Getting gushing and irritated in turn
Dec. 29th, 2003 07:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakAh, technology. It’s tricksy and false, my precious. We hates it.
My Dad’s kidnapped laptop, newly promoted to being my trusty laptop now that the old one definitely has joined Data in software heaven, is.. fine, actually. But the adapter doesn’t work anymore and a new one won’t be available in less than two weeks, according to Mr. “Do you have a hex on you, Ms Selenak?” Repair Service Man.
This also means I can’t get at my Babylon 5 January contribution for [Unknown site tag]. Curses! I’ll probably have to write it again.
Upon watching Return of the King again yesterday, I fell more in love than ever. We’re so lucky to get the right director, the right scriptwriters, the right cast, the right everyone, fellow fen. Since I was in a gushing mood, this review was a treat to read, as was this one. On the less pleasant side, I stumbled upon some posts that accused PJ of “cinematic homophobia” because Sam brings up Rosie in Mordor, when he thinks he’s about to die. This is about as irritating as the “homophobes!” accusations flung at ME for Tara’s death. Honestly, I loved that part of the scene (well, I adored the entire scene, but that’s not the point). Frodo and Sam both remember what they love about the Shire, and in Sam’s case, wishes they until that point never got to fulfil. How does it take away or spoil Sam’s love for Frodo, and vice versa, if he loves Rosie as well? Plus as [Bad username or site: ”monkeycrackmary” @ livejournal.com] points out, Frodo in the movies from the dance at Bilbo’s party onwards thinks Sam and Rosie together are about the cutest thing ever.
On a similar note, I also noticed that some of the deleted scenes on the Pirates of the Carribean DVDs have caused fervent anti-Elizabeth feelings. Now I might be overstating things, but could it be we have a case for gender-related double standards again? I mean, yes, I felt tremendously sorry for Norrington, too, in the scene where he talks to Elizabeth about her sudden acceptance of his proposal. And yes, she’s manipulating and using him. But she does so to save a life, and besides, what was she supposed to say? “Yes, you’re absolutely right, I don’t love you, but no hard feelings, eh? Now let’s go after Will.”
Meanwhile, Jack manipulating, double- and triple-crossing people isn’t condemned anywhere, on the contrary, it contributes to his allure. I think the most bizarre thing in this regard which I read was the remark that Jack would never treat Norrington as Elizabeth does. It was mostly this which produced my silly post last night.
Lastly, I saw the holographic wanted man poster of Sirius at the cinema last night as an advertisement for Prisoner of Azkaban. I’m really looking forward to this film. And to Troy. (They showed the trailer again.) And to Episode III of SW. (Prequel haters, please abstain from venting in your replies to this entry.) Yes, 2004 is going to be good, even if there are no more gorgeous LotR big screen translations to fever for. (Though there’s the Extended Edition on DVD.)
The next novel which I’d dearly love to see on screen, big or small? A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantle. The French Revolution, with Camille Desmoulins, Danton and Robespierre as the main characters. You could call it the anti-Dickens and anti-Scarlet Pimpernel. There are too few (world) cinematic presentations of French historical events from the French pov.
Feeding the quiz addiction...
You've just met your Gollum and you have
discovered
some strange likeliness between you. And yes,
we all
think Angst looks good on you.
Which Frodo are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Much as I love Sam, I’m probably the only one to find the Frodo/Gollum relationship just as compelling as the one with everyone’s favourite gardener…
My Dad’s kidnapped laptop, newly promoted to being my trusty laptop now that the old one definitely has joined Data in software heaven, is.. fine, actually. But the adapter doesn’t work anymore and a new one won’t be available in less than two weeks, according to Mr. “Do you have a hex on you, Ms Selenak?” Repair Service Man.
This also means I can’t get at my Babylon 5 January contribution for [Unknown site tag]. Curses! I’ll probably have to write it again.
Upon watching Return of the King again yesterday, I fell more in love than ever. We’re so lucky to get the right director, the right scriptwriters, the right cast, the right everyone, fellow fen. Since I was in a gushing mood, this review was a treat to read, as was this one. On the less pleasant side, I stumbled upon some posts that accused PJ of “cinematic homophobia” because Sam brings up Rosie in Mordor, when he thinks he’s about to die. This is about as irritating as the “homophobes!” accusations flung at ME for Tara’s death. Honestly, I loved that part of the scene (well, I adored the entire scene, but that’s not the point). Frodo and Sam both remember what they love about the Shire, and in Sam’s case, wishes they until that point never got to fulfil. How does it take away or spoil Sam’s love for Frodo, and vice versa, if he loves Rosie as well? Plus as [Bad username or site: ”monkeycrackmary” @ livejournal.com] points out, Frodo in the movies from the dance at Bilbo’s party onwards thinks Sam and Rosie together are about the cutest thing ever.
On a similar note, I also noticed that some of the deleted scenes on the Pirates of the Carribean DVDs have caused fervent anti-Elizabeth feelings. Now I might be overstating things, but could it be we have a case for gender-related double standards again? I mean, yes, I felt tremendously sorry for Norrington, too, in the scene where he talks to Elizabeth about her sudden acceptance of his proposal. And yes, she’s manipulating and using him. But she does so to save a life, and besides, what was she supposed to say? “Yes, you’re absolutely right, I don’t love you, but no hard feelings, eh? Now let’s go after Will.”
