#Niche Neeson

[oddygaul]

Derry Girls

This was a good time. I dunno how accurate it really is to the setting, but it certainly made me feel like I was stepping into someone else’s shoes for a bit, which is always a big sell for a coming-of-age story. A lot of the characters are funny as hell, with some standouts whose bit I just never got tired of - Orla, Sister Michael, and Sarah come to mind. Orla with this fucking box on her head is peak television and I can’t be convinced otherwise.

This show has a real weird… flanderization bell curve, I guess? Season 1 sets the character’s baselines pretty well, and things are pretty ridiculous from the start. Then, in season 2, a lot of the characters are oversimplified and exaggerated, as one does, from Joe’s hate for Gerry to the girls’ constant digging of themselves into deeper and deeper holes - there are points where the secondhand embarrassment starts to outweigh the humor of it all.

And then in season 3… it’s not that the characters are more dimensional again, exactly, it just feels like the writers figured out the perfect niches for all of them to fill, or particularly choice situations to put them in, so it’s nothing but hits. Jenny and Aisling’s talent gap becoming more and more pronounced with every performance, the odd couple pairing of Sister Michael and ponytail dirtbag Father Peter, the deployment of Colm like a tactical strike against Liam Neeson - the setups are just so good I can’t even get mad at the character reduction. Even some of the relationships I was incredibly weary of by this point, like Gerry and Joe, had some outstanding moments by pitting the characters against an outside party as a duo, rather than focusing on their infighting - Joe and Gerry figuring out the woman on the train’s identity, for example, or at the reunion when they try to make the Husband Surgeon speak.

Speaking of Gerry and Joe, I’m still puzzling out why their dynamic made me uncomfortable while James’ treatment by the girls landed for me most of the time. I think it might just be an matter of comic timing; Joe’s abuse of Gerry is just so ceaseless that it gets old fast, while James being shot down is usually reserved for a punchline, which gives the gag a little room to breathe. Plus, the girls at least occasionally show James they care about him; the implication that Joe has been this way to Gerry for nearly 20 years, with Mary tacitly letting it continue, is kind of depressing.

Anyway, enjoyed it. Definitely added to my pantheon of comfy tv.

[plaguedoctorraven]

Solved an inane mystery that probably doesn't matter to anyone except me tonight

For years I've been trying to find out why I had a completely unsubstantiable memory of a clip where Liam Neeson says "Fire Everything!" in 2012's Battleship. I knew I'd seen it and surely that'd still be on the internet; it's too stupid and recent not to still exist. I never stooped to watching the movie, but I did search the script and it wasn't there, so I assumed it was extra footage that was part of some specific trailer that was somehow forgotten. However, thanks to the magic of niche internet forums, where information never dies, I've now discovered that line does exist, but it was actually pulled from 2010's A-Team remake, also starring Liam Neeson, and also a movie I have not seen. Anyways, the context is somehow stupider, but not stupid enough to make me watch this movie:

[whatifsandspheres]

This is great because it uses data and facts, and with data and facts you can make any argument, but none holds up best but the arguments which are closest to the truth and proof.

You can say any number of "what if's" and maybes, but the unproven and hypothetical don't exist and are unquantifiable. Qualitative value without quantitative support is little more than only good for personal life and opinion, like your favorite color or season.

The visual data in these shows that cutting beef consumption in half (EU values) would impact individual carbon footprint by about 50% for EU average CO2footprints, and almost 30% for USA average footprints.

Are most people willing and able to go all William Neeson's "Taken" and hunt themselves an oil executive? No. But they're also not willing to cut beef consumption, vegans barely comprise 1% of global population, with vegetarian diets making up not much more than that either. Despite one being much less dangerous and risky to undertake, much more in the control of the individual's personal capacity-- it's easier to blame the executives.

And it is their fault, true. But they fill a niche in the global economy that wouldn't exist if it wasn't supported by all the members involved in that economy. Some unfairly disproportionately compared to the others, but only about 50 million under actual slavery conditions. We can blame the drug cartel leaders, but removing one from power only gets another promoted immediately after. The changes and solutions to the drug addiction isn't incarceration and punitive measures against the consumers, true-- just like it isn't the solution to the climate crisis and the unbalanced carbon cycle. But nobody is putting a gun to your head or throwing you in jail to force you to eat less or no meat. It won't kill most people to never eat meat again, the minority affected adversely is minuscule and shouldn't be erased, but they shouldn't be used by the majority to excuse their fickle addiction to oil.

