#Mr. Armitage is great actor

[andywinter16]

Do you remember the  predecessor of the Kingsglaive? The Royal Guard! You know, those guys we fought as Ardyn in his DLC. They also had captain, which was directly under Clarus Amicitia. Well, and since we don´t know how he looked like and I kinda imagined him like Richard Armitage.

And this is my personal headcanon but Titus knew him. Heck, Titus worked under him like a Royal Guard. Until the captain passed away in the Attack on the Insomnia instrumented by Ardyn.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Anonymous asked: Are you a Mission Impossible fan? I’m not a Tom Cruise fan but it’s great dumb fun. And it has a cast full of talented (and beautiful) women. You seem the type to enjoy a good adrenaline rush of a flick (I’m sure the French have a fancy cinematic term for that)

I am unashamedly both a Mission Impossible fan - of the television series and the Cruise movies - and a Tom Cruise fan.

Obviously being born decades after the original Mission Impossible tv series created by Bruce Geller was first aired in the 60s and 70s, I only had the pleasure of watching the box set episodes later in life. I have to say I loved that series. I loved when they hatched the plan. Loved the fake masks. And of course I loved the Lao Schifrin music - one of the most recognisable signature themes in music and TV history.

Classic television has a bit of a blessing and a curse working on it. Most shows of the Golden Age of television didn't have a structured narrative through-line. The idea that one episode will build upon the next is a pretty modern concept. As such, Mission Impossible had a prescribed routine. Mr. Briggs in Season One and then Mr. Phelps in the subsequent seasons drive to a random location, find a hidden mission briefing that self destructs, discusses the plan with the team, and then they execute the mission.

There wasn't much variation to the structure. Thankfully by season three, they got rid of the silly waste of time where Jim Phelps selects his team - because aside from the random guest the team was virtually the same from episode to episode. The thing that changed was how the team pulled off their mission. It was always a mixture of subterfuge and fancy fakery, but it was always exciting and the great team of writers, directors, and the dynamic cast always kept the audience just enough out of the loop for there to be plenty of surprises and suspense.

It's not that Season One wasn't any good, but you could really feel the show was still working itself out. Steven Hill as original team leader Daniel Briggs is decent enough, but he's just not as interesting a performer as Peter Graves as Jim Phelps. Graves is indelible to the show. But it's not just who leads the team that made the show - it was the great actors who made up the series regulars. Greg Morris as Barney Collier and Peter Lupus as Willy Armitage are always great as the tech masters and inside guys who narrowly complete their tasks with milliseconds to spare. Husband and Wife duo Martin Landau as Rollin Hand and Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter really helped cement the show through the first three seasons.

So when I got around to watching Tom Cruise’s first Mission Impossible film I was a little miffed. It seemed like the story bumped off his team - a staple of the original tv series - within the first act and the rest of the film is on Cruise control ie it’s just about Ethan Hunt. But slowly as the other MI films came out I was won over. In fact in my mind I tend to think there are two Impossible Missions Force (IMF) operating in two different universes, just because the dynamics are different. That way I don’t waste time whining on which is better or poke holes in the Cruise films for its lack of purity to the original series. I prefer to enjoy both on their own separate terms.

To me Thomas Cruise Mapother IV is the biggest movie star in our current culture of excess entertainment. That’s my gut feeling.  The definition of a movie star, in my personal opinion, has changed dramatically. There was a time and period when the movie star was defined by the name alone. If a Hollywood star had a film coming out people didn’t know what the film was, they just saw it because of who was in it: Will Smith or Jim Carrey or even Stallone and Schwarzenegger. No one else comes close.

The two exceptions might be Leonardo DiCaprio or Keanu Reeves. I think of the two Reeves comes closest because of the success of the franchises he’s been in - The Matrix and the John Wick franchises - but he’s not a movie star. What I mean he doesn’t behave like a movie star in the sense that he is not immersed in the film business as a business nor does he cultivate his star power (he prefers to travel around on a bus and sit on park benches looking forlorn) in the way Tom Cruise does.

Interestingly there are even few directors that can open a movie on name alone. Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg can still get people into the cinema based on their name alone, but the movie star, not so much. Audiences today want IP. They want franchises. However Tom Cruise has navigated all of that and consistently shifted.

Cruise’s dedication to big screen spectacle, also offset by interesting asides like American Made, and very underrated sci-fi and high concept films like Minority Report, Oblivion (very underrated) and Edge of Tomorrow, brings a sense of anticipation to his films. Maybe we’re there because we expect stunts, or we know that he’ll give nothing less than 100%, or it’s an example of a creatively driven project, rather than a marketing machine, but we still show up. It may not always go right, like the misfiring The Mummy or Jack Reacher (where he felt miscast in both), but Cruise has his sure-fires and his surprises.

When a movie like The Mummy doesn’t work out, he reimagines Mission: Impossible, and he is able to take what everyone loved in the 80s about Top Gun and magnify that to what the audience wants today. Honestly, did anyone expect Top Gun: Maverick to be the box office behemoth it has been? I expected it to impress, to be a good example of Cruise’s fervent passion for as much practical work as possible (as opposed to doing 95% with CGI), but after 36 years, that it’s his highest grossing film ever - and the highest-grossing movie of 2022 - is impressive.

It helps that he almost never 100 percent disappears into his roles; we still get that Tom Cruise smile and stare no matter who he’s playing. And the fact that he still looks like 1980s-era Tom Cruise only adds to the lustre. Indeed when Tom Cruise does it, whether that’s fighting for justice in a courtroom, making cocktails, jumping off a roof, flying a fighter jet,  or even singing “I Want To Know What Love Is” shirtless while wearing leather pants, we’re like, ‘Sure. I buy that.’ He’s relatable even when what he’s doing on screen is so far removed from our reality that it’s insane. There is a grounded matinee idol musk to Cruise’s presence on screen that seems to transcend class and political divides. He’s America’s hero and the nice guy who is tough with a sensitive side, as well as the kind of wisdom that impresses but never intimidates. He’s Hollywood’s fine wine.

Tom Cruise is not only the biggest movie star working today, he’s the last movie star working today.

There are plenty of actors who people recognise, and the right combination of actor and role can still be explosive, like Keanu Reeves. But “Tom Holland as Spider-Man” is a very different thing than “Tom Holland as anything except Spider-Man,” and to some degree, that’s by design. Studios would rather own the biggest part of the equation. Tom Cruise doesn’t need your IP, though. Tom Cruise is the IP. People buy a ticket to see Tom Cruise, and they do that because Tom Cruise has figured out how to be the most Tom Cruise that any Tom Cruise could ever hope to be, and every time out, he does his very best to turn the Tom Cruise up just a little bit more.

When he was younger, Cruise built his career by trusting himself and his image to the very best directors he could find, slowly refining a certain kind of alpha masculine ideal. What makes his late-era stardom more remarkable is how he only transitioned into action movies once he was in his 40s, and he has pushed himself harder than arguably any action star of any age in the last few decades. When you see a Tom Cruise film and you see an insane stunt, part of the kick is knowing that’s really him and that he’s entering his fourth decade of being an icon.

That Cruise almost died after becoming entangled in his parachute in the water in Top Gun was somewhat irrelevant, because it was this first Mission: Impossible where Tom Cruise: Stunt Man was also born. From the infamous wire descent, to leaping out of a window to outrun a surge of water from the restaurant he’d just blown a window out from, Cruise was in on the action.

If audiences didn’t quite get that dedication to being visibly involved in the action then, they certainly would by the time he made the more action packed second film, directed by John Woo. M:I 2 cemented the lure of the Cruise stunt. From mountain leaps, to motorcycle rides and more, Cruise set a new expectation for his work going forward. It was a string to his bow, a selling point, and it has proven a tool of forgiveness and resurrection even as his career has threatened to implode under off screen contention.

I think that’s why we rush to go and see the next Mission Impossible film. It’s not for the thread-bare plot or the fantastic action - although it’s better than most action franchises these days. But it’s the mind blowing stunts which we know is not CGI driven nor is done by a stunt double. It’s done by Tom Cruise himself.

He is the Tom Brady/Mark Cavendish/Ronaldo/Roger Federer (delete as appropriate) of movie stars, not just because of his success, but the longevity of his career, as he has found ways to adapt to each change in the industry while also not giving in to what others have had to do.

The key thing is he adapts just enough to make it fresh. The Mission Impossible films are a case in point. Even as the stunts have got bigger, more dangerous, and more spectacular (as all franchise films must it seems), the characters portraits and arcs have got more intimate and more relatable.

