#its impressive for a kids show in 2007

[lateleviathan]

Saki, Mai, Michiru, and Kaoru vs Goyan(Full Power)

[jotadoul]

i was having Election Sickness so after putting it off for like 10 years i finally agreed to rewatch escaflowne with anka because they've never seen it.

to contextualise this, i feel like i have to write a timeline of escaflowne in my life because i was orbsessed with the film and to a lesser degree the series— all interest orbited folken. i dyed my hair blue and painted his little teardrop on my face in 7th/8th grade until my mom got me a ... i don't know what it was. some kind of temporary tattoo... paint? i had to scrub it off with alcohol pads each day. yeah. first kintype. i saved up $300 in high school (2006/2007) by selling off entire sketchbooks to buy a cosplay of him that i've never worn because the maker referenced colours from one of the prominent scans online, which skew far warmer than the blue in the film. HUGE L.

following escaflowne, i made a dramatic 200pg comic when i was 12-13 about guys with wings living on a floating fortress, and brother drama. but the series never held my attention in the same way. i have theories...

full disclosure i'm 100 years old, and i've seen the series many times... i own the special box sets of the bandai version of the show & film. the show had a grip on me for years, but i'm pretty sure that even at the time i couldn't tell you why. many things about it rubbed me the wrong way— i was clearly drawn to it, and reacting strongly to something about it, but at the time i wasn't love with it.

i always prefered the film for its gorgeous, stunning actually, handling of colour and light. like there is such a lusciousness to it. it is an unbelievably beautiful work of art and i recommend watching it even just as something to look at, like, everyone's skills are on full display. i also really genuinely adore adaptations— as a concept, especially if in as direct conversation with the source as this film is.

when i got into escaflowne as a kid, it was at the exact time i was also watching/reading Berserk, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Boogiepop Phantom, the Animatrix... Memories and Paranoia Agent would follow soon after. and i was enjoying the emotional realism of those series, paired with more naturalistic art.

but escaflowne's incongruous packaging fooled me. it is exactly as brutal and emotional as those other series, but you have to peer through the shojo veneer and see that the shojo tropes are actually threads being followed to their often uncomfortable conclusions— they're being given gravity, rather than being left at a surface level of importance. it isn't cliche, it's examining cliche, and setting a new standard in doing so. on rewatch it's really interesting to see that sincerity in something that could easily be written off as a "shojo love triangle." instead, these so-called tropes coexist with the gruesome, dark, despairing, uncomfortable. and it's completely different from the type of "shojo/moe but GRIMDARK... moe but GURO, are you TRIGGERED? i'm SUBVERTING the GENRE"

escaflowne isn't doing Cute But Edgy. it's neither cute nor edgy. it's edgy if Berserk is edgy, and i don't consider Berserk edgy at all— to me it doesn't intend to provoke from that immature place. it's earnest, and difficult, and really sad. and as i rewatch escaflowne, i'm impressed by what lies beneath. there's so much i missed when i saw it as a kid. and stuff i missed even in the last time i watched it as an adult. but i can also see very clearly what i didn't miss, and what kept it in rotation, remembering scenes and songs for the rest of my life, and citing the pacing in my approach to comics.

escaflowne has really interesting cinematic qualities that i associate with live action. i'm wholly convinced by long shots that likely, partially, exist for economical reasons— but they make sense in the flow of the narrative, and they're framed such that you can rasily imagine, without even trying, how it would 100% work shot for shot with actors and sets. i do not want this, of course. i'm just saying they set it up with filmic sensibility.

really smart strange pacing, mood shifts, and a level of uncompromising brutality more associated with shonen, a level of heartwrenching that only the right combo of hope and hopeless can evoke, and emotional discomfort with a maturity— an observed perspective— that i associate with something like chainsaw man.

it's just weird with the art. i understand why it's paired that way: it's intentional trickery. i just wish the style was a bit more like nobuteru yuki's other (contemporary) work. like the layouts and moods add to such a lifelike quality... the film maintains so much more realism in its figures and approach, BUT, watching the film, you do get the unequivocal impression this is what it was always supposed to be. even just citing simple examples, the background/environment paintings and atmospheric colour are as tasteful, the heaving, slow weight of the mecha was always intentional... so much of what's there already appears. but you really have to forgive the oddness of the faces to see it! which is frustrating!

so. everyone i think agrees, even without ever seeing it, that the escaflowne OST is on beast mode. it is undeniably hardcore. but in watching it, the series rewards you by doing something i don't immediately associate with most anime— creating an unsettling mood by, for example, pairing hopeful music with distressing scenes, and vice-versa. escaflowne does a Lot of showing rather than telling, using cues like this to create an atmosphere of discomfort and wonder. i've said it 100 times, but one of my favourite moments in FILM (like all of film, lol) is when/where "i can't stop loving you" plays in rintaro's Metropolis. which is almost actually literally the same as Araki titling the last chapter of Stone Ocean "what a wonderful world." this type of editing and combination of themes is heartbreaking to me, and i think escaflowne succeeds at this, interweaving it throughout the series.

the tv anime also spares time and attention for strangely lifelike movements, which are mostly absent in the film because everything in the film is allowed such lushness and fluidity that these small, subtle, characterising movements and emotionally affecting timing/cuts that elevate a 20-min episode aren't the same type of crucial in a more broad, epic presentation. however, the 20-min episodes of escaflowne— as the series progreses, like specifically in the back half— FEEL like epics on their own. so much gets packed into each but the timing, how information is dispersed, is like... insane. i can't describe it. because if i were to say it feels longer, that'd almost imply it were dragging— which is rarely the case. it is a VERY tight show where everything is relevant yet there's no pre-existing lore with which to be weighed down; everything happens in real time, cause and effect, showing, not telling.

i don't watch a lot of (mainly post-00s) anime because— and this is a critique of Myself more than anything— i struggle to focus on stuff that's more... if not more stylistically cartooned, then more emotionally cartoonish. like there's a withholding of emotion, or an exaggeration of it. obviously i love the 1993-1994 JJBA OVA (favourite film of all time) for many of the same reasons— taking something "silly" and earnestly creating an experience from it: "okay, if that's true, how would it feel?"

but i straight up can't watch the JJBA tv series because in trying to follow the manga to a T/be "for the fans", it's a cheap, ugly, atmospherically empty, soulless reproduction with groverhaus layouts. it sucks to look at. it really fucking sucks. there is no direction. it's vacuous. but the OVA is gorgeous not because it's simply hand-drawn animation, but because it's directed with cinematic intention. colour, light, focus and intensity of emotion... the DIO fight in the OVA is stunning and scary and full of unbelievably clever animation. but i have a whole website in progress about this :^)

in escaflowne, in spite of the stylisation, i 100% buy the approximation. i don't judge Good Cartooning by an ability to stylise life naturalistically! i'm just always pleasantly surprised by when/where that Is achieved with abstraction.

escaflowne is somehow a very complicated optical illusion, a Magic Eye. anka compared it to ballet lol, like in swan lake where if you look long enough you see the animal movements being mimicked with profound efficacy, but if you're multitasking, if you look away, that immersion easily shatters. there are just some crazy little shifts in facial expression, like when teeth are gritted while talking, when eyes glance around the room or become just slightly glassy, when the honorifics shift, timing of reaction, sparing seconds for interstitial characterisation, paired with tone, paired with music, paired with colour, that make this special in a way i didn't know How to understand as a kid. the visual language i had any fluency in didn't cover escaflowne. i needed to spend more time with it. but something clearly gripped me from the jump because i was Not the same after hahaha

i thought i was supposed to be invested in the love triangle/hexagon/whatever, but that was a total diversion from what actually transpires, what is actually being given weight here. it is very scary and very sad lol!

even stuff like making adult man allen increasingly suck shit as he goes on, letting him be disappointing, because of course he would be— but making hitomi and van's interactions very natural and easy in a way they don't register as important because they're so accustomed to chasing the unattainable. lol. so fucking cool dude

back to folken. goated. wife of all time. ultimate. my first n'doul. one of my favourite ever Types of Guy is "ultra depressed fuckup who in his quest to do good misses the forest for the trees and consequently eats shit; serves cunt entire time" LIKE LITERALLYYYYYY and they need to have PATHOS... I LOVE A SWAGGY MARTYR.

wow long post. anyway i'm smacking my forehead. i was right. i've always been right about everything in my whole life. he's called folken because he done folked my dumb ass UP

[danae-c-y]

Superheroes Roundtable: Wordgirl

How do structural mythology, cultural studies, and cultural history reflect the series’ world and world-building around superheroes? 

