#but neither were really utilized as fairy-types

[abelladxnna]

// the current discussion of Fairy-types reminded me of this old art of Nell I did years ago:

[harocat]

For WIP Wednesday I wanted to babble some on how I imagine all the realms in the Love Between Fairy and Devil minibang (@lbfad-minibang) fic I'm working on. Btw posting for that starts on DECEMBER 8TH AHHHHH. For the three realms of the far future, I have a few inspirations. Lots of text under the read more lol.

I've mentioned Mad Max for Cangyan Sea, but I do want to be clear that Cangyan Sea is not a post-apocalyptic setting. They have grown and adapted into a desert culture over time. Though they aren't as populous as they once were, they're not in danger nor are they struggling for resources. There is water and food readily available, and they do trade with Shuiyuntian and Haishi City.

There is a lot of vehicle use, mostly adapted from what's found in the mortal realm. However, vehicles are powered by cultivation as opposed to fuel.

Clothing is layers, not much skin showing, as is consistent with desert cultures, but combined with some of the signatures we know of in Moon Tribe culture.

For Shuiyuntian, I decided to lean into the fact that it seems to be, despite the forest we do see, mostly surrounded by and above water. Thus, they are a water based culture now. My inspiration for them was the 2013 anime, Suisei no Gargantia. In this story, in the far future the Earth has become a water planet, and cities are made up of giant floating barges. These massive barges contain whole cities, with their own economies, agriculture, currency, etc. They do have some land to utilize (unlike Gargantia), but it is limited.

Much like Cangyan Sea, the aesthetic is a bit more rustic, but neither kingdom is in dire straits.

The climate is warm and subtropical, so clothing tends to be thin and breathable without many layers. Sandals, shorter sleeves, etc. Again, combined with some of the signature aesthetics we know exist in fairy culture.

In both cases the lush, elaborate lifestyles you may have seen in the past aren't really a thing any longer, but in general, the populations are healthy.

Items are used longer, clothes get more worn before being replaced, and in general, there isn't as much extravagance.

Cultivation does many of the same things electricity does in the mortal realm (light, fuel, etc.)

The modern mortal realm matches up to our own as as far as technology and equivalent time period goes. The main difference is that I wanted to imagine a China that had been free of the impact of imperialism. It just felt kind of fucked up to have this fantasy version of China, but still have it go through all the same nonsense our own world has gone through.

There is some western influence in architecture, clothes, and technology, but what is there is due to legitimate cultural exchange over time. Architecture is a mix of traditional builds, sometimes using more modern materials like glass and steel, and styles that originated outside the country. Clothes are all over the place. The train platform that's one of the first places they end up at is described as featuring people in 'Lucheng garments that look somewhat familiar', people in t-shirts and pants/jackets and slacks/etc., and people in a mishmash (XLH ends up in what is essentially a hanfu top and a pair of capris).

Because this is a fanfic, and they don't spend THAT much time in the mortal realm anyway, I won't be delving much into how this affected politics, law, and social norms, but you are free to imagine the differences.

(A thing to note is that unlike modern China, men have hair lengths of all types, from long like DFQC's own to cropped short, and it's considered normal.)

There is NO cultivation. Humans lost the ability to cultivate around the same time DFQC and XLH were sealed away forever ago. Magic and immortals exist only in folktales.

The one place that remains essentially the same is Xilan. There is limited use of it by both Shuiyuntian and Cangyan Sea, but old tradition and legend dictates that it mostly be left alone.

Haishi City has become a go between for the two kingdoms (which it sort of already is in canon). As a city that falls between what has become a large sea and an expansive desert, it is foggy and warm. There's little to say about the ecosystem outside the weather, as it's pretty much buildings top to bottom with little to no 'natural' spaces. I imagine it being super populated and set up on 'levels' like the city of Chongqing. I'm not sure if we'll ever make it there in the fic, but that's how it exists in my mind.

[goldenworldsabound]

Why Is The Gym Closed?

The inaugural Golden Flames fic! Golden arrives in Motostoke, only to find that the local gym is closed. Kabu explains, and they do what any two trainers do - a Poke’mon battle!

"So the gym is...closed?" Golden squinted through the glass doors into the darkened area. "I don't get it." She was holding Tak in front of her, the blind Charmander tilting his head up at her and crooning with concern at the confusion in her voice. "It's alright buddy. It's just, it's the middle of the day, why is the Motostoke gym closed?" She put her head on Tak's gently, and he nuzzled her in response. "Is it because it's minor leagues...?"

"You aren't from Galar, are you?" Came a male voice that was surprisingly close to her, and fairly flat.

"Ah!" She turned around, one hand reflexively going to her Poke'ball, while Tak growled quietly, sensing Golden's surprise. She brought her arm back up to support Tak, realizing the man standing in front of her didn't mean any harm, despite his sharp gaze. He was an older man, probably in his early 40s, judging by the black hair that was streaked with grey. "I'm not, but neither are you! At least, you don't have the accent."

He nodded his head slightly. "That's true, though I've lived here for a good many years now." He reached out a hand. "I'm Kabu."

Golden took his hand, and they shared a firm handshake. "Golden. I just flew in from Johto yesterday evening. Still fighting off the jetlag but I thought I'd take a look around Motostoke today."

"Nice to meet you, Golden. So you're interested in the gym challenge?" He questioned, face still a solid deadpan, except for the curiosity in his eyes.

"Well, yeah, I mean, I wanted to explore the region but I can't help but also want to fight in the gyms." She grinned. "I'm an accomplished trainer, after all." Tak chirped happily. "And Tak here wanted to try out a little fighting too, as much as he can handle anyway." She pressed a light kiss to his forehead. "I just can't figure out why the gym's closed!"

Kabu chuckled, smiling the slightest bit. "I remember reacting the same way when I first came here from Hoenn. But gym battles and the league challenge work differently here in Galar. It's far more structured."

"...what do you mean?" She raised a brow at him.

His face settled back into a deadpan as he explained. "There are only certain times one can compete in the circuit. The minor leagues like this gym have a longer season, but it's still time limited." His eyes lit up suddenly. "And at the end, the gym leaders and the winning challenger battle it out for the right to fight the Champion. And if they win...well. They become the new Champion." He looked away, sighing a bit.

"I see. That is fairly different. I suppose it puts less strain on the gym leaders and the Champion that way. Interesting!" She smiled. "It's a shame though, I've been itching to battle and I dunno how to find a good fight in this town."

"I'd be happy to fight you." There was the fire in his eyes again. "If you don't mind that I'm just a minor league gym leader."

"You're the- the Motostoke gym leader?" Her eyes widened. "Let's do it!"

"Great." He pulled out a pair of keys, unlocking the doors to the gym. "I'll do you one better and we can have it in the stadium."

Golden squeezed Tak gently, grinning wide. "This is gonna be great!" She followed Kabu inside.

As they walked onto the pitch, Golden couldn't help but look in awe at the size of it. It was massive, and even empty sent shivers down her spine. Imagining it full of a yelling crowd only made her want to challenge the gyms even more.

"Tak wants to have a little battle first! Then you'll see one of my veterans." Golden explained, lowering Tak to the ground. Kabu nodded, taking the hint.  He released a Sizzlipede onto the pitch.

Golden's eyes lit up at the adorable bug. "What is that?!" She asked, putting her hands on her face. Tak rolled his eyes.

"This little fellow is a Sizzlipede. He's native to the Galar region." Kabu smiled a bit at her clear excitement. "Ready?"

Golden nodded. "Let's do it! Tak, smokescreen!"

"Jump back, Sizzlipede!" Kabu countered.

Tak spewed smokescreen across most of the pitch. It was far more than a Poke'mon would usually use. Kabu understand immediately. Tak didn't need to see, so it was advantageous to block the eyes of his enemy and his enemy's trainer. Sizzlipede couldn't get out of the smoke, it's glow barely visible through the haze.

"Swift!" Golden commanded.

The move hit it's target solidly, knocking Sizzlipede back. But now Kabu knew where Tak was.

"Sizzlipede, flame wheel at 2 o' clock!" Kabu called out. Sizzlipede responded instantly, rolling into Tak hard. The fire coming off it's body dissipated most of the smokescreen, and Tak went flying.

"Tak, on my signal-"

"Flame wheel, again!"

"NOW!" Tak used scratch as Sizzlipede came into range. This wasn't enough to stop the force of the fire bug. Tak fell back again, crashing to the ground with a cry.

"Stop! Stop, stop, that's enough for now!" Golden ran out to help Tak up, pulling out a potion. "You did great, Tak! We got some solid hits in there!" Tak nodded, breathing a sigh of relief as his hitpoints were restored.

"Clever strategy, to utilize Tak's strengths." Kabu said, nodding approvingly. "If the two of you keep working at it, I'm sure you'll be a formidable team."

"Thanks." She grinned, grabbing a Poke'ball from her belt. "Now get ready to fight one of my long term partners. Athens, go!"

The large Togekiss appeared in the air, cooing before doing a few rolls. They flew down to nuzzle Golden, pushing her a little.

"Good to see you too, Athens. Get ready for a battle!" Athens nodded, floating back to hover in front of Golden, a more determined look on their face.

Sizzlipede scurried back to Kabu, climbing up to perch on his shoulders, staring at Athens with curiosity. Togekiss were not foreign to the Galar region, but challengers at Motostoke didn't usually have such a strong Poke'mon.

Kabu struck a dramatic pose, almost like a fighting stance, Poke'ball held out in front of him. "Go get her, girl."

Centiskorch materialized on the field, immediately locking eyes with Togekiss to size up her opponent. Athens stared back, the look of curiosity unmistakable. They'd never seen such a Poke'mon before.

Golden didn't need to give Athens commands. Athens assessed the situation, before diving rapidly at the large red 'mon with an Air Slash. Without a word from Kabu, Centiskorch moved with blinding speed, dodging the attack, and simultaneously hitting Athens with a well placed Fire Lash. Athens dashed away, recovering from the attack.

"..." Golden watched, arms crossed, resisting the temptation to provide guidance here. Athens was very experienced, and she wanted to see what they could do. And Kabu wasn't speaking either...

Centiskorch tried another Fire Lash, but Athens stayed high, out of reach. Athens swooped down after that, firing off a quick Dazzling Gleam while maintaining some distance. Centiskorch took the attack, lunging again, but Athens had enough time to get out of range again. After a few more times of this, Centiskorch was starting to land hits back. They were exchanging blows.

Athens dove down more rapidly than before, landing a solid Air Slash. The force of the super effective blow tossed Centiskorch back, preventing it from making a counter attack this time.

"Centiskorch! We can turn this around!" Kabu held out the Poke'ball, the band on his wrist beginning to glow. Golden furrowed her brow. What was this? Her eyes (and Athens' too) widened as the Poke'ball became huge. Kabu threw it back behind him, and a huge, Gigantamax Centiskorch landed on the field with a loud boom. Golden took a step back, a little frightened. She missed the little smirk that passed over Kabu's face.

"Athens, be careful!" She called out, feeling herself sweat. What was this?

"Centiskorch, G-Max Centiferno!" Kabu yelled throwing his hand out towards Athens. The giant centipede contorted it's body, shooting a massive blast of fire out of it's underside.

"No!" Golden yelled, watching as the flames engulfed Athens. "We concede!" As the fire cleared, Golden could see that Athens was still in, just barely, but they looked very beaten up and singed.

Kabu nodded, holding up a hand to Centiskorch, who promptly shrank down to it's previous form.

Athens floated down to Golden, who pulled the fairy type into a gentle hug. "You did great, Athens. Here." She sprayed a full restore, healing up the Togekiss. Athens nuzzled her, cooing again. As Kabu walked over, Sizzlipede still on his shoulders and Centiskorch following behind, Golden called out to him. "What was that? That was amazing!!!"

Kabu blinked. "You aren't...mad that I used something I knew you'd never heard of?" He asked frankly.

"Huh? Why would I be mad! That was really intense! I mean, hell, if I had something like that at my disposal I'd do the same thing." She admitted, standing back up with Tak in her arms, Athens hovering closer to Centiskorch and chirping. Centiskorch chittered back to them, looking pleased.

