#it's been years since i've enjoyed a sequel more than the original movie

[fyeahcopyright]

Mickey art by @foxestacado; Magic Kingdom photo by @heidi8.

I took my first Copyright Law class in 1993; just after the term concluded, certain motion pictures had their copyrights restored because of NAFTA, but the copyright terms for things like the Marx Bros' Animal Crackers, and yes, the original Mickey Mouse cartoons including Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy were supposed to expire by the early 2000s, free for use by anyone, for any purpose (other than trademark infringement).

As we all know, they did not; the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act stretched the term from 75 years to 95 years after first publication, keeping the public domain closed for 20 years -- but those 95 years expire at midnight on January 1, 2024 for Steamboat Willie -- as well as Virginia Woolf's Orlando, the picture book Millions of Cats, a few of my favorite songs from Burt Kalmar & Harry Ruby, and the first sound recording of "Yes! We Have No Bananas!"

What does this mean for creativity? It's unpredictable! Will there be more productions of Threepenny Opera? Stage musical versions of Animal Crackers -- or Marx Bros VR? More tiktoks and YouTube videos set to songs our great grandparents enjoyed, now that the sea shanty trend is over? Will there be horror movie versions of early Mickey cartoons, the way some indie filmmakers did a horror movie version of Winnie the Pooh when the first Milne book went into the public domain a few years ago? Will there be a sequel to that horror film featuring Tigger now that His Bounciness is entering the public domain? Will I do a video setting Mickey to "Mack the Knife"? Perhaps!

But I and everyone else needs to remember that Disney still holds trademark rights in Mickey Mouse -- the original version and the evolutions since -- so it'll be important to include a disclaimer or notice that any follow-on work based on things in the public domain is not owned, created or distributed by Disney or the other relevant brand-owner.

What will I be doing to mark the occasion? I'm planning on celebrating the public domain moment *at* Walt Disney World; I need to feel it in my soul; I expect fireworks, and absolutely no recognition from anyone other than me (and possibly my family who tolerate my ridiculousness on this) about the momentousness of the moment. I may livestream it.

I've been waiting for this moment for thirty years, and I can't believe I finally get to celebrate it this week! Creativity is magic, and it'll be fascinating to see what happens next!

[georgiapeach30513]

Disclaimer: Long

With all the critic centered criticism of Red One, I have to say the cynical part of me feels like it was a concentrated effort by the industry to be assholes re: Amazon + Dwayne.

I think a huge part of the criticism is the fact that the movie's budget was so overblown due to whatever happened behind the scenes. If the film was half or even a quarter of the final budget, I don't think we'd be seeing so many "critics" screaming online about it. This film was sort of doomed from the start by that alone, due to the increasing "resent" the industry seems to have towards DJ. But all the critic reviews I've seen so far have been so overwhelmingly harsh I'm kind of wondering, "who hurt you?" Like...how can you look at a movie with a premise like this one and think it was supposed to be anything but unserious? The fact that audience scores are so much higher, and even online in comment responses to critics, you'll see people saying, "I think this film was fun. I'm confused, why are you so mad? I feel like this was better than expected." The repeated and most common response is that, which tells me people were bamboozled by critics into thinking they had to hate on this film, but the ones who still went to see it anyway, found themselves surprised when they actually took the time to form their own opinion.

I know it doesn't matter and honestly, no one is paying me to defend the film, but the critics are reacting way too hard for my sake. It's really turning me off of critics in general.

One thing I do have to say is that Red One is ACTUALLY an original story. Yes, it does take from a lot of different things and that's probably contributing to the negativity from some, but I can appreciate an original story in an era of reboots, remakes, existing IPs, and adaptations of things that already existed as a show, movie, game, broadway show, book. Now my worry is that because people reacted badly to this, studios will be even less enthused to put original content, especially holiday/Christmas themed ones. I can only hope they learn from this and rethink budgeting as a whole in the future when they're greenlighting these types of projects. You wanna put out a goofy, unserious, probably cheesy AF movie? Sure: Instead of 200 million, make it 20 million. Hire some actors who really want to lean into it and market it as such. It's really not rocket science.

In comparison: Gladiator II. Now, I know some people are already biased because some of their favorite actors are in this film, but IMHO, this sequel did not need to be made. As someone who loved the original, the entire premise (won't give spoilers) of Part 2 defeats the purpose of the first, and in my opinion, completely kills the ending of Gladiator, which I felt was nearly perfect. Gladiator II is also getting mixed reviews, and heavily dinged by critics as well, but I think there's a more valid criticism towards this film than towards Red One. The difference here is that GLADIATOR II was supposed to be better. It was supposed to be this big amazing sequel (that nobody really needed, but Ridley Scott can do no wrong to some) but the premise and actual storyline make no sense if you're somebody who enjoyed the first. This movie is rightfully getting the criticism it deserves, because the expectations for a follow up like this one was supposed to be so much better than it ended up being.

Red One? I mean...even The Rock's own fans were hating on the film before it even came out. CE's fans have been hating on this film since it was announced, and they haven't stopped giving gripe about it even though it was filmed over 2 years ago. It was never going to be some amazing masterpiece and anyone who was going in thinking differently...well.

As for Chris...yes, people online have been coming at him left and right and wondering why he's doing stuff like this and why he's not doing more or better etc etc etc. Well...Can I be honest? They always overlooked him and never took him seriously. Even when he was Cap, he got more or less brushed aside for RDJ playing himself as Ironman. Every film Chris has done outside the MCU that has been worthy of praise either gets brushed under the rug or ignored, or people didn't show up in the theaters. The industry seems to completely ignore him when it comes to anything serious, but they will happily shoehorn him into headlines using the Cap title forever.

I think he got tired of trying to work against the grain and he figured, he'll get his bag and at least he can pay his bills. But it does feel like something may have changed within the last year or so, as his recent film choices appear to be a 180 from the last 2-3 years. So who knows? All I know is, I don't blame him for ultimately disappearing from social media. Everyone has to find and make their own peace.

For me, the budget is a big issue. Who greenlit a Christmas movie with a $250M budget, and then a $100M marketing budget?? I think it's absurd, and yes, I do think the CGI was cheap looking. Now, the heart of the movie itself, the story, I enjoyed. I think the acting was quite nice. I think the practical effects makeup on Kristofer is phenomenal! Krampus is fully believable because of it. I love seeing practical effects instead of straight CGI, and that was a great call.

I agree, the critics are going a bit hard on a silly Christmas movie. I'm not unsure who pissed in the hot chocolate, but they need to calm down. It's not that serious. And I like that we got a Christmas movie that embodies some true Christmas spirit. I wish it came out after Thanksgiving, but whatever.

I agree with your points about Gladiator II. I think people expected more for various reasons, and now it's not delivering.

I think with DJ it's really easy to hate on him right now. You either love him or you hate him. He is a showman, and he loves bigger than life events/moments. There are some Chris fans that have been hating on this from day one, while I and several others were excited to see what this movie brought to the Christmas movie lineup, and honestly, I wasn't disappointed, and dare I say pleasantly surprised?

I think for Chris R1 served several purposes; Christmas movie bucket list, work with DJ, easy paycheck. I don't think there's a huge point to act like this movie was going to be anything but goofy and fun, and that's what we got. I don't fault Chris for doing a money grab movie. However! I do hope this doesn't become the normal, and judging by his last three choices of movies, I don't think it will be.

A lot of actors do the big budget money grab movies to have a nice lifestyle, and then add in more challenging and interesting roles after. Typically you don't see the big paycheck with those (unless you're Leo). I just hope there's a good balance.

[unityrain24]

Saw your tags about Star Wars, it seems Star Wars stans and modern MCU stans are two peas in a pod. :/

im not entirely sure which tags you were referring to, because i have reblogged several starwars posts with Tags, but honestly, the mcu and starwars really are two peas in a pod. And im honestly surprised there isnt more comradery/comparing between the fandoms

both started out as, while definitely not "high art" or anything, legitimately good enjoyable films, with relatable characters the audience could feel empathy and compassion for, exciting new powers and places, fun and adventurous stories, and more, which instantly became beloved classic that people thought about with nostalgia and pleasantness. And they were and by people who cared and the people who watched them were compelled to care and create communities.

