My retarded "Innocent" pose.
The life and times of a geek/gamer girl.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Friday, December 28, 2012
Update: A Very Merry Christmas!
Merry (late) Christmas!
I hope it was a jolly day for one and all, I know I enjoyed myself :)
Did anyone else get any awesome geeky presents?
I hope it was a jolly day for one and all, I know I enjoyed myself :)
Did anyone else get any awesome geeky presents?
My family obviously knows what I like :D
Now that Christmas is over, there is the New Year to look forward to!
For 2012, my friends hosted a Dr Who themed New Years's party.
They asked me to make a TARDIS cake, which I gladly did.
It's tastier on the inside (;
(Crappy picture, yes. Believe me, it looked much better in person.)
I'm thinking something equally as epic is in order for 2013.
After all, we DID survive a major apocalypse ;)
I think a Hobbit themed party would be awesome, since the movie just came out and all.
Can I get an amen?!
In other fairly trivial news, I've decided who I want to cosplay for ECC 2013!
As of right now, it's pretty much just a lowly aspiration, as I'm out of cash and such.
But, it is something to strive for, and strive I do!
Meet Ember, a wondrous member of the ElfQuest family.
She's charming, I know.
The only thing that's got me really worried is the ears.
I'll have to custom make them out of latex.
Either that,or build unto another pair of elf ears I already own. That might work too. Oh dear!
Speaking of latex ears, I have a story to tell you!
Just about a year ago, I ordered some elf ears through Amazon from Aradini Studios.
Aradini Studios makes wonderful products, and I definitely recommend them.
The ears are beautiful, and have lasted for me very well.
I received my ears in the mail, along with a receipt.
On the back of the receipt was printed artwork titled "Counter This!" by Paul Bielaczyc.
I'd post it here, but don't want to violate any copyrights. Here's a link instead: Counter This!
I fell in love with the art right away, and immediately hung it up.
It even survived the move to Idaho, and graces my wall to this day.
I think it's brilliant, and always said so to anyone who cared to ask or comments about it.
I look at it a ridiculous amount of times a day, and enjoy studying it in detail.
Yeah, you get the picture, I freaking love it.
Well, about a week ago, I received a message on Facebook from Paul Bielaczyc.
At the time, I didn't know who he was, as I hadn't committed the artist of the picture to memory.
The gist of his message was this: He had been browsing ThinkGeek and saw a comment I posted on their Pi Wrapping Paper.
He happened to click on my picture, and then saw a photo of me cosplaying Link.
Like anyone could resist exploring that further!
Upon doing so, he saw a comment I had posted, telling a friend were I bought the ears.
He then messaged me to thank me for recommending him and his brother's company, and to tell me the awesome (not stalkerish, he assured me) way he'd come across the comment.
Upon reading that, I RAN to my room as fast as possible to check the name on the picture.
And sure enough, it was him! I then proceed to geek out in extreme.
I feel sorry for the guy, as my reply message was probably the equivalent of a fan girl squeal.
We corresponded a bit more, and I learned that my receipt was a printer malfunction, and therefore one-of-a-kind.
The art was suppose to be printed on a different kind of paper, and when the laser printer messed up, Paul just recycled it as my receipt.
The whole thing pretty much made my month.
The end, finally.
Thank you for lending an ear to my babbling!
This post is dedicated to a friend of mine who recently succumbed to his wounds.
R.I.P. Kirby </3
P.S. If anyone is interested, I've opened a Twitter account: Atomic Kitten's Twitter
Fallow me for random & awesome tweets and updates.Wednesday, December 26, 2012
"The Bro Zone"
I'm sure you've all heard of the notorious "Friend Zone": that deep pit guys fall into when a person of the opposite sex places them in the "friend" category rather than the "potential lover" category.
Once Friend Zone status has been reached, it's nearly impossible to squirm your way out of.
But you already know about that.
I am here today to introduce you to something new.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet "The Bro Zone"
Now, the Bro Zone is very similar to the Friend zone, but there are some major differences.
1. The Bro Zone is a female death-trap, not a male one.
2. It's may be easier to get out of the Bro Zone than it is to get out of the Friend Zone .
3. While The Friend Zone is widely known and recognized, The Bro Zone remains below radar.
When a girl is put into the Bro Zone, it's usually because she has more of what you might call "masculine" qualities. Though I think that's a load of BS, it's the best way I can find to describe it.
Generally, a Bro Zoned girl is more of a Tomboy or Geek. You'll rarely find her in a mini skirt, and she probably enjoys things like football and video games.
She gets along great with guys, and so she has a lot of guy friends. She may or may not like any number of these guys, but finds herself outside the radar of their attraction meter.
Off the map of their hunting zone.
Bypassed by the love bus.
Whatever the hell you want to call it.
Now, I myself have been Bro Zoned enough to make me sick, but that doesn't mean I'm "looking" for a guy, or even that I like any of these dudes.
Never the less, I do find it aggravating in it's own special way.
Not only are you disregarded as someone who could be "relationship-worthy", but you can also be subject to random "guy talk" about other women, which can definitely get on the nerves.
The Bro Zone is like The Friend Zone in that you KNOW you'd be better for these guys than that random chick they have their eye on.
Again, not saying I'm desperate or even like these guys, but I can still see that what they're going after just isn't cutting it.
You're the one who plays video games with them for hours.
You're the one who puts up with their disgusting dialog.
You're the one who understands them better then they do at times.
But, still, you're pushed aside for the next dumb blond.
