#Along with use the Amie feature to pet and play with them.

[maddymoreau]

Pokemon Egglockes are so much fun because they get you to care about Pokemon you’ve never even given a single glance:

The Team:

[softboywriting]

Welcome To The Pack | Mendes Triplets Series | Part Ten | Raul’s Ending

Summary: You’re a human who has moved in with the Mendes triplets as their newest housemate. You’ll have to learn to navigate life with werewolves, college classes, and your feelings for each guy. [fluff] [rauls ending] [drinking] [biting]

Word Count: 3.4k

|Masterlist In Bio|

Finding yourself three drinks down at a party is unlike you. You rarely drink and when you do it's usually in a much more controlled environment, aka, your own bedroom at home. You aren't sure why you took the first drink from the host, a girl named Amy who invited you and the boys after Shawn's game. Maybe you wanted to relax. Maybe you wanted to escape the stress of school and finals. Maybe, just maybe you want to escape the feelings you're having towards the guys. It's been a wild ride the last few weeks and so many mixed signals have been thrown around you aren't sure what's what.

By the second drink you were feeling loose. Warm in your tummy and throughout your veins. You started dancing, moving with the crowd in the living room. It felt good, free.

After your third drink, something super sweet and heavily liquored, you find yourself crashing. Probably the sugar, or alcohol, or maybe you're just  exhausted from dancing. You find yourself now, collapsed on a couch watching people around you get increasingly more rowdy. You haven't seen Shawn or Raul in ages it seems. Peter came by you not too long ago to get some water in the kitchen but you didn’t say anything to him. Suddenly you feel panicked, alone, scared and drunk around a bunch of strangers.

You catch a glimpse of Raul near the stairs. You're not sure how you know it's him, you just do. "Raul." Your voice sounds horrible and you've got some burning in your throat. "Raul!"

Raul turns and spots you on the couch. He walks over and sinks down beside you. "You called?"

"I need you."

"Oh?"

You stare at him with half lidded eyes, everything a little blurry. He looks flushed, hair a mess from running his hands through it too much. A bad habit of his. "I was scared. I realized I don't know anybody."

Raul takes your hand. "I'm here."

You smile weakly. "Can we go somewhere quiet?"

"It is too loud, huh?" He pushes himself up and grabs your hands, pulling you up into his chest. He wraps his arms around you. "Wanna go outside?"

"But it's cold?"

"Not on the porch, there are heaters. Come on." Raul walks you to the screen door to the porch. Sure enough it's warms like he said. There is a heat lamp in the corner emitting waves of warmth across the screened in porch. There is no one out there surprisingly. "Take a seat," he says, plopping down on a cushioned bench.

As you move to sit down he stops you, hand on your back. "What? Something wrong?"

"Sit here." He pats his lap and you give him a wary look, unsure of the implications it may bring. "I said sit."

You waste no time and plop down across his legs. He runs a hand up your back, his other finding your jaw and gently turning your face towards him. "Your fangs are out," you giggle, touching his lower lip.

He grins lazily, showing off the prominent teeth in question. "Drinking makes it hard to control my features." He twists a bit of your hair around his fingers and tugs a little. "I don't usually drink, I don't like how I get."

"Me neither." You cup his jaw, thumb sliding over the dark dusting of stubble there and he leans into your hand, playfully biting at your palm. "You're so gorgeous."

His eyes slowly turn a rich dark honey color. You know egging him on like this is risky in his loose state, but you can't help yourself. He looks so good and so...wild. "Is this why you wanted to go somewhere quiet?" He asks, pulling his cheek away from your hand.

"Hmm?" You slide your hand into his hair instead. "Is what why?"

"This," he presses his head against your hand. "The petting."

"Petting?" You giggle, now toying with him. You run your fingers through his short messy loose curls. "I didn't know I was petting you."

He growls, eyes rolling back as you scratch along his scalp. "Stop."

"Make me." You grip his hair and tug as he grabs your leg harshly.

"You wanna play games?" He asks roughly, voice wrecked with lust as he opens his eyes and meets yours. "You shouldn't do this with me."

"I can't resist." You tug his hair again, eliciting a loud groan before you slide off his lap. You step back and he stands, body language tense. "Will you play a game with me then?"

"No."

You bite your lip and he gives you a look. "So if I run and hide, you won't chase me?"

"I didn't say that."

"Oh?" You step back toward the open screen door. "Well I guess I'll just..." You take off into the house and you can hear Raul behind you. Your heart races, pounding hard in your chest as you push through groups of people. You get to the stairs and take them two at a time as you run up them to escape him. It's no good, you’re too slow and stumbly in your tipsy state, he's right behind you. You dodge into a bedroom and that's the end. You feel him before you see him, his warmth along your back as he corners you, hands on your waist.

"Is this how it's gonna be?" He asks, mouth on your neck. "You're gonna make me hunt you down if I want you?"

"You like it."

Raul growls and sinks his teeth into the back of your neck. It sends a thrill followed by an ache through your body. Something about the way bites like you're his, it makes you weak. "Is this what you wanted? You wanted me to bite you, to chase you down and punish you for pulling my hair?"

"I'm not going to say no to that."

Raul pulls back and you turn around. He looks absolutely out of his mind. His teeth are showing, eyes fully changed. He looks borderline terrifying but you like it. You never thought you would but seeing him like this is doing something for you. You want that wild side of him. It’s so much different than anyone else you’ve ever been with.

"You should go." Raul says, looking down.

"Why? We were just messing around. It’s just for fun and-"

"I can't hurt you. I can't get involved right now. Not like this." He steps away toward the door. "I'm sorry."

Just like that you're alone. It hurts. You thought things were going well, that you were playing with him and he was playing back. You thought maybe for once you had fully broken down that wall he keeps building around himself. You wish you could fight it, you wish you could stop feeling something for him everytime you see him. It's like two steps forward and three steps back. Just when you think you have a good chance, he pulls away. You need to talk to him, sober and in a good mood, you have to lay it all out and serve your heart up on a silver platter. Either he'll reject you or he'll feel the same and you'll have made the best decision of your entire life. You know deep down that he's a good guy, that he has a heart of gold and he cares about you. It's just a matter of getting to it.

___________________

The day after the party you wake up and you’re hungover. You feel like shit and everything just feels off. You suspect it’s probably the four shots you had after Raul ghosted you. Or maybe it’s the lack of sleep you got. Either way, something feels heavier about the world today and it’s not just because you’re hungover. You make your way downstairs for some food around ten, having laid in bed and watched some videos about how crayons and cookie cutters are made just because it caught your attention and numbed your mind for a while.

The house is oddly quiet for a Saturday morning. Usually Shawn is awake and running around like a mad man getting ready to go to practice, but since the game was on a Friday that isn’t happening. Shawn doesn’t even seem to be home judging by the lack of his Jeep in the driveway. You pass Peter’s room on the way downstairs and it’s open. He is nowhere in sight for either.

When you enter the kitchen you find Raul sitting at the table sketching something. He stops when you walk in and then resumes momentarily as if to finish something. He’s not the first person you want to talk to after last night.

"You feeling okay?" He asks, looking up once more, eyes sweeping over your no doubt disheveled pajamas.

"Kinda hungover."

"Oh."

"I'm just not feeling right.”

Raul stands and grabs you a mug for coffee while you dig through the fridge for whatever you can find to snack on. He’s quiet for a moment while he sets up the single cup brewer and you’re afraid that the awkwardness of last night is getting to him.

Finally he says something. "I know painting always helps me when I'm in a mood. I just grab some colors and do whatever I feel. Sometimes it's something like roses and other still life, but other times it's just a hand full of paint and I go apeshit on a canvas."

"That actually sounds kind of fun."

"Here." He hands you a cup of freshly brewed coffee and two sugar packets, the way you like it. "Wanna try it out?"

“Sure.” You cradle the mug in your hands and take a sip. A perfect dark roast. That single cup brewer was the best thing Raul ever bought for the house. “Why not?

Raul leads you upstairs and hands you an old shirt of his that is covered in paint spots. He goes to grab his paint, a huge caddy of different tubes in varying shades. He sets the paint down and grabs the tin cup of brushes for you too. “Okay, so just do whatever you want.”

“Hmm.” You set your mug down on his dresser and look at the two blank canvases he has against the wall. One is quite large, probably kind of expensive. You don’t want to go for that one in case he’s planning on using it for something. The other canvas is good sized, probably half your height. “You’re sure?” you ask, turning and facing Raul. “I can use one of these?”

“Yeah, go for it. I’d love to have an original by you.”

“What if it’s ugly?”

“It’s never ugly if you truly love it.” Raul smiles and you turn back to the canvases. “Go on, don’t be scared.”

“I’m not scared.” You grab a tube of blue paint and a brush. There is a small pallet that looks like one Raul used recently, it’s not been cleaned off yet and the paint is dried on. You grab it and squeeze some paint onto it. “I don’t know what to do.”

Raul walks up behind you and brackets your body with his own, hands coming around your wrists. He guides your hand with the brush into the paint and then to the canvas. “Just...like this.” He guides your brush down and then up and to the side. He pauses, mid stroke and you before you can ask what is wrong he mumbles a soft,  “I’m sorry.”

“What?” You look back at him and he tugs down the back of the neck of your shirt.

“Your skin is bruised from when I bit you.”

“Oh.” You reach back and try to feel for anything out of the ordinary. “It doesn’t hurt. I think it must just be broken blood vessels.”

Raul holds your shoulders and leans into kiss your neck. “I promised you I wouldn’t hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt. It’s just a mark.”

He makes a noise of protest but doesn’t say anything.

You dip your brush back into the paint and touch it to the canvas. “I’m not making anything. Shouldn’t I painting be like...purposefully?” You ask, attempting to change the subject back to painting.

“It is purposeful.” He steps back and you paint on a few more nonsensical blue lines. “What do you feel?”

“Confused.”

“No, like deep down. You said you weren’t feeling the best today. Show me.” Raul places the paint caddy closer. “Show me, and don’t tell me.”

You look to him and he has his arms crossed, watching you intently. It’s a little intimidating. You grab black from the bucket and squeeze a dollop on to the pallet. The brush streaks the black along as you paint a little curl. Everything feels too formal. It feels like you’re trying too hard to make something good. That isn’t the point. You drop the brush and stick your hand in the paint on the pallet, palm half blue and half black. You smear it down the center of the spots you painted with the brush. It feels good.

“There you go.”

You grab red, purple and the black again. You squeeze the paint directly on your hand and press it to the white bits of canvas over and over until the paint is mostly off your hand. The whole thing is a mess. A smile spreads across your face and you can’t stop it. The sheer ridiculousness of the situation is too fun and it’s really helping you ease the tension from last night. “Raul, I need your hand.”

“Mine?” He steps closer and holds his hand out palm up for you. “What for?”

“Art.” You put some purple on his palm and spread it around with your fingertips until it’s covered. “Put yours on there.”

Raul presses his purple hand to the canvas and pulls away, leaving a big print. “Is that what you wanted?”

“Yeah.” You mix some purple and blue in your hand for a darker blue and you make a bunch of hand prints around Raul’s. Minutes pass and you just keep adding more and more paint, destroying some hand prints and making others. You always leave Raul’s perfectly intact. It’s the centerpiece, the reason for your painting. “I think I’m done.” You say after there is no white canvas left. “I feel better.”

“Good. It looks great.” Raul pulls you back by your shoulders and you take a few steps back with him. “I love it."

"It's like a kindergarten project."

"No. It's art. It's your expressive piece, don't be negative because it's not some big complicated detailed painting." Raul moves around you and grabs a brush. "You have to sign it."

You push the brush away and grab the white paint. You look to Raul as you cover your hand. He's smiling, a look of pure joy on his face. Your heart skips as he moves closer, hand outstretched.

"You've got some hair in your face. Can I?"

"Please."

Raul brushes your hair back and cups your cheek. His other hand, the one with the purple paint rests on your neck, thumb over your pulse point. There is no doubt he can feel your heart pounding. "Your eyes are beautiful."

"They are?"

"Mmhmm." He stares, eyes heavy lidded and you can't help but try to look away. "They're my favorite color.”

“Y-yeah?”

“Hey, look at me." He says softly and you do. "Don't be embarrassed."

"I-I'm not....and if you love my eye color so much why have you never showed me what you painted with it?"

"I'll show you. I promise." Raul slides his hand from your cheek into your hair. His eyes leave yours for just a moment to look to your lips. They feel dry and you're suddenly very aware of that so you lick them just as he looks. You're sure it is sending a very suggestive message, one you aren’t going to revoke.  "Can I kiss you?" He asks.

"Yes."

He leans in and you bring your hand up to lay on his chest. His heart is beating just a wildly as yours is. You're sure he's a nervous wreck under his cool exterior. You smile, chuckling a little and making him pull back just enough to keep his lips against yours.

"What?" He whispers, eyes meeting yours. "What's so funny?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Mmhmm. I knew you were a softie underneath it all." You bump his nose with yours and he pretends to curl his lip up at you. "I guess you're not as wild as you appear."

Raul adjusts the hand on your throat, pressing a bit and your mouth falls open just a little. "I'm as wild as I need to be, and you love it."

"I do." You murmur and he kisses you again, teeth sinking into your lip carefully as he tilts your head up for a deeper kiss. You lean into him, moaning a little as he licks into your mouth. He kisses like no one else you've been with before and you love it.

Raul pulls away. He smirks, eyes now on your neck. "Oops."

"What?" You reach up and touch your skin where his hand had been. There are remnants of purple on your fingertips. "Is there a handprint on my neck?"

He nods, biting his lip. "Sure is."

You point to his shirt where you laid your hand. There's a white hand print right over his heart. "You got a little something there too."

Raul looks down and pulls his shirt out. "Oh, looks like you left your mark on me."

"I guess we're even now for my neck."

"Mmm, but I plan on leaving a lot more marks on you." He steps forward and you stop him with your hand. “If you’ll let me.”

"Easy. I have to finish my painting." You look over and he does too. "And you have a painting to show me."

“I’ll go grab it.” Rauls says and turns to go out of his room.

You cover your hand in white paint again and press it to his purple hand print on the canvas. It’s smaller and you smile as you pull away. It’s a mess, a huge mess of colors and chaos but in the center of it all is those hand prints. It’s kind of a perfect metaphor for you and Raul.

“Hey, have you seen-”

You turn and see Peter standing in the doorway to Raul’s room with Shawn behind him. “Have I seen what?”

Shawn pulls Peter back by his shoulder and laughs. “Nothing, we were just looking for you. Wanted to make sure you got home okay last night.”

“Looks like you did,” Peter says and points to his neck. “You got a little...uh...paint on your neck right here.”

You bite your lip and nod. “Yeah, it’s Raul’s fault.”

“Oh. Because it looks like a hand...print.” Peter says softly as he realizes that it wasn’t an accident and a handprint like that means...well....could mean a more intimate situation. “We’ll be going.”

Raul pushes in to the room past the other two and he’s holding a canvas. “What do you guys want?”

“Nothing.” Shawn says, grabbing the door handle and pulling it closed. “We were just checking up on you guys.”

“We’re good, thanks guys.” Raul says with a chuckle, looking to you and holding up the painting. “Here...it is.” He walks toward you and stops, looking at your little white hand in his on the canvas. “You signed it.”

“I did.”

Raul hands you a small canvas and you take it with your clean hand. It’s a painting of you and all three boys, like a family portrait. It’s like staring at a photograph it’s so perfect. “I was going to give it to you for the holidays.” He says and you turn it over to see he’s signed the back. Below his name is the words, Welcome To The Pack. “But I promised I’d show it to you when it was done.”

“I love it.” You set it down and pull him close. “Thank you.”

He cups your face and kisses you gently. “No, thank you. I don’t know where I'd be if you hadn’t moved in. I can't imagine not falling for you and finding the softer side of myself again. I...I adore you.”

“I adore you too Raul.” You press your forehead to his and he closes his eyes. “I adore you too.”

End

_____________

Thank you for reading! Please reblog if you enjoyed this and reblog to support and encourage myself and fellow writers. Next part coming soon! - A

Custom header per part made by the incredible delicateshawn

*****Note: none of my works should be posted anywhere outside of my linked accounts. I do not give permission to repost with or without credit to my accounts. Please notify me of any reposted fics.*****

[enigma-im]

Stone in Love

Prompt #5

Subject: Toys Monster: Gorgon

                  A couple try out a new toy

---------------------------

"You have a package," Amy calls from the foyer. I look up from my book, confused for a moment at what I could have possibly ordered. Then it clicks.

I bolt out of my office with a delighted giggle as I fly down the steps. I catch Amy's amused confusion as she takes the box to the kitchen. I follow her in, grinning behind her as she grabs a knife from the drawer.

"Jesus, what did you get? So damn excited," Amy chuckles.

"Just open it," I slide the box towards her," it's a gift for us both."

"Gift for us both? Well now I'm excited and curious," she grabs the box. Gliding the knife over the tape I wait with bated breath for her to see what's inside. As she gets the flaps open her smile drops, confusion settles on her face as she grabs the box inside. I watch her pull the mystery item out, flipping it around as she read it.

"a strap on," she snorts, " I love to know how you talked yourself into buying this."

"Well, I was talking to Shamaya about it and I just fell in love with the idea," I read the box over her shoulder," also look at the features. It's detachable and vibrates, so if you aren't…into it, then we can still use the dildo part."

"Because that's what we need, more dildos," Amy cocks a brow over her shoulder.

"Oh, stop, you can never have enough dildo. Don't make me laugh," I snatch the box from her hand. I tear into it, grabbing the harness out first. I stretch the belt, admiring the length, and feel. One size fits all, with a stretch like that I guess so. I pass the harness to Amy before grabbing the dildo out. The vibration controller is wrapped around the base with some plastic covering.

"What batteries does it need," Amy asks as she sets the belt down.

"Double A's I believe," I twist the item around.

We set up the device, batteries in, and dildo settled in the harness. We play with the settings, feeling the vibration levels.

"it's loud," I comment.

"Meh, it's as loud as the purple one upstairs," she shrugs.

"Yea but that one has way more speeds than this. But I guess discretion isn't a priority here," I poke her with the tip," as long as it's loud and proud and down to clown, the sound shouldn't matter." Amy slaps the dildo away with a snort.

"Shut up," she pushes away. I come right back to her, grabbing around her waist as I set the device down. I lean in close, letting my hair trail little kisses over her forehead. The snakes tasting her salty flavor.

"Does this seem like something you would be interested in trying," I catch her eyes.

She shrugs," I mean, if it's something you want to play with I will be open-minded. But my real question is, who is wearing the strap on?" I grin down at her as a snake pushes a strand of hair out of her face.

--

Amy has always had a way of driving me crazy with just her lips. Ever since the day our eyes met and she didn't make a joke about turning to stone I was smitten. Her softness always makes me groan and her taste- oh god her taste- is divine. Both sets of lips ramp me up to animalistic degrees.

As I settle between her thighs all thought leaves my head. Her legs over my shoulder and thighs loosely clamped around my head. My hair teases at her thighs and hips, tasting her skin with flicks of their tongues. Tagging along I too take a chance to taste her. I flick my tongue lazily over her, trailing wet licks up and down. Out the corner of my eye, I see her petting one of my snakes, tracing a finger under its chin.

Amy has always had a fondness for my monstrous hair. Ending the initial insecurities with a kiss to each hissing strands.

I take my time to enjoy every flick of my tongue, every short thrust of her hips, every flex of her fingers and toes. I could get lost in her for hours. It's when her moans grow frustrated and her nails dig behind my neck do I allow her a release. Her cries of pleasure play like a symphony to my ears as I devour her. Trailing off with one last kiss to her clit before I rest my head on her thigh.

"You would think the teeth would catch more often but you maneuver like a pro," she jokes. I chuckle with her, petting her stomach.

"Don't know why you would think I don't know my way around your crotch, I guess I just have to prove it every night," I dive between her legs again, her screech of laughter tickles in my chest. She pushes against my shoulder with a big grin matching my own.

"Stop it. go get your dick," she pushes me away with her foot.

I scoff," Don't say it like that." I crawl off the bed, heading towards the dresser.

"What else would I call it," she poses on the bed," perhaps 'babe, grab your penetrator'?"

I glance over my shoulder," Keep talking and I put my shirt back on and leave."

Amy rolls her eyes as she falls back into the bed," such empty threats." I snort, shaking my head as I attach the harness to myself. I grab the vibrator from the dresser and walk towards her. I take a moment to enjoy the view, her sprawled on our bed with a small smile.

"You look so beautiful," I mumble. Her grin widens as she reaches out her hands.

"Stop the flattery and fuck me," she answers.

I crawl onto the bed between her legs," As my love commands."

The vibrator is cold in my hands. I attach it to the harness, having a bit of fun with the new look. I wiggle the cock about before resting it on her mound. My hips roll back as I watch the tip nudge at her folds, parting them with a small thrust. The tip traces along her, poking at her clit with timid bucks.

"you know I don't care for teasing," she wraps her leg around my thigh, pulling me closer.

I chuckle," patience was never your strong suit." she tugs me closer again with a snarl. Truly a woman after my heart.

I finish her short time of foreplay by spreading her to press the tip into her. The view of the vibrator disappearing inside her is a thrilling sight. My cunt throbs as I delve inside hers. My mouth hangs out with a slow gasp as she groans. I take my time pulling out and thrusting in.

"How's it feel," I ask softly, too fascinated at the view of her twat.

"Good, but it could be better," she baits. I let her lure work, reaching for the controller. Our eyes meet as I wait with a bit of anticipation. I let the uncertainty build and turn on the first level right as she opens her mouth to be a bit more of a brat. I buck in to the hilt as her head falls back onto the pillow. The vibration affects us both, though her more than me. I roll into her, switching my interest from her cunt to her chest. As I increase the roll of my hips her tits bounce around.

