A Very Short Conversation About Bad Acting

11/29/2012

Mom: "I changed to Hallmark Channel to see if they were playing any Christmas movies. This has really bad acting." 

Me: "Oh, you finally noticed! You know why?"

Mom: "Why?"

Me: "Because you've watched John Noble on Fringe."

Mom: "What do you mean?"

Me: "Because he's awesome!"

Mom: "Oh... Yeah, he's very believable as an actor." 

YES! John Noble is one of the greatest (and most overlooked) actors ever and he's at the top of his game. He couldn't get any better. Noble is believable in every word, action, and expression, with a talent that's incredibly deep and a heart to match.

My mom usually ignores bad acting to watch any cutesy romantic Christmas movie just because she wants to get in the mood for the upcoming holiday and it doesn't really require her to pay attention. Perfect while doing other things. As for me, if I want to get in the mood it will be with Christmas Vacation or A Christmas Story. If I want to both laugh and shed a tear, then it's The Muppet Christmas Carol (Blu-ray, DVD). Michael Caine is superb in it. It's such a wonderful movie that I randomly whistle tunes from it all year long.

You know what hasn't been on in forever? Santa Claus: The Movie with Dudley Moore. Not the best thing ever, but I loved it as a kid anyway. Hmm, what else? I think I'm the only one in my family who likes Scrooged. Also, Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, which I finally watched a few weeks ago. It's hilarious and sweet.

That's all I can really think of for Christmas movies right now. There are plenty of others I'm sure, but these are the ones I love and could never get sick of watching, the ones that are good enough to watch for 24 hours straight.

Edit (1/21/14): Um, how did I forget the first two Home Alone movies? Shame on me.

"I'm dosing a caterpillar"

11/24/2012

Well, I completely forgot to say anything about the Fringe Season 1 marathon on Science Channel this Thanksgiving weekend, except on Twitter, where I mentioned it probably a dozen times yesterday. I haven't rewatched many of these episodes in at least a year, so this is very nice. It's a great way to spend a few days decorating for Christmas. I somehow always end up watching some sort of marathon while decorating - Psych, Quantum Leap, MacGyver - but this is my favorite.

All right, it's about time I shut up and let you get to the show. The episode is Bound and it's already started. The marathon goes until 11:00 PM EST tonight and then repeats the pilot at the end. From there, Science Channel is playing three episodes every Tuesday night starting at 8 PM EST. You can also download the Into Now app on your iPhone or iPad and get exclusive content.

(#)iPredict That I Will Love Fringe Forever

11/15/2012

We are approaching the seventh episode of the final season of Fringe already, "Five-Twenty-Ten." This is such a hard time, but take solace in the knowledge that we are a vocal community that did not let our little show that could go down without a fight. And, boy, what a fight. There's been a lot of love and loss in Fringe, none more affecting than in the last few weeks, which is saying a lot. I will miss this show terribly, and I know I will continue to adore it no matter how it ends, because I trust that Joel Wyman will get us to where it was always meant to go.

I'm using this icon for the Fringenuity Twitter event.

Photobucket

Here are some of my tweets from last week's event for inspiration.

The title of this may a bit of a spoiler to some, but only those who haven't reached last year's "Letters of Transit" yet, in which case they shouldn't be reading new posts.

Got a New Template

11/13/2012

Just changed it a few minutes ago. Some things are missing, because they were in the template itself instead of the layout, and a lot of things need rearranging. But it's time for a workout right now, so I don't have the time. Please bear with me. Why not watch a little Fringe instead of looking at the mess?

Too Many Distractions

11/12/2012


I got sidetracked quite a few times blogging instead of finishing my latest weapon. It didn't have a name, so I thought Distraction fit as well as anything. For a few more words, visit my dedicated weapons blog.

Uploaded from the Photobucket iPad App

Ooh, how annoying. There wasn't supposed to a background. Didn't have time for one and didn't want it to be another gradient. Otherwise, I would have matched the grey on this site. Maybe I'll fix it, but I have a lot to do right now.

Teasers for Tonight's Fringe

11/09/2012


I just wrote this in an email this morning and felt like sharing...

It's Fringe Friday again! I loved the show from the beginning and it always managed to top itself in story and performance. It did so again this season, especially in episodes 1, 4, and 5, and tonight's "Through the Looking Glass and What Walter Found There" looks like a lot of fun. Of course, the fun always mixes in heartbreak and revelation.

