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anonymousewrites · 1 year ago

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Adolescent Antichrist (Book 4) Chapter Five

Father Figure! Lucifer x Teen! Reader

Chapter Five: I'm a Goddam Person

Summary: (Y/N) is attacked, and Lucifer and Chloe's friendship breaks.

Chloe groaned as her phone rang. It was bad enough they had no leads on their latest murder since every clue led to a dead end and someone with no reason to kill her. Now Chloe was close to tears as Lucifer called out how she had spoken to Kinley and knew that she had a vial that could sedate, if not kill him. Lucifer had even tried to drink it despite Chloe’s attempts to convince him it was nothing. She hated how betrayed he appeared as he gazed at her in furious silence.

But Chloe was on a case, and when she saw Dan’s name as the caller, she answered it. Her eyes widened as he related the information to her. She turned to Lucifer even as he glared at her in betrayal. “Lucifer, I know you’re upset, and I swear I can explain everything, but we need to get to Oscar’s house. He’s the killer, and he’s trying to escape.”

Lucifer scoffed. “Fine. Put off getting rid of me by getting rid of a murderer.” He turned away from her and sullenly got into her car.

Chloe let out a sad sigh. She had really messed up. And she wasn’t sure if she could fix things this time.

Both Lucifer and Chloe were silent as they arrived at Oscar’s house. The lights were off, and Chloe entered the unlocked home with no issue. There was no one around.

“Well, no one’s here. Don’t tell me you brought me here to get rid of me with no one looking? That would be low, even for you, Detective,” said Lucifer venomously.

“Lucifer, I swear, I’m not going to hurt you. I don’t know why no one’s here, but I’m not trying to hurt you. I promise. You have to believe me,” said Chloe, trying to get control of the spiraling situation again.

Her phone went off again, and Chloe answered in frustration. “Yes?”

Ella’s hurried voice came over the speaker. “Chloe! We just got Oscar’s records in, and we just found the weirdest thing. The house he lives in is owned by the Catholic Church, he’s been visiting a certain church regularly, and a priest named Kinley has been paying his rent to the church for him.”

Chloe’s eyes widened at the mention of Kinley.

“Ella, he’s not here,” said Chloe.

“I’ll get Dan and track down where else he could be. Maybe he has another place to stay,” said Ella. “Somewhere he actually owns.”

Chloe paled as she made a terrible connection. “I know where he is. Get backup to Lux.” She hung up.

“Backup to Lux? Detective, what’s going on?” said Lucifer, narrowing his eyes.

“Oscar is being paid by Kinley.” Chloe looked away from Lucifer’s face and took a deep breath. “He’s most likely on his way to Lux thinking you might be there.”

Lucifer froze. “(Y/N).” He was out the door before Chloe said anything else. His kid was in danger.

(Y/N) felt the shadows around them bristle wildly when a bang went off in the living room. They reacted instantly, rolling from their seat at the table and landing on the ground. They pulled themself behind the island and glanced up at the mirror hung behind the bar. A man was looking around the Penthouse with a gun. (Y/N)’s blood ran cold. Lucifer was out. Em wasn’t home. (Y/N) was alone with someone trying to kill them? Lucifer? They couldn’t be sure, but they had a feeling it really didn’t matter. The man had a gun. He could hurt them at the very least.

“Where is it?” muttered the man frantically. “Father Kinley said the abomination would be here. I must do my duty…”

Abomination? That’s a new one, thought (Y/N). Usually, their parents had just called them a disappointment, and some kids called them slurs.

(Y/N) moved around the bar as the man continued through the room, trying to avoid being seen. The man caught their eye in the mirror, and both froze.

Bang!

The man pivoted and shot at (Y/N). They scrambled away, and the shadows pulled up from the ground to create a brief shield. It shattered as the bullet hit it, but the lead fell to the ground with the pieces of shadow as (Y/N) made a run for another room.

Another shot nearly hit them, and (Y/N) turned on instinct, stumbling to the ground and pulling back as the man advanced on them, finger still on the trigger.

“What the hell do you want with me, you crazy fuck?!” shouted (Y/N). Stupid? Yes. Great distraction? Also yes.

“I am sent to avenge the Earth and stop Armageddon!” said the man, pointing the gun at them. “I will end evil and send you to Hell where you belong.”

