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dramatothethirdpower · 11 months ago

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Dramas I finished in 2023 (In Ranked Order from 1-5 stars)

5 Star reviews at the bottom

Bump up business ★★☆☆☆

Boss and a Babe ★★☆☆☆

Professional single ★★☆☆☆

See You in my 19th Life ★★☆☆☆

Crash Course in Romance ★★★☆☆

Forecasting Love and Weather ★★★☆☆

Glory Part 2 ★★★☆☆

Jun and Jun ★★★☆☆

Kill Boksoon (movie) ★★★☆☆

Kingdom S1 finished ★★★☆☆

Maid’s Revenge ★★★☆☆

Meet you in my 19th life ★★★☆☆

My Lovely Liar ★★★☆☆

Only Friends ★★★☆☆

Zom 100 (movie) ★★★☆☆

Shoulder to Cry On ★★★☆☆

Strong Girl Nam Soon ★★★☆☆

Boy For Rent ★★★★☆

Castaway Diva ★★★★☆

Exclusive Fairy Tale ★★★★☆

First Love Again ★★★★☆

I cannot reach you (Japan) Netflix ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jack O Frost ★★★★☆

La Pluie ★★★★☆

Midnight Silence (Movie) ★★★★☆

Minato’s Laundromat ★★★★☆

Moonlight Chicken ★★★★☆

Our Dining Table ★★★★☆

Our Secrets ★★★★☆

Unintentional Love Story ★★★★☆

Unlocked (movie) ★★★★☆

Why you? Y Me? ★★★★☆

20th Century Girl ★★★★★ - I watched this one blind so I'm going to ahead and warn you, it's very, very, very sad! Sobbing hysterically on your couch, sad. Can't watch anything else until the feelings go away, sad.

Alchemy of Souls Part 2 ★★★★★ - I was worried with this one when they "recast" it that I wasn't going to like it, but it was gripping all the way through. I highly recommend the whole thing!

Glory ★★★★★ - This one should be coming with all kinds of trigger warnings. It's a revenge drama about a girl who was brutally mutilated via school violence. If you, like me, love a good FAFO story give this a go. If you're even mildly squeamish, maybe don't.

Go Ahead ★★★★★ Go Ahead is... an acquired taste. It's found family, and it's coming of age, and it's love triangle and it's breathtaking beautiful. It examines different family dynamics and what it means to choose your family and what it means when your family doesn't choose you. All of that said... it is also a little bit about dating your step brother, and I know, okay, I KNOW, but if you just trust me on this, it's only a tiny bit weird and then it's not, and you're rooting for these maybe a little bit incestuous but not really, idiots.

Be My Favorite ★★★★★ This thai BL is not your typical coming of age, falling in love, enemies to lovers, story. Instead we have time travel, and the butterfly effect of the consequences of our actions. Gotta be honest, I'm a total ho for sci-fi tropes and this was done well enough that it rocketed into a favorites of 2023 spot before it was half finished.

Hidden Love ★★★★★ Come cancel me, Tumblr, I'm ready because one of my absolute favorite tropes is the *dun dun dun* age gap! In this drama a young girl falls hard for her older brother's best friend, and you get to watch as their relationship changes and grows as they mature. There is no hanky panky or even interest in our female lead before she comes of age but if you're a puri-teen steer clear, you won't have a fun time. My favorite part of this drama was actually the relationship between siblings, which felt much more authentic than many portrayals I've come across.

My Beautiful Man S2 ★★★★★ The second installment in this series delivers! There's angst, there's humor, there's *eyebrow waggles*. I'm a tiny bit obsessed with Hira and I can't wait for more!

My Personal Weatherman ★★★★★ Miscommunication, or as I call it, idiot plot, is the best. I know some people hate a storyline that could be resolved with less than 5 minutes of open communication between the romantic leads, but not me. Let these idiots stew in their misconceptions, let them leap tall buildings in a single misguided assumption. GIVE IT TO ME. Anyway, if you don't like that, don't watch this, but if you do, it's crack.

My School President ★★★★★ GeminiFourth stole my heart in this cute coming of age story. It hit all the right notes, with the added bonus of Fourth! I will say normally I hate when they shoehorn music into Thai dramas (so that the stars can go on tour?) but it fit well with the plot and the soundtrack is amazing. They can be my only exception.

That's my dramas of the year wrapped! You can find all the drama's I've watched (that I remember) here:

#2023 #Year Wrap Up #Yearly Wrap Up #2023 Yearly Wrap Up #Year in review #20th century girl #alchemy of souls 2 #glory #be my favorite #hidden love #my beautiful man #my personal weatherman #my school president #Drama Wrapped #go ahead

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ingek73 · 2 years ago

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Harry and Meghan are right about racist Britain in their Netflix series

Readers on the uncomfortable truths exposed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix series and media reactions to it

Tue 13 Dec 2022 17.41 GMT

A still from Harry & Meghan on Netflix.

I couldn’t agree more with Prince Harry’s comment in the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan that unlearning racism is a lifelong journey. As a 50-year-old provincial white man, I only hope I live long enough. Nels Abbey (A white lens sees Harry and Meghan as villains – through a Black one, they’ve done Britain a favour, 9 December) is right that Britain needs the catharsis of a serious discussion about racism and our colonial history.

Just as the US has yet to come to terms with the horrors of native American genocide and slavery, the UK has never addressed its role as a builder of the slave trade and brutal conqueror of a hundred or more nations. I love my country, but that love is tainted with the myth of a noble imperial history taught with equal enthusiasm by family, school and jingoistic media that reflect society only too well.

After the second world war, imperial Japan and Nazi Germany were all but erased from their nations’ iconography. It was expected that past atrocities were acknowledged, and a new identity of self-aware nationalism forged.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that Germany is the only European country to pay reparations to a former colony (though it insisted its €1.1bn agreement with Namibia was a gesture of reconciliation rather than reparations). They tore down the statues of their historical monsters. There will be no sensible discussion on race and colonialism as long as we still venerate ours.

Alex Brown

Muscat, Oman

• Nels Abbey is on point when he says that “as Britons of different ethnicities, we are often viewing the same events very differently”. Living as a black woman in Britain is like living in a parallel world to my white counterparts, who are oblivious to my experience. Watching the bigotry and racism towards Harry and Meghan play out in the media has been soul-destroying. The false narrative constructed by the media, and the relentless attacks on the couple to avoid the elephant in the room of media racism being the main factor in their departure from this country, are particularly vexing.

Harry and Meghan were wise to leave. For many people of colour silently enduring this country, leaving is an unrealised dream.

Name and address supplied

• I have been amazed by the vitriol directed at Harry and Meghan after the release of their Netflix series (TV review, 8 December). It is only when one looks under the surface that it starts to make sense. They have poked at the identity of Britain.

Traditionally, British people saw their country as a robust white democracy, with global influence and a beloved queen at the apex of society. But this myth unravelled for many people in 2022. Our democracy was exposed as flaky and, at the moment of greatest political instability, our queen of 70 years died. Underlying all this is that many people in Britain, including the royal family, don’t seem to have got their heads round the fact that we lost our empire long ago.

Britain has been changing for decades, and those in the establishment who have had most to lose attack the changes and cling to the past. For many, though, change is welcome. I believe most white British people now see black Britons as “us” not “them”, Brexit as a chauvinistic disaster, and doing something about climate change as more important than looking at yet more photos of the Sussexes.

Cath Potter

London

• I was saddened but not surprised when Harry and Meghan fled the UK. Vast swathes of our society follow our tabloid press in blind ignorance. They turned Meghan into a villain and the public, like sheep, followed. My family is multicultural, and I have seen my son tread warily around countless subtle racist comments, as well as overt abuse from strangers. In some areas, the UK’s multiculturalism is a source of great pride to me. But we still have a long way to go.

Michaela Harte

Bromley, London

• The backlash from rightwing politicians and media against Harry and Meghan’s documentary amply proves their point.

Kit Jackson

London

#meghan markle #prince harry #harry and meghan on netflix #uk racism #racism #racist britain

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limowlee7389 · 2 years ago

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2022 Dramas in Review

Our Beloved Summer (9/10). Twenty-Five Twenty-One (8/10). Soundtrack #1. Thirty-Nine (9/10). My Liberation Notes (8/10). Our Blues (10/10). Alchemy of Souls (7/10). Extraordinary Attorney Woo (7/10). Blind (8/10). Summer Strike (6/10).

