The spectacular now, 2013

Daisy Jones and The Six (Pilot Review) | This is Meticulous and Purposeful

Not sure if this has ever happened to me before but #DaisyJonesAndTheSix makes me regret not taking the time to read the book. WOW #RileyKeough #SamClaflin @Iamthepuma @thisisweber @daisyjonesand6 @PrimeVideo

Scoot Neustadter & Michael H. Weber (Creators), Taylor Jenkins Reid (Novel)CASTRiley KeoughSam ClaflinCamila MorroneSuki WaterhouseWill HarrisonJosh WhitehouseSebastian ChaconNabiyah BeTom WrightTimothy Olyphant Review I had time to read the book this is based on, but I wasn’t willing because some books, some genres of books have a time and/or a mood for me to read. So I went in blind and right…

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Daisy Jones and the Six. (Amazon) Review.

Someone looked at the aesthetics of the Bradley Cooper 2019 Star is Born and asked “What if we made this about a Fleetwood Mac tribute act?”

Let’s have a look at another one of Amazon’s questionably expensive follies within the streaming world. Daisy Jones and the Six a mini-series adaptation of the popular Taylor Jenkins Read novel via Reese Witherspoon‘s Hello Sunshine brand It’s effectively what would happen if one attempted to pair the added grit and attempted to ground aesthetic from the Bradley Cooper version of A Star Is Born…

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Queer Book Recommendations

It's pride season in Wellington, New Zealand and my local library has published its second "Teen Staff Picks" zine! In that spirit, I bring you, a collection of lesser-known queer books featured in the two that have been released so far! I've narrowed the lists down to books that have 1000 or fewer reviews on Goodreads as of posting (though I actually use Storygraph personally). I haven't read most of these, they're new to me as well but looking forward to getting into them.

Sapphic

Trouble Girls - Julia Lynn Rubin

Planning Perfect - Haley Neil

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches - Kate Scelsa

The Meadows - Stephanie Oakes

Never Trust a Gemini - Freja Nicole Woolf

This Is All Your Fault - Aminah Mae Safi

The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet - Jake Maia Arlow

Youngblood - Sasha Laurens

In the Role of Brie Hutchens - Nicole Melleby

Achillean

We Are Totally Normal - Rahul Kanakia

Two Can Play That Game - Leanne Yong

Blaine for the Win - Robbie Couch

I Like Me Better - Robby Weber

The Language of Seabirds - Will Taylor

The Feeling of Falling in Love - Mason Deaver

Charming Young Man - Eliot Schrefer

Emmett - L. C. Rosen

Pages I Never Wrote - Marco Donati

Trans Characters

Across a Field of Starlight - Blue Delliquanti

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure - Lewis Hancox

The Borrow a Boyfriend Club - Page Powars

If I Can Give You That - Michael Gray Bulla

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic - G. Haron Davis

Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity - Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Magical Boy - The Kao

Kisses For Jet: A Coming-of-Gender Story - Joris Bas Backer

Between Perfect and Real - Ray Stoeve

Featuring Queer People of Colour

Ander & Santi Were Here - Jonny Garza Villa

The Loophole - Naz Kutub

Spell Bound - F. T. Lukens

Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues - H. S. Valley

Rise to the Sun - Leah Johnson

Never Kiss Your Roommate - Philline Harms

Rainbow! - Bloom & Sunny

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales - Melanie Gillman

Anne of Greenville - Mariko Tamaki

23 Republican Senators & 124 Congressmen signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court asking for a 50 state ban on mifepristone, a drug safer than tylenol that is standard treatment for abortion & miscarriages, "due to safety concerns". The brief DARES to argue that banning the life saving drug would save women from 'reproductive control'. (x) These 147 people would rather have women die of sepsis than let women control their own bodies. If your representatives are on this list, call them and tell their office you will be voting against them in the next election because they asked SCOTUS to throw the US medical drug system into chaos at the cost of American lives.

