Mica- August 14th, 2015

Title: But Time Didn’t Stop
Characters: Mica, Jack Jack/Ianto
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Mica visits the grave.
Author's Note: Starts after COE.
Previous Segment: September 3rd, 2014
Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/63337.html

( August 14th, 2015 )

Movie Review: Young Victoria

The Young Victoria, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, is a Nineteenth century Cinderella story and a perfectly done one at that. Young Victoria of Kent (Emily Blunt) may not be penniless or drowning in chores, but she is domineered by her mother (Miranda Richardson) and the true mastermind behind the mistreatment, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong). As they constantly remind the princess, they "only want what's best for you." What's best for her appears to coincide with what's best for them; for Victoria to believe herself unfit to rule until age 25 and agree to a regency. Regency would mean that her mother and Sir John would rule England. To help make this plan a reality, their tyrannical regime includes rules for Victoria, including only walking up and down stairs holding someone's hand, having all food tested first and not reading any novels. This is all done with the intention of keeping Victoria weak and child-like. Her mother even sits without a single word as Conroy exerts physical violence upon the future queen.

The audience can't help rooting for this teenager to become a woman and cast off these shackles. Young Victoria agrees, often telling telling her aides, "When I am Queen..." In a nice show of pacing, it's not long before we meet Albert (Rupert Friend), distant cousin of Victoria through her mom's side and first choice of the King of Belgium for Victoria to marry. Being connected with her mother and their plans for controlling her, it is logical to want to hate Albert. Albert is another pawn in the game being played between the King of England and his uncle; forced to learn Victoria's every like and dislike and being trained on everything he should or should not say. It would be easy to equate him with the true villains yet Friend and the script do not allow this to happen. Instead, Albert is quite likable and empathetic in his plight that so closely resembles Victora's. This makes it even more pleasant since any lover of English history or viewer of Doctor Who knows the ending to this story.

As Queen, Victoria has another male suitor to contend with, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). He's older, wiser and eager to impart his knowledge on the new monarch. She is grateful for this help until she realizes what this partnership could cost her and their fundamental difference in values. Still, Lord Melbourne provides a perfect foil to Albert; old vs. young, English vs. German, her paternal family's choice vs. her maternal family's choice.

Naturally, being a British production, one is required to cast Jim Broadbent and this film is no exception. He plays the king who must die in order for Victoria to become queen. It is a brief but memorable role. It is also the only time that star power rears its head. The other well-known stars, Richardson and Bettany, meld into their roles in such an unrecognizable way that several in the theatre were surprised to learn which characters they played.

Any period production worth its salt must have gorgeous costuming and production values. This film is no exception; from the many dresses that make up Victoria’s wardrobe that were insured for 10,000 pounds each to the wax seals on the letters exchanged to the opulence of Buckingham Palace; Queen Victoria was its very first resident.

However, the biggest surprise of the film lay in the modernity of it. The script is quite funny. Despite her enforced ignorance growing up, Queen Victoria shows a wit even if the only one around to hear her is the dog. Both she and her suitors experience situations that easily fit in any situational comedy. Even the editing has a more up to date feel with shorter shots to assist the pacing where others may be tempted to linger. The film was a joy to see in every aspect.

One last note; despite its popularity, Queen Victoria does not utter her famous quote, "We are not amused."

Andy's Room

Actually, Toy Story Midway Mania at MGM.

Kelly

My brother's dog

Zoey

My brother's cat

Turkish Delight

For my birthday treat, I found tis at Publix:


I don't know how much it costs in Britain, but in Publix, it was only a dollar. I've always wondered what Turkish Delight would be like so why not, right?

( Pictures )

The chocolate was good but the raspberry filling was kind of...ick. All in all, I don't think it's worth turning your family over to the White Witch over...

Waldenbooks Post

Borders has seen fit to close the Waldenbooks at University Mall...ignoring the fact that it's only fucking bookstore in that area unless you have a USF parking pass or want to tangle with one of the many used textbook stores.

I guess Borders just wants us to have even more reason to use the Wiregrass Barnes & Nobles for virtually all our book/magazine needs.

However, there is one good thing about your Waldenbooks closing...at least 50% off ALL BOOKS! Dude, I totally went to town. My mom bought a few things, too.

THE TOTAL LIST!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman -Mom figured she should have the book to go with her doll.
The Kingdom Keepers: Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson -Mom has the first book already.
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper -Vampirates are cool.
Vampirates: Tide of Terror by Justin Somper
Autonomy by Daniel Blythe -TWO DW books for the price of ONE!
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin -I was born in the year of the Dog.
The Krillitane Storm by Christopher Cooper -Ten's last book...
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott -After laughing at the name, I looked at the summary and a few pages. I got the impression, possibly wrong, that it was Paris in Victorian times and I liked the way it was written.
Four bookmarks, including POTC and Harry Potter
Four little duck magnets

All of it for under 45 dollars, wow.

Then, we went to the Carrollwood Borders and Barnes & Noble and...the selection was horrible. I was able to get a Vampire Domo plush but no new issues of Buffy, Empire, Death Ray or Geek? Everything else was all about Avatar

However, Brandon Borders rocks! It had Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dr. Horrible. I didn't even know Dr Horrible had a comic book!

I LOVE CONAN O'BRIEN!!!

He's released a statement on the possible move:

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.

Yours,
Conan

it would be unfair to Jimmy. I love this. So many people have been bashing Jimmy, but he stood up for him! I wish both very talented men only the best. They deserve it and not what NBC is putting them through.