#and the way Ryan plays it is even more so because he’s a doll and of course in a real way his love for her is not a real thing | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

gatorbites-imagines · 4 months

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Could you do a Ken (Ryan Gosling) X Male Reader X Ken (Simu Liu) SMUT? Their Rivalry turning Raunchy when it comes to the MR: Whose kisses are better, who is the better makeout partner, who can give better blowjobs(Resulting in MR getting a Double BJ from both), whose penis, balls, and cum are better and tastier, and finally whose Ass tastes and feels best! ;) ALSO if neither Ken's have genitalia, just smoothness, do they love it when MR rubs and licks them their, turning into moaning messes? ;)

Stereotypical Ken x Male Reader x Pompadour Ken

Headcanons

I’ve learned the only way I can get in the mood to write about Ken is to listen to Bimbo Doll on repeat.

It’s gonna be so confusing saying stereotypical Ken and Pompadour Ken over and over, but I have no idea how else to refer to them 😭

How you ended up with not one but two kens following you around, you had no idea. Maybe it was the fact that you stole two of your sisters ken dolls as a kid, and used to play with them when you played with your ninja turtle toys and monster trucks.

Or maybe it was the fact that you worked at Mattel for like, a few months, and specifically had worked on outfits for Ken and only Ken. It meant you had some kind of connection to them, in some way.

Maybe it was also because you got dragged along with everything that happened with the Kens taking over barbieland, and you had to go save it with the rest.

Stereotypical Ken had been absolutely glowing when you said he looked pretty cute in his Kenough hoodie, and Pompadour Ken immediately seemed to hook onto that, for some reason. Being rivals just seemed to be in their blood, bodies? Plastic?

Now that stereotypical Ken knew how to get from Barbieland into the real world, you get used to him just showing up at your apartment sometimes. He would never tell Pompadour Ken how to get there, because he doesn’t want his rival to have that advantage, but they both figure it out at some point.

Any weaker man would have buckled or probably passed out from the blood rushing upwards and downwards at having two very attractive, not very bright but enthusiastic men, rubbing against you from both sides.

But you were not a weak man, for the most part. In the beginning their competitions were on the normal side. From whom could do the best backflip, to who could cook the best brownies, you never really questioned it, and somehow always made sure to keep their “score” equal.

Both Kens must have stumbled across more adult content, or the overexposure of being in the real world started giving them ideas, because you almost had a heart attack coming home from work one day and they both almost knocked you over, their lips immediately all pressing against your neck and chin.

You end up having to sit them down and scold them, but from then on it seems like a switch has been flipped inside stereotypical Ken and pompadour Ken.

Their competitions start becoming steamier, from kissing, to make outs, to full body massages. You aren’t complaining of course. It’s horrible for your ego, having two hot guys rubbing you all over and competing to see who can make the best hickey on your chest.

You almost get a nosebleed when you come home from work one day to see them both on speedos, comparing their bodies in front of a full body mirror you didn’t even know you owned.

You get lightheaded from how much blood is rushing downwards as they grope and squeeze each other, grumbling half compliments-half insults at each other. It ends up with you just leaning against the doorway and watching for a bit, because how can you not.

They both also seem so taken with you, especially when you come home from work, especially if you do a blue-collar job. It seems to tickle some kinda manliness nerve inside them, as they both seem so obsessed with your uniform or how rough your hands are.

Its kinda nice honestly, coming home to two attractive guys who are so excited to see you and please you in one way or another. It did catch you off guard the first time they scrambled into your lap, one on each thigh, Pompadour Ken stating you needed them to help figure out who the best kisser was.

Of course, you never ended up giving them a solid answer, which they quickly forgot, as both Kens seemed to become almost mindless and weak in the knees from just kissing alone.

When they first gain genitals, you bet your ass they’re comparing size, girth, hairs, anything. They would want your opinion too. You, being a bit of a tease, would go down on them and leave them both whining and whimpering as you suck them off.

The experience feels like some kind of awakening for them both, and you swear they’re gonna start throwing hands on who gets to go down on your first. You’ll have to remind them they can both go first, maybe by wording it like a competition.

It ends up extremely sloppy and with little finesse or skill, but by God are they enthusiastic. Two mouths on you at once, both looking up at you with those begging eyes of their, trying their damnest to make you cum.

After making you cum, both stereotypical Ken and pompadour Ken seem even more energized. You can expect to get head at least once a day from then on, some days even twice, as they don’t wanna share every time. I pray for you.

They become fiends are they get a hang of the internet, saying all kinds of dirty things to you and wanting to try so many different things. Stereotypical Ken would definitely want to ride you, and I can see pompadour Ken wanting you to eat him out till he’s crying into the pillow and shaking.

Its like having two dogs in heat running around sometimes, they’re gonna have to learn how to help each other, because you can in no way keep up, especially when their rivalry kicks up a notch like it does sometimes.

To have mercy on yourself and your body, you end up able to convince them that you can sit back and watch, and then pick a winner from there. They would still want you involved sometimes, or most times for that matter, since they are sure you can judge it better that way.

At some point you have to be careful when you have visitors over, as both Kens just take to walking around in the nude, because why cover up when they wanna show off to you?

They are both so beautiful in very way that you don’t mind most days, but you don’t wanna have someone over and then see the two of them making out on the couch, trying to settle who the best kisser is for the fourth time this week.

You still love them, even though they leave you feeling like a juice box with all the air sucked out, or more dehydrated than after a full day working in the sun. They’re your messy competitive boys, and you’d probably allow them to get away with anything if they looked at you with those pretty eyes of theirs and pouted.

They never end up being able to settle any of their competition with you after all, but at this point the competitions just seem like a cover or habit to get in the mood or get each other riled up.

Both Kens are pretty submissive by nature, which is why they pull out their rivalry most times when they wanna do something but both feel so shy to ask you to do it with them, and you might enable them a bit too much sometimes, but you all enjoy it too much to stop.

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thestrangestthlng · 9 months

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Public Figures Owe You Nothing

Same thing, different fandom. Now, my first soiree into internet fandom was Glee nearly fifteen years ago. Given insane popularity of the show and one of their two main couples, Klaine, and Darren Criss being a straight man, I am no stranger to the "only gay (out) queer actors should play queer roles" argument.

I don't necessarily disagree completely. Queer actors should be highlighted in queer roles. But guess what, the film industry is shit.

Not everyone is out, can afford to be out, is ready to come out publicly, or cares to have anyone in their business. There is a huge number of fans who are way too invested in the parasocial relationships with their "favs" and cross lines.

It's a tale as old as time. Darren Criss' now wife, Mia (Swier), was mercilessly harassed online and honestly in person. I distinctly remember people MAILING her things. There was an incredible amount of hate directed towards her because SHE wasn't a HE and a group of fans were hellbent that he and Chris Colfer were secretly in a relationship, even though both were happily in their own relationships. (Both of them are actually still IN those relationships and I love that for them.)

Someone gave Dannell Ackles (wife of Jensen Ackles) a gift at an event. When she reached it she was cut by a bunch of rusty hooks in a fucking voodoo doll.

One of the NSYNC members (I can't remember if it were Chris or Joey) ended up being broken up with by their partner at the time because of the amount of hate they were getting.

This came up because someone said on instagram that they "will not be watching [RWRB]" because [Taylor and Nicholas] "are not out" and "they are gay for pay". So, me being me, says to them that the actors owe you nothing. Their sexuality/gender identity is no one's concern but their own.

Also, it was really disgusting what alot of Heartstopper did to Kit. He's just a baby and they strong armed him to coming out before he was ready and made him feel like he had to justify it. Cruel irony being that it's the exact opposite of the point of the books, and exact opposite of his character. I'll never forgive them for what they did to my son.

I went on to tell them that Hollywood is shit. It's homophobic, racist, sexist, xenophobic, transphobic, everything phobic. They like beautiful and handsome, classically beautiful, white, straight actors that fit into their perfect mold. As soon as actors come out they get type cast, lose rolls (because how could a homosexual portray intimacy with a woman? It's not like they are actors or anything). I, of course, got blocked because they didn't agree with me and that's fine.

Did you know that many actors in the union don't even make the $26,000 a year that is required to qualify for health insurance? Most actors are working class. Yes, many acquire a net worth, but it's honestly one huge disaster from losing what they have. The median salary for actors in the US is about 60K a year. So why would a working class actor or even a upper middle class actor, want to potentially dismantle their career trajectory by telling something that is really no one's concern anyway?

Not everyone wants to be stuck in a Ryan Murphy rotation. Maybe once we get more queer film and show makers and Hollywood execs start to fuck off we'll get more. I'm 99% sure that RWRB is the ONLY gay romcom without underlying trauma porn. The only other one that comes close is a Christmas movie.

Actors are still human and deserve privacy. They owe fans nothing. Their partners deserve privacy. If they are queer good for them. If they are not, good for them. But fans don't get to dictate who comes out and when. So yes, we want more queer actors in queer roles, but we don't get to decide if the ones who are not open get to have these roles. Sometimes it is who is best for the role.

As far as RWRB: Neither Taylor nor Nicholas have ever made any public statements on their sexuality and are both private people when it comes to their relationships. It's really goofy that people think it's an appropriate question to ASK them personally. Interview or not.

All that matters to me is that they killed that online and the characters they acted were madly in love with each other.

Moral of the story: they can want someone and love some one and not want that life for them. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka were together for three years before they came out and that's when NPH came out - at 34 on his terms, as it should be. Some people really missed the message of the book; that queer people deserve to come out when and how THEY want to.

/Ted Talk

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rfxiii · 10 months

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General Trevor Philips Headcanons-

(TW: drug usage, smut, past child abuse mention, suicidal thoughts, homophobia mention)

(1352 words)

He bites his nails and chews on his cuticles until they bleed. He doesn’t even notice he’s doing it- usually too focused on something or too high to notice.

He barely ever washes his clothes. He’ll sometimes wear them for months at a time, until they’re caked in blood, gasoline, sweat stains, and various other…fluids.

He’s owned the boots he wears with his default outfit since before Ludendorff. They are well over ten years old, and smell absolutely foul when he takes them off.

He masturbates anywhere from five to ten times a day, sometimes more depending on what kind of day he’s having. He masturbates not just when he’s horny but to relieve boredom, when he’s angry, when he’s sad, when he’s happy, basically any excuse to shove his hand down his pants and make himself cum.

He’s very wary, and can sometimes become downright violent when someone initiates touching him. He’ll happily give out hugs, playful pushes, shoulder shakes, even the occasional kiss. But when someone touches him first, more often than not, he’s going to get aggressive. His mother and her various boyfriends used to lash out and hit him at random- sometimes even for just standing within arms reach. So, when a person reaches out to touch him, he assumes he’s about to be hit.

Tried to vape once- probably borrowing it from Wade. He puked instantly and threw it back at him.

Subconsciously puts himself in dangerous situations when he passes out after a bender- like when he wakes up on the train tracks. When he’s high he’s also inclined to do things the more dangerous way that would be more likely to result in death. Sober, he’s not brave enough to try to kill himself. But when he’s high or drunk, his suicidal ideations are much stronger and he has more nerve to actually try it.

Basically canon that he still likes playing with toys/action figures. He never really had toys as a kid, but when he was young he was inclined to play with old action figures and dolls he found left behind at the park or in the trash. But his mother and her various boyfriends would mock him for playing with dolls and bully him about “being gay” before breaking or throwing away the toys.

Trevor’s brother, Ryan, was their mother’s favorite child. After he died, whether or not it was Trevor’s fault, their mother took it out on him violently for weeks. She’d blame him, lock him up in the closet because she “couldn’t stand looking at him”, she’d beat him, call him names, burn him with her cigarettes or throw alcohol bottles at him; she even let a few of her boyfriends hurt him too, telling him he deserved it for “being such a wretched child”.

Back in North Yankton, when they were on a job and sharing rooms together, Trevor would occasionally have horrific nightmares about his past. He’d wake up sobbing and unable to breath. To calm himself down, he’d sometimes climb into bed with Michael or Brad, and sleep with them. Neither of them had the heart to bring it up to him as they were both pretty sure why they’d wake up to him in bed with them.

Trevor had both sober and drunkenly made out with Michael and Brad. Michael, only once, because Michael got ‘feelings’ from it and didn’t know how to handle it so he made a big deal telling Trevor off about it.

Trevor steals little things from people he loves- not in a malicious way, but in a sentimental way. He has an old jacket of Michael’s from when they were in their twenties, he has a beanie of Brad’s that he let him borrow during winter one year, he has a cassette tape he took from Lester’s, an old action figure he took from Franklin, and a ball cap he took from Lamar.

He’s come to Ludendorff to visit Brad’s grave once or twice after finding out he’d been buried there all those years. He even threatened Dave into getting the grave marker changed from Michael’s name to Brad’s. Brad didn’t have any family, but it just felt..wrong not acknowledging at least where he was buried.

When they’re in public, Trevor sometimes pretends that he and Michael are Franklin’s parents. It embarrasses Michael to no end. It initially annoyed Franklin but he’s grown to see the humor in it.