In the MI movies he is of course super spy Ethan Hunt but he’s not super-human. But Tom Cruise’s secret is that even when appearing borderline super-human on screen, there’s still an air about him that makes the viewer want to be him or be with him and believe that’s possible. There’s an old-school debonair swagger and a hot everyman to him that many movie stars lack. Dwayne Johnson is many things, including a mountain of a man and a brilliant business person, but few of us could carry that off or believe that what he’s doing on screen is something we could replicate. Inspire, sure, but we could never be him. With each film the character is finding it harder and harder to be cocky and confident. There is a world weariness etched on his strained face. He barely wins fights and often he relies on others to help him or bail him out. Cruise is self-aware that he is getting older, like his character. It’s these little details which count.

Interestingly, I find his women character also infinitely more relatable than any current iteration of the action female heroine. Marvel are lost in swamp of woke feminist BS where all their franchise films have to be led by the cookie cutter ’Strong Single Female’ - the one who doesn’t need mentoring (because that’s just sexist mansplaining); can pick up a life time of a superior set of skills in a matter of seconds; can beat to a pulp a man much stronger than she is; she never falls, stumbles, or fails like the men do; and she alone saves the day of course. Look at Rey in Star Wars or Captain Marvel in the MCU or even Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character in the latest risible Indiana Jones film and tell me any of that isn’t true.

The women in MI franchise are far more relatable within the context of a hyper-realised film about super spies but not beyonds the laws of gravity. They are strong, independent, smart, sure. But they are also feminine and vulnerable. They fight like skilled women and not prize fighters that play to their feminine strengths (they get punched a lot in the gut and it shows). More importantly, they fuck up and fail, but they still come and help others to save the day. From Emmanuelle Beart to Thandie Newton to Rebecca Ferguson, these are kick ass women but in a much more believable way than any Marvel movie she-heroine. Go back and see these movies and you will see what I mean.

What I also like about him is the vibe he gives off that he cares deeply about his movies. It’s not a cynical exercise in money. Of course ego is a different matter, but I’ll give him a pass because he is the consummate professional and perfectionist about his craft. To me Tom Cruise is one of the few performers today who generally thinks of the audience first. Maybe even to his own detriment. But you can tell with everything he does, in all of his films, there is a different kind of commitment he makes to the audience. He actually gives the impression that he cares about giving his audience a good time.

Moreover, to hear it from Cruise himself, as we did during leaked audio of the dressing down he gave M:I7 crew members who were flouting COVID-19 safety regulations: “That’s what I sleep with every night - the future of this fucking industry!” Cruise makes a grand spectacle of carrying every film on his back, so it’s never in question who calls the shots or who, rather than what, makes the movies cinematic. Cruise’s power as a producer really deserves kudos for this. His steadfast aversion to shrinking theatrical windows for any of his projects, and his continued allegiance to, especially in the case of his flagship franchise, adding more ambitious stunts and exotic locations with every entry.

He doesn’t do television. Don’t you dare ask him about streaming. Other stars have also made that transition to streaming. You might call it selling your soul. Deals with the devil. We’ve seen other films in difficult circumstances, having to change their models to incorporate simultaneous streaming and cinema releases. Dwayne Johnson had seen a decline in box office revenue prior to the pandemic that has seen him go a little safer with more Disney material, as well as become a big fish in the Netflix pond. Cruise however… is all about the big screen experience.

Everything Cruise does is about maintaining his star power in the face of any and all obstacles, from a diminished global box office and studio manoeuvring to his own mortality. His legacy decades since secured, Cruise’s latest impossible mission appears to be nothing less than saving the movies themselves.

For that reason and that reason alone, I will always take time to see a Tom Cruise movie especially his Mission Impossible franchise films. Roll on summer. Cue the Palo Schifrin guitar chords. And action!

Thanks for your question.

[ruby-red-inky-blue]

Carrie watches “North & South” (2004) Ep. 3 & 4

we were robbed of the omnibus scene! (for perfectly good reason, that scene does *not* translate to screen) but still! Robbed, I tell you!

they kept the dialogue between Thornton and his mother! Yay! Honestly, this dynamic is currently the most endearing part of this adaptation to me.

Bell meddles now, actively. He seems vaguely machiavellian. That’s a... choice, for sure. I don’t understand where this is going, but we’ll see? I guess?

Thorton’s panicked and horribly stiff exit from that conversation is quite amusing though. For the first time, he’s tall and towering in an awkward sense instead of in an imposing to frightening sense. Good. (This show runs into the issue of most visual media, basically - the people are too hot to fit their characters. Armitage has that sharp, statuesque look that just messes with the characterisation.)

Bessy :( I’m still not *entirely* on board with this Nicholas (I finally figured out where I know the actor from and the realisation has not helped), but her death was nicely done. The addition of the handkerchief in combination with Dixon’s handkerchief tale last episode does bring a mistress/servant dynamic into Margaret’s and Bessy’s friendship - it was kind of there in the book as well, I guess, but so far on the show they’ve seemed to be a little more equal and I quite enjoyed that, so I don’t know how the handkerchief sits with me.

the addition of the Great Exhibition is interesting. It’s portrayed in a bit of an uncomfortable light from today’s standpoint (”look at all the shit we stole from invaded countries! Isn’t it neat?”, using it to advertise progress and new experiences as if that was what the exhibtion was offering), but then the show *is* almost twenty years old. I do like the brief examination of how they all look at the progress of technology - Cpt. Lennox would like to “dabble” in it, but doesn’t think it’s anything serious, Mr. Lennox (who is way more sinister in this show apparently than in the book? he was just some guy!) doesn’t care for it at all (seems too much work), Margaret is cautious but sees the benefit and is starting to find it exciting, and Thornton doesn’t have time to find it anything because he’s living it. Ironically, he isn’t a “stop to smell the roses” type here, though he will travel halfway across England for a hedgerose by the end.

Fanny remains hilarious, even though she is an actual caricature at this point.

they’re really serious about manufacturing some additional love interests here, aren’t they? I’m pretty sure Ms. Latimer wasn’t a thing in the book at all, and now Lennox and Thornton are engaging into a sudden pissing contest. I guess it was just a tv romance staple at the time? But I’m honestly a bit puzzled about why Henry is so hostile - where would he even know Thornton’s name from? For all we know, Margaret may have mentioned him in a few letters to Edith, but surely only as one of her father’s pupils, and Edith is way too vapid to talk at length about Mr. Hale’s students to her brother in law.

Hannah actually promises to be kind to Margaret, when in the book she insisted several times that she could look out for her, but that she couldn’t be *kind*. Interesting! Curious to see if this changes anything going forward. (Edit: it didn’t. Can’t say what they could have changed, but I would have liked to see her insist, it was a great character moment.)

well, they only have so much time, but I’m sad Frederick got the short shrift. He seemed quite sweet in the book, if a bit useless in a crisis. Here he was briefly an aloof jerk for two sentences and then his mother died. And he seems even more naive than his novel counterpart, so that’s not terribly endearing.

I’m not the first to point this out but it *is* hilarious that they’ve decided to set Fred’s departure in the middle of the night instead of evening hours. What reason would Thornton have to hang out on a train platform at that hour? And actually, would there even be a train going all the way to London at that hour? Thornton isn’t even doing anything. He’s not passing by, he’s not coming off a train, he’s just... chilling? At the station? After dark?

I just realised they’re gonna have to speedrun through at least three more deaths in little more than one episode. That’s gonna be interesting.

Bell is being shady with Thornton again, ew, where is this going? (Edit: nowhere, apparently? The changes to Bell remain puzzling tbh)

oh the canal was *supposed* to look purple, I thought my colouring was off!

once again for Le Drama, a circumstantial case becomes a “very secure chain of evidence”. And unlike the book, this cop is definitely giving off the vibe that he knows Thornton is covering something up. Interesting, but now they have a curious bit of plot left unresolved... because that knowledge is now out there, isn’t it?

I love how they’re conserving the little character details, the little kindnesses, like Margaret putting Higgins’s shoes by the fire to dry for him

they’re putting it quite plainly how his rejection really was the thing that brought out Margaret’s affection for Thornton, they really are two odd little peas in an odd little pod.

aww they kept in the cantina, and “take your boss to lunch” day ❤️ I’m so happy! And though I wasn’t fully sold on the Higgins/Margaret dynamic, Higgins/Thornton is delightful and just the right tone.

“Look back.” Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I get it now. Damn, what a scene!

