#Fusco seems like he’s out

[chibitortuga]

The fact that Shaw endured over 7000 simulations and not once was able to kill Root and then finally escapes and reunites with her (and the team) but ultimately loses her at the end (┛ಥ_ಥ)┛彡┻━┻

[lillytalons]

ok i love the show Person of Interest. And I think how the Machine handles the numbers is super interesting.

Because at first you just think, yeah, the machine sends every 'irrelevant' number it gets to Harold. But then you realize that they consistently aren't dealing with more than one number at a time and are somehow still like getting enough sleep and such. And then you see the Machine give multiple numbers, and they're either connected or the team is able to divide and conquer. In fact, they seem to get more numbers once Carter is helping them, and then more when Shaw and Root are around as well. Plus once Fusco is less of a gopher and more of a partner, they entrust numbers to him. So they keep getting more numbers than they had before, or crazier situations and more to balance with work and life.

How does this work you may ask, cause I don't think it's the showrunners being sloppy. I think that the Machine only gives them what they can handle and only gives them people they can actually save. Like on the show, they hardly ever fail. And you can see that as just part of the genre, the inherent hope of the show in the face of inevitability, but the times they actually fail are when the target chooses to spurn their help, or when there are too many outside factors for them to be able to fight (generally multiple dangers at a time).

And there are several times (especially during the Samaritan Era) where they are given the name of someone close to someone who already died, something that was clearly pre-meditated. But our team machine wasn't given those other numbers because they wouldn't have time or the ability to actually save the person.

The machine knows that the team loosing hope and drive because of repeated failure and overwhelming exhaustion would be so much worse than letting the people die that couldn't be saved anyway.

Even the relevant numbers aren't always given to the teams, its names snuck into documents and little nudges given. The Machine never solves the problems itself, but it knows how to give the nudges needed for people to fix problems. It would make sense why Finch and Reese always seem to get numbers that need computer skills and guns, that's what they have and the problems they deal with are beyond being saved by an anonymous tip to the police.

Later of course we find out that the machine has multiple teams, but the team we see is made of people with skills paired with either instance curiosity or willingness to follow bizarre orders, but I firmly believe those teams were pretty late in the show. Before the machine was 'free' it definitely had less power and only seemed to reach out to Harold, even when Carter and John were obviously trustworthy. It only contacted 'Admin'. However, I assume it had more freedom to reach out to random agents that weren't in NY because Samaritan was so focused on finding team Machine that they didn't even consider other teams.

It was very fun as the Machine kept growing how it was constantly contacting anyone on team Machine, like John would let Harold know they got a new number instead of the other way around. Season 1 very much felt like the machine would only reach out to Finch on his morning walk (which had to be crazy early because we never actually see where he sleeps) but it felt so structured, like the Machine knew that Harold would be freaked out by too much deviance, so it kept to pay phones and as normal a time as possible. As they got better it was able to give information based on when it called (and it definitely texted Harold too when it had to). The slow progress and change to the Machine and team Machine is just so satisfying to watch.

[fieldbears]

Person of Interest fic snippet

I'm thinking about the opportunity for a ton of OCs, to inject some more "New York" into this New York-centered show, and also how Fusco is the underrated queen of this whole outfit. Anywhere here's something that may not go anywhere:

--------

Fusco's balancing the two shopping bags, the pastry bag, and the cup of coffee, so he uses his shoulder to push the shop door open and edge inside. The place is even smaller than it looked from the street. Crammed full too. It could be one of those seek-and-find books he used to look at with Lee.

"Welcome, please don't let the storm in," someone says from the back room.

"Yeah," Fusco mutters. With nobody else around, he lets the shopping bags plunk onto the floor with a noisy metallic clatter and finally sets the coffee and pastry bag on top of the nearest display cabinet. Under the glass, pretty much what he expected: men's watches, rings, cuff links, a mixed bag of stuff all crowded together. Whenever Lionel's gone into one of the really high-end shops after they get knocked over, he always sees the displays are kind of spread out from each other, like they don't have enough merchandise to fill the place. One bracelet, then the matching necklace, the earrings, and a long walk before you got to the next stuff.

"The door," someone says pointedly, and Fusco looks over - it hadn't fully closed behind him. The gale winds are still going. Okay, fair. He should have noticed it hadn't gotten any quieter.

"Sorry." Remembering he's supposed to be making a good impression, he pushes it shut without slamming it and gives the handle a little pull to make sure it's really shut right. When he turns back, a woman much younger than he expected is easing herself onto the stool behind the counter. "You're Francesca Cattaneo?"

"Yes." Her accent's faint, but she does sound like she grew up around here. Early thirties, dark hair to her shoulders, a bit of muscle tone, but otherwise very wiry. Dark clothes. She looks less like she should run a hole-in-the-wall jewelry and watch repair shop and more like she should be working in the coffee place he just came from.

Or, maybe, she should have Finch's job. They could switch places pretty perfectly. He'd fit in perfectly here.

"Can I help you?" She's looking down at the stuff he's put down on her counter, clearly wishing he hadn't.

"Those are yours, actually." Fusco says with his chest out a bit. "Kind of a peace offering from the department."

Cattaneo's brows come together immediately - Finch warned him about this. "You're with the NYPD?"

"Detective Fusco." He holds his hand out. She takes it and shakes it in a way that means she is only doing it because leaving him hanging would be even more uncomfortable for her. No ground gained yet, he can see.

"You're the new guy on burglaries?"

"I'm... pitching in." Fusco see-saws his hand. "We're short staffed right now, if you haven't heard."

Her expression softens a little and she lets out a gust of air. "Yeah. Congratulations on getting some really bad apples out of there." When he waits for a moment, she finally looks back down at the pastry bag, nudging it open with a finger and then glancing on the scribbles on the side of the cup. Her brows come back together. "How-?"

"I just went across the street and asked for whatever the watch lady always gets." Fusco shrugs. "They seem to like you over there. Perked up when I said I was bringing this over."

Francesca has a look like she needed to go have a talk with these loose-lipped baristas. Man, like a croissant and a mocha are personal information - this woman's clearly interested in her privacy, at least from cops.

"I heard," Fusco says delicately, "that your friendly working relationship with Detective Paola fell apart when he started hassling your customers." He says it in a way that doesn't directly trash talk a fellow man in uniform, but also doesn't defend that piece of shit.

"Hassling is really an understatement. Wait. Was Paola part of HR?" She leans in with clear interest. It sounds like she'd feel seriously vindicated if he was.

"He married and settled down in Wilmington a few years ago, so I doubt it." Wanting to give her some satisfaction, though, he adds, "I never knew the guy personally... but he really had a reputation for how he felt about anyone who'd done time. Real 'once a crook, always a crook' kind of attitude." Which, the less said about Fusco's history in relation to that mindset, the better.

Rebecca looks at him one more time before pulling the croissant out of the bag and beginning to eat it. Between bites and behind her hand, she asks, "So what're you asking for?"

