#listen jurassic park is one of my Medias Of All Time

[astrobei]

byler x jurassic park. thank you for your time.

[redgoldsparks]

Podcasts I love and recommend

I spent a truly extraordinary amount of time listening to podcasts this year, including my perennial faves and some new discoveries! I wanted to write up a bit about each of the ones I recommend the most highly, and give them some of the same attention and love I put into my book reviews. Recs below the cut. (This post brought to you by my patreon).

MATERIAL GIRLS- This is, hands down, my favorite podcast of all time. Friends and scholars Hannah McGregor and Marcelle Kosman take on a new pop culture subject in each episode and examine the material conditions and historical setting that made their subject of the week zeitgeisty. They bring an expansive feminist lens, different types of critical theory, and tons of humor to each topic. I feel like I am slowly getting a media studies degree one episode at a time as I listen to this show. Some of my favorite episodes tackled Jurassic Park, Dopamine, Twilight, Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Queer Eye. I have guested on this podcast and also support them on patreon so I can get all of that sweet sweet bonus content! (This show uploads full transcripts but they lag behind the audio episodes in updates). 

GENDER REVEAL- Journalist, writer, and now small-press founder Tuck Woodstock interviews trans folks on a wide range of topics. A characteristic episode includes some deeply intimate or tender moments mixed with wild tangents, extreme silliness and irreverence. I listen to every single episode and also back them on patreon for the extra episodes; some recent conversations that have really stuck with me include Colby Gordon, a founder of Early Modern Trans Studies; trans historian Susan Stryker; Jewish anti-Zionist comic author Solomon J Brager; writer Lucy Sante; and multimedia artist (and friend of mine) Shing Yin Khor. This podcast gets a special award for recommending more books that I actually end up reading than any other podcast. This year alone I’ve read at least 6 books by authors Tuck has interviewed (I Heard Her Call My Name, Heavyweight, Hijab Butch Blues, Transgender History, Boys Weekend, Practical Anarchism, Falling Back in Love With Being Human) and I have more on my TBR (The Prospects, When Monsters Speak). (This show also uploads full transcripts). 

PUBLISHING RODEO- This is a new fav! I discovered this podcast over the summer and binged all 44 available episodes in about a month. Hosts Sunyi Dean and Scott Drakeford are friends and fellow Tor authors. In 2022, they both released debut novels in the same genre, in the same year, with the same publisher, to very different results. They are remarkably candid about the nuts and bolts of their publishing deals, and in each episode interview another author, usually one early in their publishing career, on signing agents, selling books, the size of their advance, resulting royalties and more. I have learned so much about the publishing industry from this show- I’ve sold 3 books, and yet it turns out there’s still loads I don’t know. I’d recommend starting with the intro episode in which Sunyi and Scott introduce themselves and then you can jump around to any interview which interests you. Their recent conversation with Chuck Tingle was especially delightful. (This show also uploads full transcripts). 

PRINT RUN PODCAST- Another new discovery, also about the publishing/writing industry. Hosts Laura Zats and Erik Hane are both literary agents at a small agency they founded together. They discuss current events in the book news world or focused single subjects, often for early career writers. Because this show is more focused on current events, I haven’t dived super far into their back catalog, but listened to a handful of episodes from the past two years and plan to continue listening as new episodes are released. Laura and Erik also have a very cool patreon special bonus offering- they will critique query letters and first pages submitted from listeners. I haven’t written a query letter since probably 2017, so the refresher course was extremely valuable! I’d recommend the episode The Books That Made Us as a good starting point in this show. (As far as I can tell, they do not release transcripts.)

FIC CLIQUE- This is an old favorite I have recommended before. In a standard episode, the three hosts Nic, Reid, and Brenna each bring one fanfiction to read and discuss book-club style. In the past year, I’ve been particularly enjoying some of the mini-episodes that break this format. If you want to give it a try but you’ve less interested in hearing people talk about a fandom you aren’t in, I’d suggest the episodes on Mapping Fannish Migration, Books and Fandom, and Genre and Subgenre in Fanfiction. (As far as I can tell, they do not release transcripts.)

FANSPLAINING- Tragically (for me), this beloved long-running show wrapped this summer with its final standard format episode after 9 years and 200+ episodes. However, there’s still more to look forward to! Fansplaining has shifted to become primarily a publisher of fandom related journalism, and they’ve been releasing audio versions of each article along with the text, generally recorded by the author. I find these so charming, almost like new mini episodes of the show. Find a full list of their articles here; I especially loved the recent ones on The Beatles RPF fandom (still going strong!) and Bringing Fanfiction into the Classroom.  (This show has full transcripts).

SHELVED BY GENRE- In this show, the three hosts re-read popular sci-fi or fantasy book series and record long rambling episodes which both summarize and analyze their current texts. When I say they ramble… most episodes are over 2 hours, some pushing 3 hours. I started on this show when they began reading the Earthsea series by Ursula K Le Guin, which I have read multiple times in past years. I skipped their episodes on Gene Wolfe, who I haven’t read, as well as some movie and horror focused episodes. But I happily dived back in for the unit on Mercedes Lackey’s Last Herald Mage Trilogy, which was perhaps the first book with an out queer character I ever read; the queer host on the show, Michael, similarly remembers this as a foundational queer text from his teen years. I am very happy that the next author the hosts plan to discuss is William Gibson, who I might re-read to keep pace with the show. I recommend checking out their 40+ back episodes to see if there’s something you are interested in! (As far as I can tell, they do not release transcripts.)

STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE- I found this 3 season podcast sometime in the middle of the year, hosted by an Australian journalist following the trail of objects (or sometimes animals or people) the British stole during the height of their colonial reign. The episodes generally run 35-45 minutes and feature interviews, history, and usually live records of the host seeing the item, whether it’s currently in a museum, a private collection, a random high school, or the site of a foreign grave. You can jump around to whatever topic that interests you, but I can definitely recommend the episode Blood Art as one of very few in which an item is repatriated! (As far as I can tell, they do not release transcripts.)

LIVE LIKE THE WORLD IS DYING- A Margaret Killjoy and a group of queer anarchist friends rotate the hosting of this show. Once a month they release a “This Month in the Apocalypse” update which I started listening to in November and plan to keep up with going forward, but probably won’t listen to back episodes of as it’s very current-events focused. However there are other conversations/interview style episodes released between the monthly updates. Two recent interviews that really stuck with me were Spencer Sunshine on his zine “40 Ways To Fight Fascists” (which I subsequently downloaded and read) and Henri Feola on their zine “The Veil Between Worlds is Plexiglass”, which chronicles some of their experience spending 96 days in jail after being arrested protesting Atlanta’s Cop City and the police murder of Tortuguita, a protester defending the Weelaunee People’s Forest. I have a friend in Atlanta who was arrested at the same protest so I’ve been following this case; this conversation felt important and needed, as I expect there will be even more arrests of protestors in the coming years. (As far as I can tell, they do not release transcripts.)

BORROWED AND BANNED- The Brooklyn Public Library released this 7 episode limited run podcast on book bans, book challenges, how it’s affecting teachers, students, librarians and authors. I was one of several authors interviewed for the show, and you can hear my interview as a separate bonus episode; but I highly recommend listening to the whole thing because it’s a very close and personal look at these national issues- which I expect to get worse under the Trump administration. (This show has full transcripts).

SOLD A STORY- This is a 10 episode limited run podcast about how a misinformed educational specialist’s incorrect idea of how children learn to read damaged the literacy of a whole generation of school children. This podcast explores different research on reading, how sweeping educational policies like Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” impacted schools and how textbook companies pushing expensive reading-kit book sets have all negatively impacted schools. The later episodes contain messages and voicemails from parents, teachers, and students reacting to the show and some hope of change on better educational resources. I’ve probably made this sound dry but it’s genuinely a very emotional journey- as someone who really struggled to learn to read, I found this show riveting. (This show has full transcripts).

THE REDEMPTION OF JAR JAR BINKS- This 6 episode limited run show is hosted by Dylan Marron, better known as the host of Conversations with People Who Hate Me and for his role as Carlos on the podcast Welcome to Nightvale. Marron was the target of a fair amount of internet hate himself, which made him interested in how people express hate towards public figures online, and why. This led him to investigate what is possibly the first ever case of cancellation online: the rage directed at the character Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel series which began releasing in 1999, and how that hate destroyed the mental health of and nearly ended the acting career of the young Black actor who voiced and helped develop the character. Marron is a deeply compassionate interviewer, and a good researcher. He finds and talks to fans who built “kill Jar Jar Binks” websites in the days of the early web, he interviews the actor, Ahmed Best, he interviews folks involved with the production on the Star Wars prequels. I am a lukewarm Star Wars fan at best (lol) but I loved this podcast. (This show has full transcripts).

WIND OF CHANGE- I picked up this 8 episode limited run podcast because it was researched, written and hosted by Patrick Radden Keefe, the author of Say Nothing, one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read. In this show, Keefe digs into rumors of the CIA using cultural productions, especially pop music, as propaganda weapons against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In particular, he’s interested in one song, “Winds of Change”, by German rock group The Scorpions which became an anthem of change shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall and then the end of the Soviet Union. Keefe is friends with someone who does a lot of recruiting of ex-CIA folks and has also written a whole book on the CIA, so he’s not without background or connections on this subject; but the question he most wants an answer to might not be one he can ever answer. This was gripping and intriguing, and made me think a lot about soft power and propaganda more generally. (This show has full transcripts).

[junk-story]

Interview Archive 1, 12.1993 - Ongaku to Hito Special Edition

BUCK-TICK is an exceedingly rare sort of band. Although the Band Boom has ended up vanishing as if it never happened at all, in an area totally unrelated to the Boom, where no one else is drawing a crowd, is a group with a unique stance who have continued following their own path of “individuality”. Their stylish visuals have the lingering scent of decadence. Their lyrics, like “I just want to go mad”, are laden with the aesthetics of self-deprecation. And, with “strange” sounds that have absolutely no roots in Western rock, and truly catchy melodies – from any angle, they are a “Japan Original”. Furthermore, although these “nonconformists” have also continued to be a great success commercially, they are still breaking new ground. Although their eerie ambiance is often misunderstood by ordinary people, this unique sensation is something that anyone can have a share of. Sakurai Atsushi reigns with a “negative charisma”, but his absolute desire to escape and narcissism in the sense of “being lenient with oneself” can happen to anyone. I support the weakness of humanity.*

Ichikawa: How do you think BUCK-TICK are seen by ordinary people?