“I was thinking of Mrs. Thornton. How she’d love to be called wild!” Okay if the goodbye hadn’t done it, this might be where this episode would’ve officially won me over. And they’re walking back some of Mr Bell’s creepiness (good) and giving him a less sudden death. Honestly maybe an improvement, the book does tend to just make people drop death without warning every time. But I wonder why they bothered to keep in the whole rehashing of the Fred-and-Lennards story, then, if Bell still isn’t the one explaining the incident to Thornton? As long as you have Higgins dropping the hint about Fred to him, that seems to take care of that whole issue.

look first of all, the ending is gloriously done, big sweeping industrialised romance, sunlit train station and all! They’re adorable, and the face journeys throughout are impeccable. Absolute delight. That said, I have notes:

I don’t really like the change of moving Thornton’s trip to Helstone to just before the resolution. It seems out of character - he’s so careful of his mother and of their precarious position, he wouldn’t saunter off to the country while they’re teetering on the edge of destitution! I get that they’re doing it for the poetry of them coming from opposite directions and meeting in the middle, and that’s very cute as a metaphor, but I think it messes with the character too much. Plus, it is arguably far more sappy to keep those flowers pressed and dried on his person at all times than it is to pick one and take it home with you on a whim. (Also a former tailor’s apprentice looking at incoming poverty wouldn’t risk ruining a perfectly good waistcoat with pollen from a fresh flower, but that’s maybe being nitpicky.)

Also, could have done without the Live Lennox Reaction to the kiss, tbh, that was a very weird choice of cutaway. And him being all pissy? Absolute downgrade, I liked him when he was decent if misguided and playing matchmaker! But since Higgins is the main shipper on deck here, I guess it’d be too much to have two.

(ADORE that we got a kiss, btw, the last scene in the book is... surprisingly touchy for Victorian standards, so it’s only right.)

HANDS!!!!

Adorable though it is, they’re really throwing the morality of the time out of the window here - I’ll give them a pass for the public make-out session actually, even in the book they *do* kind of seem the type to pull that. Thornton’s state of mild undress which I think would have probably alarmed a number of Victorians is also par for the course if you squint - he’s in crisis and clearly being extra dramatic what with the whole trip to Helstone.  But... that Margaret just goes with him? And Lennox seems to think that’s perfectly normal? First off, that is just not happening, secondly - she is carrying a single suitcase! Can you even fit a whole second outfit in there? And what will they do when they get to Milton? Will she... live with the Thorntons, at their house, pre-marriage and everything? All of Milton talks about her because she was Seen With a Man Unchaperoned(TM) and now she’ll move in with one? Honestly I don’t think it’d matter how soon they got married after that, she’d be the talk of town for years. And his mother would flip her shit even more than she’s going to anyway.

And while I will always be soft for Soft Gazing and I’m so here for that last moment of absolute contentment... it doesn’t beat them playing a game of “whose relatives will take these news worse” to close out the story. I’m still giggling about how the book ended, it’s so funny.

[angelkarafilli]

Richard Armitage in “North and South(2004)

as John Thornton

Here Thornton is amazed by Mason’s revelation ep3

[mirambles]

Didn’t like romcoms ever - watched a handful of movies, never read Mills & Boons. Still haven’t. What were my handful favourites then?

Pride and Prejudice - Darcy and Elizabeth. I enjoy period novels, dramas and romance. This was the perfect combination. It ruined me cause nothing ever came close to this book, series and this pair. Two strong willed , opinionated personalities clashed and how! Read the book as a 11 year old and that was the romance I desired. Mr Darcy was flawed and perfect, brooding and charming, intense and loving. He was every woman’s desire and dream come true. Elizabeth was equally matched - intelligent, sharp witted, confident , loyal and loving. A match made in heaven that’s what it was. It was the perfect push you far away but will draw you back in romance. Angst and desire. And then there was Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth - they exceeded my expectations of how I had imagined Elizabeth and Darcy to be. Colin Firth made sure Darcy would rule my heart for decades. Still does!

North and South : Thornton and Margaret. A tale told amidst the class divide and industrial changes that Britain underwent. A soft, subtle , slow burn romance. That kiss between Armitage and Denny-Ashe on the platform is one of most swoon worthy kisses ever in any drama series or movie! The book equally good to read.

You Have Got Mail - Tom Hank and Meg Ryan. Neither are drop dead gorgeous people - but both being an endearing charm to the screen and created magic twice - Sleepless in Seattle and then You Have Got Mail. I never really got drawn by the former , but the latter has my heart. The charm of 90s online chats, the mysterious stranger who could be the love of your life , the guy next door. It was so formulaic that you predicted exactly how the story would go and yet these two made you fall in love with it.

When Harry Met Sally - My favourite romantic trope. Friends turned lovers. The bickering, the banter, the I know you better than anyone else. And yet again Meg Ryan - Flawless

Notting Hill - Julia Roberts’ wide smile and Hugh Grant looking dreamy as ever. When i moved to London , I wanted to visit that cute little bookstore where the romance began! The soundtrack of the movie and gorgeous London setting.

Love Actually : Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley - and Christmas. I was sold - I watch this movie as a Christmas ritual every year. The 6 stories interlinked and I enjoy it even today - cliched maybe but the cast nailed it!

Me Before You - Has there been a more gut wrenching and yet so wonderfully told positive love story? Clarke and Will were a match made in heaven - but were never meant to be. And yet in the short time they spent together they gave each other a whole new world and life! ‘Just live well….just live’ I go back to the last scene a million times - it’s so important to count our blessings and live well - because we only get to do so once!

Bollywood romance never worked for me - I loved a lot of movies , hell I grew up on them but none really made me go weak in my knees. We girls then teenagers all wanted to go on a Europe trip after watching DDLJ, but we didn’t really want to meet a Rahul on the trip. The actors and actresses were lovely to watch, the stories were heartfelt but they did not make my heart flutter.

And post the ‘00s - even Hollywood romance turned cliched, the scripts were same old, the chemistry was alright. Good one time watch and then to be forgotten.

And then last year before pandemic hit I was intrigued by a trailer on Netflix - Army romance is my weak point. Hyun Bin looked stunningly handsome in the trailer and it intrigued me , so I started watching CLOY on my flight to USA and fell in love with Yoon SeRi and Captain Ri! I binged the entire series on my round trip and I couldn’t believe I had enjoyed a pure romcom! Great storytelling, terrific characterisations, picture perfect men - what world is this and how had I not discovered it for so long!

So 18 months down the line having watched over 70+ Kdramas - here I’m finally penning down my thoughts. If you enjoy my posts - drop in and say hi!

[okapirose]

Like a lot of people on this site, when you get fixated on an actor or actress, you try to go through their whole filmography for your thirst lol

My current fixation is everything Toby Stephens. Saw him first in Black Sails years ago, then Lost in Space and with a rewatch of Black Sails, decided to delve into all the things.

As it’s his birthday as of posting this, thought it’d be appropriate to share C:

These are not in any particular order, and I’ll keep spoilers out for those who want to watch for yourselves. Overall, Stephens has a lot of variety in his acting, and there’s actually quite a handful of LGBTA+ roles, either out (Black Sails) or ambiguously (Mangal Pandey). Whether he’s irl bisexual or otherwise (he’s married 20+ years to Anna-Louise Plowman) I don’t know and far as I know he’s never said anything, but if you’re looking for more of him in LGBTA rep beyond Black Sails, he does have it.

There’s several more I’d like to see like the new “And Then There Were None”, and “Summer of Rockets” but might be awhile as I haven’t found free versions of either. He’s also going to be doing something related to Oscar Wilde but have yet to see any further news on when that’s coming out.

Anyway here we go...

Twelfth Night - I enjoy Shakespeare though I have some trouble keeping up with the language, fun nonetheless and a great adaptation. Pretty sure this was his first movie where he played a lead and he did so wonderfully as Duke Orsino. Photographing Fairies - Based on the Cottingley Fairies hoax, its an interesting mix of fantasy and also a bit...unsettling? I guess? (not horror though). He plays a photographer who lost his wife in an accident and is approached to look into a photo of a woman’s daughter who is allegedly holding a fairy.  Mangal Pandey: The Rising - Based on the events that started the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he plays Captain Gordon, Mangal’s closest friend. This is a Bollywood and its such great fun, beautifully shot with great costumes, and probably one of my new faves. There is a free version on YT but the subtitles are out of sync, so you’re better off finding it to rent, unless you can understand Hindi, which is spoken throughout most of the film, even by Stephens who learned to speak it fluently.  The Machine - If you’re looking for Stephens in horror, this is it. Robots and those with robotic implants are being used to fight a war with China, Stephens plays a scientist who is in charge of creating said robots-or rather perfecting the AI-but is secretly also trying to find help for his daughter. I cried for sure. Hunter Killer - A sort of cross between The Hunt for Red October and The Sum of All Fears. He plays an irritable US Seal who has to help the Russian president, so if you’re looking for Stephens angy and yelling, here you go lol  Vexed - This is an 9 episode (2 seasons) comedy drama. Super tiny series where if you want to see Stephens at some of his funniest, definitely worth a watch. It does have that House MD feel where the character he plays, Jack Armstrong, is an absolute shit of a person who's great at his job. First season is far more funny imo, but in the second season you get to hear him sing. Agatha Christie's Poirot: Five Little Pigs - Classic Christie’s Poirot, great murder mystery about an artist, and Stephens plays the artist’s closest friend. Jane Eyre - A very pretty Mr. Rochester. That is all lmao BBC Robin Hood - Stephens doesn’t show up until the 3rd season, and plays Prince John. The show itself is mediocre in writing, nothing exciting. They tried to keep it generally light with the whole “oh those merry men, they fooled the sheriff again!” vibe, but the first 2 seasons of it was sorta a slog. Honestly the only thing that kept me going was Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne. When he finally shows up, Stephens absolutely steals every scene as Prince John but his screentime is sadly short lived and he’s only in a handful of eps. Watch it for Richard in order to watch it for Toby lol

The Best Man - If you want to see Stephens be an Unsettling Presence, check this 2-part series out. Stephens plays an over-protective friend, Peter, to the main character, Michael, who ends up in rehab, and finds love and eventually a wife. Peter stalks the pair, jealous or perhaps looking out for his friend? hmm Have to watch it and see! lol The whole thing is on YT but the quality is sorta shit so might be better off renting it. Private Lives - A perfect example of why theatre should always be recorded and made available to all. Stephens is terrifically hilarious, playing a character who bumps into his ex-wife while on the honeymoon of his new one.

