Romance & Canon Couples
5 things I
❤ this week:
5. Stardust
I unexpectedly liked this. I wasn't familiar with the book, so I went to the movie with zero expectation. It was fun, magical, tongue-in-cheek witty, action-filled, and really, romantic! I think one of the reasons I liked it so much was because I didn't EXPECT the Tristan & Yvain romance! Duh, I know... But at the beginning, I really thought Tristan would end up with Victoria, though I did also notice that she was rather a bitch...
I think the writers developed the Tristan/Yvain relationship very gradually and subtly that I couldn't help but be pulled into it.
The person playing Tristan also looked familiar, though I still can't place him (both IMDB and wikipedia don't list any prior work of his I might've seen). I must admit that I thought he looked like a dork at the beginning... But seriously, when he showed up on the ship after his 'makeover,' all three of us (I went to see it with two gal pals) kind of gasped in surprise and swooned.
Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer were both fabulous and hilarious. I cringed during the cross-dressing dance scene (but 'awww-ed' when the Captain's crew accepted him for what he was) and laughed like a maniac upon seeing the witch's carriage being pulled by two goats! The seven ghosts were also a comic highlight :).
Definitely a movie I'm keen on re-watching.
And to continue with the theme of fairy-tales and canon couples I did not see coming...
4. Enchanted
Like Stardust, I had no expectation for this movie. I'm not a big fan of Patrick Dempsey, I like James Marsden enough, but I vaguely knew Amy Adams.
Not anymore though ;).
Wow, did she put on a stellar performance! Really, Amy Adams carried the whole movie. Any other actress could have made Giselle irritating, but Amy nailed the Disney fairytale princess role down pat (complete with the high-pitched voice and big glassy eyes), while still making the character COMPLETELY endearing. I mean, how does one do that??? I LOVE her...
And the Robert/Giselle romance!
Yikes, how did I NOT see that coming? At the start, I thought these two had a great chemistry and secretly wanted them together, but I thought it was going to be one of those things, whereby he only helped her to get back to her Prince Charming. Oh how do I love to have been proven wrong! That scene when she was in his PJs and he in his bathrobe! Oh man, HOT/UST/CHEMISTRY city! Too bad this was a Disney... Because I could totally see them ripping each other's clothes right then and there *dirty mind*.
James Marsden was also fabulous as the dashing, but somewhat dim, Prince Charming. I also liked him and thought he looked especially CUTE when he was wearing all the NYC merchandise, including the Liberty headband! Heh... Hilarious. I'm glad his character ended up with Mrs. Taye Diggs Idina Nancy, because, yup, this is a Disney and everyone must live happily ever after.
And I honestly say that without a hint of sarcasm :).
The only thing I didn't like was possibly Susan Sarandon's costume as the evil stepmother queen. It was just WAY over the top. But, in the grand scheme of things, who cares?
You must watch it if you haven't.
3. Damien Rice --- "Amie"
listen/download | lyrics:
"Amie" by Damien Rice
Nothing unusual, nothing strange
Close to nothing at all
The same old scenario, the same old rain
And there's no explosions here
Then something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all
I saw a spaceship fly by your window
Did you see it disappear?
Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
Nothing unusual, nothing's changed
Just a little older that's all
You know when you've found it,
There's something I've learned
'Cause you feel it when they take it away
Something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all
But I'm not a miracle
And you're not a saint
Just another soldier
On the road to nowhere
Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
And Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
Maybe it's because I'm in a romantic mood, but... WOW, this is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard! The acoustic guitar, the full string background, the words! I'm seriously not too into lyrics typically, but I just HAD to look this one up... Listen to it and tell me what you think :).
2. Pushing Daisies
... Especially the part where Ned and Chuck were talking about "International 'Hello' Day." Ned said it in Spanish, while Chuck in Turkish, Indonesian, and Cherokee.