Joshua Jackson talks about reveals in a short article at GiveMeMyRemote. There is also a short video teaser from Anna Torv.

If you haven't seen it already, here's the video of John Noble from earlier in the week talking about dealing with grief. There are a few seconds about "Through the Looking Glass..."

I wish I had the time to write up this transcript since John is a bit hard to understand. He seems to not be mic'ed. It's something that comes up a lot in my work, where the recording device picks up the interviewer better than the person being interviewed. That's very unfortunate when it's your favorite celebrity and your volume doesn't go up high enough.

Fringe Through the Looking Glass

11/08/2012


Fringe is a brilliant show that somehow always tops itself. If you don't watch it yet or if you're perpetually behind, go away, get caught up from the pilot, and then come back here. Do NOT skip any episodes. Besides missing story, you will be missing some of the best performances ever to be seen on television.

So, yeah, a spoiler follows.

I found this video through TVLine, so go visit them.

I can't wait to see the consequences of the Observer tech in Peter. That was the perfect way to go, paralleling Walter's mistakes, motivated by devastation. We'll get to see some Observers go down, but will Peter ultimately lose himself? I don't think so. Walter and Olivia will get through, but will it be too late to save them all? Most definitely...though, I hope not.

I was always fully invested in the show, but I'm kind of new to the concept of a fan community. Throughout all my obsessions, there was just one site that actually lived up to what a fan community could be, and that was DowneyUnlimited. Then I found other Fringies on Twitter last year, which led to Fringenuity. It's been a lot of fun, and I recently started making my own icons for the show. This is only my third and the other two featured Resistance, the knife inspired by Fringe.

Uploaded from the Photobucket iPad App

Oh, and one more thing. The Fringenuity Ambergrams, Coins, and Cards for the cast, crew, and guest stars are done! Check them out.

More Praise for Peter Dinklage

11/06/2012


SPOILERS follow for those who haven't reached the end of season 2 or read A Clash of Kings

I finally finished the second season of Game of Thrones. Yay, me! I had to keep putting off the last two episodes. There was always something else to do, some other show I didn't want to get behind on. I was probably just nervous about how it would turn out. I've done that before. Didn't see the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer until early this year, when Chiller was playing it every morning, though the tape was still in my room...waiting.

I'm glad I didn't wait any longer for Game of Thrones. During the finale I realized that I would be happy watching Peter Dinklage just acting from a bed...the way Ellen did on The Ellen Degeneres Show when she hurt her back. ;) I knew he was something special when I first saw The Station Agent, a movie where almost nothing happens but which I love, because Dinklage is compelling. Even though I'd seen only the one movie, I was excited when Threshold premiered in 2005, having read that he was in it. Unfortunately, that was cancelled too early. Thankfully, he stuck around. I've loved watching Tyrion manipulate his way throughout Game of Thrones and do it all with a grin and a twinkle in his eye. Dinklage is just mesmerizing. He's certainly deserving of many awards.

I'm so happy I didn't read ahead this time. I had the books for years and my brother kept telling me to read them. I finally got around to it only as the first season was starting. I kept just a few chapters ahead of the show the entire time. That really wasn't the way to do it since that leaves no surprises. It was certainly a surprise when Tyrion was slashed across the face in the ninth episode. I audibly gasped and then I thought, "Well, of course." Then in the next episode I was elated he survived. Since my favorite characters always die I just assumed that the wound went far deeper. And when Tyrion realized that Shae actually loves him, Dinklage brought tears to my eyes. I just wanted to hold him. He was perfect in that moment, so vulnerable. There is no doubt he's one of the top actors, in the company of my other favorites John Noble, David Tennant, and Robert Downey, Jr., among a few others. These men effortlessly sell every heartbreaking, funny, or terrifying moment, and I would watch them in anything.

If you haven't experienced the show and Dinklage's brilliance yet, why did you keep reading? I told you there was a spoiler. Well, I guess the only thing for you to do now is buy season one...or browse around...or leave. Just sayin'. You've got options.

