#good lord Mae Whitman

[swan2swan]

Thinking about the Azula scenes, and...oddly, despite my complaints earlier...I think they could have used more dialogue. Not exposition dialogue, but EMOTIONAL dialogue. Azula venting to Ty Lee, Ty Lee responding.

Kinda like the episode where she had the bow and arrow.

But a little more back and forth.

Problem is that this requires writers who can write gripping dialogue AND have faith in the actors and actresses to deliver said dialogue under the guide of a strong director. Which is...a risk with young staff who haven't had a lot of experience.

Hopefully we get more in Book 2.

[moontrinemars]

TENTH LORD in SUN NAKSHATRAS

As always, recorded for my own benefit, published for yours. Sidereal placements used. General disclaimer is in my bio. Credit to KRSchannel for inspiring this series.

Find your 10th lord here, and find your 10th lord's nakshatra here.

The 10th house rules our life's honor. It represents the services we perform for society as well as the reputation we earn as a result. It is associated with the father and the career because traditionally, this is where both our standing in society and the role we performed in society would come from - inherited through the father's family line. However, in our contemporary world, this isn't always the case, which is why it's important to know the grander themes at play.

The three Sun-ruled nakshatras are Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, and Uttara Ashadha.

The sun is the luminary object that represents what we make of ourselves. It is not our most base self (the Ascendant) or what our experiences make of us (the moon). Instead, it is how our decisions define us. Growth, and personal development must all come through the sun in some way - because success, while partially circumstantial, is also dependent on us pursuing joy, or even just allowing ourselves some happiness in whatever form we find it. Essentially, the sun is who we choose to be - and who we might be if we put forth the effort to flourish rather than just survive.

Do you have your 10th lord in a Sun-ruled nakshatra? That means you...

Katharine Hepburn, Cardi B, and Eartha Kitt all have their tenth lords in Sun ruled nakshatras. Katharine's is in Krittika, Cardi's is in Uttara Phalguni, and Eartha's is in Uttara Ashadha.

... use your energy, warmth, and personality to shape your career and your communities, and vice versa.

This placement is a ticket to a rising status - which is good, because individuals with this placement have an inborn need to improve their station, and then to improve the world through their new influence. They come across as effortlessly magnetic to the public, and yet, to their peers, they remain thoroughly relatable. They are capable of spearheading projects that nobody else would have the courage to even consider, but they may allow their ego or pride to dictate how they handle their responsibilities to society.

As for famous natives, well, fame is the wheelhouse of the sun, particularly in terms of popularity. The term cult of personality comes to mind, as it is these natives who come to immense profit simply by acting like themselves. In turn, this is the only placement where benefitting from fame nepotism is more bad than good, as the native's sun is eclipsed by the star that already hung in the sky, after having risen to prominence of its own accord. Regardless, this is a generous placement, and a lot of philanthropy can be traced back to these celebrity natives, even before it was trendy.

More on the specifics of Krittika, Uttara Phalguni, and Uttara Ashadha below!

If KRITTIKA RULES the TENTH LORD, you...

Shakira, Lon Chaney, and Billie Lourd all have their tenth lords in Krittika. Others with this placement are Christina Applegate, Franz Kafka, Wayne Newton, Alan Turing, Sandra Bullock, Vanessa Hudgens, Mae Whitman, Russell Crow, Alexandre Dumas, Bing Crosby, and Karl Marx.

Create and receive positive energy with your public interactions.

Have trouble maintaining consistency with your work habits.

Have more precise control of your physical body and its movements when you are being observed or reviewed.

Are passionate about various social causes and have strong ideas about how they should be handled.

Have no patience for dishonesty or deception when it comes to professional relationships.

and you may find...

Criticism and skepticism comes naturally to you, and you are compelled to communicate your skepticism for better or worse.

You are involved in workplace affairs, tempted to be involved in workplace affairs, or find they are common wherever you work.

Diplomacy, which may or may not be a skill of yours when handling private manners, becomes much more difficult in the workplace or when the matters are made public.

You are more temperamental, fiery, or easy to anger at work and in public than you are at home or in private.

You end up responsible for a lot of "cutting" and 'shaving' in the workplace - physical, like shredding papers or chopping ingredients, or figurative, like budget cuts.

KRITTIKA is the Star of Fire. Industries and career types favored are those involving crafts that depend on heat and fire, critiquing, oversight, education, spirituality, cutting or needlework, modeling, fashion and styling, military, building contracting, and leadership.

If UTTARA PHALGUNI RULES the TENTH LORD, you...

Rami Malek, Fiona Apple, and Kirsten Dunst all have their tenth lords in Uttara Phalguni. Others with this placement are Austin Butler, Mae West, Adam Driver, William Wordsworth, Samuel Adams, and Rachel Miner.

Are naturally attuned to social graces, traditions, and etiquette.

Come across as straight-forward, likable, and friendly in public.

Are ambitious and productive, so advancement comes easily.

Swing between excessive generosity to others, and entitled or ungrateful behavior for what you are given.

Hold yourself and others to high standards in the name of maintaining your ego.

and you may find...

People you meet in public or through work are compelled to do favors for you - or you for them depending on situations - which may lead to treatment from your superiors that peers find unfair.

Opening up about hardships, turmoil, or conflict in a public setting is grossly uncomfortable and embarrassing to you.

Your relationships attract unwarranted attention, with others treating them as scandals rather than your personal business.

Ending things is always impossibly messy for you, and you have a hard time fully completing anything with any satisfaction.

You allow sentimentality, patience, and generosity to sucker you into enabling the poor behavior of strangers or coworkers.

Luxury and comfort become a top priority in your line of work, regardless of whether that's because you seek it out in those circumstances, or if it's a matter of meeting work standards.

UTTARA PHALGUNI is the Star of Patronage. Industries and career types favored are those involving entertainment, performance and public speaking, counseling, philanthropy, diplomacy, patriotism, service, animals, food and nutrition, caretaking, mathematics, sales, and personality management.

If UTTARA ASHADHA RULES the TENTH LORD...

Dolly Parton, Jeff Bridges, and Saint Bernadette all have their tenth lords in Uttara Ashadha. Others with this placement are Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake, Napoleon Bonaparte I, Patsy Cline, Otto Von Bismarck, Umberto Eco, Lady Iris Mountbatten, Shia LaBeouf, Betrand Russell, and Peter Jackson.

Are modest and down-to earth, but also ambitious and idealistic.

Network perfectly naturally, without strategy, with great results.

End up creatively or intellectually absorbed in any projects that engage the public or your profession, always digging deeper.

Are susceptible to flattery, and get frustrated when people don't appreciate your efforts or don't react as you want them to.

Act like a martyr for work-related stress, despite it being a result of your own choices and priorities.

and you may find...

Things come much, much easier to you when you handle them in public or at work, rather than other settings or environments.

Work or public service projects that you start nearly always prosper, not just to the end you had in mind, but beyond that.

Others treat you as moral authority as you're compelled to speak up when you witness injustice in public or in the workplace

Reading and learning has benefitted you, and helped you to stick out as particularly knowledgable or skilled in your career.

You face adversity early in your career, only for success to come quickly and plentifully once you are older and more established.

Both traveling for work and finishing projects brings you more trouble than it feels like its worth.

UTTARA ASHADHA is the Universal Star. Industries and career types favored are those involving authority, judgment, leadership, religion, exploring, discovery, combat sports, athletics, defense, preservation, construction, archives, research, and causes.

Hope this was helpful. Feel free to message with any questions, thoughts, or ideas. Part 4, focusing on 10th Lords with Moon Nakshatras, will be next! ♡

[ao3feed-tolkien]

Howl of the Werewolf- Sabine's Quest

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/5DVs9dI

by Achtungnight

Fantasy Paladin Sabine Greypelt is bitten by a werewolf and must overcome her curse before the next full moon. Will she become the beast?

Critical Role celebrity D&D campaign. Based on Jonathan Green's Fighting Fantasy gamebook Howl of the Werewolf with a fantasy animated movie cast and crossover elements from various other media. Inspired by all attached fandoms.

Words: 1416, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Fighting Fantasy - Steve Jackson & Ian Livingstone (Roleplaying Game), Critical Role (Web Series) RPF, The Wolfman (2010), The Simpsons, Kitty Norville - Carrie Vaughn, Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan, Underworld (Movies), The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher, BlazBlue Series (Video Games), Discworld - Terry Pratchett, Dungeons & Dragons (Roleplaying Game), Actor RPF, Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPF, The Lord of the Rings (Movies), Supernatural (TV 2005), Little Red Riding Hood (Fairy Tale), Three Little Pigs (Fairy Tale), Fables: The Wolf Among Us (Video Game), Dracula & Related Fandoms

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: Gen, Other

Characters: Mae Whitman, Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, Nolan North, Seth MacFarlane, Mila Kunis, Tim Curry (Actor), Keith Szarabajka

Additional Tags: Original Character(s), Crack Crossover, Strong Female Characters, Paladins, Werewolves, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Vampires, Were-Creatures, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Trickster Gods, Swords & Sorcery, Girls with Guns, Guns, Bugs & Insects, Monks, Demons, Angels, Carnival, Philosophy, Relationship(s), Social Anxiety, Angst with a Happy Ending, Social Commentary, Bigotry & Prejudice, Reconciliation, Feel-good, Holy Grail, Cross-Posted on FanFiction.Net, Crazy, Alternate Universe - Medieval, Spiritual

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/5DVs9dI

[snowonthebeachmp3]

November 2016

Nov 1st - Little Big Town reveal that Taylor is the sole songwriter who was secretly behind their latest single, Better Man. (x) The song was released almost two weeks prior.

Nov 2nd - OK! Magazine US makes up a cover story about Taylor being pregnant and suggests that it's Calvin's baby. (x) (A year later, Taylor mocks this cover in her reputation magazines.) A source (almost certainly Tree) shuts down the pregnancy claims via Gossip Cop. (x) 

Joe is in Taipei, Taiwan, for a Billy Lynn premiere. (x)

Nov 3rd - Taylor makes a surprise appearance at the CMAs in Nashville to present the Entertainer of the Year Award (x) and has fun at the afterparty. (x)

Joe is at a Billy Lynn press conference in Taiwan. (x)

Nov 4th - Drake posts an Instagram photo of him and Taylor from his party the previous week, setting off more rumours that they are dating. (x) Some also wonder if they are collaborating on new music. (x) Again Tree is quick to deny the dating rumour (via Gossip Cop). (x)

TIWYCF is certified 2x platinum in the UK. It is the only song in 2016 to achieve this. Calvin tweets, 'I am blessed to work with incredible artists @/rihanna @/taylorswift13 thank you!!! (x)

Nov 6th - Joe is at the Beijing premiere of Billy Lynn. (x)

Nov 7th - Taylor wishes Lorde a happy birthday in an Instagram post. (x) She and Austin are seen leaving her Franklin Street apartment to go to Lorde's birthday party at Carbone. (x) The party was organised by Taylor and attended by Austin, Jack, Lena, Karlie, Tavi Gevinson, Mae Whitman, and Aziz Ansari. (x) (x)

Nov 8th - Taylor posts a photo to Instagram of herself in line to vote in Nashville in the 2016 US presidential election. The caption simply says, 'Today is the day. Go out and VOTE.' (x) She remains silent about who she voted for, although some people interpret her cold shoulder top as a coded message that she voted for Hillary Clinton. (x) 'Who is Taylor Swift voting for?' is the top celebrity-related election search query, and she is criticised for not revealing who she supports. (x)

Joe is at the Shanghai premiere of Billy Lynn. (x)

Nov 9th - Joe is at the Hong Kong premiere of Billy Lynn. (x)

Nov 10th - Taylor visits Lena in NYC. (x)

Nov 11th - Taylor goes to the LA premiere of Billy Lynn. She goes with Este and Alana Haim, Claire Winter, Eliotte Nicole, Kennedy Rayé, and Andrea. (x)

E! News claims Taylor is writing about Tom and Calvin but is on good terms with both of them. Their 'insider' is clearly fake though, as the article also repeats the bogus claim that Taylor and Drake have been working on music together and 'having a great time in the studio.' (x)

Nov 12th - TMZ publishes the photograph of Mueller groping Taylor at a 2013 meet and greet. This is in spite of the fact that the judge presiding over the Swift v Mueller case had granted Taylor's request to seal the photo. (x)

Nov 14th - Joe posts a video to Instagram, filmed in China, showing Ang Lee emerging from behind a curtain. (x) He also posts to Twitter, 'Taipei, Tainan, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong... We had a great time. Thanks for having us #BillyLynn @billylynnmovie', which suggests he has just finished Billy Lynn's Asian promo tour. (x)

Nov 15th - Taylor posts a photo to Instagram for Lily A's birthday. (x)

Nov 17th - Taylor likely flies to Puerto Rico with her mum’s side of the family, who live in St Louis. (x)

Nov 19th - This Polaroid is taken of Taylor with her guitar. The caption reads, "How would you feel having a song written about you?"

(The photo is eventually published in one of the reputation magazines in 2017 and credited to Frosty Crew Photography, i.e. Joe. (x) (x) (x) This also means he was on the Puerto Rico trip with her.)

Nov 20th - Taylor posts a shoutout to Gigi on Instagram ahead of Gigi co-hosting the AMAs the next day. (x)

Nov 21st - Taylor is not at the AMAs but takes to her Instagram story to celebrate Selena's win and heartfelt acceptance speech for Favourite Female Artist - Pop/Rock. (x) The AMAs are Selena's return to the public eye after taking a break for health issues. (x) Taylor seems to be watching from her Puerto Rico hotel room, surrounded by several other people. (x)

Nov 23rd - Taylor is seen walking round New York with Kelsea Ballerini (x) This is the last time she is seen by paparazzi until the 11th of January in 2017. (x) (x)

Taylor, Austin and Kelsea go to see Todrick in the musical Kinky Boots in New York. (x) (x) Afterwards Taylor hangs out and takes pictures with everyone backstage. (x)

Nov 24th - Lily D posts a video of Taylor to her Snapchat story, filmed from the passenger seat of Taylor's car and captioned, 'My uber driver is so pretty.' (x)

Taylor hosts Thanksgiving dinner at her Rhode Island house. Guests include Scott, Andrea, Austin, Todrick, Lily D, Martha, Leah McCarthy and Jari Haile. (x) (x) (x) They film a Mannequin Challenge video on the beach, and Todrick sings A Part of Your World while Taylor plays piano. (x) They also watch and discuss the documentary 13th on Netflix. (x)

Nov 25th - Leah McCarthy posts a photo from Taylor's plane of Olivia and Kitty (Andrea's dog). (x)

Nov 28th - AT&T announces the launch of the #TaylorSwiftNow channel on its streaming service. This is part of her previously announced deal with the company. (x)

A senior figure at Spotify UK says he has met with Scott Borchetta and has 'every reason to be optimistic Taylor Swift will be coming back to Spotify.' (x)

Late November - According to the Call It What You Want lyrics, it is near the end of November that Taylor 'runs away' to London to go off the grid and spend time with Joe.

