#colin michael roberts. him

[saywhat-politics]

Weekend Update: Trump Pauses Tariffs, Robert F. Kenndy Jr. Wants Fluoride Out of Water -SNL

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Trump pausing his chaotic tariffs for 90 days, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommending to keep fluoride out of the water and Trump saying his doctor told him he had a "very good soul."

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

Val Kilmer, the versatile Hollywood actor who trained for Hamlet, became flying ace Iceman opposite Tom Cruise in “Top Gun,” played Batman in “Batman Forever” and singer Jim Morrison in the biopic “The Doors” known for his intense performances and iconic roles dies aged 65 💔 from pneumonia.

Kilmer, the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most. His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” a bloody western, alongside Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton as Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp; as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, a contemporary urban “High Noon”-ish tale that was a vehicle for Robert De Niro as the mastermind of a heist and Al Pacino as the cop who chases him down.

Kilmer — who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis. To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Jim Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year. In 1991, Kilmer cemented his status as a Hollywood A-lister thanks to his role as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's The Doors.

Kilmer missed out on an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone ALAMY

Over the years, he gained a reputation as a temperamental, intense, perfectionist, which was exemplified by his performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors.

Kilmer reportedly recorded an eight-minute audition tape to convince Oliver Stone to cast him. He then lost weight and spent six months training his vocals to sing in the film, going on to perform 15 of the 50 songs he rehearsed for the film.

That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with, something he grudgingly agreed with later in life, but always defended himself by emphasising art over commerce.

Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne / Batman: A wealthy industrialist who duly works as Gotham City's vigilante protector but now struggles with his dual identity, becoming romantically involved with Dr. Chase Meridian and questioning his act of vengeance. Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton from the first two films.

He was a co-star, billed beneath Michael Douglas, in “The Ghost and the Darkness” (1996), a period piece about lion hunting set in late 19th century a historical adventure set in Africa, where they portray an engineer and a hunter facing man-eating lions during the construction of a railway bridge. Kilmer, plays Colonel John Henry Patterson, an engineer tasked with keeping the workers on schedule and finishing the bridge's construction.

Val Kilmer, who voiced Moses in the 1998 animated film "The Prince of Egypt," waves to the crowd at a special screening of the film in Los Angeles on December 16, 1998. #AP Photo by Chris Pizzello

In “Pollock” (2000), starring Ed Harris as the painter Jackson Pollock, he was a fellow artist, Willem de Kooning. He played Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great (Colin Farrell), in Oliver Stone’s grandiose epic “Alexander” (2004).

Val Kilmer, with lofty ambitions and a combative personality rose to fame alongside Tom Cruise as his chisel-jawed wingman. The Kilmer and Cruise nostalgia hit home. Millions of people flocked to cinemas across the world and made Top Gun: Maverick a blockbuster. Emotions ran unchecked in cinemas; the box office responded. Top Gun: Maverick grossed a total of $1.496 billion (£1.160 billion) at the cinemas. It was perhaps an even bigger rage than the original.

Val Kilmer’s death comes after health struggles, documented in the 2021 film Val. Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and lost his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy. The actor initially kept the diagnosis private but came forward with his story to spread awareness of the disease.

Remembering Val Kilmer, Whether playing rock stars or the Caped Crusader, the late star brought dark charisma – and humour – to all his roles. Whose indelible cinematic mark spanned genres and generations. You will be forever missed and never forgotten RIP Iceman.

#ValKilmer #iceman #actor #JuilliardSchool

Rest in Peace Val Kilmer 1959 - 2025 🥀 🖤

Posted 2nd April 2025

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish actor Gary Lewis, born 30th November 1957.

Born and raised in Easterhouse, Glasgow Lewis seems an unlikely actor, he has had jobs as a roadsweeper and librarian, his brother, a teacher encouraged him to do more and he became in his own words a “voracious” reader, this pushed him into wanting to become an actor at the age of 32.

It was a chance meeting with fellow Scot, Peter Mullan that gave him his break, he joined the regular “in house” actors in Ken Loach films, starring with Mullan in My Name is Joe and Robert Carlyle in Carla’s song he was in good company to learn.He had a cracking role in Peter Mullan’s film Orphans, with one of my favourite lines, “She’s not heavy, she’s my mother”

Lewis won the best actor award for the part at the Gijón International Film Festival in 1998.I think most of you will remember Gary Lewis playing coal miner Jackie Elliot, father to the films title role Billy Elliot. I sometimes feel like I m repeating myself when noting the CV’s of these actors, Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt, Rebus were early shows for Lewis, while Stonemouth and In Plain Sight are more recent.

Then there is of course Outlander. Gary Lewis appeared in the first two seasons of the hit show, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon playing, Colum MacKenzie, laird of the MacKenzie family and Uncle to Jamie Fraser. Colum died in the season finale 2 finale Hail Mary. Of Outlander he says,

“The fan base is extremely passionate. It is strange because I live in Scotland and Outlander isn’t massive here to the extent it is in Australia, America and Canada. There are fans all over the world.”

The past few years have been busy for Gary, he managed to snap up an appearance in the final series of Still Game, as well the movie, The Vanishing, teaming up again with Peter Mullan and last weeks birthday boy Gerard Butler. He has also been in His Dark Materials, Rig 45, It’s a Sin, Vigil and series 3 of The Bay.

IMDB has Gary, along with Billy Boyd and Sharleen Spiteri to star in a film, set in Glasgow called I Feel Fine, however I think the project has stalled as it has been at the “announced” stage for several years now. Gary is also to play Roald Amundsen in the film North Pole: 90° North.

Gary wa also in the Scottish feature film, Stella, about a German Jewish refugee who finds herself working in a stately Home in Dumfries and Galloway belonging to aristocratic supporters of fascist leader Oswald Mosely. I havent seen the film as yet, but will try and remdy that as it has a good rating on Imdb.

Gary reprised the role Colin Robertson last year in the second series of Vigil, he was seen earlier this year in Frankin, Michael Douglas in the lead role as American founding father Benjamin Franklin.

Earlier this month Gary was sighted alongside Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, shooting aboard a boat in Newquay. It's speculated that the trio were filming for an upcoming British TV series on Apple+, named Down Cemetery Road., although I can't find him on the list of actors.

[astrangeraccoon]

Tmagp first listen ep 19:

Celia is interested in the alchemy stuff? And Sam knows of it?

"transferance" and "spiritual substitution" soooo is tma celia mind in the body of this world celia?

Oh there were no disturbance when Sam says he s gonna drop the mag institute. Who want to bet this statement is about the institute?

OOOOR We can have celia encouraging him 🫣

Is Robert gonna become our new Michael? XD

Did he say protocol

1684??? How did this get here

What did Isaac Newton do?

Ooooh we re gonna know more about the protocol!

Oooh so this is about alchemy!

Uh-oh! Did we found the origine of that garden that transformed the guy into a tree?

"it saw me and it knew me" very Eye related

Okay it's pretty cool that he has both back and forth potion is pretty cool

WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL?!

I love the computer (jon and Martin?) alice blocking access when Sam want to talk to her

Hmm actually... Isn't it Alice computer that Colin messed with when everyone was away? I need to check

Ooooh Sam is realizing they're being listened to

Of course Alice dismiss it

WHERE is Colin btw?

