#it's a crime that they never got nominated for best partnership

[reellebowski]

MONDO INVITES YOU TO PEEL BACK THE LAYERS OF THE GLASS ONION SOUNDTRACK ON VINYL

Austin, TX – December 12, 2022 – ​​Mondo, in partnership with Netflix and Cut Narrative Records, is incredibly excited to present the vinyl release of Nathan Johnson's brilliant score to the latest Benoit Blanc mystery GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, debuting on Netflix on December 23.

Audiences who were lucky enough to have seen the film during its special theatrical sneak preview have already discovered that this highly anticipated sequel is nothing short of epic - and much of that is due to the gorgeous, sweeping score by Nathan Johnson. Johnson keeps intact the delicate balance that made KNIVES OUT such a clever score, never undermining the danger that is around every corner, but also brings an intoxicating romanticism to every gorgeous landscape. It’s playful, and sinister all at once.

"This release stands confidently next to previous Nathan Johnson vinyl soundtracks in our catalog,” says Mo Shafeek. “Housed in an appropriately ‘layered’ package featuring prop replicas and easter eggs, this is an essential collectable for fans of Rian Johnson's on-going mystery series."

The package, carefully constructed by Jay Shaw and Mo Shafeek, pays homage to the film's central mystery in multiple ways. Pressed on 2x 140 Gram Crystal Clear vinyl, and housed in a die-cut jacket, with an acrylic o-card, and multiple inserts, the GLASS ONION soundtrack on vinyl will be available for pre-order at MondoShop.com on December 14 at 12pm CT.

In the follow up to Rian Johnson's smash hit Knives Out, Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects. Returning to the franchise he began, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Rian Johnson writes and directs Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and assembles another all-star cast that includes a returning Daniel Craig alongside Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista.

When Rian began writing Knives Out, he asked Nathan to create a unique sonic palette for the world inhabited by debonair detective, Benoit Blanc. Inspired by murder mysteries of a bygone era, Nathan turned to slippery woodwinds, dissonant pianos and eventually the jagged string quartet that would go on to become the film’s audio signature while simultaneously redefining the sound of the modern mystery.

GLASS ONION - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 2XLP

Music by Nathan Johnson.

Package design by Jay Shaw and Mo Shafeek.

Pressed on 2x 140 Gram Crystal Clear vinyl.

$50

Tracklisting

SIDE A

1. Theme from Glass Onion

2. The Puzzle Box

3. Andi’s Theme

4. An Anonymous Invitation

5. Ground Rules

6. Ms. Birdie Jay

7. The Infraction Point

8. Dinner is Served

9. This is Not a Game

10. The Scene of the Crime

SIDE B

1. Trapped

2. Lights Out!

3. Time to Finish This

4. Blanc’s Plan

SIDE C

1. Snoop

2. Motive & Opportunity

3. Something’s Off

4. Perjury

5. Ransacking

6. A.B.

SIDE D

1. The Center of the Onion

2. Peeled Back

3. You’ve Got Nothing

4. Glass Onion String Quartet in Bb Minor

5. Burnt

6. Disruption

7. Theme from Glass Onion (Revisited)

Visit the Mondo official site & social handles for more information:

Website: MondoShop.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/MondoNews

Facebook: Facebook.com/MondoTees

Instagram: Instagram.com/MondoNews

About Mondo

Mondo is an expanding enterprise with a passionate love of film, art, music and pop culture, best known for creating limited-edition posters, vinyl soundtracks, premium collectibles and games. Based in Austin, Texas, the team collaborates with an international network of talented artists and creators to produce the highest quality products inspired by licensed properties and original IPs. Over the last decade, Mondo has partnered with leading entertainment brands along with dozens of independent studios and filmmakers from around the world. Find out more at mondoshop.com

[onlymywishfulthinking]

undefined

Greg and Parry’s thank you messages for JARRY winning Digital Spy’s BEST SOAP COUPLE of 2019

[sunmisgirl]

Demon!EXO Reaction to Human Not Signing Contract

Exo demon reaction to their assigned human not wanting to sign a contract (to give their soul in exchange for sth)??? -🌹 anon P.s. I live for your reactions you're such an amazing writer!

Side note: You’re so kind; thank you for taking the time to read my reactions. I hope you enjoy this one. I also wrote a spin-off to this here.

Xiumin:

Xiumin finds you busking at a street corner singing the words to “Wonderwall”. He’s seen you perform at various street corners around the city trying to pick up extra tips and hopefully get scouted by a talent company. He approaches you and places a tip in your guitar case. You acknowledge his donation with a nod and smile as you continue singing through your performance. He patiently waits for you to finish before complimenting you on your voice and dedication. “You sing with so much soul and passion coursing through your body. It would be a crime to let that talent go to waste. I have friends in high places. I could recommend you to a music executive. All I want in return is a little bit of that soul.” Your eyebrows furrow in confusion at his request, but shyly decline his offer and gather up your guitar case and leave for the day. Something about him felt very odd and you decide to stop playing in public for a while. 

Suho:

Suho is your regular customer at the diner. He’s pretty decent compared to the other patrons. He always leaves a hefty tip and makes good conversation with you. You’ve managed to form a friendship and share with him your woes about paying for college and balancing two jobs to do so. One night he appears at a booth and orders his usual meal. When you serve it to him, he stops you and asks, “Haven’t you ever thought about leaving this job? I see the way some of the sleazy customers treat you.” You sigh and run a hand down your apron. “Remember I need this extra income to pay for the semester? I can’t quit now especially around the holidays when more people dine in.” 

He lightly chuckled to himself and said, “What if I supply you with the extra income? Imagine paying off college and buying anything else you desire. Moving out of this town…hell maybe even buying this diner if you so desire. I just need something in exchange…more specifically your soul.” You blink at him a few times and swear you notice his eye color shift to red and back to brown in an instant. You become uncomfortable and excuse yourself from the booth. Suho took the hint when you never returned from the kitchen and left his usual tip on the table. You never saw him again after that.

Lay:

Why? Why must you always be the victim of Cupid’s arrow? Your love life isn’t successful, and you’re close to giving up on finding any happiness until you run across an ad for a dating company guaranteeing love. At this point you have nothing to lose and decide to stop by the business on the way home from work. You walk up to a tidy shop named Master of Love. You almost cringe at the cheesy name but enter the shop anyways. You meet the owner of the shop and he sits down explaining how the company works, filling out applications, and showing your potential matches. 

Before you sign the contract, he goes over some rules with you. Lay says, “Just as a reminder, if you are to find a perfect match, we must maintain communication. I can’t lose a valuable client like you.” As he says this, you witness his eyes shift to a different color. “You may have a perfect match here in the physical world, but in the afterlife you’re all mine.” You abruptly stumble out of your seat and flee for the door and away from the shop. You don’t will yourself to look back in fear he is standing by the doorway of the shop watching you go.

Baekhyun:

All these dating apps have brought nothing but misery and wasted time. Your friends push you to attempt speed dating, so you attend an event at a local café. Baekhyun was already seated at a table far away and you couldn’t keep your eyes off him. Even the other speed daters notice and make no attempt to engage with you. Once you finally sit in front of him, his charming smile and smoldering eyes make your heart skip a beat. Your speechless state causes him to laugh and he reaches out to caress your cheek. “Seems like we’ve already made a match. Isn’t it exhausting to go through countless dates and never find the right one?” You sigh and nod your head. He suggests, “I think this relationship could last forever…that is if you want it to. I need your heart, body, and soul in this agreement.” You don’t miss the way he emphasizes the word soul and push his hand away from your face. He never does get your response though because the timer rings. You rush out the door mentally cursing your friends for dragging you into yet another weird guy’s arms.

Chen:

Kim Jongdae stands as one of the most popular stylists in the industry. Every model and rising celebrity hopes to be selected as his muse and face of his seasonal line. It’s quite surprising when he asks you to be a visual for his spring line. You haven’t made much waves in the modeling industry, but you’re not about to decline this opportunity. His aura is slightly intimidating when you first meet, but you suppose that’s because he is such a popular figure in the industry. 

After your fitting, you bump into him at the elevators. You thank him for selecting you as his visual and he shrugs it off stating he sees much potential in your future compared to the others. He suggests an easier rise to stardom by forming a partnership with him. “Just think about it. A rising model and a popular stylist duo taking this industry by storm. Can’t you see it too?” He begins gripping your wrist tightly and you glance at him with an alarmed look. “With the partnership, we’d be inseparable. Your mind, heart, and soul are mine and vice versa.” His eyes turn red the second he mentions your soul and you yank your wrist from his grip and race out the elevator not caring that you’re calling attention to yourself.

