#holiday spin 2012

[bradshawed]

the holiday — pick the setting/location && the person and i’ll write you a blurb!

how about christmas morning with pope or jj (or both)!! u can pick the pairing but I feel like they’d both give really thoughtful gifts even if they didn’t cost much x

Something old, something new..

warnings — fem!reader, use of y/n, one pet name, fluff, slightly jealous!jj, jj pining for u, simp!jj, slight obx inaccuracies, parental death, links to top gun

note — went for both (with jj pining for you hehe). hope you like it! mwah ily mal x

drew's christmas celly x

...

Cleo's knife spun on the wooden floor of the Chateau, finally coming to a stop on Pope. JJ groaned, dramatically throwing his hands up in the air with a huff as the sweet boy handed you a perfectly wrapped box, much to JJ's annoyance.

Tradition states that on Christmas morning, following a sunrise surf, presents are to be opened around the questionable glass beer bottle tree (insert something or other about sustainability). Normally, a bottle would be spun to determine who opened their presents first (see the Christmas fiasco of 2012) but seeing as all the bottles were used up, spin the knife seemed like the safest option.

"Oh wow- Pope I- I don't know what to say." The boy in question shrugged off the compliment with a smile, urging you to take it out of the sunshine yellow wrapping paper you'd been so careful to avoid ripping. JJ's head snapped up out of curiosity, leaning over your shoulder to see your mother's Ricoh FF90 Super film camera fixed, with a roll of 35mm film. The three of you had found that old thing one day when you'd bribed them to help you clean out your attic in exchange for free food. JJ had said he knew a guy, but Pope mentioned having some film lying around and well, you can figure out the rest. Now the scrapbook journal Cleo had gifted you with (along with the self-defence lessons) made more sense. You pulled them into a hug, grateful to have something that connected you to your mum. "Thank you, this means a lot to me."

"Okayyy, it's getting way too emotional, who's left?" JJ, ever the empath.

"That would be you J."

"Oh."

He tried to give you the classic JJ smile, "you don't have to open it pretty girl, it's fine, really, it's not much and-" he stopped at the sight of your smile, handing over the present he'd poorly attempted to hide behind his back, he never could hide anything from you.

It wasn't neatly wrapped by any means, with duct tape haphazardly covering the faded green Christmas trees, but it had a certain JJ charm to it that had you placing a gentle kiss to his cheek to calm down his fidgeting fingers. John B let out a snort at the blush covering the blonde's cheeks (one that you missed trying to delicately unwrap the paper).

Plop. Something small fell onto your lap as JJ sucked in a nervous breath.

"Had to ask the girls for some help but I um made it for you."

You ran your fingers over the material of the handmade bracelet, feeling a familiarity you couldn't quite place. Until all of a sudden, it clicked, "the shirt, you-". JJ nodded in confirmation, the anxiety leaving his body at your visible excitement as you tackled him into a hug.

Your father had passed away when you and your brother were young, and your mother had done her best to keep his memory alive until she passed away from cancer a few years ago. You didn't have much to remember them by, except for the passion for photography you shared with your mother, and your father's collection of Hawaiian shirts which your brother had taken to.

You recently ripped one, badly, managing to save some scraps, a few of which you gave to JJ upon his request. Now you see why he'd asked. The bracelet had been made from your father's shirt interwoven with small charms. The perfect mix of old and new.

And a Christmas you won't ever forget.

[serenastark-official]

📍Location: A cozy restaurant in New York City, December 2012 -closed rp

The cozy little restaurant on the edge of Manhattan buzzed with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional clink of glasses. Serena sat at a corner table, idly stirring her cup of tea. Snowflakes drifted lazily outside, settling on the windowsill, while holiday lights blinked cheerfully along the streets. The world seemed to have moved on from the chaos of the Chitauri invasion earlier that year.

Serena, however, hadn’t.

Her breath caught in her throat as the sounds around her blurred. A waiter accidentally dropped a tray nearby, the sharp clang of metal against tile echoing like an explosion in her ears. The walls of the restaurant seemed to close in, the warm air suddenly feeling oppressive.

The chatter around her faded into the background, replaced by the deafening roar of alien engines and the panicked screams of New Yorkers. Her chest tightened as if an invisible force had wrapped itself around her ribs, making it hard to breathe.

The fork slipped from her trembling fingers, clattering against the plate. She froze, eyes wide, her surroundings spinning.

With a sudden, panicked jolt, she shoved past the table, bumping into a waiter with a tray of drinks. The crash of the glasses hitting the floor seemed to echo in her skull, her heart hammering in her chest.

People looked at her, confused and startled, but she couldn’t slow down. She didn’t even notice the confused murmurs or the concerned faces—she just needed to get out, away from the noise, away from the tight space.

Her legs wobbled as she pushed through the crowd, nearly knocking over a group of people celebrating at a table. She didn’t care. She couldn’t think.

Get a grip, she thought, clenching her fists. It was hard to focus, but she had learned how to shut everything out before.

The Iron armor materialized around her in a shimmering cascade of sleek metal, wrapping her in a comforting cocoon of strength.

Miss Stark, your vitals are elevated. Your heart rate and breathing are irregular. Recommend immediate stabilization

"Me?"

Your current physiological response indicates a high level of stress. I can assist you in managing it. There is no need to—

"I’m fine," Serena snapped, cutting him off, but even as the words left her lips, she felt the tightness in her chest.

[loraxswiftie]

swirling snowflakes & red-hot desire.

[ A 1972 Once-ler fic. ]

pairing: The Once-ler (1972) x Fem. Reader

summary: You've just bought yourself a new dress on the Once-ler's dime—the least you can do is model it for him. // A quiet snow day is a day spent with your lover, devoting yourself to him and treasuring each second you get to have him all to yourself, just like a good little wife should.

word count: 1,420

warnings: traditional gender roles and suggestive content.

author's note: I've been tinkering with some original character development for the Once-ler for about a year or so, because the canon version of him in the Lorax film just wasn't doing it for me. I think I've managed to capture him in a light that I prefer and developed his character, writing him much differently than as depicted in the popular 2012 film. I believe my interpretation stays a little truer to the 1972 version, with my own personal spin, and contains multiple aspects of this earlier depiction.

That being said, If you are looking to read a fic about the 2012 canon-compliant Once-ler, you won't find that here. This is my version and an entirely different interpretation of the character; I hope you enjoy.

The Once-ler reclined in his favorite armchair, the rich, supple leather creaking comfortingly as he sank into its familiar embrace with a hand on his stomach, full from the delicious dinner you prepared and had waiting for him when he had returned from work for the day. 

His imposing frame filled the seat; at well over six feet tall and nearly 300 pounds, he was a mountain of a man. 

The living room was bathed in a warm, amber glow from the crackling fire in the hearth, casting flickering shadows that danced across the walls. Outside, the snowstorm howled with unrelenting fury, the wind rattling the frosted windowpanes and obscuring the night in a swirling veil of white. 

Inside, all was tranquil and serene. 

The Once-ler reached for his whiskey, the cut crystal tumbler glinting in the firelight. The ice cubes clinked gently as he lifted the glass to his lips and took a savoring sip, relishing the smooth burn as the aged liquor rolled across his tongue and warmed him from within. Tendrils of fragrant cigar smoke curled lazily overhead, the heady aroma mingling with the scent of aged hardwood and old books. 

Soft jazz music played on the vintage record player, the soulful notes of the saxophone a perfect complement to the soothing crackle of the fire and the muffled din of the blizzard outside. 

He gazed out at the whiteout conditions, watching the snowflakes swirl and dance on the wind, and felt a deep sense of peace wash over him. 

When you came into the room, he gazed adoringly, drinking in the sight of you, a vision of loveliness, and it was clear that you had dressed up just for him, since there was no hope of going out anywhere in such conditions. 

The dress you wore was exquisite - a short, form-fitting number in a delicate cream color that hugged your curves in all the right places.

The hem barely grazed your mid-thigh, showcasing your long, shapely legs. A flirty ruffle of lace trimmed the low-cut neckline, drawing the eye to the graceful curve of your neck and collarbone. The fabric of the dress was strewn with tiny red hearts, a playful nod to the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, but it was still almost a month away. 

The festive print made you look sweet and flirtatious, the perfect combination to make his pulse race. 

He couldn't take his eyes off you as you twirled lightly, the skirt of the dress flaring out to give him an enticing glimpse of more bare skin. 

His heart swelled with love and desire, overcome with the need to take you in his arms and show her just how irresistible you were to him. He produced a thick cigar from his breast pocket and with a deft flick of his antique silver lighter, he set the end aglow and took a long, indulgent drag, pungent blue-gray smoke billowing from his nostrils.

His deep-set, obsidian eyes followed the petite figure of his woman as you flitted around the room with exaggerated, coquettish movements, putting on a show just for him. The fabric of the angelic dress molded to your every dainty curve and contour, the flouncy skirt swishing around your thighs with every coy twirl and spin. 

Playful giggles bubbled from her glossy lips as she basked in the heat of his intense, smoldering gaze, clearly relishing the effect her titillating performance was having on him.

The Once-ler took another long, slow drag from his cigar, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, thoroughly enjoying the tantalizing performance of his sweet little plaything. “So, what do you think?” you asked, hands placed delicately on your hips as you posed the question to him, “was it a wise purchase?”

The Once-ler considered his answer carefully, the hint of a pleased smile still apparent on his ruddy face as his dark eyes raked over you, “Of all the things you’ve spent my money on, darling, this is one of my favorites.”

Another bout of bubbly laughter erupted from you as you crossed the room to him, stopping to cup one of his large hands between the two of yours, little fingers tenderly caressing his knuckles, “I will consider that a win. You know I like dressing nicely for you.”

The Once-ler hummed thoughtfully at that, “I know you do, little darling,” his gruff voice was indicative of the many years he’d spent as a smoker, “and might I say…you look gorgeous in that dress.”

Knowing you had pleased him filled you with an overwhelming sense of relief. 

This type of attire was not one you were very familiar or comfortable with, but his approval boosted your confidence and roused a certain sense of safety within you, reassuring you that you’d made the proper choice. 

He lifted his hand from your grasp and laid his palm against your cheek, thumb stroking the curve of your flesh and the creases of your smile, “then again, you always look gorgeous for me, sweetheart.”

A soft, pink blush appeared on your cheeks as he complimented you and you had to pull away out of concern for your ability to mask your emotion in front of him if he continued to utter sweet words of affirmation and appreciation to you. 

