The Arrangement (2018) Season Two Has More Cards To Play

E! / The Arrangement

When The Arrangement first premiered on E! in 2017, the first element that drew attention from fans and the media was “the contract”. Those two words made almost everyone think of E.L. James’s series Fifty Shades of Grey; E! used the "S&M" phenomenon to even promote their series about an unknown actress Megan Morrison (Christine Evangelista) who signs on the dotted line to have a make-believe relationship in front of the cameras to benefit the most famous actor in the world Kyle West (Josh Henderson). While the two actually fall in love, Kyle’s ties to Scientology-esque mentor Terence Anderson (Michael Vartan) and the Institute to the Higher Mind tests their relationship much more than Megan could’ve ever dreamed. Coming back for its second season, any assumptions or comparisons to James’s series falls away as a more exciting premise of love, deception, and power unfolds for its leading lady.

Spoilers for the first and second season are included below – you’ve been warned!

5 Things To Look Forward to at MegaCon Orlando

MegaCon Orlando knows how to deliver geekdom to Orlando, Florida. Last year I had an opportunity to attend the exciting convention which brings in thousands of fans from all over to celebrate comics, gaming, sci-fi, anime, movies, and much more. The four day weekend is packed with fandom-tastic panels, vendors, and festivals, there is so much to see and do. This year I'm heading to the convention again and excited to see what the event has in store! From panels and celebrity appearances to indie artists, here are a few things I'm looking forward to at MegaCon Orlando!

Quick Reviews: Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018)

20th Century Fox

Diagnosed with stage four cancer after falling head over heels with the love of his life Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), Wade Wilson's conned into becoming something he never wanted: a superhero. Duped by a mysterious recruiter Francis (Ed Skrein) who promises an experimental cure for cancer, Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is taken prisoner and his body is tortured into awakening mutant genes that cures his illness but leaves his body disfigured. And Francis isn't done yet: he also kidnaps Vanessa. There's only one thing left on Wade's mind: to do whatever it takes to save his girlfriend.

Deadpool is very much like the titular character: it's not like any superhero we've seen before. Unapologetic in its wisecracks and sarcasm, Ryan Reynolds's performance breaks the fourth wall and favors the deadpan humor he's developed throughout his career in Hollywood. The film is easily tailored to his comedic sweet spots, which isn't surprising because he was extraordinarily passionate about bringing this character to the big screen (especially after he was mutilated in Wolverine: Origins).

Mission: Impossible Fallout (2018) Trailer Reaction

After three years since his last action-packed flick, Tom Cruise is set to return for the sixth Mission: Impossible film. Familiar faces and new threats come to light this summer for Mission: Impossible Fallout. Honestly, it's not a proper summer at the movies without Cruise going rogue and performing deadly stunts to entertain his fans. When the trailer dropped for his adventure as Ethan Hunt, let's just say I was excited. It's time for another trailer reaction! SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT

What A Strong Female Character Means To Me

Women are more than cardboard cut-outs. But that's not how they are portrayed in pop culture. One term comes up a lot when the media or a fandom want to describe them, and that's Strong Female Character. In fact, that label comes up so much, I'm at a point where I don't know what it means anymore except that if there's a poster of a heroine wielding a weapon "she's a bad-ass and I'm automatically supposed to love her".

Recently I started thinking about SFCs, and how they're stuck with a copy-and-paste-personality of one part brawns and two parts boobs, measured by a standard that keeps moving and yet stands still. If a heroine dismantles the system, she's automatically more interesting than the ones who stay behind to serve in politics or keep their families safe. If an independent bosslady falls in love, that's the only aspect of their life that matters. If the girl-next-door doesn't want anything to do with a guy, he'll convince her until she gives in. And so it goes. Too often SFCs are experts at falling into one trope or having one mission, but fail hopelessly at everything else in their lives. 

When I think of my favorite female characters, they come from all walks of life in fandom:  Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Okoye/Shuri/Nakia from Black Panther, all of the women from The Walking Dead, Uhara from Star Trek, Princess Leia, Rey, and Rose from Star Wars. And the list goes on and on. They take on unique roles, sometimes the hardest ones if the writing is deplorable, and explore different arcs of a story. But they have a few traits in common: they're personable, layered, and multi-faceted. And that's why I started figuring out - what is a strong female character anyways. How do you define Strong Female Character? Who are some of your favorites? I'd love to know in the comments below!

Ashley Eckstein's It's Your Universe: You Have the Power to Make It Happen Book Launch

Ask any Star Wars fan, especially of The Clone Wars, and they probably know the name of Ashley Eckstein and her voice for the popular character Ahsoka Tano. Same goes for female geeks of all ages who love the adorable and comfortable clothing line known as Her Universe. Having loved Her Universe and been following Eckstein on Instagram, I learned that she was going to be in Orlando for the launch of her book It's Your Universe: You Have the Power to Make It Happen. Though I prefer to stay inside my hut on Jakku, this wasn't an opportunity I was going to pass up! I hadn't even met her yet, and already she was pushing me out of my comfort zone.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Trailer Reaction

When we think of The Avengers, the originals like Iron Man and Captain America might be the first team members come to mind. As the Marvel cinematic phenomenon starts filling out their universe with Black Panther and Spider-Man, one tiny funny and heartwarming installment Ant-Man stole our hearts and continues to slip under the radar. After the depressing but exciting hellfire that was Avengers: Infinity War, we've been blessed with the adventurous, lighthearted sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp. Let's see what the gang is up to lately. Hold tight as we zoom into the new trailer! SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT