The Word You’re Looking for is Dorktastic

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Can Richard Armitage do anything wrong? Maybe. ;-) But he hasn’t so far, and I love that he’s Mr. Heart Throb yet we can still see his dork. Yeah, it’s dorktastic! (Thank you again, Nat, for turning me onto that word because I really needed it this morning!).

Okay, I’m talking about the Richard on the right in case it’s not clear. He’s a heart throb too! And definitely gets my vote. I think reblogs are how that’s done. Reblogs with lots of commentary. LOL!

Richard,

You’re loveable and Kermit’s loveable although I’ve never thought of Kermit as a heart throb. I guess some people do. It must be his thoughtfulness, which you certainly share, and there is nothing more powerful than a heart throb with a streak of thoughtfulness — no matter what all of those romance novels suggest.

Signed,
One of your crazy fans who thought of W.C. Fields on first watching the Go Pop clip, and yet if anyone can pull it off, you can. :D Think John Standring.

note: you gotta see this large. :D Be sure to click on the photo to expand it.

May 11, 2013
Categories: Dorktastic, Interviews . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 18 Comments

Where Do I Start?

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As usual, Richard Armitage’s appearances have gone from such a sparsity to so much to gorge on I feel I have an eating disorder. No, I’m not making light of eating disorders. But seriously now, this feast and famine thing is enough to create an unhealthy appetite. :D At one point the dearth of appearances had me thinking like the proverbial buzzard. And now, I fear I may get sick. But of course that’s never stopped me.

Oh, you read my words about refraining from indulging in more info about the Hobbit movies, and you believed them? I might be able to pull it off (if you believe that, we need to talk more as I have a bridge for sale), but the Hobbit info is not synonymous with Richard Armitage. You thought it was?! You have to be new! Oh my, no way is he just about The Hobbit. Great as that is, may I say I’m glad he has many more performances to recommend him than Thorin Oakenshield. And if you have not seen North and South, do it now! Your inner, misunderstood beauty will thank me. :D

But even if he is just about the Hobbit in this last round of interviews, fans have plenty to savor. Richard still seems to be his intensely charming yet down-to-earth self, who keeps pulling some of us back into his world. As one fan put it to me, “Damn! He’s done it again. I thought I was over this Richard Armitage infatuation, but it’s back in full bloom.” For that person, it was very much about his ability to stay humble and sincere in the face of such great admiration. I’m not sure exactly how he maintains his character, but I can speculate, which if you haven’t been on this blog much is what I sometimes do here and many times in a snarky fashion. Occasionally, I’m serious because Richard deserves it. Today, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to be. Whatever the case, I am certainly feeling a great need to lay on some cheap psychoanalysis of what I’m seeing.

There has to be something that made such an impression on Richard Armitage that he can never shake it as part of his identity. Probably done in childhood as it is with most of us and consisting of those unpleasant experiences that occur which make us believe something negative about ourselves, and we seldom get past it no matter how many positive experiences may come behind it. Too often this kind of molding creates a liability in us which we drag around, but occasionally, someone lets the liability work for them in a healthy way. Since Richard has talked quite a bit about balancing his life, I’d like to think that’s what happened to him. That despite adulation, and many times deserved, his experience can never let him fully accept how we all see him — meaning very handsome, very intelligent and welcome at anyone’s table — and therefore he is able to keep arrogance at bay.

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He still retains a bit of gawkiness that most likely occurred when he attained his full height at 14, and he may not realize it just makes him more attractive because it makes him personable. Phew! that combination of looks, brains and being accessible as a human being?! That will pull many a woman (and no doubt some men) into his charm — whether he wants to pull them or not. And of course he has some awareness of this, but the real question is how aware? Yep, that’s the question, baby cakes. Does he pull out the charm when it suits him? Or is he really just being himself? I think he has some ice breakers he relies on, but for the most part, I don’t think someone can fake his kind of earnestness this long.

