#the bromance of sam and hilary

[silverbirching]

So back in the lawless dark ages of 2021, my besty bo besty, @abeautifulblog, the Artist Currently Known as Gremble, reached out to me with the following pitch:

Gremble: Hey Sam, I found this brain-meltingly great Old Guard fic written by an actual historian --

Sam: SOUNDS BORING LAWL /does kick-flips on skateboard, chugs monster energy, crushes can on forehead/

Then, like six months later I actually read the damn thing, and it was brilliant, unspeakably brilliant, Jesus Christ, and Gabriel started linking me to some of the author's insufferably cogent and intelligent Tumblr posts on queer history and writing and politics and and and and-

Sam: Who is this woman.

Gremble: She's cool, right?

Sam: I SHALL FRIEND-SEDUCE HER.

Gremble: I mean she's pretty popular, I dunno if--

Sam: ALL SHALL LOVE ME AND DESPAIR

So I paged to the back of How To Win Friends and Influence People to find the section on befriending internet cryptids, and began a relentless campaign of harassment by commenting barely-related shitposts and jokes on her then-running Heartrender Husbands fic until she, badgered nearly to death, finally agreed to be my friend in what was a tragically quaint hope that it might get me to shut up for 30 seconds.

I'm her sketchy internet friend from now until doomsday. My friend, my inspiration, my sister from another mister, one of the people I most admire and respect in all the world, though that notably does not reduce the amount of time I spend razzing her, the one, the only, @qqueenofhades, whose talent, intellect, and wretched salty sass mouth has immeasurably enriched my life practically every goddamn day since I finally succeeded in harassing and inveighing her into being my friend.

AND TODAY'S HER BIRFFFFFFFFFFDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY :D :D :D :D

[unholy-fabray]

💕💚💔? –hevanderson

💕: What is an unpopular ship that you like? Hmm Puckleberry? I think their voices sound good together, they had some hilarious lines and interactions, and Rachel's ruthless self-centeredness + Puck's lack of morals has some wild potential yfm.... I also love Puckleberry bromance in fanfics

💚: What does everyone else get wrong about your favorite character? Seeing as how my favorite character is Quinn Fabray, so much lmao 💀 I might be preaching to the choir here, but many viewers can't seem to read past the show's framing of her as a super selfish megabitch and see how freaking scared and uncomfortable she is most of the time. Quinn's surrounded by immense social pressure and little-to-no real friendship or unconditional support. She's certainly an antagonist, don't get me wrong - but often a sympathetic and compelling one.

💔: If you had to remove one major character from the series, who would you choose? Ohh this is a tough one... Post-season 1 Shelby because she's heinous and a scourge to humanity OR Ryder because I never felt like he had much impact on the story or a strong presence on screen and pretty much all his tropes we had already seen before (except for his SA subplot with Kitty - that actually meant a lot to me).

Sam also felt like a repeat of tropes that had already been filled by Finn (quarterback, teen boy with a heart of gold, etc.) and Brittany ("dumb blonde", neurodivergent af, etc.) HOWEVER I really love Sam and feel like he had a stronger presence on the show, so...

[seriouslysam8]

Hi Sam I stumbled upon Brumous a couple weeks ago and absolutely fell in love with it I recently finished the last chapter and I swear the moment I stoped reading I started having bloody withdrawals Brumous is easily the best piece of fan fiction I’ve ever read and the fact that you have a personal life and can’t just crank out a new chapter for me every day is a horrible tragedy but I digress I read some of your shorter fiction which I also loved and wanted to move on to your other stories but they seem pretty angsty and I cant with some sad shit right now Ginny and Ron are such beautiful visions of sunlight in Harry’s fucked up life and when that relationship is put under strain it’s heartbreaking everything else in Harrys life is so tragic and awful that I need Harry and his Weasleys to be happy I need them to be disgustingly in love and adorable could you please point me to which of your stories I can read without feeling depressed

If only fanfic writer was a paying job!! 🤣🤣🤣

So the happy Harry and his Weasleys are one-shots.

Brio is flirty Hinny with hilarious Ron.

Hide and Seek plus Grimmauld Game Night is pre-dating pining Hinny goodness.

The Demise of Walburga Black is bromance Rarry plus George with a sprinkle of Hinny.

Veracity is borderline crack with George being a menace to Harry.

The chapters stories are more angsty.

Kalopsia is Harry is missing and desperately trying to get home to his Weasleys, Ron is in a coma, Ginny and George try to solve the mystery of what happened.

Entombed is kidnapped Ginny and has one of my favorite scenes ever written when Harry and Ron rescue Ginny. I love it.

Brontide is a steer clear. Harry makes a mistake, hides his problems from his Weasleys, and tries to solve his issues alone. When his Weasleys do find out the truth, they are super supportive and amazing but there is a lot of angst and friction between characters.

EDIT: Effloresce is a cute pining Hinny chaptered story that I forgot about. Scones is cute married Hinny with a focus on their kids. The Curse of the Monthlies is Harry and little Lily Luna cuteness with a sprinkle of Hinny and hilarious good uncle Ron.

[luna-rainbow]

a blast from the past?

As much as there are flaws to blogging, I'm so glad it exists because I don't have the patience for handwritten diaries. Electronic blogging lets me revisit my posts years down the track like a time capsule.

So back before the first Avengers movies came out, the characters I found the most interesting were Tony and Loki. I enjoyed the Avengers, because these two guys were the focus of the show. It's interesting that I said this in my review:

If anything, I thought the most slighted hero of the lot was Captain America. Played with blue-eyed sincerity (daheck?) by Chris Evans, he's just so unbending that in a pool of quirky characters he gets overlooked. But it's nice to see him take command in the end, the way he should.

So if I, a non-Steve fan whose impression of Steve at the time was bland, complained about Steve being even more overlooked and bland in the movie...I can only imagine what it felt like to be a Steve fan going in.

(Snip for length - comments about Cap movies under cut)

I didn't even write a review for the first Cap movie, presumably because I watched it pirated and couldn't see enough in the blurry pixelation to leave an impression XDDD I'm not even sure I watched it before the Avengers, although I did watch it before Cap 2 because I said this for the CATWS review:

Personally I thought Captain America was a weaker outing for Marvel. Something about him just didn't quite connect with me, and while the underlying message echos with anyone who had ever been bullied, the rushed and perfunctory 3rd act left behind a generally sour taste. Added to that, while all of the characters were cheerfully likeable, none of them were all that memorable.

(Huh so I guess I didn't like Peggy as much as I thought I once did.)

I did love Captain America 2 though, although according to my own review I said "I actually garbled a lot about this after watching it yesterday, so I'm in a bit of a word-drought regarding it."

My only disappointment is that I feel I still don't have a grip on Steve's character. He's selfless, yes, but he also has very personal attachments. It won't be the first or second time he's run after Bucky into danger. But at the same time he's also the person who can detachedly tell his comrades that he was going to 1) crash his ship, 2) shut off the space portal with Iron Man still stuck outside or 3) bomb the ship he's still on. I feel there's some sort of conflict in this, that in crisis he can make these noble, difficult and somewhat emotionless decisions - and yet he seems very much driven by compassion and emotion.

I'm sure my 2014 me will be delighted to know that I've figured it out by 2021 that 1) Steve loves Bucky and 2) Whedon doesn't get Steve and 3) Steve still loves Bucky XDDDD

I ended with this, which I will include because it's hilarious how the wheel turns:

I think the Winter Soldier could have been more, yet at the same time I don't think they could have fit any more without slowing the pace down too much. I hope this is addressed in the next movie because it would make up for what's lacking in this movie - the dynamic between Cap and Winter Soldier, the tragedy and disbelief and the see-sawing between trust and mistrust that made the Thor-Loki dynamic so magnetic. The Winter Soldier was a terrifying menace, and Sebastian Stan did bring a hint of vulnerability in the rare moments that his character was exposed, but there was not much more. That said, the Steve-Bucky bromance is probably the least convincing of all I've seen. Oddly, the Steve/Sam dynamic is the most natural brothers-in-arms of the lot.

The irony of fate aside, to a degree I still agree with it. For a relationship that defined a large chunk of Steve's character, and almost the entirety of Bucky's existence, their onscreen interactions were very, very limited in CATWS (and now with the view of hindsight, in the entirety of the series). Sebastian Stan was given such a short length of time (compared to Loki) to work through the shock and betrayal and grief and horror of Bucky waking up to the reality what he had been turned into. While Bucky was effective as a narrative foil for Steve, the actual buildup of their relationship was patchy at best, and a lot of what we do have now is by filling in the large blanks in between brief moments of tenderness we do see.

I do wonder about the comment about "bromance" though. In reflection, I wonder if the Steve-Bucky bromance was least convincing because it was so...exceedingly devoted and magical (breaking spells of brainwashing and all that). As someone who gets squicked by watching sappy romcoms, the end of the line scene(s) tripped all sorts of wires and I think I was reacting to that. It felt more than a bromance, and that was why it was less convincing. Sam/Steve felt like good bros, Steve/Bucky...something else entirely.

And wow yeah did I have hopes for a better Cap 3 movie, even though I wasn't a Cap fan.

[rays-of-gold]

Subject: Why "Supernatural" is the Ultimate Fangirl Dream Show!

OMG, you guys, I am seriously so obsessed with "Supernatural" right now! If you haven't seen this show yet, you are seriously missing out. Let me tell you why it's the ultimate fangirl dream:

The Bros: Sam and Dean Winchester are just, like, the cutest and coolest brothers ever! They're hilarious, brave, and always have each other's backs. Swoon!