I turn the vibration up another level, chuckling as a choked groan leaves her throat. My hands catch myself as I fall onto all fours. I listen to her near-whisper cries as I kiss down her neck to her chest. My snakes taste along her sweaty skin, adding new sensations to my already riddled brain. My legs get a bit tired of the strange angle but the feel of her nipple on my tongue gives me a new rush of energy. I roll her nub over my tongue, our hips meeting. Our bodies clapping, her moans, and the faint buzzing from within her echo around the room. It’s a beautiful symphony.

The vibrator gets cranked to the final level. Her hips roll and grind on the vibrator as my hips pull it from within her before thrusting back in. I relish in the sounds of her nearing release, growing hotter at ever cry.

"Please," she groans. Amy leans over and presses a kiss to a curious snake, nuzzling into them with panting breath. I reach between us, pressing a finger to her clit. Her back arches, a groan rips from deep within in. soon her body spasms, bucking wildly into me. I relent on my own thrust, too concerned with hurting her. I watch as she comes down, little whimpers leaving her lips as she grabs a fistful of her hair.

"Fuck," she closes her eyes. I detach the vibrator from myself, using my hands to take the item out. She arches again before settling. I crawl up her body, setting the dildo on the nightstand before cuddling up next to her. Her arm curls around me, playing with my hair.

"That good," I grin. She turns to me with a lazy smile.

"You have to try it next," she answers.

"Oh, yea?"

"Definitely."

---------------------------------

Never written a lesbian story before, i did a bit of research on this one. Watched a video explaining strap ons and the different types. Was an experience that i fairly enjoyed. love learning.

Complete Series

Check out my Archive | Masterlist | Main Blog

[hypexion]

The Girl Who Waited is the episode where Amy dies, but then survives because of time weirdness. It’s a change of pace from it happening to Rory. This episode also has more emotional torque than all of arc episodes have put together, because it’s very character-driven.

Of all the episodes featuring the characters, The Girl Who Waited is probably the most Amy/Rory episode of them all. Everything that happens in this episode, and all the character interactions are driven by their relationship, and in a way where it’s actually treated seriously. Which is really one of the strengths of The Girl Who Waited - it actually treats the Amy/Rory relationship as a relationship instead of a joke. It’s a nice change of pace.

Of course, The Girl Who Waited’s main strength is how streamlined it is. With a cast of four characters, two played by the same actress, it’s an incredibly lean episode. This gives plently of space for those sweet, sweet character interactions, and room to develop Future Amy enough as a character that it’s actually a sad moment when she dies.

Future Amy is a pretty top-notch character all around, really. Rather than going for a quick gimmick, we instead get someone who bears the weight of 36 years of isolation. Her previous obsession with the Doctor has turned to hatred, a contempt towards the man who failed her and left her behind, again and again. It’s such an obvious dark path for Amy, yet one she could never follow in a normal episode. But in the split timestreams of The Girl Who Waited, this potenial future can come into being. This antipathy towards the Doctor is contrasted with her still existent love for Rory, to the point where Future Amy is willing to risk her entire existence in order to save Past Amy, all for the love of Rory. She even names her pet robot Rory, which is nice, in a sort of weird way.

This is also a pretty good episode for Rory. Him being in love with Amy is used for actual emotional conflict, since he ends up wanting to save both Amys, because he’s such a big-hearted fellow. And with his wife trapped in an alternate quarantine timestream, he quickly comes into conflict with the Doctor in regards to how exactly they got into this mess. There’s more Rory depth in this episode than the one where his daughter gets abducted by space fanatics, which is good for The Girl Who Waited and perhaps bad for the other episode.

The final piece of this episode’s puzzle is, of course, the villain. No, not the robots. The robots are a slightly interesting but ultimately non-malevolent obstacle. The Girl Who Waited‘s villain hides behind a bow-tie and tweed jacket, while passing all the responsibility off on others. The villain is the Doctor. Writers have tried, and will try again to find a way to paint the Doctor as sinister, or not completely good. Hell, that’s what Series Six’s main arc is based around. Yet Tom MacRae succeeds, gracefully, where others fail. Because the Doctor isn’t dangerous because he’s good at saving the day, or fighting for what’s right. He’s not a danger because he makes people want to be something more. The Doctor is a danger because he’s arrogantly careless. He doesn’t check if where he’s going is hazardous, but just blindly waltzes in. He assumes victory before it occurs, and always makes himself the highest authority. In The Girl Who Waited, the Doctor lies to Rory, Amy and Amy, making them think that both Past and Future Amy can live. Then, once Past Amy is safe, he closes the door on Future Amy - and makes Rory lock it. This is, without a doubt, worse than anything Ten did as “Time Lord Victorious“. The Doctor knowingly uses a false hope to manipulate his friends, before disposing of a person simply because they’re an “abberation“ without hesitation. This is darkness.

Overall, The Girl Who Waited is an episode that takes an interesting idea, and explores it to the fullest. Characters react to the situation, new facets are revealed, and nothing comes along to undermine any of it. After a slew of generic episodes and questionable arc episodes, The Girl Who Waited shows that when it’s on form, Doctor Who can be not just good, but great.

[c-atm]

Dance in the Pale Moonlight chapter 1

Based on @meku95 awesome Witchanddemonau

      She groaned as she walked out of the Delmarva public library finishing her shift and not just because of the idiocy she endured all day. Not even cause of her co-workers, who at times are annoying as all hell. No no...The source of the young witch in training groans, stood on the steps of the library surrounded by curious and flirty females and males. 

 Wearing his signature dark pink three piece suit, victorian-style bubblegum pink shirt, diamond collar pin, black loafers stood Steven Diamond Universe. In addition to his normal standout attire he placed on a pair of shades  to cover his eyes and a hood to cover his ...other features(despite being able to 'glamour' them away.) On his shoulder sat a purple owl.

She sighed at the sight of his rabid fandom and the whining they made when he pushed pass them to get to her side.

"You're looking quite lovely today, My lady." 

She grimaced at his slick tone slightly, before leading him around back into an alley for some privacy. When it was clear that no one was following them  She growled at him. 

“Steven.. Why are you here?”

“Can’t a familiar see his beautiful summoner, without summoning?”

“Not when said familiar is a demon with horns and such.”’

He chuckled as he pulled his hood and shades off, ignoring his lady’s protest, revealing..His slight tan skin, human like eyes and slight freckled face..completely human-like and teasingly smirking.as he folded the hood over his forearm. .

Connie turned away feeling her face grow a bit warm.‘ Sheesh.  His playing is gonna kill me.’ 

“So why are you here, again?.” She folded her arms  above her chest as she arched an eyebrow at the person in front of her, trying to ignore the budding affection that seems to grow just a bit every time they meet.

“I was just...around the area and figured I’d stop by.”

She kissed her teeth at his very weak answer.“Uh-huh…” With a nod, she looked at the dove on his shoulder and with a sweet smile she asked. 

"Amy. Why are you and your 'Big Bro' in the city?"

"He got into it with Pearl again!"

"Amethyst!" 

"Steven, really?"

He stiffened at her slightly dissatisfied tone, his pride of a familiar wouldn't allow him to look bad in his mistress's eyes. 

She sighed tiredly. It was common but still she rather not her master in witchery and her friend and partner... be at odds with each other so often.

."So..What was it about this time?" 

As the purple bird was about to answer, he pressed his index and middle finger on her beak, keeping her shut.

"Nothing to concern yourself with, my lady. Just a bit of a hiccup on a mission is... ah!

He waved his index finger in pain as Amethyst flew from his shoulders to the lightly chuckling Connie's. 

"You kind of deserved that, Steven."

"Mean! That was mean Big Bro."

Steven only snared in response as Connie rubbed the birds under belly caringly inciting a smug look on Amethyst face.

  "So...What happened on the mission?" 

Steven and Amethysts looked at each other  before Steven sighed in defeat, nodding.

   From Amethyst story, The Crystal Witches found the whereabouts of a demon who uses music as a weapon, lurking in North Delmarva. It was supposed to be relatively weak, enough  for two of them; Steven and Pearl..Amethyst tagged along as well.

  The demon had been masquerading as a street performer and had set up in the very center of a shopping market. It was said that the demon was targeting humans, bewitching them, making them it's slave and stealing their vitality for power...Specifically it was targeting humans with aptitude for magic.

    When they arrived they saw evidence that the information was correct. The residents were passed out appearing to sleeping peaceful and bodies with an unnatural tone of gray to their skin. They decided to split up Steven and Amethyst to the west and Pearl to the east, agreeing to inform the other when they made contact.

   The market was completely under the demon siege, the deeper they went in finding more of the same. Steven and Amethysts stopped when they heard  a lullaby being played on a ukulele, before running towards the music, they paused as they watched the purple hooded demon slowly drained the vitality of a group of young teens. The good thing is that at the time, they had the element of surprise; it seemed it was too engrossed in it's meal and performance to even register them.

Seeing this as a perfect chance, Amethyst attacked the demon first..and was unceremoniously kicked back to Steven side. Steven attacked almost immediately in a ready to send the demon back to it's world, harshly..Only to be obstructed by a small condensed forcefield of vibration keeping Steven back. With a strum of it's instrument the barrier  explodes throwing Steven, and A few unlucky bodies back. He landed hard headfirst through a pole, Amethyst was able to catch the humans that were thrown in the explosion and get them to relative safety.

By the time Steven was done shaking the cobwebs out of his head and Amethysts was done checking on the humans, Pearl was steadily beating the demon back, exhausting it's borrowed strength with quick spells and hand to hand combat. Steven and Amethysts watched as Pearl broke the instrument In the demon's hand with a stab of her staff, the gathered vitality returning to the people. The demon growled before leaping back and vanishing in a purple mist, leaving a musical note in the form of energy before that too disappeared.

After they made sure the humans were indeed gonna be alright..Pearl and Steven got into it.

Pearl reprimanding them both for not calling her when they found the demon, sloppy fighting, and being foolish enough to try to fight it alone and putting the demons victims in potential danger..

Embarrassed Steven retaliated, stating they saw a chance and took it..Also they forced the demon to use a great amount of it's stolen power before her arrival, allowing Pearl to get the upper hand, and even then she couldn't finish it off. 

From there it deteriorated to petty insults towards each other all the way back to the temple with Amethyst trying to play peacemaker.  It was when they were at the temple things got more heated and personal. 

"That's enough Amethyst, no need to talk about it anymore."

Steven interrupted as Amethyst before she said too much. Connie turned to her familiar, looking concerned at his dark tone.

"Ah!..I..I'm sorry bro."

"Not your fault. She was just mad…" He turned his attention to Connie and gave her a sly smile. "As to why we are here? Garnet stated that she saw our 'friend's is somewhere in the city. I was hoping to have you join in our investigation. "

Connie sighed tiredly, but smiled nonetheless. "Sure, but I haven't felt anything around her though."

"Neither did we, but Big bro just wanted you by him. He was worried!" 

Steven smirked and shrugged..She wasn't lying. "Demon hunting is second priority when up against even a moment with you, my beloved lady."

Connie groaned at his flirting, her face hiding it's red. "Let's just get going, can we do that?"

"Lead the way, my lady."

"Can we get some food while we demon hunt, I want a torta!" Amethyst squawked on the young witch's shoulder, making Connie winced at the loud sound. 

"Amethyst get off Connie shoulder, yeah? Cover yourself with the hood."

Amethyst with a disappointing groan leapt from the witch's shoulder and down to the ground, when Steven tossed the hood upon Amethyst, covering her completely. 

The sounds of bones cracking could be heard as the purple bird shapeshift into a body of a robust female human, short in stature. Under the hood was plump lips,a button nose, amethyst stone freckles, purple hair covering the left of a pair of violet eyes, and light almond skin with purple streaks. Overall she was what some would consider exotically attractive. 

She gave the witch in training a smile before giving her a hug around the waist. 

“Can we get those tortas now?”

Connie had to giggle at the childish request before nodding, returning the hug as well. 

“My lady! Where’s my affection?” 

Connie scoffed at Steven complaining as she pet the smaller girl's head. “You be quiet and let’s go search.”

Steven whimpered teasingly but followed along closely behind giving a chuckle towards the witch; one that Connie couldn't help but blush at.

As they walked off the property grounds a regular walked by glancing at the trio from their right peripheral, suspiciously. Steven locked eyes with them for a moment before giving a slight grin and continuing on his way. 

As they walked the populated city, Connie couldn't help but smile at the adorable actions of her demon cohorts. Amethyst stopped and looked at almost every food shop, magazine and comic stands and toy store. Each time smiling brightly. 

Steven, for his part, took a more attention towards the task of actually trying to find the demon presence at each stop. She watched as his eyes always narrow for any magic signature. As his nostrils flexed for any non-human yet familiar smell. As his ears twitched for any sound with an unearthly presence. She had to admit, her familiar was impressive when he was determined. It was an begrudgingly attractive trait.

 That didn't stop him from joining his 'little sis' in window shopping though, or taken his mistress's hand and leading her into a shop they found interesting. Her protest usually ignored to the point of her allowing it..To the point of her almost interlocking hers with his. A few hours into their investigation/playing and with the sun setting...

They didn’t find any demon.

Amethyst did get torta though..So that was one victory. 

Connie found herself sitting on a bench as stretching a bit tiredly, as the demon duo found interest in a clothes boutique.

'This..This was a great way to spend the afternoon actually..' 

Connie allowed a smile on her face at that thought. she actually needed this she realized. If it was any other day, she probably would have headed home. Get some witchcraft training, read a book..All alone in her home. 

"Probably would have summoned Steven just to kill the boredom." Her smirk was a bit cynical. 

Her home was almost always empty but that isn’t very new, comes with being orphaned against your will..that and becoming ' the quiet, cold. occult girl' as she heard people around the village she lives at called her. The little snickers and sneers about her being too weird, too uptight, too self-centered and such behind her back..It seeped under her skin for some reason. Her smile dropped into a frown.

“Whatever..They're just idiots, who doesn't know anything about the truths of this world. .. Who cares about them?” She hated how sadden her voice sounded. She leaned back before looking back at the troublemaking demons. Steven trying to get Amethyst to stop taking clothes off of random mannequins with little success. A small smirk on her face as she looked at her familiar, reprimanding his ‘little sister’ actions, before whispering something in her ear. Getting a smile from Amethyst ,who seemed determined in whatever the task he gave her. 

She felt a small heat in her cheeks when he looked at her from the corner of his eyes.and waved towards her.

“Silly demon.” 

She was a bit surprised at warmth in  her voice as she waved back before watching Steven smirk and walk out of view.

 It was then that she felt a chill down her spine..and not the delightful she gets from Steven at times..No this one was caused by the feeling of being observed. She stood up, fist clenched as she looked for any sign of an enemy.

The seal on her right glowed and surged with magic as she looked around. Her senses heighten  and more sensitive to magic signatures. She looked at the billboards..nothing..The arcade..nothing…

' Steven come to me.'

The Crest glowed at her thought and almost instantly, rising behind her from the shadows stood Steven. His face determined, and still glamoured as a human but his eyes took their original black and dark pink.

"My lady?" His voice was cool with a bit of a worry but low.. A whisper.

"Is Amethyst still with you?" 

"She's staking out on the wall..It's definitely somewhere in this area.." 

"No kidding..I feel like it was watching me. just for a moment." 

His lady's abashed tone caused the familiar clenched his fist in rage..

' To cause discomfort to my Connie..I'll see this demon dead before dawn'  

He grinned gently towards his contractor, his eyes still vigilantly searching.

"Admiring your beauty to the point of losing concentration..Can't blame them. Your visage is quite distracting, my lady."

Connie lighty smirked,  grateful for the attempt at humor.

"Not enough it seems..It's back to masking its presence."

Steven was about to agree when a female scream was heard to the west. Steven quickly crouched in front of her, looking back expectantly, who nodded before climbing on.. 

Steven knew it was serious but.he couldn't  help the warmth he felt having her so close..Arms around his neck, knees and calves squeezing his sides, and his hand folded behind him as a makeshift seat for his lady. The fact that she always seem to instinctively press against him too was  bonus.

He leapt from street lamp to street lamp heading towards the growing crowd and the presence of a fading heartbeat along with its magic.. The closer they got, the stronger the scene. They stopped on a tree limb above the crowd, watching as the police and ambulance scattered the crowd and  the paramedics went to put the body in a bag or at least attempt to .as soon as the body was touched..It broke and shattered like brittle brimstone.Though it did give Steven enough time to confirm the identify the body through smell..along with other traits.

"It's the demon, we were chasing..Someone got to them first." 

The way he spoke compounded the concern in Connie. She expected him to be more relaxed but, she could feel his anger radiating off him 

“Isn't that a good thing? Wasn't that what we set out to do?"

He glared deepened  just a bit.

"It's not the result...t's the method."

They got a quick glance at the body before it broke..and it was a sight he wished his lady didn't see.. 

The demon..It suffered..The look of pure torment on the corpses face told him that much. It was gray.. stone gray and hellishly thin...much different from the last time they met..signs of being drained of spirit and magic.

 Rather it was the landing from the drop, which Steven figured due to the splattered blood..or its executioner;  the body was mangled like a rag doll. Its bone snapped and pushing through its thin skin, ligaments torn open by what seemed to be claws..jagged claws..all for the world to see. The demon was used an example or an exhibition, to whom..Steven couldn't say, but they were certainly relished in their brutality and by the tightness of Connie's grip. She felt the same discontent at the visage.

There was one other thing he got as well. The residual presence of magic from a human and a non-human. 

"This..we need to inform the witches of this..."

Connie voice wasn't that of fear but of resignation. She would have loved to investigate and try to find those responsible, but the look on Steven face said it all...They might be over their heads. She got a nod of affirmation from her familiar. 

"Amethyst" 

Almost instantaneously the limb above them shook and the demoness poked her head out of the foliage. looking quizzically at the duo.

"Yes Big Bro?"

"Go home and inform the witches."

His voice left no room for argument or questioning.

Amethyst still did the latter though. " What about you?"

He smirked before nodding his head towards Connie. "I'll be accompanying my lady home.Before heading back here."

Connie grimaced, faced red. "Hey now! I didn't agree to that!"

"Well, how else will I be able to protect my beloved lady?"

Connie gave him a gentle tap on the back of his head. A love tap. "I'm quite capable, thank you."

Steven gave her a small smile."Of course..But I need to be sure your safe,Connie. It'll calm me."

'He's hiding something...His eyes, there's worry in them.' Connie thought with a frown on her face at the false smile. "Sure.."

He nodded as he turned to Amethyst. "Hurry up, now. I'll be there later."

Amethyst, a bit disheartened at her Big bro somber tone, nodded reluctantly. Before she left though she whispered into Steven's ear, who eyes widen in thought…

"Take it with you..I'll collect it later Now go home and mask your magic."

Amethyst  smiled a bit at his usual  mischievous tone of voice. With a nod the demoness threw the hood to her brother, before  leaping from her branch before transforming into a owl..with a box in its beak. 

He watched for a moment before turning to Connie. who nodded.. They climbed down from the tree slowly, unnoticeably, blending into the busy streets..

Or so they thought. Not to far from them, someone watched with longing, envious eyes behind a chain link fence. On there palm was the crest of a contract.

[fantasyresident]

My Review For Pokemon Sword and Shield (Spoiler-Free)

The road to Sword and Shield could be considered interesting to say the least. Shit hit the fan with everyone’s accusations, complaints, and grievances before the game even came out. Death threats, fake leaks, ridiculous critics, you name it. As a dedicated Pokemon fan, I saw huge potential with Sword and Shield, and I have officially completed Shield just a couple days ago. Reviews from official critics like IGN and Gamespot mainly praise the game giving it scores of 9.3 and 9 respectively. But then others off to the side of these major critics are saying the game “isn’t worth the $60″. I can say after playing the game myself to its completion (plus some) that the game is definitely in my view worth the money. I will break down my opinions of these entries by categories of Mechanics (how well the game works, how much gameplay there is, and how valuable the gameplay aspects are) Story (how good and effective the plot of the game is) Characters (how good the characters within the plot are) Dialogue (how good the writing of the game is) and Visuals (how good the game looks from a visual perspective). Here I go.

Mechanics: (9.1/10)

Sword and Shield is jam-packed with excellent features and gameplay elements to endlessly enjoy. The new Pokemon Camp feature is the best, most interactive way of playing and building your friendship with your Pokemon. The curry cooking is very simple, but it is more interactive then just giving a floating PokePuff or Bean to a Pokemon and having them chew it slowly right in front of you only to give it yet another one until they cannot eat anymore. You can throw a ball to have your Pokemon play fetch with you, speak to your Pokemon, and have them play with the little wand toy. While you cannot pet your Pokemon like in the past, the new features feels so fresh and even just watching your favorite Pokemon interact on their own is a worthy replacement for old systems like Amie and Refresh. Aside from Camping, the Gym Challenge was by far one of the best features. Gyms actually for the first time ever felt like full-fledged Gyms. Each Gym has their own special challenge in the beginning, and each one helped diversify the experience rather than tossing you into a room with randomly arranged trainers and the Gym Leader standing at the end waiting for you to get through the maze. I particularly loved Allister’s Gym Challenge, but every one of the challenges was a fun light-hearted experience. Many nuisances from the game that lingered in the past main titles have been removed, like no longer having to farm heart scales just to experiment with different move sets, having a Pokeball throwing shortcut, having a name rater posted in every Pokemon center, and many other quality of life improvements. The only problem I find with the mechanics of the game is the pop-ins. NPCs (ones that move from place to place), wild Pokemon, and berry trees all have their pop-in moments in the game. As you approach them, they come into view normally from a mid-range distance, and fade away again if you get too far away. This isn’t a huge deal when it comes to the experience as a whole, but it did slightly rob from the otherwise fresh Wild Area experience considering the pop-ins are the worst there. Lagging while online in the Wild Area is also a slight problem, but not too persistent of a problem.