Shinbun Kisha (7/10). Koisenu Futari (8/10). First Love (7/10). Silent (8/10). Imawa no Kuni no Alice (8/10).

Summary of 2022 Dramas.

KOREAN

Completed.

The Red Sleeve (2021)(12 Nov-1 Jan)(3/10) ~ MBC

Our Beloved Summer (2021)(23 Dec-27 Jan)(9/10) ~ ♥ SBS Netflix

Single's Inferno (2021)(10 Jan-12 Jan)(8/10) ♥ jTBC Netflix

Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)(12 Feb-3 Apr)(8/10) ♥ ~ tvN Netflix

A Business Proposal (2022)(21 Feb-8 Apr) (5/10) ~ SBS Netflix

Soundtrack #1 (2022)(23 Mar-14 Apr)(8/10) ♥ ~ Disney+

Thirty-Nine (2022)(18 Apr-1 May)(9/10) ♥ jTBC Netflix

The Sound of Magic (2022)(8 May-10 May)(5/10) ~ Netflix

Tomorrow (2022)(15 Apr-21 May)(4/10) ~ MBC Netflix

My Liberation Notes (2022)(9 Apr - 29 May)(8/10) ♥ ~ jTBC Netflix

Love All Play (2022)(3 May-11 Jun)(6/10) ~ Disney+

Our Blues (2022)(14 Apr-12 Jun)(10/10) ♥ ~ tvN Netflix

Anna (2022)(29 Jun-8 Jul)(5/10) ~ Amazon Prime

Yumi Cells 2 (2022)(10 Jun-23 Jul)(7/10) ~ tvN

Link: Eat, Love, Kill (2022)(22 Jun-26 Jul)(6/10) ~ tvN Netflix

Broker (2022)(30 Jul)(7/10)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)(6 Jul-18 Aug)(7/10) ~ ENA Netflix

Alchemy of Souls (2022)(18 Jun-28 Aug)(7/10) ♥ ~ tvN Netflix

Big Mouth (2022)(14 Aug-17 Sept)(6/10)

Once Upon a Small Town (2022)(17-Sept-29 Sept)(5/10) ~

If You Wish Upon Me (2022)(10 Aug-30 Sept)(5/10) ~

Little Women (2022)(3 Sept-9 Oct)(2/10) ~

The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022)(5 Sept)(7/10)

20th Century Girl (2022)(22 Oct)(9/10) ♥

Blind (2022)(22 Oct-5 Nov)(8/10) ♥ ~

Love in Contract (2022)(8 Oct-10 Nov)(4/10) ~

Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)(19 Dec-20 Dec)(7/10)

Through the Darkness (2022)(15 Jan-21 Dec)(5/10)

Summer Strike (2022)(26 Nov-27 Dec)(6/10) ~

The Glory (2022)(31 Dec)(7/10)

JAPANESE

Completed.

Shinbun Kisha (The Journalist)(2022)(15 Jan-16 Jan)(7/10)

Gibo to Musume no Blues 2022-nen Kinga Shinnen Special (2022)(9 Jan)(7/10)

Love is Blind: Japan (2022)(12 Feb-23 Feb)(7/10) ~ ♥

Koisenu Futari (2022)(14 Jan-10 Apr)(8/10)♥ ~

Fight Song (2022)(16 Jan-21 May)(5/10)

Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation (2022)(31 May)(6/10)

Shoutai (2022)(5 Jun)(6/10)

Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studio (2022)(26 Jun)(7/10)

First Love: Hatsukoi (2022)(25 Nov)(7/10)

Atom no Ko (2022)(5 Nov-11 Dec)(6/10)

Silent (2022)(4 Nov-26 Dec)(8/10) ♥

Imawa no Kuni no Alice 2 (2022)(22 Dec-28 Dec)(8/10) ♥

#drama status #year in review #2022 year in review #2022

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ourkarlanicoleuniverse · 4 years ago

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Sweet Nothing (MHA Staff AU Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Warnings: None, swf.

If you prefer reading this on wattpad, I posted the story there too. My account name is @ KarlaNicoleM I have the same profile picture and backdrop. Hope you enjoy 😊

Due to there not being many things to do during this first week, I've been mainly sitting at my desk or hanging around the class with Aizawa and watching over the students. I was currently wrapping up my day with some late lunch and a Netflix at my desk when I heard a booming voice walking into the teacher lounge. "M&M!"

I choked on my soba. "Mic! I'm eating damn it!" The tall man tackled me once I turned my seat over.

He continued to hug me into his chest, "I'm sorry, I just missed my sweet little M&M. Now that it's Friday, we should hang out and catch up." Mic's green eyes looked lovingly at me with glowing excitement.

"I missed you too. Even though we've talked nonstop while I was gone. But don't you have your radio show tonight?" I pushed him back slightly, still wanting to be held by my best friend. The dude smelled like vanilla and hairspray, which wasn't the best combination, but I'll sacrifice my nose to hold him.

"It's not until one in the morning. And it's almost 3:15, so I got more than enough time to give my lovely shrimp attention." He patted my head and grinned.

"When do you sleep?" I asked while swatting away his hand.

"Don't know." I shook my head—same old Hazashi Yamada. The biggest doofus, I know. "Plus, it won't be just us. Iris and Kayama are joining, and I am still trying to convince Aizawa to come. It's just dinner; that's it."

"Eeee, I don't know. Did you invite Lily... errrr... Ms. Rowell? Iris knows her, and I don't want her left out."

"Of course she's invited! But she did say she'll only go if you are."

"What about All Might?" I raised my eyebrow.

"He said no." The Yamada pout just made a comeback, folks!

"Awe no, I guess I'll still go. I'll just leave my soba for another meal." Mic shouted with glee and nearly busted my eardrums again. He went in for another bone-crushing hug, but this time he picked me up and twirled me around. I couldn't help but laugh at his excitement.

"Mic be professional, or I'll write a complaint to HR." Aizawa walked in sluggishly with his sleeping bag in hand and papers in the other. He looked even more beaten up today.

"Oh, is someone jealous? Don't worry, Aizawa; I got some love for you too." Hizashi put me down and went open arms in Aizawa's direction only to meet with Aizawa's capture weapon clinging onto his body. "This is just mean. Are you going to dinner with the rest of us?"

Aizawa retracted his weapon and sat down at his desk, "No. I have papers to grade and then go on patrol. I told you this."

Mic went to sit at his desk next to Aizawa's, "Yeah, I know, but dinner is happening at like 5. It gives you roughly more than an hour to grade, and patrolling is late at night while I'm at the station. PLUS M&M is coming this time. It's like the old gang is back together!" The six-foot-one man hunched over and clasped his hands together while his friend just stared at his computer, ignoring him. I slowly sunk in my seat; I don't think me coming along would convince Aizawa to come.

I tried to make myself look busy and pretended that I ignored their conversation, which is hard given how loud Mic was. "You still go by that dumb nickname?"

I looked up at Aizawa. His charcoal grey eyes bore into me, "Hmm, well yeah, I never minded it."

"Are you really going to dinner? Don't you have work to do?" His eyebrows scrunched in annoyance, but his voice shredded a little curiosity.

I pursed my lips, "Nope, no students feel the need to meet with me at the moment. And you haven't addressed any concerns about them, so I have a pretty open schedule."

"What have you been doing this whole week, then?"

"Helping 1-B's counselor adjust to how things work here mainly. I also have been reviewing the student files and my notes if a random student comes in without an appointment or helping Toshinori adjust and give him my advice on teaching. Oh! Mic also gave me a few of his English assignments to review and grade." I swiveled in my seat as I talked to him.

Aizawa looked a little surprised but tried to hide it quickly. The raven-haired mess of a man turned to Mic. "You make her grade your papers?"

"ONLY WHEN SHE ISN'T DOING ANYTHING!" He held his hands up.

Aizawa hung his head and sighed, "I'll send you a file of things I noticed about the students and my recommendations on what to talk to them about sometimes this weekend. Just please stop making things easy for Mic." I just nodded and muttered thanks while he logged out of his computer and got ready to go home.

