Babblings of a Muppet-Loving Freak

Best Picture Academy Award Winners

2026-03-18T00:35:54Z

Just for reference, currently at 46. I haven't seen a single winner since Argo (which I liked). Considering next year will be 100, I'd like to make a stab at seeing some of the ones I haven't.

1. Wings (1927)
2. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
3. The Broadway Melody (1929)
4. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
5. Cimarron (1931)
6. Grand Hotel (1932)
7. Cavalcade (1933)
8. It Happened One Night (1934)
9. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
10. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
11. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
12. You Can't Take It With You (1938)
13. Gone With the Wind (1939)
14. Rebecca (1940)
15. How Green Was My Valley (1941) - The year Citizen Kane was shut out.
16. Casablanca (1942)
17. Mrs. Miniver (1942)
18. Going My Way (1944)
19. The Lost Weekend (1945)
20. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
21. Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
22. Hamlet (1948)
23. All the King's Men (1949)
24. All About Eve (1950)
25. An American in Paris (1951)
26. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
27. From Here to Eternity (1953)
28. On the Waterfront (1954)
29. Marty (1955)
30. Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
31. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
32. Gigi (1958)
33. Ben-Hur (1959)
34. The Apartment (1960)
35. West Side Story (1961)
36. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
37. Tom Jones (1963)
38. My Fair Lady (1964)
39. The Sound of Music (1965)
40. A Man for All Seasons (1966)
41. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
42. Oliver! (1968)
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
44. Patton (1970)
45. The French Connection (1971)
46. The Godfather (1972)
47. The Sting (1973)
48. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
50. Rocky (1976)
51. Annie Hall (1977)
52. The Deer Hunter (1978)
53. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
54. Ordinary People (1980)
55. Chariots of Fire (1981)
56. Gandhi (1982)
57. Terms of Endearment (1983)
58. Amadeus (1984)
59. Out of Africa (1985)
60. Platoon (1986)
61. The Last Emperor (1987)
62. Rain Man (1988)
63. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
64. Dances With Wolves (1990)
65. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
66. Unforgiven (1992)
67. Schindler's List (1993) - I've seen most of this, but I can't quite get through it.
68. Forrest Gump (1994)
69. Braveheart (1995)
70. The English Patient (1996)
71. Titanic (1997)
72. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
73. American Beauty (1999)
74. Gladiator (2000)
75. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
76. Chicago (2002)
77. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
78. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
79. Crash (2005)
80. The Departed (2006)
81. No Country for Old Men (2007)
82. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
83. The Hurt Locker (2008)
84. The King's Speech (2010)
85. The Artist (2011)
86. Argo (2012)
87. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
88. Birdman (2014)
89. Spotlight (2015)
90. Moonlight (2016)
91. The Shape of Water (2017)
92. Green Book (2018)
93. Parasite (2019)
94. Nomadland (2020)
95. CODA (2021)
96. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
97. Oppenheimer (2023)
98. Anora (2024)
99. One Battle After Another (2025)

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2025 Books and Movies

2026-02-21T03:25:34Z

Not a great year here.

Books

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Dumez - terrifying historical look at how we've gotten into this mess

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - I couldn't put this one down.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - I have wanted to read this for ages and am very happy I did. It's the definition of charming.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - I think I had my standards up way to high for this. It was good, but it didn't knock my socks off.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster - A reread, specifically of the actual book I read when I was a kid at the library because it turned up in a library book sale. Wonderfully wacky.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - Another reread, but as it's one of my favorites, I just let it speak to me.

A Capitol Crime by Carolyn Keene - Audiobook. Mom and I listened to this one together. Some plot holes were present, but in general, it was good old Nancy Drew.

Movies

I didn't watch a single new movie this year. Nothing. I watched one episode of Echo, one of The Night Manager, and I saw Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music (twice), and Singin' in the Rain.