I recall late November Holding my breath, slowly, I said "You don't need to save me But would you run away with me?" Yes (Would you run away?)

Finally, although this timeline finishes at the end of November when Taylor sneaks away to London and disappears from public view, a few postscripts:

4th December 2016 - Tom is papped in London jogging past this graffiti:

14th February 2017 - This absolutely bonkers Tom Hiddleston interview is published in GQ magazine (the interview was conducted mid-January and briefly got the tabloids excited about the ‘mystery brunette’ that Tom was meeting in London). Tom is still hurt from the breakup and media fallout, gets dragged by Taffy (the interviewer) for his overwhelmingly earnest enthusiasm for everything, finally explains the I <3 TS tank top to her (and is so sad about it that she literally wishes he would stop talking about it), and then shows up at her hotel at 5am the next morning in an attempt to explain himself better.

(I wonder if this interview is what prompted Taylor to write Getaway Car...)

10th November 2017 - Taylor releases reputation, and references her relationship with Tom (and Calvin) a few times:

- lyrics from I Did Something Bad, although it’s debatable who exactly she’s referring to or how specific she’s being, since the song also plays on her public and media perception. e.g. ‘I never trust a playboy, but they love me / So I fly him all around the world and I let them think they saved me / They never see it coming, what I do next / This is how the world works, you gotta leave before you get left’ and ‘He says don’t throw away a good thing'

- ‘I’ve been breaking hearts a long time / And toying with them older guys / Just playthings for me to use’ (Don’t Blame Me)

- all of Getaway Car

30th October 2018 - Tom talks with director Josie Rourke as part of the Alan Howard/JW3 Speaker series. Josie directed Mary Queen of Scots, in which Joe played Robert Dudley and was fourth billed. At one point in the interview they talk about the film and list most of the actors, down to very minor roles without much screentime, but without mentioning Joe.

11th December 2020 - Taylor releases evermore, which has a couple of lyrics referring to her brief relationship with Tom:

- ‘Pushed from the precipice, clung to the nearest lips / Long story short, it was the wrong guy’ (long story short)

- ‘And the old men that I’ve swindled really did believe I was the one’ (cowboy like me)

16th February 2022 - While searching his name on Twitter, Tom accidentally likes (then unlikes) a tweet about him, Taylor and Calvin. Since the tweet was in Hindi, he probably saw the words ‘she didn’t write songs’, ‘tom hiddleston’ and ‘calvin harris’, knew it was obviously referring to Taylor, and clicked onto it to try and auto-translate it.

Intro // February // March // April // May // June // July // August // September // October // November

[thegunlady]

Movies I watched in 2021:

Was this a largely pointless exercise that reveals too much about the painfully boring inner machinations of my mind? Probably! But I have to do something with my film degree, so please enjoy this list of the 70 movies I saw this year, complete with IMDB links and my own deeply insightful (and spoiler-free) commentary:

January: 

The DUFF (2016) - This movie is so dumb but it brings me such joy and I’ve seen it a bunch of times because Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell are so obviously having a great time and enjoying the hell out of each other.

Austenland (2007) - Do the plot details of this movie make any sense? Certainly not. Do I care? Also certainly not. It’s the very epitome of genre-savvy, Austen-inspired, parodic delight and I watch it regularly. 

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - I have not sat and watched these movies in full since they came out, and I also decided I wanted to watch a bit more Seminal Classic Cinema this year (in theory) so here we are. It was a great decision, actually. I expected to appreciate it, but be a little bored/confused because complicated high fantasy is not my bag and neither is a 3-hour movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was much easier to follow and more relationship-driven than I remembered. 

February:

Leap Year (2010) - I have a vague memory of disliking this movie, but it’s been so long and tumblr seems to really like it so I thought I’d try again. Turns out my memory was Correct and I did not like it, which is a bummer because this movie has a lot of really good things going on! There’s a version of the same script that could have been a classic IMHO, we just didn’t quite get there.

In Time (2011) - I saw this in theaters and haven’t even thought about it since then so I’m not sure what triggered it, but I just had the sudden urge to watch this movie. So much so I literally paid 4 of my actual, personal dollars to rent it. And listen, this movie was critically eviscerated for being terrible and I get it. But I still think the designing principle is unique and interesting—and you guys know I’m a sucker for anything aesthetically ultra-stylized. This would be GREAT updated as a limited series.

Booksmart (2019) - A delightfully conceived teen comedy with stellar performances top to bottom. A very few brief moments slightly more gross and slapstick-y than I personally find entertaining, but good work all around.

March:

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) - A very short and quirky romp that’s a little dated but I enjoyed very much. Plus time travel! (sort of) which is a personal favorite. I really appreciate the emotional through-line of this one.

Falling Inn Love (2019) - I can’t explain what made me randomly hit this on Netflix. It’s absolutely every single thing you think it is and nothing more but I had fun.

The Illusionist (2006) - I watched this so many times in high school, and I saw a random gifset of it recently and wanted to know if it held up. Honestly, it kinda doesn’t. It’s a little cringe, as the kids say, and the VFX are...not that great. But I still love it?

April:

The Craft (1996) - Okay, don’t take away my tumblr cred but this was actually the first time I’ve seen this movie! I'm sure I would have loved it more had I seen it during my formative years, but nonetheless it is a vibe™ and deserves it’s high place in the lexicon. I am overcome with the desire to purchase black tights and burgundy lipstick. 

Thunder Force (2021) - This one got a little gross and slapstick-y for me, especially the extremely weird and pointless romantic b-plot but I LOVE the premise of middle-aged lady superhero best friends being hilarious with each other.  

The Stand-In (2020) - I can’t believe this movie slipped my notice all this time but we love a bonkers dark comedy with important themes about identity and two (2) Drew Barrymores!

The Dig (2021) - I really wanted to love this movie and I can appreciate it’s whole theme and aesthetic but it just did not do anything for me at all. I just watched it and I can barely remember it.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) - A classic! I’ve seen this one a few times and it’s aged...not super great, but weirdly well for what it is? It just cheers me to watch. And y’all know how much I like almost anything about time travel.

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) - A double feature!! Hmm, this was my first time seeing this one and it is...markedly less charming and evergreen than its predecessor. Barely even any time travel! The poor ladies are just beyond fridged. And I was bored. Also there was so much screaming. I did love the whole grim reaper thing, though.

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020) - A triple feature!!! The first movie is still the best, and I’m not always the biggest fan of the years-later franchise continuation but this one was really fun! Also, I know it’s not the point, but I would have liked it if this movie was even more (or exclusively) about the daughters.

Dazed and Confused (1993) - Listen, I love ‘70s music and a loosely-structured cruising movie so I fully appreciate what made this film so special. But I am too old and too square to be watching 28-year-old stoner teen movies for the first time. That love and nostalgia just doesn’t really pull through over the slow, un-PC weirdness when you don’t have an existing relationship with the movie. I really enjoyed parts of it though.

Jumper (2008) - Probably because it’s so akin to the beats of my beloved time travel, I find the premise of this (admittedly kind of silly) movie to be rad and I’ve seen it several times. I’m still disappointed that they didn’t adapt the next book.

May:

One For the Money (2012) - I used to love these novels so I was STOKED that they finally started making movies. I’m still upset that this movie bombed and we didn’t get any more, because I think it’s extremely well-made and delightful, and it’s one of my go-to comfort movies. Is it not enough for Katherine Heigl to be endearingly vengeful, comically reckless, and surprisingly good at bounty hunting??

June:

The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) - Oh-ho-ho this one hit. I clicked it on a whim and discovered an unfortunately titled but endlessly endearing, slightly unconventional romance that got me right between the ribs. It’s dreamy and witty and mildly existential and quite affirming for me, personally. I can’t recommend it enough.

Corpse Bride (2005) - Another one of those classics-among-my-people-that-I’d-never-actually-seen. I ADORED the style, character design, and general concept but I am DISPLEASED with the ending. The mechanics of the world also make little sense and the movie is suspiciously short. Having read nothing else about it, I’m wondering if it did not go through fairly extensive cuts and rewrites. A shame. And perhaps worthy of being adapted again in some form?

After (2019) - It’s no secret that I LOVE bonkers melodramatic romances and will gladly watch and read even the worst ones. Also I needed something to put on while terraforming in Animal Crossing so I thought this would be perfect—and it worked out on that front I guess, but wow this movie is unwatchable. Even for me. In so many ways. It’s so bad. 

After We Collided (2020) - OKAY FINE Netflix queued up the sequel and I let it because a.) I was not done terraforming and b.) I was so shocked the first movie did well enough to warrant the sequel (and apparently a three-quel??) that I had to see what it was about. Honestly, I still don’t really know or care what happened in either movie, but this one was slightly better than the first. 

Luca (2021) - A most joyous and colorful adventure! I wish to visit Italy, and I wish for more Sea Monster Cinema (which is the name of my new pop punk band). 

July:

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021) - I may have watched most of this movie through my fingers in awkwardness but it was SUCH a delight in every way. I haven’t laughed that much in a long time. My only note is that I kinda wish they could have continued to be a poly couple but it’s fine, I get it.

Hysteria (2010) - A genius premise! This movie was so much fun and delightfully unique. The events happened really fast though I almost wish it was a series. Also a bit tonally unsure of itself I think, but joy was had and that’s really my main rubric for anything.

Suicide Squad (2016) - I almost didn’t add this to the list because I just threw it on in the background while working, but I did watch the whole thing. It’s perfectly enjoyable. Gosh I love Joel Kinnaman. Also Leto’s joker is /barf emoji thanks.

Home Again (2017) - What have I been doing since 2017 that I missed this movie entirely?!?!? It is SUCH a cute story and my heart is so unbelievably full!! More justice for middle-aged ladies! And more chad-like film-bro-style characters who are actually sweet and decent dudes!

Midnight Sun (2018) - Following in the trend of After from last month I’m going for the ridiculous teen romance melodramas again. This was your standard YA tearjerker fare if not worse, but I guess I picked an emotional day to watch it because I cried anyway.

Isi & Ossi (2020) - Absolutely chaotic fake dating shenanigans! I actually thought this was a series when I started watching it and I’m disappointed that it’s not because I would absolutely watch these characters do more things.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006) - Loved this! It was my first time seeing it and I knew very little about it even though I know it’s a cult classic. Maybe a tad too much Old Dudes Talking but still a blast. Lucy Liu really makes the whole thing.

The Twilight Saga (2008-2012) - Yes, all 5 movies. I think we can agree they don’t need individual entries. These all dropped on Netflix while I was trapped in my brother’s disgusting apartment after agreeing against my better judgement to dog-sit his (blameless, still beloved) demon corgi for a week, so it was the perfect self-indulgent movie marathon. The first movie is objectively the best but I think New Moon is my favorite? Eclipse is definitely better than New Moon but IMHO it’s just kinda there. And the Breaking Dawn movies are so goddamn weird.

The Kissing Booth (2018) - I’m really outing myself with this whole list re: secretly enjoying ridiculous teen movies. This is definitely that, but it’s so cheery and rote that it’s a great comfort watch.

Ever After (1998) - A classic in every sense of the word! I can’t resist a Cinderella retelling and this one is easily top 3 of all time. The earnest romance! The French countryside! Anjelica Huston!

August:

Jolt (2021) - This movie is purely capitalizing on the success of Atomic Blonde with almost none of the artistry or gravitas, but it’s also purely about Kate Beckinsale wearing great outfits and wrecking many buildings and dudes under neon lights and I am not opposed to this.

Freaky (2020) - Clearly someone in a pitch meeting said “what if Freaky Friday, but a serial killer and his would-be victim instead of a mother and daughter”— and they had a point. I would have liked some more interaction between the two of them and also I’m not really sure what the killer’s goal or motivation was at any point but I still had fun. Also I was engrossed in trying to paint a lil strawberry with my new watercolors for most of this movie so I might not be the best judge.

The Suicide Squad (2021) - Ok in fairness, James Gunn brought some much-needed Guardians of the Galaxy flair to the whole show and I appreciate that. I am however NOT remotely okay with the death of my beloved [REDACTED], and this movie in general was. Very bizarre.

Jackie & Ryan (2014) - This movie was pretty slow and not super well-structured, but it was sweet and simple with lovely scenery and Ben Barnes singing country music. Also movie endings in general I find are the weakest part of them but I think it was the strongest part of this one. It’s been a while since I loved the way a movie ended. 

Fantastic Fungi (2019) - So I thought this was going to be more of a nerdy sci-comm thing about how fungus works, and it sort of is, but it’s also mostly for aesthetic and entertainment purposes, and is very pro-psychedelics. Which is fine! I confess I am a bit skeptical of some of the science and experts they have, but it was still cool! Mushrooms are the best!

Tenet (2020) - You guys know I love stuff that messes with time and time travel and this movie did a lot of cool things but it was also Very Serious and Very Long and the story engine felt pretty flimsy to me. I wanted to see way more of Neil and the Protagonist interacting and doing emotionally-grounded character things, and way less of extras running around in gas masks and wide shots of helicopters. I should really watch it a second time to get a better grip on it but I’m not sure I care enough to do it.

Roman Holiday (1953) - A charming and fashionable romp that changed cinema forever! Despite myself, I’d never actually seen it from credits to credits and I’m very glad to add it to my repertoire. Also I intend to wear far more swishy skirts and Gibson rolls.

September:

Bo Burnham: Inside (2021) - I guess this isn’t a movie per se, but I make the rules here. I visited my best friend for my 30th birthday and she couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen this and she insisted we watch it immediately and she was right. Bo Burnham gets it. I felt things. I already downloaded the album. Oof.

Cruella (2021) - This movie is preposterous but honestly about 30% less preposterous than I expected. I actually thought the punk rock ‘70s backdrop was kind of a cool idea. It was very long and very silly but I am always willing to watch charismatic leading ladies wearing bonkers outfits and being cinematically unhinged™. 

Buffaloed (2019) - Not only is this a clever and poignant premise for a movie, highlighting the insanity of American household debt, but I just got the vibe that the whole cast really got along and was having a blast getting to do so much screaming, scuffling, and dramatically slamming phones down. 

Savages (2012) - Hoo boy. This movie is painfully 2012 and super weirdly paced, but for the first half I thought I would like it anyway because it’s a pretty slick and compelling concept with a fun cast. But it’s way too long, and the second half goes bizarrely off the rails for no reason, and the pointless double ending (?) does nothing to resolve the themes the movie set up and it was just a vaguely unpleasant time all around.

