Diary of a Fangirl: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Okay, so this is another "pretty" edition, but this one is a bit more in depth, since my fangirling over The Rock/Dwayne Johnson spans 13-14 years...

When I first "fell" for Dwayne Johnson, he was known as The Rock, The Brahma Bull, and of course The People's Champion.  I was thirteen, and had one wall of my room dedicated to his image.

Around that time, after much begging, my mom let me order the Pay-Per-View for the then WWF wrestling match between The Rock and...I think it might have been Stone Cold Steve Austin.  I was so engaged in the viewing, so excited to see The Rock in what was the "ultimate" fight, and for a moment, it seemed as if he was going to lose.  And then, he came back, finishing with The Rock Bottom.  When the ref counted to three, I leapt out of my chair, jumped with a holler, and threw my arms up high.  I ended up scraping my knuckles on the heavy, ridged plastic covering the light fixture in our basement, shredding the skin and bleeding.

But I was too distracted to care, for The Rock was now the Champion!

I was enamored with The Rock from that point on.  Not only did I love his looks (and good gawd, that man has skin like brown butter!), but I loved his sarcasm, his crassness, how he talked about himself in the third person, his made up words (i.e. such classics as Jabroni and Pu Tang pie...), and of course, the People's Eyebrow, which admittedly gave me "chills" (other adjectives may have been better suited, but not necessarily appropriate for this blog).

And then...and then The Rock left "home"--he abandoned WWFE and RAW.  After that, the show just wasn't the same.  I watched one ep, and then I was out.  Still, I followed Dwayne Johnson's career.

Yes, Dwayne.

The WWE owned The Rock.  Not to mention that The Rock was just a persona--an illusion.  Of course I knew that, but I hadn't really realized how much was pure character.  Dwayne is so removed from The Rock, and it was akin to watching someone new.  But it was a someone I liked.  Dwayne has a great sense of humor, and has no problems with making fun of himself.  He's good to his fans, and has a promising acting career.  Considering The Rock persona, he's been acting for quite sometime, no?

Within the last year, "The Rock" returned back to the WWE, and I went back to watching it.  He was older, leaner, and had a nifty shaven look.  All these years, and it was as if nothing had changed.  [Well, subtle differences. The Rock would never have smiled as much back then as he does now.]  He's gone again as I write this, of course, but it is my fondest wish to meet him someday.

And gosh, look at that killer smile:

Dwayne Johnson: I fangirl you hardcore.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Common

Today's Guest Post is from Eve, a Common fan:

Common, aka Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. is what I call all types of "girly swoon!" 

He is an incredibly talented Hip Hop artist, philanthropist, and actor, but more than that he is SCRUMPTIOUS! I know this should be a blog about his accomplishments, and there are plenty, but he is sooooo much more swoon worthy! 

I had the pleasure to meet him at Macys in Downtown Chicago.  He was doing a book signing for "One Day It'll All Make Sense."   He took time to pose for several pictures, signed every book, and even spoke kind words to each of his fans.  


He is super sweet and down to earth!


    

Diary of a Fangirl: Friday

When I was ten years old, my Aunt Joann asked me if I wanted to see this movie called "Friday."  Knowing her penchant for horror films, I entered into the film with caution.  But within the first sixty seconds, with members of a family household in various stages of sleep, I knew it was a comedy.  I sat there in her living room, watching that movie, and fell in love.

"Friday" is tied for #1 of "favorite movie of all time" (with "Goodfellas" and Disney's "Cinderella" sharing the spot, and yes, all films from my childhood).  It's simple, has heart, a message, and characters that you will not only never forget, but could quote all day.

For years I've longed for there to be a sequel with Chris Tucker reprising his role as Smokey.  The other two sequels don't even exist to me.  It's just horrendously not the same.  And now, I've learned that the time has come--that my dream of there being a "Last Friday" is now possible.

Chris Tucker has signed on, ya'll.

I literally squeed upon hearing this joyous news.  Ice Cube reached out to the original cast, and had just about everyone signed on except for Chris.  And now, he's in.  Game on, bitches.

The only thing I lament is that this [true] sequel couldn't have come with the awesome Bernie Mac.  Bernie was a brilliant comedian--the best, frankly--and he will be sorely missed.  

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Catwoman

Thus far, there have been six women to play the sultry Catwoman: Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, and most recently, Anne Hathaway.  I know there are a ton of posts out there already on "Catwoman throughout the ages" or some such, probably written by people more knowledgeable than I am about the character (i.e. all aspects and incarnations of catwoman, be it animated, comic, film or TV), so this post is more of a fun "best of" kind of deal.







The most Badass version of catwoman is...

Michelle Pfieffer's Selina Kyle.  Do I even have to explain why?  Her Catwoman really made the film.  I also wish to add her to the Best Costume list.  I remember taking a garbage bag and white thread, in a poor attempt to make my own costume when I was like eight or ten.  Anyway, any Catwoman had big effin' shoes to fill, and naturally, they have yet to have filled properly.

Most practical costume goes to...

