#alice monaghan

[hellboyunivers]

Hellboy et Alice Monaghan.

[madamebaggio]

“Are you drinking? Why are you dressed like that?”

“I’m not working.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You have it.”

“Monaghan…”

“You can say my name as much as you want. I’m taking the day off. No dead people today.”

“There are tons of dead people today. Everyday. Not working is not an option.”

“I’d like to see you make me work.”

“Monaghan… Go. Back. To Work.”

“Make. Me.”

[neganwifey25-blog]

I wish they would do another movie but Ik it’s not gonna happen🥺

Hellboy (2019)

[heavenboy09]

5 Years Ago On April 12th, 2019

Lionsgate Studios Presents

In Association

& Dark Horse 🐎 Entertainment Presents

The Remake Of A Old Dark Horse 🐎 Comic Book Character / Anti-Hero To Return Back To The Big Screen In Over 11 Years

THE ORIGINS YOU MAY KNOW

BUT THE STORY YET TO BE TOLD, YOU HAVENT

IN 517 A.D., THE EVIL 😈 BLOOD 🩸 QUEEN 👸 , VIVIENNE NIMUE, UNLEASHES A PLAGUE ON ENGLAND 🇬🇧

UNTIL  KING 🤴 ARTHUR  THWARTS HER WITH THE AID OF GANEIDA

A MEMBER OF HER COVEN.

ARTHUR USES  EXCALIBUR  TO DISMEMBER NIMUE AND HIDES HER REMAINS ACROSS ENGLAND 🇬🇧. 

WHILE

BATTLING A TRIO OF RAMPAGING GIANTS...

THE LEGENDARY HALF-DEMON 😈

HELLBOY 😈 🔴

ENCOUNTERS NIMUE THE BLOOD 🩸 QUEEN 👸 , AN ANCIENT RESURRECTED SORCERESS WHO'S OUT TO AVENGE A PAST BETRAYAL.

SUDDENLY CAUGHT IN A CLASH BETWEEN THE SUPERNATURAL AND THE HUMAN WORLD 🌎 ....

HELLBOY😈🔴 SOON BECOMES HELL-BENT🔥 ON STOPPING NIMUE 🩸👸 WITHOUT TRIGGERING THE END OF THE WORLD 🌎 .

CAN THE DEMON WITH 😈 THE RIGHT HAND ✋ OF DOOM SAVE OUR WORLD 🌎 EVEN THOUGH HE IS NOT PART OF IT.

THE CHOICE IS HIS

TIME TO GIVE EM HELL 🔥

LIONSGATE STUDIOS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

DARK HORSE 🐎 COMICS ENTERTAINMENT

PRESENTS

A NEIL MARSHALL FILM 🎥

DAVID HARBOUR

IS

HELLBOY 😈🔥

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY TO LIONSGATE STUDIOS

HELLBOY 😈🔥

HE'S 1 HELL OF A SUPERHERO😈🔴🔥🔫

#HellBoy #BenDaimio #AliceMonaghan #TrevorBruttenholm #NimueTheBloodQueen #BPRD #Lionsgate #DarkHorseComics

[fanofoseman]

broooo...... 🤯😱😨

[ghostampire]

[endlessmythos]

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’? ( Alice & Pietro please )

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS

How loose is their use of the phrase 'I love you'?

Alice uses it with friends, family and romantic partners, and she's very loose with it. Will tell someone "I love you" because they handed her a glass of water. Life is too short to not tell people you love them.

Pietro, on the other hand, is very picky with the Big L word. Getting him to say it is like pulling teeth, especially in public, and anyone that gets to hear it from him should consider that an achievement.

[grezeee]

[blackterrae]

Ideas for Black!Reader Fic

I am going to try my hand again at writing. And I wanted to share some people and fandoms that I love. If you don’t know these shows/actors/franchises/movies/streamers I’m putting you on! For the following:

Princess Bride

Alice In Borderland

Johnny Depp- All his characters

Napoleon Dynamite

Cameron Monaghan- I know that there are fics out there but it’s only always his Jerome/Jeremiah roles never just him or Cal Kestis

Anthony Carrigan- I loved Anothy as Victor Zsasz

Paul Dano- There are Riddler fics but not as many for his other roles

Damsel

The Entire Cast of Hawaii Five-0 (2010) - Don’t even get me started on how good this show is! And the cast looks amazing!

Chicago Med/Fire/PD- These shows have so much potential for fanfic storylines!

The Game (2006)- Has great potential for slow burns and fluffs.

Star Wars franchise (1977-present) - I know I said Cal Kestis but there are also other characters like Anakin, Luke, Obi Wan,Boba Fett (etc.)

NCIS franchise- I honestly love this franchise and it’s characters!

Hamilton

Any/All Sports Men- Jude Bellingham,Lewis Hamilton,LaMelo Ball,Allen Iverson(etc.)

Berleezy - He’s handsome and he’s funny!

Coryxkenshin- I literally love him and his videos!

Albert Aretz (Flamingo)- Look … he may be the epitome of mediocre white man but I like what I like!

AMP- Duke Dennis, Kai Cenat, Agent 00, ChrisNxtDoor,Davis, and Fanum ( all I gotta say is love a black man from infinity to infinity🗣️)

Beta Squad- A British YouTube/ streamer group!

SOMEBROS- Berleezy, Rico, ,PG, Joe (etc.)

WWE- come on now, do I even need to explain!!!

Four Brothers- All the cast but Garrett Hedland in particular!

Peacemaker - Don’t get me wrong I love Adrian Chase but I want to see just as much Peacemaker x black!reader fics because 2 words… JOHN CENA

MAWS- New animated Superman show! Love!

Smallville - The entire cast is hot! Tbh I fell hard for Tom Welling when I was younger when he was in Cheaper By The Dozen. Plus they literally whitewashed Vixen. COME ON! Vixen is a black female hero btw. She was also with Jon (Green Lantern) at one point.

Justice League/Justice League Unlimited (2001 and 2004)- I mean I literally can’t find any Jon Stewart x black!reader fics and he was with a BLACK WOMAN!

Warner Bros Franchise (minus the looney tunes & space jam)- There are lots of popular franchises that this company has from Fast & Furious to The Matrix!

Peaky Blinders- Saw a Tommy shelby x arms dealer black!female reader fic on my previous account but even then I couldn’t find it again on that account. So it’s gone with the wind. And the cast (i.e the actors and other characters they’ve portrayed). Example: Cillian Murphy as Johnathan Crane.

The Bear

FBI (All)

The good doctor

Tiktokers: Vinnie hacker

Blue Bloods

Will Poulter- I haven’t really seen any Adam Warlock fics

Slashers

Stranger Things

Cruel Intentions

Burnt

Dave Lizewski

Eddie Redmayne

Macgyver (2016)

Fresh Prince of Belair

Guardians of the galaxy- Explanation? Do I really need one?

On My Block

Descendants (characters will be the actors age in real life.duh)- Love Boo-boo Stewart & Mitchell Hope!

Matt Rife

Joey Bragg (Liv &Maddie) - What can I say I love dorks!

The Boys- Haven’t seen that many fics about the characters and a black reader

Once Upon A Time- I love dark fairytales sometimes because they remind me that not every story has a happy ending and you have to learn from them. But this series is good for any theme really.

Walker Texas Ranger (1993)

Top Gun

Nicolas Galitzine

Magcon: Whether you saw their vines on YouTube or vine, you know who they are

Dolan Twins

Mission Impossible

Euphoria- Entire show has great storylines with the potential of drama in fics

Shameless- Especially Carl Gallagher and Lip Gallagher

Creed- Michael B Jordan need I say more

Keanu Reeves- There are very few fics about Keanu but I’ve seen a few of his John Wick x black!reader fics (chef’s kiss) but never see any of The Matrix Fics!Also Ted (Bill & Ted)

River Phoenix

Batman Beyond

Rider Strong

Danny Gonzalez

Timothée Chalamet

New York Undercover

Past-Present Singers & Rappers/ Groups -Bow Wow, Tupac, Lil Baby, Nelly, Omarion, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jon B,Usher, Central Cee, Måneskin, New Edition, BTS, James, PRETTYMUCH Bay, Daniel Caesar, October London, Steve Lacey, Artemas, YUNGBLUD, Andy Biersack,Eduardo Vega(etc.)

