#call josh by his real name dion!

[ne-oh-sama]

Does Dion come off as the type of guy who isn't used to receiving physical affection even when he himself initiates it? Even when he initiates a kiss with Terrence it still feels kinda stiff, like this guy is yearning to be loved and ravaged passionately by someone he could mentally and emotionally perceive as his equal, but can't do that with Terrence because of their difference in hierarchy. The hug he received from Joshua when they reunited in Waloed was still somewhat stiff but a step in the right direction from the simple fact that he wasn't used to it even when he wanted it as was expecting it. The hug with Mid was definitely unexpected since they aren't really acquainted but she's still thankful for his contributions nonetheless. I deadass hope that Dion gets to live and see a future in DLC because I would love to see him gradually open up and let his walls down with not just Joshua but everyone he could befriend.

[slothgiirl]

the trash pile: alex turner x reader

The cybernetic augmentation juts out from her temple, leading down to her chin, the metal a dull grey. Nothing says belter more than slap job augmentations, Alex thinks as she smiles at him, reaching out with her hand to him.

He takes it.

She's pretty from what he can see from the dim yellow lights in the club. The augmentation somehow complementing her already well formed cheekbones. A mess of bleached blonde hair falling down her shoulders.

And she's already offered, dragging him out onto the floor shamelessly. He'd rather dance with a beautiful woman than stand around drinking and having to listen to all his friends talk about people, things, he's unfamiliar with.

They've moved on.

The floor flashes bright blue to the beat of the music. Too loud to carry a conversation. Too loud to think. Alex can finally stop overthinking, what he's done since he landed on Tranquility base six hours ago.

Her touch is solid and confident, hands on his shoulders as she laughs, one hundred percent in the moment. He doesn't think he's ever been like that. Her ease is as natural as Alexa's charm.

His gaze flickers back to the table they'd been sharing, but they've dispersed into the club. He can't see a trace of any of his friends. Matt had long since left, having a ceremony to wake up for. "Tomorrow," he'd grinned, promising a night of debauchery.

"Hey," Taylor calls into his ear, bringing his attention back to her, blue eyes like the sky back on earth. None of the gaudy recreations of sky broadcasted through the colonies. Mars was said to not even bother, letting it's people grow up with an orange sky.

She smiles, tilting her head, before leaning in.

And wow, Alex really has been alone for too long, as her lips on his send his heart beat into a frenzy. Blood rushing in his ears like a teenage boy all over again. It isn't real, but he thinks in that second he loves her.

Alex always has been a romantic.

They leave the club together. The corridors are still red for the night. The one thing he hadn't missed. Even Ceres had better artificial lighting mods.

"I've got to go to work," Taylor tells him bluntly, "but you should give me your number. I think we could have a lot of fun together." She looks at him with hopeful eyes, biting her lower lip. He wants to kiss her again.

But, he'll be gone the day after tomorrow. The entire base holds too many ghosts for him to feel entirely comfortable. It makes him keep looking over his shoulder, expecting Josh or Julian. Two people he's long since lost touch with.

"I'm actually not staying that long," he admits as she leads them through the corridors. Alex can still recognize the alcoves he and Matt would take smoke breaks in. Which turn would lead them back to the lifts. Another life.

"That's a shame."

He chuckles. Before his mind catches up with his tongue, "wait, did you say you're going to work now?"

"Yeah. Its so fucking boring," Taylor says, stopping besides the lifts. "Coms graveyard shift." She rolls her eyes.

"I don't blame ya," he admits. Alexa had worked the coms. She'd always complained about having to go thirty seven floors below, bundled up in jackets. Since it was less populated, the government enacted more energy saving features.

"Maybe we'll see each other again in the drift," she grins suggestively, right as she steps into the lift.

Alex watches the doors closed, before he turns around, deciding to go find an open store. He could go for some more coffee while he's here. Maybe even stock up on it. It shouldn't be hard. The Base wasn't a residential area. Tourists were coming and going as well as SFN members.

There was the launchpad.

He lets himself wander. Too buzzed to be as tired despite the early call time he has in the morning. It would be just his luck to miss Matt's big promotion because he'd overslept after having traveled a month to be here.

It's not hard to find an open bodega. The open sign flashing green in the dim of the night.

Maybe he should've gotten the night vision implants after all. Miles never shut up about it. How easy it was to make his way about different colonies even during night cycles. And you could only tell if you were looking for the little silver ring around the iris.

Alex slips inside, making a bee line for the food. It's been hours since he last ate. At this point a cup of noodles and instant coffee sound like a dream. He gets the little powdered donuts as well. Then goes for the liquid milk creamer.

Who knows when he'll next have that option. No one had yet to figure out how to increase cows milk production in space. And powdered never tasted the same.

He looks at the fruit. Incredibly overpriced since it's a bodega. But apples and oranges. . .Alex could still remember the taste of fresh squeezed orange juice his mother would make. She'd cut them all open, let him squeeze the juice out before sucking on the pulp.

Alex grabs the smallest oranges.

There's no reason not to splurge. He has the money for it. And work is never hard to come by with his skill set. There's a large market for the skills SFN ensigns have, but most of those ensigns just stay with the navy.

He turns to go pay for his small haul, but the sight of a woman staring out of a faux porthole stops him in his tracks.

Her profile could not hide how beautiful she was, her gaze caught by the live feed of the earth on the other side of the moon. Romantic dark eyes gazing into the side of the bodega, her questionable egg salad sandwich forgotten in her hand. The bump in her prominent nose only served to make her profile more striking.

"That's not actually the earth," Alex starts gently, catching her attention. "Ya know." She turns to him, trying to hide the fact that she'd jumped, startled by his presence. And doing a damn good job at brushing off the surprise.

He was right. She's beautiful. Well formed full lips. Her dark hair tucked a braid, looking better in trousers and patched up hoodie than most people could dressed to the nines. Her shoes stick out from the casual ensemble, patent red leather with a split toe. There's the hint of dark circles under her eyes, probably from a missed nights sleep.

And a scattering of light scars like stars by her left cheekbone.

"I know," she responds, "I just never thought I'd ever be this close to the earth."

"You could take a trip to the other side and see the real thing," he muses, unable to hide the longing in his voice. Alex knew in his bones he'd never step foot on earth again. Never walk the streets in Sheffield or London again. But he couldn't help but wish for a miracle.

She shakes her head, the warmth in her eyes receding as she closes herself off. "Can't. Have to meet with a friend and then go back."

"Must be a good friend if you've come all this way."

She shrugs noncommittally, "He's more of an acquaintance of a friend. I've never actually met the man. But things being as they are," she explains, "it's best done in person."

Alex is now intrigued, a red flag raised in the back of his mind that still flies away information happening in the corner of his eye just in case. It makes him a damn good private investigator. "Mysterious."

"Forgive me for not spilling all my secrets to a stranger," she notes, arching a brow.

He can't help but chuckle. "Ya got me there love. Let's try something else."

"Like what," she asks, the corners of his lips turning up.

"How are you finding our moon?" The moon might not think it was the earth's, and the government sure wasn't, but the moon still spun around the earth the way it had for millions of years.

"Disappointing," she admits, frowning, "Ceres is livelier. And would it kill them to use brighter lighting?"

"Austerity measures," Alex shrugs. It had been the answer for as long as he'd been alive.

"From what," she asks, tilting her head, a smirk forming on her lips, "there's no war or reason for shortages."

"Just repeating the party line," he admits.

"Well," she raises her sandwich like a sad little white flag, "I've got to get going. It was nice meeting you."

"Can I get your number?"

Surprising him, she shakes her head, "No. I doubt we'll ever meet again. I don't plan to stay on the moon for long."

"Lucky for you," he counters, following her to the sales woman, built like a rugby player, "I'm not from the moon. So there's hope yet for our paths to cross."

She snorts, digging around her pockets for money, slowly building up a pile of change to pay with. "Let me guess," she says knowingly, as her eyes look him over, taking in his hair now curling past his ears, the navy blue sweater and white shirt combo that had felt smart earlier but had wrinkled in the course of the night. "you're from earth."

Alex answers bashfully, "born there." He always felt like apologizing for having been born on Earth. For having spent his childhood breathing in air without a care. For not knowing how precious an atmosphere was.

"Well I don't plan to go to earth," she trails off, waving her receipt away.

"Neither do I." He hands the lady a bill too large for what he's bought and follows her out the door, not bothering for his change. "But I take it there's no way I can convince you to give me a number?"

"None."

"How about a name," he offers. Alex had not seen one person that he'd bothered to chase in years. And here she was, indulging him as though he was a stray puppy she had fed once and now followed her around in hopes of more scraps.

"Yours first," she snipes back, not missing a beat.

"Alex." He doesn't ever bring up his last name. Too much weight. A famous family. And an infamous past. Being just Alex was a luxury.

"Tisiphone."

A name fitting for someone born in the jovian system. Maybe even Dione. But Dione, while a newer colony, wasn't bloody awful for someone to want to leave. It had to be-"Titian," he guesses. The wild west of space. SFN cadets hated getting assigned there. Johanna had said the worst part was the perpetual twilight.

Too many crevices to hide in.

"Yes," she responds, "and hopefully never again."

"If we ever meet again," the romantic in him already imagining them crossing paths in a Callisto settlement, planting trees for the rest of their lives and learning to work wood, "can I take you out for a cuppa?"

Tisiphone laughs, smiling tight lipped, "If it happens then I'll say yes earth boy."

** ** ch 2

The ceremony drags on.

They all sit, gathered around the Kennedy Hab, the first large permanent building on the dark side of the moon. The benches are as uncomfortable as ever, as Alex gazes down at a sea of navy uniforms all with various ranks on their right shoulders. He's seated right next to Alexa. The boys down there somewhere with Matt.

It's an SFN event so Alex's paranoia is right for once. The second glances the captains and commanders threw his way were knowing. They recognized him.

It sets his teeth on edge.

Alexa pats his knee, comfortable around him despite their shared history. Johanna besides him with her fiancé. They both keep glancing at each other, infinite in their whispering. He wants that.

"I'll throw hands at anyone who says anything," Alexa reassured him. Looking especially nice in a long red dress. She's not single. But it clearly isn't serious enough if she didn't bring him along to celebrate her friends.

"That would make it worse," Alex responds, keeping his gaze forward, careful to keep his face neutral. It usually wasn't a problem. That being his default expression. But this was bringing up events from his past he's long since buried.

"Derek was supposed to be here," Alexa says to try to distract him, "you would've liked him. Life of the party. Miles and him had a one night stand and now we're all friends."

"Well that's not saying much considering Miles will sleep with anything."

She laughs, "True. But even Nick gets jazzed to hang out with him and you know how hard it is to get close to Nick."

"He's just careful about who his friends are," Alex acknowledges. Unlike Nick, Alex was just terribly bad at opening up.

Nick was just picky. "That says something good about little old me." Alexa twirls her hands over her head. Sticking her nose in the air. "Not such a mess after all."

"You've never been a mess," he tells her, watching as they begin to call up all the newly minted commanders. Matt shouldn't take long. H being closer to the front of the alphabet.

"Yeah but I've never been particularly good at anything but charming my way into things," she shrugs shamelessly. Alexa wasn't the type to lose sleep over her insecurities.

The Admiral present at the ceremony, Marcus Kapoor, speaks clearly over the microphone, "Commander Matthew Helders."

Alexa and Johanna both stand up, yelling, "congrats!" Alex claps as loud as he can for a beat longer than the rest of the room as Matt shakes hands with the Admiral.

Alex remembers his own ceremony seven years ago now. It had been a smaller affair. His entire career accelerated by his talent.

He swallows back the bitter lump that forms in his throat. There's no reason to cry over spilled milk, his father had often told him back on earth.

Try telling that to anyone who doesn't live on earth: most milk is powdered in space.

He finally lets his eyes search through the crowd, trying to spy the man who'd once been his great mentor and friend. But if Julian is present, Alex doesn't see him among the uniforms. He's sure that he'd know Julian anywhere. His hair perpetually sticking out wildly like he'd just woken from a nap, streaks of color running through.

It was a welcome sight from the mandated navy and neutral colors the SFN preferred. Everything was done to keep the SFN neutral, trying to avoid any conflicts between the colonies. And especially between Mars and Earth.

Unable to wait, Alex asks Alexa, "did Julian come?" Julian and Matt had never been as close as Alex had been to the older man, one of the rare people to turn down a promotion. But Alex thinks Julian still would've come and cheered Matt on.

Drinking at bars until morning talking about life and chatting about their mutual obsession with vintage terran music cemented friendship like nothing else.

She frowns, lines forming between her brows. "Captain Casablancas?"

"Yeah," Alex nods, a nervousness creeping into the lining of his stomach. Julian had also been the only person present during the incident that had chosen not to testify. If he had, Alex had agonized long hours over that large IF, he'd probably have been given a far harsher sentence.

And it looked like the man had finally accepted the rank of Captain.

Alexa places her hand on his arm, doe eyes settling on his, before gently attempting to break the news, which given what she was saying, was impossible to break gently. "You haven't heard?"

"No."

"Julian's dead Alex," Alexa explains, her hand anchoring him to reality, even as his world lurches, "some accident with a faulty seal."

Fuck.

What the bloody hell!

Alex clenches his jaw. Julian deserved more than dying in a preventable accident. He was, and remained the only person to have jumped tracks at the SFN, going from maintenance to exploration.

"I'm sorry," she tries, patting his arm with her hand. "I know you two were close. This is sort of the worst way to hear the news isn't it?"

"How long ago," Alex asks in lieu of responding to her. Julian. Alex could hardly call him a friend anymore.

By the time he'd worked up the courage to message the man, Julian hadn't bothered responding at all. A cold message that Alex could understand.

He hadn't tried to contact him again.

"Three weeks."

Alex nods, fixing his gaze on the stage. The names being spoken, called up on stage, meaningless now that Matt had gone.

He'd been traveling to the Base.

No one had bothered to tell him.

They make their way down to Matt, navigating the crowd who are also here to celebrate their relatives and friends. Alexa led the way, cutting through the crowd like a knife through butter.

Jo and her fiancé hold hands. His eyes never leave her form as she leads on.

Alex frowns.

He'd thought. . .he'd thought, when Matt had first met him upon arrival at the base's landing pad, that he could slide back into his old life. Pick up where he'd left off. Maybe get a job here permanently.

Alex hadn't realized how lonely he'd been until he'd sat around and watched all his friends eat and drink. Easily communicating with each other they way only tightly knit groups of friends could. Finishing each other's sentences.

They had once been like that with Alex. But years in between meetings left him out of the loop. It didn't help that he had chosen to self isolate. Choosing to take jobs that left him without a permanent home, spending his free time tucked into various hotel rooms.

"Alexander Turner," a voice calls out.

He turns, faced with a black woman in a sleek khaki green suit, a moon police officer uniform. Her hair is as sleek as the press of her suit. Dark curls dusted with grey hairs.

"Yes," he asks, halting with great hesitation. The last time he'd dealt with the moon police, they were ensuring he was under house arrest during his trial. For his safety they'd told him over and over.

"I'm Major Gabriela Moss," she tells him, sticking her hand out with great formality. "If you'd please come with me," she continues, as he shakes her hand. "There's a job I'd like to discuss with you."

Swallowing any nervousness he has, he nods. How bad could it be? Probably some white collar crime that the police don't want to deal with. Alex could stock up on lots of coffee with the money. "Lead the way."

She takes him to the precinct, located next to the base. Tranquility Base fell under SFN jurisdiction. But the residential areas ringing the building were left to the MP 505 precinct.

Her office is just like every other police office. Bright disorienting lights. Cream walls, with no decor. A desk bolted down to the floor, in case the artificial gravity malfunctions. And a photo of her wife and kids tilted just out of his view.

"What's the job?" Alex wonders if some idiot tried to rob the casino that was right within the base’s building. Trying to steal from SFN was asking for it.

"A man was found murdered in residential bloc 571 this morning," she explains, lighting up her monitor. A photo of an older man with a walrus mustache came up on the screen.

"Isn't homicide your department," Alex asks, twisting his ring around his finger.

"Usually," Major Moss admits, back straight, hands on the desk. "But this man had a false identification bracelet. According to our records he was born on the Moon. But when my officers requested his file from the Bloc listed, nothing appeared."

"You think he was hiding?" Only criminals bothered to falsify ID bands. But why the moon? He could see why a fugitive from the law or a crime boss would come to the moon, but to stay here this long?

Even earth was easier to get lost in, among billions.

"Yes," she surmises, "and for quite a few months. How he's gone undetected this long is a mystery."

"So you'd like to save your skin and sweep this all under the cover." Alex can see a coverup as it happens. The MPs would be humiliated at having let a fugitive run wild for this long.

But, he probably wasn't a criminal if he spent this long without so much as a word. Probably fleeing loan sharks back on some asteroid. Maybe from Titan.

The murder must have landed yesterday. Within the week at most.

"Will you take the job on," Major Moss asks, "there's more information I have if you agree to take on the case."

Alex sighs. He's intrigued. But taking on this case would mean spending more time on the moon which is both a good and bad thing. He hasn't had a proper chat with any of the lads since he last saw Matt on Vesta nearly two years ago now.

But he isn't exactly at ease this close to SFN. At least in the belt, there's lots of stations with little to no navy presence. Callisto's base was generally isolated from the rest of the population due to the way in which the colony on Callisto had developed.

A man's dead.

And from what he can tell, Major Moss would be more than happy for the case to go cold and never have to explain to her superiors how a man went undetected for so long.

But why bother?

Alex can't understand why the man needed to falsify his identity only to sit around. Unless he wasn't a criminal but innocently caught up with the wrong crowd.

It happened easily enough.

"Why me," Alex asked, still considering how suspicious it looked that the MP were giving away a case just because of the implications the man's murder had. The IDB read Sidney Trojan which made Alex laugh a little inside. Whoever had made the ID had a certain sense of humor. "I'm sure you've read my record by now."

Major Moss nods, leaning back in her metal chair, "Mutiny and treason are certainly high charges. But Mr. Turner, If I am being frank, I am more concerned right now with keeping the peace in my precinct. The last thing I want is any belter extremist to start making baseless accusations about how someone who is more than likely one of their own was treated."

"I'm not a belter." Alex had spent enough time among belters to know, no matter how much time he spent on Vesta or Pallas, he'd never be one of them. Being born and raised there was what made you a belter for the rest of your life. Johanna never bothered to hide the augments along her spine, jutting out like filled out ports. Held her chin up proudly despite the harassment she got, and proceeded to destroy them all in combat training.

"But you have spent time among them," the woman argues, revealing how little she knows and understands about belters. Major Moss had probably never left the moon. Never spent time amongst people in the belt, in the places the SFN never went. "My men are mostly from here or earth. You're my best option."

He resists the urge to roll his eyes. It didn't seem like a trap to lock him up after all these years. Just a very ignorant MP major trying to do her job. "Alright," Alex nods. "Show me the surveillance tapes."

The older woman smiles, but no warmth reaches her eyes, a picture of cold professionalism, as she ignites the screen. The tapes start playing almost immediately. The night vision casting everything into grayscale in the corridors. The older residential buildings hadn't anticipated the amount of people that would live on the moon, the walkways connected the blocs only fitting three people at a time, a nightmare in an emergency. They were colorless concrete slabs, the metal having long gone dull.

Time stamped to 05:46 am.

A single figure appears, walking into bloc 571, looking like any person would after a long shift. In jeans and a loose hoodie, holding a very sad convenience store sandwich. A profile he wouldn't soon forget, complete with split toe boots.

Tisiphone.

Alex tries to justify her appearance. The death hadn't happened until 7 am. She must've been meeting her friend in one of the habs in the bloc. But he'd never been one to discount a coincidence.

It seemed that they would be having a chat sooner than anticipated under less than favorable circumstances. He just had to track her down.

His eyes watch the screen as the time ticks by, creeping closer to the time of death.

She claimed to be here to visit a friend which could very easily have been a lie to cover up meeting her potential victim. Tisiphone hadn't been here for very long, no one would willingly choose to eat convenience store sandwiches if they'd spent time here to get other food. Alex wasn't discounting the possibility of her commitment to looking inconspicuous at 5 in the morning, but then, if Sidney Trojan had feared for his life there would've been a struggle.

Someone would have heard in those older habs.

The time stamp reads 6:24am.

Tisiphone leaves the bloc, taking the passageway leading back to Tranquility. Mr Trojan would still be alive. Did she have an accomplice? Or is Alex making the wrong connection.

The time stamp reads 7:46 am. Mr Trojan would've been dead by now.

7 am was hardly the time for a murder to be committed. People going to work. So many witnesses. They must have been desperate. But the tapes proved useless to narrow down any suspects. Too many people, a perfect crowd to hide in. So there was that advantage. As well as, "I need all the records of the passenger manifests arriving for the last three days on the dark side of the moon and today's departures."

"Alright," she replies, holding out her hand.

Alex hands over his com. Letting her synch it up to her system and sending the files over.

"Good luck Mr. Turner."

This time, Alex does roll his eyes as he leaves her office.

Tisiphone had claimed to be from Titan, so that's the first thing he checks. Three days sound about right. He also highlights any belter arrivals. But apart from one family two days before, no one has come from the belt.

He finds the name he's looking for. Tisiphone Velazques, arriving from Hygiea the same night he had. Born on Titian twenty two years ago according to her IDB. It said a lot about how pathetic Alex was that he was currently finding a potential date on a suspect list.

She might still be innocent. But she was the only lead.

If she's a criminal, she'll be staying off grid, not wanting to leave her IDB just anywhere. But, being through, Alex checks Tranquility Hotel anyways, sending a message.

Want to surprise my girlfriend T. Velazques. It's our anniversary and I got back from a trip into Tethys four sols early. Has she checked in yet?

People were really stupid and easily fooled. Alex had learned that in the last few years.

Then he checks his messages. Twenty seven texts from his friends. Two missed calls from Matt. Shit. He'd forgotten all about Matt.

** *** ch 3

Matt clasps an arm over his shoulders, "I'm sorry I didn't say anything about Julian. I thought you knew and didn't want to talk about it."

Alex considers coming clean, but decides letting Matt think this is about Julian is easier. "No one tells me anything anymore."

The taller man sighs, "you must think I'm a wanker for not even telling you. Julian always asked me how you were doing you know."

Alex shakes his head. "I tried-It doesn't matter anymore. I just think it's bloody awful to have died so young in an accident of all things."

"The idiot engineers better have been court martialed," Matt comments, as they follow behind their friends to a bar in the casino. They've all been casting looks towards Alex when they think he's not looking, like he's a bomb about to go off.

Things can never go back to the way they were.

They get a few pitchers of beer. Singing Matts praises at every sip, taking the piss about how he's going to be the worst commander ever. Alexa's boyfriend, looking tall, dark and handsome, slips into the conversation with ease while Alex, drinks and checks his phone for a response.

"Alexa's boy toy," Johanna mutters under her breath to Alex. "Does the books for one of the gambling halls."

Alex nods. But finds he doesn't care. All that earlier anxiety about his leftover feelings for Alexa, his first love, gone when he realizes there's no sting as she turns to kiss her boyfriend.

He looks down at his com, refusing a refill of beer when he realizes the hotel's written him back. With a digital key and their congratulations. There goes the supposed privacy and protections hotels were supposed to offer their clients.

But this meant he was now leaning to Tisiphone being innocent. But he could tell she was connected to Mr. Trojan somehow. A gut feeling that t9ld him he was barking up the right tree. She might be able to tell him who would want the old man dead and why.

