YAAAY!

I haven't been blogging of late because I have finally started studying! But today, Being Norma Jeane crossed 300,000 pageviews and I would just like to share that. Thanks people and thanks Google images!

To celebrate, here is some Magneto-on-Magneto action-

Thoughts and FYCs

1) The LAMMYs are here, folks! Here is my banner-

If you would like, please do vote for me in these categories. You can see my blog's design and this is a Weekly Thoughts post. As for Funniest Writer- Q: What is red and smells like blue paint? A: Red paint. *drops the mic and walks away*

The entire Eligibility List is out and I would be checking them out soon. However, I already know that two blogs that I will be voting for a lot are And So It Begins... and Cinematic Corner. Alex Withrow is a shoo-in for the Most Knowledgeable Writer. Dude has watched every movie ever, seriously! And though Being Norma Jeane is in the Best Design category too, Sati's site is, and this is probably the highest praise I can give to anything, the Ryan Gosling of blogs. It's gorgeous! Also, I am conflicted between Alex's "In Character" thingies and Sati's "Visual Parallels" for Best Running Feature.

2) Anyways, getting back to film world, Steven Spielberg was in India recently and is thinking about making a film about the India-Pakistan-Kashmir conflict. Woah! A part of me thinks it will be brilliant and a part of me, i.e. the part that remembers Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom only far too well, is scared. That was one ridiculously inaccurate and racist film and was saved only because Harrison Ford is a god. One of the names being thrown about for the Bollywood cast of the Kashmir film is that of Anushka Sharma, which is awesome because she is a wonderfully charismatic and beautiful actress who can actually act- a rarity in Bollywood. I guess I do want this to happen. Also if Spielberg comes to Calcutta, I'm sooooooooo stalking him.

3) Jane's Got a Gun. I don't really have anything funny to say about that. I don't need to. *drops the mic and walks away*

4) Ryan Gosling is apparently taking a break from acting. RUBBISH, I TELL YA'! Yes, him directing How to Catch a Monster is the single-most awaited event of my life right now, but still. He's an amazing actor! He can't talk all this crap. In the meantime, some stills from his upcoming potential epic, Only God Forgives have been released.

5) Speaking of, my ovaries explode and go to heaven at 7:32 in this video-

This film will be the death of me. It's going to be really experimental though, so I am a tiny bit scared too.

6) TV talk- Season 3 of American Horror Story will be called American Horror Story: Coven. So witches it is, and glamorous ones at that. Can't wait! Bates Motel started this week and it wasn't half bad. Freddie Highmore's face is really weird and distracting, though not in a good way, but he was pretty creepy as Norman Bates. I thought Vera Farmiga's Mrs. Norma Bates was exactly like how I had imagined her to be, except she's obviously much prettier. Girls, thankfully, had a pretty great season finale. Was anyone else reminded of Manhattan's Isaac Davis when Adam ran across Brooklyn streets to Hannah? They are both completely insane romantic gestures if you think about it.

7) Trailers- Despicable Me 2 looks fun enough. You know, I would really like to have some minions. THE BEST STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS TRAILER YET! As much as I love Kirk and Spock, I am definitely going to end up siding with Benedict Cumberbatch's villain. I know it.

8) Oh and have you guys been listening to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. It's absolutely fantastic. Everyone in it is doing a great job, with special props to Scottish king, James McAvoy and the angel of voices, Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, I did just write that. It's allowed because it's true).

9) New header and sidebar pictures. YAAY!

10) Finally, Matt Smith wants to be a Bond villain. I don't know if he's menacing enough to be a main villain, but he can be like a side-villain and fight Q. I would really, really, really like that. So would, it seems, Sir Ian McKellen-

Would not mind sharing Matt Smith with him one bit. Nope.

Please vote and adieu!

My Favourite and Least Favourite LoTR Characters

        In celebration of the release of the first The Hobbit trailer this morning, this list seems only apt. Also I recently finished watching the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings films. So basically I'm on a Middle Earth-high, and currently want to marry Martin Freeman. I mean seriously, move over Andrew Garfield! This man is a book-lover's wet dream (yes I know he's probably already married but I refuse to check). I'm Mrs. Dent Watson Baggins Freeman from now! Yaayy!!


         Anyways, this list is based on the films and not the books, which I read in 7th grade and that also only the first one and half of the second. I do so love the films, and I like almost all the characters in it save a few. These are my least favourite and favourite characters from The Lord of the Rings movies.


My least favourite characters-

5) Grima Wormtongue (played by Brad Dourif)-

Grima is just creepy. He takes over poor Theoden's mind and rules his kingdom following Saruman's orders, and fancies the pretty Eowyn. He just reminds me of tentacles. Ew.

4) Saruman (played by Christopher Lee)-

I didn't like Saruman because I felt nothing for him. He was not the least bit scary in the film. He was just there. This much indifference, for a character as powerful as him, is never a good thing.

3) Denethor (played by John Noble)-

He was just so repulsive a character. A man driven mad by power, and clearly one of the worst fictional fathers of all time. He is just horrible.

2) Orcs (played by men who don't mind looking like that)-

I saw my first LoTR film, The Two Towers, when I was in fourth grade and I was genuinely terrified of them (though I got more freaked out by the Aragorn-Arwen kisses then :P). Orcs are just the grossest, scariest, most inhumane race ever.

1) Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood)-

I'm sorry, but Frodo just annoys the hell out of me. He's such a whiny little bitch. Okay yes he has the One Ring around his neck blah blah blah, but it's not my fault that his irritating and stupid side is the one I am subjected to. I really would fast-forward all his scenes were it not for Sam and Gollum and the others.

And now my favourite characters-


Honourable mentions- Theoden, Gimli, Elrond, Éomer, Treebeard.

10) Galadriel (played by Cate Blanchett)-

I just love her. I am probably as taken aback as Gimli is with her, The narration, the crazy power thing in The Fellowship of the Ring, the peaceful look on her face always... I would follow her everywhere, definitely.

9) Faramir (played by David Wenham)-

I absolutely adore Faramir. He was so unloved and unrewarded, but he went past all that and became a great soldier, and certainly a fantastic man.

8) The One Ring/ Sauron-
I so want one (minus the Dark Lord influences). I love the simplicity of the look of the ring, and all the darkness it just brings with it. Every scene with the ring in it, is always dominated by it.

7) Gandalf (played by Sexgod Sir Ian McKellen)-
Isn't he just the best?! He's brave and kind and funny and quirky, and so so powerful. He would be just the most brilliant mentor.

6) Samwise Gamgee (played by Sean Astin)-
The bestest friend of them all. Though there are theories of homosexuality here (and I do agree with them till an extent), the basic fact is that Sam is the kind of friend that one can only pray for. He will never leave your side, and always help you and make you laugh and protect you. Frodo was sooo lucky Sam put up with his shit.

5) Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen)-
He is one of my most favourite literary kings ever. A true underdog in the world of men, with all of the power and responsibility and possible doom thrust upon him, who really rose to the occasion when required. A mighty warrior and a fine friend. Thank god Mortensen was finally cast for this... noone can open doors quite like he does *wink*.

4) Gollum (played by Andy Serkis)-

Serkis and Peter Jackson together brought a revolution in modern cinema with Gollum. He was just so amazingly made. I think Gollum is one of the most tragic characters in literature and film. I do feel sorry for all that he endured, and he really tries to be saved. 

I will even go as for to say that this is the best performance of the entire series of the films.

3) Merry and Pippin (played Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd respectively)-
I love Merry and Pippin! I think of all the characters, I am most like Pippin. I cannot think of them separately, though they each bring something different to the stories. Merry is the more sensible one, who unfortunately always gets left behind but shows great valour on the battlefield. Pippin is the honest fool, as Gandalf said, and does get into a lot of trouble, but only because of his curiosity. He has a pure heart and always helps in his own way.
Both of them together have some of the best lines in the films.

2) Éowyn (played by Miranda Otto)-

With the whole series revolving around the bravery and the hunger for power of men, this one woman steals the show for me. She is beautiful and humble and kind and so very brave. Éowyn is a role model. She needs independence even at the time of battle and distress and hates that her gender comes in the way. Still, she does prove herself more than worthy on the battlefield.

The scene when she kills the Witch-King, with the whole "I am no man" is a huge favourite of mine, one which always results in me screaming "GIRL POWER YESSSS!" She really is the best of the human race.

1) Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom)-
I could not help this. I really wanted to give the top spot to Sam for his undying friendship or Aragorn for his bravery or Gollum for his tragedy or Éowyn for all the girl power, or anyone for any "proper" emotional impact, but Legolas is just so freaking coooool!! I go crazy in all of his scenes. I cheer. I clap. I scream.
Still, he is a great elf and an incredible archer. He is there in all the battles and really plays pivotal roles. He is  one part of  the Man-Elf-Dwarf trio. Also, that elephant scene in The Return of the King is my favouritest, because again, it's so freaking coooool!!
I even once wanted to name my future child Legolas. You cannot question my devotion... I am gaga for this elf.