"Get some sleep, Eraserhead!" Mic yelled after Aizawa left the lounge. "Now, that it's just us. I'll take you home and wait for you to get ready to go out."

"Um, what about you? You're in your hero outfit?" I say as we packed up.

"I'll change at yours." He shrugged. "I have a bag with my civilian clothes in the teacher's lockers."

He's only saying that because I literally live on campus, the walk wouldn't be bothersome. Principal Nezu was nice enough to give me my old "dorm" from my high school days at UA to live in while I work here. Now, UA wasn't a boarding school by any means. But when I started going to school there, I was, well, a special case. Due to my quirk, and my family problems growing up, the staff thought it was a good idea to live on campus to keep other people and myself better safe. My dorm was pretty much a quick home improvement project. It was located in the back of the campus, away from students' line of sight, and many trees covered it. Nezu told me after I left, he decided to build more dorms for staff that didn't originally have a place to stay either. So, you'll find Lily and Iris here too, aside from me.

When we got to my dorm, Mic had no shame in going to the guest room/my office to change. I almost forgot how well he knows this place because of high school. I made my way into my own room to change out of my work clothes. I took my hair out of my bun and let the wavy dark brown locks fall and give my scalp a rest. Looking into the closet, I yelled for Mic, "'Zashi, what's the dress attire?"

I hear a knock, and the door opens slightly, "Are you decent?"

"Yes." I saw while taking out a grey sweater and showcased it to the man. "Is this okay, with a skirt and boots? Or do I have to pick something else out?"

Mic was wearing a maroon long sleeve with... white pants... Am I really asking this about what to wear? Then he still had his hair up. He was holding a black bomber jacket and had a gold chain around his neck. He also switched his sunglasses to his normal glasses. "Considering what I am wearing? That outfit should be fine. It's supposed to be dressy casual." He scratched the back of his neck, "Do you have a hairbrush I can use? I can't find mine in my bag, and I want to brush out the hairspray."

I pointed him to the bathroom and then proceeded to change. I went with a navy blue skirt with a white cross-line pattern and some thigh-high black velvet boots. I got to add some height to myself while hanging out with my colleagues that are all 5'8 and above. Don't want to look like anyone's child. Because of how my hair had a weird bump from the bun I wore all day, I decided to go for a half up half down hairstyle, mimicking Mic's man-bun, and then I just touched up the makeup I had one from work. Hizashi and I were about to walk when he stopped me and handed me my glasses with a stern look. I smiled and grabbed them and put them in my bag, "I don't need them right now."

"This is why you're blind." He shook his head and opened the door for me. I simply smiled and made my way out with him behind me.

"Kayama, I said I didn't want to drink, I still have my radio show." Mic continued to push Kayama's third beer away as Kayama laughed.

I was sitting between Iris and Lily and enjoying the show Mic and Kayama gave the whole restaurant. "So, ignoring them, how's your first official week in Japan?" Iris spoke up. The cute strawberry blonde brunette was so excited to hear that Lily and I were coming to work at UA. At some point, we were all working together at the Rebel Agency; Iris was my age, but I skipped a year in school, so I graduated with Mic and Aizawa. So, she didn't come to the agency until a year after I was already working there, but as soon as she came here and Lily became close friends, so it wasn't hard for her to settle in. I remember Lily even commented that the agency needed a little more cheeriness when Iris joined.

"It was alright; I didn't know rusty my Japanese was going to be. I literally sound like how I did when I was in school." I took a sip of my glass. "Literally worked so hard on my R's and L's, and now I am back to square one."

"At least you knew Japanese before working here. I learned a little through you and Iris. But before this job, I had to take classes, and I still mess up." Lily took a bite of her food.

"Good thing, the students are learning English, so it makes it easier for both of you, right Mic?" Iris was looking at the two of us and rolled her eyes at Mic and Kayama.

Mic and Kayama both had stopped their shenanigans to join in on the conversation, "I'm just glad to have the whole gang back together, and some new people. Lily, you are just as amazing as my M&M says."

Kayama was looking towards the direction of the entrance and tapped Mic's shoulder, "Yamada, didn't you say that Aizawa wasn't joining us?"

"Yeah, why? OH HEY SHO!" Aizawa strolled to the table wearing a long sleeve black shirt, dark washed jeans, boots, and his capture weapon wrapped around his neck. "What are you doing here?"

"I ended up having a little extra time on my hands. I came mainly to speak to Montoya, though." He shifted a little on his legs with his hands stuffed in his hands and his dark hair falling out his small ponytail. "It's about work."

I moved to get up, smoothing out my skirt, and grabbing my purse. "Alright, let's go outside then." Aizawa held his hand out to guide me back to the entrance as I stepped out in front of him. The winter air of January lightly kissed my cheeks and ears, definitely intending to make my skin blush. I faced Aizawa and hugged myself as it noticeably got colder. I should've brought a jacket instead of relying on this sweater. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"It's a few things. First, I want to ask you if you would like to assist me in training the students?" He folded his arms—the long sleeve shirt doing a really horrible job hiding his arm's defined muscles.

"I don't have a teaching license in Japan. Literally, the only thing I can do is counseling because of my psych degree. Plus, I don't feel comfortable using my quirk on students." I hugged myself harder and shifted my weight to my left foot.

"You could say it's for counseling purposes. You're able to absorb their quirk and mimic them, making it better to understand them and counsel them. And it's better for someone to have a similar quirk to train them." He countered.

"I only like using my quirk on villains. Even out the playing field and also have them be punished for misusing their quirk." I was getting annoyed. He, of all people, should know how I never like to use my quirk on innocent people. Let alone students.

"Can you at least think about it? I think it would be great for the students. Plus, you made a huge impression on them. They won't stop talking about the number two American Hero." He smirked a little. "They'll probably listen to you more than they do with me."

I huffed, "Don't kiss my ass; it makes me uncomfortable to know you have the ability to do it." I paused a little. It wasn't a completely illogical idea. And he's right; I could say it's for counseling purposes. But then that would put Class 1-B at a disadvantage... "Oh my god! Are you asking me because you and Vlad have some weird rivalry when it comes to your classes?"

The stoic man just stared blankly at me with barely noticeable wide eyes, "No..." He looks anyway but my face. He's lying.

"I can't believe you asked me to... I can't... I have no words." I started laughing.

"Stop laughing." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and held a scowl. I swear no one would believe me if they knew that the Eraserhead had a childish side.

"I'm sorry. I'll have to think about it." I wiped the tears coming from my eye as I clutched my stomach from laughing too hard. "What was the other thing you needed to tell..." I was interrupted by a crashing sound and screaming. Aizawa and I looked over in the direction of the sound to see people running towards our direction. The next thing we see is a huge guy with molten rock and lava quirk terrorizing everyone in his path. "Shit. I can't do anything while on my suspension. Any bad move I make that ends up on the news, and I could say goodbye to my license forever."

"Go back inside and tell the others. I'll take care of it." Aizawa motioned me back inside the restaurant.

"But you don't have your suit. Your goggles! People will see that you in your civilian clothes, then what? You'll be exposed." I grabbed his arms to pull him inside with me, but he stopped me.

"I'll be fine. Trust me; stay inside." He placed my hands gently in his and gave me a soft look. It was like I was looking at the seventeen-year-old boy I left years ago. I was frozen. Next thing I knew, I stood beside Lily while Aizawa called for the rest of the table to help him out.

Not being allowed to do hero work sucks.

———————————————————————

My master list 😊

Tag list:

@inumorph @thatgirlwithcamera @mel-sanch

#mha x oc #oc x aizawa #oc x mha #mha oc #bnha oc #uastaff #uastafftiktok #misscounselor #oc x all might #ua staff au #mha fanfiction #mha fan character #mha #oc x bnha #bnha fanfiction

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just-honey-dewd · 5 years ago

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Scissor Seven Review

Just watched and finished the first season of the new show ‘Scissor Seven’ on Netflix. And I think I’m in love. It was a surprisingly enjoyable show for a Netflix show I found and watched on impulse.

Spoilers ahead for those who’ve never watched it...

