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sardonic-the-writer · 8 months

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𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩

↳ summary: you ask your distant and cold professor for some help with your thesis. good thing he seems to be an expert on fear

↳ warnings: mentions of murder, booze, guns, and some gore. canon type gotham violence. a wiff of stalking maybe?

↳ song: aleph—gesaffelstein

masterlist!

University life wasn't much different than you had expected. Television and movies glam it up to make it sound like the peak of your young adult life. A time for exceeding expectations and drinking cheap booze out of those weird solo cups in a random person's basement. But this was Gotham—where crime is the highest in the country and misfortune runs galore. The closest anyone got to walking into a stranger's basement these days was with the threat of a gun at their back.

In preparation for the quote-unquote finest school Gotham had to offer, instead of going out and buying the list of supplies your school recommended, you simply lowered your expectations. Not like there was much to begin with in the first place. You could get a protractor later.

Your thought process proved to be worth it too. Barely an hour into your first day, the campus was evacuated as a precaution for a major villain sighting in the area. Something about filling up a building with highly dangerous gas. As of weeks later, details still hadn't been released to the public. That was fine by you. All you cared about was not getting ripped away from your precious lunch again.

The campus cafeteria was drafty and smelled of mold, parties were thrown way too often, and most of your professors were stern with classes people only took so they could get their degrees.

In that case, Mr. Crane was no different from any of the other teachers.

There was certainly no lack of students in his class on the first week—the largely female percentage most likely gathered because of his pretty face. But by the end of it, over half had already dropped out.

You were not one of them. Somewhat regrettably, you had begun to think after hours of pouring over papers in just the first week. But you needed this class to fully understand your thesis topic and you'd be damned if you moved all the way out to Gotham for nothing.

That was what you were thinking about as you rounded the back row of Doctor Crane's class, staring blankly at the missed call from your mother atop your phone's home screen.

It had practically become a ritual for her to call you at least once a day since you'd moved to the city. Anytime you didn't pick up, it would send her into a frenzy—despite your multiple explanations of why you have your phone on silent during lectures. But that wouldn't stop her from constantly pleading for you to come back and finish getting your degree at home. Because even if it would take longer, and completely drain your bank account, at least you would be away from those lunatics. Or so she called them.

"You have nothing to worry about." You'd told her one time while watching a bowl of ramen bubble angrily on your stove. "Even if I was mugged or something, I'm sure the Batman would save me."

It had been meant as a half joke, said only to quell your mothers worries. Yet the more and more newspaper stands you passed on your way to the store, the more the vigilanties name came up. Often accompanied by the words HERO or SAVIOR afterward.

The sudden memory of newspapers stopped you right as you were about to cross the threshold from the lecture hall to the rest of the building. You were quick to turn around, flipping your phone back into your pants pocket loosely before approaching the professor's desk. A few more students filed out from behind you, one even tossing you a wave, before it was just you and the professor left.

Doctor Crane was nothing short of intimidating. Everything from the clean cut suit he worse, to his icy blue eyes—and even his second title as lead doctor in the nearby Arhum Asylum—was surrounded by an air of stoic professionalism.

The man hadn't even been there on the first day of school. Something that would have off-put you if not for the sudden evacuation, haulting any chance of first impressions. Instead, he had shown up the next day like nothing had happened: lips pressed into a tight line and eyes dull as he spoke to the class without really looking at anyone.

He had made it clear on multiple occasions that he was rarely available after class or for tutoring hours, but you doubted that even if he was, nearly anyone would show up for a one on one conversation.

Looks like you would have to be the outlier today.

You waited patiently as he shuffled from one stack of paper to another, eyes never once drifting over the rim of his glasses to look at you. Occasionally you would catch a glimpse of his usually devoid face break into a little frown before making a mark on a paper and moving on. You resisted the urge to peak and see if any of those papers were yours.

"Yes?" He adressed you by your last name suddenly. Packets and papers continued to shuffle. This time he did spare you a glance, a flash of something swirling in his cold eyes before disappearing. Or maybe that had been the dim light. It had been to quick for you to catch.

You cleared your throat before speaking; adjusting your bag unconsciously.

"I had a question or two for you about my thesis topic." You said with a level tone. He asked what it was somewhat dismissively, his monotone way of speaking ever present.

"I've been researching fear and its effects on the human brain for quite sometime, so I felt it was only fitting for that to be my topic."

That seemed to gather his attention. When you looked up from your examination of the plain black stapler on the corner of his desk, you were met with one raised eyebrow. His hand was writing on the stapled essay before him considerably slower.

If you squinted hard enough it almost looked like he was smiling.

"May I ask what has garnered your interest in such a subject?" He pressed. For a moment your mind went a little blank, not expecting such undivided attention from him. It was unnerving, concidering that before today he probably didn't even know your first name.

"Well, I've always been interested in how much emotions have a grip on the mind." The words were now tumbling from your mouth in a flurry of half-baked thoughts.

"It was only after moving here that I really realized how it can affect an entire city, much less just one person. Everyone knows how absurd the crime rates here are, but I don't think they've ever seen the stark contrast in the Gotham residents from, say, another neighboring city.

And not to mention there's a whole group of personas parading around the block inspiring pure fear. When the bigger crimes aren't outwardly released to the public, I'm starting to think the ones the police can cover up are being covered up. I did a quick search of specific types of crimes related to the patterns of people like the Joker, Bane, and Scarecrow, and too much adds up for it to all be a coincidence."

You reminded yourself to breathe. You knew you were passionate about this subject—hence the decision in thesis topic—but you were never this chatty with it. Something about Doctor Cranes' unwavering stare drew it all out of you in one go. He was a surgeon at the moment, prying your brain apart from the inside out and turning it over in his hands.

Or maybe you were over analyzing things again.

"And what do you think of this Scarecrow?" He had stopped grading now, plucking the clear rimmed glasses of the bridge of his nose and folding them neatly beside him. In a second, his icy blue gaze seemed to intensify in strength, pinning you in place like a specimen of his to observe. You made the brief connection between this and a lepidopterist pinning up butterflys by their wings. It was quick to leave.

Instead you thought back as news clippings and articals flashed in bold print on your mind. Pictures of the victims he had since left behind followed.

Most of them had died from shock or poison, toxins coursing through their bloodstream too fast for their bodies to handle. Not a wonderful way to go, but it was no better or worse than the dozens of mugging gone wrong that occurred everyday. If you ignored how they had all clawed their eyes out in terror, that is.

Your response came slow and methodical, words chosen with care. You were well aware that people had been thrown out of prestigious universities for speaking their minds about less, and you couldn't afford that right now. Besides. He had asked you a question. Who were you to deny him?

"I think what he's managed to make, to do, is a breakthrough in the scientific and medical field." If your professor noted the way you swallowed thickly he didn't say anything.

"What else?" It was almost like he knew every thought that crossed your mind before it even formed. As if he had been preparing for this exact moment.

You could continue. You could tell him that you'd started sitting by your thoroughly locked window at night, waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of a masked maniac. You could tell him that monster was the exact thing that pushed you to move to Gotham. You most certantly could tell him that you wanted to get your hands on that gas to do some tests of your own—see exactly what this Scarecrow had managed to create.

But instead you looked to the left and told him that was it.

"Well if that's all, I would like to continue this conversation at a later date." Doctor Cranes glasses were back on now as he stood up and began gathering his things.

"I'm not sure—"

"I'm quite interested in what you have to say." He adressed you by your last name again, shutting his briefcase closed with a chilling click. "After all, I have written some papers on this exact subject."

You know. You had read them in your search for more information on the Scarecrow's toxin.

"I'll keep that in mind, professor." You glanced at the doorway, wondering if it would be unacceptable to make a dash for it. You didn't want to be late for work any more than you were already. And if you were being honest this conversation had taken a turn you weren't prepared for.

By some grace of god he let the conversation drop. Not caring to spare another glance at him, you took to the door, planning out the route home in your head.

If he watched you go, you didn't notice. It wasn't until you had gotten home in your stained work uniform, beat up trainers grayed with labor, that you noticed your folder for his class was missing.

"Shit." You dragged a tired hand down your face, kicking off your socks as you lay next to the spread out compartments of your backpack.

You sighed. Looks like you'd be seeing Doctor Crane again sooner than you thought.

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gianarosegoestothemovies · 3 years

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New Queer Cinema

Starting from the late 1980s through early 1990s, a “new wave” of queer films became critically acclaimed in the film industry, allowing the freedom of sexuality to be featured in films without the burden of approval from the audience. This raw and honest film genre displays the truth, secrets, and vulnerability of the LGBTQ+ community and the representation that is deserved. The New Queer Cinema movement was started by scholar Ruby Rich who wrote “This movement in film and video was intensely political and aesthetically innovative, made possible by the debut of the camcorder, and driven initially by outrage over the unchecked spread of AIDS. The genre has grown to include an entire generation of queer artists, filmmakers, and activists.” (Rich) This movement started from Rich’s writing piece, not the filmmakers themselves. An article by Sam Moore discusses Rich’s start of the movement. He states, “Rich acknowledges that the films and filmmakers she considers under the umbrella of New Queer Cinema (including Todd Haynes, Cheryl Dunye, Isaac Julien, Gus Van Sant and Gregg Araki), don’t share a single aesthetic vocabulary or strategy or concern.” Instead, they’re unified by the ways that they queer existing narratives, subvert expectations and foreground queerness in material where it had been only implicit” (Moore). The journey through the New Queer Movement started with Ruby Rich defining the movement through her writing and inspiring filmmakers to continue producing movies with the correct representation.

Actress from Gone with the Wind Susan Hayward claimed that Queer cinema existed “decades” before an official title was given to the genre. French filmmaker Jean Cocteau created Le sang d'un poète in 1934 which is documented as one of the earliest Queer films. This avant-garde style of film is associated with Queer cinema filmmakers such as and is displayed in many upcoming films such as Ulrike Ottinger, Chantal Akerman and Pratibha Parmar. The influence of Queer theory that emerged from the late 1980s helped guide the movement with the creators. The theory states "Challenge and push further debates on gender and sexuality.” Another closely related statement by feminist theory states,"Confuse binary essentialisms around gender and sexual identity, expose their limitations.” Queer cinema filmmakers were sometimes known to depict their films in a “mainstream” way that is agreeable to the audience. There was no exposure to the truths and horrors that the LGBTQ+ community experience and had a lack of representation of historical elements or themes. The concept of “straightwashing” was described to filmmaker Derek Jarman’s 1991 historical film Edward II. This film received backlash from the LGBTQ+ community due to the film’s queer representation catering to heterosexuality and heteronormativity.

The truth of the movement was for Queer films to stop romanticizing or bringing positive images of gay men and lesbian woman. The push for authenticity and liberation for the community needed to be represented in films. New Queer films were more radical and sought to challenge social norms of “identity, gender, class, family and society.” (Wikiwand.com).

To quote the amazing drag queen of all time RuPaul “Everyone is born naked, and the rest is drag” the idea of gender identity and representation in the community is unlimited, why do you need to follow the norms of society when anything is possible? The late 90s documentary Paris is Burning introduced the audience to drag culture in New York City and the people of color who were involved in the community. The term “aesthetic” was repetitive in the research of New Queer Cinema which suggests the significance involved with the style of the films. The documentary includes the aesthetic of the drag world involving the makeup, fashion, and politics. AIDS activism was involved heavily in New Queer films and ridiculed the failure of Ronald Reagans acknowledgment of epidemic and the social stigma experienced by the gay community. Conservative politics occurred during this movement resulting in lack of media coverage and government assistance for the LGTBQ+ community. This political struggle did not discourage the community and the fight is still continuing today.

Beginning in the 2010s LGBT filmmakers Rose Troche and Travis Mathews created a “newer trend” in queer filmmaking that evolved toward more universal audience appeal. In an article from Wikiwand.com states,

“Rich, the originator of the phrase New Queer Cinema, has identified the emergence in the late 2000s of LGBT-themed mainstream films such as Brokeback Mountain, Milk, and The Kids Are All Right as a key moment in the evolution of the genre.[20] Both Troche and Mathews singled out Stacie Passon’s 2013 Concussion, a film about marital infidelity in which the central characters' lesbianism is a relatively minor aspect of a story and the primary theme is how a long-term relationship can become troubled and unfulfilling regardless of its gender configuration, as a prominent example of the trend” (Wikiwand).

The film Watermelon Woman was one of the first queer films I watched for a film class, and this film allowed me to dive deeper into the subject I care a lot about which is the representation of queer narratives about woman of color. Queer woman and men deal with the most discrimination. It is unfair and cruel to see the difference of racial treatment in the LGBTQ+ community because the backbone motto is full exclusion and equal rights. The film Watermelon Woman shined light on LGBTQ+ black woman and interrogated the “Mammy” stereotype that most films depict about black actresses. Minority narratives were pushed into the circuit of the movement with developed into the later academy-award winning film Moonlight that displays those representations makes film history!

Films to recognize in the height of the New Queer film movement are

Mala Noche (1986), Gus Van Sant, was an exploration of desire through the eyes of a young white store clerk named Walt and his obsession with a young undocumented immigrant named Johnny. The film is shot in black and white on 16mm film, contains many of the early Van Sant fixations that viewers would later see get refined in My Own Private Idaho, including male hustlers, illegality, and class.

Chinese Characters (1986), Richard Fung, this early film asks still-pressing questions about the nature of gay desire when it’s mediated via pornographic images of white men. The video defies genre, mixing documentary with performance art and archival footage to explore the tensions of being a gay Asian man looking at porn.

Looking for Langston (1989), Isaac Julien, this short film, a tribute to the life and work of Langston Hughes, is a beautiful and vibrant elegy. Julien creates a lineage of queer black ancestors for himself. The film moves like the poetry it recites, playing with the gaze and how various eyes look upon the black male body.

Tongues Untied (1989), Marlon Riggs, guided by the writer Joseph Beam’s statement, “Black men loving black men is the revolutionary act,” Riggs goes through his own complicated journey of homophobia from other black people, and then racism in the gay community, to find a community of queer black people.

Poison (1991), Todd Haynes, the three parts of the film tell a story about ostracism, violence, and marginality: the bullied child who allegedly flies away after shooting his father in order to save his mother (“Hero”), a brilliant scientist who accidentally ingests his own serum to become the “leper sex killer” (“Horror”), and a sexual relationship between two men in a prison (“Homo”). Exploits radical work that Haynes later uses in his other films.

The Living End (1992), Gregg Araki, the film follows Luke, a sexy homicidal drifter who has a distaste for T-shirts, and Jon, an uptight film critic in Los Angeles. Both are HIV-positive, and as their relationship unfolds, they fight about being respectful or lustrous.

Swoon (1992), Tom Kalin, a black and white film that romanticizes wealthy Chicago lovers kill a 14-year-old boy named Bobby Franks because they want to see if they are smart enough to do it. The murder is more a play of power between them, with Loeb weaponizing sex as a way to control Leopold.