Alice stop being mean. Like I know she is frustrated but she s being unnecessarily dickish about it

I love that at this point lena and Gwen have an argument every episode

Was lena moving on her chair or was there some audio disturbance when she says that going to the external I an essential part of the role?

Okay why is everyone being salty/curious about the. Bouchard family?

Oh shit she wants starkwall protection

Oh Alice went to check up on colin! Nice of her

What is the bubble noise behind Colin once he open the door?

Colin is talking about a "he" does he know wjo is behind the oiar or freddy?

"idiots idiots all the way down" unfortunately Alice I think you might be the idiot here...

[hallmarknostalgia]

What’s one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Hallmark? Why, romance of course! The Hallmark Channel has cornered the market on happy endings, and some of our all-time favorite swoon-worthy films have hailed from the famed network. While it was nearly impossible to narrow this list down to only a few favorites, we did our best to keep in mind both the new hits, as well as the classics! Take a look at these 15 Hallmark romance movies for the next time you’re in the mood for that warm and fuzzy feeling.

15. Perfect Match (2015)

Starring Danica McKellar and Paul Greene, this Hallmark romance movie centers around an engaged couple who are finding it impossible to agree on anything when it comes to planning their wedding. So the mother-of-the-groom hires both a wedding planner and event planner to remedy the situation and take some of the pressure off the married couple to-be. The only problem is both planners couldn’t be more different — check out Perfect Match and see just how these two opposites might attract.

14. Royal Matchmaker (2018)

Bethany Joy Lenz stars as a matchmaker named Kate in this very royal romance, alongside hunky Brit Will Kemp. When she gets hired by a king to find a companion for his son in time for a major celebration, what she doesn’t expect is to fall for him herself, making things far more complicated than she anticipated.

13. Playing Cupid (2021)

A clever student attempts to set up her father with her middle school teacher as she starts a match-making business as a school project for one of her classes. This modern re-telling of Jane Austen’s Emma stars Nicholas Gonzalez and Laura Vandervoort.

12. Autumn Dreams (2015)

A teenage couple from Iowa (played by Colin Egglesfield and Jill Wagner) has dreams of escaping their small town and moving to the big city. The two elope before making their dreams a reality, but things come crashing down when the parents of Annie have their marriage annulled. Flash forward 15 years, both of them have gone their separate ways and are engaged to new people. However, it’s eventually discovered that the annulment was never finalized and they must reunite to tie off these loose ends — but being back together brings up more old feelings than they anticipated.

11. Unleashing Mr. Darcy (2016)

Elizabeth gets the opportunity to show her dog in a fancy New York City dog show, but finds herself clashing with Donovan Darcy, one of the judges of the competition. Sparks eventually fly between the two in this modern re-telling of Pride & Prejudice. Starring Cindy Busby and Ryan Paevey.

10. Sweet Autumn (2020)

Maggie and maple farmer Dex are confused as to why Maggie’s Aunt Dee left her candy shop split between the two of them in the wake of her passing. Through a series of letters, the duo attempts to uncover her reasoning during the Sweet Autumn Festival. Starring Andrew Walker and Nikki DeLoach.

9. It Was Always You (2021)

The brother of Elizabeth’s fiancee returns home, and his free-spirited nature makes her question the decision she’s made about her life. Starring When Calls the Heart’s Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes.

(Read about some of our favorite Tyler Hynes movies here!)

8. Dater’s Handbook (2016)

Meghan Markle stars as Cassandra Barber, an unlucky-in-love type of woman, who turns to relationship expert Dr. Susie and her newest self-help book, The Dater’s Handbook, to evaluate her future potential suitors. With that, Cassandra finds herself torn between two different guys — the reliable George or the fun and playful Robert played by Kristoffer Polaha and Jonathan Scarfe.

7. The Beach House (2018)

Cara returns to her scenic hometown after losing her job in Chicago. It’s there where she finds inner peace taking care of the wildlife, fixing up her family’s beach house and reconnecting with an old love. Starring Minka Kelly and Chad Michael Murray.

6. My Secret Valentine (2018)

In one of the most beloved Hallmark romance movies, Chloe learns that her father has plans to sell their family’s winery, and finds herself seeking advice from her mysterious rental tenant through a series of chalkboard notes in passing. As time goes on, Chloe learns that the mysterious man she’s been writing back and forth with is someone she never expected. Starring Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker.

5. The Lost Valentine (2011)

Betty White plays Caroline, a woman whose husband was declared missing in action during WWII and never returned home. Every year, she honors her husband’s memory by returning to Union Station where she first said goodbye to him. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays a journalist looking into the disappearance of Caroline’s husband 65 years prior, and with the help of Caroline’s grandson, played by Sean Faris, Caroline opens up. Meanwhile, sparks start flying between the young pair.

4. The Wedding Veil (2022)

Lacey Chabert stars as a museum curator who must work together with Peter, a new board member, to discover the origins of newly discovered long-lost pieces of art and plan a gala for the unveiling of a long-lost painting. Kevin McGarry stars alongside Chabert.

3. Love, Romance and Chocolate (2019)

Lacey Chabert once again stars as a woman reeling from the breakup between she and her boyfriend ahead of the Valentine’s Day trip they had planned to Belgium. Deciding to go foward with the trip anyway, it’s there where she meets chocolatier Luc Simon (Will Kemp) — and the relationship between the two grows to be sweeter than chocolate.

2. A Country Wedding (2015)

The runner up in our list of Hallmark romance movies is about a famous country singer has big plans to marry a famous Hollywood actress, but when he returns home to his humble roots and is reunited with his childhood sweetheart, he finds himself questioning his plans for the future — and who is going to be apart of them. Starring Jesse Metcalfe and Autumn Reeser.

1. The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005)

Kerri Russell plays a woman pregnant out of wedlock, who gets married off by her father to a farmer played by Skeet Ulrich. Although an older Hallmark production, it’s one of their most beloved films to date and a top favorite in this list of Hallmark romance movies!

[natk2002]

The Rookie Rewatch - 2x15 Hand-Off

Air Date: 22 March 2020

Written By: Vincent Angell & Mary Trahan

Directed By: Michael Goi

First Appearances:

Colin Hall

Crispin Bowers

Russell Scanlin

Tony Coulson

Det Bill Summerland

Last Appearances: N/A

Guest Appearances:

Smitty

Sergeant Roberts - from the Pacific Division

Det Bill Summerland - from Identity Theft Division, working out what happened with Nolan

Rachel Hall

Colin Hall - Hall’s dad, former sheriff

Jordan Neil - 43-year-old criminal who stole Nolan’s identity

Tony Coulson - vandalism victim

Daxton Reid - runs everything from heroin to weapons out of his auto shop, and carries around machete

Russell Scanlin - murdered Grey’s partner

Alyce Scalin - Scanlin’s wife

Cold Open:

Harper and Nolan - called out to a fight between prostitutes, they ignore said call when they see a 211 but it turns out to be a film filming with firearms without permission

Injuries/Deaths:

Jordan Neil - see his severed hand, unconscious

Name Drops:

Christine - Rowland’s widow

Dennis - Grey’s late partner

Police Codes and Such: N/A

Pairings and Call Signs:

Bradford and Chen - 7-Adam-19

Harper and Nolan - 7-Adam-15

Lopez and Grey - 7-Adam-07

Cases/Calls:

West - station compliance

Lopez and Grey -  going to Lompc prison because the man who killed Grey’s partner is up for parole

Harper and Nolan - chasing down who stole Nolan’s identity and racked up charges and lowered his credit score -> track down a Jordan Neil -> processing -> back at his house -> spot someone staking it -> turns out to be Reid -> track Neil but he’s gone, except for his severed hand -> Neil offers a way for Nolan to get Henry Nolan’s tuition money back

Bradford and Chen - Colin Hall’s theft from car -> drive around and catch the thief

West- contacts victim from a case he found who comes into the office -> victim seems to want to keep the past in the past -> suspect is found dead

Acronyms: N/A

Quotes:

Bradford: Auto burglary cases have a .02% solve rate. How is failing to recover her dad's suitcase my best foot forward?