Hope you liked it. Cannot wait for The Hobbit!

- Mrs. Dent Watson Baggins Freeman.

Thoughts

1) So first of all, I didn't write any posts this week because I have been down with, quite expectedly, what I call the Super Winter Lethargy which happens, you guessed it, every winter and basically consists of me not wanting to leave my cosy bed and doing anything that requires brains, which includes writing for this blog. This coincided with my college exams (I had four between the last Thoughts post and this one) and all that just got magnified. I am truly sorry. I can't promise next week to be any different, but that's mainly because I'll be travelling and meeting all my old school friends. YAAAAY! So excited :D

2) The big news this week has been the SAG nominations. Everyone is pretty pissed about things like snubs for Shame, Corey Stoll, Parks and Recreations etc. I don't really care yet. I do like how haphazardly, somewhat, the awards season is going, but personally, I'm not getting as blazed up about things like how I was last year. I have a feeling that The Social Network used up all the award-crazy flair in me, and now I might be beyond caring when it comes to these prizes. Odd. Also, I read somewhere about someone actually thinking that Daniel Radcliffe will get an Oscar nomination. I used to be like that 3 years ago. O children...

3) I'm skipping trailers this week, mostly. There was something about a musical starring Tom Cruise and Sacha Baron Cohen being something ridiculous. Oh and MIB3, of whose existence I was not aware of. I only saw the last one because I just cannot be deigned to watch the others, and it gave me No Country for Old Men flashbacks. And also how does Will Smith look so young? He's such a pageant mum; I wish he'd do more for his career.

4) There were two teaser posters this week- The Amazing Spiderman and Prometheus. I like the Spidey one, but it's trying to hard to look like a Nolan-esque Batman film. Speaking of, there was also the The Dark Knight Rises teaser poster last week. I think the rain is a bit excessive, but I do admire the awesome albeit insane idea of Batman dying. I like the Batman villains way more than the caped crusader, but then again, why must Bane be the one to do it? Sure he sounds horrific, but I don't really like someone as brawny as Bane to be the one to do the deed over someone as brilliant and brainy as the Joker. Personal preference of villains, people... About Prometheus, I dunno what it signifies as such. I really must watch the Alien movies. Also, pictures from The Great Gatsby have been released. I especially like this one because Leo, who was my first love à la Jack Dawson in Titanic, is looking like his handsome dreamy self again. I have no doubt that the film will look gorgeous, but I have doubts about Baz Luhrmann making it too much about the looks (don't forget the cursed 3D) and not enough about the beloved story. I still think someone like Sofia Coppola, would have a much more interesting take on it because she's so feminine. It would have been a different perspective, and would have looked brilliant too.

4) What Sofia Coppola is doing, according to TMZ (I'm not sure how reliable this is), is making a film on some group of thieves called the Burglar Bunch, who stole from Hollywood it seems. It sounds interesting, however novel when compared to her filmography. But she should do other kinds of projects. I am still hoping for her to make a horror film. Also, and I forgot to write about this earlier, a third part to the incredible Before Sunrise-Before Sunset films is apparently being made. I just hope it does justice to the other two. I will reserve judgements on that, unlike what I feel for the "modern" remake of American Psycho. WHY HOLLYWOOD WHY?! There are no videotapes around, no business cards around, no nothing like that around, hell noone like "Hip to be Square" Christian Bale around! I actually tried brainstorming for a present day equivalent for the business cards (videotape = Netfilx, except "I'm going to go check my Netflix" doesn't sound so impressive...) but the only thing people care about enough these days is like their IPhones and a new model comes out every year or so, and the whole reason why the business cards were so impactful were because they were so mundane and it was just outrageous to go psycho-murderer because of them. Not going to work Hollywood... go occupy something else.

5) Regarding awards and me: I saw Hugo this week. I loved it so freaking much! I think it has become my favourite film of this year, even though I do not think it is the best film of the year... this is going to create problems in my top 20 films list, whenever the hell I get to make it. Hugo was flawed, no doubt about it, but it was also very special. I am writing the review, promise. As far as its awards chances go, I think it'll get nominated for Best Picture, and maybe even Director, but it will win neither.

6) Finally, this mere mortals, THIS-

No words.

Byee.