My attention span is broken. Things have been both stressful and massively depressing, and I don't know how much worse it will get in the future. I miss reading, but I keep starting a book, then putting it down and never going back to it. It seems the only ones I can get through are children's books or books I've read before, sometimes both. As for movies, I'm not even bothering with putting together an Oscars list for the first time this year because I have seen literally nothing. Again, I miss watching things I enjoy. I don't know why I won't let myself do that. I sit and stare at my phone or go down a YouTube rabbit hole. I'd like to change that in 2026.

ETA: I just looked at 2024's movies. They were the same few old movies again. No wonder I feel like my life is stuck on repeat.

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2025 Fic Year in Review

2026-02-21T02:35:17Z

Yes, I'm very late with this. At least I'm getting it done.

( 21 under the cut )

19 MCU
1 Where the Wild Things Are
1 Gunsmoke
1 Hunger Games
1 The Wind in the Willows
1 To Catch a Thief
1 It's a Wonderful Life

4 crossovers (all in Worlds of Chaos)

3 challenges (Yuletide, Mischief and Mistletoe, Sifki Week)

7 Warfrost Loki/Sif
6 Frostiron Tony/Loki
4 Gen
1 Matt Dillon/Kitty Russell
1 Loki/Kitty Russell
1 Haymitch/Lenore Dove
1 Coriolanus/Lucy Gray
1 Francie/John Robie

21 fics is right about in the middle for me. 2023 had that very, very weird 87, the lowest was 2013 with 5. Out of the 26 years I've been writing these, 15 of them had fewer than 21, one year had 21, and the other 10 had over 21, and 4 of those 10 over 21 were the previous four years (2020 was only 9). So not huge, but not bad either. I've already written 3 in 2026, which is more than last year at this point, so we'll see how that goes.

I also wrote in a few new fandoms: Wind in the Willows, Where the Wild Things Are, Gunsmoke (did a drabble once), and To Catch a Thief.

I hit 300 fics on A03 this year with Paternal Pride.

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Fic: The Prince in the Rook 5/? (Frostiron)

2025-11-05T03:23:21Z

( Confession )

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Fic: Hamartia 6/? (Sifki)

2025-10-30T02:28:26Z

( Unexpected Question )

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Dear Mischief Maker

2025-10-24T02:50:01Z

Hello fellow Sifki-type person,

This is my fourth year doing Mischief and Mistletoe. I've written Loki/Sif off and on for a while, and one of the things I like about them is they're both considered unusual and abnormal by people around them, him for his magic (and about a dozen other things) and her for being a warrior. I like to imagine they bond over that.

I'd rather not have anything extremely graphic sexually or violence-wise, please. Feel free to play with them however you like, but as it's Christmas, I think I'd like to see them end up happy rather than going for angst, but you do you! I'm sure I will be happy with anything you want to create.

Use any part of the timeline you want: pre-canon, post-canon, TVA variants, alternate timeline, AU, whatever suits your fancy. Throw in any other characters as you see fit (I adore Frigga, but I'm not Odin's biggest fan, but again, I'm open to anything). Those are just ideas, none of which you have to use. Come up with whatever you want to do I will root for you!

I'm looking forward to whatever you do, and thank you in advance!

Meltha

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Dear Yuletide author

2025-10-24T01:57:18Z

Dear Yuletide Writing Person,

Hi! First of all, thank you for whatever gift you want to create. I'm sure I will enjoy it. Just have fun writing!

As far as DNW, I suppose it's a bit of a catch-all, but I'd rather not have really graphic violence or sexuality, please.

So, here are my choices. I honestly love all of these and would be happy with any of them. :)

Nestle's Alpine White
This ad campaign has lived rent-free in my head for decades. Use any characters you want, do world-building, explain (or not) what's going on, go for high adventure or comedy or some eerie thing, but play with it in whatever you want.

Lady and the Tramp
Peg the dog really strikes me. She seems like she's had quite the life, but then so do all the characters. I'd be curious to know about Tramp's past, or Lady's future. Trusty was always one of my favorites as well. Every single one of the characters in this would be equally welcome.

The Unequal Marriage - Vasily Pukirev
I don't know what it was about this painting, but it really stuck with me. Every person in it has such specific expressions on their faces. Then the theory that the woman standing behind the groom is his first wife's ghost? Okay, holy cow, a lot happening here. I'd love to know what the story is, whether it culminates in this painting or if the painting is only the beginning of the story.

