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adultish-momma · 2 years ago

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Bonus Scene: Pay the Price

Yuu is not going to fall into the trap of doing the work without the title and the benefits thank you very much.

Warnings: The whole thing is just dialogue. I didn't write a single thing that wasn't being spoken out loud. It's mainly two separate conversations between two characters, but there are like, five 'speech bubbles' at the very end that is four distinct speakers, so feel free to ask me for clarification on who is speaking if you get confused!

A/n: While not fully on the "slander-Crowley" bandwagon (thank you weird complicated relationship with management/direct authority figures), no one is safe from Yuu's wrath. So let's cook some carrion.

P.S. If you want to place this in a timeline, the first conversation happens right after the beginning of Book 2, and the last conversation would be occurring soon into the interim of Book 2 and Book 3

"Crowley, I'm going to say this in the most polite and respectful way I can, but what the hell?"

"Language! Such aggression against your poor Headmage! Whatever have I done to deserve this treatment from my own student?"

"Did you or did you not just get out of another housewarden meeting?"

"Why yes, the meeting was actually quite productive for once. We were able to clear up some final details on an upcoming inter-dorm tournament. All because of my gracious guidance of course."

"An inter-dorm... Crowley, how many times do I need to tell you to invite me to Dormleader meetings? There is a student registered under my care, I have to know things! Like an inter-dorm tournament!"

"Yes yes yes, I'll remember next time, for I am oh so caring about my poor students' desires and needs. But would you look at that, I must be getting back to work, busy busy, running a school full of such unruly - I mean! Such energetic young men. Run along now Prefect, shoo, shoo"

--------

"Ah Headmaster, welcome back!"

"What- Wh- Prefect just what is the meaning of this?!"

"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just updating my schedule with all of the Dormleader meetings you have planned for the rest of the semester. Oh! I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty to make a copy of last meeting's notes as well, since I was already here and all."

"Prefect, this is completely out of bounds. I let you get away with a lot, for I am ever so gracious, but breaking into my office to steal confidential information is beyond crossing the line. The Prefect of Ramshackle you may be, but you are not a housewarden. You do not have the same level of access, nor the same privileges that they receive. You would do well to remember this."

"Mmm. Is that so? Well, alright, message heard loud and clear. I'll be going now, good luck with all that paperwork."

"Paper- Prefect what is this stack of papers you're leaving behind!? This is nearly as tall as my beak is long!"

"Oh, all that? That's all the paperwork every dorm has to have completed for the school. Stuff like budgets and activity proposals and student reports. There's some extra in this stack since Ramshackle is being re-established, so some of this is things like drafts of the dorm code of conduct and mock-ups of uniforms for the Ramshackle students. At least 20 pages are just the building inspection "this absolutely needs to be fixed" checklist."

"And why have you decided to leave your paperwork behind on my desk?"

"Because that's all paperwork for the dorm leader to fill out. And I'm not a dorm leader. So when a dorm has no house warden or vice house warden, that dorm's assigned staff member takes on the duties of house warden until a student replacement can be assigned as the new dorm leader. And seeing as you're Night Raven's esteemed HeadMage, I'm sure you're well aware of the fact that you are the assigned staff member for Ramshackle dorm."

"O-of course I knew that. And as the esteemed HeadMage of this institution, I am much too busy to be doing so much paperwork for only one dorm. I would love to help my poor magicless student, for my heart is filled with such sorrow thinking about your tragic situation. But I am afraid that if I take on the house warden paperwork for Ramshackle, on top of all the ever-so-important duties I have as HeadMage of Night Raven College, I will never be able to search for a way to send you home Prefect."

"Are you trying to blackmail me into doing the work of a dorm leader, but receiving none of the benefits that come with that title?"

"Why I would never do such an outrageous thing! Me, blackmail a student? Why, I was just lamenting over how terrible your situation already is, and how much potential it has to get even worse."

"Speaking of my situation, I bet it would make such an interesting story to the news outlets and reporters throughout Twisted Wonderland. The magicless student from another dimension, brought here against their will, started as a janitor and is now the top student in their grade at the revered Night Raven College for the Arcane Arts. What an underdog story. Personally, I think Professor Ambrose at RSA will enjoy hearing about just how generous you've been to poor pitiful me."

"Yuu, are you blackmailing me?"

"Dire, do you want me to do the Ramshackle paperwork?"

...

"What exactly is it that you want?"

------------------------------

"Oh! Prefect, I didn't expect to see you here. Crowley hasn't arrived yet if you were looking for him. But you'll have to make it quick, for we should be trying to start our House Warden meeting fairly soon after he gets here."

"Oh thank you Riddle, but I'm here for the meeting."

"Oi, Herbivore, your ears are working, right? House Warden meeting. As in, not for cubs like you. So move along, before that crazy crow comes. Can't get a moment of peace if he sees his 'precious Prefect'"

"Ah well you see, the thing is-"

"Amazing! I see everyone is here and ready for the meeting to start. First order of business. I'd like you all to meet Yuu, the new Ramshackle House Warden."

#twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland #rewrite au #rewrite bonus scene #twst dire crowley #no romance #strictly platonic #Im experimenting with my writing style #aka i didn't want to write any action or scene descriptions #but bonus scenes are meant for experimentation #Mirrors are Never to be Trusted

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bethansfandoms · 4 years ago

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Prompt suggestion — Remus masterminding a marauders prank (as usual) and Sirius just loves this version of his boyfriend so he's all heart eyes and he kinda stops paying attention to what he's saying and his minds starts wandering...

this prompt got a tiny bit away from me and is a little more marauders shenanigans with wolfstar on the side but anyway i hope you enjoy.

in the summer before their seventh and final year at hogwarts, remus and peter had stayed with the potters for the first two weeks rather than the last two as remus was going on holiday with his parents.

what this meant is when sirius greeted his boyfriend on the train station platform, he hadn’t seen him for four weeks and the closets he was allowed to get to fulfilling his desire to kiss him, was to embrace him in a brotherly hug which felt weird and wrong.

they’d planned to tell james and peter about them over the summer but when it transpired that remus would be away for the end of it, the beginning felt far too soon and both of them backed out.

sirius kept a hand on remus’ upper arm, squeezed, and then reluctantly let go as remus followed him onto the train. peter had claimed a carriage near the very back as the marauders needed top secrecy.

today was the day that their prank for the first day back of term would be finalised. of course, they hadn’t accounted for the fact that james potter would be made head boy. it hadn’t even been within the realms of possibility. james said he’d keep sneaking off patrolling the corridors to come and join them and him being head boy didn’t seem to deter his enthusiasm for the prank.

“hey moony, padfoot.” peter greeted. “how was france!”

remus smiled and told peter a few anecdotes as sirius listened to absolutely none of it and instead focussed on the fact that remus lupin had a tan.

remus never had a tan. during summer, he’d wear so much sun cream that his face actually got paler and the rest of his body was always concealed with clothing.

apparently remus’ freckles came out with the sun and sirius couldn’t stop thinking about the ones that smattered his nose and cheeks and how he’d quite like to kiss —

“okay, lads,” james snapped him out his daydream. “what’s the plan? quickly now because if evans notices in gone, i’m toast.”

remus grinned and pulled down a book from his trunk. “i researched it a lot. it’s entirely possible. even better, i think i found a way to choose what it says.”

a mischievous smile spread across james’ face. “you mean... when we put the spell on the sorting hat—”

“we can also add one that means it’s limited to whatever words we choose.”

james quickly stood and took out his invisibility cloak. “take this now incase i get called away. i assume you’ll be doing the spell, moony?”

the small smile that made it’s way onto remus’ face made sirius’ stomach flip. he loved remus like this. his eyes bright and excited with mischief, the dimple on his left cheek visible. sirius found himself contemplating just kissing remus right in front of them. that would probably give james and pete the message.

“sirius,” peter said, “any ideas?”

sirius blinked and looked quickly away from remus. “uh... about what?”

james laughed. “merlin, sirius, you feeling okay mate? this is the first and last prank we’re ever doing during the welcome feast and you’re a million miles away.”

remus smiled rather sheepishly at him. “any ideas as to what we should get the hat to say?”

they all went silent as they thought about it. well, the others all thought about it, sirius’ mind was still transfixed on the thought that kissing remus right here would be a pretty quick and effective way of coming out.

“we could get it to sing a song?” peter said slowly.

remus’ face lit up and sirius nearly did. kiss him for it. “pete, that’s brilliant! i don’t think i could get it to actually sing, but if we made it so every time it opened its mouth it could only say the lyrics to—”

“dancing queen?” james suggested. “i really feel like some abba.”

remus shrugged. “sounds great. peter?”

peter nodded enthusiastically, “if this works, we’re about to get the quickest detentions in hogwarts history.”

remus laughed, sirius decided his laugh was one of his favourite sounds. “sirius?”

sirius’ eyes flitted down to remus’ lips and it was mostly subconscious, however it meant that when he looked back up to remus’ eyes, he really couldn’t help himself.

sirius reasoned that they’d planned to tell james and pete at the end of summer originally and it was now the end of summer. sirius was also the one who’d requested they keep it a secret anyway and remus had always been okay with telling them. he also hadn’t kissed him for four weeks and he really needed to.

sirius cupped his face and felt remus laugh against his mouth as he kissed him. remus didn’t protest at all, instead he gripped the front of sirius’ shirt and pulled him slightly closer.

when they pulled away, james was watching them with a raised eyebrow and a grin and peter looked thoroughly surprised.

“that’s how you’re telling us about you?” james asked. “really?”

remus laughed again. “that was all sirius, i literally didn’t know he was about to do that.”

james shrugged and clapped sirius’ shoulder. “good on you. how long has it been then?”

“few months,” sirius replied, looking at remus and smirking a little.

james pouted. “weird. i only realised at the beginning of summer.”

“you knew?” sirius, remus and peter had all said it at the same time and it set them off laughing again.

“sirius, mate, you have the least discreet heart eyes known to man and this is coming from the guy who’s been pining after evans for years.”

sirius threw remus’ spell boom at him. “so you don’t mind?”

“as long as you two don’t break up and make me choose between you, i don’t mind.”

sirius gasped, “you’d choose me though, right?”

james looked to remus and hung his head. “i’m very sorry, moony, he’s my brother. you can have peter.”

“we’re not breaking up,” remus replied, rolling his eyes. sirius grinned and fought the urge to kiss him again. he quite liked the idea of being stuck with remus for the rest of his life.

+ bonus

sirius felt remus sit down next to him on the bench. they’d told the girls he was with madam pomfrey as the invisibility cloak would stay firmly on; appearing from nowhere would raise questions.

the group of shivering first years stood nervously in front of the stool, waiting. everyone else knew how this worked. the hat gave a speech, the sorting ceremony happened, they had the feast, they sung the school song.

the hat opened the the seam at the front and the hall went silent.

“you can dance, you can jive,” it’s voice rung out, “having the time of your life.”

some of the students got it immediately and burst into laughter. sirius couldn’t help but grin as well.

“see that girl, watch that scene, diggin’ the dancing queen.” remus was right, they hadn’t been able to get the hat to sing it, instead it recited the lyrics to abba’s dancing queen like profound and meaningful poetry.

mcgonagall had realised what was happening now and quickly waved her wand at the hat to stop it talking. some students booed in response.

she flicked her wand at the hat experimentally and waited for it to speak. “friday night and the lights are low.” she silenced it again.

the sorting was delayed until after the feast. they eventually managed to reverse the spell and the sorting hat gave it’s song, not one by abba, as normal.

after it was over, dumbledore announced it would be time for the school song. he flicked his wand and the lyrics appeared. everyone sung them in mismatched tempos, rhythms and pitches, just like always.

everyone aside from the marauders. they stood on the table and continued where the hat had left off. “looking out for a place to go! where they play the right music, getting in the swing, you come in to look for a king!”

the marauders, including remus as although nobody had seen him, they figured he was involved, were given detention on their first night back in the castle. mcgonagall informed them it was the quickest detention in hogwarts history and the first time gryffindor had ever been on minus house points.

to her dismay, they all seemed to see this as a grand achievement.

#wolfstar #remus lupin #sirius black #wolfstar fanfic #wolfstar fanfiction #marauders #remus lupin x sirius black #sirius black x remus lupin #mwpp #wolfstar oneshot #wolfstar prompts #wolfstar textpost #wolfstar prompt #wolfstar fluff

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gaypiratebrainrot · 2 years ago

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Water flowing underwater has eaten my brain. I've read it for the second time already. I can't even properly articulate why that is, it's just so fascinating. The way you swapped the names and included personality traits that could be attributed to either the fictional characters or the real people sort of forced the reader to engage with the story in a meta level from the beginning, and then there is the actual in-story meta, it's like a Russian doll of meta or something. I understand why you referred to it as experimental fanfiction. (There was even a moment I was tempted to copy the whole thing into a word document and do a name swap just to see how it would change my perspective to read it this way.)

I think the conversation around this fic, in the comments, in the asks, maybe even on twitter, is a testament to how clever and thought provoking it is. It's also amazing how all of it adds even another aspect of meta to the whole thing.

And leaving the meta aside for a moment, I also had to talk about the crying. Because honestly - I very rarely see it written this way in fanfic. Not dramatic or romantic, or someone sobbing his heart out. It just felt very real, an organic part of a sad situation. I don't really know how to explain it but I loved it.

Another interesting thing is how Stede keeps almost blaming Ed for each development, when it's mostly him initiating. And since it's from Ed's POV and he kind of accepts the blame, it's easy for the reader to do this too. I barely noticed this at first. And it makes the line about Ed accepting that Stede meant for this when he came a turning point in more than one way. Was that your intention?

Sorry it got so long, it's just such a fascinating (and very well written) story! Also, still periodically laughing at Javid Dankins. Don't even know why but it's just so so funny.