Castiel: And then there's Castiel, the badass angel who just stole my heart. He's hilarious, mysterious, and has the best one-liners. I can't even handle it.

The Hilarious Horror: "Supernatural" has the perfect mix of horror and humor. It's seriously scary one minute and then the next minute you're laughing your butt off. It's the best!

The Relationships: The relationships between the characters in this show are seriously everything. The bond between the brothers is unbreakable, and Castiel and the boys have the best bromance ever.

The Plot Twists: "Supernatural" always keeps you guessing with its wild plot twists. Just when you think you have it all figured out, BAM! Another twist. It's seriously addicting.

In conclusion, "Supernatural" is the ultimate fangirl dream show. If you're looking for a mix of humor, horror, and heart, this show is a must-watch. Trust me, you won't regret it!

[my-chaos-radio-2010s-list]

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

Rain Over Me - Pitbull feat. Marc Anthony

Ready Or Not - Bridgit Mendler

Reality - Lost Frequencies feat. Janieck Devy

Red Lights - Tiësto

Renegades - X Ambassadors

Rhythm Of Love - Tq, Italove

Ride It - Regard

Ride Or Die - The Knocks feat. Foster The People

Right There - Nicole Scherzinger feat. 50 Cent

Riva (Restart The Game) - Klingande feat. Broken Back

River Flows In You - Jasper Forks

Roar - Katy Perry

Rocketeer - Far East Movement, Ryan Tedder

Rosana - Wax

Roses - The Chainsmokers feat. ROZES

Run Away With Me - Carly Rae Jepsen

Runaround Sue - Human Nature

-

Safe And Sound - Capital Cities

Sailing - Mike Oldfield

Salt - Ava Max

Same Old Love - Selena Gomez

Sans rancune - Sindy feat. La Fouine

Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande (Xmas)

Say Something - Justin Timberlake feat. Chris Stapleton

Search Party (OST 'Paper Towns') - Sam Bruno

Seek Bromance - Tim Berg

Self Control - Bebe Rexha

Señorita - Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Shame - Elle King

She Makes Me Wanna - JLS feat. DEV

She Moves (Far Away) - Alle Farben feat. Graham Candy

She Wolf (Falling To Pieces) - David Guetta feat. Sia

She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio) - Roxette

She's On Fire - Bo Saris

She's So Mean - Matchbox Twenty

Shower - Becky G

Side To Side - Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj

Sing Me To Sleep - Alan Walker

Sing That Song - Shaun Bate feat. Sirona

Sit Next To Me - Foster The People

Sit Still, Look Pretty - Daya

Skin - Rag'n'Bone Man

Slow It Down - Amy Macdonald

Solo - Clean Bandit, Demi Lovato

Someone Like You - Adele

Something About You - Elderbrook, Rudimental

Something In The Water - Brooke Fraser

Song For Sophie - Aura Dione

Sparks - Hilary Duff

special - Shinedown

Speeding Cars - Walking On Cars

Spirit Indestructible - Nelly Furtado

Stay - Kygo feat. Maty Noyes

Stay - Zedd, Alessia Cara

Stay With Me - Sam Smith

Strangers - Sigrid

Stuttering - Fefe Dobson

Summer Paradise - Simple Plan feat. Sean Paul

SuperLove - Charli XCX

Survivors - Passenger

-

Talk Talk - Cannons

The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie - Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Chamber - Lenny Kravitz

The Edge - Tonight Alive

The Flood - Take That

The Girl Is Mine - 99 Souls, Destiny’s Child & Brandy

The Greatest - Sia

The Middle - Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

The Mother We Share - CHVRCHES

The One That Got Away - Katy Perry

The Sound Of Silence - Disturbed

Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz

Thumbs - Sabrina Carpenter

Thunderclouds - LSD (Sia, Diplo, Labrinth)

Tornado - Little Big Town

Treasure - Bruno Mars

Tu Vuo ‘Fa’ L'Americano - Hetty & The Jazzato Band

-

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles

Waves - Mr. Probz

Way Down We Go - KALEO

We Found Love - Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

Wet - Nicole Scherzinger

Who Do You Think Of? - M.O

Wind Flower - MAMAMOO

Wolves Without Teeth - Of Monsters And Men

-

You - The Pretty Reckless

You Are The Reason - Calum Scott

You Don’t Know Love - Olly Murs

You Don't Know Me - Ofenbach feat. Brodie Barclay

You Don't Own Me - SAYGRACE feat. G-Eazy

You Make Me - Avicii

You Say - Lauren Daigle

Your Song - Ellie Goulding

You’re In Love With A Psycho - Kasabian

[romcombc]

Book Review for The Write Way for Love

To say I love this book would be far too easy. To say I am head over hills for Sam and Anita would feel repetitive. Instead, I will say I have never read a book where I feel like I could step into the pages. The Write Way For Love engulfs you, pulling you into the small town of Moonshine, Australia. From the hijinks of the townspeople, to the bromance of Reece and Sam, to the magic that is Anita and the circus, you will grow to know, love, and figuratively stand beside them, experiencing all the feels that only an exceptional writer can provide.

In a literary world dominated by female authors, a crafty pseudonym has allowed Samuel Harthrup to make his way in and disturb the status quo. Posing as Sammie Hart (and doing everything in his power to keep his true identity a secret), Samuel couldn’t ask for anything more. With a bestselling, record-breaking romance and a growing fan base demanding a sequel, Samuel’s editorial team is beside itself waiting to get a glimpse at his latest manuscript. Sounds wonderful except the next “epic romance” is turning into an epic fail. Taking advice from his doctor and best friend Reece, Samuel decides to denounce his hermit lifestyle for a night, rejoining the living by heading out to the circus that has come into town. Looking for motivation in the form of liquid courage, Sam suddenly finds himself falling, quite literally, for a gorgeous curvy palm reader. Pulling him from the game bin that he just fell into, Anita Fortuna finds herself drawn to Sam. A kindred spirit in the arts, Anita asks to read Sam’s palms and gets more than she bargains for when he passes out of her (what is with this guy and gravity?!) Enjoying the nuisances of small town hospitality (and hoping for a decent meal for once), Anita ends up playing babysitter in Sam’s apartment. While waiting for Sam to regain consciousness, she discovers a manuscript that must be a comedy because it is either that hilarious or that awful! Not one to bite her tongue, she quickly shares with hungover Sam all the ways he has gone wrong with his romance – creating the missing spark Sam needs to get back on track. Together, can these two pull off the impossible and create the sequel the fans demand without writing a love story of their own?

I have had the pleasure of reading a lot of Indie authors and Brooklyn is definitely one to watch. I don’t know if she did it intentionally but she has set this book up perfectly for at least two more in the series (hint…hint). I would love to read Reece’s entire story and Adam’s. The town of Moonshine has stolen my heart and I can’t wait to see what other magic it has up its sleeve.

Check out the spoiler free review in the Facebook Group - The Romantic Comedy Book Club or read the entire review on the main website: https://romcombc.com/book/the-write-way-for-love

Thank you Brooklyn Dean - Author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[callmemoonlight123]

This is one of my favorite moments with Sam and Steve. Whats your favorite moment? ❤❤❤

[moreofanassholethanyouthink]

So none of the known Avengers have come in contact with a person with D.I.D. (that we are aware of or im aware of). They have come in contact with gods, but they are just powerful aliens. They have seen magic and such, but none have come in contact (again that we are aware of) with literal gods.

So my question, Who would you like for Moon Knight to meet first when he eventually makes contact with the rest of the MCU?

My Top 3:

Bucky and Sam would be hilarious, because they would probably be like WTF and proceed to have one of their bromance arguments about it.

Dr. Strange would be funny because he might just push them (marc/steven/jake) into that astral projection thing out of their body only to find three guys and Khonshu.

Clint would probably be 'IDK WTF is happening, but much like the talking trash panda, im just gonna roll with.'

[inkandpen22]

Permanent Chaos (4/?)

Pairing: MGK x Female!Reader

Word Count: 4k

Warnings: mild swearing, mentions of underage drinking 

Part Summary: Sam hosts a party and Y/N makes a not-so-great acquaintance of a certain rock star.

Masterlist

Sam’s house is filled with people. I know the majority of the partiers, the rest I can recognize from whatever field of entertainment they’re in. The music is blasting over the speakers and the voices fill the remaining space.

I search around for him. I manage to find him in the family room on the couch. He’s chatting with a group of people, including Penelope. I make my way over, shuffling between bodies. When I appear out from within the crowd, Sam gleams.

“You made it!”

“I did!” I giggle.

We hug and he introduces me to the girl beside him. “Y/N, this is Cara.”

As if I don't know who Cara Delevigne is, I may be busy but I don't live on Mars. I smile at her kindly. “Nice to meet you!”

“You too! I’m a huge fan of your work on TSL!” She gushes, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

The Seasons of Life is often shortened to TSL, just a side note.

Cara’s accent is so pretty! She’s already a model then she has to have a British accent as if she wasn’t perfect enough!

“Aw, thank you so much!”

Sam slips by me. “I’m going to go get us a drink!”

"Oh wait, Sam!"

“I know what to do!” He shouts back without stopping. I should know better. With how much time we spend together, he would know my order.

“That kid,” I sigh to Penelope and Cara.

The two giggle and we go on to talk about this and that. Fun enough, Cara leaves for Paris tomorrow for a fashion show. Must be exciting to travel so often and to wear the most amazing clothes. She’s quite funny. Her personality is so vibrant and warm. I can see us being good friends.

