The Gallifrey Film Society Presents....

Dear Awesome Person

Hello!

How are you? I hope this letter finds you well. Can I just start off by saying that you are an awesome person with impeccable taste! How do I know this? You have volunteered to write in one of the teeny fandoms that we both love. Ergo - awesome.

Just before we get to the nitty-gritty, just be aware that whatever you write, so long as you've enjoyed it's crafting, I am bound to enjoy it too. So, no pressure on you;)

And if you're here because you are a pinch-hitting superstar - then the above goes for you with bells on.

This is my 3rd time on the Yuletide train, you can find my previous letters Here (2010) and Here (2011) in case you're interested. If you do, some of what I say may seem a tad 'familiar'; if I keep asking, one year, I'll get lucky;)

Please feel free to have a nosey around my journal. As all my requests are films - you may find the Movies tag of some use. Also my Films Watched In... posts too, although when I get an hour, I'll update the 2012 one because I am *woefully* behind on that one.

I'll also add relevant detail to each request where needed.

Okay - onto the Likes and Dislikes portion of the letter.

The 'Yes Please!' list includes - Plot, character-led stories, friendships, alternative realities where one thing changes, hugs/cuddling, women characters being awesome and competent, teams equaling families, happy(ish) endings, conversations/banter, films, kisses, laughter, humour, science, teamwork, adventures, slice of life, dancing, joy, life...

If you want to go down the sexyteims route (and given that at three of my fandoms have some of the most beautiful people on the planet - knock yourself out!) - sensuality is key as is emotional engagement and consent among adults too. My strongest leaning is towards m/m, quite happy with het but I'm afraid that f/f does nothing for me. Be far happier with female friendships, if that's okay with you.

The 'No Thank You' list - Character death*, kink, humiliation, partner betrayal, character bashing (especially women characters) porn minus plot, dark themes*. Fluffy monster is so *fluffy* you're gonna die (Despicable Me quote ftw!)

*With Prometheus feel free to give yourself some wiggle room, although, please, no darker than the film went as that was just about to hit my limits in places.

A Quick Word From Our Sponsors Re Ratings - Note – if you, awesome writer, can’t ‘do’ romance (het, slash or poly as the prompt suggests - or not) I would lovelovelove (more than cake!) Gen fic.

I hope that makes some kind of sense - if not, ask the mods (or a hippo!) to ask me for more intel.

The Fandoms:

( Details and Waffle for Arthur Christmas (2011), Prometheus (2012), RocknRolla (2008) and Sunshine(2007) )

And that is that. Obviously - these are just suggestions - if you, awesome writer, have a bunny that’s currently feasting on your ankle that you want to write then... fire up the word processor, draw yourself a beverage and WRITE! I’m sure I’m going to like it!

So - to conclude - have fun and I hope that your fic is as awesome as you are!

Signed

Beckymonster

Trailer for the film Cloud Atlas - frankly, they had me at 'Wachowskis' (The Wachowski Siblings - directors of The Matrix Trilogy) and 'Hugo Weaving' but this looks like something quite wonderful. Comes out in October I think...

* * *

In other news, Professor Brian Cox was awarded an honourary degree from Huddersfield University today. So far, so normal - until you take into consideration that Huddersfield's VC is Sir Patrick Stewart... In the spirit of 'photos or it never happened' - Prox Cox and Prof X.

Gia Milinovich (aka Mrs Professor Cox) wins the Internet today for her comment on the photo that it was of her current and future husbands. For let's be honest - while Prof Cox is a cutie - Sir Patrick always has been and ever shall be incadesantly hawt.

* * *

And how are you guys?

I watched a grand total of 106 Films In 2011. These are the nine that I loved most of all:



( And here are explanations as to why )

Honourable mentions go to: Thor, The Artist, Rango, Captain America: The First Avenger and Pina (3D)

1067 posts and a *hell* of a lot of nonsense about films and other gubbins... Here's to year seven;) So in that vein....

New X-Men: First Class trailer.



(Am I the only one who is thinking that the slash is going to go kaBOOM on this? not that it hasn't been there from the first film....

And now for two more embeds that... well, it's *my* anniversary and I want them here because they are beautiful and sum up the last year for me...



The Films of Danny Boyle

The Films of Christopher Nolan (Nolanography)



Most of all, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone reading this post. You make this place what it is and without yous guys... I wouldn't have lasted six weeks... let alone this far...

