#laura watkins

[holespoles]

Laura Watkins

[willstafford]

It's not easy being green

WICKED Birmingham Hippodrome, Wednesday 6th March, 2024 One of the most successful musicals of all time is on the road again and it’s a real treat to be able to catch it during its stay at Birmingham’s Hippodrome.  If you’ve seen it before, you’ll recall the emotional highs and lows of the story, and the green-faced one belting out ‘Defying Gravity’, but perhaps like me you’ll be reminded just…

[magnusstan]

Kevin and Nico in the NY Times …

Kev on thinking he has time to be a Dad, getting called back to F1, priorities shifting, Laura liking the car, being torn about his kids being on socials and being neighbours with most of his family when they bought a house in his hometown …

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 1: Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Haas F1, wife Louise Gjorup and their daughters in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)

By Madeline Coleman

Jun 15, 2024

Just behind the Formula One teams’ motorhomes inside the Monaco Grand Prix paddock, fans leaned over a fence, trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite driver. As various drivers passed by, they inevitably missed some fans’ requests for selfies and autographs.

But Laura Magnussen wasn’t going to allow that to happen.

The three-year-old pushed her red scooter down the road behind a Haas team member and her father, Kevin Magnussen. When she realized he missed a fan’s autograph request, Laura scooted up to Kevin and tugged at his shirt, grabbing his attention and pointing at the fan. Kevin backtracked and signed the notebook, Laura pushing her scooter behind him.

It was just the latest of many moments featuring one of Magnussen’s two daughters to go viral on social media. Although plenty of team personnel, track employees and media members have families back home, Magnussen, teammate Nico Hülkenberg and Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez are the only parents on the grid.

Motorsports are ruthless and dangerous, a cutthroat sport where every millisecond and millimeter count. As elite athletes like F1 drivers rise to the top of their respective sports, the focus largely is centered on them.

That is until a little one comes along, radically changing how the adults approach life.

“It changed a lot of my priorities, like my perspective on life and my career and sport, and made everything else seem less important,” Magnussen said. “There’s always pressure on the drivers and also a bit of an anxiety where you think, ‘If I can’t be racing, then what am I? What do I do with my life?’

“Whereas now, that side of it is all settled in a way. I know if I’m not racing, then I have a fantastic life anyway.”

Magnussen didn’t initially intend to have kids while racing in F1.

He joined the grid full-time in 2014 but lost his seat to Fernando Alonso a year later. Magnussen found a full-time seat for 2016 and was out of a seat again after the 2020 season. He moved on to the lower profile world of IMSA. Rather than traveling the globe and competing during 20-plus weekends a year, he raced in sports cars in North America at places like Belle Isle in Michigan and Watkins Glen in New York. He competed in nine races that season and had no marketing or simulator duties, he said.

“I thought (the) timing was perfect because I finished my Formula One career, I thought, and it was the right moment,” Magnussen said. “We had a fantastic year. The next two years were fantastic, too, but in a much different way than I expected it to be.”

In January 2021, shortly before Magnussen flew to the U.S. for IMSA, he and Louise Gjørup Magnussen welcomed Laura into the world, born seven weeks early.

Hülkenberg was in a similar position when he and his wife, Eglė Ruškytė-Hülkenberg, had their daughter, Noemi Sky. “I was kind of a little bit out of the hot seat, and I had more time. Life was a bit more relaxed,” he said.

“My wife said I was always in a good mood because I didn’t have the bad days of the race weekend. You cut out the bad days, and you’re always kind of happy and balanced and well because we take this pretty seriously, this job, and if we have a bad weekend, it can tend to take up to a week to digest it, and obviously it impacts your mood.”

But when he returned to the grid full-time in 2023 with Haas, Hülkenberg said being a father didn’t change his approach, just that his life now revolved more around his family, as well as racing.

“I think racing drivers, the way we are wired, when you get in the car and when you put the helmet on the visor down, you forget all that. You don’t really think about it, and it’s just a blank mind,” he said. “You’re solely focused on performance and getting the best possible result. So no, I don’t think it’s changed my approach in the car. But outside, it takes a lot of focus and time being a dad.”

Sporting bright pink headphones and an all white outfit, Noemi Sky beamed as Nico and Eglė walked through the Monaco paddock, swinging their daughter in the air. On her feet were a pair of decorated shoes in honor of her father, one reading “Go Daddy” and the number two, and the other “Noemi Sky” and the number seven. (Her name came from both parents: Hülkenberg liked Noemi after seeing it in movie credits on a flight with his wife, while Eglė really liked Sky).

Bringing kids trackside takes a lot of planning, Hülkenberg said. Their schedules need to be factored in, like how to squeeze in naps at a noisy track. He added, “If you’re away from home and you have the hotel and it’s far away from the circuit, you really have to make sure you have all the toys and the iPad or whatever to get through the day.”

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 25: Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg is accompanied by his wife Egle and daughter Noemi during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco. (Kym Illman/Getty Images)

Nico Hülkenberg said being a father didn’t change his racing approach, just that his life now revolved more around his family, as well as racing.

Magnussen finds it both “fantastic” and “frustrating because I’m too busy to really spend a lot of time with them. My kids think they’re on holiday.” Anges is nearly one year old and has visited the paddock before. Laura now understands that her father is racing, which is something she looks forward to, he said.

“She loves being in the garage and watching the car and all that. But still, she gets frustrated that I’m not available for the whole weekend. She wants to swim in the pool, and she wants to explore the place that we’ve come to, and I can’t do that. I’m just too busy.”

Magnussen says his oldest daughter isn’t intimidated by the loud sounds that come with the sport, and when she is in the garage, she wants to be close to the car. “She loves it, I think, because she knows that this is what daddy does, and she can be proud of the world that I go into every time I leave them alone.”

Over the past few years, Laura’s become a recognizable figure in the paddock, often going viral on social media, like when she helped her father prepare in Abu Dhabi last year. With her headset on, she helped Magnussen out on his gloves and closed his visor.

Magnussen’s social media accounts are run by his team, but his wife shows him the content of their daughters when it pops up. “It’s something that I feel divided about,” the Dane said.

“Laura doesn’t understand that millions of people are watching this and she didn’t consent to that. Also I feel like it’s a lot of people. Laura has been recognized, and I feel like she didn’t ask for that. I don’t feel too good about it,” Magnussen continued. “But at the same time, I think these videos are super cute, and these moments that we have had in the garage, they’re very special. And I treasure those videos because it’s awesome that we got to have this to keep and look at years to come.”

