May I promote Dirty, Pretty Things ? One of the best movies I've seen in a long time, and Ejiofor is so the actor who makes it that way. If you liked him in Serenity, check this other movie out, even if it could be less alike, other than good acting, good writing, and an interesting, alien culture.

Thirding the Dirty Pretty Things rec. Ejiofor has made my list of actors-to-track-down for sure.

Finally can post here, now that my houseguests are gone. Vonnie and I were really good about not spoiling Katie all weekend.

I liked it: enjoyed it a lot. Cheered and sniffled in all the right places. But I do have quibbles.

- I assume the graininess and blueness of the first scenes (esp. Mal & Simon arguing about River) is going to be corrected, because it was so much in contrast with the brilliant clarity of the show on dvd. Threw me right out, and I'm not someone who notices cinematography much.

- Mal felt pretty off: he felt much more like the Mal from the original Firefly script that Fox insisted be lightened up. Or at least a Mal from before "Safe" and "Ariel". This Mal saw Simon and River as outside, not members of his crew, in a way that I don't buy in the aftermath of the 13-ep run, especially the end of "Objects in Space". Which is not to say he isn't justified in being angry at not knowing about River's fighting ability; but the way it was expressed really made him less likeable than we know he is.

- Simon personally rescuing River, which is entirely a retcon, IIRC.

- The Great Secret about Pax just felt really damned convenient. And the creation of the Reavers was a gimme, although -- how long ago did the Reavers start showing up? And how long has the Alliance been using that drug?

- The Single Solar System theory makes me crazy. Sure, it avoids the FTL drive problem, but the likelihood of finding a system with dozens of planets all in the same range of habitable space is pretty slim. Unless they're not all in the same plane, and that's even rarer. But then Joss and science were never close, anyway. I'd be happier if they took it out and left us thinking it was an interstellar network rather than a single solar system.

- The dialog pattern, particularly the funny bits, was patented Joss. So much so that after 7 years of Buffy and 5 of Angel it was kind of obvious. I like it, but I think he could do with pushing himself a little more, putting down that tool for a bit.

... wow, that's a lot of nits. I really did enjoy it: I was terribly happy to see them all again, and kick butt, and Wash's dinosaurs. And now that I think of it, of course Wash would die, because Joss never leaves a happy couple happy for long. They got 13 hours: that's more than Fred and Wes got.

I don't know how accessible this is going to be for anyone who hasn't seen the show. I am very unhappy about Book, because there was so much we didn't learn about him. Although I thought Ron Glass looked marvelous.

Consuela is me. Only better with words.

But you're much better with cats.

I'm sorry you didn't come on Saturday, Perkins -- we had a lovely time. (Which reminds me, must upload pics from camera.)

Plus, I'm the nice one. Just ask ita.

Me too, on the sorry I couldn't come. My hair appointment in Los Gatos lasted until after 11:00. (yes, I did spend 4 hours at a hair appointment), so by the time I got there, it would have been time to go.

Did you wind up with good hair?

I think so, though you wouldn't have guessed it from the way I looked on Sunday morning. I like the color, but I need to work on learning how to style it right.

Good hair is important.

Good hair is v. v. important. (And I thought you looked great Sunday.)