#so seeing such a high quality adaptation of the books that mean so much to me is. just so amazing
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
Me normally: Let people love what they love
Me, after a Test Match Special commentator expresses their belief that the new All Creatures Great and Small is somehow "better" than the 1978 version: This is pure insanity and TMS can no longer be trusted on anything, how can they even be trusted to know about cricket, do they have no TASTE
#Look it's fine that this show exists and people will watch it and like it and that's ok maybe it's just not for me#But that was like a statement purely designed to piss me off#There were lots of issues with the 1978 adaptation! I still vastly preferred the books any day!#And I actually initially had high hopes for the new one because they at least cast a Scot (albeit a Highlander not a Clydesider) as James#And the actors at least looked a little bit younger than Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy#And thank god Helen actually sounds like she's a farmer's daughter and doesn't speak RP!#But from the half hour I've seen of it I've had to write off this new adaptation#For two major reasons#First of all there's Siegfried#Siegfried is one of the key central aspects of the vibe of the books and therefore key to any adaptation#Robert Hardy was too short and too old for the part but he lived and breathed the character#The twinkle in the eye bouncing off the walls and in and out of rooms followed by half a dozen dogs utterly full of life even when angry#But this new Siegfried is just sort of... Eeyore-esque; he comes into a room and you can see the flowers droop and the set turn grey#Siegfried was angry Siegfried was happy and the historical character he was based on was no stranger to melancholy#Since Donald Sinclair did commit suicide or rather self-euthanasia after Alf Wight and his own wife Audrey died#But this slow grumbly figure in the new adaptation is not Siegfried Farnon- the book character didn't grumble more often he exploded#And why did the adaptation give him a dead wife that's so weird? What could that possibly add to the source material?#And this brings me onto my second problem which is to do with women and age#Firstly I have no idea why they aged down Mrs Hall or at least made her look younger than a woman her age would have back then#But what really drove me mad was when Heriot goes out to see some old woman hill farmer in the episode I saw#And this woman is far too clean and young-looking and you can see that she's wearing 'natural' look make-up#And a perfect set of clothes that looked like they were straight out of the House of Bruar autumn collection catalogue#Say what you like about the 1978 adaptation but old women looked like old women regardless of whether or not they wore make-up#It may be that the better quality of television screens means that the 'natural look' shows up on screen more clearly than it would have#But natural look make-up was not really a thing in the 1930s and for old women Yorkshire hill farmers I doubt they'd have much on at all#They just don't seem to be capable of allowing people to look old and wrinkled and real or have bad teeth or unattractive clothes#And everything is far too tidy- everybody looks far too perfectly country and quaint#Anyway the moral of this story is of course that I always recommend reading the books because they're much better#than any tv adaptation; but if forced to choose at least the 1970s one felt real and yet didn't have to be grim either#Ok that's my rant over please do feel free to enjoy the show I just got annoyed because the opinion was expressed on TMS
9 notes
·
View notes
Text
The new Percy Jackson show means so much to me I’ve barely even started it and it’s already so good. God they all mean so much to me.
#the books were one of my first and biggest fixations as a kid#I still have my beat up old box set of them on my shelf next to me#mythology is still a massive interest of mine#I didn’t get diagnosed with adhd until just a couple years ago#but those books still helped me accept that about myself so much#annabeth was always my favourite. I related to her so so deeply. still do.#of all the adhd representation I’ve seen out there (granted it’s not a whole lot)#she’s the only one I’ve seen like me. smart and put together and respected and not just the butt of a joke#so seeing such a high quality adaptation of the books that mean so much to me is. just so amazing
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Your successful qualities
Let's find out what qualities do you possess that can make you successful on your chosen path ✨️
This is a general reading meant for multiple people. Take only what resonates and leave out the rest.
Your feedback is much appreciated. If you find the reading resonated with you, leave a comment, I’d love to know 🎐
About me | Masterpost Book a reading with me - KO-FI (→ personal reading)
YELLOW
You have qualities that would make you a person of the people. You have a high level of emotional intelligence and charm that make it easy for you to dive into people's hearts. The chief element that will contribute to your success is how you connect with people. You know how to express your feelings in a calm and soothing way, people feel accepted and nurtured through the interactions with you and your presence. You care a lot about other's comfort. You intuitively understand what the other person wants without them having to voice it out. This is especially helpful when you are assigned a task or when you assign a task to other people. You know how to complete the task in the way that the other person wants and you also know what the other person is capable of, what is their working style, so you can give them suitable task and instruction. You also have the ability to pacify and harmonise difficult situations. Which are qualities that are very much needed when dealing with customers or working in employee relations. But if you're not careful, people's dependency and over demanding could be a problem. Dealing constantly with people's problems can drain your energy really fast. Also, when there are many people expecting something from you, a desire to please, to be helpful and perfect in your job, can become a burden for you. The downside of being in tune with others is that you're entangled with them, it would be hard to act independently.
What makes you popular with people is not just your aura or your caring and pleasant nature. It's also your communication skills. You have the gift of the gab, striking a balance between being funny and wise. Your humour can diffuse tense situations and your knowledge and wisdom can guide you through the intricate system of socialising, never appearing too jesting nor too serious. You can grasp abstract concepts easily and then explain them back in a simple to understand way, this ability will make you a great teacher or a supervisor or someone who needs to present their ideas to a mass. You also can turn those ideas into reality, ideas don't just stay in your head, you pull them out and mould them into solid existences. When you encounter new information or foreign topics, you don't shy away from them but revel in the process of analysing, understanding and absorbing that information. So new job, new position, new opportunities don't faze you, your adaptability is one of your biggest talents.
What can make you successful is your drive for success, it's very simple. As long as you have the desire to succeed in anything you do, you can achieve it, with patience, diligence but also a flash of genius. You are an innovative pioneer, you follow your own rules, and this will attract people and opportunities to you.
BLACK
This may sound corny but it's your heart and passion. As you can see in the picture above, the "heart" bead landed right next to the "sun" bead at the centre. It's just that simple. Your heart shines so brightly that it can attract success. The more you're in alignment with yourself, the better the chance for you to shine and soar. Self alignment can mean various things, self awareness, self compassion, self expansion, all the things that make you become clearer about yourself. In doing so, you can understand your strengths and weaknesses with an objective lens, develop a healthy ego to navigate the world and stand up for yourself, utilise your potentials fully and have a better vision of what you want out of your life (this sounds like an ad for self improvement program)
You being you, truthfully, unapologetically, without any shadow nor hiding, will make everything you strive for easier to grasp. Right now, you might have some fears about expressing yourself fully, showing your creative side, which is precious and a huge treasure. You don't want to be an outcast, being labelled as weird or individualistic. You might have a perfectionist living inside you, constantly criticising and questioning your every move and attempt at doing something creative. Maybe you don't feel confident enough, still thinking that you lack skills or you look at other people and see them getting busy and successful, you begin to doubt your resolution and your ability, no amount of practice is enough in your eyes. This line of thinking is really detrimental to your growth. Looking at other people for inspiration is fine but it can become an obsession, taking other's success as goals to achieve, while ignoring your own brilliance. There's something you need to know, that you don't have to be applauded by a crowd to prove that you're talented and worthy. You will find that, by being yourself and sharing your creativity, slowly and surely, there will be people who appreciate your work, even if they are not the mainstream crowd.
On the subject of the crowd, this group has a bit of similarity with the first group, in the ability to connect with people. But unlike group one, who uses their charm and verbal ability to harmonise and attract people, yours is more about your ability to get into the hearts of other people, through your sensitivity and kindness. This group's soul is like one of the artists. Beauty moves your heart, you see beauty in everything, down to their core, this kind of ardent appreciation will spread to your surroundings, the people around you. It's like you have a subconscious ability to beautify everything, making things softer, more tender, more kind. Don't hide this part of yours, the more you're willing to be transparent and spiritually "naked", the more joy and success will come into your life, for you will be the pure vessel that the universe will pour into endlessly.
GREEN
The quality that stands out the most is your ability to accept and commit to changes, whether those changes are about yourself, your environment, or other outside factors. It's not that you actively seek chaos or transformation just for the sake of shaking things up, but when changes come to you, you don't cower and complain, you accept them and try to find the best possible solution to deal with them, no matter how scared and uncomfortable you feel inside. It's this kind of courage that will help you sail through the ups and downs in life without being sunken and defeated by them.
