#LOOK OVER HERE. now anyway he has a very colorful filmography

[cidnangarlond]

me if I was able to recommend normal projects of his if he went into comedy BECAUSE HE'S GOOD AT COMEDY HE HAS INCREDIBLE TIMING but instead I'm stuck with "HEY YOU REMEMBER MAD MOD FROM TEEN TITANS''

dreamt about malcolm mcdowell and how I had jokingly referred to myself as his publicist because for a good decade I've been talking about that man's film projects and so many are out there are Not normal I gotta make em palatable TO AROUND PEOPLE MY AGE ON HERE. him just going "it seems you've done a lot more work than I can give you credit for!" and I was like 👉🏻👈🏻 for 12 years yeah. unfortunately as he and two others drove off it was a white car into the sunset so he will be dying in like the next week

[365days365movies]

February 17, 2021: Desert Hearts (1985) (Part 1)

You may be asking...why not Blue is the Warmest Color?

And I know, I KNOW, I really really need to watch that one. But, honestly...I find Desert Hearts more intriguing, and you’ll have to hear me out on this one.

Desert Hearts is both SUPER goddamn slept on, and has one of the biggest increases of opinion in post-release critical reviews. It’s a part of the Criterion Collection, it’s on HBO Max, it’s considered one of the great romances (LGBT and otherwise) of all time, and it’s also, most importantly, THE FIRST major release lesbian movie ever released in the USA.

And also...I HAVE NEVER GODDAMN HEARD OF IT BEFORE.

And I 100% should’ve heard of this movie before, right? I mean, to be fair, when I was looking up KGBT movies to put on my list, I saw a HELL of a lot of prominent movies that I’d never heard of, including this one. But even then...nothing? I’d heard of Brokeback, CMbYN, Carol, BitWC. But this one? I’m interested, that’s for damn sure.

Oh, also...to be honest, BitWC is THREE HOURS LONG, and I only have so much time in the day today. SO, all of that said, shall we get into some Desert Hearts? Also, I love that name, I’m not gonna lie. Anyway, let’s bring more attention to this movie, huh? SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap (1/2)

By the way, before we start, you might be wondering my opinion on the Criterion Collection.

If you’ve never heard of the good old CC, it’s a company that remasters and distribute films considered to be “culturally important.” Now, granted, it’s not perfect (I genuinely think The Avengers or another similar film should be on there, but I think that’s actually a licensing issue), but the over 1,000 films on there create one complex filmography, I tell you what. And if you have HBO Max, a lot of them are on there. Here’s a list!

It’s got a hell of a collection, and while I don’t think it’s perfect, it’s definitely an interesting indicator of what’s considered important classics. But that said, here’s something CRAZY. This movie, and BitWC are both on there...Brokeback Mountain isn’t. WHAT THE FUCK, RIGHT? So, yeah, probably a little bit of bullshit there, too. Not as bad as the Oscars, though, so I’ll take it.

In the 1950s, a train pulls into a desert station in Reno, Nevada. Out of that train steps Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver), a professor coming from New York City. Recently divorced, she’s picked up by Frances Parker (Audra Lindley), who owns a ranch that Vivian will be staying on.

As they drive to the ranch, we meet her daughter, Cay Rivers (Patricia Charbonneau), a wild girl who’s driving backwards on the road, and is FAR better at it than I’d ever be, I’ll tell you that. As she leaves, Vivian professes that she’s feeling a need for privacy, as she’s never lived outside of a city, and this is a tough time for her in general. She settles in at the ranch.

Meanwhile, at a casino in town, Cay is working and spending time with her friend Silver (Andra Akers), who’s recently engaged and pregnant. A change attendant there, she’s been dating her boss Darrell (Dean Butler), although she doesn’t seem like a big fan of the idea. At home, she’s an aspiring sculptor.

We find out a bit more about Cay and Frances’ relationship, as she’s actually Frances’ stepdaughter, via her late husband Glen, her biological father. As she recounts her lamented past relationship (with the help of Jack Daniels), Vivian seems to comfort her a bit, and also relaxes.

The next day, we get to see that the ranch is apparently full of recent and aspiring divorcees, who are staying here to subsist through the whole process and get away from their former husbands. Walking into the middle of an uncomfortable conversation involving sex, Vivian quickly volunteers to deliver mail to Cay’s cabin.

Once there, another fact is confirmed for us: Cay is indeed a lesbian. And suddenly...I seeeeee. It’s a reverse Carol! Instead of the older self-affirmed lesbian in love with the naive young woman still learning about herself and her desires, we’ve got the young self-affirmed with older naivete. Iiiiiiiinteresting.

