#album and he put little creatures super low and had like only bad things to say abt it and i was like. shocked. like how do you not GET IT

[zemnarihah]

some people will tell you that little creatures is mid for a talking heads album. you need to kill these people

[nerianasims]

Billboard #1s 1986

Under the cut.

Dionne & Friends -- "That's What Friends Are For" -- January 18, 1986

While listening to this song, I think it's a very squishy ballad with a nice sentiment that's not for me but is tolerable. Until a certain point. That point is when Elton John has his big part. Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight: Great, amazing, I love them, and though their talents are wasted on a song this slight, they make it listenable. Elton John's talents are not wasted on a song this slight. Couldn't they have brought in someone else? There's no way Prince would do something like this, but what about Paul McCartney? Kenny Loggins? Billy Ocean? I guess George Michael was too young for the song's schtick. But I'd take even Lionel Richie over Elton John.

Whitney Houston -- "How Will I Know" -- February 15, 1986

Whitney Houston was an amazing, phenomenally talented singer. And she oversang. Almost all the time. She didn't have to; she knew how to sing with subtlety and grace. But oversinging was (and is) popular, so that's what she did. It means I don't like most of her songs, including this one.

Mr. Mister -- "Kyrie" -- March 1, 1986

I'm not Christian any more, but one can pull inspiration from anywhere. I love the phrase "kyrie eleison." There's something beautiful about that combination of sounds, and there's also something beautiful about the sentiment. The music does not live up to it, unfortunately, though the opening is gorgeous. It also gets super repetitive at the end. It's pretty good, but I want it to be great, and sadly it is not.

Starship -- "Sara" -- March 15, 1986

I'm going to have to listen to "White Rabbit" a dozen times to cleanse this from my brain. A band that used to do stuff like that devolving into making this garbage is extremely depressing. This song starts with music box tinkling which sounds nice. Then saxophone over it which... okay. Just the sax would have been nice, but over the music box it's a little much, but I can keep going with it. Then they add a harmonica layered over it, and it's like I'm listening to a parody of mid-80s easy listening. And then randomly there's a drum crash and the weak voice of this guy comes in along with massive synth, and I start to wonder if I'm being punked. Are we sure this song wasn't a joke?

Heart -- "These Dreams" -- March 22, 1986

I watched the video probably hundreds of times when I was a kid. (On Betamax!) I adore this song. I got to it and went well, this is gonna win 1986, because there's only so much rational distance I can take from what was my favorite pop song when I was 9 years old. This song didn't start my Romantic sensibility, but it spoke to what was already in bloom. "There's something out there I can't resist." We'll see what else is on the list.

Falco -- "Rock Me Amadeus" -- March 29, 1986

I love the movie Amadeus, even though it constitutes a massive slander against poor Salieri. It gets Mozart pretty spot-on though. And I always loved classical music, was surrounded by it from infancy, so I was glad to see its popularity spread by the movie. (Yes, at age nine. I've always been a huge nerd.) This song is really fun and well-made too, though of course I can't understand any of the German lyrics.

Prince -- "Kiss" -- April 19, 1986

Prince sings this almost entirely in falsetto, so one would guess I would hate it, since falsetto usually sends me running in the other direction. One would be wrong. I adore it. Prince was that kind of artist -- he could get away with anything. He was notoriously arrogant, but was it really arrogance when it was just a proper conception of his own abilities? Anyway,

of course "you don't have to be cool to rule my world" deeply spoke to my experiences. I was the most uncool girl in school. Until high school, when somehow my not giving a damn about being cool (as I'd failed at it my whole life) actually helped me.

Also when Prince drops to a low note on the last "kiss," it is incredibly hot.

Robert Palmer -- "Addicted to Love" -- May 3, 1986

I have no idea what I'd think of this song without the video. The video infuriates me. The clone-looking emotionless women aren't "sexualized." No, you have to be treated like a human being on at least some level for that. They are purely objectified, treated literally as blank interchangeable things, with nothing at all inside them. The song is skeevy anyway, though I guess the music's good. But blech.

Pet Shop Boys -- "West End Girls" -- May 10, 1986

I've never liked this song and I've never really understood why. It's the kind of song I felt I should like. But I've always felt (since I noticed it as a teenager) that there was something missing. Now I know why: According to the Stereogum article about it, the band leader doesn't like rock n'roll, and is a pop critic. Oh. Some rock is exactly what this song needs. Without it, it's too cold and removed, and to me sounds smug. Also how can you be a pop critic and not like rock n' roll? That is a wrongness.

