#My favorite book series: how to train your dragon and the movie based on it: Don't Train Your Dragon

[the-halfling-prince]

lmao I forgot about this but the other day I was at my grandma's house, putting together my Viking village Lego set and she says 'it reminds me of how it looked in that movie you like. Don't train your dragon or whatever it's called." And you know what that's what the movie should've been called.

[bastardstevie]

Eddie Munson and HTTYD

I'm not just a firm believer that modern!Eddie Munson would be a massive HTTYD fan, I'm an immovable believer. You Cannot EVER convince me that guy wouldn't fuck HARD with that shit. He has watched those movies so many times he had to buy all new DVD's cause his original set gradually got scratched to hell from over-use. The series is his comfort cartoon. Bad day? Let's watch a couple episodes of how to train your dragon. Need some background noise? How to train your dragon has the perfect solution. Need some downtime before bed? Lemme grab a how to train your dragon book from the shelf.

Also I've always had this headcanon that when Eddie isn't in the mood for metal music he really enjoys instrumentals and film scores (and a bit of classical if it's a certified banger.) I just know the HTTYD film scores are some of his faves.

Guaranteed that he would incorporate elements from HTTYD into his D&D campaigns. He's probably put extensive thought into what kind of dragon would be the best for him to befriend. He's drawn OC's for that universe (it's just him with pretty braids in his hair and two metal fangs where his canines should be) and he swears it's not based off himself (it 100% is based off himself.) He'd never admit it, but he does draw his friends in as OC's to be friends with his main OC every now and then (he's a sap and combines all his favorite things into one sometimes. God forbid a man have hobbies)

I just think our boy would be obsessed with that franchise to the highest degree and it warms my heart thinking about it!

[cat-esper]

WIP Questionnaire

I was tagged to do this by @teacupsandstarlight

In return, I shall be gently tagging @awleeofficial, @illarian-rambling, and @ahordeofwasps + open tag!

Questions:

What was the first part of your wip that you created?

The Enochians. The initial inspiration for Records was actually Peter Mohrbacher's artwork which I saw at a con. I imagined a world where these vast and horrific angels just appeared in the sky over a world that was basically their sandbox. All I had to figure out was who lived in the world and what they would do about it.

If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

I picture Records having a whole intro title and credits sequence with very 80s CGI fantasy landscapes to this song here:

The fictional band Red Tape Rocket plays an important role in this series and I based their sound on my very favorite irl band, the Moody Blues, so there's a fun fact for you.

Who are your favourite characters you've made? Why?

Definitely Sydney and Dell. Sydney's a girl who struggles to see herself in a positive light after being told again and again that she's worthless by members of her own family while being quietly brushed aside by the people who are supposed to care. So when she ends up on the Spiral, it's very much a journey of self-discovery and learning to be confident in herself and boy, do I want to give her a hug.

Dell started out as an email attachment that, due to some strange reality-warping shenanigans, gains sentience on Reyna's computer. She's super excited to speak with him and teach him things because her life is sad and she has no friends and he ends up leading her on a quest to the Spiral. I already know he's going to be fun to write because AI/robots always end up my favorites anyway XD

What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story?

I've always thought this would make a cool Jim Henson movie so probably fans of weird, dark surreal fantasy like Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal would like it.

What has been your biggest struggle with your wip?

Probably getting everything to fit together in a way that makes sense but also allowing myself to leave certain elements a mystery. Usually when I plan my magic systems, I like to make hard rules for them but the Spiral is home to an eldritch skeleton thing that literally warps reality so anything can happen.

Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

Depends what constitutes animals, I guess. I have a lot of strange creatures that inhabit the Spiral but all of them are sentient (yes, even the sandstone), so I guess they'd be more like fantasy races than animals. But they include the Varixxi, moth-like winged humanoids, the Aroon, clay pot tortoise-looking guys, and the Keem-Torali, which look like tentacled Horta that secrete acid and chill in extremely salty water.

How do your characters get around? (ex: trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

Walking mostly or, if they're lucky, my characters may catch a ride on a Colossus, but they're very hard to climb on to and you have to be careful not to get stepped on. Incidentally, there's also the molted exoskeleton of an eldritch abomination that sometimes becomes a portal when someone dies next to it, but that's not very practical.

What part of your wip are you working on rn?

I've actually been taking a little break from this so I can focus on Incantations but I really want to have my draft of book 1 finished by the end of the year.

What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in?

This is pure, old school portal fantasy escapism. The main characters are all unhappy in their normal lives, wish for something more, and they get it. They're not your traditional heroes, but they get to save the world anyway.

What are your hopes for your wip?

If this story and these characters resonate with at least one person and can help them get through the day, I'll be content.

Records of the Spiral taglist: @awleeofficial , @desastreus

General taglist: @thatrandomlemononyourcounter1, @teacupsandstarlight

Blank questionnaire below the cut:

What was the first part of your wip that you created?

If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Who are your favourite characters you've made? Why?

What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story?

What has been your biggest struggle with your wip?

Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

How do your characters get around? (ex: trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

What part of your wip are you working on rn?

What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in?

What are your hopes for your wip?

[panzershrike-pretz]

THIS! This tag game seems so fun! Made by the amazing @ronald-speirs!

Favorite place in the world you’ve visited?

That would be either the alps in Germany or the Salinas beach, here in Brazil! I adored both the snow and thes amount of stuff i find at the beach there

Something you’re proud of yourself for?

The amount of progress I made since being diagnosed with autism, depression and anxiety. Even if I stopped going to therapy, I feel like the diagnosis (esspecially the autism one) shed so much light on my life, and I was able to makes the world around me (even if just at home) more confortable for myself by understanding myself more and adjusting the way I do things so it's easier on me.

Favorite books?

Hmmmmm let's see- the Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children series, obviously, but I also LOVE The Book Thief, American Gods and definetely Warrior Cats (I only read the first arc, so Idk how good's the rest xD)

Something that makes your heart happy when thinking about it?

