#i haven't seen the movie yet and therefor don't know if they're similar or not

[richie-shitlips]

hedwig and the angry inch fandom where you at come friend me

[findmeinthefallair]

One of the funniest people I know, a talented pianist and family friend, passed away from a long battle with cancer today. I liked it when he and his wife visited and stayed over at our place because their sunny personalities would temporarily put the ongoing crap at home on hold. They were one of the couples that made me go "Ghhh if only they were my parents".

And I can't fucking attend the funeral because he lives abroad. I can't leave flowers for him where he'll be buried and I'm so pissed off.

He never opened the email where I told him I had my own cancer battle. It turns out he was too incapacitated to do so by then. Because he got tired of failed drug trials and decided to reject the morphine he was regularly taking. I had been curious to discuss cancer-related things with him and bond further with him over that.

He used our house to host an overdue reunion party with his long-time friends back in December. He played some beautiful music on the piano. Many of us were prepared to think, this might be the last gathering in which we see him. We were right. And during that time, my doctor and I still thought that my own developing cancer pains (still not removed via surgery, and the X-rays, MRI and biopsy had not been done yet) were just a stupid muscle problem.

Am having complicated emotions about all this. I know he would've wanted to keep going because he had exciting things waiting for him IRL. Whereas for me...

I'm in remission from my own cancer but if I'm honest? 1) I would've loved to trade places with him. Outside of fandom and my fulfilling work, I'm still seeing the IRL outside world as too bleak. I kinda wanted and even hoped to a degree that my cancer would've just taken me swiftly, back in February. But 2) I have the strength to not act on my suicidal ideation because I genuinely believe now that doing that would permanently damage the loved ones I have (siblings, friends, and my clients). It's just that I haven't arrived at the place where I keep going for me and me only. That's going to take time, and honestly a bunch of miracles for my IRL circumstances that would be nice.

So it's those two voices coexisting. They're having a conversation like an angel and devil on my shoulder. I have to let them talk it out with one another and have that noise buzzing around in my head until it passes.

I'm not sure it's survivor's guilt I'm feeling. It's a "It'd make sense that I'd be the one to die rather than him" kind of thing. It's "why the fuck am I the one who's still here, when he was the one who wanted to stay..more than I wanted to?"

He didn't have C-PTSD like I do. He would've seen more of the bright side of life, so he would've wanted to stay more than I want to. He had a jolly personality while I honestly don't: I'm more the reserved-but-assertive type IRL. Like. I know my intrinsic worth, I make good art, write well, I can say that every single therapy session I have conducted in my training and career so far has resulted in the client feeling heard and seen. Hell, I can handle public speaking and love some shows, movies and my fave music. But this fact remains: sometimes I come back to this existential tiredness that sleep doesn't fix and I have that alluring temptation to visualize the peace of death. It's not about me worrying that I can't contribute to anything. It's just that I'm tired.

My brain is trying to rationalize with some form of math, saying that if he passed his fatal cancer to me, and I passed my state of remission to him, it would've satisfied his desires and mine too. He stays, I leave.

I guess this is why I love being in airports too. Being in the departure lounge. The thought of "departing", finding peace somewhere even if only a while. No more pain forever.

Being in the cancer club is weird when you're under 40 or some similar number. Like finding an underground city where you can't really climb back above ground ever again, therefore you become acquainted with the natives of this city and learn their language. He was in that 'city' for a long time while I have just discovered it in recent weeks, but he was gone before I could meet him in that 'city'. He's now some ghost. But I'm still here and not feeling that great about that.

[cultofstan]

My love for Bane!!

Before you read, I want to make it clear that there are some nsfw parts to this posts. If you are under 18, please don't read!

This post will go over various details and reasons why my heart belongs to the big green giant know as Bane from Batman and Robin (1997). Get ready for a long read, because I've got a lot to say.

(If you haven't check out my Bane Wallpapers, go do check them out! They bring me so much joy, I hope they do the same for you ppl too!)