But then both franchises saw a shift, from making films from a passionate and moneymaking point of view, to purely making films from a moneymaking point of view. While star wars saw this happen with the franchise being picked up a few years after to make sequels, the mcu's shift happened more gradually, since there was no time in-between making movies.

now, while i would not consider myself a StarWars Fan, my sister and cousins most definitely were, so i had to watch basically everything in order to keep a conversation with them (not that i didnt enjoy it, i quite liked it and all the lore, it just didnt hold the special place in my heart that thing i consider myself a Fan of do). I've watched the movies, the clone wars series, rebels, the mandalorian, etc all the way through. It's been a while since i was keeping up with everything, so forgive me for not having quite a comprehensive understanding and opions of it as i did say, 3-4 years ago lol.

But the starwars sequels are a lot like the latest phases of the mcu. While i cant remember if they explicitly go against any prestablished canon like the later mcu phases do, they definitely go against the spirit and point/purpose of the original (and even prequel) films.From what i remember, the sequels also had went through several different directers and had direction and script changes and was a whole mess, so even the three films were sort of inconsistent or at the very leat felt oddly-thrown together (<-i may be wrong on the specifics of that its been a while. but it was something along those lines). Also like the later phases of the mcu, they relied a lot on the "nostalgia factor" with not only easter eggs but bringing back old ideas, concepts, plots, even characters, since it "worked so well the first time," when really what the "first time" did was think of new things, present old things in new ways, and tell make art from a place of passion, community, and connection, rather than a "whats the least i can do to make the most money" mindset formula (a point brought up a lot by @therese-lokidottir on many of their recent mcu critiques).

Starwars, unlike the mc, did have a brief period of "redemption" where it looked like the franchise would be saved and given back to the hands of people passionate about starwars, stoytelling, and film, with stuff like the final season of clonewars, the mandalorian, and a few other things. That was a great time to be a starwars fan. I wasn't even a fan, and it was kind of magical for me. But now it seems like they are back of the capitalist art-destroying path, hard. They have been pumping out series after series after series (once again going for the "nostalgia" thing, bringing back the clonewars artstyle, several beloved characters, and more), but it all feels so hollow. The stories feel more like they are just putting in a whole bunch of "wow, thats so shocking" and sewing them together with "hey i loved that character!". The costuming and makeup is absolute trash. The worst by far is hera (an alien character from the animated Rebels series, showing up live-action in Ahsoka). It is hideous. I have seen cosplays of her better than what the actual multi-bullion-dollar corpoation disney with all the best resources put on that screen. The costume looked like it was from spirit halloween, the makeup looked patchy and strange, they left out simple details of her design, and all the colours were Off. Examples:

Hera in Rebels:

Hera Cosplayers (x and x):

Hera in the Ahsoka Series: (it is like. seriously disconcerting to me)

and again, the costuming was not the most pressing point. Its actually relatively low on the list of points of everything bad with current starwars. But its good for a visual example. My sister and my cousins loved starwars. Passionate. Ahsoka was one of my sister's favourite characters. She couldnt even get though a full episode of ashoka. I havent heard anything new of starwars from our cousins, either. And we see eachother relatively often. I havent watched a new starwars thing in like... forever now. And it seems like neither have they. And not because they got sick of starwas, i can tell you that. They got sick of the new starwars being pumped out and shoved down their throats where the only things that resembled what they had loved were twisted into something else. Which, at least in my experience, is far, far worse than if they just ended things ubruptly and unfairly. At least mutilated corpse can rest.

The mcu's decline was, again, more gradual, like boiling a frog. Thor ragnarok is where i would probably pinpoint the beginnings though. I didn't like it at first, because it was out of character, sort of reversed elements of the character's well-developing character arcs , narratively picked on some characters more than others, etc. But, it was still a well-beloved film by many, in-universe explanations for why the characters, arcs, and plots were so different could be plausibly thought up, it was fun and unique, and i could make myself ignore the bad parts and focus on the good and enjoy it for a while. But by the time the loki series came out? There wasnt even any of that anymore. No passion. No community. No love of art. No respect for the previous artists and their art, that the new makers were supposed to honour and continue. While ragnarok's morals of the story could be a little iffy at times (attempting to critique colonialism/imperialism, but falling flat because mocking loki for dismantling it; making jokes at points of the film where it was a little inappropriate), the loki series was straight up horrifying. Perhaps most noteably, fucking. GLORIFYING AND EXCUSING/SYMPATHIZING FASCISM??? and labeling genocide as a "necessary evil?" (though, once again, that was not the only immoral "moral" the series preached). Disgusting. And the MCU is pumping out way more films than starwars, and seem far deeper in the money-lust trenches too.

either way, both are suffering and both are bought by disney (and oddly, both keep giving more and more screentime to the fascist characters. but at least starwars isnt romanticizing it like the mcu is...)

and it hurts so much when something important to you is taken from you, and twisted, and ruined, and its mutilated corpse is hung up on string and paraded around as a puppet before your eyes, and burned into your mind even when you finally tear yourself away. And then swarms of people thinking your ridiculous for caring so much about something so unimportant, and others defending the very monstrosity that did this.

But its not ridiculous or silly or inferior to be attatched to a fictional character or fictional world or fictional story or whatever. They can provide comfort, and ways to explore and understand and even come to terms with yourself (or even others!) (and can be especially important coping mechanism for mentally ill people!). And art is a such an innately human thing, for us to express ourselves, and communal art (like film!) is a tradition across humanity and time!

And with the whole thing with people these days defending/denying what capitalism is doing to art, and denying the notion that art has any influence or effect on "real life"... why are these such absurd concept to you, that you liken to some crazy conspiracy theory? Are you really so blind as to not see it happening before you? Is the blindfold over your eyes really so soft it feels like nothing there? They say a bird who doesnt know its in a cage thinks its free. These people seem to think that drastic, unfair, unjust, immoral, inequal changes and systems are only things of the past. And often, the past doesnt feel real. Dinosaurs and the roman empire and some genocide in some faraway land in some faraway time can at times seem just as unreal as mythical creatures and stories. And even if such terrible things were to happen now, surely theyd be able to see it coming. But things like this dont change in an instant. They are gradual. Like boiling a frog. You dont notice. And even if things arent the worst they can be, and never become the worst they can be, they are still bad. Things arent required to be certified the worst of worst in order for change to be allowed to happen. The worst of the worst isnt even a thing.

Our art is being taken from us. We are being overworked and underpayed. Our whole lives are dictated by how "valuable" we are. Our environments are being polluted and decimated and our planet is becoming more and more inhospitable. Racism and queerphobia and ableism and more are taking lives. And none of those things are at the very worst they can be. They could all be much, much, much worse. But we shouldnt just sit around and be grateful its not worse and do nothing more, nor should we deny anything is wrong at all. If you had cancer youd want to do what you could to get better. If you If broke your leg youd do what you could to make it better. Even if you just accidentally cut your hand or finger while chopping vegetables, youd bandages it up. We always should try to make things better.

We deserve to have our art continue to be art. Just as we deserve all the much more pressing areas of our lives to be better too

Anyways, marvel and starwars really are two peas in a pod. And that pod is with other pods, and the plant those pods share is film. Or perhaps even art as a whole. The mcu and starwars are just really good examples of whats happening right now, because not only does it feel like perhaps its hitting them the most, but also because since they are such large franchises, you can really see and document the progression of whats happening with each instalment.

two peas in a pod :( <3

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super Manga Ch.100

Yes, Cheelai, we have finally reached the end of the 2023 Dragon Ball Apocrypha Liveblog, but in particular, we've also finally reached the end of the seemingly endless manga adaptation of the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie.

