Hey folks! This has been my review series of the existing Bond films, beginning with Dr. No waaay back in February. I will also do a lighter version of this style of review for Spectre, which I will be seeing Thursday evening. I will also be posting a series recap in the near future that will include some fun stuff like my subjective ranking of the films (as opposed to these which I have tried to keep relatively objective), the Bond actors, the villains, and the Bond girls. Until then, please enjoy my review of Skyfall!

SKYFALL (2012)

Story

I spoke in my last review about how Quantum of Solace had moved its gaze slightly more in favor of 007's female companion, Camille. If that was a slight shift in gaze, Skyfall offers a full-on spotlight view of a character (who is not James Bond) with whom we have been familiar for nearly 20 years. Judi Dench's M took over as head of MI6 in 1995. From the first interaction she had with James Bond (then, Pierce Brosnan), she instantly became one of my favorite characters. Both the actress and the character carry themselves with a dignified poise and grandeur that solidify their legacies in the annals of James Bond history.

I love much of what the film tackles. James Bond going rogue or questioning M/MI6's orders is a plot line that has been used countless times in this series however this is the first instance in which I feel that it is truly pulled off well. Between Bond's huffiness over being shot at during a particularly high-intensity field mission (such a diva…), the dodgy bureaucratic actions that M takes to ensure that Bond is returned to active duty, and the unnerving history behind her actions involving an insane ex-agent, Raoul Silva, the audience is finally given ammunition to honestly doubt the integrity of M's character.

More than this, I love what she deals with on the home front while Bond is off attempting to ward off her demons. Skyfall brings to light an issue that has plagued the series for several years now. How relevant are the MI6? Does modern day UK need an organization of sleuths and spies to save the world? To answer this, M is brought into a public hearing to defend her departments necessity. She does so with a brilliantly moving speech about the identity (or rather the lack of identity) of enemies in today's world.

Now I do have a number of issues with the film. First, it's always bothered me that we're three films into Daniel Craig's tenure as Agent 007 -- one that began with the initiation of Bond as a 007 agent. Now, only three films later and we are to believe that he has become a worn and weary old man. I love Skyfall. I just wish it had come out two, three, or four films later into Craig's stint.

Additionally, for every eloquent monologue on the nature of MI6's relevancy, there are half a dozen instances of hokey dialogue, typically in the form of tech-speak. I like the decision to reboot Q as a baby-faced geek and I dig that the writers give him an uppity nature that compliments the playfully combative relationship between past 007-Q iterations but much of Ben Whishaw's dialogue sounds like something straight out of a 1993 hacker film. Using such classics as smugly the confident "we're in" following an attempt to gain access to some hidden file or other and the incredulous "he hacked us…" upon realizing that the cyberterrorist did what all cyberterrorists do in this type of movie.

Ultimately Skyfall suffers from one particular issue that trumps all others. The film rocks and rolls for nearly two hours before 007 finally decides to take the initiative and abscond with M to the countryside in an effort to draw Silva to them. I appreciate the variety. It's a unique twist to the Bond formula but unfortunately it just doesn't work as well as it could have. Or perhaps if it had happened 30 minutes sooner into the film, it wouldn't have been quite so bad. But at the hour and 45 minute mark, the film slows to a grinding halt. Bond, M, and their new friend Kincaid (who apparently just hangs around a derelict manor for a living) spend 15 minutes Home-Alone-ing the Skyfall residence in preparation for another 15 minute action sequence that is fun but ultimately just feels like a formality. We watch patiently as all of the minions dutifully fall into each of the traps that we just saw prepared, waiting for the inevitable showdown between Bond and Silva.

Look and Sound

There is absolutely no doubt that Skyfall is the most gorgeous 007 film of them all. Hell… Skyfall was arguably the most beautiful movie of 2012, period (nice try, Life of Pi). Roger Deakins is undoubtedly among the best to have ever held the title of cinematographer and he brings every drop of his technical proficiency to the series and produces some of the most stunning images to ever grace a James Bond film. If Skyfall lacks anything in story, it is all made up for by its sheer beauty.

The film doesn't just have visual beauty either. Thomas Newman took over for long-time composer David Arnold on account of Newman's working history with new director Sam Mendes. Newman crafts an engaging score that makes excellent use of unique scores and traditional Bond themes. Perhaps one of my favorite elements of the film is the opening theme. For my money, "Skyfall" is the second greatest theme song of the series, following the immortal "Goldfinger." Adele's soulful performance and extraordinary vocals are as beautiful as the booming band behind her. Accompanying this marvelous performance is another opening title sequence from designer Daniel Kleinman. It's brooding visuals match the somber nature of the film perfectly.

Callbacks, Recurrences, and Tropes

As discussed above, Judi Dench makes her final reappearance as M. Skyfall offers the return of two notably absent characters. Naomi Harris brings new life to the long-lost Moneypenny and Ben Whishaw was tapped to reintroduce us to Q. Other than that, the only recurring character or actor is Rory Kinnear reprising his role as M's aid, Chief of Staff Bill Tanner.

Being the 50th anniversary of the series' first release (with Dr. No in 1962), the film pays homage in more ways than one. After abandoning the long-preferred Walther PPK in 1999's The World is Not Enough (for the Walther P99), Bond was reintroduced with his PPK here in Skyfall. There is an explicit conversation between Q and Bond as they discuss gadgets. It's been no secret that Craig's tenure has been light on the gadgetry and Q quips that there will be no exploding pens in this series. Q branch doesn't really "go for that anymore." He does, however provide Bond with a small radio for tracking purposes. Astute viewers may notice that it is essentially a replica of the radio provided to Bond in Goldfinger. And the connections to the third film don't stop there. Bond unabashedly busts his Aston Martin DB5 out of storage for their escape to Skyfall manor. This is the precise model (complete with ejector seat) that Connery utilized in several of his outings as Bond. Finally, the scotch that Silva offers to Bond is a 1962 Macallan -- a reference to the release date of Dr. No.

While the gun and car throwbacks were fun and all, there is one particular callback that tickled me more than any other. In the final 5 minutes of the film, Bond and Eve retreat back into MI6 after mourning the loss of M. They head into a small room with a nondescript room with a coatrack, a desk, and some filing cabinets. It didn't mean much to me at first but the moment Eve introduced herself as Eve Moneypenny, I began to take notice. The room was set up much in the style of the old Moneypenny offices of Bond film's past. Then sure enough, when Tanner emerges from behind a large door and says, "he'll see you now," I began to get excited. Sure enough, we cut to the interior of a wood paneled room with a large door that is covered in leather. The door in particular was nearly enough to give me chills. As Bond enters this room that is a near replica to Bernard Lee's old office and approaches the newly christened M (Ralph Fiennes), I couldn't help but smile as I knew that it was the film's way of announcing that we are going back to basics. I very much look forward to all of the upcoming train fights, ski chases, card games, martinis, and villains. Bring it on.

Overall Impression

Skyfall is not a perfect film. It has plenty of plot issues, pacing issues, etc. However as far as Bond films go (and hell, as far as most films go), it is the most masterfully crafted films you're going to find. Music, imagery, acting, and so on… they all come together to create an engaging and entertaining entry. The action is riveting, the stunts top many of those from earlier entries, and the general motif of relevance and usefulness in the modern era is an appropriate one for where the 007 franchise stands today.

Quick Hits

Category	Score	Note
Writing	7.5	A fairly strong story with some fantastic moments for M.
Directing	8	It's not flashy, but Mendes does a very respectable job driving the narrative.
Acting	8.5	I'm actually not an enormous fan of the direction Bardem took as Silva, but everyone else is top notch.
Cinematography	10	The best.
Production Design	9.5	Glassner utilizes some gorgeous sets and locations. The world feels perfectly real and exotic at the same time.
Score	9	Wonderfully done. Extra points for a spectacular theme song by Adele.
Editing	7	Skyfall's biggest problem. The entire third act at the manor drags terribly.
Effects	9.5	As good as anything else we've seen since Casino Royale.
Costumes	8	Bond continues to look good.
Personal Score	9

Score - 86 / 100

Film	Score
Casino Royale	94
Skyfall	86
GoldenEye	86
Goldfinger	85
On Her Majesty's Secret Service	82
The Spy Who Loved Me	80
The World is Not Enough	79
From Russia With Love	76
The Living Daylights	75
You Only Live Twice	73
License to Kill	72
Dr. No	70
The Man with the Golden Gun	68
Quantum of Solace	68
Tomorrow Never Dies	68
Live and Let Die	66
Thunderball	61
A View to a Kill	59
Moonraker	59
For Your Eyes Only	55
Octopussy	48
Diamonds Are Forever	37
Die Another Day	30

Bonus Category!

So for each movie my wife and I will be enjoying a spirit or cocktail that relates to the film. We sort of did our own thing for Skyfall. Knowing that it was our last film in the series, we elected to send 007 off with another martini. We essentially made Vesper Martinis except we added a little plum wine as a way to jazz it up a bit in honor of Mr. Bond's trip to Singapore.

• 3 measures Gordon's Gin
• 1 measure vodka
• 1/2 measure Cocchi Americano vermouth
• 1/2 measure plum wine

Shake over ice.

So what do you folks think? How does Skyfall fare in your opinion?

With the year coming to a close, & not really that many more movies to be hyped for or be on the look out for, except for maybe a few smaller budget films, as well as both Soul and Wonder Woman 1984 (if you were lucky to not have to wait till Christmas for WW84 to come out, then please reframe from spoilers), I think it's about time I get into my top 10 most Anticipated movies of 2021, now before I begin I should mention I have no idea if any of these will come out as they are originally intended, so if any plans get changed and this ends up becoming outdated....well life sucks first of all and secondly this is probably an older post. Secondly I do not know about any smaller budget indie films or independent movies coming out, so if you ask why a certain Indie film is not on my list then I probably don't know that they even exist.
Finally this list is strictly my own personal opinion, so if my list isn't in an order you like, or if there is a certain film that should be in my list that isn't...well then that's probably why. Also I'd be interested to read your list.
Anyways, with that out of the way, let's begin:

1. A tie between Dune and The Matrix 4 - Yep, out of all the films coming out in 2021, there are no two other films I am excited to see more then the Matrix 4 and Dune (which is why they are both tied as my number 1) I'll start with the Matrix 4. I absolutely loved the first film, I thought the second movie was an alright Guilty Pleasure that had it's moments to shine, & the third one...well....the less said about the third one, the better. But I have faith that the Wachowskis can learn from there mistakes and make an incredibly awesome proper finale to the series, if this is what it will be, & I believe it will be an excellent movie. With Keanu Reeves and Trinity herself apparently returning, & Hugo Weaving's Daughter (who I loved in Bill & Ted 3) being in the movie as well. On top of that from the looks of things, it may be returning to what made the first Matrix movie great. So yeah, pretty hyped. As for Dune, I'll admit I've never actually read the original book, nor have I ever watched the last attempt at trying to make Dune into a movie, but from the trailer alone, it looks pretty solid. Denis Villeneuve's direction looks absolutely breath taking, & the worlds and universe seen in the trailer looks very incredible as well. Not to mention very unique. It actually looks more like something out of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones then it does something like Star Trek or Star Wars. Not to mention the film looks to have a stellar cast. Either way I am pretty hyped for this movie, after Blade Runner 2049, I have faith that Villeneuve will make an excellent Sci-Fi film.
   
2. Last Night In Soho - I'm not even a fan of horror movies, & yet I am still hyped for this movie. Why? Because Edger Wright is directing it. That should probably tell you how much I love Edger Wright as a director. I absolutely loved the Cornetto Trilogy (especially Hot Fuzz, which is probably one of my favorite comedies of all time) and Baby Driver, & I think this film looks incredible. Not to much it has a stellar cast, and the premise sounds very interesting and could make for an amazing psychological horror film on the same level as something like Get Out or Midsommar (yes I know I said I didn't like horror movies but...well...let's just say my GF doesn't think the same as me). On top of that it's a unique mash up, Edger Wright directing a psychological horror movie, how awesome is that.
   
3. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - Nicolas Cage producing and starring in a movie about himself re-visiting his most iconic characters, do I even need to explain any further.
   
4. MCU Spider-Man 3 - Like I said, this list is my own opinion, & in my opinion out of all the MCU movies and TV shows coming out in Phase 4, Spider-Man 3 is the second most anticipated out of all of them (I say second because...Well...you know...MARVEL's What if...?), & I think there's is a lot too look forward too, on the one hand it will continue from that awesome set up from FFH, with Spider-Man/Peter Parker now on the run after Mysterio framed him for what happened in London, & having to clear his name because of this, a concept I think would interesting exploring, especially since this means we can have villains like Kraven and Scorpion in the film, maybe Mysterio will even make a grand return, but on the other hand it also looks to be a Multiverse story featuring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man as well as Alfred Molina's Doc Ock, Jaime Foxx's Electro, and possibly even the OG MJ and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy...Which is were my worries start to kick in, if you asked me how hyped I was for Spidey 3 before this Spider-verse news came out, it would probably be number 2 or tied with both Matrix 4 and Dune as my number 1 somehow, but now that has changed, & don't get me wrong. Seeing Maguire and Garfield as there respective versions of the Web head is freaking awesome & it'll be cool seeing Molina return to one of his more iconic performances and Foxx being given a second chance at playing Electro after having to play discount Doctor Manhatten/One Man Blue Man Group in that Abomination from 2014, but I do hope they focus more on the On the Run stuff and less on the Multiverse stuff, or at least find a way to blend them together in a way that feels organic, because I feel it's too early to do the Multiverse stuff and I kindof wanted to see a more grounded (no pun intended) Spidey on the Run story to be honest. But even with that being said, like I said, yeah, seeing Maguire and Garfield back as there respective Spider-men will still be pretty sweet, & I think if done right this film could find a way to organically combine the Multiverse story and Spidey on the Run story extremely well. That & I am just so hyped for MCU Spider-Man after Far From Home, I wasn't the biggest fan of Homecoming, but I absolutely loved FFH, & I am hyped for whatever MCU Spidey throws my way.
   
5. Ridley Scott's The Last Duel - Not much on this one, but judging by the plot dealing with the last Duel to ever be recorded in France's history, & having a pretty decent cast and Legendary director Ridley Scott (and Directing something that ISN'T Alien related, thank god. I know it's his baby but Covenant was not the best movie ever made) I think this one is something worth having in the top five. Because, yeah, it does sound pretty interesting.
   