His mask is very cool and unique, because if you look closer you see they used Bane's comic book mask as a base and then just changed the mouth area and added black eye pieces on top of the red piece he normally sees out of. Imo, it is the best movie Bane mask we have ever had! A lot of people hate the multiple tubes coming out of his head, but I think it makes things extra spicy! A constant reminder that your not just dealing with any normal super human, you dealing with a venom infused one that can fight you like it's nothing! The bulging veins that can be seen in certain lighting is a detail I feel deserves more love. It adds to his big and tough demeanor. You can really tell the venom is working wonders on him! The zipper on the top of the head and the fact that his mask is most likely made of tight leather or latex brings thr entire thing together and is truly a marvel to look at! I absolute love it!💚Imagining him slick that smooth, stretchy, husky mask on while the venom starts to pump into his brain and muscles just does things to me. If Bane offered me a chance to wear it, venom or not, I would do it in a heart beat! It would probably reek of sweat, his bad breath, and of old leather, but I wouldn't care. Just the thought of inhale all those smells brings me a joy I can't describe! 😍

When I was a kid, in addition to his lovely mask, his clothing choice was another thing I loved about him. It looks like Bane is just wearing a black cotton tank top with some black sturdy pants, but I've always the headcannon that it's actually very flexible black latex one piece! It makes a lot more sense when you notice his collar, chest harness, wrist bands, crotch diaper, and boots are also make out of a harder leather with spikes and studs! I swear, half of my clothing choices/dreams come from this man! His boots, for the most part, are very frankenstein/gothic inspired with thick sole and it going all the way to his knees. The copper rivets are the only things that make them stand out, imo. I've had thoughts were in order to prove my love to him I have to lick or kiss his boots while he judges. I'd hate it for the most part, because they probably taste like dirty and dust, but I want him to know that I do love him, so I'd do small smooches starting from his toes and work my way up his leg until I'm straight up licking his boots. I'd get so carried away he'd probably make me stop pretty quickly so I don't get sick 😂. His spiked collar and wrist bands are easily the clothing items I want the most! Any time I see someone on the street with spikes in their clothing I immediately think about him. Because he's worn them for so long, they're probably not that tight or rough but still firm enough to not sag. Maybe even a little flaky in certain parts. I don't think I'm comfortable with myself enough to wear a collar in public but I've come so close to buying spiky wrist bands or gauntlets it's crazy I don't actually own a pair yet. One day, I'm sure. His crotch diaper, for lack of a better name for it, is the one thing I'm 50/50 on. Some days I think it really adds to his look, especially with the spikes that go out. Plus, to a certain extent, it makes practical sense because that way heroes cant go from behind his and try to restrain him, or can't throw too many kicks, without getting poked/cut by the spikes. But other days I think it just doesnt look that great, because it ultimatly looks like a big metal diaper, it takes away from his intimidation. Plus, I won't be able to give him proper hugs! (I want to give daddy all the hugs he deserves! 💚) His chest piece is what brings everything together. The little Bane symbol is so cute, I've always looked for a pin or something to buy but no luck. I actually used to have this Bane cape that I won at Six Flags when I was little. I cut the symbol of his face out of it and tried multiple times to attach it to my jean jackets but I suck at sowing. 🥲 The leather straps that hold the chest piece compliment the other leather pieces of his outfit. The metal looking chest piece looks wonderful and adds a layer to his character that I both love and hate. In this movie he's a drone, a mindless agent that is only allowed to follow orders. I'll will discuss this in a bit. But for the record, I hate the fact that Bane is written as big dumb idiot in this movie. It's the one big problem I have with him, which sucks because I literally love everything else about him!

I've probably watch the Bane transformation scene in Batman and Robin, like, a thousand times. No joke. I didn't realize it then, but seeing a short, thin, twink become a tall, hulking, king really hit my desires in the right way. Like, now, I know for sure that's one of my kinks and it makes me so damn happy! Granted, I've never been skinny in my life, but I've always wanted to be a musclar and strong man, so it makes sense why I love this scene so much. It's a literally fantasy of mine brought to life! More specifically, I've always wanted to be a type of strong that allows me to run miles like it's nothing, throw punches that instantly knock someone out, and lift so much weight that I borderline have a superhero body. Don't get me wrong, this is seriously mentally unhealthy because I know it's kind of impossible considering my personality and the actuality of gaining so much muscle, but I believe as long as I realize it's a dream and not beat myself up over it, it's not too bad of a thought to have. Actually, if you think about it, this Bane is kind of a plus size body representation. Sure he's got giant arms that can crush my bones like tooth pics, but he's pretty bulky with a big belly. That might be too much of a stretch to say, and I totally understand if people don't agree with. That being said, I have to say it, this man probably gives the best hugs in all of Gotham! He's so big that you don't even need a jacket in the house! Just let him embrace you and you'll never feel alone or cold again! His thick hands holding you in really tight, his muscles locking you in and warming your arms, while his gut pushes you back a little of your feet, like he wants to swoop you into his arms and carry you! 🥰 He'd be careful with his spikes of course, don't worry. A detail that sends me over the moon about Bane in this movie is his green skin. I can't put my finger on it, but it really adds to the whole transformation and therefore my thirst for him grows even bigger! Especially because it's completely unique to the movie. It looks so good that I wonder why the comics haven't adopted something similar.

