look there she goes that girl is so peculiar

[falulatonks]

1. Exams are overrrr! They ended over a day ago and I can’t even tell you what I’ve done since then, because I have done nothing. I had so much to watch and now I realise I’ve had too much to watch - I can’t choose where to start, and I’m also getting a little anxious thinking about how much I may end up being disappointed. Boo, self! Boo! I’ll probably end up reading instead.


2. Today I checked out my Google Docs space for the first time in two months and hey, I have unfinished fic I’m semi-proud of! I guess that means I’ll be writing more soon.


3. I’ve finally watched Deathly Hallows and I loved it, hooray. I’ve never had a problem with the movies the way a lot of people do, even when I recognise that the problems being brought up are legitimate and reasonable, so it wasn’t surprising that I enjoyed HP7, but you know.
   
   I could talk a lot about it, probably, but I’m sleepy and lazy and remember too little, so here are three things about the parts people seem to be talking less about?:
   
   • Bellatrix! I love Helena Bonham Carter, but her Bellatrix in the previous movies have always been a little too strange for me - determinedly crazy and out-there. I loved her in this, though - sufficiently scary/evil, with just a little bit of that darling insanity that creeps us all out a little bit.
     
     Imelda Staunton as Umbridge is still absolutely perfect, though. I loathe Umbridge so, so deeply that I’m still surprised that I can start feeling furious as soon as I hear Staunton’s giggle.
   
   
   • One of my favourite, favourite things about the wizarding world is some of its more old-fashioned ways of living - all the print materials! Taking notes by hand! Photo albums!! I loved the emphasis on it in this movie (I don’t remember it ever taking this much prominence before) - the newspapers, the fliers (and the mass-printing of them), the radios, the albums. They were aesthetically pleasing, yes, but also, something about them actually got to me. It does feel a little scarier to rely on these things, doesn’t it? I can’t explain it right, but there seems so much more to lose this way - and not just for yourself, because it feels like it could make an entire society feel more vulnerable. I adore it.
     
     I guess the emphasis on print actually goes with the World War II parallels JKR was working for. Here’s my personal favourite of all the parallels. (And did anyone notice how similar the uniforms at the Ministry of Magic looked to Secret Service uniforms?) Have I talked about how much I love wartime? Not war itself, of course not, but what it does to people, how it changes things - and the atmosphere. I find it fascinating. I prefer the book to the movie in that respect - there’s something so fucking chilling about imagining sitting around a radio, listening out for recognisable names; having your breath stop in your throat when you hear movement right outside your safehouse; knowing that things are happening, far away from you, and knowing there’s nothing you can do about it until you get what you need to get. The movie didn’t get even close to that level of terror, I think. Then again, it had my imagination to live up to, and my imagination is pretty damn brilliant.
   
   
   • There were moments in this movie where I felt really terrible for Ginny Weasley (and not just because the actress playing her role has a face/voice equivalent to patternless wallpaper). THE THREE OF THEM, YOU GUYS. I confess I ‘ship H/Hr (although James/Lily are my HP OTP, even though no one else cares), but I came out of this movie wailing, “What ‘ship?! OT3! OT3!” Oh, you guys. The hugging and the dancing and the crying and the screaming and the fighting and the looking and the touching - I can’t even talk about it without wringing my hands and making a really ugly teary face. Everything they experience in this book is so theirs - coming to grips with their power, their responsibilities, and getting increasingly vulnerable, increasingly world-weary. It’s beautifully raw and so huge. Again, my imagination may have done something to me to make me love them all together even more like this, and I definitely don’t think the movie was allowed the time or the space to have them interact like that enough, but the entire fight scene, from Ron’s first appearance to his exit, probably touched on that the most - their frayed nerves and their stupid, silly, too-old-but-still-much-too-young hearts. Agh. Agh. Nothing makes me as sappy and as Harry Potter does, clearly.
   
   
   • Bonus point: Loved the Ministry of Magic infiltration scene, adored the diner scene, laughed too long and too hard for no reason at the "engorgio! reducto!" scene in the tent, and almost definitely came home and bawled to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ O Children.
   