Meanwhile, Jack manipulating, double- and triple-crossing people isn’t condemned anywhere, on the contrary, it contributes to his allure. I think the most bizarre thing in this regard which I read was the remark that Jack would never treat Norrington as Elizabeth does. It was mostly this which produced my silly post last night.
Lastly, I saw the holographic wanted man poster of Sirius at the cinema last night as an advertisement for Prisoner of Azkaban. I’m really looking forward to this film. And to Troy. (They showed the trailer again.) And to Episode III of SW. (Prequel haters, please abstain from venting in your replies to this entry.) Yes, 2004 is going to be good, even if there are no more gorgeous LotR big screen translations to fever for. (Though there’s the Extended Edition on DVD.)
The next novel which I’d dearly love to see on screen, big or small? A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantle. The French Revolution, with Camille Desmoulins, Danton and Robespierre as the main characters. You could call it the anti-Dickens and anti-Scarlet Pimpernel. There are too few (world) cinematic presentations of French historical events from the French pov.
Feeding the quiz addiction...
You've just met your Gollum and you have
discovered
some strange likeliness between you. And yes,
we all
think Angst looks good on you.
Which Frodo are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Much as I love Sam, I’m probably the only one to find the Frodo/Gollum relationship just as compelling as the one with everyone’s favourite gardener…
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-12-29 11:39 am (UTC)First off, I didn't know people were analyzing PotC to such an extent. Second, you've got to be kidding me? I lived through the Buffy bashing, am encountering it again with Alias, but now we have people criticizing what was to be a fun, not-so-little summer movie? Geesh. And a deleted scene at that. Having said all that, I completely agree with your interpretation.
Ugg
Date: 2003-12-29 11:52 am (UTC)Oh, bollocks. I think some people are tkaing their fanon/slash way too seriously.
Quite.
Date: 2003-12-29 10:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-29 12:41 pm (UTC)This line of code:
<ahref="http:>Quizilla</a>
Frells it up.
Fixed!
Date: 2003-12-29 11:22 pm (UTC)Y'know, Selena dear--
Date: 2003-12-29 01:43 pm (UTC)Actually...
Date: 2003-12-29 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-29 03:30 pm (UTC)Have you seen the version of The Scarlet Pimpernel with Anthony Andrews as the Pimpernel, Jane Seymour as Marguerite, and Ian McKellen as Chauvelin? Makes me think Marguerite is quite the idiot! I'd have taken Chauvelin any day!
No, but...
Date: 2003-12-29 10:22 pm (UTC)Chauvelin
Date: 2003-12-31 01:06 am (UTC)So would I. My first watching of "Scarlet Pimpernel" took place when I was still a thirteen year-old teenager, but even back then I thought that the way in which Percy toyed with Marguerite's emotions was simply disgusting. McKellen's Chauvelin, however, struck me as serious and very honest.
Selena, if you ever feel like admiring a young Ian McKellen in a nice-looking period costume, just give me a wink. I think, I still might have Scarlet Pimpernel on tape.
Re: Chauvelin
Date: 2003-12-31 01:15 am (UTC)Off to catch my plane ...
Date: 2004-01-01 11:47 pm (UTC)Re: Off to catch my plane ...
Date: 2004-01-02 06:22 am (UTC)Re: Chauvelin
Date: 2003-12-31 04:37 am (UTC)The one scene I secretly desired when I was twelve was an additional scene at the end, when Percy is stealing Chauvelin's clothes to return to Paris. Chauvelin exits, random guy comes back with clothes. I wanted.... Oh well. You know what I wanted in my little 12 year old mind!
no subject
Date: 2003-12-29 04:11 pm (UTC)I'd love to see the Hilary Mantel filmed - it is fascinating to get a book which, however wrongheadedly, tries to rehabilitate the Jacobins. (I speak as one of nature's Girondins). I also like the fact that it is basically historical slashfic.
One of the most interesting things about the not very good fairly recent Scarlet Pimpernel on the BBC was that Richard E Grant made Blakeney even more odious than usual, whereas Martin Sheen made Chauvelin charismatic and sexy to an extent that it was not longer clear which side we were supposed to be on.
yes, I...
Date: 2003-12-29 10:31 pm (UTC)it is fascinating to get a book which, however wrongheadedly, tries to rehabilitate the Jacobins. (I speak as one of nature's Girondins)
She did manage to present Robespierre as a tragic character without downplaying his body count. Made me think of Robert Bolt's script for Lawrence of Arabia where he lets Feisal comment that compassion is a matter of education for him and a matter of passion for Lawrence, and that they'd see which motive is more reliable (with the implication that education is).
I also like the fact that it is basically historical slashfic.
"If I were you, I'd watch my husband with that girl. And with that boy as well." *g* Quite. Though she keeps it emotional, since Danton doesn't really go to bed with either.
One of the most interesting things about the not very good fairly recent Scarlet Pimpernel on the BBC was that Richard E Grant made Blakeney even more odious than usual, whereas Martin Sheen made Chauvelin charismatic and sexy to an extent that it was not longer clear which side we were supposed to be on.
Absolutely. I saw that one and in the second part especially (the one with Chauvelin's daughter) wasn't wondering any longer - I was on Chauvelin's side all the way.
no subject
Date: 2003-12-30 09:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-30 10:36 am (UTC)No, it wasn't, don't worry.
Date: 2003-12-30 11:58 pm (UTC)