He pulled the trigger, and (Y/N) shouted in fear. Another wall of shadows pulled up, and the man stared in shock at the moving darkness swirling around (Y/N).

“Monster! Abomination!” he cried as the shadows protected (Y/N). “Freak!”

(Y/N) snapped at the word freak. That was what their biological parents had called them. Every time (Y/N) didn’t live up to their expectations or fit into their mold of a “normal” kid, they were a freak. (Gender, clothes, attitude, everything and anything about (Y/N) was wrong wrong wrong to them). (Y/N) despised it.

“Don’t call me freak,” hissed (Y/N), the shadows sharpening around them. The man stepped back. “I am not a freak! I’m a goddam person!”

Their eyes flashed red, and the man cried out, stumbling backwards at the side. (Y/N)’s shadows overtook the room, and the man’s eyes widened as he stared at the definitely not human being before him.

“M-Monster!” cried the man in absolute terror.

Pure darkness saturated the room. There was no light, just (Y/N)’s fiery glare. They felt the itch of their wings wanting to appear, but (Y/N) pushed it back. They weren’t ready for that. But obscuring every bit of sunlight and turning the penthouse into a maze of shadow controlled by their own mind? Absolutely. The look of fear on their attackers face just made it better. It was partly rage pushing their powers so far, but it was also practiced precision at a grander scale.

“Monster? Me?!” hissed (Y/N), and the man cowered. “You came in here and tried to shoot me! The only monster here is you!”

The door of the penthouse dinged, and Lucifer and Chloe ran in. Lucifer paused, eye’s wide, and Chloe froze. The entire penthouse was bathed in darkness, bullet holes sat in the wall beside (Y/N), and they were standing over a terrified man with a fallen gun at his side.

“(Y/N)?” called Lucifer, more concerned about him than worried.

(Y/N)’s eyes went to him, and the darkness receded until just their own shadow remained. “Dad!” they said in relief, and then they collapsed from exhaustion. Lucifer ran forward and caught them.

“Detective Decker, get that filth out of my sight,” hissed Lucifer, glaring at the man.

Chloe broke from her shock. Her eyes followed (Y/N) where they took deep breaths in Lucifer’s arms. To see (Y/N) do that was nearly as shocking as Lucifer’s face had been, if not more so since Lucifer had been honest about being the Devil. (Y/N) had never acted anything but human.

“Right.”

Chloe cared about (Y/N), and she didn’t want them to be hurt by Oscar. She hauled him up and handcuffed him quickly. This would protect (Y/N), and it would show Lucifer that she was okay with him, with (Y/N). She wasn’t going to hurt them. Now she could see why he was so betrayed. It wasn’t just him that had abilities that could frighten humans. It was (Y/N). And Lucifer was a father. He would put (Y/N)’s safety above his own.

Oscar struggled against Chloe as she pulled him to the elevator. “Monster! Abomination! I must rid the world of your evil! I must stop Armageddon! I must kill the abomination!”

Lucifer’s arms tightened around (Y/N). He turned their face away. “You’re not an abomination,” he promised. “You’re a good kid. You’re okay.”

And even in the face of so much hatred, (Y/N) felt safe in their dad’s arms.

“Father Kinley?” Chloe walked purposefully into the church, and Kinley and Bishop Hoffman turned to face her.

“Ah, Detective Decker, just the person I’d like to see,” said Kinley. He smiled. “I need you to explain to Bishop Hoffman here what you saw on Lucifer Morningstar’s face.”

“That’s not why I’m here.” Chloe pulled out her handcuffs. “I’m here about Oscar Rivas.”

Kinley paled. “What?”

“You worked in the same parish as him. Quite the coincidence. And you were helping him pay his rent to the Catholic Church,” said Chloe.

“He’s a good man. A true believer. I was simply rewarding his dedication,” said Kinley.

“His dedication? You mean his willingness to kill to people and attempt to kill an innocent teenager?” said Chloe.

“(Y/N) (L/N) is not innocent. They are evil, an abomination upon this Earth,” seethed Kinley.

Chloe’s eyes narrowed, and Hoffman’s eyes widened in horror.

“Then you admit to knowing who you sent Oscar Rivas to kill,” said Chloe. “You’re under arrest.” She pulled out her handcuffs.

Kinley scoffed. “Bishop, tell her she’s ridiculous. I had no such connections to Oscar.”