And where is the arrested development reference? I hadn't noticed it and I have to know now!

hi!! thank you so so much for this amazing ask!!

so i wrote the whole thing with their names being stede/ed, but there was an earlier draft with less meta scenes (the fan fiction discussion at the party and the infidelity in fan fiction conversation were late additions). i wasn't sure the meta was working at that point, so i made a google doc with the names switched back, and was amazed at how differently it reads. at one point i was considering publishing both versions just because i think the experiment of it is so fucking fascinating.

ya, the bonus meta of the twitter wank is giving me life. couldn't have written it better myself lmao.

re: who's to blame, one of the thought loops i run about this story is thinking about the scene right after they have sex, and ed is calling stede out for his actions--i always think "BUT YOU STARTED IT ED" lmao. i think i said it in another ask, but intention is such a slippery thing for me, both when it comes to asking about a characters intentions and about my own authorial intentions. there's a lot left unsaid about exactly how stede is mentally navigating all of this, and i strongly believe it's up to reader interpretation!

never apologize for sending me long asks about this fic! i am ecstatic to finally have you all in my head after being alone with all of this for the last month :)

and the arrested development reference is "hugs gotta end sometime" <3

#asks #water flowing underground #thank you!!!

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bergdg · 3 years ago

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Strixhaven Students: Prismari

In this five-part series, I’ll be creating a brand new Dungeons and Dragons character who would call one of the colleges of Strixhaven home. Each character will be built using content released in either published books or in Unearthed Arcana (UA) documents, such as the recently released Mages of Strixhaven UA.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Fizzik Mythstone, Inspired Loremaster.

Art by ArtDeepMind - Link

From his earliest memories, Fizzik Mythstone seemed destined to join the family ranks in attending Strixhaven and being a student of Lorehold: there were many famous artificers amongst his relatives, including his uncle Hofri Ghostforge. As part of the family business, Fizzik's father trained young Hofri in the mystical arts of artifact restoration.

However, Hofri dreamed of what life could be beyond his family's plans, for Hofri had a love of the performing arts. As they worked in the family forge, Fizzik’s father would tell him the stories of the ancient weapons they worked on and the heroes who had wielded them. Hofri absorbed these tales, imagining how they could be adapted and performed. Eventually, he acted on his creative impulses and began to turn those stories into plays. And as he dreamt of larger stories, he began to learn different forms of magic to augment his productions.

When the time came to attend Strixhaven, he took his various skills and made a name for himself within his first year. Using the grand library of the Biblioplex, he even developed new methods of artifice that could be used for the stage. He eventually drew the attention of the two Prismari Deans, who offered him a place in their college.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 13

Constitution: 8

Intelligence: 15

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 12

Fizzik’s primary skills are his intelligence and ability to apply research that he has uncovered. He was trained from an early age to be an artificer, so spent a lot of time lifting heavy weights around the shop and then deftly moving between the various shelves. This ability came in handy when he started to work behind the scenes in various stage productions.

Race: Hill Dwarf

Fizzik comes from a long line of dwarves. When it came to looking at which sub-race to choose, I eventually settled on being a Hill Dwarf, as the Mountain Dwarf build felt like a more martial character; as Fizzik will show you, his skills lay in an arena different from the battlefield. The nice part about the dwarf race is that you get a +2 to Constitution, which helps to even out his “dump” stat.

Proficiency: Mason's Tools

Background: Entertainer

Throughout his youth, Fizzik's greatest joy came as he recreated tales of history for audiences. And while he was decent enough at acting the parts, he found greater value in the arts surrounding the theater: script writing, set and costume design, and directing. This was much to his parents' disgruntlement, unfortunately, as they (especially his father) felt that this pursuit was frivolous.

Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance, Disguise Kit, and Lute

Level 1: Artificer (Level 1)

Fizzik was trained by his father from a young age in the family business: artifact restoration. In his workshop, they examined ancient weapons, finely glazed pottery, and old books with brittle pages. As they worked, Fizzik learned about the spells and enchantments that wizards from eras past would place on them. And although he found the work a bit tedious, hearing the tales of history from his father as they worked sparked his imagination.

While Fizzik began his journey as an artificer, he eventually multiclasses so that he can pick up the Mage of Prismari subclass, which isn't offered to the artificer in this UA. In order to differentiate the types of magic learned between them, Fizzik specializes in different types of spells depending on his class. As an Artificier, these are Transmutation spells.

Starting Class Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Carpenter's Tools

Spells:

Cantrips: Mending, Prestidigitation

Leveled Spells: Catapult, Feather Fall

Level 2: Wizard (Level 1)

In his spare time, Fizzik would develop plays based on the stories he had heard about ancient heroes and the artifacts they wielded. He held his productions at a community center where the elderly dwarves would congregate after they retired. And while his productions were decent, he had dreams about making them grander.

One day while looking through some ancient histories, he came across a leather-bound tome, The Magiks of Theatre. Sneaking the book away into his private collection, he spent any free moment poring over its pages. He quickly mastered all sorts of new spells and began to implement them into his storytelling productions.

As mentioned before, in order to differentiate the types of magic learned between them, Fizzik specializes in different types of spells depending on his class. As a Wizard, these are Evocation and Illusion spells.

Spells:

Cantrips: Dancing Lights, Firebolt, Ray of Frost

Spellbook Spells: Burning Hands, Color Spray, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Thunderwave

Level 3: Artificer (Level 2)

Eventually, the fateful day came, as it had for many generations of his family: he was accepted to attend Strixhaven University. With one final, "Don't forget that Lorehold is in your blood," from his father, he was out of the house and feeling more free than he had ever been.

He loved most everything about this new experience; he even enjoyed the Basics of Archeology class his father had insisted on him taking, due to an exceptionally engaging Kor professor. But most of all, he loved discovering the countless mysteries held within the Biblioplex.

There, he uncovered some ancient texts from places of which he had never heard, such as the Undercity of Ravnica. He learned about some secret arts, in which various magic inks that could contain certain spells. These spells could then be cast by those on whom the ink was painted or tattooed (depending on the ink's properties), regardless of their own spellcasting abilities (or even lack thereof). He immediately saw how this could augment some ideas he had for some theater productions. After months of experimentation, he was able to replicate them via artificer infusions, a skill he had learned from his father.

Infusions:

Enhanced Arcane Focus

Replicate Magic Item - Masquerade Tattoo

Replicate Magic Item - Moodmark Paint

Replicate Magic Item - Spellwrought Tattoo, 1st Level

Spells:

Leveled Spells: Expeditious Retreat

Level 4: Wizard (Level 2)

Using his ink techniques and his knowledge from The Magiks of Theatre, Fizzik began to produce some plays starring his friends and other fellow first-year students. Word soon spread, eventually coming to the attention of Deans Uvilda and Nassari of Prismari.

After one especially rousing retelling of The Saga of Hafwyt the Curious, the two Deans approached Fizzik after the show. They congratulated the Dwarf for his retelling. Dean Uvilda commented on the brilliant use of his magic ink to create Illusory costumes, while Dean Nassari gushed over the various spells used to create lighting and sound effects. And together, they extended the invitation to join their college.

It was what Fizzik had dreamt of for a long time, as several of his friends he had made also belonged in Prismari. But he was hestitant to do so, kept back by his family's expectation for Lorehold.

One day, his famed Uncle Hofri came to give a guest lecture on artifact restoration for Fizzik's archeology class. Hofri managed to grab Fizzik as class ended, requesting they grab a bite to eat together to catch up. During that time, Hofri noticed something about his nephew. With a gentleness Fizzik didn't expect, Hofri gave him the space to open up about the Prismari offer. After a moment passed, Hofri said the following:

"You know, everyone's path to greatness is their own. If everyone trod the same path as everyone else, we would never have amazing stories to tell. Tell you what; I'll worry about uncovering history, and you be the best storyteller you can be so that everyone else can hear about it and discover it themselves."

That statement of support meant everything to Fizzik, and he accepted the offer from the Prismari Deans later that day.

Subclass: Mage of Prismari

Creative Skills: Two additional skill proficiencies

Athletics and Nature

Kinetic Artistry: You can dash as a bonus action. When you do, you can do one of the following: Boreal Sweep, Scorching Whirl, or Thunderlight Jaunt

Spells:

Spellbook Spells: Illusory Script, Magic Missile

Level 5: Wizard (Level 3)

Fizzik's knowledge of the theater grew leaps and bounds as a student in his new college. He began to adapt more intricate stories of legends past, and his productions moved to the large Prismari stages. Soon, crowds from Strixhaven and across Arcavios were in attendance of his shows. Even his uncle Hofri came periodically, especially if Fizzik had adapted a dwarven myth to the stage. But his parents never seemed to have the time to attend; there was always too much work to be done in the shops at home.

Spells:

Spellbook Spells: Blur, Continual Flame

Concept Art for Prismari Campus

After level five, I see Fizzik continuing to progress as a wizard, which has stronger ties to his time as a Prismari student. If I were to advance Fizzik in levels of Artificer, I would most likely pick Battle Smith as his class, with the Steel Defender being his primary stage hand for his many shows. I also see a time when he eventually reconciles with his family, especially since he has support from his uncle, the legendary Hofri Ghostforge.

Now, I will turn it over to you. If you were to play a character from Prismari College, what type of character would you build?

Next, we’ll be meeting a character from Silverquill.

Getting the word out: @flavoracle @kor-artificer @askkrenko @vorthosjay @wizardsmagic

#prismari #strixhaven #magic the gathering #dnd

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friendofspidermannedleeds · 4 years ago

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2020 overview: writing edition

Tagged by the loveliest and kindest of friends, @momentofmemory.

I’m not tagging anyone because I’ve not been around and am sure most have done this by now, but if you’re reading this and you’ve not been tagged and would like to participate please say I tagged you! <3

1. List of works published this year

The Kid Really is Smitten (Peter & Happy, Peter/MJ. 233) Nightmares and New Beginnings (May & Peter. 733) Normal Teenager Stuff (May & Peter. 5+1, 1.8k) Breaking a Promise (May & Peter, May & Tony. 3.3k) Carry Me (Morgan & Happy. 1.2k)

Fictober 2020 Series * Works around 1k+ include: Somebody to Talk To (May & Karen. 1.8k) Fireproof (Happy & Peter. 904) Flight Conversation (MJ & Peter. 967) Incalculable Worth (Ben & Peter. 2.8k) Regrets (May & Peter. 1.2k) A Nice Peaceful Afternoon (Mr. Harrington and the AcaDec kids. 3k)

Knowing (Peter/MJ, May & MJ. 2.5k) Forever Ours (May & Peter, May/Ben. 3.8k) 2. Work you are most proud of (and why)

I think it would have to be Incalculable Worth from my Fictober series. I’m forever disappointed in the Ben Parker erasure of the MCU and had been wanting to give him the respect he deserves. Most of this fic came to me much more quickly than my typical writing inspo (that Fictober deadline magic!), and even though I still have things I might change about the final product, I’ve never been so pleased with a fic’s result and reception. Several lovely people stumbled across this fic on Ao3 and left kind comments about how moved they were, which makes me think that I did what I set out to do!

3. Work you are least proud of (and why)

This would be Nightmares and New Beginnings. I just think it’s weird. I was so new to fic when I wrote it and was feeling experimental one night. I normally write quite slowly and edit a lot, but the idea for this one came to me after midnight and I published the fic before 2am. I hated it when I woke up and nearly deleted it. Two months later, as I was beginning to post Fictober on Ao3, I almost deleted it once again. The words of one extremely kind commenter saved it from destruction, however, so it’s still there!

4. A favorite excerpt of your writing

This is going to be hard for me because I don’t actually enjoy my writing for its composition! I like the concepts and character interactions a lot but I’m not terribly proud of my actual writing ability yet. 😬

My favorite thing I’ve written lately is the ending to Forever Ours, my new fic about May and Ben adopting Peter, but I don’t want to put it here because it might be a very minor spoiler.

So here’s a little section of Trust, my last Fictober ficlet. I liked it because May’s inner turmoil over Peter’s Spider-Man life is one of my absolute favorite things to write about.

What troubles her most is this: whatever is out there, whoever he’s fighting—they won’t know he is fifteen. That he’s a child. That he loves Legos, and Star Wars, and science puns, and Mathletes. But what can she say?

He’s not asking for permission. He’ll do this no matter what she says, and they both know it.

He is asking for her blessing.

5. Share or describe a favourite review you received

This review meant so much to me! This lovely commenter read multiple May and Ben Parker fics and it was so nice to find that I’m not the only one who wants more of the Parker family than what we get in the MCU. It made me feel like my niche writing wasn’t of interest to me and me alone after all. :)

6. A time when writing was really, really hard

Halfway through Fictober, I lost one of the most important people in my life. It was devastating. Writing was nice about 90% of the time, and actually a nice distraction that helped me take a break from the grief. But sometimes it wasn’t, sometimes it felt impossible, and that was when I’d just skip writing or posting and wait until it would serve me again. (So I finished Fictober a little later than I wanted to, but I have 0 regrets about that.)

7. A scene of characters you wrote that surprised you

I only wrote one thing that wasn’t an MCU Spidey fic, and that was Carry Me with Morgan and Happy. I wasn’t expecting to write it at all, and it’s not one of my favorite finished fics, but I really enjoyed the process.

8. How did you grow as a writer this year

I grew by writing fic for the first time! My job for the majority of this year involved a lot of nonfiction copywriting, so I’m an experienced writer, but I had no idea what writing would be like outside my “professional life.” I’m glad I tried it!

9. How do you hope to grow next year

I’m hoping to finish and publish a longer (for me) fic! I’m currently working on Penance, a fic about MCU Spidey’s origins and Uncle Ben’s influence. It should be at least 6-7k by the time I’m finished. I know that is actually short, but I haven’t even cracked 4k yet 😂 Longer fics stress me out because I don’t feel confident enough in my ability to tie together so many words, and I also can’t come up with plots to save my life. So this will be a stretch for me and I am looking forward to it!

10. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta of cheerleader or muse etc. etc.)

This is, without question, @momentofmemory. For so many reasons. (Sorry in advance for how rambly this will get, my friend.)

Mem’s writing (particularly this May fic that is perfection and no I will never stop rec’ing it til the day I die thank you) is to blame/thank for getting me into fic in the first place. I’d been here in the Spidey fandom on Tumblr but I didn’t trust fanfic because I’d seen my most beloved characters shoved to the side/killed off in too many stories. I began 2020 hating all fanfic tbh. But then I read Mem’s captivating masterpieces (like this, the greatest one-shot!) and opened my heart to fic that celebrates the worlds I love!