My dog and my characters! Love them :]

Favorite thing about your culture?

Hmmmmmm probably food? But I'm extremely picky so I don't even eat most of our stuff 💀 i do love feijoada, brigadeiro, pastel and coxinha tho- Idk about the rest KAKAKAKA other than that, the slangs. So cool. Love it

When did you join the HBO War fandom? What was the first show you watched?

Back at the end of 2022 or early 2023 was when I first heard about it, but as for officially joining...? Probably like. 5 or 6 months ago? I have no idea what time even is-

The first show was Band of Brothers :D

Have you read any of Easy Company’s books? If so, which ones were your favorite?

Nope. And won't.

Favorite HBO War character and your favorite moment with them?

Webster. Him shoving himself on the ground was the best. Just like me fr💕

Do you make content for any fandoms, if so; what sort of content?

Uhhhhh I make memes and occasionally fanart? I wouldn't classify this as content but when I'm really into something I take some aspects of it for my own world, so I can always keep it close to me, even if the hyperfixation faded a bit with time

Favorite actor/actress and your favorite film of theirs?

I know no one- but I do like Bud Spencer and Terence Hill's movies. They are the only actors I know the name of 💀 I like the funny coeboy movies, many good memories watching them with dad when I was a kid (and still doing so, every now and then)

Favorite quote/s that you wish to share with others?

"I'll beat you with a dead cat 'till it starts mewing" - a popular brazilian saying (the best ever)

Random fact your mutuals/followers don’t know about you?

HmmmmmmmmI share so much about myself that I don't even know 💀 probably that I once fell facefirst on a river when I was 4, while I was fishing? That was A Day

If you’re a writer, do you need a beta reader (say yes so I can be your beta reader 🤭)?

I don't write much but!! I did write something yesterday about my characters and idk if I should post, but if you're interested, I can show you :D

Three things that make you smile?

My dog, my characters, birds

Any nicknames you like?

Based off my real name I like "Rah", but only when used irl. As for the internet, I love Pretz! And I have a special one my best friend @isazmoon gave me, which is Pretzu, but this ones I feel like it's only hers :3

List some people you love to see around on tumblr!

@1waveshortofashipwreck @xxluckystrike @ronald-speirs @ronsparky @minha-xuh @whollyjoly @sweetxvanixlla!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! AMAZING PEOPLE!!

What would you do during a zombie apocalypse?

What would I live for, my stupid ass can't even run 😭 i'd die fast as fuck. And I know all my friendswould die too so we all just perish together 💕💕💕 friendship goals

Favorite movie?

How To Train Your Dragon? Wolfwalkers? Saving Private Ryan? Pirates of the Caribbean? Can't probably choose only one, it's torture

Do you like horror movies?

Ehh, not much? I prefer animations

Tags (no pressure): @xxluckystrike @whollyjoly @ronsparky @sweetxvanixlla @grumpy-liebgott @1waveshortofashipwreck @blueberry-ovaries @minha-xuh (hey Gih, if you want you can take off the HBOwar bits and/or replace them with MPHFPC, since you're from another fandom, feel free!)

[hidden-for-reg]

about me post!

Hi, I’m Mia! That’s just an online name but that’s what i’d like to be called. ~she her and straight~

My ao3: hidden_for_reg

My Doctor- G- Complete- James Potter is a surgeon at Godric's Hollow Hospital and Regulus Black is a patient with a fractured knee. So what if Regulus is the most beautiful man James has ever seen? So what if Regulus' heart won't stop fluttering at the thought of his doctor? Surely nothing would happen... right? *originally on posted on Tumblr for Jegulus Microfic June/July prompts

Winners- T- Incomplete- Sirius ruined everything by running away. Regulus ruined everything by staying.

My fandoms are mainly related to the Marauders but I like tons of other stuff as well so don’t be afraid to ask me about them!

I’m always open to making new friends! Sooo if you want to be friends, message me!

I mainly write Jegulus microfics and occasionally I’ll post fanart for the marauders.

More info about me under the cut!

My language is primarily is English but I am also fluent in Spanish and I know a little French (by a little i mean words and a few phrases)

Before I begin, my askbox is always open and so are my messages but please.. no hate or anything, Tumblr is supposed to be a safe space for people and let’s keep it that way 🫶

anyways.. let’s get into the rest!

requests i guess?

if you have an idea you’d like to see me write, send it over! But i have rules for that:

NO SPICE! Writing spice makes me very uncomfy and if you request anything spicy or spice-like, I will not write it

I just do tiny microfics or multi-part microfics, so please don’t ask me to write a whole story with a million chapters.

**If you request something and I don’t get to it immediately, I am so sorry!

my ships!

Currently Jegulus obsessed

Wolfstar, i’ve loved them since literally forever

Rosekiller

Dorlene

Marylily

Drarry (i know i know, it’s not marauders, but they still hold a special place in my heart)

i really like books

so I kind of love reading. I used to be reading all the time, but I had a gap where I stopped reading but I’ve picked it back up and here’s some of my favorites that I’ve read recently! (and yes I count ao3 fics as books, they basically are)

books I enjoyed lately: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune, Solitaire by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, Crimson Rivers by bizzarestars

movies!

i probably take watching movies more seriously than I should, but i love them. So here’s some movies that i love love love (the list is long bare with me)

Dune movies

Zombieland movies

Legally Blonde

To All The Boys trilogy

How to Train Your Dragon movies

Call Me By Your Name

Maze Runner trilogy

the Harry Potter movies will always be in my heart

i’m definitely forgetting a lot but for now that’ll do.

TV shows

I watch shows as seriously if not more than I do movies. I LOVE binge watching stuff. If you think you can recommend anything based off what you see, don’t be afraid to let me know!

my tv show loves:

*If something says “currently watching” that means, please don’t spoil!!

