in case you haven't heard: Benedict Cumberbatch as Gollum, + more on Peter Jackson

[martasfic]

Benedict Cumberbatch was at Comic-Con and Tumblr is in flames. The good kind, for once. Among other bits, he apparently did a truly impressive Gollum impression. I can't figure out how to embed the audio, but do head over and give it a listen.

http://marta-sherlock.tumblr.com/post/92818326218/londonphile-gollum-by-benedict-cumberbatch

Btw, yesterday I made a post where I came down pretty hard on Peter Jackson. I actually have some very warm feelings toward PJ. shadowfireflame, he was actually my first introduction to fandom as well. I didn't even know what fandom or fanfic was until one day I found myself on a bus scribbling madly away at a truly awful novella that someone later told me was fanfic. (Lord of the Rings fanfic.) He re-introduced me to Tolkien, which is reason enough to love him at some level.

For me, I think Peter Jackson is like the person who used to be your absolute best friend, or perhaps a boy/girlfriend you were particularly close with at one time but then the relationship fractured. You're still friendly and can enjoy each other's company, and there's a god deal of nostalgia. But it will never be as close as it once was, you can never quite trust him with your whole heart again, and being reminded of that fact is kind of a low ache, a pain deep in your bones that makes it hard to be anything more than acquaintances. So when it comes to Peter Jackson, probably the best way to describe my relationship toward him is "it's complicated." That doesn't mean I have disdain for people who don't have that problem.

(Actually, what I do have is envy. I miss the uncomplicated joy I used to get from those movies, and I wanted that so badly with the Hobbit movies. But that's a story for a different day.)

Comments

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I fear someday having this same feeling about Benedict.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't really worry about it - you risk losing out on the good times. It does seem to happen sometimes, though, and while it's not awful, it's certainly not pleasant.

Having other people who understand the fear is nice, though. Most (non-fannish) people don't understand the impact people we've never actually met can have on our lives.

[vaysh]

It is eery how I feel exactly the same about Peter Jackson. Like, I could have written this very post.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

That Gollum impression, wow. Benedict's Jar Jar Binks was also very good, I thought. :DDD

OMG, Peter Jackson got you into fandom as well?! That's awesome. I can still remember the first time I was introduced to Lord of the Rings--I saw a very short teaser trailer for Fellowship and became so excited for the movie (I think it was Elijah Wood's eyes that did it), then the first movie was so good that I immediately devoured the Tolkien series and then was like, "Is that it?!?! I need more of these characters!" And happened to stumble upon fandom. It's true that nothing he's directed since has given me that feeling of complete and utter awe and desperation for more--that "uncomplicated joy," but maybe it's just not possible to capture that magic anymore. Ah, nostalgia. :)

[donutgirl.livejournal.com]

It seems like the cumberlizard is having a really good time at comic-con -- I mean, he's giggling and smiling and joking all over the place. it's adorable and makes me happy. I'm glad he's having fun.