference she did take over that mother role for me, and she’s always been extremely protective of me and caring. 

KK: I would imagine the normally painful teen age years were made even more difficult by the pressures at home. How did that impact school and dating and things like that?

CHYNA: Miraculously, honestly, I don’t know how I’m not one of the most dysfunctional people around. You hear about people who come from families like that are usually very disturbed. And, I think, although I never got along with my mother, she must have instilled some values in us all because we've turned out to be really good kids. And i think i learned to use that to my advantage. I would always integrate myself into my school wok. I always made the dean’s list. I was always very smart. I was always very athletic. I involved myself in everything I possibly could, as did my sister. Maybe that’s why I’m so driven to get attention and be in the spotlight and end up where i am today–because I've always been like that. I'm always seeking attention in some form or another. 

KK:Your grades were not affected. You stayed in school and you graduated. Did you go to college?

CHYNA: Yes, I did. I went to the University of Tampa, and I majored in Spanish literature. It’s actually a double major. I got a literature major, but I did it in Spanish. I was very into foreign languages. My actual goal was to work for organizations such as U.S. Aid or the United Nations. I did a lot of internships with organizations such as American States and one with U.S. Aid. I joined the Peace Corps after college and went to Costa Rica to teach people how to read and write in Spanish. That was kind of my goal, although that didn’t end up happening. 

KK: How did you go from upstate New York to the University of Tampa? CHYNA: Well, because of the fact that I did very well in school, when I was 16 I won a scholarship through the United Nations. I was very advanced in Spanish. And they sent me to Spain for six months to study. I liked it so much that when the time ended I Stayed there and finished my high school diploma in Spain. I enjoyed it so much that that’s how I picked up my major. So, I went from there. When I came back from college and the Peace Corps, I went back to Tampa and I graduated in two and a half years. So, I was really motivated to do things quickly. I didn’t quite know for what reason, but I was just really motivated that way. So, because I'd been there for two and a half years–which is longer than I've been any place in my life up until now–I decided I would job hunt there. I actually went to Miami, and i would commute there for certain weekends or during the week and line up interviews. I had an ongoing interview with the Secret Service for about two years. I wanted to be either an athletic trainer for them or a bilingual agent. They play head games with you, and it’s kind of a crappy job and the pay is low, but it was what I really wanted to do. They want to make sure you are the right candidate for them, so I spent a ton of time interviewing and testing and moving up that ladder. After a couple of years I guess I finally decided that was not what I wanted to do, because I was putting all my eggs in one basket. So, I went to visit my sister in New Hampshire for Christmas, and I thought I would just go out on a couple interviews for the sake of experience, and I ended up getting a job. I just kind of spontaneously said, “I've had enough of interviewing and I want to do something now.” So, I moved to New Hampshire and started at a company called Mobile Com, which is now Mobile Media. I sold beepers to major corporations like Polaroid and UPS and dealt with huge accounts selling beepers–which is not what I wanted to do. It was a sales job, so I had a lot of liberty. For your average job I guess it was good for me, but it was not what I wanted to do. I was bored stiff. KK: After some time in the working world, your interest was not only in academics but also in athletics. You said growing up you were involved in a lot of different sports. What did you play? CHYNA: Well, i tried to play everything, i tried basketball and couldn't shoot a basket to save my life. I tried soccer and couldn't kick the ball through the net. Genetically, I knew I had a gift. I was always bigger than everybody else. I was very tomboyish, and I saw what the guys were doing, so I just started putzing around with the weights a little bit. And really when I got into college, I was never much of a partier. I was always the fuddy-duddy. When everyone else was out having a good time, I found my way to the gym and started playing around. I absolutely didn't know what i was doing at all, but whatever i was doing my body started responding like that, and i just went “Wow” and stuck with it. So, it was mainly bodybuilding that got me going because I saw such a change in my body and I had such a genetic gift. KK: So, you not only completed school and college in two and a half years with a degree in Spanish literature, but you were also building another life as well–the life you would go to beyond the working world. When did you make the transition from the job to getting into competition and wanting to be an athletic professional?

