#it’s such a sad but riveting tale

[chainsawcorazon]

the book of accidents is just exposure therapy in words. did wendig HAVE to throw nate into a world where his sack of shit father was still alive AND useful? no. but did he do it anyway? sure did.

[fdelopera]

today i opened Elie Wiesel's second volume of portraits of 18th and 19th century Hasidic masters. and i came upon this story about Rebbe Pinhas of Koretz.

Wiesel's portraits continue to resonate through the years. and the wisdom they offer is more relevant now than ever.

as Wiesel says, "a good story in Hasidism is not about miracles, but about friendship and hope — the greatest miracles of all".

that's true of the Jewish community too. the Jewish community continues to be a place of friendship and hope in the face of darkness.

here is the full text of Wiesel's anecdote:

.

One day, a young Hasid came to see Rebbe Pinhas of Koretz, known for his wisdom and compassion.

“Help me, Master,” he said. “I need your advice, I need your support. My distress is unbearable; make it disappear. The world around me, the world inside me, are filled with turmoil and sadness. Men are not human, life is not sacred. Words are empty — empty of truth, empty of faith. So strong are my doubts that I no longer know who I am — nor do I care to know. What am I to do, Rebbe? Tell me, what am I to do?”

“Go and study,” said Rebbe Pinhas of Koretz. “It's the only remedy I know. Torah contains all answers. Torah is the answer.”

“Woe unto me,” said the disciple. “I am unable even to study. So shaky are my foundations, so all-pervasive my uncertainties, that my mind finds no anchor, no safety. It wanders and wanders, and leaves me behind. I open the Talmud and contemplate it endlessly, aimlessly. For weeks and weeks I remain riveted to the same page, to the same problem. I cannot go farther, not even by a step, not even by a line. What must I do, Rebbe, what can I do to go on?”

When a Jew can provide no answer, he at least has a tale to tell. And so Rebbe Pinhas of Koretz invited the young man to come closer, and then said with a smile, “You must know, my friend, what is happening to you also happened to me. When I was your age I stumbled over the same obstacles. I, too, was filled with questions and doubts. About man and his fate, creation and its meaning. I was struggling with so many dark forces that I could not advance; I was wallowing in doubt, locked in despair. I tried study, prayer, meditation. In vain. Penitence, silence, solitude. My doubts remained doubts. Worse: they became threats. Impossible to proceed, to project myself into the future. I simply could not go on. Then one day I learned that Rebbe Israel Baal Shem Tov would be coming to our town. Curiosity led me to the shtibl, where he was receiving his followers. I entered just as he was finishing the Amida prayer. He turned around and saw me, and I was convinced that he was seeing me, me and no one else. The intensity of his gaze overwhelmed me, and I felt less alone. And strangely, I was able to go home, open the Talmud, and plunge into my studies once more. You see,” said ready Pinhas of Koretz, “the questions remained questions. But I was able to go on.…”

What did Pinhas of Koretz try to teach his young visitor? One: Not to give up. Even if some questions are without answers, go on asking them. Two: Doubts are not necessarily destructive — provided they bring one to a Rebbe. Three: One must not think that one is alone and that one's tragedy is exclusively one's own; others have gone through the same sorrows and endured the same anguish. Four: One must know where to look, and to whom. Five: God is everywhere, even in pain, even in the search for faith. Six: A good story in Hasidism is not about miracles, but about friendship and hope — the greatest miracles of all.

[madraleen]

The Case Study of Vanitas - Season 1 (ie eps 1-24) A mixed first-watch commentary (*fair warning, i actively dislike stuff)

-the fairy tale style introduction is such a beautiful beginning.

-favonius codex, is that you?

-what is this op, are the guys in love?

-THE AIRSHIP IS SO COOL

-BLUE MOON, AND WHITE-HAIR-GUY SEEING PARIS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS HE HOLDS ON TO VANITAS AS THEY FALL TO THE GROUND AAAHHH

-HUMAN?! VANITAS IS HUMAN?!

-wdym you'll slay him in the end, noe, i'm not prepared for an unhappy ending even though i only just met y'all

-NOE'S FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ARE SO CUTE

-oh okay, so vanitas is human with some blue vampire power

-please freakin decide if vanitas has human nails or claw-like nails 'cause atm, gloveless, he has both depending on the shot

-wtf did just happen between vanitas and jeanne? leave the woman alone.

-akira ishida could be reciting an omelet recipe and i'd still listen all riveted, but the world formula stuff is actually interesting

-every time vanitas interacts with jeanne, i want to slap him.

-lil noe-louis-domi are adorable. the noe-louis-domi ep is the one i’ve been the most interested in so far. like, even if i end up disliking the rest of the anime, this ep is peak, ep.5

-please make me like vanitas. i really want to like vanitas, but for now i'm edging towards dislike.

-ah yes, jeanne/domi is actually a ship i can get behind.

-the op is telling me i'm watching a certain kind of anime and the actual anime is telling me i'm watching an entire different thing and it annoys me

-it's nice hearing kengo kawanishi in roland's role. i haven't heard him in the slightly-deranged/overly-emotional range before.