Flew Franklin up to North Yankton once so he could experience “a real winter”. But living all his life in sunny Los Santos, Franklin quickly discovered that he hates the snow.

He shouldn’t be trusted with small animals, or animals of any kind, really. But he loves Chop. He’ll come over to Franklin’s just to see the dog sometimes. He even bought Chop a Christmas present one year.

He loves breaking into Michael’s house when no one is home and moving things around just slightly to make Michael think he’s going insane.

Trevor has gross seasonal allergies- watery eyes, a cough, a nasty, snotty nose he won’t blow or wipe. He lays around in bed for days acting like he’s dying- it’s pathetic and hilarious at the same time.

Back in North Yankton, he once stole a pair of Amanda’s underwear and left them sticking from his bag on purpose to get a rise out of Michael. Michael did not recognize them as hers and simply commented on how those looked a little small to fit Trevor.

He tries for months to convince Lamar to get a matching tattoo with him. Lamar almost wouldn’t be opposed to it if it weren’t for the fact that Trevor insists he do it himself with some old tattoo machine he scavenged from the trash.

He once mixed up a plastic cup he had full of alcohol and a plastic cup he was huffing gas out of. He drank a huge swig of gasoline and tried to play it cool in front of Ron and Chef, before projectile vomiting all over the floor.

Loves both Jimmy and Tracey- but he’s always had more of a soft spot for Tracey. He watches her grow up, she was the first one to call him “Uncle T”, she’s always been sweeter and more outgoing than Jimmy, and even as a child, she and Trevor just got on better playing dolls and make believe than he did trying to understand Jimmy’s video games.

He once lived in the crawl space of Chef’s house for three whole days just to see if he’d notice. Chef was convinced his house was haunted, or that the government was monitoring him with spies in his walls. He was actually a little pissed when Trevor revealed it was just him.

Ate a roadkill squirrel off the ground once, in front of a group of cops, just for shock value. It worked and they gave him a wider berth after that.

Once caught the clap from a prostitute during a week long bender in North Yankton. He’d cry and bitch about his junk burning all day; Michael and Brad heckled him mercilessly for it.

In North Yankton, he’d still go out and get ultra high/drunk and pass out random places outside. Only difference between there and San Andreas is that the winter nights in North Yankton drop well below freezing, and falling asleep under the influence, in your underwear, could mean anything from a horrible cold, frostbite, or death. Michael and Brad used to have to hunt him down when he went missing to make sure he didn’t freeze to death out in the snow. He’d always wake up with both M and B’s jackets on, in bed in their motel room, but he could never remember how he’d gotten there, so he never mentioned it or realized it was them. Until the first time he got black out wasted after Brad died and Michael went into hiding, and he woke up nearly frozen and still out in the snow.

#gta v #gta 5 #grand theft auto v #grand theft auto 5 #trevor philips

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rhoorl · 9 months

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Working Title - Chapter 2

Pairing: Dieter Bravo x OFC Belle

Rating: Mature, 18+.

Word Count: 5.6K

Series Masterlist | Masterlist

Series Summary: We learn a bit more about Belle and Indy's past. The girls head to the audition and we get a meet cute in a waiting room.

Warnings: This chapter has some swearing, allusions to cheating and toxic relationships.

Note: Hi, I’m back with chapter two! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to read Chapter 1. All the comments, likes, and reblogs meant so much to me. It really lifted my spirits, so thank you! This is also posted on AO3.

“How fast can you get to LA?”

You sniffle and wipe your eyes and then your nose with your shirt sleeve. “What? Umm-”

“Wait, what’s wrong? Shit. Did something happen? What did Ryan do?”

You let out a long exhale, not even knowing where to start. “He … um … he left me a note and packed his shit.”

“Are you fucking serious?!” You can practically hear her teeth clenching. But then, letting her rage subside and knowing she needed to comfort you she let out a sigh. “Shit, I’m sorry babe.”

“Eh. I wish I could sit here and be like, ‘No it’s totally fine he was a jerk' but I just can’t do that.”

“I know you loved him, Belle.”

Belle. A nickname that’s stuck since childhood. You were obsessed with Beauty and the Beast growing up, Belle being your favorite Disney princess. You both had brown hair and liked reading, so it seemed like an easy one to latch on to. And over time, you realized that you identified with Belle’s gentle nature of wanting to see the best in people and help, even as life dealt you more obstacles which made that optimism hard to keep.

“Yea, well he clearly didn’t love me, no matter how much I tried.”

She doesn’t say anything, just letting a silence fall between you both.

“So, what’s this about needing to get to LA?”

“Right, well I’ve been auditioning for that role I told you about – the one where I’d play an agent or something. Well, they want me to come in and do a screen test with a few other actors who are up for the other roles and I need my good luck charm with me!”

It was sweet that she thought you were her good luck charm. You’d been doing Indy’s hair and makeup since you were kids. She will always claim that she was the first person you ever put makeup on, putting it on her before you even tried putting it on yourself. It was a fun way for you both to bond. Some kids play with crayons or chalk, but you grabbed some clearance makeup and dolled up your best friend in the latest techniques you saw in magazines or on TV. Over time, you really developed a talent for it. You also started dabbling in hair too – never cutting or dying it, just blow drying and styling.

Indy was a natural on stage and loved performing. And whenever possible she would have you do her hair and makeup. Seeing you and talking to you before going on stage was a way to distract herself from the nerves. You’d talk about boys or boy bands or the latest gossip around the school.

Your senior year, of high school you were both trying to decide what to do next. Indy got accepted into NYU for performing arts; New York City had been her dream for so long. You wanted to go to a cosmetology school in the city. Being at the center of all things Broadway, TV, film, and fashion seemed like the perfect place to cut your teeth as a makeup artist. Plus, with Indy in the same city, you could navigate the next stages of your lives together.

Eventually, Indy started getting booked for auditions and she would always have you do her hair and makeup. It made you laugh because you really didn’t have to do much. She was so naturally beautiful and you knew the casting directors didn’t want her going in there all dolled up to the point they couldn’t read her emotions. But still, having that time together to talk centered Indy and helped her prepare better than any meditation class or breathing exercise ever could.

Once you both graduated from your respective schools, you stayed in New York City for several years. You both hit a bit of a slump during the pandemic. With everything shut down, there was not much work out there for an aspiring actress or a makeup artist. So, you both packed up and moved home to Florida. You moved in together and picked up odd jobs here and there.

Luckily, living in Orlando, you were both able to get back on your feet once things opened up again. Indy was able to book several performing roles at the different theme parks in the city and you were able to work in the makeup departments. Although work wasn’t always consistent, you were still able to be together. Eventually, Indy moved herself up through the ranks and was invited to go out to Disneyland to play a role in a new parade. The move took you both by surprise, you knew it was a possibility that she would eventually get a call to go out there – she was such an amazing performer. But, you didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Your lease was coming up for renewal, so rather than commit for another year, you decided to take the leap and move in with Ryan. It was one of the last things you wanted to do. By this point he had cheated on you twice, so moving in with him seemed like you were just rewarding his awful behavior. But, you were kind of backed into a wall and had no other choice; there was no way you could afford rent on your own and besides, Ryan had a decent job at an aerospace company.

When she went out to southern California, Indy decided to sign with an agency to help her book more auditions. Her agent, Rhys, set her up with auditions here and there but nothing ever panned out. That was until one of your trips out to see her coincided with a big audition. So, you did what you had always done – get her ready. She booked the part. A small, but recurring role in the second season of a popular streaming show. She wanted to bring you on set with her to do her hair and makeup, but since this was really her first “big” role, she didn’t have the pull to do that.

You repeated this pattern off and on for the next couple of years, separated by the vast expanse of the United States but coming together every so often when an audition got to the final stages.

“When is the audition?”

“Well, that’s the thing. They want me to come in on Monday.”

“Monday? Indy, it’s Saturday. So, I basically have to find a flight and leave within the next 12 hours?”

“So, I kind of already bought your ticket.”

“You did what? No Indy, you shouldn’t have done that.”

Your friend was always so generous. She wasn’t rich by Hollywood standards, but she was comfortable. She always made it a point to pay above your day rate whenever you did her hair and makeup and she, usually, paid for your transportation out to LA – unless you beat her to the punch.

“I know, I know. But honestly, I know how you get and you’d start freaking out about booking a last-minute flight, so I figured I’d save you the trouble. Besides, I found out about this earlier today while you were with your client, so I knew you weren’t going to answer the phone. I couldn’t wait until now to book the flight.”

“Well, I mean, good thing I have no life and no other plans,” you chuckled, half joking and half a little bit sad that you really had nothing else going in your life that would prevent you from up and leaving on a whim. You used to love that feeling, of not having to be tied down by anything. But, even if you wouldn’t outright admit it to yourself, you longed for something to tether you to a place rather than live a transient lifestyle.

“Oh come on Belle. Enough with the pity party. Besides, even if Ryan were there you would have still jumped at the chance to leave for a few days. When you are here we can go get massages or something, my treat.”

“Ha ok, Ind.”

“Yay! Ah, I’m so excited!”

“I am too, Ind. It’s going to be so nice to see you.” You switched the phone to speaker phone and headed to your room to start packing. “So, did you book a return flight for me? How much do I need to pack for?”

“Rhys says that they should have an answer for me by Wednesday, although it depends on whether or not they can get one of the actors they want to actually commit.”

“Oh, do you know who?”

“No, not really. I’ve heard rumors but nothing concrete.”

Something in her tone made it sound like she knew more than she was putting on.

“So who are the rumors about, then?”

“Oh, you know how the gossip rags are, Belle. They’ll name anyone and everyone. Plus, add in people speculating on social and it adds a whole ‘nother layer.”

“Uh huh,” you said. Still not buying it.

“Ok, well, I have heard of one name that’s floating around. It wouldn’t be for the lead male role, but it would be a big name that would get people to watch.”

“And that person is…”

She clears her throat and waits for a beat before saying, “Dieter Bravo.”

“What?!” saying it a little more forcefully than you intended.

“Yea, but like I said, it’s a rumor. Last Rhys heard, his agent sent him the script. He has been kind of all over the place with roles recently, so nobody really knows what he’s going to do. Besides, Rhys also said he’s in the running for other stuff too, so who knows? He may decide to do something else over this.”

“Hm, ok. Right. It’s all rumor at this point.” You tried to sound nonchalant and thank your stars that Indy decided to do a phone call rather than Facetime because there would be no way you could hide your giddiness and excitement over this latest revelation.

Dieter Bravo had been your favorite actor for years. You had followed his career from the early days, going to see all of his off-Broadway shows. You even waited outside of the theater a couple of times to try and get a selfie or an autograph. You were able to get your playbill signed once, but there was a sea of people and he was honestly just signing whatever was in front of him. But still, you were within feet of your crush.

You continued to keep up with his career, going to see his latest films or streaming whatever show he was on, even if it was just a cameo or small part. You felt for him when his struggles became public. Obviously, you didn’t know the man, but you felt a weird sense of protectiveness over him. He always seemed like a good guy who got a little lost and caught up in the fame. You distinctly remember watching when he won his Oscar, getting a little teary-eyed at his speech when thanked his late parents for always supporting his creativity. And you were so proud to see him turn his life around.

“Ok say, it,” Indy prodded you. Again, she knew you better than anyone and didn’t need the visual to know that your face was turning red at the possibility of seeing Dieter in person.

“How confident are you that you’ll get this part?”

“Rhys seems to think I am a lock. He said there’s only one other woman they’re bringing in for the screen test and the only reason she’s made it this far is because she’s fucking one of the producers.”

“Ah, I see.”

“So basically, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re coming to LA. You’re getting me ready for this audition, which I’m going to nail. I’m going to get the part and you and I are going to spend the next few months in Hawaii on set with Dieter Bravo.”

“Hawaii? Jesus, Ind, you could have led with that!”

“I know … that was just the cherry on top,” you could hear her smirk.

“Ok.” You let out a breath, got up from your bed, and headed to your closet. “I guess I need to pack. Can you send me the flight info?”

“Already did babe. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you!”

“Love you too, Ind.”

The phone’s shrill ringtone snaps Dieter out of his slumber. Groggily, he turns over in his bed towards the nightstand reaching for his glasses first before grabbing his phone. Normally he would just ignore the call, but seeing as it was Liz he begrudgingly answered the phone.

“Ugh shit Liz, it’s early” he grumbled. His voice was still gravely from sleep.

“Dee, it’s fucking 10 in the morning. What time did you go to sleep?”

“Ugh, I don’t know like 3?”

“3?! Dieter must I remind you that you’re in your 40’s and need your beauty sleep.”

“Nah, Lizzie. With looks like this, I’m golden.”

“Psh ok, whatever. Well, what kept you up late, did you read the script?”

“Oh, ye of little faith. As a matter of fact, I stayed up late reading your damn script and working on the character. I’m thinking he needs an accent or something.”

“No. Please no. Just do it in your regular voice.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? People like it when I do accents.”

“Dee. In Cliff Beasts 6 you said fyeathers instead of feathers for crying out loud. You sounded ridiculous.”

“Well, it was a creative choice.”

“Fine. Create something different.”

“Well, you’re in a chipper mood this morning.”