His thick fingers on your face made you tingle and you couldn’t help but long to compare your littler hand to his, knowing how satisfying it would be to see the startling difference between your two sizes. 

“Thank you,” you muttered, attempting to remain grateful as you moved towards the mantle where you retrieved a candle and brought it to him and, using his lighter, he lit it for you and you carried it back to set it down safely out of the way of anything flammable. 

“Of course,” He admired you appreciatively from afar as you put the candle down, “though you may want to put on something warmer now, dear. There’s a bit more of a chill in the air than even I am comfortable with.”

Your eyes widened slightly, “oh, shall I turn up the heat?”

The Once-ler let out a rumbled chuckle and shook his head, raising one hand to stop you, “No need, darling. Go and make yourself comfortable, then come sit with me. Your body next to mine would be more than sufficient.”

You did as you were told and went to your shared bedroom, where you extracted yourself from the form-fitting dress you’d donned just to receive his approval and slipped into a silk nightgown he had picked out and surprised you with for Christmas. 

Several quiet moments passed before you re-entered the living room and the Once-ler exhaled, a sigh of relief escaping him as you made your way to him, crossing the room to stand at his side while he adjusted his position before beckoning you onto his lap as he typically did at the end of every day. 

You settled onto his thigh, careful not to crowd him, as he put one arm around your midsection and held you to him. 

You could feel his heart beating, every breath he took pressing his chest more firmly against my back. 

It was comforting being held in his arms, safe and warm in the glow of the fire while you and he watched the snow fall. 

“Comfortable?”

His gentle questioning prompted an answer from you and you nodded lazily, head tilting back to connect with his shoulder as you cuddled into his warmth, “of course,” you whispered, “thank you.”

You reached down and took his hand, pulling his arm from around your waist to make it easier to hold onto him. 

His cigar, hanging loosely between the fingers of his free hand, was lifted to his lips and he inhaled, holding his breath in for several seconds before letting out a plume of smoke past your shoulder. 

As the two of you sat in silence, your petite frame perched on his thigh, his mind wandered back to the little slip of a dress you’d bought and tried on for the first time in front of him. You had looked like a perfect little jewel, his own polished, scarlet ruby which was more valuable to him than all the money in his billfold, his bank account and this year’s projected sales and income. 

Money was something everyone needed, but him?

The only thing that the Once-ler needed more than cash was this lovely darling, right here on his lap. 

[2danny2furious]

College Danny (2012 - 2016 Danny) x Reader headcanons 👀??? College Danny is my fav Danny I think about him A Lot. Tysm in advance 🥰

Ofc! Here are some College!Danny headcanons-- will add more when I get time <3

Danny is such an adorable lightweight freshman year. When you go to parties together, it’s almost unbelievable how quickly he gets buzzed, slurring loudly to anyone who can hear that his girlfriend is the prettiest girl in the world, much to your embarrassment. By senior year, he can hold his drink, but still can’t contain his attraction for you. He can handle a party without you for about one hour max, but then, like clockwork, will drift away from whatever conversation he’s in to seek you out. Even if you’re in the middle of talking to someone, he will shamelessly wrap his arms around your waist and will reach around to attack you with kisses, not giving a shit if you’re getting embarrassed.

He insists that he studies better with you, even though he spends most of your “study sessions” in the library bumping his knees against yours against the table and distracting you with crazy stories, or insisting he needs to take a million pictures and videos of you for “creative inspiration.” He also begs you to be in all of his vines, most of which you film for him. There’s always a little bit of shyness when he approaches you with his next idea, his display of confidence betrayed by the longing in his eyes for your approval, which you will give every time to this sweet boy you love. 

He goes crazy for when you wear his clothes. In the morning, when you wake up beside him wearing his Georgia Tech crewnecks, with your hair messy and face bare, he stares at you like you’re a goddess he can’t quite perceive (because, let’s face it– you are). 

You love when he comes home with you for the holidays. His goofy charm cracks your dad’s quiet demeanor and he’s the first to help you your mom with hosting duties (making you look bad everytime– he swears its not on purpose). Your little cousins can’t get enough of him– he’ll give endless piggy back rides and put his whole body into all of their acting games, whether he’s pretending to be a dinosaur chasing them around the house or a stern british villain, spinning around in the computer chair, stroking a stuffed animal as if it was a cat. Of course, now that Danny’s a part of your family, the yearly plays your little cousins would put on have now turned into exciting home video movies that Danny pours his whole heart into editing. It’s the sweetest thing, drifting to sleep in your childhood bed, hearing the sounds of your family’s laughter through your boyfriend’s laptop as he furrows his brows in concentration.

[ccomilk]

i wrote a snippet for @vanillavengeance's fic Mystic Malfunction! it's based on the idea of the 2012 boys learning about cloaking brooches :D also shout out to @pasteilian for betaing the human mikey bit!!! hope y’all enjoy!!!

~

Mikey shifted awkwardly on the couch, trying to find a comfortable position. He grunted as something solid dug into his back under his shell.

“You okay dude?” Michelangelo asked from where he was sprawled over the armrest, pausing his DS momentarily. His legs dangled over the edge while he lay down on the seat cushions, so he had to crane his neck back awkwardly to see Mikey.

“Yeah, I just can’t find a comfortable spot.” Mikey grimaced, before deciding to copy Michelangelo and fully roll over onto the opposite armrest. The pressure shifted to just under the back of his ribcage, so Mikey groaned and started twisting again.

Michelangelo snickered and turned back to his game. “Maybe Leo finally had a point about flinging yourself out of canons, and you got yourself an egg.”

Mikey giggled at the mention of the previous night’s shenanigans. “Mamanardo is a coward and a party pooper, and I will never bow under his reign,” he proclaimed indignantly. Mikey flipped over onto his belly again to no avail. “But if he is right, then whooooo mama, that’s one hell of a bruise,” he grumbled quietly.

As he twisted, the feeling gradually inched up to between his shoulder blades. Sitting up, he winced in anticipation as he tenderly reached his arm back to try and touch the mysterious pressure in his shell. It was still a little far down, but with a bit of stretching his fingers finally brushed across…

Metal?

He gently pulled it out, and after a moment of confusion realised he was staring at Sunita’s cloaking brooch.

Huh.

Sunita had been spending a few weeks down in the Hidden City, and had lent the brooch to Mikey and his brothers since she wouldn’t need it while she was gone. Of course, this was under very strict orders to take exceptional care of the brooch and return it when she finished holidaying. I guess I forgot to take it out of my shell before all this happened…

Whoops.

Oh well, he’d take good care of it until he finally got home. But until then…

Mikey glanced over at Michelangelo, confirming he was still preoccupied with his game. Grinning, he silently clipped the brooch onto the strap on his chest, and tried not to laugh as he waited for Michelangelo to notice the “human” sitting next to him.

It didn’t take too long, as Mikey couldn’t contain his giggles and the noise quickly caught Michelangelo’s attention.

Pausing his DS, he grinned and leaned back to see what Mikey was doing. “Dude, what are you snickering aboUAAGH! HUMAN!!” Michelangelo scrambled back in shock, rolling off the couch in the process.

Mikey burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and falling back against the arm of the couch. “HAH! OH my god your FACE!!” Laughter continued to wrack his body, while Michelangelo sat up from his place on the floor.

“Wh-… wait, Orange??” Michelangelo exclaimed as Leonardo and Raphael sprinted into the main room.

“What about a human?” Leonardo rushed, darting eyes immediately landing on Mikey.

Raphael pulled out his sais and stalked towards him, spinning them threateningly. “How’d this guy get in here?“

Mikey held his hands up in a shaky surrender as laughs racked his body. “WAIT wait it's- it's just me- wait…”

Raphael froze, his face shifting from protective anger to visible disturbance. “…What the fu-”

“Can you guys keep it down? I'm trying to work in here.” Donatello's door swung open as he stepped out, still typing on his laptop.

Leonardo broke out of his shocked stupor the quickest, stepping forward uncertainly. ”Orange, I- are you… what happened?“

Donatello looked up confusedly, pushing his goggles onto his forehead as he finally took in his surroundings. ”What are you- oh my shell."

”DID YOU GET DE-MUTATED?!” Michelangelo blurted. He leapt over the couch to grab and lift Mikey, pinning his arms to his torso in the process. “DID YOU TURN HUMAN AGAIN?!”

Donatello shoved Michelangelo's head aside, pulling his goggles back down to examine the still dangling Mikey. ”No, Mikey, he wasn't retro-mutated. He was born as an ordinary turtle, remember?“

”Ohhh, right.“

Donatello hummed. “But that doesn't explain why Orange is human now. Did you come into contact with more mutagen and further mutate? Is this a side-effect of your ninpo returning? Is this to do with how you were designed?”

Leonardo and Raphael crowded around them as Donatello continued rambling theories about Mikey's current state, whose laughter had finally calmed to the occasional giggle whenever Donatello prodded his sides.

Raphael looked him up and down, eye-ridge raised suspiciously, before landing on the green brooch attached to his chest. He pulled it off, interrupting Donatello as Mikey transformed back into his regular, turtle-y self.

Donatello blinked. “WHAT?!“

In his surprise Michelangelo finally dropped Mikey, who instantly sprung back up and deftly snatched the brooch from Raphael's hand.

”HAH! I got you all gooooood,“ Mikey teased, pinning the brooch back on his chest and dancing away from Donatello's desperate grabs.

”You have to let me see that,“ he whined, pushing his goggles up for a clearer view of Mikey.

”Nuh-uh! I promised I'd look after this,“ Mikey smirked, dashing forward to smush Donatello's goggles back over his eyes.

Before he could make his escape though, Raphael grabbed the tails of his bandanna and spun him around, trapping him in a noogie-headlock combo. “Spill.”

Mikey tried to wiggle from his grasp, but his hold was iron-strong. Raphael's knuckles dug into his skull and Mikey finally had to relent.

“Okay, okay!! I was looking after my friend Sunita's cloaking brooch before I got teleported here and I forgot I had it!! It's just an illusion!!” Raphael's noogie-ing dug harder for a second before he removed his hand - though he didn't let go of Mikey just yet.

Donatello, having evidentially won his battle to readjust his goggles properly, leaned close to inspect Mikey's human form. “Fascinating… such a life-like illusion - it even feels real to the touch,” he murmured, fingers fluttering over the sleeves of Mikey's jacket. “Does it show the same image for each- MIKEY!!”