-awww, roland is a good egg after all!

-oh i see, i do like vanitas, just not when he's being ~alluring. THAT vanitas i don't like

-i repeat, DOMI/JEANNE!

-when jeanne is tricking vanitas, and he's suspecting her but playing along, they're so cute. aw damn, she'll fall for him? blergh

-oh come on, jeanne crying and being scared over whatever's up with her is actually sad

-LET NOE/US PEER INTO YOUR FUCKING MEMORIES, VANITAS! LET US SYMPATHIZE!

-AYUMU MURASEEEEEEEE

-the vanitas and noe interactions are so damn cute.

-hold up hold up, ayumu murase's range??

-pretty sure vanitas is on a time limit or sth, right? where's your earring, vanitas darling?

-no offense but jeanne has more chemistry with chloe in their hellfire witch backstory scene than she has had with vanitas in the entire anime

-nice chloe twist!

-roland, what a good egg

-astolfo's backstory tho <3

-hold up hold up, seriously, ayumu murase's range?????

-roland and olivier though <3 

-i am plagued by mikhails and mishas

-dude, misha's and vanitas' backstory >>> present story, like- the backstories are SO strong and streamlined compared to the present arcs. and i really like lady vanitas

-wait, domi's arc tho? chef's kiss

-poor noe, all of his closest people want him to be the one that kills them.

-MISHA, NOE AND VANITAS ON THE ROOF, PEAK

-aaah, i see, noe "will slay him in the end" as in the end-end, of the story, when vanitas succumbs to the book, okay. the last two eps were peak, i'm so emotionally confused. i'd gladly watch a s2. that said-

-i really don't like how romance is handled, and it's too present to just ignore. i don't find it cute, nor funny, nor romantic, nor alluring, nor particularly toxic, i just find it annoying and forced, lacking chemistry.

-i'm so confused on how i feel about vanitas. there's moments where i liked him, a lot of moments where i was neutral, but lots of others i found him incredibly annoying. but also, he's so complex, which is great, he's a well-crafted character, and you *get* it after you’ve seen these bits of his past, you come to understand him. and part of me thinks that we’re *supposed* to half-like and half-dislike him, that we’re supposed to mirror noe’s sentiments a bit, the “i don’t like you, but also i want to get to know you and to understand you and i’m never leaving your side, ever.” it’s just that for me, vanitas doesn’t have the charm or strength of character to be magnetic even when i dislike him, and i don’t know how i feel about that. i think if i didn't dislike the vanitas/jeanne approach so much, i might have been more fond of him.

-but again, that said: i'd like a rewatch, now that i know vanitas' backstory.

[apalestar]

I don’t know anything about Drizz’t, but I’d be happy to learn!

Random Anons

"Oh what a sad, pitiful little life you've had. You poor thing." He glanced around ensuring Gale was no where nearby. He didn't need the wizard accusing him of waxing and waning over nothing like he often. "Drizz't Do'Urden is a drow hero. He escaped his shackles and made a name for himself. Traveled the world over—"

He went on for a while yet before he caught himself. "You should read the tales. They are very riveting." Unconsciously, he was smiling. A genuine thing he rarely showed. The excitement of speaking of his hero too much to properly throw on his mask of lofty indifference or disdain.

[carica-ficus]

Review: The Liminal Zone

Author: Junji Ito

Date: 13/02/2023

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

———————————————————————————————

While I am a big fan of Ito's work, I haven't had the time to pick up some of his newer works up until now (when I forgot to take a book of my own to read on my way home, so my boyfriend offered me a few from his collection). "The Liminal Zone" is another collection of short stories, featuring 4 of his works: Weeping Woman Way, Madonna, The Spirit Flow of Aokigahara and Slumber. He has worked on them during the pandemic and had been publishing them online before they ultimately got published as a physical book.

Ito's quite self-conscious about all his newer work, repeatedly saying how his stories aren't as good as they used to be, but compared to his older work, I'd say the stories in "The Liminal Zone" are definitely some of his best.

Weeping Woman Way is a story about a girl who suddenly can't stop crying after an encounter with a hired weeping woman on a funeral. In its core, it is a tale about the desperation of grief, sadness and depression women experience as they experience loss, not just of their beloved, but thousands of other people they have not personally known. Only the women are affected by the crying malady, and only other women truly understand the suffering it invites. Their sorrow becomes almost palpable through Ito's provoking illustrations. He has perfectly enraptured the pure helplessness that comes with sadness.

While Madonna was actually a really solid story with amazing Christian symbolism, the salt powers of the main antagonist take away from the fluidity of the plot. Ito's creative process for a story usually starts off with a specific source of inspiration that he decides to incorporate into his story, but he often doesn't have the right skills to blend it into the story properly, so some parts seem forced and unnecessary. Still, Madonna is a great read with some gorgeous, creepy visuals, especially of the statue of Mary crying bloody tears and the panels where the vice-principal shows her true angry and resentful nature.