So, thank you... and I'll try to be a little less 'frequent' in my posting from now on... Three posts in three days?! o_O

Items of note - Michael Gough - best known for his roles in the Burton/Schumacher Batman films and Doctor Who has passed away. I may not have much time for the Schumacher films (I'm usually scrabbling for my Batman Begins DVD!) - he was always awesome as Alfred. So much so that Sir Michael Caine is almost as good;)

Darren Aronofsky leaves The Wolverine - i.e. Wolverine II - Oh arse.

***

So - Saturday just gone, was my birthday. Fun was had (however juvenille - doughnuts for breakfast? yes please!) despite what my bank balance and waistline think!

Highlights included: The 9th Douglas Adams Memorial Lecture - given by Professor Brian Cox

Hands up anyone who knew that there were other lectures given in memory of the author who pretty much is responsible for many in fandom being the way we are? And yes, I only went because I wanted to hear Professor Brian Cox talk about space and such for an hour plus.

Yes, I am sad. This is not news.

Anyway - it was more than worth it. One thing I've noticed on the occasions when I've heard the good Prof. talk, is that I don't Gaze. I listen and let my brain go *boom* (yes, even last August - I was fine until Cillian Murphy unleashed those damn freckles of his - then all the bets were off;)). And trust me - only Chris Nolan can make a monster's brain go boom quite like this;)

He's a damn good lecturer to boot. I walked away from that lecture with a better understanding of CERN and the work it's doing and quite why trying to find the Higgs Boson (or what ever the hell it is!) is so important.

There is going to be a podcast/download to be made of the lecture in the coming months - so if I can, I'll link to it as it is well worth a listen.

And then on Saturday night - I went to see Danny Boyle's take on Frankestein. Which was quite brilliant. Even though I am never going to be able to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the same light *ever* again.

Ahem. (If you've ever seen 28 Days Later - think of the first scene where we see Jim. Like that for a good ten minutes!)

Although it didn't have the same 'impact' as Mr Boyle's other works - more because I *knew* the story - it is still well worth it. The acting is superb (even though I am sure most of the audience were doing the same thing as me and thinking to themselves 'That's 'X' from 'Y'!) with Cumberbatch (as the Creature), Johnny Lee Miller as Frankestien and Naiomie Harris as Elizabeth being stand outs.

The production looked and sounded gorgeous. Though let it be said - they weren't kidding about the 15 rating!

I also just want to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday - there was much squeeing to be had over that;)

Here's hoping for a good year, until I do it all over again!

101 Movies in 2011 - Movie #2 - 127 Hours (2010)

WARNING - This review will *both* spoil the story and discuss scenes that maybe upsetting. Consider this fair warning. </ warning>

( No cinema seat arm rests were broken during the watching of this film )

I'm no critic (obviously!) but this is a far superior film to The Social Network, which (annoyingly) is getting all the praise at present during this awards season. When it should be this film... and Inception too.

If you can handle tension - then go see this film. Just have something/someone to grip onto.

Thing The First
The reason for radio silence at my end - the Second Snowpocalyse of 2010. Yes, *again*. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the cold? As much as bigotry (in all it's forms), book burning and the Doctor regenerating.

The thing I hate the most - it's all anyone can talk about. Not to mention the fact that it disrupts everything. (2 hours 50 minutes to do a journey that usually takes 45-60? QED)

Please, oh great Flying Spagetti Monster (and any other deities listening to my plea) let this be the first and last snowpocalyse of 2010-11. Kaythanxbai.


Thing The Second
I haven't posted a black and white pretty thing recently - so have this: Professor Brian Cox, all shaggy hair and smiles in a UK diner oh and he's also on telly again in the new year too Which is nice;).


Thing The Third
I am putting this in - if nothing else to remind me that, yes, sometimes I can bloody well write...

yuletide assignment - 1st Draft - DONE (in one sitting, might I add?!)

Inception Santa assignment - 1st Draft - DONE

yuletide treat - under consideration (research, queries and bunnies)... you know the drill!

Level of jubilation - \o/ \o/ \o/

I'm hoping to get both ready for posting by the end of term - which for me is 17th December. It's a good hope to have;)


Thing The Fourth
Nearly all of my Christmas presents have been purchased/on their way/in my grubby little paws. I would say 'yay' but one of the presents does involve photos from the Wedding Of The Year (a photobook for my mum) - this could get messy. Oh and I need to get cards sorted out as well...

Christmas - why so much effort?!


Thing The Fifth
This is more for vayshti and anyone else who has membership of the BFI - fair warning of monster maneuvers in January;)

I'm putting in for the Disney films (Tangled, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Pinocchio) as well as 127 Hours - Danny Boyle is doing a Q&A afterwards. After hearing him speak in August, I can say that this should be good. Just pity the poor sod who has to sit next to me! (I freaked out at the Joker's 'pencil' trick in The Dark Knight) given the 'nature' of the story (google it) - this cannot end well!

