Monthly Archives: November 2012

Richard Armitage: A Star is Born – Rocking the Old Hipster

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Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis rock the old fart metrosexual. Courtesy of didsomebodysayguyofgisborne.tumblr.com

I was just about to doze off but checked Twitter one last time.  Then this picture caught my eye.  First I noticed RA’s leather trousers (naturally), but then something about the three of them caught my eye and I can’t stop laughing.

There’s Andy Serkis, curls slicked into a mohawk (or is it a greaser?).  Martin Freeman has Austin Powers hair and his “I just don’t give a f**k about the press” shades.  RA has a bit of fluffy spikes going.  But hey, this is the Arias.  They’ve morphed from dapper dandies to (hopefully) together hipsters, just for this event.  So, let’s take a closer look.

Martin Freeman might be channeling Austin Powers on a bad day but it’s his usual hot mess.  Dude, shiny patent leather loafers with once turned up jeans with the hem showing? Green gingham, hot pink paisley and something resembling a jacket.  Alrighty, let’s move swiftly on.

RA starts out promisingly (maybe) at his leather sneakers, moves up to the nice tight leather blue grey pants, and then ruins it with dad’s nice polo shirt and a suit coat. (EDIT: I’ve thrown in the towel on the shoes and leather pants, too. See my verdict in the comments.)  What happened, luv?  And that jacket had better not have come from the $5,000 suit ensemble!  That’s a no-no. (EDIT: I’m reassured it is not).  The outfit works too hard at looking pulled together, but I’m not buying it.  Why do I get the sneaking suspicion RA overruled his stylist and had something to do with this outfit?  Sigh.

Let’s look at Andy.  He’s wearing jeans (twice turned up), two-toned oxfords, a fancy t-shirt with a gold “My Precious” emblem and a suit jacket forgiven by the fact that it has a silky sheen.  They look like what they are: three middle aged men trying to look cool in a venue half their age, and cracking me up, doing it.  They are trying sooooo hard!  Too cute!

I submit, Dear Reader, that if you can get past RA’s leather trousers, you will agree that Andy manages to pull off his look (sans the mohawk) the best, mostly because he’s not trying.  Martin works too hard at being bohemian.  RA?  Well, he’ll have to ask his stylist.

 

Richard Armitage: A Star Is Born – More Suit Porn

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I’ve fallen in love with his suit.  Haven’t been so smitten since getting a gander of Patrick Stewart’s suit in Hamlet.  As I type, our boy is now in Australia as a presenter at the ARIAS.  Don’t think I can hold out to report any more sightings.  My brain threatens to take me out.  But before I go, here’s another pretty, pretty picture.

Richard Armitage struts his stuff at The Hobbit premiere, NZ. Courtesy of not a clue. Please let me know.

 

 

Richard Armitage: A Star Is Born – The Morning After

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A star pose? Richard Armitage at The Hobbit premiere. Courtesy of the Daily Mail

I’ve had less than four hours of sleep, they forgot the expresso in my latte, and my dog buggered off to bed.  It might not be wise to post now but that’s never stopped me before.  You know, rushing in where angels fear to tread… or something.

So, it finally happened.  After waiting since early 2011, RA made his debut on the world stage.  And what a debutante he was.  His outfit was mahhhvelous.  He was the prettiest one at the ball and everybody was looking at him.  His blushed demurely and becomingly and I’m sure his dance card later was full.  His fans watched, bursting with pride over The Next Big Thing.  There was no untoward drama.  Nobody dragged him into the bushes.  He has been officially launched.  How many producers will come courting remains to be seen.

Just looking at him, my heart filled with loving snark.  My cup truly runneth over.  The festivities should keep me blogging again for months.   I’m grinning from ear to ear, right now, at the very thought.   Yes, sipping coffee and actually sighing contentedly.   My muse is regarding me warily.  It’s all good.

I’m still considering his report card.  But first there are the interviews and the red carpet event to rewatch.  I’ll judge his performance carefully and thoughtfully, but with no handicap.   The world stage doesn’t do handicaps.  You’ll be happy to know, dear reader, that I”ll hold off posting the report card for a few days while everybody enjoys the euphoria.

