#you may be saying ‘Billy Zane again?’

[talesfromthecrypts]

Tombstone (1993) dir. George P. Cosmatos

[angrypedestrian]

THE TIME IDIOTS EPISODE 701 (christ) TITLED “I, like Ava, am lying on the ground ” MY THOUGHTS:

PREVIOUSLY: It has been less than 2 months since we last saw this show I am so FUCKING tired

Y’all I live on the west coast now and am (currently) not insane enough to find and stream an east coast broadcast so these will be coming out real late and real irrelevantly, as god intended

I look forward to seeing which of you are the TRUE angrypedestrian fans

lol

oh thank you various locals for this helpful recap of the season finale that happened LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO

i will say it is satisfying to see the ship blow up again

my girlfriend keeps yelling “they killed my wife” at them blowing up the waverider

the pastor is here to try and save us

jesus cannot save us now, sir

Nate shut the FUCK up zari is MOURNING

i love when this show remembers the time bureau, because the federal government indignation roars in my heart like a mighty lion

tala and shayan are the best they deserve the world and also to be on a better show

a HEADPIECE and you deserve MANY fascinators

every time they show that sheriff sign it feels spelled wrong even though i know it’s not. not sure what that means for me. probably nothing good

clowns

of course the answer is clowns

because WE are the real clowns here. every day phil clowns me and i fall for it

astra and spooner....in love? it may be more likely than you think!

at least zari gets to do a group makeover montage. i DO love a montage

guggenheim circus are you FUCKING kidding me. I DON’T GET BILLY ZANE AND NOW THIS

literally putting on our collective clown shoes here aren’t we

nate and ava sibling team up always a fav. a good natured ribbing is always a fun time

hoover....we’re letting nate be hoover....

homosexual implications

despite how zany they all are they are not great circus performers

nate’s biggest super power is his ability to make anyone think he wants to fuck them. because he does

and he should be celebrated and commended for that

my headcanon of a stadium light sized flasher in the time bureau arsenal remains intact, it’s truly the only efficient way to make this whole thing work

odessa def does not have enough weed to keep them all functioning long term

nick zano reflexively crossing himself as an italian-american man and the editors just kept it in

GARY DON’T ACT LIKE GIDEON ISN’T A PERSON

she IS she’s ALSO a timeship

sorry olivia that you have to take up the mantle of acting like an absolutely fool to do magic spells

JOHN IS NOT SOMEONE TO MODEL YOURSELF AFTER ASTRA

john FREQUENTLY caused himself anguish

spooner....concerned....romance is alive

NATE WHY ARE YOU IN A SLEEVELESS SHIRT

there is no reason for this other than punishment to me personally

you’ll have your day in court phillip

spooner in shirtless shirt is valid. nate is not

love that everyone is just chill with the anachronistic clothes these dummies are constantly wearing

we have the set for john’s house we’re not gonna stop using it!!!

so much of the budget went into the set we can’t get rid of it

gary’s love for john...so pure...so misguided

of all the legends, if i am being real, i am probably most like ava

and recognizing and accepting that? is growth

eat the weed gummies zari

girlfriend is now shouting “SARA SHOULD NOT BE IN CHARGE”

which is correct, she should not

crime spree it is!!!

love these character shoes on sara and ava lol

this is a fun hijink, i do legitimately enjoy it

true crime fanaticism is a historical disease

thank you ava for trying to pretend that there may be historical consequences to any actions anymore

time is pudding, famously

or perhaps cement?

maybe jello

nate wants to get his money’s worth on that $3 vocab

oh that steel up cgi is lookin ROUGH

welp y’all fucked that one didn’t you

ava IS the mood

IS the moment

also ava do you really want to know how badly this fucked everything up

true crime fanaticism is a historical disease

and ava is a ruthless bitch, good for u girl

oh that alien cgi is also bad, did they lose the rubber suit?????

john wouldn’t be disappointed in you, he rescued you from hell???

we can’t have two wlw ships on this show that don’t own any shirts with sleeves

best friend???? OR LOVER?????

SEE GIDEON IS A PERSON

and she’s naked as hell

“MY WIFE” -my girlfriend

“LASER WIFE” “i love you”

NEXT WEEK: where is gideon in this preview this is some horseshit

[the-stew-review]

The Phantom

For those who came in late, our feature presentation awaits. The Phantom 1996 is a movie that hearkens back to the action serials from the 1920's and 30's very much so in the same vein as Indiana Jones. The Phantom however also doubles as a super hero movie fighting his way through the 1930's in a purple suit. The Phantom is based on an actual action serial from the 1930's as well as a comic strip that dates even further back, some even claiming The Phantom comic strip as the first modern super hero.

Now with some of the history out of the way how is the movie? It is great for young kids getting into action movies for the first time but a little bland for what it was striving to be. The Phantom has some very good moments of action and set pieces with a flare of adventure but it seems to just fall short in other areas that could have been written slightly better or taken in alternate directions. The Phantom, a mysterious protecter of the fictional country of Bangalla, must fend off a New York gang leader who intends on hunting down 3 magical skulls when put together create an immense power to control the world. The Phantom must work with the daughter of the New York newspaper who has tasked her with finding out what our antagonist is searching for. Action and adventure follows our heroes as they uncover the mystery of the skulls and stop evil from taking over the world.

The Phantom is played perfectly by Billy Zane whom got into shape for the role and plays the action hero believably. He truly steals the show, as he should as the protagonist. The main villain portrayed by Treat Williams takes on more of the over the top villain who is equally laughable at times as he is daunting with some of his control over parts of New York City. The overall performances are suitable for what each scen calls for; quips, one liners, and serial type of dialog.

The main issues arrive not from the performances but some of the lines that probably should have had a few more reviews and touched up a bit more. The overall story is good but probably could have been tightened up some areas and expanded in others to explore some of the mythos of The Phantom and his enemies with a story moving around a new villain to keep everything moving, and to be clear that looks like what they were trying to do with this movie but it just didn't fit together perfectly but this doesn't destroy the movie.

Most of the effects and action set pieces work well, they break up the story well and keep the audience interested and vary well enough that it doesn't seem like you are watching the same fights over and over again. They seem well staged with thought put into them. Some of the editing was a little sluggish but nothing that would take the audience out of the moment. Most of the sets are well detailed but sometimes it feels as if you're on a ride at Disney World which may be hearkening back to serials of the 30's. I would say the most fun to be had in the movie is during these action scenes where the score picks up to elevate the situations and really bring the audience in. There is only one CGI scene near the end which breaks reality in the movie but luckily it is short and forgettable. The last thing I will mention is the costuming which the main focus, The Phantom, the purple suit is very detailed with different tones of purple to create a unique design which is distinctive.

The Phantom is a good movie overall, even with its faults. The Phantom falls into a category of movies that I call "Good movies that could have been Great". There is a lot of fun to be had with this movie, especially with children who enjoy fun action movies. This is an excellent watch if you enjoy Indiana Jones and just need more of that serial type of movie. Honestly the soundtrack alone is worth the watch at least once which as said before really elevates the action scenes.

The Phantom is a fun movie with good acting and action to keep the uptempo pace when needed. The lore created is interesting and not cut and paste hero movie which is nice. But the faults with some of the story elements and some poor dialog choices do bring it down a bit. Never the less it is a fun watch and I give The Phantom a 3.6 out of 5 stars.

P.S. if you enjoy this movie a fun trick is to change your television to black and white to enhance the serial aspect and create a fun movie night.

[orenstern]

I’d like to admit that I’ve never in my life read the Diary of Anne Frank. I’ve stood outside her house before, almost 14 years ago, and could feel something of her echoes, but never had before or since seen her words or witnessed her mind.

Up until a week ago, that is, when I chanced upon a copy of her diary. I picked it up the very moment I saw it, an instant reaction and so quick I forgot to realize I’d always been innately afraid to read her work, her letters to self. Because it somehow always seemed to me like, of all the work available by now-dead writers, her diary entries would feel the most like ghost stories, like real life talking to a ghost. It’s always scared me, the notion of talking to this particular ghost. No other ghost ever proposed to raise in me the slightest feather of a concern let alone fear.

But she always had.

And I can’t even remember having seen a portrait of her until last week. As hard as that might be to believe.

Where she was concerned, it has been like living in a house where all of the mirrors had blankets covering them. And believe you me, I’ve been in many houses where real life people were still living there and it was just precisely that, blankets over the mirrors, and the inhabitants were just looking at me without a hint of shame, sorrow or remorse in their eyes. Without any hint of knowledge of the display they had erected. If it fact it was them who had erected it. Just, this is the way it is here looks in their eyes.

The fucking things you see over a life. The understated non-plussed near-miss, oh boy did it hit though I am yet unstruck, horror you sometimes see. And how often it doesn’t even faze you. You just step over it like you would any old mound of dirt, not at all an active grave, except the low key and surpressed knowledge reminding you that all the earth is an active 5 billion year old Grave and Tomb and Monument and Pyre all wrapped into one, and all the universe a 20 billion year old same thing.

So I picked up the book. And I gazed at the front cover for a good long while. At her portrait. At Anne. I looked at her portrait for the first time, and I transported my mind back to her house, and I imagined she and I were standing there together, side by side. Outside. Looking at her own house in silence, together. And we both walked away, together, headed for a fast train to Paris, by way of a stroll along the Prisengracht, and short interlude at the Van Gogh museum. No other manifestations than that. I did not even imagine our bodies or our faces. I just remembered having done that before, peering out from the windows of my own eyes, with a companion by my side, and imagined this time, Anne was there with me doing the same.

And then after these thoughts, I opened the book. But I turned immediately to her very final entry. And I read only this Tuesday, August 1st, 1944 entry.

I’m sure I am not the only one who has read her writings and recognized themself in her words. But for certain, what she had written seemed and felt like something I’d written at least a thousand times. Her precise sentiments, and word choices, her very style. Parts of her style is my style. I must have picked that up either from writers who were familiar with her writings or just plucked it out of the wind somehow or some other way. But still that was not the eerie part.

The eerie part was the last two paragraphs. Which I copied down by hand into one of my own journals, with a blunt non-sharpened 3 inch pencil with no eraser no less, was all I had at the time. It was eerie because for at least a decade but more and more lately like the curvings of a quadratic formula, I’ve been hearing the phrase “Set Intentions” like you might hear during guided meditation or whenever someone wants to Exalt the Secret of Manifestation to you.

And I wasn’t at all going to share any of this with anyone. I had no plans to say any of this outloud to write anything on it or engage it any further or even ever again. I wrote the passage in my journal and I’d figured I was fully intending to never ever look back at that passage, or talk about it, or allow myself to recall it, and otherwise resolved to keep the blankets over this mirror forever.

But then I was scrolling this evening and just saw someone had shared a picture of Anne. And that too was a first for me to witness. Now I saw her face twice in a week, at the bookends of the week, both on Wednesdays at roughly about the same time of day. Happy to call that coincidence. Very happy to call it that.

But, I had also been just on a smoke break from my own writings, a letter I was writing to a loved one and the tenor of the letter of where I had left off when I stopped for my smoke break had just moved onto omens.

Oh boy, right?

Well now, still happy to be coincidentally maybe now just only synchronistically having this experience. But given it all, I’d resolved to share.

And by share, I’m not sure I can bring this all into any firm sense of things that could make it any less eerie. Though I will try. And if I don’t fully strike the right note in this attempt, I will know it, you won’t have to tell me, but I will publish the attempt anyway as an earmark of this encounter, and double back on it maybe whenever it is that I have found the right note or chord to strike or strum.

I’m thinking of two things, one I was going to save for my letter when I moved past omens. And one I was going to tell a friend of mine after watching a movie he recommended that I still have not told him. So I will choose neither and tell you both of them in this writing.

Most importantly, this is not at all about victim blaming, please have the courage to see past that, as Anne apparently might say that, at least, one of your two voices, if you only had two, would have such ability. And this, even if that means this courageous voice disappears after only 15 minutes.

First, I can remember back to a time when I am not more than a few months older than my son is now, maybe six months older. I am lying in my little boy bed, in my little boy bedroom in the house I grew up in, a little cape style enhanced cottage. It is night. The walls are blue. The headboard is all white and soft and plush to the touch, and riveted by silken buttons, smooth to the touch and shiny to the eye, though woven round by very fine white thread.

I am laying on top of the covers. This is colorful Snoopy and the Peanuts bedding. It’s not exactly yet bed time. But it must still be before the Vernal Equinox because the sun has been down for a good while and its not yet past my little boy bedtime. And the room is lit golden by a single 40 maybe 60 but really probably 40 watt incandescent bulb. It’s gold in there, it’s almost orange that low gold glow. And I’m laying at angle on the bed. And I’m pointed feet first at the east corner of the bedroom, which is also precisely lined up with Cardinal East. And I shit you not, but on this evening, a few weeks before my actual birthday and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was on my original due date, I was thinking to myself, “I must be dreaming in this life. I am going to remember this moment forever. When I get older. And I believe I am going to wake up someday from the distant future back here in this moment, back here in the age, back here just the way I am now.”

I’ve not tampered with this memory at all since then. I’ve remembered it precisely and often ever since. I’ve referred back to it thousands of times. In a sense, I in fact have never left that room or that night. I built it into every single night since. Like one of Tom Riddle’s horcruxes. And this before I had ever heard Row Row Row Your Boat. And this before I had enough speaking skills to say these thoughts outloud even if I wanted to but enough language understanding to think them and remember.

So that’s the first thought.

The second thought, it’s about that movie my friend suggested I watch over the summer. It was a horror movie, a new one. You may have watched it yourself. Called Ghosts of War.