Wordgirl (PBS) represents a cultural shift towards the prioritization and valuing of literacy and education for young girls. When the show premiered in 2007, there were not many kids' superhero shows that featured female protagonists. This issue still persists today in both child and adult media. Not only does Wordgirl feature a young female protagonist, but her superpowers subvert traditional expectations of violence and fighting. To platform spelling and literacy as “powers” is to highlight the value of these abilities in our society. 

In what ways are the superheroes and their abilities informed by their racial, gender, sexual, and cultural identities? 

It is interesting to consider this question in relation to Wordgirl’s character because while her gender is platformed and even included in the name of the series, her racial identity is purposefully abstracted and blurred. While Wordgirl is technically from the planet Lexicon, and thus is not affiliated with any known race or ethnicity, she has light brown skin and thus could arguably resemble/represent multiple different races. As a young woman of color, usually facing off against male-presenting adversaries, her identity never hinders her ability to defeat her enemies with her impressive vocabulary. 

In what ways do costumes and concealing identities further separate the superheroes from normal society? How necessary is it for the superheroes to hide their true identities to successfully achieve their goals? 

While I think in traditional superhero narratives, concealing identity is very necessary in ensuring the safety of the character in their day to day lives, I would argue that Wordgirl plays off of this trope and even satirizes it. Her disguise is a cape and a mask that covers just her eyes, and most of her enemies interact with her regularly when she is not in her superhero costume. It is very clear who her real identity is, however the show has her wear the cape and mask to call attention to these tropes and solidify its place as a less serious yet no less important superhero text. 

How do the economic, political, and social events that occurred during the series’ creation and broadcast cultivate and inform the superheroes’ decisions and actions? 

Besides the political relevancy discussed in question #1, individual epsidoes of the show sometimes mirror socio-political events. For example, an episode aired in 2009 in which one of Wordgirl’s recurring enemies, Toby, runs for president. Given that the episode aired the year following the 2008 presidential election, it is clear that the showmakers sometimes wanted to feature topics that were especially culturally and politically relevant. 

How do the superheroes question themselves, each other, and their obligations and duties to the people around them? 

The show picks up after Wordgirl has already decided that she wants to use her powers to save people and catch criminals. Because she is self assured and confident in her role and the way to harness her powers for good, an internal struggle surrounding her obligations does not have a place in the show. She fights crime and teaches villains how to spell not out of obligation but out of a desire to do so, which I think is a valuable type of empowerment to show in a series for kids.

@theuncannyprofessoro

[bethanythebogwitch]

Do you know the TV show Dinosaur King (2007)? I watched it as a kid, and as a teen I was always under the impression that it was a Pokemon copy. But, now I know a little more about Digimon, and the way that the dinosaurs can freely change between different forms (I think they even sometimes had power-upped forms????? Maybe I’m misremembering) makes me think it might’ve been a Digimon copy instead?? Or a copy of both at the same time??? Any input on this?

I've never even heard of it. Looks like it came out in the early 2000s, which was when Digimon was at its most popular so there could be some influence.

[solarsonicsoda]

Rating 500+ Theme Tunes - #6: iCarly

It's still surprising to me that with iCarly, Nickelodeon had the wherewithal to make a show about a profitable internet show in 2007, before that sort of thing had taken over the mainstream like it has now. Sure, the titular show within iCarly has no real structure nor strong appeal, and it's actually barely featured in the show, but it's impressive nonetheless. This show also features Spencer, one of the better characters to ever be put to screen.

If you're my age, you already know that iCarly was an extremely big deal. This was probably one of the most well-known and popular shows of the late 2000s and 2010s, still getting reruns today plus spawning both a spin-off and a revival series. They even featured Fred, One Direction, and Michelle Obama! Yes, really! Overall, it's also a really interesting screenshot of the time with its inclusion of the then-new wave of the internet and the "random humour" that was famously popular. Naturally it then fed into some of my favourite YTPs. The circle of life!

Personally, I saw quite a lot of this show as a kid. Now, did I like it? Oh God no. It was one of those cases where my siblings loved it, meaning I saw a lot of it, and I ignored all merits as I had not chosen to watch it. Deep down though, I liked to follow it and see what was happening. All the specials and event episodes were watched, and I even admitted then to finding Spencer's various antics very amusing. In hindsight, it's got plenty of the average pitfalls but it's honestly a pretty entertaining sitcom. Now, about that theme tune...

iCarly Theme Tune

Now, this is a famously good theme. Everyone remembers this one as being a genuine tune and they are fully right to! This is a great song! There's so much energy, so much fun, it's a great fit. Sure, it's all a bit hollow and cheesy deep down, but for a Nickelodeon sitcom, I think that's about right. It gets you ready for 20 minutes of silly comedy with a well-performed pop tune just as required! Maybe it's the nostalgia too, but I think it manages to bring out some real emotion with that parting "Just leave it all to me".

Taking it all in, this is a total tune top to bottom. I think it's missing a little something to be one of the all-time greats, but I can't knock it too much. In my experience, this is one of the most beloved intros around and I have to say, that is with good reason. My final verdict for iCarly's theme is going to have to be an A.

Stay tuned for more and be sure to send in any suggestions for other shows you'd like to see done (after the 500 already in the pipeline that is). Check out the intro to this series here, and check out the tier list.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely torrid behind-the-scenes situations described by many members of the cast. It definitely puts a dark cloud over many of these shows, and I wish nothing but love for any of the cast and crew affected by their time on this show. I really recommend you read Jennette McCurdy's book to get an idea for the kind of things that happened on set from certain individuals. Harrowing. Again, I wish nothing but the best for victims of what occurred.

[erinelliotc]

Your history with Ed, Edd and Eddy

Hello! I'm so glad to receive my first message! I'll start apologizing in advance for my English grammatical mistakes since English isn't my first language, but I'll try my best :)

Well, Ed, Edd n Eddy is my favorite childhood cartoon! And I'm 100% sure it's my biggest special interest. It's been part of my life since an early age. It's hard to say precisely how old I started watching it because I don't know when I started picking out the channels I watched as a kid, but I think I started watching Cartoon Network somewhere between 2005-2007, when I was 5-7 years old (I'm a 2000s kid!). I've watched a lot of cartoons, but none of them give me that feeling of warmth and comfort Ed, Edd n Eddy does. It's hard to explain but I just love this show with all my heart and soul, it makes me so happy and excited. It's so silly, random and funny, it's everything my autistic little brain wanted and needed. Double D has always been my favorite Ed and today I can affirm without a shadow of a doubt that he's my favorite character of all time and probably the one I identify with the most. I wouldn't be surprised if I turned out to be the way I am today because of his influence.

[EDIT] I'm editing this to add something very important! I forgot to mention that I played "To The Eds-Treme" a lot when I was a kid!

If you don't know, it was a skateboarding game where you play as Ed, Edd and Eddy to impress Nazz. I was definitely at least 7 or younger when I played this.

It's so funny that when I found this game again, I thought "Wow, it was so difficult. I'll try to play it again". So I played and... won quickly, then I realized that it wasn't difficult, I actually just didn't know how to play because I was just a stupid kid xD

I probably gradually stopped watching EEnE when I was around 10 or 11 (2010/2011) due to a combo of factors:

The show ended, new cartoons began to be released and Cartoon Network's schedule changed. So the time EEnE was on (probably in the early hours of the morning) stopped corresponding to the time I used to watch TV

Like I said, I used to watch a lot of different shows. I started hyperfixating on Adventure Time when I was 12 (2012) and this lasted until 2013. I tend to have lots of hyperfixations and to hyperfixate on one thing at a time, so the hyperfixation of the moment temporarily pushes the other ones away until another one arrives to take its place. After hyperfixating on Adventure Time I started hyperfixating on something else, then on another, and another... Until I get to where I am today xD

I was gradually starting to use the computer more and the TV less because I'm a very digital person. My interest in the internet became greater and greater and I was stopping to watch TV shows in general

To the people who have been close to me and/or followed me on social media for a long time, it may seem like my hyperfixation on Ed, Edd n Eddy is something recent, but I've loved Ed, Edd n Eddy for as long as I can remember. The thing is, it took me a long time to finally understand that Ed, Edd n Eddy was and is in fact my favorite show of all time and not just my favorite childhood show, and that it's also my greatest special interest/hyperfixation. So 2023 was just the year I finally realized and accepted this, and when this hyperfixation took full control and I fully embraced it as an inherent part of my personality that always makes me happy and brings me comfort. I often reminisced about Ed, Edd n Eddy and obsessed over it at least once a year, but it took me a long time to finally watch it for the first time from the beginning after growing up because I was convinced that all my love for this show was just out of nostalgia and I had this thought in my mind: "I only liked it because I was a kid and I wouldn't like it as much if I watched it now as an adult". I guess part of me was afraid of ruining all these magical happy feelings I had from my childhood memories of this show by facing the supposed reality that it wasn't as amazing as it was in my kid's eyes, so it took me a long time to understand that it is actually my favorite show of all time just as I always felt, and that it did make sense that I'd still love it so much and remember it fondly and obsess over it every single time, because I really do love it and think it's an amazing show even as an adult.

