#casino royale vibes anyone?

[koreanbibliophilegirl]

CHARACTER BLURBS FOR MY DSMP SUPERPOWER AU

As promised to @aimlovesmusic :D 💗

Requested characters were Eternal Duo(Eret and Foolish), Quackity, and Ranboo!

Eret👑

Hero!

Hero Name: Monarch

Unofficial spokesperson for the Hero HQ, bc she's beloved by the masses and can stay calm & collected in the spotlight. In other words, he's the best cannon fodder for them 'cause she's got both high popularity ranking and PR skills.

Power is physical control(? idk what to call it), anyone who sees their glowing white eyes has to move in any way she commands. For example, he could tell someone to drop the gun, and that person would have to drop it. She can't control minds though, so everyone is fully conscious during the control & he can't tell people to think a certain way. + the control stops when Eret can't see you anymore/covers their eyes, with sunglasses, etc.

Hero HQ set his image up to be some sort of lethargic royal, never moving more than they need to- but Eret can run in heels & throw things with scary precision actually. She carries knives around just in case, and later they acquire mini grenades! :D

Likes maracons(INHALES them whenever they're stressed)

Foolish🦈

Also a hero!

Tentatively labeled the Golden Shark

He can call up storms and/or rain/thunder/lightning separately- indoors or outdoors, it doesn't matter.

Also, given enough material, he can build things in seconds! He essentially draws out a blueprint in his mind and moves his hands accordingly, and the materials just assemble themselves. This is usually v exhausting though, it's total knockdown for him if the build is big enough.

Adopted by former hero Puffy(Hero Name: Captain Puffy) as a teen

Is friends with fellow hero Tina Kitten(Hero Name: Carrot Cat... Probably. I'm still working on it)! Tina's powers(basically Cat™️) overlap with other, more popular heroes though, so Foolish got way more support from the Hero System than her. Foolish feels bad about this and tries to help her get more recognition, but there really isn't much he can do.

Hero System favors popular heroes and gives them waaaaaay too many patrols, so he's always exhausted now that he's in the top 10

Meat lover

Eternal Duo👑❤️🦈

Often paired on patrols together

Dating <3

One of the most popular RPF ships on in-universe ao3

They've got a Golden Deities brand, since Foolish's hero persona is Playful but Powerful God of Storms & Eret's the Languid, Relaxed Royalty, and both their costumes have golden bits on them.

Foolish gets shanked on patrol and Eret goes INSANE with their throwing knives

Poor villain Redrum didn't know what hit him lol

After the Golden Shark is announced to be in recovery, the videos of Monarch chasing down Redrum in heels becomes a sort of internet meme

Even more so bc Eret was the only hero who ever came close to actually catching Redrum

Eret expertly wielding knives in public leads to a rebranding, since the powerful-lazy-monarch persona was more or less shattered. Foolish wholeheartedly supports & enthusiastically endorses this change👍

Quackity🎰

Mafia kingpin

Code Name: Rey Club

There's an explanation about the Las Nevadas codename system in the "Lilly's dsmp superpower au" tag. ...Somewhere. I don't have the link rn. I'll add it later😅👍

[Edit: here! Also I realized I changed some minor details from when I posted that. Las Nevadas is not a family business!]

Took over LN when he was younger. Vibes are <The Court Jester> by thquib. I love that song.

Paranoid about his position as a result

SKILLED bartender

Since he hides his face as Rey Club, he secretly works in the LN casino palace's bar as Quackity the bartender. He hears a lot of gossip that way, and it's sorta relaxing too.

Sometimes he orders hits on Karens

Fave cocktail is Clover Club, but he pretends to like Casinos better when he's Rey Club

Ranboo🖤💜🤍

Triple Powered, which is super rare

All of benchtrio has 2+ powers so they all pretend to be single-powered(choosing their weaker powers to show) so that their vigilante identities stay hidden

Ranboo can teleport, compress(Silk Touch?), and BITE. They can bite through near anything. Chomp chomp

Works at the local library under Technoblade

And therefore first of the Bench Trio vigilante team to discover wildly popular vigilante duo Emerald Duo's civilian identities

Likes figs- wait why do I keep talking about favorite foods. Eh whatever. He also likes cake & other sweet baked goods.

Vigilante name is Endgame apparently. I'm ngl I completely forgot what I named them & had to check my notes OTL

(Tubbo and Ranboo's vigilante names went through a lot of changes so I lost track of them skajskdaskjdka)

Doesn't talk as Endgame bc they're afraid they'll stutter and sound awkward + doesn't trust himself to not give away his speech mannerisms. Tommy and Tubbo don't care but Ranboo is Anxious™️

This impacts Endgame's popularity as a vigilante a bit

Aaaaaand that's all four!!!! 🥳💕

It's been a hot minute since I worked on DSMP Superpower AU, so it's really nice returning to it :3 Hopefully I can work on it more after my exams😊😅

[heavenbelongstociaran]

me and my wilmon playlist

i like to think of myself as the second coming of christ when it comes to making playlists right, and i have this completely reasonable in length young royals playlist and i feel like i nailed it, in terms of the general vibe of the show AND scene specific themes.

ANYWAY, the reason i'm bringing it up is because i think there are a few songs that are very season specific that are in there.

season 1: visions of gideon by sufjan stevens

I KNOW everyone and their mother would agree that this song is very tragically wilmon.

"I have loved you for the last time

Is it a video? Is it a video?

I have touched you for the last time

Is it a video? Is it a video?"

giving very much episode six, when simon and wille were saying goodbye just before wille left for the palace. even though simon was being reassuring, comforting and encouraging (calling him brave, saying the royal court couldn't force him to do something he didn't want to do), wille (imo) didn't seem to believe him. and i think the way they kissed just made it seem like wille had already made his mind up, even though he said that he wouldn't lie about the video. it felt like he knew he was going to do it, and that it would inevitably be the end of the relationship, hence the lyrics being "i have loved/touched you for the last time."

honourable mentions include:

i'm your man by mitski

on and on by djo

favourite crime by olivia rodrigo

love in the dark by adele

it almost worked by tv girl

hurts me too by faye webster

take me home by pinkpantheress

let light be light by lizzy mcalpine

season 2: crack baby by mitski

gonna start with the honourable mentions first because there are loads:

i loved you by sunday cruise

thursday girl by mitski

why didn't you stop me by mitski

capable of love by pinkpantheress

genuinely, there are so many more but these are the ones that popped into my head as i was scrolling through the playlist.

you know that one saying that's like, "you never know how good you had it until it's gone" or however it goes? that's how season 2 felt.

both simon and wille were trying to recreate what they had or could have had with other people (marcus and felice, respectively) and realised that that would be impossible.

"Crack baby, you don't know what you want But you know that you had it once And you know that you want it back Crack baby, you don't know what you want But you know that you're needing it And you know that you need it bad"

said realisation definitely hurt wille incredibly, considering he said he wished it hadn't happened. it made him realise what life could be like, but he threw that away because he thought he was doing the right thing by denying the video ("protecting" simon). i actually have no idea how to explain this but like, trust me bro.

season 3: too many to name.

heaven by mitski. these fuckers were so in love this season, it was quite sickening (/affection). thinking about season three wilmon makes me want to cry, ignoring their communication issues, and other things that had a negative impact on their relationship.

a part of that by anna kendrick. HERE ME OUT. so, the song is from the movie adaptation of the play "the last five years" and anna's character, kathy, is watching her husband succeed and do all these amazing things in his life and is wondering where she fits into all of it. in season three and maybe the whole series, there's the topic of where the big five fit into the society or positions they're placed in and their positions in each other's lives. wille's struggle w/the monarchy and wanting out, august wanting in (for example).

dark circles by ryan beatty. this has simon written all over it.

casino by ryan beatty.

