SD Comic Con and Costumes

It's that time of year again where every fan girl and boy rushes to get passes and prizes from the various sites offering riches at Comic Con. This year, though, I'm doing it not only for myself, but for my dear Father. Why you ask? It's his first time going to Comic Con. And he's a diehard Walking Dead fan who unfortunately wasn't able to get a pass for Friday. This one's for you, Pop.

  How you would spend your shopping spree and use your cash at Comic-Con? 

One Word: EASILY.

I love costumes. Halloween is the best holiday of the year with Comic Con as a warm-up for the season. With the shopping spree, I would compile a list of every costume I've ever wanted in my young life and wisely go through each and every one, making sure I get complete sets with accessories. Why get a costume if you're not going for 'the works?' I'm all or nothing. Also, if there's a group theme involved, I will gladly drag in friends. Luckily, I have friends who like to be dragged in.

I think, were I to win, I would gladly persuade dear old Dad to get into the costume spirit next year, too. I tried this year with 'The Incredibles' but he wasn't having it. Blast and Damn, though I'll try harder next year. He would have to if I win.

The cash would be a life-saver. Again, I'd budget it to be able to go out and treat my friends and family to dinner and drinks for a night. That seems to be the hardest part of SDCC. Everyone's on a budget and they all have priorities which is completely understandable. I'd love for one night to be ours, not worrying about what to get and if they've just given up buying that Game of Thorns poster they've been eyeing... It would be so memorable.

Then I'll be spoiled and get the Ten Doctor's sonic screwdriver I've been trying to get for years. Every Whovian needs one, right?

There's always that one collectable you've set your eye on but have never been able to afford. I would definitely get that this year.

I would spend everything wisely and as thoroughly as a professional fangirl could. I swear it on my limited edition Severus Snape bust.

Thanks to the lovely Cindy for pointing me in this direction!

The King's Speech

Earlier today in an attempt to not bring unpleasantness to a couple of guests my Mum was entertaining I left and headed to the Pasadena Playhouse. I've been wanting to see "The King's Speech" for over a month now but with it's really limited release, I had to wait. Anyway, it was phenomenal and would be my pick for Best Picture and Best Actor for Colin Firth with Best Supporting Nods (and wins) for Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham-Carter

So before I add anything more, here's the trailer for the film. You'll immediately notice the richness that emboldens the film beautifully.

 


So first thing to catch my eye was.... Helena actually had a sane role for once! She was so wonderful and it was very refreshing seeing her act as a historical figure rather than a ranting, sexy lunatic [I love those lunatics but the change was nice]. I need to see more of her normal stuff to compare. 

Colin Firth was breath-taking. The stammer, stuttering, and lisp must have been so difficult to perfect. He portrays Albert with a finesse that you don't see anymore with most actors. If Firth doesn't  win the Oscar, the Academy are even more despicable that I originally thought. I've never held these peer-awarded ceremonies in high regard due to the political and popularity contests that go on instead. I've been surprised before ["Avatar" not getting best picture was a plus in my book] so let's hope this year, the Academy will do right by Firth. As a friend has already pointed out, he should have gotten it last year with "A Single Man" but I have to argue the best man did win it after all and that was a tough choice (Christoph Waltz won). 

Now Rush was amazing. His character stole the scene whenever he was in the shot. I can't give enough praise to him. You couldn't help but love him.

The whole film was beautifully shot and transitioned well between events. The supporting cast were good but I didn't care for Timothy Spall's Churchill. He had the voice down, but something irked me. Maybe because he was too tall? Maybe I'm biased because of Brendan Gleeson? I don't know. I didn't like him for it though. Guy Pearce did a good job as Edward. Derek Jacobi was brilliant as always. Hell, even Michael Gambon whom I have many issues with, was good as George V. Jennifer Ehle was a pleasant surprise! The Pride and Prejudice dork in me "awwed" as Firth and Ehle were in only one scene together [Firth played Darcy to Ehle's Elizabeth Bennett] but it was a bloody fantastic scene at that! Mrytle: "But you're... you're..."  They were marvelous! 

I really think this film was the best I've seen all year. I loved "Let Me In" and "The Social Network" but this one had the least flaws in my opinion. I need to see all these films another 3 or 4 times  to make sure. Definitely GO SEE this one if you have the time!

The Women

I have always written about the Men I admire, lust after, will see any film or show with them, etc. I appreciate the older, handsome gentlemen such as Alan Rickman and ogle the young, very fit hotties like Jesse Spencer. I love Men as much as the next hot-blooded female. Of course, all actors are not men though. I tend to overlook the Women when it comes to this blog. It's not that I don't appreciate their skills and beauty. It's just more fun for me to write about the men. Don't blame me, blame my gender. [Yes, I stole that line, but it fits.] Without further ado, the women I'll see any film or show if they're in.


Gillian Anderson 
From the moment I saw her, I knew she was fantastic. Yes, I am a hardcore X-Files fan, but that was only the beginning. Scully was fascinating and it was refreshing to see the woman as the voice of reason. Her masterpiece and my favorite role of hers is in "Bleak House" as Lady Dedlock. She should have won the Emmy and BAFTA for that series. It was brilliant and sad and unlike anything I had seen her in. Overall, it's my favorite Dickens adaptation. And because I am nothing if not appreciate of looks, she's probably the most gorgeous woman out there. Yes, I'm biased because she was ginger, has blue eyes and is very short. She can make smart, sexy as hell. I'm all for intelligent, hot women.

Emma Thompson
I absolutely love Thompson. She can do tragedy, romance, comedy, awkwardness, anything and everything and do it with flare, grace and charisma. I do not understand how this woman is not more famously known. She deserves it more than bloody Helen Miren. My favorites of her's are the "Cambridge Footlights Revue," "Howard's End," "Much Ado about Nothing," "The Remains of the Day," and "Sense and Sensibility" to name a few. There are literally dozen more films that she is phenomenal in. She broke the hearts of any person watching her in "Love Actually." Tell me you don't feel empathy for her character as you watch her crumble and try to hold her family together. I think this was the only time I hated one of Rickman's characters. Of all the actresses I admire, she is the best of her craft. Plus, I must give her props on snagging Greg Wise as a husband.


Lisa Edelstein 

If I had to choose one lovely woman to party with and listen to wild, fantastic stories all night, it would be Edelstein. If you love listening, this woman is willing to talk and hold court. Of all the women mentioned, I've seen and had the pleasure to hear Lisa speak about her career and, of course, "House," the most. I've seen Anderson several times at premieres and Jimmy Kimmel and Olivia Wilde once at the premiere of the sixth season of "House." Never had the pleasure of hearing Thompson speak but hopefully one day it'll happen. Anyway, I digress.

I have to be honest. Originally, I didn't care for her. Due to my best friend coercing me into watching House, albeit lovingly, I started from the Pilot and worked my way into the series, going out and buying the seasons. Every House fan knows how horribly they dressed her in season one. Yes, I am that shallow. But... she grew on me. The more her character grew, the more I liked her. She's the HBIC (Head Bitch In Charge) who could go toe-to-toe with a crazy, pain in the ass genius. To act opposite a powerhouse (no pun intended) actor such as Hugh Laurie takes guts and a lot of skill. Also, personally, how can you not like someone devoted to animals, loves theater (saw her just last week at "In the Heights"), and who has a throaty laugh so sultry you can't help but blush? She reminds me of Grayson Hall... except, luckily, Lisa's had a lot more luck in the business.

Olivia Wilde

Everything is exotic with this female. This is the shallowest pick of mine. It's all about the eyes. If Christopher Nolan needed a Catwoman in the next Batman, I can't think of anyone more perfect. I also can't wait to see "TRON: Legacy" when it comes out later this year. I know I'm going to grin when I see the posters and swag at the San Diego Comic Con. She's currently filming "Cowboys and Aliens," directed by Jon Favreau. Supposedly they'll be showing clips at their panel on Saturday. I'll probably be in there to check them out and root for Wilde.

That's it for now, folks. I know there are hundreds more actors out there that are as great and beautiful as these, but these four have caught my eye for a while.

Zombie's Halloween II

Before I get rants of "remake! blasphemer!" technically "Halloween II" is not a remake since Zombie took the story and ran with it. Originally I thought it was going to be exactly like the original, set in a hospital on the same night. Zombie's is set a year after his story. Laurie Strode is one traumatized kid, looking like she's barely coping with living. Michael sees his mother as a ghost-like angel. The inner child literally speaks for the adult Michaels whenever he sees her. It's all very odd, but works to creep you out. Laurie's nightmares and her appointments with her psychiatrist, played by Margot Kidder (who seriously looks a lot better than the last time I had seen her), are intense, but too quick to really catch your attention.

