Remember My So Called Life?

[amelialourdes]

Remember when everyone was so goddamn pissed off because that show got canceled and then years later it became an absolute cult classic and people say, "Wow. Biggest fucking mistake that ABC ever made." Wrong. I think that we're entering into a world where we're all going to say that about our short one season and short two season shows that are going to be prevalent in the future.

I say boycott bullshit "reality" television which guess what? It isn't reality. They tell people what to do on those shows. Those people are just puppets on strings. I work in television. I know because I see it and I hear it on a daily, daily basis.

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a television rant but I am still set off about this. Why does every single Bryan Fuller show have to get canceled? Heroes, you're next.

Going to finish that icon meme that I haven't completed yet. You can find the first one here.


5. Okay. I love Shelter. I love it. I have watched at least ten million gay films and there are pretty much three categories of gay cinema:

1) Artsy, pretty much emerging from the New Queer Cinema area.
2) Stereotypical gay comedy/"romance"/drama/etc.
3) Suffering victim who has to die at the end of the movie no matter what.

Don't get me wrong, I love a few gay films from all of those categories but Shelter breaks the mold on just about every single term. It's a completely feel good movie without touching into cheesy territory. The music is so appropriate and fitting for every single scene, the actors pull off their characters so well (even though I do have minor beef with Zach in some of his lines), and you know what? No one suffers completely, no one dies, and there's a happy fucking ending. How many gay movies can pull THAT off? Not a lot. This movie makes me so incredibly happy that you cannot believe.

So, I have this icon that pretty much represents the entire Zach/Shaun dynamic. Not only are they lovers but they're really close friends. I love that they build up the conversation in the film, treating one another like friends but their shift into a romance is completely, completely believable. So, that's why I have this Shelter icon. It pretty much says it all right there.


6. I love Randypants. I just do. I don't even think that I could explain it if I tried. I just think that he's one of the most poised, professional actors and I really admire someone who's really pursued what they want and are really unrelenting when it comes to getting what they want. That takes fucking balls and guts and it takes passion. I'm just drawn to that in general.

Icon's obviously from Mrs. Warren's Profession and I labeled it 'content' because doesn't he look happy there?

Um, cloverdilly is holding a gun to my head to do a voice/video meme thing and I really want to do it. I kid Ann. I kid cause I love. <3 So, other than that I am in for an awesome weekend. I'm just going to sit at home all weekend and relax. Best type of weekend ever. Well, except for the doctor's office (my eyes) and my aunt's bday brunch on Sunday.

Comments

[ayana (now yana_ambf @ lj) (from livejournal.com)]

Hi, I'm a Zach fiend. I stumbled across your post and I totally share in your serious Shelter luv. I am really curious (although terrified!) about which Zach lines stuck out for you. I really, really am afraid to ask, becuz if you answer, I'm going to be trembling as I watch it *looking* for those things (and you know once someone points something out, it sticks out like a sore thumb for all eternity!). But I couldn't pass this post by and *not* ask. :)

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Haha I do the same thing when people have criticisms. I don't think that I really blame Trevor Wright for his delivery of the lines. I think that I just blame the content. That first kind of awkward delivery when they're standing by the surf boards in the backyard. When he says, "Uh yeah." And then they laugh. That's awkwardly placed. Those lines when Shaun is standing in front of Zach in the robe and scarf around his neck is another really strange moment. I'm trying to be vague so that you don't go hunting for those lines.

Generally they're fine but I don't think that they work in the film. It's just a minor tweak but that's some dialogue that needed a bit of help. Other than that, I'm good!

[ayana (now yana_ambf @ lj) (from livejournal.com)]

hehe Those are two of my favorite scenes! That's so funny, because I agree there is TOTAL awkwardness there. *relieved* I luv those scenes *because of* the awkwardness, which I'd attributed to the little unspoken liking between the two. Thank you for answering yet being vague--you understood my pain. :-)

[colorthenight.livejournal.com]

Everything you said about Shelter? YES a million times. I went and saw it four times in the theatre!

