Joe Walsh

I really wanted William Jackson Harper for Reed and Kristen Bell for Sue. Their chemistry was great in The Good Place. Sadly, they wasted WJH in Quantumania. 
 
I worry that if this rumor pans out it means that, given the choice of Driver, they'll be leaning into being a jerk being a big part of Reed's character. Which, to be fair, he has been in big chunks of the comics, but at other times he hasn't been, and I'd rather see that Reed. I could see Harper playing a Reed that occasionally comes off as a jerk, but mainly through frustration at other people just not understanding things that to him seem obvious. That, and occasionally just from lack of social skills.
 
I agree that Ben being Jewish is an important, if background, part of his character. Since being black doesn't preclude being Jewish, I'll reserve judgement there. 
 
Margot Robbie is an excellent actress, so I have no worries there, and I know nothing about the guy they've picked for Johnny (I've already forgotten the name).

I thought Jack Nicholson handled the transition well in the 1989 Batman movie. Jack Napier was shown to already be something of a psychopath, but able to function in a criminal organization. His disfigurement just pushed him over the edge.

He's been stealing pennies from every bank and retailer in Millenium City and its surroundings for quite some time.  No one wants them, so he takes them, and now he has enough to convert into millions.  Now the Master Plan can begin its most magnificent phase of implementation!   BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!

The penalty for sedition used to be a wee bit harsher than just 18 years.  Furthermore this particular seditionist remains an unrepentant threat to democracy.

Although Talents weren't explicitly pre-built powers in earlier editions, you're right that there should be a strong message to GMs about changing not only the availability of particular Talents based on campaign requirements, but also their pricing. It does make for a more diverse list of Talents, and it's not a bad idea to have more examples for GMs to draw from. So it makes sense to leave the seemingly less-useful but otherwise benign Talents in there.
 
Thank you!
 

But when they have, it's been pretty notable.

The Running Man: Arnold Schwarzenegger movie about a world where violent television is used to control a population after an authoritarian "cadre" takes over following an economic downturn about a decade earlier. Schwarzenegger plays Ben Richards, a pilot who was framed as the "Butcher of Bakersfield" in the far-off year of 2017, and escapes 18 months later, only to be captured again and put on the violent game show, "The Running Man". This viewing was from a new 35th Anniversary 4K release, which generally looks much like I remember it appearing in the theater, with a sharp picture and lots of detail in the image. The sound is a DTS-HD 5.1 mix, and is very good. The package is just the 4K UHD and a certificate for a digital copy from either Apple or Vudu. There are also no extras included on the disc, unlike past releases. (UHD Blu-ray)

He would likely ask for Lionel Richie and the Wardrobe. 

His "experienced" suggests he intends to keep the CHAR-based rolls, just didn't express himself very effectively.
 
 
Mmmm......probably not.  PER is IMO the 3rd most important characteristic for skill rolls.  It is one you can blow off, to be sure, but Conversation and Persuasion can be useful for intel gathering indirectly, for example.  Plus it has a direct form of attack built in.  EGO doesn't, especially not in 6E.  
 
Also, to extend Hugh's suggestion...if defending against PRE attacks --> EGO, then we can make attacking mental powers --> PRE.  
--Mental Illusions...target can make a breakout roll...normally based on EGO.  Make it based on PRE.
--Mental Entangle...you attack it with PRE-based dice, instead of EGO-based.
 
I'm not sure this is necessary, and possibly not all that desirable;  it feels like it's not that big an improvement, and feels harder to explain.  I'd also want to check throughout to see where else a change like this might be needed...Summon, for example.  YMMV here.

PRE was the starting point.  Greater of EGO and PRE was a rule/optional rule in some editions.
 
I got to thinking about characteristics in the shift from 5e to 6e.  DEX went from 3 points to 2 points, but that's what it cost when it provided OCV and DCV - all we did was remove SPD.  My first thought was that it was overpriced, but really it's other characteristics that are underpriced.  DEX, INT and PRE provide skill rolls and some other benefit (initiative, PER and PRE attacks, respectively).  Make them 2 points each, and a -1 limitation means +1 to all skill rolls based on this stat (likely "and base Char rolls) costs 5 points.  Reduce if you can't apply that to more than one roll at a time (no complimentary skill based on the same stat) or if it only applies to a subset of such rolls.
 
That also allows +5 Initiative, +1 to PER rolls and +1d6 PRE attacks to cost 5 points, again reduced if it's limited.
 
But that leaves PRE Defense out.  So make EGO, at 1 point per +1 EGO, half about PRE defense and half about mental strength (EGO rolls and defense against mental powers).
 
 
PRE is currently 1 point and should be 2 based on the cost of increasing its components (most notably skill rolls).  I'd keep EGO at 1 per because there are less EGO rolls (no skills) and PRE defense should be cheaper than PRE attacks, similar to other defenses.  In a game based mainly on mental powers, I would consider boosting the cost of EGO. It is the equivalent of limited Mental Defense in defending against most mental powers, so if those are more common, a higher cost is reasonable.

I know she got the first two doses (they were offered onsite through our employer, and we got them at the same time), but other than that I don't know.
 

