#which i actually rewatched the other day…. film of my childhood

[sugarsnappeases]

tysm for the tag @fxreflyes i love youuuu <333

rules: list your five fave films and ask which matches your vibes the most

no pressure tags for @quillkiller @stillagoodwitch @themuseoftheviolets @sixlane @transsexualpriest @star4daisy @carniferous <333

[the-s1lly-corner]

I was rewatching the Mulan films to get that childhood nostalgia, and I remembered how much I love Mushu...

So I thought "what would the cast of TADC x reader be like, who is practically a copy of Mushu's personality", I imagine that in appearance he would be a Chinese dragon humanoid but with his personality

TADC cast x mushu type! reader !

im finally back on my computer, woohoo! ill probably answer a few requests, since i wanna draw stuff today </3 i dont really like leaving my wips unfinished for more than a few days TToTT side note i gotta rewatch mulan, used to be one of my favorite movies as a kid (though i barely watched movies back then so uh uh its not like there were many contenders </3) relying on the good ol character wiki to help me through this because its been so long since ive watched the movie

CAINE:

i think caine would actually really enjoy you, a lot! in a weird way caine gives off similar energy, with the confidence and such you know? so you two probably bounce right off each other and build one another up... though sometimes this leads to more insane IHAs because you insist to caine that youre more capable than you actually are... as mean as that sounds... the only reason that things dont get too too chaotic is because caine, in my opinion, does hold some significant level of care for the circus members (at least as it stands for the pilot)

like would he die for them? probably not.. but he cares enough to keep the circus (mostly) safe and bothers with keeping them mentally stimulated and entertained; he doesnt even watch the IHAs himself so its likely that its not for his own entertainment

ponders

im getting off topic, though, point is i think you two would be friends !

POMNI:

honestly i struggle a lot with writing pomni, but i think the two of you would be friendly with one another ! i think she might be a little taken aback by your confidence, but hey, its not like its to anyones detriment, right? well... IHAs can get interesting, with you either insisting to run in, leroy jenkins style, into the conflict; or trying to push someone else to do (oftentimes ragatha, who i feel would be the most likely to do the most in IHAs if theres nothing pulling her away from it (cough cough checking on kaufmo cough cough)

honestly my brains a little fuzzy trying to remember mulan, but i feel like you and pomni would have a similar dynamic to mulan and mushu as well

JAX:

i think jax would try to push you more than he does the others since oftentimes your reactions are more... out there, youre so desperate to prove yourself as this big strong individual that you kind of make an ass out of yourself. and jax revels in your humiliation everytime someone manages to humble you.. in terms of the other stuff, i think he would tease and make fun of any abilities you have.. assuming you also have (some) fire abilities like mushu, jax would just call you names like "matchstick" and "lighter boy", making fun of your weak fire powers

RAGATHA:

as mentioned in pomnis part, you and ragatha have... an interesting dynamic... but i can also see you two having a similar dynamic to mushu and cri-kee . with you being bold and ragatha keeping you grounded. often you two end up together during IHAs with either ragatha seeking you out or someone pushing you to her

not much to be said, i think ! very similar dynamic, ragatha keeps you in check, though i think she would occasionally scold you if you did something particularly reckless

KINGER:

ooo this ones a hard one, but i think it would be similar to my personal take on what his and caines dynamic would be but with you as a fellow circus member rather than the ring master... has respect for you (though i think kinger would have respect for just about everyone who has come and gone to the circus, he doesnt strike me as the type to just diss others unless theres a reason he doesnt like the person... and even then he would mind his own business, i think) which... honestly, i can see this either making your ego more intense or actually mean something to have someone actually respect you.. ponders... character degradation(?) or character growth.. both are fun routes, i think! ill leave this one up to you...

slides my favorite kinger thing

you guys tell each other stories about your adventures, both of you hyping them up way more than they need to be

ZOOBLE:

writing zoobles part first because i think that they may be the hardest, but in the kindest way possible i dont think they would be able to stand your personality... maybe youre a little loud and out there, or maybe they just dont like your humor or often times self centered nature... i think they would tolerate you just enough to get through IHA but forming a friendship with zooble is going to be tough... though, they do find it amusing when you and jax butt heads

GANGLE:

very similar to pomnis part, i think... but like, gangle is shy whereas pomni is nervous so things are a little different... i think gangle would just along with most stuff you decide to do, that you rope her into, because she doesnt have a backbone to say no or suggest something else.. well she doesnt have bones in general but... you know? honestly she kind of envies you in a weird way, she wishes she had the confidence you have so sometimes she probably approaches you for advice.. how this ends up is up to you !

[not-wholly-unheroic]

I hope to write a full review of Peter Pan and Wendy at some point in the near future once I’ve had the chance to rewatch it a few times, but in the meantime, it makes me sad that so many people seem to have hated it, and I need to just gush about a few of my favorite parts.

(Warning: This list will contain SPOILERS for the film.)

Wendy’s very realistic reaction to having her favorite bedtime story character show up in her bedroom in the middle of the night (“How are you real?!).

The reworking of the “kiss” scene. Although the childhood romance/first love thing between the two of them in most versions is adorable, seeing Wendy sort of mentally panic and scramble to find SOMETHING to give Peter when, after getting hurt, Michael suggests someone give him a kiss to make it better and Peter says he doesn’t know what that is but he thinks he needs one is hilarious and totally something an awkward teen girl would do when confronted with kissing a boy in front of her brothers.

Mr. Smee’s good heart and kindness. Gaffigan’s Smee tries on more than one occasion to shield the kids from the worst of Hook’s wrath and/or scary situations as best he can while still being loyal to Hook. And it is openly acknowledged that there is a sort of father/son relationship between Hook and Smee due to Smee having pulled him from the sea when he was just a boy. Law’s Hook isn’t always good to Smee, but he very much recognizes he wouldn’t be alive without him. It’s also nice to see that although a bit of a dork sometimes, this Smee isn’t stupid, and actually seems pretty perceptive at times.

The sea shanties!!! I love that they found a way to work a few songs into the film without it feeling too out of place in a live-action movie that isn’t a full-on musical. The songs themselves are catchy and the lyrics (which are mostly about things in the deep that will eat you…) serve to remind us of the hellish nightmare Hook lives every day in fear of the crocodile. We also get a nod to the Disney sequel. (Props to the songwriter for managing to work the word “cephalopod” into a song and actually having it fit the rhyme.) Also, the second song arguably has a ticking motif in the slow drum beat.

The crocodile’s appearance and attitude. This thing is terrifying. It’s HUGE. There is absolutely no one in their right mind who wouldn’t run from this creature. While it wants Hook most of all, it isn’t opposed to eating others either (and does apparently nab a few men who get shoved out of the way by Hook or who aren’t fast enough). Also, all the spears sticking out of its hide. Makes me think of Moby Dick. The crew has apparently tried on many occasions to get rid of this crocodile but it refuses to die.

The similarities and differences in Peter’s fight with Hook at Skull Rock as opposed to the animated film. Hook ALMOST steps off a ledge at one point like in the animated version, but Smee is there to grab us coat and pull him back before he can fall. We also get some good shadow sequences like in the animated film…but apparently, Hook’s shadow can harm Peter’s with the effect that Peter himself actually feels it.

