#thank you for gracing the earth & leaving this incredible legacy

[boydswan]

THE MIRROR (1975, Andrei Tarkovsky)

[tashaalyssa]

Our Earth-Bound Angel: An Open Letter to Misha Collins

September 18, 2008. It was a Thursday.

A simple, ordinary day. Most of us went to work, or school and when we came home, we were so excited to sit down and watch the new episode of this little show we were all kind of obsessed with called Supernatural. You might have heard of it, two annoyingly handsome brothers, a ’67 chevy impala, saving people, hunting things, the family business? Yeah, that’s the one. All I remember is having a ton of uni work to do, and Supernatural was always one of my favourite ways to procrastinate starting my assignments. Little did I know that on this particular Thursday, I and the rest of the world, including the Winchesters, would be introduced to a strange, stoic, ocean-blue-eyed, trench coat wearing being by the name of Castiel, Angel of the Lord.

As I sit here today, in November of 2020, hands down the strangest year I have been alive to witness and fifteen years after this incredible, groundbreaking show aired, I wait with anticipation, heartbreak and a grateful heart as the final episode hits our screens. I’m on the rollercoaster of emotions, as is the rest of the SPN family. Sam and Dean Winchester, and Castiel, have been so much more than television characters to so many people. They’ve been role models, safe places, escapes, friends we could always turn too when we felt alone. They’ve fought heaven, hell and everything in between, all while helping us fight the demons that a lot of us deal with everyday; depression, anxiety, repression, silence, violence, cruelty and bullying. Which brings me to why I'm writing this epistle. 

While Supernatural and it’s characters have been a crux of support, for me, there has been one soul at the centre of what I can only describe as a shift in perspective, mindset and spirituality that has changed the way I think, the way I live my life, the way I perceive the world and the way in which I am consciously aware. That soul is Misha Collins. 

Misha is the kind, genuine, incredible, humble human being who brought Castiel to life. He took this iconic angel through his journey from stoic, unwavering, unfeeling solider to the caring, loving, brave, loyal man he is today. Cas gave all of us who lived in the shadows a voice, he was a lost soul who fought for good, for love and for family at every turn. He discovered himself, he figured out right from wrong, figured out emotions, how to be and how to love, he figured out what truly made him happy, his love for a single human being. Cas is the embodiment of growth, of acceptance and of love. He is, and will forever be, one of the most groundbreaking characters to ever grace our screens (pun not intended, but I'll take it), and it's an astonishing and beautiful legacy to leave behind.

But the real earth-bound angel is Misha, the person. 

Misha has impacted and changed so many lives all around the world, not just with his character, but with who he is, what he fights for, and how he inspires. When he speaks, we listen. Where he leads, we follow. He has changed my life in monumental ways and it's interesting to think that a single person, who I've never even had the privilege to meet in person, has been able to change my entire life for the better. There is nobody quite like Misha; he's a change maker, an advocate, an educator, an activist, a philanthropist, an absolute force to be reckoned with. I’ve never seen someone who uses their power and platform of celebrity the way he does; to fight for good, to fight for change and truly make a difference on both massive and small scales. He has brought about more kindness, and more social and political change than I ever thought possible. 

In 2010, Misha, with help from the SPN Family, founded a non-profit organisation called Random Acts, which was the result of an immediate need to help those who had been affected by the earthquakes in Haiti at the time. Random Acts is an entirely volunteer-run organisation aiming to inspire change and help make a difference in people’s lives through acts of kindness. I have been working at Random Acts going on four years now. In that time, I have seen and been apart of so much good, so much kindness, it has truly lifted my soul and filled my heart at a deep level. I’ve been able to work with some of the greatest human beings on the planet, and many of them who have become close friends. Those who I can talk too when things are rough, those who know life can be hard, but they always have your back. I cherish them, I feel blessed everyday to know them, and without Misha and his desire to do good, I would never have found this amazing family. How does one even begin to say thank you for that?

For those of you who don’t know much about Random Acts, we are a non-profit organisation dedicated to conquering the world with kindness, one act at a time - and let me tell you, that’s exactly what we’re doing. The people in this organisation work tirelessly to save the world every single day. We’ve helped suffering communities rebuild their towns, homes and schools, our partnerships with GISH* and The Legacy of War Foundation* in the Change A Life project has seen over $750,000 raised for those in need. Let’s also not forget the development of the  Random Acts COVID-19 Support Program and the SPN Family Crisis Support Network*, which is dedicated to promoting awareness and providing resources to all those suffering from mental health issues, self-harm, depression, bullying and addiction. This year we are celebrating 10 years of kindness, and if you would like to know more about how to get involved or contribute to our anniversary campaign, you can do so here: https://www.randomacts.org/ten-years-of-kindness/  

But wait, there’s more, because that’s just who Misha is, like I said, a force to be reckoned with. Let’s face it, 2020 has been a nightmare on an epic scale; COVID,  racism, violence, the U.S presidency and the election, you name it, we’ve done it. Throughout this year, most of us felt our hope slip away bit by bit, the more we tried to fight, the more it felt like we lost. It felt as though the world was burning and we couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I think I finally understood how Sam, Dean and Cas felt at the brink of every apocalypse they ever faced, because that is truly what this year was; the apocalypse. But whenever things got really tough, whenever I didn’t know what to do, or how to react or how to make it better, I knew I could turn to Misha, because he would have the answer. His light, his wisdom and his capacity for hope and goodness was never short of a miracle, and it was what got me through most of those gut-wrenching, 'I can’t do this’ days. 

Misha is the type of person who acts on what he believes in, he is the person encouraging people to vote, providing resources and the information needed to make sure your votes were counted. He has had Random Acts volunteers bring snacks to people who were waiting in voting lines, he rallied his friends and the SPN Family to set up the SPN Phone Bank, he hosted the SPNVotes Zoom GOTV rally and episode watch party, and has provided us with Senate candidates and House of Representatives candidates lives and zoom talks so we can be as informed as possible. And that was just for the election. When the Black Lives Matter movement was at it’s height, Misha did everything in his power to educate, to assist and to fight for the rights of others: the GISH Change A Life project raised over $50,000 to fight malaria in Africa with Nothing But Nets and over $122,000 for Cut50 and Dream Corps' to help fight for criminal justice reform, he also provided us with access to discussions with senators and prominent leaders in social change so that we can be educated and so we can educate others on the serious issues that plague our society. 

I could go on and on about this man, because the above only scratches the surface of what Misha has done for the world. I have never had someone impact my way of thinking and way of being on such an epic scale. Most of you who know me know that first and foremost, I’m an actor and I’m a writer. The inspiration that Misha has brought to my creative process is a feat in itself. To be able to watch an actor take a guest-star role and turn it into not just a main character, but a phenomenal example of development, growth and creativity has forever changed the way I approach a script and a character. The choices I’ve seen Misha make as Cas, all versions of, have both truly astounded and surprised me, I look up to Misha as an actor because he’s so uniquely creative. He’s not afraid to try things, he’s not afraid to push the envelope and get out of his comfort zones. He knows character and story so very well, he knows exactly how to use the full spectrum of emotions exactly when needed, and he has what I can only think to describe as ‘presence’, as ‘energy’ that radiates off the screen. Watching Misha play, develop and grow the essence that is Cas’ has been an educating and enlightening experience to watch as an actor. 