“I’ve just had these damn execs up my ass all morning wondering if you’re going to show up tomorrow or not.”

“Well, we wouldn’t want anything up your ass,” he laughed.

“A real fucking comedian.”

“I’ll be there Lizzie.”

He could practically hear her unclench her jaw.

“Oh. ok. Well, frankly I thought you’d need more convincing, but I won’t argue with you. I’ll need you to show up to the studio tomorrow at 9. Can you do that or is it too early for Sleeping Beauty?”

“I’ll be there. Who am I meeting with.”

“Well, you’ll meet with the director and producers, maybe a writer or two. There’s a couple of screen tests going on tomorrow for some of the top contenders for the male and female lead.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Samuel Garrett is up for the lead role, between you and me he’s the one getting it. They have some other guy coming in but I think it’s a head fake so Sam doesn’t get too full of himself.”

“I hear ya. That guy is talented but damn he can be a real douche.”

“Well, he’s young Dee.”

“And for the female role?”

“It’s really only down to one at this point too. The other is the girlfriend of one of the producers or something, I don’t know. The girl blew the guy and he’s going to get her on the show some way or somehow. But the other girl is … hmm … let me look at my notes. It’s an Indy Liara. Ever heard of her?”

“Nah, never heard of her.”

“She’s apparently great, really magnetic. Rhys says she’s got the it factor.”

“Rhys? Like your protege Rhys?”

“Yea. I pushed my little bird out of the nest and he’s flying. He’s been representing her for a while now.”

“Cool. He was always a nice guy.”

“Do you want me to come to the studio tomorrow? Just say the word and I’ll be there.”

“I mean, do you think you should be there,” Dieter said with a bit of uncertainty behind his voice.

“It’s up to you champ. If you want me there I’ll be there, but you’re a big boy and you don’t need me to hold your hand during a meeting.”

That made Deiter laugh. Liz always had a way of busting his balls but in the most loving way. Although he didn’t need her to be there, it was comforting to have her there.

“Well, you are my good luck charm, Lizzie. If you can make it, I’d love for you to be there.”

“I’ll be there champ.” Liz waited for a beat before saying, “Hey Dee.”

“Yea?”

“You’re gonna knock ‘em dead.”

“Ha, thanks, Liz.”

“When we go to Hawaii I expect you to treat me to a mai tai and a full day booked at the spa.”

“Whatever you want Lizzie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Don’t go to sleep so late tonight,” she managed to get in before hanging up.

“Ok, so tell me what kind of look you are going for,” you asked Indy as you lay out your makeup and brushes on her kitchen island; the natural light is always the best here in the mornings.

“Ugh, I don’t know. Something natural for the makeup for sure,” Indy said as she pulled her hair out of her claw clip, running her fingers through it. “For the hair, I’m feeling some like loose waves or something. You know how you did it for the last set of headshots.”

“Ok cool, that’s easy.” You’re still setting up your things but notice Indy rubbing her palms on her knees, an uncharacteristic, but not uncommon tick she has when she’s nervous. “Ind, what’s up?”

Over the years, your little hair and makeup sessions have become a bit like a therapy session for both of you. You’ve had some of your best talks during these times. Just the two of you together. Indy finding time to center herself and breathe, and you getting a chance to focus on something.

“I guess I’m nervous,” Indy admits.

“You? Nervous?” you chuckle. Indy has always been confident and not easily rattled. Auditioning is not for the faint of heart; rejection is common and insecurity can easily rear its ugly head. But for her, she was hardly rattled. She spent so many years struggling. You both did. Fighting to be given a chance. To be noticed.

In recent years she was starting to get booked more consistently, which was exciting but also made her nervous. She was finally some buzz, something she had been seeking for nearly a decade. Now that she was on the precipice of getting what would be a breakout role, she was nervous.

“Yea, a little. Ugh, I don’t know Belle. I can tell I’m getting in my head about this. I usually don’t know how far I am in the process. Like, in reality, for this I’m their first choice. This screen test is the make or break and I just don’t want to mess it up.”

“Hey,” you grab both of her hands. “You are the most talented person I know and you have worked so hard for this. This is your moment and I know you are going to kill it. So, get your head out of your stupidly perfect ass and just do what you do best.”

She cocks her head, squinting her eyes and giving you a smirk. “Um, excuse me. Who are you and what did you do to my best friend.”

You both laugh.

“Seriously, I like this version of you!”

“Ha ha. Hey, you give me pep talks all the time, so I’m only returning the favor,” you say with a wink. “Ok close your eyes,” you say as you start her skin prep.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“I almost don’t want to ask, but have you heard from Ryan?”

“He sent me a text yesterday, asking when he could come by. I haven’t responded to him yet. I mean, he has a key so in theory he could just go whenever he wanted and grab his shit.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I thought I would be a lot more broken up about it. Maybe it’s because I’m not wallowing in my apartment, so thanks for that,” you chuckle. “This was almost exactly what I needed. Seeing you, getting to lose myself in work, and getting you ready. Plus, and no pressure, but focusing on you and the potential for something exciting in your future is a nice distraction.”

“I’m going to ask for you to come with me if I get it,” Indy tells you, pulling back and opening her eyes.

“Wait, what?”

“Hell yea! You think I’m going to go do my first big role and not have you there? Besides, you’ve said how much the bridal stuff is getting old. I was talking with Rhys and he said that you could maybe work with the other talent too.”

“Oh my goodness, Ind!” you smack her on the shoulder, in a loving way. “You didn’t tell me that! That is so fucking cool!”

“Yea, it’s another reason why I feel pressure for today. I really want this for the both of us. I’ll be able to land the role I’ve been going after for years and you’ll finally get the exposure you deserve. You are a kick-ass makeup artist and hair stylist and it’s about time others see that.”

You stop mixing her foundation and look at her, a little teary-eyed at her confession. She’s always had your back and you’ve both always looked out for each other. You didn’t realize what she has been negotiating and working towards during her audition process on your behalf.

“Well, don’t feel pressure on my account. Whatever happens, happens. I am so proud of you. Now, please stop with the sentimental stuff because we’re going to both end up crying and you’re going to ruin my masterpiece!”

You both laugh and hug.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Ind.”

You get the rest of her makeup done and throw a few loose waves in her shoulder-length hair. Once you got her sorted, you head to the bathroom to throw what you call your “quick face” on. A little bit of blush, some under-eye concealer, and mascara. You throw your hair up in a ponytail, pulling a few pieces out by your face. Grabbing your purse and travel kit, you are both headed out the door.

Rhys meets you both outside of the studio’s offices. He’s been with Indy for so long that he’s become like a big brother to not only her but you as well.

“My two favorite girls,” he grins, extending his arms to hug you both at the same time. “So glad you were able to make it Belle.”

“Good to see you Rhys,” you said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Alright, Ind, you ready?” he said, resting his hands on Indy’s shoulders, squeezing them. “You got this.”

Indy takes a deep breath in and out. “Yea, as ready as I’ll ever be,” she said flashing her mega-watt smile.

The three of you head inside. Rhys confidently heads to the reception desk, letting the woman at the desk know Indy was there for her appointment.

You both take the time to look around, seeing promotional posters along the walls from the studio’s hit movies and series.

Rhys strides back over to you both. “Ok, they should be with us soon. Belle, are you ok to sit out here and wait? It honestly shouldn’t take too long.”

“Oh yea, I’m good,” you said, fishing out a book from your bag. “I came prepared!”

“You always do, always thinking of everything,” he says with a smile.

“Ms. Liara?” the small woman dressed all in black with glasses says as she rounds the corner of the reception desk. “They’re ready for you.”

“Good luck,” you whisper, giving Indy a quick hug. “Show them they’d be stupid to pass up on you,” you winked.

“Thanks, I’ll see you soon,” she said in an excited whisper.

You watch as she and Rhys head back through the set of doors behind the desk.

The receptionist looks at you, “you’re more than welcome to sit over there,” she motions to a plush couch in the corner. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Oh, no I’m ok. Thank you, though,” you said as you headed toward where she pointed.

“Ok, well if you change your mind, holler. Don’t be shy.”

“Thanks,” you smiled at her. Sitting down, taking your phone out to check the time, before grabbing your book and finding your bookmark to pick up where you left off.

Liz paced outside of the studio’s offices. You know the phrase, “Early is on time, and on time is late?” Well, to LIz early is pushing it. She always got places a good 15 minutes before a reasonable person would. She always reasoned that getting someplace that much earlier gave her time to assess things and get herself settled.

In the past, it would give her time to formulate a series of backup plans based on Dieter – whether or not he’d show up, or what he would be like if he did show up. Old habits die hard, and she was hardwired to always show up places early.

Dieter knew how she was and in recent years he worked on getting places earlier. He had spent so many years stressing her out, he felt like he owed it to her to minimize the amount of stress he caused her.

Liz saw Dieter’s Audi come into the parking lot, checking her watch. “Wow, 10 minutes early Dee,” she said to herself.

Dieter parks his car, grabs his phone and a bottle of water, and gets out of his car. He was dressed in a flattering pair of dark wash jeans, a gray v-neck t-shirt, and sneakers. It was a far cry from his former wardrobe of baggy sweatpants, oversized tees, and Crocs; although he still wore those at home.

Since getting sober, he had worked on his fitness, going on runs or hikes (cutting out smoking helped), and working out with a trainer. Although he didn’t like to focus on how he looked, he had to admit that he looked better than he had in years.

He strides confidently over to Liz, who stopped pacing.

“You’re on time.”

“Oh come, on! I’m early Lizzie and you know it,” he smirked.

Rolling her eyes she turns towards the entrance, Dieter falling in step next to her.

“You ready?”

“Yup,” he says as he opens the door for Liz and they both step into the lobby.

“Mr. Bravo!” the receptionist said enthusiastically. “So nice to see you again! Let me check to see if they’re ready for you in the back, just make yourself at home.”

“Awesome, thanks darling,” he says with his movie-star smile.

The receptionist blushed as she quickly dialed a number and talked in hushed tones on the phone.

“Mr. Bravo! So nice to see you! Let me check to see if they’re ready for you in the back, just make yourself at home.”

Bravo? Like Dieter Bravo?! Why is he here? Wait, was Indy right, is he up for a role too? What if Indy gets this and you get to spend months in Hawaii with Dieter Bravo?

You could feel yourself spiraling, so many things are happening at the same time. You have butterflies but also feel instantly nauseous. You’re trying to figure out what to do because at this point you were still looking down at your book. The couch was facing the entrance, the reception desk to your right. You lean back into the couch, crossing your right leg over your left, stealing a glance up.

Holy shit. That is Dieter fucking Bravo. He’s leaned up against the reception desk looking at his phone. With him distracted, you do more than steal a glance. You eye him up and down taking it all in. He’s just as handsome as you remembered from all those years ago. In fact, he looks even better now, aging like a fine wine. You take him in from the top of his head with his messy curls down to his patchy beard that’s cut a little closer than usual. His T-shirt fit him well. How long have his arms looked like that? Oh my goodness, those jeans.

You look to your left and see a woman standing near him, also on her phone. You imagine that has to be his Rhys, noticing the body language you’ve come to recognize between an actor and their agent.

“Mr. Bravo, I apologize, but they’re on a call that is just now wrapping up. It shouldn’t be too much longer, but if you’d feel more comfortable sitting down, please go ahead,” she said, motioning to the seating area.

“Oh ok, sure. Thanks. And you can call me Dieter,” he chuckles as he grabs his water bottle and heads toward the seating area.

Holy shit. Holy shit. This is happening. What do I do? Do I look at him? Pretend he’s not here? No, I can’t do that. That’s almost more awkward. There’s literally no one else in here except the four of us, so it would be weird to not acknowledge him right? You have this internal dialogue battle with yourself, eyes still transfixed on your book like you were reading a goddamn masterpiece.

You can feel him getting closer, traversing the lobby in a few strides. You are sitting on the far right side of a three-seat couch, with chairs on either side. You look up just as he’s making his way around the coffee table. To sit on the other side of the couch?!

“Hello,” he says softly, noticing you looking at him.

“H-Hi,” you managed to squeak out.

“D-do you mind if I sit here?” Wait, is he nervous? He’s nervous because I’m being awkward right? Shit.

“Uh. Um, yea, be my guest.”

“Thanks,” he smiles and sits on the far left side. You notice his agent, or at least who you think is his agent, walking over and taking the seat to the left of the couch, engrossed in her phone.

You smile at him and then snap your focus back to your book, although you don’t see any of the words on the page. You’re too busy trying to regulate your breathing. You can feel his presence next to you. Is he looking at me? I can’t look. I feel like he’s looking at me. You don’t know how long you stayed like that, it felt like an hour but also 30 seconds.

“Mr. Bravo? They’re ready for you now.”

“Alright, Dee, let’s do this,” the older woman tells him, patting him on the knee. Definitely the agent.

He lets out a breath and stands up. You look up at him through your eyelashes and he’s giving you a sideways look. And a smile?! The fact that I’m not melting, sweating, crying, or throwing up is a goddamn miracle.

“Have a nice day,” he says, getting up and giving you what seems like a shy smile.

