Anthropomorphic.

[sarea]

Okay, this opinion might make me really unpopular, but I can't keep it in any longer. Many people are squeeing over all the new HP GoF stuff, pictures in particular, and I'm happy for them that they're excited and enthusiastic about it. But as for being squeeful myself, I just. can't. do it. I've seen millions of icons of the new stuff, wanting, really wanting, to take and use some of them, especially now that I have 100 icons, but I hate them all. There, I've said it. All the actors look terrible, Dan and Rupert in particular. I've tried to pinpoint what, exactly, I dislike about their appearances, but it's just this general feeling I get when I look at them -- that feeling is "Yuck." They don't look all that different, facially or anything, so I must conclude that it's the hair. I just absolutely despise the hair. They look like loser rejects from a 70s party. The only person whose appearance I like is Emma Watson -- but since Hermione is one of my least-favorite characters, that's not much condolence.

Remember when Harry and Co. were pretty? Well, there was a time I thought so, even if that time has passed. But like, what happened to the Harry and Draco who looked like this? Well, maybe not exactly like that, but look how good their hair looks! (I can't imagine that all the H/D fans haven't already seen it, but it's the first time I've encountered it, and wow, what a fabulous manipulation. Thanks to gnrationfo for linking from his journal.)

Yeah, I knew the time was coming, it was all too good to be true, and having a bunch of close games imho doesn't speak to how good you are, but how bad/lucky -- but it was still crushingly disappointing. :( And it wasn't just that they lost -- they got pwned. By a really bad team. Oy. Sure, they're still 8-1 or whatever, but come on, I think we can all see the writing on the wall. Trouble is I think their momentum is gone now -- they might as well be 1-8. I'd give them a 50/50 chance to win against Arizona St. this weekend. The one unknown is USC. That game is always an unknown, because the emotion behind it can often garner surprising results -- look at last year. So I actually still give them a shot against USC, although the smart person would say they're gonna get creamed.

You might be surprised to hear that I am actually still writing. It's coming along slowly, but I'll take what I can get at this point. The problem is I have a few VM fic ideas I'd really like to write, but I've still got HP fics on my plate. I've never been a multi-fandom sort of person -- I tend to pick an obsession and stick with it, at least when it comes to writing -- but maybe this is the start of a whole new me. I find that I still love and enjoy D/G, even if the words don't come as easily as they used to. I think part of the trouble is that my brain is filled with words for VM atm. :)) Maybe if I give them the opportunity to purge themselves on my computer, that'll make room for the other stuff. (I'd also like to write in the Firefly universe before all is said and done, and yes, even World of Warcraft. Jade and I even planned out a whole Prince of Persia fic that probably won't get written. Hee.)

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_____faith/]

I know what you mean regarding the actors' new looks...especially:

The only person whose appearance I like is Emma Watson -- but since Hermione is one of my least-favorite characters, that's not much condolence.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Looking forward to your VM pieces! ;) I do miss your D/G, though.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Awww, well, thank you for the early support. <g> The D/G isn't going away -- in fact, there are two more stories for sure! Three, in fact, since Jade and I plan to finish IYOK also. So I hope that's some measure of comfort.

I hate that I'm so hung up on the actors' appearance that I can't even enjoy the other stuff about GoF, which is my favorite HP book. But yeah, it bothers me.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_____faith/]

I actually have a friend who checked IYOK on Fictionalley practically every other day for the past year and almost died when you updated this summer XD;

Do you want them to finish off all seven movies with the same actors? Just curious. (Consistency vs. Personal preference, I guess)

<--- See? Good hair!

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Augh, well, I apologize for how infrequent our updates are. =/ But at least we haven't abandoned the story!

You know, that's a good question. In the past, I would have said yes, no question. I was pretty vociferous about my support for consistency, in fact. But it turns out that I'm just really shallow, because if they're going to continue to look so bad, I can't help but feel a bit of relief at the idea of new people -- with hopefully better coiffures -- coming in.