For me as a human being, Misha has flipped the way I view the world and humanity on its head. He has this unbridled passion for life - and I don’t just mean in the sense that he loves life - I mean in the way where being around him, or listening to him, makes every person accountable for kindness and responsible for change. It’s not possible to follow Misha as a person and as an actor without being so heavily impacted by his views, his life, his art, his work, his capacity for good, everything. You don’t see that everyday. We don’t have enough of those kinds of leaders in our lives, and in a world where division and chaos is rife, people like Misha are our chance to save it. He is already so heavily impacting the way in which the next generation is going to behave, they are turning to him now to see how to be, what to do, how to make the world better. And he is teaching them and showing them the way and I couldn’t be prouder to call this man my idol.

So this is my thank you, in the best way I know how. In case nobody’s told you lately Misha, you are one of a kind. They broke the mould when they made you. You are the kindest, most inspiring soul and this world is so lucky and so blessed to have you. I feel privileged that I get to share a planet with you, and that I get to be living on this earth at the same time as you. You’ve changed the world, changed me, and changed all of us for the better.  You’ve opened our eyes to issues and concerns, whether it be social, environmental, political or otherwise that we may not have understood or given much thought to before you showed us why we should. You’ve made us feel safe, you’ve given us the space and room to be ourselves, to not be ashamed of being different or unique. You have never judged us, but you have always encouraged and supported us. You have this beautiful way of talking to people, of using words to encourage and inspire and motivate us to be the change, to do the good, and to fight the fight.  You light up any room you’re in or screen that you’re on, you make us smile and laugh, and when we feel down or low, it is you we turn too. Maybe you truly do have angel grace inside of you. You are the example to which I live my life by, and the standard to which I hold myself accountable. I hope one day to be even half the human being you are. I’m beyond grateful for everything you’ve taught me, about life, about acting, about being a good human, about being yourself and being the good you want to see in the world.

Thank you for Cas. Thank you for Random Acts and the Crisis Network. Thank you for GISH and the Change A Life project. Thank you for teaching me how to be better. Thank you for caring about the world. Thank you for your hope, wisdom and kindness. Thank you for changing the world. Thank you for saving our lives. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for being you.

Some heroes don’t wear capes, some wear trenchcoats. 

You are my hero. You are truly an angel, there is no fiction about that.

I love you.

xxx

* GISH: The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt, also founded and run by Misha, is an annual event that mixes the weird, the magical, the strange and the brilliant into one big machine that uses playfulness and creativity to spread kindness: https://www.gish.com/ 

* The Legacy of War Foundation: Co-founded by the incredible soul that is Giles Duley, to help empower and rebuild the lives of those who have been affected by conflict and violence: https://www.legacyofwarfoundation.com/ 

* SPN Family Crisis Network: Founded by Misha and fellow actors, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki upon listening to the stories told to them by the fans about their  personal struggles with mental health issues, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts/attempts, self-harm, and addiction in order to support and help fans cope with such issues: https://www.imalive.org/, https://twloha.com/, and https://www.randomacts.org/random-acts-support-network/ 

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery

 Emotion laden, deeply moving, intensely poignant, well crafted – this story grabbed me and didn’t let me go till I finished at 3am. I felt so much and at times wanted to jump into the pages to “fix” things knowing that the author would bring things right for at least some of the characters by the end of the book…or at least I hope she would! This is a story of love, loss, growth, endurance, values, goals and family. It is a keeper and one I would reread in the future.

 What I liked:

* Mackenzie:  dedicated, focused, interesting. She has been stymied for a while and may need to move on from the safe haven she has lived within for over a decade and a half. She has a rough time of it but comes through rather brilliantly in the end.

* Catherine: sister-in-law to Mackenzie, loving, kind, in tune with the earth, grounded, warm, creative…really liked her.

* Stephanie: sister-in-law to Mackenzie, divorced, mother of two teens, stuck in a rut and trying to move forward but it isn’t easy for her to do so. She is Mackenzie’s best friend and has been since college.

* Bruno: wealthy, attractive, investor, wine distributor, and intriguing. He is warm, a good friend, caring, communicates brilliantly and is perfect for the woman he ends up with.

* Kyle: a good father, professional, a bit selfish…divorced from Stephanie and father of her children

* Rhys: not a bad guy, married to Mackenzie, wants what is best for both of them, a bit heavy handed at times and sometimes rather clueless…and also selfish, perhaps.

* Georgio: a good man, loving, kind, generous, and perfect for the right woman – the boyfriend of Barbara (mother-in-law of Mackenzie)

* The close relationships that were friendly, warm, and caring.

* That there was growth in a number of characters.

* The dynamics between various individuals and groups.

* The way verbalization of feelings, thoughts, and insight into the characters

* Learning a bit more about the winemaking business.

* The setting – love that area of the world!

* All of it really except…

 What I didn’t like:

* Barbara: I won’t give details but if you read the book you will probably feel the same

* Lori: daughter of Barbara and quite a bit like her, I fear.

* The sadness I felt as I empathized with Mackenzie.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Definitely

 Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequen (HQN) for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

BLURB

MacKenzie Dienes's life isn't perfect, but it's as close as she could ever hope to get. Her marriage to Rhys, her best friend's brother, is more friendship than true love. But passion is highly overrated, right? And she loves her job as the winemaker at Bel Apres, her in-laws' vineyard. So what if it's a family business and, even after decades of marriage and incredible professional success, she's still barred from the family business meetings? It's all enough...until one last night spent together leads to an incredibly honest—and painful—conversation. Rhys suggests that they divorce. They haven't had a marriage in a long time and, while he wants her to keep her job at Bel Apres, he doesn't think they should be married any longer. Shocked, MacKenzie reels at the prospect of losing the only family she's ever really known...even though she knows deep in her heart that Rhys is right.

But when MacKenzie discovers she's pregnant, walking away to begin a new life isn't so easy. She never could have anticipated the changes it would bring to the relationships she cherishes most: her relationship with Barbara, her mother-in-law and partner at Bel Apres, Stephanie, her sister-in-law and best friend, and Bel Apres, the company she's worked so hard to put on the map.

MacKenzie has always dreamed of creating a vineyard of her own, a chance to leave a legacy for her unborn child. So when the opportunity arises, she jumps at it and builds the Vineyard at Painted Moon. But following her dreams will come at a high price—one that MacKenzie isn't so sure she's willing to pay…

  EXTRACT

Chapter One

“Not that what you’re wearing isn’t great, but the party starts in an hour.”

Mackenzie Dienes looked up from the grapevine she’d been studying, her mind still on the tight clusters of small, hard grapes that would, come late September, be ripe and sweet and ready for harvest. Between now and then, she would monitor their progress, willing them to greatness and protecting them from danger, be it mold, weather or hungry deer.

