#Kate Trotter

[farminglesbian]

Tru Love (2013) Kate Johnston, Shauna MacDonald

[wlwfilmscenes]

Tru Love (Kate Johnston / Shauna MacDonald, 2013)

[zonetrente-trois]

Cassidy Barry and Andrew Legg

[rickchung]

Midnight at the Paradise (dir. Vanessa Matsui) x WFF 2022.

Matsui’s film uses its relationship drama to wrap around an appreciation of cinema as a storytelling medium. Midnight at the Paradise has many hallmarks of an indie romantic drama directed by an actor turned first-time filmmaker with its naturalistic cinematography filmed on streets and focus on sharp dialogue. Still, it’s an honest portrait of artists struggling to come to terms with commitment and their own adulthood.

[the-record]

YOU’RE GONNA GO FAR

SUMMARY: you’d wait up for the rest of your life for nelly.

PAIRING: nell jackson x readership

WARNINGS: honestly a homoerotic friendship bc duh!!! death and grief

A/N: disclaimer that i have no idea if these times and dates r accurate but used my best context clues!!! anyways i actually like this one a lot :))

‘YOU’RE THE GREATEST THING WE’VE LOST’

tottenham, 1698

you didn’t understand. she was leaving? with some man, captain jackson, none of you knew.

“but why?” you ask, feeling out of breath. “what about george and roxy?” your eyes fill with tears as you pace in-front of nelly. “what about me?” 

she stops you, grabbing your hands and pulling you in-front of her. she’s sitting on your bed, legs spread just enough to be ‘un-ladylike’. “george and roxy have pa, they’ll be fine.” her hands grip yours tighter than they ever have as she stares into your eyes. youre sure she can see your soul, can read your every thought. “and you’ll be fine. some fella will want you, im sure of it.” 

you scoff and shake off her hands. “i don’t want some fella nelly, i want you to be here!” you laugh as you shake your head in disbelief. “don’t know why i try, you wont listen anyways.” the sun sets slowly outside your window and you watch as it gets darker. “think you should be getting home.” nelly sighs like she wants to say more but you shake your head. “not a suggestion, go home.” 

she knows better than to fight you on it, no matter how much she wants to stay here and help you make sense of it. you avoid her gaze as she walks out, not responding to the quiet ‘bye’ she says as she leaves.

it’s been days since nelly talked to you, she was getting nervous you wouldn’t say goodbye when they left tomorrow.

“nelly,” roxy’s got george in her arms as she helps around the pub. “she came round, said to meet you by some tree.” nelly doesn’t need roxy to clarify who ‘she’ is before she sets off.

she finds you sitting the base of the tree, your back against the trunk. hair tucked in a bonnet and laundry dress on, nelly doesn’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.

she slows down as she gets closer, taking the time to walk the distance and pray you dont hate her. she doesn’t think she could handle that. you look up when she’s just a few feet away and give her a gentle, friendly smile. nelly is out of breath, but trying, and failing, to hide it. flopping down beside you, she stares while waiting for you to speak.

“i’m sorry.” it’s quiet, and maybe unsure. you don’t look at her when you say it, eyes favoring the field across the path. “wasn’t trying to be mean,” you start. “feel like im gonna be here forever. and i just…” you trail off and pick at the grasses. “just scared of missin’ you.” your heart feels like it’s going to fall out of your chest at the admission. 

but she finds it endearing and sweet. and she finds that a part of her feels the same. “i hope you do,” she teases. “need a reason to come home, don’t i?” you smack her shoulder, but you laugh. nelly saves the sweet sound in the back of her mind. 

“i’m always gonna be waiting up for you, nell.”

true to your word, you wait for six years. 2,361 days of waiting when word finally comes. 

nelly, your nelly, dead. alongside that horrible captain jackson who stole her all those years ago. you blame him. 

a light switches off after that.

roxy becomes bit more reserved, she works more. she dedicates the rest of her free time to her pa and george. they fight over nelly, over the gravestone he wouldn’t buy.

sam was always hardheaded, but even more so now. he pretends her death doesn’t affect him, but in the quiet at night in the privacy of his room, he thinks of her.

george was too young to ever really know nelly, but she feels a sort of loss. she grieves the sister she never got to truly experience. 

you cut off the trotters, suddenly their existence being to strong of a reminder. you dream about her nearly every night.

