CAYOM Year 8: Part 1 (TAKE TWO) (Fourth Quarter) (4/13 Deadline)

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American Gods (3D) and (IMAX)Date- July 3rd (Tuesday)Genre- FantasyRating- PG-13Theaters- 3,734 theatersBudget- 175 millionRunning Time- 118 minutes or 1 hour and 58 minutesStudio- O$corp PicturesDirector- Chris ColumbusActors and ActressesShadow- Jeremy RennerMr. Wednesday- Woody HarrelsonPlot: The film centers around that idea that  gods and mythological creatures exist because people believe in them. Immigrants to the United States brought with them dwarves, elves, leprechauns, and other spirits and gods. However, the power of these mythological beings has diminished as people's beliefs wane. New gods have arisen, reflecting America's obsessions with media, celebrity, technology, and drugs, among others.Shadow is a taciturn ex-con who leaves prison only to find that his wife (Laura) and best friend died in a car accident, leaving him alone in the world. Bereft, he takes a job as a bodyguard for a mysterious conman called Mr. Wednesday, who seems to know more about Shadow's life than he lets on. Shadow and Wednesday travel across America visiting Wednesday's unusual colleagues and acquaintances until Shadow learns that Wednesday is in fact an incarnation of Odin the All-Father (the name Wednesday is derived from "Odin's –Wōden's – day"), who in his current guise is recruiting American manifestations of the Old Gods of ancient mythology, whose powers have waned as their believers have decreased in number, to participate in an epic battle against the New American Gods, manifestations of modern life and technology (for example, the Internet, media, and modern means of transport). Shadow meets many gods and magical creatures, including Mr. Nancy (a manifestation of the spider god/trickster figure Anansi), Czernobog (here an elderly East European immigrant), and a leprechaun named Mad Sweeney, who gives Shadow the gift of a magical gold coin. Shadow tosses the coin into his wife's grave, inadvertently bring her back from the dead as a semi-living revenant.Shadow and Wednesday try to rally the Old Gods to fight the new, but most are reluctant to get involved. The New Gods abduct Shadow (utilizing a group of shadowy Men in Black led by the mysterious Mr. World), but Laura rescues him, killing several MIBs in the process. For his protection, Wednesday hides Shadow, first with a few stray Egyptian gods (Thoth and Anubis, here Mr. Ibis and Mr. Jaquel) who run a funeral parlor in Illinois, and then finally in the sleepy Great Lakes community of Lakeside. Shadow meets many colorful locals in Lakeside, including Hinzlemann, an old-timer who spins tall tales, and Chad Mulligan, the workaday local chief of police. Lakeside is tranquil and idyllic but Shadow suspects something is not quite right about the town: While neighboring communities turn into ghost towns, Lakeside is mysteriously resilient. The town's children seem to disappear with unusual frequency. But he cannot investigate further, busily traveling across America with Wednesday, meeting the likes of Johnny Appleseed and the goddess Easter to solicit their help in the brewing conflict. They are pursued all the while by the Men in Black, particularly Mister Town, a jaded MIB who blames Shadow for the death of his friends (actually murdered by Laura).Finally the New Gods seek to parlay with Wednesday–but in fact they murder him. This actually galvanizes the other Old Gods into action, and finally they rally behind a common banner to face their enemies in battle. Shadow is bound by his compact with Wednesday to hold his vigil by re-enacting Odin's time hanging from a "World Tree" while pierced by a spear. Shadow dies and visits the land of the dead, where he is guided by Thoth and judged by Anubis. Easter later brings him back to life, obeying orders that she does not fully understand. During the period between life and death, Shadow learns that he is Wednesday's son, conceived as part of the deity's plans. He realises that Odin and Loki have been working a "two-man con." They orchestrated Shadow's birth, his meeting of Loki in disguise as his prison cellmate "Low Key Lyesmith" (Loki Liesmith) and Laura's death. Loki, secretly "Mr. World", the leader of the New Gods, orders Odin's murder so that the battle caused between the New and Old Gods will serve as a sacrifice to Odin, restoring his power, while Loki would feed on the chaos of the battle.Shadow arrives at Rock City, site of the climactic battle, just after the battle had started but in time to stop it, explaining that both sides had nothing to gain and everything to lose, with Odin and Loki the only winners. America is a "bad place for Gods", Shadow tells them, and recommends they go home and make the best of what they can get. The Gods depart, Odin's ghost fades, and Laura impales Loki on a branch of the World Tree, and finally dies after Shadow takes the magical coin from her.In the aftermath of the climax, Shadow returns to Lakeside, where he finally stumbles on the town's secret: The missing children are abducted by Hinzlemann, who is in fact an ancient Germanic household god. Hinzlemann blessed and protected the town, making it prosper despite the hardships plaguing the rest of the region, in exchange for the town's unwitting sacrifice of their young. Shadow destroys Hinzlemann, even though he knows this may doom the community.In Iceland, Shadow meets another incarnation of Odin, who was created by the belief of the original settlers of Iceland, and is therefore much closer to the Odin of mythology than Wednesday was. Shadow accuses Odin of Wednesday's actions, whereupon Odin replies that "He was me, yes. But I am not him." After a short talk, Shadow gives Odin Wednesday's glass eye, which Odin places in a leather bag as a keepsake. Shadow performs a simple sleight-of-hand coin trick, which delights Odin enough that he asks for a repeat performance. Shadow then performs a small magic of his own, pulling a golden coin from nowhere. He flips it into the air and, without waiting to see if it ever lands, walks down the hill and away.The film also features many subplots and cutaway scenes detailing the adventures of various mythical beings in America: The Queen of Sheba stays young and powerful by preying, succubus-like, on Johns; a salesman from Oman meets a cab-driving Ifrit; the first Viking explorers to come to America bring their gods with them; a Cornish woman turns fugitive in the new world, inadvertently populating it with the pixies and fairies of her native country; even going back all the way to 14,000 BC and the gods of the very first American immigrants.

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Midnight in the Afghan Valley"This Isn’t A Glorious War"Date- Limited July 27th and Wide August 31st Genre- War DramaRating- R- strong war violence including torture and for strong languageTheaters- July 27th- 4, August 3rd- 87, August 10th- 255, August 17th- 625, August 24th- 1,513, and August 31st- 2,794Budget- 20 millionRunning Time- 126 minutes or 2 hours and 6 minutesStudio- O$corp PicturesDirector- Josh TrankActors and ActressesSpecialist Frank Voss- Daniel SharmanSergeant Adam Lindahl- Orlando BloomSergeant Jordan Murel- Josh DuhamelRasa- Freida PintoPlot:

The film begins with Specialist Frank Voss, Sergeant Adam Lindahl, and Sergeant Jordan Murel saying farewell to their families as they are about to be deployed to secret location in the rugged and dangerous area of Afghanistan. This is their first deployment to the country. This is Specialist Voss’s second deployment. He was previously deployed to South Korea. Sergeant Lindahl is on his second deployment too and he was deployed previously to Sudan. Sergeant Lindahl and Specialist Voss are close friends.  Specialist Voss sees Sergeant Lindahl as an older brother figure. Sergeant Murel is the veteran of the group. He is on his fourth deployment and both his previous three were located in Iraq. He is the only one with experience in the unpredictable and violent Islamic Middle East war. Behind them they leave family, friends, and loved ones. Sergeant Murel is married and has a 1 year-old son. Specialist Voss has a girlfriend of 7 years.They arrive in Afghanistan and land at the base. After getting acquainted with the base and surrounding area they go on their first mission. It is uneventful much to Specialist Voss and Sergeant Lindahl’s relief. Sergeant Murel the leader of the company however wanted some action and excitement. The next few weeks drag by. The team has to deal with sudden acts from insurgents, IED explosions, and conflicts with the locals. The newly arrived troops suffer their first casualties, which shake the newer troops that aren’t experienced to violent conflict. During this time, Sergeant Murel, Sergeant Lindahl, and Specialist Voss grow as a team together. They become a band of brothers.During the next few months, Sergeant Lindahl begins to develop feelings for a beautiful local named Rasa. She and Sergeant Lindahl meet in secret. She doesn’t believe in Islam even though, she is forced to believe in it by her abusive father. She is close with her five sisters and mother. She is in an arranged marriage with one of the local leaders who is 20 years older than she is. Sergeant Lindahl promises to help her escape Afghanistan. There relationship is soon discovered by Specialist Voss. He wants Sergeant Lindahl to end it and threatens to tell Sergeant Murel but Sergeant Lindahl aggressively threatens him to keep silent telling him that Rasa his is source of joy and peace in this garbage dump of a country, his anger alarms Specialist Voss and he keeps silent. A couple of weeks later while out on a patrol, they come up on Rasa’s father severely beating Rasa for going outside without her veil. Rasa looks up at them and begs for help. Sergeant Murel tells Sergeant Lindahl to drive on since they can’t get involved in civilian affairs. Sergeant Lindahl however leaps from the truck and begins to fight Rasa’s father. Sergeant Murel angrily yells for Sergeant Lindahl to return to the truck. Anger locals soon gather and begin to attack the patrol. An IED explodes and chaos erupts. Locals begin to fire shots at the patrol. Specialist Voss calls back to the base for support.  A full on battle begins and the locals are driven back by back up forces. 10 locals are killed along with 2 soldiers. Upon returning to base, Sergeant Lindahl lies about his relationship with Rasa and claims that he couldn’t see an innocent woman be beaten so her reacted. He is severely reprimanded by Sergeant Murel who says that Sergeant Lindahl’s foolish act caused the death of two soldiers and has destroyed the hard won loyalty of the Afghan civilians. Specialist Voss is traumatized by the events since this is his first time engaging in an actual close range fight. He also witnessed the gruesome death of one of the soldiers. He suffers a breakdown and higher nervousness.Over the next weeks, the tensions grow. Civilians are armed and dangerous. Nobody is safe anymore. IED attacks happen more than once daily and there isn’t a day with out a soldier getting killed or wounded in an IED attack or minor gunfight. The Taliban have entered the village since the soldiers remain mostly sieged in the base.Late one night, Specialist Voss and Sergeant Lindahl are awaken by Sergeant Murel who announces that they have been selected for a sudden midnight attack on the town to try to control the civilians and thrust the Taliban from the village. They leave the safety of the base and venture into the dark village. They are told to kill anybody who is armed, civilian or not. They leave the trucks and begin to entire the houses to route the insurgents out. Soon gunshots are heard and the shooting begins. People sleeping with weapons are killed. Civilians awaken and begin to fight back. Scream from women and children erupt along with gunshots throughout the clear midnight sky. Sergeant Murel, Sergeant Lindahl, and Specialist Voss make their way through the streets shooting anybody who is armed. Reports begin to fly that unarmed civilians are being killed and this is confirmed when the trio entire a house and see a soldier massacre a family. Sergeant Murel asks what the fuck the soldier is doing. The soldier replies that he is doing what he was told to do. The solider leaves the house. Specialist Voss whispers something about Rasa to Sergeant Lindahl. Sergeant Lindahl turns to bolts from the house. Sergeant Murel and Specialist Voss shout after him. Sergeant Lindahl runs through the street shouting Rasa’s name. He bolts into her house and sees her sobbing over the bodies of her dead mother and sisters. Sergeant Lindahl tries to comfort her but she throws him off and blames him and his kind for her family’s deaths. She tells him that she trusted him and she thought the Americans were here to help them not kill them. She shouts for Sergeant Lindahl to leave. She pulls out a knife and tells him to get out and that she doesn’t want to see any of his kind in her village ever again. Sergeant Lindahl leaves. Meanwhile Sergeant Murel and Specialist Voss continue to fight. They witness the sight of dozens of unarmed villagers are gunned down. Sergeant Murel has enough and leaves in a Humvee. The battle continues into the morning. The remaining villagers flee to the hills. When they return to base, Sergeant Lindahl storms into the office of the base commanders and asks what the fuck happened. He says that this isn’t war. He tells them that what they did was cold-blooded murder. The commanders say that civilians sometimes get killed and that this is war. They say that Sergeant Lindahl isn’t suppose to question their leadership but just follow it. The commanders command soldiers to remove him from the room. Sergeant Lindahl cusses angrily as he is thrown out.The next months drag. Half the village is dead even though almost all the Taliban were killed in the fight. Sergeant Lindahl is depressed and bitter about the attack and about Rasa. He never sees her again. It is hinted that she has forever left the village to live in the mountains with most of the villagers. Sergeant Murel detaches from the trio and becomes much harsher and strict. Specialist Voss is left alone despite the fact that he needs the support from the others and he suffers from severe paranoia and survivor guilt. The three men are basically just trying to survive until the end of their deployment. A dark cloud rest over the base as soldiers feel guilt about the attack. The days tick down to the end of the deployment and the days are full of violence, pain, and desperation. The soldiers just want to die or go home. Two soldiers kill themselves out of guilt and desperation among them is the soldier from the house.A week before they return home, a fight erupts when their patrol is ambushed in the countryside. The fighting is intense. The trio find themselves grouping together during the fight. During the fight, Sergeant Lindahl is killed. The three manage to resolve their tensions between each other before Sergeant Lindahl bleeds out before help can arrive. They are greatly shaken by his death.The film concludes with Lindahl’s funeral. Several weeks after the funeral, Specialist Voss is deemed unfit to return to combat and given an honorable discharge. He is seeing a therapist and is also helped by his girlfriend. He finds relief in the peaceful and slow pace civilian life. Sergeant Murel returns overseas on a final deployment since he can’t stand living a regular citizen life. His passion is with the Army. Specialist Voss and Sergeant Murel say that they will always remember that deployment to the Afghan valley and that it will haunt them forever.

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FeedDate- August 10th Genre- ZombieRating- RTheaters- 3,122 theatersBudget- 35 millionRunning Time- 91 minutes or 1 hour and 31 minutesStudio- O$corp PicturesDirector- Tobe HooperGeorgia Mason- Jessica ChastainShaun- Jeremy RennerPlot: The film is set several decades after the zombie apocalypse, referred to as the Rising. Two man-made viruses (a cure for cancer and a cure for the common cold) combined to form Kellis-Amberlee, a virus that quickly infects all mammalian life. Kellis-Amberlee is normally beneficial, but death causes the virus to 'go live' or 'amplify', converting any host mammal over 40 pounds (18 kg) into a zombie. Most humans reside in tightly controlled safe zones, with rigorous blood testing and decontamination protocols used to prevent the spread of live virus. After the inaction of traditional media during the Rising, blogs and other new media have taken over as the primary source of information and entertainment; bloggers are recognised as professional journalists, with individuals specialising and identifying as 'Newsies' (fact-based reporting), 'Irwins' (named after Steve Irwin, who seek to educate and entertain by going out and "poking things with sticks"), or 'Fictionals' (fictional content), among others.The film occurs in 2040, and is seen from the perspective of Georgia Mason, a Newsie blogger and head of the After the End Times website. Georgia, her brother Shaun (an Irwin), and their friend Georgette "Buffy" Meissonier (a technology guru), are selected to cover the presidential campaign of Senator Peter Ryman, a moderate Republican. The campaign is mostly uneventful until Eakly, Oklahoma, where zombies attack the campaign convoy, killing several before security (assisted by Georgia and Shaun) can contain them; they later find that it was an orchestrated attack. The next stage of the campaign is the Republican National Convention, where Ryman faces off against religious, right-wing Governor David Tate and sex-over-substance Congresswoman Kristen Wagman. During the convention, Newsie and former print journalist Rick Cousins defects from Wagman's campaign to join After the End Times. Ryman is selected as the Republican candidate for the presidency, but as this is announced, Georgia learns that a zombie outbreak recurred at the senator's horse ranch, and his eldest daughter is dead. Georgia and company investigate and find that the outbreak started from a horse injected with live virus. Ryman and the campaign relocates to Texas, where he joins his vice-presidential candidate: Tate. The bloggers must drive their vehicles and equipment overland. During the trip, the convoy is attacked by a sniper. Georgia, Shaun, and Rick survive, but the van carrying Buffy and Chuck (the campaign's tech chief) crashes; Chuck dies, zombiefies, and bites Buffy. She confesses to leaking information to a group undermining Ryman's campaign; the attack occurred because she had stopped. After administering a coup de grâce, Georgia calls for rescue, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) team drugs them and takes them for testing. After being released, the team's work on the campaign is hampered as they dig at the underlying conspiracy, souring the bloggers' relationship with Ryman and Tate. They find evidence linking Tate to the attacks, along with hints of a broader conspiracy involving the CDC and other parties, but when Georgia confronts Ryman during an event in Sacramento, California, he sends them away. As they leave, the bloggers are attacked, and Georgia is shot with a tranquiliser dart containing live virus. Rick escapes with a copy of the group's evidence just before a zombie outbreak is instigated, and Shaun helps Georgia expose the conspiracy through one last blog post. She begins amplifying, forcing Shaun to execute her. The film then changes to Shaun's perspective. He rallies Ryman's security detail to help contain the outbreak, then breaks into the convention centre to confront Ryman and Tate. Tate takes Ryman's wife hostage with a syringe of the zombie virus, claiming his actions were part of a plot using fear of the zombies to reshape America into a more faithful society. The governor injects himself instead, and Shaun shoots him to prevent zombiefication.