Sakurai: …Maybe...I suppose people who aren’t interested just aren’t interested at all. Because no matter how many times something that doesn’t interest me shows up on TV, that’s where it ends for me.

Ichikawa: Despite your CD sales, you’re passive about this.

Sakurai: Yeah, because there are people who don’t listen to music, so even if I stood face-to-face with such a person and said, “It’s me”, they’ll just be like, “And who are you?” (laughs)

Ichikawa: Conversely, what kind of people do you think listen to BUCK-TICK?

Sakurai: Hmmm...I think a lot of them are daydreamers. (laughs) Even watching the same movies, like Alain Delon1 rather than Jurassic Park. (laughs) When I read the letters I’ve received, that’s the feeling I get.

Ichikawa: What kind of letters do you get most?

Sakurai: In my case, I get everything from the heavy stuff to the light stuff. (laughs)

Ichikawa: What sort of content is in the light letters?

Sakurai: “Your stage outfit was so cool this time”. (laughs)

Ichikawa: And what about the heavy letters?

Sakurai: The heavy ones are incredible, really – like a 21 year old girl who got divorced even though she has a child, or things about their family members, or about how they’re sick. Also, there are many people who write emotional content.

Ichikawa: It’s become Kitaro’s Yokai postal service2, hasn’t it?

Sakurai: Hahaha. But, there’s nothing I’m able to give them...you know.

Ichikawa: Although this idol-like reaction is understandable, is there no “added hidden value” appearing more and more?

Sakurai: Hmmm, I wonder...although I’m making music...music isn’t necessary to living, and you won’t die without it. So I think people who aren’t interested don’t listen to music that deeply, and naturally, they don’t synchronize their listening to the situations I find myself in and my reality. So the band is getting more media exposure, which is supposed to give us more opportunities to be heard, but I wonder…

Ichikawa: But on the other hand, the Yokai Post Box has letters arriving to it frequently, right? Obviously, that’s different from just a popular song and supporting some harmless rock music.

Sakurai: But I expect that the people who are watching idols are definitely greater in number. Because they’re all the same.

Ichikawa: But BUCK-TICK are already big names, and you’ve been reigning on the front lines for 6 years. Naturally, you should be different from them. And hey, if you were part of SMAP3, that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?

Sakurai: Yeah, that would be an issue. (laughs)

Ichikawa: So for example, what do you think people come to see Sakurai Atsushi for at concerts?

Sakurai: I really don’t know...for example, I receive letters saying like, “I want to see more of your humanity4 during the MC sections”, and I think it might be better if I expressed my humanity more. Also, I think the songs I want to sing and the songs people want to hear may be different...I’m always confused.

Ichikawa: You still haven’t gotten a grip on what your stage persona is.

Sakurai: No, if I think about understanding it, it’s easy, but I think hard about it and then it confuses me. I suppose there won’t be any problem if I do everything like an entertainer with a strong sense of providing a service, but.

Ichikawa: Like, “I’m Sakuraiiiiii!”

Sakurai: Wahahahaha.

Ichikawa: What’s an example of a song people are expecting?

Sakurai: Songs like “Speed”, “Jupiter”, or “JUST ONE MORE KISS”, don’t you think?

Ichikawa: And the song you think they’ll dislike?

Sakurai: Taiyou ni Korosareta. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Aah, Sakurai’s song about the thing at the core, the “aesthetics of self-deprecation.” Well, it certainly seems like a song that was written sitting on a hill of despair.

Sakurai: Oh? (laughs) But lately, I’ve received letters saying that Taiyou ni Korosareta was good, so I’ve thought that maybe I’m not as misunderstood as I thought I was.

Ichikawa: So you ought to have more self-confidence, Sakurai.

Sakurai: I should, right. More...not to flatter myself, but I hope I can cross the line to becoming an entertainer.

Ichikawa: Well, I think it’s enough that you’re performing as this “dark entertainer”. What do you think is lacking?

Sakurai: It’s not that something’s lacking...it’s that it’s incomplete.

Ichikawa: Well, then where is something lacking?

Sakurai: Mmm...in my own head. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Oi, come on now.

Sakurai: (laughs) I think it could be anything, but, for example, when I go out in front of 2,000 people, I just don’t get that same high anymore.

Ichikawa: So even though you have this stately and dark look – you don’t even think things like, “These 2,000 people have gathered to come see me!”?

Sakurai: No, I don’t. There can be people who are looking at something else even if they’re directly in front of me. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Aren’t you being narrow-minded about this?

Sakurai: It’s caught my attention. So I stare at a single point and act like an idiot who doesn’t see that sort of reaction to me.

Ichikawa: Wow. First of all, haven’t you ever thought, “I’m popular”?

Sakurai: When they’re screaming, “kyaaaaa!” (laughs)

Ichikawa: A live venue is really a melting pot of those “kyaaa” screams; does that make you feel anxious?

Sakurai: I don’t think it’s anxiety, but...I’m always agonizing5 over if I should take myself less seriously. It’s not only people who are listening to the music and enjoying it; there are also many people enjoying another part of the performance, so I think I should do what I want, but...I’m insecure.

Ichikawa: Have you ever thought about the influence you have?

Sakurai: I have. For example, it’s easy to tell when there are kids wearing the same fashion as I am. Also...I don’t know if this is my influence or not, but...the people who like the same world that I do. They give me these detailed, maniacal (laughs) opinions on things, like, “that musical is really good”, “have you read this novel?”, “you like this type of aesthetic, right?”, “this thing you said in an interview really spoke to me”, like that.

Ichikawa: Fundamentally, is it that the recipients of your work can’t accept Sakurai Atsushi as a real person? With your charisma, it’s like you’re magnified up 5 or 10 times bigger in their minds. And those voices, their expectations are like, “Well, if it’s Sakurai-san, naturally he’ll understand my aesthetic sense.” I think it would be natural to gain some self-confidence from those voiced expectations and support.

Sakurai: It would be better not to betray that sentiment, but when it comes to my own conviction...I think if I can put out more that says, “this is how my world is”, I’ll be able to clearly have that conviction.

Ichikawa: Even with Sakurai having this internal conflict, you’re being seen by ordinary people, other than your fans6, as a so-called “rockstar” now – in your case, you must be feeling the difference of that.

Sakurai: I do. Even people who don’t know music have said, “Ah, it’s that guy” – although I had just come there to have a meal. (laughs) I’m human just the same as a salaryman that’s the same age from that area, so..while I think that about myself, I guess they’re in a position where they can’t see it.

Ichikawa: Even if you don’t want to be considered special, in the first place, rock really must be thought of as “exceptional”. Moreover, being exceptional is the biggest characteristic of BUCK-TICK. Do you not have any awareness that this means you are exceptional?

Sakurai: I’m also very aware of that. It’s both extremes. There are also times where I want to say, “Leave me alone!”, turn my nose up and walk away, but (laughs) that’s also tiring, so there’s the converse argument to be made, too, like, “I’m a human just like you, so leave me alone.”

Ichikawa: Do you think things like, for example, that you could be as self-absorbed with how exceptional you are as Ei-chan7?

Sakurai: …I really do, without everyday life.

Ichikawa: What I’m asking is, can’t you become that way?

Sakurai: I can’t~. I don’t like being interfered with, and I switch Sakurai Atsushi off in those moments. (laughs)

Ichikawa: But there’s David Bowie, who isn’t doing fan service around the clock, but at work...(laughs) As a charismatic person, you can behave as you see fit, right? Although I think you could do it if you tried, you’d always agonize between those two selves.

Sakurai: I wonder why...because I’m afraid of being caught off guard?

Ichikawa: Don’t you think you’re cool?

Sakurai: there are times when I think, “I am super cool”, but there are also times where I think, “What am I doing?!” (laughs) I’m hard on myself, maybe.

Ichikawa: But, it’s simpler8 to think of yourself as cool, isn’t it?

Sakurai, Yes, much simpler. But in order for me to think so, I have to aim for being an entertainer, and I’m no good.

Ichikawa: This orientation you have toward being an entertainer is also being taken too far, actually – it’s like chloroform you breathe in every day until you lose consciousness.

Sakurai: Wahahahaha. That’s harsh!

Ichikawa: Don’t you want to become more arrogant and charismatic?

Sakurai: I really just want to shine within music, if it’s something I’m able to do. Aah...I see...maybe...I’m rebelling against it, aren’t I. Everyone views me as a rockstar, so I wonder if maybe I simply want to betray that notion and rebel against it.

Ichikawa: Does the so-called narcissistic state, where you can think of yourself as cool, not last long? It seems like only the high of not caring what the people around you think lasts, but. (laughs)

Sakurai: It doesn’t really last, no. It’s like...I end up able to see reality. That I’m someone who can go as far as narcissism, but can’t sustain it, I can see that.

Ichikawa: But without narcissism, the fantasy of rock won’t flourish, right? You’re a man who can’t be proactive, aren’t you?

Sakurai: Yeah...but that’s quite kind, because it makes people’s dreams of it expand more and more. I don’t really seem very kind, talking selfishly about my own needs while also saying, “I won’t show you the important parts.”

Ichikawa: If you said more, would it be like, “It’s your fault for coming to love me without my permission”?

Sakurai: (laughs) I wouldn’t say their fault...more like, it’s a waste. If I could be understood even if I didn’t say anything, I’d be extremely happy, because I hate the regret I feel after babbling out an explanation. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Then, explaining yourself to an ordinary person who thinks of you as a rocker must also be miserable.

Sakurai: That’s right. But...lately, my way of thinking about it changes all the time. Sometimes I think, “I’m gonna make that guy who doesn’t know me take another look!”, and other times I think, “It’s no good! I’m tired.” (laughs)

Ichikawa: So then, as I thought, you do think you’re cool, don’t you? If you were to call out to the women on the roadside over there9, you have confidence they’d quickly follow you here, right?

Sakurai: If I wanted to do it. (laughs) But using the energy is more trouble than it’s worth. I think maybe I’m unkind in that way.

Ichikawa: Well, calling out to them isn’t really nice either. (laughs)

Sakurai: Oh. (laughs) But, I’m thinking I want to become less sentimental, colder.

Ichikawa: What’s the reason behind that?

Sakurai: Because I have a heart. Wahahahahaha.

Ichikawa: Well, regardless of some minor occurrences of it, (laughs) Sakurai Atsushi doesn’t have any arrogance, really, in the bigger picture of things.

Sakurai: But I’ve also come to understand that I could be just a bit easier on myself, too. I think I could become cooler if I did.

