#the golden lady is luke’s most popular novel

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB, Part 2: The Masked Lord and the Aspiring Dreamers

By Mikkel Anderson (feat. Fra'ser Du'randt & Alphix)

(Read series introduction here!)

Fra’ser landed a job as an archivist at the Library of Alphica recently. As a local and fellow disciple of the Lord of Dreams, I naturally offered him help. I even got him to borrow some of my favorite author’s books while we were at it!

However, he still doesn’t have his house in Alphica yet, so I let him stay at my nan’s place for the night. From what I heard, she treated him nicely— with lots of food, of course! Bert (my cat) was happy to have him around, too.

But what makes this day even more special was the dream we both dreamed. Usually, we’d find ourselves in some random corner of the Dream Realm; but both of us woke up in a library.

And it wasn’t just any library, mind you… but the private archives of Lord Kristan.

“Has the waking world been treating you well, lads?”

Come to think of it, that was our first time visiting Lord Kristan in the same session, wasn't it? Huh… maybe he does have control over where we wake up there.

Anyways, we gave him a quick rundown on everything that happened since Team Mythic Beasts parted ways— Finny is back with his family, Master Ludi got an assistant to help with his crafts, and of course… Fra’ser’s new profession. Not sure about Jones or Arthur, though… haven’t heard from them for a while now.

I was gonna bring up Lukey’s newest project, but Fra’ser beat me to it— a three-part book series about our legendary quest! I had the honor to be in charge of illustrations, and I promised Lord Kristan that he’ll get signed copies of all three books before their public release— free of charge.

“The next big thing since The Golden Lady? Well, I sure can’t wait.”

One may say we’ve been doing our best to make his job as our new continental guardian an easy one. Judging from the soft smile he gave us after our recap, I suppose he must feel the same. This is the thanks he deserves for founding the prosperous nation of Alphica, a glimmering gem amongst the nations of Phantasmia.

I can’t really recall what happened after that, but the words Lord Kristan gave me as he sent us back to the waking world have been stuck in my head for quite a while:

“You have nothing left to prove, Mikkel. I am glad to have chosen you as my champion, and it pleases me to know that my people are in safe hands.”

Previous: Jones + Diadema

Next: Finny + Photia

[starfriday]

With La La Land bagging Oscars and Beauty And The Beast releasing soon, Here are the best Award Winning Must Watch Musicals!!

Musicals have always enthralled viewers, transporting them to another world, away from their real life worries. Disney's Beauty and the Beast has always been the beacon of true love and romance for generations! The new live action romantic musical starring youth icon Emma Watson and Dan Stevens is all set to release soon.

In 1991, the animated version wowed audiences and remains one of the most beautiful romances of all time. The film was a box office success, grossing $425 million worldwide. Beauty and the Beast received positive reviews; it won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

In 2017, the story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” releasing on 17th March, a live-action musical adaptation of the studio’s animated classic featuring an extraordinary ensemble cast, including: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci with Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson.

Now that La La Land, a lovely musical has bagged many laurels at the recently concluded Oscars, and Beauty And The Beast releasing soon, here’s out top Musical picks that are a must watch!

1.       The Sound Of Music- The multiple Oscar  winning film was a major commercial success, becoming the number one box office movie after four weeks, and the highest-grossing film of 1965. One of Julie Andrew's best films, the songs from the film such as 'Do-Re-Mi', "My Favourite Things" etc are still considered the best movie songs of all time.

2.       My Fair Lady- Audrey Hepburn's successful My Fair Lady is a musical based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, so that she may pass as a lady. The original Broadway, London and film versions all starred Rex Harrison. My Fair Lady has frequently been called "the perfect musical"

3.       Beauty and the Beast (1991 Version)-The Disney film was a box office success, grossing $425 million worldwide. Beauty and the Beast received positive reviews; it won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and became the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

4.       Singing in the Rain-Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American musical comedy film directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. It offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to "talkies. Since been accorded legendary status by contemporary critics, and is frequently regarded as the best movie musical ever made,

5.       Westside Story- The passion and rebellion of West Side Story still lingers today. The musical, which is an interpretation of Romeo & Juliet told through the eyes of warring teenage gangs, debuted on Broadway in 1957 and continues to feel fresh with every revival and tour. The innovative show shifted the way musicals were staged, breaking apart rules of choreography and storytelling. One of its most thrilling contributions, however, are the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, who had his big break with the show's success and went on to write some of theater's most challenging, moving and iconic pieces.

6.       The Wizard Of Oz-The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical comedy-drama fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and the best-known and most commercially successful adaptation based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The film stars Judy Garland. Notable for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score, and unusual characters, over the years it has become an icon of American popular culture. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture,

7.       Chicago-Chicago is a 2002 American musical criminal comedy film based on the musical of the same name, exploring the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age.The film stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere. Directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall, and adapted by screenwriter Bill Condon, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago won six Academy Awards in 2003, including Best Picture. The film was critically lauded, and was the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! in 1968.

