.: Largely uneventful :.
Wow! Been a long time since I wrote a journal.
I guess it's been a serious case of "nothing to report" lately…
Still, it's high time I updated here, so let's try and think of a few things…
One thing straight off, though.
To all proud English people - Happy St George's Day!
.: The Hobbit :.
Ah yeah, that's one notable event… since it was finally released on DVD here early this month, I managed to get hold of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" – latest offering from Peter Jackson!
Well, I can say that I'm glad I got it.
My parents weren't so enthralled with it, unfortunately.
Mum, thinking too much in terms of the fact the original book was written for children, considered that Jackson made this film too violent and too scary for the kids, with the emphasis on battle and the Orcs and Goblins being hideous creatures.
Dad felt there was too much "extra" put into it, and became bored, feeling that all the background elements ruined the original story.
I have to go with my own opinion, though. Granted, nearly three hours was pretty extreme, especially when the original book itself was barely a third of the size of Lord of the Rings – there are parts of the movie where things seem to drag on for a bit. Takes them nearly an hour to leave Bag End.
On the other hand, Radagast the Brown was a delightfully quirky character, and the Dwarf actors took their parts well. Martin Freeman is great in the role of young Bilbo Baggins and it's great to see Sir Ian McKellen in that epic hat once again, playing Gandalf!
Certainly can't fault the acting… kind of hilarious to reflect that the Great Goblin beneath Misty Mountains was voiced by Dame Edna Everage, too!
Have to agree with Mum, though, some of the special effects wasn't as good as it has been. I guess, like the scenes with the Trolls and of the Dwarves' escape from the Goblins, elements of the movie verge of zany, goofy and even cartoony… it's the sort of thing the Dan Clan would come through barely unscathed, only for Danbuster to laugh about afterwards…
as a Tolkien-fan and a guy that likes to follow the history of fantasy worlds like this, I rather enjoyed seeing all the background elements that Dad complained against. It may not be in the original book, but the history of Middle-Earth is recounted faithfully, near enough, reminding us how much was truly at stake even for this seemingly-trivial quest of reclaiming a lost kingdom from a sleeping dragon.
And of course, that brings me to Smaug. For this first half of the adventure, the dragon was barely seen – but what I saw looks good. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he appears in "Desolation of Smaug" Especially voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch!
I know a number of people seem to know him from this new Sherlock series, but personally I never saw it – what I
have seen, however, is "Amazing Grace", the film about William Wilberforce and his fight to abolish the Slave Trade. Cumberbatch appears in that as Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger – and if that deep crisp British voice is anything to go by, we're in for a treat!
.: Mum's 60 Birthday :.
I ought to give this a mention, as it's not something likely to happen twice in one lifetime…
In just over three weeks time, Mum turns a milestone year here. We're planning to hold a party at home, and hoping some friends and family can come over to help the day go nicely!
Meanwhile, in the run-up of the day, we'll have to see what presents we can get for her (beyond a few things got already) and also we're trying to collect a few greetings and good wishes from friends to be retained as a memento of the day.
More than this I shouldn't say right now, in case Mum happens to see this journal. Don't want to ruin any surprises…
.: Dan Clan :.
Meanwhile, in my spare time, I've been trying to get on in earnest with a Flash cartoon featuring the Dan Clan; Danbuster, Frederick and Spencer, in a completely independent cartoon of their own (i.e. Not fanart, but something completely original and focussed entirely on themselves)
I've been progressing slowly with that, and have at least one scene finished – before I can continue with the next bit, I need to develop the interior of some of their rooms in the house better.
Other than that, I've also got random artwork ongoing…
Such as regular requests from
And Art Trades friends such as
And then there's always the regular interrupts of real-life, like the hopeless eternal task of seeking employment and dealing with household chores doled out by Mum…
(I probably don't get asked to do
that much – but when you're called away while busy with something of your own, it sure
seems a lot)
Here's hoping I can continue with my projects yet, this year… so many ideas, so little time in the day…
.: Danbuster Signing Off :.
And, I don't think I have anything further to add - so in the words of Marquila...
Pax vobiscum! Salutare!! (Peace be with you! Greetings!!)
)