That will give me enough time to pack my bags and get out of town give it due consideration.

Feel free to influence my review in the comments.  All bribes are welcome.

Oh, I’ve just been offered asylum in Budapest.  Cool!

Stay tuned.

WAIT!!!

Want to congratulate him?  Why not join the gift bombing of his Justgiving page?  Show him and the world you care.

 

Message from Richard Armitage – 28th November 2012

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Richard Armitage weathering the gauntlet at The Hobbit premiere in Wellington. Courtesy of richardarmitagecentral.co.uk

RA sent a new message to RichardArmitageOnline.  For those of you too tired to click, here is the message:

“Dear Friends,

So I am sitting in my hotel room from which I can see a very long red carpet and The Embassy Theatre. I am nervous, excited and quite emotional, the day has arrived when we can finally present our work for everyone to hopefully enjoy.

I wanted to say thank you for the continuing support that I receive from everyone who visits Annette’s brilliant site, and those others which have popped up over the last few years and months. It means so much to me to have that support. I truly hope you all enjoy The Hobbit, I tried to respect the responsibility that taking on this role presented to me, my fellow cast members are all spectacular in the story and we send out our work to you in the hope that you can take your friends and family to see a great event in the cinema.

I look forward to saying thank you, at the various premiers over the next few weeks.

See you on the Red Carpet.

Much love
Richard

fumblingly sent from my iPad:

Enjoy yourself RA.  Congratulations.

That about wraps it up for the evening, don’t you think?

EDIT: The last line was added later.  Your suppositions are as good as mine, but mine is better: most likely an oversight in posting.

Hang on there, where are you going?

Thorin wants you, too!

 

 

 

Show RA how deeply he touched you with this lovely gesture by Gift Bombing his JustGiving page.   He, and countless others, will love you for it.

 

 

Richard Armitage: A Star is Born – Liveblogging Begins!

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All times here are Central Standard Time because, you know, that’s the center of the world.  This post will be updated as the evening progresses to make following easier.

The chatroom is open here.

8:27PM

In the last few hours, there’s been a press conference and song sung by Neil Flynn.  Other than that, nobody seems to know what’s going on. Need to dig for pretty pictures.

8:54PM

They are late starting.  Streaming is showing costumed crowds along the long red carpet.. wait, they are finally arriving!!!!!

8:57PM

The reporters are out welcoming the viewers, followed by a long Hobbit trailer to whet the appetite. Sounds like a long voice over by RA and Ian McKellan.

9:00PM

I believe Neil Finn begins with a few songs on a coolly decorated stage.  Have never seen this kind of film premiere before.  Looks like a gorgeous summer afternoon.

9:09PM

Goodness, this is turning into  Crowded House concert. Personally, I prefer that they cut to the chase -the stars of the film.  Not that I’m biased or anything.

9:18PM

I’ve been enlightened this is a mini Neil Finn concert.  Then it REALLY begins.  Can’t wait to see what Cate Blanchett wears.  Yes, I’m lying.

9:22PM

Finn sings Lonely Mountain.  People in chat complain that Richard Armitage, er, the cast could have sung it better.  No bias or anything.  Meanwhile, Gandalf still stands at the hobbit’s door, waiting to knock.  His arm must be getting tired.

9:28PM

Meanwhile over on TORn fans are asking what’s so special about RA.  Oh ho.  Neil Finn was trying to get the crowd to sing.  They seem tired too.

9:30PM

Peter Jackson emerges from his limo to instantly get swept into fan autographs.  The interviewer manages to peel him away.   He waves to the people of Wellington.  They seem to love him.  Aww, they introduce his daughter Katy.

9:37PM

The next limo pulls up and it’s… Phillipa Boyens looking lovely in a black pantsuit.

9:40PM

The next one up is…Martin Freeman, all cleaned up  and actually matching … er… in a black leisure suit with pale pastel teal tie.  Unfortunately he’s kept on his sunglasses.  Hmm.

9:42PM

Up next is….. James Nesbitt with his daughter.  He’s looking fine in a dark suit and tasteful micro checkered tie.  RA is in the background being interviewed by another group.

