#willem did such a good job

[illiana-mystery]

Vincent Van Gogh, At Eternity's Gate (2018)

[m4tthewmurd0ck]

Tom Blyth x Actress!Reader

TBOSAS Vogue Interviews — You + Josh

no descriptors other than reader being shorter than tom but i use she / her. click [HERE] for the table of contents for all things tom x actress!reader, and click [HERE] for Tom + Rachel’s interview! little reminder, tbosas has been out for a month when this takes place so they are allowed to mention spoilers. this interview takes place the same day as rachel and tom’s, so you don’t know any of their questions or answers yet. little reminder, your character in HOTD is named juliette.

Like Rachel and Tom’s video, the first bit shows short clips of some answers, but no context as to what the questions are.

You burst out laughing. “That is absolutely not what happened and you know it!”

~

Josh thinks, then snaps his finger and points to you. “Lover, or Evermore.”

~

You and Josh fist-bump as you look at the camera and say “Willem Dafoe” at the same time.

~

THE INTERVIEW —

The actual video begins with you and Josh trying, and failing, to stop laughing.

“I’m sorry we’ll stop,” you promise as you attempt a serious face. “Hi Vogue, I’m Josh Andres Rivera.”

Josh looks at the camera with a straight face as he introduces himself using your name. “Today we’re here to ask and answer questions rapid-fire style! I have the first one, can you give us any spoilers for season two of House of the Dragon?”

You burst out laughing again. “That is not the first question… is it?”

Josh shrugs, “no but the people want to know.”

You look at the camera, “sorry I love my job too much, the people will have to wait. We are completely finished with the filming but I may actually get fired for revealing everything. However I will say if you thought the first season was crazy, you have no idea what’s coming. Where my character is involved, remember she doesn’t know that Lucerys is dead, or that Aemond is directly responsible. And he’d just convinced her that he would change and do better for her before he left, so you have her finding out to look forward to.”

“Not a spoiler like I hoped but I will accept your answer, and I can’t wait to see Juliette kick Aemond’s ass! Okay the real first question, what songs did we sing first when we went and did karaoke as a cast?” Josh raises his eyebrows. “Someone did their research. Oh God I honestly have no idea what the first song was. I definitely sang one too many though. Do you remember yours?”

You nod, “Style by Taylor Swift.”

“Oh yeah that’s right!” He looks at the camera, “that was the day I found out I’d be working with Taylor Swift’s number one fan.”

“The real question is do you remember what I said my favorite album of hers was?”

He thinks for a minute. “Fuck — oh sorry can we swear? You just told me the other day too!” After a few more seconds, he snaps and points to you. “Lover or Evermore right?”

You do a slow clap. “I’m impressed! At my core I am a Lover girly but right now my favorite album is evermore.”

Josh grins at the camera. “Major bff points right there. Okay my turn to ask a question. Oh I bet Rachel and Tom got asked this too. Most difficult scene to film and why?”

“Ooh that’s a good one,” you think for a moment. “Physically, for sure the big scene I have with Tom. Emotionally, I think Sejanus’ execution. Obviously because that’s an emotional thing in itself, but it was the most difficult emotionally just because of how much I had to cry. From the moment Sejanus is led to the tree, to the moment my character falls to the ground sobbing once he’s dead, it started out as tearing up and by the end I had to like I said be full on sobbing. I’m just thankful we got that scene in a few takes,” you laugh.

Josh nods, then points to you as he looks at the camera, “if you guys haven’t seen the movie yet, she’s incredible. I had a hard time with that scene but I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you. It was so cool to see the final cut.”

“If you don’t say your most difficult scene, that was so sweet I may actually cry right now, thank you!”

“Okay okay, emotionally I’d also say my characters execution. Physically, escaping from the arena with Tom. We tripped a few times, it was also hard because we had to coordinate with the actors who play the tributes to make sure they wouldn’t actually catch us.”

“What do you think Rachel and Tom said their answers were?” Someone asks off camera.

You and Josh are both quiet for another moment as you think.

“I think Rachel said the hardest scenes physically were the games because she missed stunt training in the beginning.”

Josh mimics your slow clap from earlier. “That was my exact answer too. And Tom… I think his answer emotionally was yours for physically. I know he was a little nervous to film the fight scene with you in the cabin.”

“My heart,” you put your hand over your heart and smile at the camera as if he’s right there, before turning back to Josh. “Yeah neither of us wanted to rehearse it very much since we couldn’t meet with the stunt coordinator until the day we shot the scene. He was so worried about hurting me. Okay sorry we took so long just for that one question. Describe each others characters in three words.”

“Badass because… hello that whole scene with Tom, kind because she puts everyone else before herself, and cunning. I like that she can think on her feet.” Josh sits back, satisfied with his answer.

You high-five Josh. “Nova May appreciates that. And now I definitely have to top that. Loyal. I know it’s almost to a fault but Nova May really loves that about him, congenial because I feel like it’s really easy to love Sejanus. He’s not like the others who grew up in the capital. And… sweet. He didn’t let having money get to his head.”

“Sejanus also appreciates your answers. Okay my question, name three characters from other franchises that you think would do well in the games.”

“I love this! I swear this isn’t because they’re shows I’ve worked on, they genuinely are the first characters to come to mind. Aemond Targaryen because he clearly has no problem with murder,” you laugh and look at the camera, “love you Ewan! Hmm, Paul Atriedes just because I really wanna see Timmy film the arena scenes. And Joel Miller because I am a Last of Us girly and I know he could kick ass.”

Josh nods, appreciating your answers. “I probably should’ve spent just now thinking of my answers, shit. I’ll say… King T’Challa because he’s overall just a badass and he can fight. This is also in the MCU but Kate Bishop because a bow and arrow are good for long distance kills, and then… just because I’ve been watching The Last Kingdom a lot, Uhtred Ragnarsson.”

“Who plays the best movie villain?” You ask. You and Josh look at each other and grin, having just discussed this a few days ago.

The 2 of you fist bump as you look at the camera and say “Willem Dafoe.”

“There will be no elaborating. Two words: Green Goblin. The ones who get it, just do,” you shrug, and the camera then zooms in on Josh who just nods.

Someone off camera motions for you and Josh to get to the last 2 questions.

“Advice for aspiring actors?” You ask. “I’d say don’t give up. You may get a hundred no’s, but if this is really what you want to do just keep working, keep auditioning. That one yes after a hundred no’s could be the role that changes everything.”

Josh points to you again, “I completely agree. Even if you feel like the only option is to give up, if this is your passion and genuinely what you want to do, don’t quit. You never know when your big break might come. I think I’ve got the last question. Favorite part about filming The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes? I know what she’s going to say,” he points to you and laughs. “Name starts with a T and ends with om,” he looks at the camera again. “You guys she was all heart eyes the moment they met.”

You can feel your face getting warm, but in the end you nod. “That is absolutely not what happened and you know it!” You sigh, then admit defeat. “Alright it’s true. I don’t know that Tom and I would’ve met if it weren’t for this film. Although I had already watched season one of Billy the Kid, that was released I wanna say a couple of months before I booked this movie. So I was already a fan of his.”

“And we all know my love for Dune and House of the Dragon,” a voice speaks up from behind you.

Immediately you get out of your chair and Tom pulls you into his arms, hugging you tight as he looks down at you. “Alright my love?” He asks. After a minute you return to your seat and he greets Josh.

“What are you doing here?” You ask, still surprised.

“Just thought I’d come surprise you,” he smiles. “And I sort of tricked you. That dinner meeting your agent mentioned is actually dinner with me,” Tom turns to Josh. “Rachel says she’s free if you both want to join us.”

Josh agrees and pulls out his phone, saying he’ll let Rachel know.

You swear if your heart could beat out of your chest, it would. No one has ever made you this happy.

Someone off camera asks you all to film the outro for the video.

“Thank you to Vogue for having us!” Tom stands beside your chair and puts his arm around you.

“We hope you enjoy our film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” you smile at the camera.

“It has been in theaters for a month now but you can still catch it for a limited time,” Josh finishes.

“Bye guys!”

TOM BLYTH x ACTRESS!READER TAGLIST —

@callsignwidow | @spencerstits | @coconut-dreamz | @daenerysqueenofhearts | @inf4ntdeath

if you’d like to be added let me know!

[complextheories]

Okay. Wrap up on feelings from S2E5 of HOTD!

First, I really enjoyed that we got more Rhaenyra and Daemon screen time as well as seeing more from the people around them in this episode.

I love seeing the discontent from the small folk that resulted from Criston Cole parading Meleys’s head through the city. A total miscalculation on his part and as we progress the episode, we see Mysaria coach Rhaenyra, urging her not to make the same mistake. And this moment, Mysaria educating Rhaenyra is so so important. I really think the will of the people is something that her father, Viserys, at least, recognized. If not Viserys, we know that it’s something Otto pays attention to and advised as such.

This also foils Daemon’s current character progression. Daemon continues to ignore the will of not just the small folk, but the other lords and ladies of the Riverlands. Daemon sitting in the grass in his armor, saying “I did not think they’d be so eager to die.” and then telling Willem that they’re the type of men he needs is hilarious. I think showrunners are doing a really good job showing Daemon’s inner psyche.

I like seeing Rhaenyra educate Jace, but also them frustrated together at the state of things and strategizing! Rhaenyra reminds her son that she is the Blood of the Dragon too and she is as frustrated as he is, if not more, at the state of thigns. But as they strategize about more dragons, Rhaenyra lets Jace in, even more than before, to the inner workings of this war the way she urged Viserys to when she was his age.

Seeing Helaena ask Aemond if it was worth it is a big moment to me. When you look back at their childhood, Aemond is more sympathetic to Helaena. He understands her more than Aegon. Maybe this goes both ways. She sees him too. And she’s disappointed.

Baela’s interaction with Corlys and Rhaenyra about her grandmother Rhaenys — it shows how she’s grown, how her grandmother and her stepmother have influenced her. She is fire and blood just like them and she burns.

Lastly, Aegon murmuring "Mummy" as Alicent leaves his room is very Hightower Trauma coded. We're really seeing generations of trauma -- how it is passed down and the effects of it.

Edit: I also really enjoyed seeing Alicent fall victim to the patriarchy she helped affirm. It's karma that she didn't see coming. I mean Larys is right, if Team Green elevates Alicent to the regency then how are they better than Team Black? If Alicent had supported Rhaenyra that conversation would have been so different.

One of my favorite episodes of the season. See y'all in a week!

[rvllybllply2014]

Pulling from my life again*. Modern au.

Aeron is a rich kid who was able to take flying lessons and has a personal plane that he can fly. Davos is also a rich kid but he chose to do truck driving to be able to travel Westeros.

Anyway Davos is back in Raventree hall when he hears Willem complain about Aeron and his pilot’s license. How dare mere horse breeders think they’re better than the Blackwoods. It doesn’t matter that Aerons license is for his personal use and that his plane is an old two seater. Willem demands that Davos go to the same school as Aeron and get his license. Davos doesn’t argue because he makes enough on top of his inheritance that he would be able to buy his own small plane.

Anyway the day Davos goes to sign up for classes Aeron is there talking to his old instructor, and of course Davos has start an argument about how Aeron is a terrible pilot. But before Aeron can reply the instructor tells Davos that Aeron is one of the best, a natural at flying and that he should fly with Aeron. Davos agrees to fly with Aeron if only so he can argue with Aeron privately.

Once in the air Aeron tries to break the awkward silence by asking Davos about his trucking job. Davos explains it’s to get him away from Willem and to break the boring day to day of doing nothing with in the company. Plus he gets paid to travel so he doesn’t have an issue with it. Aeron says that must be nice, he genuinely means it too which Davos realizes when he goes to argue with Aeron but sees a gentle contemplative look on his face.