CHUCK: "... [Turkish], Selamat Pagi, [Cherokee]. It's Turkish, Indonesian, and Cherokee, although the Indonesian really says 'Good Day,' which I think is much better than 'Hello,' 'cause what does that say? That says, 'Hi, I'm here, it's your turn to talk.' It's kinda selfish."
NED: *chuckles*
Other than THAT is a GREAT piece of dialogue, I've got to tell you this: I speak Indonesian (in case you don't know) and what she said ("Selamat Pagi") actually means "Good Morning" (Pagi=Morning). "Good Day" is
"Selamat Siang." And both of those greetings are used precisely like their English counterparts... In that, both are typically said in classes or formal meetings. "Hello" is just "Hai" (pronounced like "Hi") in Indonesian.
There you go. Useless fact of the week for ya... I apologize, but otherwise, I could hardly use this specific language skill of mine ;).
In this episode, I particularly loved:
- Ned & Chuck are boyfriend and girlfriend! Awww... Here's to another canon couple I unexpectedly ADORE...
- Chuck & Olive as cat burglars, complete with all the get-up (and high-heels)! So bloody brilliant. I love how these two are love rivals, yet still remaining best friends.
- Molly Shannon's candy shop. The design for that shop was fantastic! Really mouth-watering, despite the eventual dead body in the taffy vat...
- Emerson having the funniest lines each week. This time, I burst out laughing when he referred to Ned as "an attractive man" who shouldn't spend any time in prison. It was very subtle, but, well, could it be...?
- Olive baking a revolver into the prison pie. Hahahahahahaha...
- Alfredo, as a possible love interest for Olive. He's a cool enough guy...
- The idea of a Chuck/Ned/Olive threesome, hee :). Chuck gets his heart, but Olive gets to touch him. I love how both girls were so thrilled when he came home :D.
1. Robin Hood
Caps by three-nails here. Merci beaucoup!
Why do I love Robin Hood so?
I'll illustrate my answers using the latest episode, 2x09 "Lardner's Ring"
+ My OT3: Robin/Marian/Allan!
I know that Robin and Marian are together and, well, the stuff of legends, but I can't help but wish Allan was thrown into the mix. Robin said he hated Allan for betraying him, and kept threatening to kill him, but he never could! Marian saved Allan's neck first time round, so he sort of owed his life to her (or rather, she OWNS him). And that's why, I think, Allan would never betray her...
Well, that, and the fact that Allan's a bit in love with her ;).
a) He once yelled at Robin that one of the reasons he betrayed him was because Robin gets to "get the girl." Sure, that could just be a general statement, but I've chosen to take that as referring to Marian in particular ;).
b) In 2x08, when Marian kissed Guy to distract him, she had her eyes open and on... Allan! And, lemme tell ya, Allan looked jealous, if you ask me...
c) The identity of the Nightwatchman was the one thing Allan always refused to tell Guy.
d) Allan was the one who figured out that Marian wasn't really dead when he noticed her breathing in the season 1 finale.
e) In earlier season 1, Allan made a "nice legs!" comment to Marian that he covered up as referring to her horse, haha...
Yeah, not DAMNING evidence, for sure, but... It's pretty hard for Allan to do anything about it, seeing as both his bosses (Robin and Guy) have dibs are in love with Marian...
+ Robin/Marian
He PROPOSED to her over a fresh grave, but it was ROMANTIC!!! Awww, I didn't think I'd like such an obvious canon couple, but these two just have the right amount of chemistry, angst, and sweetness. I couldn't help awww-ing along throughout the whole scene. Robin was cutely nervous and Marian was clearly delighted!
+ Will/Djaq
THANK YOU, writers, for confirming that we haven't been imagining things! Said confirmation was via Much, who commented that Will & Djaq going off together for "honey" was a "euphemism" (as it wasn't exactly a two-men task) and that he didn't like how the camp was "pairing off" into Robin & Marian and Will & Djaq ---> Watch the scene, thanks to three-nails :).
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see what Will & Djaq were ACTUALLY doing, but we did 'catch up' to them in a village (let's just assume they were rolling around in the field back there, when they heard the ruckus Guy and his men were making and decided to investigate).
