#he was like the bridge in this movie. he is a representation of the beauty (literal and figurative) ariel sees in humanity

[idiosyncraticrednebula]

The huge irony in The Little Mermaid (1989) essentially being about a teenage girl who desired to be understood by those around her, so she went to a drastically different society in order to achieve that, and it's one of the most misunderstood movies that Disney has ever released. Disney Princess movies already get a bad rap, but this movie, in particular, gets the worst of it. It's truly amazing.

[bluedalahorse]

I’m going to mention something I really liked about Heartstopper season 2. It’s partially about Isaac’s arc, and partially also about how they handled the ensemble as a whole and what I think worked about that.

So let’s talk about… the power of Friendship!

Isaac’s on an aroace self-discovery arc in Heartstopper S2 and I’m here for it. His aroace journey doesn’t look exactly like mine—I didn’t really start to adopt the label until my late 20s—but aspects of it absolutely ring true. “I don’t have any celebrity crushes.” YEAH EXACTLY ISAAC.

Naturally, friendship is important to Isaac, and I was pleased to see that Isaac’s friends were making sure to include him in the squad dynamic even when he wasn’t coupled off. This didn’t always run smoothly, and there are the parts where people assume he might have something going on with James, or when he’s frustrated to be surrounded by couples. But we’re also seeing moments where they pull him into prom photos, invite him to dance, include him in the group hugs, etc.

One of the most important things that makes this all work, however, is that the friend group is having all of these little moments of friendship independent of Isaac as well. We have Tao and Charlie and their flashback to friendship meet-cute and their lock at the bridge. There’s Elle making new friends at art school and how that’s shown to be important. There’s Tara and Nick going off to the side and having their own chats with one another, and Nick considering Imogen an important friend and working to integrate her into the group and deeming her as important to come out to. All of these moments mattered to me as a viewer, because it means that when Isaac’s friends pull him in and include him in things, it doesn’t just feel like the lip service version of supporting aroace folks. This squad is able to value Isaac’s friendship because they value friendship period. It’s subtle but it makes a world of difference in how I enjoy the story.

Queer representation is often talked about in terms of visible queer romance and sexuality, which does make sense and does need to be represented. That then gets reflected in how we go about fandom things, and how we often focus on romantic and/or sexual pairings in shipfic. I enjoy these fics and getting to marinate in these pairings that I ship, but I always find myself missing something. I always want more. I think it’s because I want to marinate in the friendships of a work as well.

I want to take moment to talk about queer friendship, and how queer friendship is so central to the queer community and how we’ve organized ourselves for survival. It can sound a little bit taboo to say that queer friendship is qualitatively different than a more cishet-normative idea of friendship. Still, I’m gonna say it. Queer friendship is absolutely important and its own beautiful thing, and we need it depicted alongside the relationships that involve kissing and wedding rings and bouquets whatever else.

Heartstopper season 2 has done something really special in showing how vital friendship is, how friendship exists and lives and breathes in these queer spaces. They do it in a way that feels 100% organic and real. I hope other creatives—whether that’s people making the art for our books and television and movie screens, or whether that’s us in fandom writing our fanfics and drawing our fan art—take note of how this can be done.

Friendship forever. And ever, and ever, and ever.

[se-mia-bstract]

songs that make me think of nicolò di genova in no particular order

wasteland, baby! by hozier - the little instrumental at the start is what i think nicky would sound like if he were music

nature boy by nat king cole - courtesy of @wizfurb

la fine by måneskin - nicky would love måneskin. he totally has it in him to be a punk eyeliner-wearing rockstar the world just isnt ready for that. the day they won was probably the most patriotic joe has ever seen him and man committed war crimes. this måneskin song in particular bc i reckon he could murder it at karaoke (if he drank a little first)

sedated by hozier - a lot of hozier ik, this one i believe to encapsulate his relationship with joe and their immortality very well

non sono una signora - slightly cheating bc this is in two of luca’s other movies however paolo in il padre d’italia is nicky coded okay

coffee & tv by blur - idk i can just imagine him driving and having this on, a little awkward but sweet like him

mary on a cross by ghost - do i gotta explain i dont reckon i do

keep driving by harry styles - all my faves deserve a harry’s house song and this is his, the soft beat and slight emotional quality that is embedded within the calmness and how the bridge gets more intense but smoothes out again, idk i just feel like it matches the effect his presence would have, just a safe solid ‘i’ve got you’

swan upon leda by hozier - specifically the line ‘one more sweet boy to be butchered by men’ because im very fond of the idea of nicky representing the all too common tragedy of harmful ideals being learned/forced upon particularly young boys, and while the song focuses more on the way this results in the misogyny that surrounds us and nicky’s particular story is more concerned with race and religion, i think overall he is a beautiful representation of the tragedy of men, and the way he becomes who he is through the miraculous second chance he is given to exemplify how much better people and men could be if they worked to change okay im done he just means a lot to me okay

[eurydicees]

Hi....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

hello!! i don't mind at all :D this question has been on my mind since you sent this a few days ago and i'm still undecided. like. i can't narrow it down to a list. that's so hard. i'm so indecisive. i'm putting these in no particular order, it's just a list. ordering them was too hard and i'm so small and not good at playing favorites. i'm only gonna do seven because this post got absurdly long. thank you for the ask!

haikyuu!!

oh my god genuinely one of the best written manga/anime that i've ever read/seen. it's so good. the characters are so vivid and they are all so important to me. every scene, character, arc, plotline...it's all treated with so much love and care and i'm so grateful for that. and the ending is SO satisfying--it all comes together so well. i was genuinely rooting for every character's success throughout the entire story. it's so important to me.

hadestown

this is a musical so idk if this is an answer you want, but this musical is so amazing, i have to mention it. it manages to encapsulate so many important messages while also creating a truly very compelling story. the way it reworks the original myth--staying true to the story, while putting its own twist on the world and the relationships of the characters--is truly brilliant.

next to normal

another musical. sorry for being a theatre kid on main. but fr this is genuinely one of the most important stories to me. it's gorgeous as a musical and as a story: the music itself is truly beautiful, the storyline is unforgettable, the characters are individually each so well-written and have so much depth. it means so much to me personally; the representation of an imperfect life, living with bipolar disorder and all that comes with it, the impact we all have on each other's lives, the exploration of relationships and mental illness and self-perception and healing and imperfect, non-linear growth....it's truly a work of genius in my mind.

bridge to terabithia

i know that this is a children's book but i recently reread it and it blew my mind how much depth, care, authenticity, and love is in it. it's a truly beautiful piece of art: i was so impressed by the characters, by the story, by the #Point of it all. it's a coming of age story but it's also so much more than just growing up. it's about imagination and childhood and friendship and it means so much to me.

fruits basket

this is such a beautiful exploration of character and relationships and abuse and love and family and friendship and the importance of a single person. it's such an important piece of writing. i would say that this is probably the weakest of the seven on the list, writing-wise, but i also think that the characters are so well-written, so expansive, and so fleshed out that it deserves to be on a top 7 list. each character has something special to bring to the narrative and i love that.

ouran high school host club (the MANGA not anime)

i'm soooo crazy about this manga. there's so much to unpack with every chapter, every arc, every character, every piece of this world...i love it so much. the characters each are so deeply loved by the narrative and i appreciate that. it absolutely has issues as a piece of satire from 2002, but i have forgiven tamaki suoh for his crimes so it's fine /j. but like genuinely, it has some of the most beautiful character and relationship development i've seen in a manga, specifically surrounding tamaki and haruhi. i know people have a love-hate or sometimes just hate relationship with tamaki, but he as a character means so much to me....i adore this stupid silly manga so much.

percy jackson and the olympians

i've been debating putting this one on the list for a little while now, but it has such sentimental value that i think it deserves to be here. it's one of my favorite childhood series and honestly that first series holds up! which is so refreshing to see because man that cannot be said about everything. i love the characters so so so much and the actual story is so brilliantly and lovingly crafted, and the way it all comes together and is woven into a beautiful ending makes me so wild. i do reread this series every few years and i have never once regretted it.

[bugs2101-inlondon]

July 6, 2022

Well, today was kind of an confusing day for the flatmates of room 49. Haven and I were supposed to see Steel Magnolias, but the funny thing is that they were not showing Steel Magnolias at the Royal Drury Lane Theatre in London. They were showing it at the Royal Drury Lane Theatre in Waterloo, Illinois. So, that was kind of a frustrating, yet hilarious incident. Though Haven and I were disappointed, the people at the theatre were amazingly gracious and kind about our mistake and offered to show us around the theatre and let us take pictures sense it had just been rebuilt. It was absolutely beautiful and they had all of these modern depictions of classic plays like Othello, My Fair Lady, etc.