You know when something is so much a part of your life that you don't realize how much it means to you? Because you're already used to it, it's part of your everyday life, so you just don't think about it much. And when you're a kid you're even more oblivious and clueless about things in general. Kids are simple. We don't overanalyze and reflect about things when we're kids, we just live and enjoy our simple childish lives. So when I was a kid, I didn't realize how much I love this show and I didn't even have any idea about rating things as favorites and stuff, I didn't think about it, so I didn't have that percpetion of "Ed, Edd n Eddy is my favorite TV show", even though I watched it a lot. I was just a little kid watching my TV shows and living my life, that's all. I only started to understand the enormous importance that this show has for me when I started to grow up and began to miss it intensely when I saw things about it or when I suddenly remembered its existence. Plus, you can only feel nostalgic when you grow up, and feeling nostalgic is a big factor in me becoming obsessed with things.

After I stopped watching it, my first contact with EEnE was probably when I was 12 and I saw and shared a post about it on Facebook in February 27th, 2013 (yes, coincidentally on Danny Antonucci's birthday!), and it brought me so many lost and happy memories, and the first part of my nostalgia! I was so happy to suddenly remember the existence of the show and unearth a series of positive feelings that I didn't even know were here.

Translation of what I wrote: "DORKS! (laugh) I REMEMBER *-* ED, EDD N EDDY"

And I watched EEnE for the first time again when I was 13 (July 2013) because I was on a plane trip with TVs in the seats. I turned on the TV to Cartoon Network, and coincidentally, Ed, Edd n Eddy was showing. Then nostalgia hit me even harder. However, this was just the "beginning" (the real beginning was in childhood since it has always been my favorite cartoon and the one I loved most and I was definitely obsessed with it as a kid, but anyways, it was the trigger to make me regain that lost childhood love), the hyperfixation hasn't really started here yet (at least not that I can remember).

I also saw and shared a post about EEnE on Facebook again in October 8th, 2014. Once again, a lot of positive feelings emerged.

Translation of what I wrote: "forever the most memorable cartoon of my childhood ❤️"

After that, I remembered the show from time to time (suddenly or by some trigger), especially when the subject of old cartoons or favorite cartoons came up by chance in conversations with my friends and EEnE always came to my mind automatically when talking about it even though I haven't watched it in years and it wasn't something active in my daily life at that age. It was only natural for me to answer to my friends in these conversations that Ed, Edd n Eddy was my favorite childhood cartoon (and especially that Double D was my first crush and favorite character), as if deep down I knew how much it meant to me and that it was in fact the cartoon that had the greatest impact on my childhood and even on who I am today. I didn't remember almost anything, but somewhere in my unconscious were the reasons that made me love this cartoon so much, and my only reason for not saying with certainty that this was my favorite cartoon of all time was that I thought that I only thought that because I loved it as a kid and I thought that if I were to watch it now when I'm older it certainly wouldn't be the same thing, so I just said it was my favorite childhood cartoon. So at that time (from 2014 to 2017), I used to look a little about it on the internet every now and then, but still not obsessively (but the show interested me in a very curious way). I just looked and saved some pics, memes, fanarts, tried to look for some episodes...

In January 2018, I was traveling and came across this t-shirt in a store (Riachuelo) at the mall. You have no idea how inexplicably happy I was, as if I were face to face with an old dear friend. That t-shirt just needed to be mine. When I started to remember it, nostalgia hitted me so hard and that's when the hyperfixation got really serious (this 2018 hyperfixation lasted about 5 months). Then I started to really hyperfixate at least since 2018, at least once a year.

Some pics with my t-shirt from February 24th, 2018:

In case you don't know, here in Brazil "Ed, Edd n Eddy" was translated to "Du, Dudu e Edu" because the Portuguese version of Edward is Eduardo, and the common nicknames are Dudu and Edu, so they just had to create the nickname "Du" (at least I've never seen someone called Eduardo being called Du) and there you go, we have the perfect adaptation! But we also lost the "Double D" nickname as we didn't have the issue of "Ed" and "Edd" sounding the same, so they just didn't see the need to keep it. So every time he's called "Double D" they just dub him as "Dudu" too.

Returning to the main topic: Hyperfixating made me find out about EddEddy and KevEdd ships, and honestly at that time I was kinda 🤨 because, besides never having thought about the possibility of them having anything other than friendship, I was raised in a conservative family and I reproduced their very homophobic thoughts more or less until I was 18, so I saw some fanarts and thought things like "Oh why would people do that!? Gross!". But still, for some reason I couldn't help but get a little too obsessed with EddEddy, and even a little with KevEdd, and save fanarts of them… little did I know. Today EddEddy is my biggest OTP and I don't like KevEdd.

Each time I hyperfixated on EEnE it was more intense than the previous time, until it completely took hold and became an active and fixed part of my life. From 2019 to 2022 it was getting veeery intense. Sometimes the trigger was me sleeping, dreaming about EEnE, and because of the dream I remembered it and started hyperfixating. I finally had the idea to start looking for EEnE on TikTok (2022) and I discovered some really cool videos and profiles. Now, the last time I hyperfixated (September 25th, 2023) has been the strongest ever. I've finally reached the highest level of hyperfixation that makes me feel this is the most important thing in my life and I'm thinking and doing things about it 24/7.

So now I feel a great need to produce and absorb as much EEnE content as possible, which made me feel the need to finally join and interact with the fandom, which also led me to start using Tumblr for real and discovering that the format of this social media is PERFECT for me, as it is very organized, there are many ways to format text and insert media, media remain in excellent quality, the character limit is huge (great for me as I love writing), and I can edit the posts (great for my perfectionist side). This hyperfixation allowed me to step out of my comfort zone to explore a social media that fits perfectly with me, as before this I was a recurring Twitter user and faced a lot of annoying problems because of the limitations of this social media. It's even helping and encouraging me to finally practice my English and drawing, which are things I've wanted to do for a long time but didn't have enough energy to do or something important enough to encourage and stimulate me to do it, or didn't know how/where to start.

So I watched the entire show with Brazilian dubbing (since that was how I watched it when I was a kid and I wanted to feel the nostalgia more strongly), then I started subtitling the original episodes to watch them with the original voices and with my own way of subtitle since I'm a bit obsessive and perfectionist and I want to translate in the way I consider most accurate as possible. And boy, I love the Brazilian dubbing, I think they did a really good job and there are even some scenes that I find funnier in this dub BUT Eddy's original voice is simply a work of art. Tony Sampson was impeccable and did the most iconic and unique voice of all time. There are some scenes that I find hilarious just because it's Eddy talking, even the normal scenes that weren't intended to be funny or at least as funny as I find them. Also, I tend to prefer watching things in the original track because I like knowing exactly how things were said, and also to practice my English.

I also started writing about the show, the characters and their development throughout the seasons, writing fanfics, drawing the characters, writing some ideas for comics, making edits, and I'm practicing my English because I'm writing everything in English since the fandom is mostly English speakers and there are not many Brazilian fans. I plan to make videos compiling my favorite scenes, compiling EddEddy scenes and explaining how this ship makes sense, talking about Eddy being gay, talking about Double D and why I identify with him so much, talking about my autistic Double D headcanon, make Telegram sticker packs for each season, customize some t-shirts with the characters (mainly with Double D) and some scenes, buy clothes for my Double D cosplay (I already bought the hat and the t-shirt) which I intend to wear in my everyday life as casual clothes (basically I want to live my life as Double D from now on, which is not hard since we're basically the same person xD I'm just going to start dressing more like him to become even more like him) and even make other Double D clothes that I can't find for sale (I want to graduate in a suit exactly like the one he wears in season 5, and I also want the same cardigan and tie. And I was going to buy pajamas conveniently similar to his anyway, but duck pajamas, which also makes sense and isn't out of character at all, as we also see him wearing some duck-printed clothes).