Mem is the kindest human ever. She read ALL of my Fictober works and left the kindest comments that made my heart soar. Knowing that my favorite author had taken the time to read all of that motivated me to write more than anything else has this year!

Sometimes, when I was trying to write fic but felt burned out or uninspired, I’d go and read Mem’s writing. Her prose is divine, her dialogue is realistic, her characters and their relationships are so well thought-out--her work inspires me! I’d read it and feel excited by the ways that we can use our words to create beautiful things, and though I’m not anywhere near her level, I do think that reading her work has made me a better writer.

Bonus positive influence: @i-lovethatforme! Jess, thank you for being the world’s best cheerleader, for being endlessly kind and supportive, and for being my first ever beta in November. I go back and read your wonderful comments whenever I’m doubting myself. You’re an absolute gem and ilysm ❤

11. Anything from real life show up in your writing this year?

Yep. Regrets is about grief, and I was grieving pretty heavily when I wrote it. Peter’s regrets didn’t necessarily mirror mine, but writing it was still a cathartic experience.

12. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers

Write what you want to write! Since I don’t do IronDad or smut, I wasn’t sure if anyone in the MCU Spidey fandom would be interested in my work. I thought briefly about trying to write based on what I thought people would read, but I decided against it. I enjoy writing platonic friendships and family fic more than anything else, so that’s what I publish most. I write what I want to write, and it’s made me so happy!

13. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year?

I have a few things I’m excited about! I’ve got some Spideychelle ficlets that might be a series. They’ll focus on Peter and MJ after coming back from The Blip, featuring MJ trying to ignore her crush and Peter developing a crush. The other is Penance, the MCU Spidey origins/Ben Parker story.

14. If you could recommend only one work from yourself published this year

I think I’d say Knowing, my fic about Peter/MJ that’s more about MJ & May bonding. I just love these two women with all my heart, and I’m proud of the way this one turned out because I think it honors both of them pretty solidly.

15. End of Year word count

36,625 words! It’s not a lot in comparison to other writers but it’s a huge accomplishment for me!

#love u mem #thanks for the tag #<3 #tag games #tag game #my fic #2020 recap

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harkasun · 4 years ago

Text

By the Shadows of Dusk

For permetstu and izzymalec’s 5 Months of Shadowhunters Challenge!

Read HERE on Ao3 or read below

Week 12: Favourite Episode

↳ By the Light of Dawn (Season 2, Episode 10)

***

A sound from outside the room startles Magnus upright.

A gasp catches halfway out of his mouth as he wakes, lifting a hand to hold his neck as the air hits raw and painful in the back of his throat. It takes him a minute to realise where he is, what had happened before he had returned to his apartment and fallen asleep.

Memories of the institute fill his mind, of finding Madzie and taking her to Catarina’s, of returning to the scene of a massacre and being unable to find Alec.

It had been awful and terrifying, but, after all that ordeal, Alec had told him he loved him. It was incredible, if not slightly overwhelming. Magnus hadn’t heard those three little words for a very long time.

Now, the room is empty aside from himself, which isn’t unnatural by any means. It is the sound from outside that is strange. His loft is not a place that can be broken into easily. His warding doesn’t permit access to just anyone. Maybe it is just because of the events that transpired the night before, but paranoia is quickly setting in.

Magnus eases himself out of bed, snapping the magic to his hands as he steps lightly towards the door. There is another clatter from out in the loft. Frowning, Magnus tries to figure out how they could get past his wards. It is something he will have to question once he has them contained.

He is just glad Alec returned to the Institute and is out of danger.

Footsteps alert him to the person moving, echoing closer and closer and he wrenches the door aside, casting a hand out to flare the magic to his fingertips, prepared to challenge the intruder, to send his power to bind them.

Alec startles violently, almost spilling the contents of the mug he held, cradling it anxiously with his free hand. “By the Angel, Magnus,” he chides, eyes scanning the floor to ensure it hadn’t spilt before glancing back to his boyfriend.

Magnus immediately lowers his hand, banishing the magic in the process. “I’m sorry, I didn’t...” He shakes his head, swallows hard at the realisation that he might have hurt the shadowhunter had he not managed to control himself. “I heard someone in the apartment. I didn’t know you’d still be here.”

They had returned to the apartment together after their ordeal at the institute. Shadowhunters had died too. They talked for hours about those who had been lost. Magnus supposes he had fallen asleep. He had assumed that Alec must have gone back to the Institute by now.

It is just now dawning on him that—since he fell asleep on the sofa—Alec must have carried him to bed like a child. Embarrassment flushes his cheeks and he ducks his head a little in attempt to hide it, a hand lifting to rub the back of his neck.

Alec looks at him strangely, but doesn’t comment on his sudden coyness. “Of course I’m still here... What, you think I’d leave you after everything that happened?”

“Well, yes, I suppose that’s exactly what I thought.”

Alec blinks, narrows his eyes. “Magnus, people died. People you knew. I know there weren’t any warlocks there, but still... they were downworlders. They were your people.”

Magnus works his jaw briefly, casting his gaze away from Alec’s own. He doesn’t want to think about them, about the wolves and vampires and seelies who died trying to prevent Valentine from accomplishing his mission with the soul sword. He has enough loss to weigh his heart.

“You don’t have to talk about it,” says Alec, still so gentle. “It’s probably not something you want to dwell on… You’ve been sleeping for a few hours; for most of the afternoon really.” He pauses a moment, lifts the mug half-heartedly. “I made you some tea. You don’t have to drink it.”

Magnus ducks his gaze, takes the mug in both hands. “Thank you, Alexander,” he utters, glancing back up to him. “I appreciate you being here.”

Alec cants his head softly. “Then why does it feel like you want me to leave?”

Magnus huffs, halfway to amusement. It doesn’t hit right, however. There isn’t a trace of mirth in the exhaled breath. “Alec, I’m not... I’m not used to people staying. I’m just waiting for the day that you... that you decide I’m too difficult to love.”

“Hey,” Alec says, comes forward to set a hand to the small of Magnus’s back. “I said I loved you and I meant it.”

Magnus regards him a moment, ponders this strange, wonderful man in front of him. The simple fact that he had stayed when Magnus expected him to leave is almost overwhelming.

The tea is an unexpected bonus too. Magnus takes an experimental sip, although the aroma is enough for him to know it is caramel. Alec can’t have known that this is Magnus’s idea of pure comfort after a difficult day. He must have told Alec once and forgotten about it.

“Magnus…”

“Thank you,” says Magnus again, realising he has been quiet for too long, “for the tea… but you are under no obligation to be here. I’m sure you have things to be getting on with back at the institute.”

Alec frowns at him, but Magnus is moving now, taking alternating sips of his tea. He moves to the apothecary, sets his mug down on the table so his hands are free to check his journal. He skims through his appointments, disappointed to see he has nothing for weeks.

“Magnus,” Alec says and Magnus glances to see the shadowhunter stood in the doorway. “If you want me to leave, please just ask me. Don’t shut me out without an explanation.”

Magnus shakes his head. “I don’t want you to leave,” he says, allowing himself vulnerability, just for a moment. “I just don’t want you to feel like you need to stay… I’ll be fine on my own. I’ve been fine before.”

Alec presses his lips tight together in thought. He turns his head, warm, orange light hitting his eyes and making them glow. “Sun’s going down,” he says in a quiet observation, his attention coming back to the warlock. “I want to stay, if you’ll have me. You don’t have to be alone anymore…” He pauses a moment, perhaps considering if that was too intimate. “Will you watch the sunset with me?”

Magnus’s eyes narrow and he nods, once and shortly.

Alec leads him out onto the balcony, holds the glass door open for him. Together, they lean against the wall of the balcony, overlooking the city and the bridge and the water that shines like fire under the orange sun. Magnus absently drinks his tea.

They watch as the sun slowly sinks towards the horizon; basking in a comfortable silence as they wait for dusk to fall.

Magnus thinks about how Alec stayed. Without even thinking, the shadowhunter had stayed to watch over him, to make him tea and watch the sunset. It is love in its purest and simplest form. Sometimes Magnus feels cheated by life—by his immortal curse—but he is grateful for it now. All that time, he was heading for this; he just didn’t know it.

Alec is staring at the horizon, a strange look in his eyes. He seems low; sad. It is understandable. He lost many of his fellow shadowhunters in that fight; that fight that Madzie chose to spare him from. Magnus knows he is susceptible to survivor’s guilt. It is simply in his nature.

“Do you ever worry that the sun won’t come back up after it sets at night?”

Magnus blinks through sipping his tea, a soft pinch to his brow as he swallows and places his mug down on the wall of the balcony. “No,” he says gently. “I’ve found it’s one of the only constants in life. The sun may set, but it always rises again… It always comes back.”

Alec looks to him, his eyes soft. The setting sun casts shadows over his face, dark and dramatic, and Magnus thinks to himself that the shadowhunter has never looked more beautiful. Alec might be anxious and self-critical and sometimes a little sad, but he is so much more than a few clouds over his mind.

The relief from him when they had embraced outside the Institute in the aftermath of Valentine’s massacre was enough to show Magnus his truest colours. Alec is protective and honest and his heart is so filled with kindness, such a capacity for love.

“Kiss me,” requests Magnus, turning to him. “Let me show you the sunrise.”

Alec frowns. “I don’t understand.”

“You will.”

Alec drops his hands to Magnus’s waist, a focused furrow to his brow as he pulls the warlock in for a soft, but open-mouthed kiss. Magnus puts his arms around the back of Alec’s neck and reaches out with his magic, allows, for a moment, their minds to join as one.

Hundreds of thousands of sunrises bloom behind closed eyes, skies of pink and orange and purple and blue, the soft pastels of dawn brightened with the scattering rays of the sun. Magnus shows him the dawns of his life, the greatest sunrises of all his days on this earth. It always comes, Magnus thinks fiercely, desperate to soothe Alec’s worrisome mind. The dawn always comes.

The light fades as they break apart, still close enough for Magnus to press their foreheads together.

“Magnus,” Alec breathes out his name and the warlock looks to see his eyes are still closed.

“The sun will always come up,” says Magnus, drops his arms to hold and squeeze Alec’s hands. “I promise you, Alexander… You may have to wait a while every now and then, but the sun will always rise eventually. It is the only true thing in this world.”

Alec shakes his head, his eyes opening. “No,” he says, swallows hard. “Not the only thing…”

A soft smile takes Magnus’s lips and he lifts his head to meet Alec’s kiss, deeper now than before. The final trace of blinding light sinks below the horizon and the sky falls to dusk.

The sun will return, however, and with it will come the light of dawn.

#i have a lot of favourite episodes #but magnus waiting in his apartment being all worried #and alec being so scared for him after the sword #and the love confession #thats the good stuff #shappreciation #5mos #malec #malec fic #magnus bane #alec lightwood #shadowhunters #my fic #there are way too many good episodes!!#this was a good excuse to force myself into finishing this fic though

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lytefoot · 6 years ago

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Fleur Delacour

favorite thing about them: I like that Fleur is, from her introduction, obviously a bad-a** to the reader, despite the fact that Harry was distracted by her looks. Looking back after we get to know her, we can absolutely see that she was that person all along–even though we didn’t notice at the time, either.

least favorite thing about them: Err… I… feel like a lot of her personality was a giant Stereotype About The French? Especially the accent. I mean, I love so much about JKR’s writing, but the way she writes accents is just really annoying, Like the way that accent was written was written is the number one thing that suggests that Fleur is meant to be annoying.

favorite line: I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk!

brOTP: Fleur and Hermione. So I had remembered Hermione, rather than Harry, being the one to stand up for Fleur (“Fleur’s not stupid, she was good enough to enter the Triwizard Tournament.”) during the scene where she’s being set up in HBP, and I honestly rather like that universe better… but anyway. I just imagine Fleur and Hermione sitting together off to the side of gatherings and commiserating about the trials of marrying into the Weasley family (and being the only people in the room with any sense (what are you talking about, Hermione, you’re as bad as they are)). And based on her spell work every time we see it? I like to think she’s one of the small number of people in the world Hermione can have an interesting conversation about magical theory with.

OTP: I like Fleur with Bill, I really do. I think they’re a really dynamic couple.

nOTP: I haven’t actually seen any objectionable Fleur ships? All of the ones I’ve seen have been really interesting.

random headcanon: Fleur spent the entire second wizarding war gradually realizing what this family she’d married into was actually like. Like, okay, Bill is a member of an underground resistance organization, yes good, she’d expect nothing less, she would like to join too. And his dorky baby brother is doing what now? Now his dorky baby brother has shown up on her doorstep half-starved, get that child a sandwich (Fleur thought of the trio as infants in the way that only someone about four years older can). You’re not letting him go back out there, are you? You’re… wait, you’re disap– of course you are. Well, he’s gone now–and now they’re all… oh my f***, you people are insane.

I just imagine Fleur sitting her kids down before Victoire goes away to Hogwarts–so they’d be, what, something like 11, 9 and 6, and saying something like, “All right, listen up you little s***s. I realize that you’re Weasleys and this is probably hopeless, but if I hear that any of you has sacrificed your life in a stupid g*d-d**n game of murder chess, or tested experimental potions on yourselves, or gone within fifty feet of a dragon (Cerce’s t*ts), I will personally turn up and ground you until you’re fifty. Is that absolutely clear? You show some sense of self-preservation. Don’t make me look bad.”

(For some reason, I imagine Fleur cussing as much as any Weasley, but all her cussing is in French so, like, only Bill can tell.)

And then Victoire was a Ravenclaw, and Fleur gave this enormous sigh of relief. They must have gotten some common sense from her side.

Dominique and Louis were both Gryffindors.

Bonus, because now I’m really thinking about her this is obvious. Listen, you can’t tell me the Delacours were strangers to the rise of dark lords. They’re French, FFS! And her grandmother was a veela! Her grandparents would have been meeting and falling in love during Grindelwald’s rise.

And then Fleur was at the tri-wizard tournament. She knew Cedric. They were friends. Voldemort personally murdered her friend.

