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lavila27 · 1 year ago

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Priscilla- a movie review by Lauren Avila

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Curiosity is a strong emotion. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Who knows what drew the metaphoric cat to its demise, perhaps an irresistible scent, the thrill of the hunt, something shiny… one may never know. For me, it was the new Elvis Presley movie that just hit theaters. Of course, the online world seems to forget that it is in fact not the newest Elvis movie but rather, a movie about his seemingly controversial ex-wife, Pricilla. This movie made headlines long before its Venice Film Festival world premiere. When the news that Jacob Elordi, of “Euphoria” fame, was cast as Elvis Presley the internet was let loose conveniently at the start of the 2022 award season. The production of this film came right on the heels of Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” which skyrocketed its star, Austin Butler. to Hollywood’s A-list status with accompanying award nominations. Even in spite of the inevitable comparison battle, this movie has built-in hostility that it's up against. “Priscilla” is based on Priscilla Presley’s often refuted memoir, “Elvis and Me.” The book, co-written by Sandra Harmon, unveiled many shocking anecdotes pertaining to the person Elvis was behind closed doors. However, Priscilla has retracted or altered stories over the years since its release. It has also recently been revealed that prior to her unexpected passing, Elvis and Priscilla’s daughter, the late Lisa Marie, was adamantly against the making of this film because she anticipated that it would portray her father unfairly. So with all this in mind, how did the film turn out? Read ahead for my honest thoughts.

***SPOILER WARNING- the following review contains spoilers about the book and movie***

“Priscilla” opens with a noticeable reminder that Elvis Presley Enterprises did not allow his catalog of music to be used. Frankie Avalon’s “Venus” is played soon into the film to set the decade. Its instrumental is also reprised later. Other songs used throughout the movie suited the story and era in a sufficient way as to make one forget that one hasn’t heard a single Elvis song in a movie about Elvis. Well, except for one but more on that later. What else is obvious is how the budget of the director, Sofia Coppola, was used. The film, from color schemes to costumes to sets to performances, is understated and utilizes soft tones that remain throughout. I felt like the entire movie came across as a motion picture with the glitzy-Hollywood filter removed. It looked and felt very realistic, coming from a personal standpoint. Cailee Spaeny, who plays the title character, effortlessly conveys Priscilla’s youth and innocence. She is soft-spoken, apprehensive, and obedient to any and all. While based on truth, I believe that the height difference between Jacob and Cailee was really emphasized in the movie to serve as a visual symbol of the relationship. Jacob’s Elvis completely towers over Cailee’s Pricilla, which Coppola highlights often. Only minutes into the film, the audience is introduced to Jacob’s Elvis, an impressive blend of voice and mannerisms very reminiscent of the genuine article.

The film stays very faithful to the book, bringing to life many key stories that built up and brought down Elvis and Priscilla’s union. As a whole, I felt the movie used a first-person perspective just as the book did. We, as an audience, experience the butterflies and excitement of puppy love, then the intimacy and bliss of real love, and finally the heartbreak and sadness of lost love. The film clearly shifts in acts, using pacing as a tool. The beginning is slow and steady, then the middle heats up in a whirlwind before finally coming to an abrupt end.

While I think “Priscilla” serves as an entertaining adaptation of “Elvis and Me,” I’m not sure it acts as anything else. It didn’t bring anything new, which perhaps was its goal? If it was only made to tell a story of a girl entering an unsustainable relationship that was always a fantasy, then it did so. Now please don’t misunderstand me. There’s nothing wrong with sharing a cautionary tale of what happens when your “dreams” come true or even an angsty fairy tale. However, I feel that something was missing. This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime love story that could have been explored a little deeper. Elvis and Priscilla had a very complex relationship that changed both of them in life and death. There’s a reason why the real Priscilla still keeps the memory of her dead ex-husband alive but a “Priscilla” audience is left wondering why.

Nevertheless, the performances really sold this film! If I’m being honest, I feel that Jacob will be the one people leave this movie talking about. However, Cailee is not to be missed. Priscilla navigated through an unstable, unpredictable, and unbelievable life that no one could have prepared her for. Cailee brings a remarkable blend of strength and vulnerability that makes Priscilla rootable. She faces challenges but continues to be capable of surviving them over and over.

In some ways, I think Jacob had the easier job because all he had to do was play Elvis Presley.

Not only did Jacob have to take on the role of arguably the most recognized person in history but he had to do it following Austin Butler’s highly praised performance. He had to master the voice, the looks, and the nuances of an extremely popular yet surprisingly mysterious icon. It should’ve been impossible but I must give credit where it's due: he did it. To be fair, I think it helps that I had never seen Jacob do anything else. You may form a different opinion if you’re used to him as an Australian actor or as his characters in “The Kissing Booth” or “Euphoria.” However, I really believed him as Elvis. His physical profile is very similar which hardly needs help but I have to admit that his voice work was right on point. He’s charming, which makes it so easy to understand why Pricilla falls for him but he’s also a bit dangerous like a ticking time bomb. As the audience, you never know what to expect from him. Jacob’s Elvis is a mix of bad boy and Prince Charming, with a little druggie twist. Elvis’s drug use is highlighted so much that it begs the question: are we seeing the real Elvis or the product of medicinal influence?

Even with Cailee and Jacob succeeding in their roles individually, this movie would’ve failed if they didn’t share chemistry. Anywhere from the kissing to the yelling, these two nailed their chemistry. I believed they were in love through every stage of it. Their standout to me was the sequence when they locked themselves in their bedroom after Priscilla’s high school graduation. Cailee and Jacob sold the sizzling hot chemistry together then brilliantly crashed through the complicated emotions of two emotionally-unstable individuals in the span of less than five minutes. There are several times where emotions run high such as when Elvis throws a chair in frustration after Priscilla dislikes a song he likes, or when Elvis threatens to send Priscilla away after she accuses him of cheating, or when Elvis tries to force himself on her in Las Vegas. He threatens, manipulates, lies, and withdraws so many times that it comes somewhat as a shock when Priscilla finally decides that she’s had enough.

My biggest problem with the movie is the ways in which it did stray from the book. Granted, it was not often but when it did, it was noticeable. There were details that if not spelled out for an audience they would not understand or plot holes that they would have to fill in themselves. Book readers would recognize what happened and why, while an unknowing audience would have to assume. For example, Priscilla explained multiple times how difficult it was to maintain a closeness with Elvis when she was competing with the Memphis Mafia, Colonel Tom Parker, Vernon Presley, Larry Geller, Hollywood and its stars, and his fans for his attention. I don’t think this is stressed enough in the film. Priscilla certainly goes through her lonely times, that comes across plainly, but Elvis appears accessible when they are together. A major part of why Priscilla decides to leave in the book is because they drift too far apart, yet this appears very suddenly in the movie. The movie version of Priscilla hardly shows a concern about Elvis’s decline in physical and emotional well being but the book version noticed the changes over time. I feel these are only a few aspects that would’ve been important to incorporate.

I also have to note a few surprises I was not expecting. There was an Elvis song featured. They managed to get “Guitar Man,” notably featured in Elvis’ 1968 Comeback Special, into this movie. Jacob “performed” as Elvis a few times in the film, including candidly playing the piano for his friends at a party and wiggling on the Vegas stage. This movie also used Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” as part of the emotional ending scene. Fans may know that Elvis wanted to record this song but Dolly wouldn’t sell her rights to it. It is massively appropriate that this is the song that is used as Priscilla resumes her independence but takes a lifelong love for Elvis with her as she leaves. The song also has special meaning because in reality, Elvis sang it to Priscilla at the end of their marriage. Most importantly, the lyrics apply in such a way that is truly touching, tragic, and beautiful. It was a perfectly poignant way to end the movie and one of my absolute favorite decisions they made. I was sobbing at that choice.

With all the weight that this film is carrying around, it is easy to form an opinion before even sitting down to watch it. I truly expected open season on Elvis, his reputation, and his career, but I think the film told a story in a way that did not outrageously force an opinion on its audience. Sure, it leaned a certain direction but ultimately how you choose to analyze the relationship is in your control. As an Elvis fan, I don’t know if I would recommend this film to diehards. I suppose I could best caution you by saying that this film shows the reasons we (and Priscilla) fell in love with him but it also shows why she ultimately left him too. Suffice to say, you must make the decision of watching “Priscilla” with that in mind. Jacob commented in an interview that Luhrmann’s “Elvis” and Coppola’s “Priscilla” would make a good double feature and I must say that I agree with him. Finally, it is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with liking both because they are two very different stories told in two very different ways.

I almost forgot to mention that I want to give a huge shout out to the props department because there was ample screen time, including literal prop montages, to feature classic Elvis memorabilia such as magazines, records, photographs, etc. The attention to detail was fantastic! Well done, props department!

#priscilla movie #priscilla presley #elvis and priscilla #elvis presley #elvis 2022 #baz luhrmann elvis #cailee spaeny #jacob elordi #austin butler #graceland #sofia coppola #elvis and me #dolly parton #Youtube

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nemetonisevilpassiton · 2 years ago

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The Teen Wolf Movie, Scott McCall and regret

I suppose that I should start this meta with a disclaimer of sorts. I belong to a school of thought called the cauldron of story that presents the idea that every narrative you ever encounter in your life goes into a giant cauldron to make a sort of story stew, and with practise you can see the stories that inspired it. This isn't plagiarism because it's not the stories that are the meat and potatoes of the work but the mixture of them.

So for example Star Wars is Dune + Hidden Fortress + The hero with a hundred faces and through understanding those works allows you a peek into George Lucas' mind at the time.

Every creator is a giant melange of the narratives that they consumed, ones they liked and ones they didn't and ones they over heard of public transport.

So me shrieking about Jacob's Ladder does not imply Teen Wolf plagiarised it - it just stole from it, in the same way every creator has sticky fingers.

And to understand the teen wolf movie we need to talk about Silent Hill 2 - which creates a story cluster of it's own, if you crossed Jacob's Ladder with Blue Velvet and some other things, some of which are Japanese and I can't recognise [never having encountered them] you get Silent Hill 2.

Unfortunately Silent Hill 2 creates a sort of loop in that Blue Velvet and Jacob's Ladder also inspired Teen Wolf and so it's this sort of smear where we can say that the three of them are all inspirations but we can't say which is which. For example in 3b Scott and Allison hide in a wardrobe with louvre doors which is just like the scene in Blue Velvet where the main character sees the villain through the door of the wardrobe where he was hidden - but the same scene appears in Silent Hill 2 where James first encounters pyramid head. So which is the inspiration - I don't know. Which came first, the pyramid head or the oxygen mask?

Jacob's Ladder is incredibly intrinsic to Teen Wolf [props to weasley-detectives for the leg work on that one] and it defines bardo, and many of the monsters in Allison's narrative, for example, are lifted from that film entirely. Jacob's Ladder did not inspire Silent Hill [the first game] but it did inspire Silent Hill 2 and again they're all mashed together. In season 3, after the be a better Scott McCall program, Scott starts dressing like James Sunderland [the man character of SH2] who in turn is dressed like Jacob Singer in JL, but Scott's costuming is not the same as that of Jacob.

This blending of sources is normal and annoying, generally it is better to have sources that are distinct so you can dig better and explain one source and not two.

At first I thought the Teen Wolf movie was going to be inspired by Event Horizon because I knew it would be full of mindfuckery, and I was wrong in that it was Silent Hill2. It was a few days of picking at it before I realised that it wasn't inspired by Silent Hill2, it was what would you get if you rewrote Silent Hill 2 in Beacon Hills and then had to completely rewrite your script because you can't get the actors.

Scott's narrative is Silent Hill 2 - it's not "inspired by" it's an au but it also has a chronic misunderstanding of Silent Hill 2.

Remember how Gus Van Sant remade Psycho because he wanted to see how it worked and when he did it - it didn't work. It's like that.

In Silent Hill 2 [which is considered a masterwork and work of art in its own right, and is considered to be the very best video games have managed so far] James Sunderland recieves a letter from his dead wife asking him to meet her in Silent Hill. He finds the town abandoned and full of fog but there he meets an alternate of his wife, Mary, but sexy called Maria, a child called Laura [the sh2/twin peaks knot] a bully called Eddie, a girl called Angela who is seeking her mother, and twisted manifestations of James' own emotional turmoil - pyramid head, the sexiest version of nurses etc.

James was made impotent, both sexually and emotionally by Mary's long illness and death and the town forces him to face it. It is a purgatorial wasteland where water is seen as corrupting. This is the same as in Teen Wolf [and actually allowed us to unlock the symbolism and eventually colour theory]. The town is shrouded in fog to show how limited James' viewpoint is.

Now if we look at Scott's narrative, he returns to Beacon Hills to reunite with his dead girlfriend, finds the town almost completely abandoned, she is different and doesn't know him, and he is forced to face the one enemy that made him feel powerless and he gets the girl and the innocent child after someone else defeated the monster again.

Sound familiar.

We need to look at why Void, which the film specifically calls a nogitsune but then contradicts all the canon lore about kitsune we've ever had - but the same is true of Deputy Ishida. When Void possessed Stiles and Scott thought that the possession was quiescent he went with Stiles to Coach being shot, then the explosion at the Sheriff's station where Scott sucked up the pain of just about everyone he met, and Void revealed itself after stabbing Scott, and consumed all the pain that Scott had taken in, and he mocked Scott whilst doing it.

None of the other villains really cared about Scott, they might have paid lip service to the myth, and monologued about him doing things he hadn't, before someone else took them from the picture with Scott there posturing, but only Void made him feel small. Just like Mary's illness with James Scott was made impotent, both sexually and emotionally. Allison's death rid him of his determination that they were destined to be together - even though she had chosen someone else.