When you feel afraid or anxious, uneasy in your mind, you actively try to find a solution, a different route of thinking to get out of that unproductive thinking mode. Sometimes you would even seek the very things that make you afraid, to learn more about them, to gain an understanding and to broaden your perspective. When your heart feels weak, you still believe in a better future. In doing so, you attract luck to your side. You would find that whenever you're in a difficult situation, if you keep your faith and your mind open, new understanding and support will come your way, helping you regain stability and inner peace again. Your heart is resilient, even though it might have suffered painful wounds in the past, it still remains optimistic and tries to break away from the clutch of the past. So you don't easily give up when there are hardship and setbacks in your endeavour. Your mind also can think up really out of the box ideas, great innovative ideas that can bring changes to the community, and the society you're in, as long as you give your mind total freedom.
With your resilient heart, your outward aura is very stable and solid, very sure of yourself. You have good self-control, from your body to your mind and your heart. Dark thoughts won't be able to stay in your mind for long, you exercise firm authority on them, not allowing them to sabotage you. Sometimes you can be in a melancholic mood, feeling hopeless or too weary, but you know how to get out of it, centering yourself to the physical reality around you, taking care of yourself and reaffirming your core values. You know how to offset the dark with light, the cold with warmth. When you're stressed, you might choose to do something physical or appreciate the beauty around you, bringing you back to simple happiness. This again points to the sturdiness of your core. You don't seek external validations or nourishment from others, you nourish yourself and shine your own light, you're not the moon waiting for other light to illuminate you and reflecting back that light, you are the sun that give out your light and illuminate others. This self containment, or independence will make you a great leader, or someone who can work independently, actually, any positive won't be daunting to you at all. You can take on lots of stress, not to say that you should, but when working or doing something under pressure, you can still manage the load and work efficiently.
BLUE
Life seems like a never-ending adventure to you. You're not meant to stay in one place, be contented with "normal" life, "normal" means what everyone thinks how life should be, not for you, you're a traveller, a seafarer, constantly following the flow of life. The fluidity of your energy enables you to navigate life situations with grace and ease, not that you're trouble-free or everything is smooth sailing all the time, but you don't get stuck. If you ever find yourself in a predicament, you don't sit and complain, asking why misfortune befell you, you try to find all the information you can get, the lesson you can learn, the most positive outcome and the most opportune moment to turn misfortune into your advantage, rising again, stronger and wiser. You have keen eyes that can notice opportunities from miles away and an open heart that can welcome those opportunities, which makes you seem like a very lucky person to the onlookers.
Your mind is your greatest asset that can make you rise in this world. You don't let valuable information slip through your mind, you examine it with curiosity and intense focus, extract from it the essence that can be used for the future. Your mind is not just geared with sheer laser focus, but also an ability for intuitive abstract thinking, it reminds me of genius, how it can weave all the bits of information into a fantastical picture. If something captured your attention, you would dive deeply into it, try to understand its core. This makes you an excellent researcher or someone who can do works that require focus and resilience. You can also read people accurately right from the first few exchanges and can adjust your approach accordingly. It's not about people pleasing, charming people to get your way, it's tact and understanding, thesr traits will make you greatly attractive, not just on one on one level but also on a bigger scale, in a professional environment or when you need to address a crowd.
Your energy is very balanced between masculine and feminine energy. It's both nurturing and authoritative. Drive and intuition, active and passive, strong yet soft. You shine but you also let others shine too, you don't steal other's light, if anything, you help them shine even brighter. Being with you makes people feel safe, at ease. You allow people to be themselves without ridicule or judgement. But you can also firmly lead people, giving them guidance and security. You can be serious but not rigid and cold, you can be chatty without being superficial, charming without hidden motives. These traits would develop gradually over the years, you will find that as you get older, you'll be more sure of yourself and more confident in front of people, stepping into your authority more, like growing a tree for many years and finally you can enjoy the sweet fruits.
WHITE
Right of the bat, the word "refreshing" came to my mind. You have a unique take on everything, from the most trivial matters to the worldly philosophical thoughts that you have, everything is different from the usual way many people are used to. People would definitely want to come to you when they're stuck in a problem and uninspired, they know that you will always have something unique to say to them, making them more aware of hidden aspects at play and a fresh solution. Problem solving could be one of your greatest skills. But it's not the logical, factual thinking that is usually associated with problem solving, it's highly intuitive. Your mind hovers between the collective thinking and the individual paths each person can have, you can synthesise those two worlds into an abstract thinking system that can get hold of information seemingly out of thin air and mix and match them together flexibly. You instinctively understand what people want and you deliver it, with a new twist. Your ideas are the road to manifest whatever your wishes are.
Not just mentally, but emotionally, you also express yourself truthfully, without trivialise other's emotions or making them feel ignored. You respect emotions, both of yourself and of others, creating an emotionally safe space that can foster trust. Commerce and sales might be the areas where you can express that strong point. Your emotional intelligence also adds charm to your physical appeal. You know how people always praise the eyes that are full of emotions and light? When you're in touch with emotions, your eyes show, and they beckon people to them. Your manner, your aura shows a charm that is real and earthy, nothing elusive or deceptive about it, like walking in an actual orchard instead of looking at it from a picture. You can see, touch, smell, hear all the things happening around you.
You also rarely judge people, if you do, it's not harsh or too triggering. You adopt the mentality of going with the flow, live and let live. You don't demand from people, other than respect for your boundaries and privacy, which you value above all else. Other than those, you let people live their way without imposing your beliefs on them. This open-minded attitude is very important when you're working in a team, you provide ideas, but you likely don't want to control and lead people. Though you could find yourself in the leader position often simply because the one with the good ideas usually is nominated to be the leader. You're fine working for others. But if you're in a leadership, you lead with leniency, allowing enough rooms for individuality to shine.
This might be a bit random, but you can be a good cook or a good decorator. If you're tasked with decorating an event or a living space, or just making anything aesthetically pleasing, you'll be surprised how positive people's receptions are. If this is not something you're aware of about yourself, you should pay more attention to it and develop it, it can open new career opportunities for you.
RED
There's a method to your madness, not that I'm saying you're mad or crazy, but you can think up some outlandish and original ideas, a little bit "out there". What people don't understand is that behind all those seemingly random and genius ideas is a very disciplined spirit. There's logic and sound reasons behind your every action. What people perceived were just the puppets playing on the stage, they didn't see the puppeteer controlling the puppets. Every action and word require fine skill, but you have the ability to make them seem effortless. Your mind is like the sky during a thunderstorm, thoughts and ideas zigzagging, making flashes that blind the eyes. What you say can be very spontaneous or somewhat irrelevant at first glance, but thinking deeper, people can't help but marvel. You might also have a knack of predicting the trends, always one step ahead. Creative careers of course would be very suitable for you, but you can also find success in predictive analytics or education. Your words need to be delivered to the world, they're your greatest contributions.
You have an air of feeling at ease with wherever places you're. You might be someone doing an independent freelance job, but then if suddenly, you're to be placed in the position of leadership or a completely different job, you wouldn't be fazed by it, you go into it as if it's the most natural thing to do, as if you've done this a million times. This air of confidence and ease makes people want to give you opportunities, to trust you with important tasks and jobs.
When you're faced with an unfamiliar subject, you would patiently deconstruct it into an understandable structure. There's an intense focus being put on it, not just to understand it but to master it. To be the object of your focus would akin to being scrutinised and studied by a scientist. You can be a quite obsessive and hyper focused when you're interested in something. Especially when you want to achieve a goal or possess something, you go with all your might, there's no fear, no hang-up involved, because you're not afraid to be judged. Your inner drive roots in the ideal vision you seek, not in simple egotistical desires like wanting to be recognised or praised. You might actually shun publicity or attention, because attention can curb your freedom, which is what you seek and value the most. So you're fine with working behind the screen, as long as you can achieve your goals, and those goals are usually about advancement and improvement of something that can benefit the collective.
#pick a card#pick a pile#tarotblr#witchblr#crystal reading#lithomancy#tarot reading#divination#tarot#tarot community#astro community#astrology#astro#crystal#witch community#astroblr#tarot witch#occult#pick a stone
549 notes
·
View notes
Note
If you don't mind sharing, what happened to vanetta's ex Edmund and his new saintess gf?
oh boy, so, a LOT has happened here so BUCKLE UP.