6. Elvis - Not much to say here, just a big Elvis buff & I really want to see this Biopic, as I always wanted to see a Biopic about the king on the big screen. Especially when Tom Hanks is involved.
   
7. A tie between The King's Man & The Suicide Squad - yep a tie, I'm sorry but that's just simply how I role. Let's start with James Gunn's the Suicide Squad, Unlike the last Suicide Squad film, this one is going to be directed by James Gunn, the same guy who directed Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2, as well as 2011 Super. & from how the film looks not only does it look incredibly fun and over the top (right down to some of the costumes looking like they came straight out of the comics) but also it simply just looks incredible. I have huge faith in James Gunn, especially after the Guardians movies, & the simple fact he's willing to embrace the comic books and there obscurities. Now for The King's Man, this film just looks crazy and Insane, I am an absolute huge fan of the first Kingsman movie, the second movie was.....a movie to say the least, but this one looks like it'll be a fun ride. Especially with it being a prequel instead of an actual third movie, though I hope we get a third movie at some point.
   
8. Raya and the Last Dragon - Not much to say here, the Animation looks incredible, the story sounds intriguing, and overall I think it could make for yet another great entry from Disney. Also it's a relieve to see something original after the wave of Live action remakes we have been getting.
   
9. Godzilla vs Kong - Another personal pick, but for this one, it's just simply the final showdown we have all been waiting for, I have been a huge fan of Monsterverse so far, & I think it'll be amazing to see these two icons get the rematch they both rightfully deserve. Now hopefully Legendary and WB can work something out so not only can it actually be released, but also so it doesn't have to be delayed again.
   
10. No Time to Die - I really loved two of the Daniel Craig Bond films (Casino Royale and Skyfall) the other two not so much (Quantum of Solace and Spectre) but hopefully this will lean on the good, if not great side, especially since the film looks fantastic so far.
    

Honorable Mentions:

• Tomorrow's War
• Chaos Walking
• Top Gun: Maverick
• Mission Impossible 7
• Jurassic World Dominion
• In the Heights
• The Eternals
• Black Widow
• Shang-Chi And the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife
• A Quiet Place Part Two
• Uncharted
• Venom: Let There Be Carnage
• The Next Goal Wins
• Sherlock Holmes 3
• The French Dispatch

Hey everyone! I'm trying to put together a game where my players will be apart of an organization that protects the human world (or really just the city they'll be playing in) from otherworldly/magical/etc. threats. The city seems to be a focal point for strange occurrences, magical creatures and beings, portals, etc. If anyone remembers Special Unit 2 from the early 00's, it's like that. (Man I loved that show.) And this is the map I'm using, just changing the name but the layout and places of interest are mostly staying the same.
Edit: Wow! Thanks guys! Totally didn't expect this to get as many as it did, this is a wealth of sidequests. Thank you so much! If you want to check out SU2 I'm pretty sure there are some episodes on YouTube. Its heavy on the cheese and it'll be really dated by today's standards but it was a good time.

1. A connection to the Feywild has happened in one of the city parks. An elf finds his way through and finds it entertaining to enlarge small animals.
   
2. Thieves have stolen an artifact from the history museum, reanimating a mummy in one of the exhibits.
   
3. An unusual amount of sharks have been seen near the docks. Boats are being attacked by Sahuagin raiders.
   
4. A surge of chaotic magic bursts and causes the creation of multiple Mephits. (Depending on location)
   
5. An edgy teen visits a graveyard to perform a necromantic ritual. He doesnt know that the "spell book" he has actually contains an incantation that raises several undead and is now in over his head.
   
6. A dead body found, torn apart, all signs point to someone summoning a low level demon and using it as the murder weapon.
   
7. Somebody figured out how to brew love potions and now they are selling them on the streets.
   
8. A portal to the elemental plane of water opened in the city's water supply. Now wild water elementals are pouring out of showers, sinks, and fountains.
   
9. A skyscraper acquires an elemental spirit. The movements start off so subtle that they could be mistaken for the wind, but they become stranger and stronger with each passing day.
   
10. Zoo animals begin take on dire traits and break out their enclosures.
    
11. Goodberries become an invasive plant through runners, never flower, never fruit, just keep branching out.
    
12. Turns out the royal family were lizardfolk.
    
13. An a little person (Halfling arcane trickster) is hitting up all the casinos.
    
14. A cleric poses as the second coming of christ, oh he also caused covid 19.
    
15. An artificer constructing his own personal army of modrons.
    
16. Strange events in a swimming pool, several people have died by drowning (Water Weirds).
    
17. Rust monster moves into a construction site, eats and rusts the supports and the workers equipment.
    
18. The Native American Thunderbird is finally spotted, its a Roc.
    
19. Boogey man sighted by many families. An Oni is skulking between houses, looking for something or someone.
    
20. Monsters take up residence in an abandoned circus. Medusa in the house of mirrors. Rakshasa tending to tigers. An ogre in the strongman tent. A hag in the psychics caravan.
    
21. Kraken spotted near the mariana trench.
    
22. Running of the bull - a famous giant bull statue is turned into a gorgon and roams the streets.
    
23. A wizard has become a modern day frankenstein, constructing a flesh golem.
    
24. The gargoyles of a famous landmark come to life at night.
    
25. Duergar have been building tunnels in the underground and taking the tracks to increase their metal stores.
    
26. A dryad protects a park after witnessing too many people littering in its home.
    
27. A young shadow dragon takes offense at all the lights at night, ruining it's stealth and plans.
    
28. Barlgura takes a woman hostage and climbs to the top of a skyscraper.
    
29. A Bulette is reaking havoc on a nearby junction. The cars are disturbing its young.
    
30. Some jackass decided to magically enlarge a chicken so he can have bigger drumsticks. The spell worked, in fact it worked too well. The chicken's the size of an allosaurus and is rampaging down town!
    
31. The low income tenement housing is a blaze and the fire departments are having a terrible time putting out the flames ... largely due to the presence of an accidentally summoned fire elemental. Thankfully the elemental will return to the Plane of Fire in an hour when the spell ends.
    
32. A real live dinosaur walks through the screen at a viewing of Jurassic Park.
    
33. A few real zombies turn up in the middle of a walking dead (costume party / filming / LARP).
    
34. A group of adventurers walk through a portal. They end up attacking a group of larpers.
    
35. Dinosaur skeleton at a museum animates.
    
36. Men are disappearing around the (canals, docks, river, etc). Mermaids are luring them into the water.
    
37. Giant rats in someone's basement.
    
38. Terracotta soldiers at a museum animate.
    
39. Statues around the city have begun animating seemingly at random.
    
40. A group of pixies has developed a fascination with cars and keep stealing parts from them.
    
41. 3 people have gone missing on the 39th floor of the Enigma Enterprises office on 11th street. The building is only 35 stories tall.
    
42. The public library’s chief librarian just won her 1,402nd consecutive Employee of the Month award.
    
43. A local graffiti artist has starting to use a new tag that incorporates a design they saw in a museum exhibit on ancient writings. These tags begin acting as portals to... elsewhere.
    
44. A grafitti artist who has been illegaly spraying his art work around the city has suddenly started incorperating dangerous runes into his art that have several anomulous effects (like low gravity in an area or being part of a summoning ritual).
    
45. An amusement park has to shut down the log flume and other water rides due to an infestation of water weirds.
    
46. A subway tunnel collapses and traps a subway train after a portal opens and releases a Purple Worm into the tunnel, weakening the ceiling. Luckily another portal opened up soon thereafter and the purple worm was transported back to whichever fantasy world it came from.
    
47. A user posted the true name of a powerful demon on an old forum, and cultists are trying to steal the forum's retired servers from a warehouse before the data is overwritten.
    
48. A local shut in has accidentally started and broken a contract with a brownie
    
49. A blink dog is making a habit of stealing dog toys from dogs at the park
    
50. A water elemental gets stuck in the sewers due to the amount of human garbage
    
51. A gnome alchemist has been dosing coffee pots in cafes around the city with various potions for entertainment
    
52. An elven druid has convinced the local pigeon populace to fight back against corruption in office, targeting a mayoral candidate. the druid is working for another mayoral candidate who is forcing her to work for him by holding her pet familiar hostage
    
53. An artificer who came to our world has discovered firearms and has developed the world's first eldritch cannon, as such he is now being hunted by human military agencies that want his prototype
    
54. Beans from a bag of beans have somehow been mixed into a shipment of green beans to a grocery store
    
55. An annual dwarfism awareness event is populated almost entirely by halflings who entered the modern world illegally
    
56. A magical disease that causes those afflicted with it to dance even without music until they eventually collapse from exhaustion
    
57. Telepathic conversations are being picked up by cellphone calls, the snippets of audio are indicative of a plan to assassinate city's head of communications
    
58. An assistant at the local morgue has been found beaten to death, and several bodies are missing. There are spots of clay all over the morgue, and all the missing bodies are of women between the ages of 18-30. A lonely and insane wizard has created a clay golem and is now using it to find the parts he needs to make a flesh golem bride from himself.
    
59. There's been a series of mysterious deaths in the local red light district. Several Johns, and even a few Janes, have been found dead with no obvious cause, the only links between them is that they were all found in a state of undress, and they all had a look of horror on their faces. One of the prostitutes is actually a succubus in disguise, and she has been sucking the souls or her clients.
    
60. There's been talk about a changeling in the city who, for a price, will take the form of whoever you request and frame them for various crimes.
    
61. The rivalry between the goblin gang, The Sons of Gobbo, and the kobold gang, Tucker's Kobolds, is threatening to escalate to the point of gang warfare. Either peace is to be made between the two gangs, or a crackdown on one or both gangs is required.
    
62. A mated pair of wyverns are staking out the local park for a nesting ground. We've got to run off those wyverns before they settle down or else we'll have to call in the national guard... again.
    
63. Some poor fool bought what he thought was a monkey's paw, only for it to turn out to be the Hand of Vecna. We need to get it from him before he decides to do something stupid, like actually use it!
    
64. An artist's inspiration turns out to be extraplanar in nature, causing their gallery opening to becoming a summoning ritual.
    
65. A jewel heist takes a sinister turn as the pieces in question fit into a dangerous artefact. It's a race against time to find the exact location this artefact will be used and stop it.
    
66. A building demolition releases Dao who originally carved out the subway system. You've either got to banish them, or offer them something they want more than vengeance.
    
67. A tanker needs to be rescued before it can reach port. The cargo manifest points to illegal trafficking of Yuan-ti.
    
68. A local crime boss sparks a war in the streets. His motivation is a new found patron that has given him "unique" powers (level 1 spells at best).
    
69. Renovations of the university library uncovers tomes of magic causing a Revenge of the Nerds style scenario with pranks played on the local sports teams.
    
70. An artist's inspiration turns out to be extraplanar in nature, causing their gallery opening to becoming a summoning ritual.
    
71. A jewel heist takes a sinister turn as the pieces in question fit into a dangerous artefact. It's a race against time to find the exact location this artefact will be used and stop it.
    
72. A building demolition releases Dao who originally carved out the subway system. You've either got to banish them, or offer them something they want more than vengeance.
    
73. A tanker needs to be rescued before it can reach port. The cargo manifest points to illegal trafficking of Yuan-ti.
    
74. A local crime boss sparks a war in the streets. His motivation is a new found patron that has given him "unique" powers (level 1 spells at best).
    
75. Renovations of the university library uncovers tomes of magic causing a Revenge of the Nerds style scenario with pranks played on the local sports teams.
    
76. Someone is putting religious scrolls in the heads of the statues around town. They are coming alive as golems.
    
77. A necromancer has set up shop in the Natural History Museum. They tunneled into the back so are in the Human Origins exhibit, but they are headed towards the dinosaur bones.
    
78. Someone is making the paintings come alive!
    
79. Harpies are nesting in the dome of the Capitol building!
    
80. A siren in the river is causing drivers to drive off the bridge.
    
81. A bullette has fallen in love with one of the subway trains.
    
82. The Botanical Garden has come alive! Awakened trees and myconids and spore servants are causing panic!
    
83. If you were in NYC or Kentucky, a dragon has sniffed out the Federal Gold Reserves and is trying to make it his lair.
    
84. When you’re in the metro system, which is naturally full of graffiti, one of the graffiti symbols lights up. It’s a rune that’s about to explode.
    
85. The newspaper reports that every single McDonald's in the area has a working ice cream machine. It's deemed a miracle by many in the city. The newspaper credits it to hard-working corporate engineers who have perfected the cleaning and disinfection process. You, however, know the real reason. With some investigation, it turns out that the $1 $2 $3 dollar menu has a perfect storm spell coded into the registers. The codes for specific items, when entered in a specific sequence in a customer's order, are actually a conjuration spell that summons a Mimic, and, as we all know, Mimics have a fondness for soft serve.
    
86. Lightning/Electric elementals have found junction boxes to be tasty snacks causing blackouts around the city. Remove them so the engineers can fix the grid.
    
87. A minotaur has found the "Bull in a China shop" analogy to be racist and is now sitting in said shop and refuses to leave. The owner is distraught, and hesitant to say anything due to the red interior and the possibility of a fight breaking out. Remove the minotaur without causing any damage.
    
88. Pixies have found photo bombing models to be the new prank for anyone that wants to be popular. Here's a net, catch them and give them an alternative to photo bombing.
    
89. Vampires have been found in front of many Old Town homes, we believe that they are trying to either buy the home or enjoy the look of the neighborhood. In any case, the home owners want you to be there for protection while talking to the vampires.
    
90. There are cultists holding rallies in the park. I need you to separate out the ones that can do harm and the ones that are less likely to be harmful. Also they need permits to do that so every one of them gets a ticket.
    
91. Some wizard decided s/he was going to set up residence in the middle of the road. S/he said something about ley lines or some such being good there. Stop them from doing so and show them around town so they can find an alternative spot, they'll be a strong ally so work with them please.
    
92. Ratmen have been found in the subway system. In order for the population to not explode, I need you to organize them to some degree. Find a representative that can speak for them and bring them here so we can talk.
    