And yeah, this seems like an anticlimactic place to close out the year, but that's kind of how this entire liveblog has been, when you get down to it. I've had fun going through all this stuff, but there's a reason I'm referring to it all as "apocryphal". The Tournament of Power is a lot of fun, and the two DBS feature films are instant classics, but none of it really feels essential to Dragon Ball. From the OAVs to GT to Super, the main theme here is "Hey, remember Dragon Ball? Let's make more of that!" Everything ends up being a sequel or a callback or an easter-eggy kind of deal. And that's not the worst thing that can happen to a franchise, but it's probably fitting that we're closing out on the final chapter of a comic book adaptation of a movie that serves as a sequel to the Android arc that was a continuation of the Red Ribbon Army arc.

Chapter 100 just retells the last several minutes of the Super Hero movie, and I already went over the film, so let's just concentrate on how the manga depicts it differently. We'll start with Gohan's right arm, which got some heat a few days ago when the previews came out.

I refuse to dogpile on Toyotaro, since he's a far better artist than I'll ever be, and I've genuinely enjoyed his art through this entire read-through, even when the writing has been bad. That said... yeah, Gohan's arm looks kind of weird. Maybe while Gohan was teaching himself the Special Beam Cannon, he learned how to do Piccolo's stretchy arm thing too.

I do think it's pretty dumb how chuds on Twitter will nitpick Toyotaro's art as though the original Dragon Ball manga was some kind of showcase of photorealistic anatomy. I've been a fan of this thing for a quarter-century now, and the key to loving Dragon Ball is to make peace with the fact that it's fundamentally goofy and stupid. Sometimes a guy's arm gets drawn longer than his other arm. Sometimes characters scream so loud that their jaws unhinge like when a snake swallows an egg whole. Bulma wasted a wish on the Dragon Balls to make her ass look hotter, because if she didn't, then Frieza would come back and use the wish to make himself taller. Goku grew his tail back by having a guy tug on his ass with a pair of pliers. This show was always a hot mess, so don't blame Toyotaro. It was like this when he got here.

Anyway, Cell Max tries to block the Special Beam Cannon like he did in the movie, but Gohan has a harder time punching through, so in this version Goten and Trunks jump in to distract Cell and give Gohan a boost. In the movie, they were still Gotenks until after the fight ended, but in this version the battle must have taken a little longer, since they de-fused a little earlier.

Of course, this is just a way for Toyotaro to show off the Great Saiyaman X-1 and X-2 costumes one more time. It's kind of pointless, because all of the added Goten and Trunks scenes in this arc have been pointless. Also, Trunks' pose looks really awkward here. He looks like he got sawed in half, and both halves are still kind of flying forward in the same direction, but he's no longer connected.

I will say that I'm grateful for this final appearance of X-1 and X-2, because it gives me a chance to critique their outfits one last time. I hate the superhero undies they wear over their tights. They look baggy and puffy for some reason, which make it look like Goten and Trunks are wearing diapers. I'm pretty sure that's the exact opposite of what the boys were going for.

I mean, the outfits aren't that bad, but what irritates me is how Toyotaro keeps showing them off like this is the coolest thing going on in this story. The designs are presented like they somehow connect all these different things. Goten and Trunks were inspired by Cleangod, and they named their personas after Great Siayaman, and then Dr. Hedo saw them and supposedly based the Gammas' costumes off their look. Except X-1 and X-2 don't actually look anything like Great Saiyaman, or Cleangod, or the Gammas. It's just frustrating.

Anyway, we get the same bit about cosmetic skin alteration from the movie, except Gotenks has already separated in this version, so Bulma can address Goten and Trunks separately.

I also like this part after Pan shows off her flying ability. This segued into the credits of the movie, but here we see Gohan calling out for her to stay closer to the ground. It's pretty cute, since it kind of calls back to when Gohan was a timid child way back in the early days of DBZ. Now he's older and braver, but I bet when he sees Pan up so high in the air he thinks about how scared he was whenever he was up really high.

Meanwhile, some Red Ribbon goons have survived the battle and appear to be slowly getting away. This is nice because I noticed these guys escorting Carmine to safety in one of the previous chapters, and I've always wondered if any of the Red Ribbon guys made it out of the base alive. Pan knocked Carmine out, so it seemed reasonable to assume that he was vaporized during the Cell Max battle. Actually, in the movie, it looked like the entire crater was flattened, but here it looks like the destruction stayed confined to that area.

Anyway, the implication is that Carmine will return to Red Pharmaceutical and try to figure out his next move, but it seems unlikely that he could be much of a threat. Magenta's dead, the base is destroyed, and a bunch of their soldiers either died or deserted in this battle. Remember, even with the base and all those soldiers, Magenta still wasn't ready to make a big move. Dr. Hedo's androids were supposed to be his game-changing weapon, and now Hedo's turned against the Red Ribbon, so what can Carmine possibly do from here?

We get some additional material of the Goku/Vegeta fight in the movie. In the post-credits scene, they were practically moving in slow-motion and we only got to see the final blow. Here, we see Goku and Vegeta each land one last punch before the one that ends it all. These boys look all rowdy and badass and it's great.

When Whis finally responds to Bulma's messages, we get this cute shot of everyone sleeping in the back of her aircraft. Gohan talks about taking her to the amusement park, which seems kind of random, but it occurred to me that this might be setting up some filler story for Chapter 101. Like Gohan and Pan go to the amusement park for the day, and Carmine tries to kill them or something to avenge the Red Ribbon Army. That probably wouldn't be a bad idea, although I really don't want that to happen, because it sounds similar to the "Hedo vs. Goten and Trunks" stuff we had in Chapters 88-90. Everyone thinks Toyotaro has been champing at the bit to get done with this arc so he can return to his Black Frieza business, but for all we know he's been enjoying this whole bit, and he'll blow the next six months on filler stories with Goten and Trunks goofing around with Sgt. Nutz.

Anyway, this is the last page and this was the last little bit of the movie too, so Toyotaro has definitely run out of movie to adapt. Also, Bulma looks really cute on this page, so I wanted to add that to the record.

So that pretty much wraps things up, except for one minor detail. Where's the big twist?

I ran across this last month when I was checking to see if Chapter 99 would wrap up the arc or not. CBR.com did an article entitled "Dragon Ball Super Chapter 100's 'Unbelievable' Twist to Lead to "'Crazy Developments'" The story stems from comments made by V-Jump editor Victory Uchida, who was hyping DBS chapters 99 and 100 while appearing in an unboxing video for some reason.

The video is in Japanese, so I can't just pull out direct quotes from the man, so maybe this was all some big misunderstanding. Maybe it was a mistranslation, maybe Uchida got confused and was referring to material that wouldn't see print until Chapter 101. Or maybe he was just doing a standard hype job for his publication without thinking about what was actually in the magazine. After all, how can Chapter 100 have an "unbelievable twist" when it's doing a shot-for-shot repeat of a year-old movie?

So I assumed this meant there would be some sort of epilogue scene in the final pages, designed to set up the next arc. Sort of like how the last chapter of the Tournament of Power arc had the scene where the Galactic Patrol kidnaps Majin Buu. But Chapter 100 had no such thing. No Black Frieza, no Cell Max suddenly turning the tables on Gohan to win the movie, no mysterious appearance from Purple Turles or Red Bojack. Not even a lousy cameo from Platinum Cooler.

Does this make Victory Uchida an unreliable source of information? Or has he simply been misunderstood? I feel like his ridiculous yellow wig/hat thing kind of holds the answer to that question.

Anyway, the ultimate fate of Dragon Ball Super lies in Chapter 101 and beyond, but those stories will be printed in 2024, which means they fall outside the scope of this liveblog. So unless Toei or Shueisha has a new movie or anime coming out in the next eleven days, I'm done. This has been the 2023 Dragon Ball Apocrypha Liveblog. Good night, everybody!

[transfemmbeatrice]

hello! I loved reading your interpretation of much ado's beatrice... I think it makes a lot of sense. on another note, as someone who enjoys shakespeare, do you have any adjacent media like literature classics to recommend? I need to find a classic work of fiction to analyze I think... no pressure though, answer if you want.

i have been giving this ask some thought and i have a number of answers for you! though i don't know if they're exactly what you're looking for, it's what came to mind.