“m’lady,” nelly snatches your hand and pulls you towards her as you walk through the field. she kneels and you fake gasp. “will you give me your hand in marriage?” her toff impression makes you laugh but you try to hold it in as you nod. a dandelion turned ring is placed on your marriage finger. “connects to your heart y’know.” 

you inspect it carefully, catching it in the low sun. “i suppose that’ll do.” 

you don’t sleep much anymore.

you’re on your way to your shift at the laundry when roxy shows up in-front of you, completely out of breath. she doesn’t say a word, just takes your hand and pulls you with her. you trust the girl not to question it and follow her to the talbot. 

an army man stands talking to sam by the bar but youre only confused for a moment. 

“nelly?” roxy’s voice is breathless, ever so slightly deeper than the last time you talked. more mature. but you don’t have time to worry about that when the army man turns.

and nelly makes sense now. 

she’s here, ginger curls tucked under a hat. freckles still decorating her cheeks. lips cracked and split on one side, but forever the prettiest shade of pink. 

she catches roxy and you think you may fall over yourself. because she’s dead. for a year now. you worry your imagining it all, stuck in a nightmare. but when she calls your name and youre pulled out of a trance, you know she’s real. she’s here. alive.

“you’re dead.” you whisper, not truly meaning to. she’s confused for a moment, looking over to roxy who nods in agreement.

nelly raises her eyebrows. “well that explains the way everyone’s looking at me.” 

your head shakes and you have to take a step back, then forward, before ultimately turning on your heel and leaving. walking as far as your tired legs will take you. over to the graveyard and to her ‘headstone’ roxy and george made her. 

nelly jackson. 1683-1704. 

you didn’t imagine it. youre not sure how long you’ve been there when they girls come up behind you, chatting away. making up for lost time. you still can’t wrap your head around it.

a letter told you all of her passing alongside captain jackson, her husband. you grieved the girl for months. watched as the trotters changed to fit the loss of her soul. 

yet now she walks side by side the girls and stops beside you at the wooden cross. “well.” you stand up and look from her to the cross. “roxy, george, give us a minute. yeah?” the girls walk away, a newfound pep. 

“i don’t get it.” you say as your hand wipes down your face. “you dont write, visit, send any word for six years. you die, and now youre here.” your hands flail as you speak. “seven years, nelly, seven. and now youre back?” 

she’s quiet for a moment, thinking of what to say. “nell.”

you laugh sarcastically, utterly confused. “what?”

“nell.” she says again. “not nelly anymore.”

you could slap her. she deserves it. “are you bloody serious?” and when you laugh again, it’s not the one she saved in a box in her mind. it’s empty. “that’s all you have to say.”

“i was widowed, captain jackson, he was blown up at the battle of blenheim.” nelly, nell, explains. “apparently i was too.” she adds. “didn’t know or i would’ve found someone to write.”

it’s enough for now. enough to satisfy you and break your heart. enough to fill you with guilt. “oh nell.” your arms find their way around her neck, clicking into place like a puzzle piece. her own wrap around your waist and bring you close. you stay like that for a moment, not nearly long enough. “i waited for you.”

nell laughs, a real true laugh that lets your reality set in place. she’s here. truly really here with you. “i knew you would.”

childish as it may be, you slept over at the trotters several times after nell’s return. you had a lot to catch up on after all.

the night’s were quiet, the both of you speaking softly as to not wake anyone.

“my mum’s hounding me to find a husband,” you sigh, playing with a rogue curl by her face. her own hand traces along your side while she listens intently. “i dread the day she finds one for me.”

nell’s quiet for a moment. she takes in the moment. you laying down beside her with your arm reaching towards her face. she’s propped up her head with a hand and is memorizing your features. not new, but now different than they used to be. a part of her wishes to stay here forever. another dreams to explore the world.

“i could make a good husband.” she jokes. but you don’t laugh, don’t even smile. she sees you adopt this far off look and she worries she’s upset you. “hey,” you snap back and nod, a fake smile adorning your face after a moment. “what’s wrong?” she whispers, leaning ever so slightly closer.

but you shake your head and dismiss it. “tired.” nell knows you’re lying, you could stay up all night. but she doesn’t push, she instead nods and blows out the candle. she lays down and let’s you slide closer until your head finds her shoulder and your eyes close. “take me with.”

nell hums, confused. “what’d you mean?”