I didn't like the spin they put to Dr. Loomis's character, profiting from all his time with Michael and the events of last Halloween. He's a bastard. Malcolm McDowell is always good on screen and you see that even when they drag his character into the ground. Loomis was suppose to be the voice of reason and the only "sane" person.

I don't know if it was because I started watching the film close to midnight or what, but it was jumping all over the place with the shots, the musics, and just the plot of the story. I jumped and flinched at the suspenseful moments. I laughed at wholly inappropriate moments.  The ending left me going "What the fuck? That's it?" It was just blah, especially after the totally hectic, awesome ending of the first movie. It was an okay film. Nothing beats the originals though.

Tomorrow's flick is Wes Craven's first film, "The Last House on the Left." Hopefully I can stomach it!

Let the Right One In VS Let Me In

"Let the Right One In" is one of my favorite films. It's dark, haunting, beautiful, etc, etc. If you've been reading this blog for the past three years, you know how I feel about it. I've praised and defended this movie.When I heard "they" were going to remake the film into an English version, I was leery and saddened. The Swedish film does have its faults with editing and special effects (the cats scenes for examples), but it was good, a worthy film to be admired by fans of horror and vampire flicks.

"Let Me In" is the basically the same film but in English. Of course, I haven't seen it so I'm just going by what I've seen in the trailer. It looks pretty good and the kids are sufficiently creepy. Still peeved they changed the title, but I'm going to give it a chance. That is one well done trailer. It's very similar to the original's but still brings its own flare, for lack of a better word. Will this finally be a good remake? We shall see.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2010 has been another slow year for me. There hasn't been a film that I've gasped and loved and had to write about the second I finished watching. Finally I have found that film. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" was exciting, daring, and intriguing.

The mystery of the story had me hooked. The film begins with a request to find out the murderer of a beloved niece of a millionaire. The millionaire's family are all suspect. The man commissioned to find out what happened is Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), a reporter just sentenced to six months in jail for slander. The millionaire had a security firm investigate Blomkvist to make sure he was reliable before hiring him. A young hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) investigates him, however after she turns in her report, she continues to monitor his actions. 


And then the story really takes off. 


Blomkvist investigates and unearths secrets forty years old. Salander cannot stand by when she notices a pattern in Blomkvist's notes, thrusting herself into the investigation. I'm not going to go into detail with the story because you should just go out and watch it yourself. 


Just watch with caution as this film doesn't hold anything back and delivers gruesome and horrific scenes bluntly. Lisbeth is brutally raped and rapes her rapist in a fitting act of revenge. The millionaire's family is nothing short of fucked up (seriously the best phrase to describe them) and insane, except for the millionaire, himself. I never yawned or hardly blinked through the film. It was brilliant! Now I need to see the sequels. 


[I should be updating more often since I finally have Netflix and the "Instant Play" is my new favorite thing in the whole world! I have to catch up on 2008's 74 blogs versus this year's 15.] 

A Good Geek News Day

Today has been such a geek day for me. First I wake up to "Torchwood International," season four of the Doctor Who spin-off! I have high hopes that this series will be so good. Russel T. Davies spoke to the BBC about it which you can see HERE. He will still be the head writer for the series. I'm still eagerly awaiting the cross-over of his for "The Sarah Jane Chronicles." Sarah Jane will get to meet the Eleventh Doctor! [Fun Fact: She's met them all except for six, seven, eight, and nine.]

Then I see this video.

At first I thought a fan had done some creative editing before I watched the whole video. Then immediately thought someone was trying to promote their skills. Turns out, the makers are trying to promote the re-boot of the Mortal Kombat franchise! As long as they keep the film rated R, instead of the lame PG-13 versions, I will go see this movie. Good luck to the makers of this video!

And if Marvel hasn't had enough press, they release the Captain America and Thor logos. "Captain America" will be released July 22, 2011. "Thor" will be released on May 20, 2011. Looks like Marvel will dominate the summer box office!  It'll be about a year later to see "The Avengers" on May 4, 2012. I was wishing it'll be an earlier release, but I'll try to be patient. "Thor" is the movie I'll be waiting at midnight for. I can't wait to see what Kenneth Branagh has done with it!

That's it for now, folks. Tomorrow I see a beloved Scotsman on his late, late night show so I know I'm in for a good time.