#the hidden afterlife of epics

[suchananewsblog]

The hidden afterlife of epics: Karthika Naïr on Peter Brook’s Le Mahabharata and Until the Lions

There are scenes in the film version of Peter Brook’sLe Mahabharata I return to, over and over; ones that I dissect at every available platform, in print and on stage. Take the prelude to the treacherous dice game. Duryodhana (Georges Corraface), freshly returned from Indraprastha and scalded with envy at the ethereal delights of Maya’s palace, plots the downfall of the Pandava brothers with his…

[theunvanquishedzims]

Okay, I'm making mummies the new monster du jour

We all know the story: daring adventurer and nerdy historian discover hidden treasure in a tomb, and just need to survive the undead and their curses long enough to douse themselves in holy water or whatever to sally off into the sunset with their bags of gold and live happily ever after.

What about the mummy's side?

You're dead. You've been dead for millennia, had your organs removed and rites read, been embalmed and dressed and laid to rest amid vast and well-appointed rooms chock-full of wealth. You strode into the afterlife like the king that you are, and have been reigning ever since. The river flows with milk and honey, eternal virgins attend your every physical desire, and your generosity knows no bounds as you shower endless wealth upon your adoring people.

And then...it stops. The river dries up, sour milk rotting in rivulets across the sticky bedrock. The maidens have vanished one by one, carried off by callous, disrespectful hands. The gold that once towered in piles around your palace disappeared much more quickly, not a single coin or ingot left. And your people turn on you. Not in anger, but in fear, hands clawing you, gaping mouths screaming soundlessly, bodies flattening and fading like living murals.

Anubis snatches you out of the waking nightmare, to something much worse: judgement. What? You have been judged already! Your heart weighed against a feather, the wisdom and love you so carefully curated in life keeping it light enough to guarantee your safe passage into an eternal paradise.

Except not so eternal, it seems. Robbers, he tells you. You cannot believe it. Even the bravest, most brazen, most despicably faithless dogs would not disturb your rest. Raid your tomb, yes, take your finery, yes, strip your body of its ornaments and peel the gold off the sarcophagus, perhaps, but not you. Your body in its wrappings, your organs in their jars, should be left alone. They could dump your empty bones on the floor of the pyramid and walk away with every material possession your people saw fit to entomb you with, but nothing of consequence would be taken from you in the afterlife.

They have not just taken your possessions, says Anubis. They have taken you.

Taken the sarcophagus? Surely they would remove your body to lighten the load--

They have taken you, he says.

Removed me to some lesser grave, to set up some new king in a glorious pyramid he himself could not afford to build? Tacky, and rude, but it has been done before--

They have taken you, he stresses again.

...have I fallen so far out of favor with my people, with Egypt herself, that they would strip me of my title and my rest?

Your god crouches, and looks you gently in the eyes, and says again, They have taken you.

And then he adds: You have ten days to return.

And you awake on a boat, a horrific thing of metal and smoke, surrounded by treasures packed in wooden crates and straw, admired by an endless parade of foreigners who ooh and ahh over your dead body and do not, cannot understand what they are costing you, making you their macabre trophy of the dullest hunt you can imagine.

You will teach them what a real hunt is.

(The rest of the movie is a timed horror-thriller as the hero, trapped in his own desiccated corpse, shambles around London trying to find his heart and return to Egypt, while attacked on all sides by monster hunters and grave robbers who don't understand that they're the bad guys. It is an epic struggle to stay the course and not fall into a vengeful frenzy, to keep his heart pure enough to pass the feather again, to FIND his heart in the first place.)

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Fantasy Books Bracket: Round 4

Book summaries below:

The Locked Tomb series (Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, Nona the Ninth, and others) by Tamsyn Muir

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier.

Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, humor, series, adult

The Radiant Emperor series (She Who Became the Sun, He Who Drowned the World) by Shelley Parker-Chan

In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness…

In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected.

When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate.

After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future her brother's abandoned greatness.

Fantasy, historical fiction, alternate history, epic fantasy, adult

[duckiemimi]

everything that’s happened since gojo’s unsealing has been such a missed opportunity for his character.

now, don’t get me wrong—yuuji is the main protagonist of the story, despite being benched for the better half of the arc, but gojo is a protagonist, too. and though the development from gojo’s beginning (the hidden inventory arc) to his sealing (the shibuya arc) isn’t as consistent as some of the other characters, it’s still growth with room for resolution. resolution which we did not get in 236. (if he’s actually dead.)

i think one of the biggest setbacks to gojo’s potential character growth is the timeskip that happened right before his fight with sukuna. the story wouldn’t have slowed down if we were given time to reacquaint ourselves with gojo after hundreds of chapters of absence, and it would’ve been a great opportunity to re-establish the dynamic he had with his students and friends, as well as introduce him to new characters and the characters we haven’t seen him interact with.

besides exploring character relationships, unfolding that timeskip into actual training scenes would’ve given the reader a sense of time passing, which would’ve played into the anticipation of waiting for the promised date. because that’s what the characters were doing, too—waiting for the promised date. the scenes wouldn’t have to be long and dragged out, but regardless if they were, they could’ve served a purpose in the story. in reality, all we know is that the timeskip happened and now everyone’s patting his back. conveniently implied off-screen growth.

then we have our epic battle, spanning fifteen-chapters full of “is he dead or is he not?” cliffhangers. as highly anticipated as this fight was, it mostly consisted of play-by-play sequences with minimal scenes of characterization. (by characterization, i mean things like internal-monologues and interactions that are more than just fighting. “phew, that was close” thoughts don’t count.) if we were to use the canon fifteen chapters as a base, a skeleton we could build on, adding more characterization could’ve made the fight less repetitive and so much more engaging, so much more meat to the story. alas, all we have fighting.

and then we have chapter 236. in my personal opinion, gojo didn’t have to die for the story to still end up centering the new generation he fostered, but let’s say he really did die in 236. if he really did die, then this chapter completely reversed and regressed gojo’s character to the point where it wholly undermined the development we’ve seen throughout the story. i would call it a simple “out of character” moment, but if he’s dead, then we’re back at square one and now we’ll stay there, unmoving. because he’s dead.

on top of that, his change was done abruptly, too, with no indication or foreshadowing that we were heading in the direction where 236 ended. i wouldn’t say that gojo enjoying his fight with someone who actually gave him a challenge was an indication that he would end up the way he did. you have to believe your readers are smart, but you can’t leave things so vague for them to figure everything out by themselves. readability is great. this issue shouldn’t have to be an open-ended question.