What I find so refreshing is not just that he can maintain this demeanor, but also that so many appreciate it. That makes this last round of interviews in Australia truly glorious. People really do appreciate his character, and that makes me have such a great feeling about my fellow man and woman. :D

Dear Richard,

You have found the most successful way to combat objectification — people taking you seriously as a person and not just relegating you to a dream lover although I must admit that if someone wants a dream lover, you’re a good one. LOL!

No, I’m not saying you’ve been my dream lover, but I’m not blind and can see you would make a good one, and those women who aspire to someone with your character have good sense as well as good taste.

Okay, enough of that. I just want to say that my jaded self really does appreciate your graciousness to the public. May you never lose whatever it is that allows you this ability.

Maybe staying out the public eye between these interview gigs does help? Yeah, I’m cutting you a break on the feast or famine cycle.

Signed,
One of your crazy fans who is definitely sane enough to appreciate a man who is gallant.

Hopefully up next is the post that I’ve had from the beginning of this blog. I have edited that thing so many times, well, it’s embarrassing. So the other day I went back to the original, and I think it’s almost where I want it now.

Candid photos courtesy of Popcorn Taxi.

May 5, 2013
Categories: Dorktastic, Interviews, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 11 Comments

A Timeout for Frenz

I cannot believe I’m referring to myself in third person again. If SO saw this, he would have a field day with it. I can hear it now, “What are you Elmo or Jimmy or something?”

Okay, the point — I turned off my phone for a few days, and I haven’t been on the Net, much. All of this was at the request of SO, who said, “Do you think you could navigate without that for a day or two?” Then he grinned. How could I resist?

And you know that old saying about familiarity breeding contempt, so I think staying away from Richard Armitage pics and video for a few days was a good thing and apparently didn’t put a damper on my ardor.

Back to the point. This is my long way of saying, please forgive me for not replying to email and messages. I have not been ignoring you — no one specific anyway. I just needed a break. But I’m back now, so give me some time to get caught up.

Thanks for being patient!

Hmmm. This needs a picture. But what would fit? Not sure. While I’m typing this sentence, I’m letting my mind wander. Got it.

RichardArmitage_InspectorLynley

Yes, I’m telling the truth, Rich. And I feel so good now that I realize I CAN survive several days without my phone and very little Internet. I know you like your phone, and oh yeah, your iPad, but you might give this a try sometime. :D

Note: this is a photo I haven’t been inclined to use because he looks so much like my dad in this one. Yeah, I can see my dad’s scolding look, and it looked just like that.

edit: When I got back on Twitter last night, I saw a blog piece by MicheleR with an update about Inspector Lynley. LOL! If you’ve never seen the show, go check out her blog.

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com

March 26, 2013
Categories: Fandom, Inspector Lynley, Miscellaneous works, SO, Timeout . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 7 Comments

The Hobbit, TMI?

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Today, I had a long chat with myself. The issue at hand was my awareness of too much about the first movie in The Hobbit “trilogy.” It seems I was not as overwhelmed with awe as I had hoped when I first saw An Unexpected Journey. Yes, I’m admitting it did not completely live up to my expectations, but several people I know and respect have loved this movie — including my immediate family who before the movie came out, gave me good natured hell every chance they got about my extreme knowledge of all things Hobbit never mind my absurd knowledge of all things Richard Armitage. No, I don’t literally mean all things Richard Armitage. Chill on the Armitage Protection Mode, will ya? :D

What I discovered is that all of the people I know personally who have adored this movie didn’t know nearly as much about it as I did, and I would like to join them on that when the next installment comes out. During the weeks leading up to the premiere of An Unexpected Journey, my gut was literally screaming at me to take a step back and not be so informed, but I was grossly infected with FOMO, which made me less sensitive to my gut talking. And now I wish I had not been so obsessive about satisfying my curiosity that I did the one thing I’ve railed about on this blog — spoilers. Of course I know how the book plays out, but this isn’t the book, is it? This is Peter Jackson’s version of it, and he was so kind to give me quite a bird’s eye view.