Ichikawa: As Sakurai, and as BUCK-TICK, too, even though you’re this deeply self-centered person who doesn’t care about the existence of other people at all10, I think gradually it becomes necessary to see yourself objectively. And you have to become aware of the influence you have.

Sakurai: Lately, I’ve been chatting with people who have the same tastes as me, and it’s interesting to see how I can come to see myself when I see those people. While I was drinking in Osaka, a person came and sat down who said, “I can see ghosts” – why, I wonder, is it always that sort of person who comes to me? (laughs) But, it turned to conversation about our newest song, “die”, and they said, “You’re definitely a narcissist”, and I was like, “Ah, right, right, I’d forgotten that, now that you mention it.” The person I show other people is a narcissist; I felt like I’d forgotten.

Ichikawa: In the end, those types of people are the ones who come together under Sakurai with peace of mind, don’t you think?

Sakurai: That’s true. I think the people who are thinking about me must be seeing me with some amazing eyes.11

Ichikawa: Give those “amazing eyes” a response, a spectacular one.

Sakurai: I think it will change during our current tour. (laughs)

Ichikawa: (laughs) With that – BUCK-TICK is a band where the members take walking alone endlessly to the extreme, right? The most of any in Japan.

Sakurai: That’s out of my control. There’s nothing I can do about that.

Ichikawa: And that’s also why you feel like you can’t effectively exert your influence, I imagine.

Sakurai: Hmmm...so, I expect that I’m afraid of cheapening what I do. I just did what I wanted to do, so. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Are you being careful with your words?

Sakurai: You could call it being careful; you could call it cowardice.

Ichikawa: Certainly, in the early years – you may have been perceived as cheap during the pop era of your music where your hair was straight up, but since then, I think conversely, you’re perceived as a luxury good.

Sakurai: Yeah, I think we aren’t perceived as cheap, but I certainly have fear of being thought of that way.

Ichikawa: That’s like an ordinary girl thinking, “Don’t become friends with that person” about a yankii in their same class.

Sakurai: (laughs) Is that so?

Ichikawa: This yankii is stubborn, but in reality, he’s facing the dilemma of wanting to be friends with anyone at all.

Sakurai: Exactly. (laughs) But, I’ve been thinking that from now on, we should harden up more, get colder, and that I hope that those who don’t care about our music don’t bother with it. I hope that those who do care it experience it whenever they get the chance, and that those who don’t, never experience it again.

Ichikawa: Well, but, you’re so cool, so wouldn’t it be better to be more free-spirited?

Sakurai: Hahaha. I’m always overthinking things like that.

Ichikawa: I wonder if that overworrying is part of your personality.

Sakurai: Hmmm...I don’t know. But I’m always thinking about how I want others to enjoy and be happy.

Ichikawa: Even so, there are a lot of ups and downs in everyday life. (laughs)

Sakurai: Hahaha. I may not be handling them so well.

Ichikawa: Well, in the end, trouble always ends up coming about.

Sakurai: And that’s why all you can do is stand your ground, right...or I’m going to act out that pretense. (laughs)

Ichikawa: Have you been acting pretentious lately?

Sakurai: Quite pretentious.

Ichikawa: Anyway, you’ve got a good face for it.

Sakurai: Yeah.

Ichikawa: Oh, an easy agreement on that from this guy.

Sakurai: Fufufufufufu.

Ichikawa: So, if you acted like you owned the place, you could powerfully establish your own world – and moreover, externally, Sakurai is already waiting for it. All that’s left is you feeling like doing it.

Sakurai: ...it’s troublesome, you know.

Ichikawa: You sure are BUCK-TICK’S frontman.

Sakurai: (laughs) I want to have an effective presence that has a detailed edge to it. More than feeling like a big, enveloping presence.

Ichikawa: Aren’t you seeking a long life full of detail?

Sakurai: No way! (laughs) But, lately I’ve realized this. Because I’m using energy on this tour. (laughs) How can I say this...it’s like more...pushing forward the next day while feeling like, “I’m losing it, aren’t I?” (laughs)

Ichikawa: You’re a man predestined to being a paradox.

Sakurai: ...Has this ended up being an unspectacular interview? (laughs)

Ichikawa: Well, even if we sang “Shimauta”12 at karaoke, we didn’t sing “die”, so. (laughs) It’s considered special, you know, definitely.

Sakurai: Even if we’re doing something special, like – I end up feeling like everything is lumped together. I feel like the people who listen to music have become cowards, too. Like the provocation is frightening to them.

Ichikawa: Even though the propagation of provocation is the theme of this band.

Sakurai: Right. And moreover, we’re trying to even out the high and low points of unevenness, and there’s a feeling of something unseen moving.

Ichikawa: When it’s that way, you can only go back to the basics and put your hair straight up again!

Sakurai: Right? Although I wasn’t aware of it during the time my hair was up, that “We are special” thing.

Ichikawa: But I think if you put it up now, you might be able to do it having that awareness.

Sakurai: Imai currently has a mohawk while having that awareness.

Ichikawa: Well then, next will it be Sakurai Atsushi with his hair up?!

Sakurai: When should I put it up...people might say, “It’s uncool!” (laughs) I really don’t want to use my energy on that sort of thing. (laughs)

~~~~~ Footnotes: * This makes more sense as you read the interview - basically, I think he's saying that he argues Sakurai ought to be more lenient with himself. 1 A French movie star. 2 A reference to a manga. Kitaro is a “sullen ghost boy” who “protects others from malicious spirits”. 3 The biggest name in Johnny’s of that time, and still one of their biggest ever. 4 Human-ness? I don’t know a better word for this in English. They want him to emote, talk more, things like that. 5 Very dramatic word choice here – literally “suffering until you faint”. 6 Who are not ordinary people, obviously, lol. 7 Eikichi Yazawa, a big Showa-era rockstar. 8 Simpler in the sense of more comfortable; less work. 9 I wonder if he was actually gesturing to someone, or if this was hypothetical. 10 I think he’s ribbing him here – calling him out on his bullshit. Sakurai is repeatedly trying to say this about himself and then contradicting it. 11 In other words, they are seeing a version of him that he doesn’t believe actually exists. 12 A 1992 song by the band “The Boom”.

~~~~~ Some final translation notes:

I don't know who put the LibreOffice suggestion on my dash, but I used that to type this up this time instead of Google docs, and it seems to have preserved the footnotes (at least on desktop.) I'll try and test this on mobile too but hopefully it's a better experience!

Also, just a basic note on "cool" in Japanese - kakkoii. It's commonly translated as "cool" but really encompasses things like being attractive, sexy, etc. in ways I think the word in English doesn't. I think its usage packs more punch when you think of it that way, as like "heart eyes, motherfucker" cool.

[iniziare]

DARP Advent 2024 - Day One!

Get to know each other! FIRSTS AND FAVORITES! (You know what they say, better late than never, and it's been sitting in my drafts)

Preferred name: Sae. Preferred pronouns: She / her. Favorite dinosaur: Sola— oh, you mean actual dinosaur? Not a creative answer, but the Brachiosaurus (still). I'll forever blame watching the beginning of Jurassic Park (the OG) when about 7, and this scene (listen, you all know what's coming) amazed little Sae then, and it's stuck with me most. I read anything about them now with the same wonderment. What's the coolest rock you own or have seen: When I visited Rocamadour when younger (listen, my parents traveled a lot), it's not uncommon for little tiny bits to chip off the cliff sides, nothing big— even though little me was very concerned. But one of the older gentlemen who owned a marionette store there (very intricate, they were gorgeous), told me that if it happened right next to me, that I should take the little rock and keep it with me always. I insisted we go back twice more, until it happened. And I showed the gentleman shyly but proudly, and I kept it for about two decades until both it and the marionette were lost in my move to Ireland. I hate moving.

What piece of media was your first experience with Dragon Age? Inquisition, I'd always heard that the franchise was highly reputed, and it came from Bioware, who published (not created) the original Baldur's Gate games, and since I was a fan of those. I tried it. What was your first Dragon Age game? Inquisition. Which is your favorite DA game? I sorely wish that I had played Origins when it originally came out, because I know it would still be a top contender, but I have to say Inquisition, simply because it gave me both Solas, and Dorian. But also, its lore is absolutely ridiculous, I still find new things hidden in nooks and crannies. Its combat and maps were no good in my opinion, but I do think that the lore holds up insanely well. And anyone who knows me, knows that I go where there's good (and lots of) lore. What was your first DA book or comic? Never went through it at the time, but WoT2. Which is your favorite DA book or comic? Based on what I know of it, it'll likely be Tevinter Nights, along with the World of Thedas 'encyclopedias', cause I'm me. Who is your favorite DA character? There are numerous that I love, but the one that is most dear to me, unsurprisingly, is Solas. There is too much about him that screams at me, his nature as a spirit, and how that puts so many things into perspective. It makes the layers of acknowledged responsibility hit differently, it makes the burden that he bears so much more tragic, it makes his social connections hit differently when you understand that he had no intention of growing close to anyone, didn't think he could— okay, I'm rambling, I'll shut up now and continue answering. What's your "forever" ship? Romantic or platonic: Guys, plug your ears or cover your eyes if you don't want to see this, but being as much of an intense Solavellan fan as I am, I can't possibly answer anything differently than exactly that: Solavellan. And no, I can't even say it holds extra nostalgia of being my 'first' romance, for that is given to Dorian Pavus (which, I have to say, is an incredible romance that everyone should experience just once), but the tragedy of it, the continuous 'I want to, but I can't' in the most intense of ways because he is a spirit and emotions manifest so differently in them, the just— everything. Solavellan. What is your favorite DA-verse creature? (nug, giant, halla, etc): A certain wolf.

What's the best advice you've ever gotten? I can't believe I'm going to quote my own father, and I don't even always agree with this statement (and I hated it intensely when I was a teenager, and even young adult), because I'm the type of person who genuinely, and rationally, looks to think ten steps ahead sometimes, but still. He always says: 'A problem is a problem, when it's a problem, and not a moment sooner.'

Are you comfortable receiving feedback / asks from others as the event goes on and will request on certain days that other people reach out? What are your boundaries? If you're okay with asks/comments, are you okay with them from anyone or followers only? Yes, I have no boundaries in relation to this, and I'm fine to receive anything from anyone (not just followers). I have always valued and encouraged both criticism and debate on my blogs, as I firmly believe growth is rather tied to both. So yes, I'm more than happy.

Share a picture of something you're excited about/something that you love if you're comfortable doing so! Anyone who knows me, knows this is gonna be a photo of Mara.