A loud voice echoes through the house and the three of us look toward the archway to see who it’s coming from. Bodies block the view so I turn my attention back to the girls. Penelope and I discuss the photoshoot in two days and Cara talks about her experiences with Vanity Fair.

“Hey, Cara!” A voice greets behind me.

I don't turn around, but I can feel their energy hovering over me. They shuffle to stand right beside me. I glance up, but can't recognize them.

Cara stands up to hug them. “Good to see you! How are you?” She keeps him in an embrace.

“Great, great!” The guy, who’s back is to me for some reason seems familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“You know Sam?” She questions as they part.

“Not really, I came with a few friends.”

I look over at Penelope for a hint as to who it could be. She shrugs and watches the two interact.

“Speaking of, have you seen him? I should say hi.” The man asks.

“He went to the kitchen to get a drink for him and Y/N.”

The man turns around and he peers down at me on the couch. I should’ve guessed it… MGK. The hair and a million tattoos should've been a dead giveaway. That bright blonde mess of a hairstyle.

“Colson, this is Y/N Voss,” Cara introduces us.

He glances down at me with a smile. “We’ve met actually,” he claims.

My head tilts, I can’t recall when we've met properly.

“Today after I performed on James’s show,” he describes, towering over me.

“Oh! Awesome!” Cara sits back down next to me.

All I can do is stare at Colson in confusion. “If you count glancing at one another from across the room once as meeting,” I reply a bit snarky.

He gives me a toothy grin and eases down onto the cushion ottoman right across from me. “It was more than one glance,” he argues.

“You would know, you’re the one that never looked away," I fire back.

Cara and Penelope exchange a glance, snicker, then leave the scene together. They offer their goodbye before giggling away. They're smart.

Colson seems to have not noticed or at least doesn’t care. He moves to take Cara's spot on the cushion next to me. “You would’ve had to been looking to have noticed that I never looked away.”

My head rolls back, with a mocking laugh. “Well aren’t you a genius!”

He rests his arm on the back of the couch behind me. “I like to think so.”

“One vodka tonic.” Sam interrupts, holding out my drink.

I take it bitterly. "Thanks."

“Sam huh?” Colson stands up and the two shake hands. “I’m Colson, nice to officially meet you, man!”

Sam treats him like an old friend which annoys the heck out of me. Colson so far has only shown his arrogance to me. “You too! Great seeing you today at the show. Your performance was amazing.”

“Thanks, your interview was hilarious!” Colson fakes charming better than some actors.

“You watched?” Sam asks.

“Yeah, I stuck around just off-camera. You two are great!”

Watching these two talk each other up is a bromance waiting to happen.

Sam gestures to me with his glass. “Y/N here is the real comedian. There’s never a dull moment with her."

“I'm sure.” Colson peers down at me with a bright smile. "We’ve only just met and she’s already sparked a debate with me.”

I narrow my eyes at Colson, what’s he trying to start?

Sam settles down on the ottoman where Colson was. “What about?” He is all for the conversation and is jumping headfirst into the tiff between us.

Colson smiles but I see the mischief in his eyes.

“It wasn’t a debate” I rise to my feet in front of the boys. “If you would excuse.” I step away from the couch a little irked.

“Oh come on now Baby, I’m only joking,” Colson calls not bothered.

“Oh no,” Sam laughs behind me. “Best not call her that or any pet names for that matter. She hates them!”

I don’t even acknowledge them on my walk out of the room. Cocky, annoying, ugh! It’s been maybe five minutes and he’s already managed to irritate me. Maybe all the things they write in the tabloids about him are true. A spoiled, arrogant, womanizing jerk. A piece of the worst parts of the industry. I'm going to go find the girls and stay far away from Colson Baker.

________________________________________

On the set of the Vanity Fair shoot, the atmosphere is lively and carefree. The theme is an 80’s vintage style and since it’s coming back the magazine is mixing old with the new. Sam and I are in an old-fashioned record store and it’s wicked! The walls are teal and remind me of an old Taco Bell. There are rows and rows of just vinyl records. My hair is teased in an 80’s rock band kind of hairstyle. 80s music has been playing on set all morning to set the mood. I'm living for it!

A lady approaches me with a huge light wash denim jacket.

“No way! I get to wear this!” I gush.

She helps me put it on and I’m dying from how awesome this shoot is.

I immediately go to Sam's trailer. “Sam! I’m rocking the denim on denim look!” I show off my high-waisted light wash denim shorts with a black bulky leather belt around my waist.

He laughs. “I appreciate the denim on denim but I have to say my favorite part is the old Bon Jovi T.”

The photographer, Adam, comes up with this brilliant idea for me to stand on the crates of records. Where the two rows in the middle of the store meet, there’s enough room for me to stand. Once I’m up there and I can find the balance in these red heels, they have Sam join me.

“Sam, grab her leg and look up at her as though you’re keeping an eye on her,” Adam instructs.

The camera flashes and between snaps, I change my facial features.

“Good! Good! Let’s get some shots from the counter!”

Sam helps me down from the crates and I hop down. We get a shot of me laying across the counter with a red sucker in my hand and Sam hovering over me. This shoot is incredibly fun and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Sam and I change outfits and Adam asks if he can get a video for the website and YouTube channel. Of course, we said yes. It’ll be a montage of an interview of us individually and then of us just messing around throughout the store with 80’s music playing in the background. Adam has me sit on an 80’s style floral couch they set up in front of a backdrop in the back room. The whole setup is very comfortable and intimate. Only us, a few lights and a camera with the radio playing. Sam is in makeup and dress for the part of the video of us being candid.

“You can sit however you like!” Adam instructs, meaning I’m sitting too formal with my posture straight and legs crossed. “Act like we’re just hanging out or something.”

I adjust myself and crisscross my legs, slouching a bit.

“Much better!” he compliments, staring down at the camera. He hits up on a stool and positions his camera on the stand. “What’s it like to be on the cover of Vanity Fair?”

“The whole experience is unreal! I remember having a subscription to Teen Vogue growing up. My friends and I loved them!”

“Would you describe your style as modern or classic?”

“Classic for sure!” I gush.

Adam snickers. “What’s your favorite decade for fashion?”

I laugh and gesture down at my outfit. “The 80’s.”

“Does anyone from the 80’s inspire your style in particular?”

I tap the tips of my fingers together and hum. “That’s a toughy! I guess I would have to say Demi Moore for the hair. Specifically, her haircut from About Last Night… that’s where I got the style for my hair actually. Another big one would be Cindy Crawford, such a fashion icon!” I could talk about fashion all day and the icons idolize.

“Heels or sneakers?”

“Depends on the occasion. Sneakers for everyday things, I could never live without my trusty Converse. Yet, I would wear heels if I’m dressing it up a bit.”

"Are you more of a girly-girl or tomboy?”

“People who know me well would say I’m a girly-girl but I also don’t mind downplaying it from time to time. I’ve gotten better lately at relaxing and no being so “on” all the time.”

“Hair up or down?”

“Half up, half down,” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully looking into the camera.

Adam chuckles behind the camera. He changes topics. “You’re from South Carolina originally...”

My heart sinks a little at the mention of home, but I hide behind a smile. “That I am.”

“You haven’t been back in almost a year, do you miss it?”

I play with the ends of my hair, examining my lap. Avoiding the camera lens. I look at anywhere but there. “If I were to miss anything about South Carolina, it would be the gorgeous landscape and southern food."

“You have three siblings, correct?” Adam asks next.

“I do, an older brother and sister, then a younger brother.” I list.

“What do they think about the show and your career?”

I nod. “They support me but the distance is hard. As you said, we haven’t all been together in almost a year.”

“Do you have any plans to go visit home soon?”

I sigh, “sadly no, my work keeps me quite busy.”

The interview goes on and we discuss how my style has evolved since I was a teen starting out in the business. I’ll admit, the topics about home and family sucked. Work and personal life are two separate jobs, my worlds can’t collide. I never bring South Carolina into it.

______________________________________________

After the shoot, I received a call from Cara when we were finishing up the photoshoot. Last night, Cara, Penelope, and I had a blast! I completely forgot about the whole tiff with Colson once I reached them in the kitchen. Since then, we’ve been three peas in a pod. While we were talking on the phone, she invited Sam and me to dinner at The Ivy.

“A small gathering of friends,” she told me and asked for us to be there by seven.

Jump ahead to now and Sam is parallel parking the car. I hop out and wait on the sidewalk for Sam to walk around. Our hands' interlock and the paparazzi take notice of us when people on the sidewalk pull out their phones.

“Y/N! SAM! SAM! OVER HERE!”

“HOW’S FILMING GOING?”

“It’s good to be back on set!” I cover my eyes with my clutch.

“YOUR INTERVIEW WITH JAMES CORDEN WAS GREAT!”

“SOCIAL BLEW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW!”

Sam asks for the guys to make a path so we can get through without issues. He releases my hand and presses his palm to my lower back protectively.

“WE’VE ALREADY SEEN Cara AND PENELOPE GO IN!”

“A FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY!”

“ARE YOU ALL MEETING UP?”

“Maybe, maybe not!” I look into one of the video cameras and wink.

The guy behind it gets a hoot out of my expression.

Sam and I reach the restaurant and the men let us go in unbothered.

“WE’LL LEAVE YOU ALONE TO YOUR DINNER!”

“Thanks guys, see you later!” I wave to them and their cameras shoot rapidly.

The noise dies down when we go back further into the restaurant. Sam spots Cara in the back and guides me back there. Tables are lined up in a long row and the majority of the seats are filled.

Cara, cool as a cucumber pulls me into a hug. “Hey Y/N! So glad you two could come!” She sits Sam and me across from each other near the middle. She insisted that I sit by her so we could chat. We get to talking about the Vanity Fair shoot today then she’s pulled away when another guest arrives.

The waitress comes up behind me and requests my drink order.

“I’ll have a sweet tea please.”

“We only serve unsweetened.”

I hate it when they say that. “That’s fine, thank you!” Sam eyes me and I pout about having no sweet tea.

“You realize there’s sugar right here.” He slides me the packets of sugar.

“Yes but it’s not the same. There’s sweet tea at every restaurant where I’m from and I come here boom! Sweet tea is nonexistent!”

"What’s the drink that’s carbonated?” He’s asking to be annoying because the west coast and the midwest disagree on the name.

“Pop!” I glare at him.

“That’s right! Pop! Sounds like you’re saying pot every time.” He laughs at his own joke, finding himself humorous.

“It’s soda by the way," he corrects.

“Uh uh,” I refuse to change my ways, “it’s pop.”

The empty chair next to me slides back and when I glance up to see who’s doing it, an instant headache hits my brain.

Sam greets Colson warmly with a handshake. I shoot Sam another glare. He’s acting neutral but that shouldn’t be a choice in this case. He was my friend first!

Colson removes black Ray-Bans from his face and positions them on top of his head.

“Hello Y/N.” Colson sends me one of his charming grins so many teen girls swoon over.

“Hi,” I reply, not attempting to hide my disinterest. I curve my body away from him and towards Cara, legitly giving him the cold shoulder.

The dinner goes on without a hitch surprisingly, considering the circumstances. Penelope leans down over the back of my chair to say our goodbyes.

I turn around in my chair to face her. “See ya tomorrow.”

“See ya,” she rubs her hand up and down my arm.

She and I exchange kisses on the cheek. “Love you!” We say in unison as we part.

“Later Sam!” She wiggles her fingers at him in a wave.

Sam and I stick around a while longer since Cara and I have gotten into a deep conversation about our shared love for vintage things. A conversation about our collections of records alone went on for twenty minutes. I hadn't noticed that it was just four of us now. Sam and Colson have been talking most of the dinner.

A pair of hands rest on my shoulders and steal my attention away from Cara. “Y/N, you ready to go?” Sam asks.

“We’ll head out too!” Cara announces with her sights directed behind me.

I look over my shoulder and Colson is standing beside Sam. The four of us walking out together… how convenient.

I grab my clutch, sticking close to Sam to dodge Colson.

The four of us walk toward the front of the restaurant and right when we reach the steps leading outside, Cara announces that she forgot her purse.

“I’ll be right back!” She urges us to go on without her.

The cameras waited for us as I assumed they would. They’re capturing every minute of us waiting for Cara.

I place my hand on Sam’s shoulder, “would you go help her?”

“You sure?” His eyes flicker between me and Colson.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure him and he promises he’ll only be a second.

“Go to the car so you aren’t bothered,” he refers to the paparazzi.

“I’ll walk her,” Colson offers.

Sam gives him the go-ahead as he goes off to help in the search for the purse.

I’m left with the one guy I was avoiding. I grip the keys in my hand and walk down the brick steps to the sidewalk. I hear Colson behind me and stop to address him. “I can walk myself to the car.”

He raises his arms mocking a surrender. “I don’t doubt your ability to walk, just helping out.”

“I don’t need your help,” I scoff, starting to walk again.

“I never said you did,” Colson sassily replies.

*Click* *Click* *Click*

A man runs around me to get a photo of me straight on.

“Y/N! Y/N! WALKING IN WITH SAM AND LEAVING WITH MGK, ANY EXPLANATION?”

I pause for a moment, making eye contact with the man behind the camera. Is he honestly trying to start drama? What lies are he going to sell? I’m only going to the car because Sam requested. The only reason Colson is even near me is that he’s so freaking persistent.

I push back the aggravation and force my lips into a kind smile. I can’t have a single moment of weakness. I can’t give in to my emotions like others. “Sam is helping Cara with something inside. Colson was kind enough to walk me to the car.”

“HOW LONG HAVE YOU GUYS KNOWN EACH OTHER?”

I purposefully answer quickly so Colson doesn’t even have the chance to think of a response. “Not long, we met the other day backstage at The Late Late Show. We have a lot of the same friends and had no idea!” I peek over at Colson and he gives me a knowing look. I dismiss it and go on with my charade. I will not let this jerk mess with my career.

“ANY CHANCE OF HAVING COLSON GUEST STAR ON THE SHOW?”

“That would be great!” I lie my butt off, “having more friends on set would be fun!”

“COLSON, HOW’S YOUR NEW ALBUM COMING ALONG?!”

“We’re in the recording stage right now. Should be released sometime this summer," he answers.

“FOLLOWING UP WITH A TOUR?”

“Of course!” he chuckles.

I unlock the car and move around the guys to reach the door.

“WE’LL LET YOU GUYS GO ON. ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR NIGHT!” One of them departs.

“Thank you! You too!” I wave goodbye.

Some stick behind to get a few last pictures but for the most part, they all disburse. The ones remaining, however, keep their distance.

I yank on the handle of the door and Colson holds it for me. As if he's a gentleman. I begin to climb in, prepared to yank it shut in his face.

“Friends huh?” Colson chuckles.

I turn around abruptly and check around the general area of the sidewalk for any cameras. Seems the remainder of the guys have left. I shut the door and Colson removes his hand in a rush.

“No, not friends! I only said that to please the public," I huff.

“Ouch!” he acts offended, placing his hand on his heart. “I did find it interesting that you claimed we met backstage the other day so I was right!” He chuckles, believing he caught me.

“No, no, no, no!" I shut that thought down quickly. "The only reason I made that up was that it’s not good for my image if I admit I was at a party. People tend to assume that heavy drinking and drugs occur at parties. I can’t be associate with that scene!”

“Oh, so it’s alright to lie?” He crosses his arms and snickers, glancing down the street toward the restaurant.

I roll my eyes, of course, he doesn’t understand, why would he? “You don’t get it” I scoff, dismissing him. I turn and reach for the car handle again.

“So what if you were at a party? People drink, if some have a problem with that, that’s their problem. Oh! I forgot! You're America's Sweetheart! The perfect angel princess with a spotless record,” he mocks.

I slam the car door shut, having hit my limit. I keep my voice hush. “It’s not that simple! I'm not like you! I can't be caught partying! If the country, the world, sees the truth then my image is ruined! I've been doing this since I was a teenager! I worked way too hard for far too long to lose everything over a stupid mistake!”

Colson’s face falters from his usual carefree expression to one of seriousness.

“Found it! Let’s go!” Sam announces loudly to the whole block.

I toss him the keys and glance back to Colson who stands there in a stillness I have yet to see from me. His stare makes me want to hide. I feel as though I’m under a microscope being studied.

“Toodaloo Y/N! ‘Till next time my pals!” Cara strolls down the sidewalk.

It’s evident she’s had a couple of drinks. She sways further down the sidewalk and comes to a stop once she notices Colson isn’t following.

“Later Cara!” Sam shouts over the top of the car behind me.

Colson and I stare at each other I’m guessing for different reasons. He appears lost in thought and I’m desperately trying to figure out why. If I look away, I fear he’ll break to pieces or something.

Cara pauses. “Colson? You coming?”

He holds out for a moment but finally breaks eye contact with me. "Yeah."

When I’m no longer staring into those black works of art I regain my ability to move. I hurry into the car and Sam says his goodbyes again over the top of the car. I buckle my seatbelt when he climbs in. Watching strangers walk up and down the sidewalk, I’m perfectly aware of Sam starring me down.

He pulls onto the street. “Are we gonna talk about it or are we doing silence?”

I reach over and turn up the radio.

“Of course you make your own option.” Sam watches me, waiting for some sort of explanation.

We come in at the end of a song and the next one is oh too recognizable. The classic rock sound that is a part of all of Colson’s music plays through the car speakers. His vocals enter the soundwave and I groan loudly over the music before turning off the radio.

"No music then!" I snap.

__________________________________

Masterlist

Tags: @canyoubuymetoast @bri-3530 @asil1652 @andstilltryingtofindmyself @nadia2021 @olafsidehoe @mgkobsessed @fairywriting101 @ferrell-cat @naylanae-0308 @tonystarkswife10 @alexsa5 @brocksbabyyy @stormrider505 @magnificenthumancopangel @sarcasticfangirlus @lilramencup95beech @missyviolet123 @skeleton-gxr @glitterybearllamaflap @margaritaville20 @amoresix @thysagclub

[no-gorms]

Steve jealous of Tony ogling that hunky, hunky Thor? Yes good love it. It’s petty and fun. Steve jealous Tony’s bromance with Bruce? Also fantastic. It’s hilarious and also a wee bit angstier. See, Bruce gets Tony’s science jargon, Bruce indulges Tony always all up in his space, and Bruce gets the nice nicknames, and Bruce will let Tony spoil him sometimes and Steve still has trouble with that. Steve knows he’s got a comparable physic to Thor, but while he’s no dummy, he’s not got a mind that Tony has a “brain crush” on (this is incorrect but Steve doesn’t know that lol)

Tony would 100% marry Bruce if Bruce was into it (we know this because Tony has proposed after some extremely successful lab session) or needed to for visa reasons and oops Tony needs to marry Bruce for legal/visa reasons (maybe it’s discovered Bruce is like Canadian and Ross is trying to deport him).

