ReportWire

Tag: hide from homepage

  • The 13 greatest LEGO ship sets of all time

    The 13 greatest LEGO ship sets of all time

    Do ye hear it? The call of the high seas? The salt wind? The endless blue waters? The mermaid songs? Once life crawled from the ocean, and the ocean calls us to return! And so we shall, on LEGO ships! But not just any dinghy, the greatest LEGO ship sets of all time! Here are our picks for the the best LEGO ships of all time.

    (LEGO)

    Sailors once told tale of the treacherous North Sea, the most feared of all seven! Polar winds! Freezing waters! If ye fell overboard, there’s nary a point in turning the ship around for frozen ye will be before yer crew can drag ye out! Yet there was tale told of the fabled Northwest Passage, a way for ships to get around the globe through the icy North. The Arctic Explorer Ship be familiar with this chilly waters! No better vessel than she if ye wants to swim with the orcas and dive into the depths in a submarine!

    The LEGO Pirate Ship set
    (LEGO)

    Oh the pirate’s life for me! There be nothing I love more than surrounding myself with a crew full of sweating, reeking career criminals with nothing better to do but partake in rum and robbery! The Pirate Ship will allow me to live out me naughty nautical dreams in true LEGO fashion. And if I grow weary of the life, I can change the 3 in 1 set into a cozy inn or a seedy skull shaped island! How thoughtful the LEGO people be!

    The LEGO Diving Boat set
    (LEGO)

    The Diving Boat will allow me to spend me time under the watery depths rather than above it! With this marvelous machine I can swim with the hammerheads, the stingrays, and all the other fishies whose names I do not know. Alas, with the stingrays it will be “on sight” as the landlubbers say. I still haven’t forgiven the devilfish for what they did to Steve Erwin. May his soul be at rest.

    The LEGO Fire Rescue Boat set
    (LEGO)

    A fire? On the water? What deviltry is this? How can such a thing occur? Has there been a BP oil spill and a wayward cigarette thrown? The Fire Rescue Boat should take care of things right away. Their job of fighting fires should be an easy one indeed! Water, water everywhere! And many a drop to feed through the nozzle of a fire fighter’s hose!

    The Seaside Harbor with Cargo Ship LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    Even the saltiest of sea dogs must come to shore a’times! I can lub on land awhile with the Seaside Harbor with Cargo Ship LEGO set! Long ago, the seas were rife with piracy, but now ’tis more profitable to fill up one’s galleys with goods the world over, and sell them a’port in various places! I’ll load iPhones and Hondas onto me vessel with the included crane and mart them across the seas to make a mint!

    The Diving Yacht LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    Yard this be one of them fancy ships! The sort that the rich men of the Americas ride. Clad in polo shirts, hailing from Cape Cod. The Diving Yacht be the exact sort of vessel that pirates once robbed. But this vessel here is safe from nautical predation. Human nautical predation, that is. That sawtooth shark sure do be looking hungry for them divers, says I.

    The Ship in a Bottle LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    What’s a salt like me to do when grown too old to sail the seven seas on me vessel? Bring me vessel home, that’s what! The good people at LEGO had the right capital idea for a Ship in a Bottle, allowing me to gander and gaze at the ship I so loved. Indeed, this certain set be of an advanced sort, perfect for precocious young lubbers and veteran LEGO builders alike!

    The Cruise Ship LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    The Cruise Ship. A city upon the waters! Where people go to eat! And drink! And sit around! And eat some more! Maybe watch a show or two! Aye the cruise ship be the mightiest sort of vessel of all, for she tricks ye into believing yer still on land! This massive LEGO set be perfect for those who want to bring the comforts of home on the waters.

    Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    The Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine may not seem like a ship to some old salts, but we carry no such prejudices here! Just because she don’t have a mast or sails don’t mean she ain’t seaworthy! Why, she’s underseaworthy! Gander at them big crabby arms what which to pick up sunken treasures lost to time! If only the pirates of old had such an invention back in their day!

    The Eldorado Fortress LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    The Eldorado Fortress may not seem like a ship upon first peek! But lookee closer! A ship in the waters, I spy! The Eldorado Fortress be a scene out of the Golden Age of Piracy, or perhaps an episode of One Piece! But alas, it appears imperial sailors have overrun the place! Ye’ll have to stage a daring operation to return the fortress to pirate hands! Er, hooks!

    The Viking Ship LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    Before there were pirates, there were an even more fearsome sea people. I speak of course of the children of Odin! The mighty Vikings! The Viking Ship LEGO set honors the fearsome sailors of old. Know ye that they landed in the Americas long before that Italian brute? Ye can cosplay the famous Viking explorer Leif Erickson yerself!

    The Nightmare Shark Ship LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    By thunder and the ocean floor! What deviltry is this! Why, this be something straight from Davey Jones’ locker! The Nightmare Shark Ship be not the sort of ship ye want to meet upon the open waters. I feel a chill come over me old bones just imaginin’ that peeping eye peeping me! I be glad that it only exists in the LEGO DREAMZzz universe. ‘Tis too terrible a reality to ponder.

    The Baryonyx Dinosaur Boat Escape LEGO set
    (LEGO)

    Which one of ye lubbers thought it would be a clever idea to put a DINOSAUR upon a BOAT? What in the Spielberg possessed ye to do such a thing! The Baryonyx Dinosaur Boat Escape is all the more proof that men of science ain’t worth their salt! I may not have a college degree, but I know a fool when I sees one! At least they have the good sense to try and escape this beast, not to study it further.

    (Featured Image: Max)

     

     

     


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jack Doyle

    Source link

  • 11 Great Old TV Shows For Kids To Watch Today

    11 Great Old TV Shows For Kids To Watch Today

    “Great” is an understatement. Pulling from history has allowed this list to blossom into the greatest Kids TV shows of all time. It’s full of absolute classic. Grass fed GOATS. With that in mind, here are our picks for 13 old TV shows that both kids and adults can enjoy today.

    (Nickelodeon)

    Avatar: the Last Airbender may just be the greatest children’s show ever made. When it aired on Nickelodeon, it was the first of its kind. Most kids’ TV series were slapstick cartoon sitcoms with no over arching story or complex characters. Avatar changed all of that. Set in an ancient Asian inspired world where humans can bend elements with their minds, Avatar follows an Airbender named Aang who is called to save the world from the Fire Nation empire.

    A group of villagers, each with a pumpkin for a head, dance around a giant pumpkin-headed figure. The sky is grey, the grass is brown, and a nearby tree is skeletal.
    (Cartoon Network Studios))

    Over the Garden Wall came out of absolutely nowhere to become the greatest animated miniseries ever. Brining together legends like Tim Curry, Elijah Wood, John Cleese, and Christopher Lloyd, this whimsical series tells the tale of two boys who are trying to find their way home after becoming lost in fairytale world. The pair must contend with pumpkin headed villagers, axe-happy woodsmen, and a mysterious Beast that threatens to steal them away.

    An animated Joke sits on the ground cross legged and laughing in "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm"
    (Warner Bros.)

    The hits just keep on coming. Batman: The Animated Series is one of the best pieces of superhero fiction ever put to screen. A myriad of classic Batman stories, along with some skillfully written new tales, coalesce into a series that is brooding, hilarious, and unexpectedly deep. The series features the legendary voice acting talents of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and The Joker respectively, and are practically the dictionary definitions of the characters.

    Grunkle Stan surrounded by Soos, Mabel, Dipper, and Grunkle Ford after losing all his memories.
    (Disney)

    Gravity Falls is melds humor and horror together in a series revolving around a pair of twins who solve mysteries in the Pacific Northwest. While staying with their grumpy Grunkle Stan the the tourist trap Mystery Shack, the pair investigate manly minotaurs, lab-grown boy bands and rainbow-vomiting gnomes. 2013!!! (If you know you know)

    Samurai Jack wields a sword in "Samurai Jack"
    (Cartoon Network)

    Genndy Tarkovsky is practically the patron saint of Western animation, and Samurai Jack is one of his greatest works. It’s a dark, foreboding series about the titular samurai, who is flung into the far future by the evil demon Aku. The future is anything but bright, as Aku’s forces have turned it into a cyberpunk hellscape, and poor Jack has to fight his way back home again.

    Hey Arnold is the closest that American kids animation came to the slice-of-life anime genre. Taking place in a city that’s part Brooklyn, part Seattle, and part everywhere, the football headed Arnold and his friends navigate the vicissitudes of their preteen lives. They build incredible tree houses, grow award winning pumpkins, and ride ghost trains. In short, they live their fleeting youth to the fullest.