Davos asks if he can fly the plane, Aeron says yes but Davos has to teach Aeron something about trucking in return. Davos tells him he’ll show Aeron how to slide tandems on the trailer. So Aeron tells Davos to watch the dial that has a blue part on the bottom, brown in the middle and yellow on top. It’s the horizon gauge, he wants to keep the dial even so he won’t go too far up or down. Aeron tells Davos he’s a natural at this after keeping the plane even for several minutes.

A few weeks pass before Aeron and Davos can meet up at Davos’s truck. Davos tells Aeron the trailer is empty and that this is just a demo on to slide tandems. It’s easy enough, all Aeron has to do is leave the truck in neutral, Davos will push in the lever that’s on the trailer. Once Davos does that, he gets back in the truck and tells Aeron to push in the trailer break (the yellow push in button) once he does that put the truck in drive and push the gas pedal in slowly. As the truck shakes Davos tells Aeron he’s doing good, the shaking means the tires/tandems on the trailer are sliding forward. Davos repeats the same steps but this time tells Aeron to reverse so the tandems/tire will slide back. After the mini lesson Davos tells Aeron he did a good job.

Aeron doesn’t want to argue, he feels like he did a shit job, so he changes the subject by asking Davos out. Davos tells Aeron the only way he’ll go out with him is, after he gets his pilot license and afterwards Aeron goes on a trucking trip with him. Aeron tells him sure he’ll go on a trucking trip with Davos, as long as Davos goes on a flight with Aeron.

That’s how Davos gets his pilot license and goes flying with Aeron every time they’re back in the riverlands. It’s also how Aeron experiences freedom from Amos, by being on the road with Davos. It’s also how both Willem and Amos settle their differences, if their nephews can fall in love then maybe the other house isn’t so bad.

Amos and Willem eventually date too, much to the horror of Aeron and Davos.

*at my old job I made friends with an older man who had a personal pilots license and had his own glider plane. His friend also had a private pilot license and a 1940s plane which is what I based Aerons plane off. Both let me fly the plane for 20 minutes (full control of it)

The truck stuff is based on what I learned from being on the road with my boyfriend. But I have driven the truck without the trailer on an actual highway, slid tandems for him every time, and drove a truck with trailer in a parking lot.

[tyrantisterror]

What are your thoughts on Raimiverse Green Goblin and how he compares to comic book Green Goblin? At first glance, he seems to be one of the most comic-accurate depictions of Norman Osborn, but there’s actually a few very noticeable changes that make him a lot more sympathetic than his comic book counterpart.

Raimi did an excellent job of humanizing all the villains he wanted to include in his Spider-Man movies, while still including the tragic flaws that doom them to be villains in the first place. I think Doctor Octopus is his greatest success because there was a lot of pathos built into his character concept that the comics rarely explored, whereas Sandman was already pretty sympathetic in the comics, and Norman... well, it's hard to make an explicitly abusive father and immoral capitalist sympathetic without sanding off their edges. But Raimi did a good job, and Willem Dafoe of course brought the full weight of his enormous acting talent up to bat as he always does.

What stands out about the Dafoe's Goblin to me is how classically comic book villain he is. Dafoe's Green Goblin is having the time of his fucking life blowing people up and inspiring terror where he goes. He's a villain that whistles while he works, just fucking loves doing evil and ending lives. He's full on saturday morning evil except the movie's PG 13 so he actually gets to kill people while doing it, and it's very fun while still being threatening.

We don't get many villains like that in modern superhero movies - they're almost all too fucking restrained and serious and trying to appear nuanced despite ultimately being just as one-dimensionally evil as the Green Goblin, if not flatter. Worst of all, they all seem so fucking bored, like doing villainy is a hassle rather than their life's calling. It's what made No Way Home feel so distinct - Dafoe's Green Goblin is the kind of cackling villain the MCU has needed for a LONG time and never fully gotten, and he not only felt like a breath of fresh air, but genuinely terrifying in a way that all the infinity stones in the world can't match.

[subzeroparade]

Hello! I really liked the clothes you designed for Laurence in the last artwork. I was wondering if it's just an alternative design to the usual one or if it's how you'll draw him from now on. Is it maybe something he wore before he started wearing the choir clothes?

Thank you anon (・‧̫・) Also you made the mistake of asking me about fashion, so - *inhales*

I’ve drawn Laurence in version(s) of the Choir garb before (you'll notice I change his sleeves a lot lol), but I normally almost never draw characters in the same outfits all the time, even if they are canon - just by virtue of being bored of it, and wanting to invent. 

The one you’re referencing was early Church, in my timeline - there’s two similar ones that I’ve more or less described in fic that are simpler, and closer to typically clerical/in-game Church garb. One of the first scenes in The Feast We Were Promised (which deals mostly with early Church timeline) is Laurence changing from the weighty, jewelled chasuble he wears in the context of ministration/communion in the Grand Cathedral into a modest black cassock to return to the Chapel of the Good Chalice down in the poorer quarters of old Yharnam. There is a certain canny strategy for the Church to remain humble in what they wear, if only to imply a sort of modesty and separation from the main religious powers of the time - there’s an established church, in this timeline, with all its pomp and splendour (because sects don’t just spring up in a religious vacuum).

I think that changes with the founding of the Choir, and the domination of the Healing Church as the main religious organisation over time, consolidating its power on the reputation of the blood. I think the Choir garb feels like a kind of mix between clerical clothes and Byrgenwerth-style robes (this should not be surprising - Willem’s imagery in his chair is very papal). This reflects the Church’s eventual takeover of Byrgenwerth, and how the Choir is established - which is to say an "order", or faction of the Church only in name, but solely focused on using the Church’s resources to attain ascension/communion. I like to imagine that Laurence would wear a different variation of the Choir garb at the height of his power, to distinguish himself - incorporating some of these more traditional liturgical symbols, since he retains the title of vicar. 

On the other side of the Church’s heyday, I think the more things get out of hand, the more ostentatious their dress - a sort of visual power, if you will, that negates what is happening in the streets with the coming scourge. A veneer of material splendour to mask the reality - a show of control, and mastery, even as the Church is impotent in the face of what's happening. In that sense I’d imagine Laurence wearing really ornate chasubles, or the kind of stunning cope that Lenny wears (minus the hat) in the Sistine Chapel scene in The Young Pope (which I am a big fan of). To bring it back to your first question, that white and black ensemble is a play on both real ecclesiastical garb but also specifically Lenny’s wardrobe, and his countenance when he wears it. (The costume designer, Carlo Poggioli, did a spectacular job working from the existing pieces in the Vatican museum). The red shoes in that final design above are a bit of a joke - the pope actually wears red shoes in real life, but the version on set are Louboutins and were nicknamed by Poggioli “the Ferraris” (extra inside joke - my Laurence has partly Corsican roots for obvious parallels with another historical tyrant).  

As for Ludwig, I almost always give him a different outfit - even in plainclothes - but I like the idea that he only starts wearing that pseudo-Executioner’s garb after the Cainhurst massacre (in my timeline, anyway). I always try to add a little element of armour to his clothing and to distinguish him from both the clergy and other Church-affiliated folk, be they Prospectors or Hunters. Beyond actual historical sources, I’m obsessed with Jany Temime’s work in House of the Dragon, and so you’ll find traces of the Kingsguard armour in Ludwig’s overall look, but without making it too medieval. 

I also have a headcanon (developed alongside some mutuals) that the blindfold part of the Choir cap is a very late introduction, during the scourge. In my work Laurence’s disdain for Willem’s dumbfuck pope hat is evident, and so there’s none of that shutting-your-eyes-to-the-world stuff - until most everyone’s eyes, including his, start to change by way of the scourge. 

Anyway tldr I like playing dress-up with them. 

[zenia62]

Daendels Downfall as Governor-General

Hii everyone!! ✨️ As I promised, I'll be explaining on why Daendels was replaced as a governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. It's going to be a bit complicated n long but I'll try my best to summarize them ^^

In an article I've read, when Daendels ruled the Dutch East Indies, many Dutch people despise his action as it was heavily inspired by the French Empire style. Before Daendels arrival, the Dutch ppl had divided powers among themselves and basically did some corruption to enrich themselves aswell. Ever since he came, they all lost many of their income n those who disagree with his way of ruling etc, will be sent back to their homeland by boat.

Those who got sent back complained abt Daendels to the minister of Holland at that time, Van Der Heim. The thing was, Van Der Heim also hated Daendels. So he used this opportunity to bring him down. Van Der Heim started a campaign to remove Daendels from the position of governor-general. He believed that Daendels should be replaced by Jan Willem Janssens.

"Jan Willem was shy of a good job. Although he realized that he might not have been the most capable person for the Indies, he really wanted to tackle something new"

Van Der Heim n Janssens are friends and Janssens himself was able to make a good first impression on everyone. The example can be seen bellow.

"At that time he was part of the Dutch segation that came to inform Napoleon in Rambouillet of Louis's 'decision' to resign. On the spot, he had a long meeting with Napoleon about Indies affairs on August 16, in which he – apparently successfully – conveyed the last gossip about Daendels."

The worst part was that Van Der Heim said to have stopped paying Dutch salary (maybe like a subsidies?) To Aleida, Daendels wife, while he was ruling in the Dutch East Indies.

"On July 31, in a new letter to the emperor, he wrote: "Daendels is a bad man, but we have his wife and his children". It does say something about the level of Lebrun, or about the culture of the French empire at that time, to immediately see the family of the governor-general of the Indies as a hostage."

Why would Lebrun (Friend of Van Der Heim I believe. I kinda forgot 😔) held Daendels family hostage?? I still don't understand this part to be honest. But it doesn't end here. Van Der Heim also wrote a critic report about Daendels.

"One of his biggest aproaches against Daendels was that he had wrongly reported that it was quiet in Bantam (Banten)."

"Another accusation was that Daendels brigadier, Sandol Roy had been deposed on Java."

Actually, talking abt Sandol Roy, he was a commander-in-chief of the Batavian army in Dutch East Indies. He was actually planning to arrested Daendels when he arrived in the Indies, but I think before he can do that, Daendels sent him back to homeland for being too old in the army? (istg I read this somewhere but I forgot 🫠)

Back to Lebrun, on August 20 1810, he wrote the most horrible things abt Daendels to Napoleon. Lebrun also agreed to replace Daendels. He wrote this to Napoleon.

“There is a French officer here, a brigadier general, a brother of Rouget de Lille, the author I believe of the Marseillaise. He was supposed to go to Batavia with Daendels, but was captured during the crossing. I believe he can be trusted.”

Napoleon responded w this.

“I don't know who Rouget de Lille's brother is. I think I'm going to send a Dutchman.”

September 6 : “Because of the language I want to send – from Saint Malo – Dutch troops, a small battalion with four companies of 120 men each. Find good officers for me. Send me Daendels' correspondence.”

At this point, I feel like Napoleon had been influenced by those ppl that Daendels is bad. Not long after this Napoleon sent Denis Decres, a French minister to Holland. According to him, Daendels must be replaced immediately.

And finally at November 16, 1810, Napoleon made his decision to send Janssens to Java, his salary (500.000 francs) were 3 times higher than Daendels. At November 24, 1810, Decres officially wrote a resignation letter to Daendels on behalf of Napoleon.

“The Emperor has informed himself of your correspondence, especially your letters to the king. The king had an unpleasant feeling left by your letter of November 30 last year. The poor state of your health was the reason for him to send you a successor. He thought it was good for you to give you some peace after a few years in the bad climate of Java.”

Decres was js yapping reasons imo as I never found any evidence so far abt Daendels complaining being ill or anything but anway-

On May 16 1811, Daendels handed his stuff to Janssens who had js arrived in the Dutch East Indies. While all this were happening, Napoleon was informed on how they (I assumed are soldiers) saw that Daendels had served the French well.