Not having the older books available, were Talents still set up as pre-set power builds in earlier editions? Because if not, could you take some of the more niche Talents and just reprice them based on how likely it is to affect a campaign? For example, I had to look it up, but apparently Universal Translator is indeed worth 20 points based on how its built in 6E, but I wouldn't consider the roleplaying utility of that ability to be worth 20 points.
 
I think the Other Talent category is a good solution, since it lets you tweak the pricing and, if a GM wants players to personalise their characters with these little quirks that give them some colour, they can give out free points that can only be spent on Other Talents. So, not much to add, but I like what I'm seeing here!

Over the weekend I took a look at the Talents in JI, DI, 4e, 5e, and 6e. Considering the base I'm starting from is Espionage!, coupled with the fact that at this point I expect to keep Superheroic as a separate base, the Talents that seem to make sense to include are in the following table.

I decided not to include Talents like Height Manipulation and Hypnosis that seemed a bit too genre-specific. For Talents that had a Stop or Caution symbol, I plan to either use a less-powerful version (like going with the JI & 6e Missile Deflection rather than the more powerful Missile Deflection & Reflection combined Talent) or set it aside for later consideration if I don't feel like it fits in well (like Universal Translator). Also, existing 2e/3e Other Skills that became Talents in 4e and beyond (like Ambidexterity and Luck) will remain Other Skills.

This is just a first take on it. Let me know if I'm missing something important.
    JI DI 4e 5e 6e Absolute Range Sense (Useful enough?) Accurately determine distance w/o external aid.       X X Absolute Time Sense (Useful enough?) Accurately determine the passage of time w/o external aid X   X X X Animal Friendship +3 to PRE roll only to gain animal's trust, etc. (use 6e version) X       X Bump of Direction (Useful enough?) Accurately determine compass direction w/o external aid. X   X X X Combat Luck +3 rPD and +3 rED for 6 CP, only vs. perceived attacks you try to avoid.       X X Combat Sense INT Roll each round for no darkness penalty to OCV and DCV. (use 6e version)   X X X X Danger Sense Just the “cannot be surprised in combat” level. X   X X X Defense Maneuver Combat Maneuver, ½ Phase, attacks from behind don’t halve the character’s DCV.   X X     Eidetic Memory Perfect memory for images studied (photos, written pages).   X X X X Extra Push +1 to EGO roll, only for purposes of Pushing.   X       Immunity Immunity to one specific toxic substance or disease. X   X     Lightning Calculator (Useful enough?) Accurately and quickly add numbers w/o external aid. X   X X X Lightning Reflexes DEX bonus only for purposes of acting first.     X X X Lightsleep Automatically wake up on nearby activity. If activity is performed with a successful Stealth roll, then awake on a successful PER roll (roll skill vs. skill). Roll EGO to feign sleep if desired.     X X X Missile Deflection Use JI version. Later versions included Reflection (a mistake 6e corrected). X       X Perfect Pitch (Useful enough?) Accurately determine any note you hear. X   X X X Resistance 1 CP per +1 to roll for resisting one of: Interrogation & Wounding, Persuasion, Bribery, Seduction, etc. (6e)     X X X Self Healing 10 CP; for 10 END, stop Bleeding (from Bleeding rule or when BODY <1, so it also includes internal bleeding from blunt trauma). +3 to REC for healing. X         Simulate Death EGO roll to slow metabolism to the point character appears dead. X   X X X Speed Reading Learn new Knowledge Skills in 1/2 the time. Combine with Eidetic Memory to memorize as fast as you can turn the page.   X X X X  

We all know the value of everything in the game is dependent on the campaign, but some of these Talents seem like extreme cases of that. It makes me want to just leave them to a generic category like 3e has for Perks. Absolute Range Sense, Absolute Time Sense, Bump of Direction, Lightning Calculator, and Perfect Pitch are good examples. What're the chances they'll be valuable in a given campaign? Are they worth having specific Talents? Maybe an Other Talent category or some such would be more appropriate (like Limited Power or the various Knowledge/Professional/Science Skills, where you can put any miscellaneous thing)? Or are they more commonly useful than they've been in my campaigns over the years?
 
Here are the Talents I set aside but about which I'm most on the fence:
    JI DI 4e 5e 6e Body Toughness Full PD vs. BODY damage done by Killing Blow. Too hyper-specific w/o extended Martial Arts' KA?   X       Double Jointed Bonus to contortionist rolls. Increase Contortionist skill instead. X   X X X Enhanced Senses Bonuses to PER roll for specific senses. Use Perception Skill’s rules instead. X         Environmental Movement 2 CP per -1 CV/DC of Environmental Conditions penalty removed. (6e)
      X X Pain Resistance Use PD to reduce STUN damage of killing attacks.   X       Universal Translator Not useful enough?     X X X  