This girl didn’t just happen to come to England when Voldemort was rising, fall in love with Bill, and stay to fight with the Weasleys. She came to England because her grandfather always told her, we must never let this happen again, and she was not going to sit at home while England was letting the next dark lord establish himself. (Not that the cute boy she’d spotted during the tournament, who was obviously going to be her in with the resistance, wasn’t a bonus. But you know, she wasn’t mostly there for the boy.)

unpopular opinion: The statements, “Fleur is an awesome character, a bad-a**, and shouldn’t be spurned for her looks or mocked for her accent” and “Fleur was really rude to the Weasleys and gave them no particular reason to like her” are not mutually exclusive.

song i associate with them: I can’t think of a good Fleur song right now. In light of the second headcanon, I’m gonna go ahead and use Go!

favorite picture of them: This one! Welcome to the Weasley family, we punch Death Eaters!

#fredgeorge123 #fleur delacour

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amandajoyce118 · 6 years ago

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Aquaman Easter Eggs And Comic Book References

I’ve seen Aquaman a few times over the last couple of weeks, and I finally got around to sitting down and typing up my list of Easter eggs. It’s unlikely I caught everything, but you know, it’s always fun to try.

There are spoilers in the list for the movie since plenty of the plot points where Easter eggs occur are major moments in the movie. By this point, you know the drill. I kept mainly to comic book references, but there’s the odd pop culture one in here as well.

Obviously, there are other pop culture references as well. Everything from The Karate Kid to Pinocchio seems to get a shout out. The more general pop culture knowledge isn’t going to be here. I also didn’t list every single character who comes from the comics unless I thought there was something specific about their appearance that deserved a nod.

DC Logo

Because Warner Brothers produces all of the DC Comic movies, the DC logo appears following the Warner Brothers one, usually. This time around, the logo doesn’t just flash in its cute CGI glory. Instead, it appears as though it’s underwater.

The Opening Sounds

In addition to the DC Logo being submerged, there’s also the sound of a sonar ping and a humming that you wouldn’t really notice as anything important. Turns out, it matches the sounds made by the trident at the end of the movie. (I only noticed this on a second viewing.)

Jules Verne

Arthur’s narration that opens the movie gives a nod to genre writer Jules Verne as he quotes the author. The hidden sea also provides a nod to Verne’s classic Journey To The Center of the Earth (though it is also a comic book locale from a recent story where Mera and Arthur discovered Atlanna was alive and leading an island full of exiled Atlantean descendants).

Amnesty Bay

This is the comic book location where Arthur Curry makes his home on land. The whole Tom Curry as his dad, owning the lighthouse, etc, is out of one of the newer comic book origin stories. The difference is that in the comics, when Arthur is an adult, his father is dead. It’s nice that the movie kept Tom alive. (In modern comics, as in, last year, Mera even lives in Amnesty Bay while she’s recovering from injuries.)

1985

I don’t know why this year in particular struck me, but I thought Atlanna ending up in Amnesty Bay that year had to be significant. After all, Jason Momoa was born in 1979, so it’s probably not a result of trying to get his age lined up with Aquaman. Here are a few things that happened in 1985: Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) was born and the Crisis on Infinite Earths event debuted. The latter seems more likely of an Easter egg nod, but we may never know.

The TV Show

The show playing on Tom Curry’s television when he brings Atlanna back to the lighthouse? That would be Stingray, a show that used puppets as underwater heroes. The group had their own submarine and a princess from an underwater kingdom. The show originally aired in the 60s, the same decade the Aquaman comic book series was originally published.

Dunwich Horror

The book under the snowglobe on the coffee table is by H.P. Lovecraft. It’s a collection of short stories, one of which is the title story. In it, a son is born of two different species, much like Arthur.

Atlanna’s Crafty

She’s got a box on the table at the lighthouse, yes? You’ll notice that its design is very similar to the motherbox. Perhaps she spent a great deal of time guarding it. That might be why we get Mera saying (in Justice League) that Arthur needed to retrieve it, since Atlanna would have been responsible for it. As a bonus, we also get Mera mentioning the events of Justice League to Arthur later in the movie.

Manta

Black Manta is (perhaps obviously) a comic book villain. His origin gets a bit of a tweak here, and I like the joke for just why ends up with the giant helmet. (And the nod to Jaws there with “I”m gonna need a bigger…” you get it.) What’s great is that before he actually declares himself Black Manta is all the nods to his ocean inspiration. You’ve got the experimental craft that’s shaped like a manta ray, you’ve got the engraved manta on the knife, and you’ve got his family backstory as well. (Fun fact: Michael Beech, who plays his dad, was originally cast to voice Black Manta for an animated series, but rights issues meant the name of the character had to be changed.)

Lifting The Sub

That shot of Aquaman lifting the submarine is straight out of the comics. A lot of the big money shots in the movie are, like Aquaman holding the trident in front of his face when he activates its power. The team did a good job at nailing the comic book aesthetic.

Languages

Probably not an Easter egg, but I find it interesting that Aquaman appears to pick up on other languages pretty well, just like the Amazons. It feels like a nod to the fact that Atlanteans and Amazons have been around for centuries and have lived hidden from humans, but have still learned a thing or two about them.

GBS

The news station that pops up is the Galaxy Broadcasting System. It’s part of Galaxy Communications, part of a multimedia company from the comics. It’s kind of like Supergirl’s CatCo.

Dr. Stephen Shin

Okay, I know he kind of seems ridiculous and cartoonish in the movie compared to a lot of the other characters, but… he’s pretty on par with the comic book character. The character actually knows Aquaman in the comics. Arthur even comes to him for help once in a while, but Shin ends up disgraced because of his involvement with Aquaman, and Arthur won’t even let him prove that some of his research is accurate. So, yeah, I could see him going the supervillain route.

Annabelle

When Mera and Arthur pay a visit to Vulko, there’s a doll on the ocean floor outside the sunken ship (BTW, is that a sunken galleon, as in the name bar Arthur and his dad frequent?). It looks just like Annabelle. It makes sense that we’d see some horror nods since that’s James Wan’s wheelhouse.

Nereus

Mera’s father is a comic book character, just like every main character in the movie, but his comic book backstory is very different than what you see in the movie. For one thing, he wasn’t her father. Instead, Nereus was a military general for the Xebel people. He was also Mera’s betrothed before she left Xebel behind on a mission to kill the King of Atlantis (yeah, her comic book backstory is a little different too). It’s an interesting twist on his character, though Nereus is very jealous of Atlantis and pushes for war a time or two, so he’s not that far off.

Atlantean “Tribes”

Some of the different groups of Atlanteans are rooted in the comics. Mera and Nereus lead the Xebels, for example. In the comics, Xebel is an extradimensional pocket for Atlantean separatists were sent long ago. It was basically a prison, but the people evolved and adapted. The royals learned magic that allowed them to control water, hence Mera’s abilities. Those in the Trench? They were a species of sea animals that lived in a literal trench in the comics that were dying out. Mera and Arthur ended up trapping them to prevent them from trying to eat humans.

Ocean Master

The name Orm spouts as the leader of all of the Atlantean tribes is Ocean Master. That term is also his supervillain name in the comics. It’s a cute way to change it up for the DCEU.

Man of Steel Reference

Okay, I frequently forget that Man of Steel technically started this cinematic universe, but when Orm takes Arthur to task for the way the surface world poisons the oceans, we get a nod to it to remind us. One of the images used is a collapsing oil platform. It’s the same one that fans theorized Aquaman saved Superman from by sending whales in to help him during Man of Steel.

Octopus On Drums

In the 1960s, back when Aquaman first got his solo series, he had a slew of sidekicks, both animal and Atlantean. One was an Octopus named Topo. I like to think this Octopus was a nod to Topo, but also, a nod to The Little Mermaid, because, come on. We all notice Mera’s fondness for ship wrecks, her red hair, and her not staying underwater like everyone wants her to, right?

Leigh Wannell

This guy appears in a cameo role as the cargo plane pilot. He’s a close friend of director James Wan. Like Wan, he’s a big horror guy. In fact, he’s an actor, director, writer, and producer for the Saw and Insidious franchises.

Africa

The sequence that sees Mera and Arthur rising from the water with the Africa remic playing in the background? That’s intentionally shot as an homage to the Fast and Furious franchise, according to James Wan. I mean, sure. I guess if you got to play in that world, and one of your stars became a DC superhero, and then you got to direct a DC movie, why wouldn’t you want to come full circle there?

The True King

Arthur becomes the True King when he gets the trident and comes back to battle Orm for the throne. Before that though, he has to find the trident with the help of the “true king” in Italy. That turns out to be Romulus. It’s a nice parallel since Romulus becomes the first true king of Rome when he defeats his brother Remus.

Murk

Played by (Power Rangers Black Ranger) Ludi Lin, Murk is one of Orm’s inner circle, and high ranking in the guard in the movie. In the comics, he’s also high ranking in security when Arthur is King. He looks a little different in the comics. He looks more like a big gladiator than Ludi Lin. He also has a harpoon for one of his arms. When he fights Mera in Italy though, she gets one very deep slash to his arm, so maybe we’ll see that come to fruition in the future.

Khal Drogo’s Kelp

The scene where Arthur wakes up on a boat after his fight in Italy? His injuries are wrapped with kelp in a very specific way. Game of Thrones fans will see that as a nice nod to Khal Drogo, the role that really put him on the genre map.

The Trident And King Atlan

There’s a whole thing in the comics with the “Dead King” coming back and trying to get control of his kingdom, wanting to use the world. There’s also his scepter in the comics, which does a lot of what his trident does in the movie. Atlan’s clothing, and the ceremonial armor Arthur ends up in, are also a nod to Aquaman’s gear in the comics.

The Karathen

The comics label this sea monster as the Karaqan, but it sounded like it was pronounced differently by the actors, so choose your spelling. The sea monster looks exactly like it does in the comics. The effects guys did a great job. More than that though, they gave it a better story. In the comics, the animal went a little crazy and Arthur ended up having to kill it because he couldn’t communicate with it. I prefer the movie version where he’s the only one who can communicate with it. Bonus: the giant sea monster is voiced by the classic Julie Andrews. She actually didn’t cameo in Mary Poppins Returns (which opened in theaters the same month!) because she chose to do this voice role instead.

Aquaman Rides A Seahorse

The Superfriends TV series had a lot of silly moments for Aquaman. One of those things was him riding a seahorse into the thick of battle. It’s one of the things that has made a lot of people make fun of the character over the years, but now, it’s also iconic. The movie gets to put its own (much more badass) spin on that idea as Arthur grabs a seahorse to meet his brother in the climactic battle.

Coast City

This DC comics locale gets a nod in the post credits scene. It’s one of the locations where Dr. Shin has a newspaper clipping from. Coast City is home to Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris of the Green Lantern comics.

That’s all I’ve got for this one! Let me know if you guys spotted anymore!

#aquaman #aquaman movie #DC comics #aquaman easter eggs #easter eggs #i wrote a thing

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yeahtmntimaginesbaby · 7 years ago

Note

Mikey & Reader movie night! Movie cuts to a very intense sex scene, the two get a bit hot and bothered decide to reenact their own version of the scene. (Bonus! I'd there's a chance they may get caught by the others 030)

First Ask! WooHoo! I hope its alright but Im doing a femReader, since the gender of Reader wasnt specified. If its not just let me know and I’ll post again with whichever gender you meant. I hope you like it!

You and Mikey had been planning this night for ages, you were excited the week had gone by faster then you had thought. Sitting on your couch with a blanket and some popcorn, Mikey and you watched the movie intently. You had rented the Shape of Water, figuring it would be a sweet, romanic movie with enough action to keep your hyperactive turtle boyfriend interested. However, things in the movie were quickly getting steamy. The fish man and Elisa where in the bathroom currently, getting a bit experimental with their hands.

You had felt your eyes widen and face heat up, tensing as the scene unfolded. It was beautiful and erotic and tasteful in a completely arousing sort of way. You hadn’t felt Mikey move an inch, he had been squrming most of the movie, and it had you worried he was getting uncomfortable. But you couldn’t pull your eyes off your TV, off of the way they almost danced with each other.

“You’re beathing kinda fast…” You felt the hot breath ghost agaist your ear and shivered.

Pulling your eyes from the scene you look over to bump noses with Mikey. Electric blue eyes lock with your own as he slowly stands up, gently pulling your hand with him. He walked backwards toward your bathroom, before letting your hands go anf turning the shower on in your walkin Shower,

“Mikey what-”“Babe, I wanna try something…” He cut you off, voice heavy and laced with an underlying need you hadn’t heard from the turtle in orange ever.

The heat from your face moved lower on your body as you saw him start to undress. Instantly, you knew what he wanted to try. Suddenly grateful to your new god, Del Toro, you pulled your shirt over your head.

Large, three fingered hands where suddenly on your hips. Letting ther shirt drop you look up at Mikey, swallowing as he slowly pulls your pajama pants down. Soon only left in your underwear, you reach behind yourelf unclipping your bra. Letting it fall down your arms before dropping it as well, Mikey slipping his fingers under the band of your underwear.

He ran his finger across your pubic bone before slepping them down, kneeling as he did so. You gasped as you felt his nose bump your outer folds, hands moving to his shoulders. You bite your lip, hoping for what you were thinking when he stood up, gently taking your hands again and walking back into the slightly hotter then you expected shower.

SInce you where so much shorter then him he picked you up, pressing you softly against the shower wall. His lips grazed yours before he pressed harder, tongue probbing your lips open. You opened your mouth, eyes closed as you tilted your head up.

Small sounds escaped him and you, filling the bathroom. They filtered out into your living room where a trio of brothers stood with their mouths open. They had wanted to surprise Mikey and you with some great news they had got from April, Leo had insisted on coming now instead of waiting for you two to get back to the Lair the next day.

Donnie was a blushing mess, already heading back for the fire escape while Raph was grinning ear to ear. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he moved pasted Leo who was frozen in place.

“Hey, lets leave the two love birds alone!” Raph yelled, causing Leo to snap out of his shock and smack raph for yelling.

Back in the bathroom you both froze, pulling away slightly as you heard Raph. Both of your eyes widen and Mikey was about to yell and tell them to ‘Please go away, dudes! Private time in here!’ When Leo beat him to it.

“Sorry! We’re leaving!”

#tmnt 2014 #tmnt mikey x reader #the shape of water

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pass-the-bechdel · 6 years ago

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Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Does it pass the Bechdel Test?

No.

How many female characters (with names and lines) are there?