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The Valley

 

Date- September 28th 

Genre- Found Footage/Horror

Rating- R

Theaters- 3,040 theaters

Budget- 12 million

Running Time- 78 minutes or 1 hour and 18 minutes

Studio- O$corp Pictures

Director- Alexandre Aja

 

Plot: 5 researchers are trapped in a Himalayan valley during a snowstorm. During the night they are terrorized by several Yeti. By morning all of the researchers are dead and the tapes of the attack are lost in the snow. 

[Alpha]

Resonance
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Composer: Clint Mansell
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Date: August 31 (limited) September 28 (wide)
Studio: Alpha Pictures
Format: 35mm film
Budget: $15 million
Theaters: 5 (8/31), 34 (9/7), 144 (9/14), 423 (9/21), 917 (9/28), 1,644 (10/5)
MPAA Rating: R for violence, disturbing images and sexual content
Running Time: 99 min
Tagline: Sound Is Closer Than You Think

 

Cast:
Liam Neeson as Samuel Bergot
Gael Garcia Bernal as Carlos Garcia
Michael Pena as Roberto Romero
Salma Hayek as Maria Gomez
Guy Pearce as James Martin
Emma Thompson as Catherine Bergot

 

Summary: A celebrated sound designer is hired to work on a Mexican horror film, but eventually things take a turn for the worse.

 

Plot:

In television format, we see the Year 6 Oscars taking place, when the Muppets hosted. At this time, Dr. Bunsen, Animal, Bruce Willis, and Armie Hammer are presenting the award for Best Sound Mixing. The nominees are Avarice, The Cardinal In The Kremlin, Society, To The Moon, and Wicked. The winner is Society, and at the announcement Samuel Bergot, the lead sound designer gets up from his seat, along with his partners Roberto Romero and James Martin. The announcer indicates that this is the third nomination for this sound trio and only win, previously nominated for Slyvarius in Year 4 and U.S.S. Seawolf in Year 2. All of them thank Sam Mendes for letting them do their work on Society, and wish the audience a good night.

 

SIX MONTHS LATER

 

It is now August of Year 6. In his home in Burbank, Samuel Bergot is eating breakfast. We can see his Oscar statuette on a shelf in the living room. Soon into his meal, he gets a call. He answers the phone, and responds with “Yes,” and “Okay.” Soon into the conversation, Samuel’s face brightens, and he responds, “I’ll be right over there.” After he hangs up, he finishes his breakfast, packs bags for work, and is out the door. Outside, he leaves the house in his Honda Civic, and drives off.

We cut to Samuel walking down a hallway, supposedly inside a film studio. The film studio is located on the 16-18th floors of a big apartment complex. He goes up to receptionist’s desk, and asks to see “Mr. Garcia.” Once the receptionist hangs up on her phone, the two flirt for a bit, but the receptionist grants Samuel permission.

 

Samuel walks into the studio, and sees filming taking place. We see an actor walking down a hallway set, knife in hand and scared reaction. Soon enough, we hear a crack in the wall, and a man in a monster costume jumps out and scares the actor, and grabs him and pulls him in as he screams. The director says, “Cut!,” and with the call of “it’s a wrap!,” everyone goes offset. The director sees Samuel watching the filming with interest, and brightens. He runs up to him, and introduces himself as Carlos Garcia. Samuel also introduces himself, and Carlos thanks him for participating in the project. Carlos brings him outside, and into his office inside the building. Carlos, after getting Samuel situated, tells him about this project. The name of the film is After Midnight (Spanish: Después de la medianoche), and is a basic horror film, done by his Latino-American studio Garcia Producciones. They are aiming for a release in January, and are almost done with filming. However, they need sound designers for post-production, and the film is a very atmospheric horror film, so ambience in sound mixing and editing is crucial. He called in Samuel because of his recent Oscar win back in February, and thinks his team could finish the job the way Carlos wants. Samuel agrees, saying he hasn’t gotten much work, and this could be a career change for him (his resume is mostly children and action movies), and he will bring his sound crew in the morning.

 

The next morning, as promised, Samuel invites Roberto and James to help him with the job. Both agree, and will help Samuel with the sound process. The process begins that day. James agrees to be a foley artist, using fruits and vegetables to create effects like tearing, gushing and punching. Roberto becomes the lead sound mixer, and records voices like screaming or roaring, also using effects created by James and mixing them together to create sounds for the film. Finally, Samuel is the chief sound editor, and pieces all the sounds into the correct spots of the movie.

 

Samuel, in order to gain knowledge of the film for sound editing, has to repeatedly watch individual scenes from the film. As it is, this film is more violent than the average horror film, as some scenes involve gore, decapitation, chainsaws, knives, and dismembered body parts. On top of that, the usage of blood is extreme. This is obviously a hard-R film, and he has to keep watching it over and over again. The work becomes more tiring considering Carlos' demanding work hours that pertain for almost the whole day.

Meanwhile, Roberto has begun a relationship with the lead actress, Maria Gomez. However, Maria is actually married to Carlos, which would explain her lead part in the movie. Maria shows feelings of dismemberment from Carlos, as his perfectionism gets larger and larger during the production, and Carlos becomes angrier. Maria feels more like an attraction to him, and nothing more. "Like a boy and girl on their first date." Also, James becomes obsessed with foley art on the film, and soon enough shows a passion for ripping up fruits and vegetables, just to hear the sound.

 

Samuel also finds an obsession on creating the film. By now he has seen the unfinished film over a hundred times, and now is more concerned about finishing his work than his basic life. His divorcee, Catherine visits his house only to find drawings of scenes from the film, and various sound bytes of recordings around the house. After a while, Catherine is disgusted at Samuel's passion for this "perverted film," and leaves Samuel's house in anger. Samuel then breaks down that night, and goes to the bar to relieve his feelings. He spends there all night, and passes out on the drive home. With the car still in gear, it drives off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in LA, and the car crashes into the water.

 

Days later, Samuel wakes up in the hospital. Laying on a bed, a doctor comes in and sees him awake. The doctor says that he suffered minor or damage to his cornea and brain, but after operations he should be fine. After a few hours, Samuel is out of the hospital, well. Once he gets back on set everyone throws a welcome back party for Samuel, but the next day it's back to work. However, Samuel starts seeing hallucinations when editing. When he listens to sound effects, they sound hyper realistic, as if its real. At the same time, Carlos' attitude grows in intensity towards especially. On top of that, his fellow sound engineers start acting weird around (one time he sees Roberto and Maria having sex inside the sound room). One day, they bring in Maria to do voice acting. In Samuel's view, after doing a few voices, Maria begins to scream. To the others, it's regular. However, Samuel sees the creature from the film inside the studio, with Maria screaming blood-curdling. Samuel is disturbed, and runs outside the studio. Carlos yells at him for being a pussy and that he needs to do his job right. Samuel says that he can't finish the project. "It's too violent and disturbing for me. Horror films are too much for me now." Carlos, however responds, "This is not a 'horror film.' This is a Satanic film. Do not call my film 'horror' again."

 

That day after work, Samuel goes home and rips up all his storyboards and sets his sound tapes on fire. However, as the tapes burn, they begin to talk to him, saying things like “don’t!” and “save me!”. Samuel then hears a record skipping in the kitchen, playing a sentence from John Lennon’s “Imagine.” “I hope someday you’ll join us.” Samuel flicks the light on, and sees the creature from the film, staring at him. The TV breaks open, the oven begins beeping, and all the phones in the house ring. Suddenly, the house begins to go on fire, and Samuel is able to make it out unscarred. However, he sees the silhouette of the creature in the doorway. Samuel then screams. However, as Samuel screams, he hears, “Stop yelling!” Samuel turns around, and sees out the window his neighbor ranting. “You’re waking my entire goddamn family up!” Samuel looks around, and sees his house, fine. Samuel realizes he needs to abandon the project once and for all to rid the thoughts from his head.

 

The next day at work, Samuel meets up with Carlos, and says he can’t continue with the film. “I imagined my house burning last night, seeing that damned monster from the film everywhere I looked.” Carlos says it’s too late, and the studio is done with filming. “Prepare to work more hours than you previously did. I need people like you now, more than ever.” Samuel gets angry, and begins to attack Carlos for keeping him under confine. The two have a fight, and soon enough Carlos knocks him down. Carlos then becomes the creature (“You are going to die, Samuel.” {in double voice}), and begins to attack him. Samuel then runs from the studio. He ends up killing people in the studio, going insane as colors and buildings warp around him. He runs outside, jumping out the window on the 17th floor, and lands on the ground, committing suicide. In his last sight of vision, he sees (in photo-negative) faces of people replaced with demonic smiling dogs, as the eyelids close.

 

Over 2 minutes of heartbeats occur, and we see Samuel inside the recording studio, snoring. He wakes up, and sees Carlos standing behind him. Carlos tells him to get to work in a snappy attitude, and Samuel laughs. Samuel then begins playing the audio track, which is a scream from Maria earlier. Samuel then looks behind him, and sees a trail of blood. He begins to walk down the hallway behind him. As Samuel walks down the hallway, he hears the crack of wood. The creature from the film grabs him, and he screams in terror as he is pulled away. The screen cuts to black, and we hear Carlos’ voice say, “Cut!”

 

THE END

[alisson23]

Remember me

Moving to Tuesday July 3rd

[rukaio101]

Renamed both of my films this quarter slightly. Freaks is now Patchwork and Death Note is now Death Note: The Game Begins.

 

Name: Romeo vs JulietDirector: Roger MillerGenre: Romantic Comedy (Yes really)Date: August 3-5Cast: James McAvoy (James Spenser), Natalie Dormer (Lucy Olson), Tom Cruise (Julian Du'Merde), Alec Baldwin (Ted Bradley), Jason Statham (Miles O'Toole), Eliza Davis (made up) (Lena)Plot:

James Spencer and Lucy Olson are both aspiring theatre actors. The two meet one day at an musical audition and hit it off well, with Lucy showing off her special high heels, built for dancing. Lucy heads off to fetch some coffee (James tells her to make sure his has no milk since he's lactose intolerant) leaving James to fiddle with the shoes. While she is gone, James accidentally breaks off one of the heels and clumsily sticks it back on. Lucy returns with the coffee and accidentally gives James the coffee with milk in it. As a result, James is stricken with horrible diarrhoea and misses his turn to audition, while Lucy trips and falls during hers. Neither gets the part.

 

They meet up several weeks later at another audition and, while they're naturally sore at each other, they agree to just let it go and Lucy shows off her new dress, created specifically for this audition. However, it gets caught under James's chair and accidentally gets ripped off. Lucy sees James laughing and throws her extra milky (and boiling hot) coffee in his face. ("See how you like this extra milky coffee!" "AAAAGGGH!!!!" "Oh... and it's quite hot.") Lucy then spends her audition trying to stop her dress falling apart while James spends his in the hospital. When they next meet, the two absolutely hate each other and spent all their interactions deliberately sabotaging the other. James pours paint onto Lucy's dress. Lucy draws on James's face while he's napping. James gives Lucy false directions to her audition, leading instead to a strip club. Lucy throws a bucket of milk in his face. James and his friend Brian try to run Lucy down in their car. ("Do you think we might be going a bit too far here?" *the car crashes* "Yeah, probably.")

 

Meanwhile, famed theatre owner and director Julian Du'Merde (real name: Derek Haggis) is talking to estate developer Ted Bradley, who wishes to purchase and demolish Julian's theatre. Despite being short on funds and sponsors, Julian is unwilling to sell his theatre, much to Bradley's annoyance. The discussion turns to Julian's recent productions and Bradley suggests the only reason Julian's plays succeed is the excellent actors he uses. Julian, offended, tells Bradley that he could make a play popular with any actor. Bradley, sensing an opportunity, challenges Julian to a bet where Bradley selects any actors he wants for Julian's upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet to see whether Julian can still make the play any good. If Bradley wins, Julian has to sell his theatre. if Julian wins, Bradley will finance as many of Julian's plays as he wants. Julian agrees but states he has to hire actual actors, not just random hobos he finds on the street. 

 

Bradley is wondering exactly who he can hire to best ruin Julian's chances of the play succeeding when he overhears James and Lucy bickering in the audition room. Figuring that two people who despise each other so much couldn't possibly convincingly play lovers, Bradley has them both hired as Romeo and Juliet. He also hires 'Shakey' Jake, who is constantly overdosed on caffeine, as the wise Friar Lawrence, Lena, who has a painfully annoying voice as the Nurse, Eric, who has an unnaturally quiet voice and little to no presence (leading to some funny moments scattered throughout the film where he apparently appears out of nowhere, surprising the cast), as the brash and violent Tybalt and Miles O'Toole, who is most definitely not an ex-Mob Hitman currently in Witness Protection (with a mild obsession with theatre) as Paris, the refined Verona gentleman who plays a pretty large part. Unsurprisingly, the first rehearsal goes comically bad.

 

In order to fix things, Julian sets up a variety of programmes to get his actors in shape. He forces Jake to quit caffeine cold turkey, leading to some bizarre withdrawal symptoms. He hires a voice coach for Lena, which doesn't work, before giving up and deciding to dub over her voice with someone else behind the stage and teach her to talk in time with her.  He hires the same voice coach for Eric, which again doesn't work (and causes the mental breakdown of said voice coach), so he merely turns up the volume on his microphone. He also creates a stage mask for Miles to avoid being recognised, although the first few copies either muffle his voice or make him look ridiculous.

 

However, nothing he does can seem to reconcile James and Lucy, be it arranged coffee dates (they get thrown out for fighting), cinema trips (they get thrown out for fighting) or sleepovers (they get arrested for fighting). Upon hearing how people can become closer through spending stressful situations together, Julian hires Miles and some of his friends to kidnap James and Lucy to get them to bond. ("Don't you think you might be going a bit far?" "Nothing is too far if it's for the sake of art!" "....I still think you're going a bit too far.") The plan goes wrong when Miles kidnaps Lena by mistake, instead of Lucy, and are forced to let the two go. However, James's actions and comforting of Lena cause her to fall in love with him instead, making things even more difficult.

 

A few more attempts by Julian to put James and Lucy in life-threatening situations, to get them to bond. also backfire but, in the process of trying one, he accidentally locks the two in a prop room. While waiting for someone to let them out, the talk about their lives and begin to bond. James confides to Lucy that he believes he's squandered away his future and Lucy admits she's living in the shadow of her older sister, a famous, successful businesswoman and entered acting to try and make something different of herself. Eventually the two, by working together, manage to escape the room on much closer terms. (Although, shortly after, they're shot at by Julian (with blanks) who hasn't realised they've put aside their difference).

 

We cut to opening night where all the cast seem confident the play will be a success. Miles is nervous, having spotted the mob boss he informed on in the audience, but Julian assures him he won't be recognisable under the mask. However, Bradley, having heard this, steals Miles's mask, while sabotages Lena and Eric's microphones. Miles leaves to avoid being revealed to the mob boss. However, Lena is able to play her ridiculous voice for comedy and make it look deliberate, while Eric manages to get over his shyness and delivers a stirring and grand performance. In the interval though, Bradley manages to persuade Lena to dose James's coffee with milk and frame Lucy to make it look like she did it. James falls for the trick and has a massive falling out with Lucy. Luckily, in the second half, Romeo and Juliet don't share many scenes together and James manages to work through his stomach pains (disguising them as 'pains of love'). Miles even returns to play Paris, even at the risk to his life. However, the grand finale is coming up and James and Lucy can barely hide their hatred for each other. However, before he goes onstage, Lena admits what she did, to James. To show Lucy he's sorry, James drinks a vial filled with milk (although the audience think it's poison) before and the two quietly apologise to each other in a heartfelt moment on stage. The play is a resounding success and Bradley is forced to admit he lost the bet. In the wrap party afterwards, Lena apologises to the two for her deception, Miles says a quick farewell before government agents move to relocate him and Jake accidentally drinks a cup of coffee, reverting back to his old self. Meanwhile James and Lucy, having both received plenty of offers for acting jobs, leave on good terms. Although James still ends up with horrific diarrhoea from drinking the milk.