United States Senate

Lead Senator: Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) John Barrasso (WY) Mike Braun (IN) Katie Britt (AL) Ted Budd (NC) Bill Cassidy (LA) Kevin Cramer (ND) Mike Crapo (ID) Ted Cruz (TX) Steve Daines (MT) Josh Hawley (MO) John Hoeven (ND) James Lankford (OK) Mike Lee (UT) Cynthia Lummis (WY) Roger Marshall (KS) Markwayne Mullin (OK) James Risch (ID) Marco Rubio (FL) Rich Scott (FL) John Thune (SD) Tommy Tuberville (AL) Roger Wicker (MS)

United States House of Representatives

Lead Representative: August Pfluger (TX–11) Robert Aderholt (AL–04) Mark Alford (MO–04) Rick Allen (GA–12) Jodey Arrington (TX–19) Brian Babin (TX–36) Troy Balderson (OH–12) Jim Banks (IN–03) Aaron Bean (FL–04) Cliff Bentz (OR–02) Jack Bergman (MI–01) Andy Biggs (AZ–05) Gus Bilirakis (FL–12) Dan Bishop (NC–08) Lauren Boebert (CO–03) Mike Bost (IL–12) Josh Brecheen (OK–02) Ken Buck (CO–04) Tim Burchett (TN–02) Michael Burgess, M.D. (TX–26) Eric Burlison (MO–07) Kat Cammack (FL–03) Mike Carey (OH–15) Jerry Carl (AL–01) Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA–01) John Carter (TX–31) Ben Cline (VA–06) Michael Cloud (TX–27) Andrew Clyde (GA–09) Mike Collins (GA–10) Elijah Crane (AZ–02) Eric A. “Rick” Crawford (AR–01) John Curtis (UT–03) Warren Davidson (OH–08) Monica De La Cruz (TX–15) Jeff Duncan (SC–03) Jake Ellzey (TX–06) Ron Estes (KS–04) Mike Ezell (MS–04) Pat Fallon (TX–04) Randy Feenstra (IA–04) Brad Finstad (MN–01) Michelle Fischbach (MN–07) Scott Fitzgerald (WI–05) Mike Flood (NE–01) Virginia Foxx (NC–05) Scott Franklin (FL–18) Russell Fry (SC–07) Russ Fulcher (ID–01) Tony Gonzales (TX–23) Bob Good (VA–05) Paul Gosar (AZ–09) Garret Graves (LA–06) Mark Green (TN–07) Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA–14) H. Morgan Griffith (VA–09) Glenn Grothman (WI–06) Michael Guest (MS–03) Harriet Hageman (WY) Andy Harris, M.D. (MD–01) Diana Harshbarger (TN–01) Kevin Hern (OK–01) Clay Higgins (LA–03) Ashley Hinson (IA–02) Erin Houchin (IN–02) Richard Hudson (NC–09) Bill Huizenga (MI–04) Bill Johnson (OH–06) Mike Johnson (LA–04) Jim Jordan (OH–04) Mike Kelly (PA–16) Trent Kelly (MS–01) Doug LaMalfa (CA–01) Doug Lamborn (CO–05) Nicholas Langworthy (NY–23) Jake LaTurner (KS–02) Debbie Lesko (AZ–08) Barry Loudermilk (GA–11) Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO–03) Tracey Mann (KS–01) Lisa McClain (MI–09) Dr. Rich McCormick (GA–06) Patrick McHenry (NC–10) Carol Miller (WV–01) Mary Miller (IL–15) Max Miller (OH–07) Cory Mills (FL–07) John Moolenar (MI–02) Alex X. Mooney (WV–02) Barry Moore (AL–02) Blake Moore (UT–01) Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC–03) Troy Nehls (TX–22) Ralph Norman (SC–05) Andy Ogles (TN–05) Gary Palmer (AL–06) Bill Posey (FL–08) Guy Reschenthaler (PA–14) Mike Rogers (AL–03) John Rose (TN–06) Matthew Rosendale, Sr. (MT–02) David Rouzer (NC–07) Steve Scalise (LA–01) Keith Self (TX–03) Pete Sessions (TX–17) Adrian Smith (NE–03) Christopher H. Smith (NJ–04) Lloyd Smucker (PA–11) Pete Stauber (MN–08) Elise Stefanik (NY–21) Dale Strong (AL–05) Claudia Tenney (NY–24) Glenn Thompson (PA–15) William Timmons, IV (SC–04) Beth Van Duyne (TX–24) Tim Walberg (MI–05) Michael Waltz (FL–05) Randy Weber, Sr. (TX–14) Daniel Webster (FL–11) Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH–02) Bruce Westerman (AR–04) Roger Williams (TX–25) Joe Wilson (SC–02) Rudy Yakym (IN–02)

If your representatives are on this list, call them and tell their office you will be voting against them in the next election because they asked SCOTUS to throw the US medical drug system into chaos at the cost of American lives.

