#when he ended up being the best parts of the film imo?

[tnbc-thoughtsandheadcanons]

I watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice last night with my family. I consider myself lucky to see it a day ahead of the release. I'll state my thoughts on it below without really *spoiling* anything (Anyone can DM me for my thoughts on the story if they want, ig)

Overall, I felt like the plot had waaay too much going on at once, and the ending resolution to it all felt extremely underwhelming and a particular scene dragged on for a bit too long. There were parts of the movie that bored me and, honestly, it just made me want to watch and appreciate the OG more. I miss Adam and Barbara, they deserved so much better than one dismissive line in here.

However. Beetlejuice 2 DID make me laugh a few times, and the scenes with Beetlejuice are probably the best parts of the film (duh), it made me realize how much I missed the character. I give it credit for probably being the best modern Burton project out there (not saying much, as I don't consider this to be a REALLY GOOD movie or anything).

If you're a huge fan of the OG, I'd recommend the watch, as it was nice to see the original actors in all their glory. It's much better than Dumbo and at least somewhat more watchable than the Wednesday series to me. But I don't think I'll be going back to rewatch this one anytime soon. It was a decent time, at least!

[kanmom51]

Are you sure?! Episode 6 - Sapporo

Lessons in how to start an episode right here.

Jikook being all sentimental.

This is not the first time they were in Sapporo. JM was talking about six or seven years ago, while this came to mind straight away:

Sapporo snow festival February 2016.

One of those probably memorable moments.

This is such a young Jikook, this being one of the first louder JK moments at the time.

I'm sure they created some beautiful memories there. None as beautiful as the ones they created in Tokyo though.

That was theirs, and that is also why we don't get to share any of their Tokyo time in 2024. That is theirs and theirs alone. And yes, I know that JK was working part of their time in Tokyo, but see, if they weren't intending on spending time together, JM could easily have joined him a few days later. But he didn't.

Them sitting there on that sofa and talking about the show, btw, was filmed most likely at the end of their trip, just before leaving for the airport and home.

This is them leaving Sapporo.

28 November 2023. Basically 2 weeks before they enlisted. Them sitting down, at the very end of their last trip before enlistment. Understandably emotions would be heightened. And that trademarked move of JK's...

Moving on to their arrival in Sapporo.

Ok, so as I mentioned in my Jeju posts, I saw a clear shift in JK in Jeju. Lighter. A weight lifted off his shoulders. He was the same here, even more so. But the one I wanted to talk about was JM. Because I felt like here, in Sapporo, is where we see that same shift in him. In CT he was sick but content to be with JK. In Jeju he was happy but still felt a little distant (not from JK but not allowing himself to fully let go), less touchy feely with JK, like he was holding back (with all of the shifty cheeky behaviour that was going on he still felt like he was holding back). But here, he's just all in. He's handsy and touchy feely, and talkative. So so talkative. I won't lie, I was a little shocked. In the best way possible. This was a side of JM we didn't get to see for such a long time. Free. Open. Some of the conversations they had, and some of the things JM talked about, never in 100 years would I have thought he would bring them up on his own accord and share his thoughts with us about them.

This one for example:

JM talking about this so openly. JK's reaction or lack thereof makes me feel like this wasn't the first time the subject came up with the two of them.

Not to say that I don't think that JK was taken aback by JM bringing it up there and then. His initial reaction was not stressed but maybe a little worried?

But with saying that, imo this is not the first time he's heard this. And the maybe a little worry is not about the subject and more about the timing of the convo.

Happiness.

That is what I see.

Even when having this conversation, which is not an easy one to have for the two of them.

Remember how the subject of being married with children came up during Festa 2020? Remember how the two stayed conspicuously silent on the matter?

And yet, JM brought it up there and then, openly, with a smile on his face, his hand not leaving JK's shoulder for one second during this whole convo.

All and all it was just so heartwarming to see them throughout the whole episode. Like I said, they just looked happy. To be there, together, with each other, making new memories to take with them for the next couple of years.

Back to them arriving in Hokkaido, can someone please explain to me why JK found the need to change that camera angle to show us JM's hand on him?

JM well aware and letting go pretty much immediately.

Next we had them in the car/van/whatever it was. Doing this:

Ok then, what to say here?

What indeed?

Truly, I'm seriously asking here, because I'm kind of at a loss for words, lol.

Just another one of those super sus super "nothing platonic going on here" moments.

Kind of like this one.

But the eye squint, that smile, lip pucker and shoulder lift...

This sequence:

Really JK?

Can you be any more obvious?

🤣🤣

Just two dudes going on a dude vacay, right?

And JK once again when hungry... looking for his food is he?

Oh, and last but not least:

This is how 2 people enter a room when they are well aware of the camera in the room:

And this is how 2 people are caught off guard by a candid camera placed in a room they weren't supposed to be entering together...

Oopsy.

Well my friends, that is how you start off an episode. We have emotional, we have cheeky, we have sus as shit, we have happiness and fun, and we have an audience that is now glued to the screen screaming for more!!!

[slxsherr]

You're My Favorite Explosion

read part I here and part II here

pairing: charlie walker x bimbo!fem!reader

summary: your relationship isn't perfect, but neither of you could imagine being with anyone else.

wc: 1558

warnings: fem!reader, cursing swearing, kinda angsty, oral sex (m!receiving), unprotected sex (p in v), creampie

bimbo!reader and charlie have a pretty chill senior year imo, since charlie’s busy with you he never gets roped into jill’s ghostface plan.

bimbo!reader ends up being pretty good friends with kirby, completely oblivious to her and charlie’s past. it leads to some awkward situations, but eventually you figure out it’s best not to involve the two. 

bimbo!reader buys charlie three months of a horror movie themed subscription box for christmas and he nearly screams when he opens it and a slasher’s head pops out like a jack in the box. he got you a heart locket with his initials engraved on the back, he’s embarrassed bc he thinks it’s cheesy but you love it. 

bimbo!reader is charlie’s first new year’s kiss, among other new year’s firsts ;)

bimbo!reader and charlie say “i love you” for the first time on valentine’s day. 

bimbo!reader and charlie go to the beach over spring break, and he nearly cums in his trunks when he sees you in your skimpy little bikini. he worries some surfer dude is gonna steal you away from him, but his worries are quickly laid to rest when you spend the whole time doting on him. you’re worried he’s gonna burn, he’s so pale, so you make sure he reapplies sunblock and ask him to get your back and shoulders bc “skin cancer isn’t sexy, baby”.

bimbo!reader gets upset during prom season, charlie never asks you to be his date so you feel like he doesn’t wanna go. he just thought it was implied you were going together, plans a cheesy promposal to make it up to you.

bimbo!reader gets nominated for prom queen and actually wins, but refuses to dance with the prom king bc you don’t wanna dance with anyone else but charlie. 

bimbo!reader almost doesn’t graduate bc of some misunderstandings in class, but charlie helps you appeal to the teachers and turn in your missing assignments so you can graduate. 

bimbo!reader throws charlie a party when he gets accepted as a film major at usc.

bimbo!reader drags charlie to parties, beaches, concerts, anything to spend time with him before he leaves for college, since you're not going to the same one as him.

bimbo!reader and charlie get into an argument before he leaves, he says things he doesn't mean, things he shouldn't have said, and you let him know that he's free to fuck whoever he wants at usc since he's single now.

college!charlie regrets the whole stupid argument, his first few weeks of college are shit bc everyone is more pretentious than him, none of the girls are you, and he's pretty sure his roommate has been using his shampoo.

college!charlie leaves a party early when a drunk girl tries making out with him, her lipgloss is nauseating, and he misses your soft, fruit flavored kisses.

college!charlie finds you walking down greek row on his way back to his dorm, crying with your heels in hand, and he doesn't hesitate to console you.