Just like Mary/Maria Allison is robbed of any autonomy. Mary is defined entirely by her illness, something she resents. Maria is Mary but sexy and resents James' fixation on Mary. Allison is the twisting of the knife to Scott, she is also the one who died on his watch and the one who he loved - and chose someone else. Brought back via the nemeton she is robbed of memory and vacillates between the image of her mother sending her after the wolves and Scott's image of her. She does not remember that she broke up with him, why she broke up with him, or any of the times he manipulated and used her. She is unaware, under the stadium, that he is still manipulating and using her. He is so set on his own affection for her - which after fifteen years will be a very different creature to what it was when he was sixteen and she was alive, that he steamrolls over her arguments and rather than bring her to her father, who she remembers and trusts, he maintains the isolation until she remembers what he wants her to remember.

Allison might as well be a ghost in the movie for all the autonomy and ability to choose that she retains. She is a weapon to be aimed, first by the nogitsune-creature that is manifested [which looks so much like the green eyed fox in The Lost Tomb (series 1, which is not the first series but is the first one chronologically] that I actually cursed out loud that I can't even watch weird Chinese tomb raiding shows without Davis having seen them too. I am actually tempted to call it the Green Eyed Fox because it even shares powers and the fly caught at the end of 3b was a housefly not a firefly - you can make a solid argument that it was Scott's view of the nogitsune, and had nothing to do with Void or an actual nogitsune and why Deputy Ishida was a 900 year old kitsune who didn't know because it allowed Scott an easy understanding of how it had oni - the weaons it used to kill Allison]

Or to simplify a lot of the details in the movie might have manifested because they were Scott's understanding of those things.

And this is where the overlap with Jacob's Ladder comes in.

In the chiropracter scene Louie explains to Jacob about Meister Eckhart, a christian theologian who explains bardo really well. To summarise after death figures appear and start to burn away the things that hold people to life, if you're nto ready to give these things up the figures seem to be demons and if you are they're benevolent angels.

Scott, and his entire plotline being about wish fulfilment and regret, feeds into this because Scott won't give these things up. He is still working for Deaton, he has done everything he can to not be a wolf except when it benefits him, but given the opportunity to bring Allison back from the dead he leaps at it without questioning anything about the plan - which Deaton does.

He fixates on Allison, not as she is, but as she was and leaps into danger convinced of his own ability to sway her to his side - because he believes he loves her.

But he doesn't love her - she's been dead for fifteen years = he LOVED her.

Silent Hill 2 is purgatorial which is a term you see thrown about a lot in media, oh this did make sense it was purgatorial, or the reason that these scenes don't gel is because it's purgatorial. Often those things aren't, they're just shitty writing. Lost for example, it being purgatory made no sense whatsoever.

Purgatory is an old Christian concept which is also called limbo. According to catholicism Purgatory is where you went when you should have gone to heaven but for some reason couldn't, for example a new born baby who wasn't baptised was tainted by original sin [you're born damned in catholicism] would go to Limbo, good people who weren't christian went to Limbo, the wives of sinners who could belonged to their husbands but didn't deserve hell went to limbo. Some catholic theologians suggested that it was possible to pass through purgatory and ascend to heaven.

It's this version of purgatory that Meister Eckhart put forward and Teen Wolf calls Bardo. It is a series of between states that allows the subject to cast aside those things that held them in place - like regret, to ascend to heaven.

Beacon Hills does seem to descend into a purgatorial wasteland, like Canaan in canon, as the show goes on and Scott re-enters it to the collapse of Oak Creek [which is weird that it went from standing proud to building graveyard in fifteen years when no one demolished it], and the first person he meets is Lydia- who has been shown to be able to travel between the worlds and has one foot in the afterlife by her nature.

Yet he cannot give up the triumphs and losses of high school. His worst enemy is one that didn't care for him when he was a kid. He gets to play lacrosse in the state championship. His teenage girlfriend comes back to life. He wants kids and how convenient the only werewolf with a kid dies saving Scott.

Scott chooses to remain trapped in the past. He cannot accept the figures stripping away those things that hold him back. Even the one thing that can lead him forward -his wolf - is denied. He is still the person he was in high school - he's just older and has a car now.

In many ways that's much more tragic than killing Derek.

The movie had some really great ideas - it's a pity that the movie ended up like that with Derek beating up the green eyed fox in a location they stole from Deadly Premonition and that is one piece of media Davis can keep to himself because life is far too short to play Deadly Premonition.

#teen wolf meta #anti scott mccall #allison argent #i promised a meta about derek and wrote one about scott

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hakasims · 4 years ago

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Shitty Luca Movie Recap, Episode 1

Obessed with Luca Marinelli but can’t find it in yourself to watch a bad movie with him? Luckily for you I have no self-respect, so I’ve watched all of them, and I’m here to tell you what they’re about - and show some highlights!

Today’s entry:

Mary of Nazareth

Whether you’re into Jesus or not, it’s a bad movie: cheap, poorly made, melodramatic in the dullest way and not campy enough to keep you entertained. But that’s why I’m here: to entertain you in its stead.

You immediately realize you’re in for a treat when you meet the main villain.

Yep, this Kate McKinnon-looking motherfucker. But she doesn’t actually matter because she has zero scenes with Luca, who’s playing Joseph, Mary’s husband and Jesus’s stepdad. And from now on, I’m only focusing on him because even if you did decide to watch this movie, you’d be skipping between his scenes, admit it.

So here’s Joseph.

He’s a loser and he looks like shit. Though when we first meet him, he’s about to propose to Mary, so of course he looks sharp in his snow white kippah and cute little capris and stylish sandals.

I know the only other reason you might consider watching this movie is seeing Dr. Alissa Jung and her and Luca’s sizzling chemistry. Well, I can’t promise you chemistry but here she is having a staredown with a toothless snake who, I’m guessing, is supposed to be Satan because why the hell not.

Is this a reference to Eve? Is this foreshadowing Gethsemane? Who knows who cares, that snake is going down. I mean, we don’t see it go down, but when Joseph finally arrives, the snake is nowhere to be seen, and Mary is fine. Let’s be real: she squashed that snake.

Joseph doesn’t beat around the bush:

The face you make when he promises to build you a house but you know for a fact he’ll just end up crashing at your place in Berlin:

But also when you realize he’s one hairstyle away from being very pretty:

Later, they witness a woman being stoned by men for adultery. Mary doesn’t say anything, but she legit stares the motherfuckers down like she did that dumbass snake, and they run away.

Anyway, Mary gets preggers via an angel, postpones the wedding to go check on her old cousin, and comes back with a belly. Joseph, who at this point has been absent from the movie for almost 40 minutes, reacts like this:

Bitch, does she look like Alessandro Borghi to you? Get your dirty hand off her face!

So he throws a tantrum, during which he tries to destroy the house he’s currently building for Mary and himself, but the dumb bitch forgot it’s made of stone.

Luckily for him, it’s a dream. Yes, he yelled at Mary in real life, then fell asleep and had a dream in which he destroyed his house. But then the same angel (which is literally a woman voiced by a man) appears and tells him not to be a dumb bitch, so he goes back to Mary and makes amends. Doesn’t apologize, though. Typical man.

Mary and Joseph get married. The costume department were told to dress Mary like a Hebrew bride but the connection was bad, and they heard “hippie bride” instead. Which is exactly what they did.

As you can see, both the bride and the groom are wearing white (so that’s where Queen Victoria got the idea?) and Joseph’s hair is having just the worst day. No wonder his body is trying to throw itself out of this movie.

The wedding night is romantic as hell.

Unfortunately, the idillic life of these lovebirds is disrupted when it’s announced that due to the upcoming census every man has to return to the town he was born in. Joseph is from Bethlehem, so he puts his heavily pregnant wife on a donkey and takes her on this prolonged and stressful journey that would literally take a two-hour drive today. And yet the next 15 minutes of the movie look like this:

As they get to Bethlehem, Mary goes into labor, but there are no vacancies, so they end up at a stable. And like... they didn’t have to emphasize Joseph’s uselessnes like that. He literally goes to get some water and misses the birth of Jesus! To be fair, it’s not so much a birth as a weird sort of materialization of Jesus next to Mary. Joseph leaves to get some water and comes back to find a six-month-old baby wrapped in his wife’s clothes. As you do. Still, making him miss it was an interesting choice. Does the director hate stepfathers?

(Spoiler alert: He totally does.)

Anyway, look at that useless bitch:

So this concludes the first part of the movie. Yep, it’s a two-parter. But don’t worry, the second part is about adult Jesus, which means Joseph’s only role is to look older with every new scene and then die. Which, I gotta say, he did pretty well:

So yeah, this was everything you (totally don’t) need to know about Luca’s role in Mary of Nazareth. Which movie should I do next?

#luca marinelli #mary of nazareth #maria di nazaret #sh*tty luca movie recap

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nitrateglow · 4 years ago

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Favorite films discovered in 2020

Well, this year sucked. I did see some good movies though. Some even made after I was born!

Perfect Blue (dir. Satoshi Kon, 1997)

I watch a lot of thrillers and horror movies, but precious few actually unsettle me in any lasting way. This cannot be said of Perfect Blue, which gave me one of the most visceral cinematic experiences of my life. Beyond the brief flashes of bloodletting (you will never look at a screwdriver the same way again), the scariest thing about Perfect Blue might be how the protagonist has both her life and her sense of self threatened by the villains. The movie’s prescience regarding public persona is also incredibly eerie, especially in our age of social media. While anime is seen as a very niche interest (albeit one that has become more mainstream in recent years), I would highly recommend this movie to thriller fans, whether they typically watch anime or not. It’s right up there with the best of Hitchcock or De Palma.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (dir. Sergio Leone, 1966)

Nothing is better than when an iconic movie lives up to the hype. Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef play off of one another perfectly. I was impressed by Wallach as Tuco in particular: his character initially seems like a one-dimensional greedy criminal, but the performance is packed with wonderful moments of humanity. Do I really need to say anything about the direction? Or about the wonderful storyline, which takes on an almost mythic feel in its grandeur? Or that soundtrack?

Die Niebelungen (both movies) (dir. Fritz Lang, 1924)

I did NOT expect to love these movies as much as I did. That they would be dazzlingly gorgeous I never doubted: the medieval world of the story is brought to vivid life through the geometrical mise en scene and detailed costuming. However, the plot itself is so, so riveting, never losing steam over the course of the four hours it takes to watch both movies. The first half is heroic fantasy; the second half involves a revenge plot of almost Shakespearean proportions. This might actually be my favorite silent Fritz Lang movie now.

Muppet Treasure Island (dir. Brian Henson, 1996)

I understand that people have different tastes and all, but how does this movie have such a mixed reception? It’s absolutely hilarious. How could anybody get through the scene with “THA BLACK SPOT AGGHHHHHHH” and not declare this a masterpiece of comedy? And I risk being excommunicated from the Muppet fandom for saying it, but I like this one more than The Great Muppet Caper. It’s probably now my second favorite Muppet movie.

Belle de Jour (dir. Luis Bunuel, 1967)

I confess I’m not terribly fond of “but was it real???” movies. They tend to feel gimmicky more often than not. Belle de Jour is an exception. This is about more than a repressed housewife getting her kicks working as a daytime prostitute. The film delves into victim blaming, trauma, class, and identity-- sure, this sounds academic and dry when I put it that way, but what I’m trying to say is that these are very complicated characters and the blurring of fantasy and reality becomes thought-provoking rather than trite due to that complexity.

Secondhand Lions (dir. Tim McCanlies, 2003)

The term “family movie” is often used as a synonym for “children’s movie.” However, there is an important distinction: children’s movies only appeal to kids, while family movies retain their appeal as one grows up. Secondhand Lions is perhaps a perfect family movie, with a great deal more nuance than one might expect regarding the need for storytelling and its purpose in creating meaning for one’s life. It’s also amazingly cast: Haley Joel Osment is excellent as the juvenile lead, and Michael Caine and Robert Duvall steal the show as Osment’s eccentric uncles.

The Pawnbroker (dir. Sidney Lumet, 1964)

Controversial in its day for depicting frontal nudity, The Pawnbroker shocks today for different reasons. As the top review of the film on IMDB says, we’re used to victims of great atrocities being presented as sympathetic, good people in fiction. Here, Rod Steiger’s Sol Nazerman subverts such a trope: his suffering at the hands of the Nazis has made him a hard, closed-off person, dismissive of his second wife (herself also a survivor of the Holocaust), cold to his friendly assistant, and bitter towards himself. The movie follows Nazerman’s postwar life, vividly presenting his inner pain in a way that is almost too much to bear. Gotta say, Steiger gives one of the best performances I have ever seen in a movie here: he’s so three-dimensional and complex. The emotions on his face are registered with Falconetti-level brilliance.

The Apartment (dir. Billy Wilder, 1960)

While not the most depressing Christmas movie ever, The Apartment certainly puts a good injection of cynicism into the season. I have rarely seen a movie so adept at blending comedy, romance, and satire without feeling tone-deaf. There are a lot of things to praise about The Apartment, but I want to give a special shoutout to the dialogue. “Witty” dialogue that sounds natural is hard to come by-- so often, it just feels smart-assy and strained. Not here.

Anatomy of a Murder (dir. Otto Preminger, 1959)

I’m not big into courtroom dramas, but Anatomy of a Murder is a big exception. Its morally ambiguous characters elevate it from being a mere “whodunit” (or I guess in the case of this movie, “whydunit”), because if there’s something you’re not going to get with this movie, it’s a clear answer as to what happened on the night of the crime. Jimmy Stewart gives one of his least characteristic performances as the cynical lawyer, and is absolutely brilliant.

Oldboy (dir. Park Chan-Wook, 2003)

Oldboy reminded me a great deal of John Webster’s 17th century tragedy The Duchess of Malfi. Both are gruesome, frightening, and heartbreaking works of art, straddling the line between sensationalism and intelligence, proving the two are not mutually exclusive. It’s both entertaining and difficult to watch. The thought of revisiting it terrifies me but I feel there is so much more to appreciate about the sheer craft on display.

