Like a shotgun needs an outcome | Huuuuuge post of fandom related things
It has been an unconscionably long time since I posted anything, let alone fandom related. So here's a giant makeup post. ;D In my defence, new fandoms are extremely fun, and holidays are extremely busy. And if you've got me on Tumblr, I tend to be on there far more these days. THE PRETTY GRAPHICS ARE ADDICTIVE GUYS, FORGIVE ME.
It's been a busy week for the extended Sherlock Holmes universe. The trailer for the next RDJ Sherlock Holmes film, A Game of Shadows is certainly interesting. HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THAT MARY AND WATSON GOT MARRIED AND STILL HAVE TO BRING ALONG SHERLOCK AND HIS MADCAP HAPPENINGS ON THEIR HONEYMOON? I really, really hope we get to see more Mary and her awesome. I might be the only one in fandom that actually loved Mary and her role in the first film. (Also this fic sticks in my mind vividly and is amazing and how can you not love Mary?) And as much as I am cut by a lack of Irene, the Noomi Rapace character looks fun and kickass. So there's that. The drag scene made me role my eyes a bit thought, it felt like a unfunny attempt at cheap laughs.
On the other end of the adaptation spectrum, there's been pictures from Sherlock season 2 filming. I've been studiously avoiding spoilers, but I peeked at the synopsis things that have been floating about. It'll be really awesome to see an updated Irene, especially considering the series's track record with women so far has been poor, to say the least. And Russel Tovey eeee. :D I'll be glad to see more Doctor Who alumi on Sherlock, just for the lulz and possible crossovers (he did play Captain Jack's possible fling, soooo). One can smell the veritable cascade of crossover slash fic from this point in the space-time continuum already.
And on a tangential note to Sherlock, THE HOBBIT OMG. I'm so excited for this film, it's ridiculous. It's my favorite of the LotR books, and the cast. THE CAST. I can't even. If anyone who's reading this hasn't already read The Hobbit, you really are missing out. It's shorter, funnier and the plot is much tighter. Plus I much prefer Bilbo as a protagonist than Frodo. I know I'm far behind the times, but Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug is PERFECT CASTING FILMMAKERS. ALSO, HOW COOL WILL ALL THE SMAUG/BILBO SCENES BE!? EEEEEEE. ALL MY SQUEES!
I went to watch Deathly Hallows Part 2 on the 13th (love being an Aussie) and I've held off posting thoughts, but I might as well, since everyone's got it now. :D As much as I wanted to love, love, love it, I don't think I can. It's certainly epic and fun, but it missed a few crucial elements to me. The Gringotts escape was for the most part perfect, and seriously, HERMIONE YOU ARE THE BEST. I remember going 'And that's why they'd be screwed without Hermione' as soon as she grabbed the dragon. OH TRIO! Voldemort walking through the dead bodies, in a floor with blood puddles was gross in all the best ways. The Room of Requirement scenes were pretty spot on (did we all spot Lockhart's Cornish pixies from the third movie?). The battle was pretty well filmed. It really impressed the sense of destruction and just mindless waste. Lavender and the werewolf is a scene I think especially worked. Also, McGonogall in this film was done so damn well! Her battle with Snape was A+++++. THE WHOLE THEATRE ENDED UP CHEERING WHEN SHE STEPPED FORWARD. And their faces! They said so much about their respective feelings toward each other! All those years of working with Dumbledore, with each other, and how it had all crumbled. Dammit, I need fic! AND SNAPE'S DEATH. The death scene itself was just- I have no words. I think the thing that absolutely sold me was his pose. So very hard and unknowable to the end. (Clutching Lily's dead body however made me go WTF... HOW MANY PEOPLE TURNED UP AT THE POTTERS' THAT NIGHT!? Though this gives every Severtius fic writer serious points.) And the 'always' motif was well used. Lily's love for Harry was just as pivotal as Snape's love for Lily.