They try to balance the chaotic life of an F1 family, building some normalcy and making the kids happy. Magnussen pointed out how the number one thing in life is having real relationships and friends, not the jet-setting lifestyle.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 2: Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Haas F1 walks through the paddock with his daughter during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. (Kym Illman/Getty Images)

“Whatever you think is important before you’re a parent,” Magnussen said, “don’t worry about it. It’s not.”

“Me and my wife bought a house in a normal neighborhood with normal people close to our family. My wife’s parents, they live one house next to us, and my dad’s house is also on the same street,” Magnussen said. “Just around the corner, my mom’s house is also 100 meters away. My best friend is 50 meters. So we’re all within a radius of 100 meters, and I treasure that a lot.”

Even in a glitzy and glamorous world like F1, the simple moments in life may mean the most to the drivers, like flying home early to see their family or playing with their child after a difficult weekend. “It’s really nice when you have a bad weekend or a bad day and you go home and you take her and you play with her and she smiles at you,” Hülkenberg said. “It helps to forget the day, and it makes you feel better in that moment.”

When it comes to being a parent, the drivers’ priorities are the same as those of the everyday fan. It’s wanting to protect and be there for their child, providing a life that’ll make them happy. Priorities shift fairly heavily in the new chapter, putting life in a different perspective despite competing in a pressure-cooker-eseque environment.

“Whatever you think is important before you’re a parent,” Magnussen said, “don’t worry about it. It’s not.”

[andromedasummer]

Hello, I just saw an ask you sent abnerkrill about f1. I'm very new to the sport (I'm on s4 of Drive to Survive and have just begun following the current season), and doing some research into f1 history for a project I'm working on. Do you have any resources on the history of f1? And do you know where I can find the Senna documentary? No pressure to respond, of course, and thanks for sharing your insight in that ask.

Hell yeah I can help! DTS is docudrama which means it will make a storyline outta nothing, so you've probably been given a very warped view of the sport. Which isn't to say it isn't good fun! Its just not helpful to understanding the sport.

I've been into motorsport coming up on 4 years now and I've read/watched a bunch on the history of F1 and motorsport. I'll list some of that stuff here:

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

One: Life On The Limit (documentary)

Free on youtube. Interviews tons of drivers. Got me into the sport. I mean it when i say it interviews a ton of old drivers/important people from multiple eras and paints a real picture of the danger of the sport. Fair warning: it contains footage of fatal crashes and if you find that upsetting I totally understand and won't blame you for skipping it

Lauda (Documentary)

Eveyone should know about Niki. I say this half-ironically. Hes my fav driver so I'm biased but his impact on the sport cannot be overstated. His story, from his championship to his horror crash and full body burns to his next two championships and his fight for driver safety is incredible. He was half of the pair that organized the famous driver strike! Whole grid locked themselves in a bedroom instead of driving to protest the lack of safety!

Rush (Movie)

Again Niki Lauda related, however this is THE motorsport movie. It's very accurate to the battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the championship, along with their friendship. It's great and even non-motorsport enjoyers loved it.

Biographies/Auto-Biographies (Books)

Tons drivers have tons, some have multiple (like Senna or Schumacher) and you can get the more well known ones from the more well known drivers off Z-Lib or annasarchive pretty easy (use a vpn and go to r/piracy and navigate to their masterpost of piracy links. if you dont have a vpn dw they list a really solid free one) you should also be able to find a host for the senna doco through there. I would recommend reading about figures like Prost, Schumacher, Lauda, Hamilton obvs but also non-drivers in the sport like Ross Brawn and Sid Watkins.

Life on The Limit (Books)

Two books by Sid Watkins (doctor who made f1 safe) that were released in tandem with the doco I mentioned and go into great detail about his friendship with past drivers. Really funny at multiple points and then absolutely heartbreaking when it comes to the things he saw and lost during those days. Highly recommend.

My friend Laura who has been watching since infancy also recommends:

- "In general for freebie resources, overtakefans as a site has a Ton of resources and history archived"

- "and if you search for 'F1 season reviews YouTube' you will usually find the short season round ups they used to do that provide you with some basic history and that can be really good if you want to know more about certain eras but don't know where to start."

Silver War (documentary)

It's abt nico and lewis and their lifelong friendship into bitter toxic rivalry into. whatever the fuck it is now. is on youtube, (I personally haven't seen it.)

Grand Prix: The Killer Years (Book)

About the deadly years of F1, I believe. (I haven't read it.)

Enzo Ferrari: The Man and The Machine (Book)

from Laura: "even though it starts WAY WAY WAY before f1 and is probably too heavy for a newbie to handle it is a VERY detailed look at not just Ferrari but early Motorsport in Europe and how that eventually led to the creation of F1 and why Ferrari has always been a presence in it"

The book also touches briefly on fascism in the sport which I will be talking abt under the readmore because I do feel it's an important disclaimer.

So, I put this under a readmore cos it's a bit long. But the one last thing I wanna say is that I think it is important when looking at F1 both in the current day and it's history to discuss the grim realities about why Motorsport is so elitist, and how that has been ingrained since it's founding.

A big thing to know about F1 history is that is was founded by the wealthy, juuust pre (late 1920s) and then post WW2 (paused during the war). It was the wealthy of this era who could afford to buy and race motorcars. From there, it was only those wealthy who could fund and form those teams. It was a rich mans hobby. And unfortunately, more often than not, those very rich men had fascist ideals (which were very, very popular in England and Italy and Europe in general and up until WW2 which made it a more distasteful ideal, although enough people certainly persisted with these beliefs more quietly).

Nazis raced in it. Nazi sympathizers raced in it. Ferrari had to work for Mussolini and Mercedes had to work under Hitler making weapons during the war, some members of these companies more willingly than others. Hell, one of F1s most famous circuits it raced on is the Nurburgring. A massive stretch of track that was made on the orders of Hitler, next to a small town where the small Jewish population had been purged. It was built to show off German Engineering and with the hopes to show off to the rest of the West (they lost against the English in the inaugural race and threw a fucking fit abt it loser fucking nazis).