My favourite decks from the past year

Playing cards make the ideal gift, particularly the many beautiful custom decks available nowadays. Almost everyone can use a deck of cards at some point, so they have an instant and universal appeal, especially if a deck has some customized artwork and is packaged in an appealing tuck box.
In this list I want to focus on some of my favourite decks that have come out in the past year 2020. This year has been a challenging year for many of us in light of the coronavirus that has swept across the world. But in the middle of all this darkness, there have also been some bright spots, which include the brand new crop of custom decks that have appeared in the marketplace.
The suggestions I'm making are very much a matter of personal choice, and other playing card enthusiasts might make other choices. I haven't seen each and every deck that hit the market in the past year, and there are undoubtedly plenty of other worthy decks that qualify for a list like this. I've also not included any decks that have haven't yet been produced, even if they have been crowdfunded. This list strictly covers decks that you should be able to obtain from online retailers and resellers. I've also not included so-called "hype decks" that sell out almost immediately at the publisher level (e.g. Fontaines), but only those that enter retail channels and are more widely and readily available.
I've also included links to where you find them at PlayingCardDecks so that you can see images of the tuck boxes and cards for each item, and because they're the retailer I personally buy playing cards from the most. But you should be able to find these decks at most online retailers.

Popular Series

Several series of playing cards have become brands of their own, and achieved nearly cult status from collectors. This past year has seen some great additions to the line-ups from popular series that include big names like Jerry's Nuggets, Cherry Casino, and NOC.
● Jerry's Nugget Aqua Playing Cards - Jerry's Nuggets are a modern icon in the world of playing cards, due to the cult status of this deck, which was praised by cardists around the world. It was originally printed in the early 1970s, and was so much in demand in recent decades that copies fetched over $500 in the secondary market. A very successful reprinting of the original blue and red decks happened in 2019, and in the past year we've seen multiple reprints in different colours. Among my favourites in this series are the bright colours like orange, yellow, and green, which have all appeared in the past year. But there's also something for those who prefer a more muted look, such as steel and black. For more in this series, see Jerry's Nugget decks.
● Cherry Casino Tropicana Teal Playing Cards - The Cherry Casino decks capture a retro vibe, and are a throwback to the old fruit machines from gambling halls, with their distinctive cherry artwork. For me the real appeal of this series lies in the gorgeous card backs, which have a metallic sheen making them feel instantly different from all other decks. The face cards are all quite standard, so that makes them ideal for card games or card magic. Multiple new colours continue to appear in this series, such as Flamingo Quartz Pink, and most recently McCarran Silver. For more in this series, see Cherry Casino decks .
● NOC 3000X2 Purple Playing Cards - The acronym NOC originally stood for Nothing Only Colour, and in line with this the initial decks in this series were all very minimalist. Many people like to collect and use the NOC decks, and over time the series has evolved somewhat. The most recent releases show some new splashes of creativity, and with the NOC 3000X2 deck we travel into the future, past the year 3000. Vibrant purples and pinks inhabit the landscape of the cards, for a very modern and flashy look that is particularly well suited to cardistry. This particular deck is also available in a matching pink version. For more in this series, see NOC decks.

Popular Brands

There are several big brands that you can count on for quality, and this year was no exception, with big companies like Theory11, Ellusionist, and Art of Play all continuing to contribute wonderful playing cards to the market.
● James Bond 007 Playing Cards - When it comes to glamorous tuck boxes, it doesn't get much better than the luxury of playing card producer Theory11. This wonderful deck is a tribute to agent 007, James Bond. I collect most of the Theory11 decks, and this one is particularly terrific, with a supreme tuck box, and Bond-inspired paraphernalia on the court cards and on the card back. Close observers will find many Bond gadgets and more. Theory11 have put out several stylish releases in the past year, another one being the Hollywood Roosevelt deck. For more, see Theory11 decks.
● Shadow Masters Legacy v2 Playing Cards - One of the companies at the forefront of the custom playing cards movement was Ellusionist and their Black Tiger deck continues to be a modern icon. While they've since been overshadowed by the many custom decks produced in the crowd-funding era over the past decade, they continue to produce some memorable decks from time to time that are worth picking up. The Shadow Masters Legacy v2 is a black deck in the classic Ellusionist style, and represents the kind of thing that made them great to begin with. A jet black background is the chief feature of this deck, and the red and white used for the artwork and pips stands out beautifully against the inky black. This deck compares favourably with any other deck from the modern era. For more, see Ellusionist decks.
● Yellow Wheel Playing Cards - The brand Art of Play is the home of influential cardists Dan and Dave Buck. Their Red & Blue Wheel decks are among my all-time favourite decks, with gorgeous metallic inks as part of a split-pip design. The Yellow Wheel deck is their latest entry in the Wheel series, that retains the original card backs but now in yellow. But the highlight is the card faces, with the split pips employing a stunning metallic silver that complements the cards beautifully. This is a completely custom deck that is certain to impress anyone who sees it. Art of Play produces many new decks each year, and their Henry & Sally deck is a fun novelty release also worth checking out. For more, see Art of Play decks.

Popular Designers

They are a very select group, but there are some notable designers in the playing card industry who have developed a real name for themselves, have generated a large following of loyal fans, and continue to produce high quality custom decks on a regular basis.
● Italia Radiosa Playing Cards - Italian designer Giovanni Meroni is the man behind Thirdway Industries, and his playing cards are in high demand from collectors around the world. His signature style is immediately recognizable in each of his decks, and this one is no exception. Along with its companion Italia Segreta, it's themed around the wonders and secrets of Italy. The unique court cards are the real highlight, showcasing Giovanni's usual creativity and style. The number cards are also fully custom. These are the kinds of decks that will hold their value well in years to come. If you want even more vibrant colours, check out Modern Idols, from the same creator. For more, see Giovanni Meroni decks.
● Postage Paid Playing Cards - Behind the brand Kings Wild Project is Jackson Robinson, who is one of the few professional designers that actually makes a living out of designing playing cards. This deck was inspired by the idea of playing cards functioning as postcards, each with its own stamp and post paid stamp. All 50 US states are represented on different cards, and everything about this deck is fully customized. This deck was produced in only limited numbers, so it will be out of stock in most places. But if you're quick, you can still grab Jackson Robinson's General Admission deck, which applies a similar concept to tickets, with each card representing a vintage ticket stub from the early 20th century. For more, see Jackson Robinson decks.
● Kodiak Playing Cards - From popular designer Jody Eklund and his Black Ink Playing Cards Company, comes this delightful deck of playing cards that is geared to the poker player and collector. The cards have a very classic look, but offer a fresh take on the designs of the court cards and pips. Jody is highly respected for his approach to graphic design, and these cards will prove an excellent choice if you like playing card games, and want to bring something stylish and attractive to the table. For more, see Jody Eklund decks.

Magician Decks

Most magicians can perform their magic with any deck, but typically they prefer to do card magic with a deck where novelty and customization are minimal, so as not to distract from their magic. These decks are well suited to performing magic, and contain bonus gaff cards or other secrets that enable them to produce miracles not possible with ordinary decks.
● Card College Playing Cards - These decks are a tribute to the most outstanding modern teacher of the fundamentals of card magic, Roberto Giobbi. Mr Giobbi is the author of Card College, a series of best-selling books which are the modern gold standard for learning card magic. Available in red and blue, these decks are simple and practical for the working magician, and as a bonus each contains two double backer gaff cards. If you want more luxury, check out the stunning Luxury 3 Deck Set, which has even more stylish cards, individually numbered tuck boxes with unique origami style features, packaged in an attractive acrylic box - the ideal collectible or gift for magicians.
● Remedies Royal Blue Playing Cards - The Remedies decks come from popular creators Daniel Madison and Daniel Schneider, and this is a successor to the Remedies Scarlet Red deck. Many collectors love the Black Roses brand of playing cards, and collect whatever they produce. This blue Remedies deck has a classic and minimalist look with bold blue card backs, and is very functional and practical. The inclusion of a special Angle Zero gaff makes it ideal for magicians.
● DMC Elites Red v5 Playing Cards - Of all the marked decks I own, the DMC Elites is easily my first choice whenever I want a marked deck with cards that can be easily read from a distance, due to the clever and yet almost invisible marking system it uses. This deck has previously been released in several different colours, and now incorporates Tamariz's Mnemonica stack. All you need is the deck, but there is a terrific Passport book available separately, which will give you some great ideas for routines you can pull off with this great marked deck. For more, see Marked decks.

Cardistry Decks

Card flourishing has really boomed in recent years, and especially shines when cardists use a deck that has colourful and striking patterns optimized for cardistry, that enhance the visual aesthetics of cards in motion, as these decks show.
● Neon Orange Cardistry Playing Cards - This deck represents Bicycle's attempt to meet a demand for a relatively low-cost deck geared towards card flourishing. The card backs have a geometric design, and the faces are all identical and completely non-standard, showcasing the latest evolution in playing cards optimized entirely for cardistry. Bright colours ensure that the cards look visually appealing in fans, spreads, and flourishing moves. Alongside this vibrant orange deck is its blue companion, the Neon Blue Aurora deck.
● Autumn Circle Cardistry Playing Cards - Tally Ho is a classic brand that USPCC has been producing for a long time. The circle back design of the typical Tally Ho deck has become iconic, and is especially appreciated by those who enjoy card flourishing. Each year the folks at Bicycle produce some in-house decks for special occasions, and the Autumn Circle Back deck is a lovely result. The colours capture the warmth and glow of autumn leaves and the mood of harvest time, while the pattern on the card backs is perfect for cardistry.
● ArrowDynamix Cardistry Playing Cards - Given the high volume of cardistry decks appearing all the time, it can be difficult to come up with something completely original, but this minimalist deck has accomplished exactly that. Each card features a giant vertical arrow on the card backs, and a giant horizontal arrow on the faces. With carefully choreographed sequences and moves, you can create truly unique patterns and effects that you simply can't achieve with any other cardistry deck.

Animal-themed Decks

Do you love animals, or do you have an animal lover in your life? There are a lot of wonderful custom decks that are tributes to our four legged friends, or depict some of our favourite creatures.
● Woof and Whiskers Dog Playing Cards - The real appeal of this deck is the cute tuck box, which has cardboard ears that fold up, to complete the look of the friendly dog on the front of the box. I would have liked to see some more customization with the number cards, but it's still a very charming deck, with delightful custom artwork on the court cards and aces. This is one of two Zoo 52 decks, so if you like the Dog deck, you'll also want to pick up the Playful Paws Cat deck, which is equally cute.
● Aviary Playing Cards - There are a lot of independent creators that produce Bicycle branded playing cards with the help of industry giant USPCC, but this big name producer also releases its own in-house decks. This is my favourite of their four newest releases that hit the market at the end of 2020, and is a very classy looking deck with artwork inspired by a traditional look, but with adjustments to give it a custom feel, and the presence of several birds carefully positioned throughout the deck. Of the four new releases from Bicycle, the Sea King deck is also proving to be very popular.
● King of Tigers Playing Cards - If you're looking for a deck with bling, this is it. The card backs have a borderless tiger skin pattern, which has been printed with some of the latest technology that makes use of foil for a truly eye-catching look. The tuck box is even more glamorous. While the court cards are clearly inspired by traditional courts, the Jokers bring back the tiger theme strongly, and the tiger skin look recurs throughout the deck.

Food-themed Decks

Recent years have seen some wonderful novelty decks themed around different kinds of food. These are always a great way to whet your appetite for a card game, or to show off to family or friends, and have proved a real hit with collectors.
● Squeezers V3 Playing Cards - Good luck getting your hands on decks from this extremely popular series from Organic Playing Cards, because they sell out quickly. These fruit inspired decks have delightful tuck boxes, and this grapefruit themed deck even comes in a tuck box that looks like a juice box, and is actually scented like grapefruit. The cards themselves are quite practical, but add humorous grapefruit themed elements to the court cards, and new bold colours. OPC's 2020 releases also included the watermelon-themed Carvers deck, while their current release sees the brand go in a slightly new direction with the corn-themed Shuckers.
● Noodlers Chicken Playing Cards - If you like the concept behind the Organic Playing Cards series, you'll probably also enjoy this deck, which has a similarly styled tuck box to the Squeezers decks, but represents a packet of ramen noodles. The orange colour on the card backs and pips has also been inspired by the noodles theme. The artwork on the court cards has a quaint and cute style, with each character depicted in a light hearted style quite different from standard courts, and all holding a bowl of noodles. For a final laugh, the Jokers provide us with the necessary packet of "chicken seasoning" to add to our noodles.
● Citrus Playing Cards - Created by Flaminko, the Deliciousness series has been somewhat overshadowed by the more successful fruit inspired cards from Organic Playing Cards. But I love the Flaminko decks, because they apply customization to all elements of the cards, including the pips. This novelty deck is well suited for card flourishing, card games, and collectors, and cleverly captures all that is juicy and wonderful about citrus fruit.

Music-themed Decks

Music is another evergreen theme, and there's a solid range of lovely decks for the music lover, whether your taste is classical or more contemporary rock-and-roll.
● Composers Mozart Playing Cards - This deck is part of a series that also includes other composers like Bach. These decks are true collector pieces, and make a wonderful tribute to some of the greatest composers of all time. The tuck boxes have a very classical look, and metallic ink enhances the gorgeous card backs. Meanwhile completely custom artwork on the faces emphasizes a vintage and classical feel. They are great for music lovers and collectors, but if classical music isn't your thing, then check out the Rock and Roll deck.
● Piano Player Playing Cards - If the piano is your instrument of choice, this is a deck for you. The creative tuck box is available in two styles, one with two black keys and the other with three black keys, which means you can place two decks alongside each other to create a larger keyboard. Fully custom characters inhabit the court cards, with the keyboard motif returning in the details of the artwork. Small touches like this really make this creative deck a thing of unique beauty.
● Soundboards v3 Midnight Playing Cards - Remember the old walk-man cassette players? In the 1980s these revolutionary electronic devices were among the first to make your personal music collection portable. The Soundboards deck replicates the look of a classic walk-man, and the Jokers complete the look by bringing the cassette tape look into the box. This Midnight edition has a dark look, so you might also want to consider the red deck if you prefer a more traditional colour.