“Why are you crying?,” Charlie asks, standing in front of you, surprising you. 

“What are you doing here?” You ask him, tone accusatory, ignoring his question.

“I should be asking you that question, but I’m not. Why are you crying?” He repeats his question, watching your mascara run down your cheeks as you sniffle. 

“I got dragged to a stupid frat party,” you answer, throwing your arms over his shoulders to pull him into a hug. 

“Is that it? Nothing happened?” He asks, his own arms wrapping around your waist and holding you close to him. 

“Not really, I just wish you were with me,” you say, and Charlie can feel your tears through his shirt, dampening his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” he says, voice cracking as he holds back his own tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“Can I stay with you tonight?” You ask, ignoring his apology. 

“Anything you want,” he says, and the two of you separate to begin walking to his dorm. 

It’s almost as if nothing has changed, Charlie is the same as before you broke up, offering to switch shoes so you don’t have to walk barefoot. He stumbles at first in your heels, but once you manage to give him tips through your laughs he’s able to walk normally. Thankfully his dorm isn’t far, soon you’re both in the elevator, and he’s able to shamelessly take off your heels to walk down the hall to his room. 

Charlie has half a mind to block the door with a chair, but figures his roommate will just go home with a friend or a girl from the party he left him at. Instead, he focuses his attention on you, watching you strip out of your revealing outfit and going through his dresser to wear one of his shirts. He wonders if this is what you would’ve done every weekend if he hadn’t said what he said when the two of you had that stupid fight, but he tries not to think about it too much as he changes clothes and joins you in his twin bed, way too small for both of you and forcing you closer together. 

“I forgive you, Charlie,” you say after a while, head resting on his chest, your breaths syncing with his as the two of you begin to doze off. 

“Thank you,” he says, voice soft as his eyes well with tears.

“I love you, baby,” you say, moving on top of him, straddling his hips. “I love you so much,” you say again, leaning down to kiss him, and he can taste the faint trace of fruity lipgloss you wear, most likely having worn off throughout the night.

“I love you too,” he says when your lips separate from his, feeling you pepper kisses across his face. “I’ve missed you so much,” he says, hands massaging your hips as you grind on him, your kisses trailing lower, across his jawline and down his neck. 

“Me too, missed you so much,” you say, moving down the bed, pulling down his boxers to reveal his half-formed erection. 

You don’t waste time, spitting in your palm to wrap around his shaft and licking at the tip languidly. It gets messy quickly, as he leaks pre and hardens fully, you start drooling. Your own underwear is damp just from listening to his moans, walls clenching around nothing when you hear him whimper when you suck on his tip. He pulls you away from his dick, and you move back up the bed to kiss him at his request. 

“You don’t have to do that, let me–” he says, trying to switch positions, but you stop him. 

“No, I wanna ride you,” you say, lining him up with your entrance, your underwear pushed to the side, sitting on his cock before he can try to flip you over again.

“Fuck,” he moans, feeling your tight walls for the first time since before the semester started, holding your hips in a bruising grip to keep you from moving. 

Your nails scratch against his lower stomach, leaving thin red lines as you try to move, desperate for any movement. Throughout your breakup, you had been far too miserable to try to find someone else, and your sex drive had almost completely disappeared once your pretty boyfriend wasn’t around. Now that he’s under you, buried deep inside you, stretching you on his cock and setting a fire inside you, you can’t hold back. 

Prying his hands off your hips and holding them down on either side of his head is easier than you thought, and you intertwine your fingers as you lift your hips up, squeezing them when you slam your hips back down. His voice is heavenly, encouraging you to keep a steady pace as you bounce on his dick, moaning wantonly as you connect your lips to his in a sloppy kiss.

It’s messy, desperate sex, both of you giving and taking pleasure from the other, eager to let the other know how much they were missed. You let go of his hands to move his hair out of his face, gripping the dark locks when his hands grope your tits, pinching your nipples before moving down to tease your clit. 

Your pace falters from the sudden stimulation, and he takes the opportunity to plant his feet and grab your hips, fucking up into you at a faster pace. He reaches deeper this way, making you keen in his ear as the two of you approach orgasm. Thin red lines run from his shoulders to his chest, your nails marking him as he pinches your clit, and you cry out as he keeps fucking you through your release. 

“Fuck, baby, just a bit more,” he says, voice strained, feeling you shake as you tense up in pleasure. 

Your words are more like whines, slurring out barely comprehensible ‘i love you's and begging for him to cum. It’s what sends him over the edge, hearing you begging for him to finish, and his pace falters as he cums inside you, haphazardly bucking up into you as he rides out his high.

For the first time since he started college, Charlie falls asleep peacefully, your warmth soothing him. It’s easy to drift off when he doesn’t have guilt, remorse, and longing gnawing at his heart.

[bobbydagen24]

I'm sorry but Honestly I think Band Together was the worst in Terms of Poppy's Development and overall character.

the fandom acts like she's Grown from the past two movies and shows it in this film when she Honestly doesn't when you Really think about it imo.

her big arc in World Tour was learning to listen to other people and how they feel yet at the start of TBT she's trying to encourage Branch to open up to her about his negative feelings

only to then ignore and downplay his feelings when his Brothers turn up again instead instantly taking their sides and trying to Defend them and then doesn't Respect Branch's feelings and manipulates him into reconnecting with them

which later Results in him getting emotionally Hurt again arguably worse than before since this time the Brothers were legit cruel and spiteful towards him.

all of which could be fine ya know its a character arc I Guess except Poppy never admits to being wrong about her narrow point of view she never apologises for her disregard of Branch's feelings

and in the end she doesn't learn a lesson and instead Branch comes around to her way of thinking by accepting his family back no questions asked

and no Doubt will continue to let them mistreat him whenever they feel like it because he's well and truly had his sense of self respect beaten out of him over the course of the film.

people act like her going after him following the argument and reassuring him she won't leave him shows her Growth when yeah its a nice scene but frankly its also her own fault

she literally caused him to get hurt again by pressuring him to give his Brothers another chance when she knew nothing about them and Branch wanted to maintain a healthy emotional distance so he didn't get hurt again because he knew they were unreliable.

so Poppy really is just fixing the Damage she herself played a part in causing in that scene and as I said she never actually admits to being wrong in how she went about things

nor does she apologise instead the movie acts like Branch needs to come around to her way of thinking so Poppy gets validated in the end even tho the move does everything in its power to show she was wrong in her views on family.

its just a muddled message tbh like world tour at least had characters outright call her out on her behaviour as being wrong TBT never did that.

so this Honestly is the worst version of Poppy imo as she behaves badly throughout the film and never gets called out on it or learns anything from it.

she was probably best in the first film because her behaviours and actions were mostly understandable

and she didn't only support Branch after playing a major Role in causing him great emotional pain due to ignoring his feelings.

she was legit more supportive in the first movie at least following that whole Bunker stunt she did early on but that was still kinda understandable logic wise.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

The Pigeon Feather Thing

Every time I see someone mention Adrien's allergy and call it a brilliant bit of foreshadowing for the senti twist I have to physically restrain myself from going into a lecture on how good foreshadowing works because I don't think the feather thing was foreshadowing at all. If it was, then it's terribly done and the writers need to relearn the basics of story telling. But I don't think that's the case. They used foreshadowing perfectly fine with the wedding rings once they either committed to or came up with the senti plot at the end of season four. When we consider that vs the feather thing, it becomes obvious that the feather thing was never meant to be anything more than a joke.

For starters, an allergy to pigeons is not good foreshadowing of association with a peacock!