    Patrick short-circuits and frustrates Squidward
    (image credit: Nickelodeon)

    Spongebob SquarePants is still airing, but real ones know that seasons one through three were the pinnacle of TV comedy. Despite being decades old, Golden Age SpongeBob frames are still responsible for half the memes on the internet today. It’s the only series that’s ever successfully been able to get away with dropping the f-bomb on kids TV while simultaneously teaching children a lesson about not using foul language. Legendary.

    Screenshot from Adventure Time S6E1
    (Cartoon Network)

    Adventure Time is a hallmark of fantasy, a modern day children’s odyssey as sweeping as Lord of The Rings. Finn the Human and his beloved best friend Jake the Dog while away their days hunting for treasure, diving into dungeons, and rescuing princesses from the mad clutches of the Ice King. What starts as a silly little story of adventure unfolds into a sweeping epic that ends in cosmic battles won by lesbian love.

    The cast of Looney Tunes standing in front of the trademark circles background
    (Max)

    Looney Tunes is the seed from which comedy animation bloomed. Eat your heart out, Walt Disney. Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and the myriad others are simply unbeatable. Slapstick shenanigans abound endlessly, glued together by the incendiary talent of that God of Voice Actors Mel Blanc. Tweety Bird. Foghorn Leghorn. Bugs. Sylvester. Taz. Porky Pig. Yosemite Sam. That “yeah see” ganster guy. They were all voiced by THE SAME MAN. What a legend.

    The kids from Codename: Kids Next Door eating ice cream in a promo image
    (Cartoon Network)

    Codename Kids Next Door turned the cultural war between youth and age and made it literal. The Kids Next Door are a paramilitary group of preteens waging guerrilla warfare against adult forces from their treehouse. Using 2 x 4 technology (cobbled together from wood) they battle adult villains seeking to destroy the magic of childhood – evil dentists, Cheese-themed Shoguns, and of course the anything-but Delightful Children From Down The Lane and their villainous father. Oh, and all the teenagers. KND‘s got smoke with them too.

    Dexter builds a contraption in "Dexter's Lab"
    (Cartoon Network)

    Dexter’s Lab is a love letter to feuding siblings everywhere. It’s the story of the precious scientist/elementary schooler Dexter and his older sister DeeDee… who makes up for what she lacks in brains with sheer, unbridled enthusiasm. Dexter creates a genius invention in order to tackle a childhood problem, and DeeDee somehow manages to muck it up every time.

    (Featured Image: Cartoon Network)


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jack Doyle

    Source link

  • All ‘Downton Abbey’ seasons ranked worst to best

    All ‘Downton Abbey’ seasons ranked worst to best

    If you haven’t yet fallen down the rabbit hole that is Downton Abbey, what are you waiting for? It’s only one of the most delightfully snooty television series ever made!

    Downton Abbey went on to air for six seasons, including with two Christmas specials. Two feature films followed in 2019 and 2022. A talented ensemble cast includes highly respected actors such as Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, and Siobhan Finneran.

    Read on to see our ranking of each season of Downton Abbey, from worst (but still outstanding!) to best.

    Season 4 (2013)

    (ITV)

    For many fans, season 4 felt like a placeholder for the series. After Matthew’s (Dan Stevens) explosive death in the season 3 finale, Lady Mary (Dockery) finds out that his death has relieved her and Downton Abbey from their financial troubles … for now. She’s left to raise their newborn son and turn down suitors, and her story is just terribly sad. Meanwhile, Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) begins a doomed romance with a married man and has a baby out of wedlock, later secreting the baby onto the grounds to be raised by a servant. Downstairs, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) is raped, and Bates (Coyle) gets framed for murder (again). It’s bummer after bummer in this season, and with no unifying storyline the whole thing falls flat.

    Season 6 (2015)

    Mr. and Mrs. Carson getting married
    (ITV)

    The final season of Downton Abbey is satisfying because it wraps up multiple storylines at once, including the marriage of Carson (Jim Carter) and Elsie (Phyllis Logan). However, a lot of people complained that it seemed rushed. Both Mary and Edith have stepped up as working mothers, with Mary managing Downton’s daily business and Edith managing a magazine. Lady Rose (Lily James) and her new husband leave for New York City, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) goes to Boston, and Anna faces murder charges. It’s a nostalgic goodbye to characters we’ve come to love.

    Season 5 (2014)

    the ladies look over their shoulders
    (ITV)

    Season 5 of Downton Abbey feels like a true soap opera, but any time spent with these characters is still time well spent. Robert (Bonneville), Mary, and Branson are running Downton together now, but Branson wonders if he’s meant for more. Mary finds that she’s ready to love again, and Edith has trouble coping with giving her daughter up. Soon Violet (Dame Maggie Smith) finds out about Marigold, and it’s just a matter of time before the little girl is brought to live in the big house. Downstairs, the servants worry about the future of the estate as well.

    Season 3 (2012)

    Violet speaks to Mary in front of a golden clock
    (ITV)

    Fair warning, season 3 of Downton Abbey will require all of the Kleenex you have. Not just some; all of them.

    Downton Abbey is transformed into a convalescent home for wounded officers at the end of World War I. Sybil becomes a nurse to pitch in on the war effort, and Mary and Matthew finally tie the knot. Robert watches as other great estates in England fail to move into a more modern new world and close their doors for good. Then, the unthinkable happens. Sybil, the sweetest, kindest member of the Crawley family, dies in childbirth. Just when we’ve recovered from that sudden loss, Matthew also loses his life in a driving accident, leaving the season dangling on a cliffhanger.

    Season 1 (2010)

    three sisters standing in pretty 1920s dresses
    (ITV)

    The first season of Downton Abbey is the one that got us all hooked, so it has to be high up on this list. Here we get to meet each member of the Crawley family as well as the servants who complete their lives. In the first season, the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 causes financial and inheritance concerns for the family. Robert frets that the estate will go to a distant family member, and World War 1 looms.

    Season 2 (2011)

    Earl Grantham and Lady Grantham step out
    (ITV)

    Fans and critics adored the second season of Downton Abbey, which felt practically perfect from start to finish. The estate is struggling to stay afloat amidst the ongoing Great War, and Matthew comes home paralyzed from the waist down. He becomes engaged to marry Lavinia (Zoe Boyle), but when she dies from Spanish Flu he and Mary rekindle their romance. With themes like blackmail, betrayal, and lust at play, this is one of the poshest soap operas you’ll ever fall in love with.

    All seasons of Downton Abbey are currently streaming on Amazon Prime.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Beverly Jenkins

    Source link

  • ‘The Substance’ Ending Explained

    ‘The Substance’ Ending Explained

    Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance has been more or less constantly in the news since May when it made its festival debut at the Cannes Film Festival. The body-horror flick is currently playing in theaters, drawing critical acclaim for its subject matter and Demi Moore’s performance.

    Depicting the plight of an aging star who has to bear the brunt of the movie industry’s unrealistic beauty standards, a majority of the viewers have been left shellshocked and confused in equal measure by its ending. The gruesome conclusion is extremely poetic while simultaneously gory, and highlights the director’s intention in a near-perfect manner.

    Spoilers to The Substance follow!

    Towards the end, Sue (Margaret Qualley) is seen gearing up for New Year’s Eve, albeit in crisis mode: her teeth and ears both fall out as her body clearly indicates that it’s time for a new dose. However, following her scuffle with Elisabeth (which results in Elisabeth’s brutal death), there is no spinal fluid left for her to inject herself with, which prompts her to come up with a new plan.

    Sue proceeds to inject herself with the fluorescent yellow black market drug (which is meant for single use only, by the way), which then results in a horror of epic proportions: instead of a young, beautiful progeny, a mutilated version, which is a combination of Sue and Elizabeth, pops out. With disproportionate organs that are misplaced all across her body, the viewers are introduced to a new protagonist — Monstro Elisasue.

    In utter panic, the new version puts a paper cutout of Elizabeth on its face and decorates itself with pretty earrings and red lipstick, ready to face the audience and host the NYE gala, with Harvey (Dennis Quaid) and the producers in attendance. They are amused to see her in the cutout mask, but once it comes off, both the audience and the film break out in a frenzy.