Help to patients who have to cross state lines to get medical care by donating to your local abortion fund here. (x)

I posted 2,027 times in 2022

97 posts created (5%)

1,930 posts reblogged (95%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@imperial6scum

@desadnta

@sinisterexaggerator

@tigertofu

@samphiresea

I tagged 469 of my posts in 2022

#my fics - 31 posts

#trikey - 20 posts

#michael de santa - 19 posts

#trevor philips - 15 posts

#gta fanfiction - 13 posts

#gta v - 12 posts

#trikey fanfiction - 11 posts

#michael/trevor - 8 posts

#gta v fanfiction - 8 posts

#gta fanart - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 78 characters

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My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

They fuck, and then they don’t say anything.

The blanket is lying uselessly at the end of the bed. It’s getting cold, but putting it on would make it too hard to leave. Impossible to leave. It would mean Michael was staying. 

But he’s not leaving, blanket or not. He lies on his side and waits and ponders on what they just did. He watches Trevor’s back, can see cum leaving a wet spot on the sheets as it leaks out of his ass.

Maybe it was a mistake, but it felt so good for a mistake, so easy and familiar. Maybe he should reach for Trevor, but he’s facing away, curling into himself. Michael considers the fact that Trevor might want him to leave but just can’t bring himself to say it. And Michael can’t bring himself to go because he’s still waiting for something he doesn’t quite understand.

And Trevor, pressing his fingernails into his palms, forces himself to stay awake until Michael’s gone because he has gone to sleep with Michael in his bed and woken up alone too many times already.

Just put me out of my misery and go. 

But he doesn’t say it, doesn’t want to give Michael permission. 

So they don’t fall asleep, but they don’t talk, either. Neither even moves, as if something would be indefinitely broken if they did. 

It could be hours later until Michael’s insomnia gives him a break, and he feels his eyes drooping. 

He still doesn’t feel like leaving, so he does the only thing that makes sense; he curls up against Trevor, lies on the spot that has dried already, and covers them with the blanket. Hand on his waist, lips on the back of his neck. 

Trevor falls asleep in minutes after Michael’s breathing against his neck reveals he’s not awake anymore. 

75 notes - Posted May 9, 2022

#4

For once they both were wearing stuff I wanted them to wear <3

98 notes - Posted April 17, 2022

#3

Do you trust me enough to let me do anything to you, I asked and when he did not hesitate, I reminded him that my garden was full of broken glass.

Glass / Rope / Skin in AO3

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This fic and the poems were included in the Bliss zine (use code blisszine to get it for free) alongside some amazing artists' and writers' works. One of them was @bluecat-with-glasses who I just had to commission <3 <3

115 notes - Posted January 30, 2022

#2

“Hey, T,” he murmured, shifting on his feet to stay warm.

“Hey,” Trevor croaked back, voice a bit rough after his performance. “My knight in shining armor.”

Michael smirked at him before blowing out smoke. “You’re no damsel in distress. I think the dragon suited you better.”

“Maybe,” Trevor hummed slightly melancholically. He was used to being the bad guy. “Either way, it was a fun day. The best, according to Tracey.”

Cooking by the Book in AO3

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Nana, my beloved. I'm dying with happiness. <3 <3 Check out Artmetica's website and Twitter for more amazing art and commission info! This fic prompt came from @h-weber-exe <3 <3

229 notes - Posted January 13, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I had no idea what would become of him

I Watched My Son in AO3

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All of my love to @thenoman-sland for illustrating the three mothers. <3 Another great commission!

522 notes - Posted January 22, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

Rosaline (Karen Maine, 2022)

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Sean Teale, Kyle Allen, Spencer Stevenson, Bradley Whitford, Christopher McDonald, Minnie Driver, Nico Hiraga. Screenplay: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, based on a novel by Rebecca Serle. Cinematography: Laurie Rose. Production design: Andrew McAlpine. Film editing: Jennifer Lee. Music: Drum & Lace, Ian Hultquist. 