[sad-chaos-goblin]

@ineffabildaddy and @celestialcrowley both tagged me in this long bio thingy (thank u!!! 💚), it's taken me a while to get round to it but here's some stuff about me:

Real name: Elyan

Nickname & nickname origins: Some people call me Ely but mostly everyone uses my full name.

Ao3: sad_chaos_goblin Haven't actually published anything (yet) but I might start soon ^^

Social media: i mostly use ig but it's a personal private acc

state country: Spain. I'm half English on my mum's side but I've never actually lived in the UK. I was born in Málaga, lived in Dublin for a bit and now I live in Barcelona.

pets: none right now, although I call my work bestie my Tamagotchi and she says she's my pet human, I keep snacks in my drawer cos she gets hungry often <3 Back when I was a kid we had a belgian shepherd and later on a samoyed, both the sweetest things ever. I miss them, dogs should live as long as humans :(

hobbies: reading (mostly I'm into fantasy and good omens fanfics right now but it changes every now and then), lyrical dance, aerial silks, pole dance and recently I'm getting into writing (inspired by GO)

Personality: I'm an extroverted introvert, I love spending time with people I like and I love getting to know new people I vibe with, but I need a lot of alone time, my social battery is limited and social interaction can feel very draining if I don't get alone time to recharge. I can be quite socially awkward and shy if I don't know people too well but once I'm comfortable around someone I get very giggly and silly. I'm an INFJ according to a test thingy someone sent me to fill in.

Favourite holiday: Hallowe'en. Big spooky fan, me. Mostly because it means autumn has arrived, it's my favourite season. Also love costume parties and roasted chestnuts (in the Catalunya region of Spain, where I live, it's tradition to have roasted chestnuts on the 31st).

Favourite food: hmm hard to choose. (Vegan) lasagna, mushroom risotto, curries, avocado toast, regular toast with margarine or olive oil, bread in general, i love bread!

Favourite dessert: lotus cheesecake or fudgy chocolate cake (vegan versions).

Favourite colour: I'm not really sure I have a specific favourite colour but I generally prefer cool colours over warm ones.

Favourite quote/s: "To live is the rarest thing in the world; most people exist, that is all" - Oscar Wilde, "Time is the school in which we learn, time is the fire in which we burn" - Delmore Schwartz, "To the world" - Good Omens

Favourite book/s: too hard to pick all-time faves so here are a few favourite recent reads - Six of Crows/Crooken Kingdom, 1Q84, Babel, Good Omens (currently reading)

Favourite tv shows: Good Omens (obvi), Brooklyn99, The Office, the Haunting of Bly Manor, From

Favourite films: Jurassic Park (the original one), Black Swan, Little Women, I'm kind of blanking here can't think of any others

Favourite characters: Crowley & Aziraphale, Inej Ghafa, Kaz Brekker, Jesper Fahey, Nina Zenik, Wylan VanEck, Matthias Helvar, Jo March, Tori from Heartstopper & Solitaire, Jake Peralta, Holden Caulfield

Favourite actors: currently quite obsessed with Michael Sheen and David Tennant, I wonder why

Favourite song/s: ooh this is a hard one. Off the top of my head right now:

-My immortal - Evanescence

-Under Pressure - Queen

-Who wants to live forever - Queen

-Lovely - Billie Eilish

-Smoke Signals - Phoebe Bridgers

-Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen

-Take me somewhere nice - Mogwai

-Massa Tard - Blaumut

-With me - Sum41

-Perra - Rigoberta Bandini

-Run - Snow Patrol

-Cardigan - Taylor Swift

I'm gonna stop myself here cos I could just keep adding songs and this would get wayyy too long

Favourite music genre/s: Whatever vibes with my state of mind in the moment.

Favourite podcast/s: Don't really listen to podcasts cos I have rubbish attention span and if I play one while I'm out walking around I am practically guaranteed to get distracted by my own thoughts and stop paying attention and suddenly realise I haven't processed a single word in the last half hour

Have you ever met a celebrity: I've decided locally famous drag queens count as celebrities so yes, i have met a few and they were all super friendly! ^^

Do you collect anything: I've moved a lot since I left home so I've tended to be quite practical about not accumulating things. Books would be the exception I guess, I love buying physical copies.

Do you have any idols: in Neil Gaiman we trust

Is there a real life friend you can be completely yourself with: I am terrible at being vulnerable and expressing my feelings face to face but i do have a couple of people very willing to be a safe space whenever i do manage to share

Where would you live to travel to: New Zealand, Tromsø (Norway), West Coast Canada

Random fact about yourself: I get carsick very easily.

If you made it all the way down here, thanks for reading all my gibberish!! <3

I think many people i would tag have already been tagged elsewhere so I'll leave it at that but everybody feel free to join in!

[lalazeewrites]

RETURN OF TAG GAMES

i know i have been gone for what in fandom time is 'forever', so thank you a million for tagging me @celestialmickey @heymrspatel @tanktopgallavich @vintagelacerosette @energievie @stocious @metalheadmickey @gallagher-milkovich

name: lala/larisa

age: 35 but i’m permanently stuck at 25 in my head, i always forget

where in the world are you? 📍 an hour north of chicago, near the wisconsin border

the meaning behind your URL: very self explanatory, i’m not creative with names hehe. but lalazee is my nickname and zee is because my last name is a z name. again, not creative lol

your second favorite color: pink!

any pets? one cat with the personality of a soft bunny & another cat with the personality of a surly dragon

favorite season: autumn!

last thing you read: ‘the only good indians’ by stephen graham jones

last song you listened to: ‘so much (for) stardust’ by fob is playing as i type! i am a true blue lifelong feral fan from ‘take this to your grave (2003) album fan onwards. i’ve already listened to this album so much that my almost ten year old knows most of the words to most of the songs lol

what are you wearing right now? grinning skeleton holding up a coffee cup w a smiley face on it that says ‘STAYIN’ ALIVE’ & pink shorts

a hobby of yours: writing! singing! hiking! camping! cooking! all things horror!

your comfort show or movie: i feel like your comfort movies & shows might not be your all time favs, but more like movies & shows that are easy on your brain to absorb when you’re skull is feeling soupy. as a true 90’s kid, i gravitate for comfort toward those big box office action or disaster films like jurassic park, twister, independence day, the mummy (and 2), men in black, jumanji, matrix, anaconda, etc. . . i have a thing for big monsters & big battles, so also count pacific rim as one of my favorite movies ever too haha

and finally, what are you up to today? it’s spring break! but my spinal surgery blah blah is still healing so i’m relaxing at home while my mom takes my kid to the arcade and candy shop! they’ve been gone four hours, so i can only assume they’ve had a good time lol

FANDOM EDITION

your first fandom(s): First fandom on the INTERNET would have been Star Trek XI. First media that i was unhinged about: X-Files, X-Men, Xena, Sailor Moon (apparently I couldn’t find another X related interest LOL)

your current fandom(s): My Hero Academia, Shameless, Stranger Things, Attack on Titan. . .I actively read for about 5 other fandoms other than those (Supernatural, Witcher, FMA, LOTR, Star Trek), but I’m currently actively writing in these.

how did you first get into fandom? Back when I was living in Glasgow, Scotland, it was my 21st birthday, and my friends and I were going to see a horror movie. Turned out, the tickets were sold out, so we decided to see Star Trek XI. I’d NEVER watched Trek in my life, didn’t know a thing about it, and when I walked out of that theater I was a totally changed human and now I am a Trek Encyclopedia LOL

how long have you been engaging with fandom spaces? Since 2009, so like 14 years.

how often do you read fanfics? Every day, if my brain is healthy enough that day! I sometimes take breaks of a couple months and only read published books though, I feel I get a different experience from both that I can equally appreciate.

top 3 characters from your current fandom(s): Mickey Milkovich, Bakugou Katsuki, Billy Hargrove. Angry disaster babies, I guess.

have you ever written a fic for a fandom? I’ve written 167 fics, not including those on my Patreon. So, over 170 fics, at least.

have you ever drawn fanart for a fandom? No! Funny that I got accepted on scholarship to NIU for Theater & Art, partially on my art portfolio, but I never create any art for anything!

share a personal headcanon that you feel very strongly about: Ian loves his mom more than he feels comfortable saying, because he feels like it's a family and even personal betrayal. I think it’s impossible to accurately describe how to feels to grow up with an abusive parent who vacillates wildly between adoring and abusive, but there’s no feeling quite like loving and hating your parent, desperately wishing you could be what they wanted so they’d stay, and hoping you never see them again. I know we’ve seen Ian follow Monica more than any other kids, but I think that any time he curses her out to his siblings or whoever else, each bad word is also like a self-cut.

you’re trying to convince a friend to get into your current fandom(s) If for My Hero Academia, I would have them watch the Heroes Rising movie, for Shameless I don’t even KNOW where I’d begin tbh LOL

and finally, what does fandom mean to you? Fandom is family! I’ve been in fandom for fourteen years, and I have so so so many real life friends who have been with me through literally the hardest parts of my life. My divorce, my ex husband going to prison, the birth of my child, me being a single parent, moving back to America, my coma, my kidney transplant. My fandom friends from across the world have uplifted me and been my support system through every single high and low. I don’t know how I’d be here without them, quite literally.

[novinare]

Munday About Me

Name: El/Goblin

Age: 35+

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Queer ace... aegosexual if you want to be specific.

Single Or Taken: Taken, poly

Hobbies: Writing, cooking, graphic design... Recently named chancellor for my larp group, so learning all the paperwork for that!

Favorite Color: To wear? Black! In art? I could never choose!

Fandoms: Hellaverse... Potter... Star Trek... Grishaverse... MCU... Shadowhunters... Tolkien... Hannibal... I'm kind of all over the place!

Other Blogs: My personal is @eloquated, but it's pretty silent at the moment

Favorite TV Show: Depends on the hyperfixation! CSI, Hogan's Heroes, and Are You Being Served, are ones I rewatch a lot.

Do You Cosplay: I'm part of a larp group that meets on Sundays, so kinda!

Favorite Media: No idea... Do people have a good answer for this?

Favorite Book: I'm not sure... Lately I've been listening to '52 Times Britain Was a Bellend' by James Felton.

Favorite Band: I could never pick one! Lately I've been listening to a lot of the Hazbin music.

Favorite Movie: Jurassic Park... Megamind... Stigmata... Little Women... Repo...

Do You Have Pets: Nope, I don't!

Favorite Animal: Snakes, foxes, fish, octopi!! Bees!!

