Richard was getting some grief at Twitter over this ensemble–not the robe, reminiscent of a monk or Jedi, but those dark socks paired with comfy, if not particularly stylish, Crocs. Personally, I have no problem with them. Those giant dwarf boots had to literally be a pain after a while. I am certain those big, beautiful feet get tired! If he wanted to put on some comfy kicks when he had the opportunity, I say go for it. I really don’t think we will see him wearing them on the red carpet. 😉
I’ve spent much of this weekend working on a birthday video for our video production company partner’s grandson. I am still very much in the learning process of using footage versus still photos/screencaps and even with some handy-dandy editing software, it’s been a tricky process.
Lots of technical glitches, lots of trial and error. More than a few moments of frustration. I am still not fully satisfied (when am I ever in terms of what I create?), but my part is finally done, and it’s half-way through saving now, whittled down from over 32 minutes to 17, with a soundtrack including a half-dozen birthday and celebration-oriented songs. Benny will put the finishing touches on it.
My personal favorite moment? When the little boy’s husky dad heaves the rather large and very handsome family dog onto his shoulders and takes him away, striding in slo-mo. The dog seems to be enjoying himself.
I’ve always enjoyed making my little slideshow fanvids, choosing the rights songs, images and adding my captions, well aware they lack the technical know-how of our goddesses of fanvids like Heather or Daria (Giz the Gunslinger). Still, they’ve entertained me and provided catharsis in the making of them.
If in sharing them with others, I’ve also provided some entertainment, those “ooh” and “ah” and “swoon” and “thud” moments, and a few good chuckles along the way, then I feel as if I’ve “done my job.” None of us receive any compensation for what we do in terms of fanvids (or fiction or art, etc.) so it is all a labor of love. A way to pay tribute to someone who has brought so much pleasure and friendship into my life and the lives of others, who has sparked my imagination and my sense of wonder and urge to create.
What a lovely muse he is–so much more than merely handsome, fit guy who’s nice to look at.
A photo edit I did of the latest bit of Ascroft deliciousness that has appeared.
So I confess to being really bothered when two different comments showed up on my Dreamer video ( a career-wide video I made prior to The Hobbit celebrating RA as a hard-working and talented performer from his youth) suggesting my work was “near-stalkerish.” I am sorry, but I just don’t see it. If I’d felt it exhibited that vibe, I would have never made it and posted it in the first place.
I think the suggestion particularly hurt simply because out of the hundred-plus vids I have made, that happens to be one of my favorite ones. I love the music by Elizaveta and the message of that song, “Dreamer;” all the images of Richard from slighty gawky youth to sleek and assured grown up and the hopeful and positive spirit I believe it offers. It’s truly meant to be a celebration of the man as both actor and special human being, and dare I say I am rather proud of it? I have always hoped that if RA ever got the chance to see it, he would approve.
I did not rummage through the man’s trash to find these photos or in any other way “stalk” him. Thanks to some wonderful ladies like Ali at Richard Armitage Net, the folks at Richard Armitage Central and the gals at the Russian RA site, we are provided with many, many images of RA from throughout his schooldays and his career. These are not paparazzi pics invading his privacy, but headshots, professional photo sessions, behind the scenes photos on his various sets, official school photos and the like.
I personally love looking at old photos from the scrapbooks of friends, co-workers, family members and I know many others who do, too. Why shouldn’t we enjoy these gems from the life of a man we like and admire and adore?
And frankly, looking at Richard Armitage makes me feel good. It lifts my spirits, moves me, makes me smile. It’s not just about the surface good looks and obvious sex appeal, although there is plenty of it; it’s about the decency and humor, the kindness and mischief, modesty and intelligence I believe I glimpse in that countenance. As for his performances, they are truly relevatory.
Surely there is a big difference between appreciating and admiring from afar and actually stalking someone, a person you clearly know you do not have a personal relationship with nor do you have any illusions you ever will?
Ah well, you can’t please ’em all.
And so I suppose I shall continue my practice of not only “objectifying” Mr. Armitage, but “stalking” him as well by making fanvids, art, writing about him and watching his performances. I am thinking of stalking Thorin next time around. Maybe he won’t slay me with the mighty Orcrist . . .
In the meantime, “stalk” Mr. Armitage with me, won’t you? And I hope you have had a lovely Easter. (Quietly busy here,with the thunderstorms kindly waiting until late afternoon to strike.)
