Diverse things

[bop_radar]

Drive-by post from moi, as I am shortly off to see The Dark Knight at IMAX (having finally convinced their booking system to give up a seat).

Dr Horrible was kinda fun, yes? I find Joss's shows at their best when he keeps the comedy in the forefront as the main focus, with the darker material as twists/unexpected punches in the gut. That's why BtVS worked so well for me, and why AtS was a bit dull to begin with while it took itself so earnestly. It's also why Firefly didn't work so well for me: it just wasn't funny enough. It's central raison d'etre was not to be a comedy--the comedy was just topping. Serenity levelled up for me largely because Joss brought his A-game comedy writing.

What Dr Horrible made me realise was that I find the darker elements of Joss-works far more interesting and moving when they are a contrast to the usually light comedic tone. *shrugs* I'm probably alone in that, but that's how it works for me. It makes me somewhat worried about whether I'll actually like Dollhouse, because the central premise is not comedic.

Also, Captain Hammer is the best role for Nathan Fillion ever. *giggles* Thanks, Joss, for taking the piss out of all those hero characters I hate. :D Penny was a write-off from the start, but the fact she died makes her role meta-y enough that I don't care.

And while I'm opin-ing, I loved that Bad Horse was actually a horse. *hearts*

What else is news? I watched an anime so boring/mad that I started shipping one character with a duck. (Don't ask!) I downloaded Middleman but am hesitating to watch it because it seems like it's about to get canned (feel free to persuade me otherwise!).

And it's that time of year again... the Melbourne International Film Festival started yesterday. This year, I just got a mini-pass (10 flicks) so it won't be as manic as last year and my first session is not until the weekend. I teamed up with a friend to slice through the impenetrably long program and come up with some priority viewing material... it got easier to be decisive after a few glasses of wine, but the results could be ... interesting. I'll report back. :p



I feel like saying that SO OFTEN in my chosen profession. :)

And finally, a shoutout/invitation to any BSG fans interested in running challenges during this here hiatus we're in. bsg_hiatusthon is yours for the co-opting!

Comments

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Just waving hello. I still haven't watched either Dr. Horrible or the Dark Knight, though I may go to see the latter sometime today.

Enjoy the film festival!

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Oh, p.s.: I didn't realize Middleman is in danger (very sad--I guess I'd better buy new tapes for my VCR rather than taping over old eps, since I doubt it'll go to DVD if cancelled midseason), but it's not trememndously serialized--every ep is pretty self-contained--so I think it's safe to watch. I mean, I love it to pieces but it's silly enough that I don't think it's the sort of thing you would get so invested in you'd be heartbroken when it was cancelled, or anything.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool: that's encouraging, and I am desperate for some entertaining TV at the moment so maybe I'll dl the rest on weekend.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Hope you enjoy TDK--I thought it was great. :)

[duskwillow.livejournal.com]

I love when Joss is funny better, but I also love the darker stuff. What is getting annoying is that he has to kill someone off every.single.time. It's getting old. You don't have to have a happy ending, but if you're going for an unhappy ending you can do so without someone ending up dead, it's called creative writing. *le sigh*

I like Middleman. It's obviously a show for kids, it's like a strange Doctor Who/Pushing Daisies/Psych mix and it's fun. But yeah, I can see why it might be in danger.

Have fun at IMAX.
I'm going to go see TDK tonight as well. :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I don't mind the deaths! I rather like 'em. I have never found any of them gratuitous--they've always served a greater narrative purpose that I could see, so I admire that more than what I've seen in, say, a show like BSG of late. *deliberately vague to avoid spoiling people*

TDK rocked!! :D :D :D

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

I watched TDK at IMAX last night. Enjoy!

I actually found Firefly incredibly funny - that's one of the reasons I love it so much. I definitely felt Angel tried to be a bit too serious and that may be why it's my least favorite of all of Joss' shows.

As for the Middleman, until you wrote that I had no idea it could be in danger but a quick google confirmed it. I absolutely love the show so I'm gutted - I'm not sure it's a good fit for abc family though which wont have helped. It's definitely worth watching though because it's a lot of fun!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I loved the IMAX experience of TDK--hope you did too.