However, I was disappointed with how they handled the Ron/Hermione kiss. I honestly didn't like it at all. It was missing all the banter and frustration and timing of the book's kiss, and Harry wasn't even there to snark. Similarly Fred's death were sort of cheated out of screen time. Molly's takedown of Bellatrix felt sort of like it was shoved in, as did Neville killing Nagini. I honestly felt the Neville/Sorting Hat/Voldemort scene was perfect in the book, and it just wasn't done justice in the movie. As much as he was a BAMF regardless, it was his pivotal moment, and I really didn't like what changes they made with it. (Also where did the Neville/Luna come from? Not really complaining but... what? I am confused.) Also, McGonogall, as much as I love you, why would you send all the Slytherins to the dungeons? So much for 'not every Slytherin is evil', geez. I understand the practicality of it, in-universe, but it really sucks for the message it sends. The forest scene was so-so (which really was when I was like, "I have expectations that are far too high. It's never going to be that absolutely, perfect film.") and Teddy wasn't there at all! TEDDY LUPIN, AWW. :'( All the Godfather-cyclical-symbolism stuff they missed out on! The epilogue scenes were as expected, considering almost no one loved it. AND DRACO MALFOY LOOKED REALLY OLD. I actually laughed really loudly. And my biggest, absolute peeve: HARRY BROKE THE ELDER WAND! One of the strongest, most vital elements, of Harry's story and character is that he gives up the Elder Wand and fixes his own. That rejection is one of the most symbolic scenes in the book, and they didn't resolve the problem of Harry's wandlessness at all! WTF? No, seriously, what?
I think on the whole, the movie had the greatest problems where they had to cut out some of the more symbolic elements of the books. The bits that really give them depth and meaning, and that sucks. But, I guess, it's a movie. It does what it can. So, there you go. For all my WTFs I still didn't want to leave the theatre. Oh Harry Potter. May you survive for centuries to come, to be read by many generations not yet thought of.
AND GUYS, GUYS! CELTIC HISTORY TIEM + REDHEADS + SCOTTISH ACCENTS = BRAVE.
I am so excited, just watch me bounce. (And Craig Fergusonnnnn. :DDDD)
Rizzoli & Isles is also back on TV. The first episode was right in line with the lovely perfectness of last season. AND LESBIAN SUBTEXT? Basically text, because seriously Maura wants in your pants Jane. SHE KEEPS TELLING YOU TO HAVE SEX AND TOUCHING YOUR ABDOMEN. Take a hint! The soldier love interest reminded me of John Watson the entire time. HE WAS JOHN (the facial resemblance to Martin Freeman is startling!) BUT SLIGHTLY OLDER AND A LITTLE BIT AMERICAN (his accent was half and half, so there you go, AU waiting to happen). So, YAY and GIMME MORE OF THE SAME!
NOW, FOR NEW FANDOM SQUEE. I've been attempting to get through the laaaaaaaaarge list of shows I've been seduced into watching.
I've absolutely fallen in love with Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, I WANT YOU FOR QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. Isn't that the reaction of anyone who watches Parks and Rec? ISN'T IT!? :D And as if she weren't amazing and special and FANTASTIC enough, she's "more of a Harry Potter girl". BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE COOL KIDS ARE AT. I ♥ you so bad Leslie Knope. Parks and Rec manages to be wry and witty and real and still manage to make me feel vaguely hopeful at the end of an episode. And seriously, Ron's bitch faces? BEST. EVER. I am SO EXCITED FOR NEXT SEASON, I don't even know. FYI, I can't decide what to ship. I knew Ben would turn up eventually, so all through S1 and 2 I managed not to be too heartbroken every time Leslie broke up with her cute boyfriends. They were all pretty cute, I've got to say. Especially Dave (who was the meanest cop before he met Leslie, awwwww) and even Justin, who was kind of annoying. Well done, Knope. BUT RON/LESLIE. Seriously, I didn't mean to ship it, it just sort of happened. And that pointed conversation about blondes not being his type, TOTALLY OVERCOMPENSATING FOR LESLIE BEING HIS FAVOURTIEEEEEE. :DDDD But Ben/Leslie reached unbearably cute levels! Political kink! He's a Star Wars nerd and she's a HP girl! HIS PLAID SHIRTS AND SKINNY HIPSTER TIES! THEIR SECRET HANDSHAKE OF CUTENESS! IDEK GUYS. I didn't know I need this show in my life, but now that I have it, I don't want it to enddddd everrrr. Or if it does end, it ends with Leslie sitting in the Oval Office. THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS I WILL ACCEPT.