She blinked at the man standing in front of her, tall and familiar, with an easy smile and broad, capable shoulders.

“Party?” she asked, letting her thoughts of the vineyards go and remembering that, yes, indeed, it was the evening of the annual Solstice Party, hosted by the Barcellona family. As she was a Barcellona, by marriage if not by name, she would be expected to attend.

Wanted to attend, she reminded herself. It was always a good time, and Stephanie, her sister-in-law, worked hard to make it a perfect night.

“The party,” she repeated, her voice slightly more panicked this time, then glanced down at herself. “Crap. What time is it?”

Rhys, her husband, shook his head. “You really don’t listen when I talk, do you? We have an hour. You’ll be fine.”

She pulled off her gloves and shoved them into the left front pocket of her coveralls, then stepped behind Rhys and gave him a little push toward the flatbed truck he’d driven out to the west vineyards.

“You say that because all you have to do is shower and get dressed. I have to do the girl thing.”

“Which takes you maybe ten minutes.” He put his arm around her as they hurried toward the truck. “Happy with the grapes?”

“I think so,” she said, glancing toward the healthy vines growing on either side of them. “We might have to do some thinning in a couple of weeks, but so far, so good.”

As they slid onto the bench seat of the old truck, he glanced at her. She smiled, knowing there was a fifty-fifty chance he would call her out on her thinning statement. He was, after all, the vineyard manager. Technically all the decisions about the vineyard were made by him with her input, but not her instruction. As winemaker, she managed the grapes from the moment they were picked until the wine was bottled.

But at Bel Après, areas of responsibility often overlapped. Theirs was a large, boisterous family in which everyone had opinions. Not that Mackenzie listened to a lot of other ideas when it came to her wines, although as Rhys often pointed out, she was very free offering hers when it came to his work.

He drove along the dirt path that circled the vineyard, stopping by her truck. She slid into the cab, then followed him back to the family compound. The main road leading into Walla Walla was thick with tourists who wanted to enjoy the longest day of the year. She merged into the slow-moving traffic, doing her best to keep from glancing at the clock on the truck’s dashboard as she inched along.

Vineyards stretched out on either side of the road, flat on the left and rising toward the hills on the right. Bright green leaves topped sturdy trunks that had been carefully trained to grow exactly as she wanted them to. The rows were long and neat, and the spaces between them were filled with native grasses that held in moisture and protected the roots from the heat.

Looking at her healthy crop kept her mind off the fact that she and Rhys were going to be desperately late.

Twenty minutes later, she followed him off the highway onto a less crowded secondary road—a back way home. Five minutes after that, they parked the trucks by the processing buildings behind the big tasting room. Rhys had already claimed one of the golf carts the family used to get around. She slid in next to him and they took off toward the center of the property.

Bel Après Winery and the surrounding land had been in the Barcellona family for nearly sixty years. Rhys and his siblings were third-generation. The original main house had been updated several times. When Rhys and Mackenzie had married, Barbara, Rhys’s mother, had suggested they build themselves a house close to hers, rather than commute from town. Eager to stay in the good graces of her new mother-in-law, Mackenzie had agreed.

A large two-story home had been built. Barbara and Mackenzie had decorated every room, the act of choosing everything from light fixtures to doorknobs cementing their affection for each other.

A few years later, Stephanie, the second of Barbara’s four children, had gotten a divorce and moved back home with her two kids, requiring another house to be constructed. When the youngest of the three girls had married, the last house had been added. Only Lori, the middle daughter, still lived in the original home.

All four houses faced a huge central courtyard. Mexican pavers were shaded by vine-covered pergolas. The extended family used the space for big dinners and as a kids’ play area. If one of the women baked cookies, a cookie flag was hung out the front door, inviting anyone to stop by. At Christmas, a large tree was brought in from Wishing Tree, and for the annual Summer Solstice Party, dozens of long tables were brought in to seat the two hundred or so guests.

Rhys swung the golf cart behind the large main house, circling counterclockwise. Normally he would cut across the courtyard, but with all the party preparations, he had to go the long way. He pulled up at the rear entrance to their house and they dashed inside.

Mackenzie paused to unlace her boots and left them in the mudroom. Rhys did the same. They raced up the stairs together, separating at the landing to head to their individual en suite bedrooms.

Once in her bathroom, she started the shower. Thankfully, she’d already picked out the dress she would wear. She raced through a shower. After she dried off, she wrapped her hair in a towel and dug out the scented body lotion Rhys had given her a couple of years ago. Why anyone would want to smell like coconut and vanilla was beyond her, but he liked it.

She walked into the large closet and opened her underwear drawer. To the right were all the sensible bikini panties she usually wore—to the left were the fancier ones for special occasions. She chose a black pair and slipped them on, then went to the second drawer and looked for the matching push-up bra. When it and the pads were in place and doing the best they could with her modest curves, she pulled on a robe and returned to the bathroom.

After plugging in her hot rollers, it took her only a few minutes to apply eyeliner and mascara. She was flushed from the day working outside, so she didn’t bother with any other makeup.

Her hair took a lot longer. First she had to dry the dark red shoulder-length waves, then she had to curl them. While the rollers were in place, she searched for a pair of black high-heel sandals that wouldn’t leave her crippled by the end of the night.

Those found, she opened her small jewelry box and pulled out her wedding set, sliding both the engagement ring and the wedding band into place on her left hand. Diamond stud earrings followed. She’d barely stepped into her sleeveless black dress when Rhys walked into the closet, fully dressed in black slacks and a dark gray shirt.

She sighed when she saw him. “See. You have it so much easier than me.”

“Yes, but in the end, you’re more beautiful. That should be worth something.”

“I’d rather have the extra time.”

She turned, presenting him with her back. He pulled up the zipper, then bent to collect her shoes. They retreated to her bathroom and together began removing the curlers.

“We’re late,” Mackenzie said, catching sight of his watch. “Your mom is going to be all snippy.”

“She’ll be too busy welcoming her guests.” The last of the curlers was flung onto the counter. Mackenzie fluffed her hair, then pointed to the bedroom.

“Retreat,” she said, reaching for the can of hair spray.

Rhys ducked to safety. She sprayed the curls into submission before running into the bedroom to escape the death cloud. Rhys was on the bench at the foot of the large bed. She sat next to him and quickly put on her shoes.

“Done,” she said, pausing to reacquaint herself with the seldom-used skill of walking in heels.

She grabbed her husband’s wrist. “Seven fifteen. Barbara’s going to kill us.”

“She’s not. I’m her only son and you’re just plain her favorite.”

“We weren’t ready exactly at seven. I can already hear the death-march music in my head. I want to be buried on Red Mountain.”

Rhys chuckled as he led the way downstairs. “In the vineyard? I’m not sure your decaying body is going to be considered organic.”

“Are you saying I’m toxic?” she asked with a laugh as they walked toward the front door.

“I’m saying you’re wonderful and I’d like us to have a good night.”