capable of love by pinkpantheress. goes with what i yapped about regarding season two. whenever they break, or rather when simon breaks up with simon, they seem to feel like this is the be all, end all of everything and that they won't love anyone ever again. in capable of love, pinkpantheress is saying that people pretend that the bond that she has with her love interest doesn't exist, ie people ignoring the fact that simon and wille were together at one point and only acknowledging wille when he got with felice BUT she also says that that doesn't matter, considering everything they went through to get to where they are now. she goes on to say that she'll never be able to love anyone the same way if they were to ever break up and i think that, throughout the series, this has shone through.

ribbons by ryan beatty. https://genius.com/31122186/Ryan-beatty-ribbons/Whos-gonna-hold-you-while-you-sleep-well-its-brave-to-be-nothing-to-no-one-at-all

little faith by ryan beatty!!!!!! (quite frankly, the entire album, Calico.)

general

there are a lot of songs that could encompass the show. capable of love. literally any loyle carner song about struggling with your identity and familial relationships and breaking cycles (polyfilla). sufjan stevens (mystery of love, everything that rises). so on and so forth. but wilmon and the young royals are not one dimensional enough to be described by one or eighteen songs, they're a whole catalogue. that playlist on paper is the most random thing i have ever crafted because fo&o, boygenius and brockhampton have no right to be in the same playlist, but hurt like we did, cool about it and any way want me absolutely deserve to be together; in a cool way, i think that's literally what simon and wille are like: on paper, they don't make sense. the crown prince of sweden, white and privileged and a gay brown boy from a small town who just happens to be an antimonarchist, but if you take that all away, they're two boys trying to find their place in the world, making mistakes.

feel free to give feedback and song recs !!!

playlist links:

apple music: https://music.apple.com/za/playlist/young-royals-but-i-made-the-soundtrack/pl.u-6mo4ZzvSBedVApW

spotify: (i haven't updated it on there in at least six months): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25Pf9bDFBl6vtXOH9cvJC5?si=0b8a0ff36bb5435e

[tree-obsession]

A list of songs Aventurine should be edited to (once he comes out)!

pls im so delusional over him i've never posted an edit in my life (even if i made them) but... he's so...

anyway! these songs are based mostly off vibes, lyrics, and any general knowledge we have- I don't really know all the story leaks for penacony so this may change. feel free to add onto it.

tysm to all the ppl who made aventurine playlists on spotify- go listen to them, they are all epic and i couldn't pick a fav if i tried! And all these songs are epic btw. im rambling sry:(

Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Razzmatazz by I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

Laplace's Angel (Hurt People? Hurt People!) by Will Wood (my favorite currently)

Lights Out by MSI (i just discovered this song and omg)

Oh No! by MARINA

Casino Royale by Derivakat (I just discovered this song too- almost too fitting!)

Feed the Machine by Poor Man's Poison

There's a good reason why these tables are turned by P!ATD

Looking at Me by Sabrina Carpenter

Applause by Lady Gaga

Circus by Britney Spears

Are You Satisfied by MARINA

Ick by Lay Bankz

I WANNA SEE YOU ON THE FLOOR by Lumi Athena

The Fine Print by The Stupendium

if you have any more ideas feel free to add on/ lmk opinions on this list, but please don't be rude to anyone's ideas!

[football-sucks]

Tagged by @trossibop to post 10 comfort movies, pls no one judge my taste I know it’s bad and this makes me look insane probably

1. Twilight - sorry I love shitty vampires and the vibes

2. Mamma Mia - SINGALONG TIME

3. Mulan - I think I watched this 848273 times as a kid

4. Spirit - confirmed watched this 18828499382727 times as a kid and killed 3 DVDs at least

5. Fast 5 - love me a good heist and car that go vroom

6. Black Widow - it sucks but Florence Pugh and the vibes are chef’s kiss

7. Casino Royale - mads mikkelsen my beloved

8. The Great Gatsby - take a guess why it’s probably vibes

9. Is it too early to put Barbie on this list I saw it once and I’m in love

10. Temple of Doom - wish my archaeology degree was like this but I work a 9-5 office job and have no will to live

Tagging @fabiochampioraro @user-patpran @fabioquartararhoe @zsmmn @miroslavcloset and anyone else 🫶

[iffdwrandomizer]

So, not long ago, I got into Persona 5. I've got to say, that game really speaks to me. It is an awesome story with awesome characters and an amazing "stick it to the man" kind of vibes that I can absolutely get behind.

So, I've been thinking, in regards to the villains of Persona 5/Royal, the bad guys, encase you don't know, have a realm of their own in an alternate reality of sorts called the Metaverse, where they have a Palace that takes on a form of their distorted desires.

For example, the first villain, Kamoshida, has his palace in the form of a castle that is situated on the same spot as Shujin Academy, meaning that Kamoshida sees the entire school as his castle. Within the castle contains a number of his disturbing desires, such as perverted images, since he's a pervert, as well as a dungeon-like chamber where cognitions of the volleyball team are tortured in several disturbing ways, such as being held to a volleyball net and being wacked constantly, running on a treadmill towards water while the other end contains a spike-wheel and one other being hanged upside down, his hands bound behind his back and projectiles being shot at him constantly. Even though none of these cognitions are real people, it is still disturbing to watch and similar incidences are being inflicted on the actual volleyball team. The girls, however, are...being treated like images of his perverted desires. Ann Takamaki is seen as his main doll, taking on the image of her in a bikini wearing a tiara with cat ears on them. And, of course, Kamoshida, or rather, his Shadow within the Metaverse, is a king who rules the castle because that's exactly what he sees himself as.

Although, not all palaces are created by bad people as one such palace of Futaba Sakura is a tomb that is one the same spot as her adopted father's house, Sojiro Sakura, a friend of her late mother, as she was blamed for her mother's death due to a suicide note forged by members of the Anti-Social Society. Because of this, she suffers from crippling depression, causing her to desire death, thus her palace is an egyptian tomb.

The worst palace of all is Masayoshi Shido's palace, which is a massive cruise ship sailing through a post-apocalyptic, water-drenched Japan, a representation of how little he cares about the country.

In order for the Phantom Thieves, the heroes of the game, to find the palace, they would need to input keywords into a mysterious Metaverse app that mysteriously appeared on their phones. They would input the name of who the palace owner is, for example Suguru Kamoshida, where the palace is located, such as Shujin Academy, and what the palace takes on the form of, in the first owner's case, a castle. Other forms that the palaces have taken on the forms of are a museum, a bank, a tomb, a space station, a casino and a cruise ship.

Now, back to the matter at hand. I was thinking, if Donald Trump was a villain of Persona 5, I would imagine that he would have a palace of his own. It would be the entire United States of America with a single base, much like the floating bank above the entire Shibuya district for Junya Kaneshiro, and as for what his palace would be? A warzone. Yeah, I would imagine his distorted desires would be to sow chaos across all of America, with his base being a bunker/theatre made of solid gold so that he can watch the chaos unfold like some sick, twisted spectacle. His followers would be like Persona 5 Strikers where people lose their minds if their Shadows who are brought to another Metaverse realm called Jails and have their Desires, jewel-like objects, removed from them. In this case, those people, the MAGA supporters, would willingly lend their Desires to him and in exchange, they become members of his MAGA army, complete with the stupid MAGA hats, fighting against anyone who would dare to oppose him!! Yeah, that sounds so much like the kinds of distorted desires he would have. And let's not forget his Shadow containing a lot of things robbed from the American people kept within his bunker. That sounds about right. As for his Shadow, he would look like the picture perfect man overlord of America. His Shadow's name would be Narcissus.

So, yeah, if he were a villain in Persona 5, that's what I believe his Palace would be like.

[rockingrobin69]

High Stakes

CW for alcohol and gambling

The room is too hot with all the windows shut, curtains drawn. Beads of sweat drip down the back Harry’s neck, but he keeps his face cool. Everything depends on this. He raises an eyebrow, then his hand.

“Ten thousand.”

The air is still, no movement around the table. Sharp somehow. Faces glint in the dim light, affecting calm, but he can see behind the masks. Always could. It was his special gift, if you’d like, his secret weapon. Magic helped too. And now, all he has to do is wait: the long game finally reaching its climax. It should happen any second now. Any second.