    The monstro’s body starts to give away, with blood gushing out from every possible opening. The scared audience gets drenched in it while desperately trying to escape the auditorium, simultaneously cursing Elisasue. Some of them are able to get up to the stage, and one man tries to put an end to the debacle by decapitating her with a sword.

    A part of Elisasue’s body, which includes her face, manages to crawl out of the venue. She makes it to her Hollywood Star Walk of Fame tile, and the movie comes full circle, ending where it began. As she lies on the star and reminisces about her career, the mutilated mass gives away overnight, and a janitor cleans it up in the morning, bringing a gruesome end to an equally grisly tale.

    The horror in Fargeat’s flick lies more in the message than the body horror elements of it. The film shows how women are discarded and deemed “old” at the convenience of the so-called “producers” (mostly men in powerful positions in the entertainment industry). The Substance is also a social commentary on the unrealistic beauty standards women are subjected to constantly, with even actresses, who are considered conventionally beautiful, being judged on the basis of ridiculous parameters.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Evan Tiwari

    Source link

  • Paw Patrol Movie: Delores, Explained | The Mary Sue

    Paw Patrol Movie: Delores, Explained | The Mary Sue

    Paw Patrol is one of the most popular bits of copaganda media around and features a lovable poodle named Delores. Some people may not know about her, so we’ll explain Paw Patrol Movie‘s Delores down below.

    Paw Patrol first released back in August 12, 2013 on Nickelodeon (U.S) and TVOntario (Canada). From then onward, it became one of the biggest children’s shows on the planet. Created by Keith Chapman, Paw Patrol takes place in Adventure Bay, a coastal town where daily emergencies and adventures occur. Paw patrol, the name of a search-and-rescue team led by a boy named Ryder, is tasked with helping out the citizens of the town by responding to their calls.

    As said by Page Six, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie starred Delores the poodle for the first time, voiced by no other than Kim Kardashian herself. As we’ve discussed, Kardashian is no stranger to hitting the front page for some kind of conflict or scandal. However, this time it seems like her name is associated with something somewhat wholesome, depending on your definition of the word.

    In the film, Delores is a fairly minor character, as she’s only briefly in both of the Paw Patrol movies. Her character is fairly sassy and questioning, with a slight air of superiority, so to speak. With that being said, she is ultimately a nice person at the end of the day, always managing to do the right thing.

    And this kindness that is central to so many of Paw Patrol‘s characters is the exact problem with the show. An article by Mother Jones breaks this down quite succinctly, this copaganda exists in so many children’s shows like Peppa Pig, Spongebob Squarepants, and Paw Patrol. In the latter, cops exist as forces of good within that world. They are largely portrayed as not only doing their job, but the best possible job one could ever hope to be. It’s framed overwhelmingly as a heroic role that all children should aspire to become.

    And I’m just not down with that. I am both a person of color and LGBTQ+, so I am at higher risk of police state violence than cis white people are. This show is teaching children of color very bad messages that normalizes systemic and lawful genocide of vulnerable people across the country. It’s dangerous programming that should be shamed and criticized for what it is, not celebrated.

    Paw Patrol is currently streaming on platforms such as Hulu, Youtube TV, Fubo, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc. We wrote about Paw Patrol not being on Netflix earlier this year, so you’re out of luck if you’re hoping to see it there.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Michael Dawson

    Source link

  • Ana De Armas makes a killer ‘Ballerina’ in John Wick spinoff trailer | The Mary Sue

    Ana De Armas makes a killer ‘Ballerina’ in John Wick spinoff trailer | The Mary Sue

    Improvise. Adapt. Cheat. That’s the advice that Eve Macarro, played by Ana De Armas gets in the first trailer for the John Wick spinoff, From The World of John Wick: Ballerina. And it’s a pretty solid one for surviving in the violent and ruthless world she is about to step into.

    The official trailer for Ballerina, the fifth film in the Keanu Reeves led John Wick franchise is here, and it’s like we never left. The film plonks Armas’ Eve Macarro smack in the clandestine world of assassins, the Ruska Roma, and the High Table, where she must hone her skills as an assassin to go up against the Chancellor, the main antagonist in the film who is responsible for killing Eve’s family. 

    The neo-noir action thriller is directed by Len Wisemen (Underworld, Total Recall) and written by Shay Hatten (John Wick 3 and 4, Rebel Moon), and sees the return of our favourite characters from the world of John Wick. The trailer begins with Ian McShane’s Winston Scott asking a young girl covered lightly in blood and holding a bloody musical glass globe with a ballerina inside it if she likes dancing and if she’d like him to take her to a school he knows of where they teach dancing.

    It’s followed by a training montage featuring an older Eve, played by Ana De Armas, as she learns how to be an assassin that can do martial arts and shoot weapons from Sharon Duncan-Brewster’s character, Nogi, despite her petite frame. She is simultaneously also learning ballet, under the watchful eye of Angelica Huston’s The Director, the head of the Ruska Roma, the Russian organised crime syndicate that trained John Wick and has a seat at the High Table. 

    Clearly, Eve is under the protection of Winston, to whom she returns, all grown up. We see her check in at every assassin’s favourite stay, The Continental, greeted by the familiar and bittersweet sight of the concierge, Charon, the late Lance Reddick in his final posthumous appearance on screen. There’s a lot of swashbuckling with guns and knives that happens next, and can I just say, Ana De Armas has taken on the action and violence in a way that is rather becoming of an assassin in the world of John Wick! Plus, the title track playing in the background really lends the perfect vibe to what we’re watching unfold on screen.

    A few nice surprises are stowed in, like the first look at Norman Reeds as Pine, a mysterious character that we don’t yet know much about. And of course, the Baba Yaga himself gets a goosebumps-inducing entrance in the final moments of the trailer, befitting of the almost-mythical nature of Keanu Reeves’ character. Eve is just like all of us fangirls if we were ever to meet John Wick; she asks him how to do what he does. And his answer is sure to be a huge confidence booster for her!

    In case the scene of Wick meeting with The Director in the trailer didn’t clue you in, Ballerina is set in the timeline between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, probably right around the time that Wick arrives to meet The Director, and presents her with the rosary to seek asylum after being labelled “excommunicado” by the High Table. 

    The Ballerina trailer has been highly anticipated for a while now, and now that it is here, it has succeeded in keeping the John Wick vibes alive! I’m always a fan of women kicking some serious ass, and ever since I saw Ana De Armas give us a sneak peak of it in her outing in a Bond film, well, I’ve been looking forward to this one! Although, we will have to wait a bit for this one.

    From The World of John Wick: Ballerina arrives in theatres in June 6, 2025. 


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jinal Bhatt

    Source link

  • ‘So it goes’: Ranking the novels of one of America’s greatest dark humorists

    ‘So it goes’: Ranking the novels of one of America’s greatest dark humorists

    Many readers don’t realize that Kurt Vonnegut, author of seemingly serious books like Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five, was actually really funny.

    Vonnegut was a prisoner of war during World War II who survived the bombing of Dresden, Germany by hiding in the slaughterhouse where he’d been held hostage. His trauma permeated and influenced his work in innumerable ways, yet his use of satire and wit made his work more enjoyable for war-weary readers. Read on for a ranking of the 14 novels Vonnegut published in his lifetime.

    (Random House Publishing Group)

    Deadeye Dick tells the story of Rudy Waltz, a 12-year-old boy in Midland, Ohio who shoots a gun from a window and accidentally kills a pregnant woman. He spends the rest of his life punishing himself by leading an asexual and lonely existence. This story is rather sad, but it has some classic Vonnegut elements. For instance, Rudy’s father is from Austria, and his childhood best friend was a young Adolf Hitler.

    Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    In Slapstick, which was dedicated to the late comedy team Laurel and Hardy, Vonnegut explores the themes of family and loneliness. The character Dr. Swain has a plan to create vast extended families using a system he invented that links people by randomly assigned numbers in their middle names. It’s an idea he got with his sister, Eliza, his “other half,” who is now in a mental health facility.

    Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Random House Publishing Group)

    Player Piano was Vonnegut’s first novel, and it’s incredible how prescient it is when placed in the context of AI and other emerging technology. The author was ahead of his time when he penned this story about an engineer whose livelihood is eliminated because machines now run and do everything in society.

    God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater is an important work for Vonnegut, and one that sets up the action for his sixth and next published book, Slaughterhouse-Five. Several characters, places, and events were previewed in this novel, including the character of journalist Kilgore Trout, Vonnegut’s alter ego.