“The French flag flies everywhere in this colony. Daendels has implemented the change with caution and wisdom”

“I have seen the most beautiful country in the world. No one in Europe has any idea about this. Daendels has achieved great things in a short time. In times of war, he was completely on his own. He restored authority, built up an army without help from abroad and built major roads so that communication, transport of troops and ammunition is possible from one end of the island to the other [more than 1000 kilometers].”

“When we arrived in this country, we found the French flag on all the forts. General Daendels had made everyone swear the oath of allegiance to the emperor and that went very solemnly. You cannot imagine how active this general is and what he has done for the service of the colony."

When Daendels returned back to France on November 1811, he met Decres. After having an interview w him, Decres told Napoleon that they had made a mistake for replacing Daendels as he had done much better than they had heard/assumed. Not long after this, Janssens in the Indies had failed to protect the attack of the British and Dutch East Indies was later ruled by Raffles.

That's all for now ^^ I'm sorry if there is misinformation due to translation 🙏 Feel free to correct me or if u know more, pls do tell me 🫶 This topic to me kinda made me feel angry at Napoleon for js believing those ppl so easily without thinking twice 😮‍💨 The fact that Janssens ended up js giving away Dutch East Indies so easily to the British was the worst part. If Daendels replacement were at least the same level as him then maybe it would be a different story but- 😭😭 I feel bad for Daendels at this part 😕 Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this n if y'all have any questions, feel free to ask🫡 I'll try to answer them. Thank you guys for reading this n have a great day!! 🌙

[mlobsters]

rewatching dune (1984) which i've seen a handful of times, fallen asleep during the desert scenes more than once, and have a fondness for but also haven't watched it in at least a decade. i want to watch the new movies but wanted to refresh my memory on this movie again first

something very brazil (1985) about this

talking giant brain creature has a vulva mouth, how could i forget

the shields and the slow knife live rent free in my head

let 👏 characters 👏 sweat👏

uh oh paul's gotta fight the spiky dick

paul's dad gave me willem dafoe double take

i think what was so effective for me in this movie was how memeable it was. i read the book and for some reason it was a slog for me, but that plus the movie really drilled these phrases into my daily thoughts. the sleeper must awaken, arrakis dune desert planet, fear is the mind killer, the spice must flow etc.

so i wonder if one of the main issues with this movie that people have is how much it relies on voiceover. i don't know about the complaints, just that it's generally not liked

👄

sweattty

"you are so beautiful, my baron. your skin, love to me. your diseases lovingly cared for, for all eternity." and they say romance is dead

i remember the heart plug pull vividly but the implied sexual assault while he's bleeding out by the baron, not so much. the gays are evil, guys

i feel like jessica and rachael from blade runner (1982) occupy the same place in my brain. another movie that put me to sleep a lot, with that afternoon sun and the smoke. knocks me right out

pulsating, then squirting for spacetime folding, got it 📝

is this not what hentai jizz looks like?

3 squirts and we made it to arrakis, dune, desert planet

i genuinely like how they do the shield effects

i had to go find clips of dean stockwell as al in quantum leap because i was so sure his voice was so much lower in that compared to this. and yes, it is! good job, brain

duke: "damn the spice!" *gasp*

you know, it's been a long ass time since i watched this. and the constant voiceover of characters voicing their thoughts is really getting heavy handed. show not tell, amirite 🤪 maybe it's because i know the story already, but for the most part i feel like the voiceover specifically to the character thoughts wasn't even explaining anything that wasn't already expressed in the scene anyway most of the time

the effects were nice having the sand blowing off, really helped give it scale

and now paul's gotta deal with the itty bitty flying dick of death!

so they make the bad guy fat with visible illness on his face, a murdering gay rapist and he wears nail polish. oh, and red hair. really hitting it out of the park

i think about this poison gas tooth thing on the regular

captain picard shouting "long live duke leto" while holding the pug and rushing into battle, i started cackling

womp womp with the poison tooth fail ;(

jack nance as nefud / bill smitrovich in life goes on (1989-1993)

i keep thinking he's the dad from life goes on

for whatever reason, the thumpers are what always captured my imagination. i think i just like the sounds.

paul: "Remember, walk without rhythm and we won't attract a worm. It will go to the thumper."

anyway, walk without rhythm and it won't attract the worm how did i not realize until this very moment that song was a reference to dune! haha. walk without rhythm is such a strange turn of phrase

tell me of your home world, usul!

also forgot the lusting after his nephew, sting. they really went all out making the harkonnens the most grotesque

baron: "A poison has been introduced into your body, Thufir Hawat. By milking this, this smooth little cat's body, you receive your antidote. It must be done each day."

i think this must be past the point when i usually fell asleep watching this. i know i've seen it all the way through more than once but apparently milking a cat???? didn't leave an impression. also this just never comes up again. but bro made it to the end of the movie so i guess he was successful in milking it

the truly unfortunate green screening is consistently the worst effect, a shame

reverend mother: "There is a place… terrifying to us, to women." paul: "This is the place they cannot look. Traveling without moving."

lol what. silly girls are afraid of teleportation 😔

pacing is all over the place. it was going okay but then paul's making out with chani, his sister is born and is like 8 years old now (heyo baby alicia witt), we gotta zoom through 2 years of war and boop boop now paul's drinking the blue water and going where no woman can go while they all bleed from their face parts

space cigarettes, no problem. but then they gotta go try to make this glowing golden thing and it's terrible

would be remiss to not include the dick shaped harkonnen ships but i ran out of images ;<

this big showdown with the emperor etc i am hanging on by a thread to not fall asleep/close :p truly lost the plot. way too much worm action, way too long of boring repetitive action sequences

using my image last slot for having the baby kill the baron/send him on his way to become a worm snack

LOL the pug is in this big fremen gathering! captain picard managed to survive and keep the dog alive! good god will this ever end. now we're gonna have the world's slowest knife fight with sting

and now it's raining somehow. sure

oh my god. that took forever. ok well, i can see why this movie has put me to sleep more than once and panned. and there's some really memorable and interesting things about it, and i think it goes fairly strong (with some issues like excessive voiceover) for the first 2/3 or so. but oof. i definitely liked it more 20 years ago :p anyway, i'm glad i watched it again so i could take off the rose tinted glasses before watching the new movies

[bijouxcarys]

Honey Bee / Part One (1)

Pairing: Robert Plant x fem!reader x Jimmy Page x original female character

Summary: You've been on the road with Led Zeppelin for over two months now, acting as Robert's convenient little companion. It's now the final night of the tour, and tension has been rising. With the addition of Jimmy's new pretty young thing, you find yourself in a situation that just might take the cake for best night of your life...

Warnings: Heavy drug and alcohol use, a bit of heavy petting, slight objectification, degradation kink if you squint really hard, voyeurism

Word count: 2,756

***I've decided to split this into multiple parts since it would be really long if not, and I wanted to post something. Also, keep in mind that I have quite literally NEVER written Robert or Jimmy before. This is my first time, so go easy on me. I'm used to writing Brian May, who is very different lol***

Tags: @firethatgrewsolow @brownskinsugarplum76 @keepcalmandcarryfire @the-may-queer @callmethehunter @jimmypage7 @whothefuckisanja @laysidel-dekie @jimmys-zeppelin @m-faithfull @lemongrablothbrok @willem-dafuq @ri0thouse

He just looked so good.

But so did he.

And so did she.

Maybe it was the coke, well and truly infiltrating my system by this point. Or maybe it was a result of my third whiskey. I didn’t care. All she knew was that I’d never been this high, in multiple senses of the word, as I was that performance at Madison Square Garden back in 1973.

Apparently, they rarely, if ever, brought along a girl from a different country to another. And I held onto that feeling. Knowing that Robert Plant saw something in me that was worth bringing along over an ocean was enough to convince me that I had made the right decision to drop everything at home and take off with Led Zeppelin at the height of their success.

Honestly, I was well accustomed to the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle by this point. I’d had one or two encounters with smaller bands that toured within the UK by the time I was 17. But Zeppelin was a whole other ball game. An entirely different planet. 

I didn’t care that this would one day end and that I’d go back to my dead job at a record shop. It couldn’t be too bad, right? I mean, if I hadn’t accepted that job in the first place, I would have never had the honour of being on this tour with the world’s greatest band at all.

Never underestimate a rockstar’s tendency to visit downtown music shops.

Robert and I had connected somewhat over our mutual interest in the blues. I slacked off my shift to take him to our storage space, just to let him rifle through the records we’d recently received. One thing led to another and I ended up accepting an open invitation to join him on tour.

19 and on the road with Led bloody Zeppelin.

It was their third and final night in New York, which also marked the last show of the tour. There was a subtle sense of anticipation that built throughout the whole tour, and it materialised progressively through the partying; the drinking, the drugs… the sex.

Everything seemed to get more and more intense every night. And, God, did that night take the win by a fleeting mile.

The fact that they had camera crews filming each move that night seemed to trigger something… feral… in the lads’ performance. I never got tired of watching Robert gyrate during Whole Lotta Love. The energy was potent. Like an intoxicating pheromone.

Usually by this point of the show, Robert would have already taken me somewhere backstage to get his fix–of both me and whatever he could get his hands on–during Moby Dick. But this time, I’d been given nothing but a small kiss and a cheeky smirk before he disappeared with Jimmy.

This left Lila and I dumbfounded.

Lila was a young girl who’d recently turned 18, and we met her the first night we were in New York. As per usual, she’d finessed her way backstage and caught Jimmy’s wandering gaze.

The air crackled with energy as Robert and Jimmy returned, wearing matching mischievous grins towards the end of Bonzo's solo. It was a sight suspicious even for those two.

I couldn't resist teasing Robert, smirking as I asked, "What are you up to?"

His dimple deepened, adding to his already endearing charm, even with a missing tooth. His hand caressed my head, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I have no clue what you're talking about, darlin'," he purred, leaning in closer. "Just a bit of light conversation."

"Light conversation?" I chuckled, playfully tugging him closer by his belt. "Why would you need that?"

"Don't you worry, sweet girl," he replied, shrouding his words in mystery. This deviation from Robert's usual character intrigued me, but before I could dwell on it, his lips were on mine, trapping me between his body and the wall.

As he pulled back, his lips brushing my nose, I noticed Jimmy and Lila in a similar position down the corridor.

Robert mumbled, "Don't look at them, darlin'," using his finger to redirect my gaze back to his face. His touch grazed my lower lip, gently tugging it down. "You'll have plenty of time to look at them later."

Before I could question his cryptic words, he winked and withdrew, exchanging a knowing smile with Jimmy before they headed back onstage.

The incident lingered at the edge of my consciousness for the rest of the show, and I sensed that Lila was in the same perplexed state. We exchanged subtle, intense looks, an unspoken desire to ask each other what was happening, yet neither of us dared to voice it.

But in the end, I just wanted the show to finish so Robert could drag me wherever he wanted and do whatever he wanted to me. Watching him, those jeans clinging to him, the stage lights casting a shimmer over his exposed upper half, and his hair flawlessly bouncing with each thrust and jive, had me squeezing my thighs together from the side of the stage.

Being with the boys since the beginning of the tour gave me time to warm up to Jimmy as well as get to know Robert a little more. Jimmy was never on my radar of attraction, but something about the way he carried himself became more and more alluring. Ominous, almost.

Day by day, I became more and more interested in him.

That’s why, by the end of the last show, I didn’t know who to look at. Robert, Jimmy, and even Lila. It was like I’d just taken a hot oestrogen bath with Eros and Aphrodite. 

If there was one thing I knew as clear as day, it was that I wanted them. All of them.