Theaters: 3368MPAA Rating: PG-13Budget: $12 million

Edited March 3, 2014 by rukaio101

[rukaio101]

Name: Time, Space and One Blue Box Director: Mark GatissGenre: DocumentaryDate: July 13-15Narrator: Karl UrbanPlot: An exploration of the history of Doctor Who from its origins to the first episode (which aired the day after the JFK assassination), to the first regeneration, to its cancellation, to its revival, to its recent 50th anniversary. Features interviews with all surviving Doctors (including new Doctor Peter Capaldi), showrunners Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat, and several big name fans of the show, including Simon Pegg, Robert Pattison, Peter Jackson, Robin Williams and Karl Urban, the latter of whom also narrates.Theaters: 658MPAA Rating: G

Edited February 24, 2014 by rukaio101

[rukaio101]

Name: Catch that Pigeon!Director: Chris SandersGenre: CGI-AnimatedDate: August 17th-19thCast: Andy Serkis (Dick Dastardly/Klunk), Michael Shannon (The General), Travis Oates (Zilly)Plot: An adaptation of the Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines series 

 

It is the middle of WWI and the Allies are using carrier pigeons to carry important information across the battlefield. However, these pigeons are constantly under chase by the Squadron To hUnt Pigeons in Daredevilry (trying guessing the acronym), lead by the devious Dick Dastardly. Making up the team is the inventive but completely incomprehensible Klunk, his translator, the cowardly Zilly and Muttley, a medal-obsessed, lazy hound who can fly by twirling his tail like a helicopter. The group has a nearly perfect record of catching pigeons, thanks to their planes equipped with Klunk's inventions, much to the glee of Dick Dastardly and his superior, the General, whose face is always obscured by something.Meanwhile, a newly trained carrier pigeon, Yankee Doodle Pigeon (Yankee for short) receives news that his father has been captured by Dastardly's squad. None of the pigeons can actually speak, so much of their actions and emotions are shown through their movements and facial expressions. Yankee is feeling down about his father's capture when, suddenly, he hears about an important assignment for a carrier pigeon to deliver a letter across dangerous territory, almost certain to attract the attention of Dastardly's crew. Eager to avenge his father, Yankee immediately volunteers for the mission, much to the consternation of his friends who are convinced it's a suicide mission.

 

Yankee is flying to his destination, when suddenly Dastardly and his crew appear in their planes. They use a giant suction device attached to one of their planes to try and suck up Yankee and very nearly succeed when Yankee injures his wing, but Yankee gets a second wind and, through clever flying, manages to trick Muttley (who is flying the vacuum plane) into sucking up Dastardly, Klunk and Zilly's planes by accident. Before he gets sucked up, Dastardly tries to throw a bomb at Yankee, which he hits into the vacuum causing it to explode and crash. Dastardly's crew survive, albeit slightly smoked. Yankee successfully manages to fly/limp to the destination, much to everyone's surprise.

 

Several weeks later and Yankee has recovered and is ready to continue with deliveries again. Unfortunately, Dastardly's crew have recovered as well and are back to their pigeon hunting ways. While Yankee is on a delivery, they try to catch him with a huge net attached between their planes. After nearly being caught, Yankee tricks them into running their net into a tree, causing the planes to crash. We then enter a montage of Dastardly's crew trying to catch Yankee with varying inventions attached to their planes, including a giant crusher, a chainsaw and machine guns that fire expanding bubblegum bullets. However, either through Yankee's inventiveness, or the crew's stupidity, the inventions always backfire usually causing the Pigeon hunters to either crash or get hit by their own traps quite painfully. Especially Dastardly.

 

The more and more Dastardly fails, the angrier and angrier the General gets at him until eventually the General tells Dastardly he has just one more chance to catch Yankee or he'll be fired. Coincidentally, Yankee has just been asked to deliver 'Very Important Information that will Win the War. As a distraction, every other carrier pigeon will be released at the same time with a fake message, to distract from Yankee carrying the real one. However, on their way to the destination, the Pigeons are ambushed by a small army of robot-piloted planes created by Klunk and lead by Dick Dastardly and the General. Many of the pigeons are quickly captured and Yankee only barely gets away after several of his friends distract the robots long enough to escape, but his friends are captured in the process. Yankee stops a short way away to rest, when suddenly Dastardly lands nearby him, looking for any escaping pigeons. While Dastardly is searching, he receives a call from the General. Yankee overhears this call and learns that they plan to kill all the pigeons captured, much to his horror. Yankee is now left a choice whether to deliver the Very Important Information, or to save his friends. He chooses the latter and hides the Information in a tree.

 

Yankee sneaks into Dastardly's home base, where he overhears Klunk and Zilly discussing a new, giant version of the suction machine currently being built, which Dastardly plans to use to suck up any remaining pigeons. Yankee sneaks past them to where all the other pigeons, including his father, are being kept. However, he is spotted by Muttley and a chase begins, where Yankee tries to simultaneously not get caught by Muttley but also stop him from warning Dastardly (who ignores most of Muttley's barking). Eventually, Yankee manages to win over Muttley by bribing him with medals stolen from the General. Yankee releases all the pigeons, leading Dastardly to fly up with the robot planes to catch them. However, Yankee stays behind and, once the pigeons are out of range, activates the giant suction machine sucking up all the robot planes. However, just before Dastardly is sucked up, Zilly accidentally stumbles over the power cable (while trying to catch the pigeon), switching the machine off (although Dastardly still accidentally crashes into a wall).

 

Dastardly, The General and the crew all get in their planes (Dastardly has a spare) to chase Yankee and a huge and wild chase starts up between them with Yankee trying to get the Important Information and everyone else trying to catch Yankee. After much hijinks, with help from his pigeon friends, Yankee manages to trick Dastardly, The General and the rest (except Muttley who just gives up) into crashing into an Allied Jail. Yankee then delivers the information and is hailed as a war hero, while Dastardly and the rest are stuck in jail, Dastardly vowing he'll 'catch that pigeon someday!!'

 

Theaters: 3756MPAA Rating: GBudget: $105,000,000

Edited February 20, 2014 by rukaio101

[Ezen Baklattan]

The Immune: Permanence

Genre: Action/Thriller

Date: July 27th

Theaters: 3.522

Director: McG

Cast: Ryan Gosling (Jason Matthias), Maggie Grace (Gwen), Sophie Turner (Mila), Sebastian Stan (Sam Kafka), Paul Bettany (Daniel Cloves)

Budget: $85 million

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, and language

Runtime: 109min (1hr, 49min)

 

Five years after the events of Global Outbreak (the prior film from Y6) Jason Matthias has finally settled down, returning to a society that has mostly rebuilt itself (the population is still dramatically low relative to the real world) after the panic that came from a viral disease outbreak caused by a terrorist organization, as well as his family and wife, Gwen. Mila, Jason's adopted daughter is now almost 17 years old, preparing to graduate from high school in nearly a year. One night, everything takes a turn for the worse. After coming home from a family trip to a baseball game, Jason is awaited at his home by a SWAT team, which tries to take hold of Jason. After a fight scene, matched with fearful reactions from Gwen and Mila, Jason is subdued and taken away. One member says that this is for the best. 

 

Mila is shaken after her father's abduction, trying to figure out why it was done. She soon decides to visit an old friend of her father's, as well as one of the remaining original members of the Immune, Sam Rafka. He tells her that after what her father had done to stop the outbreak, the government realizes what a valuable asset he is. He doesn't know what else they are doing to him, but he fears that if he ever returns to Mila, he won't be the same. He decides to train Mila to protect herself, using extensive combat training and espionage skill building, and find Jason together. Gwen, realizing that all they had been through has brought Mila to a point where she can handle herself, lets her daughter go, giving her a portrait of her family as a keepsake. The two hug as Mila begins her journey with Sam.

 

Meanwhile, Jason is being contained in a research facility somewhere near Washington DC, where his captors' intentions are revealed. Due to his powerful communities to disease, as well as his powerful leadership abilities, experiments are being carried out to make him into the first "immortal soldier" The operation is led by the ambitious, if ruthless, Lt. Daniel Cloves. Jason is resitant, refusing to let others use him as a weapon, but he soon finds little hope of escape, and he is trained to become a powerful, yet fearful, soldier. Jason is thrown back into his prison cell, looking at a picture of his family and struggling to hold back tears. While Jason is imprisoned, Sam and Mila continue to investigate other members of the immune who might have information about Jason's whereabouts, getting into some epic fights along the way against those who become non-compliant to the point of seeing the man and young woman as threats. 

 

Jason is soon experimented on, undergoing surgical treatment to receive the modifications to his DNA that will render him to be truly immune to any disease, and almost invincible in other regards. To test his powers, Jason is deployed to infiltrate a dominant crime ring in Washington DC, and he takes out the men with little mercy and incredible power. He worked far better than Cloves and the other scientists could ever imagine, but it became increasingly clear that they would have much difficulty in maintaining a full control of him, especially when matched with his still-prevalent resistance to be controlled. Mila and Sam, however, are getting closer to finding Jason, bonding over a night spent in the forest, trying to stay hidden from the men who are continuing to chase them.

 

Mila and Sam eventually find the facility Jason is being kept in, infiltrating the facility with some deft manuevers. However, they discover that Jason has lost complete control. His powers have taken over his psyche, and no one can do anything to stop him.  Jason kills Cloves in his first act of true defiance, much to the shock of Mila and Sam. Jason realizes that Mila has found him at last, but he is soon pursued by several guards, and begins to run. The guards also notice Mila and Sam, pursuing them as well. However, Sam and Mila are able to fight them off and try to look around the facility to gain more information about what has been done to Jason. Mila realizes that she might be the only one that can stop Jason.

 

After escaping into the city, Jason and Mila fight each other, feeling emotionally destroyed upon doing this, but out of lack of control and an attempt to subdue him respectively. Mila doesn't want to kill him, although Jason comes dangerously close to doing so. Their fight and pursuit cumulates with Jason finding Mila near the edge of a building, and Mila begs Jason to see that she loves him, but it is all in vain. Sam soon comes behind Jason, and feeling a great deal of remorse, attempts to shoot him, but hits Mila's arm instead. Jason becomes shocked by the sight, beginning to surpress his feelings and regain his humanity. He gets Mila to a hospital where she is just barely saved. Sam, feeling horrible about his mistake, goes into hiding. Jason, realizing that there is only one way to protect his family, realizes that he must go on his own. After bidding them goodbye, Jason begins his solitary journey.

[alisson23]

4815162342 You can copy and put on the first post if you want. I made this to facilitate search. They are with direct link to the movie.

 

Based on the 2018 calendar

 

July 6-8
Tues. July 3- American Gods (3734 Theaters) (Page 6) Link
Tues. July 3- Remember Me (3902 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Tues. July 3- Kill Them (3902 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 13-15
Patchwork (3625 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Time, Space, and One Blue Box (658 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

July 20-22
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (4007 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 27-29
The Immune: Permanence (3,522) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (limited- 4 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

August 3-5

Romeo vs. Juliet (3368 Theaters) (Page 6) Link
Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 87 Theaters)

August 10-14
Wed. Aug. 8th- The Who's Tommy (3103 Theaters) (Page 5) Link
Feed (3122 Theaters) (Page 6) Link
Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 255 Theaters)

August 17-19
Blood Currency (3029 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

​Catch That Pigeon (3756 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (wide- 625 Theaters)

August 24-26
Madel (2872 Theaters) (Page 5) Link
Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 1513 Theaters)

August 31-September 4 (Labor Day Weekend)
Wed. Aug. 29- The Gold Rare Leaf (3270 Theaters) (Page 5) Link
Identity Crisis (3216 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (limited- 5 Theaters) Link
Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 2794 Theaters)

September 7-9
Killer Computer 2 (814 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 34 Theaters)

September 14-16
Death Note: The Game Begins (3847 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 144 Theaters)

September 21-23
Cinema Studies (2827 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 423 Theaters)

September 28-30
The Valley (3040 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Resonance (wide- 917 Theaters)

Edited February 23, 2014 by alisson23

[Films]

4815162342 You can copy and put on the first post if you want. I made this to facilitate search. They are with direct link to the movie.

 

Based on the 2018 calendar

 

July 6-8Tues. July 3- American Gods (3734 Theaters) (Page 6) LinkTues. July 3- Remember Me (3902 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 13-15Patchwork (3625 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Time, Space, and One Blue Box (658 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

July 20-22Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (4007 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 27-29 http://forums.boxofficetheory.com/uploads/emoticons/default_sad.png' alt=':('> (2588 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

The Immune: Permanence (3,522) (Page 6) LinkMidnight in the Afghan Valley (limited- 4 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

August 3-5

Romeo vs. Juliet (3368 Theaters) (Page 6) LinkMidnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 87 Theaters)August 10-14Wed. Aug. 8th- The Who's Tommy (3103 Theaters) (Page 5) LinkFeed (3122 Theaters) (Page 6) LinkMidnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 255 Theaters)August 17-19Blood Currency (3029 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

​Catch That Pigeon (3756 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (wide- 625 Theaters)August 24-26Madel (2872 Theaters) (Page 5) LinkMidnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 1513 Theaters)August 31-September 4 (Labor Day Weekend)Wed. Aug. 29- The Gold Rare Leaf (3270 Theaters) (Page 5) LinkIdentity Crisis (3216 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (limited- 5 Theaters) LinkMidnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 2794 Theaters)September 7-9Killer Computer 2 (814 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 34 Theaters)September 14-16Death Note: The Game Begins (3847 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 144 Theaters)September 21-23Cinema Studies (2827 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 423 Theaters)September 28-30The Valley (3040 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Resonance (wide- 917 Theaters)

Also kill them is on the schedule for 3rd July (it orgiinally wasn't on there as it was Kill bill)

[alisson23]

Also kill them is on the schedule for 3rd July (it orgiinally wasn't on there as it was Kill bill)

I'm Sorry

 

Based on the 2018 calendar

July 6-8

Tues. July 3- American Gods (3734 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Tues. July 3- Remember Me (3902 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Tues. July 3- Kill Them (3902 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 13-15

Patchwork (3625 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Time, Space, and One Blue Box (658 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

July 20-22

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (4007 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

 

July 27-29

The Immune: Permanence (3,522) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (limited- 4 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

 

August 3-5

Romeo vs. Juliet (3368 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 87 Theaters)

August 10-14

Wed. Aug. 8th- The Who's Tommy (3103 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Feed (3122 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 255 Theaters)

August 17-19

Blood Currency (3029 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

​Catch That Pigeon (3756 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (wide- 625 Theaters)

August 24-26

Madel (2872 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 1513 Theaters)

August 31-September 4 (Labor Day Weekend)

Wed. Aug. 29- The Gold Rare Leaf (3270 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Identity Crisis (3216 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (limited- 5 Theaters) Link

Midnight in the Afghan Valley (expansion- 2794 Theaters)

September 7-9

Killer Computer 2 (814 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 34 Theaters)

September 14-16

Death Note: The Game Begins (3847 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 144 Theaters)

September 21-23

Cinema Studies (2827 Theaters) (Page 5) Link

Resonance (expansion- 423 Theaters)

September 28-30

The Valley (3040 Theaters) (Page 6) Link

Resonance (wide- 917 Theaters)

Edited February 23, 2014 by alisson23

[rukaio101]

^ You can probably take off since, with Alpha temporarily quitting the game, I don't think it's getting made.

[alisson23]

^ You can probably take off since, with Alpha temporarily quitting the game, I don't think it's getting made.

Okay 

[4815162342]

I am waiting for the deadline to remove all unfinished movies

[4815162342]

Part 1 is now closed

[4815162342]

The Bronx is Burning

Cast: Stanley Tucci (Billy Martin), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Reggie Jackson), Casey Affleck (Thurman Munson), Jeremy Renner (“Catfish” Hunter), James Badge Dale (Fran Healy), Jon Bernthal (Lou Piniella), and Brendan Gleeson (George Steinbrenner)
Genre: Drama/Sport
Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Written By: Brian Helgeland
Release Date: 11/2
Theater Count: 3024
Budget: $58 Million
Running Time: 137 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language throughout, sexuality, violence, and some drug use


Plot Summary:

As the studio logos for Numerator Pictures and various production companies appear, “The River” by Bruce Springsteen plays, with the opening credits beginning at 0:18 into the song, alongside a series of archive (real) news reports from all over New York City during 1976, all of them commenting on the high levels of crime and immorality plaguing the city, the lackluster performance of the Mayor, Abraham Beame, and other themes that show the dark place the world-famous city resides in. The credits continue to play scattered through this montage and finally end, the screen fading to black with the song fading out at the 2:32 mark. Then a final news report shows up and is of a different tone, this one reporting that Game 4 of the World Series is about to begin, with the Cincinnati Reds leading the New York Yankees three games to none.

October 21, 1976
Game 4 of the 1976 World Series begins at Yankees Stadium with the New York Yankees in dire straits, needing to win all four remaining games of the series with a single loss eliminating them. Things start out well for the Yankees who score first thanks to a hit by catcher Thurman Munson (Casey Affleck) but soon the tide turns against them with the Reds grabbing a 3-2 lead by the ninth inning. The game is close, but then a meltdown occurs where the Yankees proceed to give up four runs in the top of the ninth. As “Hold Tight” by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tick begins and frustrated by his team’s mistakes and the refereeing calls, Billy Martin (Stanley Tucci), the manager of the Yankees, looks in disgust at the field and then, seeing a foul ball that landed by the dugout, picks it up and throws it at the home plate umpire (0:16 into the song), being promptly ejected from the game due to the act. Martin then storms out of the dugout (0:24 in) and viciously and profanely argues with the umpire, not more than two inches away from one another, before an assistant coach half-drags Martin off the field (0:48 in) Martin trying to pull away while still screaming at the top of his lungs, and finally before leaving Martin kicks a bat rack in the dugout, knocking it down and spilling the bats all over the place (1:06 in, song then fades out).