I'm really intrigued by all these people who found FF funny: I always thought you had to be into the angst on FF to enjoy it, because I honestly didn't find it very funny at all. Angel, on the other hand, I found riotous--not first season, but later on. SOH is very personal.

All the recs for Middleman make me think I have to catch it regardless.

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

It was the first time I've ever seen an IMAX movie, but it was awesome. I mean it's a pretty intense movie anyway, but IMAX really throws you in the middle of it all. I loved it!

SOH definitely is very personal. I think maybe it's because I love sarcastic, dry humour and so I always found Mal and Jayne hilarious. I actually haven't watched Angel in forever, but I'm just in the middle of a rewatch - I'm at the end of S1 which may be why I remember it as being less funny.

I don't think The Middleman is for everyone, but if you like very funny, geeky, cute shows with great characters and snappy dialogue you should like it.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I love that feeling of being 'IN' the movie . *g*

I don't think it's the sarcasm/dryness thing, because I really like that too--for me it's just that what they were being sarcastic about wasn't funny or original to me, but there you go...

The Middleman has proved to be EXACTLY the sort of thing I like! \o/

[voldything.livejournal.com]

What Dr Horrible made me realise was that I find the darker elements of Joss-works far more interesting and moving when they are a contrast to the usually light comedic tone.

Ah, yes! Exactly how I feel!


And heeeee that cartoon!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

:) Glad someone understood me.

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

We have just finished watching the final ep of Firefly #14 Objects in Space. I have to say I think I love this series and truly cannot fathom why it was not picked up. I'm surprised I didn't here the rumble all the way down here in little ole Perth from the uproar at the news that it was the last episode. River just got interesting! It is way funnier than Angel (although I shall never forget the David Boreanaz Alexis Denisof dancing outtakes - that footage remains forever ingrained) and I love how the characters are all so completely different. So many questions...maybe now upon my second viewing of Serenity it shall all fall into place. Ditto on the cartoon in my workplace - in fact I think I might have to find that image bigger so I can stick it above my literacy texts in the office.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow, another one who finds FF funny! I didn't find it funny at all. I think I laughed at maybe 2 lines max, and I could definitely see why it got canned, but *shrugs* these things are deeply personal. Serenity redeemed a LOT for me because I felt like all the payoffs were in the movie. To me it really seemed like Joss had counted on people being 'along for the ride' with FF and I quite clearly wasn't. Ah well. There's enough Joss material out there that there's something for everyone. *g*

[gildinwen.livejournal.com]

I *Loved* Dr Horrible!!! I'm just glad I wasn't eating or drinking anything when we finally saw Bad Horse LOL!!!
*Wanders off humming 'On the rise'*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hee. It was a delight. I'm so glad to see Joss 'bring it' again.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

I have to disagree about Firefly. I thought Firefly was ridiculously funny, even funnier than BtVS and that it was in the forefront even more than the darker plot. But I do like Joss's humor the most unless he brings out amazing, brilliant serial plots. I do love how he contrasts it. Love Captain Hammer times infinity but Mall remains my favorite. And the horse thing is priceless, now I see all horses as "Bad Horse" and it cracks me up.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow, you found FF funny? That's interesting: I don't usually enter into the whole FF versus BtVS debate because these things are so personal, but it honestly never occurred to me that FF fans liked it because it was funny. Huh. To me it felt very clunky and forced.

The power is definitely in the contrast though, whichever Joss show you love! :)

[anoel.livejournal.com]

OMG yes! I laugh through Firefly like all the time, it's one of the main reasons I rewatch it so many times and why it's my #2 show of all time. I don't get clunky and forced at all but that's difference of opinion for you.

In the end, Joss rules all :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's definitely personal... I loved AtS but I know it's probably third on the list for most people. *shrug*

[bradcpu.livejournal.com]

I loved that Bad Horse was actually a horse
Do you mean the thoroughbred of sin? :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

:D

[pun.livejournal.com]

And while I'm opin-ing, I loved that Bad Horse was actually a horse. *hearts*

Okay, see, I was talking about this with moonlash_cc and saying how that joke was totally lost on me because it never occurred to me that he would not be a horse! I guess I'm the only one.


That cartoon is awesome!

[radioreverie.livejournal.com]

Okay, see, I was talking about this with [info]moonlash_cc and saying how that joke was totally lost on me because it never occurred to me that he would not be a horse!


