#charmed reboot packs

[hanckocks-dagger]

(In other words)

masterlist

John Hancock x gn!Reader

Description: While high on Hancock's couch, you get ready to tell him you're leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow. Trouble is, the thought of kissing him just keeps distracting you.

Tags: First kiss, getting together, Hancock is a simp. Reader could be viewed as SoSu or not. No pronouns used for reader, no use off y/n

Warnings: Recreational drug use (jet), smoking, canon typical swearing.

Cross posted on my ao3!

You were leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow. Sitting idle made you antsy, and it had already been several days since the urge to wander had struck. You'd only stuck around because... well.

"You want another hit?" Hancock asked from the other end of the couch, head lolling on the back of it, dark eyes turned to yours, canister of jet held out to you.

After a long moment of consideration, your jet-addled brain working overtime to comprehend, you shook your head mutely. Hancock shrugged his shoulder and stuck the canister into his mouth.

"Fhoot-eulf," He said incomprehensibly around the spout, then pressed down on the mechanism. His whole body sagged further into the couch, somehow managing to look even calmer than he had after the last three hits of Jet. Even if ghouls really did have higher chem resistance than lowly humans like yourself, you were sure Hancock topped them all. You'd had one Jet to his four, and he'd also spent the morning working his way through a Brandy bottle, which you'd always found made your heavy-limbed high feel a little more like paralysis than a comforting buzz.

Probably a good ten seconds after Hancock had spoken, you let out a muffled, "hmm?", cheek smushed into the couch so you could keep staring at him.

Those black eyes, momentarily distracted by the Jet in his hands, turned to find yours again, crinkled at the corners. His smile, ever charming, lingered on the verge of turning mean. He did like to tease you about being a lightweight.

Instead, he leant to the edge of the couch and hooked you by your socked feet, tugging them into his lap, dragging you a few inches closer to him.

"Nothing, sweetheart."

He patted one of your knees placatingly, the way one pet a startled a horse. Or (you thought, a few painfully slow seconds later), that was to say, the way one used to pet a startled horse. Seeing as they were extinct now, or possibly mutated into something hideously unrecognizable.

Hancock's hand, warm on your knee, disappeared after a minute. Or after a few seconds, seeing as trying to keep a grasp on time on Jet was a losing game. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Ever generous, he offered you one. You nodded, but could seem to make your hand rise up to take it from him.

He grinned, placing it between his lips. You wanted to disagree with this, but your vocal chords didn't want to respond either, and no words were coming to mind anyway. Sober, you would realize these were the classic signs of the Jet comedown, that momentary disconnect between body and mind, which unnerved you enough to take a few days off before finally succumbing to Hancock's next offer.

High, though, you were left to watch as Hancock raised the lighter to the cigarette, lighting it with a deep inhale, before plucking it from his mouth and passing it over. He blew the smoke teasingly into your face, laughing when you scrunched your nose in distaste.

"All the drugs a person could need. A warm bed, semi-clean streets." He said, a new cigarette between his teeth, "Honestly, I don't know why outsiders are always badmouthing Goodneighbor. Best fucking place in the Commonwealth."

Slowly, like an overloaded computer rebooting, your body came back online. You picked the cigarette from your lips, flicked ash from the end of it, ignored the thought of how it had been in his mouth before yours.

"You might be a bit biased, Hancock."

He laughed back at you, gravelly, that mix of ghoul and smoker and just pure... him.

He had been dropping these comments increasingly over the last few days, probably picking up at your unease. It was probably why he had suggested the two of you stay up in his office getting high for the night instead of going down to the Third Rail. Crowds made you antsy, the heat from bodies and the din of echoing small talk reminding you all the more of the open, fresh air you were missing.

Hancock was clever, he knew what was coming even without you spelling it out for him. Over the months since you'd discovered Goodneighbor, you'd been crashing in the Statehouse whenever you found your way to this area of Boston, preferring it to the stifling atmosphere of Diamond City. (Or so you told yourself, the truth might be you preferred the company).

He also clearly knew some of the affinity you held for him, the way you'd let him charm you into sticking around almost a week after you'd planned to leave.

"Still," He said, "One of the better places to be, hmm? Well, as long as you stay on the Mayor's good side." He winked at you.

Yet, he was too proud to come right out and beg for you to stay.

You could always ask him what he wanted. But you worried that his answer might be enough to sway you.

"Oh yeah," You deflected instead, ignoring the spark his wink shot down your spine, ordering your traitorous heart not to beat faster. "Heard the guy's a bit of a dick."

"Oh, he's a lot worse than that," His hand snuck back onto your leg, making a slow path up your calf, "But not to pretty things like you."

It was your turn to laugh, ignoring the heating in your cheeks, ignoring the goosebumps his touch left in it's wake. "John," You said, mock scandalized, "I thought you were an intellectual. Is a pretty face really all it takes?"

He had been slowly easing closer to you, or maybe he had been pulling you closer to him. When he leant over to stub his cigarette, his shoulder brushed yours.

"'M not easy. But I'm smart enough to know that when you find something this pretty in an ugly world, you hold on tight." He'd moved in close, hand reaching your upper thigh. With the other, he plucked the cigarette from your lips, down nearly to the filter, and flicked it to the side, not breaking eye contact. You could feel his breath tickling your nose, smelling like cigarettes and the slightly metallic taste jet left in your mouth. It made you lightheaded, entire mind screaming that he was about to kiss you, finally, after months of flirting and opportunities neither one of you had taken.

Instead, though, he squeezed your thigh and pulled back, eyes trained on you, a curious glint in them, like he was watching your reaction.

For just a moment, like you were a magnet following his pull, you followed after him, hand sliding downwards as if to bring his hand back to where it had been, keep it there, keep him there.

Then, the rational part of your brain, offline since before you'd accepted that hit of Jet, kicked in, screaming at you about everything that could go wrong. Taking this from a friendship to... something more would complicate everything. You didn't have the time or the energy to spend on a relationship, you didn't want to be chained to a settlement. If word got out about your... whatever it would be, you might lose out on deals with some of the seedier members of the community, you might lose trust with others. In other places, a relationship with a Ghoul might even be enough to have you barred from entry.

But, a traitorous voice from the back of your mind whispered, none of those really mattered. The truth of it was, after everything that had happened to you, if you were to let this go any further and something were to happen to him, it would break you.

So, you pulled back, shutting your eyes and taking a steadying breath. Your hand, halfway to grabbing his, stopped and balled into a fist, dropping back to your side.

You wracked your brain for something to say, something joking to diffuse the tension and return things to the way they were.

You heard Hancock shift besides you and allowed yourself a little breath of relief, assuming he'd gotten the hint and backed off, tired of waiting for someone who chickened out at every opportunity.

Instead, though, you were surprised to find his warm hand on your cheek, felt the corner of his hat press softly against your forehead. You opened your eyes, found him looking at you, almost desperate.

"Maybe I'm wrong," he started, voice pitched low and quiet, less sure of himself than you were used to, "In which case you just tell me. But I get the feeling it ain't that. I see the way you looked at me. I know you know how I've been looking at you."

You swallowed, traitorous body responding before your mind can butt in. You nodded, hand coming to grasp onto his bicep, wanting more than anything for him to move closer, to remove the patch of air the two of you were both breathing.

"So tell me," His voice had dropped to a whisper, like he was speaking with a startled animal. "Why won't you kiss me?"

You exhaled, a shaky thing. For some reason your eyes stung, and suddenly you were fighting off the urge to cry. Your grip on Hancock's arm tightened, not wanting him to let go.

Words escaped you, but you worried he'd take your silence the wrong way. You used your free hand to move the front of his hat high enough that it wouldn't poke you and leant your forehead to his. You shut your eyes again, partly to hide the tears that you couldn't seem to stop from forming, partly to embrace the moment better.

Hancock's thumb stroked slowly across your cheekbone. He whispered your name. Worried your voice would break, you nodded against him, eyes still squeezed shut, afraid of moving from this moment, of going forward or pulling back.

Quiet, he said, "Please kiss me."

You dug down, finding the person who sleeps under the open sky of the wasteland, who fights off hordes of ferals, sneaks through Gunner camps, takes on Deathclaws and survives.

You pressed your lips to his.

Warm, softer than you had envisioned, just like the man himself. Hancock's other hand rose to your cheek, so he was cupping your face in his hands, pulling you even closer. You let him take the lead, tilting your head gently, licking against your lips. You opened your lips for him easily, your hands wrapping around the back of his neck, leaving the two of you chest to chest, you halfway in his lap as he licked into your mouth, ravenous as if he had been starving for you.

You never wanted it to end, wanted to spend every moment of the rest of your life pressed to him, feeling his hands on you, his lips on yours, his tongue exploring your mouth.

When the tears slipped out, you almost thought it wouldn't matter, thinking you could keep the kiss going, sure you would survive without breathing, so long as he didn't stop kissing you.

But then a hitching sob rose from your chest and you were pulling away despite yourself, tucking your wet face into the crook of his neck. His hands wrapped around your waist, settling you properly against him.

