movies: Wake Up Dead Man, Hell House LLC: Carmichael Manor
Nov. 30th, 2025 11:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snickficWake Up Dead Man (2025). A young priest accused of murder in a small parish in upstate NY pleads his case to famous detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).
This is the third movie in the Benoit Blanc franchise, and I enjoyed it a lot. The cast is great, as always, and Josh O'Connor in particular as the young priest is fantastic and is the heart of the movie. The writing is solid and often very funny, with some great laugh lines, even if this wasn't trying quite as hard as Glass Onion did. These movies are just fun, even when they don't make all that much sense.
I will say it felt too long; I thought it might be my favorite of the series, and then it went on for another 45 minutes. 💀 It needed at least one less twist and one less dramatic monologue. I also wish one of the secondary antagonists (Cy, the mixed-race would-be Republican politician) had gotten more development or at least a hint of how he'd become who he'd become, not least because he was one of the funniest characters and stole almost every scene he was in. I have some quibbles about the narrative treatment of one of the female characters as well; I think the movie's heart was in the right place, but the execution didn't quite get there.
This one also tackled some heavier themes than either of the others. The charismatic, abusive, ego-driven church leader making his own little cult felt very familiar, especially after that podcast I listened to about Mars Hill.
Overall: just fun. Solidly entertaining in an era when it feels like mainstream movies really struggle to be that. I hope Rian Johnson makes ten more of these.
And this was the last one on his Netflix contract, so maybe the next one will get a real theater release instead of this bizarre indie-and-tiny-chain-only bullshit. OTOH, because the release has been so limited, I saw it in a completely sold-out theater that laughed throughout and then clapped at the end, and that was pretty fun. Silver linings!
--
Hell House LLC: Carmichael Manor (2023). A ghosthunter and her girlfriend investigate a supposedly haunted house near the site of the former Abaddon hotel and soon wish they hadn't.
This is the fourth entry in the Hell House LLC franchise, and for my money it is the scariest. There's not even a close second IMO. It took me almost a year to watch this in fits and starts, because I kept getting too tense. I only finally managed it because an online friend was going to watch it and we had a watch party. Found footage is the scariest horror there is, in my opinion; the fiction of watching raw footage removes a last crucial layer of distance between me and the events. This franchise's greatest strength is that it has a fucking scary clown and it knows how to use it, but there are a number of scenes here without even a threat of clown that are genuinely unnerving and use the found footage mechanic in creatively terrifying ways.
As a movie, this is also far and away the best one since the first. The characters are well-developed and don't get bogged down in the history of the previous movies, unlike movies two and three. I do think the last twenty minutes or so, when it tries to tie the story to the broader lore, is by the far the weakest part of the movie, but so it goes.
Also, I've been pining for more found footage horror focused on women, and it's just a bonus that these are an f/f couple to boot, which goes completely unremarked. Yay, more of this please.
If you're looking for a good scarefest with minimal gore next Halloween, you absolutely should check this out.
This is the third movie in the Benoit Blanc franchise, and I enjoyed it a lot. The cast is great, as always, and Josh O'Connor in particular as the young priest is fantastic and is the heart of the movie. The writing is solid and often very funny, with some great laugh lines, even if this wasn't trying quite as hard as Glass Onion did. These movies are just fun, even when they don't make all that much sense.
I will say it felt too long; I thought it might be my favorite of the series, and then it went on for another 45 minutes. 💀 It needed at least one less twist and one less dramatic monologue. I also wish one of the secondary antagonists (Cy, the mixed-race would-be Republican politician) had gotten more development or at least a hint of how he'd become who he'd become, not least because he was one of the funniest characters and stole almost every scene he was in. I have some quibbles about the narrative treatment of one of the female characters as well; I think the movie's heart was in the right place, but the execution didn't quite get there.
This one also tackled some heavier themes than either of the others. The charismatic, abusive, ego-driven church leader making his own little cult felt very familiar, especially after that podcast I listened to about Mars Hill.
Overall: just fun. Solidly entertaining in an era when it feels like mainstream movies really struggle to be that. I hope Rian Johnson makes ten more of these.
And this was the last one on his Netflix contract, so maybe the next one will get a real theater release instead of this bizarre indie-and-tiny-chain-only bullshit. OTOH, because the release has been so limited, I saw it in a completely sold-out theater that laughed throughout and then clapped at the end, and that was pretty fun. Silver linings!
--
Hell House LLC: Carmichael Manor (2023). A ghosthunter and her girlfriend investigate a supposedly haunted house near the site of the former Abaddon hotel and soon wish they hadn't.
This is the fourth entry in the Hell House LLC franchise, and for my money it is the scariest. There's not even a close second IMO. It took me almost a year to watch this in fits and starts, because I kept getting too tense. I only finally managed it because an online friend was going to watch it and we had a watch party. Found footage is the scariest horror there is, in my opinion; the fiction of watching raw footage removes a last crucial layer of distance between me and the events. This franchise's greatest strength is that it has a fucking scary clown and it knows how to use it, but there are a number of scenes here without even a threat of clown that are genuinely unnerving and use the found footage mechanic in creatively terrifying ways.
As a movie, this is also far and away the best one since the first. The characters are well-developed and don't get bogged down in the history of the previous movies, unlike movies two and three. I do think the last twenty minutes or so, when it tries to tie the story to the broader lore, is by the far the weakest part of the movie, but so it goes.