Les Mis. my favorite book of all time!! there is SO much there to chew on, Victor Hugo is an incredible (if incredibly unsubtle) writer. the unabridged version takes some real work to get through, but it's worth it imo. even a good abridged version is still really excellent! i have some opinions on english translations you're free to inquire about if you're interested. whatever you do, don't read Denny. and the brick also still has a great, active fanbase on tumblr!

2. Twelfth Night (2017) dir. Simon Godwin. idk if you're already a twelfth night fan, but this production puts a little twist on it in a way that i am still thinking about years later. it works best if you're already familiar with the play so you can understand how its being subverted; if you're interested, hmu and i can hook you up with any number of productions to watch (which is true of any shakespeare, really. i collect them.)

3. The Imperial Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie. not classic lit, but the best contemporary scifi i've read. leckie is an incredible writer; there is nothing she's done i haven't loved and i would recommend all of her work, but this trilogy is my favorite. (if you want to try a sample of her writing, she released a short story collection this year called Lake of Souls.) the radch trilogy deals with empire and resistance and colonialism and language and gender and bodies and technology and identity and personhood and so much more!! they're one of my favorite books of all time.

4. other well-written scifi that really gets into it and has given me a lot to think about: the unraveling by ben rosenbaum (which does such a good job, imo, of feeling really alien) and a memory called empire by arkady martine (which has a great sequel as well).

5. crush by richard siken. not to be a cliche, but his poetry is fucking amazing. reading crush was the first time i understood poetry. i went my entire school career never clicking with it--i was a prose girlie and it felt like my brain just shut off every time i tried to engage with poetry, but crush fucking rewired my brain and i've read it so many times. if you haven't checked it out, i can't recommend it highly enough; the language and themes are so intricate and well done and it feels like a coherent whole in a really compelling way.

6. the count of monte cristo by alexandre dumas. it's been over a decade since i read it, but i know i loved it and so do many other people so i trust my own past assessment. i remember drawing a character map about how everyone was connected because it was so complicated (i may still have that somewhere, actually) and it certainly has some strong similarities to les mis but is focused on being a revenge story. i watched V for Vendetta recently and it comes up in that movie a bit and it made me really miss it.

7. Be Good and Rewatch It: Pride and Prejudice. Waypoint (rest in peace<3) did some media rewatch podcasts on this feed, and the star of the show is their series on the 95 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. altogether, their podcasting is more than twice the length of the show itself, but it is so incredibly worth listening to all of it. the adaptation adheres pretty closely to the book so a lot of what they get into relates to the original work as well. there is some fantastic insightful analysis like the difference between english and french relationships with nature and how its reflected in their gardening trends and what it says about lady catherine that her estate is done in the french style--and also there's darcy/peter b. parker fanfiction. extremely well done and also very, very funny, i cannot recommend this more highly!

8. In a similar vein, Shelved By Genre is an excellent podcast if you like sinking your teeth into literary analysis! they focus on genre literature, and have done Book of the New Sun, the Earthsea books, works by Junji Ito, a series by Mercedes Lackey, and I think next are doing Neuromancer? I'm very behind, but they do really excellent work. it's a touch more serious than the last one i mentioned, but it's still a LOT of fun. all three come from academia and i always feel like i'm learning so much when i listen to them.

9. Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot. it's a shortish memoir that i really enjoyed, and there was an interview at the end that i can't stop thinking about because of how she talked about her craft and her story's place in a larger context. i recommend at least reading the interview (which i posted here). i'll also throw Alan Davies' memoir "Just Ignore Him" in here, because i loved it so much and also have a lot of thoughts about how it is written and structured which that interview made me think about again. i'm very biased on this one because i'm a huge fan of his, but i think it's still pretty good if you're not familiar with him. it should be noted that both these books deal with some dark stuff, so feel free to reach out to me for content warnings if you like. alan's audiobook is excellent; heart berries' audiobook is horrendous.

10. this list could not be complete unless i recommended Friends at the Table, an actual play podcast focused on critical worldbuilding, smart characterization, and fun interaction between good friends. genuinely the work they do is some of the best stories i have ever encountered, in my entire life, in any medium. there's a shit ton of it and i'm always happy to give recommendations on where to start, whether you're ready to dive in totally or just try a sample. i could never even begin to put into words how good this show is or how much it means to me. it makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me laugh until i cry, it haunts me (positive), it has led me to meeting so many cool people and introduced me to lots of other great and compelling media and philosophy and political ideology. and that's not even getting into my fascination with how game mechanics shape a story, and the sheer joy of things coming together based on chance rather than convenience--it's such an interesting way to tell a story! i'll shut up now but as i will continue to say up to and including when i'm on my deathbed--please listen to friends at the table.

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [71/?]

↳“Why are you doing this?“ "Because you let me." Speak No Evil (2022) dir. Christian Tafdrup

Plot: A Danish family visits a Dutch family they met on a holiday. What was supposed to be an idyllic weekend slowly starts unraveling as the Danes try to stay polite in the face of unpleasantness.

Starring: Morten Burian, Sidsel Siem Koch, Fedja van Huêt, Karina Smulders, Liva Forsberg & Marius Damslev

I've been meaning to watch this one for a while and I've been considering whether to watch the remake as well but it didn't feel right if I didn't at least see this one first so here we are. I needed to understand why they would feel the need to remake a movie that is only 2 years old beyond the sake of a cash grab situation. Now, I won't be able to have an answer until I after I watch the remake later on today (I want a little time between so it's not too fresh in my mind but just enough I can call out the obvious parallels I'm sure will be in there) but I'm hoping there will be some changes in the story a bit. Just because I really need these production companies to understand one thing - remakes/sequels, they should at least attempt to bring something new to the narrative in some way so that there's value in exploring it more. Anyway, about the actual movie, I enjoyed it, at least I think. lol That almost feels like a weird thing to say because it is sooo tense. It's very much a slowburn so a lot of it is just this sense of dread that something is gonna happen eventually but you don't know what. I'm sure it'll be a little too slow for some people, which I can understand, but it had me for most of it. I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable for the Danish couple being such fish out of water with the Dutch pair, which you know is very much the intention. And then it takes that turn in the end and I was like, wow, talk about bleak. I appreciated that there was a social commentary going on with the narrative. Even as an American, I could understand what was going on with that. I am curious how they handle that aspect in the remake since I did see that was one of the things people worried about. I did also notice it has a slightly higher IMDB rating than the original so maybe they did a good job with it after all. Like I said, we'll see. Overall, I thought this one was pretty good. Worth the watch imo.

[monkey-network]

Good Stuff: Megamind 2

I remember many moons ago that I reviewed Dreamworks's Megamind in all its brilliance. I remember around that same time spitballing about a sequel. Cut to 2 years ago where they announced one and my optimism was in it. I wasn't expecting much, I had simple expectations of this since Dreamworks never slacked when it came to their sequels, you know? Now we're here... and it's like how am I meant to feel? Should I feel grateful for this sudden monkey's paw, this baboon's dishwater soaked digits for giving us this take on Megamind? [sigh] I don't want to be too sour about this though.

Still better than what Wreck-it Ralph fans got, I guess

Now I'm not bothered by them making a film that's essentially a backdoor pilot to the TV series, nor that the original cast's been replaced, introducing new characters, and that the series itself isn't theatrical tier animation wise. That has always been an acceptable given with Dreamworks shows vs movies. What bothers me is that the new "film" couldn't have the same quality as before. Like this is unprecedented, where a sequel doesn't get the same stellar animation as before but is basically just episode 0 of the TV show. This never happened before, The Croods, Trolls, and Boss Baby never got downgraded to direct-to-DVD status with their sequels's animation looking worse than the fucking Paw Patrol movies. We JUST got Puss in Boots: The Last Wish couple years ago, so can you imagine how this kinda bothers me? I'm cool with it not having the same great writing and worldbuilding as the OG film, but this felt like the biggest disservice to any Megamind fan, heck any animation fan in general.