Do You Play Any Instruments: Not anymore! I used to play the clarinet as a child, and that was... not good. Best for everyone I stopped!

Favorite Hellaverse Character(s): Octavia, Stolas, Angel, Alastor, Rosie, Zestial, Emily...

Tagged by: @sanguineradio

Tagging: everyone who wants to give it a try!

[laindtt]

14 questions 14 people

Thank you so much @deputyash for tagging me ♥

Tagging (if you’re interested and haven’t done it yet ; if any other mutual is interested, feel free to answer the quizz!): @veinereastath @purplehairsecretlair @strafethesesinners @saintemarvel @ratisshortforratalia @teamhawkeye @passinoutpieces  @schoute @strangefable @adelaidedrubman @socially-awkward-skeleton @kaidansalenkos @miasmat @derelictheretic

Nickname: Marinette, mostly used by my mom ; it’s like a French version of “Little Marie”

Sign: Sagittarius

Height: 1m72

Last thing I googled: My local post office schedules.

Song stuck in my head: So many ones, sometimes several per day! Right now, it’s the Jurassic Park theme, thanks to a small movie marathon with my mother.

Amount of Sleep: Ten hours is perfect for me, but for some time it’s “only” nine and I don’t know if I’ll manage to get used to it (= force my body to adjust) or just be a zombie til I’m getting reasonable again and go back to bed earlier 🤷‍♀️

Dream Job: At some point, writter, but tbh now it’s more about just finding something that could leave me enought energy and free time to enjoy life while having a decent wage/pension.

Wearing: Blue jeans, a t-shirt and a grey fleece.

Movies/Books/Media that Summarize You: I’ll go with my favorite media of all time: Far Cry 5, Pirates of the Caribbean (first trilogy), the Jurassic Park trilogy, The Goonies, Papy fait de la Résistance, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

Favorite Song: Oh God, I can’t choose!

Instrument: I don’t play any instruments, and did not show any talent during music classes at school ; I like listening to any type of instrument... Maybe to piano more than others?

Aesthetic: ... Academia...? I’m not familiar with the different categories.

Favorite Author: Stephen King. Absolute king indeed.

Random Fun Fact: I have Corsican, Italian and Spanish roots.

[swedebeast]

1, 2, 3, 4!

Yeehawh, let's do this

1.if someone wanted to really understand you, what would they read, watch, and listen to?

Hmmm. I am not sure what media I know of that could summarize a person. Maybe superficially, but about myself? We always think of ourselves as very complicated, and I think I'll say the same for myself. Hm. I am not sure about that one, to be honest. I am sure I can mention things that would summarize my opinion on things, but not me as a person. Perhaps older Star Trek on how I wish people would treat each other and strive for excellence, Making Democracy Work by Putnam was a good book on how sports groups and hobby interests can bridge people together and I think it is an excellent way on how to actually do that and minimize division.

Watch Jurassic Park if you want to get why I love dinosaurs. They're fucking cool.

2. have you ever found a writer who thinks just like you? if so, who?

Can't say that I have. I don't read philosophy books as a matter of habit, often it is mostly science fiction or political science textbooks - but nothing comes to mind as a "holy shit, this is me!" when I read it.

Perhaps if there is one time I remember from recently of someone writing something that made me nod in agreement, it might be this from a tabletop war game rule-book.

3. list your fandoms and one character from each that you identify with.

Shit, all of them? Man. I am a fan of a lot of things, few that drive me to fanatic zeal, but I suppose the things I am invested in to this day that I would actually spend money on and actively engage with IRL and online would be Star Trek, Babylon 5, Mutant the Swedish post-apoc TTRPG, Lord of the Rings. Let's check off the list.

Star Trek: Miles O'Brien. At first I thought Picard, but really, Miles feels fitting. European with an accent, he spends too much time in the holo-suits, engages in historical games there as well, and he has a TON of bad luck. Babylon 5: Susan Ivanova. Not sure if I identify with her completely, but I sure do want to be more like her. She is professional, but speaks back when she gets disrespect. Wish I would do more of that, hey ho. Mutant: Shit, this is a franchise with over 40 years of history. Maybe this guy.

LOTR: This guy.

4. do you like your name?  is there another name you think would fit you better?

Oh yeah, sure. Not much in a name beside the values and meanings we put into it, because they can mean so much. My name is a variation of "Kimbellus", which was the name of a Celtic warlord that invaded ancient Greece. And my last name means, once all the components have been taken apart and put back together again, something like "the lordly she-wolf of the fortified farms".

Can't complain, it just creates comedic instances when my first name is unisex, but female in the English speaking world.

[geekgemsspooksandtoons]

A remake of the original Spider-Man and Moon Girl interaction I made. Which I posted before this. But this time with a recommendation from a friend of mine that I should’ve put Casey in this. Along with other little edits. I question if I’ll use this again. The original copied text is from a draft from July 10th, 2023. Unedited and raw.

“So, you know what’s the one question that is really on my mind? Why doesn’t Devil have feathers?” Spider-Man asked what was on his mind when looking at the T-Rex below them. Who also looked confused when hearing that.

“I mean...dinosaurs are more related to birds, right? Unless there was some genuine truth in those Jurassic Park films? Or maybe he’s a different from of T-Rex and considering with what we’ve been learning about the species...why am I even asking this?” Spider-Man rambled on.

“You know what? You actually have a good point.” Moon Girl laughed after she said that. She never considered it till now. And as she laughed, Casey joined in the laughter as well. They soon stopped to catch their breath as Devil rested on the ground after a long day of helping Moon Girl. As the three set there, with Spider-Man in the middle of them as they sat on the ledge. They just looked over the L.E.S. as the sun was going down.

“And...something popped in my mind...you’re 13?” Spider-Man asked as he looked towards Moon Girl.

“Yep!” Moon Girl proudly exclaimed.

“Yep! Me as well.” Casey said as well. But after that, there was a few seconds of silence before another question was asked.

“Do you two...go to the same school together?” Spider-Man asked them.

The two looked at him and wondered if they should answer him.

“I mean...I’m not disclosing that.” Casey responded.

“You know, that’s the second time you asked us. Why do you seem concerned about our age?” Moon Girl asked him.

“Because...you’re so young. Listen, I’m not trying to sound overbearing. But it just really boggles my mind thinking about it. You're a superhero at such a young age, you’re not an adult yet. You have fought supervillains and your friend is here runs a social media account for you. Isn’t that stressful? But also, all that responsibility for someone so young?” Spider-Man asked them.

“You act like we can’t handle it. Me, D and Casey have been stopping villains without other heroes for a while now. Do you think we can’t take care of ourselves? Because trust me, we can.” Moon Girl responded back to him.

“I’m not talking about it like that. It’s the fact that...you’re still a kid. You have your whole life ahead of you. You’re...putting yourself in these situations and...it bothers me thinking about it.” Spider-Man answered back.

“Man, you’re sounding like if you were my parents.” Moon Girl said.

“Do...do they know you’re a superhero?” He asked her.

“They...don’t know. Wait, why do you care? You’re Spider-Man. You don’t have to worry about that. Besides, didn’t you call Iron Man “Shell Head” one time on live television because you didn’t want to work with him or the Avengers. So why are you getting on my case about it?” Moon Girl responded back.

She sounded bothered by a hero she liked seemed to be treating her like a child. Casey wondered what to say next. But was hesitant after what Lunella had said. As that was going on, Spider-Man just looked at Moon Girl who looked at him with an annoyed expression. After that, Lunella just looked away to the sunset.

“You seem perfect. You have everything under control. You don’t know nothing about me...and I’d thought you would be more supportive of what we’ve been doing.” Moon Girl said.

Casey looked at her friend with a saddened look. She still wondered what she should say next. And then she noticed Spider-Man looking at the sunset as well. There was silence for a good 20 seconds. Spider-Man took a deep breath, it was a big one.

“I’ve been Spider-Man since I was 14 years old.” Spider-Man said.

This reveal got the attention of the two girls. Lunella’s goggles emotions widened as he finally spoke. She was stunned to hear those words, and even Casey too.

“What?” Moon Girl asked.

“I’ve been doing this since I was a kid...a year older than where you are now. I assume you were three...I was bitten randomly by some spider at a demonstration. I got powers but...” He paused. It sounded like he didn’t want to say more. But then he continued on.

“Instead of helping people. I used my powers to make some money. I was on television star, did some wrestling. I wonder if those old showings of me can still be watched. But yeah...I was being selfish...if you knew how I was years back. I think you two openly hate me. Hell, I would hate me too.” Spider-Man started to put his hands together as the girls kept staring at him, intrigued by what he was talking about.

“Then one day, some thief ran by me. I let him go...I let him run by me. He escaped and the officer chasing him got angry at me. And one of the things I told him is that it’s not my problem.” He kept holding his hands together. But now they were tighter. Casey noticed this the grip his hands had on each other were really strong. If she was correct, he seemed angry...angry at himself.

“Not my problem...not my problem I said. I...said that.” The tone Spider-Man spoke in felt more...sad. He breathed again. “Then one day, I learned that same guy I let go.” He stopped again and took another breath. It seemed like he didn’t want to talk about it more. Even under that mask, there was this emotion Casey could sense. While Lunella was surprised to hear all of this. And she needed to know what came next.

He took a deep breath again. “The same guy killed someone close to me...all because I didn’t do anything...when I could’ve.” Spider-Man finally let it out.

Lunella and Casey’s jaws dropped when they heard the answer. They both had the same form of shock when hearing it. Even though both might’ve had different feelings when hearing the answer.

“Oh my gosh.” Casey said as she put her right hand over her mouth.

Spider-Man put his right hand over his eyes as he began to slouch. Lunella's face turned sour as she learned this information. She was stunned to hear this information from Spider-Man of all people. And what both girls heard sounded like sniffing. Almost as if he started to cry. He continued breathing, and his breath skipped a beat.

Lunella didn't know what to do. What could she do? But then she noticed Casey reaching out to comfort him with her right hand on Spider-Man’s left shoulder. When Spider-Man felt that, he took his right hand off of his eyes to look at Casey.

“You don’t need to do that.”

“Well...I want to do that.” Casey told him as she was rubbing his shoulder. He had no response to that. After looking at Casey for a few seconds, he looked back at the sunset and continued speaking.