Also, I've been pining for more found footage horror focused on women, and it's just a bonus that these are an f/f couple to boot, which goes completely unremarked. Yay, more of this please.
If you're looking for a good scarefest with minimal gore next Halloween, you absolutely should check this out.
Fannish 50 S3 Post 62: I Wake Up Screaming & Vicki (NOIRVEMBER)
Nov. 30th, 2025 01:23 pmglitteryvClosing out NOIRVEMBER with a double feature! Both movies are not only based on the same story, but are from the same studio. I thought it'd be fun to do a comparison. :P
I Wake Up Screaming
A 1941 movie produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. It's based on the 1941 novel (of the same name) by Steve Fisher.
Frankie Christopher (played by Victor Mature) is a promoter/PR guy. One night, he's at a cafe with two male friends: a washed-up actor and a gossip columnist. All three are 😍😈🥴🤤 with Vicki (played by Carole Landis), their waitress.
While talking abt how beautiful Vicki is, Frankie starts to brag that he has the power to turn Vicki from a simple waitress and into a celebrity. The other guys are like PFFT, YOU WISH.
In any case, Frankie DOES manage to make Vicki v. popular, having her picture taken in society pages, etc. Along the way, he also meets Jill (played by THE Betty Grable), Vicki's sister. Jill and Frankie have a one-sided enmity (from Jill to Frankie.) She doesn't like how suave Frankie is, she doesn't trust them.
And then a murder occurs. . .
This is one of those movies that tends to pop up in Must-See Noirs lists. Funnily enough, I'd always thought I'd already watched it and had forgotten abt it. The ONLY reason why I watched it this time (which led me to realize that it was an actually brand new watching experience) is cuz I wanted to "refresh my (nonexistent) memory" before I watched Vicky.
IN ANY CASE, I was NOT READY for this movie. Oftentimes, when I'm watching a new-to-me noir, I'm having a good time. THIS MOVIE HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT! Between the twists, turns, and general WTF-ery from some of the characters . . . OOOF!
I also loved the cinematography by Edward Crongjager was CHEF'S KISS.
Victor Mature was SOLID. He does know how to play a "cool" type of guy. As the movie progresses, he finds himself getting cornered and it's really neat to see Mature's Frankie react and figure out what to do when the rules of the game go against him.
And then, there's Laird Cregar as Ed Cornell, a detective whose single-minded pursuit of Frankie is quite O__o.
The film's pacing is great too. Everyone brings their A game. Plus you know it's gonna be a good time when Elisha Cook Jr. is part of the cast as Harry, the front desk guy at the apartment building Jill and Vicky live at.
Do I have any criticisms?
There are two.
Carol Landis as Vicki was mehhhhh. I didn't find her presence (which is supposed to be alluring AF) convincing at all.
The other thing is that this movie uses two songs so many times that it might drive you bonkers: "Street Scene" and "Over the Rainbow." To date, I don't think anyone knows why the producing team thought the latter song was a great fit for this movie cuz it wasn't!
At some point, I began to tune it out/ignore it cuz they legit play it a lot!
Do I recommend it?
Yeah, this movie has plot, acting, cinematography, pacing, etc. Although it does goes a bit off the rails during the last third AND I was kinda meh abt Landis PLUS the overusage of those two song, it's deffo worth watching. It tends to pop up on Mubi, TCM, plus the usual places.
I'm giving it a 3.7 out of 5
Queerness level:
Low.
Laird Cregar's version of Ed Cornell is not-quite-straight. There's nothing abt him that reads as straight. In addition, he's v. obsessed with Frankie. And whenever they interact, Cornell is sorta flirting with him. FWIW, Frankie always rebuffs him to which Cornell tends to reply with a "ah, you'll come around". Just lots of double entendre type of things.
Adding to that there's Larid Cregar himself. Now, I didn't know this until AFTER I watched the movie, but I did find out that he had a "complicated" sexuality (per his biographers.) He did have relationships with women, but he also had boyfriends.
When I watched this movie, I was kinda sure I was imagining things cuz Cornell gave me queer vibes. Go figure.
Le Trailer
Vicky
A 1953 film from 20th Century Fox that was directed by Harry Horner. The script is based on the novel I Wake Up Screaming by Steve Fisher.
Since this movie pretty much follows the same plot as the 1941 film, I'm skipping over the summary.
This time around, we've got Jean Peters as Vicky, Jeanne Crain as her sister Jill, and Elliott Reed as Steve (instead of "Frankie") Christopher as the PR guy.
IMO, this movie has some good points when compared to the other film. The majority of the acting is good (there's one actor I was meh abt). Unlike I Wake Up Screaming, the soundtrack has variety.
Also, this version has a much more organic rhythm when it came to its plot. Frex, the way that Vicky and Steve meet felt a lot more natural. I wonder how much casting influenced their simpatico in this movie vs. the 1941 one. There are also a lot more scenes of Vicky and Jill where their sisterly dynamic is explored a ton this time around. It was v. clear how much they cared abt each other.
Jeanne Crain- - who I only know from A Letter to Three Wives and Leave Her to Heaven- - does really well in her role as Jill. She is, in some ways, the heart of the film.
