Ow, migraine coming on

[cleolinda]

Watched the extended Goblet of Fire on ABC Family last night while I was noodling around--come on, how could I resist? Although the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE SNEAK PEEKS OMG were more like, "This one's a lot more about romance and relationships." You know, which is exactly what they've said about the last two as well. And I still have no idea how GOF was "extended," as nothing looked the least bit new to me, and there was a point when I was on Newborn Pupwatch a couple years back and GOF was on HBO all the time and I watched it a lot, okay? So you'd think I'd be able to tell. Anyway. So of course there was a really-funny-in-retrospect moment when Miranda Richardson first shows up and goes straight for The Hair--like, a big handful, damn--and of course the whole "You should go take a bath" thing will never stop being funny to me. And I pretty much love all of Daniel Radcliffe's line readings still ("Who... who could figure that out? That's... completely mental"), but what struck me again--and I think I said this when the movie first came out as well--is that the series as a whole ratchets up to a completely different level once Ralph Fiennes shows up. I think specifically it's when he's all like "I CAN TOUCH YOU NOW HARRY POTTERRRRR" and starts mocking the way Harry screams. Like, did you see Red Dragon? It's like he had a little Francis Dolarhyde left over that he wanted to use up. And Ralphdemort's all hyper and excited about being back and finally kicking this kid's ass and you can actually kind of believe that--well, not that he'd be stupid enough to cat-and-mouse Harry (thereby allowing him to escape), but that the whole Boy Who Lived thing has really, really been eating at him, and he really wants to enjoy this whole killing-some-kid thing. Fiennes puts so much psycho verve into the whole thing that you believe he really needs to dance around and torture the kid rather than just AK him and call it a day. It's really, really disturbing, quite honestly, and it's pretty much the axis of the series--everything before the graveyard scene was kids' stuff, literally, and everything after it in the book/movie series is just an entirely different ball game. A lot of people have pointed specifically to Cedric's death as the moment the book series changed gears, actually, but in the movies I really feel like it's Fiennes who kicks it up to a different level. And specifically because of the parts where he tortures Harry--there's just something about actually seeing that, and how much Voldemort enjoys it, that just really--it's just--yeah.

Meanwhile, I'm going to try to cut down a bit on the amount of linkspam in each entry, if only to give myself a bit of a break. I need one anyway, and it's a tough time of year, etc. I'm probably not going to succeed at cutting back, but I'm going to try.

From ppyajunebug: "I was wondering if you could maybe put helpvera in your next linkspam? It goes to a great cause, and the objects in the auction are absolutely amazing, particularly for sci-fi/fantasy fans, or those who love handmade items." In fact, I just saw this headline: Sci-Fi Authors, Fans Rally to Support Struggling Publisher.

More linkspam!

New mania for a long-buried Beatles track.

T.R. Knight Quits Grey’s Anatomy?

'Lost' Season 5 Character Promos.

Exiled 'Fables' Could Find a New Home on Television.

The Regency Dress Up Doll.

Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine's Top 10 of 2008. 'Speed Racer'? Really?

Best movies of '08: Stars' picks.

More Oscars: D.C. Critics Vote ‘Slumdog’ Big and Give Nod to Ledger; 'Slumdog Millionaire': Brace for the backlash; The Kangaroo in the Room ("Ms. Thompson goes on to deconstruct Nicole Kidman's lack of star power, Hugh Jackman's lack of range, the marketing for the film and the brutal reviews. Other than that, the movie was fine"); 'Australia': Four reasons to love the embattled epic; 'Doubt' makes confident debut; Indie Winners: 'I've Loved You So Long'; ‘Gomorrah’ Poised to Take Best Foreign Language Feature with Big Euro Win.

Images: New Pics from 'The Brothers Bloom'; 'Wild Target' set pics (Emily Blunt's shoes FTW); Pics From 'The Unborn'; Exclusive: First Photo of Sack Head Jason Voorhees; 'What Doesn't Kill You' Poster is a Gunman Composed of Actor Heads; 'Nothing But the Truth' Poster Proves Matt Dillon's Emoting Ability; England's 'Lesbian Vampire Killers' Teaser Poster! I am very disappointed that they are killers of lesbian vampires rather than lesbian killers of vampires.

Trailers and clips: Learn How To Use Rorschach's Grappling Gun [Watchmen]; Rock On with the Trailer for Philip Seymour Hoffman's Pirate Radio Flick; New 'The Spirit' and 'Push' Videos; All The Women In Frank Miller's World Are Cray Cray [The Spirit]; Worth Watching - Dec 7: Another 'Dead Snow' Trailer! That's the one about the Nazi zombies, by the way.