[astrovian]

Richard Armitage tweets (13/09/21):

To the new owner, I’m delighted that Gizzy’s jacket found a new home. Thank you for sharing the beautiful story about your parents and for your generosity…here are some answers to your questions:

Question #1 from NJO (New Jacket Owner):

While he was filming Hannibal as Francis/Red Dragon, did he recall that in one of the first few Spooks episodes he was unpacking a box of personal items to decorate his new flat and one of the items was a photo of the Red Dragon and that Lucas was a fan of Blake’s? Question: Do you believe it to be simply a bizarre coincidence you were asked to play Francis or perhaps, could it have been kismet? Have there been any other similar kismet-like occurrences in any of your other works?

Re; Hannibal and M15 (you’re in the US!!!) I use William Blake a lot for research and inspiration but it was a coincidence.

Question #2 from NJO:

I’ve often thought that performing any Shakespearean play on stage would be quite a challenge in part due to the length of the monologues and soliloquys. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Shakespeare had a hatred of actors, despite having done some acting of his own, and that writing these lengthy passages was an intentionally devious act to make life difficult for actors. RA has commented that he would like to play Richard III. Question: If you were put on the spot, say in an interview or a dinner party (presuming you weren’t too far into your cups) could you recite the opening soliloquy of Richard III by heart?

I absolutely could recite the opening soliloquy to R3. Probably would get a bit ‘paraphrasy’ according to how much I’ve imbibed!!!

Question #3 from NJO:

In almost every movie/TV show I’ve seen RA in, at some point, he picks up and carries a woman somewhere. Most of the time he’s carrying them to a bedroom. (How truly gallant of him to carry these women that are apparently so drowsy they cannot walk on their own to the bedroom to go to sleep?) Must keep this G-Rated. Question: So, Mr. Half-Century man, how is your back holding up?

My back is just fine. Looking for someone to carry me in my next role.!!!

Question #4 from NJO:

As we know, RA likes to write bios for his characters to help him realize the characters’ persona. The director of The Stranger, Danny Brocklehurst, took some of those ideas and added them to the series. While promoting it, RA stated that one of the story lines in the show was something that Richard had experienced himself. Question: Would you be willing to share what experience you and Adam had in common?

Adam Price has a conversation with Johanna Griffin (the amazing @SFinneranTV ) he tells a story about how he met Corrine; the story was peppered with real details about a time I was working in Africa. (Strike Back)

Question #5 from NJO:

RA has been filmed extensively on horseback. Actors often comment on how hard it is to get a nag to hit its mark while filming. According to the “Equine Actors Guild, **” (EAG) these beautiful stallions are well trained in their craft and their hooves do NOT miss their mark. The EAG suggests it is perhaps the fault of the actor on the back of the steed and not the mount itself. Question: Have you ever had trouble getting your hirsute, four-legged thespians to hit their mark? What about the two beautiful Borzoi in Oceans 8?

With regards to horses hitting their marks. I’ve had great experiences and made some firm equine friends on film sets. I did, however, ride a thoroughbred for a short time on Robin Hood, he knew showbiz was a step down from racing, and decided one afternoon to bail…

He tore the bit, and sped off with Gisborne on his back riding with only one rein. So the jacket might have some ‘sweat’ stains, but also I agree with the horse. Racing V Showbiz? No contest!!!

Question #6 from NJO:

WikiFeet, which I didn’t know was a thing until a minute ago, ranks RA’s feet 4.77 out of 5.0 compared to other famous people from Leicestershire. I am not a foot person and do my absolute best to not draw attention to my own feet and quite frankly I don’t notice other people’s feet, including RA’s. Question: How do inane “news” stories and rankings on such stupid things sit with you? As a shy(ish) woman, it would make me uncomfortable, and quite frankly, would chap-my-ass be I in your shoes – pun intended. At this point in your career, are you numb to the idiocy of this and can ignore it and move on with your day, or does it chap-your-ass as well, or do you adhere to the adage that all publicity is good publicity?

I rarely read anything written about myself, apart from items that are brought to my attention (by very kind friends). I try to keep my brain full of the useful stuff; there isn’t that much room for anything else.

[nxsmss]

Movies I watched in February

fyi, I have zero knowledge on how to professionally rate or review a movie. I am not gonna pay attention to every little detail. these rating are simply based on how much I enjoyed/liked the movie

Follow me

Unhinged

In Time

Avengers Age of Ultron

Songbird

Star Trek

Step up all in

Project Almanac

Ant Man

Space Sweepers

Christiane F.

Jurassic World

Jurassic World the fallen kingdom

1. follow me

A social media personality travels with his friends to Moskow to capture new content for his successful vlog. Always pushing the limits and catering to a growing audience, they enter a cold world of mystery, excess, and danger. 

starring: Keegan Allen, Holland Roden, Denzel Whitaker, Ronen Rubenstein, Pasha D. Lchnikoff

the end was very predictable and i pretty much already knew halfway through the movie what was gonna happen. but it still was quite thrilling and I did enjoy watching it

6.5/10

2. unhinged

After a confrontation with an unstable man at an intersection, a woman becomes becomes the target of his rage. 

starring: Russel Crowe, Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Batemen

hm idk, I didn’t really like it, my sister didn’t really like it but my mom did, I think. it just seemed so, no overdramatic but just too much in a way

3/10

3. in time

In a future where people stop aging after 25 and need to buy time to live, the rich become immortal while others cease to exist. So, Will is on the run with a hostage in a desperate bid to survive. 

starring: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, Alex Pettyfer

yes, such a good movie. Ireally like the concept. can recommend

7/10

4. avengers age of ultron

When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop the villanious Ultron from enacting his terrible plan. 

starring: Robert Downy Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johanson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Bettany

hell yes, one of my favourite marvel movies. Wanda and Pietro.. Hawkeye.. all the little jokes throughout the entire movie and of course the scene where everyone tries to lift thor’s hammer, what’s not to love about this movie

10/10

5. songbird

In 2024 a pandemic ravages the world and it’s cities. Centering a handful of people as they naviagete the obstacles currently hindering society: disease, marital law, quarantine, and vigilantes. 

starring: K.J. Apa, Sofia Carson, Demi Moore, Bradley Whitford, Peter Stromare, Alexandra Daddario, Craig Robinson

I really enjoyed watching this. yeah sure, the ending was obvious but I was still glued to the screen. I also felt super weird watching this, kinda surreal because we are basically living a more harmless version of this rn. I really liked seeing sofia carson in such a movie, I’ve only seen her in the descendants so this was a bit of a change haha. I’m not that big of a fan of kj but he was great as well and i really loved his characters style.

7/10

6. star trek

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father’s legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time. 

starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Carl Urban, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Zaldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin

I put it on because I wanted to have some background noise while playing sims but I ended up playing like 20 minutes and then just watching the movie haha I forgot how good it was, and the others as well, aaand I totally forgot carl urban was in it, so that was a little surprise. anyways, can recommend watching them if you’re into sci-fi action movies but at the same time, if you’re into that I’m pretty sure you’ve already watched them.