Since we weren't seeing a play anymore we had time to go to a little coffee shop and then to hop on a tube and meet Caroline and Morgan at Buckingham Palace. Although I have to praise the coffee shop a little bit, because first of all it was absolutely gorgeous inside and out, second of all it had a lavender latte that was to die for!

But anyway we hoped on a tube and went straight to Buckingham Palace. We sat out by the gold statute for a while and just caught up and talked about Morgan's upcoming conference in Ireland and how she's a genius. Of course, we had to do the tourist thing and asked someone to take a picture of us. And then we took some solo pictures for our instagrams too! It was a very picture filled day.

But the best part of the day was walking around Green Park. That is definitely my favorite park that we have been to so far. We stood on the bridge overlooking the duck pond for more than thirty minutes watching the swans chase other birds. There were also little ducklings and baby swans that were chasing around their moms and it was the most entertaining thing I have seen in a long time.

We ended up wondering past Green Park into the most prestigious and rich shopping center in London. (This was of course when we were trying to find a cheap place to eat, no dice, naturally.) After we went to a Cafe Concerto we went to a bar and had a drink before the the Life of Pi. I had never seen the movie or read the book Life of Pi so it was a very new story to me. I was convinced that there was actually a tiger and different animals on the boat until the end, when he reveals the real story. Not to mention the puppetry, projection tools, and the sets made the first story seem like reality to me even though I was obviously in a theatre with hundreds of other people. I have talked about this in previous posts, but I find it very intriguing how much this play related to monsters because in a lot of ways the Japanese Insurance man was a monster for making Pi relive his trauma so soon after he was saved. The 17 year-old child has just lost his entire family, please stop forcing him to tell you how his whole family died, including his mother, who might or might not have been eaten by the cook. And the cook was also a monster because he had no value for anyones life only his own. Pi had a monster in himself, but that monster ended up being his survival instincts and not an evil kind of monster. It was a monster he needed to survive, which he accepts when he tells the tiger he loves him before they part. The Life of Pi also has a connection to folklore and story telling. When you think about Pi's story with the animals as compared to that with the actual story, we ask ourselves which story is better. The one that depicts every gory detail and the truth. Or the one that has representations of the truth, but does it in a way that is less traumatic for the teller and for the audience. Metaphors can be powerful things. Should the Japanese insurance man really respect Pi's first story any less than the second? Both were just as powerful. I personally would rather imagine the people as animals than actually believe that anyone could go through something so horrible.

[multiculturalflynn]

Coco

Coco is an Oscar-winning animated film produced in 2017. In the past 10 years, there have been major strides by Disney and Pixar to be more inclusive in the Latinx sector. The story follows a young boy named Miguel in Mexico whose dream is to become a musician. On “El día de los Muertos”, or Day of the Dead, Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead. He is sent on a journey through the Land of the Dead trying to uncover his family’s history while also trying to figure out why his living family has an aversion to music. Coco focuses on the main themes of family and cultural identity, while offering a nuanced portrayal of Mexican culture. It also examines the impact of cultural heritage on personal identity. This clip shows Miguel’s grandmother enforcing her “No music!” rule in the movie, followed by the trailer.

Like “Jane the Virgin”, Coco does a beautiful job of portraying Latinx ethnicities, but more specifically for this movie, Mexican culture. The celebration of Day of the Dead actually was practiced by Indigenous communities in Mexico’s south, as well as other parts of Central America. It is now practiced in other parts of the world, but we primarily see Mexican portrayals of the festivities. Although I have had my fair share of Hispanic studies and have a good grasp of Mexican culture, I wanted to highlight Mexican voices and their thoughts of the film production. This Quora forum focuses on Mexican views of the movie and their feelings about its accuracy. The consensus that I found was that the movie was touching and very relatable for many, and if not relatable in the storyline, it still made them feel a sense of joy that their people were being represented. There were two issues that I saw mentioned a few times that do highlight some inaccuracies in the storyline, which could be contributed to the “Hollywood” lens the movie was made in. For one, Miguel is seen having to pass through a sort of “customs” situation when arriving at the Land of the Dead. When I watched, I thought this was a silly representation, as nobody would think about having to go through a formal policing process when you are passed, but alas, Hollywood must do what they must to create their storyline.

On multiple occasions, the movie references that to cross the bridge to the Land of the Living, the passed people’s families must have a photo set up for them so as they are not “forgotten”, otherwise they are not able to cross. Multiple people said this is just not true, and having a photo up of a relative is not a requirement. Without this “rule” in the movie, though, it wouldn’t have a storyline in the same sense as it did. This video features this concept being explained, as well as having to talk to the security officers at the bridge.

Overall, I think that Coco serves as a great movie to show cultural awareness and display different values and cultural celebrations than we celebrate in the U.S. Not only this, but I believe the movie would help to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about Mexicans and this holiday, as it is often referred to as an alternative Halloween.

Aguilar, Carlos. “A Gringo’s Guide to the Cultural References in Coco.” Slate Magazine, 29 Nov. 2017, slate.com/culture/2017/11/alebrijes-ofrendas-and-more-mexican-cultural-traditions-in-coco-explained.html.

Entertainment Access. “Miguel’s Grandma Says ‘No Music!’ Scene - COCO (2017) Movie Clip.” YouTube, 30 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF0Y8JImlYQ.

Pixar. “‘Anything to Declare?’ Clip - Disney/Pixar’s Coco - November 22 in 3D.” YouTube, 7 Nov. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=upT1iqrxNBw.

Today, Brian Truitt Usa. “Everything You Need to Know About the Mexican Cultural References in Pixar’s ‘Coco.’” USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2017, www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/11/20/everything-you-need-know-mexican-cultural-references-pixars-coco/879113001.

[aulorawright]

Independent Excursion: Media Reflection

June 8th - Studio Ghibli Museum

For my media reflection, I decided to go to the studio ghibli museum. This worked perfectly for me because I had just watched most of the films prior to coming on this trip, so I was super excited to find out that there was a museum in Tokyo, and I could do my assignment on it. We are so lucky to have Lauren and Eliza. They worked hard at trying to get tickets for everyone, and figured out the website and what to do when it was not looking good and not letting anyone buy tickets. We all headed over to the museum, and was delightfully greeted by the man and myth himself, Totoro. He was working the ticket booth. We gained access to the museum and they gave us a movie ticket that was a film reel of a scene from one of the movies, but unfortunately we were not able to take pictures inside the museum. The whole place was designed like a wonky house, with spiral staircases, bridges, small rooms with minnie doorways. There were lot of different rooms to inspect. One if the bigger areas looked like it would be the workspace of some of the designers of the franchise. With sketches all over the walls and scattered over desks, newspapers, pens, pencils, feather things, lamps, cigarette butts. It felt real, and was very detailed, I was super impressed. There was another room thaw was a little walk through of miniature replicas of some of the main objects or scenes in some of the earlier films.

My favorite room was an interactive display of how film works and other special effects. There was little gear operated sets that you have to crank the handle to get it to work, there was a motion picture display with a bunch of figures molded to be in different points in time that was spun on a wheel really fast so it looks like it’s actually moving. There were these layered pieces that looked 3d because of 2D drawings layered at different points in a box. There was also a film display that had rolls of film being pulled through a processor I’m assuming, and some where highlighted so you could see that when each square goes by fast enough, it looks like a movie. With all these beautiful pieces, and the light hearted music playing, I started to tear up a little because it was so cute and just made me so happy. We took a little break and ate at the cafe, then went back inside to watch the short film they gave us the ticket for. It was a short spin off of the movie My neighbor Totoro. It was the cutest thing ever. We then checked out the gift shop which was absolutely packed so it was hard to see anything. We left and a few of us tried to get these famous Totoro shaped cream puffs from this little shop but once we walked all the way there, we saw the sign that said the cream puffs were sold out. This really brought our mood down because we were looking for it all day, so we just decided to go home after that.

Academic Reflection

Because the museum was highly Totoro themed, I’ll talk about My Neighbor Totoro. The movie, has a realistic set based in Japan. It talks about real life issues and has a lot of aspects representing Japan. To name a few, the main characters house is set in a rice farm town, with the traditional style houses with the wood and paper paneled doors and windows. It also display the main mode of transportation being a bus, and having the working father travel far into town. I would say these are pretty accurate representations of some parts of Japan from what I’ve seen.

We took a trip to a rice farm which consisted of a small town on the outskirts and the rows and rows on farming land, it looked very similar to the movie. The bus transportation is accurate because public transit is very popular here, and the farther away form the busy cities the more scarce the transportation.

As for the clothing, I cannot speak on if it was accurate or not because I believe the movie was set in a different time. The unrealistic parts were definitely the mythical creatures of the forest, and flying bus cats and soot sprites. But who knows, they could be real too and we just dont know it.

