Latest news with #fantasy
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy movie review – Korean fantasy is glossy but uninspired
2/5 stars Based on a hit Korean webtoon, director Kim Byung-woo's ambitious science fiction fantasy Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy stars Ahn Hyo-seop as a reclusive loner who discovers that his favourite online novel has become a reality. Lee Min-ho and Chae Soo-bin also appear, as do K-pop starlets Nana and Blackpink's Jisoo, but they all take a back seat to the film's polished, if generic, spectacle. It is impossible to conceive that a feature film like this would exist without the success of Train to Busan and Squid Game Play Both of these international hits opened the floodgates for high-concept genre fare within South Korea's risk-averse industry, and audiences have been inundated ever since, with their influence and aesthetic visible in every frame.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Forget the Bed: 9 Alternative (and Steamy) Places To Have Sex
Have you and your partner ever fantasized about taking things out of the bedroom? Whether you're craving something spontaneous, playful, or just a little less predictable, changing up your setting can make your sex life a bit more exciting. Plus, if you're in a long-term relationship, going at it in a new place can spice things up, especially if you feel your sex life has plateaued lately, says Gigi Engle, certified sex coach, sexologist, and author of All The F*cking Mistakes: A Guide to Sex, Love and Life. 'It also requires a level of trust that you're in it together,' says Amy Levine, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure. 'It gives you the opportunity to explore something that can take you to a new erotic edge.' Just note that if you plan to have sex anywhere public-adjacent, it's important to consider consent, Engle notes. Of course, that includes you and your partner, but also those who might be around—obviously, strangers haven't signed up to watch you bone. Being sexually open and adventurous is awesome, but you also need to be a decent and respectful person. Need some inspo? Here are some of the best and most creative places to have sex. 1. Your backyard or balcony. Taking things to the backyard can emulate the excitement of outdoor sex…but with a nice level of privacy. 'The backyard of your home has the comfort to keep the sex at ease,' Levine says. 'Wondering if the neighbors will see ups the mystery and your arousal.' It's thrilling to know someone could spot you, and you're outside but in a clean, private space. And since it's your property, no worries about breaking the law. Make it hotter: Put your patio furniture to good use (beyond the occasional backyard BBQ). 'If you have a lounger, this can be a good opportunity for you to lie back and enjoy some relaxed oral sex out in the sunshine,' Engle says. Before you head out, don't forget to grab some water-based lube and a favorite toy. 2. Your car. If the movie Titanic and high school gossip has taught me anything, it's that the car is a prime spot to get hot and steamy. It's a private-but-public space that you have more control over. Make it hotter: During sunset or under the cover of nightfall, turn off onto a quiet road or find an empty parking lot to discreetly park. Skip the front seat (the horn could blow your cover when you want to blow other things), and opt for the backseat instead. It'll help keep you hidden, and there's more room to play around with positions. 3. A hotel room. Check in for a good time. Whether you're traveling with your significant other or just got a hotel room for a hot staycation, make it your playground. There's just something about having sex while on vacay that always feels extra hot. Make it hotter: Open the curtains (all of them, all the way) and have sex against the window. It doesn't matter if your view overlooks a parking lot or another building—you'll still get a rush knowing people can (and likely will) see. 4. A park or wooded area. Who doesn't love getting down with nature? Find a spot to settle down for your romp in an empty, low-traffic park or lightly wooded area. 'You want enough camouflage to be shielded,' Engle says. She also warns against going too deep into a wooded area—getting ravaged by bugs and ticks (or poison ivy) isn't hot. If you'd rather be on the ground, bring a blanket to avoid mud and grass stains. 'This will give you a makeshift sex area and something to use for quick coverups,' Engle says. You know, just in case. Make it hotter: Put some thought into what you're wearing, as you both want to don something with easy access. Think long dresses or stretchy shorts that you can quickly pull down or up in case of emergency (read: passerbys). Knowing you're equipped for a quickie (or multiple ones) is a turn-on in and of itself. 5. A rooftop. This is more practical for city folk with access to a flat roof, so take proper precautions. But an open rooftop is like your balcony, only more risqué, because anyone (and everyone) can see. Engle has one important reminder: If you're in the great outdoors and going to up there for quite some time, don't forget to put on some sunscreen. ( not the kind of red hot you want.) Make it hotter: Bring a cushion, a thick yoga mat or towel, or something soft to add comfort (rooftops You can also snuggle it under your hips to create a bit of leverage for deeper penetration. (Or shop one of these made-for-it sex pillows.) 