Yes, as best I can tell, it's specifically a pigeon allergy. It wasn't initially called that, but it IS mentioned multiple times in Mr. Pigeon 72 where Adrien was fine with filming around birds until the species was mentioned:

Mr. Ramier: You can count on Edgar! No animal's more obedient than this sweet little pigeon. Bob Roth: Dove! They're doves! Adrien: Hang on, I'm allergic to pigeons. If they get too close- Bob Roth: Nothing is gonna happen because they're doves! Bob Roth: Your pigeon isn't up for the job! He's not supposed to come back with the rose! Mr. Ramier: The sneeze frightened him. Adrien: I told you, I'm allergic to pigeons! Plagg: Happy to see you again, Adrien. So still allergic to pigeons?

If anything, this reads like them hammering home that this isn't a general feather allergy when it previously might have been. Almost as if they were telling sentitruthers "hey, pigeons, not peacocks, let the theory go!"

I don't think that was the goal here, btw, it's just interesting that this episode is right at the start of season four and does everything that it can to separate the allergy from the senti stuff instead of leaning into it to better setup the reveal later in the season. That's normally how this type of foreshadowing works! You have the initial hint (Mr. Pigeon), the reminder (Mr. Pigeon 72), and the payoff (the reveal). But the allergy plays no part in the reveal and Mr. Pigeon 72 separated the allergy from peacocks, so in what way is it actually foreshadowing?

This is extra true because other sentimonsters were never shown to have the same allergy and good foreshadowing would have absolutely done that! Mr. Pigeon should have had a sentimonster who couldn't go near his pigeons or Sentibug should have sneezed around them or Kagami and Felix could have mentioned having the same allergies. Anything to imply that it was a standard issue for sentimonsters! They had four seasons (and most of season five) to give us those moments and they never did.

As-is, the feather thing is more of a point against the sentiplot being planned because why would anyone make their designer child allergic to pigeons? Sentikids are supposed to be "perfect" after all and we've been given nothing to indicate that the one exception to this rule is a pigeon feather allergy. Did Gabe and Emilie just have a really messed up sense of humor or a weird desire to make sure that Adrien stayed away from pigeons? What's the logic here?

Imo, the feather thing is what I like to call "forced foreshadowing." It's when the audience is so desperate to justify bad writing that they try to force connections that aren't actually there instead of accepting that the thing was a retcon or just poorly set up. At first glance, the feather thing sounds like a really cool way to foreshadow the twist and - to be fair - it would have been if it did. But since there's nothing in the text that actually treats it as foreshadowing it's stupid to call it that. The fact that it associates Adrien with a bird means nothing unless you think that Marinette's constant association with flowers would justify a twist that she's secretly a tree.

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

My top Russian Tv-Shows

Despite this being mainly a mandarinblr, I still try to practise my other languages so here are some of the most interesting tv-shows in russian for my fellow russian-learners and speakers and anyone interested.

Kitchen - Кухня This show has several spin-offs including Hotel Eleon and Grand which I will not mention as by the end of the last spin-off there are literally no characters from the original cast and the plot slightly goes of the rails. The actual show is set a french restaurant in Moscow where Max Lavrov, who just finished his military service decided to work at. The show follows the various challenges that Max faces at his new workplace, including the foul-tempered but very talented Chef Viktor Barinov who has a drinking problem and other interesting characters. It's quite funny and heart-warming, and it's a must-watch imo.

Youth - Молодёжка A pretty standard sports series tv plot. The hockey-team "Bears" are a meh team at best, but that all changes when a former National Hockey League player turned coach shows up to make a proper team out of them. I only watched the first season because after that the plot got a tad boring for me, but as far as sports series go, pretty good.

Law of the Lawless (Not the 1964 film!) - Бригада A cult-classic staple of only 15 episodes. The plot is a bit over the place at the beginning, as opening episodes sequence is a flashback to the start of the final episode but after that it's chronological, with the first episode w english subtitles here. 4 best friends start out as youths from early 1990s to 2000s, with one returning home after finishing his army service with plans for uni and the others just starting their lives. However, the Perestroika had significantly changed their lives, so eventually the gang turns from racketeering and petty crime to slowly becoming the mafia. The opening theme is worth watching alone, but then again I'm biased.

How I became Russian - Как я стал русским This comedy show is quite dear to me, as it follows an American journalist with russian and slavic roots navigating life and work in Russia as he works on a story about life in Russia for a major newspaper back home. He's back in his homeland but as a foreigner who finds his heritage utterly confusing. This series resonates with me, as despite having a good grasp of my cultures languages and customs, I still feel disconnected from my heritage at times, and this show has been a reassuring reminder that not being 100% attuned with your heritage is okay, and that there are many different ways of re-connecting with your culture.

Closed school - Закрытая Школа I was slightly tramuatized by this show when I first watched it 4ish years ago, in part due to how unhinged and off the rails the plot slowly but surely becomes. A descent into madness. Andrei and his sister are sent to study at the Logos boarding school, but are then informed that their parents have perished. Andrei doesn't believe this, so he sets off to investigate with his new friends and investigate he does. There are also some other background shenanigans going on, but the unraveling of the schools mystery remains the main interest, including its odd passageways and deeply disturbing history. As a thriller series, it honestly deserves that title.

Here are some shows that came out more recently that I think deserve a mention.

The Boy's Word: Blood on the Asphalt- Слова пацана кровь на осфальте I've only seen a few episodes out of the 8, but it's very Brigada-esque so far. During the mid-late 1980s when Perestroika is going on and the USSR is soon to be no more, 14 year old Andrei is trying to survive as he's constantly bullied at school and by gang-members. He makes friends with one of said gang members Marat, as he slowly descends into the world of street life. I'll finish watching this series sometime probably.

The new guy - Новенький 16-year old Max moves from his glamorous life in Moscow to a small-town Yurovsk due to his parents constant arguing, where he immediately doesn't get along with his clasmmates who think him stuck-up and start bullying him. One day Max goes missing and his classmates are the obvious suspects, as slowly but surely secrets start to emerge revealing everyone's lies. A pretty good suspense/thriller show, which covers the topics of bullying, coming of age and what it means to be an adult pretty well, despite the 4th and final season being kind of lackluster.

Central Russia's Vampires - Вампиры средней полосы Where to even begin with this show. I don't know whether I should introduce the trailer or the opening theme song mv. Basically the life of a small and unconventional vampire family living in Smolensk, presumably in central Russia, who get disturbed when bodies with distinct bite marks are found nearby. This results in the Guardians (aka the guys keeping vampires a secret and ensuring that no one acts out) taking over and investigating with the vampire leader Svyatoslav Vernidubovich given a week to find and punish the culprit. My odd plot description aside, the cast is why I adore this show. The recently turned Gen-Z wannabe blogger Zhenyok, the thousand year old grandpa Svyatoslav, the constantly annoyed Dr. Zhan Ivanovich (who is actually french and decided to hang around after Napoleon was defeated) and his ex-wife The Countess who honestly should have a spin-off show and many more characters.

Doomsday - Конец Света Satan decides to come back to Earth and start the apocalypse, for which he needs his son Dimyan who should become the Antichrist but to his dismay, Dimyan doesn't really care about world domination and money, he just wants to get married to his fiancee Galya and live happily ever after. Chaos ensues as satan tries to persuade Dimyan to join him, whilst Angel vs Demon shenanigans occur in the background. I honestly had no idea that this type of show could even be produced due to the censors and yet it was. It's kind of slightly similar to Good Omens with all the apocalypse stuff and the Angels and Demons eventually teaming up? Good Omens adjacent. Except more gritty with much darker humour. The actor who plays satan is Yuri Kolokolnikov who actually starred in game of thrones so if you're a fan of his acting, do try this show.