And as team leader Steve needs to do what’s best for all his teammates. Which is to make Clint divorce his wife and marry Bruce, clearly. No he’s not panicking because he’s jealous and terrified this platonic marriage may blossom into something more ha good one Nat are you sure you aren’t technically a citizen and marry Bruce instead? Is Bucky an American citizen still? Yes I get that combining Bruce and Bucky’s legal issues into one package is a bad idea. Hey Sam, what do mean I should marry him? That doesn’t solve my, I mean Bruce’s issue! No Thor you marrying him won’t help… wait would it give him diplomatic Asgardian protections??

----------------

I love it! Steve is the sort of person who 90% of the time thinks clearly and sees through all of the strategic options in an instant, but 10% of the time he is absolutely an USELESS person who jumps to the worst possible conclusion like some sort of failboat homing missile.

Would be funny if Tony does not notice Steve's weird behaviour, or maybe funnier if Tony does notice but is like oh 😞 Steve wants to marry Bruce himself and doesn't know to ask. (Bruce: “....what?” Tony: “Everyone knows that Steve’s type is the small, smart brunette.” Bruce: “.....”)

[malenkaya-sova]

please why are they so cute. sam and bucky are boyfriends confirmed 

[seriouslysam8]

Listen, I wrote you how much I loved your Ron, but then my phone decided to make a sudden update and my essay was deleted 🥹

So this is my second attempt and this is not going to be as emotional as the first and not as so long as the first, but still appreciative(hopefully)

I came here after reading both MIT and Petrichor and I love it.

I love your Ron so much.

So many Fic writer just bash him or write him so flat and without any spice. His personality is just

✨eating✨

Thats it. That’s his personality in all those pro! Weasley fiction.

You are just one of thousands that give Ron his real character a chance in the fanfiction world. Not only did Movie!Hermione stole all his great lines and great personality, but Queen Fanon! Hermione is written as if she was the best best friend of Harry. (i love Canon!Hermione too ngl, but she is not… yk my fav. She comes after Luna and Ginny for sure).

When I read Harry Potter I was 11 and finished it when I was 13. And from Book 1 was Ron my fav after Harry. I loved Ron so much and just wished I had a friend like him! And then I discovered there were the movies and… I hated Movie!Ron so desperately. It was so tragic what they did to him. (i hope HBO doesn’t ruin Ron and Harry again😭WB did them dirty) But the fanfiction world sadly hates Ron or doesn’t care about him.

So reading MIT was-

It was so great Sam, I could cry!

So a big

Thank you!

I love your Ron, because he reminds me of our Canon!Ron. Ron that fights for and with his friends, who is there for his best mate, who tries everything to make Harry feel comfortable. Who shared his family with Harry and always saw him as a brother. Who loved him desperately, so that GOF felt like that not only Harry was hurting, but Ron was also dying inside every second without Harry

I found Brontide, while searching for a Potter Family Centric fiction (and I feel the anon before me- I needed to skip a lot of weird stuff there) and I just didn’t expect just a wonderful Hinny fiction but also a wonderful Bromance between Harry and Ron. (And George)

Thank you, for writing those stories! They were wholesome! Fantastic! And just perfect!!!

Pls just take and accept my love

❤️❤️❤️

🥰🥰🥰🥰

You make me want to ugly cry because you are so sweet!

Book Ron is one of my favorite characters. He had one bad jealousy moment in GOF at fourteen but he was a stellar friend every other single fucking moment. (Yes, he left in DH but that was the Horcrux, not Ron). Everyone has a bad moment or two.

But Ron made sure Harry had Christmas presents. He worries about Harry at the Dursleys to the point he convinced enlisted Fred and George to steal their dad’s fucking car to rescue him. He was there time and time and fucking time again for Harry. They were BROTHERS in every single sense of the word that matters. They are the best platonic soul mates fucking out there. Ron is to Harry what James was to Sirius. Hands fucking down.

Ron was butchered in the fucking movies. You’re right, Hermione took on not only the Hermione role but also the Ron role. She was shoved in as the best friend (which she wasn’t) and she stole all of Ron’s amazing lines. Fuck Hermione. Honestly.

I am so glad you enjoy my Ron. Because I love me some Ron from his love for Harry, to his bickering yet heartwarming relationship with Ginny, to his hilarious personality, to underrated street smarts, to how fucking strategic he is.

People say Harry couldn’t have done it without Hermione. Fucking bullshit. Harry and Ron prices they didn’t need her in COS while she was petrified. Harry couldn’t have done it without Ron. Ron grounded him and the two worked amazing together.

I love their bromance. Hands down.

[ordinaryschmuck]

What I Thought About The Mitchells vs. the Machines

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is up there as one of the best installments of the MCU. Sure, the action and CGI sucks, and the season finale could use a bit more polish, but there is so much more of what it does right. It brings up an engaging discussion through Karli; the bromance between Bucky and Sam is incredible; Zemo's surprisingly a riot, and U.S. Agent is a character whose inner psychology is something I would like to study. Plus, the series really dives deep into the themes of race and the realistic hesitance that comes with making a black man Captain America. It's easily an 8/10 series that is worth an in-depth discussion.

But f**k that s**t, because I'm talking about The Mitchells vs. the Machines instead!

I know it might be questionable that reviewing a movie starring a predominantly white family of idiots saving the world instead of the TV series about the powerful journey of a black man taking the mantle of an American icon...but this movie is fun, alright? And yes, I'm going to spoil it to explain how. So if you still have a Netflix account, I highly suggest you check it out when you have time.

Because, random people on the internet who most likely won't read this, this Ordinary Schmuck who writes stories and reviews and draws comics and cartoons is going to explain why The Mitchells vs. the Machines might just be my favorite film of the year (steep contest, I know).

WHAT I LIKE

The Animation: Let's get this out of the way right here and right now: If a single person ever tells you that this movie has awful animation, or the worst animation they have ever seen, just go ahead and assume that person is an idiot. Because holy hot cheese sticks, does this movie look amazing!

Say what you want about most of Sony Pictures Animation's movies, but you have to admit that they nail making a CGI movie looking like it could be in 2D. And The Mitchells vs. The Machines is the peak of that style. Every character in nearly every frame looks like they could work well if the movie was hand-drawn, and I love it. I am addicted to seeing films that look 2D with a 3D makeover because there has to be ten times the amount of effort to get that look just right, what with modeling each character in unique ways to nail that style wherein a hand-drawn film, you could just, well, draw it. Not to mention that the cell-shading and certain hand-drawn elements also add to the aesthetic.

Plus, there is so much attention to details, such as most of Katie's character model being covered in sharpie, or how you can see a hint of Eric and Deborabot 3000's drawn on faces even though their black screens are showing something else. Seriously, you can listen to any criticism this movie gets, but don't you dare let someone get away with telling you that it looks awful. It doesn't. It's incredible, and I SO wish that I could have seen it all on the big screen.

The Comedy: On top of being incredibly well-animated, this movie is also incredibly funny. Like, really funny. I shouldn't be surprised since it's made by the same people responsible for Clone High and The Lego Movie, but yeah, I found myself laughing, chuckling, and snorting with nearly every joke in the film. Not every joke works, to be fair. But because of the fast-paced humor, the bad jokes are almost immediately followed up with better ones soon after. What's even better is that the writers know when to take a break with the humor and let some surprisingly compelling drama take over. And even then, when there are jokes during the dramatic moments, they add sincerity to the scene rather than take anything away. Looking at you, The Amazing World of Gumball...I mean, I love you, but sheesh, you need to learn to let a solemn moment play out.

Anyways, the comedy is hilarious. And while I won't spoil every joke, I will go over some bits that might have gotten to me the most.

Katie Mitchell: Let's just go ahead and add Katie Mitchell to the list of characters I highly relate to on a personal level (which is getting longer by the minute, hot damn). But jokes aside, I really like Katie. Her love and desire to make movies is something I identify with, and her goal to just go to a place where she feels like she belongs is easy to understand. Trust me, if I found out there was a group of weirdos who like the same things I do and enjoy the things I make, I’d be willing to pack everything I have and go to them as fast as possible too. Plus, I feel like a lot of us can relate to a character who lives in a household where people question if our career goal is something we can make a living with. I remember two years ago when I told my aunt that I wanted to make my own animated series, and her reaction is a little too similar to Rick's when Katie showed him her movie. They mean well, but sometimes it's for the best to have a cheerleader rather than a critic, especially if that person is family.

Now, Katie isn't perfect as her enthusiasm can get a little annoying at times, and her desire to leave can be conceived as a little too harsh as well. Still, she's pretty cool and serves her role as a protagonist pretty well...also, if the movie gets a sequel, let's hope she and Jude become cannon by then. GIVE KATIE A GIRLFRIEND, DAMN IT!

Aaron Mitchell: But as great as Katie is, it's this goober that earns the reward for my favorite character. At times it looks like Aaron is nothing more than a source of comedy, but he handles some dramatic moments really well. Partial credit goes to Michael Rianda for that one. Yeah, having a child actor would have made Aaron sound more like a kid, but no other voice could have fit him better than what Michael offers as he comes across as weird but never obnoxious.

Also, let's give the writer points for making a character who is clearly neurodivergent. Yet also refraining from having him be annoying or useless to the rest of the cast. No one ever really disrespects or belittles Aaron and instead chooses to work with him rather than against him. Especially Katie, who forms a solid sibling bond with Aaron as a fellow weirdo. It's genuinely sweet to see, and I loved every minute that the writers showed that just because someone acts on a different wavelength doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated any less because of it. You get that with Katie, a little bit, but I see it much more with Aaron, for some reason. And I love him every minute, so that’s a win.