[thefilmsimps]

Live and Let Die (dir. Guy Hamilton)

-Jere Pilapil- 7.5/10 Double-0 Status: I always liked this one, so probably a 7 or an 8 previously? I, at the very least, always remember Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder) from the Goldeneye video game Theme: Oh baby buddy, it’s “Live and Let Die” by goddamn Paul McCartney. Obviously a classic theme. Out of the four Beatles, maybe only Paul was equipped to musically match the grandeur, excitement and action of the franchise. I like to think Lennon might have made a good song that would make for a bad theme, though (possibly specifically as a nudge to Paul). Harrison could have done a beautiful closing theme. RIngo deserves a chance while he’s still alive though. This may be my top pick for a “problematic fav” James Bond movie. Roger Moore’s first run as the character shows a studio that might have been nervous to not have the man who’d been synonymous with the “James Bond” to date. So we get a Bond that is not quite yet fully defined, though Moore has a generally more cheerful demeanor than his predecessor, Sean Connery. It’s an interesting reset, and he’s a bit of a cipher aside from the requisite loyalty to queen and country. He is, in other words, not as horny or as funny Roger Moore’s James Bond would eventually become. This time around, I guess the idea was that the movie would use black villains as a reaction(?) to political turmoil in the US, and coinciding with the Blaxploitation explosion in cinema. Bond travels around - New Orleans, Harlem, Jamaica - to investigate the murder of some MI6 agents, eventually to be ensnared in a drug cartel conspiracy. The end result of these factors is a movie where nearly every black person, regardless of geographic location of cultural background is out to get Bond. Not only that, but the various representations of black people’s lives run the gamut of paper thin stereotypes. Over 50 years later, it’s a truly atrocious look that would get laughed out of theaters if released today.

Still, Moore is solid in the role, even while still finding his footing, and the action is well directed and exciting. The requisite chase scene, wherein a double decker bus loses its top in a bridge, is a highlight. We also get a long, long speed boat chase that comes off impressively, despite some very forced comedic relief (Sheriff JW Pepper, played by Clifton James, who comes back in The Man with the Golden Gun - small world!). Yaphet Kotto plays the villain Dr. Kananga terrifically, and a young Jane Seymour is great as Solitaire (though the character is written as more naive than is believable).

It’s an odd adventure for Bond, in a few ways, though. It seems unable or unwilling to commit to whether or not voodoo magic (hoo boy) is real: various parts undercut it only to have some inexplicable shit happen right afterwards. Also, it’s a very small stakes Bond villain plot: there’s some scale to Kananga’s ultimate plot, but essentially he’s just dealing drugs. Even License to Kill added a totally unnecessary sci-fi angle about turning cocaine into gas for ease of transport (or something, I don’t remember exactly). In some ways it’s novel to see a Bond movie that isn’t about stolen nukes and impending war, but it’s also a bit deflating to know the movie is ultimately about secret poppy fields.

As a start, this mostly works, though. It’s got unfathomable shortcomings that could come from being a UK production trying to reflect American (and nearby island) cultures and politics, but I also find that kind of thing interesting as a reflection of the image America was presenting to the world at the time. Strictly as an action movie in 1973, it’s got a pretty good balance of fun and danger that the Bond franchise would struggle to hit successfully for literally its entire run to date. It’s worth a watch for that, awkward a watch as it is through modern eyes.

[zafirosreverie]

Must be the eyes (Teacher!Agatha x Fem!Student!Reader) part 15

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5) (part 6) (part 7) (part 8) (part 9) (part 10) (part 11) (part 12) (part 13) (part 14)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Agatha rolled her eyes and sighed as Monica kept talking. God, she really hated these meetings. And why the hell would anyone think it was a good idea to have them on a Saturday morning?!

The only thing that kept her awake the entire meeting was thinking about you. Last night was the first time she had sex with you again after all the mess and god, she had missed you. When she said goodbye to you that morning, you looked so beautiful, with tousled hair and tired eyes. She couldn't wait to get back to you.

The brunette jumped when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out a bit to see who the message was from, because Mónica always got mad when someone messaged during teachers meetings and she didn’t have the energy to fight with her, no matter how funny it would be.

But those thoughts disappeared the moment she saw your name on the screen. She quickly opened the message and Wanda, who was sitting next to her, could see the color leaving her friend’s face. 

“Harkness” Monica frowned.

Agatha didn’t even look at her as she took her things and stood up “I have to go” she simply said and left the room, not caring for the other woman’s calls. 

______________________________

You practically jumped into the car when Agatha arrived. None of you said anything as you put on your seatbelt and she quickly drove to the hospital. 

“A week” you sighed “just a week and he’s back in”

“Nicholas will be alright” she said, but her tone made it clear she was worried too.

You nodded and kept your eyes on the street, feeling a huge void growing on your chest with every second that passed. 

The way to the hospital felt eternal. By the moment you got there, Agatha had to help you out of the car because you were shaking. She could feel the fear coming from you and she wanted nothing but assure you everything would be fine, but she knew that leukemia was never to take lightly, especially when Nick was fine for just one week. 

You took the brunette’s hand as she led you to the hospital. You felt a deja vu, but this time, when Rani called you and you saw the tears rolling down her cheeks, you knew this was far more worse than the last. 

The green-eyed woman hugged you like a lifesaver and it was your turn to comfort her. Agatha stood a few steps behind, giving you space, but she could feel the tension in the room, even before Rani spoke.

“He was fine, Y/N” she cried “We were just watching a movie...he was fine”

You nodded but you felt your eyes watering and the fear running through your veins. “Is 

he awake?” you softly asked

“No” Rani shook her head “He was quiet for a moment and then he passed out” she sobbed “I didn’t know he was feeling bad. It was just so...it happened so fast. I should have known, I should-”

“Rani, Rani, look at me” you said “Breath with me ok?”

The woman locked eyes with you and slowly nodded. You grabbed her shoulders as she made her breath match yours, calming herself a little. 

“This is not your fault, ok?” you said “You couldn’t have known. But Nick is strong, he’ll be alright” you said, wishing you could believe your own words.

Rani looked at you for a moment before she nodded. You were right. Nick was strong and he could get out of this, he just liked to be a little bastard and scare people sometimes, but he’ll be alright. He had to.  The woman looked at your side and noticed Agatha for the first time. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry Agatha, I didn’t see you there” she apologized

“It’s ok Rania, I understand” the brunette smiled, but all of you knew it was a forced smile. None of you could sincerely smile. 

“Thank you for coming” the green-eyed woman said “I see the school still cares a lot” 

“Of course” Agatha followed the joked “They sent me to keep them updated”

Rania sniffed and nodded. You were about to say something when Agatha’s phone rang again. All the way to the hospital, Wanda and Mónica didn’t stop calling her and she admitted how you made her leave earlier. You apologized, but she told you this was by far more important. 

“I should take this” she told you. 

You and Rani nodded and you watched as she walked away to answer. Rani took your hand and led you to the couch in the waiting room. You had the feeling this would be a long day.

________________________

“I hope you have a good explanation, Harkness” Monica growled the moment Agatha picked up the call.

“I don’t have time for this right now, Rambeau” the brunette sighed

“I don’t care what you’re doing, I want you back in 10”

“I can’t”

“Why not?”

“I’m in the hospital”

Monica was silent for a moment and the older woman heard her moving, probably leaving the classroom where the meeting was taking place. 

“What?” she asked, her tone changing to a worried one “What happened? Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m ok” Agatha sighed, a little overwhelmed by the concern on her co worker's voice “Nicholas Jadu passed out”

“Jadu?” she could hear the younger woman frowning 

“Leukemia” Agatha simply said 

“Oh my god...how did you-”

“His aunt messaged me” The brunette lied “She had my number because of the Salem trip”

“You should have told me” Monica said “I am the social worker”

“You really want to discuss this right now?” Agatha growled

“...you’re right, sorry” the other said and sighed “Ok, I’m grateful you’re there in representation of the school, Harkness. Please let me know anything that happens”

“Will do”

Agatha didn’t wait for Monica to say another thing before she ended the call and went back inside. “Representation of the school”, sure. She would laugh, but she was too worried for it. 

You looked at her when she approached you and Rani. She told you about the call and sat next to you. You smiled a little at the lie she told Rambeau, and kissed her cheek before you rested your head on her shoulder. 

As you felt her arms wrapping around you, you prayed for everything to be alright. God knew you needed Nick in your life. 