Story: (8.5/10)

The story of Shield very much reminded me of the Pokemon anime in a sense (Swords being no different other than Pokemon variations). The narrative mainly focuses on the lovable and colorful cast of characters rather than a constantly changing dynamic plot. The plot is pretty big (not a Dynamax pun I swear), but it’s mainly told through your trainer character’s perspective, so the secrets of the unfolding plot occur through the perspectives of the adult figures, which you eventually see around the end. It’s not a complex story, but I found it to be very solid, kind of like a Pokemon movie. The characters carry the story along smoothly, and it’s a nice “save the world” Pokemon plot. There’s not a bunch of lore for the region, but what lore is explained is very suitable for the Galar region and I found it to be pretty interesting. I feel like the ending wraps up a little quicker than in usual Pokemon games, but the post-game story helps to finalize things even if it contains two very weird parodical characters. I think the point of the game’s plot is timely (for a reason I cannot elaborate upon for non-spoiler purposes, but to anyone who finishes it, you may know what I mean). I feel like it really connects with a real-world issue that the world is facing currently. Additionally, the story’s presentation was handled very well in most parts, I really liked the mid-battle cutscenes and the scripted battles that remind me of classic RPGs. While I don’t think the plot of Sword and Shield beats the darker dynamic plot of Sun and Moon, it’s good and solid all the same. 

Characters: (10/10)

As I briefly mentioned in the story segment of this review, the characters are some of the biggest stars of this game. Each Gym leader stands out and have their own little backstory. These backstories aren’t told through cutscenes, but you can read their biographies on the back of their League cards which I thought was a good way of telling us more information about the Gym Leaders than we got with them in the past titles. Gym Leaders are normally just treated like pretty designs and then thrown away by the post game. Sword and Shield however puts each of them in the spotlight more and they all get some time to shine. The designs for the characters themselves I find to be particularly amazing. Personally, Piers, the long awaited Dark-type Gym Leader was my favorite, but every single one of them had something interesting in store. Aside from Gym Leaders, memorable characters like Marnie, Bede, Sonia and Leon really help liven and enrich the experience. I felt really invested in these characters, and when I feel that invested in the characters of a video game, I consider them a smashing success.

***ADDITIONAL NOTE***

I neglected to mention the most important characters to any Pokemon game: the Pokemon themselves! The designs of the Galar Pokemon and Galar forms are breathtaking. I love the vast majority of them and there’s very few that I think little of. The designs are themed and look very creative, I really loved the art direction for this generation’s Pokedex.

Dialogue: (9/10)

With the new Galar region, inspired off of the UK, the dialogue is bound to change. A lot of British slang is slipped in which was enjoyable even if I wasn’t familiar with some of it. Each character seemed to have their own way of speaking and I liked this individuality in dialogue. Nothing any of the main characters say seems off-putting, so I’d say the dialogue is in a very good place for a Pokemon game. It is a game that’s marketed for younger audiences, but it does a good job of not making you feel like a baby (something that prior titles also done a good job with), so the dialogue is consistently good for any audience. Some lines could be improved perhaps or less generic, but nothing stands out to me as an issue with dialogue, so I’d say the writing is pretty on-spot.

Visuals: (9.4/10)

This is perhaps one of the most controversial parts of these games, with many complaining about reused models, trees looking badly textured, and the game looking like just an “upscaled 3DS game”. While I do agree that the Wild Area trees are terrible-looking upon close inspection, I by no means view this game as just an “upscaled 3DS game”. The visuals of Sword and Shield are by far the greatest the series has to offer, with town areas and dungeons looking absolutely superb. Some critics think that the graphics need a dynamic change, but I couldn’t disagree more. Graphics are a subjective thing until you’re delaing with something like the textures of the game (like the trees.) If fans don’t like the Pokemon style, they shouldn’t be playing the games anymore. Sword and Shield mastered the style the franchise should have with the very interesting, beautifully rendered areas like the Glimwood Tangle and Ballonlea. I found these areas and others to be breathtaking upon first seeing them and I just really adored the look of these games. As for the character models, (the people and the Pokemon) they look just fine. They’re not the biggest upgrade, but they fit in well with the rest of the game’s style, so no problems in that department. If you are to find graphical flaws that aren’t only subjective, they can be found in the Wild Area. The trees and some ground textures (near water in particular) are a bit blurred and wonky. But then you gaze upon the surroundings as a whole and it looks quite nice. The lighting looks incredible in many areas, and I just found myself in awe of just about anything I was looking at. As for the animations, there are some new incredible animations (like Cinderace’s Pyro Ball) and many well-polished animations. There are however some of the same-old animations that didn’t work and still don’t work like double kick and tail whip. Overall, the visuals are extremely nice and just what I’d expect from a next-gen Pokemon game.

My Verdict:

Pokemon Sword and Shield was an exciting new adventure that brought me back to the old days of playing Pokemon, only without all the nuisance problems that once plagued the fun of the experience. This game reminded me of what it was like to wholeheartedly enjoy a new adventure with new lovable partners. The graphics and mechanics are beyond refreshing, even if some areas could be better polished. The narrative isn’t as wide as Gen 7′s, but it’s as solid as I’d expect a Pokemon story to get while not straying too far from the roots of what makes them good to begin with. At the end of the day, experiencing Galar was without a doubt worth the $60 price tag, and the memories gained from the experience is even more priceless.

Final Score: 9.2/10 👍

[grigori77]

2019 in Movies - My Top 30 Fave Movies (Part 1)

30.  GLASS – back in 2000, I went from liking the work of The Sixth Sense’s writer-director M. Night Shyamalan to becoming a genuine FAN thanks to his sneakily revisionist deconstruction of superhero tropes, Unbreakable.  It’s STILL my favourite film of his to date, and one of my Top Ten superhero movies EVER, not just a fascinating examination of the mechanics of the genre but also a very satisfying screen origin story – needless to say I’m one of MANY fans who’ve spent nearly two decades holding out hope for a sequel.  Flash forward to 2016 and Shyamalan’s long-overdue return-to-form sleeper hit, Split, which not only finally put his career back on course but also dropped a particularly killer end twist by actually being that very sequel.  Needless to say 2019 was the year we FINALLY got our PROPER reward for all our patience – Glass is the TRUE continuation of the Unbreakable universe and the closer of a long-intended trilogy.  Turns out, though, that it’s also his most CONTROVERSIAL film for YEARS, dividing audiences and critics alike with its unapologetically polarizing plot and execution – I guess that, after a decade of MCU and a powerhouse trilogy of Batman movies from Chris Nolan, we were expecting an epic, explosive action-fest to close things out, but that means we forgot exactly what it is about Shyamalan we got to love so much, namely his unerring ability to subvert and deconstruct whatever genre he’s playing around in.  And he really doesn’t DO spectacle, does he?  That said, this film is still a surprisingly BIG, sprawling piece of work, even if it the action is, for the most part, MUCH more internalised than most superhero movies.  Not wanting to drop any major spoilers on the few who still haven’t seen it, I won’t give away any major plot points, suffice to say that ALL the major players from both Unbreakable and Split have returned – former security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) has spent the past nineteen years exploring his super-strength and near-invulnerability while keeping Philadelphia marginally safer as hooded vigilante the Overseer, and the latest target of his crime-fighting crusade is Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), the vessel of 24 split personalities collectively known as the Horde, who’s continuing his cannibalistic serial-murder spree through the streets.  Both are being hunted by the police, as well as Dr. Ellie Staple (series newcomer Sarah Paulson), a clinical psychiatrist specialising in treating individuals who suffer the delusional belief that they’re superheroes, her project also encompassing David’s former mentor-turned-nemesis Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), the eponymous Mr. Glass, whose life-long suffering from a crippling bone disease that makes his body dangerously fragile has done nothing to blunt the  genius-level intellect that’s made him a ruthlessly accomplished criminal mastermind. How these remarkable individuals are brought together makes for fascinating viewing, and while it may be a good deal slower and talkier than some might have preferred, this is still VERY MUCH the Shyamalan we first came to admire – fiendishly inventive, slow-burn suspenseful and absolutely DRIPPING with cool earworm dialogue, his characteristically mischievous sense of humour still present and correct, and he’s retained that unswerving ability to wrong-foot us at every turn, right up to one of his most surprising twist endings to date.  The cast are, as ever, on fire, the returning hands all superb while those new to the universe easily measure up to the quality of talent on display – Willis and Jackson are, as you’d expect, PERFECT throughout, brilliantly building on the incredibly solid groundwork laid in Unbreakable, while it’s a huge pleasure to see Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark (a fine actor we don’t see NEARLY enough of, in my opinion) and Charlayne Woodard get MUCH bigger, more prominent roles this time out, while Paulson delivers an understated but frequently mesmerising turn as the ultimate unshakable sceptic.  As with Split, however, the film is comprehensively stolen by McAvoy, whose truly chameleonic performance actually manages to eclipse its predecessor in its levels of sheer genius.  Altogether this is another sure-footed step in the right direction for a director who’s finally regained his singular auteur prowess – say what you will about that ending, but it certainly is a game-changer, as boldly revisionist as anything that’s preceded it and therefore, in my opinion, exactly how it SHOULD have gone.  If nothing else, this is a film that should be applauded for its BALLS …

29.  THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON – quite possibly the year’s most adorable indie, this dramatic feature debut from documentarian writer-directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz largely snuck in under the radar on release, but has gone on to garner some well-deserved critical appreciation and sleeper hit success.  The lion’s share of the film’s success must surely go to the inspired casting, particularly in the central trio who drive the action – Nilson and Schwartz devised the film with Zack Gotsagen, an exceptionally talented young actor with Down’s Syndrome, specifically in mind for the role of Zak, a wrestling obsessive languishing in a North Carolina retirement home who dreams of escaping his stifling confines and going to the training camp of his hero, the Saltwater Redneck (Thomas Haden Church), where he can learn to become a pro wrestler; after slipping free, Zak enlists the initially wary help of down-at-heel criminal fisherman Tyler (Shia LaBaouf) in reaching his intended destination, while the pair are pursued by Zak’s primary caregiver, Eleanor (Dakota Johnson).  Needless to say the unlikely pair bond on the road, and when Eleanor is reluctantly forced to tag along with them, a surrogate family is formed … yeah, the plot is so predictable you can see every twist signposted from miles back, but that familiarity is never a problem because these characters are so lovingly written and beautifully played that you’ve fallen for them within five minutes of meeting them, so you’re effortlessly swept along for the ride. The three leads are pure gold – this is the most laid back and cuddly Shia’s been for years, but his lackadaisical charm is pleasingly tempered with affecting pathos driven by a tragic loss in Tyler’s recent past, while Johnson is sensible, sweet and likeably grounded, even when Eleanor’s at her most exasperated, but Gotsagen is the real surprise, delivering an endearingly unpredictable, livewire performance that blazes with true, honest purity and total defiance in the face of any potential difficulties society may try to throw at Zak – while there’s excellent support from Church in a charmingly awkward late-film turn that goes a long way to reminding us just what an acting treasure he is, as well as John Hawkes and rapper Yelawolf as a pair of lowlife crab-fishermen hunting for Tyler, intending to wreak (not entirely undeserved) revenge on him for an ill-judged professional slight.  Enjoying a gentle sense of humour and absolutely CRAMMED with heartfelt emotional heft, this really was one of the most downright LOVEABLE films of 2019.

28.  PET SEMATARY – first off, let me say that I never saw the 1989 feature adaptation of Stephen King’s story, so I have no comparative frame of reference there – I WILL say, however, that the original novel is, in my opinion, one of the strongest offerings from America’s undisputed master of literary horror, so any attempt made to bring it to the big screen had better be a good one.  Thankfully, this version more than delivers in that capacity, proving to be one of the more impressive of his cinematic outings in recent years (not quite up to the standard of The Mist or It Chapter 1, perhaps, but certainly on a par with the criminally overlooked 1408), as well as one of the year’s top horror offerings.  This may be the feature debut of directing double-act Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, but they both display a wealth of natural talent here, wrangling bone-chilling scares and a pervading atmosphere of oppressive dread to deliver a top-notch screen fright-fest that works its way under your skin and stays put for days after.  Jason Clarke is a classic King everyman hero as Boston doctor Louis Creed, displaced to the small Maine town of Ludlow as he trades the ER for a quiet clinic practice so he can spent more time with his family – Amy Seimetz (Upstream Color, Stranger Things), excellent throughout as his haunted, emotionally fragile wife Rachel, toddler son Gage (twins Hugo and Lucas Lavole), and daughter Ellie (newcomer Jeté Laurence, BY FAR the film’s biggest revelation, delivering to the highest degree even when her role becomes particularly intense).  Their new home seems idyllic, the only blots being the main road at the end of their drive which experiences heavy traffic from speeding trucks, and the children’s pet cemetery in the woods at the back of their garden, which has become something of a local landmark.  But there’s something far darker in the deeper places beyond, an ancient place of terrible power Louis is introduced to by their well-meaning but ultimately fallible elderly neighbour Jud (one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from screen legend John Lithgow) when his daughter’s beloved cat Church is run over. The cat genuinely comes back, but he’s irrevocably changed, the once gentle and lovable furball now transformed into a menacingly mangy little psychopath, and his resurrection sets off a chain of horrific events destined to devour the entire family … this is supernatural horror at its most inherently unnerving, mercilessly twisting the screws throughout its slow-burn build to the inevitable third act bloodbath and reaching a bleak, soul-crushing climax that comes close to rivalling the still unparalleled sucker-punch of The Mist – the adaptation skews significantly from King’s original at the mid-point, but even purists will be hard-pressed to deny that this is still VERY MUCH in keeping with the spirit of the book right up to its harrowing closing shot.  The King of Horror has been well served once again – fans can rest assured that his dark imagination continues to inspire some truly great cinematic scares …

27.  THE REPORT – the CIA’s notorious use of torture to acquire information from detainees in Guantanamo Bay and various other sites around the world in the wake of September 11, 2001, has been a particularly spiky political subject for years now, one which has gained particular traction with cinema-goers over the years thanks to films like Rendition and, of course, controversial Oscar-troubler Zero Dark Thirty.  It’s also a particular bugbear of screenwriter Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion, Side Effects) – his parents are both psychologists, and he found it particularly offensive that a profession he knows was created to help people could have been turned into such a damaging weapon against the human psyche, inexorably leading him to taking up this passion project, championed by its producer, and Burns’ long-time friend and collaborator, Steven Soderbergh.  It tells the true story of Senate staffer Daniel Jones’ five-year battle to bring his damning 6,300-page study of the CIA’s enhanced interrogation program, commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee, into the light of day in the face of increasingly intense and frequently underhanded resistance from the Agency and various high-ranking officials within the US Government whose careers could be harmed should their own collusion be revealed. In lesser hands this could have been a clunky, unappetisingly dense excuse for a slow-burn political thriller that drowned in its own exposition, but Burns handles the admittedly heavyweight material with deft skill and makes each increasingly alarming revelation breathlessly compelling while he ratchets up the tension by showing just what a seemingly impossible task Jones and his small but driven team faced.  The film would have been nought, however, without a strong cast, and this one has a killer – taking a break from maintaining his muscle-mass for Star Wars, Adam Driver provides a suitably robust narrative focus as Jones, an initially understated workman who slowly transforms into an incensed moral crusader as he grows increasingly filled with righteous indignation by the vile subject matter he’s repeatedly faced with, and he’s provided with sterling support from the likes of Annette Bening, delivering her best performance in years as Senator Dianne Feinstein, Jones’ staunchest supporter, the ever-wonderful Ted Levine as oily CIA director John O. Brennan, Tim Blake Nelson as a physician contracted by the CIA to assist with interrogations who became genuinely disgusted by the horrors he witnessed, and Matthew Rhys as an unnamed New York Times reporter Jones considers leaking the report to when it looks like it might never be released.  This is powerful stuff, and while it may only mark Burns’ second directorial feature (after his obscure debut Pu-239), he handles the gig like a seasoned pro, milking the material for every drop of dramatic tension while keeping the narrative as honest, forthright and straightforward as possible, and the end result makes for sobering, distressing and thoroughly engrossing viewing.  Definitely one of the most important films not only of 2019, but of the decade itself, and one that NEEDS to be seen.

26.  DARK PHOENIX – wow, this really has been a year for mistreated sequels, hasn’t it?  There’s a seriously stinky cloud of controversy surrounding what is now, in light of recent developments between Disney and Twentieth Century Fox, the last true Singer-era X-Men movie, a film which saw two mooted release dates (first November 2018 then the following February, before finally limping onto screens with very little fanfare in June 2019, almost as if Fox wanted to bury it. Certainly rumours of its compromise were rife, particularly regarding supposed rushed reshoots because of clashing similarities with Marvel’s major tent-pole release Captain Marvel (and given the all-conquering nature of the MCU there was no way they were having that, was there?), so like many I was expecting a clunky mess, maybe even a true stinker to rival X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  In truth, while it’s not perfect, the end result is nothing like the turd we all feared – the final film is, in fact, largely a success, worthy of favourable comparison with its stronger predecessors.  It certainly makes much needed amends for the disappointing mismanagement of the source comics’ legendary Dark Phoenix saga in 2006’s decidedly compromised original X-Men trilogy capper The Last Stand, this time treating the story with the due reverence and respect it deserves as well as serving as a suitably powerful send-off for more than one beloved key character.  Following the “rebooted” path of the post-Days of Future Past timeline, it’s now 1992, and after the world-changing events of Apocalypse the X-Men have become a respected superhero team with legions of fans and their own personal line to the White House, while mutants at large have mostly become accepted by the regular humans around them.  Then a hastily planned mission into space takes a turn for the worst and Jean Grey (Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner) winds up absorbing an immensely powerful, thoroughly inexplicable cosmic force that makes her powers go haywire while also knocking loose repressed childhood traumas Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) would rather had stayed buried, sending her on a dangerous spiral out of control which leads to a destructive confrontation and the inadvertent death of a teammate.  Needless to say, the situation soon becomes desperate as Jean goes on the run and the world starts to turn against them all once again … all in all, then, it’s business as usual for the cast and crew of one of Fox’s flagship franchises, and it SHOULD have gone off without a hitch.  When Bryan Singer opted not to return this time around (instead setting his sights on Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody), key series writer Simon Kinberg stepped into the breach for his directorial debut, and it turns out he’s got a real talent for it, giving us just the kind of robust, pacy, thrilling action-packed epic his compatriot would have delivered, filled with the same thumping great set-pieces (the final act’s stirring, protracted train battle is the unequivocal highlight here), well-observed character beats and emotional resonance we’ve come to expect from the series as a whole (then again, he does know these movies back to frond having at least co-written his fair share).  The cast, similarly, are all on top form – McAvoy and Michael Fassbender (as fan favourite Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto) know their roles so well now they can do this stuff in their sleep, but we still get to see them explore interesting new facets of their characters (particularly McAvoy, who gets to reveal an intriguing dark side to the Professor we’ve only ever seen hinted at before now), while Turner finally gets to really breathe in a role which felt a little stiff and underexplored in her series debut in Apocalypse (she EASILY forges the requisite connective tissue to Famke Janssen’s more mature and assured take in the earlier films); conversely Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler) and Evan Peters (Quicksilver) get somewhat short shrift but nonetheless do A LOT with what little they have, and at least Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult still get to do plenty of dramatic heavy lifting as the last of Xavier’s original class, Raven (Mystique) and Hank McCoy (Beast); the only real weak link in the cast is the villain, Vuk, a shape-shifting alien whose quest to seize the power Jean’s appropriated is murkily defined at best, but at least Jessica Chastain manages to invest her with enough icy menace to keep things from getting boring.  All in all, then, this is very much a case of business as usual, Kinberg and co keeping the action thundering along at a suitably cracking pace throughout (powered by a typically epic score from Hans Zimmer), and the film only really comes off the rails in its final moments, when that aforementioned train finally comes off its tracks and the reported reshoots must surely kick in – as a result this is, to me, most reminiscent of previous X-flick The Wolverine, which was a rousing success for the majority of its runtime, only coming apart in its finale thanks to that bloody ridiculous robot samurai.  The climax is, therefore, a disappointment, too clunky and sudden and overly neat in its denouement (we really could have done with a proper examination of the larger social impact of these events), but it’s little enough that it doesn’t spoil what came before … which just makes the film’s mismanagement and resulting failure, as well as its subsequent treatment from critics and fans alike, all the more frustrating.  This film deserved much better, but ultimately looks set to be disowned and glossed over by most of the fanbase as the property as a whole goes through the inevitable overhaul now that Disney/Marvel owns Fox and plans to bring the X-Men and their fellow mutants into the MCU fold.  I feel genuinely sorry for the one remaining X-film, The New Mutants, which is surely destined for spectacular failure after its similarly shoddy round of reschedules finally comes to an end this summer …

25.  IT CHAPTER 2 – back in 2017, Mama director Andy Muschietti delivered the first half of his ambitious two-film adaptation of one of Stephen King’s most popular and personal novels, which had long been considered un-filmable (the 90s miniseries had a stab, but while it deserves its cult favourite status it certainly fell short in several places) until Muschietti and screenwriters Cary Joji Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman seemingly did the impossible, and the end result was the top horror hit of the year.  Ultimately, then, it was gonna be a tough act to follow, and there was MAJOR conjecture whether they could repeat that success with this second half.  Would lightning strike twice?  Well, the simple answer is … mostly.  2017’s Chapter 1 was a stone-cold masterpiece, and one of the strongest elements in its favour was the extremely game young cast of newcomers and relative unknown child actors who brought the already much beloved Loser’s Club to perfectly-cast life, a seven-strong gang of gawky pre-teen underdogs you couldn’t help loving, which made it oh-so-easy to root for them as they faced off against that nightmarish shape-shifting child-eating monster, Pennywise the Dancing Clown.  It was primal, it was terrifying, and it was BURSTING with childhood nostalgia that thoroughly resonated with an audience hungry for more 80s-set coming-of-age genre fare after the runaway success of Stranger Things.  Bringing the story into the present day with the Losers now returning to their childhood home of Derry, Maine as forty-something adults, Chapter 2 was NEVER going to achieve the same pulse-quickening electric charge the first film pulled off, was it?  Thankfully, with the same director and (mostly) the same writing crew on hand (Fukunaga jumped ship but Dauberman was there to finish up with the help of Jason Fuchs and an uncredited Jeffrey Jurgensen) there’s still plenty of that old magic left over, so while it’s not quite the same second time round, this still feels very much like the same adventure, just older, wiser and a bit more cynical.  Here’s a more relevant reality check, mind – those who didn’t approve of the first film’s major changes from the book are going to be even more incensed by this, but the differences here are at least organic and in keeping with the groundwork laid in Chapter 1, and indeed this film in particular is a VERY different beast from the source material, but these differences are actually kind of a strength here, Muschietti and co. delivering something that works MUCH better cinematically than a more faithful take would have. Anyway, the Loser’s Club are back, all grown up and (for the most part) wildly successful living FAR AWAY from Derry with dream careers and seemingly perfect lives.  Only Mike Hanlon has remained behind to hold vigil over the town and its monstrous secret, and when a new spree of disappearances and grisly murders begins he calls his old friends back home to fulfil the pact they all swore to uphold years ago – stop Pennywise once and for all.  The new cast are just as excellent as their youthful counterparts – Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy are, of course, the big leads here as grown up Beverley Marsh and Bill Denbrough, bringing every watt of star power they can muster, but the others hold more interest, with Bill Hader perfectly cast (both director and child actor’s personal first choice) as smart-mouth Richie Tozier, Isaiah Mustafah (best known as the Old Spice guy from those hilarious commercials) playing VERY MUCH against type as Mike, Jay Ryan (successful on the small screen in Top of the Lake and Beauty & the Beast, but very much getting his cinematic big break here) as a slimmed-down and seriously buffed-out Ben Hanscom, James Ransone (Sinister) as neurotic hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak, and Andy Bean (Power, the recent Swamp Thing series) as ever-rational Stan Uris – but we still get to hang out with the original kids too in new flashbacks that (understandably) make for some of the film’s best scenes, while Bill Skarsgard is as terrifying as ever as he brings new ferocity, insidious creepiness and even a touch of curious back-story to Pennywise.  I am happy to report this new one IS just as scary as its predecessor, a skin-crawling, spine-tingling, pants-wetting cold sweat of a horror-fest that works its way in throughout its substantial running time and, as before, sticks with you LONG after the credits have rolled, but it’s also got the same amount of heart, emotional heft and pathos, nostalgic charm (albeit more grown-up and sullied) and playful, sometimes decidedly mischievous geeky humour, so that as soon as you’re settled in it really does feel like you’ve come home. It’s also fiendishly inventive, the final act in particular skewing in some VERY surprising new directions that there’s NO WAY you’ll see coming, and the climax also, interestingly, redresses one particularly frustrating imbalance that always bugged me about the book, making for an especially moving, heartbreaking denouement.  Interestingly, there’s a running joke in the film that pokes fun at a perceived view from some quarters that Stephen King’s endings often disappoint – there’s no such fault with THIS particular adaptation.  For me, this was altogether JUST the concluding half I was hoping for, so while it’s not as good as the first, it should leave you satisfied all the same.