He retreats to the trainer’s room and curls under a table crying about his team’s impending loss, soon learning that his team has lost 7-2. His personal bereavement is soon interrupted when George Steinbrenner (Brendan Gleeson), the owner of the Yankees, barges in and verbally tears Martin to pieces for embarrassing him in this way, with both the Yankees being easily swept and Martin’s volcanic behavior both insults. Martin, a wreck, only gives feeble responses and soon Steinbrenner barges back out, leaving Martin again to cry in silence.

Some days later, George Steinbrenner meets with a few of his assistants to discuss the current state of the Yankees. They all agree that the sweep by the Reds was embarrassing and disheartening to both the team and the city and that they need to make a big splash in the infant system of free agency in order to revitalize the franchise.

Another wave of archived news footage hits, though these are all baseball-centric and focus on Reggie Jackson, a well-known and talented slugger who is famed for his theatrics and his flair in his personal life as much as his skill on the field. The reports mention that he is the most sought after free agent in all of baseball and the final one mentions that the New York Yankees have signed him to a deal making him the highest-paid player in all of baseball.

November 29, 1976
Just after midnight, a plane lands at JFK International Airport with “Feeling Alright” by Joe Cocker starting in the background. Outside on the tarmac a team of reporters and photographers congregate in order to catch a glimpse of their target: Reggie Jackson. The baseball star (Ejiofor) steps out of the plane (0:43 in with the song then playing out with the scene to the end) with a blond model on his arm and after coming down to the tarmac genially fields a few questions, using charm and a big smile to make the mood light before stepping away to a waiting limousine. The limo drives into Manhattan, Reggie occasionally glancing out the window when he isn’t canoodling with his female friend. The limo winds up in front of a luxurious Manhattan hotel and Reggie is helped in every way as he goes inside. He cracks a big smile and says “This is my town now.”

Later in the day at a banquet hall in the same hotel, the Yankees brass led by Steinbrenner hold a huge press conference as they formally sign Reggie and welcome him to the team. Steinbrenner says to the media that Reggie is the missing piece the team needs to win the World Series and that he is sure to become yet another New York favorite. When it is Reggie’s turn to speak, the player turns up the charisma and tells the crowd of reporters that “I didn’t come to New York to be a star. I brought my star with me.” He then all but guarantees a championship for the coming season, proclaiming “I’m going to be working the next World Series, either for the Yankees or ABC, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be sitting in the broadcasting booth.” The crowd of reporters roars along with all of his confident and self-assured comments and lap it up as perfect media fodder.

In the following few days Reggie-mania dominates the New York media, with television commentators and newspaper editorials speculating on just how grand the new addition to the Yankees will be. One person who is not feeling happy about the decision is Billy Martin. When he is having dinner with a couple of his stars, including Munson and pitcher James “Catfish” Hunter (Renner), he complains about how he wanted a different player to be signed but that the front office never consulted him on any free agent moves. Hunter tries to calm Martin down with reassurances but Munson is just as bitter since Reggie’s deal is so exorbitant it makes all of the other Yankee players look grossly underpaid. He remarks to Martin that in an interview Reggie said that he looked forward to being in New York since he and Steinbrenner got along so well. Martin, lounging in his seat, cracks that Reggie is soon going to find out that Steinbrenner ain’t the manager of the Yankees.

We see a few short scenes showing Reggie getting accustomed to living the lifestyle of the famous in New York City, garnering a small entourage, hitting it big with the ladies and taking some home for one-night stands, and generally living it up. We also see by contrast, Martin living a rather subdued and mostly solitary offseason life, on occasion drinking too heavily and passing out on his couch or on the floor in front of the TV.

March 1, 1977
The first day of spring training has come with the Yankees all congregating at their facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Reggie arrives a bit overweight due to all of the banquets, press galas, etc he has participated in during the off-season but he has a cheery mood and gets right to work with practice. “All Day and All of the Night” by The Kinks plays as on the field later that day, as the members of the team stretch, play catch, etc, Reggie has a rough first encounter with Munson, who is the team captain (starting 0:42 in and growing softer in the background). Munson tries to boss Reggie around to do laps but intervention by a coach allows Reggie to wiggle out of the situation (1:16 in). The forecast for their relationship though appears stormy at best.

The Yankees do mediocre in their spring training games, which suits Martin fine since the point is not to win games but to get the players back into their groove and see what is working and what needs improvement. Steinbrenner though expects victory in all situations and grows irate over the Yankees losing to a number of teams. Eventually he confronts Martin in a locker room at the facility and demands an explanation for why Martin is not playing the starters enough. When Martin says that he is the manager and that the roster is his call, Steinbrenner loses it and tells Martin he should fire him right now for insubordination. Martin calls the bluff and dares Steinbrenner to fire him since Steinbrenner has no right to barge into the locker room and berate him in front of his players. Steinbrenner backs down and leaves. The following day he and Martin make up somewhat over breakfast and have a cease fire, but the tension between them is not resolved.

Spring training continues to be a rocky period for Reggie. Many of the players feel alienated by Reggie’s high salary and most of the time he is excluded from the usual clubhouse banter and joking. Joining Munson in his cold war standoff with Reggie is Lou Piniella (Bernthal), a long-time veteran. The two of them do what they can to feed Reggie’s discomfort, such as ragging on him while he takes batting practice. The only sure friend Reggie is able to make among his teammates is Fran Healy (Badge Dale), the team’s backup catcher and a very modest and unassuming individual. By the end of spring training Reggie is no longer confident of his success with the Yankees and feels the burden of high expectations may do him in. In addition he starts remarking on current race attitudes and that some are rooting for him to fail because he is black.

April 6, 1977
The Yankees hold their final preseason practice at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. After practice Martin gathers all the players together in the clubhouse and tells them that any disorder that happened during spring training is over and now they have to pull together as a team and work things out together in out of the public eye. Most of the team receives the talk quietly though Reggie is outwardly pleased by Martin’s attitude though disappointed he isn’t batting cleanup.

The next morning is the first game of the season. As “Join Together” by The Who plays, the film shows each of the major baseball characters getting up and ready in the morning and going through their routine before heading over the stadium (intercutting between all of them and their actions). Reggie, always conspicuous in his appearance, shows up in a burgundy Rolls-Royce and moves to his newly assigned locker. As he gets dressed (2:10 in), other prominent Yankees such as Munson and Hunter gather in the far corner shooting the breeze and still excluding Reggie from the conversation, who is clearly affected by this. The film then cuts ahead to the Yankees starting team running out onto the field to take their positions, the camera swirling around Jackson, Munson, etc as they are cheered on by the fans in the stands. (2:32-2:54)

The first game of the season starts promisingly with the Yankees getting an early lead. In the sixth inning Reggie gets a base hit, advances to third over the course of the next couple batters, and then on a wild pitch makes a mad dash for home plate, sliding safely in just under the tag of an opposing player. As he gets up, dusts himself off, and walks to the dugout, he and everyone else can hear the chanting that is starting in the bleachers: “Reg-gie….Reg-gie…Reg-gie.”

May, 1977
The promising beginning for Reggie Jackson has turned into a month-and-a-half of frustration as he does mediocre both offensively and defensively and New York fandom, growing restless, greets him with some heckles and boos every time he comes to bat. Martin remains mostly neutral on the subject of Reggie though in private with friends he does confess he doesn’t think Reggie can cut it in New York. Players on the team such as Munson and Piniella however are more vocal about their discontent with Reggie. After a disappointing loss where Reggie made a couple bad defensive errors, Munson comments about a new candy bar from Standard Brands that will be named after Reggie. Munson says that “Reggie already has a candy bar named after him: Butterfingers.” Reggie overhears this, but is silent, not wanting to start a confrontation.

Deciding to give Reggie a break for a day, Martin benches him for a road game against the Oakland Athletics. ”Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival begins playing. The game runs into extra innings all tied up but at a critical moment at the top of the fifteenth inning where a hit is desperately needed, Martin deliberately picks an untested rookie over Jackson (0:24 in), who watches on and later glares at his manager as the rookie, Dell Alston, gets a hit that starts the game-winning rally. (song ending at 1:10) After the game Jackson complains about it to his friend Fran, saying sarcastically that he is in fact both a mediocre ballplayer and overpaid.

Towards the end of May Sports Illustrated releases in its June issue a story about Reggie Jackson that includes an interview one of its reporters had with Reggie back in March. The film flashes back to March to show some of the interview, where Reggie talks freely about his feelings about the team, other players, and his place in it all. He says that “this team, it all flows from me. I’m the straw that stirs the drink.” In the course of the interview he at a couple points puts down Munson’s stature in the team with a bit of harshness. The reporter senses the story is a gold-mine and double-checks to make sure Reggie wants all of what he said printed and Reggie, still a bit high from the session of self-expression, says he does.

The issue comes out and sparks a frenzy amongst New York baseball fans and ignites some passions and tensions in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Munson is enraged by what he reads, though unwilling to confront Reggie directly, gives Fran a severe tongue-lashing about the whole thing and verbally attacks Reggie harshly as well. Fran does his best to defend his friend and calm Munson down, but his efforts aren’t very successful. Most of the team by this point has turned against him, so at one point in a game where Reggie hits a home run, upon returning to the dugout he ignores his manager and teammates who had gathered for the traditional post-homer handshake. After the game when speaking to the media, Martin says that leadership is done through actions, not through words or “mouth” and tells them to ask Reggie about the handshake snub instead of him. Reggie gives a BS answer, so when a reporter mentions it to Munson, the catcher goes ballistic and when asked for a quote says “How is this: he’s a bleeping liar!” Munson also lashes out about the Sports Illustrated article. In following days the continued discontent and dislike of the other players is shown through little incidents such as Reggie’s bags being “accidentally” knocked over, obscene notes taped to his locker, etc, and on one occasion being taunted by another player about his race. For his part, Reggie does nothing to indicate he is sorry about anything he has done and soldiers through as best he can.

June 17, 1977
On a foggy night at Fenway Park, “Catfish” Hunter, one of the best pitchers in the major leagues, has the worst outing of his career. Humble and quiet off the mound and aggressively arrogant on it, Hunter is in the middle of a mediocre season and before the game tries to get pepped up for the game. Things go disastrously for him however as he can’t control his pitches and allows run after run before getting pulled after only two-thirds of one inning. The resulting loss was a bad day for the Yankees, but compared to what was to come it was nothing.

The next day the Yankees fall behind early, with Reggie making defensive miscues on a couple plays. Sensing his team won’t pull off a win and annoyed at Reggie’s play, Martin decides to substitute a reserve player for him. The reserve player goes onto the field to tell Reggie, who had not been paying attention, that he is benched. Reggie, more confused than upset, returns to the dugout and upon asking Martin why he was pulled, Martin profanely angrily lashes out at him for not playing his best and not hustling after the ball on defense. Reggie moves closer and tells Martin to back off, saying “who the bleep do you think you are talking to old man?” Hearing that, “Nowhere to Run” by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas starting at 0:12, Martin lunges at Reggie to start a fight but at the last millisecond is pulled back by one of the other coaches while one of the reserve players pulls an eager-to-fight Reggie back towards the entrance to the locker room. Meanwhile fans all around the stadium point and react as they witness the altercation. As the two men are led away from one another (0:41 in) they continue to yell and scream at one another and occasionally try to break free to go after the other. Reggie finally is taken to the locker room while Martin is all but pinned in the dugout (song ending at 1:02 mark). Fran heads to the locker room and persuades Reggie to shower and leave before the game ends, otherwise a fight might as well break out afterwards. The entire incident in the dugout has been captured on national television. Watching the game on TV, George Steinbrenner calls up his assistant to have an emergency meeting where the assistant will try to give him reasons not to fire Billy Martin.

Steinbrenner goes in person to the next stop on the Yankees’ road trip with the intention of firing Martin in person, but at the last minute he is convinced by his assistant that if he fires Martin now it will give everyone the impression that Reggie Jackson runs the team. Steinbrenner accepts this and backs off, announcing to the whole team that he has given Martin a reprieve…for now. He also tells the team to lay off the “race crap” as it is hurting their image and reputation. Reggie is glad to hear that, as by this point almost every newspaper and media outlet in NYC has turned against him, Martin and other teammates had said thinly veiled racist comments, and even black newspapers were criticizing him for not being “black” enough in his actions and standing with the community.

July 9, 1977
Though Billy Martin’s job is publicly safe for the moment, the manager is still wracked with unease over the situation as he is forced to deal with incessant calls from Steinbrenner or other front office officials inquiring about the health of injured players, starting lineups, etc. In a frank talk with Munson, Martin, a bit drunk, confides that he is incredibly scared about losing his job and that he’d have no idea how to support his family if he does get fired since baseball is all his life is about. Munson comes from the talk feeling sad for Martin and a couple days later at dinner at a hotel on the road with Piniella opens up about the talk, with Piniella falling in line behind Munson’s belief that Steinbrenner is doing damage to Martin’s mental state and ability as manager. Since Steinbrenner is in town to watch the games in person, they decide to go up to talk to him in his hotel room. After going up and being invited inside, they tell Steinbrenner that he needs to give Martin more space if he wants the team to function well. At the same time Martin, again somewhat drunk, comes up from the hotel bar and upon hearing voices in the room barges into the room after Steinbrenner denies that anyone else is in there, coarsely demanding an explanation. Munson and Piniella are able to reassure him that they are sticking up for him and his interests.

Mid-July, 1977
Life isn’t going any easier for Reggie Jackson. Shortly after the All-Star game which is held in New York, Reggie is signing autographs when a young teenager loudly insults him. Reggie chases the teen and awkwardly tackles him to the asphalt, causing another swirl of Reggie-dislike in the media. Meanwhile, with rumors still buzzing over whether Billy Martin will remain the manager, George Steinbrenner calls a press conference on July 25 to discuss the issue openly and frankly. Steinbrenner says he has doubts Martin is the right kind of person to be a baseball manager and outlines seven qualities he wants Martin to follow in order to keep his job, such as emotional stability and honor. The press mockingly titles the announcement “The Seven Commandments.” In a moving scene, Martin walks into the team’s clubhouse to find most of the team waiting for him. Munson holds up a copy of the Seven Commandments and rips it in half and the team gives Martin a round of applause. Also, in response to the public announcement much of the New York public and press rally behind Martin and blast Steinbrenner. Martin is buoyed by the support and the day after the announcement the Yanks return to Yankee Stadium to play a series. Before the game starts Martin takes the field and is greeted by a unanimous roar of cheering from the crowd, bringing some tears to a smiling Martin’s eyes.

August, 1977
The Yankees are finally beginning to catch a rhythm. In August they go on a torrid winning streak, returning home to find a newly appreciative crowd. Amid the success the clubhouse divide of Munson, Hunter, Piniella, et al against Jackson is soothed and Martin starts to finally feel confident he’ll keep his job for the rest of the season. The crowds are also beginning to come around, starting the “Reg-gie, Reg-gie” chant once again as Reggie delivers on crucial batting appearances.

After a couple short scenes showing daily life of the main characters, we see Reggie called into Martin’s office. Reggie, not lacking for confidence, tells Martin that it seems to him that with him batting cleanup the team’s finally playing as well as it should. Martin, doing his best to stay civil, tells Reggie that a team plays well when the players play for the team, not only for themselves. “You might make headlines and get awards and score runs, but it means shit if the team goes home with nothing.” Martin says he wasn’t a good ballplayer when he played, all he could do was play hard, hustle, and never give an inch, and work towards getting the team on the scoreboard, and he applies that same ethic to managing the team. Reggie nods and says he’ll keep it in mind, but Martin knows he’s bullshitting him and calls him out on it. Reggie, with a smirk, says “take it up with the boss.”

Meanwhile Munson and Hunter go talk to Fran and ask him why he’s stayed such good buddies with Reggie. Fran, shrugging, says that Reggie has his faults sure, but he’s a good guy if you take the time to know him.

September, 1977
The Yankees are now in their most crucial game of the season, playing at home against the Boston Red Sox who are only just behind them in the standings. In a tense game where both pitchers are dominant, the game is scoreless until the bottom of the ninth when Reggie, waving off Martin’s orders to bunt, swings at a bad pitch and manages to crush it into the stands for a home run, winning the game. Even Martin can’t find a reason to berate Reggie for disobeying his plan.

Martin arranges a meeting with Steinbrenner to talk about the season’s progress, as the Yankees are in good position to take the division. Steinbrenner is pleased, but reminds Martin that the team collapsed late last year. “In the World Series” Martin says. He says Steinbrenner that if he gets the team to a second World Series in a row, he deserves a contract extension. Steinbrenner replies “Win the World Series and we’ll see. If you don’t, I’ll find a manager who will.”