Hoffman shook his head in horror. “A child, William? I’m sorry, but you’re sick, William.”

Chloe had hoped talking would help them. Lucifer had hoped for the same. But even after Kinley was arrested and (Y/N) was safe, their relationship couldn’t reconcile. There had been too much, and there were too many emotions attached to sort through.

“You’re the actual Devil, Lucifer.” Chloe was crying. “Every story of good and bad from throughout history, throughout time, says that you are the embodiment of evil.” All of her confused thoughts about Lucifer spilled out of her heart. “And how am I, Chloe Decker, a nobody, supposed to deal with that?!”

“And what about (Y/N)? Are you going to think they’re evil for their abilities, too?” said Lucifer softly, broken.

“No! No, no, that’s a child. A good, innocent child,” swore Chloe. “They’ve proved time and time again they’re good.”

“And I’ve been the evil the world says I am?” said Lucifer.

“I…” Chloe wasn’t sure how to respond. She’d seen Lucifer’s anger and ferocity as much as she’d seen his kindness and openness. “They said you’re evil—!”

Lucifer scoffed and stepped back from her. He turned his back.

“But then I returned,” continued Chloe softly. “And I saw you. I really saw you. And I remembered how you made me feel. And I realized, Lucifer, you’re not that guy.”

“No?” Lucifer couldn’t believe his words. He couldn’t afford to. Not when the betrayal had hurt so much to begin with.

“No,” said Chloe.

“What if I am that guy?” challenged Lucifer.

“That guy wouldn’t be the good father to (Y/N) that you are,” said Chloe. “And if you think you are, then you can change.”

“But what if I can’t?” He faced Chloe again. His Devil Face appeared, and she flinched away. “Could you accept me like this?”

“I…uh…” Chloe wasn’t ready to make eye contact with the Devil, yet. “You have no idea how much I want to,” she said honestly. She faced him bravely. “I do. I’m…I’m trying.”

“But could you?”

Tears rolled down Chloe’s cheeks. “I don’t know.”

Lucifer’s human face returned, and he scoffed lightly to avoid his own sadness from showing. Tears threatened to fall. “Then I have my answer.”

There would be no reconciliation that night.

“Lucifer and Decker aren’t going to make up, are they?” murmured (Y/N), sighing and putting their head in their hands.

“Tonight was a big scare,” said Em. “You could’ve died. I think the boss is scared about Kinley and his influence on people. Other people could try to hurt you, and let’s face it, you’re the boss’s top priority.”

“But Decker wouldn’t,” said (Y/N).

“They’re both scared,” said Em, shrugging. “Decker still isn’t sure around the boss, and the boss feels betrayed. I think it’s gonna take time.”

“…I wish that didn’t make sense,” said (Y/N).

“I wish it didn’t, either,” said Em. She glanced at (Y/N) and cleared her throat. “Uh, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry that I wasn’t here when you were in danger.”

(Y/N) put a hand out on Em’s arm. “It’s okay, really. I don’t expect you to always be there. And I took care of it.”

“But I feel so stupid because I want to help you, and I was gone for a really silly reason.” Em turned a bit red, and they stood up. She opened her back and pulled out something. “I had gone out to buy these.” They turned around to hold a bouquet of red tulips. “I feel stupid, now, but they were for you.”

(Y/N) fought not to turn pink and failed abominably. “Me?”

Em cleared her throat. “Yeah. I wanted to…” They trailed off and groaned. “Damn, this is so stupid, this isn’t the time.”

“Go ahead, Em,” said (Y/N), leaning forward. “I’m doing fine.”

“I wanted to ask if you wanted to go to Homecoming,” admitted Em. “I thought the flowers would be nice, but now there was this attack, and you’re tired and probably in shock, so I just feel stupid—”

“Oh, shut up.” (Y/N) rolled their eyes fondly. “I’d like to go with you, Em. Homecoming would be fun with you.”

Em turned a bit red and averted her gaze. “Well, we’d also be with Leon, Marcel, Olive, and Noa, so you don’t have to feel that pressured, it’s okay—”

“Seriously, shut up. I wouldn’t say yes if I didn’t want to.” (Y/N) smiled at Em.

“Great! Great.” It was amusing to see Em stumble over her words. “Uh, here.” They awkwardly held out the flowers, and (Y/N) took it.