You swallowed any other rogue sounds, blinked rapidly to try to rid yourself of the tears, trying to pull yourself together so you could face Hancock again. One of his hands was rubbing soothingly along your back, the other having worked it's way up to your hair, gentle fingers smoothing out tangles, rubbing along your scalp.

It took longer than you would have liked to pull yourself together, and a bit longer than that to gather the courage to look at Hancock, sniffling lightly.

His smile was tight, self conscious, as if he genuinely believed you could have been crying because of his kiss.

You didn't even let him get through his dejected, "That bad, huh?" before you were spitting it out, desperate for him to understand that it wasn't his fault, "I'm leaving Goodneighbor tomorrow." You got it out fast, as if it left a bad taste on your tongue.

He blinked, insecurity fading from his expression, replaced by genuine confusion.

You continued, desperate to repair your faux-pas, to make him understand your thought process, why it would lead you to tears; "This just... makes it that much harder to go."

You ran your hand down his chest, anxiously fiddling with the stitching on his lapels, "Hanc- John, please believe me, I've been wanting to do that for fucking ages, I just-"

The gentle press of his lips against yours cut you off, a quick press of heat and then gone again. This time you did chase after him, managing to get in a peck against upturned lips before he was pulling away.

It was your turn to be confused, pulling back to look at his smiling face, wondering if all that drug use had finally fried his brain.

"That's what's got you so worried?" He asked, voice soft.

You blinked at him before giving a small nod, expecting him to tell you to just stay with him, pressure already building behind your eyes as you imagined explaining to him that you just weren't made for sitting idle.

"So, then, when do we leave?"

"We?" You whispered, not trusting your voice.

"If you're alright with delaying the departure a bit, I should probably wait for the ne'er do wells to sleep off the hangover to give a little speech, pretty sure it's bad form for the Mayor to up and vanish. Then again, it's me we're talkin' about, they should know better than to–"

You pressed your lips to his, partly from exhilaration, partly for him to shut up long enough for you to process the information he'd presented you with. You'd never considered asking Hancock to leave his town. In your mind, he was Goodneighbor, the very best of it.

You pull away, running a finger across Hancock's cheek, feeling the muscles jump under you as he gives you a soft smile.

"Are you sure?" You ask.

"Love, I'd like to see anyone try to stop me."

Notes:

Thanks for reading! Please leave me a comment, or request something, or just come chat with me!

[gffa]

I adore your batman stuff very much. I recently read the Wayne Family Adventures, and now I really want to read some more. Do you have recommendations on comic lines to follow?

Hi! I'm glad you're having fun with getting into comics and enjoying the posts around here, it's always nice to have new blood (or returning blood, in my case)! <3 I would give a gentle caution in that Wayne Family Adventures is sort of in a class of its own in a lot of ways, the characterization is much softer and fluffier, while the mainline comics are darker and messier, the characters are definitely not always as nice as they are as in WFA. That's no shade on either of them, just that I want to give a quick warning that if you're stepping from one to the other, the culture shock can sometimes be more than you're expecting. (And also keep in mind that comics are a shifting landscape, there's no one "true" version of many of the landmark moments of characters' lives, you'll see events often retold, you'll see comics that later get retconned, you'll see comics that are in different continuities/set before or after a universe-wide reboot, etc. Don't worry about it, just recognize that you're reading a story to enjoy that story, not as Hard Continuity!) That said, some of the lighter comics that I think would be fun if you're looking to come over from WFA are:

Li'l Gotham is a cute parody series that's super adorable, has some lovely art, and is nice little self-contained stories that are humorous. It's not in mainline continuity and it's even softer than WFA, but it's deeply charming and it's a fun, quick read.

Super Sons (2017) by Peter Tomasi is in mainline continuity and it's focused on Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent becoming friends, bickering all the while, and getting into hijinks. It tends to lean more humorous and cute, so it's a nice stepping stone up to regular comics.

Robin and Batman (2022) by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen is a good litmus test for whether you might like regular comics--it's a short 3-issue mini-series focused on Dick's early days as Robin and the complicated, thorny relationship he has with Bruce about it. It's one of my favorite, it balances what a terrible gremlin he was with what a little angel he was and the emotional beats are painful in the best way.

Robin: Year One (2000) and Batgirl: Year One (2003) by Scott Beatty/Chuck Dixon and Marcos Martín/Javier Pulido are good places to start for both characters, and hold up okay considering their age. The art is a bit stylized in a way I really like, it lends it a charming old-fashioned vibe while still being pretty to look at, and there's some solid character moments in both.

Nightwing (2016) by various (starts with Tim Seeley, but it's been several authors by now) is one of my go-to recs, I think it's a great jumping on point, has a lot of really nice art, and often tells fun stories, as Dick has some of the best connections to various other characters in the universe.

Nightwing (2016) by Tom Taylor starts with issue #78 and is a great jumping-on point and Taylor's writing is just very light-hearted, action-packed, quippy, and fun. Starting here saves you from having to slog through some of the worse arcs of Dick's series, you get Bruno Redondo's fantastic art, and you can feel the affection for the character, the author and artist love this character and want to make him very cool, as well as they love his relationships with other characters, so you get good Bruce guest appearances, Babs appearances, Damian appearances, Wally appearances, Jon appearances, etc.

Robins: Being Robin by Tim Seeley and Baldemar Rivas was a fun self-contained mini-series that had all the Robins working together and I don't think it should be taken super seriously as a case story, but it had some quality banter, some hilarious moments, and a great look at these chaotic gremlins all shoved into a mini-van together to go solve a case.

Batgirls (2022) by Conrad Michael W./Becky Cloonan and Jorge Corona is focused on Babs, Cass, and Steph as a trio and being adorable together, with some humorous moments, cool art, and fun Batfam moments. It's nice that they get the spotlight and the chance to shine (it's their book, so they get the majority of the cool moments) and it's not super-long and you can jump right in.

Batman: The Knight by Chip Zdarsky and Carmine Di Giandomenico is a "Bruce travels the world to learn the skills he needs to become Batman" and I'm really in love with the way Zdarsky writes a Bruce who is deeply complicated, messy, coming from a place of loving deeply, but also this man has twenty seven different flavors of fucked up trauma going on in that hell brain of his. Zdarsky's current run on the main Batman title has been my jam, but that's a bit of a darker leap than this one, and I think this one is a great way to get to know Bruce Wayne as a character.

Batman: Urban Legends volume 5 has a story called "The Murder Club" that is basically "Thomas and Martha Wayne are time traveled into the future and see what's become of their son, they're not thrilled about it, but come around when they see the people that love him so deeply--primarily Dick, Damian, and Alfred." and was an absolute BANGER for me for feelings, gorgeous art, and some great character moments.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2022) by Mark Waid and Dan Mora is an absolute knock-out, it's Bruce and Clark in their early days of their friendship, where Waid is one of the best writers in the industry for how fun his stories are but also how well he knows the characters, Mora's art is often THE portrayal I think of when I think of the characters, and there's a ton of bonus guest appearances from various characters across DC's universe. Also, I am biased, Dick tags along a lot, as he's still Robin at this point in time, and it's a great dynamic between the three of them.

Batman: One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze by Gerry Duggan and Matteo Scalera was easily the standout of the "One Bad Day" stories for me, it's set in the early days of Bruce & Dick as Batman & Robin and it has ADORABLE sunshine gremlin baby Dick Grayson, a genuinely touching story about Mr. Freeze and his wife, and some beautiful art.

Year One: Batman/Scarecrow (2005) by Bruce Jones and Sean Murphy is a fun look at the early days of Scarecrow, but also has absolutely banger baby Dick Grayson content, there's a scene where Bruce literally just grabs him by the scruff of the neck to haul him out of the way of a crowd about to stampede and it's the funniest thing because that 12 year old could destroy your face with his fists but also Bruce can literally pick him up one-handed. There's some great banter in there and it's just a super fun dynamic.

As you make your way through this list, keep the author/artist and year listings in mind, as often times there are multiple series under the same title and some are more relevant to what you're looking for right now than others. Like, there have been three different volumes of "World's Finest", but I want to direct you specifically to the 2022 version because I think that'll work better for you. Similarly, Nightwing 1996 is one of my faves, but I think the 2016 version will work better at drawing you in right now. This is definitely biased in favor of my faves, but I honestly think they work for good jumping on points for someone new to comics and who's coming from WFA and might not want to get into the messier stuff of the mainline comics right away. Hopefully, you'll enjoy these and anyone else who wants to transition from WFA to reading mainline continuity comics, feel free to join us! Yeah, comics fandom can be a bit of a pill sometimes, but genuinely there's a lot of really fun moments to love and the characters are so much more fun when you're reading their stories with all the history and depth behind them!

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Imagine a neglected Reader in X-Men Evo reboot/au, who is an older teen or a young adult, and who, after having raised Jean and Scotr since they were thirteen, and now had to help a bunch of extra X-Teens, decides to leave the team.