Grey’s anatomy (currently watching)

Brookyln 99 (currently watching)

Gilmore Girls (currently watching)

White Collar (currently watching)

Bridgerton (currently watching)

Cobra Kai (currently watching)

Teen Wolf

Riverdale

Heartstopper

Ginny and Georgia

Stranger Things

Wednesday

Avatar the last airbender and the Legend of Korra

Things that make me happy 😊

I like reading, writing, watching movies and shows, sour candy, listening to music for hours, running, singing, anddd Tumblr! Tumblr is probably the only thing I have that is completely separate from my real life and I so appreciate the getaway it provides, it’s like a small safe haven 🫶

MUSIC!

i LOVE listening to music and i never go a day without it so here’s a MasterList of my favorite artists!

Conan Gray (im attending FH tour!)

Taylor Swift

Chappell Roan

Bowie!!

Ariana Grande

Laufey

JVKE

Benson Boone

Billie Eilish

Harry Styles

Bad Bunny

ANYWAY—

Thank you so much for reading the whole rant about me post

-mia 🫶

[heywriters]

Hi! Do you have any advice on creating non-human characters? I'm trying to write my first novel and most of my main characters will be dragons, one of which eventually learns to communicate with one of the humans, but I can't seem to really come up with the individual characters.

There are a few sides to this question, but I'm not sure which one you wanted advice on in particular, so I'll cover everything really quick.

Do you have any advice on creating non-human characters? - Yes, please meet the very low bar of not consciously or unconsciously basing them on a real life minority stereotypes. MANY writers, movie-makers, etc, have failed here and that's just peachy.

When they are not anthropomorphic characters, you will have to remember their anatomy when describing basic actions. For instance "Hold my hand!" won't be said by a character without hands. Likewise, inner monologue will have a similar issue. For instance, "The wind chapped my skin" when the character does not have exposed skin, e.g. scales, fur, etc. These aspects can be hard to keep up with, so if it helps make a list of alternative phrases specifically for your non-human race.

Article: Are You Writing Believable Non-Human Characters?

Dragons - Since there are myriad variations on fictional dragons and their personalities, I say the sky's the limit here. Your imagination can cover more ground than possibly unnecessary hours of research. If you want to write dragons based on a specific type from folklore, then of course do some research.

My favorite fictional dragons are the imaginative species in the How To Train Your Dragon book series, and the Chinese dragon main character in Dragon of the Lost Sea by Laurence Yep.

I can't seem to really come up with the individual characters. - If you mean you need help describing the physical characteristics of each dragon, that will be up to you and the lives you write for them. If you need help creating a personality for each character, read the article below!

Article: Character Creation: How to Create Characters for a Story

+ If you enjoy my blog and appreciate my advice, consider visiting my ko-fi and Buy Me A Coffee! 🤗

[storm-and-starlight]

Top Nine No Skip Albums (as tagged by @heronfem), organized in favorite album order! I just straight up don't listen to music by album (and am also truly ridiculously picky about stuff) so this was. a lot harder than I was expecting! (this isn't so much "top nine no-skip albums" as "literally the only nine albums I can think of that I don't skip any songs on" lmao)

Tagging anyone else who'd like to do this, just tag me back so I can see!

How to Train Your Dragon OST by John Powell HTTYD my best beloved. I watched this movie when I was seven years old, got Test Drive stuck in my head and Forbidden Friendship stuck in my heart and haven't gotten either of them out since. I know it's not teeeeeeechnically an album, but I love it anyways and it holds an incredibly special place in my heart. Favorite song: Forbidden Friendship

Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy The yearning... the yearning. Something about the nostalgia and the ache and the... the everything about this album sank into me. Alone Together is the song that got me to actually start listening to Fall Out Boy's entire discography, and we all know how that went. Favorite Song: Alone Together

Love Run by The Amazing Devil I just. I love this album so much, with all its motifs and melodies and intertwining songs. It's chaotic and beautiful and I will never get over how every single song but the last is about love going wrong in some way and yet the chorus of the very last song is love's worth running to. Favorite Song: Love Run (Reprise)

Vices & Virtues by Panic! at the Disco A collection of Absolute Bops and also The Yearning (Panic! version) and it's just. It's fun! The music clicks exactly with my brain in both a melodic and emotional sense, and that is extremely rare for an entire album to pull off. Favorite Song: This one's from the bonus songs that I think you can only find nowadays on Youtube, but it's Stall Me!

Masterharper of Pern by Tania Opland So this is a published CD of filk music based off the songs and poetry from the Dragonriders of Pern books, and. look. I like medieval-inspired folk. That's what this is. It's also about a book series that was extremely formative for my love of dragons, so just like. It's good. I like it. Favorite Song: Star Stone

Inside by Bo Burnham Every single song on this album is simultaneously an Absolute Banger and an Absolute Mood (which is everything Bo Burnham writes, really, but this one especially). That Funny Feeling is the best example of what it's like to be alive when it feels like the world is collapsing down around you that I've ever found. Favorite Song: That Funny Feeling

Ola Gjeilo by Ola Gjeilo Ola Gjeilo is probably my all-time favorite choral composer -- he does such fun things with harmony without being boring like some people (*cough* Whitacre *cough*) can be. Favorite Song: The Lake Isle

PTX, Vol. III by Pentatonix I went through a massive PTX phase in middle school (I was a preteen choir kid, what were you expecting), and this is one of the albums that stuck around. Favorite Song: Rather Be

Artificial Intelligence by Tom Cardy Every single song this man has ever produced is absolutely fucking flawless and I have nothing else to say. Favorite Song: Read Between the Lines

[chickycherrycola]

Okay, I have the same questions for you! How long have you been writing and what are some of your favorite tropes/storylines to write? Also, do you have a movie/show/book you’d consider a hidden gem or under-hyped fave??