__________________________

And it is at that little moment, when the bridges are about to burn, that one begins to open their eyes.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tags:  @midnight-lestrange ​ @amethyst-bitch ​ @juliejules-089 ​ @novohyde ​ @annie-mit-ie ​ @shinkomiii ​ @agentbrownierso ​ @swanqueensupercorp ​ @philippaharkness ​ @rainbow-hedgehog ​ @parkerprolly ​ @booklover ​ @bloodyfools ​ @marvelseverything ​ @rooskaya-yelena ​ @danvers97 ​ @notsosecretlyalesbian ​ @thoroughly--confused ​ @tomy5girls ​ @celasteria ​ @call-me-no-one @teenwonder​ @paulawand ​ @fallingfor-fics ​ @an-evergreen-rose ​ @enbyjareau ​ @mochiadria ​ @ijustwanttofeelyou ​ @soft-astral ​ @thelanawinterrs ​ @basiclesbianbitch ​ @harknesswhore ​ @gaylinda-thropp ​ @weemilfsimp ​ @p-nymph ​ @sarahp-stan ​ @simpforhela ​ @emilyprentissslut ​ @our-blood-is-our-ink ​  @romanottsmaximoff

[trenchcas]

ok what if i dropped my fancast for the greek gods for the pjo show 😳 Disney if you see this hire me (jk)

Zeus: I think they should just bring back Sean Bean bc I love sean bean (maybe hugh jackman idk OOH or jeff bridges)

Poseidon: Logan Lerman should play Poseidon and this is the hill I will die on. Please. Otherwise, I would want an Pacific Islander to play him. I think Poseidon’s casting depends heavily on Percy’s so, (maybe Jason momoa, but it feels too basic)

Hades: okay I heard Mads Mikkelsen and Luke Evans and ngl I’m kinda invested in those (update someone said Tom Hiddleston and I- I don’t know)

Hera: I really want to say Angelina Jolie bc she gives me big Hera vibes but

Hestia: Lily Collins for an older Hestia, but PJO Hestia is a little younger. She’s like 8 years old or something.

Demeter: okay hot take but either Beyoncé or Lupita Nyong’o or a little older Demeter as Angela Bassett , because I’ve always pictured Demeter as being dark-skinned. For lighter skin: Keira Knightley

Persephone: I’m not sure who played her in the original movies but that was a really good fit and she should come back (just maybe not with the same character writing). For a new Persephone casting, idk

Ares: someone really buff like the rock

Athena: Brie Larson. That is it. I want Brie Larson to play Athena. (Or Zoe Saldana, I love both of them)

Apollo: this one was kind of hard, because in my mind Apollo was always tan with golden hair, but he was never actually white. I heard Lucas Till and it’s not a bad fit, but I want him to be tanner. Also, I cant look at Lucas Till and see anyone else except the guy from YBWM, which makes watching X-Men very fun. (Someone said Sam Claflin and sixth grade me is literally sobbing because we had the biggest crush on Finnick)

Artemis: Artemis, I feel like as goddess of the moon would be a little paler than her brother. I heard someone say Keira Knightley, and she does sound like a good fit. Only Artemis in PJO is a teenage girl, so it doesn’t work out. I think they should cast an unknown kid like they did for the demigods.

Hephaestus: I really want a disabled actor to play Hephaestus, because in the myths he’s got kind of disabled legs, and I think it would be great representation for children watching. I don’t know many disabled actors, but after some research I found Robert David Hall. He’s a little bit on the older side but I would want someone with a walking disability to play Hephaestus. (I heard Peter Dinklage once)

Aphrodite: I think she should be played by a bunch of different women, but none of them should be a “blonde bombshell”. For example, she should change forms from a plus sized black woman, to a dark skinned East Asian woman, to a dark skinned Indian woman with body hair, etc etc. if i had to settle for one person, Lizzo. Why? I don’t know. Anyway no one playing Aphrodite should fit the “blond hair blue eyes” beauty standard. DIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT.

Hermes: I would love to see Jake Abel play Hermes, honestly. He’s old enough to do that now so I wouldn’t complain if he did. (Someone said Misha I’m literally crying)

Dionysus: normally for Dionysus I’d say someone young like Timothee Chalamet, because that’s how he’s described in the myths, but since PJO Dionysus is a middle aged dude, Jack Black. He would be a good Bacchus and I think PJO’s Dionysus and Bacchus are close enough for it to work.

That’s really all I have so thanks for reading this far if you did lol and feel free to add on in the notes!!

[glossedchaos]

i just re watched the disney channel movie jump in and i have a lot to say

a young corbin bleu was beautiful i mean he’s still beautiful but goddamn

i may be whipped but i smiled everytime he smiled *cue u smile by justin bieber*

corbin and his actual father starred in this movie together 🥺 i remember it being a huge part of their marketing strategy

the main female ensemble was made up of dark skinned girls with braids which isn’t something you see in disney nowadays (that i am aware of)

the soundtrack

push it push it to the limit limit

keke’s song jumpin was incredible too but it’s so underrated

i like how the movie portrayed a widowed father trying to build and maintain bridges with his young children. as someone who comes from a family with a widowed father, i appreciate the representation of the struggle from both the parent’s and kid’s perspective

i love that they had the supposed villain of the movie narrate it. i loved it

the way they showed that the supposed villain uses boxing as an outlet for his aggression but then at the end of the movie, we see him telling the tale of the protagonist as an inspiration for the children he is now coaching in boxing

having a female boxer stay so focused and good despite the comments the boys make around the gym and then having her turn around and say “if i listened to every one of the comments you and your boys make, i wouldn’t be the best girl boxer in this gym” when the main character is down in the dumps for being bullied about double dutch

red hot chilli steppers. i did not pick up on that as a child but i love the writers for coming up with that

the girl who plays the character who leaves the double dutch group to join the opposition is an amazing actor bc if you hate the character, it means that that actor is doing a good job

the early 2000s teen fashion like yes tights and skirts with cute tops please

teenage boys putting their aggression and pride aside to form a truce yes please we had movies not condoning toxic masculinity in the early 2000s!!

the movie is just as captivating today as it was back in the day. it’s not cringy or outdated. it’s enjoyable to watch

i will now be taking applications for a double dutch team

[animatedminds]

Splash Mountain, Br’er Rabbit, and the Tragedy of Being Represented By Other People.

So, this is probably going to be the realest post I’ll make for a while - or at least until The Boondocks arrives, but it seemed apropos. Immediately after this I’ve got rants about sci fi and Star Wars and other unrelated things coming up, but for now we have my earnest opinions on a decision I feel should have been better thought out than it was. This is going to read more like an article or an essay than a review, but I think it needs to be said.

It hasn’t come up too often on this blog, but I am African American. It’s my life and my perspective. And as an African American, a lover of animation and - though this definitely doesn’t come up on the blog - a passionate folklorist in what you could call an academic sense (in that I’m a writer and a student, and folklore is the subject of most of my research), people I know in real life have asked me more than once what my opinion on the removal of Splash Mountain in favor of Princess and the Frog, how I must be glad it’s finally being removed, what my take on the history there was, and…

Well…

To really give that opinion, I’ve got to start at the beginning. Not Song of the South - that, if anything, is the very middle. We have to start with Br’er Rabbit and who that character was. Sit back students, info dump incoming.

Br’er Rabbit is an folklore character of African American origin with - like many folkloric figures - a difficult to place date of origin, but he was known to have existed at least since the early 19th Century, He has obvious similarities to the far older figure of Anansi - with several Br’er Rabbit tales even taking elements of Anansi stories verbatim - though with a the notable difference that unlike Anansi, Br’er Rabbit was more often a heroic figure: an underdog and seemingly downtrodden figure who used his wits and his enemies’ hubris rather than physical force to win the day. The meaning of that kind of figure to an enslaved people is obvious, especially when you compare Br’er Rabbit to another, contemporary trickster figure in African American history by the name of John. Br’er Rabbit’s stories could even arguably be seen as a more child-friendly version of the John tales, in which a human trickster pulls the same kind of momentum turning ploys on villains - but those villains tended to be explicitly slave masters or overseers, and John’s payback often came with explicitly deadly results. The existence of John as escapism for the enslaved or just-post-enslaved (IE Reconstruction) populations is clear: a person who with no power who could fight back with nothing but their mind, preying on the fact that their enemies see them as incapable and helpless, and the connection of Br’er Rabbit to that message is difficult to deny. If anything, Br’er Rabbit comes off as a somewhat more child-friendly version of the concept.

But the most important thing to glean from this is who and what Br’er Rabbit is: a product of the African American community and its history, as a means of those people to express themselves and their values in the face of oppression.

Now we fast forward to 1881, and along comes Joel Chandler Harris: a white Georgian. Harris was a folklorist himself, and travelled the country collecting stories - most famously Br’er Rabbit stories. His stated reason was to bridge African American and white communities by sharing stories, but he was tainted by the perspectives of his world and his place in it, infamously creating a framing narrative for those stories in which the character telling them exuded the imagery of subservience and simplicity that was typical of perceptions of African Americans from the post-Civil War Southern environment in which he collected them: Uncle Remus, in other words. Harris is hardly the only white curator who adapted stories of black or brown peoples in a way that played up the people the stories came from as something of a theme park piece, as if noble in unintelligence and simplicity, but he’s one of the most famous ones to do so - and that’s because of the adaptation. To note, when people criticize cultural appropriation, this is the kind of thing that really triggers the outrage. Not any situation in which a white person is inspired by someone who isn’t white and creates something accordingly, but situations where someone else’s creation is taken and used for the fame and profit of others, to the detriment of the people who made it. It’s these situations like the one Joel Chandler Harris created centuries ago, specifically, that people are trying to draw attention to - even if sometimes social media gets a bit trigger happy sometimes, that’s the real, underlying problem. With that in mind, let’s put that aside and move forward.