West: I need you to check the expiration date of your pepper spray. Smitty: They have expiration dates?

Harper: What are the odds that two of the people he ripped off are a cop and a psycho?

Bradford: Uh, look, you don't have to explain it to me, Rach. Every time I go to work, I don't know if I'm gonna make it back home. Doesn't make me want to do my job any less. Hall: Exactly. Life expectancy is 20 years after onset. Is that fair to the guys I'm dating? No. Which is... why I'd understand if you want to walk away.

Character Lore:

West being put in charge of sharing infractions with the officers and ensuring station is in compliance with all regs

Nolan’s credit score gets flagged

Colin Hall was a sheriff for 30 years in Sweet Home

Lopez and her TO were first on scene when Grey’s partner, Officer Rowland, died in her arms during her first shift

Hall may have huntington’s disease

Notable Scenes:

Smitty and West’s back and forth re pepper spray

Bradford meeting Colin Hall for the first time and it’s investigating a theft

Colin Hall telling Bradford that he’s not right for his daughter

Lopez and Grey talking as they wait over the broken vehicle

Colin Hall revealing to Bradford that Hall may have huntington’s diseaase

Grey and Lopez’s parole hearing testimonies

Ship Scenes:

Chenford

Chen and Bradford talk about him meeting Hall’s dad

Talk about Grey and Lopez’s trip to Prison

Bradford/Hall

Confrontation over Hall’s potential Huntington Disease

Bradford tells Hall he’s not going anywhere

Timeline Attempt: N/A

Locations:

Park La Brea - cold open call

Circus Liquor - 211 call

Lompoc Prison - Lopez and Grey going there

The Smokehouse - Bradford/Hall date + meeting her dad

Barstow - mentioned by Chen

south on Santa Fe - SUV chase

Amtrak Maintenance Yard - SUV chase

Callbacks/Parallels: N/A

Music:

Ima Do Me by Black Violin - West trying to remedy small mistakes

Till We Get There by Amy Stroup - end scene

Catch Me If You Can (feat. Will Peters) - catching the van thief

Applicable Ao3 Tags:

[no episode tag because no fics 🙁]

[twistedtummies2]

Top 12 Portrayals of Nephew Fred (from "A Christmas Carol")

Continuing my Christmas Carol Week Marathon, here’s the next character we’re going to cover: Nephew Fred. I’ve often felt Fred is sort of an underrated character in the Carol story. While he is featured in many adaptations, he never seems to get the kudos that characters like Cratchit or even the more minor Fezziwig get. This is funny to me because, outside of Cratchit, he’s arguably the most important human character in the book that Scrooge is involved with. Much like Cratchit, Fred acts as a foil to Scrooge, but in a different way. He, too, is an opposing figure: a man who is related to Scrooge, and seems fairly well-off (despite Scrooge calling him “poor enough,” which really gives you a good idea of the vast differences between the classes of the time, if nothing else), but while his uncle is foul-tempered and at times downright cruel, Fred is jovial, mischievous, and yet also has a kind heart. He is someone who totally and completely embraces not only the holiday spirit, but the very humanity Scrooge shuns: he’s outgoing and playful, and thinks of how he can help the people around him whenever possible. What makes Fred truly important in the story, however, is the simple fact he’s Scrooge’s only living relative. It says something about Scrooge that his nephew wants nothing more than to be with him for the holidays, and cares for him greatly, yet Scrooge treats him with such disdain. There’s a lot you can read into with their relationship, and why it is the way it is (Dickens leaves some indications, but doesn’t spell a whole lot out in crystal clarity), but the important takeaway is that he represents another great mistake in Scrooge’s life. Ebenezer doesn’t just shut out people who are “beneath” him, such as workers and clients, but also closes himself off from the people he should be most connected to: his own family. When Scrooge repents, he vows to make that right and rejoins not only society, but the family he never should have let go. Fred is yet another character I’ve played (twice this time), and he’s honestly a really hard character to nail: it’s difficult to keep the energy and the good will he presents up and not make it seem phony or overly obnoxious. Once again, picking my favorite versions of him out was difficult, but I think these choices are more or less accurate. Here are My Top 12 Portrayals of Nephew Fred!

12. David Tate, from A Christmas Carol (1971). (He'd be higher if he had more to do.)

11. Ray Middleton, from Shower of Stars: A Christmas Carol. (In this version, the actor who plays Fred also plays the Ghost of Christmas Present. Interesting little twist there.)

10. Robert Cochran, from Scrooge (1935). (This is the first sound version of the Carol, and it has NOT aged well, but I do genuinely think this is a good Fred.)

9. Donald Duck, from Mickey’s Christmas Carol. (R.I.P. Clarence Nash. Also, see David Tate.)

8. The Version from “A Christmas Carol (1997).” (I’ve never been able to positively identify the voice actor for this one. I THINK it might be an actor by the name of Ian Whitcomb, but I am not totally certain.) 

7. Paul Copley, from A Christmas Carol (1977).

6. Brian Worth, from Scrooge (1951).

5. Michael Medwin, from Scrooge (1970). (For some reason, in this version, the character’s name is changed to Harry Huffman. The same name was used in the recent Netflix remake...but that's another story.)

4. Roger Rees, from A Christmas Carol (1984).

3. Colin Firth, from A Christmas Carol (2009).

2. Barry MacKay, from A Christmas Carol (1938). (I have some issues with this version, but I think its take on Nephew Fred is almost perfect.)