“Uh, th-thanks. Break luck. I mean, good leg. I mean, break a leg,” you spit out while snapping your gaze back to your book. You can feel the heat in your face, knowing you are just turning all shades of red. Ugh, what the fuck?! I get the chance to talk to Dieter Bravo and I can barely speak. Jeez. Where is Indy when I need her?

“Thanks, I’ll break luck” he winks, you can barely look up at him, giving a weak smile. And just like that, he’s ushered back towards the same doors that Indy and Rhys went through not long ago. Where are they? How long have they been?

As soon as he, his agent, and the receptionist were through the doors, you pushed yourself down, the back of your head resting at the top of the couch, letting out an exhale that made it sound like you had been holding your breath for minutes.

The receptionist walked back into the lobby just as you were getting yourself sorted out. You checked your phone and it had been about an hour or so since Indy and Rhys went back.

“Are you sure you don’t need anything hon?”

“Um, yea I’ll take you up on your offer,” you smile. “What do you have?”

“Coffee, tea, water, this kombucha thing…” she lists off beverages as she looks at her selection.

“I’ll take a tea, please. Do you have any herbal tea?” I do not need the caffeine.

“Perfect, coming right up,”

She walks over to you, cup in hand. “He’s more handsome in person, isn’t he?” she says with a wink.

“Who?” you look at her confused. She moves her head towards where Dieter had been sitting just moments ago. “Oh, yea, he really was.”

“And shorter than I figured he’d be,” she chuckled.

“Ha.”

She made it back to her chair, settling back into whatever she has been typing before when you heard the door abruptly open.

“Belle!”

Indy is bounding over to you, with the biggest smile on her face. You can tell she had been crying, but based on her demeanor you can only ascertain that these were happy tears.

“I got it!” she shrieked, grabbing you in a giant bear hug.

“Oh my gosh, Ind! I am so freaking proud of you!” You return her hug.

“Ladies, should we go celebrate?” You hear Rhys ask over Indy’s shoulder.

“Hell yea! We also need to figure out all of our travel logistics, too. You’re coming with me, Belle?”

“Absolutely!”��

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

A/N: Thank you for reading! It really means so much. I don't know if other fandoms are like this, but Pedro fans are just the best. :)

Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

Taglist: @musings-of-a-rose / @legendary-pink-dot / @bitchwitch1981 / @mysterious-moonstruck-musings

#dieter bravo fanfic #dieter x reader #dieter bravo #pedro pascal fic #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal

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missbunmuffin · 2 months

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head canons for my favorite punch out boys

Some oc stuff is in here ;-;

Glass Joe

- Has a doll faced Persian cat(I think those are safe to breed but if not she’s a ragdoll) named BonBon. He acts like she’s the sweetest thing in the world but she’s a literal demon.

- He gives the BonBon the teddy bear haircut because it’s easier for the both of them. Her fur is less of a nightmare with it.

- Used to bleach his hair but stopped due to how damaging it was. I imagine at first he did it himself instead of getting it professionally done and a chunk fell out once. Bonbon tried to eat it.

- He has silk bedsheets

- He has a younger sister named Genevieve and she’s only about 11 months younger so that makes him an Irish twin(My logic is to give the French guy a Irish twin but not the Irish guy lmao) she’s married and has two kids while he just has his girlfriend Eleanor.(She’s a oc of mine I’ve posted about her before if you want to learn about her ig) She likes to refer to Joe as her little brother because of this and he has to correct people a lot.

- His sister can kind of be an insensitive asshole sometimes.

- He’s not really scared of doctors and dentists like he used to be he’s more used to it with all those losses.

- He’s still kind of afraid of getting haircuts though(totally not self projecting hee hee) he doesn’t like looking at himself in the mirror with the cape thing wrapped around him along with wet rat hair. He’s been seeing the same hairdresser for years that he trusts more than anyone. Yet he’s still afraid of something bad happening.

- He wants to take Eleanor to Lorie Valley someday. He thinks she’ll like the castles and shit

- If you’re close to him and you’re being a dick you are basically asking him to be a dick back.

- Scared of those swing rides at carnivals and fairs. Based on a fear of hitting something on those rides since I was a child

- His mom bugs him about not being married or not having kids. She also forgets Eleanor exists and one time said “maybe you’ll find your future wife there :D” right in front of her(based off that one time my grandma said something like that to my brother when he has a gf. She wasn’t in the room but still)

- Always goes along with the games his nieces wants to play even if it’s just him being tortured. Their favorite game is horses which is basically Joe being on all fours on the ground pretending to be a horse.

Disco kid

- Can’t cook for shit

- Responses to texts with these things sometimes

- Type of person to go all out in just dance

- One of the only boxers Aran’s sister is more friendly with. Also her names Freya posted about her too. He’s actually interested in her artwork and doesn’t try to push boxing on her. They also have a common interest in dancing

- He found out not to look at other people’s sketchbooks the hard way by snooping in Freya’s

- He has a shit ton of those paper star things because Freya gives them to him

- Was one of those kids who would just dance in the hallway

- He was a choir boy and was the only guy to get accepted into the advanced choir because he was actually good and not just because he was a guy(no this is not based on the fact that guys get easily accepted into that more at my school)

- I think he would collect pusheen stuff

- Laughs at the dumbest shit

- Blasting music in the car. It’s so loud you can hear it when he’s passing by your house or something.

Don Flamenco

- He’s actually more anxious than he seems to be he worries about the most random shit (totally not self projecting again hee hee)

- Scared of lice to the point where it’s pretty much a phobia(same bestie)

- He’s tried on Carmen’s heels before for fun and almost twisted his ankle

- Also kind of scared of the swing rides but he would never admit it

- Shaves his legs to show them off

Aran Ryan

- He treats Freya like she’s 8 sometimes he’s not really accepting of the fact she getting older.

- He forces Narcis to play with her old dolls with him because he was forced to play with her as a teenager so he could be *productive* and he misses it. It was never in the normal way there was alway drama.

- They add WVBA action figures into their games and they make stupid stories with the other boxers.

- He’s been aloud to curse in the house since he was like 7 his mom didn’t care just don’t say anything at school or in front of grandma

- Cuts his own hair with kitchen scissors and gets bullied by Narcis and Freya for it.

- His mom wasn’t from Dublin she was from Londonderry

- Basically his sister’s father figure because he died when she was so young

- Type of person to just shake the wii remote in just dance but he still loses that’s the one thing his cheating won’t get him to win

#punch out #punch out headcanons #glass joe #disco kid #don flamenco #aran ryan #narcis prince #punch out oc #my sister is mad at me and I think I’ve made it worse #also I cried over something dumb today #I need to wash my hair tonight even though I washed it last night #I’m not 100% sure but I think some clay crap got in it

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jessjad · 4 days

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Unexpected

Chapter 9

Summary: After a Halloweenparty Y/N actually didn't want to got to, her life seems to be turned around. The reason is a very stubborn Supe that seems to have her in his visier. Is it just a coincidance or more?

Pairing: Soldier Boy/Ben x Reader

Word Count: 2367

Warnings: some language, Ben being an asshole

A/N: See, guys? I'm making progress here. 😂 Since you had to wait so long the last time, you get two chapters this week. But we are slowly coming to the end. All mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

My Masterlist Series Masterlist

"Are you sure?" Ben whispered into his phone, while New York was still asleep.

"Yes. They're trying to find you. Neuman wants to use you herself for... something she's not telling us. And Homelander... well... he's Homelander." Johnson answered.

"Yeah..." was all he said.

Ben knew that his so called son held a grudge against him and his attempt to kill him off. But he was weak. Just a kid that was throwing a tentrum because noone wanted to play with him. And his own kid, Ryan, had to suffer underneath him, too.

"Anyway, you have to buy me as much time as you can. The fucking cunt Mallory is upset about the recent events and wants to fucking ditch the original plan. Time's flying by."

"We're already prepared. All it needs is the right time."

"We'll get there. Propably sooner than later." responded Ben while he was looking out of the window down to the street. The sky was slowly turrning a brighter blue, signalizing that the sun was on her way to wake up the city.

"Who are you talking to?"

Y/N's voice startled him a little, not expecting her to be awake at this early hour of the new day. So he hung up the phone without another word to his man on the end of the line, put the phone back into his pocket and turned around. He saw her questioning look, but still began to smile slightly.

"One of Mallory's clit flickers. M.M. is not coming back for now." He came over to the couch and sat down, picking up the newspaper from the coffetable. "You making me a coffee? Thanks."

"What?" Y/N said, but did not move from her spot. "Why is he not coming back?"

She crossed her arms infront of her chest and furrowed her brows. Not even spending one braincell on making the supe a coffee or whatever. He knew his way around her kitchen by now. He could do it himself just fine. What she didn't know was, that Ben slowly had enough and didn't want to put up with her stubborn behavier anymore. It was time for his 'girlfriend' to fully step into her role. After all, the sex already worked well so far.

"His daughter, Janine, is going to the same school as Ryan. Hence... he wants to keep an eye on her."

"Understandable..." the woman nodded and sat down on the couch too. "But... doesn't he need back up? I don't think he should be doing it alone."

"They got that covered..." Ben replied and looked at Y/N. "My coffee..." he said expectantly.

An irritated gaze from Y/N hit him. "You know where the kitchen is, Ben. Do it yourself."

"But that's the problem, doll. It's not MY job to make me a coffee. You're my girl now. YOU need to take care of me."

"Oh god... are we talking about this again?" she asked with frustation in her voice as she stood up again.

"I'm the hero here. I do anything but cook. That's what fucking wives are for!" Ben stood also up from the couch. "So start to fill in your role for fuck's sake!"

"Well, aren't we glad that I'm NOT your wife!" she threw up her hands in the air and started to leave the room, but the supe was hot on her heels.

Why did he have to bring these stupid outdated views and antics up over and over again? He should know by now, that Y/N was nothing like that and she would definitly not change, especially not for him.

"This is not what this is about. I put up with you and this fucking newfangled behavier. I've been really patient with you. But as it seems now, we can't go out of this apartment in the next time. Not until all of this is settled again. So stop the nonsense and do your fucking job!"

She huffed, not fully understanding why this whole situation had to escalade so quickly again. It was not the first time, but he never started to pressure her so strong.

"And what will you do if I keep not doing my 'job'?" she mocked.

Ben growled lowly. "Christ on a cross... Back in the day it was not always illegal to kill a women for not doing her duty..."

That sentence was taking her aback and she widened her eyes in shock. This right here was the first moment she really felt fear in the presence of Soldier Boy. The emotional events from the day before still fresh in her mind, she took a step back and didn't know what to say.

Ben on the other hand knew right away that he said the wrong words. And eventhough there was a small fling of guilt flaring up inside of him, he didn't let it get to him, wanting to stay strong infront of Y/N. He was the man here. She needed to know that it still was a man<'s world and he would finally insist on his right.

"Don't look at me like that, doll. You gonna start crying again now, or what?"

But Y/N didn't answer, she only left into the bedroom and slammed the door in his face.

Even Cameron Coleman was a little nervous now, sitting next to Homelander after everything that had happened. But he was a professional and not on the blonde man's hitlist.

"So, Homelander. You had a very busy week."

"Well, what can I say." Homelander smiled. "It's time for the world to know the thruth. And I..." he raised his eyebrows meaningfully. "... am here to give the people just that. The full, honest thruth."

"Okaayy..." Cameron paused for a second while the producer in his ear hurried him to be careful with his next questions. "Does that mean, that this is not the first time you... killed... let's say..." he shook his hands from one side to another as if he was looking for the right word. "... innocent people?"

Homelanders smile turned cold, but he kept it together. ""Innocent? Cam, the boy was not innocent."

"I mean... he was just a kid, John."

"And still he hurt my son." Homelander raised his voice slightly and it was a weird silence that followed. "Look... " The supe brought his hands up in a placatingly way and put on one of his charming smiles. "... We as supes, have always been there for the people. We help where we can and we protect our land. But... we're also humans, too. And we as well need sometimes someone who defends us. Who sticks up for us! And that is just what I did. I helped my son to realize that we care for eachother. And that he is able to protect himself too if needed."

"I understand." Cameron relented. "But don't you think this was a little excessive?"

As soon as the words had left Camerons lips, he knew he made a mistake. Homelander was not amused anymore. Everyone could see the anger on his face and he no longer made any secret of it.

"I know what you're trying to do, Cam." the supe said with an pointed finger to the anchorman, before he stood up and looked straight into the cameras. "Like I said before, the supes are better. I AM BETTER! Than any of you! And I will do anything to protect Ryan."

The tension was so high in the room that it seemed like noone even dared to breathe.

"And to you, Soldier Boy... I will find you. And when I do, your time is up."

He made a promise to the outside world and his rageful face left no doubt about it.

"We've come up empty handed on that hint, Sir. No Soldier Boy in sight."

"Damn it!" played Johnson along as he heared the news from one of the shady men Victoria Neuman had added to the team. Harlow shared a quick look with him and kept ushering the other back into the building.

The car they came with disappearing into a factory hall just next door. After all the other men were out of sight, Harlow went over to Johnson and helped him observe their surroundings. Seeing if someone might have followed them or if anyting else suspicious was going on. But it all was silent as every day.