But what makes me so sure that EEnE is my strongest and most important special interest of all, besides I've never done so many things like this for the same hyperfixation and have never written so many fanfics and made so many edits and dedicated so much time of my life and my days to the point that I'm ruining my sleep routine like I've never done before, which makes me confirm that this is my greatest special interest is the fact that for the first time in my life I decided to get a tattoo, for real! I used to have hypothetical tattoo ideas but not with the intention of actually getting them because I hate/hated the idea of permanently marking my body. I always said I would get a tattoo if tattoos worked like clothes (i.e., being removable and giving me the option to decide which one I want to wear on the day). But with EEnE that thought instantly disappeared completely, I was just like "I'll get it tattooed", without hesitation, it just felt right. I immediately lost my fear of marking my body as if it never existed because I consider EEnE so important and meaningful to me, so part of my own identity, that it just seems like the right thing to do. My initial idea was to tattoo Double D, but then I realized that actually all of them are very important to me even though Double D is my favorite, so I'm going to tattoo the trio, but probably doing something to highlight Double D (I'm still deciding what the tattoo will be like).

And you know what else? Rewatching Ed, Edd n Eddy now is even reminding me of lot of things that are blowing my mind (a silly example here). There are scenes from the show that I didn't even remember were from there, I just knew I had seen them somewhere. It feels like EEnE is so internalized in me that I don't even know which memories and parts of me come from the show, it's just all mixed up there and they are now part of my "system". I didn't even remember that I used to watch it with my dad and I only (re)discovered it when I watched a specific scene that I also didn't remember that was from EEnE, because I remember that I used to reproduce/imitate that scene with my dad because we found it funny. It's so strange to not be aware about these memories because they're so deep and buried in my subconscious. It's like I'm rediscovering myself and what shaped me and led me to where I am today, and rediscovering how important this show is to me and how much it influenced me.

Anyways, you asked for my history with Ed, Edd n Eddy, so here's my TED talk! All from the beginning and without an ending because all factors point to the obvious fact that this show will never leave my life. Not only did this never happened, but it became more and more part of my life over time, as well as having deeply rooted itself in me as a kid, so it has already become an inherent part of who I am, making it impossible to separate myself from the show. I just don't exist without Ed, Edd n Eddy.

Some current pics of me, now 23, wearing my favorite t-shirt :)

[maddys-nerd-blog]

TMNT 40th anniversary ask game: 3, 25, 33

HEY!! 😄😄 Thank you for the ask!!!

Hmmmm, well, I guess I’ll go in order for this one!

I got the impression that 1987 was strictly just for a younger demographic so I was really surprised to watch it on a first viewing as an adult and find that, yeah, it’s written for a younger audience, but the dialogue is pretty damn clever! Some of my favorite episodes were ones where the writing and comedy took the main stage and allowed for the actors to pretty much ad-lib! I found it really fun!

2003… oof. Alright. So. This is strictly my opinion and thoughts so please don’t hate me 😂 I had pretty high expectations for this one cuz from what I heard, THIS was the most amazing version. As a person who did catch some of the original airings as a kid when Fast Forward was around during 2007, I thought it was okay. But then I started watching it from the beginning with an adult perspective a few months ago…

Yeah. I’m sorry, this one ain’t for me.

Now don’t get me wrong! There are a few things I did genuinely love! 03’ Donnie and Leo? The best characters in the show. Splinter grew on me after season three and I think he’s really cool. Usagi? Badass, awesome, he’s great. A TON of these episodes were standouts for great reasons. Season One was fantastic and only got better in the third and fourth seasons! But then Season Five happened and that kinda took a downhill turn for me.

I feel like the storytelling really fell flat on its face during the last three seasons. Plus I DESPISE several of the characters from this version— Bishop. Karai. Renet. Honeycutt. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE ACOLYTES AND THE GODDAMN NINJA TRIBUNAL.

And… ugh. 03’ Mikey is the bane of my existence 😅😂😅😂

It just felt like I had all these high hopes for this one, but after finishing it recently? This version ranks pretty low 😅

2012 on the other hand? Yeah no, THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!!! I adore that this was a love letter to the entire franchise as a whole, created BY fans, FOR fans, and every episode was a whirlwind of twists and turns that left my jaw on the floor. It’s also the first version of TMNT to get me to weep 😂 Donatello is a cinnamon roll and needs to be protected cuz THIS POOR THING NEEDS THERAPY.

And Rise is LOADS of fun!!! The animation is amazingly fluid and the character designs really work in the show’s favor! The comedy writing is witty and comes out of left field in the best ways! Leo and Donnie are the highlights for me as always ( ALSO THE BEST FORM OF AUTISTIC REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA ) The only issue I truly have with Rise is Splinter BUT I DONT WANNA RAMBLE ANY FURTHER 🤣🤣🤣

******************

My favorite AUs? Ooooof. OOOOOF THATS A BUNCH! But I’ll try to keep it quick cuz we’ll be here for decades 🤣 SO! In order, my favorite ones are:

@tending-the-hearth’s Turtle Angst AU. It’s one thing for a fanfiction of any kind to move me, but it’s a feat when the writer captures the character of the turtles so well that I can perfectly picture these conversations playing out like they’re canon. Plus, another outstanding feat is if a fellow fanfiction writer can convey the emotional pull of their works to the point to where I was crying, but DAMN, that ‘12 Raph and Mutant Mayhem Splinter conversation MADE ME CRY LIKE A BITCH. I cannot recommend this AU enough if you’re a fan of complex stories that really toy with the multiverse aspect of the franchise in a way that feels true and authentic, and if you wanna get your angsty feels, give this a read!!

@hasello’s Cousin AU is SO WHOLESOME AND SO ADORABLE AND SO SWEET I CANT GET ENOUGH. Their artwork??? Their holiday special???? Their character interactions???? UUUUGH ITS SO GOOD!!! I adore it so much!!!

@tmnt-tychou’s Ninja Turtle Brotherhood AU. DUDE, THIS SLAPS. Her turtle designs are awesome as hell and the mystery hook pulls me in!! This latest update had me so excited for what’s coming next cuz… my god, I CANT WAIT!! It’s truly a treat for all turtle fans cuz of the awesome writing!!

@pebr-writes’s works in general. Like… holy SHIT. Go read their Leonardo Whump series. THE WRITING IS SHAKESPEARE.

@figuringitoutasigoalong has been creating Whumptober stories for the TMNT for a while but DAMN!!! Her works have really given me a kick in the emotional teeth!! Her Donnie-centric one shots and her Little Donnie AU is great!! I can’t help it but god the writing is SO GOOD.

@fabuloustrash05’s 2012 Turtles in the 20’s AU. IM SUCH A SUCKER FOR A VINTAGE SETTING AND THE ROARING 20’S WITH THE 2012 CHARACTERS IS AWESOME AND SO SO SO COOL!!!! Plus, the music selections??? I LOVE jazz, so it’s always a treat when authors incorporate the classic artists in there!! Just… go give this a read please!!

@bluepeachstudios’s Ghost in the Shell AU. I would be remiss if I didn’t even MENTION this incredible story. This is up there as a top tier work of fanfiction; it has everything! Drama, whole family interactions, compelling lore and great comedy sprinkled in, the depths of Ghost’s trauma are interwoven with the world of Rise in a way that feels natural and DEAR LORD PLEASE GIVE HIM A HUG!!!

@baskeigh-ball’s AU!!! I’m such a sucker for one of those ‘the turtles get split up after they get mutated’ stories, BUT WHEN YOU THROW THE MUD DOGS IN AS MAIN PLAYERS??? IM HOOKED FROM THE START.

@daedelweiss’s Life Mission AU. Amazing. Just… everything is so good 😊

***********************

My favorite thing I made for the TMNT? Well I’d have to go with my Robbie Rist piece and my Kevin Eastman art I did! I’m pretty damn proud of those and how they both turned out. I’m not the best artist but I tried my best and used my abilities to the fullest! 😁

Hope this was a fun read!!! Thank you and have a lovely day!! 😊

[oceansprompts]

𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕧𝕖𝕝'𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣 (𝟚𝟘𝟘𝟟) 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤

quote sentence starters taken from Marvel Comics' The Order (2007) issues #1. change the pronouns/adjust lines as needed.

Hi, I'm TV's Tony Stark -- The billionaire industrialist with a heart of iron!

I got it. Kids, super heroes, the whole thing. There's something profound there I respect.

C'mon -- A billionaire and an actor? With those mustaches? Forget it.

Hell, after we'd slept with everyone in town, the papers tried to pair the two of us up.

Did you quit or were you fired?

So the party days were over.

Exactly. The party days were over.

I was blessed with my health, comfort money, and a shadow made up of fifty cameras.

Are you sure you want me to lead your little super hero team?

This guy's heat signature is off the charts.

Can't hit it if we can't get near it!

I have an idea, but I need a second to recalibrate my equipment!