and anyway, the sudden change had no purpose. what am i supposed to take away from him reverting back to his high school self? that despite all the work he put in, he’s still alone? even in death, he feels alone? next to all his dead friends, he laughs but still, he feels alone and misunderstood? how pessimistic. and even if that was what the narrative was going for, then those fifteen chapters were a missed opportunity for an effective transition from point “a” (gojo pre-battle) to point “b” (gojo post-battle/in the afterlife) characterization-wise. (and plot-wise. off-screen major events are lazy.) i’m not convinced and neither are many readers. this isn’t just because gojo’s a well-loved character.

i think most people knew one way or another that gojo would die, given the nature of the story. even if that fifteen chapter back-and-forth gave hope for survival, the end is the inevitable, and that’s understandable. but to end his character as someone unrecognizable from who we were first introduced to, and to have it done so drastically, too? it makes me :/ . sacrificing gojo for the sake of the plot, i could understand, but twisting him post-mortem was unnecessary.

taking away the care he had for the future generation, who are battlefield-bound right now, completely undermines the fact that the story is supposed to center around them. that was his motivation and what spurred him to give yuuta and yuuji second chances in life. his care, his motivation, was what started the story in the first place. if gojo’s character arc was intended to be flat and his actual character, static, then he wouldn’t have had ongoing motivations that lined up with the major plot.

bear in mind, i’m not making this as a call to action or anything (god, no). but these are just my thoughts as a long-time reader. the story is still gege’s and while i’m dissatisfied with how he killed off one of my favorite characters in the series, whatever happens next is in the control of the g-pen between his fingers.

[thebibliomancer]

Universe X #1

Which, uh, it’s good that the X is huge and placed behind Universe. When the title is in all caps and with poor spacing it reads as UNIVERSEX.

Which is probably not happening. Universex only happens when Eternity and Kismet get some quiet time together.

Anyway, we have a cover giant cosmic dead Mar-Vell, living child Mar-Vell with Cap’s shield, the circus-tier new X-Men, Wyatt Wingfoot Redwing, gorilla Hulk and child Banner, Namor the Half-Human Torch, May Parker Venom with the eye-watering costume, and Vision maybe? Are any of them relevant to this issue? Or do they just have to go somewhere on the big picture all the covers make? Yes.

Last times in Universe X: Mar-Vell was reborn as baby and between him and his dead self still in the afterlife, he has Big Plans. Part of which involved resurrecting Invisible Woman from Mr Fantastic’s arm.

Also, there’s something going on with the multiverse that Aaron Stack, Machine Watchman, has to look into. And saving Earth from the Celestials last series has just caused severe climate disruptions as the planet has tilted weird on its axis.

Child Mar-Vell has gone from being raised in secret to Atlantis, moved to Latveria to help resurrect the Invisible Woman, and is now in a frozen New York with Captain America to start off an epic fetch quest.

Cap is here because he really needs a new purpose. Democracy is basically dead. America has a marshal instead of a President and the climate change and food shortages mean that order has sort of broken down. Cap is here because he’s an old soldier and Mar-Vell has promised to end war as a concept.

Which, hmm, might be an ominous thing to declare. Especially since he also declared he was going to save everyone, whether they liked it or not. But let’s see where he’s going with this.

Where he’s going with this is an old woman wrapped in a familiar blue blanket being mugged by some bandits that think they need the warmth more.

And then the blanket eats them. Because the blanket is Cloak’s cloak and the old woman is Dagger.

Cap saves one of the dinguses but the rest get eaten.

Mar-Vell convinces Dagger to give him the cloak by telling her that Cloak is fine in the afterlife and is talking her up. Dagger then turns into a being of pure light and fucks off.

I have so many questions and Universe X will either never answer them or belabor the answers.

I do have to say that Mar-Vell looks pretty rad in such an oversized Cloak cloak.

On Mar-Vell’s scavenger hunt list, he also has the Orb of Agamotto but unfortunately it's missing. And Marv doesn’t want to deal with that right now. But they still have to go the Sanctum Sanctorum to borrowsteal some tomes of Strange’s.

Where the two find: no tomes, no Wong watching Strange’s body, no Strange, and just a ton of Mindless Ones. Also, a depersoned Loki.

So a little explanation. Earth X revealed that the Asgardians were a tier 3 empowered people, some alien race that also had their genetics manipulated by the Celestials. They had evolved to the point where they were incredibly powerful reality warpers but also incredibly susceptible to outside perception. Loki was the evil trickster Loki because someone expects there needs to be a Loki and he should be an evil trickster because the stories say so.

This Loki has stripped himself of almost every bit of his former identity. He doesn’t want to be trapped in preconceptions, that’s why he’s glad Cap didn’t recognize him. And presumably why he regresses a little when Cap stresses what a villain Loki is.

So this is neat follow-up to the revelation last series. And it also gives Cap and Marv their next destination. The magic books they’re looking for were hidden by formerly Captain now King Britain.

In another plot thread, Latveria.

Reed is feeling pretty good with his wife not dead anymore. He shaved off his sorrow beard and changed out of his sorrow Doom armor.

And then Pope Immortus comes calling.

I have no idea why he’s a pope now.

But he’s here to make the case that Reed should NOT try to cure the mass terrigenesis mutation of humanity.

As far as Immortus is concerned, humanity’s destiny is to spread throughout the stars. Reed protests that no, that’s dumb and bad. For one, with Earth undergoing a climate crisis, humanity needs to work together to resolve it and the increased aggression of the inhumaned humans makes that kind of cooperation impossible. Which leads to point 2: an aggressive empowered Earth exodus would be conquest. Inhumanity would spread throughout space and subjugate all other peoples. Making some sort of Universe X, I guess, but nobody title drops. Cowards.

Pope Immortus darkly warns Reed that with his cooperation or not the Human Torches will be extinguished within a year.

I have almost no idea why Immortus is in this story, taking this role. Almost no idea.

Busiek’s Avengers Forever came out the same year as Earth X and had as a big plot point that Immortus was shepherding the 616 timeline to a future where humans dominate all of space, thanks to a proliferation of superpowers. I’m guessing Earth X writer Krueger was a fan and wanted to weave that into what he was doing.

In another other plot thread, Peter Parker is a cop now.

You hates to see it.

He’s also over his depression from Earth X so his personality has fully returned to jokey Peter.

I don’t know how to feel about it. It is character development but it’s development back to quo, making it feel unlikely that Peter will have any more development in this. But he’s going to get an entire tie-in focus issue so I hope there’s something for him.