1. Dominic West, from A Christmas Carol (1999).

[ulkaralakbarova]

After a lightning bolt zaps a robot named Number 5, the lovable machine starts to think he’s human and escapes the lab. Hot on his trail is his designer, Newton, who hopes to get to Number 5 before the military does. In the meantime, a spunky animal lover mistakes the robot for an alien and takes him in, teaching her new guest about life on Earth. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Stephanie Speck: Ally Sheedy Newton Crosby: Steve Guttenberg Ben Jabituya: Fisher Stevens Howard Marner: Austin Pendleton Skroeder: G.W. Bailey Frank: Brian McNamara Number 5 (voice): Tim Blaney Duke: Marvin J. McIntyre Otis: John Garber Mrs. Cepeda: Penny Santon General Washburne: Vernon Weddle Senator Mills: Barbara Tarbuck Howard Marner’s Aide: Tom Lawrence Norman: Fred Slyter Zack: Billy Ray Sharkey Reporter: Robert Krantz Reporter: Jan Speck Barmaid: Marguerite Happy Farmer: Howard Krick Farmer’s Wife: Marjorie Card Hughes Gate Guard: Herb Smith Party Guest: Jack Thompson Party Guest: William Striglos Party Guest: Mary Reckley Party Guest: Shay McLean Party Guest: Eleanor C. Heutschy Frank: Sergio Kato Film Crew: Producer: David Foster Producer: Lawrence Turman Director: John Badham Editor: Frank Morriss Art Direction: Dianne Wager Original Music Composer: David Shire Director of Photography: Nick McLean Second Unit Director: Gregg Champion Scenario Writer: S.S. Wilson Writer: Brent Maddock Location Manager: Mark Indig Casting: Jane Feinberg Script Supervisor: H. Bud Otto Co-Producer: Dennis E. Jones Title Designer: David Oliver Pfeil Casting: Mike Fenton Executive Producer: Mark Damon Set Decoration: Garrett Lewis Associate Producer: Dana Satler Hankins Associate Producer: Gary Foster Title Designer: Wayne Fitzgerald Executive Producer: John W. Hyde Casting: Judy Taylor Production Coordinator: Mary Cay Hollander Unit Production Manager: Steve Perry First Assistant Director: Jerry Ziesmer Second Assistant Director: Bryan Denegal Assistant Art Director: Donald B. Woodruff Camera Operator: Michael D. O’Shea Camera Operator: Steve Bridge First Assistant Camera: Michael A. Chavez Still Photographer: Bruce McBroom Sound Mixer: Willie D. Burton Boom Operator: Marvin E. Lewis Utility Sound: Robert W. Harris Supervising Sound Editor: William L. Manger Supervising Sound Editor: Milton C. Burrow Sound Editor: Richard Burrow Sound Editor: Scott Burrow Sound Editor: Richard Oswald Music Editor: Stan Witt Assistant Sound Editor: Kelly L. Manger Construction Coordinator: Michael Muscarella Construction Foreman: Joseph C. Fama Property Master: Gregg H. Bilson Assistant Property Master: Stan Cockerell Standby Painter: Jerry Gadette Greensman: Philip C. Hurst Makeup Artist: Tom Lucas Hairstylist: Damon Grill Gaffer: Colin J. Campbell Key Grip: Bill Young Dolly Grip: Donald L. Hartley Grip: Johnny London Jr. Leadman: Mark Woods Video Assist Operator: Richmond G. Cogswell Production Illustrator: Martin A. Kline Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Wayne Artman Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Tom E. Dahl Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Tom Beckert Unit Publicist: Vic Heutschy Production Accountant: Jan Garner Negative Cutter: Donah Bassett Stunt Coordinator: Walter Scott Special Effects Coordinator: Chuck Gaspar Stunts: Freddie Hice Stunts: Christine Anne Baur Stunts: Brad Bovee Stunts: Vince Deadrick Sr. Stunts: Marguerite Happy Stunts: Clifford Happy Stunts: Danny Costa Stunts: Bob Harris Stunts: Loren Janes Stunts: Robert Jauregui Stunts: Ben Scott Stunts: John-Clay Scott Stunts: Sasha Jenson Stunts: Ted White Stunts: R.L. Tolbert Second Assistant Camera: Robert Samuels Movie Reviews:

[pureanonofficial]

@aaronscottlazar

Honored to be a part of the next generation of The Secret Garden.

[gender0bender]

On a personal note, as many know (and as I’ve often spoken and written of), I owe a great deal to Assotto. Maybe we all do. As I’ve stated, I was there in the church that day in 1992 at the funeral of Donald Woods. I was one of many attendees from Donald’s activist family. I was one of many who read the program and saw the glaring omission of Donald’s poetry and activist work. The program also stated Donald had died of heart failure. I was one of many who witnessed Assotto speed down the aisle and take over the pulpit mid-service, declaring, “Donald Woods did not die of heart failure; he died of AIDS and he was a proud Black gay man. If you agree with me, stand up.” Half the church stood. Half didn’t. I stood up, as did Donald’s sister, Yvonne. I count that moment as one of a few where my path as an artist was revealed to me.

The second most defining moment in my life happened in 1990, when I attended the “I Am Your Sister Conference” in Boston, a celebration of the work of Audre Lorde. In her first appearance on stage, the self-described warrior poet Audre emerged, spread open the arms of her dashiki, and told a crowded room of followers of her battle with cancer. She said, “I began on this journey as a coward.” Witnessing the courage of Assotto and Audre shaped me as a poet, a person, teacher, performer. I want everyone I encounter to experience that sense of exhilaration and freedom when the truth is told bare-naked, and to feel the power of standing up for their lives at whatever cost.

Recently, I helped lead a Last Address Tribute Walk in Harlem with several organizations and individuals (the walk was originally developed by Alex Fialho). We went to Harlem at my insistence. In tribute, we went to the addresses of Black gay men who died of AIDS. We went to the address of Bert Michael Hunter, who was part of the Black gay writers group Other Countries, of which Assotto was also a charter member. Donald Woods, Colin Robinson, and Essex Hemphill, among others, were members as well. At Hunter’s address, the filmmaker and writer Robert E. Penn and the writer, archivist, and activist Sur Rodney (Sur) spoke of Bert and belonging to Other Countries. Sur recalled a story of running into Assotto in the late eighties, when Assotto urged him to join Other Countries. They said, “Sur, don’t abandon your brothers.” I think that statement encapsulates Assotto and what their convictions were.

The title of this collection, Sacred Spells, very much refers to Assotto’s powerful Haitian ancestry. I was thrilled to learn here that the person born Yves Lubin renamed themself “Assotto,” after a drum used in voodoo, and “Saint” after the great Haitian revolutionary fighter Toussaint Louverture. “Saint” also embodies their queerness, claiming self-ownership as a poet and magician whose language conjures, casts spells, and offers protection and healing. No name could be more fitting.

I know in certain Latinx ceremonies they call the names of the dead and fallen warriors, and the crowd responds “presente,” to mean present.

Assotto’s work speaks to us throughout time.

I imagine in the Black Baptist tradition, where I’m from, Assotto’s name is called out and with all of my heart and conviction I yell back “PRESENT” to say, he is here, always among us.

————

Still An introduction to our Assotto Saint folio by Pamela Sneed                                                       

[gipsyavnger]

Call of Duty OC: Isobel “Medusa” Williams

When she enlisted in the United States Army at eighteen, the Combat Exclusion Policy had yet to be lifted, so she could not follow in her father’s footsteps. Instead, Isobel followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and became one of the best attack helicopter pilots the Army produced. She was recruited to Task Force 141 by Captain John Price at the request of Kate Laswell.