Presentation was the ONE thing this should have had

But I've been sour enough, is the film/show actually worth it story and character wise? Dear lord, it's corny. It makes 60s Batman feel like a Christopher Nolan production. The characters you know are basically the only reason to watch this as none of the new ideas given are compelling enough that makes this feel justified. It's nice getting a series about heroes and villains, and Megamind himself is the most enjoyable part about all this, but it's like even I can't sift out the hidden gem this could have with what I've seen. It's like kids will enjoy this as is like the other Dreamworks shows, but it's hard imagining any older fan of the original movie being ecstatic enough to even bother past the film. I'm sorry, it's overall serviceable but I can't offer any silver lining that can prove this was worth it.

Again, I can't even be mad. I'm used to this pain.

I don't know what else to say. Do I just lie to you all and say this wasn't a massive disappointment? This hasn't soured my feelings for Dreamworks, I'm still a believer given they aren't exactly the studio I go to for long running streaks of quality compared to others. It's not like Megamind was the biggest thing in my life, that goes to Shrek and Bluey, but I kinda wanted... more from this? This just barely does anything for me. I'm gonna watch a couple more episodes and honestly not look back when this weekend's over. What sucks the most is that this isn't the first time a sequel animation has made me feel this way, but this is a newfound low for me.

I give Arzette: Jewel of Faramore a 9 out of 10. Just a fantastic blast from the past.

Megamind 2 gets a 2 out of 5. Fucking fiasco.

[emiliosandozsequence]

Hi! I barely ever use my tumblr but found your blog while looking for Dune stuff. I started reading The Sparrow based off of your interests (since many overlap w things I’m interested in but never put name to) — and was wondering if there’s any other media you recommend with similar vibes? I’m only about 100 pages into The Sparrow and can already tell it’s going to be devastating/I’ll need to read the follow up. The blend of science, religion, foreboding prophecy (?), and lifelike characters has really pulled me in (not dissimilar to Dune in a way?!). Anyways, big fan and if you have the time to reply, thanks!

OH YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!!! most of what i watch/read has this vibe. most of what i recommend is going to be films tho bc up until last year i've been in a reading slump that's lasted several years rip

three body problem by liu cixin (of everything i will recommend, this is the one that i recommend the most strongly because it's EXACTLY on the nose what you're asking for)

mistborn trilogy by branden sanderson (this is more fantasy, but it Does have a mixing of science and religion nonetheless)

the fountain (2006) -- this is my all time favorite film hands down; most people don't like it, but i think that's bc they don't get it

another earth (2011)

sound of my voice (2011)

the oa (this is a tv show; it only lasted two seasons and g-d i DREAM every day of it being longer)

arrival (both the book and the film)

the southern reach trilogy/annihilation (again: both the book and the film, but definitely moreso the books here)

the aeronauts (2019)

i origins (2014)

interstellar (2014)

sunshine (2008)

knowing (2009)

signs (2002)

contact (1997)

district 9 (2009)

elysium (2013)

the creator (2023)

lucy (2014)

castle rock (another tv show that...you wouldn't think is about science and religion, but it definitely ends up being that way)

tron: legacy (2010)

atlantis: the lost empire (yes the disney movie)

cloud atlas (again: both the film and the book; i do prefer the film tho bc it leans into the religious aspects a lot more than the book does)

prometheus (2012)

avatar (2010) say what you will about this movie, but it literally does exactly this (blends science and religion); tbh it's probably bc of this movie that i love scifi as much as i do today

event horizon (1997)

the wonder (2022) this really isn't what you're asking for, but i love the film so much and it has such an ethereal holy feel that i had to recommend it anyway 💕💕

also i'm so so glad you're enjoying the sparrow so far!! i highly recommend the sequel children of g-d and i recommend reading it as soon as you finish the sparrow too so you can notice all the parallels between the sparrow and that book!!

[abuddyforeveryseason]

This is the Buddy for October 16th. I quite like it. It does look like a two-page spread in a manga I'd enjoy. I'm a big fan.

I am a nerd. I've always been, really, although I'm not blind to the annoying issues there are whatever it is people call nerd culture.

When I was a kid, there was a writer I read a bit of from time to time. I'm not going to name names because I don't want to insult particular people on this tumblr, especially since he doesn't seem to deserve it as far as personality goes.

He published a book, a sci fi novel with a lot of references to action movies of the time. Then he put out an RPG adaptation of the novel, which was what I got my hands on. It seemed like he was into hard science fiction, I was impressed, thought he was a smart guy. I eventually forgot about him until a few years back, when I found out what he had been doing since then.

After the books, he published some comics serving as a sequel/side story to the novel. They were pretty influenced by Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee, comics that my nerd friends usually mocked for their trashy art and horny storylines. And after that, he moved on to manga-style comics ripping off stuff like Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho and El Hazard. After that he made a set of superhero graphic novels with manga influences, and later a fantasy RPG-inspired webcomic.

So when you see the guy's body of work, it seems like he's just ripping off what's popular. He started out referencing movies of the time, then during the alternative comics boom of the nineties, he turned those hard sci fi concepts into edgy superhero stuff. When manga started really getting big, he forgot about superheroes and started doing more "mature" manga stuff (or at least what we considered to be mature back then. Manga was a lot more adult than superheroes, because of the violence, sex, book length, production model...). Then when Marvel started putting out movies, superheroes were cool again, and he's acting as if he's always been a fan. And now he's following the leader with something RPG and webtoon inspired.

So, looking at the guy, it feels like rather than being a fan who can tell when a work is quality despite it being disposable pop culture, he just looks like a drone spending money and time on whatever it is that's being published, and then scoffing at his old interests when the new stuff comes along.

Of course, even though I don't see myself that way, I am kind of the same. I got into comics during the Kurt Busiek era trade paperback boom - I wouldn't follow monthly releases, but bought the complete stories in a proper bookstore. And although I'm not from the same generation Jack Kirby's original fans are, I got really into his comics by reading reprints and digital publications - I only became a fan because someone decided to publish them.

Even when it comes to manga, I'm not exactly only appreciating quality work - I read it on e-readers (I've had four), which work great for older manga (and for ones that have an extensive and easy to find digital library), so I read a lot of Osamu Tezuka, Shotaro Ishinomori and Jiro Kuwata. I'm surprised when I go to bookstores and find the manga I assumed was super obscure available to everyone.

I could say the big difference between me and the writer guy is that I can percieve a work's quality regardless of how much hype there is around it. But even that is a line of thought that was drilled into me by the companies that decide what to publish. I can read a pirated italian translation of an obscure Osamu Tezuka manga on my generic e-reader and pat myself on the back for being clever and getting it, but that just means when a giant corporation starts airing the anime adaptation of a manga homaging Tezuka, I'll be more likely to watch it. And, even mentioning the guy's name on Tumblr, I'm advertising it (by influencing search engines into bringing his name up).

But, despite that, I still enjoy that stuff a lot. I think there's real quality into the work people who create comics and manga put in, and that it's an underappreciated artform. I could say, be it referring to comics from ninety years ago, or from a writer my own age, that the quality's there regardless of the hype. I read the RPG world story by the writer I mentioned and I think, sure, he's just following the lead of a bunch of Isekai stories and webtoons with a similar style, but, still, he's putting a lot of himself into the story. Whether he realizes it, or not.

[knightsofrayx]

tumblr’s being a lil shit and saying it wasn’t able to send an ask, so apologies if this is in your inbox twice or anything, but what are your fav pieces of star wars media?

(Lol this one showed up and then what I'm guessing was your initial ask popped up a couple minutes later)

Anyways, favorite pieces of Star Wars media?

I mean, obviously there's the Original Trilogy. They're a classic. As for the Prequels... I really love playing in the pre-empire sandbox, but in terms of actually enjoying this trilogy, it is more for how it laid the groundwork for greater stories than the actual plot (and well, of course the memes). And the Sequel Trilogy? I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it? Like, they definitely tried to flesh out the situation to be more complex and nuanced, but kinda dropped the ball on it. I think it had the potential for greatness, but they just kept falling short on the delivery.