They left after Kitty or Evan made the video on how everyone was a family, and when Reader saw they weren't included (not mentioned or shown, or even acknowledged by anyone else), they praise the teen for their video, then silently walk off, going to their room to cry and scream and have a breakdown. They sacrificed years of their life, all of their teen years, even most of their childhood, just to help the teens, even to help the adults. They were treated like a mini adult, encouraged to be one, ignored or neglected in favor of the others, and forced to take care of them when the adults weren't there. And no one even sees them as family? Or as a friend? They don't love them or care for them or worry about them. They're just... some person who lives with them. Someone who cleans, or cooks food, or does odd house chores. And it breaks a part of them.

Reader decides to leave, packing whatever is their's and leaving behind anything the adults provided or the odd trinkets made by a younger Scott and Jean (save for one charm they kept on a necklace hidden on their person), amd are left with two bags. It holds everything that matters to them. Just two... And they leave. They stole a piece of paper that had Fury's number on it, contacted him, amd asked if he needed a mutant for any jobs...

Reader spends a few months doing their own thing, doing odd jobs amd missions for Fury and Shield, and overall tries to figure out who they are as a person, amd what they want from life, what their morals are, who they want to be. It isn't entirely great, having to almost get killed while going on Shield missions or having to know they're just another tool, just with a different user... But at least they aren't stuck with the X-Men...

Then someone calls them, asking where Reader is, amd Reader has a panicked breakdown again. They pull the.self together enough to tell the person they aren't talking with them right now, they're not available, and they can call someone else. Well... this only causes Scott and Jean amd The Professor and Logan to show up, and Reader has to hold back their venom and anger and tears when they go to see them... It ends with Reader spilling their guts, furious and upset and telling them they don't want to see them again...

And the platonic yanderes snap a little.

Because they'd spent the last few months, after Reader left, looking through their stuff, and read through a few journals and notebooks. Amd they realized how they felt, what they'd had to handle alone, and how they saw them and themself. They didn't want Reader to hate them! They... they just... Why didn't they try and reach out sooner? Or help Reader out? Or just, give them lobe and attention, too? They left them, and now here they are, hating them and upset and crying, and they're hurting, and it's too much to bear-!

Something happens a few weeks later, amd Reader wakes up, feeling extra tired... Except this body they're in is smaller, they're missing a fee scars and aches, and when they look in the mirror, their younger self is looking back. They scream, the teens come in, yet they don't seem surprised or puzzled at this odd sight. They just ask if everything's alright, if they had a bad dream, do they need someone to sit with them for a bit? Reader discovers they don't remember Reader as being older than them, that they genuinely think Reader is a younger teen, and never left them...

When Reader sees the adults come in, they have a small talk. They say Reader didn't get to enjoy their childhood with them, so they're making it so they can grow up in a better, more loving environment. The teens are fine; they just don't remember Reader being older than them, or what the adults did to set things back a bit, so they could raise everyone a bit younger, and have a happier, more caring, more adoring, better family... Reader tries not to freak out, but plots to figure out what they did, so they can try and fix things...

[cityof2morrow]

WIP: NetworkMAT Add-Ons

Published: 1-20-2024 | Updated: N/A SUMMARY The Network Materials (NetworkMAT) (Simmons, 2023) series includes assets for building modern road networks in Sims 2. Use these items to enhance your city’s streets, walkways, highways, skyways, bridges, and so on.

It’s time to give those flat, boring streets some more flavor! Road defaults and overlays like my Streets of 2Morrow (2023) set or these – Neighborhood Reboot (CuriousB, 2012), Default Hood/Road Replacements (LordCrumps, YEAR), Ultimate Road Default Replacement V2 (Tvickiesims, 2022), Rural Charm (Criquette, 2018) – certainly add some flare. Still, I want to be able to do more elaborate streetscaping in my game. To that end, here are some previews of various networkMAT objects I hope to release in 2024. These items will require my Repo Pack (Simmons, 2023).

Instead of the 1-step foundations I initially planned, I’ll be using 2-step foundations for most buildings within my city, especially downtown areas. These pieces are designed for “extending” the sidewalk and foundations (at the default 4-step height) to the edge of the lot and in other directions.

Depending on how you arrange them, they should give the illusion of a gutter/sewer system below. Of course, you could also make canals, elevated roads, tunnels, train tracks, and other structures too.

There will be bridges, overpasses, trains, trams, subways, pedways, and more! I’ll be moving the car/pedestrian portals around so that sims/traffic pass through the lot in various places. I've already tested having traffic pass on a road 2-stories above ground and pedestrians entering the lot from an elevator on the 4th floor - it works!

CREDITS Thanks: Simming, Blender, and Sketchfab communities, as well as the ChocolateCitySim, SimCrafters, and Sim Shenanigans discords. Sources: Beyno (Korn via BBFonts), EA/Maxis, Object Materials (AmbientCG.com; TB via Cities Skylines, 2023; Stonemason; Jotrain, 2023 via CCA; Just8, 2023 via CCA; Nenkea, 2023abcd via CCA; Cup_of_Tea, 2022 via CCA; Ivan-Kanaev, 2022; PForest, 2022; Tugboat Games, 2022 via CCA; Tvickiesims, 2022; Lordsamuelisolo, 2021 via CCA; Nol22, 2021 via CCA; NixNivis, 2015; Zorgoman, 2018 via CCA; Katy76/PC-Sims, 2007; Khakidoo, 2013; 2007; BuggyBooz, 2012), Offuturistic Infographic (Freepik).

[jujitto]

𝟥 : 𝟤𝟦 𝖯𝖬 💭 박종성

jay ۪ 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗄 ⭒ ۪ ׂ ۪ genre ۪ ׂ ۪𝖿𝗅𝗎𝖿𝖿 ⭒ ۪ ׂ ۪ cw ۪ ׂ ۪𝗇𝗈𝗇𝖾 ⭒ ۪ ׂ ۪ wc ۪ ׂ 𝟢.𝟦𝗄

The arcade was packed as it usually was on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Everyone from the ages of 10 and up was scattered around the place of business. It seemed as if it was busier than normal. Something that wasn't quite unusual to see in an arcade like this.

But you weren't too worried about it. All you were concerned about was beating the high score on the Pac-Man machine. It has been your quest ever since you started working here. No one believed that you could even beat it. But you would prove them wrong. And how you would laugh in their face.

It would bring you nothing but tremendous joy to see the smiles wiped off their face as they look at the high score which would be your name no one else's but your name. Oh, how you could see it now. You couldn't wait to feel the victory. But maybe it wouldn't come too soon.

You hadn't noticed your coworker until he was holding the plug of the game in his hand. You scowled at him. 'Why did you have to come and ruin my fun?' You questioned narrowing your eyes at the boy.

He smiled his stupid box smile of his. 'I don't think I'd be a good coworker or boyfriend if I let you waste your time back here when you should be working.' He spoke as you glared at him.

You grabbed the cord out of his hand and plugged it back up. While the game was rebooting you raised an eyebrow at him. 'I would think you would be an amazing boyfriend if you just let me be.' You spoke smiling at the boy before going to start the game again.

Yet again the screen was cut off. You glared at him. All he did was grab your hand in his pulling you into his embrace. 'I'm doing this for your own good, you know that right?' He spoke as you narrowed your eyes at him.

He pressed a kiss to your cheek as he rocked you guys side by side and you started smiling at the feeling. 'I just saved your life, so you're welcome. And you your job as well.' He spoke pulling you along with him.

You turned sadly looking at the lonely machine. You would be back for it! You swore on that. Curse your good-looking and charming boyfriend. Why couldn't he let you be?!

[satoshi-mochida]

Rainbow Cotton for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC launches May 9

From Gematsu

SUCCESS Corporation-developed 3D shoot ’em up Rainbow Cotton will launch digitally for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam on May 9, publisher ININ Games announced.

Rainbow Cotton first launched for Dreamcast on January 20, 2000 in Japan. It was never released in the west.

Get the latest details below.

Remake

The reimagining of epic proportions through the power of remakes. Rainbow Cotton is the epitome of this process, breathing new life into the original 2000 Dreamcast release of Rainbow Cotton with stunning visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, an added local two-player mode, and even more magic. It’s a journey into the retro past, but reinvented for the present. This new release of Rainbow Cotton comes packed with many new witchy twists and upgrades. Delivering an even more immersive and visually stunning experience, taking you on an arcade-inspired journey through a whimsical world! Read on to see some of the new features that the 2024 release of Rainbow Cotton includes:

Bring on the Nostalgia – The Retro Mode allows you to experience the charm of the original Dreamcast version– as authentic as it can possibly be!

Enhanced Gaming Experience – Revamped snap-back, lock-on targeting, controller rumble & speaker support, and more for a more luxurious gaming experience.

Cotton‘s New Look – Immerse yourself in the magic of the upgraded, stunning visuals!

Dedicated Little Sibling Mode – Play as Cotton and Silk together with your Player 2 in this newly added local co-op mode!