Richard Armitage debuts on the world stage. Screen cap courtesy of meandrichardarmitage.wordpress.com

A wider view of the new movie star. Screen cap courtesy of meandrichardarmitage.wordpress.com

9:49PM

RA is there, looking FABULOUS in a dark navy Zegna suit, white shirt, and wine tie with a straight plain gold tie clip.  Hair looks good, mild scruff, twinkling eyes.  He seems to be a bit awed by it all. He saw the film for the first time on Sunday.  Working with the green screen required him to engage the imagination more.  When asked about being one of the “pin-ups”  in the film, he turned it off being a hot dwarf as in being really hot in their costumes.  Funny, dear.  And then he’s released to the crowd.  Was it my imagine or did the female interviewer seem to like him?

And then Andy Serkis and the cutie pie boys, Dean O’Gorman and Aidan Turner appear.  They are also looking quite ’60s in their dark suits and dark slim ties.  They joke about their bromance and fun on the project.  Aidan’s curls are back.  That’s all Aidan fans need to know.  Oh, and Elijah Wood, who loves to dress with like a nerd with the top button done.  And then the kiwi actors and then… oh hell, I’m done.

Wait!

11:05PM

RA again!  He never thought he would be picked to play a dwarf.  They partied a lot behind the scenes.  Now he makes his way towards the stage.  Oh boy, there’s more after all. Everybody seems to be interviewed every 250 feet. Except for RA.

11:51PM

Finally the official speeches begin with the mayor of Wellington and prime minister of New Zealand kissing major studio ass. Then the heads of MGM studios, who promised to keep it short -but lied. A streaker would have been nice.   I’ve never seen a movie premiere like this that been going for over THREE hours. Goodness.

12:00PM

Sir Peter finally takes the stage, walking through the hobbit door in Bag’s End. Then the introduction of the cast. First the old timers and then the newcomers including you know who.

12:13AM

They all pose in a row for pictures and then – it’s OVAH!  And after that, they have to sit through the movie.  Again.

Now, I have to mull over RA’s report card.  But first, I need to see his other interviews.

 

Richard Armitage: A Star is Born – Liveblogging Preamble

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This is a quick away post and I can’t include fancy stuff like pics and links.  So, bear with me.

Today is the Big Day for Richard Armitage and the cast of The Hobbit in Wellington.  Tweet is jumping with chatter and TOrN is doing an hourly countdown.  Tumblr is going gif-wild.  Blogs are churning the suspense.  The tsunami of RA and TH press is more than making up for the long drought.  I will start liveblogging the event later so watch this space.  The chatroom is open to all for group watching of the festivities starting at 8:00PM CST.  If you’re the first to arrive, no worries.  Just sit tight, and they will come. 

I’m sure that RA is a bit nervous but filled with nothing but happy thoughts today.  Some fans have vocalized  trepidation and protectiveness towards him, but let’s remember that today is his Big Day and think only positive thoughts along with him. 

I suspect he would appreciate that more.

BTW, don’t forget to Gift Bomb his JustGiving page in lieu of flowers and gifts.  You know you want to!

 

Fan Drive!: The Hobbit Rubbish Gift Bomb of Congratulations

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I’ll bah humbug later. Just sayin’.

Servetus had another fantastic idea – donating to RA’s charities in appreciation.  What do you think?  For the next week, why don’t we, as a fandom, GIFT BOMB his JustGiving page?  It would be an early start on the Christmas giving, plus it would be like sending him flowers in congratulations, except better.  Remember the collective  “Just Another Rubbish Richard Armitage” signage he got a kick out of?

How about we each make a donation, not matter how big or small anonymously at JustGiving, and comment: “The Armitage Army Rubbish Gift Bomb of Congratulations, With Love, Us” or some such.  How about it?  If you like the idea, please tweet, Facebook, reblog, and Tumblr.  Remember, the idea is to make a mass congratulatory statement for very worth causes.  (Of course, you can give to other organizations in his name if you so choose).

I think he’d get a kick out of it.

 

 

 

VOTE!