Alisa can't wait - Алиса не может ждать Alisa is a 15-16 (don't remember her exact age) year old girl who is going blind and she decides to do something really drastic to ensure that her life will be comfortable after she loses all sight. There's a noticeable build-up to what she's actually planning during the episodes, as her homelife is less than ideal, with her older sister stuck in an unhappy marriage and a turbulent relationship with her parents. This is one of the few shows that really left a deep impression on me but it deals with some very sensitive and potentially upsetting topics so be aware if you're giving it a go.

This list may be updated in the future, so if there are any other shows that I may have missed do share them!

[dandymaximilian]

🪞 Mirror Man Analysis 🪞

Mirror Man is a perfect example of showing instead of telling, imo. His words themselves are often larger than life or egotistical, but his actions behind them showcase an underlining vulnerability, desperation, and self loathing.

And, in my opinion? Mirror Man is just as much as a victim as Claire.

When we first see Mirror Man's full silhouette, he is in a very confident and reassured position. He looks like he is in control, getting Claire's attention with just a few words. "You're not going to walk by without saying hello?"

Mirror Man goes on to mention that "they're going to be kicking themselves." He desperately wants attention from others, and we can see this anxious energy in the way he nervously kicks his foot. And especially when he demands in a demonic sort of voice: "LOOK AT ME."

In the next sequence of events, we start to see Mirror Man's already shaky facade crumble. He sees himself as Claire through his reflection, super imposed on her body and hiding her face. As we know from the end of the short film, she is in a cycle of abuse.

His mirror selves smile, trying to pass off like everything is fine and dandy. He compliments himself, then immediately insults Claire on the only part of her he sees. It appears like this is mockery, but the next shots says otherwise.

When Mirror Man fidgets with his hand, then clenches it into a fist, his vulnerability is first revealed. He immediately back pedals on his insult, saying that there "isn't anything wrong with (her ankles)" Essentially, he is projecting his insecurities onto Claire.

Mirrors Man then says, "It's just... nevermind, my brain." He knows what he's saying isn't healthy, or right, yet he seems to find himself unable to help himself. He copes with this uncertainty by "fixing" his reflection, and the demonic voice reappears. His inner demon.

Mirror Man appears to spend a lot of time in the bathroom, as it is indicated at the beginning sequence with his array of beauty products. Yet, he says that "(he) often find(s) (himself) at (his) wits end in (there)." Like he doesn’t think he has any control over the matter.

Mirror Man rambles about his "journey" and how he is "a tiny, growing... thing." Junveille music boxesque music plays, hinting at his emotional immaturity. He seems to be somewhat self aware of his actions, going so far as to admit his faults in a roundabout way.

But Mirror Man never truly owns up to his mistakes, justifying them to Claire, his audience of his reflections, and ultimately, to himself.

Mirror Man proceeds to insult himself again, adjusting his mirror to cope with the sudden self loathing. He further infantilizes and justifies his actions to himself, saying "(Claire) can hold (him) in the palm of (her) hand." Ultimately, trying to claim that she has some power over the situation.

His inner demon sparks up once more when Claire attempts to leave, and he tells her that she "can spare a little more time." And she "acts like he's a complete stranger." As Claire's mother hints at later on, Claire rarely leaves the attic anymore, refusing to "be a person." Therefore, he is desperate for her attention.

He goes on to say how "everyone is mad at him," and that he is "growing." A lot of people may interpret Mirror Man as Claire's father, but to me, I think he's still quite young. Not in the sense of being a child, but being a man in his 20's trying to figure the world. A brother.

Mirror Man doesn't understand why people are "negative", and "see him the way they do", which seems like the most honest thing he says in this sequence. He truly does not undertsand why he was "turned down" by others. And if he cannot fix his personality, then he'll fix the next best thing.

His physical appearance.

The following song is when his true character is revealed. Try to sing his song outloud, and you'll notice that you'll need to take in a lot of shallow breaths. Your voice will pitch and crack. I think this singing method is meant to mimic a panic attack, brought about Mirror Man's own pain and feeling of inadequacy.

Mirror Man rambles about what he needs to accomplish to be revered, or even liked by others, but his words are empty. His own coping mechanism, or delusions, have convinced him that all he needs to be do to receive positive attention is to be larger than life, akin to God. If no one loves him the way that he is, then he will be something better.

Mirror Man is determined to create a rift in the world, even if he needs to fake a smile and look beautiful. If his words are rambling and his brain doesn't work how he wants, he will find control elsewhere. He picks at himself until he is bloody, until he is caught up in the whirlwind of self obsession disguised as self care.

In the end, the lyrics make Mirror Man appear like he has a superiority complex or narcissism. If he has narcissistic personality disorder, then it must be noted that people with this often have low opinions of themselves in reality.

In the end, I think everything stems from Mirror Man also being a victim of abuse. Interestingly, Claire is terrified of her grandfather and mother, while she is only unsettled when Mirror Man puts himself down and begs for her attention.

What would that mean for Mirror Man?

In my interpretation of the mother's flashback, a younger Mirror Man realized the prison-like conditions that he and Claire were in and tried to ask for help by calling for 911. His mother got angry, hitting him as punishment, all while a crying baby Claire watched.

Mirror Man mentally crumbled from the pain of her abuse, traumatized by the event. His mind dissociated from it all. His literal viewpoint of himself has been permanently altered in this moment.

The answer from 911 must've went nowhere, because Claire and him are still there. Claire takes Mirror Man's place, hence why her face blurs onto his younger face in the below shot. The many clocks indicate the passage of time as she slowly becomes the new household punching bag.

The mother repeated the cycle of her own mother's abuse, but she did nothing to stop it from happening. She lives with guilt, taking drugs with her alcohol to cope, and projecting her pain onto her daughter. Smothering Claire, while also expecting her to be her caretaker.

It is too late for Mirror Man, or so he secretly fears. His psyche has mentally shattered like his mirror, and his false ego, his reflections, and Claire are all he has left. Unfortunately, Claire is following the same path of using an outside source to find attention and love where there is none.

[dweamofsweep]

I’m gonna try to withhold judgment of the show’s contents until we actually get to see it, but man, the visuals have a lot going against them. Especially because the last full-blown remake was 2003 which was (IMO…and I think I’m right lol) the best looking AB adaptation thus far, and made right at the very end of traditional-media-based anime (with those showstopping backgrounds and painted animation cels… beautiful lighting and color choices and the look of being shot on film UGH). It has major league competition and I’m guessing it doesn’t have the budget necessary to match the scale and grandeur in looks alone.

It’s not even that the new stuff is atrocious, I’ve seen much worse trust me. It’s just kind of underwhelming, also considering that 3D animation has been making some very cool stylistical advances (like Spiderverse ofc but also Bad Guys, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Nimona, etc.) The images presented thus far seem to be avoiding visual innovation, and that bothers me more than the random lines everywhere on him or the somewhat uncanny eyes.

In terms of story, I was thinking a bit more about it, and I think there could be potential here in the “keeping the fact that he’s a robot secret” sort of thing. I think that moves the allegorical element of being a robot from an identity that you can’t hide, usually race / something visual, to one that you can conceal, like being closeted gay or trans for example. But of course in real life, hiding your authentic self or feeling like it’s unacceptable to others has a lot of psychological consequences. So I think if they at least touch on that aspect that would bring up some interesting points and issues!

