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Dec. 19th, 2003
(no subject)
Dec. 19th, 2003 04:22 amI just saw Return of the King, with perhaps the rudest audience in the history of the world.
I shit you not when I say, the horrible woman sitting in front of me spoke through the entire thing, and that her remarks included such exclamations as "there's my nigga" after one particular Legolas entrance, and general annoyance at Frodo not getting any pussy. No, really. She also repeatedly muttered, if you can call anything at that volume muttering, "homo" derisively under her breath.
That said, I did bawl uncontrollably through the last fifteen minutes of the film, and the man sitting next to me handed me a tissue when it was over, and we talked through the credits, and then he put me in a cab, before returning home to Delaware apparently (he was in town for some corporate training). It was strange, but correct.
Spoilers below, much of them very critical, but I have an eye for detail especially when distracted by rude people. That said, while not unequivocably thrilled, I am thrilled and suspect the second viewing will do a lot for it for me (I was very iffy on my first viewing of Two Towers too)
( RotK nitpicks and nasty commentary )
One of the reasons this tale devastates me, one of the reasons I'm glad I waited a day to see it, one of the reasons I need to go back and see it in an emptier or at least more respectful theater, is that I am utterly obsessed with the beauty of sadness and the notion of leavings. For it is an unfortunate truth that it is only in loss that we see not only what we have or had, but find courage to express what was always there. When Frodo goes into the West, when everyone goes their ways into their lives, it is hard for me to know, who is left behind and who is leaving. It is hard for me to know, who to identify with (which is something I need in my stories), and it is hard for me to know if I can feel secure, or regretful, in my choices. Which is powerful stuff. The best films don't answer these questions.
I will also note that dealing with this trilogy, has in many ways reminded me of going to see Metropolis or other silent films. As a modenr audience we don't know what to do with all that overwraught overacting, and we giggle nervously. These films do that to people, and that's probably good, but often frustrating. Give up, just go with it, shred later. Take the moment. Don't argue with it.
One of the particularly strange things about these films is also their scale on a number of levels -- the size of the undertaking, the ubiquity of the story, and the level of the technology. The films _are_ flawed, and theoretically one shouldn't be able to say "there can't be a bigger achievement" about any artform, but the confluence of things here, poses that possibility, at least for an incredibly long time. It's a little frightening truth be told.
I shit you not when I say, the horrible woman sitting in front of me spoke through the entire thing, and that her remarks included such exclamations as "there's my nigga" after one particular Legolas entrance, and general annoyance at Frodo not getting any pussy. No, really. She also repeatedly muttered, if you can call anything at that volume muttering, "homo" derisively under her breath.
That said, I did bawl uncontrollably through the last fifteen minutes of the film, and the man sitting next to me handed me a tissue when it was over, and we talked through the credits, and then he put me in a cab, before returning home to Delaware apparently (he was in town for some corporate training). It was strange, but correct.
Spoilers below, much of them very critical, but I have an eye for detail especially when distracted by rude people. That said, while not unequivocably thrilled, I am thrilled and suspect the second viewing will do a lot for it for me (I was very iffy on my first viewing of Two Towers too)
( RotK nitpicks and nasty commentary )
One of the reasons this tale devastates me, one of the reasons I'm glad I waited a day to see it, one of the reasons I need to go back and see it in an emptier or at least more respectful theater, is that I am utterly obsessed with the beauty of sadness and the notion of leavings. For it is an unfortunate truth that it is only in loss that we see not only what we have or had, but find courage to express what was always there. When Frodo goes into the West, when everyone goes their ways into their lives, it is hard for me to know, who is left behind and who is leaving. It is hard for me to know, who to identify with (which is something I need in my stories), and it is hard for me to know if I can feel secure, or regretful, in my choices. Which is powerful stuff. The best films don't answer these questions.
I will also note that dealing with this trilogy, has in many ways reminded me of going to see Metropolis or other silent films. As a modenr audience we don't know what to do with all that overwraught overacting, and we giggle nervously. These films do that to people, and that's probably good, but often frustrating. Give up, just go with it, shred later. Take the moment. Don't argue with it.
One of the particularly strange things about these films is also their scale on a number of levels -- the size of the undertaking, the ubiquity of the story, and the level of the technology. The films _are_ flawed, and theoretically one shouldn't be able to say "there can't be a bigger achievement" about any artform, but the confluence of things here, poses that possibility, at least for an incredibly long time. It's a little frightening truth be told.
(no subject)
Dec. 19th, 2003 06:53 amHey, check out Amanda's wedding pictures:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/tsarina/612831.html?#cutid1
Which are much better than those on my disk that refuses to work. Although there are still at least two I must scan in for her.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/tsarina/612831.html?#cutid1
Which are much better than those on my disk that refuses to work. Although there are still at least two I must scan in for her.
(no subject)
Dec. 19th, 2003 06:27 pmAfter all my whining yesterday, all I want is to see RotK again now. What is up with that? Well, 1) I want a better audience and 2) Pippin singing. Also, i just need to go and have a less analytical and exhausted experience with it. Going Monday with Kat.
Napping soon, I've had about an hour of bloody sleep.
Napping soon, I've had about an hour of bloody sleep.