Hook’s reaction to the crocodile. His first words on seeing the creature are just a very quiet sort of shaky, “Oh, God….” When it lunges for him at one point, he freezes in terror for a second before his instinct to run kicks back in. This man is traumatized.

Hook and Peter’s relationship. Okay, yeah, I’m upset they went with the very cliche “Hook was a Lost Boy” deal which has been done so many times now in book retellings that it’s not even new or interesting anymore (not to mention Hook really needs to be an Etonian to make him who he is…) BUT I am very pleased at the emotional depth the actors and writers went to here for BOTH of the characters. Hook is still clearly capable of brutality but he’s also deeply wounded. Peter is selfish and cocky like any little boy might be, but he’s not evil and genuinely misses the friend he used to have in James. They weren’t black and white hero/villain tropes. They were complex characters who both dealt with things poorly, and it takes Wendy pushing on their emotional walls and asking hard questions to finally make them see they can stop hurting each other and maybe repair what has been broken.

The quotes they gave Law as Hook. So many good ones that I may make an entirely separate post about it but the entire brig scene with Wendy is gut-wrenching. At first, my reaction was, “Why is he telling her all of this?” But then, I remembered that even Barrie’s Hook has a tendency to monologue and I think part of the reason he tells her so much is simply because she might be the first person other than Smee to actually want to LISTEN to his side of things. (Much as how Tink points out later in the film that Wendy is one of the first people to really hear her.)

Peter actually needing and accepting help. While admittedly, I think they may have leaned into the “girl power” thing a little too heavily in this version, it was nice to see Peter actually realize that he DOES need people in his life and that it’s OKAY to ask for help sometimes.

Everything about the ending. Peter apologizing to Hook and flat-out refusing to fight him. Hook’s initial anger and disbelief. Peter reaching out and grabbing him by the claw to keep him from falling. The pained and terrified look on Hook’s face as he scrambles to come up with just one happy thought and can’t find any. The look of horror from Peter as he watches his former best friend fall to what he assumes will be his death. The fact that Peter MOURNS for him. The symbolism of “Hook” falling away and dying while “James” survives. The little hopeful smile he gives when he sees Peter coming back. UGH! It was SO GOOD!!! 😭 And that’s not even including the emotional scene with Peter and Wendy saying their goodbyes on the rooftop in London.

This film wasn’t without it’s flaws. The pacing was a little off in places, and it doesn’t feel quite like an epic adventure…but BOY, does it have some heart to it.

[melrosing]

add the copenhagen trilogy to the my brilliant friend subgenre 😔 the childhood section REALLY hit like the first two books of my brilliant friend (less of a focus on female friendship—though there is a bit of it—but really captures that mid-20th c european working class childhood haunted by poverty misogyny and political upheaval + fantasies about getting away and strong prose) if u have any other recs PLEASE lmk because i'm also in my brilliant friend withdrawal ahhhh

ooh thank you so much for the rec! my friend actually also recced it to me a couple months back so I think I should really check it out soon. currently im in the middle of an mbf rewatch cos think im already anticipating the withdrawal after S4 💀

I wish I had more recs that hit in exactly the same way…. I liked Swing Time by Zadie Smith which was I think quite directly inspired by MBF (as in I think Smith outright says it is?? not certain but I know she loves MBF either way). and that’s about two black British girls growing up together in London. the first couple of acts I remember being fantastic but then Smith gets distracted by a bizarre subplot involving a secondary character that imo derails the book. still a great final chapter. also rec NW and White Teeth by Smith. Book of Goose by Yiyun Li is like if you simplified MBF to its barest essentials, good enough read but all the way through I was like I knoooow that’s what inspired this. so plot wise those are the nearest things I know but some other books that are maybe not quite the same hit but kind of scratch a similar spot for me:

The Country Girls trilogy by Edna O’Brien - this actually has a lot of similarities with MBF, it’s a Bildungsroman about Irish girlhood etc, studied this as part of a modern Irish lit module at uni and have thought about it often since

Patrick Melrose quintet by Edward St Aubyn - another Bildungsroman about the title character growing up in an abusive household and fighting through the trauma of it in adulthood, this also has an amazing HBO adaptation that I would rewatch if it weren’t so fucking painful lol

anything by Natalia Ginzburg - know Ferrante likes Ginzburg and I am a recent convert. I think her understated and straightforward style is very effecting and her stories are also generally portraits of the postwar Italian middle class

I’m Supposed to Protect You From All This by Nadja Spiegelman. if you know Maus (the graphic novel), this is a memoir by the writer’s daughter about her mother’s side of the family. it’s my favourite memoir I think I’ve ever read and kind of transformed the way I saw my own mother and grandmother lol

Breasts & Eggs by Mieko Kawakami - also has a lot of interesting conversations about womanhood, gender and sexuality and there are scenes in that book I think about all the time

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee - everyone and their grandmother recommends this but imo it is that good. yet another Bildungsroman but about a Korean woman living in postwar Japan

anyway might be loads I can’t remember rn but any of the above I really rec! also I’m like one away from reading everything of Ferrante’s and I haven’t found a dud yet. second fave for now is The Days of Abandonment which I think some day would make a great art house horror film lol

[your-local-uwu-artist]

how's the smurfing going?

it's going good! my google doc is at over 5 pages, I got some nice sketches and the responses have been very helpful and fun >:D (shout out to isopod guy) the only problem is trying to not make my bias of who's my favorite smurf to be tooo obvious fndkjsa

plus the constant struggle between needing to do research and rewatch episodes and read wikipedia articles and the fact that i get what i call 'withdraw-l'... bassically I can only go so long before I just gotta doodle fdnjak

anyway: I SUPPOSE i might as well explain what the fuck I've been doing (if anyones noticed a lack of posts in the past handufl od days: the reason for my absence is that I was busy iwth my smurfing fdja )

bassically I've always had a LOT of questions regarding the smurfs, (many of which I've had sense childhood) and it's been plaguing me because nobody else seems to care to answer these questions, I'll be like 'what chemichal do you think makes them blue?' and 'what form of asexual reproduction do you assume they use' and 'i don't think it makes sense that they'd crush on smurfette, i'd imagine their mono-sex mono-gender society wouldn't really have those concepts or well, be heterosexual for that matter' and everyone responds with 'what aere you on' (the autism spectrum) 'why are you asking me this?' (i want to here your answer) and 'it's just a cartoon' (AND SOMETIEMS YOU GOTTA ASK SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT CARTOONS) so I decided if I must do everything myself so be-it.

essentially I'm planning to make a very silly half video essay half my nonsense 'if i was in charge of a smurfs reboot' video. heres some of the doodles so far!