Hello there Tower! 🎶 thanks for providing me with a wonderful distraction while I work from home today ehehehe *rubs my tiny fly hands together*

How long have I been writing:

Truly, kind of all my life? I've loved books, reading, and words since childhood - I was that quirky little kid who preferred going to the library over going to the park 😅 I wrote a LOT in high school and college, but I doubted myself too much to ever do anything with any of it. I never submitted short stories to publishing houses, never posted any of my fanfics online as a result. I took a long break from writing after graduating college and only recently got back into it, about... late 2021, I want to say? I re-read some fave old Soul Eater fanfics and got inspired to take up the metaphorical pen again, and I'm so glad I did. Now it feels like all I do with my life is write and I wouldn't have it any other way tbh!

Favorite Tropes/Storylines To Write:

Boy oh boy, where to even begin? I love romance, comedy, and the wonderful intersection of the two in the form of the ROMANTIC COMEDY, which im sure is pretty obvious given the kinds of fics I tend to post. I write as a form of escape from reality and use humor to cope and process big feelings, so writing rom-coms with a lot of heart and mature themes at their core is my jam.

In terms of tropes - my faves are the following, in no particular order: Friends to Lovers, Idiots In Love, Boy Falls First, Found Family (im actually a HUGE SLUT for this one and want to write it so badly!), Second Chance Romance, Animal Companions (i utilize this one a TON in my original fiction), Cozy Fantasy and/or stories that seamlessly weave magic or supernatural elements into the "real" world... and lastly, not really a trope, but Character Driven Stories are the GOAT.

Also... I just really love writing smut. PWP one-shots are my guilty pleasure. >:3

Hidden Gems/Underhyped Faves:

I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED!

Books (though two of these are comics technically):

-SAGA by Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples: adult graphic novel space epic series full of memorable characters and absolutely gorgeous art that tackles a lot of tough stuff and has made me feel the full spectrum of human emotion

-The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill: a wholesome, heartwarming all ages comic chocked full of pocket-sized dragons and the COZIEST fantasy vibes EVER

-The Locked Tomb series: idk if it counts as an underrated fave/hidden gem cause the book series has a pretty sizable and active fan base, but im recommending it anyway cause Harrowhark Nonagesimus is one of my favorite characters in all of fiction, and if you like stories that explore both romantic and platonic partnership dynamics, you should give it a read if you haven't already!!

Shows/Anime:

-D. Gray-Man: shounen anime set in Victorian England about exorcists and featuring the most Cinnamon Roll Main Character in the Universe who I will always love with my whole heart, Allen Walker

-Re:Creators: a reverse isekai in which fictional characters are suddenly pulled from their universes into the real world and tackles the question of what fiction/art mean to us humans, one of my favorite shows of ALL TIME with excellent music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano

-Baccano!: a sort of steampunk/fantasy caper involving alchemists, immortals, outlaws, gangsters, an immortality elixir, and a murder mystery on a train, told in a non-linear format that really puzzles the brain on the first couple of watches

-Witch Hat Atelier: is technically a manga but is getting an anime soon! A series about a young girl who goes to magic school to become a witch, featuring an excellent magic system and gorgeous art

Movies:

-this answer is already soooooo long so ill just recommend my favorite movie of all time, PACIFIC RIM, which if you haven't seen you should WATCH RIGHT AWAY because it has the partners trope you love! Its a 2013 sci-fi flick directed by Guillermo del Toro about kaijus invading Earth from outer space, and the giant, dual-piloted robots that humanity devises to fight back with, and was so revolutionary in its portrayal of its main female character that it created a whole new benchmark for assessing portrayal of women characters in fiction (The Mako Mori Test).

In conclusion - thanks for giving me an excuse to ramble on and on, and I do truly hope you enjoyed all this drivel! 🙏😁

[bleakbluejay]

I did one of these. This is still missing a lot of my favorite movies but I think it gets my brain across. I like to laugh. Under the cut I'll talk more about each selection, if you care to read :3

Feel free to do this yourself and tag me! I love to see what my mutuals are thinking.

Favorite Film/Big Personal Impact/Bad Day Cure: Better Off Dead (1985) is my favorite movie ever. It's a dark comedy about a teen boy named Lane Meyer who, devastated after his girlfriend breaks up with him for someone hotter, tries to kill himself. He fails every time. His friends (the French exchange girl Monique and the weirdo who snorts jell-o Charles de Mar) help him build his confidence in himself and get over her. The sense of humor in this movie is impeccable. It's so surrealist in a time long before surreal comedy became as prominent as it is now. Honest to god, if this movie came out today (with a few mild tweaks, given some social sensibilities between now and then having changed) it would be a total fucking hit. 100% chance if you message me saying "hey I'd like to try out Better Off Dead" I will find time to watch it with you. This movie has had insane impact on my sense of humor and how I see the world.

Best Script: I don't know if I've ever heard a script I've really liked or thought was flawless. All my movies actually have a lot of awkwardness in them. The best script I can think of is Forrest Gump, if we're talking overall quality. Script I like the most is a tie between Better Off Dead, The Lost Boys, and Moulin Rouge.

Favorite Movie Poster: This was a very hard one. My knee-jerk reaction was to select Star Wars OT (either ESB or ROTJ), Indiana Jones (the 3rd one), Back to the Future (any of them), or Adventures in Babysitting. I honestly just love old 80s movie posters in general. I settled on The Thing (1982) because I love the eerieness and stark, simple colors and shapes. It's also my favorite horror movie in general, but there' no slots based on individual genres.

I'll Watch It Some Day: Blade Runner (1982) and Sin City (2005) have been on my watch lists for a very, very long time. I want to watch more noir-typed films, especially ones with gimmicks that mess with visuals (cyberpunk in Blade Runner, and comics in Sin City). I'm so, so bad at watching movies, though LMAO

Best Long Movie (3+ hours): I'd rather roll around in a sea of broken glass than watch a 3 hour long movie. 2.5 hours is my limit. I like Forrest Gump (1994) a lot and I watch it every time I catch it on cable. However... if we're counting limited series that could be interpreted as movies... Color of Magic (2008) is really fucking good. It's split into two parts, with the overall runtime reaching 3 hours. But the fact it's split up feels better on my brain.