Rock Hudson’s Home Movies (1992), Mark Rappaport, Rock Hudson’s Home Movies is a documentary made up of glances and innuendos from Rock Hudson’s persona, displaying how this dashing, leading man of the Hollywood Golden Age was a closeted gay man.

MURDER and Murder (1996), Yvonne Rainer, is known for her experimental filmmaking and choreography, this film represents a late-in-life lesbian named Doris who suffers from neuroses and breast cancer. Her partner, Mildred, a queer academic, tells the story of their romance as older women. Rainer also makes appearances throughout the film in a tux, going on rants about smug homophobic parents while showing her bare chest with a mastectomy scar.

1992 was the year of the highest amount of New Queer films being produced and exceeding box office expectations. Upcoming 2000s films such as “Booksmart”, “Call me by your Name”, “The Prom”, and “Rocketman” all represent the truths and authenticity of the LGBTQ+ community and creates pathways for more films to include these cinematic themes. The movement continues to grow and succeed in the film industry with new creators and actors being more honest about the LGBTQ+ community.

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #321

i’m exploring the deepest recesses of tumblr to unearth super old surveys, so you can expect an onslaught of ‘em.

When someone is tailgating you, do you drive faster or slower? I drive the same speed, even though it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. What place outside of your own home do you spend the most time at? My sister's place. Have you ever been snorkeling? No. Do most of your relatives live in the same state/province as you? No; only my parents and immediate sisters live here. Have you ever participated in a medical study? No. Is there a food you hate that everyone else seems to like? Especially where I live, fried chicken. It's disgusting. Have you ever had to evacuate from a natural disaster? No. Do you have any family members who are cancer survivors? Numerous, actually. Do you have any licenses other than your driver's license? I don't even have a driver's license, never mind anything else. What job does you significant other have? I’m single. When you were in elementary school, what was a typical afternoon like once you got home from school? I did my homework right away; well, after having a snack. After that, I was most likely on the computer playing Neopets or Webkinz, or something on the PlayStation. Is your favorite movie part of a series? Yes. Have you ever played in a water puddle? Sure, as a kid. I loved that. Have you ever played in a mud puddle? I don't think so. Have you ever kissed someone (outside) in the rain? Yes. He did it purely to be romantic, lol. Have you ever lost control of your car in the rain? No, thank fuck. Have you ever had to attend summer school? No. Have you ever experienced a summer where the temperature exceeded 120'F/49'C? Yikes, no, not that high. The highest we usually get is below 110. Do you live in a hot or cold (normally) climate? Hot. It sucks. Has your community ever had a “smog alert”? No. Have you ever raked leaves, and then played in them? Oh, absolutely as a kid. Dad would rake a pile just for us kids. Have they ever cancelled school because it was too hot? At least once, yes. Have you ever had to shovel snow? No. Have you ever experienced “cat’s breath”, where the wind was so powerful it took your breath away, literally? Yep, especially when I visited Sara and we went on a walk. It was fucking outrageous. Safe to say I didn't last long on that walk. Has your/or have you been in a car that was stuck in a snowstorm? No. What does your MySpace profile look like? I haven't seen it since that site was still "a thing." I do remember, however, that it was COVERED in meerkats, haha. Pictures, facts, etc. And my page song was "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Beddingfield lmao. Do you like living in the country or city better? Country, 100%. I'm not a city gal by any means. Do you have a big backyard? No, it's very small. Not used to that at all. What is your favorite Adam Sandler movie? I don't know, he's in too many to choose lmao. What was the last thing that surprised you? Apparently a rocket crashed today after launch. What color hair did your first crush have? Brown. Have you ever visited your state’s capitol building? No. I... didn't even know those existed lmao I feel dumb. Who was the last person that said something that warmed your heart? I'm not sure, but I'm quite certain my niece or nephew would be involved there, haha. What is your favorite park? I don't have one. Have you ever felt an earthquake? No. Do you believe anyone is asexual? ???????????? Yes???????????? Were you abused? No. Have you ever missed a deadline? Yeah. Can you tell Mary-Kate and Ashley apart in pictures? I haven't seen them in an eternity, idk. Describe your fondest memory: I don't really want to... but I'll entertain the question. It's hard to choose, and they just about all include Jason. I think what I hold closest though was our dance to "Stairway to Heaven" after prom in the headlights of his car in my front yard. It's something that physically hurts to remember. What song makes you cry every time you hear it? Let's set aside my "trigger songs" for this. "Terrible Things" by Mayday Parade does it very easily. How often do you break your promises? I almost never do. I don't bullshit around with promises. I've only ever broken ones I'd forgotten I'd made, if my memory serves me right. How long do you take in the shower, on average? Not even 10 minutes. Do you have your MySpace/Facebook profile set to a "friends only" setting? Yes. Did your last kiss mean anything? Why or why not? Of course it did. I care very, very deeply for her. Are your summers usually boring and relaxing, or busy and interesting? "Summers are hot and miserable." <<<< mood Tell me a crazy thing you did as a child. I don't really think I did anything "crazy" as a child, just weird. Like pretending to be a father penguin arranging rocks to mock a nest. I was fuckin weird. How many best friends do you have? One. When you’re upset, who do you wanna talk to the most? Either Sara, Mom, or nobody. Opinion on Daughtry? They're nice. "No Surprise" is positively beautiful. Do you like country music? Noooooo. What’s been the most awkward situation you've been in? Okay, possible TMI. Basically, Jason's parents arrived home way, way earlier than they were supposed to and my panicky ass couldn't find my clothes quickly, and when I finally did, I had to dress as quickly as possible in his tiny-ass closet while he distracted his mom and dad lmfao. I'ma just say it was a very close call to me melting into a mortified puddle. I look back on it and laugh now, but the absolute, throbbing fear I felt was NOT funny back then lmfao. Don’t you love that feeling when you look at someone and you just melt? <3 That is genuinely one of the best feelings in the entire world. Do you prefer male or female singers? I have no preference. So what are you planning for this summer? Nothing, really... Who knows where the Covid situation will be then. What’s a good book? In general for absolutely anyone, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. It is a book about pacifism that is so very deep and emotional. For women, I highly recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. As a woman myself, the concept of the book is terrifying, to be reduced to reproduction machines without rights, so it's something you can really feel as a female. It's a book that definitely makes you want to fight for women's rights. Is it awkward for you when your parents talk to you about boys etc… No. I'm a grown woman. Now if she asked about my sex life (if I had one), I'd feel a bit weird, but not very. Do you like it when guys play with your hair? Yeah. Ever cried when you had to say goodbye to someone? Well of course. Over multiple people. Have your parents ever hated one of your boyfriends/girlfriends? No. Have you ever dreamt of someone you barely know? Indeed. Do you have a blood donor’s card? Yep. Have you ever taken a pregnancy test? I had to before surgery. Has anyone seen you naked in the last week? No. What kind of doctor did you go to the last time you went? It was via phone, but I talked with my psychiatrist a few days ago. Does your ex still think about you? I'm sure Sara and Girt do, as they're my good friends, but idk if either think of me romantically. I would hope Jason at least remembers me with some degree of care in his heart... As for Juan, Aaron, and Tyler, idk if they do and I don't really care. What has been bothering you a lot lately? My weight. Are you trustworthy? I think so, yes. Did your parents teach that white lies were ok? Yeah, but it definitely depends on the situation. Which literary character would you dress up as, if you had to choose one? Speaking of The Handmaid's Tale, for Halloween one year, I really, really want to take some cool photos of me dressed as a handmaid with a (obviously fake) blood splatter over my stomach. What (or who) is the best thing that ever happened to you? Being born with the mom I have, probably. I have no idea. None. Of where I'd be without her. Do you miss college? Sigh, sometimes... but I'm not going back. No chance. Dropping out three times due to my mental state hints at a clear pattern. Have you ever called a teacher “mom”? Yeah, accidentally. Except with my physical science teacher in HS that eventually became my "other mom" and most recently our landlord, even. I call her "Mama" sometimes. What was the name of your first imaginary friend? It was a wolf whose name I don't remember. What color was your nursery when you were a baby? No clue. What is your favorite arcade game? I desperately wanna go to a location that has Silent Hill: The Arcade. :/ That's on my bucket list. It's very rare. Are you allergic to grass? No. Do you remember to water plants? I don’t have any plants to water. What is your favorite fall drink? I don't drink any "fall" drinks. Favorite winter drink? Hot chocolate! Favorite spring drink? There are "spring" drinks? Favorite summer drink? Gimme a nice, cold margarita. Name three creative people you know. Sara, Tez, and Mini are some of the most creative people I've ever written with. Name 3 YouTubers you aspire to be like. Mark in like a million different ways, I look up greatly to Jeffree Star's work ethic (say what you will about him personally, but holy shit does mama WORK), and Emzotic for her incredible growth after trauma that's left her more confident than ever, and she's amazing with animals and just a darling overall. Does anyone know who your current crush is? Yeah, I'm pretty open about it. Have you ever been scammed? Not successfully, no. Which song describes your life? I relate to "Get Up" by Mother Mother a lot at this point in my life. If someone dislikes you, what is most likely to be the reason? Probably because I open up so slowly/am very secretive of myself when someone might be trying to get close. People have also criticized my laziness. Where did you meet the last person you swapped numbers with? YouTube. At least I think Tez was the last person I gave my number to. Who was the last person to add you as a friend on Facebook? Hunter, my neighbor growing up. Who was the last person that asked if you were okay? My therapist. I had to leave group due to severe abdominal cramping. It was just my period, but he just wanted to check. What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine? Probably a soda back when I was still in school. Has anyone given you butterflies recently? Actually yeah; I had a memory of Sara that caused 'em to revisit me. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them? I'm going to exclude my puppy-dog crush (Dylan) and talk about my first "real" crush, Sebastian. I liked him because we had very similar interests, he was really friendly, nice, and funny, and he clearly trusted me a lot because he actually confided in me regarding the relationship he was in that was struggling and causing him a lot of pain. I thought he was attractive, too. Ngl, I wonder sometimes where we could have gone if he hadn't been dating the girl, because I'm 90% sure he was into me, too. In current times, he very recently got engaged! Super happy for him. Which parent do you identify with the most? My ma. What do you think you cook or bake the best? Scrambled eggs, I guess. That's just about all I CAN make, haha. My family likes 'em. I always use American cheese, salt, pepper, and a bit of hot sauce. What embarrasses you the most in front of other people? Admitting I RP. If you had to choose one thing you were most passionate about, what would it be and why? Of actually important things, gay rights. If we're talkin' passionate about anything, then the answer's meerkats, duh. Who are you most envious of—real or fictional—and why? A rival photographer that lives here. I absolutely hate admitting that, but yeah, I'm extremely envious of her. She gets way more traffic than I do by a long shot, even though I, from a completely modest and honest standpoint, genuinely think I do better work than her. It's just frustrating. All about who you know in this business. How old is the most expired item in your fridge? Supposedly our milk expired on the 1st, but it smells just fine? And mind you, I am very cautious with expiration dates, and I've found milk typically starts to smell bad a few days earlier than the date to me. This jug is an outlier. What are your favorite style of underwear? I'm a fat old lady that likes high-waisted underwear. What’s the saddest song you’ve ever heard? Maybe "The Ballad of Dwight Fry" by Alice Cooper. I could name tons, though. How about the sweetest song? Maybe "Easy to Love You" by Theory of a Deadman. Another song I struggle to listen to because it was one of mine and Jason's "songs." Do you know how to play dominoes? No. Are you proud of what you’re doing with your heart and time right now? Not in the least. Why or why not? I'm just wasting time. Doing nothing with true meaning, and I seem unable to get over this low point I'm in. How many bones have you broken? One. Well, I was told "fractured," but apparently that's the same thing as broken? Have you ever won anything? Big or small? Yeah, multiple things. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Animals like cats or dogs. Pets, basically. I would feel WAY too weird. Has anything/anyone every saved your life before? Yes. What is one thing you’re embarrassed to admit you want to try? If I'm embarrassed by it, why would I share it with whoever reads these? What is the most important memory you have and why? When I decided it was truly time to move on from Jason. Why that's my most important is obvious: it changed my mindset and life in general. Is there something you wish you had said sorry for but never did? God, I hope Jason read my apology email I last sent him. I finally accepted I did wrong, too, and I want to know that he knows that. Who was the last person you know to have a birthday? My youngest niece's first birthday was mid-February. What’s a musical instrument you think sounds really beautiful? The violin. Do you play that instrument? I wish I could. Do you have a favorite type of pasta? (like a shape of noodles, not dish) Just spaghetti noodles, ig. How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Once. Who sent the last e-mail you got? My PHP therapist sent me the Zoom link to our group session. Do you have a favorite shape? Out of basic ones, circles. What’s the last song you bought/downloaded? I don't recall. Probably something by 3TEETH. Have you ever been on a trapeze? Hell nah. Do you buy chocolate after Valentine’s Day when it goes on sale? No. Do you personally know anyone who is an author? I met a poet at the psych hospital once. I also have an old friend who had something published in a magazine, I think. Do you own a polaroid camera? No, but I'd love to to take more ~aesthetic~ photographs sometimes. What is something you think is underrated? Snakes! :( They're not scary or gross, nor do they in any way deserve to be killed. I wish the worth of snakes was seen much more clearly. They are spectacular, intriguing animals. Around what temperature do you consider it to be too hot outside? Once it hits like 65*F, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. In what ways do you expect your life to be different one year from now? I hope beyond hope that I have a job I enjoy. And that I'm driving again. What’s a hobby you used to have, but don’t anymore? I used to loooove video editing, but I've lost all motivation for it. Do you have any exercise equipment in your home? Somewhere we have this one stretchy thing that I have no idea what it's called, then there are two sets of small weights somewhere. Where is the farthest north you’ve traveled to? New York. Farthest south? Florida. East? Well, ya can't go more east in NC unless you want to drive into the ocean... lol. West? Illinois. If you have/want children, will you raise them similar to the way you were raised? If I had kids, I would in some ways, but in a lot of other ways, no. Do you have any unusual decorations in your home? Nothing strange, no. What is the highest level math class you’ve completed? I don't know. Not very high. Do you have an ebook reader? (iPad, Kindle, etc.) No. What kind of natural disaster is most common where you live? Hurricanes. Have you ever had an animal get into your attic? No. When was the last time you started a “new chapter” of your life? 2017, ig. What is the last random act of kindness you did? I guess you could consider a loving text to Sara a random act of kindness?