6. A sex party. While it might be lightyears out of your comfort zone, a sex party has a serious benefit: You can avoid the distracting thought of getting caught so you can focus on performance. At an event like this, you don't have to worry who might be watching, since everyone is there for the same reason—so you can let your exhibitionist flag fly high. Make it hotter: Remember, consent is hot! Talking about what you both want out of your experience before you arrive will ensure you have a great time. After all, you won't know what's on the table until you have a mutual convo about it. 7. An outdoor shower. Thanks to the electric mix of streaming water, the fresh air, and the chance of a viewer or two, 'it's hot, especially on a hot summer night,' says Levine. Plenty of fancy hotels and Airbnb's have them, so include that in your filter search (wink). Make it hotter: Your best method of action is to face a wall and bend over, and find something you can prop a foot on for a deeper sensation. Try these steamy tips and positions just for shower sex, too. 8. The beach. Another young fantasy come to life, but with a few caveats: Visit a quiet part of the beach at night to respectfully avoid people, and stay on land to keep the saltwater from drying you up down there. Lay blankets down carefully so you don't come away with sand and nasties in every crevice of your body. And try positions where you can avoid a lot of sand tossing around, like riding your partner on a beach chair or spooning each other on the blanket. Make it hotter: Bring a bottle of wine and a pillow to stargaze afterward. Now you just went from hot-beach-sex to romance-novel-intimate. Swoon! 9. In a tent. Ah, the sounds of nature: crickets chirping, the crackle of a bonfire, and stifled moans. Set up a tent in a secluded area of the campsite (or your backyard), and clear out branches or rocks that can cramp the moment. You'll have the cover of a tent, but the image of your shadows projecting through could provide a bit of extra thrill. Make it hotter: Remember to stash lube in your knapsack (wetter is better), and unzip part of the tent slightly for more air flow. And don't forget to pack a mattress pad (or even an air mattress) so you don't have to do it in your sleeping bag (those can get pretty sweaty). You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Fantasy baseball cheat sheet: Add and start Eury Pérez, target Mookie Betts and more THE BAT X insights
Baseball season is well underway, and with a plethora of articles, statistics and metrics available, it can be challenging to know who to start, sit, fade and trade. Using Derek Carty's THE BAT X projection system, The Athletic has developed a weekly rundown to inform fantasy managers about the road ahead. Advertisement THE BAT X has been the most accurate original projection system in fantasy for five consecutive years and provides estimates based on a wide range of metrics, including Statcast metrics like exit velocity and barrels, as well as ballpark effects, weather conditions, matchups and much more. Another important concept to understand is regression to the mean, which means players performing above their typical level of play are likely to decline, while those underperforming are likely to improve. Following the All-Star Break, there's a lot to parse in these projections. And remember, context outside of the projections is key. While Cal Raleigh may be projected to regress in the season's second half, no one is suggesting you dump Big Dumper. On the pitching side, Miami's Eury Pérez is ranked ninth on the top two-start pitchers list, under some bigger, more rostered names. He's 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA and a 2.38 expected ERA. His fastball is in the 95th percentile, and the strikeouts, chases and whiffs are there. If he's available in your league and you're down a starting pitcher, Pérez is a good bet. Washington's Michael Soroka makes the waiver targets and top one-start pitchers lists this week. While Soroka's ERA is 5.10, his xERA is 3.22. His best pitch is his slurve, with a 28.8 Putaway% and 37.4 Whiff%. His fastball is only 93.9 mph, and he doesn't get a lot of whiffs, but his K% is still a respectable 25.3, and his BB% is 6.9. THE BAT X still likes San Diego's Dylan Cease (3-9, 4.64 ERA, 3.46 xERA, 30.0 K%) and recommends targeting him in trades, while the model suggests trying to trade away Nick Pivetta and Seth Lugo (for pitchers with better rest-of-season projections). It also recommends looking to the A's and Rangers bullpens for relievers to stream. As for hitting, THE BAT X predicts the Dodgers (obviously), Cubs, and Cardinals will be the top-scoring offenses this week. Victor Scott II and Masyn Winn of St. Louis are still widely available and could be good streamers this week. As for waiver wire adds, THE BAT X likes Jo Adell, who has 21 home runs with an .806 OPS this season. He could use more plate discipline, but the power is there: .582 xSLG, .397 xwOBA, 17.0 Barrel%, 50.0 Hard-Hit%. Advertisement The Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits the trade targets list this week amid a season-long slump. He's squared up and isn't striking out much, but he's not hitting with power or consistency. Still, projection systems always factor in past performance, and THE BAT X expects Betts' ROS value ($23.90) to far exceed his year-to-date value ($8.20). If you can buy low on Betts and sell high on several players on the 'Hitters to Fade or Trade' list, a Betts bounce-back could help your team in the second half. Finally, commenters continue to ask why THE BAT X is higher on Colorado's Brenton Doyle (a waiver target this week) than other systems. Last week, Derek