(Plus, I may or may not have had a dinosaur phase when I was younger, so go ahead and add him to the list of relatable characters too.)

Rick Mitchell: This is probably a character you will either love or hate, and I can see both sides of that argument. Because on the one hand, I really like Rick Mitchell. His motivation is clear and understandable from the first set of home videos with him and Katie, both near the beginning and the end. Sure, he messes up a lot, but he is still a man who cares deeply about his daughter, as well as his entire family. He gets to the point where he would make great sacrifices for all of them, especially Katie. Plus, it's just pleasant seeing a cartoon dad who isn't a complete idiot or overprotective regarding his daughter's love life.

However, there are times when Rick comes across as an irresponsible d**k. When he does things like smash the family's phones without telling them or giving them screwdrivers for "presents," you're either gonna find that funny or you won't. Personally, I enjoy Rick and his antics, and I have no problem with irresponsible cartoon dads. As long as they don't cross the line toward Modern-Peter Griffin territory, I've got no problem with dads like Rick, who I believe has never even got that bad. Still, some people might think differently, and I can't blame them. Because after getting great cartoon dads like Greg Universe, I can understand if some people won't be interested in characters like Rick Mitchell.

Rick’s and Katie’s relationship: Alongside the top-notch animation and gut-busting comedy, Rick and Katie's relationship is what I consider the movie's most essential asset. These two are the main characters of the film, and as such, they develop through each other. And what's crazy is that they have very conflicting goals. Katie wants to escape and be with her people, where Rich just wants one last chance to have a good memory with Katie before she leaves. To do so, they first have to understand each other. Katie has to learn why Rick is so desperate to spend time with her, and Rick has to realize why Katie is, well, Katie. What I love most about it is that they try. These two don't spend the entire movie arguing and being at each other's throats until a sudden "Oh" moment in the end. No, there are actual moments when they genuinely try to understand one another and fix their relationship. It's nice to watch, and I especially love when it cuts to Linda and Aaron celebrating each time Katie and Rick get closer to each other. When recommending this movie, I'd say come for the animation and comedy, stay for the phenomenal relationship building.

Monchi: There are probably people already comparing Monchi to Mater or the Minions due to being a comic relief with nothing else to add...but gosh dangit, do I love this little gentleman. Maybe it's because I'm a dog person, but I find Monchie to be incredibly adorable, and I will fight anybody who disrespects this king of kings. Probably not physically, 'cause I'm a wuss, but I will verbally. So WATCH IT!

“HeLlO. i Am DoG.”: Have I mentioned that this movie is funny?

Rick’s videotapes of him and Katie: And right there. Rick's motivation for everything is set in stone through a solid case of visual storytelling.

PAL: The writers do almost everything they should have with this character. PAL might not have the most creative evil plan in the world, but to me, a villain can have a generic scheme as long as they're funny. Thankfully, PAL is funny. Not only is the idea of a smartphone ruling the planet hilarious in all the right ways, but Olivia Colman delivers such a great cynical energy that the character needs. The way PAL reacts to people explaining why humans are worth living is just the best, and her flopping around in a fit of rage successfully gets to me.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say that I wish PAL had more of a meaningful resolution to her character. The movie builds up that she makes a big deal about Mark dropping her, so it feels weird that neither of them really get any actual closure with each other. I'll get more into that in the dislikes, but I wish PAL had more of a fitting end than just dying after accidentally getting dropped in a glass of water. Other than that, she's a great comedic villain for a comedic movie.

PAL MAX Robots: These guys are the funniest characters in the movie. Half of it is the bits of visual humor, while the other half comes from the solid line delivery from Beck Bennett. Especially with Bennett's and Fred Armisen's Eric and Deborahbot 3000. These two are definitely the comedic highlights, as nearly every line they say is both hilarious and kind of adorable at times. And just like with Monchi, if you dare disrespect these characters, I will fight you. Because they are funny, and I will not hear otherwise.

PAL demonstrating what it’s like to be a phone: Have I mentioned that this movie is funny?

(Don't disrespect your phones, kids. Otherwise, they'll try to take over the world.)

PAL turning off the Wi-Fi: Again, have I mentioned this movie is funny?

“I love the dog. You love the dog. We all love the dog. But at some point, you’re gonna have to eat the dog.”: It's the sick jokes that get to me the most. Everyone booing Rick afterward is just the cherry on top.

Attack of the Furbies: Have I. Mentioned. That this movie. Is funny?

Seriously, if you haven't lost your s**t during every second of this scene, then you never had to deal with the demonic entity that is a Furby. In a way, I commend you. But you also don't get to appreciate the comedic genius of all of this. So I also weirdly feel bad for you.

The Mitchells deciding how to celebrate: You don't have a real family if you spend more time arguing about how to celebrate after saving the world than you do about how to save the world. I don't make the rules. I just abide by them.

The PAL MAX Primes: There's not much to say about them. The PAL MAX primes look and act pretty cool, are brilliantly animated, and raise the stakes while still being funny at times. I love 'em, but I don't have much to analyze with them either.

The origin of the moose: ...I'd make the "I didn't need my heart anyway" joke, but to be honest, it's still shattered after WandaVision.

(For real, though, this is a really effective scene that establishes why Rick makes a big deal with the moose and why he might feel hurt that Katie is willing to disregard it completely)

The Theme of Technology and Social Media: There's a theme about how family is important, and working hard on making things work is worth the effort. But that's a bit too generic for my tastes, so instead, I'm gonna talk about the equally important message this movie has about technology. Because as twisted as she is, PAL makes a great point. The technology we have today helps us in a variety of ways. It's especially useful with sites like YouTube, allowing content creators like Katie to reach out and share their voices. The only issue with technology is how people use it. Take note that the main reason why the Mitchells stand a chance against PAL is by using her own tech against her. Yes, over-relying on all the advancements around us can be dangerous, but if we're smart with how we use them, we can get by just fine. This movie isn't about purging all technology like most robot apocalypse stories are. Instead, it's about using it correctly and not being helpless sheep the second the Wi-Fi gets turned off. Which might just be the most unique thing this movie has going for it story-wise (more on that later).

The Climax: The Mitchells vs. The Machines has everything that I think I climax should have. First off, it utilizes callbacks and jokes that I wouldn't have thought twice on actually coming in handy for how the Mitchells win the day. But showing that Monchi causes the robots to malfunction turns a pretty "eh" joke into a solid case of foreshadowing.

Second, everyone does something. Some characters do more than others, sure, but the fact that every Mitchell, even Monchi, has a hand in beating PAL and her robots is a great sense of writing to me. It shows that you really can't cut anyone from the main cast, as they each add value to how they are essential to the plot. Even Aaron, who arguably does the least in the climax, still manages to be the catalyst to what is easily the best scene in the movie. Speaking of which...

Linda Kicks Ass: By the way, that's the actual name on the soundtrack. I'm not even kidding. Check it.

Anyways, for the most part, Linda seemed like a decent cartoon mom. She's insanely supportive but still has the common sense to keep her foot down, like agreeing with Rick to stay safe in the dino stop the second the apocalypse starts. A pretty fun character, for sure, but nothing too noteworthy...but the second she loses her s**t, Linda Mitchell frickin' SKYROCKETS to the best-cartoon-mom territory! Believe me when I tell you that seeing her slice and dice robots like a middle-aged female Samurai Jack is as awesome as it is hilarious. Does it make sense how she can suddenly do this? No, but at the same time, who gives a s**t about common sense?! Because this moment was epic, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching it over and over again.

Rick Learning How to Internet...Again: I consider this the funniest moment in the movie. Trust me, the Furby scene is a close, close, CLOSE, second...but I think this scene was funnier.

The final goodbye: This is what I'm talking about when I say humor adds to the dramatic moments. The Mitchells saying "I love you" in moose is pretty funny, but it's also a sweet moment given that this is absolutely how this family of weirdos would say goodbye to each other. And, yeah, I got a little misty-eyed during this scene. Especially when Rick saw Katie pocketing the moose. That s**t just cuts deep, man.

Alex Hirsch Voices a Character: ...That's it. I look up to Alex Hirsh as everything I want to be as a creator, and the fact that his name is on this movie fills me with joy. He's also a story consultant, so that can also explain why the movie turned out as great as it did...although there are some imperfections.

WHAT I DISLIKE

Katie-vision: What's Katie-vision? Well, throughout the movie, we get to see how Katie views the world as there are these hand-drawn elements that look like effects Katie would add if she was the one who made the movie. At times it can be subtle and cute, like when this little beating heart appears when Katie is talking with Jude and her other friends. It's when the movie is in your face with Katie-vision does it get annoying. Like showing how Katie is lying about being certain she can drive up a vertical ramp or signifying what is the Rick Mitchell Special. Even if you justify that this would be how Katie would edit the movie, it still doesn't change how obnoxious these moments can be. For instance, Monchi is justified to be essential for the plot, but that doesn't mean people won't hate him...I'll still fight them if they do, but that's beside the point.

I can totally accept this being a personal issue, as I'm sure some people enjoy it. As for me, I think Katie-vision works best when used subtly instead of crudely.

The Meme humor: It's something similar here. Because some people like meme humor...but I don't. To me, it just dates your story if you reference memes even once. Now, a show, movie, or book being partially dated is nothing new. We Bare Bears, a series that I love, reference memes, apps, and social media constantly. Yet, the show still has a timeless feel to it as it doesn't rely on those references too much. The Mitchells vs. the Machines doesn't rely on memes as much either. But even then, that doesn't make a difference about how annoying that gibbon monkey joke was. Seriously, what the f**k was that? And how is THAT the joke that gets used twice!?