"Same deal as we used to have." Fusco puts his hands up. "We bring 'em in, you check 'em out. No subpoenas, no paperwork, just a first glance from the local expert. Five dollars for each, right?"

"I mean, yeah," Her eyes dart over to a large laminated poster with prices, "but I never charged you guys." A moment passes. "Was Paola saying I charged him? Was he getting reimbursed?"

Fusco leans back a little. Thinks back to the reports he reviewed. "That little fuck."

Francesca stares at him a moment, and then barks out a laugh. It seems to clear some of the tension between them - okay, maybe this will work out.  Fusco bends over and lifts up the black shopping bag, and when she gestures for him to, he tips its contents delicately as he can onto the counter. Nine men's watches altogether, in a messy little pile. She doesn't put her croissant down, eating with one hand and scooting the watches into two piles with the other.

Fusco's already forgotten which belong to Glasses and which ones he grabbed from the evidence locker, but it looks like Francesca here is figuring it out pretty fucking fast. Or at least, she's got confidence. Once four watches are in one pile and five are in the other, she ignores the far pile and picks one of the other ones back up to hold to the light and admire.

"I'm glad you're helping me out, here, Ms. Cattaneo, but I can't be here all day."

Her lips quirk to the side in disappointment. She puts one down and picks up another - they all look mostly the same to Lionel. Some have metal straps, some leather, that's really it. "You seem nice, Detective, so I'm gonna give you some friendly advice - if you want to test me again, if all the legit ones are owned by the same collector, that means they're all sized the same." She taps down at what must be the 'Finch' pile she keeps picking things out of and ogling. "This guy has great taste. A Rolex, expected, but a good choice of one. And a La Cloche, I don't get to see many of those around here."

"Uh huh." Lionel pulls out his phone and takes a quick photo of the piles and texts it back to Finch. "So in about twenty seconds, you've really confirmed which are real and which are fakes? That's what you're saying?"

"The band circumferences are a giveaway, but hypothetically this medium-wristed guy could've gotten scammed once, or, you know, some people intentionally have knockoffs in their collection..." She leans on her elbow and picks up one of the fake-pile watches out with one finger, letting it dangle like it's trash. "This is a knockoff Versace watch. What a pointless fucking thing. It's a quartz movement to begin with."

All Greek to him. Fusco's phone beeps, and he checks the text: 100% accurate, Finch is confirming.

Well, shit. Maybe this woman really was some kind of savant who could help. "Okay, that was nine watches, so it's forty-five bucks on my tab so far? Let's go one more round before I cash out." He swipes the watches back into the black bag and pulls up the second one, tips it out - the ladies' watches are a little more glittery, a little more petite-looking, otherwise pretty similar. Something about the pile seems to interest her almost immediately.

"Okay, okay." She leans in and picks up a few up in turn. "Last bag, that was one multimillionaire guy's collection combined with a bag of halfhearted Chinese knockoff trash you could by for $20 on the street. This is..." She puts two to the side and picks up a third, turning it over and staring at the back for a while and then focusing back on the face. "All the same collection. A woman... who is not as rich as the first guy, but she's still loaded."

So far, correct, but not an impressive cold read quite yet. Fusco lets her paw through the stuff and hold things up to the light, pull out a magnifying thing, the works.

"She started collecting in the late 90s - this early '70s Cartier is a outlier, it was probably a hand-me-down from mom or someone, so I'd guess she was born into money. Decent taste. Just like the first guy, she's not flaunting it, she just has really, really good shit. Buuuuut..." She holds one with a big diamond-studded face away from her a moment, then brings it back in. "Yeah, I recognize some of these."

"Recognize?" Fusco echoes. Doesn't she recognize practically all of them? Doesn't her weird jeweler brain clearly have some sort of database of every watch ever made?

Cattaneo sighs and seems kind of bummed out. She sets two aside, then glares another down and makes it the third. Then a fourth. Then she pulls out her own phone, takes a photo, and presumably texts it to someone.

"You phoning a friend on these?"

Cattaneo points to the pile. "I know Dan Nowak, he runs a place downtown. You know him?"

He runs one of the bigger pawn shops. Cops are in there all the time about stolen shit. Dan usually seems exhausted about it. "Yeah, I know him."

"Well, least last week when I saw him," she lines the four watches up toward Lionel, "he had three of these in his main display case." She waits a second, then continues. "Like, these exact models. The legit versions."

Fusco's starting to get the picture. "You're saying you think someone stole some of this woman's collection and replaced them with knockoffs?"

Francesca shrugs and sighs. "Does she have a new partner? Maybe a house cleaner, but it's usually a partner. Someone who can get near her jewelry and whatever else when she's not around?"

Fusco thinks Reese mentioned something about a girl their number had been going steady with for a few months, but this is only circumstantial evidence, and getting caught stealing your girlfriend's valuables isn't necessarily going to lead to a life-threatening circumstance. "You said some people buy fakes on purpose, though."

"It'd be a real coincidence if she'd always only had these fakes, and the real versions are all in the same pawn shop cabinet. Less than five miles from where a cop is coming and showing me these fakes."

Yeah, okay. "And it's not possible she's got money problems and took them over to Dan herself?"

Francesca tilts her head. "It's possible," she allows, "and I've seen it happen, but. It's usually less mega-rich folks. And when it does happen, they usually didn't have the time or interest in buying top-tier fakes to replace them." She glances at his expression. "Listen." She softens her tone a bit. "Watches, diamond earrings, these things get thrown at people like me or Dan all the time when shit goes wrong and someone needs money fast. This woman," she taps the good pile, "I'd be real surprised if she needed money fast. And if she did, and she wanted so badly to replace every good watch she sold... those fakes shipped to her from China really freaking quick. What would make way more sense in my experience is that someone got her trust, researched her collection, invested a couple hundred bucks in buying copies of every single watch you showed me that currently has solid fakes for sale... and swapped them out as soon as they had those fakes in hand."

"You see this happen a lot," Fusco hazards.

"Not a lot a lot," she admits. "It's a long-term gig and you gotta put down some decent money for the fakes before you can make money selling the legit ones. That only makes financial sense if you're putting down, I don't know," she gestures dismissively. "Two or three hundred dollars per fake so that you can flip a ten thousand dollar watch, fifteen, something like that."

"Each of these little things is that much?"

"Or more." Francesca picks up the old-fashioned one. "Major brands only ever appreciate in value... so 70's Cartier here is worth more than your car and mine put together, I'd bet."

"Jesus."

"You said it." She pulls out a small unbranded paper bag with twine handles and sweeps the legit watches into it, handing it back. "Ten of these and nine from the other bag, nineteen times five is ninety five bucks. Let's call it ninety since you got me a snack."

"What, no tax?"

"You wanna pay tax?"

Lionel pulls out his wallet.

[moistvonlipwig]

Person of Interest for the unpopular opinions ask game?

