#would my host family enjoy shrek???

[piedpiperart]

About to go to the Peace Corp and I am struggling to decide which books and movies to download to keep me entertained for the next TWO years

[jay-and-dean]

Yet another thing to celebrate

Dean x reader

Summary (I used the requester’s words) :  Reader’s birthday is on Christmas Eve, which generally sucks because everyone is either skint or celebrating Christmas.

Warnings : Fluffy fluff with a little fluff whipped cream on top. Very implied smut.

Wordcount : 3.6k

Note : This is my fic for @girl-next-door-writes Secret Santa (I reaaally hope you like it lovely, merry Christmas and happy birthday) hosted by @negans-lucille-tblr​ on @spnsecretsantaficexchange​.

I also made my participation to the amazing @acklesterritory​‘s celebration challenge, in the fic, my prompt was “I saw that, you just checked me out”, it’s bold in the fic.

The song refered to is She’s always a woman, by Billie Joel.

The text dividers are from the great @firefly-graphics​

Jay’s Masterlist

          Christmas…

           Before you even open your eyes, you sigh, grabbing the soft pillow in your fist and nuzzling on its softness in a sleepy grunt.

You don’t hate this day, but it often makes you a little sad despite your will to enjoy it fully. It is your birthday. December 24, the busiest day in the country, damn, in the whole West. And even if you are not the kind to want the full attention on you, to be spoiled or anything, you just wish sometimes that, for once, you could have a proper birthday.

           When you were a teen, you more than once even dared dreaming of a party you could throw, but Christmas is about family and basically about everyone. Not you.

           You dream of a little birthday party with friends, some drinks, music, maybe dancing a little... But it would be impossible unless you do it way before or way after, and it wouldn't really be the same...

           This year is different though.

           This winter, even if the celebration of your birth was totally forgotten, you don’t need anything more than what you have now. And what you have is Dean Winchester. Nothing is more important than that, nothing can make you happier.

           In fact, nothing can really make you feel any other way than blessed after this summer. After Dean kissed you on that hunt, after you two had sex in the Impala on your way home ; after later he asked you to stay in his bed for the night that other evening you both ended up naked. And finally, after he asked you to stay in his room for good a few weeks later, and started calling you his girlfriend.

           You smile thinking of waking up next to him and move your feet to find his behind you. But when you don’t, you turn and rub your eyes before opening them.

           Empty. Your shared bed is empty.

“Dean ?” is the first word you say, but the room stays cruelly silent.

Of course… It’s Christmas. He must be busy, like everyone is always on that day… The sting on your heart comes back... You have woken up with the man you love every single morning for the last few months, but not today.

           That is how lame your birthday can be.

           After staying in bed almost one hour, trying to shake that blues off by thinking of how blessed you are, you finally are about to get up and face that stolen day, but the door opens slowly.

           You close your eyes, not really knowing why, maybe just to avoid having to find an explanation for not getting up before if you were awake. The bed moves under Dean’s weight as he crawls on it slowly but you don’t move, even when he clumsily crushes your arm a little while hovering you.

“Happy birthday Baby” he whispers with his coffee breath close to your face. “Have you decided to skip today ? It’s almost noon.”

“Mh…” you hum, lifting your arms to reach his neck, desperate to feel his skin. “Thank you.”

You hesitate a second, wanting to ask him why he got up without you today, why he didn’t wake you with kisses and sweet words like he often does, but you don’t say anything, grateful enough that he got tired of you not being with him and came to get you.

           He lets a part of his weight fall on you, making you huff and laugh softly. His scruff scratches your shoulder, the rough fabric of his jeans is uncomfortable and his belt is digging to your hip but you wouldn't change a thing.

           Your hand goes to his neck and massages it softly, he hums, and you feel his body softly relax. You always know just how to calm him, how to make him fall back asleep after a nightmare, how to make his muscles calm after the roughest hunts. But after less than a minute, he grunts, sitting up.

"No, no" he shakes his head. "You're not making me skip that day with you ! Get up Baby."

He grabs your shoulders and playfully shake them, not realizing that even his kidding strength is huge.

"Geeet uuuup" he chuckles when your whole body is shaken and your laugh sounds funny because of it.

           The warm water runs along your hair and down your spine, and a soft steam fills the bathroom. For sure, that was a great late breakfast, with pancakes Dean had made for you, and his little stolen kisses.

           He is really making this day better.

           Maybe you can forget about your birthday now, and just enjoy Christmas like a normal person. You are loved, and you are happy, you don't need anything else.

           Washing your hair, you smile thinking of the tree the boys have bought, so big that they struggled to carry it up the stairs. You chuckle at thinking of Dean grumbling about the thorns covering Baby's seats. They even bought bags mysterious decorations and fairy lights they never let you see. The library now smells like Christmas tree.

           We're celebrating this year, Dean said. And in the years you have known the Winchesters, you indeed never saw them put so much effort in a holiday.

           A lot of things keep surprising you.

           Sam once told you that his brother had changed a lot since he was with you, making you worry more than anything else. You never wanted Dean to change, you love Dean just the way he is... Then you understood what Sammy was saying...

           You understood in the little things. Like Dean's new love for late mornings in bed, like him drinking a little less, being a little less reckless during hunts, humming in the shower, letting go more in bed, allowing himself to give up the constant control he has on himself... And in his will to celebrate Christmas. Dean is not different, he is just happier.

           Your eyes get a little wet with joy at the thought while your rub your body with the delicious smelling foam.

           Forget your birthday, if Dean's happiness demands this day to be the Christmas he didn't have as a kid, the Christmas he is finally allowing himself to want, then you are honored to help him make it perfect.

           You step out of the shower and your eyes meet the big mirror. In the middle of it, written with a big finger on the thick steam : "I love you Y/n".

           Your choice is made : This will be Christmas. This will be anything to make that man as lucky as you are.

"How can I help ?" you say, entering the kitchen where Dean is apparently trying to make cookies, wearing this apron he only puts on for great occasions.

"I'm making cookies men like in Shrek" he says pointing to the not-so-bad gingerbread biscuits he already cooked with his finger covered in dough.

           You come behind him and wrap your arms around his middle, forehead on his back, just feeling his breathing for a second. Dean doesn't stop what he is doing because he is used to you tenderly and randomly holding him, his clean fingers only come to gently caress your arm for a second before he shapes another cookie, chuckling when he adds a tiny penis to the little guy.

"I love you too" you murmur, nose grazing his back to bath in his smell.

He hums.

"We will eat dinner pretty early, I hope you're hungry" he says, looking at his watch. "I want to enjoy some time with my girl after."

You smile, getting on your tiptoes to kiss the uncovered skin of his neck above the collar of his flannel. He wants a lazy evening, making love like you do, or maybe try a kinky thing ; what is sure is you will gladly give him what he wants.

           Time goes by sweetly as you watch this deadly warrior check the turkey while his equally legendary warrior brother prepares another round of eggnog for the three of you. They move around like busy bees in the room and it's a perfect show.

           You sit on the counter, talking about silly things, sometimes doing something to help, when your boyfriend lets you. You keep sipping from the sugary drink, and watching the beauty of Dean just be before your eyes. Unaware of how perfect he is in his every moves, he just works with his strong arms and skilled hands.

           Your eyes linger a little along his thick thighs, and you bend your head to the side to enjoy the exquisite sight of the sensual curve of his butt.

"I saw that, you just checked me out" he says in a smile without even turning around.

"And ?" you let out in a chuckle. "What are you going to do about that ?"

At your surprise, he starts to rock his hips from right to left slowly in clumsy funny moves of his butt, like he wanted to sexy dance for you without stopping what he is doing, earning an eye roll from his brother when his hip hits him on his way.

           Christmas is already perfect.

           The table is beautiful. Different courses in pretty plates you didn't know the guys had filling it like you have only seen in the movies. There is way too much food for three people but you are so happy that your beloved Winchester can eat like they want for Christmas eve.