Family Plot (dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1976)

Family Plot is an enjoyable comedy; you guys are just mean. I know in an ideal world, Hitchcock’s swan song would be a great thriller masterpiece in the vein of Vertigo or Psycho. Family Plot is instead a silly send-up of Hitchcock’s favorite tropes, lampooning everything from the dangerous blonde archetype (with not one but two characters) to complicated MacGuffin plots. You’ll probably demand my film buff card be revoked for my opinion, but to hell with it-- this is my favorite of Hitchcock’s post-Psycho movies.

My Best Girl (dir. Sam Taylor, 1927)

Mary Pickford’s farewell to silent film also happens to be among her best movies. It’s a simple, charming romantic comedy starring her future husband, Charles “Buddy” Rogers. Pickford also gets to play an adult character here, rather than the little girl parts her public demanded she essay even well into her thirties. She and Rogers are sweet together without being diabetes-inducing, and the comedy is often laugh out loud funny. It even mocks a few tropes that anyone who watches enough old movies will recognize and probably dislike-- such as “break his heart to save him!!” (my personal most loathed 1920s/1930s trope).

Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho, 2019)

This feels like such a zeitgeist movie. It’s about the gap between the rich and the poor, it’s ironic, it’s depressing, it’s unpredictable as hell. I don’t like terms like “modern classic,” because by its very definition, a classic can only be deemed as such after a long passage of time, but I have a good feeling Parasite will be considered one of the definitive films of the 2010s in the years to come.

Indiscreet (dir. Stanley Donen, 1958)

Indiscreet often gets criticized for not being Notorious more or less, which is a shame. It’s not SUPPOSED to be-- it’s cinematic souffle and both Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant elevate that light material with their perfect chemistry and comedic timing. It’s also refreshing to see a rom-com with characters over 40 as the leads-- and the movie does not try to make them seem younger or less mature, making the zany moments all the more hilarious. It’s worth seeing for Cary Grant’s jig (picture above) alone.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (dir. Joseph Sargent, 1974)

This movie embodies so much of what I love about 70s cinema: it’s gritty, irreverent, and hard-hitting. It’s both hilarious and suspenseful-- I was tense all throughout the run time. I heard there was a remake and it just seems... so, so pointless when you already have this gem perfect as it is.

They All Laughed (dir. Peter Bogdonavich, 1981)

Bogdonavich’s lesser known homage to 1930s screwball comedy is also a weirdly autumnal movie. Among the last gasps of the New Hollywood movement, it is also marks the final time Audrey Hepburn would star in a theatrical release. The gentle comedy, excellent ensemble cast (John Ritter is the standout), and the mature but short-lived romance between Hepburn and Ben Gazarra’s characters make this a memorably bittersweet gem.

The Palm Beach Story (dir. Preston Sturges, 1942)

Absolutely hilarious. I was watching this with my parents in the room. My mom tends to like old movies while my dad doesn’t, but both of them were laughing aloud at this one. Not much else to say about it, other than I love Joel McCrea the more movies I see him in-- though it’s weird seeing him in comedies since I’m so used to him as a back-breaking man on the edge in The Most Dangerous Game!

Nothing Sacred (dir. William Wellman, 1937)

I tend to associate William Wellman with the pre-code era, so I’ve tried delving more into his post-code work. Nothing Sacred is easily my favorite of those films thus far, mainly for Carole Lombard but also because the story still feels pretty fresh due to the jabs it takes at celebrity worship and moral hypocrisy. For a satire, it’s still very warm towards its characters, even when they’re misbehaving or deluding themselves, so it’s oddly a feel-good film too.

Applause (dir. Rouben Mamoulian, 1929)

I love watching early sound movies, but my inner history nerd tends to enjoy them more than the part of me that, well, craves good, well-made movies. Most early sound films are pure awkward, but there’s always an exception and Applause is one of them. While the plot’s backstage melodrama is nothing special, the way the story is told is super sophisticated and expressive for this period of cinema history, and Helen Morgan makes the figure of the discarded burlesque queen seem truly human and tragic rather than merely sentimental.

Topaz (dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1969)

Another late Hitchcock everyone but me seems to hate. After suffering through Torn Curtain, I expected Hitchcock’s other cold war thriller was going to be dull as dishwater, but instead I found an understated espionage movie standing in stark contrast to the more popular spy movies of the period. It’ll never be top Hitchcock, of course-- still it was stylish and enjoyable, with some truly haunting moments. I think it deserves more appreciation than it’s been given.

What were your favorite cinematic discoveries in 2020?

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wutbju · 3 years ago

Photo

Ish-ti-opi, "an Indian concert singer" and aka Wesley Leroy Robertson, performed in Artist Series in the 1939-40 school year. See the signature? “To the ushers, Cordially Ish-ti-opi.” The Oklahoman reported in 2017:

Wesley Leroy Robertson, a Choctaw Indian, was born in 1901 in Caddo, Indian Territory. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1924 and continued his studies in New York City, where he began his professional singing career.

According to the Encyclopedia of the American Indian in the Twentieth Century:

In the early 1930s, Robertson coached and studied with noted voice teacher Andres de Segurola in California, supporting himself by working at a millinery shop in Hollywood where he made hats for film actresses. He performed in 1932 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra at the formal opening of the Olympic Games... From the mid-1930s, he spent most of his time in southern California where he did film work. The famous 'victory yell of the savage bull-ape' in the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films of the 1930s is actually the dubbed-in voice of Ish-Ti-Opi. (This is one of several versions of the origin of the famous yell.)

The Oklahoman's Music News and Views column May 2, 1937, included this item when he performed Oklahoma City:

Many Oklahomans have followed with interest the career of Wes. L. Robertson, Indian baritone, who under his native cognomen, Ish-ti-opi, has toured a considerable part of the west coast and some half dozen of the leading European cities, earning for himself, during the six years since he left here, a considerable reputation as an interpreter of American Indian songs and legends.

Although Ish-ti-opi usually includes a group of Italian, French and English songs on his concerts for the sake of variety, his Indian songs, given in costume and with pantomime, are naturally the distinctive feature of his appearances. He possesses a baritone voice of unusual quality, excellently schooled, and he brings to the legends a wide knowledge of native lore. Among the comments of noted musicians who have heard him sing, he points out with particular satisfaction that of Mary Garden who described him as an artist who 'creates a most pleasant atmosphere, giving a feeling of great space, and taking one out of oneself...'

Wesley Robertson made many appearances, including a performance June 11, 1939, at "the most famous hot dog picnic in American history."

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Roosevelt, wrote in her newspaper column, My Day, for June 13, 1939, describing the visit of the King and Queen of England to the Roosevelt's Hyde Park home:

After lunch Princess Te-Ata and Ish-Ti-Opi gave a short program. the platform was built around the trees and the setting was quite perfect for the Indian songs and legends. This was the only American music which was not on our program at the White House, and I think I can say that both the King and Queen enjoyed it. I watched them when Princess Te-Ata was doing a story in Indian sign language, and they seemed much amused.

Ish-Ti-Opi is quite a remarkable actor as well as a singer. His song of the last weaving, when the old woman is putting into her blanket the end of her life, has much of the sadness which one feels in the songs and stories of both Negroes and Indians. A proud people, our American Indians, and I liked the grace with which both these representatives of the first inhabitants of our land carried themselves when they were presented to Their Britannic Majesties...

Wesley Robertson went on to become an Indian activist, appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee in 1942 denouncing the failure of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. In his later years, he owned a millinery shop, designing and making hats, and worked as a movie publicity agent. He died in 1970.

#Bob Jones University #Archive #BJU #Ish-ti-opi #1939 #Artist Series #Wesley Leroy Robertson

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cuntinaclownsuit · 3 years ago

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oh no... i heard that there would be a new the man who fell to earth movie or series (can't remember which it was) and got really excited because i love the novel as well and it would be so cool to see an accurate adaption. i haven't seen the trailer but i take your word for it not looking great in terms of sticking to the original plot.

don't get me wrong tho i do appreciate the 1976 movie. i mean i guess it has some artistic value (and bowie) 😅 but like i said i'd love to see an accurate adaption because the novel is so great and because it is quite short there would be no need to leave things out like in most book to movie adaptions.

btw have you heard of the man who fell to earth series they did in the 80's? the entire pilot episode is on youtube and i tried to watch it but didn't get too far because it was so bad. i'm still planning to watch the whole thing some day but i need to gather some strength first. 😂😂

It is so nice to finally find someone who's read the book. Also, this is gonna be like an essay length response because I can talk forever on this topic

I think the new movie/series/whatever definitely has a lot of potential but only if you view it without trying to compare it to the original movie and/or novel and just see it as a piece of stand alone media (which is impossible for me to do so I probably won't watch it cause it'll just make me mad ). I thought the design for the Antheans looked really cool, even though it wasn't totally accurate. And I'm sure the visuals will be rad the actors will probably do a decent job. For the plot it seems like it's going to be more about saving Earth from political drama and less about building a spacecraft to save the remaining Antheans (that might not be right but it's the impression I got from the trailer). And it seemed like they combined Nathan Bryce and Betty-Jo's characters into one... like why? And she has a daughter for some reason... also why? I know you can't really judge anything based off of two minutes of clips but from what I saw I don't have a high hopes for it.

Now when it comes to the Bowie version, the thing that disappoints me most about it is that they literally got The David Bowie - the best possible role for Thomas Jerome Newton (other than the hair color and height, the descriptions of him in the book fit Bowie EXACTLY) - and yet they STILL managed to ruin it. If the script had been decent it could have been an excellent film but no they had to change the story line up, add a pointless romance (despite the fact that Newton literally has a wife), and like five unnecessary sex scenes that add absolutely nothing. They made Nathan Bryce into an asshole perv, they made Betty Jo into Mary Lou, who is arguably the most insufferable character I've ever had the displeasure of encountering in a movie. However, that being said there are quite a few good parts. The scene where Newton smacks the tray of cookies is hilarious even though it's probably not meant to be. The Anthean costume design is absolutely rad as fuck. The scene where Newton reveals his alien form to Mary Lou is great and the one time where I can compliment Candy Clark's acting. The scene where the song Try To Remember plays is my favorite part of the whole thing. But all in all I honestly hate that movie.

And I have heard of the 80s one! But I didn't know it was a series, I thought it was a film. When I looked for it a few years ago I could never find anything but I looked up the plot on wikipedia, saw that they changed all of the characters names for no reason, and decided it probably wasn't worth finding to watch.

I could go on forever about this but I'll stop. Thank you for giving me an excuse to rant about it though 😂

#The Man Who Fell To Earth #david bowie #asks

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misskittysmagicportal · 4 years ago

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Tupelo Honey

Word Count: 1082

Film: Moonwalkers

Warnings: Swearing and minor drug use, sexual references

a/n: None of us know anything about the affable, simple-minded, downright hysterical stoner Leon from Moonwalkers. It's fun to have a tabula rasa with such a great character.

Chapter One: Kult of Dionysus

Leon wasn't always a junkie. Until he started orbiting inside Renatis’s gravitational pull, he was a rather promising young actor. There's always that centuries old cliche of doing what you can to get ahead. An upper to get you through. Downers to finally sleep after rehearsals and auditions and shifts at the day job. Sleep with someone’s wife, never the daughter. But a foreign film, even if it sounds a bit dubious, would definitely benefit someone trying to leap from the stage to the screen.

Honey wasn’t always called Honey, but she was destined to be a radical. She, her siblings and parents were smuggled out of Florence before Mussolini was taken out. Papa was on Gestapo radar for anti-fascist teachings. So owning an underground comedy club in Manhattan made sense. Lenny Bruce was Honey’s godfather, and she knew Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsburg before she knew Cinderella and Snow White. It was Uncle Lenny who told her she needed to be a bit more bitter and not so sweet. Honey caught the flies. That sweetness is how she ended up on the run. Now strapped for cash, Honey figured a bit part in some weird foreign film would get her to India.

The young man and woman stood only feet apart in the parlor of the most insane manor either of them had seen. Like someone ruined Marie Antoinette's summer home with a psychedelic woman begging you to crawl inside her vagina. Which they did to reach a fat, Dionysian Frenchman laid across a chaise lounge. Flanked by nude women and men and a cloud of sweet smelling opium.

“Oh look at what Hermes has for us children! Johnny you ginger haired messenger of the Gods, who have you brought me?!” He slid in and out of French as he labored to get up. Yet seemingly floated on air towards the trio.

Honey stood apart from two Englishmen. One flaming red hair and short, broad shouldered and decked out in a checkered green and yellow suit. A silver chain around his neck. Fidgeting, he swiped at his nose a few times while a cigarette burned low in a free hand. Johnny, Honey heard, was an entertainment manager from London.

The other was much taller than his companion. His body willowy under a large peasant shirt and bell bottom jeans. A mass of dark, messy curls framed his expressive bushy eyebrows. Meadow green eyes wide with shock as the director caressed his angular jaw affectionately. Honey couldn't quite place him, but somewhere in her brain it tried to reconcile that she knew him. He was, in her eyes, breathtakingly beautiful.

“Oh yes, my little pixie, you will do so well. Don't be afraid of Renatis! Come how old are you?”

“23?" he stuttered.

“You don't know?” Renatis walked around him slowly. From behind, his hands moved over shoulders and over the clavicle peeking out through the shirt. Then he slapped the actor roughly on the ass and attempted to reach around the front.

"RENATIS!” Johnny interjected. “How about we don't molest the fucking talent?!” He had the fat man by the thick of his wrist. “You told Derick attractive and eager to work. Leon here is all of those things.”

"Thank you, Johnny” his gratuity coming out similar to a whine.

