#cynthia wife guy propaganda

[microwave-core]

Red-Hot Paean

Cynthia x Fem! Reader

Cynthia has always been one to praise you whenever she sees fit (which is always), but she can’t seem to hold her tongue when it comes to interviews. At least she’s always willing to indulge you after putting you through such embarrassment.

“So, a little Starly recently told me that you were thinking about taking a vacation to the Alola region. Do you have anything to say about that?” 

“Ah, well, there isn’t much more to say about it other than it’s true. Being champion is my passion, but everyone needs a break now and then. Besides, I’ve been meaning to check out the Battle Tree, and I’ve been sorely missing quality time with my wife.”

“The Battle Tree, huh? I’ve heard that the trainers are quite formidable, especially the battle legends leading the whole operation. I suppose that’s a kind of challenge you won’t find anywhere in Sinnoh!”

“Indeed, it’s been quite some time since an opponent has backed me into a corner. The thrill of battle spurs me on, but exploring the region is also a must. The island challenge feels a bit beneath me at this point, but the beaches are quite alluring, especially with beautiful company.

“And the apparel shops are simply darling. Most of the options are not my kind of style, but I can’t help but want to pick a few things up, anyways… Ah, but my darling beloved, now she would look wonderful in them. Afterall, she looks gorgeous in any and everything she wears.

“But whenever I see any kind of cute clothing, I can’t help but see her in them. Especially outfits for the warmer climates, since I see her in them so rarely with how cold Sinnoh is and all. Alola certainly won’t be the first time I end up purchasing clothing for her on a vacation, but that just leaves what I should get for her this time…”

“Oh yes, I must agree. Alolans are quite fashionable! From adorable to elegant… everything seems to look good. Your wife sure is a lucky woman to have someone such as yourself as a vacationing companion. Is there anything else about this trip you are looking forward to?”

“Besides that… I am looking forward to exploring the ruins. From what I’ve read, there aren’t many mysteries surrounding them, especially in comparison to ruins in other regions, but I don’t think I will be able to keep myself away from them…”

The TV remote clatters to the couch cushion with a soft thud. You're not sure why you keep up with Cynthia’s interviews when they always end with you becoming far too flustered for your own good. This was far from the worst she’s ever gushed before, and yet it still gets you all the same.

And speak of the devil, the moment you lean back into the cushions, the front door creeps open, followed by the gentle clacking of heels, accompanied by less-gentle thuds. She leans over the couch, arms laying over your chest and head perched atop of yours.

“Hello, dear…” She practically purrs. You can’t see her face, but you can hear the sweet smile on her lips from her tone alone. Garchomp sidles up to you, forcing your arm over her flat head in the hope that you would pet her. You mumble out a ‘hello’, yet to overcome your embarrassment.

“What were you watching? I could have sworn I heard the TV on when I was unlocking the door…”

“Your interview from the other day.”

“Oh, you saw it already? I wasn’t expecting to be asked about Alola, but I suppose it was going to come up eventually.”

“I, uh, just caught it, actually and… (Azelf, give me strength) I turned it off after you got off track talking about… me. I know that you think very highly of me but… it gets embarrassing watching you talk like that… especially when Arceus knows how many people are going to see it.”

“Aww, really? And here I thought I managed to tone the gushing down for once.” You know that Cynthia gushes because of how deeply she loves you, which makes your heart pound with both love and embarrassment, but the teasing tone lacing her words allows the embarrassment to outweigh the former.

“Besides, it’s not as if I was lying… I’m looking forward to seeing your adorable self on all sorts of tropical backdrops.” She moves her hands to your face, squishing your cheeks softly. 

“Is it so wrong of me to want everyone to know how much I care about you? I just can’t help myself when I’m so easily reminded of you… “ Her voice wavers from teasing to soft, each word barely above a whisper.

“The fact that I get to call you, someone so beautiful and caring and intelligent, my own… It doesn’t feel real sometimes, that someone as wonderful as you exists, and is willing to stay by my side, no less!”

Her words feel far too much, far too praise-filled, borderline reverent. You place your hands on her own, feeling the heat radiating off your face through her skin. Your body was boiling, yet you couldn’t help but yearn for her warmth, both her body and her words. Yet all too soon, she begins to pull away.