8.       Grease-John Travolta's claim to fame, Grease is a 1978 American musical/romantic comedy film directed by Randal Kleiser and produced by Paramount Pictures. It is based on Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs' 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway. Grease was successful both critically and commercially. Its soundtrack album ended 1978 as the second-best selling album of the year in the United States

9.       Moulin Rouge-The famous 2001 Australian–American pseudo-pastiche jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. It tells the story of a young English poet/writer, Christian (Ewan McGregor), who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress and courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman). It uses the musical setting of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France. and who can get forget AR Rahmans contribution!

At the 74th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Nicole Kidman, winning two: for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. It was the first musical nominated for Best Picturein 10 years, following Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991).

10.      Mary Poppins-Mary Poppins was released on August 27, 1964, to universal acclaim, receiving a total of thirteen Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture—an unsurpassed record for any other film released by Walt Disney Studios—and won five; Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee". In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".Mary Poppins is widely considered to be Walt Disney's "crowning achievement", being his only film to garner a "Best Picture" nomination at the Oscars in his lifetime

[gossipnetwork-blog]

Must-Watch TV Series in First Half of 2018 (Part 1 of 2)

New Post has been published on http://gossip.network/must-watch-tv-series-in-first-half-of-2018-part-1-of-2/

Must-Watch TV Series in First Half of 2018 (Part 1 of 2)

As we welcome 2018, a bunch of new and returning series are coming to accompany you on your free nights. Ranging from sci-fi to comedy, there are a lot options that may give you a hard time to choose. But worry not, since AceShowbiz has presented a quick guide to help shorten your list. The article is divided into two parts based on their genres.

In this first part, we will discuss about fan-favorite genres of all time, superhero and sci-fi, as well as revival and returning shows. For those who love DC Comics superheroes, you are free to take an extra dose since more DC-related series such as “”, Superman prequel “” and and “” returning to the small screen.

RETURNING SERIES

THE X-FILES Premiere Date: January 3, 2018

Who is excited for a brand new season of “”? The new season of the popular sci-fi series will once again see and reprising their roles as agents Mulder and Scully respectively in more thrilling adventures, which may be the last time for Anderson playing Scully as the actress once hinted so.

The 6-episode season 11, which arrives after the successful 2016 revival, is promised to feature surprising twists, including Cigarette Smoking Man’s (William B. Davis) backstory, and his apparent family ties to Mulder. Still written by the original “X-Files” writers, including James Wong, Glen Morgan, Darin Morgan and creator Chris Carter, the new season is set to have a big time jump. Mulder and Scully’s son William, whom she gave up for adoption 15 years ago, plays a big part in the new season as the twosome tries to find the missing boy.

THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY Premiere Date: January 17, 2018

Following Emmy winner “People v. O.J. Simpson”, the next installment of Ryan Murphy’s popular anthology series “” is finally coming very soon. Titled “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”, the sophomore season tackles the murder of famed fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami in July 1997. The new season follows the story before and after the main murder, something which viewers didn’t get to see in the first season of “American Crime Story”.

“Versace” nabs %Edgar to play Gianni Versace , to star as his partner Antonio D’Amico, and Oscar-winning actress to portray Gianni’s sister Donatella Versace. “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” marks Cruz’s first TV regular role, further raising the anticipation for the upcoming series. Also starring on the series is , who has been tapped to play Gianni’s killer Andrew Cunanan.

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STAR 3 Premiere Date: January 25, 2018

Fan-favorite queens are returning for the third season of ” All Star”. Just like the previous seasons, the new season of the spin-off of Emmy-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will see Mama giving a second change to ladies who failed to win previous seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to earn their place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame”.

Shangela, who stole people’s attention in the third season of the flagship series by making it to the top 5, is one of the returning queens. There is also Aja, who comes fresh off last season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” after nabbing the ninth place. The cast includes BenDeLaCreme, Chi Chi DeVayne, Kennedy Davenport, Milk, Morgan McMichaels, Thorgy Thor and Trixie Mattel. Season 9 was dubbed the show’s most-watched season ever. Thus, it’s no wonder that the expectation for the spin-off’s new season is increasing.

LUKE CAGE Premiere Date: TBA

After the critically-acclaimed first season, “” is set to return for a sophomore season in 2018. The Netflix series, which serves as the third Marvel Cinematic Universe-related show on the streaming service, follows former convict Luke Cage (), who possesses superhuman strength and unbreakable skin, fighting crime and corruption. The new season will see the return of the Los-Angeles street hero after previously joining forces with Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist on “”.

The freshman season of “Luke Cage” was praised for its immersive, socially conscious narrative and not to mention Colter’s stellar performance in portraying the character. Continuing the success, the second season is set to be an ambitious follow-up by featuring a slew of new characters, including John McIver and Tilda Johnson, who will definitely bring something to the table. And ‘ Iron Fist is set to make an appearance in the upcoming second season to boot!