Blu-ray, $47.99 used at fye
DVD, $37.99 used at fye

Thank You, John Noble

11/02/2012


Dear John,

Before this summer, the only fan letter I ever wrote was to Andy Hallett from the American series Angel. He was originally a guest star, but he played his part wonderfully and eventually earned a place in the opening credits in the fourth and fifth seasons. A few years after the show ended on a very depressing note, I wondered where he had gone, why I hadn't seen him in anything. It turns out he'd fallen seriously ill and had been taking it easy. That's when I knew I needed to thank Andy and wish him well, but being afraid he might actually read my letter, I hid it away. Sadly, soon after I finally changed my mind about sending it, he passed away at only 33, my age now. I also missed the opportunity with Phil Hartman, John Ritter, and Steve Irwin. Even though I'm sure you'll be around for many, many, many decades, I don't want to regret not thanking you for being such an important part of my favorite show when I had a blip of courage. Your work means too much.
For the longest time, I had thoughts of Fringe racing in my mind, which I took care of by writing down in a huge blog post, still unfinished after eleven months. I'm nervous and excited about the final season and these thoughts became a problem again, keeping me up at night for five days after the premiere. I had to do something, so I started writing a thank you to Joel Wyman. I often overlook writers and producers. Any behind the scenes person is really easy to forget, because they're usually just a name, but the more I saw him on camera or read his tweets the more I could see how he's completely invested. Fringe is obviously more than just a job to him. He loves what he does. That's a special thing. There are so many shows that seem to be missing their soul, their own Joel.
They're also missing their heart, something that can't be convincingly faked. The Fringe cast fits together and plays off of each other so well it's like you were all family waiting to meet. Everyone has done incredible work and completely embodied the characters, but you, sir, were the one who pulled me in and kept my interest in the beginning before chemistry and relationships and story developed. So, when I was done with that first letter, I almost immediately began on this one. It's taken far longer than expected. For some reason I am continually rewriting it, while Joel's came easily, as did another that I banged out in a few hours. I think I'm delaying on purpose, because I'm shy and would love to delete this and pretend it never existed. I can't, though. I would only start all over, so I might as well continue.
When I first heard of Fringe, I was slightly interested because I love the genre, although I wasn't going to bother watching. I already had a full schedule and, as did so many, I thought it sounded like nothing more than an X-Files rehash. (We were all very wonderfully wrong.) After reading more about it, my opinion wasn't changed much. My cousin was a Dawson's Creek fan, so I knew who Josh was, but I couldn't have cared less; I'd never heard of Anna; the rest of the cast wasn't even mentioned; but I was intrigued after finding out who the other familiar face was. Though Dominic Monaghan had already done so with Lost, I was stunned that someone from a blockbuster movie series (and the same one at that!) would get involved with a little sci-fi show on a foreign channel known for quick cancellations. I am still stunned that I had the privilege of watching you every week. And I know now that if Fringe had been on any of the other major networks it would have been gone before the first season started to come together and show us there was more going on than we could have expected or imagined. For this, I am grateful to Fox for the first time in my life.
Grateful because, though there have been a myriad of exceptional series past and present, Fringe is the one that gave me the greatest hope for quality storytelling by being funny, sweet, intelligent, disturbing, poignant, awe-inspiring, surprising, far-reaching, intimate, and many other words I've used over the years. It found a perfect balance, hit all the right notes, and excels at feeling real and deeply human no matter the craziness of the situation, sacrificing neither character for story nor story for character. Every year brought more greatness, complexity, and brilliance. It's a thing of rare beauty.
You've spoken of that beauty a number of times in interviews and the fantastic Noble Intentions videos. While the writing of course is a large part of that, I hope you give yourself enough credit, as you ensure that so many of those scenes are unforgettable. I say this because some people don't like taking credit and they actively avoid praise. I'm one of those people. Not too long ago, I finally watched the commentary for "Over There Part 2," where someone (Joel or Jeff) mentioned that it's amazing how you "convey heartbreak and happiness simultaneously." From the pilot, I've been amazed by that ability. I can't imagine anyone else infusing the role with such unabashed vulnerability, commanding presence, and playfulness. Your immeasurable talent elevates the strangest material to believability and lowered my tolerance for subpar performances. You have made Walter more flesh and blood than any other fictional person I know. There is no denying that you, sir, are one of the all-time great actors. Great really doesn't begin to cover it. Exceptional and extraordinary are more like it. There are very few who can make me forget they're reciting someone else's words.