    The story is about a multi-millionaire who suddenly grows a conscience, moving his Rosewater Foundation to Indiana and vowing to bestow love and money on anyone who comes to ask for them. Often funny, it’s a biting commentary on American classism and social structures.

    The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    The Sirens of Titan is Vonnegut’s second book, and it’s in more of a sci-fi vein than many others. The story is about Martians invading the earth, and it deals heavily with themes like free will and unseen “others” meddling in our society behind the scenes.

    Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Random House Publishing Group)

    Jailbird is one of Vonnegut’s most politically scathing novels, often referred to as his “Watergate novel.” It follows a little-known member of the Nixon scandal named Water F. Starbuck, who narrates the novel after being released from federal prison for his part in the crimes.

    Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Berkley Books)

    Timequake has been called “semi-autobiographical,” and the author (correctly) stated in the introduction that it would be his last novel. The protagonist is, once again, Kilgore Trout, who experiences a “timequake” in which time reverts back to 1991 and replays until 2001.

    Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    Many fans believe Bluebeard is one of Vonnegut’s funniest books. It’s a fictional autobiography of a faux Abstract Expressionist painter named Rabo Karabekian, a character we first met in the 1973 novel Breakfast of Champions. The title refers to the French fairy tale Bluebeard, about an old man who murders his wives.

    Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    Breakfast of Champions brings us back to Midland, Ohio, to meet Dwayne Hoover and reintroduce us to Kilgore Trout. The book is all about a life-changing meeting between the two men, and Vonnegut deftly interweaves their stories while exploring themes about suicide, race relations, and yet again, what it means to be truly free in our society.

    Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Berkley Books)

    Hocus Pocus is an odd book, but also deeply interesting and surprisingly funny. It stars Eugene Debs Hartke, a character whose names were borrowed from real-life Indiana politicos Eugene V. Debs and Vance Hartke. This Hartke is a Vietnam veteran who kills the exact number of women he’s had sex with.

    Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    Galapagos is about a group of people on a pleasure cruise in 1986 who become stranded on the Galapagos Islands after a massive global financial crisis occurs. The group must start a new society, giving us all a chance to examine modern society to see what we should keep, and what needs to go. The book evokes Charles Darwin, who spent time in the Galapagos while developing his theories on evolution and natural selection.

    Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    Mother Night is a powerful novel told from the perspective of a real-life war criminal. Written from the perspective of Howard W. Campbell, Jr., a playwright and Nazi propagandist awaiting trial in an Israeli prison.

    Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    Cat’s Cradle is considered one of Vonnegut’s greatest works, and a postmodern satire for the ages. It’s a wild tale involving a narrator who is involved in a religious cult called Bokononism, the apocalypse, and the ultimate fate of the planet. Here, the author skewers technology, science, and of course, religion.

    Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
    (Dial Press)

    We’re stating the obvious here, but Slaughterhouse-Five is unquestionably Vonnegut’s masterwork. The semi-autographical novel incorporates many of his WWII experiences into the character of Billy Pilgrim, a veteran who time travels while coping with severe PTSD. Like the author, Pilgrim is captured by the Germans and held at a slaughterhouse in Dresden, and later survives the city bombing.

    With its superb use of repetition (“So it goes …”), deeply cynical humor, and devastating portrayal of the lasting trauma caused by war, Slaughterhouse-Five is considered to be one of the greatest anti-war novels of all time.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Beverly Jenkins

    Source link

  • A fan-favorite character is joining ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ in season 2

    A fan-favorite character is joining ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ in season 2

    Season 2 of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming. You know what that means: Toph Beifong is coming with it. While the role of the fan-favorite character has been filled, fans want to know if Miya Cech is vision impaired like the character she plays.

    Who is Miya Cech?

    Miya Cech is a 17-year-old actress who has appeared in the film You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah as well as the series Beef, where she played a younger version of Ali Wong’s character. The actor is not blind, despite visually impaired people having been encouraged to submit for the role.

    According to Cech, training for the role has been intense, and she is currently studying martial arts in order to prepare. As fans of the animated series know, the 12-year-old Toph is an earthbending prodigy.

    She was taught the art by earthbending badger moles after becoming lost in a cave as a child. Due to her blindness, Toph’s wealthy parents believed that their daughter’s time was best spent in the safety of their estate. Toph had other plans. She continued to perfect her earth bending in secret, developing it into her own style entirely, a style inspired by the real-life Southern Praying Mantis style of martial arts which traces its origins back to the Hakka people of China.

    Miya has had years of martial arts training and also has a background in dance, both of which are likely helping her prepare. Miya is also working with a consultant, who is blind, in order to better play the role.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jack Doyle

    Source link

  • So who is Nicholas Scratch in ‘Agatha All Along’?

    So who is Nicholas Scratch in ‘Agatha All Along’?

    We’re back with the Westview theories, babes! Agatha All Along premiered on Disney+ and already, I need to have answers. Like who is Nicholas Scratch and why did Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) have an entire room for him when she was Agnes again?

    In the first episode of the season, “Agnes” is stuck in a detective show. She does not know that she is a witch or even her real name. It takes until the end of the episode for her to remember who she really is. Agatha Harkness is so deep into Wanda’s curse that she can’t figure out she’s stuck in some television show, just like the rest of Westview in WandaVision.

    But we get snippets of Agatha’s life through Agnes, and it makes me wonder: Who is Nicholas Scratch? In the context of Agatha All Along, so far, he is a character whose room makes an appearance. After a hard day as a detective, Agnes returns home and goes to look at a child’s bedroom. We don’t see him and we think he’s dead, but that’s pretty much what we know about him. So … is this another mystery for us to solve?

    As a fan of the Marvel comics, hearing the name “Nicholas Scratch” did clue me in to something a bit darker than just Agatha making up a son for herself like Wanda did.

    WandaVision and, by extension, Agatha All Along use a lot of comic nods to keep fans engaged. It is why the “Mephisto” theories were so prevalent during the WandaVision era. The Nicholas Scratch nod could have been just a little tease for fans of the comics, but there could be something more brewing.

    The comic book lore of Nicholas Scratch

    In Marvel comics, Nicholas Scratch is the son of Agatha Harkness. He is from New Salem, Colorado and eventually led the community after his mother left to live among regular humans. This storyline connects (heavily) to the Fantastic Four and, more specifically, Franklin Richards (a.k.a. the son of Sue Storm and Reed Richards).

    I don’t think that the Fantastic Four are going to show up in Westview. Trust me, I learned my mistake after thinking Reed Richards was going to show up in WandaVision. But it would be an interesting way to tie Westview into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Agatha’s connections to the Richards family are just as important as her connections to Wanda.

    For now, we know that Nicholas Scratch was the son of Agnes in this detective reality but who knows whether or not we will see actual Nicholas Scratch make an appearance in the show.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Rachel Leishman

    Source link

  • ’90 Day Fiance’: Are Shekinah and Sarper still together?

    ’90 Day Fiance’: Are Shekinah and Sarper still together?

    I need to know about Shekinah and Sarper. Are they going strong or has their love gone wrong? I need to know more than I need a cure for cancer. More than elixir for immortal life. More than the certain knowledge if we are really and truly alone in the universe.

    So are they?

    Like a one night stand, it was touch and go. To be honest, they really had me in the first half. I thought that once Sarper dropped the little tidbit that he slept with over 2,500 women that it would be over for the pair. Now, I’ll never shame anyone for their bodycount, but no one likes a liar. You’re telling me this man brought the population of a small town of the opposite sex into that 10-year-old mattress? Is that why it’s so lumpy? I wouldn’t have slept on it, either. Good call, Shekinah.

    But then things started changing—not for the better, necessarily. Just for the different. The pair shut their eyes to the red flags and sailed off into the sunset together. But what was at the end of that river? A waterfall with sharp rocks at the bottom! We found that out when Sarper ripped out Shekinah’ extensions during a physical fight in season 6. Girl, run.

    Despite a prosecutable case of battery, the pair are, unfathomably, bafflingly, distressingly, tragically, deplorably, monstrously, can-this-really-be-happening-and-what-does-this-say-about-humanity-that-we’re-allowing-it-ly still together. As of the end of Season 6 at least. Perhaps season will have Shekinah and Sarper running off into the sunset once again. Hopefully in other directions from each other.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jack Doyle

    Source link

  • Joy Behar has been hired, fired, and re-hired by ‘The View’ before

    Joy Behar has been hired, fired, and re-hired by ‘The View’ before

    Not everyone has an easy journey with work. Sometimes you have a job, you get let go, but then you come back to that job later on. And that also happens to notable celebrity voices like Joy Behar from The View.