Michelangelo nimbly plucked the brooch from under Donatello's nose and pinned it to his belt, immediately transforming in a quick swirl of light to a human.

Mikey himself appeared as a young Afro-Asian teenager, with vitiligo painting his dark skin where his orange spots usually were. His hair sat in short, beaded locs, and he wore the paint-splatter jacket from Hypno's montage trap along with all his usual gear.

Michelangeo, meanwhile, had medium-brown skin speckled with freckles, and loose curls that hung in ringlets over his eyes. He grinned and admired the orange zipper hoodie he was suddenly wearing.

“Dude! This is sick!” Michelangelo exclaimed. “Someone take a picture!”

Donatello fumbled for his T-Phone, although his expression seemed torn between intrigue and concern over the fact that Michelangelo of all people had possession of the brooch. “Hang on Mikey, just stay still for a second - don't break anything.”

Michelangelo paused to stick his tongue out indignantly. “I'm not gonna break it, don't worry,“ he retorted, then squawked as Leonardo seized the brooch.

He held it above his head while Michelangelo leaped for it to no avail. “No one's using the brooch - we don't know fully what it does.” He shot Donatello and Mikey a stern look as they whined about research and fun.

“Aw, c'mon, Fearless. You're not even a little bit curious?” Raphael drawled. He'd relaxed his hold on Mikey and was now just sort of leaning against his shoulders, eye-ridge raised.

Leonardo's resolve seemed to waver for a moment, but he straightened his back and passed the brooch back to Mikey. “No. Besides, Orange said he had to look after it.”

Michelangelo and Donatello both groaned as Leonardo turned away, returning to wherever he'd been when this whole fiasco started.

Donatello sighed reluctantly and opened up his laptop again. ”Well, that was interesting, I suppose,” he muttered, heading back into his room to keep working on his project.

Mikey snickered as the door shut, prompting a curious look from Raphael and Michelangelo, who were slumped over himself (still) and the couch respectively.

“Mamanardo,” Mikey whispered cheekily. Michelangelo snickered conspiratorially, and Raphael flashed a sharp grin.

“Well, what he doesn't know won't hurt him,” Raphael purred. A giddy feeling bubbled in Mikey's chest.

Oh, they were going to have so much fun.

[jules-has-notes]

collaboration spotlight — This Is Halloween by Peter Hollens & friends

The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a holiday-spanning classic in the decades since its initial release, and a big part of that enduring enjoyment is Danny Elfman's incredibly catchy soundtrack. So it's no surprise that Peter wanted to put his own spin on this rollicking song. With the help of a handful of friends, he put together something joyously silly.

Details:

title: This Is Halloween

performers: Peter Hollens, feat. Brian Hull, Geoff Castellucci, Evynne Hollens, & Anthony Vincent

original performers: cast of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

written by: Danny Elfman

arranged by: Peter Hollens

release date: 15 October 2021

My favorite bits:

the gentle vocal layering to ease the listener in before the beat drops

the KXVO pumpkin-head dancers appearing when Peter sings ♫ "Pumpkins scream" ♫ 🎃

the visual echos emanating from ♫ "everybody scream" ♫

having an otherwise unrelated Harry Potter cameo just so he can say ♫ "I am the one hiding under your stairs." ♫

Peter's trash can helmet that doesn't actually hide anything 🗑️

Anthony's fantastic metal growl of ♫ "Aren't you scared?" ♫

the spooky whispers echoing ♫ "the wind blowing through your hair" ♫ 🌬️

Geoff's emphatic eye acting as he recites Oogie Boogie's dialogue

the various characters slowly being replaced by more copies of Jack, particularly the ghost segment still being translucent

everyone disolving into chaos and laughter

Trivia:

As seen in the first few seconds of the video, Peter had received many requests for a full cover of this song after including an excerpt of it in his "Epic Halloween Medley" music video two years earlier.

The additional performers not explicitly credited are members of the Once Voice Productions team, who have worked on several of Peter's projects.

Both Geoff and Brian had guested in Peter's "Epic Christmas Movie Medley" video the year before.

Geoff had previously recorded two versions of this song with VoicePlay. The first was on their 2012 Disney album "Once Upon an Ever After", and the second was for their 2018 spooky season music video. He recited Oogie Boogie's lines in both of those renditions, as well.

Brian has also done two covers of this song. The first is comprised of his impressions of Disney villains through the decades, including Oogie Boogie. The second is a collaboration with Danielle Threet featuring their impressions of bad guys' sidekicks from various cartoons, including Jack's trio of mischievous trick-or-treaters.

Peter included this video in a massive Halloween compilation three years later.

[popculturebuffet]

Next up for Nickelodeon era of shows, who is your favorite character from each of the early 2020s Nicktoons shows you've seen like: It's Pony, Glitch Techs, Kamp Koral, Rugrats 2021, The Patrick Star Show, The Middlemost Post, and Star Trek Prodigy? While the last batch had signs of it with The Casagrandes spin off and Pinky Malinky being on Netflix instead of Nickelodeon, this is when Nickelodeon really started to get heavier on Nicktoons based on the older IPs over original ones. This was also when they began premiering Nicktoons on streaming such as Netflix and Paramount Plus before the main Nickelodeon channel, likely with streaming getting more popular.

Okay to get this out of the way this time I haven't seen Glitch Techs (Heard it was good), enough of Middlemost post to properly talk about it, or Progidy, though I do want to see those last two. I also haven't seen shared between this and paramount+ show earthspark or the just release paramount+ show but counting it here since i talked about nick's other three tmnt shows, tales of the tmnt. By the last era we'd already cut the cord and most of these shows didn't last long enough or in progidy's case.. I've just procastinated. So i'll be throwing in two brucy bonuses to compensate.

Anywways

It's Pony: didn't see as much as i'd like, hope it's on plus, but I thought it had a nice cozy charm to it. Dont' raelly have a faviorite character but did want to mentoin it as it was quite good I just never had a chance to catch it.

Kamp Koral: Honestly Iike the fact the Sardines are a cabin.. larry may be close second as his fitness cabin is wholesome. But honestly.. .there isn't a lot here for me to grab onto despite having seen a LOT of this with my neice with watching her back when it first started. This show is meidocre at best which is disappointing as I LIKE a good summer camp set show (I'ts weird I never watched more of summer camp island with that in mind), or film, but this.. is just nothing. It has good ideas: the various other cabins, letting side characters like lady upturn, larry, kevin, or the sardines return or have a sizeable roll, and the retcons are at least given an explination (Sandy rewrote history). It's hampred both by the impressoin that this show happened quite ltierally over stephen hillenbergs dead body.. and just being mid as hell. The animation is cheap, as tmnt 2012 already proved nick COULD do a cgi show on a tv budget that looked really nice and would prove it again just a few years later. Without the expressivenes spongebob has in it's 2d form (something that sponge bout of water and the sandy cheeks movie were able to copy much better), this feels lifeless and it feels like they really didn't have a ton of ideas to do with this unique setting that hadn't been done before aside from the sardines episode. It's just kinda there at best. It's so boring.

Rugrats 2021: Hadn't seen this one either, still gets it's own entry as I tried part of the first episode.. but couldn't get into it. Not knocking the voice actors too hard, but It just never really caught on with me. We stan Betty being an out of the closet lesbian in this house and Susie getting upgraded to main cast, but it dosen't seem like there's anything I really want from this reboot not helped that I didn't appricate the original at the time, so why would I watch a version that was okay. Might watch it this holiday season for some reviews coming up but that's about it honestly. Still sucks it was removed from paramount +, hope they sell it to someone else instead same with something.. else we're going to get to

The Patrick Star Show: Squidina: she's adorbale, compliments pat well and while her inclusion is a retcon, honestly spongebob continuity is so paper thin it just dosen't matter. At this point how he met sandy has been changed entirely by time travel, patrick's had two sets of parents and another sister who dosent' exist. Making what I was shocked to find was an unrelated side character his nerdy adopted sister to make his show work better is fine by me. The first episodes were fine, just nothing really specail to me, but I heard the show did get better and do want to try it in this form as the soft reboot seemed to have worked and seems to be more in the spirit of the classic seasons while being i'ts own thing.

It's why while this show was also made over stephen hillbergs dead body, it feels less souless... Talented people did put genuine effort into saving it unlike Kamp Koral which is just.. there, and it seems to have worked. And honestly while I like a good camp story.. the patrick star show is the more unique concept. Kamp Koral is just "spongebob but a child at camp" . It COUDL work but it's hampred by using almost the entire same cast as the parent show.

In contrast while Spongebob, Sandy, and Squidward are also present here, their not the main focus. Patrick is. And while that honestly sounded like living in a living nightmare... in the pre revamp episodes it worked okay. Unlike planet sheen it's clear even in it's larval form, they got what made pat work as a character, so simply switched up the dynamics slightly: squidward is still annoyed by him, but the main foils instead the oft annoyed but far more patient with her big bro squidina. Spongebob and co are there.. but their there in support of patrick, flipping thingsj ust slightly enough and it makes sense his best friends would be there. It helps they have some really fun designs as teens. I love spongebob's slick backed hair and squidwards acne and shirt. Small changes on his and sandy's front but it' smore than kamp koral.. just making them smol and giving them outfits. So a show I honestly want to see more of as it geninely seems like it turned a corner. Could be wrong but evne then it's at least a worthy side dish to spongebob and feels less like digging up a corpse for money.

Big Nate: This one also DOES count in my eyes as it was reaired on the network, but is one I hope gets transfered somewhere. Faviorite is the boy himself, as they transitoined him well and ben giroux does a great job, though Gina as always as close. i've bene honest about loving comic strips before in this retrospective, and at the time this show aired big nate.. was fine. Stuck in a rut it's since got out of, but kinda stuck as some strips gets going through the motions and repeating gags that didn't work the first time.

Big Nate the cartoon... is a great adaptation in part because it takes some of the strips weaknesses and does away with them. Not all sadly as yelly outdated coach sterotype coach john and nate's stalker kim are kept for reasons I can't process. The former maybe, as he's useful for jokes and faculty plotlines, but the latter..