#survey #surveys #questions

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nutty1005 · 4 years

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Xiao Zhan: An Unyielding, Ambitious Gentleman

Original Article:https://www.weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404475603653886153#_0 Original Author: 雪色烟波里

I have been reading Portrait Magazine for longer than I have known Xiao Zhan, so when I heard that he was going to be on the cover of Portrait Magazine, my initial reaction was as though the fourth wall had been broken. Portrait Magazine had always been a magazine famous for reaching deeply into people’s lives, and Xiao Zhan, an actor who has just started his career, is he able to give a deep and exciting interview as required by Portrait Magazine? Very soon, I found out that my worry was needless, not only did he match the expectations, he exceeded it by giving a 7 hour long interview consisting of 20,000 over Chinese characters. As such, I decisively put down my order for Portrait Magazine, and entered the world of Xiao Zhan as an explorer.

In psychology, there is this famous theory about halo effect, which basically means that a person’s special or outstanding characteristic may overpower and cover all of his other qualities and affect our understanding of that person.

In Xiao Zhan’s case, most of the first impressions of him are of him being a good looking new celebrity, and maybe like all other looks based celebrities – a crazed fanbase, average acting capabilities and perhaps even shortsighted in terms of his career. However, the Portrait Magazine interview shattered this narrow minded view, and brought forth the true Xiao Zhan.

He is not a natural born star, but just someone who works hard to pursue his dreams.

Xiao Zhan’s experiences are almost legendary. Portrait Magazine describes him aptly – he broke into the entertainment scene by chance, battling without armor, and this means that he is an anomaly. After being an every-man person for 20 odd years, working in an industry totally unrelated to the entertainment business, he participated in an idol search variety show by chance and debuted as part of an idol group. After 3 years, he burst into the acting scene with “The Untamed”, and since then, his burst in popularity meant that he attained what many others tried for years in the short span of a few months.

In the short span a few years, he was able to work with the photographer that he used to follow as a photography senior; he was able to perform on the same stage with the very same idol that he used to fanboy. Just a few years ago, he was being interviewed as a commoner with movie dreams, and now he had became the lead role in a movie. This is almost miraculous, and this is even more so when you realize that Xiao Zhan did not let all of that go to his head. Instead, he is taking things one step at a time – “This is just the beginning.” I started following him because I wanted to see how an every-man person like him would survive the entertainment business with just courage.

Xiao Zhan can be considered as the icon of a commoner joining the entertainment business. With some understanding of him, you will realize that he is different from the carefully packaged idols and celebrities. He had a completely commoner education history, mature moral values and had been part of the working class. He went through the pains of society and therefore he does not put on airs, but instead, down-to-earth like every-man. In his words, he is simply “a common person, who happened to be working as a celebrity.” He calls himself “an entertainment business wage earner”, “Beijing drifter” and a “foreign staff”. Like many of us, he is a workaholic, he focuses on whether overtime is needed, and he still cannot afford an apartment in Beijing.

From the Portrait Magazine interview, you can see that he loves his career, finds joy in working hard in all he does, rejoices at the thought of knocking off and annoyance when his off-work time is being interrupted… to many, he might even feel like the “other self”, your alter-ego who is working hard in the entertainment business.

As such, I felt that it was very apt for Portrait Magazine to choose Xiao Zhan for an interview. Beneath the glitz and glory of him pursuing his dreams, we can see ourselves in him. At this point, some may ask, I had already been through a commoner’s lifetime, why would I want to follow another commoner? This, we will have to see what stands him apart from the rest of us.

He is not a perfect idol, but just a proactive perfectionist. Xiao Zhan could be said to be someone who has no shortcomings, or in his fans’ words, good in all that he does.

From his appearance, he has good looks that appeals to the mainstream, great height, long legs and amazing amount of hair on his head. He does not dye his hair, have any piercings, wears minimal makeup. To me, this is where I started noticing him. It is ridiculous that some would consider that as being feminine (not that being feminine is a bad thing, but there is absolutely no correlation here at all), because his clean looks, attitude and temperament points to him being a gentleman.

For his capability as an artist, his singing and acting abilities are good. His representative work “The Untamed” had garnered 7 billion views on Tencent’s platform with positive reviews; his participation in the variety show “Our Song” broke 2.0 on the viewership charts, and received widespread audience recognition and support, as well as the positive acknowledgements from the participating mentor singers. Even his weakness, dancing, received more than a million views on Bilibili, a video streaming platform in China.

Besides all these, he knows how to draw, cook, use Photoshop, etc. He does not display these skills deliberately, but brought up offhandedly in various interviews and shows. He does not want to use these to setup a character or a label of himself – these are just parts of him that shows up occasionally. I used to wonder why he seems to be favored by the stars, but after reading the interview, you realize that there is no all-round talent, but just plain hard work in the background.

Progressive improvements in his acting came from repeated practice of lines and every performance class he took. The perfect look under the camera lenses came from a strict discipline of diet and exercise plus professionalism. Singing and drawing was cultivated from his youthful passion. Diplomacy and tactfulness was learnt from his period of entrepreneurship. “For every single thing, if you want to do it, you do your best for it.” Xiao Zhan said, and also used his own actions to show that. No matter what he did – designer or artist, he did his best.

Many would think that this interview was a channel for him to bemoan about his miseries, but if you studied these 20,000 characters, you will realize that the interview simply laid down his steps and experiences. If you think that the interview showed that he is miserable, then he is, in fact, miserable. To me, the tale of Xiao Zhan is not a tale of misery, but a tale of a man who took the harder path, and an ambitious one at that. He went through the period of being a nameless extra in his acting career, but also attained the period of being a famous actor with countless awards under his sleeve. This is the result of him working hard not knowing the outcome, and this is something which is admirable – for not everyone has the determination to push on not knowing if there would be positive results for all of his efforts. He did, and therefore, he achieved these results.

“If you have the time to discuss, why not just do it?” Xiao Zhan offhandedly said this phrase, which made a deep impression on me. He had always been proactive, one who personifies “actions speak louder than words”.

While others were still mocking him for weak lines, he had already done his work to practice them. Waiting on the horizon were “The Oath of Love”, which would not be dubbed over; “The Most Beautiful Performance”, a series of short clips with acclaimed directors; “I Like You Liking Me”, a play to be performed on CCTV’s Spring Night. It might not be of the highest quality, but the improvement was evident in all of that.

While others were mocking him for needing the director to teach him step by step for his role in “Joy of Life”, he has already found teachers and attended countless performance classes. It is only through Portrait Magazine’s interview that we discovered that the director in “Joy of Life” is actually his teacher, but somehow, that particular behind-the-scenes video was twisted to become evidence of Xiao Zhan’s lack of acting skills. His improvements had always been constant, and so instead, I look forward to his new works coming this year.

While others were mocking him for being nervous in his first fashion show, he had already looked into improving his overall aura, and in his subsequent red carpet events, he is already a star.

While others were mocking him for not being generous in disaster efforts, or even spreading rumors of him faking donations, he never said a word to explain himself, but made arrangements behind the scenes to purchase critical medical supplies and equipment to be sent directly to the heavily affected city of Wuhan. It was only when the medical staff from the receiving hospitals posted pictures when these information were uncovered. There is no need to speak of the good deeds you do – this is Xiao Zhan, and a rarity in our impetuous society.

He sincerely accepts all constructive criticisms and will improve upon it. There is no need to have a negative stance against idol/celebrities, his self motivation is as good as any other artist.

He is not a packaged character, he has his own ideals and principles in his heart.

Like any popular artist, he has his fair share of anti-fans, and there is a group of “professional anti-fans” who are paid to spin rumors on him. With so many different stories about him, some would wonder who he really is. In many compositions by “fans leaving him”, the most frequent trait they brought up would be “hypocritical” and “fake”.

So what is Xiao Zhan really like?

Let’s take a look at how he does that.

youtube

He wants to win, but not because the opponent lost.

He has a strong desire to win, but it always stems from fair competition. He is gentle and patient even to his opponents. While watching this video, I had lost my temper already, but he remained gentle and patient throughout. This is almost the classic example of restraint and courtesy. If you want to understand him further, continue with this series, and you will realize that he is as real as you and I.

Being uncouth and impolite does not represent realism. To someone who had been through the ups and downs of society, and has strict moral values, being polite and diplomatic is also real. A teenager may find having a temper with words to match it being realistic, but after meeting various people, becoming part of society, being polite and diplomatic is a reflection of the education and culture you have received. Being real simply means that you face the world with everything of you, and being truthful, doing no wrong is also being real. There is no right or wrong, the real you is as fluid as your experiences build up. The 16 year old you is not the same as the 26 year old you, but it is still you nonetheless, and the difference is made up by your growth. Our real self should be one who is able to face his/her past and present logically, be always forward looking, and be always improving.

In Xiao Zhan’s words to his 18 year old self, “You can have the frivolity, disdain, arrogance and wildness befitting of your age, but you must always remain respectful of everyone around you, and stay in awe of those around you in your heart at all times.”

You can see a man’s character from the details of the things he does. These details I would not have taken much of a notice, but I should start learning these good habits as well.

When you want to understand a person thoroughly, it is best that you do know it not from what others tell you, but from what his action does. From his works, his shows, his interviews, his words, you will find that you can understand him better with your own eyes.

For more information:

Variety Shows

Dramas

Interviews

Our Song《我们的歌》

Eternal Classics《经典咏流传》

Who’s the Murderer《明星大侦探》

The Untamed《陈情令》

The Oath of Love《余生请多指教》

Douluo Continent《斗罗大陆》

Portrait Magazine《人物》

人民网采访

《文化十分》

His working capabilities has brought him fans from all corners, but also anti-fans from all over. For a short period in my time with Xiao Zhan as a fan, I momentarily gave up on him because there were just too many anti-fans. However, in this 6 months, he has shown to me the kind of person he is – never speaking of his miseries, fighting his way through on his own, always showing a happy face to those around him. He takes care of everyone around him, from his staff to his colleagues, always emphasized on the importance of education to his team mates, and everyone who has worked with him, from his seniors to his staff, have nothing but praise for him. Being an independent person myself, I choose to believe what I see. He is the first celebrity that I took time to write an article on, and would probably be the last as well. I believe, and I hope you to will, that he is that unique person with a universe in his heart.

Easter Egg – Quotable Quotes from Xiao Zhan

Regardless of how life is bringing down the roof on you, there is always a sky of hope beyond.

Idol and fans are actually symbiotic, we support each other and move forward together. When we live our respective lives well, and continue to become better selves. Hence I would say that my fans, I feel that you must first live your lives well, so that you have spare time to like and follow the idol you like.

I don’t think I’m a perfect person, and I don’t want to be a perfect doll.

There is no technique, throw away the vanity, the most precious component would be sincerity, let us use our passion to do well.

I feel that the ideal status is not changed by regrets. What is most important about life is making sure we live in the present and live well, and not regret the past. Present and future is the most important.

Maintain passion, persist, maybe the path forward is not bright and straight, but there will be countless possibilities. Passion can withstand the test of time, protecting each other is not something that is just said.

#xiao zhan #sean xiao #xiaozhan #肖战

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daltonhclarington · 4 years

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Who is your hero? My sister. She is stronger, and braver, than she knows. I know I might not always act like it, but I am proud of her.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I’m not sure I know where I’d want to live as a forever type of thing, but I wouldn’t mind travelling.

What is your biggest fear? Being alone forever. Not living up to expectations.

What is your favorite family vacation? One of the last vacations we took as a family before I went off to military school, we went on a cruise. I was ten or eleven maybe, Cammie had just started elementary school and was six maybe? We spent the days swimming, I probably taught her how to swim. We’d play hide and go seek and tag all throughout the ship with other kids, who befriended us because of her. I didn’t...I still don’t... make friends easily. There was all you could eat soft serve but we /had/ to ask our parents each time, and I would always tell them the good things Campbell did during the day to try and sway them into letting us eat ice cream. And at night, we’d go up to the highest deck of the ship and lay back and look at the sky. Sometimes she’d fall asleep and I’d have to carry her back to our stateroom.

What would you change about yourself if you could? Be more loveable/ be more loving.

What really makes you angry? Do you really have the time for this? Liars, cheats, people who use people, splenda, assumptions, gum.

What motivates you to work hard? Exceeding expectations.

What is your favorite thing about your career? I am currently without a career. I liked the structure of my previous one though.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Breakfast. Eggs, waffles, bacon/ham/sausage, fruit, granola, yogurt, juice, smoothie, toast with jam, homefried potatoes....

Who is your favorite author? For the amount of times I’ve read his Voyages extraordinaires, I’d say Jules Verne.

Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? I don’t really like nicknames myself. But sometimes I guess people call me Hunt or Clarington. For a while it was Captain.

Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not? Dislike. I don’t enjoy not being in control.

In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read? Depends on the relative. Depends on who I’m playing the game or watching a movie with. I’d rather read over watching a movie alone though.

Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why? Hawaii-- All the S’s: Sun, sand, surf, swimming, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. (there might be one or two more s’s in there too)

Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why? Right now I’d rather win the lottery, so I could travel. I’m not quite sure what the perfect job for me is right now.

Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island? My Ellis.

If money was no object, what would you do all day? Travel.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? In my lifetime? 2012. In any lifetime? That would be harder to pinpoint.

How would your friends describe you? Disciplined, Proud. This requires having friends.

What are your hobbies? Running, Swimming, Reading.

What is the best gift you have been given? This.

What is the worst gift you have received? A copy of Sex for Dummies. Some people just don’t understand.

Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without? This is going to sound really cheesy but the only thing I can think of that I’d want besides the necessities is Ellis.

List two pet peeves. Liars, people who think splenda is a sugar substitute. It’s not. It tastes like pencils.

Where do you see yourself in five years? The best thing about right now, is that the answer is anywhere. I literally have no real idea what I’m going to do, for possibly the first time in my life, and that’s not as terrifying as it probably should be. I just hope.... I’m happy.

@ellisanderson, @campbellrclarington

#sanctuary:challenge #challenge:you #all:ellis #all:campbell

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madelinemsnyder · 4 years

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Grazie Roma

I am waiting at the airport to head home, which as of now, is Athens, Greece. This weekend has been an absolute dream. Five of my friends and I arrived in Rome on Friday night. You can guess that we had our sights set on pizza and pasta. Mia and I split pasta a la vodka e pizza margherita. It was delicious. Although I love you, italy and your food, it is a curse to know that pasta elsewhere will never compare to that vodka sauce. After dinner, my friends wanted gelato so we took to the streets of Rome, but it appeared that every gelateria was closed. The more I could not find it, the more I wanted it. Eventually we stumbled upon some cafeteria that had some buckets of gelato in the window, so we considered ourselves lucky. Mia and I split some extravagant chocolate flavor that I still think about now.