There was something in his tone, she thought, meeting his gaze. She’d known this man her entire adult life. They’d met over Christmas her freshman year of college. Her roommate, his sister Stephanie, had dragged Mackenzie home to meet the family. Grateful not to have to spend the holiday by herself, Mackenzie had gone willingly and had quickly found herself falling not only for her best friend’s hunky older brother but for the entire Barcellona family and the vineyards they owned. Barbara had been like a surrogate mother, and the vineyards, well, they had been just as magical as Rhys’s sexy kisses.

Now she studied her husband’s expression, seeing the hint of sadness lurking behind his easy smile. She saw it because she hid the same emotion deep inside herself. The days of stealing away for sexy kisses were long gone. There were no lingering looks, no intimacy. They had a routine and a life, but she was less sure about them still having a marriage.

“I’d like that, too,” she murmured, knowing he wasn’t asking them not to fight. They never did. Harsh words required a level of involvement they simply didn’t have anymore.

“Then let’s make that happen,” he said lightly, taking her hand in his and opening the front door.

  AUTHOR BIO

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives―family, friendship, romance. She's known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

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Q and A with Susan Mallery on The Vineyard at Painted Moon

 1.      Where did inspiration for the book come from?

 The Vineyard at Painted Moon was really inspired by the gorgeous wine country of Washington State. My readers have told me that they love when my books have wish-you-were-there settings, like the tulip farms in Secrets of the Tulip Sisters and the monastery-turned-mansion of The Summer of Sunshine and Margot. So I knew I wanted to set my next hardcover somewhere that would give readers a beautiful, scenic escape—and this was well before I knew the book would come out during a pandemic, when we’re all trapped at home a lot more than usual.

 So I started daydreaming about beautiful settings, and I landed on Washington wine country. Breathtaking. Seriously, look it up.

 Every evening before dinner, Mr. Mallery and I have a glass of wine together and tell one another about our day. This daily ritual makes us feel close and connected even when life gets hectic, and it has led us to learn more about how wine is made. I thought it could be really interesting to write about a female winemaker, because this is still very much a male-dominated field. I asked myself, “What is the worst thing that could happen to a winemaker?”

 “What if,” I thought, “she lost the land she loved?”

 And not because of fire or natural disaster, but because of an emotional earthquake—Mackenzie Dienes is the winemaker at a family winery. But it’s her husband’s family. . . and their marriage is in trouble. She could stay if she’s willing to be nothing more than an employee for the rest of her life. But if she wants something more, something of her own, she’ll have to be brave.

 The Vineyard at Painted Moon is the story of Mackenzie’s search for happiness and self-fulfillment after divorce. With some pretty spectacular scenery thrown in. Oh, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.

 2.      What are your favourite scenes? Why?

 This is a tricky question for me to answer without spoilers, because my favorite scenes are the emotional turning points of the story. I don’t really want to reveal them here, as I think readers will want to experience them on their own. I will answer, but it’s going to be vague and somewhat frustrating. Teasers, rather than spoilers.

 I love the scene where Mackenzie and Rhys realize that their marriage is over. (That doesn’t count as a spoiler, since it’s revealed on the back cover of the book.) The way they come to the realization and move through the scene is completely unexpected and unlike any breakup scene I’ve ever written—or read, for that matter. It’s heartbreaking and poignant and beautiful and even a little funny. If you have a heart, it’ll make you cry. I think readers are going to fall in love with Rhys even as Mackenzie is accepting that she’s not in love with him anymore.

 One of my other favorite scenes is one that I’m not sure will stand out as much in readers’ minds. It’s a scene in which Mackenzie finds out just how highly she is esteemed by her colleagues in the wine world. She never knew. She never thought of working anywhere but the family winery—she was just so grateful to have a family through her husband, since she had none of her own. In this scene, nothing really changes but her perception—of herself, and of how people perceive her—but perception is reality. Suddenly, Mackenzie realizes that she has options. She can dare to dream.

 And that changes everything.

 3.      What was the hardest scene to write and why?

 At the risk of repeating myself, that scene in which Mackenzie and Rhys finally acknowledge that their marriage is over was certainly one of the hardest to write. The emotional intricacies of the situation were incredibly nuanced. I had to get it exactly right. Rhys is not a point-of-view character, so the whole scene is told from Mackenzie’s perspective, but I wanted the reader to understand and empathize with Rhys, as well. It’s a deeply emotional scene, and I’m very curious to see how readers will respond to it.

 4.      Do you have advice for me wanting to write in the same genre?

 Never give up. There are a lot of very talented writers who will never be published simply because they gave up trying. You never know if the next book will be the one. You have to want it enough to keep going.

 5.      Where did the idea for the title come from? It’s so original.

 Thank you! I almost never come up with the titles for my own books. My file names are just the first name of the main character, so the working title on this book was Mackenzie. When it’s time to title the book, the whole team makes suggestions—my editor, agent, assistant, the marketing department. It’s trickier now than it’s ever been because I’ve written a lot of books, and we don’t want the titles to be too similar. And yet they have to appeal to the same audience.

 All that said, I was the one to suggest The Vineyard at Painted Moon. I thought it would be appropriate to feature the beautiful setting in the title, since it plays such an important role in the book. I’m glad you like it!

 6.      Who is your favorite character and why?

 I love Stephanie and Four, Rhys’s sisters and Mackenzie’s best friends. They’re the kind of friend that every woman should have—and that every woman should be. Close female friendships are a hallmark of my books. In The Vineyard at Painted Moon, the friendships were especially complex because they were also sisters-in-law. . . soon to be exes. But at the end of the day, this truly is Mackenzie's story, so she would be the favorite.

 7.      What is your favorite book genre to read?

 For the most part, I read what I write—women’s fiction and romance. I’m not into thrillers or anything that involves violence and murder. I’m much more interested in emotional drama, in the inherent conflict between people who want different things.

[sweepseven]

Alegria: In a New Light review

I - and many others - have expressed a great deal of skepticism about the new Alegría. The original was done with such grace and care, it was such a classic, that I worried a remount and recreation could never capture the magic. A new version wouldn’t diminish the impact of the first, but I did feel strongly that it deserved a fitting homage.

I am proud to say with total confidence that Alegría: In a New Light is not only worthy of its name, but is an incredible spectacle in its own unique right. It’s a modern tale of revolution for a modern time. Everyone was right to say the message of Alegría is timeless. This remount proves that, not refutes it.

And thanks to the machinations of one @thegoldenpandabear​, I have another exceptional Cirque experience to add to my track record, and it might be the best one yet. 

I’ve been backstage four times before, once through luck, twice through connections, and once through a somewhat questionable sequence of events. But this time what we thought would be a quick jaunt behind the scenes turned out to be an invitation to watch the entire matinee from backstage. We chatted with the cast, we felt the floor shake with the thunder of music and audience applause, and we high-fived everyone as they jogged offstage at the end of the show.