But for the most part it instead fixes a lot of aspects of the strip that didn't quite work anymore or needed a refresh: Nate's friends Teddy and Francis are more loyal and more resonable foils than "assholes who constantly insult him", with Francis in paticular being far less insufferable, instead being a truly fun friend group you root for. Gina is added from the jump and god bless them for it. I love that theater kid. (With Chad also there and pretty much a member of Team Awesome, as he should be). Nate's "hit on women like a jackass" tendnenices, while sadly relaistic to a 5th grader, are toned down, and his family gets more to do: Marty is still pathetic but it's not his oly schitck and dove cameron does a great job as his sister.

Overall the show was really good having a gorgeous peanuts movie style art style that matched the strip, it got the tone down right while adjusting it and while it wasn't always perfect I have a LOT of respect for it. Sadi it got screwed over. Hope it gets another chance

Fairly Odd Parnents: A New Wish : I need to watch more of this but... man is this good. Faviorite is Cosmo with Peri a close second as he was my faviorite in the og and that's still true as while he keeps the voice that can be mildy grating but is fine by me from the later seasons he's back to peak idiot and back to half a whohle idot.

After what I hear was a diaster with fairly odder, A New Wish is everything a revivial should be: it respects the original amazingly with TONS of callbacks I wasn't expecting thus far or have read about, and a premise that's so obvious i'm shocked it took this long to try it: Timmy's gone having moved on naturally at some point as the series constantly hinted would happen which is sad, as he looses his real parents, but means he's doing okay for himself as an adult instead, and we get Hazel instead, a new kid for a new decade. Hazel is the perfect foil too lacking Timmy's arrogance and selfishness , but still keeping the short sightness that comes when you give a child the power of a god. Hazel is a kind, wonderful little bean who like Timmy will often use her powers to help others, but due to the series having a heavier continuity, actually learns from her wishes.. it dosen't always work but it's nice that it's not a death loop of terrible mistkaes. Not saying that death loop wasn't funny, but it works better in this era

The show keeps the basic premise that works but weeds out the stuff that didn't: gone are the sadistic teachers (not saying those don't still exist but we've been there), and neglectful parents (the only one left is played dead seriously), kept is the magic hyjinks. It seems like the bulk of the cast from the original who'd make sense to show up (and i'm sure more could), do. The revamp of peri got a ton of buzz and rightfully so having him be the seemingly suave but really just very tired foil to both his own god kid and his parents is perfect, especially with wanda rest from the nag to half of a whole idiot and having the very plausable reason for him not having been around simply been them smothering him a bit much, which fits both perfectly. He dosen't hate them, he just wants to find his own way while honoring the family buisness.

As youc an tell by the several paragraphs.. I love a new wish. I hope it does well and gets to go on a while, the creators certainly have the ideas for it and frankly we could all use a little magic.

[watusichris]

Merry Christmas your arse

Originally published on Facebook on this date in 2012. **********

As many of you know, I do a radio show. Every year I dutifully pull out my shopping bag of Christmas music, which I keep segregated in a corner of a closet, and attempt to compile a few sets of Yuletide music for my listeners who may go for that sort of thing. But there's only one song I spin every year: "Fairytale of New York," from the Pogues' 1988 album "If I Should Fall From Grace With God."

It's always seemed, to me, a perfect Christmas song, though it begins in an NYPD drunk tank. It manages an extraordinary feat: It is sentimental and unsentimental at the same time, romantic without ignoring the contusions that romance scores on us all (in what other Christmas tune can you hear someone call their loved one "a bum, a maggot...a cheap lousy faggot?"), celebrating the holiday while acknowledging the disorder and gloom that sometimes settles on celebrants at this time of year. As a composition, its melodic beauty never fails to captivate me. The performance is full of zest (especially in the lilt of its tin whistle), and the orchestral swell at the end always creates a palpable feeling of being uplifted.

The song was a lovely vocal collaboration between the Pogues' bibulous lead singer Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl, daughter of the English folk icon Ewan MacColl and a U.K. star in her own right. So realistic and effective is their give-and-take on the song that if you didn't know it, you'd never believe the pair of them were not actually involved in a relationship. MacColl's turn, which plays in sweet counterpoint to MacGowan's drunken catarrh, is especially splendid, a poised mixture of affection and bile. ("Happy Christmas your arse.")

The song is probably best known visually from its original black-and-white video, but this live performance from 1988, filmed before a vocal audience, is the most winning version I've seen:

This wonderful 2006 BBC documentary about the song also serves as a hip-pocket history of the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, who was killed in a 2000 boating accident. It's very funny and revealing; it's in six parts, so follow the adjacent links: [video now unavailable; thanks Warner Music Group.]

The original video is linked in this recent story about "Fairytale" in the Guardian by the fine British writer Dorian Lynskey:

I never get tired of "Fairytale of New York." It's a part of the fabric of this maddening holiday, which calls up so many conflicting emotions in me -- sadness, longing, remembrances of drunken Christmases past, a kind of spiritual craving, and even sometimes a sort of disjointed joy. My mother died two days after Christmas a few years back; I never had the chance to play this song for her, and don't know if she was aware of it, but I think she probably would have appreciated it.

In October six years ago, my younger son Zane sat in with his brother-in-law's band the Filthy Thieving Bastards at a gig by the reunited Pogues at the Fillmore in San Francisco. I flew up to attend the show, and Zane and I sat in the VIP section when the Pogues performed.

They played "Fairytale of New York," with the young daughter of Jem Finer, who co-wrote the song with MacGowan, taking MacColl's part. During the song's climax, as fake snow drifted down from the ceiling, MacGowan soddenly swept her into his arms and slowly danced with her like a drunken bear. It was one of the greatest things I've ever seen on a stage. I was on verge of tears. [here's video of Shane and Ella Finer performing the song in 2012:] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIh6-aD-Cc0

"Fairytale of New York" perfectly defines my Christmas every year. Perhaps it does yours as well. Merry Christmas to all (especially to my boys Max and Zane). May the wind be always at your back, and hopefully you won't spend tonight in the drunk tank.

[bi-bard-reviews]

Ranking All the Movies I Watched on Valentine's Day [2025]

This week is special. It's Valentine's Day! (well, it was when I wrote this)

Let me explain why this matters to me.

I have a little tradition that's just for me. Every year on Valentine's Day, I will choose an actor and just watch a shit ton of their projects. I like to think that it's enough of a distraction to keep me from becoming a cynical asshole about the holiday.

I thought that while I have this account, it would be fun to make this week special in honor of that tradition.

Instead of one long review, I thought I'd write a bunch of little reviews and rank the movies I watched today. (warning: this made me a bit snippy and sound like a bitch)

This year's choice was Cillian Murphy, who had been on my list of potential choices ever since I started this tradition while I was in high school. Have fun!

Note: All movies were chosen randomly by spinning a wheel of 21 movies that were free on some streaming platform. Each movie that was selected was then removed from the wheel.

Red Lights (2012) - Dir. & Writ. Rodrigo Cortés: This was such a fascinating movie. There were so many fascinating elements of this project that I loved. Margaret (Sigourney Weaver) and Tom (Cillian Murphy) have an amazing relationship that carries most of the movie. It allows so much understanding into each of their actions. The storytelling of this movie was also fascinating. It always felt like the audience was being trusted to understand what was happening and what it all meant. It made the script flow smoothly and made everything more impactful. I especially loved the part where the movie just showed the filmed experiments that Simon (Robert DeNiro) took part in. Easily one of my favorites of the day. It's streaming on Freevee.

Retreat (2011) - Dir. Carl Tibbetts | Writ. Janice Hallett & Carl Tibbetts: It's kinda fun watching Cillian Murphy's character not be the smartest or toughest person in the room. This movie was amazing at building suspense and tension. It is well-established that I love a well-done single-location movie. I found this movie to be absolutely compelling from start to finish. It helps that the three leads are amazing at their jobs. I felt like the twists and turns were enough to be interesting without being overwhelming or annoying. The very ending was dragged out just a little bit. I'll probably watch it again at some point. It is free on Tubi.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Dir. Christopher Nolan | Writ. Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer: I was raised on the Nolan series of Batman films. They are why I ended up being a DC fan later in life. And I will be honest, I don't remember Cillian Murphy being in this movie. But anyway, I think it says a lot that this movie is my least favorite in the series, yet I still really enjoyed it. It would have been simple for this movie to let Bruce (Christian Bale) sit and linger in his pain and grief for far longer than necessary for the plot, but the writers of this film clearly had priorities and knew exactly how to get what they needed. Granted that there are a few unsatisfying elements of the script that should have either been cut or more thoroughly explored. Still, this movie is a thrilling conclusion that is entertaining and can make a lifelong fan out of even the biggest skeptic... even though Bane (Tom Hardy) sounds fucking ridiculous and it's a little hard to take him seriously. This movie is streaming on Max.

Red Eye (2005) - Dir. Wes Craven | Writ. Carl Ellsworth & Dan Foos: Full disclosure - I've seen this movie before. I know that kinda goes against the whole point of this blog, but I am still including it here. I find this movie to be so amazing. It was the movie that made me realize how much I liked single-location movies. There's no question that Cillian Murphy is great at playing a villain. However, Lisa (Rachel McAdams) is incredibly resourceful in this movie and that makes it watchable. The plot itself is fine but requires that you suspend disbelief for some of it. Having someone intelligent and resilient to follow for that time is essential. This movie is streaming on Paramount+.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020) - Dir. John Krasinski | Writ. John Krasinski, Bryan Woods & Scott Beck: This was an interesting movie. I can't say that there was really anything wrong with it. It was a fine movie and a fine sequel. However, I had trouble staying focused on the plot at all. Maybe it was just the timing of when I watched it, but I couldn't get myself to care about the characters and their goals. I am sure there's an audience for this movie. I just don't really think that I'm it. This movie is streaming on Netflix.

In the Heart of the Sea (2015) - Dir. Ron Howard | Writ. Charles Leavitt, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver: This is another movie that I thought was just alright. The story was interesting enough, but it just wasn't my favorite. I did find myself pretty entertained at parts, so I was considering putting above A Quiet Place Part II, but there was one thing stopping it. The accents. Good lord, maybe it was just me, but I found the accents in this to be insufferable. They were all over the place to the point that I couldn't really tell what the intention was. It just pulled me out of the parts of this movie I really enjoyed. Again, there is an audience for this movie. It just isn't me. This movie is streaming on Netflix.