           Everything is pretty, the giant messy tree has real bright decorations on it and there are even a few presents at its feet, wrapped messily in colorful papers.

           But their most impressive work is the light in the room, changing the place completely. Almost none of the artificial lights of the bunker is on, and a subdued ambiance with fairy lights and candles make it look even more magical than it usually is.

"When did you find the time to do all that ?" you smile with unintended wetness in your enthralled eyes. "It looks... enchanted in here."

"You stayed in bed until noon" Dean says in a light chuckle, pulling a chair for you and putting a kiss on your cheek. "Merry Christmas baby."

"It's perfect, Deanie" you turn your head so his next kiss lands on the corner of your mouth. "Merry Christmas guys."

Sam sits, rubbing his hands at the sight of the turkey, and starts reminding his brother of an old memory of a past Christmas you listen with all your focus. Everything that can make you know more about their life always catches your full attention. You are, after all, their biggest fan.

           The story is about a Christmas when Dean was a teen. He had spent the night between 23th and 24th December with a girl and was really late to come back to the motel. Sam thought maybe he wouldn't be back for diner, he had already taken the cereals out of the closet when Dean showed up carrying the whole cooked Turkey he had stolen from the girl's parents.

           You look at your boyfriend with all the love in the world and bend to give him a kiss on the forearm while he cuts a piece of this not stolen meat for you.

"Her parents were dicks, and I couldn't let you starve, dad would have killed me" Dean chuckles, filling your plate.

           But you know the story must be really different from just that, Dean never brags about how great he was with Sam.

           You let out a little moan, tasting the food and Dean’s face is lit by a wide proud grin.

“It’s good ?” he asks before he even tastes, an excited hope in his eyes.

“Delischious” you answer with your mouth full, a hand before it.

           And indeed, everything is perfect. Dean, as much as Sam can playfully denies it, is a great cook. He has no technique, no cooking education, but what he has is a real love for food and comfort, a great experience on mixing things and tasting that gives him a perfect intuition. And, above all, the strong selfless will of saying "I love you" with food like some people have.

           Sitting on the floor next to the tree, you hold against you the red flannel Dean finally agreed to give you, and the books Sam bought for you. Your head is leaning lovingly on your lover's shoulder while he looks, exited, at the vinyl records he got, humming his favorite songs.

           You crawl between his thighs and rest your back on his chest, your head back, temple grazing his scruff.

"Best Christmas ever" you smile, feeling his lips graze your cheek. "So what is the program of a Winchester Christmas after that ?"

You close your eyelid and take a deep breath of Dean's scent, expecting a sexy proposition.

"We're going somewhere" he smiles, and, when you open your eyes, you see Sam put on his coat.

"Now ?" you frown, a little confused. "Where ?"

Dean gets up, putting you on your feet with his strong arm, and takes his coat and yours from Sam's hands.

"I'm not telling you. Take your jacket and get in the car."

           He is silent on the road despite all your questions.

           You listen to the car's purring and look outside to try to guess where they are taking you. The white snow covers the sides of the road with a very thin and delicate layer, the headlights are hit with little swirling snowflakes, and no clue betrays their surprise.

           Sam is smiling, looking out the window. You know they have been planning something, and you know you will love it. Maybe they will show you a place they used to go when they were kids, maybe take you to a special place where you can see the stars so clearly, like this time last summer.

"Come on Dean" you say, kneeling on Baby's back seat to wrap your arms around him from behind, going down a little to feel his firm chest though his shirt under your palms. "Tell me."

"You can't wait just five minutes" he tries to grunt, but it sounds more like a chuckle.

           You fall silent, not letting go of him, holding him like the precious treasure he is, occasionally smelling his hair, kissing his shoulder and tracing the contours of his ear. You just can't stop touching him, and since that talk you had after sex once, you know how much he loves it.

"Aw" Sam mocks you like he often does. "You two are so cute."

"Fuck yeah we are" Dean groans, turning right to a one way road.

"You know Christmas is already perfect" you smile. "You don't have to surprise me again."

"Yeah, I know" he says, parking in front of a bar. "But, it's not only Christmas today."

           You look around, confused. The guys open the door, letting the freezing cold enter the Impala, and get out in a perfect sync. You follow them, lifting your eyes to the colorful neon lights reflecting in the snowy night. Around on the parking lot, more cars than you would have expected are parked, and you wonder who would spend Christmas eve in a bar like this one.

           But before you can wonder why they would have taken you there, to this bar you never heard off, your boyfriend's hand wraps around your waist and he guides you inside, pushing the heavy doors.

           The first thing that hits you is the perfect warmth of the inside. The temperature is perfect but not only : the music is smooth like honey, it's this kind of blues that is paradoxically happy and comforting, it smells like wood and whiskey ; and above all, here too, there is something about the light that feels like a hug.

           The second thing that hits you is the welcoming familiar face of Garth smiling to you.

"Garth ?" you frown and feel Dean's lips graze your ear. "Happy birthday Baby."

He lets go of you to walk to the people there at the bar, arms open to greet them, letting you stunned.

           You are recognizing all you friends there, still in their Christmas clothes, walking to you to hug you and bring you drinks and for a few seconds, your body just stays still.

           No one is missing, not one person. And, even if you don't have hundreds of friends since you joined the hunter life, you have never seen a room so full of love.

"Let me take your coat" Jody says, seeing you froze to the spot.

"I... You're here for me ? Th-they planned all that ?" you stammer with some watery emotions filling your eyes.

"Dean did" Jody smiles. "We followed."

             You're sipping from that delicious drink the bartender made according to your tastes, unable to take that smile off of your face. Donna, a little tipsy in her pretty outfit, is telling sexy jokes with a full dimpled smile, making Sam chuckle and Charlie high-five her, spilling a little of her drink on you.

           From the corner of your eye, you look at him.

           He is bending on the pool table with a smirk, his beer next to him. From here, you can't hear what he is saying to the other players, but it seems a little cocky. After only a few seconds staring at him, it's like he felt it and he looks up, giving you the cutest wink.

           And you blush. Because even after all you have lived together, even after the kinky experiences, the intimate moments, after seeing him cry, yell, suffer or come... A wink is still enough to turn you to a blushing mess.

           All evening, he has been keeping his distance just a little. Not avoiding you at all but not clinging to you, to let you enjoy your friends, to let you have the full experience of a birthday party like you dreamed of since you were a teen.

           A birthday with loud silly discussions, a lot of drinks, inventing silly tipsy games with your best friends, trading your clothes in the bathroom, catching up as much as dancing with each other... And you never felt loved that much.

           Dean's love is the sun in the middle of your world, but now you can also see the stars, and it is probably the best night of your life so far.

           He managed to do something you never could for years and all your friends agreed with his crazy plan. They all had an early Christmas diner to be able to drive here, offer you too many drinks and be there for you. They all made it about you and you're both incredibly grateful and emotional. And since most of them will come sleep at the bunker -and eat all the leftovers with you tomorrow- you don't have to care about the time.

           Suddenly, a music note catches your ear.

           You know that note by heart. It is the first note of your favorite love song, it is the firsts notes of what Dean hums in your ear sometimes when he holds you after making love to you, pushing your hair on the side to see your sweaty bliss face.

           You turn you head and meet green eyes, closer than you expected.

"Hey" he says, taking your hand.

"Hey" you smile.

He tugs gently at your arm, pulling you away from the bar to wrap his arms around your waist.

           You have missed him. Of course he was here, but after everything he has done for you, you really have missed holding him, smelling his skin and kissing his lips.

           He starts to sway his hips really slightly, humming the love words of the song, and you throw your arms around his neck, looking up at his perfect face.

"She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes..." he whispers the lyrics, fingers grazing the skin of your neck.

And for the hundredth time today, your eyes fill with happy tears while his fingertips go down on your back to hold your waist again.

"Are you having fun ?" he asks low, one hand stroking your lower back tenderly, thumb pushing your shirt up discreetly to feel your skin.