Martin does his best to avoid letting the stress of the season get to him, mixing booze with some pills to keep steady. One day he’s approached by Munson, who is concerned about Martin’s health and stability. Martin assures his star catcher that he’ll be able to pull through, he just needs the team to keep it up. Helping to relieve the stress a little is the team clinching its division, sending it to another postseason run.

October, 1977
The Yankees are back in the post-season and though there is still trouble in the clubhouse it is buried amidst the success. After seeing Reggie and Munson joke around together for a minute, a reporter asks Munson if he and Reggie are friends now. Munson replies “I could never be that son-of-a-bitch’s friend after what he’s pulled, but we need him to win.” Martin and Steinbrenner meanwhile have settled into an uneasy détente, with both sniping at one another but with Martin assured of his job so long as the postseason lasts. “Catfish” Hunter, who has had injury troubles and been on the bench for a few weeks, pleads with Martin to let him play but Martin isn’t confident of his ace’s ability and keeps him benched for the first postseason series against the Royals. This leads to Hunter for the first time criticizing Martin harshly, which leaves Martin shaken and a bit sad. Munson and Piniella reprimand Hunter for putting himself over what’s best for the team.

Later, with the series tied at two games apiece, Martin, noticing that Reggie has been performing poorly, tells Fran Healy to tell Reggie he is benched for the fifth and final game. Fran asks why he has to tell Reggie and is told that aside from being Reggie’s only friend on the team, neither Martin nor any of the other coaches want to break the news to Reggie personally. Fran lets Reggie know and the two talk it over for a couple minutes with Fran sharing in Reggie’s frustrations. In a bit of irony it is Paul Blair, Reggie’s replacement that night, who is the hero, starting a ninth-inning rally that wins the game for the Yankees and sets them up for a World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the game, Martin sprays Steinbrenner with a champagne bottle, saying “that’s for trying to fire me!” Steinbrenner replies, griming in mock menace, “If I want to fire you, I will.”

October 11, 1977
The World Series begins with Game 1 in New York City, the Empire State Building illuminated in the Yankees’ colors of blue and white. The game goes into extra innings and is won for the Yankees in the twelfth inning when Paul Blair drives home the game-winning run. The following day is Game 2, with Martin finally deciding to let Hunter return to the mound. Before the game starts, an abandoned elementary school a few blocks from the stadium catches fire, the flames visible from the stands. All of the television networks pick up on the story and during one helicopter shot of the inferno famed television announcer Howard Cosell announces to the viewing public “There you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is burning.” Martin’s decision ends up going poorly for the Yankees, as Hunter is shelled hardly by the Dodgers and, his confidence shaken all over again, is pulled in the third inning. The second game on the whole is a disaster for the Yankees and New York City in general. The Dodgers easily win; a fan hits a Dodgers’ player in the head with a ball, significantly injuring the player, and Cosell’s broadcast of the burning building highlighting the still desperate nature of the city’s troubled neighborhoods. Afterwards Reggie comments to the press that starting Hunter was a terrible idea, causing Martin to severely rebuke the player in public. This cows Reggie, especially since Steinbrenner elects to let the chips fall as they may for the World Series. We see a short scene with Martin going to talk with Hunter about his bad performance and saying that the series isn’t over in the slightest.

The next three games are in Los Angeles, with brief highlights showing what happened. The Yankees win Games 3 and 4 while the Dodgers win Game 5. With the Yankees leading the series three games to two, the World Series returns to New York for a pivotal Game 6.

October 18, 1977
It is a beautiful crisp fall day, with the skies clear, the temperature cool but not uncomfortable, and everything seeming just right. During batting practice in the afternoon, Reggie hits almost every ball out of the park. Afterwards Fran tells him that excellent batting practice is usually a bad omen and Reggie laughs it off.

That night Reggie is walked his first appearance and at his second time at the plate in the fourth the Yankees are down 3-2. On the first ball from the Dodgers pitcher Reggie swings as hard as he can and flings the ball into the outfield. Racing as hard as he can, it isn’t until he clears first base that he notices that the hit is a home run, putting the Yankees ahead. Returning to the dugout, he is given a little pat on the cheek by a pleased Martin. The next inning he is up again with two men out and one man on base. Again on the first throw he swings as hard as possible and again races from the plate, unsure of its path. Passing first he sees the ball again clear the fences for a home run and slows to a happy trot as “Moondance” by Van Morrison begins to play and the crowd again begins to chant “Reg-gie, Reg-gie, Reg-gie.” As he crosses home plate for the second time, he holds up a pair of fingers and silently mouths the word “two.” The film jumps to the eighth inning when Reggie is up for his next at-bat, receiving a standing ovation. Yet again on the first pitch Reggie launches it into the stands for yet another home run, the crowd falling silent in disbelief at what Reggie has done. As Reggie rounds the bases, even some of the Dodger players begin softly applauding for Reggie. Reggie Jackson has hit three home runs in three straight at-bats on three straight pitches, a feat never seen before. The Yankees are up 8-3 and there is no doubt that the team’s next World Series win is only minutes away.

In the ninth inning, “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago starting, policemen in riot gear take positions at the fringes of the field to deal with unruly fans, the public announcer is saying over the loudspeaker for fans to not go on the field at the end of the game, and in the outfield many of the people at the bleachers are sitting on the top of the outfield fence. Everyone is on the edge of their seats with both players and fans sensing what is about to happen (1:07 in). When the last out is recorded, the stadium in an instant goes berserk, with thousands of fans coming from all directions towards the field to celebrate. Martin along with many of the Yankee players race to the middle of the field to engage in a massive celebratory group hug and cheer as the police can do nothing but let the masses of fans run past them as crowd control would have been too dangerous (1:58 in). Amidst this atmosphere, Reggie takes off his helmet and glasses and runs pell-mell for the dugout, weaving between fans already on the field. Not far from the dugout he collides with an oblivious fan, sending the fan sprawling to the ground, and then disappears into the dugout (ending with a sudden flourish at 2:24).

Most of the Yankees, Steinbrenner included, go to a massive team party to celebrate the win. Munson walks up to Reggie and after an few awkward seconds of silence offers a handshake. Reggie smiles and laughs and pulls Munson in for a hug. For now at least, the two are on good terms. We see players like them, Piniella, Hunter, etc, letting all the frustrations from the past year subside in this on happy night. Reggie goes up to Fran and thanks him for being a good friend this season.

Martin, exhausted, feels a bit uneasy and after talking with Steinbrenner and other players for a bit leaves to go to a nearby bar for a bit more quiet where he can drink in peace and savor the moment properly. He goes home to his house and reclines on his porch. “What a fucking ride its been” he comments to himself as he has another beer.

Reggie Jackson meanwhile hits the nightlife with a friend of his and spends much of the early morning drinking at a Manhattan bar. He is met personally by the governor with his own entourage and deals with lots of people offering congratulations and well wishes. By dawn he heads back to his friend’s apartment for a short break. Back in New York’s good graces, his friend in another room reminds him to get ready for an interview with the “Today Show” that had been scheduled just after the game ended. The friend, not getting an answer, comes to the room where Reggie and finds Reggie peacefully at sleep on the couch, for the moment without a care in the world as “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel begins playing, starting at the 0:57 mark of the song. The song then continues as the end credits start. At the beginning of the credits, title cards give us the following information: Martin was forced to resign midway through the following year due to friction with Steinbrenner and Jackson. He would have several short stints managing the Yankees before dying in a car crash in 1989. Reggie Jackson would go on to become one of the most acclaimed players of his generation, entering the Hall of Fame in 1993. He continues to have a working relationship with the Yankees. Thurman Munson would lead the Yankees to another World Series victory in 1978 as their captain, but remained uneasy being overshadowed by Reggie. He died in 1979 when a Cessna aircraft he was piloting crashed short of the runway on landing. George Steinbrenner continued to dominate the Yankees and Baseball through the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s, cementing his legacy as the most influential, controversial, and accomplished owner in baseball history. He died in 2010.

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Blood Currency

 

POSTPONED

Edited April 20, 2014 by Numbers of House Stark

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Dragon Age: Awakening

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/War

Starring: Chris Hemsworth (Avner Cousland), Eva Green (Morrigan), Chris Evans (Alistair), Miranda Richardson (Wynne), Léa Seydoux (Leliana), Benedict Cumberbatch (Fergus Cousland), Edgar Ramirez (Riordan), Mark Addy (Oghren), and Mark Strong (Loghain)

Co-Starring: Liam Cunningham (Arl Eamon), Eddie Marsan (Teyrn Rendon Howe), Rosamund Pike (Queen Anora), Lucy Liu (Keeper Marethari), Emily VanCamp (Velanna), Xavier Samuel (Anders), Keith Szarabajka (voice of The Architect)

Written and Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Original Music By: Bear McCreary

Release Date: 11/2

Theater Count: 4166

Budget: $180 million

Running Time: 164 minutes

MPAA Rating: R for graphic fantasy violence, language, and sexual content

Previous Film: Dragon Age: Onslaught (Year 5): 83.34/278.27/837.97

Plot Summary: (EDITED AND DONE)

The film opens with a shot of the Dragonbone Wastes in the north of Ferelden, a place where ancient dragons gathered in their final days to die. We see The Architect, a half-human/half-skeletal variant of a Darkspawn standing above a crevice, peering into the green mist below. “The Awakening has begun” he says to himself, “but there is little time before the end comes.”

We cut to a camp in Central Ferelden, where Avner (Hemsworth), Morrigan (Green), Wynne (Richardson), and Avner’s brother Fergus (Cumberbatch) are gathered. Their plan is to hike to the principality of Amaranthine, which is ruled by Rendon Howe (Marsan), Logain’s chief ally in the country, and overthrow him. This will remove Loghain’s biggest support base when Arl Eamon and his supporters to call for a Landsmeet to install a new ruler. For Avner and Fergus the mission is personal since Howe is responsible for the deaths of their parents as well as Fergus’ wife and child. Wynne notices their tension and advises them not to let their need for revenge cloud their judgment. Avner finds Morrigan who is meditating alone and asks what she senses. Morrigan replies that there’s a dark uncertainty lying ahead, like the taint, but different. She says that what will happen in Amaranthine won’t decide the fate of Ferelden, but she has a feeling that it will mean something far greater for the world.

We cut to the capital city of Denerim where Loghain (Strong) visits his daughter Queen Anora (Pike), who he has put under house arrest. She begs him to seek a peaceful compromise, but Loghain says the country must be a sword against its enemies, be it the Darkspawn or Orlais to the west. He says that the rebels’ puppet is now imprisoned where he’ll be a useful bargaining chip.

We therefore cut to Alistair (Evans), being dragged through a prison corridor bruised and bloodied before being tossed into a cell. A voice from another cell asks if he’s okay. “Been worse” Alistair comments. The voice identifies himself as Riordan (Ramirez), a Gray Warden from Orlais. Alistair introduces himself. Riordan says that over a hundred Gray Wardens along with a division of Orlesian knights have been assembled and he had been sent to Denerim to offer their assistance. Logain’s response had been to toss him in a cell, claiming it was an Orlesian plot. The two talk for a minute, and then Alistair says hopefully their stay won’t be too long, since if he knows his friends, they’re planning some method of rescuing him.

We cut to Leliana (Seydoux) and Oghren (Addy) entering Denerim in the guise of refugees. Leliana says that first they need to figure out where Alistair is being held, discreetly. Oghren takes the hint and says he’ll find a place to hole up while she investigates. She tells Oghren to meet her at a main trading plaza at sundown.

We cut to a forest in Amaranthine. We see a single Elf woman (VanCamp) scouting in the woods, searching for a trail. She follows it until she sees smoke rising ahead. She rushes in and finds that it is an encampment of her people that has been devastated. She wanders around shocked until she finds one still alive, though badly burned. She asks him where “Seranni” is. He replies “they took her” before dying. She cries a little as several more Elves appear. One of them asks “Velanna” what they will do. Velanna says they will return to their clan and inform the Keeper, “and then we will have vengeance.”

We return to Avner’s group, planning how to proceed with a map. The main stronghold is Vigil’s Keep, which is a couple days travel from the main port of Amaranthine itself. They decide to travel along the Pilgrim’s Path towards the port and see what information they can. Afterwards, Fergus pulls Avner aside and talks to him about his relationship with Morrigan. Fergus asks Avner if he trusts Morrigan, as he knows little about her. Avner says that at first, he didn’t, but now “with my life.” Fergus smiles and says that is good enough for him.

We briefly follow Leliana as she looks for any bit of news. In an inn where she overhears a s palace guard talking about Loghain tossing a prisoner into the cells. Interested, she pulls the talkative guard aside. After getting him to a secluded alley she disables him with some quick moves and interrogates him. The guard says he only knows that it was some Gray Warden and he was taken to Fort Drakon. Satisfied, Leliana knocks him out. She goes to meet Oghren. Oghren says he’s found them a place. Leliana pleased, says she’s found where Alistair is.

Avner is leading his group when they come across a handful of peasants who tell them their merchant group had been ambushed by Darkspawn heading towards Vigil’s Keep. “This far north?” Wynne asks, surprised. The peasants confirm and say there were hundreds. The peasants continue on and Avner says they need to go to Vigil’s Keep. If the Darkspawn are in force in Amaranthine they need to be stopped.

We see a large tribal caravan of Dalish Elves moving slowly along a forest path. It comes to a halt when Velanna’s group appears. After passing through the caravan she arrives at the Keeper’s giant carriage and enters. The Keeper, Marethari (Liu) notices Velanna’s discomfort and Velanna says that the forward group is all gone and adds that her sister was taken captive. Marethari asks if Darkspawn or Humans were the attackers. Velanna asks if it matters, because she will kill whoever is responsible. Marethari says that Velanna is her apprentice and must start learning to think in terms of the whole tribe, not just herself. Velanna asks permission to search for evidence of who was behind the attack. Marethari agrees but cautions Velanna.

Avner and company arrive at the outskirts of Vigil’s Keep to find smoke and fire rising from outer sections and dozens of Darkspawn bodies in the fields outside. The place seems deserted. However as they move from the entryway towards the inner walls, they see that several soldiers are still defending a guard tower under siege from a squad of Darkspawn. After eliminating them, the soldiers inform Avner of how a whole company of Darkspawn assaulted the castle with no warning and many soldiers and civilians were killed. A small group of survivors are in the castle, but some Darkspawn got inside as well and are hunting them down.

They enter the castle through a side port and shortly after entering come across a young man using magic to kill several Darkspawn. A pair of dead Templars are also in the room. The man, upon seeing them, says he is Anders (Samuel) and denies having anything to do with the Templars. Upon questioning he admits to being a runaway mage who was in the custody of the Templars. They had been staying the night at Vigil’s Keep when the Darkspawn attacked. Avner says Anders is welcome to help them finish off the rest of the Darkspawn. Wynne doesn’t quite trust him, but Morrigan is impressed by his power.

The group fights their way into the castle and frees the main group of survivors barricaded in the central hall. They leave Fergus and Anders to protect them. They get up onto the top battlements and find a Darkspawn taking an older man prisoner. The Darkspawn, bigger than normal, talks to them, which throws the heroes for a loop. It says its attack was necessary for its master. Avner asks who that is and the Darkspawn says there is nothing they can do, for “the Awakening” has begun. It attacks them and is tough but between Avner’s sword skills and Morrigan and Wynne’s magic they take it out. Afterwards Avner goes to the former hostage, who introduces himself as Varel, lord of the castle and one of the main Amaranthine nobles. He recognizes Avner as a Cousland and says he does not believe the lies spread about his family being traitors. Avner asks about Howe and Varel says Howe went to the city to build support there, since many of the rural lords are not fond of Loghain’s policies. He adds that the Darkspawn appeared out of nowhere but focused on older sections of the castle.

Downstairs, things are settled down and Varel tells the heroes that they have his leave to reside in the castle. Avner says they’re here to build support against Howe and Loghain and Varel is onboard with the plan. Avner turns to Anders and says he’s free to go. Wynne is a bit reluctant, since he was being held prisoner for a reason, but Anders he just has a habit of running away from the official Mage organization. He says that if Avner and the others don’t mind, he’d like to stick around. Avner welcomes him to the fold. The group disperses since the castle for now is safe.

That night, as Avner and Morrigan sleep together, Morrigan has a dream where she sees The Architect in a bony chamber as a Darkspawn kneels before him. The Architect says that only “by blood can the old blood be transformed.” He takes a bloody ornate knife and plunges it into the Darkspawn’s chest. The Darkspawn quakes and seizes, falling down before lying still. Then after a few seconds it gets up on its feet and utters a few uncertain words. The Architect tells the Darkspawn that it is freed from the shackles of the past. Morrigan wakes in a sweat and Avner asks if she’s ok. Morrigan lies and tells Avner she just had a bad dream about her deceased mother Flemeth. The two kiss and Avner holds Morrigan close, though we see a troubled expression on her face.

