Monster Movie
Oct. 17th, 2008 12:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feliciakwWow. Squee. Giggle. More giggle. Oh, Dean. Have I mentioned lately that I love you? You crack me up. That's very important to me. Just ask my husband.
So. (Have you noticed that I begin a lot of entries with "So"?) This ep, as always, plays much better for me in widescreen, hi-res, without the friggin' CW pop-ups. And I was delighted that it was available on iTunes first thing this morning. My reactions haven't changed all that much upon re-watch, but my enjoyment certainly has.
This was a delightful, giggle-inducing, solid humor ep. And a delightful respite from the heavy-duty angst arc we've been (necessarily) getting for the past several weeks. At first, I wouldn't have counted it as a favorite humor ep, but then, this is coming from someone who loved "Hell House," with its twists and reveals and prank war.
But, I still loved "Monster Movie." This post will probably look like a blow-by-blow commentary, almost a transcript. But seriously? There's so much here to love.
The love begins with the opening logo and doesn't let up.
Loved the opening Warner Bros. logo from the 1940's, even though WB never made monster movies; those were the product of Universal Studios. Loved the opening creds as well, because they were on the screen long enough for me to read them, and they weren't competing with the action.
Impala driving down a dark road.
Pennsylvania/Transylvania = ♥ (As an aside, I actually did apply to Transylvania University in Kentucky back when I was college hunting. Because, really. How can you not at least apply to Transylvania University?)
First let's just get this out of the way: The Boys look great in b&w. I'm gonna ask for a noir ep now. Of course, that might be kind of redundant, since SPN kinda is noir by it's very nature. But still. Noir, please.
Dean hates the local music. I love that the music is cheesy horror music, and I love that Dean hates it. ♥
Dean channels half the fandom--or at least![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kalquessa and myself: "It's like the good ol' days. Honest to goodness monster hunt. About time the Winchesters got back to tacklin' straight forward, black and white case." Dean, have I mentioned recently that I love you? (Double points for the double meaning of "black and white." Bwah!)
Oktoberfest! And suddenly I'm nostalgic for Kings Island. Not that I ever frequented the biergarten, but it's a memory from my childhood.
"We still gotta see the new Raiders movie."
"Saw it."
"Without me?"
"You were in Hell."
"That's no excuse."
♥
Trust me, Dean, you weren't missing much. Still it was better than a summer vacation in Hell.
"Big pretzel!" ♥ And now I'm hungry for a soft pretzel.
I love Sam enjoying watching Dean enjoy life again. No death sentence hanging over his head, this isn't an act put on for baby brother. This is Dean's real, genuine joie de vivre.
And speaking of Sam, I'll be talking about him later.
Sam! You're eating! On screen! I'm gonna mark this down on my calendar.
Hey! It's the Russian general from SG-1.
Angus and Young. Geo had to explain that one to me. Ha. And I find it interesting that Sam is the one who introduces them. It's definitely a Dean choice in alias, but Sam takes the lead.
And I kinda love how Sam puts everything in perspective. The sheriff is worried about tourist season. Sam is upset that a girl has died. Yes, Sam, please to be reminding us what's important.
Oh, Dean. With the cheesy pick-up lines. And the wink. I think I have to smish you just on principle. Also? I really like Jamie. She can put Dean in his place, and do it with a smile.
Ed Brewer. What a great character actor they found for him. I am both amused and fascinated by his performance. And he looked familiar.
At first, I thought there was going to be a phone number in Lucy's lipstick blotting napkin. Heh.
"It's Oktoberfest. Beer and bar wenches."
"Pretty sure women today don't react well to the whole 'wench' thing, Dean."
"Hey, bar wench! Where's that beer?"
"Coming up, good sir!"
♥
The whole conversation about no old scars and no crooked fingers intrigues me. Scars and broken bones and possible attendant pains aren't something that warrant a big deal in the grand scheme of the show, but I'm highly intrigued that they're mentioned here. And the fact that Dean came back whole I find very interesting.
And then we get Dean's conclusion as to what that means for his sex life. Re-hymenated. Oh, Dean. Allow me, as I stifle a snicker, to join Sam in the eyeroll. And I loved Sam's response: "Maybe angels could pull you out of Hell, but no one could do that." Bwah! I'll be with Sam, going back to the motel to catch some z's.
Dean has a headache, and I'm reminded of the story I'm beta-ing forizhilzha.
Sam! You're eating on-screen again! Twice in one ep! I don't know what to make of this!
Beer foam mustache! Hee!
Geo believes he saw an in-joke in the name of the town--Canonsburg. With one "N." Heh.
The museum guard looks familiar, but I can't place him.
Miniature bucket of dry ice. Heh!
"You're good here with the mummy and the [arm wave] crazy?" And Sam sends Dean on his way. ♥
Dean to the rescue! And when he pulled the ear off, I knew. Shapeshifter.
Random thought: I wonder which studio backlot they shot this on. Oh, wait. It was shot in Vancouver. Duh.
Dracula rides a Vespa! Bwah!
Intermission! Double bwah!
Exposition, and I have a huge problem with Dean not knowing the characters from Dracula. Mr. Edlund? Please review what a movie geek Mr. Dean ("You know fairy tales; I know movies") Winchester is. Even if he hasn't read the book, and he somehow managed to missed the umpteen-bajillion movie versions of the book, I know he's seen the Francis Ford Coppola version. Because, dude. It's Francis Ford Coppola. So don't be telling me that Sam needs to explain who Mina and Harker are. It's a cheap ploy for exposition, and you make Dean unrealistically dumb. Did you happen to write the exposition in "Red Sky at Morning" as well?
But I'll try to forgive you because you gave me the wonderful self-revealing conversation wherein Dean has regained his passion for saving people. (And Jamie looks proud of him.) It reminded me of "Wendigo," when he's so reverent about John's journal and explaining to Sam why what they do is so important.
And I love how it's assumed that one brother, in this case, Sam, will go investigate the suspected monster, while the other, in this case, Dean, because he's the one crushing on Jamie, takes care of the victim, in this case, Jamie. It's like they're in sync again. Why to I get the feeling this won't necessarily last?
Speaking of Sam, I'll be getting back to him.
"A mission from God." Oh, Dean. You really are coming around, aren't you. If your sincerity is anything to go by. I don't imagine it will help you and Castiel communicate any better, though.
And I love the kiss. It's been too long since Lisa.
Lucy interrupts. Lucy is the shapeshifter.
More bwah! The Goethe Theatre. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! At this point, I'm clapping my hands with glee because I love that piece of music.
Vincent Price House of Wax poster! As Jared enters the shot! In-joke, anyone?
Sam checks the gunclip mag. Just like Dean, only without the tap. And . . . is that Dean's pearl handled sissy gun (as kalquessa calls it)? Sam is carrying Dean's gun? There's fic to be had!
Casio on a roll-top desk! Bwah!
Love the silhouettes backlit on the movie screen!
"It's supposed to come off." Not as despair-filled, but definitely the same cadence as "I'm supposed to wake up." Oh, Sam.
"It's supposed to come off."
"No, it's not!"
♥
Dean and Jamie drugged. Yep, Lucy did it. (With the name of Lucy, how could it not be her?)
Lederhosen! I love that there is absolutely no explanation for the lederhosen beyond a cheap sight gag with a Sam follow-up. Bwah!
Electrocuted? How many times does this make? Oh, but everything in the house is a prop. Movie magic. Nothing will happen. Unless those electric spark sounds are real, and he really rigged the thing . . . Dean! . . .
Saved by the bell! Dean's lucky like that. (Referenece: "A Very Supernatural Christmas") Hee!
LOVE the vamp skulking through the house! Ha! Hilarious!
"I have a coupon." Ha!
I love Sam's message to Dean's v-mail. Very casual, low-key, no need to worry.
Until he sees the clues.
I kinda like the 'shifter's backstory. And I kinda love the way the actor played it. And there could be all kinds of thinky about how he seems not so bad, but he's killed people, and he will kill again to get what he wants, and he's evil . . . but I don't want to be overly-thinky right now. Not about the 'shifter, anyway.
Sam to the rescue! And can someone please confirm whether or not that's Dean's gun? It's really bugging me. The pearl handle tells me it is, but for some reason it looks larger than Dean's favorite pistol. Or maybe it's just me.
"Hey there, Hansel."
"Shaddup!"
♥
Sam kicking in a fake door. Ha!
Sam thrown through a fake wall!
Jamie is Mina. Dean is Harker. And Sam is Van Helsing! Of course!
The damsel in distress kills the monster! Yay!
And the music. Oh, the music. It sounded so familiar. Geo says it's a play on the music from Young Frankenstein (which I recommend to those who haven't seen it). No wonder it sounded familiar.
More Dean kissing. Yay! I think this means I like the chemistry between these two actors. It just kinda makes me tingly.