vanity's always been my favorite so i'm having a hard time convincing myself to draw some smurf other than him fndasjkfnask (Azrael has always been my second favorite lol) I'm really excited to draw more fo smurf village! mushrooms houses my beloved <3 tbh the village is def a plus for the live action films, while giving the smurfs eyelids and lashes and pecs did not work I do enjoy seeing cute fantasy mushroom village in a photorealistic style <3

anyway one very fun thing i learned about while researching is about these really pretty very epic and pog mushrooms that are native to new zealend and just the most brilliant shade of blue

these things are blue-tiful! And there are actually pigmented! (a lot of things in nature aren't actually blue and rather the structure of it refelcts light and shit to give it a blue appearance) the thing that gives em the blue pigment is a kind of 'azulene' but somehow just a brighter varient: they're so whimsical looking!

a funny thing I've found just through research is that a LOT of people aren't aware of smurfettes origin story, or thought that the origin story was from the live action films, this is so strange to me cause like ????? it's been there sense the begining comics, and theres plenty of episodes where it's mentioned

I'm also suprised by how many people seem to be fond of the new female smurfs: so I guess I'm on the unpopular side here, I've always imagined them as sorta sexless and generless, and that female smurfs (excluding artificially made ones like smurfette) just discovered and decided they preferred feminine gender expression/presentation. (i do wish i included a question asking if people as kids assumed them sexless, cause i always have)

idk I'm still working through the new cgi series and my cartoon pirating site doesn't have the second season, so maybe I'll change my mind on them

ufdnsjafnsdk sorry for rambling the hyperfixation has taken hold lmao

[karebear923]

Get To Know Me Tag

Thank you so much @befuddledcinnamonroll for tagging me! I really enjoy these tag games to learn about each other!

Do you make your bed?

Sometimes yes, but by that I mean I half fold/half bundle up the sheets and toss them on top of my pillow. So no, not really 😅

What's your favorite number?

Never really had one, but I like when things can be evenly split, so even numbers and groups of five are satisfying 👌🏽

What is your job?

I’m currently a certified pharmacy technician. I used to be the manager but I had to step down when I went back to school cause I couldn’t be full time anymore.

If you could go back to school, would you?

Here I go with my long winded answers again 😅

If we’re talking go back in time to when I was younger and in school then yes. I fear I peaked in high school, and with my current knowledge of life I’d do so many things differently.

If we’re talking go back to school now for a career change, that’s what I’m currently doing. I’m not using my first degree, so I’m in school to be an X-ray technologist and I hope to move up to CT or MRI afterwards.

If we’re talking go back to school now just for funsies, then yes again. I love languages and wish I could properly learn so many! I took Italian in college which I picked up pretty easily cause it’s so similar to Spanish (my first language), ma capisco più che parlo. Non ho nessuno con cui praticare.

Can you parallel park?

Yes but I get so nervous about hitting other cars 🙈 I’d prefer not to do it.

A job you had that would surprise people?

I think what’s most surprising is that I’ve only ever had one real job. I’ve done volunteer and community work, and some research stuff but a formal wage-paying job I’ve only had one of. I’ve had many position changes within that job, though.

Do you think aliens are real?

I don’t rule out the possibility of advanced life on another planet but I’m also not thinking about it on the regular.

Can you drive a manual car?

Definitely not lol. I didn’t learn to drive until I was 26 😬 and I’m turning 29 this year…

What's your guilty pleasure?

Honestly it’s BLs, cause of the stigma around it. But if I’m around strangers I can talk about it! I met so many nice BL fans at an event back in February. It’s just hard to find people who get it.

Anything else though, I’m loud and proud! Haters to the left! 💁🏽‍♀️

Tattoos?

I’ve always wanted one! But I’m so indecisive on what to get! There is this one design I really want but then I think about it and I’m like “but where to place it???” 😭

Favorite color?

Green!!! But also purple and white

Favorite type of music?

I listen to a lot of different genres but I like pop music the most. Of course I’m into Kpop, and I love an 80’s synth sound!

Do you like puzzles?

Omg yes, I love brain teaser-type puzzles! I do the daily NYT games whenever I can and I love trivia shows and riddles and problem solving games! So fun!

Any phobias?

I’m scared of heights but I can be brave sometimes. I really don’t like slimy things like slugs and snails or boogers.

Favorite childhood sport?

I love swimming! I was actually on my high school swim team! I did the IM which is all strokes but I also did the Butterfly 🏊🏼‍♀️ and my team started the school’s synchronized swimming team too! 🙆🏽‍♀️🌊

Do you talk to yourself?

All the time! But who doesn’t? And to my pets and stuff too.

What movies do you adore?

I used to love going to the movies but I haven’t been back much since covid. And I don’t really seek out older movies to watch. But I love romance so stuff like Pride & Prejudice and Fools Rush In. And my family loves Disney so Tarzan, and The Incredibles are my faves! We rewatch a lot of Disney films all the time.

Coffee or tea?

I very much enjoy tea but I seldom drink it. I should change that 🤔 and I’m unfortunately chronically tired and need coffee to survive 😞 but I don’t get the complex drinks, just a regular coffee, 2-3 cups a day.

First thing you wanted to be growing up?

Uhh idk really. My answer was always changing, I never had a *dream* career 🤷🏽‍♀️

Not sure who hasn’t been tagged but I’d love to read your responses! No pressure though!

@buckystilinski @stormyoceans @petrichoraline @poetry-protest-pornography @absolutebl @heretherebedork

[incorrectoverthehedge]

Why I got back into Over the Hedge.

So I can't sleep, why not write.

Over the Hedge was for a while a movie that, up until a few months ago, has been relatively unimportant to me. I remember seeing it once when I was a kid, and I do remember playing the hell out of the video game (I even beat it once in an entire day one summer), and that's about it.

It was always a movie that I found good as a kid, and for a while I never went back to it because I didn't want my childhood ruined. Granted I usually grew up with a lot of Disney and Pixar movies, so bad childhood movies were going to be hard to come by. I guess the closest was I think Snow Buddies, but even then it's more generic than anything.

Okay, getting off topic, Over the Hedge I didn't go back to for a long time because I didn't want to think the movie was lame nowadays. Granted I thought about it a few times, mainly because I liked the names RJ and Ozzie, and I used them whenever I wanted to make a neat OC that I would inevitably forget about in less than two weeks, but aside from that, nothing really prompted me to go back, which eventually resulted in me pretty much forgetting about it.

That was until a few months ago...and it involved a certain fan-favorite Opossum.

You see, on Left 4 Dead, there's a workshop where you can play as other characters. They can range from meme characters, to anime characters, to video game characters, and of course, animated movie characters. That of course is where this starts.

I had to find a model that would replace either Francis or Louis since my friends were sick of the model I was using. In case you were wondering, I was using this model:

Terrifying, I know.

It was funny to me at the same time. However, the biggest problem with it was that it was way too big and pretty much took up half their screens whenever they looked at me. So I had to find another model that would fit…I decided to use Louis this time, and then I found…this.

I decided why not, got it, realized that it had the exact same issue with Thumper the Monster Bunny, yet ignored it for some reason, and with the model, we beat the challenge, and everything was fine. That was until I really started thinking about it.

Why did Heather of all characters get a model in this game? In fact, while doing research for this video, it turns out she's the SECOND DreamWorks character to have a Left 4 Dead 2 character model, and the first was Shrek. Speaking of which, she now has TWO character models for survivors, and she's only second to Shrek who has only three.