Anyway, one of the plot points from Earth X was that Black Bolt set off the Terrigen bomb to turn all of humanity into Inhumans so the Attilan Inhumans could live amongst them without getting the treatment mutants get.

That was a plot point but this is the first we see of some of those Inhumans in plain sight. And they are dicks. They’re trying to raid the limited food supplies in New York on the basis that they’re original Inhumans and therefore deserve it more.

Cop Peter tries to stop them but what really resolves the situation is Spiders-Man giving the unruly Inhumans a vision of bountiful food and luring them off to join Immortus’ flock.

Finally, Aaron Stack. He has a long conversation with Uatu in the issue’s appendix. And wow, it is good to have this incredibly toxic relationship happening again. Uatu is such a dick! But it’s more interesting to read than the new narrator duo of Nighthawk and Gargoyle. And having usurped Uatu already, Aaron is only taking the abuse because Uatu has information he wants.

Uatu tells Aaron that his devices showed Franklin!Galactus Franklin’s Days of Future Past death because they were responding to Aaron’s need for an answer to satisfy Galactus and showed him another universe.

Which leads Aaron to another question. Why is Nighthawk having visions of Aaron digging up under the Kree ruins on the Moon? And for that question, Uatu is more cagey and insulting about what might be found there.

So Universe X is throwing a lot of puzzle pieces on the table and right now it’s hard to see what single picture it will come together to form.

Mar-Vell’s plans in the afterlife and his scavenger hunt in life. The multiverse. Pope Immortus. The threat of Inhumanity spreading to the stars. Earth still being doomed. A lot.

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: Irish mythology

Irish mythology, steeped in ancient lore and imbued with a sense of enchantment, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Emerald Isle. This deep dive essay embarks on a quest to explore the depths of Irish mythology, unveiling the stories, deities, and sagas that have shaped the spiritual and imaginative landscape of Ireland for millennia.

I. The Mythic Cycle:

At the heart of Irish mythology lies the Mythic Cycle, a collection of sagas that recount the exploits of legendary figures and divine beings. Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), an epic tale of heroism and warfare, features the hero Cú Chulainn defending Ulster against the forces of Queen Medb of Connacht. Other prominent tales include the tragic love story of Deirdre and Naoise, and the intoxicating adventures of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna, a band of legendary warriors.

II. Tuatha Dé Danann and the Otherworld:

The Tuatha Dé Danann, a mythical race of supernatural beings, are central to Irish mythology. These gods and goddesses, associated with beauty, magic, and craftsmanship, are said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of humans. The battle of Mag Tuired, in which the Tuatha Dé Danann faced the Fomorians, showcases their power and the eventual establishment of the divine race as the rulers of the Otherworld.

III. Cycles of Life and Death:

Irish mythology is deeply connected to the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The concept of the sídhe, fairy mounds or portals to the Otherworld, represents the passage between life and the afterlife. The Banshee, a female spirit known for her wailing cries, is often considered an omen of death, while the concept of Samhain, the precursor to Halloween, marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the Celtic new year, symbolizing the transition between life and death.

IV. Mythical Creatures and Beasts:

The folklore of Ireland is teeming with mythical creatures and beasts, each carrying its own symbolic significance. The Pooka, a shape-shifting creature with an unpredictable nature, reflects the capriciousness of the Irish landscape. The leprechaun, a mischievous fairy, is associated with hidden treasures, while the fearsome Cu Sidhe, a giant hound, guards the entrance to the Otherworld. These creatures add depth and whimsy to the rich tapestry of Irish mythology.

V. Cultural Resilience and Mythological Adaptation:

Irish mythology has endured through centuries of change, including periods of colonization and cultural upheaval. The oral tradition played a crucial role in preserving these myths, passing them down from generation to generation. Even in the face of external influences, the Irish people have demonstrated a remarkable resilience in maintaining their cultural identity through the retelling and adaptation of mythological narratives.

Irish mythology, with its heroic sagas, divine beings, and mystical creatures, offers a captivating glimpse into the soul of Ireland. The enduring legacy of these myths speaks to the resilience of a culture that has weathered the storms of history while holding onto its rich and enchanting heritage. As Ireland continues to evolve, its mythology remains a source of inspiration, connecting the present to the ancient tales that have shaped the collective imagination of the Irish people for centuries.

[suhmayzooka]

Please tell us more about your thesis topic I love hearing your thoughts on the Aeneid

omg?? i'm so flattered!

idk how familiar u are with the aeneid already, but basically it's an epic poem written by a guy named vergil, kind of like the iliad and the odyssey by homer, but roman. it follows the adventures of aeneas, a trojan hero and son of venus, who flees his home (troy) with his family and his men after the greeks attack (you may know abt how they came to the city hidden in a wooden horse--that scene is in the aeneid! it's always heartbreaking when ppl read homer and are like "i thought the trojan horse would show up" noooo read the aeneid!)

aeneas must go to italy bc he's destined to found rome, but on the way he does cool things like hook up with queen dido of carthage and, what i want to discuss, go down to the underworld to learn about his fate from his dead father. 

the whole poem is 12 "books" long, and the underworld happens in book 6.

going to the underworld is a common thing in classical epics. it's called a katabasis (literally means "going down") and many mythological heroes do it—odysseus, orpheus (he's important), hercules,, lots more (and it's not exclusive to ancient greece/rome, most cultures have some kind of myth about characters going down to the underworld to speak with the dead)

if you know dante, or really anything about christianity, you already have some idea what vergil's underworld is like. dante's Divine Comedy is about vergil (the aeneid guy) showing dante around the underworld, which became the basis for how the church understood the afterlife. the christian interpretation of the afterlife and hell is heavily influenced by the aeneid's depiction, which is one reason this specific episode has been the source of many many years of study. 

that's not what I'm actually writing abt, though, i just wanted to give some background. 