7.5/10

bonus: I also watched star trek beyond the other day but this time I was barely paying attention so I can't really say too much, but it's also quite good👍🏻

7. step up all in

All-stars from the previous Step up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.

starring: Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Adam Sevani, Misha Gabriel Hamilton, Sephen Stevo Jones, David Schreibman, Mari Koda, Alyson Stoner, Izabella Miko

definetly one of my favourite dance movies. highly recommend it!! I’d like it more without the romancde but it’s fine, I guess, I can live with it haha and the last performance... wow just wow that’s all I can say to that. y’all go watch it

9/10

8. project almanac

A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.

starring: Jonny Weston, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Sam Lerner, Allen Evangelista, Virginia Gardner

okay... I did enjoy watching it! the beginning was a little slow imo but then it just got more and more intense which was kinda nice. god, at some point the main guy kept making the wrong decisions and that was very frustrating to watch. the ending was alright, spoiler ahead (I guess) I would have liked the ending more if it was the exact same as the beginning, meaning that the movie is just one big time loop and the events from the movie were about to repeat themselves. but that's just my opinion🤷🏻‍♀️

6.5/10

9. ant man

Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his Mentor Dr. Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena, Bobby Cannavale, David Dastmalchian, T.I.

another one of my favorite mcu movies. it's just fun and easy and doesn't have a lot of pain in it. the giant ant it's my favorite part haha I want it as a pet

9/10

10. space sweepers

Set in the year 2092 and follows the crew of a space junk collector ship called The Victory. When they discover a humanoid robot named Dorothy that's known to be a weapon of mass destruction, they get involved in a risky business deal.

starring: Song Joong-Kim, Kim Tae-ri, Seon-kyu Jin, Hyang-gi Kim, Richard Armitage, Ye-Rin Park

I really loved this movie. I cried like 6 times haha, which came unexpected. (or maybe it's because I'm suppose to get my period any day now) I did not think I was going to enjoy this movie as much as I did, at all. it was fun, it was exciting, it was sad (even my dad said that) the plot was good, the visual effects were amazing, it did feel like I was watching this movie for like 5 hours but not in a bad way and I am now kinda emotionally attached to the characters haha (I might do a rewatch). another thing I really liked was the language/synchronization. in the original version they speak mostly korean and english but also some other languages and it's the same in the synchronizations. the dialogue of the main characters is in the language you pick but every other character (I guess) is a different language and I absolutely love that. I highly recommend watching this!!

also, its was super weird seeing Richard Armitage not as a dwarf hahaha

10/10

11. christiane f.

A teen girl in 1970's Berlin becomes addicted to heroin. Everything in her life slowly begins to distort and disappear as she befriends a small crew of junkies and falls in love with a drug-abusing male prostitute.

starring: Natja Brunckhorst, Thomas Haustein, Jens Kuphal, Christiane Reichelt

I binged the series the other day and after the last episode this movie was in the "watch next" thingy idk and I thought "well, why not" and watched it. good movie, definitely!! I really liked that they didn't show the highs of doing heroin but focused on the negative effects it has on someone and what it's doing to your body. it is a super realistic but very very dark movie. the actors were all about 15/16 years old and looked very young which was a good and kinda disturbing thing because christiane and her friend were like 13/14 when that all happened and it made you realise that there were kids doing all that stuff

9/10

12. jurrasic world

A new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, which escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.

starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty simpkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio

13. jurassic world fallen kingdom

When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, Isabella Sermon

I am tired and don't really want to say all that much other than both of them are very good and I do like them. good action/adventure movies. can definitely recommend them. I definitely like the first one more because it feels like (just a little bit) that the main story in the second one is the same as in the first one, someone creates a new dinosaur species to make more money and something goes terribly wrong along the way. but it's still entertaining!

jurassic wolrd: 7.5/10

jurassic world fallen kingdom: 7/10

[douxreviews]

North & South Series Review

By ChrisB

“Look back. Look back at me.”

Although I would be hard pressed to pick one BBC period romantic drama that is my favorite, North & South is in the top three. It contains the single most romantic moment ever filmed in period costume and, after all, isn’t the romance why those of us who love these things keep coming back for more?

Shockingly, I had never heard of this novel, or Elizabeth Gaskell for that matter, until I watched this miniseries on the BBC. I recorded it because, well, the BBC always does period drama well and I decided that it couldn’t be all that bad. All that bad? I fell in love with it from the first. It sat on my DVR until I could buy the DVDs; I estimate I have watched it more than a dozen times.

Admittedly, Mrs. Gaskell owes a great deal to our beloved Miss Austen. The plot is Pride and Prejudice redux, but so are so many others. It is a wonderful story, told and shot beautifully with two actors that have just the right amount of chemistry. This review will assume that you have know the series and, therefore, will contain spoilers. As I said, however, it is a plot you have most likely come across before.

I have been wanting to post this review for the longest time, but have been procrastinating because I wanted to read the novel that was the source material. It is very nearly unreadable. I finally gave up and skimmed it for the good parts, but even they were few and far between. All hail, once again, Sandy Welch. I have said before how brilliantly she is able to adapt for television. This show may very well be her crowning achievement.

The first hour is spent introducing us to the characters with whom we will spend the next four hours and kicking off the drama. Played by Daniela Deby-Ashe, Margaret Hale is a woman of her time, yet also incredibly modern. Right from the start, we get a sense of the kind of young woman Margaret Hale is. She is confident, strong, reliable, and able to face life’s challenges head on. In the first ten minutes, we see her turn down a marriage proposal from a man she doesn’t love.

Forced to leave the only home she has ever known, Margaret moves to Milton, a large manufacturing city in the north. As she is looking for a house, she meets Thornton, played to perfection by Richard Armitage. The first time she, and we, see Thornton, he is towering above the mill he runs looking impressive and, yes, incredibly handsome. Our first impression, however, is soon tempered by the fact that he is brutal towards one of his employees, beating the man in front of Margaret.

This is the first of many instances in the first hour in which the differences between the genteel south and the working north are highlighted. The people from Milton whom we meet, Nicholas Higgins, his daughter Bessie, and Mrs. Thornton in particular, are all proud and hard-working. They value their individualism and they abhor charity. Margaret, desperately lonely and looking for a friend, keeps inadvertently offending those she meets.

She invites herself to the Higgins’ home offering to bring a basket. Both Nicholas and Bessie laugh at her, spurning what Margaret sees as a gesture of good will. Not one to be easily thwarted, Margaret does go to visit and she and Bessie take the first steps towards friendship. The woman who would more obviously be her friend, Thornton’s sister Fanny, is silly and vain. Margaret realizes that she has more in common with the working class than the middle class.

Margaret and Thornton spar continually. Unlike the others of his class whom we see, Thornton wants more out of life than just being a mill worker. He hires Mr. Hale to teach him classics and he is intrigued by Margaret and her views. She, however, is unable to move past her first sight of him and is barely civil to him.

Everything begins to change in the second hour. The mill workers all strike and, as a result the workers are starving and the mill owners are becoming desperate for a way to send everyone back to work. Margaret refuses to allow the workers’ pride dissuade her, but she has learned about northern pride. She quietly leaves food and money.

Her charity gets her into trouble with the mill owners. At a dinner party, the other guests all round on her when it is discovered what she has been doing. Ever fearless, Margaret stands her ground, insisting that there is no just cause in the world for a child to starve. As Thornton watches her stand up to the room, we can almost watch him fall in love with her.

Her fearlessness, however, leads her into great danger and trouble. As the desperate mill workers attack the Thornton mill, she runs down and tries to mollify the mob. This scene shows us that there is still a large gap between Margaret and Thornton. She is trying to placate; he is sternly holding his ground. The mob goes after them, injuring Margaret. The end result is that the workers are shamed enough to go back to work. Ironically, Margaret’s intervention works.

Thornton is so overwhelmed by what she has done that he decides to propose to her. The proposal scene at the end of the second hour rivals the first proposal in Pride and Prejudice. Margaret is shocked and not remotely interested in this man she still sees as rough and in trade, and exactly as Elizabeth does, she accuses Thornton of not being a gentleman.

Thornton reacts by shouting at Margaret. He tries to assure her that he loves her, that he is not proposing simply because of what happened at the mill. They argue fiercely and, although Margaret refuses to even consider his offer, she is not unmoved. There is a great deal of passion in their conversation, on both sides.

The third hour opens with a heartbroken Thornton and a distressed Margaret. Thornton turns to his mother for comfort. Mrs. Thornton is a fascinating woman. She knows herself and her children well and is able to see all three of them for who and what they really are. She does tend to think a bit too highly of her son, and her reluctance for him to marry is a touch creepy, but it is easy to understand what Thornton sees in Margaret. He already loves an incredibly strong woman who is unafraid to speak her mind.

It is during the third hour that we see just how strong Margaret is and we watch this young woman fall in love with a man who is now out of reach. The third hour is filled with death and with partings. During each, Margaret is the one who is strong, who comforts those around her even while she grieves herself.

When Bessie dies, Margaret comforts Nicholas. When her mother dies, Margaret comforts Frederick and her father. When Boucher dies, it is Margaret who goes to tell his wife when both Nicholas and her father refuse to do so. It is also Margaret who goes to the station to see Frederick off to London. Once again, she is saying goodbye to someone she loves, probably for the last time.