Fast forward again to 1946. Walt Disney Productions, then less the company of grander, wider scale stories of epic quests and emotional upheaval that make us all cry and more a company more known for folktale adaptations in general, were looking for a but of American folklore to headline a live action, animation mix - a medium that allowed a bit more financial benefit, as straightforward animation was not always particularly profitable those dates. This wouldn’t be the last time they produced an adaptation of an American folktale or short story - their version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow a few years later being actually one of the more faithful adaptations of that short story put to film. Disney, who evidently read Chandler Harris’ stories, put together a project to see if they could adapted. Which they did. Pretty much verbatim. This is actually worth pointing out: the actual Br’er Rabbit stories in the films are very accurately adapted, and the actors involved in the story (including James Baskett, how also played Uncle Remus) did a fine job characterizing them. The issue is that Disney also adapted Chandler Harris’ stereotypical and offensive framing device pretty much verbatim, bringing Uncle Remus. And therein lies the problem.

To put the issue with Song of the South in perspective, the movie - with the framing device - can be categorized as something called Reconstruction Revisionism - which is basically a genre of post-Civil War media meant to present the pre-war South was perfect and idyllic, and that people are racially more natural in that environment’s dynamic and never should have left. One of the most infamous movies in history, Birth of a Nation, is the crowning example of this genre. Obviously, Song of the South is nowhere near as awful and inflammatory a movie as that, but there’s a degree to which it was seen as the straw the broke the camel’s back for black depictions in media, only a couple of years after Disney’s Dumbo also did the same. The end result, an African American creation was used in a film that ultimately demeaned the African American community, a decision that Disney has been ashamed of ever since.

Fast forward to now. Disney is removing Splash Mountain, the sole remnant of Song of the South that focuses exclusively on Br’er Rabbit - a choice we’ve had reason to suspect was coming for about a year now, but which was unveiled conspicuously in the middle of protests and campaigning for better treatment of people of African descent worldwide. The reveal was a rousing success, with people applauding the decision to finally wipe away the rest of that movie - though remember that for later, that the response relies on the perception of Br’er Rabbit as something that starts with Song of the South - and replace it with something else. Surely, as a black person I should be happy that they’re finally getting rid of that racist character for good and replacing him with something more positive? And again, well…

To put short, Br’er Rabbit has finished his journey from African cultural symbol to discarded pariah, all because others used the character in racist ways that they themselves now regret. And for that… let’s be clear, I’m not angry so much as saddened. I’m not railing against the company for making the choice, since I can see how from their point of view it was the wisest and most progressive thing to do. Song of the South is a badly old fashioned movie that they’re right to want to move on from, and it’s their right to downplay characters within their purview if those characters reflect badly on the company. I’m just outlining the tragic waste of it all.

For now, compare Princess and the Frog - the thing they’re replacing it with. I do love the movie, or at least any problems I have with it have little to do with representation, and I definitely don’t have anything against Musker and Clements and their beautiful visions and creations, but it’s difficult to deny that its an adaptation of a European story, adapted by a collection of mostly white creators (with Rob Edwards comprising but one third of the screenwriting team, but not of story conception), that’s ultimately just dolled up with African Americans characters and a very Hollywood-esque depiction of a African diaspora religion (Voodoo, which unfortunately has a long history of such portrayals). If we’re talking about representation specifically - which this move had definitely been presented as a champion for - it’s not the perfect example, more of a story with a surface covering of the black experience than one with an especially strong connection. That wouldn’t necessarily be a problem (Tiana and her story do well depict strong black characterizations, and approach an interesting (if light_ implication about racism and hardship during the 1920s) if Disney had yet created any other franchise that was another actual adaptation of an African or African American tale or story (with involvement from such actual people), but Song of the South is actually it. They legitimately have nothing else to call on.

This is something I feel we should do more to remedy. I am a writer/prospective screenwriter myself, and trying to put more stories out there is one of my primary focuses and goals should I ever truly enter the industry, but at the moment we just don’t have very many options.

This is hardly the only time that people of color have had little control over depictions of their own culture - literary and film history is full of such situations in both minor and terribly major ways - but it’s something that stings especially hard due to being such a current example, and because of sheer irony of the end result. Now we have a situation where African Americans are being told that something their people created to represent themselves is negative and wrong, because years ago other people appropriated that creation and used it to paint a negative picture of the people who actually held claim over it, and now the enterprise that those people created wants to save face: another example of culture being treated like a possession of the ones who are poised to make money of off it. And what’s worse, while the culture is used and abused like trash, the people are now presented with this removal like it was a prize - like they’re finally being given something - when little has really changed.

Ultimately, the Splash Mountain news - though it had been coming for a while - made me rather upset for that reason. As a studier of folklore, I suppose I knew better than most where these things came from, and so the buzz around the move being a belief that Br’er Rabbit was an intrinsically racist character just highlighted the tragedy of how African Americans and their culture tended to be tossed about by American media. So no matter what, I can’t feel particularly happy about it.

Let me iterate, in the film industry, being represented by people who aren’t of your culture group is basically inevitable. That’s essentially how the industry works. I’m not saying we should rail against anyone who would try to represent cultures that aren’t their own. The people who produce and create are few, and eventually the truth is that you have to be represented by other people - at least for the moment. We shouldn’t be railing against representation by others in general, as that wouldn’t be cognizant of the situation and thus self destructive. What I’m saying is that we - both we trying to be represented, and those doing the representing - should be aware of the problem there: that when others choose to represent you in media, you essentially have to trust them to have a real interest in you and your best interests when doing so, and when they don’t that depiction is there forever. So it behooves us to try to be the ones who are representing ourselves as much as possible, and in situations where we can’t, to remind those who want to represent us that they have a responsibility to do so effectively.

This is Animated Minds for Animated Times, and really this blog is ultimately about emphasizing what makes animated media work, what makes it fun, and what makes it worthwhile no matter how old you are. And so in several years of sporadic and infrequent reviews, reactions and fandom posts it’s been rare for me to get this real about a topic, but this is something that is a serious issue feel was overlooked. Representation is complicated. And more often than not solutions that are handed to us are more band-aids that look like cures than necessarily being actually helpful, and that’s what happens when ultimately the decisions about how you’re represented lie in the hands of other people. Representation is one of the biggest things we need to work on in coming years, especially with stories and adaptations - which refer to history and culture that are often not widely known or accepted. Ask someone if they think there should be an African princess, and they’ll tell you they didn’t even have kings and queens in Africa - something that’s bluntly wrong, but is widely believed simply because those elements of culture are never represented.

And that’s the sum of my thoughts on the subject. I hadn’t updated the blog in months because this whole thing was stewing in me, and I couldn’t really go back to cheerful posts about new things until I got it out. I’ve got great thoughts about the Owl House, Amphibia, the new seasons of BH6 and Ducktales that are totally coming up soon. But for now, just a few sobering thoughts from someone who grew up loving cartoons, and desperately wishes people like me had more to look at in that field beyond apologies and promises.

[santiagonex]

As 2020 is nearing, it’s time to see what 2019 has brought us when it comes to gay representation in tv shows and movies. Below ‘read more’, there’s a whole list of tv shows/ships/movies (with pictures and basic description) which include/are about gay (used as an umbrella term) men and couples (so basically have gay storylines and at least one gay person is a main character of the show/movie).

Since I’m a gay man, I keep up mostly with mlm, if I included wlw as well, I don’t think the list would be complete with my lack of knowledge, so sorry about that. I’m pretty sure there are more competent people who can do that instead of me.

Total Count of TV Shows in the list: 65 Total Count of Movies in the list: 27

 Anyways, here we go.

TV SHOWS

TV SHOWS WITH TITULAR/CENTRAL GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS

The Other Two: the funniest most-relatable show centered around three siblings – one of them is gay (left). A must-watch for sure. He’s pretty much the hugest part of the show, there are some love storyline (...and they were roomates), some self-loving moments and iconic lines. Just watch it, you won’t regret it.

Sex Education: show about two best friends, one of them (right) is gay. His name is Eric and he gets involved with his enemy Adam (left). Amazing show.

Special: show about a gay man Ryan (right) with mild cerebral palsy, who wants to live his life as an independent person to the fullest. Easy and short show to watch.

Druck (German SKAM Remake): if you don’t know SKAM, it’s pretty much a show where each season is devoted to one character. Third season of German SKAM aired this year and it was revolved around a gay guy (left). For the first time in SKAM history, the main character’s love interest is a trans guy (right).