It does bother me that the synopsis suggests that Astro is the only robot with feelings / is special in that regard. I think part of the original intent of the story is that all the robots have a soul of some kind, have feelings and thoughts, but because humans have convinced themselves that robots are just machines designed to serve them, they disregard this. Humans play god with tragic consequences for the robots (especially in stories like Greatest/Strongest Robot on Earth). Astro happens to be the best equipped to //appeal// to humanity because the way he looks, and expresses himself, are both very close to being human, but he also still understands and empathizes with the experiences of robots. His origins are very much that of a robot: created with a particular, finite purpose in mind, and when he failed to fulfill it, he was cast aside like a broken tool or machine. However, he was brought back to live like a human kid: go to school, make friends, come home to parents and a sibling(s). So he can form the bridge of understanding between both groups as he integrates into the human world while maintaining his connection to his own kind. The new synopsis makes it seem like all the robots really are just machines without true personalities or consciousness, which is rather uninteresting and kind of raises the question as to why Astro would even care whether humans will accept or treat them well? However, we have to see how this is actually carried out in the real episodes, they may be keeping it vague or misleading on purpose.

So yeah, I think that’s my beef with what I’ve seen so far. Also I’m afraid of what the other characters are going to look like. Astro is usually the one who gets the LEAST messed up. And what exactly the reasoning is going to be for that secret identity thing — if they follow the original canon of him being a government project, that seems super unethical, lying to the public 😂 What do y’all think? I’m also curious about whether or not they will adapt specific stories from the manga, but we likely won’t find that out until much later.

[shehungthemoon]

Just dumping my Ina Paha thoughts here. 🙃

First of all I did NOT know it was the 100th episode going into this, so i was very confused watching the montage at the end lol

I also had to click out and make sure I didn't click the wrong episode when the Pilot started playing at the beginning. When I heard Danny's voice on the phone instead of Hesse's I swear I got whiplash

It's filmed so well (bar where they reshot the pilot where Steve gets Danny on the phone instead of a dead dad, in which they literally forgot to put the same filter over the scene to make the stitching coherent) and I absolutely love the camera work they did with the white-room and the video projections. It felt very much a level above normal network television cinematography, especially the parts where Steve's going in and out of the hallucinations.

Steve finally FINALLY killing Wo-Fat was so cathartic, it should have happened ages ago but I'm willing to look past all the dumb ways he survived just to allow this incredible ending to his story.

Ina Paha gave me Kono doing... this. I owe Grace Park my whole life. Pls costuming department put her in hot pink again 💗

yes, it was a Steve episode. but Danny REALLY shone, first as the only resident Actual Detective figuring out what happened to Steve by the tire-tracks, rampaging through the compound steadily and efficiently and knocking people off without a pause, and then in Steve's mind shooting Hesse's kneecaps off?!?!?! That was CRAZY and probably not suppose to be as hot as it was and definitely made me want an ex-mobster AU immediately. Basically I have a competency kink and really like badass!danny shit 😊

Seeing Chin's long hair again made me swoon

My jaw dropped when I saw Jenna! I think it's really interesting that Steve still thinks of her so much, and I was surprised that she showed up in both the actual dreams and the montage. I definitely underestimated how much she impacted Steve's life, it seems, and I hate that we'll never hear him address that and we'll only know about it inadvertently like this.

(hand over the heart for how lori got like. one team shot. poor girlie.)

⭐I took the montage at the end as being flashbacks and memories that Steve was having as he left the compound. Looking at it through that lens certainly makes one unwell.

Obligatory squeal for Adam appearing just to save the day :))) look below to see the love of my life! :)))))) ⬇⬇⬇

Of course, the obligatory mcdanno bullet(s). It writes itself! The way Danny said Steve's name so small and broken when he found him. The way they look at each other on the ground, the pain their faces. I need an official apology statement from Scott and Alex for it. Can we talk about what flashes by during the montage at the end? (IMO it being Steve's memories.) So much Danny.

The first thing is Danny and Steve's first meeting. Jfc. The showrunners milk it SO MUCH and who's complaining

The big, rocking hug. The hands clasping underground. Gracie of course. And then Danny collapsing from the bioweapon, which to be honest I was NOT expecting to see at all--it felt like a genuinely strange choice to include in there and it really ONLY makes sense if you go along with all that being what Steve's remembering. Even then, I was surprised to see it, so basically this is Hawaii Five-Oh making mcdanno gayer than even I was wanting them to be. Steve still thinks about that? From so long ago? Even with so many other close calls in between then and now? Good fucking lord ok then loverboy that's WILD. Canon accepted ig this show is just pure whump.

Danny goes through all of this just days after losing his brother and killing Reyes. JFC can we please address that. I need a 30k introspection fic to let me into this man's mind rn.

The Wo Fat v.s. Steve fight at the end was INCREDIBLE. I would love to give the choreographer's hand a shake, it's some of the best work I've seen on television in a long time. It was impressive for a procedural like this. It was long and physical and you truly didn't know what the outcome was going to be; it everything that their built-up relationship deserved for a conclusion. It also happening with a Steve coming off of hours of torture and drugging was crazy (guess we finally know who would win a PVP if they were both at full strength!). That being said I was really impressed with Wo Fat's capabilities and physical prowess, I was not expecting it to be so even and close to the line. I actually jumped when Steve LIFTED him up into the lighting fixture. We do not talk about Steve's (Alex's???) raw upper-body strength enough.

Anyway. Electricity in the water play. The physicality hell that this gif below is ⬇. Fire extinguishers and loaded needles. Crazy martial arts. Chair and buckets (holy shit did y'all see the force with which Wo Fat SHOT that bucket?????) flying. All's fair. I loved it.

The shot going right through the forehead, clean. I don't know how to put into words why that's so monumental to me but it is.

The mystery bad lady was SO intriguing, I wish we got more from her... How does she know Wo Fat? Why was she entrusted with all that information on him and Steve and especially Doris? Absolutely where did she come from, what was her name? Why did I have a huge huge hot crush on her? All important questions. (Goes to show that h50 CAN give us some more genuine badass, not just there to date someone women characters, just explicitly choose not to. I'm holding out for Ellie to remain platonic so hard right now.)

Almost forgot Danny in that black Hawaiian shirt. Will be whimpering over that image forever. The whole episode I was trying to focus on the underlining betrayal mystery they were laying out but every time my brain started working too hard Scott with his stupid waist and those flower patterns just started flashing into my head

Again, are you seeing this:

I'm unwell and so so happy.

H50 you're a gem when you want to be.

[miribooksies]

Jack and the Cockoo Clock Heart (2013)- Movie, Spoilers

HEHEHEHEHHEHHEHEHE

I watched this movie when I was a kid, tiny me, and I found it again because its songs kept worming around my head, and I'm so glad I did.

It starts with a our protagonist, Jack, being born in the coldest day on earth, his heart is frozen, so it is then replaced with a clock. It all starts from this, his heart. This movie is, in my opinion, a tragedy, but I think it's very debatable and interpretation-oriented.

The art style is very captivating, making everyone look like some sort of pristine doll. The backgrounds are very thought out and a highlight with how imaginative it is and how much it aids the story, especially regarding time-skips and travel. THE MUSIC IS AWESOME, I enjoyed this the MOST, it's very rhythmic, very thematic, and it explores multiple genres and atmospheres depending on what part of the story they're currently on. The MUSIC WAS MY FAVORITE, if nothing else just watch it for the melodies.

That being said the story is very captivating too, it's very motive driven, so it's very fast paced (including the dialogue, but I think it's because of the translation from French and not a choice to cut time) and every moment is key to the storytelling. Despite this quick pace, it is a slow burn, but they do a very good job of keeping it dynamic while keeping the tension of the main plot.

It is, however, a very sexual story, despite nothing being very explicit. The sister-figures of Jack are sex workers, when Jack meets his love interest (IMO most important part of the story, and best chorus, and very stunning atmosphere) he references tearing her dress to confetti with his teeth which ???? he's a kid in this moment so that was very confusing and weird, relationship between George Meliès and the two headed woman, and other instances of sexual innuendo achieved in many, many angles. I feel this is very notable, since Jack never is involved with anything. Being so enamored with Miss Acacia and his heart situation, we can probably assume he's a virgin, yet it doesn't stop the main and side romances from being very suggestive.

