Sunday evening already?

[cleolinda]

So, here's what's new in the world of L'affaire Lexicon:

soleta_nf remembered Steve Vander Ark saying at Convention Alley 2004 that "his real reason for starting the lexicon was that he knew JKR would be publishing an encyclopedia someday, and he hoped that, by having already created one, he would be the person she approached to help her with it." Apparently this ambition goes back as far as 2000 as well. vorpal_blade at JF also recalled SVA saying at Prophecy 2007 that "Jo didn't know her world as well as the fans did and that they owned it now, not her," of which we also have video ("I'm going to teach you a spell: expelliepilogus!"). He's also on video comparing JKR to Umbridge. The reference on RDR Books' website to Hiroshima was removed, but not before it was screencapped. The book may have had a British publication date of tomorrow, November 5, but since I also read that the British publisher is cooperating with WB, it's unlikely that it'll go on sale tomorrow.

And then... Steve released a statement.

Meanwhile! Wearable Sculpture is now Wyrding Studios, Stardust illustrator Charles Vess needs your help proving that a statuette without "big muscles, big breasts or big guns" can sell, and we have a few reader requests:

foresthouse created a Flickr group for Neil Gaiman-inspired costumes and creations (which Neil himself mentioned on his blog).

unheardpublic: "Chipotle, the mexican fast food restaurant chain, hosted a 30 second commercial spot contest for universities around the nation and they just announced the 12 finalists. Well, I happen to be one of them. The rules are that the video with the most views on youtube wins, so if you could link my video in your spam, I would SO appreciate it (you have no idea how much more I will love you). Enjoy and thanks so much."

arielchan has one last sociology poll, if you could help her out.

Back at the ranch, an excellence of linkspam:

Shia LaBeouf arrested at Chicago Walgreens.

Teacher who ran away with student arrested in Mexico, boy released; Teen turns out to be illegal immigrant, stays in Mexico after teacher seized. "This was a mutual agreement to flee after the story came out that they were having sex."

Judge booted for flipping coin to decide.

Creature ID'd as coyote, not chupacabra. But did it have mange?

Face of King Tut unshrouded to public.

Autism ‘epidemic’ may be in label.

Not much left of Robin Hood's Sherwood.

What would you ask fantasy writer George R.R. Martin?

Several non-Lexicon HP stories: Confirmed: Dan Radcliffe, Richard Griffith in "Equus" Broadway Production Fall 2008; Dawn French talks to Daniel Radcliffe about his "lovely wand." Meanwhile, in book news: The Tales of Beedle The Bard!; J.K. Rowling Expands ‘Potter’ Universe For Charity. And back over on the filming front: Radcliffe on HBP: Gambon "Camping it Up." He means off-screen, fortunately: "Well, he's been camping it up around the set like nobody's business... Not in the film, though we did actually film a scene the other day, and I would like emphasise at this point that the script was written before this revelation and I don't think Steve Kloves had any prior knowledge, but there was a scene the other day when Michael had to come in and tell another character how much he loved knitting patterns! Which he just adored saying that." It kind of sounds like the scene where Dumbledore excuses himself from the room to let Harry and Slughorn talk at Slughorn's house--doesn't he come back from (ostensibly) the bathroom and say he was looking at something? Knitting patterns ring a bell for some reason. And we know they've been filming Slughorn's house, so it does make sense.

The Golden Compass Character Posters; Exclusive Photo: ‘The Golden Compass’; New Golden Compass Stills; “Film sells atheism to kids: Major protest launched”; ‘Golden Compass’ Author Starts Fantasy-Author Beef; Lord of the Rings ‘trivial’ says Pullman. Why? Whyyyy? Why do you make it so hard to support you against the atheism-panickers by attacking beloved fantasy writers? Whyyyyyyyyy?

(Also: Mrs. Coulter dolls are here!)

Two more costume pics from Keira Knightley's The Duchess.

New Joker pic revealed. (Ever so slightly related: Ledger Enters Gilliam's Imaginarium.)