I kinda guessed it was more from China rather than Japan (which I researched and was right), so I’m not really sure if I should refer it to an anime, but unless I’m informed otherwise, I’ll just refer to it as an anime.

Going into this anime blind, I wasn’t expecting much judging by the lack of content and art style -- that and I was just looking for anything to watch -- that was considerably short and decent. The synopsis was the only thing I was going off of, so before watching, I presumed that the main protagonist was just a guy that somehow got forced into being both an unqualified barber and an unqualified assassin. But when I watched the beginning cutscene, I thought; "Okay, so we're starting with a qualified assassin forced into being a barber as his daytime job?"

Then thoughts changed to "Dynamic duo type show? Where the guy gets hired in as a barber, but mainly uses his assassin job as his main income."

And, thoughts continued changing in the first episodes, granted they've changed throughout the whole season. The comedy was already very prevalent in this show, and personally most noticeable in the first act. I loved all the crude, ironic, and perverted humour showcased in these episodes, paired with some stunning hand-drawn animation and music. It was very tongue-in-cheek and I found many of characters very endearing and hilarious to watch. Personal favourites were little blue birb and Pentagon face.

Some people may find it hard to get into the show from the first episodes, but after somewhere around the halfway mark, story starts setting in. Initially, I thought the first few scenes of Seven's flashbacks were misleads to make us think he's actually a cliche hero who's the best of the best in his job as an assassin, like a whole big comedic or mocking twist to be revealed at the end of the season. But as I watched the next few episodes, it became quickly apparent that my thoughts/prediction were once again incorrect. The direction of the story was taking a turn for the more serious, and the shift to it was very well executed. There was a good balance of comedy and lore-expansion in the second act as we learn more about the world, Steinstan, Black Tortoise, and Seven himself.

All in all, season 1 was very engaging, I liked a lot of the characters that appeared on screen (regardless of how little screentime they had overall), and comedy was very much to my liking. My hopes for season 2 is that there will be more story accompanied with well-executed comedy, we'll get to see more of Steinstan, more characters from Seven's past, Seven developing -- but not having his past forced on him in an instant, and some hardcore music.

(I love shows that can make me laugh and try to figure it out.)

#scissor seven #killer seven #刺客伍六七 #there's probably a season 2 somewhere....#random review #my posts

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letamreviews · 5 years ago

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Top of 2019

With 56 films watched and 27 favorited in 2019, I composed a list of my top. By pure happenstance, the list is almost an exact third (18) of the total films watched. Be aware that I don’t have as much to say about some of these because I took no notes after.

Because I’d be biased towards them, I don’t count the National Theatre Live plays.

Since the list is likely to be altered between now and the end of February (to accommodate for films missed), check the Lettboxd list later on to see an up to date listing, but be aware that it intentionally lacks the details provided here.

EDIT (01/04/20):

Woke up this morning religiously re-reading this and caught some grammar errors. It’s almost like staying consistently well-rested is actually beneficial. While I’m at it, Blind Rating (BR) is how worthwhile the film is watching “blind” (or knowing nothing). The scale is 1 (worth it) to 5 (you must). ‘Eh is essentially a 0.5.

1. Midsommar (USA)

Saw the original and Director's Cut in theatres and discussed them with a group immediately after both times. I’m somewhere between really liking it and loving it. Still unsure. Hell of an experience with a lot to notice, debate over, and pick up on during the second viewing. Don’t even get me started on the Christian/Dani matter. Dat tension, tho. Blind Rating: 4/5

2. Us (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. I’m digging the allegories and the way (I think) it reflects on society. Dem reveals, tho. Blind Rating: 4/5

3. Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. Two things probably play a huge hand in this not being atleast 3 spots lower: my demographic and the fact that her older self constantly reminded me of my grandma and a certain middle school teacher. Regardless, it’s an entertaining, interesting, and lively documentary with its many personalities on-screen all giving their take on matters along with Ms. Morrison herself. Glad they managed to finish and release this 1.25 months before her death. Blind Rating: 0/5

4. When They See Us (USA)

Saw on Netflix over the course of a month. Y’all, this one hurt too much to watch again any time soon. Admittedly, part of the reason why it hit me so hard is because I could easily have been one of them. Dat ending, tho. Don’t forget to watch the Oprah followup When They See Us Now after. You’ll ball (again). Blind Rating: 3/5

5. Parasite (South Korea)

Saw an advance screening in theatres and watched a live post-film Q&A. I really like it. This hit me in such a way that it’s one of three films I’m writing an essay on. Planing on watching it a second time soon so I can finish with a sense of accuracy. This isn’t one that I would recommend looking at images for. There are some that will spoil the experience of the second half. Seriously, block the “Parasite” tag from your feed if you can. Blind Rating: 3/5

6. Luce (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. This was is so~ good as a thriller and especially in regards to being Black in America. Wanted to watch it a second time but never managed to squeeze it in before it left theatres. Dem performances, tho. Dat tension, yo. Dat score, bro. Blind Rating: 1/5

7. Them That Follow (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with someone immediately after. I love it. Blind Rating: 1/5

A drama influenced thriller about a religious and somewhat self-isolating community that's effectively blanketing a realistic romance. (snip) —Letterboxd review

8. The Souvenir (United Kingdom)

Saw in theatres (partially because so many movie peeps were shitting on it). I love it, but I didn't fucking love it. Was tempted to see it again, but didn’t get the chance. Dat ending, tho. While it was a movie peep telling me the whole plot that caused me to gain so much interest in it [Cabin in the Woods (2011) all over again, amiright?], I must say that the less you know the better. It’ll make for... a more immersive experience. Blind Rating: 3/5

9. After the Wedding (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. I thought I really liked it, but I love it. This was a trip down unexpected lane, le'me tell ya. The trailer is a spoilerful lie, but the Landmark's description is very accurate. People's experiences will have a heavy hand in how they react to it and feel about certain characters. The way they made this feel like a constant thriller was excellently done. Dat cinematography, tho. Go in knowing nothing more than what the previous link provides. Blind Rating: 1/5

10. Joker (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. I really like it. Blind Rating: 1/5

(slight spoilers)

This was difficult to watch at times, but hella captivating throughout. Arthur's reasoning is believable, his sanity is questionable, and his life is indeed one hell of a joke. Like watching an extreme example of what happens when people on the lower end lose access to social programs. This can very easily be taken as a commentary on mental illness kept unchecked. More than that, it's a story about a guy who accepts his "crazy" and transcends poverty, circumstance, and societal bullshit... at everyone else's expense. (snip) —Letterboxd review

11. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with a group immediately after. I really like it. Captivating documentary in a very similar style to Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, but with Mr. Davis never joining the “talking heads” (as people like to call it) and instead being heard as a constant narrator of his own biography. Regardless of how I feel about him on a personal level, this shit was a great watch and the ending hit hard. Still need to get his autobiography, though. There’s a nostalgic factor for me here since I was partially reminded of my grandpa while watching it. Blind Rating: 'eh

12. Queen & Slim (USA)

Saw in theatres and discussed with someone immediately after. Fuck yeah, I enjoyed this one. Dat soundtrack and cinematography, bruh? 👌🏿 The throwback soundtrack, main characters’ racial group, and fact that they went to New Orleans definitely play a hand in why this one’s not atleast 1 spot lower. Blind Rating: 1/5

13. Dwelling in the Fuchon Mountains (China)

Saw in theatres during festival and attended discussion days later. I really like it. Was long, but in a good way. Similar to Ash is Purest White (2018) in that I kept thinking "please end here," but would be glad it didn't later. It's beautifully slothy and has absurdly long tracking shots. The cinematography during walking conversations is notable. Dat trick, tho. Blind Rating: 'eh

14. A Girl Missing (Japan)

Saw in theatres during festival and discussed with a group immediately after. Bruh~, this is a hell of a personal trial. Didn’t expect it to go the places it did. Blind Rating: 1/5

15. Dutch Angle: Chas Gerretsen & Apocalypse Now (Netherlands)

Saw on MUBI on phone. I love it. This goes over his childhood (for 8 minutes), career paths, photography of 9/11/1973's Chilean coup d'etat, the 6 months he spent on-set photographing Apocalypse Now (1979), and him as a person. What I didn’t expect was how much he would get into the details of things happening during that film’s development. Along with those details are interesting photos presented excellently in a way that’s reminiscent of manga at times. I like the way the photos take center point and are treated like the foreground. It’s like the director and editor forced themselves to remain aware that the documentary was showcasing 15% of the total slides housed in the Nederlands Fotomuseum’s archives in Rotterdam and that most of his Apocalypse Now photos were never seen. Dat score, tho [Ex Machina (2014) vibes]. Blind Rating: 0/5

BTW, it had its official (Dutch national) release by EYE Filmmuseum on 12/19/19 in the Netherlands, so maybe it’ll come to the USA soon. 🤷🏿‍♂️ Forgot to mention it’s been added as a special feature to the 40th anniversary 4K blu-ray disc of Apocalypse Now: Final Cut (2019).