His accent forced Honey to bite her knuckle to stifle a gigglewhich she choked on as a snort. No one had turned Eliza Doolittle into a lady yet with that voice. Leon turned his nervous gaze on her; she blushed immediately.

With a wave of his hand, Renatis swatted at Johnny as if he were a fly. Then, clapping his hands, a toppless woman wearing the bottom half of a lion costume appeared. A tray with several pipes and bottles in her hand.

“Tell me Leon, do you need to relax? How would you like to chase the dragon before we get down to business? Maybe the green fairy?” He shoved opium pipe in Leon's mouth and lit it. “Suck hard pixie.”

All Leon could do was comply with a large inhale. Johnny rubbed his palm furiously into his forehead before downing all of the shots of absinthe.

This time Honey laughed so loud it echoed off the walls. She had gone largely ignored once Renatis had discovered his handsome muse. Her black hair was braided in a nest on top of her head and woven with bits of lavender. Her tanned legs bare under a red plaid romper. And she quickly realized what kind of film they were going to make the moment the Frenchman started filling Leon with drugs.

“And what of this succubi, Johnny?” Now he turned his sights on the young woman. Tugging gently on her braid before attempting to cop a feel of her breast.

Honey’s turned to grab a wrist, but this time she twisted it slightly. “Don't fucking touch me. I'll get high but not on that shit.” She gestured at the opium pipe. “I'm not with them. I'm here for the cash. I don't do threesomes, anal or animals.”

Leon choked on the pipe, “ANAL?! Johnny you didn't say anything about sex.”

“What the fuck kind of movie did you think was being made here?”

“Derrick told me it was avante garde like that Jean Goddard guy”

“It's a porno, Leon” Honey informed. “I'm Honey Comb, and shockingly this is my first dirty film. Mostly I've had to do some.. favors and pictures.”

Leon turned to leave but Johnny caught his shoulders. That didn't seem to stop him as the opium took over and his body sort of walked in place. Totally unaware he was not actually moving as Johnny held him back.

“Leon! We are already fucking here. Now do heroin. Snort coke. Get high or trip balls. You’re gonna fuck that chick so my cousin knows I can do this job. You don't do this, I don't get paid. And you are stuck as a choirboy on the West End forever.”

“I'm not a slag, Johnny. I don't think I can make my willy work after smoking that dope.” That whining sound again.

“SWEET CHARITY!” Honey snapped her fingers. “I SAW YOU IN SWEET CHARITY! See, you know all about whoring yourself out.” She broke out in more laughter.

Johnny's eyes pleaded with Leon whose mouth hung open in confusion. Soon his body folded in defeat and he sighed. Then looking over at Honey he smiled and waved, “I guess so then. But I've gotta sleep this off first ok?”

#robert sheehan #leon #leon x OC #moonwalkers #robert sheehan character fic #lovely little pixie

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kickingitwithkirk · 4 years ago

Text

Rain pt II

Summary: After Supernaturals end Jensen’s life turned upside down. A year later an unexpected movie offer gives his career a second chance but it comes with an unexpected surprises.

Pairing: Jensen Ackles x OFC Lili

Word Count: 1034

Warnings: cursing, nervous Jensen

* This is a slow burn series

Part I

A/N: This story has components from my favorite W. Somerset Maugham short Rain and Lace by Shirley Conran.

“I swear.. your..trying to...fucking kill me,” Jensen gasped as he falls onto the grassy knoll. Jared looks down at him laughing. He had been running with Jensen four times a week for the last month, pushing him to go further each week.

“We’ve only gone five miles…”

“I’m not training for a fucking marathon!”

“You said you wanted to do this and told me not to go easy.”

Jensen lays back on the grass, “I know and I appreciate it Jay, I’m just cranky cause..”

“Your menopausal?”

“Funny. No, I’m fucking hungry! Last night I couldn't stop dreaming about those damn double bacon cheeseburgers Dean used to eat.”

Jensen’s new diet was similar to what the Marvel actors did and he swore he’d never do again.

He normally watched what he ate, exercised regularly and was lucky he didn’t have to push too hard to stay in shape but he’d gotten used to nibbling on sweets, thanks to Jared’s addiction, always having something surgery on set. It was the first time he envied his friends hummingbird metabolism, would’ve made this reduction so much easier.

The absolute worst was no alcohol at all ‘cause dammit, he likes his drink.

Jared sat down next to him stretching, “You're doing really good, I can see the changes already.” Jensen’s cheekbones were more prominent and the soft overlay on his abdomen was gone, his toned abs more noticeable, giving him the lean, muscular look like he had in his early twenties, even though he hadn’t put on any muscle mass.

“I still can’t wrap my head around why me? I don’t physically look the part, Davidson’s described more like you Sasquatch, all hair and rangly.” He smirks earning him bitchface.

“I read the book and yeah, you're not exactly type but by the time you lose the weight, makeup and wardrobe, you’ll pull it off. How much you down?”

“Eighteen.”

“That’s good, you’re slightly ahead. Once your there, it’s maintenance.”

Jensen sighed remembering how much Jared had to put away, on top of his already huge daily caloric intake, to bulk up and kept on for demon blood and soulless!Sam a decade ago.

Jared gets up extending his extra large hand and pulls a groaning Jensen with him.

***

October

Jensen's sitting by himself in the green room waiting for the press junket to start texting with Chris Kane about getting together while he was in California.

His other co-stars were seated close together chatting amicably, having either previously worked together on other projects or through events they’d attended.

“Cheer up mate, we’re not all a bunch of snobby assholes, well...some of us aren’t.” He looked up as David Tennant draped his lanky self over a nearby chair. He’d gotten to know the Scotsman a bit when his wife Emily guest starred as Kate the werewolf on Supernatural.

“Just watch yourself around Dockerty,” he says in a staged whisper making her glance over at them. David flashes his signature smile making her roll her eyes, resumes her conversation with Sally Hawking, Jamie Dornan and Jay Laga’aia, “she’s been known to make a porcupine look positively cuddly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jensen remarks, “since she’s playing my wife,” the comment makes David chuckle, “Sally’s seems genuine, you lucked out there.”

David rubs his chin thoughtfully, “Since we don’t know who the leading lady of our ensemble is yet we might be better off cuddling up to the porcupine.”

Jensen remained noncommittal, figuring it’d be better not to antagonize anyone since they would be stuck together for the next four months; three weeks of rehearsals to shake any bugs left out of the script. costume fittings, makeup and hair while work was being completed on the island thousands of miles from the U.S. where they’d be filming during the region’s rainy season.

A PA walked in, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to face the firing squad.”

***

Jensen nervously tapped his fingers against his thick thigh backstage waiting for his name to be called. This junket was making him uneasy, not knowing what the press would ask since Zimmer, who preferred to keep everything close to the vest with his projects, had only released minimal information about this production.

He hoped the coverage would be favorable since in this ensemble he was not only an odd man out but leading sticks out like a sore thumb man out.

They could hear Zimmer thanking the press, briefly answering questions about the minimal info in the press packets. The announcer went right into a bit of background filler about each of their carriers before introductions.

“At this moment we would usually introduce both leading actors together but unfortunately the lead actresses flight is delayed due to mechanical issues and is on another flight, hopefully to be here soon.”

There’s a brief pause, “This gentleman is better known for his previous hit television series, the longest running of its genre, ending last year after an unprecedented fifteen seasons. Please welcome Mr. Jensen Ackles.”

Jensen counted to five and stepped out onto the stage.

***

“Ms. Dockerty, how does this part compare to that of Lady Mary, since both characters are from roughly the same time period.”

“I’m not sure if we can compare…” Michelle was answering when David picked up his glasses putting them on distracting Jensen. Squinting at someone across the ballroom chucks softly to himself.

Jensen notices a woman dressed in a well worn leather jacket leaning against the back wall. He couldn’t make out her face clearly with the size of the hall but something was familiar.

It starts in the back of the room: a buzzing murmur along the last row of journalists, word spreading, people turning around to gander at the mysterious lady in the back turns into pandemonium.

It’s complete chaos as the whole press core got their full attention on her, some standing up on chairs shouting her name trying to get her to look their way for a coveted shot.

“It appears our leading lady has arrived.” David bemusedly yells to be heard as Michelle was caught saying “fucking hell,” over the open mic. Jensen can do nothing but sit in shocked silence.

Lili.

tbc

Tagging: SPN @donnaintx

Dean/Jensen: @flamencodiva

Rain @stoneyggirl

#Jensen Ackles #jensen ackles x ofc #Jensen Fanfiction #rpf fanfic #rpf #jesen ackles au #slow burn

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janicho88 · 5 years ago

Text

In This Together Part 3

Pairing- Dean x Wife!Reader

Word count- 5821

Summary-Find out what these two have been up to for the last year. What obstacles are thrown at these two now?

Warnings- Possible sick reader, hospital/doctors, little language, little angst, fluff, implied smut, talk of possible infertility, pregnancy.

A/N-This is the third part of my first fic. It started as a oneshot but turned into more. The first part of this story was written, because I needed someone like Dean at the time. This miniseries I guess you can call it, is very personal to me. I’ve lived a majority of the first two parts. If you’ve read it you can see why I wanted someone like Dean to lean on. In this part I wanted to give the reader something I don’t know if I’ll ever have. Thank you for reading! Pictures found on google.

Part 1 Part 2

11 months later August 2021

Slowly opening your eyes back up, you were staring out the window of your fourth-floor hospital room. This time your window looked over the street below, every time you were on this floor you had a different view. Dean was still sitting in the bed next to you, you leaned your head on his shoulder as you thought back on the last year and everything that had happened.

October 2020 came around and your doctor let you go off your birth control. He knew you and Dean were trying, or more not trying to stop anything from happening. You knew nothing would happen right away and didn’t want to get your hopes up, you were also trying to stay positive that nothing was going to go wrong with you again. You were due a win.

You had been back to work for about four months now, there were still some things you were trying to get used to at the new store. Because of the two surgeries you could wear down easily and were mostly five days a week trying to get up to six. You had already rearranged the office and some of the shelves in the kitchen area to make it more efficient, but some of your employees kept moving things on you so you had to redo them. It would take a good year for your foot to be back to normal which was February, but it would never be pain free. As long as it was better than before you were happy.

Halloween was coming close and Sam and Jess invited you over to their house again. Since you and Dean didn’t have any other plans you decided to join them along with Dean’s parents. Jake’s costume this year was an adorably fierce lion.

With things still crazy in the world and covid still around there weren’t many trick or treaters. Unfortunately, this meant more candy for Dean. Being a Saturday night Dean didn’t have to work the next morning. and you went in later on Sundays, so you stayed for a while. After Jake went to bed the guys turned on the, All Saint’s Day, movies Dean loves. They weren’t exactly your favorite so at least he could try and drag Sam into his madness this way. Dean was enjoying his brother being a bit more into Halloween now that he had Jake around. You bid them goodnight just before midnight and took your sugar high husband home, he wouldn’t be sleeping for a while.

Thanksgiving was late again this year, so your parents had decided like last year to do their Christmas party the week before Thanksgiving again. Even though you were working less this year you somehow got distracted and got to planning late. This meant the first two and half weeks of the month would be filled with baking. The nice thing about the store you took over was the regular oven it had so you could do some of it there. Although first things first, you had to assemble your as baking list. The night after Halloween you were sitting on the couch with the Hallmark Channel playing its Countdown to Christmas. Computer in front of you with Pinterest pulled up. Dean walked in from the kitchen during a commercial.

“Hey Sweetheart, what are you up to? Anything good on?”

“Nine Lives of Christmas, is on. I’m looking..”

“No, Seriously Y/N? It’s the day after Halloween, and you’re watching Christmas movies?”

You turned and glared at him. “One, I have been watching Christmas movies whenever you weren’t around for the last week. Two, you like this one so hush. The guy is a fireman, your missed profession. Three, I’m trying to get into the Christmas mindset to put together my baking list.”

“Oh great, it’s that time of the year again. What crazy ideas are you going to come up with this year, actually wait, let me grab a beer first.”

You laughed as he walked back to the kitchen. Dean might give you a hard time with the Christmas crazy baking list you come up with, but you also know he very much enjoys the sweets you bake. You two had been dating since your freshman year of college and he was always your official taste tester. Although anything pie related was his favorite.

“I think I’m going to just do round sugar cookies again, while I was off after surgery, I watched a cookie decorating class that showed how to paint the frosting with food coloring and alcohol.”

“That sounds like a mess,” you threw a pillow at him. “I mean great Sweetheart, I’m sure they will be amazing.”

“Keep talking Winchester, see how big a hole you can dig. Here’s a recipe for mini pie like cookies, I co”

“Yes!”

“..uld try. Okay, adding to the list https://www.pinterest.com/pin/518406607102183606/

You were bound and determined one year you would get these cupcakes done; just not sure this year would be it. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174584923040748115/

“How about Christmas Cheesecake Cookies?” You showed Dean the picture and this time he glared you. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174584923040791076/

“Do you remember the red and green Krinkle Cookies you did last year? Your hands were dyed red and green and so was everything you touched while rolling them. I’m voting no more dyed cookie dough.”

“Fine spoilsport.”

“How about you put the computer away and come to bed with me.”

“You’re heading to bed already it’s only, oh. Be right there Babe,” quickly shutting everything off you chased after your husband to the bedroom.

The party was a little smaller this year, some people still weren’t all for getting together with people yet. It was mostly family and some close friends. Honestly, you preferred it that way, less entertaining you and your mom had to do, and the more you could relax and enjoy the night. The best part about having this early, was your baking was now done, you had even gotten Dean to get the decorations out and most of the house was done. You enjoyed cuddling on the couch with the Christmas lights glowing around you.