In Denerim, Alistair is taken before Loghain, who produces a document stating that Alistair officially gives up all claim to the throne of Ferelden and accepts exile to the Anderfels, a fairly desolate plains nation in the far northwest of the continent. Loghain says he gets to avoid being king and will stay a Gray Warden, not to mention live. He just has to sign and publicly endorse it. Alistair replies that he doesn’t care who rules Ferelden, he cares about getting justice for Ostagar. Loghain, disappointed, smacks Alistair hard. Alistair asks if Anora knows what her father did to get into power. Loghain snarls and tells the guards to take him away. Back in the prison, he has another chat with Riordan and we learn that they have been considering escape plans. Riordan has taken notice of the guard patrol schedules and says that the next shift change will be in six hours. Alistair asks if there’s any reason to wait and Riordan says “none.”

Meanwhile Leliana is mulling over thoughts when Oghren comes into their safehouse with a large bag. He says that a lot of surface dwarves live in Denerim and he knew some, so he got a good deal on some necessary supplies. He unfurls the duffel and we see a large assortment of weapons, tools, and other nasty devices. Leliana says they’ll be useful but Alistair is being held in Fort Drakon, and two people can’t fight their way in. Oghren complains he’s never been good at this stealth business. Leliana smiles.

At Vigil’s Keep the heroes assemble in the main hall to meet with Varel, who says his men have learned more about the Darkspawn attack. The main group had actually burrowed in from the Deep Roads to a section of the basement. The basement will be sealed, but Wynne suggests that they should scout that section of the Deep Roads. Avner agrees and asks her and Anders to take a look. Meanwhile he, Morrigan, and Fergus will travel to Amaranthine’s main city. Varel tells them two notable lords are Esmerelle and Guy. As they travel, Morrigan says it might be simpler to just kill Howe, but Fergus says they need Amaranthine on their side. Killing Howe could make them just side with Loghain in reaction.

We follow Wynne and Anders as they go through the section of the Deep Roads. Wynne peppers Anders with questions. She is curious about why he continually tries to run away. Anders says he wants to help people, but to do it with no restrictions. He believes the Templars are closer to jailors than protectors. Wynne says she understands, she herself ran away briefly once when she was young, but adds that the power a mage wields has terrible risks because of their connection to the spirit world of the Fade. She tells him about what happened in the Circle Tower (events from the first movie) and says it’s not so easy to protest when you see firsthand the consequences of mages failing to control themselves.

After some more exploring they find a small cadre of Darkspawn congregating around an ancient Dwarven gate. After eliminating the Darkspawn Wynne says this may be a good chokepoint and notices there is Dwarven script. She tells Anders to find Varel and see if he has any who can read Dwarven as well as some engineers. We cut to that group arriving. The linguist says the script indicates that the tunnels travel towards the old Silverite mines out in the Wending Woods. Varel adds that his engineers believes they can seal up the gate. Wynne says they’ll give this news to Avner and the others when they return.

We cut to Velanna with a small group of Dalish tracking a band of human mercenaries. She wants to attack since they had come from the same general area as her sister’s group, but a friend tells her that they have no proof. However the decision is taken from them when one of the humans spots a scout and shoots it. This prompts Velanna to summon a mini-tornado of air that rips through the humans. Her elves charge in and kill most of the remnants, though Velanna has them leave some alive. She demands to know if they had attacked a camp of Elves which they deny. She tortures one before he says they’d been hired to go investigate a missing band of miners in the Wending Woods, which is in the direction of the signs Velanna had followed. She tells the human survivors to leave immediately. She tells her group that they will go to the Wending Woods. Some think Velanna is not thinking clearly. Velanna says that any who doubt her can return to the main tribe. About half decide to do that.

We cut to Fort Drakon. At the entry gate, several people are awaiting clearance to enter, including two dressed in the garb of low-level Chantry people: Leliana and Oghren. Oghren is very unhappy about the getup, complaining it itches. Leliana says she’ll handle all the talking. She introduces herself and Oghren to the guard as a pair sent by the local Revered Mother to minister to the prisoners. The guard is skeptical, but Leliana bullshits her way in. As they enter Oghren says he’s going to get himself drunk after this embarrassment. Leliana asks how that’s different from any other time and Oghren just grumbles. They soon have a clear route to the cellblock region. Leliana is nervous.

The shift change has just happened in the cellblock. Before the guards can leave, they fall for the classic “sick prisoner” trick. In a flash Alistair has unlocked the cells and he and Riordan put the guards in them and take their armor. Riordan says there’s a safehouse in the city they can use. They move for the exit. Just as they leave they bump into two people in Chantry garb and it takes Alistair a second to realize who it is. Leliana joyously hugs Alistair. Alistair pats Oghren on the shoulder and briefly introduces Riordan. They quickly decide to have Alistair and Riordan pose as guards escorting Leliana and Oghren outside. Things go well at first, but then an alarm sounds, Riordan noting that the new cellblock shift must have found the knocked-out guards. A checkpoint short of the gatehouse they are stopped by a guard who says no one leaves the fort. Leliana tries to charm the guard but the guard doesn’t budge but slowly recognizes Alistair, but as he calls out he is knocked out. They are seen trying to hide the body and have to make a run for it. The gatehouse is blocked off, so Riordan suggests they jump off the eastern battlements into the harbor below. They flee into a nearby access tower, guards in pursuit, and Alistair and Riordan get out of their armor (since it is so heavy they’d drown if they wore it when they jumped) while Leliana and Oghren fight off an initial squad of attackers. Alistair and Riordan are now out of armor and they flee up the tower to the battlements with lots of arrows zinging by. Alistair is hit by one in the shoulder but it’s not serious. They finally get to the part overlooking the harbor and leap over the side for the long drop down. The four swim off with the guards far above too ill-positioned to pursue.

We cut to the four exiting the harbor in a secluded district of the city. Oghren asks what they do now. Alistair says Riordan has a Gray Warden safehouse they can use. Riordan nods and says there are some things to discuss.

We see Loghain very troubled as he visits Anora to convince her to follow his lead, but she says she doesn’t have faith in him anymore and pleads for him to stop being blind to the harm he is causing. Loghain says he cannot, he’s gone too far. After leaving, he is found by a lackey and told that friends of Alistair have freed him from Fort Drakon.

We catch up with Avner, Morrigan, and Fergus arriving in the city of Amaranthine. They find a street rally where a speaker is trying to raise the crowd to oppose Loghain. However a large contingent of city guards appears, along with Howe and the two nobles Varel mentioned (Esmerelle and Guy). Howe has the speaker arrested and announces to the crowd that no dissent will be tolerated. He says if any wish to join the speaker, to step forward. None do. Satisfied, Howe and his group depart. Fergus notes that Lady Esmerelle did not look too enthusiastic, so she may be someone to approach. Avner says that Morrigan is unknown to Howe and the others, so she could get a closer look by posing as a courier from Vigil’s Keep. Morrigan says she could just kill them all there but Avner tells her they’re going to do this the political way. Morrigan sighs and agrees.

We cut to Howe talking with Guy and Esmerelle. Guy is aggressive and domineering. Esmerelle is more cautious, saying that harsh treatment will only create hostility. Howe leans towards Guy’s path and tells Esmerelle it’ll be better if she retires and lets him and Guy handle things. A guard reports that a messenger from Vigil’s Keep has come. Morrigan informs the three of the Darkspawn attack and the Keep’s damage. Guy tells Howe that this is exactly why they cannot compromise. Howe agrees. Morrigan nods and leaves. As she nears the building exit, Esmerelle pulls her aside and tells her to give a message to Varel that she is reconsidering her loyalties.

Morrigan returns to Avner and Fergus and explains what happened. Avner believes Esmerelle and her supporters can be turned against Howe. He asks Fergus to approach her while he and Morrigan return to Vigil’s Keep.

At the safehouse Leliana is tending to Alistair’s injuries. The two talk about how they’re feeling and share a brief intimate moment before Oghren interrupts to say Riordan wants to talk. They all congregate and Riordan explains to Leliana and Oghren what he’s told Alistair. He adds that he never spoke with Queen Anora and that she hasn’t been seen publicly in some time. Alistair adds Loghain’s reaction when he brought up Anora and the group wonders if perhaps she is against Loghain and he has locked her up. The problem is learning the truth of her situation. Leliana says she can start looking soon. As she prepares, Riordan asks Alistair if there are other Gray Wardens in Ferelden. Alistair says there’s one other, and from what Leliana mentioned while she was helping his wounds, he has his own problems.

We follow Fergus as he goes to Esmerelle’s estate. He takes a risk by using his true identity at the door and is let in. Esmerelle meets with him and says she is taking a big risk by doing so. Fergus says she knows what kind of man Howe is and says even if the Darkspawn are defeated, the realm will never survive rule by him and Loghain. She agrees.

Avner and Morrigan return to Vigil’s Keep and learn about the Deep Roads exploration. Avner informs Varel of what Fergus is up to and immediately sets out with Morrigan, Wynne, and Anders towards the Wending Wood.

We return to Velanna and the rest of her group as they enter the Wending Wood, which is a forest that has a slightly sick atmosphere about it. The trail they followed is gone but she insists they will find something. While camped, one of the elves thinks he sees a lost loved one but dismisses it as a hallucination. Then another sees someone, and then another, and then everyone does. Velanna sees Seranni beckoning towards her and she rushes after the vision of her sister. When Velanna catches up, she finds that Seranni is indeed real. Seranni, looking pale and discolored, says she had to warn Velanna, but she must go now. “Warn me of what?” Velanna asks but Seranni in a flash disappears amongst the trees as the wind rustles loudly. As it subsides, Velanna hears metal clanging and screams. She rushes back to her camp to find it overwhelmed by Darkspawn. A few of the elves are still fighting and Velanna tries to help, but there are too many. One of them grazes Velanna with an arrow and she turns and flees, a bunch of Darkspawn in pursuit.

On the way to the Wending Wood, Avner talks with Wynne about the talking Darkspawn and wonders how it is possible. Wynne says that to her knowledge, none of the previous Blights had such an event occur. Avner wonders the implications for this Blight. We also see Morrigan chat with Anders. She’s a bit intrigued by him but he calls her a dark witch. She says he can call her whatever he wants, so long as he acknowledges she is free. She says that freedom has its risks, but that one cannot develop their full potential if they’re shackled by the rules of others.

We go back to Fergus, who has helped Esmerelle contact several nobles who are interested in standing up to Howe. He has word sent to Varel of the plan to congregate them at the Stark Farm not far from the city. Unknownst to him, one of the couriers is followed by one of Lord Guy’s men, who captures him. We cut to Lord Guy approaching Howe to tell him of some news.

Alistair and Riordan are talking about their backstories when Leliana returns. She says she has learned that Queen Anora has been kept under guard at Loghain’s estate near the outskirts. Oghren arrives, having come from the place he and Leliana had set up earlier. He has a message sent from Arl Eamon: Eamon and his main supporters are on the way to Denerim to present a Landsmeet petition to Loghain. Eamon has given them access to his city estate to await his arrival. Time is of the essence since they need to have Anora under their protection before the Landsmeet begins.

Avner and the others arrive at the Wending Wood. Anders says the place gives him the creeps. After some exploring, they find a few dead Darkspawn. As they look for clues, someone appears on an outcropping and shoots magic blasts at them. They dodge and Morrigan fires back, blasting the rock outcropping apart. As the smoke subsides, a female voice calls out she mistook them for Darkspawn. It is Velanna and she is noticeably bruised, bloodied, and ragged compared to when we last saw her. She explains who she is and what happened to her group and Avner says they’re investigating an attack as well. Wynne asks if she knows where the Silverite mines are located and Velanna says she can take them there, since that’s where she was going as well before her group was destroyed.

We cut to the Stark Farm where Fergus, Esmerelle, and several other notable dissenters have gathered with some guards. Varel arrives and some talk begins on a way to remove Howe from power, peaceably if possible. Soon someone calls out an alarm, as a large band of marauders attack the farm. Fergus tells Varel to get Esmerelle and other nobles to Vigil’s Keep. Varel, Esmerelle, and others escape through the back while Fergus rallies that handful of guards to hold off the attackers. They kill a decent amount but they are overwhelmed and Fergus is wounded. A soldier wants to kill him but is stopped by Lord Guy, who says they’ll take him to Howe.

Avner’s group arrives at the Silverite Mine and enters, though he holds up. He says he senses the taint of Darkspawn, but it feels different, warped somehow. They go into the depths and discover part of it connects to an old underground ruin. They enter and suddenly dozens of Darkspawn burst out of various alcoves and tunnels but don’t attack. A voice says “I hope you don’t do anything rash, I’d prefer that this encounter not devolve into violence.” They turn towards the source and see The Architect emerge from a hallway. Avner asks who he is and the Architect says he is something both ancient and new, and he wants to help the world. “By killing innocents?” Velanna accuses. The Architect says that they are unfortunate necessities to further his work. Wynne asks what that is. The Architect says he intends to “free” the Darkspawn and adds they’ll have time to discuss things later, if they’ll just discard their weapons. Avner tells his group to do so.

We cut to briefly later with Avner and Morrigan shepherded into an chamber of quasi-scientific gear and experiments where The Architect is. He remarks that Avner is a Gray Warden. He says that Gray Wardens are curious creations, since they take the Darkspawn taint and alter it to their advantage. Avner asks what the point is and The Architect says that he made a discovery some months ago. If he gave the blood of a Gray Warden to a Darkspawn, the Darkspawn was freed from the call of the Old Gods. They gained sentience, intelligence, even the ability to communicate. The Architect asks Avner and Morrigan to imagine a world where the Darkspawn are not mindlessly bent on destruction, but have free will and can choose to live how they wish. Morrigan laughs and says it sounds like a fairy tale. The Architect says he had thought so, but no longer. He says that Gray Wardens are hard to come by, but he has learned the secret of why some who go through the Gray Warden initiation die while others live: It is because there is a base difference in their blood. And he has learned how to identify those with the potential to become Gray Wardens. Therefore, he has had to attack various settlements and groups to “obtain” people with the right blood, so he can use them for his experiments. Avner says that is insane. The Architect says he doesn’t relish taking lives, but killing some thousands in one corner of Ferelden is worth sparing millions. He says the attack on Vigil’s Keep was necessary to eliminate a military force that could have stopped his next phase. Avner asks what that is and the Architect says he’s not that talkative. He has minions take Avner and Morrigan and hopes upon reflection they’ll see the good in his work.

We return to Denerim where Alistair and the others have figured out a plan to infiltrate the grounds of the estate by posing as newly-hired servants. They manage to get into the grounds and split into pairs to search for Anora, Alistair and Leliana, Riordan and Oghren. A signal is arranged to alert the other pair. As they search and fake going about duties, Alistair and Leliana talk more about their feelings for one another. It’s clear that they both have concerns and doubts over the future since Alistair says Arl Eamon wants him to be king and their relationship would have to end. Leliana knows and says she hopes there’s a way he can avoid being king.

Meanwhile Riordan and Oghren locate a wing of the estate suspiciously guarded and disable the guards protecting the entry point. They investigate further and find Anora, who is understandably shocked and frightened. Riordan tells Oghren to set the signal and calmly explains who he is to her. Regaining some composure, Anora agrees to come with them. Meanwhile, Alistair and Leliana see the signal and begin to move. Of course a general alarm goes out as they do. As guards swarm all over they see Riordan and find him, Oghren, and a hooded Anora. Anora realizes who Alistair is and tries to say something but Alistair says they can talk later. They try to sneak out but have to fight a couple small groups of guards, and have to re-direct to the stables where they steal several horses.

Back in the Silverite Mine, Avner informs Wynne, Anders, and Velanna of what he and Morrigan learned. Velanna says that other groups of her people had gone missing in the past several weeks and now she understands why. Wynne surmises that he must be planning a large operation. Avner suspects that he may be planning to raid the city of Amaranthine itself. They get surprising aid when Seranni appears, saying she told Velanna to stay away. Velanna asks if Seranni is alright and Seranni says she is fine, the Architect is not harming her…aside from his experiments. She says he told her she had the right blood and wanted to test a theory. Avner senses that she is similar to a Gray Warden but more taken by the taint. He says he thinks the Architect also is experimenting on blending humans, elves, and dwarves with Darkspawn blood. Everyone except Morrigan looks revolted. Seranni tells Velanna she will free them, but pleads for them to never come back. Seranni unlocks the cell and disappears. Velanna tries to rush after her but Wynne holds her back, saying there’s nothing to be done.

The group moves to escape, gathering what items they can. After some exploring they find some weapons and a path that leads towards the surface. As they move further they are attacked and have to do a running fight towards the exit. As they get near a pair of vicious ogres join in to stop them. The two are taken down, but Anders and Wynne are both wounded in the encounter. They still manage to escape.

In the Wending Wood, Avner checks on Wynne and Anders’ injuries and while they’re not especially life-threatening, neither Velanna or Morrigan has much skill in healing. They are fortunately discovered by a few Dalish scouts, who say Marethari sent them to try and find Velanna. Velanna says Marethari can heal their injuries. As they begin to move, Avner asks Velanna why she seems nervous. Velanna says she is not on the best terms with the tribe’s Keeper, who she was apprenticed to.