Fiction & Film themed Decks

Most of us love a good story, whether it's in the pages of a novel or on our screens. Here are some great custom decks that are loving tributes to some of the best from the worlds of fiction and film.
● Jane Austen Playing Cards - Fans of the classic novel will appreciate the loving treatment that Jane Austen's famous novels have received in this delightful tribute from the Art of Play label. Each suit represents a different novel, with the court cards featuring the lead characters in the story. The design of the characters is inspired by period costumes and reflects the fashions from the time in which the stories are set. The classy tuck case ensures that everything is nicely packaged and well presented.
● Star Wars Playing Cards - Theory11 achieved a real coup by acquiring the rights to bring the Star Wars brand to playing cards. They were the perfect company to ensure that the result was a classy deck that did justice to the world of the films. This pair of Light Side and Dark Side decks begins with a top quality and highly attractive tuck case, as we've come to expect from Theory11. The court cards all feature different characters from the movies, and the design is the perfect blend of customization and playability, making this a practical deck you can bring out for your favourite card game, or to give to the Star Wars fan in your life. A similar pair of decks was produced later in the year in White and Black.
● King Arthur Playing Cards - The result of a collaboration between Riffle Shuffle and Studio Muti, this pair of red and green decks tell the story of the famous Arthurian legend. For me it's a personal and nostalgic childhood favourite, in light of the adventure and imagination it evokes. But as impressive as these decks are, they pale besides the King Arthur Gold deck, which has gold metallic ink on the faces, and gold foil on the card backs, for a truly extravagant look. Inside and out, this is a stunning tribute to a timeless classic from the world of fiction.

Space-themed Decks

So I cheated. I already have a section devoted to cardistry, so I figured I'd sneak in a second category, by including some cardistry decks that all have a space theme. These decks all feature colourful visuals that work well for flourishing, but can also be enjoyed by collectors who appreciate their vibrant colours and exuberant designs.
● Solokid Constellation Playing Cards - This set of twelve decks captures the twelve different star signs. It was produced by Bocopo, a company well known for producing colourful custom decks that appeal especially to cardists and collectors. These decks are typical Bocopo offerings, with evocative colours that are unique to each different deck, to help capture a different feeling for each and every constellation. If you like vibrant colour, you'll certainly find something to enjoy here.
● Stargazer New Moon Playing Cards - Several different decks have now appeared in the Stargazer series, but the recent New Moon deck is probably my favourite. The circular moon that appears on all the card backs makes it an ideal deck for card flourishing moves like spins and twirls. The face cards have some truly vibrant colours, and capture well the feel of a night sky bursting with colour and life.
● Sirius B v3 Playing Cards - I fell in love with the style of the original Sirius B deck, so this third edition was always going to win me over. The court cards consist of a blur of colours that look like paints mixed together, and this style has also been applied to the pips. The colours are the real appeal here, and the signature design of the card backs also looks very nice in card flourishes.

Transformation Decks

I personally adore transformation cards, and consider them to be one of the most fascinating and memorable types of playing cards there is. The idea is that you take the pips and incorporate them into a larger picture that forms a unique work of art, for each and every card in the deck.
● Cotta's Almanac #1 Reproduction Playing Cards - This historic deck was first created in 1805 by J.C. Cotta, and was the very first of its kind. Themed on the "Joan of Arc" play by Schiller, the beauty and creativity of these cards will still win over collectors today. Lovingly produced in a high quality modern edition, this recreation is the first of the entire series of Cotta transformation decks that is being reproduced by PCD.
● 5th Kingdom Playing Cards - This deck is possibly my favourite original release from PCD in the past year. It is an outstanding example of the creativity and originality of a semi-transformation deck, where the pips have been cleverly incorporated into the artwork. Each suit represents a different culture, turning each individual card into a work of art that can be admired and enjoyed.
● Pack of Dogs V2 Playing Cards - This transformation deck is the work of John Littleboy, who has produced a number of such decks in his inimitable style, including Pack of Dogs, Kitten Club, Mermaid Queen, and Bag of Bones. The number cards are my favourites, and in this deck each of these represents a larger art piece with a dog. Each suit has a progressive image, so they don't feel totally unique from each other. It's more like a series of consecutive snapshots, and you can use flip animation to tell the story. Littleboy's Kitten Club V2 deck applies a similar concept to cats.

In-House Decks

PlayingCardDecks doesn't just sell playing cards, but Will Roya also uses his wealth of experience to team up with designers and graphic artists to produce high quality custom decks under the PCD label. Here are some great custom decks that were published in-house over the course of 2020.
● Astronaut Playing Cards - This novelty deck is a delightful creation that will please anyone who has an interest in space and space travel, in light of its unique theme. The Kings are all depicted as astronauts, while the Queens and Jacks represent space travellers. The card backs have a futuristic look with neon lights, and this look carries over to the number cards, which are highly customized with unique red and blue pips.
● Beekeeper Playing Cards - There are plenty of bee themed playing cards already on the market, but the artwork style gives this one a truly unique feel. Two decks were produced, one with light card backs and the other with dark card backs. This is a great novelty deck for the collector, because there's especially some delightful creativity to be found with the bee-inspired pips, and the detailed custom artwork on the court cards.
● Testament Classic Playing Cards - This is a Biblical themed deck created by artist Ben Green. It's intended as an art deck, with the images on the cards depicting Biblical characters from well-known narratives. Representing a dual love for playing cards and a love for Bible-inspired art, this deck will especially appeal to the collector.

Out-of-the-Ordinary Decks

I'm a sucker for highly unusual decks with a high degree of novelty, and even though these are not ones I'd typically use for playing card games, they have very unique features that make them stand out from your average custom deck.
● Starry Night Puzzle Playing Cards - Fancy a deck that doubles as a jigsaw puzzle? This clever deck takes its inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting, The Starry Night. The artwork on the card faces is all taken from the painting, and all the cards can be pieced together to make a single giant picture, thus effectively functioning as a large puzzle. Yet each card has clear indices so it's still something you can use for card games too. Definitely unique and out of the ordinary, this set of playing cards is a perfect choice for fans of classic art and paintings.
● Falcon Razors Deluxe Throwing Playing Cards - Rick Smith Jr has made multiple world records in throwing playing cards. His baseball background holds him in good stead, but anybody can learn to throw playing cards if you use the techniques Rick teaches. These throwing cards were a collaboration with legendary flourisher De'vo, and were featured in one of this year's viral videos from Dude Perfect, which featured Rick and his amazing card throwing. The cards are slightly thicker than standard Bicycle stock, to ensure extra durability and performance for card throwing.
● AQUA Invisible Plastic Playing Cards - If you're looking for something completely different, this might hit the mark. This is a ground-breaking deck that is the closest thing to being invisible. All the cards are made out of completely transparent plastic, after which a high gloss transparent printing is applied to selected areas of the cards to produce the designs and pips. So each card is effectively completely transparent, and yet you can see its unique artwork and determine its value and suit. The handling is surprisingly better than you'd expect for a completely plastic deck, and it's certainly something unique.

Other Gift Ideas

Do you want to let your gift recipient make their own decision about what to get, or are you not quite sure what to buy? Here are a couple of special gift ideas that might help out, even if it is to give your family or friends a convenient way to enable you to select your own gift!
Firstly, there's a wide range of accessories available for playing cards, like card clips, card cases, and more. Alternatively, consider a gift card, which is available in amounts of $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200. There's also the popular Pip Box Club, which has been around for over two years. Subscribers get a selection of decks and goodies shipped to them each month, and offers great value with each box.
Boxing Day Sale: Right now you can take advantage of a special sale at PlayingCardDecks, and save $10 off any order over $30 by using the code box20. This coupon is valid from Boxing Day until the end of 2020.
Happy shopping, and happy holidays!

Ah, the art of making a traditional Western film just for the sake of it. Honestly, given how irrelevant the traditional style has become, I'm not surprised people don't mention this all too much when looking back at 1994. (Then again, it’s usually at most two dozen movies anyone cares about from then. What, you mean to tell me this is in a different league than Pulp Fiction?) I’m pretty sure the selling point of Maverick was that it's cool to be a regular Western film and not something as revolutionary as, say, Unforgiven, but nowadays that's not particularly inviting. Especially when it overshadows other points like its appealing cast. Even if such a movie is well-liked (which it is), why bother to watch a new movie that tries to be charming in an old-fashioned way when there are already countless movies of its class? The most inviting time to watch this was when it came out, and with each passing year it gets less interesting to consider watching.
Perhaps that's why it's taken me so long to get around to watching Maverick. That, and the fact I don’t really like Richard Donner as a director. In his later years, anyway. That guy has talent to spare, but his best days were well behind him at this point and while he was always a fair choice for a visually striking but precisely broad scope for handling plenty different ranges of material, a lot of his later work seemed to see him lack a real grasp on the material he was given and turned the stuff he made ranging from middling to godawful. My hopes were that if he gave this material the right level of energy, we had something good here.
And wouldn't you know it, I was right. For the most part. But the fact that I can relax knowing Donner made an overall better movie than Radio Flyer in the 90s is good enough for me.
Sure, it's a pretty lightweight endeavour, meaning if you don't like anything here then all bets are off, but this TV adaptation (knew about the original 50s show but never watched it) is quite a fun, feel-good sort of entertainment. Of course, given its lavish $75M-and-it-sure-looks-like-it budget (correct me if I'm wrong, as I was wrong before I watched this movie since I thought the title went to the cheap looking $70M film Wolf, but isn't this the second most expensive film of 1994 behind True Lies?) the look of the film is splendid. Donner's reliably marvellous sense of cinematography and set design are all aces, as are the Academy-recognised costumes. Randy Newman's score adds a nice touch, pretty great in occasional scenes. But really, this movie wouldn't be even half as fun if it weren't for the cast. Especially Mel Gibson as the titular Bret "Bert" Maverick.
Gibson and Co bring a much needed sense of energy and humour to the script, keeping plenty of the colourful characterisations in check as we travel around the map. The cast are all game, from prime con men to bank robbers to Indians to people of all travels like the Russian leader. They're great, if a bit too lightweight and underutilised--potential implications of her character notwithstanding, I kept forgetting Jodie Foster was in the movie until she would make her reappearance. Thankfully, Gibson is plenty enough of a hero to anchor and carry the film; he's charming as all get-out, funny, and quite talented in plenty methods, especially in balancing out getting on top and being a nice guy. Sympathise with him as he goes from a coward to a brave man willing to sacrifice himself for those around him, relying on his father's quotes and quick wits to survive. And magic, apparently. All leading up to the big poker game on the river. Ah, the old days of looking forward to seeing a new Gibson film...
For a movie that lends itself to the legacy of being a Western by being one for the 90s, it's a good effort for the most part. Do wish it was a bit more...fun, to be honest. And a bit broader in establishing the aspects of a poker game. And not so aimless towards the end. (What, you thought this was Casino Royale before Casino Royale? At least Martin Campbell can claim to have a steady hand on his material in his movies on any point in his career.) Donner is a bit of a letdown in staging plenty of the big showdown scenes--they're fine, but you'd expect to let the film do some of the workmanship in providing entertainment value rather than being all showy and hoping the light material and cast did all the work. Scenes like Maverick taking over the reins on a horse-powered journey gone wrong tend to succeed more on the charms of its cast than the spectacle of seeing him try to hang on for dear life. Not to mention such an anticlimactic scene where Maverick has to escape his bedroom on the boat. Typical 90s Donner, but despite my quibbles, it's great the movie is already entertaining enough as it is. It’s just that those quibbles could be brushed aside to make this a pretty great blockbuster for rediscovering rather than sheer adequacy. Great that it’s pretty spectacular in its lavish look, too (hard to think of someone better than Donner to make this as broadly beautiful as it is). Also pretty hilarious.
Seriously, I didn't expect this to be so funny. Then again, it's a Gibson/Donner collaboration, and if they want to do Lethal Weapon any way they can, so be it. (Unless it’s Conspiracy Theory, in which case I’ll order the gravy and go back to watching JFK.) Hilarious Danny Glover cameo included. ("I'm getting too old for this...") Likely the film's greatest asset in maintaining a steady level of quality, and it goes far enough to be some good fluff. Sure, it’s not the best thing you could ask for, but it’s always nice to kick back and relax to such entertaining fluffy stuff, no? Especially for those more into Westerns than I am.
Sorry if I rambled quite a bit, but I found this pretty fun to write about the way everyone seemed while making this.
7/10
P.S. Anyone down for a Top Gun/Maverick hybrid? Just for the sake of it?

So I went on a James Bond binge this weekend and watched all four Daniel Craig films. Casino Royale and Skyfall are both masterpieces. Spectre was meh, but it gave a sort of primal old-school Bond movie feel that I couldn't stop rewatching it. Quantum of Solace was absolutely horrid. Seeing it right after CR didn't exactly help it's image to say the least.
Dominic Greene is one of the most washed out villains ever seen on feature film. He literally just looks like an ordinary dude with bug eyes. Nothing frightening about him. The accent was atrocious and seemed forced. His costume was also dull, bland and had no character to it. What kind of mafia boss wears white dress shirts? There could have been so much more to "up" his villainous effect throughout the film.
Olga Kurylenko was weird in this movie too. Too cold of a demeanor and not nearly enough lines to emphasize character traits. There was something very "absent" about the portrayal, especially compared to someone like Vesper Lynd.
Daniel Craig wasn't too bad, but was lacking in attitude compared to Casino Royale. He didn't break the flim, though.
Although admittedly Spectre had a badly written villain played by Christoph Waltz, his henchman was FANTASTIC (absolute killer fight scenes in this movie as well). The locations were also far more interesting. A Lamborghini showdown in downtown Rome? A snowy chase in Austria? A hand-to-hand combat in a train in the middle of the North African desert? THAT'S what I call an action movie. Not some sinkhole revenge story and a Russian girl trying to defeat a chubby Spanish dude in an army uniform. Greene's "death" was also complete garbage. Bond just leaves him out in the desert. WTF?
Overall, Quantum of Solace was so cold and distant that you couldn't really connect with the characters. By all means, Camille Montes was a better Bond girl than Madeline Swan, but other than that, the bad guys were more pronounced in Spectre.
Spectre felt like a traditional action movie, comparable to stuff like the Transporter or Bourne series, which actually improves its standing as a Bond film. Also better humor and comedic relief by far. Quantum of Solace just seems laughable and Greene doesn't seem as dark and brooding as Blofeld. His demeanor was completely off, it felt like he had nothing to hide. Skyfall was quite a refresher after that shitshow of a movie.