The Spirit Flow of Aokigahara is the weakest story of the four, featuring a sick man who decides to kill himself somewhere deep in the forest, but finds some sort of cave from which spirits come out at night in the form of a raging river. The visuals are definitely unnerving, but the plot itself is quite shallow and somewhat silly.

The idea behind Slumber is nothing new, but it is nonetheless riveting. Ito took the famous The Killer in Me horror trope where the main character has no recollection of their crimes and spins it into a narrative where they have no obvious connection to the victims, but have memory flashes of killing them. There's a few minor issues I had with this story, mostly regrading Ito's explanation of the memories, but overall it was an exciting and compelling read. I'm a sucker for this trope and I am glad Ito decided to do his take on it.

The majority of negative comments regarding Ito's new work are mainly concentrated on his biggest weakness: mending plot holes. Ito's a writer who stays true to his ideas, so when they don't necessarily add up, he offers the reader a fairly simple explanation. In hindsight, yes, it negatively impacts his story, but I'd argue it's also his redeeming quality. A lot of his most impactful and well know work wouldn't even exist if he limited himself to completely drawn out ideas. If you prefer carefully planned out plots, his work might not be to your liking, but Ito definitely offers a truly unique and recognizable experience of horror that is worth to give a chance.

"The Liminal Zone" is an excellent choice for both old and new lovers of Ito's work. It features some great stories, it's filled with gorgeous, gory and horrific illustrations, and it's an interesting read.

[ramrage]

(ghoapcollective invite link)

ramrage’s fic directory

welcome to the library! here are all of my mwii (let’s be real, it’s just ghostsoap. or soapghost) fics all in one place, ripe for the picking. You can also find this shit on my ao3, if youre so inclined.

SERIES

“fitting a square peg into a square peg” or “and they both were tops”

- COMPLETED -

summary: a riveting tale of two horny tops navigating the challenge of both wanting to fuck each others’ ass, not vice-versa. Unless…

ao3 link

rating: E

tags: crack, terrible flirting, first time bottoming

CH1

CH2

CH3

CH4

CH5

How about another Fortune?

- WIP -

summary: "Soap is a heterosexual man in love, and everything is great. Really, it is. Factually speaking, no less." Alright, so we all know that ain't sticking. This is a weird one (me writing F/M aside)—we're telling this story with got Facebook posts, comms transcripts, search histories, and (fictional) PornHub Wrappeds? All in service of telling the tale of one relationship gone wrong, and another gone right (?)

ao3 link

rating: M

tags:

CH 1

CH 2

CH 3

ghost’s ghost

- WIP -

summary: Johnny is KIA, which sucks, except he never really…leaves? Rendered with shitty humor to counter the (intended to be) actually-sad inner plights vis-a-vis mourning and shit, this tale tells the adventures of Ghost and his boyfriend, Soap who, coincidentally, is also a ghost. Consider it something of a MWIII campaign fix-it fic, though it was initially written pre-MWIII’s release

ao3 link

rating: T

tags: Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Body Horror, Main Character Death, Not Really Character Death, Ghost John “Soap” MacTavish, Grief/Mourning, Hurt/Comfort, Crack, Dark Crack, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Character Turned Into a Ghost, Changing Tenses, Not (always) chronological

CH 1

CH 2

CH 3

CH 4

CH 5

here we go ‘round the prickly pear

-WIP-

ao3 link

rating: T

tags: Temporary major character death, Reincarnation AU, suburban AU

CH1

CH2

(in the interest of) burning (everything down)

-WIP-

ao3 link

summary: I started this fic with an unrelated-to-anything fight (as in an emotional fight. A very heated discussion, if you will) and the rest of the fic kinda contextualizes and grows from it

rating: M

tags: angst, fighting, swearing, alcohol abuse/alcoholism, emetophobia

CH1

CH2

CH3

CH4

CH5

ONE-SHOTS

he is so soft

-COMPLETED-

summary: Jilted, short, awkward sentences mark this endeavor to write a non-sexy sex scene.

ao3 link

rating: E

tags: Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Blood and Gore, Sexualized Gore, vaguely, the gore and the sex are treated with equal apathy idk, character names not used as an “artistic choice”, No Romance, Body Horror, POV First Person, Anal Sex, Spit As Lube, Rough sex, Sex but not smut

[queer-and-dear-books]

Title: If I See You Again Tomorrow

Author: Robbie Couch

Genre: Sci-fi | Friendship | Romance | LGBTQ+

Content Warnings: Internalized Homophobia

Overall Rating: 9.8/10

Personal Opinion: I was already convinced that Robbie Couch was my favorite author and then he goes and releases this banger? It is so riveting, unique, romantic, and refreshing. Something Couch does really well is not putting the romance dead center. He focuses on the friendships that the protagonist cultivates first and foremost and the romance naturally comes forward after. And every pairing feels so genuine to me. Clark and Beau especially. They make me believe in destiny.

Do I Own This Book? Technically yes. My friend bought it (and also Blaine for the Win) for me when he was in NY visiting but he also borrowed it so it’s not physically with me at the moment. But yes, I do own it.

Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:

Likes:

- I love the way everything is connected. I love the way everything has a reason for being. Down to the last detail. Everything from why Clark couldn’t find David Dopamine’s time loop video to why Thom freaked out on day 310 when Beau showed up. It doesn’t matter how small or big the detail was, it was important. The significance of Beau’s errands too, being the key to Clark curing his loneliness is so special to me. Because I love every person Clark came into contact with on day 310.

- Let’s talk about the people Clark met on day 310. Starting with, of course, Beau. Oh my god, the guy is nuts. But his spontaneity was truly magnetic and I can see why people so easily gravitate toward him. He can be a bit over-the-top with his shenanigans but he shines brightest when he is acting over-the-top. 

- Otto is my favorite though. I just love burly bakers. Gentle giants. He deserves a hug. In the loops where he gave Clark the recipe to his blue velvet brownies, I was breaking down in tears. And then when he finally talked about Ben, I just about lost it. My emotions were a mess but Otto is just so kind and so friendly with everyone, I just can’t. I’m getting emotional all over again just thinking about him.

- Emery was an unexpected joy. He feels like a supporting actor in this story which is, well, exactly what he is. Like he fits the role to a T. What I mean by that is that I didn’t really expect much from his interactions with Clark but as they learned about each other, became friends in some loops, I really felt a bond with him. It’s like when you get attached to minor characters in shows and you cheer when they come on screen. That’s how it felt with Emery. Like he was just some guy you want to support and see thrive away from the antics and chaotic messes of the main cast. I hope he gets his breakout role someday.

- Dee is a delight. I mean, she is a whirlwind. And I find it so hilarious that she would reject Clark so vehemently in some loops. Which is reasonable! She is a woman alone at night, she has every reason to have her guard up. But on day 311, when she invited Clark out for BLTs and milkshakes, I could feel her cry for help. Her need to not be alone. And wow, when she explained everything that happened at The Wrinkles concert, it’s no wonder why she felt like she could die from embarrassment. But I love that she found courage in Clark’s vulnerability and was able to share her secret. Not only that but I am just overjoyed that she and Emery are likely going to get their fairy-tale ending!

- Now for the people Clark has known since before day 310. I am talking about Sadie! Oh my god, that ominous, “I need you” text deviation on day 310 had me in a chokehold. I was so fucking worried about her and it turns out she was just lonely without Clark. Not to downplay her loneliness at all! She just moved to a new place before her senior year, that’s nuts. I get why she’s sad. But oh my god, when Clark Facetimed her and she started crying because she missed him, I was all up in my feels because I truly felt their friendship. It was palpable every time they Facetimed but that last one on day 364 had me in a vicegrip.

- Clark’s family! I had already guessed that his dad had an affair. Or at least, I knew he was the one who was actually at fault for the divorce. It was obvious but also still a surprise enough to gut punch me. Like, you see it coming but the impact still surprises you. But god, when Clark decided to check in on his dad for the first time on day 364, I was a mess again. I just can’t handle a family crying session. And I love that Clark was mature enough not to end things on a bad note even if time was going to loop again.

- Then we have mom and Blair. Mom was really trying her hardest to connect with her son and Clark did not make it easy on her. And I understand why. A divorce is a big deal. Combined with their fight and Sadie moving, it’s no wonder why Clark erupted on day 311. But on day 364, when he decided to finally bake with his mom and apologize for what he put her through, I was going to go ballistic. My emotions were everywhere. As if it was not enough for Blair to say, “You’re a great big brother and I love you.” Like stop. Sibling love gets me worse than parental love. 

- Ms. Hazel is such a good therapist. Oh my god, I just, I love when characters actually seek help. And I love that Clark took his therapy homework and therapy itself seriously. It can be so easy to ignore that stuff, to not take that leap of faith, but he did it. And I love how he openly appreciates her sessions. That’s a beautiful thing.

- Now, as if all of these new and old relationships weren’t enough, we have Professor Copeman. Oh the regret and shame she had for not corroborating Runyon’s story, I felt that in my soul. But the fact that they were destined to meet and change each other’s lives in such a big way is just so beautiful.

- And that’s the last thing I need to talk about. The time loop itself! The fact that it happened because Clark and Beau were meant to meet! I’m glad it wasn’t just a romantic soulmates thing like Beau thought. It’s just about two people who will have a deep impact on each other’s lives. Like that is so special to me.

Dislikes:

- Here is my one real gripe. How can Clark even consider that Mr. Thunderburnt’s theory is correct? Firstly, he doesn’t mention Loop Partners. Secondly, if getting trapped in a time loop has to do with a breakup, then why is Clark experiencing it too? Obviously Runyon’s theory is the correct one in this situation! I guess if I was in Clark’s situation, I would not be the most rational but the soulmate theory is just stupid to me. And it kind of upsets me that Beau just refused to believe any other theory. He wasted a lot of days after giving up when he could have enjoyed them with Clark.