With everything you've done, all the award-worthy moments, you'd think I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. This was true until the final scene of "Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11," where you didn't even say a word. Just an expression of exhausted defeat, a trembling chin, teary eyes...and your pulse (aww). It's the scene that's affected me the most to this point and that is saying something. It was perfect the way "Only You" was used and the close up of that little dandelion shivering in the wind. I also loved the touch of the seashorse hanging from the rearview, which I only recently rediscovered was Walter's father's nickname. Direction, mood, setting, symbols, music, and emotion came together to be the most powerful and memorable moment I've seen not only in Fringe but in anything. I was completely engaged and blown away by it, so much so that I watched it a couple dozen times before my DVR decided I'd had enough. My opinion did not change after seeing "The Bullet That Saved the World." While that was intense and devastating and masterfully performed by everyone, each with a different reaction, as we all have when a loved one is leaving us, "Transilience" has an edge over it (if I had to rank it) for the burden of failure and self-loathing weighing on Walter's fractured mind being eased by the resilience of a flower. It was uplifting, the way Fringe always strives to be through the challenges and pain. (Edit: Tonight I add "An Origin Story" to the long list of your perfect moments, specifically the speech to Olivia about putting a wall around her heart. I felt every word of it.)
My brother saw only a few seconds and, knowing nothing else of the show, he immediately understood that the dandelion symbolized hope in a ruined world devoid of any. He actually said the other day, "Oh, he's good," referring to you in the "delicious strawberry-flavored death" supermarket scene in Northwest Passage, which makes a fun t-shirt, by the way. Those minutes were the most he's ever paid attention to. When Fringe gets the end it deserves, I might finally be able to convince him to watch. Because he's usually very busy he's picky, impatient, and refuses to get involved in shows that he thinks are ultimately going to be disappointing.
I hope I can eventually change his mind, because I have an overwhelming need to share Fringe; it's the only show I've obsessed over, though I've loved many, and it was frustrating how it was always on the verge of cancellation. In the beginning, the only way to support it was to tell others in my little world to give it a chance. The only ones who took my advice were strangers on the Internet. I eventually decided I'd had enough of uselessly talking to myself and wanted to get my thoughts down in a blog, which I'd been thinking about for years and where, for the most part, I'm still just talking to myself. It felt ridiculous, but I stuck with it because it's sort of therapeutic.
Then I joined Twitter and never shut up again. When I started tweeting to you it was to try to help Miranda Doerfler (@docsaico), a great person just getting her writing career started. I thought there was only a small chance that you would see them. My heart skipped quite a few beats when you responded. Even though you said you don't mind questions, I still have to apologize for the sheer amount of tweets. No one likes to be bugged. You could have blocked me, which was something I assumed would happen when we were constantly asking Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) to do the same interview. Instead, he graciously agreed. I remember sitting rapt in the theater at 14 years old seeing Jurassic Park for the first time. I never thought to myself, "One day I will nag the crap out of that man until he talks to me." It's an interesting thing Twitter has done, letting complete strangers have conversations and giving fans the opportunity to tell their favorite actors how they feel.
I feel lucky that Fringe came into my life and that you were a part of it. I try not to cry in front of people over TV, but this show always brings out a flood of emotions. Now that it's the end those emotions are even more heightened. Joel has said he doesn't like to trick the audience and that he loves the characters, which is obvious from the way Fringe has played out so far. I heard that this season is a love letter to the fans. (When hasn't it been?) This gives me great hope for the finale. But he also said he wants this to be an ending, which makes me apprehensive, the way I was after "Over There, Part 1." I was sure Walter was going to be killed off and I barely slept for a week. That had never happened to me before. I didn't know it was possible to be that attached to someone who doesn't exist. I was astounded when the next episode surpassed my expectations and did not adhere to a predictable formula. Now I trust Joel implicitly. I trust that even if some of the characters don't survive, I know it will end like every season has, with something that may hurt but which will make me love Fringe even more than I thought possible.
Fringe helped me through the tough times, made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry, and was a whole lot of fun and mind-bending ideas. I think of you whenever I see a Red Vine. I can't help but smile sadly at Operation or giggle at a papaya, the friendliest of fruits. A white tulip is now my favorite flower, and I will hold out hope in the sight of a dandelion until my last breath, even if my memories have long since faded. Until then, I hope to see you soon in anything, but if you take a break it's certainly well-earned and deserved. Just know that the fans will never forget you and we'll be on Twitter, whether you just want to talk, share a favorite song, or borrow a cup of sugar. We don't need anything from you. You opened your heart to us completely every week for almost five years. I think that's really all we can ask.
Alrighty, this is now way too long. Be well, good luck, and g'day. And thank you so very, very much.

Sincerely,
Erin Bates

P.S. Just a little thing inspired by Fringe: Forgiveness and Hope.