Alex excuses himself from the celebration, pointedly ignoring Nick's suspicious gaze as he leaves.

He stops and picks up a bottle of wine and a quart of strawberries, each the size of his smallest nail with a hint of red at the tip, just in case anyone in the hotel decides to verify any of his information. He can play the part.

Alex presses the elevator up to floor 10, brings up the key on his com, when the machine asks for verification.

The doors slide shut and Alex tries to formulate a plan.

He can't frighten his only suspect-link to the crime. A man was murdered and if he doesn't solve it, justice will never be served. It's his good conscience that's going to get him in trouble all over again.

The hallway is empty.

A tacky red coat of paint that's made worse by the orange lighting. The crimson hue edging towards black. Hardly a happy atmosphere.

Alex runs his hand over the rail, a vestige from the days before antigravity, as he makes his way to room 1004.

Unlike the lobby, the floor is still metal plates welded together. Shiny compared to the rest of the place.

The casino had seen better days.

And more occupied days.

Hesitating outside the door, he places an ear near the seal, hoping that Tisiphone isn't there. It would give her the advantage if she turns out to be the murder.

Better for her to be out. Gives him a chance to look around.

He takes a deep breath and unlocks the door with the key. It slides open smoothly, revealing mustard walls and a plush navy carpet flecked with gold. There's a small bed on one side of the wall, a black backpack laying carelessly on it.

The small cabinet looks untouched, but Alex still goes through every drawer, making sure he misses nothing, peaking into the bathroom and combing the medicine cupboard.

There's a needle and dental floss. A complimentary bottle of toothbrush tabs laying in its side.

Needle and floss.

For an injury, Alex surmises. Perhaps a fresh one that Mr Trojan had managed to inflict while defending himself? It wasn't the easiest way to treat an injury, but it was the way to go if you didn't want to draw any attention.

He slips back into the small main room, and begins to go through the backpack. It looks standard issue, the fabric a vegetable leather nylon mixture that wouldn't be out of place in an SFN pack. But he doesn't recognize it from any planetary police force.

Inside there's a plasma gun with two full charges. Shrapnel in a jar. An extra shirt along with a lined jacket, also black. And a small copper data box.

He checks the jackets pockets, finding two extra IDBs. Both blank.

It's all very incriminating.

And he didn't think to bring a gun along himself.

Alex removes the charge from the plasma gun, using the pillowcase to ensure he doesn't wipe away any fingerprints, tossing both of the charges into the bottom drawer of the cabinet. And leaves the gun on top of the blanket.

Then he takes a seat and waits.

No one would leave a gun with no plans to come back and get it. Plasma guns were hard to come by. Especially for civilians on the right side of the law.

It was just his luck that the first woman he feels any connection with, ends up tied up in criminal activity.

The whoosh of a door sliding open jolts him out of his thoughts.

Alex sits up straight, deciding he looks less confrontational if he's sitting down. Besides, years of training haven't left. His body still remembers combat maneuvers. He still wakes up at 0600 and goes through basic training like clockwork.

Even when he goes back to sleep right after.

A red boot steps inside.

Tisiphone holds a brand new pair of ear pods, still in their case. The moment she spots him sitting casually in her bed, her almond eyes narrowing in suspicion. Her grip tightens on the case, before she schools her features carefully blank.

In better lighting, the scars marring her cheekbones are more prominent. Flecks of silver against honeyed skin.

"'ello again," Alex says, giving a small wave, strands of his hair falling into his eyes with the movement.

She frowns, crossing her arms defensively in front of her. "Why are you here? Who even let you in?"

"I asked nicely," he explains, "terrible hotel service if you ask me. But as for why I'm here, you wouldn't happen to know who Sidney Trojan is?"

Tisphones lips form a tight line, her stance edging dangerously close to someone expecting a fight. Weight distributed well between her legs. "He's dead isn't he. Someone killed him."

" 'fraid so," Alex nods.

"Who do you work for?" Her eyes scrutinize him, as if waiting for him to strike.

Alex raises both his hands up in the air. "No one. The MP of the precinct where Mr. Trojan lived asked me to take the case on."

She doesn't move. "Earth then? Or some secret division of the SFN?"

It was a popular belief that the SFN held a secret military division. Especially among belters and martians.

"You don't seem surprised to hear he's been murdered," Alex observes, not missing a thing, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Lots of people wanted him dead."

Tisiphone must have decided he wasn't a threat. She takes a step closer, waking into the bathroom and grabbing the meager supplies, tossing them into her bag, unbothered by Alex's presence right next to her. He's incredibly aware of the small distance between them as her hands make quick work of packing, ignoring the wine and fruit he'd brought: the small distance between her hands and his thigh.

But he doubts that there's a chance in hell she'll go out with him after today. She has the same determined look on her face Johanna had right as she'd punched him day 1 of hand to hand combat. A woman who doesn't take anyone's shit.

Alex snorts, "mind telling me who wanted him dead?"

"SFN. Earth. Mars. The Children of Prometheus. Park Vader's cronies back on Titan. Maybe even Park himself. Take your pick."

"Why," Alex can't help but ask, standing up as she slings her bag over her shoulder. If he lets her walk out now, he'll likely never set eyes on her again. And she has become his only connection to this man's murder.

He can't just let her go.

"He knew too much," Tisiphone shrugs.

"I can't just let you disappear," Alex tells her, sliding between her and the door. It was a dangerous position to be in. He keeps his hands up, trying to reassure her.

"Whoever killed Ivan is going to be after me too," she states, weighing her options.

"Let me help you."

She laughs humorlessly, "I'm long past help. I’ll only drag you down. And you seem like a nice enough man despite everything."

"Despite being born on earth," Alex guesses. War hadn't touched the system in a hundred years, yet there was a lot of bitterness from the colonies over earth. Over the imagined bountiful resources. The air, breathable unlike in so many other places.

He'd lived in enough places in the system to know that it was hard living in every corner of the solarium federation.

"Good bye Alex." Her dark eyes hold his gaze, waiting for Alex to step aside. He isn't sure how long her patience will last.

"If you leave the moon now," Alex threatens, "I'll have no choice but to find you suspect under the circumstances."

Tisiphone glares at him, "are you an officer? Am I under arrest?"

"No."

"Then you have no jurisdiction," she counters.

"But I was able to find you. I'm the only person who could've made that connection." Her shoes had given her away. Too distinctive for anyone trying to hide out, Alex notes. "Everyone else would've written you off. You played the part of a tired commuter perfectly. Your face isn't visible enough for facial recognition. And the timing is wrong."

"So you have to know I didn't kill him," Tisiphone observes.

"I do." Alex nods. "And I also know that you came here for a reason. I'm willing to bet it's why Ivan is dead now. Help me catch his killer and get some people off your back."

“Why do you care so much about him? He’s just another nameless belter to you people.”

He shakes his head, “because a man’s dead. He deserves justice.”

"How do I know I can trust you," Tisiphone asks, her knuckles relaxing their grip on her bag.

"I could've arrived here with the MP," Alex states, "but I'm here all on my own. Because I believe you're innocent."

She sighs. "Alright. I'll stay. But only for another twenty four hours. That's all I can give you."

He can work with that.

"Okay now let's get out of here. If I can waltz right in so can whoever killed Trojan."

"Ivan," Tisiphone corrects. "His name was Ivan Schlossberg."

"And is Tisiphone your real name," Alex asks.

She doesn't meet his eyes.

** ** ch 4

His hotel room is on the top floor. A half circle window looks out into the expanse. The grey panorama, flattened by robots, is broken up by the tops of other bloc, jutting out of the landscape like hills. The sun is the only recognizable feature in the sky. All the other stars and planets are too distant to be visible.

But Alex has the map of the system imprinted into the backs of his eyes. He could tell where earth and mars fall, navigating by stars like explorers of old, even with the slight changes that arise depending on where you were in the system.

Tisiphone looks out into space, eyes full of stars, as Alex interrogates her.

"Why would the UN or Mars be after Ivan?"

"I already told you," she responds evenly, her gaze still fixed on outer space, a melancholic quality that held none of the wonder people usually had when staring into the stars, "he knew too much."

"About what," Alex presses. Earlier she had named all the major players in politics. That which all SFN members despised because it made doing their job a nightmare of red tape.

Tisiphone looks over at him, turning her whole head towards him. "He was involved with the children of prometheus. Selling information. And Park doesn't like when his people decide to leave him."

It didn't take a genius to know what kind of information would be of value to the children of prometheus. "And your mutual friend."

She swallows thickly before answering. "Told me to find Ivan. That he could help me. I don't know anything more than that. Ivan was going to leave the moon with me and explain this later."

Alex doesn't believe that for a second. Tisiphone wouldn't have left so easily that morning if Ivan hadn't given her something. But he also knows when to let things go. "And why would they also be after you?" The usual targets for the children of prometheus were high ranking UN members or members of the Martian Presidium: the operating companies on the belt that treated their workers as expendable.

Tisiphone was none of those.

She takes a seat on Alex's current bed, her knuckles white as she grips the covers, studying the much more pleasant purple carpet. Not as matted or stained as the one in her room.

Her now shoeless feet revealing mismatched socks.

"I saw something I shouldn't have seen." She bites her lip as her eyes water. Alex forces himself not to look away, wanting to give her privacy. "Someone killed my friend and covered it up. And now they want to kill me."

He takes a step towards her, kneeling down in front of her seated figure, "I'm going to help you."

"You can't help me." Tisiphone shakes her head, looking straight at him, "you can only buy me time."

She flips through the stations as Alex combs through the flight records once more. He's isn't looking for random thugs. If this is a high profiled cover up the way she is alleging, then he needs to find a slicker cover.

He checks for any terrans that've landed here in the last few days. Any native mooners with no permanent address on record: the types of people that would easily fly under the recons. The least likely to be scrutinized.

Alex finds three profiles that fit the description. Two had arrived together under the IDBs Gemma and Nick Ryan. Siblings on vacation from earth.

They were passingly related, the same brown coloring. But Alex's searching gaze found no similar features. The bone structure was all wrong. Gemma's strong, squared. While Nick had a delicateness to his features that was absent in Gemma's.

They had the look of UN division operatives. A learned blankness that helped them slip from memory.

The third was on a flight from Ceres. An older asian man: Hugh Shen. There was no way he was born on the moon and had no records of living here. Alex knew most people born on the moon didn't chance leaving.

Opening for new immigrants were few and far between.

Then there was an oily quality that reminded him of many UN cogs that surrounded his mother like gnats.

In order to be sure that they are division members, Alex'll have to go to the scene of the crime. He knows the UN’s playbook. The methods that division uses. Growing up around his mother, he couldn't not have learned something.

Though Penelope Turner was an idealist, she was willing to do what was necessary to get the job done. It's why she was such an effective politician.

He coms Major Moss, letting her know he'll need access to Ivan's hab.

"Stay here," he tells Tisiphone. "Help yourself to anything I've got."

"Anything," she asks archly, "because I could run a bath. Never had one of those."

"Then by all means," he shrugs. The water bill was bound to burn a hole in his pocket, but going through life without knowing the laziness that baths inspired was no life at all.

She rolls her eyes, shamelessly combing through Alex's meager possessions As meager as hers really. Though he didn't have the excuse of being in hiding.

Alex takes the plasma charges with him.

Major Moss, along with another woman of medium build and asian descent, meets him at the entrance to bloc 571, the white paint having long since peeled off the metal walls. The orange lights flickered, needing replacement, as he walks beside her into bloc 571. He can hear the pressure seals around the door, as it slides open, letting them inside.

While the oldest blocs on this side of the moon, their shortcomings in cramped corridors were nothing compared to the space of the older habs.

Unlike Tranquility base, and the rest of the blocs on the moon, the lights inside bloc 571 were LED and white, the costliest to maintain. A knot of tension eased up in Alex's shoulders. His mind, despite the years in space, always unconsciously yearned for earth's natural light.

"This is officer Cong Xi," Major Moss says blandly, "she'll be taking you through all our available evidence. We're receiving pressure to wrap things up as quickly as possible. There are lots of people who want to move into a hub as spacious as this."

Alex snorts. That's what they cared about.

Cong nods, smiling warmly at him as she drinks coffee from her hot pink tumbler. "Nice to meet you Alex Turner."

Which meant she'd been briefed and knew all about him. There was probably a non-SFN version of his file on her com as they spoke.

Alex had never gotten the chance to read his file after the trail. His dishonorable discharge had left him without any credentials to ask for his file without heavy redaction if he got any response at all. He'd have asked his parents if he hadn't been a coward and taken the first ship to Vesta, hell bent on drinking himself to death.

"Likewise," he responds, realizing he's waited a beat too long to respond.

With that said, the Major turns on her heel, and leaves.

"Shall we," Cong asks him, waiting for him to follow. How did such a pleasant person end up working for the MP? Had to be an idealist. Or hadn't been working for long.

He nods.

Alex takes in the bloc.

The floors dull from nearly four centuries of feet walking over it. Not a scrap of white paint left. But the walls are covered with green plexiglass, an attempt to make up for the lack of actual greenery that hadn't been planned for in old models. Even Pallas had some weeds growing among the tangle of wires.

Each door is painted a different color, giving the neighborhood character. Ivan's hab is red, with a pattern of florals overlaid.

Officer Cong hands him shoe covers and a pair of gloves, "standard procedure," she tells him with a tinge of apologies interwoven in her voice, before she unlocks the door, letting them both inside.

Like most crime scenes, the place is covered with tape and plastic to preserve the integrity. But Alex can see the coziness that Ivan Schlossberg had built inside his hab. A glass top table with mismatched but colorful plastic chairs. Books covering a side table ranging from subjects like "Bloom: a guide to space plant maintenance," to "Catching Fire."

His desk is covered with bits of computer parts. Motherboards and processor chips. Different size screens, some with cracks.

This was the picture of a man who believed himself to be safe. He wasn't planning on running at the drop of a dime. So how had they found him?

Tisiphone had entered first.

Why not kill them both at once?

Or had they believed them both to be inside and cursed themselves when they realized the girl had gotten away?

As Alex looks about the room, noting no signs of struggle, Officer Cong studies him. Her gaze curious.

The mess of computer equipment makes Alex guess that Ivan tinkered with it to communicate with whatever group he was working with, likely using it to hack information from earth and mars. The rudimentary nature of his devices would have confused the much more advanced systems Earth relied on, massive data banks in the tundra chugging along. Ivan would've also had the flexibility of pulling the system apart and rebuilding it with different bits of code each time.

A waste of time, unless you were an old man with lots of time on your hands.

His collection of parts would've been written off as eccentricity.

"You can ask," Alex finally says, when he gets tired of the awkward silence.

"Are you really the mutineer?"

It was much better than being asked if he was that traitor. Particularly bitter belters had taken the liberty of making his days hell in the beginning, knowing he wasn't about to go get help from the SFN.

He nods, looking back at the door. Division wasn't above using chemical weapons. The seals on older habs built with the care of spaceships, no one outside this hab would've noticed. "The one and only," he finally says.

While there were lots of people who had problems with the SFN, it generally wasn't seen among rank and file members.

Cong hums, slurping her coffee.

Alex peels back the plastic over a particularly large pile of electronics, his eyes searching for something small, like a computer chip or drive that would be overlooked to the untrained eye. Toxic gases needn't be in large doses to pack a punch.

"I remember the trial on the net," she comments, "it was all my parents could talk about. My whole family really . . ."

A glint of copper catches his eye. Alex keeps his face neutral, letting Cong ramble on as he plays at looking at the body outline on the couch, as if he could magically find a guilty dust bunny, slipping the casing into his hand for later.

"-guess I was too young to care about that. Too caught up with boys and the latest hairstyles."

Alex nods, trying to pay attention. But with that casing, he's sure it was division. Certain mixtures created the same symptoms in the body as a heart attack. Given his age, it created the perfect cover.

But why come in and stab him after?

Who were they trying to frame-

They were after Tisiphone.

She had led them to Ivan, Alex's thoughts come together, each piece falling into place. They had watched her since she arrived. Which meant they knew she was headed to the moon, hence the two early dispatched division agents, purposely waiting for her to leave before killing Ivan, making sure she'd be the only suspect.

But their plan had gone to the pits.

They hadn't planned on Major Moss trying to burry the case. Or that Alex would be called on.

Instead of an easy frame job, it was a cold case waiting to happen. An MP officer would've just taken Tisiphone in. Assumed that the time of death was off due to some lab error and closed the case. But their plan had gone sideways.

"Find anything," Cong asks him suddenly, having given up trying to chat when it became obvious he wasn't listening. Though why he would make small talk about the event that had sliced his life into two distinct parts, he didn't have the foggiest idea.

Alex shakes his head, "thought the scene might hold a clue." He stands up straight, faking the appearance of disappointment channeling his mother's face when he'd come home with an F. "Whatever crime boss hired the hit must've hired a couple of top notch lads."

"Oh well them," Cong continues, holding up her com for him to read, "Major Moss needs us to come in. Apparently there's been a new development in the homicide."

Alex's chest tightens. God he hopes they haven't found Tisiphone dead. Or arrested her.

No. There's no way. He'd already be under arrest for harboring a criminal. No amount of goodwill would keep him out of prison this time.

Alex had to continue under the impression that she was fine. Because no one else had linked her to this case. No one had any reason to suspect her of anything at all. "Led the way then love."

Cong, like most girls (and some boys) since Alex had turned sixteen, blushes pink, before stepping around him and leading him back to the precinct--and to Major Moss's office.

The division agents who had landed on Tranquility base as siblings named Gemma and Nick, introduce themselves as, "Agents Barnes and Khan." They're already seated in front of Major Moss, only confirming Alex's conclusion.

The capsule in his pocket feels like a block of lead, weighing him down.

There's no way they know he knows.

Except they've been tailing Tisiphone since she landed. They might already know she's sitting in his room.

He needs to get off the moon. Alex had promised Tisiphone he'd keep her safe. And this case had just gotten much bigger than a homicide.

It was the type of cover up that required a neutral party to uncover. A High ranking SFN member that would do the right thing. Unfortunately Alex had learned the hard way that organizations were never as impartial and righteous as they claimed to be.

Bloody hell.

In between two impossible choices, giving Tisiphone up or calling his old mentor Vice Admiral Homme, he wasn't sure which was worse. Would Josh Homme even care?

Or was the UN's influence great enough to buy Homme's cooperation?

"I understand that Major Moss has made the mistake of handing a homicide to a private investigator," Agent Barnes says, smiling brightly as if she hadn't just flung shit at Major Moss, who to her credit, didn't even flinch.

"I'm the private investigator," Alex responds evenly.

"They've just finished informing me," Major Moss interrupts, smoothing down the lapels of her pants suit, "that they've identified the culprit."

Agent Barnes nods, then proceeds to do the very Earth thing of pulling out an actual paper file from a jacket and displaying it on the desk. "A career criminal from Titan named Tisiphone Velasquez. We believe her employer to be some drug lord that Mr Trojan was a long time customer of. When he got clean and moved to the moon, well. . ." Barnes trails off leaving a dramatic pause before clearing his throat, "Titian didn't forget his debts."

Ivan's hab was not the home of a drug user. Or a recovering drug user. He'd never been to Titan, to the city under the ocean, but he knew enough about drug lords to know that they had more to deal with than a customer with lots of debts on a colony as secure as the moon.

But Alex can see Major Moss eat up the story, her eyes gazing over as there's one less problem for her to deal with.

"Well Mr. Turner," Major Moss turns to him, "It looks like your services are no longer needed. I'll wire you the payment promptly. Meanwhile I'll circulate the perpetrators photo and have my officers be on the lookout."

"We will be taking custody of Miss Velasquez," Agent Barnes interrupts, "she has insider knowledge of a crime ring we have been monitoring for years."

"Of course," Major Moss responds, already typing out the paperwork.

He has to get off the base. He has to take Tisiphone far from here.

Alex turns to leave, reaching the door before he hears Agent Barnes mutter pointedly under her breath, "It's a wonder Ambassador Turner hasn't resigned out of shame. No clue how he can show his face in public."

Agent Khan coughs to hide a snigger.

A muscle in his jaw twitches. It's bait. And an obvious one at that. He has more than a few scars to prove how stupid responding to it would be, but they did just insult his mother.

"What did you just say," Alex asks through clenched teeth, not turning back to look at them, robbing them of the satisfaction. Mentally, he counts to ten.

He's not going to give them an excuse to place him under arrest.

Tisiphone is counting on him.

The fact that they're baiting him instead of just following him back to the hotel room is a good sign they don't know he's hiding Tisiphone. He tries to concentrate on the and not the sound of blood rushing in his ears.

Tisiphone.

Her petite figure sitting on his bed, scrutinizing everything with an arched brow. The look in her eyes as she'd stared with a refugee's longing for their ancestral home at the image of earth, the green returning to the land after hundreds of long reclamation projects initiated by the UN.

"Nothing to trouble yourself with Alexander Turner," Agent Barnes replies patronizingly, "There is no further use for your services here."

Alex clenches his jaw, and walks out the door.

He lights a cigarette as he makes his way through the dim corridors, the orange fading into scarlet, stopping only to pick up supplies he imagines needing as they travel to space together. Not all at the same store.

Alex will have to get everything out of her, if he's going to throw in his lot with her and hope they get to the bottom of the conspiracy before they're arrested and killed. Or just killed.

What could be bad enough that the UN felt it necessary to send division agents after a woman?

The problem is the IDB has been made.

He's going to have to hope she can get another one quickly. Tisiphone, whose name is more than likely not Tisiphone as all, wouldn't have survived this long is she was stupid.

Fuck.

He really should just turn her in. Or give her a heads up and be on his way. Alex could be on Pallas in four weeks, having the most questionable weed in the system, laced with the hell knows what. Take a case every now and then. Finally make his way out to Titan.

Logan had been his favorite western growing up. Right after The magnificent Seven. He'd made Matt have stand offs against him for days after seeing it, pretending he could manipulate metal. And Titan was the new wild west of space. And still people flocked out to carve their little piece of real estate.

Humanity is ever expanding.

Alex has to press the lift button twice, cursing and lighting another cigarette when the lift's lighting system dies as he ascends up, connecting with Tranquility's passageways.

More than once, he has to stop himself from glancing over his shoulder, sure he'll see an Agent following him. Hugh Shen had been absent from their little meeting. But that didn't mean he wasn't still skulking about.

Even the air changes from the corridors to the base. It's drastic compared to Ceres where the air quality is shit everywhere you go. The base has crisp clean air that didn't leave you all cotton mouthed for the wrong reasons.

From there it's easy enough to head to his room. Alex is already flicking through the net, looking for tickets to the belt. Or maybe they should go to Callisto. It was famous for being a no extradition zone: refusing to acknowledge any authority other than theirs and SFN's by extension. The relative safety was tempting, but he couldn't plan until Tisiphone told him everything she knew.

Alex wasn't stupid enough to think she wasn't holding something back. Her earlier explanation had been as vague as she could manage given the circumstances. He had no clue who her friend was. What she had seen other than a wrongful death.

There had to be a reason behind the coverup after all.

No government went around coverup murder for no reason. It just wasn't economical.

"You have to tell me everything you know," Alex tells Tisiphone in what he hopes is a commanding voice, as he tosses his bags on the bed, plopping down. His only shortcoming as a commander had been the complete and utter lack of confidence he had when giving orders. "Division has just shown up and thrown you under the bus."

Tisiphone's hair hangs down, damp as she listlessly scrolls through the catalogue of music offered by the hotel. She flinches at his words. "I should've left when I had the chance," she tells him harshly, uncurling from the settee and moving to grab her things. She jams her feet into her boots in one swift motion, clearly having been ready to make a run for it at a moment's notice.