   
   Finally, if you don’t start choking up when watching this video, you may not be a HP fan, or you may not have a heart.


4. I may watch Tangled next week. I didn’t find any of the music on the OST that interesting, and the script feels a little bit unimpressive, but Zach Levi is wonderfully expressive and the way some of the shots in the trailer have been shot is just gorgeous. Also: Disney movie! (I am approaching the movie with caution regarding the way Rapunzel is written for/used in the story, but I have seen no complaints for it so far.)


5. I know a lot of people have their reservations (and with good reason - she does seem to young) about Carey Mulligan being cast for Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, but I'm kind of excited. That photo that's going around of her from her audition alone has her giving just the right amount of completely crazy, and I can't wait to see her show off her range. And anyway, I feel like if anything, people should be worrying about Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. (No. No.)


6. I don’t know if I’ve informed all of you of this, but Phil Dunphy is wonderful and one of my favourite characters on TV right now, and if he were younger (and real) I would probably marry him. I know I’ve talked about how much I love what Ty Burrell did with the potentially two-dimensional character, but I really adore everything about him at this point.


7. HEY GUYS YOU KNOW HOW PARKS AND RECREATION IS BACK IN JANUARY? I AM DANCING IN MY SEAT JUST THINKING ABOUT IT, LALALALALA. I’ve also ordered the DVDs, only I don’t know when I’ll be getting them. I want them so much.

I almost definitely had more to say. I seem to have forgotten.

-- rachu

Comments

[zombie_boogie.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on finishing your exams! What Things to Watch do you have on tap? I seem to recall you wanting to watch The Vampire Diaries and I would deeply approve of that life choice.

I finally saw Deathly Hallows too! I feel the same way about the films. I can't find the energy to get really angry at them. It's not like the films will ever supercede the books anyway or change what's lovely and wonderful about the books, so I don't see any need to get into a snit about it even if I am inevitably disappointed with a few choices.

I've always felt the same way about Helena's Bellatrix. I do love the portrayal as its own entity, but it's never been my vision of Bellatrix. I've always seen Bellatrix as more elegantly cruel, even after her stint in Azkaban, rather than all out cray-cray. More sinister and less over-the-top.

The war parallels were very well done in this film, I thought, especially the Holocaust imagery with the Magic is Might statue, Mrs. Cattermole (who looked exactly like a European Jew circa 1940s), the pamphelts and other propaganda materials, and the carving on Hermione's forearm.

Harry/Hermione/Ron (and obviously Dan/Emma/Rupert) were so wonderful in this movie, which is a relief since so much of the plot concerns them and they don't have the veteran British thespians to rely on as much.

My favourite scene, though, was I think the one at Malfoy Manor at the beginning because it was so goddamn eerie and quite like how I imagined it in the book save Narcissa's atrocious skunk hair. Jason Isaacs was brilliant and RIP Snakey.

I totally knew that HP fanvid would be "Marching On" before I even clicked the link. Raining on my face.

[falulatonks]

TVD is definitely on the top of that list - I'm getting the downloads for that and Breaking Bad out of the way first, because I understand there will be times when I'm watching both series where I'll need to start on the next episode right after one episode ends. Right after that will probably be Dollhouse and The Good Wife, then Coupling and Misfits. In the mean time I'm catching up on the Chuck episodes I've missed and the movies I haven't been able to see. And I started Buffy last year before I realised I shouldn't be getting into a show as big as that this year, so I put it aside around mid-S2, and I think I'm going to have to rewatch it from the beginning - except I'm not sure if I want to rewatch things? It's all very complicated, you see.

elegantly cruel is the perfect, perfect way to describe how I've envisioned Bellatrix! And I feel like time spent in Azkaban should make people even more quiet in their insanity.

I didn't even think of Mrs Cattermole, but you're right. Ooh. I may want to rewatch the movie just to pick out the parallels, actually; I loved that they weren't too in-your-face, too.

they don't have the veteran British thespians to rely on as much
I feel so terrible for these thesps! My dad kept picking out people he recognised and was surprised they didn't stay on-screen for longer than two or three minutes, hee. I can't wait to see more of them in the next movie, as much as I loved the focus on the trio in this one.