Anne Hathaway's Catwoman.  It's true, I deducted some points for having her hair long, flowy and out (which is the same grievous error the Catwomen of the 60s had), which anyone knows that if you're heading out into potential fights, you don't want your hair out as an easy target and point of weakness.  At least braid it up.  Anyway, really loved how her cat ears weren't really cat ears at all, but goggles.  Pretty nifty in costume design, not that I expected less from Nolan.  Also, her costume looks a lot more comfortable in regards to fighting gear.

Best sounding Catwoman goes to...

Eartha Kitt, of course.  Pfeiffer came pretty close, but Eartha could actually purr.  Her voice was unique, and perfect for this heroine.  Turns out she was in only five episodes of the Batman TV series (two of those are un-credited), but what an impact this lady made!

A compilation of "Perfects" from Catwomen:

Honorable mention.  Watched this particular cartoon when I was growing up.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: The Dark Knight Reboots?

So of course, with the conclusion of Nolan's Batman trilogy, there are already talks for a reboot.

Frankly, I don't want to see anything Batman at least for the next twenty years.  At least.

That being said, I wouldn't mind more backstory, perhaps a prequel of sorts, on the following characters:

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Talia and Bane.

Is it romance?  A friendship?  How did they come to know each other, how did they grow up, what did they do after they escaped that prison, etc.  Am I the only one curious about these two?

I don't know what goes on or doesn't in the comics regarding those two, but man, that film--that romance if there is one--would be EPIC.


          

Diary of a Fangirl: Buffy Reboot Recast

'Cause a reboot is gonna happen eventually.


This is mostly a fantasy post, since I already know that whatever reboot that is the works at present is not helmed by Joss, and the rights do not include any characters from the series, but come with me anyway, gentle readers, on this ride of reboot madness!

Buffy Summers played by Keke Palmer

Yes, in my fantasy--recast, yes, I've made Buffy black.  This would be a risky choice for casting directors and producers and would (probably) never happen in reality, because one, it changes the brand so drastically (zomg, Buffy's BLACK!), and two, I don't fancy too many people not Tyler Perry banking on an African American/black lead for something like this.  That being said, I think it would be a nice change, and would add so many layers to the 'verse where all kinds of privilege live.  To have the heroine be black and not die would be tremendous in and of itself, but I also think it would layer the story (a world of demons and humans, soul-havers and those without, the good and the bad and the in-between) ever so much.  Not to mention the part where I'm pretty sure this girl can act.

Additionally, there was a lacking of prominent people of color in the Buffyverse until the last season.

Joyce Summers played by Regina King

I almost went with Angela Basset, but then remembered the AWESOMENESS that is Regina King.  In this reboot, Joyce would play a bigger role, and though not a slayer, equally kick ass.  Who better than Ms. King?

Willow Rosenberg played by Saoirse Ronan

Now, this is where I will surround the black lead with a majority white cast, and Ronan is mos def a heavy hitter in the acting world.  Willow's journey goes from geek to goddess, with some "bad bitch" moment in between.  I think Saoirse could cover all of those bases and well!

Xander Harris played by Andrew Garfield

I think he'd be perfect as Xander.  I can't really put the why into words right now, but after seeing him in "The Social Network" and "The Amazing Spider-Man," I think Andrew could accurately depict the complexities and heart and earnestness that is Alexander LaVelle Harris.

Rupert Giles played by Hugh Laurie

I debated on who to cast as Giles--Jeremy Irons.  Alan Rickman.  Colin Firth.  Clive Owen (too young and too sexy).  I finally landed on Hugh, who I think can play up the dark undertones of Giles, and who would read best as "father figure."

Angel played by Shia LaBeouf

And not a clean shaven-Shia, but this scruffy, long haired version of him.  I think he's a great actor, and he broods quite nicely.

Spike played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Did I choose him because I just want to see him strut around like he's the cock of the walk in a leather duster?  Did I do this cause of my big, girly crush on him?  Did choose him because I just want to see him in anything and everything?  Maybe.  But I also know that this dude's got big ass acting chops, and that is something that Spike needs.

Faith Lehane played by Chloe Moretz

She's on the younger end of the spectrum, but she blew me away in "Kick Ass."  [Big Daddy and Hit Girl deserved their own film, and easily stole the show.]  If she could pull that off as a little kid, I'd like to see what she'd do in another kick ass role now that she's older.

Other actors who could be in this film somewhere: Jesse Williams, Michael Cera, Michael Pitt, Tom Hiddleston (probably as Wesley Wyndham-Price), Idris Elba (the dead beat dad Hank Summers?), Nia Long, Hayden Christensen, Zoe Kravitz (Cordelia?), Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Xac Effron, James McAvoy, Thandie Newton, and a plethora of cameos from folks of the Jossverse.



    

Diary of a Fangirl: Lucille Bluth

So this will be the first in a series I shall lovingly call my "Bad Bitch Edition."

Lucille Bluth of Arrested Development, portrayed by Jessica Walters, is one of my favorite characters in television history.

She's sarcastic, clever, cruel, loving in her own, zaney way, and fucking hilarious.  She can just give a look, and really, that's all she needs to do.  Pictures won't do this character or this woman justice, so I will just share with you the best of Lucille Bluth.

Can't wait for the "Arrested Development" movie!!!







    

Diary of a Fangirl: Christian Grey Casting

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