The OTHER great Will/Djaq scene was, as usual, very subtle:
After she helped him set the pigeon loose, she kind of gave him this LOOK and jerked her head towards Robin. Will ever the obedient boyfriend took that as his cue to ask Robin about letting Marian back to the castle. That was a classic Will/Djaq moment and I LOVED it :).
+ Will/Allan Friendship and the Possibility of an eventual Allan Redemption
Will was captured, sentenced to death by the Sheriff. He got his chance to say his bit ('How could you betray us? I'd rather die') to Allan, who actually looked hurt. The guest-star of the week jester "fool" guy, who was being tied up next to Will, blatantly snatched the key from Allan. The latter obviously figured it out, seeing as he was a pickpocket himself, but SAID NOTHING to save Will!
Will and Allan shared a look as the former realized that his friend was not COMPLETELY lost.
Come on, PTB! With Marian and Will both aware of his saving qualities, Allan MUST come back to camp! Don't you dare kill him!
Specific to this episode, I also loved:
- The love pigeon story. It was obviously a metaphor for Robin/Marian, who must now be separated --- because that's what's best for now --- but who will eventually find their way back together. Awww...
- Djaq being shown as having a reaction to the possibility that King Richard had captured her people, the Saracens. That was a very realistic and sort of heart-wrenching reminder that she had different hopes/objectives for the War. I also liked how the gang didn't really know what to say to her.
- Allan ALSO playing with Guy's feeling for Marian ("When the sheriff comes back, he'll let Marian die") to save her avoid having to burn down the tree with Robin and Marian in it. Guy, Guy, Guy... You pathetic loser. You obviously missed that mandatory (by the Sheriff) "Villain 101" lesson, whereby they explained how FEELINGS? Make you weak and will be used by your enemies to DESTROY and DOOM YOU. Get a grip, dammit!
I am incredibly obsessed with Robin Hood *sigh*, but I think for good reasons.
C'est tout...
❤ this week:
5. Stardust
I unexpectedly liked this. I wasn't familiar with the book, so I went to the movie with zero expectation. It was fun, magical, tongue-in-cheek witty, action-filled, and really, romantic! I think one of the reasons I liked it so much was because I didn't EXPECT the Tristan & Yvain romance! Duh, I know... But at the beginning, I really thought Tristan would end up with Victoria, though I did also notice that she was rather a bitch...
I think the writers developed the Tristan/Yvain relationship very gradually and subtly that I couldn't help but be pulled into it.
The person playing Tristan also looked familiar, though I still can't place him (both IMDB and wikipedia don't list any prior work of his I might've seen). I must admit that I thought he looked like a dork at the beginning... But seriously, when he showed up on the ship after his 'makeover,' all three of us (I went to see it with two gal pals) kind of gasped in surprise and swooned.
Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer were both fabulous and hilarious. I cringed during the cross-dressing dance scene (but 'awww-ed' when the Captain's crew accepted him for what he was) and laughed like a maniac upon seeing the witch's carriage being pulled by two goats! The seven ghosts were also a comic highlight :).
Definitely a movie I'm keen on re-watching.
And to continue with the theme of fairy-tales and canon couples I did not see coming...
4. Enchanted
Like Stardust, I had no expectation for this movie. I'm not a big fan of Patrick Dempsey, I like James Marsden enough, but I vaguely knew Amy Adams.
Not anymore though ;).
Wow, did she put on a stellar performance! Really, Amy Adams carried the whole movie. Any other actress could have made Giselle irritating, but Amy nailed the Disney fairytale princess role down pat (complete with the high-pitched voice and big glassy eyes), while still making the character COMPLETELY endearing. I mean, how does one do that??? I LOVE her...
And the Robert/Giselle romance!
Yikes, how did I NOT see that coming? At the start, I thought these two had a great chemistry and secretly wanted them together, but I thought it was going to be one of those things, whereby he only helped her to get back to her Prince Charming. Oh how do I love to have been proven wrong! That scene when she was in his PJs and he in his bathrobe! Oh man, HOT/UST/CHEMISTRY city! Too bad this was a Disney... Because I could totally see them ripping each other's clothes right then and there *dirty mind*.