"It's the best night of my life" you give him your most sincere smile. "Dean... You are really incredible, you know that ?"

"Yeah" he nods, hiding his shyness in a kiss on your lips.

"I really was ready to chose Christmas, you know ?" you state, swaying your hips slowly with him, forgetting the rest of the world in your bubble of love.

His plumb lips gently raise on the corner, and he lets go of you to search his pocket.

"I didn't have to choose between hunter life and happy life thanks to you, so I'll make sure you never have to choose between your birthday and Christmas" he murmurs in your ear, before kissing your temple.

His hand reach yours and he opens it to put a little thing on your palm.

"What do you say we had yet another thing to celebrate on that day ?" his breath tickles  your neck and you look down to your hand, discovering a little golden ring with a tiny blue stone in the middle of your shaking palm.

"Dean ?"

"Marry me Baby ?"

FEEDBACK IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME

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[crowdvscritic]

round up // JANUARY 21

New year, not-so-new Crowd vs. Critic! It’s another batch of films, TV, music, and reads that were new to me this month and think you would enjoy, too. As we cozy up inside for the winter, nothing warms you up like a good piece of pop culture.

January Crowd-Pleasers

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Does this sequel reach the heights of 2017’s Wonder Woman? No, but I wish more superhero movies were like this one. I explain why at ZekeFilm. Crowd: 9.5/10 // Critic: 8/10

21 Bridges (2019)

A solid action crime thriller with a solid Chadwick Boseman at the center. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7.5/10

The Lethal Weapon Series (1987-98)

I watched the first Lethal Weapon in 2017 for ZekeFilm, but now I’ve a decade’s pleasure of progressively over-the-top action sequences and progressively more absurd ways to destroy Roger Murtaugh’s (Danny Glover) house. The Murtaugh/Riggs bromance holds this progressively sillier series together, and an supporting cast of charismatic actors (Jet Li, Darlene Love, Chris Rock, Rene Russo) are game for whatever comes their way. Joe Pesci is the true MVP. Series Crowd: 9/10 // Series Critic: 7/10

The High Note (2020)

Tracee Ellis Ross’s Grace Davis is a diva in every sense of the word. A high-strung and highly successful singer, she’s also highly demanding of her assistant Maggie (Dakota Johnson), who wants to step out of her shadow and become a music producer. This rom-com-adjacent flick is one of the most fun escapes I’ve had from a 2020 movie, and it’s perfect for a girls’ night in. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7/10

Double Feature—Rom-Coms With a Magical Twist: Just My Luck (2006) + When In Rome (2010)

Disclaimer: These movies are not good. In fact, they’re junk, but they’re my kind of junk. In Just My Luck (Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 6/10), Lindsay Lohan loses her life-long lucky streak when she kisses schlimazel Chris Pine. And When in Rome (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 6/10), Kristen Bell attracts unwanted admirers (Will Arnett, Danny DeVito, Josh Duhamel, Jon Heder, and real-life future husband Dax Shepard) after she steals their coins from a wishing fountain. To their credit, both of these movies know they’re silly, which means you have permission to just sit back and laugh along with (or, honestly, at) them.

WandaVision (2021)

I sometimes fear for the world of entertainment when I think of how much intellectual property Disney has gobbled up, but WandaVision is evidence the company is a benevolent dictator at least for now. This odd delight is a send up and a tribute to sitcoms like I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Brady Bunch, and Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen are so charming and weird I don’t need whatever mysterious sub-plot they’re building.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

If you want to make the most of watching Robin Hood: Men in Tights, first watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), an action flick I saw last February and didn’t include in my monthly Round Up. This Mel Brooks spoof is a direct response that self-serious Kevin Costner adventure, even down to copying its costumes. While I wish I could find a Mel Brooks comedy with any substantial female character (in every movie I’ve seen so far, the joke is either, “She’s got a great rack!” or “Wow, she’s an uggo!”), I still couldn’t stop laughing at this 104-minute version of the Robin Hood scene in Shrek. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/10

Aliens (1986)

Peak ‘80s action. Peak alien grossness. Peak girl boss Sigourney Weaver. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/.510

Big (1988)

After talking about Laverne & Shirley with Kyla on SO IT’S A SHOW?, I had to check out Penny Marshall’s classic. While a few moments haven’t aged so well, its heart is sweet and the script is hilarious. And that Tom Hanks? I think he’s going places. Crowd: 9.5/10 // Critic: 8/10

Unstoppable (2010)

I’ve laughed at SNL’s spoof of this movie for a decade, so it’s about time I got around to enjoying this action thriller very loosely based on the true story of a train that got away from its conductor. Denzel Washington (“You’re too old!”) and Chris Pine (“You’re too young!”) are our heroes in this over-the-top ridiculousness, and their chemistry is so extra it makes me hope they team up for another movie again. Crowd:  9/10 // Critic: 7/10

January Critic Picks

Double Feature—‘90s Space Adventures: Apollo 13 (1995) + Contact (1997)

I have no desire to join Tom Cruise as he films in space, but I know I’ll be pumped to watch whatever he makes because I love sci-fi and space  adventures. Apollo 13 (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 9/10) tells the story of an almost-disastrous NASA mission in the ‘60s, and it taps into our hope for the human spirit to overcome obstacles. Contact (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10) surmises what might happen if we received communication from extraterrestrial life, and it taps into our struggle to reconcile faith and science.

McCartney III by Paul McCartney (2020)

I spent January catching up on the albums on Best of 2020 lists, and the one I listened to for hours and hours was Paul McCartney’s latest solo album. Catchy, thoughtful, and musically surprising, it ranges from pop to rock to folk in 45 minutes and still feels like it’s over too soon. Like Tom Hanks, this Paul McCartney guy is going places!

The Thin Man Series (1934-47)

Like Lethal Weapon, I watched the first installment of The Thin Man awhile back, and Kyla and I even covered the series on our podcast. But thanks to a full series marathon on TCM earlier this month, I’ve now laughed through all five. When you talk about great chemistry, you’ve got to talk about William Powell and Myrna Loy, who make Nick and Nora’s marriage feel lived in and romantic as they solve crimes together. Witty, suspenseful, and jaunty, this series is still sexy cool over 80 years later. (Also, Asta? Still one of the cutest dogs in cinema.) Series Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10

The King and I (1956)

Here’s your regularly scheduled reminder Hollywood works differently now, and many casting decisions of the ‘50s wouldn’t fly today. What has aged well in this film: The Rodgers and Hammerstein music and the sumptuous costumes and set design. I love extravagant musicals of yesteryear—perhaps it’s time for Hollywood to revisit and remake The King and I for modern audiences?

Inauguration Day

In a year with no major televised events with celebrities in a room together, Inauguration Day felt like the most exciting cultural event in ages. We’ve been missing major fashion, but then we got Lady Gaga! We’ve been missing live performances, but then we got Amanda Gorman! And I got a lot of tears during that poem—not just me, right?

Good Reads

Writing that made me think and smile this month:

Steven Soderbergh’s list of everything he read, watched, and listened to this year, Extension765.com (2020) – An indirect inspiration for these monthly Round Ups!

“My Year of Making Lists,” NewYorker.com (2020) – I made a lot of lists in 2020, so I feel this author’s #mood

“Betty White Says She Will Spend Her 99th Birthday Feeding Two Ducks Who Visit Her ‘Every Day,’“ CBSNews.com (2021) - “Betty is a treasure,” I say as I watch The Proposal for the 99th time

“A Sculpture’s Unusual Journey to SLAM [St. Louis Art Museum],” SLAM.org (2020) – With a casual mention of an attraction I never knew about in St. Louis

“The Culture Is Ailing. It’s Time for a Dr. Fauci for the Arts.” WashingtonPost.com (2020) – An idea that occurred to me a few months ago: Why don’t we have an Arts Cabinet?