Anime(Any kind!)- Would love to see other shows, I know hunterxhunter,aot,one piece (etc.)

Bridgerton- There is very little Bridgerton stories catered around a black reader.

Marvel- Now that’s not to say that there aren’t any in fact there are many but I never see (Tobey Maguire Spider-Man stories and it seems like everyone tends to focus on the famous Marvel characters like The Avengers but not on other aspects like X-men or better yet, heroes that haven’t even gotten their own movie but are just as amazing like Squadron Supreme , it’s equivalent to DCU’s Justice League.

Secret Invasion- Not gonna lie , I’m feening for Gravik.😳

DCEU- Another franchise that pushes its other characters to the side. For example, Hush (Thomas Elliot) is literally the epitome of Bruce Wayne gone bad!

Ross Lynch- There are so many roles that Ross did so well in Like Teen Beach Movie or Sabrina.

Highschool Musical Franchise (2006- present ) I’m not just talking about HSMTS (2019), I mean even further back than that. I don’t see any Troy Bolton x black!reader and that’s crazy. I also can’t find any Zac Efron x black!reader

Interview with a Vampire (1994) and (2022)

Austin Butler- He did well in his role as Elvis!

Vikings - There are a good amount but still!

Transformers

Suits

Saved By The Bell

The Goldbergs

Parks & Recreation

Leverage

The Outsiders

Heart of Stone

New York Undercover (1994)

Addams Family

Victorious

Matpat

ICarly

The Real Bros of Simi Valley (2017)

Think Like A Man (2012)

One on One (2001)

Scorpion (2014)

The King of Queens (1998)

G.I. Joe Franchise

Terminator

Beware the Batman (2013)

Any and all Asian Idols/Actors

Seal Team

Mortal Combat

Bill and Ted

Barbie

Detroit: Become Human

Will Trent

Bones

Tokyo Vice

Growing Pains

Graceful Family (Kdrama)[Any Asian Drama shows or movies would be great as well]

The Regime

Batman: The animated series

The Sympathizer

The Invitation

Jawbreaker

Hunger Games

Saved By the Bell

Eve (2003)

Yellowstone

Superstore

Rodrick Heffley

Tracker

Girlfriends

Grown-ish

CSI

Kingsman

Jury Duty

Scoot Pilgrim vs the world

21 Jump Street (The Show and Movies)

Sky High

The Outsiders

Left

Midsomer Murders

Wayne (perhaps college AU characters will be the actors age in real life)

Carrington Bornstein

Yakuza

He’s Harmless I swear ( Webtoon comic)

Kaleidoscope ( formerly Webtoon turned Tapas comic)

If anyone needs ideas for these franchises/movies/shows/actors/webtoons , then holla at me! I got you!

Also add more to the list if anything that you would like to see comes to mind.

Also tag black writers who you want to see this!

@sheabuttahwrites @shinsouscatpisssmell @cocoamoonmalfoy @heathenarmyimagines @cinewhore @cocoamoonmalfoy @stxxllaaa @glitterjuju @lilvampirina @breanime @blackmissfrizzle @afro-hispwriter @stargirlfics @lavenderursa @clydesducktape @pettyprocrastination @theblvckvenus @plantvenuss @punani @n-slayaaaaa @infernalodie @halfofmysoulsblog @iridecsense @tomhardydallasstarsgirl @supremethunda @thekrazykeke @canumoveurseatup-no @hiatuswhore @avintagekiss24 @ohcaptains @iguessweallcrazyithinktho @xsapphirescrollsx @sunflowertuliplily @bakarilennox @batfamily14 @ramp-it-up @blackreaders-assemble @royallyprincesslilly @funnyexel @blackterrae @slashisms @artemisthewh0re @shelbydelrey @toocriticalharlow @v-era-18 @vampsired @queenimmadolla @sinnerlillith @greengoblinswifey @apocalypse-shuffle