My feedback to him the day after I watched it was pretty simple. A. I enjoyed it. B. The sniper I think is my favorite. C. It reminds me I have another horror movie That I do not mention to him by name then, but I only say that it is in the genre of horror that is not shriekingly scary, or rather does not rely on shriekingly scary moments. Because it does contain a couple of those potentially frightful jolts. But that is not it’s best foot forward. This type of horror is not the exciting amusement park kind. This type of horror is the kind that enters your bloodstream and stays with you and haunts you over a long period of time, long afterwards. The kind of horror you might find yourself waking up from sleep even a year or more later and not feeling right and having witnessed. D. I might get back to him someday with more commentary. Oh and E. I really enjoyed seeing Billy Zane. Particularly as the dichotomy of American Doctor and SS Colonel.

But wouldn’t you know shortly after I finished writing down that passage from Anne Frank’s final entry, pledging to not look at it ever again, I found myself in another room talking to a person about that actual movie that ghost of war reminded me of that I didn’t tell my friend what that movie was. To this new person I did say its name. It is paranormal activity. The first one. I said that movie is the first time I had witnessed a genuine horror film, That has the capability of genuinely haunting me for a long long period of time, in my adult years. And it doesn’t contain hardly any,if at all, shriek moments.

The horror of that movie is it’s power to slowly and steadily and surely wrap itself around your heart with fear and anxiety, and with full command, Sustain you in that state while flexing and relaxing it’s own valves, to show you who’s boss and who is in command.

Furthermore I told this person, that such a film as this paranormal activity is is not a film to watch when you are in a heightened state of consciousness. You’ve got to be half asleep at the wheel half dead inside to properly survive that film. Because in the final moment, and I admitted this to that person, when you see the demon at last, he jumps straight into your eyes. Straight into you. That movie is perhaps the ultimate act of transgression, that I’d ever seen to that date. And I admitted to this person that it took me a good long while of concerted and methodical effort, to rid myself of that motherfucking demon. Such is the exquisite accomplishment of that particular horror movie. I spared my friend this story, because I’m pretty sure he would’ve shit his pants if I told it to him in person. I think I’m only about 30% joking about that.

But tomorrow being that some stories stay with you longer than others. Some stories you actually have to exorcise from your mind. it’s very good training. Especially if you happen to frequently find yourself in other peoples houses and those houses have all the mirrors draped over by blankets. And those other people walk about aimlessly as though they have no idea how odd that appears to be. if you know what I’m saying. And if you can believe what I’m saying is actually true.

But no I don’t think I’ll ever tell my friend about the paranormal activity story. What I will tell him is another thought I had about ghosts of war. That I think on some level in someway we are all ghosts of every war. Wars that we’ve seen and wars that we haven’t seen, either depicted in books or movies or for trade for real on the news both of foreign lands and domestic. And even wars in our own mind, common place words with our neighbors or friends or family or loved ones. I think in someway we just are ghosts of it. Carrying the crosses of it.

And I remember a story I wrote or a poem maybe it was about a universal snake and a universal monkey. The universal snake head swallowed the universal monkey. Seemingly defeated him in battle. Seemingly killed him. Seemingly was digesting him. But unseeming to the universal snake, the universal monkey to this day will not die. And for all eternity the universal snake has had indigestion on account of the universal monkey’s eternal will not to be extinguished. They say it ain’t over til it’s over. They say don’t stop believing. I say that’s probably very good advice and we should all listen to it. The Monkey is listening to it right now, and has been forever. That monkey won’t quit. That monkey is in a pickle but he’s got a slim to none chance and yet he won’t quit.

How this works back to ghosts to war and how we’re ghosts of war with everyone, and how this works back to Anne Frank. It’s up to you what you wanna believe in, I believe in the fact that God won’t ever let us really kill each other. We might see it happen with our own eyes. Right before us. But I believe that even as it happens it also instantly unhappens.

We have the ability to look backwards in time and forecast forwards in time but we only have the ability to live in one moment of time at a time and that we called the present. We have no idea what actually happens in previous moments of time once we’ve moved past them. Except how they exist in our mind. But for all we know in a moment that someone apparently kills another, whether it’s a person to a person or an animal to an animal. How do we know it doesn’t on happen once we’ve left that moment? Natural law has a place in this world. So natural law gets its way in this world. But there are such things as the overlapping thesis of all the different laws. And divine law is a thing in that overlapping thesis. Just as well as natural law is. So it is totally possible that once we make a mess of things, the Custodian comes along to fix it.

It’s possible along the same probabilities or maybe even slightly better than Lloyd Christmas’ chances of getting the red head which he eventually did.

To another person who overheard me talking to that first person last week about paranormal activity, the next day she came to me with concerns. I listened to these concerns. And my response was what you do is up to you. Including whether or not you trust yourself or not. If I were in your shoes I would try to trust myself. Even as everyone around me might seem intent on leading me to betray my own trust. if I were in your shoes, I would choose to believe that no one actually has the power to do that. No one actually has the will to want to see you fail, to fail yourself. Because that would be them wishing them to fail themselves. And while they might get away with that in one moment in the next that moment is wiped clean. If I were in your shoes I’d be telling that to myself every moment I had these concerns you are telling me about.

I further said, and I stop talking about if I were in her shoes. I further said what you think is happening is happening. What you understand about what is happening is only ever coming into focus more and more. You may not have all the Time in the world, but you do always have the luxury of patience. There’s no rush when it comes to the process of understanding. Something tells me we’ll repeat the lesson infinitely if necessary. something also tells me that won’t actually be necessary. The lesson will come clear eventually. Have faith in that and likely all of your fears and concerns will be abolished. The probability of it being otherwise, however great it seems, as Pascal very effectively demonstrated, infinitely pales to the seemingly tiny probability, the Boson particle infinitesimally small and impossible to fathom yet there it is nonetheless almost something you can now actually reach out and grab but even still something you can see if only by way of prediction probability, of it not being otherwise.

So that in other words no sword actually ever really falls upon the neck but he’s only ever caught by the Hand.

I’ve been waiting to wake up to this reality ever since my two-year-old self woke up to that reality and said I will be waking up here someday again.

But I did tell that second person, be careful the stories you tell yourself. They could be like that movie demon that enters your mind and poisons your body, like that story I told last night. The mind can make almost anything real. That’s a quote from a movie also, but it comes from somewhere. Didn’t it? So possibly probably in all likelihood whatever story you tell yourself whatever imaginary though you have as an objective: if somewhere in this universe. Somehow manifest itself. Somehow find a way to be born and become true. Often a lot faster and more hellishly than you thought possible.

The mind is it’s own place. It can make heaven out of hell and hell a heaven. I don’t need to read the whole diary of Anne Frank, to know beyond what her final entry says. That she was equally gifted at doing both. And that, my friends, is not victim blaming. That is just what it is.

And so behold the final two paragraphs of her final passage:

As I’ve told you, what I say is not what I feel, which is why I have a reputation for being boy-crazy as well as a flirt, a smart aleck and a reader of romances. The happy-go-lucky Anne laughs, gives a flippant reply, shrugs her shoulders and pretends she doesn’t give a darn. The quiet Anne reacts in just the opposite way. If I’m being completely honest, I’ll have to admit that it does matter to me, that I’m trying very hard to change myself, but that I I’m always up against a more powerful enemy. A voice within me is sobbing, “You see, that’s what’s become of you. You’re surrounded by negative opinions, dismayed looks and mocking faces, people, who dislike you, and all because you don’t listen to the advice of your own better half.”

Believe me, I’d like to listen, but it doesn’t work, because if I’m quiet and serious, everyone thinks I’m putting on a new act and I have to save myself with a joke, and then I’m not even talking about my own family, who assume I must be sick, stuff me with aspirins and sedatives, feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature, ask about my bowel movements and berate me for being in a bad mood, until I just can’t keep it up anymore, because when everybody starts hovering over me, I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside g out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if… if only there were no other people in the world.

Yours, Anne M. Frank

[after-lauhgter]

Hey dude, I really like your music taste so do all the music questions that you didn't already answer 🌚

OK DUDE HERE THEY COME (except 1,6 & 14) ... ok lets do number 1 again  What's a song you've been listening to a lot lately? as the world caves in by Matt Maltese, if I get high by nothing but thieves, and literally anything off waterparks’ new live album, that thing makes me feel so ALIVE bc like LIVE MUSIC  Is there an album you recently discovered and are obsessed with it now? well waterparks live in the uk obviously but if the last 6 months count as recently, then the new abnormal by the strokes. its... absolutely breathtaking. I don't have words. 0 words. except these dudes know what the fuck they’re doing. and then I found the devil and god are raging inside me by brand new and jeeesus. literally Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ was my most played song in 2020 AS IT SHOULD BE bc its EVERYTHING this album is THE SHIT. every song is just *chef kiss* like there's limousine (omg limousine) and you won't know and not the sun and AHH listen to these albums omg  Put your playlist on shuffle and show the first 10 songs. No cheating. i assume “your playlist” means all my saved songs so Topography by Civilian (pls go listen its SO great) Na Na Na by mcr yees issa classic  Du schreibst Geschichte by Madsen omg geeerman  just saying by EDEN (pretty pretty pretty) Westerland von den Ärzten another classic  letdown by nothing,nowhere. sad but the good kind of sad  The Man by the killers making fun of toxic masculinity gives me LIFE  Graffiti by CHVRCHES YES  and death stranding by CHVRCHES too YES SO GOOD simmer by Hayley Williams, a queen  How do you tend to discover new music? If you do at all of course I do enjoy what Spotify suggests, like my weekly mix brought a lot of bops in the past, although sometimes it just sucks lets be real. I also like the artist- or album-radio, when I wanna find something similar to an album but not the album.  and another thing I lovvve is when artists I like recommend music, for example, have you seen dallon weekes instagram stories? THE TASTE? bc yes, someone who writes music like that MUST have a superior taste in music and he fucking does. 

What app do you mostly use to listen to music? Spotify :) Is there an artist that you feel ashamed of listening too? I can't think of anyone so probably not  What is your favorite album cover art? omg. I have to go with more than one. so there's where the mind wants to go/where you let it go by I the mighty, one of my favorite albums of all time, and I'm going to say it how it is, I LIKE THE COLORS. the blue-ish imagine with the red omg. look at it pls.  Also fandom by waterparks looks SO COOL. again the COLORS  and I love the art for Isola by Kent.  I recently discovered you wouldn't believe what privilege costs by civilian and I think that cover is pretty cool too.  well and then there's petals for armor by Hayley Williams, the cover art is so fucking powerful Jesus I get goosebumps just thinking about it. in case you don't know about it, long story short: there's been a lot of shit going on in Hayleys life in the past. relatable imo. then they made after laughter and its been like u know what fuck it we’ll just laugh and dance through the pain. together. and I LOVED the vibe omg it gave me so much. but for Hayley it kinda postponed REALLY dealing with shit. she came home from touring with AL and she also got divorced during the AL era and everything's shit and out of all that came petals for armor. and in it she reclaims femininity, being alone, being powerful, being a women, everything. and ah yeah we were talking about the cover art, the cover is her, having a line of squares on her face, three of these squares are tattooed on her fingers though bc its where her ex husbands initials used to be that she got covered up. WHAT A MOVE. THE POWER.  (if anyone is interested in hearing Hayley talking about/explaining all this, I really recommend watching her interview with zane Lowe. its SO GOOD basically free therapy) How much did your parents influence your music taste? a. lot. my dad listened to a lot of “dad rock” you may call it, I guess a lot of dads listened to stuff similar to this. Deep Purple, the police, simple minds, Green Day, Billy Talent, the scorpions and things like that. what influenced me the most tho was the beatsteaks (german band, very good), die Ärzte (german band, very good) and LAST BUT NOT LEAST the fricking blues brothers. my favorite movie (not the 2000 remake, go watch that in hell where it belongs), a great, charismatic band, unbelievable live performances. very big WOW from me.  Do you own any vinyl? don't get me started omg. I DO. I wish I could take a photo but my records are at my parents house so ill just name my favorites.  -after laughter and brand new eyes by paramore -violent things by the brobecks and their song boring on 7inch (this is very rare ok) -razzzzmatazzz by idkhow in gold :) -may death never stop you by mcr (my first one, I bought it first and then bought a record player for it, that's how it started lol) -omg the black parade is dead by mcr, this was never available on vinyl until record store day 2019 (?) and I hunted that bitch like idek what it was insane but I found a super cute small record store and the owner didn't have copies of it bc NOBODY DID but he fucking CALLED THE LABEL even though it was way too late and he asked if they'd send him a copy and THEY DID I FUCKING OWE THIS MAN  -and omg Isola by Kent (in Swedish tho bc the English version was never pressed on vinyl) this was intense. I searched for like 2 weeks and then, on google results page 8 or something, I found what could've been the only copy on the damn internet and it was very expensive but its MINE NOW -my signed vertigo vinyl by EDEN, its clear and on side D it doesn't have music but a little message engraved it the vinyl IT IS CUTe -Placebos MTV unplugged! I am so I love with this album. SO. in love. and one day, when I was in Berlin to see palaye royale, back when we had concerts, I walked by a random record store and they have like 4 records left bc they were closing or idk and the only one displayed in the window was this one. tell me about FATE  Do you own any cds? not many. sometimes when im at the store and I see ones I know or like, I just buy them and put them in me moms car bc I want her to listen to them. or when I find a cd by a smaller artist I enjoy, I buy it just to push the nachfrage. HI i am HERE and I WANT this music  Is vinyl really better than listening on a digital device? im not gonna be that middle aged white male audiophile that hates on our generation for using Spotify. bc its great. I think its just different. I mean im sorry I don't carry my record player on the bus with me, pls forgive me for using my phone? having immediate access to most of the music that is out there? wow. what a concept. I love the internet. YES TECHNOLOGY. but. vinyls are... different. I feel likes its a different kind of listening. I feel like youre rly LISTENING. and that way isn't better, or right, and im not saying it works like this for everyone. but when I put a record on, my only activity at that moment is listening to music, I sit down and I listen. to the entire album. so skips and no pauses, bc that's how it works. and I think that sometimes, that can do a lot for you. if you let it.  and besides that, physically owning a record makes me happy on a level nothing else really does. fuck I love music so much and when I fall in love with it, I fall hard. and then owning a copy of it, something I can touch, something that is MINE, putting it in my little shelf, looking at it every few days and just being in love? fantastic feeling.  What is a genre of music that you tend to go to for comfort? sad shit. I feel like I can get great comfort from the sad shit. or maybe just slow shit. and songs that mean a lot to me and have been around me for some time, they have this other level of comfort. like for Emma, forever ago by bon iver for example. I have a playlist, maybe I'll reblog this again and link it ;) Do you tend to like poppy upbeat songs, or more intricate and interesting songs? both. sometimes I wanna have complicated stuff and analyze the shit out of lyrics and instrumentation, sometimes I just wanna v i b e If you have a favorite band or artist, tell us about how you got into them I liked paramore before but when they posted the video of them performing last hope at reading? it was over. when Hayley sang the bridge it was over. now im a die hard fan and I never looked back Is there a song that came out this year that you like? maybe after reading all this shit you expected a list but somehow I can't. where do u even start. but the answer is definitely yes.  THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS 

[silverncrimson]

The Atonement of a Daughter

( s e l f   p a r a }

May 10, 2020 / Mother’s Day 10:30pm Cemetery

It was eerily quiet that night. And it would have been creepy under any other circumstances, given the location, but at this very moment Diamond wasn’t afraid. She couldn’t muster that particular emotion at this time as her entire being was already overwhelmingly flooded with another. 