16. Receiver (Ireland)

Saw on MUBI on phone. I really like it. A very interesting short film in three odd segments. First was disturbing; second was about activism, protests, and politics; third was about the person I assume the film was made for. All compose what I took as a film about the importance of having reliable sound and hearing. Needs to be watched alone with good sound quality (for immersion). Blind Rating: 'eh

17. Bacurau (Brazil)

Saw in theatres during festival. I really like it. This was some Most Dangerous Game shit with a hell of an ending. The whole game is an allegory of civilized people's obsession with hunting wild animals for "sport". I really like the portrayal of history here and enjoyed the racial matters it lays bare. I can only imagine someone watching this without knowing a thing. Kinda wish I didn’t even read the description beforehand. Digging the soundtrack. Blind Rating: 1/5

18. Little Women (USA)

Saw on 35mm and discussed with others on separate occasions. I really like it. This was just warming and sad. I felt for the main characters and actually felt satisfied with the way it ended. Considering the type of film, there are handful of typical things for me to complain about. That being said, the movie earned its stars back. I mean, did you not see their attic performances? Shit was dope. Blind Rating: ‘eh

#2019 #top of #favorite films #i love it #i really like it #Ireland #Netherlands #Japan #China #Brazil #United Kingdom #USA

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nitonol · 5 years ago

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I ❤️ Anisong 2019 review

Incredible and pleasantly surprised. It was another great lineup this time. Let’s jump in.

DJ Soba

The warm up act. This was someone who knew what songs to pick:

Evangelion OP theme: Cruel Angel’s Thesis - Takahashi Yoko

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a No brainer. A classic series and game changer for it’s time. Also, the fandom is still strong, even after over 20 years. We’ve got the recent re-dub and release on Netflix and the 4th movie of the rebuild coming out next year. Pokemon OP theme: Pokemon Theme - Jason Paige

Pokemon has a special place for many people, even now. With new addition to games, both electronic and cardboard. It’s still as popular as ever. Kekkai Sensen ED theme: Sugar Song to Bitter Step - Union Square Garden A nice fun series. The ED theme is one of those songs where you just have to get up and dance. Violet Evergarden OP theme: Sincerely - True

A calmer song, reminding us of one of the best series in the last couple of years. Feelings of warmth and sadness, hope and loss fill Violet Evergarden and this song is a perfect reflection of that. For those who’ve watched the series, the chorus hits hard: “Why am I crying right now? How should I answer my heart? The words are never spoken. They’re just there.. they just keep building up. I want to see you.”

kz (livetune)

One of the most popular person of note in the whole anime/japan music spheres. The DJ/composer/vocaloid-producer was at it again.

We can’t have kz (livetune) without Hatsune Miku. So the classic songs Redial and Tell your World gets everyone moving and singing along.

The new song lineup included Seventh Haven and Heaven’s Rave from the game Tokyo 7th Sisters. We also got some remixes with songs from Oreimo and Umaru.

Nano

I didn’t do any research on Nano before hand, so I was going in blind. But I instantly got into the songs. Nano’s voice gives of vibes of power and grace.

One song, the ED theme of Magical Girl Raising project, Dreamcatcher, has some memorable lines: “This night, the stars will set your heart free. Have faith, let the whole world know what you see.”

I thought, “she is doing a really good cover of Dreamcatcher by Na... No...”. It was then that it hit me. Of course it’s that Nano. An artist that I’ve listened to a number of times already back in the days when she would cover Vocaloid songs on youtube/niconico.

She was also really good at MCing and getting the audience fired up and even shared that it was her birthday yesterday. At the end when she asked for a photo, the whole audience started singing Happy Birthday.

Suzuki Konomi

Suzuki Konomi has a lot of stamina to keep up with one song after the other. The j-pop was rather refreshing after the intense j-rock from the previous act. There were a few memorable songs like “Choir Jail” from “Dusk Maiden of Amnesia”; as well as “This Game” from “No Game No Life”. But, I think the highlight was when she was drinking water and nearly fell over laughing as someone in the audience yelled, “Daisuki da yo!” (I/We love you!) This lead to an interesting conversation between her and the audience: Suzuki Konomi: “Minna, Konban wa!” (Good evening everyone!) Audience: “Konban wa!” (Good evening) Suzuki Konomi: “Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?” (Do you understand Japanese?) Audience: “Hai!” (Yes) Suzuki Konomi: “Sugoi, Subarashii”, (Awesome, wonderful) Suzuki Konomi: “Eigo ga yatte mitai”, (I’ll try speaking english) Audience: “Ganbare!”, (Do your best!) Pretty fun.

Chihara Minori

The final act was Chihara Minori. Like Suzuki Konomi, she covered a few songs from anime like the ED theme of Violet Evergarden and the OP theme of Ga Rei Zero.But, what really excited everyone, was related to one of her most famous voice acting roles, “Nagato Yuki” from “The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi”. This of course meant singing what was once the anime fandom’s national anthem, “Hare Hare Yukai”. Chihara Minori did a great job doing the dance as well, and so did a few people in the audience.That’s it for another year.

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mceproductions · 4 years ago

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When you’re still waiting on the ball to drop.

For anyone who needed a refresher of the past month here in review is my countdown of the years best.

Best of 2020

Movies

1. 1917

2. Wonder Woman 1984 WW84

3. Sonic the Hedgehog

4. Pixar’s SOUL

5. JoJo Rabbit

6. Christopher Nolan’s TENET

7. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

8. Bill and Ted: Face the Music

9. The Invisible Man and Bad Boys for Life

10. Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn

11. Impractical Jokers: The Movie

12. Trolls World Tour

13. Onward

14. DA 5 Bloods

15. Mulan

Runners Up:

Hamilton

Scoob!

Greyhound

The King of Staten Island

Borat: Subsequent MovieFilm

Honorable Mention:

Weathering With You

Worst Movies

1. Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island

2. Artemis Fowl

3. Stargirl

TV Shows

Best New Show of 2020 Nominee*

Winner^

1. The Mandalorian (Disney+)

2. The Last Dance (ESPN)

3. Star Wars the Clone Wars (Disney+)

4. My Hero Academia (ADULT SWIM)

5. RWBY (Rooster Teeth)

6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) and The Daily Show and Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

7. Modern Family (ABC)

8. Close Enough (HBO MAX)^

9. Arrow (CW) and SNL and SNL At Home (NBC)

10. The Boys (Amazon Prime)

11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) and The Witcher (NETFLIX)*

12. SpongeBob (NICK) and Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)

13. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) and Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

14. TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You (Crunchyroll) and The Good Doctor (ABC)

15. Animaniacs (HULU)*

16. Steven Universe Future (CN) and Ducktales (Disney)

17. Bob’s Burgers (FOX)

18. Black Clover (ADULT SWIM)

19. Conan (TBS)

20. Japan Sinks 2020 (NETFLIX) and Stargirl (CW/DC Universe)*

21. Westworld (HBO)

22. Supernatural (CW)

23. Better Call Saul (AMC)

24. The Simpsons (FOX) and Star Trek: Picard (CBS ALL ACCESS)*

25. Infinity Train (CN/HBO Max)

Runners Up:

The Late Late show with James Corden (CBS)

The Flash (CW)

Will & Grace (NBC)

The 100 (CW)

Greys Anatomy (ABC)

Honorable Mention:

Henry Danger (NICK)

