This Week's Window Shopping

While I think in many cases leggings tend to get mistaken for a garment you can wear by themselves, I would make an exception for these awesome sword leggings from SOVRIN on Etsy, which I LOVE.

Sword leggings - click here to go to product page...

Also, check out this incredibly clever Dewey Decimal System pendant from thependantemporium shop on Etsy.  I want!

Dewey Decimal System pendant from thependantemporium

Last but not least, if you are a shop-happy geek like myself, you are probably already aware of this site, but if not, you should know about teefury.com, which has a different geeky T-shirt every day for $11.  If you see one you like, you have to act fast! But there are so many awesome designs, including today's, which features a quote from Vasquez in "Aliens." :)

Space Marines tee from teefury.com

The Geek and Inkwell Celebrates One Year of Establishment!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Geek and Inkwell! Happy birthday to you!

Today marks one year to the day that I began writing on this humble little virtual tavern - The Geek and Inkwell. Of course, keeping shop around here would be no fun without readers, so I would like to issue a very heartfelt thanks to anyone who has ever stopped by and to everyone who continues to stop by. We live in a very exciting time for geeks, nerds, and for casual fantasy or science fiction fans, as well, and I feel so fortunate to be able to share my musings and enthusiasm so easily through the invention of the internet and consequently, a blog. Honestly, I am honored that anyone at all takes the time to read and give me feedback on the thoughts I post here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Screenshot taken in Frostbluff in The Lord of the Rings Online

So, if you are having a glass of anything tonight (hard cider is my favorite!), give it a little raise for one year of The Geek and Inkwell. By this time next year, we will most likely have experienced the opening of a second Hobbit film, as well as countless other exciting happenings in the geekverse. Happy Christmas, everyone. :)

Movie Review: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

 Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is the first feature film to be shown at 48 frames per second, as opposed to the usual 24 frames per second, but even so, I loved this film so much that I'm not sure there could ever be enough frames of it to make me happy.

As a longtime Tolkien fan, I can assure you that if you are a reasonable person who understands that books and film are two very different mediums, then you will be pleased with - and maybe even excited by - the changes that Jackson brought to the adaptation of our beloved story. The pace is ever so slightly slow in the beginning of the film (not complaining!), and this is understandable because audiences - especially those who have never read the book - need to hear quite a bit of exposition and background before the tale can proceed. Once the quest of Thorin Oakenshield's company is truly underway, however, the pace is breathtaking and there are mishaps and perils at every turn. Some of the changes to the story that you will see were added, I feel, to lend even more suspense to those parts of The Hobbit during which we always hold our breath and bite our nails.

What I especially loved about this movie:

1. Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins Martin Freeman absolutely becomes Bilbo Baggins. His understated acting style, his innate English-ness, his dry sense of humor onscreen, and his host of subtle expressions tempt you to think you have always pictured Bilbo as Mr. Freeman.

2. Jackson Taking the Liberty of Being "Silly" Although I think "The Hobbit" is serious when it needs to be serious, part of what was so lovely about this film was that I think Jackson felt free to be a little "siller" with "The Hobbit" than he could be with "The Lord of the Rings" films. The Hobbit, after all, was written as children's story, and it has more whimsy and less darkness than The Lord of the Rings. Without giving any of the laughs or delightful details away, I will just say that Jackson obviously felt at liberty to make his monsters more endearing, his chase sequences zanier and more dizzying, and his characters' foibles more comedic.

3. The Monsters Speaking of monsters, by now everyone has heard the story of Peter Jackson being so inspired as a young boy by a viewing of King Kong, and to this day he tries to imbue his creatures and monsters with another side - a hidden, more human side we can empathize with - that few other filmmakers bother to show. The monsters in "The Hobbit" were positively mesmerizing. You'll find yourself unable to tear your eyes from the trolls, the goblin king, the orcs, the wargs, Radagast's furry followers, and of course, Gollum, no matter how snotty, scaly, slobbery, or scarred they may be!