Guys and Dolls (1955) - Despite myself, I just love the frothy midcentury musicals. Not to mention, my dad used to sing songs from this one to me all the time when I was a kid so it’s got a special place in my heart. I haven’t watched the movie in a long time though and I was struck anew by 1. how cool the sets are, and 2. how entirely delightful the chemistry is between Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons.

Love and Monsters (2020) - A very gross bug movie but very worth it. I love a romantic adventure quest! I love an underdog story! I love an actual dog! I love Dylan O’Brien! 

October:

Crimson Peak (2015) - Starting October off strong! Although a spooky and highly-aesthetic fairytale is a good idea anytime of year. I’ve seen this movie a few times and tbh the story doesn’t hold up to too much scrutiny but who cares! Ghosts! Incredible gowns! Crumbling mansions! Blood red snow! It’s got everything.

A Little Chaos (2014) - Having watched them mere hours apart, it strikes me that this movie is kind of....reverse Crimson Peak? It’s incredibly bright and polished and lush with endless pastels and flowers and golden sunlight, featuring a common woman who is lovingly accepted by high society. It was honestly just okay but I liked it! 

Free Guy (2021) - Oh man did I not expect the Ryan Reynolds video game action comedy to have such heart! I just wanted to throw on something goofy, but this movie had my full attention. It’s so sweet and clever and so much more than I hoped for.

Paradise Hills (2019) - This was the flowered, color-soaked, half-futuristic and half-victorian dreamy and deranged horror thriller I never knew I needed. Is it kinda ridiculous? Sure. Does it leave so many questions entirely unanswered? Oh yeah. But it’s cool as hell.

The Aeronauts (2019) - I saw this when it first came out, and it is, surprisingly, just as spellbinding on a second viewing. This movie plays like the most beautiful old time-y storybook, complete with ball gowns and brass telescopes, but it’s also an IMPOSSIBLY HARROWING hot air balloon adventure. I love it so much.

Love and Other Drugs (2010) - Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are both great and thus fun as a banter-y couple, but this movie takes the bizarre stance of a romantic dramedy with the designing principle of...pharmaceutical sales? It also takes place in 1996 literally just so the invention of Viagra can be part of the plot but doesn’t really do anything with it story-wise that couldn’t easily be done a million other ways, or do anything else to make the movie look and feel ‘90s (I know it’s based on a book but the book is from 2005). Relatedly, some of the 2010 humor is a pretty darn yikes. 

Casablanca (1942) - I swore I was gonna watch more Important Classic Films this year and I haven’t really been doing it so here we are. It’s no surprise that this movie is a staple of Hollywood history because it is incredibly stylish and well-observed.

Twister (1996) - Frick I love this movie. It’s another shining star in the firmament of movies with a lived-in, nuanced, and delightful ensemble  working together against a cool ‘monster’ of sorts, with the monster being fun and aesthetic but sufficiently background to the character stuff at play. An unbeatable dynamic also found in movies like The Mummy and Ocean’s Eleven.

Happy Death Day (2017) - This might be my favorite horror movie ever. It’s so clever and funny and well-constructed. It’s Scream updated for the new generation. And of course, I am always on board for a time loop.

Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Have I been calling myself an Edgar Wright fan all these years even though I’d never seen this movie? Yes. But I have rectified the situation. This movie is so funny and I’m never over the way almost every bit happens twice, in a pre- and post- zombie context. It’s brilliant.

November:

Fool’s Gold (2008) - I saw a some random gifs of this and inexplicably decided on a whim that I was going to watch it immediately. It’s surprisingly good for being a mid-2000s romcom. More romcoms should be adventure-based.

The Maltese Falcon (1941) - Once again I attempt to add Classic Cinema™ to the list and once again, despite my literal film degree (and having seen this movie before), I don’t have that much to say about it. This movie is striking to look at and a huge part of movie history and I have total appreciation for that. But hanging out in 2021, it’s just not super fun to watch. 

All Too Well: The Short Film (2021) - This is my first short film this year, and I’ve decided that they count for this list - even if this one is more of a music video, but whatever. Loved it. I was quite struck by the awareness that I, like Taylor Swift, was Sadie Sink’s age when the song was first released, and am Dylan O’Brien’s age now. The video was poetic and beautiful and painful and it’s just an amazing song. 10/10. 

Contact (1997) - You guys know I love alien shit so I truly can’t believe one of the most famous alien movies of all time was barely even in my cultural awareness. My total loss, too, because this movie rules so hard. 

Mr. Right (2016) - A forever favorite! This movie is so colorful and hilarious and romantic and weird and I never get sick of it. More surprisingly wholesome action comedies about feral paleontologists and their reverse-hitman boyfriends!

Chaos Walking (2021) - This movie wasn’t really good enough for it’s Dark Seriousness or clever enough for it’s Jokiness (which was really just the same joke over and over). It set up a bunch of interesting things that never paid off, and threw in a bunch of random stuff that didn’t really matter. It’s a decent concept and an impressive cast, but we are not in the strand of the multiverse where this movie worked.

December:

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - I saw someone on twitter recently say that Tobey Maguire was a mediocre spider-man in a franchise that really understood and loved spider-man. And that Garfield was a truly spectacular, god-tier spider-man in a franchise that sorta-kinda understood spider-man. Where Tom Holland is a close second to Garfield, in a franchise that doesn’t really give a shit about spider-man OG themes and lore at all. Watching this movie for the first time in several years, I must concur. Story-wise it’s perfectly fine but nothing special - except that Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are absolutely flawless in their roles.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) - Oof That Part™ of this movie is still a soulcrusher. This movie also has markedly less fun and interesting side characters than the first movie. But still a cool watch and also this version of peter x gwen 4ever!

The Hating Game (2021) - Ok, technically I watched this after midnight on New Year’s Eve, but I didn’t want to end my night on the minor bummer that was TASM2, or end up with 69 total movies. I just couldn’t. This is your fault, internet! But anyway! The Hating Game is one of my absolute favorite romance novels of all time, and I’ve always thought it could make a great movie (which I actually DON’T think about most romance novels), and survey says it was: so good! It’s a really faithful adaptation and I actually think a lot of the changes they made are even an improvement. Highly recommend. And Happy New Year!

[violetrose-art]

Voices for Gods, Goddesses, and Other Creatures

Just a list of actors and actresses who I think could do a good job playing the Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus from Disney's Hercules (and even a few nymphs and other creatures and characters from Greek Mythology). Tell me what you think.

Persephone: Anne Hathaway (The Grand High Witch of The Witches)

Helios: Martin Short (Edward Frankenstein of Frankenweenie)

Narcissus: Diedrich Bader (Take Evans of Surf's Up)

Eris: Hynden Walch (Princess Bubblegum of Adventure Time)

Rhea: Anjelica Huston (Queen Clarion of Tinker Bell)

Cronus: Ron Perlman (Fire Lord Sozin of Avatar: the Last Airbender)

Cupid: Johnny Depp (Ichabod Crane of Sleepy Hollow)

Psyche: Helena Bonham Carter (Emily of Corpse Bride)

Harmonia: Zoe Saldana (Captain Celaeno of My Little Pony the Movie)

Hedone: Anna Kendrick (Cinderella of Into the Woods)

Khione: Brandy (Cinderella of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella)

Phobos: Omar Benson Miller (Raph of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Deimos: Josh Brener (Donnie of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Erebus: Hoon Lee (Master Splinter of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Nyx: Nicole Oliver (Zoe Trent of Littlest Pet Shop)

Aether: Hugh Jackman (Memphis of Happy Feet)

Hemera: Aimee Mann (Opal of Steven Universe)

Kakia: Rebel Wilson (Raz of Ice Age 4: Continental Drift)

Arete: Estelle (Garnet of Steven Universe)

Eos: Minae Noji (Tang Chen of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Selene: Lisa Hannigan (Blue Diamond of Steven Universe)

Iris: Jill Harris (Charlie of Hazbin Hotel)

Arke: Pamela Adlon (Vidia of Tinker Bell)

Nike: Mae Whitman (Katara of Avatar: the Last Airbender)

Bia: Ashleigh Ball (Rainbow Dash of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Aura: Kelly Sheridan (Barbie of Barbie in the Nutcracker)

Nephele: Cassidy Ladden (Teresa of Barbie and the Diamond Castle)

Thanatos: Lou Ferrigno (Billy of Adventure Time)

Ker: Eva Green (Angelique Bouchard of Dark Shadows)

Apate: Jill Talley (Karen of SpongeBob SquarePants)

Aletheia: Erica Luttrell (Sapphire of Steven Universe)

Leto: Octavia Spencer (Grandma of The Witches)

Themis: Esme Bianco (Eclipsa Butterfly of Star vs. the Forces of Evil)

Mnemosyne: Whoopi Goldberg (The Queen of Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella)

Gelos: Jess Harnell (Wakko of Animaniacs)

Elpis: Andrea Libman (Fluttershy of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Metis: Tabitha St. Germain (Princess Luna of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Panacea: Grey Griffin (The Tooth Fairy of The Fairly Odd Parents)

Peitho: Rashida Jones (Donna Who of The Grinch)

Fortuna: Catherine O'Hara (Sally of The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Chloris: Rachel Bloom (Batgirl of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Thalia (blue): Madeleine Peters (Scootaloo of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Agalea (purple): Claire Corlett (Sweetie Belle of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Euphrosyne (pink): Michelle Creber (Apple Bloom of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Minthe: Erica Lindbeck (Loona of Helluva Boss)

Leuke: Abby Elliott (Janna Ordonia of Star vs. the Forces of Evil)

Orphne: Barrett Wilbert Weed (Octavia of Helluva Boss)

Orithyia: Christine Ebersole (White Diamond of Steven Universe)

Macaria (white and green): Olivia Olson (Marceline of Adventure Time)

Melinoe (black and pink): Ashley Tisdale (Candace Flynn of Phineas and Ferb)

Cora (orange nymph): Shannon Chan-Kent (Smolder of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Maia (yellow nymph): Chantal Strand (Diamond Tiara of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Eliana (pink nymph): Sutton Foster (Princess Fiona of Shrek the Musical)

Arianna (green nymph): Deedee Magno-Hall (Pearl of Steven Universe)

Catalina (blue nymph): Kristin Chenoweth (Maleficent of Descendants)

Zagreus: James Maslow (James Diamond of Big Time Rush)

Arachne: Kathleen Barr (Queen Chrysalis of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Lamia: Mary J. Blige (Irene Adler of Sherlock Gnomes)

Medusa: Scarlett Johansson (Princess Mindy of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie)

Stheno: Kimberly Brooks (Jasper of Steven Universe)

Euryale: Kelly Hu (Karai of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Eurydice: Britt McKillip (Princess Cadance of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic)

Phaedra: Jessica McDonald (Carrie Krueger of The Amazing World of Gumball)

Echo: Linda Cardellini (Wendy Corduroy of Gravity Falls)

If you guys have any suggestions or ideas, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you think ^^

[femmedplume]

7 Comfort Movies

Okie so as I’ve been tagged by @lastcallatrockysbar​ and @theychosefamily​ and @eyes-of-a-disney-princess​, I should probably stop procrastinating and do this lol

1. Hello, Dolly!

This role wasn’t written for Barbara Streisand, but it was soooo written for Barbara Streisand. She is the quintessential Dolly, and every second of this film, from costumes to sets to cinematography to acting, was spot-on. Plus, Louis Armstrong!

2. Lord of the Rings (trilogy)

This counts as one film, yes it does. And we’re talking the extended editions, so it’s one 9-hour long marathon film. I put this on in the morning and watch it all day and I’m happy. And depending on the day, I’ll watch the whole thing with commentary, because the commentary tracks are literally the best thing ever.

3. The Duff

There is nothing I don’t like about this movie. It’s fun, it’s awkward, Mae Whitman is a dryly sarcastic genius, and Robbie Amell is both hotter than the sun AND super funny. The movie took lots of liberties, but I actually like it better than the book. The book was dark and kinda mean and depressing, with a sort of ambiguous ending...the movie is pure wry fluff. Plus, Allison Janney!

4. High Society

My favorite Golden Age Hollywood film. Grace Kelly’s final performance! Celeste Holm, everyone’s favorite Character Actress, being snarky and perfect! Music by Cole Porter! Costumes by Helen Rose! Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra do a duet about how much they fucking hate parties! Plus, MOAR Louis Armstrong!

5. If the Shoe Fits

This movie is apparently so obscure nobody’s made a gif of it?? Which is a TRAVESTY because it’s SO GOOD! Rob Lowe and Jennifer Grey in a suuuuper 80′s retelling of Cinderella set in France. This movie has everything: eye-searing 80s fashion, a ditzy Fairy Godmother who wears guitar-shaped sunglasses, two terrible French aspiring-model roommates-cum-stepsisters... and at one point, Rob Lowe hiding under his desk in a silk robe picking at the carpet whilst his entourage watches like this 😬😬😬

6. Pride & Prejudice 1995 

Yes I know it’s technically a mini-series, but I don’t care. And I know some of you young ‘uns are all like oh but what about the the emo Keira Knightley version where nobody’s hair is ever curled correctly and everything’s dirty and Darcy confesses his love in the rain? NO. That is a garbage adaptation and a disgrace to its name and I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT.  2005 Lizzy Bennet twirling forlornly around on a swing whilst sad music plays in the background, are you fucking kidding me?? Austen is spinning in her grave! AUSTEN INVENTED THE ROMANTIC COMEDY, GOTDAMMIT! AUSTEN IS FUNNY! AUSTEN IS WRY! AUSTEN IS HAPPY! The woman never took anything seriously in her entire life, and then these grimdark motherfuckers go and vomit their Wuthering Heights aesthetic™ all over her masterpiece and...Okay, you know what? *deep breath* Never mind. This is the good adaptation. Watch this. Laugh. Ogle Colin Firth in a wet linen shirt. Enjoy.

7. The Princess Bride

This film is a literal masterpiece. Every single line is quotable. Every character is memorable. It never gets less funny, or less moving, no matter how many times you watch it, which is INCONCEIVABLE!  It’s a stunning achievement, a modern story that has taken its place in the zeitgeist alongside classic fairy tales like Cinderella. Also, is the perfect movie to play when you’re sick; then you can pretend you’re baby!Fred Savage, and it’s your grandpa reading you a story!

tagging @paris-aflame​ @ja9toextremes​ @kayleighhalliday2203​ @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan​ @captain-rogers-beard​ @absentlyabbie​ @miricastor​ and whoever hasn’t done it yet. 

[thetimelordbatgirl]

Twisted TV Shows OCs

Description of Twisted TV Shows: Taking inspiration from Disney’s Twisted Tale series, this is a similar premise but with TV Shows and next gen aspects in present time after the twists. 