Well there's a LOT I like about Person of Interest, so consider this a kind of 'greatest hits' overview:

Thematically, the show is coherent and powerful; most impressively, it evolves its themes and takes them to unexpected places while still maintaining a consistent thematic throughline, and it manages to do this in often quite poetic ways. Consider, for instance, how Reese's statement to Jessica from 1.03 "Mission Creep" that we're all alone in the end and "no one's coming to save you" is both echoed and refuted in the series finale, with Reese making a deal with the Machine to save Harold and the Machine's final monologue about how "everyone dies alone" but keeping someone's memory alive keeps them alive in turn. Or how the genesis of Harold's obsession with computers was a desire to make a machine that could serve as a kind of external memory for his father with dementia, and how that vision is realized in a way he never could have imagined with the Machine surveilling & predicting people so much that the dead essentially live on inside her code, to the point where the Machine can serve as a kind of 'digital interface' for Root and extension of her brain after her physical death. It's just plain good writing.

Jim Caviezel is...Jim Caviezel, but the other main actors on the show are all fantastic, and a lot of the supporting/one-off actors are also really strong.

Sameen Shaw is one of my favorite fictional characters ever, and I appreciate that PoI chose to tell a story about a prominent, sympathetic character (a woman of color, no less) with ASPD who goes on a legitimate character journey without ever having to become "normal" or learn empathy.

Root is also an incredible character -- she's a prophet, she's a killer for hire, she's a transhumanist, she's a hacker, she's a lesbian, she hates marriage, she's a Shakespearean fool, she's a god in the making -- and Amy Acker gives a tour-de-force performance in the role. I also like her ending! I know a lot of people don't and to be fair it aired at pretty much the worst time possible, but I think her dying to save Harold and essentially 'becoming' the Machine was a beautiful and fitting ending for her character.

Harold Finch is so bitchy and so funny. King. <3

Joss Carter and Lionel Fusco are a great (literal) buddy cop duo, and I also really enjoy Carter's relationships with Elias and Reese, and Fusco's relationships with Shaw and Root.

I even have affection for John Reese, based mostly on his relationships with the rest of the core cast & the occasional moments we get of him being incredibly gentle with the number of the week.

And to be fair, while you can tell that Jim Caviezel can't act, you can't tell that he is literally reading cue cards the entire time, so, someone did some magic editing work there.

The Machine is so well-characterized despite never actually speaking until the last four episodes of the show, and I love her lots. And her taking on Root's voice/persona in the last four episodes was narratively brilliant (and was yet another showcase of Amy Acker's acting abilities).

The Root/Shaw relationship is one of my favorite romances ever, and is probably my favorite gay romance ever. I particularly admire the show's refusal to force them to neatly fit into normative ideas of what a romance looks like; I find that fanfiction of them as a pair rarely does the relationship justice compared to the complexity the show itself presents. I like that in the end, they do get a happy ending, of sorts; they were never going to get married and have a white picket fence and 2.5 kids, and Root was never going to make it out of the fight alive, but Shaw survives and adopts Bear and has the Machine-as-Root in her ear, and that seems like a pretty good ending to me, all things considered. Also, the Machine telling Shaw in the finale that Root loved her because of who she was, not despite it, was beautiful, and "she wanted you to know that if you were a shape, you'd be a straight line. An arrow," is maybe the most romantic line ever spoken on television.

"return 0" is one of the best series finales out there, with an amazing and startlingly touching final sequence.

"If-Then-Else" is one of the best episodes of television ever made, and should be studied by anyone who wants to write for TV.

In general I think Person of Interest was very good at creating episodes, which is an art that the streaming era of TV is slowly but surely eating away at.

Ramin Djawadi's score for the show is incredible and iconic. I'm particularly fond of Root's theme and the Machine's theme.

The show also uses preexisting musical pieces to great effect. Some standouts to me are "Future Starts Slow" in 2x16, "Fortune Days" in 4x11, "The Day the World Went Away" in 5x10, and "Metamorphosis One" in 5x13.

BEAR

GOOD BOY BEAR

I LOVE YOU BEAR !!!!!

[themirokai]

For my new followers: I’ve been watching Person of Interest really slowly and posting reactions to each episode with gifs. Check out the tag #miro does poi if you’d like to see more. Or, ya know, blacklist it.

POI 03x23: Deus Ex Machina

I thought some parts of this episode worked and some did not. Gonna do some big overarching thoughts, then call out some specific moments.

I generally liked Collier as a villain. Some of that is an affinity for Leslie Odom Jr., but as I said in a prior post I also really like villains who have a point but take it too far. And I thought Odom played him really really well. The guy is crazy charismatic and brought every ounce of that to bear in this role.

So I felt a bit let down by the trial as culmination of his arc. It’s just… kind of dumb? Like did they actually believe that doing this show trial at gun point - of two political operatives and three people no one knew - was going to … what? Convince people to rise up against the government and demand greater privacy rights? Or was it to make themselves feel better about killing the people responsible for Northern Lights? It just seems pretty half-baked for a character who I felt had been previously set up to be intelligent and driven.

And I didn’t really like the reveal that Greer had been pulling the strings the whole time. It made sense for the broader Samaritan plot but it undermined everything about Collier. I think I would have preferred if they just had Decima influence how the trial went rather than have them be responsible for the entire Vigilance movement.

The trial did create the set up for Harold to be self-sacrificing. Again. Still. Some more.

So much of Harold’s actions throughout the series seem to be motivated by guilt. Actually, remorse is probably more accurate. He only thinks he’s important in terms of what he can do for others. BRB my heart is breaking.

Another thing that got my wheels turning was this part with Control where she gives her experience on 9/11 as her motivation for undertaking the surveillance program, and I’m interested in how that reads to younger people and people who aren’t American.

I was 17 on 9/11 and it isn’t much of an exaggeration to say that you could feel the country change in real time. Control’s story of having the rest of her life motivated by that day isn’t at all rare. I know several people who signed up for the military on 9/12 or shortly thereafter.

Probably most of the people using this site weren’t even born on 9/11 and I wonder if Control’s story comes off as contrived or manipulative to you. I know that for me, I do feel the remove of 22 years. I know that 9/11 jokes and memes are pretty common now. But I don’t think that was the case when this aired. I think we were still too close to it then, and Control probably came off as sympathetic or at least doing the wrong thing for the right reason. I’m not sure this part of the show has aged well. But also Camryn Manheim’s performance is fantastic.

I find it super interesting that when I try to use gif search, the majority of gifs that come up, and the first ones, are ALL Shoot. I’m not sure if that’s because there’s just more of them or if Shoot fans tag their stuff differently or what. I didn’t embed any here because this was getting lengthy, but this scene was great, they have excellent chemistry, and I generally love how their dynamic is developing.

Fusco’s arrival was fantastic because I’m always happy when he shows up but also Root … apparently sent a message on??? with??? Bear? We’re not going to interrogate the mechanics of how Root got Bear out of the library while she was going after Samaritan but I was very glad Bear was there too.

Also! Fusco still doesn’t know about the Machine!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh look, Hersh ends up being great and I’m kind of attached to him now. Of course he’s dead at the end.