Skam France (French SKAM Remake): the French version of SKAM had a gay season this year as well. 

WTFock (Belgian SKAM Remake): Belgium has a season focused on the main gay character this year as well.

El corazón nunca se equivoca: I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Aristemo from ‘Mi marido tiene más familia’. Well, they’d already aired the first season of the new spin-off centered around their lives in college (I think).

Merlí: Sapere Aude: Bruno (left) and Pol (right) fans, it’s time to make some noise. Brunol is coming back because Pol is getting a spin-off which will be taking place in university. Bruno will be in it as well. First episode airs on 5th of December this year.

Pose: second season of Ryan Murphy’s popular show with main transgender and gay characters has aired this year.

The Politician: another show from Ryan Murphy was created. The main protagonist of the show (right) is played by Ben Platt and he’s gay. The show contains many LGBT+ main characters.

Tales of the City: the revival of the Tales of the City sequence of miniseries aired this year. The show includes many LGBT+ storylines.

The L Word: Generation Q: the revival of The L Word show will air on 8th of December this year. The show is mainly about lesbians, but based on trailer, there will be a gay couple included as well.

Years and Years: very futuristic show with a political message. Includes both mlm and wlw as main characters.

The Red Line: the plot of this show involves a white cop in Chicago who mistakenly shoots and kills a black doctor named Harrison. Harrison had a husband (left) and daughter (right). The show deals with the consequences of the event.

Now Apocalypse: all I’m gonna say is that Beck from Victorious got to make out with Scott from Teen Wolf, Matty from Awkward and Jake from Glee. The show was renewed for second season and later this statement was taken back and it got cancelled – which I guess says enough about the show.

This Close: the show is about two best friends who are deaf. One of them (left) is gay and has a storyline and spicy scenes with the guy on the right and some other guys as well. 

Schitt’s Creek: David (right) and Patrick (left) aka the cutest softest couple of all time. The last season of the show will air next air. Watch the show if you wanna laugh and watch the healthiest gay couple on tv. They also got engaged this year, which was beautiful.

NEW TV SHOWS (1 SEASON) WITH MAIN GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS

Daybreak: both main characters and basically on different sides of the battles. Who wouldn’t want to watch enemies being in love Romeo & Juliet style.

El Juego de las Llaves (The Game of Keys): very interesting and fun show to follow, the one on the right is the main character. He’s closeted, has a girlfriend and gradually realizes there’s something else out there. Nice kissing scenes, plus one very spicy scene. Doesn’t hurt that the guy on the left he will be involved with looks like a dollar store Chris Evans if you squint hard enough.

Five Bedrooms: 5 strangers moves in. The guy in the middle is gay. His mom is a very traditional Indian woman who just wants grandchildren. The whole show is heart-warming and sad at times. The guy gets fair share of screentime and some love interests including a cop from the neighbourhood.

Made In Heaven: Indian show that follows the lives of Tara and Karan (left), two wedding planners in Delhi running an agency named Made in Heaven. Karan is gay. Very progressive show with spicy gay scenes.

What/If: haven’t seen the show yet but friends said these two have a nice storyline in the show. Threesome included.

Bonding: show about two best friends Pete (left) and Tiff (right). Pete is gay. They basically... do freaky shit for work... umm. Just watch trailer or something.

Osmosis: I have no idea what the show is about but the guy on the left is set to betrying to find a soulmate or something. I think I remember seeing some spicy scenes.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists: basically some gay romance with the guy on the right and someone else. The one on the left dies the first episode so I did not even bother after that. But you can be the judge of it.

Doom Patrol: Larry (left) is a superhero, kinda. There’s something haunting his past, though. Something that involves being gay.

The Umbrella Academy: Klaus (left) my favorite character. He’s kind of a hero along with his other siblings. There’s a deep gay storyling along the way.

Weird City: anyways... all I’m gonna say is that Dylan O’Brien played a gay for one episode in a show. Wish there wasn’t this huge ugly age difference.

Roswell, New Mexico: cowboys, aliens, bisexuality, homosexuality and all that. Didn’t really see the show but there’s a lot of content with these two.

Good Trouble: never saw the sow but the guy on the picture is a main bisexual characters. There are some mlm scenes.

The Society: Grizz (right) and Sam (left) literally the highlight of the show. Just watch it, it is worth to see it for both of them. Sam is also deaf. The show is basically about a bunch of teenagers getting stuck in a town with no one else in or around.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The High School Musical tv show has just started airing on Disney+. Carlos (left) is confirmed to be gay and to be getting a nice development this season which will probably involve Seb (right) as well.

The Heights: Australian tv show. Sully (left) is gay. Got a thing for Ash (right) at the start. Then things were messy. Then they suddenly kissed. And the things are messy again.

El Club (The Club): very interesting show. The gave these two really (like REALLY) spicy scenes. Some romantic stuff. But there’s really not much depth in my option. Check and see.

Volevo fare la rockstar: didn’t see it but it’s an Italian show and there’s a romantic storyline between these two.

No Good Nick: Jeremy (right) came out this year on this sitcom. Nice and very weid sitcom. Unfortunately it was cancelled, but the way they handled his gay storyline was rather nice.

World on Fire: follows lives of ordinary people from Britain, Poland, France, Germany and the USA during World War II. Two of them are gay. And yeah one of those two is Will from sense8.

TV SHOWS (1 SEASON+) WITH MAIN GAY CHARACTERS/SHIPS 

Andi Mack: the show that made history. Andi Mack is a Disney Channel show and for the first time in Disney Channel history, Cyrus (right) came out using the word ‘gay’ and made it official with the recurring character TJ (left) this year. The two-season slow-burn was really worth it.

Shadowhunters: Malec got married this year. Yay.

Grey’s Anatomy: Levi and Nico still going strong.

La Casa de las Flores (The House of Flowers): despite the first season making it seem like it was the end for Diego and Julián, that’s not the case. In season 2, they’re stronger than ever, the scenes are spicier than ever and the show is gayer than ever.

Baby: first season was mostly focused on Fabio (face on right) realizing he’s gay. The second season has shockingly showed us that Brando (face on left) is gay as well. Very toxic ship so if you enjoy Gallavich this is probably for you.

Élite: Omar and Ander continuing their journey.

Shameless: Ian (up) and Mickey (down) came back to Shameless season 10 as main characters. About time.

Station 19: new love interest (left, a deaf character portrayed by a deaf actor) was introduced for Travis (right) in the season 2 finale. Let’s see what happens in season 3, which airs in 2020.

Ackley Bridge: they pretty much baited us with Cory (left) and Naveed (right) this season. They stayed just friends, but Naveed found a love interest, so that’s nice.

Find Me In Paris: Never saw the show, but Jeff (on the picture) is gay and his love interest Isaac gets introduced in second season that aired this year.

13 Reasons Why: Tony and Caleb going strong. It was also revealed that Monty (right) is a closeted gay and had a storyline with Winston (left). There’s probably more to come with them in next season. 

Insatiable: unfortunately they didn’t serve much Bob (right) & Bob this year. But they introduced detective Rudy (left) and there were some scenes and twists and turns. Whatever.

Riverdale: I don’t care. Kevin (left) is still there. There are some gay charcters based on wiki, but yeah. Crumbs, I bet. Whatever.

Charité: second season (which has the two main gay characters) takes place in Berlin in 1943. You don’t need to watch the first season at all, to understand the second one with them, it’s basically a stand-alone.

Animal Kingdom: Deran and Adrian’s story coming to an end?

The Magicians: Well, they killed off the central bi character Quentin (on the picture), so fuck them. 

How to Get Away With Murder: Connor (left) and Oliver (right) still there.

Dear White People: haven’t seen it, but Lionel (on the picture) is still there and he’s gay.

Zoe Valentine: there’s this web series and these two have a storyline in second season that aired this year.

SOAP OPERAS AND TELENOVELAS

Sturm der Liebe: Boris (left) and Tobias (right) are married and lived happily ever after. Really cute and sometimes dramatic storyline overall. Check it out.

Malhação: Vidas Brasileiras: Santiago (left) and Michael (right) had a gay storyline but the show ended this year.

Malhação: Toda Forma de Amar: Guga (right) and Serginho (left) have a gay storyline in the show.

Eastenders: Ben (left) and Callum’s (right) storyline has begun this year.

Neighbours: David (right) and Aaron (left) aka husbands still in the soap.

REALITY SHOWS

Queer Eye: five gay guys helping others. Season 3, 4 and a special have aired this year.

Are You the One?: for the first time in the show’s history, season 8 of this dating reality show had an all-sexually fluid cast this year. Which means mlm and wlw and anything else. Really fun show.

MOVIES

Benjamin: don’t even remember what the movie was about but I rec because it was cute and I mean hello Merlin.

Boy Erased: homosexuality and religion. Has a Troye Sivan in it. Very decent movie.