Thornton sees her at the station and assumes that Margaret does not love him because she is in love with someone else. The irony is, of course, that Margaret is falling in love with him. Throughout the course of this hour, we see her defend Thornton to Henry and she even tells Frederick that “he is a gentleman.”

When Thornton defends Margaret and backs up her lie, even though he doesn’t understand the truth, the transition is complete and Margaret looks at him with longing. But, as she tries to break through to him and thank him, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he did what he did for her father and that he no longer loves her. The stricken look on Margaret’s face is all we need to see to understand how deep her feelings now run.

For a love story, Margaret and Thornton spend very little time together in the fourth hour. Instead, each faces life’s slings and arrows and each ends up being able to see the world from the other’s perspective.

Thornton hires Higgins and quickly sees what Margaret saw in him. The two learn to respect each other a great deal and even begin to like each other at the end. I love the scene where Nicholas plays Cupid, telling Thornton how wrong he’s been about Margaret without ever telling him. The look on Nicholas’s face as the penny drops is absolutely priceless.

Margaret, meanwhile, loses her father and gains a fortune. She returns to Helstone to learn what we all must in our twenties -- the wonderful places we remember from our childhood are not necessarily so wonderful when seen through the prism of adulthood and life experiences. Instead, she finds herself drawn back to the north and back to the man she loves. What I love about the fact that Margaret will fund the return of the mill is that she and Thornton will come together as equals.

But first, we must have the denouement and the way these two come together is simply wonderful. There was an awful lot of griping on the internet when this series came out about the fact that Thornton is not wearing a tie and that a couple of that class would never have behaved that way in public.

To which I say, who the hell cares? I choose to believe that both are so swept up in the fact that they are finally with the other that they forget where they are. Plus, what a delicious irony that they should behave in exactly the way that both Thornton and his mother falsely condemn Margaret for through most of the third hour.

As wonderful as that scene is, it is not my favorite. For me, the best moment not only of this drama but of any BBC miniseries ever, is when Margaret leaves Milton in the snow. Thornton watches her go and pleads for her to turn around. Of course she doesn’t. The camera stays on Thornton for an eternity and we watch as his heart breaks. I’m not sure what it is about this scene, but it gets me ever single time and I always will Margaret to turn around. She never does.

There are many aspects to this series that I have chosen not to write about as this post is long enough as it stands. The music is a treat; the other characters are interesting; I love the way Margaret wears her hair; I could go on and on. Just trust me -- this is one of the great ones.

ChrisB is a freelance writer who spends more time than she ought in front of a television screen or with a book in her hand.

[hellospunkiebrewster]

Do you have a faceclaim for our man Ernest? I just now realized that I don't have one, and it's bothering me!

Oh good grief you have really opened a can of worms here @fullbeaumonty. I have been on a search for the perfect faceclaim, which is difficult, as I want to have them all in period costumes as well. So here’s a dump of pretty men in Georgian/Regency/Victorian period clothing. 🤤

First we have Douglas Booth, in basically anything he’s been in... dude does so many big period movies. Great Expectations/Pride and Prejudice and Zombies/Mary Shelley.

His Mr. Bingley costume was probably the inspiration for our Ernest’s ball outfit. I almost think he’s too pretty and those cheekbones/jaw are too much sometimes.

Then there’s Josh Whitehouse as Hugh Armitage on Poldark, who I adore for that hair alone.

And there’s Leo Suter as Edward Drummond on Victoria. The more I look at him, the more I love him as a FC.

Another actor who I think is totally adorable. Is JJ Feild. Although, I think he works best as an older Sinclaire. He’s Henry Tilney in Northanger Abbey and Henry Nobley in Austenland. Or in Ruby in the Smoke/The Shadow in the North. He is quite literally a whole ass mood, throwing shade, rolling his eyes, face palming, in Austenland and I 👏 LOVE 👏 IT 👏.

[inlovewithamantwicemyage]

Rivals on the streets

Setting: various rural area in UK

Warning: smut, swearing,fluff

Pairing: Richard Armitage X Reader

________________

You have seen him so many times before, looking like eye candy. His voice was dark and sweet like chocolate. Never mind you are to proud to admit it.

“Excuse me, do we know each other?”

He smirked at you charming and took a step in your direction. He pulled you closer.

“How could you forget me, darling.”

His fingers played with a loose brown strand of your hair.

“It’s not that I haven’t tried it.”

It was hilarious that someone like him loves someone like you. So you better forget him as fast as you can.

But he whispered: “My love. My heart.”

You couldn’t resist anymore. Almost tasting his lips. Pleasure.

In this moment both of you heard someone’s footsteps.

“Oh no, the guards are coming!”

As an answer he pushed you in the old oaken wardrobe next to you and stepped in as well.

It was thight and warm in there. Both of your legs almost twined around each other.

Outside you heard murmur: “I was sure I’ve heard some voices!”

Your hands got sweaty and you felt his armor cold against your skin.

“Start looking around. I swear these traitors are here!”, one soldier screamed.

The one draw closer to their hideout.

“And cut!”

You and your partner stepped out of the wardrobe.

“Great guys! Richard your performance was excellent! I could feel the tension between Rhin and Lys. Oh and next time (Y/N) don’t turn on the audience so much, just kidding.”

Benjamin Frizz was the best director you have worked with by far.

You went to Thomas, still in his soldier costume, to catch up.

“Oh (Y/N), I can just imagine how steamy it was inside.”

We both giggled. I’ve messed the scene up twice because I felt out of the closet and of course it became hot.

“Do you think Richard will be satisfied this time?”

Oh Richard Armitage. Mr. Perfection.

You and your co-star always joke around how serious he takes his role.

“Yeah, hopefully. I don’t know why he is so worried? This role fits perfectly and otherwise he would still win the award.”

You spoke the last sentence very sarcastic. Deep inside, however, you were envious. This competition was known for always choosing a male main actor for the winning. Although you are at least as good as every man around the globe.

“Don’t worry, lass. I think you are magnificent.”, an older actor, named John, said to me in the following.

It seemed like he has eavesdroped.

You were so amazed by the whole concept of the TV show. The cast was great or to be precise almost perfect.

Suddenly a familiar face came around the corner. Richard. He was still wearing his long dark wig and half of his costume.

“(Y/N)? Do you’ve time? I would like to practice our following episodes a bit more.”

You followed him to one of the meeting rooms.

“Richard, we have played those about 20 times in a row. Don’t you think it will look intentionally acted?”

“No. You need to figure it out. Lys is a strong, independent woman in the 18. century. She would not tease him if she is not interested at all.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Okay one more time before dinner.”

“You make me feel... you make me feel.”, he said quietly, fiercely “and I don’t like it. I want it to stop.”

You response: “I am not going to leave you. It’s a promise.”

Your hands touched his collarbone. Then his lips meet yours. Soft and warm. Tasting a bit like warm tea. Rhins hands wandered from your shoulders to your back. But it was way to early.

“Well, Richard, I’ve a few paragraphs left... so.”

“Oh sorry.”, he blushed a bit and went on “but I think it is enough for today. Let’s go home.”

You grabbed your stuff and went by car to your hotel in the village near the set. Somehow Richard was so fast, you weren’t able to say goodbye at all.

[kylo-ren-has-an-8pack]

Moodboard Masterlist (NEW)

Moodboard MasterList

Below the cut is a master list of all of my AU and canon moodboards for Star Wars (including sequels and prequels etc), Marvel, Jurassic Park/World, Hotel Artemis, Ready Player One, and various fandoms. There’s a little bit of most all of the characters and ships for the Star Wars sequels and if there isn’t, feel free to inbox me and request some that aren’t. I generally respond very quickly. :)

Star Wars

Kylo Ren + Modern Aesthetic

Rose Tico Aesthetic

Armitage Hux + American Psycho Aesthetic

Rey + Super Powers - Hydrokinesis

Hux + Super Powers - Pyrokinesis

Poe + Super Powers - Flying

Phasma + Super Powers - Diamond State

Phasma + Mermaid Aesthetic

Leia + Huttslayer Aesthetic

Wedge Antilles + Modern

Thrawn Aesthetic

Ships

QuiObi Aesthetic

Han/Lando/Leia OT3

Kylux + Gas Station AU

Kylux + Rockstars AU

Kylux + Great Gatsby

Kylux + Breakup/Blues and Yellows

Kylux + Exes w/Benefits

Kylux + Ashterson AU (Black Mirror/Paterson Crossover)

Kylux + Game of Thrones AU

Kylux + Merman!Hux/MarineBiologist!Ben

Kylux + MTV Catfish AU

Kylux +Warlock/CAOS Aesthetic

Kyluxma (Kylo/Hux/Phasma) + BDSM (semi nsfw)