"Hm. Well then." He wiped the surprise off his face, clearing his throat. "That's called Dynamaxing. Well, Gigantamaxing specifically." He explained a bit more. "But it can only be done by a Dynamax Power Spot, like in this gym."

"Oooh, I see, that's quite tricky of you." She smirked. "I thought I was getting special treatment to be in the gym, but really you just wanted to Dynamax?"

He laughed awkwardly. "I shouldn't deny it. You caught me."

"Fair enough. Well, that was a great fight either way." She held her hand out to Sizzlipede, who looked at it tentatively before giving it a gentle rub. Kabu raised his brows.

"I would say the same. A great battle indeed." He watched with a small smile as Sizzlipede continued to nuzzle Golden. "Sizzlipede is usually quite picky, you know. He must've liked the fire he saw within you."

"He's a real sweety...how do I get one of these?! He's so precious! Aren't you little Sizzlipede?" She put on a baby voice, scratching gently at Sizzlipede's chin. Sizzlipede chittered, clearly enjoying it.

"Why don't we talk about that over some dinner? It's just about that time." Kabu suggested. "My treat. And I can answer any other questions you have too."

"Wow really? Thanks! Let's do it!"

[real-life-pine-tree]

Into the Arcverse: Weather Painting (2/?)

Yuan Amaya just wanted to hide away from public eye, but fate had other plans. Based on Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse.

With the table’s all pushed back towards the club room’s walls, everything was set up for Yuan and June’s duel. Much like how the school’s sports teams have fields and a gymnasium for practicing, the members are generally allowed to use the auditorium to hold any duels to prepare for any tournaments, test the newcomer’s skills before officially joining, or—if push comes to shove—settle any serious tiffs. If there was something important is taking place and the auditorium was needed, then most of those duels are conducted in the club room. Even though nothing remotely eventful was coming up, the duel was still occurring in the club room because June didn’t want to waste any time seeing the Weather Painters in action; she also has no intentions on holding back against Yuan.

Yuan inserted his deck into his Duel Disk, scanning all the cards he had with him and activating a holographic projection of its blade to materialize. As for June, she had the newer model, so there was no need for an actual deck. The cards she uses are all downloaded into her Duel Disk, meaning everything will be projected thanks to the advanced technology provided by Sol Technologies. If there was one thing both versions have in common, people can duel each other in and out of Link V.R.A.I.N.S. thanks to its dual virtual reality network compatibility. Having both of their decks ready, the digital text on their Duel Disks read, “CARD DIGITIZE COMPLETE,” followed by “LOCAL VR NETWORK DUEL STANDBY.”

"Just wanna let you know I won't hold back," June informed. "I'll use my deck at it’s full strength, so I'm expecting you to come at me at full strength. You got that?"

"O-Of course..." Yuan stammered.

June groaned. "Quit acting like a coward," she demanded.

Yuan's face went pale. "I... Uh..."

"Don't mind Yuan," Naoki spoke up. "He doesn't really have a lot of social skills, but his dueling skills are just as flash as mine."

"I don't need commentary from the peanut gallery," June bluntly stated. "Now let's begin the duel!"

"R-Right..." Yuan agreed. And with his and June's Life Points at 4000 each, the duel began.

"I'll start things off if you don't mind," June said. "First I summon Immortal Ruler."

That surprised Yuan. "Immortal Ruler...?" he echoed.

"What? Were you expecting some cutesy fairy deck?" June coldly asked. "Not every girl duels that way. I happen to like dueling with zombies. Now to activate the Field Spell Zombie World!"

From the ground, a blackish-blue light flashed right in the middle of the Duel Field and expanded outward, leaving behind what looked like human skulls and bones in its path. Whatever image was on that Field Spell kept spreading all over the room; this ominous light flooded the entire floor before reaching the edges and proceeded to climb up the walls. Before long, it made its to the ceiling until the entire club was enveloped in a new, horrific scenery. Strange creatures were crawling all over the piled skeletons, a few bare, demonic trees had popped up in a few areas near both Duelists, a bloody river flowed by the skeletal land, and tall, rocky formations erupted into place over the dark, cloudy horizon.

This Zombie World might as well be the scariest sight Yuan had seen so far. He examined the area with swift and somewhat frantic motions because he honestly believe the phrase “a fate worse than Hell” was a perfect way to describe this setting. For June, it was also perfect, but for her overall deck and her Immortal Ruler, who is a Level 4, EARTH, Zombie-Type monster with 1800 ATK and 200 DEF. Although it can’t be special summoned, it can be tributed to add Zombie World from her Graveyard to her hand.

"But I'm not done," June continued. "I activate the Continuous Spell Call of the Mummy! Now whenever my field is empty, I can special summon a zombie straight from my hand. And since I can't attack, I'll finish things up with a face-down card. Now show me what you got."

"Okay..." Yuan muttered. "I draw." After drawing a card, he checked his hand. "I activate Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen to special summon Weather Painter Rain from my hand. This allows me to activate the Continuous Trap Weather Auroral Canvas from my hand. Then I normal summon Weather Painter..." He double-checked the cards in his hand. "...Cloud."

The Weather Painter Cloud is a Level 3 WIND Fairy-Type monster with 1500 ATK and 1000 DEF. If a different The Weather card Yuan controls is sent to the Graveyard, he can target up to 2 The Weather Spells and/or Traps from his Graveyard and place them face-up in his Spell and Trap Zone, but this can be done once per turn. Another effect that be done once per turn is Special Summoning Cloud during the Standby Phase of the turn he was banished to activate a The Weather card effect.

As for The Weather Auroral Canvas, all The Weather effect monsters in the Main Monster Zone of the Continuous Trap’s column and its adjacent columns gain this effect: If a player adds exactly one card to their hand (expect during the damage step), this card and the added card are both banished, allowing that player to draw one card. Additionally, only one The Weather Auroral Canvas can be controlled.

"I also activate Weather Rainy Canvas," Yuan continued. "By banishing Weather Painter Rain from my field, your Field Spell goes back to your hand."

The Weather Painter Rain twirled around with her large, indigo pen in her hands. Firmly grasping onto the pen, the tip drew a rotating spiral ascending from her shoes all the way up to the top of her head. The encircling indigo ink cloaked Rain in a luminescent glow before fusing together to produce a paint puddle of the same color. It splashed down onto the ground in the same Main Monster Zone where Rain was summoned from and oozed into the dried-up soil through the skeletons. Pretty soon, a glowing patch lit up from where the puddle dripped onto, with it extending all over the land and stretching out into the rocky regions and the sky, bringing everyone back into the club room.

"Whoa, is this what Weather Painters are like?"

"That was so pretty!"

Yuan was surprised by the compliments. "But...this is still my first turn..."

"Then keep going!" Hannah encouraged. "I want to see more of those Weather Painters in action!"

She was right to tell Yuan to keep going; there was the desired option to head to the Battle Phase so that his monsters can attack. On top of that, this was everyone’s first time seeing the Weather Painters in a duel and they already had a positive response to witnessing this archetype. With such a strong reception from the start, Yuan might have a chance. He could feel a peculiar emotion budding from within him. He wasn’t sure what it was at first, but he managed to catch on to what this sudden surge was. He exhaled before opening his eyes, which were filled with the spark of confidence, and staring back at June. But upon quickly realizing his current monster was weaker, he changed his strategy.

"I activate Magic Planter!" Yuan announced. "By sending Weather Auroral Canvas to my Graveyard, I get two free draws." He checked the two cards he drew and smiled wide. "And with the Spell card Ancient Rules, I'm allowed to bring out a high-level monster. Time to shine a light, Weather Painter Aurora!"

Weather Painter Aurora is a Level 6 DARK Fairy-Type monster with 2200 ATK and 2000 DEF. A Spell or Trap with The Weather in its name can be placed face-up from Yuan’s hand, deck, or the Graveyard after she has been successfully normal summoned. The opponent can neither target nor destroy The Weather Spells and Traps he controls with card effects. Much like Cloud, she shares the same “once per turn” where she can be special summoned during the Standby Phase of the turn she was banished from the field to activate The Weather card’s effect.

Because Immortal Ruler has only 1800 ATK, Yuan figured bringing her out would sustain some amount of damage to her, even if it wasn’t much.

"Time to begin combat!" Yuan declared. "Weather Painter Aurora, take out Immortal Ruler with Emerald Paint Splash!"

Aurora raised her paint brush roller towards the sky to charge up her attack. On the handle, two small, emerald green orbs and a larger orb of the same hue located in between them shone vividly, powering up the roller as it steadily soaked itself in a bright, fluorescent green color. She lunged forth to where Immortal Ruler was and commenced with coating it in paint. The combination of the soaking green paint and the rapid movements from her as she utilized her brush was proving too much for him to handle, and before he knew it, she delivered one final blow by thrusting the roller onto his chest and forcefully sent it upwards, dealing a move in a similar manner to an uppercut. As the paint splashed from underneath his chin, Immortal Ruler disintegrated from the field, bringing June’s Life Points down to 3600.

"But I'm not done!" Yuan continued. "Now Weather Painter Cloud can-"

"I don't think so," June interrupted. "I activate the Trap Haunted Shrine! Now Immortal Ruler is allowed to crawl back onto my field!"

A holographic hexagon digitized itself onto the field and projected pixels compressed themselves together until they were in the shape of Immortal Ruler, who shortly disclosed himself after the special summoned. Aside from a Zombie-Type monster getting special summoned from the Graveyard if June controls no monsters, Haunted Shrine can also—once per turn—be banished from the Graveyard to target and special summon a Zombie-Type monster from the Graveyard with its effects negated.

"So I guess that ends your turn," June assumed.

"Yeah...I guess..." Yuan realized as he set two cards face down.

"How pathetic," June scoffed as she drew a card. "And you haven't even Link Summoned yet. This is going to be a quick duel if this keeps up. Now to bring back Zombie World with help from Immortal Ruler! Offer me your life to restore my wasteland paradise!"

A portal opened up from below Immortal Ruler, and starting from the bottom, he gingerly dissipated until every trace of him was sent to the Graveyard. As a result of him getting tributed, a narrow beam of light shot upwards with a silhouette of a card rising up from outside of the Graveyard portal. That card quickly vanished before reappearing in June’s hand, and with a simple swipe, she promptly activated it. Pretty soon, Yuan found himself reliving the same experience he went through when it was first played. An expanding surge of holograms swallowed the club room once more until everyone was back in the demonic, skeletal hell known as Zombie World.

"And just to make sure Zombie World stays put, I'll bring out an old friend," June continued. "Come on out, Necroworld Banshee! Root yourself to my paradise!"

A handful of what appeared to be souls emerged onto the field in one big clutter, which was then scattered into multiple individual souls floating around what appeared to be a pale-ish blue girl with pointy ears, long, silky hair of a similar color, and wore a powder blue blanket that had been tied on her shoulders to make it resemble a dress. Although her appearance does not make her look like a banshee like her name states, she is a Level 4, DARK, Zombie-Type monster with 1800 ATK and 200 DEF. Her main effect prevents other card effects from targeting and destroying Zombie World, something June intended on doing. By activating her quick effect, which can be done once per turn, she can be banished from the field or Graveyard in order for Zombie World to be directly activated from June’s hand or deck.

"And just to spice things up, I'll use the Quick-Play Spell Zombie Power Struggle to give my banshee a power boost," June decided.

Zombie Power Struggle is a rather interesting card to play because instead of just targeting and increasing a Zombie-Type monster’s ATK, it can either add or subtract 1000 ATK until the end of the turn. If this Quick-Play Spell is in the Graveyard, during the Main Phase, a banished Zombie-Type monster can be shuffled into the deck in order to set it onto the field, but it must be banished when it leaves the field. As usual, this effect of Zombie Power Struggle can be done once per turn.

Having made the decision to raise Necroworld Banshee’s ATK to 2800, she has enough strength to destroy Weather Painter Aurora. Even though 600 damage isn’t much, it is still better than the 400 damage Yuan dealt earlier.

"Now to get rid of that Weather Painter!" June declared. "Necroworld Banshee, wipe her out with Decaying Shri-"

"I don't think so," Yuan interrupted.

"What are you saying?" June asked.

"Because Weather Rainy Canvas has an additional ability," Yuan explained. "By banishing it from my field, I'll negate the effects of Zombie Power Struggle and return it to your hand."