I could go for hours about how I think the writers butchered Bane's character in this movie, but I want this post to mainly act as a positive appreciation post/background for head cannons that I might post about him one day. So to end, and give a taste, I'll finally talk about Bane being a drone in this movie. In weird way, because he's played as a mindless servent, it makes this version of Bane one of the easier Bane's for me to fantasies about. This is because in the movie, it's implied Bane only follows Poison Ivy because she was the first person he didn't see as a threat. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if she used some of her suductive powers on him. (I would too, just saying) So, with that established, I like that he's a mindless drone because it means that, in my head, he's not exactly my "servant" but he will basically do whatever I say. Why? Because I will prove to him I not a threat either, and only want to love him!! He'll have a concuious and his own goals, and I'll follow along and help because I trust him and want to support him, but, for the most part, he will do what I say and love me in return. I could explain this more, but I want to save the juicy parts for the follow up post I have planned for this. 😏

If you've read this far, thank you. From the bottom of my hear. I've never wrote something this personal or long. I hope I can continue to do more of these, if I'm passionate enough.

[nietp]

I haven't yet read the story in question so I won't say anything about it. What I want to talk about is what aesthetic theory the author of that article is pushing, and using that Isabel Fall's story as a springboard for, by defending artists against "Puritanism". She warns us against the following, "moralistic" way to judge art : "It’s a reflexive model of critique, a rejection of evaluating art on its own merits. In a way it takes the place of criticism entirely, ignoring aesthetic concerns in favor of moral ones." I'm sorry but when are we going to move on from this cold cold take that gets reheated every 6 months? Yes twitter stays unwilling to read and couldn't find 2 critical thoughts between all its users but this "moral/ethical criteria entirely replace aesthetic criteria and deprive critiques of that good good complex art" complaint is reheated and agitated as a grave danger each year, and that complaint is portrayed as progressive when it is, quite literally, just a reconduction of the Kantian aesthetic judgment. Let's not even get started on the fact that the author of the article conflates tweeting vitriolic hate about a book you didn't read with criticizing the overwhelming amount of sexual violence and rape in TV shows and movies (namely here, in Game of Thrones) and how it contributes to normalizing that violence. Game of Thrones features 50 acts of rape in the show, 200 in the books but somehow that shouldn't be seen as normalizing rape? "A full decade of highly publicized moralistic opposition to the blockbuster television program Game of Thrones has helped to further mainstream such conflicts. The show’s depictions of rape and other forms of sexual violence drew frequent assertions that even portraying such actions equated to endorsing them." In itself, obviously portraying rape doesn't equate to endorsing it, but portraying it repeatedly, gratuitously and without dealing with it in a critical manner does normalize it and yes, does make the creators look like they're endorsing it, I don't feel like that's such a crazy puritanical assumption. Such "mainstream" conflicts also didn't stop the show to go on for 8 seasons so I think it's fair to think that the "moral concerns" haven't taken over entirely yet huh... How come saying we should allow art that makes space for "life’s intrinsic complexity" (which is all well and good) somehow immediately means that artists have no "responsibility" over their work and that any moral concerns should be dismissed when it comes to art, otherwise it's a "retreat into the black and white moral absolutism of adolescence, or theocracy"? She follows that Game of Thrones rape scenes comment by saying: "That someone reacts with hurt to art doesn’t make that art dangerous, and claiming that all art that’s capable of causing pain is inherently toxic is a solipsistic nightmare in which a reader’s personal experience becomes an act of violence committed against them by an author whom they likely do not know." Again, I don't see how a trans woman writing a story that was interpreted as transphobic is in anyway similar to a cis straight man creating novels where women are repeatedly raped, but besides that, it's a bit absurd to argue that because our experience of an artwork is personal and we don't know the author, the fact that art can be hurtful is therefore solely on us. How can you argue that we shouldn't let moral concerns cloud our aesthetic judgement, and in the same breath argue that we need "painful, difficult art", stories that "constitute an outlet for the suffering of marginalized artists raised in bigoted, imperialist cultures, a way to process the poison we’re spoon-fed from birth", aka a moral justification of that kind of art? This is so painfully close to the Claire Bishop debacle all over again, arguing that most participative art is too "PC" and "Christian", and therefore aesthetically worthless, unlike art that provokes "discomfort, frustration, unease", COMPLEX ART that is always SUPERIOR. Guys this is literally just Kant. You're just being Kantian. 🤪