“Well then, how about I get cleaned up and pick us up something to eat? It’s only fair that I treat you to something nice after putting you through so much embarrassment, right?” You can only respond with a feeble nod.

She leans over and gives you a quick peck on the forehead before pulling back completely, presumably going to your bedroom to clean up, leaving you to huddle into yourself (and the Garchomp practically sprawled out across your lap). 

In interviews, Cynthia would always find new ways to embarrass you with her off-track side tangents, and in private, she would always find new ways to set your heart aflame. 

But while her seeming unending love for you would make you beyond flustered, it would always lead to her treating you to whatever your heart desired. She could be teasing, and she was sure as hell embarrassing, but it was certainly worth putting up with once it was all said and done, leaving nothing but the sweet, endearing Cynthia ready to melt your heart away.

[gryficowa]

Boycott!

I love how Zionists call everyone against genocide "Nazis", you don't look like idiots who don't know what the fuck Nazism was (Because you are one yourself lol)

Now that I have your attention:

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"

The effects of Nazi rule were:

apparatus of terror such as concentration camps and the secret police Geheime Staatspolizei (Gestapo); development of German eugenics, including introduction of the Nuremberg Laws; intensification of persecution for same-sex relations[25]; alliance with fascist Italy (Steel Pact) and Japan (Anti-Comintern Pact); the later Pact of Three between these countries formalized the Axis bloc; support of Francoists in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939 [38];annexation of Austria in 1938; the enlarged state was called the Greater German Reich, German: Großdeutsches Reich[39]; mass murders exterminating "life unworthy of life": T4 action on sick and disabled people; genocide - holocaust and post-Rajmos. One of the tools of mass murder were the extermination camps established in the occupied areas to "finally solve the Jewish question"; outbreak of World War II in 1939 - attack on Poland and then other countries"

Yes, many points fit with Zionism (Especially the point about "Life unworthy of life", yes, that's how you see Palestinians)

So yes, classic use of mirror propaganda, who could have expected it, right?

[thephantomprojectionist]

Reviewnalysis: Tiger Claws (1991)

SPOILERS AHEAD

At the end of the 80s, a Lebanese-Canadian martial arts competitor sold his jewelry business and entered the world of karate flicks. His name is Jalal Merhi, and through money and persistence, he became a staple name of the U.S. video scene. Nicknamed “Beirut’s Steven Seagal” (despite his accent making him comparable to Jean-Claude Van Damme), what set him apart from virtually everyone else on the U.S. martial arts scene was his desire to showcase Chinese martial arts over their more common Japanese and Korean counterparts. He tried this first with Fearless Tiger (1991), a tournament flick that didn’t see an American release until three years after completion, but had greater luck with the more unique Tiger Claws. Merhi’s recipe for this endeavor? - lots of kung fu, established stars, and a capable director. The result is a thoroughly watchable adventure that grew on me over time. It’s an examination of fanaticism in martial arts, and arguably the best film Merhi would ever star in.

Photo source

The movie opens in New York City with a woman (Cynthia Rothrock) hounded on the street by a suspicious man (Nick Dibley). He corners her with evil intent, but she fights back and utterly decimates him in a brawl, knocking him out before he’s arrested. It turns out she’s Detective Linda Masterson, supercop, and the guy who attacked her was a suspect in a crime spree. She’s disgusted that her wolf-whistling partner (Fern Figueiredo) wasn’t anywhere to be found when the fight happened, but more so that she’s wasting her time “dressing up like a whore and working on these two-bit cases.” Shortly thereafter, we meet our other hero: Det. Tarek Richard (Jalal Merhi), who’s carrying out an undercover drug deal that, somehow, is also the purview of rival detectives Roberts (Robert Nolan) and Vince (Kedar Brown). It’s unclear who’s actually out of line, but Tarek’s suspended when his counterparts initiate a fight/shootout and the dealer is blown up in his car.

The case they’re both headed for – Linda by intent and Tarek by accident – is that of the Death Dealer, a serial killer targeting martial artists. The victims’ claw-like head wounds lead Linda to believe that the killer’s also a martial artist and that he can be unconvered by identifying his fighting style. This impresses her superior, Sergeant Reeves (John Webster), who assigns her to the case over a sexist cohort but also demands she work with the still-suspended Tarek. Linda’s not pleased but has no choice, especially when Tarek promptly identifies the style as “fu jow . . . some people call it tiger claw.”

