Saturday afternoon, getting ready

[cleolinda]

Okay, I haven't posted a substantial entry in way too long. I'm going to see Sweeney Todd this afternoon and then go straight to Brett the Vet's Christmas party (I wish I could say what I got for the Dirty Santa swap--which is "dirty" in the sense of the stealing back and forth, not in terms of the nature of the gifts, which often include liquor, vessels for liquor, recipe guides for liquor, books, games, magazine subscriptions, and liquor--but some of the attendees might read this and be spoiled), so I have a relatively small window of time in which to post and get ready, but I have to do something while my hair air-dries, you know? (Curly hair + vigorous blow-drying = BAAAAAD.)

Oh! Oh! Yesterday the Lovely Emily and I had a late lunch with the Amazing McRachel, a college friend of ours who was in from New York, yay! And then I have the party tonight and tomorrow to sleep it off. And Sweeney Todd, of course, which should be interesting because all I know about the musical is the barest outline of the plot--who the characters are and how they interact, generally how it ends, but that's about it. I've never heard any of the music and I haven't watched any of the clips--on purpose, to save as much surprise as possible. Exciting!

A holiday excellence of linkspam:

NJ inmates make Shawshank-style escape.

Aruba closes Natalee Holloway case; Not so cold: Holloway case in 'new phase.'

7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe.

Hasselhoff heads new wave of British medical slang. "A Jack Bauer is a doctor who is 'still up and working after 24 hours on the job,' while a Mini Me is a trainee or medical student who emulates their senior colleagues a bit too much but does not say a lot."

Internet Nice Guy Reads His Ugly Head Once More: "You ignored the nice guy. You used him for emotional intimacy without reciprocating, in kind, with physical intimacy. See, this is the part where I went 'holy shit,' because normally in 'I Used To Be A Nice Guy' type rants, this sentiment is only implied, a nasty little undercurrent of malicious envy and spite. But this guy comes right out and says it: if a guy acts friendly towards a girl, the girl has a moral duty to fuck him."

WGA Sets Meeting With Letterman Reps; Letterman, TV writers fail to strike deal; Late-Night Shows Return, But Will Stars? WGA to Picket the Golden Globes; Go Big or Stay Home.

Will Smith: 'Hitler Was a Good Person.' Okay, you know what? That's not what he said. Even in the passage quoted, that's not what he said. What he said was, "Even Hitler didn’t wake up going, ‘Let me do the most evil thing I can do today’. I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was ‘good’." From an actor's (or, for that matter, a writer's) point of view, that's an important distinction: real villains don't twirl their mustaches. They set out to do what they think is right, or at the very least what benefits them the most personally. People who do bad things can be selfish, can be hateful, can be bad--unbeknownst to themselves, generally--but even asshats like the Westboro Baptist Church gang think that they themselves are right and good, even though, as Warren Ellis says at the link, "If you can stomach it, the last twenty seconds are as close to pure evil as I’ve seen today." There's a difference between saying "Hitler was good" and "Hitler thought he was good," so let's be precise here.

"Interview with the fiercest bitch ever, Lauren Bacall."

Everett Dismisses Foster's "Coming Out."

Christians protest as Doctor Who is portrayed as ‘messiah.’

2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominees.

Roger Ebert Picks His Top Ten Films of the Year--and more; Entertainment Weekly's Best and Worst of 2007, all media categories.

trailer_spot: Hellboy II, Nim's Island, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Forbidden Kingdom, Atonement.

‘Sweeney Todd’: An Introduction To The R-Rated Musical; Exclusive Clip: Johnny Depp and Tim Burton on Their Working Relationship; Johnny Depp and Tim Burton Go 'Unscripted' for 'Sweeney Todd'.

Golden Compass Reaches $100M Overseas; Vatican Condemns Compass.

Cloverfield Guerrilla Marketing; ‘Cloverfield’ Finally Succumbs to Traditional Marketing; 3 Cloverfield TV Commercials; Cloverfield Facebook Contest; MySpace Update - Rob Gives Up on Beth; TidoWave - Problem with the "event."

Sound Off: Who Should Direct The Hobbit? - Guillermo vs Raimi; Casting Call: Who Should Play Bilbo Baggins In ‘The Hobbit’? (MTV is recommending Martin Freeman).

JK Rowling Named Time Person of the Year Runner Up.

First Photos Of Daniel Craig In 'Bond 22' Rehearsals; Mexican Actor Blabs About Landing Role In 'Bond 22'; Dame Judi In The Dark Over 'Bond 22.'

New Hellboy II Teaser, Official Site & Photos.

Neil Gaiman posts a sneak peek at 'Coraline'; a new Stardust illustration from Charles Vess.

Wolverine Starts Filming in Three Weeks; Is Brian Cox Returning as Stryker in 'Wolverine'?

Eva Green to Join 'Justice League'?