“I didn’t want to tell you that. I’d...rather not trauma dump on a bunch of a kids. Because that isn’t right. But...” He took another deep breath. “I've done things I'm not proud of. I regret things I've done. And trying to be Spider-Man can be...hard at times. It was hard in school, college...even daily normal stuff. I get tired...I get angry a lot. I...sometimes hate being Spider-Man that I want to quit...but I don't. And the worse thing I think about...is...did I have to suffer to be a better person? Would I be the person I am today if I stopped that guy? Or would I be the same jerk that was?”

He took a deep breath again. “I just wanted to tell you this because I may have been in the same spot as you two but...without all that harder stuff. And I've learned recently that...I don't have to be alone in this. I've sacrificed so much, pushing people away. Being scared to lose someone again.” He then put both of his hands back on the ledges. Spider-Man then started to speak again.

“I'm sorry...I'm not a father or a brother. I'm a grown man. But seeing you kids made me really think about what I've been through. It...made me examine how tough it was for me growing up and the choice I made. And I...don't want anyone going through the same mistakes as me. Because being Spider-Man is...scary. I've been Spider-Man for 10 years and only recently some years ago. I feel like I've moved on from that guilt because I'm lucky to have some people know who I am. That I'm not alone.”

They could still hear the sniffling under his mask. Lunella kept staring as she was heartbroken hearing all of that. And Casey again, said something back to him.

“Hey, it’s okay. Let it out.”

“You became a superhero because you wanted to help the L.E.S. because no one else would? Is that correct?” Spider-Man looked towards Moon Girl.

“Yeah...that’s correct.” Lunella answered him.

“Well, you’re already a better person than who I was years back. At least you didn’t need a wakeup call.” Spider-Man said.

“Hey...it’s okay. You’ve done so much good. You don’t need to say that.” Casey told him.

“I know...I know.” Hearing that warmed his heart, but his thought process still continued on, thinking about what he had just told Moon Girl. “But it still hurts...you two and Devil are all lucky to have each other.”

[th0ught-chr0nicles]

Blog Basics + Get to Know the Author!

My name is Madelyn and, after exhausting my poor friends and family for years with my endless lectures on random, generally useless information, I have decided to instead burden strangers on the internet with these info-dumps! The topics may range from exhaustive analyses of a painting or sculpture, to a chronological retelling of the come-uppance of an ancient civilization, or any other whimsies that I might find encapsulating at the time. But, do not fret, our path will not always be so studious ;)

I often find myself playing the role of Alice, getting sucked down the rabbit hole of intricate pop culture moments such as how the “Ginger Kids” episode of South Park has been credited with fanning the flames behind the social mockery and ostracism of its moniker- even sparking “National Kick a Ginger Day” in recent decades. Or perhaps, the not-so-secret promotion of eating disorders in the worlds of modeling and media influencers, effectively creating an environment where bodies are trending commodities. One’s bone structure and fat distribution may be stylish in one decade and abhorred the next (see the rise and fall of the “flat butt” among western beauty standards).

My ultimate goal with Thought Chronicles is to do just that! Chronicle my ever-changing hyper-fixations and topics of interest in an educating manner while inspiring others to pursue their own nerdy, niche subjects. That being said, I am by no means an expert on… just about anything. If I make mistakes when relaying the facts, they are mine alone- please let me know in a kind and courteous manner so that they may be amended! My inbox is always open for any asks, comments, or even just a friendly chat (I promise I won’t bite… unless you claim that the Catcher in the Rye is overrated, in which case you are a phony and I might advise you to proceed with caution.)

Get to Know the Author:

I have tried to keep this concise and resist the allure of talking about myself at length, so keep in mind that these are the bare bones!

Interests (outside being a Geek™️): Game of Thrones, South Park, The Sound of Music, Lana Del Rey, coffee and tea, Frank Sinatra, spirituality and natural healing, 90s Rap and R&B, films of all shapes and sizes, Tyler Childers, Classic Literature, basically reading in any form and genre :)

Personality Types: INTP, 5w6

Astrology: Libra Sun, Gemini Moon, Aquarius Rising

Hobbies: working out, baking, hiking, reading, listening to music, art + painting, watching stupidly long video essays on youtube, playing with my cat, Stanley/Stan (named after Stan Marsh of South Park… I also have a cat named Butters), meditation and yoga

Favorites, ranked in no particular order:

color: wine red

books: The Picture of Dorian Gray and Jurassic Park (for the sake of nostalgia)

songs: Feathered Indians, Time, Somethin’ Stupid, Saturday Night

movies: TSoM, anything Studio Ghibli, Hereditary, White Chicks (I love a good spoof)

I believe that just about wraps things up! Let me know if anyone actually made it this far LOL. I look forward to sharing this long journey for the pursuit of knowledge with all of you!

~Au revoir, mes amis~

[freshairforrabbits]

Taking your word for it re fanfiction asks, so: 1, 7, 9 (for your Hostel fic that deserves more love), 10 (again Hostel), 17, 21, 25, 27, 28, 36, 41, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49. Your made up title to write a summary for is "i need no introduction (welcome to the greatest show)" from skins by the Haunting, which I have been listening to on repeat over the past few days.

Thank you for asking all of these ❤️ and also for making me discover that song because it is so fucking good!!!

1)Since I can remember! At toddler age and maybe even a bit before, my mom would let me and the siblings draw all over these little blank picture books she would staple together. She would then ask what the story was about so she could write it down on each page, and I was already making up new endings to whatever media I could understand like Bug's Life, Jurassic Park, PBS kids shows. If that doesn't count as fanfic though– then I seriously buckled down to write my first one when I was 10, with pencil and paper, and then 22 for actually finishing one and posting it on AO3

7) anytime after 9pm 

9) oh fuck that's a tough one, I'd say in Jagten it's the parts with Paxton stumbling around the Elite Hunting Clubs killing floor, because in the movie that's one of my favorite scenes where Paxton calls Natalya a bitch and then she's like, 'they paid me a lot of money for you. That makes you my bitch.' Just getting to write her seeing his shock and disgust and fear was fun as hell. 

10) I was going to actually go all the way up to some plotline where she does kill him (since Paxton is killed in the Hostel universe I figured Natalya becoming a hunter to do the honors instead would've been so badass of her, despite Paxton being a favorite in his own right he's just very killable), but then I figured it'd be far better to start things off sort of where they began with the fic. Natalya and Paxton facing each other down except this time the resolution is up in the air, and Paxton has no idea that she's coming for him. 

17) The girl, she made a deal, he remembers it now, to save the ghosts she'd come to see as friends, as more parents than her own, sacrificing herself to a crude entity of booze, sex, and filth;

beetlejuicebeetlejuicebeetlejuice.

21) If we are talking about outside of AO3 then that would be god, this would be a lot of people both within AO3 and outside of AO3, hm, I really admire this one author who wouldn't you know shares the same name as you! All jokes aside, so much of the fics I've been writing and making lately have been directly inspired by your writing and so I can't help but admire the fuck out of the absolute range of your writing and the ability you have to tackle so many different styles and characters!

25) Yes! Although I can't give any specific examples, I just know I have, and it's usually when writing super hopeful bits after writing a bunch of incredibly harrowing sequences.

27) I make outlines! They're typically very long too and constantly get changed around and shifted and even deleted and rewritten many times. The outline for pretty boy is 40k on any given day and most of that will not actually be what's finally written it's just excerpts and scenes that don't quite work but pieces of them could be stitched together for something better 

28) There isn't exactly anything I'm doing super different now then when I first started! But I wish I'd known to never touch general fandom Tumblr or Twitter or social media (and especially Discord Servers) with a ten foot pole when I started posting, that'll destroy your motivation to write faster than anything, not to mention it gets in your head about characterization and whatever else; like just write!! Just write and don't look at what other people are saying because it is not worth it unless they're fellow authors you have a rapport with 

36) Selfcest-Daddy-Son Carnival Ride of Grooming and Sexual Battery from Fucking Hell; Oh and don't forget the maybe-baby! (not sure if that's the spoiler that questions asking for but dfghhjjj)

41) Probably Natalya from Hostel and Natália from 3% in an unfinished wip but she's not exactly a minor character imo, just under appreciated 

44) (You fight, you rip into him, you eat him alive, fangs sunk through the muscle of lips, colonel's cum, corporal's blood swapped between you, ouroboros, you—)

45) Sheer mental illness, literally nothing else makes me write 30k in two weeks more than a sudden burst of energy and nigh delusional thinking which inevitably leads to a cycle of crashing and burning but fuck it we ball nothing else gets me clearing out those wips faster. That and one of the core elements of experiential therapy emphasizes learning to express through writing so that definitely keeps me going too since the more I write the more I can take with me to a session even if the content isn't relevant, it's all about processing a vast array of situations and emotions and intrusive thoughts through playing with little figures in the sandbox of a word document.

47) "i need no introduction (welcome to the greatest show)" this is going to be such a boring answer but for a title like this nothing better comes to mind then that idea you mentioned about Recom Jake being captured by the Na'vi. Just something about how he'd be putting on his best performance for them, all Loki stuck in a glass cage style or something, knowing oJake is freaked the hell out by him and then everything to do with Spider would be such a fucking mess. And good God that song is a banger!! (I am now listening to it on repeat as well while writing haha) I'm notoriously shit with creating summaries on the spot so apologies for not being able to make one up :'') 

48) Imprisonment. Bottom line, I don't know if that's a trope per se? But a character, specifically the protagonist or the biggest baddie of the fandom getting mind-breaked in a cell I pretty much write for every fandom I have ever been in and probably will continue to do so. 

49) Warrior Cats Truth or Dare on FFnet, it was a crackfic that had me dying laughing as a kid I remember reading it every night before bed in elementary school. Very fun, and it is why I love a good crackfic to this day

[snorlaxlovesme]

so im doing another NYC Midnight writing contest this weeknd and I got Sci Fi as a genre again (weeps, this is the third time wtf). and this week i’ve been hyperfixating on the Jurassic Park franchise and Stranger Things so I’ve been pretty entrenched in science fiction lately. and while i’m brainstorming I chose to listen to a song that (I didn’t know this beforehand) was apparently from The 100 OST. and now all of the recommended youtube suggestions are ones I recognize from The 100. there was no real point to this post besides The 100 thing is a funny coincidence and also that i’m trying to use three of my favorite sci fi medias to inspire me and it’s not working lol

[the-melting-world]

A Long Awaited Email

AU: Jurassic Park

cw: death, implied mutilation

~ 1.9k words

.

The rain wasn’t kind to Kipling Bronne’s apartment window. Thankfully she had been able to rescue all her plants from the fire escape patio before they got drenched.