The highlight by far was Irene Ruiz Martin, the new White Singer. She is one of the most magnetic, sincere, and shining people I have ever met in my life. When we first spotted her she was sitting in front of a glass door facing the sun, framed in a little square of light as she ran through vocal exercises, the rhinestones on her costume casting sparkles all around her. I never want to forget that image - something about it and her told me right away that she was the perfect cast for this role. Later during intermission she spent a full fifteen minutes chatting with us, talking about all sorts of things from her challenges during the Montreal stop to her character development (“I see myself as the air and water, and the Black Singer, she is the earth and the fire, and when we are together…” she clasped her hands together and her expression said the rest). Her anxiety over living up to Francesca Gagnon’s legacy and her relief at receiving her blessing. Her passion for her work, and her respect and love for her audience. Her understanding of the show’s message and dedication to communicating it with complete sincerity. Her excitement at having more women in the cast, and in such powerful roles.

When she found out I do trapeze, she grabbed my arm and said, “That’s so amazing! You go onstage - you do the trapeze and I’ll sing Querer!” I don’t think she could have said anything that would have had a greater impact on me. And like I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been very emotionally tender about trapeze lately. So to have someone as kind and dedicated to her craft - to have the actual White Singer herself - take my arm like a friend and joke that she would sing Querer for me… she couldn’t have known how much that would mean to me.

That was the mood for the entire show. This cast is full of such bright, passionate, dedicated performers that it radiates from the stage. You have no choice to take it with you when you leave, along with a handful of snow. You must see Alegría In a New Light. Act by act breakdown below.

Opening: a very active animation precedes an absolute powerhouse opening. The Old Birds skitter around onstage with Fleur and the clowns, and meanwhile the cellist and accordionist pace around to set the mood. Once the show begins in earnest, the entire place rumbles with the incredible bass of Mirko’s new arrangement. The two “factions,” the aristocrats and Old Birds led by Fleur and the Bronx led by the Black Singer, bound onstage and stare each other down under the neutral observance of the Nymphs and the oblivious passion of the White Singer. Right off the bat the conflict is much clearer than it ever was in the original: change is here, and it won’t be ignored.

Acro poles: what an amazing and inventive act. The opening flows right into it with an uncommonly seamless transition (the poles are already onstage from the top of the show), and what follows is an incredible display of trust and teamwork.

Crossed cyr wheel: a super nice guy and very talented artist. He had some trouble with a fall in the first show, but when we were in the audience he did it flawlessly. For some reason this was one of the more forgettable acts in the show and I can’t put my finger on why - maybe the rest were just extra extra amazing. Regardless, the optical illusion created by the two wheels is very cool and he uses it to such great advantage.

Swinging trapeze: I’ll say it up front: I shed a tear. The caliber of this act is unlike anything I have ever seen on a trapeze, and at this point I can say I’ve seen a shit ton of trapeze. This duo’s passion beams out of them like a spotlight, their chemistry and connections are perfect, and you can see the joy in what they do. They seem like lovers in a way the old act did, but even more so. Something in the way they look at each other communicates such depth of respect and admiration that it nearly stole the show from the actual tricks. I was initially disappointed and confused to learn Vai Vedrai wouldn’t be paired with this act, but now that I’ve seen it with Querer, I completely understand and adore the change. This is a perfect act.

Backstage, they were utter professionals. Interested in their performance and feedback, calm, collected, critical. Seeing them in that context first made their emotional performance later that night all the more impressive.

Fire knife: no one under that tent is having more fun than this guy. He was incredibly friendly backstage and served the role of wishing everyone good luck before they took the stage: they all had little rituals with him, from high fives to fist bumps to hugs. His smile is infectious beyond description - the audience could feel his passion burn hotter than his torches and everyone fed off of one another in a way I’ve never seen before. He adored it, and we could feel his gratitude. His interactions with Elena were interesting too - they’re both visibly Bronx, but there’s something special about them that sets them apart. 

Aerial straps: wow wow wow. Wow. Beautiful in every way. This is probably my favorite straps duet from Cirque - they truly look in love. I can’t remember, because all of these moments felt like a beautiful dream. The music box arrangement of Alegría is so gentle to match…. I don’t know what to say about this act except that when it was over, I wanted to fall in love too.

Sometime around here, I think after this act, the lights set into the stage lit up one by one and the Angels drew the light upward with their hands, almost like jellyfish. Fleur found a way to light the staff’s crystal himself too, which was interesting - the power it held was symbolic, it could be created from nothing and freely given. It was nice to see him learn that lesson. Closer to the end of the show, he passes the crystal to the White Singer and she accepts with grace. But he might as well be handing her a flower or anything else: she’s above this power struggle to the point of near unawareness of it, and though she’s grateful for the gift, it loses its meaning the moment she accepts. It’s a lovely moment and lesson worth ruminating on. 

Hula hoops: I already knew Elena Lev was a queen but I never thought I’d see it in person. She lives up to her reputation in every way. Her character is aloof and controlled, but with the smallest touches of spark: she winks at the audience once and it happens so fast you might think you imagined it. The act itself is very similar to her original one, which is crazy - more than eighteen years later and she’s better than ever.

Power track: I LOVE the little Bronx whoop. That is an adorable touch that the cast has really embraced - I heard it a few times backstage just for fun. They make such a powerful team and I love how gender balanced this act is now. Their tricks were performed with total precision, and interestingly they favored tall, slow tricks over lightning fast ones. There were some big ones for sure, but most were about power and control rather than speed. It was an excellent choice. I will say that these costumes are my least favorite in the show - I wish they were easier to tell apart, like the Volta Free Spirits.

Handbalancing: this was in for hand to hand and honestly I’m glad, because it was unreal. An Angel is supported by two reverent Bronx on probably ten different canes of various heights, and her control and stage presence defy description. She was also absolutely gorgeous and I would do anything to achieve whatever highlight she had goin on because it was rad. The Black Singer and Vai Vedrai on this act are heavy and intense, particularly the violin and accordion that has been added since the premiere.

Aerial high bar: my heart sank a little to see the setup to this act - I never wanted the dream to end! But it’s worth noting the way the Bronx support the Angels at different points in the show. It’s most apparent here, with two Bronx catchers and a team of Angel flyers above. The tricks had me gasping repeatedly and the trust and teamwork were amazing. I will say that this isn’t the best to view from the front row for obvious reasons, but like fuck me for even complaining about that.

Finale: if I remember nothing else from this performance, let it be Irene recognizing us in the front row, beaming, and grasping our hands. We sang along the whole time. The connection between artist and audience was perfect in this moment, and the entire crowd was on its feet. Irene told us earlier about how she and the cast and the audience are all one. She’s right.

Clowns: very cute. Incredibly nice people. I think they had a liiiittle too much stage time for my taste - three interludes is a lot - but they did make the most of them. Plus, like, canon gay characters. Can’t find fault with that. I do miss the melancholy of the original snowstorm act, but this one has a charm all its own that spans the entire length of their characters’ development. The snow continues to fall during the entire intermission and aerial straps and it’s completely magical.