[tnbc-thoughtsandheadcanons]

Why Literally all TNBC fans DESPISE this damn theory

I kid you not, this theory annoys me so much whenever I see this floating around. It's one of the most biggest Burton theories out there, and it just doesn't die off. I keep seeing it again and again and I keep hearing people agreeing with it even though there's little to no proof provided when this photo is shared.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TNBC theories and ideas, but this one's proof/support is only based on "what ifs?" and not actual, concrete evidence. There is very little to none that can be found in The Nightmare Before Christmas especially. There's a follow-up rumor that Tim Burton himself denied/debunked this theory, but I have yet to see any sources.(If you guys have it, please show me!)

The first issue that comes with this theory would be the dates of the movies. As they're provided in this image, The Nightmare Before Christmas came first(1993), Corpse Bride came second(2005), and Frankenweenie came last(2012). The reason these dates matter is because the original material often does not source its future references. TNBC was made before Corpse Bride(and I'd say some of CB's elements come from TNBC), so it obviously isn't going to refer to that movie nor Frankenweenie. It was made first, and there was absolutely no intention to make references to CB or FW because those two films didn't exist yet. Therefore, any "proof" that comes from The Nightmare Before Christmas referring to CB and FW are pulled from thin air because they’re more than likely inspirations and not intentions.

Common sense, people.

The second issue: the names. While the main characters of The Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie share the same first name, they don't share their last ones. Victor Frankenstein isn't the same person as Victor van Dort. And Jack Skellington is a completely different name. And, obviously, Zero, Sparky, and Scraps are all different names, too. Not to mention that one's a skeleton, one resembles Frankenstein's Monster, and the other one is a ghost. Why would they be the same characters if they don't share the same name?

When Emily died in Corpse Bride, her name didn't change, and Scraps still clearly held the same one as he did while he was still alive. The corpses who visited their families in the Land of the Living were also the same people. So when Victor dies, his name wouldn't even be changed to anything else. This rules out the whole “Victor becomes Jack Skellington after he dies” topic.

Annndd...third: the settings. While Frankenweenie's time setting isn't established, the suburban style of homes suggests that it takes place in an early modern period. Corpse Bride is set in the Victorian era, which went from 1837 to 1901(more than likely before Frankenweenie, judging by the attires and customs of the two movies). The Nightmare Before Christmas is a different world entirely that deviates from the human's world, like CB and FW's. It would be impossible to have Victor, a child in Frankenweenie, suddenly turn into an adult like in The Corpse Bride. That itself knocks the whole time correlation out of wack. It just isn't possible.

The only thing I can really connect from these three characters is that they have the same body structure. Victor's chest is circled like Jack's, and goes down to a thin frame. Victor Frankenstein is skinny and has the same facial type as Victor van Dort’s. But those are only visible similarities; they are all clearly three different characters.

You can't convince me that these movies are connected without using the "What if"s as evidence. As you can see, I based mine on what is already established in the movies and/or information about them. The only thing that I can't back up right now is Burton's quote debunking this theory. I'm hoping that it's true, because I've seen a false quote of "his" spreading around whenever this blasted image is posted...

Yeah, people are entitled to believe this and have fun with this theory, but as for me? I absolutely hate it. None of the evidence for it is solid, and the people who usually agree with it are ones who haven't watched the film closely and just go with it because the Victors and Jack look the same. I know a big portion of fellow TNBC fans who despise this theory as well. I'm definitely on that bandwagon.