(and here’s a picture of vanetta for context for the maybe 2 other ppl who will read this huge post, which i have tried to summarize)
TLDR: after vanetta “died” and was yeeted into time travel, edmund died and charlotte saved the world. but edmund got brought back… and he came back wrong.
but the full story is so much weirder than that:
the core conceit of this game is that we are time (and place) hopping every time the party levels up, and mostly this is pretty normal—someone who’s from an ancient time visits a future date and finds out their country no longer exists, someone from the future goes to an earlier time and is shocked by the severely lacking technology, etc etc
except for vanetta, who is not from the past or future. she is from a book series. and she has JUST discovered this.
our most recent time hop has taken us to a dystopian capitalist future that takes place in a big mall in outer space (think a combination of tron, zenon: girl of the 21st century, wall-e and other similar media), where our wizard comes from.
and as soon as we materialize there, vanetta is recognized as a “really high quality and authentic cosplayer” of, well. herself. the book series she is from (the briar path) is popular on a level that basically combines twilight, harry potter and the bible all in one. it is fantastically popular, but also pretty old, and also is continually getting remakes and re-releases and right now they are currently making a manga adaptation of it. and it has a very active fanbase that writes a lot of fan fiction. this is, somehow, incredibly plot relevant.
an npc shows vanetta the comic, which currently i think covers 2 of the books in the series, and it shows her being depicted as basically your typical shallow, unsympathetic villainess character. and it depicts her death: the moment when, on the ramparts of the palace she was meant to preside over, she is faced with an angry mob seeking her death on one side and the crown prince (edmund, her former fiance) and charlotte (the saintess, his new woman, who in the fiction of the book was isekai’d into the world of the briar path) on the other side. vanetta climbs onto the rampart and makes a big impassioned speech (aka a villain monologue) about how pathetic and horrible they all are and when charlotte makes a swipe at her, vanetta chooses to let it unbalance her, forcing charlotte to live on with the guilt of her death.
only, the real vanetta doesn’t die. she gets yeeted out of time and space with three other time travelers. and our story continues
anyway, back to present day, the manga adaptation has just reached the part of the series where edmund dies—something vanetta did not know about. but just because he died in the book doesn’t mean he died in real life.
see, edmund had some pretty devoted fans. and one of them, who thought edmund was robbed by the narrative, got into some ancient, evil magics and combining this with the immense power of FAN FICTION, he tried to bring edmund out of the novel and into real life, and in the process ended up fusing with him and also with a force called The Hunger, a roiling miasma of despair that was the ultimate evil in the novels.
and so they all fused together and became a new thing. a god. in fact, our yuan-ti paladin’s snake god. who uhh subjugates and eats all non-snake people. the creation of this god also uhh was a huge cataclysm that basically started the earth apocalypse that lead to everyone ending up in the sky.
vanetta has JUST managed to secure annotated copies of the entire series that include academic commentaries and notes on historical context and the first chance she gets she is reading them so hopefully i’ll get more info soon lol
188 notes
·
View notes
Text
What the casting of Dr Doom has made me realise about 'Deadpool and Wolverine'
Since I first watched 'Deadpool and Wolverine' I have not stopped thinking about the movie. It's hard not to with opinion pieces everywhere; the creators I watch on YouTube making videos about it; and my friends slowly one by one taking to the cinemas to see it. I really enjoyed it. However, over the past couple weeks, I have been doubting its narrative quality. This has in turn led to some pretty disorganised thoughts about the nature of the Marvel movies as well as any comic book or media adaptations. First I will begin by outlining my thoughts on the casting of Dr Doom. Then I will explain how the casting of Dr Doom affected my view of 'Deadpool and Wolverine.' Finally, I'll outline my very disorganised thoughts about the precedent it sets for Marvel movies.
I am one of the people very unhappy about RDJ (Robert Downey Jr.) playing Dr Doom. Originally this is because I believed Marvel would need some way of explaining why Tony Stark and Dr Doom look the same. I thought to do this Marvel would do the same character fuckery they did with Task Master. Then I forgot about the whole ordeal for a while. I mean I don't work at Marvel, it's not like I'm gonna be able to change it.
Having forgotten all about the announcement I was sent a Tumblr post, surprise surprise, by a friend on the topic. The post outlined how RDJ isn't the type of actor to be able to pull off the highs and lows of Dr Doom. Meaning that, in the comics, the character flips between calling himself a God with the utmost gravity and then being a complete and utter fool. Which I do agree with. So much so, that I created a list of actors I think would be better suited to play Dr Doom. But again, I don't work at Marvel. I can't change the casting. So, I forgot about it for a while once again.
Yet the cycle continues. I watched a YouTube video outlining all the easter eggs and references littered throughout the 'Deadpool and Wolverine' movie. One 'easter egg' in particular caught my attention. Chris Evans reprising his old role of Johnny Storm. In the video, the creator speculated this was a deliberate decision on the part of Marvel beyond it being a fun cameo celebrating the Foxverse (20th Century Fox Universe). They speculate Evan's Johnny Storm was deliberately cast to show that different characters can be played by the same actors. In the context of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), different people can look the same. In short, Tony Stark can look like Dr Doom, and Dr Doom can look like Tony Stark.
This should have calmed my original dislike of the casting. It's a simple and easy way to explain why in the Marvel film universe Tony Stark and Dr Doom look the same. Unfortunately, it didn't. This seemed inconceivable to me from an in-universe standpoint. Captain America died in the prime timeline. Johnny Storm was purged and left in the void. To me, this means Johnny Storm was not meant to be in the prime timeline and his existence there was a threat. Meta textually this, to me, would mean the same actor cannot play multiple characters within the MCU. However, I must note, there is no evidence the Johnny Storm we see is from the prime timeline. Despite this, I believe my point still stands, as the cast of the new Fantastic Four movies announced Johnny Storm will be played by Joseph Quinn. At this point in time we have no reason to say this movie won't take place in the prime timeline. As such, a more specific precedent is set by Marvel. One in which, characters can be played by the same actors in the MCU but they cannot be played by the same actors in the same timeline. In short Captain America and Johnny Storm can't look alike in the prime timeline so neither can Tony Stark and Dr Doom. The cycle repeats. I forget about the casting of RDJ as Dr Doom. I forget the possible intentionality with which Chris Evans was asked to reprise his role as Jonny Storm. I go about my daily life.
Until I watch another YouTube video. This one about the concept of Anchor Beings. The creator outlines their worries that anchor beings serve to shrink the multiverse Marvel has created instead of widening it. It goes on to mention disagreement about whether the idea of anchor beings is truly another multiversal concept introduced into the Marvel playbook or a metatextual reflection of the importance of Hugh Jackman and Wolverine to the Fox-men (20th Century Fox's X-Men) franchise. The creator settles on the two ideas being the same as a result of the reveal of RDJ as Dr Doom and the rumours of 'Avengers 5' having an anti-Kang anchor being squad. Those point to the concept of anchor beings sticking around as well as showing how integral RDJ is to the MCU.
Finally, the cycle ends. This time I wasn't able to let my thoughts go. Instead, I came to a conclusion I didn't want to come to. Narratively, 'Deadpool and Wolverine' probably isn't that good of a movie. Don't get me wrong I loved it. I watched the X-Men movies as a kid and loved them. I still love them, and this movie was the perfect Foxverse send-off. But that's the issue. The movie's value comes from the metatextual narrative woven into it. Every character in the Void is from the Foxverse. As far as I can tell, the characters are mostly from movies that have either been forgotten from the 20th Century Fox catalogue. A lot more have been from movies that were considered flops, or characters that were horrifically conceived. Juggernaut comes to mind. Wolverine is burnt out and useless, a mata[hor for the current state of the Fox. Deadpool is alive because since Logan he's been Fox's most bankable property, but he's not content because the Wolverine from the previous movies was the lynchpin of the franchise.
That's where Wolverine being an anchor being comes in. Hugh Jackman's bankablility as Wolverine cannot be denied and the X-Men movies made it clear that their protagonist is Wolverine. Metatextually, this can be seen from the generally bad reception of X-Men movies that did not have him as the protagonist. Of course, with the exception of First Class Last Stand and Origins Wolverine. X-Men follows Logan being introduced to the X-Men as well as taking care of Rouge. X2 focuses much more on Loagn's backstory. I would argue he's still the protagonist in Days of Future Past, not just because he is the one sent back in time but because he is the one who ultimately brings Charles and Erik together. This movie cemented Logan as the emotional anchor of the X-Men movies.