Let’s talk about the Rinchiness. As always, we have John’s single-minded determination to get Harold back for the majority of the episode.

But then there is this oh so gentle and affectionate scene that I suspect lives in every Rincher’s heart.

Sigh.

And the ending. Goddamn the ending was gutting. RIP Library.

That’s a wrap on season 3! Thanks for sticking with me, y’all. Reminder that my ask box is open if you want to share your thoughts!

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: August 7, 1990

Lyrics:

I wake up in the morning

And I raise my weary head

I got an old coat for a pillow

And the earth was last night's bed

I don't know where I'm going

Only God knows where I've been

I'm a devil on the run

A six gun lover

A candle in the wind

When you're brought into this world

They say you're born in sin

Well at least they gave me something

I didn't have to steal or have to win

Well they tell me that I'm wanted

Yeah I'm a wanted man

I'm colt in your stable

I'm what Cain was to Abel

Mister catch me if you can

I'm going down in a blaze of glory

Take me now but know the truth

I'm going down in a blaze of glory

Lord I never drew first But I drew first blood

I'm no one's son

Call me young gun

You ask about my consience

And I offer you my soul

You ask If I'll grow to be a wise man

Well I ask if I'll grow old

You ask me if I known love

And what it's like to sing songs in the rain

Well, I've seen love come

And I've seen it shot down

I've seen it die in vain

Shot down in a blaze of glory

Take me now but know the truth

'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory

Lord I never drew first

But I drew first blood

I'm the devil's son

Call me young gun

Each night I go to bed

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

No I ain't looking for forgiveness

But before I'm six foot deep

Lord, I got to ask a favor

And I'll hope you'll understand

'Cause I've lived life to the fullest

Let the boy die like a man

Staring down the bullet

Let me make my final stand

Songwriter: Jon Bon Jovi

Shot down in a blaze of glory

Take me now but know the truth

I'm going out in a blaze of glory

Lord I never drew first

But I drew first blood and I'm no one's son

Call me young gun

I'm a young gun

SongFacts:

Blaze of Glory is a song by Jon Bon Jovi from 1990. It is the title track of the album of the same name, which is also the soundtrack to the film Blaze of Glory - Blazing Glory. It is Jon Bon Jovi's most successful solo single; she achieved platinum certification in the United States and Australia. At the same time, Jon Bon Jovi received a Golden Globe Award for the song and was nominated for an Oscar. The song is also known for the guitar solo that Jeff Beck contributed as a guest musician.

Jon Bon Jovi met Emilio Estevez, the protagonist of the Neowestern Blaze of Glory. He wanted the Bon Jovi single 'Wanted Dead or Alive' from the 1986 album 'Slippery When Wet' as the title track for the soundtrack. The song served as inspiration for the sequel to 'Young Guns' for screenwriter John Fusco, among others. But the more Jon Bon Jovi thought about it, a song about his band's touring madness seemed inappropriate for a western. Instead he offered to write the theme song 'Blaze of Glory'. However, as he became more familiar with the script, he came up with more ideas, eventually completing the entire soundtrack for the film in just under two months.

Alongside the album's title track, the song was later featured as the only Jon Bon Jovi solo song on 'Bon Jovi Best of Cross Road' (1994). A live version is included on the DVD Live from London (1995), recorded there by the Bon Jovi cast, plus Hugh McDonald and Steven Van Zandt. It also appeared on Bon Jovi's 2010 album 'Greatest Hits', also as the only solo song.

[jedivoodoochile]

“Jack Butler’s gonna like you.” - Scratch

That quote hit the general public 37 years ago today when the movie Crossroads opened in theaters on March 14th, 1986.

John Fusco wrote the film, and the story was inspired by a combination of his life on the road as a blues musician, listening to stories of old-time blues men, and the Robert Johnson “Crossroads” mythology.

Unfortunately, the film wasn’t a box office hit. However, it has steadily grown a large following in the years since it’s release.

People I’ve talked too seem to either REALLY love the movie, or they really don’t. I side with those who really love this film. I think the story is great. Macchio, who is coming off the huge hit “The Karate Kid,” does a fine job in his role as a college student who dreams of being a famous blues man.

The heart and soul of this film is Joe Seneca, who did an outstanding job as Robert Johnson’s “old friend” Willie Brown. His story is that of a man who is looking for redemption before it’s too late. Macchio is the star of the film, but Seneca steals every scene he has up until the big ending…

Oh, yeah…and that ending? It is absolutely amazing.

The movie Crossroads mixes incredible music, Robert Johnson/blues mythology, with a story of redemption, and growing up.

If any of those things appeal to you, then you should check this film out.

Crossroads

Written by John Fusco

Directed by Walter Hill

Starring…

Ralph Macchio as “Lightning Boy” Eugene Martone.

Joe Seneca as Willie Brown.

Jami Gertz as Frances.

Robert Judd as Scratch.

Joe Morton as Scratch’s assistant.

And, Steve Vai as Jack Butler

Guitarists William Kanengiser, Arlen Roth, Steve Vai, and Ry Cooder all perform in the music of this film. Sonny Terry provided the harmonica for the film.

[ctoan11]

Did you finish Person of Interest last night? If yes continue reading, if not go finish! Lol

So my bff and I actually met on POI Twitter in like 2019. He paid to meet Amy Acker who played Root and she said Roots death was fake (no body on screen) and her and Shaw are still out there rescuing numbers and being gay

Some other context about the terrible writing of season 5, CBS was mad at Nolan and the team and cancelled the show so Nolan killed off John and made it seem like Root was also dead so that the show couldn't ever be brought back like it was. CBS really hated it when shows they paid other companies for did better than their own originals idk why but my friend who worked in Hollywood said that's what went down. Another example of the shitty writing choices is Harold really kinda reverting back to season 1 and getting rid of a lot of his character growth.

I still really love the show so much but it always hurts when I get to the last season bc they would not all act like that! Burn Notice has a much better ending as much as Maddie's death saddens me and I wish they'd shown Sam and Jesse reuniting with Michael and Fiona eventually rather than saying they'll reach out "someday" but I'll take it over POI ending!

Anyways POI is a great show similar to Burn Notice and Leverage aside from the ending and I'm glad you watched it!

Isn’t there a scene with Fusco at the coroners with Root’s body?

At the end, I thought of it as Finch “breaking bad” when he finally let his self-imposed rules go and just wanted things to be okay for his friends at all costs.

I did like the episode at the White House when the former PoIs were teamed up and helping regular purple while our team was fighting Samaritan.

I actually liked S5 better than S4. It helped that Shaw was back—I think it really lacked something with Shaw and Carter not on the screen to interact with Reese. I also felt like they spent all of S4 keeping Caveziel away from the regulars as much as possible. He had a lot less screen time and I think the show suffered as a result.

Overall, I enjoyed it! There was so much more guns and shooting than in any of the other spy/heist shows. I was explaining it to my son—Elliott hates guns on Leverage and Burn Notice has a lot more explosions than bullets.