To his left, a thin man grinds his teeth. “Out.”

Mr. moustache adds a huff to it. “I’m out.”

Across the table, the flashy tosser with the smile and the name winks. “Sorry, lads. Out this round.”

Which leaves only them at it; the hunter and his prey. One narrow eyebrow arches infinitely high.

“All right, then. All in.”

There’s challenge in his tone. The only man Harry’s never been able to read. Of the shields he uses Harry knows, both magical and not, unbreakable. He bites his lip, the false tell he spent all night ascertaining: it won’t help, not here, not with him. But maybe courage will.

The pile on the table is stacked high enough to make you dizzy. Harry sucks in a groan.  

“All in.”

The collective intake of breath is rank in the air, overwhelming the whiskey, firey scent. A crooked smile unveils sharp teeth. He lays the cards down, and Harry’s heart skips a beat—not because he won, but due to the cards themselves: ace of spades, ace of clubs, ace of hearts.

Ace of hearts. He did it.

Relief is heady, thick like fog, spreading through his entire body. His hands clutch the edge of his seat like he might fall in. He might, fall or fall apart, only time will tell. Around the table the commotion resumes, grimaces fixed into dark smiles, shuffles intensify into near-threats. They’ll deal with all that when they have to. There are more important things, now. Things like grey eyes and the promise they hold, of cooperation, of assent. Of trust. 

He corners Malfoy after the next round, a glass of Patron in his hand, smile far more dangerous. More intoxicating. Even pushed against the wall he seems immaculate—must have drank, what, twice as much as Harry. In the dank room, damp with expectations and high stakes, not a single hair out of place. Harry wants to devour him. Instead he grins.

“Knew they’ll change your mind in the end.”

Malfoy shakes his head. “Not for them. For you.”

“For me.” It feels tight in his throat. “Are we going back in? I can’t leave without Rosier.”

“Yes, yes.” Malfoy rolls his eyes, but then leans forward to plant a surprise kiss on Harry’s lips. “Here. For luck.”

Harry dives in. Not for luck, but for this, for him. 

(Day 21 of @flufftober​! Find all previous ficlets here, or on AO3)      

[shijiujun]

NTTD is a masterpiece!!!! Spoilers below but combing through Casino Royale to No Time to Die

Q and Bond

Like we’ve all shipped 00q since Skyfall and for good reason - as Ben Whishaw said there’s affection even though between Q and 007 there’s irritation and annoyance, exasperation. And yes Q has a potential boyfriend in NTTD and ahhh still doesn’t stop me from shipping em both as an old 00q shipper.

They’re so consistent in every movie - I love Ben Whishaw’s Q and how they went from sitting in a museum looking at the painting of a sinking ship, of Q’s sassy and exasperated ‘Bond’s, and to the very last, panicked ‘James get out of there’. Although canon-wise we don’t get a lot of 00q moments but at the very least their friendship is profound and Q cares deeply for him. We don’t get to see it, going from Skyfall to Spectre to NTTD, but he must’ve been in Bond’s ears for years, and their very last hurrah together was fitting.

Q in Bond’s ears, the very last person to standing right at his back, yelling at him to get out of there, wanting to see him off the island safely and seeing probably his favorite and least favorite agent through on his last mission - that meant more to me throughout this entire franchise than anything else. Everything was just nice.

(Now time to go find all my fix-it fics and revisit some of my fave 00q ones)

Bond and Everyone Else 

Wish we had more badass Moneypenny but glad she was there nonetheless - Mallory as always playing the in between white and black, and Tanner being the flustered, stressed out admin that needs a break. Nomi, who stood equally next to Bond and accompanied him on his very last mission. And perhaps it was also fitting that Felix Leiter went out with him, earlier than he, but since the start they stood shoulder to shoulder, a man Bond was glad to call his friend.

And these five movies gave Bond the dysfunctional family he never wanted but had to some extent - after Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace he truly was, even if he thought he was, never alone. Quite an anti-thesis to the suave, solo Bond that seems to we had until Skyfall. And contrary to the belief that he would die alone without anyone to remember him, he does. He truly does. And they are the ones who count.

Bond and Madeleine + Matilde

I thought I’d hate this token wife and kid and happy ending thing but I don’t. I really don’t. I love the different side we got to see for Madeleine, and Matilde was hilariously cute in several ways. It didn’t feel forced, like Casino Royale’s kind offff did. I love that they gave her characterization and that she was always generous with her emotions - of her longing for Bond on the train, of her anger, of how tough she was, and at the end.

Bond + The Villain + Safin

The only thing that kind of gets me is that Safin kind of came out of nowhere, doesn’t actually have much beef with Bond, and I can’t really tell what his obsession with Madeleine and Matilde is. I guess the moral of the story is that it’s always the same old story with villains right and that there’s always another one of Safin, but it’s almost hilarious how Safin doesn’t really have it coming for Bond. Blofeld’s antics were... just antics, and it’s almost like there was no true villain for this entire story, which is almost poetic.

Pacing + Other Things

We’ve come full circle from Casino Royal, Quantum of Solace to Skyfall (where I feel like Daniel Craig’s Bond really flourished) and then Spectre and No Time to Die - The storytelling is consistent throughout 15 years of run time and I’m glad we went from the cacophony of betrayal and trust issues, emo sadass i’m-gonna-die-alone vibes in every movie.

To be honest I thought it was going to be drawn out and cliched and it was to some extent but in all the nice ways - Daniel Craig really sang his swan song with NTTD and we had it all - the sort of happy ending he got with the love of his life and leaving behind a child, a part of him, with a strange professional but the closest thing to a family he ever had with Mallory and Tanner and Moneypenny, Q. He had the hero’s shot in the sunset at his very last moments, and not wanting to die but realizing at the moment that it was, to some degree, the end he was waiting for if he had no other choice. 

He got to die as 007 - and it was never just a number to him, and I’m glad he got to die with it. He got to die after using up all his shiny gadgets from Q, after saying goodbye to the love of his life, after having at least one day and night as a normal, actual family with Madeleine and Matilde. 

Did I think his death was necessary? I think it was fitting. I’d loved for him to get the happy ending truly, but this was a fitting way to go and as one review said “this eliminates any possibility of him having to come back and do a role he’s been wanting to drop since forever”. It was so fitting. His death was almost a quiet, peaceful and calm one, but at the same time he literally did go out with a bang as he probably thought he always would - he had both, and he had regrets but it truly was time and he was content with that.

Humour was on point too - softened Bond around the edges, made him seem not so emo and destructive (like he was at the beginning of Skyfall) anymore. A good mellowing out. 

I also loved that they came back to the betrayal trope but didn’t go too much into it because we’ve had that for every single 007 movie so far. Loved that Ana de Armas came out as a hilariously anxious but also weirdly confident and exceptionally competent interjection to the whole movie - Bond gets to work with gorgeous women all the time and he’s almost slept with all so it’s so nice to see Paloma and Nomi like going ‘nopeeeeee gotta do ma job cool thanks’ - no standard Casino Royale situation.

(I’m still amused that he went to infiltrate the island with like a navy knit sweater and a thin white shirt damn man)

Plenty of regrets of course - if he didn’t let Madeleine go five years ago he would have gotten five more years of family time with her and Matilde but I suppose trouble would have come knocking sooner or later, and I’m glad he had some soft tender moments with the sunlight behind him - we didn’t get much or any of these in the first three movies. 

NTTD was softer in all the right ways and every single loose end was tied up. I’d have loved for some mention of Judy Dench M or that pitbull figurine thing, but every box was checked, from Vesper to Felix to everyone else.