LET ME REPEAT, SHE IS SECOND TO SHREK.

Anyways, this really got me thinking about what was the whole appeal of her, because I recently rewatched the movie and let me tell you, she probably has the least amount of screen-time in the film. Yet, she's the only one of the cast to have a model in Left 4 Dead 2 (at least until Ozzie was also ported), that was also ported to GMod?

That's when I started to look at the fandom more, and I realized that last year the subreddit had a bit of a resurgence when it came what I like to call "Heather-posting".

Posts about Heather were all over the subreddit, and not only that, they were some of the highest upvoted there. The image I'm providing is only the second highest, with 265. Granted that doesn't seem like much compared to others, but it's still noticeable. In fact, Heather is the main focus of nearly half of the highest upvoted posts.

Not only that, she's also fairly popular on DeviantArt, and even more surprisingly (and also thankfully), there's no...weird stuff involved there I've seen.

Have you ever heard the term "Ensemble Darkhorse" in TV Tropes? It's when a character who is rather minor or unimportant to the main plot get a massive following. Heather pretty much ticks all those boxes, and it's probably one of the most surprising ones I've seen.

How powerful is it overall? Well, I actually decided to make a character based on Heather and put her in a Hell's Kitchen roleplay. I didn't exactly expect to get far, or even really be that noticed.

Heather actually won.

She won.

Not only that, she actually had two people have a crush on her, one male, one female. That's actually wild.

In the midst of all that however, it resulted in me taking another look at the movie itself, finally looking to see if it lived up to the vindication it had been receiving recently.

Turns out that yeah, it's still a great movie. It's not going to be better than something like The Last Wish or Shrek 2, but it's a film that, in my opinion, has no real flaws. Maybe the cast could be a bit smaller, like remove the porcupine family so there could be some more screentime for Heather and Ozzie, since they're the two more popular characters compared to them. Despite this, the cast itself is likable, the story is easy to follow, the satire and visual humor is really funny, and man for Dreamworks film the movie looks absolutely GORGEOUS.

Of course, there's also the banger music, with Heist and Family of Me being my two favorite songs in the film, and it always inspires me to write about the gang and their wacky hijinks.

Oh yeah, the writing stuff. Yeah, I never actually wrote a lot of Fanfiction in my life, I usually kept it original for the most part. I think the only thing Fanfiction-y I've ever wrote was some absolutely hot dog water, dumpster fire trash about...

Sonic OCS.

I'm shivering just thinking about it.

Regardless, my writing has improved a ton, so at the very least I could do the gang justice by not looking like I just half-assed my writing whilst working on writing comedy, which is a style I've never tried before.

And let me tell you, it is really fun to do.

So yeah, what started as a simple dive into a character that I didn't expect to be popular, soon turned into a genuine appreciation for a movie that had at one point been treated as merely an afterthought, as well as a new love for writing comedy detailing the wacky misadventures of some fun characters.

That is why I got back into Over the Hedge.

Speaking of which, I've also been collecting some old merchandise from Over The Hedge, and let me tell you, some of that is real interesting...

[myrandomscribbles]

My Recommended Movies to Watch During That Gap Between November to December

Funny, you'll think that for a country that does not have more than two seasons (summer & rainy) and for a girl who has never experienced any other season except the aforementioned duo, I would know all about autumn & winter and how it feels like. I don't, LOL. Which is probably why I romanticize it so much.

So sadly because I cannot [yet, until further notice] experience the beauty and magic of autumn & winter, I am able to translate my love for it through my other favorite thing in the world - movies.

Even if I have not experienced these seasons, I still feel like there is this strange gap between November and December wherein there is only a specific type of film to watch. Otherwise, it feels out of place. I wouldn't watch Barbie (2023) around this time, for instance. Although sure, in Hollywood box office standards, this is usually the time when big budget films are released in time for Thanksgiving so people are expected to flock to the cinemas. Ka-ching. (Unrelated but this is also the time when many studios purposely release their films to campaign for awards season - not an official stat but just my observation lol)

Anyway! My point here is that this a great time to watch (or rewatch) a handful of cozy films, whether at the cinemas or at home. Personally, I think that films similar to the ones I'm listing below are the cosiest kinds to watch during the [imaginary] autumn to winter transition:

Little Women (2019)

This one's a no-brainer. I may be biased because it's the first adaptation I've watched, but I think this is the version that captured the warmth of the book and that's why it's my favorite one. Aside from the characters being perfectly cast [TO ME], the creative way Greta Gerwig used the warm and cool tones to represent their childhood and adulthood respectively is probably what makes this such a rewatchable masterpiece. That's my favorite thing about this version - I can't not watch this every holiday season, it's an absolute must. Plus the beauty of seeing the March sisters come of age through the different seasons, with autumn and winter being the most important ones is such an enchanting thing to watch.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Arguably the best in the franchise, as is the general consensus, The Prisoner of Azkaban is the most cozy of all the eight films. What's ironic about this is that the climax doesn't even happen in autumn but in the spring (as is every single one of Harry's adventures which happen towards the end of the school year). The film also literally shows the transition of the seasons though; there's just something about going through Hogwarts while seeing the leaves change color then fall. I guess it's the color palette that the genius that is Alfonso Cuarón has applied onto the film is what makes it so cozy and autumnal. That and Hagrid's oversupply of pumpkins.

You've Got Mail (1998)

One of my favorite genre of films is when Meg Ryan decides to spend autumn until the holidays in New York. It's only ever happened twice, but funny how that came to be. Which probably leads you to the thought of, "Why did you put You've Got Mail and left out When Harry Met Sally (1989), Marga?!" Well I've got an explanation for that in the end of this post, Janet, so read until the end. Anyway, again, we literally go through the different seasons while seeing Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks go from hating each other to falling in love, and I think that's what makes this film so charming. Oh, and any romcom that begins with "Dreams" by the Cranberries is guaranteed to be an instant hit in my house.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Listen, I just watched this for the first time last week (the day after Thanksgiving no less), and until now, I am still a complete hell of a mess. One of the most beautiful screenplays I've ever seen, and one of the few films that actually has heart. I think in this instance, we can disregard the seasons for a moment, though we cannot argue that it also was a paid actor in this film. However in my opinion, it's not the seasons that makes this film warm and cozy; it's the story itself. Absolutely no words. These boys have my heart.

The Holdovers (2023)

A lot of film junkies have compared this film to Dead Poets Society for the similarity in plot, which explores the relationship and influence of a teacher with his student/s who is/are struggling to find themselves. And naturally, when would be the best time for this to happen? During the holidays! Yes, the majority of the plot of The Holdovers happens during winter and Christmas (in fact there's hardly any sign of autumn) but again, the coziness is not brought about by the season itself but the story. I love how this is, yes in a way, similar to Dead Poets Society but its warmth is different; not to mention some light comedic scenes here and there. If you ask me, The Holdovers is Dead Poets Society's winter sister, if that makes sense.