Two (20% of cast).

How many male characters (with names and lines) are there?

Eight.

Positive Content Rating:

Three.

General Film Quality:

Not as bad as everyone seems to remember, but also, not good.

MORE INFO (and potential spoilers) UNDER THE CUT:

Passing the Bechdel:

Martina barely has lines to start with, and she’s not even in the same country as Betty, so...no.

Female characters:

Martina.

Betty Ross.

Male characters:

Bruce Banner.

General Ross.

Joe.

Emil Blonsky.

Stanley.

Jim Wilson.

Samuel Sterns.

Tony Stark.

OTHER NOTES:

Bruce sees a bunch of guys harrassing Martina, and he almost walks away to avoid a conflict that could set off the Hulk, but then he thinks better of it and comes back to confront the guys and save the girl. It’s a shorthand way of showing the audience that Bruce is a good guy, not letting his own fear get in the way of doing the right thing, blah blah. I support that message, obviously, but I do wish they wouldn’t use ‘woman in jeopardy’ as their go-to method for proving something about a man. Martina only exists in the film for this purpose, she’s just a pretty prop so Bruce can prove his morals, and that’s not cool. Female characters existing only as props is not cool, and violence against women being used to demonstrate/further a man’s story isn’t cool either. Get a better lazy shorthand, movie.

Lou Ferrigno cameo is clearly the highlight of the whole film.

At least 60% of Betty’s lines are just her saying ‘Bruce’ with different intonations, usually as a question. “Bruce?” she whispers. “Bruce?!” she calls. “BRUCE!!!” she screams. She also almost definitely yells it in slow motion with the sound cut out during dramatic climactic points in action scenes. I don’t know, I didn’t think to take note of that.

Oh. This movie. It might be the first of the MCU films I ever saw, back before they had committed to the idea of actually doing a Cinematic Universe, so it was just ‘a Hulk film’ that I watched, filed as ‘bad’ in my brain, and never revisited again, even after the MCU got going in earnest and - years later - I got sucked into the vortex and wound up watching and re-watching all the movies in order. It’s easy to leave this film out of the chronology (and many people do); despite a totally pointless scene with Tony Stark at the end of the movie, it doesn’t actually tie in to the rest of the MCU in any meaningful way, and as an intro to the Hulk it isn’t really necessary: firstly, because most people who don’t live under rocks already know who the Hulk is from popular culture, and secondly, for anyone else, they get a perfectly serviceable introduction to him in his next film appearance (The Avengers), in which the role has been recast with Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/Hulk in every future MCU film and leaves this Edward Norton vehicle as a weird outlier better forgotten than incorporated into one’s understanding of the character. Edward Norton is a fantastic actor who has done so much great work over the years, but this was not a good role for him, and having rewatched this movie now nearly a decade after seeing it the first time, I’ll probably go back to giving it a miss whenever I trawl through the MCU. It’s a film with, basically, nothing to offer, neither as a standalone nor as part of a wider franchise. That’s a pretty sad indictment, but there it is.

Is this the worst film in the MCU pantheon to date? Probably. Not absolutely - I think the door remains open for debate (the other contenders for the title, we’ll get to in due time). The thing is, this movie is not as bad as history remembers it: most of it is actually fairly decent. Not remarkable, not impressive, but decent in the sense that it is stock-standard playing to expectation, it isn’t making any negative waves, it’s just there. The bad rep this movie has is owed almost exclusively to the way it ends, with an embarassing and meaningless Hulk/Abomination battle in which the CGI is absolutely not capable of upholding even the basic visual storytelling of two beast-creatures whaling on each other. Bonus features of that fight include: Hulk clapping his hands to put out a fire and SAVE HIS LOVE, and a truly abysmal use of the iconic ‘HULK SMASH!’ line. By the time the final fight mercifully ends, any and all goodwill the rest of the film had built up has been obliterated, much like the neighbourhood and the lives of all those poor collateral-damage civilians that no one cares about. Some beast-creatures whaled on each other in shitty CGI. That’s what we came for, right?

What makes this ending so particularly bad is how out-of-place it is in the rest of the narrative. Yeah, we 100% EXPECT a Boss Battle at the end, because that’s the formula for these things, but the movie does a really awkward job of not actually building up to that climax in a meaningful way that lets it feel earned rather than perfunctory. Let’s rewind; the premise of the whole film is that Bruce Banner is trying to keep his Hulky genetics out of the hands of the military, specifically a program overseen by General Ross, who happens to be the father of Bruce’s former co-worker/lover Betty, because of course he is. This detail is not actually important for any reason, it’s just an excuse for Bruce and Ross to conflict over Betty like she’s a cool shiny object, because ultimately she has no more narrative function than Martina the hot Brazilian chick. Anyway: Bruce is on the run from Ross, Ross is on the hunt for Bruce so that he can experiment on him forevermore, and Betty is there sometimes to say Bruce’s name as a question. Ross chases Bruce with lots of army guys, Bruce Hulks out at various points so that the action sequences can involve more than Edward Norton running away, and there’s a long-term goal for Bruce in the form of getting some Science to another Scientist so that they can Science a cure for his Hulky genes and he can stop running once and for all (it doesn’t work). It’s not a very inspiring script. It’s fairly straight-forward and predictable, but there’s nothing especially bad about it other than the pointlessness of Betty (the same as this is a front-runner for the MCU’s worst film so far, Betty is a strong contender for Worst Inclusion of A Useless Love Interest). Norton may not be a great Bruce Banner, but he does a solid job of giving weight to Bruce’s plight, and the overall effect is at least passable as a film, if forgettable. The problem here is Emil Blonsky, the marine tasked by Ross to head the operation to capture Banner, and the man who eventually becomes the Abomination whom Hulk battles in that cringe-worthy film climax. And the problem with Blonsky is not that he’s some kind of weak link in the script. The problem is, he’s the best character in the movie.

Maybe it’s just that Tim Roth is too good for the material (he is), but Blonsky is easily the most dynamic person in an otherwise flat film, and he’s the only character whose narrative arc isn’t instantly predictable the moment he steps on screen. He’s a consummate soldier, all about the job, and getting into the thick of things himself to make sure it gets done right. His road to becoming Abomination begins partway into the film, as Blonsky grapples with the aftermath of his first encounter with the Hulk - for which he was brutally unprepared due to Ross’ failure to provide essential mission intel - which led to the death of many of Blonsky’s men. As Ross comes clean about the super-soldier serum experiments that created the Hulk, he plucks at a few delicate nerves, noting the physical toll that years of service have taken on Blonsky’s body. Blonsky laments that he can’t take the experience he has now and put it into the body he had a decade ago; Ross suggests that, maybe, they can arrange something kinda like that. It isn’t played as outright manipulation - Ross has just told Blonsky that there were other experimental treatments in the same line as Banner’s work, and Blonsky knows what conversation they’re really having and has already seen what the side-effects could be if it goes badly - but there is plain prompting from Ross, to say nothing of the treatments he then actively facilitates, most notably the second dose which he offers despite having originally stated that if Blonsky experienced any adverse effects (which at that point he has, in limited capacity) the treatments would cease. It’s a situation in which Blonsky rapidly loses his agency, and for which Ross isn’t even a little bit blameless. What’s significant about this is not just that Ross is the ‘villain behind the villain’ in this case, but that Blonsky really...isn’t a villain in the first place.

Now, ‘villains’ in stories (and especially comics) who start out innocent/unlucky/well-intentioned and then become twisted are not uncommon, but the key to making those narratives work is that the story acknowledges the pathos of that journey; that this person never meant to end up as the villain, and it’s a sad turn of events that brought them down that road despite themselves. This is where things fall apart for this movie, because they kinda, oops, forgot to either (1) make Blonsky’s pre-serum behaviour clearly villainous, or (2) match his unwilling descent into villainy with a tone of empathy and regret for how his character has been turned astray. He isn’t presented as some paragon of goodness to be torn down, but he also doesn’t act maliciously or imply that he draws sadistic pleasure from his work. He consents to that first dose of serum, but it isn’t for evil reasons, he’s not bloodthirsty, he’s not going after the Hulk as a personal vendetta: the primary emotional motivation he displays is curiosity. He wants to get the job done, and he recognises the threat that Hulk represents, and he’s interested in finding out exactly what kind of a world he’s just been looped into. He may be antagonistically positioned against the protagonist of the film, but his intentions aren’t reprehensible from any angle. Thing is, the serum he takes is depicted as having a narcotic effect, impairing his judgment and fostering an escalating addiction that ultimately creates the Abomination; it’s all downhill for Blonsky after that first dose, the situation spins wildly out of his control, and he loses himself in the process. This is where the pathos should fit in as an essentially good (or at least neutral) person is lost to this drug, but it doesn’t. Instead, Blonsky becomes Abomination for the final act of the movie, and all of his characterisation evaporates so that he can just mindlessly smash things for no apparent reason. If he had been shown to be someone who engages in unnecessary violence and/or enjoys it at some prior point, then Abomination would be an escalation of existing villainous predilections, and it would work, but that isn’t the case. Where Hulk operates off an established base of anger/raised heart-rate/physiological response to heightened situations, and his destructive tendencies and absence of higher cognitive functions make sense in that context of reactionary hind-brain behaviour, Abomination has no established parameters or reasons for developing as he does, and searching the only information we have - Blonsky’s characterisation - for answers turns up no satisfactory results. Abomination’s rampage has nothing to do with ‘getting the job done’ (Banner is in Ross’ custody by that point in the film, in fact, so the job is already done), nor does it have anything to do with the Hulk himself - Blonsky and Banner never had specific personal beef with one another that would make a final confrontation meaningful (Bruce doesn’t even know who the Abomination is/was) - so Abomination’s entire existence feels pretty pointless. It’s just there so that Hulk can pick on someone his own size.

The final fight scene is objectively bad from a technical standpoint, with the dodgy CGI and the way-too-corny contrivances and the muddy uninspired visual mess of it all: it’s just plain bad to watch, but it is also not only devoid of emotional relevance or weight, it’s devoid of emotional logic. We’ve watched this process of Blonsky ‘becoming a monster’ in a literal sense, and it’s been the only part of the movie with any life in it (it’s not a deep well of complexity, but again, I think it works because Tim Roth is fucking making it work), but a boss fight is not a fulfilling conclusion to that narrative because we haven’t been given clear stakes in the outcome. Considering that Blonsky ends up a victim of Ross much the same as Bruce Banner is, it really should be Ross’ villainy that is ultimately defeated to bring us a satisfying conclusion, but the film forgets its own narrative in the course of pretending that Blonsky was the main bad guy all along, to such an extent that it bizarrely turns around and rewards Ross in the end. After transforming into Abomination, no one so much as suggests that Blonsky is still in there somewhere (his name is not even mentioned), he’s just a beast-creature now, and Ross gets to keep him and do all that fun experimenting that he wanted Hulk for this whole time, and no one challenges the idea. Remember how the whole movie was about Bruce trying NOT to get caught and experimented on forevermore by the military? Remember how that’s supposed to be a bad thing that Good Guys want to stop? Eh, who cares? Apparently not Bruce Banner, whose upstanding morals don’t extend far enough to want to save anyone else from the fate he has thwarted for himself. Not very heroic, just kinda leaving some other dude to take your place. As hardcore as Bruce was about keeping the formula out of Ross’ hands, etc, apparently he has no qualms about this derivative, and he just whistles on out of there, and that’s it. The end. Not a second thought for Blonsky’s fate, no fulfilling closure for Bruce’s ACTUAL villain beef with Ross, the bad guy gets what he wants and no one cares, the good guy completely forgets the ideals that he was fighting for the entire time and therefore kiiinda renders the whole journey of the film pointless, and worst of all, there’s no sense that the story comes to these conclusions deliberately, that it’s supposed to be off-kilter in any of these ways. It’s like they got to the final act and literally forgot everything that had happened in the film previously so they just stopped without actually closing any of the storylines, it’s a totally incongruous ending.

I’ve focused largely on how much they screwed over Blonsky in this process because I considered him the film’s saving grace the rest of the time, but really, the ending screws over every character, theme, and narrative thread in the whole story, and that’s the huge disconnect that leaves the audience remembering a bad film, not just a bad ending. Granted, it wasn’t a good film to start with, and if you were less engaged with Blonsky than I was and you didn’t latch on to one of the other slim elements the story offered instead, then the whole thing turning to shit in the end really can’t have been much of a loss. It’s not that they didn’t, at moments, have the makings of something that might be good, or glimmers in scenes that suggested a quality idea that might have shone if someone had polished it a little better. For anyone reading this and going ‘well, don’t you know they had loads of behind-the-scenes issues with redrafting the script and other bullshit?’, yes, I am aware of that. Thing is, it shouldn’t matter. A 150-million dollar major Hollywood franchise project doesn’t get to use ‘oh, we just didn’t really bother making sure the script made basic sense before we filmed it’ as a valid excuse. If everyone’s doing their jobs properly the way they should be at this level of the industry, then the audience shouldn’t be able to see your BTS issues bleeding all over the finished product; major script redrafts should be a Did You Know? trivia point, not an ‘oh, NOW I get what went wrong here’ explanation. At the end of the day, no one cared enough about making this a movie that would matter in the long run for an expansive Cinematic Universe. Tanking the whole film into a forgettable mistake that viewers would gladly leave out of their Marvel marathons was, ultimately, the one thing they did successfully.

#Marvel Cinematic Universe #The Incredible Hulk #MCU #Bechdel Test #female representation

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desdealgunlugardelsur · 7 years ago

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Harrison Ford: 2017 summary (Part I)

As I did the previous year, I´ve tried to summarize the main news, anecdotes and new pics about this amazing actor through the year 2017. Most of the news and events are ordered according to the date they were released in the media, with the links to the original sources. I´ve posted a few pics of Harrison´s everyday life, but there are plenty of them I haven´t for the sake of saving space. The gifs are from other Tumblr blogs but I have credited all of them. If you see original content not credited, please tell me!

This post is divided in 2 parts, Part II here. I hope you enjoy it!

JANUARY

3th: Harrison Ford and his family arrive back in Los Angeles after Christmas holidays [x]

4th: New rumors about Harrison´s Rick Deckard character whereabouts in Blade Runner 2049. Is Deckard hiding in Las Vegas?

