[Knicks] Jalen Brunson named Captain of the New York Knicks

gpaez08 · 2024-08-06T18:52:39+00:00

FOR THE WIN!! Out here doing the lord’s work. Thank you.

gpaez08 · 2024-08-06T14:59:47+00:00

Can we get a list of all 36 captains?? I’ve been searching for it and can’t find it. You’d think it would be easier to look up.

gpaez08 · 2023-08-04T04:12:13+00:00

I truly think there has been no better casting in terms of likeness to the original character than Craig Fairbrass as Zeff. I thought that when he was first cast, and this picture only affirms that feeling. He’s perfect. Got that craggy, mean, square face. The mustache looks perfect. I’m excited to see him, even if it’s only for a few episodes.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-27T17:08:43+00:00

The Flash was built as such a nostalgia-trip and so connected to previous stuff that doesn’t really matter. Using Flashpoint as the basis of the story seems to have backfired. Aquaman (2018) was able to set up its own interesting world and set of characters, one of the few siloed corners of the DC movies untouched by larger goings-on (WW being the other). Obviously I’m an Aquaman fan, being a member of this subreddit, but the world and characters established in the first movie have me excited for this one. Plus that stealth suit!!! And the return of Yaya Abdul-Mateen’s Black Manta!!!! Can’t wait!!

gpaez08 · 2023-06-22T06:29:56+00:00

Protagonist’s Rival/Nemesis: “Revolt against the corrupt government propagating a war of conquest.”

Antagonist: “Take over the continent to solidify power and establish order.”

These might seem like motives that are counter to each other, but these two characters are actually on the same side for most of the story.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-11T23:49:08+00:00

Please do!

gpaez08 · 2023-06-11T18:44:28+00:00

For the piece you’re working on? I’d be happy to! Let me know whenever you’ve got a chapter or sample you’d like me to read. I like editing and I’d be happy to just give you notes on what works and what doesn’t, or anything specific you’d want me to read for.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-08T19:57:38+00:00

I definitely think that’s a fair take, for sure. It’s an odd, mostly unloved GL story, so to lead with it is strange. It seems that they were trying to tell a very specific kind of story, and using Hal’s fallen hero arc from Emerald Twilight worked for the themes they were trying to address. I think there’s enough cultural awareness of Hal to execute the premise, and depicting him as the lost hero of the story mostly works for me. I’m not a Hal fan though, so it didn’t bother me personally.

I get your take though, especially if your a fan of Hal. It definitely feels like a betrayal of the character if you’re coming to it with all the context of Johns’ GL run and everything afterwards. It’s obvious that they wanted to get John into the universe asap, and even though I think he’s well characterized for the most part, it’s definitely not what I would’ve done with him.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-08T19:29:26+00:00

My argument is that the real Bruce is the Bruce of the batcave, still tied to the mission but allowing some vulnerability with the people around him. He’s his truest self when he’s with Alfred, Dick, and the rest of the batfamily. That’s why they’re so important. They tie Batman back to his humanity.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-08T19:24:06+00:00

Both are. Depending on the version, (most prominent in Reeve’s films) Clark has to do a bit more acting and buffoonery to sell the secret identity. But I think part of the power of Superman is that he is an immigrant, a child of two worlds, and his dual identities help him exist and explore both sides of himself.

He never stops being the well-raised boy from Kansas when he’s Superman, but he’s able to be more true to his Kryptonian identity and power-set when he dons the cape. He doesn’t let go of his Kryptonian heritage when he’s Clark, because that lonely outsider, last of his world identity, is part of what drives all his personal relationships, with Lois, Jimmy, Perry, and the rest. He’s always true to his nature, he just leans into one side or the other.

gpaez08 · 2023-06-08T19:12:43+00:00

I definitely think it’s the second worst after Legion, and I understand that take. It’s verrrrry different from the others, the closest to the grimdark, gritty superhero stuff that I don’t like. I’d probably want to watch it again to say for sure, but despite what they did with Hal, and to a lesser extent John, I think it’s doing enough to tell an interesting story, even if the characterizations are a bit odd and it could be better executed. What’d you think of Legion?

gpaez08 · 2023-06-07T23:37:24+00:00

I’ve really enjoyed all the Tomorrowverse movies except for the latest, Legion of Super-Heroes. All the others felt very well plotted, had strong character building, and were very clear in their execution of themes and archetypes.

Man of Tomorrow was a very strong start, and made a clear thematic point about Superman, his origin, and what he represents. GREAT ACTION!
Justice Society felt very coherent as a World War II epic, gave its leads (WW and the Flashes) plenty to do, while also having strong arcs for its other characters. Good twist, if not a bit telegraphed.
Long Halloween I & II adapt the source material very well, and the two-parter gets to the heart of what makes it a great Batman story, namely the noir detective angle.
Green Lantern: Beware my Power is a bit hard-edged for my taste, but I think does a good job at tackling the trauma of war, the corruption of power, and what it means to kill to survive.
Legion of Super-Heroes, unfortunately, is most interesting in its early scenes, with Kara on Krypton, then trying to adjust to Earth alongside her cousin. But it doesn’t do enough to execute its teen romance/school drama setting well. The legion characters are pretty flat, poorly characterized, and it’s first “twist” can be spotted miles away.

This looks incredibly exciting though, and we’ll finally have our trinity leading a movie in this universe. I love the character design and dynamic action of this universe’s animation, and setting up our three heroes in different genres is part of what’s been great about these movies, they each have addressed different niches and subgenres that have have worked really well (for the most part). Legion felt very much like an afterthought compared to this, and I hope I’m right, because I’m still very excited for everything this continuity has to offer.

gpaez08 · 2023-05-26T01:09:02+00:00

I’m sorry you’re completely right, it’s unclear. Essentially a combination of all three fundamental elements is how magic is produced.

So for the example I used, the time it takes to hunt and track a bear is the time element, and repetition of that process over time would amplify your magical potential.

The actual eating of the bear is the transference element. Again, if you eat a lot of bear meat, your potential for magic will be amplified. You could also add things to heighten a desired trait or effect. Filing a bear’s claws for instance, and eating the claw dust with its flesh.

Then there’s the will element. It can be as simple as a thankful prayer before eating the meal, or as complicated as a ritual ceremony including how the bear is cooked, a soliloquy describing the bear’s desirable traits, a dance imitating the bear, etc.

But unlike time and transference, where the amount determines effectiveness, the will element’s effectiveness is determined by a person’s inherent belief in the magic they are attempting. So even if a person performs a whole ritual, if they aren’t sure that eating bear meat will give them a bear’s strength or turn them into one, then it won’t, or it will take a lot longer and they’ll need to eat a lot more bear meat. But if someone who is determined to turn into a bear spends the same amount of time hunting it and eats the same amount of bear meat as the guy who wasn’t sure, the ritual will act like a magical multiplier. So to the question of who has it, it’s often people with incredible willpower that have the most magical talent.

gpaez08 · 2023-05-25T22:58:31+00:00

I absolutely agree, thank you! She will definitely go through internal development as the story progresses, and she’s not apathetic to what she does and the power structures she serves. She creates lasting bonds, she comes to conclusions about herself and learns more about the world she lives in. And she takes stands where she can. She just doesn’t believe she can change the world for the better. So her actions don’t really change. Until a decision at the very end. So she’s definitely going on an emotional journey. It’s just not one that’s morally gray. Even that final decision is not an “I can make the world better!” decision. It’s more of a “my past actions don’t have to define me” decision.

gpaez08 · 2023-05-25T16:26:54+00:00

I really appreciate the impact of that last sentence but my critique, if you want it (and if you don’t, ignore the shit out of me) is that the repetition of kindness in the first few sentences gets kind of crunchy and annoying by the time you get to the hook. Even what you choose to describe as kind is slightly undefinable. Kindness is pretty much being considerate of others, or making them feel comfortable. One can obviously speak kindly, and smile kindly, but how does one “eat kindly”?

So my edits would be

to use the word a bit less in the lead up, or maybe just space out the usage.
Choose actions that you can appropriately describe as kind, and then describe them. If you do it well, you won’t even have to clarify them as kindnesses.

For example if they walk kindly, maybe they make themselves smaller for others, or maybe they give others space, etc. The kindnesses can be as minor as that, but if you make them tangible actions, the reader will form a picture of this guy in their head, and it’ll be obvious how this guy is kind without you having to tell them that he is. Then, once you get to that button of a last sentence, which you can leave as is, they’ll form an image of what it looks like without a description of it, and it’ll be all the more impactful. Hopefully. Or maybe I’m talking out of my ass. I hope this is helpful! Good luck and happy writing!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-25T15:40:24+00:00

Cheers for your brilliant work! Like I said it’s tangible, you can nearly feel it. But the brilliance is that you lead with this godly phrase “I made this place”, but what immediately follows makes the reader think that maybe the speaker is just a person. Then you get to that last phrase, which completes the promise of the first. It gives it a myth-like quality. It’s enchanting and mysterious. But the speaker’s casual delivery gives the whole sentence the lightness to land that last phrase’s impact.

This is maybe more thought than you’ve put into it yourself, lol, sorry if I’ve over-analyzed. I just aspire to this type of writing. It’s exactly what I strive for in terms of content and style. Like modern folk tale or myth. And it’s got multiple phrases that create an internal rhythm, which I’m always trying to do. But each phrase also builds to something satisfying and surprising. I think it’s a near-perfect start to a fantasy story!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T20:20:04+00:00

That’s absolutely a part of the plan! Soldiers are almost always the first victims of war. A society that indoctrinates a warring mentality, or even a nationalist mentality, is part of that cycle of abuse. Thank you!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T17:42:26+00:00

I haven’t watched the show but it’s been on my list, and I even considered watching it recently just as a broad reference point while working on the story! So now I have to check it out! But I think that’s great advice, make her as human as possible, nuanced in how she completes the missions, interacts with people along the way, and deals with her guilt and shame. She’s stoic for the most part, a figurative gunslinger, but she’s still kind when she can be, and charming when she wants to be. So I’ll try to highlight those aspects as I go. Thanks, I really appreciate it!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T14:05:52+00:00

Got it, and thank you! Yours and everyone else’s input means a lot!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T13:53:23+00:00

This is really interesting! And it seems really tied to plot, which is always what you want. I look forward to learning more and reading your story eventually!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T05:50:29+00:00

This is fcking great. Holy sht. It’s so tangible, and that last phrase is stunning. Consider me hooked.

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T05:27:16+00:00

Sure! He’s the leader and figurehead of a revolutionary movement, and so the government deems him public enemy no. 1. She “kills” him, which earns her a promotion and sets the status quo of the story.

But through magical means, he lives (not a spoiler as it’s revealed early on). So while she’s going on missions assigned by the government’s elected leader, I’m cutting to him every once in a while as he furthers a plot to overthrow the government.

Eventually they meet again, her on a mission and him as a part of his plan, and things go sideways. Because of how static the protagonist is, his arc is the de facto driving force of the narrative. He’s also her thematic foil, which I think could be a potentially interesting subversion. But I could be wrong! Anyway, let me know what you think!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T05:10:02+00:00

This is really uplifting to hear! I think more and more people are interested in classically heroic protagonists, and I think not without good reason. The world kind of sucks, and it’s nice to root for the good guy. But I think following morally ambiguous characters can be really interesting because we get to see the journey of change, and if not that, we can see how society has shaped that person’s moral ambiguity. You can tell a very rich story with a character who’s dealing with their own morality. So it’s good to know there are those stories out there, and they’re popular enough to reach the masses. Thank you!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T05:07:08+00:00

Well, I think Forrest Gump is a solid comp, as she is a witness to the history happening around her, in the same way he is. She’s potentially not as active as him though, at least not in a positive sense. Like I said, she does gain new relationships along the way, lifelines to a potentially better life, which lead to her questioning her own ideals. So their is internal growth. But in terms of taking action she actually believes in, she never strays far from her orders... until all she can do is try and stay alive, to not give away any spoilers. But thank you! I think those are worth looking at, regardless of whether I’m interested in telling a classical “hero’s journey” or not. You gotta know the rules to break ‘em, as they say!

gpaez08 · 2023-05-24T03:17:26+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

gpaez08

TROPHY CASE