"I'm very patriotic." Hee!
And Jamie gets the Sammy seal of approval. Much like Sarah got the Dean seal of approval. You go, girls!
"Feels good to be back on the job."
"Yeah, it does."
Oh, boys.
Happy endings! Can we take that as foreshadowing for the series? Please?
"Abbot and Costello Meet the Monster." Hah!
Porky's II. Can't say as I've ever seen any of the Porky's movies. Can't say as I've ever wanted to. Part of me now thinks that I'm missing some sort of reference here. Or maybe not.
The End . . . ?
And the end title music.
Now, about Sam. He's changed. I know, duh, you say. But he's . . . changed. He's always been broody, but back in the day, he was an innocent broody. Almost a defiant broody. Broody, but with every intention of coming out on top. Now he's a world weary broody. He's seen so much, been through so much. He's not the Sam I used to know. Now, don't get me wrong. Character growth is a good thing, and I think this totally makes sense. It's just that there are moments when I really notice it. And the reason behind it hurts just a little. Like watching Dean enjoy life is the only enjoyment Sam himself gets right now. Oh, Sam.
Now, about the previews for next week . . .
Dude. Duuuuude. DUUUUUUUUDE!!!
Is it Thursday yet?
So. (Have you noticed that I begin a lot of entries with "So"?) This ep, as always, plays much better for me in widescreen, hi-res, without the friggin' CW pop-ups. And I was delighted that it was available on iTunes first thing this morning. My reactions haven't changed all that much upon re-watch, but my enjoyment certainly has.
This was a delightful, giggle-inducing, solid humor ep. And a delightful respite from the heavy-duty angst arc we've been (necessarily) getting for the past several weeks. At first, I wouldn't have counted it as a favorite humor ep, but then, this is coming from someone who loved "Hell House," with its twists and reveals and prank war.
But, I still loved "Monster Movie." This post will probably look like a blow-by-blow commentary, almost a transcript. But seriously? There's so much here to love.
The love begins with the opening logo and doesn't let up.
Loved the opening Warner Bros. logo from the 1940's, even though WB never made monster movies; those were the product of Universal Studios. Loved the opening creds as well, because they were on the screen long enough for me to read them, and they weren't competing with the action.
Impala driving down a dark road.
Pennsylvania/Transylvania = ♥ (As an aside, I actually did apply to Transylvania University in Kentucky back when I was college hunting. Because, really. How can you not at least apply to Transylvania University?)
First let's just get this out of the way: The Boys look great in b&w. I'm gonna ask for a noir ep now. Of course, that might be kind of redundant, since SPN kinda is noir by it's very nature. But still. Noir, please.
Dean hates the local music. I love that the music is cheesy horror music, and I love that Dean hates it. ♥
Dean channels half the fandom--or at least
kalquessa and myself: "It's like the good ol' days. Honest to goodness monster hunt. About time the Winchesters got back to tacklin' straight forward, black and white case." Dean, have I mentioned recently that I love you? (Double points for the double meaning of "black and white." Bwah!)Oktoberfest! And suddenly I'm nostalgic for Kings Island. Not that I ever frequented the biergarten, but it's a memory from my childhood.
"We still gotta see the new Raiders movie."
"Saw it."
"Without me?"
"You were in Hell."
"That's no excuse."
♥
Trust me, Dean, you weren't missing much. Still it was better than a summer vacation in Hell.
"Big pretzel!" ♥ And now I'm hungry for a soft pretzel.
I love Sam enjoying watching Dean enjoy life again. No death sentence hanging over his head, this isn't an act put on for baby brother. This is Dean's real, genuine joie de vivre.
And speaking of Sam, I'll be talking about him later.
Sam! You're eating! On screen! I'm gonna mark this down on my calendar.
Hey! It's the Russian general from SG-1.
Angus and Young. Geo had to explain that one to me. Ha. And I find it interesting that Sam is the one who introduces them. It's definitely a Dean choice in alias, but Sam takes the lead.
And I kinda love how Sam puts everything in perspective. The sheriff is worried about tourist season. Sam is upset that a girl has died. Yes, Sam, please to be reminding us what's important.
Oh, Dean. With the cheesy pick-up lines. And the wink. I think I have to smish you just on principle. Also? I really like Jamie. She can put Dean in his place, and do it with a smile.
Ed Brewer. What a great character actor they found for him. I am both amused and fascinated by his performance. And he looked familiar.
At first, I thought there was going to be a phone number in Lucy's lipstick blotting napkin. Heh.