24.  MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN – it’s taken Edward Norton twenty years to get his passion project adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s novel to the big screen, but the final film was certainly worth the wait, a cool-as-ice noir thriller in which its writer-director also, of course, stars as one of the most unusual ‘tecs around.  Lionel Essrog suffers from Tourette syndrome, prone to uncontrollable ticks and vocal outbursts as well as obsessive-compulsive spirals that can really ruin his day, but he’s also got a genius-level intellect and a photographic memory, which means he’s the perfect fit for the detective agency of accomplished, highly successful New York gumshoe Frank Minna (Bruce Willis).  But when their latest case goes horribly wrong and Frank dies in a back-alley gunfight, the remaining members of the agency are left to pick up the pieces and try to find out what went wrong, Lionel battling his own personal, mental and physical demons as he tries to unravel an increasingly labyrinthine tangle of lies, deceit, corporate corruption and criminal enterprise that reaches to the highest levels of the city’s government.  Those familiar with the original novel will know that it’s set in roughly the present day, but Norton felt many aspects of the story lent themselves much better to the early 1950s, and it really was a good choice – Lionel is a man very much out his time, a very odd fit in an age of stuffy morals and repression, while the themes of racial upheaval, rampant urban renewal and massive, unchecked corporate greed feel very much of the period. Besides, there’s few things as seductive than a good noir thriller, and Norton has crafted a real GEM right here. The pace can be a little glacial at times, but this simply gives the unfolding plot and extremely rich collection of characters plenty of room to grow, while the jazzy score (from up-and-comer Daniel Pemberton, composer on Steve Jobs, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) provides a surprising complimentary accompaniment to the rather free-form narrative style and Lionel’s own scattershot, bebop style.  Norton is exceptional in the lead, landing his best role in years with an exquisitely un-self-conscious ease that makes for thoroughly compelling viewing (surely more than one nod will be due come awards-season), but he doesn’t hog ALL the limelight, letting his uniformly stellar supporting cast shine bright as well – Willis doesn’t get a huge amount of screen time, but delivers a typically strong, nuanced performance that makes his absence throughout the rest of the film keenly felt, Gugu Mbatha-Raw continues to build an impressive run of work as Laura, the seemingly unimportant woman Lionel befriends, who could actually be the key to the whole case, Alec Baldwin is coolly menacing as power-hungry property magnate and heavyweight city official Moses Randolph, the film’s nominal big-bad, Willem Dafoe is absolutely electrifying as his down-at-heel, insignificant genius brother Lou, and Boardwalk Empire’s Michael K. Williams is quietly outstanding as mysterious jazz musician Trumpet Man, while Bobby Canavale, Ethan Suplee and Dallas Roberts are all excellent as the other hands in Minna’s detective agency.  It’s a chilled-out affair, happy to hang back and let its slow-burn plot simmer while Lionel tries to navigate his job and life in general while battling his many personal difficulties, but due to the incredible calibre of the talent on offer, the incredibly rich dialogue and obligatory hardboiled gumshoe voiceover, compelling story and frequently achingly beautiful visuals, this is about as compulsively rewarding as cinema gets. Norton’s crafted a film noir worthy of comparison with the likes of L.A. Confidential and Chinatown, proving that he’s a triple-threat cinematic talent to be reckoned with.

23.  PROSPECT – I love a good cinematic underdog, there’s always some dynamite indies and sleepers that just about slip through the cracks that I end up championing every year, and one of 2019’s favourites was a minor sensation at 2018’s South By Southwest film festival, a singularly original ultra-low-budget sci-fi adventure that made a genuine virtue of its miniscule budget.  Riffing on classic eco-minded space flicks like Silent Running, it introduces a father-and-daughter prospecting team who land a potentially DEEPLY lucrative contract mining for an incredibly rare element on a toxic jungle moon – widower Damon (Transparent’s Jay Duplass), who’s downtrodden and world-weary but still a dreamer, and teenager Cee (relative newcomer Sophie Thatcher), an introverted bookworm with hidden reserves of ingenuity and fortitude.  The job starts well, Damon setting his sights on a rumoured “queen’s layer” that could make them rich beyond their wildest dreams, but when they meet smooth-talking scavenger Ezra (Narcos’ Pedro Pascal), things take a turn for the worse – Damon is killed and Cee is forced to team up with Ezra to have any hope for survival on this hostile, unforgiving moon.  Thatcher is an understated joy throughout, her seemingly detached manner belying hidden depths of intense feeling, while Pascal, far from playing a straight villain, turns Ezra into something of a tragic, charismatic antihero we eventually start to sympathise with, and the complex relationship that develops between them is a powerful, mercurial thing, the constantly shifting dynamic providing a powerful driving force for the film.  Debuting writer-directors Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell have crafted a wonderfully introspective, multi-layered tone poem of aching beauty, using subtle visual effects and a steamy, glow-heavy colour palette to make the lush forest environs into something nonetheless eerie and inhospitable, while the various weird and colourful denizens of this deadly little world prove that Ezra may be the LEAST of the dangers Cee faces in her quest for escape.  Inventive, intriguing and a veritable feast for the eyes and intellect, this is top-notch indie sci-fi and a sign of great things to come from its creators, thoroughly deserving of major cult recognition in the future.

22.  DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE – S. Craig Zahler is a writer-director who’s become a major fixture on my ones-to-watch list in recent years, instantly winning me over with his dynamite debut feature Bone Tomahawk before cementing that status with awesome follow-up Brawl On Cell Block 99.  His latest is another undeniable hit that starts deceptively simply before snowballing into a sprawling urban crime epic as it follows its main protagonists – disgraced Bulwark City cops Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson) and Tony Lurasetti (BOCB99’s Vince Vaughn), on unpaid suspension after their latest bust leads to a PR nightmare – on a descent into a hellish criminal underworld as they set out to “seek compensation” for their situation by ripping off the score from a bank robbery spearheaded by ruthlessly efficient professional thief Lorentz Vogelmann (Thomas Kretschmann).  In lesser hands, this two-hour-forty-minute feature might have felt like a painfully padded effort that would have passed far better chopped down to a breezy 90-minutes, but Zahler is such a compellingly rich and resourceful writer that every scene is essential viewing, overflowing with exquisitely drawn characters spouting endlessly quotable, gold-plated dialogue, and the constantly shifting narrative focus brings such consistent freshness that the increasingly complex plot remains rewarding right to the end.  The two leads are both typically excellent – Vaughn gets to let loose with a far more showy, garrulous turn here than his more reserved character in his first collaboration with Zahler, while this is EASILY the best performance I’ve seen Gibson deliver in YEARS, the grizzled veteran clearly having a fine old time getting his teeth into a particularly meaty role that very much plays to his strengths – and they’re brilliantly bolstered by an excellent supporting cast – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’s Tory Kittles easily matches them in his equally weighty scenes as Henry Johns, a newly-released ex-con also out to improve his family’s situation with a major score, while Kretschmann is at his most chilling as the brutal killer who executes his plans with cold-blooded precision, and there are wonderful scene-stealing offerings from Jennifer Carpenter, Udo Kier, Don Johnson (three more Zahler regulars, each featured with Vaughn on BOCB99), Michael Jai White, Laurie Holden and newcomer Miles Truitt.  This is a proper meaty film, dark, intense, gritty and unflinching in its portrayal of honest, unglamorous violence and its messy aftermath, but fans of grown-up filmmaking will find PLENTY to enjoy here, Zahler crafting a crime epic comparable to the heady best of Scorsese and Tarantino.  Another sure-fire winner from one of the best new filmmakers around.

21.  FAST COLOR – intriguingly, the most INTERESTING superhero movie of the year was NOT a major franchise property, or even a comic book adapted to the screen at all, but a wholly original indie which snuck in very much under the radar on its release but is surely destined for cult greatness in the future, not least due to some much-deserved critical acclaim.  Set in an unspecified future where it hasn’t rained for years, a homeless vagabond named Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is making her aimless way across a desolate American Midwest, tormented by violent seizures which cause strange localised earthquakes, and hunted by Bill (Argo’s Christopher Denham), a rogue scientist who wants to capture her so he can study her abilities.  Ultimately she’s left with no other recourse than to run home, sheltering with her mother Bo (Middle of Nowhere and Orange is the New Black’s Lorraine Toussaint), and her young daughter Lila (The Passage’s Saniyya Sidney), both of whom also have weird and wondrous powers of their own.  As the estranged family reconnect, Ruth finally learns to control her powers as she’s forced to confront her own troubled past, but as Bill closes in it looks like their idyll might be short-lived … this might only be the second feature of writer-director Julie Hart (who cut her teeth penning well-regarded indie western The Keeping Room before making her own debut helming South By Southwest Film Festival hit Miss Stevens), but it’s a blinding statement of intent for the future, a deceptively understated thing of beauty that eschews classic superhero cinema conventions of big spectacle and rousing action in favour of a quiet, introspective character-driven story where the unveiling and exploration of Ruth and her kin’s abilities are secondary to the examination of how their familial dynamics work (or often DON’T), while Hart and cinematographer Michael Fimognari (probably best known for his frequent work for Mike Flanagan) bring a ruined but bleakly beautiful future to life through inventively understated production design and sweeping, dramatic vistas largely devoid of visual effects.  Subtlety is the watchword, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t fireworks here, it’s just that they’re generally performance-based – awards-darling Mbatha-Raw (Belle) gives a raw, heartfelt performance, painting Ruth in vivid shades of grey, while Toussaint is restrained but powerfully memorable and Sidney builds on her already memorable work to deliver what might be her best turn to date, and there are strong supporting turns from Denham (who makes his nominal villain surprisingly sympathetic) and Hollywood great David Strathairn as gentle small town sheriff Ellis. Leisurely paced and understated it may be, but this is still an incendiary piece of work, sure to become a breakout sleeper hit for a filmmaking talent from whom I expect GREAT THINGS in the future, and since the story’s been picked up for expansion into a TV series with Hart in charge that looks like a no-brainer.  And it most assuredly IS a bona fide superhero movie, despite appearances to the contrary …

[bechloe-are-acadorable]

Beca walked into her apartment smiling like she had for the past couple of weeks. It was really starting to freak Fat Amy out “Seriously Beca what is wrong with you?” She asked sitting up, Beca frowned at Amy “What are you talking about?” Fat Amy rolled her eyes “You seem so happy all the time, you’re even smiling, are you feeling okay?” Beca scowled at this “See that’s my scrappy little friend I’ve grown to love” she added.

“Sorry I forgot happiness was a crime” Beca scowled, she couldn’t however keep the smile off her face for long. Fat Amy looked at her curiously. “Shit I get it now!” She yelped causing Beca to wince at the volume “Do you love them?” Fat Amy asked curiously.

Beca immediately flushed red at the question “Amy for the last time Chloe and I aren’t together!” She sighed out as Fat Amy’s grin widened. “I never mentioned their name ya know” Beca cursed internally.

Maybe she’d been crushing on Chloe for a long time. And maybe she was so happy to be home lately because it meant spending time with her favourite person. And maybe just maybe the fact that Chloe and Beca had recently begun spooning in bed due to the cold weather, further contributed to Becas upbeat mood.

“I... I don’t know what you’re insinuating but stop it” Beca spluttered as Amy’s shit eating grin remained. “Beca loves Chloe! Beca loves Chloe! Chloe and Beca sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” The door began to open and Beca kicked Amy in the shin, quickly silencing her.

Chloe’s smile was the first thing Beca saw and she melted slightly ‘I’m going to tell her’ Fat Amy mouthed and Beca went into to full blown panic mode. Her eyes flew wide open and she stopped breathing.

Chloe glanced over to her friends “Becs are you okay?” She asked the younger girl. “Me? I’m fine” Beca squeaked out sounding similar to Ross from friends. Chloe frowned before taking her coat off, Beca took this chance to glare at Amy and mouth ‘don’t you dare’ Chloe turned and Beca smiled widely at her.

“Okay, now I know something’s up, why are you doing that?” Chloe questioned, her eyes flicking from Beca to Fat Amy and back again. “Doing what?” Beca said entirely too defensively “Smiling like that” Beca relaxed her face. “What I’m not allowed to smile now?” She laughed awkwardly “Not like that no, it’s creepy” Fat Amy couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips.

Chloe turned and focussed on Amy “What were you two up to before I came in?” She asked the Australian as panic set in her eyes “Ummm... uhhhhhhhhhh” Beca quickly jumped in “Fat Amy and Bumper broke up!” Beca yelled out the first thing that came into her head.

Chloe’s mouth dropped open, Beca mouthed a ‘sorry’ over Chloe’s shoulder as Chloe leant down to hug Amy. “Amy I’m so sorry, are you okay?” ‘You owe me one’ Amy mouthed over Chloe’s shoulder, whilst Chloe was still hugging her and Beca nodded a thank you to her.

“Me? I’m good, you should see Bumper though, like a koala that’s had its nards bitten off” Chloe pulled back and shared a confused look with Beca. “Okaaaaaay... Well then how about a girls night? We can go out and drink until we black out!” Chloe exclaimed enthusiastically.

Beca groaned “Fuck yeah! I haven’t been out in sooooo long!” Fat Amy shouted. “You literally went out three night ago” Beca reminded her “Yeah, practically a lifetime ago” Fat Amy said matter of factly. “Oooh! I’ll put it in the Bellas chat and see if anyone else wants to come!” Chloe quickly sent a message into the chat before going to have a shower.

“That was close” Beca breathed out “Why didn’t you just tell her?” Beca laughed at the mere suggestion “You know why Amy, a girl like her would never go out with someone like me” Amy frowned at this, she was 110% sure that the ginger had a crush on Beca. “I think she would, I mean she flirts with you enough” she shrugged back.

Beca sighed, this was true but Chloe was just a flirt. She flirted with every single Bella, it wasn’t like Beca was given any special treatment. “Beca sweetie?” Chloe called from inside the bathroom, Becas cheeks grew rosy at the pet name Chloe had started a couple of weeks ago.

“Yeah?” She called back “Can you go to the shop and get us some alcohol pretty please” Beca groaned loudly “Why me?” “Because I take forever to get ready and you don’t take long to get ready because you’re so naturally pretty” Beca felt her blush deepen “Fine but you know you look gorgeous 24/7” Beca called back, throwing her jacket on.

Fat Amy made whipping noises and Beca rolled her eyes “Do you want me to get you anything or not?” Fat Amy nodded “Bottle of wine and a bottle of vodka” Beca nodded back, not bothering to ask Chloe what she wanted, she already knew.

Beca checked the group chat as she walked to the shop. So far Emily said she was in as were Flo and Aubrey. Beca picked up multiple bottles of wine along with vodka and coke and began to walk back to the apartment, thankful for living close to it. She set the alcohol down before jumping in the shower and getting ready herself.

Beca lay on her and Chloe’s shared bed as the other two girls finished getting ready, it turns out most of the Bellas could make it. Beca got up as she heard the first person knocking on the door and let in an excited looking Emily who immediately hugged her “Hey Em” Beca said wriggling out of her grasp.

“The others are finishing getting ready, want a drink?” She led her to get a drink and soon after Amy joined them, half a bottle of wine in her hand “Started early I see” Beca noted “Hey legacy” Fat Amy said chugging the wine “When are the adults joining?”

Half an hour later and the Bellas were in the crammed apartment. Most had brought a drink with them and they were all drinking quickly, much like they had done during college. “Let’s play a game!” Fat Amy announced “Oooh yay! I love games!” Emily said enthusiastically as Amy rolled her eyes “I’m not talking about monopoly legacy, how about...” she seemed to ponder it for a second “Mr and Mrs?”

There were a couple of murmurs and nods of agreement “Cool so Chloe and Beca let’s go” Beca glared at Amy as she fetched the two whiteboards and pens off the fridge. “So every time you get it right we all have to drink, every time you get it wrong you two drink got it?” Chloe nodded enthusiastically.

“First question, what is Chloe’s worst habit?” Beca thought for a second before scrawling down an answer as Chloe did the same. Beca showed her answer ‘She hogs the covers at night’ Chloe smiled as she turned her board around ‘Stealing the quilt’ it read. The two girls high fived as everyone else drank.

The next round - Becas pet peeve revealed matching answers also ‘People getting in her personal space’. “She doesn’t seem to mind it when it’s Chloe though” Cynthia Rose mumbled as Chloe rested her head on Becas shoulder and she went bright red.

“Chloe’s best feature” Beca thought about this, Chloe had a million things about her that could be classed as her best feature. “Hurry up Beca!” One of the girls called, pulling her out of her trance as she shot them the finger. She quickly wrote down her answer.

“Okay Chloe what did you put?” Chloe showed her board ‘My eyes?’ They all looked at Beca expectantly. She gulped and turned her board around to show the one word she’d written ‘Everything.’ Becas eyes stayed glued to the floor, “Awwww” she heard Chloe sigh as she slipped her hand into Becas.

“That’s so gay!” Cynthia Rose yelled as the rest of the girls laughed. “Don’t be mean! She’s cute” Chloe defended Beca, kissing her quickly on the cheek, only contributing to Becas blush. “Shots?” Fat Amy suggested to a roar of approval from the other girls.

Fat Amy lead the Bellas to the kitchen area to line up shots, Beca remained where she was still extremely embarrassed. Why had she written that? Idiot. “Hey?” Beca looked up at Chloe’s soft tone “I think everything about you is pretty perfect too” a small smile appeared on Becas lips. “Now come on let’s get drunk!”

Shortly after the girls arrived at a club and some of the girls -Flo, Jessica and Ashley- were already pretty drunk but Emily was by far the least sober. She had only just turned 21 and the excitement of drinking and clubbing was almost too much for her.

Beca strode up to the much taller girl, a glass of water in her hand “Hey Em, drink this” Emily smiled widely and began to drink the drink, thinking it was alcohol. “This tastes like water” she commented after downing half the drink.

Beca laughed “It is, you need to slow down okay?” Emily pulled her into a hug and Beca patted her back clumsily “You’re Aca-awesome Beca! Thanks for always looking after me!” Beca shrugged, she normally wasn’t one to look after people but Emily was like a little kid she and Chloe had somehow adopted. She smiled at the thought of one day having real kids with Chloe before shaking the thoughts free from her head.

She smiled at Emily before turning and looking for Chloe, she wasn’t hard to spot with the gorgeous signature hair colour. Beca went to join her but was stopped by Amy “Shawshank, hows it hanging?” Fat Amy had drunk at least twice as much as any other Bella yet was still only tipsy.

“Yeah it’s not horrible actually” she confessed “You spoken to Chloe yet?” She asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively “What? No!” She yelled “Well here’s your chance” Beca glanced round to see Chloe bounding over towards her. Her face immediately split into the smile that only Chloe could coax out of her.