Carty provided clarity: 'It's hard to speak for other systems, but my guess is that others are reacting too strongly to the surface numbers, which obviously haven't been very good this year. But the under-the-hood stuff is all pretty much the same. K% and BB% are the same. Barrels remain very good. Bat speed/attack angle stuff is pretty much the same. He's hitting the ball slightly harder, albeit into less ideal launch windows. His sprint speed remains elite. It's always possible the system is missing something, but in terms of what it's looking at and what I can tell myself, not a whole lot looks different about Doyle. He still profiles as a good player, especially if he can get back to lifting the ball a little bit more. The .256 BABIP is certainly unlucky and driving his production down.' Projections are based on a 12-team, mixed-league roto format with 23-player rosters. For a more thorough explanation of THE BAT X, read Carty's explainer. For first-time readers, we compare players' year-to-date value (value to this point in the season) against their projected rest-of-season value (value for the remainder of the season and not including YTD value). Values are expressed as dollars, and $0 represents a starting caliber player in the aforementioned 12-team mixed roto league format. This gives you an idea of which players may be available on your waiver wire, their value for the remainder of the year and why you should grab them before anyone else can. The differential can tell you all you need to know, but because this is a model, you'll want to use the projections alongside knowledge of your league. Like the waiver wire, fades are determined based on the year-to-date roster value compared to THE BAT X's projected rest-of-season value. Many talented players, who you could very well hold based on roster construction, are on this list. However, the point is that their success is projected to drop off; due to their YTD performance, they could be valuable trade bait and get you a higher return than their worth for the remainder of the season. Trade targets are similar to the waiver wire and fades, determined by current roster value versus THE BAT X's projected rest-of-season value. The projections indicate that you might want these players on your roster for the rest of the season. You can even compare this list to the 'Fade or Trade' list above to see if there are deals to be made. The names on this list are well-known, but these players haven't yet lived up to their previous or expected success, meaning you may be able to acquire a player on the come-up for a good value. Here are hitters with favorable pitching matchups this week. The 'Fantasy $Value' indicates a player's value in the matchup listed, while the 'Underlying $Value' refers to the skill level or expected performance of the player based on THE BAT X's advanced metrics and context-neutral data outside of the specific matchup listed. It's the player's value without external conditions like ballpark, the opponent, weather and their position in the lineup. It helps to separate a player's raw core ability from the value in a given matchup. Here's a look at hitters who have been over- and underperforming using weighted on-base percentage (wOBA) and expected weighted on-base percentage (xwOBA). Batters with an xwOBA lower than their actual wOBA could fall to numbers closer to expected, while hitters with lower wOBAs could surge as the season continues. This list includes players who have overperformed in the past 30 days, according to wOBA and xwOBA. The players on this list are the top underperformers in the past 30 days based on wOBA and xwOBA. Some of that underperformance can be chalked up to luck, and they're likely to rebound to numbers closer to their xwOBA. Finally, we get to the top-scoring offenses of the week. Based on matchups, these five teams are projected to score the most runs this week, meaning the individual players on each team could have fantasy values that exceed their underlying values. This list could help you identify streamers or make tough decisions in weekly lineups. The top one-start pitchers list is limited to players rostered at 50% or less. Because these players are more available, you may find a streamer worthy of a start in a competitive league if you need help in pitching categories. Otherwise, the list can aid in making tough roster calls. Two-start pitchers for the week are ranked based on THE BAT X's projection system, and the list excludes those with a projected negative value. Two-start pitchers are valuable in weekly lineups, and these projections can help you find a plug-and-play option. The projected stats can also help you decide who to start, who to bench and who to replace. Based on matchups, the following bullpens are ripe with relievers to stream this week. If you have RP spots to fill or improve, this is the list for you. THE BAT X projections powered by EV Analytics. (Photo of Mookie Betts: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
A Rangers Offensive Lineup That Could Be A Big Winner
Summertime is fantasy time and one of the Fischler Family's pastimes is guessing an offensive line up that Rangers coach Mike Sullivan will present on opening night.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wayne and Coleen Rooney: heroes of Lord of the Rings spoof