GENERAL

Name: Isobel Guinevere Williams Call Signs: Medusa; Echo 0-1 Rank: Lieutenant (British Army); Warrant Officer 4 (US Army, former) Gender: Female Birthday: March 25th, 1991 Nationality: American Place of Birth: Fort Benning, Georgia Home: [Redacted], Herefordshire, England Spoken Languages: English (native), Italian (native), Spanish (fluent), Pashto (fluent), Arabic (fluent), and Russian (conversational) Sexuality: Heterosexual Occupation: British SAS operator for Task Force 141; AH-64D/E Pilot (Formerly; separated from the US Army)

AFFILIATIONS/RELATIONSHIPS

Family

Father: First Sergeant Colin Michael Williams AKA Coyote, US Army Ranger (retired) Mother: Maria Gulianna Williams née Giordano, US Army nurse (retired) Siblings: Sergeant Aoife Elisabeth Williams, US Army medic. Relationship with parents: Isobel adores her father. He’s her hero. She wanted to grow up and be tough and fierce just like him when she was a kid. Her relationship with her mother is a little strained at times. She loves her mom very much, but being raised by the hot-headed Italian made things a little interesting, especially when Isobel was trying to prove her independence while Aoife was running around being a little shit. Relationship with sibling: Isobel and Aoife fought like cats and dogs when they were younger. They were three years apart but so close in personality. Poor Colin had to deal with three Italian-tempered women running around his house, causing chaos. Isobel loves Aoife with all her heart, but they still have the typical sister relationship. They get on each other’s nerves but would kill to protect each other.

Extended Family These people are not related to her, but she grew up with them and views them as family:

“Uncle” Robert “Badger” Tully, US Army Ranger (retired)

“Uncle” Jack “Omaha” Wagner, US Army Ranger (retired)

“Uncle” Greg “Elvis” Sumner, US Army Ranger (retired)

Pets: None. She loves all animals. Except small yippy dogs. She especially hates Pomeranians and Chihuahuas. It stems from when she was six and was attacked by a small dog.

Task Force 141

Kate Laswell

Captain John Price (Bravo-6)

Sergeant John “Soap” MacTavish

Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick

Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley

Los Vaqueros

Colonel Alejandro Vargas

Sergeant Major Rodolfo “Rudy” Parra 

APPEARANCE

Eye color: Dark brown, in the right light they look black Hair color: Dark brown; if she spends enough time in the sun it lightens to a soft brown Height: 5’4” / 164cm Build: Lean, muscular, and athletic Blood Type: AB+ Scars: Many; one over her right eyebrow, scars littered across her stomach, a long scar down her left shoulder, one down her right thigh (all from her first helicopter crash), and a bullet wound on the right side of her stomach (from the Alone mission) Face Claim: Lyndsy Fonseca

FAVORITES

Color: Black and red Food: Pistachio pesto over homemade tagliatelle pasta Drink: Coffee and/or an energy drink Alcohol: Bourbon Song: If I’m There – Bad Omens Album: Finding God Before God Finds Me – Bad Omens Flowers: Sunflowers and Lilacs Hairstyle: A loose messy bun, loose ponytail, or half up in a bun/half down (Normal/relaxed days); tight French braid or military standard bun (For missions)

PERSONALITY

Myers’s-Briggs Type: ISTJ-T (Turbulent Logictican)

Strong-willed and dutiful - Isobel’s integrity is everything to her, portraying it in her words and actions. She works hard and stays focused with patience and determination, which others admire.

Responsible - Her word is her promise, and promises mean everything to Isobel. She is loyal to a fault.

Jack-of-all-trades - Isobel is a repository for a vast wealth of knowledge. She learns quickly and can utilize what she’s learned at the drop of a hat.

Compassionate - She’s a bleeding heart for those in need, willing to throw herself into the line of fire to protect an innocent person without a second thought.

Intelligent - Isobel is an avid reader, consuming whatever she can get her hands on. Had she pursued college, she would have more than likely gone on to receive a Ph.D. in whatever subject she’d chosen to study. Safe to say, the woman is borderline genius.

When someone first meets her, Isobel can come across as stoic and withdrawn. It takes some prying, but eventually, she will open up to those willing to try to be her friend.

She goes into a certain mindset when in the heat of battle. She looks like she could kill you and probably will kill you.

Permanent case of resting bitch face

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Fighting style: Sambo, Krav Maga, Judo with a mix of Kali

Weapon(s):

Sniper Rifle: Barrett MRAD .308

Semi-Automatic Rifle: M4A1

Pistol: Sig Sauer M17

Knives: 5–10 thin, easily concealable blades hidden/tucked into her tactical vest; great for throwing or stabbing. Not meant for slashing.

Distinct Weapon: Her concealed knives for close combat

Special Skills: An expert in tracking, survival, and hunting.

TRIVIA

Is obsessed with Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

She has a ridiculous amount of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings lore memorized and can recall it anytime.

She has a replica of Darth Vader’s lightsaber, Aragorn’s sword Andúril, Legolas’s dual blades, and Arwen’s blade Hadhafang in storage at her parents’ place

Loves to read; her book collection is ridiculous. Isobel isn’t picky about what genre she reads, either.

She was caught reading a few times when she flew helicopters and was stuck on standby.

One of her favorite things to do in her downtime is go to used and new bookstores and browse for hours.

In her senior year of high school, she applied to Yale, Brown, and Columbia to keep her parents happy. She was accepted into all three but declined and enlisted in the military instead.

She married Lucas Greer (US Army Paratrooper, deceased) when she was nineteen. Their marriage was rough, and they legally separated when she was 27. The divorce was finalized in 2019 when she was 28.

She stays in touch with Lucas’s parents every once in a while.

The end of the marriage to their son was rough, but despite that, Isobel loved her in-laws. They were nothing but kind to her through everything that happened.

Covers her prominent scars with tattoos, but she’s also obsessed with tattoos. She currently has five, the biggest of which is her partial back piece.

Has a lovely singing voice, but her party trick is her ability to scream like Courtney LaPlante.

BACKGROUND

Born to a mother who served in the US Army as a nurse and a father who held the record for the most kills under any Army Ranger’s belt until he retired, Isobel grew up in a military household. When she was younger, she wanted to rebel against her parents and become a lawyer, but she always idolized her parents and eventually grew out of her lawyer phase.

Growing up, Isobel spent every second she could with her father when he was home. Colin deployed a lot, so the man treasured each moment he could be with his family. He took Isobel (and her younger sister once she was old enough) on every hunting trip, using the time to teach her how to shoot. He also taught her the Ranger Way. By the time Isobel was in high school, she was an expert in tracking, survival, and evasion. If needed, she could survive off the land for an indefinite amount of time, given the right tools.

Isobel had a somewhat normal high school experience. Her senior year, she was the Track & Field team's captain, bringing her team the gold for the 200 and 400-meter sprint at the State Championship and anchoring the relay team to take home first place. Besides participating in sports, Isobel was the captain of the debate team and a member of the National Honor Society.

Thanks partly to her well-rounded high school career, Isobel had her pick of colleges to choose from…but that was the opposite of what she wanted. On the day of her eighteenth birthday, she marched down to the nearest Army recruiter and enlisted.

She made it through Basic Training with flying colors, earning herself an Expert Marksmanship badge. Sadly, she couldn’t pursue her dream of becoming an Army Ranger like her father, so she became an attack helicopter pilot instead.

Upon graduating from Warrant Officer Candidate School and Warrant Officer Pilot School and flight training, Isobel found herself a fully-fledged AH-64D/E (Apache Longbow/Guardian) pilot with the callsign “Medusa.” Around this time, she also met her future husband Lucas Greer. He was a dashing paratrooper, and their romance was a whirlwind. Within three months, they were married. Things were blissful before the deployments started, but during their second deployment, Lucas began getting abusive. 