Whitney Houston -- "Greatest Love of All" -- May 17, 1986

Whitney Houston doesn't oversing on this song as much as usual, so that's good. Though she still oversings. What's not good are the music and lyrics. The music is bland as can be. Lyrically, it starts with "I believe the children are our future" and there's a verse about "the beauty they possess inside." Blargh.

Then after the first verse there's a total change in theme, going into how the narrator never found anyone to look up to. And that the "greatest love" is loving yourself and only depending on yourself and no one else. I despise this sentiment deep in my bones. Not of loving yourself -- though the song claims that's "easy to achieve," which is bollocks of the first order. Rather that you should only depend on yourself. That's literally inhuman. We are social creatures; without depending on each other, we are adrift in nothingness. So yeah. I hate this song.

Madonna -- "Live to Tell" -- June 7, 1986

This song gives me chills. The music is gorgeous and perfectly suited to the lyrics. I listened to the "True Blue" tape many, many times from about age 10 until, um. Well, I listened to the album on Spotify the other night. This song is the standout for me on it. I always thought that Madonna was singing about having been emotionally abused as a child herself. That is apparently not it at all; it's a song for a movie soundtrack. But to me it's about familial abuse. And always has been. It felt like she was singing for me. "The light that you could never see/ It shines inside, you can't take that from me."

Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald -- "On My Own" -- June 14, 1986

Not the Les Miz song, sadly. It's about how the narrators are breaking up. Patti LaBelle is great, but I am so bored. Michael McDonald isn't bad, but he can't match Patti LaBelle, and even she can't stop this song from being deadly dull. It took me like 5 tries to be able to listen to the whole thing.

Billy Ocean -- "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" -- July 5, 1986

What makes someone decide to put a parenthetical in a song title? Is there a formula? Anyway, he's singing (in his head) to someone he wants to be with. The "sad songs" are not actually supposed to be sad songs, it seems, but love songs that make him think of her. I guess. I don't know. Something about this song is turning my brain to mush. The tinkly parts and the violins are nice I guess. But I'm going to fall asleep at my desk if I try to listen to this song any more.

Simply Red -- "Holding Back the Years" -- July 12, 1986

Just looking at the lyrics, this song should be deeply depressing. He feels that so far his life has been a waste, but somehow he'll "keep holding on." There's a beautiful saxophone part. The song is not depressing -- it's Blues. It's terribly sad and cathartic at the same time. I'm not thrilled with Mick Hucknall's voice though.

Genesis -- "Invisible Touch" -- July 19, 1986

I did not pay attention to any of the lyrics of this song except the chorus until just now. I thought it was about a woman with an "invisible touch" whom people fall for left and right, and that's true. What I did not know was that she was supposed to be doing it on purpose. Which, okay, sort of like "Maneater"? Except no, because "Well I don't really know her, I only know her name." Then how do you know this about her?! He sounds like a stalker. Or this sounds like a first draft. The music is good enough, and the chorus could make for a good song around it lyrically, if they had bothered with that.

Peter Gabriel -- "Sledgehammer" -- July 26, 1986

I used to think this song was meant to be about a guy who was going to basically tank for you (and also have sex with you.) Well, apparently he wants to solve only one of your problems in particular: namely, that of your lacking orgasms. The "sledgehammer" is supposed to be a metaphor for his dick. Ow? Whatever, I'm going with my own interpretation of it. I like the beginning flute part, which is actually from a keyboard demo. It's a fun song, but it gets pretty repetitive.

Peter Cetera -- "Glory of Love" -- August 2, 1986

"We did it all for the glory of love" is a sentiment I usually adore. But this song is a limp dishrag. Did what for the glory of love? Why does she seem to be thinking of leaving him? And Peter Cetera being "the man who will fight for your honor" is a hilarious idea. His voice is nasally and he sounds like a faker. He comes off as someone who only vaguely understands the small-r romance of flowers and chocolates, and not at all as someone who understands the Romance of a castle far away. Bryan Adams did much better with this kind of thing in the 90s.

Madonna -- "Papa Don't Preach" -- August 16, 1986

The article I'm reading about this says there was a controversy over this song regarding abortion somehow, with left-wingers being upset that the narrator didn't consider it and right-wingers praising her for keeping the baby. Maybe in California. That is not what I remember in Michigan, and I do clearly remember a controversy. What I remember is right-wingers being absolutely incensed that Madonna was singing about the pregnancy of an unmarried young woman (or teenager, though I always felt the narrator was college-age) at all. I also remember one on the radio being angry that this working class girl was keeping her baby rather than giving it up to a rich family.

It is a really good song. Actually it is kinda Romantic. The narrator's in a dramatic life-changing situation, she has to choose whether or not to marry a guy before she's sure she's ready, and there are intense violins. Her father disapproves of her boyfriend, but she needs her father's advice. She's also not ashamed. She's in a difficult situation, but there's no guilt. Good. And this is what made so many people so angry with Madonna, and what was so deeply important about Madonna. She refused to even pretend to be guilty about sex in her music, ever.

Steve Winwood -- "Higher Love" -- August 30, 1986

I think this is about wanting to believe in a god. But then there's "I could make the sun shine from pure desire." Maybe it's about Aphrodite. Chaka Khan sings on this song, and she's obviously the best thing about it. It's not great, but it's enjoyable enough.

Bananarama -- "Venus" -- September 6, 1986

Speaking of higher loves. Bananarama are obviously having a wonderful time singing this 80s dance version of this song, and who wouldn't? The "she's got it" of the song of course also means "I've got it", hence "I'm your Venus." And Bananarama leans into that in a really fun way. It's a great version of a great song.

Berlin -- "Take My Breath Away" -- September 13, 1986

This is the big love ballad from Top Gun. I have managed to escape ever seeing Top Gun, though I've picked up some ideas about it. Mainly that it's a commercial for the U.S. air force, that Tom Cruise looks blank in it a lot, and that there's some kind of volleyball scene. Before I knew it was a commercial for the U.S. air force and therefore avoided it, I avoided it because of Tom Cruise. He has always been a total cold shower to me. As I've said since I started noticing these things (which was right around 1986), he reminds me of a Ken doll.

So the song. It sounds more like it belongs with a fantasy movie than in a modern military movie. Though I guess Top Gun is a fantasy too. But not the kind in which people usually look through hourglasses. It's a big, emotional ballad. I like it but I don't love it. If it weren't associated with Top Gun possibly I'd like it more.

Huey Lewis and the News -- "Stuck With You" -- September 20, 1986

This is a middle-aged man singing to his middle-aged wife about how he's "happy to be stuck with you." It's like if dad jokes became sentient and got married. It's cute and bouncy, and honestly pretty true-to-life. You can't be all higher love all the time.

Janet Jackson -- "When I Think of You" -- October 11, 1986

If "Nasty" had gotten to #1, it would have taken my "best of the year" spot. Sadly, it didn't, and this was Janet Jackson's first #1. "When I Think of You" is a really good song though. Janet Jackson is the best of the Jacksons and always was in every way. I think she was even a better dancer than Michael. (I don't know about "is", considering her age, but she's still a better artist.) "When I Think of You" is a very simple love song lyrically. When her "world gets crazy," she thinks of you to calm down. If this were easy listening, it would be unbearable. But it's a dance song, and a fun one. There's some great bass and interesting syncopation.

Cyndi Lauper -- "True Colors" -- October 25, 1986

This is such a beautiful song. It's helped me through some rough times ever since it came out -- the tape it's on was one of my first. It's straightforward in both lyrics and music, so there's not much to say about it besides that it's a great song.

Boston -- "Amanda" -- November 8, 1986

I am listening to this song now, and I don't recognize it. When they get to the chorus near the end it sounds kinda familiar, but I'm not sure that's because I recognize this song in particular, or because it sounds like every song like this in existence was put in a blender and this is the resulting slurry. Either this wasn't played on the radio much where I lived, or I changed the channel as soon as it was. It wants to be a power ballad, but it's an absolute nothing.

The Human League -- "Human" -- November 22, 1986

I guess it's an apology song, but "I'm only human" doesn't sit right with me as a real apology for something truly bad. He cheated on her. Which I do consider forgivable, depending on the circumstances and apology, but his is that she wasn't around so he was driven to cheat on her. And he should forgive her because he's "only human." Then the woman comes in and says she cheated on him too when they were apart, because she's human too. That makes the song tolerable. Maybe they need an open relationship. They still both sound whiny. And I don't like the music. It's boring and repetitive.