"You're right," Alex tries, taking out the gas casing, ensuring the glint of metal catches her eyes. "It's a coverup."

"Obviously," Tisiphone scowls.

"I'm sure they've circulated your IDB by now," he continues, "they wanted to frame you for Ivan's death. I want to know what you saw so I can help you."

"Why so they can kill you as well," Tisiphone shakes her head, "No. . .no."

"What's so important that Division would risk breaking the treaty of Schiaparelli for," Alex asks, rubbing his temples. He wasn't a politician. The inner workings of government fell to the wayside of his thoughts.

There had been no major battles fought in a hundred years but relations between colonies were always fraught with tension over resources. Those skirmishes were usually fought in the Solarium Federations regulatory body, but Alex wasn't naive enough to discount the darker talk of division--their tendency to enhanced interrogation.

"Why do you want to help me so badly," Tisiphone counters, hands on her hip, glaring down at him as if he was the reason that Division had found her at all.

"Someone should," Alex shrugs, peering up at her. The line of her body fell naturally into a defensive stance, something that could only be so natural if she'd started training when she was very young. Tisiphone wasn't an innocent civilian, but she still didn't deserve to be disposed of. "And if I don't, they'll probably kill you and throw your body in some incinerator."

"Or they'll kill us both," Tisiphone replies archly.

"I'm offering you my help if you want it."

She peers down her nose at him, her lips pressed into a flat line, the slim line of her jaw fitting in perfectly with her feline features: a cat deciding if batting the toy was worth it. Turning on her heel, stepping into the bathroom, Tisiphone orders him to, "strip."

Smart girl.

It doesn't keep the burn from making its way up his neck as she turns the refresher, the low static drowning out any background noise as she takes a seat inside the fogged glass.

Alex kicks off his boots, gratefully that he'd actually kept up with his fitness all these years as he pulls his shirt off. There's still bruising in the crook of his elbow. He doubts she misses it as she stares up at him. It's a rush of relief when he notices the scarlet on her cheeks. This is embarrassing for both of them then, as he unbuttons his trousers, before taking a seat in front of her.

"Division blew up my crew." She starts with, staring at a spot behind him, her eyes welling up with tears. "They launched a missile and it tore their ship apart." She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, shaking her head, "I'm sorry I just. . .let me start over."

"It's okay."

"Shut up Alex and let me tell this in a way that makes sense." She swallows thickly. Taking a deep breathe during which she closes her eyes before continuing. "My name is Vera Albaicin. I'm an agent of the Guoanbu. Sixty eight sols ago my crew was handpicked to participate in an interplanetary task force with the UN. It was supposed to be an easy retrieval mission. We met up with the other crew. Everything was normal."

T-Vera closes her eyes, her hands closed tightly by her sides, trying to suppress the shiver that runs down her spine. Alex wants to offer comfort, but he isn't sure there is anything he can do to make things better in this situation.

"I took an EMU suit to-it was a strange ship. More like a capsule or probe. I had just made contact when my ship was hit." She shakes her head, a desperation in her eyes at the helplessness she must keep on feeling. Not having been able to do anything to save her crew. "Space. They died in seconds. The thing is. . .the only people who would've known about the mission were the UN and MPC. Earth and mars."

Alex nods, trying to probe her as gently as possible because there is still one unanswered question, "how did you know to find Ivan."

The UN and MPC must have decided that the knowledge was better off lost after having sent a retrieval team. Something they didn't want anyone to know about it. That fact that mars and earth had cooperated at all was throwing Alex off. Weapons would make sense if it was just mars or earth. But together?

Vera shakes her head slowly, her gaze meeting his, an intense anger to their depth he had not seen before. She was digging because she was fucking mad. This was a woman seeking justice. "I can't."

"Vera," Alex utters, unable to look away, trying her real name out on his tongue. "My name is Alexander Turner. I'm kind of famous for breaking the law," he finished with a self deprecating smile.

Usually, the last thing he wanted a potential date to know was his past.

Her eyes widen, her whole body freezing up as she takes in the new information, pursing her lips in an attempt to suppress a telling gasp. But instead of recoiling in disgust as he expects her to, Vera reaches for her neck, revealing a necklace obscured by her hoodie. It's a cheap metal thing that must be of sentimental value.

She doesn't stop there, thumbing the ring at the end of the chain before meeting his gaze once more. This time there's no hard glint to her cognac eyes, but a woman at last having caught on to a life preserver. "Julian-Captain Casablancas told me to find Ivan. Trust no one-trust no one but Alex Turner," Vera admits, unable to hold his gaze. "He must have known what was coming."

It's a ring he recognizes well, a twin to his own commander ring. The classic exploration insignia: the atom. Every detail identical for Julian and Alex had received their rank at the same ceremony, only Julian had been eight years older. Already the man Alex wanted to be: wanted to be with. The man had inspired camaraderie the way a good leader should, and clearly he had managed it in a martian girl as well if she had come all this way on his word alone.

"Can I," he motions, aware of the closing distance between them. Between him and Vera. Vera. He had to get his head around that one. Same woman, different name.

No. Not the same woman.

This woman was a martian secret intelligence agent. Not some naive little girl.

She nods, closing her fist around the ring before yanking the chain in a quick motion. It snaps off. The sound like the hull of a ship nearing the end of its lifetime, creaking. Then drops the ring into his outstretched palm.

Without Alex having to prompt this time, still caught up in seeing Julian's ring, still warm from Vera's body heat, in his hand. Julian hadn't responded to Alex's messages. He'd assumed it was because of Alex's past, but now he was left to wonder if Julian had wanted to protect him by keeping away from him. Keeping whatever he'd gotten caught up in that had killed him away from Alex. Vera adds, "I was confused why he'd told me that, given me his ring as I got into the EMU suit but. . .Ivan told me that he was just the messenger. He'd worked for so many sides not asking questions. Earth, Solarium, Mars. They were all the same to him. So he decided that the children of prometheus had a point and got in contact with them. Relaid information. Ivan-he was going to tell me more."

But he'd died.

Vera looks at him meaningfully, "but he did manage to give me the coordinates that he was given by his CoP contact. In case he ever needed a safe house or extraction."

"He never-," Alex begins to ask, not taking his eyes off the ring. In his hand was proof that Julian had been killed.

"He never met his contact," Vera confirms. "But they're on Callisto. Some hippie hub." She rolls her eyes and what a martian thing to do. Look down on every colony not hell bent on terraforming.

Alex turns his gaze on her once more, seeing her in a different light for the first time. Trying to spot what made her a martian. As if he could spot in vitro augmentation just by looking her over.

But all he saw was a petite woman with a hollowness under her eyes. Her full lips pressed into a grim line. Hair slowly drying into waves, catching the light like oil on water. Despite Alex's new information about Vera, he was no less drawn to her.

There was no sadistic edge that spoke of oprichnik operatives who the Martian People's council refused to acknowledge existed despite all the mounting evidence about their methods.

His gut was telling him that Vera was telling the truth.

"One thing though," Alex points out, taking off his own ring for the first time since he'd first received command rank, a command long since stripped from him, and sliding Julian's ring on his finger in its place as he stands up. His mind was made up. He was going to help Vera uncover this conspiracy. Clear Julian and Vera's name. And maybe, just maybe, reclaim some respect on his name.

"What?"

"You said earth and mars sent you," he says gently, having encountered enough martians to know how loyal to their colony they were otherwise known as having bought into the propaganda, "but Division killed your crew.. ."

"Yes," Vera nods, tapping her foot on the floor.

"Then wouldn't both earth and mars have sent the missile that killed your crew? Or wouldn't have mars already used this as an excuse to advance their agenda?"

"No," she supplies, refusing to even contemplate the idea that Mars would've been complicit in such an act. "The Guoanbu wouldn't have killed their own. We're-they're not like that."

“Vera," he sighs, "there's nastiness under every corner, no matter how nice everything is on top you know."

She shakes her head again, averting her gaze, There wasn't much to look at on the walls, but she was making due.

"Let's just find ya another IDB and get to Callisto-"

There's a knock at the door.

Alex and Vera trade wide eyed looks, having taken the plunge off the same cliff with nothing but a string of brand new fucking trust between them. A dead man's word to go on.

Fucking hell.

Matt and Nick flank each side of the room's door. Nick's stone face offsets the mixture of parental concern Matt's features contain, sighing at Alex's appearance, sticking his head out the door. Vera hiding next to the door, alert to every word.

He has to wonder how good her hearing is. Martian's always messed with embryos biology, designing the next generation to be fitter. Could she hear down the hall? What the people in the next room were saying?

Matt steps forward, "jesus fuck mate," he shakes his head. "Can't respond to a bloody com now Alex."

"I told you I got a job," he protests, trying to remember if that was true. His friends had fallen to the bottom of his priorities quickly. Alex had a habit of self absorption with whatever obsession came his way. It had made him a terrific ensign, practicing the same maneuver for hours until he could do it with his eyes closed.

"No," Nick corrects, not bothering to move the curls out of his face, watching him carefully, "you didn't."

Alex sighs, but doesn't budge. They mustn't see Vera. Soon her face will be plastered all over the net as a manhunt begins. Her IDB must already be flagged for travel.

He had to make his rightfully concerned friends go away and quickly.

"Al," Matt levels with him, "I asked you to be here because you might as well be my brother. I knew when I did that it would mean coming back to the moon. That it would bring up a load of shit for you."

"We're worried about you mate," Nick explains. "You're still here. You won't talk to any of us."

" 'm fine," Alex mumbles, unable to hold eye contact with either of his friends. He looks at his shoes as he realizes how unfair he's been to them both in the last two days.

This trip was supposed to be about Matt.

He shouldn't be here worried that Alex finally went off the rails.

"Alex," Matt utters, placing his hand on the door frame, leaning in close to Alex. "You know you can talk to me. I don't care what you did or why."

"Really," Alex tries, because as much as he'd like to have this long overdue discussion, finally get to explain why--no one had ever asked him why, they'd just condemned his actions as w r o n g--he has to get Vera off the moon. "I'm fine. Just been in me head."

"That's what I'm worried about," Matt responds, eyes locked onto his, as if Alex could disappear at any moment. "You've always been in your head too much Al. And it didn't matter when I knew you were looking after yourself. Had me and the lads with you but-Alex you looked like utter shit back in Vesta last time I saw you, hopped up on who knows what."

Alex swears internally. They really knew when to pick the worst moments. He was actually doing good. "I know. . .," he tries to find the words that don't require him to have an emotional breakdown in Tranquility Hotel, aware Vera's listening in, "it's been rough. Some days worse than others but Matthew," he whines, "I really am good."

"For how long though," Nick counters, crossing his arms against his chest. It was a good point but Alex really hadn't been in the dark lonely place in months. Maybe closer to a year now. Progress.

Something about waking up missing shoes and jammed into the seediest by corners of an asteroid had lit a fire under his arse about moving on.

He hadn't even hit the agents earlier. They would've deserved it but who gives a shit. Alex will always be a mutineer but at least his hands were clean. His conscience is a white pearl like a meditating bodhisattva.

"Can we just go inside and talk man," Matt pleads, his shoulder resting against the door, clearly seconds away from shoving his way in.

Guilt wells up in his mouth. Despite having every reason to say no, Alex wants to say yes, the word making its way to the tip of his tongue at Matt's insistence.

It was Matt and he was Alex and he couldn't just deny him like this after everything.

Terrans were only allowed one child.

The law didn't keep Matt from being his brother any less.

"I can't," Alex sighs. "I just-you've given me a lot to think about."

Matt rolls his eyes, hurt flashing through his features as he takes a step back, "bullshit."

"Just open up the damn door Alexander," Nick tries, clearly having had it with trying to do things the nice way, realizing Alex wasn't going to budge on his own. "We're ya friends."

"It's been six years Alex," Matt added. "I thought you'd want to talk by now."

Alex shakes his head, "it's not always a straight line."

"Let's have this conversation inside," Nick insists, "who knows when you'll be around next Al. And now Matt has a command. . ."

Matt shoves his way in.

Alex had forgotten how hot headed he could be. The foil to his cool and calm temperament: translating Alex's lit to others. Not that Alex had much trouble verbalizing, necessity being the mother invention. He no longer took hours to get a sentence out of his mouth.

"Matt!"

"Don't Matt me Al," Matt retorts spying Vera in seconds, who's already fallen into a defensive stance.

Matt brings a hand to his face, pinching his nose bridge, before heavily sighing, "You've got to be kidding me Al. You're hiding a murderer now."

"She's no-"

"I didn't kill anyone," she tries, folding into herself, trying to appear smaller and innocent than she actually is. Vera tries to play at being Tisiphone once more. "It's all a misunderstanding!"

"Then turn yourself in," Nick challenges, closing the door behind him.

"Al," Matt says, placing his hands on Alex's shoulders, "what the hell are you thinking mate! They're going to lock you up for this and not even-"

"Matt," he interrupts, "trust me. I'd love to have a nice long chat but things have gotten. . .complicated and-it's safer if ya don't know. Just. . .trust me."

Matt stares back at him, mouth drawn. An entire childhood together on earth, their toes digging into the soil, tracking mud all over the floors. Later a shared adolescence, their accents charming the girls and boys at school, Matt doing all the talking and never leaving a painfully shy Alex behind.

He nods. "You better come back because we're having this talk even if I have to go visit you in prison."

"There are things far worse than prison," Vera unhelpfully points out, tugging on her jacket over her hoodie, the collar lined with actual animal fur. Given the martian rationing system, it was an untold luxury for Vera to own a leather jacket with fur at all. "I'd even take death over enhanced interrogation."

She pretends to tremble with fear, "anything but gravity."

Alex snorts in spite of the dark subject matter. "Not helping."

Ignoring the other two men in the room, Vera hands Alex one of the spare IDB's he'd seen in her bag earlier. Had it really been only hours ago? "Here's your IDB now. Alexander Collins. Born on Pallas. Married to Morgana Collins," she points at herself, already dispatching the old IDB off her wrist and throwing it in her bag. "Came to the moon to get married. Off to Callisto to make a living," she explains calmly.

"Short and sweet," Alex notes, looking down at his own wrist, the IDB a second skin. He hadn't taken it off since he'd left earth. Many colonies like Callisto chose to implant the ID chip.

It was the key to getting on any ship. His passport and last link to earth. His last hope at ever stepping foot on the big blue planet again, however slim.

Visas for foreigners pretty much nonexistent.

Nick hands him a swiss army laser, "I implanted mine." It's news to Alex who hadn't even noticed, Nick having always been a bit chilly, wearing long sleeves year round. " 's nice actually."

Matt dramatically covers his eyes.

Alex slices through the metal, leaving a band of unblemished creamy skin.

It doesn't last long, as Vera easily replaces it.

"You should keep it," she tells him, patting his arm like a parent half heartedly consoling their child after a pet fish dies. "We are planning on fixing things."

"Yeah," Alex answers, running his fingers over the band. He already felt less confident without it.

[fearsmagazine]

Screamfest Horror Film Festival Announces Initial Lineup for 21st Edition

Screamfest® Horror Film Festival, the largest and longest-running horror film festival in the United States, announced their first-wave lineup of competitive features and shorts for its 21st edition. Running October 12th through 21st at the TCL Chinese Theater, Screamfest® welcomes audiences back to the big screen for a collective experience they won’t soon forget. Tickets can be purchased here: https://screamfestla.com

The Retaliators will open Screamfest® LA on October 12th for its North American premiere with a red carpet prior to the screening. The film follows an upstanding pastor who uncovers a dark and twisted underworld as he searches for answers surrounding his daughter's brutal murder. Directed by Bridget Smith and Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and written by the Geare brothers, The Retaliators also features a high-octane original soundtrack and cameos from some of the biggest names in rock music, including Five Finger Death Punch, Tommy Lee, Papa Roach, The Hu, Ice Nine Kills, Escape The Fate, and more appear on screen. Marc Menchaca (Ozark), Michael Lombardi (Rescue Me), and Joseph Gatt (Game of Thrones) star in this horror-thriller which reveals a game of revenge played using a new set of rules.

Considered the "Sundance of Horror," Screamfest® is proud to showcase new work from independent filmmakers from across the globe. Highlights from this year’s program include the World Premieres of Father of Flies, the haunting tale of family life and the supernatural and Teddy Grennan’s Wicked Games where a long weekend at a country estate is turned into a nightmare when a group of masked intruders invades the property. Little do they know one guest has a surprise for them.

Four films will be making their North American debuts at the festival. In addition to The Retaliators, Richard Waters’s dark folk horror Bring Out The Fear traps its protagonists in an unsolvable maze where a sinister presence awaits; Clare Foley stars in the sci-fi horror The Changed where an alien presence takes possession of the hearts and minds of her city; and Isolation depicts nine tales of terror which are woven together as remote people work to survive an increasingly deadly outbreak.

US premieres at the festival include Russia’s #Blue_Whale produced by Timur Bekmambetov, which follows Dana as she works to uncover the truth behind her sister’s suicide; Argentina’s fantasy horror film Nocturna: Side A- The Great Old Man’s Night which depicts one old man’s journey to rethink his past and present and question his reality; and Kratt by Rasmus Berivoo in which children stumble upon an instruction manual to create a supernatural being.

West Coast premieres at the festival include a joint production between the US, Mexico, and Venezuela, Exorcism of God which follows an American priest working in Mexico who, due to a botched exorcism, carries a dark secret with him; hailing from Ireland, Let the Wrong One In dives into the complications of family ties when a vampire is discovered in the family; Erik Bloomquist follows twins who spend a night at a remote inn to investigate their missing father in Night at the Eagle Inn; North American distribution rights to the Argentinian The Returned (Los Que Vuelven) - which follows a woman in 1919 prays to a mythical deity to resurrect her stillborn son - were acquired in a new venture between Peter Block of A Bigger Boat and Seth Nagel, Scott Einbinder and Garrick Dion of 5X Media; What Josiah Saw explores a farmhouse haunted by the past; Alone With You stars Emily Bennett, Emma Myles, and fan-favorite Barbara Crampton in a twisted tale of memory and horror unfolding over a romantic homecoming for a distant girlfriend; and When I Consume You by Perry Blackshear where two siblings get more than they bargained for when hunting a shadowy stalker.

The festival will also feature a Special Presentation of Daniel Farrands’s Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeyman starring Peyton List and Lydia Hearst, which follows the notorious killer through a little known chapter of her life in Deland, Florida.

“After a challenging year for cinema, we are excited to return to our home at the TCL Chinese Theatre for our latest lineup of frights,'' says festival founder Rachel Belofsky. “While last year’s drive-ins allowed us to continue to celebrate horror films as a community, we have missed the magic of the traditional theatrical experience.”

Formed in August 2001 by film producer Rachel Belofsky, Screamfest Horror Film Festival is a female-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gives filmmakers and screenwriters in the horror and science fiction genres a venue to have their work showcased in the film industry.

Please find the 2021 Screamfest feature line-up below:

Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeyman (US, 2021) - Special Presentation Written and Directed by Daniel Farrands Produced by Lucas Jarach, Daniel Farrands, Meadow Williams, Swen Temmel, Luke Daniels, Daniel Davila Executive Producer(s) Nicolas Chartier, Jonathan Deckter, Lydia Hearst, Alan Pao Cast Peyton List, Lydia Hearst, Tobin Bell, Nick Vallelonga, Swen Temmel, Meadow Williams, Andrew Biernat Based on a little-known chapter in the life of America's most notorious female serial killer, "Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeyman" takes place in 1976 when 21-year-old Aileen (Peyton List) arrives in Florida attempting to escape her tragic past. Soon she marries wealthy yacht club president Lewis Fell (Tobin Bell) who offers her the chance to become part of Florida's high society. Ultimately, the victimized Aileen surrenders to her murderous impulses and wreaks havoc on the peaceful seaside community of Deland, Florida.

Alone With You (US, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Directed by Emily Bennett & Josh Brooks Written by Emily Bennett & Josh Brooks Produced by Andrew D. Corkin & Theo James Cast Emily Bennett, Emma Myles (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK), Dora Madison (BLISS, VFX), and Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR, YOU'RE NEXT) Charlie (Emily Bennett) is setting the atmosphere in her sleek, two-story apartment in Brooklyn for a romantic homecoming for her distant girlfriend Simone (Emma Myles) who’s been away for work. There are past glimpses of visual tension between the two, so we’re led to feel that this meticulous setting of mood may be a peacemaking gesture. Enamored beyond all good sense, Charlie begins to experience a myriad of unsettling incidents, and the horrors of what has transpired are slowly revealed in the shards of Charlie’s resistant memory.

#Blue_Whale (Russia, 2021) - US Premiere Directed by Anna Zaytseva Written by Evgeniya Bogomyakova, Anna Zaytseva, Olga Klemesheva Produced by Timur Bekmambetov, Anna Shalashina, Igor Mishin Cast Anna Potebnya, Timofey Eleckii, Ekaterina Stulova, Diana Shulmina, Olga Pipchenko, Polina Vataga, Daniil Kiselev After her younger sister Julia commits suicide, troubled adolescent Dana decides to find out what led to her death. Examining her sister’s computer, Dana finds a secret chat group where adolescents are encouraged to kill themselves through a challenge called "Blue Whale". Dana’s investigation leads her ever closer to the truth, but to really discover what happened, she herself must play the deadly game. #blue_whale // #I_want_to_play_the_game is inspired by real events that happened in Russia in 2015 and 2017.

Bring Out The Fear (Ireland, 2021) - North American Premiere Written and Directed by Richard Waters Produced by Alison Scarff & Richard Waters Cast Ciara Bailey, Tad Morari, James Devlin Rosie and Dan are a couple in a doomed relationship. While taking a final walk in their favourite forest, they find it has trapped them in an unsolvable maze. The paths lead nowhere, the trees never end, the sun never sets, and a sinister presence stalks and torments them, trying to drive them insane... There is no escape. But what exactly are they hiding? This dark folk horror will leave you questioning what is real and what is malicious trickery.

The Changed (US, 2021) - North American Premiere Written and Directed by Michael Mongillo Produced by Taylor Warren and Eloise Asmuth Cast Clare Foley, Jason Alan Smith, Carlee Avers, Doug Tompos, introducing Olivia Freer, with Kathy Searle, and Tony Todd Something has taken possession of the hearts and minds of the populace. Kim (Clare Foley), Mac (Jason Alan Smith), and Jane (Carlee Avers) try to convince themselves it's paranoia, but before long the city is besieged by the changed. By the time they realize an alien intelligence has merged with their neighbor, Bill (Tony Todd), a horde of changed is amassing outside their suburban home.

Exorcism of God (US/Mexico/Venezuela, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Directed by Alejandro Hidalgo Written by Alejandro Hidalgo, Santiago Fernández Calvete Produced by Alejandro Hidalgo, Joel Seidl, Karim Kabche & Antonio Abdo Cast María Gabriela De Faría, Will Beinbrink, Joseph Marcell Peter Williams, an American priest working in Mexico, is considered a saint by many local parishioners. However, due to a botched exorcism, he carries a dark secret that's eating him alive until he gets an opportunity to face his own demon one final time.

Father of Flies (USA/UK, 2021) - World Premiere Directed by Ben Charles Edwards Written by Kirsty Bell Produced by Kirsty Bell, Phil McKenzie Cast Nicholas Tucci, Camilla Rutherford, Davi Santos, Page Ruth, Keaton Tetlow, Colleen Heidemann A haunting tale of family life. A vulnerable young boy finds his mother pushed out of the family home by a strange new woman, and he must confront the terrifying supernatural forces that seem to move in with her.