    In 2013, Behar, who had been a staple on the show since the ’90s, suddenly wasn’t there anymore. At the time, it was painted as her own choice, but it was revealed in a story from PEOPLE in 2017 that Behar did not leave voluntarily. “Somebody wanted me gone,” she said. “It was not 100 percent my choice.” From how Behar spoke about it, it didn’t seem like she was that upset by the choice. “When they told me they weren’t renewing, I said, ‘Good, I’m out of here.’ I didn’t like the way the show was going at that time,” she said.

    Since then, she’s talked about her firing a bit. In 2022, she told Time  “I was glad to be fired.” She briefly talked about it on The View when an episode talked about Jason Kelce’s retirement from football. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked her fellow hosts if they ever found themselves in a “Now what?” place when leaving a job. While it was an awkward moment because Goldberg was forced to ask the question, Behar did make a point of talking about her friendships.

    “He sounds more upset that he’s leaving his friends,” Behar said. “When I leave this show, it will not be because I’m worried about my future. It’ll be because I will miss my friends. That’s basically it.”

    Behar is no stranger to being fired

    During an episode of The View with Night Court star Melissa Rauch, Behar revealed that she’d been fired from Good Morning America twice. Rauch was talking about a secretary job she was fired from and Goldberg made a joke about Behar being a bad receptionist. Host Sunny Hostin clarified that Behar was fired from GMA and Behar replied “Twice.”

    Behar did not explain further. But she did, in November of 2022, talk about one of her firings from GMA with Kumail Nanjiani. “So, let’s talk about ‘Welcome to Chippendales.’ First of all, I’d like to say that when I was fired from Good Morning America years ago — I was the worst receptionist they’ve ever had — and, this is a true story, I was fired, they took me to Chippendales as my goodbye present … so, anyway I’m familiar with Chippendales.”

    We do not know why she was fired from GMA the second time.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Rachel Leishman

    Source link

  • Get your cheer on with ‘Bring It On’!

    Get your cheer on with ‘Bring It On’!

    Somehow, even 24 years later, the original Bring It On movie still holds up. It’s fierce, it’s catchy, the routines are to die for, and the story is sadly still socially relevant.

    It’s no surprise this little movie spawned a plethora of sequels—of wildly varying levels of quality, it has to be said—but if you’re in the mood for some cheerleading fun, this is the series for you. Here’s how to watch all the Bring It On movies in order.

    Bring It On (2000)

    (Universal Pictures)

    Starring Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, Eliza Dushku, and Jesse Bradford, Bring It On is an undeniably classic teen cult movie dealing with white privilege, romance, friendship, and more. A high school cheer squad from an affluent area prepares for a national cheerleading competition only to discover their former captain stole all their routines from a rival school in East Compton. If you’re looking for a healthy dose of early ’00s nostalgia, there’s no better flick to watch than Bring It On.

    Bring It On Again (2004)

    Anne Judson-Yager and Faune Chambers Watkins in 'Bring It On Again' (2004)
    (Universal Studios Home Video)

    Despite being titled Bring It On Again, this isn’t so much a direct sequel as it is a continuation of the original movie’s basic premise. At a college in California, a group of new students are rejected from the cheer squad after tryouts. As a result, these “outcasts” decide to form their own team and compete against the group that rejected them in a national championship. If you enjoyed Step Up 2 or Work It you’ll probably enjoy this flick, too.

    Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)

    Hayden Panettiere and Solange Knowles in 'Bring It On All Or Nothing'
    (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

    Arguably the second-best movie in the Bring It On franchise and the only one that truly carries on the first movie’s themes, All or Nothing stars Hayden Panettiere as Britanny Allen, a spoiled rich white girl who ends up having to join a cheer squad at a working-class school. Sparks fly at first, but after learning more about each other—and some unfortunate “crumping” by Britanny—the squad, led by Solange’s Camille, make it all the way to the top. Also, Rihanna is there. Need we say more?

    Bring It On: In It to Win It (2007)

    Ashley Benson and Jennifer Tisdale in 'Bring It On- In It To Win It'
    (Universal Studios Home Video)

    If you’re in the mood for a different type of cheer story, then Bring It On: In It to Win It is the franchise entry for you. At its core, this is a loose adaptation of West Side Story, as the West Coast Sharks compete against the East Coast Jets at the annual Cheer Camp Championship. And yes, before you ask, one of the Sharks does fall in love with one of the Jets, fueling their rivalry. Predictable but fun nevertheless.

    Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (2009)

    Christina Milian in 'Bring It On- Fight To The Finish' (2009)
    (Universal Studios Home Video)

    At this point, it should be clear that the Bring It On franchise was only interested in producing standalone movies, and you know what? Why not. Bring It On: Fight to the Finish doesn’t really try anything new, as Christina Milian’s Lina Cruz moves to Malibu and engages in cheerleading warfare with her new school’s ultra-competitive and rich cheer squad captain.

    Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack (2017)

    Bring It On- Worldwide Cheersmack (2017)
    (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

    Twelve years after Fight to the Finish was released, Universal decided to shoot their shot once more. The result was Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack, a less-than-stellar entry in the franchise despite the more interesting international angle. #Cheersmack follows The Rebels, an American cheer squad competing in a worldwide virtual cheerleading competition.

    Bring It On: Cheer or Die (2022)

    The cast of 'Bring It On: Cheer or Die' performing a cheer routine
    (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

    Honestly, it’s a miracle it took so long for Bring It On to produce a horror flick, given the prevalence of murdered cheerleaders in the genre. In Cheer or Die, The Diablos practice their routine at an abandoned high school until one by one, the cheerleaders begin to disappear. There is, of course, an unhinged killer on the loose, and the squad is forced to fight to survive. If you’re into ultra-cheesy horror movies, then this goofy final (for now) Bring It On installment will surely become your favorite.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    El Kuiper

    Source link

  • 13 Lego expert sets that are well worth the effort

    13 Lego expert sets that are well worth the effort

    Oh sure, you can build a Lego set. But can you build a Lego expert set? These aren’t the sets you give to children—they’re for grown adults, and adults with a lot of time to spare at that. They feature beautiful buildings from around the world and a few stunning pop culture icons.

    You’re not really supposed to play with these sets. You’re meant to construct them and then admire their beauty from a distance. But you can play with them if you like, because hey, I’m not the Lego police. And doesn’t building something also qualify as a form of play?

    (Lego)

    There are few modes of transport more iconic than the red London bus. Lego has offered London buses as builds before, but this one is the expert version, with 1686 pieces and hours of building required. (It’s also a retired set now so it’s hard to get hold of, unfortunately.) The bus is taking people to Brickston, a pun on London’s Brixton, and I find that totally adorable.

    If there’s a Lego-loving James Bond fan in your life you need to get this for them immediately. It has 1295 pieces and is in all honesty the perfect toy for adults. It has a working ejector seat and everything! You’re supposed to leave it neatly on a shelf once you’re done making it but maybe you shouldn’t do that. … Maybe you should put a James Bond minifigure in the driver’s seat and channel your inner secret agent for a bit.

    LEGO Apollo 11 Lunar Lander
    (Lego)

    This set was designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of mankind walking on the moon. And what a lovely little tribute it is. This set has 1087 pieces, including a US flag and two minifigures which are clearly supposed to be Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, despite not being named as such. Delightfully, the instruction manual contains a little rundown of the Apollo program and the race for the moon. That’s one small step for a minifig, one giant leap for Legokind.

    LEGO Friends Apartments
    (Lego)

    No one ever told you Lego would ever be this way. This Friends Lego set, designed for experts, gives you a peek into the iconic apartments of Rachel, Monica, Joey and Chandler. (Ross and Phoebe lived elsewhere, remember?) This set is gloriously detailed and features all sorts of fun stuff, like the boys’ canoe and Monica’s turkey. You get all six Friends as minifigures plus Janice. OH-MY-GODDD!

    LEGO Parisian Restaurant
    (Lego)

    If you’re building a Lego city, you’ll want the striking Parisian Restaurant to be its centerpiece. It’s fun to put together and there’s so much included! You get a kitchen, an artist’s studio, an apartment with a folding bed and there’s even a minifigure who proposes to his girlfriend in the restaurant part! Awwww.