"It's Oktoberfest. Beer and bar wenches."
"Pretty sure women today don't react well to the whole 'wench' thing, Dean."
"Hey, bar wench! Where's that beer?"
"Coming up, good sir!"
♥
The whole conversation about no old scars and no crooked fingers intrigues me. Scars and broken bones and possible attendant pains aren't something that warrant a big deal in the grand scheme of the show, but I'm highly intrigued that they're mentioned here. And the fact that Dean came back whole I find very interesting.
And then we get Dean's conclusion as to what that means for his sex life. Re-hymenated. Oh, Dean. Allow me, as I stifle a snicker, to join Sam in the eyeroll. And I loved Sam's response: "Maybe angels could pull you out of Hell, but no one could do that." Bwah! I'll be with Sam, going back to the motel to catch some z's.
Dean has a headache, and I'm reminded of the story I'm beta-ing for
izhilzha.Sam! You're eating on-screen again! Twice in one ep! I don't know what to make of this!
Beer foam mustache! Hee!
Geo believes he saw an in-joke in the name of the town--Canonsburg. With one "N." Heh.
The museum guard looks familiar, but I can't place him.
Miniature bucket of dry ice. Heh!
"You're good here with the mummy and the [arm wave] crazy?" And Sam sends Dean on his way. ♥
Dean to the rescue! And when he pulled the ear off, I knew. Shapeshifter.
Random thought: I wonder which studio backlot they shot this on. Oh, wait. It was shot in Vancouver. Duh.
Dracula rides a Vespa! Bwah!
Intermission! Double bwah!
Exposition, and I have a huge problem with Dean not knowing the characters from Dracula. Mr. Edlund? Please review what a movie geek Mr. Dean ("You know fairy tales; I know movies") Winchester is. Even if he hasn't read the book, and he somehow managed to missed the umpteen-bajillion movie versions of the book, I know he's seen the Francis Ford Coppola version. Because, dude. It's Francis Ford Coppola. So don't be telling me that Sam needs to explain who Mina and Harker are. It's a cheap ploy for exposition, and you make Dean unrealistically dumb. Did you happen to write the exposition in "Red Sky at Morning" as well?
But I'll try to forgive you because you gave me the wonderful self-revealing conversation wherein Dean has regained his passion for saving people. (And Jamie looks proud of him.) It reminded me of "Wendigo," when he's so reverent about John's journal and explaining to Sam why what they do is so important.
And I love how it's assumed that one brother, in this case, Sam, will go investigate the suspected monster, while the other, in this case, Dean, because he's the one crushing on Jamie, takes care of the victim, in this case, Jamie. It's like they're in sync again. Why to I get the feeling this won't necessarily last?
Speaking of Sam, I'll be getting back to him.
"A mission from God." Oh, Dean. You really are coming around, aren't you. If your sincerity is anything to go by. I don't imagine it will help you and Castiel communicate any better, though.
And I love the kiss. It's been too long since Lisa.
Lucy interrupts. Lucy is the shapeshifter.
More bwah! The Goethe Theatre. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! At this point, I'm clapping my hands with glee because I love that piece of music.
Vincent Price House of Wax poster! As Jared enters the shot! In-joke, anyone?
Sam checks the gun
kalquessa calls it)? Sam is carrying Dean's gun? There's fic to be had!Casio on a roll-top desk! Bwah!
Love the silhouettes backlit on the movie screen!
"It's supposed to come off." Not as despair-filled, but definitely the same cadence as "I'm supposed to wake up." Oh, Sam.
"It's supposed to come off."
"No, it's not!"
♥
Dean and Jamie drugged. Yep, Lucy did it. (With the name of Lucy, how could it not be her?)
Lederhosen! I love that there is absolutely no explanation for the lederhosen beyond a cheap sight gag with a Sam follow-up. Bwah!
Electrocuted? How many times does this make? Oh, but everything in the house is a prop. Movie magic. Nothing will happen. Unless those electric spark sounds are real, and he really rigged the thing . . . Dean! . . .
Saved by the bell! Dean's lucky like that. (Referenece: "A Very Supernatural Christmas") Hee!
LOVE the vamp skulking through the house! Ha! Hilarious!
"I have a coupon." Ha!
I love Sam's message to Dean's v-mail. Very casual, low-key, no need to worry.
Until he sees the clues.