It gets old.
It's not even that I can get jealous, or that I want a boyfriend.
It's the utter disregard for how, well, sexual (( Definition (#2) )) I am!
And who knows? Maybe one day I'd like to wear cute matching couple T-shirts with one of these guys, and I don't want that to be nigh on impossible.
So, please, stop Bro Zoning me!
Thanks.
Once Friend Zone status has been reached, it's nearly impossible to squirm your way out of.
But you already know about that.
I am here today to introduce you to something new.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet "The Bro Zone"
Now, the Bro Zone is very similar to the Friend zone, but there are some major differences.
1. The Bro Zone is a female death-trap, not a male one.
2. It's may be easier to get out of the Bro Zone than it is to get out of the Friend Zone .
3. While The Friend Zone is widely known and recognized, The Bro Zone remains below radar.
When a girl is put into the Bro Zone, it's usually because she has more of what you might call "masculine" qualities. Though I think that's a load of BS, it's the best way I can find to describe it.
Generally, a Bro Zoned girl is more of a Tomboy or Geek. You'll rarely find her in a mini skirt, and she probably enjoys things like football and video games.
She gets along great with guys, and so she has a lot of guy friends. She may or may not like any number of these guys, but finds herself outside the radar of their attraction meter.
Off the map of their hunting zone.
Bypassed by the love bus.
Whatever the hell you want to call it.
Now, I myself have been Bro Zoned enough to make me sick, but that doesn't mean I'm "looking" for a guy, or even that I like any of these dudes.
Never the less, I do find it aggravating in it's own special way.
Not only are you disregarded as someone who could be "relationship-worthy", but you can also be subject to random "guy talk" about other women, which can definitely get on the nerves.
The Bro Zone is like The Friend Zone in that you KNOW you'd be better for these guys than that random chick they have their eye on.
Again, not saying I'm desperate or even like these guys, but I can still see that what they're going after just isn't cutting it.
You're the one who plays video games with them for hours.
You're the one who puts up with their disgusting dialog.
You're the one who understands them better then they do at times.
But, still, you're pushed aside for the next dumb blond.
It gets old.
It's not even that I can get jealous, or that I want a boyfriend.
It's the utter disregard for how, well, sexual (( Definition (#2) )) I am!
And who knows? Maybe one day I'd like to wear cute matching couple T-shirts with one of these guys, and I don't want that to be nigh on impossible.
So, please, stop Bro Zoning me!
Thanks.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Sparkly Stuff
Greetings!
I'm in Montana, and that means it's T minus 20 minutes until Christmas Eve.
This is probably the only year I haven't eagerly counted my presents under the tree like a greedy dragon.
But, lucky me, my little sister did the tallying for me, and it looks like I have 6.
She tells me that 4 of them are from her, which I find interesting.
I'm really hoping she gives me her Call Of Duty boxers that she received at a White Elephant party.
I mean, come on! It's the best idea EVER. I'll list the reasons why:
1. She doesn't game.
2. She doesn't even know what Call Of Duty is.
3. They're my size.
4. She just should.
Oh, by the way, I made my first sale on Etsy! Congratulations to me!!!
I'm in Montana, and that means it's T minus 20 minutes until Christmas Eve.
This is probably the only year I haven't eagerly counted my presents under the tree like a greedy dragon.
But, lucky me, my little sister did the tallying for me, and it looks like I have 6.
She tells me that 4 of them are from her, which I find interesting.
I'm really hoping she gives me her Call Of Duty boxers that she received at a White Elephant party.
I mean, come on! It's the best idea EVER. I'll list the reasons why:
1. She doesn't game.
2. She doesn't even know what Call Of Duty is.
3. They're my size.
4. She just should.
Oh, by the way, I made my first sale on Etsy! Congratulations to me!!!
This is what I sold. It's from my "Decorative Geekery" line :D
I had this epiphany one day, that you could have an amazingly decorated house and STILL have geeky decorations.
Thus, Decorative Geekery was born.
Moving on.
I asked someone to marry me this week, because they make really good Italian food, and they accepted.
Pshhhhhhhhh, silly boy!
Also, I was introduced to one of the most amazing things my ears have ever heard, and his celestial name is Dan Brown.
Check these out:
I'M IN LOVE WITH IT GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
This blog is separated into two parts; One I wrote on December 14th, and one I wrote today.
I hesitated posting on December 14th because I wanted to see the movie again before I wrote a review, and I didn't have any pictures to go along with it, and that just isn't acceptable!
(I'm sorry about the quality of most of the picture: They were taken on my cell phone and in a great rush.)
PART 1:
Today is December 14th, 2,000 and 12, which only means one thing:
We have a week to live!
But that's okay, I can die happy because, at exactly midnight today (thought it feels like yesterday) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (or as I so fondly refer to it as, A Long Expected Journey) began to play in theaters.
But I should probably back up a bit.
After weeks of meticulous planning, me and my friend Lizzie, her sister and two of my sisters got into my little car and headed down the highway toward Spokane.
We were on a mission, and not just any mission: We were on our way to see the first part of The Hobbit. Somehow, we managed to get off on the wrong exit a number of times, but due to my wonderful navigationally-corrective brain, we made it to the hotel just fine... But not before my car decided to act up.
It made horrendous noises upon breaking, and continued to due so until I exilerated to at least 45 miles an hour. Needless to say, I was not happy about that.
But, I called my dad at the hotel and he identified the problem, and said we were okay to drive to the theater and back.