CHYNA: Well, in college, when you have outside activity groups allow you to join in a college play or college song and dance or band. I sang in a band, too. I just always had that yearning to entertain as well. Once you leave that environment, what’s to do as an adult in the working world? There’s really not an opportunity. So, even when i worked, i did things like singing telegrams on the side on the weekends, I’ve done it all. I joined a belly dancing group and learned to belly dance. I actually toured around New Hampshire at all the Greek restaurants with the belly dancing group. And i loved it, i just loved entertaining. I just thought, “I have too much of an athletic gift and a yearning for entertainment to let it lie.” And I just always knew from the time I was a little girl that I was born to entertain and it was killing me just working and not doing anything. So, I started doing fitness contests, but I was too big. Basically, I remember one fitness contest I did–they told me not to come back. They also wrote me a letter saying, “This is not a body-building contest, we're not looking for your type of physique. Don’t come back.” And I said, “All right, I'll show you. You can’t stop me from coming back.” It was a televised event, and I wanted to get exposure because I thought somebody would see me. The more they were telling me i wouldn't fit in with them, the more they would see me. The next year i went back and did something totally off the wall. I did a sword dance with my belly dancing costume on! It was just so totally outlandish that I stuck out like a sore thumb. I got this idea in my head in the meantime that I would do so good in wrestling because I was such an entertainer. I could learn like that and my body fit well with that. I had been rejected from everything else. I didn’t believe in bodybuilding because overall as a sport I think it’s very unhealthy. And i think most bodybuilders don’t look good–they’re not fit people. They don’t look good all year long, they’re up and down and unhealthy, and most of them are heavy drug abusers. I was a fit girl, a big girl who wanted to entertain–wrestling seemed like such a good niche for me. So, that’s how I ended up going to Walter Kowalski’s school. Someone said, “He lives right around the area,” and I said, “I should do wrestling.” And word got to me that he lived nearby,s o i literally called him out of the phone book. This crotchety old man answered the phone, like 11 o’clock at night. I told him I wanted to come to the school, and that’s where it started. 

KK: Had you been a fan of wrestling while growing up?

CHYNA: No, never. I thought it was the stupidest thing and that it was for guys. My brother enjoyed it, and I remember when we were little we would have cage matches in the dog kennel in the backyard. I remember he would invite his buddies over and I would make them a little belt out of tin foil and my beads. I couldn’t appreciate it for what it was and never took it as an athletic form of entertainment the way I do now. I justknew I would be good at it, and it would allow me to entertain and use my body. 

KK: So, at Kowalski’s school you trained right along with the guys?

CHYNA: At Kowalski’s school… When I first went there–you know, Kowalski is obviously very old school–I walked into this big dump of a place. I thought it was a gym. It had a hard wooden floor and an old boxing ring there with 10 steel beams underneath. No springs, no padding, nothing. Just 10 steel beams and  rickety old ropes that were barely held on there, and I had to pay him. I didn’t want to pay him all this money until I got in there and saw these guys throwing each other around and I went, “Geez, I don't know if this is for me. That looks ridiculous.” I remember being all nice to him, and I asked him, “Oh would you mind if I just tried a few things to see if I like it or not?” He turned around and looked at me the way Walter does and he said, “You either do it or you don’t!” And I went, “Oh.” So, sure enough I saved my money and a few weeks later I went back and I said, “OK, I’m going to do it!” I joined with three guys that week, and before the end of the week they were gone and I was there. I was so sore, but I was going to show them I could take it just like the rest of them. I was the only woman, but I learned guy style and I did everything they did. 

KK: Like the fitness competitions, they basically told you they didn’t want you there. But you were not going to be denied and you set your mind to it and accomplished that goal of sticking it out in Walter’s school.

CHYNA: That’s right and I think actually one of the reasons I stuck with it was because I think when Walter saw me there were stars in his eyes. It’s very hard to read him–because he’s just a crabby old man–but I was one of very few people who could get in there and cuddle up to him. I think he saw me doing that and he would really push me by saying, “Go get in the ring and go do this and go do that.” And he loved my body–he would always show me off to people saying, “Look at this!” In his own way I knew he was very impressed with me. As a matter of fact, we actually got into a little conflict when I left, because I think he wanted to keep me there and wasn’t really rooting for me to come here. He said I needed to stay there with him and practice more and do his shows. Unfortunately, i didn’t cleave on bad terms, but i felt that he was bitter when i joined here and was hurt that i left him

KK: Certainly, you can't deny the way you and your character have transcended any previous views of women in wrestling–be they women wrestlers or the semi-traditional valet/manager roles. As a hybrid of both, do you feel that you’ve really placed women in professional wrestling in a totally new light?

CHYNA: Well, I do. And right from the get-go it was a fighting battle. I knew that I was going to have to push really hard or I wouldn't have a fighting chance to do this. And even when I joined Walter’s school… for the average person to be in this business, it was a very short time–probably a year and a half–since I had started wrestling before I came here. First of all,for a male, that’s no time. But, secondly, as a female who’s not married to anybody, didn’t have a boyfriend in the business and no family in the business, no connections whatsoever, but I was bound and determined and I spent my last 50 cents making a photocopy of old pictures that I had to get to people. I drove everywhere to every show. I pushed really hard, and I just happened to meet a couple of people who were very keen to the idea of having a female bodyguard type of thing–the younger guys like Hunter and Shawn. They really thought it was a cool idea. I had gotten to them, and I knew the older generation in the business didn’t like that. They would say, “Oh, it won’t work,” and I knew they didn’t want me. Then again, I knew the younger guys thought it was a cool idea. There was a generation gap there, and for a while I thought it wasn’t going to happen. But the younger guys kept pushing for it and when i finally got the job which i was very excited about, i almost came in very insecure because i thought because of the fact that people really didn't want me here maybe it wasn't going to work. I was pleasantly surprised. I think when I first came out, because it was such a unique thing, people didn’t know how to take it. But it took off, and even i can say–and i consider myself to be a humble person and I'm not one to be cocky or toot my own horn–but i have noticed that since the moment i started there’ve been signs and people yelling, whether bad or good, but they notice me every show and they want to see me. That has been very evident to me and even more so as time has gone by. But to answer your actual question, yes I do think it will change the role for women in this business. A lot of people ask me, “When are you going to wrestle, Chyna?” Well, I don't want to wrestle, because number one i don’t think women’s wrestling has ever been very popular.  I don’t think it ever will be very popular. There’s such a limited number of women who can work and work well. I think generally people don’t want to see big fat women beating the crap out of each other. That’s not appealing to watch. Women should wrestle in mud or jello, and I have to say it, but if it’s a T and A thing that’s what it should be, and I'm certainly OK with that. But I don't want to go the opposite way and deliver a product that people don't want to see. Right now, what I do is very unique, and I'm at a level where I'm working with the guys on their level. I'm main event. And I feel if I were to wrestle with women it would take me down to opening match level and there would be nowhere to go with that. And that’s certainly not a dig at anybody else. That’s my own choice. And I feel that I wouldn't have half the recognition I do now if I were to wrestle regularly and I think that would totally kill me off also.

KK: Part of being main event every night is being a part of DX

CHYNA: Absolutely.

KK: Right after you started is when the whole DX revolution began–an organization that in its own way transcended the view of superstars who traditionally were booed and hated, yet do things that are cool, and the people cheer and respond positively. What’s it been like to be part of something as groundbreaking as DX, especially having only been around the wrestling business for a year and a half total?

CHYNA: That’s a hard question to answer, because many times people say to me, “Chyna, you don’t understand it didn’t used to be like that,” or “You came in during this time,” but i guess because of the type of determined person i am i believe that certain people are drawn together or drawn to certain levels and i didn’t expect to do anything less. I knew that I was drawn to those guys for a certain reason. I think the same way they were drawn to me. I could see the type of driven people they were and the talent that they have. The first time I stepped into the ring with Shawn Michaels and Undertaker and heard the big cheer from the crowd, and as it transcends more, I think, “Oh my God, is that really me?” or “Am I really part of this?” It doesn’t seem real sometimes. It’s a thrill and I never take it for granted. I just think it’s the neatest thing.

KK: I know that you’ve been called the quiet leader and the behind-the-scenes unifying force in the interviews with Hunter, X-Pac and the Outlaws. Tell us what you think your role is in DX?

CHYNA: I feel like I'm Mama Chyna. I’m the backbone of DX. I'm the serious one that when things get out of hand, there’s always the watchful eye of the whole scenario as to what’s going on and that’s Chyna. Chyna is the ultimate last resort when help is needed. She’s not there to do something every time, because DX can usually take care of themselves, but when needed she’s there. She’s kind of got the situation under control and there’s a mystery to Chyna. You never see her jumping up and down or really smiling. There’s a lot of mystery to Chyna and she hasn’t even been unleashed yet. We can do so much with my character, but I do see her as the overall backbone of DX. 

KK: Could you analyze each member of DX, starting with Hunter? Give us your opinion of him and what you think about him professionally. 

CHYNA: Professionally, one of the most talented people I've ever known athletically and up and coming. The transition that he has made professionally in a year and a half has been absolutely incredible. He’s gone from never saying anything on the microphone to picking it up and being able to save the day, which he’s done on many occasions.  Athletically, one of the very few men who can lead a match and general match and physically do the things he does as well as get a reaction from the crowd. If you’re not a fan you don't understand what that takes and what these guys are doing. People are so focused on whether it’s fake or not that they don’t understand what incredible athletes they are and what it takes to entertain. They have no idea physically and mentally what it takes to give a good match. From the moment I started with him and having learned what it takes, it amazes me in comparison to other people how he can do that because I still can't get it. I try to think in my head, “Okay, if i had to do that what would i do? Geez, I don’t know.” To be able to just do it just like that is incredible to me. And on an idea level, a creative level as well, you basically have to take care of yourself. People can help you with ideas, but you are the entertainer and you have to take care of yourself because the people can boo you in a minute. All those things combined take a lot of talent. And that’s him, and I see him. Even if he was–knock on wood–hurt tomorrow, he would still give so much to this business just because of his knowledge. 

KK: How about X-Pac?

CHYNA: X-Pac–little brother, irresponsible, can never get mad at him, pokey, very talented in the ring–like a rubber ball athletically. He’s the kind of guy who never complains about anything. He’ll be an hour late and you’ll be waiting for him, but you just can’t get mad at him when he shows up because he's got that puppy dog, little brother kind of face. He’s one of the guys I’ve recently come into contact with, i have not been very close with, but because of his relationship with the other guys, i felt like that before i ever met him. He’s got a heart of gold and he lives for this business. Health wise, he’s okay. Because of his size he’s a big talent. The way he bounces around the ring amazes me. 

KK: How about the Outlaws?

CHYNA: Funny. Road Dog is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. Talent-wise, in all honesty, I don’t think they’re quite up to the caliber of the rest of the group. But the willingness to succeed is there, and they’re just starting as far as I’m concerned. 

KK: You know everyone is waiting to see Chyna explode. We’re waiting to see the one who belly danced. We’re waiting to see the one who twirled the sword on the stage. When are we going to see that?

CHYNA: Probably never, because that’s Joanie [Chyna’s real name]. And Chyna is so opposite from Joanie it makes me laugh when I think about it–because Joanie is probably one of the most sensitive, silly, feminine women you would ever meet, and Chyna is so opposite from that.

[goyountokki]

Go Younjung's Movies and Series Recommendation

It is known among fans that actress Go Younjung loves to spend her spare time watching movies and share her watching list through instagram posts. Let's check out all the movies and series that Go Younjung has recommended.

Fight Club (1999)

Synopsis An unnamed narrator (played by Edward Norton) who is discontented with his white-collar job forms a "fight club" with a soap salesman Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), and becomes embroiled in a relationship with an impoverished but beguilingly attractive woman, Marla Singer (played by Bonham Carter). This movie is based on the 1996 novel by Chuck Palahniuk <Fight Club>.

The Big Short (2015)

Synopsis In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry realizes that a number of subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting. Burry bets against the housing market by throwing more than $1 billion of his investors' money into credit default swaps. His actions attract the attention of banker Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other greedy opportunists. Together, these men make a fortune by taking full advantage of the impending economic collapse in America.

The Lives of Others (2007)

Synopsis In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way.

Seven (1995)

Synopsis Set in an unnamed, crime-ridden city, Seven's narrative follows disenchanted, nearly retired detective William Somerset (Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Synopsis While out hunting, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds the grisly aftermath of a drug deal. Though he knows better, he cannot resist the cash left behind and takes it with him. The hunter becomes the hunted when a merciless killer named Chigurh (Javier Bardem) picks up his trail. Also looking for Moss is Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an aging lawman who reflects on a changing world and a dark secret of his own, as he tries to find and protect Moss.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Synopsis It is the first year of Germany's occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a team of Jewish soldiers to commit violent acts of retribution against the Nazis, including the taking of their scalps. He and his men join forces with Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress and undercover agent, to bring down the leaders of the Third Reich. Their fates converge with theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus, who seeks to avenge the Nazis' execution of her family.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Synopsis While racing toward the town of Red Rock in post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunter John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) encounter another bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) and a man who claims to be a sheriff. Hoping to find shelter from a blizzard, the group travels to a stagecoach stopover located on a mountain pass. Greeted there by four strangers, the eight travelers soon learn that they may not make it to their destination after all.

Gran Torino (2009)

Synopsis Retired auto worker and Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) fills emptiness in his life with beer and home repair, despising the many Asian, Latino and black families in his neighborhood. Walt becomes a reluctant hero when he stands up to the gangbangers who tried to force an Asian teen to steal Walt's treasured car. An unlikely friendship develops between Walt and the teen, as he learns he has more in common with his neighbors than he thought.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Synopsis In mid-1980s Texas, electrician Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) is stunned to learn that he has AIDS. Though told that he has just 30 days left to live, Woodroof refuses to give in to despair. He seeks out alternative therapies and smuggles unapproved drugs into the U.S. from wherever he can find them. Woodroof joins forces with a fellow AIDS patient (Jared Leto) and begins selling the treatments to the growing number of people who can't wait for the medical establishment to save them.

Becoming Who I Was (2017)

Synopsis After being identified as the reincarnation of a venerated Buddhist master, young Padma Angdu makes an arduous journey with his aging guardian from Northern India to Tibet to find his rightful place in the world.

American Psycho (2000)

Synopsis In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiance (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (Chloë Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Synopsis Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Django Unchained (2012)

Synopsis Two years before the Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave, finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) on a mission to capture the vicious Brittle brothers. Their mission successful, Schultz frees Django, and together they hunt the South's most-wanted criminals. Their travels take them to the infamous plantation of shady Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), where Django's long-lost wife (Kerry Washington) is still a slave.

Monster (2003)

Synopsis The film follows serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a street prostitute who murdered seven of her male clients between 1989 and 1990 and was executed in Florida in 2002. It stars Charlize Theron as Wuornos and Christina Ricci as her semi-fictionalized lover, Selby Wall (based on Wuornos's real-life girlfriend, Tyria Moore).

Black Mirror (2011)

Black Mirror is a British anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker. The series explores various genres, with most episodes set in near-future dystopias containing sci-fi technology—a type of speculative fiction. The series is inspired by The Twilight Zone and uses the themes of technology and media to comment on contemporary social issues. 

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a 2018 American Western anthology film written, directed, produced, and edited by the Coen brothers. It stars Tim Blake Nelson, Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, Zoe Kazan, Harry Melling, Liam Neeson, Jonjo O'Neill, Chelcie Ross, Saul Rubinek, and Tom Waits. It consists of six vignettes set on the American frontier.

We Need to Talk about Kevin (2011)

Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a travel writer/publisher who gives up her beloved freedom and bohemian lifestyle to have a child with her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly). Pregnancy does not seem to agree with Eva, but what's worse, when she does give birth to a baby boy named Kevin, she can't seem to bond with him. When Kevin grows from a fussy, demanding toddler (Rocky Duer) into a sociopathic teen (Ezra Miller), Eva is forced to deal with the aftermath of her son's horrific act.

Stranger Things (2016)

(Picture above is drawn by Go Younjung herself)

Set in the 1980s, the series centers around the residents of the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, as they are plagued by a hostile alternate dimension known as the Upside Down, after a nearby human experimentation facility opens a gateway between Earth and the Upside Down.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their storyline is interwoven with those of their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) ; his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman) ; struggling boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) ; master fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a nervous pair of armed robbers, "Pumpkin" (Tim Roth) and "Honey Bunny" (Amanda Plummer).

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.

Bleak Night (2010)

Bleak Night is a 2010 South Korean coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Yoon Sung-hyun. The film is about a father's search for answers following his son's death, and the shifting dynamics at play among three high-school friends.

Chernobyl (2019)

Chernobyl is a 2019 historical drama television miniseries that revolves around the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the cleanup efforts that followed.

Gone Girl (2014)

In Carthage, Mo., former New York-based writer Nick Dunne and his glamorous wife Amy present a portrait of a blissful marriage to the public; when Amy goes missing on the couple's fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance; the resulting police pressure and media frenzy cause the Dunnes' image of a happy union to crumble, leading to tantalizing questions about who Nick and Amy truly are.

Before Sunrise (1995)

On his way to Vienna, American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice.

Joint Security Area (2000)

Joint Security Area is set in the Korean Demilitarized Zone separating the countries of North Korea and South Korea and revolves around a fatal shooting incident involving soldiers from both sides, which leads the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to investigate and gradually unveil the unexpected truth.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British race car driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, they plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

Memories of Murder (2003)

In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two simple-minded detectives assigned to a double murder investigation in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times with the same pattern, the detectives realize that they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer. Relying on only their basic skills and tools, Park and Jo attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case in this thriller based on true events.

Million Dollars Baby (2004)

Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran Los Angeles boxing trainer who keeps almost everyone at arm's length, except his old friend and associate Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman). When Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) arrives in Frankie's gym seeking his expertise, he is reluctant to train the young woman, a transplant from working-class Missouri. Eventually, he relents, and the two form a close bond that will irrevocably change them both.

Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Vassili (Jude Law) is a young Russian sharpshooter who becomes a legend when a savvy polical officer (Joseph Fiennes) makes him the hero of his propaganda campaign. Their friendship is threatened when both men fall in love with a beautiful female soldier (Rachel Weisz). As the battle for the city rages, Vassili faces the ultimate challenge when the Nazi command dispatches its most elite marksman (Ed Harris) to hunt down and kill the man who has become the hope of all Russia.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre as sheep herders in Wyoming. One night on Brokeback Mountain, Jack makes a drunken pass at Ennis that is eventually reciprocated. Though Ennis marries his longtime sweetheart, Alma and Jack marries a fellow rodeo riders, the two men keep up their tortured and sporadic affair over the course of 20 years.

Check the next recommendation post here

[lupines-slash-recs]

Rec: Death-Defying by keerawa

Title: Death-Defying Author: keerawa Podficcer: Luzula_podfic Canon: Due South Pairing: Stanley ‘Ray’ Kowalski/Benton Fraser Rating: Mature [R] Word Count: 15,600 Summary: Fraser is a contract-killer, and Detective Ray Kowalski needs to stop

Continue reading...

[winterfieldfrontiers]

I was right

Book 1 - Killer is Eleanor St-Claire and Tony Kowalski

Book 2 - Killer is Vasili Thorne and Colette Cadieux

You did great, MY LOVE!

[ringthedamnbell]

The Executioners: A Chronicle Of Kayfabe Killers In WWE 

Griffin Kaye Wrestling history is littered with recycled gimmicks, with everything from finishers to themes to looks being reinterpreted by different wrestlers, with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair walking (even if barely these days) examples of the success of pro wrestling knock-offs. One particular often-repeated gimmick is that of The Executioner, which has seen many wrestlers down the hood over the…

[mostbelovednjpwtournament]

Most Beloved WWE Wrestler Tournament

[emma-cantmakeuphermind]

Who and What I Write For!!!

If a Fandom/Character is Bolded, that means requests for them are Open. If it is not bolded, they are closed. Thank you!

Movies

Harry Potter

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

George Weasley

Fred Weasley

Cedric Diggory

Seamus Finnigan

Draco Malfoy

Oliver Wood

Remus Lupin (Marauders Era)

James Potter (Marauders Era)

Sirius Black (Marauders Era)

Regulus Black (Marauders Era)

Lily Evans (Marauders Era)

Marlene McKinnon (Marauders Era)

Mary MacDonald (Marauders Era)

Fear Street

Simon Kalivoda

Kate Schmidt

Tommy Slater

Nightwing Killer

Ziggy Berman

Nick Goode

Solomon Goode

Mad Thomas

IT

Richie Tozier (young and old)

Bill Denbrough (young and old)

Stanley Uris (young and old)

Ben Hanscom (young and old)

Eddie Kaspbrak (young)

Beverly Marsh (young)

Mike Hanlon (young)

Marvel

Peter Parker (MCU)

Peter Parker (TASM)

^ frat!peter… iykyk

Steve Rogers

Bucky Barnes

Wanda Maximoff

Natasha Romanoff

Sam Wilson

Bruce Banner

Tony Stark

Scott Lang

Scream

Sidney Prescott

Billy Loomis

Stu Macher

Randy Meeks

Dewey Riley

Tatum Riley

Derek Feldman

Mickey Altieri

Roman Bridger

Kirby Reed

Charlie Walker

Tara Carpenter

Wes Hicks

Chad Martin-Meeks

Mindy Martin-Meeks

Richie Kirsch

Amber Freeman

Anika Kayoko

Ethan Landry

Back to the Future

Marty McFly

George Mcfly

The Breakfast Club

Andrew Clark

Brian Johnson

John Bender

Claire Standish

Allison Reynolds

Stand By Me

Teddy Duchamp

Chris Chambers

Dead Poets Society

Neil Perry

Charlie Dalton

Todd Anderson

Knox Overstreet

Steven Meeks

Gerard Pitts

Richard Cameron

Chris Noel

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Bill Preston Esquire

Ted Logan

Billy The Kid

The Hunger Games

Peeta Mellark

Finnick Odair

Johanna Mason

Cato

Marvel

TV Shows

The Walking Dead

Rick Grimes

Daryl Dixon

Carl Grimes

Glenn Rhee

Alden

Negan Smith

Rosita Espinosa

Tara Chambler

Stranger Things

Steve Harrington

Eddie Munson

Mike Wheeler

Dustin Henderson

Lucas Sinclair

Max Mayfield

Robin Buckley

Jonathan Byers

Billy Hargrove

Ginny and Georgia

Marcus Baker

Abby Littman

Hunter Chen

Shameless

Lip Gallagher

Carl Gallagher

Kevin

V

Svetlana

Jimmy

Video Games

Bully

Jimmy Hopkins

Gary Smith

Petey Kowalski

The Last of Us

Joel Miller

Ellie Williams

Abby Anderson

Jesse

Dina

Red Dead Redemption

Arthur Morgan

John Marston

Durch van der Linde (1899)

Jack Marston (1911 and 1914)

Sean Macguire

Karen Jones

Charles Smith

Javier Escuella

Detroit: Become Human

Connor

Markus

Simon/Daniel/PL600

Rupert/WB200

Life Is Strange

Chloe Price (specifically BTS)

Nathan Prescott

Warren Graham

Sean Diaz

Daniel Diaz (older obvi)

Steph Gingrich

Ryan Lucan

Hogwarts Legacy

Sebastian Sallow

Ominis Gaunt

Gareth Weasley

Leander Prewett

TellTale’s The Walking Dead

Kenny

Clementine

Luke

Javier

Gabe

Mitch

Louis

Marlon

James

Other

Miscellaneous 80s Characters

Edgar Frog

Allen Frog

Sam Emerson

Johnny Cade

Ponyboy Curtis

Sodapop Curtis

Dally Winston

Ferris Bueller

Egon Spengler

Peter Venkman

Alex P. Keaton

Miscellaneous Non-80s Characters

Harley Quinn

Peter Kavinsky

Donnie Darko

Detective David Loki

Homer Hickam

Beck Oliver

Jade West

Rodrick Heffley

[standardlovers]

top movies of the year !! tagged by @sommerregenjuniluft who asked specifically for 10 and i will take any opportunity to talk abt films i watched <3

no pressure tagging: @sugarsnappeases @beaniebaby @casstration @bardofavon

Commentary on the films & honourable mentions below:

A Little Life (2023, dir. Ivo van Hove) this was a live show however i watched it as a movie and i hadnt even read the book bc everyone i saw who read the book was so deeply emotionally distraught that i avoided it BUT someone wanted to see it and i agreed to go with them bc it looked good and i like bonding activities. yeah its SAD AS FUCK. its complicated and devastating and very triggering at times and i recognised two of the cast and focused far too long on why do i know this guy but it definitely hit me hard as part of this years viewing experiences

The Book Thief (2013, dir. Brian Percival) this truly has been the year of sophie nélisse for me she has captivated me so ofc i revisited this and bought the book, both still as devastating as i remember

Talk To Me (2023, dir. Michael & Danny Philippou) HORROR OF THE YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!! oh this did blow me away this was so fun to watch and while some of the symbolism was slightly on the nose it was never overbearing to draw away from the plot it really was engaging and had some amazing cast

The Sound Of Music (1965, dir. Robert Wise) i hadnt seen this despite being on my list for YEARS !!!! but when i did oh i was not ready its fun its sweet its whimsical its political its interesting its sad its a musical

Saw X (2023, dir. Kevin Greutert) HEHEHE SAW !!!!!!!!! MANDY CAME BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY !!!!!!

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007, dir. John Erick Dowdle) this was so interesting !!! many people consider this a very intense horror and i was expecting the worst but i think primarily the fear factor of this is that it is formatted as a documentary discussing the events and tapes although they are real and some of the content is unnerving but ultimately as someone who deeply enjoys horror i did find the format and the approach to this new style of serial killer horror so engaging and creepy, however i wouldnt recommend it for people who arent already into horror

Beautiful Boy (2018, dir. Felix van Groeningen) i actually started this in 2022 but couldnt sit through timothee chalamet reciting poetry so i turned it off and tried again this year but it was very moving and i have like 100 beautiful boy edits in my tiktok folder

All Quiet On The Western Front (2022, dir. Edward Berger) if you are going to watch a war movie: WATCH ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT it is very engaging from the perspective of german soldiers during the end of world war i.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008, dir. Mark Waters) Bring Back Fun !!! Bring Back Whimsey !!!!

Take Care Of Maya (2023, dir. Henry Roosevelt) oh this was Intense, this is a documentary about a real life legal case following the Kowalski family who have recently finished their trial against the hospital that put their family and their chronically ill daughter through severe trauma and suffering, it was deeply interesting and very painful but also so necessary for the many people who experience similar cases and circumstances. (Post Film Update/Not shown in the documentary: The Kowalski family has since won their trial and been granted over $250million for their trauma and damages. Maya is now seeking further legal action for other circumstances she endured during this time.)

Honourable Mentions:

[REC] (2007, dir. Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza) this was just a GOOD horror it had a slower introduction but once it got into the plot it was so interesting and intense and just a Fun movie which is interesting because its the second to technically include found footage (i have seen people call the poughkeepsie tapes found footage in some ways also) and i dont particularly enjoy found footage but this year it seems to have appealed to me more than i realised!

Uptown Girls (2003, Boaz Yakin) THE BOND BETWEEN A GIRL AND THE MESSY 20 SOMETHING SHE DOESNT WANT TO RELATE TO BUT DOES . "HER AU PAIR CALLED MY NANNY A SLUT BAG WHORE !"

Pamela, A Love Story (2023, dir. Ryan White) which is Pamela Anderson's documentary about her life so far and was very interesting even as someone who didn't know much of anything about her beforehand

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986, dir. John Hughes) which is, as always, a classic and lighthearted experience <3

Totally Killer (2023, dir. Nahnatchka Khan) because it is so good to see a cheesy modern slasher just be Fun again, it doesn't take itself too seriously and that's why it was so enjoyable to watch!

[blowflyfag]

WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION MAGAZINE : DECEMBER 1999

1999 The Year of Chyna

By Kevin Kelly

Chyna has achieved what no woman was ever expected to in the World Wrestling Federation and it’s not necessarily just because of her athletic skills. Not underestimating a physique reminiscent of a leather-clad sculpture–perhaps it is because the Ninth Wonder of the World refused to listen when others said, “No.”

Chyna knew she could compete against the men, but the purists needed to be enlightened. Beginning with the Royal Rumble, 1999 has been a series of ground-breaking triumphs countered only by miniscule setbacks.

While the role of women in society continues to evolve, albeit rather slowly, the former bodyguard has seized the means of production and created her own revolution. How did this once stoic, solitary revolutionary become the tombstone by which all women in the next century will be measured and compared? It all began with a painful childhood. 

In an interview in the October 1998 issue of the World Wrestling Federation Magazine Chyna described her early family life as “dysfunctional.” After leaving home at the age of 15 the future athlete excelled in high school, regularly making the Dean’s list, and later graduated from the University of Tampa (Florida) with a double major in Spanish and Literature in just two and a half years. Prospective employers like the United Nations and the U.S. Secret Service would have to wait, however.

During her college years, Chyna had discovered a talent for weight training. Combined with a lifelong desire to perform the groundwork was set, almost as though destiny had a hand in molding the sculpture that is the Ninth Wonder of the World. 

Questioned many times about the prospect of competing against other women in the ring, Chyna has consistently stated that it would not be challenging enough. Trained by Killer Kowalski in a class of all-male wrestlers, even the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Famer knew that the skills of his prized pupil were far from common. Even before entering the Federation in 1997, Chyna was aware that to make an impact she would have to compete against the men. 

First as bodyguard for Triple H and then the unifying glue of DX, Chyna preyed upon the weaknesses of men. Her notorious low blow proved that any man of any size could be felled like a tranquilized elephant with one upward thrust of her powerful arm. If retribution was due for the sins she had committed, Chyna knew that generally men would not want to strike out at her because of the childhood rule: Don’t hit girls. To this day, many of her victims blindly look at gender and wind up temporarily paralyzed because they are not “allowed” to hit a woman. 

At the 1999 Royal Rumble, Chyna made history as the first woman ever to compete for the privilege. Having thwarted the other D-Generates, Vince McMahon stood triumphantly while Chyna made her way to the ring as the final DX member in the Rumble qualifier. No one expected her and that element of surprise has been a persistent weapon against Chyna’s opponents. 

In time, however, that element of surprise began to dissipate. Chyna needed to show that she was more than just a Mexican uppercut. She did that in her attempt to win King of the Ring. With Triple H at ringside providing guidance, Chyna proved to the world–and more important, to herself–that she could do it. 

As the old saying goes, “Good talent can make anyone look good in the ring.” The Ninth Wonder was in there with the best of the best, and despite not coming away with the victory in the perennial June tournament, Chyna put herself on the roster as a competitor. She was credible, believable. It appeared to be more like rediscovering the talent she had been born with than something she had learned. Chyna had evolved once again and the sculpture was almost complete. 

“SummerSlam was supposed to be my time!” Triple H bellowed at Chyna after the Ninth Wonder of the World became the number one contender. Chyna would not wilt under the intense heat of the spotlight. No one doubled her spot now because she had earned all our respect. 

In that same ‘98 interview, the Ninth Wonder said, “There is a lot of mystery to Chyna and she hasn’t been unleashed yet. We can do so much with my character…”

The stories that can be told about the Ninth Wonder of the World are as limitless as the imagination. Her “character,” as in integrity, is unparalleled. Chyna and Triple H are the quintessential professionals. That being said, will Chyna remain a part of Triple H’s career? There have been rumors that their partnership may be nearing an end. 

When Triple H became the Federation Champion the night following SummerSlam, it wasn’t without assistance. Chyna has been a steadfast, reliable accomplice for Triple H for nearly three years. Critics of Triple H argue that the network of assistants has hindered his credibility. Would Chyna remove herself from that role in Triple H’s life in response to the critics? 

Whatever future career decisions Chyna makes will not be in response to outside detractors. Throughout her life, Chyna has fought when most would have packed up and moved on. With minimal parental guidance as a young woman, Chyna completed high school and graduated from college with honors.

After stumbling onto weight training and a desire to compete in the fitness field, Chyna heard the naysayers and went on to make history on a televised event. Although the wrestling business wanted no part of her, the Ninth Wonder refused to be ignored and simply kicked the door in. Now, Chyna is approaching legendary status in the renaissance of sports-entertainment and the World Wrestling Federation–a history maker, a trendsetter, a one of a kind. 

This has been the year of Chyna. Her improvement and development will continue into the next century as well. One thing is certain–Chyna will constantly stay one step ahead and keep everybody guessing what is next for the Ninth Wonder of the World.