Saturday was looking to be a big day for us. We made it to the colosseum by 9 am and started exploring. It was drizzly and gray, and I was wishing I had brought another jacket. However, by the time we made it into the Roman forum right next to it, the sun started to come out and I felt so grateful. The Roman forum was one of those places where you think you’ve seen it all, but you never have. Every place we went provided a new and more beautiful vantage point. From the Roman forum, we could see apartments nearby, and it is beyond me that people live this close to something amazingly beautiful and old. It’s every day for them, and I wonder when, if ever, it has stopped feeling like a dream. After a needed lunch break, we headed to the Trevi fountain, encountering so many beautiful sights along the way. We saw this building reminiscent of a wedding cake, where we witnessed the changing of the guards, who were all women. The Trevi Fountain was very cool and one of those places I had only seen in movies. I could not quite tell you why it is there nor would I have expected it to be so large and intricate. I have learned thanks to my well-traveled girl Allie that you throw one coin into the fountain if you want to come back, so that is what I did in hopes of returning to beautiful Italy. We also made stops to the Pantheon, another large and gorgeous Catholic Church in one of the many piazzas in Rome. I was stunned every time we stumbled upon more beauty. Mia and I broke off for a quick minute to find her mamama’s apartment, which made me so happy. I know that was special to her. Now let me tell you about dinner: there is no pasta you could’ve chosen that would not have been good. Allie and I split (delicious!) fettuccine Alfredo and pesto pizza, while we tried bites of everyone else’s meals too.

Monday is/was our last day, so we headed to Vatican City. I had no expectations for the Vatican museum, but I think even the highest hopes would be exceeded. The museum feels like a maze; you make lefts and rights through so many rooms before you make it to the Sistine Chapel. But made it we did, and we stood there for awhile admiring the beauty. Every room was so ornate; my eyes were blessed and overwhelmed to see so much art. I could not believe that my life was real in those moments. Mia reminded me of a monologue in one of my favorite movies, “Good Will Hunting”. Robin Williams scolds Matt Damon’s character because while he knows so much from books, he has never truly experienced the world. He makes a point that Will (Matt) could not tell Robin what the Sistine Chapel smells like.

So here goes: I can tell you the Sistine Chapel smells like oranges that Mia and I ate lingering on our fingers. It smells like other people and their sweat, as there were so many people (on a Monday in January...and it’s not even tourist season). The rooms to and from smell like perfumed cleaning supplies and baby powder, like the whole museum has seen constant upkeep despite being hundreds of years old (which it has and is). The whole experience felt infinite and like a privilege in itself to be there in that museum, in Italy, in Europe, and alive at all today. Just nearby, Mia, Becca, Tiana, and I got crepes and coffee and sat at St. Peter’s square just enjoying the view. We stopped by Castel Sant Angelo and the Spanish Steps on our way out of the city. And now here I am, exhausted from the 31.2 miles we walked the past 3 days and desperate for a shower (sorry but I was not paying 3€ to rent a towel). Grazie Roma, que bella.

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sepublic · 5 years

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2018 in review...

What a year. I’m honestly baffled at how... LONG and eventful 2018 was. People really aren’t joking when they say it felt like forever.

And I can see why, with all of the many, many things that happened. Many, major things. So to celebrate the end of 2018, which I consider to be one of the better years of my life... I really just want to review, in as close to chronological order, all of the major things I remembered and enjoyed;

There was me wrapping up Pokemon Ultra Moon.

I also began to finish Super Mario Odyssey, as well as Mario Kart for the Switch.

I watched the Greatest Showman, which was amazing.

There were the memes, of course. Ugandan Knuckles, Tide Pod challenge, Spaghet...

I began writing a personal, original story of mine and felt for the first time in a long while the simple joy of writing and the imagination that comes with it...

I tried Super Chix for the first time.

Shortly after I got my braces, which was genuinely painful.

Black Panther came out and was a MASSIVE success as the ninth highest grossing film of all time.

I watched my first new season of Voltron, Season 5. I’d also like to point out that the latter half of the entire show aired this year. All of it, from Lotor to Sendak to Adam’s rushed death to the disappointing finale. Yet I still enjoyed the show, by the end of the day.

The first Aru Shah book came out and I enjoyed that immensely.

Kirby Star Allies has its initial release, as well as the release of its DLC, this year. A VERY satisfying game with plenty of new lore for the series, as well as certain characters returning and being playable.

I got introduced due to Heathers the Musical, and later got interested in Hamilton and Wicked.

Infinity War, my most anticipated film of ALL time. I legit bought reserved seating for it ASAP upon the release of the second trailer. The film was amazing and somehow exceeded my wildest expectations... and then there’s the cultural impact, from the memes, the quotes, the mutual tragedy, all of it. Cinema history.

Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze was released. RIP

I achieved a personal fitness record by jogging for about an hour and a half, my longest time yet- and I continued to do that every once in a while.

There was the many, many Steven bombs... we got Emerald, a Lapis Lazuli song, and of course the Pink Diamond reveal... THAT messed me up. Then the aftermath, including the return of Bismuth, the Diamond attack, Nephrite, as well as White Diamond and her pearl.

I rekindled my interest in Bionicle, and went back to doing drawings and creating lore for a hypothetical rewrite of G2.

There was the beauty that was Ninjago: Sons of Garmadon, as well as Harumi. Up there with Tournament of Elements as the best seasons of all. Harumi is one of my favorite characters now, as is Faith.

I saw the trailer for Hazbin Hotel and got hooked onto the series, and have since followed its numerous updates, including clips of the show.

I got reinterested in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and completed it after years in my ownership. Then I got Explorers of Time, but I’ve dropped that. I’ll finish it next year.

Solo: A Stars Wars story was surprisingly enjoyable and inspired me creatively.

I went to Florida again and had a great time at Crab Island. I revisited New York a second time, and I’m still surprised by how much I enjoy just the atmosphere of being there.

There was E3, with all of the game announcements. Me following up excitedly on Smash Bros Ultimate, the directs, the character reveals, the memes... and of course me playing the game on release day.

I’m still hyped for the Resident Evil 2 remake.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom came out with the Indoraptor, one of my favorite monsters of all time now. There was also Incredibles 2, something we’ve waited for for over a decade. And after that, Ant Man and the Wasp.

I got interested in the Metroid Series, and have played Fusion, Zero Mission, and Samus Returns. I have yet to give Super Metroid or the Prime series a try.

Speaking of games, I enjoyed Warioware Gold. I also got my aunt’s old NES and some classic cakes like Mario and Zelda.

I read Poisonwood Bible. I dressed up as something different for Halloween for the first time in years- A Plague Doctor.

There was also a lot of depressing deaths... Stefan Karl Steffanson. Stephen Hawking, Stan Lee, Stephen Hillenburg. All of their names started with ST and I will continue to cherish all of them.

I also discovered Tumblr for the first time and have since been riding the highs and lows of this hellhole. I’ve made posts and a few have gone past 100 notes, which is neat.

I worked on my drawing skills and did a personal major accomplishment on a piece.

I watched Venom and enjoyed it WAY more than I ever expected myself to. Like, WAY more.

The Castlevania Netflix series had its second season, and I began and finished both seasons in a day.

Speaking of Netflix, Hilda was amazing, as well as She-Ra, and Dragon Prince.

Thanksgiving Break, I watched both Fantastic Beasts movies back-to-back, first at home and then in the cinema.

I went Black Friday shopping for the first time ever.

All of the splendid movies that came out in December, including Into the Spiderverse, Bumblebee, and Aqua Man- another film I enjoyed a lot more than I did. Not as much as Venom, but still.

For Christmas, I had SEVERAL back-to-back feasts, lunches and dinners, eating out and/or eating big at someone else’s home, or my home. I really need to burn off the fat.

I got a Zoku Slush maker and experimented with that with varying degrees of success.

AAAAND that’s about it. I watched the New Year’s countdown for New York, like every year, with my family.

It’s been quite a wild ride, and one of the craziest years I’ve ever experienced. And yet, looking back...

I wouldn’t change a thing.

Happy New Years, everyone. Goodbye to a beloved 2018, and hello to new hopes for 2019!

#new years eve #new years greetings #new years day #2018 #2019 #nostalgia #year in review

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ts1989fanatic · 6 years

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Celebrate Taylor Swift's Birthday With 28 of Her Impressive Milestones

Taylor Swift may only be 28 years old, but judging by this list of milestones, many of her wildest dreams have already come true.

In honor of the megastar's birthday today, Swifties all over the world are celebrating in her honor. As some fans highlighted online, the songstress accurately predicted early on that she would be a great success by this point in her life.

"I will be, hopefully, headlining and I would love to, you know, just be doing great touring and still be putting out successful albums and having the albums' material grow with me and never, ever alienate my fans, ever," Swift said in a 2007 interview with the Great American Country cable network in response to a question about what she would be up to at 28. "It's always going to be all about the fans and I hope that that never changes."

Now, as she officially toasts to 28 years, we wonder if she truly expected just how much she would achieve in the scope of a decade. Setting multiple Guinness World Records? Four Vogue covers? Making the best-selling album of the year...three times?

As fans celebrate the star's special day, here's 28 of the impressive milestones she's reached in the last 28 years:

1. In 2010, Swift became the youngest main artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2010 for her second studio album, Fearless. She was 20 years old at the time.

2. Swift's Fearless became the best-selling album of 2009, making her the youngest artist to have a best-selling album of the year.

3. At 14 years old, Swift became the youngest songwriter ever signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

4. Five of her six studio albums have peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and all six have peaked in the top ten.

5. In 2016, she became the first woman to win the Grammy's Album of the Year more than once after she won for 1989.

6. Swift currently holds the record for most Billboard Music Awards with 21 awards.

7. In 2008, she received her first Grammy Award nomination—for Best New Artist. In 2010, she won for the first time. She has collected 10 Grammy Awards in total and 31 nominations.

8. Her 1989 tour became 2015's highest grossing concert tour with roughly $250 million in sales worldwide.

9. In 2006, her debut album, Taylor Swift, became 7-times multi-platinum certified, the first of all six studio albums to go platinum.

10. Her lyric video for "Look What You Made Me Do" became the most-watched lyric video of all time in August 2017.

11. The music video for "Look What You Made Me Do" gave Swift her best YouTube debut, but also became the most viewed music video in its first 24 hours in history with more than 43 million views.

12. In just one week, Reputation sold 1.22 million copies, making it the top selling album of 2017—and her second time achieving the feat.

13. In 2009, Swift both hosted Saturday Night Live and performed as the musical guest. She's appeared as a musical guest two other times.

14. Since 2012, she's had five number one songs on Billboard's Hot 100.

15. In 2017, she was included as one of Time's People of the Year, the "Silence Breakers."

16. "Look What You Made Me Do" set a new record for most plays generated by any song in one day since Spotify launched.

17. In 2010, Swift set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling digital album in the USA by a female artist with Speak Now.

18. In 2010, she set a new Guinness World Record for most simultaneous U.S. hot 100 hits by a female with 11 tracks on the chart, 10 of which were making their chart debut.

19. In 2009, she won her first MTV Video Music Award for "You Belong With Me." She's gone on to win six more and 17 nominations.

20. In 2012, she appeared on the cover of Vogue for the first time. She's appeared on the American cover two more times since.

21. In 2010, she made her movie debut in Valentine's Day.

22. She was nominated for her first Golden Globe Award in 2013 for "Best Original Song," She's been nominated a second time since.

23. She won her first Emmy Award nomination, for Original Interactive Program, in 2015. In 2016, she set a Guinness World Record for highest annual earnings ever for a female pop star with estimated earning of $170 million.

24. In 2017, Fearless was certified diamond by the RIAA, meaning it had achieved sales and streams exceeding 10 million album units.

25. In 2010, Swift was listed as one of Time's most influential people in the world in the annual 100 issue.

26. In 2008, she was included in People's "World's Most Beautiful People."

27. She was nominated for her first American Music Award in 2007 and won her first awards in 2008, among them Artist of the Year. She has won 19 in total and has been nominated 25 times.

28. Her second studio album, Fearless, won the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music Award and Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

That's certainly a list to be proud of. Happy Birthday, Taylor!

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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2020: The Year That Changed How We Watch Movies

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Under normal circumstances, it’s easy to get lost in the grind of daily living, missing the forest for the trees. Under normal circumstances, one can be too busy to notice that history is occurring all around them. 2020 was not a normal year.

After nearly 12 months of pandemic and shutdown, social unrest and political upheaval, we are only beginning to understand the ramifications from the year that was. There hasn’t been one facet of our culture that wasn’t dramatically altered by the effects of COVID-19 and the world it wrought. And yes, that includes movies.

When the year began, moviegoers were still going to the last Star Wars movie in theaters to the tune of a billion dollars and looking forward to summer spectacle like Wonder Woman 1984. As 2020 ends, many of those same people are resigned to watch Wonder Woman on HBO Max. What occurred between marks a significant sea change for movies and the audiences who adore them. One that perhaps has changed this relationship forever. Here is a reminder of how.

When Movie Theaters Went Dark

March 17. That was the day movie theaters across the U.S., like European markets before them, began shutting their doors. Regal Cinemas, the second largest movie theater chain in the U.S., and which is owned by the world’s biggest, Cineworld, was the first to announce it would close all North American locations until further notice. Within 24 hours, AMC Theatres and most competitors joined them, with AMC having a particularly rosy outlook when it announced it would only be a 12-week “pause.”

With these events occurring nine months and a lifetime ago, it’s easy to forget how different the motion picture landscape was at the time. The New Year’s moviegoing season had only begun in earnest a few months earlier, with the surprise haul of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s Bad Boys for Life in January exceeding all expectations. It grossed $206 million in the U.S. alone.

Indeed, early months saw several blockbusters, as well as excellent smaller films, that are now ending up on end of year lists at an unusually high volume. Jason Blum’s horror factory of Blumhouse Productions released a Universal Monsters reboot that was better than likely anyone could anticipate in The Invisible Man, with Elisabeth Moss delivering a brutal performance that felt rooted in our post-#MeToo world.

Margot Robbie launched her passion project, Birds of Prey (and the rest of its title). And even with its R rating, the Harley Quinn film will ironically remain the highest grossing superhero movie of the year. And first-time director Autumn de Wilde and her star Anya Taylor-Joy found new, pastel-colored life in Jane Austen’s final novel, Emma, by pinpointing the humor and subversive brilliance of the author’s desire to “take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” It’s the best period adaptation of that tale to date. Meanwhile in the indie world, Kelly Reichardt delivered another critical darling with the A24 released First Cow.

Those are a few of the early critical successes at the cinemas in 2020—and they remain so, as they were also among the only line-up of movies to be in theaters before the full extent of the pandemic was realized. But even before the stampede to video on demand, there had been a steady drip of movies being delayed as the full danger of the coronavirus pandemic became apparent. First Eon Productions moved the next James Bond picture, No Time to Die, from its nearby April release date to November. Then Universal Pictures followed, delaying F9 a full year.

The drip, drip, drip of delays soon became a flood, with the real tipping point being Paramount Pictures delaying A Quiet Place Part II, indefinitely at first. This was one week from its premiere. In fact, the studio had already done press for the movie, with the film being the last I saw in theaters, as well as the last film I did in-person interviews for (and the first where it was made clear no one would shake hands and there was a bottle of Purell available on every surface). The film was supposed to open on March 18. Instead most movie theaters were closed en masse during that weekend.