I've also been eating through crime drama. Luther is the most investing crime saga I've seen in a long time. Kudos to the BBC, it's really quite scary (that case with the masked dude and the kids? THE SCARIEST!). It's been a very long time since I've been terrified so consistently. Luther is simultaneously very sympathetic and very annoying. His melancholy is hard to stand for whole seasons, but I guess it's part of the charm of the show. I'm torn between admiring and being really creeped out by Alice, which I suppose is about right. DS Ripley and DS Grey are both really interesting characters, and their reflections on Luther are really interesting to see play out. Surprisingly, I find the professional relationships vs. personal relationships balance really well managed. The overlap is unusually well done (i.e. the Zoe/death/Ian episodes). I thought I'd be more annoyed by Jenny's character and arc, but they actually managed to make the aftermath of it far more interesting than I'd anticipated. IDK, this show is just really well made and cast. BBC, give me a Season 3! They have a real gem here.
Continuing on the dark crime vein, I've started watching Wallander. Mostly for the small part Tom Hiddleston plays (he was quite scene stealing in Thor) but also because it, like Luther, is rather genuinely frightening. The cases are quite twisted, and it's just generally really well made (plus Rupert Graves makes a cameo, as does the dude playing Anderson). As a caveat, Wallander (played by Kenneth Branagh) is possibly the most depressing main character ever. You can't watch the show in large chunks, it's that overpowering. I myself haven't managed to finish season 2 yet for that reason. But still worth checking out if you have a day or two free sometime. :D
Aaaaand, on the subject of crime, WHITE COLLAR OMG. I'm frankly surprised I haven't gotten around to this show earlier. First there's the obvious attraction of the show itself, and then there's Matt Bomer's face (which, hats off, to Chuck for introducing me to). But what really sold me was a combination of the show Suits (which I am going to dive into as soon as I'm finished with White Collar) being all over my dash and flist and being described to me as 'White Collar with more lawyers' and this epic thing:
YOU SEE HOW COOL IT IS? WHY ISN'T IT REAL?
Anyway, this show knows how to maximise it's assets. Matt Bomer is incredibly attractive and I like that he gets to be eyecandy ALL THE TIME. It's impressive how many people you can ship him with in every episode. And I mean, literally, ship him with everyone. All through Season One Neal keeps giving Peter 'do me' looks, and I AM NOT KIDDING YOU, the show is basically their epic love story. The bit where Neal's off to start his new life with Kate, long-time girlfriend, and Peter turns up. I SWEAR TO YOU, IT HAD ALL THE HALLMARKS OF A 'GOODBYE, I SHALL ALWAYS LOVE YOU' SCENE. I'm not even putting on slash goggles here, tbh. Kate herself says that 'Peter turning up would ruin everything'. THE GIRL KNOWS A RIVAL WHEN SHE SEES ONE. It's ridiculous how slashy this show is. But, as slashy as it is, there are some bitching ladies and really hot, het ships. Infact, all the ladies are bitching, and Kate is assumedly bitching, because she matches Neal puzzle for puzzle and remains crafty and mysterious even through the rose coloured tints of Neal's memories. I especially love Diana who is the smartest cookie in the room, has a hot girlfriend and manages to save herself and then laugh and pat the other agents on the head when they burst in, guns blazing. :D ALSO ALL MY LOVE FOR ELIZABETH, who is so fantastic (even when we only get 2 seconds of her in an episode) and randomly whacks Peter on the butt for her own lulz. A woman to admire. ;D Peter/Elizabeth/Neal is the most delightful dynamic ever. And Sara, who I maintain has the best intro in the series. IT WAS SO PERFECT AND HILARIOUS and I almost wish Sara and Neal hadn't hooked up just so we could get more snipey banter. :D
AND SO I LEAVE YOU. Have some Amy Pond fanvids, and TYFYT.