"How long do you think we can keep this up, boss?" the second in command asked as a strong wind blew through his dark blond hair. "It probably wont be long until they realize that we use the same frames of him in the edited pictures and videos. It's a miracle that noone is questioning the still blurry picture quality by now."

Johnson nodded. He thought about this too, but he didn't wanted to press their luck and so he never made a big deal out of it.

"We need to come up with a new strategy. Have you seen Homelander on TV today? I don't think, that we have a lot of time left."

Both men slowly began their way back into the building.

"What if we need more help?"

"Forget it, Harlow. We can trust noone here but ourselfs. All of our other men are at their designed positions, waiting for orders."

The door closed shut behind them and they made their way over to another door that led down a short staircase. The dim daylight that fell through the broken windows being all the illumination to shine their steps.

"But if we don't give Neuman some results soon, she will handle it on her own. Because in her eyes, we're still failing her."

"I know. That's why we need a new strategy."

Harlow wanted to replie something to that, but after they turned a corner some other men came into sight and so they felt silent again. With a short greeting Johnson and Harlow passed by them as they headed for the operation room. But then, all of a sudden, Victoria Neuman appeared in the hallway and stopped the men in their tracks.

"Johnson, Harlow. Have a minute?"

Said men shared a quick look of confusion and warry, but eventually they followed the woman into her office. An uneasy feeling crept up Johnsons spine and he felt like they were stepping into a trap. But Victoria did not leave them in the dark for long. On the screens that were standing on her desk were pictures of Soldier Boy. THE pictures they had set up to buy him time.

"I was wondering why you still were not finding Soldier Boy. We had a couple of mishaps in the beginning, I know. But it's been almost two monts now." she looked from one man to the other while she paused. "So, I thought it might be an good idea to see what his sightings have incommon. Maybe a certain area he seems to be in or a certain building..."

Then she brought her attention back to the screens and pointed to the pictures.

"But you know what catched my eye? The similaritys of these pictures. Until I realized something..." now she looked back at the men. "...These are not multiple pictures of Soldier Boy. It's the same picture. Every time."

Now Harlow slowly shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He seemed clearly uncomfortable and an admonishing look from Johnson didn't seem to help.

"So I asked myself... why would Johnson and Harlow do something like that? I ultimatley had hired you to find Soldier Boy, right?" she took a file into her hand. "Which led me to do some more digging on you both."

She opened up the file and showed the two men the reports and pictures she had.

"Turns out, you two were bounty hunters from South Afrika. Trying to deceive Sergeij Antonow, a russian drug lord. But they catched you and extradited you to Russia, where you should have been executed. Just around the time Butcher and the boys defrosted Soldier Boy."

Victoria threw the folder on the floor to their feet and sported a triumphant smug on her face.

"He saved you both. Just before the russians were shooting you. You owe him."

"I told you so!" snapped Harlow at Johnson.

"Oh well, good for you! And what am I supposed to do now?" countered Johnson.

"I never wanted to do this!"

"Gyus, guys! Don't fight. There is no need for that." Victoria got up from her chair and grinned. "You have two options now. First: you just gonna tell me were Soldier Boy hides out and... you are free to go. Or... you keep up this game and I will have to talk to Homelander."

"What makes you think that we know where he is?" Johnson challenged but the woman infront of him was unimpressed.

She opened up an audio file on her computer and pressed play. A second later they all could hear a part out of the phone call Johnson and Soldier Boy had had this morning. While Harlow cussed under his breath, Johnson closed his eyes in resignation. They got caught earlier than he had hoped for. Victoria paused the audio again and looked expectedly at the men before her.

"It was all Johnson's idea! I had nothing to do with it!" Harlow poured out.

"Thank you for throwing me under the bus here." Jonson replied sarcastically.

"You know what? You deserve it!"

Johnson looked at the man next to him with surprise and huffed. "Wow..."

"Harlow?" Victoria shifted her attention on the man who was probably a little more cooperative now. "Tell me where Soldier Boy is... and you're free to go."

And she meant what she said. All she needed was Soldier Boy, preferably without Homelander to know it. But Harlow hesitated.

"Really?" he expressed his disbelief.

"I promise." she tried to look as genuine as she could. "I mean... it's probably of interest for all of us to not have to talk to Homelander about this, right?"

And after what felt like an eternity Harlow told Neuman where Soldier Boy was hiding out and left without another glance back.

A/N: The noose is slowly tightening. And who knows if Mallorys plan is still going to work? Whatever that plan was. 🙈

@lyarr24 @k-slla @leigh70 @deadlydivergentgirl @deans-spinster-witch

#unexpected #the boys amazon #soldier boy #fanfiction

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hettiesworld · 7 months

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I'm Just Ken

Name of fic: I’m Just Ken

Pairing: Jeremy Renner x female reader

Plot summary: After Jeremy and Ava went to watch Barbie, and you get back from grocery shopping, you hear a certain song blasting on Jeremy’s playlist once you get back home…

Word count: 688 words

Warnings: Fluff, just fluff. Author’s note: I watched Barbie at the cinema and I absolutely loved it! I feel like Ava would drag Jeremy along to watch Barbie with her, and I stand by that. Also Jeremy is definitely a Ken, and I would think he would play Ken if it didn’t go to Ryan 😂 So enjoy this short drabble I just wrote!

youtube

As you get back home from a busy day of grocery shopping, you closed the door to the house you share with your boyfriend, Jeremy and his daughter Ava. You tried to carry two full bags through the front door as you call out to the two of them. “Hey! I’m back!” You heard Ava run from her room towards the front door as she went up to you, helping you with the shopping, taking the lighter bag out of the two for you. “Thank you Ava. Now, where’s your dad?” You ask him, as Ava smiled and pointed at his music studio.

You nodded back, thanking her before you both made your way to the kitchen. “How was Barbie, Ava?” You continued to ask her, you didn’t go with her as you already seen it with your best friend y/bf/n, so Ava dragged Jeremy to go and see it instead. “It was amazing! Daddy got me a Barbie and Ken doll afterwards! Can you play with me later?” Ava excitingly said to you, slightly jumping up and down.

“Of course, you go up to your room and prepare our playdate whilst I’ll go and surprise your dad, okay?” Ava nodded again as she rushed back to her room to get the dolls. In the meantime, putting away everything only took a few minutes, and that gave you time to check in on Jeremy. You knew he was currently making music because of two reasons: the first one being obvious as in his accident earlier that year, and the other reason being the writer strikes going on right now. You slowly walk towards the music studio, and your ears pricked up like a dog as you heard a familiar song going on behind the door. Is that…? You quietly opened the door and the song became more clearer as ‘I’m Just Ken’ by Ryan Gosling – that was in the Barbie movie – was playing through Jeremy’s speakers. And he was singing along to it. ‘Did this mean that he liked the movie then?’ You thought to yourself as you sneaked up behind him. You have always adored his singing voice, even before your relationship with him and you made that clear on your first date. 'Cause I'm just Ken

Anywhere else I'd be a ten

Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?

“Hey Ken!” You teased him as you tapped him on the shoulder, which made him jump slightly and turned around to face you. “Oh my God Y/n! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” He retorted at you, sighing with relief to find out it was you who sneaked up on him. You just laughed.

“I just got back from shopping and Ava told me you would be in here.” You explained to him as you noticed that he was wearing some Barbie merch, more specifically the ‘I’m Just Kenough’ shirt that Ryan Gosling wore in the movie. “Did you enjoy the movie then?” You asked him, trying not to laugh as you snigger to yourself. “I did actually.” Jeremy said proudly.

“Y’know… you could’ve been in that movie as Ken. I mean, you’ve got a good enough singing voice.” You suggested to him with a smile. “Yes, but Ryan is more attractive than me…” You snigger as you playfully push him. “That is not true, you know that! Would you do it though, if Scarlett was Barbie?” You ask him with a slight smirk on your face. Jeremy smirked back as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer towards him. “I would’ve done it either way.” He simply said, just before kissing you softly on the lips and you wrapped your arms around his neck. You were only slightly shorter than Jeremy, so you had to get on your tip-toes to kiss him.

"You're my Barbie, y'know that right?" Jeremy said to you, with a smile on his face.

"Yeah I know that..." You laugh at him, a smile on your face as well and both of your foreheads together. "And you're my Ken."

#jeremy renner #masterlist #marvel #hettiesworld #jeremy renner x reader #little drabble #Youtube

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miracleonice87 · 2 years

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i would love a fluffy seggy blurb!!!! anything that your heart desires (maybe an off season vacay?)

warning: mention of babies and major cases of baby fever

as made obvious from my posts from earlier today, I went more the “anything your heart desires” route than vacay 😏😉

while this is based on Tyler’s ig stories holding the baby from earlier today, I don’t know his friends’ feelings about privacy, but since their ig accounts are private, I decided to use different names for the purposes of this story. enjoy!

_____

Best Friend’s Baby with Tyler Seguin

“Hi, hi, hi! Sorry, sorry, sorry, I’m late!” you greeted, barely pausing to press a kiss to Ryan’s cheek as he opened his front door for you. You breezed past him, your eyes scanning the house for his newborn baby daughter, Annie. Ryan and Carly were by far your and Tyler’s closest friends, and you had both been chomping at the bit to come and meet Annie, their firstborn, since her arrival last week. You deposited an enormous bag of the couple’s favorite takeout in the fridge before turning back to Ryan.

“Where is she? Am I too late? Is she sleeping?” you asked as you quickly rubbed in hand sanitizer from the counter, your heart breaking as you envisioned the days-old infant dreaming in a dark room where she couldn’t be disturbed.

Ryan gave you an “are you crazy” look. “She’s a week old,” he reminded. “All she does is sleep, no matter who’s here or who’s holding her.”

“Good, because I need to get my hands on her,” you told him, flexing your fingers as you turned into the living room, still facing Ryan.

“Is Ty here or is he-” You stopped short when you turned to find Tyler sitting in the recliner, donning a hoodie and a backwards hat, little Annie, sure enough, fast asleep in his arms. The moment was enough to leave you frozen in your tracks.

You’d seen him countless times with kids, even babies – he was like a magnet for his teammates’ and friends’ children. Everybody wanted to play and sit with “Uncle Tyler.” But you’d never seen him with a baby so small. And you’d never seen him so completely taken with a little one. He’d barely glanced up from the newborn to acknowledge your arrival with a sweet smile before turning his attention back to the girl. His eyes held more awe and captivation than you’d ever witnessed before.

“He got her to stop fussing,” Carly said softly, her eyes wide, impressed, pulling you from your thoughts. “Hold onto this one, babe. He’s gonna come in handy someday.” She said as she crossed the room and pulled you in for a hug.

“I plan on it,” you said dumbly as she let go, your arms falling back limply to your sides as you slowly walked toward Tyler. When you reached the chair where he sat, you knelt down in front of it to get a good look at the brand new baby in your life.

With two hesitant fingers, you slowly stroked the top of the newborn’s head, her downy hair softer than anything you’d ever touched. She was swaddled in a hospital receiving blanket and smaller than any baby doll you’d played with in your childhood. More than any of this, though, she was safe and content in your boyfriend’s loving arms, and that was enough to throw every hormone in your body into high. Fucking. Alert.

You looked up at Tyler wordlessly, unable to even come up with a greeting for him.

“Pretty cool, huh,” he hummed warmly, his free hand leaving the baby’s swaddle to cup your cheek gently. You only nodded.

“I’ve never seen this girl speechless in my entire life,” Ryan laughed, placing a glass of water in his wife’s hand before taking a seat beside her.

“Me either,” Tyler chuckled, throwing a glance Ryan’s way.

Still, you said nothing. You were completely entranced.

“Tyler, stop hogging the baby and let your girlfriend hold her,” Carly instructed. “I think she needs the resuscitation.”

A smile finally stretched across your face at Carly’s words.

“You wanna hold her?” Tyler asked as he beamed at your expression.

You nodded, grin growing with every passing second. You eagerly took a seated position on the floor in front of the chair, and Tyler leaned forward to pass the baby into your waiting arms. Once she was secure, Tyler remained hunched over, elbows resting on his knees, admiring the baby as much as admiring you holding her.

“She’s perfect,” you finally whispered, pulling the blanket away from her chin to gaze at her perfectly pouted lips and chubby cheeks.

Tyler kissed your temple, his own paternal instincts suddenly bubbling up inside him. He suddenly felt even more protective of you than usual, knowing the sight of you holding a tiny new baby was causing these unfamiliar feelings.

Conversation among the four of you continued easily for the next hour or so as little Annie slept. Tyler eventually relaxed back into the chair, soothing you by absentmindedly running his hands over your hair for where you were now situated between his knees. Every once in a while, he would catch you murmuring to the baby, or gently shushing her, and he couldn’t help but smile to himself. You were a natural, and as it turned out, so was he.

Eventually, Annie began to squirm in your arms and make soft noises of discontentment, so Tyler helped you to your feet and you passed her back to Carly.

“She’s an angel, you guys,” you said, smoothing your hand over Carly’s back affectionately. “And a lot of work, I’m sure, so we’re gonna get out of your hair.”