List of Stories (so far): *Return to Gravity Falls (Gravity Falls). *The Never Ending Woods (Over the Garden Wall). *The Cost of Magic (The Owl House). *Finding Magic Again (Star VS The Forces of Evil). *Hero Time (Ben 10). *Time To Go Ghost (Danny Phantom). *The Lost Ninja (Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja). *Robots in Disguise (Transformers Prime). *Life is Like a Hurricane (Ducktales 2017). *Being Human (Steven Universe).  *The Lost Princess (Sofia The First). *Fairies Lost Flight (Winx Club). *Undefeated (Lego Ninjago). *Crossing the Line (Tangled the Series). *Hero (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012).  *The Lost Future (Thunderbirds Are Go). *Hit And Run (Scooby Doo: Mystery Inc). *The War Lives On (Avatar The Last Airbender). *Game Over (Aaron Stone). 

Summaries of Stories:

Return to Gravity Falls: The Twist: “What if Bill saw through the trick?” Summary: “”Then....it’s a deal” “Dipper, no!” These are the words that Mabel still recalls even in present alongside the sight of losing her brother and then....being outside Gravity Falls, forever trapped outside.  Until now. Now a adult, Mabel returns to the town of Gravity Falls with her kids with one mission in mind: stop Bill and save Gravity Falls once and for all” 

The Never Ending Woods: The Twist: “What if Wirt took the Beasts offer?” Summary: “All Lottie remembers before the woods is falling into the well, holding onto Fawn until the cold water put them to sleep.  And then they woke up in the woods.  The never ending woods.  Stuck in their costume party costumes, Lottie and Fawn Black find themselves stuck in the woods and if they don’t find a way out soon, he will find them....”

The Cost of Magic: The Twist: “What if Luz failed to save Eda?” Summary: “Years ago, Luz Noceda was happy to become a witch....until the day she lost Eda.  Nowadays, she’s the wanted witch, just trying to make sure the Emperor doesn’t succeed in his plans.  But when another human falls into the magic world, Luz finds herself slowly causing trouble again and maybe getting back what she lost....”

Finding Magic Again: The Twist: “What if the worlds wont reunited?” Summary: “Years ago, Star Butterfly stopped Mina Loveberry from killing all monsters through destroying magic, but in the process....all realms were separated, and it stayed like this for years.... Until the day, Rhea Butterfly decides to fix all this- how? By bringing magic back.  And with the aid of some friends, that shouldn’t be too hard....right?” 

Hero Time:  The Twist: “What if Ben was evil?” Summary: “All Jackie Levin knows about what happened is that it started when Ben Tennyson found a watch and then....went missing.  And when he re-appeared, he was older....and with a alien named Vilgax, who then proceeded to take over the world.  Nowadays, Jackie lives with her parents in a resistance with one goal in mind: stop Ben Tennyson. And save the world”

Time To Go Ghost: The Twist: “What if Danny became evil?” Summary: “Raven Fenton has never seen the world outside her home, for her father has always told her that the world outside is dangerous still.  But one day, Raven ends up leaving the home by accident and in the process, discovers who the danger her father keeps telling her about is....”

The Lost Ninja: The Twist: “What if Randy became evil?” Summary: “Willa Graham was having a normal day: sitting in class, doing work and avoiding being shoved into lockers.  But when she returned home, she found the Ninja mask waiting for her and found she was the new Ninja.  But being the new Ninja comes with a risk....namely, the old Ninja, Randy Cunningham.  Who will do anything to keep the Ninja Mask....”

Robots in Disguise: The Twist: “What if something went wrong with imprisoning Airachnid?” Summary: “Airachnid had crippled Jack, so the Autobots sent her to the phantom zone, only for her to escape and be sent there again, this time, Jack is stuck in there with her. A decade later, he escapes but things are quite different now....”

Life is Like a Hurricane:  The Twist: “What if Dewey died in a accident?” Summary: “Things were never the same for the McDuck family after they lost Dewey during a treasure hunting exhibition, and Della never forgave Scrooge. Unbeknownst to them however, Dewey would spend the next twenty plus years haunting the hallways of McDuck manor, as an unseen ghost, watching as his family grew apart and could never see him as they did so.  One day, Scrooge passes and the Family returns to pay their respects, with Lena’s and Webby’s, Huey’s and Louie’s kids....who can talk to Dewey....” 

Being Human: The Twist: “What if the Diamonds saw through Pink’s lie?” Summary: “Two rules that Morganite Universe grew up on: *Be a good princess. *Never question the Diamonds rule. And she obeyed them....until the day she found out what the Diamonds did to the universe.  Now with the aid of her friends, she sets out to finish what the Crystal Gems started...no matter what....”

The Lost Princess: The Twist: “What if Sofia had been trapped in the amulet?” Summary: “Princess Sofia II grew up hearing tales of her namesake aunt, from the day she got her amulet....to the day she just....disappeared. But when she gets a purple amulet for her birthday, everything changes the moment Sofia herself emerges from the amulet, but she’s not alone....”

Fairies Lost Flight: The Twist: “What if Valtor won?” Summary: “In a world where magic has bee corrupted and turned to darkness, Princess Bridget lived to become Queen of this World....until she saw what her father was planning to do in reality, shattering any lie Bridget knew and putting her on the path to save this world and restore magic while stopping her father once and for all....”

Undefeated: The Twist: “What if Lord Garmadon succeeded?”  Summary: “The one rule Alice and her father, Lloyd, grew to obey.  Never let the weapons fall into the wrong hands.  But what Alice didn’t expect was her father to hand over the weapons to the Ninja resistance...let alone take her with him to join it with one goal: stop Lord Garmagon and restore Ninjago to what it used to be” 

Crossing the Line: The Twist: “What if Gothel had raised Cass with Rapunzel?” Summary: “Once upon a time, there were two sisters who were raised and kept in a tower....until one of their birthdays led to their escape with their evil mother defeated and one of them reunited with her birth parents.  And all was happy...until the day one of the sisters left to find herself....and never returned.  This was the tale of Rapunzel and Cassandra.  And almost giving up on Cassandra returning, Rapunzel’s beyond happy when she does return, but it soon becomes clear, this isn’t the same Cassandra....”

Hero: The Twist: “What if Kraang took over successfully?”  Summary: “No one knows how the Kraang and the Shredder took over, but what Alex and Haruto know is that with their parents and the resistance, they have to just keep surviving, at least....until the day they find out how to stop the Kraang and Shredder and in the process, save some turtles and their friend....”

The Lost Future:  The Twist: “What if the Hood succeeded?”  Summary: TBA. 

Hit And Run: The Twist: “What if things went wrong on one mystery?”  Summary: TBA. 

The War Lives On: The Twist: “What if Katara couldn’t save Aang?”  Summary: TBA.

Game Over: The Twist: “What if the Omega Defiance succeeded?”  Summary: TBA. 

Name: Percy Pines.  Relation (if any): Mabel’s son.  Story: Return to Gravity Falls.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton. 

Name: Hilda Pines. Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Mabel.  Story: Return to Gravity Falls.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Alice Pines.  Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Mabel. Story: Return to Gravity Falls.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Lottie Black.  Relation (if any): None, new character. Story: The Never Ending Woods. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Rena Strober. 

Name: Fawn Black. Relation (if any): None, new character.  Story: The Never Ending Woods.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Tara Strong.

Name: Kyra Dwawon  Relation (if any): None, Luz’s student. Story: The Cost of Magic. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Leela Ladnier. 

Name: Rory Banks.  Relation (if any): None. Story: The Cost of Magic. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton.

Name: Rosamund Cox.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: The Cost of Magic. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Wylie. 

Name: Signy Bailey.  Relation (if any): None. Story: The Cost of Magic.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson. 

Name: Rhea Butterfly.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Star.  Story: Finding Magic Again. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Wylie. 

Name: Apollo Butterfly.  Relation (if any): Husband of Star.  Story: Finding Magic Again. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: John Boyega. 

Name: Alexandria/Alex.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Finding Magic Again. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sarah Jeffery. 

Name: Pablo Diaz.  Relation (if any): Son of Marco.  Story: Finding Magic Again. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Anthony Gonzalez. 

Name: Hecate Lucitor.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Tom. Story: Finding Magic Again.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson.

Name: Blue.  Relation (if any): Son of Ponyhead.  Story: Finding Magic Again.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mitchell Hope. 

Name: Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Levin.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Gwen and Kevin. Story: Hero Time. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Tara Strong.

Name: Blythe Dixon.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Hero Time.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Raven Fenton.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Danny and Sam.  Story: Time To Go Ghost.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mae Whitman. 

Name: Willa Graham.  Relation (if any): None, new Ninja.  Story: The Lost Ninja.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Navia Robinson. 

Name: Bianca Davies.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: The Lost Ninja. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Michelle Nakadoi.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Miko.  Story: Robots in Disguise.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Kimiko Glenn.

Name: Robert ‘Robbie’ Esquivel.  Relation (if any): Son of Raf.  Story: Robots in Disguise.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Ben Schwartz. 

Name: Claire Hawkins (later Darby). Relation (if any): Eventual adopted daughter of Jack.  Story: Robots in Disguise.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Wylie.

Name: Natasha Duck.  Relation (if any): Wife of Huey.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Daisy Ridley. 

Name: Zale Duck.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Donald and Daisy.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson. 

Name: Lucille ‘Luci’ Duck.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Louie.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Wylie. 

Name: Dewey Duck II.  Relation (if any): Triplet son of Huey.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Booboo Stewart. 

Name: Tommy Duck.  Relation (if any): Triplet son of Huey.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jason Ritter. 

Name: Rose Duck.  Relation (if any): Triplet daughter of Huey.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Navia Robinson. 

Name: Hestia Vanderquack.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Lena and Webby.  Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Cato Sabrewing.  Relation (if any): Son of Violet. Story: Life is Like a Hurricane.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton.

Name: Morganite ‘Morgan’ Universe.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Steven and Connie.  Story: Being Human. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Navia Robinson. 

Name: Sky Hunter.  Relation (if any): None. Story: Being Human. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sadie Sink. 

Name: Ruby.  Relation (if any): None, from the Ruby’s. Story: Being Human. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Charlyne Yi.

Name: Cherry Quartz.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Being Human.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Kimberly Brooks. 

Name: King Christopher.  Relation (if any): Husband of Amber.  Story: The Lost Princess.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Oscar Issac. 

Name: Princess Sofia II.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Amber.  Story: The Lost Princess.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jenna Ortega. 

Name: Princess Emily. Relation (if any): Daughter of Amber.  Story: The Lost Princess.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Ariana Greenblatt. 

Name: Jane. Relation (if any): Wife of James.  Story: The Lost Princess.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Amy Jo Johnson. 

Name: Prince Aaron. Relation (if any): Twin son of James. Story: The Lost Princess. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mitchell Hope.

Name: Prince Brian.  Relation (if any): Twin son of James.  Story: The Lost Princess. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Dylan Playfair. 

Name: Princess Heather.  Relation (if any): None. Story: The Lost Princess.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Katie Higgins. 

Name: Bridget.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Bloom and Valtor.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: Chloe Grace Mortez. 

Name: Fawn. Relation (if any): Daughter of Duman and implied-Duman.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Rena Strober.

Name: Neptune. Relation (if any): Son of Aisha and Nabu.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: John Boyega. 

Name: Meredith.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Aisha and Nabu.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: China Anne McClain.

Name: Neoma.  Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Stella and Brandon. Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mae Whitman. 

Name: Sunniva.  Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Stella and Brandon.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Hynden Walch. 

Name: Aspen.  Relation (if any): Son of Flora and Helia.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Booboo Stewart. 

Name: Willow.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Flora and Helia.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson.

Name: Morgan. Relation (if any): Daughter of Musa and Riven.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Linda Cardellini.

Name: Solo. Relation (if any): Son of Musa and Riven. Story: Fairies Lost Flight.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton.

Name: Viola. Relation (if any): Daughter of Musa and Riven. Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Tara Strong. 

Name: Hal. Relation (if any): Son of Tecna and Timmy. Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mitchell Hope.

Name: Garnet.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Diaspro and Sky.  Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Jonquil Goode. 

Name: Onyx. Relation (if any): Son of Diaspro and Sky. Story: Fairies Lost Flight. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Evan Smith.

Name: Alice. Relation (if any): Daughter of Lloyd.  Story: Undefeated.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Anna Cathcart. 

Name: Kira.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Kai.  Story: Undefeated.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Linda Cardellini. 

Name: Flynn. Relation (if any): Son of Nya and Jay.  Story: Undefeated.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: Mitchell Hope.

Name: Grace. Relation (if any): Daughter of Cole.  Story: Undefeated.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Mae Whitman. 

Name: Thor. Relation (if any): Robot son of Zane. Story: Undefeated.  Summary: TBA, Voiceclaim: Booboo Stewart.

Name: Dawn.  Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Rapunzel and Eugune.  Story: Crossing the Line. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Hynden Walch. 

Name: Luna. Relation (if any): Twin daughter of Rapunzel and Eugune. Story: Crossing the Line. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Tara Strong. 

Name: Maggie. Relation (if any): None.  Story: Crossing the Line.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson. 

Name: Faith. Relation (if any): None. Story: Crossing the Line.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Naomi Scott. 

Name: Ryan. Relation (if any): None. Story: Crossing the Line. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton.

Name: Alexandra ‘Alex’ Jones.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Casey Jones. Story: Hero. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Linda Cardellini.

Name: Haruto. Relation (if any): Son of Karai. Story: Hero. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton.

Name: Marietta.  Relation (if any): Clone of Leo.  Story: Hero. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Sofia Carson.

Name: Catharina.  Relation (if any): Clone of Raph.  Story: Hero.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Hailee Steinfeld. 

Name: Hugo. Relation (if any): Clone of Donnie.  Story: Hero. Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Josh Keaton. 

Name: Sandra. Relation (if any): Clone of Mikey. Story: Hero.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: Tara Strong. 

Name: Millie Tracy.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Scott.  Story: The Lost Future.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Nicole Tracy.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Virgil.  Story: The Lost Future.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA.

Name: James Tracy.  Relation (if any): Son of Gordon and Penelope.  Story: The Lost Future.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA.

Name: Michael Tracy.  Relation (if any): Son of Alan.  Story: The Lost Future.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA.

Name: Emerald Blake.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Daphne.  Story: Hit And Run.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Tobias O’Brian.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Hit And Run.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Kris Liu.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Hit And Run. Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Cordelia Terry.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Hit And Run.  Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Niko.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Zuko and Mai, current new Avatar.  Story: The War Lives On.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Riku.  Relation (if any): Son of Azula.  Story: The War Lives On. Summary: TBA.  Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Uki.  Relation (if any): Daughter of Sokka and Suki.  Story: The War Lives On.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Parker Landers.  Relation (if any): Adopted daughter of Aaron/Charlie.  Story: Game Over.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA. 