Bon Jovi -- "You Give Love a Bad Name" -- November 29, 1986

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART! AND YOU'RE TO BLAME! I love this song. Also I thought Jon Bon Jovi was hot at the time, though nowadays that 80s perm is hilarious. His voice is still hot though (so is he nowadays, grey hair and all, with his more contemporary haircut.) This song got plenty of radio play. Still does. And deserves it. It's technically a heartbreak song I suppose, but the video gets it right: It's Bon Jovi goofing around on stage in front of a joyous crowd. I love the bass, I love the guitars, and I did mention Jon Bon Jovi's voice is hot, right? Voices over looks every time for me, though both together is obviously welcome.

Peter Cetera and Amy Grant -- "The Next Time I Fall" -- December 6, 1986

Christian fundies had a deep and abiding hatred for Peter Cetera. Maybe they still do. I encountered this multiple times online over the years, and finally looked it up -- it's because of this song. Amy Grant used to be a singer of Christian music only. Then she had a pop hit with this dweeb, and certain usual suspects decided she was being corrupted by him.

The only way this song could corrupt anyone is if they started smashing things because they were so bored. The narrators have been heartbroken but are gonna try it again with each other, and it's as passionless as possible. Amy Grant's a better singer than Cetera by a ways, as she does not sing through her nose, but it's not like anyone could elevate this sludge.

Bruce Hornsby and the Range -- "The Way It Is" -- December 13, 1986

People are racist and treat poor people like shit. And people say that's just the way it is, but don't you believe them. This is true. We have come incredibly far, and things change. It's a good sermon, but as a song it's too simplistic for me, both musically and lyrically. I agree with the sentiment, but it's not a song I really want to listen to either.

The Bangles -- "Walk Like an Egyptian" -- December 20, 1986

Of course I loved this song when I was a kid, all the kids did. But I was already a Bangles fan. I had their first tape, which is their best and has the least pop sheen. I would prefer "Hero Takes a Fall" had been a big hit, but oh well. "Walk Like an Egyptian" is still fun.

BEST OF 1986 -- "These Dreams" by Heart  WORST OF 1986 -- "Sara" by Starship

[sophygurl]

I love the question memes and my fave kind is the kind @pixiedane​ just tagged me in (thank you!). [Also sidenote: ILU @theawkwardterrier​ for always tagging me in the tagging memes but JSYK I won’t be doing the latest one because I’m just not really a picture person so I don’t really have a lot of pictures saved and the idea of trying to use whatever weird random stuff I might have saved to describe myself would just not work. But you’re the best and I’ll catch ya on the next one!]

The rules:

Post the rules

Answer the questions given to you by the tagger

Write 11 questions of your own

And tag 11 people

1. What’s the meaning of your name? Does it suit you?

Rosemary doesn’t seem to have a specific meaning, although of course it’s an herb, and Rosemary is for remembrance, which is hilarious given my memory problems. Mary means bitter, so some name meaning sites say the meaning of my name is “bitter rose” which I guess is a nice combo of sweet and sad, which I would not really classify myself as. So, no, the various meanings of my name do not suit me.

The name itself? Does. I love my name, and while most people can’t be bothered with a 3 syllable name in casual conversation, my preference is to be called Rosemary and not Rose. Rose does not feel like me.

2. What’s a movie you never get tired of?

A lot of movies fit under this category, but the movie I have probably seen the most amount of times and can still watch either in full or in chunks and still enjoy every single second of no matter what is Dirty Dancing. 

3. Your favourite movie soundtrack?

Are we talking soundtrack as in collection of songs used in the movie and put into an album, or as in score for the movie, or?

Because nothing but nothing beats the Star Wars scores for me. Well, original and prequels and TFA anyway - the last two have diverged quite a bit which has felt odd to me but whatever. [Second place would be the scores for the 70/s80s Superman movies - also John Williams of course]

If collection of songs - then we’re back to Dirty Dancing.

Although if we’re considering soundtracks of musicals, then I’m gonna be reduced to flailing and just naming half a dozen or so, so we’ll just pretend that’s not part of the question. 