And Then We Danced: my favorite gay movie of this year. All the things they had to do to be able to film this in homophobic Georgia (the country)... just wow. It’s a must-watch.

Who Would You Take to a Deserted Island?: didn’t know what to expect from this movie. It is based on a play and it shows. Watch and be the judge of it. The acting was really highlight of the movie.

This Is Not Berlin: hasn’t seen it yet since it was just officially released. But it is included in an LGBT+ section so... hopefully they didn’ lie.

Rocketman: movie about Elton John with Taron Egerton and Richard Madden... I mean, phew.

Un Rubio (The Blonde One): gonna watch this, apparently it’s amazing based on what some of my mutuals have said.

The Death and Life of John F. Donovan: Jon Snow being gay and kissing Chris Zylka. Made by Xavier Dolan. A literal tripple threat. Genuinely enjoyed the movie and the soundtrack.

Ranchlands: haven’t seen this but my friend said it’s amazing.

Steam Room Stories: this movie was something... Eating Out levels of ‘I-’ but without all the sex. I guess watch this if you are bored.

Posledice (Consequences): very spicy and intriguing movie. Slovenia snapped with this one.

Papi Chulo: didn’t like this movie and the concept of it but... you can check out and see for yourself.

Dolor y gloria (Pain and Glory): Antonio Banderas kissing a man. Hopefully it really is a gay-related movie because I haven’t seen it yet.

Die Stropers (The Harvesters): brilliant cinematography but I expected much more from the movie.

Giant Little Ones: what happens when you’re into your best friend’s sister but the best friend gives you a BJ. Well... watch and see.

Kanarie (Canary): a war musical about a small town boy who gets chosen to serve his compulsory two year military training in the South African Defence Force Choir and Concert. Loved the involvement of the Boy George music, aesthetic and story. One of my favorites this year. 

Luciérnagas (Fireflies): haven’t seen it yet but the description says that the main gay character (right) “flees from persecution in Iran and ends up living in the tropical town of Veracruz.”

El Angel: haven’t seen it but apparently there are some implications it was lowkey gay... so yeah.

Dear Ex: from wiki “San Lian was devastated when she discovered her late ex-husband left his insurance payout to his male partner Ah Jie. She decided to bring her son to fight for their rights, but her son instead chose to stand on the other person's side.” Will watch this soon, sounds interesting.

Sauvage: one of the best gay movies this year. Don’t know how to describe it so let me copy paste the description “ Léo is a sex worker who uses drugs whilst longing for love.”

Sócrates: haven’t seen it yet as it was just released.

Marilyn: story about a farm worker who discovers his sexuality in a hostile environment. Didn’t see it since someone has told me there are some scenes that are really HARD to stomach and I ain’t about that life.

Les Crevettes pailletées (The Shiny Shrimps): the movie is about an Olympic swimming champion who makes a homophobic comment in a television interview, and is disciplined by the national swim team with the responsibility of coaching a gay water polo team who aspire to compete in the Gay Games. Sounds and looks like an amazing comedy and can’t wait to watch it when I will be able to.

Fin de siglo (End of the Century): it’s not out yet as far as I know, but it’s about two men who meet in Barcelona and realize they have met already 20 years ago.

Matthias et Maxime: another excellence by Xavier Dolan. Story about life-long friends who question their sexual identities after they kiss. Looks amazing and I can’t wait for it to get released finally.

The Goldfinch: not a gay movie, but I’ve seen many people considering it as LGBT+ cinema because of the book and you know what, they kissed after all so you can perceive it beyond friendship if you want. If not, then just skip it. I feel like it is worth mentioning it tho.

Mapplethorpe: movie is about the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Didn’t see it but Doctor Who plays him so there’s that.

UPCOMING

TV SHOWS

9-1-1: Lone Star: The spin-off of a popular show 9-1-1 by Ryan Murphy is premiering 19th of January 2020. It’s confirmed that the main character TK (a firefighter, left) will be romantically involved with the main character Carlos (a police officer, right). The show will also have a main trans man.

Love, Simon: The Series: A Disney+ Love, Simon spin-off is on its way and will premiere in 2020. The series will follow Victor (right) and his coming-out story at the same high school where Love, Simon took place. Didn’t find a photo with his love interest. The guy on the left will most likely be his enemy.

[wilder-fangirl]

People love to point out how the Cookie Giants are Max’s dream of his parents - happy and together. While this may be true, a much more realistic and fleshed-out version of what Max dreams his parents would be like is manifested in Sharkboy and Lavagirl.

Let’s start from the most obvious parallel. In the beginning of the movie, Max’s mom says, “Your father and I, we’re just, not compatible.” Later on, LG says “Why’d you have to make us a team? When I’m near water I fizzle out. When he’s near heat he shrivels. We’re not compatible!”

Both Max’s mom and LG point out that they are not compatible with who is supposed to be their best friend. However, the main difference is, throughout the film, SB and LG constantly show how, despite being near complete opposites, they are the most powerful, complementary, dynamic duo imaginable. “You’re Sharkboy and Lavagirl; you can do anything.”

While, early in the movie, it is clear Max’s parents are seriously considering divorce because of their differences and incompatibility, SB and LG stay by each other’s side all the while recognizing and embracing their differences, and at times using that polarity to their advantage. This is shown in small, caring gestures like SB using his water bending to put out LG’s flame hair, or in more impactful moments like when they work together to take down common enemies or both use their unique skills to stop the never-rest coaster.

Max shaped his most precious dreams not into “better” parental figures, not into a flawless team who obviously went together having fewer, less significant differences, but as seemingly incompatible people who overcome their extremely different natures because they care about each other and their common goals.

This leads us into a discussion of SB and LG's self sacrifice. My absolute favorite part of the movie is when Lavagirl rescues Sharkboy from drowning, then he in turn goes right up to the mouth of a volcano to revive her. They must plunge or at least nearly, into the things that could incapacitate them, in order for the other to live. And they do it without question, because “He’s my best friend.” They don’t only do it for their own sakes however, but also in order to save Planet Drool. This is a physical representation of how Max’s parents need to confront their differences head on and go through the pain of trying to fix things for the sake of their relationship and for the sake of their child.

Once both SB and LG (representing his parents) have been nearly taken down by their differences and then saved by each other (reconciliation), only then does LG discover that she is light, and that she is able to rid the planet (max’s mind) of the darkness (the pain of his parent’s impending divorce and constant fighting.)

Now onto SB and LG as their own entities, aside from the ways they represent a healthy version of Max’s parent’s dynamic. Obviously the self sacrifice is meaningful to their relationship on its own - demonstrating that they will risk death for the other and demonstrating how deep their connection goes. Other places that their potential future romance is hinted at are:

When LG gets jealous when SB talks about how beautiful the Ice Princess is.

The cheek kiss.

The way you can sometimes see how SB is in awe of LG when she uses her powers.

The nicknames such as “Sharky” and “LG.”

How SB believes in her during the bridge scene and prevents Max from interfering “She can make it.”

How LG encourages SB to use his seemingly destructive powers in a useful, good way “Nice channeling your anger, Sharky.” [Can also be read as if Max’s mom encouraged Max’s dad to use his writing skills in a way that would benefit the family instead of trying to get him to change and go onto a different career path.]

The lullaby scene.

Their general banter.

Now, just to be clear, in no way am I saying that at the time of the adventures of sharkboy and lavagirl were either SB and LG in any kind of relationship that was anything other than platonic. What I am saying however, is that they were great friends who knew how to work through and respect their differences and cared deeply for each other. They very obviously had the foundation for a lifelong friendship/partnership. There was a reason so many of us shipped them as kids, even though we probably didn’t know what shipping was. So, what I’m saying here is, it’s entirely possible if not likely that this friendship naturally grew into romance as they got older. That’s why their relationship in We Can Be Heroes shouldn’t come as a shock to you.