Killing or jailing oil executives isn't going to fix the climate crisis-- Just as killing or jailing drug traffickers isn't going to solve drug addiction. Improving environmental and social conditions solves both types of issues. If nobody consumes the oil or the drugs, the business becomes unprofitable.

And proportionately, the most effective immediate actions in the hands of individuals are their personal habits. Literally nobody is holding a gun to your heads, but you know the numbers show how much good it would do for the world for you to change.

Sorry for the bad photo quality, Tumblr doesn't like posts this long.

[risingstarss]

Meet the Rising Stars of the Indie Thriller After

The upcoming indie thriller After is making waves with its compelling cast, blending seasoned actors and fresh faces. Filmed in scenic western Massachusetts, the film is directed by Michael Marantz and centers on a retired true-crime podcaster navigating a web of secrets and danger to find his missing sister.

A Stellar Cast

At the heart of the story is Dónall Ó Héalai, acclaimed for his roles in Arracht and Foscadh, performances that earned him an Irish Film & TV Award nomination.

Joining Ó Héalai is Tracy Spiridakos, beloved for her role in Chicago P.D., as she makes another significant leap into film. Meanwhile, Gabriella Piazza (Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning) plays Emily, the missing sister whose disappearance fuels the story’s tension.

Irish actor Micheál Neeson, son of Liam Neeson, continues to carve his niche in thrillers with his role in After. Known for genre-driven projects like Somewhere Quiet, his presence adds depth to this mystery-laden narrative. As noted by Combster, Neeson’s growing reputation in genre films has made him a standout talent in the industry.

The Veterans and Their Expertise

Seasoned performers like Kevin Pollak (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Andy Richter (Conan) bring a wealth of experience to the film. Complementing them are Melia Kreiling (Emily in Paris) and Karren Karagulian (Anora), who inject intensity and intrigue into the storyline.

Finally, Ben Shenkman (Billions) rounds out the ensemble, contributing to the film’s emotionally charged and suspenseful tone.

While a release date has yet to be announced, After promises to be a gripping addition to the indie thriller genre. For more details about this project, check out Combster.

[cinematods]

Pierre Morel Unveils Action Cinema's Future: John Cena Collaboration and the Enduring Legacy of 'Taken

Freelance Interview: Director Pierre Morel Talks John Cena & Taken

In the world of cinema, few directors have made as big an impact on the action genre as Pierre Morel. Known for his dynamic visual style and knack for creating heart-pounding sequences, Morel has carved a niche for himself with films like "Taken" and "District 13". Recently, he teamed up with WWE superstar John Cena for the high-octane action thriller "Panic".

In an exclusive freelance interview, we had the chance to sit down with Pierre Morel to discuss his collaboration with John Cena and reflect on the enduring legacy of "Taken".

The Collaboration with John Cena

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pierre Morel's latest project, "Panic", is his collaboration with professional wrestler turned actor John Cena. Morel, known for working with action icons like Liam Neeson, brings a unique perspective to the table when working with someone with Cena's background.

Morel expressed his admiration for Cena's dedication to his craft, noting that "John Cena is an incredibly hardworking and committed actor. His background in professional wrestling gives him a distinct physicality that translates well to action sequences on screen."

The director emphasized how Cena's discipline and determination on set contributed to the authenticity of the film's action sequences, making them all the more compelling for audiences.

Reflecting on "Taken"

Pierre Morel's breakout film, "Taken", has become a modern action classic, known for its relentless pace and Liam Neeson's iconic portrayal of Bryan Mills. Morel shared his thoughts on what made "Taken" resonate with audiences worldwide.

"'Taken' struck a chord because it tapped into a primal fear that many people have – the vulnerability of our loved ones," Morel explained. "The idea of a parent going to extreme lengths to protect their child is a universal theme that resonates with audiences across cultures."

He also credited the film's success to its tight script and intense action sequences, which created a perfect storm of suspense and adrenaline that captivated viewers from start to finish.

Balancing Action and Storytelling

When asked about his approach to directing action films, Pierre Morel emphasized the importance of striking a balance between high-octane sequences and compelling storytelling.