“Yeah? Gotta get to work on my new niece or nephew?” Ryan asked, only half-joking.

You smirked devilishly.

Ryan held out his two pointer fingers, one toward you and one toward Tyler.

“Yeahhh! You guys both just gave me the exact same face,” he exclaimed, clapping Tyler’s back as he drew him in for a hug. “Alright, seems like you guys will be even busier than we are, so we’ll see ya when we see ya.”

Carly playfully shoved at her husband’s leg with her foot, shaking her head with a smile.

You said your goodbyes and promised to check on the little family again in a couple of days, but Ryan was already rushing you out the door, for reasons other than his own peace and quiet. He bid farewell, winked at Tyler, and firmly shut the door behind you.

In the driveway, you got into your Range Rover and prepared to shut the door, but you were stopped by Tyler’s much-stronger grip taking hold of the door handle. He propped his forearms against the top of the car’s frame, caging you in. A new light flickered in his brown eyes.

“Something just happened in there, didn’t it?” he asked after a hesitant pause.

Facing him, you only nodded.

“So… whattya think?” he asked, unsure of where to go next and unwilling to pressure you into something he wasn’t absolutely sure that you wanted, too.

“I think…” you began, twirling his hoodie string around your finger as you gazed up at him. “That I really… really cannot wait to see you as a dad.”

Feeling his heart flutter, Tyler was powerless to stop the joyous expression from forming on his face. He leaned in even closer, your faces just inches apart.

“So… when you say you ‘can’t wait,’ does that mean…” he trailed off, eyes darting between both of yours to read you like he did so very well.

This time, you nodded even more slowly, tugged down on his hoodie string to bring him ever nearer, and kissed him in a way that left no doubt.

You truly, wholly couldn’t wait. And neither could Tyler.

#requests #blurbs #tyler seguin #tyler seguin blurb #tyler seguin fic #tyler seguin fanfic #tyler seguin fanfiction

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ultrahpfan5blog · 9 months

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Barbenheimer Part 1: My thoughts on Barbie....

So I did Barbie and Oppenheimer in one day with a 50 min break between shows. Definitely quite the experience and a really good cinematic experience at that. First up was Barbie.

Now, first thing's first, as a guy, I am clearly not the target audience for the film. Not that you need to be a guy to enjoy the movie but the social commentary is clearly aimed at women. So keep that in context when it comes to my opinion. When it came to the movie as a whole, I really liked about 75% of the movie and about 25% of it fell flat. Still leveling out to be quite a fun watch, but it does have some obvious flaws. I watched it with a crowd that was buzzing and it was really cool theatrical experience.

The good stuff is really good. Firstly, I have to compliment the production design of the movie. Barbie World is gorgeously created. The colors just pop on screen. Same with the costume design for all the Barbies and the Kens. The humor, when it works, is really funny. The film is consistently light but also digs into deeper issues without descending into heavy drama. Also, clocking in under 2 hours, it is very well paced and does not overstay its welcome. Also, the performances are excellent across the board.

When it comes to issues, the film's humor is a bit hit and miss. When it hits, its terrific, and I do think it hits most of the time, but there are several points where the joke just doesn't land. Also, a few character beats, such as the reconciliation between Gloria and her daughter, feel rather rushed. Additionally, the Mattel employees aren't used very well as characters. The film is very over the top in its depiction of the real world as well as Barbie World, which was a bit weird and took away from the movie a bit. When the real world is just as wacky, it makes Barbie World look more normal. I also didn't quite get the mechanics of how this world works. Stereotypical Barbie faces an existential crisis because of Gloria, but there must be thousands of Stereotypical Barbie out there. So why the connection to just Gloria's doll? Additionally, there are a few times, like with Ken's resolution, where they could have played it straight and that would have made for a deeper and more emotional ending for him, but they choose the jokier route. Also, the film is very blunt. It is not even the 's' of 'subtle' in its depiction of the dynamics between men and women. While this is done on purpose, it does feel like they lay it on a bit too thick at times.

As I mentioned, the performances are terrific across the board. Margot Robbie anchors the film beautifully. She has the balance of looks and acting chops to pull this off. Ryan Gosling steals the show with his comedic timing as Ken. You do feel a sense of sympathy towards him. America Ferrera is very likable as Gloria and she kind of gets the big monologue which is the film's thesis in a way. Will Ferrell is largely wasted here as Mattel CEO, though he does have a couple of good laughs. Ariana Greenblatt is effective as Sasha. Kate McKinnon brings her brand of energy to weird Barbie. A host of other stars like Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Simu Liue etc... also deliver effective supporting turns as specific Barbies and Kens. Also want to give a special mention to Helen Mirren's narration in the movie. It accounted for arguable the biggest laugh in the whole movie.

Greta Gerwig is 3/3 with her filmography. I wouldn't say this is her best though. Her directing is excellent, but the script isn't as strong as for Lady Bird and Little Women. I think this may be her weakest film of her solo director features, but it is still a solid and fun film which is already on its way to being a monster hit judging by the reaction in the theater, and I feel really happy for her for that. Overall, I would say this is a 7.5/10.

#barbenheimer #barbie #margot robbie #ryan gosling #america ferrera #will ferrell #mattel #ken doll #barbie doll #emma mackey #alexandra shipp #simu liu #kate mckinnon #ariana greenblatt #greta gerwig #helen mirren

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georgiapeach30513 · 4 months

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Hi Jen/Peach!

Some food for thought:

So I’ve watched Oppenheimer, Barbie, and pain hustlers (have not yet seen may December but am hoping to soon).

Oppenheimer was my least favorite and contained IMO the most uninspired performances (cillian is usually great but here I was bored by him. Emily was a nonentity). Robert - no. Awards worthy? I don’t think so. I really don’t. Josh Hartnett was unexpectedly very well used and honestly great in this film. I think it’s obvious who is campaigning for awards and who isn’t. (Teehee)

Pain hustlers was actually the most enjoyable and easy to watch for me. Unfortunately parts of the script and direction just seemed way too safe (especially that party scene - how did the filmmakers even not realize that) but the performances were very strong. The cast was solid and if the script had been tighter could have really been a special film. It wasn’t received well by critics clearly because there were multiple parts of the film I was like…that’s it? This is rated R for goodness sake do it like you mean it!!! What does this change? Where does this even go? But I don’t think it’s because of the cast at all. Emily and Chris were great. Emily was good enough but not awards worthy compared to some of her other roles. But she did more here than Oppenheimer. Again - who is campaigning for awards….

Barbie - enjoyable to an extent. Margot really is Barbie in real life and I know she wants that Oscar. I don’t know if she’ll get it for this but there were several scenes she portrayed a Barbie doll to a tee. Ryan was fun at parts and then just got annoying. I really enjoyed one part where he sings (no spoilers) but the rest then just got excessive. The script was definitely IMO the strongest part of the film (and definitely the best written against the others I watched) because it was very creative and inventive. It was well thought out and took the time to build a world, take it apart, and then put it back together. But at the same time it really borders on the line of being cheesy. I don’t think it deserves best picture at all. I also am not sold on Ryan’s performance. I think a lot of people were giving him his stars because he was singing and dancing at parts and being different out of pocket from his usual stoic roles but so do most actors who get into roles where they need to do this. He didn’t go out of the box for me because I’ve seen him do Mickey Mouse club stuff so he could always sing dance and act. His role also wasn’t so intense that he was carrying the film at all for me. IMO, good enough to warrant praise but not enough to win an Oscar. (Again, this is just IMO and I’ve seen a fair amount of Ryan films. Man can act - no question. He is also funny and has very dry wit. But Ken is not an Oscar worthy performance I’m sorry.)

And I’ll be completely unadulteratedly honest here: Chris E’s acting in pain hustlers showcased a version of him that I feel competes with some of the male supporting actors this year. It really does. He was not given enough to do because of the lackluster script but the acting was THERE. That scene in the garage (people who watched will know) was more poignant than anything Robert did in Oppenheimer. The rapping scene - it lasted for like 20 seconds but if he were to do more to perform maybe the conversation would be different. I think he’s always being used not enough and playing/choosing roles where they cut off before he can really really let go and that’s what’s in my opinion, hurting him/making him lose out. If he ever manages to break out of this lackluster cycle he could go far. But that’s only if and when he chooses to or gets an opportunity that allows him to.

I’m sorry - I know people will come on here and disagree and then probably try and rant at my post if you do post it, but some of you need to watch all three films and past movies of all the scores being discussed here if you really want to go head to head to debate.

I may be the only person coming on here to say I think Chris is severely underrated and actually mean it from a technical standpoint but I really believe it’s true. I don’t care if haters will poopoo my statement but there’s simply no reason he couldn’t be considered for more serious roles with award potential if he wanted it. Perhaps he doesn’t or maybe he’s been pigeonholed and now has had a steak of not so great films that it’s going to hurt his future chances at being taken more seriously. But I do not believe for one second the talent isn’t there - especially compared to some performances I’ve watched lately.

Oh, I love hearing from other people. I have not seen Oppenheimer yet, so I can't speak on that movie.

I do agree with many of your points, but it is nice to hear from others, because I know I can be a bit biased when it comes to him. You know, us silly fans always make excuses for him 🤭

All in all it's sad to see him get critiqued so harshly for PH. And the fact that it will be forgotten. It was a solid performance from him.

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ode-to-odes · 7 months

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IF Review: Visit Skuga Lake - Masterpiece Edition

The first version of this game originally appeared in Ryan Veeder's ECTOCOMP 2021 entry, "Even Some More Tales from Castle Balderstone." In this remastered version, it's been expanded and further polished into an incredible game which I very much enjoyed spending my Saturday afternoon on. I've unfortunately never played any of Veeder's Balderstone games, so I can't speak to the changes and/or improvements made in this new version, but Visit Skuga Lake is one of those games which embodies everything I think makes a great IF game.

This game has everything, honestly. A fun, simple, and effective magic system, exploring a town at night, theft with no punishment at all, and a hagfish god living in a hagfish world. Need I say more? (According to the following thousand words, I guess so.)

I'm honestly astonished that prior to playing this game, I'd never even heard of Ryan Veeder - a quick look through his IFDB profile shows just how prolific he's become in the last decade he's been making these games. Visit Skuga Lake was my first of his works to play, but undoubtedly not the last.

Now I'm going to talk about the game at unnecessary length. Feel free to tap out at this point if you feel sold on my love for this game already. Spoilers below the cut, although I won't be going into detail about how to solve any specific problems.

Scene One: The Interview. The premise of Skuga Lake is that you are the main character living out the events of a horror (though I'd prefer "spooky" for this one) novel. This "novel" has an author - also an invention of the game, which. I'm going to be honest. I didn't originally realize. Don't bother googling Leah Naidu. Our prologue scene is simply interviewing the author, which is a cute introduction to the story. I was immediately drawn in by the writing and descriptions; atmosphere is so important in text-based games, and Veeder was immediately off to a great start. It DID take me a minute to figure out everything to ask Leah about, but overall a great time.

Scene Two: The Closet! I love the closet scene so very much. It introduces our main problem-solving mechanic and immediately shows the player that out-of-the-box solutions and experimentation are wholeheartedly encouraged in the game. There's not much more to say. It's a short part of the game, but a perfect introduction to gameplay without holding the hand of the player.

Scene Three: Also Known as 90% of the Game!! Visit Skuga Lake is just soooo interactive fiction. It's immediately topped my list of games I'd recommend to literally anyone, regardless of experience with IF. The one thing that was slightly annoying for me at first was going "IN" buildings rather than entering them via a cardinal direction, but you get used to that pretty quickly, and in retrospect, I think I like it more, especially when you're in an urban location. The gradual discovery of more amulets and eyestones made continuing the game incredibly rewarding, and I feel like nearly everything mentioned in the game was implemented in some way, which is always impressive. Experimenting with the different combinations was so exciting, though I probably should've kept track of them all because I kept forgetting which stone did what with which amulet. The characters all had very distinct voices and helped direct the player's next choices without railroading. Overall just. A fantastic time.

Scene Four: HAGFISH. Here's my one tip for anyone playing for the first time - if you want to collect all the worry dolls (not necessary for anything besides a special little achievement), you need to do it before you get on the boat! I did not know this and was quite sad to find out I couldn't go back and get all of them (I managed 6/10 on this run, though I might go back and try to find them all at some point). Honestly, the ending felt a bit underwhelming to me? There's fairly low stakes in the fight against everyone's favorite hagfish god (our primary antagonist. sort of) since he doesn't try to fight back at all. No ticking clock. Just trying to figure out how to hurt a giant slime creature. I mean, I'm not complaining that much. It suits the game, which is more about experimenting and exploring than worrying about the slime lake or the ghosts or your boss, who's turned into a slime (or was it oil? I forget) puddle. It does feel a bit funny though, that the most powerful witch of the town, who's scared them all into locking outsiders into closets and who makes deals with slime gods couldn't save herself from said slime god until you, the player, showed up, hit the hagfish with a couple spells, and saved the day in approximately ten commands. There's a few different possible endings (to take or leave Terlissa, for example), which, again, is always a pleasure in games like these.