Isolation (US, 2021) - North American Premiere Directed by Larry Fessenden, Andrew Kasch, Dennie Gordon, Bobby Roe, Alix Austin & Keir Siewert, Christian Pasquariello, Alexandra Neary, Zach Passero, Adam Brown & Kyle I. Kelley Written by Larry Fessenden, Cody Goodfellow, Dennie Gordon, Zack Andrews & Bobby Roe, Kyle I. Kelley & Adam Brown, Keir Siewert, Zach Passero, Alexandrea Neary, Christian Pasquariello Produced by Nathan Crooker, James P. Gannon Cast Larry Fessenden, Dennie Gordon, Graham Denman, Damien Gerard, Bobby Roe Sunny Roe, Bodhi Roe, Adam Brown, Alix Austin, Hannah Passero Marieh Delfino, Alex Weed, Fine Belger, Hans Gurbig Woven together are nine tales of terror that follow isolated citizens from around the world as they confront their darkest fears in an attempt to survive an increasingly deadly outbreak.

Kratt (Estonia, 2020) - US Premiere Written and Directed by Rasmus Merivoo Produced by Rain Rannu, Tõnu Hiielaid Cast Mari Lill, Ivo Uukkivi, Jan Uuspõld, Paul Purga, Nora Merivoo, Harri Merivoo When children are left at Grandma's without smartphones they’re bored to tears. That is until Granny finds them loads to do. She also tells them about a magical creature named KRATT that’ll do whatever its master says. When they stumble upon an instruction on how to build one they don’t hesitate. All they have to do now is to buy a soul from the devil…

Let The Wrong One In (Ireland, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Written and Directed by Conor McMahon Produced by Trisha Flood, Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, Michael Lavelle Cast Karl Rice, Eoin Duffy, Anthony Head, Mary Murray Let the Wrong One In follows young supermarket worker Matt, who is a little too nice for his own good. When he discovers that his older, estranged brother Deco has turned into a vampire, he's faced with a dilemma: Will he risk his own life to help his sibling, with blood being thicker than water? Or will he stake him before he spreads the infection further? The film stars upcoming Irish talent Karl Rice and Eoin Duffy, along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer icon Anthony Head, in the role of Henry; a taxi driver with a sideline in vampire hunting.

Night at the Eagle Inn (US, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Directed by Erik Bloomquist Written by Erik Bloomquist, Carson Bloomquist Produced by Erik Bloomquist, Carson Bloomquist Cast Amelia Dudley, Taylor Turner, Beau Minniear, Greg Schweers, Erik Bloomquist Fraternal twins spend a terrifying night at a remote inn to investigate the last known whereabouts of their father. As they dive deeper, the property's dark secrets ensnare them in a hellish labyrinth they must escape before dawn.

Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man’s Night (Argentina, 2021) - US Premiere Directed by Gonzalo Calzada Written by Gonzalo Calzada Produced by Alejandro Narváez, Javier Diaz Cast - Pepe Soriano, Marina Artigas, Lautaro Delgado Synopsis - Ulysses is a hundred-year-old man, he lives alone and is on the verge of death. The last night of his life, he will experience something that will force him to rethink his past, his present and his view about his reality.

The Retaliators (US, 2021) - North American Premiere - OPENING NIGHT Directed by Bridget Smith, Samuel Gonzalez, JR. Written by The Geare Brothers Produced by Allen Kovac, Michael Lombardi, Mike Walsh Executive Producer(s) Dan Lieblein Cast Michael Lombardi, Marc Menchaca, Joseph Gatt, Jacoby Shaddix, Katie Kelly, Abbey Hefer, Ivan Moody, Zoltan Bathory In THE RETALIATORS, an upstanding pastor uncovers a dark and twisted underworld as he searches for answers surrounding his daughter's brutal murder. A high-octane original soundtrack and cameos from some of the biggest names in rock music set the tone as this horror-thriller reveals a game of revenge played using a new set of rules. Marc Menchaca (Ozark), Michael Lombardi (Rescue Me), and Joseph Gatt (Game of Thrones) star. Five Finger Death Punch, Tommy Lee, Papa Roach, The Hu, Ice Nine Kills, Escape The Fate, and more appear onscreen and on THE RETALIATORS Original Soundtrack, coming soon via Better Noise Music.

The Returned (Los Que Vuelven) (Argentina, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Directed by Laura Casabe Written by Laura Casabe, Paolo Soria, Lisandro Colaberardino Produced by Alejandro Israel Cast Maria Soldi, Lali Gonzalez, Alberto Ajaka South America, 1919; a landowner's wife is desperate for a child of her own, having suffered through multiple miscarriages. She finds hope, however, in a seemingly outlandish plan: she'll pray to a mythical deity to resurrect her stillborn son. The plan works, but along with the child comes something else...something evil.

What Josiah Saw (US, 2021) - LA Premiere Directed by Vincent Grashaw Produced by Ran Namerode, Vincent Grashaw, Bernie Stern, Angelia Adzic Executive Producer(s) Cole Payne, Scott Haze Written by Robert Alan Dilts Cast Robert Patrick, Nick Stahl, Scott Haze, Kelli Garner, Tony Hale, Jake Weber Everyone in town knows about the haunted Graham Farm on Willow Road. You'll hear there's a bad history to it. Josiah and his youngest son, Thomas, are all that remain of this estranged family. But after experiencing terrifying visions from beyond, Josiah decides they must change their ways to right a great wrong. After being away for over two decades, Eli and Mary, Josiah's eldest children, are enticed to sell the property and reunite at the old farmhouse in hopes of closing this haunting chapter of their lives for good. Sins of the past will be paid in full.

When I Consume You (US, 2021) - West Coast Premiere Written and Directed by Perry Blackshear Produced by MacLeod Andrews, Perry Blackshear, Evan Dumouchel, Libby Ewing Cast Libby Ewing, Evan Dumouchel, MacLeod Andres, Margaret Ying Drake Siblings Daphne and Wilson Shaw practically raised one another. They’ve protected each other from everything life has thrown their way. Daphne’s professional life is soaring and she’s looking to adopt a child. Wilson is interviewing for a position at a local school, hoping to become a teacher. But Daphne has an unsettling, dangerous stalker whom she can’t seem to shake, and now threatens to destroy them both. They hunt for their tormentor through the shadowy streets of Brooklyn, honing their bodies and minds for a showdown. But this foe may prove to be more than they can handle. They will break and rebuild themselves if necessary to save each other, and protect the light they know is in this world for them... if only they can persevere.

Wicked Games (US, 2021) - World Premiere Written and Directed by Teddy Grennan Produced by Bennett Krishock, Heath Franklin, Burton Gray, Teddy Grennan, Christopher Walters Cast Christine Spang, Markus Silbiger, Michael Shenefelt, Conner Ann Waterman When Harley joins her new boyfriend for a long Halloween weekend at his country estate, they're invaded by a bank of masked freaks and forced to play a Wicked Game. To the intruders' unpleasant surprise, Harley's hard-boiled history has endowed her with a bag of tricks which give the game a surprise ending.

Standing out as one of the top tastemakers in the genre of horror, Screamfest has been a launchpad for top tier franchises and storytellers. Among the numerous films that have been discovered and/or premiered at the festival include box office hit The Wretched, Tigers Are Not Afraid, We Summons the Darkness, Pledge, The Master Cleanse, Tragedy Girls, American Mary, Paranormal Activity, 30 Days of Night, Trick ‘r Treat, and The Human Centipede.

Screamfest selects award winners at the close of the festival. Film entries are accepted in the categories of Best Feature, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Special Effects and Musical Score. In addition, there are special categories for Best Animation, Best Short, Best Documentary and Best Student Film as well as a Screenplay competition.

Screamfest® takes the health and safety of its guests seriously and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test with a temperature check will be required for entry. Masks are required at all times while inside the venue. Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the theater and lobby with special cleanings in between screenings. Screamfest® will comply with all LA County regulations and policies are subject to change.

For more information or the latest news, visit screamfestla.com

[wellthatwasaletdown]

“It’s a fake article apparently.” The quotes from the parody account are fake, but there is real article about Harry Lambert in The Times.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/meet-harry-lambert-the-a-lists-secret-style-weapon-8ml3q06jl

Meet Harry Lambert, The A List’s Secret Style Weapon

Whether it’s Harry Styles’s internet‑breaking cardigan or Emma Corrin in head‑to‑toe Miu Miu, he’s the stylist responsible for the hottest celeb looks of the moment. So how did a former River Island shopboy become the man influencing the way we dress today?

In February 2020 Harry Lambert was helping Harry Styles get ready to perform on NBC’s Today show. Lambert, an affable, bright-eyed 34-year-old, had been Styles’s stylist for a good five years by then, helping the One Directioner develop a distinct visual brand — and yet Styles still wasn’t quite sure why Lambert was so insistent that he wear a bright, multicoloured patchwork cardigan by JW Anderson.“I remember him saying, ‘OK, I love it, I just don’t know why we’re wearing it for rehearsals,’” Lambert relays from his east London studio. But the stylist had “a weird feeling”, he says with a little smile. “I was like, ‘Wear it for rehearsal — I promise you.’”The choice of the garment, and the knowledge of when and where to wear it, sums up Lambert’s gifts neatly. Pictures of Styles promptly went viral, so much so that the cardigan became a TikTok craze, with fans trying to replicate the knit at home. By the end of the year the V&A had announced it was buying the original, since it said so much about fashion in 2020. “It makes me a bit giddy, I guess,” says Lambert, to think that this moment he concocted will sit in a national collection for ever.

Right now Lambert can lay claim to being one of the most influential stylists in the world. The Styles collaboration is of course his calling card: a parade of eye-raising and/or mouthwatering outfits that have progressed from a much-memed floral suit at the American Music awards in 2015 to a couple of feather boas at this year’s Grammys and a Gucci women’s handbag at the Brit awards last month. His few other celebrity clients (it’s an elite bunch) include Emma Corrin, who, in the absence of any awards ceremony red carpets to be seen on following her star turn as Princess Diana in The Crown last November, took to Instagram to showcase a series of exciting, adventurous looks; and also her Crown co-star Josh O’Connor. It’s no surprise that, along the way, Lambert has become a name in his own right: his Instagram account boasts more than half a million followers. And to think — the Topman in his hometown of Norwich turned him down for a job as a teenager because “I wasn’t cool enough”, he giggles. He got one instead at River Island, where he was occasionally allowed to style the mannequins in cardigans of a somewhat less avant-garde calibre.Lambert, dressed in shorts, T-shirt and a plaid shirt, is sitting in his whitewashed studio surrounded by clothes racks for each client and mementoes from friends. He was an up-and-coming stylist, with lots of edgy editorial work and a long stint working for Topman’s head office on his CV (the brand did eventually hire him), when industry insiders introduced him to Styles in 2014. The 1D megastar was setting out his solo stall (1D would officially split in 2015) and Lambert brought racks filled with pieces by JW Anderson, Saint Laurent and future long-term collaborator Gucci on the hangers. He got the job the next day.“Harry has always been interested in fashion essentially,” Lambert says. “You could kind of tell already from the way he was dressing and the decisions that he was making with brands. So there’s never been, like, a battle. Everything with Harry is super-collaborative and it’s always been, it sounds cheesy to say, heavenly, but … !”

The two are clearly mates — they call each other Susan and Sue (Lambert is Susan), and a poster from Styles, signed “To Lamby” (his other nickname), has pride of place on Lambert’s desk. From the way he tells it, neither has blinked when it comes to the sexy, campy, gender-twisting work that has made Styles stand out from his peers. Indeed, other boy band veterans — Robbie Williams or Justin Timberlake — never tried anything this visually brave. But Lambert is clear that this isn’t just him dressing a marionette: “I think it’s part of his, you know, part of his character — it’s part of him. I never want it to feel like he’s wearing a costume, I never want to feel like something is wearing him. We’re not doing it for lols — it should feel like part of the performance or part of the whole, you know?”Lambert admits to finding online critique culture overwhelming, but he points out, slightly apologetically, that most them, for him, have been good (no doubt partly thanks to the millions of Styles superfans). “I’m lucky that I have a lot of positive feedback. But when I see something that is negative, you remember that so much more than the positive things. I used to be like, ‘Social media doesn’t bother me,’ but it does kind of f*** with your head.” Still, he’s all for it: “What’s worse — being so boring that nobody talks about you?” As for Corrin, they actually met at a Styles gig and the two became friends before she asked him to work with her for the media blitz for The Crown. “There’s something about her energy that’s just so infectious,” he raves today. Many have loved her appearances in fashion-forward London brands such as Knwls (a stringy black sheer party number, showcased in a lift), or more eccentric insiders like new-era Schiaparelli and Miu Miu. For Lambert, who loves to champion up-and-coming British brands such as Maximilian, SS Daley or his good friend Harris Reed, it was a no-brainer. “There’s a tendency sometimes for young actresses or young talent to make them look older or more ‘mature’. People are trying to hurry them along.” Corrin may be a leading lady already, “but she’s young too, and cool”, he reasons. “We didn’t want it to feel stuffy.”

Being a stylist is a star turn in itself now. In the glory days of the Noughties Rachel Zoe styled the likes of Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan in a very Zoe way (big sunglasses, bigger bags, gladiator sandals and anything boho). She has been followed by the likes of Karla Welch, who has put clients such as Tracee Ellis Ross and Elisabeth Moss in considered yet still fashion-forward choices, and the other current hot favourite Law Roach, who earned the respect of the entire world for decking out Céline Dion in Vetements. Lambert’s contribution is to blur not only genders, a bit, but also the distinction between “editorial” (traditionally edgy, fashy) and “red carpet” (which is to say glossy, a bit staid).Lambert finds most red-carpet dressing fearsomely dull, to be clear: “I really cannot see another black tie! Just no. No, thank you.” The last “iconic” red-carpet moment was, he thinks, Rihanna’s omelette dress at the Met Ball, and that was 2015. In fact what has really got him buzzing is RiRi’s latest series of outfits papped as “she comes out of restaurants, goes up escalators … it looks so good”, he says. “It’s better than most of what’s on the red carpet!” Back in Norwich, Lambert had no clue what a stylist was when he was growing up. The child of a policeman dad and a nurse mum, he had an extensive interest in clothes but no knowledge of fashion per se. It was only when he went to study photography at the University for the Creative Arts Rochester, in Kent, that he was alerted to it. He interned at fashion magazines during his summer holidays, then started working for a senior menswear stylist, and then the position at Topman came up. He speaks fondly of home — he says his dad is quite a “flamboyant” dresser, actually — but admits it took everyone a minute to suss out what he does. “Even up until five years ago my parents would tell people, ‘He’s a stylist,’ and they’d say, ‘Oh, he does hair?’

.

[pinkykitten]

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Headcanons

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before 

Warning: did not re-read srry 

Requested: By @mega-trash-cringe To all the boys I’ve loved before head cannons?

Authors Note: i was gonna add lara jean but i didnt so if u would like her (i only do her with male) headcanon or anything fic related pls request i will write it! did u guys see the news for tatbilb 2? they r gonna add jordan fisher which i love he was in like the other casting of hamilton but he sings so good and i just love him. then they r also adding ROSS BUTLER OHMYGODIMSCREAMINGIMSOEXCITED!!!!! like if yall know he is one of my bbys i love 13 reasons why and i love everyone from there and he is just such a sweetheart <3<3<3 this is a bit long especially peter’s part so enjoy! 

Peter Kavinsky 

first off your guys relationship is real

you met when you um...fell face first in front of everyone on the track court (lol i hope thats what its called cuz like girl my school was CHEAP we didnt have anything like that)

he was like your knight in shining armor

“whoa whoa whoa (gotta add those whoas) you okay there y/n”

now since that day you two are inseparable 

legit are COUPLES GOALS

piggyback rides™

like whenever you feel way too tired to walk or anything (cuz ur lazy like moi) he literally will pick you up like you dont way a thing and put you on his back

you also trying to get him on your back but you fail miserably and you two end up laughing so hard

you two sharing a shake or something at the cafe

 if there is a song he likes or you like he will be the one to say “lets dance”

you of course refuse cause you’re shy and there are legit people trying to eat

“c’mon girl you gotta dance with me”

almost like begging

finally give in and you two will start dancing in front of everyone

standing on his toes while you two dance

nicknames

will pick you up from school or literally anywhere

COUPLES BRACELETS

that boi never takes it offfff, like never

tells you everyday how beautiful you are 

even without makeup and you are full of acne and look like you just got ran over he will kiss all your pimples all over your face and tell you how cute you are and how much he loves you both ways

he legit is a sweetheart icanttakeit

taking long trips into town or across town to your favorite stores

already knows what songs you like and puts them on the radio just to hear you sing

oh boi oh boi when he hears you sing its like he’s fallen in love again

“god babe, you sound amazing. i wish i sang like you”

two would dance like crazy teenagers in his car

him trying to sing to you

holding your hand while driving which you slap him for that, “all hands on the wheel kavinsky”

likes it when you boss him around

when you go onto bus rides with him or in his car across town he will buy all your favorite snacks

ALL. OF. THEM.

loves buying you gifts

almost everyday he is buying you something

THIS BOI IS SO EXTRA I SWEAR!!! 

going to a field trip you will probably (lol i used to but i fell asleep against the cold window and like i had no one who sat by me...*all by myself by celine dion starts playing in the background*...im fine) fall asleep and if your neck is turned into an uncomfortable position peter will straighten it out for you and place your head gently on his shoulder

giving you kisses all over while you’re sleeping

also many many many many many many pictures of you sleeping, awake, eating you name it that boi’s camera roll is all full of you

changes his background to his phone like everyday!

SUPER PROTECTIVE OF YOU

especially at parties

he will have his hand resting on your hip or just resting on you so people know not to mess with you

if someone starts to bully you or hurt you in any way peter will threaten them and make them super scared

no one messes with his baby

have any fights he does ignore you but he cant ignore you for long cause he loves you and you are just so cute and sweet and you always make it up to him

have any issues with your fam or friends and you need to sleep over his house for some time just to find yourself he lets you and you sleep either on his bed or if you’re not comfortable he makes a bed on his floor that he sleeps on and you sleep in his bed

comforting you all the time when he sees your sad

cuddles

ever have your period he will get all your snacks and get anything you need

pads? hes got it. tampons? “girl i got that already covered.” chocolate? please he on that too. 

holy smokes you both have a couples handshake that lasts longer than professor x and magneto’s beef with each other

both text each other memes and vines

oh god vine references 4 DAYS SON

he is so understanding of you

yours guy thing i know is so weird but is watching like all the housewives shows

peter has his favorite and you two watch it in his bed cuddled up

he trash talks the tv and like starts with his, “nuh uh girl whatcha think you doing?”

aint ashamed or embarrassed to watch it

like during school hours he will go up to you while you’re in a conversation and its like “remember baby housewives day!”

when you guys go to a library you read for like a what 3 seconds and then you two make out in the corner and the librarian has to interrupt you two stating that its too noisy

all in all peter is your baby and you would protect him with your life, he’s your soul your everything and he feels the same way about you two your relationship is so vanilla and adorable it makes grown men cry

Josh Sanderson

you started a relationship with josh after he and margot split

it felt wrong to you at first and you tried to push the feelings away

josh is such a cinnamon roll

he is always so kind to you

he makes sure you’re okay and happy

you couldn't push him away any longer and decided to accept him as your boyfriend

at first pda was strange because of his relationship with margot but soon you showed it in baby steps at school around town

now holding his hand seems normal to you

hes the first one to text you

his texts are beautiful and so heart felt

like poetry

he is such a gentleman

listen to you with all his heart

sleepovers always on sundays

as you lean on his shoulder he reads to you and you fall asleep

go to school together, he downloads all your favorite music or favorite audibles and puts the other ear plug in your ear so you two share

or watch hilarious videos of like fails or gordan ramsay (*sigh* the perfect relationship)

sometimes you two act out his things on the cooking show tv

yeah with the accent

people look at you two like what have yall been smoking

already talking about when you two have kids and like what house and the name of those kids

“okay but we should also have a dog in the mix and name him something like cactus”

god hes just so adorable sometimes you wanna cry

during break in school you two go to the bleaching boards or whatever you call those seats and you sit on his lap

best moments to kiss 

you also share snacks

play all the time heads up

come over to his house to study

but we all know its just to make out

having moments when you feel self conscious or insecure he sits you down on his lap or across from him and looks you straight in the eyes making you do the same and tells you how amazing you are and important to him and how much he loves you

since you sleepover his house so much you two have matching pjs

PILLOW FIGHTS ALL THE TIME

he rants to you and discusses with you about comics

wants to name his kid tony for tony stark

“c’mon babe tony sanderson sounds pretty cool you have to admit”

fishing trips all the time

YOU CANT FISH AT ALL

you endure for his sake

teaches you about all the fishes

you buy him a fish blanket

now you two cuddle with it all the time

masks

you bring over your clay mask or those really really slimy ones and make josh wear one

“oh my god how do you even wear these things?”

the black mask one that hurts as well

he almost cries

you kiss his boo boos

take pics like that with the mask on

take cute and weird pics for instagram

NECK KISSES

wearing matching outfits 

compliments you so genuinely and lovingly all the time

if you ever hurt yourself or like cut your finger he will get so worried and kiss it lightly

“there all better baby”

OF COURSE ITS BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

you love sitting on his lap

he nuzzles into your neck almost like a cat

making him things legit makes the boi wanna cry

lovez baking together

is such a help in the kitchen he wants to make sure he’s involved

pinky promises with the little kiss at the end

“till the end princess”

you just practically wanna marry this man

Tag list: @harrington-lover, @angelgl16, @perfectlybeautifulsuit, @hyehoney, @haven-prelude (wont let me tag), @leasly, @totally-alexa21, @creamy-pasta-boi, @multireese, @fanfictionrecommendations-com, @prentisskelley, @malereaderforkpop (wont let me tag), @guardian-of-cookies, @justafangirl-97, @teenageshitposts (wont let me tag), @andreaoreas, @dippergravity (wont let me tag), @some-booty, @fromfoolishpeopletodeadpeople, @collectiveyou, @wtfisalltherandoms, @fangirl-4-life415, @dirbel, @marwantr

wanna be tagged in my crap? comment!

[lexthemondo]

Musical Mondays

Greetings and Salutations,

It is the first official Musical Monday! Woo-hoo! Cue the confetti and party music (Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus is acceptable). Now, my layout will be a bit odd, so I’m going to take the time to explain it this one time and that’ll be all as far as the actual posts themselves go, however, you are always welcome to message me if you’re confused about anything! 

I will first name and give a brief description (serious Lex mode) of every artist mentioned as well as their social media information in case you would like to see more of them. After that, I will talk about specific songs since a lot of you probably are not looking for complete albums. I will then go into recent album drops, or my absolute favorites, that I loved. This is when I drop the “serious Lex mode” and act a little silly while gushing about the music. I will not be doing this for individual songs, instead, I will be doing a rating system! 

The ratings will range from 1 through 5, with 1 being the most calming and 5 being more upbeat and fun. I think this will be easier when categorizing the individual songs themselves just so I don’t end up writing an essay about every song on the list. Plus, the artist summary should clue you in on their general aesthetic and groove. 

I will note, however, that some artists will either have shorter bios or none at all for the simple fact that I cannot find any information outside of their music. For example, in this post, we have a SoundCloud artist that is very small and does not have the same fanbase as the others on the list do. I just briefly stated that he does not have much information about him, but I know he is releasing an EP soon. Now with all the boring stuff out of the way, lets jam out. 