[byneddiedingo]

Massimo Girotti and Lucia Bosè in Story of a Love Affair (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1950)

Cast: Lucia Bosè, Massimo Girotti, Ferdinando Sarmi, Gino Rossi, Marika Rowsky, Rosi Mirafiore, Rubi Dalma. Screenplay: Michelangelo Antonioni, Daniele D’Anza, Silvio Giovaninett, Francesco Maselli, Piero Tellini. Cinematography: Enzo Serafin. Production design: Piero Filipponi. Film editing: Eraldo Da Roma. Music: Giovanni Fusco. 

Ten years before L'Avventura, with its elegantly muddled and elliptically presented relationships, Michelangelo Antonioni was working in a mode clearly influenced by Italian neorealism and American film noir, though one that gives us glimpses of the filmmaker he would become. His first feature film, Story of a Love Affair, takes place in the realms of the wealthy postwar Italian business class. A Milanese industrialist, Enrico Fontana (Ferdinando Sarmi), has come across a cache of photographs of his wife, Paola (Lucia Bosè), and hires a detective agency to find out what it can about her early life. Paola, it seems, was friends with a woman, Giovanna, who died when she fell down an elevator shaft. Giovanna had been engaged to Guido (Massimo Girotti), who, when he learns that Paola's past is the subject of an investigation, goes to see her in Milan. They are both worried that they are under suspicion of causing Giovanna's death, which they witnessed. Guido and Paola fall in love and, realizing she is trapped in her marriage to Fontana, form a plot to murder him. But before Guido can kill him, Fontana dies in an auto accident. When the police arrive to inform her of his death, Paola, fearing that she will be arrested, runs out into the night to meet Guido, who tells her of the accident and agrees to meet her the next day. But when he gets into a waiting taxi, Guido tells the driver to go to the train station. Antonioni admitted that he was influenced by James M. Cain's novel, The Postman Always Rings Twice, as well as the 1946 film version directed by Tay Garnett, in creating the lovers' plot to kill Fontana, but the ironic accident is his own invention, as is the mystery surrounding Fontana's death: Although Guido, who has been lying in wait to shoot Fontana, fails in his task, he hears the crash as well as what sound like gunshots, and arrives at the scene to see the body. He later tells Paola that there was a hole in Fontana's neck, as if he had been shot. The inconclusive ending, as well as the unresolved question of whether Paola and Guido were actually responsible for Giovanna's death, foreshadow Antonioni's later enigmatic approach to narrative, as does his use of the urban landscape as a correlative to the often bleak emotional states of his characters. The film shows its age with its shallow sonic ambience, in which scenes shot both indoors and outdoors have the same resonance, a symptom of the post-sync dialogue dubbing characteristic of Italian films of the period

[coolstuffiseverywhere]

Person of Interest: S2 E13 "Dead Reckoning"

So! Before I get into my insane Umineko ramblings, lets get some actual thoughts out of the way first!

Finch, why did you commit treason/digital terrorism? Like, not that I think the US government is particularly deserving of loyalty, but why would he also trust another group, presumably loyal to china, with code related to THE MACHINE?!?!?!? My guess is him wanting to weaken the power of the surveillance state(hurt your own daughter Finch? Shame on you), but how did he expect them to not just... double cross him as well, and use it as a basis for their own surveillance state, as seems to be somewhat what is happening from my spoilers and what I am getting from Kara's plan?

Anyway, on the note of Kara, I'm a little sad she's dead! She's kinda a foil to John, but also in a weird sideways way to Root and I could literally make a very weird chart out of this, but anyway, I was hoping she'd go for a little longer! This show isn't afraid of throwing away cast members, I'm well aware, but she's a really good foil. This was a fitting way for her to go, and really all that Snow would realistically do here, but I feel like her, Root, or from the little I know of her Shaw would have some interesting reactions.

This is mostly a sidenote, but I love how sad Bear is these past few episodes. It's adorable, and heartbreaking!

This was largely well thought out, and I like all the scenes at the end involving John trying to sacrifice himself, because it is painfully in character for everyone.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE UNIFORM PASSWORD FOR PHONES THING WAS REAL? I heard about it from hacknet of all things, and it is slightly more secure in the show(and hopefully irl), but assuming this isn't just a weird trope I AM less shocked then I should be, it makes sense for a lot of reasons.

I kinda love/hate Carter just kinda... going to her crime scene, still injured. It was like the fourth worst possible choice and I love it. Fusco was lovely the whole episode too! I like how he was the one to remind her of her son.

I'm sure I'll eventually have more to say, but that's all non-umineko thoughts. I'll put those in a second post, actually, or maybe a reblog. If anyone actually reads those, tell me your preference, even if it's after I already make it.

[a-fandom-reimagined]

You and Reese go way back, having known one another since your days in the special forces

There'd always been this palpable chemistry between the two of you. But out of respect and loyalty to Jessica, Resee never allowed himself to act on it

But in having you join Team Machine it was like life had given you both a second chance.

The Machine, of course, waits for no one so going on a real date was kind of out of the question.

But every now and then, the Machine would throw you a bone.

Tailing numbers to museums and uneventful fancy dinners

On stakeouts, Reese would make sure to pre-stock the car with your favorite snacks, drinks, and takeout.

Your favorite music playing quietly in the background.

Reese loved watching you work.

You were a masterful interrogator, a skilled hacker, and the things you could do with a knife made his blood sing.

Every once in a while someone would catch him beaming at you with pride and call him out on it, making him blush

Your relationship wasn't a secret per se but neither of you was shouting it from the rooftops either.

Both of you came from backgrounds that painted love as more of a weakness to be exploited than a strength to be relied upon.

it wasn't that you were scared, it was just your way of protecting one another.

The only exception to this was Carter.

You were good friends with her so if Reese ever needed advice, he went to her.

Reese gently nudging you to move in with him.

You'd probably find an extra key on your key ring.

Holding it up to the light, you'd ask. "What is this?"

"A key to my place," he answered, not meeting your eyes. "Just in case."

You nodded, your face hot with pleasure. "Oh. Thank you."

He'd nod, still not looking at you, and take your hand.

One morning you'd wake up looking for your clothes.

"Reese? I can't find any of my clothes. Even my shoes are gone."

"Check inside the dresser for the clothes, your shoes are in the closet," he called from across the room.

You did as he said, finding everything just as he described.

You moved to the doorway of the bedroom, your expression unreadable. "Why? What made you do this?"

Reese shrugged, hesitantly meeting your gaze. "Just seemed…right. You're here all the time anyway. You have a key. It seemed only fair that you have a place to put your things."

The rest of the team being shocked when they come over and see all of your things in Reese's place and teasing you about it.

Tending to each other's wounds.

Both of you going feral when the other is wounded or in trouble.

Cooking together.

Reese counting down the minutes until you both can go home and climb into bed with Bear at your feet or snuggled between you both

Reese is a cuddler.

He's also pretty old-fashioned.

Helping you with your coat, opening your doors.

Finch wholeheartedly approves.