The night had been terrible, and Lucifer and Chloe were struggling, but (Y/N) and Em had found some good in all the tragedy.

Kinley finished his prayers and stood up as Bishop Hoffman entered the room of his holding cell. “Your Excellency. Did you change your mind? Are you here to get me out?”

“I am here to take your confession,” said Hoffman diligently.

“I have nothing to confess,” said Kinley.

“William,” said Hoffman. “You are responsible for the deaths of two people and the near-death of a third, a child. For what?”

“I’m trying to save lives,” said Kinley, as convinced and passionate as ever. “To stop the prophecy.” Hoffman shook his head in exhaustion as Kinley repeated the prophecy. “ ‘When the Devil walks the Earth and finds his first love, evil shall be released.’ ”

“Enough with this damn prophecy you’re obsessed with,” said Hoffman.

“The Devil is walking the Earth,” said Kinley.

“His Holiness has issued an order,” said Hoffman, interrupting Kinley. “You’ve been excommunicated.”

Kinley looked down but kept his decorum. “I…may have failed, temporarily, to prove that Lucifer is the Devil, but I nearly removed his first love.”

“That child?” Hoffman looked at Kinley, aghast.

“He sees them as his own child with a true paternal love. They are the prophecy coming true,” said Kinley in deep conviction. “They must be pushed apart and removed. The Antichrist cannot be allowed to walk the Earth alongside the Devil.”

Hoffman sighed. “Lucifer Morningstar is not the Devil, and (Y/N) (L/N) is not the Antichrist. Give up this foolish obsession. Make your confession. Ask God for forgiveness for your sins.”

Kinley stared solemnly at Hoffman. “I will not ask forgiveness for being right.”

Lucifer held his head in his hands, and a drink sat abandoned on the coffee table. The moon was high in the sky above him, but he had no idea how long he’d been sitting there, stuck on the rift between him and Chloe.

“Are you okay?”

He looked up to see (Y/N), wrapped in a red throw blanket, looking at him. He forced on a smile. “I should be asking you that.”

(Y/N) sat down next to him. “You know I’m okay. I was mostly just shaken by how strong my abilities were.” They looked at him before he could open his mouth. “But I’m more worried about you.”

Lucifer sighed. “It seems the Detective and I have reached an impasse. She still can’t accept who I am.”

“I think she accepts more than you think,” said (Y/N). They nudged his shoulder. “You guys will be okay.”

Lucifer smiled slightly. “So optimistic,” he said fondly.

“Me? No. I have too much mental illness for optimism. But I do believe in truth, and you and Decker will be fine. I’m sure,” said (Y/N).

Lucifer smiled. “You’ll have to believe for the both of us.”

“No problem,” said (Y/N), smiling back. They spread out their blanket around their dad. “I have to take care of you, too.”

Lucifer pulled his kid closer. “That’s my job.”

“Sure, Dad, sure.” (Y/N) rolled their eyes and hugged him back. “Keep telling yourself that after all the problems I’ve solved for you.”

Lucifer let out a light chuckle. He was glad to have (Y/N) with him. They were really his kid in everything but blood. They meant the world to him.

Lucifer paused and looked down at (Y/N). Wasn’t adoption an option…?

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joeygoeshollywood · 1 year ago

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My 25 Favorite Films of 2023

It's that time of year again! Here are my top 25 films of 2023.

25. Joy Ride

Following in the footsteps of Bridesmaids and Girls Trip, Joy Ride offers some of the biggest laughs of 2023 proving once again women can be just as raunchy as men. The cast includes up-and-comers Ashley Park, Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, and a scene-stealing breakthrough performance from Sherry Cola. Joy Ride marks a strong debut from writer-director Adele Lim.

24. Theater Camp

Anyone who had aspirations of becoming an actor can relate to Theater Camp, a mockumentary about the staff of a theater camp struggling to keep it afloat. Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, and Noah Galvin lead both behind and in front of the camera in this superb comedy that will leave you singing from the rooftops.

23. A Thousand and One

A Thousand and One is a heartbreaking indie film about a mother's desperate effort to form a bond with her estranged son by kidnapping him from the foster care system following her stint in prison. Teyana Taylor packs an emotional punch with her crushing performance with the help of A.V. Rockwell in her feature debut as a writer-director.

