Massive catch-up babble - movies and TV
I did what I said I wasn't going to on Friday night and went to see Thor for a second time this morning in IMAX. Friday it was just after work and if I wanted to get to the theater on time I didn't have much of a choice as far as 2D or 3D, so I went with 3D. Which I promptly forgot once I got into the theater (very long day at work), and thus forgot to pick up the 3D glasses. Interestingly, it didn't make much difference aside from some things being fuzzy. I did remember them this morning (3D being the only option if you want IMAX) and... it still didn't make much difference. Except to make even the non-CGI stuff look unrealistic to me. This is the first 3D movie I've been to in years; I've been doing pretty well at avoiding them, something I plan to continue. The 3D just doesn't seem to be worth it at all, and is a pain to deal with if you've already got glasses. That complaint aside, I really liked Thor.
Thor could have so easily been silly or ridiculous, so I'm grateful to director Kenneth Branagh, who as dangermousie put it, he "knows how to do operatic and larger-than-life and make it believable and grand and not ridiculous and overblown." Chris Hemsworth was amaaaaaazing, and not just because of how completely hot he was. (See below) He did a really good job being the stupidly arrogant young godling in the beginning of the movie, and then did a great job showing his transformation into a true hero and leader. As I told dangermousie, before his humbling, when Thor smiled all I wanted to do was smack that arrogance right off his face. After, it was just the sweetest, beautiful smile. Tom Hiddleston was also really great as Loki, showing his gifts for deception while still making him rather sympathetic despite all that he did. (I have no doubt that someone somewhere is writing Thor/Loki enemy!slash even as I type.)
Excellent movie, and I'm really hoping they make a Thor 2, because I really want to see more of these characters, and not just in a mish-mash with the other heroes in the Avengers movie.
Saw Fast Five the week before. It was also really good. Not quite as overtly slashy as previous movies, but it almost didn't need it, when it was obvious that Dom had decided that Brian was family no matter what, the end. The Rock was also enjoyable.
Been ridiculously busy at work lately and thus have been mostly wanting to collapse when I make it home at night and on the weekends, but I have been mostly keeping up with my TV watching. A few thoughts:
Doctor Who
Never did post about last week's episode, except for a few tweets which mostly amounted to "I have no clue what just happened." Still don't, although I enjoyed it and am curious to see how it plays out. Yesterday's episode was frothy fun as long as you didn't think about it too much. Unfortunately, if you do think about it, your brain starts tearing it apart - "Why doesn't the Doctor know CPR?" "Why doesn't the TARDIS have a sickbay?" "Why isn't the only other female character allowed to speak?" Still, it was fun enough while I watched.
Fringe
Well, that was unexpected. I really wish Olivia and/or Altlivia had had more to do and it hadn't all been down to Peter to save the day (if that is indeed what he did). I'm really hoping that his disappearance means more to do for both Olivias, because I didn't really appreciate the way her time got cut down so that Peter could save the universe. On the other hand, that was definitely not an ending any of us anticipated. Does that mean everyone/everything in both universes is now mushed together and possibly duplicated? How confused are people going to be? Also, one assumes Peter will be back, but how if no one remembers him?
Smallville
Sadly, the last few episodes of Smallville are just not cutting it for me. I am hopeful that the finale will be better, since they frequently pull out all the stops in the finales and they are frequently (although not always) awesome. I'm just not sure why the Toyman needed to be brought back at this late date, and why Clark and Lois needed another episode of will they/won't they. Did like Lois getting to live in Clark's shoes for awhile, though. That was good.
The Vampire Diaries
I think my favorite part of this week's episode was the scene in my icon. *cough* I'm really hoping Caroline realizes that Tyler is way better for her than Matt ever could be, but I worry that they will continue the stupid triangle thing. As for the other things in the episode, Jenna's death was not a surprise since they'd been telling us for eons that SOMEONE WILL DIE and Jenna just seemed most likely. John did not, and I liked the way he went out, and I liked the letter he left Elena. First time I've really liked him as a person (always liked to dislike the character before). And oh, my poor Elena. And Jeremy. *hugs them*
Bones
Actually liked Bones for the first time in weeks. Liked Temperance identifying with the girl.
The Good Wife
I like how Alicia is just Done. She is just over it, and has had as much of Peter as she can stand. Typical that Peter just thinks it's because of her feelings for Will. I am very nervous how the (presumed) confrontation with Kalinda will take place this next episode. I want them to still be friends after this is over!