Worst TV Shows

1. Bakugan Battle Planet (CN/NETFLIX)

2. Cursed (NETFLIX)

3. Station 19 (ABC)

Music

1. Chrissy Costanza “Hero Too”

2. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”

3. Katy Perry “Smile”

4. Andra Day “Rise Up”

5. BTS “Dynamite”

6. Billie Eilish “No Time to Die”

7. Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande “Rain on Me”

8. Taylor Swift “Cardigan”

9. RADWIMPS “Well Be Alright”

10. Coldplay “Everyday Life”

11. Will Ferrell and My Marianne “Volcano Man” and Miley Cyrus “Midnight Sky”

12. Casey Lee Williams “Touch the Sky”

13. Jon Batiste “It’s All Right” and Arianna Grande and Justin Bieber “Stuck with U”

14. Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar”

15. Justin Bieber “Yummy”

16. Katy Perry “Daises” and Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli “Toss A Coin to Your Witcher”

17. One Republic “Better Days”

18. Ariana Grande “Positions”

19. Lady Gaga “Stupid Love”

20. Walk Off the Earth “The Journey Starts Today”

21. SZA and Justin Timberlake “The Other Side”

22. Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper “Holy”

23. Wyld Stallyns “Face the Music”

24. Lee Brice “One of them Girls”

25. Jaden Smith “I’m Ready”

26. Billie Eilish “Therefore I Am”

27. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stalion “WAP”

28. Travis Scott “The Plan”

29. Jack Harlow “Whats Poppin”

30. Roddy Rich “The Box”

Runners Up:

Ramin Djiwaldi “Sweet Child O Mine”

Will Ferrell and My Marianne “Ja Ja Ding Dong”

RADWIMPS “Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?”

BTS and Sia “On”

Chelmico “Easy Breezy”

Honorable Mention:

Bob Dylan “I Contain Multitudes”

Worst Music:

1. 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj “Trollz”

2. Idles “The Lover”

3. Brandi Carlilie “Carried Me with You”

Game of the Year

Animal Crossing New Horizons^

Ghost of Tsushima*

Spider-Man: Miles Morales*

Microsoft Flight Simulator*

Among US*

Worst Game of The Year

Madden NFL 21

#music #tv shows #movies #tie #best of 2020 #best tv shows of the year #best of 2020 music #best new tv show of 2020 #year in review #2020 video games #game of the year #best of the year #best music of the year #best movies of 2020 #best tv shows of 2020

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animeandfilmotaku · 4 years ago

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A film’s geek’s watching: Dororo (2019)- When a path of humanity is formed amidst a hellish world

Well it has been many years since i actually put a review- so this one is more reflective, and more of me barfing my thoughts out.

Yes 2020 has not been a great year all (I am not even exaggerating it at all, given I did my fair share of Work from Home with lockdowns), and sometimes going back to the comfort shows make a difference that you forget that the world is actually terrible and shitty, and you disappear into the adventures.

Anyway to keep the long story short, I have caught the flu bug in the craziest period- Christmas retail and I have to confine myself at home, so I have been binging Inuyasha a lot lately (With all due thanks to its spin off Yashahime which has been a source of comfort from the beginning, Stan Moroha) which I enjoy the adventures of Inuyasha and Kagome together, but with Saturday looming in ever too slowly, I just do not have much time to binge 167 episodes (and including 26 from The Final Act) , so a friend of mine recommend to me Dororo as she said it would fit my fill of Inuyasha with Japanese folklore references and mystery and of course being a slut for Samurai films, mostly Kurosawa films.

And of course, being stuck at home with medicine and all, I decided to give it a go, and boy it was an amazing trip

It goes simply like this, a young man named Hyakkimaru, alongside with his chirpy side character Dororo (My friend said I would like her as she is similar to Moroha from Yashahime which is so true), whose body is stolen by 12 demons as a result of his father’s pact many years ago, went on his journey to slay the demons to get his body back.

If I could summarise it, it is a Faustian story set in Federal Japan, with a supernatural twist. What is surprising is that the source material is based on an incomplete manga by Osamu Tezuka (which yes it is that guy who wrote Astro Boy and Black Jack), which was dropped out in the 60’s due to a dwindling interest by the manga-ka himself and the publishers, hence opening itself to many interpretations for its rather abrupt ending. I mean it is pretty grim ahead of its time in the 60’s which has so much potential but it was unfulfilled until Studio Mappa took it in its own hands.

And man to create an intriguing story within 24 episodes, with great characters and great atmosphere, with what they have, I am shook.

During my chats with my friend, live blogging about the series, this is how she summarise me watching it

Watching Dororo be like:

“Ah cool a seemingly Kurosawa inspired anime”

“Inuyasha??”

“And now POTC?” 😂

In case, you are wondering why that, there are fracking zombie sharks like Salazar from Pirates of the Caribbean 5, there are cursed swords and demon trees holding human like fruits (I cannot help with the sword episode to think of Inuyasha movie 3 with So’unga which BTW it is so creepy AF), ,sweet action scenes which could be taken out from the cinematography of Akira Kurosawa and rolling shots of Kenji Mizoguchi!

Asides from me nerding every reference i can get my hands on in Dororo. In the end you cannot do it without great characters and their vulnerability/motivations, and it is so lacking in today’s anime which I could say it for Yashahime itself (It is only lately that we seen a softer side of Moroha, like maybe 9 episodes in which is considered slow to an average user).

We grew up in the Netflix binge culture that we expect fast and instant results which pay little attention to us rooting for the characters themselves, and thankfully Dororo was not like that, if I summarise it, it is flawed people search for what it is like being human, not morally in black and white in that sense, but shades of grey in a hellish world.

To balance mercy with revenge, to hope than to despair, and of course with war, there is peace.

Hyakkimaru, in search of his physical wholeness struggle with his beastly side.

Dororo, despite the travesties with her parents, still able to hope and love.

Tahomaru, torn by jealously and neglect, rising to be a great leader but fallen short.

Daigo (he is the worst), blinded by pride and ambition, forget the little moments in front of him.

There are so many characters I want to list, but I suggest you watch it for itself, if I summarise Dororo’s core - it would be simply the true demons is within ourselves and it is up to us whenever to move forward or regress to its ugliness.

Thankfully Dororo took it with much grace on its journey, so in case you are wondering what is my interperation of the coda (It may be flawed but it is my take)

I think why they chose the divergence between Hyakkimaru and Dororo path as he is like a child learning about the world and the figures always shield him so he want to do like a redemption of the horrors he seen and some way balance both sides, Dororo on the other hand learnt that strength comes from the heart and the resilience of humans to move forward despite the troubles

After all the priest said there are troubles in the world but that what make us human

I think the dad ended up being the demon himself because of selfish reasons and of course like any Faustian story, he paid the price of material things in exchange of humanity.

I say it was a great great series to follow, and with 24 episodes to binge on. I hope you enjoy this journey as I do.

In case, you are done with Dororo- I suggest Mononoke though the stories can be seen individually and more of the creepy side. I would highly recommend that, well it is not so humourous but it is a nice landing point.

#a film geek's watching #dororo #dororo 2019 #dororo to hyakkimaru #Seriously y'all please watch this man #anime #Osamu Tezuka #Hyakkimaru

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weekendwarriorblog · 6 years ago

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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND March 22, 2019 - US

Of course, the big movie of the weekend is Jordan Peele’s US (Universal), his follow-up to his Oscar-winning mega-hit Get Out, this one starring Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke from Black Panther. Right now, from the reactions and rave reviews out of its SXSW premiere, Peele is not going to experience a sophomore slump and the world will continue to be his oyster. (As of this writing, I personally haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’ll be attending the New York premiere on Tuesday night and hope to have a review done and posted some time Wednesday.)

You can read what I think of the box office prospects for Jordan Peele’s Us over at The Beat, and here’s MY REVIEW OF US.

A24 is also expanding Sebastian Lelio’s GLORIA BELL, a drama starring Julianne Moore which I loved, into more theaters on Friday, and that could also make an entry into the top 10 as solid counter-programming to Peele’s movie.

But let’s get to what hopefully you’re reading this for… and that’s the other stuff in theaters this weekend.