As the young researcher was arranging the peperomia obtusifolia on her already crowded work desk, she received a notification ping from her university email account.

Kip postponed her shower in order to take out her laptop and open the email. She could have just read it on her phone, but her heart was beating too fast. She needed to give herself a little time to prepare while her old hard drive booted up. 

Kip held her breath as she clicked on the newest message.

Miss Bronne, we hope this email finds you well…

Thunder exploded directly outside the window, but she barely noticed.

– behalf of the Department of Paleobotany and Palynology we regret to inform you that…

Kip closed her eyes and hung her head for a moment. When the rolling in her gut had passed, she looked at the rain trying to punch its way inside her apartment. 

When Kip was ready, she turned back to the email and read the reason her advisors rejected yet another one of her field paper proposals. Something about the lack of fossils from Kip’s area of interest – the late Permian, early Triassic intermediate phase.

Only ten percent of all life survived the extinction marking the end of the Paleozoic. Specimens of these precious survivors were sparse, expensive to hunt down, and not to mention scattered in pockets of uncharted Russian wilderness. Basically, it wasn’t a reliable fossil record to cover everything that Kip had outlined in her field paper.

She was over it. The researcher shut her laptop, leaned back in the chair and massaged her roots until her headband slid off. 

“I just want to write my dissertation.” She was talking to the plants as much as herself. “This is the third time they’ve shot me down. And it’s always in an email! Never to my face. When I’m showing them all of the research in person, they seem so excited. But as soon as everything is in writing…” She let down her messy bun, fingers carefully separating familiar tangles while she listened to the rain.

“What’s it going to take?”

The storm was almost loud enough to distract Kip from another set of vibrations coming from her phone. This time it was a call.

Dr. Oz.

Kip wanted to smile, but the disappointment of the email was holding her back. Though it wasn’t enough to make her deny the call.

“Ozy!” Kip greeted with more relief than she even expected. She hadn’t heard from him since the internship two years ago. A brilliant man and scientist, Oz went to great lengths (and through lots of money) to get all of his burning questions answered.

“My favorite naturalist!” The mathematician’s magnetic and infectious joy easily came through over the call. “It’s good to hear your voice again, Kipling. I was afraid I had lost your contact information.”

Kip had really enjoyed interning under Ozy two years ago, but he was a busy man and Kip had her own studies to return to. Lots of things had kept them from staying in touch.

The two scientists chatted for a bit. Ozy caught Kipling up on all of his articles that had been featured in prestigious science publications around the world. Kip let him brag for a bit before admitting that she had read them all. 

“What about you, though? Are you still in the first drafts of that book you were working on?”

Kip blinked a few times. “You… you remember my book?”

“Yeah! The one about semi-aquatic plants in the early Mesozoic evolving with the diapsids, right? Where are you with that?”

Nowhere.

It was a pipe dream. Something she hoped to publish when she had her doctorate.

“In medias res,” she sighed.

Ozy gave a wholehearted chuckle. “Passion projects. Life always has a way of putting them on pause for some reason or another, doesn’t it?”

Kip hesitated. Twirling an errant curl around her finger, she wondered if she should tell Ozy what was going on.

“So anyway!” He brightly moved on. “What’s your schedule looking like for the next three months or so? I have something you might be interested in. It’s kind of like a paid internship, but even better.”

By the time Ozy was done with his spiel, it had stopped raining.

“Oz, you want me to apply for this… this theme park? Sure, I could do it, but there’s no way I would be even be qualified enough to run a greenhouse on that scale–”

“There’s no application necessary,” Ozy said. “I recommended you, Kip. You should expect some contact from InGen in a few days. Didn’t want you to be caught off guard. Everything’s still technically top secret, so they might seem a little shady, but I promise that you can trust them.”

“Are you going too?” Kip asked, excited by the thought of taking this on with Ozy as her mentor.

“Of course,” He said. “So what do you think? Is this something that you want? You wouldn’t be able to tell anyone where you were for a while. Not until the park officially opens. But they assured me that they would cover your rent and waive any student fees–”

“Yes. I want this.” Kip said. She started rummaging around her apartment for soil alternatives so that her plants wouldn’t dry out while she was gone.

“I want to go work for InGen.”

.

.

.

~ Isla Nublar ~

Park Ranger Khlee pressed the End Call button on her cell and went back to eating her grits and toast. Of course the other zookeepers couldn’t keep their noses out of her business and wanted to know: who was that?

“That was Deborah,” Khlee said without elaborating any further. She let her companions poke and prod her with questions and teases, easily evading each one with something roundabout or a good natured insult. 

Eventually, Basil arrived from the other side of the canteen. He parked himself at the table next to Khlee, essentially coming to her rescue. Basil told the others to leave Khlee alone and worry about themselves. Then he reminded all of them that they only had fifteen minutes before the canteen closed and they had to feed the animals.

The conversation at the table suddenly shifted from personal to professional. The codes and feeding schedules for the different specimens became a language of its own among the cluster of rangers in khaki uniforms.

A Jurassic Park employee noticed that Khlee was going over logs with one of the keepers for the hadrosaurs. She poked her fork in their direction.

“Hey, I thought you were overseeing the raptors. Are you covering for someone in Zone C today?”

The bell was about to ring. Khlee stood up and gathered their empty tray.

“Nah. Got transferred last week.”

Puzzled looks came from everywhere at once as Khlee made their way over to the trash disposal. The canteen bell rang. There was no time to catch up and press them further.

.

Khlee didn’t know how she was going to fix a ground feeder in the rain, but the ankylosaurus had to eat and someone had to make sure they didn’t starve.

Her walkie at her hip barked at her. She answered, tucking the thing between her cheek and her shoulder while she worked, doing the best she could to keep it dry.

They needed her over in the velociraptor unit. Again.

Khlee sighed and let her hands rest on the metal grate of the feeder. She could just… not show up. But this wasn’t the time to make waves.

Khlee arrived at the ominous rusted red gate, drawing up the courage to speak to the park supervisor. It was still raining and they were both standing in it. 

“Look, no disrespect, but I don’t cover this area anymore.”

The supervisor, Randy, didn’t alter his expression. Randy was ex military with teeth white enough to blind you despite his atrocious dip habit. 

He spat in the grass.

“Saw that Deborah gave you a call today.”

Khlee narrowed their eyes. “...Yeah.”

“Your parole officer. Isn’t that right?” He stuck another wad behind his lip before smiling kind of crookedly. “I know we don’t have anything on you, but as you could probably guess, the good old American private prison system wouldn’t need much convincing to readmit you.”

Khlee made a deeply pissed, incredulous sound. But she didn’t tell Randy off. She knew better than that.

“What is it this time?” She said after relaxing her jaw.

Randy turned and waved her towards the gate. “A body. Needs to go somewhere it won’t wash back up in the event,” he gave his wrist a twirl as he pointed at the sky, “this happens again. Which you and I both know that it will.”

Without another word, Khlee followed Randy into the velociraptor exhibit. They hopped into Randy’s jeep and listened to him go on about how the idiotic behavior of the undertrained employee led to their own demise.

“Completely avoidable casualty. I mean, Christ, when are people gonna learn, Khlee? We’re here to protect the animals. Not babysit every high school dropout hire who can’t even get the rotations memorized.”

Khlee ignored the dull ache in their gut. It wasn’t as bad as it had been in the past.

It only got a little worse when she saw how young the victim was. They had a face once. One that might have been excited and happy to be here at one point. Everyone who came to Isla Nublar was. In the beginning.

Now the face was just… something that made Khlee want to look away. 

The park ranger put the body inside a bag. As gently and respectfully as they could. They dug a hole as fast as they could and put the body inside. Randy wasn’t looking when Khlee broke the chain around the victim’s neck that had their dog tag attached. Their name and park ID number was imprinted in the metal. Everyone who worked for the park had one. 

Khlee knew this because she sometimes helped in the orientation office whenever the island got a private plane full of new hires. She had entered many names into the machine.

A few weeks later, another plane arrived. The park needed all hands on deck.

Khlee was happy to take over for the previous worker saddled with making dog tags. The zookeeper enjoyed a little office work every now and then. Plus Basil was there to keep them company.

“Lots of scientists this time around.”

Khlee lifted the lever on the engraving machine. “What sorts of scientists?” They asked, not really caring one way or the other.

“Let’s see… got some pathologists, microbiologists, geologists, zoologists of course. A mathematician, who also specializes in ecology. A paleobotanist. Thank God for that. I know it’s not exactly the same thing, but maybe they can figure how to stop these poisonous weeds that keep invading the–”

Khlee let Basil prattle on while she got lost in the task of engraving. She read each name and did her best to, on some level, remember them. There was always that chance that she would see them again under less than ideal circumstances. So Khlee remembered the names in case she was called to bury their owners. To protect the animals, as Randy put it. To protect the future billion dollar enterprise that was Jurassic Park.

The last two names that Khlee engraved before their shift ended were still fresh in their mind.

A Dr. Oz Mandias. And someone named Kipling S. Bronne.

[chim-aera]

tips for enjoying surviving your teenage years by a tired 19 year old

aka things I wish I knew around those years...

first off, I know when you're around the age of 13 to 18, crap is really, really confusing.

