Archive for March, 2007
Wednesday, March 28th, 2007
Fear Itself (David Fury)
A fine episode which is an excellent example of the BtVS mix of comedy, drama and creepiness.
All the Scooby fears are dealt with and it doesn’t feel heavy-handed. In fact, for the Willow fan here, there is joy to be had in dissecting any of Willow related remarks and in nodding knowingly that indeed she should be worried about “power you can’t control”. And this was interesting: “Then again, what is college for if not experimenting? You know, maybe I can handle it. I’ll know when I’ve reached my limit.”
Anya is very amusing in her lack of concern for anybody but Xander and Emma Caulfield’s line delivery is spot on. Half the humour in the following is solely down to the way she says it: “Xander is in trouble. We’ve got to do something, right now!” “Anya.” “Are you listening? Xander is trapped!” “Uh, ah, where is Buffy and the others?” “They’re trapped, too, but we’ve got to save Xander!”
Both Living Conditions and this have great endings: “Actual size”.
Funniest moments include Giles in a sombrero, Anya in a bunny costume and Giles wielding a chainsaw.
Cleverest exchange: “I’m Joan of Arc. I figured we had a lot in common, seeing as how I was almost burned at the stake, and plus she had that close relationship with God.” “And you are?” (Oz opens his jacket to reveal the name tag “God”) “Of course. I wish I’d thought of that before I put down my deposit. I could have been God.” “Blasphemer”
Posted in BtVS, Buffy Season 4, Television | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, March 27th, 2007
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2007
There are many reasons why I hate reports like this but not least their utter pointlessness (eight couples? what does that prove?). It is always borderline sexism when studies are misrepresented as statements (men are better at this, woman are better than that, etc, rather than using the magic word, some) and, in this case, this study was mentioned in the New Scientist in July 2006 so why report on it now? Further more, it was never a study by the New Scientist but simply a news item so “[a]ccording to the New Scientist study” could easily read “according to a study by year five” with just as much authority.
The headlines in either case are reprehensible: guess which is which:
“Lack of sleep saps men’s brain power” vs “Bed sharing ‘drains men’s brains’”
What tosh.
Posted in Female thinking | No Comments »
Monday, March 26th, 2007
Thanks to a comparison made on reallyrather between Tara Jane O’Neil and Carolyn Berk of lovers, I decided to check them out and they are really rather good. I may have already listened to Ginger a dozen times and the CDs only arrived on Saturday (less than a week from Orange Twin records). I am such a sucker for strings.
I don’t actually agree with the comparison because I don’t really hear that much tjo in Berk’s songs. For one thing, her singing voice is a lot stronger and clearer than O’Neil’s and her lyrics are much easier to discern. However, I do agree with the general notion that certain artists get noticed at the expense of others. I am rather sick of reading about Cat Power as if she is the only female singer songwriter out there.
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Sunday, March 25th, 2007
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Friday, March 23rd, 2007
The Harsh Light of Day (Jane Espenson)
Spike and Harmony’s relationship takes a bit of getting used to and it’s a contrast to the Spike and Dru relationship which is more of two equals. Spike is evil, I get that, but he’s so rotten and she’s so whiny and he kills her and it’s not nice.
We have a lot of Parker in this episode and since he is so obviously a creep when you rewatch BtVS it is disturbing to watch Buffy get so close to the mean bastard. And red sheets! See also Surprise, The I in Team, and Seeing Red.
I loved everything about Xander and Anya in this. Anya subtly tells Xander what she wants and the programme makers subtly give us Xander’s response as he spurts on the floor. “So, the crux of this plan is…?” “Sexual intercourse. I’ve said it like a dozen times.” “Uh, huh. Just working through a little hysterical deafness here.” “I think it’s the secret to getting you out of my mind. Putting you behind me. Behind me figuratively. I’m thinking face to face for the actual event itself.” “Ah, right. It’s just we hardly know each other. I mean I like you. And you have a certain directness that I admire. 
But sexual interc– What you’re talking about, well–and I’m actually turning into a woman as I say this…but it’s about expressing something. And accepting consequences.” “Oh, I have condoms. Some are black.” “That’s…that’s very considerate.” “I like you. You’re funny, and you’re nicely shaped. And frankly, it’s ludicrous to have these interlocking bodies and not…interlock. Please remove your clothing now.” “And the amazing thing…still more romantic than Faith.” “Fabric softener.”
Misc:
Buffy has a scar? Is that in addition to the one the Master gave her?
“I am not enjoying this.” “Well, shelve them correctly and we can finish.” “I don’t get your crazy system.” “System? It’s called the alphabet.” – the librarian that is me loves this but the librarian that is me wants to know why Giles isn’t using Dewey or UDC.
Not content with Willow’s clothes they now add insult to injury by making her wear a lurid plaster.
“Harmony. A vampire? She must be dying without a reflection.”
“Okay, either I’m borrowing all your albums or I’m moving in.” “Oz, there are more important things than records right now.” “More important than this one?” “Well I suppose an argument could be made for…”
“So what I’m wondering is, does this always happen? Sleep with a guy and he goes all evil.” Yep, even Riley is driven off the rails…or they start evil like Spike and drive us off the rails.
Posted in BtVS, Buffy Season 4, Television | 2 Comments »
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
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Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
I am officially cooler than Andy!
You are 10.21 % mainstream vs You are 16.17 % mainstream
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Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
I now have Now It’s Time ripped to my computer and I have no doubt it will be an album I will be returning to again and again (I must’ve listened to Pretend dozens of times on myspace already). The album artwork is as gorgeous as the music which is saying a lot. Many moons ago I wrote that lyrics were of secondary importance to me (I haven’t a clue what Tara Jane O’Neil is singing about on Blue Light Room but it sounds awesome) but repeated criticisms of Paula Frazer’s lyrics as being banal have got me concentrating on them a bit harder and, while she’s no poet, they totally suit the beauty of her voice. And I don’t feel an idiot because I do know what she’s going on about.
I’m going to whinge about Frazer’s record label, Birdman. I decided as a New Year’s resolution to buy whenever possible directly from an artist or their record label (or an affiliated store) but Birdman made this impossible for me. This album isn’t even listed on their website despite both Andy and I writing to them. So amazon.co.uk got my money and I have my CD.
Edit: Literally seconds after publishing this I got an e-mail from Birdman saying the CD will be on their website in a day or so. So it’s too late for me but not too late for you.
Posted in Music, Paula Frazer | No Comments »
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Originally uploaded by grange85.
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