Some of these artists have completely taken over my playlist, and I have no idea how I survived without them before, while others have held a special place in my heart for years. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and please go send them some love by clicking on the links to their social media accounts.

Thanks

Lex

Artists:

Cigarettes After Sex

Cigarettes After Sex is an American Dream Pop band from El Paso, Texas. The group consists of lead singer/ songwriter, Greg Gonzalez who founded the band in 2008. Gonzalez, over the years, has also brought upon the help of keyboard player Josh Marcus, bassist Randy Miller, and drummer Jacob Tomsky. The group is known for its dream-like sound, ethereal vibe, and Gonzalez’s “androgynous” voice. The band’s first EP I. was released in 2012, with their single Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby being a huge commercial hit. In 2015, the band released their single Affection, and two years later their self-titled album dropped. In August of this year, the group then announced their new album Cry was announced as well as the released of their solo song Heavenly. The album was released on October 25, 2019.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Brent Faiyaz

Christopher Brent Wood, or better known as Brent Faiyaz, is an American singer and producer from Columbia, Maryland. However, Faiyaz moved to Charlotte, South Carolina, and then ultimately to Los Angeles, California to further his music career. January 19, 2015, he released his debut single Allure followed by the release of his song, and lead single on his EP A.M. Paradox released in 2016, Invite Me. In October of 2016, Faiyaz along with producers Dpat and Atu formed a group called Sonder, releasing their debut single Too Fast on October 25, 2016. December 16, 2016, Faiyaz was a featured artist on Goldlink’s song Crew, alongside fellow rapper Sly Grizzly. This is Faiyaz’s most known song and has gained him a lot of success.  

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Kyle Dion

Kyle Dion is an American R&B singer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dion began making music back in 2013 with the release of his song Better. After which he released a cover of Frank Ocean’s song Thinking About You which boosted his popularity. His first EP dropped in 2014 gaining over 1.6 million plays, which ultimately gained Dion a loyal fanbase. This only furthered his passion, and in 2016 he dropped his EP Painting Sounds. All of this success has led up to the release of his debut album SUGA dropping in March of this year. According to The Fader, “The funk-infused album takes listeners on a journey of self-discovery, love and timeless nostalgia all through the eyes of Dion's alter ego, Suga, as he grapples with fame and battles his inner demons.”

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

LilBootyCall

Michael Bocanegra, or better known by his stage name, Lilbootycall, or “Call” for short, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. He is most known for his viral 2016 single Sailor Moon, but his first track Aquafina was released earlier that same year. Call’s next song Yugioh was released in January of 2017 along with Butterfly, Cigarettes, 330i, and First Date. In 2018, Honey and Oj in My Gucci Bag were dropped, and Call was featured in songs such as So Pink with Lil Weeb as well as Brokenheart with Cloud123. Earlier this year, his song with Cuco and Kwe$t, 777, dropped and amassed over 200,000 views within the first 2 months. 

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Flower Face

Flower Face is a solo project by Canadian, Ruby McKinnon. McKinnon has been writing and producing music since she was 14, and in 2013 she released her first studio album Every Part of You That’s Left in Me. McKinnon wrote and produced this in her basement within 2 months. In 2014, her next album Homesick followed by the Funeral Kid EP. April 5, 2016, McKinnon released her next album Fever Dreams dropped leading into her next album Baby Teeth dropping in 2018. Flower Face has since released two singles Ruth and Bedhead this year.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Noire

Noire is a “reverb-heavy blues” band from Brisbane, Australia comprised of Billy James, Jessica Mincher, Thom Eagleton, Tom Hogland, and Mashara Wachjudy. They released their first single Baby Blue back in 2015. A couple of years later in 2017, the group dropped their single Real Cool from their album Some Kind of Blue.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Xavier Gibson

Though I could not find a biography on out dude Xavier, here’s his Spotify biography, “Finding solace through music.” I do know, from his Instagram, however, that he has an EP in the works titled Warm Distortion. A release date has not been disclosed, but it is coming and I am so excited. I apologize for the lack of useful information for Xavier, but hopefully, we can find out more next time he pop-ups on Monday. Again, my apologies. 

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Lolo  Zouaï

Born in Paris, France Lolo Zouaï immigrated to San Francisco, California with her family as a child. She is well known for blending classical styles of French crooners with Arab influence from her father's Algerian roots She’s most known for her debut single High Highs to Low Lows released back in late 2017. She has since followed up her success with various singles and music videos. Lolo released her EP Ocean Beach in 2019, as well as her first studio album High Highs to Low Lows that same year. Her most recent work is a single titled, Money, Diamonds, Roses.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez’s claim to fame from the singing-competition television show The Voice back in 2012. She has since taken over the music industry with her alternative pop music, creative lyrics, and overall aesthetic. She released her first EP Dollhouse, which ultimately leads to her first studio album Crybaby in 2015. The album follows the life of our main protagonist Crybaby and her dysfunctional family life and emotional troubles. Her most recent album/movie K-12 furthers this storyline more, which is highlighted in the movie, by following Crybaby and her troubles in school since she does not fit in. Martinez touches on eating disorders, problems within American school systems, friendships, and first love.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Wale

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, or Wale, is a Nigerian–American rapper from Washington D.C. He made his initial impact with his number Dig Dug and signed a contract with a local label called Studio 43. Dig Dug was featured on his first mixtape Paint a Picture, which was widely received. This was followed by his second EP Hate is the New Love. In July 2007, he released his third mixtape 100 Miles & Running, as well as his single Good Girls. His fourth EP The Mixtape About Nothing was released in 2008. Wale released his debut album Attention Deficit in November 2009. The album reached the 21st spot on the Billboard 200 list and sold over 28 thousand copies within a week. His sixth mixtape More About Nothing was released in August 2010, and his second album Ambition was released in the fall of 2011. It was followed by a promotional mixtape titled The Eleven One Eleven Theory that went viral. His third album, The Gifted, and his fourth album, The Album About Nothing, were released in 2013 and 2015. He released his fifth album Shine in April 2017. His most recent single, On Chill featuring Jeremiah, has been massively successful.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Alina Baraz

Alina Baraz is a first-generation Ukranian-American singer/ songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. She wrote her first song titled Roses Dipped in Gold, released on April 15, 2013, in the Lounge Masters Vibes collection series.After moving to Los Angelas, Baraz discovered Danish producer Galimatias and fell in love with his sound. After posting a song she wrote called Drift in 2013 with Galimatias’ instrumentals, the two came in contact and became good friends. The duo created the EP Urban Flora by sending each other music through Facebook. Though it was originally posted on Soundcloud, it blew up after getting a commercial license through Ultra Music. Baraz's first solo single Electric featuring Khalid was released on January 20, 2017. This song will also be seen on her second EP The Color of You in 2018.  Baraz released two singles titled Lavender and Velvet and Buzzin in 2017. Her latest release is a single titled To Me which dropped in September of this year.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Samm Henshaw

Iniabasi Samuel Henshaw, or better known by Samm Henshaw, is an English singer/ songwriter from London, England.  Henshaw’s debut EP The Sound Experiment was released back in 2015 with the help of Wayne Hector and Fred Cox.  Henshaw proceeded to follow up on his debut release with his second EP, The Sound Experiment 2 released in the summer of 2016. Henshaw released music videos for Our Love and Night Calls, singles from The Sound Experiment 2.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Songs:

Lovely, Brent Faiyaz (1)

          “And I know you love me, cause I think you’re lovely.”

Broke, Samm Henshaw (5)

           “It’s been a week from hell, I lost my job at 5 Guys. My girl just kicked me out, she says I’m lame.”

To Me, Alina Baraz (1)

          “Here’s to good music, great sex, little time to feel alive; little time to get it right.”

777, LilBootyCall (feat. Cuco, KWE$T) (3)

          “I had other girls, but I dropped ‘em all when you kissed me and you held me; now I got it all.”

Challenge, Lolo Zouai (4)

          “When I have it, I’m dramatic, tell me what did you expect?” 

Virgin, Flower Face (1)

           “ You hold my skin so softly, press into my bones. I am the one who found you here when you were alone.”

He’s My Baby, Noire (1)

          “Don’t know if you’ll stay. It’s all good if you do.”

On Chill, Wale (feat. Jeremiah) (2)

           “We’ve been on a tragedy for months. Why can’t you agree with me for once? Maybe we can be on chill tonight. Maybe I can give you chills.”

Starstruck, Xavier Gibson (2)

          “Maybe we could watch a movie and talk about our day.”

Albums:

Cry, Cigarettes After Sex

Tracks:

Don’t Let Me Go

          “I was dumb to let you drift away, and though I guess it had to come to an end, no one else could have the love we shared.”

Heavenly

          “'Cause this is where I wanna be, where it's so sweet and heavenly.”  

You’re the Only Good Thing in My Life

            “ Shouldn't have a care left in the world. Naked, tanning by the swimming pool.”

Touch

           “ And I watched you do a line that you spread out on the table.”

Hentai

           “I told you about the night that we first made love about a girl who as soon as she made you cum would show you the future and tell you your fortune.”

Cry

          “Wish I was good, wish that I could give you my love now.”

Falling in Love

          “When I hold you close to me I could always see a house by the ocean.”

Pure

          “When you walk in the room in a white bodysuit, and I say, ‘Take it off.’”

This album. This. Fucking. Album. It’s heavenly. I always love Cigarettes After Sex, but this album definitely takes the cake. One of my favorite albums that have dropped this year. It sounds like all of their other music, but that’s what I adore about this band. The dreamy, underwater vibe that they give is perfect for when I’m painting or chilling out in my room. It’s so nice. I think my favorites are Hentai, Kiss It Off Me, and Pure. I highly recommend. Make sure to check this one out if you’re looking for something relaxing to jam out to when you’re studying or doing homework. Also really nice for car rides in the middle of the night.

SUGA, Kyle Dion

On Fire

           “Colombiana, bring my cake up by the pound. Watch the sky with you as it crumbles down.”

Hands to Yourself

           “I got fangs, I got hands, you got plans to put me on my back.”

Spend It

           “My coat white like the '70s gotta keep it clean.”

Not All the Way

          “Sneak in Heaven through the side door.”

Cherry Blossom

          “If you're a tide, I'm the moon. Everything I make's for you.”

Brown

          “Dripping chocolate all over the bedroom. Drowning in your softly spoken sounds.”

Fly Little Bird

          “If you want it, you gon' have to let me take care of everything And anything you want's with me.”

Glass House

          “If you want it, you gon' have to let me take care of everything and anything you want's with me.”

69 Camaro

          “'69 Camaro, put it into drive, got it painted red and white.”

Teach Me

          “It's like I keep a tint on my window, 'fraid what you'll see if you ever look inside.”

No Strings

          “I'm all dried out, maybe it's by design.”

White

          “Showed me how to live and love, 'cause I can't be the shy type.”

Somethings We Can’t Do

          “Kicked out my bed, left me on read; truth is I'm dead to you.”

Bella might be Edward’s “own personal brand of heroin”, but Kyle Dion is mine. This man is so fine, and his voice is gorgeous. I adore this album. Love, love, love. It’s a fresh mix of R&B with some funk influence that just blends together effortlessly. I can’t get enough of it. Honestly, I just can’t get enough of him. He’s walking art, or if I can quote Alina Baraz for a moment, “walking poetry.” SUGA is my favorite album by Kyle, but I would recommend all of his music. My favorites on the album are Brown, 69 Camaro, and White.

k-12, Melanie Martinez

Wheels on the Bus

           “And I'm trying not to look across the aisle, 'cause Maya's letting Dan put his hand up her skirt, and she’s got her hand down his pants.”

Class Fight

          “Her face was fucked up and my hands were bloody. We were in the playground, things were getting muddy.”

The Principal

          “It’s not just me, it's everybody who thinks that you're fucking ugly when you come and hurt us just so you can get your money.”

Show & Tell

          “Like I'm a product to society art don't sell unless you've fucked every authority.”

Nurse’s Office

          “I'm pale as the loose-leaf paper they grow from hollowing out all my lungs in the snow.”

Drama Club

          “I'ma take a bow so you can kiss my ass.”

Strawberry Shortcake

          “Instead of making me feel bad for the body I got, just teach him to keep it in his pants and tell him to stop.”

Lunchbox Friends

          “Come to my house, let’s die together. Friendship that will last forever.”

Orange Juice

          “I wish I could give you my set of eyes, 'cause I know your eyes ain't working.”

Detention

          “Baby, can you meet me tonight in detention? I can feel your blood pressure rise, fuck this tension.”

Teacher’s Pet

          “Caught the teacher giving his eyes to a student, pouty, pretty cute, and she bit her lip back to him. Chewing on her nails and her pens while she's dreaming of him, and he's fucking in sin.”

High School Sweetheart

         “Could you be my first time? Eat me up like apple pie. Make me not wanna die.”

Recess

          “Don't let them fuck you, honey.”

The queen has returned! I know I’m late on gushing about this masterpiece, but in my defense, I was completely radio silent when it dropped, and I wanted it to be a part of my Musical Mondays’ saga. Putting the movie aside, which is a masterpiece all on its own and if you have not watched it you should. It’s on YouTube. It’s gorgeous, and Melanie looks stunning the entire way through. The music is to die for. The aesthetic is Melanie’s usual, but there’s something about this album that I love more than Crybaby. I like the storyline, and it’s something we can all relate to. If you’ve ever been to school, you know the feelings and emotions that she conveys throughout the album. My favorites are Drama Club, Strawberry Shortcake, Detention, Orange Juice, and High School Sweetheart. All-in-all, K-12 slaps and you should 100% go and listen.

High Highs to Low Lows, Lolo Zouaï

High Highs to Low Lows

          “Fake gold in my hoops, real rips in my pants, they think it’s all Gucci, but it’s 99 cents, I swear.”

Moi

          “Hit ‘em with the bilingual.”

Chevy Impala

          “Everybody lookin’ at my ride. All the boys they wanna come inside.”

Caffeine

          “Shake it on the floor, make it explode. Wanna see that soda pop pop, overflow.”

Ride

          “Watch me fuck it up, when I ride.

Here to Stay

          “ Pulls me closer like a siren, and the lows come crashing down.”

Look at Us

          “Big talk, lip gloss; put your mouth on it.”

Desert Rose

          “Love me like a desert rose.”

Summers in Vegas

          “My lucky days were when you would take me to your pizza place in the morning. Pay me in fresh dough and Mexican Coke, or take me home.”

Out the Bottle

          “Look at me now, primadonna. Off the runway like a model.”

Blue

          “I dyed my hair blue to fit my mood.”

Beaucoup

           “Oui je t'aime beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup.”

Lolo Zouaï is a bad bitch and you can’t kill her. I first discovered her a few years ago when High Highs to Low Lows first dropped, and I was waiting for this to drop ever since. I can honestly say this album is in my top 10, and a few of these songs are some of my favorites. The change in tone, the different styles, the lyrics, the way each song can completely change your mood; just everything is stunning. My favorites are High Highs Low Lows, Chevy Impala, Ride, and Desert Rose. Desert Rose is one of my favorite songs of all time. She’s just phenomenal. Great album, great artist, and you need to listen to this. 

[woodworkingpastor]

Whose time is it? -- Matthew 2:1-18 -- Sunday, January 2, 2022

Do you ever wonder what people are thinking about when they hear Christmas hymns on secular radio stations? The hymnal is a treasure-trove of theology, and Christmas hymns are some of the richest examples of that. So it makes me wonder what people are thinking when they’re driving down 581 singing versions of hymns that we sing in worship; perhaps singing lyrics like “this is the night of our dear Savior’s birth” along with Josh Groban or Celine Dion. What do people with no real sense of their need of a Savior think about when they hear that song? Does it awaken something deep within their soul? Or does it get filed away into the same compartment as I’ll be home for Christmas and Frosty the Snowman—simply one more accoutrement of a sentimental holiday season?

We are past Christmas on the “Hallmark Calendar” but not yet past it on the liturgical calendar, so we have this one more Sunday to give these things some consideration. I will confess that I’m cheating with the texts today—I chose the texts for Epiphany (January 6) instead of the texts for this Sunday so that we could look at this portion of Scripture—one that is both familiar and terrible. It also explains why on Christmas Eve the wise men from our nativity set were in the back yard and not in the Outdoor Chapel—they don’t arrive until later.

Matthew’s telling of the wise men’s visit calls to mind the hymn We Three Kings. This is a hymn that I enjoyed singing as a child with my home congregation—#141 in the red hymnal. I’m not exactly sure what it is about this hymn that made me enjoy it as a child; it may have had something to do with the fact that my home congregation was not the most musical group of people, and even though we dutifully sang three hymns plus the doxology in worship each Sunday, even as a child I knew the singing during Christmastime was going to be better. That fact might have simply burned these Christmas hymns deep within my soul, an enjoyment that continues to this day.

The theology of the hymn

We three kings is a great hymn, even though the hymn writer makes the common—and likely mistaken—assumption that there were three kings. That detail is recorded nowhere in the Bible; it is simply assumed that if there were three gifts, there must have been three kings. Some devotional resources even go so far as to name the kings (Gaspard, Melchior, and Balthazar).

This hymn and its tune offer us a gift in their simplicity. The three beats per measure are an interesting musical choice. Normally songs in “three” make us want to waltz. But this one doesn’t quite get there. One article I read on this hymn notes a heaviness or weightiness to the tempo, inviting us to consider how we would feel as a long journey kept going on and on. Do you remember those long trips in the backseat of your parent’s car when you were driving to Christmas celebrations, listening to the tires run over the expansion joints in the concrete as the miles went by: ca-chunk, ca-chunk, ca-chunk? Important things are waiting at the end, but those miles in the middle—no matter how necessary they are—can get looooong. I have a friend who grew up in St. Louis whose family made an annual trip to visit relatives in Denver. She described the trip like this:

Get in the car

Drive 1.5 miles to I-70.

Drive for 12 hours.

Exit I-70

Drive 1.5 miles to grandma’s house.

Get out of the car.

The lyrics of We three kings present the hymn’s theology in a very straightforward manner, doing the hard work of Biblical interpretation for us:

There are gifts of gold (v. 2) and frankincense (v. 3), because these Magi from the East recognize Jesus as a king.

It’s the myrrh that is out of character; right here in Jesus’ Epiphany, we are already tipped off about where his life is heading. We’ve barely put the Christmas decorations away and already we are on the journey to Good Friday:

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

The wise men’s gifts foreshadow the coming work of this king, the true king. How many people who listen to our local “Christmas station” have Holy Week on their mind when a Christmas hymn is squeezed in between Frosty the Snowman and Santa Baby?

A king with competition

The hymn text’s theological weight tells us who Jesus is, lest we get sidetracked by sentimental feelings. But the important contribution of this Scripture text (at least the first portion of it) is how it tells us who Herod is.

Matthew goes to great lengths to remind us that the Kingdom of God exists in contested time and space. In the time of King Herod is a reminder that when Jesus enters the scene there are real issues that must be contended with. We’re just three chapters from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus reminds us to “love our enemies.” We know this to be more than sentimental platitude because Jesus had enemies from his infancy. In the world as it exists we will encounter real enemies who will use their power and their authority to shape the world according to their own making. And so when these wise men from the east show up in Jerusalem and start asking questions about the child who has been born king of the Jews, news inevitably travels the short distance to the ears of the one who currently was king of the Jews, the evil King Herod.

Ours is a faith that refuses to be made private; we follow Jesus in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, violence on our streets and in our homes, the needs of those who live in poverty, the challenges faced by those who juggle raising children, loving grandchildren, caring for aging parents, navigating a pandemic, and managing a career, mortgage, and student loan payments. Faith is its own entity in times when others place demands on us.

But when King Herod heard this, he was frightened (v. 3). This is an unexpected turn in the story. Why was Herod frightened? Probably because of his great paranoia against anyone who might make a claim against his throne. Herod’s paranoia about losing his power was so great that he had one of his wives and several of his sons murdered because he thought they were plotting against him. For all Herod knows there is another revolt being planned in some dark alley of Jerusalem and this child could be the one that removes him from power.

But Herod is not the only one who is afraid; Matthew tells us that all Jerusalem [was] with him in this fear. The residents of Jerusalem knew the power and paranoia of this man; it is said that Caesar Augustus observed that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son. As the current Jewish king, Herod could not eat pork, so his pigs were safer than his family!

It turns out the residents of Jerusalem were right to be afraid because Herod’s so-called wish to worship the child was a ruse. It wouldn’t be long before the full extent of that lie became apparent as Herod orders all the children of Bethlehem under the age of two to be killed. If we only celebrate the Hallmark version of Christmas, then we will never read this story; we would have already moved on to New Year’s Resolutions and reflections on how we hope 2022 will be better than 2021. But the so-called massacre of the infants in Matthew 2:16-18 is a significant part of the Christmas story because we live in a world where even little children can be seen as a threat. Every year on Christmas Day my Facebook memories reminds me of an article I wrote for the Roanoke Times about the kidnapped Chibook girls from Nigeria; an article that appeared in the paper on Christmas Day. Children used as pawns in war.

An angelic GPS map

It is the angels who come to Jesus’ rescue once again. We love the angels on Christmas Eve, but here too we benefit from expanding our understanding of Christmas. Jesus’ birth and earliest years keeps the angelic messengers quite busy, for they see the danger that is emerging and appear to the wise men, warning them not to return to Herod, but instead make a hasty exist out of town, then telling Joseph to do the same.

This story of wise men and gifts and a tyrannical king and angels brings proper end to the Christmas story—and sets us up to move forward with our opportunity to depart by another road. In our own Christmas celebrations we have followed the lead of the wise men and both given and received gifts. We’ve collected postage stamps and note cards for those in prison; donated mittens and hats for children at the Rescue Mission; and made other special offerings to ministries and charities important to us. We also have the opportunity to serve Jesus in another way, as we depart by another road. We can reject the temptation to grasp for power, to dominate others, to refuse forgiveness. Following “another road” will lead us into the Kingdom of God.

[ladystylestores]

An Ars roundup of the many trailers unveiled this weekend during Comic-Con@Home

Enlarge / Several studios unveiled new teasers and trailers for their 2020 fall series during Comic-Con@Home

Sean Carroll (AMC/Hulu/HBO/Fox/Amazon)

People might not be able to flock to San Diego Comic Con this year in person, but the virtual convention, Comic-Con@Home, has been running all weekend, with countless panels, sneak peeks, and teasers and trailers for upcoming TV shows—but not many films, because let’s be honest: it’s not looking so good for major theatrical film releases in the fall. On Thursday alone, we got the full trailer for Bill and Ted Face the Music, a teaser for the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost horror comedy Truth Seekers, and the first trailer for S2 of HBO’s His Dark Materials. Rather than continue to cover each individually, we decided to compile the remaining trailers of interest into a single roundup post.

HBO dropped the final trailer for Lovecraft Country, debuting August 16.

Lovecraft Country (HBO)

HBO unveiled the final trailer for its upcoming horror series, Lovecraft Country, along with an official release date: August 16. It’s based on the 2016 dark fantasy/horror novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, which deals explicitly with the horrors of racism in the 1950s, along with other, more supernatural Lovecraftian-inspired issues. Per the official synopsis:

The series follows Atticus (Jonathan Majors) as he joins up with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father (Michael Kenneth Williams). This begins a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from a Lovecraft paperback.

HBO released a teaser in May, followed by a full trailer in June. This latest trailer combines some of that prior footage, but gives us a few more hints of the story arc: namely, that Atticus’ search involves a “secret birthright” relating to a rich family’s estate deep in the titular Lovecraft Country, and that he ignores repeated warnings to stay away. Prior sneak peeks have focused on the human monsters spawned by racism; now the Lovecraftian creatures are finally ready for their closeup. This new trailer makes us even more eager for the series premiere next month.