Chanyeol:

Every successful band experiences a few pitfalls and missed opportunities. Your band has gained enough attention to go from bar performances to small concert venues. However, it’s been a difficult time to get the attention of any record label companies. One night, your band finishes a set and clears the stage. You’ve still got that adrenaline high when a tall man approaches you. He reaches out to shake your hand. “I’m Park Chanyeol. Your group has got some serious talent. Your voice is incredibly unique as well. My record label is seeking talent just like you. I can already imagine thousands of adoring fans screaming out your lyrics and, in a few years, even a Grammy nomination is possible.” You scoff at his wishful thinking and utter, “That sounds way too good to be true. What do I have to do, sell my soul?” A chilling smile appears on his face and you kindly decline his offer and pray you never cross paths with that odd man again.

D.O.:

Moving out of your hometown seems to be one of the dumbest choices you’ve ever made. Your apartment isn’t the best and you constantly beat the radiator to emit heat during the winter months. Your boss criticizes your work ethic and coworkers always gossip about you. You wish you could pick up everything and move back home, but of course money makes the world go around. Having to balance paying off your student loans, countless GrubHub orders, and rent is taking a toll on you. 

Kyungsoo moved in a few months ago, but you never crossed paths until today when you checked the mailbox. You yell in frustration after seeing more bills and dramatically toss them to the floor. Kyungsoo is checking his mail at the same time and notices your meltdown. He suggests a close friend that lends people money without questions asked. You stare at him in disbelief and say, “There must be some catch to this.” Suddenly he dons a serious expression and replies, “A special agreement has to take place. You have to give up your soul but think about all the financial issues that will melt away with this solution.” You conclude your neighbor is insane and walk back to your apartment. All night his words toss around in your head until you look for him the next morning. When you knock on his door, you find an empty apartment.

Kai:

Kai watches you from afar as you struggle to nail your choreography in the dance studio. You’ve stumbled repeatedly and the aches in your muscles beg you to give up for the night. You grumpily pack your belongings and head home. This part of town isn’t the safest, but your place isn’t too far from the studio. However, tonight you feel an eerie presence lurking nearby and meet eyes with a man—or so you assume is a man. He walks towards you and your guard goes up immediately. He keeps a distance from you and says, “Don’t you get tired of constantly failing? Your peers are exceling and performing on stages in New York City while you’re stuck here in this small town. What if I offered you an opportunity to showcase your talents? Surpass everyone and make yourself worldwide known. All I need in exchange is your soul.” You mutter a “no thanks” and sprint to your place before he can reach you. You think to yourself, I’m so tired of these drunken creeps in this town.

Sehun:

Last Valentine’s Day proved that love is crap and the holiday is a product of capitalism wrapped in pretty colors and adorned with flowers and chocolates to trick lovesick couples. Your partner decided it would be appropriate to break up with you the day before Valentine’s Day so they could dodge your dinner plans and run off on some “journey of self-discovery”. Whatever. You’re not buying it. This year you’re sipping a bitter cup of coffee seated by the window of your favorite coffee shop. You’ve witnessed tons of people passing: some carrying giant stuffed bears to bring to their partners, some looking guilty and carrying bouquets of roses, and others blissfully walking hand in hand. You sigh wondering if you’ll ever find your special person.

Sehun sits nearby noticing your gloomy expression. “Valentine’s Day is a double-edged sword. It forces singles to feel bad about not having a special person and guilts couples to buy gifts for their partners.” Your eyes widen as you turn to look at him. “Yes! Exactly!”, you exclaim in delight because finally someone doesn’t think you’re just bitter about the breakup. You two speak more and eventually start talking about your ex. He can tell you’re still hurting from the breakup and offers a solution. “Maybe I can help? I can get your ex to fall in love with you again. All I ask for is your soul in return.” You glare at him and dump the rest of your coffee on his head and leave the shop. You switched coffee shops after that just to avoid the weirdo.

[davidmann95]

Where does Robin stands nowadays in the Batman's world in your opinion? How different is it from where it started in the DCU?

Over 78 years and at least 4 ‘main’ versions, yeah:there’ve been some changes.

The thing about Robin though, in terms of how he grewalongside Batman? For the first 30ish years of his existence, he’s not actuallya character; he’s an accessory, another item on the utility belt, albeit oneBatman cared about a lot more than a grapple gun or flashbang. Past that greatpage with him and Batman swearing the vow by candlelight, providing valuablesymbolism and context for (much) later on - and even there, Batman’s emotionsand motivations for bringing this kid into his world amount to “Well, Iguess you and I were both victims of a similar trouble.” - Dick’s just*there*, the junior crimefighter, thrown in to add variety to fight scenes andgive his partner someone to bounce dialogue off of. As little as the comicsbrought up Batman’s parents dying in a filthy alley back then, it at leastoccasionally merited a mention, whereas I could almost believe you if you toldme Robin’s origin was literally never brought up again for the first 20 yearsof his career.

To be clear, that’s not at all a failing of those stories. Robin’s great even then, a fitting splash of color into Batman’s world thatpaved the way for further weirdness down the line and a great design in his ownright (even if the lack of pants hasn’t aged as well as Superman or Batman’slooks at the time), as well as a reader-identification figure in a time whenhanging out with Batman still seemed like a fun prospect. But compared to itsbig rival in Superman, which silly as it got still often dove intobig, primal emotions children could relate to - at least in the Silver Age- Batman was mostly rooted in process: here’s how Batmanfights his way past the goons/escapes the deathtrap/figures out the mystery.The closest there was to an ongoing emotional conflict was Batman wonderingwhether or not he should settle down with Batwoman. As a result, despite reamsof pagetime and plenty of solo stories, Robin himself had less characterizationthan, say, the likes of Jimmy Olsen, or even Lori Lemaris. Even stories zeroingin on their relationship like Robin DiesAt Dawn are based on Batman’s guilt, not anything substantial on Robin’send. He’s not even a tonal contrast yet, since Batman himself is pretty chipperby now, and will be for the next few decades.

The turning point is in 1969 when Dick leaves for college aspart of a general attempt at streamlining Batman’s operation; while the O’Neil/Adamsteam hadn’t come onboard yet, the Adam West and Burt Ward show had ended theyear before and I imagine DC was already feeling the backlash, so it marked thestart in earnest of trying to get everybody to take Batman a bit moreseriously. The unintended result being that Robin, while appearing on occasionin the main titles, was for all intents and purposes hermetically sealed awayin his own corner of the DCU away from what was happening to Batman, first insolo adventures and then with the New Teen Titans. And eventually,inexorably, that meant that Robin shifted to not really fitting with Batman’sworld as we knew it anymore, and that’s therefore what came to define DickGrayson: he’s not like Bruce Wayne, and moreover he doesn’t especially want tobe, until him even nominally being Batman’s sidekick anymore doesn’t work oncehe grows up and realizes he doesn’t want to sit in a basement scowling for therest of his life.

Of course, taking Dick Grayson out of the picture meantthere wasn’t going to be a Robin period, and the rejection of the fun Robinrepresented wasn’t complete enough to deny the value of his iconography, soalong comes Jason Todd, The Robin Who Makes Sense For Grim Batman once he getshis Post-Crisis origin. He’s got a dark backstory (one that even doesmarginally more than Dicks’ did to justify the conceit of Batman taking on ayoung aid - after all, if Jason wasn’t Robin he’d possibly be doomed to a lifeof crime), and a personality that lets him trade jokes with the bad guys inclassic Robin style, but as fueled by a rage at injustice that meant he didn’tcontrast that harshly with a post-Miller Batman. There’s a bit more of adeliberate contrast with how Batman himself functions - something that becomesimportant later - but it’s subdued in the face of Jason’s anger boiling over,until his presence becomes untenable both in-universe and among the fanbase,and what happens, happens. Because goodness knows that if there’s one thingBatman was lacking, it was a defining tragedy to motivate him to fight crime.

So you have a company that recognizes that Robin probablyshould be a thing, but their attempt at making him mesh with therough-and-tumble modern world of the 1980s failed so spectacularly that havinga child beaten to death by a clown was preferable to having to continue to putup with him. So they were going to have to work with something a little morefamiliar, while at the same time finding a whole new way to make the ideapalatable, especially now that the obvious dangers of bringing a powerless kidto fight supervillains were right at the front of everybody’s minds.

