AVM Blog Party!

Ben here! I am hosting a Musical Blog Party on my Other Blog  This Blog has been open for Guest Posting!!! Our Guest today is a Miss Christine Eyre. Thank you so much for participating, Christine. I'll give you the stage now :-)

*Claps as Christine takes the spot-light.* 

Day 2—A musical you have a love/hate relationship with

Hoo boy. This was a small challenge, because I tend to love a musical (The Phantom of the Opera, Jane Eyre, A Tale of Two Cities) or dislike it (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [those just aren’t my type]). Mixed feelings about musicals are rare.

But one musical does merit this complicated emotion: The Music Man (1962 film). At first, I fully disliked it, and still dislike several aspects, but sometimes musicals just have to grow on me. I’ll end with the reasons why I like it so as to finish on a positive note.

Oh, and before I explain what I dislike, please know that I’m not trying to offend anyone or squash a favorite musical into poor, sad pulp. 

So here’s what I dislike:

The worst turn-off in The Music Man is the manipulation. Manipulation drives me nuts, which is one reason I dislike many “comedy” TV shows. Maybe the story wasn’t trying to justify Harold Hill’s behavior, but some of his slick moves were played for humor. I don’t understand this is supposed to be funny. It shows a lack of logic on both sides, and a lack of integrity in the character of Professor Hill.

The prime example of this manipulation problem is the song “You’ve Got Trouble.” It’s a catchy song, but not as fun as it is frustrating to me.

Hey, calm down and quit throwing rotten oranges! (Tomatoes are boring.) What’s frustrating is the number of logical fallacies in Professor Hill’s “argument”. He creates a fear and then plays on it, a fallacy called, naturally, “appeal to fear,” and one that uses fear of what might happen as the only basis for doing something. Harold Hill also calls the pool table a forerunner to corruption, which is the “slippery slope” fallacy, one that assumes a chain of disastrous events will follow X insignificant action. And Professor Hill’s “signs of corruption” have nothing to do with the pool table. This fallacy is called “after this; therefore, because of this,” which assumes that because the kid had a nicotine stain on his index finger after the pool table came in, said pool table must have caused an interest in cigarettes.

The underlying problem is that Harold Hill doesn’t have an argument founded on facts and reason. So he can only prophecy dire consequences of tolerating the pool table—and the whole town buys the argument (or lack of it), except Marian.

Speaking of Marian, I dislike the ending of her character arc. In Act I, she is cautious (though cold) toward Harold Hill, refusing his romantic overtures and entertaining sensible skepticism toward his schemes. She stuck to her standards for a future spouse, even when her mother pressures her to consider Harold Hill as a suitor. Which is why it drives me nuts when, in Act II, she drops all those standards and gets enamored with Professor Hill even after she knew that he’d lied to the town. I—I—I—what?!?! There went my respect for her, and it’s incredibly frustrating to lose respect for any story character.

But the musical did grow on me, and I came to like several aspects. The music is catchy, for one thing, and some of the songs are fun, such as “76 Trombones,” “Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You? “and “Marian the Librarian”.

In fact, “Marian the Librarian,” is my favorite song—it’s fun, the choreography is cool, and I totally relate to her annoyance with the interrupted library work.  And though Marian changes in the second act, I really liked her character in the first act: she was sensible, hardworking, tried to encourage intelligence and open minds, and put up with gossip and scorn.

Also, some parts of the musical were hilarious without requiring manipulation for laughs—such as, the mayor getting his words mixed up (“Not one poop out of you madam!”) and the Independence Day exercises in the school gymnasium. And the ladies doing upright posture exercises when their “dance” required them to bend over!

Speaking of dancing, The Music Man has some amazing choreography. The dancers made it all look so easy. “Madame Librarian” had some fun dancing in it, but “76 Trombones” probably has the best.

And I liked the end of Harold Hill’s character arc: he (spoilers!) comes clean, confesses that he’d been misleading the town, and explains the truth to the kid who looked up to him. Professor Hill also led the band as he’d promised to do.

So, The Music Man. Definitely a love-hate relationship, but it grew on me to the point that if a sibling puts it on, I’ll probably sit down and watch it. 