VOD Experimentation… and Revolution?

The films already in theaters in mid-March, such as Pixar’s Onward or Warner Brothers’ The Way Back, became the earliest to break the theatrical window and immediately go to VOD. Universal Pictures cracked that glass first with The Invisible Man, Emma., and The Hunt, but that was nothing compared to what they announced next: Trolls World Tour would have an alleged day-and-date release in theaters and on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD). But as theaters were essentially closed, this meant Trolls was the first movie to dismiss its obligations to theatrical exhibitors.

It was not received well within the exhibition industry then, and was treated worse still after NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell boasted about the success of pushing the Trolls sequel essentially straight to VOD—where studios keep about 80 percent of grosses, as opposed to somewhere between 40 to 60 percent from a theatrical release. Shell told The Wall Street Journal, “As soon as theaters reopen, we expect to release movies in both formats.”

The news was treated as a threat by AMC Theatres head Adam Aron, who said the largest theater chain in North America was effectively banning Universal Pictures releases in light of Shell’s comments, plus the still sour feelings about Universal putting Trolls 2 on PVOD without consultation with exhibition partners. This was the first public conflict between movie theater owners in dire need of new theatrical content as the pandemic wore on, and the theaters who were wary to provide it. It would not be the last.

Universal and AMC eventually patched things up, agreeing to create a historic model where Universal would keep new releases in AMC Theatres for 17 days (so about three weekend cycles), and then decide afterward whether it made better sense to leave new releases in theaters or to move them straight to PVOD, where AMC would earn an undisclosed portion of the revenue. Where this left AMC Theatres’ competitors is still an open question, but the compromise would look quaint with what was to come.

For while the Universal-AMC drama unfurled, more and more films, both studio efforts and independent releases, were jumping to PVOD or alternative forms of streaming. Universal tested the waters again with the Pete Davidson-led The King of Staten Island while Warner Bros. also gave PVOD a try with a major release via Scoob!

Movies

Hamilton: The Real History of the Burr-Hamilton Duel

By David Crow

Movies

What Hamilton Doesn’t Say About His Real History with Slavery

By David Crow

Perhaps most presciently though was Disney releasing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton movie straight to Disney+ for the Fourth of July. Technically an edited together version of several 2016 performances of the original Hamilton cast on Broadway, the “movie” was intended to be a special theatrical event released in theaters by Disney in October 2021. And the Mouse House paid a staggering $75 million for the distribution rights to the film.

With its early streaming release, Disney was now effectively using Hamilton as a loss leader for its fledgling streaming service in need of new content. It was a massive success for the Mouse, and Hamilton became one of the most talked about cultural cinematic events of the year, even if it was technically a piece of theater released to streaming. According to Variety and ScreenEngine/ASI, Hamilton was the most watched movie streaming event of the year.

As a harbinger of things to come, Disney continued to build its streaming service’s reputation, and the loyalty of its hastily growing subscriber base by releasing one of the most anticipated theatrical projects for next year.

As such, Disney (plus Miranda’s genius) dominated the cultural landscape in July with a reawakened interest in the legacy of a musical written in the Obama era about the Founding Fathers, but cast with diverse, multicultural talent. Premiering last summer when statues of Founding Fathers (among more deserving historic figures) were being torn down, Hamilton put Disney in the center of the “discourse” occurring in the zeitgeist. The company wouldn’t soon leave.

Tenet and Mulan: A Tale of Two Release Models

As a shutdown spring dragged into a grim summer, and U.S. Congressional leadership balked at the urgent need for a second round of stimulus in a desperate economy, questions began to arise about just how long movie theaters would be closed. In April alone, S&P downgraded AMC Theatres’ credit rating and suggested the theater chain was unlikely to survive if its doors remained shuttered past June.

While AMC and others did, in fact, struggle on, survival was not easy. As infection rates slowly descended in the summer, and more folks began dining inside and outside of restaurants, many in the exhibition industry took it as a sign moviegoers could also return to theaters with proper safety precautions. And at least one major filmmaker and studio agreed with them: Christopher Nolan at WB. The singular filmmaker behind The Dark Knight trilogy and Inception had a new sci-fi action movie epic slated for July 17, 2020, and while all of its competitors abandoned the summer, Tenet would not.

Viewing cinemas as “a vital part of our social life,” Nolan wagered audiences would return in smaller but steady numbers if studios would just give movie theaters content to release again. And after reluctantly agreeing with WB to delay Tenet several times, first a few weeks in July and then more weeks in August, he convinced WB to experiment with bringing movie theaters back: Tenet would open in European and Asian markets on Aug. 26, and then open in “select” U.S. cities on Sept. 3, ahead of the U.S. Labor Day weekend.

It was a monumental gamble intended to give refuge to movie theater owners, and the rest of the industry looked on. Even several other films kept adjusting their release dates around Tenet’s moves, from the B-thriller Unhinged with Russell Crowe, to Disney dumping The New Mutants into theaters a week before Tenet’s U.S. debut. Those movies floundered, but Tenet would be different, right?

Well one competitor who moved in unison with Tenet didn’t think so… Disney’s own controversial blockbuster, Mulan, was scheduled to open in theaters one week after Tenet in July—having moved off its original March 2020 release date due to the pandemic—and then was taken off the release calendar again following Tenet’s delay to August. Then Disney offered an alternative: they would release Mulan as a PVOD on Disney+ one day after Tenet’s U.S. opening.

That’s right, Disney was asking people already paying to subscribe to Disney+ to pay an added premium of $30 to access Mulan—about $10 more than all the other PVOD experiments by competitors earlier in the summer and spring. They also were offering a dueling vision for how to handle the pandemic on the same holiday weekend as Tenet.

It turned out to be a disappointing holiday, indeed. After the weekend was over, WB curtly announced the movie grossed $20 million during its opening weekend. However, that number turned out to include up to $10 million worth of preview screenings throughout the country from the previous weekend, as well as its earlier release in Canada.

Movies

Tenet Ending Explained

By Chris Farnell

Movies

The Many Obstacles of Mulan

By Gene Ching

It was a meager debut for a movie that would go on to do okay business in Europe and Asia, but gross only an anemic $57.8 million in the U.S. Its failure was due in part to the United States’ biggest markets, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more, remaining closed for its entire run. It also was a result of theaters’ health precautions only allowing most auditoriums to run at a third capacity or less.

More importantly, it was a result of audiences still by and large balking at going back to movie theaters in the midst of a pandemic. Shocking, eh? Even before Tenet’s second weekend, the rest of Hollywood was flinching, delaying its fall schedule into 2021. Black Widow moved again, as did Candyman, and No Time to Die… and WB delayed Wonder Woman 1984 for the second time, from October to Christmas Day.

Meanwhile as a benefit of relying on their own streaming service, Disney has not disclosed its grosses from Mulan’s “Premier Access” experiment. The movie seemed to have a muted reception, perhaps because of the film’s exclusionary price tag for many consumers, and perhaps because of the many problems dogging that production. But Disney was clearly happy enough with the result, as they’ve announced they’re trying Premier Access again next year with the rare thing: an original movie titled Raya and the Last Dragon.

The Awards Season Push

As 2020 concludes, it’s left what once was the height of awards season in a strange, muted place. As early as June, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began facing the new reality by delaying next year’s ceremony from February to April 25, 2021. Additionally, instead of needing to open in 2020, films released as late as Feb. 28, 2021 are eligible for consideration in all categories.

Perhaps more significantly though, the Academy’s Board of Governors ruled films initially intended for theatrical release but released on VOD, streaming, or other means, including drive-ins, will now be eligible for consideration. Tellingly, this rule is intended to only pertain to 2020 (and early 2021), but it’ll be interesting to see if the Academy can put that genie back in its bottle. Firstly, because with a few notable exceptions, like Searchlight Pictures and Chloé Zhao’s beautiful Nomadland, many of the “big” studio awards contenders, like Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, have abandoned 2020. As a consequence, what’s left of 2020’s movie calendar was dominated, both in the public and critics’ imagination, by streaming services.

Indeed, Netflix has developed a murderer’s row of awards friendly contenders, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, David Fincher’s Mank, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the latter of which features the final performance of Chadwick Boseman, which unto itself has generated awards chatter.

Movies

Mank and Amanda Seyfried’s Quest to Save Marion Davies from Citizen Kane

By David Crow

Movies

Toronto International Film Festival 2020 Movie Round-Up

By David Crow

Amazon, meanwhile, is releasing Regina King’s stirring directorial debut, One Night in Miami, and previously dropped the underrated little character study, Uncle Frank. And even Amazon’s Borat 2 is an award contender for the supporting performance of Maria Bakalova. To put that into perspective for a moment, a sequel to one of the raunchiest comedies of the 2000s had its premiere on streaming… and is now an Oscar contender.

The times they are a-changin’.

The Next Wave of Movies

But even as the future of 2021’s film slate—much of it composed of movies originally intended for 2020—remains ambiguous, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel as the industry resumes production on films big and small.

Not surprisingly, it was a major studio tentpole, the type that underwrites the rest of a studio’s fiscal year, which was the first to go back to work. Universal Pictures led the way again with Jurassic World: Dominion, the third film in the Jurassic World trilogy, and sixth Jurassic Park movie. Universal is bringing back major cast members from the recent movies and the original, and as director Colin Trevorrow started filming again, the company released detailed safety guidelines for how to keep the cast and crew safe. They’ve since opened the production up to the gaze of the New York Times. “We are the guinea pigs,” star Bryce Dallas Howard told the paper of record.

They would not be the last. Ridley Scott resumed production on his medieval epic The Last Duel, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Adam Driver; Guillermo del Toro finally got to finish his Nightmare Alley with Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett; and Robert Eggers traded in lighthouses for Vikings with The Northman. But it hasn’t been perfect.

Infamously, WB’s The Batman had to shut down production again (for the second time after a spring pause) when star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19. And Anthony Mackie got candid about filming during a pandemic with Entertainment Tonight.

Talking about the safety measures on the resumed production of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Mackie said, “Everybody’s very afraid of each other. The food is bad because they have to pack it up somewhere else and bring it to us in Ziploc bags. Yeah, it’s awful. You’re literally living in quarantine.”

Movies

Jurassic World 3 Story Being Adapted to Reflect Post-2020 Landscape

By Kirsten Howard

Movies

The Batman: Robert Pattinson Returns to Set in New Images

By Kirsten Howard

But it’s keeping folks employed and the industry rearing up for a post-pandemic life. It’s maybe for that reason Tom Cruise made headlines when audio leaked of him chastising crew members on the currently filming Mission: Impossible 7.

“I’m on the phone with every fucking studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies.” The show must go on, even if it hardly sounds like an opening night gala….

Did HBO Max Change the Game or Forfeit It?

When Warner Bros. announced in November that Wonder Woman 1984 was going to premiere day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max, everyone in the industry took a deep breath. Obviously, this wasn’t a unique development. Disney tested these waters with Hamilton and Mulan, and this month’s Soul on Disney+. The more the merrier, right?

… And yet, it was the first time a studio placed its biggest tentpole of the year on streaming. Universal might’ve been the first to break the theatrical window, but that studio likewise made sure to move F9 a full year to hopefully keep its theatrical window safe. Still, director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot accepted the Wonder Woman arrangement (as well as a rumored $10 million each, a consolation prize for losing gains from profit participation backend deals), and exhibitors were notified about WarnerMedia’s decision.

They were not on the next one. WarnerMedia’s bold choice to release WB’s entire film slate of 17 movies on HBO Max went off in the industry like an atom bomb. More troubling still, no one who worked on those movies, from talent to producing partners, were notified about a decision that could have unforeseen and extensive economic ramifications.

Nolan, the filmmaker who convinced WB to release Tenet in theaters, was shockingly blunt and uncharitable to the studio that was loyal to him for nearly 20 years. He called HBO Max “the worst streaming service,” which is flatly untrue to any cinephile who’s ever used it. However, the auteur made a better point about the hidden economic problems in the move.

In a more recent interview with NPR, Nolan better articulated, “The economics of it are unsound unless you’re purely looking at movements in share price, number of eyeballs on the new streaming service. Theatrical is really only one part of what we’re talking about here. You’re talking about home video window, your secondary, tertiary windows. These are things very important to the economics of the business and the people who work in the business.”

This is in line with what director Judd Apatow said separately to Variety, highlighting how the decision hurts people below the line, and just not stars and filmmakers with profit participation deals.

“It creates a financial nightmare, because most people are paid residuals – they’re paid back-end points,” Apatow said. “What they get out of it for years and years of hard work is usually based on the success of their films. And so now what does it mean to have a movie go straight to streaming? How do they decide what to pay you? Do you even have a contract that allows you to negotiate, or is it really just up to them at this point? It raises thousands of questions, which I’m sure are very complicated.”

It’s also why Denis Villeneuve, director of one of WB’s most anticipated new movies, Dune, penned a passionate essay in Variety, saying AT&T “hijacked” WB, and has no love for cinema or audiences. He outright states AT&T CEO John Stankey has led the horse (Dune) to “the slaughterhouse.”

Is that sound and fury against the inevitable changing realities of the industry, or justified anger at a panicked reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic—and more acutely HBO Max’s poor streaming launch?

Movies

What Alejandro Jodorowsky Thinks of the New Dune Trailer

By Mike Cecchini and 1 other

Movies

How Patty Jenkins Steered the Wonder Woman 1984 Ship

By Delia Harrington and 1 other

It’s hard to say at the moment, but it’s clear that WB’s fire sale approach of all or nothing to subsidize HBO Max’s poor performance is burning bridges in the industry, with Wonder Woman director Jenkins moving to Disney for the next Star Wars movie, Rogue Squadron, while entertaining the idea in the press of starting a United Artists-like studio with other filmmakers who still believe in the theatrical experience. And most persuasively, Disney, the Big Five studio best positioned to go all-in on streaming, is leaving its biggest 2021 blockbuster, Black Widow, slated for theaters even as it moves smaller efforts to Disney+.

The future isn’t written, and while the theatrical window apparently has been shattered, it may not be beyond some state of repair, even if it never quite resembles what it once was. These will also be lingering questions that will hang over cinema as 2020’s cold grip is finally shaken off.

Will 2021 be that different, for motion pictures and the world at large, from the chaotic upheaval of 2020? Only time will tell, but it’s worth remembering that if 2020 changed the future of moviemaking, at least 2021 promises a chance to embrace that future by turning the page on all the anxiety and uncertainty that defined this year’s biggest changes to the cinema.

