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Trainwreck'd Society's Top 20 Films of 2018 [Exclusive!]
December 30, 2018 by rontrembathiii 2 Comments
When it came to films in 2018, the possibilities were almost too vast, in my humble opinion. There were so damn many movies that I "wanted to see" but just couldn't quite find the time to get to them all. With that being said, the titles below were absolutely my favorite of the couple hundred I was able to sneak in. And I think we have a nice collection to share with you all.
But, remember, if you want to check out some true and concise reviews of some of the hottest films of the year, you can always check out Micro Reviews with Eaves, from our resident film expert here at Trainwreck'd Society. Where I saw precisely 2 films (Christopher Robin and The Grinch, because I have children) in an actual theatre in 2018, one of which did indeed make the list, Chris made it a habit to see just about every damn movie that was released theatrically this year. And he was probably close!
So folks, please check out the list below, support the world of film in all realms. Of course, I would put an emphasis on independent films, but I just want people to appreciate film a bit more these days. And 2018 offered up a selection of titles to choose from, and here are the favorites of Trainwreck'd Society. Enjoy!
20. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Written by: Gus Van Sant
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Roomey Mara
19. Christopher Robin
Written by Allison Schroeder, Tom McCarthy, & Alex Ross Perry
Directed by Marc Foster
Starring Ewan McGregor, Ronke Adekoolujeo, Jim Cummings
18. The Jurassic Games
Written by Ryan Belgardt & Galen Christy
Directed by Ryan Belgardt
Starring Katie Burgess, Perrey Reeves, Tiger She
17. The Forest of the Lost Souls
Written by Jose Pedro Lopes
Directed by Jose Pedro Lopes
Starring Daniela Love, Jorge Mota, Mafalda Banquart
16. Fear, Love, and Agoraphobia
Written by Alex D'Lama
Directed by Alex D'Lama
Starring Doug Haley, Linda Burzynski, Lori Petty
15. Entanglement
Written by Jason Filiatraut
Directed by Jason James
Starring Thomas Middleditch, Jess Weixer, Diana Bang
14. Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain
Written by Alex Winter
Directed by Alex Winter
Starring Rosario Dawson, Gramatik, Imogen Heap
13. A Futile and Stupid Gesture
Written by Michael Colton & John Aboud
Directed by David Wain
Starring Will Forte, David Krumholtz, Liz Femi
12. King Cohen
Written by Steve Mitchell
Directed by Steve Mitchell
Starring Larry Cohen, Yaphet Koto, Fred Williamson
11. Dumplin'
Written by Ann Fletcher
Directed by Kristin Hahn
Starring Danielle MacDonald, Odeya Rush, Jennifer Aniston
10. The Basement
Written by Brian M. Conley, Nathan Ives, & Sean Decker
Directed by Brian M. Conley & Nathan ives
Starring Cayleb Long, Jackson Davis, Tracie Thoms
9. The Workers Cup
Written by Adam Sobel
Directed by Adam Sobel
8. The Heretics
Written by Jayme Laforest & Chad Archibald
Directed by Chad Archibald
Starring Nina Kiri, Jorja Cadence, Karen Scobie
7. Sacred Heart
Written by Kosta Nikas
Directed by Kosta Nikas
Starring David Field, Kipan Rothbury, Lizzie Schebesta
6. Revenge
Written by Kjersti Steinsbø & Ingvar Ambjørnsen
Directed by Kjersti Steinsbø
Starring Siren Jørgensen, Trond Espen Seim, Anders Baasmo Christiansen
5. Dead Love
Written by Emanuel Isler & Chad Israel
Directed by Colin Floom & Greg Nemer
Starring Nicole Elizabeth Olson, Elias Harger, Kate Linder
4. Strawberry Flavored Plastic
Written by Colin Bemis
Directed by Colin Bemis
Starring Aidan Bristow, Andres Montejo, Bianca Soto
3. Clickbait
Written by Michael J. Epstein & Jeremy Long
Directed by Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein
Starring Amanda Colby Stewart, Brandi Aguilar, & Seth Chatfield
2. 1/1
Written by Jeremy Phillips
Directed by Jeremy Phillips
Starring, Lindsey Shaw, Dendrie Taylor, Judd Nelson
1. The Lighthouse
Written by Paul Bryant, Chris Crow, & Michael Jibson
Directed by Chris Crow
Starring Mark Lewis Jones, Michael Jibson, David Lloyd
Filed under Exclusive!
Trainwreck'd Society's Top 25 Albums of 2018 [Exclusive!]
December 29, 2018 by rontrembathiii 1 Comment
I have to forewarn you dear regular readers, there may be a bit of deja vu happening here. If you checked in for our Top 40 Singles list that went live yesterday, it's going to be a bit similar. But, we do have a fun additions to the list of albums that may have been solid altogether, but didn't quite have single tracks that warranted being on our previous list. Which is actually sort of a good thing, sometimes. It seems as though the days of having an entire album of bangers and/or pleasant tracks is not entirely necessary. Which is completely understandable in the new digital age, but for some of us more nostalgic old bastards, it's nice to have a solid album every once in a while. And I dare say that we have managed to list together a solid batch of albums for you all to enjoy. So how about we get right into it, shall we?
Folks, please enjoy Trainwreck'd Society's Top 25 Albums of 2018!
25. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – THANK YOU FOR TODAY
24. CHRIS GARNEAU – YOURS
23. BEANS ON TOAST – A BIRD IN THE HAND
21. DRAKE – SCORPION
20. THE MIDNIGHT VEIN – THE MIDNIGHT VEIN
19. YOB – OUR RAW HEART
18. THURSTON MOORE – KLANGFARBENMELODIE.. AND THE COLORIST STRIKES PRIMITIV
17. URAL THOMAS & THE PAIN – NO DISTANCE
16. MOIST – LAVINE
15. LIL WAYNE – THE CARTER V
14. A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS WITH THE PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC OPERA – ASCENSION
13. JUDAS PRIEST – FIREPOWER
12. REEL BIG FISH – LIFE SUCKS, LET'S DANCE
11. EMINEM – KAMIKAZEE
10. THE SEA THE SEA – FROM THE LIGHT
9. SADISTIK – SALO SESSIONS II
8. MANIAC – DEAD DANCE CLUB
7. GARY SPEHAR – ANGER MANAGEMENT
6. ANDREW SHEPPARD – STEADY YOUR AIM
5. ROCKET 3 – WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY?
4. POST MALONE – BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
3. LOTTE KESTNER – OTHER VERSIONS
2. EZRA BELL – EZRA BELL
1. JUSTIN NOZUKA – RUN TO WATERS
Trainwreck'd Society's Top 40 Singles of 2018 [Exclusive]
December 28, 2018 by rontrembathiii Leave a comment
2018 was another year that really didn't seem to lend itself to a plethora of great singles while the year was on going. But, when I sat down to compile a list to finish up the year, I discovered that I was able to pull about 50 tracks just from memory alone. And then with a bit more research to jog my brandy soaked memory, the list went to over 100. So, it most have actually been a pretty good year.
For those of you who have been following us here at Trainwreck'd Society, you may see a bit of a shift in sound than there was in previous years. And that is strictly personal, and on me. I've found myself to be interested in a bit more modern hip hop and R&B. This year's list may be a bit more "mainstream" than in previous years. Although a few familiar faces did show up, and of course they were near the top of the list. But, I couldn't help getting sucked into the modern web of autotuned madness that has become quite popular. In fact, 2018 was the year that I finally got into a cat that I knew by name, but never really gave him a listen. His name is Post Malone, and yes, he shows up a few times. This was also the year that my favorite rapper of all time dropped his best album in 17 years. We even dipped into the metal genre thanks to some influence by our dear friend Adam Mattson. Sprinkle in some good old fashion folk joints, and I believe you will find a pretty solid list of tracks below.
Or not. Either way, these are the official picks for Trainwreck'd Society's Top 40 Singles of 2018. Enjoy!
40.The Weeknd (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – Pray For Me
39. Grave Danger – Let 'Er Rip
38. Childish Gambino – This Is America
37. Judas Priest – No Surrender
36. Machine Gun Kelly – Rap Devil
35. The Dandy Warhols – Forever
34. Hozier – Movement
33. Bebe Rexha – I'm A Mess
32. Tiësto & Dzeko (feat. Preme & Post Malone – Jackie Chan
31. Yob – Original Face
30. Juice Wrld – Lucid Dreams
29. Kanye West – Violent Crimes
28. Black Eyed Peas – Get It
27. Soft People – The Absolute Boy
26. Drake – I'm Upset
25. Lil Wayne – Uproar
24. The Midnight Vein – The Likes of Me
23. Halsey – Without Me
22. Eminem (feat. Joyner Lucas) – Lucky You
21. Moist – Traces
20. Post Malone – Better Now
19. A Flock of Seagulls with The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – I Ran
18. Seth Walker – Giving It All Away
17. Avalanche City – Prayed For Love
16. Eminem – Fall
15. Maniac – Children of the Dirt
14. Andrew Sheppard – Lies As Cheap As Whiskey
13. Sadistik – Yokai
12. Reel Big Fish – Pissed Off
11. The Sea The Sea – Everybody
10. Gerry Spehar – Thank You Donald
9. Post Malone – Candy Paint
8. Lotte Kestner – You're In My Head (Guitar Version)
7. Y La Bamba – Mujenes
6. Rocket 3 – Hip Shot
5. Blitzen Trapper – Heroes of Doubt
4. Benny Blanco (feat. Halsey & Khalid) – Eastside
3. Elsa Faith – Tattoo
2. Ezra Bell – Tourist
1. Justin Nozuka – Warm Under the Light
Sunday Matinee: The Harrowing [Film]
"Haunted by the ritualistic killing of his best friend, a vice detective determined to discover the truth goes undercover into a forensic hospital and is plunged into his own personal hell where demons might be real." – October Coast
Right in time for Christmas, we have a gem of a psychological thriller for you fine folks! I know we are supposed to be being more festive around here, but we simply cannot break the tradition of showcasing a truly wonderful Non-Holiday film for you all. Especially when said wonderful film is set to be released on Christmas Day. That's right folks, prepare to have your mind completely blown away with The Harrowing, a film written and directed by a guy who is becoming one of my own personal favorite writers and filmmakers, on Jon Keeyes. Not to jump ahead here, but Keeyes also has another film coming out next month entitled Doom Room that is absolutely fascinating as well. So stay tuned for that one!
Now back to The Harrowing. Wow. Matthew Tompkins gives an absolutely superb performances as a detective who has a lot of demons to work through. Like, literal demons. He takes on a brilliantly written role in a film that is nothing short of a spectacular story that thrills, excites, and has an absolutely wild ending that you simply will not expect, yet once it happens, you may very well realize you knew the truth all along. Or you won't. Either way, you're going to love it.
The Harrowing will be available on VOD and on Demand December 25, 2018 from Clay Epstein's Film Mode Entertainment.
Filed under Film
Kristin Minter [Interview]
Hello Folks! Welcome to our last interview of 2018! Can you believe the year is just about over? And as we stated yesterday, we are getting a bit more festive around here. So much so that we have yet another member of the McCallister clan from the beloved holiday film, Home Alone. Although we would rather think of Kristin Minter has an amazing actress who has done some pretty amazing work, one project of which happens to be a beloved holiday gem. Which is true. But, of course, we need to be more festive.
That being said, Minter is indeed an absolutely wonderful actress who had some amazing answers for us. We talk about her time on the legendary television show E.R., her work in our favorite genre of films, the world of horror, and yes, we dig into a Home Alone a little bit, as it is the holidays after all.
So Folks, please enjoy an absolutely wonderful interview with the brilliant Kristin Minter!
What inspired you to get into the world of acting? I know you got into the business at a pretty young age, but what was it that made you personally want to do this work for a living?
I didn't initially know I wanted to act. I had modeled a bit around the world and then got quite sick. I abruptly quit and decided to audition for Philadelphia College of Arts, which I got into for dance. I actually hated acting class when I went to PCA. I broke my foot and saw a tape of my dancing and decided I wasn't good enough. I went back to modeling which brought me to LA.
I didn't know I loved acting until I learned how to act and I was so lucky, I had to learn very quickly. I got work quickly. They say work is the best teacher and when you aren't working, live so you have something to draw from. I have been doing a lot of living lately!
What was your very first paid gig in the world of acting? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work today?
It was The Outsiders. I found it very uncomfortable and extremely nerve wracking because I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know to listen and respond. Everything was planned and rigid. I knew if this is what acting felt like no one would want to do it. I soon went to a wrap party with a boyfriend and met Jeff Goldblum. He gave me advice and suggested I go to a Meisner class. I knew immediately while auditioning from that class, it was the right thing for me. I went to 4 classes a week. I loved every second of it!!
You are a member of the now legendary fictional family that once flew away without one member of the family being left behind. That family is the McCallisters. And the film was Home Alone. The film has since become one of the most acclaimed holiday films of all time. I am curious to know how it feels to be a part of something so historic? And what was the set life like on this project? Where you aware at the time that you were a part of something very historic?
It was my second real acting job so I didn't really know what to expect at the time. Most people don't think I know how to count. LOL TO BE CLEAR….I count the wrong kid. The set was great, the kids were great. We watched movies in my room. Mac and Kieran were sweet normal kids working on a movie. Corey was teeny tiny and their mom was lovely. When I wrapped, Everyone came to my room including the Culkins to say goodbye. I have photographs to prove it. No one has seen these…lucky I was cleaning stuff out and found them recently! (See above)
Another very historic project you worked on was a solid 8 year run on one of the most popular television series of all time known as E.R. I truly loved your performances as Randi. Sort of the same question as before I suppose, but how was your experience working on such an iconic series?