Thank goodness, because there isn't anything I wouldn't have done to get there on time. (Eg. Driving a potentially dangerous car, giving a taxi half my money, hitchhiking. Yeah, you get the picture)
We were in luck after that, because there just so happened to be a Denny's a matter of feet away from our hotel, and as some of you rascals know, Denny's is serving HOBBIT FOOD (for a limited time only).
It was the obvious choice.
They have a special Hobbit themed menu, and just looking at it put glitter in my bloodstream.
I got the Hobbit Hole Breakfast, and along with it, two Hobbit trading cards.
Fantastical, all around.
We then went back to the hotel and lazed around quite royally for an insane amount of time; Hours and hours that just so happened to be crawling along at a morbid pace.
I wanted to see that darn movie, and I wanted to see it RIGHT NOW!
Finally, it was time to depart.
It was my first time driving through the heart of Spokane, so my wrong turns were readily forgiven.
We picked up our tickets and headed upstairs where we were greeted at the entrance to The Hobbit with special 3D glasses and *gasp* not just one, but FOUR magical and FREE Hobbit posters ^_^
One of Bilbo, one of Gandalf, one of Gollum and one of Thorin.
Here's a picture, just to make you drool:
We ended up arriving two and a half hours early. A little late to show up for a midnight premier, especially one the magnitude of Peter Jackson's newest addition to the Tolkien film-world, but I made calculations based on the size of Spokane and the size of the theater, and I was right.
We got good seats (Not THE BEST seats, but much better than the people who showed up later (AKA on time) ) and Cherry Coke, and began the countdown.
24 oz of coke (In a Hobbit themed cup, no less!) and an hour later, I was starting to feel like a circuit board splashed with water.
I think my skin was the only thing keeping me from bursting into a million pieces.
I'm being overly dramatic, I know, but that's just how I felt.
Exaggeration aside, I WAS extremely excited.
Side note: To the guy sitting behind me in the theater whom I talked to: I think you are a brilliant human being, and I sincerely wish I would have gotten your name!
Finally, the previews began playing, and though I was confused because it was early, happiness still resounded in my bones. Sadly, the "auto-start" (as the apologetic employee called it) was having problems, so the previews were premature. We sat around for another ten minutes, after which the previews started again, this time an actual prelude to the movie.
And THEN! Well, then The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey began to play.
PART 2:
This isn't going to be a quote on quote "normal" review, because, for one thing The Hobbit isn't a normal movie, and for another, I am not a normal person.
Generally, there are two reasons people read a review:
1. They've already watched the movie, and they want another's opinion on it.
or
2. They haven't seen the movie and want to know if it's worth watching.
If you are in category one, the spoilers (there will be spoilers!) and such are not going to bother you.
And if you are in category two, I just have to ask, what is wrong with you?
It's THE HOBBIT! You don't need a reason to go watch it!
The first time I saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, I was a a little disappointed.
It felt different than Lord Of The Rings, which is actually to be expected.
Lord Of The Rings fans can't go into this expecting it to be some replica of the beloved trilogy.
But, that being said, there was a certain "feeling" prominent in LOTR that is sorely missed here.
The only way I can describe it is "fantasy"
That wonderful feeling you get when you are being told a fairy tale,
and it is being told very, very well.
In The Hobbit, that feeling is replaced by, for lack of a more descriptive term, "action".
I found parts of the movie blown out of purportion and unbelievable.
I know it's strange to say that a movie whose main characters are Dwarves, Hobbits, and Wizards is not believable because of it's action scenes, but that is where I stand.
When I watched Lord Of The Rings, it found a place in my heart where it is easily believed.
The Hobbit, on the other hand, found no such foothold. Perhaps it will take time.
Although I found the large amount of humor fun and satisfying to watch, it gave the movie an unrealistic feel.
And the action scenes where amped up, changing parts of the book to make said scenes "more interesting".
For example: The scene in the trees, right after the group has escaped The Misty Mountains. The trees end up falling into each other, creating a domino affect and leaving all the characters in a tree hanging on precariously to the ledge by just it's roots. The attacking orcs are held at bay by a fire started with magically lit pine cones.
Also, Radagast's sled dog-type team of "Rhosgobel rabbits". Enough said.
I suppose all this was added to keep the pace fast, and perhaps get your heart pounding a little.
Really though, Kili's laugh at Bilbos' table did that well enough for me.
The second time I saw the movie, I was much more satisfied. I was no longer distracted by my own overwhelming excitement, and I now knew what to expect from an Imax 3D experience, so the graphics ceased to be distracting and instead added to the experience.
I laughed more, definitely smiled more, and just had a great time.
Of course, I also noticed new things about the film that didn't match up with the book, but that's always going to happen.
So, I'd really suggest you go to see this movie more than once, if you weren't planning to already.
I'm already making plans to see it in my local theater, without the bells and whistles of 3D and such.
As for the music: it was beautiful, if not a little repetitive
I'm dying to buy the soundtrack, and annoy my family half to death by playing it endlessly for at least 42 hours. The adaption of the songs from book to movie is done nicely. Of course, not precisely, but like I said, nicely.
All in all, this movie is a completely different creature than the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, as it must be, because The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and therefore the tone is naturally going to be different and lighter, no matter the eminent danger our beloved heros encounter.
When it comes down to it, you can never truly satisfy a die-hard Tolkien fan with a movie adaption.
It cannot be done, because of the vast differences in writing a book and making a film.