“The Arts Are in Crisis. Here’s How Biden Can Help.” NYTimes.com (2021) – Partly in response to that Washington Post piece, a historical look at how artists have made it through difficult times in the past and how we can revive artists’ livelihoods mid- and post-pandemic

“The Right’s Message to Silicon Valley: 'Free Speech for Me, But Not for Thee,'” TIME.com (2021) – A more thoughtful and less reactionary take on a volatile moment in the history of modern technology

“'It Makes Me Sick With Grief': Trump's Presidency Divided Families. What Happens to Them Now?” TIME.com (2021) – A study on how politics has done damage to family dynamics in America

“Help, the Only Cinema I Can Handle Is Zac Efron Prancing Angrily in High School Musical 2,” Vulture.com (2021) - In a lot of ways, same

“50 Easy Things To Do When You are Anxious,” ShopTwentySeven.com (2021) – I especially endorse coloring, puzzling, and watching happy movies!

Double Feature—Miss Marple Mysteries: Murder at the Gallop (1963) + Murder Ahoy (1964)

Remember when I was all like, “Watch these Agatha Christie movies so you’re not sad Death on the Nile is delayed”? Remember when I said I was just a few movies away from becoming an Agatha Christie junkie? Well, I think I’m there because I can’t stop with the murder mysteries! Margaret Rutherford is a treasure whether she’s solving a murder at a horse ranch or on a boat, and a cast of colorful supporting characters (including Rutherford’s husband) makes these breezy instead of heavy. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8/10

8½ (1963)

File this with 2001: A Space Odyssey—I don’t know if I really understood this film, but I think I liked it? Federico Fellini’s surrealist, male gaze-y drama blurs the lines between reality and imagination, love and dysfunction, and the past and maybe some future that involves clowns? What resonated with me was the story of a director with creative block, wondering if he’s already peaked and if he’ll create anything worthwhile again. Crowd: 6/10 // Critic: 9/10

Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries by Emma Thompson (1995)

Sense and Sensibility is not just one of my favorite Jane Austen adaptations—it’s one of my all-time favorite films. One of the co-hosts of one of my favorite podcasts has raved many-a-time about Emma Thompson’s journals from the making of film, so it was only a matter of time before I read them myself. Witty, informative, and all-around lovely, Thompson’s journals are an excellent insight into the filmmaking process and how novels are adapted.

Also in January…

I reviewed the new-ish documentary Flannery for ZekeFilm, which is all about the writer Flannery O’Connor and feels a little like going back to high school English class.

In addition to the Lethal Weapon and Thin Man series, I rewatched all of the X-Men series this month. You can see everything I am watching on Letterboxd, including favorites I love returning to (i.e. X-Men: Days of Future Past) and the movies I try that don’t make my monthly recommendations (i.e. The Wolverine).

Photo credits: Paul McCartney, Zac Efron, Sense & Sensibility. All others IMDb.com.

[jassycatx33]

Everything that includes "chocolate" in the title!

IWow!!! Thank you, you’ve given me something to do!This will probably be pretty long so I’ll put it under a read more!

chocolate: when was your first kiss?

When I visited Gigi we kissed but I can’t tell you which day it was exactly that we had our first kiss!! (We’re lowkey both babies so we actually haven’t done like a proper kiss, we just did little pecks but I still count them)

french vanilla: how old are you?

I am 21 years old! (Feels really weird to say that still, even 2 months after my birthday lol)

cotton candy: three places you want to travel to?

Top place I want to travel is to visit Gigi (my girlfriend) again, but I’d also like to go to Japan one day and to California!

strawberry: a language you wish you could speak?

Hmmm… Probably Spanish because it seems most useful to know as a second language and it seems like a pretty cool language from the bits I learned in high school (and have since forgotten rip)

coffee: favorite cosmetic brands?

I really don’t use makeup enough to have a legitimate answer to this question lol

mint chocolate chip: indoors or outdoors?

Indoors for sure, I’m really not big on the outdoors. There’s bugs and the sun burns me (in the summer at least, during fall and winter it’s not so bad but I still prefer indoors)

cookie dough: do you play any instruments?

I can sort of play piano but I’m really not good at all lol

rocky road: favorite songs at the moment?

One of my all time favorite songs forever, even if I haven’t been listening to it much lately, is hold on by florI don’t know what I’ve been really into lately, I jump around a lot and I’ll be honest I’ve been listening to songs from anime the past few days and I don’t feel like listing them because it’s embarrassing lol

butter pecan: favorite songs for life?

Okay I didn’t know this would be mentioned but like I mentioned before, hold on by flor. I don’t know why but it’s really hard to think of others because my music mood changes all the time. But I can always jam to hold on by flor.

cheesecake: what’s your zodiac sign?

Gemini!

toasted coconut: the beach or the pool?

Pool, I don’t like the beach that much??

chocolate chip: what’s your most popular post?

Oh idk I think one from back when I was into Achievement Hunter in 2013 or 2014 lmao. I wouldn’t even be able to find the post to show you I’ve been on this site too long

bubblegum: books or movies?

My answer to this used to be books but I find it so hard to read for fun ever since high school so I’ll say movies

pistachio: manga or anime?

Definitely anime, although I do enjoy manga (especially the Fullmetal Alchemist one)

salted caramel: favorite movies?

Castle in the Sky!!! That’s my main favorite but some others I like are: the Incredibles, Moana, Shrek 2, and Megamind (those are the only ones coming to mind right now and I realize these are all “children’s” movies lol)

birthday cake: favorite books?

The Book Theif is my main favorite. I also really like the Ender’s Game and Warriors series (even though I haven’t finished reading through either series yet lol)

moose tracks: favorites for manga?

Fullmetal Alchemist!

orange sherbet: favorites for anime?

This might come as a surprise but… Fullmetal Alchemist (specifically Brotherhood, but I enjoy the ‘03 one as well!) I also really like Soul Eater, Tokyo Ghoul, and Ouran High School Host Club (These are all the anime that I rewatch like 400 times instead of watching new anime lmao)

peanut butter: favorite academic subject?

I like English a lot! But I also like math (certain kinds, mostly algebra)

black raspberry: do you have any pets?

Yes I have 3 cats they are my babies!!! Starfire, Sparta, and Brianna!

mango: when and why did you start your blog?

I think I started it back in 2011 or 2012 because I had heard about it on twitter or something and I wanted to look up Harry Potter stuff lol

mocha: ideal weather conditions?

A partly cloudy day with like 60 degree weather so I can wear a hoodie, but don’t need anything heavier. And I don’t like too much sun so clouds are good!

black cherry: four words that describe you?

Annoying, dumb, stinky, ugly … I mean I would use those but that’s just me being mean to myselfSome actual words I could use to describe myself: Emotional, caring, weird, kind

neapolitan: things that stress you out?

So many things oh gosh. School, family, life… You don’t want me to go on really.

raspberry truffle: favorite kind of music?

Probably like rock/alternative and pop to an extent? Idk I like most music really, if it has a cool beat that I can jam to then I probably like it

chocolate marshmallow: favorite brands of candy?

I love m&m’s, Hershey, Dove and that’s probably it?? I especially love mini m&m’s those are the best

toffee: a card game that you’re good at?

I’m awful at all of them honestly and also I barely know any actual card games lol

lemon custard: do you eat breakfast?

Typically no I don’t.

dark chocolate: turn ons?

My girlfriend

fudge: turn offs?

Anyone who isn’t my gf lol. Ah but a real answer is people who are mean for no reason, I really hate that

peach: how do you relax?

What is relax????? Um usually I just kind of watch stuff or play video games, talk to my girlfriend, hang out with my two friends. That’s about it lol

praline: a popular book you haven’t read yet?

So many honestly. But um… Of Mice and Men? That’s a big one right? Haven’t read it

superman: do you like sweaters?

I like the look and aesthetic of sweaters but I don’t like wearing them? Or I’ve just never found ones that work for me

cherry: do you drink tea or coffee?

Neither, I only like hot chocolate for hot drinks

dulce de leche: an instrument you wish you could play?