Underutilizing Mark Bowman: It really bothers me how this guy barely does much. I mean, Mark Bowman is the main reason that anything happens in the movie. Because he mistreated PAL, Mark acts as the catalyst for events to come. So the fact that he could have been written out the second PAL takes control doesn't make sense to me. It's worse since I could see more potential with his character through his relationship with PAL. These two could be anti-Rick and Katie, as Mark and PAL show what happens when people disrespect their family. So separating them halfway through the story, and keeping them as such, is a huge mistake as it results in neither having a proper resolution to their arcs. Like I said, Rick and Katie develop through each other, and the same could have happened with Mark and PAL. It doesn't, making it something that I can't help but feel disappointed about.

The Poseys: These are characters I feel like work better with multiple appearances. Sure, they only have the one joke about being a perfect family, but at the same time, you can make a joke like that work. Look at Yvonne from Shaun of the Dead (Which might just be my favorite movie). That's a bit-character whose only purpose is showing how better she is than Shaun despite being in an eerily similar situation. But she works well as we constantly see how great she's doing in every instance we see her. The same could be done with the Poseys, as using a similar joke for one scene is underutilizing great potential to make an already good movie into a better one.

Plus, if you're gonna shoehorn in a romance between Aaron and Abby Posey, the least you could do is have more than one scene developing that...just saying.

Katie’s and Rick’s “Oh” Moments: I want to make it clear that I actually like these scenes. They're well written and effectively emotional. My problem is that they also happen two seconds apart. There's nothing wrong with having a character realize the error of their ways through a tear-jerking moment. It's a popular tactic for a reason. And given how both Rick and Katie are the protagonists, they both need their own "oh" moment. But you gotta space them out, as it makes things easier to see the emotional manipulation that you're clearly trying to pull on the audience. They work, but putting them back to back is an issue easily solved with at least two minutes of padding, not two seconds.

Katie’s Death Fakeout: This is one of the few instances that a joke doesn't work in the movie, made even more annoying with the fact that I could see the punchline a mile away and kept thinking, "Just get to it already." I'm pretty sure no one bought this, especially when Katie didn't look like she could have gotten killed in any way after throwing PAL. It's poorly handled and proof that even the funniest comedies have a stale joke every now and again.

Nothing New is really being done here: Keep in mind that in terms of style, this movie is incredibly innovative. And here's hoping future animated projects can take notes. But narratively speaking? Yeah, there's nothing really new that this movie is offering.

A story about how technology will be the death of us? Been there.

A story about a group of idiots miraculously saving the world? Done that.

A story about a father forcing their teenager on a road trip so they can spend quality time with each other, thus ruining the teen's chance of hanging out with their girlfriend? Believe it or not, I have seen A Goofy Movie...multiple times...both as a kid and as an adult.

Now, I have no issue with a movie's plot being a bit by-the-books, and in some cases, cliche. If done effectively, and if I still have a good time, I don't think there’s much to complain about. And there isn't with The Mitchells vs. The Machines. The problem lies with that I'll forget this movie along with the dozens of others like it in a couple years. Which might just be the biggest issue any film can have.

---------------------

Overall, I'd give The Mitchells vs. the Machines a well-earned A-. It has nitpicks, sure, but it's still a blast to watch. It might not be innovative or groundbreaking as movies like the last Sony Pictures Animation movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. However, it is fun. And when the world is burning down around us, it's nice to have a fun movie that can distract us from all of it. So feel free to log in to Netflix the next time you're in the mood for a film that is great for the whole family. You won’t be disapointed

(And I will talk about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier pretty soon. I just needed to get this out of my system first.)

[casmybelovedass]

The Destiel Folder: Season 10

[Season 4; Season 5; Season 6; Season 7; Season 8; Season 9]

Episode 1:

Cas is slowly dying, practically naked, in a bed, and the first thing he says when talking about Dean is "I miss him" (6:35), with a soft smile. "Why would he just disappear?"

... I'm sorry but If Cas Were A Woman, this would look like a scene from a movie or something, where the wife talks to a friend over the phone about her missing husband. JUST SAYING

Crowley: "The girl seemed nice. Slightly damaged. I could see the old you falling for that." (9:29) uhm... who else is "nice and slightly" damaged? I don't know... CASTIEL??!!!

So... these two men (actors Todd Mann and Brad Mann) we see with the DemonGang, are real life twins (9:14).

At (27:18), Crowley states him and Dean did "extroardinary things to triplets" ... and, well, the only twins with a possible other sibling we see are... them

And this is not the first time we hear about Dean doing "things to triplets" with a buddy of his (15x07)... and the first time he was NOT a demon... so, there's that. And triplets don't necessarily mean "all females"

Cas, while talking about the good things that come with choices, mentions "hope, love, dreams" (39:06), and Hannah points out that "those are human things". Human things...

Cas is talking about his own personal experiences with creating chaos, so those are the things he felt after rebelling for... Dean... WOW. ICWAW, it would totally be read it as a reference to Dean. A romantic one. Fight me

Episode 2:

Cas is dying, just got back from a fight that left him wounded, doesn't have enough power to heal himself, is on a mission to restore Heaven, and once again he chooses to go save Dean (9:35), and the way rage builds in his eyes when learning Dean has become a demon. Look at this shit

I might be crazy, but this feels like a touching metaphor to me:

"I think you don't know what you want. Tell me, Dean. What are you? A demon? [...] Maybe you're human. [...] Why don't you do us all a great, big favor... and pick a bloody side!" (22:22)

METAPHOR

Episode 3:

We are reminded that, even tho in terrible conditions, on the verge of death, Cas is willing to risk it all to save Dean, and is devastated by the thought of Dean not making it (4:47 - 5:17)

This is so funny to me, I'm sorry, but Cas is so visibly uncomfortable with Hannah touching him, it's hilarious (15:58)

"I've been around humans for long enough to see how easily distractions occur. Emotions, feelings... They're dangerous temptations." (22:32) like rebelling against your own kind, destroying your home, falling... all for a human?

"I'm trying to keep our priorities clear." Moments earlier, Cas listed "Getting to Dean" (22:17) before anything else. In fact, Hannah says "I am very clear of my priorities... and yours." = Dean (23:00)

Cas is not sure whether the cure will kill Dean or not, and in any case, he wraps his arms around him, and softly says "It's over... Dean it's over." (35:40) as if hushing him to sleep, in what could have been their last moments together... wow. Think about this ICWAW

"Well, I can see his point. Only humans can feel real joy, but... also such profound pain. This is easier." (36:17) Look at the way Sam is looking at Cas looking at Dean

BITCH OKAY!!

SAM KNOWS

POSSIBILE future Empty reference "real joy"

Cas already stated he misses being human, but knows how fragile they are in both body and spirit:

Castiel really wants to be with Dean. For real. But maybe he thinks (see season 9) him being an angel is an obstacle to their feelings.

Only by being human he can truly be happy (MMMMMMHH SEASON 15), but isn't sure he could handle the pain that comes with it. A possible rejection, the thought of Dean dying, him leaving Dean... MMMMHHHHH

"You look terrible." [...] "Well, you, on the other hand, you... *checks out Cas* Looking good." (39:09) full homo right there. Also parallel with Ketch in 13x18 ("You don't look good." "Yeah, well, you're not my type, either.")

The way they are looking at each other here... man.

Cas is so happy to have Dean back, and Dean looks hurt about Cas leaving so soon.

"So... so, you're back?" "At least temporarily." (39:27) bitch, you know that's not what he ment.

In all of this, Cas is trying to make Dean feel better about the whole situation (DAT SMILE 40:18), and Dean replies with "I'm glad you're back, man.", basically no-homoing himself...

Cas starts walking out of the room, but stops and turns back [insert concerned husband here] (40:27), and Dean has that hopeful look in his eyes, like Cas is going to stay, and the hurtful look comes back as soon as Cas is gone

Episode 4:

"On your knees!" "Wow, I'm awfully flattered-" (34:33) SASSY BI DEAN IS THE DEAN WE DESERVE

Episode 5:

Fucking kill me NOW!!! Dean's reaction to Destiel is PRICELESS!! And even before he learns what that is, he just looks at the girls playing him and Cas and... freezes for a moment (13:18) And the eyebrow raise thingy at (13:34)... what's going on in your brain, Dean?

I'd like to point out that the Italian translation for "You can't spell 'subtext' without S-E-X" is, for once, AMAZING:

"It's just that... their bond is so strong it has subtext of a... sexual nature."

THANK YOU ITALIAN DUB! JUST THIS ONCE, THANK YOU! (13:43)

Also at (9:44) Dean immediately reacts to the implication of Wincest subtext, shutting it down and telling the girls to take a step back, but with Destiel he is like... alright

... this is so fucking cute, (25:54) Dean adjusts the girl playing Cas' tie so that it's messed up like the real Cas'. ADORABLE

SAM SHIPS IT (13:57) and is teasing the SHIT out of Dean, who reacts like someone being teased about their crush. Just saying (14:08 - 14:52) [AND THIS HAPPENS IN FRONT OF A PINK-BLUE WALL]

"I know I have expressed some differences of opinion regarding this version of Supernatural." (26:44) ... oookay meta? *turns to "Cas"* "And I want you to put as much sub into that text as you possibly can." ... oKAY?!