Team Sub or Team Dub?! – The fully animated cutscenes return in their original Japanese dubbing with translated English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German subtitles for your viewing pleasure!

Get on this magical ride and have a look at our fresh, new and offbeat video for Rainbow Cotton!

Remaster

As opposed to the remake, a remaster describes a—mostly visual—overhaul of a game. In other words: same gameplay, new look. Cotton Reboot is the high-definition deluxe remaster of the cult classic, Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams. This high-definition remaster received a modern makeover with enhanced visuals, refined sound, and seamless gameplay. It’s a celebration of nostalgia with a contemporary twist.

Emulation / Port

Finally, let’s take a look at the 2021 release of Panorama Cotton. In this emulation, we faithfully recreated the original 1994 SEGA Mega Drive experience for audiences to enjoy today. We essentially trick your console into believing itself to be an arcade machine to run the original SEGA Mega Drive version—no gameplay changes, and no enhancements. Emulating a game is a testament to preserving gaming heritage while embracing the advancements of today’s technology.

Watch a new trailer below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.

Release Date Trailer

[mediamixs]

Twisters (2024) Review - A Thrilling Ride Through Tornado Alley

Twisters, the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister, delivers an exhilarating and visually stunning experience for fans of action-packed disaster movies. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film follows a new generation of storm chasers as they confront a series of unprecedented and terrifying weather phenomena.

Impressive Visuals and Sound

One of the standout aspects of Twisters is its breathtaking visual effects and sound design. The tornadoes are bigger, scarier, and more captivating than ever before, thanks to advancements in movie technology. The sound design is particularly impressive, with the bone-rattling rumble of the cyclones pulsing through the theater. Watching Twisters on the big screen with surround sound is an immersive experience that puts you right in the heart of the action.

Engaging Characters and Story

While the story may follow a familiar formula, Twisters introduces a likable cast of characters that are easy to root for. Glen Powell shines as Tyler Owens, the charming and reckless social media star, while Daisy Edgar-Jones delivers a solid performance as Kate Carter, a former storm chaser haunted by a past tragedy. The film's pacing keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, with a few unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Homage to the Original

Twisters pays homage to the original Twister without being a complete reboot or retelling[1]. The film features several Easter eggs and references that will delight fans of the 1996 classic, while still introducing a fresh story and new characters. The use of the iconic Dorothy machine, a key element from the first film, is a nice nod to the past while showcasing the evolution of storm chasing technology.

Conclusion

While Twisters may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it delivers exactly what it promises: an exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. The film is a must-see for fans of the original Twister and anyone who enjoys action-packed disaster movies. With its impressive visuals, engaging characters, and nods to the past, Twisters is a whirlwind of a good time that will leave you breathless.

[spotsies]

now that im an adult and have shed my shipping goggles it really is clear to me that as a musical newsies would benefit massively from casting children as children and doing away with the romance plot. i think there are lots of very good reasons to be cautious about having child actors, though I think theatre is generally better than screen (?) for them as they’re spending less time there, both daily and overall, and tours here use local child actors for many parts.

the technical stuff aside, I think it would feel a lot more grounded. it’s simply hard to picture starving Victorian orphans when they’ve dressed up adult men with gym routines in rags and told you these are your newsies. part of why shows like Matilda and School of Rock are so emotionally invest….able…. is because you’ve got a big pile of little kids there singing these great songs in their little piping voices and you’re like oh yeah, right, kids are powerless against adults, of course, you can hear it and see it and feel it and you root for them every second. newsies is a musical with the same core story (children fighting for human rights against adults).

re: the romance, I think it’s a pointless distraction from the main plot and extremely weak writing used to hit a bunch of plot beats in a very lazy way. I love myself some romance, but in newsies it actively detracts from the story. It’s filler, it’s boring, it’s all very nothing. it’s not necessary. something to believe in is the single most bland love song I’ve suffered through in my life, and I’ve listened to every rusty/pearl love song ALW has written for stex during its billion reboots. it’s emptyyyyyyy….. sorry jatherine fans I think ur ship is soulless I think it’s emotional packing peanuts

anyway. Make newsies a child cast show to give it back some emotional flava. Chuck out jatherine. give jacks role in charming katherine to smalls she can bully her into helping. spot is also a girl please see my art. jack doesn’t want to go to Santa Fe because that’s just so fucking dumb it’s just stupid. I’m not having it. It’s real dumb. But he can be cowboy again. all that runtime I’ve just freed up is going towards ensemble time bc the audience has got to love the ensemble. The rest of this is ironed out in my head but I have shit to do. Peace

[kamen-rider-fanatic]

Currently re-watching several shows again, all from different genre. Allow me to share my favorite characters in a random order

1st and most recent.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man from Spider-Man: The Animated Series

Just started binging this series again, and man do I appreciate this Pete's whole personality, something very charming about it. Plus, Christopher Daniel Barnes does god tier work as the web head. I want Spider-Man 98' mainly to hear him in the role again. Lord Please!!!

Side note, can't talk about a 90's Spider-Man with out mentioning the all new all improved Spider-Man

Peter Parker/Spider-Man from Spider-Man Unlimited

I know I know, It feels almost criminal to talk about Unlimited but use the classic suit in a photo instead of the Nanotech Suit he wears but hey...It's my list and I get to pick the photos, and it also lets me fanboy over how good the classic suit looked in this show. I appreciate Unlimited for what we got, but man do I wish I could see an alt. universe where this Peter had a normal adventure on earth. Not to mention Rino Romano voicing him, God Damn!! Perfection!

Let's jump ship a bit too a Nick toon. Bit of a departure from the web head right. So ya'll heard of Rugrats, it's a iconic nick toon from yesteryear, we'll we aren't talkin about the original, we're jumping into it's sequel, All Grown Up, with the character I enjoyed personally,

Lil Deville

Just when you think you have me figured out, I pull out a curve ball. I dunno why Lil became my favorite, but she did, maybe it was the "Twins becoming their own person" thing that hooked me. Not sure. What I do know is I feel she got robbed on episodes where she could be a primary focus. I know she had some, but it felt like not as many as the others did. Justice for Lil!

Oh boy, if you thought we made a left turn on Spidey to Lil, just wait.

Lately I've been in a toku mood as well, so I thought I'd go old school a bit and binge an older series so, let's fly a bit. "Sailing Jump!"

Tsukuba Hiroshi/Skyrider from Kamen Rider (1979)

Meet our 8th loveable karate bug man. Told you it was gonna be a wide left turn. Look at this mannnn!! Aahhh why's he gotta look so adorable!!!

Hailing from what was supposed to be a soft reboot of the original Kamen Rider, Tsukuba is a cybernetic human based on the motif of a locust. Remodeled into a cyborg against his will, he dedicates his life to fighting the forces of Neo Shocker. While it was meant to be a soft reboot, that flew out the window faster than the character could fly himself, when past riders made guest appearances. To some, Tsukuba is a character that seems as plain as toast. And to that I say, he's my comfort character in plain toast form!!!

Boy, the tags are gonna cause some mingling in fandoms with this one. Yes I know I didn't have much to go on about TAS Spidey, but that's in part to the fact that I just started the re-watch yesterday unlike the others. I just wanted to do some rambling and share some characters of random franchises I enjoy, and yeah, it's random alright.

Popping in one day later for two final guest characters

Scootaloo from MLP Gen 3/3.5

Gremlin. That is all.

Lastly, I have a confession to make. I know this is gonna sound weird but...My whole world changed one day when all these random cards started raining down everywhere. At first none of us thought much of it, so a bunch of us kids invented a cool new game!

That's when we realized those cards weren't so harmless after all. They were packed with incredible power from another world!

Dan Kuso/Danma Kuso from Bakugan Battle Brawlers

[dumbfinntales]

Dragons Dogma 2, a game of triumphs and disappointments. It took me about 80 hours to finish the game to satisfaction and I am wholeheartedly looking forward to any DLC expansions. There'll be some spoilers relating to end game and the story, so be warned.

Despite being called Dragons Dogma 2 it's not a direct sequel, but more like a soft reboot where we're going through the story of the Arisen in a different world. There's a lot of familiar things, and some new things to surprise you. Once again the games selling point is the combat and awe inspiring monster encounters, the gameplay experience this game offers feels so unique to it. How you deal with the monsters and various tasks with your trusty companions the pawns, who love oh so much to chatter on.

Honestly I still love the pawns. I never tire of their prattle and I genuinely do love being reminded of a ladder or a chest over yonder several times in a row. I'm serious, it's charming, just like being reminded that wolves hunt in packs. The pawns feel even more lively in this game with witty dialogue, and they always seem to have something to say relating to whatever you're currently doing. They're given so much personality that it's hard to believe that they're just mere "pawns", meant to be commanded by the Arisen.