Really, [ bad name ]? That's a terrible name for a billion-dollar piece of Stark hardware.

I'm gonna kill it! I'm gonna cut off its damn head!

This thing completely shut us down and we could barely lay a finger on him.

Want to see the fastest thing you've ever seen?

I hope for the best and prepare for the worst... That's my silly little mantra... but I'm always surprised at how bad it can get.

The hell is all this noise?

You want me to hit them?

No. I mean, yes, but no.

I need you and your people to stand down or I'll have you shot as, I don't know, enemy combatants or some such.

Excuse me? Who the HELL are you?

Damn, our boy sure did make a mess, didn't he?

Three thousand acres, wouldn't you say? Eh, rhetorical question.

"Jurisdiction." Yeah, that's where I stop listening. And caring.

Get him wrapped up. I want to be tail-lights by the time the media shows.

Go ahead and call daddy. The company I keep isn't very impressed with Stark or SHIELD these days.

I have a long history of cleaning up my messes on my terms.

Now: I'm not really here, this isn't really happening.

And don't forget to smile for the cameras.

I have a long history of cleaning up my messes on my terms. Now: I'm not really here, this isn't really happening. And don't forget to smile for the cameras.

And he knows the royalties are awesome!

Ah. Right. Okay. My name is [ name ] and I'm an alcoholic.

It might be my birthday, but you're the most important person in the room tonight.

Did you hear my boy in that press conference?! He don't take crap from nobody.

Pretty great?! Come on -- We're officially superheroes now, yo! Shake your ass a little!

Look at you! You just saved Los Angeles! Hey, didn't you just save Los Angeles?

Tonight, you wanna roll with the rest of us, and get tore up?

From the floor up!

We're superheroes, and we're gonna go party like super heroes!

Come on -- don't hold out. You gotta come.

Baby, we just saved Los Angeles from [ super villain ]! You heard the news -- We're [ superhero team ]! Baby, we're superstars!

Was it your tax dollars? They didn't have credit cards or -- ?

I'm one trying to figure if we don't have to fire half your team.

A third. We'd only have to fire a third.

We can't dump these kids, they --

It'll look like we fired them for not being teetotalers like me.

It's why the war was fought -- accountability for the super-powered, and responsibility to the people those super-powers are sword to protect.

I will not create walking a-bombs that can't hold their liquor.

Good -- because I kind of have 10,000 things to do --

You blew it. And you knew you were blowing it as you blew it.

This wasn't a secret. This wasn't an unwritten rule. It was explicitly agreed to --

We've all been made into something more than just human. So we have to learn how to be more than just human.

Be at the training site at eleven or you're all fired, too.

Kidding. But don't be late.

Y'know, I'm supposed to be running this team, and I haven't slept three consecutive hours in the last three weeks.

How the hell do you stay so calm?

I'm just trying to do the next right thing. One right thing at a time, lined up in a row. That's it.

Right now, boss, the next right thing is taking off these ridiculous clothes and taking a very long, very hot shower.

That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. I think I'll join you.

I said I -- Oh god -- I can't believe -- I can't believe I said that.

I mean -- My lord, I'm still a widow for god's sake.

Well, you'll always be a -- look it's okay. I know --

I'm -- you know what? I'm just gonna go.

What on earth do ya'll think they're talking about?

I kind of liked 'em. I liked not having to be them just yet.

Hey -- toughen up, buttercup.

They're wondering how they screwed it all up so bad so fast.

That's not gonna be us, yo. No @#%@#$@ way.

What are y'all looking forward to? Helping people? Or, like, stopping accidents, or --?

Heads up, heroes. Time to get heroic.

Am I afraid to die? I suppose? I don't know -- I mean, no more than anyone else is afraid of dying, I guess. Should I be?

[glitchbirds]

started watching the his dark materials tv adaptation earlier this week- something that i had meant to do back in 2019 when it began and never quite got around to. started s3 yesterday so i should get the remaining 7 episodes under my belt within the next few days genuinely it is fascinating to watch an adaptation of a series that i read only once, when i was ten years old, but which left such a profound impression on me that i have consistently cycled back to it for years and years (esp when its such a complex, sprawling fantasy world-or several worlds, really- that its adapting)

as ive mentioned Several times over the years- maybe not on this particular account though-, i was gifted an omnibus copy of all three books in one by my older brother, either for christmas or my birthday i cant remember, sometime before the 2007 movie came out (meaning i had to have been 10 at the absolute oldest when i started reading them, though maybe 11 by the time i finished?). i also very clearly remember The Controversy surrounding them among christians, mainly because of a few comments by classmates but more importantly because my (fourth grade, iirc?) teacher pulled me out of class one day to tell me the book i was reading was sinful and atheist and against god and etc (which made me cry very hard </3 even though she told me i could still read it. this was back when my dad still took me to (catholic) church on a semi-regular basis to appease my grandmother as well as sunday school (run by my older cousins) and at least a year or so before i started to develop a modicum of critical thought towards deep south church teachings. i was petrified of the idea of going to hell and scared to do anything whatsoever to jeopardize my chances) (this did not stop me from reading the book however, because i enjoyed it too much. but i also have a clear memory of reading the book every chance i got w/o paying much attention to what was happening around me and one day realizing that i was reading it while at church service and mentally freaking out that i was doing something sacrilegious and trying to force myself to stop reading. i think i spent about 10 minutes bored out of my mind before i, internally apologetic, went back to reading) luckily my parents seemed unaware or unphased by the fearmongering- i assume my mother never noticed, or this was before she started to become insane from fox news poisoning; my dad i think brought it up briefly because of a flyer he saw but wasnt overly worried about it- because i saw the movie in theaters (i liked it ok; have never seen it since, i want to now though) and also acquired the ds game (tbh i enjoyed it despite it being tie-in garbage and me being v bad at video games as a kid; i never managed to beat it though) and later the wii game (bad </3 never got far into it)

Anywayyyy. again i have never since reread any of the books or read any of the other novellas and the like philip pullman has written set in the same world, though im itching to do that now; and ofc while ive skimmed through wiki articles and the like to refresh my memory on things, my memory of most of the plot points in the books are heavily based on My Perspective As A Ten Year Old Child. i remember the first book the best, a decent amount of subtle knife, and can only recall a few specifics of amber spyglass, and its only now while revisiting the world by watching the tv show that im getting a proper, more well-rounded view of the symbolism and messaging and Authorial Intent(tm) behind the series, because of course a lot of this shit flew right over my stupid little child brain as a kid. once i got to the third book i started to understand, vaguely, why my teacher didnt want me reading this book and why there was a backlash against the movie, but a lot of things that are obvious to me now (and would have been obvious if i read the series just a few years later, really) just did not compute for a 10 y/o. which ofc does not mean that i think its a Bad thing i read them that young but all of ^ that turns watching this series into a mix of "oh i remember that" "oh i know whats coming up" "oh my god i forgot that this is from HDM, this has influenced so many creative projects over the years w/o me even realizing it" "oh they skipped over it but i know in the books there was a scene here that i loved and that has stuck with me forever" "i dont remember this from the books but it extrapolates perfectly from what i remember about these characters" "oh my god was the symbolism here really that obvious and i still didnt pick up on it" etc etc etc ANYWAYYYY. my actual review of the tv series so far: -season 1 in particular is sorely lacking in how it portrays daemons and it made me increasingly sad. daemons were without a doubt my favorite thing from these books and one of my favorite things in a work of fantasy Ever to the point where over the years i have Repeatedly decided to sit down and spend a ridiculous amount of time painstakingly plotting out what daemon i think (x) character from (x) piece of media i enjoy, would have. many of which are still committed to memory. i fucking love daemons as a concept and i wish this shit was public domain so any piece of fiction i write could utilize them forever. i get budget issues exist or w/e but whyyyy would you adapt a series where every character in a world would have a cgi animal with them at all times if you couldnt actually show those cgi animals in more than a handful of scenes per episode and only for (some) major characters and only if they had a speaking role in that scene and also occasionally just have them teleport instead of showing them walking from one room to the next and also crowd shots are fucking barren. its like watching a live action pkmn tv show where pokemon are onscreen for a combined 5-10 minutes out of 60 minute episodes. s2 is a bit better about it but it also spends significantly more time in other worlds where daemons arent visible so ig its easier to budget in more daemons in scenes that take place in lyras world. no idea about s3 yet though ofc the mulefa are coming so We'll See how they handle the cg there

-i do think the cg animal animation looks good though. like its not "i believe there is an actual snow leopard in the room" photorealism but not only is that something i do not particularly care about, i think daemons looking a little unreal is actually perfect. they are physical manifestation of human souls and are in-universe immediately distinguishable from identical animals of the same species... it works

-s2 in general is a significant improvement on s1 not just in the daemons but in the overall pacing and character exploration imo; which is surprising considering its the season cut short from covid lockdown; and also a bit sad since, again, most of what i remember is from the first book and thus many of my fondest memories of the books were things that were either skimmed over in the first season or cut out entirely </3 ALAS.

