she's not *my* curse. not anymore.

[thehefner]

Been waiting for this one for some time.

BEOWULF trailer.

Written by Neil Gaiman and Roger "I actually co-wrote the PULP FICTION screenplay" Avery. Starring Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Angelina Jolie...

But most importantly (and not mentioned in the trailer), man-god Bendan Gleeson and... wait for it... CRISPIN GLOVER AS GRENDEL.

This looks damn interesting, I'll give it that. The screenplay should be notable at least, even if the POLAR EXPRESS animations techniques are still weird That said it worked beautifully in MONSTER HOUSE, which was one of the best films I'd seen last year. Like, top fifteen, anyway.

I haven't seen any other film of BEOWULF (not even the Christopher Lambert "Beowulf... IN SPACE!" movie), but I get the distinct impression that none so far have been any good. I'm rather fond of the original, even more so after I read John Gardner's GRENDEL and Tolkien, but I know not everyone cares for it.

I just remember this one time I went to Philly, and looked down at the train tracks to find an older copy of BEOWULF between the rails. It was clearly a school copy, several decades old, and scrawled on the cover in pen was "FUCK THIS SHIT." I wish I'd had a camera.



Oh, and last night, I performed 1.) with the flu, 2.) before a sold-out house, 3.) when it was hotter and stuffier than usual, and 4.) with no other show after mine, so I took my time, and didn't rush anything, so we went over twenty minutes.

Somewhere between those four factors, it was my best damn show yet. Go figure.

Comments

[heleneotroy.livejournal.com]

Well, Crispin Glover is batshit insane, so it works.

P.S. Will you have my babies?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Word is, from someone who saw 20 minutes of early film footage from Comic Con, he's the best damn thing in it. He speaks in a "weird half-Danish, half-English" dialogue. I wonder if he meant he spoke in Old English? Either way, he's supposedly brilliant.

And do you truly desire to have the Spawn of Hefner? Children of mine would be like spastic geek weasels infected with the rage virus.

[heleneotroy.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying he doesn't have brilliant performances, just that the man himself is nutso. Although sometimes that goes hand in hand with theatrical brilliance.

And I believe I asked you to have my babies. There is a difference.

[ortugatay.livejournal.com]

I was wondering when someone was going to take Beowulf and make it into a movie. I freaking love the Seamus Heaney translation, so I hope they used that in their research for the script. I'll see it even if it sucks, cause I love me some medieval lit.

Also, eee concert tonight! MelP can't go anymore, but my lovely and talented friend Brittany will be joining us in her stead. She's nutty and theatrical--you'll get a kick out of her. :-)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

There are two recent ones they've made that come to mind:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120604/

and most recently

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402057/

But I've seen neither. I haven't heard great things, but the reviewer for the latter really seems to have dug it, so who knows?

But girl, it's written by NEIL GAIMAN. He IS research. If that makes sense. If anyone knows their shit, it's him!

Aww, poop for no MelP. Say, I'm curious, if Metro is closed by the time the concert ends (last train in 11:44), would, uh, would you be able to give me a ride, possibly? Just in case? I'm leaving my car in Bethesda and Metroing in from there, as I hate hate hate driving and parking in DC.

[ortugatay.livejournal.com]

Yeah I have the same problem--I'm metroing too so will also be hustling to the metro before it closes. I'm just gonna trust that the show will be done by then (since metro is a huge way that people get there) or I'm leaving early.

[elefwin.livejournal.com]

holy *something*..! it'd better *be* good then.

and speaking of better, may your flu be gone. soon.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it really has no excuse. Well, except for Robert Zemeckis. Who knows what he or the studio might have done to the almost-certainly-at-least-neat Gaiman/Avery script?

It's gettin' there, I think and hope.

[interdisciple.livejournal.com]

Again, and just to put it in print, you were truly awesome last night, Hef. I tip my hat (well, just pretend I'm wearing one, okay?). But seriously, Ty and I were both very pleasantly surprised, as frankly, you far exceeded our expectations, especially considering the flu factor. You were truly a professional up there. So bravo to a job well-done, and by all means, keep it up. I think you've found not only a unique and well-established point of view, but an endearing and highly accessible way of conveying it to geek and non-geek alike. Cheers!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I do love surprising people. :) Thankya very, very much!

[disc-sophist.livejournal.com]

Jay came home raving about it. I was SO sorry not to be there, and I don't think I'll be able to make it Friday either. I want to communicate how unhappy this makes me. I really really REALLY want to see you, but I just don't think it's going to happen. Maybe I'll pay you to do a private show at a party. Blue suit optional. ;)

Argh. Wanna see! *is five*

Grumpf

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

Angelina Jolie as "Grendel's mother, monstrous hell bride."

Damn it, it's a lousy story. Don't try to make it any better, or you'll just make it worse.

I want to do it as a silent film, with two narrative soundtracks: one in translation, the other in the original.

super coo, pally, like a pigeon with a gold 's' on a red shield

[slaversbane.livejournal.com]

Boy-o, sounds like yer slaying audiences by the furlong. I had no doubts. None at all.

Gonna try and make closing night.

[droidboy010101.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to see someone attempting another Gaiman outing though I too cringe at the Jolie-centric promotion. Still sad the Gilliam/Pratchett/Gaiman attempt at Good Omens never saw the light of day (proof-positive that being an auteur is fine so long as you don't perpetually piss-off the powers that be that will give you money. That should have been a slam dunk project but the Gilliam just couldn't secure the financing.)

The Glover casting though might be worth sitting through it alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALapHYNSmoA

[erzebetbathory.livejournal.com]

aww

<3<3<3