The IT Spot: Pennywise

So, we've finally gotten a glimpse at Pennywise. Behold!

Hm.

Well, it's creepy. The facepaint is nice and different. And I like old-tyme style clown costumes. In theory. But I'm hoping this is a 'final form' Pennywise; he's supposed to have a colorful, attractive outfit. He scares kids, but he also attracts them. Nothing about this clown would bring in a kid.

I'll be interested to see more.

Stress

I had a weak day. I bought a bunch of new mythology books at a local bookstore. I ate candy and drank pop and watched stupid videos online.

I had a strong day. I went for a long walk with my husband and my brother in law. I planned the weeks meals, mostly healthy. I got fresh fruit. I scrubbed my shower.

I had a weak weekend. I was mopey Saturday, I binged all of season 3 of Bojack Horseman, and I didn't clean the bedroom.

I had a strong weekend. I did a lot of laundry, cleaned off the entertainment center, cleaned up a mess in front of a spare door and saw a friend I hadn't seen for a while.

I had a weak work week. I had a conference about my failings, my plan to not talk to the people who hurt me failed miserably, and I had to take an anxiety pill to halfway cope with the meeting.

I had a strong week. I saw family, friends, I cooked, I snuggled my pup, and I played Pokemon go.

 Now we're at a new week. I'm stressed over a dog my Mom is pet sitting. I'm stressed about a ton of things at work, none of which merit explaining. I'm hot and sleepy and just unhappy.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Star Trek, and watching Breaking Bad with a friend, and going home to my husband and cat and bed.

(You can see his knee)

Time to count my blessings and soldier on. It's Monday morning. It'll be fine.

Semi-Reboots; Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and Beyond

SPOILERS. SO MANY FREAKIN' SPOILERS.

...Ugh...

Chances are you've seen my wild elation over the new Ghostbusters. If not, know that I love it; it falls higher in my esteem than the Extreme Ghostbusters, the IDW comics, and the second half of The Real Ghostbusters.

Phelous is the only other person who shares my level of hate.

But a lot of people are complaining about how this is too similar to the original. It does hit some of the same beats, but this is easily explained in two words: alternate universe.

Like the new Star Trek, this Ghostbuster's film seems to take place in an alternate universe. Unlike that film, the timeline-altering event is now shown in film, but with careful observation it's clear.

This universe is the result of Egon dying young.

We see an unnamed copper bust in-film of Harold Ramis' Egon. Assuming this is a memorial, everything else falls into place; Peter Venkman (in this universe named Martin Heiss) and Ray Stantz (no idea what his new name is) began their work on the paranormal with Egon, when working with their dangerous equipment killed him. Peter couldn't cope with the loss and delved into debunking everything that he percieved killed his friend.

Ray kept up with the work for a while, but the University eventually fired him. Without Peter to drive him into 'the private sector' he turned to being a cabby to pay the bills. But his academic work was studied and built on by Erin and Abby. Thus the "It's only a calls 5 full torso apparition."

Winston simply fell into another line of work. One where he still works with the dead, though.

So, what does my theory mean for the franchise? Much like in Star Trek (especially Star Trek Into Darkness) we may still see the same beats playing out differently due to the new universes new circumstances. And I'm fine with that. I'd love to see a brand new story, but I'm not adverse to seeing what these girls would do faced with Terror Dogs and Gozer.

Either way, I get more Ghostbusters. That's a win in my book.

The Ghostbusters blog

So I saw Ghostbusters this weekend.

I really liked it.

I bought the in-universe book (and yes, broke my no buying embargo. But it was the last copy!).

I want to be Abby (Melissa McCarthy) for Halloween, if I can round up some others to fill out the roster. You know who you are (cough, Camy, Bree?).

The ratings are rising on IMDB, and a solid 73% from the critics on rotten tomatoes, where the audience score is also rising. It's done better in the box office than expected (though China's thrown a monkey wrench into things).

On to the mushy stuff.

I've never seen a Ghostbusters movie in a theater before. I've never gotten to hear the theme play in surround sound, or see the Ecto-1 pull up to the firehouse, all larger than life. I've never been blinded by the proton stream. I've never heard the CLUNK of a trap as it rolls across the floor and pulls an evil spirit to the depths.

I wept openly when I finally had these things.

I got to experience it with my family. We all liked it.

But the most important thing is I don't need to lie to myself. It was good, for real and true. I don't have to make excuses or flinch at the so bad it's bad parts, or say 'yeah, but you have to consider'. None of that. It was good. My optimism paid off, as it so rarely does.

I am so happy.

I'm on fire.

I've finished The Fireman by Joe Hill. It's the second book of my 'no more buying books until I've finished these five' vow. It was great. I was so happy.

Then I remembered today is the day my dad died seven years ago.

Blogging about John and Harper and Nick and Allie and Renee and their struggles with fanatics, killers, and the government seems frivolous. But what can I say that hasn't been said? My pain remains, numbed by time. Tears still come, irregular as July rain. Not strong enough to douse the embers left from fictional death, not a hope of quenching real sorrow.

My lips are dry and my throat cracks. Still fighting my mundane illness, spitting up gobs of yellow-white chicken fat. Less glamorous than black and gold scales that ignite and smoke. I don't even have a fever. Just a few caterpillar green pills.  Back into the fray.

Tonight is Breaking Bad night. I'll be with my husband and a friend. Mom is house-sitting, so I'll avoid that drama. This is the only part of the day where I'll have solitude and time to reflect. But the pool is dry. All I see is cracked earth. Dust whirls and makes my eyes water.

So thirsty.

The IT spot: IT begins.

Production has begun! We even have our first production photos:

We've also got some Pennywise concept art.

Not sure how I feel about it. IT is my all-time favorite book, and I don't think it can be filmed and retain all of the meaning. The mini-series is proof of that. But I think a decent telling could be committed to another media. Much like the Ghostbuster's movie, I'm remaining cautiously optimistic. For now.

Ughhh....

For those of you who know me IRL, you know I've been sick for almost two weeks now.

I've been coughing, wheezing, and generally run down. Yes, I've been to a doctor, and yes I'm on steroids and prescription cough syrup. My chest burns when I hack due to the length of time I've had the cough. It is getting better, slowly.

I'm not looking for sympathy; my awesome hubby has provided that in spades, and even took a day off so I could go to the doctor. I'm kinda apologizing for not having the gumption to continue the 3rd part of my DHMIS series. Love will have to wait.

So, why not watch it now to catch up?

Sorry about that

That last (taken down) post was unfinished. Further bulletins as events warrant.

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared: THIS IS IT! Part 1

I've posted before about the DHMIS series. I also kickstarted it. The 6th and final episode just aired. Watch it. I'll wait.

It's about media, that much all the viewers agree on. But what does it all mean? Let's take a multi-part in depth look!

The first episode details how creativity is only encouraged to a point. Go, make stuff, but make sure it's inside the box, and doesn't do anything to challenge the corporate overlords. I.E.Yellow Guy stating "I might paint a picture of a clown" and the Notebook replying "Whoa there friend, you might need to slow down." and doing this:

Also Notebook telling Yellow Guy "Green is not a creative color."

 Yellow guy is the series designated Butt Monkey. It doesn't get better for him.

We also get the first hints of characterization from the  Red Guy declaring that using your hair to express yourself "...sounds really boring."

He's my favorite.

Bird guy just plays along. More on him later.

So, it's a basic message; the corporate overlords represented by the Notebook teacher want us to be creative, but only inside their preset parameters.A good way to establish the tone of the series, and a subtle message delivery. But it's not the end.

We'll discuss more next time.

The IT spot: BEVVVVVV

We have our Bevvie! Sophia Lillis, another who I've never seen in anything, will be young Bev Marsh.

Bev is the only girl in the Loser's club, and has a...controversial part to play near the end that I assume will be left out. She's pretty great, glad she has a face.

Look, a pic of the whole loser's club:

Can't wait to see them mentally scarred for life by a supernatural clown monster! Guess which one of them kills themselves as an adult rather than face IT again?!!

Hm.

I may be a terrible person.