-iorek and iofurs fight didnt go as hard as it shouldve </3 they didnt even show iorek ripping iofur's jaw off... he was killed in the blurry bg behind lyra. how are you gonna let the 2007 pg-13 movie kick more ass at talking armored polar bears fighting to the death

-am i crazy or is the alethiometer just not used much in the tv series compared to the book... maybe the movie+games clouded my memory, or maybe its the fact that in the show there's rarely any elaboration as to what the symbols could mean or which symbols lyra is using for her questions/what she's interpreting. almost every scene of it being used blurs together and i wouldnt be shocked if some show-only fans think its a stupid plot device with no rhyme or reason behind the symbols, when imo i think you can at least roughly intuit many of the meanings, though obviously not to the extent that a reader could interpret full accurate sentences

-some really really strong casting for like 99% of the roles in this show, i love most of the changes theyve made from the books wrt to casting decisions, my only significant gripe is of course. why did you have to do lee scorseby like that. i loved lee a lot. i remembered him so fondly. why'd you have to give lin manuel miranda that one. just absolutely devastating to me personally (though the choice to have andrew scott as will's father was v funny to me because lin manuel miranda and moriarty from bbc sherlock hanging out together for a huge chunk of s2 has to have appealed massively to a very particular subset of tumblrina)

-again i read these books when i was 10 so the concept of "characters can be bad people but also really well written and enjoyable to spectate" hadnt really settled in my mind yet so i really have no idea if this fully applies to the book version of her but oh my godddd i love mrs coulter in this series. yes she kidnaps children and rips their souls apart from them yes she drugs her own daughter and holds her captive yes she murders people indiscriminately without remorse etc. and she rules <3

-similarly the changes theyve made to the golden monkey are Fascinating...

-i loved lyra and pan with my whole heart when i was her age and it is really :,) to now be fully an adult and see her again. waughh. i love how almost everyone she meets loves her too (i will not stand for ppl watering it down to found family fanfiction tropes. but She Is So Loved.)

-i think its cool that boreal went from being a fairly minor character in the books to one of the main antagonists for a hot minute. he was fun :)

-i dont remember having strong feelings about mary malone as a kid but i really like her here. i havent gotten to this point in the show yet but im aware they tweaked her backstory to make her a lesbian as well, which is just delightful to me

-will's relationship w/ his mother and particularly the way the book describes her mental illness from will's perspective was so, So important to me as a kid and the thing i remembered best from subtle knife, and i wish the show had dwelled on it a liiiittle more? in particular, the bit where will thinks about when he first realized something was up and his mother wasnt just playing a "game" with him and was actually terrified of a nonexistent threat, when he was seven and they were shopping for groceries, and how he realized then and there that he needed to take care of her and protect her- that stuck w/ me very strongly as a kid and i wish the show had found a way for will to talk about it with lyra, there were a couple points where i thought he was going to bring it up. maybe this season??

fun fact i started writing this post at like 10 last night. i gotta put a stop this rn

[denimbex1986]

'This month, the world’s longest-running science-fiction television show is recognising an impressive milestone. Doctor Who, BBC One’s flagship family show, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with three specials and the return of David Tennant as the titular Time Lord...

A bullet-proof Vauxhall Corsa

Defying all known motoring logic, Tenth Doctor companion Martha Jones (played by Freema Agyeman) snapped up a Corsa B despite the existence of something called 'Fiesta'. Still, it came with some very unusual modifications.

In the 2007 instalment The Sound Of Drums, Martha’s car managed to deflect a barrage of machine gun fire from numerous bad guys with just a few sparks and not a dent in sight, never mind an exploding car (in fairness, the rear window did smash). Thankfully, her passengers David Tennant and John Barrowman were also unharmed...

A 1956 Vespa

Ok, this is the last non-car on this list of cars. Honest. But this one’s pretty damn cool.

David Tennant, also pretty cool, rocked the moped with an equally stylish Billie Piper sitting on the back as the couple hit London in 1953 (pretty naughty of him bringing future transport but we’ll let him off as the Doctor was intending to land in 1956). Due to the vehicle being fiendishly difficult to ride, stunt doubles were used for any shots of them moving.

Peugeot 307

The 2002 European Car of the Year did actually save the world. Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) owned a dark blue version and, famously, in the episode titled Turn Left, she used the car to turn… right! Only kidding. She turned left.

By doing so, she changed time and saved the Doctor, the world and, indeed, the whole universe. Sadly, her power could not extend to making the 307 desirable...'

[seancamerons]

jem is seriously such a fun cartoon!

YES! I was in my 20s in college when I first heard of it, lol. my bus buddy, whose name was ed, told me about it. I watched it shortly after, and the rest is history. 😊

what's not to love? its got catchy 80s bangers played by a pastel pink haired front woman who is a hologram who turns out to be an alter ego of a girl by the touch of an earring.

to paint a picture, it's like if hannah montana, julie and the phantoms and a barbie all had a baby in an animated series 😆 it's truly outrageous! even for the 80's. the combination of drama with a rivalry, jerrica's secret identity, evil banger playing rivals the misfits who commit multiple felonies with little consequence on the regular ie: kidnapping, vehicular manslaughter, arson and more, heartwarming orphans, evil record exec, a love triangle, glamor, glitter, fashion and fame all wrapped in a pretty pastel package. all in all, it's got something for everyone. jem was created just to sell some off brand barbie dolls during a saturday morning cartoon time slot. genius.

if i ask most women in their late 30s or 40s who grew up in the mid 80s about jem, not only do they know jem, they get all nostalgic and legit happy at the mention. example, a colleague at work had the dolls. my boyfriends older sister dressed as jem for halloween. a college classmate who was my age, and i bonded over jem. this show had girls in the 80s dreaming and thriving. evidently, with streaming, it's accessible. i believe it's free on youtube its now on tubi.

honestly, jem isn't just for girls or children. let’s be real. cartoons aren't just for kids. usually, look to disney, shows like simpsons, fururama, and family guy for comparison, some of these are clearly nit for kids. disney primarily has jokes that go over kids' heads, but can get mom and dad to crack a smile or bust out laughing. same reason parents and kids like bluey.

we don't discuss jem and the holograms (2015) not the same, not even close. looking at a fella by the name of scooter braun, (guy isn't liked by swifties either, might I add if you know you know.) who consulted fans of the og and made it a dumpster fire by not taking any of the suggestions and ideas he asked us for. i don’t even think he took some the suggestions from the creator of jem, he simply thought he knew it all that's the impression i get. to top off he took it out of the 80s and made it gimmicky, wannabe teenybopper shit. it was off. i didn't get that far.

FUN FACT: jem and the holograms (2015) received a 22% on rotten tomatoes.

I didn’t exactly expect a movie like that or one that was more true to jem from 80s to be perfect or win an Oscar by any means, but they could have made it a bit like tongue and cheek, like similar to og jem, or even deep at times like barbie (2023). We likely won't get a redemption or a new one, but it was a shame the reboot didn't do it justice. The girls of the 80s deserved a live action of their childhood favorite! I mean, look at transformers (2007) for the boys. Why can't we have nice things?

Thanks for the ask. 💌

[adamwatchesmovies]

Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)

Even though it disappointed repeatedly, the Star Wars prequel trilogy was worth it for 2007's animated micro-series Star Wars: Clone Wars. If you want to see a young Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan in awesome action sequences with character development and sights even the best special effects would struggle to bring to life, this offers it in spades. Stylish, action-packed, and teeming with memorable moments, this is the Star Wars you’ve been dreaming of.

From Genndy Tartakovsky - creator of Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory, and the animated segment of Priest (the only good part). Clone Wars is an animated anthology series that bridges the gap between Episodes II & III. Anakin Skywalker (voiced by Mat Lucas), Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor), Mace Windu (T.C. Carson), and Grandmaster Yoda (Tom Kane) battle the armies and minions of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. As armadas of ships, legions of droids, and underwater militia clash, special op covert missions, fiendish monsters, ominous visions, and terrifying villains shape the future of the universe.