You Like, But Everyone Else Hates: 50 First Dates (2004)... I know Adam Sandler is bad. I know. I know. But. This movie is a guilty pleasure for me, as are a couple other of his movies. I know if taken literally and in the real world, this movie is creepy. But I like romantic comedies. I think it's sweet he loves her so much and wants to make it work. And I love Drew's character a lot, too. In a way, I also love how this movie challenges relationships that are "meant to be" -- given how Drew's character is only interested sometimes but hates him others. It puts into perspective "right time, right place/wrong time, wrong place". Leave me alone.

You Hate, But Everyone Else Likes: How to Train Your Dragon (2010) isn't necessarily a bad movie. I had the misfortune of being a 12-13 year old who really liked the books this movie steals its name from, and being an amputee myself. Something about how they totally butchered the story I really loved, and something about how they just decided to make Hiccup an amputee just like that, it rubbed me, personally, the whole ass wrong way. I can't bring myself to like this movie. It is what it is.

Underrated: Shaun of the Dead (2004) rocks hard and fast. It's silly and funny and has incredibly fun cinematography and I associate this movie with me and my mom watching it together in our shared room when I lived in the swamp ass of the United States, Missouri, so I'm extra sentimental about it. There's so many really solid jokes. In general, I love Edgar Wright films, and I love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost films, so together it just makes me go yippeeeee!!!

Overrated: Being a horror fan who doesn't like Halloween (1978) kinda sucks sometimes. I think it does beautiful things with lighting and shadow and camera, and I respect how it influenced horror as a whole genre. But I think the movie is boring as hell and isn't really that good as an overall movie. Watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre instead.

"Why do I like this?": My grandfather showed me Robin Hood (1938) while I visited him this summer. I typically hate older movies because my attention span is terrible. But I liked this one. I loved the costuming and the sets and I loved Errol Flynn as Robin Hood and I loved the colors and all of it. I was having the time of my life. I want to emphasize again how much I love the costuming. I love medieval shit so much that I want to throw up, and having the grace to allow medieval costumes to be relatively accurate (with creative liberties) and colorful? Oh my god. The embroidery on the outfits, dude. Ohhh my god.

Great Soundtrack: I watched Valley Girl (1983) for the first time with my mom like last week and I adored it. I grew up listening to the soundtrack, though, because it was one of my mom's favorites. It's really my style. Honorable mentions for this category are also Garden State (2004) (I didnt watch this, my mom just had the soundtrack CD in her car), and Moulin Rouge (2001), which we'll get into shortly.

That Cinematography...: In an effort to avoid mentioning Edgar Wright movies an extra time (Scott Pilgrim, Shaun of the Dead, and Last Night in Soho have very honorable mentions here)... Fight Club (1999) was so fun visually. It was punchy and wicked and it felt like living in a comic book to me. Vamp (1986) is a movie I saw last week with my mom so it's fresher in my head, but I really loved so many of the shots and the lighting choices. Two scenes in particular stand out to me: 1st, when the strip club ghouls are sitting in their dark office, with green light cast from the blinds shining on them; 2nd, when our protagonist is winding back a bow and arrow with which to kill our antagonist in the sewer, and a shaft of light hit the fletching of the arrow, I was hooting and hollering.

Favorite Protagonist: Picking just one was impossible. Lane Meyer from Better Off Dead (1985) is a psychotic, depressed, emotionally imbalanced teenager with an amazing sense of play and lessons to learn. Simon from Dinner in America (2020) is a blunt, feral, possibly autistic punk kid with a love of fire and a love of beating ableist ass. Ellen Ripley from Alien (1979) is played by Sigourney Weaver, which is a plus in itself, but she's a capable, badass woman who is intelligent and cunning. AND she makes sure to save the cat. Honorable mentions include Quentin Smith from Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) for being my specialist boy, Indiana Jones from Indiana Jones (1981-2023) for being a silly guy who inspired me to look into archaeology as a kid and also punches nazis, Donnie Darko from Donnie Darko (2001) for being another psychotic, depressed, emotionally imbalanced teenager with an amazing sense of play and lessons to learn, and Han Solo from Star Wars (1977-2015) for being stupid and cringefail and funny and a true hero against the Empire.

Favorite Trilogy: Asking me to pick between Star Wars the Original Trilogy and Indiana Jones is an impossible task, dude. They occupy the exact same place in my brain. They were both series that I grew up watching since I was old enough to look at a TV screen, and that influenced my whole sense of self. And they both have Harrison Ford, who is one of my favorite actors. They both have adventure and romance and father problems and a call to corruption we must reject and supernatural forces. They just occupy the same part of my brain.

Biggest Letdown: I watched Bram Stroker's Dracula (1992) like two days ago and it was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. I thought it would be good because it was hyped up, it's full of actors I adore, it's about vampires, it's goth as hell. But other than the beautiful camerawork and special effects and stuff, I just wanted it to end. I was bored at best and disgusted at worst.

Biggest Surprise: When Dinner in America (2020) came out, it didn't find American distribution for a long time. But... I was in a very strong Kyle Gallner phase kickstarted by Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) and Cherry (2010). The idea that he was in a punk love story got my hackles up. Eventually, I was able to see the movie, and it was nothing I thought it would be, but it was perfect for me. I fell in love with it. It's a very surprising movie.

"Not the best, but I'm having fun"/Depressing Movie: Moulin Rouge (2001) had my brain in a twist from ages 12-15. I watched this movie over and over and over, to the point I knew half the script by heart. I was in love with the characters, the movement, the pacing, the story, the music. As I got older, I became more aware that the movie kinda sucks. But I still love it regardless. It's an incredibly fun movie. When it isn't ripping your heart out. I love you Ewan MacGregor and Nicole Kidman. Mwah.