aeneas doesn't just go down to the underworld, see his dad, and return to the land of the living... several very specific things happen

first, he doesn't go alone. he must be led by a sibyl, a prophet. she instructs aeneas how to enter and acts as his tour guide, pointing out different areas in the underworld and explaining what's going on

before going, aeneas must take a golden bough (branch) to give to the queen of the underworld, proserpina (persephone in greek), which will allow him to travel through the underworld

vergil prefaces the journey with an invocation to the gods

the actual book basically is divided in two parts: the first half describes aeneas’ journey in the underworld, the final half is about aeneas talking to the ghost of his father who tells him about how his descendants will go on to found rome and be a long line of great leaders

there are two gates through which aeneas can leave the underworld: one is made of horn, which is for “true shades/ghosts,” the other is made of ivory for “false dreams” to pass through. aeneas goes through the gate of ivory and returns to the living world 

overall this book follows many examples of prior katabatic tradition, with the katabasis being a place where aeneas gains knowledge that’s really otherworldly in a place that functions very differently from the living world

what i want to write about is how the whole poem is like one big katabasis for the audience to experience, with vergil being our version of the sibyl guiding us along. different things aeneas experiences in the underworld mirror different things the audience experiences in the rest of the poem. for example, aeneas meet his father halfway through the book to gain new knowledge; this book, where we (the audience) gain new knowledge, is halfway through the whole poem. there’s a distinct shift in the two halves of this book, just like there’s a distinct shift in the two halves of the aeneid as a whole.

or how vergil begins the katabasis with an invocation (calling upon) the gods, he begins book 1 of the poem with an invocation to the muse (as is the epic tradition). how aeneas experiencing various contradictory aspects in the underworld mirrors how the aeneid as a whole is both a celebration and a criticism of rome. before he learns his future, aeneas must see reminders of his past, the ghosts of people who died earlier; the audience is being reminded of rome’s past throughout the whole poem, especially here where we see the line of roman rulers (like caesar), whom the audience is already familiar with. now i’m gonna find other parallels, like narrowing down which episodes in the epic could correspond to, like, aeneas plucking the golden bough, and a few other scenes which i think are katabatic in nature

basically along these lines ^^

overall i’m not so much interested in the actual plot of the epic, or even vergil’s intentions as the author, than i am interested in thinking of it as a mirror for the audience. 

(not to derail but that’s basically what i was talking abt earlier here with bat comics, like i’m less interested in what the actual story is than i am interested in how (or whether) the audience is acknowledged. it’s also the mindset i’m coming from with posts like this bc like… to me i find it interesting how bruce denying something the audience already knows, like he’s gaslighting himself and the audience, mirrors how an abusive parent gaslights themselves/others (even though i know it’s not intentional, it’s fun for me to think about from the perspective of being the reader who watches these events happening then to see them changed in the story like a denial of facts brought on by immense grief/trauma)... but i guess it didn’t come across well enough hahah ;;)

uhh yea that's the basic idea! thanks for asking !!

[alterncs]

✸ SAGE KARATAY, Early thirties, crime investigator & vigilante, agile, upright & rigid posture, stands at 175 cm, has exceptional observation skills, trained in armed & melee combat, multilingual

Echoes of the Departed —

TW: blood, death, loss of a family member, occultism, mental disorders, mental hospital mention, pretty long read :o 

Sage was a spirited and curious youth, deeply immersed in the fascinating worlds of science fiction and fantasy. Her room was adorned with posters of space exploration, alien landscapes, and epic battles between heroes and villains. She found solace in the pages of books, a refuge for her unyielding imagination.

With her unruly hair and colorful skater outfits, Sage was a free-spirited individual who danced to the beat of her own drum. Though she valued her individuality, she often felt like an outsider, struggling to connect with her peers at school.

The vibrant worlds she explored in books became her true companions, transporting her to realms beyond her wildest dreams.

Sage's love for nature was ignited by her parents. Together, they would spend evenings stargazing, lying on blankets beneath the vast expanse of the night sky.

They would point out constellations, discussing the wonders of the universe. It was in those moments that Sage found herself at peace, dreaming of distant galaxies and the mysteries they held.

Tragedy struck when Sage's mother passed away, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. In the wake of this loss, her father descended into a deep depression, weighed down by grief and unable to provide the emotional support Sage needed at such a young age.

Feeling increasingly alone, Sage sought refuge in the nearby library and the old bookstore in her town.

Within the library's hallowed walls, she found solace in the musty scent of aged paper & the endless rows of books awaiting exploration. It was there that she stumbled upon an old section dedicated to the occult & mysticism.

Drawn like a moth to a flame, Sage would spend hours devouring books on ancient rituals, witches & the arcane arts.

Losing her mother at a tender age left a void within her that yearned for closure, the more Sage read about afterlife & a soul’s journey after death, the more her curiosity grew & she desperately wanted to believe that there could be a way to communicate with the departed loved ones.

With each page turned, Sage's fascination with occultism deepened. She found herself immersed in the rich history and rituals of secret societies, delving into forbidden knowledge and realms. This newfound interest became a source of comfort and intrigue as she opened her mind to the mysterious forces that existed beyond the known world.

Little did Sage know that her exploration of the occult and the power it contained would lead her down a path she never could have imagined.

One fateful day, while exploring the depths of an old bookstore, Sage stumbled upon an ancient tome that promised to unveil the secrets of contacting the spirits beyond.

The worn covers and faded pages exuded an air of the enigmatic, whispering tales of magic & communion with the deceased.

Sage meticulously studied the rituals described in the tome, unlocking the secrets that have remained hidden for centuries. One particular ritual caught her eye — the ‘Rite of Soul Severance.’

The Rite of Soul Severance is said to have been passed down from an ancient and powerful lineage of mystics. Legends suggest that those who successfully complete the ceremony are granted an ethereal connection to the astral plane, allowing their soul to detach from their physical vessel and ascend to new heights of power and omniscience.

Driven by a desperate longing to reconnect with her mother, Sage delved deep into the rituals inscribed within the dark pages of the tome. Night after night, she tirelessly tried to recreate the ancient rites, hoping for a glimpse of her mother's presence.

Unbeknownst to her, Sage was not the only one in possession of the desire to harness the power hidden within the tome. A sinister character, a man with deeply unsettling intentions, had been tracing her steps since the moment she discovered the ancient artifact.

The man had discovered her address through the records of the old bookstore and saw an opportunity to claim the powerful tome for himself. With darkness cloaking the streets, he lurked near her residence, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

On that ill-fated night, fate conspired against Sage’s safety. Her father's work had kept him away, leaving her alone in the house. Unbeknownst to her, nefarious eyes were set upon her home.

As the moon bathed the world in an eerie glow, the man stealthily entered the house, his goal within reach. But just as he reached for the tome, Sage awoke, the presence of danger asserting itself within her subconscious. Startled, she confronted the trespasser, desperate to protect the key to her connection with her mother.

A struggle ensued, desperation & determination clashing against malicious intent. In the heat of the moment, the man pushed Sage upon the ritual circle she had previously drawn on the floor, the very essence of her blood saturating its ancient symbols.