Drums! I’ve been wanting to learn drums for a while now. Idk if I ever will or if I’d even be good but it seems so fun!

blackberry: have you ever laughed so hard you cried?

I do this a lot honestly lol

ginger: a new feature you wish tumblr could have?

Ummm???? I have no idea lol

blueberry lemon: favorite blogs?

I don’t use this site very often anymore (I put stuff into my queue and I go through the tags) but like I love all my friends blogs!

almond: favorite mean girls quote?

“I don’t know why I did it. I guess it’s probably because I’ve got a big lesbian crush on you. Suck on that!” It’s like my favorite part of the movie lol

butterscotch: what color are your nails right now?

Black. I always paint them black lol

cinnamon: have you ever been confessed to?

Yes? Like confessed love or like having a crush on me? I’ve had people confess that they have a crush on me a few times.

blue moon: have you ever had a crush on someone?

Yes, quite a few really and most of them I regret but I have a crush right now on this really pretty and funny girl named Gigi and she’s the best

cappuccino crunch: do you take naps?

Usually I don’t, even though I probably need them sometimes lol

mint: the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?

Please don’t make me think about embarrassing things. I can’t think of what is the MOST embarrassing thing I’ve ever done over my whole life because I probably blocked those memories out but in more recent times (like a few months ago or something) I went to Dunkin Donuts and I wanted chocolate frosted donuts but they had none and so I panicked and I just stood there saying “Um… um… um” out loud to this poor cashier dude who was offering suggestions that I kept turning down until I decided to just get a plain glazed donut. When telling this story to my friends I told them that I basically broke lol. It was pretty embarrassing though and the Dunkin Donuts I went to was in the mall and sometimes when I walk past I see the cashier guy and I’m like I can never go in there at least not when that dude is working lol

brownie batter: do you like sushi?

I’ve never really had it so I can’t really say. I can say that based on my pickiness when it comes to eating I probably wouldn’t enjoy it much but idk

key lime: where do you want to be right now?

Not to be too gay (even though that’s my mood all the time) but I wish I was with my girlfriend which is where I always want to be tbh

red velvet: do you wear prescription glasses?

I do! It was weird I didn’t need glasses for the first 19 years of my life and then suddenly I did. I like them though, I think they make me look better (also they help me see lol)

green tea: favorite flavors of ice cream?

I like chocolate chip cookie dough and vanilla, that’s basically it lol.

Thanks for sending the ask Ace! I don’t know if anyone will read through all of this but I had fun answering them all! 

[corancoranthemagicalman]

💜🌻💜🌻💜🌻💜

My grandpa also has great disdain for recent music... he doesn't like anything after the 50s. So I think its funny that he likes Shrek and he'll watch it any time its on tv. I'm not familiar with Top Gun's soundtrack. I'll have to give Take My Breath Away a listen!

My dad words at a university and he used to bring me and my siblings to the international dinners he'd host. Students would always as me what I was studying and eventually when people started talking to me I'd introduce myself by saying I was my dad's daughter and that I was in high school. I'm not sure if any of them were ever hitting on me bc I was, and still am, pretty oblivious to flirtations. It sucks that you had to tell guys you were in high school to get them to back off. Glad to hear they did, though.

I used to be a hufflepuff when I was in university! I re-took the quiz twice about a year ago and was shocked to get Slytherin both times but I've embraced it. Most of the qualities are very positive except for cunning and I don't think that describes me at all.

I totally get that. I had a similar experience meeting my best friend at university. We clicked really fast and even after graduating I still hang out with her once a week. (The teenage drama movie life thing sounds awful but in high school I was definitely also on the outside of my friend circle) It sure has been hard recently to maintain friendships but I have more good friends right now than at any other point in my life.

I'll take your word for it that I give off painting/crocheting vibes! And I agree with you on the winter v. summer thing. Summer is my least favorite season. Partly because of how humid it is in the summer here.

My group just finished a campaign a few months ago and I played a gnome cleric. They started a new campaign but I felt like I needed a break bc the sessions are long and intense even though I really enjoy it. What class do you play?

The sweater is a commission actually! In university I led a crochet for beginners group and there were a few people that just couldn't ever get the hang of it :(

Did I see that you weren't feeling well today? If so I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope tomorrow treats you better 💜 (also sorry this is an entire novel I haven't spoken to anyone all day so I guess you're getting it all)

-🐧🌻

This got SO LONG so bestie I am replying undercut to you. If anyone wants to see me slowly bromance 🐧🌻 anon then read away lol.

I am envisioning your grandpa dancing to Smash Mouth and it brings me great joy. Oh, man, Top Gun has an AMAZING soundtrack. Danger Zone is a classic, but Take My Breath Away is such a romantic song. Please let me know what you think!!!

Aw, that's sort of wholesome though. I'd get that from the older ladies at my church lol. "What are you studying?"/"Algebra, usually." Which was a LAUGH. And to be honest, I'm a flirty person by nature. I think flirting is fun. But to be crude for a moment (and apologies), most of their flirting would be staring at my breasts. :/ But it was SUCH HIGH HOPES when they backed off. Like YES you GO performing the bare minimum by not being attracted to children. Bravo. But really, I've never had a dude flirt with me who wouldn't back off after me shutting them down, minor or not. So I'm very fortunate in that way. But I too can be fairly oblivious? First time I got asked out, I thought he was asking me to hang out with the friend group. Then he was like "... like a date." After I had asked where did we all wanna meet up. Lmaooooo.

We do change as we grow. I've been taking some personality quizzes for school in regards to the PMAI (Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator) especially and it actually talks a lot about how at different times in your life you'll display different archetypes depending on what you're having to adapt to or overcome. So I think the same is true for Houses. What's peculiar to me about Houses is that when I was younger I was under the understanding that you were your House, right? But the older I got, I prescribe to the "your House is what you admire" type theology. So I might not embody a Hufflepuff in every action, but a Hufflepuff is what I aspire to be. I admire loyalty above all else. Loyalty and kindness. I might not always BE kind. I'm far too hot-headed to be the embodiment of a Hufflepuff, but I admire gentle souls the most. Ergo, Hufflepuff. I've always hated how Slytherins were associated with negative sounding modifiers. Cunning IS a negative word since by definition it's about achieving one's goals through deceit. But I dont understand why being quick-witted and clever couldn't have been the heavier association. I think Ravenclaw's are booksmart and Slytherin are streetsmart. Gryffindors are street tough, while Hufflepuff are ready to roll. Does that make sense? I think the whole cunning/silver-tongued thing was the stupidest idea, because then you are saying narratively that Slytherin IS the evil House. Why have the House at all? On a meta level, Harry begging not to be considered part of the Dark Side despite the actual Voldemort growing inside of him is symbolic in his rejection of Slytherin, but when you go on to merchandise and tell children you are a Slytherin; you're telling children they're evil. They're gonna be evil. And not in "this is the House for brats" way. In the "you either die a villain or live long enough to run away." insane. My point is they're OUR Houses now and I'm saying I think you're clever and quick-witted, and that's pretty Slytherin to me.

I'm very blessed to have her and I'm glad other people get to experience that too. I think everyone is deserving of deep connections like that. And I'm glad to hear you taking time for yourself away from dnd. Our sessions can be exhausting too, but half of my party is my literal blood family and the other half is adopted practically so we usually end up hanging out for half of the session. Makes it way less intense. That sounds like it was a fun character!! I haven't gotten the pleasure to play clerics all that much. Right now I'm in three different campaigns that alternate each week. In one I'm a druid, and that's our 5th edition campaign. I'm playing the new Wildfire from Tasha's and I haven't gotten to flex out the Wildfire Spirit yet, I am having fun. I've got a wolf who is using the sidekick mechanic in that game and he's so much fun to play too. In the other two games, those are 4th editions (the edition I grew up on and learned how to play) and in those I am a ranger and a class known as a Warden. Sort of a fighter/druid class. And the druid and the ranger are both shifters, and the warden is my half-orc. I'm always happy to talk dnd lol. Which cleric were you? Trickster Domain?