22. Thanksgiving

Eli Roth's filmography in horror is a mixed record, but his latest flick Thanksgiving may be his best work yet. Not only is it a solid slasher with great over-the-top killings, its brilliantly hilarious. In a time where horror franchises can be tiresome, Thanksgiving is one that could call for a second or third helping.

21. Somewhere in Queens

TV icon Ray Romano makes his feature directorial debut in the family comedy Somewhere in Queens. He stars as the father of a promising high school basketball player who goes through perhaps desperate means to assure he lands a college scholarship. Joined by the wonderful Laurie Metcalf, Somewhere in Queens has plenty of laughs as well as plenty of heart.

20. Dream Scenario

The remarkable comeback of Nicolas Cage continues with his brilliant performance in Dream Scenario, a dark fantasy horror comedy in which he plays a college professor who inexplicably starts appearing in everyone's dreams, sparking a national phenomenon that will ultimately take a personal toll. Cage balances the absurdity of the situation his character is in with emotional heft that comes with it. This marks Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli's first English-language film and based on how well-executed Dream Scenario is, hopefully it won't be his last.

19. The Covenant

Guy Ritchie's latest The Covenant is a heart-pounding war film based on the true story of Sgt. John Kinley's rescue effort of his Afghan interpreter Ahmed. Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim make a perfect duo in this dramatic, suspenseful film that may be Ritchie's strongest work to date.

18. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Judy Blume's 1970 adolescent classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. finally made its way to the big screen this year in the heartwarming coming-of-age tale of a girl's awkward journey from childhood to adulthood as well as the complexities that come from being an interfaith household. Abby Ryder Fortson shines as the titular Margaret in an outstanding performance not often seen from child actors. Also, we need more Rachel McAdams.

17. BlackBerry

Arguably the biggest surprise of 2023, BlackBerry offers some of the best laughs in the comedic retelling of the rise and fall of the iconic BlackBerry device. BlackBerry is a showcase of talent of its star Jay Baruchel, Matt Johnson (who also directed and co-wrote the film), and Glenn Howerton of It's Always Sunny fame, easily giving one of the best on-screen performances of the entire year.

16. You Hurt My Feelings

Writer-director Nicole Holofcener reunites with her Enough Said star Julia Louis-Dreyfus with You Hurt My Feelings, which centers a turbulent chapter in a couple's marriage after a novelist overhears her husband mocking her latest book. The dramedy examines the thought-provoking nuances of how fully honest one actually should be with their spouse (the answer may surprise you!). The greatest strength from Holofcener's latest is how its humor comes naturally from the reality of relationships.

15. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Mission: Impossible does the unthinkable in Hollywood: keeping a franchise in top-notch shape. Dead Reckoning Part One, the whopping *seventh* installment of the Ethan Hunt saga, delivers on a compelling plot and incredible action sequences, all of which is cemented by the star power of Tom Cruise, who has carried this spy franchise for nearly 20 years. There have been hints that Dead Reckoning may be the beginning of the end for Mission: Impossible, and if that's the case, it's going out with a bang.

14. Talk to Me

The best horror movie of 2023, Talk to Me is a chilling film about a group of teenager's ill-fated decision of doing a viral challenge of interacting with the dead, only to mistakenly leave the portal open between the living and the spirit world. What makes Talk to Me work is the family drama at the core of the film and the powerful performance from its troubled heroine Sophie Wilde.

13. Sisu

Inglorious Basterds meets Mad Max: Fury Road meets John Wick, Sisu is a WWII-era revenge action flick about a gold prospector's quest to retrieve the gold that was stolen from him from a group of Nazis. Full of brutal, bloody fight sequences with a twisted sense of humor, Sisu is one helluva ride.

12. Creed III

Creed III is a throwback to the era where Hollywood blockbusters were able to provide complete satisfaction. The latest installment of the Rocky spin-off franchise marked the strong directorial debut of its star Michael B. Jordan and also may have sadly marked the final film of the incredibly talented Jonathan Majors, whose recent assault conviction may be a knockout punch to an otherwise booming career.

11. May December

Often having vibes of a soap opera, Todd Haynes' May December is a compelling and at times disturbing film of an actress (played by Natalie Portman) who shadows the woman she's depicting in a film (played by Julianne Moore) famous for her 90s love affair with a then 13-year-old, who later became her husband. Despite the powerhouse performances from the two Oscar winners, the film really belongs to rising star Charles Melton, whose character finally comes to grips with the trauma he unknowingly endured as a child. And Melton's performance is among 2023's best.