    LEGO Sydney Opera House
    (Lego)

    Do you marvel at the design of the Sydney Opera House every time you see a photo of it? (Or, if you’re very lucky, see it in person?) Then you’ll want to get yourself this set. It’s not an easy model to build, but you’ll get such a sense of satisfaction once you’re done. It’s perfect down to the smallest detail, it’s even surrounded by blue bricks to represent water.

    LEGO Taj Mahal
    (Lego)

    There have been Lego Taj Mahals before, but this is the grandest and most beautiful. Unfortunately, it’s a retired set now so it’ll set you back a lot of money, but hey, diehard Lego creators are willing to suffer financially for their art, right? This set is so intricate and detailed that it’ll have you saving up all over again, this time to go and see the real thing.

    LEGO Roller Coaster
    (Lego)

    If this roller coaster were real it would strike terror into the hearts of many a rider. The set stands at a whopping 92cm tall, making it one of the tallest Lego sets in existence. Like many of the best Lego expert sets, it contains motorized components that are immensely satisfying to build … and it’s even more satisfying once you turn the crank and set the roller coaster going.

    LEGO Haunted House
    (Lego)

    Wait, we haven’t finished with the fairground yet! What’s a fairground without a haunted house? Welcome to the Von Barron residence, a creepy old mansion with a backstory. Samuel Von Barron was cursed by a pharaoh after stealing an ancient artifact, and this delightful spookfest is the result. It has a working elevator you can use to ferry minifigures to their supposed doom.

    LEGO Wind Turbine
    (Lego)

    This set was designed to celebrate green energy, and was developed in partnership with sustainable solutions company Vestas. And it comes with a tree made from plant-based plastic! A great set for those (like me!) who absolutely love the design of wind turbines. Be warned, though: It stands at 39” and will need a lot of space before you can start spinning it. (It comes with a motor so you can do just that.)

    LEGO Titanic
    (Lego)

    The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, dooming it to infamy forever. But the beauty of the ship lives on, and Lego highlights that beauty in this 9090-piece set. It’s the longest Lego set to date, and you might have a little trouble securing a spot for it in your home, but it more than deserves to be seen. And no, before you ask, it does not come with Jack and Rose minifigs.

    Is there anything more suited to Lego than the Eiffel Tower? No there is not. And if you’ve got a lot of money to spare and a lot of space in your house, you should totally treat yourself to the 10001-piece, 5-ft Eiffel Tower set. It’s almost the biggest Lego set of all time, second only to the Lego World Map. It will take most likely weeks for you to build, and you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

    LEGO Ferris Wheel
    (Lego)

    Another one to add to the Lego fairground! Relive your childhood days with this beautiful Lego Ferris wheel. It really turns, too! You can take your little minifigures (the set comes with ten of them) onto the wheel and then have them stop off afterward at the ice cream stand. There are even miniature ice creams, balloons, and money to give them. A wonderful set that deserves to be the centerpiece of your Lego collection.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Sarah Barrett

    Source link

  • The best Lego DREAMZzz sets to bring fantasy to life

    The best Lego DREAMZzz sets to bring fantasy to life

    Time to make your DREAMZzz come true. Don’t give up on them! You could totally get accepted to Lego architect school! You could be the Frank Lloyd Wright of bricks! Let these Lego sets prove it!

    (Lego)

    Who doesn’t dream of owning a pegasus? We all saw Hercules. Why would I ever want some regular horse that runs on the ground like every other when I could have one that soars through the air? I thought I would only be able to ascend to such Everest-ish heights in my dreaming life, but the Pegasus Flying Horse set can make my dreams a reality! I feel like I gotta be a little careful with this particular horse though. He’s giving me kind of a … murdery vibe.

     Cooper’s Robot Dinosaur C-Rex LEGO set
    (Lego)

    What’s cooler than robots or dinosaurs? ROBOT DINOSAURS. Cooper’s Robot Dinosaur C-Rex is the best of both worlds! All of the terror and charisma of a Jurassic Era giant with the sleek, chrome-plated style of our future overlords. But this particular C-Rex isn’t trying to rule us. It’s under my control. Or really, Cooper’s control—until I commit Grand Theft Dinosaur that is.

    Mrs. Castillo’s Turtle Van LEGO set
    (Lego)

    I thought that stealing Cooper’s Robot Dinosaur would bring me the joy that mundane reality has squeezed from my heart, but NO. I was left cold as the beast’s steely skin. I’ve turned my thieving eyes to a new prize: Mrs. Castillo’s Turtle Van. What does Mrs. Castillo need all that turtle for? I think she’d do fine with a regular old VW. Let me have this spectacular Lego amphibian machine.

    Izzie and Bunchu The Bunny LEGO set
    (Lego)

    Never mind the Turtle Van. Izzie and Bunchu The Bunny is the animal vehicle combo set that I truly desire. After all, how fast can a Turtle Van really go? We’ve all heard the story. I’m not one for “slow and steady.” I’m tryna go FAST. And what is faster than a giant bunny robot riding on jet-fueled roller skates? There may be more things in heaven and earth, Horatio … but none are speedier than Bunchu.

    Mr. Oz’s Spacebus LEGO set
    (Lego)

    But can Bunchu go to SPACE? Perhaps those rocket-powered turbo skates could allow the robot to take to the skies, but they seem terribly lacking in aerodynamics. This is one of those situations where the problem is, in fact, rocket science. How to solve it? With a bonafide ROCKET. Mr. Oz’s Spacebus is the school bus that I WISH could have taken me to and from my public school education, which, in this case, could have been on the moon.

    Logan The Mighty Panda LEGO set
    (Lego)

    Po from Kung Fu Panda walked so Logan the Mighty Panda could fly. Why is Logan the Mighty Panda so mighty? Because rather than training for years in the study of martial arts, he decided to bring a gun to the fistfight and blast away his enemies with a forearm-mounted gatling canon. And the best part? This set is a 2-in-1 that can be a two-legged panda warrior or a four-legged panda tank. Now THAT is the superior firepower necessary for victory.

    The Never Witch’s Midnight Raven LEGO set
    (Lego)

    The Never Witch’s Midnight Raven might not have a gatling gun, but it doesn’t need one. One look at this thing is enough to strike terror into the hearts of any Edgar Allen Foe. And the best part? It also doubles as a house! The Never Witch can fly about the world on sable black wings from the comfort of her own domicile! Now that’s what I call a mobile home.

    *rimshot*

    *crickets*

    …I apologize.

    Zoey and Zian The Cat-Owl LEGO set
    (Lego)

    Zoey and Zian The Cat-Owl are a dynamic duo that trades functionality for form. Sure, Zian doesn’t have a house on its back. But Zian is a CAT OWL. While owls are generally helpful creatures, willing to gift intellectual advice, cats are anything but. With a cat, the only gift you’re getting is its presence. Its beautiful, soft-pawed presence. This astonishing creature knows that that’s enough.

    Grimkeeper The Cage Monster LEGO set
    (Lego)

    Grimkeeper the Cage Monster is not a beastie that you want to run afoul of, else it’s poised to make a citizen’s arrest and throw you into its gut-clink. You can’t run, because its powerful taloned legs will catch up to you. You can’t hide, because its bat-lantern will find you with its cyclopean eye. All you can do is pray, pray that you have a good lawyer and enough Lego bucks to make brick bail.

    The Fantastical Tree House LEGO set
    (Lego)

    This Fantastical Tree House is everything that a young child wishes the tree in their front yard could be. Multiple stylish rooms. A working pulley system. A marriage of form and function adorned with blue wisteria-esque flowers. Not even the included Grimkeeper figure could kill the vibe.

    The Nightmare Shark Ship LEGO set
    (Lego)

    The Nightmare Shark Ship is, depending on the direction your moral compass points, the best or the worst place to live. With turbo engines, shark appendages, and a giant creepy eye, the forces of good will be powerless to run and hide from you. If you’re one of those good forces who owns this shark, you might want to consider hiring an interior (and exterior) decorator. The place gives off a spooky vibe that isn’t on brand with you.

    The Stable of Dream Creatures LEGO set
    (Lego)

    So many fantastic Dreamzzz creatures on this list. Where to keep them all? The Stable of Dream Creatures is your best bet! This set comes chock full with dream beasties that are already paying the rent in the stable, but I’m sure you could stick an addition on the back big enough for the Mighty Panda. Just make sure you’re familiar with all the dream zoning laws first.