Ghost
The Subway Ghost fascinated me on review of this movie. Who is this guy? Did he jump? Was he pushed? Could Oda Mae or even Molly help him? Or just do something with Sam or anything else in this fandom.

The Godfather
I went with some of the unusual characters here, so branch off wherever you want. What did Mr. Vitelli really think of Michael, particularly after his daughter was killed? Did they remain in touch at all? What was Apollonia's real feelings about Michael? Perhaps does she even remain around, watching him after her death? I've seen several theories about Fabrizio, though obviously we just don't learn much about him in the films, but who is this guy? Then there's poor Enzo, the guy who stands with Michael on the steps of the hospital without a gun but who is committed to helping the Don. What's his story? What was he thinking that night? Why was he so adamant about helping the Don? How did that play out for him later? I doubt Michael would forget that favor, but would Enzo even want anything Michael could give him? Again, I would be happy with anything here.

Light Goes On - Darren Pearson
I just sort of fell in love with this eerie yet beautiful video. I will be very surprised if anyone get matched with this one, but you tell whatever story you want about it.

Ladyhawke
I've actually written this one before a couple times, but I just love this 80s movie so darn much. I would dearly love to see Phillipe happy, but if you want to write a prequel of Etienne and Isabeau's courtship, have at it! Or any other idea!

Disney's Cinderella (animated)
I admit I have not seen the two sequels, but I'm more than willing to accept them as canon or not depending on your whim. I've always been curious about the Fairy Godmother. Where has she been? How did Cinderella's parents know a fairy well enough to make her Godmother to their child? I'd be equally fine with something about Cinderella herself, her parents, Lady Tremaine, her step-daughters, the mice, the cat, the royal family, that poor advisor to the king who probably thinks the whole family is bonkers, again, go for anything you want!

My main advice to you is to have fun with your assignment. Everything is just a suggestion; go where you want to and I will follow. Thank you in advance, and happy Yuletide!

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Fic: Hamartia 5/? (Sif/Loki)

2025-08-22T12:58:40Z

( Paradise )

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Fic: The Prince in the Rook 4/? (Frostiron)

2025-08-18T20:57:02Z

( Touched )

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Fic: Hamartia 4/? (Sif/Loki)

2025-08-15T20:04:33Z

( Unexpected Hospitality )

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Fic: The Prince in the Rook 3/? (Frostiron)

2025-08-12T15:56:06Z

( Gifts )

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Fic: The Prince in the Rook 2/? (Frostiron)

2025-08-11T02:38:19Z

( Captive )

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Fic: The Prince in the Rook 1/? (Frostiron)

2025-08-11T02:36:34Z

( Once upon a time . . . )

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Fic: Hamartia 3/? (Sif/Loki)

2025-08-11T02:33:54Z

( Perfect )

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Fic: Hamartia 2/? (Sif/Loki)

2025-08-11T02:32:29Z

( Unexpected Boon )

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Fic: Hamartia 1/? (Sif/Loki)

2025-08-11T02:31:02Z

( Dawn )

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Fic: Fireside Chat (Sif/Loki)

2025-07-25T01:35:30Z

( Thor's birthday is coming up, and he's chosen to spend it on a quest with his brother and friends. Loki is less than thrilled. )

Written for Sifki Week 2025, challenge 5: Quest

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Fic: Hide and Seek (MCU, Wind in the Willows xover)

2025-06-30T23:20:25Z

( Loki is visiting another odd world, one with a very amusing trickster, but he is drawn into a search for a missing animal in spite of himself. )

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Fic: God of Grammar (MCU)

2025-06-30T23:19:02Z

( Post battle, Tony decides to satisfy his curiosity about something and gets an answer he wasn't expecting. )

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Fic: Milk of Human Kindness (Sunrise on the Reaping)

2025-05-11T02:20:15Z

( Before the Quarter Quell even begins, Snow is reminded of someone he would prefer to forget. Instead, he is compelled to admit the world is full of fools, and he is no exception. )