5th: Harrison Fod and Alden Ehrenreich spotted having lunch in Santa Mónica, Los Angeles. Was Harrison giving the new “Han” some advice? [x]

8th: Harrison spotted in New York city

11th: Harrison eating french fries in Son of a Bun, Santa Mónica (Yes, I feel this is superimportant)

12th: at a Make a Wish event, Harrison welcomes Connor, a 12 years old kid diagnosed with cystic fibrosis who wanted to meet his all-time hero Harrison Ford, in his airplane hangar in Santa Monica [x]

These are the dices from the Millenium Falcon!

17th: Harrison having a nice time in one of his helicopters [x]

20th: Harrison attends the Living Legends Of Aviation 14th Annual Awards and presents the Harrison Ford Aviation Legacy Award [x]

FEBRUARY

Early February: Harrison spotted in Wichita, Kansas [x]

10th: Harrison Ford attends the Earl McGrath art exhibition [x]

His great friend Harrison Ford — three of whose children were among McGrath’s two-dozen godchildren — saluted him as, ‘The last of a breed, one of the last great gentlemen and bohemians.’ Earl McGrath led the kind of life of which most of us can only dream.

Harrison and his son Willard at the Earl McGrath art exhibition

13th: Harrison Ford in Incident With Passenger Plane at California Airport

Actor Harrison Ford was involved in a potentially serious incident Monday in California as he was piloting his private plane, a single-engine Husky, NBC News has learned.

Ford, an experienced pilot who collects vintage planes, had been instructed to land on runway 20-L at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, but mistakenly aimed for a taxiway, instead. His plane passed over the top of an American Airlines 737 carrying 110 passengers and a six-person crew.

The passenger plane, AA Flight 1456, managed to depart safely for Dallas just minutes after the incident.

Ford, 74, was heard on air traffic control recordings asking, "Was that airliner meant to be underneath me?"

Air traffic controllers then informed Ford that he had landed on a taxiway rather than the runway — a violation of Federal Aviation Administration safety rules.

14th: Harrison Ford 'sparks FAA investigation after landing his private plane on taxiway instead of runway'

15th: FAA investigation delayed By Heavy Traffic

MARCH

16th: nice view of a buffed Harrison on the streets of Brentwood, Los Angeles [x]

18th: Harrison honored at Celebrity Fight Night 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Proceeds from the event go to charities including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute [x]

24th: 'I'm the schmuck who landed on the taxiway': Harrison Ford's apologetic call to air traffic control after dramatic close-call landing is released

Harrison Ford Gets Back in the Air After Scary Plane Landing: Harrison still retains his pilot license during the ongoing investigation

Bonus: nice pic of Harrison buying hiking gear:

APRIL

3rd: Harrison Ford won't face disciplinary action for landing on a taxiway at John Wayne Airport:

A Federal Aviation Administration investigation concluded that no enforcement action was warranted in the incident. The agency required only “awareness training,” which Ford has already completed.

Any suggestion that Ford received celebrity treatment is incorrect, said his attorney, Stephen Hofer.

“I’m firmly convinced that he did not receive any sort of special treatment or consideration,” he said.

Hofer added that he sat in on several hours of meetings with Ford, during which the agency went over radar data, videos of the landing and recordings of tower communications.

“The FAA investigators thought Ford was candid and forthright,” Hofer said. “In closing the matter, the agency acknowledged Mr. Ford’s long history of compliance with the federal aviation regulations and his cooperative attitude during the investigation.”

Ford will retain his pilot’s certificate without restriction.

Early April: Harrison, his wife Calista Flockhart and their son Liam visit the island of Fiji [x]

Harrison we love you, but that outfit... no

...and he meets there his good old friend Jimmy Buffet [x]

9th: Back to the US, spotted at LA airport [x]

13th: Harrison Ford attends, for the first time, Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, Florida. Together with Mark Hamill and other old and new Star Wars stars, the event honors Carrie Fisher, deceased on December 2016, and the 40th annyversary of the Star Wars saga.

Some highlights from Star Wars celebration:

Harrison Ford surprises fans at Star Wars Celebration 2017:

youtube

Harrison Ford, Kathleen Kennedy (CEO of Lucasfilm), George Lucas, Billie Lourd (Carrie Fisher´s daughter) and Mark Hamill.

Harrison, Peter Mayhew and Mark Hamill.

With the genius John Williams

Luke and Han together, what we all deserved and The Force Awakens didn´t give us.

Billie Lourd and her two dorky space uncles

Harrison doesn´t give a shit about the Han Solo movie (gifs by @rufustfirefly)

Harrison remembers his beloved old friend Carrie Fisher (gifs by @harryandcarrison)

22nd: Harrison Ford in the inauguration of his son Willard´s Strong Sports Gym, Los Angeles [x] [x] [x]

MAY

4th: two new Blade Runner 2049 posters released, featuring Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) and Agent K (Ryan Gosling)

8th: First Blade Runner 2049 full trailer is released

youtube

Harrison Ford, Denis Villeneuve and Ryan Gosling at the Blade Runner 2049 Q&A event [x]

17th: Harrison Ford & Ridley Scott at the director’s Hollywood handprint ceremony, and Harrison´s speech honoring Ridley Scott

JUNE

Early June: Harrison Ford watching street performers at Faneuil Hall, Boston [x]

4th: Harrison Ford receives the 2017 Godfrey L. Cabot Award in Boston from the Aero Club of New England, in recognition of his efforts to promote aviation to the youth of America through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and its Young Eagles Program [x] [x]

Harrison Ford Presents Teen with High School Diploma at the Aero Club of New England event [x]

But one member of the program got an extra special surprise from Ford: his high school diploma. When the young man had to choose between attending the aviation event or his high school graduation, he opted for the Aero Club fete — and was presented with his diploma from Han Solo himself.

“They had all the kids stand up, and said, ‘One of our students here today had to make a big decision between graduating high school and being here. And guess what? He chose to be with us! Come on up here! We have something for ya’,” one audience member told PEOPLE. “He chose this [event], and they surprised him with Harrison giving him his diploma.”

11th: someone took this picture at a grocery store, and we are all eternally grateful for that [x]

14th: Harrison and Calista celebrate Calista´s parent´s marriage 60th anniversary at The Theather Gild, Tennesse [x]

15th: Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford face off in an exclusive new Blade Runner 2049 image

18th: Happy father´s day, Harrison!

Harrison and his grandson Eliel, flying on helicopter on Father´s Day [x]

21st: Entertainment Weekly shows nearly 4 minutes of new Blade Runner 2049 footage, plus go behind-the-scenes [x]

29th: Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart and their son Liam spotted at LA airport [x]

JULY

Early-middle July: Harrison, Calista and Liam travel to Africa and visit Tanzania and Rwanda

At Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (left) and Kigali Natural Park, Rwanda [x] [x] [x]

In Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania [x]

Leaving a message in memory of the victims of the Rwanda civil war, Kigali Genocide Memorial [x]

Continues in PART II

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thisaintascenereviews · 7 years ago

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Album Review by Bradley Christensen Fall Out Boy – American Beauty / American Psycho Record Label: Island / DCD2 Release Date: January 20 2015

It’s been about three years since Fall Out Boy’s sixth album, American Beauty / American Psycho was released, and this is an album that means absolutely everything to me. I don’t even know where to begin with this one, actually, because there’s a lot that can be said about it. Let me start by saying this, though – there was a time before this LP’s release that I almost didn’t want to listen to it. I wasn’t excited about it. Can you believe that? Yeah, Bradley not being excited for a Fall Out Boy album? That’s blasphemy! Around five years ago, I dated a woman that was very emotionally and mentally abusive to me. She would constantly neglect me, ignore my messages for hours or days at a time, manipulate me into talking to her time again and again, use her mental illnesses as a crutch for the things that she did to me, and make me believe that I didn’t deserve anything better than her. This happened over a period of a couple of years, right around there, anyway. It was on and off, and at the end of everything, I felt like I wasted a lot of time, money, and energy on her. My point is, though, one thing we shared was Fall Out Boy. She loved Fall Out Boy as much as I did. For Christmas in 2014, I actually bought her some Fall Out Boy albums, because I didn’t know if she had the CDs. I was so excited to send her those CDs, but she broke up with me a few days before Christmas, saying that she never loved me, and only dated me again, because she felt bad for me. I was heartbroken. I won’t forget that, and although I’ve moved on from it, it’s something that’s been engrained into my mind. I ended up returning most of it, but for a brief few weeks, I didn’t know if I could listen to Fall Out Boy again. They were my favorite band, but this person hurt me more than anyone ever has (even to this day), so I wasn’t sure if I could listen to them in the same way again. I wasn’t sure if I could even listen to American Beauty / American Psycho, which was coming out in a few weeks. Something happened that changed my mind completely.

It was something I should have done sooner, but one thing that I got for her was a copy of Infinity On High. That’s my favorite album, both in general and by the band, but I got her a deluxe edition of the album. I ended up keeping it, because I needed a new copy. Mine was pretty beat up, and it had a bonus disc of some bonus songs, so I thought, “Why not?” One night, I decided to open it up, and give the album a listen, because I hadn’t listened to it in awhile. Listening to Infinity On High was what I needed to get me out of that funk, because that’s my favorite album. It’s the album that got me into music. Listening to that made me think back to when I first heard it, and how amazed I was by music for the first time in my life. Listening to that album made me realize how stupid it is to let someone ruin a band that’s meant more to me than almost anything or anyone, especially when I tons more memories before that person came into my life. Hell, I met my best friend Jake through that record, as I’ve talked about plenty of times, so there’s another big thing right there. Not only does American Beauty / American Psycho represent moving onto a new chapter in my life, but it represents friendship to me. He and I were dealing with a lot of stuff at that time in our lives, but this LP helped us grow even closer. Here we are, three years later, and we’re able to celebrate the release of their newest LP, M A N I A. I was suddenly excited about this LP, because I could enjoy them again. I’ll be honest, folks, part of why I love this LP is for its meaning and representation. One thing I love about music is that everyone has their own relationship with it, and bands, artists, songs, and albums can mean different things to different people. That doesn’t mean the album isn’t good otherwise, or that I can “turn that off,” per se. I’ll never be able to, but all things considered, I love this LP for the music itself. It’s still my second favorite Fall Out Boy album, because it’s the start of their experimentation, even in their post-hiatus days. 2013’s Save Rock & Roll was an album that proved that Fall Out Boy could make a modern Fall Out Boy album, but this one is something more.

M A N I A, their new album, is their most experimental since Infinity On High, and that’s one reason why I love it, but this one came close. They tried a few different things on this LP, namely with sampling. The two big singles on the album, “Centuries,” and “Uma Thurman,” feature sampling. You don’t hear rock bands using sampling in their own music that often, so I found to be very interesting. The former song takes “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega, and turns that into their own thing, whereas the latter song takes The Munsters theme song and puts that into their own song, ultimately giving the song its own unique feel. The album still has the same template that Save Rock & Roll did, but it does add some interesting flavors to it. I hate to say this, because this will piss off fans of the first two albums that think those are their only good ones, but Save Rock & Roll and American Beauty / American Psycho has a pattern here. Take This To Your Grave, their 2003 debut LP, was a very generic and cookie cutter pop-punk album that did help to kickstart the early 00s scene, but at its core, it’s pretty bland. With 2005’s From Under The Cork Tree, they injected some pop influence and ideas into their sound. Not quite enough to make people hate it, or think it’s super dramatic, but just enough to notice it, at the very least. That’s how it is here. Save Rock & Roll is an album that’s relatively safe, but it’s still done really, really well, all things considered, but American Beauty / American Psycho adds a bit of unique flavor to that sound. It ups the ante a bit, and that’s one reason I really like it. There are others, though, and it’s mainly because of how confident, slick, and tight knit the band sounds. Everything sounds on point, especially vocalist Patrick Stump, and it’s always amazing how his voice manages to get better with every album. This LP doesn’t do anything super different, at least compared to Save Rock & Roll, but they throw in some new ideas into the mix.

Nonetheless, one thing I love about this band is how they manage to make songs that sound relatively similar, but they still have their own feel to them. They’re still unique, interesting, and different. That’s one thing I don’t get about the detractors of these albums, as well as the new direction the band has taken, because they act like every song sounds the same. They don’t. I don’t understand why people think that. I can listen to “Uma Thurman,” and know it’s a totally different and memorable song, compared to another one of my favorites, “Fourth Of July.” Speaking of that song, I wanted to talk about the lyrics a bit, and I didn’t talk about them much in my review of Save Rock & Roll, but they’ve gotten a lot more mature this time around. Their lyrics were always angsty and whiny at times, but still clever, at the very least, but they feel more mature and adult here. “Fourth Of July” is a good example of that, because it talks about how this relationship exploded before they really had a chance to let it bloom. They weren’t right for each other, so it was best to just let it burn out. That’s exactly how I felt when the album came out, so I could really relate to that song. The rest of the lyrics feel very mature, though, and I like that. Their lyrics have grown with the music. The music itself is very strong, too, and the band is a master with hooks and songwriting. I love this LP, and even after these few years since its release, the album’s only gotten better. The negative reactions and feelings that plagued my opinions of the album before it came out, as well as a bit after (not towards the album itself, or even the band, but the circumstances behind it), are gone. I don’t feel anything negative towards it, and I can just enjoy the album now, which is really cool. This album is still my second favorite, not counting M A N I A, but I’m going to give that album some time before I really cement my thoughts on it. Regardless, my excitement towards this album got even bigger. I’ll always talk about how amazing this LP is, whether it’s for the meaning behind it, and what it represents, or just how awesome it is, period.

#fall out boy #american beauty american psycho #uma thurman #centuries #folie a deux #infinity on high #pop #rock #pete wentz #patrick stump #joe trohman #andy hurley #from under the cork tree #mania #take this to your grave

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luvneedsnosyt · 5 years ago

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My Favorite EPs of 2019

Here is my list of my personal top EPs of 2019

You can find my separate list for top albums of 2019 here.

My Previous monthly lists from 2019: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

My list last year for my top EPs of 2018 can be found here.