So, I'm okay with some changes, as long as the heart of the movie remains with the book, and I believe The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey did that.
Over all, I found the film extremely enjoyable, and can't wait until it comes out so I can own it and hold it in my hands and show it to all my family members while smiling like an idiot.
Now, for the specifics:
Things I didn't like:
1. Bilbo's hair.
I'm I the only one who found those bangs highly distracting?
2. Either there were no dwarf women, or the dwarf women didn't have beards.
Either way, this is an unhappy thing.
I've read comments from people saying "Female dwarves don't actually have beards! Aragorn was joking when he said that in Lord Of The Rings!" *Ahem* Read this, noobs: Dwarf Women
In the beginning of the move, we see terrified dwarves running from the gates of Erebor.
Some are obviously male dwarves, but I know I spotted at least three female characters here.
Now, some people are saying these could be humans from the nearby town of Dale.
But, I don't see how that adds up.
I didn't see dwarves in Dale, so why would there be humans in Erebor? Also, these "dwarf women" were the same height as the rest of the dwarves. So, unless only midgets are allowed in the great dwarf city, I don't believe these were human women.
I've heard opinion, from exploring forums and comments on the movie, that this decision was made to stop in advance accusations of "sexism". Since there is already a lack of strong female characters in The Hobbit, it's thought that people may protest what they see as a "lack of female dwarves" especially since this is more of a family orientated movie.
Here's what I have to say to that: If you are so very focused on the movie that you happen to notice a lack of females pouring out of a dwarf city in a scene that lasts a number of seconds, then you are most likely an avid fan like me, and know about the beards.
And if, for some reason, someone did notice the "absence" of dwarf women, and were so upset that they had to make a loud fuss, they would soon be put to rights by the nearest Tolkien fan, wither online or in person.
Things I liked:
1. Frodo's cameo.
As a major Frodo fan, how could this NOT make me happy? I'll, ashamedly, admit that I let out a little fan-girl sign when he came onscreen. He looked just like he does in Lord Of The Rings, and I found his performance charmingly believable. But then again, I may be biased. ;]
2. Sebastian the Hedgehog
Just, SO CUTE.
Things I hated:
1. Azog The Defiler. AKA "The Pale Orc"
Really, I shouldn't have to elaborate on this.
Even if you haven't read the books or aren't a big Tolkein fan, this character should have disgusted you with his one-dimentional quality.
He was put into the movie for one purpose alone: To add a tangible "Bad guy" since Sauron hasn't reared his ugly head yet, and Smaug is miles and miles away.
This was obvious to me.
If this was so important, Peter Jackson could have at least made a better character.
Azog seemed ridiculous both from the cookie cutter bad guy feeling he exerted, and the transparency of his next move.
Killing the leader of a failed mission? How original.
Laughing evilly as your pray falls? Never would have expected THAT!
"That one's mine." Lovely. Just lovely.
In the actual Tolken world, Azog was killed in battle years before The Hobbit takes place, and not even by Thorin Oakenshield
Read this, if you don't believe me: Proof Of Said Transgression
And here I thought Evangeline Lilly's character was the worse blasphemy that was going to transpire!
Again, as I said, it's not only that it goes completely against the holy word of Tolkien.
Azog, in this movie, is an unwanted kind of character.
Evil just because he is evil, predictable, and altogether an unwholesome addition.
That being said, there was one moment, the second time I watched the film, where I just stared into his eyes and became ridiculously frightened for absolutely no reason. And for that split second, I believed he was real. I'm in love with that second. Everything else: Blah.
2. The fact that the last third of the "Time Riddle" was cut off in the Riddles In The Dark scene.
I will never, not in all my days on this earth, understand how it is SO VERY HARD to include those last 9 words. It would have taken SECONDS.
Not including all the riddles, I can understand. There is a pressing of time and such.
But saying only part of a riddle, when the rest could have very easily been included, BLOWS MY MIND and not in a god way.
You may think I'm overreacting, and maybe I am. But usually when someone makes an obvious adaption, it's for a very good reason. Those I can live with. But here, I see no "good reason" to do this to such a beloved line of the book.
I'll put it here, so you good souls can at least see it SOMEWHERE that has to do with this movie.
Slays King, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
R.I.P. Beloved artifact of my childhood. You have been slain in the mind of those who haven't read your words from the pages of The Hobbit.
I hesitated posting on December 14th because I wanted to see the movie again before I wrote a review, and I didn't have any pictures to go along with it, and that just isn't acceptable!
(I'm sorry about the quality of most of the picture: They were taken on my cell phone and in a great rush.)
PART 1:
Today is December 14th, 2,000 and 12, which only means one thing:
We have a week to live!
But that's okay, I can die happy because, at exactly midnight today (thought it feels like yesterday) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (or as I so fondly refer to it as, A Long Expected Journey) began to play in theaters.
But I should probably back up a bit.
After weeks of meticulous planning, me and my friend Lizzie, her sister and two of my sisters got into my little car and headed down the highway toward Spokane.
We were on a mission, and not just any mission: We were on our way to see the first part of The Hobbit. Somehow, we managed to get off on the wrong exit a number of times, but due to my wonderful navigationally-corrective brain, we made it to the hotel just fine... But not before my car decided to act up.
It made horrendous noises upon breaking, and continued to due so until I exilerated to at least 45 miles an hour. Needless to say, I was not happy about that.
But, I called my dad at the hotel and he identified the problem, and said we were okay to drive to the theater and back.