These echoes of facism and elitism do still exist in european motorsport to this day and, like fascist ideals, have expanded into other continents. I don't think I could name a Brazilian driver who doesn't support Jair Bolsonaro. The Piquets are personal friends with him, Nelson (4 time world champ, prolific racist) drives him around for political rallies. Emmerson Fittipaldi (another old champion, Brazilian) ran as an MP for the Italian fascist party. Bernie Ecclestone (owned the rights to f1 for a WHILE) believes in fucking insane conspiracy theories about Jewish people and described Putin, who he is friends with, as a "good man" on national television when questioned abt the invasion of Ukraine. Max Mosely, who was head of the FIA until the late 2000s, was a youth fascist who handed out handwritten leaflets on "racial inferiority". His parents wedding was attended by Hitler himself. He was the nephew of Oswald Mosely, who was done for treason during the war for his loyalty to the Nazis and belief in Nazism. Max was still in charge when Lewis, the sports first black driver (one of two ever now, out of 70+ years of history), came into the sport. And that's not even going into the morality of some of F1s sponsors (Armco, etc) and the places they race (too long to list)

This is uncomfortable, yes, but it's not often talked about when recounting F1's history. Certainly not in documentaries or books. The creators of which who, frankly, dont even know how to touch on the subject or think it's fine to skip over. But it is a reality of the sport and it does intertwine in an irremovable way with its history, especially when you look at the people who both competed and still do compete. When you look at its current day classism, its racial inequality, sexism, homophobia, ableism etc.

Just because its easier to hide these days through weak statements, a stance of individualism on drivers political views and co-opting of activist language without actual moves towards change, certainly does not mean it isn't there. And while things have absolutely improved in terms of diversity and will hopefully continue to improve with the presence of people like Lewis Hamilton and Susie Wolff, F1 and European motorsport is and was unfortunately, founded in an era of fascism and elitism and it will be a while until those parts of the sport can be removed from its structure.

[self-made-cages]

Morgan's 2023 Reading List ✨📚 

Jan 2: Truly Madly Guilty - Liane Moriarty (1 star)

Jan 4: True Biz - Sara Nović (4.5 stars)

Jan 15: Spare - Prince Harry (4 stars)

Jan 20: Blood of Olympus - Rick Riordan (re-read) (3 stars)

Jan 23: This Time Tomorrow - Emma Straub (3.5 stars)

Jan 25: The Last Thing He Told Me - Laura Dave (3.5 stars)

Feb 2: Beartown - Fredrik Backman (5 stars)

Feb 5: The Hawthorne Legacy - Jennifer Lynn Barnes (4 stars)

Feb 6: The Final Gambit - Jennifer Lynn Barnes (3.5 stars)

Feb 19: Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting - Clare Pooley (4 stars)

Feb 19: The Unsinkable Greta James - Jennifer E. Smith (2.5 stars)

Feb 28: Where’d You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple (5 stars)

Mar 15: A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas (4 stars)

Mar 20: A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas (5 stars)

Mar 23: A Court of Wings and Ruin - Sarah J. Maas (4 stars)

Mar 25: The Quarantine Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot (2.5 stars)

Mar 26: A Court of Frost and Starlight - Sarah J. Maas (4 stars)

Mar 31: The Mutual Friend - Carter Bays (4 stars)

April 5: From Blood and Ash - Jennifer L. Armentrout (3.5 stars)

April 9: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire - Jennifer L. Armentrout (4.5 stars)

April 15: The Crown of Gilded Bones - Jennifer L. Armentrout (3 stars)

April 19: The War of Two Queens -Jennifer l Armentrout (3 stars)

April 23: The Reading List - Sara Nisha Adams (3 stars)

April 30: Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus (5 stars)

May 6: Happy Place - Emily Henry (4.5 stars)

May 10: Everything Beautiful in Its Time - Jenna Bush Hager (not rating)

May 13: Well Met - Jen DeLuca (3 stars)

May 21: The Last Mrs. Parrish - Liv Constantine (2.5 stars)

May 25: The Displacements - Bruce Holsinger (4 stars)

May 27: Rock the Boat - Beck Dorey-Stein (4.5 stars)

May 31: Damn Few - Rorke Denver (not rating)

June 14: A Court of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas (2 stars)

June 25: Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall (not rating)

June 27: A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas (reread)

July 2: Pineapple Street - Jenny Jackson (4 stars)

July 5: Once More With Feeling - Elissa Sussman (2 stars)

July 13: It All Comes Down to This - Therese Anne Fowler (3.5 stars)

July 15: Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan (4 stars)

July 27: The Secret History - Donna Tart (3 stars)

July 29: The Comeback Summer - Ali Brady (4 stars)

July 30: The It Girl - Ruth Ware (4 stars)

August 5: The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern (4 stars)

August 6: Educated - Tara Westover (not rating)

August 9: The First 90 Days - Michael D. Watkins (not rating)

August 11: This is How it Always Is - Laurie Frankel (5 stars)

August 20: Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver (4.5 stars)

August 27: A Soul of Ash and Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout (1.5 stars)

August 30: The Alice Network - Kate Quinn (3.5 stars)

September 4: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab (4.5 stars)

September 15: This Is How You Lose the Time War - Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (4 stars)

September 17: Hotel Laguna - Nicola Harrison (2 stars)

September 24: We're All Adults Here - Emma Straub (5 stars)

September 26: A Bend in the Road - Nicholas Sparks (1.5 stars)

October 5: The Celebrants - Steven Rowley (2.5 stars)

October 8: Anxious People - Fredrik Backman (3.5 stars)

October 9: Born a Crime - Trevor Noah (not rating)

October 14: The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer (4 stars)

October 16: Counting the Cost - Jill Duggar (not rating)

October 18: Love and Other Words - Christina Lauren (2.5 stars)

October 22: Rules of Civility - Amor Towles (4 stars)

October 29: Maybe You Should Talk To Someone - Lori Gottlieb (not rating)

October 30: Troublemaker - Leah Remini (not rating)

November 2: Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen (3.5 stars)

November 7: Good Girl Complex - Elle Kennedy (1.5 stars)

November 23: Modern Lovers - Emma Straub (2 stars)

November 25: Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros (3.5 stars)

December 3: Daisy Jones and The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid (2.5 stars)

December 6: Know My Name - Chanel Miller (not rating)

December 10: Girl in the Blue Coat - Monica Hesse (2.5 stars)

December 15: The Circus Train - Anita Parikh (2 stars)

December 20: Catch and Kill - Ronan Farrow (not rating)

December 22: Today Will Be Different - Maria Semple (4 stars)

December 27: Iron Flame - Rebecca Yarros (4.5 stars)

December 29: Vampire Academy - Michelle Mead (1 star)

December 30: Percy Jackson: The Chalice of the Gods - Rick Riordan (5 stars)

[vernicosa]

Favourite Books / Music / Films & Television of 2024:

Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning How Fascism Ruled Women: Italy, 1922-1945 by Victoria de Grazia The Complete Poems by Dorothy Parker A Corner House in Moscow by Mikhail Osorgin The Village by Marghanita Laski Fourteen Byzantine Rulers: The Chronographia of Michael Psellus by Michael Psellus Marshlands by Andre Gide Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus The Laugh Is in the Eyes by Julia Holter Guilty as Sin by Taylor Swift Altar by machineheart Beautiful Lies by Birdy Mother and Father by Broods Child of Mine by Laura Marling Luna Llena by Desde Andalucía Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Marlene Dietrich The Wrote and the Writ by Johnny Flynn Vermiglio directed by Maura Delpero HBO Rome by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller The Turncoat directed by Florian Gallenberger Silent Joy directed by Dusan Hanak Little Dieter Needs to Fly by Werner Hezrog The Crimson Field by Sarah Phelps Perfect Sense directed by David Mackenzie Culloden directed by Peter Watkins Drive My Car directed by Ryūsuke Hamaguchi The Crown Season 6 by Peter Morgan

[buzzforthewin]

This is a public service announcement.