*Indicates someone I saw live in 2019

Best:

AUGUST 08 - Happy Endings with an Asterisk Genre: R&B / Soul

Part of the 88rising crew as the main songwriter, AUGUST 08 has been influential in their rise behind the scene. He stepped out on his own last year with the compelling EP Father. Happy Ending with an Asterisk picks up where Father left off with emotionally identifiable and relatable, soulful tunes.

Proof: Simple Pleasures (Feat. GoldLink) / Blood On My Hands (Feat. Smino) / Swim

Autograf - Love & Retrograde / Love & Retrograde (Remixes) Genre: Electronic / House / Dance

Chicago based Electronic trio has been one of my favorites wince their 2015 EP Metaphysical. They have a skill of incorporating horns and strings in their electronic music, yet not making is a “thing” that defines them (artists like Big Gigantic, Brasstracks and GRiZ). Not that it’s a bad thing for artists that have that, but it shows their ability to establish diversity in their electronic music pallet.

Proof: Test The Waters (Feat. WAYNNE) / Casual Love (w/ The Griswolds) / Hold Me Back (Feat. John Splithoff) // Casual Love (SLVR Remix) w/ The Griswolds / Hold Me Back (Syence Remix) Feat. John Splithoff / Test the Waters (Cofresi Remix) Feat. WAYNNE // Bonus: Ain’t Deep Enough (Feat. Jared Lee)

BAYNK - Someone’s II / Someon’s II X Genre: Electronic / Future Bass / Dance

It took awhile for us to get BAYNK’s 2017 debut EP Someone’s from when he first started dropping music. Luckily we didn’t have to wait quite as long for the follow up which is a subtle and touching group of electronic bops meant to may you feel as well as get up dancing.

Proof: Settle (Feat. Sinead Harnett) / go with u / Simmer (Feat. Habolt Brown) // Settle (Daju Remix ) Feat. Sinead Harnett / go with u (Louis La Roche Remix) / Off Limits (Ark Patrol Remix) Feat. Glades // Bonus: HIGH

Channel Tres* - Black Moses Genre: R&B / House / Hip Hop

I first found Channel Tres’ exhilarating house music from his debut EP a year ago earlier in the year and was instantly hooked. Luckily shortly after this EP dropped as well. The Compton based artists melds house seamlessly with sexy hip hop and soothing soul music with a touch of G-Funk influences for quite the unique and groove inducing blend.

Proof: Black Moses (Feat. JPEGMAFIA) / Sexy Black Timberlake / Raw Power // Sexy Black Timberlake (SG Lewis Remix) / Ready To Go (w/ Baauer Feat. Danny Brown)

Dog Blood (Skrillex & Boyz Noize) - Turn Off The Lights Genre: Electronic / Dubstep / Dance

The electronic super duo of Skrillex and Boyz Noize returns for their third short EP installment since their inception of Dog Blood back in 2012. Turn Off The Lights is a breakneck paced album of trap, house and dubstep meshing in a way only these two can deliver and remain not only listenable but something that fucking bangs. Keeping a neck brace handy is highly encouraged.

Proof: BREAK LAW / 4 MIND (Feat. Josh pan & X&G) / TURN OFF THE LIGHTS

Elohim - BRAINDEAD Genre: Electronic / Synth-Pop / Dance

Producer/DJ/Singer/Songwriter Elohim as quickly risen up the ranks in my personal favorite artists list. Her self titled debut full length last year was one of the most enjoyable first listening to an album in all of 2018. This surprise EP drop was up there for 2019. As Elohim’s status rises she is being a bit forced to confront her social anxiety, but being the genuine person she is, she is letting us into those struggles. Her hope is making those issues public could help many others dealing with similar things.

Proof: running / tv / flagpole sitta (Harvey Danger Cover w/ AWOLNATION) // Bonus: Paradise

Emotional Oranges - The Juice, Vol. I / The Juice, Vol. II Genre: R&B

The mysterious R&B duo popped up last year with some soulful singles that caught my attention. They were super generous, despite keeping their identities secret, dropping two EPs in 2019 to introduce the world to their understated and subtle funky soul music.

Proof: Personal / Unless You’re Drowning // Just Like You / Not Worth It // Bonus: Motion (Rejuiced)

G Flip - Drink Too Much Genre: Pop

Last year, when I first heard Georgia Flipo’s debut single “About You” it was one of those musical religious experiences. Since then I have made a point to keep an eye on the Australian singer. Early in the year she gifted us with this four song EP as a teaser of what was to come later in the year (check out my Top Albums list for more on that). Drink Too Much was a perfect enticing introduction of G Flip’s music before her full release. Her tender and emotionally packed voice along with her knack for pounding and thrusting drums make a very impacting and lasting impression in a somewhat minimalist package.

Proof: Drink Too Much / Killing My Time / About You

ilo ilo - wish i said this to u sooner Genre: Synth-Pop / Electronic

LA based duo have been dropping great tracks since last year cultivating in this debut EP, yet there still is not much known about the group at this time. Despite the mystery this music looks to be a potential creative force in the EDM world with some crossover appeal. There’s hints of Mura Masa influences with their use of distorted vocals and guitars, but also very differentiated in their own right. I can’t wait to see where the group pushes the boundaries to next.

Proof: u don’t / come thru / transparent // Bonus: habits / On the Way (w/ pluko, Manila Killa)

Manila Killa* - 1993 (Deluxe Edition) Genre: Electronic / Future Bass / Dance

When Filipino DJ Chris Gavino left the duo Hotel Garuda it was a bit of a bold move as the group was finally starting to pick up steam. But he had plans that he didn’t want compromised and continued on as his solo project Manila Killa. Only about a year later that plan seems to be paying off with this marvelous debut EP.

Proof: Wake Up Call (w/ Mansionair) / All 2 U (Feat. Sara Skinner) / skin (Feat. outsideOutside) // 1993 (Kuur Remix) / All 2 U (Covex Remix) Feat. Sara Skinner / Wake Up Call (Kwon Remix) w/ Mansionair

Loote - lost Genre: Pop

New York pop duo Loote follows up last years infectious debut EP with another one full of songs more catchy then a flu. Loote have a knack for making music that both can cover a wide net of audiences yet have enough complexity and human emotions to really connect with listeners that pay close attention. I’m waiting for one of those catchy tunes to really blow up.

Proof: lost / tomorrow tonight / she’s all yours // Bonus: All The Fucking Time

PVRIS - Hallucinations Genre: Alternative / Indie Rock

This 5 song EP is a bit of a departure for the Massachusetts rock trio. PVRIS have always had pop and Electronic sensibilities in their generally Alternative Rock sound, but they are much more pronounced on these tracks than before. The band states this was a direction they have always wanted to explore but only their recent label switch have the support to branch out more creatively. The riffs are still guitar based but those guitars become more distorted with synth barging in. Some may be turned off by the new experimentation but if the music is good, then it’s a worthy venture and this music is still fun as hell.

Proof: Hallucinations / Nightmare / Old Wounds

REZZ* - Beyond the Senses Genre: Electronic / Trance / Dance

REZZ has quickly made a name for herself in the EDM world with her unique, eclectic beats, and wild visually stunning shows. From her debut album in 2017 to this EP you can also really see the Canadian artist perfect her craft and get better and better. Beyond the Senses is REZZ at both her most ruthless and potent as well as most open and sensible. REZZ’s music is very constructed and mechanical in feel yet never artificial in it’s persona. There are plenty of rich textures throughout her elaborate atmosphere’s to grab onto while listening.

Proof: Falling (w/ Underoath) / Kiss of Death (w/ Deathpact) / Lonely (Feat. Riggs) // Bonus: Criminals (w/ Malaa) / Hell on Earth (w/ Yutron)

Ruti - Racing Cars Genre: R&B / Soul

Can’t say I know too many of winners of The Voice that cross my way but this winner of The Voice UK’s song “Racing Cars” popped up on a blog and I instantly fell in love with the music. Ruti’s deep and warm voice is incredibly soothing and impassioned. A very comforting and pleasant listen.

Proof: Racing Cars / The Swan / Couldn’t Do This Without You

SG Lewis - Dawn Genre: Electronic / R&B

Smooth and sultry Electronic R&B producer SG Lewis finishes off his trio run of R&B and indie pop based EDM EPs. Just like last year’s Dusk and Dark EP’s, Dawn is full of atmospheric and tender Electronic beats with soulful vocals.

Proof: Throwaway (w/ Clairo) / Overdose (w/ HONNE) / Flames (Feat. Ruel) // Bonus: Flames (Lastlings Remix) Feat. Ruel / Pressure (w/ James Vickery)

Shay Lia - Dangerous (Deluxe) Genre: R&B / neo-Soul

France Born and Montreal based singer Shay Lia is most known for her collaborative work with fellow Montreal artists KAYTRANADA. Shay stays true to the funky Montreal sound on this EP of glossy and jazzy electronic R&B that you can both sit back and vibe to, or throw on to get a dance party started.

Proof: Dangerous / Blue (Feat. KAYTRANADA & BadBadNotGood) / Good Together

The Others:

Alina Baraz - The Color Of You (Remixes) Genre: R&B / Soul

Alina follows her lovely 2018 debut album with a small little EP of remixes here with re-imagined production for her beautiful and seductive voice to glide over.

Proof: Floating (Ekali Remix) Feat. Khalid / I Don’t Even Know Why Though (Qrion Remix) // Bonus: To Me

Aly & AJ - Sanctuary Genre: Pop

The sister pop duo continues their return to music after a 10 year hiatus that ended in 2017 with their comeback EP and album Ten Years. In 2019 they pick up right where they left off with soulful synth-pop bops that get caught in your subconscious.

Proof: Not Ready To Wake Up / Sanctuary

Astrid S - Trust Issues / Down Low Genre: Synth-Pop

It was a busy 2019 for the Norwegian singer Astrid S, with these two EPs and numerous features on other people’s albums. Astrid has been around for quite a few years now, but there is a growing confidence in her craft by the 23 year old singer.

Proof: Doing To Me / Someone New // Favorite Part of Me / Years // Bonus: Doing To Me (Felix Cartal Remix) / Doing To Me (Cavego Remix) / Favorite Part of Me (R3HAB Remix)

bülow - Crystalline / The Contender Genre: Pop

19 year old Canadian singer bülow continues her introduction into the music scene that started back in 2017 but with a heightened outputting now. Across two EP's, the raspy voice is compelling dancing through brooding and euphoric electronic backdrops.

Proof: Sweet Little Lies / Wake Up // Own Me / Boys Will be Boys // Bonus: bülow & Rich The Kid - You & Jennifer (the other side)

Cautious Clay - Table of Context Genre: R&B / Pop / Soul

After dropping two of my favorite EPs of 2018, Cautious returns with is subdued and soothing R&B music. His voice has a tender yet confident feel that is sent off floating in atmospheric production that is all quite alluring.

Proof: REASONS / HONEST ENOUGH

Charly Bliss - Supermoon Genre: Alternative / Indie Rock

An extension of their fun 2019 sophomore album from earlier in the year by the New York area based rock band, Supermoon is a fun little rocking romp in a genre that really needed it. This was not a good year for the indie rock genre but exciting artists like Charly Bliss are working to keep the genre alive.

Proof: Supermoon / Heaven

Crystal Skies - Constellations Genre: Electronic / Trance / Dance

One of the many great artists Seven Lions chose 2019 to really unleash on the world from his new Ophelia Label. The output from the electronic collective has been relentless and quite joyous with this possibly being my favorite non-Seven Lions project in a robust year.

Proof: On My Own (Feat. Satellite Empire) / Feels Right (Feat. RUNN)

Diplo - Europa / Higher Ground / Higher Ground (Remixes) Genre: Electronic / House / Dancehall

The man that never seems to sleep, Diplo was back to his normal busy self in 2019. Making these three EP’s while also forming two groups (LSD with Labrinth and Sia and Silk City with Mark Ronson) AND creating another side solo project of his own as Thomas Wesley, his Country/Electronic music fusing alter ego, Diplo is constantly churning out electrifying content and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Proof: New Shapes (Feat. Octavian) / Boom Bye Bye (Feat. Niska) // Hold You Tight / Win Win (Feat. Tove Lo) // Win Win (Yotto Remix) Feat. Tove Lo / Hold You Tight (Andren Remix) // Bonus: On My Mind (w/ SIDEPIECE)

Flume & Reo Cragun - Quits Genre: Electronic / Hip Hop

While building up anticipating for his upcoming new album, Flume dropped a highly enjoyed mixtape as well as this three track EP with rapper Reo Cragun. The rapping isn’t really my personal favorite, it’s suitable, but Flumes production is top notch as always on the project.

Proof: Levitate / Friends

Freya Riding - You Mean The World To Me Genre: Pop

Before her gorgeous self titled debut album, London singer Freya Ridings released this powerful EP of ballads to be on the upcoming album. Her voice is sturdy, soulful and captivating throughout.

Proof: You Mean The World To Me / Lost Without You // Bonus: You Mean The World To Me (MJ Cole Remix)

HVDES - Stand Alone Complex Genre: Electronic / Dubstep / Dance

Finding an escape in electronic music while in a rehab facility, the DJ/Producer HVDES returns with her brash yet enduring electronic music. Her sound is like a mixture of Deadmu5 and REZZ, and despite it’s darkness is quite compelling.

Proof: Akuma / Human

GRiZ - Bangers[1].zip / Bangers[2].zip / Bangers[3].zip / Bangers[4].zip Genre: Electronic / Dubstep / Dance

Despite dropping his sixth album early in 2019, GRiZ kept himself busy all year long dropping four short EP’s throughout the year. Every EP is a three song whirlwind of GRiZ high octane electronic music with jazz horns making their presence known.

Proof: No Bad Trips / Ice Cream // Griztronic (w/ Subtronics) / Freak the Method // I Like That (Feat. Kayla Jasmine) / Now Till Infinity // Gonna Get Funky / Tiger Kingdom Space Camp

Gryffin* - Gravity Pt. 1 (Remixes) Genre: Electronic / Future Bass / Dance

Before dropping his marvelous debut album later in 2019, Gryffin released some remixes of his 2018 sampler EP.