[bandstolookup]

$uicideboy$

Khalid

ghostmane

Rory Gallagher

edguy

count Raven

King diamond

attic

jorn lande

savage circus

obscura

Nile

two ton boa

we are the city

clues

orillia opry

woolfy

rubylux

zaza

harper blynn

vibrolux

pacifika

misha

winter gloves

gran ronde

daniel g. harmann & the trouble starts

wintersleep

drakes hotel

t.h. white

Elsinore

hannah gorgas

kathryn calder

royal city

econoline crush

soul solution

chase huglin

boy pablo

motion city soundtrack

kenneth aaron harris

dead sara

neutral milk hotel

bring me the horizon

the high dials

dirty pretty things

the alarm

hideki naganuma

typhoon

suuns

royal wood

seawolf

catlow

guitar vader

cibo matto

statement of intent - bis

the prunes

the guillemots

sky larkin

basement jaxx

the frattelis

royworld

james blunt

paolo nutini

feist

bay fiction

bloc party

white ring

Salem

the klf

caldera

ritualz

dire straits

alicks

drew azzinaro

purity ring

oOoOO

Sid vicious

Brujeria

ed sheeran

kate nash

duke spirit

health

the summer set

slipknot

the dread crew of oddwood

knife party

alestorm

phuture

the feeling

the go team

sway clarke

running wild

Colin Stetson

mumm ra

rachel stevens

Katy perry

Adonis

abba

the slits

netsky

sarah neufeld

the weeknd

morning runner

joyce manor

tellison

klaypex

fremantlemedia

M△S▴C△RA

horse macguyver

from first to last

holy other

GR†LLGR†LL

horsehead

math the band

James Ferraro

blank banshee

Derek Bailey

proffesional elemental

headhunterz

kill the noise

Steve Roden

led Zeppelin

Steve aoki

dada life

u2

glass teeth

pop etc

misfits

celldweller

pendulum

foster the people

the orb

apex twin

fostercare

crim3s

crystal castles

clams casino

∆AIMON

balam acab

kraftwerk

afrika bambaataa & soul sonic force

the bloody beetroots

throbbing gristle

American authors

capital cities

Vance joy

jerry paper

satanic ceremony

ghostpool

worse things

into the wake

anyone anyway

trench

randy newman

tesla

steve

hivemind

kix

úchis

jaden smith

pretty flacko

baepegmafia

anna lotterud

dream easy collective

russ

diplo

lab

kyle

kodaline

matt maltese

flatsound

kevin krauter

the nightingales

daniel caesar

sampha

kamaal williams

courtney melba

dma's

moodymann

dez andrés

turtle bugg

checks and exes

kfeelz

lo moon

jay som

avalon emerson

mike servito

dj python

justin cudmore

mall grab

x-coast

chicano batman

helado negro

shannon and the clams

bearcat

riobamba

dj haram

juice wrld 999

phum v. siritip

polo

mellowfellow

sunsetrollercoaster

cheeky andy

beyond the groove

14

sting

RAC

gentle vibes

joakim karud

88rising

joji

blocboy jb

peter bjorn and john

dr dog

syd matters

interpol

niki

rich brian

yung bans

red thread

red stick band

higher brothers

03 greedo

vory

phum viphurit

august 08

playboi carti

famous dex

keith ape

verbal

goldlink

harikiri

florey

w u s o (some asian symbols)

sangam

sales

Laurent garnier

Robert hood

Paul van dyke

winny puhh

arty

Dave nada

mike oldfield

duck sauce

state champs

Pearson sound

TNGHT

the candescents

qty

marika hackman

little comets

the civil wars

the residents

preme

jess glynne

chris stapleton

sza

brett young

max

luis fonsi

jax jones

ina wroldsen

jonas blue

nf

vocal point

becky g

sofia reyes

ajr

rivers cuomo

darell

casper magico

nio garcia

hugel

alan walker

gigi d'agostino

we are athens

randy rhoades

wolfine

micky james

joshua & the holy rollers

david lee murphy

kenny chesney

migos

hood celebrityy

daniel caesar

mercyme

john reuben

nathaniel rateliff & the night sweats

sam hunt

blocboy jb

thomas rhett

tk kravitz

jacquees

rich the kid

chris lane

tori kelly

luke combs

ybn nahmir

yo gotti

morgan wallen

kane brown

salaam remi

dan + shay

bazzi

jhené aiko

swae lee

kane brown

cotis

buddy

valee

tory lanez

elley duhé

REAPER

nas

the dream

gallant

chromeo

joji

rich brian

higher brothers

jeremih

wifisfuneral

n u a g e s

tiedye ky

elliot glickman

otr

the citrus clouds

gould

goldwater

lastlings

vacant

whispa

smoaj

common souls

spont

su na

le marquis

br/\ve

k/\sseo

orlando

poly pines

kat vinter

adior

trevor jordan

tora

led streets

heaven & hell

mythology

velvet fogg

bobby mcferrin

matchbox twenty

tabatha's secret

rob thomas

the impressions

curtis mayfield

shania twain

eric clapton

hippie sabotage

vaults

iamforest

caleb hodges

golden vessel

[mfalsomni]

No Time To Die (2021)

It has taken me ten days to write this because I couldn't stop crying every time I thought about the film. But here it is, my probably bad review on my favourite Bond film.

To start, I was amazed and incredibly happy at seeing a Bond that really feels —and is not a misogynistic asshole. The character evolves throughout more than 2 hours to reach an incredible yet devastating ending I still haven't got over of. To be honest, every main character felt incredibly well written in its own way. Back to what I was saying, seeing Bond feel and hurt like a human —in contraposition to the classic "perfect manly man" he usually portrays— is incredible.

On to other characters, women in this film felt perfectly written to me. None of them is there to have the minimum representation, neither is written in a stereotypical manner —which is sad to celebrate, but I'm happy about it.

The story develops smoothly into something I couldn't predict at all, but that felt like the perfect ending. Every little detail since the beginning makes that ending even better than it already would be by itself.

Regarding music, it's composed by Hans Zimmer, I loved every second of it. The opening sequence was incredible —it was nice that it didn't revolve around naked women as the tradition follows—, Billie's voice really matched the vibe and lyrics. Actually, I didn't expect it to fit the context so well, but it did amazingly.

Now some random things I don't know where to put (before I start crying again). I will never be over how good Daniel Craig looks in those tick deep blue turtleneck sweaters they always make him wear for infiltration scenes... (Btw if anyone knows where to get one like those kindly tell me). Also, the classic cars are so pretty I want to scream!! And the Italian village they visit at the introduction... It was so beautiful, I loved that part of the movie.

SPOILER ZONE

It really hurts me to see Daniel Craig go as James Bond. It was time, and this was an incredible way to do so, but it hurt me too much. He's the Bond I've grown with (Casino Royale was released when I was only 4) and seeing him go feels —for some reason— like saying goodbye to an old friend. This is probably why seeing him watch on that island and saying goodbye hit me so hard... To me, he will always be the best James Bond that has been.

END OF SPOILER ZONE

In conclusion: this film was incredible and I cannot wait to watch it again, and again, and again. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I really wish I could watch it for the first time again. Watched on October 10th 2021.