The Edge of Love (2008) - Dir. John Maybury | Writ. Sharman Macdonald & Rebekah Gilbertson: Good fucking lord. This was a rushed story with iffy direction. If the actors in this project weren't so talented, I would have considered skipping most of it. There were many interesting elements and concepts that felt like they were never committed to enough for me to give a damn. The only scenes I truly enjoyed were the scenes of Caitlin (Sienna Miller) and Vera (Kiera Knightly) on their own. And that one scene after William (Cillian Murphy) shoots at the house. It makes me incredibly upset that this movie had so many promising scenes but couldn't follow through on enough to make the whole movie worthwhile. It was the first movie I watched that day, which made it even worse. You can check it out on Peacock.

WARNING: THIS SECTION HAS A BRIEF MENTION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND RAPE | Anna (2019) - Dir. & Writ. Luc Besson: This is important information - Luc Besson has sexual misconduct allegations. To my knowledge, there were no charges for those cases. That is not including the rape charges that were dropped by French prosecutors. Do with that information what you will. If I had known that prior to watching this movie, I would have left it off my list entirely. Beyond that, this movie is just kinda bad. I found the story to be rushed and choppy. The dialogue was messy and awkward. There were some interesting scenes in terms of effects but that was it. Other than that, it was forgettable. I did exit this movie early. I will inform you that this movie is on Freevee. I just don't suggest it.

[candy-floss-crazy]

In 1926 Hendrik op het Veld formed Veld Koning Machinefabriek (Veld Koning Machine Factory). This was abbreviated to Vekoma, and another legendary Dutch ride builder was created. Only inline with many amusement ride manufacturers, it actually wasn't. Originally it built farm equipment, and equipment for the mining industry. After the 1956 closure of the Dutch mining industry, the company switched to producing pipework for the petrochemical industry. 1970's And The Move Into The Entertainment Industry The US based roller coaster manufacturer Arrow Dynamics contracted Vekoma to build the steel work for their European rides in the 70's. As demand in Europe increased Vekoma eventually licensed the technology from Arrow and began building rides in their own right with 3 coasters being produced in 1979. Named the Super Wirbel the first coaster was an inverted double corkscrew installed in Holiday Park, Hassloch Germany. Two of the first riders were the German Formula 1 drivers Rolf Stommelen and Harald Ertl , eventually they produced 7 examples. They went on the produce the Invertigo, Boomerang and Whirlwind coasters. Alliance With Chance Morgan In 2006 they formed an alliance with the USA based manufacturer Chance Morgan, with Chance building the steelwork for the coasters. They produced four in total during this period. Acquisition Of Bussink Wheels Of Excellence Vekoma acquired the Wheels of Excellence range from Ronald Bussink, whereby Bussink would continue to build the 100 metre wheels and Vekoma would build wheels in the smaller 40-80 metre market. They terminated the agreement with Chance in 2012, but licensed the R60 metre wheel to a new offshoot of chance called Chance American Wheels. Madhouse And SkyShuttle Vekoma also manufacture a couple of other attractions. The most curious in the aptly named mad house. Designed to give the riders the illusion of weightlessness and spinning upside down. In actuality, it is an updated version of the 'Rib Tickler', a ride that graced British fairgrounds in the 80's, though never presented as well as the Vekoma version. The other is the SkyShuttle. Raising riders upto 50 metres into the sky with a gently rotating gondola, the ride allows spectacular views over the full site. Acquisition By Sensei Technologies In 2018 Vekoma was acquired by Sansei Technologies a Japanese based company who specialises in both Amusement rides and elevators. The agreement was that Vekoma would continue to be run as a separate entity, so hopefully the brand will continue. Read the full article

[primalpastures]

Try These 3 Healthy Holiday Chicken Dishes

Are you looking for an alternative to turkey for your Thanksgiving festivities? Chicken is an excellent option for Thanksgiving because it’s smaller and requires less cooking time. This makes it a perfect substitute for smaller family gatherings and Friendsgiving get-togethers. Here are three healthy, festive chicken dishes to try.

Cranberry Baked Chicken This easy and delicious cranberry baked chicken recipe uses bone-in chicken thighs with a cranberry-orange glaze. This hearty meal is a fan favorite and a perfect healthy Thanksgiving meal to share with loved ones or friends. To make this recipe even healthier, opt for bone-in pasture raised chicken thighs from a regenerative farm. In this recipe, chicken thighs seasoned with garlic powder and black pepper are placed in a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once the chicken thighs are a nice golden color, they are removed from the pan to saute cranberries, rosemary, and oranges. This cranberry-orange sauce goes over the chicken thighs, and both are placed in the oven. Once the cranberry baked chicken is removed from the oven, more cranberry glaze, fresh orange slices, and rosemary are added before serving this delightful Thanksgiving chicken dish. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Who doesn’t love a good broccoli casserole at Thanksgiving dinner? Casseroles are warm, hearty, delicious, and easy to bake for leftovers. If you’re looking for a healthier spin on this classic comfort food dish, you can prepare a healthy, and just as tasty, version of this classic holiday dish with nutrient-dense pastured chicken.

A few simple switches can make a typically not-so-healthy casserole a healthy one your entire family will love. You can make a homemade cream of mushroom soup instead of using store-bought soup, use high-quality chicken breast from a regenerative farm, and swap white rice for cauliflower rice. Once you’ve made the deliciously creamy sauce and sauteed the chicken and broccoli, you’ll layer your ingredients in a pan and bake for 20 minutes before serving. This dish is packed with nourishing ingredients that your whole family will love this Thanksgiving. Gluten-Free Creamy Butternut Squash Chicken and Pasta If you want a healthy, hearty, gluten-free Thanksgiving meal, you can combine sauteed chicken breast and crispy prosciutto with butternut-squash pasta. Then, top it off with a decadent creamy sauce made with caramelized onions, chopped rosemary, grated parmesan, and savory squash.

This is a perfect fall pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor, easy to make, and full of complex fall flavors. It's an excellent option for a Thanksgiving meal because it’s so customizable. For extra flavor, you can add sun-dried tomatoes or in-season vegetables. To add crunch to this dish, you can have toasted pine nuts or freshly grated parmesan cheese as optional garnishes. While this pasta is filling, you can pair it with light side dishes like asparagus or a Caesar salad. About Primal Pastures When you trust Primal Pastures for your meat and animal product needs, you can rest assured that you’re choosing ethically raised, nutrient-dense food. Meals are about so much more than just food. Family dinners are chances to connect with your loved ones. Breakfast is an opportunity to welcome a new day with open arms. When you write your grocery list, you’re doing more than planning your meals for the week—you’re deciding what kind of life you want to live and what type of world you want to live in. Since 2012, Primal Pastures has proved that the little things matter, especially when it comes to food. By raising corn and soy free chicken and beef using regenerative agriculture practices, Primal Pastures sets a gold standard for meat. Get healthy grass-fed meats for your Thanksgiving dinner at https://primalpastures.com/ Original Source: https://bit.ly/3V1hHlg

[allmypink]

Movies

A curated list of some of my favorite movies in my own categories.

"They can't order me to stop dreaming.": The classic Cinderella and all her inspired spin-offs about dreamers.

Disney's Cinderella (1950)

Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997) A Cinderella Story (2004) Ever After (1998) Ella Enchanted (2004) Maid in Manhattan (2002) Legally Blonde (2001) Last Holiday (2006)

"Get in loser. We're going shopping.": Makeovers and shopping are central themes. Mean Girls (2004) The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) Pretty Woman (1990) Miss Congeniality (2000) The Princess Diaries (2001) Clueless (1995)

"Dear diary, my teen angst bullshit now has a body count.": The feminine urge to commit murder. Heathers (1998) Teeth (2007) Ginger Snaps (2000) The Craft (1996) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) Jennifer's Body (2009) Carrie (1976) Midsommer (2019)

"Thirty and flirty and and thriving.": Movies starring older actresses. 13 Going On 30 (2004) Freaky Friday (2003) Never Been Kissed (1999) Bridget Jones' Diary (2001) Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion (1997) Juanita (2019) Uptown Girls (2003) The First Wives Club (1996)

"Your girlhood an incubation for madness.": Movies about growing pains, physical and otherwise. Barbie the Movie (2023) Black Swan (2010) Girl, Interrupted (1999) But I'm A Cheerleader (1989) Teen Witch (1989) Bring It On (2000)

“Why would you want to marry me for, anyhow?" "So I can kiss you anytime I want.”: Plain and simple romantic comedies. Sweet Home Alabama (2002) You've Got Mail (1998) When Harry Met Sally (1989) Sleepless in Seattle (1993) Falling Inn Love (2019) Wedding Season (2002) 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Bonus: Pure fluffy serotonin: Barbie Life In The Dreamhouse (2012, 5 seasons) Love 020 (2016, 1 season)

[lizzygrantarchives]

Mojo, April 2021

Is Lana Del Rey – the Springsteen-approved laureate of L.A. darkness – lightening up? In 2021, a new album opens a sunnier chapter in her controversial roman-à-clef, and folk legend Joan Baez advocates her acceptance in the pantheon. But while serenity seems almost in reach, some wounds still burn and grievances rankle. “Fame can put you on the peripheries,” she tells Victoria Segal, “where the vultures can pick at you. It’s dangerous on the edges.”

IT’S MIDNIGHT IN MODESTO AND LANA DEL REY HAS swung into the backyard, pulled up in her fast car. “I told my boyfriend I was going to go out and sit in the car because I hate it when people listen to me talk,” she says. “I’m at his parents’ farm, so we’re in, like, the guest house. It’s pretty idyllic: Northern California, pretty cold, 40 degrees and a little fireplace. We had a sweet little night singing all the old Disney and holiday songs – not what I expected after a long car ride, but everyone was in a good mood.”

Tomorrow, Del Rey will hit the road back home to Los Angeles, preparing to spend Christmas Eve “with my sister and brother and just two girlfriends.” After the holiday, it will transpire she fractured her arm while spinning on her “beautiful skates” through the “twilight of the desert”: that’s why she’s wearing a sling in MOJO’s cover photograph.

Ever since she studied philosophy at New York’s Fordham University in the late 2000s, there’s been a question lurking in Del Rey’s mind: what if something happened to make the world stop? “So when it did,” she says, “I was kind of shocked.” The pandemic has inevitably hampered her movements – festivals cancelled, studio time with producer Jack Antonoff truncated – but it hasn’t slowed down her creative jumps (or her willingness to crash into social media).