Best Picture

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. The Dark Knight
3. Inglourious Basterds
4. There Will Be Blood
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
6. WALL•E
7. No Country for Old Men
8. The Departed
9. Pan’s Labyrinth
10. Brokeback Mountain

Best Director

1. Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood
3. Alfonso Cuarón for Children of Men
4. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men
5. Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds

Best Lead Actor

1. Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood
2. Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
3. Jim Carrey as Joel Barish in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
5. Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain
6. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Capote

Best Lead Actress
1. Kate Winslet as Clementine Kruczynski in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream
2. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster
4. Uma Thurman as the Bride in Kill Bill: Volume 1
5. Naomi Watts as Betty Elms/Diane Selwyn in Mulholland Drive
Best Supporting Actor

1. Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight
2. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds
3. Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men
4. Jake Gyllenhaal as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain
5. Paul Dano as Paul Sunday and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood

Best Supporting Actress

1. Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator
2. Rachel McAdams as Regina George in Mean Girls
3. Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark in Inglourious Basterds
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago
5. Saoirse Ronan as Briony Tallis in Atonement
6. Michelle Williams as Alma Beers Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain

Best Original Screenplay

1. Inglourious Basterds
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Memento
4. Spirited Away
5. Pan’s Labyrinth

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. No Country for Old Men
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Before Sunset
5. The Departed
6. Brokeback Mountain

Best Animated Film

1. Spirited Away
2. WALL•E
3. The Incredibles
4. Ratatouille
5. Finding Nemo

Best Non-English Language Movie

1. Spirited Away
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Oldboy
4. City of God
5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Best Documentary Film

1. Man on Wire
2. Bowling for Columbine
3. March of the Penguins
4. An Inconvenient Truth
5. Fahrenheit 9/11

Best Original Score

1. Up
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. The Dark Knight
5. There Will Be Blood

Best Original Song

1. "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile
2. "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale
3. "Falling Slowly" from Once
4. "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5. "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound

1. The Dark Knight
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Children of Men
4. WALL•E
5. The Hurt Locker

Best Production Design

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. There Will Be Blood
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Best Cinematography

1. Children of Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. No Country for Old Men
5. Pan’s Labyrinth

Best Makeup/Hairstyling

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Best Costume Design
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Chicago
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. Moulin Rouge!
5. The Devil Wears Prada
6. Pan’s Labyrinth
Best Editing
1. Memento
2. Hot Fuzz
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5. No Country for Old Men
Best Visual Effects

1. Avatar
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Burton

Best Voice Acting/Motion Capture Performance
1. Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
3. Eddie Murphy as Donkey in Shrek
4. Pablo Adán and Doug Jones as the Faun in Pan’s Labyrinth
4. Ellen Degeneres as Dory in Finding Nemo
Best Directorial Debut

1. Edgar Wright for Shaun of the Dead
2. Martin McDonagh for In Bruges
3. Neill Blomkamp for District 9
4. Rob Marshall for Chicago
5. Pete Docter for Monsters, Inc.

Best Ensemble Cast

1. Inglourious Basterds
2. The Departed
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
4. Chicago
5. No Country for Old Men

Best Choreography, Stunts or Dance

1. Kill Bill: Volume 1
2. Casino Royale
3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
4. Chicago
5. Oldboy

Best Soundtrack

1. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
2. Kill Bill: Volume 1
3. Chicago
4. School of Rock
5. Moulin Rouge!

Best Non-English Language Performance
1. Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain in Amélie
2. Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose
2. Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su in Oldboy
4. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Full charts for all the categories

Best Picture

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. The Dark Knight
3. Inglourious Basterds
4. There Will Be Blood
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
6. WALL•E
7. No Country for Old Men
8. The Departed
9. Pan’s Labyrinth
10. Brokeback Mountain

Best Director

1. Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood
3. Alfonso Cuarón for Children of Men
4. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men
5. Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds

Best Lead Actor

1. Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood
2. Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
3. Jim Carrey as Joel Barish in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
5. Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain
6. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Capote

Best Lead Actress
1. Kate Winslet as Clementine Kruczynski in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream
2. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster
4. Uma Thurman as the Bride in Kill Bill: Volume 1
5. Naomi Watts as Betty Elms/Diane Selwyn in Mulholland Drive
Best Supporting Actor

1. Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight
2. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds
3. Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men
4. Jake Gyllenhaal as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain
5. Paul Dano as Paul Sunday and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood

Best Supporting Actress

1. Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator
2. Rachel McAdams as Regina George in Mean Girls
3. Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark in Inglourious Basterds
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago
5. Saoirse Ronan as Briony Tallis in Atonement
6. Michelle Williams as Alma Beers Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain

Best Original Screenplay

1. Inglourious Basterds
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Memento
4. Spirited Away
5. Pan’s Labyrinth

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. No Country for Old Men
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Before Sunset
5. The Departed
6. Brokeback Mountain

Best Animated Film

1. Spirited Away
2. WALL•E
3. The Incredibles
4. Ratatouille
5. Finding Nemo

Best Non-English Language Movie

1. Spirited Away
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Oldboy
4. City of God
5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Best Documentary Film

1. Man on Wire
2. Bowling for Columbine
3. March of the Penguins
4. An Inconvenient Truth
5. Fahrenheit 9/11

Best Original Score

1. Up
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. The Dark Knight
5. There Will Be Blood

Best Original Song

1. "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile
2. "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale
3. "Falling Slowly" from Once
4. "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5. "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound

1. The Dark Knight
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Children of Men
4. WALL•E
5. The Hurt Locker

Best Production Design

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. There Will Be Blood
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Best Cinematography

1. Children of Men
2. There Will Be Blood
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. No Country for Old Men
5. Pan’s Labyrinth

Best Makeup/Hairstyling

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Best Costume Design
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Chicago
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. Moulin Rouge!
5. The Devil Wears Prada
6. Pan’s Labyrinth
Best Editing
1. Memento
2. Hot Fuzz
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5. No Country for Old Men
Best Visual Effects

1. Avatar
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Burton

Best Voice Acting/Motion Capture Performance
1. Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
3. Eddie Murphy as Donkey in Shrek
4. Pablo Adán and Doug Jones as the Faun in Pan’s Labyrinth
4. Ellen Degeneres as Dory in Finding Nemo
Best Directorial Debut

1. Edgar Wright for Shaun of the Dead
2. Martin McDonagh for In Bruges
3. Neill Blomkamp for District 9
4. Rob Marshall for Chicago
5. Pete Docter for Monsters, Inc.

Best Ensemble Cast

1. Inglourious Basterds
2. The Departed
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
4. Chicago
5. No Country for Old Men

Best Choreography, Stunts or Dance

1. Kill Bill: Volume 1
2. Casino Royale
3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
4. Chicago
5. Oldboy

Best Soundtrack

1. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
2. Kill Bill: Volume 1
3. Chicago
4. School of Rock
5. Moulin Rouge!

Best Non-English Language Performance
1. Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain in Amélie
2. Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose
2. Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su in Oldboy
4. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Full charts for all the categories

Best Picture
1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. Pan’s Labyrinth
4. The Prestige
5. Little Miss Sunshine
6. Babel
6. The Live of Others
8. Casino Royale
9. Borat
10. Letters from Iwo Jima
Best Director

1. Alfonso Cuarón for Children of Men
2. Guillermo del Toro for Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Martin Scorsese for The Departed
4. Christopher Nolan for The Prestige
5. Alejandro González Iñárritu for Babel

Best Lead Actor

1. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev in Borat
2. Leonardo DiCaprio as William "Billy" Costigan in The Departed
3. Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland
4. Christian Bale as Alfred Borden in The Prestige
5. Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier in The Prestige

Best Lead Actress

1. Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada
2. Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen
3. Penélope Cruz as Raimunda in Volver
4. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Toni Collette as Sheryl Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine

Best Supporting Actor

1. Jack Nicholson as Francis "Frank" Costello in The Departed
2. Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls
3. Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy in Blood Diamond
4. Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan in The Departed
5. Mark Wahlberg as Sgt. Sean Dignam in The Departed
6. Alan Arkin as Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine

Best Supporting Actress

1. Jennifer Hudson as Effie White in Dreamgirls
2. Abigail Breslin as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine
3. Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko Wataya in Babel
4. Adriana Barraza as Amelia Hernández in Babel
5. Scarlett Johansson as Olivia Wenscombe in The Prestige

Best Original Screenplay

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Babel
4. The Lives of Others
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. The Prestige
4. Borat
5. Casino Royale

Best Animated Film

1. Paprika
2. Cars
3. Happy Feet
4. Monster House
5. Over the Hedge

Best Non-English Language Film

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Lives of Others
3. The Host
4. Volver
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Documentary Film

1. An Inconvenient Truth
2. Jesus Camp
3. This Film Is Not Yet Rated
4. Iraq in Fragments
5. Deliver Us from Evil

Best Original Score

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Babel
3. The Fountain
4. The Departed
5. The Prestige

Best Original Song

1. "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale
2. "Listen" from Dreamgirls
3. "Our Town" from Cars
4. "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls
5. "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth

Best Sound

1. Children of Men
2. Casino Royale
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. The Prestige
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Production Design

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Children of Men
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. Marie Antoinette
5. The Prestige

Best Cinematography

1. Children of Men
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. The Prestige
4. Babel
5. The Departed

Best Makeup/Hairstyling

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
3. Marie Antoinette
4. The Prestige
5. Apocalypto

Best Costume Design

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Devil Wears Prada
3. Marie Antoinette
4. The Prestige
5. Dreamgirls

Best Editing

1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. The Prestige
4. Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Babel

Best Visual Effects

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Casino Royale
4. The Host
5. Superman Returns

Best Voice Acting/Motion Capture Performance

1. Doug Jones as the Faun in Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Bill Nighy as Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
3. Paul Newman as Doc Hudson in Cars
4. Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen in Cars
5. Nick Nolte as Vincent in Over the Hedge

Best Directorial Debut

1. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for Little Miss Sunshine
2. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck for The Lives of Others
3. Jason Reitman for Thank You for Smoking
4. J.J. Abrams for Mission: Impossible III
5. James Gunn for Slither

Best Ensemble Cast

1. The Departed
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Babel
4. The Prestige
5. Children of Men

Best Choreography, Stunts or Dance

1. Casino Royale
2. Children of Men
3. Mission: Impossible III
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
5. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Best Soundtrack

1. Dreamgirls
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Cars
4. Children of Men
5. Marie Antoinette

Best Non-English Language Performance

1. Penélope Cruz as Raimunda in Volver
2. Song Kang-ho as Park Gang-du in The Host
3. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
4. Ulrich Mühe as Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler in The Lives of Others
5. Sergi López as Captain Vidal in Pan’s Labyrinth

The full charts for all the categories

Betting Hero: Kakegurui

True Name: Shiro Kōribami
Quirk: Fortune Manipulation
He can manipulate a person’s luck, to either make his allies’ plans go off without a hitch or to cause devastating disasters for his enemies.
It only lasts a couple minutes, and he needs to see his target to manipulate their luck.
Costume: He wears a red suit, white shirt, and black tie. He also wears a red and black eye mask and white gloves. He also carries bladed playing cards and hard poker chips to use as weapons. He also paints card suit symbols on his face.
Ultimate Move: Straight Royal Flush
He uses his cards combined with his Quirk to strike pressure points on an opponent and paralyze them.
History: He became a teacher at UA following the death of Snipe, and is the homeroom teacher for my Class 1-A.

Stats

3/6 Power
4/6 Speed
5/6 Technique
4/6 Intelligence
0/6 Admission to Casinos

Best Picture
1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. Pan’s Labyrinth
4. The Prestige
5. Little Miss Sunshine
6. Babel
6. The Live of Others
8. Casino Royale
9. Borat
10. Letters from Iwo Jima
Best Director

1. Alfonso Cuarón for Children of Men
2. Guillermo del Toro for Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Martin Scorsese for The Departed
4. Christopher Nolan for The Prestige
5. Alejandro González Iñárritu for Babel

Best Lead Actor

1. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev in Borat
2. Leonardo DiCaprio as William "Billy" Costigan in The Departed
3. Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland
4. Christian Bale as Alfred Borden in The Prestige
5. Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier in The Prestige

Best Lead Actress

1. Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada
2. Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen
3. Penélope Cruz as Raimunda in Volver
4. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Toni Collette as Sheryl Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine

Best Supporting Actor

1. Jack Nicholson as Francis "Frank" Costello in The Departed
2. Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls
3. Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy in Blood Diamond
4. Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan in The Departed
5. Mark Wahlberg as Sgt. Sean Dignam in The Departed
6. Alan Arkin as Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine

Best Supporting Actress

1. Jennifer Hudson as Effie White in Dreamgirls
2. Abigail Breslin as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine
3. Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko Wataya in Babel
4. Adriana Barraza as Amelia Hernández in Babel
5. Scarlett Johansson as Olivia Wenscombe in The Prestige

Best Original Screenplay

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Babel
4. The Lives of Others
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. The Prestige
4. Borat
5. Casino Royale

Best Animated Film

1. Paprika
2. Cars
3. Happy Feet
4. Monster House
5. Over the Hedge

Best Non-English Language Film

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Lives of Others
3. The Host
4. Volver
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Documentary Film

1. An Inconvenient Truth
2. Jesus Camp
3. This Film Is Not Yet Rated
4. Iraq in Fragments
5. Deliver Us from Evil

Best Original Score

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Babel
3. The Fountain
4. The Departed
5. The Prestige

Best Original Song

1. "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale
2. "Listen" from Dreamgirls
3. "Our Town" from Cars
4. "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls
5. "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth

Best Sound

1. Children of Men
2. Casino Royale
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. The Prestige
5. Letters from Iwo Jima

Best Production Design

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Children of Men
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
4. Marie Antoinette
5. The Prestige

Best Cinematography

1. Children of Men
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. The Prestige
4. Babel
5. The Departed

Best Makeup/Hairstyling

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
3. Marie Antoinette
4. The Prestige
5. Apocalypto

Best Costume Design

1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. The Devil Wears Prada
3. Marie Antoinette
4. The Prestige
5. Dreamgirls

Best Editing

1. The Departed
2. Children of Men
3. The Prestige
4. Pan’s Labyrinth
5. Babel

Best Visual Effects

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
3. Casino Royale
4. The Host
5. Superman Returns

Best Voice Acting/Motion Capture Performance

1. Doug Jones as the Faun in Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Bill Nighy as Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
3. Paul Newman as Doc Hudson in Cars
4. Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen in Cars
5. Nick Nolte as Vincent in Over the Hedge

Best Directorial Debut

1. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for Little Miss Sunshine
2. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck for The Lives of Others
3. Jason Reitman for Thank You for Smoking
4. J.J. Abrams for Mission: Impossible III
5. James Gunn for Slither