New Watchmen Movie Updates.

Wolverine Story and Scene Spoilers.

Cinematical Exclusive: 'The Orphanage' Poster.

New Poster and Artwork for Gerard Butler's 'Game'; Now Gerard Butler Escapes the 'Escape from New York' Remake.

Donnie Darko's Richard Kelly Talks About 'The Box'; James Marsden Joins Diaz in Richard Kelly's 'The Box'; Kelly's Box Is '70s Piece.

James Marsden Has a Wicked 'Sex Drive.'

Paul Giamatti Blurs Reality For Philip K. Dick Biopic ‘Owl In Daylight.’

Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" Being Reimagined Under Ridley and Tony Scott.

trailer_spot: Pride and Glory, There Will Be Blood, National Treasure 2, Kung Fu Panda, Cassandra's Dream, Alvin and Why Hast Our God Forsaken Us? the Chipmunks; Wanted, There's Only One Sun, Kung Fu Panda, Band's Visit, Untraceable.

'Jumper' Poster Features Exotic/Dull Cocktail.

Fans Choose Villainy for (The) Rock.

The Killer Graphic Novel Being Developed for David Fincher.

Natalie Portman Directing Love and Darkness.

First Lost Boys 2: The Tribe Photo.

"Shrek 4 Title Fills Me With Untold Rage."

Alan Cumming is One Matt Hatter.

Gillian Anderson Loves 'The Smell of Apples.' (Somewhat related: The X-Files 2 Set for July 25, 2008.)

Guy Pearce Hits The Road. Aww, not Viggo Mortensen after all?

Meryl Streep Wins Preemptive Oscar as Julia Child; Amy Adams to costar.

Julia Roberts and Clive Owen Re-Team for 'Duplicity.'

'Cloverfield's' Mysterious Title Revealed as ... 'Cloverfield'? The possibility of a last-minute fakeout is acknowledged, however.

Oprah Winfrey chops off Hilary Swank's hair.

From 1999: Kevin Smith Protests 'Dogma.'

Seriously, it's a really, really good linkspam. A five-day backlog'll do that for you.

Comments

[redcoast.livejournal.com]

Is Pullman crazy? He just seems to be a little bit. I'm interested in reading "His Dark Materials," but it might not be worth it if the author is an asshat.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Don't get me wrong, I think Pullman is a great writer in many cases. I adore the Sally Lockhart mysteries. That all said I REALLY wish he would keep some of his opinions to himself sometimes.

[last-archangel.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. Pullman is so much more preachy and sanctimonious than any Christian fantasy author.

You do not like a series of books? Don't read them again. But do not insult me because I got something out of them, something profound that was intended to reach out to the reader.

Pullman's an excellent storyteller, but somewhere along the way, he forgot that many people read fantasy because it helps them to feel the spiritual that has a tendency to be made invisible by the mundane. Fantasy helps to clear the blinds away for some.

I am so angry now...

[koritsimou.livejournal.com]

Re the Gillian Anderson link: I can only think of the MST3K bit about Ray Liotta. Anyone? Anyone?

[derangeddarling.livejournal.com]

The Gilian Anderson link goes to the Alan Cumming page...

[sound-of-bells.livejournal.com]

Eh, I don't think what Pullman said is too bad... I mean, I wouldn't ever say that LotR is trivial, but he's entitled to his opinion, even if he doesn't exactly need to preach it the way he does.

But honestly, I saw him when I was around eleven at a book signing and talk and it was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me. Those books were pretty much my life at that point, and in person he was an absolute riot and not preachy at all, but just very personable. So I'm biased. :P

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Hey, have you heard anything about how Project Download is doing these days? How many downloads are we up to now?

[poinsley.livejournal.com]

I never understood all those stories of teachers sleeping with their students. I teach 13 year olds, and they are just kids. ::shudder::

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Fixed.

[telesilla.livejournal.com]

Aww, not Viggo Mortensen after all?

Actually, according to some usually reliable sources on Viggo Works, both Guy and Viggo are supposed to be doing the movie.