Do not go near the staircases in the middle of the woods that lead to nowhere as they are extrusions of higher dimensional pockets of space, attempting to climb one of these stairs is a dangerous endeavour as one hiker who cannot be identified at the moment and a park ranger in training named Laura Watkins have both been killed by the higher dimensional geometry folding their skin off and causing holes to appear in their bodies, primarily around their face, abdomen, and leg areas, if you see any staircases that lead to nowhere please inform park authorities so that the area may be quarantined off from the rest of the park to the best of their abilities.

Thank you for listening to this message brought to you by the United States National Park Service.

[jackstanleyroberts]

The Cast of the Extended Cut of the Scream franchise Part 2

Aloha everybody, sorry for the delay because i was starting part 2 of the storyline of the Extended Cut of the Scream franchise, but i'll be starting part 2 of the Extended Cut of the Scream franchise. What if Neve Campbell is shown up the 6th installment without pay dispute? But if you liked part 1, here's part 2 of the cast of the Extended Cut of the Scream franchise.

Synopsis: The four survivors of the Ghostface attacks & their new friends leave Woodsboro & headed to New York for a fresh start. Soon they're all about finding themselves in the fight of their lives when a another killer starts a bloody rampage & the other survivors also find themselves in a plot where nobody is safe & beyond suspicion.

Scream VI (Extended Cut) Cast:

Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter

Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter

Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin

Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin

Jack Roberts (me) as Terrence William "Terry" Watkins

Chosen Jacobs as Lawrence James "Larry" Watkins

Meg Donnelly as Lexi Hicks

Olivia Scott Welch as Wendy Hicks

Jacob Bertrand as William "Will" Hicks

Jackson Brundage as Frederick "Fred" Hicks

Emily Rudd as Carrie Tatum Riley-Weathers

Isabelle Fuhrman as Rebecca "Becca" Bishop

Braeden Lemasters as Matthew Bishop

Deja Monique Cruz as Laura "Lori" Sanchez

Ysa Penarejo as Miranda Rodriguez

Joshua Bassett as Connor "Cash" Conway

Joey King as Yvonne Conway

Ross Lynch as Ronald "Rory" Williams

Jade Pettyjohn as Graceland "Grace" Prescott

Emily Meade as Elena Connors

Sophia Lillis as Grace-Lynn "Gracie" Moore

Kathryn Newton as Kathleen "Kathy" Williamson

Julia Rehwald as Katherine "Katie" Jones

Melissa Collazo as Isabella "Izzy" Yales

Hayden Byerly as Damien "Dame" Yales

Akiel Julien as Malik Hubar

Karan Brar as Craig Karbar

Odessa A'zion as Susan Winters

Violett Beane as Eleanor "Ellie" Winters

Madison Davenport as Gabrielle "Gabby" Stafford

Talitha Eliana Bateman as Yolanda Preston

Gabriel Bateman as Philip "Phil" Preston

Megan Stott as Kimberly "Kim" Watson

Charlie Plummer as Samuel Johnathan "Sam" Kincaid

Katherine Langford as Jennifer Annie "Jenny" Kincaid

Rachel Zegler as Emily Jones

Annalise Basso as Andrea Lewis

Jodelle Ferland as Joanna Thompson

Rachel Fox as Angela Stewart

Mackenzie Foy as Luna Stewart

Jimmy Bennett as Andrew "Andy" Anderson

Mickeey Nguyen as Sylvester Bradford

Brandon Soo Hoo as Takahashi Bradford

Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers

Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed

Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott

Joe Keery as Johnny Landry

Jack Champion as Ethan Landry

Dermot Mulroney as Wayne Bailey

Liana Liberato as Quinn Bailey

Logan Lerman as Quentin Bailey

Judah Lewis as Derek Shepherd

Brec Bassinger as Lillian "Lilly" Davis

Jessica Stroup as Riley Davis

Michael Rainey Jr. as Anthony "Anton" Mercer

Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Susie Kayoko

Havana Rose Liu as Hannah Kayoko

Devyn Nekoda as Anika Kayoko

Josh Segarra as Danny Brackett

Kiernan Shipka as Danielle "Dani" Brackett

Anthony Ramos as Nicholas "Nick" Rodriguez

Rachel Sennott as Theresa "Tree" Hicks

Ed Speleers as Alexander "Alex" Miller

Madison Iseman as Alexandra "Allie" Miller

Spencer Locke as Ellen Hoffman

Brianne Tju as June Dawson

Denyse Tontz as Laura Morris

Holland Roden as Gloria Smith

Addison Rae as Natalie Foster

Emily Alyn Lind as Audrey Owens

Sarah Bolger as Simone Martin

Elizabeth McLaughlin as Jessie Crane

Finn Wolfhard as Stanley Lance "Stan" Williams

Natalie Alyn Lind as Natasha Longwood

Taylor Russell as Holly McDaniel

Paige Hurd as Hayley McDaniel

Logan Miller as Lincoln Jefferson

Emily Tennant as Cynthia Cooper

Tequan Richmond as Maurice Lakewood

Zac Godspeed as Tyler Ferguson

Daniel Sharman as Kurt Parker

Jordan Elsass as Taylor Ferguson

Emma Roberts as Jillian "Jill" Roberts

Samantha Boscarino as Elaine Williams

India Eisley as Alivia Williams

Milo Manheim as Zackary "Zack" Feldman

Stefanie Scott as Caroline "Carol" Feldman

Anna Sawai as Alexis Williams

Haley Lu Richardson as Bethany "Beth-Ann" Lewis

Mekai Curtis as Reginald "Reggie" Stark

Kaia Gerber as Taylor Swanson

Jeremy Ray Taylor as Maurice Thompson

Wyatt Oleff as Wyatt Matthews

Jaz Sinclair as Jordan Harris

Lisa Yamada as Jane Dawson

Percy Hynes White as Nathaniel "Nathan" Walters

Alycia Debnam-Carey as Iris Morris

Jaeden Martell as Landon Andrews

Skeet Ulrich as Billy Loomis

Benjamin Flores Jr. as Edward Baker

Fred Henchinger as Darren Blake

Tony Revolori as Jason Carvey

Samara Weaving as Laura Crane

Henry Czerny as Dr. Christopher Stone

Roger L. Jackson as the voice of Ghostface

The storyline of this (The Extended Cut of Scream VI) is coming soon after this.