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srkriz26-blog · 4 years

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Thalapathi was released in the year 1991. At any level, it was dream-come-true project for one of those finest minds involved in their fields. Mani Ratnam, Santosh Sivan, Thota Tharani, Mammootty, Sri Vidya, Shobana, Banu Priya and of course Ilayaraja and Rajinikanth. Its a film of highest quality even to this date. I still remember watching the film in theaters and my expressions during the movie. Ok, I am fan of Rajinikanth even at that age. But this film gave me goosebumps even yesterday when I watched it on tv. One could make fun of the dialogues. Monotonous way, the dialogues are written and mouthed. But that’s a signature which has aged better over the years like all other aspects of the film.

I still wonder whether Mani could make a movie of such quality again. There are few rare phenomenons in Tamil cine history and Mani is one among them. Bhagyaraj, Balachander, Balu Mahendra and Bharathiraja were all legends no doubt. But Mani has exceeded them by making movies across generations. From Mouna Ragam to Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, he has remained relevant across ages. We speak of Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Al Pacino and Tom Hanks. Remaining relevant across years, finding alignment with generations, and fulfilling the needs of eras is beyond greatness. Rajinikanth and Mani Ratnam have achieved that. I couldn’t think of anybody else. Of course we still like Ilayaraja’s yesteryear songs and scores, not the ones he composes now. But, these 2 are still on top of their game. Bagyaraj and Balachander failed big time in their last few outings. So did Barathiraja and I am never a fan of Balu Mahendra. Not to disgrace him, but I always feel his films lacked nativity to the region.

Coming back to Thalapathi, even before the movie was released, people knew its an adaptation of Karna, Duryothana friendship from Mahabharata. But everyone was excited to see the end product and how Rajinikanth would be portrayed. Mani Ratnam in one of his interviews said, he always wanted Karna to live for all he was. So did his version of Karna. Surya didn’t die in the end. I would always rate this ahead of Nayagan, not because I am a fan of Rajinikanth, but because of the industrial pressure and the quality of the end product.

Santosh Sivan

Santhosh Sivan, in one of his interviews, said collaborating with Mani Ratnam makes him explore more and challenges him to look beyond his limits. Sun and lighting is always a challenge for any photo. Throughout the movie, Rajini’s scenes would have Sunlight falling straight on the lenses. That’s one hell of a challenge. People aren’t used to visuals of shade throughout the movie. But Sivan made it a compelling case to try and succeeded. Mani Ratnam and Santosh Sivan worked together on few other movies, but this one is epic. The entire movie is shot in a different tone. The sets and locations too.

Devaraj

Playing Duryodhana and yet appealing to people as a do-gooder gangster isn’t easy. We have been taught to believe all along that, Duryodhana is a villain. Thalapathi is not about Rajinikanth and his character; Surya like other movies. Its also about Devaraj and his friendship with Surya. Their journey and confrontation with Arjun. Rajini has an unmatchable screen presence. But Mammootty was majestic. Even after 30 years people speak about Deva and Surya, mainly because of the well performed roles.

As Deva, Mammootty displays a multiple facets of his acting and body language throughout. During the scene asking Subbulakshmi’s (Shobana) to be married to Surya, he displays arrogance and ego. At the same time, after failing to convince Subbu and her father, he displays apology and gratitude, a tone of resentment.

After knowing that Arjun is Surya’s borther, he displays pride, and is ready to leave his gundaism and surrender. Even when Surya was ready to battle against his own (step)brother, Deva isn’t. It is not only Surya who owes his life to Deva. It is also vice versa.

Standout elements

Mani has sketched the character of Surya with all the ingredients of Karna; pain of being an orphan, pain of being bullied by administrators, anger arising out of the pain, being emotional towards his unknown mother, bravery and skill in battles. Rajini has the portrayed the character to perfection. To stand alongside a majestic Mammootty and to garner audiences attention towards him is a Himalayan task, not just as Rajini but as Surya. Thanks to Mani Ratnam, we got to see a different Rajini in years. Even his tone had a sense of longing. His tone was slightly different from other movies. Rajini as actor revels high on looks and performance when Jai Shankar reveals about his mother and during the revealing scene.

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When Surya comes to meet Arjun, and happens to meet Subbu, the actor in Rajini emotes the satisfaction of seeing his ex-lover beautifully through his eyes.

Thalapathi is a collective effort from all the players. It is team game. But there is one person to be appreciated just before the captain, Ilayaraja. It is not about just scoring songs. He proved that music is the language that highlights emotions.

Few instances I would like to highlight

There are multiple versions of Violin instrumentals of Sundari Kannal song used throughout. But, Raja’s greatness is measured when he uses it in the interval portion when Subbu and Surya separate. Subbu is about to get married to Arjun and Surya is already enraged when he came to know that, Deva and wife were insulted at Subbu’s house. When she depart’s we get a Violin ladden BGM resonating the lyrics நான் உன்னை நீங்கமாட்டேன் நீங்கினால் தூங்க மாட்டேன் . There is a sense of sadness and separation.

The same song is used later, when Surya meets Subbu at Arjun’s house. At a first glance, the violin track rack referring நான் உன்னை நீங்கமா��்டேன் gets played. Just before the next line நீங்கினால் தூங்க மாட்டேன், there is a pause which elevates the feel of the tune. The notes are slightly higher now. They denote a sense of lost love. But both of them have moved on. Surya is responsible now. Subbu is his brother’s wife, yet his first love. The difference in tone is obvious, conveying multiple emotions at multiple instances. Yet the tune is same.

More than the use of tones, it is the use of silence when required marks the greatness this man’s story sense and music sense. He conveys story through music.

Last but not the least, Mani Ratnam.

His reimagined version of Karna Duryodhana saga is well portrayed and visualized. Who knows, Duryodhana could have let his ego and pacified with Pandavas, had he known that Karna is their brother. To add sense and sensibility to heroism and bravery is brilliance. The collector office scene is still gun. The heroism is unparalleled.

It isn’t important, yet Mani doesn’t enclose the location of where the events unfold. Characters speak Tamil, but the setup is not even remotely close.

The scene where Deva apologizes to Surya for screwing things, Surya says nothing is important to him than Deva. Thats a touch of melodrama, but brilliantly acted by all three involved. Deva thinks he is the reason why Srinivasan rejects Surya for his daughter Subbu.

The scene where Kalyani and Surya look at a train from the temple and Kalyani’s husband knowing both of them is class. Let alone the performance and the background score, to visualize and write such a scene requires an eye of master.

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The எடுக்கவோ கோர்க்கவோ scene is very important to show Duryodhana’s trust in Karna. But in Thalapathi, Deva suspects Surya of joining hands with Arjun. Despite the suspicion, their friendship doesn’t fall off. And, he lets his ego vanish as soon he comes to know Surya decided to stay with him, rather than go with his mother. May be such a reveal, would have stopped the Kurukshetra. It is just a probability.

While Karna is ridiculed in Draupati’s swayamvara for not being a high born, Surya is also ridiculed and rejected by Subbulakshmi’s father for not knowing his origin. And Draupati marries Arjun.

Modernized Arjun is well played by Aravindsamy on his first movie. He is calm, composed and yet want to eradicate the crime lords.

At no point did Mani Ratnam disappoint Rajinikanth fans. The collector office scene is just a sample. Who would expect a rain fight introduction, a raunchy song and some evergreen mass dialogues from such a character oriented movie. The difference is, the characters are well defined and deep rooted.

Mani has also redefined masculinity through this movie. Heroes are known for vooing woman and marrying them against all odds. And how often do we get heroes who marries a widow and just doesn’t indulge in family life, but stays as a protector. While Ramayana is due to Ravana abducting Sita and Mahabharata is due to Draupati’s revenge for her insult, Surya marries the woman and accepts her daughter just because Deva asked him to. He accepts his sin of killing Padma’s husband and vows to remain as her protector throughout.

Thalapathi is a classic. It showcased that commercial movies could be made with mindfulness. It stands as one of my favourite movie.

If you feel like watching the movie check out on Youtube – https://youtu.be/XIqEeNAzxG0

Understanding the nuances of Thalapathi Thalapathi was released in the year 1991. At any level, it was dream-come-true project for one of those finest minds involved in their fields.

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mcccleaningomaha-blog · 4 years

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Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: Our designated areas are cleared before 7 a.m. We recognize the importance of having clean, well-maintained, and safe areas to ensure the easy flow of traffic in business locations. Ease and accessibility are priorities for us when we with our clients. Hence, we meet with you prior to commencing work initially to discuss designated areas to clear, where to relocate snow, obstacles to avoid, and where to apply deicing agents if necessary. Our Omaha NE snow removal services provide salt and other melting agents as necessary upon request and with your prior approval.

We employ commercial grade snow plows for snow plowing, hauling and removal. Whether you need a one-time service or ongoing snow plowing solutions for the snow season, we can assist you with all of your snow removal services. Our seasoned and trained staff is dedicated to handle any kind of snow emergency. Equipped with radio dispatches, our team members also carry maps of all sites that are clearly marked with areas for clearing and relocating snow. Call us now to schedule your snow plowing services.

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● Early morning clearing

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● Weather monitoring: We employ a private weather service, giving us access to the most detailed, up-to-the-minute information on current conditions and forecasts.

● Fleet of on-site equipment: We have a number of trucks, skid steers and a wide array of other equipment, allowing us to tailor equipment selection to your site.

● Skilled, knowledgeable staff: Our team consists of trained, experienced snow removal professionals.

Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: Ease and accessibility are priorities for us. We conduct site surveys prior to commencing work at the beginning of the season to discuss designated areas to clear, where to relocate snow, and obstacles to avoid. We employ commercial grade snow plows for snow plowing, hauling, removal, and relocation. Whether you need a one-time service or ongoing snow plowing solutions for the snow season, Denver Snow can assist you with all of your winter commercial services. Our seasoned and trained staff is ready to handle any kind of snow emergency.

● Decks

● Driveways

● Parking Lots

● Patios

● Sidewalks

● Snow Hauling

● Snow Relocation

● Snow Removal.

COST

Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: The company, which logged hundreds of complaints at the Better Business Bureau, eventually had its municipal snow plowing license permanently yanked. The City of Omaha also subsequently tightened up its licensing regulations.

May be history and stricter controls in force, but with winter around the corner, many home movie theaters are wondering how to hire a snow removal service and what to expect when they do.

Are snow removal services still a problem?

With (BBB-) accredited businesses, we have very few problems, says the Omaha NE the bureau received 52 snow removal complaints, and the category ranked eighth of most complained-about services.

Worth noting too is that consumers don’t always report problems to the bureau. On the other hand, homeowners can be unrealistic in their expectations or they simply don’t read the contract thoroughly

They may think they’ll be the first on the street to be cleared because they want to go to work.

What to expect from a snow removal company

Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: The BBB-accredited company, which has been in business for 32 years, offers snow clearing, landscaping and other services.

It charges an average of $400 to $600 per season for movie theater snow clearing, but Kearney, like other service providers, stresses that cost varies from home to home. Property layout and size of the area to be cleared can affect the price.

Different companies provide different levels of service. Omaha for example, starts clearing when a snowfall hits two centimeters; other companies might wait until there are five centimeters on the ground or offer different levels of service at different prices.

How quickly should you expect your driveway to be cleared?

Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: You can’t guarantee time in this business, it’s been around for 16 years and provides service in the east end. Standard seasonal rates are $300 for a single driveway; $350 for a double driveway.

If the snow starts falling at midnight, you’ll have your driveway open by noon, says Hopkins. We’re back out again by midnight and then again after the city plow has left that horrible mess at the end of your driveway. If we get a 30-cm fall, we’ll try to make a pass every 10.If I don’t have your driveway done yet, nine out of 10 times, the city hasn’t plowed your street either.

How do you hire a service?

As with any service, get quotes from at least three companies and check their BBB ratings (a company doesn’t have to be accredited to receive a rating). Remember that if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can’t do this for $150 a driveway and be profitable, says Kearney.

Does the company visit your property before setting a final price? If not, why not?

Movie Theater snow removal services near Omaha NE: Ask about cleaning pathways, steps and porches. Is there an extra charge? Can you opt out of one or more of them and get a slightly lower price on the driveway alone?

Most contracts stipulate a set price up to a maximum snowfall per season, usually 2.5 meters. That amount is based on Ottawa’s average seasonal snowfall of around 2.25 meters. Find out how much you will be charged if snowfall exceeds the contracted amount. For example, specifies that for the 2013-2014 season, a charge of $1.50 per centimeter will apply to clear anything over 250 cm (2.5 meters). That means a 20-cm dump in excess of the maximum, for example, would cost $30.

If you are also having walkway cleared, there’s a flat charge of $5 per time once you’ve exceeded the seasonal limit. Ensure that the company you hire is licensed by Omaha NE.

Licensed companies must provide proof that they are insured and their vehicles are in good repair.

More tips from the Better Business Bureau’s website (ottawa.bbb.org) on hiring a snow removal company

Check references asking neighbors is a smart move,Don’t agree to a price over the phone; insist on a written contract and find out how you can terminate the agreement if necessary.

Ask if there are additional charges for snow removal during a major storm.

Remember that the Consumer Protection Act provides a 10-day cooling-off period on all contracts for goods and services that are signed in the consumer’s home and are worth more than $50. The cooling-off period starts when you receive a copy of the contract.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will the City issue a warning before they issue a ticket for failure to Movie Theater remove snow?

No, since snow is considered a safety issue, warnings are not issued. On occasion, the City has delayed enforcement after large snow events. It is still in your best interest to remove the snow as soon as possible. Delaying removal only makes it more difficult.

How much of my sidewalk do I have to clear?

The property owner is required to clear the entire width of the sidewalk, from edge to edge.

Can I place the snow from the sidewalk into the street?

No, pile snow into your yard and terrace. It is against the law to put snow into the street.

If I own a corner lot, do I have to clear the curb ramp, the portion of the sidewalk leading to the street?

Yes, the Ordinance requires the removal of snow and ice from the curb ramp regardless where the snow and ice came from.

I removed the snow but my sidewalk is covered with ice. What should I do?

Sand can be purchased at local hardware stores in the city. Generously apply sand to the ice-covered sidewalk to eliminate the hazard. Applying salt to the sidewalk may accelerate the removal of the ice. Keep the sidewalk sanded until the ice is gone.

When bus stops and city are owned sidewalks cleared?

Snow removal from bus stops and City owned sidewalks are done after each event. MCC Cleaning Omaha will clear City sidewalks and bus stops with concrete pads as part of general plowing operations.

What can I do about snow plows that block my driveway with snow?

This is an unfortunate side effect of plowing all streets in the City. All snow must be plowed to the curb and as a result driveways get blocked with the wet, heavy snow from the plow. It is the property owner's responsibility to clear the snow from the bottom of the driveway.

What do I do if I'm not going to be home for an extended period of time and there is a snowfall?

If the homeowner is not at home or otherwise unable to clear snow, he/she must get someone to shovel their sidewalk.

What does the City of Omaha do about snow & ice during the winter?