Characters/Story: I love love love the clearer story. Today’s revolution calls for boldness and action, not delicacy and nuance, and I think IANL captures that beautifully. Fleur is much goofier in this version and I do miss the exaggerated self-importance of his former self, but it’s true that he was always a court jester and that is much more apparent now. He’s gentler and not quite as selfish, and absolutely adores attention. The Old Birds are also purely comical, so the presence of the old establishment doesn’t loom quite as heavily in this new take. What does the job instead is the constantly empty throne, and an interlude (with the song from Le Bal!) that reads suspiciously like a faux-funeral parade for a dead king. I look forward to seeing that scene again so I can pay closer attention.

Across the board, all the characters are more human, and I love them for it. The Angels don’t seem like a world apart - they’re here with us, they love and they tease, and the aristocrats and Bronx have very palpable chemistry as well.

Music: I can’t imagine them doing a better job with the adaptation of the original soundtrack. There wasn’t a single song I didn’t love. And those that we don’t hear in full - Malioumba, Taruka, Rinalto Vera (!!!) - we still catch in interludes. It speaks to the care that went into recreating this show. So many musical moments felt like tiny love notes to their longtime fans.

And the White and Black Singers….sigh. I wish I had the words, but I don’t. Nothing I can say will adequately capture the force of nature that is Mirko or the power that radiates from the Black Singer during Cerceaux. They are splendid complements for one another, both as characters and as vocalists, and their moments onstage together really are magical.

The Black Singer’s role has been built up substantially compared to the original, which is excellent. She has multiple solos throughout the show, most notably Cerceaux and Vai Vedrai.

As for the White Singer, Irene plays her in such a way that evokes purity, cleansing calm, and gentle power. There’s a bit of humble ignorance there too, which I loved the most: she’s a herald of change but doesn’t even realize it, too busy pouring her heart out, eyes closed to the scene around her. She holds her hands to her heart often, shoulders close, like she’s holding something in, but it’s like trying to stifle starlight. It radiates out of her anyway, and towards the end of the show she stands atop a platform above a shining golden star, arms held wide. It’s a beautiful image.

Overall:

One of the best experiences I have ever had under a Grand Chapiteau. I can’t believe I ever doubted Cirque would treat one of their greatest masterpieces with anything but the utmost care and respect. If you loved the original, go. If you never saw the original, go. If you have no hope, invent.

[powells]

City & the City by China Mieville

"We mourn the incomparable Ursula Le Guin, and it hurts. A writer of intense ethical seriousness and intelligence, of wit and fury, of radical politics, of subtlety, of freedom and yearning, Le Guin was a literary colossus." - C.M.

Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky 

"Those who see science fiction simply as a way of writing novels welcome the more Tolstoyan approach, in which a war is described not only from the generals' point of view but also through the eyes of housewives, prisoners, boys of sixteen, or an alien visitation is described not only by knowledgeable scientists but also by its effects on commonplace people." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Strange Bird A Borne Story by Jeff Vandermeer

"I think the biggest thing I took away from her fiction, and her nonfiction, was the sharp thoughtfulness and humanity behind it all." — J.V.

At the Mouth of the River of Bees Stories by Kij Johnson

"It’s just as good as I thought it was going to be, if not better ... the variety is tremendous, exhilarating. The book definitely won’t do that short-story-collection thing to you where all the stories run together into a sort of depressing porridge in your mind." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood

"We can't call Ursula K. Le Guin back from the land of the unchanging stars, but happily she left us her multifaceted work, her hard-earned wisdom and her fundamental optimism. Her sane, smart, crafty and lyrical voice is more necessary now than ever. For it, and for her, we should be thankful." - M.A.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

"Ursula’s work holds a prominent place on the most cherished part of my bookcase." - N.O.

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss

"There is one thing I wish I could have told her, although she probably knew: that she has hundreds of daughters. All those teenage girls who also found her books in local bookstores or libraries and grew up to become writers. She taught them that women could write about other planets and political philosophy, with clarity, profundity, and grace. She gave each of us a little bit of her voice, and we are all better writers and human beings because of it." - T.G.

The Ambiguity Machines & Other Stories by Vandana Singh

"A most promising and original young writer." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Autonomous by Annalee Newitz

"Ursula LeGuin was my first science fiction inspiration as a kid and she continued to inspire me throughout my adult life. Her stories are permanently installed in my mind." - A.N.

The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

"This was a subtle gift that Le Guin gave to a young person wanting to be a writer—the idea that there was more to writing fiction than ticking off plot points, that a rewarding story can be told without overt conflict, and that a world wide and deep can be its own reward, for those building the world and those who then walk through it." - J.S.

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

"Whereas all my beloved P G Wodehouses and Philip Pullmans are neatly arranged on the bookshelves, my Pratchetts are strewn under the beds, in the bathrooms, the glove compartments. They have shopping lists, takeaway orders and Scrabble scores scribbled on the fly leaves. They were part of life." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link

Kelly Link has been hailed by Michael Chabon as "the most darkly playful voice in American fiction" and by Neil Gaiman as a "National Treasure". If you don't already know Kelly's work, start here with her debut collection.

Blindness by Jose Saramago

"Blindness scared me to death when I started it, but it rises wonderfully out of darkness into the light." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

"… a tremendous human being and storyteller who helped make fantasy a more imaginative and humane genre." - D.J.O.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

"She is willing to change the landscape of your head with her ideas and there's such power in that. It is the power of … that things could be different." - N.G.

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

"She’s a cornerstone of speculative fiction, and so much of our best storytelling traces its roots back to her. The more I write, and the more I think about fictional politics and societies, the more I find myself in awe of her singular powers. Nobody else can ever equal Le Guin, but many of us will spend our whole careers striving to build on her incredible legacy." - C.J.A.

Little Big by John Crowley

"… a book that all by itself calls for a redefinition of fantasy …" - Ursula K. Le Guin

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar

"And what a surprise it was to find as I grew up that the author of some of my favorite childhood fantasy novels was also a brilliant essayist, enlightened political commentator, a champion of feminism, and an activist for a more inclusive publishing industry. A true example of an artist who, both through her books and activism, changed the world for the better." - J.K.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf  

"It inspires me with pity, with terror, with awe at the mystery of human destiny, and the mystery of the art that can, for a moment, illuminate it." - Ursula K. Le Guin

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon

"Of course if you haven't read Kavalier and Clay yet, go read it at once, what on earth have you been waiting for? Then read this. It is even a little crazier, maybe. Crazy like a genius." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Shades of Milk & Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

"I think she did a lot for science fiction and fantasy—not just for women and women's roles because of her feminism but also legitimizing us as an art form. There are a lot of people who will read an Ursula Le Guin book and go, 'Well, this isn't science fiction, it's literature.' But of course, it is science fiction. A lot of times, she can be a gateway drug for people." - M.R.K.

The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu

"More than anyone else, Le Guin showed me how to write SFF with an anthropological approach while interrogating the colonialist agenda and assumptions of the field itself. More than any writer of her stature, she constructed worlds in which I thought I could find and lose myself. I will miss her dearly." - K.L.