Now, there are obviously longer and more specific lists out there; some may be more autumn-centric while some are purely holiday-centric. And while I agree and this is a free world, I feel like these specific films - though they are not solely for autumn or Christmas - perfectly portray both. (I hope I'm not rambling here and I'm getting my thoughts out perfectly the way I want it to lol) Think of it this way - when you think of autumn films, do any of these come to mind? What about winter/Christmas films? Both work, right?!

Another thing I'd like to mention as my last point is that while the seasons may not be exactly "essential" to the plot, it plays a huge role in setting the tone, and sometimes to an extent, plays a "character" in the story. Think The Holiday (2006) - would the plot have worked if the setting wasn't at Christmas? But we can imagine Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly write emails to each other any time of the year (and they got together at springtime, no less!) but for some reason, watching their relationship progress begin during the holidays is so enchanting.

Anyway, that was a lot of rambles. My brain is quite fried at the moment, so I hope you enjoyed this little piece while you wrap yourselves in your knitted sweaters, a cup of coffee in hand.

[qu-film-history-to-1968]

Rolling out back to the Past (Resubmission)

      One of the biggest films of my childhood has to be 2007’s Transformers directed by Michael Bay. Transformers as a brand is something that I love and my introduction came from this movie. If one thing is to be said about this movie and all of the movies in the franchise, the CGI is incredible, and after rewatching it still holds up to this day and even looks better than some effects that are in more modern movies. When I was a kid my main attraction was the giant robots fighting each other, because of course it was.       This opinion seems unpopular, as a review from Roger Ebert comments how that was the least thrilling part of the movie, saying, “Just because CGI makes such endless sequences possible doesn't make them necessary.” It seemed like a similar sentiment shared by other reviewers, as one reviewer from Metacritic said, “The only thing that I didn't like was the action sequences, they lacked of detail and the whole thing was actually a big mess by the end.”       I then watched the film again and I honestly didn’t feel any of that. Maybe I was still watching it through the lens of my younger self and wearing nostalgia tinted glasses but it was still just as entertaining to me. I even appreciated it more and got more out of it, as I noticed more adult targeted jokes that completely went over my head as a kid. However, having a more mature and critical mind there are faults to the movie that I can definitely recognize. The way Michael Bay films and portrays women is definitely problematic, as well as some of the jokes that took me aback.       Looking at world events that happened in 2007, there weren’t really any I remembered or recognized, which is due to me being way too young to process anything happening in the world. However, watching Transformers again transported me right back to being a kid and everything I thought and felt when I first watched it I experienced again. I still find Optimus Prime just as inspiring, the score is ethereal, the effects are still some of Hollywood’s best, and the action scenes are loads of fun to watch. Despite what critics say, I can’t help but love it. I think subjective and objective views of history are both very important. Subjectively I adore this movie from my childhood and that won’t change, but objectively looking back I can definitely see its issues.

Works Cited Ebert, Roger. “Transformers Movie Review & Film Summary (2007): Roger Ebert.” Transformers Movie Review & Film Summary (2007) | Roger Ebert, 5 July 2007, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-2007. 

R, Mark. “Transformers.” Metacritic, 3 July 2007, www.metacritic.com/movie/transformers. 

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Mortal Kombat (Anderson, 1995)

I wouldn’t call this a childhood favourite by any means, but it was certainly one I saw a bunch of times as a kid and not since, so that fact that was on Tubi and threatening to leave in a few days was good enough reason to give it a rewatch after all these years. One scene that I more or less remembered was the one where Johnny Cage punches Goro in the… you know… and the chase and fight that ensues. And the reason I remembered this was not just the scene itself but that, seeing it as a child on a CRT television of not extravagant size and likely at the mercy of poor reception, I’d imagined at the time that I’d actually seen Goro’s … you know… flailing about during the chase scene. And that after seeing the movie, when I drew a little doodle of Goro, I sketched out his… you know… And I don’t remember if I drew this doodle at school or at home, but let me tell ya, whoever saw it was NOT happy! Anyway, that’s my little trip down memory lane.

As for the movie, I suspect a lot of this comes from the source material, which I’m only vaguely familiar with (I’ve played some of the games at arcades and family friends’ houses, but never owned any myself), but the tournament plot and trio of heroes with an Asian lead seem greatly indebted to Enter the Dragon. There’s some logic behind this calculation, as Enter the Dragon was tasked with selling the concept of martial arts cinema to American audiences, so it would make some sense to use its template when trying to sell the concept of video game movies, which had only been around for a few years prior. I will say that I appreciated that, unlike some of the movies that followed where Hong Kong stars tried to cross over, the movie actually lets Robin Shou be charismatic and funny. I suspect because he wasn’t a big star and didn’t have any major baggage, there was no need to try to package him into anything specific. I also appreciate that the other heroes, Linden Ashby (the aforementioned puncher of Goro in the… you know…) and Bridgette Wilson actually hold their own in the action sequences, which was not true of at least one of the heroes in Enter the Dragon (John Saxon, I love ya, but c’mon), and that Ashby gets to be a doofus in exactly the right measure to allow for self deprecation and humour but not undermine the movie with self awareness. There is a baseline of respect you ought to pay the material here and I think this movie pulls it off. And you round out the cast with Christopher Lambert, who kinda nails the subtly exotic qualities of his character, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who plays the role with a good deal of menace. Also, for some reason I got real excited when I recognized Peter Jason, despite the fact that the movies I remembered him most clearly from, Trick or Treats and Texas Lightning, are not good. Sometimes “hey, it’s that guy” provides a certain frisson.

I will say that while I liked looking at the outdoor scenes, because there are temples and vines and greenery and sand and sun and what have you, I did not like looking at the indoor scenes, which are lit in strong, kind of dark colours calibrated to a level I found unpleasant on the eyes. For some reason, there’s a lot of maroon in this movie, which did not make for a pleasurable viewing experience. That being said, despite the wonky CGI, this is shot on film and there are actual sets so maybe I shouldn’t complain so much. I will also note that unlike pretty much every other Paul W. S. Anderson movie I’ve seen, the action scenes here actually work as action and not inert, self contained exercises in framing and movement. Sure, you can feel that some of the scenes feel like Shou is moving at half speed so the American stuntmen can keep up (or at least it does if you’ve seen Tiger Cage II… what a movie *chef’s kiss*). But unlike Anderson’s other movies, where ridiculously overpowered heroes engage in totally arbitrary back and forths before the confrontation is resolved in the lamest possible way, the action scenes here evoke a sense of actual struggle for the heroes and as a result, some semblance of progression. The movie on the whole plays like slick, energetic hackwork (take a shot every time a variation of the awesome techno theme comes on the soundtrack), but Anderson, like Zack Snyder, seemingly turned out his most enjoyable movie before he really developed a distinct style.

[iamfarfromvibingrightnow]

Thanks for the tag @arcturion-the-joke (sorry i took ages to respond im on tumblr at ungodly hours so i kept saying id do it in the morning and then forgetting)

1. Three Ships: I feel like im exposing myself by saying these even though theyre already all over my blog. but now i must narrow it down to three oh dear.

ok i have never hid my love for macdennis aka the greatest will-they-wont-they in sitcom history.

i mean

LOOK AT THEM

ok moving on ive recently reentered my rilaya era, depsite my uhhhh conflicted opinions on the actual show to say the least. but ye the queercoding with these two is insane and platonic or romantic these two were wholeass soulmates

theyre lesbians harold

and of course the ship that is built into the foundations of this blog in fact one half of them is my icon

flarrie my beloved. invented enemied to lovers. still mad netflix cancelled their show.