I kinda like the 'shifter's backstory. And I kinda love the way the actor played it. And there could be all kinds of thinky about how he seems not so bad, but he's killed people, and he will kill again to get what he wants, and he's evil . . . but I don't want to be overly-thinky right now. Not about the 'shifter, anyway.
Sam to the rescue! And can someone please confirm whether or not that's Dean's gun? It's really bugging me. The pearl handle tells me it is, but for some reason it looks larger than Dean's favorite pistol. Or maybe it's just me.
"Hey there, Hansel."
"Shaddup!"
♥
Sam kicking in a fake door. Ha!
Sam thrown through a fake wall!
Jamie is Mina. Dean is Harker. And Sam is Van Helsing! Of course!
The damsel in distress kills the monster! Yay!
And the music. Oh, the music. It sounded so familiar. Geo says it's a play on the music from Young Frankenstein (which I recommend to those who haven't seen it). No wonder it sounded familiar.
More Dean kissing. Yay! I think this means I like the chemistry between these two actors. It just kinda makes me tingly.
"I'm very patriotic." Hee!
And Jamie gets the Sammy seal of approval. Much like Sarah got the Dean seal of approval. You go, girls!
"Feels good to be back on the job."
"Yeah, it does."
Oh, boys.
Happy endings! Can we take that as foreshadowing for the series? Please?
"Abbot and Costello Meet the Monster." Hah!
Porky's II. Can't say as I've ever seen any of the Porky's movies. Can't say as I've ever wanted to. Part of me now thinks that I'm missing some sort of reference here. Or maybe not.
The End . . . ?
And the end title music.
Now, about Sam. He's changed. I know, duh, you say. But he's . . . changed. He's always been broody, but back in the day, he was an innocent broody. Almost a defiant broody. Broody, but with every intention of coming out on top. Now he's a world weary broody. He's seen so much, been through so much. He's not the Sam I used to know. Now, don't get me wrong. Character growth is a good thing, and I think this totally makes sense. It's just that there are moments when I really notice it. And the reason behind it hurts just a little. Like watching Dean enjoy life is the only enjoyment Sam himself gets right now. Oh, Sam.
Now, about the previews for next week . . .
Dude. Duuuuude. DUUUUUUUUDE!!!
Is it Thursday yet?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-10-17 08:00 pm (UTC)The goodbye kiss was hot and I wanted to be that actress - only I would mess up alot so I would have lots of retakes - or just throw an leg around Dean's waist and really get into character!
I also thought it was cute when Dean said "Jamie" while they were drinking -- and she was making it clear she had had too much (actually the drug was taking affect) -- I wasn't sure how to interpret it -- was he thinking it was cute she was getting tipsy? Did you notice? Plus he was saying her name alot in this ep -- Dean NEVER says a girl's name -- if he remembers --so that made me know she was someone special.
Great ep and next week can NOT get here too soon!!!
no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 02:21 am (UTC)The Deansnogging (as
I also thought it was cute when Dean said "Jamie" while they were drinking -- and she was making it clear she had had too much (actually the drug was taking affect) -- I wasn't sure how to interpret it -- was he thinking it was cute she was getting tipsy? Did you notice?
Well, I don't recall what I thought the first time I saw it, but on re-watch, I mentally complete the phrase as "Jamie? Are you all right?" What I get from the situation is that Jamie is definitely out of it, and Dean recognizes that something's wrong--with her and with him. The smile, I think, comes from the . . . I don't know . . . giddiness from feeling drugged, because right after that is when he starts seeing his drink glass in quadruplicate (and a nice, old fashioned lens effect that was, too).
If word on the street is accurate, Jamie was named after a fan. That could be why her name seemed to prominent.
And next week . . . all I can say is . . . duuuuuuude . . . .
no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 03:13 pm (UTC)Now here in GA, we have Helen GA, which is a town that re-invented itself (due to harsh economic times) into a Bavarian town. Booming tourist trade.
Heard the story about the fan as well.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-21 10:41 am (UTC)First roller coaster as a child? The Scooby Doo Coaster (since renamed to I don't remember what).
I went to my first rock concert there, at the Timber Wolf amphitheater (Greg Kinn Band). Saw my first Huey Lewis and the News concert the following summer at Timber Wolf, too. (HLatN went on to become probably my favorite group when I was in high school.)
And of course The Beast. Best roller coaster I've ever ridden. (Sadly, my roller coaster tolerance has dropped a lot. When
And my church youth group used to go to Winterfest (which I don't know if they still run), which was kind of nifty, but not as nifty as the summer season, of course.
So much great stuff at KI. Hee.