     Mateo and Z-Blob the Knight Battle Mech LEGO set
    (Lego)

    Mateo and Z-Blob the Knight Battle Mech is the pinnacle. This 3 in 1 set can turn into a thing can turn into a fighting knight, a futuristic warrior, and a CENTAUR. Why a centaur? WHY NOT. Who needs a Pegasus Flying Horse when your horse has STRONG ARMS with which it can carry WEAPONS? What weapons? A sword. A spear. And a stud shooter. A mecha Hoplite horse being of Greek myth.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Jack Doyle

    Source link

  • 10 must-watch Bollywood movies, ranked

    10 must-watch Bollywood movies, ranked

    So, you’re interested in Bollywood movies. Alright, I’ve got some recommendations for you. (Note that this list will not have films like Danny Boyle’s award-winning Slumdog Millionaire. We are going all Indian written and directed films. No continued Western imperialism here.)

    What is Bollywood?

    Let me briefly explain what “Bollywood” means for the people in the back. First, the term refers to the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai or Bombay before 1995. The first known Indian feature, Raja Harishchandra (1913), and the first sound film, Alam Ara (1931), were focused on Indian folklore and mythology. The success of the pictures led to film studios being developed in Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and Madras (Chennai). Filmistan Studio (started in 1943) and Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios (1948) became significant production houses.

    In the Golden Age of Indian film (1940s-60s), filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, and Mehboob Khan came to the fore, with films that will be mentioned in the list. The so-called “Masala” era brought genre-blending (and bending) and the emergence of the “angry young man” persona, as popularized by actor Amitabh Bachchan. The evolution of the ’90s saw a shift toward the inclusion of romantic comedies and dramas, with a focus on NRI (Non-Resident Indian) audiences. 2001’s Lagaan also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

    Bollywood is the world’s largest film industry on raw film production and has become a significant cultural export. Of course, the musical numbers are key features, as are the colorful, elaborate productions—though this has changed in recent decades with the development of more hardboiled films.

    Alright? Let’s get to the list.

    10. Mother India (1957)

    Directed by Mehboob Khan, Mother India is arguably the most influential film in Indian cinema history. This is an epic, long-spanning drama chronicling the life of Radha (portrayed by Nargis), a poor village woman struggling to raise her sons while surviving an unscrupulous landlord. The film investigates female empowerment, class warfare, and conflicts between moral duty and maternal love. It is one of the first Technicolor films made in the country. It introduced the self-sacrificing Indian mother archetype and set a high standard for production value.

    9. Sholay (1975)

    A so-called “curry western” that follows two criminals hired by a retired police officer to capture a bandit—the villainous Gabbar Singh, one of film history’s most memorable and influential characters. Ramesh Sippy’s picture, with R.D. Burman’s legendary soundtrack, defined the “masala” film. It also pioneered 70mm film, and its sound design (stereophonic sound) would set a new standard.

    8. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

    The film that solidified NRI romance into the canon, the romantic comedy detailed a couple falling in love in Europe. The film also subverted traditional, sometimes garish hero/heroine dynamics to present a more balanced relationship. The success led to more films targeting the audience of the Indian diaspora.

    7. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

    The sheer scale of the film evokes comparisons to David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia—but Mughal-e-Azam preceded that epic movie by two years. The costly film, which took ten years to complete, depicts a love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali, a court dancer. K. Asif’s portrayal of Mughal-era grandeur has been mimicked countless times over the history of Indian cinema.

    6. Lagaan (2001)

    This epic musical/sports period drama, written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, featured an international cast and crew—highly unusual for a Bollywood production, even at this time. A.R. Rahman’s classic score includes the song “Ghanan Ghanan,” which used rain as percussion. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the film introduced millions to Bollywood cinema.

    5. Pyaasa (1957)

    Written by, directed by, and starring Guru Dutt, the film focuses on a disillusioned Urdu poet and his relationships with a prostitute, an ex-girlfriend, and a world that doesn’t take him seriously. Dutt’s Vijay became a new archetype in the scene. Waheeda Rehman as Gulabo, the pure-hearted prostitute, added depth to the portrayal of marginalized women.

    4. Satya (1998)

    Ram Gopal Varma’s gritty, realistic portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld was revolutionary. The first of his Gangster trilogy pioneered the Indian gangster movie, with the character of Bhiku Mhatre (portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee) as a new icon, representing the complex morality of Mumbai’s organized crime figures.

    3. 3 Idiots (2009)

    Shot as a non-linear narrative, this comedy-drama critiques the Indian education system through a story involving three engineering students. It set a new standard for intelligent mainstream work in Bollywood with its nuanced balance between smart humor and serious social commentary.

    2. Black (2005)

    Based loosely on Helen Keller’s autobiography, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s distinctive and triumphant film tells the story of a deaf and blind girl and her relationship with her teacher. Rani Mukerji’s portrayal of Michelle McNally was groundbreaking in its depiction of disability in Indian cinema. The film also did not feature the typical song-and-dance sequences.

    1. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

    This coming-of-age drama explored friendship, love, and the challenges of growing up in modern India as a group of friends transition into adulthood. The film’s visual realism and Farha Akhtar’s debut push Indian film into a younger, urban feel with great depth and complexity typically shown in Bollywood films. The soundtrack by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy blended Indian and Western musical styles in a way that better reflected the realities of young people at the turn of the century.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Kahron Spearman

    Source link

  • A full timeline of Armie Hammer’s downfall, from cannibal accusations to timeshare salesman

    A full timeline of Armie Hammer’s downfall, from cannibal accusations to timeshare salesman

    Armie Hammer has—somewhat startlingly—found his name back in the headlines this week after he uploaded a post to Instagram practically begging for pity. So how did we get here, exactly?

    It was the celebrity scandal that captured the attention of millions: the “cancellation” of Armie Hammer, one of the most prolific up-and-coming actors known for his roles in The Lone Ranger and the Oscar-winning Call Me By Your Name. But what was once a thriving Hollywood career quickly crashed and burned, and so far, Hammer’s “redemption tour” has been, to put it lightly, an absolute disaster.

    Now that he’s the talk of the town again, let’s revisit the controversies that got him here, shall we?

    WTF happened to Armie Hammer?

    Much of the controversy surrounding Hammer dates back to January 2021 when some disturbing allegations surfaced online. Multiple women (including his ex, Courtney Vucekovich) came forward to share texts of their interactions with the actor, including, yes, his elaborate BDSM and cannibal fantasies.

    It didn’t take long for his talent agency, WME, to drop him, but things somehow got worse in March of the same year when a 24-year-old woman accused Hammer of “mentally, emotionally and sexually” assaulting her—while he was still married to his then-wife, Elizabeth Chambers, with whom he shares two kids (their divorce was finalized in June 2023).

    An investigation was launched by the LAPD, leading to Hammer being fired from projects like Billion Dollar Spy and a Broadway production of The Minutes. He was then spotted in the Cayman Islands throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, where he decided to … sell timeshares? It’s also worth noting that Hammer was in and out of rehab during this time, but reports that he was seeking treatment were simply too little, too late—especially amid the ongoing sexual assault allegations.

    In September 2022, the three-part docuseries House of Hammer hit Discovery+, which dug up even more dirt on the Hammer dynasty. This included some damning new evidence against the actor via a series of text messages and voice mails, as well as a deep dive into the family’s shady business dealings. His downfall continued through the end of the year, all culminating in a nasty lawsuit with American Express, as he amassed a mind-boggling amount of credit card debt and owed the company tens of thousands.

    In 2023, Hammer continued to play innocent, adamantly denying the slew of accusations against him. Meanwhile, he also opened up about his traumatic upbringing, telling Air Mail in February that he was abused by a youth pastor as a teenager, saying, “I was powerless in the situation. I had no agency in the situation. Sexuality was introduced to me in a scary way where I had no control. My interests then went to: I want to have control in the situation, sexually.”

    Uh oh, Armie Hammer is trying to “world’s smallest violin” us again

    Now, Armie Hammer has unfortunately found himself back in the public eye following his return to social media, and surprise! He’s playing the victim card again. On Tuesday, Hammer took to Instagram to share a life update that literally no one asked for, where we whined about having to sell his beloved truck because he can’t afford it anymore. Yes, seriously.

    In the video, Hammer lamented about taking his 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Pickup on “one last road trip to CarMax,” admitting that he “can’t afford the gas” now that he’s moved back to L.A. He then added, “But you know what? That’s okay. I got a new car. It’s tiny. It’s a hybrid. I’m probably gonna put about 10 bucks of gas in it a month, and this is it. Here’s to new beginnings.”