Ledger’s Joker A Hit With Batman Creators, Del Toro.

"Can You Believe They're Still Casting 'G.I. Joe'? Like It's a Real Movie or Something." Newest addition: Mr. Eko.

Hamm Joins 'The Day the Earth Stood Still.'

'Pirates' Blu-Ray Recall.

'In Bruges' Exclusive Clip.

First Official 'Australia' Publicity Stills Released.

"Dune Being Adapted Again?! This Time By Peter Berg!"; Peter Berg to Direct Tom Cruise in 'Edwin A. Salt'? Peter Berg must be stopped.

Kristin Kreuk Cast as Chun-Li in Street Fighter Movie.

'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' - Poorly Done But Still Enjoyable.

'Horton Hears a Who' Creepy Character Posters.

'Hottie and the Nottie' Trailer Ruins Christmas.

Jessica Simpson Wants to Remake 'Pretty Woman.' Well, I want to kick Jessica Simpson in the ass, but we don't always get what we want, do we?

Comments

[etherealshores.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas, Cleo! (Just in case I don't get to say it later.)

Noooooooo Jessica. DO. NOT. WANT. That's one film I think shouldn't be remade, period.

*sighs* I was hoping Diane Kruger's new film would be good.

[pscopathictiger.livejournal.com]

Oh my god! I read Coraline in like, the 5th grade, and didn't even realize Neil Gaiman had written it.

[fiveforsilver]

They really, really don't need to remake The Day The Earth Stood Still.

[crimsnfirestorm.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Gahhh.

[elbiesee.livejournal.com]

I want to kick Jessica Simpson in the ass, but we don't always get what we want, do we?

If I ever get the opportunity, I'll hold her for you when I'm done. :-)

[stokerbramwell.livejournal.com]

Re: Will Smith and Hitler: People are seriously lacking in basic logic these days. It really, really makes me sad.

Also: I'd like to have seen Hitler even TRY to twirl that mustache.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I could imagine it spinning in place like a pinwheel...

[stokerbramwell.livejournal.com]

AND THEN HE COULD USE IT TO FLY! :O

[count-01.livejournal.com]

There's a whole new nightmare in the making. I hope you're happy.

[stokerbramwell.livejournal.com]

I am, and your icon is LOVE.

[count-01.livejournal.com]

Quoth the Raven, "Eat my shorts!"

[tabbyclaw.livejournal.com]

I needed that laugh, thank you.

[msilverstar]

Good for you on the Will Smith thing! Whoever the hell "pagesix" is, they just did it to get pageviews and ad revenue. I hope their server crashes.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

It's the New York Post gossip site--which should tell you pretty much everything you need to know.

[msilverstar]

If I were Will Smith, I'd sue for slander or libel or something. That's so bogus it just pisses me off.

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

I hate th original Pretty Woman a lot. Something about it triggers my irrational feminist. So, um, no more, please!

Martin Freeman as Bilbo would make my world a very happy place indeed. Also, Team Raimi.

[etherealshores.livejournal.com]

Team Guillermo del Toro for me all the way.

This is going to be an interesting battle to watch.

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

I went to the 11am showing of Sweeney Todd here, and I have to say it was amazing. I expect you will like it muchly.

[wearejustducky.livejournal.com]

That Lauren Bacall interview was made of win. She is also made of win, bless her.

I just got back from Sweeney Todd; I had never seen a production but I am a Sondheim fan and I have the original cast recording and the Cerveris/Lupone version as well. I thought the movie was incredible. I think you will really enjoy it.

[elvensapphire.livejournal.com]

Sweeney was incredible. I am a bit obsessive passionate about the stageshow, so I went in expecting to be at least a little letdown by SOMEONE and instead I was just blown away. It is beautiful, terrifying, and ultimately heartbreaking. And Johnny and Helena were more fantastic than I expected. It could've been a disaster, or at least a lot of critical errors made (especially for anyone who loves the Sondheim score and show itself), but instead it was right . Not perfect. But right. And I don't like bloody movies at all, but it didn't bother me in this. I loved it.

[gryphonmage.livejournal.com]

The Hottie and the Nottie is a real thing? Like...a thing that is real? I saw a poster thing for it online...I thought it was a poorly photoshopped joke. I AM SO CONFUSED. HOW COULD THIS BE A REAL MOVIE?

[lyrainverse.livejournal.com]

I just got back from Sweeney Todd, and liked it quite a lot! I had no expectations because I knew very little about the film, but it was much darker than I was expecting (and since I knew it was about a murderous barber, that's saying something). But still, you can't go wrong with Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, Helena Bohnam Carter AND Tim Burton. (Peter Pettigrew's in it too!)

[syneblue.livejournal.com]

Your icon wins!

[lyrainverse.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I got it from iconzicons!

[theatre-angel.livejournal.com]

I hate that taking of quotes out of context just to make sensational headlines. And let us know what you think of Sweeney Todd!