Now where does this leave us in terms of future movies? Well, I have to agree the idea of anchor beings does seem to have been created to allow for more stories with a select few favourites. However, it also sets a dangerous precedent that nostalgia can make for a 'good' movie, you just have to do it right. Many people complained about 'Rise of Skywalker' for leaning too much into nostalgia and dropping it into the movie at random. Scenes seemed to be written around easter eggs and not the other way around. Disney hadn't figured out the formula then, but by 'No Way Home' they had. The easter eggs had become part of the plot. If 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was a send-off to the Foxverse, then 'No Way Home' was the first send-off, this one to the Spider-Man IP. Both came after long and arduous legal battles over the IP. 'No Way Home' began with another uneasy marriage between Sony and Disney where 'No Way Home' could have conceivably been the last MCU Spider-Man movie. 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was the result of Disney taking custody of 20th Century Fox.
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is full of ester eggs and references that are woven into the story. A story that centres the character of Wolverine and makes him a metaphor for the Foxverse. As such the metatextual narrative of the movie cannot be removed from the film. It's hard at times to separate this movie from its context. It was conceived as a celebration of an era that will never come again. Now that Disney has cracked the code, I worry that these sorts of metatextual narratives will be used more liberally, stifling creativity and expansion. I worry this will also set a precedent that you need to do your homework before you go into a Marvel movie. Something that isn't an issue for fans more so casual viewers. A while back a friend said they really enjoyed the movie but didn't understand part because they hadn't watched 'Loki.' I'm sure this isn't an uncommon sentiment and it demonstrates something an admittedly vocal minority have been complaining about. Noel Carroll, in his paper 'Power of Movies,' argues that the reason films are quickly overtaking traditional art and literature as our society's dominant art form is because of their low barrier to entry. by that, he means, it's a lot easier to learn to understand pictures than it is words. It's also a lot quicker. I think an overreliance on nostalgia and overuse of established media (TV shows like 'Loki,' or Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D') will make that barrier of entry higher but instead of encouraging people to dive in and explore they might just steer them away.
Thank you for making it through this whole post. I have linked all the posts and videos in the appropriate places above but I will link them all in an easier-to-view list here as well.
RDJ as Dr Doom Tumblr Post
'I Watched Deadpool & Wolverine in 0.25x Speed and Here's What I Found' -The Cadaidian Lad
'Anchor Being's Suck' - Pillar of Garbage
'Power of Movies' - Noel Caroll
This was a sort of half-essay. I mostly wanted to get some of my thoughts down in some form or another. I would like to stress these are just my opinions, you do not have to agree with them. Furthermore, I enjoyed every movie I mentioned above (except 'Rise of Skywalker'). This post isn't meant to make you hate any of the movies mentioned, nor am I making a concrete judgment as to the quality of any of these movies. You're free to have your own opinions and free to watch and like whatever you want. As I said these are just my opinions and who knows they might change in a couple of years.
#opinions#deadpool and wolverine#deadpool#wolverine#dr doom#rdj as dr doom#mcu#marvel cinematic universe#x men
23 notes
·
View notes
Text
Edge colouring with acrylic paint
I was asked to go over my process for painting edges and I wanted to do a new one so I could take good pictures of the process. Alas, I don't have the time to do that at the moment so a quick write up with already existing pictures it is
These pictures only show the colouring of the top edge. Traditionally it's either the top edge or all edges that get coloured/decorated. Colouring the front edge of a rounded book comes with another set of challenges that I will not address here. (On the upside, colouring a straight front edge is just the same.)
The basic procedure is always the same though.
First up the book is set in a press. Trimming helps to get a more even surface and will help reducing the time one spends on sanding.
Prepping the bookblock I prep the bookblock and use some sturdy and not voluminous paper to cushion the bookblock between boards. A bonus on this is, the cushioning can adapt to the shape of the bookblock. As visible the pictures, these are from colouring the edge of book with shoulders (which means it has not only been rounded but also backed). By cushioning the bookblock I can protect the shoulders from being squashed by the boards when I apply pressure. The cushioning paper should also be larger than the book itself. Otherwise the pressure from clamping the edge tight can cause a smaller cushioning to leave marks on the bookblock. (btw paper from high gloss magazines is perfect, because it's very dense and will not be compressed/ reduce pressure on the bookblock)
Putting the book in the press For this you need a press that allows to have one side of the book (the one you're working on) point upwards. The paper is level with the edge, but the boards are a bit recessed (no more than 5mm). This is done to keep pressure on the bookblock without having to sand the boards at the same time. Also thinner bookblocks can quickly get sanded at an angle which is a) an aesthetic issue and b) causes trouble when taking the measurements for the case.
When the book sits tightly in the press (here the go to is, give it as much as you have! you want those pages so tight no water is seeping in and causes bleed! Sometimes paper quality is lacking though and it can't be avoided.)
Sanding the edge Sanding is, in my experience, the one of the crucial parts of edge colouring. A smooth edge will lead to an even result and removes one possible cause for flaking (there are more though). Even my trimmed books usually have a mark from the blade when trimming and to get an even looking result those need to go. I sand in different grits, starting with a 120 sandpaper wrapped around a block of cork or another tool for holding the paper. I go no lower than than to avoid getting even deeper groves than there still are. Then I follow up with 180, 240 and 320 paper. Usually that's enough to get a glossy sheen on the edge. (different book but you can see that gloss and the part I still had to go over in the pictures below)
Once they have that sheen...
DO NOT TOUCH THE EDGE!
I know it's hard. The temptation to just run the fingers over them great. They look so smooth and shiny. Almost silken to the touch... and they are... but I repeat YOU MUST NOT TOUCH!
The oils on your skin can interfere with a good result. Especially water based colours may not stick as well to the areas touched as others, glues and foils do not adhere as well, stuff like that. Applying colour When the book is in the press it's not removed or pressure reduced before the edge decoration is done. For the colour shift acrylic paints it's essential to get a dark foundation. Otherwise the colour will not show! I've done this with ink.
(This was really rushed and not neat at all, don't aim for a look like that! All the darker parts show where I did not have a smooth surface yet. Even the cutting marks from trimming are till visible.)
In my experience working with acrylic paints is more forgiving to laziness when sanding than inks. At least when it comes to even coverage in the end, possible flaking is a different matter.
The colourshift acrylic paint was way more liquid than the ones I'm familiar with, still they needed diluting (a first go with undiluted colour resulted in severe flaking). For the ratio on how to dilute I can't give measurements. I think I ended up with a rather thin colour and did several passes until I was satisfied with the colourshift effect.
No matter what coat is applied I use a soft brush that is wider than the bookblock to cover all at once and avoid to obvious streaks. The direction of brushing is from spine area to the front. I try to get the whole edge covered in 1 motion. To avoid colour seeping down the front edge I lift the brush towards the end so there's less pressure pushing a bit of colour ahead of the brush and spilling down the front edge. (I'm still working on that part, different paints behave differently, but that's the ideal to aim for.)
Now all to do is wait until the colour is completely dry. Which is rather fast with acrylics but takes a bit longer with ink. That step can be speed up a bit with a hairdryer on low heat and from a distance to allow the colour to dry evenly and then the book can be taken out of the press.
I've seen different approaches to separate the edges. Mine is a gentle wave motion. Holding on to the books spine and front and just twisting it and pushing the pages so they move against each other.
If all went well there's a rewarding crackle and no colour flakes off. If colour flakes off, it's back to square one, sanding until all is clean and smooth, colouring, drying and separating (and hoping this time all goes well).
As a reference for the colourshift paints I used, I did a test sheet for the chameleon colours. So here's a dot of the same colour on white paper as the stripes under or next to it on the black and also slightly different angles to show the colourshift (sadly it photographs really bad on flat surfaces)
#bookbinding#colouring edges#colourshift acrylic paints#edge decoration#I should write about my experiences with different types of colours when colouring edges some time#don't trust me when I say 'quick write up'#apparently I lie XD
31 notes
·
View notes
Text
Rules: Use this order and insert images according to how you view yourself/your character!