Proof: Remember (Madison Mars Remix) w/ ZOHARA / Nobody Compares To You (Bali Bandits Remix) Feat. Katie Pearlman // All You Need To Know (Jason Ross Remix) w/ SLANDER Feat. Calle Lehmann / Baggage (Kaidro Remix) w/ Gorgon City & AlunaGeorge

John Newman - A.N.i.M.A.L Genre: Pop / Soul

It’s quite a moment for British Pop singers right now, and the potent soulful voice of John Newman is one of those. This short EP is a good hold over while we wait for his follow up to his previous 2015 album.

Proof: Life Without You (w/ Nina Nesbitt) / A.N.i.M.A.L // Bonus: Life Without You (DFUX Remix) w/ Nina Nesbitt

Kwaku Asante - honeycomb Genre: R&B / Soul

Slipping in with a December release was the soulful vocals of London singer Kwaku Asante. I didn’t know much about Kwaku when I gave this EP a spin but was floored by the voice, I will definitely doing more research and will keep him on my radar.

Proof: AWOL / Primrose

Last Heroes - Moments Genre: Electronic / Trance / Dance

Another member of the onslaught that was Seven Lions’ Ophelia Records. Like their label-mates, Last Heroes are able to captivate with epic chill-inducing drops in there Future Bass/Trance landscapes.

Proof: Take Your Time (Feat. Satellite Empire) / Awake (Feat. Lauren Martinez) // Bonus: Above & Beyond & Seven Lions - See The End (Last Heroes Remix) / StayLoose & Last Heroes - Won’t Look Back (Feat. Soundr)

Lykke Li - still sad still sexy Genre: Pop / R&B

Following up her stellar fourth album from last year, Lykke dropped off this interesting EP of remixes, b-sides and acoustic versions. Never thought I would hear a song of Lykke Li, Skrillex and Ty Dolla $ign, but I sure am glad it exists.

Proof: two nights part ii (w/ Skrillex Feat. Ty Dolla $ign) / neon

Madeaux - Club Demons Genre: Electronic / Deep House / Dance

Miami Producer/DJ Madeaux keeps his recent uptick in music coming with this Deep House EP meant to steam up the dance floors.

Proof: Club Demons (w/ Dances with White Girls) / Love (Feat. BRUX) // Bonus: Me & U

MitiS - Shattered Electronic / Future Bass / Dance

Another member of the Ophilia Records infantry headed by Seven Lions. Every other Ophelia artist has a flair for the cinematic and climatic drop to smack the listener with all the feels, MitiS is no exception to that.

Proof: Home (Feat. Niko Athanasatos) / Shattered (Feat. RUNN) // Bonus: Break the Silence (w/ Seven Lions Feat. RBBTS) / Mercy (w. glasscat)

MorMor - Some Place Else Genre: alt-R&B / Indie Pop

Last year’s debut EP, Heaven’s Only Wishful, by MorMor was one of my favorite of 2018. The Canadian singer follows it up nicely with this sweet and sensual EP on Indie Pop and soulful R&B blending.

Proof: Outside / Pass the Hours // Bonus: Won’t Let You

MOSSS - Pale Blue Genre: Indie Pop / Soul / Alternative

On the opening song of LA based singer MOSSS, the sound is a subtle and gentle melody with breathy vocals, until the chorus hits and the drums temporarily crash in for a climatic crash of emotions before dissipating again. It’s a perfect showing of MOSSS’ subtle yet impacting music. I can’t wait to hear more from the new artist.

Proof: Here If You Want (Pale Blue) / Bound To Happen

Phantoms - Disconnect Genre: Electronic / House / Dance

The LA EDM duo returns with a short but effect EP of house and Synth-Pop dance tunes. Ever since their debut 2015 EP Broken Halos it’s been quite the steady ascent for the duo, one I don’t see flattening out anytime soon.

Proof: Say It (Feat. Anna Clendening) / 5AM (Feat. Katie Morgan) // Bonus: Say It (David Jackson Remix) Feat. Anna Clendening

Raja Kumari - BLOODLINE Genre: Hip Hop

Indian-American female rapper Raja Kumari comes in looking for skulls to crack with this electric EP. She’s been around the industry for awhile now as a songwriter but is ready to step out in front, on her own.

Proof: SHOOK / KARMA

Ryahn - Light Blue Genre: R&B / neo-Soul

Light Blue is a delicate and evocative debut project from the Florida native singer. There’s notes of ANTI-era Rihanna, with some Jazmine Sullivan and a sprinkle of Beyoncé influences in the sound that’s quite effective.

Proof: LIGHT BLUE / SAD BOY // Bonus: Anything You Want

Skrillex - Show Tracks Genre: Electronic / Dubstep / Dance

Skrillex gifted fans with this two track EP showing the producer still has a magic way behind the boards. His bigger output is listed above in his collaboration EP with Boyz Noize, as well as the GRAMMY nominated one off single with Boyz Noize and Ty Dolla $ign and there’s rumors of a Jack U project in the near future. We can only hope on the last one until we hear more. #prayerhands

Proof: Fuji Opener (Feat. Alvin Rick) / Mumbai Power (Feat. Beam)

Super Duper - Vessels Genre: Electronic / Dance

Super Duper’s tracks are usually absent of vocals but still have such vibrant human life present in his cinematic tracks. His tracks have a great duality of relaxing moments to thunderous wake up calls that smack the ear drums.

Proof: Horizons / Canons (Feat. JMR) // Bonus: Montage

Summer Walker - CLEAR Genre: R&B / Soul

Before later in the year dropping her sultry sophomore album Over It, the Atlanta singer quietly released this intimate EP of slow jams. It’s been a bit difficult of a time for the singer with the increased attention Over It gave her. She has been vocal about her challenge dealing with her anxiety, where there’s been talks of an early retirement. I personally hope not; the world needs more soul music like this.

Proof: Grave / Settling

Teeko & B. Lewis - Build Genre: Electronic / R&B

Singer B. Lewis caught my attention last year with his EP with producer Falcons. He managed to grab it again with this collaboration with producer Teeko creating a vibrant and unique electronic world of Synth-Pop, G-Funk and Soul music.

Proof: Let’s Ride / Neva Had It

TNGHT - II Genre: Electronic / Dance

The electronic duo of Hudson Mohawke and Lunice finally returns with their second EP after 2023’s whirlwind EP that still today is flexing its influence muscles on the genre. II is another electrifying output of breakneck Trap influenced Electronic beats meant to excite and elate.

Proof: Dollaz / First Body

XYLØ - pretty sad / yes & no Genre: Synth-Pop

With the departure from the group of her brother, singer Paige embarks continuing on with the XYLØ name now as a solo artist. Dropping two EPs in 2019 it shows the American singer is not slowing down being on her own, if fact she’s speeding up.

Proof: miracle / blue light // yes & no / the end

Zacari - Run Free Run Wild Genre: alt-R&B

The Top Dawg Entertainment singer first turned some heads with his features on Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. and the Black Panther Soundtrack. On his first solo project Zacari shows his unique voice is not where the individuality and creativity ends. Run Free Run Wild is not like anything else out there but is a great, and introspective form of alt-R&B music with Hip Hop, Indie Pop, Alternative and Electronic influences.

Proof: You Can Do Anything / Ten Outta Ten

The Rest:

Good: Abby Jasmine - Abbnormal, Action Bronson & The Alchemist - Lamb Over Rice, Adela - On The Line, AJ Mitchell - Slow Dance, Alessia Cara - This Summer, Alesso - ALESSO MIXTAPE - PROGRESSO Vol. 1, Alex Mali - Sweet & Sour, Anna Clendening - Waves, Anna Lunoe - Right Party, Ario Parks - Sophie, Ashe - Moral of the Story: Chapter 1, Bas - Spilled Milk 1, Bassnector - Reflective (Part 4), beabadoobee - Space Cadet, Beau Diako - Flutter, BENEE - STELLA & STEVE, Big Wild - Super Dreams (Remixes), Bishop Nehru & Brady Watt - The Real Book, Vol. 1, Blu & Damu The Fudgemunk - Ground & Water, B00TY - High Art, Brasstracks - Before We Go, Broken Social Scene - Let’s Try the After (Vol. 1), Broken Social Scene - Let’s Try the After (Vol. 2), Bun B - Bun B Day, Carlie Hanson - Junk, Caroline Kole - Freaking Out!, The Chain Gang Of 1974 - Pollen, Chase & Status - RTRN: THE ORIGINALS, Cheat Codes - Level 2, Cheat Codes - Level 2 (Remixed), chloe mk - Fantasy, Christelle Bofale - Swim Team, Christian French - bright side of the moon, Chrome Sparks - Be On Fire, The Cool Kids & The Alchemist - Layups, Curren$y - Hot August Nights, Curren$y & LNDN DRGS - Umbrella Symphony, CYN - Mood Swing, Deante’ Hitchcock - Just A Sample 2, Death Cab for Cutie - The Blue, Deb Never - House on Wheels, DeJ Loaf - Go DeJ Go Vol. 1, Destiny Rogers - Tomboy, Dijon - Sci Fi 1, Dillon Nathaniel - Obsessions, Dinah Jane - Dinah Jane 1, Ella Henderson - Glorious, Elliott Power - Kill Fee, Emmavie - Stop the Tape, Eryn Allen Kane - a tree planted by water, Excision & Wooli - Evolution, Finneas - Blood Harmony, FKJ - Ylang Ylang, FLETCHER - you ruined new york city for me, flora cash - Press, Flowidus - Footsteps, Fossa Beats - Same Place, Four Tet - Anna Painting, G-Eazy - B-Sides, G-Eazy - Scary Nights, girl in red - chapter 2, GRAFIX - Refuge, GRiZ - Find My Own Way, The HamilTones - Watch the Ton3s, Hello Yello - Love Wins, Hikaru Utada - Face My Fears, Hope Tala - Sensitive Soul, Hoodboi - Sahara, Iggy Azalea - Wicked Lips, ilham - With Time, Interpol - A Fine Mess, i_o - House of God, Izzy Bizu - GLITA, Jade Bird - I Get No Joy, Jaden - ERYS IS COMING, Jai Waetford - Figure It Out, James Bay - One My Messy Mind, JAMESDAVIS - MASTERPIECE, Jasmine Thompson - colour, Jay Prince - WONDER, Jay Wile - Somewhere in Mind, Jean Deaux - Empathy, Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler - brent, Jess Connelly - ATM, jesse saint john - don’t stop dancing. life gets sad., JGRREY - Ugh, JOHN.k - if we never met, Joseph Ray - Room 1.5 / Chem - Ex, Julia Michaels - Inner Monologue, Pt. 1, Julia Michales - Inner Monologue, Pt. 2, Justine Skye - Bare With Me, Kaash Paige - Parked Car Convos, Kari Faux - CRY 4 HELP, Kasbo - Places We Don’t Know Remixes, Kehlani - While We Wait, Kero Kero Bonito - Civilisation I, Kevin Abstract - ARIZONA BABY, Kevin Abstract - Ghettoboy, KIAN - BLISS, Kiana Ledé - Myself, Kingdom - EXTERRA, Vol. 1, Knife Party - Lost Souls, Koffee - Rapture, Kyle Lux - No Roof Access, Låpsley - These Elements, Laxcity - Purity, Layton Greene - Tell Ya Story, Lemaitre - Fast Lovers, Liss - Second, Little Boots - Jump, Lonas - Youth, Lost Kings - Los Angeles, Lost Kings - Paper Crowns, LOVA - A Gentleman's Guide, Lusine - Retrace, Mack Keane - Donna Ave, Maisie Peters - It’s Your Bed Babe, It’s Your Funeral, Marco McKinnis - E’Merse, McClenny - I’m Not Here, Melii - MOTIONS, Meyham Lauren & DJ Muggs - Members Only, Mickey Kojak - Coming Together, Middle Kids - New Songs for Old Problems, Missy Elliott - ICONOLOGY, More Giraffes - Bermuda, Navvy - The Breakup, Nightly - Talk You Down, NIKI - wanna take this downtown?, no rome - Crying In The Prettiest Places, , Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - This Is the Place, nothing,nowhere. & Travis Barker - Bloodlust, ODESZA - A Moment Apart Remixes, Oliver Tree - Do You Feel Me?, Olivia Nelson - Back to You, Omar Apollo - Friends, Pearl City - Gold Metal Money, Pink Sweat$ - Volume 2, Phonte - Pacific Time, Powers Pleasant - Life Is Beautiful, PRETTYMUCH - Phases, Qveen Herby - EP5, Qveen Herby - The Vignettes, R3HAB - The Wave (Acoustic), Rema - Freestyle, Rema - Rema, Rhys Lewis - In Between Minds, Rotimi - Walk With Me, Ruel - Free Time, Ryan Leslie - Fleurier Flows, RY X - The Water, Sasha Sloan - Self Portrait, SATICA - Dear April, Ily, Saweetie - ICY, The Score - Pressure, The Score - Stay, SISTERS - We Can Get Together, slenderbodies - soraya, SOB X RBE & Marshmello - Roll the Dice, Social House - Everything Changed…, SOFI TUKKER - DANCING ON THE PEOPLE, Sofia Kourtesis - Sofia Kourtesis, Starchild & The New Romantics* - Vhs 1138, Striking Matches - Morning, Sufjan Stevens - Love Yourself / With My Whole Heart, Sunflower Bean - King of the Dudes, SVEA - This is, Tash - VOLUME 1, Taylor Bennett - The American Reject, Tess Henley - Better, TroyBoi - V!BEZ, Vol. 3, Tycho - Stress, UMI - Love Language, Unperfect - Go On… It’s a Vibe, Valentino Khan - House Party, The Vamps - Missing You, Vasco - Tender Luv, Virginia to Vegas - Hartland St, vōx - I Am Not a God, Wrabel - one of those happy people, Wu-Tang Clan - Of Mics and Men, Zhavia Ward - 17, 11:11 - Mood

Meh: Bakar - Will You Be My Yellow?, Burna Boy & DJDS - Steel & Copper, Casilofi - Create, Create, Create, Floating Spectrum - A Point Between, Future - SAVE ME, HiDoraah & Dolly White - Slimestas, Kevin Gates - Only The General Gon Understand, Lil Nas X - 7, Lynda Dawn - At First Light, Miley Cyrus - SHE IS COMING, Pet Shop Boys - Agenda, Skyler Grey - Angel With Tattoos, 5am & TM88 - 5:88

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