2. First Ever Ship: I believe my first ever ship was Pricefield, which i now have mixed opinions on but i think i still like it for the most part

3. Last Song: Sick of Losing Soulmates by Dodie (which may or may not have been while i was listening to my rilaya playlist) <33333

4. Last Film: uhhhhhhh i think it was the first Now You See Me, a franchise im unhealthily obsessed with. i was talking about it the other day to someone and they go "is it about like magicians?" its so much more than that its a found family of neurodivergent magicians performing an anti capitalist heist and learning to trust others as a result. i tell you the breakdancing i did when i heard about the third movie announcement

5. Currently Reading: im on my millionth solitaire reread. im struggling to find stuff i actually like. gimme recs please i beg

6. Currently Watching: im on an always sunny rewatch. ive also finally started the podcast. best decision of my life

7. Currently Consuming: what. (checking if this means eating or something else entirely) ok its just food. have you ever cut a block of cheese into cuboids, wrapped them in ham and put them in the microwave? you should. i just did

8. Currently Craving: lasagna. the cheese ham thing is how i cope with lasagna cravings, which i deal with way more than i would like to admit.

9. Favorite Childhood Book: there was this book series i dont remember the name or author of (help pls if you can) i used to read as a child about this little boy and his teddy bear/imaginary friend. i remember the last one being about his teddy bear giving him permission to grow up and let him go and honestly it was beautiful and a big part of my growing up so yeah.

ok imma tag @ferawrri @cosmicyam @bealblath @bluewallowner @narcissusbrokenmirror @thatoneuniverse @gryffindorcompaniononpigfarts @funfeons

9 people you’d like to know better

I was tagged by @rose-n-gunses for this one— thank you, dear heart!

1. Three Ships: Hellcheer, who inspired me to write again. Mulder and Scully, one of the OG ships for 90’s younguns. And most recently, Jessica Fletcher and Doc Hazlitt. 😜

2. First Ever Ship: Dicey Tillerman and Jeff Greene (I will give a thousand Losty-points to anyone who knows who they are)

3. Last Song: Circumstances, by Rush

4. Last Film: does Rifftrax count? I watched the Rifftrax version of “Birdemic: Shock and Terror” yesterday. God it was awful.

5. Currently Reading: just been slowly making my way through all the fics on my Marked for Later list… currently ridiculously slowly reading to get my soul known again by @staceymcgillicuddy

6. Currently Watching: way too much Murder, She Wrote. It seems to be one of the few things my still-covid-addled brain can focus on.

7. Currently Consuming: a large mug of citrus mint green tea

8. Currently Craving: spicy tuna sushi

And I’m adding a bonus Losty question because I felt like there should be 9 questions lmao

9. Favorite Childhood Book: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Absolutely no pressure with these tags (but if you do play, please make a new post instead of reblogging this one!!!)

@roxymorondraws @renaroo123 @tnmdfhgkg @khaleesa @danafoss @sare--k @pipergirl17 @paladinmoony @sasusc

[pimento-playing-hopscotch]

Some more tidbits revealed by Zach Braff and Donald Faison during their Scrubs Rewatch podcast “Fake Doctors, Real Friends”:

Zach grew up with Lauryn Hill and she went to his bar mitzvah

Donald went to high school with Tara Reid and the first place he had moonshine was at her sweet sixteen; it was moonshine her dad made (they had Tara on as a guest to discuss the episodes she was in and she called Donald by his childhood nickname “Shun” which his mother also used when they had her on in another episode)

Tom Cavanaugh (who played JD’s brother Dan) was on a show called “Ed” in the 90s, which had billboards all over the country when it premiered. Zach’s mom saw one of the billboards and thought it looked enough like Zach it prompted her to call him and ask if he had gotten an acting job.

Donald is the biggest Star Wars fan; he and Joelle (one of the producers) regularly discuss Star Wars. Donald realized he was sitting in front of George Lucas during the premiere of “Revenge of the Sith” and after the movie was over, Donald turned around and enthusiastically screamed “You did it, George! YOU FUCKING DID IT!” He turned back around and told his girlfriend how much he loved the movie; she told him how terrible his breath was.

There was a fundraiser/auction for autism research during the run of the show and everyone from NBC attended. One of the auction items was a puppy that Sarah Chalke immediate fell in love with. Seven people from Scrubs each bus $1000 in Sarah’s name so they could win the puppy for her. She named the puppy Lola, who lived 14 years (Donald hadn’t realized Lola had passed and was sad when Sarah mentioned this when they had her on). John C McGinley paid Sarah the money the night of the auction and said “fast money, fast friends”. Ken Jenkins also paid her that night with a check and asked her regularly if she had cashed it yet. Donald paid her four years later.

Bill Lawrence based almost all of Jordan’s character on Christa Miller’s actual personality, so much so that during the early years of the show Zach asked Bill, “where did you meet Christa? Was it at mean camp?”

The dance Donald does to “Poison”- the famous one, the one Fortnite used- was done in one take, and was not rehearsed beforehand. Donald was told he would need to come up with a dance routine, the day of filming he showed up late and a little hungover. While Rob Macchio was doing the “working for the weekend” dance (they only use about twenty seconds in the show but he did a dance for the whole song) Donald was told the song he would be dancing to was “Poison” by Bell Biv Devoe. Donald thought “oh I can do this” as this was one of his favorite songs. Some of the moves he did in the dance were from a dance routine he made up as a kid.

Bill Lawrence was approached about taking all of the closing voiceovers/advice JD does at the end of the show and combining them to make a book. When they started compiling a list, they realized an overwhelming number of the closing voiceovers, without the show context and the sad indie song, made almost no sense and were very repetitive. The book idea was dropped.

John Ritter was supposed to guest star on the show again before he passed- like RIGHT before he passed. Ritter was supposed to be on the show on Monday; Bill Lawrence was informed of Ritter’s death Saturday night. He rewrote the episode Sunday night to be about the death of JD’s father and called Tom Cavanaugh to appear in the show instead; this is the episode “My Cake” that they then filmed four days later.

When Zach and Donald met Benjamin Bratt, they were so giddy with how handsome he is they were excitedly grabbing each other’s hands.

At the beginning of the show, John C McGinley was going through a bad divorce and announced he was never getting married again. Bill bet him $10,000 that John would be married again before the show ended. Bill used the 10 grand he won from this bet to throw an engagement party for John six years later.

Donald and his wife- who he met and married during the run of Scrubs- have a Turk/Carla and JD dynamic with Zach where they all hang out together and they would try to help him find girlfriends and would advise if they thought he would be good with women or not.

Zach sends Donald “progress shots” when he’s working out.