4. How would you describe your personal style?

Accidental? I pretty much just buy things that I find interesting, and then put things together that seem interesting to me, and then end up with some pretty ... interesting outfits. One of my roommates actually described my look yesterday as “crazy” if that tells you anything.

Think colors that don’t quite match, conflicting patterns, stripey socks, chunky jewelry, and then at times like now at the end of winter when I haven’t shaved my head in awhile - short floppy hair that is sticking up in all directions that I swear I tried to tame but it just doesn’t take. 

5. Name a fictional crush.

Spike from Buffy. Also Buffy from Buffy. And put them together? Double crush. 

6. What’s your motto?

I don’t really have a motto, per se, but I do have a mantra, which is: love, peace, joy, hope. Those are the qualities I try to embody, embrace, spread, whatever. All four are of equal importance to me. 

7. Are you a gamer?

If by gamer, you mean obsessively playing the Sims, then yes. But most people who consider themselves gamers would probably say no.

8. Would you rather spend time on a secluded beach or at a fancy cocktail party?

How about a fancy cocktail party on a secluded beach? Too much sand in the drinks, never mind.

Ah, these are both problematic for me. I don’t do so well with being completely alone, especially without some kind of distraction or diversion. I guess if I had a book with me on the beach, I’d be okay for a little while, but I’d also get uncomfortable super fast if there wasn’t, like, a comfy sofa or something to recline on. 

And I also don’t do well with fancy, or come to think of it with cocktails since I can’t drink any more with the meds I have to take. 

But, if I had to choose, I’d probably pick the party. I’d be dressed inappropriately (probably something with loud colors and polka dots?), and sitting in the corner mostly people watching, and I’d get overwhelmed and head home early, but still. 

9. Recommend a television series.

oohhhoooomygods just ONE?

I’ve rec’d this one many times, but since it just came back for season two last night (I haven’t watched the ep yet - it’s next on my list), I’m gonna recommend Imposters to you all again.

Imposters is a lil show with a small but dedicated fandom on Bravo. 

It stars Inbar Lavi (Prison Break, The Last Ship) as a con woman and Rob Heaps (Home Fires, And Then There Were None), Parker Young (Arrow, Suburgatory), and  Marianne Rendón (Mapplethorpe) as three of the people who she has swindled. Additionally, Brian Benben (Private Practice, Dream On), Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane), Chastity Dotson (Pitch, Veronica Mars), and Denise Dowd (Secrets and Lies, Beverly Hills 90210) star. 

The story of season one is that these three scorned exes find one another and begin a quest to find the woman they all alternately view as their loving spouse and the cruel con who stole everything from them. Along the way, they learn some cons of their own, gain back some of their confidence, and of course discover the power of friendship. 

There are many twists and turns along the way which I won’t spoil for anyone who wants to watch season 1 for themselves, but it involves cons within cons within cons and unlikely teammates. 

Also - Uma Thurman as a hitwoman.

As the finale of season one had our three scorned exes riding off together into the sunset, I am very excited to see where season two leads us. Seriously, you have to watch this show. 

[But if I may very quickly rec some of my other underwatched faves: 12 Monkeys, Colony, Counterpart, Ghosted, Insecure, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Madam Secretary, People of Earth, Scream, Speechless, Timeless, UnREAL,You’re the Worst - ask me about my underwatched faves plz.]

10. Do you have any phobias?

Boy howdy, do I! I have OCD, which often comes with phobias as part of the anxiety which leads to some of the obsessive compulsions. [FELLOW PHOBES MIGHT WANNA SKIP THIS PART - PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES.]

I have a slight germ phobia which I mostly don’t go deep into because I don’t have the energy to do what I’d need to do to feel better about it so I just make myself not-think about it really hard, but the underlying anxiety is Still There. 

This is especially true of what I call “poop germs” - which is anything that has ever been inside of a bathroom ever. This makes, you know, having to use bathrooms very upsetting and problematic for me, so again, I deploy my aggressive pretending it’s not there as much as I can, but poop germs can cause me to break down into tears on a bad day. Fun times!

I’m also an emetophobe, which means I’m terrified of throwing up - a fun little phobia to have when you have constant low-grade nausea which occasionally flares up to higher-grade, lemme tell ya.

Another biggie is infestation of any kind - so any kind of insect or small animal that comes into my home. Like, I am absolutely fine seeing these critters outside where they belong - I might even oooh and aaah. But the second I see one INSIDE - I’m screaming bloody murder and waking up the entire apartment complex. 