[nothingunrealistic]

Photos: DEAR EVAN HANSEN Kicks Off New UK Tour All new production photos have been released for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN, which opened at the Nottingham Playhouse on 9 September 2024, where it plays until 28 September, ahead of a UK tour. Ryan Kopel (Newsies) plays the iconic role of Evan Hansen, alongside Lauren Conroy (Into The Woods) as Zoe Murphy and Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) as Evan’s mum, Heidi. They are joined by Helen Anker (Mamma Mia!) as Cynthia Murphy, Richard Hurst (The Lion King) as Larry Murphy, Killian Thomas Lefevre (Bat Out Of Hell) as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson (Heathers) as Jared Kleinman, Vivian Panka (9 to 5 the Musical) as Alana Beck and Sonny Monaghan (discovered via TikTok) as alternate Evan. Lara Beth-Sas, Will Forgrave, Daniel Forrester, Jessica Lim, Sonny Monaghan and Elise Zavou complete the cast. 

[thousandfireworks]

Authors whose books you have to avoid because they are problematic.

Abigail Hing Wen.

Alex Aster.

Alice Hoffman.

Alice Oseman.

Alison Win Scotch. ‘Terrorism is never acceptable. Not in Israel.’

Allie Sarah.

Amber Kelly.

Amy Harmon.

Annabelle Monaghan.

Anna Akana.

Aurora Parker.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Brandon Sanderson. Islamophobic.

Carissa Broadbent. Said that hamas is doing violence against innocence.

Chloe Walsh. Siding with Israel in the name of humanity.

Christina Lauren. Believe that Israel is the victim. A racist, also Islamophobic.

Colleen Hoover.

Cora Reilly. Travel to Israel despite criticism.

Danielle Bernstein. Islamophobic.

Danielle Lori.

Deke Moulton. Said hamas is terrorist.

Dian Purnomo.

Eliza Chan.

Elle Kennedy.

Elyssa Friedland.

Emily Henry.

Emily Mclntire.

Emily St. J. Mandel. Admiring Israel.

Gabrielle Zevin. Wrote a book about anti-Palestine. Mentioned Israel multiple times without context on his book.

Gregory Carlos. Israeli author. A zionist.

Hannah Whitten.

Hazel Hayes. Reposted a post about October 7th.

Heidi Shertok.

Jamie McGuire.

Jay Shetty. ‘Violence is happening in Israel.’

Jean Meltzer.

Jeffery Archer. Wrote a book with a mc Israel operative (mossad) in a positive and anti terrorist light.

Jennifer Hartman. Liked a post about pro-Israel.

Jen Calonita.

Jessa Hastings.

Jill Santopolo. Said that Israel has right to exist and fight back.

John Green.

Jojo Moyes.

J. Elle.

J. K. Rowling. Support genocide. Racist. Islamophobic.

Kate Canterbery.

Kate Stewart.

Katherine Howe.

Katherine Locke.

Kristin Hannah. Support Israel. Shared a donation link.

Laini Taylor.

Laura Thalassa. Islamophobic.

Lauren Wise. Cussed that Palestinian supporters would be raped in front of children.

Lea Geller. Thanked people who supports Israel.

Leigh Dragoon. Islamaphobic and anti Asian racist rants on Twitter and threads

Leigh Stein.

Lilian Harris. A racist. Blocking people who educates about colonialism in Palestine and call them disgusting.

Lisa Barr. A daughter of Holocaust survivor. Support Israel.

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery.

Lisa Steinke.

Liz Fenton.

Lynn Painter. Afraid of getting cancelled as a pro-Palestine and posted a template afterwards.

L. J. Shen. Her husband joins idf (Israel army).

Mariana Zapata.