[inkykeiji]

I'd never pressure you to write something, I'm just thankful you liked the poker idea to begin with! I work at a casino and people are winning all the time when I'm near so I like to think of myself as a lucky charm (despite how terribly unlucky I tend to be lol)

Anyway! No pressure, I can be plenty patient and if you decide to not write it I also understand. (I'm so worried I come off as expecting you to do this even though you already do so much for us and I dont want to be rude)

-♠️

omg i love it so much!!!!!! for some reason it gives me like, james bond casino royale circa 2006 vibes????

fun extremely random and unrelated fact: i used to hate james bond with an extreme passion and for the most part still do, but my favourite prof begged me to take his bond seminar in my last year of uni and i did because i love him, and ended up kiiiiinda falling in love with daniel craig’s bond. my prof used to always talk about everyone having ‘their bond’ (since there are so many actors who played him!!!!) and when i told him about daniel he was like ‘omg!!!!! we found ur bond!!! FINALLY!!!!’

i don’t feel pressure from you (or anyone else!!) AT ALL my luv don’t even worry, i just wanted to give u a lil update on it that’s all!! <33

[mermaidsirennikita]

i was tagged by @loisfreakinglane (muah)

RULES: Copy/paste and bold your fic preferences because why not, gotta choose one (near impossible, but go with your first gut instinct), and tag someone because, again, why not.

slow burn or love at first sight

is it love if they aren’t just slowly building towards a painful love for one another that they cannot speak of

fake dating or secret dating

both are fine, but i really enjoy secret dating when it involves the couple sneaking around and like, fucking in random places and their mutual friends are like “hmm, whose panties are on the floor here” and the guy is like “oh those are lizzie’s” very casually before everyone REALIZES

enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers

i live for drama, so the greater the enemies, the better.  like if they’re physically fighting and then it suddenly turns into fucking?  PLS

oh no there’s only one bed or long-distance with correspondence

bonus points if they wake up accidentally spooning and one of them has an Inconvenient Boner

hurt/comfort or amnesia

neither is like, MY FAVORITE, but if i’m hardcore into a ship i do love like.... the scene in casino royale where vesper is traumatized in the shower after being involved in Killing Men and bond sits down and says he’ll wash the blood away and he begins sucking on/kissing her fingers?  THAT KINDA SHIT

fantasy au or modern au

i really love fantasy AS THE BASE, but if it’s an AU modern AUs are usually more fun

mutual pining or domestic bliss

i have no time for bliss, give me pining always

smut or fluff

lol i can always imagine them having a fluffy fun time myself, i will literally skip thru fluff to get to smut, smut is kING

canon compliant (missing scenes) or fix-it fic

both are almost equal, but i think fix-it has better potential

alternate universe or future fic

AU just has more potential, again.  like i remember listening to the Fated Mates podcast about fanfic and how a lot of the current romance novelists that are popular now cut their teeth on writing Twilight AU fic... (and for SURE some popular newbs rn wrote Reylo fic) and that kind stuff makes AUs more fun to read for me

one-shot or multi-chapter

i like a short-ish multi-chapter.  enjoy 

kid fic or roadtrip fic

i enjoy a fun and wacky raodatrip fic

reincarnation or character death

ohhhhhh reincarnation for sure

arranged marriage or accidental marriage

man lol i really am a...... sucker.... for arranged marriage.  i love accidental marriages too, but arranged marriages?  OH BOY

high school romance or middle aged romance

girrrrrrlllll i very much prefer grown up love

time travel or isolated together

time travel is just fun and easily spun into a romantic vibe and there’s a corniness to it that i just love

neighbors or roommates

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES

sci-fi au or magic au

sci-fi confuses me a lot of the time, so probably magic

bodyswap or genderswap

genderswap, though neither is my fave tbh

angst or crack

ALWAYS ANGST PREFERABLY WITH A HAPPY/HOPEFUL ENDING. ALWAYS. I WANT BLOOD AND TEARS

apocalyptic or mundane

eeeeh, i think i’ve been overloaded by dystopian stuff lately, so.... mundane probably

tagging: @thewritersramblings @maxfieldparrishes @ravenkings and anyone else who wants to do this!

[eldritchsurveys]

844.

Have you ever been to Costco? >> It’s possible. I don’t remember. Do/did you have to wear a uniform to your high school? >> No. What’s your favourite flavour of iced tea? >> Pure Leaf makes iced tea that I like, and so does this other brand that I can’t remember the name of (I just remember what the bottle looks like). The flavours can vary. Quick, name the first European country that pops into your head? >> France. How many video games do you own? >> Between all my games across multiple game launchers on PC and the games we have for the multiple consoles we own... it’s definitely around 150 or so.

Have you ever been to a casino? If so, which one(s)? >> Nope. I don’t think I’d be able to spend more than 2 minutes inside a casino before sensory overload took over. Do you love or hate olives? >> I like them. When was the last time you got delivery food? >> We got Noodles and Company about a week or two ago. What’s your favourite suburb in the city you live in? >> I don’t have a favourite suburb. Have you ever visited a sex shop? >> I’ve visited many sex shops. They’re all over Manhattan. Do you like the name Cindy for a girl? >> I don’t like the name Cindy, no. How many sets of keys do you have for your house? >> I, personally, have one key. The door to the building and the door to the individual apartments in it all have the same lock, which does strike me as a bit strange, but hey. Do you give spare keys to your place to your friends and family? >> Hell no. The only time we’ve done that is the times we were in New Orleans for a week or more; Sparrow gave her parents the spare key so they could feed the cat. Have you ever been to Tokyo, Japan? >> No. When was the last time you saw a movie in theaters? >> I wanna say... February? Whenever it was that Birds of Prey was out. What brand is your laptop or computer? >> The one I’m on right now is a Lenovo. What’s your favourite citrus fruit? >> Lemon or clementine. Do you know anyone who has Parkinson’s disease? >> No. Have you ever ridden a bicycle through a busy city? >> Yeah, I’ve ridden a bike in Brooklyn. Do you use Instagram? How often do you post there? >> I don’t use Instagram. What’s your favourite brand of beer? >> Hmm... that’s tough. Royal Oak Brewing has consistent offerings, and so does Short’s Brewery. If we’re going to expand the definition of “beer” to include ciders, then I’d include Farmhaus Cider and Blake’s Hard Cider for their consistently good flavours (and People’s Cider Company for their good flavours and good vibes). When was the last time you high-fived someone? >> I don’t remember. Do you like writing? How often do you write? >> I do like writing. I don’t write nearly as often as I did from around 2009-2015, but I still like it. I just have no idea what to write anymore. Have you ever dyed your hair a very different colour from your natural? >> Yeah. Are there any posters or artworks hanging in your living room? >> Yeah, there’s a True Detective poster, a Wovenhand concert poster, and a Sucker Punch movie poster by my desk, and three Dark Tower movie posters above the couch. There’s also a pride flag above the TV, if that counts. What’s your favourite place to get pizza? >> My favourite pizza right now is actually a frozen pizza, from this brand called Sweet Earth that just makes really fucking good frozen food somehow, lol. But when we do order pizza, we order from Jet’s. How many times have you been to the beach? >> I have no idea. Has there ever been a fire inside your house? Tell me the story. >> Nope. Are you good at rhyming and/or puns? >> It’s not something I’m particularly ingenious at, no. Have you ever ordered anything from Amazon? >> I’ve ordered many things from Amazon. I tend to avoid them lately, though, except as an absolute last resort. Do you have cushions on your couches? >> Like, aside from the ones that are part of the couch? Nah. What was the last thing that made you feel a negative emotion? >> I don’t remember. When was the last time you drank whiskey? What brand was it? >> Uh... hmm. Probably at that chocolates and cocktails event we went to on Valentine’s Day. Long Road Distillers (where the event was held) makes their own whiskey, so it was theirs. Do you like bubble tea? What’s your favourite flavour? >> I love bubble tea. Taro is my favourite flavour. Have you ever had a scary encounter with a wild animal? >> Nope. How many piercings do you have? >> One in each earlobe, one in nose. What colour are your underwear today? >> Royal blue and grey. Do you know anyone who works in a place 1 hour or more from where they live? >> Sure. Is there anything in your pockets right now? >> Nope. Are there any loose coins around you at the moment? >> No. What’s your favourite TV show? (top 5 if you can’t choose) >> Five TV shows I have a fair amount of emotional investment in are The X-Files, Watchmen, Grey’s Anatomy, Person of Interest, and The Dragon Prince. Honorable anime mention goes to Bungo Stray Dogs. What do you think of androgynous names? >> I have no real opinion about unisex names in particular. I just like the names I like, period. Do you own a dictionary? >> No. Have you ever had a spray tan? >> No. Do you prefer to hang or fold your clothes? >> I hang some and fold others. Do you own any sports bras? Where’d you get them from? >> I own one because wearing a binder while exercising is not exactly safe. I’m not sure where I got it from. I used to have one I liked from Amazon, but I have no idea what happened to it. Have you ever had sex in a kitchen? >> I have. Are you any good at imitating accents? >> I don’t think so. I mean, maybe, but it’s not like I’ve had any feedback in that area so I can’t really say.