That of sorrow...or remorse. Either worked, really.

She had stopped by the cemetery once already that day to visit her mother’s grave, but she’d been with her brother and sister the first time around and while she’d readily agreed to go with them...it had honestly been something she’d wanted to do on her own. It was the first time she’d actually come to visit since her mother was brutally killed all those months ago - and before today, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to go. To see the place where her mother was buried, put to rest for eternity, forever. Going with Marcel and Logan earlier in the day had been tough, to say the least, but she hadn’t been able to fully express herself like she’d wanted to - she hadn’t wanted to break down in front of her older siblings. They’d likely seen her cry enough as it was, and it was clear that they had needed this visit just as much as she did, and she hadn’t wanted to ruin it for them by breaking down completely.

But now here she was, kneeling in front of her mother’s tombstone, the flowers she and other two had brought earlier laid out around her. Diamond’s head was bent, chin all but touching her protruding collarbone, and her eyes were closed as she sobbed her heart out, the only sound present in the cemetery currently. Her chest heaving violently as she gasped through her tears...finally, after all these months, allowing herself to properly grieve. 

“Mama,” she choked out watery, sounding remarkably like the young, wounded child that she was, despite her age of twenty-one. She reached out to lovingly caress the grass beneath her - it was the closest she’d get to touching her mother ever again, and acknowledging that broke her heart into a million pieces all over again. “Oh, mama...I m-miss you so - so much. Just...So much. We all do - all of us - Uncle Zane, Uncle Billie, S-Sloan, Zoe, Marcel, Alex and Logan...and m-me...Just, all of us,” she cried, unabashedly letting the tears run down her face in a heavy, steady stream and onto the soil below. “It’s been so hard without you...We’ve all been so lost...”

Opening her eyes, which glistened in the darkness of the night with her tears, her hazel eyes took in the words on the tombstone, from her mother’s name and date of birth...to her date of death...

FUCK.

She quickly snapped her eyes shut again with a wet-sounding grasp, and her mind was quick to flash back to the night that her mother was murdered brutally before her eyes. Before her family’s eyes. The shock that had gone through her body as it registered in her brain what had happened; the scream that had tore itself from her throat. The pandemonium that ensued around her...

And then her mind starting flashing through all the memories she had of her mother, inconveniently skipping through all the good stuff, and going right into the bad ones - the far less happier times. When it was just her and her mother in the house. Her other siblings had all moved out by then, and as the youngest, she’d been left with Zaeliana...and the two constantly butted heads. They’d had several heated arguments to be sure, mostly over Diamond’s future and her academics. Diamond had been a highly intellectual child, and had even skipped several grades in her elementary years, and so her school work always came first. She took pride in being smart, despite the severe bullying she’d underwent in her classes. Her mother had been very proud of her youngest daughter’s excellence, as well; so proud, in fact, that she pushed and pushed Dime to be even better, to be the best, unknowing that it was doing nothing but embittering the teenager. It was study, study and study some more, and even for a genius child, it was too much. And yet Diamond had done everything her mother had asked of her, out of love and respect...up until the prospect of modeling came about and that was where the two really butted heads.

At the very reminder of all the words said between mother and daughter, Diamond flinched in guilt and gave another choked sob, bowing so that her forehead touched the grass. She repeated ‘I’m sorry,’ over and over into the dampening soil beneath her, guilt eating away at her heart as she remembered being so mad at her mother for refusing to hear her out, that she’d screamed ‘I wish you were dead!’ at the top of her lungs, and the look of shock and hurt on her mother’s face that followed. Still to this day, those words haunted Diamond. Especially now that her mother really was dead. After all, it had been so unlike Diamond, saying something so spiteful and terrible. She had never before raised her voice so loudly or so hatefully at anyone like that ever before, and never since. Of course, the resentment for her mother still lingered back then, up until Diamond actually left the family estate at 18 and headed to college, where she rebelled against her mother full force, by running off and becoming a model anyways. Even keeping it secret for over a year, before she’d come clean to the family.

To say that her mother hadn’t been happy about the news would have been an understatement, but looking back now, Diamond knew that her mother had only been concerned for her; after all, the fashion industry was a harsh one, and the thought of Diamond wasting all of her amazing potential on a dream that might not happen, or happen briefly but come crashing down, worried her. And while Zaeliana had come around in the end, even showing up at her runway shows in New York on occasion, the tension had always remained between them...mostly on Diamond’s end.

Biting at her wet, tear-soaked lips, Diamond’s entire being shook as she wept her remorse over her mother’s cold grave. “I’ve been s-so unbelievably ungrateful to you all th-these years, even resented you, for trying to control my life, or what I perceived as you trying to be controlling...I t-took you and your guidance for g-granted and and I’m so sorry, Mama. I’m sorry I was such a spoiled brat, and - and so quick and eager to leave you the second I got the chance, and I’m sorry I ignored you for so long after I moved out. Deceiving you...and I’m sorry that I lied to you, that I’m still lying to everyone else about everything...and I’m sorry I’ve avoided coming around to visit you for so long...I’m so sorry!”

It was an atonement of her guilt that she had desperately needed to make since January, but she’d been unable to. Every time she’d thought to come and visit her mother’s grave, she’d instead go out and party, drowning herself in drugs, alcohol and sex, to help numb the pain that was always there these days. Too painful for her to face. 

She was - is - a terrible daughter. Sister. Niece.

Person. A terrible, terrible person.

“Y-You...you were right to worry about me,” her breath came quick and erratic, her wet face glinting in the moonlight from where it’s still firmly pressed to the grass. She shakily situated herself so that she was laying, fetal position, curled atop the now healed mound of dirt and grass that had been moved in order to place her mother six feet under it, before being put back. The smell of earth filled her lungs as she tearfully confessed, “I love my job and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but...I’m not okay, mama. I’m not and I haven’t been for a very long time...I’m a mess. I’ve made such a mess of everything.” Perhaps that was a little exaggerated, in retrospect, as not everything in her life was affected by her drug addiction or her alcoholic tendencies, or the fact that she was practically starving herself, despite her family always mentioning food at every damn turn, like they knew she wasn’t eating or something. It’s nearly impossible to avoid food when with them, and honestly, that was one of the only reasons she hated being around them so much. It always made her anxiety skyrocket, and now that she has agreed to move in with Logan...It was going to be a nightmare. As much as she absolutely loved her sister, the fact remained that Diamond had no desire whatsoever to eat anything, and Logan loved to cook...It was going to be hell. Because seriously, how the fuck was she going to be able to hide anything from Logan now?

So yes, while her plethora of problems didn’t affect everything in her life (just yet), the fact remains that her family had no idea about any of it, or at least, the scope of it. Sure, she often hung out with Marcel and Logan at the nightclubs, or ran into them, but..they hadn’t exactly seen Diamond at her worst. They’d seen her drunk, and even high, but who wasn’t one or either of those things at Genesis or Eden? They didn’t know how bad it really was for her.

And honestly? That elated and made her feel like absolute shit, in equal measure. Glad that they didn’t know the severity of her addictions or eating and Bipolar disorder - that the Diamond they saw was the one she wanted them to see; the put-together baby Washington who liked to have fun and who was always super happy; the one who swore up and down to their faces that she was still taking her meds every day; the one who had a promising and rapidly rising career ahead of her. When in fact, reality was far harsher. Her life wasn’t all about haute couture and glitter, and fancy heels like she pretended it was. It was a bit darker than all that, and she said nothing to make her family believe otherwise. She didn’t want them to be ashamed of her, or outright disgusted of her for her piss poor decisions.

At the very thought of her family hating her, she gave a loud whimper that sounded a great deal like that of a wounded animal, and she reached up to grasp at her chest, where the pain was nearly cripplingly. The thought of losing any more of her family was a painful one - whether it was from death or by her own folly, it didn’t matter. Them hating her was a constant thought and fear that did nothing for her often overwhelming depression, which just so happened to feed off those types of thoughts.

“What if they hate me?” she shuttered into the ground, thin body wracked with anxious sobs, “What if - Mama, what if they’re so ashamed of me that they just...th-throw me in rehab and forget about me?” She couldn’t be abandoned by her family...that would break her. She already lost her mother, and it hurt too fucking much, knowing that her family suffered the loss of such a great woman. But to lose the others as well...it was unthinkable.

Of course, deep down passed all of her overwhelming anxieties and self-doubt and her immense shame, Diamond knew her family would never desert her. That they loved her with every fiber of their being. But of course, her mind was a dark, dark place most days and that knowledge was rarely, if ever, acknowledged upon.

Finally, after was seemed like hours but in reality had only been a half-hour at best, the young model began to feel the sorrow that had been burdening her heart for so long begin to lift, and her sobs soon turned to hiccups, and quieter gasps of air. Her tears kept coming, but she knew it would be a long, long time yet before those went away. Pushing herself up into a kneeling position once more, with her long legs coming to fold underneath her, she was able to breathe a little easier, her guilt feeling lesser than it had when she’d first collapsed onto the grave. That said, Diamond was now beginning to become a little more aware of her surroundings and realizing just how late it was, and how...cold she felt. And how utterly stupid she was for being out this late by herself. She’d left the dinner party at the estate early, claiming she needed to go back to her now old apartment to pick up a few things she’d forgotten to pack up. It was a terrible excuse, but being inside the Washington estate again after so long, and without her mother there with them all, had been great but also way too emotionally overwhelming. She couldn’t stay there any longer. Instead of going to the apartment, though, she’d detoured a bit back to the cemetery, to visit her mother. Just one-on-one.

It was stupid, being out so late at night - especially by herself - but she hadn’t cared at the time. Now, as the chilly Chicago breeze picked up and rustled the leaves of the trees nearby, the creepiness of the night began to set in. She now remembered, some weeks ago, promising Marcel and Logan to never come to the cemetery by herself again...whoops. That was definitely a promise broken, not that she was going to be telling them about it. This visit would be strictly kept between her and her mother only.

After wiping at her sopping face with the sleeve of her over-sized sweater, she brought her hand to her lips before reaching down and pressing it solemnly to the ground, right where she imagined her mother’s head would be, “I love you so much, Mama, and I miss you every damn day you’re not here with me - us...I promise you, I’ll come by and visit more often, okay? We’ll have more talks, and I’ll tell you everything that you’re missing - the not-so-great stuff, but especially the good stuff.” Again wiping at her leaking eyes, Diamond slowly got to her feet, brushing off the dirt that had gotten on her bare knees as they dug into the ground. With a brief, wan smile, she blew the grave site a kiss and gave it a wave, “Goodnight - I love you,” she said in finality, before reluctantly turning away and walking back the way she’d come, now more than ever eager to get home.

To crawl into bed, and maybe - just maybe - cry some more to herself until she was actually able to fall asleep.

[agentnico]

Alita: Battle Angel (2019) Review

Still waiting on that Machete Kills Again...in Space mister Rodriguez. I guess this’ll do for now though.

Plot: An action-packed story of one young woman's journey to discover the truth of who she is and her fight to change the world.

Japanese manga material is still yet to successfully transfer to big budget Hollywood productions. Last major attempt was Ghost in the Shell which wasn’t particularly good. Sorry Scarlett Jo, just cause you are in a film doesn’t make it automatically great, as surprising as that may be. Well, not that surprising actually, anyone seen Lucy? Exactly, point made. Anyway, now box office darling James Cameron and the crazy mariachi that is Robert Rodriguez have teamed up to bring us an adaptation of Battle Angel: Alita. Any good? Well...