4. Radagast the Brown I know there is a crowd out there whose feathers are ruffled (um, no pun intended...Okay, so I intended it!) by Jackson's interpretation of Gandalf's wizard peer, Radagast the Brown. To be honest, there just aren't volumes of description about Radagast anywhere in Tolkien's work. However, we do know he cared deeply for woodland creatures and protected the flora and fauna from his home in Rhosgobel on the outskirts of Mirkwood. And if I have observed one thing from all my years of being a Peter Jackson fan, it is that he respects Tolkien's books as much as any Tolkien fan. He would never purposely or carelessly make a mockery of any character Tolkien has brought to life. Personally, I love the odd, eccentric, earthy, unselfconscious Radagast that Jackson depicts. Radagast owns a great deal of the laughs in his little part of the movie, and I think you are going to like his mode of transportation...


5. Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield If I were not just another love-struck fan girl when it comes to Richard Armitage, then I undoubtedly am now, after two viewings of "The Hobbit." Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm his. (This is where you say: In your nerdy dreams, Brewmaster!) But in all seriousness, my satisfaction with both Armitage's performance and Jackson's direction of this character goes far, far beyond that. Armitage as the exiled dwarf prince, Thorin Oakenshield, gives a performance that stirs that feeling deep down in your stomach that makes you want to leap out of your seat and wield a sword against something wicked. He plays a true hero, if a stoic and short-tempered one. I feel that in the book, Thorin's character comes across as grumpy and unfeeling and selfish. Maybe that's just me. Maybe I've been influenced by the Rankin-Bass cartoon I loved so much as a kid (and still do). But Jackson's film rounds him out so well; it paints a picture of a hurting but courageous man who keeps it together for the sake of his homeless nation. He is leadership incarnate. Look up "manly" in the dictionary, and I'd wager it now says "see: Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield."

6. Last but not Least: 48 Frames Per Second! I think I know now why Jackson films his fight scenes up so close! Before, you could never tell what was going on. There's a knee, there's a sword...Oh, look! I think that was an elbow smashing into a face! I think perhaps Jackson was anticipating finally being able to show movies to audiences at 48 frames per second, which is apparently closer to what our eyes actually see. Honestly, so many things were improved by the addition of 3D (which I normally am not a huge fan of) and the higher frame rate. Seriously, if a theatre near you shows the higher frame rate, go for it. It takes maybe a few minutes of getting used to, but I truly don't think it will make you sick as some people reported. It is actually easier on your eyes because there is less strobing and flashing for your eyes to deal with.

I don't care how many stars your rating scale has, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" ticks them all! I could not recommend this film more whole-heartedly. Seriously, one of my favorite authors (whose signature is on a book in my bookcase) ranted on Facebook about his refusal to see what he thinks is a pile of commercial garbage, and I un-Liked him. I don't need to read any more if his posts. I feel that strongly about this film. You're going to wish they made it into six movies. ;)

Crushes of Dwarf Proportions

Not everyone concedes the genius of Peter Jackson and his adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and, more recently, The Hobbit, into film.  It's a free country and you can hold whatever opinion you like, so that's fine.  But I'd like to point out an example of why his creativity and interpretation of Tolkien's beloved books adds just the magical touch needed to make the films as beloved (or almost as beloved) as the books.

What most caught my attention in the first visuals to emerge from the making of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," including stills, photo shoots, the first trailer, and so on, was neither how perfect Martin Freeman seems for the role of Bilbo (which he is) nor how exciting it was to see a hobbit hole again (which it is).  Rather, I was struck and delighted by the attention Peter Jackson and his scary-artistic, visionary team paid to the thirteen dwarves.  While watching the first trailer, I marveled at how each dwarf had a different hair style, a different lively expression to match their demeanor, and a different detailed, yet functional-looking costume.  And oh, my goodness -- those beards.  No ordinary beards will do for Peter Jackson's dwarves.  A beard is, after all, the mark of a dwarf.  These beards are braided and sculpted and manicured and have every color of the hair rainbow.  Fans, myself included, find themselves fascinated by these thirteen wild, larger-than-life personalities whose on-screen presence, at least, we haven't even had a chance to meet yet, and shall not until December.

But another phenomenon has been sparked by the anticipation of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" -- the idea that dwarves can have (dare I say it?) sex appeal.