And that’s how you get the most important Robin story of alltime past his debut in A Lonely Place OfDying.

Not the best,mind you; later stories explored the idea introduced here in far moreinteresting ways. And for that matter, I’mon the record that Tim Drake is by far the least interesting Robin, ageneric grab-bag of traits from other characters who never remotely approachesthe sum of his parts (and that disappointing streak in fact starts right here,where the question of “how do you justifyendangering a child after what happened to Jason Todd?” is kicked under therug by having a new kid show up out of nowhere who happens to be amazing andperfect for the gig both physically and mentally). But what happens here iswhere the idea hinted at now and again in the likes of The Dark Knight Returns finally clicks into place, where Robinactually becomes Robin as we now know him with the idea that his contrast withBatman isn’t a bug, but a feature.

That’s what Robin brings to the table, retroactivelyexplaining why Dick worked and Jason didn’t, why he makes sense in Batman’sworld, and why Bruce in fact needs him: because there needs to be a light inthe dark, someone to remind Batman just what it is he’s fighting for and keephim from losing himself entirely to his mission. That Robin saves Batman justas much as the other way around, and that having a laughing young daredevil outthere alongside him will keep Batman’s head in the game, keep him alert andengaged and alive now that he has someone else to look out for. In short, Robinbeing around forces Batman to be an adult, rather than the kid still crying inthe alley all these years later. And in so doing, he has the chance to showthese kids a better way, just as he once found one. It’s a take that sticksright away, since that’s the contrast they went with a couple years later for Batman: The Animated Series, setting instone how those two related to each other in the public eye to the point whereit’s hard to remember it any other way (especially since flashbacks to Dick’s period as Robin now retroactively cast him as the upbeat good cop toBatman’s hardass).

It doesn’t quite hold in the comics among the creatorsthough, and the result was an odd period where things were thrown in twodirections at once; some writers it was becoming obvious actually did dislikeor even hate Robin, or at minimum had no use whatsoever for him, and he startedto get kicked to the side at every available opportunity since now not only washe silly on his own but he actively represented the idea that Batman shouldhimself lighten up. Others clearly started to like Robin as a figure more thanBatman himself, hence getting storieswhere it turned out Nightwing was called into Gotham on the night of Jason’sdebut so Bruce could rub it in his face that he was replaced, or Brucereplacing Tim with an inadequately-trained young woman who eventually gotkilled to try and bait him into resuming the role himself. And by the timethings returned to some sort of equilibrium, it was already just about time forthe next big shift.

Finally, we come to the star of the show if we’re talkingabout how Robin works and where he stands today: Damian Wayne. The son of Batmanasopposed to the brother, and therefore probably why Bruce catastrophically fails at every turnwhen trying to raise him (outside maybe a few so-so Tomasi comics) - he’s acesat barking orders at partners, but not so much at emotionally connecting with achild who’s for a change actually immature compared to him, rather than beingnoticeably emotionally healthier. He couldn’t even properly help Jason; what hope didhe have at reaching a 10-year-old assassin raised from birth with the promisethat his destiny is to one day wreak bloody revolution and seize the world inhis grip? Bruce fights crime; what’s he going to do with a kid essentially raisedby the platonic concept of capital-C Crime? Hence why he’s not Bruce’s Robin, andnever really could be. Even if they could work together without findingthemselves at each other’s throats, it’d be two terse efficient warriors cooperatingsmoothly, with none of the spark that makes Batman and Robin thrive as apartnership in an emotional sense. He’s Dick’s.

He has to be Dick’s,because as Dick’s grown since his years in the speedo, through Nightwing toBatman and back again, he’s become the official adult in the room of the BatmanFamily (at least as far as the members in tights go). He’s the one who smiles,who has at least semi-stable relationships, who Bruce saved and who thereforegrew up not being afraid and vulnerable in the same way as him. And because ofthat he’s the one who’s able to talk with Damian as a human being to beunderstood and guided rather than an apprentice to be disciplined - just as hewas retroactively the one to make the effort to connect with Bruce, he’s ableto do the same thing here, except this time the power dynamic favors him - and becauseof that Damian eventually comes to understand there’s more to crimefightingthan punishing ‘degenerates’, but in protecting the innocent and serving ahigher ideal of justice. To the point where the privileged little brat whooriginally thought blood alone made him worthy of being Batman not only turnshis back on the crime that defined his life, but joins the Bat-Family inearnest by essentially orphaning himself with the rejection of hismother.

It’s the completion of a circle, where Dick proves hisworthiness as Batman by succeeding in saving Damian where Bruce failed to saveJason. They have the chemistry that defines Batman and Robin as a modernpartnership, able to bounce off each other with the wise snarking veteransuperhero always able to needle the self-important teen samurai billionaireuntil the kid comes out, whether to laugh along with him or show how deep hiswounds go. And the reason this truly works as a reconfiguration of the Batmanand Robin relationship rather than a new one altogether became clear in Nightwing Must Die!, where we see whatDamian brings to the table in turn: Dick as a well-adjusted person doesn’t havethe diamond-solid certainty in his identity or mission that Bruce did, butDamian most definitely does, and can bring the fire to Dick when he needs itthe way Dick could with Bruce. He’s the one who believes in Dick as Batman evenmore than he believes in Bruce. Hell, probably even more than Dick believes in Bruce.

As is that’s the issue with Robin, at least as far as thecomics go - he’s not working with his partner, and you can’t especially shove himtogether with Bruce without either killing the drama or going endlessly back tothe “You’re not my real dad, man!” well (yetanother reason Dick should absolutely still be Co-Batman), and while he’s honestlya strong enough character to work on his own, that’s not his situation at themoment. Thankfully we’re still getting a pretty effective contrast with JonKent in Super Sons, along with whatever they’re doing in Teen Titans right now,but as Robin specifically rather than Damian Wayne he’s kind of inevitablysidelined until Dick either takes back the cape or just takes Robin as hissidekick even while he’s Nightwing. Bruce himself seems to have moved pastneeding a Robin truly all his own at the moment, instead cycling through thelikes of Bluebird and Signal and Gotham Girl. The honest answer to what Robinmeans in the DCU right now is probably “identitythat’s going to remain in a holding pattern until the DCEU Batman and Nightwingmovies come out, and then they’ll do whatever lines up with those”. So, uh,come back to me in 2019 or thereabouts. But on the whole? Batman and Robin arethere to save each other. It’s that simple.

[blackgoddessofsassiness]

Divorce Attorneys Long Island NY

If I am working a enterprise with the best divorce attorney Long Island and one other individual, should I kind a partnership or incorporate? Rhode Island Enterprise and corporate legislation steadily asked questions by a Rhode Island (RI) Legal professional concerning companies, llc's and partnerships. Mr. Salamone is a trial attorney who has authored articles on international regulation and is a member of numerous enterprise, professional, and bar associations. Rhode Island frequent legislation marriage "fact or fiction" by a Rhode Island household regulation and divorce attorney. Because the household legislation lawyer is somebody, who consistently concentrate on the sector of household legislation and associated issues, he/she will be able to assure of finest outcome for your loved ones regulation associated matters. In fact, depending upon which choose you go earlier than within the Rhode Island Family Court docket System, their philosophies on adultery range and it could very effectively affect the result of your divorce in more methods than one. Does this disparity in pay mean the spouse who makes more money will robotically must pay alimony?

What does no fault divorce mean? How do I prove my residency at the nominal divorce listening to in order to obtain a divorce? In relation to divorce, it's essential to get your documents and records so as as early on in the method as possible. How Do I Get My Personal Property When There is a No Contact Order Or Restraining Order? In some cases, one spouse could conform to take much less then half of the fairness in the property. If a person violates his probation by being arrested for a new crime then the person could also be held in Jail on the ACI as a probation violator. Though, you might need to file a complaint by yourself. This act allows some ex spouses to remain on their ex husband or ex wives medical insurance after Ultimate Judgment of Divorce. Many employers are prohibiting ex spouses from coverage after closing Judgment of Divorce relying on the Duclos case.