Also, the music was so fucking perfect I cannot understand it! Do you have the soundtrack? If not, I'll upload if you'd like.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

OMG YES SHELTER!

Woohoo! Another Shelter fan.

Thank you for the offer! I snatched that soundtrack up the second that I heard the film. Didn't you used to live near Pedro? I lived in Wilmington since I went to school in Palos Verdes my first couple of years in college and every day I used to drive underneath that bridge that they show in the opening scene. My heart dies a little every time that I see that.

[colorthenight.livejournal.com]

LJ if failing SO HARD with comment notifications.

Good, I'm glad you have the soundtrack! I uploaded it for my flist at the time hoping everyone would download that amazingness.

Well I lived in Long Beach, so San Pedro was pretty close and I happened to be in the city for various reasons at different points in time. Haha, ya, I drove under that Bridge so, so many times too! I just remember since we were watching it in LA, everyone in the theatre was like "why are they acting like San Pedro and LA are a million miles away from each other?!" LOL. Might have been more realistic for people not in the area, I suppose.

But yes. Absolutely amazing film.

[on-the-ground.livejournal.com]

I wasn't in internet when the MSCL took place but it's my second fav show and for me it's a classic like you say.. I'd have been very sad. Now, New Amsterdam and MOWE are also in my top ten of favorites and they are classics too. I mean, I don't need a show to have many eps to be "special forever" ^g^.. this is super corny probably but it's something that you feel.

I totally hate realities. My mom follows Big Brother and whenever i can i criticize her and tell her something.. ^g^

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

Hey! Someone who watched "New Amsterdam"! Hi! Except I'm pretty sure I only really loved it for the lols and for the pretty that is Nikolaj. Mmm.

[on-the-ground.livejournal.com]

Hey.. well, it had many fans who also participated in the forums, not just me. It was the first time I joined a forum outside LJ because it deserved it. Nikolaj is such a fantastic actor.. he reminds me a lot of Gale, he can do both drama and comedy and in that series he got to play many roles; he was amazing and that series could have lasted many seasons with those writers and that great cast. And yeah, he's also hot.. which is a bonus to the romantic side of the main story and his character. It's a series to keep like a treasure :)

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

I didn't get into the fandom, just kind of loved what I got on TV, but yeah, totally. It was a keeper with some humor and cleverness. Have you seen Bent? Oh, pretty much my favorite thing he's ever been in but tragically a small (and, uh, tragic) role. I'd watch it again now if it wasn't so heartbreaking.

[on-the-ground.livejournal.com]

Oh that's sad because it was a very cool fandom with nice people. They were very open minded and we didn't agree all the time but we always agreed on the quality of the acting and the scripts which was the most important. I had not been so devastated about a cancellation before in my life. It was tragic and still hurts deeply.

No, I have it but I'm never in the mood. I like holocaust / WWII movies/stuff but I know this is like super painful and hell, I need to be ready that day.. so i don't know, one of these days i hope. Thanks for the rec.

BTW, Nikolaj will be back on tv with a cool show if is picked up so that's great. :)

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

It's not exactly the type of show that would get the really crazy, scary kind of fandom, is it? It was a pretty great cast, too. Mad girl crush on Zuleikha Robinson.

Bent is just one of those movies you have to sit your ass down and finally start it. It's absolutely heartbreaking and gut-wrenching but so worth it. I didn't even really know what it was about when I first popped it in, and we just sat in silence for a while after, no sure as to what it was we just got blindsided by. Amazing.

Oooh, I'll definitely check out his new show!

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

I definitely wasn't either since I was too young, heh. Yeah, exactly. I don't need for a show to have a million episodes. I think that American shows need to start taking advice from European shows and it just may be going that route now. British shows show consistency and wrap up their storylines in one, two or three seasons and that's it. American television needs to take a tip from them if they're only lasting about one or two seasons these days anyway.