10. Anatomy of a Fall

We don't often get great courtroom dramatic thrillers these days which is why Anatomy of a Fall really stands out. German actress Sandra Hüller gives a breakthrough performance as a wife and mother who becomes the prime suspect in what authorities believe is the murder of her husband, who had fallen to his death from the attic window. With plenty of twists and turns, Anatomy of a Fall will keep viewers guessing throughout.

9. Maestro

Not only does Bradley Cooper give the performance of his career, he has also shown his ability to direct is no fluke. Maestro, a biopic that spotlights the personal drama of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein, is a beautifully-shot, well-acted film that solidifies Cooper as one of Hollywood's newest talented filmmakers.

8. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

One would assume that a Spider-Man cartoon would solely be geared towards children but Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is such a sophisticated film between its complex plot and the remarkable animation that are a continuation from its 2018 Into the Spider-Verse predecessor. Between a strong voice cast, an amazing score and a brilliant cliffhanger, Across the Spider-Verse was the shining gem of the many superhero duds 2023 had to offer.

7. Killers of the Flower Moon

At 81-years-old, legendary director Martin Scorsese hasn't lost his step with Killers of the Flower Moon, his best film in at least a decade. The crime drama is based on a true story on the 1920s murders of members of Osage Nation and its ties to the marriage Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle, played by the reliably gifted Leonardo DiCaprio and powerful newcomer Lily Gladstone.

6. Saltburn

Following her strong debut with 2020's Promising Young Woman, filmmaker Emerald Fennell makes a valiant return with her twisted comedic psychological drama Saltburn, which surrounds an Oxford student who is quickly embraced by the wealthy family of a classmate and the jarring fallout as a result. Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Irisherin, Dunkirk) proves he's more than capable of being the leading man and is joined by rich ensemble including Rosamund Pike, Jacob Elordi, Richard E. Grant and Carey Mulligan. With stunning visuals and some of the most shocking things you'll see onscreen in 2023, Saltburn is a stirring work of art.

5. The Holdovers

It's been a long time since a new Christmas movie can live up to beloved holiday classics and Alexander Payne makes the closest effort with The Holdovers, a 1970-set dramedy about a miserable teacher at a boys academy who is stuck essentially babysitting the "holdover" students who didn't go home for the holidays. Joining the always-brilliant Paul Giamatti is newcomer Dominic Sessa as his troublesome student and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who gives a powerful Oscar-worthy performance as the cook mourning over the loss of her son. The Holdovers is the perfect film to warm your heart over the holidays this year and every year going forward.

4. Past Lives

Perhaps one of the more unsung heroes of 2023 cinema, Past Lives is a touching story about love and what if. Greta Lee stars in a breakout role as a married woman who rekindles a relationship with a childhood friend from South Korea but rather than going down the typical "will they, won't they" or "love triangle" paths this film easily could've taken, Past Lives delves into the emotional complexities with such tenderness that only writer/director Celine Song could've told (the film is semi-autobiographical).

3. Oppenheimer

If anyone knows how to make a biopic an epic, it's Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer is essentially two films rolled into one- a tick-tock thriller about the creation of the atomic bomb as well as a political drama that J. Robert Oppenheimer endured. Cillian Murphy gives the performance of his career and leads a gigantic ensemble cast in a film that despite its 3-hour running time goes by fast. And while Barbie may have won the box office battle, Oppenheimer certain won the war in more ways than one.

2. Polite Society

Polite Society is a brilliant action comedy following an aspiring stuntwoman who believes her sister is marrying into a sinister family. In the style of a Tarantino movie, up-and-coming filmmaker Nida Manzoor makes a strong feature debut that is the epitome of a fun popcorn movie, which have been in short supply in recent years.

Poor Things

Yorgos Lanthimos has quickly risen as of the strongest filmmakers of this generation, proving so once again with his latest film Poor Things. Emma Stone gives an Oscar-worthy performance as a woman brought back to life who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and autonomy and is accompanied by an excellent supporting cast. Like a modern-day Tim Burton, Lanthimos was able to create a mesmerizing universe with incredible production design, a whimsical music score, and stunning cinematography. Going to the movies is meant to be an escape, and Poor Things perfectly encapsulates that.