Also EWWW HUMIDITY I HATE IT. :(((

Dude, I WISH I could crochet. My fingers are so big tho, bestie. Makes it hard to do anything dexterous.

I'm already feeling much better :)) unfortunately not in time not to bomb half of my project. Whoops. But I'm blaming Glass Shark. He got me sick.

Dont apologize for the novel!! As you can see I'm capable of replying with a novel in turn lol. I hope you had a wonderful day today and that this next week treats you well!! Thank you for the well wishing 💕🌺💕🌺💕🌺💕🌺💕🌺💕

[halloweentv]

Netflix and chills!

v.2017

Celebrate Halloween on Netflix! Below is a list of Halloween themed shows and movies available on Netflix streaming that you can play for Halloween! Enjoy!

Stranger Things

S1 After a game of D and D with his friends Will disappears. His friends try to find him but instead find a mysterious girl

S2

Takes place during Halloween and the boys dress as the ghostbusters. 

Supernatural S4 It’s the Great Pumpkin Sam Winchester” Investigating two mysterious deaths in a small town, Sam and Dean discover a witch is sacrificing people to summon a dangerous demon. 

Friends

S8 “The One with the Halloween Party” At Monica’s Halloween party, Phoebe becomes attracted to her two sister’s fiancé.

Frasier

S5 “Halloween” Niles hosts a Halloween party for the Library Association where the guests dress as literary characters.

S9 “Room full of heroes” Frasier has a Halloween party and asks his guests to dress as their heroes. 

American Horror Story

S1 “Halloween Part 1 & 2″ the ghosts can leave the house on halloween night. Tate runs into some ghosts from his past. S3 “Fearful Pranks Ensue” the witches raise the dead on Halloween S4 “Edward Mordrake Part 1 & 2″ the freaks don’t want to perform on halloween in fear of a ghost coming to visit.

Freaks and Geeks “Tricks and Treats” - Lindsay spends Halloween making mischief with her new friends while Sam goes trick or treating even though he’s in High School now.

Parenthood S2 “Orange Alert” The Bravermen’s gear up to celebrate their favorite holiday, Halloween! Max wants to go trick or treating for the first time, so his parents do their best to prepare him for the night, since he is on the spectrum.

Parks and Recreation S2 “Greg Pikitis” Leslie enlists the help of Dave and Andy in order to catch a local teen vandal. Meanwhile, Ann struggles to make her Halloween party fun and gets help from an unlikely source. S4 “Meet n Greet” Ben is mad when Andy and April decide to throw a Halloween party at their house without asking him. Tom emcees an event for Leslie’s campaign but manages to also promote his company. Meanwhile, Ron and Ann give Andy and April an unusual wedding present.

13 Reasons Why

“Tape 2 Side B” Its Halloween in the present and Clay strikes back at someone who wronged Hannah. In the past Hannah thinks someone is stalking her. 

Jem

S2 “Trick or Techrat” Jem and friends encounter spooky mishaps while preparing an old opera house for a Halloween concert

Fuller House

S2 “Curse of Tanner Manor” DJ attempts to throw the scariest Halloween party for Max. Stephanie works as a zombie at a haunted house.

Star Trek TOS

S2 “Catspaw” Kirk and the crew land on a planet with a spooky castle and witches.

Pac’s Scary Halloween

Sinister Dr. Pacenstein schemes to swap bodies with Pac during a Halloween party.

Pac Man and the Ghostly Adventures

S1 “A Berry Scary Night”  Count Pacula attempts to drain the last yellow orb in Pac World on Halloween night. 

S2 “The Shadow of the were-pac” Pac and his friends are confronted by spooky space ghost pirates. 

The Real Ghostbusters

S1 “When Halloween was forever” An ancient spirit shows up in New York to make Halloween last forever. And Frankenstein is groovin!

S2 “Halloween II ½” While everyone is trick or treating on Halloween Sam Hain escapes.

S4 “The Halloween Door” Crowley wants to end Halloween once and for all and does so even without the help of the ghost busters. 

Cult of Chucky

Chucky has some scores to settle with some old enemies.

Young Frankenstein

In this pitch perfect parody, the grandson of the infamous Dr. Frankenstein follows in his footsteps and creates a monster and puts on the ritz!

Tales of Halloween

Anthology series of shorts set on Halloween. Including trick or treating aliens and kidnappers in way over their heads.

Mr. Young

S3 “Mr. Candy” The gang are hungover from too much candy the previous night and struggle to put together the events from Halloween.

Cheers

S3 “Fairy tales can come true” Cliff meets the woman of his dreams at the bar on Halloween night but is afraid of meeting her when he’s not in costume. 

S10 “Bar Wars V: The Final Judgement” Sam’s latest trick may have killed Gary, but is it really Gary who is playing the trick on Sam?

Charmed S3 “All Halliwell’s Eve” The sister’s go to the 1600’s to save a witch and her baby

Family Guy S9 “Halloween on Spooner Street” Stewie’s candy is stolen by bullies

F is for Family

S1 F is for Halloween” Frank secretly torpedoes Sue’s shot at a real job and a bully leaves Bill afraid to don his costume.

How I met Your Mother S1 “Slutty Pumpkin” Ted holds out hope of seeing the Slutty Pumpkin, a girl he met at a Halloween before. S7 “The Slutty Pumpkin Returns” Ted finally meets the slutty pumpkin again.

Girl Meets World

S1 “Girl Meets World of Terror″ Augie hosts scary Halloween tales and meets a monster under his bed.

S2 “Girls Meets World of Terror 2″ Riley and Maya discover the ghost a flapper living in the bay window. 

S3 “Girl Meets World of Terror 3″ Augie does a scary time theater and shows what the world would be like if Riley and Maya never became friends. 

Power Rangers S1 “Trick or Treat” Kimberly goes on a Halloween game show…cuz those exist. S1 “Life’s a Masquerade” Isn’t set on Halloween but has a cool Frankenstein monster in it. and costumes. S2 “Zedd’s Monster Mash” Tommy faces some real Halloween monsters after he’s kidnapped by Goldar. 

Power Rangers Samurai “Party Monsters” and “Trickster Treat”

Power Rangers Megaforce “Raising Spirits” 

Power Rangers Dino Charge “The Ghostest with the Mostest” and in Dino Super Charge “Trick or Trial”

Dreamworks Spooky Stories “Scared Skrekless” Shrek and Co tell scary stories “Monsters vs Aliens Mutant pumpkins” Ginormica and co battle mutant pumpkins! Dreamworks Spooky Stories Vol. 2 “Monsters Vs Aliens: night of the Living Carrots” Picks up right after the previous special Also included another MVA short, Megamind, and Shrek.

From R.L. Stine: Monsterville A group of kids find out a haunted maze at the carnival is more realistic than they thought.

Mostly Ghostly 3

As Max tries to help his ghost pals Nicky and Tara find their parents, he stumbles on an enchanted crystal–and an evil new plot by Phears. 

Goosebumps

Good show for the season but the Halloween episodes in particular are S5 “The Haunted Mask” Carly Beth’s scary mask begins to change her. S5 “The Haunted Mask 2” A boy’s creepy Halloween mask won’t come off and begins to harm him. S2 “Attack of the Jack O'Lanterns” Jack O‘Lantern aliens terrorize some trick or treaters. 

Goosebumps Movie

A teen moves to a new town and falls for the girl next door but soon finds out her dad is R.L. Stine and his book characters become all too real. 

The Haunting Hour series

Another good show for the season. The halloween episode is S2 “Pumpkinhead” - a group of siblings fear the legend of a farmer who takes kids heads and turns them into pumpkins.

————- Glee S2 the class attempts to out on a performance of Rocky Horror for Halloween. 