Chloe pulled Beca into a hug before putting her arms around her neck and dancing with her. Becas breath caught in her throat and her heart skipped a beat, Chloe was dancing with her tonight of all nights!

Beca cautiously moved her hands to Chloe’s hips as Chloe leant in and her lips brushed against Becas ear. One of Chloe’s hands snaked up to cup Becas cheek, Becas eyes immediately finding Chloe’s bright blue ones. She inadvertently licked her lips and glanced down at Chloe’s lips before her eyes returned to Chloe’s.

Holy shit was Chloe leaning in? Becas eyes fluttered shut the second Chloe’s soft lips touched her own, she pulled Chloe in closer as the pair shared a slow, soft kiss. Altogether too quickly for Becas liking, Chloe pulled away. Becas eyes opened and she looked up breathlessly at her best friend.

“Thanks there was a creepy dude and I told him I was with you” Chloe mumbled. Beca felt her heart sink but she nodded back, trying not to let her true feelings show before subtly glancing around and searching the crowd for the threat.

Chloe pulled herself slightly out of Becas grip “Anyway Aubrey will be wondering where I am, you coming?” She asked sweetly. “Nah I’m good” Beca managed before Chloe kissed her cheek and walked off in search of Aubrey. Beca stood there on her own, her feelings swirling around inside her before deciding to go get something strong to drink.

She turned around to go to the bar “Hey dyke, go kiss your girlfriend again it was hot!” Some douchebag frat bro leaning down against the bar said as soon as she turned around. Beca didn’t know what came over her but her hand balled into a fist and she let it fly, punching him square in the face.

He recoiled in pain as Beca shook her own hand in pain. “Out!” One of the barstaff yelled before signalling security. Beca raised her hands in surrender and skulked off to the exit.

Crouching down in the alleyway, she let the tears come out. Yes her hand hurt and yes she was annoyed for getting kicked out of the bar, but most of all she was sad about Chloe. Devastated really. For a second there she thought Chloe was kissing her. That she might actually have a chance with her. She was so fucking stupid!

She wasn’t sure how long she was there before she heard Chloe’s bubbly laughter and Aubrey’s sharper one. She sniffed and dried her eyes, quickly standing up “Hey Becs!” Chloe took one look at Beca and knew something was wrong. “Bree, I’ll be in in a minute” Aubrey shrugged and left the pair alone.

“What are you doing outside alone?” She questioned, walking closer to her best friend. Beca shrugged “I may or may not have got chucked out” Chloe’s eyes flew open in shock “How did you manage that?” Beca laughed humourlessly “I punched a guy” Chloe’s mouth dropped open “Again? Beca what have I told you about punching guys?” Beca laughed at this “He was a dick” she shrugged again.

“Are you okay?” Beca nodded “My hand hurts a bit but I’m fine” Chloe quickly picked up Becas hand. “Shit Beca that’s bruising and swelling already, it might be broken” Beca shrugged once again. “I should get you home” she murmured “No don’t ruin your night out for me” Beca protested.

“I was going to go home anyway, Em needs to be taken home and I thought she could crash at ours” Beca nodded “Okay then” Chloe smiled widely and kissed Becas cheek. “I’ll go grab her, be two minutes, you stay here” the brunette nodded in agreement and waited for Chloe.

About ten minutes later the door swung open and Chloe staggered out, propping a very drunk Emily up, Beca immediately rushed over to help Chloe keep the younger girl upright. “Beca!” Emily exclaimed loudly “Come on kid let’s get you home” Beca sighed.

The girls managed to get a taxi relatively quickly and bundled inside, Emily propped up in the middle of them. Emily put one arm around each of them “I’m so lucky to have you guys as my aca-moms” Tears slowly trailed down Emily’s cheeks and Beca looked over to Chloe panicking slightly, she really didn’t know how to handle tears.

“Hey Emily we’ll always be here for you, we’re family now” Chloe said sweetly, this made Emily cry even more “You guys are the best” she sniffed slightly before leaning her head on Beca. Becas eyes became wide with panic, seeing this Chloe gently reached over and guided Emily’s head to rest on Chloe’s shoulder instead.

Emily was flat out asleep by the time the taxi stopped at their little flat. The girls just about managed to wake the youngest girl up and half dragged half carried her up the stairs before plonking her on the makeshift bed on the floor. She was out like a light.

The two best friends laughed at Emily’s state before deciding to go to bed. “Beca?” Chloe called as Beca looked up from a drooling Emily. “Yeah?” “Can you help me with my zip?” She asked innocently, Beca nodded and tried to undo her zipper. Her hands shook with nerves and she cursed herself internally.

She eventually got there “God you’d make a shit lesbian! It’d take you about 3 years to undress a woman” Beca bristled at this “I’d make a great lesbian!” She shot back as Chloe arched an eyebrow. “Well you’re a pretty good kisser I suppose so you’d have that going for you” Beca smiled at this.

“Pretty good?” Beca cocked an eyebrow at Chloe, a cocky grin emerging on her face. “Well I didn’t have long enough to properly assess you so I’d have to stick with pretty good” Beca scoffed at this. “That was your fault, you pulled away! And I’ll have you know that I’m a great kisser!” Chloe sucked in a deep breath “Prove it”

Beca didn’t give herself enough time to even think about it, knowing that she’d talk herself out of it if she did. Grabbing her firmly by the waist, Beca pulled her closer and kissed her. Chloe’s hands shot up, one resting on Becas neck and the other tangling in her hair.

The kiss remained at a soft, slow pace for a while, both of the girls enjoying the intimacy of the moment. It was Chloe who grew impatient, wanting more from the kiss, she tentatively brushed her tongue against Becas bottom lip. Beca smiled slightly before parting her lips and sliding her tongue into Chloe’s mouth.

Chloe moaned - yes actually moaned - into Becas mouth, Beca couldn’t help but smirk at this as she kissed Chloe with a renewed passion. She was totally in control of the kiss, in control of Chloe and she loved it.

One of Becas hands moved down to rest on Chloe’s ass and she squeezed it, causing a sharp intake of breath from Chloe. Beca didn’t know where her new confidence had come from all of a sudden, but could tell that Chloe was enjoying it.

Beca walked Chloe backwards until Chloe’s legs hit the mattress of their shared bed. Beca pushed her onto it and sat in the girls lap, straddling her before kissing her deeply.

Emily made a noise from behind the pair causing Beca to break away and glance at the still sleeping girl before she realised what was happening. She grinned down at Chloe and stood up leaving the older girl staring at her from her position sat on their bed.

“Better than pretty good huh?” Beca smirked as Chloe nodded mutely. Beca could see her swallowing before saying anything “Yeah, that was... amazing” The smirk remained on Becas face. “Yeah it was”

Chloe’s eyes raked all over Becas body “I take it back, you’d be a great lesbian” Beca was oddly proud of this statement “I know” Chloe looked up at her with hooded eyes, darker than Beca had ever seen her usually bright blue eyes.

“If you think I’m a good kisser, you should see what else I’m good at” Beca said flirtily “Show me” Chloe whispered before reaching out and pulling Beca back into her lap for another passionate kiss.

[toaarcan]

Scourge the Hedgehog: The Bad Fanfic Apotheosis

Y’all are gonna hate me for this one.

This is something of a followup to my previous post, Fiona Fox: Depth vs. Prominence, and inspired directly by the discussion I had with a friend in the comments section of the DA upload of it.

Part 1: Fanfic vs. Canon- Genesis of the Recolour Elements of the Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comic have long been compared to a bad fanfiction, particularly the parts of the story written by Ken Penders, though other writers like Bollers, Chacon, and Flynn have drawn that label too. I'm one of the people that's done it, and that's largely because I hold fanfic and official material to very different standards. There are certain things you can do in fanfic that you can't do in official material, especially with franchises like Sonic, and especially with more niche parts of said franchise, like a comic series. Of course, there are also certain things you can do in both, but you probably shouldn't. And Scourge is one of them. What exactly the process behind Scourge's creation was is something that's been debated. For a lot of people, he's considered to be a parody of the then-rampant "Sonic Recolour" fad, wherein fans would take screenshots of Sonic X, and other official artwork, and then edit it in Microsoft Paint, or another similar program, to create their own characters and stories. Now, this was long decried by other fans, myself included, as incredibly lacking in creativity and originality. It also had an "Ew, cringe" reaction, due to the often-shoddy editing, text-to-speech voices, and usually some top-tier mid-2000s Nu Metal for the music. These days, it's much easier to look back and say "These were mostly made by kids who were just having fun, and it's completely harmless", and it becomes apparent that a lot of the people that were making fun of them and criticising them were grown men, at which point you kinda realise that this "internet fad" was basically just bullying a bunch of children for not being up to the creative standards of some adults. Everybody was looking for the next Chris-Chan, but Chris-Chan is a near-unique entity, as only one other person alive has ever managed to combine that sheer void of talent with a monumentally repulsive personality, and that person is Ken Penders. But Sonichu is the least interesting thing about Chris, and Chris became the laughingstock that he is because of his inability to avoid posting his entire life on the Internet, which was something of a rarity in those halcyon days before the rise of modern social media. Sonichu was a gateway to the actually interesting content also on his channels, whereas these recolour-creators didn't have anything like that, just endless Windows Movie Maker slideshows. And, like, Chris was in his 20s when he became the Internet's punching bag for the first time, and while he's a horrible person, so were the people that dedicated their time and effort to trolling him- His story is fascinating, but it has no heroes. And into this collective cocktail of grown men shitting on preteens, so Ian Flynn introduced Scourge the Hedgehog. Is Scourge a parody of Sonic recolours? I sincerely hope not. The reason for that is twofold, and I'll discuss how his portrayal generally doesn't seem to be mocking those tropes further down the page, but the second issue with the idea that he is a parody is best explained by Sir Terry.

Parody can never punch down, and as a then-24 year old man writing official canon for a franchise, mocking a bunch of 10 year olds on the Internet for making bad stories would definitely be punching down. And, as I said, nothing about the way Scourge is written is in any way poking fun at the tropes of these fancharacters and stories. It's pretty much all played completely straight. So not only do I hope Ian wasn't trying to mock these fancharacters, but there's also little reason to believe that he actually was.   He's not a parody, he is a send-up. And on the one hand, it's kinda nice to throw a bone to those kids. But on the other hand... is Scourge really the character you want to represent your part of the fandom in official material? A cruel, violent, abusive, vicious monster that spends his time palling around with a girlfriend that the writer reforged to be the most unlikable character in the entire comic? Yeah, can't say that's what I'd want if I were one of those people, but he seems to be popular enough, so maybe I'm in the minority there. But now we get to the meat of the problem. You see, the way Scourge is written is one of those things that you can do in fanfic, but you shouldn't do in canon. Part 2: What is a Mary-Sue? The term "Mary-Sue" gets thrown around a lot these days. It's gradually lost all meaning, and has slowly become a term for "Female character that I don't like," mainly used by whiny, easily-offended Broflake Youtubers, who get all pissy that Star Wars films aren't specifically catering to them, to the point that you only have to make a girl be good at something in a movie and these pissbabies lose their shit. I liked Episode VII and VIII more than I, II, or VI, get fucked. But what, then, is a Mary-Sue? And why is it relevant to Scourge? The answer to that first question is a lot more complicated than it might seem. Not just because there are now several different varieties of the trope, but also because the trope itself evolved as it began to be applied to non-fanworks, and additionally because the name itself is somewhat non-indicative. A male Mary-Sue can exist, though these are normally referred to as "Marty-Stue" or "Gary-Stue", or more cynically "The Protagonist". Check out the average Batman comic these days and you'll see what I mean. Originally, the term applied only to a self-insert character in a fanfic, that was an overly-idealised version of the author, dramatically overpowered, hugely popular, normally dating whichever member of the cast the author wanted to bone, or sometimes multiple partners at the same time, along with a few other traits. It's actually pre-Internet term, originating in a Star Trek fanzine when "Mary-Sue" was created as a parody of other fans' similar characters. Over time, the trope evolved to the point that, while the "author avatar" feature is still a pretty big indicator, it's not really necessary. So while there are probably plenty of people out there who want to be Batman, not every character that is a Mary-Sue is someone for the author to project themselves onto, and not every author avatar is a Mary-Sue. Generally, the important features of a Mary-Sue are now: 1) Receives a great deal of favouritism from the author 2) More powerful than the rest of the cast, often to the point of absurdity 3) Faces zero consequences for their actions. 4) Liked by characters that have no reason to do so 5) In a relationship with a character that has no reason to date them, previous relationships be damned. 6) Most importantly, the story will bend over backwards to give them easy wins, even in situations where they logically should struggle. You're probably starting to get where I'm going with this, and if you're not... Part 3: Creator's Pet Scourge is a Creator's Pet. He gets shown a fair bit of favouritism from Ian Flynn, primarily the guise of how much focus he gets. Scourge is the most prolific villain in Ian's run, aside from Eggman himself. While other, better villains like Mogul and Naugus were being imprisoned repeatedly until one retired and the other became a dog, and a huge chunk of the comic's remaining antagonists were being subsumed into the Eggman Empire, Scourge was only moving up, not only being the villain of Ian's first two issues on the book, but continuing to make sporadic appearances for the next twenty issues, before appearing as the new leader of the Destructix under Finitevus in the Enerjak Reborn arc, followed swiftly by a stint as the Big Bad in Bold New Moebius. Does he actually deserve this level of importance? You be the judge, but personally, I don't think so. Even within those stories, Scourge gets special treatment, the biggest and most obvious being Metal Scourge. Now, personally, I think Metal Scourge was a better character than Scourge himself, but the fact that, of all people, Scourge got a Metal counterpart before anyone else, including Knuckles, who had such a counterpart in the games for over a decade by that point.  Especially since, well... Metal and Mettle is a fun story, but it doesn't really do anything for Bold New Moebius as a whole, does it? It's basically pure filler, only really serving to add another dead Metal Sonic to Ian's list and stall the plot out for a bit longer. And, of course, the most clear indicator of Scourge's favouritism is that he was he first Archie character to receive his own Sonic Universe arc, and the only one to do so without needing two or three SEGA characters also making up the rest of the lead cast. "Lockdown" isn't a particularly good story, but its existence speaks to not just the insane popularity that such an unworthy character received, but also Archie's willingness to indulge that. Sonic Universe was largely intended to tell stories revolving around the members of the SEGA cast that, for whatever reason, weren't able to regularly appear in the main book. This... frequently got broken, with Sonic, Tails, Sally, Bunnie, Antoine, and Amy all taking centre-stage in the book before obvious candidates like the Chaotix got a look in, some of them twice over, but Scourge was the only time they were willing to try a story based entirely around one of their characters, and they gave it to the already extremely prominent Scourge. It's pretty clear that Ian loved using this character, and did so as much as possible. YMMV on whether that's good or not. Part 4: Scourge OP plz nerf Let's be real, he's overpowered as fuck. Now, overpowered characters aren't necessarily bad, but it's significantly harder to write an OP character than an on-average one, and Scourge didn't work out so well. From the moment he turns green, he's basically unstoppable. The one time he actually seems to remotely struggle is actually in 161, where he looks ever-so-slightly winded after curbstomping Sonic and Shadow at the same time. From then on, while he does start to slowly even out with Sonic, he also continues to utterly demolish basically everyone else, especially his easy conquest of Moebius. It's been suggested that conquering Moebius should be easy, because the big threats are all good, kind people there, but that somewhat ignores that there are anti-versions of the heroes kicking about too. All the (Mostly) benevolent rulers of the Primeverse should be tyrannical despots there, and there are excessively powerful entities like the Anti-versions of Merlin and the Guardians, not to mention whatever horrors Anti-Gerald would've unleashed on the world, and that's without the Suppression Squad themselves. While the comic has generally treated Sonic as being able to stomp the entire rest of the FF, well, who says it has to be a fight? Why the fuck doesn't Patch just poison him? I mean, the obvious answer is "Because then Bold New Moebius won't have a main villain", and sometimes contractual villain immortality has to be a thing, but a good writer should be able to avoid putting the characters in that position. Following on from that, Scourge gets to fight basically the entire FF and Suppression Squad at the same time, (Sonic and Amy are absent and Fiona is on his side), and he's winning until Sonic shows up. Then directly after that is the hedgehog brawl, and despite Sonic managing to get everyone against Scourge, he easily manages to escape and break out his Super form. Even after spending his time in the No-Zone completely powerless, Scourge manages to break out the moment he gets his powers back, despite the prison being full of characters who should be equally or more powerful than him, and the police force that caught them all, basically unchallenged. Scourge never faces an actual challenge in the comic. He never struggles, and the one time he actually loses? Ian makes up some new lore on the spot, which is contradictory to SEGA lore from the same year, and then uses that to have Sonic trick Scourge into depowering himself. Not only does Scourge never struggle with anything, but he also never actually loses a fight. Part 5: When will you learn, that your actions have consequences?! Probably never, because Scourge's actions never have consequences. Throughout his entire run, Scourge gets to go wherever he wants, do what he wants, with or to whomever he wants, and he never has to deal with the fallout of the decisions he makes. Absorbs the energy of a matter world into his antimatter body? He's better than fine, it only made him stronger. Turns up in Knothole with his secret girlfriend's hated arch rival by his side? Never mentioned again. Blows Fiona's connection to him, costing Finitevus' operation a potential spy in Knothole, where Knuckles is? Not even considered a factor. Ditches Finitevus to go and make Moebius into an egopolis? Finitevus isn't bothered, and supports Fiona's efforts to rescue him later down the line after than plan backfired on him. Blinds Patch in one eye out of jealousy/spite? The guy that poisoned Armand and Max, took a torch to Antoine's personal life, took advantage of Sally's frayed mental state, emotionally damaged Bunnie, and tried to assassinate Elias to get what he wanted lets him get away with it. Openly announces that he's going to destroy both worlds? Conveniently does it when he's alone with Sonic so nobody can tell Fiona what she's letting herself in for. He eventually does get sent to jail, but he breaks out with ease the next time he turns up. Because, y'know, that's just what we want to see. Villains never having to deal with karma. Part 6: What does anyone see in him? Scourge doesn't quite get the "everyone loves him" treatment, but he still gets a whole lot more respect than he's ever earned. Both Sonic and Zobotnik are portrayed arbitrarily deciding that maybe there's a shred of good in this monster, and this is the part where I stress that he's abusive again. Maybe if I repeat that enough it'll sink in. Despite knowing full-well the sort of person Scourge is, Sonic's response to Scourge's crappy cribbing of the "One Bad Day" speech is to try and turn it around and claim that Scourge only needs a tiny bit of decency to be a good person, and this is outright untrue, and given what we see of Scourge later, I'm frankly disgusted that Ian tried to pull this with a character he'll pretty much unambiguously portray as an abuser. Zobotnik's case is even more baffling. We're introduced to the guy in the Lockdown arc, and it's implied that he's effectively a tyrannical warden, ruling over the No-Zone with an iron fist, taking an almost sadistic delight in punishing the inmates. But yet, for whatever reason, he decides that it's a good idea to try and rehabilitate Scourge, for no adequately established reason. Even on the other side of the morality line, we have Finitevus, who apparently respects Scourge enough to not just make him leader of the Destructix during the Enerjak Reborn arc, despite him very clearly not being a leader, and not being liked by any of his comrades except Fiona, but then when he promptly ditches the whole plan toward the end, Finitevus apparently decides that he not only wants to get him back, but is willing to go to great lengths and risk losing the only team of mercenaries dumb enough to work for a guy who is quite open about his intentions to "purify the world with Chaos fire" in order to do it. And speaking of, the most egregious case of this comes again in Lockdown, where the Destructix all end up siding with Scourge. Across the second half of the arc, Scourge learns his new team's backstories, and despite them clearly showing traits and beliefs that should make them respect him less, this somehow works in his favour, and he manages to wrest leadership of the team from Fiona. Especially galling is that it appears that Fiona loses their respect early on because of her faith in Scourge, who to them, looks pathetic, but then they end up supporting him anyway, despite doing nothing to earn it. But wait, one's missing... Looks like it's that time again. Part 7: Oh right, he's an abuser. It's time to talk about Fiona. Fiona's heel turn is really, really effective at selling you on the idea that Fiona is a vile, cruel, and selfish person. It's a dramatic, "big bang" moment that, in basically a single panel, got an entire fandom to hate a character. Now for some it was more of a "Love to hate" thing, but there are plenty of people out there who just really hate Fiona for this single moment. And when you're introducing a new major villain, maybe that's what you want to accomplish. What it doesn't do, however, is sell you on her motives for taking that course of action. Fiona, for the rest of her existence, mainly antagonises Sally, whom she has no worthwhile connection to on either side of her turn, other than being the evil  Sally to Scourge's Evil Sonic, and stands around or clings to Scourge's arm, looking smug about her abusive relationship. And yes, it is abusive, verbal abuse is still abuse, and the implications that he's physically abusive are present too. I know this is something that Scourge's fans don't really want to accept, but it's true, and we're going to get into that later. For now, what matters is that this character's run as a villain mainly consists of: Fiona: "Hey Sugar-Queen, look at how much my boyfriend yells at me and insults me, and probably beats me when he's angry. I make smart decisions and you suck." We never come to understand why this character, who is so motivated by her belief that everyone will eventually double-cross her that she has decided to start lashing out at people before they can turn on her, is willing to put her faith 100% in someone so repeatedly deceptive that he first approached her by pretending to be someone else. Like, in terms of bad first impressions, that's up there with arriving at a job interview in full clown regalia. The comic makes no effort to show why these characters like each other. Scourge allegedly likes her because she chooses to turn evil and join him, rather than being born evil, but this clashes with not only the fact that Fiona is a genuinely good person before this, who makes a solid effort to stay loyal to her friends first, and is lured into villainy by him, but also the fact that she blames everyone but herself for her current situation, but especially with the fact that all of the foreshadowing for Fiona turning evil consists of people not trusting her because she has a shady history. Scourge claims to appreciate that Fiona is a good person that chooses to be evil, but the narrative has a clear message of "If you started evil, it doesn't matter if you try to become good, you will always revert to type." Which isn't exactly a good message, Ian. In return, all we get from Fiona's side is that Scourge "has no expectations of her and just wants to have fun", which clashes entirely with how we see them interact in subsequent arcs, where Fiona frequently looks disturbed or apprehensive, or just bored, while Scourge yells at her and threatens her for not meeting his standards. Seriously, why do people ship this? But okay, okay. Scourge is a good liar, and Fiona's established paranoia and history do make her vulnerable to manipulators like him, so maybe she falls for his lies and gets taken for a ride. That could happen, sure. Doesn't really explain why she becomes a horrendous person all of a sudden, but whatever. Maybe he convinced her to do it as a sort of hazing, and a means of ensuring she couldn't go back. That fits with his abusive nature (You might also notice that this the explanation I used in Revival). But why does she stay? And why does she refuse every out she's given? Why, after everything that pulled her to his side has turned out to be bullshit, does she remain devoted to him? Now, you can argue that due to the abuse and the manipulation she's suffered, she believes she has to stay with him, and that's a fair shout, but her appearance in Journey to the East is kind of a stumbling block for that theory, because we're shown a Fiona who is fully capable of functioning without him, and even after making efforts to establish herself... the next time we see her she's gone back for him. And now... well, it's time to talk about that "A" word I've been bringing up a lot in this section. Scourge is abusive. I've frequently referenced that he verbally abuses Fiona every time she displeases him across the book, but the most telling scene is this one from Issue 190.