That's all for now folks. Share your thoughts in the comments! Thank you again, Christine, for blogging. Hope to see you again! 

BEN.

LOTR Blog Party Day Five - Free Day!!!

I AM HERE. Guys, I had such bad luck! My electricity was knocked out yesterday so I was unable to reach my internetz. that is why this post is late. But better late than never right??? Right. So! Last day of my blog party which is being hosted on To Say Nothing of Reality And Angelique is here for us with her fabulous Poem!

Endorenna Utulien

The Valar, the Eldar, the Children of Men

Look back on a tale that's lost to all ken.

Their's is the lot to both learn and forget -

The wise men and jesters caught in the same net,

In a world, in a place that seems so much the same -

Similarities live only in name,

For some things as others often do appear:

The reason and stories lost to all who hear.

Riding in shadow, the Men of the West

Strive to protect life without thought of rest.

They are shunned by the ones for which they risk their lives -

Looking in on a world which unders their shield thrives.

From out of these shadows, a hope shall appear -

The healer, renewer, who banishes fear;

With a touch of his hands and the strength of his soul,

The King shall renew the life of his role.

Mounted on horses, on the wings of the wind,

The Rohirrim fight to redeem those who have sinned;

To strangle the poison that's filling their halls

To ride out en force to answer ancient calls.

Rustic and simple, with a strength that defies

The entangling darkness of Saruman's lies -

Simple in beauty, riding in with the dawn;

With a cloak made of starlight, the witch-slayer is gone.

Surrounded in comfort, ignorant of the night;

Of the fear that surrounds them - untouched by the fight

Waging outside their gardens, encroaching on their land;

Borne in amongst them by an unchanging hand.

The children of joy, dancing through spring;

Heedless of sorrow - of all evil things.

Yet winter shall come with destructive roar,

And the Shire that existed shall be seen no more.

Severe, wrapped in silver, and carved out of stone -

The city faces Mordor; it stands alone.

It waits for the Light to return to it's walls,

And weeps for the murder planned in its halls -

Brother against brother, and friend against friend:

The pull of the Stone will be everyone's end.

The fires are come and the city is lost -

'Though the battle be one, it comes at great cost.

The leaves sigh in passing as they fall to the ground -

The Wise fall in shadow, leaving no sound.

Will they stand by their allies that were long left behind?

Can they stand by in silence - can they truly be blind?

Majesty and sorrow meet in a war -

Their time is over; they are no more.

Mortals will watch as the First start to fade -

A promise is kept, and the price has been paid.

The Valar, the Eldar, and the Greatest of Men

Have shone for their moment and passed out of ken.

The Rings made in secret and the Ring made of gold

Have all long since fallen - their legend is old.

Is it all just a legend, are these lords none but tales?

Can we not walk amongst them over green hills and dales?

'Though all may have passed into myth and fantasy -

Yet these lives shall live on in words and memory.

Reflections at Mirrors

"May you have joy when you look on

The glass of Mirrormere."

But nevermore joy shall I know

For many years from here.

Oh Khazad-Dum, thou cursed thing

That stole our richest gem!

Thou thing of fire, night and death;

Unfit to touch his hem.

In Dwarrowdelf, we looked in awe

At mighty halls of stone.

He rose and sang of Durin's mirror;

The echoes fled, alone.

It is a tomb, Daeron's runes...

He read what the book said.

"Balin, the Lord of Moria,

Doth now lie here, dead.

"We cannot get out, they've taken the bridge

That's in the second hall.

We cannot get out, they are coming..."

How long until we fall?

'Ghash' means fire, what do they mean?

I feel it's getting hot.

He'll stay there to face the shadow,

But you and I cannot.

Oh Khazad-Dum, treacherous bridge;

You lead him to his death.

Oh Balrog fierce, whose whip was doom,

He wasted not his breath!

Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim;

Gandalf, the Wanderer.

Swift to anger, but ever kind;

The hidden conjurer.

You bid me have joy when I gazed

Upon fair Mirrormere;

But in the halls of Moria

My joy was stolen, I fear.

Hatanyel orenyallo! Namárië!

Merci beaucoup!