Thank goodness, because there isn't anything I wouldn't have done to get there on time. (Eg. Driving a potentially dangerous car, giving a taxi half my money, hitchhiking. Yeah, you get the picture)
We were in luck after that, because there just so happened to be a Denny's a matter of feet away from our hotel, and as some of you rascals know, Denny's is serving HOBBIT FOOD (for a limited time only).
It was the obvious choice.
They have a special Hobbit themed menu, and just looking at it put glitter in my bloodstream.
I got the Hobbit Hole Breakfast, and along with it, two Hobbit trading cards.
Fantastical, all around.
We then went back to the hotel and lazed around quite royally for an insane amount of time; Hours and hours that just so happened to be crawling along at a morbid pace.
I wanted to see that darn movie, and I wanted to see it RIGHT NOW!
Finally, it was time to depart.
It was my first time driving through the heart of Spokane, so my wrong turns were readily forgiven.
We picked up our tickets and headed upstairs where we were greeted at the entrance to The Hobbit with special 3D glasses and *gasp* not just one, but FOUR magical and FREE Hobbit posters ^_^
One of Bilbo, one of Gandalf, one of Gollum and one of Thorin.
Here's a picture, just to make you drool:
We ended up arriving two and a half hours early. A little late to show up for a midnight premier, especially one the magnitude of Peter Jackson's newest addition to the Tolkien film-world, but I made calculations based on the size of Spokane and the size of the theater, and I was right.
We got good seats (Not THE BEST seats, but much better than the people who showed up later (AKA on time) ) and Cherry Coke, and began the countdown.
24 oz of coke (In a Hobbit themed cup, no less!) and an hour later, I was starting to feel like a circuit board splashed with water.
I think my skin was the only thing keeping me from bursting into a million pieces.
I'm being overly dramatic, I know, but that's just how I felt.
Exaggeration aside, I WAS extremely excited.
Side note: To the guy sitting behind me in the theater whom I talked to: I think you are a brilliant human being, and I sincerely wish I would have gotten your name!
Finally, the previews began playing, and though I was confused because it was early, happiness still resounded in my bones. Sadly, the "auto-start" (as the apologetic employee called it) was having problems, so the previews were premature. We sat around for another ten minutes, after which the previews started again, this time an actual prelude to the movie.
And THEN! Well, then The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey began to play.
PART 2:
This isn't going to be a quote on quote "normal" review, because, for one thing The Hobbit isn't a normal movie, and for another, I am not a normal person.
Generally, there are two reasons people read a review:
1. They've already watched the movie, and they want another's opinion on it.
or
2. They haven't seen the movie and want to know if it's worth watching.
If you are in category one, the spoilers (there will be spoilers!) and such are not going to bother you.
And if you are in category two, I just have to ask, what is wrong with you?
It's THE HOBBIT! You don't need a reason to go watch it!
The first time I saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, I was a a little disappointed.
It felt different than Lord Of The Rings, which is actually to be expected.
Lord Of The Rings fans can't go into this expecting it to be some replica of the beloved trilogy.
But, that being said, there was a certain "feeling" prominent in LOTR that is sorely missed here.
The only way I can describe it is "fantasy"
That wonderful feeling you get when you are being told a fairy tale,
and it is being told very, very well.
In The Hobbit, that feeling is replaced by, for lack of a more descriptive term, "action".
I found parts of the movie blown out of purportion and unbelievable.
I know it's strange to say that a movie whose main characters are Dwarves, Hobbits, and Wizards is not believable because of it's action scenes, but that is where I stand.
When I watched Lord Of The Rings, it found a place in my heart where it is easily believed.
The Hobbit, on the other hand, found no such foothold. Perhaps it will take time.
Although I found the large amount of humor fun and satisfying to watch, it gave the movie an unrealistic feel.
And the action scenes where amped up, changing parts of the book to make said scenes "more interesting".
For example: The scene in the trees, right after the group has escaped The Misty Mountains. The trees end up falling into each other, creating a domino affect and leaving all the characters in a tree hanging on precariously to the ledge by just it's roots. The attacking orcs are held at bay by a fire started with magically lit pine cones.
Also, Radagast's sled dog-type team of "Rhosgobel rabbits". Enough said.
I suppose all this was added to keep the pace fast, and perhaps get your heart pounding a little.
Really though, Kili's laugh at Bilbos' table did that well enough for me.
The second time I saw the movie, I was much more satisfied. I was no longer distracted by my own overwhelming excitement, and I now knew what to expect from an Imax 3D experience, so the graphics ceased to be distracting and instead added to the experience.
I laughed more, definitely smiled more, and just had a great time.
Of course, I also noticed new things about the film that didn't match up with the book, but that's always going to happen.
So, I'd really suggest you go to see this movie more than once, if you weren't planning to already.
I'm already making plans to see it in my local theater, without the bells and whistles of 3D and such.
As for the music: it was beautiful, if not a little repetitive
I'm dying to buy the soundtrack, and annoy my family half to death by playing it endlessly for at least 42 hours. The adaption of the songs from book to movie is done nicely. Of course, not precisely, but like I said, nicely.
All in all, this movie is a completely different creature than the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, as it must be, because The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and therefore the tone is naturally going to be different and lighter, no matter the eminent danger our beloved heros encounter.
When it comes down to it, you can never truly satisfy a die-hard Tolkien fan with a movie adaption.
It cannot be done, because of the vast differences in writing a book and making a film.