Sorry. Didn't mean to go off on a tangent.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 12:14 am (UTC)Huh. Nope, that's his Taurus he's got, both times. Weird. I could have sworn when he did the mag check (minus the tap) that he was using Deab's gun and I was wondering if maybe the silver bullets were too big for the 9 mm, or something. But no, Dean's still got his pimptastic Colt on him. Which begs the question of why he does not just shoot "Lucy" instead of bothering with the booze bottle. Maybe he wasn't carryig it. Only why wouldn't he be? Hm.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 04:15 pm (UTC)Maybe Dean doesn't bring a gun on dates? (Unlikely, I know, but....)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 04:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 02:27 am (UTC)And you know, it occurs to me that at the point in time when Dean and Jamie meet up, Dean did not know that they were looking for a shapeshifter. If he was carrying his very manly ivory grip Colt .45, it might well have had iron round rather than the requisite silver needed for ganking a 'shifter. However, Dean seemed to have every intention of skinning the thing. I have no idea what good it would do to skin a creature that can shed its skin when it changes form, but again, I blame the drugs and the need for self- and Jamie-preservation.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 01:33 am (UTC)I loved it. I'm sure Jamie was a shout-out to scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis.
As for next week's preview?
Yellow-Eyes? Yellow-Eyes?! YELLOW-EYES!
Edited to complete
Date: 2008-10-18 01:40 am (UTC)But apparently, word on the street is that Jamie was named after a fan (http://jensenlover89.livejournal.com/3662.html).
ETA: Another humorous ep (and how on earth could I forget this one?) was "Hollywood Babylon." I loved Dean as a PA.
Re: Next week . . . indeed. Yellow eyes! (At first I thought they were glowy yellow eyes, but I was mistaken.) Though I don't think Sam gets possessed by YE so much as he turns evil himself. Being infected with YE's blood, it would stand to reason (in Dean's mind) that that's how evil!Sam manifests.
My first comment to Geo was, "Now that'll get everyone talking!"
Is it Thursday yet?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 02:51 am (UTC)Priceless episode.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 02:23 am (UTC)The more I see of this ep, the better I like it.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 11:14 am (UTC)And the girl was so cute. Particularly slucking down her Giant Triple Gulp or whatever.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 06:04 am (UTC)I'm gonna ask for a noir ep now
OMG! It was my dreamy dream from... i don't know... S1 perhaps. Dean in noir - it's priceless!
Trust me, Dean, you weren't missing much
I saw it - not so bad as i was expected. I think Dean'd like it (considering he's back from hell - any movie'll be good).
But Sam had a time to go to movie! On funny movie! How dared he? *giggles*
Sam! You're eating! On screen!
See? The apocalypse is near! :)
I have a huge problem with Dean not knowing the characters from Dracula
I thought about that too and i came to conclusion that if it'd be done right and Dean'd know the names then redical Sam fans would started new wank about how Sammy didn't get smart lines *again* so i think it was small price.
Lucy interrupts
That's when i knew she's 'the bad guy'. No one can interrupt Dean's kiss!
There were s many things to drool over and i like all the supporting cast.
And i like your analysis for Sam. I agree with it.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 07:18 pm (UTC)I saw it - not so bad as i was expected. I think Dean'd like it (considering he's back from hell - any movie'll be good).
I had high hopes of really enjoying the movie, but it really let me down. I won't get into why I was so disappointed in it (I detailed that in my review of the movie). Still, as I said, better than the way Dean spent his summer vacation.
~I have a huge problem with Dean not knowing the characters from Dracula
I thought about that too and i came to conclusion that if it'd be done right and Dean'd know the names then redical Sam fans would started new wank about how Sammy didn't get smart lines *again* so i think it was small price.
But it didn't have to be an either/or thing. They both could have explained it to Jamie--one starting the story, the other jumping in, the boys talking over each other and finishing each other's sentences.
Alas, that was not the choice they made. *sigh*
But otherwise, this was a great episode. It tickles me so.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-20 07:29 am (UTC)Oh, i think i know the reason why i actually like the movie - i expected it to be SO BAD that when i i finally saw it and didn't throw up in first five minutes i felt almost good :) I mean - i close my eyes on everything bad in it and was willing to see only good parts. That helped i think. I'm huge fan of classic Indy movies but i never analyse them too deep and thought of them more like about good entertainment. But i need to read your review to see your point of course. At least this last Indy movie didn't ruin the whole universe for me as it did new SW. *sobs*
But it didn't have to be an either/or thing. They both could have explained it to Jamie
I thought about that and i was gonne ask you about it - cos i'm no expert in how they wrote dialogues in 30's-40's... i thought maybe they didn;t use that manner then? Maybe it'd must be onlt one character to explain and two of them would ruin the concept of that style they created? What do you think?