I’ve worked real hard at being less scared of the harmless single bugs that enter a home, especially the kind that EAT other bugs - so for example I am perfectly fine with spiders (being obsessed with Charlotte’s Web as a kid helps), and even centipedes after the initial screaming over how creepy they look is done. And I’ve gotten where I look insects up on websites that identify bugs and talk about them in positive/scientific ways and have stopped panicking about certain bugs and their larvae now as I can tell which ones are and aren’t actually harmful or prone to infestation. BUT. I’m still prolly gonna scream when I initially see them because eaauughhss. 

Those are the main ones, but the fun thing about OCD is that new ones develop all the time if you don’t stay vigilant about letting those obsessive thoughts do their thang, so I try real hard to ignore those news segments and articles about bringing black lights into hotel rooms and about all of the horrible ways people are committing violent crimes these days and other terrifying and/or gross things that might creep their ways into my fear center. 

11. What’s your rarest rarepair?

Oh, good question. I don’t tend to have rarepairs because the way I fandom is deep immersion into canon and not necessarily delving into fanon/fanfic. So even my non-canon ships tend to be ones that the canon itself at least played with a little bit or that the fandom-at-large has talked about enough that I start to see it. lol

I’m having trouble even thinking about a ship I have that could be classified as rare? It would probably be something involving Spike because I ship that fool with pretty much everyone he’s ever shared screentime with because he is just so yummy, and because Marsters was just really good about getting his character to bring interesting things out of whatever characters he was interacting with, and because he’s clearly so omnisexual that he just oozes chemistry with everyone he meets, but like. I’m also definitely not the only one who sees all that about him and also is shipping him left right and center. So. I’ll just toss out Spike/Harmony because I’ve never heard of anyone else who actually liked them together ha!

Phew! That was fun. I hope all of you all who I end up tagging have as much fun with my questions (and if not, feel free to use some of pixie’s).

My questions:

What is your #mood rn?

Tell me the sweetest childhood memory you can think of.

Favorite mythological/fantastical animal/creature.

What is your favorite mode of storytelling - for example, books, movies, TV shows, graphic novels, video games, etc. - and why do you think that’s your fave form?

Star Trek, Star Wars, or Starlord? (this is not a serious question and you may feel free to expound upon all three if you wish)

Favorite type of geographical location to visit, and is it different from where you prefer to live?

Name a character that you love, but who you would probably hate in real life.

Reboots, renewals, and revivals. Are they ruining your childhood or do you love ‘em?

Tell me about your favorite cookie (or other sweet if you don’t care for cookies).

If there is one thing people could just atomatically know about you upon meeting you that would make socializing with you better or easier, what would it be?

A lot of stories based on comics posit the theory that eventually humanity will evolve into at least some humans developing super powers. Suppose this started happening today - what would the results be, do you think?

Tagging:

(and of course, please consider yourself tagged if you wanna do this - I’d tag all of you if I could but I try and just pick folks I think enjoy doing these. if I’m ever wrong - please feel free and ignore the tag. additionally - please remember to tag ME so I can see your responses! also, feel free to re-tag me in this one since the questions differ and you all know how much I love to talk about myself.)

@absolutelyiris, @dianebluegreen, @c-l-ford, @theawkwardterrier, @the-invisible-queer, @brokenyellowcrayons, @knitmeapony, @fatherjerusalem, @swordsandparasols, @dmphelps, @nightlocktime

[officialdeathbycinema]

IT Chapter One: The Losers Club REVIEW (SPOILERS)

Ok, so I got out of the picture last night, and these are my first impressions of sorts. I'm going to count this as my final review, simply because it was supposed to be a preliminary first impressions post, and it got way too long not to be a final review, so here you guys go.

Story/Loyalty to Source Material: There were things things that were different from the book. Georgie's death was pretty much the same as the book, except that when the young child's arm was ripped off in the film, he was then dragged down into the sewers by Pennywise. The dialogue and imagery is pretty much spot on however. The second is Richie in the novel is most fearful of werewolves, not clowns, and his first encounter of IT is different from the novel. There is no Teenage Werewolf in a letterman jacket in this film, which i'm fine with. Plus there's the obvious time setting change from the late 1950's to the late 1980's, this will ultimately make the upcoming 2019 sequel IT Chapter Two: Pennywise set in 2016.