Thanksgiving was once again split between both of your families. You went to your dad’s mom for a late lunch and spent time with your family. Then headed over to John and Mary’s for well, for Dean dinner, you were still full, so you just picked at a few things. After cleaning you ladies joined the guys in the living room where they were watching the game and supposed to be keeping an eye on Jake. You and Jess talked sales you saw in the ads and tried to get gifts ideas out of Mary for her and John. Like your mom, she wasn’t very helpful and just said you guys didn’t have to get them anything. Usually you and your mom would hit a few stores tonight, but nothing was really open with everything going on. The two of you had planned for the next day to get a few things before you both headed for work. It was nice to spend time with just your mom anyways.

Every year December seems to fly by, it was the second week now and you had been feeling a bit off, and more tired than usual. According to Dean you had become a bit moody too. Which of course you snapped at him when he mentioned that. He’d been watching his step after that. One morning you were taking care of the dogs when you felt sick and had to run to the restroom. You didn’t go into work that day, since you didn’t want to get anyone else sick, but felt fine as the day went on. The next day at work you walked into the cooler and for some reason the dough smelled strong to you and you had to walk back out and get some fresh air. You attributed it to yesterday’s stomachache. Then the burping started again. Donna heard you at work and came over.

“What’s going on lady?”

“Something’s off, I haven’t been feeling well, I started throwing up and the burping restarted.”

“You know what you need to do right?”

“I know, but really Donna, can’t I catch a break. I don’t know how Dean is going to take it if the doctor tells me there is another problem, I don’t know how I’m going to take it.”

“Okay, well before we send you into the operating room again, maybe you should see what the doctor has to say first.”

“That would be the logical thing to do, I prefer worst case scenario.”

That night when you got home from work you told Dean what was going on and when you called your doctor’s office, they actually had an opening on Friday and could get you in then. Dean was unable to go since Benny would be leaving that morning for a weeklong trip to see his wife’s family for an early Christmas.

The day of your appointment arrived, the nurse, Julie that took you back was your cousin’s friend who first introduced you to this doctor. You two chatted on your way back to the room. When you got to the room, she asked what was going on and when your last period was. You explained your symptoms and how you were worried about another mass or fibroid. It had been over a month since your last, but you hadn’t been regular since your surgery and going off birth control. They took a blood and urine sample to send for tests before you saw the doctor. The doctor pushed near your uterus to see if he could feel any bumps around there. He wanted you to get an ultrasound, so that was scheduled for Monday, your labs would be done then also.

It was a quiet weekend for you and Dean. Monday rolled around and your appointment was that afternoon. Dean was supposed to meet you at the hospital, where the doctor’s office was located, but was stuck in a meeting with a new supplier. Since you were there for an ultrasound you were just supposed to see the tech who would do the test, but Julie was the one who came and got you. She took you back to the ultrasound room. When you were back, she told you the test results came back. You left the doctor’s office in a bit of shock after scheduling your next appointment. As you passed the mall on the way home you decided to make a quick stop.

That night during dinner Dean asked you what the doctor had to say. When he called you after your appointment you said you were fine and would talk to him at home you didn’t want to discuss it over the phone.

“I’m going to need follow up appointments for the next few months, but everything is good.”

“If it’s good why do you need follow ups, what aren’t you telling me?”

You got up and went to get the package you picked up from the mall, handing it to Dean you sat back down. He looked at you and back to the wrapped box.

“Open it.”

Ripping open the paper he looked at the open back and back to you. “Wait, what? Really?”

“Yes!”

You told Dean what happened at your appointment. The results came back, and you were pregnant. Because of your history though, the doctor still wanted an ultrasound just to make sure there wasn’t a fibroid or a mass there. They didn’t find any problems; the tech could just make out the embryonic sac the baby would be growing in. They figured you were around 5 weeks, and due around August 14th. Dean jumped up and grabbed you in his arms, tears were gathering in his eyes, he was so happy.

Later that night you were laying with Dean on the couch and he was going through his phone.

“Hey, the baby is about the size of an apple seed right now. An apple seed, that’s smaller than my fingernail!”

You looked over at his phone and saw he was going through baby sites. “Yes, that is tiny.”

“I can’t wait to see them in the activity walker car, they are going to love it like Jake does.”

“Dean, honey, you know we still have like 8 months till the baby is here, and then they aren’t going to be able to use that right away, right?”

“Yeah, well they still will one day.” He learned closer to your stomach, “right little on, can’t wait to play in the car walker daddy got you.” You had tears in your eyes watching Dean talk to your baby, you had been so afraid this day would never come.

Wiping your eyes, “I thought you said you bought that for Jake?” Knowing that was his excuse at the time, hoping one day it would by your child playing in it.

“Well, I, um,”

“It’s okay Dean, I get it.”

Sitting in the hospital bed you looked down at the little one in your arms, and still couldn’t believe how lucky you and Dean were to be here. Your mind went back to last year’s Holidays, and what happened after you found out you were pregnant.

The two of you debated on telling anyone about the baby yet, since it was early. As excited as Dean was you didn’t know how long he could keep the secret. You would only be seven weeks along at Christmas but decided to tell everyone Christmas Eve at your parents. You were going to tell them like you told Dean. You found some grandparent gifts for them to open. Since Sam had Jake it would be John and Mary’s second grandchild, but your parents first.

While playing games after dinner on Christmas Eve, you and Dean rigged a team game that had your parents all winning. Handing each of them the gifts you picked up Dean grabbed the camera to record their reactions. It took a minute before it sank in, but everyone was so excited for you. Mary and your mom rushed over to hug you while John and your dad congratulated Dean. The rest of the family joined in after the grandparents.

“The baby is the size of a blueberry now.” Dean proudly told everyone.

The two of you decided to have a quiet New Year’s Eve in. Your parents, Dean’s along with Sam, Jess, and Jake came over for dinner, and games. The guys ended up in the basement watching some competition, while you ladies were watching the New Year’s countdown and talking babies. On a trip upstairs Dean heard the conversation and informed everyone that the baby was now raspberry sized.

You had your 11-week ultrasound the Friday before Dean’s birthday. You scheduled it then because you thought it would be an early birthday treat for him getting to see the baby. They were going to confirm your due date, and there was a chance you would be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Dean looked over at you with a smile when you were walking up and threw his arm around your waist.

“What?”

“You’re starting to show, I can’t wait till I can feel him kick.”

“Remind me when this kid is playing soccer in me, how happy you are about it then.”

He put his arm around your waist as you walked. “Yeah, yeah, come on I can’t wait to see our little prune.”

“I can’t wait till next week, and we’re on a different food.”

Dean was so excited he could barely sit still in the office. They called you back and got you settled in the room before the tech came back to start. She started and was running the wand over your stomach when she found the baby and pointed him out to you. Dean grabbed your hand.

“Wow, Sweetheart, that’s our little one.”

“Yeah.” You both had tears in your eyes.

The tech turned on the volume so you could hear the heartbeat. “There it is, wait a minute.” She was moving the wand again.

“What’s going on?” You worriedly asked.

“There’s another heartbeat. Here, we have a shy one.”

Looking at the screen you saw another tiny dot.

“Wait, are you saying?” You looked over at Dean and he was looking at the screen it hadn’t hit him yet.

“Congrats, you’re having twins!”

“Wwwhat?” Dean finally tuned into the conversation.

“Happy Birthday weekend dad, you’re getting two babies!” Dean’s look of shock wasn’t one you would be forgetting anytime soon.

Leaving the doctor’s office, you both were a mix of shock, nerves and excitement. It was hard to tell which one was winning out right now. You had the family over to the house for Dean’s birthday on Sunday and you let him share the news with everyone. You also decided it was time to tell the rest of your friends.

You moved your gaze from the tiny bundle in your arms to Dean staring down at the tiny swaddled baby in his. Someone had Daddy completely wrapped around his finger. Sensing you watching him he looked up with a smile on his face. “Sweetheart, I can’t believe our babies are finally here, I can actually hold them and see them when I talk. You did so good,” he told you leaning over to kiss you. Dean had been constantly talking to the babies and trying to feel them kick before they were born. Ever since you got back to your room and the twins were brought in, he had one in his arms at all times, relishing in the fact he now could.

Dean wanted to go all out for Valentine’s Day this year. He said it was the last one with just the two of you, and last year it had been a week after your first surgery, so you just stayed home. Thankfully, you had a dress that had been fairly lose on you before, so you didn’t have to go find something new. Dean had reservations at a nice restaurant in town, where you enjoyed each other’s company and the food. You were beat by the end of dinner and headed home to cuddle on the couch. Dean was rubbing your stomach and talking to the babies while you watched a movie, you were running your hand through his hair.

“How are my babies doing tonight? Did you enjoy the nice dinner I took your mommy to? I can’t wait till I can meet you guys. A few more months, you have some growing to do. You guys are 14 weeks, that means you’re as big as lemons now. You would fit in the palm of my hand.”

The next month went by fairly quickly, both you and Dean busy with work. There were things around the house that would need to be done to get ready for the birth of the twins. It seemed like Dean was quickly lessoning what we would let you do without help so you wanted to get started soon before he had you completely sidelined. You had decided to turn your guest room into the nursery and move the spare bed into the office neither of you really used. You cleaned out some of the lighter things because you knew Dean would freak out on you if you moved anything heavy. One night you went through Pinterest looking for different ideas for the nursery before you rushed ahead with anything.

March 16th was your 6th wedding anniversary; you suggested a quiet night at home. Dean vetoed that since you stayed home last year, again because of you. He booked you a weekend stay at a bed and breakfast a little over an hour away near the beach. Being March, it was too cold to get in the water, but you spent time exploring the quaint little town and its cute shops. While you were walking the beach at sunset your first night you stopped to admire the view and Dean stood behind you wrapping his arms around your stomach.

“I love you so much, Sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Babe. Thank you for doing this.”

“You know I would do anything for you.”

“I know, you have always been so good to me, and you’re going to be such an amazing dad. These babies are lucky to have you.”

“I love spending time just the two of us, but I can’t wait to meet these sweet potatoes.”

“Really Dean?”

“What that’s what the website says for 18 weeks.”

The rest of the weekend went very well, the highlight would have to be the last walk on the beach you and Dean took before you headed home. When you had stopped and were looking out over the water you felt a flutter in your stomach, and a few minutes later another faint one. That’s when you realized it was the babies moving. You told Dean and he kept moving his hand around to try and feel it too but was unable. He was still excited because it meant he would be able to soon.

Easter was the first weekend in April, you split your time between your two families. Sam and Jess hosted this year. While you and Mary kept Jake busy the guys hid Easter eggs around the yard for him to try and find. There were only about ten, but it still took him a little while. He was more interested in playing with the colorful plastic egg then finding the next one. Dean stood beside you while Jess was helping Jake. His hand was on your stomach when he suddenly pulled it back.

“What was, wait was that?”

“Yeah, that was one of the babies kicking.”

“So awesome! I can’t wait till we are out there helping ours find eggs, take their first steps, holding them.”

“I think your order was a little backwards, but I know how you feel, Dean.”

You had a surprise to share with both of your families. A few days earlier you had gone for you third ultrasound. Since you already had the surprise of twins you decided to find out the genders. While you were sitting around talking after dinner you let Dean tell his family, you had told your earlier in the day. Jake was sitting in his lap when he started talking.

“Hey buddy, do you know how big your cousins are now?” Jake didn’t understand and just looked at his uncle. “They are the size of pomegranates.”

“Dean, Babe, he’s not even two yet, he doesn’t know what that is.”

“He’s Sam’s kid. Sam eats all kids of healthy shi.. stuff. I’m sure he has those around the house.” Sam just shook his head and glared at his brother.

“Do you think you want a girl or boy cousin to play with?”

Mary was looking between the two of wondering if this conversation was going where she thought. Jake never answered Dean no matter what he did to try and pull something out of him.

“How about one of each, what do you think about that?”

“Is that one you’re having?” Mary asked not being able to wait for any more of Dean’s game.

“Yep, we are having a boy and a girl.” Dean grinned proudly.

“Oh man,” Sam started, “a little girl is going to have you so wrapped around her finger.” They all congratulated you and Dean once more.

It was the second weekend in May and you really needed to get going on finishing the nursery or starting it. Who would have thought the hardest part was going to be picking a theme you and Dean could both agree on.

“Come on Y/N, what’s wrong with that idea?”

“Dean, I’m not letting your obsession with scaring your brother using clowns scar our children with a clown themed nursery. Not going to happen Winchester.” The mobile and matching blanket he found even creeped you out a little.

“How about race cars? No, I got it! Let’s paint Baby on a wall!”

“Um, nice thought. We were trying to keep it neutral remember? How about when they get older, and this little guy can appreciate cars almost as much as his daddy, you can do a car theme. Who exactly is going to paint Baby, or did you suddenly become Picasso?”

“I didn’t get to who was going to paint it yet in my planning. Fine we can do cars down the road. Where are your ideas?”

“You have already shot them down, you didn’t want to paint the chevron lines, the silver and blue was to girly.” You just shook your head and went back to looking. This was going just as well as picking out names.

Dean looked over at what you had pulled up. “I like that color.”

“Seriously?”

“What, I can’t like that?”

“No, I was asking do you seriously like it, because I do too?”

“Well we like it, but how about my little rutabagas?”

“Really Dean? Do you even know what that is?” mumbling something he turned back to his phone; you wouldn’t be surprised if he was looking up rutabagas. On the plus side you finally had the nursery plans worked out.

Jess, Mary and your mom threw you a baby shower the first weekend in June you were about 30 weeks now. They had the party at your parent’s house, this worked out nice for you since you lived closest to them and it would be easy to take things home. Dean and the guys could hang out at your house since they didn’t want to attend the party the whole time. Jake was almost 2 and very interested in the presents on the table. You all had to keep him from trying to climb up there. It was a great couple hours playing games and spending time with family and friends. Babies Winchester were spoiled greatly!