Best Ensemble Cast

1. The Departed
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Babel
4. The Prestige
5. Children of Men

Best Choreography, Stunts or Dance

1. Casino Royale
2. Children of Men
3. Mission: Impossible III
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
5. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Best Soundtrack

1. Dreamgirls
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. Cars
4. Children of Men
5. Marie Antoinette

Best Non-English Language Performance

1. Penélope Cruz as Raimunda in Volver
2. Song Kang-ho as Park Gang-du in The Host
3. Ivana Baquero as Ofelia/Princess Moanna in Pan’s Labyrinth
4. Ulrich Mühe as Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler in The Lives of Others
5. Sergi López as Captain Vidal in Pan’s Labyrinth

The full charts for all the categories

Ok so, from reading the title, I know this must seem just totally batshit. But bear with me, I swear there's a connection here. All of the major Story Beats in Persona 5 can be linked to at least one song on Steely Dan's seminal 1972 album, Can't Buy A Thrill.
So, where to begin - the beginning seems like a good enough place, both of the album and the story. Our protagonist's journey begins with his false imprisonment on an assault charge after protecting a woman from a powerful politician's drunken advances, and this beginning of the plot is echoed in the first verse of the first song on the album, 'Do It Again' - The lyrics go as follows:
'In the mornin' you go gunning for the man who stole your wate
And you fire till he is done in but they catch you at the borde
And the mourners are all singin' as they drag you by your feet/
But the hangman isn't hangin' and they put you on the street.'
The 'morning' here refers to the figurative morning of the story, at its beginning. The man who stole your water is Shido - not in a literal sense, but rather that he has massively affected your life. The lyric 'you fire till he is done in but they catch you at the border' refers to the Protagonist's victory over Shido in the short-term, and subsequent imprisonment. The 'mourners' are the life that the Protagonist leaves behind after his assault charge, and his being 'put on the street' is in reference to how he is turned away and forced to live in Tokyo.
Onto the next verse:
When you know she's no high climber, then you find your only friend/
In a room with your two timer, and you're sure you're near the end/
Then you love a little wild one, and she brings you only sorrow/
All the time you know she's smilin', you'll be on your knees tomorrow'
This could be interpreted to be about the early days at Shujin - The first line could be in reference to the cutscene where the protagonist and Ann first meet - that the protagonist knows she's 'no high climber' because of her kindness toward him, and then you 'find your only friend' immediately after in the form of Ryuji, who disregards all the rumours about you. 'In a room with your two timer' could, fittingly enough have multiple meanings - the 'two timer' could be Kamoshida, with his double identity between himself and his shadow, or it could be Ann, who is falsely perceived by the students to be 'two timing' Kamoshida. The 'wild one' mentioned in the next line could also be Ann, due to her costume and namesake, as Panther. Finally, the last line 'All the time you know she's smilin' references Ann's new hope after joining the Phantom thieves, and the lyric 'You'll be on your knees tomorrow' references Kamoshida's shadow after its defeat, as he sinks to his knees.
So, what's next? Well, we will come back to this song later, but for now, the plot moves along to the next song on the album, 'Dirty Work', and how it references Madarame's Arc. The song begins
'Times are hard, you're afraid to pay the fee/
so you find yourself somebody, who can do the job for free'
These introductory lyrics align closely with Madarame and Yusuke's story - the hard times Madarame falls upon are his art block, and he is 'afraid to pay the fee' of suffering for his lack of productivity, so he finds himself somebody 'who can do the job for free' - his many apprentices, whose artwork he steals. The chorus, in turn, exemplifies Yusuke's part of the story after his awakening:
'I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah/
I don't wanna do your dirty work, no more'
Yusuke realises Madarame's complicity and no longer wishes to work under him. Indeed, the line in the second verse
'I foresee terrible trouble, and I stay here just the same'
could show Yusuke's mindset - he subconsciously knows something is wrong, but continues to labour under Madarame.
Next is Kaneshiro's Palace, and a few songs on the album go with this. However, I'd argue the two most poignant are 'Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me' and 'Midnite Cruiser', both of which deal with similar themes. Brooklyn Owes..., specifically uses these themes of luxury, as with the themes of Kaneshiro's palace. Check out these lyrics:
'A race of angels bound to one anothe
a dish of dollars laid out for all to see'
The angels specifically here could reference the shadows, who are themselves bound, and the dish of dollars carries with it themes of luxury, as well as echoing Kaneshiro's desire to be seen as wealthy and powerful. However, his true nature is succinctly expressed in 'Midnite Cruiser', in the lyrics:
'Tell me where are you driving, Midnite Cruiser?/
Where is your bounty of fortune and fame/
I am another gentleman lose
drive me to Harlem, or somewhere the same.'
In this chorus, one can see a reflection of Kaneshiro's true nature - his desire for 'fortune and fame' and his status as a 'Gentleman loser' show that he has already tacitly accepted his failure, and in turn highlights the vanity of his efforts in the real world. Finally, in 'Brooklyn owes...', the lyric
'A case of aces done up loose for dealing' echoes the nature of Kaneshiro's treasure, the briefcase full of fake cash - the ace itself symbolically implies value, but the fact that there is a case thereof significantly diminishes this, and shows the phony nature of Kaneshiro's wealth.
Next is Futaba, and with her palace, the song 'Fire In The Hole', which rather aptly summarises the nature of her tragedy. The first verse is as follows:
' I decline to walk the line They tell me that I'm lazy Worldly wise, I realize That everybody's crazy A woman's voice reminds me To serve and not to speak, am I myself or just another freak?'
The consistent reference to a 'they' in these lines points to a feeling of alienation from the outside world, and the specific problems mentioned, of being lazy or crazy, could easily match up with one's perceptions of what they think the people around them think of their faults. All of this corresponds to Futaba hiding herself away in her room. The 'woman's voice' would be her hallucinations of Wakaba disparaging her, and the questioning of her own identity or if she's 'just another freak' denote her feelings of low self esteem. The next verse contains the lyrics
'My life is boiling ove
it's happened once before/
I wish someone would open up the door'
which pretty aptly summarise Futaba's situation - her increased feelings of stress ('life is boiling over') and her wish that someone would 'open up the door' showing a nascent desire to no longer sequester herself - this could be the catalyst for her demand of the Phantom Thieves to change her heart.
Next is Okumura's palace, which I feel embodies best the song 'Only A Fool Would Say That'. Right from the outset, the disparaging title makes it clear that the person who would say this is prideful. Okumura's greed takes on a corporate façade of colourful advertising, but behind the curtain it is incredibly harmful. This song describes the downtrodden condition of the worker:
'The man in the street, dragging his feet/
don't wanna hear the bad news.'
as well as how the narrator, who we already know is prideful, declares that only a fool would believe in better things:
'I heard it was you/
talkin' 'bout a world where all is free/
it just couldn't be/
and only a fool would say that'
This shows the greed of taking advantage of the workers in this way, and the hypocrisy of Okumura in the diametrically opposed views of Okumura Foods that the public gets - the cheerful, outward facing façade, complete with space theming, and the horrific reality of being consistently beaten down and overworked, all the while being told that better things aren't possible.
Next is Sae's palace, which corresponds to the final verse of 'Do It Again' - in this way we can see the recursive nature of the plot, taking us back to the beginning of the album and the story through the flashbacks to Sae. This recursive nature is emphasised by the line in the bridge:
'You go back, Jack, do it again/
wheel turnin' round and round'
The final verse goes as follows:
'Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gambling man/
then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand/
Your black cards can make you money, so you hide them when you're able/
in the land of milk and honey, you must put them on the table'
This verse is especially interesting to me - the casino theming is obvious, but it also denotes the Thieves' character arcs in a poignant manner. The first line deals with misconceptions, a theme for most characters in the story - each of them is misinterpreted or seen as something they're not, usually by the forces of the law or the establishment. However, this same alienation drives them to actually become the thieves that society has t out for the most - that they 'find (they're) back in Vegas' shows that they have taken in society's misconceptions and reclaimed them as their own. This makes sense in the context of the story, as the Phantom Thieves' full team has assembled, and they are striking back against the most distilled representation of the establishment thus far - Sae Niijima, a corrupt prosecutor who has been seen. up until this point, in a negative light. The hiding of the black cards represents striking back at an unjust system - if you cheat in a Casino, you're already winning against a heavily weighted house. It could also represent the deception of Akechi surrounding Joker, their ace in the hole - in the context of this line the cards would be hidden from the dealer, and as such this implies that Akechi is on the side of the house, the dealer, and the corrupt adults. The 'land of milk and honey' is what is promised for those who follow the rules, and shows Akechi's deception of the thieves - both parties end up putting their cards on the table, and it is only thanks to the Thieves' plotting that they end up beating the house, so to speak.
Finally, Shido's Palace is best suited to the song 'Kings', unsurprisingly. The song itself details the American political climate during the Vietnam War, but also acts as an effective allegory for Shido's nationalistic political aspirations. The song is from the point of view of an apathetic citizenry, in keeping with the story, and shows the tyrannical nature of being ruled, as well as the suffering of everyday people, comparing these world leaders to the Kings of old, carrying out vast campaigns while their subjects suffered. Here is the chorus:
We seen the last of Good King Richard/
Ring out the past, his name lives on, and on/
Roll out the bones, and raise up your pitche
Raise your glass for Good King John'.
The specific reference to Kings Richard and John is interesting, as they are two characters who are especially major contextually in the story of, you guessed it, Robin Hood. The same Robin Hood that Akechi's persona is based on. The song admits that:
'While he plundered far and wide/
all his starving children cried'
- this could be in reference to Akechi's tragic upbringing, or more figuratively the fate of the nation when policy is abandoned for nationalistic glory seeking. This is further exemplified in the lines
'And though we sung his fame/
we went hungry just the same.'
which reinforces this idea. The apathy of the citizenry also carries this over to the final major plot beat (excluding Royal's events, which I will leave out cause my arms are getting tired) - Yaldabaoth, and his control over the people. The overthrow of the king, both in the stealing of Shido's heart and the killing of Yaldabaoth, show the determination of the phantom thieves against the apathetic nature of the populace, and shows that the will to change society can accomplish much.
Anyway, in conclusion, listen to more Steely Dan, and play more Persona.