The film suffers from its script mainly. Cheers James Cameron, not only are you obsessed with making an unnecessary amount of unwanted Avatar sequels that may not even see the light of day seeing as how long they’ve been stuck in production, but you’ve also gone and forgot how to write a screenplay. What happened, you used to be something. Now, well, now you have a thing for blue people. Typical. So the Alita script is all over the place. There are too many things crammed in and together it all doesn’t really mix and ends up being a bit of a bloated mess. Constantly random parts of the film would drift away from the main plot for either unnecessary exposition segments or useless “character moments”. For example there is a whole scene dedicated to Alita trying chocolate for the first time. I’m guessing this was done for us to connect with the character or something. Look, I’m sure Rosa Salazar had one hell of a time stuffing her sweet little face with some free chocolate goodness at the expense of the studio, but I myself did not care for it. Also, the abundance of cliches and the tacked on romantic side-plot which I gave zero F’s about (okay, that’s a lie, one F was given when that useless romance was over and done with) were something that I’d expect from an amateur but not Cameron. Heck, so many of the movie’s characters also happen to be one dimensional. Billy Zane’s stoic dick face in Titanic had more depth than 90% of this film’s cast. Okay, reading back I didn’t mean to properly trash this film, I guess I’m just a bit of an angry person. Point is that the screenplay is very much the reason this movie falls apart.

That being said Alita is still an enjoyable enough watch, mainly thanks to Robert Rodriguez’s directing as well as the fantastic visuals. A fully realised futuristic sci-fi world blossoming with so many intricate details, from the sets to the costumes to the cyborg tech and the superb action sequences, this movie is a visual feast. A major part of the plot is revolved around this futuristic racing/football sport known as Motorball, and all those sequences are indeed epic. Also, say what you will at first about how creepy Alita’s oversized eyes are, the CGI of her face is quite incredible. Weta have outdone themselves here again, that cannot be argued,

The movie boasts quite a cast, but as mentioned earlier, due to the weak script not many characters stick out, no matter how hard the actors playing them try. Mahershala Ali is wasted as the movie’s villain, whilst Jennifer Connelly, although it’s nice to see her in something again, has a very predictable arc.The likes of Eiza Gonzalez and Michelle Rodriguez pop up, however there roles are so minor that they could’ve been played by anyone. Rosa Salazar of Maze Runner fame as Alita herself in all fairness was decent, being someone we as the audience could really connect with. That being said, her character is one that never loses in this movie. Every battle she fights in she wins. Kind of took away from any stakes. But Salazar was solid (the actress that is, not the Resident Evil 4 villain!). On the other hand her love interest played by Keean Johnson was just another young Hollywood pretty boy with the emotional range of a cat turnip. Christoph Waltz was a very welcome inclusion as the scientist who finds and puts Alita together and becomes her guardian. He was very endearing and it was nice seeing him step away from his typecast baddie roles this time around.

Manga is still yet to successfully translate to Hollywood cinema, Alita: Battle Angel hasn’t changed that. But for a one-time watch Alita has enough visual excitement to bring you enjoyment, though the over 2 hour run-time does end up dragging. Also the shameless sequel set-up with the reveal of the major baddie in the last shot of the movie who was pulling all the strings played obviously by a famous Hollywood A-lister is one cheap gimmick that frustrated me to no end. 

Overall score: 5/10

[margarittet]

“Tombstone” (1993): cowboys and gay subtext

Disclaimer: I wrote this text long time ago, when we first heard the title of the episode, and we knew perfectly nothing about the plot - I just somehow never got to posting it. Back then I never DREAMED that we will be getting Cas and Dean roleplaying Texas rangers, and running around in cowboy hats. (What a time to be alive!) Anyway, I hope this little rant about how “Tombstone” (1993) is relevant to tomorrow’s episode will still be fun to read.

Disclaimer 2: I do not equal effeminate/weak bodied/flamboyant = gay, just different from the surroundings in the context of this movie. At the same time, the movie uses cheap stereotypes to characterize their characters in subtext.  It is 1990s, and this is not good, but it happened back then.

File it under the “Things I do because of my “Supernatural” obsession”: I watch and read stuff I hadn’t expected to before I started watching the show - you know, like a 1993 western telling the story of the legendary gunman Wyatt Earp and his two brothers, hunting and killing some Old West gang of outlaws in a frontier town.

Nevertheless, I did watch it, and now I will write about it because I am painfully aware that episode 13x06 is called “Tombstone”, that it has a western theme, and that it’s an episode by the writer who gave us “Stuck in the Middle with You” (12x12). It is therefore quite possible that the source material is relevant to the final product - plus with Tarantino being a western buff, it all connects nicely.

I will not speculate about the actual episode since we have almost nothing to go on at the moment - besides a few pictures from which we can gather a couple of facts:

The boys are most probably in Dodge City at some point (we saw pictures from the set saying “Dodge City” on one of the buildings). The city is about 3,5 hour drive from Lebanon - where the bunker is - and it was here Wyatt Earp was the sheriff before he moved to Tombstone. It also is “the cowboy capital of the US” because of it being the main city on the old “cattle trail”, famous for its cow markets and for its gunfights. We saw Dodge City on the show once before when Krissy’s dad was attacked in “Adventures in Babysitting”, but otherwise this is the first time we visit it,

We also know that at some point we will visit a cowboy-themed motel.

[While all of this gives us no story hints whatsoever, I think it’s safe to assume that the keywords for the episode are “cowboys” and “western”. Since Davy Perez’ most noteworthy episode last year was Tarantino themed, I am not remotely surprised this season for him is “westerns” (he is also bringing us the train heist episode later this season - yes, please.)]

I can, however, present the movie “Tombstone” that may or may not have something to do with the final episode (we’ll see). As I am aware that not everyone is as dedicated (read: bored and obsessed) as me to check out every pop culture reference on the show, I decided to share my newly aquired wisdom with the class.

Ok, so the story. The movie tells a (rather idealized) version of the shootout that occured in the frontier town of Tombstone, Arizona, between Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp (plus their friend, Doc Holliday) and the gang of outlaws who called themselves “the Cowboys” - known as the gunfight at OK Corral. I will talk just about the movie here (since the historical truth is a little different, and a compare-and-contrast historical analysis is not what we need right now).

So, Wyatt Earp got famous being the marshall of Dodge City, while also being a pacifist and trying to avoid starting conflicts as much as possible. Tombstone was supposed to be his retirement - he wanted to settle down, finally having his family around, and earn some money for a comfortable and silent life. He came to Tombstone together with his two brothers and their wives; upon arrival, he found out that his best friend, Doc Holliday, also ended up in the town, searching for his luck and trying to cure his TB - an illness that will later kill him at the age of 35. 

We meet Wyatt Earp when he has people closest to his heart right around him, and is very content with his life. He is also very adamant to leave the past and the fame behind, and start a completely new chapter in Arizona. The Earp brothers find out very quickly, however, that Tombstone is very far from the sleepy abode the name might suggest. The town is full of colourful characters - gamblers, gunslingers, preachers, prostitutes, outlaws etc. And of course there is a conflict boiling just below the surface.

Unwillingly, one by one the Earp party is pulled back into being the law officers again, and into the bloody frontier war.

SPOILERS AHEAD (you know, if you wanna watch the movie yourself)

So many themes here that remind me of SPN!

We have a duty bound man who meets a maverick and outgoing woman. She offers him excitement and adventures, and of course he falls for her, but doesn’t let himself have what he wants because of his mission, his situation (he was married at the time), and the need to act honourably. He is, however, perfectly aware of his feelings and that a part of this behaviour is fear of following his heart because he had never done this before in his life;

It takes a death of his closest friend to realize life is too short, and he should go for what he wants, which he does;

Before this, however, he follows the murder of one of his brothers by going on a shooting spree, and killing every bad guy he can find until they all are eradicated,

There is also so much gay subtext between two of the characters that the movie is always mentioned when “gay westerns before Brokeback Mountain” are discussed.

“Tombstone” as a lesson in gay subtext:

It is never mentioned in the movie that Billy Zane and Jason Priestley’s characters are gay. Yet, it is so obvious from the way they are portrayed that even people who are not used to reading subtext are perfectly aware the two characters are most probably lovers.

The characterization

The first thing we notice is the look of the characters. The two man are both dressed in a way that differenciates them from the enviroment around them - Billy Zane’s Fabian is completely different from the masculine world of the Old West, with his soft hair, boyish good looks, clean shaven face, and elaborate outfits.

Jason Priestley’s Billy is more in accordance with the tough world of Tombstone - he is the deputy sheriff after all, and can be tough when needed - but still, in his time off he is portrayed as soft, effeminate, especially while contrasted with the criminals he usually runs with. His outfit is not too different from everyone else’s, but he is the only person to wear a bowtie (everyone else wears neckties or bandanas) and spectacles. He is portrayed as a slightly weaker and more vulnerable person.

Exposition in relation to other characters

The two characters sexuality is shown, not talked about, especially through the kind of interractions they have with other people.

We meet Fabian when he steps out of a carriage, all confident, flamboyant, well-groomed and witty. His person awakens the reaction in the manly-men of the West, which is shown by Morgan Earp asking the local sheriff “What kind of town is this?” (at which point Wyatt shushes him, as if he said something offensive). 

To hammer the point home, Fabian is an actor who travels with a gorgeous woman, but obviously has no sexual interest in her - they are best buddies who ogle the Earps together, and comment on their attractiveness.

As for Billy, we meet him when he arrives at the theatre to see the actors’ performance, and right away he is shown bullied by the Cowboys. The quips obviously refer to his sexuality (“Hey, sister boy, gimme some!”). He doesn’t try to shoot them down, just tries to avoid being touched. Quickly he is “saved” by the leader of the gang, and seated beside him. Shortly afterwards the camera shows us the difference between the Cowboys and the deputy sheriff’s approach to Fabian onstage (mocking vs in awe).

Later, during a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Billy grabs Fabian in the saloon, and cordially invites him to his table. This is the last time we see the two men together, alive.

Fast forward to the end of the movie: Billy is riding around with the Cowboys while Wyatt Earp runs around, shooting everything he can find. The outlaws stop a carriage and find the actress and Fabian in the back: the actor is dead, shot by the Cowboys. Everything here happens completely beside the dialogue and the rest of the scene. Billy watches dead Fabian while the actress holds her dead friend, and angrily discusses the war with the leader of the gang.

(Just for your viewing pleasure, I created THIS GIFSET of the scene)

It is never said out loud that Bily and Fabian are lovers. It is still pretty damn obvious. It is perfectly clear from the way they are presented, their interactions with other characters, and the (very limited) onscreen interactions with each other.

“Tombstone” is a cowboy movie that takes a step towards the actual reality of the Wild West, and makes it almost textual. Homosexuality was a natural part of the cowboy lifestyle - it was after all a society full of men, where the men to women ratio was around 8:1. Everyone had needs, not everyone had money, and love and sexual encounters between men were as common as in any other, similar enviroment. There is a reason why the uber-masculine cowboy stereotype is one of the main figures in American gay iconology - think everything from “Midnight Cowboy” to The Village People and “Brokeback Mountain”.

Why Davy Perez chose to call his episode after the kettle-market town in Arizona, but also after the movie with such a strong gay subtext?

WE MAY NEVER KNOW!

[joeylikesthings]

Random Kingdom Hearts rant time...

I hope that the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III takes the initiative to do some much needed recasting. First off, they need a new voice actor for Aerith. In KH1, she was voiced by Mandy Moore, which wasn't all too bad, but in KH2, they recast her with a terrible replacement that hardly acted her lines well at all. There was no emotion at all, it felt like she just blankly read the lines with a breathy robot voice. Bring back Mandy Moore or just cast someone better this time. And I've said this many times before and I'll say it again: BRING BACK BILLY ZANE. The original voice actor for Ansem, Seeker of Darkness was the best voice actor for this Villain, but he has been exclusive to this one game; every other game featuring Ansem has featured Richard Epcar as the voice. Now, he hasn't done a bad job whatsoever, but they need to bring Billy Zane back. They don't need to fire Epcar, either. As some of you may know, the villain of Kh3 is essentially 13 different incarnations of the same villain. So, have Epcar voice one of the incarnations. Just bring back Billy Zane to voice this specific incarnation. Also, as some of you may know, Leonard Nemoy (known for playing Spock in the original Star Trek) was the voice of the head villain, Master Xehanort. However, Nemoy has since passed away. I don't know what Square/ Disney have planned for Master Xehanort in KH3, but unless they're successfully able to use archive footage of Leonard Nemoy to voice Master Xehanort in the upcoming game, they need to try their damndest to find a comparable voice actor for this role, and not just do What they did with Ansem's transition from Zane to Epcar (which are distinctly different). Find an impersonator if you need to, y'all. Just make it work. Make it sound real. Side rant: I always kinda wished that they would've recast the voice of Sora, the main protagonist, whenever they made a game with Younger Sora. Haley Joel Osment has always voiced Sora, and I usually wouldn't want it any other way, but as he's gotten older, his voice has changed and gotten deeper, yet he still has to occasionally voice the younger incarnation of our hero, and it doesn't match up well. A very young Haley voiced Sora in KH1, and then an older Haley voiced an older Sora in KH2, which worked out well...but then a year or two after KH2, they released Chain of Memories, which takes place in between KH1 and KH2, and focuses on young Sora right after the events of the first game. But now that Haley Joel Osment is one to two years older than he was in the second game, his voice is actually a bit deeper than KH2. So young Sora has a deeper voice, not only deeper than in the first game, But deeper than his older self in the second game. I just kinda wished they had cast a separate voice actor for this game that was closer to Haley's register in the first game. Perhaps the voice actor that played Naota from FLCL would've been a good choice? IDK...there are some who argue that puberty may have just hit Sora in the context of the story, so that Sora's voice is deeper, while the rest of him hasn't really grown. This would actually justify how drastically Sora ages in the span of just one year between Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II. So there's that...but still... would've been kinda nice to have young Sora sound like young Sora...kinda silly to get worked up about, I know, but I'm big a nerd, and this game in particular is something I'm very invested in. So...there ya go! This has been a post.