So, I'm okay with some changes, as long as the heart of the movie remains with the book, and I believe The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey did that.
Over all, I found the film extremely enjoyable, and can't wait until it comes out so I can own it and hold it in my hands and show it to all my family members while smiling like an idiot.
Now, for the specifics:
Things I didn't like:
1. Bilbo's hair.
I'm I the only one who found those bangs highly distracting?
2. Either there were no dwarf women, or the dwarf women didn't have beards.
Either way, this is an unhappy thing.
I've read comments from people saying "Female dwarves don't actually have beards! Aragorn was joking when he said that in Lord Of The Rings!" *Ahem* Read this, noobs: Dwarf Women
In the beginning of the move, we see terrified dwarves running from the gates of Erebor.
Some are obviously male dwarves, but I know I spotted at least three female characters here.
Now, some people are saying these could be humans from the nearby town of Dale.
But, I don't see how that adds up.
I didn't see dwarves in Dale, so why would there be humans in Erebor? Also, these "dwarf women" were the same height as the rest of the dwarves. So, unless only midgets are allowed in the great dwarf city, I don't believe these were human women.
I've heard opinion, from exploring forums and comments on the movie, that this decision was made to stop in advance accusations of "sexism". Since there is already a lack of strong female characters in The Hobbit, it's thought that people may protest what they see as a "lack of female dwarves" especially since this is more of a family orientated movie.
Here's what I have to say to that: If you are so very focused on the movie that you happen to notice a lack of females pouring out of a dwarf city in a scene that lasts a number of seconds, then you are most likely an avid fan like me, and know about the beards.
And if, for some reason, someone did notice the "absence" of dwarf women, and were so upset that they had to make a loud fuss, they would soon be put to rights by the nearest Tolkien fan, wither online or in person.
Things I liked:
1. Frodo's cameo.
As a major Frodo fan, how could this NOT make me happy? I'll, ashamedly, admit that I let out a little fan-girl sign when he came onscreen. He looked just like he does in Lord Of The Rings, and I found his performance charmingly believable. But then again, I may be biased. ;]
2. Sebastian the Hedgehog
Just, SO CUTE.
Things I hated:
1. Azog The Defiler. AKA "The Pale Orc"
Really, I shouldn't have to elaborate on this.
Even if you haven't read the books or aren't a big Tolkein fan, this character should have disgusted you with his one-dimentional quality.
He was put into the movie for one purpose alone: To add a tangible "Bad guy" since Sauron hasn't reared his ugly head yet, and Smaug is miles and miles away.
This was obvious to me.
If this was so important, Peter Jackson could have at least made a better character.
Azog seemed ridiculous both from the cookie cutter bad guy feeling he exerted, and the transparency of his next move.
Killing the leader of a failed mission? How original.
Laughing evilly as your pray falls? Never would have expected THAT!
"That one's mine." Lovely. Just lovely.
In the actual Tolken world, Azog was killed in battle years before The Hobbit takes place, and not even by Thorin Oakenshield
Read this, if you don't believe me: Proof Of Said Transgression
And here I thought Evangeline Lilly's character was the worse blasphemy that was going to transpire!
Again, as I said, it's not only that it goes completely against the holy word of Tolkien.
Azog, in this movie, is an unwanted kind of character.
Evil just because he is evil, predictable, and altogether an unwholesome addition.
That being said, there was one moment, the second time I watched the film, where I just stared into his eyes and became ridiculously frightened for absolutely no reason. And for that split second, I believed he was real. I'm in love with that second. Everything else: Blah.
2. The fact that the last third of the "Time Riddle" was cut off in the Riddles In The Dark scene.
I will never, not in all my days on this earth, understand how it is SO VERY HARD to include those last 9 words. It would have taken SECONDS.
Not including all the riddles, I can understand. There is a pressing of time and such.
But saying only part of a riddle, when the rest could have very easily been included, BLOWS MY MIND and not in a god way.
You may think I'm overreacting, and maybe I am. But usually when someone makes an obvious adaption, it's for a very good reason. Those I can live with. But here, I see no "good reason" to do this to such a beloved line of the book.
I'll put it here, so you good souls can at least see it SOMEWHERE that has to do with this movie.
Slays King, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
R.I.P. Beloved artifact of my childhood. You have been slain in the mind of those who haven't read your words from the pages of The Hobbit.
Things I loved:
1. The white stag ridden by Thranduil near the beginning of the movie. It took my breath away!
It magnified majesty and a controlled calm, like some kind of pure token of peace, but a peace that is so because it is strong and refrained.
(I believe a white stag appears in The Hobbit book, somewhere in Mirkwood? Do tell me if I'm incorrect.)
2. Everything else in the movie.
I think that covers it, yeah.
And that's just me speaking as a snarky, die-hard fan.
If I measure The Hobbit purely as a movie, and not a book adaption,
then it's SO SPECTACULAR!
(Except for Azog... I still can't stand him)
1. The white stag ridden by Thranduil near the beginning of the movie. It took my breath away!
It magnified majesty and a controlled calm, like some kind of pure token of peace, but a peace that is so because it is strong and refrained.
(I believe a white stag appears in The Hobbit book, somewhere in Mirkwood? Do tell me if I'm incorrect.)
2. Everything else in the movie.
I think that covers it, yeah.
And that's just me speaking as a snarky, die-hard fan.
If I measure The Hobbit purely as a movie, and not a book adaption,
then it's SO SPECTACULAR!