The end!! I clearly love the sound of my own voice. My own keyboard? Not sure. This game is fantastic though, so please play it. I need more people to be into IF please please please <3 bye

#interactive fiction #interactive fiction review #game review #if games #yah int fiction let's go!!!!!#remember when i said I'd be reviewing solo ttrpgs and then immediately reviewed two games back to back #that WERENT solo ttrpgs #yeah #me neither #ode by ode

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iwanttoplayagame20 · 1 year

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100 favorite horror movie deaths PT 6!!

51. Deputy Anthony Perkins- Scream 4

This wasn't a gross kill really, he was just stabbed in the head. But I like it cause he still tried fighting despite what had happened. He stayed alive for a few more seconds before finally falling over dead and his partner did not despite being stabbed once too.

52. Margaret White- Carrie (2002)

I specified the movie here because I think this Margaret's death was a lot cooler than the other two. She had her heart stopped with someone's mind. I think I'd be terrified to go out this way and I honestly think that it was a cool way to go. Any supernatural like death is cool to me as long as it's done right.

53. Dr. Foley- Cult of Chucky

I kind of hate this character, but he got his face absolutely smashed in by Nica. Yes she can't walk but she was technically possessed, so she was able to smash in Foley's face with the brand new red heels that had placed on her by him. (Cause he's a creepy fuck)

54. Pete- Shaun of the Dead

He was bitten off-screen but I think he makes a cool zombie even if the look is so simple. He was angry alive and he was angry as a zombie too. This one is cool because it's kind of comical if you think about it really. His personality seemed to stay the same even when he turned, though you can't tell too well since he acts like every other zombie. It's the facial expressions for me.

55. Buddy Repperton- Christine

He gets ran the fuck over by a flaming fucking car. If that isn't cool I don't know what is. And he really deserved it cause he was such an ass toward Arnie. I think all antagonists of horror films need to go out in cool ways like this one, it makes it all the more satisfying.

56. Dr. Brenden Ryan- Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings

This is the most mechanical trap in all of the franchise. And it's really Saw like too, which is cool. He's pulled up by gears and had barb wire wrapped around each limb, which is then pulled off one by one until all is left is his head and torso. Shitty way to go for someone who didn't deserve it but it was cool.

57. Peter Strahm- Saw V

Another death that makes me really sad. I really liked Strahm and loved his chemistry with Perez. But he had to fucking die because why not and I'm pissed about it. Although he went out in a really gross way, he was trapped between walls closing in on him and he got squished like a big. You could see his bones snap and tear through his skin and it was nasty and you know that feeling when you watch something like it's happening to you? Yeah get the same feeling watching this scene.

58. John Bishop- Childs Play

He gets killed by his own bullshit because he stupidly has a voodoo doll of himself and leaves it down where a two-foot menace can grab it. Though I think being killed by voodoo magic is a cool way to die.

59. Henry Bowers- IT Chapter Two

Glad we got to see him die and glad we got to see Richie kill him. It wasn't really gross or anything but the scenes leading up to it definitely had me intrigued. The whole fight between him and Mike was cool and it was well done, and right before he can finish his shitting comment about Mikes parents dying in a fire he gets an axe to the head. Good job Richie.

60. Carlos Rodriguez- Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

Another example of love this kill but hate this movie. This movie is absolute garbage and would be the worst of the franchise if it weren't for that shitty remake. The one good thing about this movie is this kill. Everyone is sensitive to the whole "nails on a chalkboard thing" right? But this takes it to a whole nother level. Carlos has a hearing aid and Freddy's knives on a chalkboard eventually makes his head explode since it became too much for him to handle. I think it looked cool even if a lot in this movie is like a looney tunes joke.

#shaun of the dead #comfort movies #horror movies #carrie #scream #saw v #peter strahm #cult of chucky #childs play

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marielaa-usher-blog · 8 months

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Barbie

I finally watched Barbie and wanted to share my thoughts here. So, my sister saw this movie before me and was fascinated by the feminist message the movie supposedly had.

Now, I took this with a grain of salt.

My sister is six years younger and she`s currently going through this phase of "all men are idiots, all girls are the best thing in the world" that I think most of us girls go through. I was curious if this movie really had that message or if she was just looking too much into it.

Now, the movie definitely tried to give a message about feminism but not the way she says it did. At least in my opinion.

So, as you know if you read my previous posts, Im not great at recaps so Ill just talk about what I like and what I didn`t.

What I liked

We all know that Barbie has been an icon for decades. Most of us grew up playing with Barbies and watching her legendary movies but by far my favorite Barbie content comes from the online show Barbie Life in The Dreamhouse and let me tell you why.

I love the concept of Barbie and everyone in this show being fully aware that they`re dolls. They even make jokes about it like Stacie complaining over not being able to make a campfire with two plastic sticks.

I was so happy that the movie took that concept of Barbie being real but a doll at the same time.

I also love that they took the same approach with Ken. In Life in The Dreamhouse, Ken is completely obsessed with Barbie, so much so that in one episode he tried to look for a job while Barbie was too busy to pay attention to him but ended up failing cause he could sense when Barbie needed him and ran to help her out. Then he realized that his perfect job was Barbie`s boyfriend.

He had nothing but adoration for his girl and I`m here for it.

Ryan Gossling played him so well that I genuinely felt bad that Barbie didn`t have feelings for him.

And thats my biggest take in here. I know that saying this might be controversial and many are going to hate me but, for me, the star of this movie was Ken. In fact, all the Kens stole the show.

Another amazing part of Life in the Dreamhouse was the rivalry between Ken and Ryan for Barbie`s attention. Here we have Ken (Ryan Gossling) vs Ken (Simu Liu) doing the same. I loved it.

They`re just two goofballs being goofy and it looks like both of them had a blast playing Ken.

I also liked how they structured Ken`s (Ryan Gossling) development.

At the beginning of the movie, we see this stereotypical good-looking blond guy. The only thing in his head is to impress his Barbie because thats what hes supposed to do. Unfortunately, Barbie doesnt seem interested in being more than friends which makes him feel insecure about himself.

Then, in the real world, we see him starting to gain some confidence once he realizes that the real world is mostly controlled by men unlike Barbieland and this gives him the idea to bring patriarchy to his world.

This makes him a stereotypical jerk that feels that hes entitled to adoration from all the Barbies just because hes a man. Toxic masculinity at it`s finest.

But we can also see that hes not happy about it. He doesn`t want to be part of the patriarchy, he just wants respect and a purpose in life and I honestly felt so much sympathy for him.

In the end, he tells Barbie that he feels hes nothing without her. He was created to be Barbie`s partner, nothing more. If it wasnt for her, he wouldn`t exist. This is when Barbie told him that he could be anything he wanted because he was Kenough (see what I did there?)

This was the best character development for me and I`ll explain to you why in a little.

Another amazing performance was Michael Cera as Allan.

Theres only one Allan and I'm a fan.

Allan is just a poor bystander in all of this.

He is trapped in Barbieland without a real purpose other than being Kens friend. And we are not even talking about Ryan Gossling`s Ken.

Allan is just every Kens friend and somehow hates all of them since most of the time he is alone. He even tries to escape Barbieland after the Kens take over.

He was hilarious without trying.

Now, let`s talk about Barbie aka Margot Robbie.

She did a fabulous job as Barbie. She was funny and cute when she needed to but she also was able to show darker emotions like sadness and anxiety.

I genuinely liked her character until she came back from the real world.

I loved the argument they made for Barbie. For years, Barbie has been attacked for being a "bad influence" on little girls. I`ll always take it personally.

Im a bit ashamed to admit this. Most girls got inspiration from Barbie to be big things like astronauts, scientists, doctors but that wasn`t the case with me.

Now, my goal wasn`t to be a tall, skinny blond superficial girl either.

My favorite thing to do with my Barbies was play with a little toy supermarket and bedroom set I got as a gift. That was one of my dreams.

Being able to go to the store, buy whatever I wanted with my own money and take it to my house in my cute red car. Those Barbies were who I wanted to be.

Driving my own car, owning my house, doing everything Barbie did on her own.

I love that they defended Barbie`s contribution to society. Teaching girls that you can be whatever you want is an amazing message.

I adore the sets for the movie. The Barbie aesthetic is definitely there.

The pastel colors looked nice, and, while I prefer the animated version of the dream house, I like that all of the houses look like they`re toys.

Like I said before, I love that they fully committed to the toy narrative and aesthetic. And the fashion in this movie is so iconic. I loved it.

Also, I want to give some love to the most underrated song in the movie. I know everyone loves "Barbie World" and "Dance the Night" but I feel like "What I was made for" by Billie Eilish is being overlooked.

It's a super emotional song. I´ve actually cried while hearing it because sometimes I also don't know what I was made for. I wished we heard more of it during the movie, especially when Barbie and Ken were questioning their existence.

Meh

This is where I talk about things that I didn´t like or love but I didn´t hate them.

I was okay with America Ferrera´s character, Grace. She gave a good speech about the pressure it meant to be a mom and a woman.

I also appreciate that she spoke for older generations that grew up with Barbie and understood that Barbie was more than just a doll for many of us.

But that´s about it.

We kind of see some deepness in her character, like she was struggling with her teenage daughter and job but the thing is that there are so many characters and storylines in this movie that we didn´t really focus on developing it more or at least showing it. They just told us she was struggling and that was that.

I didn´t go crazy for the weird Barbie character. Again, she was an okay character for me.

She clearly wasn´t meant as a main character, she was just like a vehicle to take Barbie from point A to point B. She told her how to solve her problems when her feet flattened and started to have thoughts about dying, she helped her and Gloria find a way to save Barbieland from the Kens.

Also, I did like that she was trying to save Barbieland before Barbie came back. She wasn´t just hanging around waiting for something to happen, she was trying to talk some sense into some Barbies.

Barbie starting to feel insecure about herself once she entered the real world was a nice detail but they didn´t elaborate on that.

She felt sad and anxious but forgot about it a couple of minutes later. It was weird.

What I didn´t like

Like I said before. for me, the best part of the movie was the Kens. They stole the show.

At the beginning, I was living for all the Barbies in this movie. Barbieland was a world completely ran by Barbies. Barbies were in the goverment. flew airplanes, travelled to space. I loved it.

But that love went away as the movie progressed.

Barbieland was awesome but none of the Barbies had a personality.

They were doctors, astronauts, and writers but that was it. They had nothing else going for them.

And the movie pointed this out without realizing it.

When Ken came back to Barbieland, and he started the patriarchy, it was incredibly easy for him to convince the Barbies to be submissive. It honestly felt insulting how easily he brought down the entire government and a bunch of powerful women.

Now, the movie tries to explain it like basically the Barbies never had anyone opposing their ways so they never learned how to fight back to different ideas but even then it just shows that the Barbies are just a bunch of airheads. Basically, filling the stereotype that Barbies only teach you that being pretty is the most important thing in the world.

I found it so weird that they added this narrative because, during the whole movie, we are told that Barbies are superior beings. They are smart, beautiful, and their world is perfect because of that.

And it wasn´t hard to convince them to change their mind either. Barbie. Grace, Sasha, and Weird Barbie just took them away, told them some feminist phrases and that was it. Back to normal.

It was weird how it was so progressive but backward at the same time.

Sasha is Grace´s daughter. She´s in her teenage years, rebelling, hating everything traditional, and being mean to her mom.

I hated her.

She was mean to her mom and Barbie and even when she changed her opinion on Barbie and her world she still rubbed me the wrong way. That´s everything I have to say about her.

As I mentioned before, for some reason this movie has a bunch of storylines going on at the same time.

Our first conflict is that Barbie´s life changed. She´s starting to feel human emotions, her feet are flat and she starts to look more like a human. Okay, that´s a good argument. let´s find out what is happening.

Then, we hear about Weird Barbie and she´s painted as this figure that the rest of the Barbies hate and make fun of. Again, a good storyline for Barbie to meet her and find out what´s going on with her.

Weird Barbie tells her that the girl that´s playing with her is having issues and she needs to go into the real world to find her. Once again, that´s a good storyline but that´s when everything goes everywhere.

Barbie keeps becoming more human and gets disappointed after seeing that the real world is nothing like Barbieland. Then, she just forgets about that for a second since she magically knows where to find Sasha, the girl she thought she was looking for.

At the same time, the executives at Mattel find out that Barbie and Ken were walking around the real world and went out to get her.

I found it interesting. Now we have a new villain and I thought that from now on, the Mattel executives were the enemy to beat.

Basically, by the time Barbie went back to Barbieland with Gloria and Sasha, we had conflicts going on. Barbie was still feeling terrible, Barbieland was dominated by the Kens, Sasha still hated the whole thing and the Mattel executives were going to Barbieland to take Gloria and her daughter and "fix" the issue with the Kens.

Here´s the thing. THE MATTEL EXECUTIVES DID NOTHING IN THE MOVIE. NOTHING. You could completely take them out and the movie would´ve ended up the same.

They were fillers, just something to give some time to cook up Ken´s plan.

To be fair, they tried to be funny and smart by pointing out that Mattel´s biggest product was made for girls but there were no women there. Not smart commentary but hey, they tried.

And once again, besides that comment and a weird chasing scene, they did nothing in the movie.

For a moment, I thought their purpose was to go to Barbieland to take control over all Barbies and Kens and that was why we should be worried but it wasn't the case. They just traveled all the way to Barbieland to appear at the end and agree with everything that happened.

It is also implied that, since Gloria works there, they would give her a better position in the company after her speech but nothing matters because we don´t see her getting it.

There´s something very interesting that was talked about during the whole movie but didn´t make a difference in the end.

Kens don´t matter in Barbieland. Their only purpose is to be there for their Barbies, they don´t even have houses and the Barbies don´t care about it.

That´s why the main Ken did everything he did. After he visited the real world, he realized he didn´t have to be treated that way.

That´s also why he had an identity crisis. He was created to be Barbie´s partner and nothing else. Since she kept rejecting him, he had no purpose.

I thought that the ending of the movie was going to be that Barbies and Kens realized the best way to live was doing it together.

Many seemed to forget that the main point behind feminism is not that girls are better than boys. Girls are as capable as boys and that´s why we should be treated equally. This movie doesn´t give a damn about that.

In the end, after the Barbies take back control, the Kens admit that they didn´t like having patriarchy, some missed their Barbies and they wanted to be something more than boy toys, even asking if they could be part of the government. What was the Barbies response? Yeah, maybe, we´ll see but probably not.

And that was it. All the drama for nothing because that was not the freaking ending.

I thought that the ending was going to be Barbie and the rest working together to change Barbieland and make it better for everyone.

But no.

The ending was Barbie asking to live in the real world.

I don´t know why. We don´t really see her being happy there or having a life-changing event that shows us that she wanted it, she just decided that she was going be human and you better like that cause feminism.

The movie was just all over the place.

I´m assuming they wanted to make a comedic movie with some emotional moments which is fine. A lot of movies do it and it works fine.

Like, Guardians of the Galaxy, they balance the funny and sad scenes very well. Barbie didn´t.

I feel like that´s why the Kens were so appealing. The emotional scenes were bad but the comedy was so good that it was the only thing that stood up for me.

It´s an okay movie. Personally, I wouldn´t watch it again.

Maybe I would watch a compilation of Ken but not the whole movie again.

It wasn´t that entertaining and I felt like the "activism" they claimed to show is just to sell tickets. But I think it´s fine if you liked it.

Barbie and Margot Robbie are icons and deserve love and recognition.

#barbie #barbie 2023 #the barbie movie #barbie the movie #margot robbie #ryan gosling #america ferrera

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rookie-critic · 9 months

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Barbie (2023, dir. Greta Gerwig) - review by Rookie-Critic

[NOTE: This ended up being a bit more spoiler-y than I had originally intended, so if you haven't seen the film and plan to, maybe skip this review for now.]

What a revolution this movie has caused. Waves of pink, hoards of men/women/people adopting "I am Kenough" as a mantra, the Indigo Girls are back in fashion, and I have no doubt that, come the beginning of the university school year, we'll see frat after frat moving into their new Mojo Dojo Casa Houses. This film had already won the country over well before it even came out, and now that it is we're now in the third consecutive weekend of Barbie sitting comfortably atop the box office throne. Those ninja turtles never stood a chance (though I did adore that film, as well, but that's for another review). I must admit, I am apart of the wave of people singing this film's praises. It's visually striking, it's hilarious, the messaging is overt and in-your-face without being preachy, and we're seeing Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling at the top of their game.

When we start the film, we're greeted with a nod to the opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, and to the voice of Helen Mirren explaining to us that, once Barbie came along and squashed out the era of baby dolls, her existence solved sexism and female quality issues for good, because Barbie proved that women can be anything. Of course, this is not the case, and the film uses it's next hour and 45 minutes diving into the reality of the modern world through the eyes of one of those dolls. The perfect, pink-streaked world of Barbieland lies in stark contrast to the harsh realities of the real world, and our two main characters react to this knowledge in very different ways. First, we have Barbie, who reacts with bewilderment and disbelief at the idea that everything she thought she knew about the world and women's place in it was a lie, but then, there's Ken. Ken, having lived his whole in the perceived service of Barbie, is stoked, because of course he would be. Men (and horses) rule the world, of course.

Now, going down this path, it would have been very easy for the film to be very blanketly "anti-men," but it even manages to avoid doing that, instead choosing to go down the path that Ken is misguided, merely a person who's never really tried to live life for himself and more for the idea of what he should be. In that the film draws a surprising amount of parallels between the two main characters, because even Barbie goes on a self-discovery journey of sorts. She has to come to terms with the black-and-whiteness of her worldview, and has to reconcile with the idea of there being things like cellulite and aging, and has to come to terms with the fact that the world has a good fair way to go before it's as utopian as a place like Barbieland. This is all accented in a scene that's relatively early in the film when Barbie meets an older woman for the first time upon coming to the real world. Barbie has just cried for the first time and looks over to find an elderly woman sitting on the bench next to here. The woman gives Barbie a smile and Barbie tells her she's beautiful, to which she replies "I know!" It's kind of the pin on which the whole film balances. Then there's also the character of Allan (played with as much endearing awkwardness as you'd expect from Michael Cera) who, even when all of the Ken's go off the deep-end into a Matchbox Twenty, leather-clad nightmare, keeps his head, and understands the bad things about what the Kens are doing.

It's a very deep film that is presenting itself as a colorful comedy, it's thoughtful without being obtuse and critical of its source without being dismissive, and it manages to do all of this without sacrificing being a very lighthearted and entertaining film on the surface. It's all very impressive, and is only hindered by the small nitpick that, for a film focusing on how our preconceived notions of things need to be knocked down and we should all live for ourselves and be whoever we really are, it is strangely reinforcing of the gender binary. I would have liked to have seen the film explore that side of things a bit, but it didn't detract too much from the overall experience. Crybabies like Ben Shapiro be damned, Barbie is delightful, and just as good as you've been led to believe.

Score: 9/10

Currently only in theaters.

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madison-reviews · 9 months

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Barbie Movie Review:

I thought I would make this my first post mainly because it was the most recent movie I watched. I loved this movie so so much, not only did it have A powerful message, it had MULTIPLE powerful messages which always makes a good movie, of course.

So the movie follows "Stereotypical Barbie" who has the perfect life. She wakes up with perfect hair, teeth, clothes - everything. But one day, she wakes up with bed hair, morning breath and wort of all - flat feet! (Before I go further with my opinion, this movie made me laugh so much as well as tear up - also there will be spoilers!)

Stereotypical Barbie eventually figures out there is a malfunction with her so she asks Weird Barbie for help to which Weird Barbie tells her that she needs to go to the real world because the girl who used to play with her is depressed.

So, before our Barbie malfunctions, there's Ken, and he loves Barbie because that's all Ken was made for - to love Barbie. Know, I want to elaborate on this thought further down the line but I loved that in Barbie land, it was women who ruled it and men were essentially objectified yet in the real world it was the opposite. Quick examples include: Ken only being happy when Barbie is in sight, Ken fighting with the other Kens because of inferiority complex, Ken being excluded from Barbies life because of things like "every night is girls night" and more. Do these sound familiar? Well if you're a woman in the real world, that's probably why. Women hating other women purely because of fear of being replaced by your partner and feeling inferior around someone we deem "perfect" is a common thing women of the real world experience and I love that it was flipped in Barbie Land and that when our Barbie got the shock she got in the real world and the reality check she got near the end of the movie realising how poorly she was treating Ken made me super happy. I loved that there was never really a double standard.

I loved that in the movie, we felt as though we were Barbie herself, experiencing the world for the first time, seeing the emotions. The pain, the happiness, the worry. All things we experience on a daily basis as humans but when we see them al together, we feel how Barbie did. Sad, happy, scared all at once. It made me feel like I was a human travelling earth for the first time haha.

There was also a scene where Barbie went to Mattel HQ and in an attempt to send her back, they put her in a plastic box - you know, the plastic box your Barbie comes in - and when she went in it, just before they tied her wrists to the back of the box, she experienced panic and so did I really and I'm not a doll nor have I ever been subjected to being put in a box but I still felt scared. I also felt really bad for all the Barbies in the shops after I saw the movie, haha. Weird thing was though, I didn't feel silly or stupid for feeling that way. I wonder why that was.

So Barbie and Ken go to the real world and while Barbie tries to figure out who the girl she is looking for is, Ken goes on a little adventure around town, and it's hilarious. I loved the patriarchy jokes and the way he thought it was only about horses and even by the end of the movie he still didn't really understand it. It was very funny, I love Ryan Gosling. Basically, Ken figures out that men run the real world and this is a shock to him because he's used to being the one not in control as he lives in Barbie Land - where women control that world. It was weird because see to be honest, I felt like Ken was the woman sometimes... Does that make sense? He was so accessorised and so meek and only lived for Barbie that he reminded me of a woman in the real world and it really opened my eyes into realising that men can feel that way too. At the end of the day, we're all human and controlling behaviour does not own a gender. Women can be as controlling as men and vice versa. Although Kens scenes made me laugh a lot, they also made me stop and think a lot.

After Barbie runs away from Mattel, (funny) she jumps into the car of the mother of the little girl who she thought was the girl who was depressed. Turns out, this little girl is actually very popular and a little rude at times and far from depressed... Her mother however, is very sweet, depressed, going through motherhood of a teenager and also a little bit childish who, funny enough, still owns a Barbie. Stereotypical Barbie, that is. There - in the car - after realising this is who she needs to "save" Barbie takes her and her daughter back to Barbie Land as a way to show them both that women aren't doomed essentially.

Little does Barbie know though, that Ken had already returned to Barbie Land and taken it over. He's made all the Barbies wear made outfits, deliver beers and become what the Kens used to be - servants, living solely for Ken and Ken alone. They literally only think of the Kens! But doesn't that sound awfully familiar? Well, you would be right. This is how Ken felt and was treated in the beginning of the movie and when he sees Barbie, he seems sad but his sadness turns into anger and pettiness it would seem. I mean, who wouldn't feel that way after being rejected but not rejected at the same time?

I loved when all the Kens started getting all petty and jealous because it was sort of funny but also subtly serious in a way. We also got the most amazing song in the whole soundtrack "I'm just Ken" sung by Ryan Gosling himself. Absolute masterpiece really.

There's a part when Barbie starts telling Ken it's the BARBIE Dreamhouse and that he shouldn't be there and Ken gets upset obviously and he tells her that "Every night is boys night" paralleling to what Barbie had told him in the beginning of the movie when Ken asked to stay over and Barbie said "Every night is girls night" leaving Ken to go home alone - if he even has a home that is.

Coming to the end of the movie, we get a really hard hitting speech from Barbies human (I forgot her name but it was America Ferrera's character) that was great really. I love it when movies don't pretend that all women love and respect each other. One quote I remember was when she said "Men hate women and women hate women. It's the one thing we can all agree on." and it just really hit home you know? Probably because it's true and although I can't remember the whole speech, I remember being truly moved by it, which is very rare for me personally!

After the Barbies hit the Kens where it hurts most (their egos) they regain power in the Kendom and rename it back to Barbie Land but when Ken figures it out he runs away crying and Barbie feels bad so they have a heart to heart and it was actually very sweet. It didn't feel like they were babying Ken but they weren't being rude with him either, I actually really liked the scene. It touched on the fact that Ken felt worthless without Barbie and how he felt like he could never just be "Ken" because it was always Barbie AND Ken, never just Ken but after a talk with Barbie and her officially rejecting him saying she's always just wanted to be his friend, he realises that he felt the same way this whole time, he just never felt like he COULD feel that way.

About 20 minutes before the movie ends, we officially meet the creator of the first ever Barbie Ruth Handler. (We do meet her earlier on when Barbie is on the run from Mattel but it's only for about 2 minutes) And it was the sweetest scene ever, seriously I was on the verge of tears when that Billie Eilish song came on and I'm not even a fan of her music. The clips and photos of mothers with their daughters was just so heart-warming and with the words "What was I made for?" in the background, it was just a sweet scene. Definitely a great mother-daughter movie. One quote that made me tear up was (don't quote me on it, I could be wrong) "Mothers stand still so they can look at how far their daughters have come" just a really good quote and when Barbie started crying and basically asked "Can I really be human?" and when Ruth replied "Oh honey, you never need to ask permission to be human" it felt very validating? I don't know.

Anyway that's about it, all in all personally, I thought the main message was that not only one gender can rule the world because of the fact that when men ruled the real world it was horrible for women and Barbie, but when Barbie Land was ruled by purely women, it was horrible for the Kens. I don't know if that was intentional or not but I hope it was, it was a very validating movie but in my opinion it wasn't very "in your face" because it wasn't ONLY about men being cruel, evil beings that shouldn't even exist.

To rate the movie out of 10, I would give it a 9/10. Only reason it isn't a 10/10 is probably because there was about 30 seconds when this tween age girl was trying to talk politics and it just felt really forced but it was literally 30 seconds or more so I don't really care. I loved the movie and I had a lot of laughs, tears and fun! I would for sure recommended it to anyone procrastinating on seeing it.

#barbie #greta gerwig #the barbie movie #barbie 2023

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