September saw the publication of her poetry collection, Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass. In November, she covered Summertime as a fundraiser for the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras; covering all bases, she also recorded You’ll Never Walk Alone for a documentary about Liverpool FC.

The most significant landmark, however, was the completion of Chemtrails Over The Country Club, the album she has been promising (sometimes as White Hot Forever) since the release of 2019’s Norman Fucking Rockwell! Bruce Springsteen, who knows a bit about the flipside of the American dream, loved that album: “She just creates a world of her own and invites you in,” he said. The cover showed Del Rey standing on a boat, one arm around Jack Nicholson’s grandson Duke, the other reaching towards the camera as if to save the viewer from the water. Behind her, the Californian coast is on fire. The Greatest, Norman Fucking Rockwell!’s defining song, was the cover’s aural analogue: “Hawaii just missed that fireball/LA is in flames it’s getting hot… Kanye West is blond and gone/Life On Mars ain’t just a song/I hope the livestream’s almost on.” But where do you go after burning America down? Did she know what was next?

“No,” says Del Rey lightly. “I felt totally fucked.”

YOU’D HAVE GOT LONG ODDS, IN 2012, on the internet phenomenon of the previous year’s Video Games becoming the decade’s most remarkable and provocative pop star. Back then, Lana Del Rey was more think-piece cipher than Boss-approved songwriter: “a young fiction,” sniffed the Los Angeles Times, “daughter of a domain-name magnate.”

The record states that Elizabeth Woolridge Grant was born in New York in 1985; as a baby, she moved with her parents upstate to Lake Placid. Music was around, but not unusually so. “From what I was told,” she says, “I sang verses before I spoke words, but I don’t think that necessarily meant I had to, or was going to be a singer.” Much else in her supposed biography, she says, is misinformation.

“People said I came from money,” she recounts. “It was really tough to get over some stigma of this idea of having my dad buying my album and giving me a record deal and us being some rich white family when we fought over money constantly when we were young.” Later, she says “I was not from the right side of the tracks, period.”

Sent to boarding school to address an alcohol problem – a period she captured in This Is What Makes Us Girls from her Born To Die album of 2012 – she “was made fun of mercilessly for being white trash. It was so hard, every minute of it was super-tough, not having come from Greenwich. Being super straight-edge in college was just, like, crazy. It’s been the road less travelled the whole time.” She has no interest, she insists, in properly telling her own story, “beautiful” though she says it is: “I don’t give a fuck about people knowing [mocking little voice] my inner thoughts as a third grader.”

Early detractors, chasing down a narrow idea of “authenticity”, were bothered by her musical prehistory – stalled experiments and false starts that might once have been called “paying your dues”. In 2006, she made Sirens under the name May Jailer, spindly alt-folk with a Linda Perhacs wobble that was never officially released. Her next ‘first’ album, Lana Del Ray AKA Lizzy Grant, was removed by her managers from the internet in 2010, preparing a clean slate for the post-Video Games era.

Yet as the plausibly deniable satire of Brooklyn Baby from 2014’s Ultraviolence indicates (“Well my boyfriend’s in a band/He plays guitar while I sing Lou Reed”), she put in the hours on New York’s grottiest stages.

In 2008, Del Rey was living in the Manhattan Mobile Home Park in New Jersey. She would also take the light rail to record with producer David Kahne on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District – sessions that would ultimately become her first EP, Kill Kill, and the since repudiated Lana Del Ray. She had a deal with David Nichtern’s 5 Points Records; Lady Gaga’s manager Bob Leone secured her some classes at the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame; her senior year of metaphysics at Fordham was ending. Odd little paths opened up: she auditioned for Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, the musical scored by Bono and The Edge, and “maybe thought about Broadway. You’d get like a hundred dollars for singing background on records that would lead to nowhere. There was this company that emerged called The Orchard that was taking submissions for, like, toilet paper commercials and I probably did one, like, under a pseudonym. Definitely the happiest I’ve ever been. Stay in the middle, no dog in the race, people would even hire me for background stuff. I tried to act so cool on every sofa I sat at.”

It was only in 2010, when she met her current manager Ben Mawson at the CMJ Festival in New York’s Chinatown, that gears shifted and she glimpsed a significant future for herself: “Then I moved to London with him that week and he got me out of my deal that day.”

Success was not immediate. “I lived in a shitty flat with no heat, it was so awful – but they told me it was on Camden Road near where Amy Winehouse used to play at the Roundhouse, and I loved Amy.” Her voice softens dreamily. “I loved Amy.”

Fed up with trying to write songs for other people, one day she “just said ‘fuck it’” to her collaborator Justin Parker: “‘I’m going to write what I want to write now.’” In a Dolly Parton-style fit of productivity, within 72 hours she had Video Games, Born To Die, Blue Jeans and Ride.

On July 23, 2011, just under a month after Video Games appeared on the internet, Del Rey was on a train to Glasgow when Mawson told her she had received her first review. “I had 10 seconds of the most elated feeling,” she remembers, “and then the news everywhere, on all of the televisions, was that Amy had died on her front steps and I was like no. NO.” She breathes in sharply. “Everyone was watching, like, mesmerised, but I personally felt like I didn’t even want to sing any more.”

TEN SECONDS OF ELATION seems to be as much pleasure as Del Rey has ever taken from her press. When she covered Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood on 2015’s Honeymoon album, it was not casually chosen: anger at the way she feels she has been misrepresented surges through her conversation, despite the four billion streams, the four UK Number 1 albums, and the validation of famous fans from Stevie Nicks to Courtney Love.

Even Norman Fucking Rockwell!’s ecstatic reception was no antidote. “I knew they were going to like Norman… because there’s kind of nothing not to like about it,” she shrugs. “Norman…’s just cool, it’s easy to cheer for that.” She doesn’t, however, believe people are cheering for her: in September, she declared she still felt like an “underdog”.

“When I’m in London I’m reminded of what other people think of me in a great way. Being on the cover of MOJO – I fucking love MOJO. It’s crazy to me, crazy to me, crazy to me that I could be on the cover of MOJO but it’s a little different – ha! – over here,” she says, ie, in America. “I mean, I guess I’ll never forget my first four years of interviews. They just fucking burned me.”

There was the one where the journalist “made fun of me mercilessly, for like, five hours about how I adopted a New York City accent and that everyone knew it was fake, so just give it up. It was embarrassing – he humiliated me. So by the time he asked me about feminism, I said I just wanted to talk about aerospace travel.”

A 2014 Guardian interview headlined “I Wish I Was Dead Already” is another thorn in her psyche. “I didn’t say I wanted to die because of the 27 Club – I said I was having, like, a fucking hard time. The way people talk about mental health in 2020” – she makes the noise of an explosion – “mind blown. Talk about a different world compared with five years ago. You said anything remotely like you’re not feeling so good that day and it’s like, ‘Woah, you’ve set women back like 200 years.’ Or ‘Witch!’ It was super-hard to be a real person.”

Instead, Del Rey continued to build her musical world, creating a reality nobody could dismiss. ‘Evolution’ suggests dramatic Bowie-like shape-shifts; instead, her six albums have been a process of refining her core material – the palette of upcycled hip-hop, vintage Hollywood glamour and Laurel Canyon classicism. But Norman Fucking Rockwell!’s widescreen dazzle was a dead end of sorts – “I had to turn back inward,” she says – and Chemtrails Over The Country Club appears to reveal a more vulnerable Del Rey: lighter on the LA menace, more innocently emotional: “We did it for fun/We did it for free,” she sings sweetly on the song Yosemite, “we did it for the right reasons.” It’s an album that looks at the road ahead, but also, back to where she’s come from, making her strongest connection yet with her antecedents.

“I’ve been covering Joni and dancing with Joan,” she sings on Chemtrails…’ Dance Till We Die – and it’s all true. In October 2019, Del Rey duetted with Joan Baez on her 1975 song Diamonds And Rust at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre; a night of non-stop dancing with the 80-year-old folk hero followed. And as promised, Chemtrails… includes a Joni Mitchell cover from Mitchell’s 1970 album Ladies Of The Canyon. Reprising their October 2019 performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Del Rey shares the verses out with Arizonan singer-songwriter Zella Day and Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering. A bittersweet commentary on the value of art, Mitchell contrasts her “velvet curtain calls” with a busker’s purity – it’s a song, says Del Rey, that means “everything” to her.

“The way things started off for me in the way I was portrayed was that I was feigning emotional sensitivity. I really didn’t like that,” she says coldly. “Because I didn’t even get famous ’til I was, like, 27 and until then, I sang for less than free. And I loved it. I really was that girl who was pure of soul. I didn’t give a fuck.”

For one, Natalie Mering doesn’t doubt Del Rey’s investment in For Free. “I think the verse that Lana sings – “Me, I play for fortunes” – it’s her story too,” she says. “She understands the ephemeral quality of music and that it can’t be completely commodified, even though she’s done such a great job of doing that. I think Joni is very similar.”

BAEZ AND MITCHELL, DEL REY says, are “like unicorns”. “Joan, Bob, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, it’s less the albums and more the songs – the single perfect songs. Like Diamonds And Rust or Woodstock.” She rummages on You Tube to find a “staggering” 1962 coffeehouse performance from Baez. “I see a lot of people now wanting to be like other people – and hey, it’s not like I don’t want to be like other people too – but I think there were so many less options to look at in the ’60s, so you kind of just got what you got. You got a Janis or you got a Joan or you got a Jimi – it wasn’t like there was Jimi One, Jimi Two, Jimi Three. When I’m producing things alone, it’s impossible for me to sound anything other than a singer-songwriter. Actually, that’s not true,” she corrects herself. “I’ve got my own little ways about me.”

Mering, comparing Del Rey to Peggy Lee “if she was, like, I’m just going to write everything myself,” agrees. “She’s very free and she’s loose. What she goes for in terms of when she’s writing and working, it’s very magical and intuitive and it’s not very calculated – even though I think maybe she’s been accused of that in the past.”

That looseness – a willingness to wander – feels more present on Chemtrails… than previous albums, yet she insists it has been “so much harder than any other record I’ve made.” Covid separated her from Antonoff – also a collaborator with St. Vincent and Taylor Swift – in the final stages of recording and she missed him. “Everything that could be terrible is hilarious in Jack’s world. I think that’s why he does so well. It’s a rare quality for a man to have that softer kind of side – all hilarity and no inappropriateness.”