Wasn't that brilliant?? I thought it was 8-D Give Angelique a round of applause!

You've been cheered on by Hobbits

Ben-

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LOTR Blog Party Day Four - Favourite Character

It is Day Fourof the Blog Party that is being hosted at To Say Nothing of Reality and the Guest Posting Continues. Angelique is here to post her favorite character. Let's give her a warm welcome!!!

-FAVORITE LOTR CHARACETER-

DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE WAITED TO DO THIS?!?!?!?!?! *grins and dances around the room in glee* Finally!! It has come. Of course, now my endless rants will probably all drop out of my mind now that it's finally here - but let's hope not.

Faramir is definitely my favourite character, no other contestants.

Alright, now that that's out of the way, let's discuss him.

He's just...Faramir! He is noble and just almost to a fault, a good leader, one who cares for his men and takes his position of authority seriously, he is respectful and obeidient - but he isn't mindless, he's strong - physically, morally, mentally..., he's faithful and has faith...

What I like most about Faramir is his 'quality', as Sam would put it. The part that makes him "a captain that men would follow...even under the shadow of the black wings." The indefinable air about him that seemed to come from the past and permeate his every action - the wisdom he excersied that could not simply be learnt from books or speech.

He was loyal to his family, and to his city - he was not one to compromise on this.

He fought on the front lines of the battle, saw much death and sorrow, lost many of his friends and his men - but somehow he comes out on the other end of the tunnel believing that "This darkness shall not endure."

He is someone who will put his oaths, his friends, his family, his honour above all else.

(As I'm writing this, I keep hearing Balin's words from The Unexpected Journey: "There is one I would follow. There is one I could call King." As much as I disagree with the one they were meant to apply to - they work quite well for Faramir.)

He has patience, and perseverence. He has loyalty, and love - in a way. He's still hopeful, and faithful. He still believes that hope and Hope (AKA Estel) will return - and he is not bitter.

In my opinion, had Boromir somehow not become Steward and had the seat passed to Faramir, Gondor would have had a just and wise ruler - almost to the level of good that Aragorn brings. (Yes, alright - I'm biased. But still. My point stands)

Some of my favourite scenes in the movies and in the books centre on Faramir - although that's not hard to guess.

In the books, my favourite scene is the part in The Two Towers where Frodo and Sam are captured by Faramir's men - I like how he handled the situation. While it ended much the same in the movies (well, alright, I lied: I don't like how the part with Smeágol played out - but that's beside the point. Everything else then - how he judged them.), it wasn't the same. He was more regal, more strong, than in the movies - and more just. Yes, it probably wouldn't have worked as well, given how Frodo is essentially recounting their journey, and it would have been much longer - but still! It works much better.

Another marvellous scene in the book is where Aragorn heals him, and he awakes with the desire to serve his king. "My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?" Remember? Loyalty, faith, quality...All there. Pretty much the best scene here - if I could only choose one, this would be it.

Thankfully, I wasn't asked to do that though... *grins*

In the films, off the top of my head, my favourite scene is probably the one where he take Denethor's command to retake Osgiliath. I always. End up. Crying!!!!

*sighs* But 'tis part of the grandeur and wonder of the world Tolkien created...

My other favourite characters are Sam, Aragorn (preferred in the books), Eowyn (preferred in the books), and Elrond.

My reasons for liking them are much the same as Faramir - but he remains my favourite!

Hatányel orenyallo! Namárië!


Thank you for coming here today Angelique! It is so fun to read all your posts and its so nice to meek fellow Tolkien geeks 8-D See you tomorrow!



Killi just said goodbye

 

 

 

Ben-

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LOTR Blog Party Day Three - Favourite Dwelling

It is Day Three of the Blog Party that is being hosted at To Say Nothing of Reality and the Guest Posting Continues. Angelique is here to post about Lord of the Rings!!!!!! *applauds.*  

Favorite Dwelling!

*blinks* Why, why do we have this nigh impossible feats to perform? How did it come to this?

Ahem, Anyway. Favourite place to live....

Probably Rivendell. Or Hobbiton. (Can we do two? We should be allowed to do two - there's less chance of brain implosions then... *grins*)

Now, to talk about it. Let's start with Rivendell.