Prenuptial agreements are extraordinarily enforceable in Rhode Island (RI). This Rhode Island Legislation Article explains why it is uncommon for a Divorce Trial to commence. Please visit: Rhode Island Private Damage and Automobile Accident Law Articles and likewise see: Rhode Island Baby Help Legislation. Issues such as little one custody, little one help and expenses are decided via mediation. You aren't obligated to and you need to have a brand new written settlement spelling out all of the brand new situations. Forgiveness, nevertheless, is the most highly effective tool that you've got in this life. My interpretation of Jesus' teachings and the Bible is that we should always love and settle for everybody and each experience that comes into our life unconditionally because life is perfection. Little one Custody battles in Rhode Island usually occur within the context of Divorce circumstances, Submit Divorce instances or Miscellaneous Petitions between non married parents looking for custody. This text explains how debt is assigned in Rhode Island divorce circumstances. Take time and discover one of the best attorney for your family cases.

Hummel was 53 years old at the time of Howe's dying. Stop repeating old patterns and cease punishing your self for things that others understand to be unsuitable. Properly, the fact is that no one has walked in your sneakers they usually don't have any right to inform you what is true or wrong for you. Brady: I don't have anything to cover. A good household law lawyer would have obtained further certification associated to family regulation issues. I've extra land that I'm not using on the side of my house. It doesn't matter what your situation includes, an experienced Long Island household lawyer could be ready that will help you to handle the authorized difficulty as easily and promptly as possible. If I die with minor kids, who will handle my cash for them? If you face uncertainties and the future of your loved ones is within the hands of the court docket, it is best to only work with a divorce lawyer who has an intimate understanding of the brand new York family courtroom system.

Every time you are dealing with a household law concern such as a divorce, child custody modification, or a paternity motion, it's important that you're employed with an experienced legal professional who will advocate in your behalf and struggle to guard your rights. However thorough trial preparation and proven litigation abilities are critical to acquiring a favorable out-of-courtroom decision. This text discusses in details underneath what circumstances a person can be despatched to jail to compel compliance with child assist orders. Child Support Doesn't Mechanically Terminate in Rhode Island When a child Turns 18! Even a state as small as Rhode Island (the nation's smallest state, by the way in which) has hundreds of attorneys, regardless that it ranks solely 22 in the very best variety of attorneys per capita. As the yule log's embers died and resolutions for a brand new year — and a new you — abounded initially of January, household attorneys everywhere, together with myself, ready for the inflow of official separations and divorce filings. However, it's the true world of Divorce in Rhode Island (RI). Our Long Island divorce legal professionals will listen to your story, rigorously assess your case, and craft a legal technique that's best suited to help you reach your desired goals.

Do I Need a Lawyer? Hundreds of people on this planet are heading towards the end of these marriage, and many ones usually do not truly know the way to handle this unfortunate situation. The first and the most effective step they need to take immediately is the hiring of an good divorce lawyer, and so the remaining portion of the things will end up simpler to manage.

If you are searching for the divorce attorney, consult with friends, members of the family or anyone who has a strong divorce attorneys Long Island NY reputation locally. Never be determined by flashy commercials or outrageous advertisements. It is important to shop around. If you have had friends who've experienced divorce, find out which attorneys they used. Browse through the town which you live in and get around. Should your town have the best attorney, that could make the process of hiring one easier.

3. DOMINATE-SUBMISSIVE: The relationship buries the competitive by accepting one, usually male, as dominate, along with the other, usually female, as submissive. One rules, and so they live in just a spectrum of who serves. Usually she mainly serves the household, and that he mainly serves the community, however nowadays this varies. In some, both serve the household and also the community. The spectrum of service affects the type of all things they actually do. Because they formed the connection to fill the things they believe was lacking within them, it shapes the way they consider, relate to and treat the other person. Some justify this Biblically. There are terms and conditions for each agreement to work. These conditions needs to be understood by the couple before they sign any documents. In case they don't understand the terms, they ought to ask a legal professional for clarity. This is important to ensure that in the event you not in favor of the terms, you will have case to answer. Find out how much experience the professional seems to have within the field or area you happen to be hiring him for. Confirm their speciality and preferences prior to making any decision. Ask for customer references and other information completely from the professional. The more you know about the attorney, the higher the final results to suit your needs. Perform a check on their reputation as well.

[thisdaynews]

Michael Bloomberg launches campaign for president

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/michael-bloomberg-launches-campaign-for-president/

Michael Bloomberg launches campaign for president

Michael Bloomberg: “We cannot afford four more years of President Trump’s reckless and unethical actions.“ | Yana Paskova/Getty Images

Michael Bloomberg announced Sunday he is running for president, bringing a narrow following but boundless bank account to the crowded Democratic primary.

The 77-year-old former New York City mayor, positioning himself as a centrist alternative to Joe Biden, launched his candidacy in an online video that is part personal story, part attack on President Donald Trump.

“I’m running for president to defeat Donald Trump and rebuild America. We cannot afford four more years of President Trump’s reckless and unethical actions. He represents an existential threat to our country and our values,” Bloomberg declared in a statement Sunday. “If he wins another term in office, we may never recover from the damage.”

Bloomberg became one of the richest people in the world on the success of his eponymous financial news company. He then served three terms as New York City mayor and in 2014 was honorarily knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

The video accompanying his announcement, part of an initial $34 million ad buy, instead seeks to play up his middle-class upbringing in Medford, Mass. The narrator notes he “had to work his way through college” and built his business, Bloomberg LP, from “a single room to a global entity.”

The ad, produced by Jimmy Siegel, is meant to contrast the financial identities of Bloomberg and Trump, both wealthy men with swank Manhattan addresses. As it closes in on a shot of Trump Tower, the narrator references a country “where the wealthy will pay more in taxes and the struggling middle class will get their fair share.” It is an implicit criticism of the president, who is battling the release of his tax returns a year after a New York Times investigation concluded he dodged taxes to increase his inherited fortune.

Bloomberg routinely made his tax returns public when he was mayor. A spokesperson said he would make his returns public now that he is seeking the presidency.

The former mayor, who is worth an estimated $54.1 billion, plans to forgo competing in early voting states and instead focus his resources on Super Tuesday, when 15 states head to the polls March 3. His aides believe the strategy will help him lay claim to delegate-rich territory that has been somewhat overlooked as the top-tier candidates focus their energies in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

They say their polling also showed Trump dominating in six swing states where they believe Bloomberg can perform well: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

It is also a signal that Team Bloomberg is worried he wouldn’t do well in the first four states. Polls conducted after he registered to get on the ballot in Alabama Nov. 8 show paltry support for his candidacy in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Bloomberg, who has switched party registration several times throughout his life to suit his political ambitions, plans to run a general election campaign at the same time he tries to win over Democrats. He will invest his personal fortune to persuade Americans he is best-suited to defeat President Trump, and recently announced plans to spend $100 million on anti-Trump ads in states Democrats are looking to flip next year.

He’s already targeting Trump’s record: On Monday, Bloomberg laced into the president for delaying action on outlawing flavored e-cigarettes.

The issue happens to be a winning one for Bloomberg, whose mayoral health initiatives like banning smoking in restaurants and bars were mimicked throughout the country and well received by fellow Democrats. He has invested funds in combating flavored e-cigarettes from his charitable foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, which is doubling as the headquarters for his nascent campaign.

His launch video also slams “the outright denial of this administration to protect the only home we have from the growing menace of climate change” over shots firefighters trying to quell wildfires. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the focus of a new Bloomberg initiative called “Beyond Carbon.”

At the same time, the ad takes a jab at the left flank of the Democratic Party by promising “everyone without health insurance is guaranteed to get it and everyone who likes theirs can go ahead and keep it.” Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders support eliminating private health insurance.

Where Bloomberg’s record on public health initiatives, guns and climate change is in step with much of the Democratic Party, he will have to overcome some well-known weaknesses to win the nomination.

For starters, he is an unabashed defender of Wall Street who let public housing conditions and homelessness deteriorate during his tenure. His advisers are quick to point out he is self made, having begun Bloomberg LP after getting laid off from an investment bank job when he was 39. But his public posture has shaped a narrative that he is out of touch with people of ordinary means.

He once advised New Yorkers snowed in during a blizzard in 2010 to take in a Broadway show. He fired a $27,000-a-year aide whom he caught playing solitaire on his computer during work hours, saying it was “not appropriate behavior.”

And in order to exceed New York City’s two-term limit for mayors, he successfully pushed for a change in the law to give himself the option of running for a third term, only to revert the policy back to two terms for his successors. The change ran counter to voters, who in previous ballot questions had supported a ceiling of two consecutive terms for mayors. Though Bloomberg outspent his opponent 14 to 1 in the subsequent election in 2009, he won by fewer than 5 points.