He'd watch your interactions from afar, smiling and thrilled that his friend had finally found someone.

Forcing Reese to sit through all of your favorite rom-coms and reality shows

Reese eventually getting hooked on all of them against his will.

Training together

Fusco and Shaw teasing you both relentlessly.

You and Reese eventually opening up to each other about all of the things that you both had endured in the service.

Reese making you sit through all of his favorite kung fu movies.

Late-night rides through the city on his motorcycle

Walks through the park with Bear.

REQUESTED! | REQUESTS: OPEN | REBLOG DON’T REPOST | GIF?

[horsesarecreatures]

Choctaw Indian Pony -

“Researching the history of the Choctaw horse (pronounced CHOCK-taw)—also known as the Choctaw Indian Pony—is like tracing the delicate lines of a once colorful thread woven throughout a time-worn and fading tapestry. I was transfixed, awed, enchanted and, at times, deeply saddened as the fabric of this endangered breed’s story unraveled before me, most of it left out of our school history curriculums…The Choctaw horse is a Colonial Spanish horse, though you will rarely hear them referred to by this name. Easily confused with the wild horses the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees, they are often called “mustangs,” a term frequently and indiscriminately conferred on any feral horse of any genetic background. Today, only a very small number of feral horses (mustangs) bear the true Spanish type and breeding. Overall, Colonial Spanish horses of all bloodlines number about 3,000, while the total number of pure Choctaw horses is only about 250 animals.  The surviving Colonial Spanish Choctaw horses, however, are proven to be direct descendants of horses brought to the New World in the 1500s by the Spanish Conquistadors. Dr. Phillip Sponenberg, Professor of Pathology and Genetics at Virginia Tech University has devoted much of the last thirty years to ensuring the genetic integrity of the breed’s survival. “Colonial Spanish Horses are of great historic importance and are one of only a very few genetically unique horse breeds worldwide. Choctaw horses are one of a handful of distinct Native American tribal strains of Colonial Spanish Horse that are surviving by a thin thread,” he explains. The mythology of the Choctaw horse is complex, romantic and heart-rending.

While it may seem strange to envision Native Americans without horses, it wasn’t until the 1600s that indigenous Americans living in the deep South first encountered the animals. Hernando de soto and his invading Spaniards, searching for the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola (rumored to be overflowing with gold and riches) were the first to ride horses into Mississippi. The local Choctaw people dubbed the mysterious animals “spirit dogs.”  The seemingly friendly Spaniards soon proved otherwise. In the ensuing struggles, the brave and noble Choctaw managed to retain their rightful land and avoid enslavement—and they acquired a few of the Spaniards “spirit dogs,” as well.

In addition to horses, the Spanish also introduced cattle, goats, sheep and hogs to the native population. The Choctaw soon became adept at raising livestock, and the “spirit dogs” quickly became an integral part of the Choctaw culture. The characteristics and traits of the small and sturdy horses facilitated their deep integration into tribal life. They were athletic and possessed great endurance, with sound legs and tough hooves. Despite their smaller stature of 13.2-14.3 hands, the horses were able to carry a 200 plus pound man in 50 and 100 mile races. The equines quiet, people-oriented dispositions endeared them to the Choctaw and the animals soon became indispensable in hunting and farming.

Interestingly, the Choctaw women were considered “keepers of the horse,” according to screenwriter John Fusco whose movie Hidalgo was the story of Frank Hopkins and his Indian pinto pony.

‘The men did the hunting and it was their wives’ task to track and locate the kill on horseback, with little more than a broken twig here and there to mark the trail. On her sunset-and cornsilk-colored pony the Choctaw Woman would ride into a tangled maze of indigo bush and brambles, follow the trail without breaking gait, and locate the gift deer. Even five moons pregnant it didn’t matter; her Choctaw pony was born gaited, like riding a cloud. With her knife she’d dress the deer and sling the heavy meat up across the packsaddle. Laying some tobacco in gratitude, she’d remount and start for home.’

For three hundred years the Choctaw lived peaceably as accomplished agriculturalists and by the 1800s had developed a lucrative trade network with the areas that would later become Texas and Oklahoma, a feat which traveling on horseback had made possible. The high quality of their livestock, horses in particular, had become legendary, written about in travels journals of the era, including those of Lewis and Clark.

The Choctaw continued to prosper as a nation until Andrew Jackson signed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in September of 1830, proclaimed in February 1831, designating Oklahoma ‘Indian Territory.’ Thousands of Choctaw were forced at gunpoint to leave their beloved homeland in what was termed the ‘Relocation.’

Leaving their ancestral farms and forests to make way for Anglo plantation owners, they marched on foot (often barefoot) along what would come to be known as the Trail of Tears. Their loyal horses, with small bells tinkling like wind chimes fastened to their manes, carried children, the old and infirm through extremely cold weather and blizzards.

It is thought that as many as 4,000-5,000 of the 16,000 native people forced to relocate perished along the route. The tribe would prove resilient in the new territory until the Civil War and then, finally, Oklahoma’s statehood in 1907, when their nation would cease to exist as a separate entity. Tragically, their beloved horses did not fare as well.

The US Government sanctioned the extermination of the Indian horses in an effort to more easily force the Indians onto reservations. Because the Native American’s horses were of spiritual significance in the tribal culture (as was the land), confiscating them was a strategy to break the tribe’s spirit. But the fleet-footed ponies proved hard to catch. And unbeknownst to the cavalry, a handful of families in isolated pockets on the reservations sought to preserve the ancestral bloodlines, guarding and breeding their prized horses.

By the turn of the century, the handful of Choctaw  horses remaining sported long Spanish manes and came in a variety of colors: line-backed dun, varnish roan, blacks and bays and leopards among them. They were intelligent and possessed uncanny cow sense, a constitution that could survive on scrub grass, and a “butter smooth” ride. But by 1950 most of the Choctaw elders had passed on—and along with them the esoteric wisdom and zeal for preserving the rare pedigreed ponies that had accompanied them through times both good and bad.

Then another challenge arose: the US. Government imposed the Tick Eradication Program, ordering every wild pony in Oklahoma to be shot. A twist of fate in the form of a young cowboy named Gilbert H. Jones would turn the tables in the breed’s favor. G. H. Jones had a life-long passion for pure Spanish mustangs (now called Spanish Colonial Horses). He left New Mexico because his horses were being slaughtered by neighbors for their meat, and he had only one remaining stallion.    

Moving into the Kiamichi Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma, he obtained grazing permits from a local timber company and with the help of a friend, Robert Brislawn, began the process of rebuilding a pure Colonial Spanish Horse herd.

Jones happened upon some Choctaw elders who respected the young white man’s dedication and helped him acquire several Choctaw mares and an additional stallion—an impressive buckskin and white pinto named “Rooster.” Rooster’s ancestry could be traced directly back to the Trail of Tears. Jones’ restoration of a small herd of Choctaw horses had begun.