From what I hear the book is much more sexual, and the presence of it in his childhood in both book and movie is commonly tied to the sister-like sex workers, who are very open about their work and do share work stories in front of Jack.

Miss Acacia's powers are also never noted, which is strange because it isn't like every stranger walking the street suddenly sprouts thorns around their body or purple cones in their tits, it might've been very intentional though? I like the fact it was never a center of attention, and I think it really aids characterizing Acacia, pushing forward a fairly well-rounded character for the short amount of time. It helps us visually see her feelings, emotions, and intentions, kind of like wearing her heart on her sleeve.

On that same locomotive of thought, Joe has the same birthday as Jack, which is such a random piece of lore to drop, but giving it a bit of thought forms a solid idea. Jack was born on the coldest day on Earth, this is what caused for his heart to be mechanical, meaning that Joe was also born in that same coldness, but we don't see him walking around with his own pendulum, so why is that? Probably because, following the film's very direct and literal nature, his heart is simply cold, which pushes him to be as cruel as he is to Jack.

It might've been because it was 1 AM and because the beat might've scared me, but I really felt the final kiss in my chest, and I think the building up of the whole narrative really makes this such a good ending. If it's a good ending is probably debatable, but me personally I appreciated the direction in which it was taken, and that the tragedy was taken to the end, without letting go of the romantic plot for a second. It feels very complete, I guess. Even as he climbs the snowflakes, it feels very true to the story, that's probably why I like it so much.

Props to the whole team honestly they REALLY know how to make atmosphere, and the way they used those tools to convey storytelling is PHENOMENAL!!

I also see where and why the movie could be strongly disliked, if you end up hating it, but I thought it was fire.

I watched it here!

[shydaydreamer28]

Another thing Comic Strange got over MCU Strange Lmao

Dude was getting it on the regular & had tons of women & a wife.

MCU Strange had 1 woman who left & didn’t wanna come back. Then he spent his time as an obsessed stalker in his sequel that took 6 years and a whole Spidey trilogy to get, that ever Cumberbatch said he barely had a character arc in.

If they never consummated the relationship, then MCU Strange may still be a virgin. Writers don’t seem to wanna make him look good.

Or maybe he lost the v-card to Christine, and that’s why he got so sprung. LMAO

But on a legit serious note, MCU Strange & Ben deserve better. They’re doing him pretty dirty. Everyone mentions the nerfing. But the bigger sin imo is his character.

The MoM Christine plot was pathetic. Christine is almost the only thing they give him for a “sad” story. And it ain't that sad. The relationship is under-developed & boring, imo. Honestly did not need any mention of it after the first film when they both parted ways as mature adults, friends, and started moving on with their separate roads in life. MoM regressed that on Strange's end. He was giving Spike (Buffy) vibes in MoM.

Strange is a very tragic character with a lot to unpack. And instead he’s mostly a plot device for everyone else’s story while being depicted as “bitchless in every universe” in his next film because he's too busy obsessing over a dead romance when not being the destroyer of the Universe.

Good GOD!!!!! MCU, do better!!!!

A film dealing withi his past & family trauma would be good for showcasing why he is the way he is. His sister, Donna alone is tragic as Hell and Benedict's thoughts on it are beautiful.

But going further, if they add his brother to the MCU, whew boy! That story is more tragic than Donna, if you can believe that.

We need a Strange film that explores his character rather than damn near everyone around him while he gets mostly shallow story lines at best while depicted as a simp.

I pray, hope, and wish that Doctor Strange 3 will do better by his character. I recall hearing that Cumberbatch has said he's gonna be more proactive in having input regarding the character & development.

Good Lord, I hope so. Because I agree with him regarding MoM - that he was the only person who cared about the character & that he barely had an arc by the final cut.

I will die on the hill that his relationship with America, & Defender Strange sexiness, and Clea were the only good things to come out of that film in relation to the character. Lmao

Also, the third eye looks BAD!!! I hope he keeps it closed in DS3. lmao

[marvelstars]

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon

"Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan disagree about using what one would call in mythological terms "the guide" . One believes in the guide, the other one doesn´t . When you are walking down the street and the are beggars on the street , one character takes the beggar along and the other one says "Why are you doing this, this is not a wise thing to do" The other one says "Yes but beggars can be useful to us" It´s a classic mythological motif but at the same time it´s conflict.

The characters have to grow so what happens is that eventually the character who is agaisn´t doing this has the obligation trasnferred to them.

In this case we have Qui-Gon, the mentor who takes on Anakin and the Padawan who thinks this is a bad idea so we have got a dynamic between these two Jedi, at the end of the film Obi-Wan takes on the obligation to train Anakin, one he can´t really fulfill because it´s over his head. His inability to train this kid properly turns Anakin into Darth Vader and drives the rest of the stories. Not only does he lets his mentor down but it plays into the collapse of the Republic. This is why he feels the obligation to try to rectify the situation with Luke.

George Lucas on Qui- Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in STAR WARS ARCHIVES, the making of the phantom menace.

Obi-Wan truly wasn´t meant to be Anakin´s master not because Qui-Gon was a lot better but because he simply didn´t have the empathy to understand the kids needs at the age he started training him, he also thought he could train Anakin as well as other Jedi like Yoda but he was wrong because his perspective was wrong from the beggining.

He saw Anakin as a burden at first, then as someone dangerous because the Jedi Council believed him to be dangerous and later as an obligation but he didn´t see the value in Anakin as himself, separated from the chosen one prophecy or Qui-Gon´s promise so he could not train him as a master would to help him guide him towards a good development and this is the origin of Obi-Wan´s guilt towards Anakin´s fall to the darkside and later why he tries to correct this by sending Luke to train with Yoda so he would be able to kill his father.

I wish fandom could understand this part of Obi-Wan´s character because it´s an essential part of the story, ObiWan isn´t a bad jedi in fact he is one of the best but being good in something doesn´t mean you can be good teaching it which was the case with Obi-Wan.

In Anakin´s case he had a really strong foundation towards goodness from his mother but once he went to the Jedi Council and was rejected, he needed someone who could care for him in a way he understood this wasn´t the end of the world and that his value as a person wasn´t compromised for this rejection and the choice was his on how he would grow up like Shmi and Qui-Gon did but Obi-Wan could not be this for him because his faith in the jedi order is first and he would always take the council side over Anakin, be it when he was 9 or in later years, we also see him doing this with Ahsoka in the clone wars and imo this was why their relationship, while did grow and change and had real love, was going to end badly even without Palpatine´s grooming. Without Palpatine I see them growing distant unless they confronted the origin of their problems.

In short I believe Obi-Wan is someone who believes in the need of the many overcome the needs of the few while Qui-Gon/Shmi/Anakin when he trained Ahsoka are like: Attending, caring for the needs of the one can help us sustain the needs of the many, because if we just support the needs of the abstract many over the few real individuals we meet, we are going to end failing everybody.

[bobbydagen24]

comparing Brother Bear with TBT since their Both movies about Brotherhood and also Brother Bear just Randomly popped into my head again today.

I've loved Brother Bear for years I think its a very underrated Disney movie with nice songs cute characters and a cute story.

and I randomly started thinking about it earlier and then started comparing it to TBT since their both strongly focused on Brotherhood.

and I realised that for some reason Brother Bear doesn't bother me as much as TBT does even tho it technically has many of the same faults.

it Rushes over the interesting character Drama and it Rushes a conclusion to said Drama between the Brothers at the end.

like the scene in the main film of Kenai confessing to Koda is still fairly sad but its massively undercut by having the song play over it.

the deleted version of that scene where the song doesn't play and we get to hear the full version of Kenai's confession and Koda's reaction is available on youtube and its way more heart-breaking imo.

which I guess is why they didn't go with that version since it would have maybe been a bit too much for young kids.

but the movie also employs the gimmick of having the brothers come back together in the end to fight off a life threatening enemy and all is seemingly forgiven between them straight away afterwards.