“I just don’t think there’s a hunger for Michael Bloomberg in a Democratic primary,” progressive consultant Rebecca Katz said. “There’s such an arrogance in all this. … It’s just a billionaire who just wants things and feels like he can throw money at it and that’s not how democracy works.”

Supporters hail him as a strong manager who helped New York City recover from the Sept. 11 terror attacks and shepherded it through a recession, all while driving crime down and school test scores up. He spearheaded sweeping redevelopment projects that helped secure the city’s reputation as a premier destination but did less to provide adequate affordable housing for its poorest residents.

“He was anything but politically correct, which was refreshing,” said Kathy Wylde, who leads the pro-business Partnership for New York City. “It was refreshing for the business community and certainly created an economic momentum that has carried us through the last decade.”

As he prepared to launch his campaign in recent weeks, Bloomberg sought to counter some of his biggest vulnerabilities.

When a story surfaced about comments he’d made over the years denigrating women, Bloomberg’s long-time spokesman was contrite. “Mike has come to see that some of what he has said is disrespectful and wrong. He believes his words have not always aligned with his values and the way he has led his life,” Stu Loeser told the New York Times.

Last Sunday, Bloomberg took the rare step of admitting fault and apologizing for his police department’s controversial use of a tactic known as “stop and frisk,” which a federal judge determined in 2013 violated the constitutional rights of racial minorities. The former mayor had vehemently defended the policy after he left office, arguing it was necessary to achieve the dramatic drop in crime that happened on his watch. He even once argued that statistically white people were stopped too frequently.

Some black clergy and politicians forgave him, and his change of heart earned him the endorsement of Columbia, S.C. Mayor Stephen Benjamin.

Others were circumspect.

Rev. Al Sharpton said he was pleased to hear the admission but added, “It will take more than one speech for people to forgive and forget a policy that so negatively impacted entire communities.”

The headstrong former mayor who had doubled down on the NYPD’s use of the policy for years got up before hundreds of black parishioners in a church in Brooklyn and said that after much reflection he realized he “got something really wrong.”

This all amounts to an unlikely path for someone who prides himself on being apolitical.

Wearing a purple tie to indicate his nonpartisan bearing, Bloomberg began his searing indictment of Trump at the Democratic National Convention in 2016 by announcing he was “not here as a member of any party.”

He was a Democrat until realizing he had a better shot at winning the mayoralty as a Republican. He switched registration and, with the crucial post-Sept. 11 endorsement from then-mayor Rudy Giuliani, he won the race in November 2001. Shortly after taking office, he sought to abolish partisan municipal elections.

He then dropped his party affiliation during his first flirtation with a White House bid in 2007. And though he never went through with running the following year, he remained unaffiliated with a party until he became a Democrat last year.

Even then, he was skeptical about partisan politics.

“That’s why I won’t be the candidate of the Democratic Party, because it’s so impractical,” Bloomberg told PBS’s Margaret Hoover after being shown a clip of former Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke vowing to get rid of semi-automatic rifles during a debate in September.

Ironically, there are few issues with which Bloomberg is more closely aligned that would inure him to the left wing of the party than his long battle with the National Rifle Association. His aides say he has spent at least $300 million of his own fortune combating the gun lobby, and last year 21 of the 24 pro-gun control candidates he invested in won their races across the country.

Though he is running as a Democrat, Bloomberg is again donning a purple tie in the video and his 2020 slogan is half blue, half red — visual nods to what he hopes is his bipartisan appeal.

“I offer myself as a doer and a problem solver, not a talker” he said in his statement. “And as someone who is ready to take on the tough fights and win.”

Read More

[weekendwarriorblog]

The Oscar Warrior: Analyzing the Ridiculously Overcrowded Lead Actress & Actor Fields

For whatever reason, I’ve been biding my time on doing any significant writing about the Oscar season, maybe because I took the early festival and awards seasons off and also, maybe because somewhere inside me, I hoped someone might actually pay me to write something again.

By now, I feel like I’ve seen every movie of any significance for awards season with only two movies still-to-screen (The Mule, Welcome to Marwen). The fact these two movies are not screening for BFCA members before the Critics Choice nominations (and possibly not the HFPA who vote for the Golden Globes) makes me think their respective studios would rather focus on stronger films.

What I’ve always found interesting is that sometimes voters, including critics, have a tough time distinguishing a great performance from a great script and even a great make-up job. There are a few cases every year where an actor’s transformative look and performance are hailed for awards, when much more credit needs to be given to the screenwriter and make-up departments. That’s also partially the case this year, but not entirely.

LEAD ACTRESS

The Top Contenders

So far there are only three actors I feel are definite Oscar nominees in this category, which leaves two slots for a LOT of other possibilities, as well as room for a few surprises.

Likely to be one of this year’s many first-time nominees with her amazing leading role in Bradley Cooper’s A Star is Born, pop superstar Lady Gaga already has such a huge fanbase from her music, concerts and videos. The fact she excels playing a role not to unfamiliar to herself – a songwriter-turned-pop-star--will make it easier for Oscar voters to accept her as an actor worthy of a nomination. If Gaga is nominated, it will be the first time an actor has been nominated for a role that’s previously been played by Liza Minelli and Judy Garland, and considering the film’s success at the box office (close to $200 million domestic) will make the movie and Gaga both very popular choices among voters.

With six Oscar nominations but no Oscar on her mantle yet, Glenn Close is the epitome of a well-deserving acting veteran respected by her peers. Her title role in the drama The Wife got many Oscar prognosticators excited that this might be her year to win an Oscar. The movie itself didn’t have the type of vocal fans that might get the movie into any other nominations, although it made almost $8 million, which is decent for Sony Pictures Classics, who also released Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning film Still Alice.  Close is also fortunate that there have been quite a few recent winners in this category that didn’t necessarily appear in a Best Picture nominee with Moore being a good example as well as Meryl Streep in The Iron Ladyand Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. It’s almost guaranteed that Close will win some of the precursors, such as the corresponding SAG category, but she has tough competition in Lady Gaga.

The third actor who has impressed critics and early voters is British actress Olivia Colman, star of Yorgos Lanthimos’ costume drama The Favourite. Colman has been acting mainly in England for decades, only getting to these shores with movies like Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz, The Iron Lady and a few others, and she’s scheduled to take over the role of Queen Elizabeth in the next season of Netflix’s The Crown. There’s a lot of people questioning whether her role really should be considered the film’s lead, as opposed to Emma Stone, but Fox Searchlight are wisely pushing the never-nominated Colman over the film’s two previous Oscar winners, Stone and Rachel Weisz, who may both get nominated in the supporting category.

The Strong Competitors

If we assume the three above are nominated, that leaves two more spots for somewhere between three and five possibilities.

One of the performances that got a lot of attention out of the September festivals is Melissa McCarthy playing Lee Israel in Marielle Heller’s Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and with an amazing 98% on RottenTomatoes, the critics certainly got behind her (even Rex Reed!).  It’s only grossed $6.6 million at the time of this writing although it never went particularly wide. Although McCarthy was previously nominated for Bridesmaids, people who see this movie are impressed by the way she downplays the role to create an even funnier character. That said, McCarthy’s appearances in other bad movies this year, such as The Happytime Murders, might hurt her chances to win an Oscar, at least this year. (I feel the film is still a comedy but for some reason, it’s being pushed to the Golden Globes as a drama.)

Arriving later in the game, Emily Blunt’s performance as the title character in Mary Poppins Returns follows in the footsteps of Julie Andrews, who won her only Oscar in 1965 for playing that role. Blunt is a joy to behold whether she’s singing and dancing or just teaching manners to the three kids in the movie. Shockingly, Blunt has yet to be nominated for an Oscar despite having five Golden Globe nominations (and one win) thanks to the HFPA’s “Comedy/Musical” category. It shouldn’t be too big a surprise if she wins that Golden Globe this year, especially with Lady Gaga (and maybe even McCarthy) shifted over to drama.  Blunt also impressed many with her “supporting” performance in hubby John Krasinski’s thriller A Quiet Place, but that performance might be too far into genre territory, as is the case with…

Previous nominee Toni Collette is pretty amazing in Ari Aster’s directorial debut, the chilling horror film Hereditary, and people have been raving about her performance since the movie debuted at Sundance. Even so, there’s still a stigma surrounding genre films, despite the fact Collette received her first nomination for M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, and she should get a ton of support in the coming month from critics groups.