James Marsden was also fabulous as the dashing, but somewhat dim, Prince Charming. I also liked him and thought he looked especially CUTE when he was wearing all the NYC merchandise, including the Liberty headband! Heh... Hilarious. I'm glad his character ended up with Mrs. Taye Diggs Idina Nancy, because, yup, this is a Disney and everyone must live happily ever after.
And I honestly say that without a hint of sarcasm :).
The only thing I didn't like was possibly Susan Sarandon's costume as the evil stepmother queen. It was just WAY over the top. But, in the grand scheme of things, who cares?
You must watch it if you haven't.
3. Damien Rice --- "Amie"
listen/download | lyrics:
"Amie" by Damien Rice
Nothing unusual, nothing strange
Close to nothing at all
The same old scenario, the same old rain
And there's no explosions here
Then something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all
I saw a spaceship fly by your window
Did you see it disappear?
Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
Nothing unusual, nothing's changed
Just a little older that's all
You know when you've found it,
There's something I've learned
'Cause you feel it when they take it away
Something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all
But I'm not a miracle
And you're not a saint
Just another soldier
On the road to nowhere
Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
And Amie come sit on my wall
And read me the story of O
And tell it like you still believe
That the end of the century
Brings a change for you and me
Maybe it's because I'm in a romantic mood, but... WOW, this is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard! The acoustic guitar, the full string background, the words! I'm seriously not too into lyrics typically, but I just HAD to look this one up... Listen to it and tell me what you think :).
2. Pushing Daisies
... Especially the part where Ned and Chuck were talking about "International 'Hello' Day." Ned said it in Spanish, while Chuck in Turkish, Indonesian, and Cherokee.
CHUCK: "... [Turkish], Selamat Pagi, [Cherokee]. It's Turkish, Indonesian, and Cherokee, although the Indonesian really says 'Good Day,' which I think is much better than 'Hello,' 'cause what does that say? That says, 'Hi, I'm here, it's your turn to talk.' It's kinda selfish."
NED: *chuckles*
Other than THAT is a GREAT piece of dialogue, I've got to tell you this: I speak Indonesian (in case you don't know) and what she said ("Selamat Pagi") actually means "Good Morning" (Pagi=Morning). "Good Day" is
"Selamat Siang." And both of those greetings are used precisely like their English counterparts... In that, both are typically said in classes or formal meetings. "Hello" is just "Hai" (pronounced like "Hi") in Indonesian.
There you go. Useless fact of the week for ya... I apologize, but otherwise, I could hardly use this specific language skill of mine ;).
In this episode, I particularly loved:
- Ned & Chuck are boyfriend and girlfriend! Awww... Here's to another canon couple I unexpectedly ADORE...
- Chuck & Olive as cat burglars, complete with all the get-up (and high-heels)! So bloody brilliant. I love how these two are love rivals, yet still remaining best friends.
- Molly Shannon's candy shop. The design for that shop was fantastic! Really mouth-watering, despite the eventual dead body in the taffy vat...
- Emerson having the funniest lines each week. This time, I burst out laughing when he referred to Ned as "an attractive man" who shouldn't spend any time in prison. It was very subtle, but, well, could it be...?
- Olive baking a revolver into the prison pie. Hahahahahahaha...
- Alfredo, as a possible love interest for Olive. He's a cool enough guy...
- The idea of a Chuck/Ned/Olive threesome, hee :). Chuck gets his heart, but Olive gets to touch him. I love how both girls were so thrilled when he came home :D.
1. Robin Hood
Caps by three-nails here. Merci beaucoup!
Why do I love Robin Hood so?
I'll illustrate my answers using the latest episode, 2x09 "Lardner's Ring"
+ My OT3: Robin/Marian/Allan!