Name: Gavin Simpson.  Relation (if any): None.  Story: Game Over.  Summary: TBA. Voiceclaim: TBA.

[alternislatronemhq]

Congrats, BEE, you have been accepted to AL for the role of DOLORES UMBRIDGE (FC:Olivia Taylor Dudley). OH MY GOODNESS, BEE! Your portrayal of Dolores was just stunning. I found myself laughing in places and gasping in others. You’ve really gotten into the head of a character that is just awful and played that out in a way that’s captivating. I can’t wait to see what chaos she brings to the dash! Please send in your blog (no sideblogs for first characters, please) in the next 24 hours and be sure to take a look at our new player checklist. Welcome home (once again), we’re so excited to have you join the family!

OOC

name — Bee age — 29 pronouns — She/her timezone — MST activity level — I have quite a bit of free time at the moment! I can usually manage being on for at least a little while every day and I’ll average a handful of replies a week at a minimum. any questions? —No questions per se, just a small disclaimer to let anyone reading know that I am a tolerant and open-minded individual, so while I’m excited for the creative challenge and entertainment of potentially writing an absolutely loathsome person like Ms. Dolores Jane Umbridge, anything offensive that she says or thinks or does IC does not reflect my own personal views!

IC Overview

name — Dolores Jane Umbridge—but my friends call me Lo, at least they would if I had any FRIENDS. -hold for laughter- Yeah, eat your fucking hearts out all you moronic lowlife swine. Hem hem. faceclaim — Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jenna Coleman, Mae Whitman age — 32 gender — Cis-female, and uncomfortably cutesy girly-girl for a woman over thirty. Hyperfemme caricature with BDE. Never met a shade of pink she didn’t just love.

sexuality — Outwardly, all Dolores cares about is locating the picture-perfect partner for the type of life she wants to be seen as having and lock them down, and in her mind that person is a man. She wants a husband with money and looks and brains and power, but not so much of any one that it would outshine her; she craves to be in the power seat of a power couple, and to get the attention she feels she’s always been unjustly robbed of. She’s got no interest whatsoever in romance and finds the whole concept a laughable waste of time. But for all she projects to the world, Dolores in reality harbors a deep, deep, DEEPDEEPDEEP same-sex attraction. She has thoroughly locked herself in that closet and a Norwegian Ridgeback swallowed the key.

patronus —Persian cat. This animal has all the appearance of being sweet and cuddly, but rub her the wrong way and those barely-retracted claws are coming out in an instant. Vain, independent, calculating, haughty, and very, very well-groomed at all times.

boggart —Stemming from her Napoleon Complex, Dolores’ boggart takes the form of herself shrunken down like Alice in Wonderland after sipping the drink me potion; her voice squeaks higher and higher into an undetectable range no matter how loud she yells and she can just barely avoid getting squashed beneath someone else’s disgusting, dirty shoes. Dolores as a person demands attention to function and she simply will not tolerate being made to feel literally small.

IC In Depth

personality traits —

tidy - Dolores is obsessed with beauty and perfection and symmetry in all things and nothing makes her skin crawl more than disorder—to the extent that after her mother and father split and she lived full-time with her father, Dolores developed OCD (though it hasn’t been properly diagnosed as such, and Dolores would immediately write off anyone who attempted to call it that to her face). In her mind she is simply particular; she has very high standards and she expects the world to rise to them, or else she’ll root out the filth around her weed by weed. She cut off the heads of her stuffies who stepped out of line at her toddler-age tea parties you’d better believe she’d do the same to you and care less about it.

passive aggressive - Dolores is well-known for her disconcerting calm in face of disagreements, her calculated cute-sweet demeanor and high-pitched voice. But make no mistake; Dolores is sugar laced with arsenic. In all likelihood she hates your guts and has already cooked up an in-depth five-year plan to chip away at you piece by painstaking piece. It’s a mystery how she manages to keep all that highly-pressurized rage simmering beneath the surface the way she’s somehow perfected, because she’s wound up so tight that it’s a wonder her eyes don’t pop out of her damn head and she’s about twenty-five seconds away from a full-blown psychotic break on a good day.

jealous - Dolores wants what she feels she’s due, plain and simple. When she sees others gain the things she wants while she gets overlooked, it stokes that ever-burning vindictive flame inside of her. It started in early childhood when her father gave attention to anyone or anything that wasn’t her, and it’s only gotten worse every day since.

intolerant - At this point in her life, her infamous intolerance is still in its earliest seed stages, but the seed is planted. One of the most interesting things for me about writing a character like Dolores at this age is to see how and why this mentality grows out of experiences she encounters in these formative years.

character biography —

Born ten pounds of spunk in a four pound, five ounce package, Dolores Jane Umbridge came into this world pink and perfect.

Perfect. Perfect. Perfectperfectperfect.

Even from a young age it was all Dolores cared about. Her father Orford Umbridge would whisper to Dolores what a beautiful perfect princess she was and Dolores believed it with every fibre of her being. Beautiful. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.

Then her mother Ellen gave birth to a younger brother who showed not the faintest trace of magic, and that was not perfect. The rift between parents and siblings grew into a cavern as Orford’s whispering words turned against Ellen; her fault. Worthless. Vile. Mudblood. Filthy Squib. Repulsive. Disgraceful. Wrong.

It wasn’t long before the couple split up, with Ellen and her son being banished to the Muggle world, and then it was just Orford and Dolores, together in their once-more perfect world.

And would that it could have stayed that way forever. Orford had always had wandering eyes and Dolores, desperate always to be the only girl in her father’s life, grew jealous and suspicious and hateful (and nonononono NOT anything else nope) for the beautiful vapid creatures that drew his gaze, threatening to upend what was hers.

Knowing nothing beyond her childhood of constant praise and adoration, Dolores went to Hogwarts expecting the world to cater to her every whim. So when people didn’t immediately kiss the ground she walked on, it made her angry. When all the girls and boys didn’t fall all over themselves to try and woo her, it made her furious. When the professors and adults didn’t sing her vast praises on high, it made her outraged.

How was everyone on earth too fucking useless to see how perfect she was?!

Dolores was a bundle of dynamite wrapped up in a pretty pink bow, just waiting to blow.

She went to the Ministry with adjusted expectations on being outright offered what she knew she deserved, and was proven right when she was overlooked by grotesquely unqualified superiors in favor of the sniveling ingrates all around her. But Dolores was prepared to play the long game and bide her time, just waiting for that one weak crack in the system where she could dig in her knuckle and crumble an empire with a smile on her face.

And she thought she’d found that perfect crack when she went to the Dark Lord. Surely he would see Dolores for all she was worth, surely he would bestow upon her all that power, finally, finally, finally. He was only a silly man, after all.

But the foul, imperfect world let Dolores down again. The Dark Lord gave his preference to some other detestable twots just like Dolores always feared Orford would, and then he paid the price for his idiocy when he fell from power (serves him right the arrogant swine), and Dolores returned to her long game at the Ministry with a newfound fervor to crush all who dared try to overlook her beneath her pink kitten heels.

Waiting for the next perfect move to present itself. And when it does, she’ll be ready.

plot ideas —

Girlsgirlsgirls. I would love an opportunity to unpack some of Dolores’ deeply rooted internalized homophobia. Maybe it’s an openly gay and proud woman who drives Dolores up the wall, maybe it’s a beautiful lady who despite all of Dolores’ efforts starts to get beneath her skin, someone she can’t seem to shake… This could go in so many directions and I’m here for them all!

Ministry Spats. Anyone she might have dustups with on her Ministry stomping grounds—Arthur Weasley, Alastor Moody, etc. Also anyone with pro-creature leanings and/or sentiments at this stage could greatly inform her later mindset and I would love to have them interact.

extra —

Headcanon: Dolores hates children; she thinks they’re disgusting tiny wastes of breath and absolutely looks down on anyone who has chosen the family plan for their life.

[tabloidtoc]

Entertainment Weekly, April 5/12

Cover: BTS -- V, Jin, Jung Kook, Suga, Jimin, J-Hope, and RM 

Page 2: Contents, Retta

Page 4: Sound Bites -- Rainn Wilson on The Office’s anniversary, Natalie Morales on Abby’s, Helene York on The Other Two, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as Sam and Dean Winchester on Supernatural, Shahadi Wright Joseph in Us, Skyler Gisondo on Santa Clarita Diet, Megan Mullally on Will & Grace 

Page 6: Editor’s Note 

Page 8: The Must List -- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Q+A with Kiernan Shipka 

Page 9: Teen Spirit 

Page 10: Shazam!, The Bold Type 

Page 11: Price on My Head by NAV + The Weeknd, Stay Up with Hugo Best by Erin Somers 

Page 12: Amazing Grace

Page 13: Stronger Than the Truth by Reba McEntire, The Editor by Steven Rowley 

Page 14: Ridiculously early projects we’re irrationally excited about -- Rihanna’s ninth album, The Lovebirds, Watchmen, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Addams Family, The Rhythm Section, Legally Blonde 3, Supermarker Sweep, The Lord of the Rings, The Politician 

Page 16: Cover Story -- BTS 

Page 28: Jordan Peele and a cast of all-stars on The Twilight Zone 

Page 32: 3 rounds with Good Girls -- Retta, Mae Whitman and Christina Hendricks 

Page 39: The Great Hollywood Easter Egg Hunt 

Page 48: Pet Sematary -- Stephen King digs up his own past to reveal the secret history behind his most disturbing book 

Page 52: Daniel Dae Kim 

Page 58: Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams in Fosse/Verdon 

Page 63: Stage Spring Preview 

Page 64: Keri Russell and Adam Driver on Burn This 

Page 66: Beetlejuice 

Page 67: Laurie Metcalf on Hillary and Clinton 

Page 68: Santino Fontana on Tootsie 

Page 70: Be More Chill 

Page 72: Hadestown, Heidi Schreck on What the Constitution Means to Me 

Page 74: The 25th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast 

Page 76: Movies -- Dumbo 

Page 77: Stupid Questions with Zachary Levi 

Page 78: The Chaperone, Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson on The Highwaymen

Page 79: Marsai Martin of Little 

Page 80: The Beach Bum, how Matthew McConaughey can revive his career 

Page 81: Amazing Grace 

Page 82: TV -- Veep 

Page 83: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow has a Bollywood number 

Page 84: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Michelle Gomez, Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon brings her father’s vision to life on Warrior 

Page 85: 3 Questions for Anthony Carrigan of Barry and Gotham 

Page 86: Andrew Rannells has entered a new chapter with the release of his memoir Too Much Is Not Enough and a new series Black Monday 

Page 88: What to Watch 

Page 94: Music -- Meet the 2019 Rock Hall inductees -- The Cure, Roxy Music, Radiohead, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, The Zombies 

Page 95: Lance Bass talks about producing The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story 

Page 96: Sara Bareilles 

Page 97: Ben Platt on his solo singing career, Breaking Big -- Tayla Parx 

Page 98: Books -- Short story collections by Amy Hempel and Bryan Washington 

Page 99: My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

Page 100: New memoirs -- The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T. Kira Madden, The Light Years by Chris Rush

Page 100: Attention, Hollywood -- Rashida Jones and Olivia Wilde would be perfect for the movie based on Lost and Found by Nell Freudenberger 

Page 102: Eggs-Plainer 

Page 104: The Bullseye -- Supernatural 

[calliecat93]

Callie Reviews: TMNT 2012 Season One (Part Three)

(Part One) (Part Two)

Here is where we look at the season as a whole. For this, I will be looking at four things: Animation, Voice Acting, Characters (Heroes, Villains), and Story. I’ll be going more into depths about some stuff I skimmed over here as well. So lets dig in!

Animation

This is the Turtles first CGI show... okay yeah the 2007 movie was CGI, but that was a movie. When I first heard this, I was reluctant as I felt like 2D was becoming more and more of a lost out. But the CGI was really good! Mind you it looks a tad bit dated now as every season they pushed more and more to improve it. But still, it’s very well done. I can’t recall any point where I thought it looked bad or cringy...aside form when they wanted you to cringe anyways. What helps is that the show does add in some 2D elements, There’s the comic-style flashbacks of course, but even past that. They use these anime-like quirks like the sweatdrop, blushing, wide blank eyes when reacting in shock, vein burst when a character is angry, all these tiny little things that give it a more cartoony feel. I can’t recall any other Nickelodeon CGI shows that were doing this prior, so it helped it stand out among the other shows.

Another plus side? The character designs. Aside from a few background characters they re-colored, none of the important characters look the same. Like I know that some don’t like April’s design, but at least they gave her and Karai their own distinct character designs. Then there are the Turtles. Something I don’t like about the upcoming show is how much.. accessorizing they add in to make the Turtles look distinctive. 2k12 kept it very simple. Different heights, eye color, shade of green, and of course body build. For example Donnie, the genius who is mroe invested with machines than training, is both the tallest and most slender. Raph, the strongest, is the most buff and Mikey, the youngest, has larger eyes and freckles to show his child-like nature.And even with Raph,a ll four boys have kind of high school athlete-like builds. Nothing over the top like say... the Michael Bay films. Basically, I can believe that these guys can do the ninja-like agility more than I can with the overly buff, giant versions that have been used.

When ti comes to the mutants, the animators get creative. There are so many unique mutant sin the show. Snakeweed, Spyder Bytez, Dogpound, Fishface, Splinter, Leatherhead, all the mutants have their own unique design that work for them. They also know when to get creepy, like with the mish-mash... thing... from The Alien Agenda. That was disturbing as heck, and it’s not even the creepiest one they come up with! Oh just wait for next season, haha... but yeah, mutant designs are great!

Now the settings are kinda... meh. I mean The Lair is cool, but it’s mostly just either the the Lair, the New York landscape, Shredder’s lair, or an empty warehouse most of the time. It’s nothing really... creative I guess is the right word. We also don’t explore new York much, mainly settling on skyscrapers as the setting. It’s understandable why since New York is the setting, but still it juts gets kind of boring after awhile. But for what it’s worth, they do try to do creative stuff when they can like in Baxter’s Gambit with the black and white screens.

And of course, there is the fight choreography. As I said before, it’s fantastic. All the fights in the series are fluid, well-paced, and fun to watch. If I had to give some examples off the top of my head, there’s New Friend, Old Enemy when the Turtles rise form the water. The mix of black and red is absolutely perfect. There’s the first fight against Shredder in The Gauntlet which despite the boys getting constantly knocked down by Shredder, they give it everything they have. It looks freakin’ badass. Then there is any Splinter fight scene. There’s not many, only about three in this season (It Came From the Depths, I, Monster, The Showdown two-parter) but they are excellent. I said that the Splinter vs Shredder fight was the best and nothing after ever topped it, right?

So yeah, if I was going to rate the animation on a 1-5 scale...