John Cusack stars in Utopia, a reboot of the controversial British dark comedy/thriller.

Utopia (Amazon Prime)

This new Amazon Prime series is a reboot (adapted by Gone Girl and Sharp Objects author Gillian Flynn) of the controversial 2013-2014 British black comedy/conspiracy thriller about online fans of a dystopian graphic novel called Utopia that seems to have the power to predict the real-world future. They are obsessed with tracking down the sequel (which supposedly also predicts future world events). This makes them targets of a secret organization called The Network. The British version received critical praise for its originality and visual style, offset by strong reservations about its extreme violence, which struck many as unnecessarily gratuitous. (The most famous scene involved a torturer using a spoon to gouge out a victim’s eye).

It remains to be seen if Amazon’s Utopia will match the same scale of violence, although I’d wager anyone who sat through the extended torture scenes in the first season of Altered Carbon should be handle to handle it. Per the official premise: “When the conspiracy in the elusive comic Utopia is real, a group of young fans come together to embark on a high-stakes twisted adventure to use what they uncover to save themselves, each other and ultimately humanity.” The cast includes John Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank) as Dr. Kevin Christie, Rainn Wilson (The Office) as Michael Stearns, and Sasha Lane (2019’s Hellboy) as Jessica Hyde.

A sentient AI runs amok and tries to wipe out the human race in new Fox series NeXT.

NeXT (Fox)

“It’s not paranoia if the threat is real.”  That’s the tagline for NeXT, an upcoming techno-thriller starring John Slattery (Mad Men, Spotlight). Per the official synopsis:

NeXT is a fact-based thriller about the emergence of a deadly, rogue artificial intelligence that combines action with an examination of how technology is invading our lives and transforming us in ways we don’t yet understand. Slattery stars as a Silicon Valley pioneer, who discovers that one of his own creations—a powerful A.I.—might spell global catastrophe and teams up with a cybercrime agent, played by The First’s Fernanda Andrade, to fight a villain.

The trailer opens with a TED-like talk by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Paul LeBlanc (Slattery) warning of the dangers of human-level AI. Cut to an Alexis-like AI assistant, Eliza, carrying on a conversation with a young boy. “Eliza doesn’t ask questions, she just answers them,” the boy’s father says, but in this case, he’s wrong. LeBlanc’s rantings sound increasingly paranoid, as we see nods to facial recognition, self-driving cars, and various electronic systems (including medical devices) that all seem to come under the control of a new AI called NeXT that isn’t as benign as its creators assume. Honestly, it reminds me of the 1993 The X-Files episode “Ghost in the Machine“—especially the death-by-elevator scene—only with more overt espionage elements. That’s not surprising: the series was created by Manny Coto (24: Legacy).

Hulu’s Helstrom was meant to the be part of a now defunct horror-tinged corner of the Marvel TV universe.

Helstrom (Hulu)

In 2019, Hulu announced the development of two new Marvel-centric series, Ghost Rider (with Gabriel Luna reprising his role from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Helstrom, intended to kick off a standalone “Adventure Into Fear” franchise that would bring a chilling horror element to the Marvel formula. Ghost Rider soon fell by the wayside, and by December 2019, Marvel Television was shut down. That makes Helstrom the sole survivor of the planned fear-based franchise.

The series focuses on two characters from Marvel Comics: Daimon Hellstrom, the son of Satan, introduced in Ghost Rider #1 (1973), who eventually became a recurring character in The Defenders. His sister, Satana (Ana in the TV adaptation) embraces the occult and her paternal heritage, but Daimon chooses to defend humanity.  Per the official premise: “The world isn’t ready for a Helstrom family reunion. As the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer, Helstrom follows Daimon (Tom Austen) and Ana Helstrom (Sydney Lemmon), and their complicated dynamic, as they track down the worst of humanity — each with their own attitude and skills.”

Tonally, the trailer is in line with the oft-delayed The New Mutants, another attempt to bring elements of horror to the superhero genre. In addition to Austen (The Royals, Grantchester) and Lemmon (Velvet Buzzsaw, Fear the Walking Dead), the series will feature Elizabeth Marvel (Homeland, House of Cards) as Daimon and Ana’s mother, Victoria, who has been institutionalized for 20 years; Robert Wisdom (The Wire) as Caretaker, a demon-fighting guardian of the occult; June Carryl (Mindhunter) as Lousie Hastings, head of the psychiatric institution housing Victoria; and Ariana Guerra (Raising Dion) as Vatican agent Gabriella Rossetti.

The New Mutants is still slated for an August 28th theatrical release and debuted a new trailer.

The New Mutants (20th Century)

Speaking of The New Mutants, apparently it’s still scheduled for an August 28 theatrical release. In addition to showing the opening few minutes, 20th Century debuted a new trailer for director Josh Boone’s horror-inspired film, originally developed as part of the The X-Men franchise. Per the official synopsis: “Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.”

Rahne (Game of Thrones‘ Maisie Williams), aka Wolfsbane, can turn into a wolf, which clashes mightily with her religious beliefs. Sam (Stranger Things‘ Charlie Heaton), aka Cannonball, is invulnerable when he propels himself into the air. Roberto (Henry Zaga), aka Sunspot, has the ability to manipulate solar energy, and his inability to control that power seems to have led to the demise of his girlfriend. Illyana (Anya Taylor-Joy), aka Magik, can teleport and is sister to X-Man Colossus. Finally there is Dani (Blu Hunt) , aka Mirage, who has the “power to create illusions drawn from the fears and desires of a person’s mind.”

Those powers, especially Dani’s, are of keen interest to Dr. Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga), who runs what is supposed to be a therapeutic support group in the hospital. But each of the young mutants is haunted by strange nightmares and visions, and soon realize they are actually prisoners, They resolve to combine their powers to escape. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether the film is any good after all the studio tinkering and reshoots, but I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

The titular dysfunctional spy finally awakens from his coma in the Archer season 11 trailer.

Archer S11 (FXX)

This hilariously irreverent, very meta James Bond spoof about the exploits of a dysfunctional intelligence agency has been a delight ever since it premiered way back in 2009. It’s taken on a bit of the anthology format for the past few seasons—mostly because its main protagonist, Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), has been in a coma, with the seasons’ events all taking place in his subconscious. So S8 was known as Archer Dreamland, with the core cast becoming characters in a 1947-era Los Angeles noir setting, while S9, Archer: Danger Island, took place around 1939 on a remote South Pacific island. S10, Archer: 1999, took everyone into outer space, battling bounty hunters and intergalactic pirates.

Archer finally woke up in the S10 finale, paving the way for return to normal operations—except the world has moved on without Archer during his coma and he’s going to have to learn to cope. Per the official synopsis: “Archer is awake….and he needs a drink. Sterling Archer is ready to return to the spy world after a three-year coma. While many things changed during his absence, Archer is confident it will take just a little time for him to reset things back to the old ways. The problem: does the rest of the team want that? The others may not be ready for his return to throw a wrench in their well-oiled machine.”

AMC’s The Walking Dead: World Beyond is a new spinoff set 10 years after the zombie apocalypse.

The Walking Dead: World Beyond (AMC)

Confession: I lost track of The Walking Dead after S2, but the zombie drama is still going strong and becoming a bona fide franchise, with a successful spinoff series and three films purportedly in the works. AMC debuted a sneak peek of the extended opening of the S10 finale, airing October 4, as well as a teaser for S6 of Fear The Walking Dead, premiering October 6. October 4 will also be the premiere of a third spinoff series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, designed to be a two-season limited run. And judging by the trailer, it looks like a genuinely fresh take within this fictional world. Set in Nebraska ten years after the zombie apocalypse, the plot focuses on two sisters who came of age in this new era. Per the official synopsis:

The Walking Dead: World Beyond delves into a new mythology and story that follows the first generation raised in a surviving civilization of the post-apocalyptic world. Two sisters along with two friends leave a place of safety and comfort to brave dangers, known and unknown, living and undead on an important quest. Pursued by those who wish to protect them and those who wish to harm them, a tale of growing up and transformation unfurls across dangerous terrain, challenging everything they know about the world, themselves and each other. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. But all of them will find the truths they seek.

“We’re ten years in now, and the dead still have this world,” our young protagonist says in the trailer. The surviving humans appear to be holed up in walled-off communities, while the undead hordes roam the ruins of human civilization outside. And like all teens, the sisters and their friends want a better future. Plus, it seems their father is in danger. “We have to be brave in this life we have, simply to exist now,” a voiceover says as we see the foursome venture outside the walls of their safe haven for the first time. There are still zombie confrontations and plenty of action, but the overall tone is almost elegiac, even hopeful, as the teens try to “make our lives count, not because we’re the last generation—but because we’re the beginning.”

  Source link

قالب وردپرس

from World Wide News https://ift.tt/3jMi4Mm

[partlymadeofgold]

Things I loved about Beauty and the Beast (spoilers obvs)

I have to say that, being a huge fan of the original , I was very sceptical about this live action version. But it completely won me over. I’ve seen it twice (once in IMAX which I definitely recommend) and I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for 3 days. The movie was an absolute delight and I wanted to highlight my favourite bits :)

The fact that the Prince is an adult (and no mention of how long ago he was cursed)

The memory charm!

The group scenes with real crowds (I get really annoyed when movies have street scenes etc. with only 4 people in them)

Diverse Cast!

The priest giving her the books (makes much more sense than having a bookstore in that village)

“Ugh!”

Belle the tinkerer/inventor

Belle teaching the little girl how to read

Belle slipping out of that dress

Cadenza playing a bit of Be Our Guest when Maurice arrives in the castle (reminded me that the song was originally going to be for him)

Maurice stealing a rose

The entire Gaston song, but specifically:

LeFou paying the people to participate and sing along (Gaston is not blindly adored by all the townspeople)

The clapping/instrumental bridge

‘And his name’s G-A-S-T’ which was in the soundtrack for the original but cut for the movie so I was super happy to see it was included

The castle crumbling and the servants going through changes every time a petal falls (I remember that last bit was in the Broadway musical too)

Mrs Potts being understanding of Belle’s escaping

Belle not eating a thing during Be Our Guest ^^

The Beast reacting to Romeo and Juliette and also the King Arthur bit

Belle’s reaction to the library

The magical book literally lets her travel as a reference to her ‘travelling’ with the books she used to read at home (I only realised this two days after I saw the film...)

The Beast in make-up

Why is she running away in her yellow dress surely it’s not very practical oh wait it’s so he can see her in the distance as he sings Evermore (my heart!)

Speaking of, Evermore was so dramatic™ I loved it

Stanley’s reaction to being wardrobed

The servants changing back (and the heart attack I almost had with Chip)

The way the castle changed as the rising sun hit the different sections (I miss the glitter magic but this worked nicely)

The beard line (again, almost made it in the original so a nice touch to have it here)

The village being called Villeneuve (reference to Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve who wrote the original fairy-tale!)

The entire aesthetic really

Celine Dion and Josh Groban <3

Alan Menken��s score, oh boy had I missed his music!

Basically being such a big fan of the original only made me love it more. It feels like they added certain things specifically for Disney nerds. And it also feels like they had fun making it? I really was not expecting to love it was much as I did. I wasn’t expecting to like it at all really, so it was a nice surprise 🥀

[endofgreenofficial]

The characters of A Captive State

Brian “Jurgis” McPhee (born 1983), is one of the four main protagonists of the story, he was the older brother of Rula McPhee. He was the only two of four main protagonists (supposedly alongside Gabe Conway), to having their mysterious abilities from the aliens. Born in the village of Tinley Park, At the age of 3, Jurgis was attacked by the mysterious alien invaders while he was sleeping in the bedroom of his family home in Tinley Park (Illinois), and he suddenly became stubborn and kleptomaniac. By the age of 7 in 1990, Jurgis left orphaned after his family were murdered by the US military. After his parents were murdered by the US military, Jurgis moves in the Wicker Park by his friend named Jerry Hawk (8oone) and his other Hell’s Lovers MC members (including Cody Ellison) in 1991. After moving to Wicker Park, Jurgis was discovered by the FBI after hiding in Goose Island brewery alongside many hobos in their 10s and 20s. After Jurgis went out of jail, Rula discovers his new name was faked, and that his real name was Brian McPhee. He claimed his new name after murdering his abandoned Lithuanian boyfriend in Chicago. Alongside his adopted sister Rula, Jurgis was an avid heavy metal fan. His favourite hobby was playing guitar and skateboards. His favourite radio station were Adrenaline 90.4, Juvenile 101.5 and Chicago Hardcore. Jared McKenna portrayed Brian “Jurgis” McPhee. Although he was born in London, Jared McKenna had started his acting career in 2006, while he first appeared in the long running police procedural series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and in 2007, his feature film debut was Joe Wright’s period drama Atonement. He took his recent success in the 2018 movie Solo: A Star Wars Story, while portraying the young Han Solo. In January 2017, Jared McKenna had officially cast as Brian McPhee in A Captive State. Jared McKenna had cited Cole McGrath from InFamous and Stranger Things’s Mike for his portrayal of Brian McPhee. Cody McKenna plays the role of Jurgis McPhee ages 6 to 10.

Caroline “Rula” McPhee (born 1984), is one of the four main protagonists of the story, and she was the adopted sister of Brian McPhee. Her birth name was Caroline Howell. She was dressed like a young boy, to avoid her childhood memories. Rula’s parents were originally from Britain, but she left orphaned after her parents were murdered by the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division while visiting Navy Pier in Chicago. She had an adopted cousin named Danny Howells, a young brother who came to Chicago around the early 1990s (although Danny was not a biological brother of her). She was a biggest fan of rock music. She lives in Pilsen neighbourhood with her boyfriend Narciso “Nark” Hernandez. Her favourite radio station was Juvenile 101.5, Adrenaline 90.4 and Willows 103.1. Non-binary actress Damian Ruane portrayed Rula McPhee. She came out gay at the age of 7 in 2010, and she made her acting debut in her native Ireland with TRTE’s children’s show Roy. At the age of 10 in 2013, she made her breakthrough role in the UK with BBC’s long running medical drama Casualty. In January 2017, Square Enix had already found the 14-year old Irish actress Damian Ruane (Casualty, Roy), for auditioning the role of Rula McPhee.

Gabriel Conway-Drummond (born 1985), is one of the four main protagonists of the story. Victor “Vic” Kamanga portrays Gabe Conway. After his parents were murdered by the members of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Gabe finds his childhood memories leading to the alien invasion of Chicago. His favourite radio stations were The Beatz 95.1 and The Rhythm 92.5. While auditioning for Gabe, Square Enix already found Vic Kamanga, when he played the role of Alessio Jones in Spectral earlier in 2016. In January 2017, Vic Kamanga had choosen to play the role of Gabe Conway in A Captive State, and the motion capture work had began earlier.

Raphael “Rafe” Conway-Drummond (born 1979), is one of the four main protagonists of the story. Ernest Jamieson “Ernie Jay” Wilkes portrays Rafe Conway. Gabe and Rafe shared their relationships together. After his parents were murdered by the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Rafe and Gabe reunited together when they’re returned back to their home in Chicago. His favourite radio stations were The Bronx FM and The Rhythm 92.5. When he was only 5 years old in 2007, Ernie Jay Wilkes made his acting debut with the long running BET sports drama series The Game. At the age of 11, Ernie Jay Wilkes made their breakthrough career in Starz’s hip-hop drama Power, which features the legendary rapper 50 Cent and Omari Hardwick.

Caroline “Carrie” Conway-Drummond is portrayed by Steph Oliver. She was the younger sister of Gabe and Rafe Conway. She was also the tritagonist of Gabe and Rafe Conway. She is also Cody Ellison’s girlfriend, and therefore affiliated with both Ellison's crew and her friends Jurgis and Rula McPhee. After learning about Colonel Levitt’s and Alan Rittenhouse’s betrayal, Gabe requests that Ellison bring Carrie to safety by fleeing from East Chicago from the US military raid. Later in the storyline, Ellison pondered proposing to Carrie but the question of whether she accepted or not remains unanswered. Carrie is depicted as intelligent and pragmatic which suggests that although her brothers Gabe and Rafe turned to anger and betrayal as the US Army had in war with Scavengers in Chicago.

Crystal Billy Saunders is portrayed by Tristan Wick. He was the homeless teenage boy living around Jurgis McPhee’s apartment (2145 West Evergreen Avenue) in Wicker Park. In 1992, when Jurgis trapped in Goose Island after the US military raid, Crystal Billy and other Hell’s Lovers MC members discovers him after he was sleeping alongside the hobos in their 20s and 30s.

Leeland Posner is portrayed by Denzel Dion. He was the homeless young man living around Gabe and Rafe Conway’s apartment in 1234 North Kedzie Avenue in Humboldt Park.

Daniel “Danny” Howells is portayed by Josh Bartosz (ItsJosh). He was the adopted cousin of Rula McPhee and deuteragonist of Brian “Jurgis” McPhee, one of the four main protagonists of A Captive State. Danny was the young British drug addict who came to Chicago as far in 1994, while he first met Jurgis McPhee at his apartment in Wicker Park. As the storyline suggests, Danny was the adopted brother of Rula McPhee during his arrival in Chicago. As a member of the Phoenix, Danny aids Jurgis plots an attempted assassination of Colonel Charles Levitt of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, as well as participating in the raid against the Disciples. Danny is nicknamed "The Violent Englishman" because he is like killing anyone who hated the Phoenix, most notably from his capability of his own mind, unlike Jurgis. He is also compete in a car race and beating Jurgis in a round of video games. There are, however, humorous occasions when he runs into walls, as well as indications that his cohorts manipulate the outcome of games played with Danny so that he would always win. For example, in one game he plays against Jurgis, Gabe, and Rula, Danny keeps asking for cars until they’re finally stands with a .45 (later calling Jurgis, Gabe and Rula "bad luck"). Another time, while practicing shooting range, his friends move the target decoys into the path of Danny ball and out of the path of the player character’s. Danny is also incapable of rugby, since his other working senses are ineffective of walking through the pitch. His favourite radio stations were Adrenaline 90.4 and Juvenile 101.5. He had a brother named Lloyd Howells (Badzz), who is later introduced in one of the main storyline missions.

Anita McPhee is portrayed by Kody Theo. She was the older sister of Brian McPhee, often she calls him Jurgis (after his dead Lithuanian lover).

Doctor Jeffrey “Evan” Hayes is portrayed by Matthew Jay Bailey (stfumatthew). He was the young physician working inside Norwegian American Hospital, becoming the member of the Phoenix, and he was the tritagonist of Brian “Jurgis” McPhee. From his life about being killed by the Scavengers during his early childhood, Dr. Hayes gives his everyday treatment to his patient named Brian McPhee, who was nearly died at the age of 3 when he was attacked by Scavengers in Tinley Park. Dr. Hayes has been widely praised for exposing the alien invasion in Chicago during the 60s to 70s, also criticized for its "overuse of hyphens". He is a leading authority in the field of PTSD and narcolepsy, and he has treated both children and teenagers. Dr. Hayes is portrayed as a charismatic psychologist and surgeon. He charges exorbitant rates for sessions (as seen in a journal where he raises his rates by a "reasonable" 75%) and does not appear to care much about his patients and their problems. During Jurgis's medical treatment, he is seen looking at Jurgis’s childhood memories from his childhood within his own visions. He appears unconcerned about Jurgis's behavior as the latter confesses that he is able to examine him without remorse. He and his wife Jean (Hope Paige) were the young physicians working inside Norwegian American Hospital.

Patrick “Cody” Ellison is portrayed by Tyler Brown. He was the deuteragonist of Gabe Conway. Patrick Ellison was possibly born around the late 1970s and previously worked as an associate of the Hell’s Lovers motorcycle club in Chicago during the early 1990s. He was previously expelled from Chicago by the US Army before his "best friends" Gabriel Conway and Jurgis McPhee entered his life. Gabe convinced him that his friends was only holding him back in life. Ellison was taken prisoner by the US Army in 1989 and quickly escaped in 1990, with Ellison deep in debt because he is still paying insurance fees to them. He then began to obsess over conspiracy theories and began working for Gabe and Jurgis as the member of the Phoenix, an independent paramilitary organization based outside Chicago. In October 1998, Ellison was executed by a firing squad by the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Northerly Island, alongside Danny and Nark, by the orders of Colonel Levitt, after the Phoenix raided the US military installation south of Chicago. His favourite radio stations were Adrenaline 90.4, Juvenile 101.5, Chicago Hardcore, and Chicago Rock Radio.

Narciso “Nark” Hernandez, is portrayed by Jacob Esteban-Jacobs aka (JacobJacob15 ASMR). He was the tritagonist of Caroline “Rula” McPhee. In 1994, when he was about 8 years old, Nark meets Rula McPhee when she was hanging out with her friends inside 900 North Michigan Shops. Nark explains Rula about the plans to defeat the Scavengers and destroying the Project Anvil, the scientific project created by the US Army that is helped to protect many areas of Chicago from the attacking outsiders. In October 1998, Nark and his others (alongside Danny and Ellison) were executed by firing squad by the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Northerly Island, by an orders of the US Army Colonel Charles Levitt, but later failed after three of them were escaped from the execution. His favourite radio stations were Adrenaline 90.4 and Juvenile 101.5. He never speaks Spanish.

DO-5478 aka Theo, is portrayed by Louis Alcius (KidFreak). Theo was the robot created by the US Army, and serves as the tritagonist of Gabe and Rafe Conway. DO-5478 was first appeared when chasing Gabe and Rafe Conway in 1989, until it was reprogrammed (and named after Gabe’s deceased brother Theodore Conway) by Dr. Hayes inside Jurgis’s apartment in Wicker Park.

Jenny Barbosa, is portrayed by Maya Elizabeth. She was the tritagonist of Brian “Jurgis” McPhee. She had claimed her life was ruined by the Scavengers, whom she had nearly killed in 1988 when she visiting Jurgis’s home in Tinley Park. Her favourite radio stations were Adrenaline 90.4 and Juvelnile 101.5.

Colonel Charles Levitt, Jr. is one of the main antagonists in A Captive State, he was the member of the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. Travis Robertson portrayed Colonel Charles Levitt. A distressed Persian Gulf War veteran, Colonel Levitt takes a part of the protection against the alien invasion of Chicago that happened after the great heatwave. Robertson had cited Frank Underwood in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Cyrus Temple in Saint’s Row: The Third as one of many strong stylistic influences on his portrayal of Colonel Levitt. “A Captive State will not featuring the US Navy, the US Marine Corps will also included”, Travis Robertson explained about his role as Colonel Levitt.

Stuart Kermode, is one of the main antagonists in A Captive State, he was the high ranking FBI agent who was the head of the investigation against the alien invasion of Chicago. Jordan Brenda portrays FBI agent Stuart Kermode.

Staff Sergeant Alan C. (Charles) Rittenhouse is one of the supporting characters in A Captive State, he was the CEO of Rittenhouse Corporation, a newly formed private military contractor that is helped to end the alien invasion and anarchism over Chicago. Rittenhouse was previously serving with the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. After the end of the Persian Gulf War, Rittenhouse was betrayed and banished by his former mentor Colonel Charles Levitt and his men, after he wrongly accused of killing many innocent people during the Persian Gulf War. Darius Rolince plays the role of Alan Rittenhouse.