Stay Tuned!

[surely-u-jest]

What is "The Rabbit Queen"?

Via rabbitqueenmusical.com: Once upon a time… The world was hoodwinked by a poor illiterate woman named Mary Toft. The year was 1726 and over the course of several months, Mary  managed to fool the finest doctors, scientists, and nobles into believing she could give birth to rabbits.

Delivering on that promise, Mary performed the mesmerizing spectacle 17 times over, securing her place in history as "The Rabbit Queen”. That is, until one fateful day when she was brought down by a single kernel of evidence. 

​The story of Mary’s viral hoax and subsequent cancellation is one that touches on themes of bodily autonomy, women’s reproductive freedom, gender and class roles, and the dangers of blindly trusting authority figures and the media. 

The musical is based on a true historical hoax in 1726 Britain, with book written by Ilana Gordon, music by Laura Watkins, and lyrics by Jaime Lyn Beatty and Laura Watkins.

The musical is currently being developed and workshopped in association with New Musicals Inc. An informal reading was held on July 31st, 2023, featuring cast members such as Jeff Blim, Corey Dorris, and Angela Giarratana.

[durgamoviereviewer]

Top 10 Comedy Movies on Amazon Prime Video 

Amazon Prime Video's comedy collection has something for everyone, from classic and romantic comedies to sharp satirical films. Whether you prefer light-hearted fun or thought-provoking indie humor, the platform offers a variety of options to suit any mood.

1. Jackpot!

Directed by: Paul Feig

Written by: Rob Yescombe

Produced by: Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Paul Feig, Laura Fischer.

Starring: Awkwafina, John Cena, Ayden Mayeri, Donald Elise Watkins, Sam Asghari, Simu Liu.

Genres: Action, Comedy.

Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes

Jackpot! Movie Rating: 3/5

Jackpot! Movie Storyline: 

Jackpot! is set in a dystopian California, where a "Grand Lottery" offers a massive prize but only if the winner survives until sundown. Katie Kim (Awkwafina), a former child star, accidentally wins and must evade numerous killers looking to claim her prize. She teams up with Noel Cassidy (John Cena), an amateur protection agent, as they face off against dangerous and absurd threats. The film mixes action and comedy while exploring survival in a chaotic, violence-driven world.

Jackpot! Movie Review:

Plot: In Jackpot!, a dystopian California features a deadly “Grand Lottery” where the winner must survive until sundown, or risk being killed by those with losing tickets who want the prize. Katie Kim (Awkwafina), a former child star, accidentally wins and teams up with Noel Cassidy (John Cena), a freelance protection agent. Together, they battle through chaos, rival hunters, and corrupt agents to survive.

Criticism: Critics have found Jackpot! underwhelming, citing its juvenile humor, lack of originality, and poorly developed characters. While Awkwafina’s performance is praised, the film’s exploration of its themes is seen as superficial, with the comedy and action elements failing to mesh effectively.

Overall: Jackpot! is largely seen as a forgettable action-comedy, with some entertaining moments overshadowed by weak writing and reliance on clichés, leaving viewers craving more substance.

2. Late Night

Directed by: Nisha Ganatra

Written by: Mindy Kaling

Produced by: Ben Browning, Jillian Apfelbaum, Mindy Kaling, Howard Klein.

Starring: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, Max Casella, Hugh Dancy, John Lithgow, Denis O’Hare, Reid Scott, Amy Ryan.

Genres: Comedy, Drama,

Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes

Late Night Movie Rating: 3.5/5

Late Night Movie Storyline:

Late Night follows Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson), a legendary but fading late-night talk show host who hires Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling), a comedy novice, to revive her all-male writing staff. As Molly injects fresh ideas to help Katherine connect with a younger audience, they face challenges from network pressures to replace Katherine with a younger male comedian. The film explores sexism in entertainment, the struggle to stay relevant, and the unlikely bond between Katherine and Molly. Ultimately, their teamwork revitalizes the show and diversifies the writing staff.

Late Night Movie Review:

Plot: Late Night centers on Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson), a veteran late-night talk show host struggling with declining ratings. To counter accusations of sexism, she hires Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling), a novice with no TV experience, to join her all-male writing team. Molly works to revitalize Katherine's show while confronting industry sexism, with their evolving relationship highlighting themes of empowerment and relevance in entertainment.

Criticism: Critics praise Late Night for its sharp writing and standout performances by Thompson and Kaling. The film effectively tackles sexism and diversity in entertainment but is sometimes criticized for predictable plot points and underdeveloped supporting characters.

Overall: Late Night is a witty, socially relevant comedy that blends humor with commentary on women's roles in a male-dominated industry. Strong performances and engaging themes make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven stories.

3. IF

Directed by: John Krasinski

Written by: John Krasinski

Produced by: Allyson Seeger, John Krasinski, Andrew Form, Ryan Reynolds.

Starring: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Steve Carell.

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy.

Running time: 1 hour 44 minutes

IF Movie Rating: 3.5/5

IF Movie Storyline:

IF: Bea (Cailey Fleming), a 12-year-old facing her father’s life-threatening surgery and her mother’s recent death, starts seeing imaginary friends (IFs) left behind by their grown-up children. Partnering with neighbor Cal (Ryan Reynolds), she helps these lonely IFs reunite with their now-adult owners. The film, directed by John Krasinski, combines live-action and animation to explore themes of loss, hope, and imagination, delivering a heartwarming story about embracing childhood magic despite life's challenges.

IF Movie Review:

Plot: IF follows 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming) as she copes with her mother’s death and her father’s heart surgery. Staying with her grandmother, Bea discovers she can see imaginary friends (IFs) abandoned by their grown-up creators. With neighbor Cal (Ryan Reynolds), she helps reconnect these IFs with their old friends, learning about childhood, imagination, and emotional connections.