One quirky note is that this movie has a mini reunion of male actors who have been in Marily Monroe movies. Elliot Reid (who played Steve Christopher here) was Jane Russell's love interest in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Meanwhile, Alexander D'arcy (who was Robin Ray in this movie) played one of Marilyn Monroe's suitors in How to Marry a Millionaire. He's the guy with the eyepatch (you'll know who I'm talking abt if you've watched the movie.)
Do I have any criticisms?
The tension (as far as finding out the murderer's identity) is way lower in this one. IMO, it has to do with two specific characters. Primarily Richard Boone as Det. Ed Cornell.
Whereas the Ed in the 1941 movie has a PRESENCE, someone who is tremendously good as a detective but also a Grade A WEIRDO, Boone's Ed never achieves the kind of brilliance and creepiness that's needed for that role. All that's shown is Boone's flat demeanor with random moments where he yells at ppl. He simply does not give out the same menacing vibes. *Hands* Because this is the first time I've ever seen that actor in anything, I can't tell if the fault lies on him OR on the direction he was given.
The other thing that made the movie lose momentum was when, right around the halfway point, the pacing just glides on. It's almost as if the plot didn't care abt building up any suspense.
Finally, in total opposition to how I felt during the last 20 mins of the 1941 film, the last 20 mins of Vicky went into full cheese, IDK.
Do I recommend it?
Not really? If you happen to catch a screening of it or find it somewhere, sure, maybe watch it. But it's not worth making any huge effort to experience it. OTOH, I don't regret watching it, BUT I liked having the chance to compare both films. I'm giving it a 2 out of 5.
Queerness level:
Nada.
Le Trailer
I Wake Up Screaming
A 1941 movie produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. It's based on the 1941 novel (of the same name) by Steve Fisher.
Frankie Christopher (played by Victor Mature) is a promoter/PR guy. One night, he's at a cafe with two male friends: a washed-up actor and a gossip columnist. All three are 😍😈🥴🤤 with Vicki (played by Carole Landis), their waitress.
While talking abt how beautiful Vicki is, Frankie starts to brag that he has the power to turn Vicki from a simple waitress and into a celebrity. The other guys are like PFFT, YOU WISH.
In any case, Frankie DOES manage to make Vicki v. popular, having her picture taken in society pages, etc. Along the way, he also meets Jill (played by THE Betty Grable), Vicki's sister. Jill and Frankie have a one-sided enmity (from Jill to Frankie.) She doesn't like how suave Frankie is, she doesn't trust them.
And then a murder occurs. . .
This is one of those movies that tends to pop up in Must-See Noirs lists. Funnily enough, I'd always thought I'd already watched it and had forgotten abt it. The ONLY reason why I watched it this time (which led me to realize that it was an actually brand new watching experience) is cuz I wanted to "refresh my (nonexistent) memory" before I watched Vicky.
IN ANY CASE, I was NOT READY for this movie. Oftentimes, when I'm watching a new-to-me noir, I'm having a good time. THIS MOVIE HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT! Between the twists, turns, and general WTF-ery from some of the characters . . . OOOF!
I also loved the cinematography by Edward Crongjager was CHEF'S KISS.
Victor Mature was SOLID. He does know how to play a "cool" type of guy. As the movie progresses, he finds himself getting cornered and it's really neat to see Mature's Frankie react and figure out what to do when the rules of the game go against him.
And then, there's Laird Cregar as Ed Cornell, a detective whose single-minded pursuit of Frankie is quite O__o.
The film's pacing is great too. Everyone brings their A game. Plus you know it's gonna be a good time when Elisha Cook Jr. is part of the cast as Harry, the front desk guy at the apartment building Jill and Vicky live at.
Do I have any criticisms?
There are two.
Carol Landis as Vicki was mehhhhh. I didn't find her presence (which is supposed to be alluring AF) convincing at all.
The other thing is that this movie uses two songs so many times that it might drive you bonkers: "Street Scene" and "Over the Rainbow." To date, I don't think anyone knows why the producing team thought the latter song was a great fit for this movie cuz it wasn't!
At some point, I began to tune it out/ignore it cuz they legit play it a lot!
Do I recommend it?
Yeah, this movie has plot, acting, cinematography, pacing, etc. Although it does goes a bit off the rails during the last third AND I was kinda meh abt Landis PLUS the overusage of those two song, it's deffo worth watching. It tends to pop up on Mubi, TCM, plus the usual places.
I'm giving it a 3.7 out of 5
Queerness level:
Low.
Laird Cregar's version of Ed Cornell is not-quite-straight. There's nothing abt him that reads as straight. In addition, he's v. obsessed with Frankie. And whenever they interact, Cornell is sorta flirting with him. FWIW, Frankie always rebuffs him to which Cornell tends to reply with a "ah, you'll come around". Just lots of double entendre type of things.
Adding to that there's Larid Cregar himself. Now, I didn't know this until AFTER I watched the movie, but I did find out that he had a "complicated" sexuality (per his biographers.) He did have relationships with women, but he also had boyfriends.
When I watched this movie, I was kinda sure I was imagining things cuz Cornell gave me queer vibes. Go figure.
Le Trailer
Vicky
A 1953 film from 20th Century Fox that was directed by Harry Horner. The script is based on the novel I Wake Up Screaming by Steve Fisher.