“next time you leave.” you say softly.

“i’m tired of waiting up.”

‘AND WE’LL ALL BE HERE FOREVER’

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

"The Kate Effect:" Often imitated, never duplicated 👑

Determined to help, Kate has now persuaded 19 British brands to donate more than 10,000 NEW items to more than 40 baby banks across the UK.

The Duchess of Cambridge donned a mask, apron and gloves today as she launched a major initiative to support vulnerable babies and children. On a visit to the baby bank charity Baby Basics UK in Sheffield, she revealed how she was moved to tears by the stories of families she met during secret lockdown visits to its West Norfolk branch near her Anmer Hall home.

As she unloaded pallets and unpacked the first deliveries at the charity’s temporary distribution centre, she told volunteers: "It can get very emotional. I remember a couple of the families I met from King's Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving. The struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown...in extraordinary circumstances. Helping their families through extraordinary times."

Volunteer-run baby banks provide essentials such as nappies, clothing and bedding to vulnerable families who are referred by health visitors, midwives and social workers. But while baby banks across the UK have seen an increase in demand during the Covid-19 outbreak, many have been unable to accept second-hand donations because of health and safety concerns.The Duchess also spoke via videocalls to Amy Cotton, who fled a violent home with only her baby son Ricky, now three, and received a buggy, clothing and toys from Little Village. She is now a volunteer for the charity and has a 12-week old daughter, Ellie-Rose.

Kate told her: "It is brave and not often the easiest thing to do but it is really fantastic that you've reached out, that you are so open about your own struggles but also the fact that you are in such a fantastic place now. I suppose it is real credit to you, the journey that you've undertaken and the courage and strength you've shown to get there. So well done. And I love the fact that you are volunteering too."

She also spoke to Ella-Mae Michalski, whose 21-month-old twin girls Bella and Ruby were born prematurely with chronic lung disease. Little Village provided them with a double pram, clothes, muslins and other essentials.

"As a mum the one thing you want to be able to do is to provide for your children and it was difficult not to be able to do that but Little Village helped," said Ella-Mae. "It's something as basic as getting a cup of tea when you come here and people asking how you are and being able to offload without fear of what people might think."After learning about the situation during private visits to her local branch, where she helped to pack Moses Baskets with essential products for babies, the Duchess spearheaded a campaign to get UK companies to donate items to baby banks run by Baby Basics UK, London-based Little Village and Aberdeenshire-based AberNecessities.

Retailers taking part include John Lewis, M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury's, The White Company, Matalan, Trotters, Boden, Frugi, Mamas & Papas, Jojo Maman Bébé and Kit & Kin. Green People (Organic Babies), My Little Coco, Bloom and Blossom, Kokoso Baby, Childs Farm and Bramley have also made donations, while DHL Express is providing transport.

In Sheffield, Baby Basics CEO Cat Ross told the Duchess: "Often in a world where there is a lot of judgement and stereotyping about being poor, that additional stress can be even more difficult for parents who are doing amazing things to keep their families going with such strength, such determination."

"Yes," agreed Kate, "One of the mums I met was a nurse. These are families who do fantastic jobs and even they are struggling."Talking about community spirit during lockdown, she added: "It is those small volunteering acts that everyone can contribute to that make such a difference. That inter-generational support system has been amazing. Knowing that you can make such a big difference to another family is wonderful."

Kate also met Ali Wartty and Sahara Hamawandy, and their one-year-old triplets San, Shan and Laveen. An emotional Sahara told the Duchess how she was referred to Baby Basics after struggling to cope. The charity provided them with a triple pram, Moses baskets and starter packs, as well as clothes and toiletries as the babies have grown.

"I was living on the 12th floor of a block of flats and trying to cope with the three of them," she told the Duchess. "It must have been so stressful," sympathised Kate.  

Sahara told her: "How do you take your three babies down from the 12th floor without a pram? We weren't able to go out at all." Speaking afterwards, Sahara said: "To give support to mum means giving support to the whole family. That’s why the charity has been so important to a mother like me. It gave me power. It transformed me. I just want to say thank you to everybody."A Little Village survey of more than 50 baby banks has found that 77% desperately need more nappies, mattresses and other products as demand for their services increases. The charity is set to support more than 6,000 children this year, double the number they helped in 2019.