Thank you for the tag @alpydk! This was really fun to do for Auroria, my Tav in BG3 and the protagonist in my fanfic Weave and Woods
Animal: Sparrow. Sparrows are common and tend to blend in (good for a ranger), but they also have so much symbolism in different cultures since they're found everywhere. They're known for their adaptability, and one symbolic meaning I found that I love is that they represent letting go and taking a leap of faith.
Place: Forest. Specifically the High Forest. Auroria feels most at home in the canopy with the breeze blowing and the sounds of nature surrounding her.
Plant: Mountain Laurel, a symbol of hard work and perseverance.
Character: Legolas. Listen, I know it's cliche, but I love Legolas! Auroria, like Legolas, is valiant and loyal as well as exceptional with a bow and arrow. Legolas also is brave, upbeat, and cheerful throughout the events of LOTR, which are qualities Auroria aims to emulate through her own journey with her found family.
Season: Spring. Auroria loves seeing nature come back to life after a dormant winter. Her favorite springtimes are surrounded with soft green grass, flowers, baby animals, and bright sunshine.
Hobbies: Admittedly, Auroria doesn't find the time for many hobbies. Prior to the events of BG3, she was a solo "freelance" ranger, so she would get a job, complete the job, and move on, living a nomadic life. During downtimes in her tent pre-tadpole, I like to think she would have packed a book - maybe a puzzle book if she had been in a city recently, or a fiction book from a local book seller if she had the excess funds after paying for a meal. She would never claim to be an avid reader, but finds it a good way to pass the time if there is no other option (insert Gale clutching his chest here).
Color: Green. Auroria has a deep connection to nature, not in a spiritual sense, but as a sense of duty passed on to her from her mother. She is drawn to green things because they remind her of her times in the High Forest with her mother and then with her best friend. Happier times.
Crystal: Amethyst (also one of my favorites!). It's said to be soothing, aid in protection, willpower, and sleep. Auroria spends most of her waking hours on high alert, so being able to relax at night is difficult, as her mind tends to wander to unhappier times.
Food: Oranges! Oranges are bright and sunny, optimistic and sweet. All things Auroria is naturally. They can also be a little bitter and acidic, and hard to peel. Auroria has moments where she wants to lash out, and she doesn't let herself truly feel her feelings. She is also reluctant to open up to anyone until she meets and gets to know Gale.
No pressure tags to @auroraesmeraldarose and @darkurgetrash - because I just read their fics on AO3! sorry if you've already done it <3
9 notes
·
View notes
Note
Silly Game Time: Are you a fan of the mystery/detective genre? If so, what's a story of that genre (movie, show, book, game, etc.) you really like, and why?
It could be a more dramatic one, a more comedic one, a cross-genre one (fantasy or sci-fi or romance or western, etc.) so long as the main focus of the plot is the mystery to unravel!
I don’t know if this counts cause it’s more of a treasure hunt but I really like the book I Am Princess X
The book is about a girl who used to draw comics about a butt-kicking princess with her best friend, but a few years ago her best friend died in a horrible accident where her car drove off the side of a bridge and plunged into a river. They only found her mom’s body in the driver’s seat, but found her bones in the water a while later
However, while walking down the street the protagonist sees a sticker of that princess character they used to write about together, but in much higher quality. Such high quality that the princess looks almost identical to her dead best friend. She freaks out, because the only person who could’ve possibly drawn this was her, and that means she’s alive and using this character to call for help
The whole book is a treasure-hunt mystery kind of story as the protagonist follows clues and puzzles left behind by her friend in order to find her, while also solving the mystery of how she survived, who did this to her, and why she can’t call for help directly
I really love this book and I hope to turn it into a movie someday. As in, I want to be the one to adapt it. I don’t trust anyone else to do it for me, I care about it too much lol
#sorry for the late response btw. this was in my drafts for a couple hours 😅#gasp an ask#i am princess x
4 notes
·
View notes
Note
I was interested to see Forge in the Hellfire Gala comic proposing some comic-book technology solution to the housing shortage. Aren't the problems with housing all legal and political, not technological?
So I've been writing a lot about housing recently, and it's certainly true that a lot of the problems that we face with housing affordability and homelessness are legal and political, but they're not solely legal or political as long as it costs money and takes up real resources to build buildings.
As we might expect from mutantkind's pre-eminent (but not omega!) technopath, Forge approaches the issue of housing from an engineer's perspective. Essentially what he's proposing is housing that costs nothing to build, which will be given away to the poor, and which provides both a carbon sink to the community and a source of food to the needy.
As we might expect from a well-intentioned engineer who has not consulted urban planners or social workers or lawyers or economists, Forge has neglected to think through some of the broader implications of his technology. Even if the buildings themselves are free - there is a fixed stock of land to put them on, and in capitalist societies that land belongs to someone else.
You'd better believe that there would be enormous outcries from developers, contractors and subcontractors, construction unions, banks, NIMBYs, mayors and city councils and police departments if the homeless could slam down solarpunk skyscapers on any open space instead of a mere tent encampment, or if the housing insecure or housing burdened could de-commodify the development process.
That being said, there is something classically Krakoan in this approach to political economy, because it very much is luxury automated gay space communism - with a twist in the tail. If humanity embraced "Red Krakoas," you could have universal high-quality social housing. However, Forge gives the game away when he describes his Treehouses as "biomes" - which means they are adaptations of Krakoan Habitats, and according to Krakoan law/ideology, "where grows Krakoa, there stands Krakoa."
In other words, by virtue of being grown from Krakoan biomes, these Treehouses would be considered sovereign Krakoan soil - and thus Krakoa's Third Law on land and property rights would prevail, thanks to the extraterritoriality agreements worked into Krakoa's treaties of recognition and trade.
So Forge's proposal would steamroller over a lot of the legal and political difficulties of his Treehouse proposals, but would further entrench the (old) image of Krakoa as benevolent soft imperialism.
21 notes
·
View notes
Text
Is It Really That Bad?
In 1974, Stephen King’s career was launched with his debut novel (one rescued from the trash can by his wife, Tabitha), and two years later we got Brian De Palma’s iconic film adaptation that launched the career of Sissy Spacek, resurrected the career of Piper Laurie, and was so good that King prefers it over the book. It really set the stage for future adaptations of his work to be of a similarly high quality… Something which has unfortunately only rarely happened. To this day, it still remains a beloved classic.
And you know how it is with beloved horror classics: If they're good enough, you know they'll get remade. Now, the thing with remakes is that, when it comes to horror, they have as many hits as they have misses. Amazing films like The Thing, The Fly, The Blob, and The Ring all exist alongside mediocre crap like Rob Zombie’s Halloween films, the shot-for-shot Psycho remake, and the Jackie Earle Haley-starring Elm Street reboot. It really comes down to the creative vision and the story you want to tell, you know?
And Carrie is ripe for that, as the original movie cut out a lot of elements from the book that would be interesting to see in a modernized context, as bullying has evolved and even gotten harsher and more deadly over the years since Carrie was pelted with tampons in the locker room. And that’s exactly what director Kimberly Price wanted to do! She wanted to make a film that can stand on its own, a retelling of the story that wouldn’t be a remake of the film, but a different attempt at adapting the book.
The studio, however, had different ideas, and made her do a bunch of reshoots and trim 40 minutes off the film to make it more like De Palma’s version of the story. Three months prior to release the Sandy Hook shooting happened as well, which combined with the editing to turn the film into a remake pushed it back to October, and I’m sure it didn’t exactly help make the film more palatable to audiences either. While not a failure by any means, the resounding critical consensus to the film was “Why did this need to exist?” Even King himself was reportedly not much of a fan, though he did appreciate the modern updates to the story.
As time has gone on, the hate towards the film has cooled and it has picked up a fandom of its own, so I figured it was high time I gave this a watch. In honor of the film’s upcoming tenth anniversary, let’s see if the 2013 take on the iconic King story is really that bad.
THE GOOD
Across the board, I think all of the performances are really solid. Chloë Grace Moretz does a fine job as Carrie (even if, like Spacek before her, she seems a bit too pretty for the part) and Julianne Moore does a fantastic job as Margaret White to the point I might even say she’s on par with Piper Laurie. Judy Greer as Miss Desjardin might be my favorite performance in the movie, though; I just love how brutal she gets with enforcing the punishments on Carrie’s bullies, and how she doesn’t give an inch to the alpha bitch when she tries to start shit. As for Carrie’s peers, they’re all decent, but none of them strike me as very memorable. They all do a good job (even certified creep Ansel Elgort) but none of them really stand out as better than the rest. Still, there aren’t any weak performances here.