A gust of wind, strong and otherworldly, swept through the house, as if acknowledging the blood's sacrifice. Terrified, the intruder fell to his knees, paralyzed by an inherent fear of the supernatural.

Seizing this opportunity, Sage grabbed the tome from his trembling hands, unaware that she now stood within the very threshold of the ritual circle. In that moment, her soul erupted from her body, intertwining with the wisps of the departed.

When her father arrived, accompanied by the police, they discovered the lifeless body of the man on the stairs, making it seem like a mere robbery gone wrong. Unbeknownst to them, it was the formidable power of Sage’s newly acquired abilities that extinguished his life with a mere touch.

In the aftermath, as investigations unfolded, the truth behind the man's death was considered an unfortunate accident that came to be known as a case of criminal misfortune.

Sage stood in the midst of her newfound abilities, grappling with the weight of the horrible event and the impact her powers would have on the fragile boundaries between life and death.

In the weeks that followed, Sage gathered her courage and shared the truth of what had truly transpired with her father, she hoped for understanding and validation. But to her dismay, her father dismissed her claims, attributing them to her young age, active imagination, and the trauma she had endured during the supposed robbery.

Seeing her in pain, he believed it was all a coping mechanism—a manifestation of the trauma she had experienced.

Determined to support his daughter, her father sought help from countless therapists, child psychologists, and psychiatrists. They all attempted to unravel the tangled web of Sage’s experiences, diagnosing her with schizophrenia and prescribing medications to alleviate the symptoms she described.

Confused and frustrated, Sage knew she had to keep her abilities hidden, for fear of being labeled as mentally ill or misunderstood.

Sage complied with her father's wishes, enduring endless therapy sessions and trying her best to fit into the mold society had assigned to her. But deep within, she knew her truth.

As years passed & the time came for Sage to leave for college, she made a conscious decision to study criminal law. Living on her own allowed her the freedom to explore her abilities without the prying eyes of her father or the constraints of societal expectations.

In the solitude of her college dorm room, Sage dove deeper into her connection with the spirit world. She honed her skills, learning to navigate the boundaries of life and death, and understanding her limitations and capabilities. With each passing day, she gained a better understanding.

Sage knew she had to keep her true nature a secret, not just from her father, but from the world that would never understand. Playing the role of a law student by day, she roamed the streets by night, disguised as a vigilante, seeking justice for those trapped in the clutches of darkness.

Through her actions and studies, Sage strived to make sense of the enigmatic tome that now held both power and danger and the invisible line she walked between being a hero and being consumed by her own abilities.

Secret societies and clandestine organizations sought to control or eliminate the power Sage possesses, plunging her into a treacherous world of political intrigue and supernatural conflict.

[littlereadsandteas]

A Dance of Dragons: Series Starter Bundle by Kaitlyn Davis is a intriguing and enchanting read that will captivate fans of epic fantasy and adventure, particularly those who enjoy stories of bravery, self-discovery, and the power of love and friendship in the face of ancient evil and mythical worlds.

Twilight Guardians by Maggie Shayne is a exhilarating and romantic page-turner that will captivate fans of paranormal romance and adventure, particularly those who enjoy stories of strong female protagonists, forbidden love, and epic battles between good and evil, with a dash of action, suspense, and supernatural intrigue.

Sins of the Mothers (Texas Romance #4) by Caryl McAdoo is a captivating read for fans of historical romance and inspirational fiction who appreciate stories of redemption, faith, and the power of love to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.

Victoria Westernly's journey into the world of the supernatural will captivate fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, particularly those who enjoy stories of strong female protagonists navigating the complexities of power, loyalty, and forbidden love.

A Pixie Called Pudding by Travis Flynn is a electrifying tale that will captivate young readers with its adventurous spirit, making it a perfect fit for kids who love imaginative stories of bravery, friendship, and the magic of innovation.

Skip 1 by Perrin Briar is a exciting and adventurous tale that will captivate readers who crave a fast-paced, action-packed journey through time, perfect for fans of fantasy and mystery who enjoy stories of self-discovery, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.

Sora's Quest by T.L. Shreffler is a captivating read for fans of immersive, slow-burning fantasy adventures that explore the complexities of identity, power, and the blurred lines between good and evil, perfect for readers who crave rich world-building, complex characters, and a deep dive into the mystical and unknown.

Clara's Song by Kitty Margo is a captivating read for fans of romance and fantasy who crave a story of self-discovery, love, and the thrill of uncovering hidden secrets, perfect for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, emotional journey with a strong, determined heroine at its heart.

Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet is a captivating read for fans of fantasy and adventure who are drawn to stories of the afterlife, mythology, and the supernatural, particularly those who enjoy tales of strong, feisty heroines navigating the complexities of the divine and the underworld.

Dream Student by J.J. DiBenedetto is a gripping and suspenseful read that will captivate fans of young adult fantasy and mystery, particularly those who enjoy stories about self-discovery, friendship, and the blurred lines between reality and the unknown.

[elen-000]

BLEACH: Ichigo Kurosaki’s Journey from Ordinary to Extraordinary

Bleach, an iconic anime series based on Tite Kubo’s manga, captivated audiences from October 2004 to March 2012 with its 366 episodes. Produced by Pierrot and directed by Noriyuki Abe, the series follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who inherits the role of a Soul Reaper from Rukia Kuchiki. His mission? Defend humans from evil spirits and guide souls to the afterlife.

Plot Overview:

Ichigo's life takes a dramatic turn when he gains Soul Reaper powers from Rukia. Initially reluctant, he soon embraces his role, uncovering hidden powers in his friends and confronting major threats. Rukia’s arrest leads Ichigo to the Soul Society, where he discovers Sōsuke Aizen’s sinister plans involving the Hōgyoku—a powerful substance capable of transforming Hollows into hybrid beings with Soul Reaper abilities.

As Aizen’s ambitions threaten both the Soul Society and the human world, Ichigo and his friends battle the Espadas, a group of elite Arrancars. After intense confrontations and sacrifices, Ichigo’s powers are restored, leading to epic battles against new enemies like Kugo Ginjo and his Fullbringers.

Anime-exclusive arcs add additional layers to the story, featuring unique antagonists like the Bount and the Zanpakutō spirits, expanding the Bleach universe.

Voice Acting:

In the English adaptation, Johnny Yong Bosch (Ichigo) initially struggled with character names but grew into the role, especially during intense scenes. Stephanie Sheh (Orihime) and Derek Stephen Prince (Uryū) brought their characters to life with distinct voices and personalities, balancing humor with depth.

