[book post] The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:52 pm( Read more... )
Edward Berger to direct Stradivarius movie for Netflix
Feb. 5th, 2026 01:03 amOscar-winning director Edward Berger recently started production on The Riders (more on that later), but he’s already setting up his next project, with Deadline reporting that he’s attached to direct Stradivarius for Netflix. Stradi-who-vius?
What’s Stradivarius About?
Stradivarius is a drama set in 18th-century Northern Italy, where the world’s two best violin makers compete to build the perfect instrument. Tony Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Itamar Moses sold the pitch to Netflix and will write the script himself. He’s also known for his work on Boardwalk Empire and The Affair.
Berger Is Currently Shooting The Riders
Production on The Riders kicked off earlier this week. The film stars Brad Pitt (F1), Julianne Nicholson (Paradise), and Coco Greenstone (Windcatcher). It follows “Fred Scully (Pitt), who, after traveling through Europe for two years, winds up in Ireland with his wife (Nicholson) and daughter (Greenstone). And on a mystical whim of his wife Jennifer, they buy an old farmhouse that stands in the shadow of a castle. While Scully spends weeks alone renovating the old house, Jennifer returns to Australia to liquidate their assets. When Scully arrives at Shannon Airport to pick up Jennifer and their 7-year-old daughter, Billie, it is Billie who emerges — alone. There is no note, no explanation, not so much as a word from Jennifer, and the shock has left Billie speechless. In that instant, Scully’s life falls to pieces.“
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Tim Winton, with David Kajganich (Bones and All) writing the script. The rest of the cast includes Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters), Danny Huston (The Aviator), Camille Cottin (Call My Agent!), and Ulrich Thomsen (Lanterns).
Berger won the Academy Award for Best International Film for All Quiet on the Western Front, and his follow-up, Conclave, was equally as acclaimed, picking up Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and more. His next film, Ballad of a Small Player, wasn’t as beloved, but our own Chris Bumbray thought it was great, believing that it “feels destined to build a cult following.” You can check out his review right here.
The post Edward Berger to direct Stradivarius movie for Netflix appeared first on JoBlo.
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Feb. 4th, 2026 08:42 pmI have a follow up in 1 year and they just book 6 months in advance. So sometime in august I'll have to call and book for next Feb. She said it's a good time of year to be seen because everything is so dry the eyes are at max annoyed so the worse they're probably going to get for the year XD
Bots getting smarter
Feb. 4th, 2026 08:33 pmThe second one was generic enough that I wasn't fooled.
To me, the worst part is that it's going to make creators suspicious of comments if they aren't specific enough to the plot of the story. That sucks.
But in other news, I really like the way my new icon turned out.
Marvel Comics Crossover Drabble
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:41 pmChapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Comics (General)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Anna Marie
Additional Tags: Drabble, Crossover, +Modern Age (1986-Present)
Summary:
Two mutant ladies... and dinos?
( Sugah... )
wednesday books has older women romancing younger men
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:24 pmElizabeth the Queen by Maxwell Anderson. Readaloud; this is a Broadway play from 1930 that just entered the public domain. Generally fun Elizabeth/Essex drama. Contains a Prince Hal/Falstaff play within a play, but it didn't feel the most effective use of metatheatre. Also it is silent on the Shakespeare authorship question -- I thought it might be a Baconian play because Francis Bacon appears and Shakespeare doesn't, but it doesn't drop any hints in that direction, nor does it mention Shakespeare's, though Burbage and Heminges are characters. Arguably this is realistic; people don't talk all the time about who wrote a play.
As You Like It, William Shakespeare. Readaloud. I've lost track of how many times I've read this aloud, but it is still a very good play. This time around I mainly noticed all the talk about how winter's not so bad really, which hits differently when you're in the northern US and in the middle of weeks of sub-freezing weather. But the Forest of Arden has olive and palm trees, so it's clearly a different climate.
Swept Away, Beth O'Leary. Jo Walton recommends going into this one entirely unspoiled; I didn't, but I enjoyed it anyway. This is one of the books I had in mind when titling the post; the woman is 31, the man 23, which is not something I've seen much of in the genre.
Alien Clay, Adrian Tchaikovsky. Slowly making my way through this; the plot is progressing as I'd expect it to and we are getting to see alien biology up close! Excited to see where it's going.
Chroniques du Pays des Mères, Élizabeth Vonarburg. Post-apocalyptic matriarchy with complex worldbuilding and good writing. Not only is it a meaty SF book, it's in French, so I may not be picking up everything that I could be. On the other hand I'm reading it at a set pace for an online book group, so I get to hear other people noticing things I'm not. There have been some exciting revelations and I'm restraining myself from reading ahead, but might reread to help figure out what's going on.
Live-Action Side Character's Love Story Film Unveils Teaser, June 5 Debut
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:15 pm[book post] Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant trans. Douglas Parmée
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:08 pmThe story chronicles journalist Georges Duroy's corrupt rise to power from a poor former cavalry NCO in France's African colonies, to one of the most successful men in Paris, most of which he achieves by manipulating a series of powerful, intelligent, and wealthy women.
...and was like "oh my God this is SO my shit I must read it IMMEDIATELY." (And then was pleased to discover I apparently already downloaded it a few months ago, so, uh, apparently past-me had the same thought and just got distracted haha.) Anyone who knows my taste knows that "messy drama," "scoundrels being scoundrels," "terrible dinner parties," "dudes seducing and/or being seduced by cougars," and so on, are all on the shortlist of Things That Are Instantly Interesting To Me, and BOY HOWDY does Bel-Ami deliver on all those fronts.
What I wasn't expecting was—
( moderate spoilers for the ending, if you care )
Anyway, this was a rollicking good ride; fun as all hell; if it seems like the kind of thing you might like, you will in fact like it, give it a shot. I kept shouting "oh NO" while reading, was occasionally hollering at Duroy to KEEP GOING or NO STOP; it was a rush.
I only knew of Maupassant via his short stories (aside: is it more correct to refer to him as "Maupassant" or "de Maupassant"? no idea how the French name thing works here)—I read "The Necklace" out of one of my mom's textbooks when I was a kid, alongside a couple others I don't remember as well—but I'm surprised I'd never heard of him for his longer stuff! It moved along at such a gallop and was so entertaining throughout. I dunno if you'd want to teach it in high school, exactly (see: aforementioned blackpilledness; I'm not sure if Maupassant is trying to say anything Super Deep here or if he's simply just giving an Incisive, Biting Look at society, which doesn't make the best class material I suppose), but I enjoyed the ride so much. Like a classier and cleverer high-concept The OC, or something. It's possible that tinge of blackpilledness might've been wearying at a longer length, but as-is, I was captivated throughout.
Other scattered stuff I remember enjoying:
( Read more... )
Boy's Abyss Artist Ryo Minenami Announces New Series
Feb. 4th, 2026 07:00 pmBungo Stray Dogs Manga Ends 1st Part on March 4
Feb. 4th, 2026 06:00 pmHell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube ‒ Episode 18
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:30 pmNorth American Anime, Manga Releases, February 1-7
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:00 pmIn the Clear Moonlit Dusk ‒ Episode 4
Feb. 4th, 2026 04:30 pm[book post] Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Feb. 4th, 2026 04:26 pmI then proceeded to spend all my time post-workshop frittering around writing a bunch of Exactly What I Want To Write without bothering to learn a single damn thing about The State Of Modern Publishing or researching the market at all, so, y'know, thank you kindly fellow students & sorry that your thoughts were so wasted upon me...!
But even so, I managed to vaguely glean a couple factoids and takes about this whole "romantasy" thing. Y'know, the sorts of takes you see on Tumblrs and in Substacks and such—"let women enjoy things" vs "they're pornographic trash" or whatever. Which sure rhymed with some stuff I remember hearing when Twilight was a hit, so when I finally got around to reading Fourth Wing, I was expecting... something like Twilight, right? Something not-really-to-my-tastes but nonetheless satisfying and pulpy? Like, I read the whole series back then, and while I didn't love them and wouldn't have read them if they weren't a popular phenomenon, like... they were in fact a pretty good time! I remember the third book in particular having a very satisfying progression and a cool final battle! I liked the weird Americana backstory stuff with that Jasper guy! The vampire baseball shit was legitimately charming! It was very easy for me to read those books, even as a judgy know-it-all teenager, and see what the appeal was.
I say this to establish some non-snob credentials because I worry I come off like a dragon here sometimes. "I can enjoy fun and normal and kinda trashy things," I say, persuasively and convincingly.
But like... Fourth Wing... really...?
Even in the depths of my virus-induced delirium, I found myself cringing at so much of the language—every instance of "for the win" was like nails on the chalkboard of my soul; so much of the language was just stupid or self-contradictory on a line-by-line level. And by God it repeats itself, often, as though it's worried you're... only barely skimming the text? only half-paying attention? so you need basic stuff repeated to you over and over? but it managed to do this so much it annoyed me even in the depths of my virus-induced delirium! Ahhh!!! (I commented on Tumblr that part of this might just be a "house style" thing? I guess?? if so I hate it???)
And there's so many logical/plausibility inconsistencies—each minor in their own right, each which might be easy to overlook on their own—but they pile up so much I was just left wondering what the stakes were or what basic facts were or who or what I was supposed to care about, so often, that I was just confused and annoyed most of the time.
Like:
( This section is literally me just scrolling through my Kindle notes and rambling on everything I marked with a "???". It gets so long oh my God. )
( the rest of my thoughts )
...in conclusion I do not think I am the right person to aim to try and write anything in the category of "romantasy" anytime soon.
Femslash February: This Is How You Lose the Time War
Feb. 4th, 2026 04:02 pmFemslash February: This Is How You Lose the Time War
ALTFor Femslash February we’re spotlighting ‘This Is How You Lose The Time War.’ The award-winning novella by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone captured fandom’s imagination with its poetic prose, time-traveling intrigue, and enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance between agents Red and Blue.
From its initial release in 2019 to its viral resurgence in 2023, the novella has inspired everything from lyrical fanfiction and stunning fanart to countless memes and emotional meta. Fans quote its lines like scripture, analyze every letter exchanged between its main characters, and use “this is how you lose the time war” as shorthand for beautiful heartbreak.
Want to learn more about the fandom’s devotion to Red and Blue? Check out its Fanlore page: This Is How You Lose the Time War - Fanlore
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We value every contribution to our shared fandom history. If you’re new to editing Fanlore or wikis in general, visit our New Visitor Portal to get started or ask us questions here!
Featured Article: Marble House
Feb. 3rd, 2026 06:02 pm
ALTThis week’s Featured Article is focused on Hollywoodgrrl’s popular and widely debated fan video “Marble House” from the Doctor Who fandom, originally shown at 2009 Vividcon.
Reviewers praise the technical skill that Hollywoodgrrl employed such as the montage moments within the video to further the story being depicted surrounding the unintended implications The Doctor had in World War I through his actions; while others within the Live Journal community of Vid Commentary question the use of real World War I footage within the video.
The video is still available on Vimeo for viewing as well as the extended commentary for the rationale behind the making of “Marble House” in the LJ Vid Commentary community. This video is settled between the eight and ninth episode of the third season of Dr. Who featuring the Tenth Doctor – played by David Tennet. The musical score of the video featuring the song by the same name as the title of the video, “Marble House” by The Knife, has lyrics that invoke the imagery of a beautiful but cold home and uses the grungy alternative music sound to create a dark ambiance to overlay these relationships. This song being carefully picked by Hollywoodgrrl to describe the relationship felt between Martha Jones and the Time Lord in these episodes as well as the destruction that is left behind not just between the two of them but on the world
See the Fanlore page to learn about this fannish history.
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We value every contribution to our shared fandom history. If you’re new to editing Fanlore or wikis in general, visit our New Visitor Portal to get started or ask us questions here!
Sophie Wilde to star in sci-fi thriller with the best title you’ve heard today
Feb. 4th, 2026 11:20 pmSo often, Hollywood opts for the safe title choice: something short, punchy, and easy to remember. That’s understandable—but as a fan of Italian giallo, I’ve always had a soft spot for gloriously overlong titles like Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key or The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion. So when it was announced today that Sophie Wilde (Babygirl) is set to star in a new sci-fi thriller called Soon You Will Be Gone and Possibly Eaten, the title alone instantly won me over.
Soon You Will Be Gone and Possibly Eaten
The sci-fi thriller will be directed by Egor Abramenko (Sputnik) from a script by Luke Piotrowski & Ben Collins (Hellraiser). The script is based on a short story by Nick Antosca, creator of Apple TV’s upcoming Cape Fear series. Anton is fully financing the film and handling worldwide rights. Production is set to kick off in spring.
The film follows “Rob and Sabile, a young engaged couple, who head to a secluded mountain resort to take their vows and step into the new chapter of their shared lives. What was planned as a joyous wedding attended by family members takes a different turn when unexpected guests crash the ceremony.“
In a statement, Abramenko said, “I was blown away by Nick Antosca’s short story. From the get-go, it was a very fresh take on the alien genre, which is a really rare thing.“
I really hope they keep the title, and if this were a bigger Hollywood movie, you just know they’d call it Invasion or some shit like that.
Sophie Wilde
Sophie Wilde is best known for starring in Talk to Me, the A24 horror directed by Danny and Michael Philippou that took audiences by storm in 2023. The film follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. They become hooked on the new thrill until one of them goes too far and opens the door to the other world, forcing them to choose who to trust: the dead or the living.
Since then, she’s starred alongside Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in Babygirl and has joined Tom Cruise in Digger, the highly anticipated film from Alejandro G. Iñárritu, which is set to be released on October 2.
The post Sophie Wilde to star in sci-fi thriller with the best title you’ve heard today appeared first on JoBlo.
[ SECRET POST #6970 ]
Feb. 4th, 2026 06:58 pm⌈ Secret Post #6970 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.

( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 11 secrets from Secret Submission Post #995.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
The Last Story: Never Taken for Granted [Challenge 487: Stars]
Feb. 4th, 2026 05:45 pmTitle: Never Taken for Granted
Timeline: Before the start of the game.
Challenge: #487: Stars
Never Taken for Granted
‘The Arborist’ Review – A Collection of Tropes in Search of a Story
Feb. 4th, 2026 10:30 pmThere are horror fans out there who’ll tell you that Capital-T Trauma Horror is over, but I don’t think that’s true. So much of the genre is rooted in the idea of trauma, how it transforms and binds and sometimes even frees us, that it’ll never completely go away, and it shouldn’t. There are lots of worthwhile things to say in that space.
The problem comes when storytellers embrace Trauma Horror as a vehicle, then don’t spend enough time building that vehicle to really move, to swerve, to rev its engine in ways that feel personal and singular. In the case of The Arborist, the vehicle is certainly there, but its assemblage is haphazard, stuffed full of so many bells and whistles that it barely moves. This is a movie that wants to be many things at once, and ends up being almost none of them.
The arborist of the title is Ellie (Lucy Walters), a single mom still reeling from the loss of her infant daughter to SIDS, which means she’s hyper-protective of her teenage son Wyatt (Hudson West), who still harbors tremendous guilt over his little sister’s loss. Together, mother and son head out for a job at the sprawling estate of the reclusive and mysterious Arthur (Will Lyman), who’s hired them to remove a group of marked trees in the woods near his mansion. Ellie needs the money, so she doesn’t ask too many questions, even when she realizes the trees are perfectly healthy and not in need of removal. But the longer she and Wyatt stay on Arthur’s property, the closer they get to a generational supernatural mystery that just might take Ellie’s last remaining child away.

There is a lot of promising atmosphere to kick off this film. It’s got some folk horror flourishes, a really weird opening sequence that immediately sets you on edge, and of course, the grim hammer of grief coming down on its characters as they try to get on with their lives. When you throw in Arthur’s sprawling home, grounds, and the crummy guest house where Ellie and Wyatt stay, you get a lot of potential energy, and the first act feels like it could really be something. Writer/Director Andrew Mudge sprinkles in a lot of fun ideas, ranging from an odd formation in the trees to the appearance of strange beings out in the woods, to drive the story forward.
But eventually, all these things have to find a way to coalesce, and it’s there that The Arborist loses all the ground it made up. The atmosphere, for what it’s worth, never quite leaves, in part because of the natural beauty and the locations and in part because Mudge clearly has a grasp of tone. But unless you’re willing to go very experimental, tone isn’t enough to make a film, and The Arborist‘s actual plot leans firmly toward the conventional. Which isn’t a problem, exactly, until you get to the solutions to all of these mysteries.
Without giving too much away, it all mostly ties together by the end, but it feels shoehorned rather than natural. It plays like a film that wanted to get all of the horror trappings out in front of the audience in the first half-hour to make sure they stick around, then never quite figured out a way to hang all of those trappings on something meaningful. The film’s eventual concussion makes up for this a little with certain revelations that heighten the emotional intensity, but by then it feels like too little, too late.

What makes this more frustrating is that the performers are all solid, generous actors who open themselves up to vulnerability at every turn, only to be muted by plotting that feels rote at best and disjointed at worst. There are so many good ideas floating around in here, and Walters, West, and Lyman do their best to represent them, but the script just doesn’t quite have it. It’s a swirling collection of tropes and horror concepts that, while effective, don’t always complement or enhance each other. An interesting visual or idea rolls into frame one second, then rolls out the next. It might come back, or it might just be a momentary bit of creepiness, but after a while, it’s simply distracting. The actors remain the focal points, but they’re constantly catching elbows from bits of horror esoterica that might be important to the plot or might just look cool for a second.
Like the trees that lie (barely) at the heart of its story, The Arborist has good roots. It’s got room to grow, and it feels like one of those movies that could have benefited from one more pass at the script, one more edit, one more pair of eyes to maybe pare it down, trim it in the right places, and allow it to flourish. Sadly, that didn’t happen, and we’re left with a film that’s almost something, like a stunted sapling.
The Arborist arrives on February 6 on Digital.

The post ‘The Arborist’ Review – A Collection of Tropes in Search of a Story appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