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teosartcorner · 4 months ago

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The Holy Mister has arrived. Say "Hi" to Lyle, aka another character from the D&B-verse. 👀

Lyle

Full Name: Lyle Duncan MacGregor

Age: 36

Birthday: 2 October 1987 (Sign: Libra)

Height: 191 cm (6'3”)

Heritage: Scottish (born in Edinburgh, Scotland)

Residing in:

Edinburgh, Scotland (until Winter 2021)

Leeds, England (from Winter 2021; still lives there today)

Job: priest (in the Scottish Episcopal Church, then in The Church of England); part-time Seminary teacher

Relationship status & notable relationships:

divorced from Lillian “Lily” Ramsay (got divorced in 2023, after approximately 14 years of marriage);

had an affair with Blair Macaulay for a little over 3 years; it started towards the end of 2017, and ended in Spring 2021;

he is currently single

Immediate Family:

Duncan MacGregor (father)

Anna Moira “Annie” MacGregor (née Kinley, mother)

Kirstie Jane MacGregor (older sister)

Lester MacGregor (older brother)

Lillian “Lily” Ramsay (ex-wife)

Children: none

A few things to get to know Lyle!

He is a bit of a bookworm. He loves reading, it’s one of his favourite activities, and he has a pretty extensive book collection at home. He has a soft spot for mystery/crime novels.

He can’t function without his morning coffee.

I’m not saying that he might still have some feelings for Blair… but he might still have some feelings for Blair. 😂

Lyle is not as confident as he might appear to be—there are some self esteem issues lurking underneath. He’s kinda working on them, though.

He is quite calm and patient, maybe a tad too much sometimes. Not very confrontational, either, he prefers to look for a peaceful resolution first. That being said, he isn’t without flaw in this regard, he can lose his temper in the “right” circumstances, if he’s being pushed really hard. The best example would be some of the uglier arguments he and his ex-wife had, back when they were still together, which ended up with the two of them saying some pretty nasty things to each other. That’s not who Lyle is, though, and he isn’t proud of those times at all, but yeah, everyone has their limits, and he reached his a few times.

He doesn't have any pets at the moment, but he is considering adopting a cat at some point!

And here are some facts/lore bits I already shared in a previous post a while ago, but I'll copy-paste them here, too, to have them all in one place. 😂

Lyle is a tad more on the introvert side. He tends to be more quiet and reserved, and even if he technically doesn’t mind sharing things about himself or speaking his mind about this and that, chances are he won’t do it unless asked to, or unless he feels comfortable enough around the people he is with. He’s not necessarily the anxious type, he doesn’t mind being in social settings and does just fine. He actually enjoys his time out and interacting with people, especially given his occupation. That being said, his social battery drains faster than that of other people. He needs to have his “alone time” every now and then, otherwise he will get progressively more mentally exhausted.

The move to England, at the end of 2021, was something he and his wife, Lily, agreed to do together, as part of their final attempt to mend their marriage. To start anew, so to speak. Needless to say, it didn't work. Actually, it kiiinda worked for a little while?, but things went downhill once again, eventually. The spark was simply not there anymore, resentments overshadowed the good moments, and the fact that Lyle was still not over Blair yet didn’t help, either. This whole attempt lasted for a little over a year or so, until they (finally!) recognized and accepted the fact that they were simply not meant to be together anymore, and got divorced. Something they should have done AGES ago, mind you, but life is not always just that simple, if ever. 🙂😂 Lyle is currently still living in England, but he visits Scotland when he can.

He comes from a rather conservative family, but his views couldn't be more different (especially when compared to his parents, who are kinda stuck in their ways). Lyle has a very progressive way of thinking, in fact, which is something he has in common with his older sister, Kirstie!

Speaking of family, Kirstie is actually his favourite family member. 😂 Lyle gets along with the rest of his family as well, sure, but their different views on society, people and life matters tend to end up in some unpleasant arguments and snarky remarks. The MacGregor family gatherings are definitely… interesting. He and Kirstie have always resonated incredibly well, though. They have a great relationship! And Kirstie is a pretty cool woman, but we’ll leave that for another time.