Necroworld Banshee had already declared her attack as she had stood up on her feet and covered her eyes as she unleashed a loud wail, almost as if she was mourning for the dead. The souls orbiting around her responded to her cries and charged to where Aurora was; however, at that moment, the young banshee could feel her ATK return to its original 1800, a direct result of June returning Zombie Power Struggle to her hand. To put it simply, there was nothing she could do to stop her attack.

Aurora readied her paint brush roller, and with the lustrous, emerald green orbs all charged up again, she deflected each and every soul back to the opposing monster, splattering them with a bit of chartreuse paint. With every soul struck back to Necroworld Banshee, leaving behind paint stains on her, it led to a point where it was too agonizing for her to handle and she let a pained scream upon getting destroyed, much to June’s frustration as her Life Points lowered to 3200. For a noob, this Yuan kid was definitely craftier than she initially expected.

"Then it's a good thing I still have Call of the Mummy," June pointed out. "I'll bring out Pyramid Turtle to provide some stable defense. Now show me what your deck can do!"

"Alright," Yuan responded. He drew a card. "First, Weather Painter Rain returns to my field since she was banished due to a card ability. Now here's when the fun begins. Link arrows authorized!"

"What?" June asked.

"I need at least three Weather Painters to bring out this masterpiece!" Yuan continued. "Link the circuit! I Link Summon Weather Painter Rainbow!"

His three Weather Painters transformed into violet, indigo, and green spirals of energy that whisked to where the Link portal was, but instead of heading inside of it, they went for the bottom three Link Arrows. The three set arrows triggered a reaction that caused an elegant, blonde-haired lady wielding a paint brush and a palette of assorted colors, complete with seven tubes of paint floating in front of her—violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—to be summoned. Undoubtingly, this monster was The Weather Painter Rainbow, a Link 3, LIGHT, Fairy-Type Link monster with 2200 ATK and the Link Arrows set on the bottom-let, bottom, and bottom-right. For her Link Materials, she requires three The Weather monsters. Her quick effect allows Yuan to send her to the Graveyard in order to negate an opposing monster’s special summon and destroy it. Unsurprisingly, she can also get special summoned on the Standby Phase of the turn she was banished to activate a The Weather card’s effect once per turn. Finally, The Weather effect monsters that linked to any of her three Link Arrows gain the quick effect to banish Rainbow as a way to negate a card or effect’s activation and destroy said card.

Unfortunately not everyone was amazed to see the Link monster. "What is that?" June asked.

"My Link monster, Weather Painter Rainbow," Yuan repeated.

"I can see that!" June shouted. "Why did you bring her out?! What about your other Link card?!"

"Other Link card?" Yuan echoed. "What are you..."

All of a sudden, he paused halfway through his question right as he processed what June was talking about. Before the duel began, she had examined his cards and handed them back because she wanted to see them in action; that’s what he’s been doing, but that wasn’t enough to please her? Up until recently, he thought that was what intrigued her and he has been showing off what he can do with his Weather Painters. He memorized that same flashback and recalled her stopping to see something in his deck. Just like that, it clicked for him. That was why she longed to see his monsters in action? Just to see his other Link monster? But…why?

"You want to see...him?" Yuan asked, losing his confident streak. "But he doesn't fit with the deck..."

"So what?" June impatiently asked as she tapped her foot. "He looks powerful. Now bring him out already!"

Yuan flinched. "I, ah..."

Luckily Naoki ran in between the two. "Hey, don't yell at Yuan like that!" he defended with his arms stretched out. "I don't know what's going on, but you have no right to bully him!"

"I'm not bullying him!" June insisted. "I'm ashamed he's holding back! If he can't summon his true ace, he has no right to call himself a Duelist! So unless he summons it this turn, I'll have no choice but to call off this duel!"

"I have to agree with Shima on this one," Hosoda spoke up. "What's gotten into you, June? You weren't like this with the other members."

"So what?!" June snapped. "I can tell he's different from the rest of you!" She glared at Yuan. "Now bring out your ace already!"

Her cold, harsh stare did not settle well for Yuan; the eye color my be a magenta-red, but they may as well be an icy blue based on her heated temper. Tanaka stepped in to remind her how Yuan gets to call the moves whenever it’s his turn with Suzuki adding how it was practically normal for Duelists to summon their Link 3 aces first and then their Link 4 trump cards when the intensity gets amped up. Heck, even the soft-spoken Hannah was showing signs of having enough of June’s constant berating and had to call her out on it. To no avail, most of the club’s combined efforts did not phase her one bit; she was going to see Yuan’s true ace monster whether they like it or not.

Skye did what she could to maintain her composure although judging from her shut eyes and slightly twitching eyebrow, she was getting annoyed by June’s behavior too. Right as she got up to attempt to resolve this, her hazel eyes caught Yuan in the corner of her sight except…something wasn’t right with him. Was he…shaking? Possibly, but she could tell he obviously wasn’t getting any better at this rate and it seems like June yelling at him to play his other Link monster wasn’t helping in the slightest. From his perspective, he began to second guess himself on the move he just made. Was bringing out Weather Painter Rainbow the right call to make? Should he have brought out his other Link monster? Should he have Link Summoned him to begin with? With the mounting pressure and the heightening anxiety he is forced to endure, the implication that something needed to be done immediately was getting more and more apparent. So she did.

"Call off this duel," Skye demanded.

"Excuse me?" June asked.

"You're making Yuan uncomfortable," Skye pointed out, a fierce gaze appearing in her eyes. "And why do you act like you're the club president? You joined a few days ago and assumed the position of vice president. if anything, I should be vice president because I was able to get the new Duel Disks for everyone else. Now are you going to call off the duel, or do I have to report you to the headmaster for bullying?"

There was no arguments made on any of these points. Skye upgraded almost everyone’s Duel Disk because she is the step-sister of Akira Zaizen, who is the security manager of Sol Technologies, so it explains where she gathered the money from to provide the members with the newer models. Not to mention she is especially right about Yuan getting bullied, regardless if June continues to deny it. As long as anyone seeks to harm, intimidate, coerce, or make someone else uncomfortable, that is considered bullying and it is strictly against school rules.

June was left at an ultimatum; was getting to see Yuan’s true ace monster in action if it meant getting sent to the headmaster’s office? From what she could tell, every member did not approve of the way she acted upon seeing Weather Painter Rainbow. Just because he didn’t Link Summon his Link 4 monster right away doesn’t mean it is a big deal. Speaking of him, she observed his current state once all the yelling and bickering has subsided. She perceived right away that he had fallen on his knees and hugged himself as his body shook; it wasn’t shaking as much now that the disputing subsided, but there were still some visible vibrations. She peered back at Skye, who continued giving her the same fiercely serious glare. After about a minute of thinking, she had made her decision, and judging from the way she sighed, she ultimately the right choice.

"Fine," June said as she deactivated her Duel Disk, causing all the holograms to vanish. "But I don't think he's worthy to join."

"I disagree," Hannah spoke up. "Those Weather Painters were beautiful and he clearly knew what he was doing."

"So would you care to explain your actions?" Hosoda asked June.

"Because I can tell Yuan Amaya has potential to be as strong as me," June explained, still annoyed with the duel results. "Don't all great Duelists figure a way out of a tough spot, like when they're pushed into a corner with no way out? All it takes is the right card to pull off a miracle win, just like that one card I saw: a Link monster called Shining Claw Link Dragon."

"That old thing?" Naoki asked. "It's just a card Yuan keeps in his deck for some sentimental reason."

"Oh, really?" June asked. She glanced at Yuan, who had finally got back on his feet and was starting to calm down. "And what is this 'sentimental reason'?"

Yuan tried to come up with a definitive answer, but had trouble determining what this sentimental reason is. Not even his earliest memories provided any recollection of how he got Shining Claw. All he knows he has had it for his entire life while growing up yet he rarely used it, especially with his Weather Painters. Aside from his dragon not fitting with his deck, he just wasn’t sure why he was given that card in the first place. It has been an occasionally recurring thought of his, but it doesn’t entirely bother him; however, now that June mentioned it, Yuan pondered if Shining Claw has the potential of helping him pull off a “miracle win” like she said. Despite him feeling like he wasn’t that much of a great Duelist, he left quite an impression on everyone prior to the duel's abrupt end. Maybe if he kept practicing, he could pull it off? Who knows.

"Well, I've seen enough," Hosoda decided. "Welcome to the dueling club, Yuan Amaya."

"You'll still let me join?" Yuan asked. "But what about-"

"I believe there's no such thing as a worthless card," Hosoda explained. "What does exist, however, are useless Duelists who don't see their worth. But you don't look like a useless Duelist to me. Your skills are beyond incredible. You take art classes, correct?"

Yuan quickly nodded. "No wonder," Hannah spoke up. "I think I saw some of your sketches in the school art gallery. You're pretty gifted."

"Wow..." Yuan said, still surprised by the praise. "Thanks."

And that was how Yuan joined the dueling club. Despite his mild panic attack, it looked like most of the club members were impressed with his skills. But as the club members celebrated, Hannah stepped aside to type something into her Duel Disk. She felt a strange connection with this new member, but why? Why did she feel like this Weather Painter user was an important person? Regardless of why, she knew exactly what she had to do after school...

[transhawks]

If I might chime as someone who was really running a Sakura stan blog for years until I just got too upset with Boruto, I’d like to posit that the reason why Sakura was disliked was a genuine misogyny and hatred of those same traits you mentioned.  Kishimoto said that he created Sakura and Lee with human weakness in mind, in the sense that they were meant to present very flawed beings. Now, Kishimoto has understanding women, but he wanted to write a girl who didn’t understand boys, and a well-intentioned character who was irritating. To really get Sakura, I think perhaps we have to look outside anime at young girl characters that I see as her closest ‘relations’. For one thing, and I apologize for discussion this work but it’s unfortunately part of my point, Sakura is a very Hermione Granger character in a work not suited for a very brainy know-it-all when it came to action. Sakura does play a role of our exposition fairy very early on when explaining things in the manga, but as we gain footing in the setting, she becomes less important in the role. 

And there’s the issue of what to do with her. There’s plenty of discarded threads Kishimoto left around, like her being a genjutsu type when that never comes to fruition, and the importance of her having perfect chakra control, which isn’t because she has ‘less’ chakra capacity, but it’s an actual trait she has (and is deemphasized). Unlike Granger, Sakura’s braininess wasn’t utilized in service of the Team as it should have been, and it’s really only apparent in the fight with Sasori how quick-witted and perhaps tactically driven she is. 

And then the healing and Tsunade’s fighting style which is both the greatest thing Kishimoto did for her and the worst. We’ve seen combat medics like Kabuto, and they prove deadly enough, But Sakura’s combat style is not made for manga like Naruto. Neither is Tsunade’s, and perhaps that’s why the editors interfered with Kishimoto’s earlier plans to have Naruto arrive during a fight with Tsunade and Pein. I wrote about this a few years back, but basically one of the consequences of Kishimoto not knowing what to do with Sakura was he gave her a power that doesn’t really work for repeated battles in Naruto. With fighters like Sasori who have several bodies, yes, or consistently long-range fighters, but otherwise? She basically fights like a Saitama (OPM) and isn’t made for the kind of fights Kishimoto started moving to. And then the Hippocratic oath she took conveniently sidelined her so he didn’t have to figure how to work with her in those situations. Of course she still plays a big role throughout the entirety of the War Arc, so it’s kind of willing ignorance to call her role in Shippuden useless. It’s her attitude and character that got Sasori to tell them about Kabuto and the meeting, and it’s unlikely they would have set off into that storyline with ROOT otherwise.  Anyway, that brings us back to why people don’t like her - braniac know-it-all who is irritating, a writer who didn’t really know how to place her in his story though he tried, and then, finally, she’s a girl. A teenage girl that’s utterly relatable. No, seriously. She’s feminine, and not in the way people like. Maybe not a moe yamato nadeshiko archetype like Hinata, but Hinata’s femininity is gentle and unthreatening. She sighs over Naruto and doesn’t encroach. She’s also a caged princess kind of deal. Sakura isn’t like that. 