Criticism: Critics praise IF for its heartwarming premise and emotional depth but criticize its predictable narrative and underdeveloped characters. The blend of live-action and CGI is noted as a strength, but some feel the film lacks focus and deeper world-building. Cailey Fleming’s performance adds charm to the story.

Overall: IF is a sweet, family-friendly film about childhood imagination. Despite pacing issues and narrative flaws, it offers humor and emotional moments, making it a worthwhile watch for families.

4. Om Bheem Bush

Directed by: Sree Harsha Konuganti

Written by: Sree Harsha Konuganti

Produced by: Sunil Balusu

Starring: Sree Vishnu, Priyadarshi, Rahul Ramakrishna, Srikanth Iyengar, Ayesha Khan.

Genre: Comedy

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Om Bheem Bush Movie Rating: 3/5

Om Bheem Bush Movie Storyline:

Om Bheem Bush is a Telugu horror comedy about three friends Krishna Kanth (Sree Vishnu), Vinay (Priyadarshi), and Madhav (Rahul Ramakrishna) who, after becoming scientists, exploit village superstitions for profit. They pose as problem-solvers in Bhairavapuram but encounter a haunted mansion and the ghost of noblewoman Sampangi. Their comedic and supernatural adventure reveals deeper themes, including an LGBTQ storyline, blending humor with horror and lessons on friendship, love, and loyalty.

Om Bheem Bush Movie Review:

Plot: Om Bheem Bush is a Telugu horror comedy about three friends—Krishna (Sree Vishnu), Vinay (Priyadarshi), and Madhav (Rahul Ramakrishna)—who exploit village superstitions while investigating a haunted mansion and its ghost, Sampangi. Their journey blends comedy and supernatural challenges, leading to lessons on friendship and consequences.

Criticism: Reviews are mixed; the leads’ chemistry is praised, but the film suffers from a lack of originality and pacing issues. Attempts to address serious themes are noted, but execution is uneven.

Overall: The film offers a mix of laughs and supernatural thrills, with its heartfelt moments and thematic explorations making it a decent watch, despite some inconsistencies.

5. Anyone but You

Directed by: Will Gluck

Written by: Ilana Wolpert

Produced by: Will Gluck, Joe Roth, and Jeff Kirschenbaum.

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Bryan Brown, Rachel Griffiths.

Genres: Comedy, Romance.

Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes

Anyone but You Movie Rating: 3/5

Anyone but You Movie Storyline:

Anyone But You follows Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell), who reconnect at a friend's wedding in Australia after a rocky start to their relationship. They pretend to be a couple to make their exes jealous, leading to a mix of comedy and heartfelt moments as their true feelings resurface. The film explores love, miscommunication, and modern relationship dynamics.

Anyone but You Movie Review:

Plot: Anyone But You features Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell), who reconnect at a friend's wedding in Australia after a rocky start. They pretend to be a couple to make their exes jealous, leading to genuine feelings and comedic moments. The film explores love and miscommunication in modern relationships.

Criticism: Reviews are mixed; the chemistry between Sweeney and Powell is praised, but the plot is seen as predictable and lacking originality. Sweeney’s performance receives mixed feedback, and the film’s Shakespearean influences are noted but not fully realized.

Overall: The film offers a blend of humor and heart, appealing to romantic comedy fans, though it doesn’t stand out in the genre.

6. Lucky Man

Directed by: Balaji Venugopal

Written by: Balaji Venugopal

Produced by: T. Kishore, Venkataswaroop, Siddavarapu Reddy, Shilpa Gaddam Reddy.

Starring: Yogi Babu, Veera, Raichal Rabecca.

Genre: Comedy

Running time: 2 hours 14 minutes

Lucky Man Movie Rating: 3/5

Lucky Man Movie Storyline:

Lucky Man follows Murugan (Yogi Babu), a man long deemed unlucky, who thinks his luck has changed after winning a car in a lucky draw. His fortunes take a turn when the car is stolen, leading him on a quest to retrieve it and reconcile with a local cop (Veera). The film blends comedy with introspection, exploring themes of luck and material attachment, but faces criticism for pacing and execution issues, especially in the second half.

Lucky Man Movie Review:

Plot: Lucky Man follows Murugan (Yogi Babu), an unlucky real estate agent who wins a car in a lucky draw, believing it will change his life. His luck turns sour when the car is stolen, leading him on a quest to retrieve it and confront a local cop (Veera), all while learning about luck and attachment.

Criticism: Reviews are mixed; the film starts strong with humor and character development but falters in the chaotic and emotionally shallow second half. Pacing issues and unrealistic sequences detract from the story, despite a praised performance from Yogi Babu.

Overall: The film offers an engaging premise but struggles with pacing and depth, making it entertaining but ultimately lacking in narrative cohesion.

7. The Lost City

Directed by: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee.

Written by: Seth Gordon

Produced by: Sandra Bullock, Liza Chasin, Seth Gordon.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brad Pitt.

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance.

Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes

The Lost City Movie Rating: 3/5

The Lost City Movie Storyline:

The Lost City follows romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock), who is kidnapped by a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) seeking a real lost city from her book. Her cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum), sets out to rescue her, leading to comedic and adventurous escapades. The film blends action, comedy, and romance, showcasing the leads' chemistry and delivering a lighthearted, humorous adventure.

The Lost City Movie Review:

Plot: The Lost City features Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock), a romance novelist kidnapped by a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who believes her book’s treasure is real. Her cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum), attempts a rescue, leading to a jungle adventure that evolves their relationship and reveals the true treasure.

Criticism: Reviews are mixed; the film is praised for its action-comedy blend and Bullock-Tatum chemistry but criticized for a predictable plot and clichéd writing. The second half loses momentum, though the film’s scenic visuals and entertaining moments are noted.

Overall: The film is a fun, lighthearted adventure-comedy with strong leads. It may not offer new storytelling but is an enjoyable watch for genre fans.

8. Game Night

Directed by: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein.

Written by: Mark Perez

Produced by: John Davis, John Fox, Jason Bateman, and James Garavente.

Starring: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, Kyle Chandler.

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller.

Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Game Night Movie Rating: 3.5/5

Game Night Movie Storyline:

Game Night follows a group of friends whose game night turns into a real-life mystery when one of their brothers is kidnapped by gangsters. The friends, split into couples, embark on a wild adventure filled with humor, action, and surprises. The film blends comedy and suspense, highlighting the chemistry of its talented cast.