Rating: 4.5

Voice Acting

The series was voice directed by veteran Andrea Romano, so you know that the performances are gonna be solid. As far as casting goes, they got in a LOT of big names both in the voice acting industry and out. There’s of course Greg Cipes (Mikey), Mae Whitman (April), Nolan North (The Kraang), Kevin Michael Richardson (Shredder), Phil Lamar (Stockman), Clancy Brown (Dogpound) and of course Rob Paulsen (Donnie). Rob’s casting was actually a pretty big deal as along with being a veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, he was also the voice of Raph in the original 80′s show. So getting him back even as a different Turtle? Yeah... that’s pretty big!

Then you have more well-known on-screen actors, like Sean Astin (Raph) and Kelly Hu (Karai). Now they both actually have very solid VA-ing careers and still do voice work to this day, but if you’re say... a Lord of the Rings fan and known Sean only for that, this may entice you. The newcomers to voice acting are Jason Biggs (Leo), Christian Lanz (Fishface) and Hoon Lee (Splinter). There’s also guest actors like Jeffrey Combs (The Rat King) and Roseanne Barr (Kraang Prime), so a solid mix of professional voice actors and a few newcomers. The result?

The voice acting is fantastic. Like even as the show goes on and you see more and more mixed reception, the acting is NEVER one of the things you see go down. If anything, it is one aspect that continues to improve episode by episode. All four Turtle actors do an amazing job conveying their characters, able to go from comedic to dramatic in a split second. I’d say that out of everyone, Hoon Lee impressed me the most since he’s the only one aside from Biggs (and... e’ll talk more about him next season) I hadn’t heard of. And he gave a very solid performance. Everyone did. Even for just minor characters like Pulverizer (Roger Craig Smith... yes Pulverizer is Sonic the Hedgehog) or some of the villains like Snake (Danny Jacob who voices King Julian outside the Madacgascar films) or Spyder Byte (Lewis Black), they convey their characters perfectly. Like Black’s character is a rude slob you want to punch, and he does such a great job in making you feel that way!

So yeah, you got a strong cast, a veteran voice director, and a crazy group of characters for them to voice. All of them nail it. And just wait, this is only the S1 cast. Wait until you see who they bring in for future seasons!

Rating: 5

Characters

As I said in Part One, this is the best part of the show. I know a lot of people who fell off TMNT as it went on, but still kept interest because of the characters. To me, this is always the most important part of storytelling. Yes having a good story itself is important, but a good story will be nothing without likeable characters to move it. A cliched story may be annoying, but if the characters are likeable and strongly written, people are usually more forgiving because they care about the cast. This show is no different. To this day, the thing that kept me attracted to the show was the Turtles, April, and Splinter and what they’d get into next. All of them have strong personalities that get you to care about them, or at least see where they’re coming from. I could gush about each of them one by one... so on we go!

Lets start with Mikey because he is the least developed this season... and most of the show sadly. I’d even say that his focus episodes dropped massively in quality after this season as he was forced mroe and mroe into the comedy relief/designated victim/little brother role. It’s a shame too because this season did an excellent job in balancing out both the comedy relief and the more innocent side of the character. Mikey is the most naive of the brothers and the least serious among them. It’s not to say that he can’t take situations seriously, it’s just that he’s more easy-going and fun-seeking than the other three. His biggest problem is his inability to focus and goof around, which has caused several instances of accidentally setting off alarms. 

While not the best of the four, Mikey is a talented ninja and the best at going off just raw talent. He doesn’t think through fighting moves, he can just go with the flow and be perfectly fine. His strongest skill hpwever is his empathy and desire to make friends. While this has backfired on him before, like in New Friend, Old Enemy, where Bradford used and then kidnapped him for a trap, Mikey is incredibly non-judgemental and open-minded. It’s why he could befriend Leatherhead so easily in It Came From the Depths. He saw that the Kraang were attacking him and decided to simply talk to him like he would anyone else, even pointing out that maybe LH only acts like a monster because that’s how he was treated for so long. Mikey may not be book smart, but he’s very emotionally smart. As I said, Mikey’s character sadly devolves into annoying comedy relief as it goes, but for this season he had a strong start. No meaningful development aside form slow progression on paying attention (Parasitica being the final payoff... also if you’re afraid of wasps then avoid that one), but his character is strong enough to carry him through.

Raph is the brawler of the group and the quickest to anger. Hie’s the strongest fighter and incredibly confident... unless he has to deal with bugs. His biggest flaws are his both his anger and his jealous towards Leo. The first half of the season has Raph frequently back-talks and argue with Leo all because he got made the leader over him. For example, in Never Say Xever he is unhappy with Leo using mercy because bad guys don’t deserve it. Leo does eventually use the more Raph-like approach when kidnapping Bradford... and it fails miserably. What saves them? Leo’s act of mercy causing the Purple Dragon to repay the favor sand saving their shells. While he does slowly get a better grip on his temper once Splinter tells him of how dangerous it can be (Turtle Temper), it takes until New Girl in Town for him to overcome his jealousy once and for all. It’s very well done too by having Leo finally get fed up and give Raph what he wanted. Ultimately Raph can’t handle the pressure once things get rough and comes to understand both what Leo deals with essentially every day and how his own actions made it worst.

After that, Raph becomes the perfect example of a follower. While he’s still question Leo, he has good reasons for it, like everything involving Karai for instance. But he actively looks out for him more and stops mocking him outside just brotherly messing around. And even during that point, while Raph could be an insensitive jerk, he does love his family and will make amends when he goes too far. When he mocked Mikey wanting friends in New Friend, Old Enemy, at the end he comforted him after the fallout with Bradford and assured him that he’s a good person. When he mocked Donnie’s crush in Operation: Break-Out and led to Donnie going on a mission solo, Raph was worried about him, realized that he way too harsh, and tried to make amends by giving Donnie all the credit once back home. While Raph doesn’t conquer his temper completely, over the season he does get a better grip on it, can admit when he goes to far, became overall nicer, and by the end is a much better person. It was good stuff!

Donnie is probably the most... divisive of the four. Not because he’s badly written per say. He’s intelligent, but also high-strung and prone to stress. He’s not a bad ninja, but because of his focus on machinery, he’s the least skilled. The two episodes that focus on this are Metalhead and Monkey Brains. Metalhead has an admittedly meh plot where he gets sick of his bo staff and therefore creates the robot Metalhead to act as his weapon. The ‘meh’ plot is IDT it addresses the message of ‘the weapon doesn't make you a good fighter, you do’ very well, ut still Monkey Brains does a much better job, demonstrating Donnie’s tendency to over-think everything and how that is detrimental in a fight. By the climax, he’s able to get himself to rely on his instincts against a mind-reading villain (we’ll get to him later) and kick his ass.

Then there’s The Pulverizer episodes, which are the most interesting but sadly don’t go anywhere after this season. It has Donnie accept Pulverizer as an apprentice of sort, mainly so the kid can have some form of self-defense if he’s going to put himself into danger. It’s ultimately ineffective, but mainly because of Pulverizer wanting to rush and not listening properly. The most important part though is Splinter telling Donnie that by doing this, anything that happens involving him after will be his responsibility. Which we see in The Pulverizer Returns where Pulverizer decides ot let the Foot mutate him to gain awesome mutant powers. Donnie tries to save him, but sadly he fails and Pulverier.. it’s not pretty. While Donnie does still save him after, he’s left with the guilt of ultimately failing his student. I’ll go into mroe about how horribly the writers wasted this next season, but here? It was interesting to give Donnie this plot since you’d expect t to go to say... Leo. I think it really worked for what it was worth and let us see a side of Donnie outside just being the smart one.

So with that said, why is he divisive? Well... it’s because another major part of his character is his crush on April. He doe snot... manage it well, to say the least. He is rather, well... stupid and kinda creepy with it. But I do want to point this out. Yes, it is annoying but I think there’s a good reason for it: he’s an awkward teenager. Yeah him asking her to feel his goosebumps (Metalhead), accidentally calling her ‘his April (The Gauntlet), accidentally saying awkward things when she acknowledges him (pick any episode) are incredibly facepalm worthy at best. And yeah, they should have done better setup than have him just find her pretty when seeing her once. However he does genuinely care about her and int he premiere, he was driven more because he saw an innocent girl scared and was unable to help than his newfound crush. The feelings are genuine and Donnie being awkward about is because... well, Donnie is awkward in general and he does slowly improve. Honestly I’ll have mroe to discuss about this next season cause haha... boy is THAT a clusterfuck. But ultimately while Donnie can be annoying, overall it’s pretty bearable and he has plenty of positive traits to balance it out.

Finally, we get Leo. He’s the group leader, but unlike the past series where he pretty much grew up with that role, here he gets the role halfway through the first episode. He starts as a goody-two-shoes with a mischievous side who had a very basic view of leadership. He see sit as a position of authority, greatness, and unstoppable. That’s not to say that he doesn’t take the role seriously, he does. He devises plans, does his best to keep his brothers focused, and frequently asks Splinter for advice on how to best do things. But he also frequently uses cheesy one-liners and does his best to be as over the top with his heroics as possible, thinking it’s cool when it isn’t. It gives Leo a more naive feel to him, someone who is serious but also is still a teenaged kid who has a lot of learning to do.

The pressures of leadership are Leo’s primary focus as a character. While he has some doubts, the biggest blow to his confident comes in The Gauntlet after there massive defeat against Shredder. The following episode has him unsure of if he can properly lead the team and feeling guilty when things go wrong. But the ultimate meltdown comes in New Girl in Town where Raph finally pushes him too hard and he quits. He’s realized at this point that leadership is not like it is on TV. it’s unforgiving, stressful, and you’re gonna be the one facing the consequences when things go wrong. His difficulty dealing with this is what attracts him to Karai. She’s fun, does whatever she wants, and doesn’t care about the rules. She offers him a form of freedom that he hasn’t had before. It’s why he tries to get her to change sides, he doesn’t want her to be an enemy. Unfortunately things end badly between them this season, but you can see where Leo is coming form no matter how naive he was about it.

Leo evolved a lot over the season. He went from a naive teenager who quoted old TV episodes to a serious, determined leader who was willing to do whatever it took to get his team through. He never quit being optimistic and he does still have his stress with leadership later down the road. But the season is about him easing not the role an understanding the weight of that role. It’s very easy to feel bad for Leo because he tries incredibly hard, but he doesn’t receive a lot of gratitude or payoff, and he just has to accept that. By the finale, he’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure both success and his family's safety... something that becomes a bit of an issue in later seasons (looking at you Space Arc). I’d say that because we got to see Leo actually having to come to terms with the role, it makes this imo the best version of the character. We actually have to see him accept the role and how he hate show it limits his free time, something IDT the past versions really did. And all while having this dorky, idealistic side that keeps him likable and all the mroe relateable. Overall, I’d say that the leader in blue was handeled very well here!

April is my favorite character in the show, but her writing this season has some issues. Now as a character herself, she’s perfectly fine. She’s an independent sixteen year old and incredibly proactive. Whenever she finds info on the Kraang or about her dad, she looks into it. When everyone is ready to quit in Panic in the Sewers, she’s the only one who actively tries to do something and get everyone else to not give up. When Splinter offers to train her, she accepts it and we see bits and pieces of her progressing. But it’s done realistically as demonstrated in Karai’s Vendetta where it’s very clear that April is nowhere near her level. But it also demonstrates her determination and how she never gives up, getting back up after every blow and at east trying to put up a fight. While she’s forced to sit most things out and does on occasion get kidnapped, she still tries to be an asset and does very well as an intel gatherer. She’s also incredibly stubborn and can get in over her head without thinking things through, like in Metalhead and the finale episodes. But ultimately her proactiveness and need to take action are her strongest traits and what makes her a useful ally.

The issues with April are in the writing of the plot. I already mentioned how the early episodes could have done mroe in having her ease into the group. There’s also after Karai’s Vendetta where despite living with the guys, we don’t see her until the penultimate episode. We see her express hating it in that episode, but we don’t get to explore the fallout of her losing her normal life. In fact we...d on’t see April’s life outside Turtle stuff until next season, and even then not by much. Now of course the show is about the Turtles and you gotta keep the focus on them, but still we get a bunch of ‘show, don’t tell’ problems with April. We’re told things like she’s living with her aunt, but we never see them interact. Hell, IDT April’s aunt is ever mentioned outside the pilot. We also find out that April is the Kraang’s target... and we never see how she feels about it. If she’s scared, if she’s worried. We can assume that she has some stress about it, as indicated when she vents in Karai’s Vendetta, but little to no showcase of how she feels about it. Mind you we don’t with the Turtles either, but still. Still, overall April is a solid character imo.

That brings us to Master Splinter, the best written character by far. Splinter is the perfect balance of a mentor and a father. He’s firm, strict, and not afraid to dish out punishment when it’s necessary. But he’s also gentle, patient, knows how to give his sons proper guidance, and when to let them figure things out for themselves. He’s also snarky as Hell, so it’s good that he has a sense of humor. He’s also a flawed person. He lost his wife and daughter because of hat is essentially a sibling rivalry that went WAAAY too far and his own inability to control himself worsened things. He lost his family and then his humanity, ending his life as Hamato Yoshi. Since then, he’s hidden int he sewers and tried to focus his energy on raising and protecting his sons. It makes letting them go topside difficult, as it is for any parent whose children are growing up. He can make mistakes, like letting his fear control him and press his sons far too hard in Panic in the Sewers, but he can admit those mistakes.

Splintr’s largest plot in the season, outside mentoring the boys and April, is accepting his mutant status and overcoming his fears. Many epsiodes such as the premiere, Turtle Temper, Monkey Brains, Panic in the Sewers and the finale show how much pain the rat master carries and while he’s move don to a new life, it still haunts him. The episode that best displays this however is a filler episode called I, Monster. In it we get this version of the Rat King, the mind reading villain from Monkey Brains, who uses his power to swarm New York. When he senses Splinter, he proceeds to try and brainwash him too. The episode does an amazing job at showcasing all of Splinter’s fears. The boys outgrowing him, his past tragedies, ending up alone, and the Rat King slowly uses all of it to break him down. Splinter fights back, but the thought of the boys moving on without him is ultimately what defeats him until the boys remind him of who he is. He is Hamato Yoshi, Master Splinter, but most of all their father. They need him and always will. Which lets Splinter overcome the mind control and essentially Airbend Rat King through a wall. It was awesome~

Despite that episode being filler, it’s one of the season's best. It is a strong character exploration piece about a father who has gone through Hell and is faced with the fear of his kids not needing him. It is very relatable and makes Splinter all the mroe sympathetic. And we see Splinter truly embody who he is now when faced with the Shredder again and upon learning that his daughter had survived. He went into full rat mode and gave Shredder the beating that we all wanted. And the season ends on a perfect lead in for the next one. Splinter now knows that Karai is his daughter while she was raised to hate him. It’s any parent’s worst nightmare. He now has to deal with that revelation as well as how he’s going to break it to his students. Splinter has some solid growth int he season, something that a lot of mentor figures in cartoons don’t get, and it’s done perfectly. He has his flaws, but is still a strong father figure to his sons. Add that to Hoon Lee’s absolute perfect performance and you have what is in my opinion the best incarnation of Master Splinter in any TMNT series.