    To recap, Hammer fully admitted to branding a former girlfriend, has been wrapped up in dozens of sexual assault accusations, and fully cheated on his wife, but somehow, we’re supposed to feel bad for the guy? I seriously don’t know what to make of his “comeback,” but all I can do is hope I don’t see this guy on the roads anytime soon in his new 2006 Toyota Prius, or whatever he can afford.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Amanda Landwehr

    Source link

  • ‘John and the Hole’ is a compelling case study of films with open endings

    ‘John and the Hole’ is a compelling case study of films with open endings

    John and the Hole might not be the most popular film to have released in the last few years, but it was one of the most sought-after movies at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

    Pascual Sisto’s directorial debut is a twisted coming-of-age psychological thriller, starring Dexter star Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Ehle, Taissa Farmiga, and Charlie Shotwell in leading roles. The film has a dark ending, which has the potential to leave viewers confused and searching for answers, and this article breaks it down for their ease.

    The chilling plot follows John, a 13-year-old boy who, after discovering a deep hole near his house, decides to drug his family and move them to the bottom of the hole. He does so to experience adulthood and to live a life without authority, leaving his family to fend for themselves without food and shelter in the process.

    In a very anti-climatic ending, John drops a ladder in the hole without letting his family know that he is on the other end. They arrive home only to see their son floating in the pool face-down, pretending to drown. There is no word of the trio getting trapped in the hole, and the parents don’t question John about his whereabouts, and the movie ends with the family enjoying their dinner in silence. The bunker, where John had trapped the family, is shown to be being filled with sand at the end.

    John and the Hole remains a mystifying case study in movies with an open ending, as it chooses to not answer most of the questions it poses. In an interview with MEL magazine, Sisto revealed his intentions of knowingly leaving the movie so open-ended, allowing the audiences to place things together as per their understanding, while also shedding light on the dinner scene, which appears both at the start and at the end of the film:

    The first time we see the image, it’s like an archetypal family having dinner — there’s nothing to it. But when we see that last image at the end — with everything that happens, and the silence, and the fact that they’re not dealing with it, and the fact that they’re moving on with their lives — it’s so much more loaded. Psychologically, all the characters have changed radically and they’re completely different people. But outwardly, they feel and behave the same way.

    Pascual Sisto/MEL Magazine

    The movie also features a character named Lily in a parallel setting, who is shown to be roughly of the same age as John. Lily asks her mother, Gloria, to tell her the story of John, prompting viewers to think that his story is just a fable in the girl’s universe. At the end of the film, Gloria tells Lily that she is leaving her with a year’s worth of allowance, after which she will be on her own.

    The movie’s message is likely to point out the income disparity between Lily and John’s families and how both sets of parents react differently towards their children. While John commits a serious act that could have led to his family’s death and still gets away with it without any repercussions, while Lily gets abandoned despite being an obedient child. John also belongs to an affluent family that agrees to all his whims and fancies, while Lily is brought up on limited resources.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Evan Tiwari

    Source link

  • Hello Kitty x ‘Yu-Gi-Oh’ Is Coming … as a McDonald’s Happy Meal

    Hello Kitty x ‘Yu-Gi-Oh’ Is Coming … as a McDonald’s Happy Meal

    Everything from the early 2000s is making a comeback, including Sanrio and Yu-Gi-Oh, in the form of McDonald’s Happy Meals. Who would’ve thought Sanrio characters dressed as Yu-Gi-Oh monsters would still look absolutely cute?

    I didn’t expect the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card to ever look cute, but Cinnamoroll can make anything look adorable. But several of Hello Kitty’s friends will be making even the creepiest monster cards look cute in this collaboration. Even the Forbidden One looks as squishable as Pompompurin.

    These ten Sanrio x Yu-Gi-Oh Happy Meals will be made available in 55 different countries. This collaboration is expected to hit the US on August 20, 2024.

    Hello Kitty and Friends x ‘Yu-Gi-Oh’

    Sanrio character yu-gi-oh Monster
    Hello Kitty Dark Magician
    Bad Batz-maru Red-Eyes Black Dragon
    Cinnamoroll Blue-Eyes White Dragon
    Kuromi Slifer the Sky Dragon
    My Melody Dark Magician Girl
    Pompompurin Exodia the Forbidden One
    Kerokerokeroppi Kuriboh
    Chococat The Winged Dragon of Ra
    Pocchaco Time Wizard
    Tuxedosam Obelisk the Tormentor

    Everybody’s been raving about how cute Hello Kitty and Friends are in this collaboration, but nobody’s been talking about what these toys exactly are. These little collectibles are small plushies you can bring around with you. They don’t come with hooks, so you can put them in pockets or hang them on your bag with a clear case.

    The only crime this collaboration committed is that Gudetama is absent from this lineup. Sanrio missed the golden opportunity to dress Gudetama, everyone’s favorite lazy egg, as a Yu-Gi-Oh Monster Egg. For that reason, I’ll have to pass on this collab.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Vanessa Esguerra

    Source link

  • When is Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh’s first collab likely to make its streaming debut on Max?

    When is Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh’s first collab likely to make its streaming debut on Max?

    Already touted to be the tearjearker of the year, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh’s We Live In Time is slated to hit theaters on October 11, 2024, via A24.

    Once the release date for the movie was officially confirmed, fans were left wondering if the film would become available to stream. While the details of when and where We Live In Time make its streaming debut are not out yet, fans can certainly strike out Netflix as the platform where they will be able to watch the John Crowley directorial in the near future.

    In fact, all streamers except Warner Bros. streaming service Max can be ruled out as of now. The primary reason behind the movie becoming exclusively available on Max is the December 2023 deal that was struck between A24 and Warner Bros. Discovery, which allows only HBO, Max, and Cinemax to stream the indie powerhouse’s projects once they leave the theaters.

    The multi-year deal saw Warner Bros. take over from Showtime, which had signed a similar deal with the production and distribution company in 2019. A24 and HBO have had a long-standing relationship, which includes the former producing shows like Euphoria and The Idol. The 2023 deal means that the Warner Bros. platforms will house more than 100 A24 releases, including their 2024 releases.

    We Live In Time is Pugh and Garfield’s first collaboration, which is a major reason behind fans’ excitement for the film. Both actors have proven themselves in indie and big studio projects in the last few years, and the romantic drama now presents them a chance to in a way redeem the genre, which has been crying out for a blockbuster for a while.

    We Live In Time also stars Adam James, Marama Corlett, Aoife Hinds, Nikhil Parmar, Heather Craney, and Kara Lynch. The film is written by Nick Payne and will premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, which will be held from September 5 to 15, 2024.


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Evan Tiwari

    Source link

  • Here’s the latest on Marvel’s ‘What If?’ season 3

    Here’s the latest on Marvel’s ‘What If?’ season 3

    The madness of the multiverse, but make it animated: The Marvel series What If…? will return for Season 3. This is everything we know about the upcoming season, fellow watchers, from when What If Season 3 will drop on Disney+ to what characters will work it out in the remix next.

    This is just one woman’s opinion, but the second season of What If was considerably better than the first. I’m excited to see what they get up to in the third season. It’s nice to have alternate universe/variant storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that doesn’t feel like it necessarily affects the other movies or television shows. (Looking at you, Deadpool & Wolverine and you adding “anchor beings” to the mix…)

    What will What If Season 3 be about?

    We know that there’s going to be a Red Guardian-centric episode featuring Bucky Barnes, but that’s about it. The above clip, which aired right after Season 2, dove right into that particular adventure. Is this an even sneakier preview into what Bucky and Alexei’s dynamic will be like in the Thunderbolts* movie? I can’t wait to find out.

    When will What If Season 3 premiere?

    The season will most likely return in 2025, but there’s a possibility that it drops at the end of 2024.

    Who will be in What If Season 3?

    Besides Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher and other returning heroes, there are some new-to-What-If Marvel heroes to look forward to in Season 3. Joining this season character-wise are Monica Rambeau and Sam Wilson a.k.a. Captain America, though it’s unclear if Teyonah Parris and Anthony Mackie will reprise them in the vocal booth. And speaking of “America,” the one and only America Ferrara will be in What If Season 3 as a new character called Ranger Morales.

    Where can you watch What If Season 3?

    Well that’s easy! Disney+ of course!


    The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

    Leah Marilla Thomas

    Source link