Since this movie pretty much follows the same plot as the 1941 film, I'm skipping over the summary.
This time around, we've got Jean Peters as Vicky, Jeanne Crain as her sister Jill, and Elliott Reed as Steve (instead of "Frankie") Christopher as the PR guy.
IMO, this movie has some good points when compared to the other film. The majority of the acting is good (there's one actor I was meh abt). Unlike I Wake Up Screaming, the soundtrack has variety.
Also, this version has a much more organic rhythm when it came to its plot. Frex, the way that Vicky and Steve meet felt a lot more natural. I wonder how much casting influenced their simpatico in this movie vs. the 1941 one. There are also a lot more scenes of Vicky and Jill where their sisterly dynamic is explored a ton this time around. It was v. clear how much they cared abt each other.
Jeanne Crain- - who I only know from A Letter to Three Wives and Leave Her to Heaven- - does really well in her role as Jill. She is, in some ways, the heart of the film.
One quirky note is that this movie has a mini reunion of male actors who have been in Marily Monroe movies. Elliot Reid (who played Steve Christopher here) was Jane Russell's love interest in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Meanwhile, Alexander D'arcy (who was Robin Ray in this movie) played one of Marilyn Monroe's suitors in How to Marry a Millionaire. He's the guy with the eyepatch (you'll know who I'm talking abt if you've watched the movie.)
Do I have any criticisms?
The tension (as far as finding out the murderer's identity) is way lower in this one. IMO, it has to do with two specific characters. Primarily Richard Boone as Det. Ed Cornell.
Whereas the Ed in the 1941 movie has a PRESENCE, someone who is tremendously good as a detective but also a Grade A WEIRDO, Boone's Ed never achieves the kind of brilliance and creepiness that's needed for that role. All that's shown is Boone's flat demeanor with random moments where he yells at ppl. He simply does not give out the same menacing vibes. *Hands* Because this is the first time I've ever seen that actor in anything, I can't tell if the fault lies on him OR on the direction he was given.
The other thing that made the movie lose momentum was when, right around the halfway point, the pacing just glides on. It's almost as if the plot didn't care abt building up any suspense.
Finally, in total opposition to how I felt during the last 20 mins of the 1941 film, the last 20 mins of Vicky went into full cheese, IDK.
Do I recommend it?
Not really? If you happen to catch a screening of it or find it somewhere, sure, maybe watch it. But it's not worth making any huge effort to experience it. OTOH, I don't regret watching it, BUT I liked having the chance to compare both films. I'm giving it a 2 out of 5.
Queerness level:
Nada.
Le Trailer
Weaving the threads of the sky
Nov. 30th, 2025 04:37 pmdolorosa_12This was my first full weekend back home after returning from Australia, and it was very much a return to normality in the best possible way. Yesterday rained on and off (the BBC weather website, which always errs on the side of apocalyptic, had been making dire warnings, but in the end there were just a few short bursts of heavy rain), unfortunately coinciding with the times I was walking to the gym, to the library, and home. Today was clear, still, and bitterly cold.
While I was struggling through my first fitness classes in the three weeks (today, my arms and legs ache), Matthias was struggling through the rain to pick up this year's Christmas wreathe, which is now hanging on the front door, bright with happy bursts of red berries. Other than those morning excursions, we spent the remainder of Saturday indoors, with the biathlon on in the background, grazing, and drinking Australian coffee (me) and Australia tea (Matthias).
Saturday night films are back on the agenda with a bang: The Menu, a blackly comedic horror film about a small group of people transported to an isolated island for an exclusive degustation menu with a celebrated chef, who end up getting a lot more than they bargained for. Horror is not my first-choice genre, but this was excellent and very, very clever (if not at all subtle). As well as the constant threat of violence, the true horror of the story is the characters unmoored and bewildered by the excruciating situation of social conventions overturned. ( Possibly spoilerish? )
This morning I walked through the chilly stillness of the morning to the pool, which was uncharacteristically empty for a Sunday morning: I had the fast lane to myself for the entire 1km swim, which has never, ever happened to me. That good start seemed to set me up for the day, which mostly involved working on the first of my planned Yuletide treats, interspersed with yoga, and a walk along the river with Matthias.
The evening promises cosy cooking, and cosy TV: the perfect close to a great couple of days.
I'll finish this post with a couple of fannish events whose sign-up periods are closing soon.
The first is the reccing event thatgoodbyebird is running:
Welcome to Rec-Cember, the month long multi-fandom reccing event. Let's recommend some fanworks! Let's appreciate and comment on those fanworks!
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rec_cember . intro . sign ups
Sign-ups close today.
Second isfandomtrees, the multifandom gift fest that runs over the end of this year and the start of the next. The sign-up post is here, and you have until 5 December to sign up.
While I was struggling through my first fitness classes in the three weeks (today, my arms and legs ache), Matthias was struggling through the rain to pick up this year's Christmas wreathe, which is now hanging on the front door, bright with happy bursts of red berries. Other than those morning excursions, we spent the remainder of Saturday indoors, with the biathlon on in the background, grazing, and drinking Australian coffee (me) and Australia tea (Matthias).