I guess one reason why BB doesn't bother me as much as TBT is that Kenai actually grows throughout the film despite wronging Koda in a massive way.

and Koda forgiving him too quickly in the ending is not as bothersome because we didn't see Kenai mistreat him the entire film up until the point he found out.

and he didn't then proceed to hurt him again in arguably just as bad a way as he did before like Bro zone did.

instead Kenai did grow in the film and he and Koda already had a healthy relationship prior to the reveal and later confession.

plus what they had throughout the film was genuine sibling banter it wasn't one sided like Bro zone's interactions were with Branch where it was basically just them treating him like a kid and not taking his Valid feelings seriously.

and when Kenai confesses to Koda he's a lot more openly remorseful and tries to go after him to make things right Bro zone just get a brief 4 second shot of them feeling bad and then the movie moves on.

not to mention the climax of BB involves Kenai making a sacrifice for Koda first off he puts his own life in danger in order to save him from his Brother Denahi. and at the very end he makes a big sacrifice ( staying as a Bear so he can stay with him even tho it means leaving behind his human life and not being able to openly communicate with his family )

which somewhat works as an act of love and redemption whereas the climax of TBT involves Bro zone being forced to work together in order to save their own lives as well as the life of the Bro who none of them wronged all that much tbh.

it doesn't really work as a first step towards them redeeming themselves and fixing their family because its kinda selfish and it didn't involve them really making any sort of personal sacrifice or even that much effort.

ya know its funny I just thought I'd make this post as a Random little thought since that's all this was I didn't actually expect to talk in depth and compare the movies stories this much lol.

I just started typing and got carried away 😂😂😂😂😂😂

anyway in short I love Brother Bear its a very adorable film and while its far from perfect in how it handles its story its flaws don't stop me from enjoying it.

since it still handled the more important parts of the story well enough.

unlike with Trolls 3 best thing I can say about it is that the movie version of "" Better Place "" is a legit great little song and frankly its too good for this film.

the story didn't earn such an emotional music piece in my opinion.

[bookqueenrules]

I go back and forth on Beth being alive and TPTB just being shitty writers who needed a shock value death. The back half of season 5 was so hard to get through cause I just wanted answers. Then sometimes I think 5x08 was just a shitty last minute rewrite because we know so much else was filmed and there was a shit ton of symbolism throughout the first half that meant her living. I still can’t get over the car scene in 5x10 or the coda after she gets shot. That’s the worst part is not having answers. But you’re 100% right. If they want viewers back then they NEED to shake it up. Stop writing in circles.

Hi,

I think the truth is that we can't be 100% sure of anything. I would refer you to the AMAZING twdmusicboxmystery and her fellow theorist for all of the symbolism and weirdness pointing to Beth's return. I love analyzing the symbols too, but I also look at the practical.

So, the whole purpose of this spin-off is Daryl's happy ending, right? Judith says this to him as he is LEAVING Carol and Jude. So, how could just making it back home to them be his happy ending? It can't. Sorry to Carly fans, but they ended the flagship with Carol/Zeke rebuilding their relationship and yet another BEST FRIEND declaration from both Daryl and Carol. It won't be adding a romance with Carol as his happy ending. He could have had that any time in the last few seasons.

Will it be Isabelle? A French nun? How is that going to work in the TWD universe? Daryl WILL, at some point, have to go home. I have more thoughts on why it won't be Isabelle in the previous ask.

Connie? That has been firmly cemented as a friend only relationship. Daryl and Connie had a couple of years to pursue something and never did.

A new character? Not likely. The fans wouldn't accept it, and, practically speaking, the first two seasons of DD are filming in France, so the character would have some of the same issues as Isabelle does as Daryl's happy ending.

Beth was taken away from Daryl before their relationship could develop further, but even though we don't "see" it go full romance, Daryl is devastated and inconsolable for quite some time at her loss. He doesn't react the same to loosing anyone else. Did he burn himself over Merle or Rick? No. That should speak volumes to the audience. She has tons of ties to the remaining TWD characters. Practically, it is hard to make a case for it being anyone BUT Beth.

But, she's dead, right? On FTWD the have brought back not one but TWO core characters the audience thought were dead for MANY years this season. The original working title of the DD spin-off was Raise the Dead! The whole TWDU is about raising the dead!

Fun Fact: According to the University of Google, a person has 42% of surviving a gunshot wound to the head if they receive medical treatment. The last time we saw Beth she was at Grady. We didn't see her buried or what happened to her body. This is EASY writing to bring her back.

Here is something interesting Angela Kang, who is a TWD showrunner and an executive producer of DD, said about Leah. When questioned she said they had NEVER planned to show Leah/Daryl kissing, COVID or not, because they knew where the story was going. She said they wanted to save Daryl's first on screen kiss for something monumental. When he really kisses someone, a romantic lip to lip, we will know that's it.

So, the writers have been holding out not having, IMO, their sexiest male lead even KISS anyone for 12 years! Why? The only sane answer is that had a plan all along. The plan may have been delayed or altered slightly, but Beth has always been the plan. They have stuck to that. I believe she will show up, but I am concerned that their continuing to delay bringing her back and restarting her story will negatively impact the spin-off, and the story they end up telling.

I know that was a LONG answer but thank you for the ask!

[bluezey]

My parents saw Elemental, and I knew my mom loved it, cause just halfway through the dating montage, she was already considering what their child would look like.

So, after the movie, I told her about three specific deleted scenes, and the book Unlikely Friends

Now, there are some minor spoilers, so watch Elemental first if you don't want your experience ruined

First thing I told my mom about was, just like her, fans of the film immediately wondered what Wade and Ember's child would look like, and almost unanimously the fandom decided a water person and a fire person would make a steam baby. Well, weeks after the film premiered in theaters, a Pixar storyboard artist surprised fans by posting a deleted storyboard. The scene was originally planned to be an epilogue that played after the credits of the film, and would be Ember and Wade returning to Element City, and Bernie meeting their steam baby!

So it was Pixar basically telling the fandom they also considered it! But decided to save it for a possible sequel

I thought it was a good call. Not just for a sequel, but Wade and Ember have been dating for a few months. Yes they're adults, and yes the baby could have been a surprise, but a few months still seems a little too soon to run off and make a baby imo 😅

The second scene was based on what fans also thought of: Wade and Ember getting engaged then married. Well, a deleted scene showed Pixar considered ending the film on Wade and Ember getting engaged. The best part is, Wade and Ember practically proposed to each other at the same time! That made the scene both beautiful and perfect!