Once upon a time in a land far, far away (well, Liverpool), there was a heroic warrior called Wayne and a beautiful princess named Coleen... That, anyway, is the story of a new spoof fairytale fantasy show by one of the writers of TV's Motherland, who says it's her homage to the and Coleen Rooney's life story has some elements of an epic saga - they have stuck together through thick and thin, and have both vanquished some formidable foes (him on the football pitch, her in court).So creating a stage show that makes them characters in a fantasy world loosely inspired by The Lord of the Rings - with added jokes and songs - might just have a bizarre but brilliant Legend of Rooney's Ring opened at the Royal Court theatre in Liverpool on Friday, and has its basis in a famous if not-necessarily-accurate myth from the couple's origin 2004, a tabloid newspaper claimed that Coleen had thrown her £25,000 engagement ring out of a car window at a red squirrel reserve after reports about Wayne's attracted a flock of treasure hunters. "The next day everyone came out," says the play's writer Helen Serafinowicz, who's from Liverpool."The rumour had spread, and everyone was looking for it with their metal detectors and stuff. I've always just thought that was such a Liverpool story, whether it's true [or not]. I've heard lots of different versions of it."Coleen addressed the incident in her 2007 autobiography, saying she and Wayne were "going through a rough patch" but that "you shouldn't always believe what you read". Serafinowicz, one of the creators of hit sitcoms Motherland and Amandaland, saw comic value in merging the urban myth of Coleen's supposedly missing engagement band with JRR Tolkien's classic ring she has written "a Game of Thrones-y, Lord of the Rings-type of medieval caper"."What I wanted to avoid is targeting the Rooneys," she stresses. "They are an easy target, and I don't want this to be like dragging them through the mud, because that's easy and they've already had that."I mean, I just think they're great. I've always just thought Coleen was so cool and a great role model."So it's just a silly fantasy tale, loosely based on this ring." In the show, the football legend is portrayed by Liverpool comedian John May. "I'm dressed like He-Man, let's put it that way," he says of Wayne's makeover to resemble the macho, scantily-clad, sword-wielding 1980s cartoon all deliberately over-the-top and tongue-in-cheek, but the cast insist any ridicule is entirely affectionate. The couple have arguably earned respect by surviving various highs and lows in the public eye, which began with intense press scrutiny when they were childhood sweethearts."They were only kids, and that wasn't on," adds May. "So it's created two really strong characters, because they've had to Grace Arends is playing Coleen on stage, and can hardly contain her excitement."I've listened to her autobiography about two or three times now. She's got the documentary on Disney. I've really done my research on her," the actress says."It just made me love her even more, and we all do. She's brilliant, she really is, and she's a true Scouser."But also, they aren't actually Wayne and Coleen in it. It is fantasy, it is Lord of the Rings." The Legend of Rooney's Ring is typical of the homegrown comedies that come thick and fast at the Royal Court, which probably has a closer connection with its local crowd than any comparable theatre in the venue aims to stage only original crowd-pleasing plays, often using sport-related stories to attract audiences in the football-mad shows have included Red or Dead, starring Peter Mullan as former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly; and Speedo Mick The Musical, about the Everton-supporting charity hero."That audience want to be entertained and they like things that are relevant to them," says executive producer Kevin Fearon."We focus on comedy and musical comedy. We focus on stories that relate to people in Liverpool, and we put characters on stage that relate to those people - people they could recognise, even if they are larger than life."The theatre is making its mark beyond Liverpool, too - it staged the premiere of a stage adaptation of 1980s TV show Boys From the Blackstuff, which transferred to the National Theatre and West old classics are out, though. "Our audience wants to see things they know on stage. So giving them an Ibsen or a Shakespeare or an Alan Bennett doesn't really work," Fearon says. He really got the message when the venue revived Michael Frayn's 1982 farce Noises Off in 2014 – and he had to plead with a group of 10 women to stay for the second half."Ten minutes into act two, one of them stood up, then another, and then all of them stood up. One of them turned around and saw me at the back and gave me two fingers as they left the auditorium."They were watching a bunch of middle-class actors being daft, and that's not real enough for them."So our work has to connect with those people who will walk out, will go to the pub."Lindzi Germain plays Queen Colette, Coleen's mum, in The Legend of Rooney's Ring, and has starred in many Royal Court shows. "We're not sitting you there for two hours being serious, taking you on a journey where you've got to think about something," she says."You haven't got to think of anything. Just sit down, have a drink, relax and have a laugh and escape for two hours."The theatre's informal atmosphere is helped by having tables in the stalls where food is served. For many people, the venue has taken the place of social clubs that have shut down, Germain says."They come in at half six, get their tea, meet all their mates and watch two hours."Some people get absolutely hammered. Some people just have a few drinks, but also have a great night out and a laugh."The Legend of Rooney's Ring is at the Liverpool Royal Court until 23 August