[golden-d.livejournal.com]

Alan Cumming is One Matt Hatter.

Somehow I managed to read this as "Alan Cumming is One-Man Hitler!" Obviously I need new eyes.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I was going to mention it on a less-crowded post--Neil mentioned it on his journal, but she's still at something like 45,000 hits, maybe. I'm not happy about this. If I can figure out where my damn computer microphone went, I'll see if I can't record something that she can upload. I almost wonder if that's how to bring people in--create multiple items of original content for them to download, to ensure that people who might not care enough to click every day (or for charity) will have something to lure them in.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Huh--serves me right for not actually reading the article. Also? My interest just went back up 100%.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I teach 16 year olds and they're SO frustrating so much of the time I can't imagine what's going through these teachers' heads.

Damn hair-cutting for cancer again!

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Most cancer-patients and survivors don't wear wigs made from actual hair. They use synthetics, if they use wigs at all. They're lighter, easier to care for, dry faster when washed, etc. While they're undergoing chemo, patients generally wear hats, scarves and turbans.

So much more hair is donated than is needed and so little of it is actually suitable that most of it is either discarded or is sold to the wig-making industry.

Furthermore, people with long, pretty hair are often harassed about donating their hair instead of keeping it, as if the only purpose of growing hair was to have it cut for these events.

I hate it when highly-publicized hair-cuttings take place. They do so much more harm than good. A cash donation to help the women buy chemo would be so much more useful.

[telesilla.livejournal.com]

No kidding, mine too! :)

[eofs.livejournal.com]

Am I the only one getting a strong pastede on yey vibe from Asriel in particular (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/posters/golden_compass_ver17.jpg)?

[viorica8957.livejournal.com]

Nah, just an arrogant bastard.

(it's lauramcvey by the way)

[theatre-angel.livejournal.com]

The Tolkien quote by Pullman was taken a little bit out of context -- he was talking about both C.S. Lewis and Tolkien (and actually said that he preferred Tolkien over Lewis) and how Lewis would always address these very serious issues in his books because he was constantly questioning his faith; whereas Tolkien, who was secure with his beliefs and what the church represented for him, wrote about things that were "trivial" because he wasn't wrestling with the greater questions that Lewis was. That being said, he's a really eloquent speaker and very funny. :-)

(The atheism-selling thing boggles me. The books are not particularly against religion as a concept, though they are anti-organized religion. I don't know, it just kind of bugs me that they don't specify that, because Pullman's coming off as a crazy here.)

[slammerkinbabe.livejournal.com]

The, uh, Meryl Streep link goes to a page about Alan Cumming as well?

[redcoast.livejournal.com]

Pls explain difference between Asshat and arrogant bastard.

And by the way, Lord of the Rings really is rather soundly disliked among many fantasy writers, for a lot of reasons.

[tabbyclaw.livejournal.com]

I read it as 'Alan Cumming is One Matt-Hater.' Since Matt is my favorite character on Heroes and I'm continually distressed by the irrational amount of hatred towards him in the fandom, I was very annoyed for a second. Also confused as to why that would be newsworthy.

[sternbunny.livejournal.com]

Happy Almost-V Day!

Beth

[viorica8957.livejournal.com]

Asshat= general jackass about everything.

Arrogant bastard= arrogant, but may have other redeeming qualities. As was mentioned further down in the comments, he seems nice enough to his fans. He just has very little respect for anyone else's writing.

Honestly, I didn't like LOTR. It was dry, and really hard to get through. But it invented a lot of stuff that's still used in fantasy (i.e. elves and dwarves). I wouldn't call it "insignificant". And he's an arrogant bastard concerning the Narnia books as well, which I find just plain hypocritical, because he bashes them for being preachy, and then turns around and does the same thing in his books, only less subtle.

[redcoast.livejournal.com]

While I personally like Naria and LOTR, I don't think they're beyond criticism, and, yeah, I wouldn't call LOTR "unimportant."