One of my early favorites was the "Jedi Quest" book series by Jude Watson, which takes place between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. It was the first piece of media I was exposed to that got into what life as a Jedi (at least pre-empire) was like. And also, it introduced the character Darra Thel-Tanis, who was one of the first female Jedi characters I had come across (I don't count anyone who showed up in the prequel movies because literally none of them had speaking roles). Granted, back when I first read the books a lot of it went over my head as I was about 7-8 years old, but I hold a nostalgic fondness for the series even though it's no longer considered canon.

Another one I really enjoyed was the "Young Jedi Knights" series, which follows Han and Leia's children Jaina and Jacen as they train in the Force and deal with the threats of the remnants of the Sith and the Empire. It's been a while since I've gone over them, but I remember the series just being filled with so much world-building stuff, as well as a good depiction of what a post-empire galaxy would look like.

The "Crimson Empire" and "Dark Empire" comics were also pretty memorable. They dabbled in the palpatine clones (and honestly did a much better job of it than Disney) and kind of serve as a prequel to the "Young Jedi Knights". But "Crimson Empire" specifically stands out to me because it was the first Star Wars content I came across where the main character was "one of the bad guys". Just... having that alternate point of view was eye-opening.

I'm not really a video game person (my gaming consists of Lego Star Wars wii and building castles in creative Minecraft), but I do love the storylines in Fallen Order, Battlefront: Inferno Squad/Resurrection, and KOTOR and it's expansions.

Are we counting music? Because in that case pretty much everything both from the OSTs and the epic orchestrations (I have multiple playlists dedicated solely to Star Wars music).

Moving on to the TV shows

I haven't actually watched Andor yet (i know, I'm a disgrace), but I have high hopes based on what I've heard.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Mandalorian. I mean, it's cool, Baby Yoda's cute and the little bits of world-building are nice; plus actually showing how even though the Rebellion won at Endor and toppled the Empire, it still exists (that just killing Palpatine isn't enough to "fix" the galaxy, and not everyone is going to just accept another regime change). And I just love Mandalorians. They're freakin awesome, so having an entire show dedicated to them was cool.

But my main problem with the show was how it practically ignored so much of what Star Wars had already done with Mandalorians. Earlier canon stuff (such as The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels) already gave us some pretty solid background and lore to Mandalorian culture and history, and it feels like they kinda just brushed it off in the show (I mean, come on. They literally went all three seasons without even name-dropping Satine) (also, Mandalorians have their own language, multiple dialects of it even, yet we pretty much only heard them speak Galactic Standard. I am saltier than the Dead Sea about this). I also just, expected it to be a little more dark and angsty than what we got (lol went on a bit of a tangent there).

Anyways, next up is Star Wars Rebels. While it is a little more juvenile in execution (i mean, it is a kids show), I think it did a good job in setting up the foundations of the Rebellion, and how small acts can lead to great change. Also just, contextualizing the state of the galaxy under the Empire's thumb and incorporating a lot of the rejected concepts from the Original Trilogy.

And finally, my all-time favorite, The Clone Wars. I practically grew up watching this show. There is just so much to it. While yes, most of it follows Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka, we also get entire episodes dedicated to other characters on all sides of the conflict, and the show does a lot to set up later events in Revenge of the Sith and beyond. My favorite thing about the show was the character development. We get to see Anakin in the context of his relationships with others as well as the progression of his downfall. We get to see the clones actually get personalities and become more than the faceless armored bodies of the movies. We get to see the progression of the characters being fired up to fight to steadily getting worn down by all the loss and destruction of war. And we get to witness some of the best character development ever in Ahsoka. There is so much this show gave the fandom that I can't really verbalize it all.

So yeah, these are all my favorite/most memorable pieces of Star War media as well as my thoughts on them.

[greensparty]

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To In December

It's now the final month of 2024. How did that happen? In addition to Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (12/7), Winter beginning (12/21), Christmas Day (12/25), Kwanzaa (12/25-1/1), Hanukkah (12/25-1/2), and New Year's Eve (12/31) here is what's on my radar this month:

Movies:

Y2K

SNL alum Kyle Mooney has a very unique voice and I'd highly recommend the criminally underrated 2017 film Brigsby Bear, he wrote and starred in. He's making his directorial debut with the disaster comedy Y2K about the 1999/2000 new year's! Opens 12/6.

Oh, Canada

Paul Schrader's drama about an ex-pat looking back on his life since leaving U.S. for Canada during Vietnam has been creating a buzz since Cannes Film Festival. Opens 12/6.

The Last Showgirl

Pamela Anderson never really got the chance to prove she was more than just Baywatch. Her movie career never took off, but after last year's excellent documentary Pamela: A Love Story, one fan saw her potential and that was Gia Coppola, who cast her in this drama about a Vegas showgirl whose show suddenly comes to an end. Opens in limited release on 12/13 and wide 1/10 (review to come).

Mufasa: The Lion King

I enjoyed Jon Favreau's 2019 remake of The Lion King. Now for the sequel / prequel about Mufasa, one of the most exciting directors of the now Barry Jenkins is directing. On paper the idea of this Mufasa-based prequel could go either way, but I have faith in the director of Moonlight making it more than just a Disney remake / reboot. Opens 12/20.

Nosferatu 

Speaking of exciting director of the now Robert Eggers is one where even when he misses, I'm still fascinated by his films. Now he's taking on a remake of the 1922 vampire film. Opens 12/25.

A Complete Unknown 

People forget what a great director James Mangold is. I've been a fan since his early work like Heavy and Cop Land. He's done some great bios over the years including the Johnny Cash bio Walk the Line. Now he's doing the music biopic on Bob Dylan. With the exception of Todd Haynes' I'm Not There, Hollywood hasn't really pulled off the music biopic treatment for Dylan, but if anyone can do it, it's Mangold. Opens 12/25 (review to come).

TV:

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Disney+ has been doing quite a few Star Wars series in recent years and some hit, while others miss. But this new one created by Spider-Man director Jon Watts and screenwriter Christopher Ford seems very original as its a coming-of-age story about four children who get lost in the galaxy and have to make their way back home. Takes place during the same time as The Mandalorian. Series premieres on 12/2 on Disney+!

End of the Year Lists:

As anyone who knows me knows, I wait until after the year ends to begin unveiling my best-of-the-year lists (you never know, something great might be released on 12/31!), so expect my lists to be rolled out beginning in January. In the meantime, I’ll be reading all of the Best of 2024 lists that begin dropping this month!

[notebookmusical]

Hey! I know you didn't reply yet but I am very intrigued by your Barbie musical choices. I love that cast idea! Unfortunately I missed the movie again the other day but maybe I will see it the next week..idk. but I realized that I never told you my favorite musicals. So..my musical knowledge at first was from a lot of movie musicals..which I still love. Like I was familiar with Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Sweeney Todd and Rent..which are some of my favorites still cuz I'm so familiar with them. One of my absolute favorites is Sweeney Todd..and I know the show is better now but I still enjoy the movie. I was able to see Rent on tour which was better but I still enjoy the movie too. Then when I saw the Les Mis movie..I became obsessed with it and got more into Broadway because of it. But before that..I was familiar with a few songs from Wicked..and that was the first show I saw on tour so I still love it. Then I got really into Newsies and Jeremy Jordan for a while..and I think the musical is better than the movie..even if I saw the movie first lol. By this time..Hamilton had come out and I also loved that..but maybe not as much as other people..and 2016 was the first year I watched the Tony's. I enjoyed Waitress too. I also started watching old musical movies around that time..and just wanted to know as many musicals as possible..so West Side Story is one of my favorite movie musicals. La La Land had come out and I was obsessed with it..but Emma Stone is my favorite actress and her being in a musical was a dream come true. I know many people don't like it..but I did since it wasn't based on anything and reminded me of old musicals. Basically I like any musicals mostly..and don't really pick favorites between them. Unfortunately I haven't been as into Broadway as much lately for new shows but I try to see shows on tour. Hadestown on tour was really good and I hope you get tickets!!!There are a lot of cast recordings I haven't listened to yet. What are some of your favorite musicals? Sorry this is so long..and I know you haven't replied yet. Also I forgot to ask you your opinion on the new Emily Henry book!!!