Phasrey + Dance Protege AU

Phux Aesthetic

Benpoe + Friends w/Benefits AU

Benpoe + Racecar Drivers AU

Benpoe + Childhood Sweethearts Canon

Benpoe + Hollywood/Secret Relationships

Reyux + Canon AU

Reyux + Spy Aesthetic

Lt Mitaka/Captain Opan Aesthetic

Gingerpilot/Krennux + Infidelity

Gingerpilot/Krennux + Infidelity Pt 2

Gingerpilot + College Sweethearts

Gingerpilot + Sex Pollen (nsfw)

Gingerpilot + Hospital

Gingerpilot + Escorts AU (semi nsfw)

Gingerpilot + Loan Shark AU

Gingerpilot + Animal Shelter Volunteers AU

Gingerpilot + Folk Singer Poe/Manager Hux

Gingerpilot + Demon/Angel AU

Gingerpilot + esports AU

Gingerpilot + Punk!Poe/Classical!Hux

Gingerpilot + Robot!Hux/Ex Machina AU

Gingerpilot + Reverse AU General Poe/Resistance Hux

Gingerpilot + Zombie Apocalypse

Gingerpilot + The Greatest Showman AU

GingerStormPilot + Hollywood AU

Stormpilot + Bandmates Dating

Stormpilot + Attack of the Clones AU

Poe/Kaydel Ko Connix + Cute Canon Aesthetic

Amileia + Political Activist/Doctor AU

Amileia Aesthetic

DesertRose + College Roommates

JynLeia + Punk Aesthetic

Finnrose + TV Star AU

Finnlo + Actor/Photographer AU

Finnlo + Rival Models AU

Finnrey + Modern Fluff

Finnrey + Superhero/Spiderverse

Reality Show AU (Reylo/Finnrose/Gingerpilot)

Reylo + International Spy AU

Reylo + Avatar The Last Airbender AU

Reylo + To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before AU

Reylo + Office Romance

Rey/Valkyrie (SW/Thor Crossover)

Rey/Valkyrie + Modern Wedding (SW/Thor Crossover)

JediStormPilotMechanic + Canon OT4

Star Wars/Thor Crossover - Poe/Grandmaster AU

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 1

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 2

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 3

Solo/Rogue One

Orson Krennic Aesthetic

Bodhi Rook + Modern Aesthetic

Galen/Krennic (Galennic) + University Professors AU

Galennic + Jealousy

Galennic + Mr and Mrs Smith AU

Jynnic + Modern

Jyn and Galen + Father/Daughter

Darth Director + Choking

Sciencepilot + Modern

SpiritAssassin (Baze/Chirrut) Aesthetic

Han/Lando (Hando) Aesthetic

Marvel/MCU

Loki + Sepia&Green Aesthetic

Thor + Flower Child Aesthetic

Grandmaster Aesthetic

Tony Stark + Past Trauma Aesthetic

Thor & Korg Aesthetic

Scott Lang/Antman Aesthetic

Frostmaster Aesthetic 1

Frostmaster Aesthetic 2

Frostmaster + Sugar Daddy AU

Frostmaster + Colors (semi nsfw)

Frostmaster + Prisoner!Loki

Ironfrost + Avengers!Loki

Ironstrange + Research Scientists AU

Ironstrange + Grief

Ironstrange + Kingsmen AU

Ironstrange + Sherlock AU

Ironstrange Aesthetic

StrangeFrost Aesthetic (Loki/Strange)

Strangefrost + LotR/Middle Earth

Frostcollector (Loki/The Collector) Aesthetic

Star Wars/Thor Crossover - Poe/Grandmaster AU

Hotel Artemis/Thor Crossover - Acapulco/Grandmaster

Hotel Artemis/Avengers Crossover - Nice/Natasha

Rey/Valkyrie (SW/Thor Crossover)

Rey/Valkyrie + Modern Wedding (SW/Thor Crossover)

Captain Marvel Aesthetic

Captain Marvel Aesthetic 2

Carol Danvers Aesthetic

Goose the “Cat” Aesthetic

Hotel Artemis

Acapulco Aesthetic

Crosby Aesthetic

Everest + Medical Aesthetic

Niagara/Wolf King Aesthetic

The Nurse/Jean Thomas Aesthetic

Crosby/Acapulco AU

Crosby/Acapulco + Christmas

Everest/Crosby AU

Orian & Crosby + Father/Son Aesthetic

Orian & Crosby + Werewolf Aesthetic

Acapulco + Vampire Aesthetic

Jurassic Park/Jurassic World

Silverfox!Ian Malcolm Fallen Kingdom Aesthetic

Ian/Ellie/Alan Dinot3

Jurassic Park Series General Aesthetic

Ian Malcolm Aesthetic

Dinot3 Aesthetic 2

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 1

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 2

Star Wars/Jurassic Park Crossover 3

Ready Player One

Nolan Sorrento Aesthetic

Nolan x F’nale Aesthetic

Sorrento/Wade + Sugar Daddy AU

Wade Watts Aesthetic

Wade Watts + Neon

Other (Jeff Goldblum Movies)

New Jersey/Perfect Tommy (Buckaroo Banzai)

Jack/Gil (Transylvania 6-5000)

David and Julius Levinson (Independence Day)

Michael Gold (The Big Chill)

CAOS

Sabrina Spellman Aesthetic

Nicholas Scratch Aesthetic

Spellwood Aesthetic

[angelkarafilli]

Richard Armitage in “North and South”(2004) BBC series

as John Thornton

[i-wish-we-were-jedi]

So since I am STILL not over the Percy Jackson movies, here is my casting for the Olympians.

Richard Armitage as Zeus, God of the Skies and King of Olympus.

While the Big Three are all described as having dark hair, Zeus’s is described as “salt and pepper.” Richard Armitage has a very calm demeanor that commands the screen, and if I’m telling the truth he scares me just a little bit. I think that works really well for Zeus. He is someone who you’re never sure if they’re going to give you a smile or blow you to smithereens.

Angelina Jolie as Hera, Goddess of Fidelity and Queen of Olympus.

Hera, like Zeus, is someone that at first glance you don’t know if they’re going to shake your hand or rip your head off, and Angelina plays both good and evil very convincingly, as well as walking the line.

Eoin Macken as Poseidon, God of the Sea.

Poseidon is someone who embodies the sea: constant and unchanging, but also reckless and wild. Eoin Macken is someone who comes across as very chaotic onscreen, but I still can’t help but love him. And that is Poseidon.

Jennifer Connely as Demeter, Goddess of Agriculture.

This is the only one I’m not really sure about. She’s someone who’s both warm and intimidating, but I almost picture someone who is a POC as Demeter. Say, Lupita N’yongo or someone? I’ve been trying to keep the Olympians looking very Greek, but they can appear however they want, so which way do I go with this? What do you guys think?

Jon Bernthal as Ares, God of War.

This one took me a while to figure out, but as soon as I found it, no one else fit. Jon Bernthal is amazing, and as intimidating a face as you can put onscreen.

Janet Montgomery as Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy.

She doesn’t have the grey eyes, but other than that she is absolutely Athena. The calm, intelligent demeanor that hides layer after layer of strategy is great for Athena.

Zac Efron as Apollo, God of the Sun, Music, and Healing.

Ah, yes. I remember the time my mom saw the golden boy all grown up after High School Musical. Oh my word, the dude is hot. And she said “if he lived in ancient Greece or Rome, he would already be declared a god. And since then I have always thought of him as Apollo. Plus he can sing :)

Maisie Williams as Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt.

Of course Artemis ages herself up and down throughout the books, but Maisie Williams is someone who never seems to age at all. On screen, she exudes a quiet and intimidating power when she wants to and yet she is visually a very sweet individual, which matches up perfectly with Artemis’s leadership of her huntresses.

Gerard Butler as Hephaestus, God of Metalwork.

Gerard Butler is someone who cuts an imposing figure, but also is good at closed-off and emotionally insecure. I can just imagine him trying to talk to Leo and being so not sure how to express anything.

Margot Robbie as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty.

See, Aphrodite is tricky because she changes her form to match what the people seeing her are the most attracted to. So, when choosing an actress, I chose Percy’s perspective, which of course means someone who looks like Annabeth, which of course Margot Robbie does. But the thing is, she’s also someone who can play different versions of the same person with incredible attention to detail and still remain recognizable as the same person.

Hugh Jackman as Hermes, God of Roads, Messengers, Thieves, and Doctors.

Ah yes, the lovable rogue. Messengers, thieves, and doctors. As you can see from the picture, he wears a suit well, which fits with the doctor theme, but he also has the rough around the edges look of a thief, and these two aspects coexist without clashing in a way that’s personable and entertaining.

Neil Patrick Harris as Dionysus, God of Wine and Insanity.

