It's Almost Ham Night or The Pirates 2nd Pre-Screening

Hello All!

Trust me the title of my blog post will make much more sense once you've seen the movie. I hope this post is finding you well and that you are ready for more David Tennant goodness. If you are sitting comfortably then we'll begin. ;-)

As many of you may already know a few weeks ago I was one of the lucky few to attend a second pre-screening of the new animated feature from Aardman Animations,Pirates Band of Misfits or as it is known across the pond, Pirates In An Adventure With Scientist.  I was quite thrilled to have a second go at the film as one never knows what changes to expect after a few months of audience feedback and production fine tuning. I can now happily report that you won't be disappointed! The film is still just as good as the first time I saw it and this time it was even more polished. The title sequence was almost, if not entirely completed and immediately set the tone for the entire film. Fun, silly and swashbuckling! I may have squee'd when David's name popped up on screen, but who could blame me really?

I didn't notice any changes to the film outright, which is good. However, I do seem to remember more of a musical sequence when the crew tucked in for Ham Night right at the beginning. For the record I believe this was streamlined and cut down a bit. I don't know for sure as it was several months ago when I viewed the first screening, but having really enjoyed that part I do believe some cutting took place. Nevertheless the story and scene seem to be pretty much the same. 

Now I would like to address a particular scene that I was asked about and which seems to have caused quite the controversy online. I'm referring to of course the Leprosy Scene, which I am told was removed from some trailers. For those wondering, that scene was still included in the version of the film that I recently saw. It's a very short scene and seemed positively received by the audience. No one seemed to pay it particular mind and I don't believe any audience members were offended or put off by it. Personally if it hadn't been for Twitter I would have never know there was an issue at all. I understand the concern some people have over it, but personally I don't think the writers or animators meant any disrespect. 

As for some of the new completed sections I did quite enjoy a delightful traveling sequence that takes place across a large map. The first time I viewed this section it was largely unfinished and to see it fully animated was quite a treat. It shows a bit more of Charles Darwin (voiced by David Tennant)and The Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant). **Warning Ladies** Expect some out of breath Tennant and heavy breathing. =P I would also like to remind everyone to pay particular attention to the music in the film. Many known popular songs are used, but pay special attention to the song playing whilst The Pirate Captain roams the city by himself. The melody and voice sound mournful, but the lyrics are hilarious. If you tune out and get carried away with the moment, you may miss it and that would be truly sad.

The film as a whole is basically the same film I saw the last time with a few exceptions I noticed and probably more I did not. The ending sequence with Charles Darwin and his Manservant seemed slightly different from what I originally recall. I don't want to spill the beans so to speak, but I don't remember his Manservant and Charles going separate ways. Suffice it to say there is a happy ending for everyone except the baddies. =)I know this cut of the film was shorter and I'm still not entirely sure how they did it, but the final product is sure to please. Furthermore I encourage everyone to sit through the end credits as Aardman keeps giving you little nuggets of story throughout.

I must say that Aardman Animations never disappoints and after viewing some behind the scene footage online, I have an even greater respect for the artist at Aardman. The animation is incredible in its detail and my mind is completely boggled by how much care and work goes into each and every shot. I can't wait for this film to open so I can see it again and I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts on it as well.

Til The Next Time,

Tiffany M.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits HD Trailer 

10's Anniversary Regeneration Memories and Other Musings

January 1, 2012. I haven't been watching any TV this weekend because of real life festivities, but watching the end of 10 is one of the things that always hurts me the most. I'm gonna share something some of you may or may not know. 10 was not my first Doctor, that was 9, but he was MY Doctor. He made me love Doctor Who more than I ever thought I could. I'd been familiar w/DW for awhile, but had put off watching it mainly because I knew I would love it and I thought I didn't need to get into "another" series. Lol how right I was and how stupid not to watch sooner. DW became more important to me than any series or any fan girling I had ever done before, including my teen years. Ha ha. I never knew I could fall in love so completely with a show and/or character. It was television at it's best and what really good stories can be, a fantastic escape. Not escape from pain or tragedy obviously, because Who has tons of that, but it allows you to see the world through different eyes and relate in different ways. All I can really say is it was Brilliant! 
However, just as DW can throw you a curve ball, real life often does the same. Whilst watching most of the final 10 season I had real tragedy unfolding before my eyes as I watched a very dear, young and vibrant friend fight and eventually succumb to cancer. It was my first time experiencing this in someone close to my own age and I was devastated. I was angry and hurt and wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all. Of course I couldn't really do most of that in front of people so I tried to grieve privately and quietly. 