Spouse and I watched The Hobbit on Blu-ray tonight. More on that later (he did say it didn’t seem as long watching at home ;)). I spent a good portion of the afternoon trying to use Muvee Reveal to edit a birthday vid and let’s just say it wasn’t cooperating. I have since moved to the more vanilla offerings of Windows Movie Maker. A 30 minute video can seem like an eternity under such circumstances . . . I’ve recorded the new Doctor Who to watch tomorrow, just caught Orphan Black ( very good performance by Tatiana Manslany) and now watching The Nerdist.
Tomorrow night–the long-awaited return of Game of Thrones (oh, Tyrion, how I have missed you!), the debut of Mr. Selfridge on PBS and once more, it’s a return to too many things I want to watch ending up on Sunday nights. Feast or famine at times, I have to say.
Anyhow, here are some new photo edits for you to peruse, my dears. Hope you all have a happy Easter/Easter Monday!
When I nibbled on these ears, I wouldn’t feel guilty. Would I start there, or with the handsome toes? Take a sidetrip to the raspberries or the peaches . . . decisions, decisions.
Tousled long hair, Guyliner, crinkled look of consternation. I love it all.
One of those three-quarter views I enjoy so much highlighting Mr. A–and Guy’s–lovely masculine bone structure.
Sir Guy haunting Sherwood Forest? Maybe.
Always feeling this need to calm and soothe Sir Guy’s ruffled feathers . . . if you know what I mean.
Is Sir Guy beautiful here or what? The intent look on that face, the hand in action . . . OK, I know he took the necklace from the bride-to-be in a not-so-nice way, but . . . *guh*
And a little of our hot henchman in non-holiday (or hallucinatory) mode:
He doesn’t always have a sense of humor about such things, I fear . . .
I know some people will be busy with holiday plans over the next few days, I so wanted to extend some whimsical Easter greetings to one and all featuring Mr. A and some of his ChaRActers.
This is a really cute interview done with Bin Weevils, which is apparently a free online computer game popular in the UK (they look a big like ants in your trash can, it seems). RA answered questions emailed (tweeted?) by young fans. As we discussed on Twitter, some of the questions are better than his more recent adult interviewers have used! Lovely to see his fan base continuing to grow. Enjoy.
From InStyle.com, Vampire Diaries actress Nina Debrov on her collaboration with stylist Ilaria Urbinati:
“If something doesn’t work, even if it’s a big designer look, she’s not going to make me wear it just because. It’s whatever I feel best in and what is event-appropriate. That’s why I love her so much.”
http://news.instyle.com/2013/03/28/nina-dobrev-stylist-ilaria-urbinati/ Click on for full article and to see Nina looking stunning in first outfit styled for her by Ilaria.
I have to believe this is Ilaria’s philosophy with all her clients: wearing what they feel best wearing and what is event-appropriate. And I would say that proved very successful for RA, who was definitely “wearing the clothes instead of the clothes wearing him” during TH press junket and various red carpet appearances. On each occasion, he looked comfortable, confident, relaxed and oh, so handsome.
There was attire more cutting-edge for Tokyo, for example–that shiny blue waxed wool suit–and a classic tux that harkened back to film stars of old for the London royal premiere.
The black hoodie and leather for NYC–youthful and a little edgy. We adored those English schoolboy vest-and-tie looks for press conferences– and who among us can forget the retro look of the cardigan in Canada? Traditional and sexy and cuddly all at the same time. Thank you, Ilaria. We love you, too!
http://www.hypable.com/2013/03/25/the-hobbit-sequel-desolation-of-smaug-interview-richard-armitage/
Excerpt from the above interview with RA responding to query about what he is anticipating most seeing in DOS:
“I think the barrel sequence [in which the dwarves escape their elf captors by river, hidden in wine barrels],” he answered when posed the question by TotalFilm, “which we all thought was going to be the finale of the first film, is going to be incredible. I’ve seen all the various pieces: the aerial shots of waterfalls with barrels going down them, the very fast-moving river set where we were submerged under water, the wild river we’re floating down towards the end of the sequence… I think it’ll be one of the most thrilling parts of the second film.”
And I couldn’t help but think once more about Richard’s fears regarding water. Once again he’s not just in the water, he’s under it for a portion of the sequence, getting soaked to the skin, no doubt taking in some of it on this “fast-moving” river set. It must have been slightly terrifying and totally exhilarating all at the same time. But hey, he was relaxed enough to play fish toss with Adam Brown. And chill with the fellow dwarves afterwards . . .
Click on the following three GIFs to see Thorin in action:
I can only think it’s going to be a very exciting sequence, indeed, complete with wet, roaring, angsty Thorin. Doesn’t get better than that!
And once again, I am impressed by Richard’s dedication to his craft and his willingness to feel the fear, to face it and to do whatever it takes to get things right. (Is it really nine months until we see him on the big screen again?! )
(If you missed the first installment, https://thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/guest-post-how-i-fell-for-a-hot-hairy-dwarf-never-looked-back-part-1/)
It’s Bechep! Welcome back dear readers to the next and final instalment of my guest post “How I Fell Hard for a Hot, Hairy Dwarf & Never Looked Back” If you missed last week’s post then I invite you to go back and have a read – even if you find the post uninteresting, there are some nice pictures!
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for some blatant dwarf love!
Part 2. Hot and Hairy Dwarf.
Warning: For those fans that disagree with the objectifying of Richard Armitage, please look away now. Do join us again in Part 3 as I’m afraid there is lots of worshipping and objectifying about to take place.
Now dear friends, let”s just start with a pretty picture.
If I begin to talk nonsense or babble incoherently, please feel free to throw a bucket of cold water over me.
Right, let’s get started discussing this hot and hairy dwarf. Well, where to start? Let’s just take it from the top shall we?
The Hair – And yes I use a capital letter for the Hair because it deserves it don’t you think? I want to wash it, braid it and then wind said braids around my finger, grab handfuls of it, smell it, run my fingers through it and brush it. It is like something out of a shampoo commercial. The way he flicks it around in such an outstanding fashion and it all falls back into place just so – *sigh*
Hair acting at its finest.
Younger Thorin with his shorter, darker mane is positively dreamy. But I can’t help being ever so fond of the longer, thicker, slightly greying locks. They just make him look so regal and worldly. I just want to brush them away from his face and…*cough* let’s get back to it, shall we?
The eyes – OHHHHHHH the eyes. Richard’s eyes are quite honestly the most amazing, mesmerising eyes I have ever seen. Their colour makes me gasp and their intensity makes me swoon. Put these eyes onto a hot dwarf and Cha-Ching! You have got yourself a winner. Imagine if you will, staring into them while he talks with you about his quest to return to Erebor, well I don’t know about you–but I just melt into a puddle.
I cannot move on without just mentioning the eyelashes. The way he flutters them at all manner of hobbits, wizards, dwarves, elves – no wonder Lord Elrond returned Orcrist the sword to him. I’d quite frankly give him anything he wanted if he batted those eyelashes at me.
See what I mean?
The Beard – Again I use a capital letter. I have seen many pictures of Richard as himself sporting this beard and, although not normally a fan of beards, I will confess that I love it. Thorin’s beard is quite simply a thing of beauty. It’s sitting there all “look at me” and well, I comply and look at it! It adds to the whole majestic, royal, yummy, scrummy vision that is Thorin Oakenshield. And no matter what sticky situation he has managed to get himself into, it always looks so well-groomed – how does he do it? Oh, well you see, he’s perfect. Ohhh I just want to graze my hand along it and have it tickle my face… Ummm, perhaps you should get that bucket of cold water ready, dear readers.
The voice– I don’t really think I need say too much about the voice as I’m sure you are completely aware of Richard’s voice. It’s one of his most wonderful and appealing features. That deep baritone and lovely accent. I would be quite happy to sit down and listen to him read the Phone Book with that voice.
But back to Thorin. The way he barks orders at everyone, speaks kindly to an old warrior, utters the name of the elves in disgust, apologises for his doubt to a hobbit, it really has me swooning. Of course, one cannot talk about Thorin’s voice without mentioning the singing – I believe I actually hyperventilated right there in the cinema when he starting singing by the fireplace. *THUD*
Hmmmm it must be time for another pretty picture – one that shows off the beard I think…
I realise that I am running out of time here (I do tend to waffle so when talking about Thorin Oakenshield) so I will just make a general final list of all the other things that made me fall for this hot dwarf:
So, there you have it. Some of the reasons why I “fell hard for a hot, hairy dwarf”. And as I wipe the drool from my chin we shall sum up with-
Part 3 Never Look Back
As I move forward as a new Richard Armitage fan and Thorin Oakenshield admirer I’m quite excited to think of all the things that I can still look forward to. I will continue to have all those experiences that I mentioned in Part One last week (yes dear reader, I may still get those underpants!) and many new ones too I’m sure.
Of course there are the other two movies to look forward to, but I can’t wait to meet more new people (Richard Armitage fans are really the best ever!), learn, tweet, blog, talk and read about Richard/Thorin, I still have many TV shows to watch that star our boy from Leicester, and I’m very, very quietly going to whisper to you that I may even try writing a Thorin fanfic.
So, that hot, hairy dwarf started a chain of events that has led me to a wonderful, educational, exciting, busy time in my life. I wonder if I thank him will he look at me like this and say in that deep voice “You are welcome, Lady0akenshield” (QUICK get that bucket of water and throw it on me now! *THUD*)
And now as I dry myself off – that water went everywhere! – all that remains is for me to bid you farewell. I hope you have enjoyed reading my ramblings about Thorin Oakenshield and I managed to make you smile and, if you weren’t already a fan of our dwarf, see some of his outstanding qualities.
And to you Angie, thank you so very much for having me on your Blog. I was honoured that you asked me. Now, I have tidied up, put everything back in its place and left the key by the door. I may just leave a small belonging behind, perhaps up on a shelf so I have an excuse to come and visit again. I won’t stay long I promise!
Visit Bechep’s blog “Such is Life” at http://www.bechep.wordpress.com
Black Sky producer Todd Garner tweeted a link to this article today:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/warner-bros-disputes-vfx-work-431380#
Sounds as if this could be a drawn-out affair. *sigh*
Thoughts?
I have to joke about Series 9, otherwise I tend to cry. Oh, well. Lucas was, is, and will always be a hero to me, a complex one, damaged by those years of torture and deprivation, plaintively longing for a relationship that was long since over with his ex-wife, struggling to find his place in the world and to regain the trust of his colleagues–flawed, damaged, but a HERO, nonetheless. Loyal to his country, concerned about colleagues, kind to young folks in trouble like Dean. Cerebral, resourceful, a deep thinker with the soul of a poet.
And what a handsome and stylish fellow he is. So attractive in his Belstaff jackets and snug-fitting jeans, in the Pete pinstripes with the power red tie, the dark hair, pale skin and blue eyes, deepened by the cool-toned sets and lighting on the show, giving him an otherworldly beauty.
Oh, and he’s also quite fetching when he’s not wearing a lot of clothes . . . just sayin.’
From Caroline Frost at the Huffington Post UK, March 25, 2013:
Much-loved spy drama ‘Spooks’ could make the move to the big screen, with one of its stars revealing that there is a script in the works, being penned by the original writers of the hit series.
“There is a script kind of in the machine,” HuffPostUK has learned from actor Peter Firth, who played MI5 chief Harry Pearce throughout the ten series of the popular drama.
“They should make it,” he adds. “It’s not like it’s a gamble with this one. But it costs a lot, and there’s not a lot of money to go round at the moment.”
This would suit Firth, who previously told HuffPostUK that he wished for a happier ending for his character with longtime colleague and barely-expressed love – Ruth Evershed, played by Nicola Walker. Viewers of the series finale in October 2011 watched goggle-eyed, as Ruth became one of Spooks’ huge number of agents to fall for her country, or in the actors’ case, the dramatic storyline.
This article has been buzzing around on Twitter for a couple of days and been blogged about on a few occasions, too. But the more I think about it, the less I get excited about it. Hasn’t this rumor been floating around for quite a while?
Saying “there is a script kind of in the machine” doesn’t exactly equate to “yes, we ARE making a Spooks movie.” And considering the continuing economic woes, the likelihood of more money to go around for such a film seems unlikely. Do we want to see something done on the super-cheap?
Would I love to see my favorite spy Lucas North in a film? Sure I would. But we have no idea who would be included in the cast if and when the film was made. While Richard has expressed some enthusiasm for returning to the role, is he genuinely interested at this stage of the game or simply being polite, agreeable RA?
Since Firth is talking about wanting a “happier ending” for Harry and Ruth–who died in the final ep of the series–that can only happen if they do some sort of flashback. That, or have this become Spooks: The Zombie Files. Or possibly Spooks: The Vampire Chronicles. All the dead spooks are really undead, you see . . .
Perhaps die-hard Spooks fans will be pleased to see any combination of cast members (dead or undead) come together for a film version. Truthfully, being more of Richard Armitage/Lucas aficionado than a Spooks fan (although I have seen almost the entire series, sans some of the earlier eps and series 10), I am not one of them.
And a lot depends on the storyline. Naturally, IF RA was involved, I’d want a lot of Lucas. Frankly, if I had to sit through much more UST between Ruth and Harry, I would feel like doing dire things to myself, as much as I like Nicola Walker as an actress.
Now, as I have mentioned elsewhere, Lucas, alive and well and appearing in a shower scene, scrubbing up to “Love in an Elevator,” would definitely draw me into the audience. 😀
Anyway, while it’s a fun idea to toss around, I just can’t take Spooks: The Movie seriously for now.
What I would like to see is Black Sky get finished and distributed. We know that one will feature our Richard! And if not in a shower, then wet. 😉
the armitage effect 