Intro: Mara's Submission
Mara's Recap
Mara's POV
It was fourteen months after the Hutts came into power, and she didn't like the new galactic order one bit. She didn't care what the polls said, Hutt rule would destroy the galaxy. Mara had dealt with Jabba during his previous dealings with the Empire. She had been the one to pay him one billion credits in exchange for rebel base and fleet locations as well as access to Jabba's hyperspace routes. {C During this time, she had watched the capture and enslavement of Princess Leia Organa with glee. She had thought the bitch would get what she deserved and suffer terribly while in the Hutt's grasp. The next time she had met with Jabba to deliver Mon Mothma for him to execute, quietly, she had found Leia still bound to the Hutt. Strangely, she hadn't seemed miserable. Leia had sat by Jabba's side obediently wearing almost nothing, covered with tattoos that mark her as Jabba's favorite, and seemed very happy. Mara had deduced that Leia had been broken easily and was still depressed on the inside.
While talking with Jabba, she had thought she had seen a look of lust in his eyes while he looked at her, but had believed she was just imagining things. She had been wrong. A year after Jabba accepted the deal from the Empire, he had betrayed them. Declaring war, he ordered a swift and decisive invasion. Amazingly, within a month the once invincible Empire had been brought to it's knees. Jabba now ruled from Coruscant. Mara had gone on the run after the emperor was killed, but had been captured three months ago by bounty hunters and brought to Jabba. To her surprise, she wasn't imprisoned or killed for being a prominent member of the former empire, but had been added to Jabba's slave harem.
Mara had been horrified to discover that Leia now was queen of the harem. Leia claimed Jabba treated them well and they all were very happy here. Mara didn't buy it. For three months, Mara had resisted. She obeyed no orders. She simply sat in the harem in one of her incredibly revealing costumes; a tight black netting that 'covered' her assets, a red golden arm bracelet, and somehow everlasting make-up. Mara was not practicing, not dancing, and not pleasing. Jabba did not have her executed or even punished, but he had told Amanda, the harem mistress, to have her 'tamed' five days from now, before the next Hutt Council meeting.
Amanda had taken to spending long nights with Mara in an attempt to break her. Mara refused. She had told Amanda that she had special abilities and might be able to set them all free. Amanda had replied that Jabba was inescapable and that she would rather die than leave his service. Stupid brainwashed girl. Mara didn't buy this immortality or unbreakable collar crap. Sooner or later, she would get out of here.
"Mara, soon you will put aside this rebelliousness of yours and serve The High Exalted One. Trust me, he encourages your spirit, but you must put aside your pride and recognize him as the god he is," Amanda was saying. "Never, I will not obey him!" Mara yelled. Amanda sighed. This would take a while.
A Change in Plans
Leia's POV
Across the palace, Leia was currently relaxing with her master. After sharing some Huttese wine with him, he lowered his hookah to her mouth. "Oh, thank you master!" Leia squealed, eagerly taking a hit. She fell back against him laughing uncontrollably as her high spread through her. "Are you enjoying yourself, my pet?" her master asked her. Leia smiled. "Yes master," she replied. And she was. This was what she lived for.
Fun, pleasure, and pleasing her master. That was her life. She reflected back to a time she barely remembered. At various periods in her life, she had been a princess, senator, and famous Rebel Alliance leader. None of it had mattered. Her life had only gained meaning when her master's gaze had signaled her out, when he had ordered her brought to him. Foolishly, she had scoffed at him, claiming he would regret enslaving her. He didn't, and neither did she.
He continued to enslave new, lucky girls, and Leia and her best friend Amanda had tamed them most of them easily. The harem now numbered two dozen human and twi’lek slave girls. Leia made twenty five. Only one girl still resisted. Her beauty more than equaled that of the other slaves, was on par with Amanda's, and was only clearly surpassed by Leia's. But she was a problem. Three months, and she still resisted. Jabba wanted her ready in five days, and poor Amanda had been forced to stay up late for two weeks now, trying to teach Mara her place. So far, Amanda had reported little progress.
Suddenly, Jabba tugged her leash. Shaking off her high, Leia knelt before her master. "What do you wish of your pet, high exalted one?" Leia asked. Jabba rubbed her shoulder. "Now you will pleasure me, for we shall not spend the night together," Jabba said. Leia was stunned. "What do you mean, master? Has your pet displeased you? If she has, please tell her how so she may correct herself. If her offense is too grievous, she will gladly accept death as her punishment," Leia begged, worried that she had failed her master.
"No, you have not displeased me. But I sense Mara cannot be broken by you or Amanda alone. Tonight, she must sleep with me and realize what I can offer her. You must spend the night in the harem," Jabba regretfully told her. Leia nodded shakily, accepting his decree. "Since we will not be together later, you must please me now," her master ordered. Grinning, Leia began an intense evening with her master, determined to make the most out of this situation.
After Jabba had finally had his fill of her, he sent her to fetch Mara. "I'll see you tomorrow I guess" said Leia rather sad "Fear not my dear, tomorrow you will sleep with me again" said Jabba. Leia looked up with a smile and gave him a big kiss on the lip. She the reluctantly left her master's side, but not before shacking her butt for him and giving him a sexy wink, and left for the harem. Entering, she found Amanda and Mara sitting on the couch, the former engaged in a fruitless attempt to tame the latter. The second she saw her harem queen enter, Amanda immediately fell to her knees. Recognizing her better, Amanda touched her forehead to Leia's foot. Leia smiled at her approvingly. Amanda was an excellent harem mistress and a loyal best friend.
Mara, on the other hand, defiantly remained on the couch. In her superior queen tone, Leia said, "Mara, The High Exalted One demands that you spend the night with him tonight, alone, for he senses it is the only way to tame you." Mara walked off the couch and passed by Leia. "Hutt slut," Leia heard Mara taunt. Leia considered reprimanding her, but decided to let it pass. Mara would have learnt her place by the end of the night, and besides, Leia considered the term a compliment. As Mara left, Leia looked down at her obedient best friend. They had an interesting evening ahead of them.
A Talk with Jess
Mara's POV
Furious, Mara stormed out of the harem. As she began to consider if she should indeed obey Leia's order, she heard an unwelcome voice. "Mara! You ready to go?" asked Jess, walking up to her. "What are you doing here?" Mara demanded. "Well, her highness asked me to escort you to your meeting with our glorious master. Now come on, or you'll be late!" Jess said.
"Listen Jess, I'm not going. I don't want to spend the night with that slug!" Mara declared. Jess reeled back as if struck. "Mara! How can you insult The High Exalted One? After all he does for us? If you don't come, I will have to ask her highness for guards to escort you. Don't make me do that," Jess asked. Mara knew she wasn't lying. Fine. She would rather enter with dignity then in the clutches of Jabba's henchmen.
"Alright, let's go," Mara conceded. She began to walk down the hall. The ever-perky Jess smiled and ran in front of her. This only served to annoy Mara. "Jess, why do you call that rebel scum her highness? Leia's not even here, and it's not like she deserves that title," Mara asked, walking slowly towards the throne room. Jess glowered at her. "Because Mara, our queen deserves more respect than anyone besides our master. Trust me, she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to our harem. I know what a cruel leader can do, Mara, and it's not pretty," Jess answered.
"But Jess, she's just a slut for a ruthless crime lord. Don't you see how low she really is?" Mara intoned. Jess stopped walking. Her cheeks flushed red, and her face took on a look of extreme anger. "Careful, tyro," warned Jess with barely contained fury, "I may not be mistress or queen, but I am still a senior slave here and your superior, remember that. I will not stand here and let you continue to insult my master and my queen. Now apologize, or I will ask her highness to punish you. She will, I promise you that."
"And how will she do that?" Mara challenged, "Jabba obviously doesn't want to beat me, clearly to trick me into thinking he is merciful." Jess flashed a wicked grin. "No. We don't do that here. The High Exalted One cares about us far too much to hurt us. It hasn't happened in over fifty years. But her highness has ways. She can restrict your privileges and prevent you from having any fun with your sisters whatsoever," Jess fired back.
Mara fumed. To her shame, she had grown attached to the luxuries of the harem and the intimate games between these misguided women during the three months she had spent with them. Taking a deep breath, Mara said, "I'm sorry." Jess smiled, gestured for her to keep walking, but still maintained a guarded mood. Mara hesitated, then asked, "But don't you ever hope to get out of here? To have freedom? Listen, Jess. I was an important asset to the emperor and my powerful abilities could aid us in getting out of here. I could kill the guards out front. You, me, and the rest of the girls could walk out, steal a ship, and go to a Hutt-free planet. Please Jess, don't you ever wish for a life free of your master?"
Jess sighed. "No, Mara. I don't. Ever. If somehow I was teleported half a galaxy away, completely free and with a million credits to my name, the first thing I would do is get on a ship and come rushing back, then beg our master to let me return. I know what you think, but I am not brainwashed Mara. I've experienced a privileged life without slavery, and I have to say, being a pet to The High Exalted One is ten times better. Soon you will realize this as well. Our master cannot be resisted, only obeyed. In return, he gives us a life free of worries, free of fear, and free of danger. And on that note, we're here!" Jess exclaimed, as they were now just outside the throne room doors. "Have fun Mara," Jess said, gently pushing her inside.
A Deal
Mara stepped inside, and was greeted by an almost empty room. Only one being still remained at this hour, and it was to him that Mara's gaze was drawn. Jabba the Hutt reclined on his massive throne, grinning at her. "Ah, my rebellious pet has joined me," his voice boomed around the room. "Come to me, my lovely," he ordered. Mara did so, stopping in front of his dais.
"Do you wish to please me, my lovely?" he asked her. Mara shook her head. "No, but this will definitely please me!" Mara yelled. She hadn't been lying to Jess when she said that she had powerful abilities. Now she had Jabba alone, and this was the perfect time to use them. Channeling her anger, she released a torrent of blue lightning at Jabba. He may have been strong, but Mara knew he had no defense against this. The lightning reached Jabba's skin.....and fizzled out into nothing. Mara struggled to keep up her barrage, but the lightning refused to have an effect on him. Breaking off the attack, all she could do was stare in amazement.
"How?" Mara asked, stunned. Jabba laughed. "You are not the first beautiful woman to hopelessly attempt to kill me," Jabba boomed, "And, like the first, you shall know my mercy." Mara could not resist as invisible hands grabbed her and forced her face inches from Jabba's. Powerless, she watched her master's great tongue extend out of his mouth and reach towards her. Her face could still move, but she could not avoid her master's kiss.
"No pleas..." Mara begged, but Jabba's tongue intruded into he mouth. His powerful tongue quickly overpowered hers and took control of her mouth. Mara had no choice but to submit to his assault. Strangely, after a while, she began to enjoy it, though she still struggled to break away. Jabba's tongue finally withdrew. "Did you enjoy that, my pet?" he asked her. Mara's cheek's flushed, but she did not respond.
The invisible hands holding her lifted her onto the throne, right before Jabba. There was no question, it was obvious Jabba was an extremely powerful force user. Mara had been personally trained by the emperor, but it seemed she was no match for Jabba. "Now you will pleasure me, my lovely, and finally accept your place," he told her.
Mara laughed at him. "Even if I enjoy my time with you, which I doubt, it wouldn't make me appreciate you," she scoffed at him. "You will Mara. For three months you have yet to experience the pleasure I can give, but that will now change. You have seen how happy and pampered my other pets are. You think it is a trick, but after tonight you will realize what an honor it is to serve me," Jabba said. Mara scowled at him. "So you say, but I am not as weak as the rebel bitch that you keep on a leash," she warned.
This greatly angered Jabba. "Do not insult my favorite!" his voice boomed. Mara lowered her eyes to the floor. "Yes, master," Mara accepted. Then she realized what she had just said. She had never called him 'master' before. Jabba petted her shoulder. "Now, you will obey my every command," he ordered. Mara regained her composure. "No, I won't obey, I'd rather die. You'll just have to kill me," Mara said. Jabba laughed. "Shall we make a deal, slave?" he offered. Mara considered him. "What kind of deal? she questioned.
"You will obey my every command tonight. In return, tomorrow morning, you will be free to leave," Jabba offered. Mara was stunned. "I don't believe you, I know you want me badly, I don't think you would give me up just for one night of passion," Mara challenged. Jabba grinned. "You will not be leaving. I said you would be free to go, I didn't say you would want to," he replied. Mara laughed. "You honestly believe that? I still have resources across the galaxy, I won't want for anything if I am on my own again. Why would I even consider staying?" Mara asked.
"Because you will not be able to bare leaving your rightful place. I am so confident that you will beg to stay that I offer you this. In the morning, you will accept your place as my pet and begin your life as a willing slave," he said. Mara grinned. "I doubt it," she defied. Do you accept my terms?" Jabba asked. Mara was amazed. This slug's overconfidence would be his downfall. "Very well. I look forward to leaving your revolting presence forever tomorrow," she promised. Jabba stroked her shoulder.
A Night with The Exalted One
"Remove your clothes," he ordered. Now free to move, Mara reluctantly did so, removing her red bra and bikini and tossing them to the side, leaving her naked before her master. "Suck on my tail," Jabba commanded. Mara hesitated, but knew this would be worth it. She crawled to his tail and took it into her mouth. Immediately, she was surprised by how..bearable.. this was. She sucked while awaiting his next command. "Now massage it," Jabba ordered. Mara took his tail out of her mouth and began to stroke it. She was amazed by how firm and muscular it was.
That was how the night went. As the time passed, Jabba gave her more and more vulgar commands. And Mara soon realized one thing; she wasn't disgusted. Despite the fact that she had had nightmares about doing this, it wasn't repulsive by any means. Still, Mara didn't understand how Jabba was planning to use the night to make her stay, until his commands changed. Jabba began to order her to do things that specifically benefited her. She began to experience an emotion she had never truly felt before: pleasure. And she loved it.
Mara immediately suspected he was just giving her these specific orders just to give her a favorable impression of a night spent with him, but logic quickly disproved this theory. The acts he made her do were so enjoyable, so perfect, that it was doubtless that he was used to giving them to his other slaves. Jabba was clearly accustomed to ensuring his slaves were satisfied, even if he didn't need to be to obtain pleasure for himself. This led Mara to a shocking conclusion that he cared that his slaves were happy. She didn't have much time to ponder this, though, as Jabba kept her busy.
Remember what the emperor taught you, remember how important you were to him, his first and only Hand, Mara thought to herself. Yes, that was right. Mara already had dedicated herself to a master, a kind and just one, and this slug's dethroning of him proves he is truly evil. And then, Mara's beliefs of her early life were shattered. Jabba began to enter her. With his every thrust, a new vision appeared in her mind, each one quick and clear.
She saw the emperor training numerous Hands, all told they were the only one. She then witnessed the emperor torturing a prisoner with sadistic pleasure. Scene after scene flooded her mind. Atrocities committed by the empire, the cruelty of the emperor, people suffering under his rule. Her entire life had been a lie. All the hard work and effort she put into it had only served evil.
She considered the possibility that Jabba had just created these visions and that they were all lies. But she realized how crazy that was. Creating untrue visions in the force was possible, but extremely difficult. If Jabba could do this, he could definitely use dark side mind control. Why didn't he just use it on her and all his pets? They'd be easy to dominate. All thoughts in their heads would cease, replaced by an urge to do whatever he said, with zeal. The fact that she could think these thoughts right now proved he was not using it on her. Even though he easily could and still receive the same pleasure. But why?
The answer crashed into her mind like a tidal wave. It was because he cared about her, cared about his slaves. It was the only explanation. He could dominate their minds, take pleasure from them and make their lives a living hell. But he didn't. He wanted them to be happy, wanted them to have a wonderful life in his harem. She should have realized it sooner, when Jabba had grown so angry when she had insulted Leia. It was because he cared about her! As the visions ceased and she reached her climax, Mara now knew where her place was.
"Ahhhhhh!" she moaned as she collapsed into Jabba's side. He gently rubbed her shoulder, giving her a minute to recuperate. After she had mostly recovered, Jabba asked, "Will you now serve me, my lovely, as my slave and as my pet?" Mara looked up at him. She had thought him repulsive, disgusting. How foolish she had been. With her realization, Jabba now appeared to her as the most attractive being in the galaxy. He truly was a far superior being.
Mara knelt before him, "Yes, master, your pet will serve you forever. She begs to be accepted as one of your slave girls. Please forgive her earlier disrespect and take her as your slave, she knows her place now," Mara said. "I accept. Welcome to your new life. I am sure you will please me again soon. Return to the harem I graciously provide for you, I am sure your queen will be glad of your new mindset," Jabba said. Mara rose and bowed deeply. "Yes master," she said.