The marriage continued to grow more and more toxic, and eventually, friends and family began to take notice. One in particular was Hannah “Sparrow” Clayton, Isobel’s best friend. During this time, Sparrow had an accident climbing K2 in Asia. The night Isobel got the call saying Sparrow had disappeared was the straw that broke the camel’s back, immediately filling for legal separation when Sparrow woke up from her coma. 

By 2019, twenty-eight-year-old Isobel was legally divorced and happier than she had felt in years. She completed another two tours before being shot down by an enemy RPG after she and her gunner were scrambled to deal with the aftermath of the 2021 Hamid Karzai International Airport bombing, which landed her at Walter Reed Medical Center.

Isobel had served her country for twelve years, facing the prospect of being medically separated from the US Army or stuck behind a desk for the rest of her career. That’s when Laswell sent the uncut footage of the helicopter crash to Captain John Price, informing him that she was recruiting Isobel to Task Force 141.

Price arrived at the hospital and officially recruited Isobel on Laswell’s behalf. Isobel spent six months with TF141 before the Los Almas and Chicago events transpired. After proving her mettle, Price pulled some strings and pushed some paper to have Isobel officially become a member of the British Armed Forces to go through the SAS selection process.

After passing the grueling training, she came out the other side a member of the British SAS and a full-time member of Task Force 141.

[ljblueteak]

From "Memories of Michael" by Terry Southern:

Summer of '66 at the top of Duke Street, in the heart of Old Smoke, I...had my first larger-than-life living-colour confrontation with a certain Michael Cooper, Esquire....I moved on a couple doors along Duke Street to the Robert Fraser Gallery and Grill, as we were later wont to call it. I tried the door and found it locked up tighter than Dick's hat-band.

"Looking for Robert, are you?" asked the young dandy, and when I turned I saw something I was to come to love--his extraordinary smile, piercing; and somehow both shy and knowing, almost conspiratorial....

"Yes," I said. "I'm supposed to meet him here at four." It was almost five now.

Michael laughed. "Oh, I expect he's hopped it," he said, affecting a slightly Cockney accent. "Off to Meerakesh, if my guess is any good. Having a right rave-up with Bill Willis and Chris Gibbs about now, I shouldn't wonder, ho-ho!"

I peered through the gallery window; in the shadows I could see the great B-52 sculpture by Colin Self, which he had said was inspired by Doc Strangelove....

"Hold on," [Michael] said. "Is this a bloody Thursday?" I replied that it was indeed Thursday.

"Then Bob's having tea at his mum's."

"And not the right rave-up you had imagined."

"Yes, he has tea with his mum every Thursday, rain or shine." He considered it. "I should very much like to know what they talk about." He laughed. "Robert's poor taste in choosing his friends, most likely. Although she's a very nice woman. Actually quite charming."

"So he won't be coming back here to the gallery."

"No, we'll have to catch him at Mount Street. Have you been to his flat in Mount Street?"

I said that indeed I had....

Many of my memories of Michael involve Robert Fraser. They were ideally suited for the remarkable friendship they enjoyed. Each regarded the other as a grand eccentric, with Robert playing a sort of older brother of a more conservative stamp.

He had a rather protective attitude towards Michael, although it was Michael who was dominant in terms of influence; it was he who always managed to get copies of the latest Otis Redding or Sam Cooke, or to know about a private screening of a Bruce Connor film; and whenever he made a trip to New York, he would invariably return full of enthusiasm for the work of some new artist he had met through Larry Rivers, Andy Warhol or Den Hopper.

He once persuaded Robert to install a 45rpm record-player under the dashboard of his car--a remarkable Italian device that would absorb the bumps and cobbles of Old Smoke without skipping a note. With Michael as DJ and 'Strawberry Bob' at the wheel, driving like a demon, eye glasses glinting in the changing traffic lights, mouth fixed in a smile of stone manic hilarity, we would tool about the city, blasting with our rock'n'roll. A memorable period.

...I once heard [Michael] defending Keith [Richards] in an amusing exchange with Robert. It was during an evening at Mount Street.

"Well young sir," said Robert, waxing indignant, "buzz along the rialto has it that those two esteemed cronies of yours--Squire Richards and Anita Pallenberg--have shown some rather bad form, rather bad form indeed."

Michael brightened. "Oh? How's that, then?"

Robert took great glee (while feigning high seriousness) in recounting how Keith and Anita had run away together, into the North African night, leaving Brian to his own devices.

"'Spanish Tony' brought the news," he said in solemn conclusion and waited for Michael's response. It appeared, however, that Michael had already heard about it, from Christopher Gibbs, and in more detail.

"They left Brian half of the hash and half of the albums," he said in loyal defence.

Robert seemed to weigh the matter anew for a moment, but he remained sceptical. "Including the Little Richard?" he demanded. "I would wager my life they did not leave the Little Richard!"

From Blinds & Shutters (bold mine)

[scotianostra]

On 28th October 1939, an ignition of firedamp and coal dust caused a devastating explosion in Valleyfield Colliery, killing 35 men.

Many others working deep underground in the early hours of the fateful morning were injured.

It was one of the worst mining tragedies in Fife and came just eight years after 10 men had perished due to carbon monoxide poisoning at Bowhill pit.

News of the explosion brought anxious families from around the west Fife village’s footprint, desperate for news of their loved ones. High and Low Valleyfield bore the brunt but communities from all around were devastated by the scale of the loss. The King and Prime Minister sent messages of condolence and the manager of the colliery and agent of the coal company were later prosecuted and fined.

There were many family connections between the men who lost their lives. Thomas Kerr, of Abbey Crescent, High Valleyfield, was working in the Culross section, and his 27-year-old son, Thomas, was at the coal face where the explosion occurred. The younger man must have been killed instantly, and this news accelerated the death of his father in hospital. “There was no doubt that the shock had this effect,” said a local doctor who arranged for Kerr senior to be sent to hospital. ‘His injuries were only slight, and not sufficient to cause death. He was quite cheerful and smoking his pipe when we took him to hospital. But the news that his son was dead brought about his own death.“

The Dead;

Archibald Anderson, 46, brusher, 44 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

David Baillie, 35, brusher, The Ness, Torryburn

Alexander Banks, 65, transport, 6 East Ave, Blairhall (died in hospital)

John Brown, 23, brusher, 8 Bowmont St, Low Valleyfield

David Cairns, 35, brusher, 39 Preston St, High Valleyfield

Thomas Campbell, 56, brusher, Main St, Newmills

Alexander Christie, 61, supervisor, Culross

Thomas Clark, 47, brusher, 34 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

William Devlin, 37, machineman, 12 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield

Arthur Doohan, 39, brusher, Burn St, High Valleyfield

Duncan Ewing, 27, brusher, 22 Dundonald Terrace, Low Valleyfield

Aubrey Gauld, 34, brusher, Mid Row, Hill of Beath

Peter Gilliard, 23, brusher, 39 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

