I'll let you know in the morning

[wildestranger]

It occurred to me today that it's been over a month since I posted anything. I thought, I don't have much to say, and writing is stressful anyway since I have many academic things to write and to add fannish things to that would make it all even more stressful.

But then I thought of James McAvoy. I'll give you a moment to also think of James McAvoy, and become irresistibly charmed by that thought.

The thing is, over the last six months I have watched many films and tv-shows just because they have James McAvoy in them. Sadly, most of these are horribly depressing and sometimes just horrible - I watched a lot of horrible films for Tom Hardy (The Minotaur, I'm talking about you) but most of them were, at their worst, a bit boring (again, The Minotaur is the exception. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM.). James McAvoy, on the other hand, has been in a lot of films that are horrifying and sad. Fortunately, I have watched them and can tell you about them, so that you don't have to watch them yourself and suffer through the horror.

In other words, I have opinions about telly. You are going to hear them.

Contains minor spoilers.

Inside I'm Dancing, 2004. Has funny bit and James McAvoy is charming, but the film is about living with disability and they don't let the occasional life-affirming moments disrupt how horrifyingly depressing it is overall.

Atonement, 2007. Based on a horribly depressing novel by Ian McEwan, and is also horribly depressing. Good performances by James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, but still horrifically depressing and everything goes horribly. This seems to be a theme.

Wanted, 2008. Horrifically bad. I watched this with liseuse in January and we spent the whole film moaning about how bad it was, and how it should not be, and why was it ever made, what were people thinking of? It has Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, honestly, and they are not people who need to do shitty films to gain money or fame. Seriously, this film should not be. Even a shirtless and muscled James McAvoy does not make up for how bad it is.

Becoming Jane, 2007. This one I actually enjoyed, which says a lot for it since I would not expect to enjoy a romanticised biopic of Jane Austen (conceptually this is a thing that is wrong in the world and should not be). However, I must point out that I found myself in tears at the end of the film, although I blame this on repeated watchings of that Charles/Erik vid to Rolling In The Deep, which has conditioned me to view the loss of James McAvoy as devastating.

Shameless, 2004. Surprisingly delightful overall - I even enjoyed the bits that weren't about how charming James McAvoy is, although admittedly the first two seasons are heavy on those. Recommended.

State of Play, 2003. Okay THIS. THIS YOU NEED TO SEE. Not only is it an amazing six-part drama with a complicated plot about politics and media, not only does it star John Simm, Kelly McDonald, Billy Nighy, and Neil Morrissey, but also James McAvoy is so stupidly charming that I kept blushing and squirming at my screen. This show proves that as Charles Xavier, or even as himself in various chat shows etc, he is actually turning down the charm, because what he does in State of Play with the smiles and the eyes and the STUFF *fans selves* is incredible. You should watch this show. It will make you happy in your soul. And other parts.

And tomorrow, I will tell you my very important thoughts on Holby City. I have them now. I blame liseuse for that fact.

Comments

[rivier.livejournal.com]

Haha, IAWTP. I'm not sure I have anything clever to add: I spent Saturday night watching Wanted in ITV for the first time and just writhing at how utterly awful and shitty and awful it all was. Even when James was all smiley as Ange smothered him with her lip-pillows, even when he was all hot and naked apart from his Dad's Symbolic Leather Jacket (and trousers, but hey it was about the hotness). That film, ugh, such a misogynist vibe all through it too. Not to mention Evil Black Man behind it all. Ugh.

Atonement, I watch whenever it's on and my sinuses need an emotional enema. I kind of hate the entire maniulative barrel of shite that is McEwan's novel, but I still watch it just for the cheap thrill of seeing him mouth the word cunt and then I spend the last half hour crying.

To polish your tally up a bit I just wanted to also mention that you need to watch Last King of Scotland soon but be warned, it's good but he's playing (to perfection) a charming but callow shit who learns through the manpain of a lot of other people suffering. Also contains the most gruesome climax Ive seen on film in a long time. i nearly fainted myself.

And you should definitely watch Penelope. I thought I was going to hate it but I was engrossed over Xmas: it's charming, Christina Ricci is charming, the McAvoy is charming beyond the reach of normality. It's kind of fun.

Personally, can't wait for the film version of Filth: McA, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan and a script that (if it's true to the book) will just be wall-to-wall foul language, cracking accents, filthy sex and drugs and degeneracy. I don;t see how it can fail to be heavenly!

[wildestranger.livejournal.com]

Oh Wanted is so bad. I watched at two in the morning and drunk, and even then it didn't make any sense. Not least because who would dump James McAvoy for Barry?

But yes, I don't think I would enjoy The Last King of Scotland - I'm sure it's good but as a general rule, genocide is a topic I find that interesting.

I have heard good things about Penelope, though, and will definitely give it a go when I get a chance. Also, Filth sounds excellent - James McAvoy and Jamie Bell together will lead me straight to my bunk.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I agree with your thoughts (except I didn't see Inside I'm Dancing and Wanted). State of Play is what EVERYBODY TOTALLY NEEDS TO SEE, for a variety of reasons, as I once elaborated here (http://donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com/86831.html) (picture-heavy, including McAvoy toplessness).

I've been rewatching Shameless lately. The first two seasons are delightful, and I really enjoy watching the kids grow up - even sans teh McAvoy.

[wildestranger.livejournal.com]

They've been reshowing Shameless on UK tv recently, and I have sacrificed many a Friday night for it. I am amused to find myself having strong opinions about it too - why would anyone want to shag Frank Gallagher, ever?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_emeraldgreen/]

I forgot to tell you: I randomly watched Wanted when I was on holiday in Norway and too cold to leave the cabin... it was indeed awful, but I think the Norwegian subtitles definitely added to my enjoyment of it. I just remember being worried that all the actors had read the script and yet still agreed to make the movie.