[incorrectmadrigalfamilyquotes]

hello! i saw your post about dos and don'ts and i have a question for you! (sorry if this one has already been answered)

who's your favorite encanto character? and, assuming the answer to this one is different, who do you relate to the most?

- fukase (we're a system so our tags will be different depending on who's piloting the meat sack)

hello, fukase :3c

dw, it's not been asked yet and i'm surprised it hasn't been yet so the timing here is perfect. thank you.

when it comes to favorites, i'm not exactly that picky but i have to admit my first favorite wasn't exactly what everyone would expect. in fact, i found myself insanely attached to mirabel, camilo and antonio (still am, he's a big comfort character for me honestly) more than the other characters; but as i began rewatching it and familiarizing myself with everyone, i began taking a liking to well, all of them! but if i had to name some, i'd say camilo, pepa, mirabel and isabela (wow, shocker) would be my favorite characters since i relate to them the most in terms of personality and aesthetic.

abuela's also very relatable imo—not in the child neglect, projecting(?) over her eldest grandchild and overperfectionism aspects however—but for that need to protect something and build up walls whether metaphorically or literally around that said thing for the sake of not losing it again, would be something i can name. her trauma of having lost someone and being so, so afraid of losing the people she cares about again struck me the most since i've spent most, if not all of my life risking everything to protect the people/things i cared about and having the inability to express actual emotion and satisfaction over being involved in a group in fear of not being able to feel it ever again. although that's not to say both me and abuela are in the right here, overprotectiveness is always something we need to keep in check and having blatant favoritism over someone is well, everyone should know this— wrong.

i have to admit, may have had mixed feelings for abuela in the beginning (since i received a mix of the mirabel and isabela treatment a lot in my childhood) of the film but god, realizing it now, she was just as misunderstood as mirabel and that's why it was so heartbreaking to witness the river scene.

to be able to witness an apology, as unrealistic as it seems with most families such as mine's, gives me a bit more hope that people, especially the elders of the family, can still change for the better, even just a little bit. an apology can make a big difference after all (if well-executed, that is).

suffice to say, most of the characters in the film are pretty relatable to me which is a big step up for disney because raya and the last dragon—although targeted towards my demographic (southeast asian here 👋)—was not relatable at all. the protagonist in that film may have had a few traits deemed relatable for a split second but encanto's got that movie beat in a landslide when it comes to the relatability department.

for a simpler answer since i spent the whole time rambling over abuela for a hot minute:

to name a few favorite character/s:

• isabela

• camilo

• mirabel

• antonio

characters i relate to (favorite characters not named btw):

• pepa

• agustín

• abuela (somewhat)

and that's basically about it. sorry for the rambling mess, i had way too many thoughts about abuela and i thought this ask would be a perfect opportunity for me to get it out of my chest.

anyways, hope this answers your question, fukase. have a great day <3

[cartoonfanorwhatever]

Okay, I watched 'Only Yesterday' a couple of days ago. And it was indeed quite the movie. I don't even really know how to talk about it from an emotional standpoint. So i'll start more technical.

The animation was top notch as is to be expected. It was never confusing if you where in present day or in flashback due to how the colours change in the past. Making them more 'dull' and fading at the edges of the frame to indicate the fragility of memories. But even when memory, fantasy and present day start melting together it was never in question what was what. And man, those moments of pure fantasy where utterly beatiful.

The music was also great, it doesn't stand out as much as it does in other ghibli flics, like in Totoro or in Howl, where the melodies remain stuck in my mind for days after. I can't quite recall a single track but the mood was always perfectly set and not a single note was out of place.

But let's not forget to mention that the movie also made perfect use of silence. Moments without music or talking to help perfectly set the tone for a scene or create tension. These moments stayed with me just as much if not sometimes more than some of the other scenes.

The characters where once again so, so, human. Such beatifully ordinary people. You could walk across these characters in a busy street without giving them a second glance. And I'm so grateful i got the privilage to be focused in on their lives for a bit.

The scene where the family just sits together to cut and eat a full pineapple for the first time will stick with me maybe forever. But not just because it was written so perfectly (realistic). Back when i was a kid there was this old series of animated series. Maybe ya'll know it. "Once upon a time..."

And i watchad and rewatch a good handfull of those in my time. But my favourite was "Once upon a time... man." Which told the history of mankind from caveman days all up to and beyond modern day. One of the later episodes takes place early 20th century, don't remember exactly when. But the family it was following that episode saw and bought the newly imported bananas for the first time.

And that was something so profound to little 8 y/o me. The idea of something that I'm so used to enjoying arriving here for the first time. Globalisation at work before it was all encompassing yet. Nowaday i can hardly imagine not being able to get something created in another, distand part of the world. But watching that, and now also these pineapple scenes, I can experience what it was like for the world to get smaller and the options for the 'normal' people to get 'bigger' all at the same time.

That was kind of a side tangent but it was something I deeply experienced while watching this. A kind of themathic sequel for something I experienced in childhood.

Back to Only Yesterday.

I did not expect this story to be a love story as much as it ended up being. It was a pleasant surprise though, because the chemistry between the 2 leads was quite pleasant. And them getting closer trough sharing their own experiences growing up, while going on the car rides was interesting both writing- and cinematografy-wise.

Also I would absolutely delight watching the people who got their panties in a twist over 'Turning Red' react to this film. They'd go absolutely feral. (If you know, you know...)

I highly recommend watching this film. Especially when you feel you're on a turning point in your own life. It'll leave you inspired if not at least deeply moved.

A perfectly made slice of life in the truest sense of the phrase.

Next I'll be watching 'Porco Rosso' (which i'm actually already halfway trough as I'm finishing writing this) which promises to be great fun.

The previous and first post in this "review series" can be found: here

[ariendiel]

Hello there! I absolutely adore your writing and the way you bring even more life and depth to the Litg characters! <33

I’m not sure if you’ve been asked this but I was wondering what you think would be the islanders from s2’s Hogwarts houses? Lmao I’ve relapsed and rewatched all the movies recently and I always find myself thinking who would be in which house. And like thinking up random funny scenarios they would get up to at wizarding school. I know a lot of people would say Chelsea would be Hufflepuff which I mean isn’t wrong but I kinda see her as like Luna Lovegood and being in Ravenclaw! Lol idk kwjsksjsjsjsjsns

Thank you for your time regardless if you answer this or not! I hope you have a lovely day! <3

Hi, and thank you! So happy you enjoy my writing and that you dropped by my inbox 🧡

I grew up being read or reading Harry Potter and vividly remember watching the films too (some of the first I saw in the cinema!). I've even got a small HP tattoo since it was such a huge part of my childhood. I also LOVE thinking about things like which houses each Islander would fit in, and some are definitely easier than others, but here's what I think:

As always, remember that Slytherin isn't bad, and that we appreciate ambition and determination. I've also tried to keep it quite balanced between the houses, as it should be.

Bobby – Hufflepuff

Quite possibly the easiest one, but Bobby is just such a quintessential Hufflepuff, and I love that for him. He's patient to a fault, values loyalty, and is generally rather easygoing. Maybe part of him is a bit Gryffindor, but overall I'd say he's very much a dedicated Hufflepuff whose focus is more on enjoying life rather than ambitions of greatness.