LOCAL FESTIVALS

I’m gonna start with this section this week, because I’m so excited about something going on at the IFC Center -- not the first time and definitely won’t be the last -- as it’s the 2nd annual WHAT THE FEST?!, which I sadly missed last year. This year’s line-up is slammin’, opening on Wednesday night with the World Premiere of Larry (Habit) Fessendern’s new movie Depraved, his take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Later on Wednesday is the NYC Premiere of the Swedish film The Unthinkable and then on Thursday is the NYC Premiere of Pollyanna McIntosh’s Darlin’, a sequel to Jack Ketchum’s 2009 movie The Woman, which was in turn a sequel to Offspring.

I have seen a couple of the movies including Penny Lane’s doc Hail Satan?about the Satanic Temple’s fight against theocracies in the form of states trying to put statues of the Ten Commandments on government sites. It’s a movie that has humor as well as politics, and it’s part of the all-day Satan-themed Sunday that will include my buddy Grady Hendrix doing a presentation in conjunction with his novel We Sold Our Souls. Friday night is the New York premiere of Emma Tammi’s The Wind, an amazing Western horror film set in the desolate wasteland, starring Caitlin Gerrard (Insidious: The Last Key) and Julia Goldani Telles (Slenderman).

If there’s one movie you ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE, it’s Shinichiro Ueda’s horror-comedy One Cut of the Dead, which is very hard to describe without spoiling but imagine if a film crew making a zombie movie is attacked by real zombies… and then throw any conceptions you might have about the movie out the window. I have to thank my pal David Jaffee for recommending the movie so highly, as it’s a very clever take on zombies. (And honestly, at this point, I have no idea if and when it will get U.S. distribution.) I probably won’t have a chance to see Roxanne Benjamin’s Body at Brighton Rock but Magnolia is opening it in April so hopefully I’ll see it before then.

LIMITED RELEASES

Opening in New York and L.A. on Friday before a wide release on March 29 is HOTEL MUMBAI (Bleecker Street), the directorial debut by Anthony Maras, which looks at the 2008 terrorist attacks on the Taj Hotel. It stars Dev Patel, Armie Hammer and Jason Isaacs as part of the ensemble cast dealing with Muslim terrorists who attacked the hotel in order to take Western hostages for ransom. It’s a solid debut by Maras, one with a lot of moving parts but handled sensitively and tactfully due to the nature of the events. I definitely recommend the movie if you have a chance to see it. It’s not quite United 93 but still very good.

Oscar-winning Hungarian filmmaker Laszlo Nemes (Son of Saul) returns with his new movie SUNSET (Sony Pictures Classics), set in Budapest 1913, as it follows Irisz Leiter as she arrives there to work as a milliner (hat salesperson) at the popular hat store that belonged to her parents, though she’s sent away by the owner Oszkar Brill. When a man shows up looking for Irisz’s brother Kalman, she begins to look into her lost past. I have to be honest that I wasn’t much of a fan of the movie, maybe because it was very long, slow and confusing to the point where I really didn’t understand much of what was happening. Clearly, it’s not a film on par with Son of Saul, although I guess some people might like it more than I did. It probably will open in New York and L.A., as that’s the way Sony Classics usually does things.

Filmmaker S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk) returns with his latest genre film DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE (Summit/Lionsgate), a police thriller starring Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn as disgraced police officers who decide to hijack an ambitious heist, stealing the bars of gold that were stolen by a group of robbers. It’s a decent movie if you’re into this sort of thing. Zahler keeps improving as a filmmaker and here, he makes a movie with the weight of Steve McQueen’s Widows, although I thought Tory Kittles was far more interesting than the two leads, even though they do have good chemistry together. This will open in select cities Friday.

Opening at the Film Forum on Wednesday is a wonderful doc by Dutch filmmaker Heddy Honnigmann called BUDDY, which looks at a number of people and their relationships with incredible service dogs who help them get through everything from blindness to PTSD. This really is a wonderful movie, especially if you’re a dog-lover because all of the dogs have personalities as interesting as their masters.

Also opening at Film Forum Friday and at the Lammle Monica Film Center is Nancy Schwartzman’s new documentary Roll Red Roll (Together Films) looks at a 2012 incident of high school sexual assault in Steubenville, Ohio where a young woman was raped by the football team. It’s a harrowing story but if you’re interested in the type of true crime docs that are all over Netflix, this one should interest you as well. (It’s particularly struggling for me to watch it, having one nephew in high school not too far away from where this happened.)

A movie that I saw and reviewed out of the Tribeca Film Festival last year was Robert Budreau’s STOCKHOLM, which reunites him with Ethan Hawke from Born to Blue, this time playing a bank robber who robs a bank in Sweden with his partner (Mark Strong) and takes a bank manager (Noomi Rapace) hostage before she falls for him … leading to the term “Stockholm Syndrome.” No, I’m not making that up. I don’t remember hating or loving this but just thought it was okay, probably elevated by the presence of the cast.

Patricia Clarkson, Jacki Weaver, James Caan and Toby Jones star in Carol Morley’s thriller OUT OF BLUE (IFC Films) about a New Orleans detective (Clarkson) searching for the killer of a renowned astrophysicist (played by Mamie Gummer), who was shot to death in her observatory. I’ll try to watch this and write more about it soon.

John Travolta and Toby Sebastian star in Karzan Kader’s Trading Paint (Saban Films/Lionsgate), playing a fat her and son racing duo who have a falling out, something that a rival racing company uses to drive a wedge further into the relationship. The movie has been on Ultra VOD for the last month but it will open in select theaters and regular VOD Friday.

Following a one-night theatrical release in 150 theaters on Tuesday, Jesse V. Johnson’s action-thriller Triple Threat (Well GO USA), starring Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak) and Iko Uwais (The Raid) will be available in select theaters and VOD. They are part of a team of mercenaries sent to stop a group of assassins from killing a billionaire’s daughter. It also stars Scott Adkins, Tiger Chen, Michael Jai White and more.

Joel Proykus’ video game comedy Relaxer (Oscilloscope) stars Josh Burge (who previously starred in Proykus’ Ape) as Abbie who is trying to beat the impossible 256thlevel of Pac-Man with no food or water and a bunch of friends and acquaintances showing up. The comedy also stars David Dastmalchian (Ant-Man) and it opens in select cities.

Eric Khoo’s Ramen Shop (Strand Releasing) also opens in New York at the IFC Center and Landmark at 57 West. It follows a young Ramen chef named Masato who leaves Japan to go on a culinary journey through Singapore where he discovers family secrets and new recipes. It will expand to L.A. and other cities on April 5.

As far as streaming, we get our third Western in three weeks with Scott Martin’s Big Kill (Cinedigm), starring Christoph Sander, Jason Patric and more. It involves a Philadelphia accountant who travels West to join the family business who meets up with two rogues who have been run out of Mexico. It’s on VOD now.

REPERTORY

METROGRAPH (NYC):

Harmony Korine will be on-hand Friday for the start of a special seriesshowing his films, including 2012’s Spring Breakers, as well as showing 1995’s Kids, which he wrote. (It’s all to prepare for the release of Korine’s latest film The Beach Bum, starring Matthew McConaughey, which will screen for members only.) Film Society of Lincoln Center director Kent Jones ventures downtown to promote his new movie Diane with a “Dream Double Feature” of Westerns The Shooting (1966) and Rio Bravo (1959) on Saturday afternoon. Late Nites at Metrograph will show Catherine Reillat’s Fat Girlon Wednesday night and then Masahiro Shinoda’s 1969 film Double Suicide on Friday and Saturday nights. This week’s Playtime: Family Matinees is Ken Kwapis’ 1996 monkey comedy Dunston Checks In, starring Jason Alexander from Seinfeld.

THE NEW BEVERLY (L.A.):

Weds. afternoon shows a singular screening of The Three Faces of Eve (1957) starring Joanne Woodward. This week’s double features are John Ford’s Fort Apache (1948), starring John Wayne, with Robert Aldrich’s Ulzana’s Raid (1972) on Weds. and Thurs, the comedy double feature of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) on Friday and Saturday, and then the Paul Wendkos double feature of The Mephisto Waltz (1971) and Special Delivery (1976) on Sunday and Monday. This weekend’s midnight movies are Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 2 on Friday night and Woody Allen’s Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex But Were Afraid to Ask on Saturday. The weekend’s KIDDEE MATINE is Clarence Brown’s 1944 National Velvet, starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. On Monday, the Bev shows the amazing Parker Posey breakthrough film Party Girl (1995) with director Daisy von Scherler Mayer in person, then Tuesday’s GRINDHOUSE double feature is two from Hong Kong, The Tattoo Connection (1978) and another “Bruce Li” movie Exit the Dragon, Enter the Tiger, also from 1978.