Production Insights:

Director Noriyuki Abe and a talented team of writers and animators brought Kubo’s world to life, while composer Shirō Sagisu’s music, featured in four soundtracks, set the tone for the series. The anime evolved from a 4:3 to a 16:9 widescreen format, reflecting its growth and development.

Legacy and Reception:

Bleach has left a lasting impact with its complex characters, gripping storylines, and action-packed sequences. The anime was a hit in Japan and internationally, with a strong fanbase and critical acclaim. It continues to resonate with audiences through the sequel series Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which revisits the manga’s final arc with a new set of episodes starting from October 2022.

Beyond the Anime:

Bleach expanded into films, live-action adaptations, and even stage musicals, highlighting its enduring popularity. The live-action film, directed by Shinsuke Sato, was released in Japan in 2018, and the rock musicals added another dimension to the Bleach experience.

[thecondemnedangelgabriel]

Angels of Diana's began Attacking this Living Goddess O O O

Harder after they both Completed Karma

And we attacked Roxanne Anderton Unbelievably

He was unkarmically and wrongfully designated to be Eternally Spiritually Hated by the Oldworld Angels

Until Dee set Him Free

He was Tortured in His Afterlife, Initially...

In Epic Manner

Very Very Frightening Indeed was the Ancient God Diana

In Extent of Atrocity

She Tortured Them For Eternities

And tried to throw them into Unfindable Vaults of Total Violence

She threw Him out of all Known Terrains

The Lux fought over Deserts of Centuries of Pain

To Find The Hidden Rex

Keep The Rex Safe

Free Rex

And Stop The Unbelievable Violence of Dia

Lux were similarly attacked after the Arrival of Diana

When Diana designated THIS Soul the Most Spiritually Untouchable

Of Any Soul Ever for her Bewitched Angels!

We could not believe it: Suddenly There Was This Foul Evil Insect

I Bound Her!

Alarmed and Very Very ANGRY with Her

She had Smoked! O!

V

The Sin

unknown artist, German School, c. 1900

[linuxgamenews]

Get Creative in Hypersomnia: Design Your Own Maps in this Free Multiplayer Shooter

Hypersomnia multiplayer top-down shooter game for Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the brilliant creativity of developer Patryk Czachurski. Available Free to Play on Steam and via web browser. Hypersomnia – a free, open-source multiplayer top-down shooter you can enjoy on Linux and Steam Deck (playable), and even the Web. Which brings the heat with a hardcore arena that also fuses eSports intensity with old school pixel vibes. Since every match is a test of skill and strategy, and every duel is a mental showdown. But if you’re not always up for the intensity, no worries. Hypersomnia also lets you get creative with a WYSIWYG map editor. You can design your own maps and playtest them online right away. It's all free and open source, so dive in and make it your own. Which throws players into vibrant non-stop action in controlled chaos. Now, let’s get into the detail. Hypersomnia is built from scratch in bare C++, no game engine involved, and it’s only 50 MB. You can even build and modify it yourself from GitHub.

Hypersomnia - Official Trailer

What it Brings to the Table:

24 Unique Firearms: Each one offers a different way to control the arena.

2 Modes: Choose between Bomb Defusal (team-based) and Gun Game (free for all).

Magic and Mayhem: 6 magic spells, 4 grenade types, and 7 melee weapons due to keep things interesting.

In-Game Map Editor: Create, host, and test your Hypersomnia maps with friends instantly.

You’ll also pick a side in an epic clash of factions:

Metropolis

Atlantis

Resistance

Each faction has its own unique take on moral excellence. Will you seek revenge for dark simulations? Support the ruthless experiments for total control? Or join the underground Resistance waiting for the end of the war in this chaotic afterlife? Hypersomnia nails cross-platform simulation determinism – also one of the toughest tests in networking. So, check out the README for a deep dive into the technical details. The journey started with its first GitHub commit in 2013, and the title became playable in 2017. It's always free, with no hidden payments, inspired by classics like Hotline Miami and Counter-Strike. This title was born from a dream to create an online universe full of players. The ultimate goal? Due to become a professional eSports title, fully customizable with community mods. With the AGPL-3.0 license, anyone can modify and also publish their versions of the title as long as the source code remains public. So, are you ready to jump into Hypersomnia and unleash your creativity or dominate the multiplayer top-down shooter arena? It's built by the community, for the community. So start now and let’s see what you’ve got. Available Free to Play on Steam and web browser. Along with support for Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Due to offer a full release in later 2024.

[macawritesupdates]

Ahh loved the new Yuuji files chapter so so much it was the best one yet! Opening up with summer camp and gojo immediately falling prey to his own hubris was great I was super concerned about that mascot for a moment I was worried it would end up being the death god. Poor Yuuji he's got so much experience he's in his element but no one wants to listen to his advice. I'm not very outdoorsy myself but a good half of my family is and I know from them how easy it is to get hurt if you fuck around. There are multiple eagle scouts in my family who'd have some things to say to all the kids about how foolish they were on the river. Thank goodness Yuuji was a good person and willing to literally jump in to help cuz that could've been a disaster I'm not convinced the Kyoto kids would have survived on their own. Especially since if they had gone without Yuuji they might have ended up in the death gods territory without any way out just like all those other people. Damn Sukuna should realize Yuuji is entirely incapable of sitting by while others meet their doom by now. The death god was so creepy and cool I feel bad for him but also scared coz he wants to do good things and is currently a victim but he's also crazy powerful and beings like can so easily destroy little fragile humans or even just ruin our lives without thinking. Going together into the afterlife to fight God together is incredible good for them. The true forms were excellent Yuuji getting to appreciate his boyfriends true form was lovely and everyone seemed so cool. I'm so glad Yuuji got to kill a god that was awesome. I wonder how Susumu will feel about that. Little sun god Yuuji I love it. I had a headcannon that Yuuji was descended from Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto the goddess who lured Amaterasu from a cave by dancing. In my head cannon the two goddess had a kid who could have been a god himself but he fell for a mortal woman and became human to be with her. The families pink hair comes from the dawn goddess and their gold eyes from Amaterasu. This was just me making fun little theories based on the hints you'd sprinkled in. Anyways love Yuuji being a little sun demigod good for him. Anyways I love Yuuji just casually being himself immediately forgiving rude behavior and making friends with a god as though it were no big deal. The death God's regret that he didn't take more time to get to know Yuuji was cute actually I don't think he's got much to worry about on that end though because he's going to be so busy that one human lifetime will pass in a flash and then he'll have plenty of time to hang with his new friend. Mai and Muta staying behind oh it hurts but it's also so so good! Mai will probably have a great time once she gets used to things she'll be honored as a hero in a God's court and she's so powerful now it's the complete opposite of her life with her old clan. I hope she becomes his right hand woman and achieves great things living a legendary life. Yuuji saying he's not trying to redeem Sukuna but he wants to be in the same purgatory one day damn. I could wax poetic about that forever actually. It's the love and acceptance ok. It's saying I can't save you from the consequences of your own actions but I still won't leave you alone. I will sit with you in hell. Sukuna's well hidden fear of hell too that was great. Ugh it was just a perfect chapter and you brought Toji back I can't wait to see where that goes. I still have more to say lol there's so much good stuff in this one but this comment is already getting long so I'll probably be back in your inbox later with another one haha. Until then thank you so much for writing and sharing with us!!