Founder and Chief Executive Sophia Parker said: "The pandemic appears to be making the situation much, much worse for many families. Every child should have the right to a good childhood and this new initiative is a much welcomed step towards tackling child poverty in the under 5s."

Danielle Flecher-Horn, Founder of AberNecessities, added: "By providing parents with the resources to build a positive relationship with their children - from pregnancy and throughout the first years – we can make a real difference to a child’s development, health and overall happiness."Speaking aftewards, Baby Basics CEO Cat Ross said: "A lot of people have heard about food banks but don’t necessarily know about the baby banks and what we do. Having someone like the Duchess behind us is amazing and her helping us by getting in all these amazing brands has been incredible."

Announcing the initiative, Kate said: "Over recent months, I have heard from families who have been supported by baby banks through the most difficult of times and I have been deeply moved by their stories. Having somewhere to turn to for support is important for all families, and baby banks work every day, up and down the country, to provide immediate, tangible and practical help for parents and carers when they are most in need.

"Baby banks are driven by incredible volunteers, demonstrating the power of community spirit in supporting families and coming together to raise the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of the companies taking part in this initiative, baby banks across the UK will be able to support even more families through this particularly challenging time."

"In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets."¹

@skippyv20 I remember when you told us to spot the difference. No photos of "the wife" out shopping with mom for baby items.🧐

¹Matthew 7:12

[movies-to-add-to-your-tbw]

Title: Beastly

Rating: PG-13

Director: Daniel Barnz

Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen, LisaGay Hamilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Dakota Johnson, Erik Knudsen, Peter Krause, David Francis, Gio Perez, Karl Graboshas, Jonathan Dubsky, Rhiannon Moller-Trotter, Miguel Mendoza, Roc LaFortune

Release year: 2011

Genres: drama, fantasy, romance

Blurb: A New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

[fridaythe13ththeseries]

Repetition

Episode Recap #66: Repetition Original Airdate: February 17, 1990

Starring: Louise Robey as Micki Foster Steve Monarque as Johnny Ventura (as Steven Monarque) (credit only) Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak (credit only)

Guest cast: David Ferry as Walter Cromwell Kate Trotter as Anne Holloway Vicki Wauchope as Heather Stevens Kay Tremblay as Mrs. Cromwell Sharry Flett as Ruth Stevens Stephen Hunter as Martin Lentz Dan MacDonald as Doctor Aaron Ross Fraser as Bill R.D. Reid as Bart Brent Titcomb as Jimmy Paul Bettis as Undertaker

Written by Jennifer Lynch Directed by William Fruet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We open on a newspaper office, having a party for a columnist named Walter Cromwell. He has been named American Columnist of the Year, and his editor gives a short speech. Walter's elderly mother is in attendance, as well. Walter accepts the award on behalf of all his coworkers, and gives a speech about responsibility he learned from his mother.

Later, Walter sends his mother home in a cab, since he has a column to finish. A coworker tries to get Walter to go for a drink, but Walter goes back in to work late.

The next morning, a young girl, Heather, goes out to play with her dog. Her mother tells her to come back soon and to avoid the river.

Walter finally leaves work after a long night, driving home tired and yawning and eventually dozing off. He swerves as he drives, flies off the road and into a clearing, hitting and killing Heather. He pulls the girl from under his car and lifts her up. The dog goes home without Heather, worrying her mother.

Credits roll.

A missing poster for Heather is on the pole outside Curious Goods, as inside we see a woman, Anne Holloway, thanking Micki for the items they are donating to the shelter she runs. Jack and Johnny are on a buying trip and will be home soon. Micki unpacks a figurine, which Anne remarks is beautiful. It's from the 18th century and Jack apparently bought a dozen of them. Anne asks if they are valuable and Micki says one of them is. Ruth Stevens, Heather's mother, enters. She has no news of Heather, but has new flyers to post. Anne also takes some, and Micki mentions Anne does counseling, but Ruth isn't interested and leaves. Micki tells Anne how much Ruth is hurting and the woman offers to check in on her.