Criminally Overlooked: I love you Lost Boys (1987). I love you SoCal 80s fashion. I love you punk vampires. I love you filthy city aesthetic. I love you grandpa. I love you saxophone man. I love you kids thinking they're badass vampire hunters. I love you milfs.

Favorite Active Director: Edgar Wright rocks lmao. I love his style of scene transitions and camera movement. Nobody does it like him. Any time I'm watching one of his movies, I can fucking tell. I'm a simple guy, you put moving pictures in front of me and it's fun and colorful, I'll clap my hands and holler.

Favorite Animated Movie: This is hard. I picked two. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It had horses, good music, it's the wild west, and prominent Native protagonists (which were rare when I was a kid...). As an adult, I could recognize more what an awesome movie it was and what a great story about colonialism and fighting back against assimilation it was. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) is one of the most visually beautiful films I've ever seen. I was totally lost in the animation the whole movie. I think when I see the next in the series, undoubtedly even more beautiful, my eyes will melt and my head will explode, as though I were viewing the Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones, beholding something that should never be beheld. There's a lot of honorable mentions to possibly put here, like Ice Age (2002), or The Last Unicorn (1982), or Venture Bros: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart (2023), or Lilo & Stitch (2002), or Brother Bear (2003), or Over the Hedge (2006), or Balto (1995) or... the list goes on. As a kid, I was disabled and stayed inside most of the time, so I watched a lot of movies and TV, and have a lot of things I liked.

Not Usually My Thing, But...: Phantom of the Opera (1990) is so... different. They took a lot of creative liberties with the stories and the characters in this one, and I really like those creative liberties. I don't really like Phantom of the Opera. But I like this. I watched it because I was in the middle of a Game of Thrones rewatch, and I was really admiring Charles Dance, and my best friend is a Phantom fan, so I compromised between my special interest and theirs. Charles Dance is an incredible Phantom, in my opinion. I like how in this version, he feels like more of an overly supportive gay best friend to Christine than an obsessed stalker lover. I also love the costumes.

[mysticstarlightduck]

If you get this, answer with 3 random facts about yourself and send it to the last 7 blogs in your notifications, anonymously or not! Let's get to know the person behind the blog 💛

Hello, @conkers-theficwriter!

Okay, so, 3 random facts about me:

I love watching good movies and series of high fantasy and dark fantasy. Science Fiction (especially in the genre of space adventure or superhero movies) is also a big favorite of mine. Some of my favorite movies/series are (in these genres): FANTASY- The Dragon Prince, Arcane, The Hobbit, Game of Thrones, Castlevania, Sea Beast, The Witcher, and House of The Dragon. SCIENCE FICTION - Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Star Trek, Voltron: Legendary Defender (especially S1 to S6, but I don't mind the last ones), most of the DC Comics movies. By the way, talking about movies, How To Train Your Dragon is one of my favorite movie series of all time and I read all the books it is based on too!

I adore the winter far more than the summer. I come from a very hot country (Brazil), so the summers tend to be a living hell, and so the winter is my favorite season by far. I love snuggling up with a comfy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate while watching a movie. However, I still like some things about the summer, namely swimming and eating ice cream.

One of my cats is named Mako after the Legend of Korra character (I am a huge ATLA and TLOK fan).

[themovieblogonline]

Books That Became Films: The Blockbusters

The film industry never runs out of inspiration, especially when it comes to children’s adventures. Many of your favorite movies started as beloved books, each with its own unique charm. Here are some iconic books that became films. - The BFG (1989) Giants don’t have to be scary, and one little girl is determined to prove it. Roald Dahl’s 1982 classic, The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant), has been a fan favorite for decades. The story has been adapted into a 1989 animated film, a 2016 Disney live-action movie, and a stage play that debuted at Wimbledon Stadium in 1991.   - Charlotte’s Web (1973 E. B. White created literary magic with Charlotte’s Web, a touching tale of friendship between a spider and a pig whose life is at risk. The book was first adapted into a film in 1973 and later in 2006. In the same year, a live-action adaptation hit the screens, and a video game was released. The story also inspired a musical that premiered at Opera Delaware in 1989.   3. How To Train Your Dragon (2010) Cressida Cowell’s series about Viking children and their dragons became an instant hit. DreamWorks recognized the potential and developed a full-fledged How to Train Your Dragon franchise, with three movies already in the can. The story of Hiccup and Toothless continues to captivate audiences worldwide.   - Madeline Lost In Paris (1999) One of my all-time favorites, Madeline: Lost in Paris, is an underrated masterpiece. Based on the beloved children’s books by Ludwig Bemelmans, this film follows a group of girls studying at a Catholic school in Paris. It’s a heartwarming, emotional tale that has spawned movies, video games, toys, and more. The beautiful graphics and touching storyline make this television film a must-watch. - Coraline (2009) Would you trade your eyes for buttons to have a perfect life? Neil Gaiman’s fantasy-horror novel Coraline captured the imaginations of both kids and adults. The story was brought to life in a 2009 stop-motion animated film, followed by a 2018 opera and a 2005 musical. There’s even a video game that lets you explore Coraline’s eerie world. - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) In a world where food falls from the sky, anything can happen. Judi Barrett’s quirky book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has spawned three books and two animated films released by Sony Pictures in 2009 and 2013. The whimsical concept is sure to bring a smile to your face.     - Pinocchio (1940) The tale of a wooden boy whose nose grows when he lies is a timeless classic. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi has been adapted into numerous live-action and animated films, including the iconic 1940 Disney movie. From stage plays to video games, Pinocchio’s journey from puppet to real boy remains one of the most beloved stories in children’s literature.   - Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) At this point, we're all convinced how great a Roald Dahl adaptation can be. With several of his classics turned into iconic films, this one is no exception. A sly fox wanting to survive with his cunning instincts, that’s Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl. Published in 1970, it has been adapted into a 2009 stop-motion film, as well as a 2019 opera, that won the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Opera.  - The Grinch (2018) Dr. Seuss’s mischievous, Christmas-hating Grinch has been the subject of many adaptations, including the 2018 animated feature and a 2007 San Diego musical. The Grinch’s journey from heartless recluse to holiday hero is a festive favorite.     - Peter Pan (1988) Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, is a creation of J. M. Barrie. His adventures in Neverland have sparked the imagination of countless children and have been adapted into numerous films, including the 1953 Disney classic and live-action movies in 1988 and 2003. Peter’s escapades with Wendy, Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys remain a fantasy at its finest. Whether you prefer reading the original books or watching the film adaptations, these timeless books that became films offer something for everyone. Who knows? They might just become your new favorites. Read the full article