Let’s pause to examine the story’s unusual take on martial arts awareness. Usually in these features, a martial artist is teamed up with someone who has no such experience and thinks “chop socky” is nonsense. That approach is subverted, here: Linda’s already a master martial artist but still needs the insight of a “specialist” like Tarek when it comes to exotic styles. Again, this is part of Jalal Merhi’s unique formula: not only was he featuring kung fu in his movies when few others were, but doing so at a time when these styles weren’t even widely practiced outside of films. It’s less of a deal now that Hong Kong flicks are widely distributed and it’s easy to find modern kung fu fight scenes, but at the time, Merhi capitalized on a market opening and used the opportunity to build up the Chinese arts grandly. The movie’s stance is that, while you can be a well-studied martial artist, there’s always more to learn by looking to the past. If you don’t, you’ll be at a disadvantage. This sentiment isn’t explored and thus feels a little like martial arts propaganda (“Your kung fu is strong, but mine is better!”), but I think Merhi was merely trying to set a precedent at this point.

Photo source | Jalal Merhi, Kedar Brown, Robert Nolan

Tarek and Linda search Chinatown for the school where the killer trains. Specifically, they’re searching for a secret studio that only trains serious fighters – like Tarek says, “This is not a sport for any bozo with 50 bucks.” They eventually receive a tip from a drunken boxing student (Rick Sue) who they rescue from a gang beating. It’s a cool fight, but doesn’t go very far in distinguishing our heroes’ differing approaches to martial arts: Tarek has some flowing movements, but he’s still as hard-edged as his partner. Ironically, it’s Linda who wields a Chinese rope dart. Anyway, they’re directed to a local tournament to find Sifu Chow (Mo Chow) – the only fu jow teacher in the area. Tarek not only finds him, but also an old friend and tournament competitor, John Atkinson (playing himself). A huge and mysterious man in the crowd (Bolo Yeung) looks on ominously as John wins the championship. Shortly thereafter, he shows up in John’s home and attacks him – killing him with a tiger strike to the face. Afterwards, we see the guy before a tiger-themed altar decorated with trophies from the other beaten martial artists. This is our killer.

Tarek and Linda follow Chow to an abandoned movie theater which Tarek immediately identifies as his school. He wants to go in right away, but Linda demands he stay. When a night of waiting results in nothing but the aforementioned death of his friend, Tarek impatiently sneaks into the studio on his own. He’s promptly discovered, but – immediately crafting his cover – earns a chance at tutelage by revealing that Chow and he studied under the same master. (Stroke of luck, huh?) Before leaving, Tarek notices his friend’s killer painting a mural on the wall, but of course doesn’t know who Chong is.

Photo source | Cynthia Rothrock, John Webster

TRIVIA: A subsequent scene features Tarek and Linda arguing whether to go to an Italian or Chinese restaurant to eat. This mirrors a real-life event wherein Merhi, Rothrock, Yeung, and some production members were deciding where to eat after a day of filming. Everyone voted for Italian, with the exception of Yeung. Merhi, who idolized Yeung, immediately changed his vote and attempted to sway the group in favor of Bolo’s choice. He was overruled and the group went to the Italian locale, where Yeung refused to order anything.

Tarek returns to the secret studio and earns his spot by holding his own in against the other students. This is the first fully-fledged kung fu fight scene, and the difference to previous brawls is noticeable. The pacing is more restrained and the tiger claw choreography reminds me of classic Hong Kong fights. You get the impression that the filmmakers are genuinely trying to make the fu jow aspects stand out, and this continues as Tarek engages in a necessity for any good kung fu flick – a training scene. He twirls weapons, strikes form, and toughens his hands by submerging them in a wok of boiling water filled with chains. Sifu Chow doesn’t do much on-the-ground teaching, preferring to beat a drum while his students go at it, but he does step in as a rivalry between Tarek and fellow student James (Ho Chow) threatens to get out of hand.