Edward Glass, 27, transport, 14 Dundonald Ter., Low Valleyfield

David Hogg, 49, packer, Hawthorn Cottage, Carnock

James Irvine, 37, packer, West End, Low Valleyfield

Bert Keegan, 52 brusher, 61 Woodside St, High Valleyfield

Thomas Kerr, 58, 36 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield (died in hospital)

Thomas Kerr jun, 26, fireman, 36 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

Robert Lang, 23, engineer, 6 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield

Alexander Lawrie, 31, brusher, 147 Baldridge Burn, Dunfermline

Edmund Link, 24, transport, Braeside Cottage, Low Valleyfield

James McFadzean, 28, transport, 33 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield

Robert McFarlane, 41, repairer, Main St Newmills

John McIntyre, 22, electrician, 21 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield

Peter Martin, 42, brusher, 5 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

Colin Morrison, 51, fireman, 18 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield

Michael Murray, 33, brusher, Burn St, High Valleyfield

Robert Nicholson, 32, brusher, North Rd, Saline

Alexander Paterson, 32, brusher, 19 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield

William Ramage, 52, brusher, Blairwood Ter, Oakley

James Spowart jun, 29, machineman, Tinian Cres, Newmills

Michael Tinney, 35, transport, 3 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield

Henry Toal, 29, machineman, 26 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield

Robert Wright, 48, brusher, 1 Dunmarle St, High Valleyfield.

More info and news reports on the Scottish mining web site here http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/33.html

[pop-pop-pop-popculture]

Who, in your opinion, are ✨Legendary, Talented Actors and Actresses✨ (deceased, alive and "legend in the making")?

Nice question!!!!  Like the word “versatile”, I feel that when referring to an actor or actress, “legendary” is thrown around too often without actually understanding what that word means and how it correlates to an actor or actress. That being said, I hope I do this right...

Alive: - Daniel Craig - Winona Ryder - Christian Bale - Julianne Moore - Jim Carrey - Meryl Streep - James McAvoy - Julia Roberts - Willem Dafoe - Susan Sarandon - Ewan McGregor - Charlize Theron - Johnny Depp (like him or not) - Nicole Kidman - Tom Hanks - Kate Winslet - Edward Norton - Morgan Freeman - Robert Downey Jr. - Leonardo DiCaprio - Allison Janney - Christopher Walken - Will Smith - Michael Caine - Brad Pitt - Dakota Fanning - Denzel Washington - Viola Davis - Gary Oldman - Bryce Dallas Howard - Idris Elba - Helena Bonham Carter - Tom Cruise (like him or not, and I, personally, absolutely despise him) - Jessica Chastain - Al Pacino - Cate Blanchett - Steve Carell (his career took off after he landed his iconic role as Michael Scott in The Office, but since his last episode in 2011, he's come a long way and has even branched out into a variety of genres as well as role types) - Angelina Jolie - Michael Keaton - Michelle Pfeiffer - Daniel Day-Lewis - Sandra Bullock - Robert De Niro - Renée Zellweger - Colin Farrell - Patricia Arquette - Colin Firth - Joaquin Phoenix - Keanu Reeves - Matthew McConaughey - Brendan Fraser - Harrison Ford - Jack Nicholson - Stanley Tucci

**There are tons of actors and actresses from the 30s-60s that were in-demand and could definitely be considered a legend, but I chose to leave them off because I didn’t want this list to be long and I wanted to focus on only the ones I grew up with as well as heard of**

Gone, but NEVER Forgotten - Heath Ledger - Carrie Fisher - Robin Williams - Brittany Murphy - River Phoenix - Chadwick Boseman - Chris Farley - Patrick Swayze

Legend in the Making: - Anya Taylor-Joy - Robert Pattinson - Margot Robbie - Julia Garner (I can just feel it...!) - Finn Wolfhard - Melissa McCarthy - Andrew Garfield - Sadie Sink (I can just feel it...!) - Cillian Murphy - Kate McKinnon - Saoirse Ronan - Anne Hathaway - Amy Adams - Lin-Manuel Miranda - Kristen Stewart (like her or not)

Honorable Mentions: Emma Thompson, Natalie Portman, Elle Fanning, Halle Berry, Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Zoë Saldaña, Emma Stone, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler

Unsure:

Hugh Jackman - click here

Matthew Modine - A true artist at heart who was quite versatile with his roles and genres in the 80s (and so fine 😍), but he isn't super well-known nor popular like, for example, Tom Hanks; however, the role of 'Papa' on Stranger Things won him tons of new fans as well as awoke his fans that grew up with him

Jason Bateman - He's been around since the 80s, but aside from Ozark, he only really stars in crude R-rated films, so I'm on the fence about whether he'd be considered one or not

Amy Poehler

Adam Driver

Tina Fey

Jake Gyllenhaal

Chris Rock

Florence Pugh

Bill Skarsgård

Tom Holland

|---------------------------------------------------------------|

There are definitely tons--I mean tons of more actors and actresses I could write out for each category, but I'll end the lists here. Thank for the ask, this was fun to think about! If any of you have suggestions, then send me an ask.

[witcherislovewitcherislife]

The Batman: My Spoiler-Free Review and Reaction

I saw The Batman last night in IMAX and it was absolutely glorious!! I hadn't been to my nearest IMAX theater in over a decade because it's on the other side of the city but I had to go day one to experience my most anticipated film of all-time in this way. I'm very glad to report that the film was better than the theater lmao. The seats were too small and cramped and I was shocked that an IMAX theater didn't have recliners in 2022. On top of that the room was way too big for the screen but I digress!

The reason I'm mentioning the theater conditions is because even with them the 3-hour runtime of the film still flew by. The only slight lull comes during the middle of the movie when there is a lot of exposition that may take some people out of it a bit but for me personally, I love that shit so I didn't mind one bit.

I'd like to quickly mention some of the influences for the film that are portrayed in brilliant ways. Matt Reeves and the cast mentioned numerous 70s neo-noir films that inspired the film and each one has bits taken from it that combine beautifully. There are shots in The Batman that feel straight out of The French Connection, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, and The Conversation. There is also one particular scene between Bruce and Selina that feels directly out of Klute. It's great to see that Matt Reeves influences came through so clearly. His love for cinema is on full display.

The story of this film is everything I have ever wanted from a Batman movie. A detective driven mystery/thriller that showcases Batman as the World's Greatest Detective. We see both his superior intellect and advanced gadgets work in unison to help him solve the Riddlers conspiracy. Numerous characters and fascinating lore are intertwined to craft a wonderful narrative that kept me enthralled the whole way through. The film is certainly worthy of being compared to the graphic novels the inspired it. I think fans of all Batman mediums will enjoy this, whether you've only read the comics, only seen the films/shows, or only played the Arkham games, there is something here for most fans!

And while the mystery is propelling the film forward, the characters and world are ever-changing and growing. This film shows a desperate Batman who is not having the intended change on Gotham go from a symbol of vengeance to a symbol of hope. He is a forever changed man because of what happens in this movie.

The visuals and score are both true highlights, both are 100% worthy of Oscar nominations in my opinion. Greig Fraiser is an absolute legend already, going back-to-back with Dune and The Batman. You could watch this film on mute and still be enthralled with his captivating camerawork. But that would be foolish because of how excellent Michael Giacchino's score is. He adds so much to every scene, with heavy noir influences (especially with Catwoman's theme) that make this feel like the detective thrillers of old.