I think the finale really works better even if it is a little more over-the-top, mainly because even if it was significantly cut down compared to the original vision. We actually get to see some of Carrie’s rampage taken out into the town, and while we don’t get the full-on force of nature destruction the book gives us, we do get a pretty good taste. I think it gets a little too CGI at times (the floating knives at the end being particularly egregious) but I think it is ultimately a very satisfying take on the ultraviolent ending of the story.
I also like how the story was updated for the modern age, with cyberbullying now being a key part in how Carrie is abused by her peers. Carrie is genuinely a story I feel works much better in a modern context than in its original form. The ways bullying has evolved and become so much more horrifying in the modern age lends itself well to a story of an outcast being harassed by those around her, and her ultimate snapping feels even more justified and cathartic since the bullying she suffers is even more extreme and psychologically damaging than before. Honestly, I think this Carrie is even more sympathetic than the original; I’m not going to fault a teenager who is the victim of parental abuse and then has embarrassing videos of her spread across the internet from frying her bullies with electrical wires or blowing them up in a giant fireball. Fuck ‘em! They deserve it!
THE BAD
...Which is what I'd love to say, but real life has unfortunately made that a little harder to do. In the years since the original, there has been a very unfortunate number of incidents where people were killed in schools. School shootings weren’t really a thing in the 70s, but after Columbine it seemed like one happened every other year. In light of that, cheering while a high schooler brutally massacres her peers seems a bit… tasteless. Now obviously we as the audience are privy to all sorts of details that makes Carrie’s rage justified and her ultimate vengeance cathartic, but still, it does give me pause at least. Should I be cheering while these high school students get slaughtered like pigs? Is this not horribly fucked up? It’s an interesting moral dilemma with rooting for this killer, and while I did put this down in the “Bad” section I think being uncomfortable with what Carrie does is a valid response. I think that the fact her rampage can be viewed as either justified vengeance or as woefully disproportionate violence or even as both at once is a great strength of the story.
What isn’t a great strength, though, is how this was forced into a being a remake, because boy is it ever stuck in the original’s shadow. Moretz and Moore really end up trapped in the shadows of Spacek and Laurie’s takes on Carrie and her mother, and the whole film really just plays it straight with adapting what the original film did. It might be one of the worst studio decisions ever, because despite the strength of the cast and the overall solid quality of the filmmaking, the whole thing just feels boring. Even with the new angles and the interesting takes, the fact remains that the story and plot beats are unchanged and stuff we saw in the original film. It’s not as egregiously shot-for-shot as Van Sant’s Psycho was, but there’s not much here that justifies watching this if you’ve seen the original film.
IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?
As far as horror remakes go, this is one of the most inoffensive ones out there.
Look, I’m gonna be honest: Carrie is not even close to being my favorite King work, and the original movie isn’t one of my favorites. The book is a good debut and the movie is decent enough, but they’re not something I find myself revisiting. So even going into this movie I wasn’t expecting anything worse than what I’d already seen, and that’s basically what I got. This is a very unambitious film, though as mentioned before that was mostly by studio mandate, and thus it’s mostly more of the same—and what we got before was okay, so this ends up being okay too.
I think so much of the backlash comes from the original movie being a beloved horror classic, and thus not something that should be retried lightly. This film seriously would have benefited from more closely adapting the book and modernizing it like was originally planned rather than just rehashing the original movie with flashier effects. What we’re left here is a decent redo that lacks an identity of its own, but is still competent enough to not be the worst thing ever. If you like the movie, I can’t really fault you for it because I can understand why someone would like this much like I can with the original. Even if I’m not super fond of them, they’re decent enough movies.
I think the score is right about where it belongs, though I might be nice enough to round it up to 6. It’s a decent horror movie, and if you like it, I can’t really blame you. It has a lot of good elements going for it, and I think if it had been allowed to be an adaptation of the book I wouldn’t hesitate to call it the definitive Carrie adaptation. Bumping the good parts of It to the 80s made that story a lot better, after all! But the meddling to turn one director’s vision into a mirror image of a previous one’s vision really just holds this back a bit for me. If you want to throw this on your Halloween watchlist or add it to your Stephen King movie collection, it’s a decent addition, but it really deserved to be so much more than the reheated leftovers of De Palma.
#is it really that bad#IIRTB#review#movie review#Carrie#Carrie 2013#Stephen King#chloe grace moretz#julianne moore#horror movie#horror#remake
17 notes
·
View notes
Text
I just rewatched The Hunger Games with my friends, and it was a good time as always (especially with all the connections I could make after reading ABOSAS), but it got me thinking. The Hunger Games movies are each objectively well made movies. They all did well in the box office, they have surprisingly high critic scores (for movies in the YA genre), and they are all fairly well liked and respected by the general population. And yes, a part of this certainly is the fact that the source material is quality work with meaningful and thought provoking themes and characters, but what really stood out to me was the craftsmanship and care that clearly went into the movie.
Call it following market trends (they saw how well Twilight and Harry Potter did and put forth their resources, invested in the project), but even if they had put all the money in the world into the project, it wouldn't have been good unless the people making it cared. It's so clear that the creatives involved took the concept seriously, that they put in the work to create a convincing world with actors, sets, camerawork, costumes, and editing, that they saw something worth while in the story. I mean think of all the prolific actors involved (Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland), respected actors who would have had to agree to the project, who probably saw a real promise in it.
And because of that, they created something so incredible, a series of movies that both book readers and movie watchers could enjoy thoroughly, that people of all ages and genders could take seriously. And this made me wonder how much potential there was in other YA movie adaptations, how if only the source was taken seriously, how they could have thrived. Sure, some just didn't have the potential, the source material didn't offer enough, but for the ones that offered so much more than the movies ever could, I still reminisce on how much better they could have been. And yeah, maybe Twilight isn't the best example of this. There are YA works with far greater potential and genuinely eloquent writing, but to think of how much more Twilight could have been only proves this point, the point that YA novels are goldmines of good material, that if they were taken more seriously by Hollywood (and filmgoers), they would have endless of supplies of good material.
Because think of the Twilight we could have had, a Twilight with the budget of the later movies, but with the care and passion that Catherine Hardwicke had for the first. And this isn't to say that I 100% agree with the route Hardwicke took, but it's so clear that she respected the material, that she wanted to create something revolutionary, something real and raw. It's so hard to feel that in the later movies. I think New Moon was our only real taste of that, of a director who respected the source, of a budget that supported his vision, and of a team of creatives that made it all come true. Imagine if we'd had a four movie series of that. Imagine how much ridicule it could have potentially been spared. Instead, the Twilight movies (and its fans) were left the laughing stock, left to be ridiculed by the masses because the creatives behind the series as a whole never took it seriously in the first place. It became a money making tool for them, and they didn't care how badly it was done, as long as it raked in the young female fans who would spend their allowance to see it.
The Hunger Games did something different though. It took advantage of the gritty nature of the story and it used it to its advantage. It made something that could be respected by any audience, that could be taken seriously as an art form, as blockbuster film, but not one just for teenage girls, one for everyone. Now when are more directors and studios going to take this approach?
17 notes
·
View notes
Text
I have decided to read more and not just fanfiction related stuff. If it's not online, it turns out I actually have a substantial reading quota, you just dont notice it when scrolling down pages.
So I decided to read general literature again. 😁 I'm reading "Perfume" again and yes, that's heavy. I've also just gotten "Looking for Alaska" in the mail yesterday and I'm looking forward to reading it. I found it recommended online and it seems to be more youth-literature but that doesn't mean anything about its quality. Very often I enjoy this more than specifically marketed grown-up literature.
So yesterday I went to a book shop because I was searching for books about Middle-High-German, which I'm currently learning and researching for my own happiness and it's great! I didn't study German studies for whatever reason (and I think that was actually not a bad decision) but I'm learning it now. 😊😍
So anyways, this book shop is a big one and it's a chain. No surprise that it is full of bs and third-rate zeitgeist literature, which huge parts of the population seem to be completely unable to identify as trash. Both stylistically and content-wise. Now I'm still curious, so I looked around a little yesterday. This was on display and of course I had to look. Beautiful, so beautiful! The cover, the design of the edges, the idea itself, even the name of the female protagonist (at least for the green one) ! Wonderful, it really draws you in!