She says she finds listening to the new album “a fight”, conceding that she’s offering a pre-emptive critique. “It wasn’t so much that I thought the songs fantastically fit together with like seamless, sunkissed production – but you know, there’s a life lived in there.”

Del Rey has long used Los Angeles to colour and contour her songs. But Chemtrails roves further – Tulsa, Nebraska, Florida – a fitting backcloth for a record about freedom in a world where everything has a price. Not All Who Wander Are Lost – a song whose sky-high trill reminds Del Rey of “Cinderella in the movie where she’s holding the bluebird” – romanticises wanderlust. Wild At Heart and the title track (“I’m not unhinged or unhappy/I’m just wild”) hint at something untameable. If For Free is the record’s presiding spirit, you can also feel the vibrations of Mitchell’s Cactus Tree, a song that acknowledges the hard work of “being free” – shedding compromise, swerving control.

It’s a struggle Del Rey maps onto her folk and country influences, most explicitly on Breaking Up Slowly. A mournful lament riffing on Tammy Wynette and George Jones’s notoriously turbulent relationship, it was written with Tennessean singer-songwriter Nikki Lane, who supported Del Rey in 2019. In a hotel room, Lane mentioned that somebody told her she was “breaking up slowly”. Del Rey immediately sang “…is a hard thing to do”.

“One of the most incredible things about being around her is like, she is a song,” says Lane of Del Rey. “It’s just coming out of her at all hours of the day.”

They have written four more originals; there is also, says Del Rey, “a cover album of country songs” and one of “other folk songs”. Del Rey expects “scepticism,” but explains her father and uncle Phil Madeira (one of Emmylou Harris’s Red Dirt Boys) exposed her to country music in her youth. Her tastes are “stark and blue, somewhat outlaw”: Hank Williams, Bobbie Gentry, Patsy Cline, Wynette. “With a little Marty Robbins and Johnny Paycheck. I went back and listened to Ride [from 2012 EP Paradise] and Video Games and thought, you know, they’re kind of country. I mean, they’re definitely not pop. Maybe the way Video Games got remastered, they’re pop – but there’s something Americana about it for sure. So let’s see how these things come out – I’m not going to have pedal steel guitar on every single thing, but it is easy for me to write.”

A YEAR OR SO AGO, DEL REY attended a party with Jack Antonoff and St. Vincent at the house of Guy Oseary, manager of Madonna and U2. “Something happened,” she says, “kind of a situation like – never meet your idols. And I just thought, ‘I think it’s interesting that the best musicians end up in such terrible places.’ I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to try my best not to change because I love who I am.’ I said, ‘Jack, it’s dark.’ And he said, ‘Well, it’s dark – but I mean, it’s just a game.’”

The incident inspires a song on Chemtrails… Dark But Just A Game mixes Portishead, Ricky Nelson’s song Garden Party and Allen Ginsberg’s poem Howl (“The best ones lost their minds”) into a potent statement of defiance.

“Dark But Just A Game is so her to me,” Antonoff will tell MOJO: “fly down the rabbit hole and smile in the same breath.”

The game, however, takes its toll. As Del Rey talks, it frequently feels as if she’s dusting herself down from past humiliations, brushing off old slights.

“People are constantly inferring that I’ve done so much to myself, when I’ve never even been under anaesthesia or whatever,” she says unprompted, apparently still stung by 2012 speculations over the size of her lips. Occasionally, she makes grand statements: “I wanted music to change in the early 2000s and I wanted it to be better than it was. I think it is and I genuinely think I had a hand in it for female singer-songwriters.” They don’t land like shots from a weaponised ego – more the affirmations of someone who still feels as if she doesn’t say it, nobody will.

On a Chemtrails… song called White Dress she sings in a breathlessly rapt whisper of being “only 19”, working as a waitress, listening to The White Stripes and Kings Of Leon. “Look how I do this,” she sings with trembling innocence, “look how I’ve got this.” Then comes the fall: “It kind of makes me feel that I was better off.”

“I’m sure the grass is always greener,” Del Rey says, looking back on her waitressing days, “but I had a lot of fun dreaming about what was going to come next. Also, I really liked being of service and I still do – I do lots of little things in my spare time that put me back sort of in that service space. How I kind of grew up was to be a man amongst men and a grain of sand on the beach and I preferred to stay in the middle of the boat in that way. Sometimes I feel, with fame, it can put you on the peripheries, where the vultures can pick at you. It’s dangerous on the edges.”

“It’s not that I aspire to be the girl next door,” she says later, “but it’s just that I actually was and I think what some people don’t understand is that the girl next door has things going on, too. A lot of these other people who I see portraying that image are not that way at all – they’re like the biggest bitches who live in, like, insane mansions and who rip people off. This is not bitterness speaking at all. It’s literally just kind of just the facts, ma’am.”

In May 2020, Del Rey posted a “question for the culture” on Instagram. In it, she expressed her belief that artists including Beyoncé, Cardi B and Kehlani were applauded for portraying their sexuality in all its messy complexity, while she was accused of “glamorising abuse” in songs like Ultraviolence, where she quoted the title of The Crystals’ Goffin & King classic He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss). The culture’s answer was not sympathetic: Del Rey was held to account for appearing to single out artists of colour, and criticised for asking feminism to save a place for “women who look and act like me… the kind of women who are slated for being their authentic, delicate selves.”

“I wasn’t saying white like me,” she insists, emphasising that the women she mentioned are artists she loves. “I was saying people who are made a joke of like me.”

SHORTLY AFTER SPEAKING TO MOJO, Del Rey issues another pre-emptive social media strike, pointing out the new album’s artwork – a photograph of the singer surrounded by her friends – does feature women of colour. Three days after that, she posts a video railing against magazines suggesting she told Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac that she didn’t believe Donald Trump meant to incite the Capitol riot. In fact, she says, she was accusing him of sociopathy – a subject, she tells MOJO, she studied for six years, along with “psychopathy and narcissism and delusions of grandeur”.

“When Trump became President, I was not surprised,” she says, “because the macrocosm is the mirror of what goes on in our bedrooms. In our inner lives.

“A lot of the things I was writing [songs] about, people shamed me for,” she continues, “but I like to think now I was actually writing about what thousands of housewives were experiencing and no one ever said a thing from Brentwood to Boca Raton. I just dyed my hair black and talked about it and I got a lot of shit for it.”

She declares that “It takes a more dignified-looking person with a better reputation to call out the world, or the President or some guy who runs a restaurant. I’m going to be the person who corroborates that story, the blonde at the end of the bar… The reason why I can’t be a person who starts certain movements is because of what people have written that isn’t true. And that’s too bad – because I know a lot.”

Does she feel she’s been discredited?

“I was discredited for seven years,” she says, her voice rising so fiercely it’s briefly unclear whether she’s laughing or crying. “There’s no other way of looking it.”

In the poem SportCruiser from Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass, Del Rey wonders if learning to fly could help her navigate life, if learning to sail would show her which way the wind was blowing. Then she realises writing is all the adventure she needs.

“I certainly have to circumnavigate the globe quite a few times to come back to the fact that what I do is that I write, that I live here in LA, that I know who I am,” she says. “I think I’m very hopeful that I’ll feel more and more serene, because that is an objective for me. I just like the idea of waking up peacefully, rather than waking up in a sweat, throwing my feet down on the ground and being like, ‘Oh, what’s going wrong today!’”

Talking earlier about her whispery vocal on White Dress, Del Rey said it was not only close to unedited “journaling” but “also, not too afraid about being kind of stupid. The way I sound in the chorus �� because I know it’s… not great, you know,” she laughs.

It sounds perfect for the song, though – trembling, awestruck. The voice of somebody on the brink of something. She agrees – not because it catches her teenage perspective, but because it speaks to her now.

“I actually said to a friend the other day I feel something brewing,” she says. “And that’s the first time in a long time. I have no idea what it is. But I know that it’s good.”

Originally published in the April 2021 issue of Mojo with the headline Wild at Heart.

[libertyreads]

December TBR--

December might be my weirdest TBR of the year. Let's go out with a bang shall we? I have a couple of new releases to read this month as well as a couple of library books for the holidays. And I'm starting a series that I'm really unsure about. Let's get into the books. Starting with the ones I don't have in physical form (at least not yet).

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison (library)-- Another Christmas novel for me to read. I'm loving that I'm giving myself the space to read these this year when I haven't for the past few. I normally do a Christmas in July and then don't read any more but it's so fun to feel the festive spirit while reading. The synopsis for this one will be taken straight from GoodReads: "It's hard to escape your ex when you're working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance."

Holiday Kisses by multiple authors (library)-- This is a holiday anthology featuring stories from Alison Kent, Jack Burton, HelenKay Dimon, and Shannon Stacey. I've already read the one from HelenKay Dimon (it's actually how I found out about this anthology after the fact). So, I will probably be logging these as the separate entries they are in my spreadsheets and updates. But we follow: 1) a man who gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return, 2) a woman who helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier, 3) a couple who finds that true love knows no distance, and 4) a young window who learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Festive and romance filled these should be good, quick reads for me.

Freshman Year by Sarah Mai (NetGalley)-- A contemporary graphic novel that follows Sarah as she goes to school in Minnesota and hopes to impress her professors, meet interesting new people, and stay close to her friends and boyfriend back at home. What seems manageable at first quickly unravels as Sarah's high achieving roommate puts her to shame, her summer love dissolves, and she is quickly overwhelmed with the freedom, isolation, and possibilities that college gives her. This looked so cute on NetGalley and I'm excited to read it this month.

The Ruined by Renee Ahdieh (new release)-- The finale to The Beautiful comes out this month and I'm excited to finish this one out. This hasn't been a stand out series for me but I'm connected to the characters enough to see it through. Especially with the way the last book ended. This series is about vampires set in 1800s New Orleans but it definitely becomes more involved as the series goes on. In this one we watch as the Sylvan Vale and Sylvan Wild go to war while our beloved Bastien and Celine are separated and dealing with their own dramas.

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes-- This is the series starter that I'm unsure of. This is a 2012 Fantasy novel with four p.o.v.s so it can go one of two ways: 1) I love it, 2) I hate it. There will probably be no middle ground. Synopsis? In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten and hard-won peace has reigned for centuries. But underneath it all a deadly unrest simmers. Each ruler grapples for power while the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed. Four key players find their fates forever intertwined; caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and unforeseen love.