It's been a busy week for the extended Sherlock Holmes universe. The trailer for the next RDJ Sherlock Holmes film, A Game of Shadows is certainly interesting. HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THAT MARY AND WATSON GOT MARRIED AND STILL HAVE TO BRING ALONG SHERLOCK AND HIS MADCAP HAPPENINGS ON THEIR HONEYMOON? I really, really hope we get to see more Mary and her awesome. I might be the only one in fandom that actually loved Mary and her role in the first film. (Also this fic sticks in my mind vividly and is amazing and how can you not love Mary?) And as much as I am cut by a lack of Irene, the Noomi Rapace character looks fun and kickass. So there's that. The drag scene made me role my eyes a bit thought, it felt like a unfunny attempt at cheap laughs.
On the other end of the adaptation spectrum, there's been pictures from Sherlock season 2 filming. I've been studiously avoiding spoilers, but I peeked at the synopsis things that have been floating about. It'll be really awesome to see an updated Irene, especially considering the series's track record with women so far has been poor, to say the least. And Russel Tovey eeee. :D I'll be glad to see more Doctor Who alumi on Sherlock, just for the lulz and possible crossovers (he did play Captain Jack's possible fling, soooo). One can smell the veritable cascade of crossover slash fic from this point in the space-time continuum already.
And on a tangential note to Sherlock, THE HOBBIT OMG. I'm so excited for this film, it's ridiculous. It's my favorite of the LotR books, and the cast. THE CAST. I can't even. If anyone who's reading this hasn't already read The Hobbit, you really are missing out. It's shorter, funnier and the plot is much tighter. Plus I much prefer Bilbo as a protagonist than Frodo. I know I'm far behind the times, but Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug is PERFECT CASTING FILMMAKERS. ALSO, HOW COOL WILL ALL THE SMAUG/BILBO SCENES BE!? EEEEEEE. ALL MY SQUEES!
I went to watch Deathly Hallows Part 2 on the 13th (love being an Aussie) and I've held off posting thoughts, but I might as well, since everyone's got it now. :D As much as I wanted to love, love, love it, I don't think I can. It's certainly epic and fun, but it missed a few crucial elements to me. The Gringotts escape was for the most part perfect, and seriously, HERMIONE YOU ARE THE BEST. I remember going 'And that's why they'd be screwed without Hermione' as soon as she grabbed the dragon. OH TRIO! Voldemort walking through the dead bodies, in a floor with blood puddles was gross in all the best ways. The Room of Requirement scenes were pretty spot on (did we all spot Lockhart's Cornish pixies from the third movie?). The battle was pretty well filmed. It really impressed the sense of destruction and just mindless waste. Lavender and the werewolf is a scene I think especially worked. Also, McGonogall in this film was done so damn well! Her battle with Snape was A+++++. THE WHOLE THEATRE ENDED UP CHEERING WHEN SHE STEPPED FORWARD. And their faces! They said so much about their respective feelings toward each other! All those years of working with Dumbledore, with each other, and how it had all crumbled. Dammit, I need fic! AND SNAPE'S DEATH. The death scene itself was just- I have no words. I think the thing that absolutely sold me was his pose. So very hard and unknowable to the end. (Clutching Lily's dead body however made me go WTF... HOW MANY PEOPLE TURNED UP AT THE POTTERS' THAT NIGHT!? Though this gives every Severtius fic writer serious points.) And the 'always' motif was well used. Lily's love for Harry was just as pivotal as Snape's love for Lily.
However, I was disappointed with how they handled the Ron/Hermione kiss. I honestly didn't like it at all. It was missing all the banter and frustration and timing of the book's kiss, and Harry wasn't even there to snark. Similarly Fred's death were sort of cheated out of screen time. Molly's takedown of Bellatrix felt sort of like it was shoved in, as did Neville killing Nagini. I honestly felt the Neville/Sorting Hat/Voldemort scene was perfect in the book, and it just wasn't done justice in the movie. As much as he was a BAMF regardless, it was his pivotal moment, and I really didn't like what changes they made with it. (Also where did the Neville/Luna come from? Not really complaining but... what? I am confused.) Also, McGonogall, as much as I love you, why would you send all the Slytherins to the dungeons? So much for 'not every Slytherin is evil', geez. I understand the practicality of it, in-universe, but it really sucks for the message it sends. The forest scene was so-so (which really was when I was like, "I have expectations that are far too high. It's never going to be that absolutely, perfect film.") and Teddy wasn't there at all! TEDDY LUPIN, AWW. :'( All the Godfather-cyclical-symbolism stuff they missed out on! The epilogue scenes were as expected, considering almost no one loved it. AND DRACO MALFOY LOOKED REALLY OLD. I actually laughed really loudly. And my biggest, absolute peeve: HARRY BROKE THE ELDER WAND! One of the strongest, most vital elements, of Harry's story and character is that he gives up the Elder Wand and fixes his own. That rejection is one of the most symbolic scenes in the book, and they didn't resolve the problem of Harry's wandlessness at all! WTF? No, seriously, what?
I think on the whole, the movie had the greatest problems where they had to cut out some of the more symbolic elements of the books. The bits that really give them depth and meaning, and that sucks. But, I guess, it's a movie. It does what it can. So, there you go. For all my WTFs I still didn't want to leave the theatre. Oh Harry Potter. May you survive for centuries to come, to be read by many generations not yet thought of.
AND GUYS, GUYS! CELTIC HISTORY TIEM + REDHEADS + SCOTTISH ACCENTS = BRAVE.
Click to viewI am so excited, just watch me bounce. (And Craig Fergusonnnnn. :DDDD)
Rizzoli & Isles is also back on TV. The first episode was right in line with the lovely perfectness of last season. AND LESBIAN SUBTEXT? Basically text, because seriously Maura wants in your pants Jane. SHE KEEPS TELLING YOU TO HAVE SEX AND TOUCHING YOUR ABDOMEN. Take a hint! The soldier love interest reminded me of John Watson the entire time. HE WAS JOHN (the facial resemblance to Martin Freeman is startling!) BUT SLIGHTLY OLDER AND A LITTLE BIT AMERICAN (his accent was half and half, so there you go, AU waiting to happen). So, YAY and GIMME MORE OF THE SAME!
NOW, FOR NEW FANDOM SQUEE. I've been attempting to get through the laaaaaaaaarge list of shows I've been seduced into watching.
I've absolutely fallen in love with Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, I WANT YOU FOR QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. Isn't that the reaction of anyone who watches Parks and Rec? ISN'T IT!? :D And as if she weren't amazing and special and FANTASTIC enough, she's "more of a Harry Potter girl". BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE COOL KIDS ARE AT. I ♥ you so bad Leslie Knope. Parks and Rec manages to be wry and witty and real and still manage to make me feel vaguely hopeful at the end of an episode. And seriously, Ron's bitch faces? BEST. EVER. I am SO EXCITED FOR NEXT SEASON, I don't even know. FYI, I can't decide what to ship. I knew Ben would turn up eventually, so all through S1 and 2 I managed not to be too heartbroken every time Leslie broke up with her cute boyfriends. They were all pretty cute, I've got to say. Especially Dave (who was the meanest cop before he met Leslie, awwwww) and even Justin, who was kind of annoying. Well done, Knope. BUT RON/LESLIE. Seriously, I didn't mean to ship it, it just sort of happened. And that pointed conversation about blondes not being his type, TOTALLY OVERCOMPENSATING FOR LESLIE BEING HIS FAVOURTIEEEEEE. :DDDD But Ben/Leslie reached unbearably cute levels! Political kink! He's a Star Wars nerd and she's a HP girl! HIS PLAID SHIRTS AND SKINNY HIPSTER TIES! THEIR SECRET HANDSHAKE OF CUTENESS! IDEK GUYS. I didn't know I need this show in my life, but now that I have it, I don't want it to enddddd everrrr. Or if it does end, it ends with Leslie sitting in the Oval Office. THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS I WILL ACCEPT.