[ruby-read]

mid-year book freak out tag! - 2021

best book so far

a court of mist and fury by sarah j maas - 5 / 5 stars

need i say more? it was just so good.

best sequel so far

bitterblue by kristin cashore - 5 / 5 stars

i don't think i have talked about the graceling realm series and how much i love it on here but here i am.

i loved every book in this series but bitterblue stood out to me because even though it was incredibly long, it kept me gripped throughout. there was an unsolvable mystery (maybe im dense though) that kept me guessing for hundreds of pages and just a glimmer of romance which i usually miss when its not there but this stood on its own without it.

i thought bitterblue was an extremely strong character and it was a great ending to a companion trilogy (before winterkeep was announced and continued it). also, loved seeing all of the characters come together at the end and seeing katsa and po pop in and out.

new release i haven't read yet but want to

the nature of witches by rachel griffin realm breaker by victoria aveyard

something about witches and elemental magic just sounds so awesome to me and i am just so drawn to this book.

and i am currently enjoying the red queen series and love a good found family so im hoping to love realm breaker. ive heard mixed things so im gonna lower my expectations a little but still excited.

most anticipated release for the second half of the year

these hollow vows by lexi ryan aurora's end by *** ******** graceling: the graphic novel by kristin cashore six crimson cranes by elizabeth lim the hawthorne legacy by jennifer lynn barnes

idk why i am so excited about these hollow vows but i am and i think it's just gonna be a (hopefully) exciting fantasy romance. im hoping for two sexy men and a bad BITCHHH of a main character.

ive heard only amazing things about six crimson cranes so i am very very excited! i've been waiting for this book i think since january and its almost finally here!

aurora's end (even though the authors are cancelled) i NEED to finish the series then they will officially never receive my money again. the cliffhanger at the end of aurora burning was so incredibly uncool and so now i have no choice but to see what happens in the finale.

the graceling graphic novel. do i need to explain myself?

and the hawthorne legacy is the next installment in the inheritance games series and i really enjoyed the first book! the mystery and the way patterns were worked into it really had me intrigued and i was itching to know what was happening for the entire book. so excited to see what happens in the next one!

biggest disappointment

the crown of gilded bones by jennifer l armentrout - currently on pause/possible dnf

this book was just so boring but also SO much happened in the first 50 pages that i was honestly incredibly confused? and there was just overwhelming info-dumping about the history of the world and an underdeveloped plot. idk i just couldn't get into it (which was really disappointing bc i loved akofaf). thinking of dnfing...

biggest surprise

crown of midnight by sarah j maas - 4.5 / 5 stars

ok so. i really did not enjoy throne of glass. after reading the acotar series and then jumping into throne of glass, i hated the love triangle, the intrigue wasnt enough to get me engaged until the last third, etc. sooo i was even considering not reading the rest of the series. but of course like the sjm stan that i am, i had to. and this one was so good. i wrote a review on it so if your interested in more in depth thoughts go take a peak!

favorite new author (debut or new to me)

kristin cashore!

the way that she writes political mystery in her world is so good. not a single time did i have a correct guess on what was happening. i also loved how her books had strong woman main characters, but they all had agency in a different way. and how the romance subplots were small but enough to keep the romantic in me satisfied, but also didnt take away from the main heroines story. ugh just so good! love u girly <3

new fictional crush

aaron warner (shatter me series by tahereh mafi)

ok i know hes kind of like super crazy and kind of creepy obsessed, but also like.... cmon. hes kinda super hot too. and i kind of love the i hate everyone but you trope....

art credit: @jessdraw.s

new favorite character

lara (bridge kingdom series by danielle l jensen)

her strength, her agency, her ability to unlearn everything she grew up believing, her power. an amazing and complex character.

art credit: @rosiesfables

books that made me cry

a court of wings and ruin by sarah j maas

if you've read this book u understand why. there was a happy ending for our two main characters at the end but the war that ensued at the end of this book was just fucking heart wrenching and so beautiful at parts i will never forget everything that happened.

books that made me happy

heartstopper vol. 1 by alice oseman

i feel like this series is great for young readers (12-17). it teaches about friendship, sexuality, mental health, asking for help, how to offer help, etc. and tons of really diverse representation throughout. i wish this existed when i was younger.

it made me happy to think about young people reading this series and feeling seen and validated. and about how openly alice oseman illustrates difficult topics and how to deal with them. just made my heart swell.

most beautiful book bought/gifted so far

the ones we're meant to find by joan he

i mean... its gorgeous!!

books i need to read by the end of the year

crescent city by sarah j maas

again as a stan i need to finish this before the end of the year bc i have only heard good things and the second book comes out jan 2022.

favorite book to movie adaptation so far

moxie, shadow and bone, brigerton lol (and very excited about along for the ride!!)

2021 reading stats so far...

45 books read

35,000 pages read

11 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads

4.13 average rating

thanks so much for reading my mid-year update! happy reading! : )

[nellie-elizabeth]

His Dark Materials: Tower of the Angels (2x04)

Okay, yeah, things are really a-happening, aren't they??

Cons:

The witches are so far the weakest link for me this season. They're not bad, but just a little bland. They look cool, and I guess they are cool in what they get up to, but whenever the scene switches over to them I find myself underwhelmed. The puzzle pieces are moving towards each other, as the witches are going to go join Asriel, but I don't have a lot more to report than that.

This is the nitpicky-est of nitpicks, but the subtle knife didn't look how I imagined it in my head! I guess I heard 'knife' and thought 'dagger', so I expected the blade to be bigger, maybe? It's fine, it's not ruining the show for me or anything, but I thought I'd point it out.

Pros:

The whole fight in the tower was excellent. They managed to ratchet up the tension without making the fight overlong. This isn't a meticulously choreographed battle between seasoned warriors, it's a scrappy fight between two young people, one of them still a boy, and it results in grievous injury and more than one death, if you count the former wielder's subsequent demise. It was brutal, quick, and intense. I also thought the gravity of the moment was portrayed really well. Will has just gotten himself inextricably involved in a complicated situation that he didn't want anything to do with. There's no backing out now, and he accepts it with grace, even exhibiting some excitement and curiosity about the knife and its properties. But there's a heavy burden on him now, and he definitely knows that too.

The scene where Will touched Pan was so beautiful! I don't know how to articulate this well, but there's something really powerful about the daemons in this story, beyond just the obvious of them being a manifestation of a person's soul. There's something cool about the gendered aspect, the way there is a feminine spirit in some bodies and a masculine spirit in others, but those are often (but not always) different than that of their gender. I know a lot of people have written fic that explores this further, when it comes to nonbinary and transgender people and their daemons. But I think the thing that's really gripping me here is that daemons are a representation of desire and of vulnerability. So when Pan allows Will to touch him, it was because he, Pan, wanted to. Which meant a part of Lyra's soul was open to that vulnerability, even if the actual connection between the two human children hadn't outwardly reached that level. What a powerful, intense moment for them!

And speaking of powerful, intense daemon stuff, I've got to say that Phoebe Waller-Bridge being cast as Andrew Scott's daemon is giving me ALL sorts of feels. I know it's just a meta thing, and not really relevant in terms of the show... but I got a little misty-eyed, thinking of them being joined souls like that, after they could never be together in Fleabag.

I loved Lee Scorseby's continuing journey here! I was thinking about what happens in the books, and I don't think they've really expanded his material that much, barring the Mrs. Coulter thing from last week, but it feels like he's getting more screen-time and a chance to really carry a plot thread of his own. And I think it's working really well, and is totally a good move! He meets Grumman at last, or, as we learn, Jopari (Joe Parry, Will's father). They make a deal to travel together, as Parry wants to find the wielder of the subtle knife so that it can be used in Asriel's war, unaware that the new bearer of the knife is Will. Lee's motives are no less important, although he's thinking in more personal, individual terms. He wants the knife to be used for Lyra's protection. Lucky for both of them, it looks like that's already the case!

I loved Scott's performance of Grumman/Parry... he was incredibly flat in some ways, but it made sense for a man who has commanded magics and traveled so far. He's entered into this preternatural sense of calm communion with the world around him. Lee, happy to be back in the air on their journey at last, is delighted when Parry uses his magics to summon a wind to aid in their travels.

Mrs. Coulter continues to be sinister as fuck, and she and Boreal are on the move, getting ever closer to finding Lyra. Mrs. Coulter is now in Will's Oxford, awaiting Lyra's return for the alethiometer. We'll have to see how that plays out in the next episode! I like how Marisa and Boreal have this sort of seduction thing going on, where they're both attempting to play each other. It's less clear what Boreal gets out of helping Marisa, but there's this sense that he wants to make her happy, at the same time that he wants more practical assets, such as the knife that Will has no intention of giving up.

Mary Malone gives the Cave another try, and manages to talk to Dust/Dark Matter/Shadows for the first time! This scene was excellently done, and honestly chilling... we learn that Dust is conscious, and that it is angels, and that angels have been interfering in human evolution from the beginning. "Why?" Mary Malone asks. "Vengeance," the angels answer. I love what this is setting up. Pullman's anti-religion agenda in the books is hard to miss, and I recall the terrible movie that came out years ago tried to kind of shy away from that explicit part of the message. Not so, here. We're going full-tilt, and things are getting intense. I'm all about it!

One last note on Asriel - I love how absent he's been this season, but how present the specter of him remains. Everyone knows Asriel is up to something. Various forces are coalescing around him. I like the buildup, and I'm excited to see his return... if he even returns this season at all!

I'm sure there's more to discuss, but that's where we'll leave off for now. Will has the knife, and now the next step is to get the alethiometer back from Boreal. From there, they've got to reunite Will with his father, who is even now looking for him, unaware that his son is the knife wielder he seeks! Things are coming together in a big way, and I'm really anxious to see how some of my favorite moments from the books are going to be portrayed in the coming weeks.

8.5/10