Viola Davis already won an Oscar for her role in Denzel Washington’s Fences, but she’s front and center for Steve McQueen’s star-studded heist film Widows, and she gives an amazing performance among an ensemble cast all giving great performances. The movie hasn’t really taken off at the box office, so one wonders if the Academy’s acting branch will accept it and Davis more than the moviegoing public has.

Also Worth Noting…

We’ll start with the other big newcomer to Oscar season, and that would be Mexican actor Yalitza Aparicio, who shines in the primary role of a pregnant maid in Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma. Some might feel she’s at a disadvantage not being a known name, but Aparicio has been out doing the rounds more than any other actor this season, and audiences/voters love her and the movie! I wouldn’t be surprised if the L.A. Film Critics pick her in this category and she sneaks into a few other nominations, but she has tough competition to get into the Oscar category. I’m thinking she’ll get a Critics Choice nomination in this category, but bolstering it with a SAG and/or Golden Globe nomination will help awards voters take her seriously.

Last year, Saoirse Ronan received her third Oscar nomination for Lady Bird, but she’s even more amazing in the title role ofMary, Queen of Scots, more of a traditional costume drama than The Favourite, but playing an amazing royal who has often been a mere footnote in other movies about British royalty.

Another previous Oscar winner getting a lot of attention for a new role is Nicole Kidman as the lead in Karyn Kusama’s crime-thriller Destroyer, playing an extremely glammed-down police detective trying to find a murderer. The Academy loves Nicole, but this is a tough film and role, and some might credit much of what impresses to the make-up artist.

There’s something to be said about Felicity Jones playing beloved Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Mimi Leder’s On the Basis of Sex, yet another biopic, and Jones is past due for another nomination, but sadly, this might not be deemed as strong as some of the other performances.

The Outliers

Things aren’t looking good for a number of fantastic actors getting into the Oscar race when you already have eight of them vying for two possible slots in the category, and yet… there’s even more!!

Another previous winner, Julia Roberts gives a stirring performance as the mother of a drug addict in Peter Hedges’ Ben is Back, which is a much stronger drama on the subject than the recent Beautiful Boy. This premiered at the Toronto Film Festival where it received decent acclaim, but Roberts is getting more attention for her new show Homecoming, which might take away from her Oscar chances.

One of the most impressive performance of the year is Rosamund Pike’s take on war journalist Marie Colvin in Matthew Heimeman’s A Private War, and though many say she’s better in this than she was in her Oscar-nominated role in David Fincher’s Gone Girl, it feels as if the movie isn’t getting as much attention as some of the others above.

The same can be said for a few movies and performances that premiered at Sundance way back in January: Keira Knightley in Collette, Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Kindergarten Teacher and Kelly MacDonald in Puzzle, all great performances that received great notices out of Sundance but seem to have been forgotten in recent months. (Only The Kindergarten Teacherhas been getting a big awards push by Netflix, including screeners and even subway ads!)

Lastly, I loved Emma Thompson’s performance in the drama The Children Act, feeling like it’s one of her career bests, but the movie premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2017, and distributor A24 has been giving it a limited theatrical release focusing more on its DirecTV partnership. The exact same path was followed by Jessica Chastain’s Woman Walks Ahead, which didn’t get nearly as much attention in the year since its TIFF debut as it should have. Chastain is so overdue for an Oscar!

The Nominees: Gaga, Close, Colman, McCarthy and Blunt with possible spoilers from Davis and Collette.

LEAD ACTOR

This category is starting to become a little clearer as films are screened (or not screened) and a couple favorites come to the fore, so I guess this isn’t nearly as overcrowded as I once thought.

The Top Contenders

Until people had a chance to see Adam McKay’s political biopic Vice, there was some uncertainty whether Christian Bale’s transformation into former Vice President Dick Cheney would be worthy of awards. As the film was screened over Thanksgiving weekend, voters have been so blown away by his performance that he quickly moved into the frontrunner position. Sure, a lot of credit can be given to the make-up and McKay’s Oscar-worthy script – similar to last year’s winner Gary Oldman -- but Bale seems to get so lost into the role of the former VP that you almost forget you’re watching an actor.

Before Bale came along, people were wowed by Bradley Cooper’s performance in A Star is Born, opposite Lady Gaga, while also directing and performing music. Cooper is such a favorite among Oscar voters with three consecutive acting nominations between 2013 and 2015 that he’s guaranteed another nomination and could move closer to frontrunner status considering that he’s doing more schmoozing with press and voters than Bale has been doing.

Speaking of another performance that seems to make you forget it’s an actor and not the real person, there’s Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The movie has been doing huge business despite mixed reviews, but even the negative reviews can’t deny the powerful performance given by Malek as he vanished into the role performing Queen songs. The only problem with Malek winning is that there’s a stigma to Bryan Singer getting the only directing credit despite being fired from the movie (on top of other allegations of wrongdoing), and that could hurt Malek’s chances among voters.

Another Academy favorite is two-time nominee Viggo Mortensen, whose performance as Italian-American bouncer Tonylip in Peter Farrelly’s Green Book has won over many fans. Mortensen let a N-word slip during a press conference which could hurt his chances, as could the backlash against the movie being a “white savior” story which will keep Mortensen from coming anywhere close to being a frontrunner, especially with the Academy’s recent push for diversity.

The Strong Competitors

It’s kind of crazy that the four actors above are almost guaranteed nominees, which means there’s only one place left for EVERYBODY ELSE!

Ethan Hawke has impressed the critics with his performance as a priest in Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, and there’s a good chance he might get his third Oscar nomination for the role, although it’s a movie that didn’t get as much attention as it deserved when it was first released and Hawke was busy promoting his own movie Blaze over this until fairly recently. Wins with the New York Film Critics Circle and at the Gotham Awards last week will get more people watching the movie, including Oscar voters. Watch for Hawke to win the Independent Spirit award the night before going to the Oscars, and he’ll continue to be the critical fave.

One of the performances that burst out of the gate with notices at Venice, Telluride and Toronto was Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Neil Armstrong in Damien Chazelle’s First Man, but the movie has fallen out of favor in the months since, not doing particularly well in its theatrical release. Gosling’s performance is also fairly unemotional (deliberately so), so that might hurt his chances at getting a third nomination.

Willem Dafoe was nominated last year for his supporting role in The Florida Project, which he lost despite being the frontrunner for many months, but his performance as Vincent Van Gogh in Julien Schnabel’s At Eternity’s Gateis a much more impressive feat. Unfortunately, Schnabel’s gone for an artsier take on the biopic (more in the vein of Terrence Malick) which might turn off Oscar voters. It hasn’t really made waves in theaters either.

The Outliers

Previous supporting actor nominee Lucas Hedges (for Manchester by the Sea) gives two strong performances in dramas released this fall, Boy Erased and Ben is Back, and it’s clear Hedges is an actor who is going to continue to have an impressive career.

Another actor who has had an amazing career and will be retiring soon is Robert Redford, who starred in David Lowery’s The Old Man and the Gun and received some nice notices. If the Academy isn’t going to nominate him for All Is Lostfive years ago, it’s highly doubtful they’ll nominate him for a film that quickly got lost in the shuffle of festival season.

Another actor who had quite a breakout year was John David Washington, son of two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, who carried Spike Lee’s latest BlacKkKlansman but also gave a strong performance in the lesser-seen Monsters and Men. Again, I don’t think Washington got enough raves for his performance in Lee’s movie as much as the movie did itself.

Still Unseen (By Me, At Least)

Clint Eastwood’s The Mule was thought to put him back in the Oscar game, but Warner Bros. has decided it’s not an awards contender, and the same can be said for Universal, who don’t feel as strongly about Steve Carell’s performance in Robert Zemeckis’ Welcome to Marwen, which won’t be screened for awards groups before their deadlines.

The Nominees: Bale, Cooper, Malek, Mortensen, Hawke with Gosling as the possible spoiler.

Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be seeing the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG nominees that might paint a clearer picture of which actors will be nominated at the Oscars. I probably will write one or two more features about this year’s Oscar race.

[aion-rsa]

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2016: #25 – #11

Each year, CBR takes a thoughtful look at the comic book industry’s abundance of offerings and poll the passionate, thoughtful and always-opinionated CBR staff for their rankings of the top comics of the year. Every publisher putting out new comics material in English, regardless of genre or format, is fair game; each individual list is then factored in (all thanks to the power of mathematics and the magic of spreadsheets) to determine the overall Top 100 that will be unveiled on CBR over the course of this week.