Saturday night films are back on the agenda with a bang: The Menu, a blackly comedic horror film about a small group of people transported to an isolated island for an exclusive degustation menu with a celebrated chef, who end up getting a lot more than they bargained for. Horror is not my first-choice genre, but this was excellent and very, very clever (if not at all subtle). As well as the constant threat of violence, the true horror of the story is the characters unmoored and bewildered by the excruciating situation of social conventions overturned. ( Possibly spoilerish? )
This morning I walked through the chilly stillness of the morning to the pool, which was uncharacteristically empty for a Sunday morning: I had the fast lane to myself for the entire 1km swim, which has never, ever happened to me. That good start seemed to set me up for the day, which mostly involved working on the first of my planned Yuletide treats, interspersed with yoga, and a walk along the river with Matthias.
The evening promises cosy cooking, and cosy TV: the perfect close to a great couple of days.
I'll finish this post with a couple of fannish events whose sign-up periods are closing soon.
The first is the reccing event that
goodbyebird is running:rec_cember . intro . sign upsSign-ups close today.
Second is
fandomtrees, the multifandom gift fest that runs over the end of this year and the start of the next. The sign-up post is here, and you have until 5 December to sign up.There's a Dragon in the NHL
Nov. 30th, 2025 08:38 amhockaye posting in hbbThere’s a Dragon in the NHL
By Hockaye/pajamabees
Fanmixer: Hummingbirdcake
Pairing: Tom Wilson/Dylan Strome
Rating: G
Tags: Caps ensemble, Hybrid AU, caps shenanigans, boys kissing, cuddling, mutual pining
Summary: Dylan Strome wasn’t immune to the rumors, but this one always sounded too out-of-this-world to be true. He’s seen his fair share of strange Guides, but a dragon? Dragons weren’t real. At least, that’s what he thought before he was traded to the Washington Capitals, where the rumors started. And as he adapts to the feral chaos of his new team, he finds himself searching for this dragon, with no help from his teammates, who made it known on day one that their lips were sealed.
On top of all that, Dylan gets a little too close to Tom Wilson. He tells himself that it’s only natural for cat hybrids to confide in one another, as their Guides are typically more elusive than others. Plus, Tom is warm. Very warm. Too warm to be a regular cat, Dylan thinks.
Link to fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/75007061
Link to fanmix: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5LsAELSdZBuVn1FTVG7MwF?si=7a22e19833164732
Last Day of Check-In
Nov. 30th, 2025 11:39 pmmodzilla posting in fffxThanks to everyone who has checked in so far! If you haven't had a chance yet, or you've been debating whether to continue or default, please make your decision and respond by 11:59pm EST, 30 November (see countdown).
For checking in, please click on this link and check in at the previous post.
For checking in, please click on this link and check in at the previous post.
Look! I remembered to post before December started this year!
Nov. 30th, 2025 02:42 am![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png){kind=small}
denise posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_newsHello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.
The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.
karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.
MCU100 - a bi-weekly drabble challenge
Nov. 29th, 2025 11:07 pmflareonfury posting in mcu_cosmic
mcu100 is a bi-weekly drabble challenge for the Marvel Cinematic Universe!o1. Join the community & you can JOIN AT ANYTIME!!
o2. Read the rules/FAQ. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
o3. Once you're a member and have read the rules, be prepared to join a team.
o4. Start writing once the prompt is posted! & Earn points for your team to win!
o5. If your team wins, you get a badge!
MCU15 > prompt tables
Nov. 29th, 2025 11:04 pmflareonfury posting in mcu_cosmic
GOAL: Write 15 fanfics (100 words mim.) for 15 different prompts.
CLAIMING: NO LIMIT! ANYTHING (CHARACTER/PLACE/PAIRING/CROSSOVER/ETC)!!
PLEASE JOIN
mcu15!!!Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustrated by Molly Brooks (2024)
Nov. 29th, 2025 07:43 pmlannamichaelsSummary: The titular girl turning 12 is Katie, a homeschooled girl in Kentucky in summer/autumn 2004. She is enduring the beginning of puberty -- having to wear a bra*, growing leg hair, getting her period -- while her best friends have temporarily moved to Wisconsin, she is getting bullied at church** youth group, discovering her budding feminist rage about dress codes, and, worryingly, might have a crush on a girl in her theater club. A midgrade graphic novel.
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fic recs: Gallaghercest
Nov. 29th, 2025 09:52 amsnickficSome Oasis recs for your enjoyment. One of the great things about the reunion is so many new people are writing fic. When I think about when I got into the fandom and there were like four writers total... It was bleak. But not anymore. :)
all through the circling years by![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
mainpopgirl, 47k.
Four months after crash-landing on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific, Liam and his fellow castaways, long presumed dead, are rescued and returned back to civilization. In Liam’s case, back to England — and back to his brother, with whom he finds himself rapidly falling back into old and familiar rhythms.
Friends, this is one of my favorite fics in this entire fandom. Yes it is a LOST crossover, except set in 2020 and really only using the crossover elements for the premise. Mostly it's about Liam and Noel reuniting after not speaking for ten years, falling back into old habits and trying to find their way out of them, and FEELINGS. God so many feelings. They're so good. The angst is real here, and so is the hope. The character voices are fantastic, and this author writes a great Liam POV, which is a rare treasure because probably 80% of the fic in this fandom is written from Noel's POV.