And that’s exactly what I ended up getting.

Within an hour, the customary Zeppelin afterparty was in full swing, taking over the entire ground floor of The Drake and spilling onto multiple floors, transforming the hotel into their own personal playground. The trademark mayhem ensued, marked by bleary-eyed revellers and a steady flow of alcohol that left nostrils white and throats raw from the endless libations.

The air was heavy with the scent of cigarette smoke and spilled liquor, punctuated by the echoing laughter and slurred conversational cheering of everyone in attendance. The room seemed to sway slightly, the dim hotel lighting dancing off the walls in a hazy, dreamlike aura. Amidst the chaos, I found myself settled on Robert’s lap on a worn, plush sofa, my limbs weightless.

Robert’s features softened under the influence, and he wore a lopsided grin as he leaned back against the cushions, hands sliding up my legs, one on each side of his hips. His eyes, glazed and partially unfocused, held a distant, dreamy look as he gazed out at the revelry around us. I traced my fingertips along the collar of his blouse, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath the silky fabric.

Beside us, Jimmy and Lila were enveloped in their own intimate world. She exuded an irresistible allure as her dark, cascading hair spilled over the arm of the sofa. Her head, delicately poised on the cushiony surface, seemed to radiate nothing but pure admiration for the guitarist looming over her.

Draped over Jimmy’s lap, her supple body was a study in effortless grace, her bronzed skin glowing in the soft, amber light. Her slender, bare legs extended languorously along the expanse of the sofa. The subtle arch of her foot, adorned with a pair of sleek, platform heels, found a resting place on my thigh, the faint pressure a tangible reminder of her presence. One glance, and you could see right up her flowy mini skirt.

“What are you so smiley about?” I asked Robert with a hum, eyelids hooding as I made the cautious decision to shift my hips against his. The steady grip he had on the backs of my knees rose to the bare space between my knee-high socks and corduroy skirt, fingers gripping onto the flesh of my thighs.

“Hmm… you keep lookin’,” he remarked, his gaze momentarily flickering to Lila’s legs before returning to meet my eyes.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, feeling my cheeks flush with warmth. “No, I don’t,” I protested weakly, attempting to convince him that I wasn’t doing anything of the sort.

His hands gently framed my face, drawing me down closer to him. “No, no, darlin’, you do,” he insisted, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. “And that’s okay!” he added, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “In fact, it’s rather preferable.”

He kept his eyes trained on me as one hand guided my head to turn in the direction of Jimmy and Lila. “She is gorgeous, isn’t she, love?” Robert hummed into my ear. Before I could answer, his free hand slid under my skirt, his long fingers teasing my underwear. My breath hitched in my throat, managing to feast my eyes on Lila’s legs freely.

With a bite of my lips, I found myself grinding into Robert’s hand. We both watched with intent as Jimmy’s hand lowered to find comfort under Lila’s skirt. Her girlish giggle cut through the air, making Jimmy chuckle and shift his gaze down to where his hand was.

He caught our eyes, sending us a smirk, his eyes glazed over and face somewhat flushed. Lila was none the wiser as we observed the guitarist’s petting.

That was when Peter decided it would be a good idea to document the completion of yet another successful tour. Successful if you forget the money that had been nicked the day before, but this was a nice respite from that unfortunate incident.

A rather large video camera nestled on his shoulder, Peter sidled over to us, letting out a rambunctious cheer.

“Ayy! Percy and Pagey enjoying the victorious ending to a triumphant tour!” His speech was erratic, loud, and jumbled. But then again, so was everyone’s.

Lila craned her head back to peer up at Peter and his camera, giggling yet again.

“Nothin’ better than a couple of beautiful birds after a show, eh?” He came closer, switching the focus from me and Robert, to Jimmy and Lila, and then back again. “Look at these two cunts stealing away all the totty.”

“It’s the charisma,” Robert chimed, sending a swift middle finger to the camera. 

“Is that so?” Jimmy jested from the side, earning a smack on the arm from Robert.

“Don’t be shy, doll, give us a smile!” Peter put the camera right by my face, where I confidently and playfully stuck out my tongue. “Ooh, she likes to put on a bit of a show, Perce.” 

I barely registered that Robert's fingers had found their way inside my underwear, massaging diligently at my soaked arousal, but a gentle prod of his middle finger against my clit caused me to jump a little and a small squeak to fall from my lips. Robert let out a boastful laugh, his free hand pushing some of his hair out of his face.

“Ey, I’m not the one kicking my legs about so everyone can see my pants,” I retaliated in the haze of cocaine, pointing in Lila’s direction.

“Not like you haven’t been enjoying the view, Y/N,” Lila purred, lifting a leg up enthusiastically. 

“Ayyyy!” Peter cheered, angling the camera just enough to catch Lila’s actions for the brief moment that she did it. “I’m gonna do my rounds, make sure I get everyone, and I’ll be back here in a few.”

I grinned down at Robert as Peter left, looking down at his hand between us. 

“I’m not an expert, but something tells me that you quite like the prying eyes of others, darlin’,” Robert said, keeping up with the movements of his fingers.

“Hmm, and what if I do?” I prodded, tilting my head to the side.

I didn’t get a response, only a hand in my hair and a swift pull downwards, my lips crashing against Robert’s wantonly. I basked in the feeling, my hips grinding down yet again as his tongue rolled expertly into my mouth. 

Letting out a moan against his lips, I felt a light stroke on my leg that wasn’t from Robert. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Jimmy’s extended arm, his hand resting around Lila’s ankle and his fingers resting just above my socks. Smirking against Robert’s lips, I held onto his shoulders, deepening our kiss.

“D’ya want some more, darlin’?” Robert murmured, reaching down to retrieve the clear plastic bag from his pocket, the same one he had revealed earlier that night.

My response was a whispered, “Yes, accompanied by a mischievous smile.

He gently guided me off his lap, positioning me on the floor between him and the coffee table. With my back to him, I watched as he leaned over to empty the remaining contents of the bag onto the hand mirror that laid on the table, drawing the attention of those around us.

“Lila?” Robert called, turning his attention to the almond-eyed beauty. Her gaze met his, and her eyes lit up in response to his gesture, followed by a nod of acknowledgement. It didn’t take long for Lila to settle in beside me, with Jimmy sitting upright behind her.

“There you go, my sweet little honey bee,” Robert hummed into my ear, his lips pressing a tender kiss to the side of my neck. 

Lila’s delicate fingers trailed over the powdered surface, deftly rearranging the lines into perfect, symmetrical rows. She glanced up at me with a secretive smile, her dark eyes glinting with a shared understanding. The faint scent of her perfume, a delicate blend of jasmine and musk, mingled with the heady aroma of the night.

With the two rockstars sitting protectively behind us, Lila and I leaned forward, each of us inhaling two lines with practised ease. A subtle thrill coursed through me as my back arched instinctively, responding to the tantalising touch of Robert’s hand settling on my hip, his thumb daring to explore closer to where desire truly lingered.

“We’ve certainly struck gold, haven’t we, Perce?” Jimmy’s voice drifted over, undoubtedly revelling in the captivating sight before him.

As Lila and I continued with our indulgence, the sounds of cheering and hollering filled the air around us, the realisation dawning upon us that we indeed had an audience.

And I relished every moment of it.

Still bent over, I looked over my shoulder, catching Jimmy’s lingering gaze. Our eyes met for a moment, and we sent each other a suggestive smirk before I pulled myself up to lean back against Robert.

“Did you enjoy that, darlin’?” he asked with a knowing grin as I raised my arms behind me to rest them on his shoulders. His fingers trailed up my sides, his touch igniting a fire under the thin material of my skin-tight, long-sleeved top. “You think you could do me the honour and let me have some, too?” he asked again with a playful flare.

“Mhm,” I nodded with a hazy smile. But just as I was about to move out of his way, he stopped me.

“No. Stay,” he gently commanded. Smiling smugly down at my confused face, he grabbed a spoon from the table and scooped up some of the white powder, bringing it closer to me. “Head all the way back, sweetheart.” With a deep breath, I leaned backwards, finding myself half-laying across one of Robert’s thighs. “That’s a good girl…”

I gnawed my lip as I felt the cold edge of the spoon under my neck and across my exposed skin. It was difficult to stay in this pose, especially with Lila's hand on my leg. I was beginning to feel the effects of the fervent stares of the crowd, followed by Peter Grant's roaring laughter.

My eyes fluttered shut as Robert lowered his head and inhaled the cocaine straight off of my skin. He dragged his tongue along the residual powder, accompanying his actions with heated, open-mouthed kisses which he swiftly punctuated with a kiss to my lips.

Boisterous cheering and clapping erupted as Jimmy repeated the action on Lila, the intimacy of the moment intoxicating the four of us. With Robert’s hand on my neck, he continued to kiss me in front of the whole room.

“You ready to put on a proper show for the camera, sweetheart?”

[weclassybouquetfun]

Your Golden Globes Nominations. A lot of "yays" and some

Best film – drama

Anatomy of a Fall Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives The Zone of Interest

Best film – musical or comedy

Air American Fiction Barbie May December The Holdovers Poor Things

*Musicals being shut out of the musical category is comedy. THE COLOR PURPLE is sensational. WONKA is enjoyable. I don't see how both could be ignored in favour of MAY DECEMBER.

Best female actor in a film – drama

Annette Bening, Nyad Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan, Maestro Greta Lee, Past Lives Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla

*Glad Bening pulled it out of the gate. Mulligan is wonderful in MAESTRO, but NYAD is a meatier role.

Best male actor in a film – drama

Bradley Cooper, Maestro Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon Colman Domingo, Rustin Barry Keoghan, Saltburn Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers

*I've seen all nominated performances and it's Keoghan for me. At the very least with 3 Irish men nominated, one has to take it. It will bring shame to the island to not.

MORE NOMINEES

Best female actor in a film – musical or comedy

Alma Pöysti, Fallen Leaves Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings Natalie Portman, May December Margot Robbie, Barbie Emma Stone, Poor Things

*Hated MAY DECEMBER so, with the exception of Charles Melton, I am flummoxed by the love for it. Barrino was incredible in THE COLOR PURPLE and deserving. Would have been thrilled to see Eve Hewson for FLORA AND SON nominated.

Best male actor in a film – musical or comedy

Nicolas Cage, Dream Scenario Timothée Chalamet, Wonka Matt Damon, Air Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers Joaquin Phoenix, Beau Is Afraid Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

*I would take out Chalamet and replace him with THE HOLDOVERS' Dominic Sessa.

Best film – animated

The Boy and the Heron Elemental Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Suzume The Super Mario Bros Movie Wish

Best film – non-English language

Anatomy of a Fall Fallen Leaves Io Capitano Past Lives Society of the Snow The Zone of Interest

*Heard wonderful things about The Zone of Interest, Past Lives and Anatomy of a Fall, but the only one I've seen is SOCIETY OF THE SNOW and it is staggering.

Best female actor in a supporting role in a film

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple Jodie Foster, Nyad Julianne Moore, May December Rosamund Pike, Saltburn Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

*This was pretty much my picks with the exception of Moore. I don't know who I would have swapped her out for but what she does in MAY DECEMBER compared to these other nominees is woefully underwhelming.

But I'm 1000% Rosamund Pike. Would be thrilled with a Brooks or Randolph win.

Best male actor in a supporting role in a film

Willem Dafoe, Poor Things Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Ryan Gosling, Barbie Charles Melton, May December Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things

*I'm a contrarian so I want Melton to win it. He was shockingly good in MAY DECEMBER. But I would be happy with Gosling or DeNiro

Best director – film

Bradley Cooper, Maestro Celine Song, Past Lives Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Greta Gerwig, Barbie Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things

*Cooper wont' get it, but he deserves it. He did a fantastic job with MAESTRO. I am gunning for Scorsese.