Game of Thrones and Borgias
Still enjoying GoT a lot, Borgias not quite as much. I'm mostly watching the latter for Cesare and Lucretia, whereas the former I'm watching for everybody. All of the characters are fascinating in GoT, even if I don't actually like them.
And I think that's enough for now.
This entry was originally posted at http://beck-liz.dreamwidth.org/104222.html. You may comment there using OpenID, or you may comment here.
have commented there.
Thor could have so easily been silly or ridiculous, so I'm grateful to director Kenneth Branagh, who as dangermousie put it, he "knows how to do operatic and larger-than-life and make it believable and grand and not ridiculous and overblown." Chris Hemsworth was amaaaaaazing, and not just because of how completely hot he was. (See below) He did a really good job being the stupidly arrogant young godling in the beginning of the movie, and then did a great job showing his transformation into a true hero and leader. As I told dangermousie, before his humbling, when Thor smiled all I wanted to do was smack that arrogance right off his face. After, it was just the sweetest, beautiful smile. Tom Hiddleston was also really great as Loki, showing his gifts for deception while still making him rather sympathetic despite all that he did. (I have no doubt that someone somewhere is writing Thor/Loki enemy!slash even as I type.)
Excellent movie, and I'm really hoping they make a Thor 2, because I really want to see more of these characters, and not just in a mish-mash with the other heroes in the Avengers movie.
Saw Fast Five the week before. It was also really good. Not quite as overtly slashy as previous movies, but it almost didn't need it, when it was obvious that Dom had decided that Brian was family no matter what, the end. The Rock was also enjoyable.
Been ridiculously busy at work lately and thus have been mostly wanting to collapse when I make it home at night and on the weekends, but I have been mostly keeping up with my TV watching. A few thoughts:
Doctor Who
Never did post about last week's episode, except for a few tweets which mostly amounted to "I have no clue what just happened." Still don't, although I enjoyed it and am curious to see how it plays out. Yesterday's episode was frothy fun as long as you didn't think about it too much. Unfortunately, if you do think about it, your brain starts tearing it apart - "Why doesn't the Doctor know CPR?" "Why doesn't the TARDIS have a sickbay?" "Why isn't the only other female character allowed to speak?" Still, it was fun enough while I watched.
Fringe
Well, that was unexpected. I really wish Olivia and/or Altlivia had had more to do and it hadn't all been down to Peter to save the day (if that is indeed what he did). I'm really hoping that his disappearance means more to do for both Olivias, because I didn't really appreciate the way her time got cut down so that Peter could save the universe. On the other hand, that was definitely not an ending any of us anticipated. Does that mean everyone/everything in both universes is now mushed together and possibly duplicated? How confused are people going to be? Also, one assumes Peter will be back, but how if no one remembers him?
Smallville
Sadly, the last few episodes of Smallville are just not cutting it for me. I am hopeful that the finale will be better, since they frequently pull out all the stops in the finales and they are frequently (although not always) awesome. I'm just not sure why the Toyman needed to be brought back at this late date, and why Clark and Lois needed another episode of will they/won't they. Did like Lois getting to live in Clark's shoes for awhile, though. That was good.
The Vampire Diaries
I think my favorite part of this week's episode was the scene in my icon. *cough* I'm really hoping Caroline realizes that Tyler is way better for her than Matt ever could be, but I worry that they will continue the stupid triangle thing. As for the other things in the episode, Jenna's death was not a surprise since they'd been telling us for eons that SOMEONE WILL DIE and Jenna just seemed most likely. John did not, and I liked the way he went out, and I liked the letter he left Elena. First time I've really liked him as a person (always liked to dislike the character before). And oh, my poor Elena. And Jeremy. *hugs them*
Bones
Actually liked Bones for the first time in weeks. Liked Temperance identifying with the girl.
The Good Wife
I like how Alicia is just Done. She is just over it, and has had as much of Peter as she can stand. Typical that Peter just thinks it's because of her feelings for Will. I am very nervous how the (presumed) confrontation with Kalinda will take place this next episode. I want them to still be friends after this is over!
Game of Thrones and Borgias
Still enjoying GoT a lot, Borgias not quite as much. I'm mostly watching the latter for Cesare and Lucretia, whereas the former I'm watching for everybody. All of the characters are fascinating in GoT, even if I don't actually like them.
And I think that's enough for now.
This entry was originally posted at http://beck-liz.dreamwidth.org/104222.html. You may comment there using OpenID, or you may comment here.
have commented there.