To escape for a bit, I indulged my love of 10 and Who. I put off the final episodes for as long as I could and finally when I could no longer wait I watched. I think I cried almost from the beginning. The meeting w/10 and Wilf broke my heart and throughout the episode I felt more and more chunks break off like splintering shards of glass. Except my heart wasn't cold and unfeeling like glass, it was hot, hurting and felt everything magnified! When I came to the realization that 10 was effectively going to be killed by radiation I was sobbing! My husband burst into the room to see what was wrong with me and I just looked at him and said, "Its like when Spock died." 

***Side note: I have one brother 11 years older and I grew up loving Star Trek mostly due to him. It's something we liked together and our little thing. Up until DW I would have said it was my favorite Sci-fi show. Whilst I still consider myself a Trek fan, I have become a far bigger Whovian and proudly so. =) Never the less ST still holds a special place in my heart.*** 

I apologize for the segue, but I felt you should know why I commented the way I did and what I meant by it. As a child Spock dying was huge to me. As an adult 10 dying eclipsed that entirely. However, to watch my hero go in relatively the same way as one of my childhood Favs was practically unbearable. Plus somewhere in the back of my mind was the still very recent memory of saying goodbye to my friend for the final time. I wasn't ready to say another goodbye even if it was only a character. 

Losing 10 felt as if I was losing someone I loved all over again. I truly felt like when my friend died. I don't mean this in any cheap sense. I realize DW is fiction, but 10 touched my heart so much that losing him hurt in a way I didn't know was possible to hurt. I think it's largely in part to David's great acting and RTD's brilliant writing, but truthfully as an actor myself I'm a big softy and I probably should acknowledge that fact as well. (If you are an actor reading this, I'm sure you understand what I mean.)

As I sat on my bed rocking myself whilst sobbing and shaking my head no, my husband (poor guy) sat down next to me and held me in his arms. I could tell he felt bad for me and was really upset that I was SO upset. Just when I thought I couldn't cry anymore I watched as 10 made his final goodbyes. That was just heart wrenching! Tears streamed down my face. The music was what really did it though (Damn you Murray Gold and your epic music!) and even though I know The Doctor "continues" on and the show was going forward, I realized it was an end of an era. My Doctor was gone and I was broken hearted. It felt like growing up,because to me that is what death feels like. It feels like growing up and growing older.

I also realised that 10's death was a lot like life. It's not fair. Try as you might, you can't hold onto everything or everyone forever. Life and moments are fleeting and endings are always sad. Goodbyes suck! Things move forward regardless if you want them to or not. People and loved ones are sometimes torn away in the blink of an eye and all we can do is hold onto each other as best as we can and treat one another as best as we can, so we can survive the really difficult times and continue the journey.

I've never been one who could say where I saw myself in 5 years or even the next year. Things move too fast and events are too unpredictable. I just try to live as much in the moment as I possibly can and I try to be the best person I can be. Life really is a journey and the companions we choose are what make it a great adventure. 10 and DW has taught me that and more. I'm ever so grateful to have made new friends along the way due to my love of DW and especially DT, my life is richer for it. Although, I miss my dear friend Melanie everyday, I try to use her memory to propel me forward and live the life she'd want me to have. It's her memory that helped push me into going to London this past year and meeting my greatest inspiration, Life's too short for what if's. It's her bravery, even now that pushes me to be fearless as I go forward into this new year and continue practising my craft and being me no matter what obstacles come my way. 

So thank you to all my friends and loved ones, both new and old for you truly help shape my life. Thank you for your kindness and support because it really does mean the world to me. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope it brings good things for us all and many more dreams coming to fruition.

 -TM =)