Defiant by Brandon Sanderson (new release)-- This is the final book in the Skyward series (but I've heard rumblings of a spin off series) and I'm sort of just ready to see it finished. I agree with a lot of the people who are out there saying that it's basically flight school in every novel which has gotten stale. The Skyward series follows Spensa who wants to train to becoming a pilot for the military but has to deal with her father's past. The world expands and expands as the series goes on. It's an okay series that I enjoyed more in the beginning. I think this final book is what will either make the time I've spent on the series worth it or a waste of time. It's Sanderson so I'm kind of hoping what I've heard about his finales holds up.

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden (library)-- This is a pretty well loved Sci-Fi graphic novel from what I can tell. We follow Mia who joins a crew that rebuilds run down structures throughout the deepest reaches of space. It flashes back to Mia's pivotal freshman year of school and a mysterious new student she falls in love with. We also find out the true reason Mia joins this crew. I love space. I love found family. I'm here for it.

All of these books are pretty much being sourced from different places: preorders, my physical TBR, the library, NetGalley. So, I'm happy to see that. I just hope I have a good time completing a couple of series, starting a new one, getting into the festive spirit.

[theultimatefan]

Linda Hamilton, Jeff Ward, Peter Weller Head Next Wave of Celebrity Guests At FAN EXPO New Orleans

Linda Hamilton (The Terminator franchise, Dante’s Peak), Jeff Ward (“One Piece,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Peter Weller (RoboCop, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension) and Felicia Day (“The Guild,” “Supernatural”) headline the next wave of celebrity guests appearing at FAN EXPO New Orleans, set for January 5-7, 2024, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The four will be joined by Lana Parrilla (“Once Upon a Time,” “Spin City”), Ethan Suplee (“My Name is Earl,” Remember the Titans), Sonequa Martin-Green (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “The Walking Dead”) and Eman Esfandi (“Ahsoka,” King Richard) as new additions to the convention lineup.

Tickets for FAN EXPO New Orleans are available at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/buy-tickets, with a variety of individual single day, 3-day and Ultimate Fan Packages to choose from.

Hamilton first turned heads in 1984’s The Terminator, following up with a co-starring role as “Assistant District Attorney Catherine Chandler” opposite Ron Perlman in “Beauty and the Beast.” She reprised her “Sarah Connor” role in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate, and has shown versatility in her more than 80 credits with spots on “Frasier” and the lead in the Lifetime holiday film Home by Christmas.

Ward currently stars as “Buggy” in the action Netflix series “One Piece,” following up on a three-year, 45-episode spin in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” as “Deke Shaw,” the complex character who proved popular with fans. He also co-starred in the 2021 Netflix horror/drama mini-series “Brand New Cherry Flavor” and portrayed Charles Manson in the Lifetime TV movie “Manson’s Lost Girls” in 2016.

Accomplished actor, director, voice over artist and occasional professor Weller’s amazing career has taken him from the mean streets of old Detroit to the final frontier of space. He has appeared in more than 50 films and television series, notably in the title role in 1987’s RoboCop and its sequel RoboCop 2 and as the title character in the quirky 1984 sci-fi cult film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

Day has more than 100 credits, from films to TV series to voice work, with many highlights including a 66-episode run on “The Guild” and recurring spots on “Supernatural” and “Eureka.” She teamed with original series host Joel Hodgson for a five-year run on the recent iteration of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and had her first big fandom exposure in a recurring role as “Vi” on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

Parrilla appeared in 156 episodes of the ABC hit fantasy/adventure series “Once Upon a Time” between 2011-2018, for which she earned several awards, including TV Guide’s Favorite Villain, and numerous nominations. She has had recurring roles in hits “Spin City,” “Boomtown,” “24” and “Windfall,” and co-starred as “Lana Trammell” in this year’s Netflix release of the second season of “The Lincoln Lawyer.”

Suplee has had nearly 100 film and TV roles, from comedies like the Kevin Smith productions Mallrats, Dogma and Clerks III, “My Name is Earl,” and “Boy Meets World” to dramas such as Remember the Titans and The Butterfly Effect.

Martin-Green portrayed “Sasha Williams” on “The Walking Dead” from 2012-17, and has wowed fans as “Michael Burnham” in “Star Trek: Discovery” for the past six years. Some of her other major credits include Space Jam: A New Legacy and recurring roles on “Once Upon a Time” and “The Good Wife.”

Esfandi co-starred opposite Rosario Dawson, David Tennant and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in this year’s Disney+ miniseries “Ahsoka,” part of the Star Wars universe. He has also been seen in King Richard with Will Smith and The Inspection with Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union.

The eight newcomers join an already impressive autograph area that includes Danny Trejo (Machete, The Book of Boba Fett), the "Daredevil" tandem of Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, Katee Sackhoff (Star Wars’ “The Mandalorian”), Jon Bernthal (“The Punisher,” “The Walking Dead”), Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, “Avengers: Infinity War”), the “Charmed” duo of Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan, Peter Cullen (Transformers), Jason Lee (Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous) and voice acting stars of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Barry Gordon (“Donatello”), Cam Clarke (“Leonardo”), Townsend Coleman (“Michelangelo”) and Rob Paulsen (“Raphael”).

FAN EXPO New Orleans features the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors, cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom. More guest news will be released in the following weeks, including line-up reveals for comic creator guests, voice actors, and cosplayers.

FAN EXPO New Orleans runs January 5-7 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Show hours are Friday 4 - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets start at $28 during the advanced prices window until December 21, and begin at $38 from December 22 through the end of the show; 3-day passes and VIP packages also available at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/buy-tickets. More information and updates can be found at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans.

New Orleans is the first event on the 2024 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.

[sughoshperur]

Add a Splash of Adventure to Your Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays with Flyboarding in Goa

Flyboarding: The Art Of Defying Gravity

Be the star performer of the dreamy dance with the mighty waves of the Arabian Sea.

Whenever we talk about flying we think about birds. Next, when we talk about water we think of fish. But when we talk about both aerial and water adventures, what comes to your mind?

Soaring above the azure waters of Goa, there's a new adventure that has captured the hearts of thrill-seekers and water sports enthusiasts - flyboarding. This exhilarating water sport allows you to defy gravity, feel the rush of the wind against your face, and experience the sheer joy of flying, all while enjoying the stunning coastal scenery of Goa.

A Dash of Adventure to Your Ganesh Chaturthi Holidays

If you're looking for the perfect time to explore this activity and make the most out of your Goa vacation, what better way to infuse your holidays with unforgettable memories than by indulging in the thrill of flyboarding in Goa? 

Ganesh Chaturthi is all about embracing new beginnings and celebrating life with joy and enthusiasm. Adding a flyboarding adventure to your holiday plans not only aligns with the spirit of Ganpati but also creates cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Celebrate One of the best Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

What is Flyboarding?

Flyboarding is a relatively new addition to water sports.  The sport of water flyboard in India has the perfect blend of the excitement of jet skiing and the sensation of hovering in the air. Developed in 2012 by French watercraft rider Franky Zapata, this adrenaline-pumping activity has gained popularity worldwide for its unique and thrilling experience.

At its core, flyboarding involves strapping a pair of specially designed boots onto your feet, which are connected by a long hose to a jet ski. The jet ski pumps high-pressure water through the hose, propelling you into the air. With careful control of the water pressure, you can hover above the water's surface, perform gravity-defying tricks, and even dive back into the water like a dolphin.

Why Goa?

Goa, known for its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and a wide array of water sports, is the perfect destination for flyboarding. The combination of warm tropical waters and a stunning coastal landscape creates an idyllic setting for this adventurous activity.

One of the primary reasons why Goa is an ideal place for fly boarding in India is its well-established infrastructure for water sports. Many tour operators along the Goan coastline offer flyboarding experiences, ensuring safety and professional guidance. Moreover, the moderate climate and calm waters of Goa make it possible to enjoy flyboarding almost throughout the year.

The Thrill of Flying

The first few moments of flyboarding might be slightly daunting, but as soon as you get the hang of it, the sensation is nothing short of exhilarating. The feeling of being propelled out of the water and soaring above it is nothing short of magical. You'll truly feel like a superhero as you hover, twist, and turn in the air.

As you become more confident, you can attempt various tricks and manoeuvres, including 360-degree spins, backflips, and even dives into the water. Flyboarding offers an incredible sense of freedom and control, allowing you to explore the sky above the sea.

The Experience

Before you take off on your flyboarding adventure, a certified instructor will provide you with a safety briefing and basic training on how to control the board. These instructors are experienced and knowledgeable, ensuring your safety throughout the activity. They will also be in constant communication with you through a helmet-mounted intercom system, giving you real-time instructions and tips.

Once you're strapped in and ready to go, the real fun begins. The jet ski operator will gradually increase the water pressure to lift you into the air. As you gain confidence, you can request higher altitudes and more thrilling manoeuvres. The feeling of hovering above the water's surface is surreal, and the panoramic views of the Goan coastline are simply breathtaking.

Tips for a Memorable Flyboarding Experience

Wear the right attire: Opt for comfortable swimwear, and don't forget sunscreen to protect your skin from the Goan sun.

Stay hydrated: Flyboarding can be physically demanding, so make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your session.

Listen to your instructor: Follow their guidance closely to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Capture the moment: Many operators offer photo and video packages, so you can relive your adventure and share it with friends and family.

Relax and have fun: The most important tip of all is enjoy every moment of your flyboarding experience in the beautiful waters of Goa.

Chapter of Fly board price

The matter of fly board price is unpredictable as it gets affected by various factors. The operator, services, quality, duration, time period, location, group members and experience decide the cost.

And to give you a brief idea here we present the packages and rates which we offer.

Flyboarding (Panjim) will cost around ₹2,999 per Person.

Flyboarding (Calangute) will be for ₹2,499 per Person.

You can visit our official website for more details and information regarding the inclusions and exclusions.

Grab The Thrill: Defy The Gravity

Flyboarding in Goa is an unforgettable adventure that allows you to experience the sensation of flying while surrounded by the natural beauty of this coastal paradise. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or just looking to try something new, flyboarding is an activity that should be on your bucket list when visiting Goa. 

And with the season of celebration of Ganapati in Mumbai and nearby areas, Goa flyboarding is the perfect way to enhance your holiday.

So, the next time you find yourself in this tropical haven, don't just dip your toes in the water, strap on a flyboard and float like a butterfly above the waves!

Among the various activities available in Goa, another delightful option is to relish a yacht ride in this beautiful coastal destination.