I know that Robin and Marian are together and, well, the stuff of legends, but I can't help but wish Allan was thrown into the mix. Robin said he hated Allan for betraying him, and kept threatening to kill him, but he never could! Marian saved Allan's neck first time round, so he sort of owed his life to her (or rather, she OWNS him). And that's why, I think, Allan would never betray her...
Well, that, and the fact that Allan's a bit in love with her ;).
a) He once yelled at Robin that one of the reasons he betrayed him was because Robin gets to "get the girl." Sure, that could just be a general statement, but I've chosen to take that as referring to Marian in particular ;).
b) In 2x08, when Marian kissed Guy to distract him, she had her eyes open and on... Allan! And, lemme tell ya, Allan looked jealous, if you ask me...
c) The identity of the Nightwatchman was the one thing Allan always refused to tell Guy.
d) Allan was the one who figured out that Marian wasn't really dead when he noticed her breathing in the season 1 finale.
e) In earlier season 1, Allan made a "nice legs!" comment to Marian that he covered up as referring to her horse, haha...
Yeah, not DAMNING evidence, for sure, but... It's pretty hard for Allan to do anything about it, seeing as both his bosses (Robin and Guy) have dibs are in love with Marian...
+ Robin/Marian
He PROPOSED to her over a fresh grave, but it was ROMANTIC!!! Awww, I didn't think I'd like such an obvious canon couple, but these two just have the right amount of chemistry, angst, and sweetness. I couldn't help awww-ing along throughout the whole scene. Robin was cutely nervous and Marian was clearly delighted!
+ Will/Djaq
THANK YOU, writers, for confirming that we haven't been imagining things! Said confirmation was via Much, who commented that Will & Djaq going off together for "honey" was a "euphemism" (as it wasn't exactly a two-men task) and that he didn't like how the camp was "pairing off" into Robin & Marian and Will & Djaq ---> Watch the scene, thanks to three-nails :).
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see what Will & Djaq were ACTUALLY doing, but we did 'catch up' to them in a village (let's just assume they were rolling around in the field back there, when they heard the ruckus Guy and his men were making and decided to investigate).
The OTHER great Will/Djaq scene was, as usual, very subtle:
After she helped him set the pigeon loose, she kind of gave him this LOOK and jerked her head towards Robin. Will ever the obedient boyfriend took that as his cue to ask Robin about letting Marian back to the castle. That was a classic Will/Djaq moment and I LOVED it :).
+ Will/Allan Friendship and the Possibility of an eventual Allan Redemption
Will was captured, sentenced to death by the Sheriff. He got his chance to say his bit ('How could you betray us? I'd rather die') to Allan, who actually looked hurt. The guest-star of the week jester "fool" guy, who was being tied up next to Will, blatantly snatched the key from Allan. The latter obviously figured it out, seeing as he was a pickpocket himself, but SAID NOTHING to save Will!
Will and Allan shared a look as the former realized that his friend was not COMPLETELY lost.
Come on, PTB! With Marian and Will both aware of his saving qualities, Allan MUST come back to camp! Don't you dare kill him!
Specific to this episode, I also loved:
- The love pigeon story. It was obviously a metaphor for Robin/Marian, who must now be separated --- because that's what's best for now --- but who will eventually find their way back together. Awww...
- Djaq being shown as having a reaction to the possibility that King Richard had captured her people, the Saracens. That was a very realistic and sort of heart-wrenching reminder that she had different hopes/objectives for the War. I also liked how the gang didn't really know what to say to her.
- Allan ALSO playing with Guy's feeling for Marian ("When the sheriff comes back, he'll let Marian die") to save her avoid having to burn down the tree with Robin and Marian in it. Guy, Guy, Guy... You pathetic loser. You obviously missed that mandatory (by the Sheriff) "Villain 101" lesson, whereby they explained how FEELINGS? Make you weak and will be used by your enemies to DESTROY and DOOM YOU. Get a grip, dammit!
I am incredibly obsessed with Robin Hood *sigh*, but I think for good reasons.
C'est tout...