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Fic: Belle of the West (Loki xover with Gunsmoke)

2025-03-28T02:30:01Z

( Dodge City is a feast of chaos in every flavor imaginable, and Loki finds himself taking on the role of a gambler at one of the saloons. He wasn't expecting to find echoes of a lost love among the dust and whiskey. )

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Fic: Chaotic Dreams (Marvel and Where the Wild Things Are xover)

2025-03-02T02:42:11Z

Originally posted Feb. 18

( After Max sails home, the true King of the Wild Things lets chaos reign. )

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Fic: Love Persevering (Marvel, Frostiron, Loki&Frigga

2025-03-02T02:40:58Z

Actually posted Jan. 30

( Once upon a time, in a cell on Asgard, Loki made a choice that would haunt him forever. He wants those words back. )

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Oscar Nominaitons 2025

2025-01-25T03:37:38Z

I have seen literally nothing at this point.

( list beneath )

So, 51 movies, 100 nominations, by total number of nominations:
13 Emilia Pérez - Netflix
10 Wicked - VOD
10 The Brutalist
8 Conclave - Peacock
8 A Complete Unknown
6 Anora - VOD
5 The Substance - Mubi
5 Dune: Part 2 - Max
4 Nosferatu - VOD
3 The Wild Robot - Peacock
3 Sing Sing - VOD
3 I'm Still Here
2 The Apprentice - VOD
2 Nickel Boys
2 Flow - VOD, Disney+ (on 2-14 only?)
2 A Real Pain - Hulu
1 Yuck!
1 Wander to Wonder
1 Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl - Netflix
1 The Six Triple Eight - Netflix
1 The Seed of the Sacred Fig - VOD
1 The Only Girl in the Orchestra
1 The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
1 The Last Ranger
1 The Girl with the Needle - Mubi
1 Sugarcane - Disney+
1 Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat - VOD
1 Porcelain War
1 No Other Land
1 Memoir of a Snail - AMC+
1 Maria - Netflix
1 Magic Candies
1 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes - Hulu
1 Instruments of a Beating Heart
1 Inside Out 2 - Disney+
1 Incident
1 In the Shadow of the Cypress
1 I Am Ready, Warden
1 I Am Not a Robot
1 Gladiator II - Paramount
1 Film September 5 - VOD
1 Elton John: Never Too Late - Disney+
1 Death by Numbers
1 Black Box Diaries - Paramount
1 Better Man
1 Beautiful Men
1 Anuja
1 Alien: Romulus - Hulu
1 A Lien
1 A Different Man - Max

24 1-nomination films

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Movies and Books Year in Review

2025-01-02T02:21:20Z

A truly pathetic number here.

The Marvels - I liked it. It's not a tier 1 Marvel classic, but I still basically liked it. And the Streisand scene was hilarious.
Mary - Mostly okay, but a little odd. Joseph appeared to be wearing trousers at one point.

That's it. I did rewatch some classics: Singin' in the Rain, The Sound of Music, Hello Dolly. I also started the second season of What If . . . ?, which I liked, but I haven't wrapped it up. I need to get back up to speed with the MCU.

As far as books, I warned you about the pathetic number. There were four. I started reading several other books, most of them re-reads (Jane Eyre, The Phantom Tollbooth) and some new ones (Wind in the Willows, Mysterious Benedict Society). My attention span was rotten.

The Life of Rosa Parks - Kathleen Connors - This was banned in Florida. It took all of five minutes or so to read and had nothing a sane person could possibly find objectionable.

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie - I listened to this as an audiobook while doing physical therapy. It was an excellent mystery.

The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation - Rosemary Sullivan - Another audiobook, and a good thing because I would never have known how to pronounce all the Dutch words in this. They make a very strong case for one person. This gave me a sense of closure.

The Cat Who Had 14 Tales - Lillian Jackson Braun - A short story collection, all of them involving cats. I have a very low tolerance for sad animal stories, so some of these were too much for me, but several of them were good reads.

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