December 26, 2003

I had a hard time working myself up to see RotK. The last half of the book devastates me emotionally like no other, and has since I first read it, as a very small child indeed (too young, in fact, to properly understand the distinction between reality and Middle-Earth).

I have mixed feelings about this one. In general, I applaud Peter Jackson's willingness to adapt rather than to take pictures of the book. The majority of his cuts and changes can be easily justified--artistically, and not merely with reference to time constraints. In fact, I think the original theatrical release of FotR is a better, tighter, cleaner film than the extended edition. I understand that with adaptation inevitably comes shifts in focus. Jackson and Tolkien worked in different times with different values; they were educated differently; you simply can't expect them to care about the exact same things in the exact same way.

Right now, though, I am hung up on two differences, one big and one little, that are preventing me from fully embracing the film. The first is that Tolkien was writing about the passing away of a world, and Jackson filmed the passing away of friendships. It is by no means clear to the casual viewer of RotK that Rivendell and Lothlorien were abandoned, that the hobbits would dwindle away into obscurity, that the dwarves, too, would eventually be lost in their sad minor settlements. In a very literal sense, the magic is fading from Middle-Earth, and as a direct result of the destruction of the Ring. What happens to the Fellowship is more than a symbol of that--I would never argue that Tolkien doesn't expect us to care about the parting of Gandalf from the hobbits, or Sam from Frodo--but for Jackson, it is very nearly the whole, and that strikes me as a diminishment of the story.

The second is more minor, yet I feel more violently about it--the cutting down of Eowyn's confrontation with Angmar and the virtual elimination of the end of her story. I did feel that she came off considerably better in RotK than in TT, but still...like many and many a young girl reading the book, I would imagine, I was riveted by her defiance of the Nazgul, and it's an image I've carried with me all my life. I don't understand why Jackson had to shorten it and break it up. I don't mind building up Arwen's role, but in all the extra time found for her, he couldn't spare three minutes for the character actually in the books? And then, why have her story at all if you choose to offer it no resolution? I swear, it's almost enough to make me want to write Eowyn fanfic, even though my block against Tolkien fanfic is as mighty as the Black Gate.

Posted by Sarah T. at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)

December 16, 2003

I can't go see RotK til Saturday. Arrrrrrrrgh. I feel compelled to make odd "Eeeeeeeee!" wails every time a trailer comes on, too.

Posted by Sarah T. at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)

December 14, 2003

"comfort and joy"/"Holiday Knights"

That was really more adorable than it had any right to be. Also, the weirdness of the Martian "carol" at the end, the Kents' ability to appreciate it, are just the kind of integration of the truly odd into everyday life that speaks to me in genre.

Meanwhile, on Batman, the segment I have dubbed "The Harley and the Ivy" (I kill me)...goodness, that was a very small bed our two girls were sharing, wasn't it?

Posted by Sarah T. at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

December 09, 2003

"wild cards"

I found this episode much...duller than most people seemed to. Even the Joker's narration couldn't really rescue a half-hour fight scene. However, I loved the last ten minutes (from the Ace reveal onwards). So, good enough for me.

(For what it's worth, I'm definitely in the "Hawkgirl is married to Hawkman, though she thinks he's dead/lost forever..." camp. I don't see them introducing an explicit romance into the story unless they really meant to go somewhere with it, not just make our heroes happier.)

Posted by Sarah T. at 01:29 AM | Comments (0)

December 05, 2003

I often wonder if people realize that if someone runs her own domain, she can tell who's talking smack about her on LJ, even if the entry itself is friendslocked.

It's an interesting question.

Posted by Sarah T. at 05:33 PM | Comments (1)

December 03, 2003

So, I was running errands, and stopped into the comic-book shop around the corner to see if they had 1602 #4...and what did I see by the door?

The new JL 10-inch figures!

And not just any old 10-inch figures, either--not just boring Superman and Batman--but J'ONN J'ONZZ. It's a Christmas miracle!

You see, they've been consistently short-packing all Manhunter merchandise...I've never even seen a Manhunter object in Midtown Comics. This may well be the only J'onn in all Manhattan! And it's mine!

*cuddles the box*

I must say, though, it irks the hell out of me that they didn't even release a 10-inch Hawkgirl. Who was the seventh figure, then?

Wait for it...

Aquaman.

That shit just ain't right. I don't care if they gave Fish Cracker a hook hand. Hawkgirl could tee off on him and make a hole in one with his head in the next county.

Posted by Sarah T. at 07:46 PM | Comments (0)

December 02, 2003

It's the cough syrup talking, man

In my fit of sleeplessness, I was reading through the far reaches of friendsfriendsfriends...and you know what?

SV doesn't have people declaring that the fandom is divided into two groups, those who publish in one forum and write good fanfic, and those who use another and somehow inherently suck.

SV doesn't have cults devoted to the notion that the actors are actually sleeping with each other, no matter how delightful the fantasy might be.

SV doesn't have shipper wars. Also, we may not have a lot of femslash, but at least we've got it established (in the adult portion of the fandom, anyway) that it's declasse to look down on it. No one tries to sell articles of clothing declaring that it's nauseating. Slasher's misogyny is still an ugly problem here, but it could be a lot more widespread than it is.

No, when we spill blood, it's over actual issues. We are a freaking bastion of civilization. Hmph. Take that, naysayers.

Posted by Sarah T. at 02:35 PM | Comments (2)

Due to one very disconcerting interaction of two entirely legal and allegedly compatible drugs, I finished a draft of a story last night. That is, this morning. I'll never have the courage to look at it and see what I wrote once this wears off, though.

Posted by Sarah T. at 06:59 AM | Comments (0)

December 01, 2003

Four words to strike fear into the heart of brave fans everywhere: "Mpreg Holiday Drabble Drive."

The worst part is, I'm sure this woman is getting nothing but positive feedback. Her friends are doubtless showering her with enthusiasm, and everyone else can't think of anything to say. I mean, if you don't instinctively sense that a story in which Lionel cheerfully impregnates Lex and Clark while they all whisper sweet nothings to each other may have some slight, barely perceptible characterization problems, how can anyone tell you?

Posted by Sarah T. at 12:52 AM | Comments (0)