Rosaline is an amusing trifle, an exercise in parashakespeare like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Tom Stoppard, 1990) or Shakespeare in Love (John Madden, 1998), though I'm sure neither screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber nor Rebecca Serle, the author of the book on which Rosaline is based, would be eager to invite comparison with Stoppard's erudition and wit. In Romeo and Juliet, Rosaline is only a plot device: Juliet's cousin, with whom Romeo is infatuated, she's never seen in the play, but serves only, via the teasing of his friends, to emphasize Romeo's bent toward romantic ardor. The film casually turns the play on its head, converting tragedy into rom-com, as Kaitlyn Dever's Rosaline gets her revenge on Romeo's fickleness by trying to make him fall out of love with Juliet. Dever is a fine comic actress, and she gets good support from the rest of the cast. Kyle Allen, looking a bit like Heath Ledger in another parashakespearean movie, 10 Things I Hate About You (Gil Junger, 1999), plays Romeo as a lovestruck goof. His Juliet (Isabela Merced) is a faux naïf from the country, who manages to get the upper hand on the manipulative Rosaline. (There's a mid-credits scene at the end that suggests things will not go smoothly for Romeo and Juliet after they escape Verona by means of a fake death.) Bradley Whitford plays Rosaline's father, determined to marry off his independent-minded daughter. After a series of superannuated suitors whom Rosaline manages to scare off, he comes up with the handsome young Dario (Sean Teale), whom she initially rejects, but everyone who has ever seen a rom-com knows she will eventually fall for. There are nice comic bits from Spencer Stevenson as Paris, Rosaline's gay best friend who gets roped into an engagement with Juliet, and Nico Hiraga as Steve the Courier, a stoner who delivers -- or fails to deliver -- the crucial messages that in the original play would precipitate tragedy. And while Juliet's nurse plays a key role in Shakespeare, she's only a bit part in the movie. Instead, there's Minnie Driver as Rosaline's nurse, indignantly insisting that she's a trained registered nurse, not a babysitter. The screenplay wisely jettisons any attempt to evoke Shakespearean language and adopts contemporary speech that jars amusingly with the period setting and costumes. Director Karen Maine keeps all this fluff nicely airborne. 

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Directed by: James Ponsoldt

Written by: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber

Rated R for cursing, underage drinking and some drug use, and teens having sex.

Movie Synopsis: Sutter loves to party, drink, and has no plans for the future. Aimee is a nice girl who isn't part of the big crowds. The two find themselves attracted to each other despite being polar opposites after Sutter wakes up in Aimee's garden.

Review 3.4 stars

The Spectacular Now is a film that shows us the lives of teenagers in a raw way. It doesn't care for overcomplicated drama or flashy lifestyles; it simply flows through the motions from the perspective of "God's favorite drunk" Sutter Keely. However, production-wise the scenes feel short and distressed. Time flies by and relationships develop but as a viewer we aren't given enough time to process them before moving on to the next thing in order to fit into the hour-and-a-half time frame. This causes the characters -that feel like real-life teenagers- to lose their depths as well as time to explore their insecurities and complexities as humans. All in all good film and concept, but the editing and composition of the film leaves a lot to be desired.

Trailer 

Sources

Pictures: Pinterest

Synopsis: Google

"(500) Days of Summer"

500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy film that has made a significant impact on independent cinema since its release in 2009. Directed by Marc Webb and written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, the film tells the story of Tom Hansen (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his rough relationship with Summer Finn (played by Zooey Deschanel). What sets 500 Days of Summer apart from traditional romantic comedies is its non-linear narrative structure. The film jumps back and forth between different days in Tom and Summer’s relationship, allowing viewers to see both the highs and lows of their romance. This approach adds depth to the characters and explores themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery in a unique way. One of the key ways in which 500 Days of Summer has impacted independent cinema is through its innovative storytelling techniques. 500 Days of Summer has helped to launch the careers of several talented individuals involved in its production. Kevin Craft talked about the complexities of “(500) Days of Summer” in this article and how it continues to spark debate among viewers. Craft argues that what sets "(500) Days of Summer" apart from other rom-coms is its non-linear narrative structure and unconventional storytelling techniques. One of the most controversial aspects of "(500) Days of Summer" is its portrayal of Summer as a seemingly heartless character who leads Tom on before ultimately breaking his heart. What makes "(500) Days of Summer" particularly relevant to independent cinema is its willingness to take risks and challenge conventional storytelling norms. Independent filmmakers often use their creative freedom to explore themes and narratives that mainstream Hollywood would stay away from. "(500) Days of Summer" is a prime example of how indie films can push boundaries and spark important discussions about love, relationships, and human nature. 500-days-summer-marc-webb Marc Webb also talked about the difference between cheesy and lame, working with Zooey Deschanel, and his experience at Sundance in an interview. When asked about the difference between cheesy and lame, Webb emphasized the importance of being authentic in storytelling. He believes that cheesy moments are those that feel forced or insincere, while lame moments lack creativity or originality. By avoiding both pitfalls, Webb was able to craft a film that felt genuine and relatable. Webb also talked about his experience premiering "500 Days of Summer" at the Sundance Film Festival. He described it as a surreal moment, seeing his work showcased alongside other talented filmmakers. The positive reception at Sundance helped propel the film to greater success, solidifying Webb's reputation as a rising star in Hollywood. Marc Webb Interview  

leadership

https://learntransformation.com/leadership-books-essential-

Here are Learn Transformation's top picks for leadership books that offer valuable insights and inspiration for personal and professional growth:

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: This book emphasizes self-compassion and self-love, inviting readers to embrace their flaws and strengths to connect authentically with others.

Learning to Lead: The Journey to Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading an Organization by Ron Williams with Karl Weber: Ron Williams shares his journey from segregated Chicago to becoming the CEO of Aetna, offering practical lessons for aspiring leaders.

Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business by John Mackey, Steve Mcintosh, and Carter Phipps: This book promotes purpose-driven leadership and ethical business practices, advocating for leaders to embody their values in their actions.

Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, and Annie McKee: Exploring the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, this book offers strategies for connecting with employees and fostering healthy workplace relationships.

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer: A spiritual guide to personal growth, this book helps readers untangle themselves from limiting beliefs and automatic thoughts to cultivate conscious awareness.

Humble Leadership: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein: Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein explore a new paradigm of leadership based on trust, relationships, and humility, challenging traditional hierarchical models.

Disrupt-It-Yourself: Eight Ways to Hack a Better Business–Before the Competition Does by Simone Bhan Ahuja: Ahuja offers strategies for innovation and adaptation in today's rapidly changing business landscape, empowering companies to disrupt themselves before being disrupted by competitors.

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek: Drawing on military principles, Sinek advocates for people-first leadership that prioritizes employee well-being and fosters trust and loyalty.

Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni: Lencioni identifies common team dysfunctions and offers practical solutions for building trust, fostering healthy conflict, and achieving collective success.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell: Maxwell distills decades of leadership experience into 21 timeless principles that empower readers to become effective leaders.

On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis: Warren Bennis explores the journey of leadership, emphasizing that leaders are made, not born, and providing practical strategies for personal and professional growth

The Fault In Our Stars by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber based on the novel by John Green

#ProyeccionDeVida

🎬 “QUINIENTOS DÍAS CON ELLA” [500 days of summer] 💦

🔎 Género: Romance / Comedia / Drama  / Cine independiente USA

⏰ Duración: 96 minutos

✍️ Guion: Scott Neustadter y Michael H. Weber

🎼 Música: Mychael Danna y Rob Simonsen

📷 Fotografía: Eric Steelberg

🗯 Argumento: Tom aún sigue creyendo, incluso en este cínico mundo moderno, en la noción de un amor transformador, predestinado por el cosmos y que golpea como un rayo sólo una vez. Summer no cree lo mismo, para nada. La mecha se enciende desde el primer día, cuando Tom, un arquitecto en ciernes convertido en un sensiblero escritor de tarjetas de felicitación, se encuentra con Summer, la bella y fresca nueva secretaria de su jefe. Aunque aparentemente está fuera de su alcance, Tom pronto descubre que tienen un montón de cosas en común. La historia de Tom y Summer cubre desde el enamoramiento, las citas y el sexo hasta la separación, las recriminaciones y la redención, todo lo cual se suma al caleidoscópico retrato del porqué y el cómo seguimos esforzándonos de modo tan risible y rastrero para encontrar sentido al amor… y esperar convertirlo en realidad.

👥 Reparto: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tom), Zooey Deschanel (Summer), Chloë Grace Moretz (Rachel Hansen), Matthew Gray Gubler (Paul), Geoffrey Arend (McKenzie), Minka Kelly (Autumn), Clark Gregg (Vance), Rachel Boston (Alison), Yvette Nicole Brown (Nueva Secretaria), Patricia Belcher (Millie) y Valente Rodriguez (Empleado #1).

📢 Dirección: Marc Webb

© Productora: Fox Searchlight

🌎 Pais: Estados Unidos

📅 Año: 2009

📽 Proyección:

📆 Sábado 06 de Abril

🕗 8:00pm.

🎦 Cine Caleta (calle Aurelio de Souza 225 - Barranco)

🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ Ingreso libre

🙂 A tener en cuenta: Prohibido el ingreso de bebidas y comidas. 🌳💚🌻🌛

The government gets wind of a plot to destroy America involving a trio of nuclear weapons for which the whereabouts are unknown. It’s up to a seasoned interrogator and an FBI agent to find out exactly where the nukes are. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Henry Harold ‘H’ Humphries: Samuel L. Jackson Agent Helen Brody: Carrie-Anne Moss Steven Arthur Younger: Michael Sheen Charles Thompson: Stephen Root Rina Humphries: Lora Kojovic Jack Saunders: Martin Donovan Agent Vincent: Gil Bellows Agent Leandro: Vincent Laresca Agent D.J Jackson: Brandon Routh Agent Phillips: Joshua Harto General Paulson: Holmes Osborne Col. Kerkmejian: Michael Rose Mr. Bradley: Randy Oglesby Alvarez: Benito Martinez Lubitchich: Sasha Roiz Winston: Dayo Ade Katie: Yara Shahidi Peter Humphries: Sayeed Shahidi Jehan Younger: Necar Zadegan Samura Younger: Jillian Bruno Ali Younger: Coby Seyrafi Major Pierce: Chris McGarry CNN Announcer: Angela Martinez ESPN Host: David E. Willis Young Sergent: Geoff Meed Observer: Kirk B.R. Woller TV News Announcer: Kelly Vaughn Announcer #2: Bill A. Jones Soldier: Phil Somerville Bomb Disposal Expert: Austin Nichols Pedestrian with Child: Delaine Yates Film Crew: Casting: John Papsidera Music: Graeme Revell Stunt Coordinator: Charles Croughwell Producer: Bill Perkins Producer: Marco Weber Director of Photography: Oliver Stapleton Line Producer: Samson Mucke Writer: Peter Woodward Visual Effects: Chris Ervin Key Hair Stylist: Robert L. Stevenson Producer: Caldecot Chubb Producer: Vanessa Coifman Editor: Scott Chestnut Director: Gregor Jordan Production Design: Steven Jones-Evans Key Makeup Artist: Francisco X. Pérez Makeup Department Head: Allan A. Apone Digital Intermediate: Keith Shaw Still Photographer: Dale Robinette Camera Operator: Chris Lombardi Art Direction: Nick Ralbovsky Visual Effects: Lucas Krost Costume Design: Danielle Hollowell Executive Producer: Vince Cirrincione Executive Producer: Rachel Rose Set Decoration: Amber Haley Gaffer: Jack English Costume Supervisor: Marisa Aboitiz Supervising Sound Editor: Chad J. Hughes ADR Supervisor: Angela Hemingway Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Jonathan Wales Music Editor: Ashley Revell Property Master: Guillaume DeLouche Special Effects Coordinator: William Dawson Script Supervisor: Tracy Scott Dolly Grip: Sam Stewart First Assistant Camera: Patrick McArdle Digital Intermediate: Brian Beard Key Grip: Patrick R. Heffernan Casting Associate: Jennifer Cram Lighting Technician: Jesse Mather Lighting Technician: Simone Perusse Prosthetic Makeup Artist: Brad Look Digital Intermediate: James Ahern Dolly Grip: Jeff Smith Construction Coordinator: Lars Petersen Movie Reviews: DoryDarko: Unthinkable raises a question which has been an issue for many people all over the world for a very long time, and especially since 9/11. This question is, is it ever justified to torture an individual to save the lives of many? And if the answer is yes, how far can you go? This issue is indeed a very sensitive subject and I think it takes guts for any filmmaker to put it out there in the open like Gregor Jordan did. Add to that the clever fact that he doesn’t actually make a choice, but rather lets the audience decide on whatever they want to think and feel, and you have a pretty gutsy and controversial concept. In a nutshell, this film is about a man of American descent who has become a Muslim and has now, as an act of terrorism, planted 3 nuclear bombs in 3 major American cities which will go off in four days. Screenwriter Peter Woodward made some very tactical decisions considering the characters in the story. They are all somewhat stereotypical, but this is no bother because they’re all there for a reason. Carrie-Anne Moss, as an FBI investigator, represents the conscience, the sensitivity and the struggle to make the right decision. Samuel L. Jackson is her polar opposite; the brutal, rational, stone cold “interrogator” who does what he does because he’s the only one who can and willing to do it. The means he is willing to go to in order to get his subject to talk ...

