The picture of Cass Ole on the Koko page led to others. Pictures of Arabians always bring back the description in King of the Wind, that for speed there should be as much horse forward of the withers as behind, or that the outstretched neck and head, particularly the thick, muscular Arabian neck, should measure the same as from withers to tail.

There are other beautiful breeds, but I was stuck on the beauty and symmetry of Arabs from an early age.

True Grit was really wonderful - my only complaint was that a few of the night scenes were lit so darkly I had trouble making out the action. Fortunately the dialogue was so fantastic I didn't mind missing out on the visuals. (And I have a feeling that if I'd seen it in a theatre instead of on DVD I wouldn't have had a problem, it's just hard to get a living room dark enough for that kind of cinematography.)

I can't wait to see True Grit--hopefully this week.

I'ma regress for just a minute. We did the now-traditional (two years in a row sets it in stone, right?) rewatch of LotR over Christmas, and I was struck all over again with awe at the sheer magnitude of the thing in all its component parts, and as a whole. The music, the locations, the cgi, the exquisite costuming that ages and wears, the wigs and makeup and prosthetics that fade into accepted reality, the gorgeous sets and the incredibly extensive armoury and weaponry, the jewelry and props.

This entire world created by this group of people interpreting a story beloved for decades (I'm aware of its social shortcomings, but choosing to overlook them for the moment), and the absorption of fandom during production and release of all three films. It became its own society and civilization in a way, with a vernacular and recognizable talismans worn or carried by its citizens.

I skimmed some of our LotR threads, and was taken back to that period of excitement and enchantment and outright love for the project. And I have to confess: I am overjoyed to have been a part of it at the time it was unfolding. There hasn't been a cinematic project of the same magnitude since, and given the state of the industry there may never be again.

And also? I miss it--the excitement, the discussion, the study, the anticipation of the next installment, the gossip, the BTS report, photos and video, and the gush of awed excitement plus self-deprecation at one's own--or others' excessive--fannishness. Good times, good times.

I was watching RotK last night on TBS, and was struck all over again at how well they incorporated the CGI into the miniatures, particularly in that first scene of Minas Tirith when Gandalf and Pippin are riding to see Denethor. For all the advances in computer tech in the seven years since, it still doesn't look dated or stilted.

And it is fun to read over those old posts, Beverly! I do it every so often, and remember how absolutely jazzed I was to be so swept up in the fannishness.

One thing that struck me while watching last night was how skillfully most of those actors have parlayed their new fame into career growth: John Noble on Fringe, Dom Monaghan in Lost, Viggo got an Oscar nod, Karl Urban in, well, everything, Orlando (although he's currently in a dry spell--who knows how he's going to go on from here), Sean Astin boosted up from his journeyman acting career pre-LotR to more high-profile acting gigs and voiceover work, and Elijah Wood made the transition from adolescent roles to adult roles without any serious awkwardness that many of his cohorts had to go through.

I saw burlesque today. It was fun. Not life changing, but I'll probably buy the soundtrack.

Even Craig Parker (Haldir) parlayed into Legend of the Seeker!

Beverly, as usual, I'm in awe of your eloquence and insight.

As much as I love having the complete LOTR world available (in the extended versions, natch) I do so miss dwelling in that world, learning about the extraordinary project that brought that world to us and dreaming of being part of something so grand.

The openness with which the production team brought us in, made me completely enamored with absolutely everyone involved. The only other filmmaker I've found to be that earnest and warts-n-all self-exposing is Terry Gilliam.

I would so love to have lived in that world.

Man, I loved the Hobbit actors. Especially Billy and Dom! And how they would take the piss out of long-winded, earnest Sean Astin in the commentaries!

Tonight's DVD - The Kids Are All Right. I think this could have been a great movie if only it hadn't been trying SO HARD to hit all the "normal marriage" notes. I do understand the impetus - it would be unrealistic to take for granted that a mainstream audience would see this family as "normal" if it weren't hammered home in every scene. But for me, it was just overwritten enough that I wished I could have just been told the story without being also loudly informed of what a NORMAL EVERYDAY STORY it was.

Also, I don't see the appeal of Mark Ruffalo. Is this the same kind of attractiveness I don't get about Nathan Fillion?

I like Mark Ruffalo sometimes, but sometimes he comes off sort of slimy/creepy to me, and I'm not sure why.

I liked him a lot in Shutter Island, though.

Also, I don't see the appeal of Mark Ruffalo.

You and my mother!

Is this the same kind of attractiveness I don't get about Nathan Fillion?

No.