"You do not want to be sent back with me." Translation: "If I get sent back, and you're sent back too, I'm going to beat the shit out of you." Fiona (With her invisible left arm) isn't excluded from this threat. Fiona isn't surprised by this threat either. Nor does she not take the threat seriously. She looks like she's expecting to be struck. He beats her. And please, nobody say that "he's just angry", that's apologism. Now, I dunno if this was in the script, or if Fiona's face was something Yardley did on his own, but given that this arc ends with Super Scourge announcing his intention to destroy both Mobius and Moebius, simply because he can, regardless of the collateral, I'm willing to bet that this relationship wasn't a happy, stable one. But, unfortunately, this element was never made clear enough. Now, your mileage may vary on whether you think Sonic the Hedgehog comics are the appropriate place to discuss abusive relationships or not, but we've got one now, and Ian dropped the ball. This wasn't a Joker/Harley, where the pairing was clearly abusive but also sold DC/Warner millions of dollars worth of merch, this wasn't a RWBY, where Adam took three years to show up and had already won a huge number of fans from his admittedly cool design and powers, so people already liked him before they even knew what his personality was like. Ian had full control over this, no merch to worry about, and Scourge's prolific appearances gave him plenty of opportunity to make it clear that this was an ugly, repulsive thing that Fiona needed to get out of ASAP. And he didn't. Because panels like this, and all the yelling, clearly weren't enough for the fandom. No, you point this detail out to them and they'll make excuses, try to pretend it didn't happen, or just get offended, or worst of all, outright say they don't care and still ship it. We have fanartists who became real official artists creating stories where this garbage-fire pairing is used for sad feels, not because Fiona got stuck in a relationship with a controlling, violent monster, but because oh no they really loved each other and now Fiona's dead isn't it tragic don't you feel sorry for Scourge? No. No I don't. I feel sorry for the thousands of teenagers who support an abusive relationship because Ian was too cowardly to make it clear that the relationship in question was just that. Now, do I think that Ian is an intentional abuse apologist? No. Do I think he wimped out of taking the necessary steps to make it clear that this was bad because he didn't want people to dislike his shitty pet villain? Oh yeah, I do. Scourge's reputation was more important to Flynn than appropriately and sensitively portraying a destructive, damaging relationship between a woman and her monstrous partner. Well, I say "Woman", let's not forget that Fiona was meant to be sixteen, and realistically if you take her timeline into account she's more likely to be about fourteen. Real fucking classy. Part 8: Effort? What effort? So, now we get to our final criteria. And frankly, it's the easiest one to cover. From the moment, Scourge turns green, his life becomes a cakewalk. Everything he ever wants is handed to him with zero actual struggle on his part. Wants to be stronger than Sonic? He is. Zero side-effects to using a Chaos energy form from a mirror universe, or having a Super transformation interrupted, he just seemingly gets to be half-Super forever. Wants another leg-up on Sonic? Here's Fiona, sans personality. Sonic says he's just a lame ripoff of himself? He conquered a planet in a week, look at how cool he is. Also his team all roll over and make him their leader even though they hate him and they could easily kill him. He gets to walk through the entire FF/Squad teamup, and the Hedgehog teamup, and then when he gets to the No-Zone, Zobotnik, who has kept far smarter and more dangerous characters locked up for decades arbitrarily decides to reform him and gets completely suckered by him. The Destructix fully throw in with him, despite him never actually earning their respect. He never loses a fight where he wasn't depowered first. You know what the irony of this is? Ian has a character whom he is contractually obligated to never have lose for longer than an issue or two. And honestly, he wasn't awful at disguising that. Sonic gets a few wins that feel too easy, but for the most part, the issues with this rule mainly manifest in Sonic's limp responses to the tragedies happening around him, and a sprinkling of minor failures and pyrrhic victories ensure that the rule looks more like shoddy writing in a few places unless you're explicitly told about it. And even then, he still manages to make it look like Sonic struggles to attain those victories, that he has to actually put his back into it every time. He is challenged. Scourge isn't allowed to be challenged. That's the irony. Ian has a protagonist who he is not allowed to have lose, and Sonic still manages to be avoid looking like a boring invincible hero, while Scourge just never faces anything that can actually pose a threat to him. Powerful opponents crumple before him. Characters' personalities and development shift to suit his needs. The plot warps to benefit him. Because heaven forbid Scourge actually have to work for his wins. Who needs stakes when you can have the writer on your side! Part 9: In summation... I think you should've all twigged where this is going by now, so let's wrap up. 1) Does Scourge receive a great deal of favouritism from the author? Yes. 2) Is Scourge more powerful than the rest of the cast, often to the point of absurdity? Yes. 3) Does Scourge face zero consequences for his actions? Yes. 4) Is Scourge liked or respected by characters that have no reason to do so? Yes. 5) Is Scourge in a relationship with a character that has no reason to date him? Yes. 6) Most importantly, does the story will bend over backwards to give Scourge easy wins, even in situations where he logically should struggle? Yes. According to these criteria, Scourge the Hedgehog is almost a textbook example of a Mary-Sue. Which is probably why something as disgusting as him got away with so much. I guess, then, that his role in Revival, and a lot of the stuff before that, is the unfortunate reality of a Mary-Sue who suddenly has to deal with the fact that they're no longer getting that special treatment from the writer. That now their actions have consequences, that now the universe doesn't shape itself to their desires.

[deanssexplorations]

Unfinished Business

I broke up with my high school girlfriend spring of my senior year, which left me with a decision as to whom to take to the prom.  Fortunately there was a girl in my class named Amy, who I had a bit of a crush on, and it turns out she kinda liked me too. She was a little shy, very serious, incredibly kind, and one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever known. And without a doubt, she was extremely cute. We had been on a flirting/friendly basis for quite a while, and since I was now on the market I decided to ask her out.

Amy and I went on a few dates, which culminated in kissing, some heavy petting, and getting to third base on her parents’ couch and in my car. It was a lot of fun.

Amy agreed to go to the senior prom with me. I was thrilled, both to take her to prom, and also at the prospect of having sex with this lovely girl. Our school held its prom in San Francisco, which was about an hour’s drive from our home town, and most kids hit their parents up to get them a hotel room. We told them it was so we didn’t have to be on the road driving back so late, but we all hoping, or at least the guys were, that we would be getting lucky that night.

If you get the impression I’m horny now, you should have seen me at eighteen. And since the only girl I had ever had sex with was my prior girlfriend, I was beside myself with anticipation. 

The only catch was she didn’t want to leave her friend Bonnie in a lurch, so we set Bonnie up with my friend Mark and the four of us double dated to the prom. All went well at first. Dinner was lovely and the dance itself was fun. Until Bonnie decided she had had enough of Mark and abducted Amy to spend the night in her hotel room, leaving Mark to spend the night in mine.

Definitely not what I was hoping for. Poor, horny, eighteen-year-old Dean.

Amy and I stayed in touch, but given that we were soon off to college, we sort of went our separate ways that summer. We kept in touch a bit in college, then drifted apart to lead our separate lives.

Fast forward twenty years or so. As Facebook adoption rolled through the middle-aged generation I reconnected with a number of my classmates, Amy included. She and I had a purely platonic lunch and caught up on each others’ lives. She had met a great guy, done some amazing social good/charitable work, and had a couple of lovely children. She even told me she still harbored regrets that she hadn’t spent the night with me at our prom.

Wow. Forty-three year old Dean certainly took note of that!

Nevertheless, my marriage wasn’t open at that time and she was happily married so that was the extent of that. We remained Facebook friends, occasionally liking or commenting on a picture of the kids or exciting work announcement, but nothing more.

Then about six months ago I was rifling through some old boxes in the attic, and I came across our high school prom picture. It was so much fun to see the two of us, so young and cute (and thin!!) and with so much promise ahead of us. I posted it for fun on my Facebook page, called her attention to it, and dared the rest my high school classmates to post theirs. Only a few of my so-called Facebook friends - and none from my high school - rose to the occasion but that’s a story for another forum...

With that as a spark, Amy and I decided to get together for lunch again, having been a good ten years or so since our last get together. Lunch was great; she was engaging and interesting, and just as sweet as before. She was still working with her charitable-type organization (can’t give away any potentially identifiable information!) and her sincere commitment to making the world a better place was just humbling to me.

I was having fun talking to her and decided to cause some trouble.  I “worked in” a reference to my open marriage, which she definitely took note of. She had told me she and her husband Rick had experimented a bit years ago, so I suggested that if she/they were ever interested in experimenting again I was available. You know, to make up for the unconsummated prom date.

She seemed intrigued and said she might just have to bring it up with Rick.

A few weeks later, after (apparently) some interesting conversations in their household, she informed me that Rick was all in. Since my wife Kimber doesn’t play, it was going to be the three of us. I told her I was excited and would be happy to follow their lead, since I didn’t want to cause any ripples in their relationship.

It turns out Rick is a planner, so once we picked a date he booked a hotel room by the ocean, along with dinner reservations at a lovely sushi place nearby. We met at the prescribed time, and what could have been an awkward conversation quickly turned warm and engaging. Amy was seated between us but most of the conversation was between me and Rick (I think because she really wanted the guys to establish a good rapport). He is personable and generous, the consummate host. I enjoyed hearing his/their stories, and they showed interest in my replies.

After dinner we made our way to the hotel, where it turns out they (mostly Rick) had gone to town on the room, having checked in before heading to the restaurant. He had set up lights and music, and along with the champagne I had brought, the mood was perfect.

We sat on the couch for a while (the room had a couch and even a fireplace - Rick had picked very well!), again with Amy in the middle flanked by her two dates. A second moment of awkwardness flashed over me, with the knowledge that the two of them hadn’t played with anyone outside their marriage in a good ten years or so. It was so flattering that they had chosen me, but I also wanted to be triply careful not to do anything to damage the dynamic of their relationship in any way. So I took it slow and let them take the lead.

We talked about nothing in particular for a few minutes until Amy took the bull by the horns and started kissing me. Then kissing Rick. She then stood up, removed her top and her pants, and made her way to the bed, the two guys in tow.

Amy lay on her back, with a man on each side of her. We stroked her breasts and her stomach and took turns kissing her. 

I was very excited to see her naked. Even when we had gotten to third base - 30 years before! - most of the action consisted of sticking hands deep up shirts and down pants. So seeing each other naked was a first for both of us. 

Her breasts were amazing. They were ample in high school, and she had become even more voluptuous since. She has also been following a serious fitness regime lately and has lost noticeable weight since we had gotten together years before, and I enjoyed running my fingers down her thighs and over her smooth stomach.

Eventually we shifted positions and I went down on her. Her pussy was amazing and I felt her gyrating under me. The three of us sort of fell into a cycle in which Amy would suck one of our cocks while the other guy went down on her. Then we’d switch positions and do it all again.

Eventually I started fucking her. I took her in one of my favorite positions, with her lying on the bed with her ass at the edge, me standing on the floor, pounding away. I had a loud, vocal crescendo of an orgasm, and seemed to time what I guessed to be her third or fourth orgasm to it. 

Rick watched approvingly. The three of us lay there for a while and shared open marriage thoughts and stories. I dressed shortly after that and the two of them stuck around a while longer for what I learned later was an equally impressive crescendo of their own. 

And as I was driving home, my mind kept wandering back to what might have been my most memorable moment: Amy and I were laying together, gazing at each other, Rick having wandered off for a moment. And for one, fleeting moment I was transported to an alternate reality featuring the 18-year old versions of ourselves, laying in the same position on a different hotel bed, enjoying a sweet, innocent, moment. Right at the beginning of our respective sexual journeys.

We had missed that moment then. But I was so pleased to share it now, here at the apex of our respective sexual journeys.

[weekendwarriorblog]

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND July 4, 2019  - SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, MIDSOMMAR, MARIANNE & LEONARD

It’s the 4thof July weekend, which is often the bane of my existence because I’m never invited to do anything with anyone. Fortunately, I’m going back to Ohio for the first time in nine months so I’ll be spending this 4thof July with family, and hopefully, that will include some movie-watching.

The movie I’m most excited about seeing again is SPIDERMAN: FAR FROM HOME (Sony), the sequel directed by Jon Watts that returns Tom Holland to the Spidey-suit and brings back all of his friends and classmates, as well as throwing Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio into the mix. You can read how much I enjoyed the movie in my review below, and also, check out my interview with the director, also below.

MY REVIEW OF SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

INTERVIEW WITH JON WATTS ON THE BEAT

The other wide release this weekend is Ari Aster’s sophomore feature MIDSOMMAR (A24), starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor (Sing Street) and Will Poulter as a group of friends who travel to Sweden to observe a Midsommar ritual held by the community of their friend, but things are not what they seem. Before you can say “The Wicker Man,” they’re finding out the real intentions for their hosts.

Mini-Review: Like most, I loved Ari Aster’s Hereditary and saw it as the advent of a fantastic new vision in filmmaking and horror, specifically. Whenever a filmmaker delivers such an amazing debut, his or her follow-up is going to be eyed with equal parts anticipation and scrutiny, and that’s truly been the case with Midsommar.

Like Aster’s previous film, this one begins with the death of family members, in this case those of Florence Pugh’s Dani early on in the movie.  Dani’s boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor from Sing Street) is ready to break up with Dani, because he can’t handle her family drama. At the same time, Christian has been invited by his friend Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren) to go to his small Swedish community to take part in the Midsommar ritual along with friends Josh and Mark (Will Poulter). When Dani finds out about it and Christian invites her (think she’ll say “No’ – she doesn’t) – it soon becomes obvious Dani will be the fifth wheel threatening to bring down the mood. That’s okay because Pelle’s friendly community might have ulterior motives for the visitors.

There’s a lot to like about Midsommar, particularly Aster’s clever way of exploring The Wicker Man territory in a new way that offers terror and horror often in the brightest of daylight, an achievement in itself. Other than the film’s look and the production design that went into making it such a unique-looking visual film, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this is the exact same “stupid young people on vacation getting slaughtered” motif we’ve seen in so many horror films from Eli Roth’s Hostel movies to Touristas to so many more.

For the most part, Aster has another strong cast --  Florence Pugh is quite fantastic in a very different role, although she does a lot of crying in this movie. Jack Reynor could begin stepping into a few of Chris Pratt’s roles without anyone batting an eye, because he has similar rugged looks and charm. I actually liked Will Poulter’s obnoxious American to the point where when he mysteriously vanishes halfway through the movie, it loses quite a bit.

Beyond that, Midsommar explores some of the same themes Aster explored in his first movie, including death and grief and family squabbles with one character crying a lot, and of course, diabolical cult rituals and lots of nudity. Aster also use the same upside-down camera shot he used in Hereditary, which itself was borrowed from Darren Aronofsky. Maybe I’d have liked Midsommar more if it didn’t feel like Aster was retreading familiar territory. I do have to wonder if Aster has ever had therapy, because he certainly seems to have issues, maybe even with a sister, driving him to kill sisters in both his films?

Owing as much to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as the more obvious Wicker Man, MIdsommar is still not your typical horror movie by any means. If your favorite part of Hereditary was its crazy ending and you didn’t think it was crazy enough, then Midsommar is the movie for you!

Rating: 7/10

LIMITED RELEASES

Because it’s the 4thof July this week, we’re getting far fewer limited releases but I do want to call attention to a couple docs opening this week.

But first, I want to draw attention to a movie that opened at the Film Forum last week, Lila Avilés’ The Chambermaid, an amazing portrait of a Mexican maid in a high-end hotel as she goes through the day-to-day while trying to achieve her goals and dreams, all which seem to move further and further away. I was a fan of last year’s Romaand though The Chambermaid is a different type of movie, it features another amazing performance by an indigenous Mexican, Gabriela Cartol, who had appeared in a couple other movies before, but she really keeps the viewer drawn to the movie and the things that she goes through. At times, it feels like there’s no way for her to fulfill those dreams, and it’s something to which we can all relate.

A doc that’s a must see for all Leonard Cohen fans is Nick Broomfield’s MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE (Roadside Attractions), an amazing look at the relationship between Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, the Norwegian woman with whom he lived on the isle of Hydra in Greece, one of his early muses and the inspiration for the song “Goodbye, Marianne.” It’s an amazing film by the award-winning documentarian that has a lot of revelations, including the fact that Broomfield as friends with Marianne going back to the ‘60s, making him the perfect filmmaker to tackle the subject. It opens in select cities including the Angelika Film Center in New York Friday.

Opening at the IFC Center in New York is Rob Fruchtman and Steve Lawrence’s The Cat Rescuers about New York City’s 500,000 street cats and a group of volunteers who go through Brooklyn getting these cats fixed and returning them to their colonies or getting them adopted. It’s a movie that cat lovers will probably enjoy similar to the film Kedi from a few years back, but it’s also kind of sad when you realize that some of this cat population will have to be put down, because cats are adorable and you don’t want them to die. 

Opening at the City Cinemas Village East in New York  almost two years since premiering at TIFF is Tali Shalom-Ezer’s My Days of Mercy, starring Ellen Page and Amy Seimetz (Pet Sematary) as sisters Lucy and Martha who attend state executions to demonstrate against the death penalty. At one such event, Lucy meets Mercy (Kate Mara), the daughter of a police officer whose partner was killed by a man about to be put to death. They quickly bond before Lucy confesses that her own father (Elias Koteas) is on Death Row.

The only other limited release this weekend is Frédéric Petitjean’s directorial debut Cold Blood (Screen Media), starring Jean Reno as Henry, a hitman who is living in a cabin by a lake in the Rocky Mountains when he encounters a young woman who survived a snowmobile accident and has to decide whether to save her life. It opens in select cities and On Demand Friday.

STREAMING AND CABLE

There aren’t any big movie releases on Netflix this weekend but that’s because Season 3 of Stranger Things will premiere on the 4thof July, and I expect many people will be spending the early part of the weekend watching that.

REPERTORY

METROGRAPH (NYC):

Unfortunately, I missed something last week in terms of repertory series at the Metrograph as I didn’t realize that former Village Voice critic J. Hoberman was doing another series in conjunction with his latest bookMake My Day: Movie Culture in the Age of Reagan. The series Reagan at the Movies: Found Illusionsincludes a mixed array of films including 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still, a new restoration of Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Clint Eastwood’s Firefox (1983), Hal Ashby’s Being There(1979) starring Peter Sellers and more!

Also on Wednesday, Metrograph will be premiering a special 20thanniversary restoration of Takashi Miike’s horror classic Audition, which I think is so perfect for the remake treatment due to the #MeToo movement and its implications. Can you imagine how well a revenge thriller about a young woman getting revenge on sleazy movie producer types would go over in this day and age? Call me, Jason Blum!  

This week’s Late Nites at Metrograph is Penelope Spheeris’ Suburbia (1983) while the Playtime: Family Matinees is Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).

THE NEW BEVERLY (L.A.):

Weds has a special matinee screening of the Bond film From Russia With Love (1963) and Tarantino’s theater isn’t taking off on the 4th of July. In fact, it’s holding a special event screening of Red Dawn (1984) and Rocky IV (1985) (You might notice a theme there… USA! USA!) Weds and Thursday are also double features of The Happening  (1967) with Anthony Quinn and Land Raiders  (1970), starring Telly Savalas. The Friday/Saturday double features are the 1966 sci-fi classic Fantastic Voyage with 100 Rifles. The weekend’s KIDDE MATINEE is the Disney classic The Love Bug (1968), while Friday’s midnight screening is Tarantino’s Django Unchained and Saturday at midnight is a 35mm print of Richard Rush’s Getting Straight (1970), starring Elliot Gould and Candice Bergen. Sunday and Monday is a double feature of Dean Martin’s Murderer’s Row (1966) with Ann-Margret’s Kitten with a Whip  (1964).

FILM FORUM (NYC):

Elaine May’s Mikey and Nicky (1976) gets a new 4k restoration that begins on Friday, plus May’s 1971 film A New Leaf will also screen through the weekend. The restoration of Jennie Livingston’s Paris Burning continues to play through the weekend, while the Film Forum will also continue showing Elaine May’s Ishtar and the Coen’s The Big Lebowski through the 4thof July.

EGYPTIAN THEATRE (LA):

The Friday after the 4thof July sees a double feature of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) and Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987), co-presented by Beyond Fest. Saturday is a screening of the classic Lawrence of Arabia (1962) in 70mm, while Sunday sees a double feature of The Return of the Living Dead (1985) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2  (1986).