While the main cast is strong, the supporting cast and villains are... not so much. There isn’t really a supporting cast honestly. The best we have is Leatherhead, who is awesome. He’s a damaged character. One treated like a monster and tortured for who knows how long. It left him damaged and prone to trauma-induced outbursts. But he is a good person who knows that what happened to him was wrong and can be quite sweet when given the chance. He didn’t have to save humanity, especially since most would scream and run if they saw him, but he didn’t want anyone else to endure what he did. It’s best exemplified with his sacrifice in TCRI, going back to Dimension X and knowing fully well what’ll await him there. But he does so to save his friends and give them the chance to save the Earth. LH is freakin’ badass and I love him!

The villains though are... kinda boring. Most of the mutants, while the designs are cool, are incredibly one-note. Not all of them, like the Rat King is so dramatic and twisted and his VA does such a great job with the delivery that you both love him and want to strangle him. But others like Snakeweed or Spyder Bytez are just... well, evil for the heck of it. The Kraang are the worst though since at least the mutants are only in like one or two episodes. The Kraang are annoying as HELL. They can be dangerous but the redundant speech pattern and all fo them having essentially the same personality (aka none) is so... boring. Min you in Season 4 we kind of get an explanation to why, but it doesn't change how grating they can get. That being said in large groups they can be dangerous and with things like the Technodrome, they’re not to be taken lightly. Still, GAH I HATE THEM!!!

The Foot are somewhat better. Stockman is pathetic and remains pathetic throughout the entire series. Bradford is a pompous asshole. Xever is a little more interesting in that he kidn of was forced to work for Shredder or go to jail... but sadly after that reveal, he reverts to typical henchman status sadly. Shredder is the Big Bad and a no-nonsense leader. He has no empathy and is more than willing to inflict physical violence on his troops if they fail him. He even threatens to harm Karai, his daughter (kinda...) if she questions him. He is a very single minded perosn, his only goal beign to kill Splinter and his students by any means necessary. Hell. he only starts caring about the Kraang when he realizes that they can advance his goal, but has zero issues letting humanity fall to them. Oh, and there’s his glee when Karai tries to kill Splinter. WOrst? THis isn’t even the worst that he does int he show. Oh just wait for next season. JUST WAIT. Otherwise though, while a powerful fighter, he just mopes in his throne for most of the season, but Richardson’s badass voice acting was nice to hear.

The most interesting villain by far is Karai, and Thank God for it. While Leo is a good-good, Karai is a bad girl. She’s laid-back, does what she wants her way, and doesn’t play by the rules. She’s introduced as a competent fighter, but unlike the other Foot she’s more interesting in talking to the Turtles than killing them. I think she did become genuinely fond of Leo, but ultimately she’s going to be loyal to what she thinks is her family. She also started off realizing that there were bugger problems, like the Kraang, that required more attention over the vendetta until the Turtles betrayed her. Then she pretty much went ‘screw it’ and decided to go with the vendetta, which only got worst when she met Splinter for the first time. Still, ti was nice to have someone actually question Shredder and try to be sensible. She’s definite the most well-written of the villains, and the revelation about her being Splinter’s daughter means that there is MUCH more to come for her. Like I said, just wait for Season 2!

Okay, this section was a LOOOT longer than I thought. So I’ll just finish by saying that the villains aren't all that interesting, but the main characters are very well written. They have strong personalities, plenty of room for growth, and their interactions always gel really well. Very well done!

Rating: 4.5

Story

The main plot threads are the Turtles against the Foot, and the Turtles feud against the Kraang. All with some subplots, like Pulverizer and the mutant of the week stuff, and filler episodes thrown in. I say that the plots are handled very well. For example well go with... say two or three Kraang-centric episodes. Then we may or may not get a filler episode before shifting over to the Foot Clan for awhile. It never felt like we got smothered with one faction over the other, which is good. The plots also slowly intertwined and it felt like they came together at just the right time during the last six or so episodes. Hence hwy the finale worked so well, giving some kind of payoff on both ends.

Many of the episodes were very basic and outright bizarre. Like Cockroach Terminator having a mutant cockroach tr to murder Raph... it’s kinda gross, but entertaining! Every episode normally has at least something small that’ll carry over as the story goes along. For example, Donnie built Metalhead in... well, Metalhead and brought him back in the finale, plus it helped him learn mroe about Kraang tech. In Baxter’s Gambit, April finally gets her own weapon and she attempts to use it in Karai’s Vendetta. The episodes all play a part, even if just minor, in the larger narrative and I feel some of the later seasons kind of slacked on that. This season had a perfect balance.

That’s not to say that it was perfect. Like at the end of TCRI, we find out that April is the Kraang’s true target which makes us wonder why... and the next episode is about Raph’s fear of bugs! So TCRI was episode 17, we don’t even mention this fact again until Karai’s Vendetta, which is episode 21. Five episodes later, and even then we get one tiny hint (April doesn't get damaged by mutagen-laced water) and... that’s it. The.show has a bit of an issue with not exploring fallout, which is weird because Panic in the Sewers did and id it excellently. Maybe it’s because they have to make episodes to sell toys, IDK. It doesn't do too much damage, but it makes it feel like they both wasted character opportunities and like there’s something missing. But at the very least the episodes remain entertaining, so there’s that.

Rating: 4

Final Thoughts

You know what I like about this series and why I ran it above the other ones? Well it does something that I feel that the previous incarnations lacked: The Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles felt like teenagers. They felt like a bunch of kids truly entering the world for the first time. They screw up, they have problems to overcome, and they don’t always learn it immideatly. Like their cockiness is a frequent pain in the shell for example. But the reason that I like pretty much all of the episodes aside form Episode 11 is because it feels like we’re watching a group of kids truly starting to grow up and learn about how rough life can be. How they have to change, how they have to fix their mistakes, and just become better people. As a nineteen year old who was just staring to figure my life out, when I started the show, that drew me in. I related to these characters so much. I felt like I was growing with them and coming to understand who I was due to it.

It felt really nostalgic to go back over this season. Imo, it still holds up big time. It’s funny, action-heavy, well animated, and the characters are just as enjoyable as I remember. Would I call this the best season? Hmm... maybe. I still have three more to look over. But it was a really fun ride and it got TMNT 2012 off on the right track. Can they stay on it during Season 2? Come back next week, and we shall see!

[suckitsurveys]

been a minute.

What was the last thing you ordered online? A mermaid balloon for my niece’s 5th birthday.

Are you happy with your relationship with God, or do you want more from it? I can’t have a relationship with something that I don’t believe in.

Do you have unanswered questions? Of course.

Do you struggle with boredom? Eh.

Is your spirit made for adventure? Yeah but my wallet isn’t.

What famous person do you wish you could be friends with? Aubrey Plaza. Will Arnett. Aaron Paul. Pau Rudd. Alia Shawkat. Mae Whitman. Tina Fey. Lorde.

What would you do if you were famous? My best?

Do you wish you hair were shorter or longer? It’s a pretty good length for me. I’d maybe let it grow a teeny bit longer and then keep it that length from now on.

Do you own colored jeggings or skinny jeans? No. I wish.

What’s your favorite color for pants? Black or god ol’ denim.

Is your stomach rumbling? Nope.

Are you wearing pajamas right now? I am wearing a shirt I usually sleep in but I don’t have any other clean clothes oops.

What photo editing website or software do you use? I use an app called photogrid if I need to edit a pic real quick.

What helps you calm down when you are feeling angry or stressed? Food.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a counselor? Nope.

…with a pastor? No.

…with a teacher? Yeah.

…with a police officer? Eh. Not personally but in general.

…with a store manager? Nope.

…with a restaurant manager? Nope.

Do you have an idea for a story stirring inside your head? Nah.

Do you daydream a lot? Eh.

Have you changed much in the last ten years? Of course.

Do you expect your life to be drastically different ten years from now? I wouldn’t say DRASTICALLY, but there will definite be changes.

Do you feel like your dreams are within your reach, or do you feel trapped? They can be in reach, I just have to start planning for them.

Do you want to be a fairy? No.

Have you ever told someone that you were an alien? No.

What superpower do you wish you had? Teleportation or flying.

Have you had any of your clothes for ten years or more? Yes.

Are you thankful for the medical industry? Yes?

Are you more for natural drugs or medical ones? Eh. Either.

Do you think smoking medical marijuana is ok/should be allowed? YES.

Do you think churches should do more to help the lost and lonely? Yeah. If you’re gunna preach about it idk maybe DO IT?

Have you ever been rejected by a church? I haven’t tried to get into one.

Have you ever smoked pot? Yes.

Do you think practicing Christianity should be legal? ......I’m pretty sure it is legal????? Like??? Anyone can practice whatever religion they want???

Do you think doctors should be able to prescribe vitamins? You can just buy them OTC. My doctor “prescribed” Vitamin B to me. As in, he told me to buy them and take them.

Do you think for yourself? Yeah, with some influences from the world/society/family/friends.

Have you ever stood alone in your opinions/beliefs? I work with primarily old white male sexist/homophobic/racist Trump supporters. So yeah. Even the only other girl who works with me falls in most of those categories.

[sapphicscholar]

hi so I didn't know who to ask but in my psych class we're learning about adolescent psychology, & there was this unit on developing interest in relationships. It went way into detail on how the brain changes during that time, which was interesting, but ofc my gay ass couldn't relate. at the end all it said was 'it's different for homosexuals.' I guess I'm wondering if you know of any way to learn about psychology relating to LGBT people? srsly im thirsty for anything in academia I can relate to

(same psych anon) that was a pretty specific question so I guess like do you have any info or know of any links/ websites/places to learn about lgbt history and lives and stuff like that in an academic way? bc I love school & learning but I’ve always wanted to learn more about myself and people like me, but they never teach that in schools.

Oh my gosh SO MANY THINGS! Okay, so, the psych stuff is pretty outside of my knowledge but I asked my gf (she does the science in this relationship while my gay ass just reads a whole lot of books), and she recommends Helen Fisher and looking at the researchers at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality or the Kinsey Institute, as well as The Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies (it’s an online resource a lot of universities subscribe to). But I’d also say that as far as thinking about developmental narratives, LGBTQ memoirs are a great place to start, especially since so many of them go through their own experiences of having to confront this heteronormative, cis-centric narrative that just doesn’t fit them and their lives. 

So some good queer history authors are: John D’Emilio (comprehensive, if a bit male-centric), Lillian Faderman (writing all about lesbian history, including more recent history; very well-respected; she’s got some issues in her scholarship that by no means discount it as a whole, but I’m happy to talk more about if you want), Michael Bronski (his Queer History of the United States is really accessible), George Chauncey (it’s just of NYC, but still fun), Estelle B. Freedman, Foucault (though it’s not quite “history,” it’s a kind of history meets theory of regimes of power and how sexuality got tied up in that), Martha Vicinus (I adore her), Valerie Traub (goes all the way back to the early modern period), and so many others who really focus more on niche history, so I won’t list them here. There are some web resources, but I know a lot of them are databases that are subscription-based. I’ll see what I can’t dig up in the next couple of days as far as free websites. I know they exist; it’s just a matter of having the time to look…

Okay, you didn’t specifically say you were interested in literature but bc I taught literature and think it’s a great way to learn about the history of a group, I’m gonna list some anyway and you can feel free to disregard!

Patricia Highsmith, The Price of Salt (or Carol, depends on the year it was printed) – you can also check out the movie! I find the two to be complementary (the book gives you Therese’s POV almost exclusively, whereas the movie shows much more of Carol’s story) 

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home is her graphic novel/memoir that’s really excellent, but the comic strip that sort of launched her as a public persona (at least within the lesbian community) was Dykes to Watch Out For, quite a bit of which is available for free online

Henry James, The Bostonians – one of the first recognizable depictions of a queer female character in literature (not really…I’d trouble that as a professor, but that’s how it gets taught in general, and it was one of the first books where even contemporary reviewers were quick to note that there was something “wrong” or “morbid,” which was 19th C. code for what would come to be understood as lesbian sexuality, about Olive Chancellor) – free online, though it’s James at his most….Jamesian, which means it’s not that accessible

The poetry of Emily Dickinson! It’s all free online. There’s a ton of it, though much of it isn’t obviously queer

James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room – gets into bisexual identity in a way a lot of works don’t do; on the sadder side…fair warning 

Virginia Woolf! Especially Orlando or Mrs. Dalloway – the former has been called “the longest and most charming love-letter in literature” (to Woolf’s longtime friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West) and deals with the fluidity of gender and time; the latter has quite a few flashbacks to the brief childhood romance of the protagonist and her friend. Both of them are great, but Woolf, as a modernist, can have a writing style that’s difficult to get into at first (for instance, time really isn’t stable or linear, which is something I adore about her, but definitely takes some getting used to). They’re both available free online through Project Gutenberg

Radclyffe Hall, The Well of Loneliness – it’s a classic, in the sense that it’s one of those books people sort of expect you to have read if you do lesbian literature. It’s certainly an interesting story and told well, but it’s not even close to a happy ending and is rather conciliatory to prevailing norms (though even still it was taken to the courts under the  obscenity laws) - free online, though!

Sarah Waters – a contemporary novelist who writes almost all historical fiction about queer women! Some of her stories are better known (e.g. Tipping the Velvet), but they’re pretty much all great. Varying degrees of angst, but definitely an accessible read

Maggie Nelson, The Argonauts – sort of experimental in form (it’s fiction with footnotes!); it deals with a lesbian woman coming to terms with her partner’s transition and her own identity during the process 

E.M. Forster, Maurice – even though it was first drafted in the 1910s, Forster edited it throughout his life, and, given the subject matter, which was also autobiographical, and the prevailing attitudes at the time, the book was only published posthumously in the 70s

Colette’s Claudine series – it’s long (multi-volume) but sort of a classic – they’re all old enough to be free online, though the English translation is harder to come by 

Eileen Myles – lesbian poet and novelist – I’d recommend Inferno but some of her poetry is free online 

Rita Mae Brown – Rubyfruit Jungle and Oranges Are not the Only Fruit are both quite good, though, especially the latter deals with religiously-motivated homophobia, so I know at least my girlfriend, who dealt with a lot of that from her family, opted not to read it for her own mental health. 

