“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided… Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.”
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J.K. Rowling
The Wizard: There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities, so we act as though they don’t exist.
Wicked – “Wonderful”
(Note: This is a fictional creative writing exercise, inspired by hours of contemplation of which animated performances have been most worthy of attention over the years. This feature imagines that a Best Voice Performance category was added to the Oscars following Beauty and the Beast’s nomination for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards. Each week I’ll cover the hypothetical nominees and winner from one year of animated performances.)
After the return of Pixar turned out to be a bit of a disappointment at the 71st Academy Awards, eyes turned to 1999, and the hotly anticipated Toy Story 2. When it was announced that the original cast would be returning for the sequel, people immediately began speculating that the Oscars might see a rematch of the most exciting duel that the category saw. No one could forget the competition between Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, and the possibility that both might score nominations drove all other predictions to the sidelines. Continue reading
“You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!”
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J.K. Rowling
The Wizard: Elphaba, where I come from, we believe all sorts of things that aren’t true. We call it history.
Wicked – “Wonderful”
“It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies.”
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J.K. Rowling
Welcome to “Friday Favorites” which highlight some of my favorite movie-related things.
I’m not particularly a fan of Jack Black. Sure, I like Kung Fu Panda, he wasn’t bad in Tropic Thunder, and admittedly his extended cameo in The Muppets was fantastic, but otherwise I generally avoid his movies. However, he has one performance that I think is truly fantastic, and that is as Dewey Finn in School of Rock. I realize that there’s not a lot of heavy acting required for the role, as Jack Black is basically playing himself, but I was struck by something when I caught the film on TV recently that I hadn’t noticed before.
Elphaba: I’m through accepting limits
‘Cause someone says they’re so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I’ll never know!
Wicked – “Defying Gravity”
“No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it,” he said. “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.”
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J.K. Rowling
After the last two superb episodes, SHIELD has finally arrived at the point that many have been waiting for: a direct crossover with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Last week gave us a fun, exciting and hilarious James Bond adventure which simultaneously expanded the scope and mythology of the show. This week, however, found our heroes dealing with the direct aftermath of the events of Thor: The Dark World, currently the top film at the worldwide box office. It’s a tough act for the show to pull off, trying to find a way to work the film and the episode together in a way that honors the film but feels true to the show, and I think SHIELD pulled it off with subtlety and a light touch which kept things surprising. So without further ado, let’s fall down “The Well”, which was written by Monica Owusu-Breen and directed by Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Will Riker).
The Love Pirate 