The unlocked article link for those without a subscription. It is definitely worth a read. 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/21/opinion/wyoming-republicans-christian-nationalism.html?unlocked_article_code=KHGT83rOtRQ5wwpUI9xGXNZXrsit2jnEcCNZnYKIZDfreAafTCiouR9c5-v6V5mGPBOunYr7XL3e6DdUuTiNusUS-4HnHuCdBqD6qbTGq_w6NzxPuKg5sGj5866yBWTZG4ziqdzPcYMOzrtw5ZkqN_sidlvf0MGnJ0Xs7V7yLY-YY8aYdrxVvFiz-C0E120rcwOIJMOWkaocb6Zwb4vSj2RTW2ynfnI5IvxxOK2Htri6uBiOrq50NPEdyVTdu98XMMupm7b8i2gJlPLE1C5MzjeUJDniHCPlxnn06V7wEVhUe7yNwrrFm47LbGqOx2f1XKjJEzd_AJ2Pw-6FD88pPmjDmb_WUZqOWQ3mK6o6Scu3wid1&smid=url-share

The first two episodes of The Muppets Mayhem on Disney+. The basic premise is that there's a small record company in Hollywood that's winding down until the assistant finds that The Electric Mayhem owe it an album. She then attempts to herd cats the Electric Mayhem towards recording the album. Expect lots of random cameos. There are 10 episodes, each running about 28 minutes or so, but it feels much longer. The story probably should have been done in about 90 minutes, as I started losing interest fairly rapidly (and I'm a big fan of the Muppets). 
 
BTW, The Electric Mayhem at their best reminds me a lot of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sajA51HO6Ww
 
 

Doesn't seem like Foxbat's style. VIPER, maybe?
 
A 30-ton shipment of explosive chemicals traveling from Wyoming to California by rail disappeared en route, officials say

See, if I was going to buy into this, I would have Deduction 3 reduce the moderate difficulty of 6 down to average difficulty 3, and then roll the standard 3 dice. It takes away the potential for the expert to roll a result of 12 but it better demonstrates the value of the skill. 
 
I would also not make the skilled character roll for an average difficulty task, their skill has reduced it to 0 difficulty, play into the competence...
 
GM: As you are walking through the Great Hall you can see there are doorways and galleries stretching away into shadowed recesses.
 
Player: Great place for an ambush, can I see any sign of one.
 
The GM knows there are 3 archers in two of the upper galleries (moderate difficulty check) and a more poorly hidden (average difficulty) swordsman lurking near a doorway.
 
GM: "what's your perception? 3?  Quite impressive!  You can see a swordsman near a doorway to your left, roll the dice to check if he has back up."

Yeah, I've heard it also makes your heart grow fonder.

They will never find this man's body...

For what it is worth, I enjoyed all 3 seasons. I watched season 2 after a break from season 1 so came at it fresh. And feel that a big plot point for season 3 is explained in season 1. All three seasons have a different feel to them. But of the three, season 3 is the hands down winner. 

Discovering specific stuff on Disney+ can be a real chore with their content recommendation system, but that's also true for other streamers as well.
 
Checking their "All Movies" list, I counted over 1100 items across all genres. A lot of that isn't stuff I'd watch, but there's quite a bit that I would.
 
Generally, many of the family-friendly movies (and Marvel stuff) from the 20th Century purchase went to Disney+, while more adult fare went to Hulu, but the two services are slated to be merged later this year, so that will be less of an issue (Those in other countries aleady get the stuff we'd get on Hulu as part of Disney+ because Hulu was never marketed much outside of the US).
 
Disney has also licensed some of its stuff to other streamers, especially some of the 20th Century stuff. While that might be old agreements still in play, it wouldn't surprise me if they continue it, and stuff that they purge from Disney+ might show up in other places, much like what Warner/Discovery did with several shows removed from HBOmax that are now on The Roku Channel.
 
There's also a story floating about that Disney will be creating its own FAST service (free ad-supported television), like Pluto TV (Paramount), and it is very likely that some of these shows will end up on it.  That might be spun off from the ABC TV app, which I believe currently requires linking to a cable or satellite provider.
 
As far as any streaming service goes, anything that I really like I try to get as a physical copy (if it's available), as you can't guarantee when something will be removed or altered. By the way, risk of removal also applies to digital copies--if a "digital locker" like Movies Anywhere or Vudu or Amazon loses the rights to carry something, it can be removed from a purchased collection.

You'll have to read up on the "Disney Vault" and also "ensh*ttification".  These concepts apply to all the streaming services, not just Disney.

Due to DeSantis' crusade against them, Disney pulled the plug on a planned shift of some people from California to Florida.  It was a billion dollar project and would've led to 2000 jobs for Florida.
 
Texas...my gosh, they want anarchy.  From the article:
 
 
I wrote "they want anarchy"...and actually that's when a bell rang.  Because I think that's the point.  They want to eliminate government involvement.  The state won't be able to handle the local issues, so the net impact will be NO governance.  Can't reduce any more than that.  I also have to expect that this is going to let Texas businesses skate on LOTS and LOTS of laws...and I don't trust any large businesses, anywhere.  
 
One can argue the morality of this bill, versus the various other suppressive measures, but IMO, this one is a dozen steps beyond anything else anyone's enacted this century, in terms of sheer, bullheaded STUPIDITY, and probably a few steps beyond everything else in terms of disenfranchisement...which of course is the goal.