That seems somewhat confirmed through some longing glances from Cay towards Vivian. But that’s wiped away via a cross-face wipe, as Vivian’s offered a ride into town with Cay and her friend/lover Gwen (Gwen Welles), which definitely makes Vivian a bit uncomfortable. As a reminder, this is the 1950s, so her discomfort isn’t crazy.

In town, Vivian visits her divorce lawyer, and we find out that she’s...35? REALLY? Upon further inspection, the actress was actually YOUNGER, and I gotta say, the way her hair is and how she dresses...yeah, legit though she was in her 40s. That’s also based off of her VERY husky quiet voice. Just saying, it’s a surprise!

Meanwhile, at work, Darrell tells Cay how much he loves her, and Cay isn’t interested. But despite her OBVIOUS lack of interest, Darrell doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. 

That night, both Cay and Vivian are getting a midnight snack, with Vivian being a teensy bit drunk, and considerably more lonely. As Cay offers her ear, Frances wakes up and asks Cay for a soda. While there, she reveals that the ranch is not doing well, and she may sell. She’s also quite devoted/dependent on her, and she’s, uh...FUUUUUUUCK, she’s not doin’ well.

The next morning, Vivian and Cay go out on a horse-riding trip, where they grow a little closer. On a later hangout with Silver, Cay confirms that she’s interested in Vivian romantically, and she’s formed an adorable schoolgirl-style crush on her. But the complication involved here is that Vivian will eventually leave, and Cay is basically stuck there, with her stepmother.

Frances and Vivian are watching a movie together that night, and Frances seems to be trying to dissuade Vivian from becoming too attached. However, that definitely doesn’t stop her, as the two spend more time together, and she even meets Silver. Darrell shows up to this little excursion, and is a diiiiiiiiiick.

That action may have had some...unintended consequences. Soon after, everybody’s eating breakfast at the ranch, when Vivian notes that she isn’t going to Silver’s engagement party, as she only has a week-and-a-half left there, and must prepare lectures (I feel that, goddamn). This makes Cay upset, and she wonders aloud if Darrell’s comments “put her off.”

THAT causes Frances to intervene, causing Cay to react angrily to her, causing her to leave, then causing Vivian to leave, and THEN causing Frances’ son Walter (Alex McArthur) to follow after to ask what’s wrong. Vivian notes as they walk together that Frances seems resentful about Cay’s friendship with Vivian. And Walter (a REALLY nice guy, by the way), admits that Frances wants Cay all to herself. The two of them also become friends by the end.

OK, good place to pause, since we’re at the halfway point. See you in Part 2!

[pingou7]

A car, two cops and a stardust — a RebelCaptain road trip fic

by @pingou7 pingou  for @thestarbirdfromtheashes Starbird

(aka the Road trip fic Diego Luna’s filmography made me write)

Read and enjoy, and please consider leaving me a few words.

Summary:

As the dusty roads criss under Kes Dameron’s old car, Cassian Andor lets the wind mess with his hair through the open window. Dust, sunshine, laughter, its easy to recapture the taste of days long gone.

(…)

At a gas station near Corpus Chirsti, when they climb back after taking a piss, both jump out of their skins as a random brunette, eyes thunderous, hisses dangerously from the backseat:

“Just pretend I’m not here.”

Update: Part 4 is up!

Read more on AO3 (or under the cut)

Part 4 — From Gina’s House, San Diego, CA to Tijuana, Baja, Mexico Day 3

After seven hours of unaltered sleep, Cassian Andor feels refreshed and ready to greet the day. Once passed the surprise of feeling a hand other than his own on his cheek, that is. If Jyn is guarded awake, she has no such reservation asleep. She was all curled against his side but doesn't stir when he stands up.

He rubs the sleep out of his eyes and tiptoes out of the bedroom, like when he was a teen who didn’t want to be caught. Unfortunately, like then, it’s no use against his brother’s keen hearing and Kes opens his door as soon as Cassian passes in front of it.

“So, one night out of the car and you’ve already made your move Andor?”

“You could have fetched me if you missed me so much, cabrón.”

“Didn't need to, Poe gave me a stuffy, so I wouldn't miss him.”

“You tell me that, but you're afraid of the dark and your four years old man knows it.”

Both smile as they think of the little boy that is the legacy of the Charolastras, until suddenly Kes looks at him, and says conversationally as they reach the end of the staircase:

“You know, the collar of your shirt looks like it was drooled on and you smell kinda fruity.”