Episode 7:

Cas being extremely uncomfortable with women is too fucking funny to me (5:03 - 12:51)

Episode 9:

(15:13) Alright, so, this is a date... what now? Anyway, nice bi flannel, Dean. And the little sweet smiles you two are giving each other? So fucking precious (16:01)

"I ain't exactly a role model." "That's not true." (16:07) how Dean looks at Cas right after that? BABIES!

"How are you, Dean?" "Fine." "*I-call-bullshit look*" "I'm great!" "No, you're not." (16:18) #MARRIED

As Cas is choke-holding a guy, Dean, clearly amused (almost proudly), says "I'd do what he says." (22:17) Like that time with Raphael in 5x03, Dean likes it when Cas gets rough

Episode 10:

Shut the fuck up and marry each other already so you can finally actually BE the old married couple™️ you ALREADY ARE (22:17)

This is the "My husband is so FUCKING STUPID" look (22:30)

"I was hoping you might reach out to her." "... Me? I'm probably the last person she'd want to hear from." [...] "All I know... is she won't talk to me." (23:03) #MARRIED, PARENTS, PERIODT

Shut the fuck up. Cas is the dad trying to figure out technology (23:36) "I'll text you her number. I like texting. Emotions!" DAD

Cas worries about Dean like a wife would with an alcoholic husband

Of all the things Dean could be MAD about at Metateon... the first thing he can think of is him stealing Cas' grace (31:33) (okay, maybe he is going in chronological order but STILL)

Episode 11:

[I AM SO SO SO SORRY BUT DEAN USED THE ALIAS "PRESLEY" (18:55) I AM NOT OKAY]

Episode 14:

Have this deleted scene: Castiel and Crowley bitching over Dean, and Crowley calling Dean Cas' boyfriend

This is some hell of a goodbye-eye-love-making scene (26:57)

Cain compares himself to Dean... and CAS TO HIS WIFE COLLETTE [PARALLELS]

"You're living my life in reverse [...]

First you'd kill Crowley. You'd get it done, no remorse. (Cain had been killing his descendants, for whom he didn't care much)

And then you'd kill the angel, Castiel. Now, that one... that, I suspect, would hurt something awful. [And than Sam is Able, bla bla...]"

AM I WRONG?! YOU'RE GONNA LOOK AT ME AND TELL ME THAT I'M WRONG??!!!

Dean gives the First Blade to Cas... oKAY (37:10)

Worried brother-in-laws (41:27)

Episode 16:

This is such a good source of hidden meanings scene! Dean starts his "confession" as a scam. Everything he says at first is to attract the spirit.

He starts talking about seeing lots of women, not being able to control himself, and being sick of it. Then the real confession begins...

Dean feels he's going to die soon, and fears not death itself, but what he would be missing from his life.

"There's things... people, feelings that I... I would experience differently than I had before. Or even for the first time." (25:28) and the priest believes Dean is talking about love.

Well... "people, feelings"... who could he be referring to? Does Dean want love all of a sudden? People he wants to experience for the first time... uhmmmm... Is Dean opening up to his attraction to MEN??!! Or one angel in particular?

ICWAW we would guess Dean was talking about Cas

"Who mixes their blood and bones into paint? No woman has ever done that for me." (39:19) UHM- Dean, what about

6x20 "He has bled, died bla bla bla for us",

7x21 "I'm always happy to bleed for the Winchesters" or

9x22 "You just gave up an entire army for one guy"

ICWAW we would ALL roll our eyes at this statement and scream CAS

THE GUY BLED, LOST HIS HOME, REBELLED, DIED FOR YOU!! HE REBUILT YOU PIECE BY PIECE FROM HELL- SAVED YOU DOZENS OF TIMES!!!

Episode 17:

About saving Dean from the Mark: "We won't- (free Metatron)" "Yes, you will... because you're desperate." (9:44) Hannah knows. Let's remark that

"All I'm getting from you is... colours." (14:26) bitch he is a walking 🌈PRIDE FLAG🏳️‍🌈

Notice how, when we get a Sam-Cas centred episode, we don't get the same interactions with Dean-Cas? Why this?

Dean is always ready to call Cas a "brother", but the only one true bromance here is Sam and Cas'. There are no longing stares, no weird sexual filled dialogue nor tension, NO LONGING STARES

Facts, my people. Facts

Episode 18:

"You killed my friend." "Oh, pff, Dean is fine, mostly. Can't you get past that?" "Never." (12:39)

Charlie being excited about meeting Dean's famous boyfriend is WHOLESOME (37:34)

To have Cas back, 100%, safe and sound, is a win for Dean (38:58) and the face Cas makes after Dean hits him with another no-homo "It's good to have you back, pal." is "UHH not this again". Charlie already ships it

Episode 20:

A #MARRIED couple and their daughter. NO ARGUMENTS VALID (7:06)

Look at how they enter the motel (16:22)

OH MY GOOOOOD!!! #PARENTS coming back home from shopping!! THE HAND ON THE SHOULDER!!! Also

"Happy birthday. I got it at the Hot Topical" DAD

Dean: "Imma head back over there." Cas: "I'm coming with you." Claire: "I'm coming with you too." (17:24) #FAMILY

A fucking family comedy about a dad confronting the daughter's boyfriend and the other dad scolding him:

"What did you do to him?" "I didn't lay a hand on him!" "Dean, that isn't exactly true." "... Well, I didn't kill the guy." (17:14)

Surprisingly enough, this is not the first nor last time Dean acts like a dad to a lost child (AND TWO OF THESE TIMES THE KID IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO CAS) (21:54)

Episode 22:

C: "Claire, you are not going out there. [...] It's too dangerous. I can't let anything happen to you." D: "Claire, you're not going." C: "You're not either, Dean." D: "What?" (19:29)

#FAMILY DON'T TALK TO ME!

"No fighting. [...] Both of you." AAAAAA

This doesn't fucking matter, but Dean just said "... for the ladies. Or the fellas. I don't judge." (36:23)

Cas' speech to Dean... wow. "So if there's even a small chance that we can save you... I won't let you walk out of this room." (39:20)

I hate this scene. (40:11)

Dean is overwhelmed by Charlie's death, Sam and Cas' betrayal, the Mark changing him and all the other shit.

The Mark is taking over, and Dean can't (and won't) help it. Cas knows it. He doesn't want to hurt Dean. He is not even resisting. Doesn't put up a fight.

And just like Colette with Cain, Castiel only asks Dean one thing: "Stop." (40:38) [9x11]

Parallel to 8x07:

The only thing that stops Cas from killing Dean, is him begging, clutching onto his sleeve.

"Dean... please..." (41:08) Cas pleading Dean, clutching to his arm, makes him resist the urge to kill him.

Episode 23:

You can find gifs and the script of some deleted (destiel) scenes in this post by @charlie-minion

As the Mark eats Dean... he starts feeling guilt for the people he hurt... first on the list: Cas (14:54)

(This gif is not mine)

Well... what a season.

[Season 11>>]

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

Well this was indeed a welcomed surprise. In many cases when it comes to action comedies, those films get sequels that are just cash grabs that ramp up what were the best parts of the original and then completely go off the rails. They go so overboard on the comedy, that its unbearable to watch. The first film I felt had almost no idea what it wanted to be. There were so many great elements of a good action film that are mixed into a sometimes charming story of redemption for a certain character, but it was very janky and not too particularly memorable. There were too many ingredient being cooked in small pot. Now comes another pot with a few ingredients taken out and well, this dish tasted really good. All the crass and abrasive humor is back with some truly fun slapstick moments that work in tandem with each character and the overall plot. The action is even bigger, better and it serves the story and character choices which took me by surprise. It was like the director actually learned from their mistakes, rectified them and delivered a film that has an identity. This really doesn't happen often in these type of films.

Ryan Reynolds returns as Michael Bryce and this time around he showcased the more slapstick and classic physical comedy. I liked that we got a deeper dive into what drove him to want to become the world's best bodyguard. Ryan's comedy style is intact, but he keeps the character even more grounded this time. There were moments of great character growth that I loved seeing, but there some of those moments where trampled on with quips. Samuel L. Jackson returns as Darius Kincaid and he was even quicker, brutal and hilarious this time around. Sam was truly having a blast running around. Some of the best moments for the character were when Darius and Michael's bromance actually grew stronger. Selma Hayek truly was the star of the film and as Darius's wife Sonia, she was even more insanely abrasive and dangerous. I loved her creative spouts of harsh language and she really kicked so much ass in every action scene. I loved the chemistry between her and Sam and her motherly feelings she had towards Ryan. Antonio Banderas was perfectly cool and slick as the main antagonist Aristotle Papadopoulos. It was fun to see him play a villain that was truly ripped out of a Bond film, but he's so electric you can't take your eyes off of him. My Desperado loving heart fluttered once he reunited with Selma Hayek in scene that just highlights the reason why those two are such a perfect on screen couple. Frank Grillo is always great to see on screen and he was fun as the Interpol Agent Bobby O'Neill. Morgan Freeman was just having fun and I won't spoil his role in the film, but its a hilarious scene once he shows up.

The score by the returning composer Atli Örvarsson was fun and kept the energy pulsating in every action scene. The action this time around was actually the highlight of the film and its handled with excellent editing and great brutality. I also loved that the action was influenced and complimented the comedy. Director Patrick Hughes succeeded in making a sequel that amazingly surpassed the original. The comedy was great, the action was awesome and you finally see the cook pass his academy exam by making a fun and tasty meal for everyone to enjoy. Definitely check this one out in theaters folks! Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!