Tony Kushner, Angels in America – this two-part play deals with the AIDS crisis in America – it’s been turned into a TV miniseries, a Broadway play, and a movie, some of which are available online

Really anything by David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs – both are gay authors who deal a lot with short stories (a ton of memoir/autobiographical stuff) – the former is a bit funnier, but they both have enough sarcasm and dry wit even in dark situations to make them fast reads 

Alan Ginsburg’s poetry 

Walt Whitman’s poetry (though it can be really fucking racist) 

Binyavanga Wainaina, One Day I Will Write About This Place – does deal with issues of sexual abuse as a warning 

Anything by Amber Hollibaugh (she writes a lot about class and butch/femme dynamics – quite a bit of her stuff has been scanned and uploaded online) 

Michelle Tea – was a slam poet; recovering alcoholic; fantastically funny and talented author and delightful human being if you ever get the chance to meet her or go to one of her readings

Randy Shilts, And the Band Played On – more a work of investigative journalism than anything, the work is a stunning indictment of the indifference of the US government during some of the worst years of the AIDS crisis, but it also provides a good bit of gay history 

Terry Galloway Mean Little Deaf Queer – deals with one woman’s experience of losing her hearing and navigating the world and the Deaf and deaf communities as a once-hearing person – she’s sort of acerbic and always funny;

Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex – grapples with intersex identity in a way that’s still far too rare in literature 

Theodore Winthrop, Cecil Dreem – just rediscovered about two years ago, this is one of the few pretty happy gay novels from the nineteenth century! Free online!

Leslie Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues – pretty clear from the title, but deals with a butch character’s struggles with gender identity (takes T to pass for a while, but then gets alienated from the lesbian community; eventually stops taking T, but still struggles with what that means for her) – Feinberg’s wife made it free online for everyone after Feinberg’s death (the book had a limited print run, which made finding copies both hard and expensive) 

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy – trilogy later adapted for film about an effeminate gay man (who also performs as a drag queen) and his life and family   

Oscar Wilde – his novels aren’t explicitly gay, but they often dance around it thematically, at least; his heartbreaking letter, De Profundis, which he wrote to his lover while imprisoned for “gross indecency,” is available online 

Anything by Dorothy Alison 

Audre Lorde, Zami: A New Spelling of My Name - great as a memoir and a cultural history  

There’s so many more but this is so my jam I suspect I’ve already rambled too long

If you’re interested in film, here are a few: 

Paris Is Burning (a film about drag ball culture in NYC) 

Fire – Deepa Mehta (it’s on YouTube in the US) 

Boys Don’t Cry – there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia in the film, so it’s definitely one you’ll want to be in the right mindset to watch (I, for one, have only watched it once) 

But I’m a Cheerleader – over-the-top mockumentary-esque film that satirizes conversion therapy and the Christian “documentaries” that claimed to showcase their successes (RuPaul is in it as well) 

Desert Hearts – one of the earliest films to leave open the possibility of a happy ending for the lesbian couple 

Hedwig and the Angry Itch – deals with gender identity and feelings of not belonging (also a fabulous musical) 

Philadelphia – about one man’s experience of discrimination while dying of AIDS 

There are plenty of lighter films, but I figure these tend to also talk more seriously about some issues as well

I don’t know if anyone but me made it to the end of this post, but there’s also so much fun queer theory out there that I won’t get into here, but I’m always up for giving more recommendations!

[panizhe]

My thoughts about the when the world's collide

Oh my gosh I absoulotly love this two eps !!!! We see mona and Sal commander again yay !!!🤓 Lol I can’t stop laughing at that monas face !😂 Utroms are so kind they helped the poor guy ….☺ Dang newtrolizer!!!!😤 Awwww….poor Raph he misses mona but he won’t admit it  ….😔 Donnie and april are just so cute , girl admit it you love Donnie is so obvious….😉 My OTP!!!! I always imagined that Leo and karai train togather in the dojo and it finally happened!!! Thanks tmnt crew!!!🙏 Wow karai said she likes Leo !!! Am I dreaming ??? Is this heaven wha…..😇 That smile of Leo you dork😍 Is that renet ??? I love her hair so much !!!😍 But what about shini???😔 Mikey just gathered all the hot girls around him self!!He has the best taste in girls among all the turts !!!😏 Raph actually plays so good with drums !! Nice !! Holy space apples!!! Awww he is so happy Demotion x !!! Yaaaaay Romana!!!😍 Leorai is pure gold !!! 😍Just look at this two dorks😍😍😍 karai said the exact same thing that Leo did before lol 😂Leo looks at karai at put his arms like her  Lol karai founds out that she has a hot for Leo as well😏 Monas blushing 😍😍😍 I can’t stop laughing at them lol 😂 okay we get it you guys are so in peace 😂✋ And…..newtrolizer ruins everything…😐 Raph and Mona again 😍 Lord dreg attacked them ???😐 Nooooo Mikey!!!!! Oh yeah and Sal commander sorry 😅 We are friends….yo (my stomach hurts 😂😂😂) Newtrolizer again 😑 Karai climb down at the wall like a boss 😎 I never get tired of watching these two togather 😍😍😍 Leeeeeo!!!🤓 She loves him is confirmed 😋 April being badass 😎 Relax have a drink!!! Love that line!!! Yeah Mona please stay on earth 🙏 Good timing bishop !!! Poor karai she doesn’t know a thing about this places lol 😂 I thought that april gonna be jealous that Donnie and utrom Irma working together…😆 Somebody stops this guy he is everywhere😲 Waterbender april !!! Mae Whitman loves voicing character’s that have cool powers!!    Nooo Mikey my baby😢 Everything is missed up and Lord dreg attackes great timing!!!!😐✋ Karai screams for Leo love love love love 😍 And Sal commander is gone too… I never really liked you bishop so if you talk to my woman like that again Iam gonna….(I love Raph so much 😍) Well said my girl 😘 Leo being badass as always 😍😍😍 Raphs plan lol 😂 Jeez april mona was just supporting of him😕 no need to bring up Mikey 😒in fact mikeys plans are very good sometimes 😊 Mona and karai being badass togather 😍 Yayyyy Mikey is back 😄😄😄 And he has some cool electric powers !!!!! 😍😍😍😍 Donnie tells karai to be careful is my favourite moment❤ (siblings time😍) April screams for donnie😍😍😍 Chompy you are so cute😍 Again jeez april give mona some break 😑 Love karai lines so much😍 Yayyyyy turtle mech returns to the action ! 🤓 Mikey is just so awesome !😍 Weak is your face rocka rocka looooool😂😂😂😂 Karai and april (friendly moments 😍) Mikey is sacrificing himself my poor baby😢 Leo and karaiiiiiii😍😍😍😍 April and Donnie!!!😍😍😍😍 Seriously my shipper heart can’t take it anymore😍 Mikey is back !!!you were awesome in this episode  😍 Awwww don’t get his powers man !😐 Leo and karai love parties lol😂 Yeeeees mona is staying on earth with the mighty mutanimals!!! So that means she gonna stay with karai and shini too !!!!😲😲😲😲😲 Lol Mikey takes Leo hands to cover his eyes😂 april fangirling😍 and Donnie is like 😕 and karai is like Iam done with you sh*t guys 😂 Thanks for reading all of this !😅 I apologize for my bad English 😆 I hope you enjoyed it ❤

[vivalatoons]

"When Worlds Collide" Review

We’re back from a long hiatus with a 1 hour special, When Worlds Collide. The Turtles would expect a special visit from old allies and enemies. Raphael has been in a funk, missing Mona Lisa. I told him it’ll be ok and just wait. 

Spoilers 

Part 1  

Aww, it’s Sal and Mona; miss them

Look at Mona’s face, OH MY GOD STOP IT! 

I watch TMNT with my grandmom, she asked me “When did we get a new theme song?”; smh, ok moving on 

Awww, it’s the homeless dude and he has a teddy bear 

Ok, this is the second time where Space Heroes is playing and I don’t see Leonardo; WHERE’S MY FANBOY AT?!?! 

The shippers get a moment of their ships doing something; this is for all the Apritello, Leorai, and Miket shippers 

Aye, Raphael on the drums 

“Who needs love? Not this guy. I’m a lone wolf, a rebel, a loner.” Mona Lisa should be calling in 3, 2, 1 

Chompy’s happy for his dada  

The Utom High Council, YES  

Haha, oh I missed Pawn so much 

My Ramona heart is busting with joy, AHH SHE’S HERE AWWW, THEY’RE HUGGING 

“He’s got weird taste.” Says the guy who likes his father’s daughter 

My mom walked in and said “Who is that salamandor? Is that Fozzie?” 

“Chilled? You mean the ice planet where we met?” Ha, I love Mona Lisa 

Newtralizer is getting high on electricity 

“But there’s so much for you here.” Aka “I don’t have to be the lone Turtle and I love you.” 

Aww, Rook and Don are doing science stuff 

QUEEN! ROOK! PAWN! NOO!! 

April O'Neil is a waterbender, it’s canon. Mae Whitman voices Katara from ATLA, I’m counting it as a reference 

MICHELANGELO! NO! Mikey vanishing was like when Donnie was destroyed by April but, this is 1000 times worst  

Leo and Donnie are shocked; Raphael is more devastated and upset, he loves his little brother and he’s gone 

You should have seen the look on my face when Raphael said Booyakasha 

Lord Dregg is back 

In part 2, the Turtles have to deal with the Newtralizer and Lord Dregg. Michelangelo was Static Shock today, and what he did made me proud. 

Part 2 

I love how citizens didn’t notice the explosions or electricity going in or out; now that this giant bugship is here, everyone is in full panic mood 

Love the shot of Sal and Mona 

OLD LADY NO!!! 

Ok, who’s watching a monster movie when you’re living in one right now? 

“So if you talk to my woman…” Hold up, he did not just 

“I can take care of myself, Raphael, thank you.” You tell him, Mona 

Haha, Raph’s plan isn’t bad, but it’s a bit impossible 

Too soon, April, too soon 

MIKEY!! HE’S BACK!! My electric Turtle is back  

“Like anything we ever do is easy.” We’ve spent 5 seasons of stopping the most impossible things in the world, it’s never going to be easy

THE TURTLE MECH IS BACK!!!! 

KFC reference 

Rip to the Turtle Mech. Leo never even been on the Mech 

“You’re alive.” Donnie, you seen him before 

“It’s like an incest rave party.” Accurate

Mikey self sacrificing himself for the team 

Awww, why do they have to take away his powers? He was so cool 

“I request permission to stay on Earth.” Aka “I want to stay and be with my boyfriend.” 

Awww, I think Sal sees Mona as his own daughter 

AWWWWW, MY HEART RAMOMA FOREVER!!! YEESSSSS!!!! 

“Awww, that’s so cute.” Same, April, same; April is me 

My name is Olivia and I ship Ramona 

Discussion Breakdown: 

Ramona reuniting. I think at this point, you know that I’m a huge shipper of Ramona. I adore Raphael and Mona Lisa looking, hugging, protecting, and just being together. They’re no longer away from each other. I was gushing, fangirling, screaming into my pillow, just AHHH!! I SHIP THEM SO MUCH!! They’re together and I love every moment of it. 

Raphael. I’m talking about enraged, mad as fuck Raphael. I haven’t seen Raphael this mad since The Invasion. When Mikey vanished from Newtralizer’s electric shock, you can see the look of devastation and anger in his face. Raphael would bug his brother at times and tease him, but deep down he wants nothing bad to happen to Mikey. Remember when Raphael was concerned about Mikey back in S1E14. He doesn’t care what happens to him in a situation, but he truly cares about his brothers and everything that happens to them will destroy him. That scene when Raphael blasted Newtralizer shows that you don’t want to mess with him and his family. 

Mona Lisa. I’m glad that my Salamandian warrior is back. She was badass, a defender of her people, and has a soft spot for her boyfriend. I love the scene when she tells Raphael that she can take care of herself and told Bishop off. Mona didn’t let Raph defend her, she tells him politely that she can handle this. I was happy that the writers didn’t let Raphael defend her girlfriend or fall to the “a man has to defend and protect his woman” thing. Mona isn’t the damsel in distress, she can fight and defend herself. No man is going to degrade her. She continues to be awesome, and I love Zelda Williams voicing her. 

Mikey. He had electrical powers, and sacrificed himself to save his family and friends. Season 5 has been showing Mikey at his awesomeness. I’m proud of my orange turtle, that’s all I have to say. 

This special was good. I was mad at Nickelodeon for the schedule change. I think it’s because of marketing or they don’t care about TMNT 2012, since they’re working on the 2018 reboot. Anyway, I love the Ramona moments. Mikey was a boss in this special. Guest voice actors were great. Basic TMNT special that I enjoy seeing. From the next promo, the Turtles are samurais. So, I’m assuming that Nick is changing Season 5 episode order. It makes me mad, but I can’t be. As the Turtles are samurais, this means that Usagi is coming to the 2012 universe and I’m very excited about it. I’ll be back with a new TMNT review. See you guys next time. Toot da loo!

[shhhselah]

Issa Snack

I’m a fan of the classics.

That’s right.

Give me a day off with no responsibilities, endless channel listings, and snacks to soothe my snarling munchies, and I’m good.

What’s on the menu, might you ask? Well, if you must know, I plan on cooking up season 3 of Martin while getting down on season 2 of Living Single. Give me an extra platter of all the seasons of The Bernie Mac Show that actually include the “Who you wit!” in the theme song, and pair that with some Fresh Prince of Bel Air, A Different World, and The Cosby Show for dessert. And stop right there, yes. To answer your question, I’m still going to watch a good re-run of Cliff Huxtable’s antics when they come on. *sips my lemon water*

However, though I love a good nostalgia marathon that never gets old, I do love me some Netflix and chilling. Slap me the remote so I can put on Good Girls, and turn the laptop my way so I can catch Solomon’s Perjury, GLOW, or Meteor Garden, and we’re good to go! Side-note: I suggest you go look up those shows now and add them to your list. Mama Cash is here to add a little bit of crime, culture, and 80s slay to your life. Thank me later.

As I was saying though, Netflix is like the juke joint that I keep putting in quarters to replay. Get with the times, people! If you don’t have an account, it’s time to steal ya bestie’s password and start lunching on Good Girls. For those of you who don’t know the premise, it follows three suburban mothers who are just trying to do their job to provide for their families and keep their homes in order, until desperation forces them to take drastic measures for income. These good, seemingly innocent moms begin to lead a double life as crooks with the drug lord of their city.

Get in on it! We got Retta from Parks & Recreation, Mae Whitman from The Duff, and Christina freaking Hendricks of Mad Men.

Not convinced yet? Well the man who turns these ladies’ lives upside down has an accent and voice like Quincy from Star and it is lethal, honey. Thick, New York coated and mm mm mm scrumptious. Season 1 is up and binge-worthy. Y’all better get you some before it’s too late, okrr? I’ll see you for the watch party. Ski masks are encouraged.

Until next time, folks, keep munching on the best that TV and streaming have to offer. 

Check, please!