Oh yeah, sure, it wasn’t too much for some of you, but I know now that it was for me. And all of this brings me to a couple of conclusions. First, I have new found respect for movie critics, who earlier in my life were thought of as frustrated directors just finding a way to release their sour grapes. I was wrong. Oh, so wrong. My gosh, it’s a miracle they like any movie once it comes out after knowing so much about them beforehand. Second, I have decided that I am not going to pore over every piece of information that comes out about the rest of The Hobbit movies, and I was not going to watch nor listen to anything today that was related to Desolation of Smaug. But after the email and messages I have received, I had to do something. ;-)

So here’s the clip from the movie:

And no worries, here’s our guy.

If WB wants me to take these down, then I certainly will, but I hope I can leave them up, since they help promote the movie. :D

Dear Sir Peter,

I know you may be thinking, “Sheesh, someone’s always bitching about something.” You’re great, and you’ve been great about sharing. I really do appreciate that, and I know that so many fans love it and aren’t affected negatively by it. I guess I’m just one of those fans who needs to be surprised more, and since you’re not holding a gun to my head to watch these things, I’m not so sure I want to know as much as the last time around. Oh, I want to be able to gush until I’m wrung dry, but I would rather do it after the movie comes out.

Sincerely,
One of Richard’s crazy fans

P.S. love your footwear

March 24, 2013
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 18 Comments

Maybe I Missed Something?

I keep hearing how Richard Armitage went to Los Angeles to pitch an idea for Richard III. That was certainly floated as a possibility when he was on the plane to LA and missed the BBC Leicester Radio interview. But now it seems to have become fact. When did that happen? I’m honestly asking that. Is there some intel that someone has that verifies this indeed happened?

If not, it’s still just a bunch of speculation, and frankly, Richard Armitage and “his people” would be utter fools to talk about him doing this. So again, I’m wondering what’s up?

Yeah, Rich, you’re not stupid, so I don’t think you let this out of the bag if indeed there was a bag. Love the smile:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Portraits

I can’t help myself. This is such a fantastic photo. You all may get sick of it before I’m done. :D

edit:

It’s one thing for Philippa Langley to talk about Richard Armitage doing this, but it’s another to call that a fact. I do give her big time kudos for chuzpah, and I mean that in the very best way possible. Actually, I have a complimentary post on her which I wrote right after I watched the special and will post at some point soon, but it’s not for this blog. It’s a better fit elsewhere. At least how it’s written at the moment. Just know this: I like her!

But back to the subject at hand. Until Richard Armitage or someone who officially represents Richard Armitage or who is confirmed as working with him states that he went to LA to make a pitch, I can’t refer to that as a fact. Did it probably happen? Oh, I can certainly see that it may well have happened. No problem seeing that. It’s how I’m referring to it that’s a sticking point.

March 13, 2013
Categories: Richard III . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 32 Comments

Richard, I’m Available for Technical Assistance ;-)

Yes, I really said that. LOL!

I was just listening to Dave Andrews’ show on BBC Leicester, and he read Richard Armitage’s email informing Dave that he couldn’t make it on the show. He had wifi but couldn’t make a call.

Richard, Richard, Richard,

It’s called Skype or Google phone or any number of other VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone services. ;-)

Man, if you need help with this, I’m your girl. We can get around those pesky federal regulations. ;-) ;-)

Signed,
One of your crazy fans who loves to give technical support.

Fat chance I’ll ever get to do that, but hey, what the heck? I never thought I would be blogging successfully for almost three years, and here I am.

edit:

I need to clear something up! VOIP is not allowed on a plane. That was why I put the wink at the end of the line. I’m sorry if that caused some confusion. I was teasing! Please don’t try to do that with an airline that provides wifi! LOL! Ahem.