Best screenplay – film

Barbie Poor Things Oppenheimer Killers of the Flower Moon Past Lives Anatomy of a Fall

*Emerald Fennell's SALTBURN not getting nominated in this category is a crime.

Best original score – film

Poor Things Oppenheimer The Zone of Interest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Killers of the Flower Moon The Boy and the Heron

Best original song – film

Addicted to Romance, She Came to Me Dance the Night, Barbie I’m Just Ken, Barbie Peaches, The Super Mario Bros Move Road to Freedom, Rustin What Was I Made For?, Barbie

Cinematic and box office achievement

Barbie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 John Wick: Chapter 4 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour The Super Mario Bros Movie

Television

Best television series – drama

Succession The Crown The Diplomat The Last of Us 1923 The Morning Show

Best television series – musical or comedy

Abbott Elementary Barry Jury Duty Only Murders in the Building Ted Lasso The Bear

Best television limited series, anthology series or television film

Beef Lessons in Chemistry Daisy Jones and the Six All the Light We Cannot See Fellow Travelers Fargo

Best female actor in a television series – drama

Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us Emma Stone, The Curse Helen Mirren, 1923 Imelda Staunton, The Crown Keri Russell, The Diplomat Sarah Snook, Succession

Best male actor in a television series – drama

Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us Kieran Culkin, Succession Jeremy Strong, Succession Brian Cox, Succession Gary Oldman, Slow Horses Dominic West, The Crown

Best female actor in a television series – musical or comedy

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Elle Fanning, The Great Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Best male actor in a television series – musical or comedy

Bill Hader, Barry Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Jason Segel, Shrinking Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Best female actor in a television limited series, anthology series or television film

Ali Wong, Beef Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry Elizabeth Olsen, Love & Death Juno Temple, Fargo Rachel Weisz, Dead Ringers Riley Keough, Daisy Jones and the Six

Best male actor in television limited series, anthology series or television film

David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves Jon Hamm, Fargo Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers Sam Claflin, Daisy Jones and the Six Steven Yeun, Beef Woody Harrelson, White House Plumbers

Best supporting female actor on television series

Abby Elliott, The Bear Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso J Smith-Cameron, Succession Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building

Best supporting male actor on television series

Matthew Macfadyen, Succession James Marsden, Jury Duty Alan Ruck, Succession Alexander Skarsgård, Succession Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Ebon Moss–Bachrach, The Bear

*Skarsgård getting nominated but Jonathan Bailey being ignored is not sitting right with my spirit.

Best stand-up comedian on television

Chris Rock, Selective Outrage Sarah Silverman, Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love Wanda Sykes, I’m an Entertainer Ricky Gervais, Ricky Gervais Armageddon Trevor Noah, Where Was I Amy Schumer, Emergency Contact

[illiana-mystery]

Poor Things (2023)

[notafraidofredyellowandblue]

OOR 2009 - Nr 10 - Rammstein interview

Rammstein

Six voices, no harmony

The moment OOR returns from Berlin it drops be in the mailbox: the video clip for Pussy, the first single from Rammstein's sixth studio album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da. It's a kind of, well, wie sage ich das jetzt... Please see for yourself and make your own judgement. Guitarist Richard Kruspe had already warned us the day before: "Bigger, better, more extreme" is still the motto of Germany's biggest metal band. A motto that Rammstein has condemned itself to over the past fifteen years, Kruspe admits when we speak to him about the most difficult record the band ever had to make. OOR visited the guitarist in Berlin and flew with red sympath... sorry, ears back.

by Willem Bemboom

Durch Berlin fliesst immer noch die Spree... The old Berlin song comes up when OOR reports to the German headquarters of record company Universal. Inside a typical modern multimedia office, with Moke's Shorland in the listening post, on the banks of the Spree, you are in the middle of the history of the twentieth century. Twenty years ago, this was one of the most scarred places in torn Berlin: directly to the right of the office, the Oberbaumbrücke spans the river. Nowadays the U-bahn runs back and forth over the picturesque building, but in GDR times the bridge formed one of the borders between east (Friedrichshain) and west (Kreuzberg), meaning that only western pedestrians were allowed to pass. Along the road behind the bridgehead begins the East Side Gallery, an elongated preserved part of the Berlin Wall, where artists have enjoyed themselves. The old Ostbahnhof, gateway to Warsaw and Moscow, is now hidden from view from here by the brand new O2 World sports complex. And although Berlin started a great catch-up race immediately after the fall of the wall, the horizon is still dotted with cranes that plant futuristic-looking new things in the cityscape.

A cityscape that Richard Kruspe, guitarist of Rammstein, hardly recognizes. The riff-slinging flamethrower from the stage welcomes us with the friendliest smile and a diet coke in an office on the sixth floor. Previous interviews with Rammstein always meant the presence of an interpreter, but Kruspe, who lives in New York, has no problem with English as the main language. He uses a lightning-quick, thick American/German accent, which is almost eerily correct in terms of intonation. Only the slightly too long rolling 'r' in his pronunciation betrays a different native language. "I moved to New York in 2000 and I no longer recognize the Berlin of that time. It has suddenly become very hip to live, for artists from all over the world. Life is very cheap here, especially compared to other European cities. If you are a starting artist you have to work at least three jobs elsewhere to pay the rent, and then you no longer have time for your music or paintings. Berlin is perfect for such people and also acts as a magnet to others. I now see a much more vibrant, creative Berlin than I am used to."

And the difference with the GDR period?

"Well, the wall has now disappeared in every respect. When I walk through my old neighborhood, I see a mix, there are no longer places where only people from the east or west live. I actually think that's quite a shame, it had something typical. But Berlin will always keep changing and that is a very good thing. You hear all kinds of different types of German and languages from all over the world. A sign that the city is alive. When I first moved here, that was not the case. Berlin was cold, colourless, generic. I knew I had to go here to start a career and meet people who wanted the same thing as me, but I didn't like it here. It was difficult to survive, not obvious in any case. If there were people with the same ideas, they acted very elitist. As an outsider you were not just accepted into a group. In a sense, Berlin is still hard. When I came here with my ex-wife, she did not like it And neither does my girlfriend at the moment; I showed her some places from the past yesterday and she accidentally walked on the bike path. Then someone got off his bike and hit her in the head. This way I know the city again, I thought to myself. Welcome to Berlin, baby! But the city looks beautiful, especially the old east. The architecture and new city planning make it an open whole. Not so typically German anymore, more a mix of different cities and eras."

Growing up in the Eastern Bloc is something we in the Netherlands can hardly imagine.

"I thought the GDR was fine until I was about twelve. When you're young, you don't know any better and you don't care. Now you know how the system worked, then you felt protected. safe and if I compare it to the reality of 2009, it was: now you have a credit crisis, people going hungry, problems in education, drugs among the youth. This is a different world, much more extreme. We had a very simple and straightforward upbringing - what you don't see doesn't exist. As you get older, your curiosity also grows. You want to go somewhere and you can't, because there is a wall. Only when I was about thirteen or fourteen, I became aware of the wall. And of the other sides of the regime, because the more curious you were, the more you got into trouble. Daily life in the Eastern Bloc was simply not meant for the curious. I started making music, primarily to impress the girls, but gradually I understood that it was also one of the few ways to push your boundaries a little. I always managed to stay within the lines, and then maintain a sense of freedom, no, individuality."

How were you able to push your boundaries within the GDR?

"By moving from the north of Germany to East Berlin. I did that purely because of the music. I wanted to start a band and that wasn't possible at home, simply because there weren't enough good musicians who wanted the same. It was quite difficult, because you were expected to have a full-time job and could only do something with music outside working hours. Or you had to study it, but that was of course not the kind of music I wanted to make. Slowly but surely I started to get some blemish on my political background and I decided that I no longer fit into society in Schwerin. Living with music, it had to be in Berlin. Better than at home, but it was not easy at all."

Why did you decide to escape the Eastern Bloc?

"Nothing musical, I accidentally got into a disturbance, a matter of wrong place, wrong time. I ended up in prison, where I was interrogated and investigated. After three days I was released again, completely beaten up. From that point, you will never be out of the picture of the authorities again. I had the feeling that I could no longer even breathe freely, that I was being watched everywhere. I had to leave, so I fled to the west. That was impossible in Berlin, The chances were better in the Czech Republic 1). The border was not so much open, but more flexible. Via some detours I ended up in West Berlin, where it was easier to start a band. After the fall of the wall, Rammstein was also founded there."

And when Berlin and the band were on the rise, you fled to New York?

"You can look at it that way. I have escaped twice in my life, once from east to west and once from Berlin to New York. The latter was quite spontaneous and non-musical, it was about my private life. That has since blossomed into full bloom, which I would never have achieved on that scale in Berlin. From Rammstein I have always been the one who takes the most risks. In 2000 I wanted my life - now I achieved everything i fought for previously - to give a new impuls. There had to be more than just making music and I am still discovering that in New York."

Moving to New York is an adventure even for someone from Boston or Philadelphia.

"Right! I learned a lot from it, of course not after making every rookie mistake. It is indeed a big challenge, but I am a survivor. I come from the Eastern Bloc, I know that life is hard and a lot of you can take. Moreover, I come from the north of the country, where people are on their feet. A rough man in a rough city, that fits. It's a kind of overarching life lesson. I understand New York now, I can use the city to my advantage. Thanks to Rammstein I have the financial security to do this, I am a privileged person. I have a studio at home, I can make music whenever I want. I can go back to Berlin if I need to, and even more important: leave Berlin again if necessary. It is important for me to be able to distance myself from Rammstein. It is such intense work, sometimes you have to be able to forget it. When I moved, I was so caught up in the band that I no longer dared to hand anything over, I could hardly handle it anymore. A world without Rammstein seemed unthinkable, but now I have a universe all my own. A godsend! That distance has been essential, especially for this record."

Was it a difficult recording process?

"That's the understatement of the century, haha! It took two years and if I didn't have New York, I would have gone completely crazy. The level of bullshit often reached such great heights... It was ridiculous. We already had huge arguments about the smallest things and non issues, let alone about the really important matters. Everything had to be decided per meeting, per conference. Sometimes I was completely overwhelmed. Thanks to New York, I gained some perspective on the whole thing. Once back In Berlin I had some positive energy again. If someone was really insisting on a certain point of view, I would say: do it, at least you'll stop talking about it. In this way, many compromises were made just to end the whining."

Let's start at the beginning: you released Rosenrot in 2005, which was not followed by a major tour.

"That record wasn't really planned. We had six completed songs left after Reise Reise, plus a handful of advanced ideas. Throwing it away would be a shame, so after careful consideration it was decided to sculpt a whole album out of it. And that was it. I was eager to start my own project, Emigrate, and the others needed a holiday. That's why we left the Rosenrot story at that and consciously opted for a time-out instead of a tour."

Rumors were buzzing then; if Rammstein didn't even tour anymore after an album, something had to be wrong.

"The thing was, we had never not toured before. In this case it was more important to save the band through that break. After fifteen years I have learned that it takes more effort to maintain the group than to to create a new piece of music. If you work too much, it will cost you at some point. In that respect, I don't envy those American bands that have to do three hundred shows a year. You just can't keep that up for years. They blow themselves up. We got the first warning during the Mutter tour; our keyboard player couldn't handle it anymore and left for a while. He was done with it. At first we didn't understand it, we just wanted to keep going and going. Until we took a closer look at what we were doing. There had to be a construction that would allow us to spare ourselves. If someone can't handle it anymore, you have to stop for a while. Otherwise, at some point you would have a three-man Rammstein. And that is no longer a band. "

After that break, one day you ended up in the same room again. What happened?