Sakura is loud, boisterous, and very open about her feelings towards Sasuke. She’s not as tomboyish as Ten Ten, but she’s aggressive in her dislikes and likes. She’s brightly pink, flashy. She’s somewhat self-observed as a young tween and as a teen much more concerned about others, to the point of wanting to sacrifice things or lie to bring comfort to those she cared for. Slight spoiler for the end of the War Arc: Sakura’s love for Sasuke is a very teenage love, and a very sad one. She looked at him and thought she wanted to help him, and fix him, and she’s basically committing a ‘sin’ many teenage girls do at age; look at people and think they can help. She just wanted to save him and how many of us get into romances with that same impulse?! It’s the same impulse beyond all the ‘a good girl can help a bad boy’ stories. Sakura is that girl, and the reason we disliked her is because many of us who are/were/thought we were girls saw ourselves in her. In her pining, her refusal to give up on a crush, in her audacity to be a normal teenage girl in a world and story that is brutal to children.   She wasn’t a civilian, as many believe, as both her parents are shinobi (Kishimoto created them for a movie and always had a plan in mind), but she’s from a clanless family, born to a shinobi who remained a Genin into adulthood and kunoichi who seemingly retired when she had her. She’s the one with no destiny, no bloodline really handed to her, just born exceptionally smart and capable. Like Lee, she’s a genius in her ways that gifted characters like Naruto and Sasuke /can’t/ be (spoiler: due to the whole transmigration/destiny shit), because in many ways she had to prove being worthy of any attention that her teammates didn’t have to think about.  And because of her normalcy, she’s naïve about being a ninja. So’s Naruto, but that was never held against him in the same way, and the truth it’s because she’s a girl.  As I got a bit older, Game of Thrones became popular. And I couldn’t help but see so much of Sakura in Sansa, if only in how both are disliked by the wider fandoms for being young girls, daring to dream of happiness and ‘feminine’ things. Now, Sakura is far more action-orientated than Sansa, but even the way she asserts herself in combat is linked to womanhood (Support, Healing, Quick maneuvers to stave off prolonged combat. She’s a one hit K.O. fighter not to be a bastion of masculinity but to end fights as quick as possible).  And in the case of Sansa, who was also in many ways self-absorbed, but well-intentioned, naïve, the maturity gained through the story is ignored. It’s as if the first impressions of characters like Sansa and Sakura are so strong people forget that there’s actual character development.  Sakura learned to stand on her two feet and not behind her teammates. It’s just not her fault they’re in some epic destiny prophecy stuff and she isn’t - and it’s kind of more impressive she’s able to hold her own alongside them at that. When people call her weak and useless, it’s because things like openly declaring love, abstaining from fights/healing, and childish (girlish) naivete bother them. 

As much as Kishimoto did a huge disservice to Sakura and other female characters at times, so much of the perception of her as weak and useless is due to a prevailing view of her that originated in the 00s when most of the people reading the manga back then were teens, during a time in media where there was a very clear preference for action girls to be ‘strong’ in a masculine sense, tough. And even if Sakura can punch mountains to rubble, her flaw of being a normal teenage girl is so grievous that twenty years later we’re still having the same arguments. 

Hi! :)) any thoughts on Naruto so far? I’d like to know your opinion on Sakura when you finish it cause... idk maybe it’s just me? I like her I don’t think she’s as terribly written as people seem to think but idk I don’t like her crush on Sasuke, that is, she is ofc allowed to have one but the way Kishimoto goes about it is a bit... eh more like any crush in the series isn’t well developed

Okay, so I’m 560 chapters in and obviously there’s still like 140 chapters left but... I agree. Actually Sakura’s probably just outside my top 5.

Maybe my expectations were just really, really low because of all the complaining I’d heard, and to be sure, there are problems. The love interest label is slammed into us again and again and again at the beginning, which is annoying, but her further development is pretty good. Like they deliberately delve into the love interest stuff in a way that’s interesting (though not used to its full potential) in having how Sakura claim to be able to see her childish fantasies of the bad boy (Sasuke) are wrong and she should actually love the nice boy by her side (Naruto)--but it's framed as just all wrong. It doesn’t shoot down or mock Sakura’s fantasies of love any more than it shoots down Naruto’s of becoming a badass Hokage. That’s actually rare, and I appreciate that, as I feel so many properties in media today talk down to girls for fantasizing about love.

Now, compared to the other main characters--Sasuke and Naruto--and a lot of the side characters like Itachi, Gaara, etc--she’s not that well written. Which is really frustrating. That said, I actually think Sakura’s bond with Sasuke and with Naruto is much more “show don’t tell” than Naruto’s with Sasuke, lol.

Sure, Sakura’s no Mikasa or Kyouka or Touka, but she’s not that bad especially by shonen standards for female love interests. Honestly, her romance is better than YuYu Hakusho’s Keiko and she’s better written on the whole than Assassination Classroom’s Kayano and BNHA’s Ochaco. I’d say she’s on the level of JJK’s Nobara, which is probably controversial of me to say. But Sakura’s flaw as a written character is the same as Nobara’s: they lack internal depth. We know little of their internal motivations/conflicts. Like, Nobara might not be a love interest and gets badass fights, which makes her different than most female MCs in shonen, but it doesn’t inherently make her more well-rounded or complex (Maki and Mai are the female characters who shine in JJK). Actually I think Sakura’s better connected to the plot and themes and character arcs of the main characters than Nobara is.

So why am I pitting female characters against each other? I actually don’t mean to. I really like Nobara. What annoys me and what I’m aiming to criticize by comparing them is how, in fandom, things that are traditionally “girly” (healing, romance, pink) are held up as weakening a character, while traditionally masculine traits (badass fights) are not. And it’s fine to individually prefer one or the other. I just wish feminine traits didn’t inherently count against a female character.

[that-shamrock-vibe]

Movie Review: Descendants 2 (Spoilers)

Spoiler Warning: So much like my review for the first Descendants movie and because this isn’t a big cinematic blockbuster I’m only doing the one review which will include spoiler content. I am creating this review two days after the movie hit the small screens of America so if you still haven’t seen it overseas or haven’t been able to find it online anywhere else then don’t read on.

Initial Reaction:

I have been waiting all weekend to see this movie, it is slightly sad that I am a 24 year old guy and still get a kick out of Disney particularly for something that is aimed at this generation’s High School Musical fans I’d say but considering both properties are captained masterfully by Kenny Ortega I guess there’s no surprise. Also he’s done amazing work not just for Disney over the years and with this movie he’s becoming a director I look out for rather than just the property, if it’s directed by him I may be interested going forward because he really knows how to direct a fun movie even if it is just for the small screen.

All the while watching behind the scenes interviews I’ve been hearing how much more this movie pluses what the first movie brought. and I’ll get to amount of exposure this movie had prior its release further down because that is a negative for this movie, but I do feel there are elements done better than the first movie and then some that expose problems in the first movie. One thing this movie does do is make me want a third installment and that is always the sign not just of a good movie but a good franchise.

Story:

This movie doesn’t seem as formulaic as the first movie. Our favourite four kids of famous Disney Villains have settled into their new lives in Auradon; while Evie, Carlos & Jay all seem happy with their new lot in life, Mal finds herself longing for her old life on the Isle of the Lost as her current life is struggling with the high expectations of being the king’s girlfriend. When she finally breaks down she decides to return to her former life and leaves Auradon for the Isle.

Meanwhile over on the Isle, the movie’s antagonists Uma and her crew rage against the fact that Mal and her friends got a chance at a better life in Auradon while they were left behind. When Mal returns to the Isle she squares off against her former friend who insists on being given the Fairy Godmother’s wand in exchange for Ben who she has captured while he and our other heroes tried to bring Mal back.

What follows is one of the best sword-fights I’ve seen since 1991′s Hook, followed by a rather clever twist that I did not see coming. I won’t go into the ending here as I’ll talk about it in relation to the characters but it wasn’t as predictable a climax as the first movie however it does pave the way for a rather exciting third movie.

Characters:

So I’m going to handle this differently here and talk about the characters in categories of good, bad and uncertain.

Good

Carlos De Vil:

Carlos is by far my favourite character once again, I like the fact that again he had rather a real-world story of being in high school and not knowing how to ask out someone he fancies, in this case Jane. This was coupled with the characteristic created in the first book of Carlos being a tech genius being able to hack his 3D printer,

Something I also liked was the fact that again Carlos was the voice of reason and the one to speak up when he felt it was right to. The fact he initiated that “girl talk” sit-down between the four of them yet didn’t know how to start it up was rather funny and classic Carlos.

Carlos’ outfits were very much plussed here as well. It wasn’t the sleeveless vest look he had going on in the first movie but he still had the black, white and red theme running through all of them. I liked the new hair which had a fringed style going on as opposed to the spiked up style of the first movie and even the slicked back style in the opening scene worked for the character.

Overall I do think Cameron Boyce is one of the strongest elements in this movie, Carlos is my favourite character which I am slightly biased about because of my love of One Hundred and One Dalmatians and Cruella De Vil but to be fair I never felt as if I was fanboying over the character and rather just enjoying his story.

Mal:

It is quite obvious Mal is the star of this franchise, she again has a very real-world arc in this movie of a conflict in identity because Mal is torn between her feelings for Ben and her life in Auradon with her old life where she was happy being rebellious and an anarchist.

The very fact that Mal felt the need to hide using magic from Ben was a recipe for disaster from its inception. She was always going to be caught and there was going to be a fallout from it. What made me laugh was how Ben and Evie were shocked by the fact she was still using magic whereas it was and is magic that makes Mal who she is.

I still haven’t read the Rise of the Isle of the Lost novel so don’t know that much about Uma and Mal’s rivalry however I did like both the conflict and similarities between the two shown throughout the movie. Even their looks complimented each other both in their villain attire and princess gowns. I also like the idea of Maleficent vs. Ursula, just a funny concept I had throughout the movie.

When Mal was adamant about staying on the Isle, I did sigh slightly thinking that there was going to be something happening to change her mind and sure enough it was the fact that had she stayed she’d have Uma and her crew after her. Also the reveal that it was her conflicting feelings for Ben that was creating a barrier between her and everyone else was another real-world conflict that we all have at some point suffered from.

The climax of the movie when Uma had enthralled Ben into loving her rather than Mal, I am surprised Mal didn’t tear her apart there and then. The fact she instead tried to make her see the good in herself after her spell was broken was a little too soppy for me. I did like the fact Ben’s present to Mal showing that he loves her for her was a nice touch albeit something we knew throughout the movie.

Mal’s hair in this movie was surprisingly a big talking point, her new lighter hair links with the vibrancy of the movie rather well as this is a very vibrant and bright movie. I’m not entirely sure why she needed Dizzy’s styling skills to give her a new looks as she is very capable of changing hairstyles using her spell book but it made for a fun scene so I give it a pass.

Overall Dove Cameron is another strong aspect of this movie; she’s a great singer, actress and a very compelling female lead. Also the fact they’ve developed the character to the point where she can turn into a dragon like her mother makes me excited to see where else they take the character.

Uma:

I was so excited to see Uma revel in villainy throughout this movie and I wasn’t disappointed. All scenes she was in while on the Isle showed her as a villain should be in this franchise. That opening number was one of the best introductions for a character I’ve seen and the level of sass China put into her performance was brilliant.

As I said with Mal, I did like the similarities shown between the two. This was a given as when they were kids apparently they were best friends but also because they are very similar in character. Had Uma been one of the chosen V.K’s to go to Auradon then maybe she would have turned good but I am so glad she didn’t, even that twist in the final act wasn’t her turning good it was her being exactly like her mother.

I am impressed they utilized Ursula’s necklace in this movie much like how they used Maleficent’s staff and spinning wheel in the first as well as Fairy Godmother’s wand in both. That twist where Uma bewitched Ben off-screen to make him be in love with her was very good; although in The Little Mermaid Ursula enthralled Eric using Ariel’s stolen voice so how Uma bewitched Ben is slightly a gray area for me.

Much like how Ursula was portrayed on Once Upon a Time I am not surprised they didn’t have Uma have tentacles all the way through the movie, both because of budget and realism. I did however like in the climax after her spell over Ben is broken that she turns into a giant Cecaelia at the end and we have what is basically a Dragon vs. Octopus fight.

I am curious as to why Uma who is a sea witch is also a pirate captain but I guess if she needs a crew the best way to command them is to be a captain so again I give that a pass. Also the respect her crew gives her shows the type of leader she is.

Overall China Anne McClain is a brilliant fit to this movie, I think she’s actually my second favourite character but I had to rank Mal higher as it’s her movie. I’ve seen China in other Disney properties before and always found her funny but this is the first time I see longevity in her career as an actress and singer.

Evie:

I enjoyed Evie more in this movie than the first movie. I really like how entrepreneurial she’s become with her small styling boutique, whether or not it’s just for the cotillion is unknown but it’s a great aspect of her character. Te fact she’s still with Dough is neither a plus nor a minus for me because Doug doesn’t really further her as a character in this movie, in the first yes but not here.

Her friendship with Mal was played on again in this movie not only being the reason why Evie decided to return to the Isle to look for Mal but also in that “Space Between” number with the flashbacks of the first movie.

Again I do think Evie’s want to be good blinded her to seeing Mal being unhappy in this movie as she felt that all her friends were happier in Auradon but after returning from the Isle and making modifications to Mal’s cotillion dress to show a more V.K. inspired look was the right move and the right way for Evie to show her acceptance of her best friend.

Evie’s looks haven’t really changed from the first movie, they are more dresses and skirts than before but the color pallet of blue make them they similar. The hairstyles she has are better in my opinion and the wig department for everyone in this movie is plussed from the first movie.

Overall Sofia Carson is a great example of plussing the first movie as not only did Evie grow as a character but also she got a chance for an almost solo number to show off her singing ability.

Harry Hook:

I was very excited when they announced the son of Captain Hook would be a villain in this movie but also the way they characterized him and the way Thomas Doherty gave the character a certain swagger was a lot of fun to see. Also the behind the scenes clip introducing him has Thomas describing the character as insane and I definitely saw elements of that but I think he always stopped himself from going too crazy.

I think the closeness between him and Uma was well established in the opening scene let alone anything else, the fact that he commanded such fear in the other inhabitants of the Isle as Uma’s right hand even to the supposed third main antagonist Gil...I’ll get to him.

I don’t think they went far enough to give him a character outside what I’ve already established. The movie ends I’m guessing with him in command of Uma’s crew considering she’s lost at sea in Auradon, so if they do bring him back for a third movie I’ll be interested to see if he is as good a captain as his father.

Overall I think Harry was a good character but not as good as I had hoped, I had him pegged as him being on the level of Carlos in terms of character but he ranks just higher than Jay for me. Also Thomas Doherty’s portrayal here reminded me slightly of Jai Courtney’s portrayal of Captain Boomerang over on Suicide Squad and I liked that character also.

Lonnie:

Lonnie ranks so much higher for me here than in the first movie, I love how they gave her her own arc which mirrored Mulan’s arc throughout her movie. I like how she started off wanting to be an equal to the boys at school and besting all of them when they were fencing and then she invited herself to go back and save Ben with the others and was a great asset to their fight.

The fact Jay made her captain of the fencing team was a nice touch and speaks more to his character than hers but it does sort of give the Lonnie character a story similar to her mother’s which was a great touch.

Dizzy Tremaine:

Wow this girl impressed me, Anna Cathcart I expect big things from after this because while she had a minor role being basically a superfan who got a part in this movie and wasn’t a villain like the other newbies, she was so likable and so cute. I actually never thought the ugly stepsisters were evil by trade it was more of them being common mean girls and the fact that she is the daughter of Drucilla who wasn’t the one who turned good in the movies I think shows that. Also her friendship with both Evie and Mal was very sweet and the fact Evie said she was like a little sister showed an even kinder side to her...also that makeover scene was impressive for a young teen.

Jay:

Yes Jay had to come at some point and the reason why he’s below the likes of Lonnie and Dizzy is simply because he’s in the mediocre section but high mediocre. I still think he’s the weakest out of the original four V.Ks both in terms of characterization and acting, even singing here wasn’t as strong as Carlos who isn’t a singer also.

Like I said with Lonnie I did like how he had that progressive story arc of wanting to be a team leader who played by the rules as opposed to where he was apparently 6 months ago where he was a rebellious hot-headed loner. So I give the movie props for that and for making it noted that Jay wanted Lonnie on the team as he was impressed by her but because of Chad and peer pressure he buckled however still found a way around it. I kind of wanted him to tear up that rulebook in the end but the fact he found a loophole was still good.

Also considering he and Carlos are supposed to be close, when Carlos came to him for advice on women especially considering Jay I think is the eldest in the group maybe with the exception of Evie and Carlos is credited as the youngest that advice other than “Be me” wouldn’t send Carlos talking to his dog.

Jay’s styling was the least evolved as it basically stayed the same. I do like how he added more layers than just the sleeveless vest look and his leather aesthetic is still there but I wanted more of an evolution, I really dislike the beanies and quite like his cotillion look with his man-bun.

So yeah Booboo Stewart may be the outsider of the main four when it comes to Disney heritage having not starred in a Disney Channel show but he still holds his own and was a lot better in the sequel than the first movie.

Jane:

Jane was an interesting character as she had less to do in this movie while also being part of the real-world teenage relationship arc. I thought Brenna D’Amico’s delivery of being the oblivious love interest was they realistic and that scene when Carlos finally makes it clear to Jane of his intentions was very sweet. I’m happy her style has gone back to being the more stylish version Mal gave her in the first movie and the fact she is now friends with Mal even though she’s still slightly scared of her is very funny.

King Ben:

I am so torn on this character it’s ridiculous. There are definitely moments where I feel he is both necessary and important to the story yet there are then moments when I feel I just want this guy to be gone. I do not think the movie correctly showcased his struggle with royal kingly duties whereas in the first book they spent almost an entire chapter on it and did it rather well.

When he went to the Isle Mitchell Hope did a great job at being the fish out of water and not knowing how to fit in, something I didn’t was when he sang purely because two out of three of the songs he was in he just ruined the songs for me.

When he became bewitched by Uma I thought he just became a tool, the fact that he was so cruel to Mal without actually meaning to be cruel was very out of character and I know he was under Uma’s spell but all Ursula’s bewitchment did was turn Eric into a zombie. Also when Uma turned giant and Mal turned into a dragon I did think at one point he was going to turn into a beast but that pointless roar he does was just that. I hated the fact he stopped the fight and tried to find the peaceful approach because I wanted to see an epic sea battle.

Overall I don’t think Mitchell Hope is as bad as I think he is, I just think they’re trying to make him too similar to Zac Efron’s portrayal of Troy Bolton from High School Musical and that was as bad as I thought. Also I’ll get into this point further down but either Mitchell needs singing lessons or the character shouldn’t sing because having a singing double is too distracting.

Doug:

Oh my god this boy is whipped, I think the fact his role in this movie was just to be Evie’s boyfriend would have been slightly worse for the character if not for the fact his role in the first movie was basically to be Evie’s love interest while also showing how Evie can accept her intellect. Here he is the guy left out the loop, even Lonnie and Chad knew about what the guys were doing in going to the Isle and saving Ben yet Doug was lied to and worse-yet believed it. I don’t really see a need for the character but I guess in terms of Evie he’s good to have around.

Chad Charming:

Chad has gone from being an outright tool in the first movie to being someone who I feel was just there for comedic purposes and what actually resulted was turning Chad into a comedic tool. This is set in modern day despite still being in the fantasy genre yet the sexism shown by him towards Lonnie was ridiculous. Forgetting about who’s daughter he was insulting, numerous Disney movies have showcased women doing what men do and sometimes better; Tiana, Belle, Moana, Jasmine. All these women have sometimes shown up the men in their lives and yet Chad has the nerve to say that Lonnie can’t be on the team because she’s a girl.

Also that gag about him breaking into Carlos’ room to use his printer in order to create a 3D toy of himself was just stupid. Then the elephant in the room of Audrey not being in the sequel was somewhat handled well with her being off on a retreat with the three good fairies after dumping Chad in the Rise of the Isle of the Lost novel which he still isn’t over to the point where she rang and he came running was funny.

Dude:

Surprisingly Dude gets his own section on this list because the movie decided he needed to talk for some reason. I thought when Cameron Boyce mentioned Dude talks in this movie he was genuinely joking but nope, about 15-20 minutes in Dude eats a “truth gummy” created by Mal for Carlos to make him more honest about his feelings for Jane and for some reason it starts him talking. I have never seen Bobby Moynihan act before and all I know is he’s an SNL comedian which makes me think the only reason Dude started talking in this movie is for comic relief. Now I grant you the human comic relief in this movie wasn’t the best but did they really need to revert to Disney’s old trope of talking animals? And if so why wasn’t it a takling famous Disney animal like Pongo.

Like I said with Carlos I did like that he had Dude to talk to about the problems he was having with Jane and had Jay been a better friend he wouldn’t have had to but I digress, I just hope the spell wears off by Descendants 3 because I got almost zero funny from this character.

Gil:

So yes Gil is at the bottom of my list and even surpasses Chad and the talking dog for the pure and simple reason that I did not see a point to him in this movie. When the “Rebels” trailer came out and showcased the three new villains I did think he was going to be interesting. But particularly when the music video for “What’s My Name” came out I started to think he was going to be a background character yet has all this publicity behind him showcasing him as an equal to at least Harry Hook when in actuality even Dizzy outshines him in the movie.

I don’t understand why the son of Gaston is in a pirate crew, I swear he was only there for comic relief but wasn’t even funny more awkward and I have a feeling that maybe he had a bigger part in the books but again I haven’t read them yet.

My favourite scene of Gil’s is at the end of the “What’s My Name” scene where he is used as transport for Uma, I found that surprisingly funny.

Classic Disney Characters:

Then as for the characters we know from years of films, aside from Belle, Beast and Fairy Godmother there wasn’t really anyone there. A great voiceover cameo by Whoopi Goldberg as Ursula for I think 10 seconds and all we see is a tentacle and an unknown actress voicing over Lady Tremaine but aside from that and the briefest cameo from Aladdin and Jasmine which only made me angrier at the upcoming live-action version of their movie we didn’t get anyone. For those of you who thought Kristin Chenoweth would return as Maleficent that doesn’t happen; she’s still a lizard and I did like her mini home but once Mal returned to the Isle we do not see her again. A better sting for the end credits would have been Maleficent someone being turned back into a human leading onto a third movie but sadly we didn’t get that.

Negatives:

So as I said before this movie isn’t perfect and does come with some negatives which I want to highlight here because they are so minor that I cannot believe Kenny Ortega or someone behind the scenes didn’t think to either quickly reshoot or change them.

Wicked World Irrelevance:

For avid Descendants fans there was a series of 3D animated shorts that aired on numerous platforms both online and on TV. In this series we see a focus mainly on Mal and Evie as they interact with various characters both introduced in the first movie and original to those shorts. There are a couple of continuity issues raised with this sequel that makes me feel as if because the show is animated that it’s not in canon with the films. For example, China McClain voiced new character Freddie Facilier on the show who is the daughter of Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog, yet obviously here she portrays Uma the daughter of Ursula. Freddie, along with Jordan the daughter of the Genie, Ally the daughter of Alice and CJ Hook the daughter of Captain Hook all ended up in the series in Auradon yet none of them were even mentioned in this movie...although Jordan did get a mention and a kind of cameo in the music video of Dove Cameron’s Genie in a Bottle. Harry doesn’t even mention here that he has a sister and Gil doesn’t mention having two brothers yet in the books we know Gaston has three sons.

It does just seem slightly non-sensical to me that they would spend all that time, because despite being a series of shorts for TV an entirely computer-generated series takes a lot of time and money to create, then not even mention anything from it. Ben even went to the Isle in that series which is how we first met Freddie yet when they’re escaping the Isle in this movie Ben makes it seem like it’s his first time there. Also on a side-note I’ve just realized in that series Freddie and CJ were friends which makes me think China has it in her contract that her character needs to be friends with the Hook family given that Uma and Harry are so close here.

A Lack of Familial Villains:

In the first movie we had portrayals of Maleficent, Cruella, the Evil Queen and Jafar to go with their kids. Like I said before we had a voice cameo of Whoopi Goldberg as Ursula but we never saw her face and didn’t have any portrayals of Captain Hook or Gaston. Now granted we have just had a live-action Beauty and the Beast movie which showed a live-action Gaston but we have Belle, the Beast and Fairy Godmother here having had a live-action Cinderella so why not treat us to even a cameo of them? Also the aforementioned four Disney Villains do not make an appearance, Maleficent does in lizard form but none of the actors return even when the kids go to the Isle so I am a little bit disappointed because of that.

Mitchell Hope Singing:

I highlighted on this when talking about Ben as a character and to his credit I give Mitchell credit for actually singing in this movie rather than hiding behind a singing double as he did in the first movie but good god this guy needs singing lessons for the third movie. Both Booboo and Cameron are not professional singers yet they, mostly, hold their own with the girls who actually can sing...Cameron does more than Booboo but he at least tries. Mitchell for me was the worst singer in this movie, “Chillin’ Like a Villain” and “It’s Going Down” were two very good songs until he started singing because the problem with Mitchell is he will start sing-speaking then break out into song for about five seconds before pulling it back in. Him singing in “You and Me” was his best in this movie but still not great. I just don’t think he should sing, there’s nothing wrong with him not singing and I think for the sake of not making this franchise cheesier than it has to be he should stop trying.

Songs:

Alright so I’ve talked about characters and the negative aspects I found from this movie so all that’s left is to rate the songs. In this instance I’ll be talking about them in good, bad an grower categories.

Good:

Always start on a positive and my favourite song in this movie is definitely “What’s My Name” which was Uma’s introduction as well as underlining just who the villains were in this movie. This is the first time I’ve heard China Anne McClain sing and my god this girl can sing, I thought her main song would be Poor Unfortunate Souls but no she gets this fantastic original number and it’s so catchy and her mini reprise she did at the end of It’s Going Down added to my love of the song. Also Thomas Doherty’s mini rap that he does is something I lip-sync along to every time I hear it.

“Space Between” reminds me so much of “For Good” from Wicked! which was the penultimate song there between Glinda and Elphaba. Like I said when talking about their friendship earlier I really liked how the movie played on their connection from the first movie and even called back to that both in the references Mal made before the song and the flashbacks they used throughout the number. This and “What’s My Name” really showed that the leading three women here stole the show in terms of vocals.

“Ways to Be Wicked” is a very good opening number however I do still think “Rotten to the Core” has it beat. I did like how it all took place in a sort of dream sequence and that it was just plain anarchy all around and how much of a theme apples seemed to play because the four had cursed them at the start of the number. I like how all four main characters had equal solos and that they reminded us of their personalities from the first movie just in this opening number.

On a side-note when talking about “Rotten to the Core”, I did love when Mal returned to the Isle and saw that poster of her and Ben, that the track of “Rotten to the Core” played in the background, I really love that song from the first time I heard it.

“Poor Unfortunate Souls” is, for me, on the same level of the “Be Our Guest” rendition from the first Descendants movie. There’s a definite similarity to how they reworked both songs and of course the fact it’s sung by the child of a character from the original movie is very cool. My only knitpick with the song is they leave in the lyrics “Crying “Spells Ursula please!”” and I do think they could have tweaked that from Ursula to Uma. Regardless much like “What’s My Name” China Anne McClain works it with this number and even though it’s not actually in the movie like “Be Our Guest” was it’s still a great track.

Bad:

“You and Me” is a song I will probably make enemies over for talking about but I didn’t like the song as a song. It’s not a number I’d listen to willingly however the production of it in the movie was very good. I liked how it all took place on basically a flooded stage and was definitely a step up from “Set It Off” in front of the castle at the end of the last movie but again unlike that song I wouldn’t choose to listen to it.

“Kiss the Girl” was not needed in this movie, and I know it wasn’t actually in the movie and more over the end credits but again it was not a necessary addition, especially when you have seven vocalists on a track that originally only had one main vocalist. I did like the use of the track when Ben and Uma were dancing and did think someone would start actually singing it to Ben maybe Evie but alas.

Growers:

“Chillin’ Like a Villain” is one of those songs I may eventually come around to loving because not only is it Sofia Carson’s chance at a solo which she nails but the feel and production of the number has a very similar feel to a Michael Jackson production, which fits as Kenny Ortega has worked with the legend. My issue with the song is when Mitchell Hope starts sing-speaking and it is sing-speaking not actual singing because when he does attempt to sing it’s like someone behind the scenes is going “No reign it in reign it in!”. I can’t love the song because of his vocals on the track as it does make the song slightly too cheesy for my taste however I will say that Mitchell does sell Ben’s naivety at fitting in to the attitude of the Isle.

Then with “It’s Goin’ Down”, there are so many pluses to the number that it almost makes the good list but towards the end of the number it does sort of peter out for me. Again Mitchell Hope’s vocals, I do not mean to keep bashing this guy I apologize, but also as much as I liked him in this movie Thomas Doherty’s Harry had a couple of verses in the song that do work both for the song and for the character but I feel as if Thomas was rushing to keep up with the track. Still a great song though and the production in the actual movie is a freakin’ sword fight so who doesn’t love that.

Recommendation:

If you’re a Disney fan or a fan of the first Descendants movie then you’ll love this movie, if you like the style of film that Hook was back in the day you’ll definitely like the 3/4 of this movie. I would say other than that you should watch this movie if you’re just interested in a feel-good movie.

Overall I rate this movie a 9/10, it has definitely 1-upped itself from the first movie and the fact I watched this movie twice in one day and didn’t get bored speaks for itself.

So that’s my review of Descendants 2, sorry it’s been posted later than originally planned but what did you guys think? Post your comments and check out more Movie Reviews as well as other posts.

[marionvirginia]

“Disillusion” – Juice Wrld x Post Malone | Type Beat 2019 | Free R&B Instrumental

“I obtained broads in Atlanta/ twistin’ the lean as well as the Fanta” … Desiigner’s first hit track Panda was impossible to stay clear of in 2016. First brought by Kanye West’s cd The Life of Pablo, it came to be the # 1 track in the U.S.A., making the most recent G.O.O.D songs signee the youngest musician to reign the charts since Lorde in 2013, the very first male rap artist to reach primary with his very first solitary because Wiz Khalifa in 2011, and additionally the very first to chart a rap track this high without vocal singing or the aid an attribute to sing the hook because … Kanye West’s Stronger, 9 years back.

There’s 2 fairy tales in this tale: just how 18 years of ages Brooklyn rap artist Desiigner wound up being chosen by Kanye West, and how the song came together from a Type Beat he purchased on YouTube for $200 in 2014. Let’s concentrate on the latter. Panda was created by Menace, 22 years of ages Manchester-native. The beat was uploaded to his YouTube network and marketed with his internet site, as well as this PayPal deal sufficed to make the song graph # 1 without needing to obtain the musicians to even meet each other IRL.

The Type of this Beat was Meek Mill. It appear terrific without crossing any kind of line, adhering to the standard Trap audio pattern: bass-heavy 808, crisps entrapments, rolling hi-hats, sandy noises, straightforward loop tunes. This kind of sound has been popular and loved for a number of years, nonetheless, no Trap song ever got to # 1 before Panda. Hazard had the ability to chart more than any manufacturer he could have been affected by: Lex Luger, Cardiak or Metro Boomin’ have large popular hits, however never ever had a # 1 track. What’s a “Kind Beat”?.

A Type Beat is a critical song, intentionally matching patterns of already existing tunes, using the typical kinds of BPM, drum sounds and also tune structure, to be easy to match a rap artist. Type Beats are normally published on YouTube for screen and also promotion, as well as on the beatmakers’ web sites available, or on platforms created this (Soundclick, Beatstars, ExpertBeats, …). The embedded name points out the Sort of artist the beat was motivated by, to make it easy to understand, easy to rap to, simple to discover, and also to make sure to get to great variety of clicks by pointing out a heavyweight.

Instance: I like Rae Sremmurd’s design, so I’ll try to find Rae Sremmurd Kind Beat on YouTube, to discover the best imitations of Mike Will’s style: sandy lead synth, filters on the master, slighty altered 808 bass, timeless Trap drums as well as rythmic-pattern, straightforward arpeggio synth. Ta-dam!.

A$ AP Rocky found the beat for the tune Great Red wine off his latest cd … by inputting “A$ AP Rocky Kind Beat” on YouTube. Practical.

The best new company version for manufacturers?

Democratisation of both the Catch noise as well as the songs creation software program FL Studio made it really easy to make your own Type Beat as well as upload it on the net. The connexion in between the beatmaker, the audience as well as well as the customer has actually never been this uncomplicated.

Selling 30$ for an.mp3 of the beat, 50$ for a.wav and 300$ to 1500$ for a lease, for a manufacturing time not going beyond over 2 hrs … seem like a rather solid offer. Offering beats on the Internet can be money straight to your pocket, rather than a sluggish as well as out-of-date sector of music everything about splitting, waiting months to get a paycheck, or sending beats to artists without any self-confidence they’ll ever before utilize it. With a great Kind Beat business, no more beats on hold: the directory is in display screen, beatmakers no longer rely on rap artists or labels, neither appear to be looking for a posting offer– often associated of death sentence or deep annoyance.

Although some beats are reaching over 5 million plays as well as some names are ending up being references (mJnichols, Taz Taylor, CashMoneyAP, Danny E.B. Tracks), the objective of Kind Beatmaking isn’t to become a super star home name. It is more a business than the structures of a true creative declaration. Taz Taylor declares he makes a typical 18K$ a month with his beats– most definitely more than many manufacturers placing beats on some preferred records.

With Jahlil Beats introducing his own Kind Beat network while being a recognized manufacturer himself (Bobby Shmurda’s Hot Nigga, Meek Mill’s Imma Employer), we could soon experience experienced manufacturers ready to play by the new guidelines as well as upload beats whenever they really feel. The banquet for beats enthusiast is just starting. The paradox: Jahlil Beats Kind Beat in fact have a lot more plays than Jahlil Beat’s Type Defeats.

A remarkable example of the success of this approach is the rise to popularity of the French Rap band PNL. Two siblings appearing of no place as well as becoming the feeling of 2015 in France. 90% of the tracks they released were tape-recorded over Type Defeats. They acquired a The Weeknd x Bryson Tiller Kind Beat from a producer named MKSB for 39.95$, transforming it into 35 countless play in much less than a year, and also pushing PNL to offer over 50 000 copies of their cd Le Monde Chico.

Where lies the line between being motivated by and also just attacking? The subtlety, so slim, practically fulfills no problems either of the audience, nor for justice. Can you make a company of replicating for ever before?

Something stood up to me while the Blurred Lines test was acted: if Marvin Gaye’s estate could sue Pharrell Williams & Robin Thicke for jacking a groove and also ask for 7 millions, just how much millions can Lex Luger request for essentially 80% of beats produced considering that 2011? What would occur if Metro Boomin took legal action against every Future x Young Criminal Kind Beat? The Catch pattern is overplayed, overused, with beatmakers over-saturating the very same drum kits, tune structures, and audio combination, making difficult to notice that is who.

There’s no doubt in my mind that with that much money involved, someday one beat will certainly develop law and also begin ask significant questions concerning this craze of duplicates. How much time can the trailblazers and the followers continue to be equivalent on the same stair of the podium?

Obviously, the outcome of this concern just matters for who’s involved in songs. Audiences do not care if Iggy Azalea’s Fancy ripped DJ Mustard’s audio, and also they won’t care following time a warm brand-new artist absolutely emulates another artist’s style and also get to # 1. Desiigner, commonly criticised for appearing way too much like Future, adheres to an unexpected line of Type Rap artists, unashamed of getting on a trend as well as taking every code snappy as well as success.

Hazard & Desiigner– the Type Manufacturer & the Kind Rap artist– are the ignition of the victory of Kind songs.

[tkwadeblog-blog]

"Fairy Tale Spotlight: Please Say Something (Short Film)" by T.K. Wade

Continuing from last week's blog about the surreal, I want to showcase a short film by David O'Reilly which greatly goes into concepts of the surreal and the mechanics of dreams (at least from my own personal experience.) The film is called "Please Say Something," and this blog will spoil it. If you are worried about that, I am placing a link to the film at the bottom of the blog. Feel free to watch it first and then come back for the commentary.