Everything about this is so good. If you only read one fic on this list, read this one.
The Long and Winding Road byshameonskadi, 5k.
Noel keeps having these dreams about Liam. I never get tired of dreamsharing fic about these two. This is set early in the reunion tour and leads to their first sex in years and years. I love the intimacy here and the low-key D/s vibes and of course the feelings. Always the feelings.
(And) All That I Want From You byFishfucker, 28k.
Liam and Noel get stuck in a broken-down bus in the Mojave desert, which goes about as well as you might expect.
Another Liam POV fic, but one from his younger days before he mellowed. If you're looking for chaotic absurdity in your Gallagher brothers fic, this is for you, and yet by the time we get through Liam's days-long tantrum the fic brings us around to some real emotion as they work through some things together. Also the very rare 2000s-era fic, which I always appreciate.
Kenet bymatewan, 11k.
Liam is a shapeshifting dragon, and this changes less than you might expect. The author takes this AU premise and makes it a new lens to see Liam and their relationship through, and it's so cool! Liam, whose emotions are huge and fiery and has such a strong sense of certain things and people belonging to him: of course he's a dragon. The character writing here is delicate and lovely and never says too much. A good time.
all through the circling years by
Four months after crash-landing on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific, Liam and his fellow castaways, long presumed dead, are rescued and returned back to civilization. In Liam’s case, back to England — and back to his brother, with whom he finds himself rapidly falling back into old and familiar rhythms.
Friends, this is one of my favorite fics in this entire fandom. Yes it is a LOST crossover, except set in 2020 and really only using the crossover elements for the premise. Mostly it's about Liam and Noel reuniting after not speaking for ten years, falling back into old habits and trying to find their way out of them, and FEELINGS. God so many feelings. They're so good. The angst is real here, and so is the hope. The character voices are fantastic, and this author writes a great Liam POV, which is a rare treasure because probably 80% of the fic in this fandom is written from Noel's POV.
Everything about this is so good. If you only read one fic on this list, read this one.
The Long and Winding Road by
Noel keeps having these dreams about Liam. I never get tired of dreamsharing fic about these two. This is set early in the reunion tour and leads to their first sex in years and years. I love the intimacy here and the low-key D/s vibes and of course the feelings. Always the feelings.
(And) All That I Want From You by
Liam and Noel get stuck in a broken-down bus in the Mojave desert, which goes about as well as you might expect.
Another Liam POV fic, but one from his younger days before he mellowed. If you're looking for chaotic absurdity in your Gallagher brothers fic, this is for you, and yet by the time we get through Liam's days-long tantrum the fic brings us around to some real emotion as they work through some things together. Also the very rare 2000s-era fic, which I always appreciate.
Kenet by
Liam is a shapeshifting dragon, and this changes less than you might expect. The author takes this AU premise and makes it a new lens to see Liam and their relationship through, and it's so cool! Liam, whose emotions are huge and fiery and has such a strong sense of certain things and people belonging to him: of course he's a dragon. The character writing here is delicate and lovely and never says too much. A good time.
Fannish 50 S3 Post 61: Smooth As Silk (NOIRVEMBER)
Nov. 29th, 2025 12:03 pmglitteryvSmooth as Silk
A 1946 film directed by Charles Barton and produced by Universal Pictures. This is a version of the 1935 film A Notorious Gentleman (which was also produced by Universal Pictures.)
Paula Marlowe (played by Virgina Grey) is a moderately famous theater actress. Her boyfriend is Mark Fenton (played by Kent Taylor), a v. successful lawyer. At the beginning of the movie, Mark has defended Don Elliott (played by Danny Morton), the nephew of an extremely powerful theater produced named Stephen Elliott (played by John Litel.) Mark and Stephen had had a deal: IF Mark was able to succeed in keeping Don out of jail, THEN Stephen would consider Paula for the main role in his upcoming production.
HOWEVAH, Stephen reneges in the deal. This then leads Paula to start planning . . .
This is one of those obscure noirs that I was ultimately charmed by it. The story is pretty complete and the cast is decent talent-wise.
I liked Virginia Grey. Her version of Paula is not quite likable but not a character meant to be hated either. Her motivations and choices made sense for the time.
Do I have any criticisms?
Despite the fact that, since it's only an hour and 14 minutes, so much of the story is compressed. Like, there are scenes that hint at weeks and months going by, but viewers won't get a sense of the passage of time.
I didn't like Jane Adams as Susan Marlowe (Paula's younger sister.) She was there to be the one person representing morality, I guess? But i never understood what actual role she was meant to fulfill.
Do I recommend it?
I do! It's a short movie, everything abt it is solid. Even though there wasn't anything abt it that I'd call spectacular or a must-see, I didn't find much fault with it. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5.
Queerness level:
*Tumbleweeds*
A 1946 film directed by Charles Barton and produced by Universal Pictures. This is a version of the 1935 film A Notorious Gentleman (which was also produced by Universal Pictures.)
Paula Marlowe (played by Virgina Grey) is a moderately famous theater actress. Her boyfriend is Mark Fenton (played by Kent Taylor), a v. successful lawyer. At the beginning of the movie, Mark has defended Don Elliott (played by Danny Morton), the nephew of an extremely powerful theater produced named Stephen Elliott (played by John Litel.) Mark and Stephen had had a deal: IF Mark was able to succeed in keeping Don out of jail, THEN Stephen would consider Paula for the main role in his upcoming production.