What’s the most expensive restaurant you’ve ever eaten at? >> I’m not sure.

[cosmicyeehaw]

I was tagged by the lovely @cantbehandled-ever to answer these questions! Thank you, love!! 🖤🖤

Your favourite song

I have way too many to count but my current fave is definitely Always There by Greta Van Fleet

A song you hate

Anything by Tones and I. My hate for her voice surpasses Taylor Swifts and that's really saying something coming from me 🤣

A song that makes you cry

Heavy With Hoping by Madeon. The lyrics hit really close to home for me and now everytime I hear it I csnt help but tear up.

A song that cheers you up

Sunflower by Vampire Weekend!

A song that reminds you of a special moment

Leave Your Lover by Sam Smith. I know it sounds funny but that song was my junior year winter guard show and that was the year we won championships!

A song that you know all the lyrics by heart

Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes. Ngl I know their whole self titled album by heart lol

A song that makes you dance

No Pomegranates by Hippo Campus. That song makes me go ape shit y'all.

A song that you can’t stop listening to

The High Road by Broken Bells. Idk why but that song is suddenly my hyperfixation again lmao

A song that helps you sleep

Numb by Clams Casino. No lyrics just a chill beat.

A song that is your ultimate jam

Little Monster by Royal Blood. Literally anything by royal blood is my jam soooo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

A song you resonate with

Goodbye To A World by Porter Robinson. Honestly Worlds is something I vibe with on a whole other level

A song that reminds you of your parents

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. Both of parents are correctional officers at folsom so it's a no brainer really lol

A song that reminds you of your best friend

Battas by Mazde. The months that she stayed with me that was one of many songs that we listened to every day so every time I hear it I miss her 😭

tagging: @howlingoutsideyourdoor @m00kieblaylock @goldraye @flowrxchild @anndromeda-galaxy @stevie-baby @andrewjhozier @desertpups and anyone who wants to do this!!

[bookingbuys-blog]

The Best Neighborhoods in Sydney: Where to Stay on Your Visit

Posted: 06/2/2019 | June 2nd, 2019 Sydney is one of the greatest cities in the world. It has amazing beaches, scenic shorelines, World Heritage sites, and top-notch dining. It’s a large city, and it’s very spread out. So what are the best neighborhoods to stay in? That depends on what you look for in a destination! Each area of Sydney has its own vibe and highlights. Here are my thoughts on the best places to stay in the city. No matter which of these you choose, you can’t go wrong! Table of Contents Best neighborhood for views: The Rocks Best neighborhood for local life: Surry Hills Best neighborhood for a local beach: Coogee Best neighborhood for touristy stuff: Darling Harbour Best neighborhood for beach fun: Bondi Beach Best neighborhood for being central: CBD Best neighborhood for shopping: Paddington Best non-central neighborhood: Manly Best neighborhood for nightlife: Kings Cross   Best Neighborhood #1: The Rocks

Just north of Sydney’s Central Business District and on the harbor, this neighborhood offers great views along the waterfront. There are numerous historic buildings in the area, including several pubs. The Rocks Markets is open each weekend, selling all kinds of treasures, including arts and crafts, jewelry and tasty treats. The area has tons of stellar restaurants, museums, and entertainment venues, which helps explain its popularity with tourists. If you stay in The Rocks, make sure you dine along the waterfront! Best Places to Stay in The Rocks BUDGET: Sydney Harbour YHA – This hostel is in a great location, offering views of the harbour and the Opera House. The hostel is built in the old colonial area of the city, but has all the modern comforts of a good hostel. This isn’t really a party hostel, though, but rather a great place for travelers looking for a quiet stay. It’s great for families too! MID-RANGE: Mercantile Hotel – Offering live music, free Wi-Fi, and all the standard ammentities you’d expect from a mid-range hotel. The Mercantile is located right near the Opera House, the Rocks Markets, and the Harbour Bridge. To top it all off, it’s also home to Australia’s longest-running Irish pub! LUXURY: Four Seasons Sydney – Offering incredbible views of the harbour and the city — as well as incredible luxury — this is a great choice for anyone looking to visit Sydney in style. With a state of the art fitness center and wellness center and spa, you’ll be able to get pampered while you enjoy all that Sydney has to offer. Best Neighborhood #2: Surry Hills

Southeast of the Central Business District, Surry Hills has traditionally been known as the best place in Sydney for fashion. The area is perfect for travelers who want to shop ‘til they drop, but its appeal is much broader than that. There are lots of unique, creative dining options, and many old warehouses have been transformed into classy art galleries and gorgeous homes. The area is perfect for young travelers, foodies, and those wanting to experience Oxford Street, the longtime Gay Capital of Sydney. Best Places to Stay in Surry Hills BUDGET: Big Hostel – This hostel offers free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free luggage storage, and late checkout — everything the budget traveler needs! They also have a full-equipped kitchen and promote eco-friendly practices (they have a service for donating old clothings and promote energy conservation and recycling). MID-RANGE: Manor Boutique Hotel – This charming boutique hotel is located in a heritage building with antique furnishings. It’s conveniently located just 5 minutes from Oxford street where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants. Free breakfast is included too! LUXURY: Little Albion – This luxury hotel is actually located in a heritage building that was once a former convent. It’s right near Central Station and only a short drive from Chinatown and Paddy’s Market. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace, lounge, free WiFi, and a complimentary breakfast each morning. Best Neighborhood #3: Coogee

This little area with the funny name is perfect for travelers who want a beach vibe but not all the craziness of Bondi Beach. The area is super scenic and the ocean is calm and safe for swimming. This neighborhood is an eastern suburb of Sydney, but you can get to town on public transit in less than half an hour. Coogee has a youthful and family-friendly feel. Sydney’s eastern East suburbs, youthful, family friendly. If your trip calls for a lot of beach time, this is a great option. There’s super snorkeling nearby at Gordons Bay, and be sure to check out the Wylie Baths — amazing rock pools perfect for swimming. The seaside town is known for its fish and chips, so be sure to give them a try too! Best Places to Stay in Coogee BUDGET: Mad Monkey Coogee Beach – This is a great budget hostel located right on the beach. They have a cool co-working space and there are plenty of bars and restaurants around as well. It’s not fancy by any means, but it gets the job done! Just keep in mind that it can get a little noisy, so don’t stay here if you’re looking for some peace and quiet! MID-RANGE: Coogee Bay Hotel (Boutique) – This lovely boutique hotel is in a great location, located only 20 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from the airport. It’s right beside the ocean, as well, and there is a restaurant and beer garden on-site. LUXURY: Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach – This incredible hotel boasts panoramic views of the ocean, a heated swimming pool, 2 bars, tennis courts, and a fully-equipped fitness center. It’s a spacious hotel with ultra-modern rooms, and there are lots of great seafood restaurants nearby as well. Best Neighborhood #4: Darling Harbour