Marie Lu.

Marissa Meyer.

Melissa de la Cruz.

Michelle Cohen Corasanti.

Michelle Hodkin. Spread false rumors about arab-hamas. Islamophobic.

Mitch Albom. ‘We shouldn't blame Israel for surviving attacks or defending against them.’

Monica Murphy. Siding with Israel.

Naomi Klein.

Navah Wolfe.

Neil Gaiman. Suggested Palestinians unite with Israel and become citizens.

Nicholas Sparks.

Nic Stone. Talked nonsense that children in Palestinian refugee camp are training to be martyrs for Allah because they felt it was their call in life.

Nyla K.

Olivia Wildenstein. Blocking people who disagree with Israel wrongdoing.

Pamela Becker.

Penelope Douglas.

Pierce Brown.

Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Rebecca G. Martinez.

Rebecca Yarros. ‘I despise violence’ her opinion about what's happening in Gaza. Blocking people who calls her a zionist.

Rena Rossner.

Renee Ahdieh.

Rick Riordan.

Rina Kent.

Rivka (noctem.novelle).

Rochelle Weinstein.

Romina Garber. ‘These terrorist attacks do nothing to improve the lives of Palestinians people.’

Roshani Chokshi. Encourage people to donate to Israel.

Samantha Greene Woodruff.

Sarah J. Mass. Her book contained ideology of zionism.

Stephanie Garber. Promoting books by zionist author (Sarah J. Mass)

Skye Warren.

Sonali Dev.

Talia Carner.

Tarryn Fisher. Said ‘there was terrorist attack in Israel.’

Taylor Jenkins Reid. Posted a video about genocide.

Tere Liye. Rumoured to have ghoswriters to write his books and never give credit to them.

Tillie Cole.

Tracy Deon.

Trinity Traveler (Ade Perucha Hutagaol). Rumour to wrote book about handsome Israelis.

T. J. Klune.

Uri Kurlianchik.

Veronica Roth.

Victoria Aveyard. ‘Israel has the right to exist.’ quote from her about the issue.

V. E. Schwab. Shared a donation link and video about Israel.

Yuval Noah. ‘Israel has the right to do anything to defend themselves.’

Zibby Owens.

[madamebaggio]

“Are you seriously staring at my abs now?”

“They’re kind of great.”

“I can’t believe you. I’ve just turned into a merciless beast…”

“I told you I liked cats.”

“And you’re more concerned with objectifying me?”

“I’m not objectifying you!”

“You’re still staring at my abs!”

“I mean… Look at them.”

[white-cat-of-doom]

Closing night memories as Cast 15 of the Oasis of the Seas wrapped up their run last night.

One last Ad-Dress for the Tribe. (Source)

A pyramid of Kitties.

Sarah Moore as Jellylorum and Connor Dyer as Gus are not ready to depart.

Seven happy Cats!

With Sarah Moore as Jellylorum, Noah Lindquist as Chorus Tugger, Kane Verrall as Skimbleshanks, Rachael Aust as Demeter, Connor Dyer as Asparagus, Peter James Lake as Young Deuteronomy, and Eleanor Monaghan as Jennyanydots.

Candid shots of Dani Ciaramitaro as Rumpleteazer and Zoe Hartley as Cassandra.

Backstage with Joey Kummert as Mistoffelees, and a group of Queens with Gina Gagliano as Victoria, Zoe Hartley as Cassandra, Josie Harbertson as Sillabub, Dani Ciaramitaro as Rumpleteazer, and Alice Olby as Tantomile.

One last show (at least for now) for Regan Jackson as Coricopat and Peter James Lake as Young Deuteronomy.

Happy trails to everyone!