As discussed extensively in the previous entry: 'Twilight' director Catherine Hardwicke won't do sequel. It's still a little uncertain as to whether she was outright "fired" or whether she and the studio just had "different visions," with hers involving enough money and time to actually make a movie. The accompanying photo is perhaps not the best argument for Hardwicke's retention, however. Also: Europe Catches Twilight Fever; Pattinson, Stewart and Hardwicke in Germany; in Paris; Sarah Haskins Wonders If Loving A Vampire Sucks (highly recommended by many of y'all); Video: Twilight: The Puppet Saga (ditto); Roswell v. Twilight; Twilight Star Impersonated On Facebook [Debunking] (which is to say, yes, it was all a hoax).

L.A. Dispatch: Academy Changes its Tune on "Dark Knight": "Back on Nov. 10, the executive committee of the music branch had decided the score had too many composers to qualify for Oscar honors. But it reversed field on Dec. 5, having received what an official press release from the group called 'clarifying information,' to the effect that only Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard were really responsible for the score’s authorship." Also: Christopher Nolan Outlining 'Batman 3', Explains DVD Extras; 'Dark Knight' director Nolan illuminates four scenes; For now, Nolan and Batman will rest in 'Dark' glory; Christopher Nolan Wants to Shoot An Entire Movie on IMAX. I have to say, a shiny, fully-loaded Dark Knight DVD is probably the birthday present I am most looking forward to.

Rumor Alert: WB Planning a "Beedle the Bard" Movie?; ‘Harry Potter’ Star Emma Watson ‘Intrigued’ For ‘Deathly Hallows’ Split; "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" Wins European Film Award.

A Fresh Start For 'Bond 23', Says Daniel Craig; Daniel Craig Wants Q and Moneypenny in the Next Bond; 'Quantum of Solace' Passes $500 Million Mark Worldwide.

Nine Clips and 46 Pics from ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.’

Hathaway Talks Alice's White Queen, who will be entirely live-action?

Fincher to Take on 'Devil in the White City'? I SWOON, I DIE.

Frank Miller and Rosario Dawson Confirm Sin City 2 Is Written, Will Shoot in April 2009; No Sin City Sequel for Mickey Rourke? BUT WHO IS PLAYING AVA LORRRRRRD???

Director Stephen Daldry on Sex, Moguls and Surviving 'The Reader' [Exclusive].

No 'Jurassic Park' Sequel, 'Bourne 4' Story Revealed?

Harrison Ford Joining J.J. Abrams' Produced Comedy?

Miramax Eyes Ben Affleck for 'Arizona.'

Pullman Unmasks PKD Biopic.

EXCLUSIVE: John Waters’ ‘Hairspray 2’ Plot Outline Revealed! Zac Efron On Drugs, Skinny Travolta And More.

Spoilers for the 'Forrest Gump' Sequel That 9/11 Snuffed Out.

Book Of Eli Will Be Trash Cinema At Its Finest.

Luke Perry, Lauren Holly Ride Out Uwe Boll’s ‘The Storm.’

Comments

[scornedsaint.livejournal.com]

Years of Doctor Who has left me unable to watch GoF without wondering why the Doctor is being so mean to nice Harry Potter. Much like how 28 Days Later scarred me for life concerning Christopher Eccleston's Doctor.

So of course there was a really-funny-in-retrospect moment when Miranda Richardson first shows up and goes straight for The Hair--like, a big handful, damn--and of course the whole "You should go take a bath" thing will never stop being funny to me.

Hee. Just one more reason to buy it on DVD.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

You know, there are movies that end up being really strange to watch a few years later--Sense and Sensibility, what with the Future Harry Potter Actors Repertory Troupe thing going on, is one of them. Now, between David Tennant and Robert Pattinson, GOF is another.

[punzerel.livejournal.com]

Ralph Fiennes is fantastic. Have you seen In Bruges? It's an excellent movie and all the actors are amazing, really (I never thought I'd like Colin Farrell), but Fiennes is really perfect in his role.

I don't think anyone would have cause to complain if you cut back on linkspamming, or posted not every day. You can't be a posting machine (Cleobot?), after all.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

You know, I actually have the DVD here from Netflix right now, and I just haven't watched it yet.

[evilbearhunter.livejournal.com]

Hey, Uwe Boll's back in the slot!

I'm actually a fan of shorter linkspam -- I think I miss stuff skimming the longer ones.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah--I really kind of want to cut down on the miscellaneous stuff, but at the same time, it's like, everyone likes something different. I don't know.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Ralph Fiennes will never NOT scare the bejeebus out of me.