Dean did come down toward the end, you’re pretty sure though he just wanted food. You excitedly showed him the wonderful gifts people gave the babies and you. He eagerly described the nursery, told people how fast the baby was growing, and how they were now as big as cucumbers.

Your birthday was a few weeks later, and at 32 weeks you weren’t up to doing much for it. Your families came over to the house for dinner. Your parents and Mary had been around and helped with different projects in the nursery. John, Sam, Jess and your brother on the other hand hadn’t been over in a while, so they had not seen the nursey. Dean was eager to show them all

“This is where my little squashes will sleep.”

Jess looked at Dean and laughed, “It’s cute that you think they are going to sleep Dean.”

The majority of the nursery was done now. You had gone with the soft aqua color you both liked, along with white furniture and trim. You had gone with light grey and white chevron curtains and pillows to accent it, along with soft grey carpet.

The Winchester’s always did a big 4th of July BBQ, this year was no exception. Ever since Sam and Jess got married you rotated hosting it between the three of you. This year should have been yours and Deans’ but since you were 34 weeks along Mary graciously told you they would have it. The doctor had told you to really start taking things easier, so you were trying not to overdo it. Mary didn’t let you help much in getting ready for the party, but you did busy yourself in the kitchen at home making a few desserts and Dean’s favorite pasta salad. You were thankful for them taking over you hadn’t been getting much sleep and wouldn’t have had the energy to get everything done you would have wanted.

Dean was manning the grill talking with Sam, Cass, and Benny when you walked over to join him. You could hear him talking as you got closer.

“Right now they are about the size of butternut squash, although they could be slightly smaller cause it’s twins.”

“I could have sworn you called them squash a few weeks ago, or was that a nickname for them?” Sam asked his brother.

“A few weeks ago, they were squash, now they are butternut squash.”

“I wasn’t aware there were different squashes,” Benny added.

“You know Dean for someone with an aversion to vegetables I’m surprised by the number of them you have called your kids.” Sam teased his brother with a laugh.

“What will they be when they are born,” Cas asked.

“Babies, Cas, they will be babies.” Dean shook his head at his brother and friends catching sight of you waddling over. “And there is my beautiful wife, and mom to be.” Dean leaned down and gave you a kiss while his hand went to your stomach.

Night came and you were heading back to you seat next to Dean to watch the fireworks. When the first ones lit up the sky you could feel both babies start to kick, apparently, they were as big of fans as their dad. Dean moved you around on the bench so he was sitting behind you and could have his arms around you. When he felt the babies kick, he moved his hands around and started talking to them calming them right down. The last few weeks whenever they were really active at night Dean’s touch and voice were the only thing that would get them to settle down so you could get a little sleep.

They figured your due date was around August 14th, but since you were having twins, they would most likely be early. Because of your previous surgeries the doctor wanted you to have a C-section to avoid any issues. It wasn’t what you really wanted, but it was what was best. They scheduled that tentatively for Friday August 7th unless the babies had other plans. Which they did. You were laying on the couch Monday morning with some heat on your back to help with the pain you were having while Dean was getting ready for work. Just before Dean walked out you started to feel some cramping. You were fairly certain you were in labor now. Dean actually took it much calmer than you thought he would. He called the doctor’s office while you went to shower and change. When you came back, he had both you bag and the babies in the car, and called Benny to tell him he would need to handle the shop today.

Once you go to the hospital things were a bit of a blur. They checked you in, took you to a room to exam you and prep for surgery. Dean disappeared at one point and came back dressed in scrubs. Before you knew it, they were taking you back to the operating room Dean right beside you the whole time.

“It’s time to meet our pumpkins Sweetheart.”

You just looked over to him and laughed.

“It’s the last time I can say that.”

“I know Dean let’s go meet our pumpkins.” Dean smiled widely at you as you headed down the hall.

Dean was holding your hand and trying to keep you calm when the doctor asked if he wanted to cut the umbilical cord. He did and came back to standing next to you with tears in his eyes as he watched a nurse take your screaming son. The doctor went back to work to get your little girl and Dean once again cut the cord. He was pushed out of the way quickly because she wasn’t breathing. The nurse who brought your son over said that could happen with C-sections and she should be fine. It seemed longer than the few minutes it really was before you and Dean heard her little cries fill up the room, both of you letting out a sigh of relief.

After recovering you were finally in your room with Dean and both of your babies. Your families were here and waiting for your okay to come meet the newest members. Dean proudly introducing the babies to the rest of the family.

“I would like you all to meet Patrick John and Sophia Allison. You spent a few days in the hospital Dean right beside you the entire time.

After everyone left your little family alone Dean sat down next to you on the bed holding Sophia, while you held Patrick. The two of you both lost in your own thoughts and the babies in your arms before you looked over to him drawing his attention to you.

Once you arrived home your mom and Mary took turns coming over to see if they could help you or just let you get some sleep. Dean had to go back to the shop but tried to be home as much as possible.

The twins were two months old and not sleeping well through the night which was leaving you and Dean exhausted. You were both working during the day, and the twins were waking each other up at night which had the two of you getting up each taking one of the babies. You told Dean that you would get up and he could sleep, but he just kissed you as he walked by saying you were in this together no matter what. One night you had finally got them calmed down early and both of you sank down on the couch. Dean asked if you wanted to watch anything on TV.

“Honestly, I don’t think I could follow along on anything right now, but the back of my eye lids. How about we head to bed before the little monsters wake us up?”

“Knew I married a smart woman.”

Just as you settled into bed you heard Patrick start crying, and then Sophia joined in.

“Seriously.” Dean grumbled.

As you were trying to calm both babies down Dean was playing on his phone. All of a sudden you head Samuel L Jackson voice reading Go the Fuck to Sleep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0t9TUNLpg

“Seriously Dean?”

“What? They can’t understand and I completely agree with it.”

Much to your surprise the twins were starting to doze back off. If this actually worked, you weren’t sure if Dean would let you hear the end of it. This was the quickest they calmed down for you, and also the start of hearing this every night for the next four months.

Things weren’t always perfect, but they were perfect for you. You had an incredible husband who always supported you and two wonderful kids who would keep you both on your toes. No matter what happened good or bad you and Dean were in this together.

Thank you for reading! For now this store is complete.

Tag list @talesmaniac89 @deanwanddamons @flamencodiva @whatareyousearchingfordean @winchest09 @waywardbeanie @emoryhemsworth @katehuntington @malfoysqueen14 @anathewierdo @superfanficnatural @akshi8278 @sandlee44

#supernatural #dean x reader #dean winchester

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elatedmarvel · 5 years ago

Text

After All This Time, You and I (1/4)

Summary: Bucky has known you your entire life. Snapshots through the years.

Word Count: 1948

AN: Hello! Long time no see! This is for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan‘s Follower Celebration! Congrats to you Star, you deserve every single one!! My prompt was Best Friend’s Sibling. This was originally going to be a long oneshot, but I felt like the flow was better to separate it into a two-shot. Title is from Mary’s Song by Taylor Swift for obvious reasons. Thank you for hosting this awesome writing challenge Star! I had so much fun writing this!

Warnings: tiny mention of violence, swear words

“The building burning up Buck! You gotta get out of here!” Steve shouts staring down his best friend from across the bridge.

“No! Not without you!” comes Bucky’s fierce reply. His eyes scan over the wreck, trying to find something to save Stevie.

Steve takes a deep breath and prays that the crumbling bridge will hold a little longer, and he charges across the chasm. He almost makes it to the other side when his foot gets caught on a pillow. Tumbling over, he avoids landing on Bucky, but knocks over the unsuspecting person on his right.

You land with a thud on your hands and knees, and quickly scramble to look at your right knee. There’s a moment of silence, and the boys hold their breath waiting for the inevitable wail.

“I’m sorry!” Steve cries before wrapping his arms around you in a clumsy hug. He really didn’t see you playing next to him, it was an accident! Your bottom lip sticks out and your eyes become more and more glassy.

“Please don’t cry” he begs, partly because it breaks his heart, and partially because he doesn't want get in trouble. He knew what kind of hellfire Sarah Rogers could rain down.

“We’re sorry, what can we do to make it up to you?” Bucky asks, scooting himself to face your tear stained face. He felt bad for making Steve run across the bridge, he never meant to hurt you.

“I-I need a groom for my wedding.” you state without hesitation, wiping at your eyes. “And I can’t marry Steve cause he’s my brother, duh.” Your wet eyes turn to look intently at Bucky.

“You can’t get married, you’re 6.” Bucky tries to argue.

“So? You’re 8! That’s only 2 years older! ‘Sides, it’s not real anyway.” you fires back, your bottom lip juts out again, ready to cry if that’s what it takes.

He’s taken a back for a moment at your reply, and blue eyes meet Steve’s pleading ones. He’d do anything for you, and of course Steve was the cherry on top.

“Ok. Fine.”

On a rainy day in April, Steve walks you down the aisle.

Clad in his nicest, unstained, khaki pants, Bucky’s heart skips a beat when he sees you. You’re wearing your Cinderella costume from Halloween, and some stolen red lipstick from your mom, smiling like you got an extra juice pop. Somehow, he already knows your the prettiest girl in the world.

In front of your moms, stuffed animals and barbies, Bucky promises to always make you laugh and smile, and to protect you. You promise to always share her toys and food with him, and to make him feel better when he’s sad.

The ceremony ends after Steve pronounces you both husband and wife, and while your moms cheer and tear up slightly, Bucky leans in and gives you a quick peck on the cheek. It won’t be so bad being married to her, he thinks.

~~~

School sucked for Bucky today. Steve got into a fight with Zemo, which lead to Bucky getting in a fight with Zemo. That punk couldn’t even breathe right, it frustrated Bucky to no end that he couldn’t stop being stupid. Turns out, being punched in face hurts more than it looks in the movies. And of course, his parents weren’t thrilled and took away his TV privileges for the week, which meant he couldn’t find out what happened on his favorite show the Howling Commandos. Last week was even a cliffhanger! Captain America and the Winter Soldier were stuck on a plane with bombs on them and fast approaching Manhattan!

Wallowing, both Steve and him were relegated to “use their imaginations” and playing in the backyard. Bored out of their minds, they played hide and seek, a babies game really if you asked Bucky. But, Steve was nice enough to let Bucky hide first, and Bucky couldn’t say no to that bruised face.

So here he was, climbing the ladder to the old tree house, hoping Steve wouldn’t look here right away. Sniffles drew his attention you, crying softly in the corner with your knees to your chest. You were blasting music from your walkman, Endless Love from what Bucky could hear. It was really bad then. His chest hurt seeing your red rimmed eyes, and crawled next to you.

“Hey, what’s going on?” he asked lowly, taking her headphones off of your head and pausing the song. You didn’t look him in the eye, but leaned into him more when he put his arm around you.

“Stupid boys.” you sniffle. Wiping your face, you finally meet Bucky’s worried eyes. “Jake dumped me for Sierra, cause she always has chocolate snack packs in her lunch.”

“That weasel! Want me to rough him up a little?”

“Thanks, but I think you and Stevie are in enough trouble as it is.” you chuckle, placing your head on his shoulder. He gently rubs his hand up and down your arm, wishing he could take away your pain.

“I could pretend to be your boyfriend, make him jealous your going out with a 6th grader.” he offers.

“You can’t be my boyfriend, you’re already my husband!” you joke. His eyes go wide, remembering your lovely wedding ceremony and the massive amounts of cake you both ate at the “reception”.

“Hey! That’s right! Technically you were cheating on me with him! I want a divorce.” he jokes, bumping your shoulder with his.

You giggle and place a hand on his, “Please forgive me! It’s been so hard being separated from you now that you’re in middle school! He didn’t mean anything! Promise!”

You both erupt laughing so hard that Bucky falls over and brings you with him, which makes you both laugh even harder. Managing to calm down, he places a kiss on your forehead and hugs you closer to him. His heart does a funny dance in his chest, but he ignores it. You’re so warm against him, and your shampoo smelled so good, he could lay here with you forever.

“I guess I’ll forgive you this once, but don’t let it happen again.” he says solemnly.

You nod, hair tickling his face, “It won’t, you’re the only one for me Bucky Barnes.”

~~~

The room’s getting dark, but he couldn’t be bothered to get up and turn on the light. Not when Lional Richie was pouring his heart out. He couldn’t go down to dinner, his whole family had heard her breaking up with him. Did Dot really have to come over and break things off in the driveway? It would kill him to see the pity in his mom’s eyes, and sit through the uncomfortable talk with his dad about his feelings. He knew they were worried about him, and wanted to help, but he couldn’t stomach facing them.

They hadn’t been going out for long, but being dumped for the first time, he didn’t know how to handle his heartache. Honestly, he didn’t know if he was even heartbroken, or just wallowing in self-pity of being blindsided by the breakup.

A knock on the door brought him out of his misery. Must be his mom, bringing food up to him like the saint that she was. He stands up slowly, acutely aware of how his muscles ache from being curled in a ball for most of the day, and stretches as he makes his way to the door.

Your bright eyes stare back at him when he opens the door, and in his shock, he takes in the box of pizza you holdand the enormous bag of junk food.

“What’re you doing here?” voice cracking from underuse.

“Steve told me what happened with Dot. I brought pizza and your favorite snacks and movies. I can drop them off and leave though if you would rather be alone?” your voice hopeful that he won’t turn you away. Like he could, he’s never turned you away before and he won’t start now.

A small smile makes its way onto his face, and he opens the door wider so you can come into the bedroom. Your grin soothes the ache in his chest. You put the pizza down on his nightstand and cue up Star Wars. Getting cozy on his bed and patting the spot next to you, it seems like you fit right in. He didn’t need to be asked twice.