2016 was another big year for the Top 100, once again with more than 40 contributors to the list and more than 200 comics nominated. That’s resulted in a typically diverse and sometimes unpredictable field: world-famous superheroes alongside creator-owned works; major publishers sharing space with indie favorites. Of course, even with 100 spots, no list can be an exhaustive collection of every noteworthy piece of work in a year, but the end result of the CBR Top 100 is a wide selection of eclectic comics and graphic novels worthy of attention.

RELATED: CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2016: #50 – #26

On Monday, we started unveiling the list with entries No. 100 to 76, things kept going on Tuesday with 75 -> 51“>No. 75 to 51 and Wednesday with No. 50 to 26. The countdown continues today as we get into the final quarter with No. 25 to 11, and check back later today for the Top 10!

Start perusing the list below, and if you feel so moved, take to Twitter and (politely) discuss your thoughts using the hashtag #CBRTop100. While you’re here, feel free revisit our Top 100 lists from previous years:

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2015

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2014

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2013

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2012

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2011

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2010

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2009

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2008

CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2016: 100 -> 76 | 75 -> 51 | 50 -> 26 | 25 -> 11 | 10 -> 1

25. Rosalie Lightning

Written & Illustrated by Tom Hart

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

“Rosalie Lightning” is easily the most difficult book of 2016, in terms of subject material. The true life story about how cartoonists Tom Hart and Leela Corman’s daughter Rosalie Lightning unexpectedly died shortly before her second birthday, this exploration of grief, community and the struggle to survive both financially and emotionally is gripping. Hart’s repeated image of the two people adrift on a raft is striking, more so once he himself explains what he realized it meant, and his use of negative space on the page will send chills down your spine.

— CBR Staff Writer Greg McElhatton

Tom Hart’s new book is heartbreaking, and at time almost too painful to read. The book is about the death of his daughter, every parent’s worst nightmare, and details the efforts of him and his wife to survive a find a way through it.

— CBR Staff Writer Alex Dueben

24. Spider-Woman

Written by Dennis Hopeless

Art by Javier Rodriguez, Veronica Fish, Joëlle Jones, Tigh Walker

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Dennis Hopeless took an improbable set-up — Spider-Woman has a baby — and made it work. While similar plot lines have concluded in “it was all a dream” style or ended up sidelining the hero, Hopeless’ series proved there’s a third option. Spider-Woman stayed active and kept kicking ass, all while being a new mother. The series also gave artist Javier Rodriguez room to make his mark and become the talked about talent he was always meant to be. Every issue saw Rodriguez push page layouts in the same forward fashion that Hopeless pushed past tropes.

— CBR Editor Brett White

Post-“Secret Wars,” “Spider-Woman” has done the truly unexpected: it has shifted from from Jessica Drew as curmudgeonly detective to Jessica Drew, working mom. Hopeless and crew have done a truly amazing job of making Jess and her experiences as a new mom feel real, while keeping the superheroing/detective work interesting. It’s a truly impressive balancing act.

— CBR Contributing Writer Charles Paul Hoffman

23. The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

Written & Illustrated by Sonny Liew

Publisher: Pantheon Books

Liew explores the history of Singapore in the second half of the 20th century through the biography of a (fictional) comics creator. The book is almost like a documentary, with interviews with the creator intercut with authentic-looking comics and scrapbook pages. It’s a gripping read and a stylistic tour de force.

— CBR Staff Writer Brigid Alverson

It takes a lot for me to compare someone in comics to my favorite cartoonist Seth, let alone link their work to my favorite book of his (“It’s A Good Life If You Don’t Weaken”), but with “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye,” Sonny Liew has finally delivered a worthy successor. It’s not just that this graphic novel stakes out similar “actual comics history via the story of an imaginary comics artist” territory. “The Art of” sees Liew mastering a variety of cartooning styles, all of which both delight the eye and draw the reader deeper and deeper in to the book’s human story. Add in fascinating layers of Singapore history, and this book is one we’ll be unpacking and learning from for years to come.

— CBR Staff Writer Kiel Phegley

22. The Fix

Written by Nick Spencer

Art by Steve Lieber

Publisher: Image Comics

As crime comics continued to proliferate, none were more audacious, engaging and flat-out funny as collaborators Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber’s (previously of “The Superior Foes of Spider-Man”) deliriously dark take on corruption, greed and sociopathic relationships set against the sunny streets of Los Angeles.

— CBR Staff Writer Scott Huver

After an excellent run on “Superior Foes of Spider-Man,” Spencer and Lieber cemented themselves as one of the premier creative partnerships in comics with “The Fix.” Fleshed out by Ryan Hill’s realistic color palate, the duo crafted a thrilling crime yarn filled hilarious moments that can sit alongside the legendary works of Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino.

— CBR Contributing Writer Tim Webber

21. Omega Men

Written by Tom King

Art by Barnaby Bagenda

Publisher: DC Comics

Though the marquee DC Comics property isn’t even mentioned in the title, King and Bagenda’s “Omega Men” is the greatest Green Lantern story ever told, by such a wide margin there isn’t a meaningful No. 2. An Iraq War parable set in space, the series sees Kyle Rayner kidnapped by a group of terrorists-slash-rebels fighting an oppressive galactic regime. But as Kyle tries to sort out the good guys from the bad, he learns that it’s impossible to save everyone, and that heroic actions do not always have heroic ends.

— CBR Staff Writer Shaun Manning

Tom King and Barnaby Bagenda’s “The Omega Men” came to a triumphant conclusion in 2016, making its temporary stay of execution (to allow King and Bagenda to wrap up their 12-part story) that much more impressive. With its mixture of superhero, science-fiction, political and war genres, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy, and Bagenda’s storytelling using a 9-panel grid is top-notch. Unflinching in its approach (and body count), “The Omega Men” collected edition needs to be on your bookshelf.

— CBR Staff Writer Greg McElhatton

20. Faith

Written by Jody Houser

Art by Francis Portela, Marguerite Sauvage, Pere Perez, Meghan Hetrick, Colleen Doran

Publisher: Valiant Entertainment

The world doesn’t deserve Faith (or Zephyr), but I sure am glad we’ve got her. Other than “Saga,” I can’t think of another series where I’ve felt this emotionally connected to the main character. Beyond being an utter delight, “Faith” is also right on time, asking questions about heroism and morality that seem ever more important.

— CBR Staff Writer Allison Shoemaker

Why did it take so long to have a truly awesome plus-size superhero? Better yet, her physical appearance never becomes a major plot point. “Faith” is the best of fandom and Internet culture in one package.

— CBR Contributing Writer Beth Bartlett

19. The Legend of Wonder Woman

Written by Renae De Liz

Art by Renae De Liz, Ray Dillon

Publisher: DC Comics

With stunningly beautiful art and a character-focused take on Wonder Woman’s origins in World War II, “The Legend of Wonder Woman” is perfect for fans old and new, young and old. I dare you not to fall in love with Etta Candy, who steals the show whenever she’s on the page.

— CBR Contributing Writer Charles Paul Hoffman

This all-ages take on the mythos of Diana was breathtaking. The art, the story, the addition to Wonder Woman’s legacy was much needed and catered to everyone in the best way. Seriously gorgeous book.

— CBR Contributing Writer Leia Calderon

18. Mockingbird

Written by Chelsea Cain

Art by Kate Niemczyk, Ibrahim Moustafa

Publisher: Marvel Comics

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a huge, world-spanning, sometimes evil, vaguely threatening world organization, but what’s their health plan like? Chelsea Cain and Kate Niemczyk’s “Mockingbird” gets into the daily life of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who has to be constantly prodded with needles and answer annoying questions in between bouts of international espionage. And those bouts of international espionage are exceptional. “Mockingbird” takes many of the tropes and conventions of James Bond and deepens them. Bobbi Morse has a more interesting internal life and relationship set than almost any Bond ever did, and she breaks out of sex dungeons and submarines with the best of them.

— CBR Staff Writer Joe Streckert

“Mockingbird” was one of the funniest books I’ve read this year. I loved the one-shot that Marvel released in 2015 for S.H.I.E.L.D.’s 50th anniversary and this whole series echoes that book’s tone. Chelsea Cain has written a book that humanizes a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to the point that she is extremely relatable. She has a boyfriend — superspy Lance Hunter — she loves Corgis, and she hates doctor’s office check-ups. Bobbi was given a humorous side that was so refreshing to read every week. The title character’s “Ask Me About My Feminist Agenda” shirt is easily the best cover of the year and will live on though cosplayers for years to come.