The good news is this may be a reality in the future. But it’s not today — at least not in the U.S. However, look what I found. I knew about the CEO being escorted off a plane for using VOIP, but I didn’t know that Virgin Airlines is now allowing these calls. Interesting. I guess Richard Armitage wasn’t flying on Virgin. :D

February 3, 2013
Categories: Interviews, Richard III, Tangents . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 9 Comments

Dear Richard

Richard-III

Dear Richard:

I just read an article about your being cast as Richard III, and the look on my face is a lot like that of the King’s above — thoughtful with a little thread of perplexity. Earlier I had read CNN’s piece with quotes from Ms. Langley, and her statements about your involvement gave me some pause. I so want to jump on the bandwagon but admit to being the suspicious kind. I just feel funny about this, and especially when I consider the ‘Charlie’ debacle. Of course that didn’t involve CNN or a Scottish newspaper, but I can’t get ’round the very non-committal tone of your agent. Maybe I’m hesitant for no good reason.

Signed,
One of your crazy fans who hates being cynical, but I can’t seem to help myself.

P.S. I look forward to whatever you may be doing in future.

This is just me sharing my unvarnished thoughts about this. It will be wonderful if this is true, but I hope someone hasn’t jumped the gun by mentioning it now. Then again what do I know about promoting a possible film? Yes, you guessed it, nothing. LOL!

February 2, 2013
Categories: Interviews, Movies . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 19 Comments

Now Do You Believe Me About Being a Make-up Artist?

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See. Being a make-up artist can be rewarding on lots of levels. :D So far I’ve only covered some of the personal rewards. But for Tami Lane, who received an Oscar nomination for her work on The Hobbit, it has transcended the personal, and it’s not her first time. She was nominated and won an Academy Award in 2006 for her work on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

But working on The Hobbit was a far different experience for Ms. Lane when considering the unforgiving eye of 48fps:

Since the 3D movie was being filmed in 48 frames per second instead of the normal 24, their work had to be flawless, she said. Each set of dwarf eyebrows, which are not reusable after removal, had to be re-created daily to look exactly the same – for all 266 days of shooting.

“All the old tricks we use for film had to be thrown out the window. Shooting like this makes you a better artist,” Lane wrote by email.

Read the article here

The 48fps aspect of this film just gets more interesting. Could dealing with near ten times the normal frame rate be any more daunting in its rendering of reality? I wonder. 48fps seems pretty tough.

And now a must:

Dear Ms. Lane,

You did a marvelous job. I think it’s safe to speak for other fans to say how much we appreciate the time and care you took to make RA look so spectacularly Thorinesque. [is that a word? if not, it should be. Then again, I suppose it's okay if it's hyphenated -- Thorin-esque. Hmm. I can make anything a word if I hyphenate it. Can't I? :D]

All the best and at the Oscars as well!

Signed,
One of Richard’s crazy fans who sometimes covets your job for all the Richard-esque moments you got to witness. ;-) Yeah, it’s lame, but I need coffee, and it is my first time to make up somethin’. At least I didn’t say Armitage-esque. I’m outta here!

P.S. Wait. One more thing. I hope you can chuckle at all those shallow girls in high school who didn’t think it would pay to be a geek. Oh, how wrong they were. Look at your life, and the fantastic views you see. Damn! I need to start this letter over, but I don’t have time. Best o’ luck!

After I drink some coffee, I may be back with some other words that you’ve never seen. :D

January 11, 2013
Categories: Interviews, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 16 Comments

Happy New Year!

2012 was quite a ride for Richard Armitage. Too much happened to recap it! Not even going to try especially when there are so many others who have done such a marvelous job of it, and if you don’t want a recap and just want to immerse yourself in information and photos about Richard Armitage, try Places to Get a Fix or The Addict List.

As for me, I’m taking a day off and celebrating! I may go skiing, and I may go see The Hobbit again. It occurred to me I was tense about SO‘s take on the movie and couldn’t really enjoy it like I wanted. So back to the movies without him. Until then, I’ll be outside.