AERO  (LA):

Oh, look… Spielberg’s Jaws is playing here, too… but on Wednesday. Director Peter Hunt will be on hand Friday to screen his movie musical 1776 (1972). On Saturday, you can see a double feature of Jaws 3-D  (1983) and A*P*E (1976), co-presented by Cinematic Void, and on Sunday is a Baseball Double Feature of 1993’s The Sandlot and Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own  (1992), both in 35mm!

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE (NYC):

MOMI is having another screening of Stephen Frears’ My Beautiful Laundrette  (1985), starring Daniel Day Lewis on Saturday, wrapping up Grit and Glitter: Before and After Stonewall. This weekend’s See It Big! Action movies are Robocop (1987) on Friday and the Wachowskis’ The Matrix on Saturday and Sunday.

QUAD CINEMA (NYC):

Opening on Friday is a 4k restoration of the Director’s Cut of Daniel Vigne’s The Return of Martin Guerre (1982), starring Gerard Depardieu.

ROXY CINEMA (NYC)

On Saturday, you can see Alfred Hitchcock’s terror masterpiece Psycho (1960) on the big screen again!

LANDMARK THEATRES NUART  (LA):

Friday’s midnight screening is Tommy Wiseau’s midnight movie “classic” The Room (2003).

Next week, things slow down with two lower-profile films, the comedy Stuber, starring Kumhail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista, and the alligator horror film Crawl, from Alexandra Aja and Sam Raimi.  

[pvrestwolff]

---- pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name; but what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.

trident’s task 000; a detailed introduction.

---- basic information

full name: ekaterina mikhailovna aliena zamolodchikova-markovy. pronunciation: yeh-kah-ti-ree-nah // mik-hail-ovna // a-lye-na // zamol-ohd-chkova // m-ah-rk-oh-fi. meaning: ekaterina ( the name ekaterina is a russian name, the meaning is ‘pure’ ), mikhailovna ( the name mikhailovna is a russian name, the meaning is ‘daughter of mikhail’ ), aliena ( the name aliena is a belarusian and latin name, the meaning is ‘foreign’ or ‘stranger’ ), zamolodchikova ( the name zamolodchikova is a russian name, the meaning is ‘bold and dashing female’ ), markovy ( the name markovy is a russian and serbian name, the meaning is ‘of Mars, the god of war’ ) reasoning: ekaterina was named for a dear friend of natallia’s, while her first middle name came from her father, and her second came from natallia’s oldest sister anastasia’s middle name, the original heir to the throne. her last names are her father’s and her mother’s respectively. nickname(s): kati, kat, nina, erica. preferred name(s): ekaterina or erica, but she does not mind certain nicknames from certain people. birth date: january 11th 1988. age: thirty. zodiac: capricorn // rabbit yang fire or tiger yin fire. gender: female. pronouns: she/her. romantic orientation: platonipandemiromantic. sexual orientation: platonipansexual. nationality: belarusian, russian. ethnicity: caucasian, ashkenazi jewish. current location: tulach island. living conditions: mediocre, living in the tulach house. title(s): crown princess of belarus, princess, belarus’ heir, grand duchess of vitebsk, the demon queen of minsk (colloquial), 

---- background

birth place: the palace of snov, minsk, belarus. hometown: minsk, belarus. social class: royalty, upper. education level: masters degree. father: mikhail zamolodchikov-markovy. mother: natallia zamolodchikova-markovy. adopted?: no. sibling(s): two younger sisters and one younger brother. birth order: eldest. children: none. pet(s): daisy (maltese shih-tzu) and jay (labrador kelpie). other important relatives: tatiana nikolaevna ( cousin ), anya nikolaevna ( cousin ), ainsley dùghlas ( cousin ), alexander romanov-nikolaevna ( uncle ), nataliya kashkanov-nikolaevna ( aunt ), gavin dùghlas ( uncle ) and anastasia markovy-dùghlas ( aunt ). ( @tatiana-nikolaevna, @anyanik, @hrhxainsley ) previous relationships: charles flanagan ( first crush, murder accomplice ), grace thomas ( ex-girlfriend ), luka rossi ( ex-lover ) and unnamed prince ( ex-lover ). ( @classiciisms, @luka-rossi )

---- skills & abilities

physical strength: exceptionally strong for her size, she’s quite good at the salmon ladder and deadlifts. teamwork: she can and will butt heads with strong personalities or stupid people, but always works to reach the goal. talents: running, swordplay, fencing, knife handling, gun-handling, hand-to-hand combat, martial arts, ballroom dancing, adaptability, interpersonal skills, sketching, linguistics, communication, cryptography, symbology, and bdsm. shortcomings: intrapersonal skills, trust issues, manipulative. language(s) spoken: belarusian ( first language ), russian ( first language ), ukrainian, english, italian, french, gaelic, yiddish, hebrew, latin. drive?: yes for a car, yes for a motorcycle. ride a bicycle?: yes. swim?: yes. play an instrument?: piano, violin. play chess?: yes. pick a lock?: yes.

---- physical appearance & characteristics

face claim: lyndsy fonseca. eye color: blue, with a hazel ring around the pupil. hair color: honey brown hair type/style: thin and soft but abundant, naturally curly, normally sits at shoulder length but has gone uncut since being on the island. dominant hand: right, though when she was younger attempted to become ambidextrous. height: 5′4″. weight: 135lbs, but has lost muscle and weight since being on the island. exercise habits: every other day, early morning, erica would normally go for a 5km run outside. depending on her schedule, she will also practice either her fencing, her martial arts, go to the gym for strength training. the mornings she does not run she will spend her time doing yoga. skin tone: tan/olive. tattoos: a tiger on her left middle finger, a butterfly on the back of her neck, four birds on her left forearm, a sun and two stars behind her right ear, a tree on the right of her torso and hermes wings on the outsides of both her ankles. piercings: firsts, seconds, belly button, right ear helix. marks/scars: what look like straight and accurate cuts all over her body from her training, the scars are on her arms in particular, though they have faded and are not immediately noticeable. notable features: eyes, lips, hands, legs, ass. usual expression: resting bitch face. clothing style: neat blouses, skirts, heels, vests, a jacket, comfortable pants and the heaviest boots she can find. jewelry: none. allergies: none. body temperature: her body is warmer than most, and as a result environments feel much colder for her. diet: strict vegetarian, also tends to avoid eating eggs or smoking cigarettes that use castoreum when she can. physical ailments: short-sightedness, astigmatisms.

---- psychology

mbti type: entj-t ( the commander ) or istj-t ( the logistician ). //** technically untypable due to borderline personality disorder. enneagram type: type 8w7 ( the challenger, wing is the enthusiast ). moral alignment: chaotic neutral, borders on chaotic evil at times. temperament: choleric. element: earth. primary intelligence type: linguistic, logical, kinesthetic, musical. approximate IQ: 135, superior intelligence. mental conditions/disorders: borderline personality disorder, minor depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies and sociopathic tendencies,  sociability: usually an observer, cold until she can trust people and often uses a façade and flattery to win people over for her own benefit. emotional stability: no. obsession(s): looking after her weaponry, literature and keeping organised notes on everything in her life. compulsion(s): neatness. phobia(s): autophobia, atychiphobia, atelophobia. addiction(s): currently -- nicotine, alcohol and caffeine. previously -- cocaine and mdma. prone to violence? yes.

---- mannerisms

speech style: while speaking in languages she is fluent in, ekaterina speaks quickly and smoothly, but while speaking in english, she can converse well but not as quickly, she may pause to find the correct word or misuse idioms, sayings or phrases. accent: a mix of belarusian and russian, which has softened after staying in english speaking countries long enough. quirks: smoothing down dog-eared pages of books, running her fingers along the rim of glasses she is drinking from, hyper-focusing on work that must be done until it is finished, giving people special nicknames and standing on top of buildings to stargaze. hobbies: exercising, fencing, martial arts, reading, playing piano, exploring new places, sketching, creating/using ciphers for her journals, assassinations and murder. habits: adjusting her glasses constantly ( when she wears them ), flexing her hands, switching between languages and sharpening her knives ( when she has them ). nervous tics: running her fingers through her hair, tapping her middle finger and her thumb together and disassembling and reassembling her guns ( when she has them ). drives/motivations: power, ambition, freedom, justice, duty and loyalty. fears: rejection, failure, losing her loved ones and being totally alone. positive traits: rational, adaptable and powerful. negative traits: sadistic, manipulative and ruthless. sense of humor: dark and sarcastic. do they curse often? yes.

---- favourites

activity: swordplay and fencing. animal: tigers and bluebirds. beverage: anything alcoholic. otherwise, coffee. book: the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald, frankenstein by mary shelley, do androids dream of electric sheep? by philip k. dick, the elenium by david eddings, the hogfather by terry pratchett, his dark materials by philip pullman, the wizard of oz by frank l. baum, alice in wonderland by lewis carroll, the illuminae files by amie kaufman and jay kristoff, the starbound trilogy by amie kaufman and meagan spooner and inkheart by cornelia funke. color: purple and gold. food: strawberries, or any type of berry. flower: tiger lily. gem: rainbow moonstone. holiday: new year’s eve. mode of transportation: motorcycle. movie: reservoir dogs, kill bill, jeux d’enfants, indiana jones, monty python, studio ghibli, anastasia, fight club, pulp fiction and the princess bride. musical artist: stevie wonder, the four tops, the supremes, phil collins, no doubt, gwen stefani, tatu, pvris, bastille, sia, the beatles, andrew belle, the temptations and fleetwood mac. quote/saying: “we know what we are, but know not what we may be.” scenery: forests. scent: petrichor, strawberry and coffee,  sport: fencing, lacrosse and soccer. television show: she doesn’t watch tv. weather: cloudy and mild.

---- attitudes

greatest dream: denying her claim to the belarusian throne and experiencing true freedom. greatest fear: rejection, failure, losing her loved ones, being totally alone and ascending to the throne. most at ease when: drinking, smoking and reading a book. least at ease when: powerless, weak and when she does not know something she feels she should. worst possible thing that could happen: her entire family is killed because of her actions. biggest achievement ( to date ): managing to maintain a semi-normal relationship with grace and reducing crimes in belarus through deals with members of organised criminal syndicates. biggest regret: allowing charlie to disappear from her life, manipulating the two princes and ruining her first betrothal. most embarrassing moment: ekaterina does not do embarrassing things. biggest secret: she finds special pleasure in killing those who deserve it. top priorities: self-preservation, freedom, protecting loved ones.

[amylillian22]

Ollie’s Best Friends - Stiles Stilinski Imagine

Requested by Anon: Hey Amy ! I'm so glad to hear that u opened your requests again because I had 1 in mind for some time now. Maybe the reader had to put her beloved pet to sleep because it had some illness or injury the doctors couldn't cure & Stiles is there to comfort her ? She got it as a birthday present from her parents when they moved into the town & kinda grew up with it. I personally would prefer it to be a cat but since I know u don't like them that much I don't mind if it's a dog. Thank u in advance. :)

Word Count: 2,458

Warning: DOG DEATH! UGH! Putting a dog down. If you’re anything like me, grab some fucking tissues.

Author’s Note: This was so fucking hard to write. Read here why it was.

[My Teen Wolf Master List]

The waiting room was silent. Anyone could hear a pin drop. The walls were white and filled with pictures of different pets; cute puppies, a cat playing with a ball of yarn, a hamster running on a wheel, and a happy looking pig, half covered in mud. These posters are clearly meant to cheer up people in the waiting room, but they weren’t doing the trick for Y/N.

She was sitting on one of the chairs and stared at the photos of the puppies. Her leg shook up and down, a nervous tactic Stiles figured out within a couple of weeks of dating her nearly 13 years ago. Stiles believed her mind was running with a bunch of thoughts as they waited for the veterinarian to return with some news. However, he was wrong. The only thing running through Y/N’s mind was the day she got Ollie.

“Honey, could you come down for a second?” Y/N’s dad called out from the living room.

“Coming!” Y/N shouted from her room. She closed the chemistry textbook and grabbed Stiles’ hand. Stiles stumbled out of his chair as she led the way to the living room. Y/N didn’t know what her father had to say, but she wanted her boyfriend to be by her side.

Stiles and Y/N had just started dating about 3 weeks ago. It was certainly love at first sight when she walked into his chemistry class towards the beginning of their junior year. They both believed it was fate when Mr. Daniels paired them up as lab partners. They immediately hit it off.

“What’s up, dad?” Y/N asked as she walked into the living room. She let go of Stiles’ hand when she noticed her dad had a serious look on his face and his arms were folded tightly to his chest. Y/N tried to think back to what she might have done this week to get herself into trouble.

“I wanted to talk to you,” he said.

Stiles cleared his throat. “Maybe I should go?” Stiles asked, sensing a small tension in the room.

Y/N’s dad shook his head. “No, it’s okay. You can stay Stiles.” He looked back at his daughter. “I know this move hasn’t been easy for you.”

Y/N nodded in agreement. Her dad got a new promotion that required him and Y/N to move to Beacon Hills. She missed all her friends back home and making friends at Beacon Hills High School wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. She knew Stiles’ friends, but they were kind of distant and always busy with unexpected plans at the very last minute, mostly at nights. She was lucky to have Stiles as, not only her boyfriend, but her best friend too.

“So, I got something for you that might cheer you up,” her dad smiled at her. “But!” He pointed a finger at her, “you have to promise me you’ll take care of him.”

“Him...?” She asked confused. She looked back at Stiles, looking for any hints if he knew what her dad was talking about. Then suddenly, it hit her like a lighting bolt. She remembered asking - no begging her dad for a dog the minute they moved into town.

“You got me a dog?!” She asked with so much excitement.

Y/N’s dad chuckled. “Yup!” He walked behind the sofa and pushed a big kennel with a small golden retriever inside. “Y/N, meet Oliver. I adopted him this morning. I hope you don’t-.”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” She screamed with glee as she rushed over to the kennel, nearly pushing Stiles out of the way. She opened the kennel door and let the puppy out. He immediately rushed to her and licked her face as she picked him up. Y/N giggled.

Y/N’s dad chuckled. “As I was saying, I hope you don’t mind that I picked him out without you. I’ve been checking out different pet stores and dog pounds since we moved here. Yesterday, I ran into this little fella. The lady said they were going to put him down because he had already been there for a while and no one wanted him. I knew the moment I saw him, he was meant to be yours.”

“Oh, daddy! I love him!” She put Oliver down and rushed over to hug her dad. “Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!” She repeated as she hugged him tight and kissed him on the cheek.

“Aww man!” Stiles groaned in annoyance. Y/N and her father looked over at Stiles, only to see Oliver peeing on his shoe.

Y/N gasped and rushed over to Oliver, but it was already too late. Oliver had already finished. Y/N bit her lip back, trying to fight back her laughter. Her dad on the other hand, couldn’t stop laughing.

“You little runt, you ruined my shoe,” Stiles said.

Y/N laughed as she grabbed Oliver. “Don’t get mad at Ollie. He doesn’t know any better.”

“Promise me you’ll potty train him and take care of him,” Y/N’s father asked, still chuckling.

“We promise,” Y/N promised.

“We...?” Stiles looked at her.

“Yes. We will take care of him. We’ll walk him everyday and maybe he’ll even go on a couple of dates with us,” she smiled at Stiles. “I have a feeling he’s going to be with us for a long time. He’ll be our dog. So, you better be nice to Ollie.”

“I’ll only be nice if he’s nice to me...” he looked at Oliver who ironically at the moment was giving him puppy dog eyes. Stiles’ heart melted. He couldn’t be mad at a cute puppy. Stiles let out a small sigh of defeat. “Just promise me you won’t pee on anymore of my shoes. Okay, Ollie?” Y/N held Oliver in front of Stiles’ face. Oliver immediately started licking his face. Stiles smiled as he rubbed behind his ears.

“Ollie likes you too,” Y/N smiled as she leaned in and kissed Stiles’ cheek.

Stiles placed his hand on top of hers, pulling Y/N out of her memory. She looked over at him. He gave her a small smile. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “It’s going to be okay.”

Before she could respond, the veterinarian walked in. Y/N didn’t need to know she was coming to meet them with bad news. It wasn’t the sad look on the veterinarian’s face. It was her heavy heart and the gut wrenching feeling in the pit of her stomach that indicated something wasn’t right with Ollie.

“I’m sorry,” the veterinarian immediately started. “Oliver’s stomach has flipped and it’s too severe. An operation would fix this, but given his age, the surgery might cause him more pain than he already is. If you don’t want the surgery, you can take him home and try to make him as comfortable as possible, but I have to warn you, that’ll be extremely difficult. He’ll be in too much pain to get up and go to the bathroom. Chances are he’ll just lay in his business. He’ll need around the clock care. I feel like I should also let you know, there’s a third option if you want to go that route as well.”

“Third option?” Y/N asked confused. “What third option?”

When the vet said nothing, Stiles squeezed his wife’s hand and gave her a sad knowing look. Y/N’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, suddenly realizing what the third option was.

“I’ll give you two a moment to decide on what you want to do,” the veterinarian said as she walked back into the back room with Oliver, leaving the couple in the waiting room.

Stiles said nothing. He didn’t know what to say because he knew no matter what he said, it wouldn’t cheer her up or erase the pain she was in. For a split second, he wished he was like Scott, because then he would be able to take his wife’s pain away.

“Stiles,” she whispered with a shaky breath. “Do you think she’ll let us see him before,” she stopped herself, unable to finish the sentence.

“Of course.” Stiles reached in and swiped the single tear that made its way down her cheek. “Are you sure you want to do this, hon?”

More tears fell down her cheeks as she nodded. “We have to. He’s old. He’s 13 years old, not counting doggy years.” She let it a heavy sigh. “He’s in too much pain. He doesn’t deserve to be in anymore pain,” she sniffled.

“Okay,” Stiles said as he cupped her cheek and brushed the tears away. “Let’s go see Ollie.”

The vet came back to see if the couple had made their decision. When they gave her their answer, she led them to the back room where Oliver was. Before she opened the door, she turned around to face them. “If you like, you can stay after you say your goodbyes. However, I completely understand if you want to leave before-“

“We’d like to stay,” Y/N immediately answered. “Ollie doesn’t deserve to be by himself.”

“Okay,” the vet nodded and opened the door. “I’ll give you two a few minutes.”

Y/N and Stiles walked up to Ollie, who was lying still on a steel table underneath a comforter. He didn’t move other than his eyes when he saw his two best friends coming towards him.

“Oh, Ollie,” Y/N whispered as tears ran down her cheeks. She leaned down and hugged him softly, trying not to cause any more pain. She pulled back and covered his face with kisses. He licked her cheek one last time before she pulled back. She locked her eyes with his dim green eyes. “I want you to know, you were the best dog in the world, okay? Don’t ever think you weren’t. You were fun, adventurous, curious, funny, loving, and beautiful.” She bit her lip back as she tried to regain her strength. “I want you to know it’s going to be okay. You’re going to go to a wonderful place and I’m sorry, but we won’t be there,” Y/N looked up at Stiles. She saw his hand running along Oliver’s body, his back, his legs, and his tail. He was taking in Oliver’s features one last time. When his fingers brushed through the end of his tail, Stiles looked up at Y/N. His nose was wet and pink, and his eyes were filled with tears. He nodded at her, motioning her to continue.

“But you’re going to love it. There’s going to be other dogs there and you’ll be friends with them. Maybe you guys can chase squirrels or cats together. It’s also a world where there’s countless of big bones and cupcakes for you to eat, sticks and balls to play with. It’s also a place where you can look down and always watch over us. You’re going to love it, Ollie.”

The vet knocked on the door just as Y/N had finished her goodbye. “Are you ready?”

Y/N stood up straight and nodded. Stiles stood next to her. He wrapped an arm around her and placed his free hand on Oliver’s back. He stroked him, hoping Oliver would find it comfortable. The vet grabbed the needle and injected the pentobarbital into the IV that was hooked on Oliver.

More tears flowed down Y/N’s cheeks as she saw Ollie trying to fight the sleep. His breathing was becoming slower. She leaned in and kissed his head. “It’s okay,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ll always love you and I’ll see you one day years from now.”

Y/N closed her eyes as Ollie’s eyes fluttered close. She stood up and immediately buried her face in Stiles chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. They had just lost - what they considered, their first child. All he knew he could do was hold her tight and let her cry for as long as she wanted. “I love you,” he whispered against the shell of her ear. She nodded as she grabbed a fist full of his shirt, signaling she loved him too.

Two weeks later

“Hey,” Stiles said after he finally found his wife sitting in the recliner in their living room. As he walked closer to her, he noticed she had a picture frame in her hands. “What are you doing?” He asked before he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She let out a small heavy sigh. “Just looking at this picture of Ollie.” She handed him the frame. It was a picture of them two with Oliver in the middle. It was taken shortly after Y/N’s dad surprised her with the puppy and Stiles cleaned his shoe. It was their first family photo.

“It would have been his 14th birthday today,” she let out a sad sigh.

Stiles kneeled down next to her. He grabbed her hands and squeezed them. “I know, baby.” He brought up her hand and kissed it. “I miss him too.”

“It’s so weird not having him around.”

“Tell me about it,” Stiles said as he looked at the photo. “I still expect to see that goofball running towards me when I get home from work, only to tackle me down for kisses.”

Y/N let out a sad chuckle. “He loved you.”

“And he loved you too.” Stiles tugged her hand. “I got you something.”

“You did?” She asked a bit surprised.

“I mean normally on this day I would come home with a big bone and Ollie’s favorite cupcake from the bakery down the street. So instead, I decided to get you something.” He pulled out a small silver bone charm with the letter O. “I thought it would be nice to add it to your charm bracelet. That way Ollie will always be with you.”

Y/N’s eyes welled up with tears. “I love it,” she leaned in to kiss him. She pulled back and gave Stiles her wrist with the charm bracelet. Stiles put on the charm. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Stiles.”