“Duly noted, Sergeant. Your point is?”

“I’m happy there’s something nice about this halt, that’s all.”

Cassian doesn’t say that nothing happened outside actually sleeping together, because to him, it meant something. He had not slept with a girl in the truest sense of the word in almost a decade, as pathetic as it is, so it’s perhaps more meaningful because they didn’t have sex. Still, he’s grateful he could offer something, some companionship, even if they were asleep half the time.

He can’t begin to explain that to Kes, or he would call him a sap, and he’d be right. They pad into the kitchen, greet Gina who's taking her pills — more than the last time they were here — with a trembling hand.

“Did you sleep well my boys? You left a room to Jyn I hope.”

“Don't worry Tía, Cassian was the perfect gentleman,” Kes assures with a teasing glint while said gentleman rolls his eyes.

They help themselves with coffee and toast and as soon as she leaves to go to the bathroom, Kes addresses the pressing issue:

“Did you get any chance talk to Jyn, cabrón? Besides the whole foreplay business?”

“No, nothing worth mentioning, why?”

“Assuming she goes along for the ride, how does she plan to cross the border?”

“She has her ID with her, several of them in fact, it’s all she brought with her apparently.”

Along with a Swiss pocket knife and a little box — a sort of sleeve he didn’t want to open — but it would best to keep this to himself for now. Let’s just say a woman should have secrets, Cassian silently mocks, knowing Kes already is too intrigued by this:

“Thief or murderer, she said. Maybe there was more truth to it than we wanted to see.”

“She doesn’t strike me like someone who would commit bloody crimes. But thievery, why not, she’s uncannily good at sneaking around.”

“Tell me about it,” Kes sighs, “if someone in the precinct knows how she played us from the very beginning, with her Houdini tricks, our credibility is over.”

“Kay knows, but I don’t think he’d rattle us out.”

“Not if you explicitly told him to shut his mouth, no. You two are an item and I believe even he puts your friendship above duty.”

“Do I detect jealousy here, Dameron? I gave you to Shara years ago, you should learn to share.”

“Oh, I know how to share just fine, these last days are proof enough, I’m just saying I find your relationship a bit too exclusive sometimes.”

“I love you too,” Cassian smirks as Gina comes back, rubbing a bandaid on her arm.

She goes to sit on the sofa, picks up her knitting and so they don't pay much attention at first when they hear Jyn coming down.

White blouse, a bit frilly, with sensible warm colored pants, her hair down, and a piece of colorful cloth in her hair… she looks beautiful, a completely different woman than the one who made irruption in their car some thirty hours ago.

“Jyn, you look… I thought you didn't like girlie stuff?”

“I don't, and I'm slightly uncomfortable, truth be told, but your aunt took my clothes away to launder, and she had this sorted out instead so… thankfully she left my vest alone.”

“What that moron tried to say, Jyn,” Kes interrupts, clearly amused, “is that you clean up nice. Now why don't you show Gina her handiwork? It'd make her happy.”

“Okay,” she agrees awkwardly, “tell me when you're ready to leave.”

“Really, Cassian,” he whispers conspiratorially in Spanish, “I know she's pretty but you could make an effort! I feel like I'm dealing with Kay here. Get a grip man.”

But Cassian is still tongue-tied seeing Jyn looking so feminine. Between her practical clothes and the conservative nightgown, he didn’t quite analyze her figure before. Lean legs for all she’s short, nice curves, shiny hair: really nice indeed.

As foreseen, their host is delighted by the change, though she is pale and slightly panting. It is like receiving a bucket of ice water, seeing Gina like this and Cassian wants to hug the illness away from her, like she used to keep his grief at bay for months, enclosing he and Kes in long and frequent hugs.

“I should have brought Poe and Shara,” his brother whispers dejectedly and Cassian can’t do anything more than putting a hand on his shoulder.

The woman who has been their savior at a time when they were left adrift is really dying. It matters little that it’s from old age, they were right to hurry. When Nadia called to say it would be judicious to make an halt to San Diego before their anniversary trip to Bernal, they knew her mother wouldn’t be the picture of health. It was to be expected expected, but it still hurts. 

Cassian would like to stay longer — should they do some grocery shopping for her? Does she has appointments? — but clearly it would be of little use, particularly without Shara or Poe. Jyn is restless already, coming up to them and whispering, face unfathomable:

“Look, does your offer still stands?”

“Which one?”

“Were you joking when you said I could cross the border with you if I wanted to?”