[imverysadsomtimes]

ive used libraries for books since as long as i can remember, and i was homeschool so i used libraries often

when i was young i would borrow movies and children's books and my parents would drag me to all the different events my local library did

in my tween years i would check out book after book, i was a heavy reader, i think my favorite series back then would have been keeper of the lost cities which were relatively thick books and I used to reread one of those books in a single day (makin me nostalgic rn)

you can get stuff printed at libraries if you don't have a printer, you pay them for the ink ofc but its cheap enough, and my mother used this to her advantage in some of the harder years of my teenage life

and now I use libraries for any book series i could need, currently enjoying reading the book series that the how to train your dragon movies were based on

i was homeschooled so I didn't really read any of the classics they have you read in high school so ive also been catching up on those too

libraries are awesome and its sad to me that so many people go without or struggle to buy books when libraries will lend them to you for free

HAVE PEOPLE NOT HEARD OF LIBRARIES??????? They are 100% cheaper than AMAZON

[amberduan-ual]

Interim Crit Project B (4/5/23)

My concept art project idea pretty much started from one character design which I then developed a world around.

I've always loved birds, especially birds of prey like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, etc so I wanted to design a character that was based on one. I took an image of a harpy eagle and incorporated characteristics of the bird with medieval fantasy armor. I wanted the armor to have pieces and flourishes resembling feathers, and the knight to have a cape like a feathered tail. The gauntlets are sharp to imitate the talons of an eagle and the overall silhouette is pointed. I kept shape language in mind and wanted the character to have a triangle shape to emphasize her dangerous nature as a warrior.

I think I ended up choosing a fantasy inspired genre because I've been reading a lot of fantasy books in the past few months. I used to be a really avid reader through elementary and middle school, and my favorite genre back then was anything to do with dragons and talking animals. One of my favorite franchises ever is How to Train Your Dragon, both the book series and movie trilogy. I fell off reading books when I started high school because the internet was much more accessible by then, but for 2023 I decided to get back into it!

So far my 2023 Goodreads challenge has had a pretty considerable ratio of fantasy books, specifically the Locked Tomb series starting from Gideon the Ninth. The Locked Tomb is a bit of a mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but knight cavaliers and necromancer sorcerers are pretty central to the story, which definitely led to the knight decision.

From the character design, I started thinking about what kind of world this knight could inhabit and why would her armor be so heavily inspired by birds. The two main influences that I combined to create the world this character design by Airi Pan and the Great Eagles from Lord of the Rings.

I love the idea of taking any animal and having it become a knight's trusty mount, and the Great Eagles already set precedent for large birds that can be ridden, so I decided to create a world based on the concept of eagle knights.

I started gathering references for the influences that I want to go into the world, from fantasy medieval knights to birds of prey, to treehouses and bird nests. I took notes on areas that could be fleshed out for worldbuilding purposes, thinking about different classes of knights and their different bird mounts.

Next, I also created a reference board of visual development art. I wanted to have a lot of different types of concept art to reference and prompt me to think of different aspects of worldbuilding. Two manga titles that really inspire me are Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama and Dungeon Meshi by Ryoko Kui. Both are manga series written and illustrated by women, and are set in incredibly lush fantasy worlds.

I was inspired to start reading Witch Hat Atelier after hearing that it has great representation of disability and darker skinned characters, which is really rare for both the fantasy genre and Japanese manga. The character designs in Witch Hat Atelier are gorgeous and fantastically diverse, yet cohesive in a way that I really appreciate.

I picked up Dungeon Meshi after watching this amazing breakdown video on character design in the series. Ryoko includes extras in some of the volumes which demonstrate her great attention to detail in character design. Her character portrait lineups show diversity in their facial features and physical makeup, and she also makes sure that even when her characters have swapped costumes, they're still distinguishable from each other. There's a large range in body shape and size in the cast, even for women, whom Ryoko isn't afraid to design outside of the typical beauty ideals.

Besides character art though, I also have environment designs and creature designs in my reference board. I think it's important to have sheets that describe the detail of specific environmental details in a technical way, but also more rendered paintings that establish the mood and atmosphere of a world.

[daggerblacker]

World War We analysis very professional

Link to book: daggerblacker.gumroad.com/l/nqzgnk

What's up Tumblr it's your they/he, I was thinking to myself. Why don't I explain my own work in the way I like to see work I like explained and picked apart in that way that I should've known meant I had autiHD since I'll never see the commercial success that "traditionally published" writers do because traditional publishing as we know it is literally in the toilet swirling down the drain and no one will achieve such status again.

So here I am and feeling optimistic and only slightly tipsy. (Optimistic about this project and my writing not the world it's really all fucked)

I thought I'd break down some key inspirations for World War We. It's my favorite project (THAT I HAVE COMPLETED, working on something now that blows it out of the water but it's a hard beast to finish.)

I was really proud when the manuscript came out so close to that precious 90k word-count goal for debut Sci-Fi manuscripts. As if it was meant to written, and the story didn't need any padding or fluff whatsoever to fill out that expected length I was really pleased.

It's really obvious in my read-through that my main inspirations were:

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON - mostly stylistically but yeah, the bond between Fence and Stroy is undoubtedly analagous to Toothless and Hiccup, but way more blood-ridden of course.