NERVE WRACKING lol. A lot of pressure with long, one camera, 8 page scenes. ONERS they are called. It is like a choreographed dance. Every character leads you to the next character. A lot of moving parts. My character was a bit comedic and I actually think the pressure helped make me more funny or odd at times. I would work on my scene know my lines back and forth but, had no idea how they would come out. So much happened in every scene and your moment was in the moment. Did you catch my elbow in the live episode, lol. Thats acting. It taught me to act fast. I need to learn to slow down now a bit. When I go to work, I go to work. I don't think about who will see it or if it is historic. I have to have something to offer the audience. Something that is authentic. I work towards having an experience as that character and that is really my focus. And in the case of E.R., I also had to make sure I fit into my costume. LOL.
You have also given some amazing performances in a genre that we cover a lot here at TWS because we love it so much, which is the world of horror. Especially films like Fire City: End of Days. So, I am curious to know how you enjoy working in the world of horror and thriller projects? What sets these apart from the plethora of other genres you have worked in?
Fire City was so fun. I got to be so ugly and raw. Every time I was mean to the little girl playing my daughter it would make me cry. Then I got to be "together" and then in recovery. It was so much fun to be so hugely different in almost every scene. It was so fun to just let go and who knew I was so mean lol. I am dying to do a real bloody horror movie. I guess what sets it apart is…. I was free to be HORRORible, looks wise and behaviorally. I really got to be a character and I hope I get to do that more in other genres as well. I did get to play a drug addict on This is Us. That was really fun as well!
If you were handed the opportunity to portray and legendary figure in American history, who would it be?
Hmm, I am not sure…. I think most legendary people are very interesting or they wouldn't be legendary. The more I know the more I would be intrigued by any of them. Camille Claudelle? Maybe she isn't considered legendary? I relate to her expression of pain, disappointment and her bad choices in men. LOL She just had to express herself in her art. My Aunt is a famous visual artist. I loved visual art as well but I am too hard on myself. I just don't like my art. I much prefer becoming other people.It is an uncomfortable that I am comfortable with.
What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?
Things change so quickly. I was getting ready to do a movie I had been working on for 3 years and then it went away. It was very disappointing. I don't really mention anything until I have seen it and I know what to expect. I have a couple things in the can but haven't seen the yet.That may change. Right now, I like to try and live in the moment. Life can be difficult and again this moment is all we truly have.
I am in a movie called We are Boats that is written and directed by the great James Bird.
My dogs Oskar and Tank. It has been hard to smile I just lost my lady dog Mimi Gray and White one in the photo.
Senta Moses Mikan [Interview]
Hello Folks! As you all are aware, the holiday season is upon us. And avid readers here at TWS know that we are not the most festive blog in existence. We've even gone as far as to, in a somewhat passive aggressive manner, showcase artists and films that are deliberately the exact opposite of festive. See last year's "12 Non-Holiday Films for the Holidays". But, we are trying to lighten up a bit over here. Why not? Life's too short to be so pretentious and aggressive, right? So we decided to show a bit more holiday spirit this year. Okay, not too much though. Baby steps, Everyone.
Today we have some amazing words from a brilliant actress who has been working in the world of performance for almost literally her entire life. We are talking about someone who started as an infant! And she happens to be have appeared in one of most beloved Christmas films of all time. That film would be Home Alone. And the amazing actress we are so fortunate to have grace our digital pages today is the great Senta Moses Mikan. And while we are trying to be more festive around here, we did ask a Home Alone related question. But, we are more excited about the work she has done more recently, as well as her stand out performance in the amazing series My So Called Life that left us far too quickly! I can vividly remember my pre-teen devastation when the show didn't come back around the following year after it aired, and being just oh so pissed!
Senta has continued to work on some pretty amazing projects over the years, and even has a new web series coming out that I hope you all check out as you are sure to enjoy it! We discuss this project and more in the wonderful words below. So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the amazing Senta Moses Mikan!
You began acting at a very young age, and have been doing amazing work ever since. With that, what inspired you to continue to work in the world of acting? Having been doing it since before you can physically remember, did the job just sort of become a part of your personality in a way?
Hmm…I think the simplest answer is that I still love it. Being on set is my happy place and I'm so grateful for every job that I book. I feel like I'm getting away with something. Like, I can't believe people pay me to do this! Do they know how fun this is??? And I find something in every role that inspires me or speaks to me in some way. A lot of times I play characters that are a little "off", so it's challenging to figure out what makes them tick. Why do they do what they do? Or how do they go about getting what they want. The investigation of the character is what inspires me. Or the talent of my cast and crew. Nothing is more inspiring than talent, right?
And to answer your last question, it's absolutely a part of my personality. I'm an actor. I grew up on sets. Acting is how I earn my living, and frankly, I'm not qualified to do anything else. No seriously, not qualified to do ANYTHING else. When I look back on my childhood, I can see that it wasn't typical, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. And that's probably why I'm still in the entertainment industry. I absolutely love it…and I don't have a "Plan B". I'm almost a cautionary tale.
What was the very first paid gig you can remember doing? And was there anything from this experience that you can remember learning from that still affects your work today?
Oof. I have such a bad memory. I think I've trained my brain to remember lines quickly and then forget them as soon as I'm done with the scene and unfortunately that pattern has carried over into the rest of my life. The first paid gig I can remember is The Blues Brothers. I was four or five, I think. It was freezing cold. We shot in the middle of winter on a street in Chicago. I remember warming up in my Mom's car in between setups. I also remember having to pee during the dance sequence on the Blues Mobile and not wanting to tell anyone. So I did what any 5 year old would do, I peed on the car. Through my wardrobe. Not my best moment, but hey, when you begin your film career peeing on the Blues Mobile, it's all downhill from there. So I guess the thing I learned from that experience was to speak up. If something is wrong or if I need something, I say something. That's not always easy to do as an actor, but it is absolutely necessary.
You are a member of one of the most infamous families in holiday film history, the McCallisters of the legendary film Home Alone, and it's wonderful sequel. What is it like to be a part of something just absolutely legendary? The holidays must be exceptionally insane for you after appearing in this holiday classic, right? How has the fan interaction based around the Home Alone universe been?
First of all, I'm very proud and grateful to be a part of those films. I know they're a holiday tradition for a lot of people, and it's fun to reminisce about that moment in my life. I'll never get over the fact that I worked with John Hughes. It seems kind of surreal since his other films were such a huge part of my childhood. I only regret that I didn't speak with him more about it. I'm sure I was just scared of geeking out, so I kept my enthusiasm under wraps. I'm not super eloquent around people that I admire, but who is? When we were making the first movie, I was very young and I don't think any of us knew we were making a holiday classic. We were just making a movie with a bunch of fun people. And the second one was the same, but with a little more security and a fancy trip to NYC. So I guess what I'm saying is that it hasn't affected me as much as you think it would. It's only around the holidays that people mention it to me. Or want to interview me. Or post on social media a snap shot of me, in all my frizz and teenage awkwardness, with Joe Pesci. Talking about "Home Alone" has become my holiday tradition, and I don't mind it at all. It's very cool. I'm very blessed. I only hope someday to run into Peter Billingsley from A Christmas Story, so I can tell HIM what a huge part of my Christmas he was…and still is.
Another infamous project that worked on that was sadly taken away from us far too quickly was the absolutely incredible series My So Called Life, in which you were superb as Delia Fisher. I am curious to know what you think your character would have developed into had the show not been prematurely removed from us? And what do you think Delia would be doing today?
Ohhhh, I loved doing that show so much. And that character? C'mon! What an absolute gift from God. I'm ready for a reboot, are you? I've read interviews with Winnie Holzman, the show's creator, and she mentioned that if the show went on, Delia would have gotten back together with Brian. She would have forgiven him??? WTF? But I get it. He was a catch. A little misguided, but we'll chalk it up to his youth. And I would have loved to see how their relationship played out. Eventually, after a bit of back and forth with Angela, I believe Brian would have realized how great Delia was. He would have asked Rickie to teach him some moves on the dance floor and there would have been some grand public gesture in front of the whole school. They'd be married now with two curly-haired kids and a sensible, well-researched Volvo. I don't know. But I do know that I'm a sucker for a happy ending. And I feel like Delia would own a cupcake shop, but maybe I've been watching the Great British Bake Off too much. Anyway…
In the world of television, you have performed in just about every genre and/or brand of show possible. From soap operas, to dramas, to teen dramas or shows geared for children, sitcoms, etc., you've done them all. So with that, I have a very serious question to ask: Of all the television sets you have worked on, which type of show provides the best craft services overall? And is there any one project in particular you can think of that had some bomb snacks?
Nice misdirect, but I can roll with it. My favorite crafty was on Faking It, a single camera comedy on MTV. Will Garcia, our fabulous crafty, is not only one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, he's outstanding with snacks. Just outstanding. And I got so spoiled. Now I walk around my house like, "Where are the snacks? I'm hungry! Where's Will?" He created a monster. A PB&J, cookie-eating, monster. As far as the type of show with the best snacks, that's hard to say. It's not really about the type of show, but more about the type of person who runs crafty. That might be symbolic of the rest of the entertainment industry too. It's all about the people!
I am very curious to know more about a project you are currently working on entitled Badge of a Quitter. How did this project come to life? And how did you come up with the story itself?
Badge of a Quitter is a web series that I wrote and created with Carla Cackowski. We met at Second City and Carla came to me earlier this year with the idea of a grown woman going back to girl scouts. I loved the concept, and jumped at the chance to work with kids that were shorter than me. Not an apple box in sight! We took about 4 months to write the six episodes, flushing out the "why's", the characters, the plot, etc. then we shot it in early October. Carla directed it and I starred in it. My sweet friends, Kendra Shay Clark and Helen Geier, cast five incredible little girls to play our scouts. My husband, Joe Mikan, is editing it together right now and hopefully we'll be streaming on Vimeo sometime early next year. It was so much fun and such a blessing to be in creative control of a project. We wrote the show we wanted to see and we shot it, using as many friends as we could. It was a blast and with any luck, we'll need to shoot a second season! I really hope people love it and want to see more. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @BadgeofaQuitter or on our website: www.BadgeofaQuitter.com
I'm auditioning now, looking for my next gig (Ah, the life of an actor), so hopefully I'll be cast in another show real soon! Until then, I'll keep writing and creating projects for myself. I'm not real good at sitting around and waiting for the phone to ring. I've taken up watercolors, which is super meditative and somewhat daunting. I have a bunch of home improvement projects on my slate, I'm in denial of my 4'11" stature and completely addicted to HGTV. I'll continue volunteering with organizations that help the homeless in our city. But most of all, I'll spend time with my husband, my family and my friends. Because without them, what's the point?
My husband's face when the Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers and clinched the NFC North. His whole face lit up and that made me smile! HUGE!
Wes Johnson [Interview]
Hello Folks! We have an absolutely wonderful interview for you fine folks today! As avid readers here at TWS may know, we are obsessed with the world, lure, and creativity of the world of Fallout. From Fallout 3 to the latest release, Fallout 76, it has been a wonderful world to literally play around in. So fun it is, that we have showcased several of the fine voice over actors who have worked on these projects. The number of how many we have spoken to escapes me at the moment, but they all have been wonderful.
And today I feel as though we have hit the proverbial mother load! Today we have some words from the brilliant Wes Johnson! Wes is so great that Fallout may not be his greatest accomplishment as a performer, but it certainly tops our list here at TWS! You know and love him as The Silver Shroud in Fallout 4, as well as so many other amazing voices over the last 10 years. D.C. residents, and basically hockey fans alike, will probably recognize this genius even more for his close to two decades of announcing for the Washington Capitals. And, well, just SO MUCH else.
Wes is genuinely wonderful human being, and we are so excited to have him grace our digital pages today. So without further ado, I will end my babbling and turn it over to some wonderful words from the man of a thousand voices, Mr. Wes Johnson!
When did you realize that you wanted to join the world of the performing arts to make a living? What initially drew you to this world?
I was called up onto the stage during a magic show while I was in grade school by a magician. I'm not sure if he was any good really, I was just a kid. As a magician, he could have been truly shite, but real magic DID happen that day. I got a few laughs from the audience, and it changed my world. We started putting on shows in the neighborhood, and I would write in to the local horror movie host Count Gore De Vol on a regular basis, thrilling when my letters on toys I sent in made it on the air. It wouldn't be until my freshman year in high school that I'd set foot on a real stage in front of a packed house, but the moment I stepped on that stage playing a physically comic role and got big laughs, I was a goner. There was nothing else for me in this world other than performing.
I understand you started your career working in the world of stand up comedy and improv. I am always curious to know what folk's early years are like in these types of performance. So how did you get into this world, and what were those early years like?
Stand-up comedy for me was a way to find a stage and perform characters and voices in front of a live audience. My start was not the smoothest. On my very first Open Mic Night in Washington, DC, I followed a juggling comedian named Kevin Lee up onto the stage. Kevin had just KILLED IT. The audience was primed when I got up, and the host set the egg timer to 5 minutes – that's all the time I would have. I ran out of material and ways to handle drunk hecklers after about 40 minutes (it was actually only about 2 minutes in). After another minute of struggling, which took a sweaty lifetime, I grabbed the egg timer, forcefully turned it to 5, heard it ding and said "Oops! Looks like my time is up. If anyone if looking for me, I'll be home hanging in the closet." It was my first real laugh of the night.
I would go on to do sketch comedy with comedy and improv troupes Fresh Victims, Gross national product and The Loyal opposition. One of our Fresh Victims sketches, "The William Shatner School of Acting" made it onto Funny or Die. Willian Shatner saw it. His reply? "Sounds more like Cagney." ☺
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7tqfrzx6WE
In 2004 you appeared as the hilariously named "Fat Fuck Frank" in John Water's brilliant comedy A Dirty Shame. Waters is a renowned mad genius in the world of film, who has created some very original and enlightening films. So, how was your experience working under the guise of one of the kings of weird? What was it like to work on a project like this?
That was one of the best experiences of my life. It was such a friendly set, and having a chance to work with John Waters and legendary Dreamlanders was, well, a dream come true. I absolutely adored Mink Stole, and getting a chance to work with Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, Chris Isaak and the amazing Selma Blair – what's not to like? How many people have been blessed to inhabit a character created by John Waters and designed by the legendary resident Ugly Expert Van Smith? The atmosphere on set reminded me most of high school drama department days. I couldn't wait for each new day (or night) to begin so I could come out and play with my friends in John Waters amazing sandbox full of sex addicts. I count so many of them as my dearest friends, especially Susan Allenbach who I've known since we were just starting out as wait staff in a performing night club. And really, now many people get to say they were Selma Blair's biker boyfriend in an NC-17 film? Good times ☺
We have showcased several VO artists from our beloved Fallout franchise. You've done several roles in both Fallout 3 and 4. So how has your experience been working with Bethesda in the Fallout universe?
I'm rarely happier than I am behind the microphone in a small darkened studio bringing characters to life created by the feverish minds of developers at Bethesda Game Studios. From the early days of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Fallout 76, it has been a working partnership that I cherish. Todd Howard has assembled such a remarkable group of creative minds and talents there. Getting to work with sound designer Mark Lampert, writer Emil Paglurilo, and so very many other talented souls there is simply a joy. The characters I've played remain near and dear to my heart. In the Elder Scrolls I love Sheogorath, Lucien Lachance and Hermaeus Mora… I feel very close to them. Love EVERY character, but those are special. Playing the Arena Announcer in Oblivion actually helped change the way I call Washington Capitals games for the NHL as their Arena Announcer. As to Fallout, it's been so much fun playing Protectrons, Super Mutants (especially Fawkes), Moe Cronin, The Silver Shroud and so many more. I loved Fallout 1 and 2, so when Bethesda took over, it was a real honor to be involved in the new incarnations. I take it very seriously (and yet, have so much fun). I actually play many of the games I voice, so it's a weird extra level of involvement in games that are already super immersive. Can't wait to start playing Fallout 76 ☺.
While on the subject of the Fallout franchise, I know that this world has some very devoted and die hard fans. I know this because I am one of them. Anyway, I am curious to know what your fan interaction has been like over the years? Whether it is at conventions, or just possible random encounters, how has your experience been with the Fallout fans?
I've had a GREAT time interacting with fans of all of the games I've voiced. It's such a solitary job when voicing, just you, the director, perhaps a writer. Then you play by yourself to experience the in-game world. So when you finally get a chance to meet people who have SHARED that experience, it's a beautiful thing. It's fun to see the look in someone's eyes when a voice they've heard on a daily basis for years on their consoles starts coming out of me. It seems very weird, I'm sure. I've had people who seem far too old to be saying that they grew up listening to me in Fallout, or Oblivion, or Skyrim. I mean, I'm way too young for that, right? Haha. But it's super rewarding. And it's always the best when someone shows up cosplaying as one of your characters. I've seen a good number of Silver Shrouds in the past few years. Not many Protectrons or Sentry Bots. Perhaps that cosplay is a bit pricey, haha. But I've seen some remarkable Sheogorath and Lucien Lachance cosplays. Erin and Paul Clark do a great Sheo and Dark Seducer combo, and @britishcosplayer does a cool Lucien on Instagram. Just one word of caution – don't get too authentic when playing Lucien AFTER Applewatch (spoilers).
I understand you are also a current and legendary figure in the world of sports announcing in the D.C. area. How did this work come around? And how have you enjoyed the work? Were you a pretty big sports buff prior to taking on these gigs?
I've always been a big fan of the DC sports teams, and in a way, even though I'm in my 19th year as the Arena Announcer of the NHL's Washington Capitals, that's still what I am. A big fan. Although I get to be louder because I have a mic ☺. And now of course, I have a championship ring after the Caps won the Stanley Cup Championship last season. 18 years wait for me personally and it was so worth it! A magical time for the entire city, and I was right there singing "We Are The Champions" along with them. Good times.
I have called Washington Bullets then Wizards seasons in the past as well, and have three Championship rings from the Washington Kastles, DC's professional WTT Tennis team. I consider myself very fortunate to be doing this, as I never started out to do it. I was doing morning radio in the DC area and took an award certificate that our show received into the Washington Bullets office for Juwan Howard, who was a regular on our show. As I was leaving I jokingly said "Hey, let me know if you ever have an opening at PA Announcer." I was joking because I grew up listening to the guy they had calling games for the past 20 years. I wasn't expecting her to respond with "The guy who was doing it just retired and we are doing auditions next week – do you want to sign up?" Right place at the right time with the right question. I auditioned, got the job, and never looked back. It turned out to be a great occupation for me, and I love UNLEASHING THE FURY at Caps games.
https://www.facebook.com/wesjohnsonvoice/videos/vb.1186502437/10217049765974770/?type=3
More hockey games. More video games. More films. More TV. More announcing for the National Hot Rod Association. More writing and cartooning. Finishing my children's book. More of being a husband, Dad, and pet couch to a shedding Himalayan cat and a spoiled rotten Chiweenie. I love my life, and I'm not ready to give any of it up. No matter how many aspiring PA Announcers keep cutting the brake lines on my car.
As to appearances – I plan to be at MAGFest in Washington DC January 3rd through 6th (www.MAGFest.org), and NOT CON AT SEA in the sunny Bahamas with Duke Nukem, GlaDOS, Sniper, Spock and Gob February 15th through 18th (www.NotCon.us ) and hopefully AWESOMECON in DC come April, but that has not been confirmed. But even if I'm not there, you should go because TIM CURRY WILL BE THERE. The antici…PATION is killing me! (http://awesome-con.com/ )
My son Max's animations that he creates at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I see big things in his future. And big laughs for us all.
Vas Saranga [Interview]
Hello Folks! We have a very exciting interview for you all today with a brilliant young actor who is taking over hearts and minds on a daily basis. His name is Vas Saranga (or "Sarah" if you're autocorrect won't just let it go, haha), and he plays opposite Hayden Christensen in the upcoming film Little Italy that is truly intriguing. I was immensely pleased to have Vas on the site to learn a little bit more about him and will definitely be following his career even closer in the future. In fact, I was just catching up on Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale…and who do you think I saw! Very exciting stuff. He is such a kind and talented actor, and we are so excited to have him grace our digital pages today!
So without further babbling from me, please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Vas Saraga.
When did you first decide that you wanted to work in the world of acting? Was it an early ambition, or did you simply find yourself in this world one day?
The first time I saw Back to the Future I knew wanted to be in movies. I gave it more thought in high school when I started making student films, but I didn't really jump into it until college.
One of your earliest roles was actually in part of a wonderful franchise that I have followed since its inception (almost 20 years ago!), which is American Pie. You were in 2007's Beta House. How was your experience working on this project so early in your career?
The experience was one of the most memorable of my career because it was such an extravagant over the top comedy, so I got to improvise a lot, and just really have a ton of fun on set. Working with Eugene Levy was the icing on the cake.
If you were handed the opportunity to create and/or star in a biopic about any person of note in world history, who would it be?
I would absolutely love to play Preet Bharara, the former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He was known for prosecuting nearly 100 Wall Street executives for financial crimes. I think his life story would be riveting on film.
I understand you will be appearing in a very interesting film coming out soon entitled Little Italy. Can you tell us a bit about it? What can audiences expect to see from you?
Little Italy is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet set in the world of rival pizzerias. It's a romantic comedy that brings the laughs, but with extra heart. It stars Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen as well as a talented ensemble cast that includes Andrea Martin, Danny Aiello, and Alyssa Milano (among many others). I play a character named Jogi who works at Vince's Pizzeria with Hayden's character Leo. I'll just say that Jogi gets into some really funny situations because of the rivalry between the pizza shops and his desire to be a ladies man!
What does the future hold for you?
I've co-written a feature film that's currently in development, I'm pretty excited for it to get made. I've set my sights on acting in projects that I've written so hopefully the future holds lots of movies and maybe a TV show of my own.
Anything else you would like to plug to our readers?
If you're catching up on The Handmaid's Tale I have an appearance this season.
7) What was the last thing that made you smile?
My dog Freddy!
Alana Johnston [Interview]
Hello Folks! Today is a one of the classically amazing types of interviews, in which I immediately become a huge fan of somebody and their work. Today that somebody is the absolutely hilarious Alana Johnston. And she is amazing.
I have heard feedback from some of you fine regular readers in the past about how we manage have truly unique people come to be featured on the site and we manage to ask about one very specific project that they may have worked on, and then a few more very general questions. While others we ask about multiple projects and get a bit more specific. And this is a valid opinion. Facts, really. Sometimes we (or "I", if I'm being candid) here somebody on a podcast or see that somebody showed up on a show or film that was absolutely amazing, and want to know more about it. So we reach out to the people involved. Today happens to be that very case with our new friend Alana Johnston, who was involved in the latest comedy special for a person we have revered many times over the years, one Trevor Moore. This was how we learned about Alana as she was hilarious in it, so we reached out.
This is simply evolution, Folks. See something, say something, right? I know that's not the right reason for that phrase, but it sorta works! We saw Alana's amazing performance, and wanted to learn more about who she was. And, as it tends to happen just about every time, we became huge fans of Johnston and the amazing works he has done and just her wonderful spirit as a person. It always tends to be that if they were willing and had a whole damn wanting to be a part of a project created by somebody else that we already know and love, the chances are high (about 100% at this time) that we are going to be digitally meeting somebody very cool.
And such is the case today! Alana Johnston is absolutely hilarious in this interview, and with her constant work in the Upright Citizens Brigade, and we are so damn excited to have her here today. So Folks, please enjoy some words from our new friend and TWS family member, Alana Johnston!
When did you first discover that you were a hilarious human being, and that you were destined to make a living by making people laugh?
I grew up in a very funny, over the top household so comedy has always been a part of my life. Everyone in my family is funny in different ways so I had to work extra hard to get laughs out of people because it was tough competition! It was my older brother Jason (quite possibly the funniest person I know) that officially got me into comedy in high school when he started the improv team at our school and I joined it a few years later. After that I knew comedy was a done deal for me and I could never turn back. Who doesn't want to get paid to act a fool and make others laugh????
What was your very first paid gig in the world of comedy? And was there anything from that experience that you learned that still sticks with you in your work to this day?
My first paid gig in the world of comedy was in an interactive dinner theatre show called Tony and Tina's Wedding and it was actually my brother who got me the job! I guess I owe him my life??? I played one of the caterers and really milked it even though it was truly the smallest part in the entire show. Classic Alana move. That show really taught me how to make the most of any role no matter how small (which is why I could never be a background actor because I am WAY too much with no apology!)
We have spoken with quite a few folks who have worked in the legendary UCB universe, specifically in L.A. and experiences have been varied. I am curious to know about your involvement with UCB. How did you begin working with this illustrious sketch company? And what have you enjoyed while working in this world?
I'm currently a regular performer at UCB doing sketch shows and solo characters as well. I got involved a few years ago when I first moved here. I basically took a class and then auditioned to be on one of the sketch teams and was lucky enough to get on. I then went on to write my own solo shows, host some shows and produce some variety shows as well. Wow seems like I really love to say the word "show". The thing I've enjoyed most is the friends I've made because a) Funny people are the most fun and b) Those funny people will go on to get paid to do funny things and then they will give you a job. EVERYONE WINS!
Recently you appeared in, and were fantastic in, Trevor Moore's special The Story of Our Times. This entire project was so damn fun to watch. I am curious to know how your experience was working on it? Was it as fun to be a part of as it was for the fans to watch?
I had THE BEST time working on the show! Trevor is so talented and funny and really let me run wild with my character. I had worked with the director Nicholas Goossen before so he really knew how to pull the best performance out of me. We shot all the interstissals in one day and got a lot of hot inside jokes rolling on set which is always the best part of any shoot. I was so happy with how it turned out and think Trevor should have a million of his own TV shows!
Well I was thinking of going for a walk later to get a roasted chicken so I guess my future seems pretty promising at this point. I'm guessing I'll be the star of all the shows on tv within the year so GET READY. Maybe I'll replace the lead in The Good Doctor and they'll rename the show to The Bad Doctor and my character will be a doctor that refuses to take off her leather jacket with a hot catch phrase like "I don't play by the rules, I AM the rules". I post most of my show promos and character vids on Instagram and twitter so I guess I'll plug those? Is that what people are supposed to do?? My Instagram is @theonlyalanajohnston and my Twitter is @alana_johnston. Prepare to be underwhelmed!
The last thing that made me smile was my 2 yr old niece (baby Elise) on Facetime. She loves to hold the phone and put it so close to her face that I only see her eyes and forehead. Seems like we've got another future comic on our hands…
Pat Proft [Interview]
Happy Monday Folks! It is another legendary day here at Trainwreck'd Society, as we have a man on the site today that is so legendary I dare use the same word in the same sentence like the clown that I am. It's the great Pat Proft! First off, this is a guy who just KNOWS what it means to be funny. For as long as I can remember, I knew this man's name to be in the beginning credits of so many of the movies I knew and loved, especially when I was "coming of age", or of the "age when you're always coming". Seriously Folks, the term "spoof" would be meaningless if this guy wasn't around to keep the genre going over the last 30+ years. He's one of the best in the game.
I feel it is only right to say that Pat has actually brought so much more joy into my life than I can truly express. Just last week we had an interview go up with the brilliant actress Brenda Bakke, who was one of the stars of a film that Pat help create that was entitled Hot Shots! Part Deux. This film, and so many others that he has done have always been very special to me for a couple of reasons. One: because they are funny as hell. Which is a term I will never understand, but I like it. Two: My Dad. My father has always been one of the most hilarious people I have ever known. And since I was old enough to actually even remember timelines of events, I have trusted his judgement on what was funny. And as the years progressed and I started to become a fully formed human being, I would learn that he was always right on with what I thought would be hilarious. It was because of my dad that I saw films like Hot Shots and The Naked Gun and Kentucky Fried Movie and knew that THIS was what it means to be funny. And Folks, it was Pat Proft who managed to write these amazing stories that built the bond that I have with my father.
That's some deep shit, right? I promise you it is all true. So believe me when I say that I am very excited to share with you all these words from the brilliant Pat Proft that I am so damn excited to have grace our digital pages. And I don't know why I didn't expect it, but I learned prior to doing this interview that Pat was actually a stand up comedian prior to becoming one of the greatest comedy screenwriters in the world. Fuck yeah, right? So let's get into it!
So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Pat Proft!
What was your experience like the first time you heard your words/ideas brought to a screen, be it television or film? Was it eventful to you? Do you remember the first time you saw your work almost literally come to life?
Neal Isreal and I pitched Police Academy to Alan Ladd Jr. at Warners. Alan took us into the head of the studio, "We're making this movie!" No script yet. But he wanted it. In fact he put it on the calendar and gave it a release date. My first screen credit was amazing to see. Comedy is all I ever wanted to do…ever. And here my name was on a film. A world wide hit. Cool times 100. I am a comedian who writes comedy. At the opening of Naked Gun the laughs were amazing. They rolled over the audience. It felt like I was up there saying those words. Weird, but wonderful feeling.
An extremely reliable source (Wikipedia) has told me that you began working at The Comedy Store in the early 70's. For comedy fans, we all know this the Mecca of west coast based comedy, but was it always so? What was your experience like working there during the club's early stages?
The Comedy Store was a great place..wonderful place..to be seen showcasing comedy. In the beginning the room was raw, raucous, fabulous. I was on stage three times a night. Doing my solo stand up. A double act. And improvise with the Comedy Store Players. And on several nights I'd MC. This place was a test for me. Scope out if I'm as funny in LA as I was back in Minneapolis. And I was. So this boasted my confidence big time. I miss those days. Made a lot of good friends. And so nice to see so many of them go on to mountains of success. Huge thanks to Sammy and Mitzi Shore. And Rudy DeLuca.
You were also involved very early with the Zucker Brothers and Kentucky Fried Theater. How did you become involved with them? And what were those days like? Any good stories to tell?
Met ZAZ at the Comedy Store. A fourth member had quit the group. They were scouting comics to see who could join Kentucky Friend Theater. They liked me. I joined the theater. KFT was one of the hottest comedy tickets in town. Revue comedy is what I did at the Dudley Rigg's Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. It was an easy fit. We worked together a lot over the years. Same senses of humor. Midwestern humans not tainted by either coast. Working with them as ZAZ or David and Jim on scripts was a shit load of laughs. At the end of the script I felt great that now the director, Jerry, Jim, or David, would be someone who could put this on the screen.
The masterpiece of a comedy Bachelor Party, which you co-wrote with the Israel Brothers, is absolutely astoundingly funny and it was actually my first interaction with sexuality in any way as a young child. That last bit has nothing to do with the question, I just felt you should know that….anyway, what are you thoughts on the impact that this film has had on the world of comedy? And what were your thoughts on the final outcome of the film brought to the screen?
I wrote Bachelor Party with Neal Isreal. Bob Isreal didn't write. He was given story credit. And produced it. The film has a nice spine, "am I really ready to marry?" The stuff we hung on it were incidents that attack Rick's readiness..am I really mature? That was kinda cool Neal and I went after as many situations as we could that would give us laughs. But stay within the lines scratched out for each character. Tom Hanks! Two words that made the movie work. He legitimized the plot, and outrageous moments in the film. I'm always taken aback a bit when someone says a moment in a, or the movie I've written changed them in some way. I get that a lot for another script I wrote with Neal Isreal, Real Genius. The time the film came out it was a "young time" MTV had just come out. New music. Uninhibited behavior. The film speaks to that time. And it's funny. You got to be funny or none of this means jack.
You are also obviously a one of the great knights of the round table when it comes to film spoofs with your work on franchises like The Naked Gun, Hot Shots!, and Scary Movie (Not to mention High School High, which is another amazing masterpiece that doesn't receive enough credit, I believe), so how do you do it? How do you decide what is going to work in a "spoof" film? Basically how do you know that you have some golden hilarious mockery on your hands when you are writing a film like these?
It's hard not to see an action genre without coming up with jokes for it. Naked Gun was cops. Tons of cop films. Tons of cop TV shows. It first was a 6 and out tv series, Police Squad. Which was a take on the detective shows all over the place on tv. Iconic scenes in all of these shows. That lured us in with comedy bits. The tough talk. The loner cop who needs love. I always wrote Frank Drebin as if her were Bogart. A great character. Played by the great Leslie Neilson. This show was better suited for movie screens. Naked Gun had the same feel plus a bit of Bullitt. And Eastwood's tough assed Dirty Harry series of films. And always one step behind falling in love. Finding the right woman. Hot Shots! After seeing Top Gun was a comedy no brainer. That movie was perfect to spoof. Jets. Pilots. Love triangle. Sadam Hussein. Ships. Every joke we ever had watching any of the war films. Loved these two films. High School High was in response to an abundance of teens in trouble movies. Several set in High Schools. Interesting world to tackle comedically. It always easier to spoof a film that takes its self way too seriously.
Given the expertise and experience you have garnered over the years, how do you feel the business of film and television writing has changed? Is it mostly positive or negative?
I don't worry about what's being written. I write everyday. I focus on my ideas, and scripts. I work on many things at once. I just love to write comedy. Been a huge admirer of Rowan Atkinson. And others in the UK, French and Saunders. Shows like The Young Ones. Monty Python. Physical humor. And done to perfection. Silly, funny, belly laughs. Nothing wrong with silly. Silly is missing. As is physical humor. So there to that.
What do you have coming up in the near future that we should definitely be wetting ourselves with excitement over?
David Zucker, Mike McManus and I are trying to get another Naked Gun going. Script is in the works. It has the world of silly, belly laughs, and physical humor. I wrote a tv idea for myself. I'm going to pursue that. More comedy stuff on the way.
Alot of things make me smile. Right now I'm listening to the Beatles…I'm smiling. Waiting for the Stand Ollie movie, makes me smile. My wife. My son. Grandsons. A residual in the mail.
So there to that.


With Microsoft's HailStorm .NET initiative hinging on the company's very own PassPort service, you'd think Redmond would be bending over backwards to stress the confidentially of user information.
Well, if that's the case, it hasn't started yet.
The foregoing grants shall include the right to exploit any proprietary rights in such communication, including but not limited to rights under copyright, trademark, service mark or patent laws under any relevant jurisdiction. No compensation will be paid with respect to Microsoft's use of the materials contained within such communication.
After the eFront debacle, we're baffled why anyone would want to trust confidential communications to any of the big IM services, let alone MSN Messenger.
Apple originally launched its iDisk service with a similar landgrab, but was quickly forced to retreat.


A new book suggests that planning for elder care and a loved one's death are especially important for today's complex modern families. In Homeward Bound: Modern Families, Elder Care, and Loss, the authors contend that the current approach to elder care is based on an outdated caregiving model that presumes a life-long connection between parents and children.
Ziettlow and Cahn determined that single-parent and remarried households, in particular, need formal planning to help caregivers deal with problems that might arise. Examples of challenges that can benefit from advance planning include how to care for aging parents who don't live together, how to deal with depleted finances that result from divorce, and whether there is an obligation to care for a stepparent or a parent's unmarried partner. In their interviews, the authors found that most advance planning occurred once the patient was enrolled in hospice because hospice providers were well equipped to deal with unique family circumstances. Getting families to plan earlier—i.e., when divorcing or remarrying—could help families deal with the complicated issues that arise.
Modern seniors have different familial structures than past generations. Advance planning for elder care is extremely important to help caregivers navigate the complexities of contemporary families. Talk to your attorney about setting up a plan for long-term care. To find an attorney near you, go here: https://www.elderlawanswers.com/elder-law-attorneys.
Can My Mother Buy a Life Estate in a New Home and How Will The Purchase Affect Capital Gains?
Does My Mom Need a New Power of Attorney If It Has the Wrong Addresses on It?
Can My Father Execute a New Power of Attorney, Even If Some Consider Him No Longer Competent?


text:
Q: Reading from & writing to network stream simultaneously public class twowaychat {

    ServerSocket server;
    Socket socket;
    BufferedReader read;
    BufferedWriter write;
    String temp, temp1;

    twowaychat() {

        Thread thread1 = new Thread("Read-Client") {

            public void run() {
                try {
                    do {

                        temp = read.readLine();

                        System.out.print(temp);
                    } while (!(temp.equals("Exit")));
                    close();
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    System.out.print("Line 30 error     :" + e.toString());
                }

            }
        };
        Thread thread2 = new Thread("Write-Client") {
            public void run() {
                try {
                    Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);

                    do {
                        temp1 = scan.next();
                        write.write(temp1);

                    } while (!(temp.equals("Exit")));
                    close();
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    System.out.print("Line 53 error     :" + e.toString());
                }
            }
        };
        try {

            server = new ServerSocket(4368);
            socket = server.accept();
            System.out.println("Connected ");
            read = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(socket.getInputStream()));
            write = new BufferedWriter(new OutputStreamWriter(socket.getOutputStream()));

            thread1.start();
            thread2.start();
        } catch (Exception e) {
            System.out.println("Line 72 error     :" + e.toString());
        }

    }

    protected void close() {
        try {
            System.out.print("Closing Connection");
            read.close();
            write.close();
            socket.close();

        } catch (Exception e) {
            System.out.print(e.toString());
        }

    }

    public static void main(String args[]) {
        twowaychat obj = new twowaychat();
    }
}

I want to build a chatting program. So client & server can chat. I have used two threads in both client & server to read & write from & to streams respectively. But this program is not working at all just prints "Connected". My client program also follows the same structure as the above server program.
I want a program where client & server can keep sending & receiving messages till Exit is entered.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
TAIAO PROGRAMME TO COMBAT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
A new Te Wānanga o Aotearoa programme offers tauira a marae perspective of the environment and sustainable practices.
The 36-week level 4 Tikanga Marae programme to focus on the links between the marae and the environment.
The first programme of its kind is being offered to tauira at Whirikoka, Gisborne, who will stay on marae throughout the Tairāwhiti during the course.
Programme kaiako Tina Ngata said the course had particular relevance for the Tairāwhiti, which has a number of environmental concerns including the highest levels of soil erosion in New Zealand, forestry slash and difficulties for many marae in maintaining quality water over long summers.
The programme could also help Ngāti Porou hapū develop catchment plans, as a part of their recent historic agreement with the Gisborne District Council for consent authority over land and waterways associated with the Waiapu catchment.
"There is also now an immediate urgency for the hapu of Ngāti Porou to be conversant in the environmental challenges and in particular how that links to us in relation to our marae practices and culture," said Tina.
"A number of marae have committed their own trust board and marae members to this kaupapa so this can help facilitate the drafting of their catchment plans as well."
"On top of that each of the hapu have been asked to nominate people to undergo environmental commissioner training …so they can have an equal say in resource consent hearings."
Tina said the programme would also be looking at issues such as what natural resources did marae use for tangihanga and what was the role of those resources in the preparation of tupāpaku or care for manuhiri.
While this programme is focussed locally, Tina says it could work in any rohe around the motu.
"Each rohe has its own environmental challenges so we need to consider the longevity of our marae."
"We need to consider that Taiao is also our marae and it manifests through our marae and our duties to kaitaikitanga within the marae and beyond the formal marae as we know it."
She said the programme could also help non-Māori gain a better understanding of the intimate relationship between tangata whenua and taiao.
"It is something that is really vital for people who are involved in council or local government and state agencies like DOC or MfE in understanding the whakapapa links between Māori and the environment.
"It is often problematic for them in the administration of their duties but this allows them to understand cultural protocols on marae, it also allows them to get their heads around the very intimate relationships Māori have with their awa, whenua and moana."
The programme, which is filling up fast with interest from tauira from through New Zealand, begins in March. To enrol or to find out more click here

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Dentures are false teeth that are made to replace teeth for a patient who has lost all of their teeth. If a patient goes with out any teeth in their mouth, there face can look shorter and their facial muscles begin to sag. Speech and mastication (chewing) can also become a challenge for a patient with no teeth.
We make "Premium" quality dentures here at Harris Family Dentistry, which means they are made of the strongest and most esthetic materials available for denture fabrication. We do not offer "Economy" quality dentures.
A denture can be made one of two ways. The traditional method is preferable. This is when the patient has had their teeth extracted and has healed for 4-6 weeks before the impressions are taken for the construction of the denture. This method involves having several "try-in" appointments. At these appointments, we take measurements, try in the teeth, and make as many changes necessary, until the patient is satisfied. We will make these changes, as many times as necessary for the patient to be happy before the denture is processed and delivered. With this method, anything can be changed before processing, including the shape, size, color, and placement of the teeth. The only negative aspect to this method is that the patient has to go without teeth for anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks (4 to 6 weeks of healing and 4 to 6 weeks to make the denture).
Since most people are unable to go without teeth for the amount of time that it takes to make a traditional denture, we also offer "Immediate" dentures. With this method, impressions are made of the mouth, a few weeks before the teeth are extracted. The denture is processed at the lab and sent back to us to be delivered on the same day as the patient's extractions. The negative aspect to this method is that we are unable to perform any "try-ins", which means we cannot make any changes to the esthetics of the denture. The shape, size, color and placement of the teeth can not be changed, once the denture has been made. A reline is included in the price of an immediate denture, which we typically do six months to one year after it's been delivered to the patient. When you have an immediate denture, your gums and bone will shrink over about 6 months to a year. As this happens, the fitting of the denture will become less and less ideal, possibly causing the denture to "rock" or become "loose" in the patient's mouth. A soft reline is also included in the price of the immediate denture, to help get you through the transition time, while you are healing. The soft reline is rubbery and can tear easily and eventually will deteriorate and can be difficult to clean. It is not durable enough to be used long term.


Reddit users may be searching for alternatives after the recent controversy that led to the resignation of Reddit CEO, Ellen Pao. Fox News reports that Ms. Pao provoked a user revolt when she fired Victoria Taylor, Reddit Director of Talent and key contact for site moderators who manage nearly 10,000 discussion boards (subreddits).
After Victoria Taylor's dismissal, site moderators shut down hundreds of subreddits. A petition for Ellen Pao to resign was circulated on Change.org, and gained more than 200,000 signatures. As stated in the Fox News article, the moderators – mainly volunteers and key to Reddit's success – were upset because they relied on Victoria Taylor as a liaison and her dismissal left them unprepared to host events that had already been scheduled.
Reddit is basically an online bulletin board system, self-termed "the front page of the internet." It is a highly-trafficked social networking, entertainment, and news website, with content organized into topic areas known as subreddits.
Snapzu refers to itself as "a community of communities." According to the company's year in review for 2014 (first full year of operations), it gained 5,000 new members, published more than 80,000 snaps, posted 30,000 comments, and placed more than 3,000,000 votes. As stated in its year in review, Snapzu launched two new versions in 2014, each contributing different additional aspects of functionality and usability to the site.
A user post on Reddit claims that Snapzu has a similar feel to Reddit, only with fewer issues, and it appears to offer a great opportunity for creating a community. On Snapzu, users earn experience points and build a reputation based on how active and helpful they are. According to a review of Snapzu on Quora, this is what enables Snapzu to combat trolling and spam, which leads to a creative environment that promotes equality and self-expression.
The company claims that giving back to their users is what makes Voat different from other communities. Also, users control their own data, and they can leave at any time they choose and delete their data.
A review on The Bit Bag calls Voat "Reddit in disguise" and reports that many Reddit users have switched to Voat after shaky service on Reddit for weeks. The reviewer states that Voat is a friendly community, easy to navigate, with updated topics.


text:
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Energy Stories newsletter
Energy export: Green energy for Europe from Georgia
Since completion of the Akhaltsikhe substation in 2013, Georgia has been connected to Turkey's electricity grid. To finally be able to export electricity, the Georgian government is moving ahead at breathtaking speed to step upproduction of domestic power.
By Ingo Petz
Energy Stories: Your monthly dose of what's up in the energy transition
Subscribe to this newsletter
For someone like Kakha Kaladze, who served as Minister of Energy from 2013 until he won the mayoral race to lead the country's capital Tbilisi in November 2017, keeping on the move is no problem. For one thing he was the first Georgian to play for top Italian soccer club AC Milan. Since 2012 he's been energy minister in his home nation, overseeing what is possibly the most dynamic arena of activity in the country. Since the 500/400/220 kV substation close to Akhaltsikhe, a city not far from the Turkish border in southwestern Georgia, was commissioned at the end of 2013, the Georgian power grid has been connected with the grid in Turkey, a country set to see explosive demand for electricity in the years to come.
The state-of-the-art substation, which boasts HVDC (high-voltage direct-current) technology, is the only one of its type anywhere in the Caucasus. It was planned and built by Siemens, making one of the key projects in the Black Sea Transmission Network Project initiated in 2010 a reality. Georgia is now the main hub for power transmission between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia and into Turkey and Europe. In the long term it will enable the former Soviet republic, which so far has always been dependent on energy imports, to become energy-independent, and earn money by producing and exporting surplus green power.
" In the current phase the main focus of our new energy export strategy is on Turkey. "
Kakha Kaladze, Georgia's former energy minister and current Mayor of Tbilisi
Power outages to be a thing of the past
Georgia wants to make this vision a reality as quickly as possible. With the help of international banks such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has already invested more than EUR 2.8 billion in 195 projects in Georgia, and other private investors, the country continues to work feverishly to modernize its electricity grid. New pylons are shooting up, old power plants are being upgraded, and high-voltage lines and additional substations – such as the 220/110-kV facility completed in mid-2016 in Khorga in the west of the country, another Siemens project – have been constructed to stabilize the grid. New grids are also being built, for example the 315 kilometer-long Black Sea Transmission Line, which since 2014 has connected the east of Georgia to the west and on to the Turkish grid. In spring 2017, when the second phase of the Transmission Network Expansion program started, the German government-owned development bank KfW provided a concession credit of EUR 125 million for Georgia's expanding power network.
" We need to create a secure and modern infrastructure that guarantees business and the public a 24/7 supply. "
Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and former Energy Minister of Georgia
The constant power outages the country steadily suffered during many years after its independence – a legacy of the centrally organized Soviet-era energy system – are at last a thing of the past. Georgia has never been able to cover its own energy requirements itself, and has always had to import electricity, gas and coal, mainly from Russia. Since the war in 2008, relations with its neighbor have been precarious. In the future, however, growing energy consumption in Georgia is to be met with the help of domestic resources. "We need to create a secure and modern infrastructure that guarantees business and the public a 24/7 supply," said Kaladze back in September 2015 in Tbilisi when his ministry and Georgia's national grid operator GSE unveiled an ambitious ten-year-plan setting down a road map for the energy sector until 2025.
Great potential in hydro power
The details of the program outlined by Kaladze were staggering. In 2015, Georgia produced 3,520 megawatts of electricity, 80 percent of which is hydropower. The plan is to be able to export more than 3 terawatt hours from 2020, and 15 terawatt hours by 2020. So Europe can look forward to plenty of green energy from the Caucasus. A crucial factor in these plans to export power to the west was Turkey's admission to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ETSO) in April 2015.
Boosting generation capacity
The Georgian government is pressing ahead with the construction of hydropower plants to increase power generation capacity as quickly as possible. Seventy of these projects have already been figured out by the Ministry of Energy, and 16 are already under construction, including Khedula 3 in the Lower Svaneti region, which is set to generate 51 MW of electricity once completed.
In the year 2017, 76 hydropower plants were already operating in Georgia. In total, more than 60 new hydropower projects have been initiated by the Ministry of Energy between the reform started in 2008 until the end of 2017, when the Ministry officially merged with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. As of 2017, 14 of these plants were already under construction, with works on the enormous Nenskra hydro-electric power plant scheduled to begin soon. Built in the upper Svaneti region at a cost of US$ 1.1 billion, it will be Georgia's biggest hydro-electric power plant with a generation capacity of 280 megawatts – or approximately 8 percent of the country's electricity consumption.
Another big project was initiated back in October 2014: The US$ 200 million Paravani hydropower plant in southern Georgia, will have Georgia with an installed capacity of 87 megawatts. The huge installation is connected to the Akhaltsikhe substation via a 220kV line. "Such a powerful hydropower plant hasn't been built in Georgia for more than 35 years," enthused then prime minister Irakli Gharibashvili at the facility's inauguration.
As the amount of electricity generated grows, modern lines will be needed to take the power to neighboring countries. In early 2014 the Georgian and Armenian governments decided to build a new 500kV high voltage line with transmission capacity of 700MW that is designed to enable the synchronization of the power grids in Russia and Armenia. This is an important technological requirement for electricity to be exported via this line as well.
So it looks as if Kaladze will have to keep moving as Georgia moves rapidly into the future. At only 37 years of age, the energy minister shouldn't have any problem keeping up.
For 2018, projects for a total sum of US$30 million are lined up. Until 2021, the investment sum for modernizing and enhancing the transmission grid will increase to US$515 million.
In his five years serving as the minister of energy Kaladze was obviously a power plant of his own. He attracted US$1.2 billion of direct foreign investments building 18 hydro power plants, 2 thermal power plants and a wind power plant. Not a bad balance sheet when you start a new career as the mayor of the economical power house of the country.
Click here and subscribe to our Energy Stories Newsletter to catch up on trends and technologies that shape the energy transition.
Ingo Petz, journalist based in Germany
Picture credits: Fabian Weiss
Energy References
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Energy systems are changing – fundamentally and fast. The importance of individual energy sources and options for power generation are changing, as are the ways in which electricity is transmitted and distributed. Power generation is becoming more and more decentralized making grid management increasingly complex. Electrical consumption continues to steadily rise all over the world. Meeting these challenges requires cutting-edge products and services covering the entire energy value chain. Specifically, it calls for a comprehensive portfolio of physical and digital technologies, products and solutions that allow us to actively build our energy future. The Siemens portfolio ranges from state-of-the-art compressors, turbines and generators to virtual power plants, intelligent grid management and innovative storage solutions – all backed up by exceptional service offerings and genuine commitment to effectively address our customers' individual needs
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CAMPUS ISSUES: When UC Berkeley researchers get thousands of dollars for their work, why should students go unpaid?
From managing an open-source computer lab to playing Quidditch on Memorial Glade, UC Berkeley offers almost every extracurricular imaginable, but some of the most sought-after opportunities on campus are the ones offered by the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program, or URAP. UC Berkeley is ranked so highly, in part, because of its reputation for being an outstanding research institute — it's one of the reasons that more than 30,000 undergraduates come to this campus every year from around the world. But for all the opportunities URAP provides, it's missing one crucial benefit that a huge percentage of this school really needs — consistent financial compensation for students' work.
URAP does offer course credit, but much more needs to be done to honor the work that students do. At the end of the day, units and the chance to rub shoulders with higher-ups can't pay for rent or buy groceries. Ultimately, this kind of unpaid work creates a barrier to entry for students who must hold paying jobs to subsidize their educations.
Unfortunately, this problem with UC Berkeley's undergraduate apprenticeship program isn't isolated — there is a huge crisis surrounding young students and unpaid work. Thousands of students give up hours of their time, all in the hopes of building rapport with renowned experts or getting letters of recommendation. But it's time to stop normalizing free labor from students — if UC Berkeley wants to make these educational experiences more accessible, it needs to start offering financial compensation to all students who do important work for the campus and its associated labs.
Although URAP does provide some funding for apprentices, they are limited. The program awards a summer stipend to about 30 to 35 students, but it encourages faculty members to use their own funds — if they have them — to pay their staff. Regardless of the time of year or whether faculty funds are available, some kind of monetary reward must be available to everyone. There may not be funding to hand out a stipend or paycheck to all these undergrads, but small efforts such as offering work-study could be a big step toward acknowledging the valuable work these young students do.
Work-study gives students on campus the opportunity to do on-campus work while also getting a monetary reward. URAP must put in place a system like this in order to give credit to students who do important work in campus labs. As much as students need research positions to gain real-world experience, mentors and professors need these students' labor and minds to get their projects done. If UC Berkeley really wants to show that it values its undergraduate apprentices, it must start compensating them.


When friends Bea, Connie, Hattie and Hattie's mother-in-law Miss Fanny, go on a dream vacation, no one objects when Miss Zelda Chambers is invited along. After all she's a sweet old lady and Miss Fanny's friend. However, things are not as they seem. Soon mystery, intrigue and laughs abound as the amateur sleuths of Grandmothers, Incorporated discover that There's Something Wrong with Miss Zelda.
Crime solving takes a holiday,when amateur sleuths Hattie Collier, Bea Bell and Connie Palmer win a trip to Las Vegas. However, when the devil's playground proves to much for Hattie, she launches an outlandish plan to save not only her friends, but Sin City from the gates of hell. Take two fun loving grandmothers and one religious zealot, put them in Las Vegas and the result is pandemonium!
WANT A HOME-COOKED MEAL? ASK YOUR MAMA BECAUSE THESE LADIES HAVE CRIMES TO SOLVE.
TWO PLAYS BY EVANS AND RHODES, GRANDMOTHERS, INCORPORATED AND STAKE OUT ARE AVAILABLE IN ONE BOOK!


text:
__author__ = 'Avery Rozar'

from os import system

try:
  import pexpect

except ImportError:
  print('Installing pexpect..')
  system('easy_install pexpect')
  import pexpect

from lib.prompts import *
from lib.cmds import *

def ssh_enable_mode(user, host, passwd, en_passwd):
    ssh_newkey = 'Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?'
    constr = 'ssh ' + user + '@' + host
    child = pexpect.spawn(constr)
    ret = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, ssh_newkey, '[P|p]assword:'])

    if ret == 0:
        print '[-] Error Connecting to ' + host
        return
    if ret == 1:
        child.sendline('yes')
        ret = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT])
        if ret == 0:
            print '[-] Could not accept new key from ' + host
            return
    child.sendline(passwd)
    auth = child.expect(['[P|p]assword:', '.>', '.#'])
    if auth == 0:
        print 'User password is incorrect'
        return
    if auth == 1:
        child.sendline('enable')
        child.sendline(en_passwd)
        enable = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, '.#'])
        if enable == 0:
            print 'enable password for ' + host + ' is incorrect'
            return
        if enable == 1:
            child.sendline(SHOWVER)  # find out what Cisco OS we are working with
            what_os = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, '.IOS.', '.Adaptive.'])
            if what_os == 0:
                print 'show ver' + ' time out' + 'for ' + host
                return
            if what_os == 1:  # IOS
                child.sendcontrol('c')
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                child.sendline(IOSTERMLEN0)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                return child
            if what_os == 2:  # ASAOS
                child.sendline(QOUTMORE)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                child.sendline(ASATERMPAGER0)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                return child
    if auth == 2:
        child.sendline(SHOWVER)  # find out what Cisco OS we are working with
        what_os = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT,  '.IOS.', '.Adaptive.'])
        if what_os == 0:
            print 'show ver' + ' time out' + 'for ' + host
            return
        if what_os == 1:  # IOS
            child.sendcontrol('c')
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            child.sendline(IOSTERMLEN0)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            return child
        if what_os == 2:  # ASAOS
            child.sendline(QOUTMORE)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            child.sendline(ASATERMPAGER0)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            return child

    else:
        print 'Failed to log in to ' + host

def telnet_config_mode(host, passwd, en_passwd):
    constr = 'telnet ' + host
    child = pexpect.spawn(constr)
    ret = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, '[P|p]assword:'])

    if ret == 0:
        print '[-] Error Connecting to ' + host
        return
    if ret == 1:
        child.sendline(passwd)

    auth = child.expect(['[P|p]assword:', '.>', '.#'])
    if auth == 0:
        print 'User password is incorrect'
        return
    if auth == 1:
        child.sendline('enable')
        child.sendline(en_passwd)
        enable = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, '.#'])
        if enable == 0:
            print 'enable password for ' + host + ' is incorrect'
            return
        if enable == 1:
            child.sendline(SHOWVER)  # find out what Cisco OS we are working with
            what_os = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT, '.IOS.', '.Adaptive.'])
            if what_os == 0:
                print 'show ver' + ' time out' + 'for ' + host
                return
            if what_os == 1:  # IOS
                child.sendcontrol('c')
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                child.sendline(IOSTERMLEN0)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                return child
            if what_os == 2:  # ASAOS
                child.sendline(QOUTMORE)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                child.sendline(ASATERMPAGER0)
                child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
                return child
    if auth == 2:
        child.sendline(SHOWVER)  # find out what Cisco OS we are working with
        what_os = child.expect([pexpect.TIMEOUT,  '.IOS.', '.Adaptive.'])
        if what_os == 0:
            print 'show ver' + ' time out' + 'for ' + host
            return
        if what_os == 1:  # IOS
            child.sendcontrol('c')
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            child.sendline(IOSTERMLEN0)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            return child
        if what_os == 2:  # ASAOS
            child.sendline(QOUTMORE)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            child.sendline(ASATERMPAGER0)
            child.expect(PRIV_EXEC_MODE)
            return child

    else:
        print 'Failed to log in to ' + host

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Black Panther, which stars Chadwick Boseman as the titular Marvel superhero, hits theaters Feb. 16, but critics are already loving the film. While Rotten Tomatoes has not yet compiled the scores, var
Ryan Coogler To Direct 'Black Panther' Film
'Black Panther' Review Roundup: Early Reviewers Call Film One Of Best In Marvel Universe
Black Panther Ryan Coogler
Ryan Cooglerhttps://uinterview.com
by Hillary Luehring-JonesFebruary 1, 2018, 10:48 pmFebruary 1, 2018, 10:48 pmFebruary 1, 2018, 10:48 pmMovies, News, News Feed, Reviews >
Black Panther, which stars Chadwick Boseman as the titular Marvel superhero, hits theaters Feb. 16, but critics are already loving the film. While Rotten Tomatoes has not yet compiled the scores, various reviewers and celebrities have already rated the film highly. Boseman plays King T'Challa Wakanda, who revealed himself in Captain America: Civil War. In this film, his father has died, making him the new king of Wakanda, a highly advanced African nation. Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Sterling K. Brown, Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman round out the rest of the cast.
Despite positive reviews pouring in, a group on Facebook has dedicated itself to creating fake accounts and giving Black Panther poor reviews. The group, called "Down With Disney's Treatment of Franchises and its Fanboys," created an event entitled "Give Black Panther a Rotten Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes." The group also took credit for the tanked score of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The moderator has also made an event for the same purpose for the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story. When asked why he made action against The Last Jedi by HuffPost, the moderator of the group responded that he was upset by the inclusion of more female characters and that the film seemed disrespectful to the franchise's history.
Despite the plan of a few thousand people to destroy the movie's audience score, most people who have seen the film have loved it.
BLACK PANTHER REVIEW ROUNDUP
"BLACK PANTHER is fantastic. Beautiful, soulful, thoughtful and of the moment. Ryan Coogler knows what he's doing. Long live T'Challa!" wrote Peyton Reed on Twitter.
BLACK PANTHER is fantastic. Beautiful, soulful, thoughtful and of the moment. Ryan Coogler knows what he's doing. Long live T'Challa!
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) January 30, 2018
James Gunn called the film an "extraordinary work by Ryan Coogler and company!"
Extraordinary work by Ryan Coogler and company! #BlackPanther #WakandaForever!
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 30, 2018
"Black Panther. So very good. I cheered and laughed and pumped my fist. I've never seen a super hero movie like it. Everybody involved with it deserves a medal and a high five," said Kumail Nanjiani.
Black Panther. So very good. I cheered and laughed and pumped my fist. I've never seen a super hero movie like it. Everybody involved with it deserves a medal and a high five.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 30, 2018
Ava DuVernay, who was originally tapped to direct the film, said: "We edited our films across the hall from each other for 8 months. We talked in our edit bays, on walks around the lot. About our films, our dreams. Tonight, his comes true. On my way to the #BlackPanther premiere with a full heart for my fam, director extraordinaire #RyanCoogler!"
We edited our films across the hall from each other for 8 months. We talked in our edit bays, on walks around the lot. About our films, our dreams. Tonight, his comes true. On my way to the #BlackPanther premiere with a full heart for my fam, director extraordinaire #RyanCoogler! pic.twitter.com/lrxBNRsqeC
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 30, 2018
"BLACK PANTHER feels like the actual start of a new phase for Marvel, not only because it exists so well on its own terms, but because it feels so new and timely, through both its storytelling and the very people the story is about (and those who get to tell it). Wonderful," tweeted editor Kate Erbland.
BLACK PANTHER feels like the actual start of a new phase for Marvel, not only because it exists so well on its own terms, but because it feels so new and timely, through both its storytelling and the very people the story is about (and those who get to tell it). Wonderful.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) January 30, 2018
"I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty, & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights," wrote Umberto Gonzalez. "BLACK PANTHER is like a Marvel movie, but better. the action is predictably awful, but this is the first MCU film that has an actual sense of identity & history & musicality. Wakanda is alive. whole cast is great but the women (and the war rhinos) steal the show — Danai Gurira!" added David Ehrlich. "BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger had me weeping and he's the VILLAIN," said Jen Yamato.
I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty, & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights. pic.twitter.com/LSkWEconB4
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) January 30, 2018
BLACK PANTHER is like a Marvel movie, but better. the action is predictably awful, but this is the first MCU film that has an actual sense of identity & history & musicality. Wakanda is alive. whole cast is great but the women (and the war rhinos) steal the show — Danai Gurira!
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) January 30, 2018
BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger had me weeping and he's the VILLAIN
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
Angie Han added, "#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙."
#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/t9gG3DLuCL
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) January 30, 2018
Rebecca Keegan said, "Stunning visuals. Iconic performances. And A REAL FREAKING STORY about a wealthy nation confronting its role in the world. Black Panther has the goods. Also there's a post-credits scene. Here's the premiere crowd racing back to watch it."
Stunning visuals. Iconic performances. And A REAL FREAKING STORY about a wealthy nation confronting its role in the world. Black Panther has the goods. Also there's a post-credits scene. Here's the premiere crowd racing back to watch it. pic.twitter.com/EiS7z9xbA7
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) January 30, 2018
"#BlackPanther is exceptional – the James Bond of the MCU. You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie – it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done. It's 100% African & it is dope af," says Erik Davis.
#BlackPanther is exceptional – the James Bond of the MCU. You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie – it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done. It's 100% African & it is dope af. pic.twitter.com/Z77IjnIjf2
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018
Black Panther Movie Review Roundups
Click here for the In Memoriam: Celebrities Who Died In 2017 Slideshow
'Black Panther' Star Letitia Wright Hospitalized After Stunt Incident On Set of Sequel
'Joker' Sequel Confirmed To Be In Production With Todd Phillips Returning As Writer
Disney Honors The Late Chadwick Boseman On His 44th Birthday
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