Another one that I’m not entirely set on. I tried to look for a chubby, “cherub-faced” actor that is also slightly mean and disgruntled-looking, and failing, I went with Mr. Harris, who is fantastic at the over-the-top exaggeration of character that is trademark of the Olympians, and also has proven with the recent re-adaptation of “Series of Unfortunate Events,” that he can work in prosthetics if needed.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Hades, God of the Underworld.

Was there ever really any other option? “The first god I’d met that actually seemed ‘godlike’.” Just imagine him sitting on the throne, black robe falling to the floor, a circlet of bones and braided gold around his head. Long, silken black hair falling past his shoulders. Yeah. He is the best choice for this.

Katie McGrath as Persephone, Goddess of Springtime and Queen of the Underworld.

Katie McGrath is someone that I can see, like a lot of the top olympians, switching from smiling to snapping necks at the drop of a pin, and she also rocks the deep red lipstick, which I think is an important design point for her, seeing with the whole pomegranate thing and all.

Tell me what you guys think!

[just-call-me-sei]

My friend and I decided to have some fun with the upcoming Marvel Podcast narrative starring Wolverine, voiced by Richard Armitage(The Hobbit, Castlevania). For those unfamiliar; The original story dubbed “The Long Night” from Season 1 involved a lot of mystery and suspense in the form of an audio tale, done by some extraordinarily talented actors mind you. Very similar to a radio drama. The sequel, or rather season 2 “The Lost Trail”, seems to carry that same vibe. But this time including some other fan favorites from the X-Men such as Gambit, and Mr. Sinister!

One of the best things I enjoyed about Season 1, was trying to guess what’ll happen next. Of course, all theories were based solely on subtle audio cues(<- where that great acting comes in!). Much different than your typical visual storytelling. Worlds apart even, if you’re new to the genre.

ANYWAYS; if you’d like to join in on our fun for S2, I provided a blank Bingo Card like sheet for everyone, with some default choices at the bottom to try and guess some of the shenanigans our MC might face...and man! Poor Wolvie got troped hard in the expense of our entertainment(s’all right tho, cuz he’s got dat healin’ factor 😉).

***Wolverine: The Long Night(Season 1) can now be found on almost any audio platform that allows podcasts. Give it a listen! Season 2 will be temporarily exclusive to Stitcher Premium(™).. I think? First Ep. goes live March 25th.

—————[The Boxes]—————

1) recalls a memory vaguely that somehow has to do with what's going on

2) mentions weapon X

3) mentions the X-Men

4) adopts a child or young girl who then follows him around

5) opens a beer

6.) makes an ally

7.) betrayed by ally

8.) gets shot

9.) free space = snikt

10.) mistaken as enemy

11.) somebody loses a limb

12.) loses an article of clothing

13.) ends up underwater

14.) gets knocked unconscious

15.) drives a truck

16.) referred to as an animal

17.) finds a new love interest

18.) ends up in the woods

19.) steals a bike

20.) smokes a cigar

21.) love scene

22.) rages out

23.) somebody close dies

24.) awkward social interaction

25.) gets crushed by something

Just place the numbers wherever you see fit, and fill them out as you go.

[guylty]

My week in retrospect ended with a lovely fan-high: Not only was there a nice selfie of Richard with Richard (III), but yesterday I also welcomed my lovely friend and fellow fan Helen. She came laden with gifts – lots of bits and pieces for my crafty endeavours, as well as a beautiful piece of her jewellery (not the little heart decoration in the pic below).

She stayed overnight with me before heading off to a week-long creative holiday in the West of Ireland. We had a great time yesterday and this morning, although most of our evening last night was taken up by the theatre. We had tickets for the opening night of Hamlet in Dublin’s Gate Theatre, starring Ruth Negga as Hamlet, directed by… Yael Farber. Farber was in attendance last night – presumably she is still rehearsing with the cast – and just before the play started, I spotted her standing just a meter in front of us.

She made an announcement just before the start of the play and watched the performance from a seat in the audience about three rows in front of us. The play itself… well, let’s just say it was long. Three and a half hours of Shakespearean English took a lot of concentration. Not just from the audience but also from the cast. I had had high hopes for this production, not least because I thought it was an interesting move to cast Hamlet as a woman. Ruth Negga did an excellent job. However, it was never really clear to me *why* a woman was cast as a man in this play. With a woman playing the lead role, I had somehow expected Hamlet to be a woman. But that was not the case. The character was still a young man – and I didn’t quite see the point of a female-played Hamlet, especially as the petite actor did not make any attempt at giving Hamlet any “masculine” mannerisms or gestures. Or maybe it was exactly meant as a comment on gender stereotyping, with my ignorance a case in point. If that is the case, it might have been useful to cross-cast a few other roles as well, just to make that point, though.

Anyway, the set was really interesting (consisting mainly of dark panelled doors that were opened and closed in order to create “rooms”) but the overwhelming darkness of the background and the lack of props made it even harder for me to focus and not drift off. There was plenty of obvious symbols in the play – except it was not really clear to me what they were supposed to mean. Again, possibly *my* ignorance. But how good and effective is a play if the audience doesn’t understand the points that are being made? The play had a few trademark Farber essentials, the continuous background drone of the soundscape included. Never-ending tinnitus, if you ask me – I really dislike it, much as I disliked it in TC. There was also the scent of incense in the Ophelia burial scene – and I was convinced I smelled some coffee at another point in the play, but maybe that was just the adjoining theatre bar getting ready for the interval *lol* and some sand being thrown around, which all seemed rather familiar from the other Farber productions I have seen. – Overall, I was not quite convinced by the production. Sure, it is a tragedy, hence the subdued colour scheme of the set and the costumes is explainable. Some other artistic interpretations/choices I could not get my head around. I liked that Farber often uses the auditorium as the stage and had the cast run through and speak from the middle of the room. She was extremely effective with the way she included the audience in TC when it was staged in the round and the lighting design occasionally lit the first row of the audience, thus making us part of the Salem community. In Hamlet, she placed the actors as spectators of the ‘play in the play’ in the middle of the auditorium. Again, a great way of making the audience part of the play. However, it meant that none of the audience could actually see the actors’ reactions to the play – which is a bit of a fail if you ask me. I have not seen any reviews of the play yet – and I am curious to see what the critics make of it. Also, the caveat remains that this was the first performance of the production, and knowing Farber’s MO, there will be plenty of changes in the days to come. Ruth Negga was fabulous and has to be commended for taking up the mantle, especially as she was suffering from laryngitis and had been advised to cancel her performance.

Anyway, sorry for that long excursion. Take it as a “tangentially related” post, as coined by Servetus.

And now for the light relief:

A proper Claude Becker buffet, courtesy of mezzmerizedbyrichard

Moodyhedgie paints Richard as Logan – pretty good! He would fill that role very well, I think

Riepu10 is delving into Sleepwalker to give us the dreamy doctor. Nice one!

I hadn’t seen drldeboer for a while but she is now back with her trademark screenshots, this time of Daniel Miller in the new BS trailer – great

Including this short text post by elizabitchdarcy not only for the funny user name, but especially for the tag

And mezzmerizedbyrichard again – obviously got into a bit of a Daniel Miller frenzy thanks to the new trailer. Here’s a set of really nice pics of Danny Boy

The extended fights scene from the Wolverine BTS, giffed by cxbledxxedpooll – that must have been one heck of an intense recording…

Check out splunge4me2art’s WIP portrait of Richard and then compare with the finished piece

Moodyhedgie again with Wolverine – I like this one better

Yeah, Claude is a douchebag, but he’s nice to look at. Here’s a gif set for the mole lovers among you. Giffed by kendaspntwd

I am right there with spocks-brain

A cutesie piece of fan art for all bagginshield lovers out there. By krappuy

Professor Bilbo LOL. But the “younger Thorin” is really cool. Fan art by nerdeeart

Interesting screen shot by h3110-7h3r3 – now we know what people are searching for…

This short modern!AU of Thorin might actually have legs. I mean, imagine him as a hunky ship captain. Yep, the launch of a thousand ships. Eh, dreams. Thank you, thorins-magnificent-ass

That’s it for this week. I am glad to say I have been able to finally migrate all my stuff from “Little Miss Bling” to “The Silver Fox”. Yes, indeed, I have got a new Macbook. Little Miss Bling is going back to my ex-bosses tomorrow, and after the first Macbook was a complete write-off fresh out of the box, a replacement machine was sent to me and finally put in operation yesterday. It’s a new machine, but a 2017 model, in “space silver” – hence the “silver fox”. It reminds me of my favourite silver fox, too. I might just have called the machine “Richard” but then I thought that maybe that mightn’t have gone down too well with Mr Guylty…

Hope you’ll have a nice weekend,

Guylty ❤️

2018 Armitage Weekly Round-up #25 My week in retrospect ended with a lovely fan-high: Not only was there a nice selfie of Richard with Richard (III), but yesterday I also welcomed my lovely friend and fellow fan Helen.