- Also soulmate is written as two words and that bugs me.

- Thom. I don’t really like that he was framed as being wrong for wanting a subtle partner. I do think it was wrong of him to try to change Beau into something that fit his needs better, yes. But I don’t know, maybe it’s because of my culture but I just hate the narrative of a relationship being good only if it’s out. The Long Run and The Minus-One Club have shown me just how wonderful in-the-closet relationships can be. When both partners can wait until they’re ready to come out. But yes, I do see why Otto didn’t like Thom or at least, didn’t think he was a good fit for Beau. I just feel so sympathetic toward Thom! As someone who knows people that have been disowned, rejected, and spurned by loved ones after coming out, I can’t not feel some sympathy for Thom. I just hope he finds a relationship that suits his needs from the start.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this Week # 152 (Year 3/Week 48):

7 more with gorgeous Belgian actress Virginie Efira:

🍿 Continuing with the rest of Justine Triet's work, In bed with Victoria was a study for Triet's later 2 films. Like 'Sybil' and 'Anatomy of a fall' it is fascinated with the process of elaborate legal machinations, a strong women's sexuality, great kid performances, intellectual analysis and delightful sensuality.

Virginie Efira is a single mom and a powerful criminal lawyer here trying to balance her work and love life, but she is confused, and so is this movie. Still, they are both a delight to watch. 5/10.

🍿 A boilerplate, fast-paced romantic comedy of a hot "cougar" falling for a 19 year old boy, It Boy, predictable and formulaic, but she's such an eye candy, it's impossible to hate.

🍿 An Impossible Love, my second challenging film by Catherine Corsini (After 'Summertime'), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. A difficult and elusive drama about a beautiful woman who passionately falls in love with a dashing young man. But as soon she becomes pregnant with his child, he leaves her, and refuses to take responsibility for their daughter. What starts as a romantic fairy-tale, turns in the course of 30+ years, into a nightmare of cruelty, abuse and heartache. The dynamics of a horribly narcissist father and his hold of the women who wants to trust him are very hard to watch. Beautifully sad and brilliantly dark. 9/10.

On the other hand, in every one of the 8-9 movies that I've seen with her so far, she always have some 'steamy' sex scenes (but they are usually perfunctory and all are similar in style). I am absolutely not complaining, but is it part of her contract?

🍿 Just the two of us, her most recent film from 2023 is similar in parts to 'An impossible love'. This one too is about a gaslighted, terrorized wife, whose cruel, possessive husband is a disgusting, hard to watch abuser. For some reason she plays here a double role of twin sisters, and her laugh (when she does) lights up the screen. But this was an ugly and unpleasant experience.

🍿 Night Shift, my second by Anne Fontaine (After 'Adore' with Naomi Watts), It's a police procedural, a somehow-updated, French version of Hal Ashby's 'The last detail'. 3 police officers must escort an illegal immigrant from Tajikistan back to his country, knowing he will probably be killed there. I did not expect it to be so captivating. 9/10.

🍿 Paris memories, my second by French director Alice Winocour (She co-wrote the Turkish award-winner 'Mustang'). Efira plays a lovely woman traumatized from having survived a mass-shooting in a Parisian bistro. Going through similar mental agonies as Jeff Bridges did in 'Fearless', this one felt like banal film-making with no real depth. Some moments of pathos when the POV shifted to a couple of the other characters. (Photo Above)

🍿 Because I'm a completist (and sometimes a masochist), I checked out one episode (S2 E1) of Call my agent, a fast-paced French serial of the Netflix kind (i.e., slick, shallow, "funny" with constant muzak in the background). It's about a Parisian entertainment talent agency, and each episode stars a real celebrity. 2/10.

🍿

Young Picasso, a simple British documentary about the early years of the 20th Century's greatest artist. From his birth in Malaga to 1907, when he created Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, "The first modern art masterpiece". Absolutely riveting. 9/10.

🍿

2 by Alexander Payne, both starring Paul Giamatti as an unsuccessful teacher with an unfinished manuscript in his drawer:

🍿 The holdovers, Alexander Payne's 8th feature, and my favorite of all of them (Even more than 'The Descendants'). Absolute pleasure from the very first chords, like listening to Simon and Garfunkel for the first time. 10/10.

🍿 "...If anybody orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I'm not drinking any fucking Merlot!..."

Rewatch: Sideways, the film that helped cause a real growth in pinot noir sales worldwide. I forgot how wonderful it was: It really got better with age... With "Gretchen Schwartz" as Miles' Ex-wife.

[It reminded me of one of the happiest summers of my life, in 1974, when I worked the grape-picking 'vendange' season in the south of France. I started in Perpignan, and together with other free-spirited hobos, hitchhiked north every two or three weeks to a different vinery, and ended up in Champagne. We were housed in worker's quarters, worked long hours in the field, were fed fantastic rustic French food, and received (beside the meager wages) two bottles of red wine each - every day.]