23 September 2024.

[daughter-of-melpomene]

𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭.

another fancast! this one is largely inspired by @ginevrastilinski-ocs and @manyfandomocs and how they inspired me to make some ocs of my own for this, but again, this is a made up of a combination of my own personal ideas and ones i’ve seen others have. and everyone is free to use any and all of these for themselves if they want!

natalie alyn lind — apple white, daughter of snow white.

olivia rodrigo — raven queen, daughter of the evil queen.

paulina singer — briar beauty, daughter of sleeping beauty.

aimee lou wood — madeline “maddie” hatter, daughter of the mad hatter.

abigail cowen — ashlynn ella, daughter of cinderella.

booboo stewart — hunter huntsman, son of the huntsman.

jedidiah goodacre — daring charming, son of prince charming.

milo manheim — dexter charming, son of prince charming.

dove cameron — darling charming, daughter of prince charming.

chase sui wonders — cerise hood, daughter of red riding hood.

whitney peak — cedar wood, daughter of pinocchio.

sydney sweeney — blondie locks, daughter of goldilocks.

chelsea clark — kitty cheshire, daughter of the cheshire cat.

hunter schafer — c.a. cupid, daughter of eros.

adeline rudolph — lizzie hearts, daughter of the queen of hearts.

cameron monaghan — sparrow hood, son of robin hood.

maude apatow — duchess swan, daughter of the swan princess.

isabela merced — rosabella beauty, daughter of beauty and the beast.

dylan o’brien — hopper croakington the second, son of the frog prince.

amandla stenberg — ginger breadhouse, daughter of the gingerbread witch.

zoey deutch — holly o’hair, daughter of rapunzel.

haley lu richardson — poppy o’hair, daughter of rapunzel.

ester expósito — faybelle thorn, daughter of the dark fairy.

amanda arcuri — farrah goodfairy, daughter of the fairy godmother.

lola tung — meeshell mermaid, daughter of the little mermaid.

owen patrick joyner — alistair wonderland, son of alice.

emma myers — bunny blanc, daughter of the white rabbit.

sophia anne caruso — courtley jester, daughter of the joker card.

also gonna tag @dancingsunflowers-ocs!!

[maladaptivedaydr3amer]

Fancasts for characters who aren’t really in any of the main groups!!:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narcissa Black as Emily Alyn Lind(SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL, SHE LOOKS LIKE A GODDESS HOW NARCISSA IS DESCRIBED! I LOVE HER)

Molly Prewett as Elizabeth Olsen (Elizabeth is so beautiful and as Molly, idk what else to say lol)

Bellatrix Black as Katie McGrath(SHE IS JUST SO AGJESIGEBSUHEE)

Alice Fortescue as Ruby Cruz( I think she just kind of hot and I also think Alice Fortescue is hot sooooo)

Ted Tonks as James McAvoy( of course, just of course)

Andromeda Black as Keira Knightley(who doesn’t faceclaim her as Keira)

Emma Vanity as Camila Mendes(but imagine her with a more sporty look, if you know what I mean)

Amelia Bones as Sydney Sweeney(she looks like a dumb blonde but like don’t underestimate her because she drop kick you with her WAND)

Fabian and Gideon Prewett as Cameron Monaghan(same person because you know their twins)

Petunia Evans as Vanessa Kirby(she does kind of look just like the actress that played her the movies)

Emmaline Vance as Nhung Hong(she is so pretty and I been imagining her as Emmaline for a while)

Frank Longbottom as Logan Lerman(Percy Jackson era)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think that’s enough I guess

[greensparty]

Movie Review: Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World / MaXXXine

This week I got to review two new ones: a documentary and a narrative.

Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World

On September 13, 1969, Canada hosted their big music festival about a month after Woodstock in the U.S. Toronto, Ontario had the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, at University of Toronto's Varsity Stadium. I didn't know too much about the concert festival itself beyond John Lennon's performance. John and wife Yoko Ono put together the Plastic Ono Band for this festival including guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Klaus Voorman, and drummer Alan White. That performance was released as a live album in late 1969, Live Peace in Toronto 1969. Beyond D.A. Pennebaker's 1971 documentary Sweet Toronto, the music festival never got the proper historical documentary treatment until now. Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World began its festival run in 2022 and has been doing indie film screenings in recent weeks as well as a digital release.

movie poster

Using the original 16mm footage that Pennebaker filmed of the concert as well as archival footage, newly shot interviews and animation, director Ron Chapman does a deep-dive into this concert headlined by Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Chicago, Alice Cooper, The Doors, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard as well as the Plastic Ono Band. This got some attention as it was the first big concert Lennon did outside of The Beatles. There's interviews with festival promotors John Brower and Ken Walker as well as Voorman, Cooper, and Robby Krieger of The Doors to name a few.