(Except for Azog... I still can't stand him)
Friday, December 14, 2012
Rant Extension: Fake Geek Girls
To add another side of my opinion to the explosive "Fake Geek Girl" rant (here), so as to be perfectly clear, I'd like to state a few things.
What angered me about the "fake geek girl" topic was the obvious sexism and ego problem.
But, I cannot discount part of this attack on "fakes"
There are girls out there, AND guys, who are what you could call "fake geeks"
These people don't really have a passion for geek/nerd culture, they've just noticed the sparkly boat and want to jump aboard, because it's suddenly "cool" to be a geek.
These are the people who scan a Wikipedia page so that they can add snippets to a conversation about Star Trek.
They're the "Gamers" who played their older brother's PS3 one time.
In short, hipsters who want to jump on the "geek wagon" for a little ride.
Now, I don't know how many of these people actually exist, but you'd think they'd be pretty easy to spot.
For one thing, people like this don't usually stick to one cultural fad.
A hipster is a hipster, and whatever is "cool" is what they are.
So, I guess we should be looking for an individual wearing a Green Lantern shirt, goth pants, a fedora, and a hand knit bag?
All this to say, how is this even that important? Does the above person seem so dangerous?
They're softies.
If someone is so insecure that they need to pretend to be someone else so to feel like they are acceptable, they really aren't a threat.
And how many of these people, realistically, can there be?
They have short attention spans, they'll wander off.
It's isn't like there are hoards of sword-brandishing fakers wearing 3D glasses with the lenses pushed out, galloping around and threatening our awesomeness.
We are geeks because we know what we are, and know what we like, and we won't back down from that, even when faced with social humiliation.
That isn't going to change.
The only thing this wave of "fake geeks" is bringing us is more acceptance in the "real world"
AKA less swirlies.
I, personally, wouldn't want "geekery" to become a really popular urban culture. Hell no.
But, I have faith in the heart of the geek, and I firmly believe the stuff I like is AMAZING.
So, why wouldn't I want to share it?
As long as someone has a genuine interest in something, I'm not going to cry "fake!"
It isn't an elitist club, it's a group of amazing people who accept the weird, fantastical, and generally unpopular things of this life.
If the world changes, and suddenly everyone starts looking on these "unpopular things" with a kinder eye, it just means humanity is getting a bit smarter, and I'm all for that.
So, please, before you accuse someone of being a "fake geek", think of how you felt when you got picked on in school for being a Trekkie.
That's how you are going to make that person feel by calling them out on their treachery, or when you prove their geek-ignorance with a quiz on the creators of Avengers.
Bullies use words to hurt others, which is lame, and very un-Whovian of them.
What would the doctor do? Don't stoop to their level.
Instead, give 'em a good smack on the head with your (authentic) replica of Gandalf's staff when they aren't looking. They'll get the picture then. Besides, physical abuse is so much cooler and assassin-like...
But seriously, all joking aside, it is stupid and wrong for these people to stick their Walmart light sabers in the door of our world and try to force it open just to get a "cool points". But, I just feel sorry for them.
They'll never be this sexy.
What angered me about the "fake geek girl" topic was the obvious sexism and ego problem.
But, I cannot discount part of this attack on "fakes"
There are girls out there, AND guys, who are what you could call "fake geeks"
These people don't really have a passion for geek/nerd culture, they've just noticed the sparkly boat and want to jump aboard, because it's suddenly "cool" to be a geek.
These are the people who scan a Wikipedia page so that they can add snippets to a conversation about Star Trek.
They're the "Gamers" who played their older brother's PS3 one time.
In short, hipsters who want to jump on the "geek wagon" for a little ride.
Now, I don't know how many of these people actually exist, but you'd think they'd be pretty easy to spot.
For one thing, people like this don't usually stick to one cultural fad.
A hipster is a hipster, and whatever is "cool" is what they are.
So, I guess we should be looking for an individual wearing a Green Lantern shirt, goth pants, a fedora, and a hand knit bag?
All this to say, how is this even that important? Does the above person seem so dangerous?
They're softies.
If someone is so insecure that they need to pretend to be someone else so to feel like they are acceptable, they really aren't a threat.
And how many of these people, realistically, can there be?
They have short attention spans, they'll wander off.
It's isn't like there are hoards of sword-brandishing fakers wearing 3D glasses with the lenses pushed out, galloping around and threatening our awesomeness.
We are geeks because we know what we are, and know what we like, and we won't back down from that, even when faced with social humiliation.
That isn't going to change.
The only thing this wave of "fake geeks" is bringing us is more acceptance in the "real world"
AKA less swirlies.
I, personally, wouldn't want "geekery" to become a really popular urban culture. Hell no.
But, I have faith in the heart of the geek, and I firmly believe the stuff I like is AMAZING.
So, why wouldn't I want to share it?
As long as someone has a genuine interest in something, I'm not going to cry "fake!"
It isn't an elitist club, it's a group of amazing people who accept the weird, fantastical, and generally unpopular things of this life.
If the world changes, and suddenly everyone starts looking on these "unpopular things" with a kinder eye, it just means humanity is getting a bit smarter, and I'm all for that.
So, please, before you accuse someone of being a "fake geek", think of how you felt when you got picked on in school for being a Trekkie.
That's how you are going to make that person feel by calling them out on their treachery, or when you prove their geek-ignorance with a quiz on the creators of Avengers.
Bullies use words to hurt others, which is lame, and very un-Whovian of them.
What would the doctor do? Don't stoop to their level.