[sonni89.livejournal.com]

Congrats on finishing your exams! I missed you around here.

I was never a huge shipper on HP (though I've always had a soft spot for Ron/Hermione) but I felt pretty much the same way you did after the movie. OT3! OT3! OT3! :D

I definitely saw the WW2/Holocaust parallels in that HP movie (I actually asked my roommate if those parts of the movie reminded her of WW2 as well), which was interesting but disturbed me a tiny little bit because I was so overexposed to WW2 stuff in 8th grade that I now have a very high sensitivity towards it.

I really want to watch Tangled, I've heard so many good things about it. I just don't know when I'll have time for it.

PHIL DUNPHYYYYYY APPRECIATION FOR LIFE. That is all.

PARKS AND REC PARKS AND REC PARKS AND REC. I literally cannot wait for it to come back! It'll be my happy place in January. Hee.

[falulatonks]

OT3!!! ♥ Oh they're so perfect. I am really, really sorry for anyone who gets in their way.

The WW2 parallels are actually a little bit terrifying, I think, which is why I rather appreciate how low-key they were - I think you can only notice them if you know it or if you look out for it. I guess that didn't help with you, though; I hope it didn't ruin it too much for you!

I actually haven't heard any bad things about Tangled, either!! I'm looking forward to it. Good luck with finding time. :D I think it should be around for a while, though. It's been doign well.

PHIL DUNPHY IS ACTUALLY THE GREATEST.

LESS THAN TWO MONTHSSS!! HOORAY.

[kasuchi]

I didn’t find any of the music on the OST that interesting

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE FRIENDS. "I See the Light" is something between "Whole New World," "Kiss the Girl," and "Tale as Old As Time." Not as memorable as those are on first listen, but. Oh man. The movie is gorgeous. Please see Tangled and love it. I don't know what I'd do if you didn't.

[falulatonks]

DON'T HATE ME! I heard I See the Light and despite how pretty it was, I found it completely uninteresting musically - it was just...there. :/ I'm looking forward to the movie, though. Really. And considering my adoration for Disney, it's pretty likely I'm going to come out loving it.

[kasuchi]

I DON'T HATE YOU. PROMISE! It's probably better knowing the visual. Most Disney songs are like that, I think? Save for maybe Whole New World, which is pretty perfect. I See the Light reminds me of that one a lot. The lead-up to that song is pretty amazing.

See it in 2D. The 3D mutes the colors, and this film is visually stunning.

[moirariordan.livejournal.com]

The more I think about it, the more I get used to the idea of Carey as Daisy? But Tobey - no. No no no no no. (Nick needs to be like, a Richard Gere type, only younger. Someone like John Krasinski - tall and awkward and a little prudish, but still laid back, you know?)

But Gatsby, OMG OMG NO. I literally cannot put anyone but Redford in the role. It makes my heart and my head hurt.

[falulatonks]

I know this may be blasphemy, but I'm not all that into Leo as an actor, and I don't want to see him eyebrow-crinkle his way through the role as Gatsby. On your comments I'm going to give the Redford movie a try, though. IT'D BETTER BE GOOD.

And someone mentioned this online somewhere, which makes me kind of love it - Lee Pace as Nick. Too bad he doesn't have the Name for it.

[moirariordan.livejournal.com]

You'll have to tell me what you think since I'm so biased by my eternal devotion to Redford. But Mia Farrow as Daisy - she's probably the best part, she gives me shivers every time I watch it. And Sam Waterston as Nick! And I think Francis Ford Coppola was the director?

I'm really curious as to who they'll cast as Jordan and Tom. My friend thought Christian Bale would make a good Tom - it's the Batman rage. I just know that if they pull any stunt casting I'm gonna be super pissed.

Also, I'm curious about Tangled - you said they "use" Rapunzel for the story? How so? Cuz I was all excited about the princess saving herself for once.