First off, a little about David O'Reilly. David is known for making 3D short films and has also written and directed 2 video games. Likely his most famous short film was "The External World" which was mainly a comedy with very dark undertones to it. I do own and adore his one video game called "Everything," which utilizes the modern philosopher Allan Watts to convey the scope of the universe to the player. But by far, my favorite of his works was his short film "Please Say Something."

Let's begin.

The basic premise behind "Please Say Something" is actually a very common story. It is merely a story about a relationship that is, at times, very rocky. However, the people of the film are portrayed only with cats and mice. There are no other types of animals represented in the film at all. It centers around a married couple who we will called Mouse and Cat. Mouse is the man and Cat is the female.

Mouse seems to be a struggling writer. Cat does her best to support him. From the beginning you can already see that their relationship is struggling and likely from being in a rut. The story takes them to a lot of tough moments such as a car wreck and deals with difficult subjects like suicide, divorce, and fear of the unknown. However, it is the latter that actually impacts the story most of all.

There is also another very important thing to note about this film. It seems as if life is a dream and the dream itself is their life. Who is the dreamer? Generally, it seems to be Mouse. But there were some moments where it might have been Cat. It also could be someone entirely unknown (perhaps David himself.) And the way the dream is delivered is very familiar to me, and that is going to be the main focus of this blog. You may find it interesting to hear that I dream in a similar fashion to this film.

Because the story itself seems to be entirely a dream where no one ever wakes up, the film is riddled with anomalies. Near the beginning, Cat is seen pushing her way through what appears to be either a windy day or a blizzard. There are a lot of rather bizarre advertisements in the background that she does not seem to take notice of. When I dream, I see things like that too. I may see odd things happening around town that make no sense, but I accept them a normal. They are merely the background fuzz and have no bearing on my situation at the time. Even in this film, those odd backgrounds really have no purpose. Cat ignores them, and eventually so will the viewer.

One very prominent reoccurrence in "Please Say Something" was the aspect of rewinding time. Throughout the film, bad things and sometimes horrendous things happen. They happen naturally and are often tragic. Suddenly the scene falls back to a moment earlier and the scene plays out a second time in a much nicer way. It is as if the dreamer was surprised by how things went and immediately tried to correct it.

Often these "rewind" moments happen very quickly. Something bad happens, and the scene just flicks back and the correction occurs. The characters are not aware that it even happened (because the dreamer was the one who fixed it.) However, there was one moment that went a little longer and used a slightly more obvious mechanic. Cat finally gets tired of Mouse being too absorbed in his writing. She leaves him and they get a divorce. Life seems to go on for years. Cat finds another cat and marries him but is ultimately miserable for it. Mouse finally finishes his book but realizes he threw away the one that he loved in the process. So what does he do? He grabs the TV remote and rewinds times to make the fix himself. He even winks at the camera to show that he could do the trick all along. This is the only time the character seemed to be in charge of the rewind, but then again, it could still be the dreamer imposing the ability on Mouse.

This rewind ability is one I am very accustomed to in my own dreams. Being able to rewind does not mean you are controlling your dreams. It is more likely that your mind is trying to correct a horrible mistake that it made. It's a lot like looking the other way when the truth is inconvenient. Your brain says, "No, I won't accept that. Here, let's do it this way instead. It makes me happier." In my own dreams, I often change something that goes wrong. If someone in my family is killed, I'll step back and it doesn't happen the second time around. Sometimes, it takes multiple tries for it to go correctly (also represented in this movie, by the way.) Once again, I am not controlling my dream, I am merely dreaming defensively. It is not abnormal for someone to want things to go better than they did. In dreams, your fear of tragedy and desire to fix them will begin to play out without your consent. You may feel like you are doing it, but you are not.

Another interesting anomaly in the film is the use of a test pattern that will occasionally pop on the screen accompanied by a beep. Throughout the film, things seem to rise with intensity. The colors get more intense and the sounds get upsetting. When the test pattern appears, there seems to be an emotional reset that occurs. Often sound will stop altogether. Music will stop playing. The colors will reset to something more normal. It feels a lot like a blink.

"Please Say Something" has a very slow build of emotions that are often broken by this blink effect. And it actually is not a bad thing. We need the reprieve after being hit by so many hard subjects. Nevertheless, the blink of the test pattern does not always fix the situation. Sometimes it happens and things are just as bad as they were before. This gives a little more credence to the reality of the film. These things may actually be happening. The car crash was particularly tragic. Neither the test pattern or a reversal of time was able to stop it. It happened and the characters had no choice but to deal with the consequences. They may have been in a dream, but the dreamer was not able to do anything at all to remedy it.

The blink of the test pattern to me signifies my ability to try and make sense of what it going on. It is me trying to clear my mind and see through the chaotic world of my dream. I'm trying so desperately to figure out what is going on. Something isn't right, but the logical part of my brain is not working at full capacity. I'm confused and I just need a moment to solve the puzzle. Bad things are happening, and I need to think more clearly.

Early in the film, Cat loses a scarf that was very dear to her when the wind snatched it away. She liked the scarf because Mouse said it looked good on her. Later in the film, Cat succumbs to her wounds from the car wreck. She dies. Mouse sees his entire world fall apart. The entire structure of the world separates into simple shapes and colors to represent this aspect of his reality. Mouse sees no reason to continue living and decides to kill himself. It is at this moment that the scarf slaps him in the face. He takes it back to Cat, and she wakes up as if she never had died at all.

The odd thing about this is that you get a sense that the scarf was completely gone when it gets blown away the first time. You also feel as if so much time had passed between the time it blow away and the time when it hits Mouse in the face. But then again, this is likely the same dream throughout. This is not a collection of dreams. It is only one dream happening over one night of sleep. The scarf was always there. It was simply taken away for a brief period so it could fix a situation that was going to happen near the end of the story.

Even in my own dreams, I have items and plot points that disappear only to reappear towards the latter part of the dream (even after substantial plot and setting changes.) Time and space have no meaning in dreams. They are placed together in any fashion so that everything ultimately works by the end of it. If it doesn't end up working, you are probably going to wake up! Good conclusions in dreams are hard to get to, but they can happen. Ultimately Mouse and Cat come to that happy ending and the dreamer is able to wake up peacefully.

"Please Say Something" is, in my own opinion, the finest work of David O'Reilly. It takes the concepts of a dream and uses them to fuel what would commonly be considered a canned plot. It gives that plot new life and allows us a more visual way to understand how our subconscious works.

The video can be viewed by clicking the link below: https://youtu.be/Q2YdJy0w66Y

[lovejemorgan]

Today I would like to compare Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 Bridal week trends. This is going to be a long one, so bear with me as I delve into quite a few styles that made an appearance in the last two Fall Bridal Weeks.

Let’s begin with the most recent, 2018 Fall Bridal Week, and what a week it was. Fall Bridal week for this year made quite a showing, introducing some new trends, as well as some that we are already familiar with.

Let’s start with my least favorite trends; capes, mid-length dresses, split sleeves, nude dresses, and minis.

Capes, oh Lord, there is a time and place for these, and personally, I don’t think it’s a wedding. There are a wide variety of capes, hooded, no hood, short, long, sheer, opaque, and so many more, but the one constant is that you’re always fiddling with it. It will most likely end up choking you half way down the aisle, you’re hood will probably fall off while you walk, unless you pin it, and I don’t know about you, but I’d be checking, regularly, to make sure everything was in its proper place.  So other than how pretty you’re gonna look in your pictures, this trend is a no for me, the cons far outweigh the pros, in my opinion. We also saw capes in the Fall 2017 shows.

Mid-Length dresses are fabulous if you have the body type for them. I, however, do not. Whenever I wear mid-length anything, I look like I’m wearing something that’s too short, but my roommate looks adorable in mid-length pants and dresses. So, again, it’s all about body type on this trend, I just don’t like it because it makes me look dumb. That’s not to say you won’t look stunning in something like this. One thing that should carry over to bridal wear that we all know about regular clothes is that you have to keep your body style in mind. What looks good on stick thin, 6 foot something models, is not going to look the same on a voluptuous woman that is 5 foot 5, it’s unfortunate but true. So when you go to try on wedding dresses, don’t go in thinking you have to be the sample size, you have to look like the girl in the picture because chances are you won’t. I know I won’t.

Split Sleeves, similar to capes, I feel like they’re a significant distraction, but if you want to look like a fairy or channel you’re inner bohemian, this might be the trend for you. If done right, it’ll look fantastic. However, if you want to do an ultra-glam, city wedding, I’m not sure this is a look you want to go for, I’d feel like I was from 14th century England with all of that fabric hanging off of my arms. But hey, if that’s what you like, please don’t let my opinions stop you, that’s all this is, my opinion, I don’t want you to change your mind just because I said so.

Nude Dresses, again, have a place. Something I wonder about designers is if they ever consider TPO, Time, Place, Occasion. You would think that they did, considering. However, looking at nude gowns, I would never wear one for my wedding. I feel like nude dresses are a more casual thing, more every day rather than My Special day. Maybe I’m a bit odd in thinking that, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bride in a nude gown, but perhaps that will all change this year, we’ll see I guess.

All things mini, another TPO situation, and a wedding is not the time, place, or occasion for anything mini. When I say ‘all things’ I mean, skirts; normal and high-low, and shorts! Again, if this is your jam, more power to you, however, I feel as though mini skirts and short shorts are not the appropriate things for weddings, whether you’re the bride, in the bridal party, or a guest. Too many opportunities for a wardrobe malfunction. Also, if you’re doing a church wedding, this trend will not fly.

Jackets, similar to capes, are distracting. However, I like them better. Why? You ask, simple, they’re easier to deal with. They won’t choke you, if they open up, it won’t fall off of your shoulder, it won’t twist around. They tend to stay in one place, and if you get too warm, you’re tired of wearing it, removing the jacket won’t completely ruin the look you’re going for. I think that this is an excellent idea if you’re going for a casual wedding, or even rocker glam, or something similar. I would love to see this make a total appearance this year because I think it will be a great statement piece. In the shows, this year, most of the jackets shown are white. However, there are so many color options you could utilize with this, go with your wedding palate, go with your favorite color, or it could even be one of the good luck symbols for marriage; something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new. The options are limitless! This trend has my seal of approval for sure!

Pants are a new alternative that we’ve seen cropping up increasingly throughout the years since gay marriage was legalized especially. I think that wedding pantsuits and jumpsuits can be amazing if done tastefully, that is easier said than done sometimes. It, of course, has a lot to do with your budget and what look you’re going for. If you want to go for a more sleek look, or you just don’t like dresses, I think this is a fantastic alternative for you. This style also showed up in 2017, but that’s not very surprising.

Pink dresses, I feel like this is the bane of all mothers everywhere. I love watching Say Yes To The Dress, and whenever a bride comes in and asks to try on pink hued dresses, their mom, or mother-in-law, or grandma, always has a conniption. While, personally, this is not a look I would go for, pink dresses look gorgeous on some brides. However, some designers have gone a little pink crazy. But hey, there some women who want bright colored wedding dresses, others like more muted colors. This is another situation where if it’s tastefully done it looks fantastic, but when you go a little crazy with the color, it can seem a bit tacky. This is especially true if your dress is pink, and your wedding colors include pink, and your flowers are pink, and your bridal party is in pink, that’s a bit much, don’t you think?  I think this look is great for daytime weddings, but you do you on this one.

Gold dresses, I’m calling it the Belle Phenomena, after all, what little girl didn’t watch Beauty and the Beast and wanted to wear that beautiful, gold gown? I like this trend a whole lot better than pink dresses, but that’s probably because I’m not a fan of pink, but that’s neither here nor there. When you think ‘gold dresses’ I’m sure you’re probably thinking of something big, bright, and shiny. However, that’s not what designers are doing! It’s gauzy, a little sheer, and a little shimmery, it’s more of a matte gold than a metallic gold, which might be why I like it so much. Of course, I wouldn’t go with this look if I were doing a daytime wedding, it feels more like night time, formal affair.

Detached sleeves, do you like sleeves, but love the look of sleeveless? This might just be the look for you! I like detached sleeves, on my shirts and my more casual dresses, I’m not sure I would go with this for my wedding gown though. It just looks like an afterthought, while the fabric is the same, it just doesn’t seem cohesive to me, and in a similar vein of capes, distracting! Just my luck the sleeve will slide down my arms, and I’ll continuously tug at them, pulling them back into place (I have small arms, that’s why I feel this way). However, one neat thing about this trend, if I have the correct assumption, you can take the sleeves off after the ceremony, and BAM! New look for the reception! This look does work with all types of dresses, it works for all women, and it works with all kinds of weddings.