[thisiamdenied.livejournal.com]

Agreed. He totally scares me when he's running around the graveyard and "I WANT TO SEE THE LIGHT LEAVE YOUR EYES" IS KIND OF TERRIFYING.

[ppyajunebug.livejournal.com]

Somehow, Speed Racer made it onto the list and Dark Knight didn't. My mind has been blown. And HOLY CRAP the regency dress up doll thing is the most amazing thing of ever.

And thank you so much for putting the community in the linkspam!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

No problem. : )

[dried-frog-pill.livejournal.com]

And Ralphdemort's all hyper and excited about being back and finally kicking this kid's ass
My first thought after seeing GoF in the theater (and my subsequent tag for the entry) was the Ralph Fiennes seemed like he was having way too much fun being the psycho XD

A Hairspray 2? *groans* Do we really need sequels to everything?

[re-weird.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I think I would pay good money to see Zac Efron on drugs. It just goes against his image so much, especially with the talking pimples.

[bella-stella78.livejournal.com]

Dude, I don't know what to spend/waste my time on anymore:
1. True Blood is gone until summer.
2. No More Reservations is gone until summer.
(The Anthony Bourdain show on the Travel Channel, not the Catherine Zeta-Whatever movie.)
3. And of course, the biggest thing for me, the new Harry Potter movie, also doesn't come out until summer.

Woe. I need a new show on which to get hooked. Any suggestions?

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

i was about to say mad men, but that's gone until the summer. but there are DVDs and torrents...

also, there is 30 rock.

[elvenjaneite.livejournal.com]

I've actually never commented here before, but I couldn't resist after seeing this picture: Trust me. (http://roflrazzi.com/2008/12/05/celebrity-pictures-pattinson-radcliffe-trust-me/). Actually my first reaction was "The Hair. It's...not there."

EDIT #4: Augh, my linking skills have deserted me.

[teirkin.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, LOVE.

[mercat.livejournal.com]

DANIEL CRAIG, BE MY NEW BEST FRIEND

I am so happy he wants Q back. YES PLEASE. That is the one thing I missed about these last two.


Is Waters being sarcastic about that Hairspray 2 thing? I can't really tell from the article, but it sounds... awful.

[maisontv.livejournal.com]

I love every opinion that man has about this franchise. They should really just do everything he says. Bringing back Q and Moneypenny, having Bond go gay for Queen and country, etc.

I just think he loves these films the way we do. Most actors are like "I wanna be Bond and shoot people and have sex with hot women.", but Craig takes the time to think about what works for the series and the character.

[robinmc.livejournal.com]

I fucking love Target: Women, and I about died when I saw the vampire video this afternoon.

Ditto everything you said about Ralph Fiennes in GOF. It's a testament to what he does with Voldemort that he only had one scene in that whole movie, but it's the scene that stays with you.

Also: I guess not even Miranda Richardson can resist The Hair. I feel better now.

[katchin.livejournal.com]

That Target video is so full o' win!

One of the comments on the comments page was right on the money too (see: water baby's comment):
"Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but maybe a certain type of young woman likes the idea of a male with self-control because then for once SHE isn't the gatekeeper of sexuality? If you're raised in a very religious or socially conservative household, you're trained to think you can't lose control around guys because they have *no* self-control and then anything that happens will be your fault. But with an Edward Cullen, you're allowed to be the wanton, sexual one - he does all the holding back for you."

[bgmaster.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine showed me the Fables thing earlier today. I have two reactions.

One of them goes something like this: "YAAAAY FABLES ON TELEVISION!" The comic is totally fantastic, and I'd love to see some of it on a screen instead of on a page.

Unfortunately, the other one goes like this: "CRAP they're going to SCREW IT UP and it SHOULD BE ON HBO BECAUSE OF THE CONTENT so they'll TONE IT DOWN and it will SUCK and I'll HATE IT and SO WILL EVERYONE and it'll FAIL and ARGH."

So I think I'll put my mood at "cautious pessimism" for the moment. But man, would I love to see Fables done right.

[arvada.livejournal.com]

I hope so hard that the Hairspray 2 plot outline is genuine and really happens... It'll be the most lulz-tastic thing since Breaking Dawn.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Fandom love!

[skyblade.livejournal.com]

it's Fiennes who kicks it up to a different level.

I think the franchise itself kind of turned a corner with him. Before him, the series installments were seen as a bit perfunctory, and always kind of lacking in a good "vs evil" center.

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

There's an 18th century doll too! I played with these a few months ago and had to take screenshots of all the prettiness to save for myself!!

http://savivi.deviantart.com/art/18th-Century-Dress-Up-Doll-65282715

:-)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

*dies*

Yo! Cleo!