Return to the Harem
Mara entered the harem. The room was completely quiet. The lights were almost all turned off, only a very dim glow illuminated the room. Making her way past the pools and sofas, she opened the door to the lift. She knew where she was going. Leia and Amanda were constant companions, it was obvious they would be staying together in Amanda's room. The lift made its way silently past the night rooms, where all of the non-senior slaves slept with the guests they had managed to charm. The lift stopped on the fourth floor, where all of the senior slaves' rooms were.
Mara stepped out, walking quietly down the hallway, so as not to disturb the senior slaves and their guests, who slept together in the luxurious, private rooms. At the end of the hallway was Amanda's room, the biggest of them all. Mara walked to the door. What should she do? Knock and probably disturb everyone, including Leia and Amanda, from their sleep, or barge in? Mara decided to open the unlocked door slightly. Peeking inside, she discovered Amanda snuggled in Leia's arms and laying on her left breast, both asleep and naked.
Mara silently walked in silently, then slowly closed the door behind her. She wondered of she should wake them up, but they looked so comfortable; she didn't want to disturb them. Still, she was very tired, and needed to sleep. Mara decided to simply lay on the soft carpet floor and close her eyes. As Emperor's Hand, she had slept on worse.
Mara soon fell into a deep sleep. She dreamt that Amanda and Leia shunned her, refused her. Mara and Leia had been on opposite sides before, and that worried her. She wanted to apologize for her earlier behavior and become friends with them, but she wasn't sure she would be accepted. In her dream, Leia threw her out of the room, then when to Jabba and had Mara thrown out of the palace altogether. A day ago, Mara would have jumped at this, but now it terrified her.
The alarm clock beeped at 9 am. Mara, with her assassin training, woke up first. By the time Leia and Amanda stirred, she was already kneeling at the foot of the bed. Her sisters started to moan and yawn. "Thanks for listening your highness," Amanda yawned. "Of course Amanda, last night was...Mara! What are you doing here?" Leia asked. She seemed startled, but not angry.
Mara bowed her head. "I have come to repent for my actions, your highness. I see the truth now, as you promised I would. Rebellion, Empire, none of it matters. All I care about is pleasing The High Exalted One. I am sorry for what I said to you, your highness, and to you, my mistress. Will you accept me?" Mara asked. Leia and Amanda smiled at each other. "Welcome sister," Leia said, climbing out of the bed. Mara began to kiss her queen's feet.
Leia let her go on for a bit, then ordered, "Rise, Mara." She obeyed. Leia leaned in, then gently began to kiss her. Mara responded. After a couple seconds, Leia pulled back. "Our former allegiances no longer matter Mara, and I am happy to call you sister," she said. Mara smiled. "Thank you, your highness," Mara replied. Leia then looked at her questioningly. "But Mara, why did you sleep on the floor? There's plenty of room in Amanda's massive bed," Leia asked.
Mara smiled. "I didn't want to disturb you, and I wanted to be here when you woke up. I've slept in worse before," she explained. A frown appeared on Leia's face. "Oh Mara! You must have been freezing, sleeping in your costume with no blanket on! Understand Mara, that you're living a life of luxury now. You're entitled to sleep in a comfortable bed for the rest of your life," Leia answered. "And we would have enjoyed your company," Amanda chimed in.
"It's not too late. Why don't we have some fun together? What do you say, Mara?" Leia offered. Mara was suddenly conscious of the fact that she was the only one in the room clothed at all. Removing her costume, she said, "It would be my honor, your highness.” Leia, Amanda, and Mara got into Amanda's personal hot tub. Mara was soon introduced to all of their favorite games. In their favorite, the giggle game, Mara's training allowed her to outlast Amanda.
"Hahahaha, yes, yes!" Amanda said, "Damn, Mistress Leia was the only one who could ever beat me. Let’s see you play her!" Mara tried her best, but Leia's face didn't move an inch. On Leia's seventh turn, her resistance finally collapsed. "Hahahaha, you win, your highness," Mara admitted. "Of course I did, now let's see if you both can't beat me!" Leia challenged playfully. It took a while, but even Mara and Amanda working together couldn't make Leia move an inch. First, Amanda giggled, then Mara. Leia wasn't the queen for nothing.
After two hours, the girls prepared for dance practice. "I take it you'll finally be joining us?" Amanda asked. Mara grinned. "I have a lot of experience, I'm sure I'll impress you," she promised. Putting back on her clothes, Mara walked out of the room and into her new life.
Mara's New Life
First Practice
Amanda's POV
Amanda followed Mara out of the room and into the harem. She was extremely happy. Mara was the first new girl since the taking of Coruscant to be added to the harem, though she wouldn't be the last. The High Exalted One eventually desired one hundred beautiful girls to be his pets. He planned to accomplish this within the next year, during which he would make the harem twice as large as it already was. The additions was planned to start in several days, and would take a week. Right now, not including Leia, twenty-six or so slave girls resided in the harem. Six girls slept in their personal rooms, while the other twenty slept on the second and third floors. The 10 rooms on these two floors were identical, but the third floor was reserved for girls with guests.
The harem could accommodate them all, for now. But on nights with no festivities (Parties were only held five nights a week now, due to Jabba's duties as Emperor), the girls just barely fit, doubling up in the second floor rooms. Another girl and they would be over packed. The new addition would fix this. The main harem area would be considerably expanded, but that wasn't the main addition. The number of rooms on the third floor would be increased to 100 and the number of rooms on the second floor would increase to fifty. That way, even when 100 slaves slept in the harem, there would be enough room even if they all slept on the second floor (they preferred to double up.) Each room on the second and third floors would be of better quality than any other room in the galaxy, and the senior rooms on the fourth floor would be even better than that.
Looking around, Amanda surveyed her sisters. Leia sat on her favorite blue silk couch that had essentially become her throne, watching the others dance. Amanda led the practice, keeping a close eye on Mara. True to her word, Mara's skills were impressive, she would be a wonderful addition. Mara had been extremely difficult to train, but the rewards were extremely gratifying. At long last, Mara had seemed to accept the truth.
What was up to Amanda now was to see that Mara adapted well to her new life. She knew it would not be hard. A life free of all responsibilities besides pleasure was an easy one. Here, they were not poor peasant girls or over-worked members of the nobility. Here, they were goddesses of lustful passion, desired by every man and envied by every woman who entered the palace. Most importantly, they were beloved by The High Exalted One himself. In return, they loved and worshiped him for the god he was.
For the hundred thousandth time, Amanda mentally thanked her master for bringing her here. At best, she would now be an old woman with white hair and wrinkles running across her body, a shadow of her former self. The worse and more likely scenario was that she would be already dead, a forgotten corpse in a Bespin dump. Instead, she was here, seventy-six years old, looking not a day older than twenty-one.
Amanda had always had a master, of course. Jaxton and Vol, the two smugglers who had found her and made her strip at the casino. Her father, what was his name again? She didn't remember and she didn't care. All she remembered was how horrible he had been, how he had abused her. Looking around at her twenty six sisters, she knew none of them had been quite as broken as she was, but all still loved and embraced their new lives. Now, Mara did as well.
Leia suddenly beckoned Amanda over. Leaving Jess in charge of the dance practice, Amanda walked over to and knelt at her Queen's feet. "What do you think of Mara?" Leia asked. Amanda smiled. "She is very impressive, your highness. She will be more than ready for the Council meeting," Amanda assured her. "Yes, I am sure she will," Leia agreed. "Now I will return to my master, ensure Mara and her sisters are ready," Leia ordered. Amanda bowed her head, "Yes, your highness," she said. Leia left to return to Jabba, while Amanda went back to the practice area. They had work to do.
Leia and Jabba
Leia's POV
As soon as Leia entered the throne room, Jabba's large powerful eyes immediately focused on her. "Come to me, slave," Jabba commanded in his deep Huttese voice. Leia approached slowly, then bowed low before her master. One of his stubby arms reached out and cupped her chin, and Leia found herself staring at her great master's face.
Leia looked at him, her Hutt master. His red, reptilian eyes, massive slimy body, and large powerful tail; Leia wondered how such a perfect and powerful being had ever come into existence. She knew it was beyond her comprehension. "Your master has missed you slave, now take your place beside him," he ordered. Leia slowly climbed onto the dais, then sat up and awaited hid first command.
Her relationship with Jabba was complex. He loved her, cared for her, and needed her, but he also treated her as a slave; an inferior being who was expected to obey his every command without hesitation. Leia wouldn't have it any other way. She obeyed this slug, this amazing, attractive, perfect slug, because he was her rightful master. He was all she lived for. She loved him, appreciated him, and worshiped him for being the wonderful master he was.
As Jabba's meetings began and Leia did her job, acting as a piece of furniture or trophy on the throne and staying silent, she continued her musings. Her life was perfect, she was fulfilling her destiny to serve Jabba as his favorite slave, and yet; Leia was starting to have her doubts. Not of her master, she would never doubt him, but of herself. Every day, she sat in front of Jabba. And every day, he grew fatter, grander, and more powerful. And as his size grew and his shadow towered over her, she questioned her ability to satisfy him.
Leia was beginning to doubt her worthiness for the honor that was being Jabba's favorite pet. She knew of course that if she wasn't no woman was. Leia loved Amanda, Mara, and all her sisters, but she was well aware of her superiority to all of them. Still, she wondered if her master should simply keep two or more favorite pets at a time. She knew this would be a great dishonor in the Hutt culture, but it might be the only option. Leia didn't voice these concerns to her master, though. She knew it was not her place to question him or give him suggestions. But if he ever asked, Leia would tell him of the doubts she was experiencing. For now though, she enjoyed this time with her master. She leaned her back into his belly, and his slime immediately began to stick to her skin. She had missed that feeling.
As the day wore on, Leia could tell her master desired her. His hungers were great, and she hadn't pleasured him for nearly twenty four hours. Sensing this, she began to sit in even more sexy positions, enchanting her already wonderful curves. After every meeting was done, she leaned back and grinned at him, then licked her tongue along his fat chest, running it across his slime. Leia could tell he was getting very aroused. His massive tongue constantly licked his wide lips, and Leia knew he was giving her lustful, even perverse, glances every five seconds. After his last meeting was finally done and dinner was over, Jabba dismissed everyone from the throne room. They all knew why. Two years ago, Leia would have been extremely embarrassed by this, now she was proud, proud everyone knew that she was the Hutt's concubine. After they had left, Leia's leash tugged her around.
Leia was pulled to within inches of her master's face. His fat, dripping tongue oozed out of his mouth and began to kiss her across her face. Instead of recoiling, as she would have done two years ago, Leia accepted the tremendous honor of receiving the Hutt's affections, kneeling down before him and letting his tongue soak her face. She was giggling, which Jabba loved hearing. After ten minutes, the Hutt finally ceased.
Leia was pulled upright again, at which point her Hutt master belched right into her face. She smiled as she inhaled the rancid breath, as her nose had adapted to love the smell. Lowering her head, her face dripping with slime, she remained silent. Her master hungered for her, and tonight he would be eager to display his mastery of her. "You are mine!" his voice boomed, "And I will do with you what I want!" "Yes, I am yours, master," Leia said submissively, accepting his dominion of her. Jabba laughed. "I know," his voice boomed. His tail appeared in her face, and she immediately took it into her mouth, licking and sucking it with all of the intensity she could muster.
To her, Jabba was more than her master, he was her god. Some would this was crazy, but Leia had her reasons. Her life was dependent on his generosity. If he wanted to, with a flick of his wrist he could end her. She was putty in his hands, every aspect of her life was determined by him. And he was always present. Somehow, probably due to his supreme command of the force, he was always there at the back of her mind. The leash, too, added to his constant presence. Before, she had hated it, now it was her favorite part of her costume.
After pleasing her master for hours, he was finally satisfied. Hoping she had done her job well, Leia fell into a deep sleep.
Discontent
Early Awakening
Mara's POV.
The night after the Hutt Council meeting, Mara stirred. The clock showed four in the morning, she had gotten up five hours early! There was no commotion in the harem, the alarm hadn't gone off by accident, and even the usually bustling Coruscant skyline, visible out of the rooms' many windows.
For a second, Mara was startled to find two smooth arms wrapped around her, then she remembered the previous night. Turning over, she looked at her bed companion. Amanda was sleeping peacefully, as of yet unaware of Mara's awakening. Unlike the rest of the non-senior slaves, Mara wasn't doubling up with anyone in one of the opulent second floor rooms.
Usually, she would have been quartered on the third floor, with a court guest, but their had been no festivities the previous night. Instead, she was currently on the fourth floor. Seven bed rooms there were set aside for the senior slaves; Jess, Lyn Me, Melanie, Rystall, Diva, and Amanda. The seventh had not yet been awarded.
These rooms were far superior to the ones on the lower floors, which were extremely luxurious in their own right. Amanda's was the largest and most luxurious of them all. Amanda's invitation had surprised Mara. The senior slaves were proud of their extra luxury, and didn't usually share it with the lower slaves. Amanda and Mara didn't need to be alone to be intimate with each other (which they had been.) Modesty and privacy were non-existent in the harem. Amanda, however, had explained that she wanted some extra "quality time" with the beautiful Mara, and had invited her to stay in her room as a reward for performing so well during the Council Meeting earlier. Mara, of course, had been in no position to refuse her mistress.
Amanda's beautiful face finally stirred, and she stretched and yawned. "Mara?" she asked sleepily, "What's wrong?" "Nothing, mistress. I guess I'm just used to waking up earlier," Mara explained, which was true. As emperor's hand, she had generally slept five hours a night, not the ten her sisters were used to.
"I know it's hard, Mara, but you're not an assassin anymore, you can sleep late now," Amanda scolded. "Sorry, mistress," Mara replied. Amanda smiled. "Now go to sleep, love you," Amanda ordered. Mara turned over. "Love you to," she said, closing her eyes. With difficulty, she went to sleep.
Unusual Emotions
Amanda's POV
The next afternoon, Amanda surveyed her sisters. Dance practice had just ended, and they were all free to enjoy themselves. Jabba would be going on some sort of trip tonight, so the evening festivities had been cancelled. Some were kissing or playing other 'games'. Others were sipping soothing wine from glasses of perfect crystal. Still more were swimming or dosing in one of the ten pools. Leia was currently reclining on her favorite silk chair, sampling some wine herself, thinking about her previous night with her master. She was alone, but at her command, two newer slaves came over. At her orders, they began to serve her. One began to comb Leia's hair, which had gotten wet from a swim in the pools. The other went over to one of the fruit bowls and pulled out a bunch of grapes. At Leia's prompting, she began to feed them to her.
Leia closed her eyes and grinned while her sisters served her. Amanda smiled. Leia had certainly gotten used to being harem queen. Though completely and utterly submissive to her master, Leia now conducted herself as royalty while among her sisters. Amanda could not have been prouder, having trained Leia since her arrival. She had introduced Leia to their ways, taught her to dance, shown her their games, and then watched Leia surpass her and take her rightful place.
Yet Leia was not the same as traditional royalty. She demanded the same respect and diffidence, but her attitude was very different. Normal royalty were constantly on guard and stressed, always looking for ulterior motives. Leia did not. She may have while princess of Alderran, but the Queen who was being fed grapes right now was greatly changed from the reserved former Alderran royal. Her intellect, except that which involved pleasing her master and running the harem, had dimmed considerably. Her eyes had lost their luster of intelligence, no longer calculating or concerned with anything or anyone.
Except Jabba and her sisters. Her master was the ruler of the galaxy, he handled the matters that required political and intellectual intrigue. Leia had other concerns. She kept the harem running and pleasured her master, two tasks that suited her new personality very well. She didn't care about galactic affairs, she cared about being a good slave to her Hutt master, and that was how it should be. In two years here she had forgotten all she had learned while Princess of Alderran. Leia had told Amanda that she didn't care that she wasn't nearly as bright as she used to be; because it was required to run the best harem in the galaxy in the way that a Harem Queen should. In that, she was unequaled. And that was all that mattered.
Looking around, Amanda spotted Mara. She looked...well, discontent. She was sitting on the edge of a pool, occasionally chatting with another slave, but mostly remaining silent and glum. Amanda was puzzled by this. Tamed slaves did not experience unhappiness. Amanda could barely comprehend it. It was like her brain was saying Does not compute. On the verge of panic, Amanda reeled around to look at Leia, but she was already gone....