The feeling of exploration and adventure is impeccable. The world is big, but not too big like in some open world games. Every time you set out it feels like grand journey and I would plan what route I'd take and what sidequests I'd take on. Camping was also a wonderful addition, because tackling monsters has never felt better after a good night of sleep. I do wish there were more unique locations like the Dragonbreathe Tower, or the Forgotten Battleground. Less caves with saurians and more interesting locations I say.

I found the side quests to be very fun as well as they seemed to be more than just go gather stuff. There was always a fun story or a mystery to solve. Not every quest is equal of course, but I do appreciate the effort they put into them. And some quests feel more "natural" as you can overhear a conversation and the quest starts once you talk with the relevant NPC. Although many quests in this game start by strangers walking up to you asking for help.

I love Dragons Dogma 2 because it's Dragons Dogma. But I am also disappointed, because essentially it is just Dragons Dogma again. It wasn't exactly the sequel I was hoping for that'd perfect everything from the first game. It is strange that most things that were off in the first game are exactly the same here. DD2 just feels like DD1 with a bigger world and some new monsters and changes to vocations. There are many of the same monsters, NPC's still aren't that interesting, the main story is rushed, the dragon barely shows up etc. From here on I'll talk about story related spoilers and end game stuff.

The story is just weird. It starts off interesting with the false Arisen and the Queens plots, but then it just stops. The false Arisen shows up at the end and you fight him and boom, he's gone. You don't confront him, you don't talk to him, nothing. The story feels like it comes to a sudden end once you reach Battahl. You do a few quests and suddenly a colossus shows up, you beat it, then you follow the weird mage dude and the dragon shows up and it's already the end of the game? Doesn't help that most of the main story missions are just awful. They have you sneaking around the castle for most of it, and the most interesting quest is the one where you sneak into a village of thieves looking for the identity of the false Arisen. I was just expecting there to be more to the false Arisen and the Queen? Same with the empress in Battahl. You interact with her like once, and then she has a few sidequests unrelated to the story.

The end game was also a little weird. I liked it for the new monsters you got to fight and the new loot you'd find, but I was so hoping for a big end game dungeon like Everfall. Going through the world again and looking through all the areas where there was water before just isn't interesting. I tired of the end game rather quickly, and didn't feel like farming or looking for all the gear that there was to be found. The games true end is one big interactive cut-scene where a super dragon shows up and you don't even get to fight it. I still had chills throughout it, but c'mon. Why design a cool colossal dragon like that and not make it the pinnacle boss of the game?

I was also expecting more new monsters in this game. They bring back almost all the old big monsters, and the few new ones are really fun, but damn I was hoping for more. Minotaurs were a fun addition, they felt natural like the cyclops'. The Medusa was also a fun fight and it's so cool that you can cut hear head off and use it to petrify enemies. Sadly you can only encounter her in one location in the game. She does respawn though. The Sphinx is also unique, but only an one time encounter. I failed one of her riddles so she fucked off and never got to fight her. Yay. My favorite new addition was the Dullahan, such a cool monster. A ghostly knight that carries their own head in their hand. Although even this one was super rare, I did not fight a single Dullahan in the main game. They became more frequent in the end game.

The two new brine monsters you fight in the end game were awesome as well, but man why did they have to be one time encounters! That's the problem. They have new monsters, but they're either super rare or you only get to fight them once. And don't let me get started with the small monsters. The only new small monster is the slime. Then you have like 5 different variants of the same monsters. Everywhere you go it's goblins, harpies and saurians. But in different colors! Oh look we got lightning saurians in the end game! Wowzers. Skeletons, zombies and bandits are there too. I just really wanted a lot of new cool monsters to fight in this game and not recolors.

There are also some nitpicks like most of the best gear in the game you just buy from NPC's. You do find some unique gear in the world, but they'll be quickly replaced with store bought equipment. Even in the end game. There are some armors that can only be found in chests there though, which is nice. I really hated the more "realistic" movement where your character would slow down and start sliding down even the smallest hills. Pawns talking to you as you're passing them is tedious too. I always threw them off a cliff if they did that. Enemy frequency was also quite annoying. You can't walk two meters without running to a pack of enemies.

I think I've written enough and complained a plenty. Dragons Dogma 2 was a really fun and enjoyable experience, but not the experience I was hoping for. The game stands in a weird spot for me, as I do really like it, but at the same time wish it was so much more. I do hope that Capcom makes a big expansion for this game, because if they do I'll eat it up like a freshly cooked beast steak! And oh, look over there Arisen! A ladder! Maybe an adventure awaits up above.

[piscesseer]

Jupiter in Taurus ✨🌸

May 16, 2023 is a lucky day! Jupiter is moving into Taurus. Jupiter is associated with growth and good fortune, and Taurus is associated with material possessions and stability. This is a combination that can bring us long-term comfort, stability and happiness! This cosmic event only happens every twelve years, so enjoy this nearly year-long transit.

Jupiter is the planet of growth, expansion and optimism. It blesses us with good luck and fortune. Jupiter is about expanding our wealth as well as our minds. This planet is associated with the higher mind, philosophy and religion, giving us a larger lens to view the world.

Jupiter will shift into the fixed Earth sign of Taurus, bringing opportunities that are related to patience, building and strengthening efforts and focus on pleasure, stability and longevity.

Over the last year, Jupiter has traveled through Aries with active, action-packed developments. This transit helped you get new projects off the ground and allowed you to get the ball rolling. As Jupiter changes course, you might be prompted to slow down to ensure what you’ve built can stand the test of time.

There’s a calming effect on boundless Jupiter when it moves into Taurus. Jupiter might be ready to expand, but Taurus adds some stability to this. Jupiter had big-picture ambitions, but Taurus might help to slow down to a more realistic and patient pace. If used correctly, this energy can allow us to turn our dreams into attainable goals! This is a real chance to move toward dreams and long-term goals. We’ll find energy to make practical, planned to-do lists and start checking items off until we get to the end result. Jupiter’s desire for growth and Taurus’ patient, headstrong demeanor encourages us to trust the process.

We must practice patience with this transit, and with the Sun, Mercury, Uranus AND now Jupiter in Taurus. This sign is slow-moving. Results require you to work hard and sometimes wait. Trust that results are coming!

Jupiter in Taurus’ Past

Fields that prosper during this transit tend to be agriculture, food, building, music, luxury comfort items and natural or earthy beauty products. In Jupiter’s once a decade transit through Taurus, we often observe the debut of pop icons and artists that define the decade to come. It often signals a boom in progress. 

In 1928-1929 Mickey Mouse was introduced, the first movie with sound was released, Joseph Stalin forever changed the life and economy in Russia, and Wall Street crashed.

After a grueling Great Depression, Jupiter returned to Taurus in 1940. WWII initiated the surge of industry like jet planes, computers, and even McDonalds. 

Fast-forward to 1976-1977, when ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’, Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors album filled the radio airwaves. We had Star Wars, Saturday Night Fever and the founding of Apple computers. 

1999 - 2000 was similarly explosive with The Matrix, X-Men, Fight Club and well, what movie didn’t come out during this era? Britney and Christina were pop icons, Buffy and Charmed battled evil.

Then finally, in June 2011 - June 2012, Lena Dunham’s Girls debuted, iPhones became essential, and artists like Lana Del Rey, Florence and the Machine, and Frank Ocean filled our earbuds. 

Jupiter in Taurus influence this time

For the first time since 1941, Jupiter will join Uranus in Taurus. It’s likely that those in positions of power will make riskier decisions, building Jenga towers that can only go so high without crashing. New idols will sweep the imagination, joining Jupiter in Taurus icons like Mickey Mouse and Darth Vader. In the summer of 2023, Venus will retrograde in Leo, which can reboot iconography of the Hollywood machine and influencer culture. A new era of stars will mesmerize and inspire.

Personal Effects

While Jupiter is in Taurus, focus on enjoying life! We can be happy with a simple, good life during this time. Taurus in Jupiter urges us to enjoy, appreciate and build on what we already have.

We can be more realistic and practical. We need clear goals and strong plans, but we take pleasure in pursuing our goals in a more leisurely fashion. Jupiter will remain in Taurus for the next year, making plenty of time to develop the security you have been craving. We attract the most good fortune when we observe wisely rather than jump too quickly into something new.

Life can be prosperous during this transit. Since Jupiter is also seen as the planet of abundance, this can be a period of growth, prosperity and luck in the form of tangible resources like money, food and livelihood. These things can be acquired by using a practical approach with the help of Taurus. 

We will have an easier time with practical decision making. We are able to rise above pettiness, mundane concerns and inconveniences. 

It’s a good time to look at our financial standings and find a change for growth. Long-term financial investments are in favor and investments may even start to pay off. We can happily watch our profits and possessions slowly, but surely accumulate. We attract good fortune when we are charitable and patient. Make sure that basic needs are met before pursuing more goals.

While there can be some good fortune when it comes to money and personal possessions due to resourcefulness, we can also get caught up in our possessions that bring comfort and pleasure, so be wary of an unhealthy focus on material items or the joy of buying. We can become possessive. Negative manifestations can give us a “wait and see” attitude that leads to us not being motivated, and we can be stubborn with our opinions and beliefs. 