By 4 AM, he’s forgotten all about what’s-her-name, and his earlier self-pity and heartbreak. Not when Star Wars was playing in the background and your blinking sleepily at the TV, head on his shoulder.

~~~

“Bucky, we have a situation.” Steve announces, flopping onto Bucky’s bed. Bucky looks up from the laptop in his lap with a confused stare, waiting from Mr. Dramatic to explain. He didn’t have time for his antics, his last college final of the semester was due next week.

“Y/N’s prom date bailed on her, and it’s tomorrow.” was all Steve said, and looked at Bucky, waiting for what he knew would happen now.

“That dick.” Bucky replied, mentally searching for his tux. “If I leave now, I can make it with enough time to shower and get ready.” And he hops off the bed, grabbing his duffle bag, he stuffs whatever he may need for the impromptu trip home. Steve just stares at him with a smile on his face like the little shit he is.

A 5 hour drive home, shower, frantic search for his tux, and a quick power nap later, he knocks on your door. He wishes he could photograph the look of surprise on your face, your jaw literally drops when he see him in his tux.

“Bucky?!” And he swears he forgot how beautiful you were. Literally glowing, and he doesn't think it’s from the makeup, he can’t help himself as he takes in your dress. You’ll be the most beautiful one there, no contest. “Hey doll.” he smirks at you, still amused by your shocked state. He can tell when your brain catches up when your eyes soften as you look up at him.

“What are you doing here?” you ask in a soft voice.

“Taking you to prom, what else would I be doing?” and he can see you calculating in your head.

“Bucky, you must have driven all night!” you exclaim. Bucky loves when your eyes grow wide, it’s so cute.

“It’s fine, who needs sleep?” he says as he steps inside, past your frozen, and shocked state. Steve must have told your parents he was coming, he can see your parents waiting with the camera in the living room.

“You told me you were going to work on your final all weekend.” you fire back, closing the door.

“This is more important to me.” and he can tell you don’t quite believe him. You have a scowl on your face that reminds him of when you would catch him stealing a piece of candy as kids. He’s pretty sure you think it’s intimidating, but he finds it adorable.

“I promise that I worked on it already, and I’ll be ok.” and he presses a kiss to your forehead. “You look beautiful.” your glad your foundation hides the sudden flush of your face.

“You’re not too shabby yourself.” you tease back. But really, seeing him like this does inexplicable things to your heart. He’s so handsome, and he had driven all night to take you to prom. You could just kiss him.

Taking your hands in his, you look into his eyes. “Thank you.” you say earnestly.

And Bucky knew in that moment, he would drive days to get to you if needed.

Part 2

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #star’s multi fandom follower celebration #bucky x reader #bucky fanfiction #bucky barnes fan fiction #bucky fan fiction #bucky fluff #bucky barnes imagine #bucky imagine #marvel fan fiction #marvel fanfiction

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victoriaholmeswriting · 5 years ago

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The Holmes Family

Sherlock x Reader One-Shot

Read it on AO3!

Rating: T

Words: 1445

Summary: When refusing to dress up for Halloween results in an argument with his wife, Sherlock re-evaluates his priorities and tries to make it right.

“I said, no!” Sherlock huffed, dramatically throwing himself down onto the couch.

“Why no?” (y/n) demanded, crossing her arms and glaring down at him.

Sherlock yelled into his hands before dropping them with continued theatrics. He looked up at his wife, brows furrowed in annoyance.

“Because it’s boring, pointless, and a complete waste of my time,” he explained, counting off the reasons on his fingers.

She rolled her eyes. “Sherlock, this is not only our daughter’s first party, but this is also the first time she has picked out her own Halloween costume. She picked Wednesday Addams and wants us to match with her.”

“Then match with her!” he yelled. “Why do I have to join in on the absolute lunacy of this ridiculous holiday and it’s equally ridiculous traditions?”

Sherlock instantly knew he’d crossed a line, though he wasn’t quite sure what it was. His wife’s jaw was clenched hard and he wilted away from her blazing eyes.

“Besides the fact that you’d be purposefully missing out on an important milestone in your daughter’s life? A moment you will never get back?” she shouted back,l not caring what Mrs. Hudson will say next time they have tea. “Because she’s your daughter, Sherlock Holmes. And that little girl wants her daddy to be a part of a day that she is super excited for. All she’s fucking asking you to do is to put on a pinstriped suit, slick back you hair, and draw on a mustache! That’s it. Now, is it too much to ask for you to do this simple fucking task -- put up with ridiculous traditions for just one bloody night -- AND MAKE YOUR DAUGHTER HAPPY?!”

Sherlock swallowed hard and looked away, unable able to meet her eyes anymore.

“Answer me, Sherlock,” she demanded, no longer shouting but nevertheless sounding just as angry and disappointed.

He steeled himself, closing his eyes to calm himself. Beyond the anger and disappointment even the neighbor knew he’d caused, the concealed pain in his wife’s voice -- the voice of the only woman he’d ever loved -- was like an iron clamp around his chest.

“Fine,” he said quietly, trying not to let his voice shake.

“What?” she asked, completely shocked. She’d been prepared to fight with about this all night.

“I said, fine!” he repeated, forcing an annoyed tone.

His wife knew him too well, however; he could hear the confused battle of emotions going on behind the barrier he was frantically building.

“But just for her,” he lied. “And I’m not going to like nor am I going to pretend to like it when she’s not around.” With that, Sherlock flopped over onto his side so that his back was to her, signalling that he was done with this conversation.

Still fuming, (y/n) closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was the best she was going to get and didn’t want to ruin it by keeping him wound up.

She grabbed her coat off the hook and walked over the couch. Crouching down, she laid a gentle hand on his upper arm.

“I’m going to go pick her up from John and Mary’s,” she told him quietly, caressing his arm with her thumb. She placed a light kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Sherlock”

Sherlock put his hand on hers. “I love you, too.”

~ ~ ~

As soon as he heard the door close behind her, Sherlock leapt up from the couch and ran to his wife’s movie shelf. Strategically positioned by the telly, the two-foot tall, blue shelf was designed to look like a police call box -- which was exactly why the die-hard Whovian just had to have it. She kept all her favourite films and video games in it. As many times as she’d seen The Addams Family, Sherlock knew it had to be in there.

He opened the doors and scanned past the Harry Potter series, various Marvel films, and a few others until he found what he was looking for: an Addams Family Double Feature DVD box.

After turning on her PlayStation (which, because of his stubbornness, had taken her way too long to teach him how to use) and putting in the first film, he pulled his chair over. Noting that he only had time for one of the films before his wife and daughter got home, he perched in the chair and steepled his fingers in front of his lips in the exact same fashion as when he saw clients.

About halfway through the film, Mrs. Hudson brought up freshly baked cookies. She observed the curious situation with a bemused smile; an expression that was often present on her kind face when she ventured upstairs.

“What are you doing, dear?” she asked.

“Research,” he replied bluntly. He took the cookie she offered him without looking away from the screen.

She looked between him and the screen, still having no clue what was going on.

“That’s nice, dear,” she conceded, shaking her head. She put the plate of cookies on the kitchen table and disappeared back downstairs.

~ ~ ~

“Josephine,” (y/n) called, pouring a mixed bag of candy into the purple and green bowl Mrs. Hudson was holding, “come show Mrs. Hudson your costume before we leave.”

“Okaaay!” shouted a small voice from down the hall.

The pitter-patter of tiny, frantic feet raced towards them until there was a five-year-old in an adorable Wednesday Addams dress wrapped around the loving landlady. She had her father’s mesmerizing eyes and dark-brown hair (though it was straight like her mother’s).

(Y/N) giggled and threw out the now empty bag.

“Why isn’t your hair in braids?” she asked, running her fingers through the thick locks.

“I couldn’t get them to stay,” Josephine whined. She looked up at Mrs. Hudson, still holding onto her tight. “Will you help me?”

Mrs. Hudson beamed down her. “Of course, dear! Come on.”

Grinning, Josephine took her hand and led her back down the hall to her room.

(Y/N) watched with smile until they disappeared before turning her attention to her own bedroom door.

Sherlock had sat on the bed, pretending to scroll through his phone for new cases while she got ready for this afternoon. She said nothing to try to coax him into just getting ready. That would only have caused several eyerolls and an argument she was beyond not in the mood for.

However, there were several times that she caught him looking at her fondly as she dressed and applied her make-up. And there was something else in his eyes. She couldn’t quite figure out why, but she could have sworn there were hints of mischief and anticipation in them. To add to the oddness of this behaviour, he’d shut and locked the door the moment she left the room.

To be honest, she didn’t know if she should be excited or nervous as approached the door and lightly knocked.

“Sherlock,” she called, “can I come in?”

There was a moment of silence before she heard him walk towards the door.

“Promise you won’t laugh?” he called back.

“What?”

“Promise me you won’t laugh or I’m taking it off right now!”

She was definitely nervous now.

“Alright, I promise!” she replied. “Just let me in.”

Sherlock let out a resounding sigh before unlocking the door and taking a step back.

“Come in, then,” he huffed. “Let’s get this over with.”

(Y/N) slowly turned the handle and entered their room.

Sherlock stood rigid in the middle of the room. He was decked out in a black, pinstriped suit with a matching bow tie and shoes. His curly hair was slicked back with a generous amount of shining gel -- save for one stubborn, loose strand by his left temple. A pencil mustache was expertly drawn on his upper lip in what looked like her liquid eyeliner. He’d even used some of her eyeshadow to darken under his eyes -- just like in the film.

“Oh my God, Sherlock!” she exclaimed. “You look --” She paused, looking for the best words to describe how she felt about what she was looking at.

“Ridiculous?” he offered, his cheeks getting warm.

“So fucking sexy,” she finished breathily.

Sherlock looked at her in shock for a moment -- but only for a moment -- before recovering. He quickly strode forward and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met in a passionate kiss.

She pulled away, smiling. “You’re smearing my lipstick.”

He smirked and raised his eyebrows flirtatiously. “Perhaps -- tonight -- we can try for a Puglsey?”

“Oh, Sherlock,” she teased in her best Morticia voice. “Oui!”

He chuckled and kissed her again, deeper this time, dipping her as he did.

Tags: @madshelily @klinenovakwinchester @emmelynecosette @josiecarioca

#sherlock fanfiction #sherlock holmes #sherlock x reader #halloween fic #fictober #addams family #wife!reader #fanfiction #victoriaholmeswriting

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ittybittytatertot · 5 years ago

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Batman & The Flying Graysons—First Flight Pt. 2 (AO3 Link)

Mary pointed her toes, feeling the empty air whistle beneath them. She was used to knowing no net would catch her, but she had never flown twelve stories up across three city blocks. But in place of fear, adrenaline rushed under her skin. The thrill of the night, the wind, the mask, gripped her like her husbands’ hands on the trapeze.

She only realized she was smiling when John looked back at her and smiled in return. Her joy was his joy; that was their bond, the promise of the rings tattooed on their fingers. Their brief moment of eye contact melted into laughter as they swung upward, towards a skyscraper in the heart of downtown.

With the flutter of capes, Starling and Bluejay landed on a quiet, dark balcony. Out of the corner of her eye, Mary saw Batman swing in behind him, but lose his footing on the smooth metal railing. Without thought or hesitation, Mary reached out, grabbing Bruce’s wrist to steady him.

She pulled him forward, onto the safety of solid ground. And into her personal space (it was a small balcony).

“Thanks.” Batman murmured with a hint of embarrassment.

She had to crane her neck to look him in the eyes to answer, “No problem. A trapeze artist’s job is to catch their partner.”

“Uh,” Bruce swallowed, but if he was going to say anything more, Mary would never know as John cut him off.

“A little help over here? I’m not exactly a lock-picking expert.”

Batman hastily pulled his gloved arm from Starling’s grip and slid around her to open the door. John gave her a look through his Bluejay mask, but she just shrugged her shoulders as they snuck inside.

The sparse (or as the rich would say “minimalistic”) bedroom couldn’t hold a candle to Wayne Manor, but its emptiness was indicative of wealth all the same.

Bluejay let out a low whistle and said, “So this is what wage theft can buy.”

Starling shushed her husband, “Stealth, remember?”

“Neither of you are stealthy.” Batman didn’t look up from where he was diligently inspecting an armoire even as he gestured at Bluejay and Starling’s sparky costumes.

“Mmm, maybe, but we look good.” John said, flipping his cape like it was a movie star’s long hair.

Stifling a laugh, Starling peered around the bedroom door before tiptoeing across the hall to inspect another room. She sneered at the open format kitchen with all stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and light fixtures that looked more like sculptures than ceiling lamps. This man could afford to let a whole apartment collect dust, only using it on the rare occasion he needed to sleep downtown or stash things where an oblivious spouse or an unbribed officer couldn’t find them.

The man, Tony Zucco, was the biggest lead Haly had to offer. He’d wanted to rent space to the circus back when Haly was arranging their Gotham stop. Haly backed out of the deal when he heard rumors of labor disputes—Haly was not a man who crossed picket lines—and contracted with Zucco’s competitor instead. With his mob connections, Zucco had all the means, motive, and opportunity to frame Haly.

Mary just hoped they could find hard evidence. She slowly pushed open a door, finding an office space behind it. The lush carpet and floor-to-ceiling windows were impressive, but its decor was even sparser than the bedroom. Though the desk and computer looked promising enough. Of course, Mary didn’t have any idea how to hack a password. Zucco was smart enough not to have it lying around on a sticky note. She typed in his birthday just to check, but of course that didn’t work.

The bottom drawers on the desk were locked, but the tops weren’t. Lucky her. Careful to avoid jostling the desktop or the shelves behind her, Starling ever so slowly pulled the top drawer out. It took a bit of dexterity, but she managed to tilt it just right to unlatch it from the tracks, and the drawer was free in her hands. Now, she had just enough room to peek through to the locked drawer beneath.

Sure enough, there were files, though how old they were or what they detailed she couldn’t know until she opened them up. She was about to reach for them when she felt a footstep in the room, a footstep too heavy to be either Batman or John. Trusting her gut, she jerked away.