"Action should always serve the story, not the other way around," Morel asserted. "It's essential to create action sequences that are not only visually exciting but also emotionally resonant. This way, the audience becomes invested in the characters and their journey, making the action more impactful."

He went on to explain that meticulous planning and choreography are crucial to ensuring that action sequences feel organic and authentic within the context of the story.

The Future of Action Cinema

As the interview concluded, we asked Pierre Morel about his thoughts on the future of action cinema. He expressed optimism about the genre's continued evolution, citing advancements in technology and a growing pool of talented filmmakers.

"Technology has opened up new possibilities for action filmmaking, allowing us to create even more immersive and visually stunning experiences for audiences," Morel stated. "Furthermore, the influx of fresh perspectives and voices in the industry promises to bring new and exciting stories to the forefront."

In Conclusion

Pierre Morel's insights into his collaboration with John Cena, reflections on "Taken", and approach to directing action films provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a director who has left an indelible mark on the action genre. As cinema continues to evolve, Morel's dedication to storytelling and dynamic action sequences ensures that his legacy will endure for generations to come. "Panic" serves as a testament to his ability to push boundaries and deliver adrenaline-pumping entertainment that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

[floorman3]

Liam Neeson Gets "Retribution" on the Villain Trying To Blow Up His Car

Liam Neeson has carved out a niche for himself in the Hollywood landscape. I saw him years ago in Darkman where he played an inadvertent avenging angel who accidently got doused with chemicals in an experiment. His turn as Oscar Schindler in Schindler’s put him on the map as an actor to watch out for after that. In the last twenty years or so he has been in quite a few action films and had…

[movie-titlecards]

The Ice Road (2021)

My rating: 3/10

Liam Neeson really seems to have found his niche: playing kind of shitty guys who punch people a lot in kind of shitty action movies. This one has a disabled character, who only exists to be treated like shit by him and then die heroically so he can Be Sad! Fun! It's also a truck commercial full of comical amounts of product placement! Also fun! But not actually! This is really quite bad!

[checkthefeed]

[ American Spirit | Cone ]

Spirit Mountain feat. a cone Cole DiMeglio, John Rapinac, Calvin Green, Jake Aldridge, George Chapman, Colton Rutledge, Nick Neeson, Casey Pflipsen, Chuck Gardner. With the support of Matt Kaye and @i_eat_apples_

Video: Nick Neeson

[msfbgraves]

Art subsidies have a function

A lot of people wonder, rightly, why tax money is used to sponsor what is often truly atrocious art. Self important, masturbatory drivel that nobody wants. Could that money not be better spent?

If you truly care about good art, no.

Good art needs the freedom to be uncommercial. Not all good art is, though. Nobody would have greenlit the pitch for Hamilton, be real. But good arts needs the freedom to be critical, niche, to not be an advertisement, to be and yet be shown for its own sake.

And yes that will lead to an amount of drivel that would be worrying if it weren't so funny. But if you want brilliance. Innovative, heartfelt brilliance. You have to take Big Money out of it.

Take Derry Girls. Who would have cared in Hollywood? Nobody. And yes, public money will likely only get you two seasons but as soon as Netflix got their claws in S3, you can see them trying to sex it up. Which is practically impossible, because this is Derry Girls, but suddenly there is a Liam Neeson cameo, because he may be the only Northern Irish actor who is Well Known. They're putting James in a fistfight and the girls cheer that on where they would have tried to stop it in S2 (Michelle would have jumped bodily in front of James while telling him to stop being such a dick, James!) There is a Chelsea Clinton cameo. It's tonally weird and it is 'broader appeal' and 'international markets' talking. But it only exists because it was made in part with public money.

We need to keep showcasing utter shite to act as a fertiliser for brilliance. And if you want something good, you need to learn to give 10 minutes of your time to some subsidised stuff and you find that again, it's utter shite, to stand up and leave.

But only among the uncommercial compost does the brilliance grow.

Big Money ruins everything.