In an unexpected turn, another student (Gary Wong) invites Tarek to a go-go club, and they take Chong with them. The movie twists expectations by showing Chong as a normal guy who drinks and laughs with his comrades, but eventually, the scene’s mainly there so Tarek can find out how good of a fighter the muralist is when they have to thwart a mafia attack on the joint. Additionally, Chong keeps Tarek from killing one of the guys – highlighting the theme of martial excess that I’ll get into later. In the aftermath, Tarek still isn’t certain which of the practitioners is the killer, but Linda thinks it’s the hotheaded James. She confronts him at a billiard bar, and despite beating up him and half the establishment in the process, it turns out that he has an alibi. This faux pas results in Linda and Tarek being removed from the case and being replaced by the insufferable Roberts and Vince. In the meantime, Chong kills Sifu Chow and some of the students.

Photo source | Bolo Yeung

This scene is an enigmatic as it is essential. The final exchange between Chong and Chow features Chinese dialogue with no subtitles, so while their exchange may offers clues to Chong’s motives, I can’t be certain. We don’t find out otherwise why Chong is a serial killer. The head-spinning sequel throws a ton of new, outrageous information into the continuity, but where only this movie is concerned, it’s ambiguous. The only theory that’d tie into an existing theme is that Chong, having taken his training to the extreme, has literally been driven crazy by kung fu. Tarek’s spent the picture making sure we know how demanding and encompassing fu jow is, having mentioned that his wife left him when last he trained – implying that he, like Chong, has the potential to become a menace if not kept in check. Tarek’s also the only character to voice a theory on Chong’s motives, saying that perhaps he’s trying to “drum up lost respect for his style.” This may in fact be a part of the reason, given how the movie venerates kung fu. Chong may see his victims and their martial arts as temporary and weak and is thus trying to exemplify the “true” martial art. This isn’t entirely without real-world parallel: fierce inter-style competition goes back centuries, and Chinese styles have often been ridiculed in modern times by “hard style” practitioners for being impractical and fancy. Altogether, this information comprises pieces to Chong’s puzzle, but the picture still isn’t clear. Perhaps that’s why the movie reveals the killer relatively early: it’s not bad writing, but an intended opportunity for viewers to ponder Chong’s motives.

Tarek and Linda refuse to drop the case, and they somehow determine that Chong is their prime suspect. Their suspicions are confirmed when they enter the studio, finding the others dead and Chong in attack mode. He flees after a quick duel with Linda, who spends the rest of the night searching for him with Tarek. They find him at the pier, but not before the bumbling Roberts and Vince arrive and handcuff Tarek, suspecting him of the murders. Linda and Chong fight again – possibly the best one-on-one match of the film – but the finale pits the still-handcuffed Tarek against Chong in a warehouse. In a bit of egoism, Jalal Merhi’s character is able to best Chong while spending the majority of the fight with his hands bound. The film ends with with Chong apprehended, Tarek and Linda commended, and the former reinstated while the two share an awkwardly-earned kiss on Tarek’s boat.

Photo source | David Stevenson

TRIVIA: The movie draws on real-life characteristics for many of its characters. For example… Linda is from Scranton, PA and Chong is from Canton, China – just like their actors. Jalal Merhi wasn’t divorced, but like Tarek, he was single at the time of production. John Atkinson was indeed a successful karate fighter and multi-time grand champion. Mo Chow is a martial arts instructor who operates his own studio. Bill Pickels – Chong’s first victim – is a former cable TV personality in Canada. Three actors share similar or identical names with their characters: Mo Chow, John Atkinson, and Bill Pickels.

I wasn’t a Jalal Merhi fan when I first saw this, and only held onto the tape for Cynthia Rothrock. I can still see why the guy didn’t click with me right away. Merhi lacks the charisma that makes even a questionable actor like Rothrock fun to watch, and despite his emphasis on kung fu being genuinely unique at the time, it doesn’t make him stand out to the average viewer. Despite his efforts, Merhi isn’t comparable to Steven Seagal introducing aikido in the late 80s or Tony Jaa rewriting action choreography with muay thai in the 2000s. Nevertheless, the more of this subgenre you consume, the more Jalal’s effort does in fact stand out. The Chinese martial arts help give this movie a unique flavor that you won’t find in other kick flicks of the same budget. The crisp forms, traditional uniforms and decent training montages eventually give the movie an air of importance that I kind of miss in other features. This approach won’t click with viewers who’d rather limit martial arts exclusively to fight scenes, but it might be unique enough for those who’ve grown tired of repetitious kickboxing.