Game Night Movie Review:

Plot: Game Night follows Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams), whose regular game night turns into a real-life adventure when Max’s brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) is kidnapped by real criminals. Mistaking it for part of a murder mystery game, the friends face comedic and dangerous situations while uncovering a black market scheme involving a stolen Fabergé egg.

Criticism: The film is praised for its clever writing and the chemistry between Bateman and McAdams, blending comedy with thrilling moments. However, some find the plot convoluted with predictable twists, and the dark humor may not appeal to everyone. Supporting characters could be better developed.

Overall: Game Night is a fun and unique blend of humor and action, offering a fresh take on the buddy comedy genre with engaging performances and unexpected twists.

9. My Spy: The Eternal City

Directed by: Peter Segal

Written by: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber, Pete Segal.

Produced by: Chris Bender, Pete Segal, Jake Weiner, Robert Simonds, Gigi Pritzker, Dave Bautista, Jonathan Meisner.

Starring: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal, Flula Borg, Craig Robinson, Anna Faris, Ken Jeong.

Genres: Action, Comedy.

Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes

My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Rating: 2/5

My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Storyline:

My Spy: The Eternal City follows CIA agent JJ (Dave Bautista) and teenage Sophie (Chloe Coleman) on a school trip to Italy. They get caught up in a plot to stop a terrorist attack on the Vatican, involving hidden Cold War nuclear codes. The film blends action and comedy as JJ and Sophie navigate their evolving relationship and thwart the terrorists, culminating in a high-stakes showdown.

My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Review:

Plot: My Spy: The Eternal City follows former CIA agent JJ (Dave Bautista) and teenager Sophie (Chloe Coleman) on a school trip to Italy, where they uncover a plot to attack the Vatican with hidden nuclear codes. The film blends comedy and action as JJ deals with his protective instincts and Sophie’s changes.

Criticism: The sequel is seen as a letdown with a clichéd, predictable plot. Bautista’s performance is noted but underused, and the humor is described as juvenile. Sophie’s character arc feels rushed, and the film struggles with balancing its comedic and action elements.

Overall: The film is a forgettable sequel that falls short of expectations, offering some entertaining moments but lacking substance and originality.

10. The Idea of You

Directed by: Michael Showalter

Written by: Robinne Lee

Produced by: Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union, Anne Hathaway, Robinne Lee, Eric Hayes, Michael Showalter, and Jordana Mollick.

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine.

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance.

Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes

The Idea of You Movie Rating: 3/5

The Idea of You Movie Storyline:

The Idea of You stars Anne Hathaway as Solène, a 40-year-old art gallery worker who begins a surprising romance with younger boy band singer Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) after a chance encounter. The film explores their age-gap relationship, societal pressures, and personal growth, culminating in a bittersweet reflection on love and self-discovery.

The Idea of You Movie Review:

Plot: The Idea of You stars Anne Hathaway as Solène, a 40-year-old art gallery worker who unexpectedly falls for 24-year-old pop star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) after a mix-up at a meet-and-greet. Their romance faces challenges due to their age difference, public scrutiny, and Solène’s responsibilities as a mother.

Criticism: The film is praised for Hathaway’s performance and its nuanced take on age-gap romance but is critiqued for a somewhat predictable plot and a conventional ending.

Overall: With mixed to positive reviews, The Idea of You offers a heartfelt exploration of modern love and societal judgments, bolstered by strong lead performances.

Explore the best comedy movies on Amazon Prime Video, ranging from sharp satires and romantic comedies to family adventures and tender dramedies. Whether you're looking for light-hearted fun or thought-provoking films with deeper messages, there’s something for everyone on the platform.

[celebrateeachnewday]

Artist Laura Watkins

[brokehorrorfan]

Wheels of Fire and Raiders of the Sun have been released on Blu-ray together via Scream Factory. Limited to 1,500, the double feature is available for $29.98 exclusively from Shout Factory.

Wheels of Fire (also known as Vindicator and Desert Warrior) is a 1985 post-apocalyptic action movie directed by Cirio H. Santiago (TNT Jackson) and written by Frederick Bailey. Gary Watkins, Laura Banks, Lynda Wiesmeier, and Linda Grovenor star.

Raiders of the Sun is a 1992 post-apocalyptic action movie directed by Cirio H. Santiago and written by Frederick Bailey. Richard Norton, William Steis, Henry Strzalkowski, Nick Nicholson, Rick Dean, and Joseph Zucchero star.

Both movies are executive produced by Roger Corman. Raiders of the Sun has been newly scanned in 2K from the interpositive. Both films have 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio. Special features are listed below.

Wheels of Fire special features:

Interview with executive Producer Roger Corman

Interview with screenwriter Fred Bailey

Interview with second unit director Clark Henderson

Trailer

The Highway Warriors terrorize the last vestiges of humanity — and only the enigmatic wanderer known as Trace can stop their ruthless reign of terror.

Raiders of the Sun special features:

Alternate 80-minute cut of the film (full-screen standard definition)

Trailer

A precious source of gunpowder becomes the target of a brutal band of villains... and from the ashes of civilization, a new hero must rise up to restore order.

[koolinoptimumxl]

Wheels of Fire (1985) - IMDb

Wheels of Fire: Directed by Cirio H. Santiago. With Gary Watkins, Laura Banks, Lynda Wiesmeier, Linda Grovenor. In a postapocalyptic future, a ruthless vehicular gang called the Highway Warriors is conquering the wasteland through murder and plunder. During a raid, they kidnap the sister of a road

[vickiabelson]

Jimmy Vivino Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

It had been six long, 4 1/2 COVID years since last I sat down with my old friend, multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and long-time musical director for Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Vivino. It was like coming home. Almost the same age, we have many shared (unbeknownst to us at the time) memories of concerts at The Filmore East, Watkins Glen, the glory daze of the NY club scene, and a bounty of mutual friends. Talk about being in one’s comfort zone. 

Jimmy talked growing up in New Jersey, his carpenter trumpet-playing father, his talented brothers, Jerry and Floyd, and how they began and evolved - he talked Conan, Laura Nyro, Phoebe Snow, Donald Fagen, John Sebastian, Al Kooper,  Levon Helm, The Allman Brothers, Albert King, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruno Mars, Michael McDonald, Johnny Johnson, Hubert Sumlin,  Stevie Wonder, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, John Sebastian, The Dead, The Band, Harry Shearer, Paul Shaffer, whom he credits as his mentor, Leader of the Pack,  Broadway, Ronnie Spector, Felix Cavaliere, The Rascals, Frankie Valli, Slash, Sly Stone, The J. Geils Band, Elvis Costello, and the James Brown and Friends Set Fire To The Soul with Aretha, Robert Palmer, and Joe Cocker, that he orchestrated. Incredible stories all around, and this special is available on YouTube… wow - Snuff and I just watched it. Spectacular.