Instead, give 'em a good smack on the head with your (authentic) replica of Gandalf's staff when they aren't looking. They'll get the picture then. Besides, physical abuse is so much cooler and assassin-like...
But seriously, all joking aside, it is stupid and wrong for these people to stick their Walmart light sabers in the door of our world and try to force it open just to get a "cool points". But, I just feel sorry for them.
They'll never be this sexy.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Countdown Draws To An End
Yet ANOTHER Hobbit movie post.
I do it a lot, I know.. And you'll be getting one tomorrow probably.
And DEFINITELY the day after, which is when I'll actually have watched it.
This is my "Hobbit Day is tomorrow!!!" face:
It looks like I have a secret O.o
Also, it thoroughly it cracks me up.
Technically, tomorrow isn't Hobbit Day, because An Unexpected Journey doesn't play until the 14th, but my friends who are watching it with me arrive tomorrow, and since the movie is at midnight, it feels like the 13th rather than the 14th. (That was a really long sentence.) Either way, I have dubbed tomorrow Hobbit day..
Hopefully, I'll be able to pull off making a Hobbit costume in the short amount of time I have allowed myself... Procrastination bites me in the ass on a regular basis. But I've pulled through before (I once made a Splicer costume in an hour) and I can pull through again! I'm just really not looking forward to curling all my hair :'( I'm so lazy when it comes to hair! But, it's for an amazing cause, so I'll survive!
Sidetrack:
My family is watching Batman (the Tim Burton one) and I just heard Alexander Knox say "Maybe it should be Bruce Vain!" and I started laughing hysterically. I've never found that part exceptionally amusing until this exact moment in time... Pshhh, I'm just weird.
Back on track:
Some people don't understand why I am so excited to see this film. They say blasphemous things like "It's just a movie!" and "I don't know why it's so important to you."
What these people do not understand is that I have been EAGERLY, ANXIOUSLY, BREATHLESSLY, WITHOUT PAUSEINGLY (made that up, so proud of myself) waiting for this movie since the second The Return Of The King credits began to roll. It was at that moment, when the hope of The Hobbit was born... It was the obvious (to me) next step. And since the Lord Of The Rings movies had been tackled, and done as well as they were, the possibility of The Hobbit was no longer a hopeless dream, but a tangible possibility!
For years, there was no word. Not a whisper besides the speculations of fans over obscure internet forums. And then!!! Oh then! A rumor! It sent my heart a-beating double time, and my view of the future began to brighten. And then, the rumor was confirmed! Peter Jackson is making a Hobbit movie. I can't explain how happy that made me, and well, still makes me. But I guess that doesn't make sense to anyone who isn't a Tolkien freak like me. You might not understand why I'm so excited. I mean, it's no biggie, after the initial announcement, I only had to wait TWO YEARS!
So, my dear friends, unless you've traveled down the long and agonizing path that as eventually led to this movie, you'll probably never fully grasp the situation. .....So please stop asking me to explain, it's getting on my nerves.
TOMORROW!
I do it a lot, I know.. And you'll be getting one tomorrow probably.
And DEFINITELY the day after, which is when I'll actually have watched it.
This is my "Hobbit Day is tomorrow!!!" face:
Also, it thoroughly it cracks me up.
Technically, tomorrow isn't Hobbit Day, because An Unexpected Journey doesn't play until the 14th, but my friends who are watching it with me arrive tomorrow, and since the movie is at midnight, it feels like the 13th rather than the 14th. (That was a really long sentence.) Either way, I have dubbed tomorrow Hobbit day..
Hopefully, I'll be able to pull off making a Hobbit costume in the short amount of time I have allowed myself... Procrastination bites me in the ass on a regular basis. But I've pulled through before (I once made a Splicer costume in an hour) and I can pull through again! I'm just really not looking forward to curling all my hair :'( I'm so lazy when it comes to hair! But, it's for an amazing cause, so I'll survive!
Sidetrack:
My family is watching Batman (the Tim Burton one) and I just heard Alexander Knox say "Maybe it should be Bruce Vain!" and I started laughing hysterically. I've never found that part exceptionally amusing until this exact moment in time... Pshhh, I'm just weird.
Back on track:
Some people don't understand why I am so excited to see this film. They say blasphemous things like "It's just a movie!" and "I don't know why it's so important to you."
What these people do not understand is that I have been EAGERLY, ANXIOUSLY, BREATHLESSLY, WITHOUT PAUSEINGLY (made that up, so proud of myself) waiting for this movie since the second The Return Of The King credits began to roll. It was at that moment, when the hope of The Hobbit was born... It was the obvious (to me) next step. And since the Lord Of The Rings movies had been tackled, and done as well as they were, the possibility of The Hobbit was no longer a hopeless dream, but a tangible possibility!
For years, there was no word. Not a whisper besides the speculations of fans over obscure internet forums. And then!!! Oh then! A rumor! It sent my heart a-beating double time, and my view of the future began to brighten. And then, the rumor was confirmed! Peter Jackson is making a Hobbit movie. I can't explain how happy that made me, and well, still makes me. But I guess that doesn't make sense to anyone who isn't a Tolkien freak like me. You might not understand why I'm so excited. I mean, it's no biggie, after the initial announcement, I only had to wait TWO YEARS!
So, my dear friends, unless you've traveled down the long and agonizing path that as eventually led to this movie, you'll probably never fully grasp the situation. .....So please stop asking me to explain, it's getting on my nerves.
TOMORROW!
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