soc_puppet | Willy Wonka, Naruto, Harry Potter, and Action vs Reaction

Long post time! How delightful :D

Yesterday was very busy. I spent much time online reading, and some time at Coralridge mall walking and/or watching a movie. Saw entirely too many people I know.

Re: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Okay, I have mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, the character interpretations? BRILLIANT. Loved the kids, how there was emphasis on the parts of their character that made them who they were. Mike's scientific approach to anything and everything seemed very IC to me, and Violet as a Karate/everything champion? Genius. Agustus had no eyebrows. The part where everyone is being invited into the factory, with the anamatronics singing and so forth? Loved it. I keep sniggering over the song. Delighted by the interpretation of Wonka and how he seemed put-off by the slightest thing. Felt he was a very good model--except for one thing.

See, it was really my only problem with the movie in general. Willy Wonka? Far too emo. I didn't really like how they dug into his past. Not all chocolate is dark, yanno. He's supposed to be about the candy. (Whereas the movie itself is supposed to be about people getting what they deserve, IMHO)

Was also saddened by the lack of music. But then, musicals aren't really doing as well as they once have, more's the pity.

There is also no way to really juxtopose Gene Wilder and... what's-his-face. (<---terrible with celebrety names) Johnny Depp (sp?). Completey different character interps. Both seem more-or-less true to the character, emo aside, and can't really see abandoning either one for the other. ...Though it does make me start to compare Wonka to Clow Read, which is terrifying in its own special way.

Anyway, new movie seems more faithful to the book (again, emo aside), though I will always miss the computer in the first one. ("I am now telling the computer exactly what it can do with a lifetime supply of chocolate!")

Re: Naruto manga through chapter 268 (latest? Latest translated as of very early this morning, anyway.)

Still don't hate Sasuke. Possibly because I spoiled myself ruthlessly in advance and had time to get used to the idea, but even if I hadn't I don't think I would've hated him for what he decided to do. A decision of desperation, certainly, and I don't doubt he has regrets, but what's done is done, and damned if his pride will let him go crawling back and admitting he was wrong. Plus, he has no idea whether he was wrong yet or not. Hell, I'm not even sure whether or not he was wrong yet. (I'm personally rooting for him to get a different 'final' version of the Sharingan. I mean, wouldn't that be something? He could rub it in Itachi's face right before he... uh, did whatever he decided to do in the end. (Still not entirely convinced that Itachi is exactly male, but conventional wisdom and the rest of the fandom think he is, so I'm working with it. (Also, why are all the boys in Naruto prettier than all the girls? It doesn't make sense.)))

Also, wings. ZOMG, wings. Tengu!cracktheory just got more to feed it.

...Though those really don't look much like wings at all. I'm not entirely sure that's what they are. Still, again, conventional wisdom.

Am very unhappy with the recent developments regarding Gaara. I rather liked the kid.

Also also? Sakura just got that much cooler. I was desperately trying not to hate her from the start of the series, on the basis that I really, really don't like hating characters in general, but I was afraid it was a losing battle. I like her a lot more post time-skip ^_^ (It helps that she's hotter, I admit.)

And Tenten got boobs. WTF. Of all the things I didn't see coming, that was... one of them.

Really wondering what's going on with Ino and Chouji now, though. Have grown particularly fond of Chouji ^_^ He, uh, grew on me.

Re: Harry Potter, book six

...I am not at all sure what's going on here. I'm only a few chapters in, so I suppose that's to be expected, but still.

Found myself rather wishing that the Muggle minister was a bit more Vetinari-esque. Am rather fond of him, despite myself. Loved how JK very subtly didn't say exactly which president he was expecting a call from.

Also not sure how I feel about the new DADA teacher, though I think I like him. It's probably the 'lion' comparison. *shrugs* ...Though I'm rather annoyingly reminded of Hoenheim every time I run into him. (<---still has issues with Hoenheim)

Am about ready to kick myself into writing again. I need to write something DC/MK about pie before next Saturday.

I think my current writing problem has to do with thinking in terms of Reaction rather than Action recently. It's facinating to watch how characters react to certain situations, but my writing style relies on knowing how characters are going to act in advance, and then planning around it. It's quite frustrating in that respect.

Also looking for a reason for Naruto to 'fox-out' in East Wind. I'm leaning towards a chimera, but I have no idea where it would come from. I'd probably have to go back through and plant clues from the beginning, too. About a lot of things, really. Trying to get more from the ninja POV, too, as I want this to be a story about both sides trying to figure out how the other does his or her thing.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Will try and get myself to write soon. Am rather missing it.