Repeat after me: There is no perfect hosting company

[rusty_halo]

I'm trying not to panic about the fact that All About Spike and SuperVegan are both down, because it's some mysterious server issue and there's nothing I can do about it.

*deep breath*

*not panicking*

*rescinding all recommendations of Cybertarp hosting company*

Also, there is a meme:

Ask My Fandom Opinion

Ask me one fandom-related question in the comments. This can be fandom specific, general, or about fandom/lj stuff/fic writing/etc. in general.

Just one question, please, but it can (and perhaps should) have sub-parts.

I probably don't have any fandom opinions that my friends don't already know, but whatever, let's see if anyone feels like asking anything.

***

I watched "Sharpe's Revenge" last night. It's hard to enjoy that one; I just spend the whole thing cringing for Jane. She's not exactly an evil person; she's young and naive and selfish, and she's had a difficult life, and she's even got some good qualities (moreso in the movies than in the books). She and Sharpe just don't mesh well, and it's not really the fault of either one. She wants class and culture and society and pretty things, and he's rough and uneducated and totally out of place in that world, and I can understand both of their POVs. So watching her just completely fuck up her life and screw herself over (and break Sharpe's heart in the process) is kind of awful, like how you get embarrassed yourself when you see someone onstage messing up. (That said, there's also an evil glee at the fact that Sharpe ends up happy with Lucille and Jane just digs herself deeper and ends up more and more miserable.)

I'm a little annoyed that the movie gave her a devious friend to sort of take the blame, but I like that in the end it acknowledged that Jane was just using her devious friend to justify what she herself wanted to do all along. And by juxtaposing Jane being unfaithful with Sharpe being faithful, we get that ultimately it's her choice and her own fault. Also, I love that Sharpe is faithful (until he finds out that Jane has really left him). jaydk is always objecting to the Sharpe series based on the fact that Sharpe cheats on Teresa, but I think that's a logical step in his character growth; he feels horrible about it and, better, he learns from it and doesn't repeat the same mistake.

But actually, the weirdest thing about this episode is that Sharpe makes up with Frederickson. I mean, on one level, I really like that. I think the saddest thing in the whole book series (aside from Teresa dying) was that Sharpe and Frederickson broke up over Lucille, and never made up. Frederickson was a really cool character, and a good friend to Sharpe, and for Sharpe to hook up with Lucille with no regard for Frederickson at all was pretty sad. I mean, Frederickson and Lucille weren't meant for each other, but Sharpe still could've shown more regard for Frederickson's feelings. Or tried harder to make up with him. So I like that in the movies they do make up, but it lacks the bittersweet quality that probably made the book a bit better.

I also watched a bit of "Extremely Dangerous." Yes, I finally caved and bought the movie. I was ambivalent at first, but I kept wanting to watch it again, and finally just decided that I needed my own copy. I'm glad I did, as it makes me very happy. The story is interesting, the characters are complex, and Sean Bean is just so damn gorgeous. I like how it takes its time and thoroughly establishes all the characters, and I enjoy that it doesn't talk down to its audience (though I wish it had captions, since a bunch of important stuff gets mumbled quickly and almost incomprehensibly). I like that Sean Bean gets to play a complex character, showing off his scary and menacing side, but also his vulnerable, sympathetic side. I liked this review very much:

In Extremely Dangerous Bean is, does, or radiates something--I don't know what--that makes it so only his presence matters.... Unbelievable though it may sound, after you've watched him for hours, even seeing him play a few bars on the piano (though I suspect a stunt pianist's hands there) or taking out his contact lenses becomes erotic. D.A. Pennebaker was right when he said that watching somebody for hours through a camera is like falling in love with them--it's impossible to resist the power of such close scrutiny.

Also, I decided to join the modern era and convert my LJ to a S2 style. Then I got bored halfway through. So it kind of looks stupid, but I'll make it pretty eventually.

Comments

[witling.livejournal.com]

Hi! Sorry about the server issues...it's true, there is no perfect server out there. Though your sites seem very reliable, overall, so maybe you're ahead of the game.

Fandom-related question...hm. Our fandoms have diverged so much, I hardly know what to ask. How about a general one--which of your fandoms have the strongest female roles? And by "strong," we can mean "complicated," "layered," "interesting," "positive role model" or "can lift big things." Whatever you like.

Extra points if I know any of the characters you're talking about! ;)

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

which of your fandoms have the strongest female roles?

To answer this, I first have to figure out what my fandoms are, don't I? That's harder than I thought. I'm just kind of randomly drifting through the sea of fandom, babbling about whatever catches my eye, and then abandoning it for the next shiny thing.

Um, but looking in general over the shiny things that have caught my eye recently, two female characters stand out. One is Teresa in the Sharpe movies (less so in the Sharpe books, where she's younger and less mature). She is, in fact, everything you've listed ("strong," "complicated," "layered," "interesting," "positive role model" AND "can lift big things").

In the movies, she actually looks the same age as Sharpe instead of being a tiny little doll-woman (!!). She takes care of herself, fights her own battles, and leads a group of men. She's so badass that we never see her authority being seriously questioned (and anyone who does question her looks like an idiot). Plus, Sharpe isn't threatened by the fact that she's just as strong and competent as he is (if not more so). She actually teaches him lessons on how to lead men--and he loves her for it!

But also, she's not perfect. She's actually just as complicated as Sharpe; we see them both doing morally ambiguous things out of anger and vengeance. And she's got a vulnerability that is appealing; she has such a hard time opening herself up emotionally and risking getting hurt. When you watch Sharpe's Eagle, Teresa is totally the man, riding off into the sunset to do battle while Sharpe begs her to stay with him. They're both drawn to each other despite their separate obligations, and neither gives up his/her own identity in order to be with the other. (Which makes their relationship difficult since they rarely see each other, but also makes their love really impressive and one of the best examples of an equal relationship that I can think of.)

It's particularly weird since the Sharpe series isn't really known for its forward-thinking sexual politics (there are plenty of irritating damsels in distress), but Teresa is an awesome exception.

The other is Brienne in George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, which you should so read. It's actually got a wonderful selection of complex female characters, I'd say at least equal to the male characters. It's even got realistic gay people, in epic fantasy! But Brienne is my favorite, because she probably struggles more than anyone else as a woman who doesn't fit into the patriarchal society, and who finds her own way within it by becoming the best and more honorable knight in the whole series. She maintains her honor while the entire society treats her like an utter freak. And she is explicitly NOT PRETTY, thank you George RR Martin! Brienne is what Buffy would be if network executives hadn't insisted that a female lead has to be tiny and blond and gorgeous. (And bonus points also go to Danaerys Targaryen, who is tiny and blond and gorgeous, but is also an incredibly interesting and complex character, and to Arya Stark, who could totally kick the ass of any male fantasy lead.)

[snakey.livejournal.com]

The only thing I *didn't* like about movieverse!Teresa was the "oh no! I cannot! I am sexually traumatised and must be treated gently!" thing, whereas in the books she was far more sexually assertive (including the whole running-naked-to-provide-a-distraction thing). Otherwise I love movieverse!Teresa, and not just cos I love Assumpta Serna.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I do see what you mean. I think it's maybe a little bit offensive that the way they have Sharpe drawn to this strong woman is to show that she's vulnerable underneath. You can see him really falling for her in that scene where he hears about how she was raped and watched her family murdered. But I think that (and her death) are the only times we see her as a victim; Sharpe never minds (and actually admires) the fact that she's strong and doesn't need him to protect her.

But at the same time, it makes her more human to show that she has some vulnerability, and it never takes away from her strength as a leader and fighter. And I do think it's a realistic reaction to having been raped that she is initially hesitant with Sharpe.

I also think it was a cool aspect to her character that she didn't really want a relationship, that she preferred being on her own, but that she and Sharpe were just really drawn to each other despite circumstance.

And yeah, a lot of it has to do with Assumpta Serna. She's so awesome in that role.

[witling.livejournal.com]

Hello! I meant to comment back sooner, but got swept up in making hand puppets. (AGH.) This is such a great character study of both of these works--I particularly like the second one, and will follow up next time I'm looking for a fantasy read. Realistic gay people! Shock!!!! Also, I'm interested in female characters who aren't pretty, because practically all of them are. It's like we can't imagine attributes for a woman unless she's attractive. Which is weird, to say the least.

Okay, my brain is dead and melted and has run messily down the drain. But thanks for this, and I hope all's well with you.

[bookishwench.livejournal.com]

::glanced at your profile for this one::

How do you feel the three prequels have affected the Star Wars fandom as far as fic, fan attitude, etc.?

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I actually have no clue, because I've utterly avoided Star Wars fandom. I love Star Wars (the original trilogy) more than almost anything, in that way that you adore something that you first loved when you were seven years old. I can't even bring myself to read any of the extended universe novels, let alone fanfic. Anything that corrupts my image of the OT just doesn't work for me. I think I'd rather just watch "The Empire Strikes Back" a 957th time.

I personally couldn't stand the prequels. I tried really hard to like the first one (but ultimately realized I hate it), I've never even seen the entire second one (but the parts I have seen hurt my soul), and I thought the third had some good moments, but it wasn't really a Star Wars movie. George Lucas let his obsession with technology get in the way of telling a good story, or casting good actors, or writing good dialog, or ... well, you know.

That said, I hear people are writing Obi-Wan/Anakin slash, and since it's not really a Star Wars movie in my mind, I'll probably read some of it someday. Because that does sound kind of hot.

[bubonicplague.livejournal.com]

Really, how exactly do you feel about Buffy Summers?

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

I think you already know. ;)

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Actually, I remember reading an interview where it turns out that Bean DOES play the piano a little (contradictory to his "tough guy" movie persona ;)) and really likes Bach... Which makes *me* so happy!

And I love "Extremely Dangerous" - it's one that I like to watch over and over again, particularly because (and here's where I reveal my sadism for fictional characters), Neil Byrne's never really going to be whole again, because of what happened to his wife and daughter - particularly since, although he didn't kill them, they *were* killed because of him. (Also, I *adore* the guy who plays the minicab dispatcher - he's so awesome!)

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

I love the minicab dispatcher too! His scenes with Sean Bean are the best in the movie. I think I bought it in part because of him.

You're right about Neil Byrne. He's so broken; he's kind of like an avenging ghost. (It's like a mix of "The Fugitive" and "The Crow.") What is he going to do once he figures out who killed them? His life is so empty aside from that one thing that drives him. It's so sad. (Though I suppose he's got a great future hanging out with the awesome minicab dispatcher...!)

But, yeah, it's really eminently watchable. All these long lingering shots of Sean Bean, in all different outfits and various states of undress and injury, and always so angsty and hot. *sigh* Three hours and twenty minutes of Sean Bean at his best.