🍿

'The Holdovers' was a modern adaptation of a 1935 French drama, Merlusse, directed by Marcel Pagnol. It also tells of a reclusive teacher assigned to watch over some pupils over the Christmas holidays. And he also has a glass eye, and stinks of codfish, etc. The new version was much superior.

🍿

Re-watch: Umberto Eco, A Library of the World, a wonderful documentary about the private library of the Italian medievalist, philosopher, semiotician, novelist, cultural critic (and flutist).

Roaming through the many rooms hosting his vast MIlanese library of 1,200 rare books, and 50,000+ newer ones is any bibliophile's masturbatory wet dream.

It features the same Carl Orff cover that Hans Zimmer adapted to 'True Romance' under the name 'You're so cool'. 9/10.

Now I want to watch an adaptation of Foucault's Pendulum if there ever was one. Or at least re-watch his 'The name of the rose'. I also wish there was a movie about Eco's favorite writer, Athanasius Kircher.

🍿

So instead of reading all of Borges books again, I was looking for movies based on his stories. Bertolucci's The Spider’s Stratagem, made in the same year as 'The Conformist', is the first that came to mind. An operatic web of truths and lies, symbols of murder & betrayal. "Athos Magnani arrives at the sleepy town of Tara, where years ago, his father—also named Athos Magnani—was assassinated by Fascists while attending a performance of Verdi’s opera Rigoletto." Memory, identity, stagecraft, a trip to the kingdom of the dead.

🍿

From a recent list of '30 best mobster movies', The Traitor, an epic Italian saga about Tommaso Buscetta. He was the first Sicilian Cosa Nostra boss to turn informant, and whose collaborations were used at the big anti-Mafia trials of the 80's. Not as great as 'The Godfather', but a solid entertainment piece. 7/10.

🍿

I struggled with the new disjointed psychodrama May December, my 5th film by Todd Haynes. I found it pointless, confusing and lacking emotional focus. Not close to the pathos of his two earlier masterpieces, ‘Carol’ and ‘Far from heaven’. Natalie Portman was an unreliable narrator, and Julianne Moore‘s family was unconvincingly flat. It felt unnecessary. 3/10.

🍿

The platform is a cruel Spanish horror / science-fiction story, with an unusual hook: Prisoners are held in a 300-floor vertical tower, two to a cell. Once a day they receive food lowered on a platform to their level, and they have only two minutes to eat as much as they can, but the lower you're in the system, the less you're left with. This is not something I usually enjoy, and indeed I despised this unpleasant, disgusting parable of inequality.

🍿

First watch: I kept reading that the sequel Hot Shots! Part Deux was better than the original, but really not by much. A few funny jokes in otherwise lame and lazy spoof. 3/10.

🍿

4 more documentaries:

🍿 Innocence, a painful Israeli documentary by Guy Davidi about Israel's compulsory military industrial-cultural complex. How it indoctrinates, brainwashes and overwhelms (nearly) all its children to become cogs in the war and oppression machine. Told from the prospective of some soldiers who had committed suicide while serving in the army, it's a depressing, evil and unjust story. But it is told in an irritating 'poetic' voice-overs, and I hated everything about it. 3/10.

🍿 Memories from Palestine, a Danish documentary about a tiny museum in the refugee camp of Shatila, Lebanon. It’s a rather small, decrepit room, where the elderly caretaker Mohammeds had been collecting some old keepsakes from 3 generations ago.

🍿 Coded, a lousy documentary about gay illustrator J. C. Leyendecker. The famous commercial artist cloaked his sexuality while producing popular magazine covers for 50 years. 1/10.

🍿 Bob and Don: A Love Story, a light 20-minute documentary by Judd Apatow, about the friendship between the two comedians. Not much meat on it, but OK.

🍿

Summer in Tyrol, a 2010 Danish short about an old couple who argue with each other, even as the old lady dies in a hospital room.

🍿

(My complete movie list is here)

[bookworm-corner]

Sense & Sensibility

I’m assuming that we have all heard about and have had to read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen at least once in our lives. The complicated love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, “the most disagreeable man in the world”, and a “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” woman, “you have bewitched me body and soul. And I love… I love…” blah blah blah. Some of us had the chance to get invested and end enamored of this story, wanting to read it over and over again. Others, simply wish never to hear the name of Jane Austen again. Hoping you are part of the group of people who were invested and enjoyed the complicated and messy enemies to lover's tale that was Pride and Prejudice, I bring to you yet another riveting story by Austen, which I personally read in one sitting, named Sense and Sensibility.

Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s first published novel,” It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy; -it is disposition alone.” Is book that tells the story of 2 sisters whose family suffers the death of their father, leaving them emotionally and economically broke, as at the time, women could not inherit estate or money from a deceased family member. With no option but to move a long way from their no longer existing home, to their cousin’s estate, the Dashwood sisters embark into what is to become their new life; complicated and unimaginable situations involving each sister’s romantic relationships, that challenges them, along with the responsibilities they both face as they are coming of age and the promise of broken hearts.