And she was glad she did because Tony Zucco loomed over the desk, a scowl further puckering his cleft chin. Zucco reeled back for a punch, and Starling only just managed to dive out of the way with a yelp. His fist impacted the window behind her hard enough to crack it.

Tumbling over the carpet and landing on her feet, Starling ran for the office door only for Zucco to catch her around the neck. Mary’s mind whirled, trying to remember her training. Heel to his toes, elbow to his gut, spin around to free her windpipe. She was too short to really headbutt him in the jaw, but she could duck while shoving him backwards. Now Starling had enough distance for a kick that sent Zucco hurtling into his desk, which smashed into the window. The already cracked glass shattered at the weight of it. Bits of glass plummeted to the street below, and the breeze that now filled the office was much more than a simple draft.

“You’ll pay for that, bitch.” Zucco spat, chucking a paperweight at her head.

Starling dodged. Her opponent took the opening to grab her by the arm. Mary struggled against him, but his grasp was so tight she couldn’t twist her wrist. At least, not until a batarang lodged itself between two of his knuckles.

“Get away from her!”

Mary looked up to see Batman, hand at his utility belt, and her husband, who had apparently decided his fists worked just as well as his birdarangs. John jumped in front of Mary, and with a nasty crunch, Zucco’s nose suddenly had a lot less structural integrity.

Despite the blood and the pain, Zucco only stumbled back for a moment. Adrenaline, as both Graysons were well aware, was a hell of a thing. In a swift and vicious movement, he swung Bluejay onto the desk with enough force to collapse it. Starling jumped onto Zucco’s back, trying to lock him in a choke hold.

Mary’s vision blurred as she felt Zucco fling her off his back. She didn’t land on the carpet this time. Instead, she tumbled out the window into cold night air.

A cacophony of wind and traffic hit her almost as soon as the chill. Time felt fast and slow all at once, a paradox that made her muscle memory falter. Her body wanted to brace itself for impact, but her logical brain yelled for the grappling hook at her hip. Her limbs fought themselves as much as the gravity. Was this it? She thought of her husband and her son, and her gut told her to reach up.

A hand caught her forearm, and she was pulled away from the zooming cars. Mary found herself wrapping her arms around Batman’s neck, as he drew her close, one arm secure around her waist.

“You caught me.” She gasped.

It was hard to tell from under the cowl, but Bruce seemed taken aback.

“That’s what a trapeze artist’s partner is supposed to do.” He said.

“Wait, John-” Mary said when she realized they were swinging the opposite direction from the skyscraper.

“He dove for you too, I’m just the one who caught you first.” Sure enough, Mary spotted a shimmering caped figure gliding behind them.

They landed on a nearby rooftop, Bluejay following shortly after. John hit the cement running, gathering Mary into a twirling embrace. He took her head in his hands.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m okay. Yes.” Mary assured him, seeing the hints of a bruise forming on her husband’s chin. “What about you?”

“I’m fine. I can take a punch.” John joked.

“I know, my strongman.” She said lifting his mask so the beaked nose wouldn’t get in the way.

Batman stood off to the side, eyes on the skyline while Mary and John kissed. Police sirens wailed in the distance. It could have been unrelated, but it sounded like they were getting closer. Batman coughed.

“Zucco knows we’re after him now. We need to go home and restrategize.”

John slipped his mask back on, and winked at his wife, “First one to the Batmobile gets to drive?”

“You’re on.” She said, taking a running leap to the next building.

#earth 386 #ch: bruce wayne #ch: mary grayson #ch: john grayson #long post #please let the read more work on mobile

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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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Marvel’s WandaVision Episode 8: MCU Easter Eggs and Reference Guide

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

This article contains WandaVision episode 8 spoilers and potential spoilers for the wider MCU.

“You didn’t think you were the only magical girl in town, did you?”

Agatha Harkness makes good on that line from last week’s episode in WandaVision episode 8, which functions as a trip through Wanda Maximoff’s entire MCU history. Not only does it reveal previously hidden (and crucially necessary) depths to her character and her relationship with Vision, but it successfully adds new elements to her established origin story. These new wrinkles pull from Wanda’s entire Marvel history, and have massive implications for magic users and even mutants in the MCU going forward.

Here’s what we found…

Sitcom Influences

Among the bootleg DVDs Wanda’s father is selling we can see Bewitched, Malcolm in the Middle, I Love Lucy, Who’s the Boss?, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Addams Family, all of which have been major touchstones for WandaVision throughout its run. But Wanda’s favorite? That would be The Dick Van Dyke Show.

The Dick Van Dyke Show episode that the Maximoffs watch is season 2 episode 21 “It May Look Like A Walnut”, or as Wanda’s dad calls it “the walnut episode!” This installment finds Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) staying up late to watch a spooky sci-fi movie on TV, while his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) tries to ignore it because it freaks her out. In the movie, aliens from the planet Twilo come to Earth in disguise to slow down humanity’s development by feeding us walnuts that contain the chemical element “absorbitron.” The walnuts take away our creativity and our thumbs – the two things that get us into outer space to challenge their Twiloian supremacy. The next day, walnuts seem to be the only food that Rob can find. He comes to believe that Laura is either playing a trick on him, or that the Twiloites have really invaded.

Why would WandaVision go out of its way to mention this episode in particular? Well, Wanda can certainly empathize with a protagonist who comes to believe his world is fabricated. And Marvel Phase 4 does seem destined to spend quite a bit more time in space.

The scene of Malcolm in the Middle that Vision watches but doesn’t quite understand has Hal build a deck, only for it to collapse on him. In the third WandaVision episode intro, Vision builds a swingset, only for it to suddenly collapse in front of him.

Wanda’s father sold DVDs as a trade and even had a Malcolm in the Middle box set in there. That’s pretty damn impressive, since he was killed by that bomb in 1999 and the show didn’t start airing until early 2000. That’s some Spaceballs VHS technology right there!

While at the HYDRA facility, Wanda watches The Brady Bunch. The episode appears to be season 1’s “Kitty Karry-All Is Missing.” When Cindy Brady’s beloved Kitty Karry-All goes missing, she thinks her brother Bobby stole her. The Bradys have a trial and everything! But it turns out the Bradys’ dog Tiger actually took Kitty Karry-All. Perhaps that’s why Agatha needed Sparky out of the way – dogs are unpredictable.

Wanda’s assurance that “He’s not really injured. It’s not that kind of show” is as much a commentary on superhero storytelling in both comics and in movies as it is about sitcoms.

Agatha Harkness

Kicking things off with an Agatha Harkness origin story is an inspired move…

Placing Agatha’s origin in witch-trial era Salem in 1693 ends up being a little piece of misdirection. She’s not on trial for being a witch, but rather by her own coven for seeking too much power.

We get a sense of Agatha’s family here, with Agatha’s mother leading the coven against her while Agatha is still just a young witch. This doesn’t match her comics origin, where she was already centuries old by the time the Salem Witch Trials rolled around – she is old enough to remember Atlantis being above water. In the comics, she was a leader of the Salem community when the trials began.

Agatha’s mother’s name is Evanora Harkness. She doesn’t appear to have a counterpart in the comics.

The Latin chant that the witches are repeating appears to be “mors monstru naturale” which would translate to “natural death is a monster,” which…given Agatha’s seemingly immortal nature, tracks pretty well.

The magical “crown” of energy that appears on Agatha’s mother’s head very faintly resembles the headgear that Wanda wears in the comics as the Scarlet Witch. Granted, it’s blue here.

Agatha’s use of “purple energy” may be the most damning sign of her intentions yet. In comics, purple is often coded as the color of villains.

We also learn the origin of the brooch Agatha has been wearing all through this series, with Agatha having taken it off her mother’s corpse.

In the final scene with Agatha and the twins, she floats above them and holds them at will like marionettes. This is probably a reference to Master Pandemonium, whose reveal made the children look like hand puppets…except they were his actual hands.

Because comics!

Let’s dig into some of the spells Agatha says…is one of them “crystallum possession”. I also definitely heard an Imperio something in there, which calls to mind the Imperius curse from TERF High Harry Potter. The Imperius curse allowed the witch or wizard to control the victim’s body like a puppet.

The Scarlet Witch

Hoo-boy, we get a LOT of Wanda’s comics lore introduced in this episode…

This episode makes it pretty clear that Wanda was born with her abilities and that Strucker’s experiments merely amplified them. Should we officially welcome mutants to the MCU? If her powers were latent, then perhaps so were Pietro’s. The fact that Strucker’s experiments killed all the subjects except for Wanda and Pietro could be seen as further evidence of their mutant heritage.

We get some very different explanations of Wanda’s magical powers than we’ve had in the past, all via Agatha, and all of them referencing various ways Wanda’s powers have been explained in the comics in the past.

Why didn’t that Stark Industries bomb explode and kill Wanda and Pietro? She may have unknowingly cast a “probability hex” on it. For many years Wanda’s “magical” powers were explained as a mutant ability to alter the probability of outcomes, no matter how unlikely.

Later, it was revealed that she was a master of “chaos magic,” another term introduced here. Furthermore, now it seems that being able to wield chaos magic gives Wanda a specific magical title, that of “Scarlet Witch.” We…do not have to tell you where that comes from.

The vision (sorry) that the Mind Stone gives Wanda would appear to be one of her future, fully Scarlet Witch-ified self. This particular costume, which evokes a long jacket and crown, is very similar to the one she’s worn in the most recent Marvel Comics.

When Agatha finally discovers that Wanda is the Scarlet Witch, she says that the Scarlet Witch was supposed to be “a myth.” Big Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes in this exchange! Buffy often faced off against foes who once thought she was just a fairytale created to spook demons and nothing more.

Agatha’s “That accent really comes and goes, doesn’t it?” is a terrific joke at the MCU’s expense. As well as her “so many costumes and hairstyles” also feels like a nod to Wanda’s changing looks in the comics just as much as it is about the chameleon-like nature of the WandaVision universe.

Vision

The scene of Wanda coming across the disassembled remnants of Vision’s body in the SWORD lab is taken from West Coast Avengers #43 into #44. Instead of dying heroically, Vision was taken out of commission by the world’s governments for trying to take over all of the world’s computers. He was reduced to nothing but metal and circuitry in order for writer John Byrne to drive home Vision’s lack of human biology.

That disturbing scene of Vision being “dissected” with his body stretched out across multiple tables is a direct nod to a panel from those comics.

It also reminds us a little of how Thanos had Nebula pulled apart in Avengers: Endgame. At least Vision is offline!

Vision was then resurrected in the white form that we see here in the mid-credits scene, and brought back without his emotions or any connection to his past life as Wanda’s husband or Billy and Tommy’s father. This was one of the catalysts for Byrne sending Wanda into her Dark Scarlet Witch phase that abruptly ended when Byrne stormed off of West Coast Avengers for the cardinal sin of “being edited.” For more on this, type “Why did John Byrne” into Google and let autocomplete take you on a fun ride.

We’ll have more on White Vision in just a moment.

The Stark Bomb

The toaster commercial from the first episode was always supposed to be a reference to the Stark Industries bomb that tore apart the Maximoff household. That commercial also had the blinking red light of the toaster show up despite everything else being in black and white. We now see that the bomb itself had a very similar blinking red light and sound.

The popular running theory was that the commercials tracked to the different stones, and while that may still be applicable, do they also/instead track to Wanda’s memories or key parts of her life?

We saw the toaster match up with the blinking light on the bomb.

We know the watch had the Hydra face on it. Could this match if future Wanda floating in through the stone was actually a paradox and not just a vision?

The paper towel commercial mentioned Lagos too prominently to not pair with that moment of trauma.

Does the fruit snack commercial match up with her conversation with Vision in the Avengers compound?

The anti-depressant commercial does track fairly well with Wanda’s visit to SWORD.

It feels like the only one that doesn’t have an obvious pair is the tesseract bubble bath. Give us a shout in the comments if you can figure out what that matches to.

Westview

When Wanda drives through Westview for the first time, she passes by the normal versions of Herb (John Collins), Mrs. Hart (Sharon Davis), and Phil (Harold Proctor). Notably, Harold is putting up an ad for piano lessons when in the second episode, playing the piano was his talent. It’s also when Wanda magically turned his grandmother’s piano into an illusion.

As Wanda transforms Westview, we see a billboard for “Super” paper towels become “Lagos” brand paper towels (ala the commercial from earlier this season), which “makes cleanup a snap!”

When the Coronet theater marquee transforms, it’s showing two Walt Disney Productions films of the appropriate WandaVision episode 1 era, Kidnapped and Big Red. But before that it’s showing Tannhauser Gate. Roy Batty, call your agent, please.

Fake Pietro

It’s revealed that “Pietro Maximoff” was indeed a complete fake. A “Fietro” as Agatha calls him. He became her “eyes and ears” and she refers to his manifestation as “a crystalline possession.” We sense there will be more revealed about this in the finale, as Evan Peters has been M.I.A. since his appearance in last week’s post-credits scene.

The Post-Credits Scene and White Vision

In West Coast Avengers #45, Vision’s personality was wiped completely, so by the time he was reassembled, he appeared as “White Vision”. He completely lacked emotion and didn’t even understand why Wanda was hugging him upon entering the room. This became the status quo version of Vision for a while until his old personality, look, and feelings for Wanda were eventually brought back. But hey, this version got to be a playable character in the 1991 arcade hit Captain America and the Avengers!

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What are the chances that White Vision will have James Spader’s voice?

We wrote more about that post-credits scene here.

Spot anything we missed? Let us know in the comments!

The post Marvel’s WandaVision Episode 8: MCU Easter Eggs and Reference Guide appeared first on Den of Geek.

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