Walter is at church, in the confessional. He admits to killing the girl but says it wasn't his fault and hid the body. The priest asks if he's gone to the cops, but Walter says he can't, he has to worry about his mother. He wants the priest to tell the cops where the body is, but he says he can't. The priest begs him to come clean, it is his only way.

At work, Walter's boss is irate at the bad writing Walter has been doing for the last week. Walter says he is working through something. His boss doesn't want to hear it and takes Walter off the payroll until he pulls himself together. Walter takes a drink.

Arriving at home that night, Walter hears his boss in is head an dreads facing his mother. He drops papers and when he stoops to pick them up he notices a cameo on a chain hanging from under his car. He pulls it free, realizing it is from the girl he killed. He hears her voice begging for help, and when he looks at the locket, the silhouette of the girl is speaking, begging to be set free.

Walter goes inside, still hearing her beg for help. His mother calls out to him, and the girl asks if his name is Walter. He drops the cameo into the garbage disposal and goes to check on his mother. He gives her her medicine and lies that he took time off to spend with her. She says she is so tired lately.

Later, Walter is pouring a drink and the girl from the cameo pleads with him, telling him she doesn't have to be dead. He fishes the undamaged cameo out of the sink, and tells her he could change things if he could. The girl tells him he can, if he kills someone else at the same place and time he killed her. She begs to live again, as mother again calls out for him.

Next day, Walter has brought his mother to the spot where he killed Heather. She is ill, cold and confused as to what is going on. He gives her the cameo as a present. His mother wants to know what is happening, and the girl tells him it is almost time and he has to kill her. Walter is confused, but grabs the blanket on his mother, covers her face and smothers her to death. Just then, Heather crawls from where he had hidden her and they come face to face before Heather runs off, scared.

Walter is putting his mother's body into the back of his car, as Anne happens to drive by and notice him with an empty wheelchair. Anne drives to Ruth's home to check on her, and the woman is still sure she will find her daughter. Ruth thinks she hears her daughter, and a very dirty Heather runs up, to the shock of both women.

At home, Walter puts his mother into her bed, covering her with the sheet. He takes another drink as he calls her doctor, telling him his mother passed in her sleep. He asks for help in sending someone over. As he takes another drink, he hears his mother calling for his help. He drops his glass. He knows he killed her, and when he checks, he sees she is indeed dead. But she is now on the cameo, begging him for help. He pulls it off her, saying it is not fair.

Heather is telling her mother and Anne about the big car that came at her, then remembers a man with an old woman, and thinks he killed that person instead. Heather realizes the cameo her grandfather gave her is missing. Her mother is just happy to have her daughter home, but Anne is puzzled.

Walter to goes back to the woods, telling his mother on the cameo that her time was almost up anyway. He drops it into an old well. Back at confessional, he tells the priest he has sinned again, but not as bad. He tells the man that the girl lives, but he traded another life for hers. The priest tells him he needs help, but Walter thinks it is all good now. He then hears her mother's voice and talks back to her. He leaves, walking the street looking disheveled and talking to himself. A cop watches. Walter goes in to the homeless shelter.

Inside, he notices all the men, who are alone in the world. Anne is there, and introduces herself to Walter. He goes to leave, but she backs off. Walter continues to hear his mother, and yells at her, drawing some attention. One man goes to tell him if they hear him, they'll take him to "the farm." The man, Bill, says he just got out of the farm. Walter offers him a cigarette. Bill asks if Walter knows of a place to sleep tonight, since the shelter only offers the floor. He does, but when Bill goes to tell a friend, Walter stops him, saying it isn't big enough for more. Bill goes with Walter as Anne watches.

Walter climbs down the well and retrieves the cameo as Bill sleeps in his car. His mother's voice warns him it is almost time. He gets Bill from the car, leading him to the spot he killed the girl and his mother. He gives the cameo to Bill, then looks for a big stick. As Bill realizes he can't let go of the cameo, Walter hits him with a branch, killing him.

At the same time, at the mortuary, the mortician is beginning the embalming process on Walter's mother, who shocks the man when she wakes up screaming.

The doctor arrives at Walter's house as Walter rushes out, asking where his mother was sent. The doc, in shock, tells him his mother just died this morning, while being embalmed. Walter is aghast, and very confused.