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Today is election in the U.S.  I encourage everybody to exercise their right to vote and head to the polls.  Your vote is your voice.  Make it heard.  For those of you who argue that voting is useless because nothing really changes, I urge you to reconsider.  If you do nothing, then you’re guaranteed nothing.

NaNoWriMo Procrastination, or Where’s MY Thorin Merchandise?

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Events have conspired to stall NaNoWriMo for me.  I wrote three paragraphs late Thursday and not a word since.  My muse is being tetchy.   I’m trying to coax him back with sweet nothings, but he’s playing hard to get.  I didn’t know the clocks turned back, so that threw me too.  Yes, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Meanwhile, I see the ArmitageWorld topic is The Hobbit merchandising discussed by Servetus, Agzy, and Jazzy.   Nobody should be surprised when I say I don’t particularly care, except to shake my head at the rampart commercialism.  On the upside, RA may be getting a percentage of the movie profits and merchandising, so he might be a step richer when you buy those panties with his face on the crotch.  I like to think some money is going into his pocket as well.

Plus, I am mostly immune to merchandising because these items scream DUST ME.  All those tchotchkes require cleaning.  I am domestically impaired.  This is not a good combination.  Looking at my Thorin figurine covered in cobwebs because I want to be good and not fondle it to death would make me unhappy.  And sneezy.  For the sake of full disclosure, I’m a sucker for cute stuffed toys and dolls (NOOO, do NOT want!).  I have exactly three figures: my old Skipper doll from 1969, a 12 inch David Tenant 10th Doctor doll and a 12 inch Martha doll.  I got them so I could rip their clothes off and enact questionable tableaus (without Skipper, of course), because they were the closest things resembling the two actors.

Also, my Hobbit apathy continues unabated because after googling all the merchandise, I see they still have not made what *I* want for Christmas.  How could the merchandisers have overlooked it?  I did an informal poll doing the summer and realized the fangirls would go WILD for this.  What on earth do I want?

I want at least a 12 inch Thorin barbie doll with eyes exactly like RA’s. I could wash, brush and braid its hair rip its clothes off and enact questionable tableaus with The Doctor and Martha.  Me and my strange inner child would have a blast.  Matel, where are you?

Oh, look here!  Another googling brought up this image: a redone barbie Thorin on Tumblr!  Matel could perfect this to RA’s face exactly.  Tweak the eyes, fix the lips and jawline and you have a sale. I’ll buy two; one to keep in the packaging, the other to kiss and fondle to death admire.  Anatomical correctness is optional. Really.

A Ken barbie doll redone as Thorin sold on ebay. Anatomical correctness doubtful.

 

 

 

Behind the Curtain: Blog Maintenance

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There seems to be a problem with some people getting push email notifications of comments.  Since WP.org is integrating the capabilities of some of my add-ons, I going to disable some of them to see if that’s causing the problem.  If anybody would like to be a guinea pig, please reply, subscribe to comments, and let me know if you get an email.

50,000 Words or Bust or NaNoWriMo: Day 1

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NaNoWriMo 2012 starts today. For the next 30 days, me, ElsaF, Trinalin, and thousands of others will attempt to churn out a 50,000 word novel.  I’m a bit apprehensive, having only a hazy plot, no character names, and no opening scene.  I do have a genre: Mystery/Psychological/Thriller; a location: London; a period; contemporary; and a protagonist who may or maybe not remind you of a certain person. *Cough.*

The organizers emphasize that this all about getting the words out. There is no over-thinking,  no editing, and no rewriting, unless the author has spare time after pounding out 50,000 words.  Coherency is not required, although it would be helpful for everybody concerned.  If the result turns out to be a diamond, it can be offered up for publicity and hopefully published by a real publishing house.  I harbor no such delusion, but hope to churn out at least a 30,000 word story fit to read.   I don’t recall needing extensive rewriting on last year’s story (Thanks Servetus and Elsa!), but then it was a much shorter piece.  I’ll install a word count widget and keep you posted on the project.  Maybe ElsaF and Trinalin can also send along updates on their experiences. 

My writing begins after work tonight.

For those of you considering this, you can start and stop at any time.  Sign up at the site and jump right in.  C’mon and join us.  You know you want to.

