Public holiday spam

[bop_radar]

It's a public holiday here in Melbourne, and I'm revelling in it because the next few days will be spent 'bonding' with my colleages at a staff conference. *shudders* While I fully intend to insulate myself with books, iPod and laptop, I'm not sure how successful I will be at avoiding the usual spectacle of watching one's superiors get shit-faced and ugly.

First, some post-Maelstrom meta links, because I'm still very thinky on such matters. (Two essays not enough? Sheesh, K!)
- daybreak777 has some questions on Kara/Leoben (little k--you around?).
- wisteria_ has a screencap review with a poll.
- marenfic has a wonderful post on Jung and mandalas which I found enlightening.
My cursor has hovered over post-Maelstrom fic and vids, but so far I can't bring myself to click. *stays safely in metaland for now* I'm still ridiculously emo and will be lining up drinks before the next eppy just in case.

In other news, I saw Pan's Labyrinth last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been hyped to death, true, but I'm a sucker for fantasy, tragedy, fairy-tales and little-girls-lost-in-the-woods, not to mention the gorgeousness of the set designs and cinematography. This movie's 'twists' were ineffective for me: I could see them coming a mile away, but oddly enough that didn't dampen my enjoyment at all. I watched with a calmness and a sense of watching something classic--I guess that came from the way they used so many fairytale tropes. Like when she chose to save her brother, I knew that it was the right choice and she'd gain access to the Kingdom.

I'd been warned about the violence but honestly I didn't find it that bad. Tideland was way more icky--that movie's a masterpiece of the grotesque. I thought the violence in this was effective in creating the type of horror necessary for the overall tone. But yes, I did have to look away when he sewed up his own face. Anything with needles involved is guaranteed to squick me.

This movie reminded me of my hyper-imaginative childhood: I was one of those kids who read under the blankets when my light was supposed to be turned off, who had imaginary friends and made up long complicated adventures for myself. Not to mention nightmares! (Snakes coming out of the sink and soldiers under my bed.) I loved the imagery of Ofelia with the empty book asking 'what comes next?' This movie had echoes of so many loved childhood journeys: from Alice in Wonderland, The Little White Horse, from Lucy in Narnia to the classic Grimm's fairytales.

I have a fondness for magic realism and this kind of 'fairy tale for adults' is one that I've more commonly encountered in literature than in movies to date. The visual imagination and creative vision needed to bring this to life on the screen staggers me and for that alone this movie has become a fave of mine already.

Finally, we've all seen the infamous Justin Hartley-gets-a-handjob clip now, yes? Ah, Smallville, you know how to cast them! How much would I give to hear Michael or Tom give him shit over this? A LOT. The very fact that this was set in a barn amused me no end. Someone get Justin a show, pleeeeease! I miss Oliver. :-(

Comments

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

COMPLETELY idiot exchange of comments, yes--I nearly mentioned them myself. It's amazing how the same comments are dragged out time and time again. *throws hands up in despair*

Justin plays 'straight, but you could turn me' so very well.

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

>Justin plays 'straight, but you could turn me' so very well.

oh yes, and that exhalation after the screen went black? mmmm. i liked his visible reaction to the description of the igloo, too. what a pretty young man.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I know. So pretty, so good at comedy...