"That was after about two years. On the surface everything seemed pleasant, but everyone had other plans. I didn't want to go straight into the studio, but first go on tour to get the band on the same page as quickly as possible. Moreover, with Rosenrot and Emigrate [Emigrate's 2007 debut] I only saw studios and no audience. However, it was decided to make a record first. I still think that was a big mistake, but hey, it was an honest choice."

How did you get started musically?

"That was quite cool, the first two months. We rented a house in the north and rehearsed in a small room, the size of a broom cupboard. Schneider had a small electronic drum kit and we did not play with our large cabinets but on very small speakers. That is a completely different physical aspect of playing, it was much harder, faster and heavier than we were used to. A lot of ideas came out, which we all recorded and at that moment I still liked it. However, things went wrong when we were transferring those ideas, riffs, melodies and rhythms to the computer to go through it. I thought: keep playing guys, it's going well! But no, the democratic group process was started. And that's when the trouble really started. "

Can you give a concrete example of that misery?

"Some members behaved as if nothing was wrong. Problems were simply ignored, like we were in Pink Floyd. You know, making music in Rammstein has never been easy. As a band we have always been more concerned with discussing than making music In the past there was sometimes a fight, to the death - almost literally. Unpleasant, but the problem was solved. Now we are all a bit older and less aggressive. The devil now lies in the attitude and the words. Rammstein is a convergence of egos that can make things very painful and difficult for each other. We have become a bunch of old whiners, haha!"

Were there things you did agree on?

"That this was a nightmare! For me personally, I think for everyone."

It's a miracle there's a record at all?

"As far as I'm concerned, yes. At many times I thought we wouldn't make it. We were all on the verge of quitting at some point. Not everyone recognized it, but you could see it in the look in our eyes: this it was, done, over. Everything has an end, maybe this is our time. Only no one wanted to be the first. No one wanted to take the responsibility for disbanding Rammstein. Or worse: I was afraid that the band would continue if I quit. This record was made on that energy, call it stubborn, or fearful, or pigheaded."

How did that work practically?

"When the six of us could no longer be in one room, we split the group up to continue working in small groups. In shifts, so to speak. Just to find solutions to finish the record. A regular album is made constructively, grows from ideas and creativity. This was the other way around; everything that was on tape was a problem. And everything that was missing was also a problem. Normally you tick off a track and say: great, another song added. Now it was It was a burden lifted off you every time, and on to the next bottleneck. Man, we were often stuck! Completely. At the end of the ride I didn't care about the music anymore, I was purely determined to get that thing done and get rid of it.”

Um, you know you're here to promote the record?

"Certainly, haha! I'm currently letting a lot of people tell me how good it is. I don't really care for it at all at the moment. Per song, per break or sound, I only hear the endless discussions that were attached to it. I can't look at the songs objectively, but that can still change. If you like the record, I'm happy for you. But myself? I don't know."

In this light: is the title Liebe Ist Für Alle Da another wry example of Rammstein humor?

"Not necessarily. We look for the most extreme forms of love in the lyrics. There is a song called Frühling in Paris, and on the other hand you have the single Pussy. One is romantic, the other explicit, but it amounts to the same thing."

Are there any tour plans this time?

"We've made it a point for ourselves that everything we do has to be bigger, better and more extreme than what we've done. Rammstein is a huge machine and even we can't stop it. Sometimes you wish you were in a band like Pearl Jam , where everything revolves around the music and the feeling and the spontaneity. However: I play in Rammstein. The only way to keep going is to make everything grow bigger. Bigger, better, more extreme. Buckle up, everyone."

Is the atmosphere on tour better than in the studio?

"Yes, certainly. That's a good thing. In fact, now that this delivery is over, the mood in the group is fine, at times even great. We are rehearsing, things are going well, there are still a lot of discussion points, but we are a step further, there is progress. That feeling is good for every musician. Look, we don't hate each other, it's just almost impossible to work with each other. Every decision is a battle. And perhaps that is precisely what after all those years still makes us so strong. Apparently we float on pain and drama and frustration and unrest. If you look back at the past you see that many important musical achievements were built on those things, so maybe it just has to be that way."

Do you secretly still love each other?

"Very much even. And above all, very secretly..."

Rammstein live: December 6 Gelredome Arnhem, December 10 Sportpaleis Merksem Antwerp

--

1) In other interviews Richard mentions having fled via Hungary, this one he mentions Czechoslovakia

--

List of other Rammstein OOR interviews

[ikeromantic]

The Old Switcheroo, Sweet End

Arthur and MC (Haruko) are cursed and end up in each other's bodies. Part 3 of 3. Approx words. 2000 Sweet and fluffy. TW for gender dysphoric descriptions.

The Old Switcheroo pt 1

The Old Switcheroo pt 2

Want some spice? The Old Switcheroo Spicy End

Haruko did her best to smirk at Theo. The chess board sat between them, well-worn pieces carefully set in their starting positions. Willem sat to one side of her and Genevieve on the other. Several other patrons were arrayed behind them. Theo’s team consisted of the bartender and Serafine - who really was quite beautiful - and a handful of other patrons that Arthur had beaten at the game before.

All she needed to do to win this was to think like Arthur. 

“Are you alright?” Willem peered at her curiously. “White goes first so we need to move.”

Haruko nodded mutely. What would Arthur do? Something really smart, she was sure. Probably crack a witty joke. Smirk some more, and then make a brilliant move. She glanced at her teammates. “Suggestions?”

Genevieve grinned. “You know him better than we do. He’s an aggressive player. Hungry to win. Perhaps play to that?”

She swallowed. “Great advice. Luv.” She touched a pawn toward the center of the board. These moved two spaces at first, she thought. Or was it three? No . . . no it was two. She was pretty sure. She lifted it and set it down two spaces forward.

Willem grinned, then leaned to whisper in her ear. “A Sicilian Defense? Conservative. But a good choice against Theo.”

Haruko nodded as if yes, of course, a whatever-whatever was exactly her plan. Theo moved his pawn up and then captured hers. She felt a sudden spike of nerves. He was already winning and they were just two moves in!

“He took the bait,” Genevieve whispered. “Good job.”

“Right,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady and confident. Apparently that was supposed to happen? “What do you two recommend next?”

They had a whispered conference, debating a round of terms Haruko found mysterious. She nodded along as she imagined Arthur would. The three of them settled on a move with a knight, which was honestly a horse, but at this point they could have called it a clown and she would have gone right along. 

The game progressed tensely, with Haruko holding Arthur’s smirk firmly in place, and Theo scowling. The bartender kept the drinks flowing, especially to Arthur’s side. Liquid luck, he called it, but she thought it was really a bit like cheating. Trying to get them drunk. Didn’t mean she turned down the drinks though. They settled warmly in her belly and made her a little less nervous.

She began to see what Arthur liked about this. There was a sense of camaraderie. She found herself laughing genuinely at Genevieve’s barbed wit and Willem’s silly jokes. Even Theo’s dry humor landed. And the rush of joy she felt every time she made a good move on the chess board was intoxicating, almost moreso than the booze.

Eventually, she was down to a knight, two pawns, a queen and her king. Theo had more pieces left to move, but she’d taken his queen. Willem and Genevieve seemed to think they would win it. 

“Check,” Theo said, his expression deadly serious.

“Check? Whe - oh. Yes. Alright.” She contemplated the positions of her pieces. It was starting to make a sort of sense now. How the different bits moved and what the point of it all was. 

Willem nudged her and gestured to where she ought to move her piece. For once, she could see why. It would block the check and leave Theo’s rook vulnerable. The next few moves were crucial. Her team watched the board intensely.

The next round, she took his rook and put him in check. He used his turn to move out of check. Then she took a pawn. And another. 

“Alright, klootzak. You win.” Theo stood and stretched. 

“I - I did?” Haruko stared hard at the pieces trying to figure out how she’d won. He still had places to move. He wasn’t in checkmate.

Willem laughed. “It would be almost impossible for him to beat you with what he has left. See?” The Dutch artist showed her the few moves left to Theo. “Unless you just didn’t notice this piece here or, I dunno, ignored this one - you were going to win it.”

Genevieve looked at Haruko suspiciously. “You really aren’t yourself tonight. I can’t think of a time it wasn’t you explaining the moves to us.”

Haruko laughed it off. “Ah yeah. I was just . . . seeing if Willem understood it. Let’s - let’s have a drink to celebrate.” 

“A round on Arthur,” Theo shouted and then gave his friend a wicked grin. “Winner buys.”

She had no way to know if it was true. Everyone was so happy for a free drink that they weren’t going to say otherwise. And she didn’t have a chance to ask. Between congratulations, toasts, and jokes, the next few hours passed in the blink of an eye. The pale light of early dawn started to peep through the tavern windows. 

“Oh. Oh my goodness. I stayed out all night . . .” Haruko looked dazedly at the dawn. Her eyes felt bleary, her limbs heavy. Even the vampiric constitution needed a rest. “I didn’t even realize.”

“You’re lady is going to grill your balls for this one,” Genevieve laughed. 

Willem nodded. “I don’t even know her but I know that. You should have gone home hours ago.”

“Yeah. Wow.” Haruko had never realized how easy it was to pass a night like this. And she hadn’t even needed to walk anyone home or anything. They’d just been laughing and talking. “I am in so much trouble.” She could just imagine Arthur’s mocking. After all the times she’d gotten angry about him staying out, and here she was . . . 

She rounded Theo up from the bar and said their goodbyes. Her head was already aching and she felt nauseous. The carriage back was a quiet ride as the two men dozed on their bench. 

They got out at the mansion and began the walk up the drive. Theo patted Haruko’s shoulder. “I’d say she’s going to murder you but that’s not true, is it? Hondje?”

Haruko’s jaw dropped. “How - when - you knew?”

“Figured it out. So. You feel better now?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“Good.” Theo gave her a tired smile. “Best get up there and talk to that klootzak. I bet he’s worried about you.”

“I bet he is.” She smiled and her steps felt lighter.

Sebas greeted them with a solemn good morning at the door. 

Haruko wanted to kiss him for the hot cup of coffee he set in her hands but all she said was, “Thanks,” and then, “Where is Ar-ah - Haruko?”

“In bed.” Sebastian’s arched eyebrow was the only indication of his disapproval. 

“I see.” She had no idea how Arthur handled this part of creeping home at the crack of dawn. She gave a short nod and took a sip of coffee. It was so hot that it burned her tongue and made her eyes water. “I-I’ll just go say hello then.”

Sebas’ brow inched further up. “Will you be here for breakfast then?”

“I guess?”

Theo grinned. “I hope you’re making popcorn for the breakfast table show.”

The butler frowned. “No. Popcorn at breakfast can cause indigestion. However, if that is your special request, I can make some for you instead of pancakes.”

Theo’s mouth opened slightly in alarm.

Thankfully, Sebastian didn’t let him flounder for long. “I am only joking. I would never make popcorn for breakfast.” 

The Dutchman nodded, his eyes still a bit wide. 

Haruko smirked, glad to see Sebas’ teasing aimed at someone else for once. “On that note . . .” She took the stairs two at a time, eager to see Arthur. When she checked her room, he wasn’t in her bed though. Her room was practically untouched since the morning before, though the bed was made now and her clothes were put away.

She went to Arthur’s room next, wondering if habit took him there. Haruko opened the door as quietly as she could. Arthur was inside - slumped in the chair. He had a book clasped in one hand, and the other curled in a loose fist at his side. There was a little frown at the edges of his lips. Haruko was fairly certain she didn’t frown in her sleep like that.

Her fingertips brushed Arthur’s forehead, pushing back an errant lock of hair. It was a strange sensation to look at herself and to be able to reach out and touch her own face. But at the same time, she could tell it was Arthur there. Even in her small frame, it was the set of his shoulders and the slight pout of his lips. The way he breathed, even. 