[cleojones.livejournal.com]

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tonight. I'm too wiped out to give you the full lowdown, except that it was weird in a Big Fish/Forrest Gump kinda way, but still good. :)

Not great, mind you, but good and engrossing. Not bad for a movie that's almost three hours. There were clappers.

Though the effects? VERY DISTRACTING at first.

A full write-up is coming tomorrow evening.

Re: Yo! Cleo!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Awesome--let me know when it's up.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

3 days.

That's all it took to raise the money needed to save Vera's house. Now, excess is going to fix the plumbing.}:)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's great!

[marisahsaaaa.livejournal.com]

Ralph Fiennes = very yes

Part of the reason I was so against seeing Twilight is actually because I never saw The Duchess, which I really wanted to see, so why would I go to a movie I didn't want to see?

My friends tempted me with awesome shirts, though, so I finally caved.

[wontgetadayjob.livejournal.com]

I also watched gof last night... during David tennant's scenes I just giggled. Its the doctor! And the cedric bath time thing and myrtle were hilarious.
But I forgot how sinister the ending was.

Also- am I the only one who was completely distracted by the donut and ice cream cone trees during the feast?

[elendiari22.livejournal.com]

Okay, no one has mentioned it, but you've got to see Australia. It's absolutely fantastic. I will own this movie and call it George, and it makes me so sad that it's been doing badly in theatres.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

What I've always loved about Ralph's performance is how childish he is as Voldemort. Which is perfect, because, as dangerous as Voldemort is, he's really just this disturbed little boy who was brilliant and couldn't get what he wanted, so he threw a ginormous, homicidal hissy fit.

It still bums me out that they didn't keep the 'Remember Cedric' speech verbatim. It's so powerful and makes me tear up each time I see it. I guess maybe it's not as dramatic on screen.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

What I've always loved about Ralph's performance is how childish he is as Voldemort.

Yeah, that really does make it. And it helps explain how Harry's able to get away--no one's ever claimed that Voldemort was smart, just that he was very powerful. And it's more important to him to torture this kid--from his perspective as a kid who never actually grew up himself--than to do the smart thing and cap him upside the head.

[manekikoneko.livejournal.com]

Puppet violence is much more realistic than the actual film.

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

ITA re: Ralph Fiennes. He so MADE that movie for me.

I don't know if you've seen this (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/the-line-forms-here-who-should-direct-twilight-sequels) but it's been linked on Whedonesque for mentioning that Joss should be considered for directing.

Personally I think the Con side is less "Does Joss want another Vamp franchise?" and more, "Does Joss want to direct a film whose story line is not only predetermined, but set in stone by the demands of the writer and fans? On top of which he a. can't kill anyone surprising, and b. can't make Bella superstrong, independent of the man in her life, and strong (tiny) capable individual."

[skeptiik.livejournal.com]

That could either be really amazing or absolutely horrible. I would not be surprised if he made Bella be all "fuck this" and NOT save Edward at the end.

[tabbyclaw.livejournal.com]

So. ABC cancels "Pushing Daisies," an offbeat show about magic in the mundane world, and ABC Family cancels "The Middleman," a show based on a brilliant comic book. Naturally the next logical step is to make an offbeat show based on a brilliant comic book about magic in the mundane world.

[mycenae.livejournal.com]

They might not pick it up. I agree it's weird they greenlit it in the first place.

[msmcknittington.livejournal.com]

This (http://community.livejournal.com/bakebakebake/1638607.html) just popped up in bakebakebake. It's a cake that someone made for their 15-year-old sister's birthday, and it depicts the Meadow of Great Sparkle.

It's not as epic as the baker would like, but I thought it might be nice to have real cake instead of tragic woe cake in the Twilight arena for once.

_{P.S. I'd really appreciate it if people didn't follow the link with their snark on. Thanks!}

Edited for reasons of geographical features.

[profbutters.livejournal.com]

Hey, as somebody who loves to bake and who has actually baked one of those showcase cases in the Cake Bible that takes a week to make and assemble, I say you document the hell out of something like that. You could improve it by caramelizing some sugar into a large flat cake, smashing it up into glittery little chunks with a rolling pin, and sprinkling it onto Edward for edible sparkle. I would also probably have used buttercream and embedded in edible flowers.

[casirafics.livejournal.com]

Can't tell you exactly why, but at some point while messing around with the Regency dress-up doll, my browser gave me a very weird malware warning. It's the first time I've ever seen anything like that, so who knows what tripped it (or if even the warning was legit!), but, well, fyi.