A: Here are the Omaha’s Procedures for Snow & Ice Control.

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elgomoviereviews · 5 years

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Who will win in the Oscars?

Only a few hours separate us from the Oscars ceremony, the event that marks the official end of awards season. And while most of this year’s categories do not hold that much competition, the question of whether Roma will win big this year is still to be decided. Here are my predictions and hopes for who will take the award home tonight:

- Best Documentary Feature:

Will win: RBG

Should win: Free Solo

Judging by the fact that my favorite documentary of the year; Three identical Strangers, didn’t even get nominated in this category, I wouldn’t say that I really understand on what basis the academy chooses its nominees or winners when it comes to documentaries. And between this year’s nominees, Free Solo stands out as the most eye opening story that both thrills and inspires. But, nominate anything against RBG (a dull movie that feels like an overlong tv report biopic about a female lawyer who made her way through becoming a judge when it wasn’t easy for women to do so) in this day and age and it will automatically lose.

- Best Animated Feature:

Will win: Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse

Should win: Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse

Don’t get me wrong, I think that Isle of Dogs is a masterpiece, I think that Incredibles 2 is as good as its predecessor and I even think that Mirai is an animated feature that could’ve won the Oscar if it was nominated in most other years. But Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse is a movie that came and took everyone by surprise. I went in with the highest expectations ever, after the rave reviews it’d received, and I still was blown away as it exceeded all my expectations. Unlike all titles it’s competing against, I’ve never seen anything like Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse. From the range of amazing colors displayed on screen with every shot, to the intricate and unpredictable plot, to the highly emotional take on a very well known character, to the message that the whole movie so smoothly delivers to its multi-generational audience, besides being an experience of sheer fun, this movie never takes a wrong turn.

- Best Foreign Language Film of the Year:

Will win: Roma

Should win: Roma

This is by far one of the best years for this category. There is a frontrunner like most years for sure, but what’s different this year is that the runner ups are so significant that they could’ve definitely been the frontrunner if they were released any other year. But while Capernaum, Cold War and Shoplifters are all amazing movies that are well worth your time, Roma is considered by many (including myself) to be the best movie of 2018, let alone just the best foreign language one.

- Best Achievement in Visual Effects:

Will win: Avengers: Infinity War

Should Win: First Man

I’ve seen superheroes and super villains smash heavily CGI’d cities and landscapes a million times by now. What I haven’t seen though is such a horrifyingly realistic look of the moon’s surface and the POV of a man stuck in a capsule that might or might not land on it. My bets go to the more popular movie though, the movie that probably hired half of Hollywood to work in it, Avengers: Infinity War.

- Best Achievement in Sound Editing:

Will win: A Quiet Place

Should win: A Quiet Place

My vote goes to the only movie in the nominees list that actually wouldn’t have been bearable to watch if not for its creative sound editing job. In A Quite Place, a movie that’s nearly silent from beginning to end, any sound the audience hears has to act as a direct tool to translate the plot to screen, it does the job perfectly.

- Best Achievement in Sound Mixing:

Will win: Black Panther

Should win: First Man

Even though the moon landing sequence gives us some layers of sound that we haven’t heard before, mixed together so masterfully that you get an idea of the emotional state of the main character, the nature of the landscape he’s just landed in and a background of grandiose music that both his achievement and sorrow. That’s not enough to break the Academy’s unspoken rule of giving this award to big action movies. So again, my choice for the win will go for the more popular choice with this category.

Best Original Song:

Will win: Shallow - Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson (A Star is Born)

Should win: Shallow - Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson (A Star is Born)

Out of all nominees of all categories this year, this song will have the safest win. Every Oscar voter must’ve listened to one of the most popular songs of the year five hundred times by now and they won’t imagine anyone better than pop queen, Lady Gaga raising a statue in this category. Besides being a beautiful song that sticks to your head for days after watching the movie, it also is essential to the movie’s plot, where it gets sung in a very powerful sequence, making it all the more iconic and giving it even more reasons to be the best original song for a movie of the year.

Best Original Score:

Will win: If Beale Street Could Talk

Should win: If Beale Street Could Talk

The biggest contender here would be Black Panther, and it’s very probable that it might take home this award. But I just can’t imagine that anyone could listen to If Beale Street Could Talk’s original score and deny its beauty and the huge emotional effect it has on them. This score has an instant feeling of classiness about it that you’d think this is a re-shuffle of a 1950′s orchestra recording. The tracks Eros and Agape will go down as two of the most iconic pieces in movie history.

- Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling:

Will win: Mary Queen of Scots

Should win: Vice

My personal preference here goes to Vice, the one time this year that I found myself suddenly forgetting who the star of the movie I’m watching in front of me is. Yes, I forgot that this is Christian Bale for real, and I had to remind myself that I actually know who that is and that he doesn’t look like that in real life. This in big effect is a result of Bale’s brilliant performance, but it wouldn’t have looked and felt that realistic if it wasn’t for the best makeup job of the year in my opinion. That being said, this category doesn’t only reward makeup, but also hairstyling, and since DIck Cheney’s bold in most of the movie, I understand why the academy would choose the usual period piece over Vice.

- Best Achievement in Costume Design:

Will win: The Favourite

Should win: The Favourite

One can only argue that Black Panther should win this for creating a clothing style that merges between modern and classic African-American fashion, but I will go with the more detailed, outrageous costumes of the period drama (the genre also well known for winning in this category), The Favourite.

Best Achievement in Production Design:

Will win: Black Panther

Should win: Roma

Thinking that the Academy will choose Black Panther’s art direction for looking cool, over the efforts of an art director who recreated the entirety of a Mexican city in the ‘70′s (Roma) or another who reimagined an 18th century Queen’s palace to its deepest details (The Favourite), is ridiculous to say the least. The Academy has to justify giving Black Panther all this recognition though, and having its first time black female nominee art director win in their ceremony could be a huge boost to the Oscars’ image as the platform that honors minorities like no other.

Best Achievement in Film Editing:

Will win: Bohemian Rhapsody

Should win: Vice

Bohemian Rhapsody is a project that was doomed to fail. It’s director Bryan Singer got fired in the middle of production and left the set without a director. Consequently, putting all pressure on its editor to complete the final outcome and make it look like a movie. I get that it’s a very demanding task, but upon judging the movie as is, without knowing anything about the hurdles of its production, I wouldn’t even nominate the distracted, at times awkward editing of Bohemian Rhapsody. Huge props for recreating the whole Live AID Queen performance while adding an extra emotional layer to it, making the movie end on a bang, but I’d still take the smooth, slick editing of Vice, that allowed its director to maneuver the audience into trick after trick so effortlessly, over it any day.

- Best Achievement in Cinematography:

Will win: Alfonso Cuaron - Roma

Should win: Alfonso Cuaron - Roma

Smooth camera movement to help invest the audience in time and space? Check. Interesting camera angles to reflect the character’s opinions and emotions? Check. Memorable stills, so iconic that you’d frame them on your wall? Check. Capturing shots so deep where one still shot could tell the audience so much information about the characters and their relationship to others and the space they’re at? Check. Finding the essence of the landscape and its details so much that you’d start smelling that place as if you’re there? Check. FIRST TIME CINEMATOGRAPHER? CHECK!!

- Best Adapted Screenplay:

Will win: Blackkklansman

Should win: If Beale Street Could Talk

Consider this a lifetime achievement award to the black director with the longest career in Hollywood right now who hasn’t won an Oscar yet (and he’s been so vocal about, it’s starting to make noise). Does he deserve it? In my opinion, Blackkklansman is the most boring movie of this years Best Picture’s nominees by far. It’s plot feels aimless most of the time, its dialogue tries to be funny but usually fails and it never succeeds at striking any emotion out of the audience up until its very shocking ending. On the other hand, everything about If Beale Street Could Talk’s screenplay feels right from the start. The dialogue is so smart that you learn about important plot points, amidst a day to day conversation between two friends, without even feeling it. The voice over helps the plot progress so effortlessly and the story just never seems to reach a stagnant point. Add to that, some of the most memorable quotes of the year, If Beale Street Could Talk has all what it takes to win in this category, except the right writer’s name.

- Best Original Screenplay:

Will win: Green Book

Should win: Green Book

A screenplay that takes the audience through a journey across America and a another inside its two protagonists. Equally balancing between humor and drama, tackling big ideas while never falling into the trap of feeling like a lecture, all thanks to the light approach this screenplay always takes, focusing on the bright side of this story instead of the melodrama other movies stick to when it comes to ideas like the ones this movie tackles. The only danger facing Green Book in this category would be if voters decided to not honor writer Nick Vallelonga with a win for the racial tweets that recently surfaced from his past. In this case, The Favourite will take home this prize.

Best Achievement in Directing:

Will win: Alfonso Cuaron - Roma

Should win: Alfonso Cuaron - Roma

All hail the king who gave us the only masterpiece of 2018 and saved it from becoming the worst cinematic year of all time. I can’t think of any other contender who’s even worthy of being mentioned in an argument on whether Alfonso Cuaron should win best director this year or not. Besides all the spellbinding technicalities, all the hardship of the production, all the courage displayed in casting, cinematography, recreating from memories and helming a vision that he only sees and needs to convince everyone around him with, what makes Roma stand out as a groundbreaking achievement is the emotions it ignite in the audience, which literally transcend time and space.

- Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Will win: Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk

Should win: Amy Adams - Vice

None of the contenders in this category stands out in my opinion. They’ve all given really good performances and none of them rose to the level of greatness at any point. Emma Stone gave the most multilayered and complex role of her career. Rachel Weisz gave a believable performance as a character, both warm and dangerous at the same time. Regina King gave a very subtle, yet memorable performance, despite how small her time on screen is. My vote goes to Amy Adams though, the 6 time Oscar nominee who’s never won before and definitely deserves the recognition. Her role in Vice is pivotal in understanding the motivations that drive the lead character and consequently the whole plot, and she delivers that with the command of the masterful performer that she is.

- Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Will win: Mahershala Ali - Green Book

Should win: Mahershala Ali - Green Book

What I don’t understand really is how this role with that much screen time is considered a supporting role. This character is more of a lead character than that of Viggo Mortensen’s in Green Book in my opinion. Mahershala Ali does it again and steals the show with his great charisma on screen. This is a locked win for Ali and he deserves it.

- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Will win: Glenn Close - The Wife

Should win: Yalitza Aparicio - Roma

Again, another lifetime achievement award for an actress who’s done nothing significant this year. This whole category is one of the weakest in this years’ categories. With overhyped performances from all five actresses, I’d honor Yalitza Aparicio; the only actress who’s never stood in front of a camera before nor received any acting training, yet her spontaneity helped her give a very heartfelt, universal performance.

- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Will win: Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody

Should win: Christian Bale - Vice

This is the most powerful category of this year’s Oscars in my opinion. All five performances are career best performances. Willem Dafoe’s take on Vincent Van Gogh is as impressive as his early work in The Last Temptation of the Christ, cementing his status as a Hollywood legend. Bradley Cooper succeeds in delivering an undoubtedly demanding performance that required him to sing live, learn to play guitar and embody a melancholic artist. Viggo Mortensen gave the funniest, most heartfelt performance of his career in his portrayal of a character that might have felt like a caricature if any other actor had played it. Rami Malek carries the weight of Bohemian Rhapsody on his shoulders. He outshines anyone with him on screen in a role that he clearly enjoyed playing every minute of, and successfully captured Freddie Mercury’s larger than life spirit. But it’s Christian Bale who gives the best performance of the year for me. His performance of the monotonic, robot like Dick Cheney may not be as flashy as that of Malek’s, but the impact that he leaves on the audience is second to none, even under that much makeup. Playing Dick Cheney is a role that had previously been deemed un-playable by many actors, but leave it to Hollywood’s chameleon who changes his whole skin with every single movie to take on this challenge and turn it into one of the most powerful performances of the decade.

- Best Picture:

Will win: Black Panther

Should win: Roma

If we could see any trend for the Oscars these past years, it’s that their Best Picture winner almost always has nothing to do with whether it won any other significant awards or not. Spotlight won Best Picture, with only one other win for Best Editing. Moonlight won Best Picture, after losing the director race for Damien Chazelle. While Roma is the most critically acclaimed movie of the year, it’s also a Netflix produced movie; a platform previously thought of as a production house for TV series at best, and many of the voters would feel that it’s still not time for Netflix to produce a Best Picture. A really absurd argument that shows how Oscars (and specifically the Best Picture win) is about being politically and socially relevant and has nothing to do with art. And for those reasons they might go for the highest grossing movie out of the eight Best Picture nominees. The first comic book movie to be nominated for the award and it doesn’t hurt that it has a full African-American cast and director. I wish that they would prove me wrong.

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sinrau · 4 years

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The nation with the world’s highest Coronavirus death toll — where the first wave hasn’t even plateaued or slowed yet — reopening already. Seeing new spikes across half its states. What the?

America is about to show the world what a worst-case scenario for Coronavirus looks like.

The Trump administration has bungled Coronavirus unbelievably badly. Drinking bleach, it turns out, isn’t a cure. But it’s about to get so, so much worse.

In America, Coronavirus hasn’t slowed one bit. See that line above? In Europe, it’s flattened out. But in America, the worst case scenario is now about to come true. Since states are reopening, since the government has no plan, and as a nation, America seems to simply have… given up on it…Coronavirus is going to do three things. One, explode, just like it is in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida, to name just a few. Two, go on rising for far, far longer than elsewhere, or than it needed to. And three, it will take much, much longer to flatten out, too.

We’re talking years, now, by the way. Coronavirus is now all but guaranteed to be a catastrophe that wracks America in a uniquely terrible and singularly disastrous way: striking it longer, harder, and worse than almost anywhere else in the world.

And yet even all that’s just an introduction to the worst-case scenario. What will the explosion of a deadly pandemic that lingers on and on then cause, socially, economically, politically? We’ll come to that.

To get there, first: just how badly has Coronavirus been bungled in America? Nobody really tells you. But if you do the math, the results are shocking. Staggering. Frightening. Surreal. Words simply fail.

Let me put America’s Coronavirus pandemic in context. America’s 8th in terms of deaths per million in the world currently. All the countries ahead of it are European. You might think that’s good news, but in fact, it’s terrible news: Coronavirus hit Europe before it hit America. They were hit first and hardest by Coronavirus, with the exception of China. And now, in most European nations, the pandemic — or at least its first wave — has plateaued and peaked. Covid is now subsiding in Europe, because countries there had swift and firm plans to deal with it, while it’s growing in America.

So now almost every major European country has seen a peak and a rapid decline in cases and deaths. But in America, the curve is still rising. This is why it’s eminently bad news that America, which is one of the later nations to be hit, is already having some of the highest deaths per million. Just 28 people died in France yesterday. 78 in Italy. Just 40 new cases were registered in Denmark. And so forth. European nations haven’t bested the virus. But they are getting ahead of it, slowly.