HOWEVAH, Stephen reneges in the deal. This then leads Paula to start planning . . .
This is one of those obscure noirs that I was ultimately charmed by it. The story is pretty complete and the cast is decent talent-wise.
I liked Virginia Grey. Her version of Paula is not quite likable but not a character meant to be hated either. Her motivations and choices made sense for the time.
Do I have any criticisms?
Despite the fact that, since it's only an hour and 14 minutes, so much of the story is compressed. Like, there are scenes that hint at weeks and months going by, but viewers won't get a sense of the passage of time.
I didn't like Jane Adams as Susan Marlowe (Paula's younger sister.) She was there to be the one person representing morality, I guess? But i never understood what actual role she was meant to fulfill.
Do I recommend it?
I do! It's a short movie, everything abt it is solid. Even though there wasn't anything abt it that I'd call spectacular or a must-see, I didn't find much fault with it. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5.
Queerness level:
*Tumbleweeds*
Reading on planes and trains
Nov. 29th, 2025 05:02 pmdolorosa_12This is a belated attempt to catch up on some book logging, and consists of stuff read while flying to, from, and within Australia, plus on some Australian train journeys. As most of the flights took place at night, I didn't read as much as I could have given the time available, so I feel this list is somewhat shorter than expected.
In any case, I read five books.
The first two were the latest to me in the Clorinda Cathcart series, Dramatick Rivalry and Domestick Disruptions. This series by LA Hall is written from the perspective of the journal entries of a comfortably well-off courtesan in 19th-century London, and the various aristocrats, wealthy businesspeople, intellectuals, scientists, playwrights, theatrical actors, Bow Street Runners, and other interesting fictional luminaries who end up in her circle. The books are written with a wryly observant tone, and each contains various high- and low-stakes challenges and conflicts that are cleverly resolved by the end. I find them extremely relaxing to read — cosy fiction is a hard sell for me, but this series works well in that regard, although I'm making my way through it quite slowly, as I find two books in succession is enough for a while.
In general, my brain focused better on nonfiction during long-haul flights, so I spent a lot of time reading Diary of an Invasion (Andrey Kurkov), which is what it says on the tin: the author's experiences in the first few months of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kurkov is an accomplished Ukrainian author of both literary and historical detective fiction, but in those intense, frightening first few months of the full-scale war, he turned his talents to memoir, documenting his family's flight from Kyiv to the west of the country, when it felt as if the entire country and wider world held its breath, and every action was harnessed to survival, until the dawning realisation that Ukraine had withstood and pushed back against the first blow, but that what remained would be an almost unfathomably difficult military, diplomatic, economic and psychosocial marathon with no end in sight. I remember those times well: shock and outrage warring with wild hope and optimism, typified by this Onuka song. Kurkov has since followed these initial reactions with a memoir about the long years of the ongoing war, which I will certainly be seeking out.
From history to historical fiction, with Cecily (Annie Garthwaite), the first in a series of novels about the Wars of the Roses from the perspective of Yorkist matriarch Cecily Neville. This book follows Cecily from the early years of her marriage, her years manoeuvring from behind the scenes to further her husband's political ambitions, his battlefield defeat and execution, and the dawn of a new day with Cecily's eldest son Edward on the throne. I'm pretty familiar with this period of history as depicted in popular fiction, and Cecily didn't really bring anything new to the party, but I enjoyed it all the same. In terms of vibe, it's essentially Hilary Mantel meets Sharon Kay Penman: lyrical writing that luxuriates in the interiority of its protagonist's mind, and uncritically Yorkist partisanship. The term grates, but Cecily Neville really is Garthwaite's precious blorbo who can do no wrong: the most politically savvy, the one whose read on every situation is always right, whose only misfortune is to live in a time in which those skills and that intelligence must instead be harnessed to advance the cause of the men in her life, rather than on her own behalf.
Finally, I picked up Kate Elliott's latest epic fantasy doorstopper: The Witch Road, the first of a secondary world duology in which Elen, a low-ranking courier at the edge of a vast empire is suddenly thrust into an unwanted spotlight when she is required to accompany an imperial prince and his retinue on a perilous journey. Elen and her travelling companions contend with challenges both political and supernatural, in a sweeping road trip peopled with a fantastic cast of characters. Kate Elliott's considerable strengths as a writer: the meticulous world-building that gives us a fictional world that feels at once three-dimensional and lived-in, and her devastatingly perceptive depiction of the tensions inherent in navigating profoundly power-imbalanced relationships (on a national, communal, and interpersonal level) are on full display here, and I enjoyed this almost as much as I enjoyed my favourite of her series, the Crossroads trilogy.
That's it for reading so far, although I did trudge through the rain to pick up a library book today, so I may have more to say about books tomorrow. But for now, I'll draw this post to a close.
In any case, I read five books.