Marianne Dashwood, the younger sister, enamored by the idea of love she reads in books and novels, and who thinks books shouldn’t be read but felt, who I 100% agree with, falls for John Willoughby, a man whom she thinks will be the love of her life, and who goes from loving her unconditionally day to day, to writing her letters when he is away, and leaving her for a woman with economic stability… “filthy rich”. Broken, sad, and alone with no one to love her, except the amazing Colonel Brandon, a man who once he had laid eyes on Marianne, knew she would be his future and fought for her regardless of her “temporary fling” with Willoughby. This leaves Marianne crushed and heartbroken to be taken care of by her sister, who isn’t going through any better. Elinor Dashwood, the older sister, head of the family, felt responsible for her sisters and mother. When she finds out the man she is in love with, Edward Ferrars, has been engaged for 5 years, she finds herself internally declining. However, as the eldest, she feels as though she has no space to feel or show vulnerability as by any means, she must stay strong. So, she takes care of her heartbroken sister, with her also broken heart. Very big sister f Elinor if you ask me

Although this story is mainly about Marianne’s and Elinor’s romantic pursues, which had us incredibly invested and constantly closing the book for deep breath breaks, it is not what the book is mainly about. Austen meant to use their love affairs to give an insight of their personality and how each sister represented the book tittle sense and sensibility. Ironically, using what both sisters were lacking. Marianne was too I love with the idea of love, she lacked sense. Elinor, felt like her emotions would make her seem weak, and she wanted to be strong and reliable for her family, she lacked sensibility. Each sister Of course, figures this as they fight with one another, and they each refuse to talk about what it is they lack.This puts their relationship at risk, and without their lovers, all they had was each other. In the end it all works out, Marianne finds sense in her situation, as she learns that love in books is overly exaggerated and finds real love in Colonel Brandon and Elinor finds sensibility as she finds out Edward Ferrars was not planning on marrying after he met her and confesses to her that his heart belongs and always will to her, and she breaks down letting all emotion out, and allowing herself to be vulnerable.

It is obvious that Austen was a romantic novelist, however, it is fascinating to see how her stories use love as the storyline to something bigger. Two sisters, both lacking something the other has plenty of. It’s almost as if they mirrored each other. I believe that Austen was a genius. Choosing to mainly write on the life of those in higher social and economic classes, she wrote romantic novels which also provided moral instruction. So, have you read Sense and Sensibility? And more importantly, which sister did you resonate with the most?

[qnewsau]

Fourteen: A Tale of Growth & Grit at Riverside Theatres Parramatta

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/fourteen-a-tale-of-growth-grit-at-riverside-theatres-parramatta/

Fourteen: A Tale of Growth & Grit at Riverside Theatres Parramatta

Riverside Theatres is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated online showcase of the celebrated Australian production, “Fourteen.”

Based on the powerful memoir by the acclaimed journalist Shannon Molloy. This riveting play, staged by the nationally renowned Shake & Stir Theatre Co., will grace the Riverside stage on the 3rd and 4th of May 2024 in the vibrant heart of Parramatta.

“Fourteen” is not just a play; it’s an emotional journey through the trials and triumphs of growing up gay in central Queensland.

This story, set to a soundtrack of unforgettable ’90s hits—from Shania Twain to The Spice Girls—navigates the bittersweet paths of adolescence with a blend of honesty, humour, and heart.

Follow Shannon’s journey through a year of self-discovery, battling bullying and betrayal, for a gripping audience experience.

“Funny, sad and true, this is a play that will foster conversation, and save lives”; – THE AUSTRALIAN ★ ★★★ “The perfect night at the theatre.” – Broadway World “Utterly captivating, heart wrenching, and witty, this adaption of Shannon Molloy’s memoir was lovingly brought to life.” – Theatre Travels

The production features an impressive ensemble cast, with Conor Leach delivering a “commanding performance” that has garnered critical acclaim. “Fourteen” celebrates resilience and the power of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. Its narrative resonates with funny, sad, and incredibly true moments, making it a catalyst for conversation and potentially life-changing insights.

https://qnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Riverside-End-Card-shake22-Fourteen-VOXPOPS-2024-NationalTour-WS-CAPTIONED-231124.mp4

We invite you to be part of this unforgettable experience.

This play not only promises a perfect night at the theatre! Also offers a profoundly moving and witty adaptation of Molloy’s memoir that has been lovingly brought to life on stage.

Please note that “Fourteen” comes with a recommendation for ages 14 and up due to strong coarse language, adult content, strobe lighting, and theatrical smoke.

Don’t miss out on this must-see event. For more information and to book your tickets, visit Riverside Parramatta.

Box office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1 pm. The Box Office will also be open an hour before scheduled events.

For further inquiries, please contact 02 8839 3399.

MORE INFO/BOOK NOW 

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[nicepoethere]

YOU NEED TO MEET TED HASSON’S MEET THE ODDSMAKER!

With over 40 five-star reviews (27 on them on amazon.com!), Meet…THE OddsMaker has quickly become a phenomenon in the book-reading world! “Riveting, exciting, sad, funny, uplifting, incredible and inspirational” are only a few of the superlatives that reader-reviewers have coined to describe this sensational true-life story by author Ted Hasson.

Here is some of what a new reader just wrote about MTOM:

"An amazing, in-depth and introspective character analysIs... A tale so unbelievable, it could not be made up. But maybe not so unbelievable, when you understand the intercession by the OddsMaker."

Delay no longer! Own your very own ebook or hard copy by going here now: https://www.amazon.com/Meet-OddsMaker-Ted.../dp/0744323282. And check out the reviews while there.

[queenofir]

YOU NEED TO MEET TED HASSON’S MEET THE ODDSMAKER!

With over 40 five-star reviews (27 on them on amazon.com!), Meet…THE OddsMaker has quickly become a phenomenon in the book-reading world! “Riveting, exciting, sad, funny, uplifting, incredible and inspirational” are only a few of the superlatives that reader-reviewers have coined to describe this sensational true-life story by author Ted Hasson.

Here is some of what a new reader just wrote about MTOM:

"An amazing, in-depth and introspective character analysIs... A tale so unbelievable, it could not be made up. But maybe not so unbelievable, when you understand the intercession by the OddsMaker."

Delay no longer! Own your very own ebook or hard copy by going here now: https://www.amazon.com/Meet-OddsMaker-Ted.../dp/0744323282. And check out the reviews while there.

[thegeekx]

Martin McDonagh's Sublime Exploration of Friendship Soured

Martin McDonagh’s Sublime Exploration of Friendship Soured

Lifelong friends call it quits on a lonely island during the Irish Civil War. The Banshees of Inisherin tells a bleak and often humorous tale of sad endings. The riveting devolvement of deeply personal relationships strikes a sobering tone. The hurt and loss that one feels often means freedom for another. That’s difficult to accept but an unfortunate truth. The brilliant writer/director Martin…

[polhwashington]

Drowsy chaperone cast

If you missed the show this time around, stay tuned for more productions from the Lakewood Cultural Center they won’t disappoint. Some of the moments were a bit cringy, like the part where Cardell “accidentally” puts on the wrong record, and it’s a very racially insensitive play about Asian folks, but those moments are definitely intentional and meant to drive a point home about how some lovable old theatre doesn’t exactly age well. In fact, hearing from folks who were familiar with the show, Cardell’s pensive portrayal of the narrator and other little details in the dialogue actually added more depth to a sometimes-goofy show. The actors were all well-suited to their roles, and the set was really cool and captivating. The show is meant to be madcap and funny, and it was. There really isn’t much criticism to aim at this show. Cardell’s portrayal of the narrator is both funny and a little dark and sad, as he drops various clues about a failed marriage, a reclusive personality, a closeted identity, and a distaste for the horrors of the modern world. But don’t let the premise fool you there are some serious, sad moments in there as well. In short, it’s a mostly silly show, plenty of jabs at both modern life and old-school musicals. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theater producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided suitor, and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. The recording brings the characters to life, and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. “ The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. So what exactly is this show about? The synopsis from the press release gives a pretty good idea: He’s a lovable theatre nerd, so what better role than someone who wants to share their favorite fictional musical with the audience? If you’re familiar with Bernie Cardell , who usually works in a directorial role with Vintage Theatre instead of on the stage, you ‘ll know what a perfect role The Man in the Chair, the narrator of the odd tale, was for him. And speaking of comic genius, Geoffrey Rush (fresh from conquering Broadway himself) will conjure up a dazzling cavalcade of stars, which includes the riveting Robyn Nevin, the shimmering Shane Jacobson, the graceful Grant Piro, the raffish Richard Piper and hoofing Heidi Arena.If you were lucky enough to catch The Drowsy Chaperone at the Lakewood Cultural Center, you know what’s up-it was great. The overarching conceit that the musical is recreated for us by a Broadway fan as he plays the Original Cast Album is a stroke of comic genius. For the next ninety minutes I sat enraptured by the most wonderfully mocking yet affectionate spoof of early Broadway musicals – a rich layer cake of homage piled on blancmange, with just a sprinkling of wistful insight. ‘On a quiet Monday night in New York a few years ago, I slipped into the first preview of this musical without knowing anything about it. Key Photography: Marcel Aucar, Production Photography: Jeff Busby Purchase a limited edition signed poster from Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone on ebay.īY ARRANGEMENT WITH HAL LEONARD AUSTRALIA, EXCLUSIVE AGENT FOR MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, NY. With a star-studded cast, sequin-drenched costumes and dazzling new production numbers, The Drowsy Chaperone is a jazz-hot trip back to the golden age of musicals when stars had charisma, Broadway had romance and Rodgers had Hart.ĭon’t miss this five time Tony Award winning lollapalooza of a show. As he drops the needle on his all-time favourite album, an outrageously funny musical from the 1920s, The Drowsy Chaperone, bursts into life complete with a pampered starlet, gangsters, chorus girls and all manner of mayhem. Geoffrey Rush stars as a die-hard musical theatre fan who invites us into his dreary living room.