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth #1) by N.K. Jemisin

“I’d definitely still be a writer if not for her, but I don’t think I’d be as good a writer. Le Guin is one of the writers who taught me that beauty and fearlessness go hand in hand." - N.K.J.

[lumitorylife]

On August 11th, after a long battle with chronic illness, my mom passed away.

As a therapist and a speaker who has devoted so much of my life to helping others navigate some of life’s biggest challenges, I found myself in the position of needing to encourage not only my family who was mourning her loss, but also trying to find the strength and the words to honor the incredible legacy she leaves in her wake.

As I prepared her eulogy, I had the chance to reflect not only on the amazing person my mom was, but also on the countless lessons we could learn from her life...and in the process, I realized that my mom was the ultimate teacher.

The experience of writing the speech I would give to honor her life was nothing short of spiritual. Two things happened during that time:

First, there was an unmistakable energy that guided the entire process. With tears and chills, the words just flowed in a way that can only be described as divine intervention.

And second, the message that came through was so powerful that I believe it’s one that’s meant to be shared far beyond the people who attended her funeral. I truly believe these words are meant for everyone, which is why I want to share them here, with you, today. 

My prayer is that this message would resonate with your heart and will serve as a guidepost to impact your life for the better. I can think of no better way to honor the life and legacy of my mom.

  //

  Everyone who knew my mom, knew my mom loved them.

  Those who were closest to her also knew what a fighter she was, and she fought all the way until the very end.

  My mom was loved by many, and left a legacy of being positive in all situations, loving God with all her heart, being kind to everyone, and paying it forward always. 

  From a long family line of barbers, she not only cut people’s hair, but she also touched the lives of every person who sat in her chair...everyone left her better than they came—and not because of the hair cuts! ; )

  She showed her love in many different ways, but one of them was by giving gifts. Often times, this was in the form of a physical gift, whether it was a craft she made, a special treat, or a little trinket. What’s funny is that in looking back at the fruit of her life, I realize now that her entire life was a GIFT to everyone she knew, and it will continue to bless us for many years to come.

  And isn’t that a beautiful legacy to leave behind? There’s so much that each and every one of us can learn from her about a life well-lived. 

  There’s a poem I love by Linda Ellis, called “The Dash”. In it, she says:

  “I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone, from the beginning to the end.

  He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

  For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

  For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

  So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

  If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

  And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

  If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

  So when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?” —

  In life, each of us has a start date and an end date. We come into this world on a certain date, and we go out on a certain date...but that little hyphen — that little line in between the beginning and the end of our lives is what we call “The Dash”. 

  The word “dash” means a sprint, or a short period of time. If you think about it, that dash is what sets us up for eternity, and that is really what a life well-lived is all about. 

  A dash is quick, and a life is quick. If you think of it that way, realizing that each and every day is a gift, and that this is all the time we get on earth to set us up for eternity, then you won’t waste a precious minute of your life. 

  That’s the thing about my mom, she never wasted a minute with anyone. It didn’t matter if she was walking into the doctors office, talking to the mail lady, to the cashier in the drive through, or to the person in her barbers chair, my mom always made sure the person in front of her felt known and loved. 

  She may not have been wealthy in a worldly sense, but she was wealthy in an eternal sense. Because, you see, it’s not about what you have in life, it’s about how you make people feel. 

  My mom lived such a rich life, and there’s so much we can learn from her to not only carry on her legacy, but also to ensure we make the most of our time here on earth.

  Our thank you back to God is how we show up in this life and what we do with our time on earth. He put us here to be a blessing to others, and the way we live each and every day is how we honor Him. I am confident God is well pleased with how my mom lived her life.

  People often wonder what the meaning of life is. Some may be unsure, but my mom knew exactly what it was —to love God with all your heart, love your family and friends, serve others every day, to leave others better than you found them, and to remain strong in faith even in the midst of adversity.

  My mom had to endure unimaginable amounts of pain and suffering during her life, yet she was always positive, joyful, and strong.

  Even in her weakness, my mom found strength. Her strength came from Christ, and with that firm foundation, each and every one of us has the potential to make it through anything that life throws our way.

  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says it like this:

But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

  I know if my mom were standing here today, she would tell you: “You could endure anything if you have the strength of Christ in you”.

If you’re sitting here today thinking “I’ve veered of track”, or “I don’t know where to start”, “I don’t know if I can do this anymore” or “I’ve lost faith”, then I’m here to tell you this, on behalf of my mom: the first step to getting back on track is to invite Jesus into your heart. Ask Him to lead you, get into the word of God, be in community, and serve the Lord each and every day of your life from this point forward. Trust me when I tell you that when you do this, legions of angels, including my mom, will be cheering you on. 

  My prayer today is that this message leaves you better than you came, and that right this minute you make a commitment to make each and every moment of your dash count, because it does.

    Darleen Santore, known to many as “Coach Dar”, is a Board Certified Occupational Therapist, author and speaker who inspires everyone she touches to break through barriers and live their best life. When she isn’t busy coaching others, Darleen can be found cheering on her favorite sports teams (Go Yanks!). Be sure to follow her on Instagram where she regularly shares hefty doses of insight and inspiration.

via Lumitory - Journal

[erickmalpicaflores]

Erik Malpica Flores Erik Malpica Flores recommends: What is Coming to Netflix in January 2019

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT’s final episodes are coming to Netflix in January 2019, as are new seasons of FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE and A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. On the movie side, here’s your chance to stream SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, INCREDIBLES 2 and ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, as well as all of the INDIANA JONES films.

Related: What is Coming to Netflix Canada in January 2019?

January 1

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3 (Netflix Original): In the series’ third and final act, the Baudelaires will stop at nothing to solve the mysteries of the VFD and end Count Olaf’s relentless pursuit.

Across the Universe

Babel

Black Hawk Down

City of God

COMEDIANS of the world (Netflix Original): This global, first-of-its-kind, series will showcase 47 comedians from 13 regions in 8 languages in an unprecedented stand-up comedy experience. The groundbreaking series will feature a range of stand-up specials from comedians diverse in style, gender and ethnicity. Get ready to start the new year off with a laugh!

Definitely, Maybe

Godzilla

Happy Feet

Hell or High Water

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

It Takes Two

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Jersey Boys

Mona Lisa Smile

Mr. Bean’s Holiday

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pinky Malinky (Netflix Original): Pinky Malinky sees the bright side of everything, including being born a hot dog. With his BFFs in tow, this little wiener takes a bite out of life.

Pulp Fiction

Swingers

Tears of the Sun

The Addams Family

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Dark Knight

The Departed

The Mummy

The Mummy Returns

The Strangers

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (Netflix Original): In a series of inspiring home makeovers, world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helps clients clear out the clutter — and choose joy.

Watchmen

xXx

XXX: State of the Union

January 2

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

January 4

And Breathe Normally (Netflix Film): An Icelandic single mom struggling with poverty and a Guinea-Bissauan asylum seeker facing deportation find their lives intertwined in unexpected ways.

