Smashbomb

So, Scarlett Johansson has been cast as a trans man in an upcoming film, and some people are a little outraged at both her casting and the way she handled the backlash (which was to say "Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment").

I'm a trans guy, and I get it. The goal of any movie is to make money, and Johansson is bankable. I think the way she handled it lacks a bit of class, but again, she's sort of right--no one got in a snit when these other cis actors were cast as trans people. However, I also understand the frustration from the other side. Johansson already, arguably, whitewashed the role of Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, which totally flopped. She's working with the same director for this film. My fear is that trans guys get so little representation in the media, and this casting decision is going to negatively impact the movie. When I was growing up, the first time I learned that women could transition was watching Boys Don't Cry. And as you recall, that movie does not end well for anyone! So of course I was scared. I stayed in the closet for a long, long time. I'm really just torn about the whole thing.

What do you all think?

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Abi (5 KP) Jul 15, 2018

Thankfully she’s officially stepped down from the role now.

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Lou Grande (148 KP) Jul 17, 2018

Yeah, and now all the "anti-SJW" groups have their panties in a twist about it. I would have been fine if she had handled herself with more aplomb, even though she was going to be hilariously miscast.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Burning Girl ( Haunted Collection 5) in Books

Jul 10, 2023

91 of 235
Kindle
The Burning Girl (Haunted Collection 5)
By Ron Ripley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stefan Korzh’s desire to destroy the lives of everyone around him knows no bounds. Even as he’s hunted by enemies, Stefan shows no signs of slowing down. His deadly collection of antiques continues to spread and help his dreams become reality.

Meanwhile, Victor Daniels and Tom Crane have managed to build some resemblance of an ordinary life. They remain more determined than ever in their fight against Stefan, and will stop at nothing to put an end to the horrors of the Korzh collection. But life tends to take nasty turns when ghosts are involved.

Stefan’s latest threat is the fire-obsessed Molly, whose deadly ghost emerges from the pages of a novel. With the simple flick of a match, she satisfies her addiction for scorching buildings and burning flesh.

Victor and Tom quickly find themselves in the middle of a bloody trail of chaos, chasing after an enemy that will test the limits of their strength.

And they must hurry.

Because it doesn’t take long before Molly craves her next fiery fix…

This was one of my favourites so far! It was good catching up with Victor and Tom also finally seeing nasty Nicolas put in his place. I really enjoy this series of nasty little spirits and a vengeful man.

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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Mark in Books

Jul 21, 2023

95 of 235
Kindle
The Mark
By Lee Mountford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It isn’t the house that’s haunted…

It’s the person.

Kirsty is no stranger to trauma, but when her house is invaded one night, she is left with a strange mark carved into her skin.

And that is when the horrifying ghosts start to appear.

As the experiences grow more frequent—and dangerous—Kirsty must fight for her life and unravel the mystery behind the occult symbol etched into her flesh. This forces her into the terrifying world of the occult, where she learns of a Bible written by the Devil himself.

Can she save her very soul from damnation?

You will love this gripping ghost story, because it ramps up the fear and doesn’t let go until its thrilling climax.

I clearly didn’t learn my lesson from the last Lee Mountford book! So I read this at night in the dark and it truly scared the living daylights out of me. I actually had nightmares it doesn’t help that I one read it in the dark and two have an overactive imagination. It takes a lot for a book to genuinely scare but that creepy shadow and his puppets from under the bed and stair climbers were enough to do it! Ok so bring on the next one!

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Murder at a London Finishing School

Jessica Ellicott

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Long before American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and prim and proper Brit Edwina Davenport teamed up...

Merissa (13194 KP) rated The Ghost is Clear (A Series of Midlife Curses #1) in Books

Apr 21, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)

THE GHOST IS CLEAR is the first book in the Series of Midlife Curses and it starts off sort of sad. Brooke is fighting a losing battle to save her marriage to a complete jerk who blames her for everything. A series of even more unfortunate events send her back home and then the whole story really picks up.

I thought Brooke was an amazing character. She is no wallflower, even when her body hurts, and she is certainly not afraid of a little elbow grease. She is ably supported by Theo and Mitch, both of whom I want to see more of!

The pace of this book is smooth, taking you from her disastrous anniversary meal, through to the satisfying conclusion. There is a teaser for the next book, which made me smile. I love how Brooke is in her mid-forties, with a body that aches, and the determination to make things happen.

All in all, this was a brilliant read and a fantastic beginning to a new series! I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book, and I eagerly await the next.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 21, 2021

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Point Blank (Badlands #6)

Morgan Brice

(0 Ratings) Rate It

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Sexy psychic Simon Kincaide and skeptical homicide detective Vic D’Amato are getting married--if...

MM Fantasy Romance Urban Fantasy Opposites Attract Established Relationship

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 7, 2022

Author Thomas H. McNeely visits my blog to discuss what it means to lose where we live in an emotional yet touching guest post. Read up on his coming of age/short stories fiction book PICTURES OF THE SHARK while you're there. Be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an editorial critique of an excerpt from an unpublished short story or novel and/or an autographed copy of Pictures of the Shark.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-pictures-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
A sudden snowfall in Houston reveals family secrets. A trip to Universal Studios to snap a picture of the shark from Jaws becomes a battle of wills between father and son. A midnight séance and the ghost of Janis Joplin conjure the mysteries of sex. A young boy’s pilgrimage to see Elvis Presley becomes a moment of transformation. A young woman discovers the responsibilities of talent and freedom.

Pictures of the Shark, by Houston native and Dobie Paisano award-winning author Thomas H. McNeely, traces a young man's coming of age and falling apart. From the rough and tumble of Houston's early seventies East End to the post-punk Texas bohemia of late eighties Austin, this novel in stories examines what happens when childhood trauma haunts adult lives.