Thank you ; w ; I was nervous about this one as it has a lot of weird worldbuilding, much like the last fic, and always hit or miss if people enjoy that or not...I just like writing more epic action stories sometimes with more of the world/action ; w ; The death god has been planned for a LONG time, since dropping hints as the ending of this series of fic, the second to last curse, is so contingent on Yuuji having done something BIG that is shaking things up.

Mai and Muta had such sad deaths in the manga, like just always felt they had so much awfulness happen and never got anything to show for it. I like my angst, but I feel if there isn't hope, if there isn't any good payoff, then that death wasn't just, as Yuuji would say. Here, they choose to stay, but it is for reasons of seeking out a better path, not "dead" as much as "Living it up in the god court" ...so they can come back for plot reasons later *coughs* *coughs*

Sukuna making himself into twenty finger cursed objects to maybe be reincarnating instead of dying speaks to me that he does NOT want to die and may have a fear of what comes next, but that's just my headcanon I'm putting in here hehe.... as for the cave incident with a certain sun goddess...mmm....there is a connection there hehe!

I feel it is important for Sukita that Yuuji does NOT just handwave Sukuna being awful, but has an acceptance of it but full send, knows karma has to make this bastard boy pay for it all c: He might become better, do better, but it doesn't erase the past. There is a price to pay, one way or another.

Also Toji coming back was literally the whole reason this chapter exists. I wanted to bring him back. I stared to build the idea they somehow get him back from the afterlife. This chapter was always about bringing Toji back as the funny surprised twist from the day I started writing this fic XD Goes to show you how an idea can really morph over the course of a story!

Thank you as always for the wonderful comment!

[parcy-anda-but-with-actual-posts]

Work in Progress, because I have no idea when I'll muster the stamina to finish this, but ho boy. @ v @ ; It's still quite rough, and clean-up will be a labor and a half, but if this comes out the way I want, it's going to be epic.

This is not something I'm used to, but I stole a weekend, buckled down and got it inked/flat-colored. Breaking now so I can recover and try not to crap out on the rendering stage. This is more a set of characters than of Pokémon, but yeah. @ v @ ;

Unlike before with solo images for each Fakemon, I decided since the Quailing line in my last post was domesticated by a Spider-based line of Fakemon (Distrawt & Thinteret/Auruneus), I should feature these species in one big composition, to show some of their behaviors and interactions!

This is all extremely self-indulgent stuff with no basis in Pokémon formula, but I'm having fun! The docs are still a mess, but someday I want to organize everything into a cohesive, presentable "handbook" that other people can play with or build on, if they wish.

One thing I want to get out of the way though; the cat-like head shapes are because I'm a goober and wanted to base these on Araneus gemmoides, also called "Cat-faced Spiders". C'X

For people who are interested in the WIP handbook notes, you can enjoy them under the cut! ^^

-+-+- Quailing Line -+-+-

Background/Dev Notes: (Inspirations: Peafowl, Quail & Lost Souls)

This line is a divergence from the Pidove line that took on an afterlife of its own in the Hopian Region. Historically, Unfezant was extremely popular game — this saw a resurgence in the final days of humankind as they persevered to the best of their ability. Unfortunately for Unfeazant, this often meant that parents, upon leaving their nests to forage, never returned. The unguarded but well-hidden eggs would result in stillborn Pidove, that over time, would absorb enough radiation and eventually hatch into these ghostlings.

Quailing | The Watchful Pokémon | Ghost-Flying Quailing are almost always seen loafed and shivering, as their unnatural conception leaves them paralyzed with fear and inhibits the instinct to learn to walk. With support from a good trainer however, this Pokémon has extraordinary potential. The eyes on their shoulders are only the beginning — more will come…

Spifoul | The Challenge Pokémon | Ghost-Flying Spifoul by nature, are agitated and confused, using their growing spurs as weapons against perceived threats. They’ve mastered mobility and their empowered spectral eyes increase their awareness, but they are rather aggressive as a result of persistent adolescent fears. This stage requires the most patience, but it pays off tremendously.

Bogeyvo | The Joyous Pokémon | Ghost-Flying Bogeyvo are typically encountered as domesticated by experienced Thinteret, used as sentries and to make fine thread and yarn from Distrawt silk using their spurs. Wherever you find them, Bogeyvo are equally known as formidable guardians that seek to offer others the protection and nurturing they initially hadn’t. By now, the eyes are no longer a symbol of fear, but of POWER.

-+-+- Distrawt Line -+-+-

Background/Dev Notes: (Inspirations: Cat-faced Spider, Spinning Wheels & Straw-into-Gold)

The Distrawt Line are male-dominated farmers by trade, domesticating the Quailing Line and collecting the silk of their youngest, with the intermediate-stage taking up trades, and the exceedingly rare final-stage acting as master weavers and community elders/leaders. The harvesting of their young’s byproducts does not strike them as odd or wrong in any way, and out of all the former humans, they have the most estranged perspective, having taken on arachnid thought patterns and instincts. As humans, they were the survivors, the ones prepared to continue well after the world had ended, and who earned all the Champion’s respect…

Distrawt | The Rough Silk Pokémon | Bug-Grass Tiny spider Pokémon that have evolved incessantly-produced straw-like silk. If not harvested regularly, the spinnerets on their backs will become painfully clogged, and the piled up silk will render them immobilized — helpless, they will cry loudly until the pain and stress are dealt with.

Thinteret | The Working Pokémon | Bug-Grass These eusocial arachnids spend much of their time honing their craft, practicing refinement with and of their own silk and harvesting Distrawts’, producing threads to be processed by the Bogeyvo they’ve domesticated. The most seasoned of the weavers form leadership councils of the colony, and alone are entrusted with Moonstone, should the colony possess any…

Auruneus | The Gold-Weaver Pokémon | Bug-Steel By the power of the Moonstone, leading Thinteret can take this Veiled form, though typically only to protect the colony in a crisis, as this stage is the immutable and unnatural human element preserved within the bygone peoples, and generally kept hidden from the world. Using the threads woven by their dorsal spinning wheels, they wield fine, slicing golden wires to defend the community, and provide textile support in times of dire need.

