a sampling of the latest
As I mentioned on Twitter the other day, this weekend I made actual (and decent) progress on the Story of Doom. Or, as I've been referring to it recently, my bête noire, my Beast of Gevaudan. This leaves me feeling pleased and terrified all at once.
I am also working on the next Stella/Flack story for stagesoflove, as well as plotting out the next Danny/Mac/Stella story for the same project.
In keeping with the "big monsters" theme of the weekend, I finally got around to listening to the commentary track and watching the (nearly four hours worth of) extras on the Extended Edition DVD of Peter Jackson's King Kong. (I've only had it since Christmas. Hush.)
I really, really love watching the kind of detailed hard work that goes into making a movie that's this complex and heavy on the special effects, and the intensive thought that goes into even the smallest detail. This may be a subset of my competence kink, but it's just a really good, happy-making thing to watch people doing things that they are both extraordinarily good at and, clearly, deeply love.
Related to this: King Kong probably is too long, as it was frequently criticized for. I can't ever fault Jackson for this, though, just because of the sheer love that went into the whole thing, and his unabashed deep joy at finally getting to realize his childhood dream.
The insect pit scene is just as horrifying to look at when the soundtrack consists of Jackson chatting happily away about influences and effects and shooting anecdotes. Especially the, um, penis-with-teeth thing. Good God in heaven. (This was the scene during which, when we saw it in the theater, J. and I decided we both needed a bathroom break, and I still say that was a damn wise choice on our part.)
Caitlín R. Kiernan has an upcoming short story inspired by Jackson's film, which I am really, really looking forward to reading.
Nine days until my vacation! Nine days!
I am also working on the next Stella/Flack story for stagesoflove, as well as plotting out the next Danny/Mac/Stella story for the same project.
In keeping with the "big monsters" theme of the weekend, I finally got around to listening to the commentary track and watching the (nearly four hours worth of) extras on the Extended Edition DVD of Peter Jackson's King Kong. (I've only had it since Christmas. Hush.)
I really, really love watching the kind of detailed hard work that goes into making a movie that's this complex and heavy on the special effects, and the intensive thought that goes into even the smallest detail. This may be a subset of my competence kink, but it's just a really good, happy-making thing to watch people doing things that they are both extraordinarily good at and, clearly, deeply love.
Related to this: King Kong probably is too long, as it was frequently criticized for. I can't ever fault Jackson for this, though, just because of the sheer love that went into the whole thing, and his unabashed deep joy at finally getting to realize his childhood dream.
The insect pit scene is just as horrifying to look at when the soundtrack consists of Jackson chatting happily away about influences and effects and shooting anecdotes. Especially the, um, penis-with-teeth thing. Good God in heaven. (This was the scene during which, when we saw it in the theater, J. and I decided we both needed a bathroom break, and I still say that was a damn wise choice on our part.)
Caitlín R. Kiernan has an upcoming short story inspired by Jackson's film, which I am really, really looking forward to reading.
Nine days until my vacation! Nine days!