Comment on 5 Tips On Villains by Droemar
We had a discussion on our forum once where someone started talking about how hot Draco Malfoy is and that he's just misunderstood. I pointed out that Malfoy is essentially that horrible racist douchebag from your school who relies on Daddy's money to back him up and has to keep yesmen around just to make himself feel secure. IRL, you'd hate this guy's guts. But for some reason because he's a book character (or probably cuz his actor in the films is attractive) he gets a pass.
"Hey! I didn't say black people, I said 'Muggle'. Totally different!"
Then again, I think one of the "failings' of JK Rowling's books is I never did get a good explanation for why the Ministry of Magic and the whole wizarding world is secret. Harassment from the normals? Seems like even children know how to protect themselves fairly well. And mentions of the Inquisition ran something like "yeah a few real witches were caught, but they escaped pretty easily. it's the poor Muggles who suffered the worst."
And I take it wizards aren't afraid of nukes or guns, considering they can rewrite all of reality. And no magically-endowed Muggleborn have parents who love to gossip. Really, Harry Potter is best read if you kind of forget the implications of a massive magic conspiracy.
Perhaps I should've saved that rant for your magic-rules journal.
Which reminds me, please go check out "Kitty and the Midnight Hour". It's some of the most competent urban fantasy i've ever read. Some seriously scary moments and a fairly realistic take on how real people dealing with supernatural disorders like vampirism and lycanthropy would work. And the radio segments are simply hilarious.
"Hey! I didn't say black people, I said 'Muggle'. Totally different!"
Then again, I think one of the "failings' of JK Rowling's books is I never did get a good explanation for why the Ministry of Magic and the whole wizarding world is secret. Harassment from the normals? Seems like even children know how to protect themselves fairly well. And mentions of the Inquisition ran something like "yeah a few real witches were caught, but they escaped pretty easily. it's the poor Muggles who suffered the worst."
And I take it wizards aren't afraid of nukes or guns, considering they can rewrite all of reality. And no magically-endowed Muggleborn have parents who love to gossip. Really, Harry Potter is best read if you kind of forget the implications of a massive magic conspiracy.
Perhaps I should've saved that rant for your magic-rules journal.
Which reminds me, please go check out "Kitty and the Midnight Hour". It's some of the most competent urban fantasy i've ever read. Some seriously scary moments and a fairly realistic take on how real people dealing with supernatural disorders like vampirism and lycanthropy would work. And the radio segments are simply hilarious.
With the HP stuff, the argument about Draco being "HAWT" is silly, but I do understand why he has some popularity. Rowling really delved deep into his psyche in Half-Blood Prince, revealing that beneath the sneering facade is a tortured teen tormented by his perceived failure to live up to his parents' expectations and consequent self-loathing, as well as his fear of being pushed into Voldemort's service. As for the secrecy of the Wizarding World, if I recall, it is because some wizards would always impose themselves upon Muggles in the past and try to enslave them (Dumbledore himself was guilty of this when he was younger), so, in order to protect both themselves and the Muggles, the Ministry cracked down on these Nazi-esque wizards and established secrecy.
Would this be a bad time to ask about that Metuo animation? 
I suppose that particular aspect of the story never bothered me, but I think that's part of my "reader" process'. An author says "Here's the world" and I say "Okay, but you better be consistent within it without being so blatant about your concept that it shakes the foundation of my belief."
I guess that's why Paolini's bad writing creates a domino effect for me, whereas Rowling was so good at telling the damn story that I could forgive her just about anything.
I suppose that particular aspect of the story never bothered me, but I think that's part of my "reader" process'. An author says "Here's the world" and I say "Okay, but you better be consistent within it without being so blatant about your concept that it shakes the foundation of my belief."
I guess that's why Paolini's bad writing creates a domino effect for me, whereas Rowling was so good at telling the damn story that I could forgive her just about anything.
It's true. It's like TVTropes says. Just because a trope is used doesn't make it bad. I've seen some comments on Cartoonbrew.com criticizing HTTYD for not being "original". Frankly, I think there was enough new elements and an exciting story to keep me from feeling bored. It wasn't just entertaining, it was thought provoking. And Rowling achieved that. Harry Potter isn't a new story, but it is a very well told story with a lot of important lessons.
I think I might be able to finish that animation today since I have a touch of free time that I'd rather not spend grinding away on school work. And that horse is fun. Also I feel guilty promising trades and not finishing them. Thank you for the reminder.
I think I might be able to finish that animation today since I have a touch of free time that I'd rather not spend grinding away on school work. And that horse is fun. Also I feel guilty promising trades and not finishing them. Thank you for the reminder.
Woohoo! I look forward to it.
Compared to the other dragon rider I could name, I thought the relationship was MUCH better done. I especially liked that Toothless wasn't keen on Hiccup right off the bat, that he had to work to earn his respect.
Compared to the other dragon rider I could name, I thought the relationship was MUCH better done. I especially liked that Toothless wasn't keen on Hiccup right off the bat, that he had to work to earn his respect.
Also that Toothless wouldn't die just because Hiccup might. He'd be depressed sure and probably grounded due to his disability, but he's self-sacrificing because they're FRIENDS, not because of some mystic mental bond.