Fergus wakes up to find himself imprisoned by Howe, who is disappointed that the Cousland brothers are still around. He asks where Avner is. Howe guesses he is at Vigil’s Keep with Varel and says perhaps it is time to take all the birds with one stone.

Alistair and the others arrive at Arl Eamon’s estate. Anora says she would like to speak with Alistair if possible. Alistair, a bit wary, says they can do that soon. Anora is escorted away to guest chambers. Alistair says he wants nothing to with politics and Oghren reminds him that he got involved the minute he decided to fight Loghain.

A bit later, Alistair brings Riordan with him to talk to Anora, who thanks them for freeing her. She says her father is losing his grip on reality. Alistair mentions Arl Eamon and the Landsmeet and Anora says that if Eamon will back her as Queen of Ferelden, she will fully support him at the Landsmeet. She says she knows this will prevent Alistair from taking the throne. Alistair says he doesn’t want to be king. Anora is pleased and says her husband Cailan had been a good man but a bad king, and Ferelden needs someone who can rule as well as be just. Riordan brings up the Gray Wardens and Orlesians waiting at the border and Anora says her first act will be to invite them in, since this fear over an Orlais invasion is pennies compared to the Darkspawn.

As Alistair and Riordan leave, Riordan tells Alistair he knows what Eamon’s response to the offer will be, given that Alistair is Cailan’s brother by blood. Alistair hopes it won’t come to that. Riordan understands, but says that a Gray Warden king would do more for the Wardens’ cause than nearly anything else. Alistair says he needs to think about this. What he does is go join Oghren and start drinking to let out some of the stress.

Avner’s group arrives at the Dalish tribe and they are taken to Marethari, who agrees to heal Wynne and Anders. As she does so, she asks questions about how they encountered Velanna. Avner explains what happened. Velanna, looking grim, says she failed her people. Marethari pulls no punches and agrees, saying Velanna’s recklessness resulted in their deaths. She tells Avner that her people have been evacuating towards the northern coast, where they plan to cross the sea to the Free Marches. Avner says that the Darkspawn will spread if not checked in Ferelden. Marethari says most of her people are not suited for fighting; they will not be much use here. Her concern is making sure they are safe. Velanna begs for Marethari to let her remain in Amaranthine so she can atone for her failure by helping stop the Darkspawn. After some thought, Marethari agrees, but she warns Velanna that her anger and pride has cost others, if she does not learn the dangers of indulging in it, it will one day cost her everything else.

While Marethari finishes up healing Anders and Wynne, Avner and Morrigan talk. Avner asks her if she is alright, he has noticed her looking strange ever since they got to Amaranthine. Morrigan says it is nothing, just lingering feelings over her mother’s death.

Soon it is time to head back to Vigil’s Keep. Marethari first has a private word with Morrigan. She tells the witch that she sees into her heart and knows the seed that a mother has nourished in it. Morrigan asks if Marethari knew Flemeth. Marethari says she did, as many have over the years. She says she wonders how similar to her mother Morrigan will turn out, saying that what lies in blood is less important that the shaping life experiences bring. This conversation leaves Morrigan a bit troubled as they set out.

We return to Denerim, where bad news mounts for Loghain as he knows of Anora’s escape, the arrival of dissenting nobles, and news from Howe in Denerim. He goes to pray for guidance, but only feels shame and anger as he vents about how all his crimes have been to save lives yet they only make the country more divided and vulnerable.

Arl Eamon arrives at his estate in Denerim and is surprised to see not just Alistair but also Anora there. In a brief but heated meeting with Anora, he says that Alistair as a blood relative has the best claim to the throne. Anora says that she ran Ferelden while Cailan played at war and that Alistair is not suited to be a ruler. There seems to be no middle ground.

Avner and company arrive at Vigil’s Keep to find it somewhat repaired and has several hundred soldiers in reinforcements. He finds Varel, Esmerelle, and others and learns of the rallying of nobles, but also of Fergus’ capture. Avner is angered, but Wynne counsels him that Howe will no doubt come here, trying to broker a deal. Avner says they can’t wait for that, they have to go to Howe and remove him before the Darkspawn attack on Amaranthine happens. Varel says they can move out at first light tomorrow. Meanwhile we see Anders try to talk to Velanna but be rebuffed at first. He says that he was told many of the same things she was and that he struggles with it every day. She asks how he deals with it. He says he tries to ensure justice is done for the wrongs he sees. Velanna says she wants similar things, but sometimes it is hard for her to know what they are. That night we see Morrigan have another dream showing the Dragonbone Wastes and the Architect’s work. A voice that sounds like Flemeth’s whispers that here lies a beginning to something momentous, but not necessarily what the Architect thinks it will be.

We return to Amaranthine where Howe receives word from Lord Guy that men are mobilizing in the Vigil’s Keep area. He says it is time to move.

In Denerim, Eamon goes to talk to Alistair. Eamon is annoyed about his reluctance to do the “right” thing. Alistair says he’ll be no better a king than Cailan. Eamon says Cailan was a bad king because he never listened to advice, whereas Alistair won’t make the same mistake. This makes sense to Alistair but he says he isn’t suited for it. Eamon has faith Alistair will grow into it. Alistair asks about Anora and Eamon says they’ll figure out how to deal with her, though they need her support. Meanwhile Leliana talks with Oghren. Oghren knows she’s feeling pessimistic about her and Alistair being together and says he knows the feeling of chasing an idea of love. He says if it’s not meant to be, she has to let it go so she doesn’t waste her life. “After all, you don’t want to be a fat drunk like me” he says with a sad laugh.

We see the dissenter military forces leaving Vigil’s Keep. We see some of Howe’s forces leaving Amaranthine, though Lord Guy is left behind and he torments an imprisoned Fergus. We see the two military forces meet and Avner rides out to parlay with Howe. Howe acts like an asshole and demands Avner and his conspirators surrender themselves. Avner replies that if Howe returns Fergus and steps down from his post peacefully, he’ll be given a comfortable life in prison, instead of execution. The standoff breaks when a rider from Amaranthine appears to say that a Darkspawn army is moving to attack it. At Wynne and Varel’s urging, Avner offers a truce to Howe where they will both go to Amaranthine to save the city. Howe reluctantly agrees.

At Amaranthine bells ring in the city to warn of the attack. Lord Guy is with Fergus in the dungeon and is informed of Darkspawn preparing to attack. He says it’s of no concern and returns to torturing Fergus. However Fergus has loosened some of the screws pinning his chains to the wall, and he is able to jostle free and attack Guy, strangling him with his handcuff chains. He frees himself, and exits the building to find chaos. Instinctively he rushes towards the city walls to help and finds a small horde of Darkspawn beginning an attack. He helps lead the defense and give orders for protecting civilians.

The combined Amaranthine forces arrive at the city outskirts to find the walls heavily under attack and close to breaking. Avner coordinates a charge across the whole front to hit the Darkspawn in the rear. Even as some Darkspawn breach the walls and pour into the streets below, the majority of their army is sandwiched and crushed. After a few minutes of confused and bloody fighting, the Darkspawn are broken and the few remnants scatter to the countryside to be mopped up later. The defenders cheer and the gates open to admit the outside armies.

Entering, Avner sees Fergus, battered but happy, and smiling goes to embrace his brother. As they start to hug Fergus’ expression changes to surprise and he shouts for Avner to get down. Avner is pushed aside by Fergus as we hear something rip through air and make a thud sound. It is Fergus, hit in the chest by a crossbow bolt, fired by Howe who looks pissed it missed hitting Avner. He orders his men around him to kill the two brothers but sees that they are surrounded by dozens of Varel’s men, Avner’s friends, and the city watch itself. Howe tells the watch to arrest or kill Avner, his companions, and Varel as traitors, but the head of the watch says that Howe is a tyrant and when the Darkspawn attacked Lord Guy did nothing to help, whereas Fergus assisted and saved countless lives. Varel orders Howe’s bodyguards to drop their weapons, which they do. Avner kneels by Fergus, who is dying. Fergus tells his brother not to worry, that he’ll be with his family soon, and that their parents would be proud of Avner. He dies and Avner, teary with rage on his face, gets to his feet. Varel says that the penalty is death. Avner says it is his sentence to carry out. He takes his sword, walks up to Howe, and wordlessly plunges it into the man’s chest. Howe dies instantly. The camera pulls back on the scene and slowly fades out.

In Denerim, Eamon with a bunch of supporters travels to the royal palace to present Loghain with the Landsmeet petition. The Landsmeet will summon every important noble from Ferelden who can make the trip to Denerim for voting on crucial issues. Loghain says Eamon is wasting everyone’s time since he will lose. Eamon says he has the only blood relative to King Cailan as well as Queen Anora. He asks how Loghain will win. Loghain replies “because I’m the only one among all of you who has won a war. They need my skill more than your ‘king.’”

In Amaranthine, the allies rest for the moment. Avner is sitting alone at the top of a tower when Morrigan and the others appear. He thanks them for checking on him, but he’ll be alright. Wynne says he didn’t have to kill Howe, he was beaten. Avner says that if he was going to help pass the sentence, he might as well swing the sword too. Wynne leaves disappointed. Velanna says she understands what it is to lose your sibling and says she would have done the same in his position. Anders nods and says what happened to Howe was just. Sometimes vengeance and justice intertwine. They leave also but Morrigan stays behind to comfort him. After sitting together for a moment, she confesses that she has been having some odd dreams and only now realizes what they mean. She thinks her mother has planted something in her mind that is leading her to the Architect. Avner says that Flemeth is dead. Morrigan says her body is gone, but who knows what pieces of her linger. Avner asks her what was in her dreams.

We cut to Avner approaching Varel and asking about a dark barren canyon filled with dragon bones. Varel says it is the Dragonbone Wastes on the northeastern tip of the region. Avner says the source of these Darkspawn comes from there and he needs to crush it before they can go to Denerim. Varel understands and says he will have all the nobles gathered by the time Avner returns.

Back at Eamon’s estate Eamon talks to Riordan about current events. Riordan says that it is not his place to take part in deciding who should rule, his only concern is that Ferelden doesn’t tear itself apart. Riordan says Alistair is a Gray Warden, he will do what he believes to be the right thing to save the country and stop the Darkspawn, even if it isn’t personally attractive. Eamon asks what that thing is. Riordan replies it may be up to Alistair and his friends to figure it out.

Avner and company arrive at the Dragonbone Wastes. Anders asks how they’ll find what they’re looking for in this desolate place and Avner replies he thinks it’ll end up finding them. As they progress into the barren area littered with dragon remains from ages past, they see the ruins of a tower near a gorge, the remains of a Tevinter Imperium tower, an ancient empire that worshipped dragons and which inadvertently created the Darkspawn. Morrigan comments it’s a fitting place for the Architect. They enter the tower and descend into the depths. Halfway down, the winding staircase crumbles and Morrigan falls into a gap while the others leap to a safe perch. Morrigan calls out that she is fine and will find a way to meet them at the bottom.

The main group continues onward down the tower until it enters a mixture of halls and caverns. After a minute Velanna sees Seranni and calls out for her and rushes after the disappearing form. At the same time a small horde of Darkspawn emerge from holes and crevices and tunnels to attack. Avner tells Wynne and Anders to hold them off while he follows Velanna. They nod and use magic to create shield walls to hold them back while Avner chases after Velanna.

We follow Morrigan as wanders into a room where The Architect is waiting for her. The Architect says that Morrigan “does not have her blood, but her scent nonetheless.” Morrigan says he is talking about Flemeth. The Architect nods, saying that he was always a bit different from other Darkspawn, but several decades ago Flemeth found him and awoke his true nature, freeing him from the call of the Old Gods. Morrigan asks why she did that. The Architect says they are but small stakes in the games played by ancient beings. “In any event once I saw the truth of the world, I could not let my brothers remain slaves.” Morrigan says she believes her mother implanted dreams in her mind to lead her to the Architect, believing she will learn something from him. The Architect smiles and says her mother played a larger game than he thought, as a few months ago, she visited him and suggested a new direction in his work. He says that while Darkspawn freed from the taint are intelligent, his experiments now suggest that the mixture of the Darkspawn taint with a pure race is even stronger. “The Gray Wardens were on the right track, though they went no further than a single step” he says. The trouble is that too much of the taint simply kills his subjects, as a soul cannot survive too much entering the body, and only Darkspawn can exist without souls. Morrigan’s face briefly looks like something clicks into place. The Architect says he will not hinder her since she is following in the steps of the one who freed him, but he will defend himself when her companions come. Morrigan says his work fascinates her, but that’s not necessarily the same as approving of it.

Velanna pursues Seranni into a massive burial chamber of dragon skeletons, pleading with her to stop. Seranni does and says she doesn’t want Velanna hurt, but she doesn’t want the Architect to be stopped. Velanna says the Architect would kill the entire tribe for his experiments. Seranni says if what he says is true then it’s worth it. Avner appears and says Seranni doesn’t believe that. He tries to persuade her that the Architect’s experiments have messed with her mind and she needs to remember who she once was. Seranni kneels and whimpers and Velanna tries to comfort her, but the Architect appears. He comments on Avner’s resourcefulness and says he wants the same things Avner wants, an end to the Blight. Avner says the cost of the Architect’s solution is not something he can live with. The Architect says in the past other Gray Wardens had a similar choice as Avner and they chose to leave him be. “You are new to their world, they treat war as a numbers game. They would let Ferelden burn if it was the key to protecting the rest of the world. I will make those choices unnecessary.” Avner looks at Velanna and Seranni and says “and what happens when there are armies of intelligent Darkspawn? The Blights exist only when an archdemon is woken to guide the Darkspawn. If you have your way, the Blight will never end, since they’ll need no guiding.” The Architect frowns and says he is sorry it has come to this. He uses blood magic to send waves of energy at Avner and Velanna and they are paralyzed.

We briefly cut to Anders and Wynne barely keeping the Darkspawn at bay when a lightning storm bursts overhead, killing many of them and causing the rest to pause their attacks. It is Morrigan. She asks where Avner is and Wynne gestures down a tunnel, and Morrigan races down it.

Meanwhile, the Architect pulls out an ancient knife caked in dried blood and says their deaths will serve a greater purpose. He grabs Velanna and moves to cut her throat, but Seranni snaps out of her stupor and attacks him, trying anything to stop him. The Architect grabs her, stabs her in the chest, and crushes her throat before tossing her aside. “Such a waste” he comments. Velanna is enraged and uses magic to explode the ground at the Architects feet and knock him down for a couple seconds. It gives Avner time to recover and he charges in, covering the distance lightning-quick and plunging his sword into the Architect at the same time the Architect stabs him through a gap in his armor. Both stagger backwards. Velanna uses all her might to telekinetically hurl the Architect against the rock wall, the impact burying him under small boulders. She goes to cradle Seranni’s body as Avner, wounded but not critically, gets to his feet. He goes to Velanna and says her sister remembered who she was in the end. Velanna nods. She stands and cries into Avner’s shoulder for a minute before thanking him. Arms locked, they start staggering towards the exit as the rock pile stirs. The Architect pulls himself up and prepares for an attack, but he is speared by a strike of spirit energy that combusts his insides. He falls down, burned from the inside-out as Avner and Velanna look up to see Morrigan in front of them. Avner staggers towards her and the two embrace and kiss. “I think we’re done here” he comments. “Yes we are” she replies, a knowing smile on her face.

In Denerim it is almost time for the Landsmeet. Oghren is getting cabin fever. Alistair is talking with Riordan about Gray Warden matters and doing his best to avoid extended conversations with anyone other than him or Oghren. Of course this fails when Eamon summons him, Leliana, Oghren, Riordan, and Anora to a meeting where he wants to settle beforehand how they will remove Loghain. Anora says the easiest method is to support her claim to the throne, Loghain would be more willing to cede power to her than Alistair. Eamon says that is true, but adds that many nobles believe that if Anora ruled, she would eventually become Loghain’s puppet once again. Alistair asks Anora if she would allow Loghain to pay the proper penalty for his crimes. Anora, caught off-guard, stammers before saying he is her father. “And Cailan was your husband” Oghren points out, “and Loghain left him to die.” Anora says she will not come to an arrangement with them if they plan to execute her father and storms out. Eamon sighs and says that complicates matters. Leliana goes to Alistair and says they’ll find a way to work everything out. Alistair says he isn’t so sure, since Anora is right in that they’re less likely to topple Loghain with him as their claimant.

We return to Vigil’s Keep. Varel and the other Amaranthine nobles have assembled their men and are ready to march to Denerim. Avner says they leave immediately. He turns to Anders and Velanna and says it’s time for them to part ways. Anders agrees, because there’s far too many Templar people in that area who’d lock him up without a second thought. He thanks Avner for trusting him to help and says that there are many oppressed in the countryside who he could help in return. He shakes Avner’s hand and walks away. Velanna says she must go as well, to catch up to her tribe and accompany them to their new home. She says that she doesn’t know how recent events will affect her, but she will do everything to find strength and protection for her people. She gives Avner, Morrigan, and Wynne a short bow and goes on her own way as well. And with that they depart for Denerim. As they ride Wynne asks Avner how he is coping. Avner says losing Fergus hurt deeply, but there will be time to mourn when they’ve won.