So I opened the book and read a little bit randomly and yeah. The story as far as I can see is garbage and the way it is written is flavourless and verbally/ linguistically dismal and repulsive. Lots of useless anglicisms in it, which reflect well the level of verbal communication that many people are only capable of presently. No surprises here but it's sad in terms of literature being made. I looked up the lady and also no surprises there. Young, adapted and extraordinarily confident. She even studied German studies, which to no surprise didn't help her linguistic skills one bit, rather the opposite I reckon. I only wonder where she got the financial means to publish on that scale. Holding the books looks good on Instagram is all.
I've definitely read fanfiction MUCH more skilful and worth reading, really good literature!! Honestly, if you still have any tastebuds left that mainstream-culture hasn't etched away, I would recommend that you find something more stimulating and that doesn't mean it has to be super intellectual, but I would genuinely recommend you find something beautiful. You'll feel it, don't settle for that tasteless, unimaginative trash that is being presented as art. Follow your sense of awe and wonder and it'll lead you to places truly worth going.
#personal#thoughts#literature#Books#Perfume#Looking for Alaska#Belladaire academy#Karen vivien haase#Aesthetics#Style#Skill#Writing#patrick süskind#john green#Reading
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
I mean, most people in the comments are mostly just concurring with my point, which is that she keeps her business to herself. She might be an amazing person with great views. She might be a terrible person with abhorrent views. The thing that I like about her, that I'm praising her for in this post, and that almost everyone in the notes is calling her an icon for, is that she gives us nothing to work with or judge her on except for her work.
Yes, everyone has flaws, but I am not friends with these people. I do not work with them. I am purchasing books from them. As with any celebrity, I do not need to care about anything they do in their own life as long as I like the product they are selling me. I give them money, they give me their creative output, end of transaction. Me and Mrs. Collins are on the same page about this. I know a lot about the books she wrote-- what happened in them, how they were adapted, why she wrote them, who she wrote them for-- but I only know as much about her (wrote "The Hunger Games" series) as she knows about me (bought copies of "The Hunger Games" series).
The thing you're saying is all tied into the point I'm making-- if J.K. Rowling had stayed off twitter, not gotten into a bunch of high-profile terminally online culture war arguments, and hadn't started publicly donating large sums of money to right-wing hate groups, then I would still be a big fan of hers! If she'd given me nothing to work with except her creative output, I would find her to be an excellent children's author who launched one of the most influential franchises of the century. But, she was foolish, and she made an ass of herself where I could see it, and now I don't like her anymore. She gave me a reason, beyond her professional output, to stop paying her to provide me the service of "write new books."
It's the same reason why I would stop eating at a favorite restaurant if I found out the chef was a Trump supporter, or was cheating on his wife, but I don't burst into the kitchen and demand to know who the chef voted for and whether he really loves his wife. I also don't hesitate to heap praise on his cooking, out of fear that I'll one day find out that he's got a mistress or votes republican. The stuff he does that's my business, unless he opts to share something else, is the quality of the spaghetti I'm paying for. If he comes out to my table and says "I run a dog-fighting ring," then he's made that my business, and I'm not coming back to the restaurant. Unless and until that happens, I'm giving my compliments to the chef on a spaghetti well meatballed.
Suzanne Collins is a deeply private person and doesn't share a lot about herself. Anything I know about her political views, I have to surmise from reading her books. I think she might live in Connecticut, to your point about how everyone has flaws!
My point is that the thing everyone is praising her for is not making herself synonymous with the brand, not putting her own business out there, and requiring people to judge her solely and exclusively on the merits of her work. If JKR had done that, she'd still have a lot more fans today!
So, unless and until Suzanne Collins stops maintaining appropriate boundaries between Creator and Audience and starts giving me stuff to judge her for other than the professional service she provides me by writing books which I then purchase and read, yes, I am going to judge her solely on her performance as a professional, which is stellar. If she gives me some personal or political reason to dislike her, I'll do so without hesitation, I'm an enthusiastic hater. Until then, yes, her keeping me from knowing anything about her except what she puts in her books is iconic and she does deserve praise for it.
Suzanne Collins really has the protocol down. On average twice a decade she writes a press release that's like "in one year there will be a new book and in two years there will be a movie based on said book. Here is the one philosopher I'll be referencing, and here is what upset me this time on the news enough to write another book. Enjoy!" and then she collects her millions, drops another banger, and doesn't go on twitter ever
49K notes
·
View notes
Text
How Do I Choose a Chauffeur?
When it comes to choosing a chauffeur service, whether you’re booking a luxury car rental in NCR, arranging corporate trips, or organizing employee transfers, you deserve a service that guarantees both comfort and professionalism. Here’s how to pick the right chauffeur to ensure a safe, stylish, and stress-free journey. And if you’re looking for reliable, affordable luxury on wheels, GoodGears has got you covered with premium chauffeur services that suit every travel need, all at a friendly pocket price!
1. Choose a Service with Verified, Experienced Chauffeurs
Safety and reliability are at the heart of any good chauffeur service. A trustworthy company ensures that each chauffeur is fully vetted, well-trained, and experienced. This means that your chauffeur should not only know the routes but also provide a courteous and respectful experience. At GoodGears, our chauffeurs are not just drivers; they’re trained to be your travel companions, making your journey smooth and enjoyable, whether you’re on an outstation car in East Delhi or just traveling across town.
2. Assess the Fleet of Luxury Vehicles
When you book a luxury chauffeur, the vehicle matters just as much as the driver. Look for a service that provides a range of luxury cars to suit different occasions and travel needs. GoodGears offers a range of high-end vehicles, from sedans to SUVs, so whether you’re booking for a corporate event, an airport pickup, or an out-of-town family gathering, we’ve got the perfect match to meet your style and comfort needs.
3. Check for Transparency and Pocket-Friendly Prices
Getting a luxury chauffeur service doesn’t mean it has to break the bank! Look for services that are upfront about costs, with no hidden fees. With GoodGears, we believe in providing top-quality rides at pocket-friendly prices, combining luxury with affordability so you can travel with peace of mind.
4. Look for On-Time Guarantees and Flexibility
Punctuality is key, especially if you’re booking a chauffeur for a corporate trip or employee transfer. A good chauffeur service should offer on-time guarantees and flexible options to accommodate any changes in your schedule. GoodGears prides itself on being prompt and adaptable to your needs, ensuring that you reach your destination without a hitch.
5. Consider Extra Amenities for a Truly Luxurious Experience
Small details can elevate your experience with a chauffeur service. Look for extras like in-car Wi-Fi, charging stations, and refreshments that enhance your travel experience. GoodGears provides these little luxuries to make sure your ride is comfortable, convenient, and memorable.
6. Look for Customer Reviews and Reliable Feedback
Customer feedback is one of the best ways to gauge the quality of a chauffeur service. Check online reviews to see what other customers have said about their experience with the service. GoodGears is proud to have a customer-first reputation, built on a track record of providing smooth, reliable, and luxury rides in the NCR region.
Why Choose GoodGears for Your Chauffeur Services?
At GoodGears, we believe that every journey is an experience. With a focus on customer satisfaction, top-notch vehicles, and experienced chauffeurs, we’re committed to providing you with the best ride at an affordable rate. From outstation cars in East Delhi to corporate trips and employee transfer services, our chauffeur services in NCR are tailored to meet your every need.
Ready to experience luxury on wheels? Book your next ride with GoodGears for a smooth, stylish, and affordable journey every time!
0 notes
Text
Top 10 Benefits and Features of Online IELTS Classes in Dubai
otably, attending online IELTS classes in Dubai offers numerous benefits essential for students’ demands and success in IELTS tests. Here, we outline these online courses’ top ten benefits and features, helping users understand why they are a perfect option for IELTS preparation.
Flexible Scheduling
Another advantage that can be talked about when attending online IELTS classes in Dubai is that it provides flexibility in the schedule. In the traditional learning model, much of the learning is done in classrooms where lessons are conducted at set times, which can prove unsuitable to some people, such as working persons or those with other engagements.
Alternatively, the online class can provide courses that enable students to attend sessions at their preferred times. The courses proposed by various platforms are provided at different time slots in the early morning, late evening, and weekends to welcome any possible candidates.
This allows students to effectively combine their study endeavours with other tasks, promoting learning efficiency among students.