[kokopellinelli]

I LOVE that "Nice Guy Rears His Ugly Head Again" thing. I kinda love Might God King now. I'm so sick of reading crap like that from guys on my f-list. STOP WHINING. IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU SENSITIVE, JUST ANNOYING.

[elbales]

Srsly.

[idrach.livejournal.com]

Seriously. Nice Guy, I don't know you, but if that's all your experience with women, then you seriously need to meet more women, cause it sounds like you're attracted to asshaberdashers, and not, you know, the nice girls. Nice girls? Remember them? The ones who can't get a bf because all their guy friends think of them as buddies? The ones who're in the same boat as you? Here's a revelation for you- women aren't the only ones who like jerks.

I too join in on the Mighty God King love.

re: what will smith said

[bigeyedrabbit.livejournal.com]

I think it is important to realize that really evil people usually DO think they're good and wonderful and right. That's what makes them so fucking scary.

Re: what will smith said

[cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com]

To join threads, I'm sure they all think they're Nice Guys.

Re: what will smith said

[edda.livejournal.com]

OH SNAP.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

Apparently Jessica's down here in Dallas now. I could seek her out for you...?

[elbiesee.livejournal.com]

I'm five hours from Dallas. I'll be right down to help ya.

*grabs brass knuckles on the way out*

[hollywdliz.livejournal.com]

From that article about the Doctor as messiah:

"Malcolm Brown, director of mission and public affairs for the Church of England, said: 'Science fiction at its best helps to illuminate eternal themes, and that’s something the Church can happily work with.'"

God, I love the Church of England. Whenever they say something like that it makes me proud to be an Episcopalian. (Let's not get into the African Anglicans, though.)

[metaphoroflife.livejournal.com]

You might have already seen this (since it's from MGK) but I thought it seemed interesting, and on the off-chance you didn't - "The Lakota have cancelled their treaties and seceded from the United States." (http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2007/12/20/because-nobody-is-writing-about-this-and-it-is-potentially-a-huge-deal/)

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

I much preferred Peter Berg as an actor than a director. Especially in Wes Craven's SHOCKER, in which he gets his ass handed to him by an electronic massage chair possessed by the X FILES' Mitch Pileggi...

[enid-keaner.livejournal.com]

Sweeney Todd is amazing! I saw it midnight opening day. It's my favorite musical ever - I've seen it on stage (I saw the revival back in 04/05) and I've seen the DVD version with Angela Lansbury. The film is beautiful, breathtaking, amazing - I wasn't let down at all. It was ace all the way. I hope you love it!

[leucocrystal]

I must say... re: Will Smith's thoughts on Hitler... Well, it's certainly not a new concept at all (that is, that real villains don't twirl their mustaches, etc.), but it's nice to see someone who people might pay attention to reminding people of that. Of course, turning around and seeing a headline like that attached to the idea kind of ruins the effect, doesn't it? *facepalm* Oh, Internets.

Jessica Simpson Wants to Remake 'Pretty Woman.' Well, I want to kick Jessica Simpson in the ass, but we don't always get what we want, do we?
Oh, Cleo. I love you. I got a great laugh out of that. I think we're sharing a brain today.

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

That Will Smith headline is really annoying me. Then I scrolled down to read some of the comments and now I cannot remove my palm from my forehead (I mean, I know I should know better by now when it comes to ontd, but...) They are either incredibly thick over at Page Six, or they are total jackasses. Or both!

The prospect of a Jackson/del Toro helmed Hobbit is enough to make me feel all weak at the knees. But I wouldn't be upset if Raimi got the job instead. Either way, we win!

I can see where MTV blog is coming from with the Freeman thing, but for some reason whenever I try to picture him as Bilbo* it just doesn't quite work. I think it's because in every role I've seen him in, he's always played this modern English average Joe-type characters, so I can't really see him in a fantasy setting.

(Of course for some reason I now can't stop picturing Nick Frost in the part)

I'm surprised by how bummed out I felt when I heard that Stewart and Colbert might be crossing the picket lines. Part of me is hoping that it's all a clever ploy to create sympathy for the striking writers by going on the air and just dicking around or something until things are resolved. :|


*I love that this is included in Firefox's spellcheck.

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

And I say that I'd be happy if either director is chosen to make The Hobbit, but the urge to make TEAM TORO icons is really strong right now. *G*

[k-joy.livejournal.com]

ooooh I hope you enjoyed Sweeney Todd!! I went to London Dungeon last March and we were told about the actual barber, and Mrs Whats'erface's famous meat pies. We were made to sit in this chair, in pitch darkness, whilst listening to this creepy barber whispering in your ear whilst sharpening his blades...I think I might have screamed...

Anyway, the point of this comment is that I can't wait to watch this movie. I hope it is released soon in teeny Malta!