So I guess I would say I prefer consistency, with the caveat that they have to make me want to watch them on film -- which they currently do not. :p

Re: <--- See? Good hair!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_____faith/]

Haha, well said, and understood :) For me, no matter how horrid (Or incredibly overaged for their roles) the current actors' appearances become, I still might will throw a violent fit if they dare change the portrayers we've gotten so accustomed to by now.

Oh Logan, he's just so...Logan-ish.

[lielabell.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you on the creepy 70's hair style. It's so not how I picture Harry and the lot. The books are set in the early 90's and from what I remember of that decade the shaggy monkey look was not in.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

You could not be more correct. I'm appalled that the shaggy monkey look was in in any decade, much less the current one, when we should really know better. I suppose Tom's doesn't look as terrible as the others; I'll just suck it up and focus on him instead. Oh, the hardship!

[lielabell.livejournal.com]

*nods* Tom if definitely the high point of the cast. Have you seen the pictures of Bonnie, btw? She got hot all of a sudden.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

I did see a few ... though I am reserving judgment until we see some more. It could be a fluke! (Though I have to admit I've always been a bit disappointed by her casting. She had always seemed rather plain, which just did not fit my image of Ginny at all. Nor, apparently, JKR's, if HBP is anything to go by. And yet theoretically JKR approved the casting, so ... yeah. No clue.)

[svdbrooke.livejournal.com]

i know!! My friend and I were looking through some photos of the new movie and *shivers* they look so horrible!! Dan's hair is not even that shaggy nice hair that makes you want to run your fingers through. All it makes me want to do is chase after them with scissors in my hand. oh.my.god. that manip is sooooo awesome!!! I'm not a H/D fan but it looks great and so hilarious.
I'm sorry to those who still think they're hot but i must be honest, they look (their hair in particular) look very sad.

-S

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

All it makes me want to do is chase after them with scissors in my hand.

LOL! Ditto!

I know, isn't the manip excellent? I wish I could do work like that. H/D isn't my favorite pairing ever, but of all the slash ships out there, it's the one I have the biggest weakness for. Well, that and Lupin/Snape.

I mean, I am glad that some people enjoy the actors' new looks -- I envy them. I want to, as I think I would be loads happier, but I just can't get rid of my good taste. Mwahahahaa!

[svdbrooke.livejournal.com]

it makes me feel a bit superficial seeing as how I hate, oh such a strong word, okay, dislike their appearances but it affects how much i like the movie. It's going to be a good movie, good plot... it just.....gah! *runs around*

Lupin/Snape. I've never encountered a story with that ship. I'm a deprived little girl.

Damn them all and their unsuperficial-like ways. WhatEVER, everything just needs to be good for me to like something. That one's going to screw me over one day. *sigh*

-S

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a bit disappointing that I'm this superficial. Oh well. *doesn't like to dwell on one's own deficiencies*

The one excuse I can give us is that these are movies. The point of movies is to impress us visually. And whether we like it or not, we want to see good-looking people on screen. That's why most actors/actresses are beautiful. Let's not kid ourselves. So yeah, there's nothing wrong with expecting them to look acceptable enough for me to have to stare at them for 2+ hours! Especially since they managed to do it for 3 other movies! (Dan was hot in the PoA promos.)

One of my fave L/S stories is one that Jade wrote: Call of the Wolf (http://www.vanishingscroll.com/okelani/jade/cotw.html). I also wrote one for dearsanta last year, Renewal (http://www.livejournal.com/community/dearsanta/15245.html). They're fairly non-explicit as far as shippy stories go. You don't have to feel compelled to read them or anything, but if you were so inclined, that would get you started. _lore is really the queen of all things L/S, so if for some reason you find yourself really digging it, I'd go to her journal for the kajillion links she has. :D

[http://users.livejournal.com/_lore/]

You rang? *has super-hearing for the call of Lupin/Snape*

I think both those recs are excellent ways to introduce someone to Snape/Lupin. No need to overwhelm the poor girl with all the skeery hawt smut right off. I even hear there's a sequel in the works for Call... *snerk*

Just wanted to let you now that I agree with you on the looks of the actors in GoF. Rupert, especially, could have used a haircut. I don't mind Dan's hair too much in the movie. I actually kinda HATE the new short crop he has. So all the premiere pictures aren't doing much for me either, and it makes it that much harder to make icons for RPGs because the scar space isn't hidden anymore.

Although, did you see the Phelps twins with dark hair???? How old are they again? Because I do try so very hard to resist the Bad Place. (rar!)

Actually, what pisses me off more than all their hair is their friggin eyebrows! Between Dan and the guy playing Cedric, I'm surprised their eyebrows alone didn't Eat The Entire Soundstage. Combine the heavy, dark eyebrows with the heavy, dark eye-makeup in the film and you've got the start of a Mr. Androgynous of the year contest. Too Girly Looking! Harrumph.

Someone needs to remind the makeup and costume designers that the films are set in the 90s, and it was the Parent Generation that was set in the 70s. Honestly!

Ok, think I'm done being shallow with you for now. *grinhugs*

love, lore

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's just eerie. One speaks of it, and there you are. :))

Awww, Dan is such a woobie in your icon. *sigh* How did it all go so wrong? I haven't seen any of the premiere pics, so I don't think I've seen this new short 'do of Dan's. Have not seen the twins with dark hair, but now I'm intrigued.

I don't know what it is with this production and the excessive hair. It all began with Lupin's face worm. That was the beginning of the wrongness.

[ropo.livejournal.com]

Well, at least Dan has now cut his hair (saw some photos from the UK premiere, where, sadly, someone had some H/D fanart that it looked like they wanted autographed, but I'm fairly sure the kids were taken away before being traumatized by it) and looks much better.

::giggles at that MegCabotty sentence::

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

It makes me shudder to think of them being exposed to fandom stuff. No one who didn't actively choose it should have to bear witness to it. I am glad to hear that he's cut his hair, however. Because it made me shudder even more.

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

I hate the hair as well, and I agree that Dan and Rupert particularly suffer from the sheepdog look. As for Emma... Did you see what she looked like at the premiere?

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

*is afraid*

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

Put it this way: You can find her on Go Fug Yourself.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Sadly, they have lowered my bar so much with Dan and Rupert's hair that that isn't even that terrible to me. I mean, at least she still resembles a girl. And while the dress isn't flattering ... or the shoes ... and I don't know what is with the headband thing ... at least her hair is decent and she's still pretty. Dan (and I have to admit right here, it's mainly Dan I have issues with, because I used to think he was pretty, whereas Rupert has been, at best, "cute"), on the other hand, I am starting to find decidedly unattractive.

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

Other shots of the hair show that she has big loops of hair around her ears. It's pretty awful. Then again, I heartily dislike Emma Watson, because I do like Hermione.

Dan really did hit the awkward and gawky stage of adolescence, and the uglification that goes with it. The worst of it is the hair, though, by far. He looks like a hobbit who's been hitting the pipeweed a bit too hard.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

He looks like a hobbit who's been hitting the pipeweed a bit too hard.

Sadly, that's the best comparison I've heard. That's exactly what it looks like.

Don't get me wrong -- regardless of the fact that I think Emma Watson is quite pretty, I don't know that I've enjoyed her as Hermione. She was always far too attractive for the role. Which I'm contradicting myself a bit to say, aren't I? Only, I don't think so -- Hermione can be pretty, but it shouldn't be an obvious prettiness. She should be a swan. Emma has always been just pretty, period, and they did very little to dampen it.

[jessicakmalfoy.livejournal.com]

oh no, i agree with your GOF assessment. i hate the outfits, ron's hair, draco's hair, the lack of pansy, the weird book to script changes, the fact the fleur isn't pretty, that Hermione is pretty. geh. the list goes on.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

I haven't paid that much attention to the outfits. The hair has me riveted. With horror.

I don't even know the details about the movie, like the book-to-script changes or anything (though they're not unexpected, given the length of the book, it's still disheartening to hear, esp. since GoF was my fave). However, YES!! re: Fleur. Nothing against that girl -- in fact, she might have made a more canon Hermione (EW has always been too obviously attractive) -- but she's no Fleur, for pete's sake. Fleur is supposed to be hypnotically and distractingly beautiful. This actress is simply just regular pretty, which is better, but not right for the role.