ETA
Date: 2008-10-20 03:49 pm (UTC)I thought about that and i was gonne ask you about it - cos i'm no expert in how they wrote dialogues in 30's-40's... i thought maybe they didn;t use that manner then? Maybe it'd must be onlt one character to explain and two of them would ruin the concept of that style they created? What do you think?
That's an interesting theory, and I'm not really well versed enough in 1930s and 1940s monster movie expository style to make a comparison. That said, the dialogue in this ep was definitely not based on 1930s or 1940s dialogue. It was Sam and Dean through and through. For one thing, if they had chosen to go with 1930s and 1940s period dialogue, we never would have gotten the "re-hymenated" line. Movies did not talk about sex in such blatant terms back then. Everything was implied.
The great thing about this ep is that it blended so beautifully the film making style of the 30s/40s, while still remaining 100% quintessential SPN. For example, Geo commented that everything was shot looser in this ep--no extreme close-ups--much as things were shot back then.
And Dean's hallucinating from the drug was a classic prism lens effect rather than something that appeared digitally enhanced.
And the soundtrack music all hearkens back to the monster music of the era.
The opening credits in period style, and just the shooting in b&w in general, all of it was intended to recall rather than re-create the monster movies.
But the Boys' suits, the cars, the characterizations, the dialogue, everything shot within the style was SPN. It wasn't a re-creation; rather it was an homage. If that makes sense. They were selective in what they chose to "re-create," and what they chose to do worked really well.
So, no, I do not believe they chose only one of the brothers to explain as part of a greater vision of recreating the dialogue and exposition style. And looking back at the other eps Edlund has written, most of which are very strong, if not among my favorites, it makes no sense that he would feel the need to dumb Dean down just for the sake of exposition. They took the easy route rather than recalling that Dean knows movies (with perhaps the exception of Disney movies) and writing something that could have been a great "the Brothers are in sync" bit of dialogue.
It's a relatively minor quibble in an otherwise outstanding ep, but it's something that's gonna niggle at me whenever I watch it. Just like in RSaM--which is another ep I really enjoyed--when Dean doesn't remember about ghost ships, when in "Route 666," Dean was the one who explained ghost ships to Sam.
It was an opportunity lost. *sigh*
But I do think the entire cast and crew probably had a blast making this ep.
ETA: Well, apparently, I've been corrected, a little bit. The "pumpkin pie eyed" line is from the 1930s (usually simply "pie-eyed." Adding pumpkin, I think, is an addition). I also asked Geo about the single expositor in the scene we've been talking about. He said it's possible that they're hearkening back to an older expository style, but that he'd be really impressed if that was the motivation behind writing the scene that way. Personally? Since they've done it before, I'm not entirely convinced.
Re: ETA
Date: 2008-10-21 11:42 am (UTC)Nonono, i meant not dialogues themselves but the style to give them - they could tell 'modern' words but the style could remain old-ish, you know. As in the scene with Dean's monologue about his 'near-death experience' - it was styled as it was made in old movies - there always was a scene with main character's monologus revealing something important about himself.
The great thing about this ep is that it blended so beautifully the film making style of the 30s/40s, while still remaining 100% quintessential SPN. For example, Geo commented that everything was shot looser in this ep--no extreme close-ups--much as things were shot back then.
Yes, yes and yes! I can't agree more! Before the ep was aired Robert Singer gave interview where explained all those aspects - changing cameras and filters and angles and many other things - it's amazing job!
And Dean's hallucinating from the drug was a classic prism lens effect
Yes! It's one of my fav scenes! They did it so perfectly!!!
But the Boys' suits, the cars, the characterizations, the dialogue, everything shot within the style was SPN
Yes but as Singer told us the boye were as we know them but not quite - he told them to be a little less smirking and a little more dry and actually you can notice that little change in Dean's dialogues - jhe's funny as usual but he looks 'old-stylish' if it makes any sense - like the whole aura of this town and fest absorbed him and bring them back in time (hee, again).
I do not believe they chose only one of the brothers to explain as part of a greater vision of recreating the dialogue and exposition style.