Alistair is pacing in a bedroom when Oghren enters. Oghren tells his friend to slow down before he burns a hole in the floors. Alistair says he has no idea how to handle the situation. Oghren asks Alistair what is most important to him. “Stopping the Blight” Alistair replies. Oghren asks how they do that. Alistair says by removing Loghain from power so they can unify the country. Oghren asks how they can unify the country. Alistair, his wheels turning, says they give the nobles and commoners a symbol to rally around. He stops and says “Oh no, no no no, I don’t want that.” Oghren says he knows Alistair’s feelings on the subject, but says if Alistair really wants to do what’s best, then he knows what to do. Alistair says it’ll mean the end of anything he has with Leliana. Oghren Leliana understands that. He tells Alistair that being a leader means making hard choices, choices that put the well-being of the people he protects before his own. Alistair sighs.

He visits Leliana, who seems to be expecting him. Alistair says Oghren talked to him. Leliana says she knows, she told Oghren to. Alistair is shocked. Leliana says that when they met her in Lothering, she was someone who had lost her way and had no connection to the world. She says Alistair and the others gave her that connection back, and reminded her of what is most important. She says she loves Alistair, and that is exactly why she has to let him go, because for him to do the right thing and save his country, he has to let her go as well. Both of them are tearing up and they embrace for a long moment before Alistair pulls away. “I know what I have to do then, even though going there will be like walking to the headsman.” Leliana laughs and says it may seem like a hardship right now, but Alistair is a good man and things turn out well in the end for them.

We cut to Anora in deep thought in her room when someone knocks. It is Alistair, who asks to talk with her. She lets him in and he says he hates politics and the idea of ruling a nation, but that he also has to do what he thinks is right. He says he has a solution to the standoff and asks her to hear him out. Anora tells him to go ahead.

We see Avner and his forces near Denerim as the Landsmeet enters session. Loghain is concerned that Howe has not come but remains confident he will prevail. We see the Landsmeet, an assembly of over a hundred male and female nobles, convene in a grand chamber in the royal palace. Loghain and Eamon enter and sit at opposite sides. Riordan is off to the side, waiting. Alistair then appears, Eamon asking where Anora is. Alistair says she is coming soon. As everyone settles in, a neutral officiator begins the assembly. He then asks there are no objections to beginning. Loghain says that Rendon Howe, Teryn of Highever and Arl of Amaranthine, is not present, which means much of the northern coast has no representation. As if on cue, Avner’s voice says “Yes, they do.” The assembly stirs as he enters with a bunch of nobles at his back. Avner says he is the son of Bryce Cousland and will be representing his father’s position of Teryn of Highever. Loghain says the Couslands are traitors and Howe was given their lands. Avner replies that Howe is dead, he was declared a traitor by his subjects and punished accordingly. Varel says that the Amaranthine nobles have agreed that Avner will represent them at this assembly. Loghain frowns but has no choice as the officiator says that regions have the right to choose their representative if the seat is vacant. Avner walks over to Alistair and the two friends hug, having not seen each other in a long time. “Thought you would miss this party” Alistair quips.

Thus the Landsmeet begins, with a vociferous debate between Eamon and Loghain as to who should rule, Loghain wanting himself and Eamon wanting Alistair. Avner asks Alistair if he’s ok with this and Alistair, smiling sadly, tells Avner to wait a bit more. Avner, Morrigan, and Wynne also silently reunite with Leliana and Oghren. Finally, when Eamon mentions Anora, Loghain snaps that Alistair and his cronies kidnapped Anora. He accuses Eamon of simply hiding her to prevent her voice from being heard. Again, on cue, Anora enters and the nobles wait to hear the Queen speak. Anora says that her father is a man whose fear has overpowered him. She says that a ruler cannot lead when he is paralyzed by paranoia and suspicion, so she urges the Landsmeet not to support his rule. She adds that now is not the time for Ferelden to have inexperienced leadership. She says the nobles know that she did much of the ruling for Cailan while he lived. She pauses, looks at Alistair, then continues, saying “But what Ferelden needs most of all is unity, which is why I have entered into an marriage arrangement with Alistair. We shall rule Ferelden together, side by side as your king and queen.” She beckons to Alistair and he rises and walks to join her, surprise on most faces, a cheeky smile on Avner’s. Alistair and Anora join hands and the Landsmeet erupts in cheers. It’s clear that the matter is decided. However one thing remains: What to do with Loghain. Anora wants her father spared, which is something our heroes are reluctant to let happen. Riordan steps forward, informing the nobles who he is. He says there is another option: for him to use the Right of Conscription to induct Loghain into the Gray Wardens. Loghain will be spared, but will spend the rest of his life in the service of the Wardens fighting Darkspawn. Upon some thought, this placates the objectors. Loghain looks at his daughter then speaks. He says he stands by his beliefs and what he has done, and he knows he deserves the death penalty for it, and he will abide by the Landsmeet’s decision. They vote to allow Riordan to conscript him. Riordan says they will perform the Joining on Loghain as soon as possible. He walks over to Avner and says Alistair spoke of him and he is proud to meet him. The two shake hands. Riordan says that once the Joining is complete there is vital information he must share before the army confronts the main Darkspawn horde.

We see a couple mop-up scenes showing the formalizing of Alistair and Anora as husband and wife co-rulers of Ferelden, Avner noticing Leliana’s sadness. We see that Alistair and Anora are stiff and formal around one another, but still cordial. Loghain survives the Joining process and speaks to his daughter, saying he is proud of her and he deserves no forgiveness. Anora says one day he might. She has Riordan send a message to the Wardens in Orlais to come as quickly as they can. We also hear reports that much of the southern half of the country is devastated and the Darkspawn are beginning to march towards the capital itself. Avner talks to Alistair and asks if he’s ok with Loghain living. After some talk, the two agree that it makes more sense for him to help fight the Darkspawn, even if they both had strong reasons to want him dead.

We have a meeting between Avner, Alistair, Loghain, and Riordan. Riordan says that since the three are relatively new inductees there is information they don’t yet have. First, he tells them that becoming a Gray Warden is a death sentence. Eventually, after a few decades, sometimes longer, the taint within the Warden grows and begins to destroy the Warden’s mind and body. Once it becomes hard to cope with the Warden goes to the Deep Roads for death in battle against the Darkspawn. Riordan says it is a hard truth, but a necessary one because of the second fact: There is only one way to kill the archdemon. Its mortal body can be destroyed, but then the archdemon’s spirit will simply latch onto the nearest Darkspawn it can find and implant its soul inside the body and the Blight will continue. However, because Gray Wardens have the Darkspawn taint inside them, when they kill the archdemon’s body the archdemon’s spirit will latch onto them. Since two souls cannot exist in the same body, they will obliterate one another, meaning that the Gray Warden who kills the archdemon also dies. Riordan says that it doesn’t appear the Wardens from Orlais will arrive in time for the coming battle, so there will be only four of them. If possible, he will kill the archdemon since he has been a Gray Warden for far longer than them. The news shakes Avner and Alistair, but Loghain grimly accepts it.

Messages have been sent out to the forces Avner and Alistair have united over the past two movies and we see a quick montage of the Dwarves of Orzammar, the Dalish of the Brecilian Forest, and the mages and Templar of the Circle Tower assembling. We see a couple short scenes with other members of the heroes catching up. Leliana and Oghren also give Avner their condolences over his brother. We then follow Avner as he goes to his assigned quarters where he finds Morrigan waiting. He starts to speak but she cuts him off, saying “I know, my mother had told me.” She kisses him hard and the two rapidly escalate into a sex scene. We see that Morrigan’s eyes and the outlines of their bodies have a slight glow, though Avner is unaware.

We cut to citizens evacuating Denerim, as leaders of the united forces have decided that it’s safer to let the Darkspawn attack them at the city walls rather than in the open field. Scouts report the horde is enormous and Riordan says that defending the city is not as important as killing the archdemon, so he advises Eamon, Alistair, and Anora that the priority of the army should be to protect evacuating civilians and delaying the darkspawn advance rather than a full confrontation. This will prevent unnecessary losses while also drawing the archdemon closer. We see an awkward farewell scene between Alistair and Anora. As the forces, we get the traditional inspiring battle speech as Avner rallies the men. He and his friends share farewells, in case some of them do not survive the day. Morrigan looks wistful when she gives hers to Avner.

Cut to everyone waiting. The Darkspawn horde arrives and advances on the walls, slowed down by catapult and archer fire. Avner places Loghain and himself on the front lines while Alistair hangs back a bit to help command. Riordan places himself at the top of a tall tower where he can observe and signal when the archdemon appears. The other heroes fill out various roles, with Morrigan and Wynne providing magical support, Leliana helping protecting evacuees, and Oghren up front with Avner. The battle begins and the initial push of Darkspawn is thrown back. But more of the creatures show up. They start scaling the walls and puncturing little holes in the defenses, but a counterattack throws them back. Then the archdemon appears.

The monstrous, spiked dragon seen only in visions so far now shows up in the flesh and it swoops over the battle and blasts hundreds of soldiers with devastating effect. This causes some sections of the defense to break. To avoid a rout Alistair orders a retreat from the walls to barricades inside the city. Meanwhile Riordan signals to Avner to try and lure the dragon closer to him. To do this, Avner orders Oghren to coordinate a squad of ballistas near the tower to target the archdemon. While the bolts do little harm, they aggravate the dragon and it flies to blast them, Oghren barely avoiding the fire. On its way back up, it flies by the tower and Riordan leaps onto the dragon’s back. The dragon tries to shake him off and he stops his fall by plunging his sword into the left wing. The dragon zooms upward, trying to knock him off with momentum. The result is it does push Riordan off, but he holds onto his sword and the force causes it to rip all the way through the wing, crippling the dragon’s ability to fly. Riordan falls to his death, but the archdemon is forced to awkwardly crash-land near Fort Drakon. All three surviving Gray Wardens make a dash for the fort, some backup accompanying them. As they do this, the Darkspawn push further into the city and the barricade defenses are close to breaking. Oghren joins the fray there as Wynne, exhausted, uses her magic to create air shields blocking the enemy advance for a time. Meanwhile, the evacuees are away and Leliana returns to find the her friends. Alistair is blocked off from Fort Drakon by rubble and has to find an alternate route.

Avner and Loghain arrive at the Fort Drakon courtyard to find the archdemon grounded. While unable to fly, it is still very dangerous and is killing soldiers with its fire breath, its claws, and its jaws. Loghain offers some military advice to flank the dragon from several directions to distract and wound it to open it up for a clean shot. As this goes on, more defenses in the city start to crumble. Oghren is injured and Wynne has to divert her attention to heal him somewhat. Back at the archdemon fight, more soldiers are dismembered by the beast and it shows little sign of slowing down. Avner and Loghain both make attempts to charge in but they are buffeted back. Meanwhile, Alistair tries to continue to Fort Drakon but is sidetracked by a large battle in a plaza where soldiers are being driven back by the Darkspawn. Realizing that a collapse here would allow the enemy to plunge into Fort Drakon and overwhelm the others, Alistair stays to lead the defense and buy Avner some time. He rallies a company of men and leads them in a charge.

The archdemon is now showing some injuries, but is dangerous as ever. It shoots a blast of fire at Avner but it is deflected by a wall of ice magic. Morrigan has appeared to give him and Loghain some support. She fires some spells that cause the dragon great pain and it whips its tail, knocking her back with a thud. It turns to strike her but Morrigan uses magic to smash the foundation of a tower by them, and it crumbles on top of the dragon, wounding it a good deal. However it also seems like Morrigan was in the path of the debris as well. Avner has no time to react, since the archdemon is vulnerable. He and Loghain charge forward with some soldiers.

Meanwhile in the city fighting, Wynne has gotten Oghren to safety and has used magic to create a wall of light blocking off a street. Wynne tells Oghren the wall won’t hold for long, but they’ll have time to prepare for a final stand. Oghren nods and makes a crude joke and Wynne laughs, one last light moment before the end. We also see Alistair and his men fighting a desperate struggle. At one point a Darkspawn nearly gores Alistair from behind but it is shot in the head with an arrow, courtesy of Leliana. The attack is beaten off and Alistair decides he has to go to Fort Drakon, Leliana following. Back at the fort battle, Loghain takes a gashing injury to his chest, but he still manages to slide under the dragon and tear his sword into its underside, spilling some guts and causing it to howl before crashing in a tired heap. Avner checks on Loghain to find he is mortally wounded. Loghain says it’s what he deserves and hopes he atoned a small degree. He tells Avner to finish it.

Avner strides over to the crippled archdemon and, after a deep breath, plunges his sword into its brain. A beam of energy shoots upward into the sky, attracting the attention of the whole city, and the archdemon is bathed in bright light as it seizes up. The force of it shakes Avner and he struggles to hold on, until finally the archdemon’s body evaporates in a flash, the shock of it knocking Avner back and he lies still. Almost instantly across the city, the hordes of Darkspawn pause in shock, and then suddenly lose all coordination. Many suicidally charge at the soldiers, but far more turn tail and run in any direction they can, prompting victory cheers. At this moment Alistair shows up with Leliana. He sees Loghain dead and Avner lying near the smoking ruins of the archdemon. He goes to Avner’s side, thinking he too is dead, but is shocked when Avner wakes up. Alistair is shocked. Avner too is surprised but his first thoughts are for Morrigan. He limps to check the ruins of the crumbled tower but finds no trace.

We fade out and then are shown a victory celebration some time later, with the surviving heroes being honored by King Alistair and Queen Anora. Arl Eamon is named the chief royal advisor. A message from the Gray Warden leadership has arrived naming Avner commander of the Gray Wardens in Ferelden, where lots of rebuilding has to be done. Alistair is glad, since he’ll have his friend close by. Avner asks him how he feels about being King now. Alistair says he still doesn’t like it, but it does feel good to be able to make a difference. He adds that he and Anora are still uncomfortable with one another, but perhaps they might warm up after all someday. “I think I even got her to smile at one of my jokes the other day” he quips with a smile. Avner goes to meet with the others. Wynne is returning to the Circle Tower to help restore it and teach. Oghren is staying at court to train soldiers and provide military advice. Leliana says she is leaving Ferelden, probably returning to Orlais. She says it would be better for her to leave, so she can find a new place in the world. Avner wishes her luck and she departs.

Later, Avner returns to his quarters to find a note on his pillow. It is from Morrigan. Morrigan’s voice narrates as he reads it. Morrigan says she survived the fight with the archdemon, but she had to leave without saying goodbye for a reasons she is about to reveal. She confesses to her earlier private encounter with the Architect and says something he told her made her understand her mother’s intentions. The archdemon dies when its soul gets drawn into the body of the Gray Warden who kills it and their souls obliterate one another. But, that attraction can be manipulated to bring it to a similar target: an unborn child of that Gray Warden. The child would share a portion of the Gray Warden’s taint, so it could attract the archdemon’s soul by being disguised to look the same as the Gray Warden’s taint. But since a child in the womb has yet to develop a soul, the archdemon’s soul would be absorbed into the body to foster. Morrigan explains the Architect believed that the fusion of the Darkspawn taint with a pure living host would create a perfect specimen, but like the Gray Wardens his work was incomplete. Now an Old God would live in human form, and Morrigan would be able to teach it from birth. She apologizes, saying she knew Avner would have never agreed if she had told it to him, but she did it in large part because it would save his life. She says she is more like her mother than she wanted to admit, but in the end she believes her mother’s intentions were right, dangerous as they were. She says she knows Avner will eventually come looking for her and asks him not to, since it would only lead to grief and sorrow. The letter ends and Avner sits on his bed, dumbstruck.

A short time later, we see Alistair on a palace balcony and Avner joins him. Alistair asks what the matter is and Avner shows him the letter. Alistair scans through it and comments that Avner sure knows how to pick them. He asks what Avner intends to do. Avner says he will go to find Morrigan, one day, because he believes she wouldn’t have told him all of this if deep down she didn’t want him to find her. But for now, there is a lot of rebuilding to do, and he wouldn’t abandon a friend who needs help doing it. Alistair is grateful and says who would have thought the two of them would have gotten to this point. Avner nods and smiles. The two look out at the night horizon. “Seems like the start of a new era, all things considered” Avner comments. Alistair says it is, and adds that whenever Avner has to do what he has to do “you can count on me to face it with you.” They share a final moment taking it all in.

Sometime later, in hills far to the west, we see a solitary woman climbing up a narrow path. It is Morrigan, and she is noticeably pregnant. Near the top of the hill, she stops and takes a long look back to the east before she sighs and continues on her way.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Numbers of House Stark