If you haven't heard of this series or dismissed it as a kid’s cartoon, you have no idea what you’re missing. This is no mere children’s entertainment, it’s Star Wars going back to its roots with a series of short adventures that tie together to make a gigantic story. There’s no way real-life actors or stuntmen/women would dare to pull off the moves we see here. They'd wind up digitally rendering people on digitally rendered background and at point... why not simply animate it all? This is the kind of story that shows what animation is best suited for. Atmosphere is generated through Tartakovsky's simplified color pallets and character designs. Nothing stands out as artificial, because it's entirely artificial. If you thought General Grievous was a pretty cool character in Revenge of the Sith, you haven’t seen anything yet, at best he’s a mere shadow of what you will witness here.

When it first aired, I fell in love with Clone Wars because of the cool villains and visual carnage. These depictions of Count Dooku, Darth Sidious, and the new foes introduced are instant favorites. The battles are varied and dynamic. This time, I was struck by the character arcs, particularly Anakin Skywalker's because of how much is done with the visuals. This is a confidently directed piece by someone who understands the power of silence. It’s so much more impressive to see a group of Clone Troopers take down an opponent by communicating with only hand signals than it is with them shouting orders at each other. Instead of actors, it's the animators doing the storytelling through the characters’ body movement. Anything extraneous has been trimmed out and tossed away to deliver a lean and satisfying epic.

This is a “movie” that no one will be able to agree upon because inevitably, the question of “What was the best part” will come up and everyone will have a different opinion. Will it be Mace Windu standing alone against impossible odds? The first encounter with General Grievous? The space battle whose uneven odds are tipped in the underdog's favor thanks to superior strategy? How about Kit Fisto in a prolonged underwater war, Anakin in a mission that would test his strength like none other before, or that part where Count Dooku and… well I don’t want to spoil it.

I do have some criticisms, and I know they’ll sound unfair. Technically, this is not a movie, but I’m judging it as if it was. It’s because it’s that good. Other television shows would struggle to stand next to it because it accomplishes so much in so little time. Star Wars: Clone Wars is only 2 hours long but it packs in as much as my favorite series’ do in an entire season-spanning arc. (On DVD, December 4, 2015)

[libertyoftheseas]

A Guide to the Liberty of the Seas Deck Plans

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, a member of the Freedom class, is a grand vessel known for its wide range of amenities and accommodations spread across 15 decks. Since its debut in 2007 and refurbishment in 2016, it continues to offer guests a blend of luxury, entertainment, and adventure. Here’s a detailed exploration of what each deck has in store.

 Deck 2: Starting Point

Deck 2 houses essential staterooms, including ocean view and interior options, providing comfortable accommodations. This deck also contains the medical center, ensuring that guests have access to necessary healthcare services.

 Deck 3: Entertainment Hub

Deck 3 is where the entertainment action begins. It features the lower level of the Platinum Theatre, where guests can enjoy Broadway-style shows and other live performances. Studio B, the ice-skating rink, hosts impressive ice shows and offers opportunities for guest skating. The Art Gallery is also situated here, showcasing artworks available for purchase.

 Deck 4: Casino and Performances

Deck 4 is a hotspot for gaming and entertainment. Casino Royale offers a variety of games, while the Schooner Bar provides a nautical-themed setting for cocktails and live piano music. This deck also includes the mezzanine level of the Platinum Theatre, offering excellent views of the stage.

 Deck 5: Royal Promenade

Deck 5 is the bustling core of Liberty of the Seas. The Royal Promenade, an indoor boulevard, features shops, cafes, and bars. Dining options on this deck include Sorrento’s Pizzeria, the Cupcake Cupboard, and an English pub. The Main Dining Room, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is also located here.

 Deck 6: Relaxation and Accommodation

Deck 6 offers a variety of staterooms, including balcony, ocean view, and interior cabins. The Vitality Spa on this deck provides a range of treatments designed to relax and rejuvenate guests, offering a peaceful escape from the ship's bustling activities.

 Deck 7: Quiet Spaces

Deck 7 continues with a mix of staterooms, many featuring private balconies. The library and card room on this deck provide quiet spaces for reading, games, and relaxation.

 Deck 8: Business and Comfort

Deck 8 houses additional staterooms and the Business Services area, catering to guests who need to stay connected and manage work-related tasks during their cruise.

 Deck 9: Luxury Accommodations

Deck 9 offers a range of luxurious staterooms and suites, providing enhanced amenities and extra space for a more comfortable stay. These accommodations are ideal for guests seeking a more upscale experience.

 Deck 10: Family Focus

Deck 10 is designed with families in mind, featuring spacious family staterooms and suites. These rooms offer additional space and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for larger groups.

 Deck 11: Fitness and Pools

Deck 11 is the wellness and activity hub of the ship. It includes a state-of-the-art fitness center and the adults-only Solarium, complete with whirlpools. The main pool area features multiple pools and hot tubs, while the H2O Zone kids’ water park provides fun for younger guests.

 Deck 12: Youth Activities

Deck 12 is dedicated to younger passengers, with the Adventure Ocean Youth Program offering age-appropriate activities for children and teens. This deck also includes additional staterooms, including family-friendly options.

 Deck 13: Adventure and Fun

Deck 13 is packed with thrilling activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, and a mini-golf course. The Viking Crown Lounge provides panoramic views and a relaxing atmosphere for unwinding.

 Deck 14: Scenic Views

Deck 14 features staterooms with stunning sea views and includes the Cloud Nine and Seven Hearts card rooms, perfect for card games and quiet relaxation.

 Deck 15: Sun and Serenity

Deck 15 is dedicated to ultimate relaxation, featuring the Sun Deck and the adults-only Solarium. It’s an ideal spot for soaking up the sun, enjoying the sea breeze, and finding a peaceful retreat.

 Conclusion

Liberty of the Seas offers a diverse range of experiences across its 15 meticulously designed decks. From entertainment and dining to relaxation and adventure, each deck provides unique amenities and activities to ensure every guest has a memorable cruise experience. Whether you’re seeking excitement, serenity, or a blend of both, Liberty of the Seas caters to all tastes and preferences, making it a perfect choice for an unforgettable cruise vacation.

[acowardinmordor]

This has links to watch a low res of the 2007 if you don't know it.

Okay, its making me slowly insane that I can't figure out where Robin is in this. So. She is not a replacement for a character in the OG. Robin is now a former employee of the Harrington company. She met Steve when he was around 22. The company sucked, so she quit not too long after starting, but they stayed friends. She knows that he had a really really horrible breakup and doesn't do relationships now, but doesn't know any real details.

Billy is definitely the cousin. Married someone rich, got the cash, they died, and he's now wealthy af, but wants to inherit the company officially so he can remake it into what he wants. Not Steve's actual cousin, just the kid of an old business partner of Richard's. He's not morally reprehensible, just morally grey. His interest in Steve is sincere, he's entertaining and gorgeous and makes Steve smile.

Carol is Steve's younger sister, she's with Tommy, who eventually gave up on Steve accepting a date. That social circle is how we bring in Chrissy, who Steve thinks of kind of as a younger sister. She's 22ish and still all bubbly and unbroken by life.

Because obviously Chrissy is the one that Eddie meets and is charmed by and flirts with. She's the one that everyone assumes he's falling in love with. She's the one that he talks about when he knows Steve can over hear, so he can be sideways insulting.

But look at how good that lines up. They go on some kind of mini vacation that Steve can't manage to get out of bc Carol and Tommy insist. Steve meets Billy who he only sorta remembers, and they spend some time hanging out and flirting, and Steve feels good for the first time in ages. He still doesn't dance. That was always his thing with Eddie, so he's the designated driver, and he sits on the side with earplugs in the louder bars.

Chrissy is trying to impress Rockstar Eddie bc she thinks they're basically dating. Takes too much at a club, ends up in the hospital after an overdose. Survives, but it was bad. Eddie feels absolutely horrible, ends up staying there, covering her bills, waiting until she wakes up. And Steve had to go back to working after their like, mini vacation where this happened. So he's just hearing the gossip through Dustin and friends about how in love Eddie is. (he absolutely stalks eddie's public ig stories)

Robin comes back from her vacation and is technically Steve's assistant, but mostly just means he can put her on salary and they can hang out all the time. Knows something is up immediately.

Something Something, Nancy encourages Steve to go on a few dates with Billy since its been so long since Steve's had a partner. Photos, papp, or just like, Instagram posts that Dustin and others see. They show Eddie. Say something about how they've never seen Steve this happy before. And that's the gut punch. Because Eddie knows that isn't Steve's real smile.

Digs through Steve's entire Ig, looking for any photo, even a single photo that has the guy smiling like he used to.