Um, it's filled with Elves and books? Really, what else do you need? It has horses somewhere, so it's perfect.

Rivendell is my favourite place in Middle earth. It has Eldar, and that is a major point in its favour. It also happens to have Elrond and Aragorn and Bilbo - but that's irrelevant to this question...

And the library...!!!! Have you seen it??? Somewhere - or it was mentioned. *frowns* Great, now I can't remember - ANYWAY. There has to be a library somewhere - I refuse to believe that there isn't.

And it's so peaceful there - a haven, rightly called. It's so beautiful and peaceful - and when you go there, you feel like nothing bad can ever reach you.

Alright, I don't really know why I like it best, or why I would want to live there - mostly because it's safe.

I know as soon as this is posted, I'll think of a million reasons more why I would wish to live there... *sighs*

And the leader is good. Not aloof as in Loth Loríen, nor ignorant/possessed/brainwashed as in Rohan, nor as corrupted as in Gondor - just good. Tired, exhausted, human - but good.

And, my reasons for Rivendell outweighed those of Hobbiton, so that's decided...

Thank you for Posting Anglique! That was tons of fun! 

UNTIL TOMORROW

I'm leaving now. Goodbye

Ben-

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LOTR Blog Party Day Two - Favorite Book/Movie

 HEY GUYS!!! It's Ben here and it's Day Two of the Fabulous LOTR Blog Party that is being hosted over at To Say Nothing of Reality 

This Blog is open to Guest Posting, and we again welcome Angelique Jane to the scene! *applauds*

-GUEST POST- Angelique Jane

 

Firstly: why do we have these impossible tasks?!?! Have you TRIED to pick only one?? You have to have the rest for it to make sense!!! It just doesn't work otherwise...

Alright, now that that's dealt with, let's move on...


My favourie book and/or movie...Hmmm. (have I mentioned extrememly hard tasks?!)

Alright: Return of the King.

The book had more scenes from my favourite characters, as well as the appendices with the notes on the languages in the back. In that book, it brought Éowyn to Faramir; and it healed more of the brokenness that was in all of the characters.

The third book was filled with so much marvellous moments. There were the instances of friendships being strengthened between Pippen and Merry, Legolas and Gimli, Frodo and Sam, etcetra. There were also multitude acts of bravery and chivalry and loyalty: Éowyn and Merry fighting the Witch King for Théoden, Aragorn in the House of Healing, Sam fighting to save Frodo, the Eagles, etcetra... Then of course, the renewing of life and love (they go hand in hand for me, so...), with Faramir and Éowyn and how they were both healed and brought together; with Aragorn and Arwen wed after many MANY years; Sam marrying Rosie and his family being started; Gondor and Arnor reunited as one; the White Tree was replanted; the Shire cleaned up; (Saruman killed...); Saroun defeated, etcetra...

And, oh! The sheer amount of wonderfully quoteable lines and moving scenes is astounding!!! The charges, the description of the battle fields, the description of people, the events - I could write a trillion poems inspired by this book and still not run out of inspirations!!!
Yes, alright, I love the book. I cannot even begin to tell you what I like - the amount of quotes and pictures and scenes included here...'Twould be easier to just include the book. Trust me...

Of course, don't get me started on the movie... Wallpapers, poems, quotes - it's just so beautiful and moving and brave and...and.... *speechless*

Words have failed to suit my cause -

So pardon me as I will pause.

*sighs*

But the third book is also the best because it is an end AND a beginning. It is the end of the darkness and despair and the fear prevalent throughout the earlier books; yet is also the bright, hopeful beginning to the Fourth Age. It hold some of the darkest moments, but also the brightest; it is the saddest book, yet also the happiest. It's the book that makes it all worthwhile - that makes the death and the sacrifice somehow worth it. Not entirely, but a little bit.

That being said, Return of the King is definitely my favourite book. (And movie.)

*studiously does NOT thinking of the countless reasons why she likes the others as well* And I shall leave it at that...


Merci beaucoup; mille fois merci!


Thank you very much; a thousand times, thank you!



Thank you Angelique! It's great to have you here!!! Come again soon! *waves her off*

cheers!

Ben-

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