There was a time in his life when Lyle struggled with alcohol addiction. It was the easy way of dealing (or not dealing) with the shitty side of life. Just drink it all away, to the point of not remembering why you’ve been drinking in the first place. Not anymore, though. He hasn’t given up on alcohol completely, he still enjoys the occasional glass of whisky or a good ol’ beer, but he is very careful about it now. He most certainly doesn’t want to fall back into those old habits.

Cooking is not one of his strongest skills, but he knows how to make incredibly good homemade bread.

#original character #oc #oc art #original art #original story #character art #character design #storytelling #slice of life #illustration #digital art #character bio #procreate #lyle macgregor #the world of d&b #the d&b-verse

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kinley-cafe · 2 months ago

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@father-salmon Welcome to the Kinley Café! Someone was thinking of you and ordered Intermittent Showers for you !

Love you, baby

We hope this surprise has brightened your day! Have a great weekend! ♡

If you would like to order a treat for someone (or yourself) and continue to spread love and positivity, order here

#KC Delivery #Fulfilled By: Buck

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novelnotionswithlei · 2 months ago

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The Girls In The Cabin by Caleb Stephens

Summary:

Chris and his two daughters—Kayla (15) and Emma (9)—set off on a family camping trip meant for bonding, filled with love and laughter. This trip was originally planned by his late wife, who tragically passed away after her battle with cancer. However, it quickly turns into a nightmare. Chris is struggling with his grief while also trying to repair his strained relationship with Kayla, who resents him deeply for cheating on her mother and dislikes the outdoors.

Things take a turn when Emma goes missing and is later found with a broken leg. In their search for help, they come across an old farmstead where a kind woman named Clara offers her assistance. But soon, questions begin to arise: Why is Clara so fixated on Emma? Who is the mysterious third person living in the attic? And what’s with Clara's son Billy, who seems quite peculiar? This gripping thriller keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what happens next.

Themes:

In my opinion, this novel delves into three interconnected themes. First, it addresses the mental health journey that follows trauma experienced in childhood. Second, it highlights the significance of family and the deep connections we share with them. Finally, it examines the concept of forgiveness and how it can take on different forms for different individuals.

Conflicts:

Clara's experiences of abuse from her parents and her ex-husband, John

Cheating within marriages

The efforts to mend the strained relationship between Chris and his daughter, Kayla

Emma's journey to rediscover her voice after being mute due to her mother’s passing

Billy's struggle with a lack of identity and abusive mother

Clara's personality disorder as it relates to her relationship with Sydney and its consequences

Favorite Quotes:

"All that matters is loving the people who deserve it and spending what little time you have doing what you want." (pg. 123)

"It helped me learn that it isn't the mistake that matters so much as what you do afterward to make up for it." (pg. 301)

Reflection:

After discovering Clara’s childhood trauma, which included her father’s abuse and her mother’s complicity, I initially viewed Sydney as a coping mechanism—an imaginary friend. However, certain scenes led me to believe Sydney was truly present. For instance, after Clara lost her infant Kinley and found out her husband was cheating and had even gotten another woman pregnant, it felt like Sydney was genuinely there to support her, embodying the role of a true friend. It was significant that Sydney only appeared during Clara's moments of sadness or vulnerability, acting as a way for her to cope.

Once I learned about Billy’s story, I felt a strong connection to his character. He showed remarkable strength in standing by his mother, even if he never fully grasped that Clara and Sydney were one and the same. Still, it was comforting to see that he recognized she needed help. When Clara and Billy met Chris and his two daughters, her world seemed to brighten, yet Billy sensed that the toxic cycle was repeating itself. Clara changed her appearance to seem more motherly, adopted a nurturing role, and expressed a desire to learn about their lives. It was evident she longed for love and family—something she had never truly known.

Clara’s erratic behavior made me suspect she was hiding something; she could be fully engaged one moment and completely detached the next. It seemed like she was trying to play “house” with Chris, Kayla, and Emma, indulging in her fantasy of having a family. Although Billy was her son, he was never her true family, as she had taken him from her ex-husband, John. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It captivated me from the beginning, making me think it was a four-star read. However, by the end, my perspective shifted entirely! The plot twists, character development, Clara’s responses to her trauma, and Billy’s story were all beautifully crafted and kept me engaged. I’m such a sucker for thrillers with captivating twists!

Overall Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#books #book review #book recommendations #book report #book reccs #book tumblr #book blog #goodreads #thriller #mystery #reading #books and reading

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