[nixnbob]

tagged by: @literary-lesbian

No pressure tags: @jandjsalmon @interstellarbeams @jjskiaras @livefortherain @rad-topgunn @fangirlofallthings22

relationship status: Taken.

favourite colour: Whatever this colour is:

favourite food: Mac and Cheese, it's my all time comfort food.

song stuck in your head: Hmm... I guess after vacation it's probably Tequila Sunrise 🤣

last thing you googled: How to watch Discovery+ where I'm based...

time: Late o'clock... Jetlag has me all screwed up.

dream trip: Hawaii, failing that Japan.

last book you read: Sandman, Fables & Reflections.

last book you enjoyed reading: Basically all of the Sandman, which I'm working back through just now.

last book you hated reading: Oooof. I was not a huge fan of the Dark Horse's adaptation of William Gibson's Alien 3. I remember reading a version of the screenplay years ago and it was not at all how I remembered it and I ended up not really digging the art in the end. Shame, first time in a while I've not wanted to hold on to a graphic novel.

favourite thing to cook: Mac and Cheese, but I never get it the way my mom makes it...

most niche dislike: Tough one, but I'm really not a fan of the majority of Liam Neeson's current filmography. Drives my OH up the wall 🤣

opinion on the circus: Not my thing.

do you have a sense of direction: I was good-ish at orienteering when I was younger and pretty good at navigating off of maps and using landmarks. It freaks my OH out as he struggles whenever he doesn't have GPS 🤣

[hasdrubal-gisco]

maybe they are simply fans of the liam neeson franchise. this is the niche fandom website after all

the terrifying implication of people putting "taken" in their tumblr bios. like are there really such twisted individuals out here who would use this website for dating

[aniseandspearmint]

Hi! Would you mind answering 1, 2 and 4 for the soft asks thingy? Hope you’re having a good day

what song makes you feel better? hmmmm, there are a lot really, mostly old songs my mom used to play in the car, so a lot of Nat King Cole, John Denver, and Simon & Garfunkel. If I had to pick one, maybe The Hawk and The Eagle (John Denver)?

2. what’s your feel-good movie? I have a handful of movies I go for when I'm just needing to watch something I know by heart and can wrap around me like a blanket. The Last Unicorn (classic, gorgeous work, and Molly Gru's speech is done so well), Krull (look at baby Liam Neeson in one of his first roles! Giggle at the bad dialogue and hammy acting from the lead! Look at that very well done stop motion giant spider!), Fantastic Planet (lets hear it for amazing niche science fiction! This movie is paper cut animation! And it's actually the first movie i can remember seeing, ever. Mom had a VHS copy when i was a kid and I loved it, but wasn't allowed to watch it as much as some bc mom didn't want to wear it out, because it was the only copy she'd ever been able to find), and Knives Out (a more recent edition but idk it's just so satisfying) are a few.

4. what flower would you like to be given? Hyacinths and sunflowers are my favorites!

[tubaterry]

RE: that CPB agent

Who said he had to shut himself down emotionally.  Who said “What was I going to do? Walk away? What difference would that make to anyone’s life but mine?”

What are you going to do?

Well, I gotta be honest.  I personally think it's too late for the best option to be "just quit" - the machinery is in motion.  It's clear there are too many involved in operating said machinery who enjoy what we're doing to people that we could ever hope for a mass walkout.  And you’re a guard, or a paper pusher, or something like that - expecting you to be a big, vocal resistance organizer is honestly kinda unreasonable. 

Brief side note: Let’s not be our own enemies here - nobody is cut out for all the necessary work of the resistance.  Let people find their niche.

And I know it's a hell of a risk to your own personal safety but it's also proooooobably a moral imperative in that position to resist from within. What would Mr. Rogers do in your position? I doubt he'd shut himself down to the suffering of children.

Add friction: Malicious compliance with the bureaucracy, slow things down. Applied incompetence: break cheap but vital equipment 'on accident' (you know, like... tire stems?  so nobody dies doing your moral duty for you) Don’t fuck up so much you get fired or worse, just enough that it’s easier for your coworkers to deal with the frustration you bring them than replace you - assuming you can’t do it quietly enough you don’t get associated with it

Sneak data out: evidence of conditions, transcripts of your coworkers' gleeful cruelty...

idk, there’s a lot that can be done - read up on the WWII resistance fighters for some more ideas.

It's hard and it's risky to resist from within. If that's too much to ask of you, please do quit. Leaving is better than participation. (Back to the side note - if a person is realistically in a position where their options are “leave and do nothing” or “stay a part of this shit and act as a wrench in the works”, fucking obviously they should stick around. Harm reduction is a legit good.)