New Girl S2 “Halloween” Jess gets hired as a zombie at a haunted house. S3 “Keaton” Jess hosts a Halloween party and a Michael Keaton batman costume helps cheer up Schmidt. Spooky Buddies The buddies encounter the Halloween Hound and evade an evil sorceror on Halloween night. . Louie S3 “Halloween/Ellie” Louie takes his daughters trick or treating and encounter some punks.

Malcolm in the Middle S2 “Halloween Approximately” -Malcolm and his brothers build the ultimate stealth weapon. S7 “Halloween” - Reese and Dewey evade an old man they egged while Loos tries to get out of work so she can trick or treat. 

My Babysitter’s a Vampire S2  "Halloweird" In a total “not rip off” of Buffy, a mask makes people turn into real-life versions of their costumes.

The Vampire Diaries S1 “Haunted” Matt takes Vicky to a haunted hous ebut the night takes a terrifying turn

That 70’s Show S2 “Halloween” The gang visit their old burnt down school while Kitty remincies about their first Halloween in the house. S3 “Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too young to Die” A Halloween episode filled with parodies of Alfred Hitchcock movies: “Rear Window”, “Vertigo”, “The Birds”, “North By Northwest” and “Psycho”.

CSI Miami “By the Book” A body is found that appears to have had the blood drained by a Vampire

Bones “Mummy in the Maze” A mummy found in a Halloween maze leads to an investigation. Bones has a Wonder-ful costume!

The Office S2 Halloween Downsizing leads corporate headquarters to order Michael to fire somebody by the end of October. Michael procrastinates until Halloween, when he still has not decided whom to fire. When he decides to fire Creed, Creed manages to convince Michael to fire Devon. S6 Koi Pond While on the way to a business meeting, Michael falls into a koi pond. The staff tease him so he holds an anti-bullying seminar. Pam and Andy go cold-calling to stir up some new business; they reluctantly use clients’ mistaking them as a couple to their advantage. S7 Costume Contest Michael freaks out when Darryl goes over his head by taking an idea to corporate. The employees partake in a Halloween costume contest in the office. Meanwhile, Pam tries to get the truth from Danny about their dating history. S8 Spooked Erin works to make a spooky, non-childish Halloween party, with help from Gabe. Dwight becomes friends with Robert’s son, and Pam and Jim debate the existence of ghosts. Meanwhile, Robert tries to figure out everyone’s deepest fears in order to culminate a ghost story.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia S6 “Who got Dee Pregnant” The gang think back to their Halloween party to figure out who got Dee pregnant.

Pretty Little Liars S2 “The First Secret” in a flashback some backstory to the mystery of A is revelaed. S3 “This is a Dark Ride” The girls get aboard the Rosewood ghost train S4 “Grave New World” A clue suggests that Ali may still be alive so they crash a cemetery party to find her.

[the-hindu-times]

March 2019 reviews roundup

Impressive sets from the youthful White Lakes and Natalie Shay put the dated Rainband to shame on the first day of the month, upstairs at the Garage (at Thousand Island in Islington). On the Monday, whilst Russell Brand was on at The Exchange in Twickenham, we were at Self Esteem's A capella in-store at Banquet Records, before the shop put on 2 full band shows for Bryan Adams across the road, at Pryzm. After the first gig we headed a couple more doors down to the Fighting Cocks for Outside The Box Comedy Club, headlined by John Robins. With the Conservatives closing venues, we're lucky that Kingston can still host more than one event in an evening. We were back at Banquet Records on Wednesday for Japense House but opted for Twenty One Pilots at Wembley over Billie Eilish at New Slang in Kingston on Thursday. Another visit to Banquet on Sunday for Newton Faulkner, before I joined James Walsh to perform acoustic songs at the Groucho Club in Soho the night after, led to the high-grossing ‘Dreamworks Animation’ trilogy ‘Madagasgar’ the following evening, in the shape of an action-packed musical at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. 

With the stage-set creating a slightly more intimate space, Brandon Gale was as heroic as his character; stepping into the role of Alex the lion. With, X-Factor winner, Matt Terry’s understudy unavailable to fill in during his absence, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the lead after such a fantastic presentation from the recent graduate. It was soon the audience’s turn to roar – this time with laughter, helped by the ensemble of penguins and Timmika Ramsay’s hilarious hippo character, Gloria. Experienced puppeteer, Jamie Lee-Morgan, had a perfect portrayal of Melman the giraffe but the best was still yet to come: The second half saw locally-trained actor, Jo Parsons, present King Julien in a way Robin Williams would have played it. Also reminiscent of the side-splitting stylings of Mike Myres, he favoured the flamboyance from ‘Cat in the Hat’ over the outlandish ogre from fellow animated film franchise ‘Shrek’, where Myres had jelled with Eddy Murphy – of whom Antoine Murray-Straughan was channelling the comedy characteristics of for Marty the zebra; adding another dynamic to Chris Rock’s voice-acting in the Madagascar films. Along with some well-crafted routines, hilarious moments and vocal performances of the highest quality, there was fun for all the family to be had.

The next day, we joined 8 other audience members for Seann Walsh's £5 work-in-progress show at the Museum of Comedy in Holborn. After the next morning's Tunbridge Wells radio show, we were at Embrace's sold out Roundhouse gig the following evening in Chalk Farm. Celebrating 21 years since the release of their debut LP 'The Good Will Out', they're still with the original line up. Having seen them on that first tour, at Folkestone's Leas Cliff Hall, some song arrangements have changed, with Danny McNamara no longer playing his Lowden acoustic guitar on timeless classics, such as 'My Weakness Is None Of Your Business' and 'Retread'. After the best possible opening for 'All You Good Good People', the audience seemed to enjoy the ballads, like 'Fireworks' and 'That's All Changed Forever', above the overdriven 'I Want The World' and 'The Last Gas'. They played the album from start to finish - not something all bands do when promising to tour a record in its entirety. They returned for a 5 song encore; ending with songs from their first comeback album 'Out Of Nothing' after opening with 2 from their second comeback/sixth full length, either side of 1 from their latest effort 'Love Is A Basic Need'. Tonight, the Roundhouse was the best it has ever sounded; with the drum kit and Danny's voice standing out as particularly pleasing. A vinyl box set of the show is soon to be released via their website.

After a midweek Outside The Box at Langleys, Surbiton with Reginald D Hunter, we returned to the New Victoria Theatre for Calendar Girls.

Tonight attracted one of the biggest turnouts, for a run at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre, since Jersey Boys. Although the majority were of the same age and sex as the leads they’d come to see, the hugely popular Calendar Girls felt like a show that could not be missed. Starring This Morning’s Fern Britton; Four Weddings & A Funeral’s Sara Crowe; Family Guy voice actor, Anna-Jane Casey; comedian, Karen Dunbar; leading lady, Rebecca Storm; Loose Woman, Denise Welsh; Porridge’s Sebastian Abineri; acting veterans Phil Corbitt and Pauline Daniels; one woman cabaret show, Catherine Digges; theatre regular, Derek Elroy and ‘90s Coronation Street star (Gary Mallett), Ian Mercer, it was youngsters, Danny Howker, Tyler Dobbs and Isabel Caswell who offer the much needed dynamic.

After the first half’s slow moving and minimal, repetitive scenes felt a bit thin, it paved the way for a bigger impact in the second. A slow burner, like Rocky or The Shawshank Redemption, it was worth the wait. With Nick Pinchbeck’s live band in the orchestra pit, the familiar songs of Tim Firth and Gary Barlow were largely sound-a-likes of hits from yesteryear; with ‘My Russian Friend And I’ feeling almost credible enough to be mistaken for a Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan track from the early 2000s. Still, this story of recovery and power, gave us hope that we could all be on the right road after all.

The end of the month was rounded up with Milton Jones and Andrew Bird at Outside The Box comedy club, Surbiton (Langleys)

Nic Bennett

[youmeandwinona-blog]

We apologize for the delay in posting; it has been a busy (in a good way) last couple of days.

Jess has just notified me that she does not apologize.