Savvy and industrious, Jones had become aware of Frank T. Hopkins. Hopkins and his Indian pony Hidalgo (the inspiration for the 2004 motion picture) had demonstrated the breed’s merits through long endurance races, and Jones aimed to do the same. Between long trail rides and brutal endurance events, Rooster’s bloodlines eventually became legendary.

By the 1980’s, Jones’s herd numbered close to one hundred pure horses. Jones continued to work tirelessly to preserve the Choctaw Indian Pony well into his elderly years. He died in 2000 at the age of 93, passing down his research and conservation work to Bryant and Darlene Rickman, who still breed and preserve Jones’ horses on his original land.

Dr. Phillip Sponenberg works closely with the Rickmans, contributing his advanced genetic research, as well as serving as Technical Advisor for the ALBC (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy). Dr. Sponenberg also serves as an Advisor to Red Road Farm and the Choctaw Indian Conservation Program, founded by the writer and filmmaker who made the Disney movie Hidalgo: John Fusco.” - Cowgirl Magazine

[aheroinasuit]

Sometimes, I think Fusco got the short stick when it comes to John and his treatment. It's an interesting narrative because we reach a point where the narrative intentionally -I think- makes us forget that Fusco was as corrupt as they come for a police officer and John treating him the way he does seems off, especially considering how John treats other people, some numbers for example. 

The answer is in season one from Pilot all through Many Happy Returns... and goes to season two as well. 

One of the first things John says to Lionel is that he's keeping him alive because John believes everything he'd done, he's done out of loyalty instead of, say, greed, like the others.

Loyalty. 

That's the reason John doesn't kill Lionel or send him to prison. That's the reason he decides to use him. 

However, I also think that's the reason for the way he treats him as well. Lione is a corrupt cop who became the way he is because he was loyal to his friend, as season 3 proves as well. 

In Pilot, John was at the state he was because of lack of loyalty. We can say John is many things but he's not corrupt, he's not a traitor, he's shown in contrast to his colleagues in the CIA. His Agency, Marc, and Kara -with whom he was not only colleagues but had an intimate relationship as well- were not loyal to him, who wasn't bad, not as a person, not as an agent. The comparison aches, doesn't it? Fusco, nothing to begin with, was loyal to people who didn't deserve it, but John's colleagues, agency and government weren't loyal to him, despite the fact John was loyal to all of them.

And who paid the price for John's loyalty? John and... Jessica. And would John think he was loyal to Jessica? To his promise to her? Doubtful. Because -despite the fact it was beyond himself- he gave a promise to Jessica, he broke it and she ended up dead. 

John's resentment of Lionel's loyalty despite the fact he sees it as a good thing is easily explained. 

[themirokai]

POI 03x21: Beta

Ok it’s now been some time since I watched this episode, but I had this partially drafted post saved and I have some time today sooo here we go!

Woof gif search is failing me big time for this episode. I mean I've got a bunch of gifs but they're not the important ones. Fortunately I've got @managerie76 's fantastically curated archive, so I do have some links. But for a bunch of the moments I want to call out, you're just going to have to cast your mind back.

Let's jump in, because this episode was a lot.

I really liked this opener with Shaw...

... but what really got me at the beginning of the episode was how much Shaw and Reese were clearly both missing Finch.

I know I'm repeating myself from prior posts a bit but I really like what they're doing with Fusco this season. He's still kind of comic relief but he's also a respected member of the team and I love that.

Loving the Mayhem Twins.

Carrie Preston was phenomenal in this episode.

(I know this gif is from a different episode I just really wanted a non-blindfolded one of her and couldn’t find any from this episode to embed.)

My notes from when they arrived at Grace’s house just say: HAROLD!!!!!!!

And hoooo boy does it pick up from there.

Kill them all Harold????

Ok and then the bridge scene. The music was gorgeous.

Here are some links to gif sets with my thoughts in the tags: here and here.

One more here that highlights how affected Shaw is by this. 🥺 But also? After Fusco had whisked Grace away (good job Fusco) it does seem like Reese and Shaw could have taken 2 cars full of guys. Like I’m pretty sure they’ve taken out more people than that before and Grace was already out of danger…

We’ve lost Finch which means we’ve lost everything.

- John Reese. Totally not in love or anything.

Really looking forward to this face off. This show is very good at taking two incredible actors and pitting them against each other in an enclosed space for an intense conversation. Let’s GO!

Thanks for reading. What are YOUR thoughts on Beta? No spoilers please, as of posting I legit don’t know what comes next in the series.

[norvicfiddler]

Speaking of ‘YHWH’ ...

Going back over (and over) the episode so thoroughly, I wonder - why does it feel so much like Finch and Reese have had some sort of massive argument?

I don’t remember them having any sort of argument recently. But John seems really off towards Harold, at least up until he claims there’s ‘nowhere else he’d rather be’, which Harold might have honestly doubted, the way he’s acting.

When he turns up at the sub-station, Harold’s sooo happy to see him and he just ... doesn’t say anything, looks grumpy. He can manage to snap at him for not getting the door unlocked quickly enough, then he goes and sulks on a gantry.

[don’t even @ me about him going to see **** first about, don’t know, don’t care, didn’t happen, fast-forwarded that bit]

Harold seems to sense something’s not right and does try - he goes over to have a chat about the present situation, and although he’s delivering basic exposition, Memerson somehow decides (as he’s looking up at John on the gantry) to lean against the wall in such a ... sultry fashion I may have to gif it! (it’s amazing)

Is John pissed off at himself for nearly getting himself killed? I thought that was a lesson in opening up to his friends more, which he does with Fusco, but poor Harold was worrying himself sick the whole time.

We never even got to see them meet up after that, before John got himself captured with Elias. He can’t be mad that Harold didn’t rescue him because that would be stupid, and anyway, Harold was desperate to!

Maybe he’s mad at The Machine again after reminding himself about Carter, but surely with everything that’s gone on since he’s over that by now?

Whatever his problem is, I wish he wouldn’t take it out on Harold. Come on John, look at his unhappy little face. I know a hug’s out of the question, but a smile wouldn’t kill you, would it?

[love-skincareroutine]

Best Skin Care Regimen For Oily Skin

New Post has been published on https://skin-care-routine.com/best-skin-care-regimen-for-oily-skin/best-skin-care-regimen-for-oily-skin/

Best Skin Care Regimen For Oily Skin

A. Dermatologists Say This Is the Best Skincare Regimen for Oily Skin

Oily skin can be caused by a number of factors: genetics, diet, stress and climate are just a few. In essence, however, oily skin is the result of increased sebum production, which can lead to clogged and dilated pores. Although a little extra shine may not be the bane of your existence, changing the texture of your skin is not ideal. The good news is that by using the right products (and of course avoiding the wrong ones), you can make your skin look less oily. To find the ideal treatment regime for oily skin, we look for the best dermatologists Patricia Wexler, MD and Francesca Fusco, MD of Wexler Dermatology, and certified plastic surgeon Joseph Cruise, MD of Cruise Plastic Surgery.