Later, walking the streets, Walter is now hearing Bill beg for help via the cameo. He bumps into his boss, and tries to get away. His boss heard about his mother and offers to help. Bill still calls out to him, so Walter walks off.

Back in the shelter, Walter is confronted by Bill's friends, who want to know what Walter did with him. Walter tries to go and they rough him up and hit him until Anne breaks it up. Walter, his glasses broken, goes with Anne. She bandages his face and gets him some food. He still hears Bill's cries for help. Anne asks what's wrong, knowing he doesn't belong there. He tries to leave, but she offers help, asking if he hurt Bill. Walter says Bill is around and will be back tomorrow. He sobs as Anne tries to help, telling him we all make mistakes, and to admit what happened, go back to where it all began. Walter rushes out and Anne sees him pull down one of Heather's missing posters.

At confessional, Walter says he is going to the police tomorrow, but first he has to put things right. The priest offers prayers and Walter leaves.

At home, Heather and her mother are playing, unaware Walter is watching from outside.

At the shelter the next day, Ruth calls Anne saying that Heather is gone again. Anne says she'll be right over. Walter has taken Heather back to the same spot he killed her in, and tells the voice of Bill it'll be okay. He gives Heather her cameo back. Anne is driving to see Ruth and spots Walter's car on the side of the road and pulls over.

Walter tells Heather he didn't mean to hurt her. Heather notices the cameo has a different silhouette on it. Anne calls to Walter, looking for him. Walter checks the time and picks up Heather, hiding them both. Anne continues looking, saying she just wants to talk. He holds up a finger to Heather to be quiet. But Heather sees the well and has a memory of crawling out of it. She yells and jumps up and runs to Anne. Walter goes to get her, still holding the cameo. He tells Anne he has to kill Heather to make things right. Bill's voice tells him to kill Anne instead. Anne tells Heather to run and then stumbles. Walter is confused, telling Anne he didn't mean to kill anyone. He says he's sorry and picks up a bottle, breaking it to a sharp point. Anne screams, but Walter cuts his own throat, killing himself. Anne checks on him and finds the cameo in his hand. Just then Bill stumbles out, confused. Anne leads him away.

At Curious Goods, Micki is holding the cameo and searching the manifest. Anne asks if it is something Micki would want and, having found it listed in the book, Micki says yes. Anne lies and said a homeless person gave it to her, and that it fit the kind of items Jack said they look for. She offers it free of charge for all the donations they've made. Micki asks if Anne heard about Ruth finding Heather. The phone rings and Micki answers to Jack. As Anne leaves, Micki says she got something back before it caused any problems. Hearing that, Anne stops and looks back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My thoughts:

I liked this one, even though it is quite sad and depressing.

The cameo is an interesting item with a unique curse. Walter really only had one way out in the end, since no matter who he killed to replace the last, the item would haunt him. He was doomed from the start. And besides his mother's unfortunate death via embalming shock, he was the only other victim, in the end.

A bit odd having Micki in only two scenes, and no Jack or Johnny, but maybe better than trying to twist the story to fit one of them in. Different, but glad it is mostly a one-off. I like having Micki and Jack, and Johnny, involved.

The guy playing Walter did a good job of slowly loosing it. More and more disheveled as his nightmare went on.

One odd thing is the lack of cops, with the girl missing. Even when she is found, it is Anne with Ruth, no cops. And when she goes missing again, Ruth calls Anne? Who she only just met and no cops? Weird.

Liked the little peek into how they find some of the cursed items, with Jack buying a dozen figurines, knowing one is the one they want and the rest will just be broken to look for that one unbreakable object.

Again, I liked this, but not as the norm. Prefer the group hunting together.

But Kate Trotter is great, isn't she? Love her scenes with Micki.

Next week: The Long Road Home

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Silence (2019)

While The Silence is based on a 2015 book and production started in 2018, let’s not kid ourselves. This lousy movie was released because of its similarities to the far superior A Quiet Place. Poorly written, with unmemorable monsters and frustratingly stupid characters, even if you’re starving for a movie in which blind threats stalk a family that knows sign language, you won’t be satisfied.