Arthur didn’t stir. Only a slight fluttering behind his eyelids gave any reaction to her touch. He must be so tired, she thought. 

Haruko went to grab a blanket for him and then realized in Arthur’s body, she could just put him into bed rather than only cover him where he lay. The thought made her smile. How many times had Arthur carried her to bed? More than she could count. 

She lifted him carefully and cradled him against her chest. The beating of his heart felt so loud and faster than she’d expected. “Having exciting dreams?” She felt her heart grow heavy with emotion. Love was a weight, a fullness, that overwhelmed sometimes. Like now, when it overcame her suddenly. She didn’t know what to do with herself. She wanted to hold him tighter, to kiss him, to be held and kissed . . .

“Sweeping me off my feet, luv?” Arthur opened one eye to peer at her. 

She felt heat creep into her cheeks. “I was just putting you to bed.”

He raised an eyebrow, mocking. “Going to take advantage of me while I slept? What a naughty bird.”

“I wasn’t!” 

Arthur smiled. “You know protesting only makes you look guiltier, luv. Now be quiet and give us a kiss. I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too.” Haruko pressed her lips gently to his, surprised for a moment by how good it felt to, well, to kiss herself. The touch sent a burst of electricity through her, tingling from the tips of her toes to the ends of Arthur’s messy mop of hair. 

He broke the kiss with a soft laugh. “Feels a bit different like this.”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “It’s nice though.”

“So you liked being me today, eh?”

Haruko considered for a moment and then shook her head. “No. I mean, it was nice sometimes but . . . writing is hard. And everyone expects you to know things. Everything. It was kind of exhausting.”

Arthur grinned. “You’ve got to be kidding. I spent today doing half what you get done - Sebastian told me so - and I feel like I went through the laundry press.” 

She leaned her forehead against his and they shared a moment of quiet together. Their breaths came slow and deep together. Haruko met Arthur’s gaze.

“I love you,” she said at the same moment he spoke the same words. The world around her blurred and for a heartbeat, she felt as if she were falling or flying. Untethered, unmoored, a petal floating through the darkness. And then she found herself looking up into two big blue eyes. “Arthur?”

“Haruko? Haruko! You’re you!”

She laughed delightedly and kissed him. “I am! And you! You’re Arthur!”

“The one and only.” He fell back into bed holding her. 

“I’m so glad.” She sighed, snuggling into him. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you,” she added after a moment. “Your pub friends are all really nice.”

Arthur stroked her hair and held her. “They are but . . . I realized sitting home tonight alone that I’d rather be home with you. Or out with you. Or anywhere, really. With you.”

Haruko felt a warmth in her chest that felt bright as the sun.

“Is it alright if I never let you go, luv?” 

“Yeah,” she whispered. “As long as I can hold on to you too.”

[marabarl-and-marlbara]

hello, have a good day. i was wondering if you got into anything new as of late, be it a book, an animations... i've started to like dungeon meshi/delicious in dungeon, i hope you give it a try if you can

hey anonymous--the day is basically over already, you know?

mostly all i did today was work and listen to stephen king audiobooks (while at work, while on daily/nightly walks), which i really have a soft-spot for and always get excited to start a new one; today i finished The Langoliers and started Secret Garden, Secret Window (or is it Window, Garden? I forget) from the novella collection Four Past Midnight; the former is narrated by Willem Dafoe and was pretty alright but shockingly pulpy (even for King), and I'd even say I really enjoyed it--cept Willem Dafoe does a pretty horrendous job being audible (he:ll go so low that sentences basically just become indistinct growly slurs at times), and does a pretty horrendous job voicing this character Becky (or Bethany? awful with names);

there:s that movie adaptation i:ve never seen of it, but even more interesting about The Langoliers and its movie adaptation is there is a re-edit of the movie where each slide is printed out on paper and then re-shot that way, called The Timekeepers of Eternity which looks really neat, cause it:s based off the neuroses of this character called Craig who rips-up paper throughout the story to calm down his neuroticisms.

i thought it was a little less 'interesting' than some of the other King stories i:ve gone through, but the stand-out points were: the past being described as a stagnant pond and peoples/things stuck there became denatured--as opposed to something more fantastically 'time-travel-y': here in Langoliers the past is just a rotting carcass without wind, color, smell, taste; the relationship between blind-girl dinah and craig--because it reminded me of DaS3 Archdeacon Mcdonell and people seeking covenant through him (though in this case it is dying versus dead);

Secret Garden, Secret Window has better narration but my file seems corrupted, or the person who ripped the audio did something with the pitch to avoid copyright like old youtube content-id avoidance; after awhile the audio will start to warble like a Longmont Potion Castle bit, and occasionally there are jarring cuts that seem like the file got scrambled--which has made it hard to follow. but: i heard this was the weakest story in Four Past Midnight, but i:ve been really enjoying it otherwise--sort-of reminds me of the villain from Night of the Hunter (which i:ve never seen, but i imagine the villain acting like John Shooter from Secret Garden, Secret Window).

I watched the first two episodes of Dungeon Meshi and thought it was good, but boring, and dropped it; finished Mushoku Tensei sometime early last week, though--that:s a great show.

that:s it; it:s a terrible reason to donate to me, but the bulk of my monthly subscriber posts on substack are basically me blogging about shows/(audio)books i:ve finished during the month--so, if you:re interested. haven:t been reading much or watching much because i:ve been on my feet sunup-sundown most days lately.

take care.

[rvllybllply2014]

Hi! Oh please don't worry over how long this took, I'm sorry our replies have gotten so long that it could stretch out like this ;w; I've started a new job btw so I'm afraid I really won't have as much free time to write such long replies as much, so I'm cutting this one a bit short, I hope that's okay! :(

I have to agree we never know what someone is going through or how their feeling, so a proper warning is always for the best! Still very sweet & thoughtful of you :')

Heh now that I think about it, the Brackens might be the only house to consider "dumber than a horse" as an insult to horses! If anyone would know just how smart horses are, it would be them! They could call Blackwood horses dumb though, just because of the Blackwood influence the poor horses have had to suffer XD

Lord & lady Tully are such a cute pair~ I love how he matches her feisty nature perfectly, and insisting she become a strong swimmer too! x3 Aw and I love how realistic their argument feels? Of course they would both react this way! They both have good points & both apologizing later sets the stage for a good marriage between them uwu

Lil bitty Samwell learning from both his grandparents & playing with his cousins is just too precious~ And I love lady Tully calling lord Blackwood out on his poor parenting & the emotional distance he puts between himself & his sons! I kind of wonder how he's react if after a bit too much wine he'd end up leaning against lady Tully, who instead of pushing him away, would hold him & stroke his hair as if he were her own son? Like she does for her daughter & grandsons? With lord Blackwood unknowingly seeking a mother's touch. Only to remember the next morning how lady Tully had held & soothed him like a child?

She's such a good grandmother to Samwell & Willem, and I understand lord Blackwood's insistence on her praying to the old gods, & she's too stubborn to be honest to him about her reason to refuse. Though I do wonder if he would have understood her concerns? Oof that argument is so hard to read, I understand lord Blackwood's hurt, anger, & loss but lying to his sons and burning the letters, not even storing them away..that just horrible D= Poor lady Tully & Samwell, knowing his father hid letters from their grandmother had to hit him terribly, and to have Willen parrot their father's teachings too! At least their Tully cousins questioned them at least!

Amos practicing flattery in front of his mirror is too cute! Along with Raylon's light teasing x3 Aw and speaking of Ser Raylon Rivers, can you imagine a secret relationship between him & Samwell in the background?

Neither of them wishing to burden their brothers with it, and feeling as though they especially can't mention it after their brother's brake up? :< And Willem keeping his blade on him while trying to distance himself from it emotionally is such a good contrast to Amos locking his blade away but keeping the key to it literally next to his heart, never truly parting from it emotionally..

Davos being the one to stake Aeron through the neck, oh my poor babies :'( Imagine if Aeron had lived but still is injured, with Davos fleeing with him and both waiting out the war while Aeron recovers, until they hear of the Blackwood attack on Bracken lands? 

Ooh I love how you wrote Willem finding the blade, how Amos never truly broke the chain connecting him to Willem.. And how the rape doesn't happen right away or all at once, how it gradually builds, and how Willem deludes himself into thinking Amos wants it. That despite his desire to punish him, he doesn't wish to see himself as Amos's rapist.. That threat to have Raylon taken before both houses, that he's already "broken in" is harsh..i totally understand Amos's fury!

Aw having Benjicot sent to Riverrun is a smart idea, though I also like the idea of him coming to Harrenhall to lead the Blackwoods, and while Oscar is tense at first, he soon sees just how much like Samwell Benjicot is? Saying he understands Oscar did what he has to and doing what he can to keep his own house in line? I could see Amos meeting him & seeing so much of Samwell in him ;w;

1A) Heh poor Aeron! I feel like the spanking he gets from Davos would be less sexual and more so an actual punishment, like for when he's genuinely unfair & rude to Davos, or does something stupid & knightly, risking his life for others, Davos wouldn't let that go without making riding too painful for his Bracken for a while, I mean what better punishment is there for his Bracken than that? I imagine he'd rarely need to use anything but his hand (which he prefers, he likes how much more intimate it feels) but occasionally, if he feels it's really needed to teach a lesson, he'll use the thin leather reins from he cut from Aeron's own horse.  He can't bring himself to use a belt but that's fine, the reins are painful enough!  

1B) Ooh I saw you wrote something for  this idea, so I'll comment on it tomorrow~ I did think up another idea involving spanking though. Now this would be a purley parental spanking, but imagine before the battle of the burning mill ever takes place, Raylon Bracken would come to blows with a group of young Blackwood men and get overpowered, being brought back to Raventree Hall by them so he can be ransomed back to his lord father. He's not treated terribly, locked away in a room instead of a cell, but of course that doesn't make him any less angry! And when Willem comes to check on him himself, Raylon in his anger continues mouthing off to Willem despite his warning... And after stomping his foot and throwing something at Willem in anger, Raylon would soon find himself lying over Willem's knees, told if he was going to have a tantrum like a little child, he may as well be punished like one..

Ah sorry this reply was so much shorter than others, there's plenty I didn't comment on, but you summed up all we've discussed perfectly~ Thank you so much for discussing all these ideas with me <3 I'm all ears to hear any you have as well! =)

Congratulations on the new job. And also no worries about reply length or anything like that.

Lord and lady Tully are definitely based on my best friend’s parents.

Also think I hit all your ideas I’m sure, so sorry if I didn’t.

And now I’m definitely thinking about Samwell and Raylon Rivers. They have been added to the list.

Just non descriptive mentions of rape, look at previous ask for the more descriptive parts of the rape and trauma.

Definitely older brackenwood with some davron once again.

Lord Tully insisted that since he had to learn how to ride like a Bracken then his wife needs to learn to swim like a Tully. Yeah the fights are just them not seeing eye to eye and just needing some time to let cooler heads prevail. Once that happens they’ll apologize because they know they both had valid points. They’re also trying to raise their daughter to be level headed.

Lord Tully once asked lady Tully why she felt bad for the Blackwood horses, when they had a tourney in honor of their daughters first name day. She explained that Blackwood horses had to deal with the dumb Blackwoods, that those horses are smarter than their owners. So of course she’s going to feel bad for them. Lord Tully just shakes his head, he just goes along with it.

The one and only time both lady Tully and lord Blackwood allow themselves to seek some form of comfort in each other is in the months leading up to lady Blackwoods death. Lady Tully had just gotten Samwell settled in for the night again, and Willem was already in his bed sound asleep. Both lady Tully and lord Blackwood had too much wine, they’re both six glasses deep when lord Blackwood starts to tear up.