ROSEANNE Premiere Date: March 27, 2018

One of the long-awaited revivals is “”. Offering a realistic portrayal of the average American family, the Golden Globe-winning series, which aired from 1988 to 1997, are loved by many, so when ABC announced its plan to revive the comedy, fans can’t wait to see the Conners back on the small screen.

“Roseanne” revolves around the Conner family, an Illinois working-class family. The reboot is poised to bring back the series’ signature way to tackle today’s issues through the relatable, hilarious and honest lens of the Conner household. The show brings back familiar faces, with Roseanne Barr reprising her award-winning role of Roseanne Conner, returning as the Conner patriarch, Dan Conner, as well as , Sarah Gilbert and Alicia Goranson (a.k.a. Lecy Goranson) in their respective roles. , who took over the role of Becky when Lecy exited, will also be featured on the upcoming series in an interesting role.

NEW SERIES: SUPERHERO & SCI-FI

BLACK LIGHTNING Premiere Date: January 16, 2018

The CW further solidifies its status as the home of DC Comics-related shows by having this new superhero series. In midseason, viewers will be introduced to Jefferson Pierce a.k.a. Black Lightning, who becomes a high school principal by day and fights bad guys by night. Cress Williams (“”, “”) portrays Black Lightning on the series. Retiring as the vigilante years ago, Jefferson Pierce has to don his suit again to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community as crime and corruption spread like wildfire.

The CW attempts to add diversity to its superheroes series. Although black superheroes are already featured on “”, “”, “Arrow” and “”, “Black which hails from “” creators Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, marks the first black superhero-focused show on The CW’s Arrowverse. So far, fans are excited for the new series, praising “Black Lightning” for bringing “Arrow”-ish vibe yet also promising some fun like “The Flash” and “Supergirl”.

ALTERED CARBON Premiere Date: February 8, 2018

Netflix is diving into sci-fi world with a new series titled “”. The 10-episode series is based on Phillip K. Dick Award-winning novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan. The streaming giant has put everything at stake with this project, which reportedly costs $6 to $7 million per episode, making it Netflix’s most expensive genre show to date. Considering the budget, it’s no wonder that the company only wants to put it in the best hands in the field, tapping “” co-writer Laeta Kalogridis as writer and executive producer for the upcoming series.

Set 300 years in the future, “Altered Carbon” follows a dead soldier named Takeshi Kovacs, who is brought back to life through a new body, centuries after his mind was imprisoned “on ice.” Earth’s wealthiest man Laurens Bancroft puts him on a mission to solve a murder case of Bancroft himself. He wants Kovacs to find someone who murdered his previous body. As the investigation progresses, Kovacs comes to learn that his past isn’t nearly as buried as he thought. “” actor is set to play Kovacs, with ” portraying Bancroft.

TITANS Premiere Date: TBA

While Batman teams up with other superheroes in “”, his sidekick Dick Grayson a.k.a. Robin will form his own band of vigilantes on a live-action adaptation of “”. Set on an unnamed DC Comics digital service, “Titans” follows Dick () as he embarks on a journey to become the leader of the Titans in his quest to step out from the Caped Crusader’s shadow. The soon-to-be superheroes include Hawk, Dove, Starfire and Raven that come from every corner of the DC Universe.

Created by Greg Berlanti, the mastermind behind The CW’s Arrowverse, “Titans” has been garnering attention following the release of first-look photos of Grayson, Hawk and Dove. These superheroes look dope in their costumes created by Laura Jean Shannon, whose credits include “” and “”. Though it’s only a glimpse of the upcoming series, it could be an indication that it’s heading into the right direction.

KRYPTON Premiere Date: TBA

2018 may be one of the best years for DC Comics fans. In addition to “Black Lightning” and “Titans”, another DC-related TV series is coming. Syfy brings House of El in an upcoming series titled “”. The series will explore the lives of Seg-El, Superman’s grandfather, in the planet before the destruction.

While Superman story has been adapted into many forms, the highly-anticipated Syfy series arguably marks the first series to center on the legendary Man of Steel’s ancestors and homeworld prior to the doom. The new series seemingly will give a darker twist to its tone which distinguishes itself from other DC-related shows on TV right now such as The CW’s “” and “”, making it one of the must-watch series next year.

STARGATE: ORIGINS Premiere Date: February 15, 2018

Gaters, get ready for a new unexpected journey with “! Serves as the prequel of Saturn Award-winning “Stargate SG-1”, it follows Catherine Langford, daughter of archaeologist Paul Langford, who occasionally appeared on previous “Stargate” TV shows. Through the Stargate, which is ann alien Einstein-Rosen device which enables nearly instantaneous travel across the cosmos, Catherine is set to solve the mystery which lies ahead the Stargate in order to save Earth from an unimaginable darknesss.

The prequel series has “” actor Connor Trinneer reprising his role as professor Paul Langford. Meanwhile, Ellie Gal stars as his daughter, Catherine. The 10-episode series is written by Mark Ilvedson and Justin Michael Terry, who also has a starring role on the series.

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