[xcarol.livejournal.com]

Heeeee. I just noticed you changed your words on your comments from 'Snog Draco Silly' to 'Get Logan Hot'. So, y'know, I just HAD to... get Logan hot. ;)

Tom's hair does look really bad in this, but I blame it on the fact that it's a wig. Wigs usually look horrible. Like when Topher Grace had a wig on That 70's Show because he had to cut his hair for Win a Date with Tad Hamilton... yuck.

As for the rest of them... well I thought Rupert stopped being cute by Movie 3. The shaggy hair is just... not working.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Bwahahaha, I'm glad that's what got you to comment. Getting Logan hot is a worthy goal indeed.

I didn't know Tom's hair was a wig. O.o Did he finally get sick of it being dyed or something?

Yes, Rupert pretty much stopped being cute to me after the first movie -- when he was little boy cute. As a budding young man, I don't find him the least bit attractive. More power to those who do -- they won't be getting any competition from me. He's all theirs.

[xcarol.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he got sick of dying it. Apparently, he had to bleach it every week (like James Marsters, who dyed it every 2 weeks when he played Spike) and after each film was finished, it was so dead that he would shave it all off and regrow his hair. So this time around, he decided to go with a wig.

[iamsam-samiam.livejournal.com]

The UCLA game....I think I actually had tears in my eyes. It was awful!

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

WAAAAHHHH.

It's totally heartbreaking, even though we probably all knew it was coming. I just hoped the luck would hold out until the USC game. :( I don't think we're a bad team at all -- I just don't think we're a top 10 team. Not when we were having close games with teams we shouldn't have had close games with, regardless of the eventual outcome.

I had actually forgotten about the game until later in the evening, when I went to check the headlines. When I saw what had happened it made me so bereft I had to click away quickly. I couldn't even read the stories about what had happened until today.

[iamsam-samiam.livejournal.com]

It was so sad, because my sister is in the band at Northwestern, and we had just watch them come back amazingly and beat Iowa, and I just expected UCLA to keep that up.

I have tickets to the SC game, right in the middle of the USC alumni section, so that should be interesting..

[londonaster.livejournal.com]

Seriously. Like with the premiere I couldn't figure out what was going on with them for the life of me. Everyone's all excited and "Dan's so hot!" and I'm just like ew velvet cravat. Rupert is still alright looking. Emma looks pretty much the same, but the rest of them just look kinda awkward. I don't know.

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Yeah. None of the actors have made the best choices in clothing while going out in public. I mean, they're teenagers, what's wrong with a pair of jeans and a nice shirt, maybe? They tend to look like they're trying to dress the part of a 30-year-old. *sigh* It's almost like a requirement when you become a celebrity that you have to start dressing badly.

[xcarol.livejournal.com]

Emma's always had odd fashion choice but I thought Katie Leung looked great at the premiere.

[hannah-kim.livejournal.com]

I completely agree about the trio. Puberty has not been kind to the boys and I couldn't really care less about Emma. I sometimes get the feeling that the producers are trying maintain authenticity by keeping the three of them as pasty as possible. I mean, I know we aren't known for being the centre of sunshine, but we do get some.
What are your thoughts on the girl who plays Cho Chang?

And I haven't decided yet whether I condone you focusing more on VM yet - I'll decided after I watch some :P

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Puberty has not been kind to the boys and I couldn't really care less about Emma.

You're so succinct. It's a trait I greatly admire. *admires*

I haven't seen that much of Katie Leung to really have an opinion. From the couple of shots I've seen, she's pretty, but ... I guess I was thinking she would be even prettier. The movie might change my mind, once she's in costume and makeup. The problem is, I thought Fleur was going to be prettier, too. In fact, that's a far more significant difference between what was in my head and the actual actress they cast. But, again, reserving final judgment until I've seen the film. Maybe she'll stun me with her veela-ness. *skeptical*