An underground expedition unleashes ancient creatures dubbed “vesps” upon humanity. These blind, carnivorous pterosaur-like beasts will tear you to pieces if they hear you make a noise. Luckily for the Andrews, they’ve all learned sign language following their daughter's partial hearing loss. Ally (Kiernan Shipka), her brother Jude (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf), their parents Hugh (Stanley Tucci) & Kelly (Miranda Otto), their grandmother Lynn (Kate Trotter) and family friend Glenn (John Corbett) flee the city looking for someplace quiet but soon learn the monsters aren’t the only threats.

Upon release, there was some controversy surrounding the fact that Kiernan Shipka isn’t actually deaf (unlike Millicent Simmonds from A Quiet Place). In this film’s defense, Ally isn’t quite deaf; she’s just losing her hearing. The movie makes it pretty clear she can occasionally understand what people are saying even when they’re not signing. Unless that’s just a mistake on the filmmaker’s part. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

The casting isn’t the problem. Everyone’s charismatic, sympathetic or appropriately sinister. The issue is the writing. I know these characters don’t know they’re in a horror movie but their situation isn’t THAT difficult to understand. There are flying monsters that eat anything that makes noise. DON’T MAKE NOISE. As soon as they jump in the car and bring in their dog but no cookbook entitled “Man’s Best Friend Makes a Tasty Dish”, you know these people are going to struggle with even the most basic life-or-death scenarios. They've seen the same news footage of sidewalk-covered gore and people screaming for their lives as us. Why so dumb?

Our heroes prove themselves too stupid to live numerous times. They forget to lock doors, invite shady (and murderous) strangers into their homes, fail to establish lookouts when there might be signs of trouble, discard useful weapons, etc. You’re so frustrated with them that when the flying devils whittle down the party, the odds of survival seem to increase. You start wondering if it's deliberate. "Maybe this movie will have a sense of humor about itself." It sure would help make The Silence more fun.

The story feels like a YA novel crossed with one or several other, better movies. Time is spent fleshing out the world by introducing religious cults and director John R. Leonetti establishes a romance between Ally and her “best friend”, Rob (Dempsey Bryk). All so we can map out exactly where the story will go before we get into the dystopian, post-apocalyptic world that’s sure to come in the sequels. We’re left on an ominous note. Will the vesps adapt to the one environment that keeps humanity safe, or will humans adapt to a soundless lifestyle first? To this question, all you can do is roll your eyes. There’s a reason why movies like A Quiet Place and Reign of Fire skipped right to the world being nothing but smoldering ruins. Deadly as the monsters in this movie may be, they’re not that smart. In fact, they’re hilariously dumb in at least one scene. I’m pretty sure you guys will be fine if you learn to shut up.

The film isn’t all that clever or well written. For instance, the idea of a soundless world isn’t well explored at all. Tremors was doing this kind of thing way back in the day and it isn’t the only one but writers Carey and Shane Van Dyke only scratch the surface when it comes to the concept. Without likable characters, novel twists or some kind of out-of-the-box thinking, you can’t help but notice the unconvincing special effects.

If you’re determined to watch The Silence, here’s what you do: first, you watch A Quiet Place. You have fun getting scared. Then, you watch this and you laugh at the attempt. Otherwise, don’t bother. (May 29, 2021)

[ramascreen]

Key Art And Trailer For DESCENDANT

Key Art And Trailer For DESCENDANT

Netflix has released these key art and trailer for DESCENDANT DIRECTED BY: Margaret Brown PRODUCED BY: Margaret Brown, Kyle Martin & Essie Chambers EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter, Shawn Gee, Zarah Zohlman & Kate Hurwitz RUNTIME: 1 Hour 47 Minutes NETFLIX FILM RELEASE DATE: Friday, October 21, 2022 Descendant will be…

[heartlandtfln]

“Evelyn: Sarcasm does not become you

Lisa: Maybe not but it does sustain me.“

[wlwfilmscenes]

Tru Love (Kate Johnston / Shauna MacDonald, 2013)

[zonetrente-trois]

"The relationships of three couples are explored over one fateful night in Toronto in Matsui’s film. Iris (Liane Balaban) is a 40-year-old wife and mother who feels stuck between caring for her dying film critic father (the late Kenneth Welsh in his final role) amid his complicated relationship with her mother (Kate Trotter) and her “good on paper” marriage to Geoff (Ryan Allen)." - Rachel West, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

[heartlandians]

Heartland - 10x05 - Something to Prove

[the-record]

FOREVER

SUMMARY: nell’s gone to find a surgeon and you hate the idea of it

PAIRING: nell jackson x reader

WARNINGS: george being injured :(( shes just a baby

A/N: i love this outfit sm the cape is so cute

‘FOREVER WAS A SENTENCE, A SENTENCE TO DEATH’

“i’m not staying back here nell! i’m serious.” you yelled as you rushed after her. “you can’t keep leaving me behind!” 

she groaned and stopped, turning to face you. “it’s dangerous.” you shrugged at her, an exasperated look on your face. “i am not leading you head first into trouble. i won’t!” she started off again but stopped when she heard your footsteps follow. she bent over, hands on her knees. “go back and look after george.”

you couldve screamed. “she’s got roxy, she’s fine.” 

nell steps forward and takes your hands in hers. you shy at the way she stares, trying to understand. “why can’t you just stay here,  where its safe. that’s all i ask.” her fingers tangle with yours.

you take a minute to really look at her, take her in. her messy curls tamed and pulled up. freckles littering her cheeks, a small sunburn under them. the nicest dress you’ve ever seen her wear covered by a cape. her hands are calloused, dry, and covered in dirt around yours, a tight grip.

“i hate to know youre alone.” you whisper.

she shakes her head and smiles sweetly, “i’m not. i promise you.” nell pulls you close, arms wrapping around your shoulders and tucking your head into her neck. “you don’t have to worry about me, i can handle myself.” you nod, breathing her in and holding her as close as you can. “besides, i’ve got rasselas.”

you watch her and rasselas leave, standing till you can no longer see the carraige before heading back. the door slams behind you as you walk in and you wince, scared you’ve woken george. only roxy looks up, an apologetic face. 

“no such luck?” you shake your head and walk over to the younger girl. she leans against you as you both watch george sleep. “i hate to see her like this.” roxy says quietly. “can’t get her to stop talking and playing normally.”

your arms wrap around her and squeeze. “she’ll be back to her old self in no time. nell’s gonna find a surgeon to fix her up.” you press your lips to the top of the girls head before turning to sit at the window.

the three of you sit at george’s side that night, she’s fast asleep and so is roxy.

you comb your fingers through nell’s hair, pulling the knots undone. she’s tired, head falling forward every so often. 

“been a while since someone’s taken care of me.” her voice is quiet and laced with sleep. she stops your hands with one of hers, reaching back and holding them while she turns to see you. 

you stand, laughing softly when she takes your hand to stop you. you pull away gently, a promise in your eyes to come back. she watches you search for a clean cloth and dip it in a bit of water, wring out the excess.

you wipe at her face when you return, taking extra care around the small cuts still healing. her hands are wiped carefully and gently by you.

“i can feel your eyes.” you tease, flickering your own up to look at her. she smiles, caught red handed. “d’you think she’s gonna be alright?” you ask quietly, something stuck in the back of your throat.

nell turns to look at george, her face soft with love for the young girl. she nods, “she’s strong, stronger than me.” she leans back and opens her arms. “c’mere.”

you fall into her, tired from the day. her arms pull you close, staying after you’ve gotten situated. “she’s so little.” nell looks down and follows your eyes over to george. “and roxy, she’s still young even if she doesn’t think she is.” 

she pushes the hair out of your face and moves your head to look at her. “they’re gonna be okay. we’ll get ‘em both to my uncle then me and you,” she says, smiling, “we’ll go to america. make somethin’ of ourselves.” you nod when she does. 

“seems like you thought a lot about this.” you tease. “i hate to leave the girls though.” nell nods in agreement.

“it’s for the best through, hm?” she relaxes back against the side of the bed with a sigh. “the surgeon,” she says, “he’s got a brother. a magistrate.” you look up at her in disbelief. “said i should go see him, ‘parently he can help us.” 

you take a moment, trying to force words out of your mouth. “you’re serious?” 

nell nods and presses a kiss to your temple. “now sleep, im not going nowhere.” 

‘I’M GLAD I GET FOREVER TO SEE WHERE YOU END’

[abs0luteb4stard]

WATCHING