Merhi’s use of eye-catching names to star alongside him is a sound decision, but again, you can’t help but chuckle at the scene that features him defeating Bolo Yeung as Cynthia Rothrock fishes a buffoonish detective out of the bay. Nevertheless, treating his own character as exemplary doesn’t mean the others are treated as jokes. This is one of Yeung’s most interesting non-Hong Kong roles, and even though Rothrock hangs back many times, both she and Bolo are given ample opportunity to steal the show in fight scenes. To tell the truth, Merhi is elevated by their presence because they bring out a lot in him. I’ve seen the guy do flashier moves, but he’s never looked as tight and collected as he does here. To date, Merhi is the only Arab martial arts star who’s had a solo career in North America, and he really puts his best foot forward in making a first impression here.

Exploring the martial arts theme yields contradictory results. We’re to presume that fu jow – and “old” martial arts in general – are superior to modern forms, because when they come into contact, the former tends to triumph. Nevertheless, Linda seems to be the exception: she isn’t versed in fu jow but still defeats a hardcore practitioner in direct combat. We’re also led to believe that respect and mastery of the martial arts is limited to the experience of immigrants and minority characters, but the majority of Chong’s victims fall under the same labels. There’s also a theme of martial arts bringing people together – i.e. Linda and Tarek bonding over their practice of the fighting arts – but this ignores that Tarek’s wife left him because of his training and that Chong’s obsession with the martial arts may be the cause of his murderous behavior. I wish the film were more consistent in what it’s saying.

Nevertheless, it’s still enjoyable and that’s got much to do with director Kelly Makin. Merhi had a knack for selecting inexperienced directors who’d later go on to critical acclaim, and Makin displays his talent via style in what would otherwise have been a humdrum-looking picture. Though I’m not sure whether anyone would think this is an A-grade production, Makin delivers a consistently clean look and takes time to highlight the soundtrack, indulge in interesting camera angles, and even film an occasional arty establishing shot. Though not the best in this regard, he can shoot a fight scene surprisingly well.

Tiger Claws is a fun watch for genre fans and definitely worth hooking up the old VCR for. The cast is a supergroup of genuine martial talent and the filmmakers know how to make them shine. There are plenty of things I’d change, but overall, this is one experiment that pays off. People interested in coming into these types of movies should definitely consider it, and established viewers who’ve yet to see this particular one shouldn’t hesitate much longer. Check it out!

Photo source

Tiger Claws (1991)

Directed by Kelly Makin (Mickey Blue Eyes)

Written by J. Stephen Maunder (writer for almost all of Jalal Merhi’s movies)

Starring Jalal Merhi, Cynthia Rothrock (China O’Brien), Bolo Yeung (Bloodsport), John Webster

Cool costars: Gary Wong, Michael Bernardo (WMAC Masters), Rick Sue (Expect No Mercy), David Stevenson (Death House), Bill Pickels (Sworn to Justice), Mo Chow (Talons of the Eagle) and Ho Chow (Kung Fu: The Legend Continues) are all legitimate martial artists playing the part. Wing chun legend Dunn Wah (AKA Sunny Tang) plays a master but doesn’t have any fight scenes. IMDb credits gang member William Cheung as the William Cheung – kung fu master and contemporary of Bruce Lee – but I don’t think they’re the same person. Similarly, John Atkinson is identified as an English TV actor who died in ‘07, whereas the real performer currently operates a martial arts studio in Arizona. Robert Nolan (Sixty Minutes to Midnight) is a fairly acclaimed dramatic actor while his onscreen partner Kedar Brown has been building a career in voice acting.

Content warning: Sexist dialogue, attempted sexual assault, group violence, WTC imagery

Copyright Tiger Claws Productions, Ltd. / MCA Universal Home Video (now Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

[microwave-core]

Stoppp I’m so obsessed with the thought of wife-guy Cynthia I want to scream. 🩷🩷🩷 If you ‘re still open, may I request a scenario with her walking in on fem!reader watching a recent interview with? Like Cynthia getting off track about said interview and gushing about her wife and reader becoming embarrassed because of it? I feel like if Cynthia was confronted about it she would ramp up the praises more in person! Thank you! 🩷🩷

I hear you, anon, and will get to this... in time.

I might get it out this weekend if I'm able to? If not it will take awhile because whoop-de-doo I am not done with Future Redeemed.