Clean, modern dresses, we’re taking it back to the classic, no frills, no bling look, and that works. It’s a classic for a reason. When I look at the clean, modern, looks I fall in love with the clean lines, and the smooth fabric. This trend is for the modern woman, the woman who doesn’t like to make a big deal out of things, the woman who wants to look perfect and leave nothing to chance. I’m not that woman, but that’s ok if you are, then please take this trend into consideration.

Halters, oh I love this trend! I love high necklines, I love halter anything. Consider this one of those trends that aren’t really a trend, it’s a staple for some women. I prefer high necklines, because the more of my chest that shows, the longer my neck looks, I need the extra fabric to cut that all up, and I know I’m not the only person with this problem. Trends and looks that utilize this neckline are glorious because a few years ago, the only thing that seemed available was sweetheart necklines and strapless dresses. I’m glad designers are keeping different body styles in mind when designing their new gowns. This trend definitely gets an A+ from me.

Now onto 2017 trends! Again, we’ll start with my least favorite; billowy sleeves, cascading ruffles, and neo-opulence.

Billowy sleeves, a less structured version of the Princess Di sleeve, my opinion on the split sleeve kind of goes here. It’s not my favorite sleeve style, it just seems like way too much fabric, especially if you pair it with an A-Line dress or a ball gown. I don’t have much else for this one, it’s a bust for me.

Cascading ruffles, oh boy, I have never seen a dress with ‘cascading ruffles’ that I like. I think a lot of it is too much and overdone, no matter the size of the ruffles. I guess I’m not really a ruffle girl, but I know some people like them. If you like them, then maybe you’ll like this look. I’ll be the first to admit it can be done tastefully. It’s really just not my thing.

Neo-opulence, also known as bling! I know that some women love the bling on their gowns, I know some who don’t. I couldn’t say either way of which one I’d be, in this situation, though I’d guess probably not. I think Neo-Opulence is not just bling for the sake of bling, designers are trying to make it look less tacky, (some designers did better at this). I do like the new dresses that are coming out in this style, though I’d probably not buy one myself. I’d say this style has a place in some weddings, for some women, and we’re probably going to see some brides buy this style dress for their beach wedding because people are weird like that. But, it’s my least disliked style.

Metallic dresses made a big show last fall, and like the gold dresses of this fall, it was done beautifully. Yes, there is shimmer, yes there is bling, but it’s shimmer and bling to give that metallic look rather than shimmer and bling just for grins. This is another look that is great for evening ceremonies and a formal affair. I think If I could find a gown like this in the silhouette and style that I like I would ultimately follow the metallic idea.

Breezy silhouettes give off that ethereal look, great for weddings on the beach. It’s great for those women who want to have a relaxed affair. There is very little structure to this dress, it’s flowy and free. I like this because it gives you the opportunity to let loose and have fun, but you can make it look more sophisticated if you want to. It’s a very freestyle, it can be worn at just about every type of wedding.

Simple dresses, meaning no bling, no added shimmer. These dresses have basic details, basic silhouettes, and necklines. I can see the draw of these dresses because some women want to be the center of attention, not their attire. Also, some women do merely prefer minimalistic designs.  I’m not one of those women, but I know some.

The mod look made a comeback last fall, and again there is a particular type of bride that would eat this up. It’s pants, it’s tea-length and shorter dresses, it’s a throwback to Twiggy and Audrey Hepburn. Some women fully embrace this style in their everyday life and want to continue it for their wedding. I’m not into it for me, but I do appreciate the style and why people like it.

Less common embellishments and details. What I’m talking about is macrame, embroidered, re-appliquéd, and guipure lace. These new lace styles have added a new dimension to the dresses. I do actually like this, I like lace, not on me though. I think lace on a wedding gown is appropriate though because it has this femininity about it, a sense of romance. I hope to see more of this trend, just because I think it has the chance to stand the test of time.

High-Low ballgowns, I really like this. I love the high-low style, it’s the fun of a shorter dress and the drama of a full-length gown. There’s a sense of movement that goes with this style, and I love that. I’m all for the pure drama and the movement. You can get this look with a detachable skirt as well, have a long removable train over a shorter skirt, two looks for the price of one.

Designers decided to take a step away from the more sheer looks and made the dresses more coverage. High necklines, full skirts and lots of lace. I love this, because it is very much similar to my style, to a point. This, unfortunately, did not last very long, we’re in a culture that loves to bear it all. I don’t think that is always a good thing. This look leaves a lot to the imagination because you are going to be very covered up, but that almost makes the end of the night more fun. You can wear something sexy and fun underneath for when you and your new husband have alone time.

Structured corsets, like standard corsets, emphasize the narrow part of the waist. Pair this with a full skirt and everything is exaggerated, and that can be fun. I actually really like the corseted look, it gives you that sense of sexiness, and it can also make you feel like a princess. I would highly recommend this for women to at least try before deciding that they do not want this style incorporate into their gown. It isn’t for everyone, but you have to determine this for yourself.

    Where I found these trends:

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/wedding/bridal-fashion/g7976/wedding-dress-trends-fall-2017/

https://www.theknot.com/content/bridal-fashion-week-fall-2017-wedding-dress-trends

https://www.brides.com/gallery/wedding-dress-trends-fall-2018

https://www.theknot.com/content/bridal-fashion-week-fall-winter-2018-wedding-dress-trends

Disclaimer: I really did not take any of these photos, they were all done by pros, whose names I do not know, I did get a lot of the images from Brides.com and Harpers Bazaar, some of the images came from Google. 

Let’s Compare Today I would like to compare Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 Bridal week trends. This is going to be a long one, so bear with me as I delve into quite a few styles that made an appearance in the last two Fall Bridal Weeks.

[meditationadvise]

10 Quotes from Hermann Hesse`s Siddhartha That Will Truly Inspire You

Hermann Hesse's timeless book, Siddhartha, needs to be called for reading for any type of spiritual hunter. Guide has to do with Siddhartha's journey as a highly regarded son of a Brahmin. Every person anticipates that he will comply with in his dad's steps. He takes pleasure in an idyllic life as well as complies with the tenets of his religious beliefs anticipating that they will bring him tranquility and also joy. He really feels the pains of discontent however, and also observes that his dad and elders have not yet reached enlightenment, even though they also have followed the directions of their religious beliefs. When depriving and also naked ascetics go across Siddhartha's path eventually, his trip genuinely begins. On this endeavor, he concerns a river that teaches him many life lessons.

If you haven't had a chance to be profoundly awakened by this book yet, here are ten quotes from it that will relocate you to examine your personal setting, religious beliefs, culture, and partnerships, to perhaps locate something more.

" Knowledge can not be passed on. Knowledge that a sensible guy attempts to pass on constantly seems like absurdity to somebody else ... Expertise can be connected, but not knowledge. One can locate it, live it, do wonders via it, however one could not communicate and also educate it."

We so often misinterpret the distinction in between knowledge as well as knowledge in this globe. Knowledge is ageless. It could just be reached with discernment and the development of our consciousness to a degree that comprehends paradox and true freedom.

Knowledge simply binds us to wrong, concrete beliefs, making it nearly impossible to understand the reality of the Universe. Knowledge, nonetheless, divulges Reality in methods that could not even be explained with a thousand books, a million trainings from spiritual figures, or a hundred million truths remembered as well as taken in. Knowledge is so pure, that even language damages it.

" When a person seeks, then it quickly happens that his eyes see only the point that he looks for, and he is able to discover absolutely nothing, to take in absolutely nothing since he constantly believes only concerning the important things he is seeking, due to the fact that he has one objective, since he is consumed with his objective. Seeking ways: having an objective. Finding methods: being cost-free, being open, having no objective."

There many literary and also legendary instances of the seeker. Joseph Campbell defines the seeker in the ultimate mission for the Holy Grail - a depiction of some outer prize that could be obtained with sufficient valor or sacrifice, yet just what we genuinely seek could be found just within our very own hearts. When we look for an outdoors objective, this is a sign that our very own hearts long to be comprehended. Pursuing something outside ourselves causes us to forever stay a seeker.

" I have always believed, and also I still think, that whatever great or negative ton of money might come our way we could always give it meaning as well as change it into something of value."

All individuals, areas and circumstances in life are straw for spiritual development. Splits are a spiritual launch. Listening to a track on the radio that advises us of a person is a hint from deep space to send out that individual love and also compassion. Seeing a person else go with something awful and also thinking, "that can have been me," is a reminder to be thankful.

Getting stuck at a traffic signal is a suggestion to breathe much deeper. A debate is a mild yank from the Cosmos to look inside yourself. Everything that we experience could help us grow. It isn't really simply the positive, ventilated fairy points that help us grow.

When we do a life review, the moments we showed guts and encountered our pain, anxiety, and also despair will certainly be the minutes when we grin the biggest.

" We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral, we have actually already climbed lots of steps."

This point is defined in great information by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan in their conversation of spiral dynamics. The method they imagine adjustment remains in a spiral. We may circle around to the same obstacles, each time we do, we are greater up on the spiral, ideally with a greater level of awareness with which to approach the problem.

Beck discussed that if we attempt to enforce our 'services' too far ahead of the curve the outcome could be rebellion instead compared to change. As a result of this, the writers use the term "extra complicated" instead of "much better" or "greater" to define humanity's stages of evolutionary growth. Also if we haven't stop reached the pinnacle of just what we could visualize, we have already taken lots of actions making a much better globe a reality.

" So she completely taught him that can not take pleasure without providing satisfaction, which every gesture, every caress, every touch, every glance, every last little bit of the body has its key, which brings joy to the person who recognizes how you can wake it. She showed him that after an event of love the enthusiasts must not part without appreciating each other, without being overcome or having actually overcome, to ensure that neither is grim or glutted or has the tension of being utilized or mistreated."

Sex is so commonly a brainless exchange in between individuals these days. It is not an act to be participated in so carelessly, though. When we share each various other's bodies, subtle energies are exchanged between us. The growing of these powers could even be used to attain higher states of consciousness. When we act as though our bodies are just sacks of flesh, rather than the physical indication of energy, after that we are misunderstanding of sensuality.

" It may be very important to fantastic thinkers to analyze the world, to explain and also dislike it. However I assume it is just crucial to love the world, not to hate it, not for us to despise each various other, yet to be able to pertain to the world and ourselves as well as all beings with love, adoration and also regard."

One of my very own spiritual instructors as soon as claimed to me, you only need to discover to enjoy. That is your only lesson while you are right here. Also when we believe we are loving, there are normally manner ins which we are not acting, believing, and also feeling from a loving place. This includes how we assume and treat ourselves, not just other people.

" My genuine self wanders in other places, away, wanders repeatedly secretly as well as has absolutely nothing to do with my life."

Whatever you define yourself as in this life - a papa, a mother, a little girl, a kid, a partner, a friend, a lover, an employee, and so on - these are just tags. They don't not encase your boundless heart. You have been all these things as well as more in many life times, and also in a lot more locations than where you are now.

" Point of views mean nothing, they may be stunning or ugly, creative or foolish, any person can accept or deny them."

You know that stating regarding viewpoints and butts. Enough said.

" One could ask, get, exist with as well as find love in the roads, but it could never ever be taken."

With whatever that has been extracted from us by a wickedness, harmful, psychotic, corrupt cabal, isn't fantastic to know that love could not be traded like a stock or destroyed like gold, forged like fiat money, or made to be more, or less valuable at the impulses of a couple of elite. Love is infinite, unbreakable, and pure. It is our biggest treasure.

" I shall no more be advised by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or other teaching whatsoever. I will gain from myself, be a student of myself, I shall obtain to understand myself, the mystery of Siddhartha.' He checked out as if he were seeing the world for the very first time."

 Every solitary significant faith on this planet has actually been corrupted. This does not mean that religion has nothing entrusted to teach us. It likewise does not suggest you should count on God or be an atheist to come to real wisdom, but as lengthy as you are wanting to an establishment or an individual to bring you knowledge, you'll miss out on it.