Call My Agent!: Season 3 (Netflix Original): Rising tensions prompt two agents to hatch a secret plot in a new season of showbiz antics with Isabelle Huppert, Monica Bellucci and Jean Dujardin.

El Potro: Unstoppable (Netflix Film): A singer makes a splash in the Tropical music scene thanks to his good looks and magnetism, but must navigate tragedy and the trappings of fame to survive.

Lionheart (Netflix Film): When her father falls ill, Adaeze steps up to run the family business — alongside her uncle — and prove herself in a male-dominated world.

January 9

GODZILLA The Planet Eater (Netflix Original): With the earth alliance weakened, Haruo weighs siding with the Exif, whose death cult is summoning a monster that can destroy the world.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

January 10

When Heroes Fly (Netflix Original): Years after a bitter falling out, four Israeli military veterans reunite and travel to Colombia in search of a loved one they’d presumed to be dead.

January 11

Friends from College: Season 2 (Netflix Original): Mistakes were made. Feelings were hurt. Life goes on. Now, with a wedding on the horizon, the gang tries to put the past behind them.

ReMastered: Massacre at the Stadium (Netflix Original): For years, the murder of Chilean protest singer Victor Jara was blamed on an official in Pinochet’s army. Now in exile, he tries to exonerate himself.

Sex Education (Netflix Original): Meet Otis Milburn – an inexperienced, socially awkward high school student who lives with his mother, a sex therapist. Surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis is a reluctant expert on the subject. When his home life is revealed at school, Otis realizes that he can use his specialist knowledge to gain status. He teams up with Maeve, a whip-smart bad-girl, and together they set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their fellow students’ weird and wonderful problems. Through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realises he may need some therapy of his own.

Solo (Netflix Film): In a remote area of the Canary Islands, young surfer Alvaro Vizcaino accidentally falls from a cliff. Seriously injured, he must fight to survive.

The Last Laugh (Netflix Film): Retired talent manager Al reconnects with former client Buddy, a comedian who gave up performing decades ago, and urges him to go back out on the road.

January 15

Revenger (Netflix Film): A former detective hell-bent on revenge infiltrates a remote island serving as a prison for dangerous death row criminals in search of a brutal fiend.

Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry (Netflix Original): Sebastian Maniscalco takes on life’s many annoyances with his singularly expressive approach in a live special based on his memoir of the same name.

January 16

January 17

American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace

January 18

Carmen Sandiego (Netflix Original): Carmen Sandiego returns in this series that follows her new international capers as well as past escapades that led to her becoming a super thief.

Close (Netflix Film): To protect an heiress from highly trained kidnappers, a lone security expert must unravel a sinister plot — while striving to stay alive.

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Netflix Original): The Fyre Festival was billed as a luxury music experience full of social media influencers on a posh island, but the reality was far from the promises.

GIRL (Netflix Film): In this award-winning drama inspired by a true story, 15-year-old Lara trains to become a ballerina as she transitions from her assigned gender.

Grace and Frankie: Season 5 (Netflix Original): In the return of this Emmy winning comedy, two friends launch a scheme to get their old lives back.

IO (Netflix Film): One of the last survivors on Earth, a teen races to cure her poisoned planet before the final shuttle to a distant space colony leaves her stranded.

Soni (Netflix Film): While fighting crimes against women in Delhi, a short-fused policewoman and her level-headed female boss grapple with gender issues in their own lives.

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes: Season 2 Part B (Netflix Original): Award-winning architect Piers Taylor and actress/property enthusiast Caroline Quentin continue to travel the globe touring striking homes.

Trigger Warning with Killer Mike (Netflix Original): In this subversive comedy documentary series, rapper and activist Killer Mike and a team of funny correspondents explore socially relevant topics.

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 5 (Netflix Original): This season, the trolls get lost in wormholes, journey to the Fountain of Glitter, go for a ride in a submarine, play in the snow and more.

January 21

Justice (Netflix Original): Instead of joining her father’s law firm as her family expects, Farah strikes out on her own as a defense attorney after returning home to Abu Dhabi.

January 24

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (Netflix Original): Get a unique look inside the mind of an infamous serial killer with this cinematic self-portrait crafted from statements made by Ted Bundy.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

January 25

Animas (Netflix Film): When her best friend starts acting odd after a strange accident, a young woman descends into a living hell where nightmare and reality are blurred.

Black Earth Rising (Netflix Original): A contemporary thriller that follows the difficult journey of a woman, a Rwandan orphaned by the genocide, raised in London by an adopted mother, trying to discover the truth of her past. The series examines the West’s relationship with Africa, set in a world of prosecution of war crimes.

Club de Cuervos: Season 4 (Netflix Original): Chava and Isabel come to terms with their futures and the future of the Cuervos in an all-new season of surprises.

Kingdom (Netflix Original): In a kingdom defeated by corruption and famine, a mysterious rumour of the king’s death spreads as does a strange plague that renders the infected immune to death and hungry for flesh. The crown prince, fallen victim to a conspiracy, sets out on a journey to unveil the evil behind it all and save his people.

Medici: The Magnificent (Netflix Original): He already sacrificed his dreams of being an artist and marrying his true love. Will building and protecting the Medici legacy cost him his soul too?

Polar (Netflix Film): The world’s top assassin, Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, is settling into retirement when his former employer marks him as a liability to the firm. Against his will, he finds himself back in the game going head to head with an army of younger, faster, ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to have him silenced.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 4 Part 2 (Netflix Original): As the series comes to a hilarious and moving close, Kimmy has to choose between helping her friends, Titus (Tituss Burgess), Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) and Lillian (Carol Kane), and helping someone she’s never put first before: herself. This final season includes a double-sized “Sliding Doors” episode exploring how the main characters’ lives might have been different if Kimmy had never been kidnapped.

January 27

January 29

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All (Netflix Original): In a new comedy special for 2019, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias discusses his teenage son, encounters with Snoop Dogg and an overzealous fan, and more.

Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp

January 30

Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles 2

Coming Soon

Marvel’s The Punisher: Season 2 (Netflix Original)

Last Call – Titles Rotating Off the Service in January 2019

January 1

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

Blade

Blade II

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Catwoman

Face/Off

Finding Neverland

Friday Night Lights

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

I Am Ali

Interview with the Vampire

Into the Wild

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Kung Fu Panda

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Fifteenth Year

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Seventeenth Year

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Sixteenth Year

Like Water for Chocolate

Love Actually

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Marie Antoinette

Meet the Fockers

Meet the Parents

Million Dollar Baby

Monsters vs. Aliens

Mortal Kombat

Rent

Sharknado

Sharknado 2: The Second One

Sharknado 3

Sharknado 5

Sharknado: The 4th Awakens

The 6th Day

The Godfather

The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather: Part III

The Green Mile

The Iron Giant

The Princess Diaries

The Queen of the Damned

The Reaping

The Shining

January 4

Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

January 13

January 14

January 18

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

January 19

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

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