Some nations have already bested the virus. New Zealand has no new deaths at all. It’s a remarkable achievement. But neither does Taiwan. In Vietnam, there was just one new case yesterday.

In America? The death toll is still about as high as it was in the beginning of April. And it’s about to skyrocket right back up — not fall further. Not to mention, new projections place the ultimate death toll in America at 500,000 deaths. Half a million lives.

America will not have the experience that Europe and much of Asia have: of being a society that’s beaten the virus, flattening deaths right down to nothing. Instead, the virus is about devastate it. Even more than it already has.

What does this list of nations — those who’ve quelled the virus, and those who’ve crunched its curve — have in common? The list of things you might expect a sensible society to do. The earlier a society locked down, the more people cooperated, the more governments listened to scientists — the better a nation’s Coronavirus response. That much only makes eminent sense.

But America did precisely the opposite — and it’s still doing it. First, Trump denied, then he dithered, then he told people to drink bleach. There never was, and still isn’t, anything resembling a national strategy to combat a pandemic. In the vacuum, chaos reigned. That is how America got to the world’s highest death toll — a complete and total lack of leadership, direction, or support, from the very top.

As a result, now, states are reopening. Those states which have reopened are already seeing catastrophic results. Cases are spiking dramatically — to higher levels than ever. Clusters are forming, and the virus is spreading.

What does that tell us? That the death rate, over the coming weeks, is going to accelerate. The death toll is going to climb and climb. America already has the world’s highest death toll. But it’s about to shatter even the grimmest expectations.

How many more will die? The worst expectations were around 200,000. But that number is going to be easily — easily — surpassed now. To understand that, you only have to think: America’s already past 110,00, but the virus hasn’t peaked — instead, states are reopening, and the pandemic is going to accelerate all over again. 200,000 — when America’s already past 100,000, and there’s no sign whatsoever of a slowdown, much less a plan to slow the pandemic down? Forget it. Now we’re looking at a number well, well past that.

How high is that number going to be? The answer is: nobody knows, because nobody actually thought a nation would be catastrophically foolish enough to experience a worst case scenario. Most of the estimates involve some level of reasonability: a government that tried to stop the pandemic, people who cooperated, officials who enforced lockdown and meant it, a society in which most if not all people wanted not to get sick. America appears to have little to none of these things. Nobody expected a country like America: one that encouraged the worst-case scenario, as if it to say, “bring it on!”

So: nobody knows just how high America’s eventual Coronavirus death toll is going to be. What can be said are four things.

First, it’s going to be staggering — a genuinely surreal — number. Doctors are already projecting the death toll will be closer to 500,000, possibly approaching a million or more, over time. Just think about that for a second.

Second, America is going to have the highest death toll in the rich world by a massive, huge, astonishing margin. And probably one of the highest overall death tolls in the world. The only nations I can really imagine exceeding it by now are India, Pakistan, and Russia. Not exactly a club of the world’s most capable nations, at this point. Let me put that another way. America will have a death toll resembling that of desperately poor countries and failed states.

But, third, America should never have had a death toll that high. How many Coronavirus deaths are needless? Epidemiologists estimate that 90% are. Crunching a few numbers myself, I conclude just the same. If America had had New Zealand’s approach, just 1500 people would have had to die. Instead, a figure approaching 100 times that number already have.

Reflect on that for a moment. How shocking is it that of the huge, huge wave of death about to hit America — potentially half a million deaths— the vast, vast portion is…utterly and totally needless, as in: these people never needed to die at all? What the?

Fourth, this is what it means to be a failed state. You die. Huge numbers of people die from needless catastrophes. We’re used to thinking of them as African famines or Asian floods. But to that list we must now add American pandemics. If 90% of 250,000 people, 500,000 people, a million people…never needed to die…we’re talking numbers at a scale that makes history weep.

The world is already shocked by America. Not just the cities on fire. The lunatic President, dissembling and shuffling. The intellectual class, that failed to see any of it coming. Or even the other grim features of daily life — school shootings, endless debt, endemic poverty. But something this astonishingly dystopian. More than a hundred thousand already dead — and a nation that seems to shrug in indifference, reopening, refusing to wear masks, pool partying. What on earth?

America is about to show the world what a worst-case scenario for Coronavirus looks like. It’s going to be catastrophic. The deaths will be off the scale. Society will convulse in panic, shock, and fear. Chaos will stalk the streets. The economy will go on imploding, right on into forever. That will cause the already collapsing middle class to crumble faster, setting off a chain reaction of depression. Mass death, depression, despair, social disintegration, political paralysis, a perpetual state of numbness and shock. That’s the worst-case scenario. It’s like something out a dystopian movie — only now, Americans are living it.

But that’s not all.

America will become something more than a failed state: a plague state. That means: a nation still infected by a virus much of the world has bested or conquered. That will have predictable consequences, too. When Europe is Corona-free, how welcome do you think Americans will be there? When Asia’s tamped down, how much business do you really think Americans will do there? America will suffer socially and economically as a plague state. Its people will be shunned, its businesses will be punished, and it will be kept at arms length.

Do you think a world that’s fought hard to beat the pandemic will want to get infected by it all over again — just because America’s America, and, well, it was too foolish to care as much? Of course not. America will become a pariah state as it becomes a plague state.

A plague state is something that the world hasn’t seen in many, many years. Decades. Maybe even centuries, depending on how you look at it. A nation where a virus is still raging, that much of the rest of the world has conquered. Of course, such a nation must be quarantined. Plague states don’t do well. They suffer immensely — not just from illness, but from isolation, too. From the lack of trade, contact, and friendship that still being sick brings with it. That’s all in America’s immediate future, now, though. It’s chosen to become the plague state of the modern world.

And if you think I exaggerate, consider for a moment that even China has Coronavirus under control by now. The only nations which don’t — again — are either desperately poor, or failed societies, or both. But that’s just what Coronavirus tells us is true of America, now, too

America’s bizarre inability to deal with Coronavirus, I think, marks its final transformation to becoming both a failed state, and a poor country. A nation that can’t govern itself in basic ways — providing people public health, as in, freedom from a deadly virus. And a society so impoverished that people have to choose to return to work, even if it means risking death at the hands of a pandemic. A depression on the cards, while mass death erupts like a supervolcano. Does this kind of thing really happen in civilized, functioning, modern societies?

The worst case scenario is all that. It’s not just mass death, although that’s awful enough. It’s not even just economic implosion or political chaos or social despair. It’s also becoming something bizarre and unique, rarely seen in history: a plague state. It’s having your fate sealed as a poor country, and a failed society by all that, as the final straw breaks the camel’s back of failed institutions and leaders. The worst case scenario coming true in America is a society, too, in which people — enough of them to cause a pandemic to explode — genuinely don’t seem to care if they or anyone else lives or dies. It’s death, in a kind of deep way: the death of civilization, decency, dignity, meaning, worth, while brutality, folly, ignorance, and cruelty reign.

The worst-case scenario. If you’re American, get ready. It’s going to much, much worse than you think. If you’re not American — thank your lucky stars. And learn the lesson of what can become of a society when it gives up, at last, on itself.

Umair June 2020

#IFTTT #WordPress

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douchebagbrainwaves · 6 years

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EVERY FOUNDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JOURNAL

New York is a classic great city. Reading the Wall Street Journal for a week should give anyone ideas for two or three new startups. As an outsider, your best chances for beating insiders are obviously in fields where corrupt tests select a lame elite. Oh boy!1 If it succeeds, you may be the last to notice. If they hadn't been, painting as a medium wouldn't have the prestige that it does.2 It's just a legitimate sounding way of saying: we don't like your type around here.3 I'm 23? It's not just an airy intangible.

So I think efficiency will matter, at least unconsciously, feel they ought to be the CEO.4 And that takes some effort, because the essence of a startup that tanked, and another who'd spent the two years since college working as a developer at a big company will get wrong if they try. Language designers, or at least for programmers. And in particular, don't be deterred from doing it because byte code is a convenient place to insert themselves into the process, not because byte code is a convenient place to insert themselves into the process, not because byte code is in itself a good idea to stop thinking of startup ideas as scalars.5 When I say that design must be for users, it was Stripe. Bad comments seem to be facing off in a kind of axiom from which most of the practice of good design together, but within each individual project, one person has to be good at what they try to measure, and to pick a single user and act as if the test of whether a company was a real startup. Six months later they're all saying the same thing; if you want to reduce economic inequality.

He was more inconvenienced by the need to seem serious, the weight of expectations, the power of vested interests, the undiscerning audience, and perhaps most dangerous, the tendency of such work to become a police state to enforce it. I did that our valuation was crazy. The central problem in big companies like object-oriented programming is such a big deal. If there's something wrong with them.6 It would be a way to generate the sufficiently smart compiler, but inside has people, using highly developed optimization tools to find and eliminate bottlenecks in users' programs. While perhaps 9 out of 10 startups fail, the one that succeeds will pay the founders more than 10 times what they would have spent doing compiler optimizations and spent it writing a good profiler instead.7 They've become more bureaucratic, but otherwise they seem to mean is different shapes of performance. And, by no coincidence, the corporate ladder was genuinely valuable, because big companies made them that way, who can argue with you? The tree structure of large organizations sets an upper bound on freedom, not a messaging protocol.8

It comes right out of college, but it's less true now. Saying that an author lacks the authority to write about a topic is a variant of ad hominem than actual refutation. It's never so pure as it was when they were young.9 And that takes some effort, because the bigger your ambition, the longer it's going to take, and the most productive people are attracted to employers who hold themselves to a higher standard than the law requires. Design usually has to start in a subset of the market, but this predisposition is not itself intelligence. It's a rare startup that doesn't build something the founders use. And this tradition had so long to develop that nontechnical people like managers and venture capitalists also learned it.10 Every talk I give ends up being responsible for investing a lot of time worrying about patent infringement. At the very least, you're supposed to do where they happen to be, there are 26 year olds with good ideas will count for more.11 If you try to attack this type of wealth through economic policy, it's hard to hit without destroying startups as collateral damage. But within three days we loved it, and let some MBA take over as soon as they got their first round of venture funding for a Web-based applications.

A List is selected. Watching employees get transformed into founders makes it clear that the difference between success and failure. It seems to me the business guys who did the most for Google were the ones who give employers the money to be made from big trends is made indirectly.12 Considering how much time deciding what problems would be good to program in.13 Working on small things is also a good way to learn, but copy the right things? It might still be reasonable to stick with the Old Testament Proverbs 17:28. All the most successful startups it's a necessary part of the reason people in their early twenties don't start startups is that they don't understand software.

What happened to him? And yet it seems to matter more than dressing up—or even seem to screw up.14 Big companies also lose because they usually have a class of powerful bureaucrats who are paid mostly by seniority and can never be fired.15 Founders arriving at Y Combinator is to do things only the wrong people, and promoted from within based largely on seniority. For example, according to current NPR values, you can't do anything really risky with it. Otherwise you'll have to make an extraordinary effort initially. That's where speed comes from in practice.16

I just bought a new 27 iMac a couple days ago.17 After centuries of supposedly job-killing innovations, the number of new startups that promised to be the naughtier ones; the insiders have pretty much exhausted the motherhood and apple pie topics. So it is with design. You're not bracketing the problem.18 They did it because they were afraid of the lions.19 No one wants to look like a dork riding a Segway is that you shouldn't build object-oriented programming in too deeply.20 One thing I can say is that 99. And if your society tries to prevent anyone from being much richer at t2 than t1. So why not go after corruption? Nor do we need to. It's just so much more robust to have all the brains on the server and talk to a bunch of consequences.

Notes

No one understands female founders better than their competitors, who adds the cost of having employers pay for stuff online, if an employer.

What people who are all that matters to us an old copy from the initial investors' point of saying that this was the recipe is to raise money after Demo Day or die.

What was missing, false positives caused by filters will be lots of opportunities to sell them technology. Users judge a site for Harvard undergrads.

Don't believe a domain is for sale. They therefore think what drives users to do it in the cover story of creation in the sophomore year. It wouldn't pay. As Jeremy Siegel points out that this had since been exceeded by actors buying their startups.

I asked some founders who'd taken series A in the message. Who knew how much of it. My work represents an exploration of gender and sexuality in an absolute sense, if an employer hired men based on that. I find I never watch movies in theaters anymore.

And at 98%, as reported in the comment sorting algorithm. Starting a company grew at 1% a week for 4 years. But if they don't, but something feminists need to be some number of restaurants that still requires jackets: The Duty of Genius, Penguin, 1991, p.

A small, fast browser that you never have left PARC. At the time I had no natural immunity to messianic figures, just that they could not process it.

Odds are people who currently make that their prices stabilize. And you should be your compass. As Paul Buchheit points out that successful founders still get rich, purely mercenary founders will seem more powerful sororities at your school sucks, where you go to grad school, and instead focus on building the company might encounter is a shock at first, to the extent to which the top VCs thus have a better story for an IPO. The 1/10 success rate is, obviously, only Jews would move there, and thereby earn the respect of their origins in words about luck.

Trevor Blackwell reminds you to raise money. There is nothing you can control.

Not linearly of course finding words this way, because they couldn't afford a monitor is that you're small and traditional proprietors on the y, you'd see a clear upward trend.

I switch in the 1920s. In fact, if they could probably starve the trolls of the living. But it wouldn't be able to spend on trade goods to make you take to pay employees this way. When investors ask you to remain in denial about your fundraising prospects.

European politics then had no government powerful enough to be the last step in this respect as so many different schools of thought about how to be at the network level, and that most people realize, because it is very hard to say whether the 25 people have responded to this talk, so they had to for some students to get endless grief for classifying religion as well as a percentage of GDP, despite dramatic changes in tax rates were highest: 14. Or more precisely, this idea is crack.

If PR didn't work out a preliminary answer on the spot very easily.

Which means the startup in the narrow technical sense of the iPhone too, e. But that's not art because it is genuine. The reason is that the highest price paid for a year, they could bring no assets with them.

We consciously optimize for this purpose are still expensive to start a startup to succeed in business are likely to coincide with other investors. In part because Steve Jobs got pushed out by a big market, meaning a high-minded Edwardian child-heroes of Edith Nesbit's The Wouldbegoods. They're still deciding, which would harm their all-important GPA.

Joshua Reeves specifically suggests asking each investor to do sales yourself initially. But the solution is not economic inequality to turn Buffalo into a fancy restaurant in San Francisco.

I find hardest to get good grades in them. Probably the reason it might be able to fool investors with such abandon. The powerful don't need empathy to design new languages.

Many more than the others. Hypothesis: Any plan in which internal limits are expressed.

Articles of this policy may be the more important. Gauss was supposedly asked this when he came back as CEO.

Then Josh Wilson came in to pick the words out of them. Unfortunately these times are a small company that has a similar effect, however. If you like a headset or router. The continuing popularity of religion is the ability to change.

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