Steddie Persuasion AU but make it modern and blur the edges, and eliminate homophobia. Steve turned down Eddie's proposal because his family put a ton of pressure on him to do so, even though he was mad in love and very very much wanted to marry him. He almost eloped, but his best friend Nancy convinced him that he couldn't throw his life away at nineteen for a guy with more arrests than opportunities. Eddie was heartbroken and furious, and took the risk he hadn't before. Ends up a rockstar. Not so famous everyone knows him, but if you're into music, if you watch the grammys, you know Eddie Munson.

Eight years later, Steve's dad has fucked up the finances and makes dumb investments (maybe crypto) and Steve ends up helping close out branches of the company and sell things off as they downsize, blah blah. His dad refuses to put his face on it, so he has it be Steve firing everyone and whatnot. Ends up meeting Dustin and some of the others who made bank on some tech thing who are coming in to buy off assets and take over parts of the Harrington holdings. Steve thinks the names are a coincidence until he sees Dustin smile, and realizes that oh shit, he's going to be in meetings with Eddie's friends, and oh shit, they don't know about the summer Eddie and Steve were together.

They'd just be so perfect for the dynamic. Eddie being all sideways insulting about Steve bc its been years and he's still so so mad at him about it that he refuses to look closer. Steve who puts on a show of being exactly what he's supposed to be, in this case, charming and untouchable and perfect, and no one sees through the mask. Bc his friends, other than Nancy, are all new since he and Eddie broke up. So they don't know how he used to smile. They think this is Steve perfectly happy in his life.

But obvs eventually Eddie actually looks and he can see how his Stevie is a husk of who he was, and he realizes that no, he was wrong for all those years. He thought he wanted the guy that broke his heart to be miserable. But now he's looking at the guy he still loves, and he can't stand to see that Steve IS miserable.

[rockytamtam]

autism be damned i have seen the lion musical again !!!!! : a lion king musical review

this was supposed to be the third silly review but in the end it's gonna be the first ^-^' anyway, this was the second time i went to the lion king (last time i went was on may 4th), this time i had restricted view front row tickets &&& u can read more about this under the cut !!!

jsyk these go everywhere and aren't just abt the show i do talk abt the sillies that happen before and after it :D warning this is like. very long. like insanely long. no part 2 we die like men

saw the show on : june 18th 2023, théâtre mogador

first things first that was my first time going alone in paris and all went well until i tried to find the theater and kept getting lost, i made it tho !! and in time!

the cast changed a little but i saw stanley kassa as simba again (understudy), simon gallant played ed this time (saw him as zazu last time and he was crazy proud of himself at stagedoor, as he should he was awesome), & a new nala actress (paola fareri), new timon (romain apelbaum), & other kid simba & nala

my seat was ! much closer to the stage than expected it felt like i was IN the stage, but it's still not bad at all even for a restricted view seat !!!

during the circle of life, this time, there were no technical difficulties with the elephant so i got to see it ! i thought it was going to hit me with its tusk lol, & i saw zazu run so i was so happy

cried again during the key change 💚

olivier (scar) does change his energy depending on which kid is on, it's pretty different from last time!

also it's VERY impressive seeing him act from so close

it wasn't until the lioness hunt that i realized that i just Could Not see the entire back of the stage and when actors were there i could just see the top of their head

anyway. the lioness hunt 💕💕 i just love the choreography

during i just can't wait to be king it felt like the lyrics changed? like they were singing the movie version? and i couldn't tell if it felt this way because they changed them since the 2007 french cast recording or because i just didn't remember properly

anyway i love zazu. zazu my beloved. i just love this bird.

hyenas time i love them theyre my favorite characters :DDD i actually picked this seat because it's on the side of the stage they go to during the other song >:]

first time seeing simon as ed and he's got a really cool energy !!! shenzi (mélina mariale) & banzai (abdel-rahym madi) killing it as always

actually got startled when mufasa (noah ndema) roared

(skipping they live in you bc i have nothing to say sorry!!)

BE PREPARED TIME. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SONG. olivier is wonderful, the hyenas are wonderful, this is starting so so well.

and then. before the breakdown, the hyenas start walking around on set, as they do ! they go right in front of my spot, AS I PLANNED! AND I AM SPOTTED (lime green hair helps!)

im having a main character moment wth. banzai is like "i love your hair color! he needs the same" while grabbing the puppet's hair, and im just "AA THANK YOU???!!" and shenzi and ed gave me a high five im just. that was a "and everybody clapped" moment but i was having a blast okok thank u

BANZAI WAS LOOKING AT ME WHILE SINGING FROM THE BONE STAIRS THINGS I WAS SO HAPPY???

the stampede made me sad, but i wasn't exactly looking at it bc i was curious about what was happening in the wings

there was this small child in the crowd who was crying LOUDLY and everytime everyone else would go"awwww :("

rafiki mourns is still one of the songs i find most beautiful, i especially love when the lionesses cry bc i think the tear effect is so cool

end of act 1 (sorry timon, sorry pumba. u guys are awesome too) !!

i could see more actors & dancers up close it was so cool i love looking at the costumes & makeup

kept making eye contact with the hyenas it was a little awkward ESPECIALLY when they werent the character u were supposed to focus on

second time seeing ntsepa as rafiki and she's still awesome. i love her sm :(((

THE LION HEAD IN HE LIVES IN YOU REPRISE. THATS IT THATS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

son oncle oscar? is still my fav thing idk if i put this in the right order but its whatevs

the same little kid yelled "SCAR!" during simba confronts scar

curtain call / finale moment !!! pumba (cyril romoli) was smiling at me but i didnt notice until the end (< - too busy looking at the hyenas)

this guy's about to go stage door alone (he's very faceblind and he's me!)

i dash i fly out the theater . im gonna see simon, mélina, and abdel. i repeat endlessly. and i'll try to see stanley and olivier again

this time there were more people than last time, but it was also night last time and now its sunday

i got to see mélina !! she was so so sweet and signed my notebook, i was too scared to ask for a pic

all goes well, UNTIL i start feeling rain on my arm and next thing u know it starts pouring

30 minutes in olivier breitman comes out of stage door holding the smallest carboard box over his head, he hides under the franprix with us and he signs my notebook too before running to another spot (he was so sweet i love him sm)

the rain stops after an hour, only dancers came out and . i suspect it was abdel but i cant besure bc this one girl told me he left when the rain started -, and i go back near the actual door

ten minutes pass still no one, but i still want to see simon or stanley; two dancers come out and are like "hey you can go inside if you want to hide from the rain"... WHAT. anyway i go inside stage door

i heard the girl who was waiting with complain that i got in, i dont know if i should move or not so i decide to stay near the door

stayed there for maybe 15 minutes and then this guy came to close the gate that led to the theater and i was like. yeah okay these guys are not coming out or already left

AND THEN I HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER HOUR FOR MY TRAIN TO START. anyway i got home at 10 thank u

THE END !!!!!!! im so sosrry i am Very talkative

[movieremakesandmore]

Comparison pt. 3 - Drama

The Karate Kid (1984)

To conclude my series of blog posts, I will be discussing one last movie genre (or genres, since some may fall into various categories), which is romance/drama. Whether you have actually watched it or not, we have all heard about the movie The Karate Kid. Probably the one from the 80s, right? How about Footloose or Freaky Friday? Maybe you've watched the Annie play or went to see Hairspray: The Musical. These are all movies that have either been remade or remastered for a newer audience. Younger generations might not know that Disney Channel's 2003 film Freaky Friday is actually inspired by a 70s movie of the same name. While the plot between these two films doesn't stay exactly the same, it is technically still considered a remake, or a "remastering" as I'd like to call it. Disney did the same thing with The Parent Trap from the 60s, recreating it again in the 90s which I always thought was the original until about a year ago. In this case, the "better" movie really just comes down to what you grew up with. Both the original and remakes scored nearly the same on every critic website.

Freaky Friday (2003)

Since we spent so much time talking about movie sequels and remakes, why don't we end the series of blog posts with some information on movies made into musicals? Annie was originally created as comic strip in the 1920s, made into a musical in 1977, became a movie in 1982, and was remade yet again in 2014. Hairspray was originally created as a movie in 1988, made into a musical in 2002, and was remade as a movie again in 2007. To avoid confusion, I will only be comparing the first-made movie to the more recent one. Starting with Annie (1982) here are its ratings: 49% Rotten Tomatoes, 6.6/10 IMDb, and 4.6/5 Google Reviews. Annie (2014) received a 28%, 5.3/10, and 4.5/5. Hairspray (1988) scored an impressive 98% Rotten Tomatoes, 7.0/10 IMDb, and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd. Its 2007 remake scored a 92%, 6.7/10, and 3.5/5. This evidence shows the original Annie to be a lot better than the remake, but for the Hairspray movies to be about the same.

Hairspray (1988)