Gotham City has never looked better in live-action. The city is alive, from the gothic architecture to the neon lights and the constant rain, the overwhelming despair of this city is felt in every scene. Matt Reeves has crafted an intricate city that both feels lived in and timeless.

The hair, make-up, and clothing departments all deserve unanimous praise as well for their outstanding work. Selina's wigs and outfits had me damn near drooling and Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as The Penguin. This is also the first live-action Batsuit/Cowl combo that I have truly loved. The suit is beat-up and homemade and you feel it. You can tell that Bruce Wayne spent dozens if not hundreds of hours in the Batcave crafting this. Truly superb work all around.

Now, onto the heart and soul of this film: the characters!

Robert Pattinson is 100% without a doubt the best live-action Batman by a damn mile. He completely encapsulates who this character is: how he talks, how he moves, and how he looks are flawless. Pattinson's performance is some of the best work of his career and he displays an incredible range of emotions behind the cowl. One scene with The Riddler in particular still has me reeling, a subtle change of his jaw captured everything Bruce was feeling perfectly.

Speaking of Bruce, while Pattinson is the best Batman, I can't yet say he is the best Bruce Wayne. Simply because there is not yet a large enough body of work to go by. He is Batman for I'd say roughly 85% of the film. There is no Bruce Wayne playboy persona yet. He is Batman by night and a recluse by day. The few scenes we do get of Pattinson as Bruce are wonderful though. He is dejected and depressed, clearly having never gotten over his parents death which is a catalyst for his relationship with Alfred throughout the movie.

All of that being said, I have no doubt that should we get a trilogy, Pattinson will undoubtably be the best version of both Batman and Bruce Wayne. He goes on a tremendous arc throughout this film and I know that would only continue with two more.

Zoë Kravitz steals the show. She is in my opinion the best version of Selina Kyle we have gotten outside of comics and is an absolute delight to watch. The way she talks and the way she moves is Selina Kyle personified, absolutely flawless. I enjoy the other interpretations of this character in other films but never has Selina been so multi-dimensional. She has actual layers to her and goes on an arc that the others hadn't.

Her relationship with Bruce is a major aspect of the film. In many aspects The Batman is a love story. They change each other deeply and neither of them will ever be the same. The film Klute was a big inspiration for their relationship and it shines through in every scene. They left me lovestruck and heartbroken (and aroused tbh) and wanting more!

Jeffrey Wright is brilliant as Jim Gordon. He has a buddy-cop relationship with Batman that makes each detective scene all the better. His portrayal at times is even campy with the way he reads some of the riddles but he pulls it off completely. This adds for some nice little humor as well. Seeing him risk his reputation, career, and life to stand by Batman is everything that makes him such a wonderful character and we get that all here!

Onto the villains! Paul Dano as The Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone make up the rogues gallery. Each one is absolutely brilliant in their own unique ways. Dano is haunting and creepy and is the second best villain a Batman movie has ever had. The only drawback to him is that his presence is often more felt than seen. You get a lot of his character through his elaborate crime scenes and over Facetime (I know lol, but it works, trust me!) which means Dano isn't on screen as much as Ledger's Joker.

Farrell portrays Oz wonderfully, both humorous and irritating. A particular scene with him and Bruce Wayne made me want to punch him in his fucked up face. I was surprised how comic accurate he felt as well. Turturro is a real standout for me too. Just from the way he talks and stands you know everything you need to about him. He has an aura of invincibility that seeps through his performance and makes him steal almost every scene he is in. Think of crime bosses like Vito Corleone for comparison.

The action is both visceral and beautiful. Wonderfully choreographed fights where you feel and hear every blow. Batman has never personified vengeance more than he does here. The Batmobile chase scene showcased in multiple trailers is a real highlight, the roar of the Batmobile's engine might be the sexiest sound ever put on film and I am not exaggerating. My only problem with the action is that some of the scenes feel cut short, I think some of the fights could have benefitted from going on a bit longer.

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff but this review has gone really long already so I will wrap it up! I honestly think my only real complaint is that there wasn't more. A few characters aren't used enough which is disappointing but makes sense for the story they were telling. The Batman left me completely satisfied, lived up to the immense hype, and left me wanting so much more of this world!

Making this review I honestly tried to think of some things to critique so I didn't seem biased but I really can't. I absolutely loved everything from start to finish. This was the Batman film I have always dreamed of. One ripped straight from the pages of a graphic novel that wasn't afraid to put the emphasis on characters and the detective mystery above all else.

And while I don't feel that The Batman will be for everybody I still highly recommend this film and seeing it in theaters if you can. The 3-hour runtime may scare some people, some people might want more action, but for me, this film is damn-near perfect. The Batman is a 10/10.

Thank you for reading! I would be happy to discuss the film further and answer any questions that anyone may have so you can drop me a reply, ask, or message if you'd like! :)

[princesssarisa]

Character ask: Fred, Scrooge's nephew ("A Christmas Carol")

Tagged by anonymous.

Favorite thing about them: How friendly, joyful, and kind he is, and how he always reaches out to Scrooge and sympathizes with him despite being rejected, and wholeheartedly forgives and embraces him in the end.

Least favorite thing about them: Nothing in particular... Maybe the implication in Christmas Yet to Come that if Scrooge had never repented, even Fred would have left him to die alone and be buried in a grim neglected churchyard. But I suppose that (a) in that timeline, Fred might not even have been informed of his uncle's illness or death until it was too late to do anything, or (b) after so many years of being rejected, it's only human to finally give up. And at least it never happens, because Scrooge does repent.

Three things I have in common with them:

*I love Christmas.

*I enjoy parties.

*I try to be generous and kind to everyone.

Three things I don't have in common with them:

*I'm not married.

*I'm female.

*All my uncles are loving and friendly.

Favorite line: There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say, Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

brOTP: Topper and his other friends at the Christmas party, and Scrooge after his redemption.

OTP: His wife.

nOTP: Scrooge.

Random headcanon: His wife is pregnant during the main storyline – I've heard it suggested that Dickens meant to discreetly imply this when he wrote that she rested in a chair and footstool instead of joining in the blindman's-buff game at the party. Their baby will be a girl, named Frances after Fred's mother Fan, and Scrooge will be the most adoring great-uncle.

Unpopular opinion: I don't think I have one.

Song I associate with them: These two songs from the 1956 musical The Stingiest Man in Town, both sung by Johnny Desmond.

"An Old-Fashioned Christmas"

"The Birthday Party of the King"

And "I Love Christmas" from Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.

Favorite pictures of them:

Robert Cochran in the 1935 film Scrooge (I wish I could find a better picture, though, because he's one of the handsomest Freds of all):

Barry MacKay in the 1938 MGM film:

Brian Worth in the 1951 film Scrooge:

Michael Medwin in the 1970 musical Scrooge:

Donald Duck in Mickey's Christmas Carol, 1983:

Roger Rees in the 1984 TV film, with George C. Scott and Caroline Langrishe:

Steven Mackintosh in The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992:

Dominic West in the 1999 TV film:

Julian Ovenden in A Christmas Carol: The Musical, 2004:

Motion-captured Colin Firth in Disney's 2009 CGI film: