#Variags

[nine-kings-of-men]

I love that I'll go look on the One Wiki To Rule Them All to look at the pages for Easterlings and Southrons as if they've changed at all in the last 20 years.

Like Tolkien is gonna come back from the dead and be like: "Gurrrllll new khand lore just dropped".

#khand #harad #rhun #umbar #corsairs of umbar #haradrim #easterlings #variags #balcoth #wainriders #sauron #mairon #nazgul #angbang #lord of the rings #tolkien #lotr #the hobbit #not me building a time machine #to make the professor write a book abt Alatar & Pallando

[chloe-caulfield94]

Life is Strange/Lord of the Rings crossover fanfic. Basically Max and Chloe go to Middle-Earth and back again.

While this crossover might seem eclectic, I think there are some common themes between LiS and LotR. Ordinary people faced with impossible situations. The power of love and friendship allowing people to endure untold hardships. Destiny and what should people do when confronted with it. "The smallest person changing the course of the future".

If you don't like crossovers in general or fantasy in particular, consider reading the beginning of chapter one and the entire chapter four, which take place before Max and Chloe leave their universe and after they come back respectively. That way it becomes a short story about Max's and Chloe's visit to Away. But then you'd miss the part where I describe how Max's and Chloe's engagement rings look like (how could I write a crossover with the Lord of the RINGS and not touch upon this subject), as well as one particularly sappy and drawn-out declaration of love made by Chloe before they go into battle.

If you think that David doesn't deserve Chloe's forgiveness for his "tough love", my answer is - nobody ever deserves forgiveness. It's always something better than we deserve. I think Chloe is a kind-hearted person. She was able to almost immediately forgive Max. I imagine she would also forgive David. And I find the prospect of Chloe and David being reconciled much more appealing than Chloe hating him for the rest of her life, even if she has legitimate reasons for doing so.

While my nickname on AO3 might suggest I hold extremely unorthodox views on Middle-Earth, I honestly don't think what I wrote is incompatible with what we know about the world of LotR. I don't think what I wrote is a complete retelling, like "the Last Ringbearer". In my mind, I just provided a different perspective on the events we already knew about.

The belief that death is a divine gift and rejecting it is wrong, which is held by the "good guys" of LotR, allowed for some nice contrast and conflict with Max's life philosophy, which seems to be all about saving people who are "destined" to die, like Chloe and Tristan.

#Max Caulfield #Chloe Price #Pricefield #David Madsen #Life is Strange fanfiction #LiS #Life is Strange #crossover #Lord of the Rings #Orcs #Uruks #Alatar #Pallando #Blue Wizards #Elves #LotR #Harad #Haradrim #Khand #Variags

[greenieart]

More tiny paintings I did in January 💚

#acrylic painting #tiny paintings #painting #traditional #original #idk how to tag these properly #anyway these are all 2x2 except for the monstera piece which is 3x3 #also. the mushrooms are chlorophyllum molybdites also known as the vomiter which is my favorite mushroom #the flower is a johnny jump up which is one of my favorite flowers #variagated monstera deliciosa of course (sp?) #CRENSHINIBON. THE CRYSTAL SHARD. #pomegranate #and what’s meant to be a brown junebug but idk how successful the attempt was. a bug. #OH the pomegranate isn’t quite a 2x2 or a 3x3 she’s somewhere in the middle? I only had one canvas of that size and I’d measure it #but I don’t feel like taking it off the wall for accuracy in a tag on a tumblr post so #eh #also hope y’all enjoy the multiple shots of my living room

[pebblethief]

:)

#starquilt #the silvery one is invisible thread and idk if its obvious but the bigger ones are variagated

[bad-succulent-father]

And misc plants that I'm really loving today

#my succs #succulents #These guys are: #Echeveria Minima Variagated #Sedeveria Blue Elf #Echeveria White Peach Blossom #And the last photo is Graptopetalum tibituans Variagated #The second to last one has 5 so it gets it's own special listing: #The top left and bottom right are: #Echeveria Cupsidata var. Zaragozae #The middle is Echeveria Black Zaragoza #The last two are different Sarahime hybrids

[fixaidea]

I’m honestly thankful that my taste in plants isn’t terribly expensive, because my self-control when it comes to buying them is uhh. Sub-par.

#personal #plant posting #basically I'm lucky I don't like variagated plants #because if I did I'd be so damn broke by now

[exculis]

Actually. I think the problem is that im just using too much water. My most successful food coloring dye by far was the copper one and i used ALL of the orange i mixed up and very nearly all of the blue. I have had a TON of leftovers of every other batch since. Which means less pigment is going onto the yarn and is instead in the jar. I see i see.

I will try to use up all of the artichoke colors when the time comes to dye that colorway again. And i will use up whats left of my other jars for other colorways i suppose.

#i still have lots of that nice green. #maybe ill pair it with the same blue but for a different style of variagated yarn

[jubvcyxovv1xu]

Sexy milfs big boobs and hairy pussy Skinny ladyboy fucked like a total slut by two guys Big Booty Latina Ass Getting Plowed By Sexy Hairy Man Patricia hot in swiss Masturbating my black cock for all girls German Goo Girls - Blondie Jessy And Sexy Mia Fucked Side by Side Old turkish xxx Surprise your girlally and she will screw with your Passando o pau na boca da prima dormindo (ela acordou) Loira safada gozando de verdade no quintal de casa Hentai SchoolGirl Oil Massage Happy Ending small Tits Petite Perfect Body 1/2

#kevutzah #tenderized #Variag #switchboard #demiourgoi #throwwort #Chadron #surfier #lamia #wary-looking #autocephalous #antevocalic #meridionality #wristiest #infractible #heart-thrilling #collarino #bonelike #spireless #cementification

[p90hex]

Photos of my new bonsai (variegated sea hibiscus) 🌳

#plants #bonsai #mine #sea hibiscus #variagated #variegated bonsai #plant #leaves

[thefeatheredsnake]

Byzantine Warriors, a return (3)

Byzantine Warriors, a return (3)

View On WordPress

#elittrupper /Elite troops /Special forces #historiska illustrationer /historic illustrations /ilustraciones históricas #livvakt /bodyguard #tuschteckning /ink drawing /dibujo a tinta #tvåhandsyxa /great axe #Vattenfärger /Water Colors #Väringar /Variager /Varangians

[antiracist-tolkien]

Harad Through Fandom Eyes

Plenty of people acknowledge that LOTR's Haradrim, Easterlings and Variags are racist. However, I've seen less discussion about how fandom adds even more racism into the mix. This seems to be mostly because many people have very little knowledge about West Asia and North Africa, aka WANA [Why say WANA/SWANA instead of Middle East?] and what anti-WANA racism looks like.

I'm going to focus on Harad because this is the region that we know the most about. If you need a brief refresher:

Harad, or Haradwaith, is the region south of Gondor. There's a long history of violence between Harad and Gondor which dates back beyond Gondor even existed, to when Numenorians colonised Harad and repressed the people. Since then there were multiple wars and for long periods of time Gondor occupied parts of Harad. The Haradrim fight for Sauron in LoTR, partially due to their hatred of Gondor.

Harad is divided into two. Near Harad is strongly North Africa coded, and Far Harad is sub-Saharan Africa coded.

(Image description in alt text.)

Tolkien uses multiple different names to refer to the people of Harad (Haradrim, Southrons, Swertings, etc.) However, these seem to be the people of Near Harad, who he differentiates from the people of Far Harad. (There's some serious anti-blackness in this next quote, so skip over it if you need to. I only put it here as evidence that the use of Haradrim/Southrons in LOTR refers to Near Haradrim.)

[...] Easterlings with axes, and Variags of Khand, Southrons in scarlet, and out of Far Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red tongues. - Return of the King

There is more to say on this than I would be able to fit into this post. There's a discussion to be had about Tolkien's textual and real life relationship with Black people. There's also a discussion that needs to be had about how Tolkien's racism is often excused with the idea that he was a 'benevolent' or well-meaning racist, a product of his time. It's an excuse that ignores the violence of quotations like this and the way that he wielded his whiteness against Black people in academia and writing.

I don't have time or space for those discussions in this post, but I want to acknowledge them.

What I want to discuss here is fandom portrayals of Haradrim. I'm not going to talk too much about the in-text racism, because that has been extensively covered elsewhere. But in summary:

The idea of the good white guys conquering the lesser brown 'Men of Darkness' is inherently racist

Tolkien's description of the Haradrim, such as repeatedly describing them as a cruel and warlike people, is also racist

The one paragraph where Samwise feels empathy for a dead Haradrim soldier does not lessen the racism.

With that out of the way, let's talk about fandom.

There's a gaping void in the information we're given about the Haradrim, so of course fandom attempts to fill the gaps. Fans often take inspiration from WANA. But many fans don't actually know that much about WANA and don't realise how much of their perception of it is based on racist and imperialist propaganda.

In fannish depictions, Harad all too frequently becomes an exotified fantasy that pulls from Western perceptions of WANA. Orientalist ideals of a mystical, magical, and yet dangerous place predominate the fannish idea of Harad.

The first thing that you should know about WANA is that it's an extremely culturally, religiously and geographically diverse place. If your depiction of Harad is entirely desert, or made of a culturally homogenous people with a narrow range of skin tones and features, you need to expand that. Equally, depictions of Harad as more 'socially backward' than other areas of Middle Earth stem directly from racist propaganda.

Too many stories write Harad as misogynistic and homophobic, often in direct contrast to other areas of Middle Earth. As many WANA people have pointed out, these kinds of sweeping generalisations are often specifically targeted at WANA because of racism.

Mysterious cursed objects from the 'far away lands of Harad', decadent sultans, the fetishization of cultural practices like belly dancing; these are all forms of Orientalism. Female characters may be sexualised, shown as seductresses or members of harems. (By the way, Westerners tend to have a very incorrect understanding of what harems actually are/were. They were the part of a Muslim household reserved for women and pre-pubescent boys. It was outsiders who perceived them as fundamentally sexual spaces and created the modern tropes of sexual harems.)

Male characters may be violent, cunning, greedy, dangerous and strange. There may be public executions and enslaved peoples, regardless of the complete absence of a textual basis. All of these things stem directly from racist ideas of WANA as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilised'.

In fact, Haradrim were once enslaved by Numenorians. They were victims of violent colonisation that continued into the days of Gondor. They have every reason to hate the 'Men of the West' and fight against them.

On a final note, the most major and dangerous WANA stereotype is the portrayal of WANA people as terrorists. This isn't a trope seen in Tolkien's works because it's primarily a post-911 phenomenon. But it's something that you must be conscious of if you're writing about Harad or other WANA-coded regions.

#harad #lord of the rings #meta #racism in tolkien #tolkien fandom racism #personal thoughts

[marisayouass]

Good Omens x Reader

one shot:

Aziraphale wants to buy flowers for Crowley, the reader is a side character as a plant seller, Crowley gets jealous of course

Its been a loonng time since i wrote anything so bear with me and please let me know what you think :)

---------------------------

You know how some stories start with "it was a normal day" well this wasn't and you knew it wasnt. Well not all of it.

Music was blasting through the speakers as you were driving your Car to work knowing (part of) what would happen today.

You park in front of the Shop but before you walk inside you grab a drink at the little Café thats right next to your Plant Shop.

"Good morning Y/N, you look chipper today" said the Cashier already handing you your usual Order.

"I feel chipper, we are finally getting new plants to sell!" You paid and said "have a great dayy" as you waved and walked out again.

You went into work, said hello to your coworker and checked on the plants that are ready for selling, "You girls look lovely! If i could, I would buy you all myself!"

The doorbell rings and you cant help but smile from ear to ear. You practically runned to the door, greeted the deliveryman and showed him where to put the delivery of new plants. You tried your best to stay calm as you thanked him, but as soon as he left you opened them carefully but eagerly.

"Oh Yes! Finally!" you said "Ooh gorgeouuuss"

Now this may sound silly but for plant enthusiasts as yourself, this is a big deal. You waited so long and now you finally have a few Monstera Plant Variations and some of them are even variagated!

As you are unpacking and caring for the plant, the Phone rings, leaving the Plants behind you answered it: "Helloo from Shoplant, Y/N speaking, how can i help you?"

On the other side was the softest and nicest voice you have ever heard.

"Oh Shop-Plant, like shop and plant, that is delightful" he cherished "Yes, good Day my Name is uhm Mr Fell and I was wondering if you could help me with something?"

"Good Day to you Mr Fell, well that depends what it is about but I will try my best"

"Jolly good. Soo I am looking to buy a Plant for someone special to me. The problem is he already has a lot of Plants and they are all perfect. It would be great if you have anything that is.. Uhm.. special?"

"Ohhhh Mr Fell this must be fate! Just now we got a delivery of some special Plants that I think your someone special might definitely enjoy! Its a monstera deliciousa variagated, so its not only green but also white, and trust mee it looks so beautiful."

"That sounds ideal and I guess I have to trust your Professional opinion."

"Well then I hope I dont disappoint you" you chuckled "We are open till 4pm so you can just stop by anytime and check it out. "

Aziraphale threw up his hands in excitement and wrote down the adress of the shop and your name, but before he could answer crowley walked into the bookstore.

"Great, thank you, I will see you later" Aziraphale said rushed because obviously he didn't want Crowley to hear that he is buying a plant for him.

"Who was that?" asked Crowley while leaning against a pillar and taking off his sunglasses.

"uhm no one just an old friend" Aziraphale fidget around with his hands and walked over to crowley "Would you like to get a cup of coffe next door?" trying to change the subject

Crowley looked puzzled "old friend?" he mumbled.. But looking at aziraphale that was just smiling and waiting for an answer "uhm yes sure, lets go"

Aziraphale looked around "Let me just get my coat and then off we go" While he was getting his coat, Crowley walked over to the desk and sees a note

Y/N

At 3 o'clock

Fieldlane 32

He didn't know what to feel but before he could think anything Aziraphale came around the corner walked to the door and held it open for Crowley "You coming?"

"What?" Crowley looked up at Aziraphale who was holding the door "oh.. Yea lets go" as he looked down at the desk again the note was gone... Miraculously...

That is definitely suspicious Crowley thought.

--------------------

At around half 3 Crowley decided to check out who this "old friend" should be, so he drove his bentley to the address on the note but he made sure to park it a couple houses over so no one sees it.

He couldn't deny that he was getting a little jealous when he saw that it was a cafe. He stepped inside and had a look around. Is Aziraphale going on a date? Does he even date?

Someone walked up to Crowley and asked "Hello Sir, what can i get for you?"

"Nothing really.." Still looking around he mumbled: "Y/N? Fieldlane 32"

"Excuse me, did you say Y/N? They actually work next door at the Plant shop" the person said, pointing next door.

"Plant shop?" Crowley repeated

"Yes its right-"

Crowley didn't bother listening and just walked out and went next door and speed-walked right into there and started looking for you.

There were only like 3 employees around so finding you was pretty easy considering he saw your name tag too.

"Oi" you heard someone shouting and looked up, in front of you a tall skinny man all dressed in black

"Hello, how can i help you-"

"I'll tell you how you can help me, what happens at 3? Huh?" he jumped right into the conversation, not really thinking it through.

"uhm i dont know"

"Don't play dumb with me" he was sure you were lying to him and took a step closer, cornering you.

"Sir, honestly i dont know what your talking about"

Crowley grabbed your arm, took off his sunglasses, revealing his yellow snake eyes, you were stunned - not in a bad way but also not in a good way...

"Now you listen to me, lassie" he pointed a finger at you and got close up to your face "I knooww something is planned at 3 with my.. Someone i know! So you tell mee-"

"Crowley?" You and Crowley both looked over and saw a man dressed in white with curly white hair standing there, "What is going on here?"

You threw up your arms as a "i dont know" motion.

"Angel.." Crowley stood up straight and let go of you "uhm.. Well i am just asking this nice person about uuhm somee Plants"

"Dont lie to me, Crowley! What are you doing here? Why are you so mean to-" he saw your nametag "oh Y/N, a pleasure to meet you, I am Mr Fell, we talked on the phone this morning" he smiled trying to lighten the mood but also shot a mean face over to crowley, then looked back at you "i am so sorry about my friend here".

"Ohh Mr Fell, i guess you are here about the plant"

"Yes yes but first i need YOU" pointing at crowley "to go wait outside by the car"

Crowley pouted and said "ughh" as he put on his sunglasses again and nodded his head to You which was his way of a apology and walked ouside.

Aziraphale rushed in your direction "I am really terrible sorry about him.. I wish i could say that he is never like that..."

"Its alright i guess, nothing bad happened" you chuckled nervously "I know its none of my business but is that your special someone you mentioned?"

He blushed a little, nodded and let you lead the way to the plant you discussed.

As you were walking you said "Well now I can understand why he was acting that way" you said.

Aziraphale looked a little confused, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Well at first i thought he was some mad angry costumer but now it lookes more like a jealous boyfriend to me and we all know love can make you do crazy things" you chuckled and Aziraphale let out a forced chuckle too "Well anyway, here we are, i put this one aside for you"

"Oh myyy, You were right, she is gorgeous! I will definitely take her."

"I'm glad you like it" You picked it up and walked to the counter "Shall I wrap it up a bit?"

"Yes please" Aziraphale said and could barely contain his excitement, he was certain Crowley will love it.

You wrapped it in black paper to match the aesthetic of the friend.

"This is perfect" Aziraphale said "Thank you so much"

"Happy that you're happy, Mr Fell" You smiled and handed him the plant "I hope you have a nice day"

------------------------

Aziraphale walked out and Crowley was leaning against the car, waiting.

"If u must know, i was actually buying a plant for you, as a present." Aziraphale placed the plant in the trunk and closed it "Now i am not sure if you deserve it"

Crowley looked a little shooked "Whaat? Why not?"

"Because of what you did to that poor Y/N, what has gotten into you?" Aziraphale said while flaring his arms around

"ughhhh" crowley snarled "that was nothinng, just a misunderstanding.. Now lets just-" he said while reaching for the trunk door but aziraphale slapped his hand away.

"What was it?"

"What was what?" Crowley asked.

"What was the misunderstanding? It had to be big one for You to act like that"

Crowley paced around in a circle "It's stupid.. Its only.. Aaghhh" he stood still and took a big breath "I saw the note on your desk.. And i gueess i got angry about it, so I wanted to see what its all about."

"Angry? Angry about a name and an address?"

"Oorr i guess you could say i got jealous"

Aziraphale made the same face like when he found out Crowley didn't kill the goats but merely transformed them into crows.

"Oh shut it angel! Sorryyy I got mad that I thought you were going on a date and didn't tell me about it" he said half offensive and defensive

"A date?? Pish posh, who would i even date?" he looked down at his hands, is now a good moment to tell him, better now than never "well actually -"

"Can i see the plant now?" Crowley interrupted and smiled excitingly

"Oh uhm yes i suppose" Aziraphale opened the trunk and moved his hands like a little tada.

Crowley ripped the paper, he was excited like a little kid but also he tried to remain cool. The flower is unwrapped and his mouth fell open. He caressed the white and green leaves with his fingers softly but didn't say anything.

Aziraphale got nervous, "Its called a monstera deliciousa in variagated, thats why its also white."

Crowley was silent

"Look if you dont like it, I guess we can give it back-"

"It's white..." Crowley said.

"Yes its variegated, that happens when-"

"It looks like you" Crowley said softly.

"What?" Aziraphale was stunned.

"It's white, just like you.." Crowley repeated and looked at Aziraphale "I lo- uhm I mean, I don't hate it" he smiled.

"Oh I'm glad. I wasnt entirely sure just now but I guess you are welcome" Aziraphale smiled proudly.

"Well done, Angel " he clapped "This is way better than you going on a Date"

"Yes uhm about that" Aziraphale started fidgeting with his hands again "As i was trying to say earlier, well i have thought about this uhm us.. And i- well you- i think- uhm i may-"

Crowley got impatient: "Get on with it!"

"I think I have feelings for you" Aziraphale spurted out.

Crowley was taken aback and his mouth fell slightly open.

Aziraphale: "Well of course I like you we have been together for over 6000 years, you were always there for me and I can always count on you- anyway I do believe now that these feelings may be more than just friendship.. "

"Oh Angel and I mean this in the nicest way I can but how dumb can you be? Obviously I am in love with you! Why do you think i am always around you?"

Crowley grabbed Aziraphale by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "I dont even tolerate anyone besides you."

Aziraphale started smiling devilishly, Crowley furrowed his eyebrows "What is it?" he asked.

Aziraphale: "Well I just didn't know that you looveee mee"

Crowley started blushing "oh shut up, you were the one that started talking about his feelings"

"Oh but you lovvee meee"

"Stop it, Angel" he angrily pointed his finger at aziraphale

"I am just repeating what you said" he put his hands up in defense "Its not my fault that you loovee mee"

"Seriously, Angel, shut it" Crowleys face got even redder.

"Or what?" Aziraphale smirked.

"Well... this." Crowley grabbed Aziraphale by the collar and pulled his lips onto his.

For both it felt like fireworks, like a warmth coming from the inside, like a missing piece finally being found.

Even tho Aziraphale wanted this to happen he was still taken by surprise, he was unbelievable happy this is happening, he leaned into it and put his hands on Crowleys back, pulling him even closer.

As the kiss ended they were both catching their breath but never took their eyes off each others.

Crowley then said: "I've been wanting to do that for a long time actually."

They started smiling more and more until Aziraphale said: "Come on, lets find a nice place for this plant in your flat"

They both got into the Bentley and drove away as Somebody To Love by Queen played.