have you watched the barbie movie yet? i'd love to hear your thoughts — especially with my casting! a friend suggested gavin creel (especially with his current hair) as ken, and once that was suggested most things just fell into place! i was toying around with stephanie styles (or taylor louderman) for barbie, originally, but then once i got attached to the idea of gavin creel as ken, i knew i needed someone who i was confident could hold their own next to gavin, someone who was a strong actor (and a more subtle actor), among other things and i just really, really want meghann fahy to go back to theatre! i'm really happy for her success in tv (and i loved watching her in bold type, and will someday get around to watching white lotus for her and her alone), but i do miss her doing theatre. she just has such a beautiful voice, and i've loved her since her sam brown days! i think about her singing valentine by preston max allen, and her as riley in the we are the tigers concert all the time! a fun fact about me is that i've only actually seen the sweeney todd movie, and i've actually never seen rent! for some reason, i've had it in my mind that i should just hold out on seeing rent until i can see it in person, and the last time the tour was here in seattle i had bronchitis and wasn't up for seeing it. i'm hoping i can see it sometime soon! i love love love mamma mia, and i think it's just the perfect movie musical — and also a perfect musical! it is simply just so fun! my friends and i did a powerpoint night a few years ago, and her powerpoint was on potential mamma mia sequels (and i think she had like, eight different titles + plots picked out). as a les mis snob, i have a love hate with the les mis movie, but it also did pull me deeper into the world of musical theatre 🤍 newsies was the first show i saw on broadway and it'll forever have a special place in my heart (my first musical ever was annie!). and i do also agree that the newsies musical is much better than the movie! i have such a soft spot for it. i used to follow the tony awards religiously (and also just like, constantly check up on broadway grosses, etc.) but i don't anymore! waitress is another show that has a special place in my heart; it's tied for the show i've seen the most, actually! speaking of la la land, i just remembered they were hoping to adapt it for the stage — i wonder what happened to it, or if it's just fizzled out. the choreo in la la land is spectacular, and i was just talking to a friend a little bit ago about how paramour (the cirque show) did a la la land tribute back in the day! i also haven't been as interested in current shows on broadway, unfortunately! i'm hoping that something will speak to me soon, because i'd love to go back and see some shows. i know the notebook musical is transferring, and i wonder if the cast will stay with it! i saw the notebook musical last october in chicago, and i thought it was ... very weak, but the cast was incredible. i was particularly blown away by john cardoza (who i still maintain should be orpheus in hadestown someday; i love him), and joy woods! and yes — i managed to get hadestour tickets while on the plane to chicago, actually! i'm super excited to see hadestown again 🤍 some of my favorite musicals are: les miserables, waitress, sunday in the park with george, hadestown, deaf west spring awakening, newsies, once, an american in paris, come from away, alice by heart, ride the cyclone, venice, marie dancing still, we are the tigers, company, amélie! i'm sure i'm leaving something out too! i haven't been listening to a lot of newer cast recordings either; i've been meaning to listen to the sweeney one, actually but i might hold off till the entire thing is released! and i'm so excited for the new emily henry! it sounds so up my alley (i say, as if any of her adult romances haven't been up my alley)! i saw the cover got leaked and it's so pretty too — i just wish it was coming out in paperback, and not hardback!

[bleuberries-and-video-games]

content warning: vent

Dear Old Guard Star Wars fans,

You've been a staple of my life for the past couple decades. A lot of the stuff you do has deeply impacted the directions Star Wars is taken, and members of some of the greatest fandom sectors of the Star Wars community have, the 501st legion, fantastic artists, lore curators, have been able to participate in the creation and the propagation of Star Wars content, both officially and unofficially for years.

This has been some of the coolest fucking shit I've ever seen, the most awesome collaborative efforts, and some of the most interesting stuff both visually and engagement wise I've been able to interact with. Star Wars has been a major thing in my life since I was very young, it is a very deep and important part of who I am.

I was a Star Wars fan since I was five or six years old. I remember watching all six movies back then and being enthralled by it. My dad introduced me to it, a lifelong love and passion for a bunch of space stuff that kept me rewatching and rewatching and searching for more. And there was plenty to do, plenty to fucking do, tons of imaginative texts and ideas and games, there was a surplus. As I got older there was the Clone Wars, I got better at battlefront, and I played Republic Commando.

I have been just as participatory in Star Wars as anybody else. And I feel very much capable of saying that despite that fact I have felt like I haven't belonged until now.

I grew up in the tumultuous era when the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy were constantly butting heads. I didn't like talking Star Wars with people around me because they were always fascinated by things I just didn't care for it in Star wars. So I just went on my own and did my own stuff, enjoying Star Wars in my own capacity and just sort of existing, passively accepting the fact that I just didn't Jive with everybody in that way.

Then the sequels came out, and I was excited for the first time for Star Wars content since the Clone wars. I exited the Last Jedi and thought everyone would be on the same page, and instead found that most people thought the Last Jedi was shit.

Most annoyingly vocal Star Wars fans felt the need to tell every single goddamn person they knew that the movie was shit and terrible and made everyone look like pansies and didn't make sense. In a universe where people move objects with their mind, droids are sentient, and there are fish the size of Manhattan, the fake logic of a fake scientific principle is where you draw the line.

We saw a Resurgence of people so angry about their Universe being supposedly sullied that they bullied people off of social media, actors in the movie to be specific, and that is fucking insane to me. It Harkens back to Ahmed best and Jake Lloyd, and in all honesty, that's fucking stupid.

I beg of you please grow the fuck up. There are more things in the world than you. Than your perspective and how you understood star wars. You got everything handed to you on a fucking silver platter and it wasn't enough. You got several award-winning games, multiple MMORPGs, and endless library of books with infinite pseudo philosophical bullshit, countless comics, hundreds of thousands of action figures, cartoons of plenty, for all manner and all ages. You got everything, it may not have been a movie, but if that was your line, no wonder you fuckers feel entitled to this fandom.

If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty details as to why you didn't get a movie, it's because of your bullshit. It's because of your fucking needless shit. You made the prequels a miserable experience for the director you so supposedly loved, to such an extent that you have irreversibly damaged people's perspectives on what are essentially pretty good movies altogether, and now despite the fact that I know a good number of you hated those movies, hearken back to that time, as if you have a Nostalgia for them, when I remember being bullied or bullshited or completely disregarded by you for enjoying the very movies you now praise.

I get this has been said a million times, because this is about entitled fans and those are plentiful everywhere, and super prominent and vocal, but I will say it again: mourn your loss somewhere else and grow the fuck up you losers.

I'm going to enjoy the book of boba fett, the mandalorian, Andor, Rogue one, solo, and every other thing as much as I want to. Because I'm entitled to that. Because I haven't had that. And it frustrates me that I haven't had that, because I didn't feel like I belonged, because I didn't belong, because it was a story told for a bunch of people who didn't need a story told for them. People who had thousands of stories.

I looked at Rose Tico, Jyn erso, Rey Skywalker, and finally saw somebody I actually jived with. They didn't seem distant or dead for plot convenience, they were there and acting. I remember feeling that, that tiny vestige, when Ahsoka debuted, and finding out that everyone either hated Ahsoka or wanted to bang her, and she was 14 so that's fucked up.

And at the time, I too hated her, because everyone else hated her, because if I didn't hate her, I would actually have to except the fact that I liked her, and I only started liking her after everybody else started liking her. I regret doing that, I've always liked to soca, and I remember when people didn't. I don't want anyone to tell anyone else that there wasn't a time that a lot of these characters weren't hated.

You know what the best part is? You're going to get your fucking movie. Your shit show Legends movie. The culmination of Legends storytelling being brought back into the Star Wars universe, even for the fraction that it is. You're getting thrawn back. It is what they're calling the mandoverse, and honestly, that fucking sucks. Not only are you getting the movie you want, you're getting one of your most infamous villains, played by an amazing actor, and it's the culmination of something that should have been its own thing. That would have instead stood on its own two feet and been its own thing, instead of referencing and adding characters that it didn't need to tell a story that didn't fit. Instead of shoehorning a villain that we've already had multiple stories for over the course of several decades, using a new villain. But instead you're getting your fucking movie. You're getting your best villain on the big screen. And I hope you're fucking happy.