Same here!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I wanted it to be a horse, but thought it might not be. Thinking about it now it seems inevitable.

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

Have fun at The Dark Knight! I can't wait to read what you think! :D

And that comic is funny! :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Eeeee! It was SO GOOD. *bounces*

[allzugern.livejournal.com]

I won't be seeing any movies till I hit the states in a couple of weeks (I refuse to watch them dubbed here), so I'll skip the spoilery stuff - But I LOVE that cartoon! Hahahaha!!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

:D Glad you liked.

[francopoli.livejournal.com]

Middleman is cute, clever, funny and doomed. I say doomed because everything I like is canceled, destroyed or shat upon.

The Zombie episode? I've not laughed like that in ages.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Awwww. I'm sorry it's doomed, but it does seem like many people love it--I'll have to check it out. I like clever, cute and funny!

[francopoli.livejournal.com]

It has two things going for it. It is on a network that seems to like the show, and it is in a stable timeslot, and not bouncing all over the place.

I oh so hope that they can pull two or three great seasons out of this premise.

And I want to give Ida a big ol' bear hug :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh well maybe it will come good. I've started watching it and think it's fabulous. So entertaining! It seems like it would suit a couple of shorter seasons, but I know that's not how US TV works.

[transtempts.livejournal.com]

The Dark Knight was awesome, and the Middleman is well worth the watch, it's quirky and charming and the leads have great chemistry. I've already written one fic for it, and I expect more will be happening soon.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Cute icon! And yes, I love The Middleman now. :) Both leads are great fun and adorable characters.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Finally got to see Dr. Horrible. It's funny, because I was spoiled accidentally for the ending, and saw lots of feminist rage saying don't watch act 3, but act 3 was actually the only part I thought was really funny. (Nathan Fillion was just absolutely hilarious, as were his groupies). I mean, I can see why people were made at Penny's death, but I don't know--it didn't actually seem gratuitous to me. I probably would have been expecting it even without spoilers--this *is* Joss we're talking about.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I found her death FINE. To me, I had more feminist issues with Penny before she was killed, than after. At least being killed she served a narrative function! And no, I didn't find it gratuitous at all. TBH, I found the feminist grumblings very simplistic and to me they kind of missed the point... but I never seem to be on the same page as fandom, so there you go. Act III made it for me--without Act III it was tepid at best.

[(Anonymous)]

I agree with you that the real feminist argument about Penny was that she was just there to be the (extremely tepid) love interest. Though she didn't bother me so much because she actually seemed to be Josh's deliberate parody of one of his own character types--Anne/Lilly/whatever-her-name ended up being, the former goth chick from Buffy who ended up running the homeless shelter in Angel, though much more spineless? In fact, I almost saw Penny as a deliberate sendup of the helpless self-sacrificing heroine role, *especially* with the headlines afterward ("Heroes Girlfriend Dead," "Whats-her-Name Killed by Horrible"), showing how absurd it was just as Captain Hammer was a beautiful parody of a superhero and Dr Horrible was a remarkable send-up not only of mad scientists in general but specifically of the evil Trio from Buffy.

OMG, typing that I just remembered that I thought the absolute funniest bits were Captain Hammer explicitly stating that yes, by his hammer he meant his penis, and also explicitly saying he'd had sex with Penny when receiving that award.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I almost saw Penny as a deliberate sendup of the helpless self-sacrificing heroine role, *especially* with the headlines afterward
SAME. Exactly! I really read her that way as well--complete with thinking she referenced Anne/Lily. And as 'Hero's Girlfriend' she totally WAS a great parody. And given how many issues I have with Superheros' girlfriends in contemporary works (Spiderman, Superman, Batman, etc.), I felt it was appropriate. I thought her role was meta-y. If she'd been given some 'oh and then she became great and lived happily ever after ending' I'd have been way more annoyed.

'The hammer is my penis' was my favourite line.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Yikes! How did I log myself out? That comment above was me, if you couldn't tell.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I could tell. :)

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

We share a brain, it is confirmed!!!! (At least when it comes to the Jossverse).

I hope you are enjoying the film festival, by the way.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's actually felt a bit below-par this year TBH. I'm still enjoying it but there haven't been any really brilliant movies yet and there's a bit of chat about it being a flat year for films.