Access to Expert Tutors
Online IELTS classes in Dubai are staffed with exceptionally qualified instructors who are experts in IELTS coursework and student success. These expert tutors offer top strategies for each test section. The convenience of online learning allows students to access world-class educators globally, ensuring high-quality instruction and personalised guidance to enhance test performance.
Personalised Learning
Personalised learning is critical in online IELTS preparation. Unlike conventional classrooms, online IELTS classes in Dubai offer tailored training with options for one-on-one or small-institution periods. Tutors become aware of students’ strengths and weaknesses to tailor their teaching methods, ensuring personalised attention and enhancing knowledge of effects.
Cost-Effectiveness
Online IELTS training is commonly more powerful than in-individual education. The reduced overhead costs of running a virtual classroom translate into student savings. Numerous platforms for online IELTS classes in Dubai offer various pricing plans and applications, making amazing IELTS training handy to a broader audience.
Additionally, students keep commuting fees and time, improving the cost-effectiveness of online studying.
Comprehensive Study Materials
Online IELTS courses offer a wealth of study materials, such as practice tests, e-books, and video tutorials, regularly updated by experts to reflect current exam trends. Access to these resources helps students practice effectively, stay updated with exam changes, and study independently using digital libraries and online tools.
Convenient Learning Environment
The convenience of learning from home cannot be overstated. Online IELTS classes in Dubai eliminate the need for travel, saving students time and effort. This convenience is particularly beneficial in a bustling city like Dubai, where traffic can be a significant concern.
Learning in a familiar and comfortable environment can also reduce stress and improve concentration, allowing students to focus better on their studies.
Interactive Learning Platforms
Online learning methods used in the current era are conducive to learning, including interactive live chats, forums, and even whiteboards that imitate class settings. They involve the students in the course and get them to work together, making learning exciting.
They also make corrections immediately, meaning that when the students are making mistakes, they can see and rectify them on the spot, making learning much more efficient.
Regular Mock Tests
Practice is essential to IELTS, so mock tests are necessary. Online IELTS classes in Dubai offer timed practice papers that mimic the exam format, helping students adapt to the test environment and time constraints. Most of these mock tests are followed by tutors reviewing different aspects and areas of potential improvement.
Mock examinations also foster effective monitoring since students can evaluate their progress and devise more efficient approaches to their studies.
Global Learning Community
In online IELTS classes, students from different parts of the world frequently get together, and the classroom comes alive with differently structured interactive sessions. This aspect of global interaction will enable students to share their experiences, learn how to tackle challenging issues and learn coping strategies.
Another important fact is that interacting with other students gives one a different outlook. This can be especially useful for those students wishing to sit the IELTS exam since the exam is designed to evaluate the students’ English in the international environment.
Career and Academic Counseling
Various online IELTS classes in Dubai offer career and academic counselling, guiding students on leveraging their scores for further education and career advancement. Counsellors assist with university applications, visa processes, and job opportunities requiring IELTS scores. This holistic support prepares students for the exam and future academic and professional endeavours.
Benefits and Features of PTE Coaching
Critical Benefits of PTE Coaching
PTE coaching in Dubai offers numerous advantages, such as experienced trainers who provide personalised study plans tailored to each student’s needs. Coaching centres deliver comprehensive route materials and regular exercise checks that simulate the examination environment, enhancing familiarity and confidence.
Flexible scheduling alternatives, including evening and weekend classes, cater to busy professionals and students. Small class sizes ensure customised attention, and the advanced era aids in powerful learning. Additionally, coaching centres impart valuable exam strategies and tips, significantly boosting test performance.
Features of Coaching Programs
PTE coaching programs start with diagnostic assessments to tailor the curriculum based on proficiency levels. PTE coaching in Dubai offers interactive sessions and extensive study resources that facilitate effective learning, leading to success in the exam. Periodic assessments track progress, while specialised labs enhance speaking and listening skills.
Emphasis on test-taking techniques, peer learning, and comprehensive support services enrich the experience. Post-course support, including practice sessions, ensures thorough exam readiness.
Final Words
English Wise AE is committed to offering online IELTS classes in Dubai, featuring flexible scheduling, expert tutors, personalised learning, and cost-effectiveness. They provide comprehensive study materials, a convenient learning environment, interactive platforms, and regular mock tests.
They also offer students access to a global learning community and career counselling to further support their success. These advantages make online IELTS classes an excellent option for effective and efficient exam preparation.
0 notes
Text
So, I think that this theory is true to an extent. It articulates ONE of the reasons that media gets fandomized. The problem is, it just leaves out and doesn't address OTHER reasons that fandoms spring up and why people get into a fandom, and produce fanworks for it.
In a way, I see this theory as related to the often-expressed idea that fanfiction is primarily a way of "fixing" things. And like, again, yeah, that is ONE of the reasons that people do fanfiction. But it's not the only reason, or the only way that fans engage with the stories.
And it's just... flatly untrue that "good media", even "REALLY good media", doesn't attract fandoms, or that fans can't find any way to add onto those pieces of media.
I mean, like... is The Lord of the Rings good media? The books have had a robust fandom since the 1960s, at least, and it hasn't significantly slowed down. Are the books good media? Are the movies good media? I would say that most people talk about them as if they are. But through decades, fans have found a LOT of ways to interact with both the books and the movies. (There's a books fandom, and a movies fandom, and sometimes those overlap, and sometimes those don't. And the movies didn't erase the books fandom at ALL.)
(I could also use the original Sherlock Holmes stories as an example, because I think most people agree those novels and stories are pretty darned good, right? And it had what we recognize as "a fandom" for it by the 1900s, if not earlier. It's one of the great early examples of what we think of as a modern fandom. And while its various adaptations - of varying quality - have attracted their own subset fandoms, the original stories still have their own fandom, and even some adaptations that are considered Very Good - such as the Granada TV series with Jeremy Brett - have a fandom too.)
I'm not saying this as a huffy fan who just wants to argue that I've never been involved in a fandom for a property that could be called "half-baked hot garbage". Oh I very much have! I was in Pern fandom for YEARS. I also spent years active in ElfQuest fandom. (The way both of those bodies of work are regarded is complex; they probably don't deserve to be called hot garbage, and people, including critics, have said good things about them over the years; but they also invite some pointed criticism.)
For the past several years, though, I've been involved in Gravity Falls fandom, and that's another media property that has gotten a lot of accolades from both viewers and critics. So I'd categorize it as "really good media" (well, of course I would, I love it; but as indicated, when I'm in love with media that isn't all that good, I'm willing to say it), but it too attracted a very robust fandom (that is still going, even though smaller than it was when the show was airing).
Again, I wouldn't say that the show is beyond criticism or doesn't have some flaws (frankly, I think it's really hard to name a media property that is truly "perfect"?). But the flaws are not, from what I've seen, the reason it has a fandom, or the main inspiration for a lot of the fan-works it still inspires.
(In my entire discussion of this so far, I'm not even including the aspect of shipping. I'm not, foremost, a shipper, usually; so I'm looking at fandoms from a more general point of view.)
In short: sometimes a media property that is a very good work attracts a fandom because there are things that people LOVE about it. There are plenty of aspects that people grab onto that inspires fan-works. Even in the best media, there's always scenes that aren't included, pasts or futures to explore, alternative plots to consider, motivations and internal reflections to expand on, and so on.
I don't even disagree with the chart above, and putting The Good Place at a high point of Objectively Good and Fun to Watch. I'm just not sure about putting it outside "the fandom zone" -- it has over 1,500 works on AO3. Does it have an "organized fandom"? I don't know the answer to that, but, what defines a "fandom" for the purposes of the original post here? Does it need to be a variety of types of fan interaction, or is there a fandom for a work so long as there are fans writing for it, and fans wanting to consume writing and art and discussion for it?
In conclusion, I guess, I think the question of "why does this very good, and well-loved media property NOT attract 'a fandom'" (meaning a large, "organized" fandom, I guess?), while these other media works do, can't be answered merely on the basis of "how 'good' is the media". While I think there's something to Gallus's suggestion above that some works are too "smooth" and don't invite fan engagement as obviously as other works, that isn't the only thing going on here. (And "smooth", in that sense, is in the eye of the beholder.)
stating to think there’s an inverse correlation between how good media is and how easily fandomizable it is 😁
112K notes
·
View notes