— CBR Staff Writer Lauren Gallaway

17. Huck

Written by Mark Millar

Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Publisher: Image Comics

Mark Millar’s known for his obtuse and violent stories but no matter what, “Huck,” for me, will always wash the obscenities away. It’s filled with endearment and all the warm, fuzzy sentiment that you’d want your childhood depiction of Superman to be. In an era where even the most earnest of heroes are wrapped in some sort of subterfuge or self-serving plan, Millar designs someone that’s plain lovable. Rafael Albuquerque’s art helps build the innocent aura of the title character and more so, combines with succinct and heartfelt writing on Millar’s behalf, to wrap a story about love, family and one special person’s desire to make the world a better place. We need more heroes like Huck and more stories like this. Cannot wait for the sequel.

— CBR Contributing Writer Renaldo Matadeen

Millar is usually known for his bombastic style, but with this story, he and artist Rafael Albuquerque lay out a simple yet elegant tale of an everyday hero who just wants to help others. Imagine if Clark Kent decided never to leave Smallville, and you’ll get a sense of what I mean.

— CBR Contributing Writer George A. Tramountanas

16. Black Panther

Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Art by Brian Stelfreeze, Chris Sprouse

Publisher: Marvel Comics

The more “Black Panther” incorporates familiar elements of the broader Marvel Universe into its monthly adventures, the more Ta-Nehisi Coates seems at home, and having fun in this title. We’re all lucky for that, because when he’s at his best no one is better than Coates at translating sophisticated ideas into piercing and insightful narrative. After a great deal of Wakandan world-building, we are learning more about T’Challa’s place in it, and how he plans to both tackle his adversaries and lead his people. In this story, those issues are inextricably linked, and failure on one front assures failure on the other. How can an elite inspire the downtrodden? How does a superhero politick? This story’s richness of possibilities still stand to rival the riches of Wakanda’s vibranium stores.

— CBR Staff Writer Brendan McGuirk

Coates’ genius here was to apply a healthy modern skepticism to T’Challa’s kingship; Marvel’s genius was to hire Brian Stelfreeze. T’Challa is called on to act kinglier than ever in a Wakanda that looks modern, strong and alive — the democrat’s dream, and the monarch’s fear.

— CBR Staff Writer Marykate Jasper

15. Descender

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Dustin Nguyen

Publisher: Image Comics

Jeff Lemire is so good at telling big, high concept stories and this sci-fi epic is one of his best. While the world-building, which has been masterfully explored by Dustin Nguyen, is right there with “The Incal” by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius, it’s the punch to the stomach that Lemire delivers nearly issue that leaves readers hungry for their next serving of “Descender.”

— CBR Staff Writer Jeffrey Renaud

As someone who’s been on both a cyberpunk and space opera kick lately, this series really connected with me by pairing Jeff Lemire’s smart dialogue and ideas with Dustin Nguyen’s watercolor-esque visuals and cool robots.

— CBR Staff Writer Paul Semel

14. Batman

Written by Tom King

Art by David Finsh, Mikel Janin, Ivan Reis, Riley Rossmo, Mitch Gerads

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer Tom King faced the unenviable task of following up superstar Scott Snyder’s enormously popular five-year run on the title, but confidently taking the blank slate that Snyder had left him, King wasted no time in quickly making the character his own, even adding a couple of his own creations. Ranging from high-octane thrills to subtle emotional undertones, King has indeed become the new king of the Batman franchise, helming the flagship title that has set the bar for the other titles — and on a bi-weekly schedule, no less. King’s approach to the character has been more traditional than Snyder’s, but that’s not to say it’s the same old Batman; rather, it’s been a remarkably fresh return to basics that’s anything but basic.

— CBR Staff Writer Jim Johnson

2016 saw “Batman” go from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo to Tom King, David Finch and Mikel Janin. It was as if Elvis had to cut his concert short and brought in Bruce Springsteen to pick up the slack. Snyder and Capullo succeeded at balancing the more outsize elements of the Batman mythos against the relatively-realistic tone the series has long sought. King and Finch’s “I Am Gotham” shifted focus slightly, going for the tension between Batman as superhero and as tortured urban avenger. Likewise, King and Janin’s current “I Am Suicide” is (so far) a meditation on Batman’s desires and his abilities, as he tries to mitigate Gotham Girl’s tragedy. In short, all year “Batman” has seen its creative teams consistently at the top of their games, changing focus effortlessly in midstream with no drop in quality.

— CBR Staff Writer Tom Bondurant

13. The Flintstones

Written by Mark Russell

Art by Steve Pugh

Publisher: DC Comics

If you expected to find the sharpest comic book satire of 2016 in a “Flintstones” comic book then, well, you have oddly impressive precognitive abilities, because that’s exactly what writer Mark Russell and artists Steve Pugh and Chris Chuckry are delivering month after month in this adult-oriented version of the Flintstones. There are some awfully heady ideas being discussed in nearly every issue, and yet they are handled with enough grace and a strong dose of humor that the comic never reads as preachy. It’s just strong, sharp satire.

— CBR Staff Writer Brian Cronin

The smart political commentary no one expected, the new iteration of Hanna-Barbara’s “The Flintstones” is a thematic sequel to writer Mark Russell’s run on the criminally underappreciated “Prez.” The modern stone age family are decidedly more modern, as Russell and artist Steve Pugh explore issues of class, race and ethnicity, religion, technology, consumerism, and plenty more. Oh: and it’s hilarious. A yabba-dabba-doo time, if you will.

— CBR Staff Writer Shaun Manning

12. The Mighty Thor

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by Russell Dauterman, Steve Epting, Rafa Garrés

Publisher: Marvel Comics

This book is just straight-up gorgeous. Russell Dauterman and Matt Wilson make Asgard look its most fantastical and magical in decades. Plus, Jason Aaron just gets Thor, and I was delighted to see him flip from the hyper masculinity of “Thor: God of Thunder” to the high fantasy of “The Mighty Thor.”

— CBR Staff Writer Marykate Jasper

The saga of Jane Foster as Thor has been my favorite Marvel Comic since its inception. The entire creative team has taken what some considered a gimmick and turned it into a Marvel headliner.

— CBR Contributing Writer Tim Adams

11. Patience

Written & Illustrated by Daniel Clowes

Publisher: Fantagraphics Books

The latest original comic by acclaimed cartoonist Daniel Clowes, is another worthy installment in the creator’s impressive library of work. One of Clowes’ greatest attributes is how seamlessly his pop-art style can blend science fiction, surrealism and banal human drama without parts feeling incongruent or out of place. In his world, time travel is just as taxing on the mind as a horrible domestic situation or an abusive lover. Many of the same themes explored by older stories are present here, especially the frailty of hypermasculinity and people’s inability to escape themselves. Perhaps because Clowes is no longer an angry young artist, there’s slightly less rancor or despair in Patience when handling these themes now. Despite the “reveal” of the murder mystery being somewhat lackluster and one or two plot points being a bit questionable, fans of Clowes will still find plenty to love in this work, including a novelty for the creator; a happy ending.

— CBR Contributing Writer Sean Fischer

While Clowes was at the forefront of the sadsack realism (I mean it as a compliment!) that helped usher in the age of the graphic novel during its late ’90s/early ’00s cultural explosion, with “Patience” the artist fully defines what inventive literary comics can do in the here and now. While there are countless volumes of comics published these days crowing about how the trappings of genre entertainment can be remade in a literary mold, most of them are bullshit. “Patience” shows up every DOA nostalgia fantasy and then some by contorting the tropes of time travel fiction into a kaleidoscopic work of magical realism. But it’s not just the intensity of the visuals or the unexpected turns of the plot that impress. Like all Clowes’ work, “Patience” explores unseen dimensions of human loneliness in a way few other art forms can accomplish.

— CBR Staff Writer Kiel Phegley

A mind-bending little trip — definitely one of the most personal and harrowing takes on time travel, “Can you change the past?” narratives.

— CBR Staff Writer Michael C Lorah

Check back later today for the Top 10 of CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2016!

The post CBR’s Top 100 Comics of 2016: #25 – #11 appeared first on CBR.com.

http://ift.tt/2hUFMcN