And now a word or two to our guy:

Richard,

I hope you can take the day off. It’s lovely weather for skiing somewhere, and you’ve got the funds to go where you would like. Yes, I realize you know that, but with someone like you, a reminder may be in order.

If you take it into your head to grace our slopes in the U.S., there are plenty of great places. I’m not even going to mention my area although it’s great too!

Wherever you go, I hope you can get outside. That’s where I’m headed. I adore being outside, and I don’t mind saying it’s days like today that make me want to pinch myself because I live where I do.

Hope you have a great day and don’t break a leg. :D

Signed,
One of your crazy fans, who wishes she could do this:

P.S. If you missed it, check out my other letter about skiing. I’ll be back tomorrow to give you a hard time with my speculation about what you’re doing. :D

January 1, 2013
Categories: Movies, SO, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 6 Comments

There and Gone Again

Looking backward. Isn’t that what today is about? I guess it’s infected me because the subject I’m about to broach was not something I was going to revisit. However, recent reports I’ve read and new thoughts I’ve had compel this post. :D

I’ve run through a range of musings about The Hobbit premiere in New York. One of my first thoughts was New York is too cool to get excited about a movie premiere. This is a matter of pride for New Yorkers. They love to let you know they make barely a flicker of an eye when the famous pass by them. After countless trips to New York and living there one summer, I can attest to the sheer numbers of celebrities strolling around the streets and making the ho hum attitude understandable. But another thought was remembering the fanfare I’ve seen there. “Ticker tape” parades so huge the surreal feeling takes days if not weeks to go away. When these people throw a party, they know how to throw a party!

Outside at The Hobbit premiere was like a meeting. No party atmosphere but the distinct feeling it was all business. I could almost hear the marching orders repeating themselves in the heads of some of the cast who came to the fans lined on the street, “If you greet the fans, make it short. Don’t linger. Get it done and get inside the theater. And for God’s sake watch the cars coming down the street behind you!” Yep, the normal traffic flow was not completely blocked but rather interspersed with the celebrities’ cars stopping in front of the Ziegfield Theater which made it a dicey affair for the cast to be on the street. Then there were the thugs (TheQueen has another name for them) trying to get autographs to hawk on eBay. Since I had effected the New York cool, I wasn’t too worried about them even if they could have easily pushed me down on the barricade and busted my kneecaps. No problem. I was there to see Richard Armitage blast it! and after my deal with the thugs, no sweat (picture the optimist who was put in a room full of horseshit. :D)

But I’ve been wondering if the sober feeling from many of the cast was actually the ominous thought of combating traffic and facing the New York thugs. Something has to explain the wary looks I saw from some of them. Their demeanor was certainly a far cry from the cheerfulness in Wellington, Tokyo and London. It makes me wonder if this is the norm for New York premieres. I’ve never been to a movie premiere in New York. Never been to a movie premiere, so I really don’t know. I had only seen two live streaming until this one.

But despite all of that, I must give thanks to someone for a very enjoyable part of my premiere experience:

Dear Andy Serkis,

Man, I love you! Thank you for injecting some party atmosphere into the affair known as The Hobbit Premiere NYC. Thank you for the time you spent with the fans lined on the street. You almost single handedly made me forget the feeling of a business arrangement.

And I have a suggestion for your colleagues at next year’s premiere to make them feel secure about dealing with the fans, the thugs and might help with dodging traffic. I’m passing this along now so they have a whole year to practice.

Signed,
One of Richard’s crazy fans who thought your wife was also lovely. :)

P.S. I watched Distant Voices, Still Lives the the other day. Wow.

And a big thank you to @nancyjohnson1 for holding a place for TheQueen and me since yours truly had to run errands until about 45 minutes before the premiere. Phew!

Watch someone take all of this seriously. Yes, I’m talking to the action fans. This subject isn’t about a cure for cancer nor a solution to world strife, so it is not serious. LOL!

December 31, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 15 Comments

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