“I have one more surprise for you. Ollie would kill me if I didn’t continue the tradition.”

“Please don’t tell me you got me real bone, Stiles.”

Stiles chuckled. “I did and I left it in the backyard where Ollie is buried, but that’s not the surprise.”

“What is it?” She asked.

“I got us two of Ollie’s favorite cupcakes. I figured he would be pissed if someone didn’t have his favorite cupcake on his day. I think we should go outside and sit on the porch swing. It’s a beautiful evening outside.”

Y/N smiled at Stiles with more tears in her eyes. She grabbed his hands as she stood up. She pulled him in for a tight hug after she kissed him. “Thank you. I really needed this.” She tightened her grip on him. “I love you.”

Stiles leaned in and kissed her. “I love you, too.”

“Promise me something?” She asked.

“Anything.”

“Promise me, we’ll always eat his favorite cupcake on this day.”

“I promise,” he smiled back at her before he looked up. “I promise too, Ollie.”

[gadgetgirl71]

Top Ten Tuesday 23 February 2021

Welcome to this weeks Top Ten Tuesday. Originally created by The Broke & The Bookish, which is now hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week it features a book or literary themed category. This weeks prompt is:

Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud

(Claire @ Book Lovers Pizza)

Rachel’s Holiday 

Synopsis: Here’s Rachel Walsh, twenty-seven and the miserable owner of size 8 feet. She has regular congress with Luke Costello, a man who wears his leather trousers tight. And she’s fond – some might say too fond – of recreational drugs. Until she finds herself being frogmarched to the Cloisters – Dublin’s answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She’s outraged. Surely she’s not thin enough to be an addict? Heartsick and Luke-sick, she seeks redemption in the shape of Chris, a Man with a Past. A man who might be more trouble than he’s worth.

Can You Keep a Secret?

Synopsis: Emma is like every girl in the world. She has a few little secrets.

Secrets from her mother: 1. I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom to Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben Hur.

…From her boyfriend: 2. I’m a size twelve. Not a size eight, like Connor thinks. 3. I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.

…From her colleagues: 4. When Artemis really annoys me, I feed her plant orange juice. (Which is pretty much every day) 5. It was me who jammed the copier that time. In fact, all the times.

…Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world: 6. My G string is hurting me. 7. I faked my Maths GCSE grade on my CV. 8. I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is…

…until she spills them all to a stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger…

Get You Kit Off

Synopsis: Formerly Sex, Lies & Llamas From the author of the Number 1 bestseller – No Bra Required & Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? I’ve read Nikki’s previous books and loved them so I was expecting great things from her again. Guess what? She’s delivered!! The combination of humour, thrills and classic girl might- or might not-get her man is a real winner. If chick-lit is your thing Nikki is the author you need to read. Just brilliant!! – Amazon Reviewer WOW!! I loved this book. I have to be honest and say I put off reading it after I’d bought it, I loved the other 2 books by this author but football is not my thing and I thought the football theme running through it may have spoilt it for me … how wrong was I !! I can’t recommend this book or this author highly enough, I couldn’t put my Kindle down – can’t wait for more stuff from Nikki Ashton!!! – Amazon Reviewer Molly Pearson doesn’t have children, but as the Player Liaison Manager for a premiership football club, she does have twenty-two professional footballers and one jealous fiance to take care of – which as far as she can see is quite similar. With having to deal with problems from players buying zoo animals as pets, to losing their false teeth and a whole lot more, Molly can’t wait for the season to end. But, her life becomes even more complicated, when the man who broke her heart six years earlier, comes back into her life. Hail the returning hero, Joe Bennett, now one of the best footballers in the world and the club’s most expensive signing. Every woman wants him, every man wants to be him, and he’s returned for one reason only – he wants Molly back. With engaging characters, Sex, Lies & Llamas, is a humorous, yet sometimes sad romance depicting the difficulty in always doing the right thing, especially when love is involved.

Someone Else’s Fairytale

Synopsis: Jason Vanderholt, Hollywood’s hottest actor, falls head over heels for every girl, Chloe Winters, who hasn’t gotten around to watching most of his movies. It’s the ideal fairytale… for most people. The last thing Chloe needs is public attention. It brings back dangers from the past that she’s worked her whole life to escape.

The Single Girl’s To-Do List

Synopsis: Rachel Summers loves a to-do list: • Boyfriend • Flat • Great job

NOT on the list: • Being dumped

Best friends Emelie and Matthew ride to her rescue with an entirely new kind of list – The Single Girl’s To-Do List. Rachel doesn’t know it, but it will take her on all kinds of wild adventures – and get her in some romantic pickles too. And then it won’t be a case of what but who she decides to tick off…

• Mr. bendy yoga instructor • Mr. teenage sweetheart • Mr. persistent ex • Mr. deeply unsuitable

The Single Girl’s To-Do List gives Rachel the perfect heartbreak cure – and proves love is out there if you’re willing to take a chance.

Wedding Tiers

Synopsis: The path of true love never runs smooth. But for some, it’s one seriously bumpy ride! A heartwarming new romantic comedy from the bestselling author of A WINTER’S TALE. Growing up in the beautiful Lancashire village of Neatslake, Josie Gray and her childhood sweetheart, Ben Richards, always dreamt of living a life of rural bliss. And when Josie inherits her beloved Grandmother’s cottage, it seems they might just have got what they wished for. Josie throws herself into her wedding cake business, whilst Ben gains increasing acclaim as an artist. But the tranquil village turns into a hive of activity when Josie’s childhood friend, Libby Martin – now a wealthy widow – returns to the village, planning a lavish wedding to rival any celeb bash. The day goes with a bang, and soon Libby and Josie are hard at work at their fledgling wedding business, hiring out Libby’s beautiful Elizabethan home for ceremonies, with Josie creating all manner of wonderful cakes. But amidst all this romance, Josie’s fairytale relationship with Ben turns into a nightmare, and she quickly becomes Love’s number one cynic – until charming wedding photographer Noah Sephton arrives in Neatslake with a very different outlook on love! Can this hopeless romantic persuade pessimistic Josie to give romance another try? Or will it be a case of always the cake maker, never the bride!? A charming, witty and feelgood novel, ideal for fans of Katie Fforde and Harriet Evans.

The Bette Davis Club

Synopsis: The morning of her niece’s wedding, Margo Just drinks a double martini and contemplates the many mistakes she’s made in her fifty-odd years of life. Spending three decades in love with a wonderful but unattainable man is pretty high up on her list of missteps, as is a long line of unsuccessful love affairs accompanied by a seemingly endless supply of delicious cocktails.

When the young bride flees—taking with her a family heirloom and leaving behind six hundred bewildered guests—her mother offers Margo fifty grand to retrieve her spoiled brat of a daughter and the invaluable property she stole. So, together with the bride’s jilted and justifiably crabby fiancé, Margo sets out in a borrowed 1955 red MG on a cross-country chase. Along the way, none of what she discovers will be quite what she expected. But it might be exactly what she’s been seeking all along.

From acclaimed humor writer Jane Lotter comes this madcap, laugh-out-loud adventure, The Bette Davis Club.

Revised edition: This edition of The Bette Davis Club includes editorial revisions.

13 Dates

Synopsis: When Noah Wilson first encounters the quirky, opinionated and very beautiful Angel Fallon, his world is turned upside down. It’s clear she’s not his normal type, but Noah can’t stop thinking about her—which doesn’t bode well for the blind date he’s already late for.

Convinced by his friend (and self-professed dating expert) Marlon that thirteen dates is all you need to fall in love, Noah decides to give it a try with Angel. They should be incompatible: she’s impulsive and he’s a planner; he wants to settle down and she doesn’t ‘do’ relationships—or anything, for that matter—the way Noah is used to. But there’s something about Angel, and Noah can’t shake the idea that all they need is twelve more dates.

Despite some near-disasters involving rock climbing, saddle sores and jellied eels, it seems his plan may actually work. But even if they do reach the magic number, can that really mean they’ll just fall into their happily-ever-after?

The Shelf

Synopsis: Everyone in Amy’s life seems to be getting married (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she’s falling behind.

So, when her boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday to a mystery destination, she thinks this is it – he’s going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.

Along with five other women, Amy is dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned ‘The Keeper’. Will Amy’s time on the show make her realise there are worse things in life than being left on the shelf?

A funny, feminist and all-too-relatable novel about our obsession with coupling up, settling down and the battle we all have with accepting ourselves, The Shelf introduces the freshest new voice in women’s fiction.

The Wish List

Synopsis: Be careful what you wish for… Florence Fairfax isn’t lonely. She loves her job at the little bookshop in Chelsea and her cat, Marmalade, keeps her company at night. But everything changes when her stepsister, Mia, announces that she’s engaged to her boring golf-playing boyfriend. That’s when Florence meets Irish love coach, Gwendolyn. …because you just might get it! When Gwendolyn makes Florence write a wish list describing her perfect man, Florence refuses to take it seriously. Finding someone who likes cats, doesn’t wear pointy shoes and can overlook her ‘counting habit’? Impossible! Until, later that week, a handsome blond man asks for help in the bookshop… But is Rory the one, or is he simply too good to be true? Florence is about to find out that her criteria for finding Mr Right aren’t as important as she thought – and that perhaps her perfect man has been right there all along…

Until next week.

#JustForFun, #Top Ten Tuesday, #TopTenTuesday, #TTT

[aion-rsa]

New Sci-Fi, Horror and Thriller VOD Movie Releases in August 2020

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With what was supposed to be the summer movie season now just another relic of this pandemic-blasted year, and the rest of 2020’s major film releases in a continuing state of flux, it’s important to note that there has still been a fairly steady stream of new films coming out, some in limited theatrical release but others largely available via video on demand and streaming services.

With that in mind, and with the customary “opening weekend” a rather fluid and ambiguous term as well, below is a rundown of films we’ve caught in the past month, along with information on where you can find and watch them. Some are good, some not so much, but your mileage may vary for each. The important thing to know is that movies are still coming out–just not always in the ways we expect.

She Dies Tomorrow

Although it was released back on Aug. 7, you can still track down this second feature from director-writer Amy Seimetz, who you may also know from her acting work in films like last year’s Pet Sematary remake, 2018’s Wild Nights with Emily, and 2017’s Alien: Covenant.

Kate Lyn Sheil (You’re Next) stars as Amy, a young woman and recovering alcoholic who is suddenly gripped with the conviction that she is going to die the next day. But what happens next is even more bizarre: Amy begins to pass her belief along to others, like an infection, with family members, friends, and casual acquaintances all afflicted with the debilitating conviction that they are going to pass away in short order.

Seimetz takes a formally experimental and hallucinatory approach to the proceedings, so viewers looking for a more traditional end-of-the-world thriller may not find much to hold onto here. But Seimetz’s film is a much more intimate kind of apocalypse, and very much tapped into the ongoing dread that we’ve been feeling since early this year (if not before). Like the movie’s infection of the soul, we haven’t been able to get it out of our mind.

She Dies Tomorrow is available on Amazon Prime, as well as Google Play, iTunes and YouTube.

Sputnik

There is a long, fine tradition of Russian science fiction cinema that stretches back to the silent era and almost the beginning of film history itself. Along the way, under both Communist and oligarchic regimes, the nation has produced masterpieces like Solaris and Stalker as well as strong recent efforts like Hard to Be a God and the Night Watch films.

Sputnik is not likely to be so well-remembered. A clear effort to match the level of Hollywood productions (as far as it can, anyway), the debut from director Egor Abramenko is a derivative tale in which a manned spaceship crashes back to Earth, with one of its two crew members dead and the other infested with an alien organism that extrudes itself from his body only at certain hours of the night.

The nature of the parasitic relationship between the alien and the cosmonaut (Pyotr Fyodorov) is complex, perhaps overly so, and much of the film focuses on the dynamic between the creature, the man, and the neuropsychologist (Oksana Akinshina) brought in by the government baddie (Fyodor Bondarchuk) to find a way to separate him and the alien so the latter can be weaponized. All three actors are quite good, and the alien is effectively gross, but Sputnik is weighed down with its own self-importance, even as it borrow liberally from The Quatermass Xperiment, Alien, Species, Lifeforce, and others.

Sputnik is available in limited theaters, on Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube and other on-demand platforms.

Spree

In Spree, wannabe social media king Kurt Kunkle (Joe Keery from Stranger Things) decides on the one sure-fire way to elevate his standing online, rapidly expand his following (currently in the single digits), and become as massive a digital star as the kid he used to babysit, Bobby. He rigs his ride-hail car with cameras in order to livestream what he calls “The Lesson,” in which he’ll invite viewers to watch as he murders each of his rides via poisoned bottles of water or other means.

Keery provides a partially chilling, partially goofy mix of post-millennial entitlement and white incel grievance to his performance, and Sasheer Zamata is quite good as a stand-up comedian who Kurt picks up and begins obsessing over so he can glom onto her own substantial following. But like the makers of the newly released Unhinged–which also touches on What’s Ailing Our Society–director and co-writer Eugene Kotlyarenko wants it both ways with Spree. He pretends he’s making a satirical statement on social media culture while wallowing vicariously in the blood and violence of a slasher flick.

In the end, Spree says nothing we don’t already know about the empty, evanescent nature of social media, and its visual esthetic–the split screens, the narrow phone lens views, the constant stream of comments running up one side of the screen or the other from followers–is exhausting and annoying, like the movie as a whole.

Spree is available to stream on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Fandango Now and others.

Centigrade

In director Brendan Walsh’s feature debut Centigrade, Naomi (Genesis Rodriguez) and Matthew (Vincent Piazza) are a young American couple on a trip to Norway where the eight-months-pregnant Naomi is doing a promotional tour for her new book. Driving at night in freezing rain, they pull over to get some rest–and wake up the next morning to find their car encased in ice and snow on the side of the road, a frozen tomb from which they can seemingly not escape.

Neither Rodriguez nor Piazza are particularly remarkable actors, but they both bring enough empathy and raw anguish to their performances, as Walsh wrings maximum dread and suspense out of their increasingly grim situation (which was inspired by several true stories). As both food and patience begin to run out, the couple’s relationship waxes and wanes in realistic fashion and, naturally, a few secrets are forcibly revealed.

A few late turns in the story strain credulity, and a few more delicate questions are left unanswered (where did they keep going to the bathroom?), and the film does stretch things out a bit even to make the 90-minute mark. But you will still find yourself caught up in Naomi and Matthew’s chilly plight, and even moved by it.

Centigrade opens Friday, Aug. 28 on VOD, digital platforms and in drive-in theaters.

The post New Sci-Fi, Horror and Thriller VOD Movie Releases in August 2020 appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[tripsterguru]

10 All Inclusive Croatia Beach Hotels

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10 All Inclusive Croatia Beach Hotels

Tourists primarily associate a visit to Croatia with a beach holiday. If you want to spend a vacation enjoying the European level of comfort, sunbathing on beautiful beaches and swimming in the healing waters of the Adriatic Sea – choose Croatia. Picturesque mountain landscapes, coniferous forests, many flowers – you can explore all this splendor during walks or even from the windows of the hotel. Almost all the country’s beaches are marked with the “Blue Flag” sign, which indicates their cleanliness and environmental safety. The most popular hotels in Croatia with a sandy beach are all-inclusive – such a system will allow you to get the most pleasure from your vacation.

Aminess Grand Azur Hotel 4*

Located in Orebic, a small resort town. The hotel is located next to the beach. Each room has a view of the sea surface. Guests also sunbathe on a special terrace, and you can swim not only in the sea, but also in one of the 2 large pools filled with fresh water. The hotel restaurant gained great fame. Here you can enjoy traditional Mediterranean cuisine prepared using local olive oil and drink them with the best wines that Croatia has to offer. You can also enjoy alcoholic drinks at the bar.

At your service – everything you need to do water sports. You can also go out with a racket on the tennis court or play bowling, basketball. Bike rental is available. This is a very popular form of transport in Croatia, allowing you to make long walks and get acquainted with the sights. Numerous entertainments are also provided for children, animators have prepared interesting programs for them.

Park Plaza Verudela Pula 4*

It is located near the ancient Pula, where you can take a walk and look at the amphitheater preserved from the time of the Romans. The hotel is a real complex, including residential buildings, shops, cafes. However, it is located next to the Adriatic Sea. The road to the beach takes 3-4 minutes. Guests can use the outdoor pools, play tennis (large and table tennis) and minigolf. Those who wish will be offered to dive, as well as start yoga classes.

You can eat in cafes and restaurants, but you can cook on your own, and buy products in local shops. Tourists note that, despite its size, the hotel resembles a pearl, lost on the seashore, in pine forests. In the evenings it is quiet and calm. If you want to have fun, take the bus to Pula, which is a short drive away. Pets are allowed in the hotel.

Valamar Club Tamaris Hotel 4 *

Located on the peninsula of Lantern. You can walk to the beach without rushing, in 3-4 minutes. There are special conditions for people whose physical capabilities are limited. The hotel has everything you need for a good rest. There are adult and children’s pools, a spa, a beauty center, and a fitness center. By choosing the all-inclusive option, you will enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants every day.

Tamaris will offer you a buffet, which also includes many types of snacks and ice cream. Valeta offers a variety of dishes according to the menu. And in the tavern they will treat you with delights of national cuisine. The bar also works. You can go horse riding or visit the livestock farm located on site. Fans of antiquity should go to the city of Porec and get acquainted with its palaces, temples and works of art.

Falkensteiner Family Hotel Diadora 4*

This hotel can be called truly family run. It is located on the Punta Scala Peninsula and occupies a vast territory. Both adults and small vacationers will find something to do here. Adults can visit the sauna, swim in one of the pools – indoor or outdoor. A special instructor will teach children to swim. These lessons are free. Meals in the restaurant are provided according to the “buffet” system. Mediterranean cuisine, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served.

For children, a separate zone is equipped, a kind of “children’s restaurant”. In a huge park, children are waiting for various types of entertainment – for all ages. Toddlers play separately, older children will prefer a movie theater, or an arcade. A visit to the water park with its pools and water slides will be no less exciting. The hotel area resembles a small city, even if you spend your whole vacation here, then do not get bored.

Hotel Bellevue 4 *

Located not far from the center of Orebic, in a coniferous forest, at a distance of several tens of meters from the beach. Everything is provided for your vacation to be at the highest level. There are pools for both adults and children. The spacious terrace has sun loungers and parasols. There are tennis courts for tourists, there are 4 of them, you can also play volleyball or table tennis.

A special playground is equipped for children’s games. There are 2 restaurants. One of them provides a choice of dishes according to the menu, the other works in a buffet format. In both you will be offered to taste specialties, as well as red and white wines, which Croatia is famous for. Right on the beach there is a bar with alcoholic drinks and a variety of cocktails. There are diving clubs nearby, and you can also rent everything you need for windsurfing. Hiking enthusiasts will climb Mount Elijah.

Holiday Park Rooms and Suites Bellevue 4*

Located in the city of Orebic. It features a private beach. You can sunbathe and swim, or you can do one of the sports – windsurfing, canoeing, or play tennis, darts. Bike rental is also available. A large outdoor pool is surrounded by sun loungers. It overlooks the vast expanse of water.

There is a restaurant on site and a service such as room service is provided. It is especially nice to sit on the outdoor terrace with a glass of local wine and enjoy the sea. Meals are provided on a buffet basis. Everyone is invited to take a boat trip.

Hotel Orsan 3*

Located near Orebic, next to the beach. Hotel guests can use its large outdoor saltwater pool. Nearby is a bar. It’s nice to sip your favorite cocktail through a straw while lying on a deck chair by a beautiful pond. Meals are served in buffet style, and a light continental breakfast is also served here. For those who are attracted to physical activity, there is a volleyball court, a table for practicing table tennis. For children there is a spacious games room. The location of the hotel allows you to take walks along the coast and get acquainted with local attractions.

Adriatiq Hotel Faraon 3*

The hotel is located on the Peljesac peninsula, which produces famous wines. Located on the border of a private sandy beach. The hotel area is a beautiful garden in which even palm trees grow. To services of vacationers – an outdoor pool. A continental breakfast or buffet is a great place to enjoy Mediterranean specialties on a regular basis. Pets are welcome at this hotel. All vacationers note the high level of service and the friendly attitude of the staff. An additional bonus – everyone can take daily walks to the village of Trpani – sit in a cafe, go shopping, buy souvenirs.

Hotel Labineca 3 *

Located in the city of Gradac. Nearby is the best beach on the Adriatic Sea – the longest and with the most developed infrastructure. Tourists will have the opportunity to explore the main historical sights of the country, they are all concentrated nearby. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a football field and a tennis court. There is also a shallow pool for children.

There is a restaurant and bar, where music is played in the evenings, and local artists perform. At the same time, hotel guests, especially couples with children, note that this option is quiet and calm, nothing prevents you from resting, and put the child to bed in time in the evening. Those tourists who expect entertainment from the rest go to Gradac, with its beautiful promenade and numerous cafes. The hotel has free parking, currency exchange, laundry.

Valamar Club Dubrovnik 3*

Located on the Babin Kuk Peninsula – very green and picturesque. From here you can easily get to Dubrovnik. The hotel has a large swimming pool and several sports fields. The beach provides everything you need for water sports and diving. For children, special entertainment programs are provided. There is also a special “children’s corner.” Meals are provided on a buffet basis. You can sit in the bar overlooking the sea. For young tourists they offer different varieties of ice cream, as well as soft drinks. Vacationers will be pleased with the local beaches – sandy and pebble.

Each of the Croatian regions specializing in tourism is beautiful in its own way. It is recommended that families with children go to Istria. South Dalmatia and North Dalmatia are unusually picturesque. Here tourists will enjoy long walks, and tour desk staff will offer you to get acquainted with many attractions. Holidays in a beautiful southern country, on the seashore, with a European level of comfort and reasonable prices – what could be better?