Losing Armitage: Another View

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Courtesy of Richard Armitage Confessions

Servetus finished a four-part series answering a sentiment expressed by the confession on the left.  I also felt the confessor’s loss and wondered how the legacy fans will fare with the expected influx of new people after The Hobbit debuts.  Then I read Servetus’s series and her hypothesis that problems in this fandom occurred because it is too small.   I agree, but there’s a corollary: it’s also too callow.

My impression has been that the legacy fans were mostly older, educated, literary women who never experienced any other fandom, and therefore knew nothing about how such dynamics work.  They clamored over an actor relatively late to success who suddenly had fans.  Thrilled over finding each other, RA and his fans commenced a honeymoon, and proceeded to reinvent the wheel, as it were, just like any other new fandom the world over.  Then, Things Happened.  RA learned, like every other crush, that sending frequent missives and closely interacting with fans allowed some people to presuppose they have relationships with him, which created expectations and a certain sense of obligation and possessiveness, both of him and the entire fandom.  The entire fandom became the fans’ identities.  The squabbling and policing began.   So RA distanced himself.  People still point fingers over When RA Got Burned, but actually, it was bound to occur sooner or later.  There is no”if X and Y hadn’t happened, he would still be sending us silly messages.”  Nobody is to blame.  Human nature being what it is, social interactions will develop and evolve until an advantageous point for everybody concerned is reached.  RA had to withdraw to the point where he could maintain his own equanimity and still satisfy his fans.  Although it might feel differently to many here, there’s nothing unique or special about anything that happened then, or that other fans wanted to expanded their boundaries within the fandom now.  This is the common cycle of individual-based fandoms.  The problems have been that many lack perspective and self-awareness of their inexperience, magnified by being such a small group, as Servetus said.  For example, a lot of the extreme vehemence over the real person fiction topic would a) never happened or b) been dismissed, in a huge fandom like the Tolkien universe.  Have a pet peeve or like?; there’s a subset of a subgroup for that.  There’s a lower level of personal identity politics because the universe is so big and diverse.

Having been been a fan for almost two years (I use the term loosely because I’m more an observer) and coming from two major genre fandoms, I’ve sensed wistful longing for the good old days when RA dashed off frequent reports while sweltering in Hungary.  While I understand the sentiment of the confession, “will you look back at us the same way?,” I wonder if the author, as a legacy fan, still has not stopped grieving for the past.  If I read it to mean, “will you still think we (particularly the legacy fans) are special?,”  then generally speaking, I believe RA will always think all of his fans are special. After all, we have the good taste to pick him as a crush and support his career; he will always be grateful.  However, I suspect the confessor is really asking, “will you treat me the way that made me feel special?”  The answer is: no, he can’t because he understands the dangers of cultivating a sense of specialness that closer interaction engenders. I’ve no doubt he’ll think of the first fans fondly and gratefully, but those days are gone. In a way, that Armitage has been lost.   He has moved on to the next level, and so should we.

The influx of new fans from a big old fandom will be a shot in the arm for ArmitageWorld, and I welcome it.  Our little world has reached a point in development when it needs an infusion of new viewpoints and perspectives before it either stalls or squabbles itself to death.  We need new energy and vitality. We need broadening by more viewpoints.  Arguments and flamewars will never cease to exist because the potential for disagreement in groups is always present.  However, the dissension will attract less attention and acquire better perspective in a larger arena.  That’s not to say that a burgeoning fandom won’t bring new challenges.  But if this one is to mature and thrive, we have to let go of the lost Armitage and welcome  the new Armitage as he emerges.  I anticipate some fans will need to carefully assess whether to stay in ArmitageWorld. Maybe the influx of fans will change dynamics and affect personal tastes too much to stay.  Then we must wish them well, let them go and remember that things change.

Servetus ended her series by reminding us not to forget that we share RA as a focus when times get tough.  I would add one more thing: we also need to remember that RA has changed, is changing, and will continue to change as an actor and person.  To be content here, people will have to acknowledge and accept the evolution in both their fandom and their crush.  The confession makes me wonder whether some will find it easier accepting the former, than the latter.