But you don't have to succumb to calling this normal. You can fight it. These human beings need you to fight it.  You can be someone remembered in the history books. Hell, play your cards right and you could be played by the future’s Liam Neeson in the future’s Steven Spielberg dramatization. You can be a hero.

[robotnik-mun]

You know, around about September/Octoberish I had a weird dream about a Sonic Movie.

In said dream I was at the premier of an animated theatrical (in- theory) Sonic SatAm movie. I say in-theory because the film was referred to by people in the dream as a SatAm movie, but in practice it seemed more a mixture of Post-Reboot Archie Sonic (character designs), Pre-reboot Archie Sonic (several characters) and Sonic Boom (longer limb designs).

And once the film started a lot of the audience was pissed off for two different reasons:

* The Sonic fans were pissed off because the film had resorted to celebrity voice acting over casting actual professional voice actors (which you’d think the audience would have been aware of way before the movie started but okay…), with a lot of people weren’t happy with the actors picked for the roles. 

Of the 9 that I can remember were Andrew Garfield as Sonic the Hedgehog, Taylor Swift as Sally Acorn, Michael Cera as Antoine D'Coolette, Dakota Johnson as Bunnie Rabbot, Matt Berry as Locke, Jason Bateman as King Acorn (seemed to be Nigel Acorn in name and appearance, but acted like Max Acorn in personality), Jim Parsons as Snively, Liam Neeson as Naugus (I have no ideas whether he was Ixis or Walter) and Hugh Laurie as Uncle Chuck.

* The Moral Guardians were upset because the film (despite being a film) opened with a tv style opening theme set to cyberpunk visuals resembling the Batman Beyond opening, which they considered too dark and inappropriate for the film’s child audience.

The negative reception got so bad that a riot broke out, to the point where a frigging SWAT team with shields and giant Rob Liefeld guns had to be called to break up the fighting.

So does this sound like a better or worse movie/reception than the actual movie we’re supposed to be getting?

---

Wow. Your Sonic Movie dreams are a lot more cohesive than mine. The furthest mine ever got was of a scene where Sonic is darting about drawing fire from robots while Sally hooked up Nicole to a computer and then hacked it, causing a bunch of towers with satellite dishes to suddenly fire a bunch of blue beams towards the sky, creating a portal that Angel Island slowly lowered out of. All done to the Most Triumphant Part of Braveheart at that. 

Anyway, that DOES sound better, but in all frankness I don’t think that’s the movie the Sonic fandom at large would want. By deign of being animated and not co-starring a human it’d be like, a million miles ahead of what we already got, but its still pretty dependent on stuff that’s ultimately part of a niche rather than the greater whole that people are familiar with. To say nothing of the fact that in order for Locke to be used it would mean SEGA actually letting that jackass get what he wants, which would be another big strike against it. 

And then there’s that selection of actors to do the voices... Michael Cera as Antoine?? Liam Neeson as Naugus?? Hugh Laurie as Uncle Chuck??? That’s miscasting on such a massive level that even if people got past the premise, the actor selection would make it difficult to watch.

So yeah, your dream’s movie premise is better than what we are getting, but only by so much. As for the reception, well, frankly I doubt any Sonic anything, no matter how bad, would ever get THAT kind of reception, sooo yeah, your dream is way, way worse regarding how people would take it. 

[sachwlang]

Liam Neeson Has One Of The Most Popular Movies On Streaming This Week

Liam Neeson Has One Of The Most Popular Movies On Streaming This Week

Liam Neeson has carved out a successful niche as an action star in the previous decade or so, bringing his rugged performance style to a wide range of different men placed in difficult situations. The actor’s latest, Honest Thief, had a brief theatrical run last October, but since being added to VOD in 2021, has built up a decent audience. And now, the movie is one of the most popular titles on…

[ajabhishekvideos]

'Honest Thief' review: Liam Neeson doesn't steal much more than your time in his latest thriller

‘Honest Thief’ review: Liam Neeson doesn’t steal much more than your time in his latest thriller

In “Taken,” its sequels and similarly themed fare since — a la “The Commuter” and “Cold Pursuit”— Neeson has carved out a niche as a likable guy who’s easy to root for and a very, very bad idea to cross. That’s essentially the formula here, although the template actually proves closer to something like “FX” — where the protagonist uses his specialized skills to fight the bad guys — than the…