The first two were the latest to me in the Clorinda Cathcart series, Dramatick Rivalry and Domestick Disruptions. This series by LA Hall is written from the perspective of the journal entries of a comfortably well-off courtesan in 19th-century London, and the various aristocrats, wealthy businesspeople, intellectuals, scientists, playwrights, theatrical actors, Bow Street Runners, and other interesting fictional luminaries who end up in her circle. The books are written with a wryly observant tone, and each contains various high- and low-stakes challenges and conflicts that are cleverly resolved by the end. I find them extremely relaxing to read — cosy fiction is a hard sell for me, but this series works well in that regard, although I'm making my way through it quite slowly, as I find two books in succession is enough for a while.
In general, my brain focused better on nonfiction during long-haul flights, so I spent a lot of time reading Diary of an Invasion (Andrey Kurkov), which is what it says on the tin: the author's experiences in the first few months of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kurkov is an accomplished Ukrainian author of both literary and historical detective fiction, but in those intense, frightening first few months of the full-scale war, he turned his talents to memoir, documenting his family's flight from Kyiv to the west of the country, when it felt as if the entire country and wider world held its breath, and every action was harnessed to survival, until the dawning realisation that Ukraine had withstood and pushed back against the first blow, but that what remained would be an almost unfathomably difficult military, diplomatic, economic and psychosocial marathon with no end in sight. I remember those times well: shock and outrage warring with wild hope and optimism, typified by this Onuka song. Kurkov has since followed these initial reactions with a memoir about the long years of the ongoing war, which I will certainly be seeking out.
From history to historical fiction, with Cecily (Annie Garthwaite), the first in a series of novels about the Wars of the Roses from the perspective of Yorkist matriarch Cecily Neville. This book follows Cecily from the early years of her marriage, her years manoeuvring from behind the scenes to further her husband's political ambitions, his battlefield defeat and execution, and the dawn of a new day with Cecily's eldest son Edward on the throne. I'm pretty familiar with this period of history as depicted in popular fiction, and Cecily didn't really bring anything new to the party, but I enjoyed it all the same. In terms of vibe, it's essentially Hilary Mantel meets Sharon Kay Penman: lyrical writing that luxuriates in the interiority of its protagonist's mind, and uncritically Yorkist partisanship. The term grates, but Cecily Neville really is Garthwaite's precious blorbo who can do no wrong: the most politically savvy, the one whose read on every situation is always right, whose only misfortune is to live in a time in which those skills and that intelligence must instead be harnessed to advance the cause of the men in her life, rather than on her own behalf.
Finally, I picked up Kate Elliott's latest epic fantasy doorstopper: The Witch Road, the first of a secondary world duology in which Elen, a low-ranking courier at the edge of a vast empire is suddenly thrust into an unwanted spotlight when she is required to accompany an imperial prince and his retinue on a perilous journey. Elen and her travelling companions contend with challenges both political and supernatural, in a sweeping road trip peopled with a fantastic cast of characters. Kate Elliott's considerable strengths as a writer: the meticulous world-building that gives us a fictional world that feels at once three-dimensional and lived-in, and her devastatingly perceptive depiction of the tensions inherent in navigating profoundly power-imbalanced relationships (on a national, communal, and interpersonal level) are on full display here, and I enjoyed this almost as much as I enjoyed my favourite of her series, the Crossroads trilogy.
That's it for reading so far, although I did trudge through the rain to pick up a library book today, so I may have more to say about books tomorrow. But for now, I'll draw this post to a close.
SGA: Unmanifest Destiny by vain_glorious
Nov. 29th, 2025 10:28 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Sam Carter
Rating: Unrated. I'd say, Teen.
Length: 8260
Content Notes: The author chose not to warn.
Creator Links: vain_glorious on AO3
Themes: Mystery and suspense, Road trips, Team, Friendship, AU: fork in the road
Summary: Following the events of 5X01, Team Sheppard goes to Earth and takes a roadtrip across the US.
Reccer's Notes: The team, plus newborn Torren, are back in the USA, travelling across the country and stopping at all John's favourite attractions. It should be a fun time, but they're all in unhappy moods and John can't get them to perk up at all. As the story progresses, we become aware that something's off, but it's hard to figure out what. The mystery's finally made clear in a possibly hopeful ending, depending on your point of view. It's not for those who don't like any darkness in their fics, but there's great characterisation and it's very well written, surprisingly funny at times, and the ending is powerful.
Fanwork Links: Unmanifest Destiny
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Sam Carter
Rating: Unrated. I'd say, Teen.
Length: 8260
Content Notes: The author chose not to warn.
If you'd much rather know about major AO3 warnings and be spoiled for the reveal at the end, click the arrow at left. SPOILERS
John has died and it's his ghost or semi-ascended self keeping the team company on their memorial road trip. He's kind of in denial about this until the end, after which he ascends.Themes: Mystery and suspense, Road trips, Team, Friendship, AU: fork in the road
Summary: Following the events of 5X01, Team Sheppard goes to Earth and takes a roadtrip across the US.
Reccer's Notes: The team, plus newborn Torren, are back in the USA, travelling across the country and stopping at all John's favourite attractions. It should be a fun time, but they're all in unhappy moods and John can't get them to perk up at all. As the story progresses, we become aware that something's off, but it's hard to figure out what. The mystery's finally made clear in a possibly hopeful ending, depending on your point of view. It's not for those who don't like any darkness in their fics, but there's great characterisation and it's very well written, surprisingly funny at times, and the ending is powerful.
Fanwork Links: Unmanifest Destiny