I'm also giving due consideration to Black Swan as well. I've been jonesying to see this for months so I might as well give in and go... Even though it opens on the following Friday.
Patience? What's that?!

So, that's me. how are you?

Bad Things
( What cheese goes best with whine? )

Seeing the Yogi Bear trailer at the cinema last night. Baby Jesus wept.

***

Good Things
I have taken the first steps in dealing with a financial matter I have been meaning to sort out for a while. This is good as once this is done I can finally get on with the *big* plan of leaving home and getting a place of my own.

I have finished the first draft of my Inception Santa story. \o/! It needs work but that can wait until I have the DVD in my little paws (next week - eeee!)

Saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt 1 last night. I haven't seen the last (two?) and I haven't read DH since it came out in 2007. This may go some way to explaining why I thought it was okay.

( three (shallow) things I liked )

So, that's me - hope you guys are having a better time of it than me.

So... now the The Wedding Event Of The Decade is now over... onto other, more interesting stuff like movies!

Caveat Emptor - As ever, these are my thoughts (shallow, strange and downright perverse as they are) so please feel free to disagree or point and laugh as you will;)

Womb - Director: Benedek Fliegauf. Starring: Evan Green (Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale), Matt Smith Doctor Who

( Shown as part of the 2010 London Film Fest - Spoilers ahead )

Red Eye - Director: Wes Craven. Starring Rachel McAdam (Sherlock Holmes, Cillian Murphy (Inception) and Brian Cox (no, not the cute one - the other one you see in X2!)

Watched this on DVD - was a nice little thriller. Not to mention, the only film by Wes Craven that you're ever likely to get me to watch willingly. The main characters have chemistry, the story keeps your attention and hell, there's even a conversation between two female characters that's not about a man! Oh and the actress who played K'Ehleyr in Star Trek:The Next Generation was in it too. Nerdy monster is nerdy!

It Happened One Night - Director: Frank Capra. Starring: Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

Saw this at the BFI - when they say they don't make 'em like they way they used to - this is what they are talking about. This is the grand-daddy of all romantic comedies. Old School it may be but you know what they say and it goes double for this film. Nearly every damn romantic comedy out there today could do with taking a lesson (or seven!) from this film. If they did - I might actually watch them rather than plumping straight for the action film!

Easy A - Director: Will Gluck. Starring: Emma Stone (Spiderman Reboot, Zombieland)

Saw this at the cinema (yes, I am trying to play catch up!) and really enjoyed it. A teen comedy with it's brain in the right place! Stone plays Olive, a young woman who's little white lie grows and grows until it takes on a life of it's own. The film skillfully dissects the standards placed on women by society and shows up some of the more 'extreme' aspects of US culture as well i.e. the God Squad too. Stone is definitely one to watch.

28 Days Later - Director: Danny Boyle. Starring: Cillian Murphy (Inception), Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Carribean), Brendan Gleeson (Kingdom of Heaven), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who)

( Goddess bless you, Mr Boyle! - long winded monster is long winded! )

In related news - Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch will be (swapping the roles on different nights) Dr Frankenstein and the Monster for Danny Boyle's production of Frankenstien next year at the National Theatre. This sounds like it will be good!

Remember last month when I mentioned that I had seen both Prof Brian Cox and Danny Boyle at the BFI?

Video to prove it happened;) The 'very long, drunken night with Cillian Murphy' comment is about ten minutes in. It's a worthwhile watch and if anyone writes RPF about that anecdote, then they will win the internetz!

I haven't watched the second half yet, but from what I remember, the ladies were as informative as the gentlemen were.

***

The 2010 London Film Festival line-up has been announced. Quite a few of the films that have caught my attention are going to be coming out quite soon after the fest (Let Me In, The Kids Are Alright,) so they get discounted. It's not really helped that my sister's wedding is slap bang in the middle of it.

Priorities? I has them;)

I'm seriously tempted by Black Swan - it doesn't come out until Feb next year and a 'dark' ballet movie? Count me in!. That would be my only choice... or it was until I found out that Womb is showing as well. This being the film that Matt Smith did with Eva Green... So I'm thinking that may have to be added to the list as well.

***

With the LFF catalouge came the November season brochure. For September and October, nothing has caught my attention. I knew it wasn't going to last. And it hasn't. Which is nice;) Amongst other films, there is the much buzzed about Monsters, a season dedicated to the films of Frank Capra and a showing of Doctor Who episode 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' as part of a season on Agatha Christie.

***

Ummm... that's all I got at the moment... How are you guys?