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The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently released 10 working papers

Can Incentives Increase the Writing of Wills? An Experiment Jean-Pierre Aubry, Alicia H. Munnell, and Gal Wettstein

The Case for Using Subsidies for Retirement Plans to Fix Social Security Andrew G. Biggs, Alicia H. Munnell, and Michael Wicklein

Understanding the Characteristics and Needs of Tribal Community Members for Social Security Delivery Barbara A. Butrica, Stipica Mudrazija, and Jonathan Schwabish

The Impact of Past Incarceration on Later-Life DI and SSI Receipt Gary V. Engelhardt

Take-Up and Labor Supply Responses to Disability Insurance Earnings Limits Judit Krekó, Dániel Prinz, and Andrea Weber

How Can Changes to Social Security Improve Benefits for Black and Hispanic Beneficiaries? Richard W. Johnson and Karen E. Smith

The Impact of High-Pressure Labor Markets on Retirement Security Stipica Mudrazija and Barbara A. Butrica 

How Many Medicaid Recipients Might Be Eligible for SSI? Michael Levere and David Wittenburg

Perceptions of Beneficiaries with Mental Illness and Family Representative Payees Regarding Satisfaction and Challenges Travis Labrum

Estimating Disparities Using Structural Equation Models Stipica Mudrazija and Barbara A. Butrica

Dave Franco and James Franco in The Disaster Artist (James Franco, 2017) Cast: Dave Franco, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, June Diane Raphael, Megan Mullally, Sharon Stone, Melanie Griffith. Screenplay: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, based on a book by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell. Cinematography: Brandon Trost. Production design: Chris L. Spellman. Film editing: Stacey Schroeder. Music: Dave Porter.  The title, The Disaster Artist, contains unintended irony. Just as the raves were coming in not only for James Franco's directing and acting in The Disaster Artist but also for his work in a dual role on HBO's The Deuce, there came a series of allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2014. Franco had been thought to be a strong contender for Oscar nominations for both directing and acting, but was shut out of those categories: The Disaster Artist received only one nomination, for the screenplay by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. We're not at the point yet where recent filmmakers' work can be judged independently of their personal lives -- the way, say, we appreciate the work of past artists without referring to the less admirable sides of their lives. To the extent that I can shut out Franco's alleged misconduct from any consideration of his movie, I have to say that the film is a delight, a witty, observant portrait of a grandly mysterious eccentric whose age, country of origin, and source of income have still never been fully documented. It's also a film about the movies, about the joy and pain of making them, exhilarating even when the product, Tommy Wiseau's The Room (2003), is widely derided as one of the worst movies ever made. Franco's performance is a great gallery of mannerisms into which the actor himself fully disappears -- although there are some who would say that Franco's own reputation for ego-tripping is an essential jumping-off point for the character. But the film is also a directorial showcase, in which Franco shows skill that his other work hadn't previously manifested. The Disaster Artist is full of tasty bits, such as Melanie Griffith's cameo as an acting teacher and Sharon Stone's as an agent. As Greg Sestero, Dave Franco serves to keep the wacked-out narrative on course, and it's fun to watch the brothers play off of each other.