“You want to go along for the whole ride then? Is Cassian to thank for that?”

“Shut up, cursí,” he grows out loud while Gina has the gall to glare at them disapprovingly, making Jyn smile a bit.

“Not for the reason you imagine, Kes-adillas, but I talked to my... friends yesterday, and they thought I’d be better off with you than running on my own. And since Cass offered...”

Cassian outward groans this time, making Kes guffaw and Jyn smirks, but he nods, taking each of them by the shoulder.

“Okay then, Stardust!”

Even a blind man could have seen the flinch — the spasm, more like — that coursed through Jyn at hearing the nickname she mentioned during their first car game. Kes frowns back at her but hastily says:

“Stardust is a no go then? You said you were called that, or child and little sister, but were roughly the same age, and no family, sorry if —”

“No, no it’s fine, no harm done, you can call me stardust if you want. It would be nice to have better memories attached to that nickname anyway.”

She puts on a brave face, but her smile is a little strained still. Cassian remembers it came from her parents (she had also mentioned a guardian) so it’s likely there’s something traumatic behind such sharp reaction. Kes must have come to a similar conclusion because he says reassuringly:

“Creating good memories are our specialty, so don’t worry, it’ll be a fun ride, plus Cass will surely want invest himself body and soul to the task.”

“Enough already cabrón.”

“Kes, be a good boy, fetch Jyn’s bag and put it in your car. It’s in the laundry room,” Gina chimes in, seeing Jyn and Cassian bothered.

“You must be mistaken. I have no bag.”

“Well, you do now, even if it’s just a few spare clothes and toiletries,” Gina retorts in a stern voice the Charolastras are quite familiar with, even if it’s a pale echo of her former assertive tone.

Jyn is left speechless for the first time while Kes executes himself like their aunt was the drill sergeant and not him. Cassian looks around, feeling amused when Jyn follows Kes with a dumbstruck expression.

“Gracias tía,” he says slowly, bending over to leave a shadow of a kiss against her parched cheek.

“Hush, I just ensured that she had some fresh clothes, that’s all! I saw she wore your jacket yesterday, but you’re not in high school anymore, and besides it’s no letterman jacket.”

“You should stop watching stupid teenage tv shows. Plus I was a geek, not a jock, and she’s not my girl.”

“Isn’t she really? And don’t presume to tell me what I should do or not, young Andor! Watching stupid shows is one of the few privileges of retirement.”

He keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t say he’s not likely to reach the canonical age that would enable him such harmless pleasure. Even worse, he surmises the old woman herself wouldn’t be able to indulge much longer. Her skin as taken a yellowing tinge, her hands keep trembling... Cassian knows the sound and sight of farewell and it breaks his heart to witness his oldest surrogate relative discreetly fading like this.

“Your brother is a kill-joy,” she says unperturbedly as the two other people return, brushing away Jyn’s thanks.

“Yep... and yet, his best mate Kay’s even worse.”

“Make sure you’ll keep him relatively happy then,” Gina says like Cassian was not standing right here.

Maybe it was mean to be harmless but the air is sucked out off his lungs and even Jyn purses her plush lips when Dameron replies too solemnly:

“I will.”

It’s clear after that their aunt expects them to go — they weren’t meant to stay very long. Upon departure, the brothers stall as much as they can. She gingerly extracts herself from their entwined arms, and her eyes — the same as her late sister — are brimming with tears. Cassian is used to control his emotions, all part of the job, but the sore lump in his throat is the same that makes Kes swallow harshly.

“We’ll return on our way back, Tía, so wait for us,” he says a bit too heartily, and Cassian wants to grimace at the obviousness of it.

Gina graces Dameron with a tender smile but turns stern when Jyn and him say goodbye.

“I’ll expect to see the two of you... next time.”

“I can’t promise anything,” the fugitive says awkwardly, “but, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

They take the road again, with Kes behind the wheel. Nobody feels like speaking, the radio is off and the two cops and the woman called Stardust are each lost in their own thoughts. Cassian should be happy Jyn hasn’t vanished yet, that he has more time to solve her mysteries, but at the moment his mind is still trapped in the fourteen year old self that is immortalized in an old lady’s photograph. Shara should be with them, for Gina, and perhaps for Jyn too. Perhaps she would trust a woman more, even if marrying Kes ought to reflect not so favorably on her character, he reflects wryly.

At the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to get to Tijuana, Cassian is almost surprised to see Jyn handing out her relevant ID — green card included — considering he saw at least two ID under different names than the one they know her under, and even Kes remarks on her compliance. They were half-expecting her to crawl under the seats again and they’d joked the car wasn’t powerful enough to force the check point:

“Is this your real passport?”