Ono and Lennon at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Show

I had the same feeling watching this as I had when I saw Summer of Soul, Questlove's doc about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Concert. While that was a very different story (had more to say about the era itself and the story of unearthing the doc footage became a part of the story as well), this is also a doc about a 1969 music festival that was in the shadow of Woodstock, but had some of the biggest names of that era and I was blown away by the archival footage of both. The centerpiece of this festival is that Lennon became a part of it and performed. I had heard their performance on the live album, but seeing it as well as the interviews about it coming together is a gift for Beatle fans like me!

For info on Revival69

3.5 out of 5 stars

MaXXXine

Ti West is one of the most exciting horror directors of this century. His third movie The House of the Devil was a powerful homage to 80s horror films on an ultra low budget. His follow up The Innkeepers was a worthy follow-up in the same slow burn vein. The found footage VICE journalists investigating a cult film The Sacrament was uneven at best. But he quietly came back with the one-two punch in 2022: the 1979-set X and the 1918-set Pearl (both among my Best Movies of 2022 list). West also found his muse in actress Mia Goth. She did double duty in X as adult film star Maxine Minx and the elderly land owner Pearl. But then we got the prequel of the early days of Pearl in 1918 and what lead her to be the way she was in the first film with Pearl. It's been two years, but the third in the trilogy MaXXXine opens this week from A24 with West, Goth and bigger cast than one would expect from this series.

movie poster

It's now 1985 and Maxine Minx is in Hollywood a few years after surviving the massacre in Texas from the first movie X. This isn't glitzy Hollywood, this is sleazy seedy Hollywood in the mid-80s. Maxine is still pursuing fame not just as an adult film star, but in mainstream movies now. But while doing sleazy jobs in between auditions, the city is fearing the Night Stalker, a serial killer walking the city at night in L.A. There are some cops looking to Maxine for answers played by Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale. There's a studio horror movie Maxine is working on with a director played by Elizabeth Debicki. There's an agent played by Giancarlo Esposito. There's a porn star friend played by Halsey. There's a shady private eye played by Kevin Bacon.

Mia Goth and Ti West on the red carpet

I wanted to like this after really liking the previous two especially Pearl and being a fan of Ti West. But boy was this a letdown and a half! It is a film that thinks it's hip and cool and it's not. The previous two films were low-budget and West was pulling out some serious scares. Here it feels like he had a much bigger budget and bigger cast and "hey look how 80s this is!!!" production design and costumes. It had so much potential which is what's so frustrating about this: the idea of setting the Maxine in the Reagan 80s at a time when heavy metal music was bubbling up from the underground, video nasty VHS videos and low budget horror were on the rise, and devil worship was more than just something on Geraldo - and all of these things were converging in 1980s Hollywood. There could've been an awesome horror movie and instead it was trying too hard to be mainstream and glossy. And another thing - through this whole movie it's bowing at the alter of Brian De Palma's highly underrated 1984 erotic thriller Body Double and then in the last third (semi-spoilers ahead) West goes all-in and films the climax at a house in the Hollywood Hills that if it's not the house from Body Double it's a pretty darn close replica. Dude - I'd rather just watch Body Double at that point!?! There's elements of House of the Devil....but it lacks the undercurrent of fear and tension that film had. The two things that do deserve credit are Giancarlo Esposito who stole the entire film (look closely and there's an element of Gus Fring from Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul in his character) and Mia Goth who blew me away with Pearl and here she rose above the weakest film in the trilogy. But both Goth and West can do much better and I hope they do with their next film(s).

For info on MaXXXine

2 out of 5 stars