[falulatonks]

I'm antsy about all the casting, Tom in particular. Fingers crossed!

And I don't know if you're still interested or if you're read my entry from after I watched the movie, but - while the movie was still in production, the movie had been called Rapunzel and the focus was on the character and her family/the evil lady who put her in the tower, except they soon changed the title to Tangled and all the promotional material seemed to focus way more on the male character and how he helps Rapunzel, which put me off. She does save herself, though, no worries! And I ended up enjoying the way the movie focused on her, too.

[oatmeal-cookie.livejournal.com]

1. I’ll probably end up reading instead.

Excellent life choice. I heard you're free until next August? :O That's an absurdly long time omg, you'll have time to do EVERYTHING YOU WANT. Have fun! :D

2. Re: war - The movie didn’t get even close to that level of terror, I think

It definitely didn't, not even close; someone on my flist described the camping scenes as more "wandering" than "running for their lives", and I think it's so true. Though honestly, the movie delved so much more into the characters rather than the plot, for once, and got it so so very right (for the three kids, especially), that I honestly don't register the myriad (valid) complaints.

3. “What ‘ship?! OT3! OT3!”

YOU ARE ME. OH MY GOODNESS. It's been like a week and a half for me, but I still can't think too much about it - about them and everything they mean to each other, everything they mean to me - for fear of breaking down in ugly sobs. I am so grateful to the creative team for finally getting the trio dynamics so very right, for honoring all permutations of the OT3 in ways that they really have never been able to capture accurately in the others films. Hats off to all three actors, too - their closeness IRL translatest to the screen, and it's clear that they're squeezing every bit of themselves in this last hurrah.

4. I want to draw hearts all around Phil Dunphy and what Ty Burrell has done with the character. I want to draw hearts all around Modern Family, actually, I can't believe a sitcom about families, of all things, is the best, most satisfying television I've been watching since September.

5. I haven't watched Parks & Rec yet, but I know it's a great show, and I have tons of friends in the fandom AND I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS! :DDD So happy for the world, really, that finally January is so so so close. \o/

[falulatonks]

1. Thank you, thank you very much!! I haven't read in forever. I'm looking forward to it.

1b. Nine months is TOO LONG! I may end up working for a while, in fact. Otherwise I'll have far too little too do.

2. Ooh, good point on it being more about the characters - I kind of loved it for it, but I can see why people may have found it a little more uninteresting because of that.

3. YES, YES, EXACTLY. I'm getting a bit teary just thinking about it, so the ugly tear-restraining-face I made reading this part of your comment should probably go without description. I went in knowing to look out for 'shippy moments, because there'd be plenty on either side, but I was surprised by how much I adored seeing the three of them together like that. (And now it feels right that Harry is there in the scene in the book when R/Hr finally kiss. *feeling mushy* Oh god.) GO AWAY, I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS.

4. For something that plays it as safe as Modern Family does, I'm still so surprised that I've enjoyed it the most out of any comedy this season. And Ty Burrell is perfect as Phil - he could've gone too dumb, too two-dimensional, but a combination of the delightful, subtle sweetness Ty gives the character and the way the writers have fleshed him out makes him one of my favourite people to watch on TV.

5. Do I see a yet there? Please watch it ohmygod I'm psyched that people are psyched for this tiny group of crazy fans! Yayyyyyy.

[sneakergaze.livejournal.com]

When Marshall Eriksen grows up, he will be Phil Dunphy. Where can I find one, please. (I was thinking the other day about the many ways in which Marshall Eriksen is the realistic ideal guy; I should write a post about it one day when I have actually PROGRESSED WITH MY HOMEWORK).

Glad your exams are over! Doesn't it feel anti-climactic? I can't believe how old you kids are, already. :P

Also, OT3. Forever.

[falulatonks]

I have never, ever thought about their similarities before, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. And there was a period of time when I got really annoyed with Marshall (I think it was S5) because of how much more he was being Jason Segel than Marshall, if that makes sense, but that's gone away now, because Marshall is kind of perfect this season. And therefore your post about it will be much awaited!