[blind-rats]

It's been over a decade since Veronica Mars aired its final episode on television in 2007 after premiering in 2004, but the teen detective show still remains as beloved as ever. Just a few years ago, fans of the series—affectionately dubbed "Marshmallows"—funded a movie just for the chance to see the modern day Nancy Drew in action once again, making Kickstarter history in the process. Still, it's been a while since we've seen our favorite residents of Neptune, California. So what's the Veronica Mars cast up to today?

Kristen Bell

It's safe to say that Kristen Bell's career took off after she landed the titular role on Veronica Mars. After the show wrapped up its third season, she wasted no time at all adding new acting gigs to her resume. In 2008, she snagged the title role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, playing the ex-girlfriend of Jason Segel's character. Bell also joined the cast of NBC's Heroes as the literally electric Elle Bishop.

Bell soon starred in a string of romantic comedies, including Couples Retreat, When In Rome, and You Again. If you're a video game fan, then you may have also noticed her in a few of the early Assassin's Creed games, in which she voices Lucy Stillman, a character designed in her likeness.

Today, however, Bell is best known for her later works, including narrating Gossip Girl, starring in House of Lies, and, of course, voicing Princess Anna in Frozen. Current projects for the actress, who shares two children with husband Dax Shepard, include a sequel to the hit comedy Bad Moms and a second season of The Good Place opposite Ted Danson. Just like Veronica Mars, Bell is always up to something.

Enrico Colantoni

With roles in Galaxy Quest and Just Shoot Me!, Enrico Colantoni already had quite a few acting gigs under his belt when he took on the role of ousted sheriff-turned-private investigator Keith Mars. And after his role as one of the greatest TV dads of our time, he continued to enjoy regular work.

He soon landed a major role in the CBS drama Flashpoint, playing Sgt. Gregory Parker. After Flashpoint ended, Colantoni went on to snag recurring roles in shows like Person of Interest, Powers, and American Gothic—not to mention playing the lead in the short-lived Canadian medical drama Remedy.

Next on his agenda: the TV mini-series Bad Blood, following the life of Montreal mob boss Vito Rizzuto. He's also been tapped to star in season two of Netflix's sci-fi drama, Travelers.

Jason Dohring

Jason Dohring nailed his performance of Logan Echolls, Neptune High's "obligatory psychotic jackass." But, of course, with the show's end, he was forced to say goodbye to the character we all loved to hate. After Veronica Mars, Dohring starred as a vampire with an attitude in the CBS drama Moonlight opposite Hawaii Five-0's Alex O'Loughlin. When that show was canceled after just one season, Dohring returned to the small screen yet again as Mr. Carpenter in Ringer. He later snagged recurring roles as Detective Will Kinney in The Originals and, most recently, as Chase Graves in iZombie—a show produced by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas.

And just what's kept Dohring acting all these years? Scientology, apparently. "[Scientology] saved my acting career," he told Portrait magazine (via BuddyTV).  "I became a professional through Scientology… I understand acting better because Scientology is the study of life."

Percy Daggs III

Percy Daggs III helped Veronica Mars as her BFF, Wallace Fennel, adding some much-needed fun to her life while still assisting her with the dirty work of private investigations. When Veronica Mars ended, Daggs took on a few guest roles in shows like In Plain Sight and Southland. But, unfortunately, his acting career never really got far. One likely reason for Daggs' stalled success could be his growing family. Just a quick look at his Instagram proves that he's been keeping busy as a husband and father to two children.

However, after making an appearance in the Veronica Mars movie, Daggs started adding to his acting portfolio again. Currently, he stars as Jas Hook in the web series The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy. He's also served as an associate producer for the 2017 documentary Eyes of Faith, which features appearances by the likes of Gwen Stefani, Wayne Brady, and former president Barack Obama.

Francis Capra

Before his days as the leader of the PCHers, Francis Capra was a child star, appearing in films like A Bronx Tale and Kazaam. After Veronica Mars ended, Capra went on to guest star on several shows, including Heroes, Sons of Anarchy, Blue Bloods, and Bones. Most recently, he starred in a few episodes of Guillermo del Toro's The Strain during its first season.

Right now, Capra seems to be taking a break from acting to focus on other passions like video games. If his Twitter account is any indication, he takes games like Injustice 2 very seriously.

Tina Majorino

Like Capra, Tina Majorino got her start in the entertainment industry at a young age, starring in a number of big-budget films, including When a Man Loves a Woman, Corrina, Corrina, Andre, and Waterworld. Not long before she took on the role of computer genius Cindy "Mac" MacKenzie, Majorino booked one of her most well-known roles to date—as Deb in the 2004 cult classic Napoleon Dynamite.

However, after her time on Veronica Mars came and went, Majorino stuck to the small screen, for the most part. She snagged recurring roles as Heather Tuttle in Big Love, Special Agent Genevieve Shaw in Bones, and Dr. Heather Brooks in Grey's Anatomy. Not one to limit herself, she's also appeared in a couple of music videos over the years, including videos for Lifehouse's 2005 song "Blind" and Pink's 2011 hit "F***in Perfect."

During her spare time when filming Veronica Mars, Majorino also started a band with her brother called The AM Project, though the group seems more like a fun side project than a new career venture.

Ryan Hansen

Ryan Hansen kept almost as busy as friend and co-star Bell since Veronica Mars wrapped, though he's remained under the radar by comparison. He's starred in a number of short-lived series, including Party Down, Bad Teacher, Bad Judge, and Resident Advisors, and has had several guest roles in popular shows like The League and The Mindy Project.

After the Veronica Mars movie, he headed a 2014 spin-off web series of sorts called Play It Again, Dick, following Hansen's fictional attempt to create a show centered around his Veronica Mars character, Dick Casablancas. However, Hansen is probably best recognized today as Caroline's ex-boyfriend Andy in the CBS comedy 2 Broke Girls.

Hansen also entered the film industry, appearing as minor characters in movies like Jem and the Holograms, Central Intelligence, and CHIPS —which also starred Hansen's real-life BFFs, Bell and Shepard.

Michael Muhney

Actor Michael Muhney has moved on from Sheriff Don Lamb, but he still managed to snag a character with the same cocky attitude. A couple of years after Veronica Mars wrapped, he took on the identity of Adam Newman in The Young and the Restless, one of the soap's many ruthless villains. But the success of his acting career wouldn't last too long. After portraying Adam for five years, Muhney was fired from the show. According to TMZ, young co-star Hunter King accused Muhney of bullying and sexual harassment and claimed that he'd groped her on at least two occasions, causing show execs to terminate Muhney's contract. Muhney, for his part, has denied these allegations, calling it "a salacious rumor."

These days, Muhney seems more interested in spending time with his wife and three children and regularly posts photos of his cycling competitions on Twitter.

Teddy Dunn

Out of everyone in the Veronica Mars cast, Teddy Dunn—AKA Veronica's first love, Duncan Kane—has changed the most since his Neptune High days. While he managed to snag a few small roles in projects like Jumper and CSI: NY, he soon gave up his acting career and dove headfirst into the legal world. After graduating from Boston College Law School in 2013, he became a Litigation Associate at a Philadelphia firm before becoming a law clerk in New Jersey.

Kyle Gallner

Kyle Gallner's acting schedule has only gotten busier over the years. After starring on Veronica Mars as Dick's younger brother Beaver Casablancas, the actor went on to star in TV shows like Big Love, CSI: NY, and Smallville, in which he played the Flash. He also had roles in several films, including Jennifer's Body, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and American Sniper.

Most recently, he starred as Hasil in Outsiders, a show following a tough family living off the grid in Appalachia, though the series has since been canceled. Gallner's set to star in the 2018 horror film Ghosts of War, alongside Billy Zane and Theo Rossi—another Veronica Mars alum.

In December 2015, Gallner married his longtime girlfriend, Tara Ferguson. The couple has two young children together, sons Oliver and Leo.

Chris Lowell

After giving up the character of the lovable music dork Stosh "Piz" Piznarski, Chris Lowell joined the cast of Private Practice as William "Dell" Parker. However, he left the show in 2010 after his character, an aspiring midwife, tragically died—a typical move for a Shonda Rhimes show.

Lowell's also starred in films like Up in the Air and The Help, as well as the shows Enlisted and Graves. He'll soon be seen in the 2017 Netflix original comedy GLOW, starring Community's Alison Brie as a female wrestler.

Lowell's also gone on to pursue a photography side gig, and he's pretty darn good, judging by his online portfolio.  

Tessa Thompson

A series regular in the second season of Veronica Mars, Tessa Thompson has since moved on to bigger and better things. She starred in a number of TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy, Hidden Palms, Heroes, and 666 Park Avenue. However, it wasn't until she snagged roles in the feature films Dear White People, Selma, and Creed that Hollywood finally started to take notice.

Soon after, she starred in the HBO hit Westworld, playing Charlotte Hale, the executive director of Delos Destinations, Inc. However, her biggest project to date is sure to be the 2017 Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok, in which she plays Valkyrie—the feminist warrior the Marvel cinematic universe has so desperately needed.

But acting isn't Thompson's only passion. She's also a member of the indie soul band Caught A Ghost, which has provided songs for Grey's Anatomy and Vampire Diaries.

Julie Gonzalo

Even during her stint as the cheerful-to-a-fault Parker Lee on Veronica Mars, Julie Gonzalo was best known for playing the mean Queen Bee in A Cinderella Story. But since leaving the Veronica Mars set, she has gone on to rack up a number of acting credits. Among other roles, Gonzalo acted alongside Jonny Lee Miller in Eli Stone and later co-starred in TNT's Dallas revival with actors Patrick Duffy, Jesse Metcalfe, and Jordana Brewster.

Next up for Gonzalo is the 2017 comedy How to Pick Your Second Husband First, a movie about a marriage therapist trying to fix her own relationship.

Amanda Seyfried

While Amanda Seyfried was never a regular cast member on Veronica Mars, the show's first season would have suffered without her eerie portrayal of the protagonist's murdered best friend, Lilly Kane. Seyfried, who had played Karen Smith in Mean Girls just one year earlier, later went on to portray Sarah Henrickson in the TV show Big Love. Despite her success on the small screen, Seyfried soon made the leap to Hollywood, starring in movies like Mamma Mia, Jennifer's Body, and Dear John as well as the 2012 Oscar-winning film Les Misérables. One of Seyfried's many projects on the horizon is the 2018 sequel to Mamma Mia, co-starring Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and the iconic Meryl Streep.

After dating Preacher's Dominic Cooper and Accepted's Justin Long, Seyfried found a partner in actor Thomas Sadoski. The pair tied the knot in March 2017 and soon after welcomed a baby girl into the world.

[tabloidtoc]

Globe, July 15

Cover: Tormented Meghan Markle battling postpartum depression 

Page 2: Up Front & Personal -- Demi Lovato, Amber Heard, Burt Bacharach 

Page 3: Chris Hemsworth, Piers Morgan, Melissa McCarthy 

Page 4: Matt Lauer’s wife Annette Roque gets even in $44M divorce 

Page 6: Cover Story -- Meghan Markle devastated by baby depression and turns recluse and gains 37 lbs. 

Page 7: Queen Elizabeth’s London home is infested by rats 

Page 8: Matthew Perry is a tragic train wreck with only 6 months to live 

Page 12: Celebrity Buzz -- Mark Hamill, Jim Carrey once bombed so badly during a stand-up routine he ended up shrieking like a madman that he hated everyone and blamed the audience for giving him cancer, C-list celebs like Charlie Sheen can earn money on an app called Cameo where fans can book them to record personalized video messages for a price and includes Caitlyn Jenner and Gilbert Gottfried and Chris Harrison and Billy Zane and Brian Austin Green and Gary Busey, Kevin Costner admits the iconic movie poster from The Bodyguard of Kevin carrying Whitney Houston was actually a body double because Whitney had already gone home 

Page 13: Joni Mitchell, Jessica Chastain, Russell Crowe, Carrie Underwood schedules sob sessions into her hectic itinerary 

Page 14: Lady Gaga may join Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Bradley Cooper’s character Rocket’s love interest Lylla, Julianne Hough and husband Brooks Laich are trying in vitro fertilization to conceive their dream baby, Fashion Verdict -- Naomi Watts, Olivia Munn, Aubrey Plaza, Joan Collins, Rihanna 

Page 15: Funny Photo Quiz -- Shaquille O’Neal 

Page 16: Jennifer Aniston’s face is frozen from too many fillers, aging action man Harrison Ford flew into a fury over buzz that Chris Pratt will replace him as Indiana Jones saying “When I’m gone, he’s gone” but Ford should be worried since Disney took over the series from Paramount, jailbird junkie Redmond O’Neal is a tragic mental train wreck who has no grasp of reality 

Page 17: The estates of music icons Tom Petty and Tupac Shakur have clobbered Universal Music Group with a $100 million lawsuit over music works supposedly destroyed in a 2008 fire, Samuel L. Jackson flew into a rage over a dumb goof in the posters for his new flick Spiderman: Far From Home that flip-flopped his eyepatch 

Page 19: 10 Things You Don’t Know About James Earl Jones, Star Trek icon George Takei reveals ha was kept in a U.S. prison camp as a child because of his race, Lindsay Lohan’s reality series about her Mykonos beach club is all washed up so she’s turning up the music on a record deal with Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records 

Page 20: Roger Moore’s widow loses control of fortune after son tells court she’s being fleeced 

Page 21: A twisted creep put a hidden camera in the ladies room at Pinewood Studios where the new James Bond flick is being shot, Alice Cooper and his wife Sheryl Goddard are so attached to each other that they’ve made a death pact vowing to go together 

Page 22: True Crime -- Sex cult guru Keith Raniere of NXIVM faces life of hard time 

Page 24: Seashore Eyesores -- shocking celebrity beach bodies -- Kelsey Grammer, Josh Gad, Katie Holmes, Serena Williams 

Page 25: Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Sharon Stone, Taylor Swift, Gerard Depardieu 

Page 26: Cardi B indicted in bar brawl, con man tries to swipe Halle Berry’s home, Helen Hunt jumpstarting her career again 

Page 27: Love & Hip Hop’s Teairra Mari was busted for driving drunk in a car with just three wheels 

Page 30: Health Report -- Cell phones are making kids grow horns 

Page 36: The reason the Spice Girls agreed to their current reunion tour is because they were nearly broke and now they’ve signed on for a second concert series to keep the dough rolling in, Star Trek beauty Marina Sirtis has made a shocking confession that she was molested as a three-year-old by teenage boys, Jeff Goldblum has never played a video game even though he does voice acting in them, goofy goop boss Gwyneth Paltrow won’t do every nutty New Age thing pushed on her website like drinking her own urine 

Page 38: Real Life 

Page 44: Straight Talk -- Convict Bill Cosby’s fantasy world 

Page 45: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ $1 million second wedding, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s marriage stressed from constant bickering over caring for their four young kids 

[i-heart-camsten]

My Thoughts on JMo’s OuaT Departure.....

Thoughts about Jennifer Morrison's exit from OuaT.... as pondered on by me, a simple fan of the show, a lover of CaptainSwan, a fan of JMo's since House, a fan of Once since the start.

How am I dealing with this?  One half of my OTP is exiting, while the other half has a contract to stay aboard, should the show renew.  I wish I could say I was more upset than I am.  The news flowed through me like icicles through my veins, but in the end, I was calm.  

Did the musical spawn this unnerving calm?  Possibly.  If the show had ended forever with last night's final number, I would have cried, laughed and nodded, because it felt right.  CaptainSwan is my muse, my strength, my belief in true love, and last night was their moment in time to face their happy beginnings, together.

Do I wish JMo had held the announcement of her departure just a little longer?  Yeah, I really do.  With the finale next week, and the promise that our stories would be wrapped up in a satisfactory manner, I really wish I didn't know that the last time I'd lay eyes on Emma Swan would be at 9:59pm next Sunday.  I wish I was going into the episode without this knowledge in my heart.  I wish for nothing more than CaptainSwan to ride off into the sunset together, be it upon ship or upon beetle, and to be able to draw my own conclusions about their futures.  I wish I didn't know that the last time Killian reaches for Emma, will be the last time.  I wish I didn't know that the last time Killian kisses Emma, it will be the last time.  I wish to all that is holy that I didn't know the last time I see them together will be the last time.  That knowledge could have come after I made my peace with whatever character departure we're given.  I feel like I'll be watching next week for nothing more than those last moments and it will take away from the episode, but then that's my own problem and no one else's.  

Do I bear any ill will towards JMo for her departure?  Oh, hell no.  She has spent six years catering to us, her fans.  She brought to life a character that inspired me to write again after a long period of silence.  Only a few actresses have managed to bring characters into my life that have become my muses, and for that I will always, always be grateful.  I love Emma, desperately, completely, even as crazy as she often makes me.  Without Jennifer driving that character, I know in my heart I would never have connected as deeply.  That said, we all have to move on at some point in our lives to something greater.  She is an actress, a producer, an everything.  She lives by her trade; the best years of a person's life fly by quickly and they are in short demand.  She needs to be out there, spreading her wings now instead of being trapped in one role, no matter how much she may love the character.  The fact that we, as her fans, are devastated by her departure says more about her than it does us.  We are her fans whether she is Emma Swan or a character we've not yet met.  We need to be her strength in her life choices, a solid voice of confidence behind her telling her that we will always be there to support her, no matter what characters she leaves behind.  She isn't leaving us, she's simply moving on to something different, and it is up to us to follow her on this journey.  She has made an impact on my life with Emma Swan, and as such, she will always have my loyalty, just as my muses that came before her will always have the same.

How am I holding up?  Hey, thanks for asking, I'm in tears, my heart's broken, but that's okay.  Just as I patched my heart back together after losing Crichton and Aeryn, I've never faltered in my support of Claudia Black.  Just as I've patched my heart back together after losing Rose and Ten, I've never missed a thing Billie Piper has done.  Just as I've patched my heart together after saying goodbye to Jo and Zane, I watch a show I positively hate just to be there for Erica Cerra.  I've said goodbye to Tom and B'Elanna, Riker and Troi, Connor and Abby, and I always knew that one day I'd say goodbye to Emma and Killian.  But you know what?  I have two awesome CaptainSwan tattoos to remind me that they existed, thanks to Jen and Colin.  I have a pirate puppy called Killian who is very much aptly named.  I have dozens of fics that I've written, tens of thousands of words, because the actors inspired me to step into their character's souls.  I have new friends and new fans, thanks to their characters.  I think I came out of this with more than the actors have in the end.

If we get a Season 7 renewal, will I watch?  Yeah, I will.  I'm not strong enough to turn my back on Rumple and Regina.  Not to mention Hook.  I could never turn my back on Killian.  So if there is a renewal, I'll still be there watching.  Maybe without the same abject love I have for the show now, but I will still be there to the end.  One person does not make a show, she makes a character in an ensemble.  I love all the actors and actresses and will support them through what I expect will be our final season, if the chance should arise.

Do I want to say anything to JMo with regards to this?  Yep, I do.  I want to tell her that she's making the right choice.  I want her to know that this fan will always be there to support her.  I want her to say goodbye to Emma Swan proudly, and bring the next character to life with just as much pride and confidence as she did our girl.  I want her to know that I've loved Emma since the day she blew out her birthday candle, and I want her to know that I will grieve the loss of the character profoundly, but just as she moves on, so will I.  This is not the end of the world, but the start of a new one.  Above all else, I want her to know that.

Do I have anything to say to the other fans out there grieving?  Yep, one thing, anyway.  Keep your negativity to yourself.  She doesn't owe you a minute more of her life than for what she was contracted.  She doesn't owe Emma a minute more of her time now that season 6 has wrapped.  She doesn't owe anyone anything.  We are the ones that owe her - so any bullshit you want to sling?  Sling it in another direction.  Our girl is making big changes, and she is going to fly high.  I know this fandom has the maturity to stand behind her and cheer her on.  I know each and every one of us wishes her the absolute best.  I know there are tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts as we say goodbye to Emma, and that is the time to smile and rejoice in Jennifer.  It is on us to help her let Emma go, without guilt and without sorrow.  We will be rewarded a thousand times over in her characters to come if we only stand tall today and show her our support.

Fly high, Jennifer.  I cannot wait to enjoy the next beautiful, powerful character you bring into my life.  I bid you good luck, best wishes, and above all, the greatest of love.

Tearfully yours,

A fan. A writer. A CSer. A Hooker. An Ugly Duckling. A Oncer For Life.

[kalipaula]

Sword Fighting Styles: West to East

Over the millennia, millions of people have utilized swords for combat. However, this has changed significantly during the past century. Today, it is very rare for someone to use a sword to defend themselves. Nevertheless, it is possible to partake in reenactments. Many people do so in the form of fencing. Fencing is one of the most popular sports today and it commonly incorporates the use of katanas and other traditional Japanese weaponry. So, what are the most common sword fighting styles of today? You’ll find out in the comprehensive guide provided below.

The Purpose Of The Sword

First and foremost, you should learn a little more about the purpose of the sword. What is its primary purpose or purposes? Well, the katana and swords like it are designed for two specific purposes. They’re designed to help users attack and defend. In other words, they’re great for offense and defense. By equipping yourself with the right sword, you’ll be able to fend off your opponents in every way possible. You can use the sword to defend yourself and you can use it to attack your enemies.

Just remember that there are several different sword fighting styles. Some are better for defensive purposes, while others are more offensive oriented. Below, you’re going to learn more about these different styles.

Fencing

Today, a lot of people practice fencing as a sport. In the past, it was a primary form of self-defense. In fact, this specific type of sword fighting was primarily utilized by the Italians and the Spanish. It was introduced to the English by Domenico Angelo. At the time, this particular fighting style was primarily taught to aristocrats. It would have been very rare to see a lower class individual fencing. It is possible to use several types of weapons for fencing. The most popular include the foil, epee, and the saber. Fencing has become so immensely popular that it is now an Olympic sport.

Fencing has been glamorized in modern media. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to understand that this sword fighting style is designed to kill. It was very effective for this particular purpose many years ago.

Fencing Offensive Moves

There are several very popular offensive moves in fencing. The two most common are the lunge and the feint. The feint is exactly what it sounds like. You’re attempting to force your opponent to attack or make a mistake. In return, you’ll be able to strike and finish them off. The lunge is the most basic. It is simply stepping forward and remaining in the striking posture. There are many other fencing moves as well. They include the flick, beat attack, remise, and even a thrusting attack. When you’ve entered the fencing posture, you’ll have a wealth of options at your disposal.

Fencing Defensive Moves

There are several ways to defend yourself when fencing. The riposte is one of the best counterattacks. It is a counterattack, which is carried out right after a lunge. You can strike your opponent using a parry or lunge. The parry is another counterattack. It can help you fend off lunges. When you’re able to parry your opponent, you’ll cause him or her to lose their position. The circle parry is another option. The circle parry involves the defender bending the sword to catch the very tip of your opponent’s sword. In return, you’ll be able to deflect the incoming blow.

Broadsword Fighting Style

If you’re interested in stepping back into the Medieval era, you’ll definitely want to invest in a broadsword. You’ll also need a shield. The broadsword sword fighting style involves many stances and lightning fast sword attacks. In order to get into position, you’ll need to keep your feet at a 30-degree angle. Also, be sure that your hips are cocked a bit. This will help you support the weight of the shield. Always keep the sword in the hand that syncs with the trailing foot. The blade edge should be kept downward.

Moving correctly is key. You should always try to keep the majority of your weight on the balls of your feet. This will make you quicker and give you the ability to move from one side to the next very quickly.

Kenjutsu

There are many people who absolutely love Japanese culture. If you fit into this category and you’re lucky enough to own a katana, you’ll definitely want to experiment with the Kenjutsu sword fighting style. This specific style covers pretty much every single Japanese swordsmanship skills. It is one of the oldest sword fighting styles on the planet. In fact, it dates back to the years of the Samurai. The style focuses heavily on swordsmanship methods and techniques. Practicing this specific style would require a wood sword know as a bokken. If you’re cautious, you can also practice with a real katana.

Around the turn of the 19th century, practitioners of the Kenjutsu style began wearing body armor. They also used bamboo to practice. This made it possible for them to carry out full contact sparring. Sadly, the popularity of Kenjutsu died out somewhat in the middle of the 19th century. Later though, it became popular again when it was practiced by Japanese police and military officials. Classic forms of Kenjutsu are pretty rare outside of Japan. Nevertheless, it is still referred to as a secret art of war training practice and this makes it very popular for some.

Types Of Kenjutsu Training

Again, it is fairly rare to find Kenjutsu training outside of Japan. Nevertheless, there are a few classes out there. These schools are going to focus on the specific techniques and styles associated with this form of sword fighting. Some of the most common techniques include jabbing, thrusting, cutting, feigning, parrying, and more. The classes will also focus heavily on footwork. When practicing with a partner, you’re not going to make contact with your opponent. Instead, you’ll attack and allow your partner to counter. It is also possible to incorporate other techniques into the training.

Either way, it is very rare to experience full-contact Kenjutsu training.

Kenjutsu Gear Needed

In order to practice this form of swordsmanship, it is pertinent to equip yourself with the right gear. First and foremost, you’re going to need a jacket, trousers, and a belt. If you’re going to be engaging in full-contact practice, you’ll need more. For instance, you’re going to need armor, helmet, head towel, gloves, waist armor, and breastplate. It is possible to practice using a handful of weapons. To keep things safe, it is best to train with a wooden sword, which will usually be referred to as a bokken or bokuto. You can also use a Shinai, which is a practice sword made from bamboo.

When practicing for real, it is best to use a Katana. This traditional Japanese sword is the type of sword commonly used by the Samurai. You can also use a Kodachi or Nodachi.

Kendo

Kendo or the way of the sword is another very popular sword style. It is believed that this specific style was introduced sometime during the late 18th century. It is important to understand that many of Kendo’s attributes and techniques are taken directly from Kenjutsu. Nevertheless, Kendo is a little bit different. Training with bamboo swords and armor was introduced sometime during the end of the 17th century. This allowed practitioners to fully enjoy the Kendo sword fighting style in all of its glory.

In 1946, the Japanese government took steps to ban Kendo. They do so because they did not want average citizens to practice militarized fighting styles. The good news is that the sword fighting style was reintroduced in 1950. At that time, it was known as Shinai Kyougi. In 1952, it was renamed to Kendo once again. In 1952, the All Japan Kendo Federation was founded. This organization believes that Kendo is an educational sport and not really a martial art. The governing body, the Kendo Federation, was founded in 1970.

Kendo tournaments are very common. In fact, it is safe to say that Kendo is more popular and common than Kenjutsu at this point in time.

Training Kendo

Training in Kendo is very popular. People who do so are referred to as Kenshi or Kendoka. If you’re going to be training Kendo, you’re going to need a lot of physical strength and mental strength. You must be able to control your emotions. Otherwise, they’re going to get in the way and cause you a significant amount of trouble. You’ll need to learn to deal with the four Kendo sicknesses. This includes anger, doubt, fear, and surprise. You’re also going to be required to wear protective gear. Be sure that your head, body, and arms are protected to the fullest.