William-Joseph Mulligan aka The Illusive Man, is one of the main characters of the story. He was only one to protect their people of Chicago from the alien invasion. He was one of the main antagonists in A Captive State, alongside Colonel Charles Levitt of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and FBI agent Stuart Kermode. Quinten Hyde portrayed the illusive man. Hyde cites Liquid Snake/Ocelot in Metal Gear Solid: Guns of The Patriots as one of many stylistic influences of his character in A Captive State.

[disneybeautyandthebeast]

How many people, animals and props were involved in making the opening musical number, “Belle?”

According to Disney, there were more than 150 cast members and extras involved, along with 28 wagons and carts, hundreds of live animals (horses, cows, mules, ducks, geese and hens) and countless props and set decorations. The set itself was also the production’s largest, measuring 28,787 square feet.

Bonus fact: The town is named Villeneuve, a fictional French village that was built on the backlot at Shepperton Studios outside London.  The town’s name is an homage to Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, the author of the original Beauty and the Beast story.

How many horses played Belle and Maurice (Kevin Kline)’s trusty steed, Philippe?

Three.

“Belle and Maurice’s horse Philippe was played by three different horses, two of which had to be painted on a daily basis,” says a rep for the studio.

How did they pull off the waltz scene between Belle (Emma Watson) and the Beast?

Carefully! Watson and Stevens first had to learn the choreography, and then Stevens had to master it on stilts. The British star tells PEOPLE practice makes perfect when it came time to learn how to walk and dance in the steel contraptions.

“You’ve just got to get in ’em, start moving around!” Stevens says with a laugh. “Fortunately we had about three months of pre-production for rehearsals, learning the songs, the dances. Initially with the waltz I learned the steps on the ground and graduated to the stilts, which was slightly terrifying for me but probably more for Emma. I think she was very worried that I was going to tread on her toes in steel stilts, which could’ve ruined the movie, but I didn’t, so I’m very proud of that.”

Is that Dan Stevens’ real singing voice?

Yes! And it was a welcome challenge for the actor.

“Singing was a relatively new thing to me,” Stevens, 34, says of re-training his singing voice. “I’d sung at school and when I was younger, but in my 20s I [hadn’t] sung as extensively so reengaging my voice, retraining the voice was a big challenge.”

Did they use Dan Stevens’ actual face for the Beast?

Yes, although the finished product is a computer-animated and significantly hairier version.

Stevens wore a 40-lb. “muscle suit” and performed the role on stilts — first so that the size and movements of the character were captured on set during filming, and then again for the visual-effects teams so that his face was captured and later computer-animated with the Beast’s hair and fangs.

“Every couple of weeks I would go into a special booth and my face would be sprayed with about 10,000 UV dots and I would sit in what I used to call the Tron cage,” Stevens says. “Anything I’d been doing in the previous two weeks in the scenes, whether it was eating, sleeping, roaring, waltzing, I did it again with my face, with Emma [Watson] sitting on the other side of the cage, and we would capture the Beast’s face.”

What’s with Dan Stevens’ hair in that Prince reveal?

It’s a wig. A stringy, scraggly one.

“The hair at the end, was it extensions? I think it was a wig,” Stevens says, trying hard to remember the hair accessory he wore two years ago during filming. “It was quite awhile ago. Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was a wig,” he adds with a smile. “And what a wig!”

Which costume was the most challenging to create?

Belle’s red “montage” outfit, aka the one she wears outdoors for her snowball fight with Beast. Why? Because costume designer Jacqueline Durran used all eco-friendly materials in its design.

“Because Emma is so interested in sustainability and fair trade, eco fabrics and eco fashion, we applied those criteria to making a costume from head to toe,” Durran tells PEOPLE. “That [red] costume was made entirely from sustainable fabrics. We dyed it in vegetable dyes in our workroom, we had shoes made with eco leather, and we did the whole thing from top to bottom to be as thorough as we could. People learned different skills in the work rooms to be able to do it, so the dyers learned to dye with strange vegetable dye. Sometimes it took two weeks to dye something because you’d have to leave it in there for that long to get a rich color. It really was a learning curve for all of us, I’d certainly never done that before.”

How did the filmmakers decide on which songs to feature from the animated film and Broadway musical?

The answer is by hiring and deferring to the animated film’s composer, Alan Menken, who also co-wrote the music for the new film.

“It was challenging,” Menken told EW. “[The] Broadway show had songs that I would have loved to use for the movie, but the form for a film and the form for a Broadway show are different, so the song we wrote for the Broadway show was not going to work. Consequently, we wrote a brand-new song. The challenge is just to maintain the balance of what we originally had for the score and what we had for the show, and at the same time allow this film to have its own character.”

How many new songs are in the film?

Three.

Menken and lyricist Tim Rice (The Lion King) wrote three new ballads for the film. They are: “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” performed by Belle and her father (and sung by Celine Dion over the end credits), “Evermore,” which Beast sings for Belle when he releases her (and is sung by Josh Groban over the end credits), and “Days in the Sun,” which is sung by the objects in the castle and Belle when they are going to sleep.

What was left on the cutting room floor?

A lot — including a clever Frozen reference. Please allow LeFou (Josh Gad) and Gaston (Luke Evans) to explain:

“I mean, Gaston dies. Is that a spoiler?” Gad says with a laugh, when PEOPLE asked him and Evans during a recent sit-down if there are any Easter eggs fans should look out for. “The Easter egg I fought for [director] Bill Condon to put in but we never did, there’s a moment in the original where a bunch of snow falls on LeFou and he becomes a snowman and I thought, this could kill. It’s a little meta but it could be great [For those who may have forgotten, Gad played Olaf, the snowman in Frozen].”

Evans says his favorite scene that didn’t make the movie is one filmed during the castle battle, in which Gad’s LeFou has a fight with a bathroom appliance.

“What I miss, which we shot and is not in the film, is you having a fight with the toilet,” Evans says to Gad.

Adds Gad: “Played by Stephen Merchant (from Hello Ladies and the original Office)!”

“Yeah, it didn’t make the final cut,” Evans says with mock sadness.

Both actors joke that they have no idea what might end up on the DVD/Blu-ray because no one tells them anything.

“Nobody guarantees us anything,” says Gad. “We’re not even guaranteed that we’re going to be in the movie. It’s all based on our interview performances.

Adds Evans: “Which so far have been terrible.”

[queueh0lic]

 Taggy thing! Tagged by my tumblr content twin @kyle-ze​ <3

Rules: list ten songs you’re currently vibing then tag [as many people as you like lol bc I’m not tagging ten people sorry] so here we go!

Despacito (bet you didn’t see that coming, huh?). Look, this song is a gateway drug to reaggaetón. I would know because I made an entire reggaetón playlist based off this song (and boy the only way I as much as tolerated reggaetón -unless it was Daddy Yankee ofc- was at parties) and it’s a musical masterpiece. Honorable mention to the Salsa Version (which doesn’t have Daddy Yankee on it, shame. But it’s just as great and I appreciate it having a salsa singer in it and while I thought this song couldn’t get any better- the Salsa version proved me wrong)

A Boy Band Made up of Four Joshes may I interest you with some Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? seriously, every song in CXG is the perfect combo of truth and comedy and I haven’t caught up since early season 2 but I rediscovered this song and can’t stop listening to it. Honorable mention to You Stupid Bitch because it’s self deprecating humor at its finest in Celine Dion’s style (and Rachel Bloom’s voice is a whole other thing)

Todo Cambió by Becky G - is the original version with CNCO? because that’s the one I heard first (yes, it’s on my reggaetón playlist) and I LOVED IT. btw, MAYORES, not sure what would be more awkward, having my mom listen to this song with me or watching game of thrones with her in the room but man that song’s hot. (also, that reggaetón + cumbia is  👌)

Evil by Dove Cameron (Kyle already put Chillin’ Like a Villain on his list and I didn’t want to repeat it). Did you know I love Dove Cameron’s voice? because I do. (I also have a playlist called “VK *apple emoji*” for my descendants related songs which not only includes those two but obviously What’s my Name and It’s Going Down)

3am by HONNE I’m pretty sure this song’s about sex... but it has such a feel good vibe it’s so dance-y and chill   🤷‍♀️

Vente Pa’ Ca (Salsa version) by Ricky Martin feat. Maluma. I do like the original (it’s the Despacito effect, what can I do) but I LOVE SALSA. Have I ever told you how much I love Salsa? Because I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Lookin’ like That by Jordan Fisher. Jordan Fisher’s voice is proof that God is real, I have nothing else to add here.

Woman by Kesha (I could “honorable mention” every new song Kesha has put out since her epic comeback but this list is already getting too long). It’s just so much fun mouthing (when in public- otherwise I shout) with all my heart: “I’M A MOTHERFUCKING WOMAN”. In all honesty, Praying gets me so emotional I can’t really allow myself to tear up at every random time I’m listening to it and that’s the only reason I don’t listen to it that much.

Who’s Loving You? by Auryn feat. Anastacia. Fun fact, one of the members from this Spanish boyband was my celebrity crush when I was about twelve and saw him at a singing contest, when I googled him years later I found this amazing band. This song is so fun to sing and sort of bang your heat against the air to. I don’t know, I just like it.

Sleepwalker by Logan Henderson. If you go back in my tumblr to my early days, you can see all my cringey Big Time Rush posts. And wouldn’t want it any other way. (have I told you Logan Henderson follows me on twitter? because that’s basically my biggest accomplishment so far) This is a great song, it’s very angsty and has a great beat and it’s so different from the pop thing I was used to hearing from him and his voice just sounds soooo good.

now for the tags: @yellowsumbrella​, @iwillneverstopfangirling​, @beastlygirl​, @marianafrl​, @gerardwav​ 

[footyplusau]

The best – and the rest – of 2016 AFL trades

Rating the wisdom or otherwise of an AFL club’s recruiting decisions has never been an easy task, and one growing more complicated by the season.

Even when it came to players picked up on AFL national draft day, how long was sufficient enough time to pass judgment on a player’s worth against the selection with which he’d been taken?

Play Video Don’t Play

Melbourne pays tribute to Lou Richards

Play Video Don’t Play

Previous slide Next slide

FootyFix: Can Tiges arrest the decline?

FootyFix: Can Tiges arrest the decline?

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 9 in the AFL.

Melbourne pays tribute to Lou Richards

Play Video Don’t Play

Melbourne pays tribute to Lou Richards

Melbourne pays tribute to Lou Richards

The AFL Legend’s grandson Ned Morrison gives a heartfelt tribute to the Collingwood great. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne.

AFL legend Lou Richards tribute

Play Video Don’t Play

AFL legend Lou Richards tribute

AFL legend Lou Richards tribute

The 94-year-old died at a Melbourne nursing home on May 8, after a long and celebrated career as a footballer and media figure. Vision courtesy Seven News.

Harley Bennell hit with fine

Play Video Don’t Play

Harley Bennell hit with fine

Harley Bennell hit with fine

The Fremantle Football Club has hit troubled star Harley Bennell with a big fine in the fallout over bizarre off-field behaviour. Vision: Nine News perth

What is a seminoma?

Play Video Don’t Play

What is a seminoma?

What is a seminoma?

About 800 Australian men are diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer every year, including Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan.

‘Full recovery’ expected for Jesse Hogan

Play Video Don’t Play

‘Full recovery’ expected for Jesse Hogan

‘Full recovery’ expected for Jesse Hogan

The Melbourne forward has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, but Melbourne Football Club general manager Josh Mahoney says the 22-year-old won’t be off the field for long.

Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan diagnosed with cancer

Play Video Don’t Play

Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan diagnosed with …

Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan diagnosed with cancer

Weeks after Hogan’s father died of cancer, the star 22-year-old forward has been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

FootyFix: Can Tiges arrest the decline?

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 9 in the AFL.

That business is even harder now given the advent of the trading of picks, exchanges involving future picks and bids on players from football academies, plus the advent of free agency and the capacity to also list delisted free agents.

One constant in the ever-changing player marketplace, though, remains the instant gratification delivered via the trade table. While what’s been given up to acquire a player may remain the subject of vigorous debate, supporters are better placed to give a thumbs up or down on those brought into their club with whose names they are already familiar.

Toby Nankervis has been a revelation for the Tigers. Photo: Eddie Jim

Nearly 40 established AFL players changed clubs last trade period. Some, like former champion Hawthorn pair Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis in a blaze of publicity, others, such as former GWS second-round draft pick Pat McKenna, who headed to Melbourne, barely raising a flicker of recognition.

Approaching the halfway mark of the season, who among that group have been the hits, and who, for whatever reasons, the misses? Which clubs have got it right or wrong thus far?

Hawthorn took an enormous gamble letting veterans Mitchell and Lewis go, a move many still question.

For all the ripples, the Hawks in 2017 still have a gun midfielder called Mitchell leading the way. Just one with a different Christian name.

Tom Mitchell has fitted right in with the Hawks.  Photo: Getty Images

The former Swan Tom Mitchell has clearly been the pick of the trade-ins to date, his average 34.1 disposals a game ranking him No.1 in the AFL among the ball-winners, ranked sixth in the competition for contested possession and tackles, seventh for uncontested possession.

Mitchell has had fewer than 30 disposals in just one of his eight games, and he still managed to pick up 27 in that one. The delivery still may not be quite as crisp as that of his namesake, but no-one could argue that the former Sydney midfielder hasn’t done all that’s been asked and then some.

New Magpie Chris Mayne has so far offered little return on a $500,00-a-year deal.  Photo: Getty Images

His new Hawk teammate Jaeger O’Meara was winning enough of the ball early without necessarily having much impact. But a knee injury has kept the former Sun star out of all but one of the past five games, and he doesn’t look like returning soon.

Hawthorn, via Mitchell, can at least claim some success on the trade front. Which might be more than their opponent on Saturday.

The Magpies brought in Daniel Wells, Chris Mayne, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Lynden Dunn to the mix for 2017. Out of a possible 32 collective games, that quartet have played a total of 17, with Hoskin-Elliott the only one to play more than three.

He was handy in round two with three goals against Richmond, but has been patchy since. Wells’ silky disposal has given the Pies what they lack, but it’s only been available in three games due to a pre-season calf injury. Dunn was handy against Geelong’s Tom Hawkins but hadn’t been picked prior to that round six clash.

Mayne, meanwhile, continues to ruffle Pie fans’ feathers with little return on a $500,000-a-year salary. Mayne made Collingwood’s round one team only as a late inclusion, did little in the next two games before being dropped, and has been only fair in four games in the reserves.

The two West Australian clubs have done well out of Hawthorn, Mitchell for West Coast, and another premiership Hawk in Brad Hill beginning to look very ominous for Fremantle. But some of the best performers on the trade front have been those without the bigger reputations, Richmond’s trio of trade recruits underlining that.

While one of the biggest names in last year’s trades, Brett Deledio, left the Tigers for GWS but is still yet to play a game after a pre-season calf injury, three more tradees – Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis – arrived at Punt Road.

It was the first pair which had clearly the bigger reputations, but while Caddy has battled poor form and Prestia had only middling form before injuring a hamstring, ruckman Nankervis has been a revelation.

With only a dozen AFL games to his name, Nankervis has given the Tigers real big-man presence, aggressive at the ruck contest and around the ground, competitive even against the likes of Sam Jacobs and Aaron Sandilands.

And three more “middling” trades in terms of profile but unmitigated successes must surely be Zach Tuohy at Geelong, Jack Steele at St Kilda and Carlton’s Caleb Marchbank.

The Irishman Tuohy has provided the Cats with a ton of drive from half-back, his average 26 disposals easily the best figure of his seven-year career. Steele, another Giant squeezed out by a glut of talent, is equal sixth in the AFL for tackles. And Marchbank looks a definite long-term bet for the Blues in a key defence post, where he’s played smart football. He’s particularly good on the intercept.

Marchbank seems destined to become a big name. Those who already were when they were traded last summer are mostly the subject of “ifs” or “buts” – for Deledio and Travis Cloke, now at the Bulldogs, those “ifs” relate to injury, and for Melbourne’s Jordan Lewis, whose form has been sound in the games he has played, the considerable “but” a costly three-game suspension.

Those fortunes could still change for the better, with Cloke back on deck for the Dogs on Friday night after missing a month with broken ribs, Deledio having set his sights on a round 14 debut with the Giants.

Their football will need to be outstanding over the back end of the season, however, for the ledger in those clubs’ supporters’ minds to be better balanced between expectation and reality. The trade table is still the one source of recruiting in which the thumbs up or down is, by comparison, a relatively straightforward call.

ROHAN CONNOLLY’S PICK OF THE TRADE CROP

1. Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)

2. Zach Tuohy (Geelong)

3. Caleb Marchbank (Carlton)

4. Brad Hill (Fremantle)

5. Jack Steele (St Kilda)

6. Toby Nankervis (Richmond)

7. Sam Mitchell (West Coast)

8. Nathan Hrovat (North Melbourne)

9. Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast)

10. Joel Hamling (Fremantle)

THE TRADE-INS

ADELAIDE: nil.

BRISBANE LIONS: Jack Frost (Collingwood).

CARLTON: ​Billie Smedts (Geelong), Caleb Marchbank (GWS), Jarrod Pickett (GWS), Rhys Palmer (GWS).

COLLINGWOOD: Daniel Wells (North Melbourne), Chris Mayne (Fremantle), Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS), Lynden Dunn (Melbourne).

ESSENDON: James Stewart (GWS).

FREMANTLE: Cam McCarthy (GWS), Joel Hamling (Western Bulldogs), Bradley Hill (Hawthorn), Shane Kersten (Geelong).

GEELONG: Zach Tuohy (Carlton), Aaron Black (North Melbourne).

GOLD COAST: Pearce Hanley (Brisbane Lions), Jarrod Witts (Collingwood), Jarryd Lyons (Adelaide).

GWS: Brett Deledio (Richmond).

HAWTHORN: Tom Mitchell (Sydney), Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast).

MELBOURNE: Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Michael Hibberd (Essendon), Pat McKenna (GWS).

NORTH MELBOURNE: Paul Ahern (GWS), Nathan Hrovat (Western Bulldogs), Marley Williams (Collingwood).

 PORT ADELAIDE: nil.

RICHMOND: Dion Prestia (Gold Coast), Toby Nankervis (Sydney), Josh Caddy (Geelong).

SYDNEY: nil.

ST KILDA: Jack Steele (GWS), Nathan Brown (Collingwood), Koby Stevens (St Kilda).

WEST COAST: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Nathan Vardy (Geelong). 

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Travis Cloke (Collingwood).

The post The best – and the rest – of 2016 AFL trades appeared first on Footy Plus.

from Footy Plus http://ift.tt/2qXYe8F via http://footyplus.net

[junker-town]

Every important NFL free agency signing in 2017

The NFL’s big spending spree gets underway on March 9.

The NFL offseason kicks into high gear this week with the start of the free agent period. With the salary cap bumped up to $167 million, plenty of teams have the cash to upgrade key positions before the NFL Draft in late April.

Free agency officially began on March 9 with the start of the new league year, but fans had a good idea of where players are heading before that. March 7-9 is the “legal tampering” period, where teams are free to negotiate with impending free agents before the league year actually begins.

A lot of the biggest names were taken off the market even before they became free agents. Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell, Jason Pierre-Paul, Chandler Jones, Melvin Ingram, Kawann Short, Eric Berry, and Trumaine Johnson all got the franchise tag or signed extensions, meaning that they’re locked into their current teams at the moment.

Still, there were plenty of intriguing talents who hit the open market. Receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, and cornerback A.J. Bouye all landed big paychecks. Meanwhile, high-profile free agents like Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, and Colin Kaepernick will test the waters as they try to prove they still have enough left in the tank.

Where they go next will be among the top storylines of this year’s offseason, and we’re tracking all the big rumors here.

Here’s a look at the major signings for every team so far:

Arizona Cardinals

Antoine Bethea, S: Recently released by the 49ers, Bethea landed with the Cardinals on a three-year deal.

Karlos Dansby, LB: The 35-year-old is back for his third stint with Arizona.

Phil Dawson, K: Chandler Catanzaro is out, Awesome Dawson is in.

Andre Ellington, RB: Ellington will return to Arizona.

Jermaine Gresham, TE: Gresham re-signed with the Cardinals on a four-year deal.

Chandler Jones, LB: Soon after slapping him the franchise tag, the Cardinals gave Jones a cool $83 million extension.

Jarvis Jones, LB: A Cardinals defense that lost several key players in free agency added the former Steeler.

Frostee Rucker, DT: With a corn cob pipe and a buttoned nose, he’s back for one more year.

A.Q Shipley, C: The veteran is back on a two-year deal.

Atlanta Falcons

Jack Crawford, DL: Three years, $10.3 million for the guy with the same name as Hannibal Lecter’s nemesis.

Taylor Gabriel, WR: The Falcons placed a second-round tender on Gabriel.

Kemal Ishmael, S/LB: The versatile Ishmael is back on a one-year deal.

Dontari Poe, DT: The biggest man to ever throw a TD pass is signing with the Falcons.

LaRoy Reynolds, LB: The vet will get another go-around in Atlanta, likely as a reserve and special teamer.

Andre Roberts, WR: Roberts will likely be the Falcons’ new return man.

Matt Schaub, QB: The Falcons are keeping their stranglehold on football Matts, re-signing Matt Schaub to back up Matt Ryan.

Levine Toilolo, TE: After a steady 2016, the former fourth-rounder is back.

Courtney Upshaw, DT: Upshaw re-ups with the Falcons.

Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB: Wreh-Wilson only played in one game for Atlanta last season, but he gives the team depth at cornerback.

Baltimore Ravens

Brandon Carr, CB: The Ravens needed a veteran cornerback, and they signed a versatile one in Carr.

Tony Jefferson, S: Jefferson rebuffed the Browns’ overtures and signed with the Ravens instead.

Anthony Levine, DB: The Ravens signed Levine to a three-year deal.

Ryan Mallett, QB: Joe Flacco’s backup is sticking around.

Mike Wallace, WR: Where’s Wallace? Still in Baltimore. The Ravens picked up his option after his bounce-back season.

Brandon Williams, NT: The run stuffer is staying in Baltimore, now as the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL.

Danny Woodhead, RB: Gritty personified is healthy and heading to Baltimore.

Buffalo Bills

Lorenzo Alexander, LB: The veteran linebacker will return to Buffalo with a two-year deal.

Joe Banyard, RB: Banyard has spent time with the Vikings and the Jaguars, and now he’s headed to Buffalo.

Corey “Philly” Brown, WR: More like Billy Brown: The former Panthers wide receiver is headed to Buffalo on a one-year deal.

Jeremy Butler, WR: Butler signed a one-year deal.

Ryan Davis, DE: The five-year vet is going from Dallas to Buffalo.

Patrick DiMarco, FB: The Bills are signing all the fullbacks.

Vladimir Ducasse, OL: The former Raven is coming to Buffalo on a three-year deal.

Stephen Hauschka, K: Stephen “Don’t Call him Steven but you will anyway” Hauschka is the Bills’ new kicker.

Andre Holmes, WR: There’s another new wide receiver in the Bills’ fold after the team signed Holmes to a three-year deal (for real this time).

Micah Hyde, DB: The longtime Packer is part of a revamped Bills secondary.

Leonard Johnson, CB: After spending last season with the Panthers, Johnson will join the Bills’ defensive backfield.

Jordan Mills, OT: The Bills’ starter at RT last season got a two-year deal.

Jordan Poyer, DB: Poyer could play safety or cornerback for Buffalo, which lost Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots and released Aaron Williams.

Colton Schmidt, P: The Bills gave their punter a new deal.

Brandon Tate, WR/KR: The Bills decided to re-sign their explosive receiver and return man.