It’s a great time for your creative release. Feed, strengthen and style yourself as a powerful vessel to bring the future.

It’s beneficial to keep in mind that Jupiter is about higher minded thinking. We can take advantage of this transit by making sure that our morals and ethics are up to date and meaningful as our attention to material objects. With Jupiter and Taurus coming together, we’re reminded that the answers we seek are with us all the time. Spirituality is not something outside of us that we aspire to, but the always present buzz of daily life. This transit gives us the opportunity to push past distractions and tap into wisdom within ourselves.

Here are some journal prompts you could find helpful during this transit:

What does abundance mean to me?

How do I want to cultivate more abundance in my life? What real steps can I take to achieve this?

What are my values and how do they shape my relationship to material possessions? How can I align my spending habits with my values?

How do I prioritize self-care and pleasure in my life? How can I incorporate this into my daily routine?

What brings me a sense of stability and security? How can I ensure that I am cultivating these feelings into my life?

How can I find the resources to support the people that matter to me?

In what ways have I experienced growth and expansion in my life? How can I build on this momentum moving forward?

How can I find balance between my desire for comfort and my need for growth and new experiences?

[belle-of-a-time]

A list of pretty good actually teen/YA supernatural shows that I have personally seen and think are not That bad.

If I think of more I’ll add them to the list.

Pretty Please give me Campy Supernatural recommendations.

Zombies (I’m actually terrified of zombies so a lot are too scary for me)

Z nation (very campy the middle seasons are my favorite)

iZombie (only the first season)

Vampires (i wanted to be one when I was ten)

The vampire diaries (i don’t really recommend ALL of TVD it gets super frustratingly boring for me at least)

The Originals (the edgier spin off I did not like it but it’s worth mentioning)

Legacies (the only one of the three I actually recommend wholeheartedly. It’s campy it’s stupid and it’s fun also there’s a musical episode!)

My babysitter is a vampire (absolute classic but not as classic as-)

Buffy the vampire slayer (it had an awkward implied sex scene that made me laugh also has a musical episode)

What we do in the shadows (older skewed but absolutely hilarious)

True blood (be warned if you haven’t seen it. Confederate vampires abound 🤢, other than that though it’s pretty alright)

Werewolves (give me recommendations please)

Wolf Blood (absolute favorite of all time,its on Amazon prime and peacock and I Highly recommend)

Teen wolf (classic)

TVD and it’s spin-offs also count but If you want Werewolf content The Originals is probably your best bet tbh

Wolf pack (buffy cameo in the first episode, im hooked)

Miscellaneous (witches, ghosts, otherwise spooky)

Wednesday

Julie and the phantoms (girl accidentally summons ghosts by playing an old cd in her garage. Drama ensues. every episode has at least one song)

Binny and the ghost ( girl meets ghost boy and they fall in love, very cute. German Disney channel, is not on Disney plus the only way I know to watch it is piracy)

H2O: just add water (mermaids… need i say more)

Cursed (Arthurian but with a twist)

The imperfects (a group of 20somethings underwent experimental treatment for a condition that eventually causes them to develop supernatural powers that turn them into “monsters” lovingly called a “coming of rage” by its fans)

Dirk gently’s holistic detective agency (Elijah wood and Samuel Barnett are very lucky at solving crimes. Contains my poor meow meow Bart (love her) and also my girl crush Amanda. It’s weird and campy and I wish it had gotten more seasons)

The Witcher (I really liked season one and two!)

Charmed (the original AND the reboot are both very fun, it’s about witches)

Once upon a time (long and not paced very well but it’s fun at times, I had a crush on Peter Pan when I was a kid and his season is the best so there’s that.)

The 100 (Technically sci-fi but I’ve heard it gets supernatural at some point so when I get there I’ll probably move it, it’s kinda stupid but it’s campy and FULL absolutely brimming with hot men and lesbians and it Still got probably too many seasons)

Dead Boy Detectives (if you can’t tell I like mystery shows. GHOSTS! Ghost boys solve mysteries with their psychic friend! Has a lot of queer rep and tbh I think it’s handled better than a lot of stuff recently Especially Edwin, Jenny was a little less so but i did love that there were No homophobes I mean a few were implied but they don’t get any platform. VERY cute and very emotional at times I would rank it up there with The Imperfects as one of my Favorite modern supernatural shows. It’s a Netflix original as well so its chances of getting a second season are low but I adored it, it’s set up for at least one more season but you know how Netflix is.)

[joeygoeshollywood]

My 25 Favorite Films of 2022

Here are my 25 favorite films of 2022:

25. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ever since Marvel announced they were moving forward with a Black Panther sequel following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, the world wondered if it can be pulled off. Ryan Coogler, the writer/director behind the first film, managed to nurture the second installment with Wakanda Forever, which is essentially an emotional epilogue of a country’s mourning of its fallen King T'Challa. In Marvel’s strongest outing since End Game, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever strikes a balance of being a grieving process for both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its audience while also maintaining an action-packed story. 

24. The Whale

The #Brenaissance is officially here to stay. Brendan Fraser gives the performance of a lifetime as Charlie, a reclusive morbidly obese English teacher who tries to rekindle a relationship with his estranged teenage daughter before his health takes a turn for the worse. Based off a play, The Whale is a tragedy directed by Darren Aronofsky (his best film since Black Swan) that rides on Fraser’s transformation as a broken man who both literally and metaphorically carries so much weight. Don’t be shocked if/when he accepts his Oscar. He’s joined by Hong Chau and Sadie Sink, both who give strong supporting performances.

23. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio 

Only a movie mastermind like Guillermo del Toro can reinvent a fairytale as well-known as Pinocchio and provide Geppetto a tragic backstory and have it take place in the height of World War I Italy. While his interpretation of the story of the wooden puppet is more mature and has more emotional weight than its predecessors, his Pinocchio also maintains its child-like innocence and has enough charm and music to entertain the whole family. A beautiful stop-motion production, del Toro’s feature debut in animation was a huge success. 

22. Vengeance 

BJ Novak, best known as Ryan from The Office (which he also a writer and producer), makes his feature debut as a writer/director with Vengeance, a film he stars in as a New York City writer who gets swept up in the aftermath of a Texas girl he hooked up with her family suspects was murdered, which inspires him to launch a podcast about whether it’s merely a conspiracy or there was foul play. Novak masterfully captures the cultural clash between costal and rural America in one of the most laugh-out-loud comedies of the year. 

21.  All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front belongs in the came caliber of war films as Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, and 1917. The incredible filmmaking gives the source material a new life with remarkable action sequences, stunning cinematography, and a strong cast. This German-spoken adaptation is brutal and gut-wrenching but cinematically rewarding. 

20. Cha Cha Real Smooth

Cooper Raiff writes, directs and stars in his breakout film Cha Cha Real Smooth, which follows a post-college grad’s journey to find a purpose while spontaneously taking on a career in emceeing Bar Mitzvah parties. It’s rare for a comedy to establish such a fundamentally flawed yet completely charismatic and good-hearted protagonist as well written as Raiff’s. Cha Cha Real Smooth is likely to be a launching pad for what will likely be a long career for the 25-year-old filmmaker. 

19. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Rian Johnson has proven himself to be a modern-day Agatha Christie with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, a sexy followup to his 2019 murder mystery flick. Daniel Craig returns as famed detective Benoit Blanc and is joined by another star-studded cast including Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista and Janelle Monáe (perhaps the film’s MVP). Beautifully shot and extremely well-written, Glass Onion solidifies the prospects of a thriving Knives Out franchise.

18. The Batman

It’s difficult for any filmmaker to reboot a superhero franchise that’s been done over, and over, and over again, but Matt Reeves lays the groundwork for a promising new Batman with The Batman. People were skeptical that Robert Pattison could pull off the Caped Crusader since most people know him as the glittery vampire from the Twilight saga, but he pulled it off. What Reeves does brilliantly, perhaps even more so than his predecessors, is how he creates the universe of Gotham City, which managed to be even more grim and visually striking than past depictions, and he already has a stockpile of villains from Batman’s rogues gallery. From the stunning cinematography of Greig Fraser to the instantly iconic music score from Michael Giacchino, The Batman satisfies fans and leaves them wanting more.

17. TÁR

Cate Blanchett is a world-class music conductor whose past creeps in to upend her life. TÁR is essentially a psychological drama from Todd Field (his first feature since 2006), who wrote an unsettlingly brilliant screenplay. But it’s a film that thrives in large part to Blanchett’s stellar performance that could give her a third Oscar trophy. 

16. The Menu

If you have a healthy appetite for thrills, violence, and dark humor, then you ought to order The Menu. Ralph Fiennes gives a chilling performance as the chef of an exclusive restaurant who ambushes his diners with a night full of shock, horror, and marvelous dishes. What makes The Menu work so well is its self-awareness and a terrific ensemble cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, and rising star Hong Chau. 