Because I for one am tired of the same five villains. I want something compelling and terrifying and interesting. I do not want to see the yuuzhan vong again, I hope they never get reincorporated into the Star Wars Universe outside of a maybe passive reference in a very interesting way. I'm tired of the emperor but better and also smarter, I'm tired of constant cow-towing to needless fans who are never pleased unless they quite literally have their dick sucked by Shaak ti, and I am tired of hearing the constant bitching about how Star Wars has been ruined by some fuck nugget for some stupid reason. Star Wars is a story. First and foremost. And a good story doesn't always stay with the characters forever.

Especially if their story has been told seven times over.

A good story moves on to the next chapter, it knows when it's time to end and find the next story.

Because I'm tired of hearing that Star Wars sucks now. I'm tired of hearing that Star Wars is not fun anymore, you don't like it. Cuz of course you don't like it, it's not for you.

Star Wars doesn't suck anymore, you just grew up and stopped playing with the toys.

Now you don't recognize them. now you don't recognize any of the characters, the stories being told, the logic and reason doesn't make any sense because you fell out of the story and just came back in the middle chapter of another one.

And you can do two things with that information, two fucking things: grow up and realize that the story isn't yours anymore to tell or engage with in the same way that you used to, you can never go back to that time, or be a needless whining bitch complaining about every God damn change that happens. You can make me, a Star Wars fan, somebody who has enjoyed this fucking franchise since I was six, almost 20 years ago now, feel out of place and miserable because you're out of place and miserable. You don't get it and you don't understand it and you don't like it. And you won't engage with it. You can either appreciate the fact that you had it and now someone else has it, or you can fucking be the worst person, did your heels in, and be a monstrous asshole for no goddamn reason.

You can either let people play and enjoy the story, what it has to say and the substantial stuff it is engaging with, or you can be a stick in the mud and make everyone feel bad for liking something you don't like. And honestly? If the latter is what you want to be, then please take less than a minute of time out of your day to watch this game Grumps video for no particular reason.

Sincerely tired fan who just wants to enjoy Star Wars in peace.

[goddessofthegalaxies]

Hey, I'm the creator of this account and I made it with the plan of talking about random movies that I liked but I also had to make it for an English class I took my freshman year of college lol. Here we are years later, and I'm thoroughly surprised that someone took time out of their day to respond to a review that I made about the "terrible" resident evil movies. Here's to a 3 year late response!

Funnily enough, my favorite movie out of the franchise is afterlife, so you stopping watching after 4 is fine with me lmao.

After watching more Anderson movies years later, I can definitely agree he took the action route, but I loved it because Ultraviolet is another obscure Milla Jovovich movie that I loved and discovered years after watching RE😭😭(i know he wasn't involved with production). I also agree that a couple of characters were highly favored in the movie compared to the game but I think it worked for what we saw on screen.

As terrible movie lover I can comfortably say don't waste your time watching the last two movies. They pretty much make afterlife obsolete with the insane amount of clones they have of Alice.

Now, onto the newest movie/reboot, I think I enjoyed this movie better than the first resident evil. I felt like the reboot established a set storyline and the OG characters better than the first movie did especially with Chris and Claire. But that might have just been because Alice was an original character for the live action adaptation.

I haven't done any more research on the reboot since I've watched, nor have I heard anything about the movie, so I can only assume there won't be a sequel but stranger things have happened.

Lastly, if you do see this post, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to respond to 18 year-old me. When I made this "article," the resident evil tag was fairly dead, so seeing a response and some likes is really cool!!

Is Resident Evil As Bad As Critics Say It Is?

Resident Evil has always been a big franchise. Resident Evil was originally a video game that producers and writers decided to make into a movie series. That seemed like a wise decision to me. So why did critics and movie watchers not feel the same way? The video game series is bigger than the movie series but the movie series deserved more accolades than what was given and here is why.

Keep reading

[arealtrashact]

Sara loves her 'Juicy Fruit’. And Aaron loves to kill. 

[avashades-purpleorange]

Ranking the 14 musicals I've seen/listened to

14: Dear Evan Hansen. I don't truly understand the plot besides a mentally unstable kid's friend commits suicide. The only reason I like this musical is Waving Through A Window.

13: Frozen Broadway Musical. Much better than the movie and that fucked up sequel. I love the added songs (What Do You Know About Love?; Monster; Dangerous to Dream; Hans of the Southern Isles (Reprise); etc.). There are still musicals I really like more than this, though. Also, I get flashbacks to when I was in drama club in fifth grade and I was stage crew. Fave song? What Do You Know About Love?

12: Lion King Broadway Musical. I saw this on the US tour last year with my family, so I enjoyed it. Not the best, though. Like with Frozen, I love the added songs. Fave song? He Lives In You.

11: Beauty and the Beast Broadway musical. I always get flashbacks to 7th grade when I did BATB JR. I was part of the ensemble and understudy for Cogsworth. Like the last two: I love the added songs, especially Human Again; Me; and Home. Fave song? Human Again.

10: Greatest Showman. It's a musical everyone's obsessed with that I accidentally discovered. Nuf said. Fave song? The Other Side.

9: West Side Story. Would be up higher if it weren't for that ENDING. Like, bro, YOU CAN'T LET TRUE LOVE NOT HAPPEN LIKE THAT! Also, my real name is Maria, so I obviously love the song Maria (it's my fave). My mom also has been a fan of it since she was young, but I wasn't named after the character or song. I was named after my Great-Grandmother who died when my grandpa was 13 from cancer. BACK TO THIS POST TOPIC-

8: Hunchback of Notre Dame. I fucking love the entire movie soundtrack. It's my favorite animated Disney musical. Love the historical crap because I'm a nut for history. But I like other musicals better. Fave song? Hellfire.

7: Hairspray. Love the soundtrack. Love the history. Not sure who is more evil: Miss Baltimore Crabs (it's one am I don't remember her name. is it Von Tussel?) or Penny's mom. Fave song? Miss Baltimore Crabs.

6: Into the Woods. GLORIOUS. One of the only musicals I can watch with my school friends together. My sister loves it and she has high musical standards. Fave song? AGONYYYYYYY

5: Love Never Dies. Don't fucking attack me. I like it a lot. Would be higher if it weren't for the ending. Same sister that has high musical standards claims that this is her favorite musical. Idek with her. Fave song? Beneath a Moonless Sky.

4: Hamilton. This was the first Broadway soundtrack I listened to (yeah I started the Broadway thingy late). Like I said, I love history, especially in colonial times, so I love this musical. Fave song? Burn

3: Wicked. I no longer hear Idina Menzel as Elsa, I hear her as Elphaba. Fiyero x Elphaba forever. Glinda is an asshole who can kiss my ass. Fave song? As Long As You're Mine.

2: Jesus Christ Superstar. ALW YOU FUCKING GENIUS! YOU COMBINED MY RELIGION WITH EMOTION AND BROADWAY AT THE AGE OF TWENTY FUCKING TWO! Gethsemane forever. Original cast forever.

*drumroll*

1: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! I HAVE AN ENTIRE FUCKING BLOG (@meet-me-at-box5) DEDICATED TO THIS FUCKING MASTERPIECE... and LND. I LOVE THE GASTON LEROUX NOVEL SO MUCH THAT IT'S BECOME MY FAVORITE CLASSIC AND HORROR-THEMED NOVEL AND SEMI-ACCURATE NOVEL! Weird story time: my dad once listened to Canadian cast of POTO Masquerade to calm himself down when I couldn't calm down and it calmed me down as well. Everytime I cried and wouldn't calm down as a baby, he would play Canadian Masquerade. He also claims that the vacuum calmed me down? Weird. But I am the eldest child of my family... so my parents didn't really know how to take care of a baby... SO technically, I've been a Phan since I was a baby even though I never watched it until I was 11. One year after I discovered it, I had watched POTO 2004 over a hundred times, probably. Fave song? THE POINT OF NO RETURN! Team? ERIKKKKKKKKKKK!