I've also been eating through crime drama. Luther is the most investing crime saga I've seen in a long time. Kudos to the BBC, it's really quite scary (that case with the masked dude and the kids? THE SCARIEST!). It's been a very long time since I've been terrified so consistently. Luther is simultaneously very sympathetic and very annoying. His melancholy is hard to stand for whole seasons, but I guess it's part of the charm of the show. I'm torn between admiring and being really creeped out by Alice, which I suppose is about right. DS Ripley and DS Grey are both really interesting characters, and their reflections on Luther are really interesting to see play out. Surprisingly, I find the professional relationships vs. personal relationships balance really well managed. The overlap is unusually well done (i.e. the Zoe/death/Ian episodes). I thought I'd be more annoyed by Jenny's character and arc, but they actually managed to make the aftermath of it far more interesting than I'd anticipated. IDK, this show is just really well made and cast. BBC, give me a Season 3! They have a real gem here.
Continuing on the dark crime vein, I've started watching Wallander. Mostly for the small part Tom Hiddleston plays (he was quite scene stealing in Thor) but also because it, like Luther, is rather genuinely frightening. The cases are quite twisted, and it's just generally really well made (plus Rupert Graves makes a cameo, as does the dude playing Anderson). As a caveat, Wallander (played by Kenneth Branagh) is possibly the most depressing main character ever. You can't watch the show in large chunks, it's that overpowering. I myself haven't managed to finish season 2 yet for that reason. But still worth checking out if you have a day or two free sometime. :D
Aaaaand, on the subject of crime, WHITE COLLAR OMG. I'm frankly surprised I haven't gotten around to this show earlier. First there's the obvious attraction of the show itself, and then there's Matt Bomer's face (which, hats off, to Chuck for introducing me to). But what really sold me was a combination of the show Suits (which I am going to dive into as soon as I'm finished with White Collar) being all over my dash and flist and being described to me as 'White Collar with more lawyers' and this epic thing:
YOU SEE HOW COOL IT IS? WHY ISN'T IT REAL?
Anyway, this show knows how to maximise it's assets. Matt Bomer is incredibly attractive and I like that he gets to be eyecandy ALL THE TIME. It's impressive how many people you can ship him with in every episode. And I mean, literally, ship him with everyone. All through Season One Neal keeps giving Peter 'do me' looks, and I AM NOT KIDDING YOU, the show is basically their epic love story. The bit where Neal's off to start his new life with Kate, long-time girlfriend, and Peter turns up. I SWEAR TO YOU, IT HAD ALL THE HALLMARKS OF A 'GOODBYE, I SHALL ALWAYS LOVE YOU' SCENE. I'm not even putting on slash goggles here, tbh. Kate herself says that 'Peter turning up would ruin everything'. THE GIRL KNOWS A RIVAL WHEN SHE SEES ONE. It's ridiculous how slashy this show is. But, as slashy as it is, there are some bitching ladies and really hot, het ships. Infact, all the ladies are bitching, and Kate is assumedly bitching, because she matches Neal puzzle for puzzle and remains crafty and mysterious even through the rose coloured tints of Neal's memories. I especially love Diana who is the smartest cookie in the room, has a hot girlfriend and manages to save herself and then laugh and pat the other agents on the head when they burst in, guns blazing. :D ALSO ALL MY LOVE FOR ELIZABETH, who is so fantastic (even when we only get 2 seconds of her in an episode) and randomly whacks Peter on the butt for her own lulz. A woman to admire. ;D Peter/Elizabeth/Neal is the most delightful dynamic ever. And Sara, who I maintain has the best intro in the series. IT WAS SO PERFECT AND HILARIOUS and I almost wish Sara and Neal hadn't hooked up just so we could get more snipey banter. :D
AND SO I LEAVE YOU. Have some Amy Pond fanvids, and TYFYT.