On Wednesday, February 22, we spent the day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure using our full day two-park pass. For those of you who are not familiar, these are essentially two separate parks. Universal Studios is known for its classic movies and shows like the Simpsons, Shrek, and Revenge of the Mummy, while Islands of Adventure has more of the epic sagas like the Marvel storylines, Jurassic Park and King Kong. Both of them have children’s sections but overall, Islands of Adventure is more teen-friendly while Universal is more family-friendly. 

Recently, Harry Potter world was introduced and eventually placed in both parks. They are connected by the Hogwarts Express in order to get people to pay for both parks! ;)

Anyways, it called for rain for most of the day so we figured that there would be less people. I am also quite scared of roller coasters but Jess and I spent the previous evening preparing me with Youtube videos of the rides and a route that started with light attractions that got more and more intense.

The main three big rides we were building up to were:

3. Rip Ride Rockit (Universal) - big drop, lots of twists

2. Dragon Challenge (Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure) - two rollercoasters side by side, very twisty and upside down most of the time

1. Hulk (Marvel, Islands of Adventure) - very powerful, fast, many loops

9:00 AM

We got there early to avoid any line-ups; although, as we expected, there were none. Our game plan was to start in the Islands of Adventure section of Harry Potter World when it was less busy, take the express to Universal, where the rides are less intense, and then train back over to Islands of Adventure and do the two big rides (amongst other things, of course). 

Walking into Harry Potter world was unbelievable; the castle was so well done and all of the rooftops were covered in snow with Ollivanders, Honeydukes, and other adorable little stores amongst the rides.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Jess remembered that this ride had a really long line in the past so by speed-walking across Islands of Adventure, we weren’t in line for more than 10 minutes. The storyline behind this 4D was that Harry, Ron, Hermione and the gang urged us to skip class to see a Quidditch match. But, things went awry went they realized that the dragon was on the loose. During the ride, we were strapped in and experienced flying around Hogwarts, the Quidditch field, and running away from the dragon.

Hogwarts Express

The train took us from Hogsmeade Station to Diagon Alley. In a way, this was its own little ride because it too had a story. In a train compartment with 4 other people, we witnessed the trip from Hogwarts to London’s dark alleys within King’s Cross station. The window was really a TV screen showing us the forest, Hagrid following us on his flying motor bike and the scenery leading up to the city. The doors to our booth were also TV screens; we could see the shadows of Harry, Ron and Hermione talking to the confectionary lady as the chocolate frogs they’d purchased also hopped along the sliding door to our compartment.

Exiting from King’s Cross into Universal Studios, we had to find the rest of Harry Potter world (because Diagon Alley is hidden from the muggles)! You can see how realistic (or magical) both renditions of Harry Potter World were from the pictures we posted earlier. 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s

This was probably the longest line we waited in for the whole day - only 30 minutes! It’s a new ride so this is expected. Also 4D, this ride had a similar story only this time we were taking a tour of the vault, but the gang was breaking into the vault (like they did in the seventh movie). There was a dragon. Shocker. Plus, Voldemort also made his appearance. Jess was happy that I liked these rides so far. When we exited the ride, the rain had started.

So, we booked it to...

Revenge of the Mummy

Jess had loved this ride when she was a kid apparently, so I had a good feeling going in. I knew that this ride had a drop somewhere in it, but I didn’t know what to expect. This ride was completely in the dark and surprisingly short. It was very obviously based on the movie. There were a couple parts where we were going backwards, and there were a couple of drops, but I loved it in the end! (And, Jess did too of course.)

We went to check out the Rockit as our next ride, but it was closed due to the rain.

The Simpsons

This ride had a lot of TV’s showing old episodes the whole time, so our 25 minute wait was a breeze. The premise of this ride (which was stationary and mainly the 4D experience) was that we forget who was out to destroy the rollercoaster we had just boarded and Homer was trying to save us. But in the end, Maggie saved the day and we won’t tell you how. :) 

For some reason I ended up feeling quite nauseous after this one, most likely from all the jolts and the extreme drops in the movie we watched. But, it was lunch time so I had to power through.

12:00 PM

Krusty’s Burgers

To pass the rain, Jess plowed through her pizza and I had a grilled chicken sandwich plus the carrots we had brought. 

Shrek 4D

To seek more refuge from the cold weather, we decided to partake in this show. Shrek, Fiona and Donkey try to hide from the ghost of Lord Farquaad but they face a couple of challenges along the way. This ride featured some spurts of water representing Donkey and/or Shrek’s spit and a lot of moving around in our seats!

I had now built up the courage to skip the third most intense ride (which was the Rockit) and go onto the Dragon Challenge back in Islands of Adventure.

Dragon Challenge

After another ride on the express, I got quite nervous about this rollercoaster! The wait time was only 5 minutes which did not give me any time to freak out before the ride (which was probably a good thing). So, after a (unnecessarily long) stroll to the front of the line, we sat in the blue dragon. 

Side note: This ride has a cool design; it is basically two dragons that ‘battle’ with each other. Jess told me its even cooler when they set off the dragons at the same time because there is one point in the ride where we can see their feet flying when we are upside down! 

Back to the ride.

After being strapped in with no escape, I tried to act all confident to make Jess think I was fine and also because we were sitting in a row with two young teenagers and didn’t want to embarrass myself. But I was not fine. The click click click of the rollercoaster felt as if each following click was slower than the last. When we got to the top, we twisted off to the side right away, and dropped HUGE. The rest of it was just a series of screaming, constant change of scenery between sky and ground, and catching my breath. 

But it was so much fun. 

So we did it again. This time, on the red dragon. Jess was so soososoosos proud of me!

We decided against the third time in a row because we were feeling quite woozy, so we went out to get some butterbeers that we were eyeing before.

The guy working the butterbeer stand didn’t seem to be enjoying himself at all. Which doesn’t make sense because what he was selling was soOO good. It basically was a caramel, vanilla and root beer slushie that was smooth and frozen through-out; no extra ice at the end. Even though we were dripping wet from the rain and freezing from the wind, it was perfect. 

3:00 PM

Poseidon’s Fury

Next, we decided to slow things down by attending a show. Here, in a room full of other tourists, the host was an archeologist named Taylor who told us that the professor he worked with would be back shortly! He told us about the room we were in, and excavating, and how it was Poseidon’s chamber. I don’t recall the full story, but Taylor had gotten us into a pickle and also got us out by helping Poseidon fight his fiery counterpart - the evil Lord Darkenon - by finding his long lost trident. We walked through a spinning water tunnel to see the crazy finale where Poseidon and Darkenon fight with fire and water explosions! 

After this, we walked back around through Harry Potter world to access the rest of Islands of Adventures. Along the way, we picked up some treats from Honeydukes: a lollipop and some fudge! To get to our next ride, we passed by Jurassic Park to get to...

Skull Island: Reign of King Kong

There was basically no wait here either! The ride involved our sitting in a safari truck throughout the rainforest. Unfortunately, Jess and I were seated in the front seat right in front of a canvas. This was because the driver’s cabin was right in front of us. It was difficult to move our heads left and right to see all of the action! The 4D part of it was cool though; King Kong fought off a bunch of dangerous dinosaurs to save our lot of helpless humans!

We walked through Toon Island, where we decided against all the water rides because it was already freezing outside, and made it to the final Marvel section.

4:30 PM

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

This was my favourite ride! Here, you are journalists meant to take pictures of Spiderman’s victory in stopping Dr. Octopus and his accomplices from stealing the Statue of Liberty. The makers of the ride did a very good job of keeping Spiderman’s story true to the comics and less about the movie; it was also very interactive.  

The last big ride we were going to do, the Hulk, was also closed which was a bummer because I got really excited after my successful experience with the other rides.

That concludes the end of our trip to Universal + Islands of Adventure! We walked the way back to our car and then spent an hour in traffic.

6:15 PM

Once we got home, Jess napped, I made dinner and then I got her started on Are You The One. It is a really good-but-bad MTV reality TV show, as well as my guilty pleasure.

- Maria