When partaking in Kendo, you’re going to hear a lot of noise. There is plenty of shouting and foot stomping. Usually, you will not wear any footwear. Most dojos will have wooden floors. There are tons of kendo techniques to practice and learn. All will be taught in a slow and very thorough manner. You’ll be taught how to read your opponent, while also learning how to pull off these moves effectively.

Kendo Gear

In order to practice kendo, you’re going to need to equip yourself with the right items. First and foremost, you will need protective gear, including gloves, waist armor, breastplate, head towel, helmet, jacket, trousers, and other armor. You will also need a Shinai. This is nothing more than a bamboo sword, which is specifically used for training. These swords may also be made with many other types of wood.

The Popularity Of Kendo

The truth of the matter is that kendo is one of the most popular sword fighting styles on the planet. In fact, it has been featured in tons of films over the years, including Black Rain, Samurai Banners, The Last Samurai and even Conan the Barbarian. And, there are plenty of celebrities who have practiced or dabbled in Kendo.

They include Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ken Kensei, Phillip Rhee, David Lee Roth, and Billy Zane. If you practice Kendo, you can guarantee that you’re in good company.

Haidong Gumdo

Haidong Gumdo is very similar to the Japanese sword arts. However, you should know that Haidong Gumdo is actually the Korean way of the sword. There are plenty of good moves and practicing will require you to use a wood sword known as a Mok Gum. The most common Haidong Gumdo techniques include cuts, sheathing, and paldo. There is a slight difference between haidong gumdo and Japanese sword fighting styles. While Kendo and other Japanese styles force you to fight a single opponent, Haidong Gumdo is going to prepare you to face off with multiple opponents.

Longsword Fighting

Longsword fighting is also very popular. However, it is going to be very tough to master. And, you’re going to need a great deal of strength. After all, you’re going to be required to carry the sword in both hands. The sword’s size and weight make longsword fighting very difficult for many. Nevertheless, the basic moves are very similar to fencing. You’ll need to learn how to thrust, parry and strike. In terms of defense, you’ll learn to block and step properly.

When your back foot passes your front foot, you’re performing a burst. If the opposite happens, you’re performing a lunge.

Longsword Fighting Stances

You need to understand that there are several different stances used for longsword fighting. The most common is the ox ward. In this type of position, you’ll need to put your left foot forward. You should keep the sword close to your face and it’ll be aimed towards the upper part of your body. There is also the plow ward and fool ward stances. If you’re going to be practicing longswords fighting, there is a good chance that you’re going to need to master each and every one of these stances. You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the most common attack movies. The high, wrath, middle and low blows can be very effective when fighting with a longsword.

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from https://www.katanasale.com/blogs/katanasale/sword-fighting-styles-west-to-east

from Katana Sale - Blog http://katanasale.weebly.com/blog/sword-fighting-styles-west-to-east

[annriley3]

Sword Fighting Styles: West to East

Over the millennia, millions of people have utilized swords for combat. However, this has changed significantly during the past century. Today, it is very rare for someone to use a sword to defend themselves. Nevertheless, it is possible to partake in reenactments. Many people do so in the form of fencing. Fencing is one of the most popular sports today and it commonly incorporates the use of katanas and other traditional Japanese weaponry. So, what are the most common sword fighting styles of today? You’ll find out in the comprehensive guide provided below.

The Purpose Of The Sword

First and foremost, you should learn a little more about the purpose of the sword. What is its primary purpose or purposes? Well, the katana and swords like it are designed for two specific purposes. They’re designed to help users attack and defend. In other words, they’re great for offense and defense. By equipping yourself with the right sword, you’ll be able to fend off your opponents in every way possible. You can use the sword to defend yourself and you can use it to attack your enemies.

Just remember that there are several different sword fighting styles. Some are better for defensive purposes, while others are more offensive oriented. Below, you’re going to learn more about these different styles.

Fencing

Today, a lot of people practice fencing as a sport. In the past, it was a primary form of self-defense. In fact, this specific type of sword fighting was primarily utilized by the Italians and the Spanish. It was introduced to the English by Domenico Angelo. At the time, this particular fighting style was primarily taught to aristocrats. It would have been very rare to see a lower class individual fencing. It is possible to use several types of weapons for fencing. The most popular include the foil, epee, and the saber. Fencing has become so immensely popular that it is now an Olympic sport.

Fencing has been glamorized in modern media. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to understand that this sword fighting style is designed to kill. It was very effective for this particular purpose many years ago.

Fencing Offensive Moves

There are several very popular offensive moves in fencing. The two most common are the lunge and the feint. The feint is exactly what it sounds like. You’re attempting to force your opponent to attack or make a mistake. In return, you’ll be able to strike and finish them off. The lunge is the most basic. It is simply stepping forward and remaining in the striking posture. There are many other fencing moves as well. They include the flick, beat attack, remise, and even a thrusting attack. When you’ve entered the fencing posture, you’ll have a wealth of options at your disposal.

Fencing Defensive Moves

There are several ways to defend yourself when fencing. The riposte is one of the best counterattacks. It is a counterattack, which is carried out right after a lunge. You can strike your opponent using a parry or lunge. The parry is another counterattack. It can help you fend off lunges. When you’re able to parry your opponent, you’ll cause him or her to lose their position. The circle parry is another option. The circle parry involves the defender bending the sword to catch the very tip of your opponent’s sword. In return, you’ll be able to deflect the incoming blow.

Broadsword Fighting Style

If you’re interested in stepping back into the Medieval era, you’ll definitely want to invest in a broadsword. You’ll also need a shield. The broadsword sword fighting style involves many stances and lightning fast sword attacks. In order to get into position, you’ll need to keep your feet at a 30-degree angle. Also, be sure that your hips are cocked a bit. This will help you support the weight of the shield. Always keep the sword in the hand that syncs with the trailing foot. The blade edge should be kept downward.

Moving correctly is key. You should always try to keep the majority of your weight on the balls of your feet. This will make you quicker and give you the ability to move from one side to the next very quickly.

Kenjutsu

There are many people who absolutely love Japanese culture. If you fit into this category and you’re lucky enough to own a katana, you’ll definitely want to experiment with the Kenjutsu sword fighting style. This specific style covers pretty much every single Japanese swordsmanship skills. It is one of the oldest sword fighting styles on the planet. In fact, it dates back to the years of the Samurai. The style focuses heavily on swordsmanship methods and techniques. Practicing this specific style would require a wood sword know as a bokken. If you’re cautious, you can also practice with a real katana.

Around the turn of the 19th century, practitioners of the Kenjutsu style began wearing body armor. They also used bamboo to practice. This made it possible for them to carry out full contact sparring. Sadly, the popularity of Kenjutsu died out somewhat in the middle of the 19th century. Later though, it became popular again when it was practiced by Japanese police and military officials. Classic forms of Kenjutsu are pretty rare outside of Japan. Nevertheless, it is still referred to as a secret art of war training practice and this makes it very popular for some.

Types Of Kenjutsu Training

Again, it is fairly rare to find Kenjutsu training outside of Japan. Nevertheless, there are a few classes out there. These schools are going to focus on the specific techniques and styles associated with this form of sword fighting. Some of the most common techniques include jabbing, thrusting, cutting, feigning, parrying, and more. The classes will also focus heavily on footwork. When practicing with a partner, you’re not going to make contact with your opponent. Instead, you’ll attack and allow your partner to counter. It is also possible to incorporate other techniques into the training.

Either way, it is very rare to experience full-contact Kenjutsu training.

Kenjutsu Gear Needed

In order to practice this form of swordsmanship, it is pertinent to equip yourself with the right gear. First and foremost, you’re going to need a jacket, trousers, and a belt. If you’re going to be engaging in full-contact practice, you’ll need more. For instance, you’re going to need armor, helmet, head towel, gloves, waist armor, and breastplate. It is possible to practice using a handful of weapons. To keep things safe, it is best to train with a wooden sword, which will usually be referred to as a bokken or bokuto. You can also use a Shinai, which is a practice sword made from bamboo.

When practicing for real, it is best to use a Katana. This traditional Japanese sword is the type of sword commonly used by the Samurai. You can also use a Kodachi or Nodachi.

Kendo

Kendo or the way of the sword is another very popular sword style. It is believed that this specific style was introduced sometime during the late 18th century. It is important to understand that many of Kendo’s attributes and techniques are taken directly from Kenjutsu. Nevertheless, Kendo is a little bit different. Training with bamboo swords and armor was introduced sometime during the end of the 17th century. This allowed practitioners to fully enjoy the Kendo sword fighting style in all of its glory.

In 1946, the Japanese government took steps to ban Kendo. They do so because they did not want average citizens to practice militarized fighting styles. The good news is that the sword fighting style was reintroduced in 1950. At that time, it was known as Shinai Kyougi. In 1952, it was renamed to Kendo once again. In 1952, the All Japan Kendo Federation was founded. This organization believes that Kendo is an educational sport and not really a martial art. The governing body, the Kendo Federation, was founded in 1970.

Kendo tournaments are very common. In fact, it is safe to say that Kendo is more popular and common than Kenjutsu at this point in time.

Training Kendo

Training in Kendo is very popular. People who do so are referred to as Kenshi or Kendoka. If you’re going to be training Kendo, you’re going to need a lot of physical strength and mental strength. You must be able to control your emotions. Otherwise, they’re going to get in the way and cause you a significant amount of trouble. You’ll need to learn to deal with the four Kendo sicknesses. This includes anger, doubt, fear, and surprise. You’re also going to be required to wear protective gear. Be sure that your head, body, and arms are protected to the fullest.

When partaking in Kendo, you’re going to hear a lot of noise. There is plenty of shouting and foot stomping. Usually, you will not wear any footwear. Most dojos will have wooden floors. There are tons of kendo techniques to practice and learn. All will be taught in a slow and very thorough manner. You’ll be taught how to read your opponent, while also learning how to pull off these moves effectively.

Kendo Gear

In order to practice kendo, you’re going to need to equip yourself with the right items. First and foremost, you will need protective gear, including gloves, waist armor, breastplate, head towel, helmet, jacket, trousers, and other armor. You will also need a Shinai. This is nothing more than a bamboo sword, which is specifically used for training. These swords may also be made with many other types of wood.

The Popularity Of Kendo

The truth of the matter is that kendo is one of the most popular sword fighting styles on the planet. In fact, it has been featured in tons of films over the years, including Black Rain, Samurai Banners, The Last Samurai and even Conan the Barbarian. And, there are plenty of celebrities who have practiced or dabbled in Kendo.

They include Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ken Kensei, Phillip Rhee, David Lee Roth, and Billy Zane. If you practice Kendo, you can guarantee that you’re in good company.

Haidong Gumdo

Haidong Gumdo is very similar to the Japanese sword arts. However, you should know that Haidong Gumdo is actually the Korean way of the sword. There are plenty of good moves and practicing will require you to use a wood sword known as a Mok Gum. The most common Haidong Gumdo techniques include cuts, sheathing, and paldo. There is a slight difference between haidong gumdo and Japanese sword fighting styles. While Kendo and other Japanese styles force you to fight a single opponent, Haidong Gumdo is going to prepare you to face off with multiple opponents.

Longsword Fighting

Longsword fighting is also very popular. However, it is going to be very tough to master. And, you’re going to need a great deal of strength. After all, you’re going to be required to carry the sword in both hands. The sword’s size and weight make longsword fighting very difficult for many. Nevertheless, the basic moves are very similar to fencing. You’ll need to learn how to thrust, parry and strike. In terms of defense, you’ll learn to block and step properly.

When your back foot passes your front foot, you’re performing a burst. If the opposite happens, you’re performing a lunge.

Longsword Fighting Stances

You need to understand that there are several different stances used for longsword fighting. The most common is the ox ward. In this type of position, you’ll need to put your left foot forward. You should keep the sword close to your face and it’ll be aimed towards the upper part of your body. There is also the plow ward and fool ward stances. If you’re going to be practicing longswords fighting, there is a good chance that you’re going to need to master each and every one of these stances. You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the most common attack movies. The high, wrath, middle and low blows can be very effective when fighting with a longsword.

  from KatanaSale – KatanaSale https://www.katanasale.com/blogs/katanasale/sword-fighting-styles-west-to-east

from Katana Sale https://katanasale.wordpress.com/2018/06/20/sword-fighting-styles-west-to-east/

[praphit]

My Hot Fling

So, I've been trying to get back into the grind... back in the swing... on the horse... in the mix...

oh shazam, cinnamon trail mix... delicious...

Anyway, after the Oscar season, and the typical January crapfest of movies, and February - that shall now be known as "Black Panther Month", I figure it's time to get adjusted back to regular ass movies. But, it's difficult... Black Panther was soooooo awesome! It's like I had an amazing vacation fling with...

Alicia Keys -

- which would be extra crazy because she's married with kids, but whatever... What?? She's the married one, not me... I wouldn't be doing anything wrong. She works hard, she deserves a guy on the side; especially a guy like me... you should be happy for her and I. What??! DON'T Y'ALL JUDGE ME!

As I was saying! The fling!:We'd do amazing things on an exotic beach *wink*. I'd meet her celeb friends - go golfing with Kanye, gambling with Denzel, drankin and chess with Cardi B. Then back to romance with Alicia. AWESOME JUICE!

Then... I'm back in my city of Baltimore - back to my regular ass questionable flings and celebs. Clubbin with Joe Flacco

- doing shots with Catherine Pugh... it's just not the same.

Black Panther was THE FLING - though another "THE FLING" will be happening in April with "Infinity War".