FILM FORUM (NYC):

The ongoing Bob & Wray: A Hollywood Love Story series continues this week with the Fay Wray double feature of The Clairvoyant (1935) and Black Moon (1934) on Weds, the Bill Riskin-penned Mister 880 (1950) and Broadway Will (1934) Thursday, then even more Frank Capra with American Madness (1932) and The Miracle Woman (1931)on Friday (and again, next Tuesday). The weekend sees a 35mm print of King Kongshown as part of Film Forum Jr., as well as in a double feature with The Most Dangerous Game (1932) on Saturday and again on Monday. Also showing this weekend is The Four Feathers ( 1929) – with live piano accompaniment--on Saturday and Magic Town (1947) and Capra’s Meet John Doe (1941) on Sunday. Also Sunday is a single-showing horror double feature of The Mystery of the Wax Museum and The Vampire Bat, both from 1933 and both starring Wray.

EGYPTIAN THEATRE (LA):

Before coming to New York’s Metrograph, Harmony Korine will be here in person for a Thursday screening of Trash Humpers and Spring Breakers, plus “Bruno Ganz Remembered” continues as the Egyptian also shows Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire on Sunday. (At one point, the theater was also showing a double feature of Nosferatu, The Vampire and The American Friend, too.) Old movie fans might also be interested in “The Musketeers of Pig Alley” and More Films of 1912, which a series of shorts by D.W. Griffith that run on Saturday and Sunday.

IFC CENTER (NYC)

Waverly Midnights: The Feds wraps up with Steven Spielberg’s 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can, starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio. Weekend Classics: Early Godard also concludes this weekend with Pierrot Le Fou (1965) while this weekend’s Late Night Favorites is David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.

MOMA (NYC):

MOMA continues the series Modern Matinees: B is for Bacall with the 1953 filmHow to Marry a Millionaireon Wednesday, Vincente Minelli’s 1955 film The CobwebThursday and Jonathan Glazer’s more recentBirth (2004) on Friday.

BAM CINEMATEK (NYC):

For whatever reason, BAM is screening Michaelangelo Antonioni’s 1970 “classic” Zabriskie Point on Friday night – I’m not really a fan -- as part of BAM and Triple Canopy: On Resentment, but already sold out is Mathieu Kassovitz’s 1995 film La Haine, starring Vincent Cassel, and other interesting films in the series, like Steve McQueen’s Hunger, starring Michael Fassbender.

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE (NYC):

The museum’s Tribute to Bruno Ganz will screen Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire on Sunday, and it’s showing this year’s Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts as part of its ongoing family program.

LANDMARK THEATRES NUART (LA):

The Nuart’s Friday midnight offering isJohn Waters’ Polyester (1981)starring the late Divine.

QUAD CINEMA (NYC):

The quad continues its Bertrand Blier series with the 40thanniversary restoration of his 1978 film Get Out Your Handkerchiefs.

AERO (LA):

The AERO is booked up this week with the West Coast version of the Canada Now!Series.

STREAMING AND CABLE

This Friday’s big Netflix streaming debut is Jeff (Bad Grandpa)Tremaine’s Motley Crue biopic THE DIRT, starring Douglas Booth, Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones) and more. I haven’t seen it yet but I’ll probably watch it sometime this weekend.

That’s it for this week, but next week, we’ll get Tim Burton’s Dumboand more.

#Us JordanPeele WhatToWatchThisWeekend LimitedREleases Movies Repertory

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savetopnow · 7 years ago

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2018-03-26 13 MUSIC now

MUSIC

Brooklyn Vegan

What's going on Sunday?

March For Our Lives: Paul McCartney, Kanye, NYC pics & more

Jeff Rosenstock playing Silent Barn on Sunday?

What's going on Saturday?

tours announced: Essaie Pas, Ringo, Leon Bridges, Sword/Atomic Bitchwax, more

Consquence of Sound

Jesse Hughes goes off on “pathetic and disgusting” student-led protests against gun violence

Steven Spielberg thinks Netflix films are “TV movies,” shouldn’t get Oscar consideration

Arcade Fire perform “Everything Now” at the 2018 Juno Awards: Watch

Killer Mike apologizes for NRA video: “I’m sorry that an interview I did … was used as a weapon against you guys”

Semisonic’s Dan Wilson reflects on the 20th anniversary of Feeling Strangely Fine

Fact Magazine

Talking heads: 6 of the best smart speakers

The Icelandic electronic music renaissance: Sónar Reykjavík reviewed

The Defiant Ones’ Jimmy Iovine on the future of streaming and “stepping back” from Apple Music

Go behind the scenes of Air producer JB Dunckel’s stunning studio

Toni Braxton – Confessions

Fluxblog

The Middle Of A Cold Premonition

The Moon Right Behind Me

Make Me Feel Right

I Loved And I Lost

Very Nice Very Nice

Idolator

Christina Aguilera Reveals “Infatuation” Was Inspired By A Gay Lover, Talks “Fighter” During ‘Untucked’

Pentatonix Unveil A Vibrant Reimagining Of Charlie Puth’s “Attention”

Shawn Mendes’ “Lost In Japan” Is An Atmospheric Smash

Sia Reunites With David Guetta On Their Tropical-Tinged “Flames”

Ryan Tedder Talks Working With Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes & More

Listen to This

Amiina - Perth (2013) [Icelandic Post Rock]

Music Melting Pot [Week of March 26, 2018]

The Buzzhorn - Ordinary[Post-Grunge](2002)

House With A Yard -- Watered Down Whiskey [Folk rock] (2017)

Nekrogoblikon — Dressed as Goblins [Folk Metal] (2018)

Popjustice

NONONO’s new one is v excellent and here’s the video

New Music Friday: all hail Let’s Eat Grandma’s miniature pop symphony

Paloma Faith’s branded content is better than your branded content

Saluting the artwork for PRETTYMUCH’s Healthy

Louisa Johnson interview: “We went, ‘oh, fuck it, let’s just get drunk’”

Reddit Music

Gap Band - You Dropped A Bomb On Me [FUNK]

Lisa Loeb - Stay [alternative rock]

The Beach Boys - 'Til I Die [Psychedelic Rock], a song written by Brian Wilson during his long battle with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts.

blind Melon - No Rain [rock]

Neil Young - Harvest Moon [Folk Rock]

Rolling Stone

On the Charts: XXXTentacion Nabs First Number One, Metallica Finish Second

Unseen Beatles Photos From 1964 Sell for $358,000 at Auction

Run the Jewels' Killer Mike Defends Gun Ownership in NRATV Interview

See Jennifer Hudson's Powerful Bob Dylan Cover at March for Our Lives Rally

Watch Ariana Grande Sing 'Be Alright' at March for Our Lives Rally

Slipped Disc

Death of a Russian contender, 45

Welcome to the Slipped Disc book club

Martha Argerich plays a world premiere

Fidelio gets remade in US jails

Did anyone really know José Antonio Abreu?

Spotify Blog

Spotify Launches Integration with New and Existing Cadillac Models

Spotify Launches ‘Louder Together’ with First Multi-Artist Spotify Single Collaboration from Independent Stars Sasha Sloan, Nina Nesbitt and Charlotte Lawrence

Spotify Launches Self-Serve Advertising Platform in the UK and Canada

Spotify Announces Launch of Line-In

John Hancock and Spotify Give Runners Everywhere Access to Custom Playlists and Tips from Some of the World’s Fastest Marathoners

We Are the Music Makers

What is the key to this theme?

Best way to split a long mp3 into tracks

Can you record vocals and a digital instrument at the same time on GarageBand for iOS?

Does anybody know what synth/settings they used for the bass line of this chorus? Help would be appreciated!

Alternative to Logic's Alchemy

#music

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