Normally lady Tully would just walk away, while muttering a Blackwood can just be miserable by himself, no need to drag everyone else’s mood down, it’s already sad enough in her daughter’s room. But since she’s already tipsy and already mourning her daughter she figures that lord Blackwood is also mourning his wife. So she does the only thing that she can think to do which is move to the couch, in her daughter’s room and pat the seat next to her.

Lord Blackwood at first thinks that lady Tully is making fun of him, acting like he’s a small child like Samwell or Willem. It’s only when she says that she’s here to offer comfort, as his mother in law and a fellow mourner die he finally sit next to her. She’s the one to lean into lord Blackwoods space while pulling his head towards her shoulder. It’s only after lord Blackwood has settled down on her shoulder, does she start to pet his hair while telling him that it’s okay to already mourn someone that is alive. That although he’s a Blackwood, she’s here for him and her grandsons. She just lets him know that it’s okay to let his emotions out.

He accepts the comfort until Samwell comes in from the nursery telling them that Willem is awake and crying. Lord Blackwood starts to get up until lady Tully tells him she’ll take care of Samwell and Willem, he needs to spend time with his wife. And with that she gives lord Blackwood a kiss on his temple, and grabs Samwell’s hand telling him that they’re going to go take care of Willem.

Willem just had a bad dream, which was an easy enough fix. But Samwell wouldn’t settle down again, he was too worried about his mother and father. He’d never seen his father show any emotion. So lady Tully decides to bring Samwell and Willem into their mother’s room. It’s just a short walk back to the rooms, and when they arrive lord Blackwood questions if everything’s alright?

Lady Tully tells him that his sons need their parents, she also orders lord Blackwood out of the chair that he sitting in so she can sit there. Lord Blackwood starts to protest but she tells him to get in the bed, but to leave space between him and wife so the boys can sleep between them. She’ll tell them bed time stories until they all fall asleep. Once they’re asleep she quietly leaves the room.

It isn’t until the next day that lord Blackwood realizes that he allowed himself to be treated like a child by lady Tully. He’s a little disappointed in himself but he also realizes deep down that he needed someone to take care of him, to validate his feelings while also still being an adult. Surprisingly it’s not lady Tully or Samwell who brings up the night before, it’s Willem that does. He thinks it’s just a strange dream, that he had a nightmare and then his father brought him and his brother to their mother for comfort. It’s Samwell who tells him it wasn’t a dream.

It’s when the boys are at their lessons, that lord Blackwood decides to confront lady Tully about last night. She tells him although he’s just a Blackwood and was never deserving enough for her daughter she can see how much he loves lady Blackwood; he also gave her, her adorable grandsons. Also it’s okay to feel fear and grief for the future, they’re both about to loose someone important but they’ll always be related through the kids.

The funeral happens, the fight also happens, lady Tully keeps her promise to write but lord Blackwood burns them and years pass without Samwell and Willem seeing their grandmother until lord Tully writes to tell them that she’s sick and dying. And how much she’d love to see them one last time. They’re too late, but they do stay for the funeral and do find out about how she really had kept her promise to write. Samwell believes his cousins and concludes that lord Blackwood must’ve burnt them. Willem already so close to his father in appearance and attitude decides that although these are his Tully cousins, they’re obviously lying a Bracken never keeps a promise.

After the funeral Samwell resumes his duties of watching the boundary stones, where he meets little Amos and his half brother Raylon. Raylon was sent to check up on Amos, to make sure that he wasn’t starting a fight with the Blackwoods. So he was absolutely shocked when he saw Amos and Samwell talking. Raylon doesn’t approach them just yet, he wants to see how the little interaction plays out.

It’s only when Amos sees Raylon, does he decide to approach them. Raylon tells Amos it’s time to go back to Stone Hedge, and sends him on his way. Raylon stays back long enough to thank Samwell for being so kind to his brother, he likes to act like a big boy but he’s still just a ten year old child. Samwell says it’s no issue Amos reminds him so much of his younger brother, who’s just come back from the court. Raylon doesn’t ask any questions especially when Amos comes back to ask if he’s ready? Raylon tells to go ahead he’ll catch up he needs to finish this conversation.

Once Amos had left again Raylon asks Samwell his name, and if he can send ravens to him. Samwell agrees he sees Raylon as a friend and also a connection to his grandmother that he just lost. It’s only a few weeks before Samwell and Raylon realize that they might actually like each other, more than just in a friend way. Samwell is actually the first one to broach the subject of how there might be more than friendship between them, if Raylon would allow it? Raylon is surprised but doesn’t disagree, so as their brothers fall into love with each other Raylon and Samwell also fall into love.

Raylon sends raven on Samwells eighteenth name telling him that they need to meet that night. Samwell is sorrow by he doesn’t need to be Raylon just wanted to give him his present in person. Raylon had stolen the idea of gifting his lover a blade from his brother. He’d had the blacksmith make him a dagger with a ravens head as the handle and had a horse etched into the actual blade. That way he’d always be near to protect him. Samwell is touched by the gift and vows to get Raylon something just as special for his name day.

So when it’s Raylons name day Samwell gifts him a blade with a horse head as the handle and a raven etched into the actual blade. But unlike their brothers they continue to send ravens even after they too eventually brake up. Also both men keep their blades on them. They tell themselves it’s to keep tabs on how each house is feeling towards the other, Raylon wants to be able to advise Amos to the best of his abilities. But they also send updates about their personal lives. They each write to the other that they hope their sons can be good friends just like they were. Raylon also congratulates Samwell when he’s married and has his heir Ben.

The letters only stop after Raylon was killed in a freak riding accident, he’d been thrown from his spooked horse and trampled. The very last letter Samwell writes to Raylon is how much he loves him and he’s sorry that everything happened the way it did. He also asks how could Raylon leave him so easily and early? They both still had so much life left, but now it’s just him but he’ll do his best to live for him. He burns the letter hoping that his words will reach Raylon.

Several more years pass and Samwell gets a mysterious illness that takes him before Ben is old enough to run Raven tree hall. Willem takes over as regent and plots his revenge against Amos. According to Willem it was Amos who walked away from him and their future along with his heart, just like Amos’s ancestors walked away from the old gods. He imagined the old gods felt the same type of pain and anger he feels.

So as soon as the dance happens and he hears from Davos that the Brackens have declared for Aegon, he uses it as an excuse to attack the Brackens. He’ll finally have his opportunity to show that he’s never forgiven or forgotten Amos’s betrayal.

Willem is disappointed with Davos when he finds out that he had the chance to kill a Bracken but doesn’t. He orders the Bracken that he spared to be sent to the dungeons and left to rot. Since Davos couldn’t kill him, he’ll keep him alive but barely. He orders that Davos is not allowed down there, he can’t be trusted around that Bracken. Instead Davos is ordered to watch Amos’s son Raylon.

He wants Davos to watch a Bracken get taken multiple times while also knowing that if he misbehaves then his Bracken will also suffer that fate. Davos and Raylon still get friendly, Davos also stops his uncles men from raping Raylon on his birthday. Davos manages to tell Raylon that Aeron is still alive. Raylon is equal parts relieved and horrified. He hopes that he’s not suffering the same fate as him, Davos tells him that he isn’t sure it’s been almost a month since they last saw each other.

Willem is also delusional enough to believe that every cry from Amos is a cry of pleasure. That his begging is a way of calling back to their relationship, and how he’d always cry and plead for Willem to not stop. It’s obvious that Amos wants it even if he doesn’t explicitly ask for it. He’s just trying to play hard to get, especially when it’s in the camp on the way to Harrenhal.

Davos is forced to guard Raylon while on the move to Harrenhal, he tries to get to Aeron but he’s too well guarded. The only time Davos is allowed to see Aeron is at Harrenhal when his uncle Willem is beheaded for what he did in the river lands.

Oscar still orders Raylon and Davos back to Stone Hedge, Davos is still a hostage. Aeron is ordered to stay at Harrenhal, he’s needed to help fight, Davos and Aeron can see each other after the war.

Oscar also sends a raven to Raven tree hall demanding that Ben comes to Harrenhal. He needs Ben not to fight but to show his support towards him. Once Ben arrives at Harrenhal, he tells Oscar that he understands that he did what he needed to do, especially to secure the loyalty of all the other houses. Ben shows nothing but respect towards Oscar, which in turn causes the Blackwoods to show only respect towards him.

The first meeting between Amos and Ben, Amos almost feels like a small child again. Ben reminds Amos so much of Samwell, how he listens and weighs his words/actions before he does anything. Amos knows that house Blackwood will be in capable hands once Ben is old enough to take responsibility. Amos might also hug Ben, offering comfort to him; he’s sorry for his loss of uncle and for his father years earlier.

1A): Davos is more of a punisher when it comes to spanking Aeron. Every time Aeron back talks, trying to prove to Davos that he’s capable of being a knight, it’s over his knee until his ass is red. Davos only uses the reins when Aeron falls off his horse. Aeron was trying to show off to his friends and managed to fall, and ended up scarring Davos half to death he didn’t move for almost a whole minute and he couldn’t cross over to Bracken lands to check on him. Davos tells him this spanking is for his own good, it should teach him not to show off.

2): Raylon knows that he’s being an irrational brat, especially in front of Willem but he’s pissed. It was a stupid mistake on his part, he’d followed his horse into Blackwood lands and ran right into Willem. As soon as Willem realized who had ran into him, he knew he’d get a huge ransom from Amos.

But first Willem needed to get Raylon to stop snorting and stomping his foot and the only way he knows how to is bend him over his knee and spank him. He makes Raylon count to ten, and then evaluates Raylons attitude. If Raylon is still throwing a temper tantrum, then it’s ten more smacks. It will continue until Raylon has learned his lesson.

[notahorseindisguise]

you know... they say... they i say i have the best music taste ever, yes, they do say that. they say to me DONALD. i love your taste in movies! its so good, best, best in the world by far! so many good directors, nolan, nolan with that.. BATMAN. the batman movies who doesnt love batman folks? we all love batman folks we love... we love christian bale! batman! we love christian bale we love what he did with american psycho, folks. wall street... we love wall street dont we folks? and didnt he just have the greatest apartment in that movie... great office! hot secretary! if it wasnt him i swear it could be me, i swear... willem dafoe! what a creepy little guy! he's weird, isnt he? whats he up to? green goblin! good as green goblin, very smart, very business smart not as smart as me! if i was in charge of oscorp i would do... i would do an amazing job wouldn't i folks? wouldnt i? you've gotta imagine. you've gotta imagine it'd be great wouldnt it? spider man! i love spider man folks but he'd be no match for me i was the green goblin! and you have- you have martin scorsese saying those movies aren't cinema! sad! newsflash, marty, no one wants three hour films about history anymore! and deniro, look at deniro, isnt he old folks? isnt he old? hes been doing movies forever, isnt he old? and we've got- we've got china doing movies now! japan, japan too! theyve got this thing, ANIME! anime they call it... its great folks its... its animated and its, its beautiful really... MANGA, its anime IN A BOOK folks, you know i, you know i love tv but i love a good book! like the bible, i love the bible folks dont i? jesus! jesus christ wasnt he great? great guy folks, great guy. have a wonderful day, god bless you all, god bless you all... even the HATERS AND LOSERS!!!! even them folks, im so nice arent it? even them... even the haters! and the losers too! many losers, many people are saying this. goodnight folks!

the critics are saying i have the worlds best letterboxd account, theyre saying to me, "Donald, your literary analysis is top notch, always top notch" and i never know what to say back to them, what can i say, its true! i do have the best film analysis in the whole of this great nation, and you know it too, dont deny it, you know my analysis of the shawshank redemption sets me apart from the rest