Pixar most likely cut this for possible sequel plans. And again, good call, and imo, maybe too soon for a few month relationship

The third one was more "controversial" but I had to share it just cause of how bold Pixar was to consider it

In a deleted scene, Ember's dad Bernie doesn't like water people like Wade, so he tries to break them up by introducing Ember to a fire man named Dante. But twist is, it wasn't Ember becoming enamored with him, but Wade. So enamored that fans argue if Pixar considered Wade being bisexual. Fans argued that Wade just likes the guy, but imo, when Wade sees Dante, then turns to his girlfriend and exclaims to her "wow, he's handsome!" and makes comments such as Dante sings like an angel, and gets more than impressed with seeing muscular Dante, with his shirt off, well, Wade appears more smitten than enamored 😅

Pixar most likely cut this scene cause they rewrote the story, as it doesn't appear to be able to fit into the film

And that was a fair choice, as mom already hated the idea that Pixar may be pushing an agenda or pleasing those that read too into things

I don't think Pixar pushes an agenda, rather shows diversity. But personally, if they were going for Wade being bisexual, well, they were not subtle about it

But, bi or straight, Wade still ended up with Ember, so let's just leave this as your own personal opinion

And now, for the book Unlikely Friends, which could count as a deleted scene, as it's the story of the film extended to include more scenes, especially Wade's side of the story and his backstory! The film focuses on Ember's side of the story, so if you love Wade and want to see his side of the story, definitely pick this up. It's a big book, but a quick read. And let's just say that Wade's backstory is just as sad, maybe even moreso

Just saying, while I relate to Ember in the film, I relate to Wade just as well in Unlikely Friends

Mom unfortunately is not interested in reading Unlikely Friends, but I own the book, so when she changes her mind, she's welcome to give it a read

[callmearcturus]

aw yeah lets do this

S-Tier, AKA the Legitimately Good Tier:

HAWKEYE: Maybe my favorite MCU thing I have ever watched.

+ If you let Jeremy Renner actually act and give him a script, he's fucking great. + Kate Bishop is a perfect mess and I love her, I love she's young and excitable but also takes things seriously, she feels like she's a work in progress, I love her. + MAYA. Holy shit the gravity well of this character, how her presence dictates any scene she is in. Truly stellar. + This entire miniseries is like an extended apology for Hawkeye in every other appearance. "Sorry we dropped the ball with this character so consistently, we will bring the A game here." + The importance of disability. I'm among the ppl who was upset that Hawkeye's disability was dropped, so the way it is centered over and over and over in this, how its practical, how it's funny, how it's sad, how it gives us the most devastatingly emotional scene in all of the MCU yes I am talking about the phone call scene, finally. Fucking finally. + Florence fucking Pugh and her entire charm offensive. + The car chase scene.

- The first episode is unfortunately REALLY slow. - Nah that's all I got. I love this one.

THOR: RAGNAROK

+ "Asgard isn't a place, it's a people" is maybe the most poignant message any MCU film has ever managed. + Literally the funniest movie, but also basically a repair job of character building for everyone in it. + The camerawork in this one makes me so happy. + Tom Hiddleston is given so much to do and he's there with heels on, spectacular. + The giant turret/pegging visual pun, god bless. + Cate Blanchett can kill me.

- uuuuuuuuh. It's not as good as Hawkeye. Yeah.

GOTG Vol 2

+ Sorry but I am a GOTG Truther, I really do think its the one storyline in the MCU that is allowed to get away with really fucking intense character drama because it's not considered "main line." There is a reason ppl rioted when they tried to remove Gunn, and I'm with them. + The only good thing Chris Pratt has done since Parks and Rec. + The way this storyline centers on death and grief is devastating. + Rocket Racoon is the best character in the MCU and we all know it.

- I think the initial treatment of Mantis is REALLY rough even though in the end I think it works, but that's a hell of a hump to get over.

A-TIER, AKA the Great for a MCU Flick Tier:

BLACK PANTHER

+ My biggest problem with the MCU is the creative desert of its set and costume design, the way it feels like nothing is given time to breathe in the creative process. BP is the antithesis of that. I would watch a four hour documentary just on the visual design of this movie, from the architecture to the costumes to the make-up, everything. I don't want to hear from the director or writers, I want to hear four hours of just the craftspeople talking about their work. It's monumental. + Best Villain in the MCU, bar none. + Only MCU film to move me to actual tears in the movie theatre.

- I loved this movie! For the life of me I could not tell you the plot. I understand the plot of every Mission Impossible film but I don't know the plot of this movie. - If this movie was allowed to cut, like, 20 minutes of action and replace it with more character drama, it'd be the best MCU film.

IRON MAN 3

+ The MCU Movie That Pulls Exactly Zero Punches About Being About Mental Health And PTSD Holy Shit + Rhodey and Pepper get so much to do and I like an ensemble piece so much + Shane Black is in love with RDJ and I'm so happy for him + Pepper gets to be a lil monsterfied and that's hot

- Doesn't have Sam Rockwell. - The plot is kinda fully secondary to the character work, which imo is fine, but yanno.

GOTG Vol 1

+ All the stuff I said about GOTG Vol 1

- It's not Vol 2, which benefits from having all the bedrock foundation built by this movie to spring from.

B-TIER, AKA It's Fine I Guess:

IRON MAN 1

It's good! It invented the wheel! Part of it are fucking agonizingly painful to watch in 2023 but it also has more heart than 80% of the franchise so.

IN A CAVE. WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS.

LOKI

Okay it feels shitty of me to judge this one on its technical faults bc apparently it was shot during the pandemic and that causes a lot of the issues with the camerawork, the awkward editing, and just how Weird everything was put together. But also it's REALLY stilted and awkward, which butts up against the good script and the better acting, so IDK man.

Owen Wilson is amazing. Even my mother thought the way they canonized Loki being bi was a cop-out. And the final twist pissed me off. I hope Season 2 is better.

THOR 1

I DUNNO WHAT TO TELL YOU, BUT KENNETH BRANAGH UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT.

DR STRANGE AND THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

This movie is a mess but once i figured out it was trying to be The MCU Does Gothic Horror, I was a lot more on board. It has all the flaws of the original Dr Strange and is hard to visually follow like most MCU films, but also has America Chavez, who I adore.

IRON MAN 2

It has Sam Rockwell, I don't give a fuck.

C-TIER, AKA I wish I cared but I do not 8C

DR STRANGE

I dunno I like the actual character of Strange weirdly, I like what a complete fucking asshole he is, I like his god complex and how he reacts to his disability as a surgeon. On the other hand what the fuck is Tilda Swinton doing here, this is just awful. My biggest issue with this film is that it didn't have to be this terrible but every decision made about it feels so fucking thoughtless and myopic.

WANDAVISION

yanno. i cannot even explain why i fell off this so hard. Like, this one Had Me all the way up to and including the Agatha reveal, but like the final episodes after that reveal somehow left me completely cold and uncaring. it's genuinely weird.

D-TIER, AKA Oh my god no thank you

AVENGERS

I hate the writing. Like, I haaaaate the writing. I feel like the only likeable relationship in this is Tony and Bruce, and that does not carry this movie. The quip-driven writing, the way the need for a joke supercedes naturalistic voices and dialogue making sense, it pisses me off. I hate the writing. Heartless movie.

BLACK WIDOW

oh my god i'm actively angry at this movie okay because for the first 20 minutes, I was like "wait, is this going to be a real movie," because it felt smaller, the action felt more realistic, that fight between the Widow and Yelena in the beginning felt like it could have been out of MI: Fallout, and the other fight between Natasha and Yelena in the safehouse was also good, I really thought for a few moments that this could be Good

and then it just took a hard right into The MCU Tries And Fails To Make MI: Fallout (They Even Stole The Mask Gag, What The Fuck Was That) and not only was I disappointed, I was like retroactively pissed for the 20 minutes when I had hope in my heart. If not for David Harbour's character, I would have just left in the middle of this movie.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME

Its not at bad as Infinity War! Nebula and Rocket carried this movie on their fucking backs. But what do I know, I liked Renner's mohawk of sadness.

F-Tier, AKA Fuck This Movie

INFINITY WAR

Fuck this movie with a rusted steel dildo, fuck this entire fucking movie, I despise it. The writing is so actively fucking terrible I want to fistfight whoever is responsible. I fucking hate the attempts to humanize Thanos over how sad he is about the daughter he abused and then murdered, boo fucking hoo, I hate the joylessness of the superhero combinations, I hate the quip-driven writing, I hate this movie with a burning passion. This might be one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Soulless and destitute.