Actually i don't insist on this theory i was just asking if it could influence them. For myself i think it was mix of the style and the try to gave Sam more 'acting of smart' so to speak - cos Sam girl already were saying about not enough Sam in first eps. I don't think there was not enough Sam in 405 but i can be biased cos i'm totally Dean girl :)
As to Edlund eps in general - i think he could be mistaken but on the other hand he's one of their best writers so i doubt he just 'forgot' Dean knows movie stuff - maybe there were other reasons for him to write Dean like that. Route 666 was written by someone 'off the team' and in RSaM there's a chance the team writers didn't pay much attention to those small facts but Babylon was Eric's ep and i don't think Edlund would 'forgot' about it :)
Off - so you like RSaM, And you don't think Dean was 'off' there? Can i read your review to that ep? It's be very interesting to know what did you think.
Oh, so Geo (can i call him that?) think it could be possible? Interesting... i don't know if it was thу whole idea to shoot it that way but now i 'officially' consider it as one of the reasons. Thanx.
Dean in RSaM
Date: 2008-10-21 01:26 pm (UTC)Oh, I do think Dean was off in the exposition scene in RSaM. The exposition was especially clunky. Dean's asking "What's the lore?" on something we know he knows the lore on just doesn't work for me. Now, Sam doing research on how many ships sank off the coast of the town--that's something I would expect Sam to research and have to tell Dean about. But Sam having to explain to Dean about ghost ships? Um . . . no.
The dialogue could have gone something like this:
D: So, we're thinkin' ghost ship?
S: Yep.
D: Like the Flying Dutchman.
S: Right. Or that monster truck back in--
D: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Death omen.
S: Death omen.
D: See the ship, pucker up and kiss your ass good-bye.
S: Pretty much.
D: So do we know which ship we're looking for?
S: Well, I looked into how many clipper ships sank off the coast. You wanna know how many?
D: How many?
S: Over 150.
D: Over 150?
S: Yep.
D: Crap.
S: Yep.
Without re-watching the scene, I've tried to keep as much of the original dialogue as possible without dumbing Dean down. Dean is very smart. Not book smart, necessarily, but experience smart. I wish the writers would write him that way during the exposition.
But that's really my only complaint with that particular ep. The rest of it I really enjoyed--Gert and Sam, Bela and Dean, Dean's smooth criminal routine, Boys in tuxes. And an interesting case story.
I don't have an actual review of the ep. This is the first season I've started doing this. I hadn't started watching SPN in first run at the time I saw RSaM. Izhi introduced me to the show via DVDs a year ago, and Geo and I whipped through S1 and S2 in about a month. Then after Thanksgiving (late November), he downloaded the first 7 eps of S3 off iTunes. The first episode we watched "live," in first run, as it aired, was the Christmas ep.
Re: Dean in RSaM
Date: 2008-10-23 02:00 pm (UTC)Then another couple of questions - what do you think of Dean's behaviour on that ball? Was he written as stupid (as some people said) or was he just getting on Bela's nerves (as i think)? And what do you think about the fact that many people think that Dean was written more stupid to make Bela looks smarter? Just curious cos it looks like not so many people like this ep and i'm among the minority and like it :)
Re: Dean in RSaM
Date: 2008-10-23 02:35 pm (UTC)I don't think he was written stupid for that scene. Remember how uncouth he was at the art auction house in "Provenance"? Loading up on hors d'oeuvres, talking with his mouth full, etc.? Dean can be smooth when he needs to be, but his default is "guy" (if that makes sense). Did he stick the gum on the silver punch bowl because he's stupid? No, he did it because he's Dean. That's really the only instance I can think of where he did something like that. Everything else--calling Bela a lush, for example--was to annoy her.
what do you think about the fact that many people think that Dean was written more stupid to make Bela looks smarter?
I suppose I can see where they're coming from, but personally, I don't see it. At least, not all the time. Was he careless to hide the Colt while Bela was watching? Yes. But during their verbal sparring matches, I think he just gets to the point where he dislikes her so much that he doesn't know what to say. And their snark is pretty entertaining. So I don't really get bent out of shape so much about it.
Does that answer your question?
Re: Dean in RSaM
Date: 2008-10-23 04:03 pm (UTC)As to my other question - i can see where it all come from too :) But i can't call stupid the fact that Bela stole the hand or the Colt - the biys are hunters - they didn't meet thieves like Bela before, they just don't know what she can do and what she can steal. Even after the hand experience :) I mean if you're not a thief yourself it's hard to think like one and always be prepared and hide everything. So i didn't blame them nor writers :)