It all started with the casting of Richard Armitage in the role of Thorin Oakenshield.  Every woman I know (and this is only a slight exaggeration) first fell in love with Mr. Armitage when he played the industrious and gentlemanly cotton mill owner, John Thornton, in "North and South."  My first thought when I learned of this casting choice - not that I disapproved, mind you - was, "Oh, wow.  I have an ongoing crush on a guy who will now be playing a fairly ancient and arrogant dwarf.  A dwarf!  A mythical creature of short stature and a reputation for being bumbling and comical.  And then I knew I couldn't be crazy, because I spotted this picture on The Mary Sue:

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, giving "the smolder"

Is this or is this not a softly-lit photograph of an expression on Thorin Oakenshield's face that Flynn Rider would conclusively call "the smolder?"

And THEN I read an article on the Digital Spy that quoted James Nesbitt professing (somewhat tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure, but nonetheless...) that he is "sort of the thinking woman's dwarf, the George Clooney of dwarves," thereby implying that women everywhere are picking a favorite dwarf!  And indeed we are!  (Dibs on Fili...)

James Nesbitt as Bofur - The "thinking woman's dwarf"

After I got my head around the fact that the growing fanbase for serious fantasy - largely thanks to Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films, "Game of Thrones," "Snow White & the Huntsman," etc. - might actually be ready to view the dwarves of Middle-Earth as...swallow...heartthrobs, I had to subscribe wholeheartedly to the genius of Peter Jackson.  He and his crew have truly brought a new (and not altogether unattractive)  dimension to the epic story we all so love.

To view the full gallery of the thirteen dwarves from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," visit The Hobbit Blog.

Think Geek Introduces Hobbit Feet Slippers: Well, It's About Time

I'm sure many of you, like me, have always felt that somehow there is a little hobbit blood in your family tree. Well, now, thanks to Think Geek, you can display that halfling nationality on the outside.



(via The Mary Sue, via Think Geek)

For the Collectors Out There: "Hollywood Treasure"

Sometimes, deep in the bowels of Netflix's streaming selections, after wading through a hundred different B movies and other obscure titles, one happens upon a treasure - "Hollywood Treasure," to be exact. I can't actually take credit for discovering this addictive show - one of my besties checked out the program and knew I would love it.

"Hollywood Treasure" is a "Pawn Stars" style show, except the name of the game is auctions, and the big ticket items are purely movie and television memorabilia. Even though I am separated from Joe Maddalena's company Profiles in History and their auctions by about 400 miles, it feels like you can almost reach out and touch some of the invaluable pieces of movie and television history that Joe and his team find. Even if you are not a collector, if you are at all interested in 60s television, science fiction, Disney, comics, iconic movies, etc., you will find something that fascinates you while watching "Hollywood Treasure." At the very least, you might learn something. And of course, it's nice to live vicariously through these mysterious millionaire collectors who will drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on a prop. :)

I'm only part way through Season One, and some of the highlights so far include one of Ripley's flame thrower guns from "Alien," concept art from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty," and Superman comic #1. Aside from all the unique, rare, and historical items you will get to see on "Hollywood Treasure," you're also going to see Joe get to meet and interview with some pretty cool people, including Stan Lee, Christopher Judge (Teal'c in "Stargate"), and Stan Winston's family.

Check it out! You're going to be hooked!

Movie Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"

Because of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, over the past seven years, I have gone from caring only marginally about Batman, to wanting to name my future son Bruce.

I believe that "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," and finally, "The Dark Knight Rises" ought to belong to the canon of films that deal with the age-old subject of good and evil in depth and with intelligence.

Bane and Batman go head-to-head

Nolan (at least with his Batman films) always throws in a character with all the trappings and demeanor of a seedy criminal who then surprisingly makes a selfless sacrifice. Or vice versa - he throws in a character we want to trust and has that winning smile, but becomes twisted and then serves up the most breathtaking of betrayals. I don't think this is intended to deconstruct the idea of good and evil. Rather, I think the artists behind the films want us to more deeply explore what it means to be heroic, especially in a world where the right thing to do is not always clear, appreciated, or easy. In some ways, as dark as they are, I think this makes Nolan's Batman films more relatable than many "comic book movies," because Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne is so human, the villians are so human, and the plots are so human.