"Oh, I have others, if you wish,” she says cheekily, “but that one is authentic. You already know my real name, and you're both cops, I'm not stupid."

Jyn Lyra Erso, born in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom on October 17th 1988.

Still, it’s surprisingly considerate of her, maybe foolish, even, if she wants to hide... Of all the possibilities Cassian has thought of, the less problematic one didn’t even register. Despite her usual sass, she’s clearly nervous, even after they reach the Mexican side. She’s just not making any sense to him, he silently muses as she pockets the papers back, a little short of breath, while Dameron too gives her a puzzled glance.

“Trust goes both ways,” she declares, “I’ve trusted you, you can trust me.”

Kes sends her a sunny smile, satisfied, but she catches his eyes, and he reads the message in her green eyes: there, I took a chance, so see me safe like you swore. He nods and so does she. 

Outside, the Mexican desert awaits.

[allyneedislove]

I was tagged by @xiezuo … Whom I annoy on a daily basis, so I don't know why she'd do this. She doesn't hear this from me all the time, but I accept her for the right mess that she is. She in turn, accepts me for being the most boring person in the world.

Who is your bias?

Do Kyungsoo (D.O) from EXO

Buckle up kids, from this point forward this will be an essay.

What made you notice him?

I first saw Kyungsoo in the drama It's Okay That's Love, and he is EXACTLY my type. 2014 Kyungsoo rocked his uniforms, and he has also been unfairly blessed with the incapability to age, so of course I had to Google him to find out how old he actually was. He's as old as me. If you're wondering. Bless.

After googling him, I found out he was part of EXO… And okay, that was enough to have me turn away. My self-righteous self, felt that I was too old for K-pop. (I'm a prick and I admit it. Look where we are now. Ha ha.) Fast forward to 100 Days My Prince, our paths cross again and it was like fate. He was a fucking sight in that drama, and the boy CAN ACT. I very quickly dropped my act and embraced Do Kyungsoo in all his K-pop idol glory, and of course that meant, EXO too. Those boys own my soul now, I'm not the least bit bothered.

What is/are your favorite things about them?

1). His voice. HIS. FUCKING. VOICE. He is by no means the best vocalist in EXO, but his voice calms down and hypes me the hell up all at the same time. The boy's adlibs, rifts and runs in songs give me the good kind of chills. I adore his voice. I could listen to Kyungsoo sing and speak for hours on end.

2). His acting. Check our his filmography if you think I'm kidding. Actor Do Kyungsoo has broken the stereotype for Idol Actors, because of his drama/movie performances. He is not your typical idol actor. Anyone who disagrees can fucking choke.

Who would initiate skinship more?

Definitely me. If by some miracle, we were actually dating. I'm a touchy person in general so…. If we were in the beginning stages of dating, I'd be to scared to initiate anything at all. But give me time and I'd skinship the hell outta him. Don't get me wrong, I won't hang off him like a koala or anything like that, but being the touchy person that I am, I'd like to have a part of my body touch his, when we're together. Maybe Kyungsoo hates that, but who knows. Ha!

Who would be more clingy?

Me. I'm not even a very clingy person anyway. BUT KYUNGSOO IS THE EPITOME OF NO NONSENSE. By default, I'd be more clingy.

Who would say I love you first?

ME. 100% me. I fall in love very quickly, and I don't try to pretend I'm not in love with someone if I was. Granted, Kyungsoo and I were dating, I'd tell him I love him all the time. Does this negate the statement that I'm not clingy?

Who would be more easily flustered?

Us both? I'd end up swooning over him for doing nothing and he'd get flustered. Then there's me… I'd probably end up saying something incredibly stupid.

What cuddling position would you to have?

THIS. RIGHT. HERE.

Which color(s) remind you of him?

Baby blue, green and gray. Kyungsoo is just so gentle, and these remind me of him and how mild mannered he is.

Which season do you want to spend with him?

Autumn, because Kyungsoo autumn aesthetics are 100%, but I'd really just want to spend cold weather with him. I'm soft.

Who would bake the cookies and who would steal the batter?

I'd probably end up stealing the batter while we both bake the cookies…… isn't that fucking cute shoot me.

Let me tag some people who probably already forgot about me but hey 🙃 i miss your faces.

@aquicomotolosdias @gigglegasms @sweetpea7s @rosedust23 @abstractpatterns @starlit-wish @yoochunsnoona