A Boy and His Dog - Most obvious, that story sucks and only the skeletal plot is worth ripping off which I did happily. The movie made an impression on my when I was really young and I'm glad to have turned that into something way better than the original story and movie.

Octavia Butler's Lillith's Brood trilogy (Xenogenesis series) - Not as obvious, but way more directly inspired by this than anything. I really respect Butler but loathe her messages, such that humans must go gentley into the good night of "evolution" (i.e. our biology being hi-jacked by more advanced people attempted to interbreed with us and change the word human as we know it) There's gray area that I explore in great depth, sure, but I'd be damned if her series doesn't come across as calling humans backwater morons and the Oankali the advanced detached superior model. The entirety of WWW is in response to many questions posed in just the first book of this series.

Abstract Inspirations: I was really into the concept of doing What If Genghis Khan was... type stories, like What If the Great Conqueror were a...(fill in the blank) I've completed like multiple manuscripts just based on that set-up so this one was just What If Genghis Khan rode a fire-wolf and was gay.

Stroy wields a labrys cuz I'm into axes and its badass

Honorable mention to Saphira from Eragon. I hate Eragon but I did read it in middle school and she was my favorite character I couldn't get enough of, the books really should've probably been from her perspective. Fence is heavily influenced by her, especially upon read-back. Paolini is a total hack though, if your gimmick is "wow published at 15! published at 18! published as toddler!" you're a pathetic hack and you should get rekt

[kingofthewilderwest]

There are httyd comics?

Do they tell different stories to the books, or is it the same story in a different form?

There are! And quite a few!

They are set in the DreamWorks Dragons universe and are supplements to the shows and the movies. Everything I've listed are new stories, not repetitions in a new media form. In the case of the comics based off of the shows, they're like extra standalone episodes. The comics based off the movies take place between HTTYD 2 and 3.

Riders of Berk

Dragon Down

Dangers of the Deep

The Ice Castle

The Stowaway

The Legend of Ragnarok

Underworld

Defenders of Berk

The Endless Night

Snowmageddon

How to Train Your Dragon

(Burning Midnight, a short in a May 2016 Free Comic Book Day option, falls here, too)

The Serpent's Heir

Dragonvine

I liked just about all of 'em. The Riders of Berk material was my favorite. My main gripe about those is that the art often got minor details like eye color or character handedness wrong. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But the content was fun! I think that for folks who liked Riders of Berk, they'd like the Riders of Berk comics.

The Serpent's Heir and Dragonvine are longer than the other comics. I didn't care for Dragonvine too much, but I'm not going to complain about extra HTTYD materials! Honestly wish these had been continued more. It's a great way to expand a franchise.

There are no comics based off the book series, though the book series does, of course, have that dragon guide book.

[wthtorke]

Kofi Match up for @devotionage !

The info:

I’m an INTJ, 5’6 and athletic, kind of like Margot Robbie: thin with a wide rib cage. Bi and goes by she/her pronouns. Long blonde hair that I like to make wavy.

I love being artistic with makeup and nail art with nerdy designs like Pokemon balls and the TMNT. I’d draw more if I had the time and discipline.

I love working out and doing yoga for stress relief and fun. I love horses and dogs and my favourite food is sushi. I used to do gymnastics (still very flexible from it) but I switched to martial arts after I got a concussion. I have a black belt in Tae kwon-do and I absolutely love sparring and weapons training. I’m really good with the bo and sais.

I’m definitely a closeted nerd. I cosplay. I love Sci Fi and fantasy based tv series/ movies / games like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Aliens of any species have always fascinated me. I loved reading horror/ fantasy books. My absolute favourite things to do with friends are panic rooms and laser tag, anything competitive or challenging with a team.

Personality wise: I'm pretty outgoing for an introvert. I like my alone time but I need intimacy from the people closest to me. I'll talk about anything and will try anything at least once. I'm an ambitious and academically focused person, school and my career are my #1 priority. I’d say my flaw is being a perfectionist which can lead to anxiety and make me overly critical of myself. Overall I’m a passionate person who wants to know more about the big universe she's in."

I match you with Fugitive!

Every strong aspect of yours complements Fugitive's beautifully. From being a closeted nerd to doing well socially but still need your own space. 

Everything about you interests him. When he thinks he knows all of you, you come through the door with pokemon nails and he can't help but stop for a second because that shouldn't be nearly as cute as it is.

Fugitive knows more about human culture than the average yautja does. A lot more, he could say; so getting to watch and talk about movies, series and games with you is the one thing he didn't know he needed. Fugitive had never really played games before, at least nothing like the human ones you show him. His favorite is Dragon age, he loves slaying dragons in the game but never leaves a side quest behind, finishes the game 100%. While the controller might be too small and the pc keyboard too fragile, he loves getting to spend time with you, even if it means not playing while you both wait on for a custom made controller for his size, he will gladly watch you play (while also giving his input on whatever you're doing, call it hunter's experience)

Another thing that Fugitive loves about you is how willing you are to try things. Number one; because he's an alien, and no average person would just accept him like that, and also because he himself is not afraid to try anything new. Fugitive had never eaten sushi before, so when you introduce it to him, he's curious. Definitely breaks the first set of disposable chopsticks that comes with the food on accident, is grateful for the hardwood ones you own

Fugitive loves engaging in the activities you do, the tae kwon-do black belt sure did both impress and intrigue him in the best way possible. He can't help but feel some sort of pride watching your moves and just how well you can find for yourself, he asks you about your techniques and tries to mimic them, you draw the line of your little training session when he kicks a tree too hard and breaks it in half

Loves playing wrestling and sparring with you, and while it may seem impossible to play wrestle with a yautja, with Fugitive it's not only possible but also fun! Plus it does lead to more...strenuous activities because of all the manhandling going on

All in all, Fugitive would love to know you and all these layers that make you more and more interesting and fun to be with while you do the same thing to him! You bring out the best in each other in a way that he hadn't ever expected happening, he falls hard for you!