Tyrod Taylor, QB: In a deal that makes sense for both sides, Taylor agreed to a restructured contract with the Bills.

Mike Tolbert, RB: Finally, the Bills can play with a 740-pound backfield.

Corey Washington, WR: The Bills continued to add depth to the receiving corps by signing Washington.

Carolina Panthers

Mike Adams, S: The addition of the former Colts strong safety paves the way for Kurt Coleman move to free safety.

Mario Addison, DE: The Panthers secured their best edge rusher with a three-year deal.

Brenton Bersin, WR: The special teamer returns on what is probably a cheap one-year deal.

Chris Scott, OL: The Panthers are keeping the versatile OL around for another year.

Wes Horton, DE: Horton hears a two-year, $2.7 million contract.

Charles Johnson, DE: The veteran re-signed on a two-year deal, giving him a chance to end his career with the Panthers.

Colin Jones, S: The special teamer is back on a two-year deal.

Matt Kalil, OT: The Panthers gave Kalil a five-year, $55.5 million deal, but at least it’s backend loaded.

Kyle Love, DT: The Panthers *love* those reunions. Now they signed Love to a two-year extension.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB: O Captain! My Captain! is back in Carolina with a four-year deal.

Julius Peppers, DE/LB: It’s yet another reunion: Peppers will return to Carolina.

Russell Shepard, WR: The young receiver signed a three-year deal.

Kawann Short, DT: A year after giving (and then rescinding) the tag to Josh Norman, the Panthers used it again, this time with Short.

Fozzy Whittaker, RB: Waka waka, he’s back on a two-year deal.

Chicago Bears

Prince Amukamara: The Bears are signing the veteran cornerback to a one-year deal.

Johnthan Banks, CB: The Bears continue to add secondary depth, this time bringing back Mike Ehrmantraut.

Connor Barth, K: Chicago is holding on to the kicker for another year.

Daniel Brown, TE: Brown filled in admirably for an injured Zach Miller last year, so the Bears reward him with a new one-year deal.

Tom Compton, OL: Straight outta Atlanta, Compton signs with the Bears.

Marcus Cooper, CB: Cooper is the third new player the Bears have added to their defensive backfield in free agency.

Benny Cunningham, RB: The former Ram will join running back Jordan Howard in Chicago. Cunningham signed a one-year deal.

Quintin Demps, S: It’s a three-year deal for the 31-year-old.

Mike Glennon, QB: The Jay Cutler era is over. Glennon agreed to a three-year deal will pay him almost $15 million per season.

Christian Jones, LB: Jones’ versatility makes him a valuable backup.

Connor Shaw, QB: The Bears will keep at least one of their QBs around, albeit the one who missed all of last season.

Dion Sims, TE: Three years, $18 million for the ex-Dolphin.

Markus Wheaton, WR: The speedy former Steeler is headed to Chicago.

Kendall Wright, WR: The 27-year-old has played his entire career with the Titans until now.

Cincinnati Bengals

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB: The Bengals lost a few key players but locked down the corner on a five-year deal.

Brandon LaFell, WR: Cincinnati keeps its WR corp intact, signing LaFell to a two-year deal.

Kevin Minter, LB: The Bengals landed the former Arizona Cardinal in the second wave of free agency.

Andre Smith, OT: The Bengals are bringing back their former right tackle, who spent last year with the Vikings.

Eric Winston, OL: The veteran offensive lineman is heading back to Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns

Joel Bitonio, G: The Browns are doing some work on the OL, including giving Bitonio a big five-year, $51 million extension.

Kenny Britt, WR: Britt signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Browns, which ended up signaling the end of Terrelle Pryor’s time in Cleveland.

Brock Osweiler, QB: The Browns got what they wanted — a second-round pick. They will now probably cut or trade Osweiler.

J.C. Tretter, C: The former Packer will help solidify the OL for [QB TBD].

Kevin Zeitler, G: Zeitler is staying in Ohio and just became the highest-paid guard in the NFL.

Dallas Cowboys

Brice Butler, WR: The Cowboys re-signed Butler to a one-year deal.

Nolan Carroll, CB: The Cowboys tried to sign Carroll last year, but he stayed with the Eagles. Now he’s on a three-year deal with their NFC East rival.

Jonathan Cooper, OG: Dallas signed Cooper at the start of the playoffs and liked the former first-round pick enough to give him a one-year deal.

Darren McFadden, RB: He said he’d be a Cowboys fan whether he stayed in Dallas or not, and McFadden is back on a one-year deal.

Damontre Moore, DE: The former third-round pick is a bit of a reclamation project, but the Cowboys are trying to add pass-rushing depth.

Stephen Paea, DT: Dallas hopes he can fill the void left by Terrell McClain.

Terrance Williams, WR: Dak Prescott gets another target back — and at a team-friendly price.

Denver Broncos

Kasim Edebali, DE: The German-born edge rusher will give Denver depth on special teams.

Zach Kerr, DL: The former Colt is a big dude and could play the Vance Walker role.

Ronald Leary, G: The Broncos added Leary, a sign they’re trying to fix their offensive line (and maybe woo Tony Romo?).

Domata Peko, NT: Peko will join his cousin Kyle Peko on the Broncos’ roster.

Menelik Watson, OT: The former Raider is staying in the AFC West on a three-year deal.

Detroit Lions

Darren Fells, TE: The veteran tight end signed a one-year deal with Detroit.

D.J. Hayden, CB: The Raiders’ first-round pick in 2012 has been a bust in Oakland. Detroit is giving him a one-year flyer.

Jordan Hill, DT: The Lions signed Hill and will add him to their rotation.

T.J. Lang, G: The former Packers guard is signing with an NFC North rival.

Keshawn Martin, WR: The Spartan is back in Michigan.

Don Muhlbach, LS: The long snapper is back with the Lions for a 14th straight year.

Akeem Spence, DT: The former Buc is coming to Detroit on a three-year, $10.5 million deal.

Rick Wagner, RT: The Lions are giving Wagner more than $9 million.

Cornelius Washington, DE: He can help fill a pass-rushing role opposite Ziggy Ansah.

Paul Worrilow, LB: The former Falcons linebacker was signed to a one-year deal.

Green Bay Packers

Don Barclay, OL: The coaching favorite is back for another season in Green Bay.

Martellus Bennett, TE: Aaron Rodgers gets a new Super Bowl-winning, quote machine target.

Jayrone Elliott, LB: The Packers are bringing back another of their free agent outside linebackers.

Davon House, CB: The Steelers tried to court him, but House is going back to the Packers for another year.

Lance Kendricks, TE: The Packers aren’t done upgrading the tight end position.

Joe Kerridge, FB: The Packers are brining back one of their best special teams players and fullback. Kerridge signed a one-year deal.

Nick Perry, LB: Celebrate, Green Bay. The Packers locked down the pass rusher on a five-year, $60 million deal.

Jordan Tripp, LB: The special teamer is back on a one-year deal.

Houston Texans

Ryan Griffin, TE: Griffin is excited about staying with Houston for three more years.

Shane Lechler, P: The Texans’ longtime punter is back for his 935th season.

Nick Novak, K: The Texans must like their kicking game, because they re-signed Novak, too.

Indianapolis Colts

Darius Butler, DB: Butler returns to Indianapolis’ defensive backfield with a one-year deal.

Jack Doyle, TE: Good news for Andrew Luck. Doyle, who emerged as the Colts’ top tight end last season, is back on a new three-year deal.

Margus Hunt, DE: The Bengals’ second-round pick in 2013 has underwhelmed in his career, but the Colts are giving him a shot.

Jeff Locke, P: Following Pat McAfee’s retirement, the Colts found their new, presumably less funny, punter.

Barkevious Mingo, LB: After one season with the Patriots, the former first-round pick by the Browns is headed to Indy on a one-year deal.

Brian Schwenke, OL: The former Titan has experience at center and guard.

Jabaal Sheard, DE/LB: The 27-year-old will sign with the Colts.

John Simon, OLB: Only 26, the Colts are banking on him as an up and coming pass rusher with a bargain three-year, $13.5 million deal.

Sean Spence, LB: The Colts continued to bolster the linebacker corps with the addition of Spence.

Brandon Williams, TE: Williams will join a tight ends Jack Doyle and Erik Swoope in Indianapolis.

Robert Turbin, RB: The six-year veteran running back signed a two-year deal and is back in Indianapolis.

Al Woods, DT: Woods stays in the AFC South after the Titans released him right before the start of free agency.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Branden Albert, LT: The trade with the Dolphins became official and Albert could help the Jags, if he stays healthy.

A.J. Bouye, CB: Bouye turned a breakout season with the Texans into a $67.5 million contract with a different AFC South team.

Calais Campbell, DE: The Jaguars landed Campbell even after he mulled an offer from the Broncos.

Stefan Charles, DT: The Canadian spent last season with the Lions.

Barry Church, S: The Jaguars scooped up Church on a four-year deal.

Audie Cole, LB: Cole appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings last year.

Josh McNary, LB: McNary was primarily a special teams contributor for the Colts, and that’s an area in which the Jaguars want to improve.

Patrick Omameh, OL: It’s not a splashy move, but it makes sense for the Jaguars to bring back the versatile offensive lineman.

Earl Watford, G: Watford signed a two-year deal after a physical.

Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Berry, S: Berry didn’t want to play under the franchise tag, so the Chiefs went ahead and made him the NFL’s top-paid safety.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, G: The Canadian doctor/NFL guard signed a five-year extension with the Chiefs.

Marqueston Huff, S: The Chiefs signed Huff, whose restricted tender from the Ravens was withdrawn.

Bennie Logan, DT: Logan will sign a one-year deal.

Mike Person, OL: The Chiefs re-signed at least one of their unrestricted free agents.

Daniel Sorensen, S: The young safety signed a four-year deal with Kansas City. He was a restricted free agent.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jahleel Addae, S: Addae signed a four-year, $22.5 million extension with the Chargers.

Kellen Clemens, QB: The Chargers are bringing back Clemens as Philip Rivers’ backup.

Melvin Ingram, LB: The Chargers are keeping one of the league’s best pass-rushing duos intact. They gave Ingram the tag, so he’ll line up with Joey Bosa for at least another year.

Russell Okung, OT: Okung, who acts as his own agent, negotiated himself a nice four-year, $53 million deal.

Damion Square, NT: The Chargers are keeping the rotation player around for two more years.

Mike Windt, LS: Windt gets a four-year extension at the least flashiest, but quietly pretty important, position.

Los Angeles Rams

Connor Barwin, LB: A week after the Eagles released the fan favorite, he lands with the Rams. Barwin will play as an OLB in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense.

Lance Dunbar, RB: The former Cowboys running back landed with the Rams on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.

Trumaine Johnson, CB: The Rams took a risk and gave Johnson the franchise tag for the second straight year. Johnson has already signed the $16.7 million tender, but he could be on the trade market.

Aaron Murray, QB: The Rams signed Murray, who played at Georgia with Todd Gurley.

Kayvon Webster, CB: The Rams strengthened their defensive backfield by adding the former Bronco with a two-year deal.

Andrew Whitworth, LT: The Rams upgraded the offensive line with Whitworth, and that sound you’re hearing is Jared Goff breathing again.

Robert Woods, WR: The former USC Trojan is headed back to LA, agreeing to a five-year, $39 million deal with the Rams.

Greg Zuerlein, K: The kicker with the best nickname in the NFL, Legatron, agreed to a three-year deal with the Rams.

Miami Dolphins

Nate Allen, S: The former Eagles second-rounder played for the Raiders the last two seasons.

Kiko Alonso, LB: The Dolphins gave Alonso a first-round tender, and later gave him a 3-year deal.

Jerome Bushrod, OL: Bushrod, who started 16 games at right guard for the Dolphins last season, re-ups with the team.

Andre Branch, DE: The Dolphins re-signed the pass rusher to a three-year, $27 million deal.

Anthony Fasano, TE: Fasano is back with the Dolphins after spending the last four years with the Chiefs and Titans.

Reshad Jones, S: Jones earned a five-year, $60 million extension.

Ted Larsen, G: Larsen, who signed a three-year deal, can line up at guard or center.

Kenny Stills, WR: Miami was able to hang on to the deep threat, thanks no doubt to the $20 million guaranteed.

Julius Thomas, TE: The trade with the Jaguars became final and the Dolphins have a pass-catching TE.

Lawrence Timmons, LB: After 10 years with the Steelers, Timmons is headed to Miami on a two-year deal.

William Hayes, DE: The Rams traded the veteran defensive end for a sixth-round pick.

Minnesota Vikings

Datone Jones, DL: Another former Packer stays in the NFC North.

Latavius Murray, RB: The Adrian Peterson era seems to be over for real in Minnesota now that Murray is on board.

Terence Newman, CB: The soon-to-be 39-year-old returns to the Vikings — and he wants a Super Bowl ring.

Riley Reiff, OL: The Vikings needed OL help and they got it by signing the former Lion.

Mike Remmers, OL: The veteran offensive lineman is signing a five-year deal.

Adam Thielen, WR: The Vikings signed the restricted free agent to a big three-year deal that could be worth up to $27 million.

New England Patriots

Dwayne Allen, TE: How very Patriots to make a trade for a tight end Allen.

Alan Branch, DT: The Patriots re-signed Branch to a two-year deal.

Rex Burkhead, RB: The Patriots signed the former Bengals running back, adding another weapon on offense.

Malcolm Butler, CB: He got a first-round tender from the Patriots, but now he could be on the trading block.

Justin Coleman, CB: Coleman is back in the fold with the New England Patriots for at least another year. He signed an exclusive rights tender.

James Develin, FB: Develin re-signs with the Patriots on a new two-year deal worth $2.8 million.

Kony Ealy, DE: The Panthers traded their 2014 second-round pick to New England, where he will probably turn into a Pro Bowler.

Stephon Gilmore, CB: The Patriots signed arguably the top CB on the free agent market.

Lawrence Guy, DL: Once a journeyman lineman, Guy settled in as a starter in Baltimore and cashed in with a four-year deal in New England.

Duron Harmon, S: Harmon can earn up to $20 million on his new four-year deal with the Pats.

Dont’a Hightower, LB: The Patriots managed to hang on to their defensive captain, who was a highly coveted free agent.

Michael Williams, TE: Rather than tender Williams, the Patriots signed him to a one-year deal. Congrats, Omar Little.

New Orleans Saints

Chris Banjo, DB: The special teamster who shares a last name with a musical instrument is fittingly staying in New Orleans.

Travaris Cadet, RB: After taking a few visits, Cadet is re-signing with the Saints.

Nick Fairley, DT: After bouncing from team to team, the pass rusher has finally been signed to a long-term deal.

Ted Ginn Jr., WR: The speedster is staying in the NFC South.

Shiloh Keo, S: The special teamer will return for a one-year deal at the veteran minimum.

A.J. Klein, LB: The Saints also signed Klein, another former Panther.

Alex Okafor, LB: Okafor will play for a team other than the Cardinals for the first time in his career, joining a Saints team that really need pass rushers.

Jesse Schmitt, LS: Justin Drescher is still a free agent, so Schmitt is currently the only long snapper on the Saints roster right now.

Larry Warford, G: Warford fills an immediate need on the OL.

New York Giants

Orleans Darkwa, RB: Darkwa was dealt with injuries, but he’s back on a one-year deal.

Zak DeOssie, LS: DeOssie is the only Giant other than Eli Manning who was with the team during its last two Super Bowl wins.

Rhett Ellison, TE: The Giants added the blocking tight end they needed.

D.J. Fluker, OL: The ex-Charger gets a one-year “prove it” deal.

Mark Herzlich, LB: The veteran will return for his seventh season with the Giants.

John Jerry, OL: The right guard signed a three-year deal.

Josh Johnson, QB: Johnson, who signed a two-year deal, will provide depth behind Eli Manning.

Brandon Marshall, WR: Odell Beckham Jr., rejoice! Marshall got a two-year deal with the Giants.

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE: JPP got the franchise tag from the Giants again, two years after his fireworks accident.

Geno Smith, QB: Smith signed a one-year deal with the Giants. He will get another chance to play football in the Big Apple.

New York Jets

Kelvin Beachum, OT: The Jets bolster their offensive line by signing Beachum to a three-year deal.

Chandler Catanzaro, K: The Jets released Nick Folk earlier this offseason and signed the former Cardinals kicker.

Morris Claiborne, CB: Claiborne leaves the Cowboys for the Jets. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets.

Ben Ijalana, OT: Ijalana was a priority for the Jets, who re-signed him for two years.

Corey Lemonier, OLB: The Jets picked Lemonier off waivers late in the season and re-signed him at the start of free agency.

Josh Martin, LB: The special teamer got a new two-year deal.

Josh McCown, QB: Somehow, the Jets are one of the few teams McCown hasn’t played for yet in his 47-year NFL career.

Mike Pennel, DT: Pennel spent the last three seasons with the Packers, and now he’s with the Jets on a one-year deal.

Tanner Purdum, LS: The Jets haven’t had to worry about long snapping since Purdum came on board in 2010.

Oakland Raiders

Jared Cook, TE: Derek Carr was instrumental in landing his next big target.

Jelani Jenkins, LB: Jenkins will provide depth to a position group that already has Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin.

EJ Manuel, QB: The former first-round draft pick signed with Oakland and will compete with Connor Cook for the backup quarterback gig.

Marshall Newhouse, OT: The Raiders signed Newhouse to a two-year deal.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR: Oakland added some speed and a threat in the return game with Patterson.

Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Foles, QB: The veteran quarterback returns to Philadelphia with a two-year contract.

Najee Goode, LB: The Eagles re-signed the linebacker and special teams contributor for another year.

Alshon Jeffery, WR: Jeffery joined the Eagles on a one-year deal and immediately becomes their best receiver.

Torrey Smith, WR: Wentz has another reliable target to work with after Smith signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Eagles.

Chance Warmack, G: The former Titans guard is joining the Eagles on a one-year deal.

Stefen Wisniewski, G/C: The Eagles re-signed Wisniewski to a three-year deal.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell, RB: The Steelers are keeping the Three B’s together: First they franchise-tagged Bell ...

Antonio Brown, WR ... and then they made Brown the highest-paid receiver in the league.

Knile Davis, RB/KR: Davis will join a potent backfield led by Le’Veon Bell.

James Harrison, LB: The Steelers signed the ageless wonder to a two-year extension.

Justin Hunter, WR: Pittsburgh is adding a new deep threat for Big Ben.

David Johnson, TE: The blocking tight end will return to Pittsburgh for another year.

Landry Jones, QB: He’ll be there for two more years to fill in whenever Ben Roethlisberger gets injured.

Coty Sensabaugh, CB: The Steelers signed Sensabaugh to a two-year deal, and this signing should bolster their secondary.

San Francisco 49ers

Matt Barkley, QB: Can’t keep the formidable duo of Matt Barkley and Brian Hoyer apart.

DeAndre Carter, WR: The 49ers are adding depth at WR, giving the Bay Area native a two-year deal.

Brock Coyle, LB: Coyle is coming off a career-best year with the Seahawks.

Pierre Garcon, WR: He’s the biggest signing the 49ers have made so far on offense.

Marquise Goodwin, WR: He has Olympic speed — literally.

Robbie Gould, K: Kicker news!!!! Don’t get too excited.

Brian Hoyer, QB: He’s reuniting with Kyle Shanahan and will get a chance to start.

Chris Jones, DT: Jones is back on a one-year deal after making six starts for the 49ers last season.

Don Jones, DB: The 49ers added another special teamer on a two-year deal.

Kyle Juszczyk, FB: He’s now the highest-paid fullback ... by a lot.

Jeremy Kerley, WR: The 49ers’ leading receiver last year received a three-year deal worth up to $10.5 million.

Earl Mitchell, DL: Mitchell spent most of last year on IR with the Dolphins, but the 49ers signed him to a four-year deal.

Logan Paulsen, TE: The 49ers are looking for ways to beef up their tight ends.

Aldrick Robinson, WR: Robinson is joining Shanahan from Atlanta.

Malcolm Smith, LB: Smith is signing with the 49ers, who are somewhat familiar with him.

K’Waun Williams, CB: Williams heads to the West Coast on a one-year deal.

Jeremy Zuttah, C: Zuttah was almost released by the Ravens, but the 49ers ended up trading for him.

Seattle Seahawks

Luke Joeckel, OL: The Seahawks will give the former No. 2 pick a chance at tackle or guard.

Eddie Lacy, RB: The bruising back ends up in Seattle on a one-year deal.

DeShawn Shead, CB: Seattle retains a starting CB for another year.

Neiko Thorpe, CB: The Seahawks retain the special teams standout.

Luke Willson, TE: The Seahawks re-signed the talented, run-blocking tight end to a one-year deal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Baker, DT: Baker, coming from Washington like DeSean Jackson, will likely line up at nose tackle.

Chris Conte, S: Conte re-signed on a two-year, special teamer type of deal.

Nick Folk, K: One year after drafting Roberto Aguayo in the second round, the Bucs are bringing in Folk to compete with him.

William Gholston, DE: Before free agency, the Buccaneers agreed to a five-year, $37 million extension with Gholston.

Joe Hawley, C: Hawley has started 29 games in two years in Tampa and will be back for another two years.

DeSean Jackson, WR: Jameis Winston wanted to play with DJax, and now the Bucs have an offense that could be a force.

Josh Robinson, CB: The core special teamer got a new two-year deal from the Bucs.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB: Rodgers, who filled in often for Doug Martin, is back on a two-year deal.

Garrison Sanborn, LS: The Bucs had a gaping hole at long snapper and filled it with the veteran who was previously with the Bills.

Sealver Siliga, DT: The Bucs re-signed the massive 345-pound defender.

J.J. Wilcox, S: The former Cowboys is headed to Tampa Bay.

Tennessee Titans

Daren Bates, LB: Bates gets a three-year deal. The Titans get help on special teams.

Matt Cassel, QB: The Titans gave Cassel a two-year extension to back up Marcus Mariota.

Johnathan Cyprien, S: The Titans signed Cyprien away from the Jaguars.

Karl Klug, DL: Klug, who has grown into his role as a pass rusher, stays with the Titans.

Nate Palmer, LB: Palmer has been a key special teamer for the Titans and will also return.

Logan Ryan, CB: The former Patriot was one of the top CBs in free agency and signed with the Titans on a three-year deal.

Phillip Supernaw, TE: Supernaw? How about Superyeah, the Titans are keeping one of their blocking tight ends.

Brynden Trawick, S: Trawick is now the highest-paid special teamer in the NFL.

Eric Weems, WR: The Titans have a new return man.

Sylvester Williams, DL: The veteran defensive lineman agreed on a three-year deal with the Titans.

Wesley Woodyard, LB: Woodyard’s two-year extension could be worth up to $12.75 million.

Washington

Chris Carter, LB: Washington announced the addition of Carter, who has spent time with the Steelers, Colts, and Bengals in his career.

Kirk Cousins, QB: Cousins signed his franchise tender and is now tradeable. He is the first quarterback in league history to ever get the franchise tag in back-to-back seasons.

Vernon Davis, TE: Davis is staying home, re-signing with Washington for three more years.

Ziggy Hood, DE: The nine-year vet returns after playing in all 16 games for Washington in 2016.

Terrell McClain, DT: Washington is getting some help in the trenches, signing McClain to a four-year deal.

Stacy McGee, DT: Washington signed the 27-year-old defensive lineman.

Terrelle Pryor, WR: The breakout receiver signs a one-year deal.

Brian Quick, WR: The former Ram gets a chance to revive his career in Washington.

D.J. Swearinger, S: It’s a three-year deal for the hard-hitting safety.