This area of town is best for families. This lively neighborhood is a huge tourist draw, as there are tons of attractions along the waterfront. The Sydney Aquarium and IMAX are here, and there’s all kinds of dining. The area’s clubs come alive at night and there’s lots of shopping. There’s also a Madame Tussauds, if that tells you anything. If you’re travelling with kids, consider this neighborhood. If not, I probably wouldn’t stay in this Disney-like environment. Best Places to Stay in Darling Harbour BUDGET: Siesta Sydney – This budget-friendly hostel is clean, located in a great location, and has really friendly staff. They have free towels, free Wi-Fi, a fully-equipped kitchen, and laundry facilities. MID-RANGE: Glasgow Arms Hotel – This charming hotel is located above a beautiful old pub. Free breakfast is served all day long and the hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Darling Harbour. LUXURY: The Darling at The Star– This is a massive, luxuorious hotel home to a spa, casino, and over 20 bars and restaurants. Pamper yourself in their Turkish bath or enjoy a swim in their scented outdoor swimming pool — that also has its own bar! Best Neighborhood #5: Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is world famous. Once you see the iconic beach, you’ll understand why: The amazing views of the Pacific, the seafood restaurants along Campbell Parade, the happening nightlife! This is a great place for backpackers and those looking to party. But it’s also a good base for beach couples, as well. Bondi is not right in the heart of the city, but public transit is a piece of cake. This area appeals to a younger crowd, and you’re sure to see surfers in the water, sun worshippers on the sand, and adventurous sorts hiking the scenic coastal trails. Best Places to Stay in Bondi Beach BUDGET: Bondi Backpackers – If you love the beach, you can’t beat this place! There’s a great rooftop space overlooking Bondi Beach and the hostel offers free surfboards. There are also free yoga classes, walking tours, and other fitness activities. If you’re there Friday night, don’t miss the BBQ party on the rooftop! MID-RANGE: Ultimate Apartments (Bondi Beach) – Located just a 7-minute walk from the beach, Ultimate Apartments offers studio apartments with free parking. They have kitchenettes so you can cook some of your own food, as well as an outdoor pool onsite. The rooms are spacious and the beds are comfy! LUXURY: Hotel Bondi – With views overlooking the beach, this boutique-style hotel has both private and shared balconies, as well as some deluze rooms with kitchen facilities if you want to cook your own meals. There is a restaurant onsite, the showers are great, and the staff is incredibly helpful. Best Neighborhood #6: Central Business District

Sydney’s CBD is the heart of it all. It’s a huge area filled with skyscrapers, business, banking, and commerce. But it’s not only for the suit and tie set. This area has tons of attractions, including the Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden. The neighborhood is generally pretty pricey, but the location may be worth it. The city’s best dining is here, as are the poshest hotels and chicest art galleries. You won’t find a lot of quirky shops, flea markets, or vintage treasures, but you will feel the excitement of big-city living! Best Places to Stay in the Central Business District BUDGET: Base Sydney – There aren’t many budget options in this part of the city when it comes to accommodation, so Base will likely be your best choice. They have free Wi-Fi and an on-site bar, making it a great place to have fun and meet people. MID-RANGE: Park Regis City Centre – With a rooftop pool and views overlooking the city, this is a great mid-range hotel offering value above and beyond the pricetag. The location is perfect and allows you easy access to all of the main attractions in the city, and they also offer a free airport shuttle as well. LUXURY: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park – This hotel overlooks Hyde Park and boasts an indoor swimming pool, rooftop fitness center, a free airport shuttle, and amazing restaurants and room service. It’s the perfect place to pamper yourself in the heart of the city. Best Neighborhood #7: Paddington

If you’re looking for a quiet place to stay in Sydney, Paddington is one of my favorite neighborhoods. It’s between the CBD and the beaches, so you can get anywhere pretty quickly via bus. This eastern suburb is mainly residential, with beautiful tree-lined streets and Victorian homes with cute balconies. There are upscale restaurants, lively pubs, and prestigious art galleries as well as funky shops. The area is known for the Saturday Paddington Markets at the Uniting Church. Centennial Park is a great place to relax in the outdoors. This isn’t the best neighborhood if you are looking for extensive nightlife and party options, though. Best Places to Stay in Paddington BUDGET: Arts Hotel – Budget options in this area are few and far between, so Airbnb might be your best choice. If you’d prefer a hotel, try Arts Hotel. It’s located right on Oxford Street and have a cool garden, swimming pool, and free bikes to use. MID-RANGE: Airbnb – There aren’t any great mid-range options in this area so I’d try Airbnb for a middle-of-the-road option. Just be sure to book in advance as the best places disappear fast! LUXURY: Mrs Banks Hotel – This hotel is actually located in a former bank. It has a very chic vibe and the rooms are all well designed. There’s free Wi-Fi and breakfast included as well. Best Neighborhood #8: Manly

Manly is a suburb of Sydeny located just north of the city. It’s is famous for its amazing beach, giant waves, surfing, and wild nightlife. The area has a completely different vibe to it than the central city; it’s a part of town that knows how to have a good time. A lot of tourists actually miss that part of the city as it is a bit out of the way. But don’t let that stop you — it’s worth the short ride to get here. In fact, it’s one of my favorite areas of the city! You’ll also find some gorgeous coastal walking trails on this side of the harbor too. Best Places to Stay in Manly BUDGET: Manly Backpackers – This is your classic backpacker hostel, with a great social vibe and lively nightlife. The staff are super helpful and fun and can help you make the most out of your trip. Don’t expect the most neat and tidy hostel as there are many long-term backpackers here and the place can get a little messy. But what it lacks in cleanliness it backs up for in price and atmosphere! MID-RANGE: Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific – Located right across from Manly Beach, this hotel is in the perfect location for those looking to balance soaking up the rays on the beach with Manly’s wild nightlife. The hotel has a fitness center and rooftop pool, as well as a nice bar and free breakfast (including certain rooms). You’ll get some great views here too! LUXURY: Designer Studios Manly – As soon as you arrive, you’ll notice the little touches that make this hotel stand out. Not only is there free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle but you’ll also be gifted free wine and sparkling water on arrival. The staff can also provide picnic blankets in case you want to go out and relax in one of the citys many parks or beaches (which I suggest you do!). Best Neighborhood #9: Kings Cross

Located North of Paddington and east of the downtown core, Kings Cross is another party district for any nightowls looking to have fun. It’s wild and cheap, and you’ll find a good mix of both backpackers and locals here. The famous World Bar is where most of the action happens (it’s home to cheap drinks and a large dance floor). If you’re not a backpacker or not looking to party, this probably won’t be the place you wan’t to stay during your visit. Best Places to Stay in Kings Cross BUDGET: Hump Backpackers – This is a social hostel where the staff host plenty of fun daily activities to help you meet people (like BBQs, beer pong, and pancake breakfasts). There’s a free breakfast included, all-day coffee and tea, and a different activities each and every night. The beds here are quite comfortable, the bathrooms and showers are kept clean, and lockers in each room are huge. The hostel is surrounded by lots of restaurants and shops, as well as a few bars, so there’s a bunch of things to do in the area. Note: you have to be 18-35 years old to stay here. MIDRANGE: Quest Potts Point – Boasting a rooftop terrace with views over the city, and located only a 5 minute walk from the rambunctious nightlife of Kings Cross, Quest Potts Point is the perfect choice for travelers wanting privacy and comfort while still looking to be right next to the action. Most of the rooms have kitchenettes, the beds are quite comfy, and the staff can help you organize all sorts of fun tours and day trips! LUXURY: Larmont Sydney – The Larmont Sydney by Lancemore is located just 2 minutes from Kings Cross station. The hotel offers all the luxury you need for a very reasonable price. With all the standards like free Wi-Fi, incredibly comfy beds, and amazing staff (the staff here really go above and beyond), this hotel is a great choice for anyone looking for a luxurious stay in a lively area of the city. *** While Sydney is a big place, it’s not overwhelming. You should be able to hit all the highlights in one trip. Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list of places to stay – these are just my favorites! I really like quite a few of these areas, so maybe you’ll want to experience several neighborhoods — stay in town several nights, then move to Bondi Beach or Coogee to get a feel for the surf. To me, that’s the best of both worlds. But no matter where you stay, I’m confident you’ll enjoy the city and have an amazing time in Australia! Book Your Trip to Australia: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite hostels in Sydney are: Hump Backpackers – This is a social hostel with free breakfast, all-day coffee and tea, and different activities every night. The beds are comfy and soft, showers are kept clean, and the room lockers are huge. Lord Wolseley – This hostel is located on the upper floors of a historic bar and restaurant that has been around since 1881. Its location near Chinatown and Central Station makes it one of the cheaper places to stay in town. Darling Harbour is just a five minute walk. Asylum Backpackers Hostel – Asylum is close to Kings Cross station, and it’s just a 30-minute walk to the Opera House and the Botanic Gardens.The dorms are spacious and there are common areas inside and outside and free breakfast each day. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: World Nomads (for everyone below 70) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too! Want More Information on Australia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Australia for even more planning tips! Photo credit: Bernard Spragg. NZ, J Bar, Mynameisben123 , RubyGoes, Enochlau The post The Best Neighborhoods in Sydney: Where to Stay on Your Visit appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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815: Agent for HARM

I fear I am among the minority who really don’t find the host segments in this episode funny.  They’re kind of tedious and frustrating, really – though I do smile at Crow being a character witness – and when the time came to re-watch the episode in preparation for this review, I actually skipped them and got straight to the movie. It’s pretty drab, too.