Ugh, reality television is littering the television landscape with crap.

[lady-jane.livejournal.com]

love Randypants. I just do. I don't even think that I could explain it if I tried. I just think that he's one of the most poised, professional actors and I really admire someone who's really pursued what they want and are really unrelenting when it comes to getting what they want. That takes fucking balls and guts and it takes passion. I'm just drawn to that in general.


Ditto. My love is conditional, though. Oh, Randy, a QAF Con? HOW COULD YOU? But yes, I am truly fascinated, even when he falls off my purity pony. His commitment is very appealing, and of course his talent is enormous.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Lol! That made me giggle. And yes, great qualities to have in an actor.

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

Is it just me or are people getting too lazy in their TV? Less people seem to want to watch good, quality stuff that requires thinking and following the story, and you're so right. Reality TV isn't reality at all, but it makes the most money. PD made ABC really look like they want to promote quality stuff, but oh, no, it's all about the almighty dollar. Grrr.

Agreed on Shelter! What a lovely, lovely little movie really. I must watch it again.

Oh, yes, there is a gun. It's made of plastic and has a pink handle, but yeah, that's me. Forcing you to do it. Roar.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Not just you!! Definitely not just you. People don't want to think anymore and I think that that's a contributing factor in reality tv. In reality tv you don't have to think. You just watch what's going on. Television shows with quality and do make you think? Those are wiped away. I really think that American shows should be looking at British television for their formats. One, two, or three seasons and everything is wrapped up in a neat package. That would be appropriate for the dying television medium.

Aw, let's have a Shelter viewing. It deserves another watch or two or twelve. :X

That's an adorable gun. I'll take it.

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely not one to begrudge someone their weekly reality show fix, but come on, seriously? What's so wrong with well-written drama? We can't be a part of a minority in loving that most, can we? Sad times. :( I agree with you on that. The networks need to stop focusing on what shows they can drag out the longest for the most years. Actors might not have the long-term job security in that kind of system, but there'd be a lot more opportunities for new jobs, for them and the writers and... stuff. Rather than always leaving us in cliffhangers when they finally ran out of mine. Grumble. Didn't everyone say that "Lost" (which I stopped watching long ago) got good again once they had a plan for how it'll all wrap up and when? This must be what theater and cinema lovers must've felt back when TV became super popular. :(

It definitely does! Hmmm. Must find it again.

Deceivingly adorable. Pow pow. (lol)

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I hope that we're not the minority in that we like our well-written dramas. Yeah, Lost actually got pretty excellent once they actually came up with a plan. I mean, things are still confusing and there are way more questions than answers but it's watchable.

LOL DECEIVINGLY ADORABLE POW POW. I LAUGH SO HARD.

Omg. That will never get old.

[cloverdilly.livejournal.com]

It's kind of worrying how long the writers' strike went on when you think about it like that, actually. They really do think that the writers need the production companies more than they need the writers. :(

I already used my pow-pow icon, but I shall use it again for you.

[rebeccama.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of "reality" TV although I have watched "American Chopper". I don't care if they are encouraged to say certain things- I find it interesting to see how they come up with the themes for the bikes.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

I think that some reality shows actually show something productive that people are doing like American Chopper, Ace of Cakes, medical shows, and probably a variety of shows. But, Primetime reality shows? American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, and every other inception of "celebrity" show - need to go.

[sita-moonlight.livejournal.com]

Randy = LOVE = Helps keep me inspired when it comes to acting.

Le sigh.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Definitely. Great role model.

[mozartfan1313.livejournal.com]

NO! Heroes can't go. I JUST got hooked. That's like taking candy out of a child's hand.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll keep Heroes around until you're all caught up in Season Three. Then we'll see where you stand. :)

[mozartfan1313.livejournal.com]

lol. Deal.