 (Look at Thanos there... he's gonna get those Avengers, and get them GOOD! - Wow, I think I might be cheering for him... what's wrong with me?? He just looks so mighty... and kinda like he's taking a dump. But, it's a mighty dump... the mightiest dump OF ALL TIME! - sorry, that's nasty) 

Should I get back on the... swing of the grinded horse? or wait until something amazing comes around again (Avengers, sonn!)??

I've had some options: That Wrinkly Time Movie

- but that's like going on a date with someone who's sponsored by Disney you know?? - not Marvel Comics cool Disney either, but that classic Mickey Mouse Disney.

Not that there's anything wrong with those types; I love those people in my life. But, you can't really call it a "fling" if it's rated G... and that's all you're getting there.

"Strangers" 2 baby!

 - I heard it was crazy stupid though. Like... well-off suburban white family goes off to a vacant, foggy trailer park... they see dead bodies, and go investigate while leaving all of their phones on the table and their door open stupid.

Plus, it's Christina Hendricks as the new leading white woman!

- a tall, physically strong, feisty woman... two of the three Strangers are small ladies. C.H. could have channelled her inner Liam Neeson and taken out at least two of those Strangers by herself. But, no... running scared.

Then there is "Tomb Raider"

- but why?? Not "why see it?" (though that too), but "why make it?" The last Tomb Raider (a video game that I'm not sure people even play anymore) starred Angelina Jolie - which back then she was one of the most popular movie stars around, and who looked just like Lara Croft (The TR).

Alicia Vikander (above), though much respect for her training for this ro... wait, what?? - you don't know who she is? - yeah, you're not alone, and that's the prob; it was doomed to fail.

It's like going on a blind date, and when you see them for the first time, you know immediately(simply based off their look) that this is going to fail. That's when you turn around, get back into your vehicle, and politely drive away...never to contact them again - at least that's what I do... is that not polite?? It's honest though... does honesty equal polite?? - Idk anymore... I'm not a scientist.

What I'm trying to say is...

I don't remember my point... wait, let me get another beer..

...

...

...

Right... MOVIES!

- Then, I came across a string of strong Christian films. People say to me sometimes, "John Praphit, you need a strong Christian woman!" - to which I always reply "Why?"

I'm not saying that I disagree, but you can't tell me how you think I should be running my life, and not have a reason. Your programmed biblical response is not a reason. I want thought-provoking advice (always FYI).

Regardless, I said to myself "Maybe I need to change it up and check out one, if not all of these new Christian flicks!" So, I checked out some trailers of these new movies... (Samson", "I can only Imagine", "Paul, Apostle of Christ", "God is not dead: A light in Darkness"... I decided to check out what they were packin... UGH, and I was quickly reminded of why I don't see movies like these.

Look, I love me some Jesus, but my goodness!

I know what your judging minds are thinking - "Praphit, how can you love Jesus, but not support the cause?"

*Deep Sigh* Well, I'm glad you asked:) Let's take a look at some trailers.

#1 - Samson

a) How you gonna NOT cast The Rock? It's the same problem that we had with Tomb Raider. The Rock may very well be the reincarnation of Samson - you prove me wrong.

b) Right from the beginning, selling God as a arbitrary rule maker: 3 vows - no drankin (You monster), no touching of the dead (that's my whole Friday night - can't a brotha live!), and no cutting of the hair (I wonder if that's on his entire body? - if so, he's way too smooth for that role).

c) You spoiled the movie! As a Christian, I know about how things end for Sammy, but not everybody does! What are y'all doing??!

d) Plus, I think they need to sex it up a lil more with Delilah. Caitlin Leahy plays her - a beautiful, young actress... but they're not doing her any favors here. She has got a mom vibe going on (LET ME FINISH... not in a bad way). Mom's are sexy too, but... when I think Delilah, I'm thinking

BLAOW!

Alicia Keys, also a mother, but... that's proving my point. We'll give her taste in men a pass:)

I don't believe that Mrs. Mom Vibe (Deleezy) in the movie can get it done.

BTW - Billy Zane is in this - y'all remember him?

No??

(his head in this pic is huge... I'm getting lost in it. Someone is all up in his business, yet he still remains calm and... what face IS he making? A face that says "I'm Billy Zane", and nothing more. But, I guess there's nothing more you need to say, if you're BIllyZane... ... sorry, still lost)

He's playing King Balek... btw, some of these scenes have a slight homoerotic feel to them for a Christian movie.

King Balek: "Find out everything you can about this smooth yet unshaven MAN OF MEN Samson! What are his weaknesses... his likes, his dislikes, how does he smell? is he... adventurous?"

#2 - "Paul, Apostle of Christ"

 a) Isn't that Jesus? Man, you ain't Luke... yo name is Jesus! You can't fool me! Jim Caviezel will always be Jesus. I remember watching that show "Person of Interest" which just made me think of Jesus walking around shooting people - He finally got tired of our sinful, rebellious ways... that's how the Second Coming might look (so be ready). I can see the NRA now - being scared of multigun weilding Jesus, but at the same time filled with pride.

b) A lil homoerotic for a Christian movie again - did you see how Paul reacts when Luke comes to see him? Paul: "Luke, I never thought I'd see your sexy face again; let me touch it. Come down here a lil closer for a hug... oh yeah, that's the stuff."

c) This actually looks like a good movie, but unfortunately not enough money put behind it. Also, I wonder if people are just tired of this genre of film. Idk. ??

#3 - "I can Only Imagine"

a) Ok, so I need to take a moment. I am intimately familar with this song (this movie, btw, is pretty much an origin story... for a worship song. Look out Superheroes, cuz you're about to get schooled). I hate this song on a musical level, and yet... on a spiritual level... when I hear those piano notes - WHEW! Hallelujah!

b) ... however, doesn't the lead character kinda remind you of Kevin James? (I just ruined it for you didn't I? - now you know how I feel)

c) Plus, he calls his dad "a monster", I'm kinda on his dad's side from the trailer: He doesn't want him to pursue a silly dream (cuz he knows his son can't sing), he's struggling through an alcohol problem cuz he's being played by Dennis Quaid... and those are the types of characters Quaid always plays, and he's trying to make it up to him at the end, before he dies! (WHICH AGAIN SPOILER ALERT!)

 #4 - "God is not dead 3"

a) Was there a 2?

b) The lead actor makes me want Chuck Norris to be playing this role... like a young Chuck Norris... cg'd to the wall - beatin ass and bible thumpin! There's also a token black dude in it, who I wish was Danny Glover - cg'd to the wall! Running around, tossing soft ball questions to stump Chuck Norris (the badass bible guy). And the woman in it kinda looks like Aubrey Plaza.

Chuck, Danny, and Plaza - think about that poster

- a light of Heaven shining down on them as they prove ONCE AGAIN, that God is NOT dead... by the means of prayer and their kung fu cg hands of fury!

But, let's be honest, there's not enough money for my vision. That's the problem, most of the times these faith-based films come across too much like "Made for Tv movies". Why not pool all of the money together that's being used to make these smaller movies, and combine them for one ultimate Christian movie... or at least one ultimate Christian movie trailer:)

Also, pooling together different ideas/cultures/perspectives to make a quality film (that still gets the message across effectively) But, I guess that's like asking a bunch of churches to pull their resources together and join forces for the common goal, instead of trying to do everything on their own... making it about them... That's a ridiculous idea, I know.

I watched "Jessica Jones" Season 2 not too long ago.

JJ season 2 is soaked in feminism (and some other causes), but not obnoxiously. They set out to tell, produce, and sell a good story, and yet I still got all of the points they were making. Do something like that!

"Christiana Cross (will be her name), using her super strength to fight unbelief...and abortion:) Well, maybe not so on the nose, but you get what I'm saying, I hope. 

Wow... I have deeply digressed. Anyway, the Christian movies didn't hit me right either. Not sure what I'll do yet... get back to regular ass movies, wait for some Avengers action, or say "screw it all" and make my own Christian movie, but for now I pause to reflect on what was

 And maybe someday soon I'll get back out there.

Can I get an amen?!

[eleanorblogs]

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN | THE BALCONY REVIEW

You won’t own worries or a chest full of heart ache with this debut album…

2014 saw the rise of popstars Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith and 5 Seconds of Summer in the Top 40 Charts, but what about the underdogs of the Indie Rock genre?

Catfish and the Bottlemen were fresh on the scene with release of their first studio album The Balcony that year. Signed to Mumford and Sons guitarists (Ben Lovett) record label, he luckily noticed the rising star potential Kasabian singer, Sergio Pizzorno, chose to ignore.  The Balcony managed to grab tenth place in the UK album charts, and so forth the boys went on to tour the album in concert until November 2015. Members Van McCann (vocals), Johnny Bond (guitar), Bob Hall (drums), Benji Blakeway (base) and Billy Bibby (guitar) put the band together in 2007 in the Welsh coastal town of Llandudno in the United Kingdom. Their most popular songs from this album include Cocoon and Kathleen, which gained popularity on rock-based radio station Radio X and Zane Lowe’s hottest record in the world. The band even managed to bag their own official music videos with these two tracks.

Van McCann earned his first name from music legend Van Morrison, but is his band worth all of the excitement? I had a listen to the whole of The Balcony to find out.

The album kicks of with Homesick, a catchy and passionate number to open. Some critics has labelled it as being, “among the top ten rock songs to come out of 2014,” as the lads tell a story of a breakup and mistakes that have been made. The track builds through the verses, starting with a mellow and effective guitar line which escalates into a loud clash of impressive vocals and instrumental. McCann’s voice can be noted as frustrated in the chorus, as deeper lyrics are revealed. This brilliant structure of the song can be relatable to the listening audience who may be experiencing similar events and feelings. To summarise, this track is a great beginning from the Llandudno lads.

Kathleen is the second track, and as we listen we follow a tale of mixed feelings the singer becomes entangled with from his relationship with a girl who he knows is toxic but carries on pursuing either ways. This is one of my favourites from the album as a whole, showing more of the influenced rock side of the boys. Although it may not be suitable if you’re attempting to relax, Kathleen is a track that can be listened to if you need encouragement when completing work or simply when just hanging out with friends.

This follows on to ten-million-click hit song Cocoon, which managed to feature on the football game FIFA’s soundtrack (FIFA 15) in late 2014. Cocoon is a journey of someone being away from a loved one, and wanting to return to them no matter what anyone says. It is an indie anthem you wouldn’t want to skip, and a simply feel-good track.

Fallout is the fourth track on The Balcony, and it is unravelled throughout that the singer is torn to be in a relationship with a girl he is fond of because they constantly hurt each other, no matter whether they are together or split. The song itself has a great pace, and once again includes brilliant vocals from lead Van McCann.

A rockier and more intense number is Pacifier. It has a harsh chorus, suggesting definite influences from previous rock bands The Strokes and The Clash. It’s noisy, but also hard not to enjoy. If you’ve enjoyed the likes of Reptilia by the Strokes, you’ll love this one. McCann’s voice closely resembles that of Julian Casablancas (We still love you in your own way, Van), which makes me love Pacifier even more.

If you’re into something more relaxed, the short and sweet acoustic recording of Hourglass will be something for you. Personally, I love this track because it emphasises McCann’s vocal talent alongside the chilled chords and backing vocals which ties the song together. Another of my favourites from the album, Hourglass is fun to sing along to and can be added to any sort of media to create a light-hearted and comfortable atmosphere.

Moving along, if the lyrics, “but I've no time for your friends who can f***ing do one,” isn’t the most common British phrase for when one is angry, I don’t know what is. Business is relatable, uplifting and simply a great tune for any summer holiday. It has a brilliant build up at the bridge, followed by a more laid-black chorus, leading up to the final head-bang-worthy climax. I’m obsessed with this track; you need to make it a part of your playlist!

Two and six, 26! This is the eighth track on The Balcony, and is one I am not as familiar with (unbiased and objective head on!!). The song itself seems quite original, however uses some aspects of their iconic repeated build-up in the chorus, such as the harsh riffs and McCann’s rasp in his singing. Although I feel this one is cut short and could be developed further as a song, I overall enjoyed my first listen.

The next track is Rango (not to be confused with the film), and again it is a love story between lead-man Van McCann and an ex-girlfriend called Abby, in which their relationship didn’t work out although they remained friends. McCann revealed he wrote the song when he was sixteen, which makes it even more intriguing to listen to. This track is one that I’ve only heard once before, but I cannot help but like it. It’s heartfelt and stimulating, unveiling the Catfish boys truly for who they are and what sound they create as their own.

Sidewinder is the next track on the album, and from my first listen I picked up Paramore influences possibly? The beginning of the song matches closely to Paramore’s Brick by Boring Brick, prompting a nostalgia from my early teen years. The three-and-a-half minute track is one of the later songs the Catfish boys produced to be included on the debut album, and I can’t deny it is an easy listen. The toned-down beginning is a pleasant contrast to the following thrilling development throughout. I wouldn’t want to get stuck in a mosh-pit for it though! I’ll pass on that at an upcoming festival…

The final track on The Balcony is called Tyrants. Again, this was my first listen of the song. And again, Paramore vibes. I’m loving it. McCann’s vocals in this track can be applauded. And as for the drummer Bob Hall, this song was a great success. If you’re a fan of rock, indie, or the hybrid genre itself, get searching for this band right now. A fantastic way to close the album, with an overall astounding set of songs to follow behind.

So, to draw to a close, Catfish and the Bottlemen and their debut album haven’t done too bad! I remember 2014 being one of the best years of my high school experience, so thank you lads for becoming a part of that. It’s exciting to keep learning and listening to their material, and I will definitely be saving a larger bulk of both The Balcony and The Ride into my playlists from now on. With all the best of luck and success, keep playing and performing boys!

Until next time…

Ellie