It's so ridiculously anti-climactic, ugh. (Psst, how did you get to work/intern at SPH?)

[imprinted-soul.livejournal.com]

i wouldn't mind watching rapunzel/tangled(what up with the double titles?:P i think Tangled sounds a lot cooler lol) but i dunno if i will or not. ho hum.

HAHA LET THE BRAIN CELLS START DYING(you'll have to try SO HARD to kill brain cells, though. unlike me)

:D TWO MORE PAPERS. I CAN DO THISSSSS.

[falulatonks]

They called it Rapunzel first, but changed it (along with a lot of the story) so it was less focused on the female character and a little more about the guy. ~Marketing techniques, you know.

WHAT BRAIN CELLS? I may not even have used them in the last few months. D:

BE POSITIVEEEEE. Think about future pancake meetings!!!

[torigates.livejournal.com]

Like twelve years late to the party, but I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Harry Potter/Deathly Hallows. I always found the fact that the Wizarding World didn't accept some of the muggle "conveniences" like electricity, etc. a little strange, but I really enjoyed what you said print culture and the connections to WWII.

[falulatonks]

I'd found it strange at first, too, but I reasoned it away - clearly this Muggle business is too much for them to try to understand, and since magic has clearly taken care of most of their problems for as long as they have, trying to understanding it all isn't even necessary for them, right? (How they amuse themselves without television, though - that I will never, ever understand.)

[marshmallow.livejournal.com]

Hooray for finishing your exams!! I'm so glad they went well! :)

And you know, I'm actually excited for Carey Mulligan as Daisy. I think she'll do wonderfully. But yikes at Tobey. I hadn't heard that nasty little bit casting info. Is that a for sure?


(Also, I just followed you on Tumblr.. I'm zombiebaby there. :D)

[falulatonks]

I'm excited about Carey, too, yay! :D And yes, it's certain, and I've been annoyed about it ever since I found out. Why aren't people making more of a fuss about his casting!

I followed you back. :D I post a hell of a lot, though, if you haven't realised yet, so you can unfollow me if you want - I wouldn't take offense!

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

Imelda Staunton as Umbridge is still absolutely perfect, though. I loathe Umbridge so, so deeply that I’m still surprised that I can start feeling furious as soon as I hear Staunton’s giggle.

This is so incredibly true. Without a doubt, she is Umbridge, you know? And there are few characters that make me actually hostile but she... she takes the cake. Anyway :)

although James/Lily are my HP OTP, even though no one else cares

oh my god no! I care I care! If you read fanfic for them I have a ton of it bookmarked back home - it's a section in my bookmarks called 'The Prophecy' that's entirely devoted to James/Lily and the Marauders and Remus/Sirius. But I digress. I obsessed over them when I was a teenager. So tragic, so awesome.

You're completely right about Ginny though. I could barely watch her scene D: That Marchin' On video was fantastic though.

Congrats on your exams! :)

[falulatonks]

Umbridge makes me so hostile, for real. I hate her so much .SO MUCH.

AND YAY!! People generally scoff at my love for James/Lily because they tell me they've already happened, what's the point, but I adore them so much. They're tragic but there's also something so fascinating about the way they must've grown up and gotten used to each other, and I really really love that.

[jessm.livejournal.com]

I feel like if anything, people should be worrying about Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway.
Precisely. Carey Mulligan is more than capable. I thought she already proved that with her performance in An Education. Tobey Maguire has been off the Hollywood radar for YEARS. Maybe he's matured as an actor since Spider-Man 3? (I doubt it.)

Phil Dunphy is already one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, and it's all thanks to Ty Burrell.

[falulatonks]

Tobey was in Brothers last year, except he played the loudest, hammiest role (and it felt like he was openly begging for an Oscar nomination, which I feel bad for saying, but really.) - against the quieter performances of Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman, he felt off-key and misplaced, and I now don't want to see him in this movie.

Ty Burrell made Phil Dunphy wonderful. I adore what he did for the character.

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