15. Bodies Bodies Bodies

A satirical murder mystery, Bodies Bodies Bodies is yet another winner from A24 about a group of 20-somethings whose mansion party turns upside down after one of them winds up dead. The cast of A-list and rising star millenials includes Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott and SNL alum Pete Davidson, who is at his most hilarious. Bodies Bodies Bodies is fun and unpredictable with an ending to die for. 

14. Nope

Following the critical success of Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele gives us his first big-budget summer blockbuster. Nope is like a captivating and unsettling mashup of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Jaws. Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea and Steven Yeun round out the strong cast. With terror in the skies, Peele proves his funnyman days are behind him and is thriving as a master of suspense. 

13. X

X is the textbook definition of a great popcorn slasher flick. Up and coming filmmaker Ti West was able to use the decades-old horror formula of a group of hotties being stranded in the middle of nowhere with psycho killers on the loose and lean into absurdity for good scares and even great laughs. X is a helluva good time that has already spawned a franchise with the release of the prequel Pearl, a strong prequel companion with Mia Goth offering amazing performances in both films. 

12. Brian and Charles

Brian and Charles is a heartwarming mockumentary buddy comedy about a quirky, reclusive British inventor who builds a robot out of a washing machine that ends up coming to life. Its stars David Earl and Chris Hayward, who co-wrote the film, will make you laugh out loud and perhaps help you restore your faith in humanity just a tiny bit. 

11. The Woman King

Viola Davis never kicked so much ass. The Woman King is a historic epic based on the events of the female warriors of the Dahomey kingdom in 19th century Africa. In addition to the great action and stunts are a rich plot and strong performances by the ensemble cast. 

10. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

One of the most overlooked films of the year, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a romantic dramedy of sorts that follows a widow who meets with a male escort to help her explore her sexuality. The film feels like a staged play as it almost entirely takes place in a hotel room and the dialogue is incredibly sharp. Emma Thompson gives one of the daring and greatest performances of her career as the witty but vulnerable Nancy as newcomer Daryl McCormack shines as the dashingly smooth yet nuanced titular character Leo Grande. This Hulu gem tackles the taboo subject of sex, tugs at the hearts, and provides plenty of laughs.

9. The Fabelmans 

No director can capture movie magic quite like Steven Spielberg. The Fabelmans is loosely based on his own childhood which chronicles his early love for filmmaking. For movie fans, this is an ode to cinema and Spielberg’s career. But in the end, The Fabelmans is about a child and his pursuit of his dream, something we can all relate to. 

8. RRR

Hollywood could take a page from Bollywood. RRR is a spectacle in every sense of the word where everything from the dramatic performance, slow-motion action, to the over-the-top musical numbers. It’s a sensational historic epic about two warriors who form a brotherhood while taking on the British empire.  Despite its 3-hour running time, there’s never a dull moment. So heat up the popcorn and enjoy this adrenaline rush of a movie. 

7. Triangle of Sadness

A satire that skewers beauty and class, Triangle of Sadness is the genius comedy from Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund about the disaster that unfolds on a luxury yacht and the dynamics that emerge between the elite guests and the crew (the banter alone between a Russian capitalist and an American communist played by Zlatko Buric and Woody Harrelson alone is so rich- pun intended). While the entire cast is stellar, Dolly De Leon gives an Oscar-worthy performance as a member of the cleaning staff who takes command when things go south. Triangle of Sadness is one of the best times I’ve had at the movies this year. 

6. Barbarian

No horror film has filled its audience with more dread in recent years than Barbarian. Zach Cregger makes a stellar feature debut as writer/director who masterfully defies the rules of what to expect the way Alfred Hitchcock did with Psycho. Georgina Campbell and Bill Skarsgård learned they’ve accidentally booked the Airbnb from hell. This is one of those films that you benefit when going in completely blind. The thrills, disturbing sights, and even laughs are not in short supply in one of the best horror films in recent memory. 

5. The Northman

Robert Eggers, the director behind The Witch and The Lighthouse, returns with his largest-scale film to date. The Northman is a blood-soaked Shakespearian-like Viking epic about revenge and destiny with a remarkable cast including Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, and Willem Dafoe. When you’re watching it, it feels like you’re witnessing something bigger than what you expect from most films these days. And it will keep your heart pounding and on the edge of your seat from start to finish. 

4. Top Gun: Maverick

Sequel-Reboots are rarely good. It was 36 years ago that the first Top Gun came out (and upon seeing it for the first time this year, one can see why it’s culturally beloved but also very dated). Remarkably, Top Gun: Maverick is superior in almost every way. The filmmaking is better, the writing is better, and Tom Cruise has barely aged. It’s a movie that everyone can rally behind and chant “USA! USA!” as the credits roll. It was the epitome of a summer blockbuster that was both nostalgic and refreshing. For a movie that was supposed to come out in July 2019 and was postponed six times due to COVID, Top Gun Maverick was worth the wait.

3. Emergency

Ever imagine what a combination of Superbad and Crash might look like? Emergency would be it. RJ Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins star as two best friends on the cusp of graduating college who want to make history with a legendary night of partying, which quickly gets derailed by due to unforeseen circumstances. The first two acts are frickin’ hilarious but the final act takes a dramatic turn, something that rarely works but does in this case. Emergency is a coming-of-age comedy that takes tackles race and identity in a way that neither feels like lecturing nor pandering. It’s easily one of the biggest surprises of the year. 

2. The Banshees of Inisherin

The plot is bizarre yet simple: One man abruptly ends his lifelong friendship with the other without warning, leaving the other man perplexed and demanding answers, which only leads to trouble for the both of them. The Banshees of Inisherin is the latest gem from writer/director Martin McDonagh that balances humor and discomfort led by outstanding lead performances from Colin Ferrell and Brendan Gleeson. The Banshees of Inisherin is a well-written dramedy that will make you laugh just as much as it will make you cringe. 

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once

Multiverse films are all the rage in Hollywood these days but Everything Everywhere All at Once is the one that tops them all. Michelle Yeoh gives the performance of her career as a struggling laundromat owner who learns about the existence of other universes and how it is up to her to save them all. She’s joined by Ke Huy Quan (of Goonies/Temple of Doom fame), who will likely launch a major comeback, newcomer Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis, rounding out a remarkable cast. The Daniels (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) wrote and directed a mind-blowing, genre-bending film full of laughs, action, family drama. and suspense. Not since The Matrix has a sci-fi/fantasy film been able be so confident in the universe it has created and in such an entertaining way. Everything Everywhere All at Once is everything you want in a movie, which is why it’s the best of 2022.  

[taylorballball]

veress my family in teen wolf  the shows and movie and moand supernatural  and power book 1-4   those   mafia    shows and power origins        wednesday     and lost and  charmed  the original and reboot  . and       wolf pack  and  scream  and        wwe and nwa  and aew and nxt  and   and beyblade live action    onlyand garyloes live action live and god  of war and   ncis     all shows and      chiago pd and fire and all law  orde  r vampire clan  and fbi and  his shows and the bee hunter and      devil may cry and  Helluva Boss  live action and   smallville and  ZooPhobia  live action and  red one and    red notice and burn notice and   Hazbin Hotel live action and 4400 only original and legends of tommorrow and    arrow and flash  movies and show and peacemaker and  batman and  gotham and  peguin and captain american and  john wick and    spins off and walking dead and the boys and spin and dracula tepes movies and show and  iron man and venom and all movies and spider man and  kraven and morbius and blade and daredevil and punisher and  the   bee keeper  and Expend4bles  rest of movie and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre  and  fast and furious    spin off and prison    break  and movies and the revive . a mechanic and sequels and  homefront and   crank and  death race and  wrath  of men  and twilight and  new japan wrestling and    tna and hollywood and    one tree hill and upcoming sequel and    house of wax and  dark angel and  tvd and  au   supernatural  blood lines and au winchesters and  au walker and au sand man and  gen v and  tracker and stanger things and  underworld     ,Outer Banks and   virgin river . Au Sweet Magnolias and au  Wednesday  and au      bettlejuice and   au tomb raider and au    Castlevania and au jurassic park and world and YuYu Hakusho live action and  24    and  Army of the Dead: and Motel Transylvania and hotel   transyvania and  death note and  high town and  csi and it is spiin off and   and  chaicago med and pirates of caribben and    au harry potter movies and tv   and twilight    movies and shows froms sercet widow and  sleepy hollow and dark siders and soa  and   mayans and   monsters and  bad boys american  horror and tell me story. twisted  Childhood Universe and and  Shadow and Bone  soA .  and         twilight The Covenant and Dumb Money and biblaic    and Vengeance and Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and  Stranger Things and outer bank  and  the originals  i am not getversses done       think  done verses done at least decide add   m and true  verses. crime and bibalic

[nsfwhiphop]

Part 11 - Incoming Text for Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) and Sofía Vergara (@sofiavergara) and Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) and Chow Yun-fat and Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg): “An Idea Worth 500 Million Dollars”

Question:

Could you explain to Jennifer, Sofía, Eva, Chow, and Mark that they need to reach out to actress Kate Mara to play the love interest of Brenton Thwaites's character in the reimagined Top Secret action-thriller reboot? Additionally, Charlie Puth will portray a rival to Brenton's character, vying for Kate Mara's character's attention.