Carl – Slytherin

A tricky one, but I feel like Carl would make a lovely Slytherin. He's calculated and driven, but also very gentle and kind – which is a great combination. He very much seems like someone who hesitates before acting, always wanting to know the potential outcome first, and despite being shy he's confident in his own technical skills... In other words, Slytherin.

Chelsea – Ravenclaw

I actually very much agree with you! Ravenclaw isn't all about "classic" intelligence, but also creativity, originality, and imagination – and Chelsea has plenty. She's maybe not academically driven, but she clearly thrives when she gets to approach things in her own, unconventional way, and can be hard-working and diligent when she's invested in a task.

Elisa – Slytherin

I was torn between Slytherin and Gryffindor for her, but landed on the former due to her focus on achievement and on leaving her mark on the world. Elisa also strikes me as someone who can be quite cynical and cunning when it comes to matters such as social media, and who will do what it takes to get where and what she wants.

Gary – Gryffindor

Gary's definitely someone I immediately put in Gryffindor. He's daring and a bit reckless, but with a softer side to him too. With his courage in daring to deal with and speak about his body issues, while also seeming as someone who'd stand up for their mates no questions asked, I think the hat would quickly sort him into Gryffindor.

Hannah – Hufflepuff

I feel like Hannah is often placed into Ravenclaw, but to me she's not actually that into the whole "learning" part, but rather stories of classical romance where loyalty, modesty, and dedication is a big focus – and what she's so drawn to. It's also what she strives towards herself, with a few missteps along the way of course.

Henrik – Hufflepuff

With his happy-go-lucky vibe, easily earned loyalty and dedication, while also having a strong moral sense, I'd say Henrik is also very much a Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw might also fit, as I think he's similar to Chelsea in his unconventional approach to wit, but I think Hufflepuff with a focus on simply living suits him so well.

Hope – Gryffindor

I think she could also have gone into Slytherin due to her drive and resourcefulness. However, Hope to me is someone who is daring and determined, but not always with the focus being on herself. She's brave and caring, and will stand up for others if she thinks they need so. This may also be why she can be perceived as arrogant at times, but she means well, like most Gryffindors.

Ibrahim – Gryffindor

Rahim was such a tricky one, as it's so tempting to put him in Hufflepuff. However, he struggles with loyalty/dedication and I think his would be one of the cases where his want to be brave and chivalrous would make the hat sort him into Gryffindor.

Jakub – Gryffindor

Yeah, I'm leaning towards Gryffindor for him. Sure, he's goal-oriented and doesn't always consider others in his determination, but he also tries to be noble and brave. Everyone who's done his route will know he's can be chivalrous but also a bit short-tempered, both of which are very much Gryffindor traits.

Jo – Gryffindor

Basically the Cormac McLaggen of the Gryffindor Islanders. Would definitely be way too invested in Quidditch and at being "the best". She's definitely brave and daring, but also reckless in how she acts and speaks without thinking first.

Lottie – Hufflepuff

Yes, I know, I KNOW, but hear me out. Lottie would want to be a Slytherin because she likes to think of herself that way. BUT, her extreme focus on moral codes, loyalty and dedication, even if scewed, makes her a Hufflepuff. Each house has their "bad" members after all, and Hufflepuff is no exception – they can't all be innocent to a fault.

Lucas – Ravenclaw

Somewhere between Ravenclaw and Slytherin, but I think his ambition is largely something that people attribute him based on him coming from a well off family (their ambitions for him does not make him a Slytherin). He may be cunning to some extent, but I think his focus on acceptance and learning about the world to make it better is what would get him sorted into Ravenclaw.

Marisol – Slytherin

So very very nearly a Ravenclaw, yet I have a hunch the way she applies her intelligence and knowledge makes her more of a Slytherin. Marisol is scared of getting hurt, and uses her smarts towards self-preservation and to reach her own goals. In a way, I'd also say she's more Gryffindor than Ravenclaw in how she acts (more Hermione than Luna, basically).

Noah – Ravenclaw

Probably the most "stereotypical" Ravenclaw of the bunch. He's clearly learned and intelligent, with his random bits of knowledge and love of books, as well as witty when he feels like it. I get the impression he's also very accepting of others, although he needs to learn how to accept himself.

Priya – Slytherin

Priya is so good at self-preservation, with a mixture of determination, cunning and ambition that I think would place her in Slytherin. It's something I think especially shines outside of the Villa, where she really is driven to live her best life. I feel like she could also fit in Gryffindor, but she's a bit too self-centred (not always a bad thing).

Shannon – Ravenclaw

Another one that very much is between houses, and she could just as well go into Slytherin due to her cunning and pride. Still, I have a feeling she applies those traits in a way that's focused on learning and observing, and not always for her own gains as I think of her as more altruistic than what we got to see in-game.

Rocco – Ravenclaw

Some would probably have put him in Hufflepuff or Slytherin, but I feel like he's more of a Gilderoy Lockhart with his focus on stories that may be true or not (most likely the latter). We also know he probably did rather well at school, but he simply doesn't search for "classic" knowledge and is definitely creative.

[justwhumpythings]

What are your fav shows, movies, books, songs?

Shows: The other day I was thinking about Daredevil S1 again and I thought 'you know, this might be my favourite show!' and then I remembered 'no you idiot, that's Good Omens' So both of them XD I also quite enjoyed Our Flag Means Death although I think I will come to love it more with later seasons. Have been rewatching some A:TLA recently too.

I tend to watch more comedy than purely fictional stuff regularly, so I like some of our classic British comedy panel shows like Would I Lie To You, QI, Taskmaster and Mock the Week (rip :'() I finally got myself to watch This Country (which I always want to call Our Country instead, I had to look up which it was XD) not too long ago and enjoyed it more than I thought I might!

I also go for more Youtube-based entertainment these days, where I can thoroughly recommend Drawfee for art, humour and chill, and the spinoff Secret Sleepover Society (mirrored from Twitch) for gaming, humour and chill.

Movies: I don't watch so often, but Megamind is always a comfort choice, or Kung Fu Panda, and while I haven't watched it for years now, Thor (2011) has a special place in my heart. Then there are other films like Lord of the Rings or The Lion King which are such perfect classics that it never even occurs to me to list them as favourites, but they are, especially LOTR.

Books: I haven't read books in years 😅 For real, I'm hard pressed to think of anything I could call a current favourite rather than just a long-ago childhood fave. I found Marie Kondo's book a good read a while back, and often will just plump for a Discworld book if asked (Going Postal, usually). Good Omens is actually far from my favourite Pratchett book sshh don't tell anyone 😉😅

Songs: God, I'm so terrible, I haven't listened to much music recently either.(There's a reason I added 'I don't consume media' to my description lol). I got this new computer last October and still haven't gotten around to adding my music library to it 😅 so I can't even use that as reference. My Youtube Mix seems to be stuck in 2012-13ish when I last listened to new charts music socially XD But I am trying to listen my way through Glass Animals latest album from February, and I always enjoy some Woodkid or Alt-J.

Thanks for the opportunity to ramble about things that only I care about! XD