I mean, it seems like yesterday you were ordering kids menus and running around like a maniac at playgrounds and suddenly you're a teenager. what the heck that's supposed to mean.

but, listen, nothing changed. just because you're suddenly on the "brink of maturity" you're not bby you're still a child doesn't mean you can't just literally do whatever you want no matter how stupid it is. so here's a list of stuff to do when you feel panicked about being teenager or just adulthood problems in general (all 19 and 20 year olds you can read this too, i know exactly how this feels XD)

experiment. kiddos, look, you do not, by any means, have to appear put together and/or well rounded AT ALL

HAVE FUN and please don't try to come off as cool. be dumb. it's so much fun in the long run.

dye your hair. cut your hair. experiment with clothing styles. dress like an emo, or an anime character, or preppy or punk. anything. try it all. you'll learn something or just have fun in the process.

don't worry too much about your appearance. you're gonna be a hormone fueled zitty rage monster sometimes, but it'll pass. workout at the least sometimes, but seriously. eat that pizza, try those new ice cream flavors. make cookies as you cry in the kitchen at 2 am. live. you're young, take advantage of that.

don't try to seem more mature then you actually are. and what I mean is, don't get involved with stupid nonsensical adult things if it's not necessary.

build a lego set, play video games, binge a cartoon, cry at disney movies, karaoke with your hairbrush. seriously dude.

play board games and cards with your family or friends (if they're nice people, not if they're assholes or something guys) you'll remember it in the long run, it's a nice memory to have.

do movie nights. watch shrek, or jurassic park, or anything. eat a bowl of popcorn and do a marathon.

don't worry too much about crushes, relationships, and orientations. you'll have plenty of time to figure all that out later. kiss people, don't kiss people. hug people, hug pets, hug yourself, hug a plushie. love. love yourself. don't worry.

don't get too caught up in drama. if all your friends are trying to be adult or whatever, and you want to still do stupid kid things. DO THE STUPID KID THINGS.

naruto run in a parking lot, swing on the monkey bars. wear animal headbands. wear mismatched shoes.

journal your experiences. it doesn't even have to be every day, just try to just a little. you'll look back at those memories.

if you want to wear something but you feel too "ugly, fat, etc." oh my god. frigging wear it. you'll thank yourself later.

watch/read little prince

don't get too caught up in social media. please. I swear it's not to be tiktok famous at 15,

be loud. take up space. speak your mind.

study a foreign language for one week, then another the next. be a fashion blogger one day, and an astrophysicist the next. go to the library if you want.

read books from your childhood, cry afterwards.

yell out the window on car rides

play tik tak toe

dress up on hallowen

dance on your bed. listen to music. sing.

read spooky stories under your covers at midnight.

love your pets if you have some. you'll treasure those times in the long run. trust me. <3

pierce your ears, don't pierce your ears. where the weirdest jewelry, or none at all.

wear shirts that are 2 times your size because they're comfortable.

cannonball into a swimming pool (if it's safe)

play tag, catch a firefly. try all different sports. or practice them yourself.

try. try everything you want to try.

just have fun, don't worry, be you. even though you might not know who that is yet. just enjoy life. and be true to yourself. you've got the whole world to explore. trust yourself. it works out in the end. :3

(tell me if I should do one for the 19 / 20 years. I might XP)

[phantombandit-films]

Why ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005) is a underrated masterpiece.

‘War of the Worlds’ was released in 2005, it is directed by the film god that is Steven Spielberg (Jaws, E.T.) and written by Josh Friedman (Terminator: Dark Fate, Avatar 2) and David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible) 

Cast:  - Tom Cruise as Ray Farrier. - Justin Chatwin as Robbie Farrier. - Dakota Fanning as Rachel Farrier. - Miranda Otto as Mary Ann. -Tim Robbins as Harlan Ogilvy. - Ann Robinson as Grandmother.  - Gene Barry as Grandfather. 

First lets start with some history of ‘The War of the Worlds’ - The 2005 film is based off the novel of the same name which was written by H.G. Wells between 1895 and 1897, it then was then made into a series by Pearson’s Magazine in 1897 in the UK, Cosmopolitan in the US. Then becoming a hardback novel in 1898, it is one of the earliest written pieces to tell a story of conflict between Martians and man and so its one of the most commented on pieces of science fiction. 

It has been adapted and developed several times over many decades in many medias, the ones that come to mind are the famous 1938 dramatic radio reading that was directed and starred Orson Welles that actually caused public panic to those who listened in and didn’t know that the Martian invasion was fiction, its said that up to a million people ran out of their homes in terror.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(1938_radio_drama) )

The 1953 ‘The War of the Worlds’ film adaptation, which was produced by George Pal and directed by Byron Haskin. It also starred Gene Barry (who played Dr. Clayton Forrester) and Ann Robinson (who played Sylvia Van Buren) who can also been seen at the end of the 2005 film, they play the grandparents of Robbie and Rachel which I think is a sweet little cameo to see for those who loved the 1953 film.  Ann Robinson also revived her role as Sylvia Van Buren in two other films and three episodes of ‘The War of the Worlds’ tv series in 1988. 

In 1978 the most well known musical album by Jeff Wayne was produced and based off the story of ‘War of the Worlds’ this album included the voices of Richard Burton and David Essex.

This was then turned into a concert musical which tours annually through out the UK and Europe, the concert includes live performers such as Carrie Hope Fletcher but also a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson. It also includes a mix of computer animation, pyrotechnics and a big mechanical tripod that comes out on stage and lights up and can fire its heat-ray. 

(Source: Birmingham Mail.)

There have also been several Tv series, the two newest being the 2019 BBC version staring Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson and Full Monty’s Robert Carlyle, that has a Edwardian setting and follows closely to the novel. 

The other being the FOX 2019 adaptation that is set in present day Europe but I found this version didn’t really go off the novel, and was frustrated with the lack of the famous Tripods.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds) 

As a kid I would watch the 1953 film with my mum all the time as its one of her favourites and I do really like it, but then 2005 rolled around and in comes Steven Spielberg’s version. To be fair it was probably 2006 when I finally saw it, I was nine years old at the time and I remember my dad bringing home the DVD that someone at work had lent him. I don’t remember watching it but I do remember having nightmares for a month after, only for a month though.  Many years later when I was half way through high school and getting more and more into film my dad then bought the DVD from Woolworth's before it shut down, the DVD didn’t have a case only a see through CD case so I think it only cost him something like 50p. So I re-watched and again I don’t really remember this but all of a sudden I was hooked, and it climbed to the second spot on my favourite movies list where it still sits today. Honestly if you asked anyone I was friends with at that time they will tell you just how obsessed I was with it.  

I have many scenes that I love in this film the first being the rise of the first tripod, but there are two that I geek out over every time. 

The first scene being the one in the basement at Robbie and Rachel’s house, the scene starts off with Ray asleep in a chair. He starts to stir when when a blue flash of light on his face, but then jolts up right at a load whooshing noise followed by closely by Robbie shooting up from just below the camera. I love the way that Robbie appears sort of fits with the sound that’s heard, also the whole mood of the scene which is pitch black with this blue flashing light every now and then. The fact that you’re just as clueless as the characters as well, you find out what’s happening when they find out.  Also the way that Rachel appears behind the basement stairs, which will appear again near the end of the movie in a much more damaged basement which shows just how much their world has changed in just a short few days.  The sound design in this movie as well is something that I love, I love when the sound in a film alone can creep you out. The tripod sound is one of my favourite sounds to exist, like if I heard that from outside I would be so creeped out and scared.  At this moment in time Robbie and Rachel have no idea what is hunting them or what Ray has seen, Imagine running from something and seeing something completely destroy the whole of your neighbourhood yet not knowing what it looks like. This is what runs through my mind when I heart Rachel cry “Is it them, Is it them?!”  Then the next morning when Ray goes upstairs and see’s that the house is just completely destroyed by an aeroplane that has crashed down in the middle of the the housing estate. This Boeing 747 was a out of use plane and the production crew bought it for $60,000 which then cost them $200,000 to transport, it was then broken into pieces and houses were built around it. Which just shows how far some movie productions will go to make a film look more legit. (We love practical effects in this house.) This scene is still set up at Universal Studios Hollywood and can be seen on the Studio tour. 

(Basement and Plane crash scene.)

My second favourite scene, which is one of my all time top favourite scene ever with no surprise is the dock scene.  The speeding train that’s on fire is absolute stunning in every sense but for me the scene starts when the music starts.  ‘If I ruled the world, everyday would be the first day of spring.’ But i’m really glued to the screen when Rachel starts to follow the birds coming in from the river to in land, she follows them up to the hill where she notices the tree’s on the top are moving weirdly. “The tree’s are funny.” She then reaches out and grabs onto Rays hand who was talking to a friend.  Robbie turns to the hill as the camera slowly comes back and shows Robbie also turning to look at where Ray is looking. (Just remembering that this is the first time Robbie and Rachel ever see the tripods.) 

The camera then shows us what the family is looking at to reveal a tripod stood on the top of the hill, it then moves one of its legs which crushes a tree and makes everyone else look back. Obviously chaos ensues from this point on, everyone running trying to get onto the ferry to get away from the impending doom, unfortunately we learn that no where, not even on the water is safe. As a tripod comes up from out of the water and attacks the ferry, the family manage to escape and get to land on the other side of the ferry. They stop for a moment to catch their breath as people are being picked out of the water below them, they turn as a old air raid alarm is heard on the other side of the hill and we see tripods coming over another hill that was filled with people and using their head rays to wipe them all out, we also see in the distance a lighting storm indicating more Martions are still coming to earth. The scene is like a depiction of all the stages of the attack.  (Dock attack scene.)

I mean all the action scenes in this movie are just so beautiful and amazing, but did we expect any less from Spielberg? And the CGI and practical are all done extremely well and fitted together to make a scene look as real as possible. One of the art directors that worked on this film, Doug J. Meerdink who has also worked on Jurassic Park: III, Cloverfield and Jurassic World. 

I was looking up some trivia on IMDB for this movie and found that there was a deleted scene that is called the ‘Camelot’ scene. This scene is supposed to take place between the attack on the ferry and the battle on the hill, it involves Ray, Rachel and Robbie walking through an abandoned housing estate that’s named Camelot, when a pack of tripods start walking near by.  One of the tripods breaks off and the family has to take cover behind a SUV, they watch helplessly from behind as the tripod reaches into the house and grabs people from the houses. This scene has never been released but apparently it was fully finished, VFX and all but then taken out a few weeks before post production was wrapped up.  There is only one official video from this scene that was in the actual trailer for the film, and it’s only a shot of the family hiding behind the SUV. 

The only other shot from the scene is this landscape shot of a CGI tripod. 

There are also photos of the set designers setting up the miniature of the housing estate to shoot this scene, the rest are fan arts of how the scene maybe looked/ played out.  (Source)

I really hope that one day Steven releases this scene, or for some anniversary adds it into an extended version of the film like we’ve seen for other films. Because I would love that so much! It seems like such an incredible scene, and to see the tripods up this close again would be so cool! 

One of the trailers that was released for this film doesn’t have any of the film shots it in, It takes place in a normal neighbourhood where people are just going about their normal nightly routine when suddenly over the hill there are all these brilliant flashing lights, everyone's just coming out of their houses in their pj’s and standing in the street marvelling at this sight in front of them. Then we see explosions and suddenly heat rays are blowing up the tress on the street which then goes into the title.  I just love this, a trailer that doesn’t give anything away from the movie but creeps you out enough to be invested.  (Trailer.)

All in all it’s just an very visually pleasing film, it feels real enough to give you a sense of fear for the characters and for yourself. I also love that Steven stayed true to the source material,more truer than some of the other adaptations and also added in his own little Easter eggs.  The sounds, the aesthetic, the colours just everything comes together so beautifully. I think its a very underrated movie that deserves so much more love.