We talked about COVID and Jimmy joining Canned Heat, currently touring with them, and Bill Murray, as well as still doing shows with Will Lee and The Fab Faux. His first all-original album, Gonna Be 2 of Those Days, is due to drop in February, signed copies are available for pre-sale at jimmyvmusic.com He treated us to a track to close the show.

Life is busy, busy. busy… just the way Jimmy likes it. And so do we who follow and adore him. I so enjoyed every second of this. Jimmy needs to write a book and get all these stories down. He knows and has played with everyone. Such fun! 

Jimmy Vivino Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 12/11/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[fashioneditswebsite]

Here’s how to look polished and elegant while keeping warm and dry. Although winter fashion allows for layering and playful prints, the practicality of bulky, technical coats often detracts from our outfits. However tempting it may seem, we shouldn’t settle for leggings and a shirt under our outerwear. Fashion experts share the best ways to style bulky coats while still looking stylish. You can also make your bulky coat the star of the show (Alamy/PA) Focus on the fabric Functional winter jackets are often less stylish, but you can achieve practicality and style with careful fabric selection. “Natural fabrics are the best,” says Holly Watkins, founder of the pre-loved boutique One Scoop Store. “For puffer styles, look for natural down-filled options, as these will provide superior warmth, look high quality, and last longer.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Susie Wright • Style Editor (@susie.wright) Wool is a great option, offering natural insulation and breathability, perfect for those colder months,” says AliExpress’s General Manager, Bonnie Zhao. Italian wool coat - jcrew “Wool is a great option, offering natural insulation and breathability, making it perfect for colder months,” says Bonnie Zhao, General Manager of AliExpress. “Additionally, waterproof coatings can enhance its effectiveness while maintaining the look and style.” Which style to pick A quality winter coat is an investment, so a timeless piece is essential. “For versatility, mid-length coats are easy to style with anything from jeans to skirts that fall above the knee,” says Laura Watson, chief creative officer of Seasalt Cornwall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LangerChen • coats & jackets (@langerchenofficial) “However, a longer length is wonderful if you love the feeling of being enveloped in your winter coat.” Oversized water-repellent coat- Zara "Puffer jackets are versatile and suitable for everyday wear, as are tailored styles," says Watkins. "When it comes to length, it's important to consider your height—longer styles tend to look best on taller frames, while cropped shapes can be flattering for those who are petite." Quilted jacket - Mango How to wear it According to Watson, contrast is essential when styling a bulky winter coat. “Pair it with slimmer-fitting leg wear, such as straight-leg jeans or cords in a contrasting color, to achieve a balanced silhouette.” "You can achieve balance in your outfit by wearing chunkier footwear, such as trainers or biker boots." Watson recommends highlighting small details in your outfit, such as collars, sleeves, and hemlines. “Opt for a sweater with a high neck in a contrasting color to create visual interest above the collar, or consider a dress with a frill hem,” explains Watson. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Shaw (@amyfuchsia) “For a gently fitted style, choose a winter coat that either has a drawcord waist or comes with a fabric belt. A lightly waisted padded coat looks perfect paired with wide-leg jeans that emphasize the classic silhouette.” According to Watkins, accessories are another essential aspect of enhancing an outfit. “Pair it with a bright bag, scarf, or jewelry to add a pop of color and catch the eye,” she explains. Blanket scarf -Free People Stretch ankle boot- target The key to looking stylish in bulky coats is how you wear them. "Tuck your top or shirt into your trousers and leave your coat open," says Watkins. "This creates a leaner, more chic silhouette." Read the full article

[hbhughes]

Martha J. "Tootsie" Davies

Martha J. “Tootsie” Davies, 86, of Edwardsville, passed away on Sunday, October 27 surrounded by her loving family.

Tootsie was the daughter of the late William and Martha Johns Watkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her late husband, Leonard A. Davies, two brothers, John T. and William D. Watkins, a sister, Shirley M. Shovlin, and a beloved son-in-law, Mark J. Herbert.

She was born in Edwardsville on June 25, 1938, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Upon graduating from Edwardsville High School in 1956, she went on to marry her late husband and relocate to the Philadelphia area where they had their three children. She returned to the Wyoming Valley after her husband's passing in 1978 and has resided in Edwardsville ever since.

Following her return to the Wyoming Valley, most of Tootsie’s days were spent playing pitch, watching Jeopardy, or cheering for the Phillies with her companion of many years, the late Harry Harrison.

Tootsie spent her life as a devoted homemaker. Raising her three children and playing an active role in the lives of her grandchildren and great children was her number one priority. Her home was always filled with the sounds of her grandchildren playing.

Martha was extremely proud of her Welsh heritage. She was an avid, lifelong reader. As a young woman, she always dreamed of attending Princeton University to study journalism. When not reading she was most likely doing a crossword puzzle or watching the Game Show Network.

She was known for her quick wit, even in her final weeks. She loved rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, who she notoriously referred to as the “iggles”. She loved country music and spending afternoons at The Grille with her best friend, Marsha Cragle.

Tootsie is survived by her three children, Wendy Davies-Thompson and husband Ross, Edwardsville, Leonard W. Davies, Sr., Edwardsville, and Elizabeth Rowlands and husband John, Plymouth. She is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth Roberts and husband John, and a brother James Watkins and wife, Carol. Above all else, Tootsie enjoyed being a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She cherished all the time spent with her grandchildren: Sarah Herbert-Hannick (Rich), Lennae Thompson-Pellam (Christopher), Laura Thompson, Ross L. Thompson, Jr., Ashley Yeager (Zachary), Leonard W. Davies, Jr. (Cayla), Jennifer Davies, Katiemae Goryl (David), Meghan Rowlands, and John R. Rowlands, Jr. (Kristen). Her great-grandchildren, Brody and Hudson Harrison Hannick, Theodore and Lucy Thompson-Pellam, Addisyn and Austin Davies, Spencer and Lincoln August, Kennedy and David Goryl and Piper Rowlands were the light of her life.

Family and friends are invited from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, October 31st at the Hugh B. Hughes & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.

Funeral Service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, November 1st at the Hugh B. Hughes & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, with Rev. James Quinn, officiating. Interment will be held at Memorial Shrine Cemetery, following the service.

Tootsie’s time here is marked by a great legacy in those she leaves behind, a true testament to a long and fulfilling life.