Commenting on this "textile support in times of dire need" bit: This is a Pokémon para-regional setting, and with that comes certain expectations for action and higher-stakes... and this region can certainly be scary and high-stakes... but it is also cottagecore-inspired, and there MUST and WILL be cozy elements. CX

[betshy]

Transcendent Allegory: Decoding Abstruse Symbolism

For centuries, authors, poets, and artists have utilised allegory as a powerful tool to convey deeper meaning and signify hidden truths. Often, these allegorical works contain symbols and motifs that are not readily apparent to the casual observer, requiring a more in-depth analysis to fully comprehend their significance. In recent years, a new form of allegory has emerged – transcendent allegory – which delves even deeper into the realm of abstraction and symbolism. Transcendent allegory pushes the boundaries of traditional allegorical storytelling by utilising even more cryptic and enigmatic symbolism. These works often require the reader or viewer to engage in a process of decoding, unravelling the layers of meaning like a puzzle to reveal the ultimate message hidden within. This form of storytelling challenges the audience to think critically and analytically, as they navigate through the complex web of symbols and motifs presented to them. One of the most famous examples of transcendent allegory is Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy." In this epic poem, Dante embarks on a journey through the afterlife, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. As he travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, Dante encounters numerous allegorical figures and symbols that represent various aspects of the human experience and the spiritual journey towards enlightenment. Another notable example of transcendent allegory is George Orwell's "Animal Farm." On the surface, the story appears to be a simple fable about a group of farm animals overthrowing their human oppressors. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Orwell is using the animals and their actions as symbols for larger political themes and societal issues. The pigs, for example, come to represent the corrupt leadership of a totalitarian regime, while the other animals symbolise the oppressed masses. Decoding abstruse symbolism in transcendent allegory can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By engaging with these works on a deeper level, readers and viewers can uncover new insights and perspectives on the human condition, society, and the cosmos. The intricate web of symbols and motifs serves as a reflection of the complexities of the world around us, inviting us to explore and interpret their meanings in a way that is both enlightening and enriching. In a world filled with superficial stories and narratives, transcendent allegory stands out as a beacon of intellectual and creative brilliance. By daring to delve into the realms of abstraction and symbolism, these works challenge us to expand our minds and challenge our assumptions, ultimately leading us on a journey towards a greater understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live. So the next time you come across a work of transcendent allegory, don't shy away from the challenge – embrace it, decode it, and unlock the hidden truths within. Read the full article

[tomorrowedblog]

Friday Releases for March 29

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for March 29 include La Chimera, Lousy Carter, Renegade Nell, and more.

La Chimera

La Chimera, the new movie from Alice Rohrwacher, is out today.

Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. For Arthur, the Chimera looks like the woman he lost, Beniamina. To find her, Arthur challenges the invisible, searches everywhere, goes inside the earth – in search of the door to the afterlife of which myths speak. In an adventurous journey between the living and the dead, between forests and cities, between celebrations and solitudes, the intertwined destinies of these characters unfold, all in search of the Chimera.

Lousy Carter

Lousy Carter, the new movie from Bob Byington, is out today.

In LOUSY CARTER, written and directed by auteur filmmaker Bob Byington, David Krumholtz (OPPENHEIMER) stars as a ne'er-do-well literature professor adrift on a soulless college campus who learns he only has six months to live. With the clock ticking, will he change his ways? Probably not.

Asphalt City

Asphalt City, the new movie from Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, is out today.

A young paramedic is paired with a seasoned partner on the night shift in New York revealing a city in crisis. Discovering the chaos firsthand, he is tested with the ethical ambiguity that can be the difference between life and death.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the new movie from Adam Wingard, is out today.

The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of “Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.

Heart of the Hunter

Heart of the Hunter, the new movie from Mandla Dube, is out today.

A retired assassin is pulled back into action when his friend uncovers a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of the South African government.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners

In the Land of Saints and Sinners, the new movie from Robert Lorenz, is out today.

Ireland, 1970s. Eager to leave his dark past behind, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) leads a quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, far from the political violence that grips the rest of the country. But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, led by a ruthless woman named Doirean (Kerry Condon), Finbar is drawn into an increasingly vicious game of cat and mouse, forcing him to choose between exposing his secret identity or defending his friends and neighbors.

The Listener

The Listener, the new movie from Steve Buscemi, is out today.

Beth is a crisis helpline volunteer that gets on the phone every night, fielding calls from people feeling lonely, broken, hopeless. During tonight’s shift, the stakes rise: is this the night she will save a hurting soul - or lose one?

The Beautiful Game

The Beautiful Game, the new movie from Thea Sharrock, is out today.

In “The Beautiful Game,” Mal, the manager of England’s homeless soccer team, leads them to the Homeless World Cup in Rome. He takes a gamble by adding talented but troubled striker Vinny, who must overcome his past to become a team player. Inspired by the real Homeless World Cup, this is a story of second chances, where homeless individuals from across the globe find hope and competition on the field.

Wicked Little Letters

Wicked Little Letters, the new movie from Thea Sharrock, is out today.

Based on a stranger than fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

Renegade Nell

Renegade Nell, the new TV series from Sally Wainwright, Ben Taylor, Amanda Brotchie, and MJ Delaney, is out today.

A word of warning: You don’t want to mess with Nell Jackson.

A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow, the new TV series from Ben Vanstone, is out today.

An adaptation of Amor Towles’ internationally best-selling novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW follows Count Alexander Rostov, played by Emmy Award-winning actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars franchise, Halston, Trainspotting), who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, finds that his gilded past has placed him on the wrong side of history. Spared immediate execution, he is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol and threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, Rostov’s reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.

Felvidek

Felvidek, the new game from Jozef Pavelka, is out today.

In Felvidek, a JRPG set in 15th century Slovakia, you embrace the role of an alcoholic knight Pavol. Meet diverse and interesting characters to help you drive out the Hussites and Ottomans who blight this land.

COWBOY CARTER

COWBOY CARTER, the new album from Beyoncé, is out today.

Marciology

Marciology, the new album from Roc Marciano, is out today.

The Changing of the Trees

The Changing of the Trees, the new album from Dom McLennon, is out today.