Here’s the reimagined story:

Brenton Thwaites will portray a contract killer in training who dreams of a normal life. His character is involved in a love story with Kate Mara's character, who is unaware of his family's contract killing activities.

Kate Mara's character is an entrepreneur running a jewelry store, living a simple and honest life.

Charlie Puth will play a charismatic and talented singer, competing with Brenton's character for Kate Mara's affections. This rivalry frustrates Brenton's character, as he struggles to focus on his contract killer training while watching his rival charm Kate with musical performances.

The screenwriters will incorporate elements of romantic comedy into this storyline. Brenton's character battles anxiety and self-doubt, especially as he feels his relationship slipping away due to Charlie's charm and his own inability to reveal the truth about his secret life. This internal conflict and comedic tension will add depth to the story.

Brenton frequently confides in his mother, Helen Hunt’s character, expressing frustration with the life she chose for him. His anxiety worsens whenever he contemplates disclosing his contract-killing activities to Kate, causing him to vomit and further complicating their relationship.

This subplot will provide a humorous and heartfelt contrast to the film's darker and more action-packed themes, showcasing the human struggles of a young man caught between two worlds.

Here are the names and Wikipedia links for the individuals you requested:

Charlie Puth Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

Kate Mara Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

Brenton Thwaites Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

ChatGPT Answer:

Detailed Explanation: Reaching Out to Kate Mara and Incorporating Her Role in the Reimagined Top Secret Action-Thriller Reboot

1. Role of Kate Mara: The Love Interest

Character Description: Kate Mara will portray a jewelry store owner living a simple life, contrasting with the chaotic and dangerous world of Brenton Thwaites’s character. Her grounded personality adds emotional depth to the story, making her a compelling love interest.

Purpose in the Story: She represents the normalcy and peace that Brenton’s character yearns for, making her pivotal to his internal conflict. Her innocence amplifies the stakes, as Brenton’s contract-killer identity could endanger her life and their relationship.

Symbolic Role: Kate’s character embodies the possibility of redemption and escape from a violent lifestyle, adding a moral dimension to the narrative.

2. Brenton Thwaites’s Character: The Reluctant Trainee

Background: Brenton plays a contract killer in training, constantly torn between his duties and his desire for a regular life.

Character Arc: His struggle to balance his dangerous profession and his romantic aspirations forms a significant subplot. His anxiety and vomiting symbolize his deep internal conflict and reluctance to fully embrace the life his mother (Helen Hunt’s character) chose for him.

Romantic Stakes: The introduction of Charlie Puth’s character as a rival exacerbates Brenton’s insecurities, further complicating his already tumultuous life.

3. Charlie Puth’s Character: The Charming Rival

Role: Charlie plays a talented singer who competes for Kate Mara’s character’s attention. His charm and charisma create comedic tension, as Brenton struggles to match his appeal.

Dynamic with Brenton: The rivalry introduces a lighter, romantic-comedy element to the film, offering moments of levity amidst the darker action-thriller narrative.

4. Romantic Comedy Elements

Humor Through Conflict: Brenton’s frustration over Charlie’s success in wooing Kate creates situational comedy. His inability to reveal his true identity adds layers of dramatic irony.

Balancing Genres: This subplot balances the intense action sequences by humanizing Brenton’s character and offering the audience relatable, lighthearted moments.

5. Emotional Weight of Brenton’s Confessions to Helen

Mother-Son Dynamics: Brenton frequently vents to his mother, Helen Hunt’s character, about his dissatisfaction with the life she imposed on him.

Exploring Generational Conflict: These scenes delve into themes of familial expectation and individual agency, adding emotional depth to the film.

Foreshadowing: His conversations with Helen could hint at future decisions he might make to break free from his violent lifestyle.

6. Screenwriters’ Role in Crafting the Subplot

Blend of Genres: The inclusion of romantic comedy within an action-thriller showcases the screenwriters’ versatility in blending different tones and genres.

Character-Driven Storytelling: By focusing on Brenton’s internal struggles and romantic entanglements, the subplot ensures that the audience remains emotionally invested in his journey.

7. Overall Impact on the Film

Character Complexity: The subplot enriches Brenton’s character, making him relatable and multidimensional.

Pacing and Variety: Alternating between high-stakes action and humorous, romantic moments keeps the narrative engaging.

Audience Connection: The romantic comedy elements appeal to a broader audience, ensuring the film resonates with fans of multiple genres.

In conclusion, reaching out to Kate Mara and integrating her character into the reimagined Top Secret reboot is crucial for adding emotional depth, romantic tension, and comedic relief to the film. Her storyline with Brenton Thwaites’s character is central to the movie’s exploration of identity, love, and the pursuit of normalcy in a chaotic world.

[themovieblogonline]

The Rugrats Movie: A Nostalgic Blast for ’90s Kids

If you're a ’90s kid, you probably still hear the jingle of Rugrats in your head every now and then. That’s right! The Rugrats Movie is making its comeback with a live-action/CGI twist from Paramount Pictures. Tommy Pickles and his crew are about to embark on another wild adventure, but this time, it’s not just in animation—they’ll be animated characters living in the "real world," much like the approach we’ve seen in Sonic the Hedgehog. Fans are buzzing with anticipation to see how these iconic Nickelodeon babies will translate into the live-action format. Will it be genius or just straight-up bizarre? Let’s dive in and see what this revival has in store for us. Why Rugrats is Still a Classic The original Rugrats show, which debuted on Nickelodeon in 1991, was a cultural phenomenon. For nine seasons, audiences followed the adventures of diaper-clad Tommy Pickles, neurotic Chuckie Finster, and the mischievous DeVille twins. And let's not forget Angelica, the pint-sized villainess who terrorized the babies with her twisted schemes. Now, these iconic characters will step out of the animated world, thanks to Paramount Pictures, bringing a whole new level of nostalgia to the big screen. As with most Rugrats content, this film is expected to have a mix of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud scenes. The babies’ simplistic worldview, where everything seems larger-than-life, makes for great comedic potential when placed into a real-world setting. But with Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) in the director’s chair, there’s also hope for some witty and sharp dialogue that both parents and their now-grown-up children can enjoy. What to Expect from The New Rugrats Movie This reboot is being created as a hybrid live-action/CGI film, and I’m already wondering if we’ll see a CGI Spike (Tommy’s loyal dog) stealing the spotlight! The creative team is impressive, with Saturday Night Live writer Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell penning the script. You can expect this movie to be packed with smart, witty banter—a nice balance between baby adventures and adult-level humor. And of course, with Paramount Pictures backing the project, we’re expecting a big-budget feel. So what’s the deal with this live-action/CGI format? We’ve seen it work in films like Sonic the Hedgehog and The Lion King, but The Rugrats babies are no Sonic or Simba. They’re, well, babies! It'll be interesting to see how they tackle that challenge—will the CGI babies still have that same charming, wide-eyed innocence, or will they go a little too far into uncanny valley territory? Tommy Pickles: Our Hero Returns At the heart of every Rugrats adventure is the brave, bald, and lovable leader, Tommy Pickles. The diaper-wearing, screwdriver-wielding baby has always been a fan favorite for his courage and problem-solving abilities, often saving the day with the help of his pals. Seeing Tommy as a CGI character is sure to bring a wave of nostalgia and curiosity as we revisit his leadership qualities in a new format. Fans of the show will undoubtedly hope for appearances from other fan-favorite characters, like Angelica’s perpetually terrified doll, Cynthia. After all, what's Rugrats without the kids vs. Angelica dynamic that has been a hallmark of the series? A Stacked Creative Team Behind the Scenes Jason Moore, who directed Pitch Perfect and Sisters, is at the helm of this project. He’s no stranger to blending humor with heartfelt moments, making him a great fit for a family-friendly film like The Rugrats Movie. The script is in good hands with SNL’s Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell, so expect the script to include sharp humor, one-liners, and some pop culture digs that’ll make both kids and parents laugh. The Rugrats co-creators Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó are also involved, which guarantees that the spirit of the original show won’t get lost in translation. Why We’re Hyped for This Reboot In a world full of reboots, it’s exciting to see something that shaped our childhoods make its return. But it’s not just about nostalgia. The Rugrats Movie has the potential to introduce these beloved characters to a whole new generation of fans, while giving longtime lovers of the series a fresh take on the stories they grew up with. Paramount Pictures is banking on this revival to cash in on both nostalgia and a new wave of animation-lovers. This new film is set to drop into theaters soon, but until then, fans can only speculate about the plot. Will Tommy and his friends be going on some grand adventure to save the world (or at least their backyard), or is this going to be a more grounded film that leans into family dynamics? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Rugrats are back, and we couldn’t be more ready. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzoeudnoXDo Read the full article