Dr. Jan Stefanik defects from… somewhere or other, and moves to California to do… some kind of research.  When his assistant Henry suddenly dissolves into a mess of green goo, spy organization HARM decides Stefanik needs a full investigation and sends Agent Adam Chance, a guy who dresses like Mr. Rogers and still manages to sleep with every woman he meets. Stefanik explains to Chance that his country has new and terrible tool of destruction: an alien Spore that reproduces by feeding on human flesh.  That’s right, they’ve weaponized the space mummy fungus from Being from Another Planet!  The movies are coming together into a single, mud-clear, incoherent whole, again!

Y’know, Secret Agent Super Dragon and Danger!! Death Ray weren’t very good, but they could legitimately claim to globe-trotting adventures.  Super Dragon took us to Amsterdam, and Death Ray at least mentioned Rome and Barcelona.  In Agent for HARM we see one beach and a motel in Mexico.  The whole movie seems to be in pastels, which aren’t really urgent colours, and something about the pacing is off.  No matter what the movie tries to tell us, it just never feels like we’re in any sort of a hurry.

It’s not without legitimate entertainment value.  The music’s not bad – it isn’t totally forgettable, but also not as obnoxiously memorable as the theme from Danger!! Death Ray.  The Spore itself is a scary idea and the makeup that represents it is actually pretty good.  I especially like the impression you get that there’s a dark, hollow cavity underneath the foaming fungus, as if the victim’s face is about to collapse.  The improbably complete eyeball in Dr. Stefanik’s sample is entertainingly gross, and I like the glimpse of his lab animals that hint at what his work actually entails.

I’m sure the thing everybody remembers best about Agent for HARM, though, is Dr. Stefanik’s niece Ava. She’s cute and blonde and spends most of the movie running around in tiny little bikinis, and she works for the bad guys because of course she fucking does.  This plot point is so obvious to anybody who’s ever seen a movie in their lives that I’m not sure why the writers bothered establishing it.  The beautiful woman in a spy movie is always working for the bad guys.

I really would have liked to see way more of the relationship between Stefanik and Ava.  Actually seeing them interact at any length might have helped to dispense with the creepy vibe we get from their age gap, her habit of wandering around in nothing but a tiny swimsuit, and Stefanik’s wistful commentary on how close they’ve become.  It’s easy to see why Mike and the bots made some jokes about incest.  Some character development here might also have suggested why Stefanik trusts her, when he surely must have suspected her of spying when she first showed up.  The interactions we see make her look so damn suspicious that if she’d turned out to be genuine, Dr. Stefanik’s actual niece who really does want to help him, it would have been a shocking twist!

What would not have been a shocking twist would be if she turned out to be a robot.  Barbara Bouchet wears so much makeup she looks like she’s made of plastic (or maybe that’s just her face – she looked exactly the same as Moneypenny in Casino Royale and Maria in Black Belly of the Tarantula… man, I’ve seen a lot of terrible movies) and for some reason her hair looks fake.  She moves kind of robotically, too, and the first time I watched the movie I was thinking about the comparison well before Chance declares ‘she’s a machine’.  He may have been more right than he knew.

What’s somewhat mysterious is when, exactly, Chance figured out Ava was a spy.  His drunken boss asks him, but doesn’t receive a straight answer, and when you watch the movie a second time you can’t help but try to figure it out.  Was it when she blatantly tried to distract him by inviting him to go swimming with her, and he said you’re not fooling anyone, Angel?  But if so, why does he later save her when the guy who looks like Prince threatens her, if he already knew it was a ruse?  Is it so she wouldn’t know that he knew?  Was it when he realized the gun she’d given him wasn’t loaded?

I actually lean towards the latter incident as the moment of revelation, because it’s the one he references when he has her arrested. That also explains why he doesn’t give his boss a straight answer – he’s ashamed it took him that long.

The love story in this movie isn’t between Chance and Ava – or Chance and Karate Girl, or Chance and Beehive Secretary – anyway.  It’s the bromance between Chance and Dr. Stefanik.

The two of them start off deeply suspicious of each other. Chance has been sent to keep an eye on Stefanik and he’s quite worried that the scientist may be some kind of spy himself.  Chance threatens him with both death and deportation.  Stefanik, meanwhile, is a man whose main flaw is that he trusts too easily, and he has learned the hard lesson that people who deal in the fate of nations do not make good friends.  He fears the Americans may try to use Spore as a weapon just as his own people did.  The one person he trusts is Ava, and only because she’s family – and boy, did that backfire on him – and even she is not allowed full access to his work on an antidote.

By the end of the movie, Chance and Stefanik come to trust each other totally, and are good friends to such a degree that their separation, reunion, and the reveal of Stefanik’s death plays out like a romantic tragedy.  The captured Stefanik stares at the horizon, waiting for Chance to come for him.  When they reunite, Chance wants to touch Stefanik despite knowing that the stuff in the bags, with which Stefanik is now covered, is deadly.  When told Stefanik is dead, Chance denies it over and over until the proof is staring him in the face.  If one or other of them were a woman, nobody would question that any of this is meant to be romantic, and they’re certainly closer in age than either of these gray-haired men is to twenty-two-year-old Ava.

This is two episodes in a row where I’ve talked about the homosexual undertones.  Do I just have my tumblr goggles on, or are the movies actually that gay?

A certain number of things about this film become a little clearer when you know that it, like Stranded in Space, was intended as a pilot for a TV series.  That’s why there’s not much for locations – they had to keep the budget down so as not to scare the investors.  That’s why they bring up the cancelled date with the Beehive Secretary – perhaps she was supposed to be a regular love interest.  It explains why not just the villains but the good guy of this particular story – Stefanik – must be dead at the end, because the main character can’t form long-lasting attachments that might carry into future episodes when the actors are guest stars who might not be able to come back. Maybe that’s also why Stefanik’s antidote to the fungus also didn’t work, because they were going to use Spore itself as an ongoing plot point.

Spore is an interesting and scary choice of weapon, probably the most interesting thing in the movie, and it’s possibly a metaphor for how communism was perceived in the 50’s and 60’s – as a disease that consumed societies from the inside.  We saw an example of this in It Conquered the World, when Beulah implanted mind control devices in its victims, infecting them with its poisonous view of progress.  The people in Stranded in Space thought Stryker was the one with the thought disease, here to infect their planet.  Now here in Agent for HARM, we have Spore, which enters the human body and turns it into something unthinking and alien, just as Beulah did.  Also like Beulah’s victims, who had to be killed because they could not be cured, once it has started there is no way to stop it.

Ava the ‘machine’ and the compassionless bad guy Malko also fit into this way of thinking.  Their politics have transformed them into things as unthinking and alien as the fungus. When Chance writes the words Jan Stefanik, Human Being on the toe tag, he is emphasizing that Stefanik had succumbed to a disease of the body but not to this disease of the mind.  Yet Chance’s boss reminds him, and Chance agrees, that they, too, are machines – Chance has, after all, coldly murdered several of Malko’s henchmen.  In order to fight these unfeeling enemies, he has had to cultivate a lack of feeling in himself.  Perhaps he emphasizes Stefanik’s humanity partly because he doesn’t feel quite human anymore.

Agent for HARM is okay, but it’s not great.  There’s some interesting ideas in it, under-used, and a number of those glamorous secret agent tropes, over-used.  It certainly doesn’t come near toppling Danger!! Death Ray as MST3K’s best secret agent movie – it’s just too forgettable.