#good omens #good omens fanfiction #good omens fandom #crowley x aziraphale #ineffable husbands #Crowley x aziraphale x reader #Plant shop ff #i am obsessed

[aerialsquid]

Extremely specific niche piece (that I forgot to post after finishing). It's the symbol you see at Falcon's Nest that Aymeric puts up to symbolize the end of the Dragonsong War (and also at the end of the Moogle Tribal quests in Bahr Lens), and is basically an older symbol indicating friendship between men and dragons.

I had a friend photoshop out the image itself from a screenshot, printed it, traced it onto white fabric using my lightbox, embroidered the outline, and then filled it in over the course of about four not particularly rushed months with either variagated floss or just shifting the colors over where I felt like it.

IDK what to do with it. Maybe sell it at the @convergencecon art show if there's even a market for something this random.

A few in progress images:

#heavensward #ffxiv #embroidery #needlework #squid makes #dragons

[plantaffinity]

did you figure out how to make sure your hummel's sunset keeps its stripes? i just got one and i didn't know they could lose their colours so easy 😅

Sadly, no.. Occasionally when it's backlit by the sun it looks like a hummels again, and it gets much more bright red tips than my other crassulas, but it's pretty much just a normal crassula. However, I notice you called the variagation "stripes". My hummels never had any stripes, but, I have a crassula that I don't know the name of but I call it crassula ovata variegata cause why not, that has much better variegation that stays on much better and that one has stripes! Mine has reverted quite a bit (can't blame it, I live in sweden after all) but it's still cute and looks much more colourful than the hummels. Here's a pic!

On second thought I might've already uploaded this picture, hmm

I could not find a single picture of my hummels and rn it looks very strange cause I'm trying to promote stem growth so I chopped it a bit, so no picture of that.

#ask #plants

[orlaite]

What are the most visually beautiful movies you've ever seen?

Oh man this is a difficult one because visually beautiful can mean so many things! Beautiful locations, lighting, production design, blocking, makeup, camera-movement, etc.... So this will get rambly but ty for the ask Taylor!❤️

I'll start with one of the most recent movies I've rewatched and my favourite, favourite director: Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick. I just watched the Criterion 4K after previously having watched it on an old library DvD and man... As soon as the movie came on I could feel that it'd been way too long since I saw a Malick film and that this was the among the best birthday presents I've ever received. The landscapes, the beautiful sunset/sunrise light, the molten steel at the factory in the beginning... I'd say almost all of Malick's films fall under the category of "most visually beautiful movies" ever but Days of Heaven has the sensory and naturalistic feeling of later Malick movies blended perfectly with the controlled and composed cinematography of his earlier Badlands. Riveting and beautiful to watch.

Bernardo Bertolucci was a cursed name in my household after I made me and my friend watch 5 hours of Novocento and neither of us liked it very much so watching The Last Emperor we were both shocked by how good it was; the gargantuan scale and detail of the sets and the beautiful cinematography of Vittorio Storaro was a big part of that experience. Storaro's work on Apocalypse Now is also timeless and and an all-time GOAT.

Ran by Akira Kurosawa is another beauty... I love how carefully composed he makes the natural landscape look and the costumes and sets are wonderfully colorful. Those intermittent shots of clouds are gorgeous and so effective. While I'm talking about Ran let's talk about a movie that he directly homages with the shot of the castle burning down: Die Nibelungen by Fritz Lang. The production design of Die Nibelungen is unparallelled and still holds up 100 years later.

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Red Shoes is the most quaint of the movies I've listed thus far, taking place almost entirely on sound-stages and some of them do look a bit dated, but the The Red Shoes ballet itself are the most beautiful, impressive and immersive consecutive 15 minutes of cinema ever created. Period!

The last two movies I wanna highlight are great Epics: Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia. Only Wyler could create a movie as grand as Ben-Hur without losing control and ending up with a cluttered and haphazard visual expression. It's so large, yet so acutely and finely composed, with all those extras in all these gorgeous costumes, and maintains a consistent level of impact and beauty across nearly 4 hours of Biblical Epic. Mad impressive.

And Lawrence of Arabia... Need I say more. Freddie Young's cinematography, the natural and variagated landscape of the desert, Lean's direction and Anne V. Coates' cutting... I'm actually not gonna say more.

#asks

[gardeninghub]

Introducing Echeveria lilacina variagated ☺️☺️☺️ by XPLANTKOREA

#plants #succulents #gardening #house plants #garden #cactus