1. Your new routine

“For good overall health of the facial skin, it is important to clean, exfoliate, moisturize and use sunscreen daily,” says Cruise. A common misconception with oily skin is that it does not require a moisturizer and makes the skin even more oily. It is not so, says Cruise. “If you don’t get enough moisturizer, the skin pays off and more oil is produced.”

2. Cleaning products

As a cleanser, Cruise recommends Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Facial Cleanser, which contains a low dose of salicylic acid to treat acne without irritating the skin. It also removes blemishes without drying out, leaving the skin soft and supple.

3. Moisturizer

When choosing a formula, Cruise should look for ingredients that contain glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and niacinamide to even out skin tone. He also recommends a formula (unsurprisingly) without oil and without silicone, so that your pores do not clog.

Jojoba oil is a natural oil made from the seeds of the chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California and Mexico. It mimics natural sebum and nourishes and seals skin moisture without clogging pores or worsening acne

Burt’s Bees Brightening Even Skin Tone Moisturizing Cream helps “even out skin tone and reduce dark spots,” says Cruise. “It brightens and moisturizes the skin with a botanical blend rich in moisturizing oils, including apricots, jojoba, grape seeds and olive fruits.”

4. Flaking

“Glycolic acid is beneficial in lotions, scrubs and creams to reduce excessive oil production and prevent clogging of the pores that lead to rashes,” says Wexler.

Fusco agrees, “Glycolic acid peels are good, as are NeoStrata Glycolic Lotion ($ 52) and Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum ($ 90).”

5. SPF

“SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday Clear SPF 47 is good for oily and combination skin types,” says Cruise. “It protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays and does not clog pores. It is also hypoallergenic and free of oils, fragrances and parabens.”

The Avène-colored mineral sunscreen offers maximum water resistance and long-lasting hydration. Cruise says it works for all skin types and skin tones.

6. Retinol

Retin-A (tretinoin) is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin to renew itself, increasing cell renewal. It is usually prescribed for acne, fine lines and sun damaged skin.

Retinol helps to “thicken” the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and scrubs for a smoother complexion. However, it is also a hero product for oily skin types: “The solution [for oily skin] are products that exfoliate, increase cell renewal and unclog pores,” explains Wexler. “Retinoids reduce sebum, increase cell turnover and improve pigmentation. They also keep acne under control.”

7. Ingredients to avoid

Cruise says that anything extra heavy and clogging your pores is not a problem for oily skin types. Avoid products that contain vegetable oil, coconut oil, petroleum jelly and cocoa and shea butter.

Fusco also warns against aggressive exfoliants, as they peel off the skin barrier and lead to increased oil production to compensate for this. And to keep things simple, Fusco should look for anything that says “non-comedogenic” on the label, which means it won’t clog your pores.

  B. A Daily Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin: 4 Key Steps

We offer products that we believe are useful to our readers. If you buy from links on this page, we can earn a small commission. Here is our process. Oily skin is one of the most common skin problems. It offers some unique challenges, like glowing skin and acne. The good news? With the right products and skin care, these problems can be less of a problem. To eliminate the guesswork when caring for oily skin, we look for some skin care specialists. We specifically asked her to share her main tips for developing a daily skin care regimen for oily skin.

The result: a simple four-step routine that you can use in the morning and evening to keep your skin healthy, clean and radiant.

1. Step 1: clean within the morning and afternoon

The most important step in any skin care routine is to cleanse it.

“And if your skin tends to be oily, you can probably tolerate more cleansing,” says Dr. Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, founder of SLMD Skincare.

“While most people should wash their face in the morning and at night, it is especially important for people with oily skin to clean their face thoroughly in the morning,” says Lee.

Even though you feel that your skin was still clean the night before, Lee says that at night your skin is busy removing skin cells and producing oil.

For this reason, it is recommended to wash with a good exfoliating detergent in the morning and at night.

She likes to use detergent or wash with salicylic acid.

“This will really help to remove excess oil and dead skin to prevent build-up in the pores,” adds Lee.

2. Step 2: use toner

Once your skin is clean and free of makeup, dirt and oil, Lee recommends that you use an exfoliating tonic that contains:

Salicylic acid

Glycolic acid

Lactic acid

3. Step 3: Treat your skin

This step will depend on your specific skin problems. However, if you are prone to acne, Lee says to use benzoyl peroxide or sulfur during the day to reduce oil production and prevent breakouts.

At night, Lee recommends a retinol product to keep pores clean and skin glowing.

Some of her favorite products in the skin care line are BP Lotion, Sulfur Lotion and Retinol Serum.

Other popular over-the-counter retinol products are Roc Retinol Correxion Night Cream, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Booster.

A quick note for people with oily skin: Lee likes to remind people with oily skin that they are really lucky.

“When you have more oil on your skin, you will probably avoid wrinkles and fine lines for a little longer than someone with dry skin,” she says.

4. Step 4: wet the watch in the morning and at night.

Hydration is a very important step when you have oily skin.

“There are some beliefs that you shouldn’t or shouldn’t need hydration if you have oily skin,” says Lee. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“All skin types need a moisturizer. However, if you have oily skin, you should be more careful with the type of moisturizer you use, ”says Lee.

Your recommendation? Look for a moisturizer that:

Clear

Oil free

In a watery base

Any moisturizer formulated for acne prone skin must meet these criteria.

5. Other steps to help with oily skin

Developing a daily skin care regimen that works for you is the first step in treating oily skin. Once you have created this habit, you can incorporate other, less common steps into your routine, such as those described below.

a. Use absorbent paper

If your skin seems to glow all day, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using absorbent papers to control excess oil. To do this, press the paper lightly against your skin for a few seconds. This should help to absorb most of the oil. Repeat all day if necessary.

b. Wash after exercise

In addition to your morning and evening routine, the AAD recommends washing your face after training. This is especially important if you don’t plan on taking a shower anytime soon. Washing your face can remove the sweat, oil and dirt that can accumulate during exercise. This does not have to be a laborious four-step process. Simply wash your face with your regular cleanser and apply a light layer of moisturizer. The sooner you can do this after your workout, the better.

b. Choose products wisely

When it comes to buying skincare products, Dr. Adarsh ​​Vijay Mudgil, founder of Mudgil Dermatology in New York, which he must choose wisely. “Avoid products with alcohol, which paradoxically can lead to increased oil secretion. Also, avoid anything that is thick or greasy like cocoa butter, shea butter and petroleum jelly, ”he says. His favorites include the CeraVe and Neutrogena foam facial cleansers.

c. Use sunscreen outdoors

It is essential that you use sunscreen outdoors with a sun protection factor of at least 30. Mudgil recommends using a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients can help prevent the appearance of acne. For simplicity, try using a moisturizer with sunscreen every day to always be protected.

6. Summary

If you have oily skin, daily skin care is the best way to reduce rashes and control glare. Cleaning, hardening, treating and moisturizing your skin in the morning and evening are important steps in your daily skin care routine. Choosing the right products, using sunscreen, using blotters and washing your face after training can also reduce greasiness and help keep your skin clean and healthy.