The first encounter with Richie is also different in the novel than it is in the new film. In the novel, IT attacks Richie as a giant statue of Paul Bunyan from the town square after he was attacked by bullies. In the movie, he simply gets attacked by Pennywise in the wellhouse of Neibolt Street, as seen in the trailer. The scene where a giant vulture attacking Mike Hanlon, and the old decrepit woman offering Eddie Kaspbrak a little bit of....oral stimulation under the house at Neibolt street are also decidedly nowhere to be scene in the film.

The piece of silver that defeats Pennywise the Clown as a form from the novel is replaced by a bolt gun, and he no longer turns into a giant monstrous arachnid-esque creature during the first defeat like in the book. Not to mention that the entire section where Bill Denborough travels into the Dead Lights and meets Maturin the Turtle is completely gone, which i'm kinda worried about, and kinda just want to see in some shape or form in the sequel, especially since there were so many references to the turtle in the movie.

There's also a structural difference, but that can simply be chalked up to it being an adaption. There are bound to be changes, and this is a structural change that I happened to enjoy. Also, Bowers doesn't poison a dog in this one, and there isn't a child orgy in the sewers, so that's also a begrudging plus (because I would honestly be super amused if they left those parts in). But if the second film doesn't feature the scene where two bigots harass a gay couple to death and one of the lovely young homosexuals gets eaten by a pack of flying leeches, i'm going to be disappointed because that was an interesting and creative way to depict the return of Pennywise to Derry, Maine after the Losers Club defeats him.

None of these things bothered me in the long run. So as far as faithfulness goes, I give it a solid 7/10.

Effects: The effects in this movie were awesome, especially considering the movies rather low 35 million dollar budget. There were some parts where the CGI was rather...well, bad, but again, I simply chalk this up to the low budget. For the most part, almost everything is only enhanced by the computer effects. Bill Skarsgard did a rather brilliant job in the role. Pennywise has several scenes where he has to move his eyeballs around like an iguana, and there was no CG needed, since the actor can physically already move his eyes independently from one another. He also took (to my knowledge at least, I don't remember the exact amount of time) around 2-3 weeks of contortionist classes for a specific scene in the film.

There is one scene that replaces the photo album scene from the mini-series (the projector scene in the trailers), where IT appears in the projector, and simply attacks them by lunging out in the form of a giant version of his animalistic Pennywise form. There is a...I think it's a 3-4 second shot where I really want to say they made an entire giant animatronic just to lunge out at them, but then again, I could be wrong.

The depiction of the Dead Lights was fascinating, and really made me want to see more of the cosmic side of IT's origins, and Maturin the Turtle. There's also a really cool effect that really puts the catchphrase "You'll float too" and "We all float down here" into perspective, but I won't spoil that bit.

The camerawork in this movie is also astounding. I'm gonna say this...the use of dutch angles in this movie made me happy that Battlefield Earth isn't well known anymore, because this movie greatly benefited from dutch angles, high angles, and low angles.

Overall, I give the effects an 8/10, and that's only because I was really impressed with what they did with the budget that they had.

Acting: It was great, everyone was great. The chemistry between all the members of the Losers Club was awesome, and Finn Wolfhard was probably my favorite actor (mostly because he was funnier than Seth Green, and he's the only one I remember the name of.

I feel like this "bare bones" first impressions post is getting a bit too long, and you already know I freakin loved Skarsgard as IT, so i'm going to leave this with a solid 9/10.

OVERALL 8/10

[i-like-your-genitalia]

I wanna be *that* person just once... answer all of the questions

Lmao well if you are gonna be that person you better read my answer to every single one of these questions 😂😂😂 (I’ll leave the ones I’ve already answered)

1.) what’s a song you depict with your childhood? N/A
2.) did you have a memorable childhood pet?

Yeah I had two cats and a border collie ♥️
3.) have you ever been drunk?

Fuck yes 
4.) have you ever tried drugs?

Yup, nothing hardcore tho 
5.) have you ever completely regretted what you’ve said?

Pretty much everything that I say 24/7??????? Yeah probably when I told that guy I loved him and he didn’t love me back Ahahah
6.) have you ever made someone cry?

Yeah, though it’s usually from being really funny or making them sad-happy cry 
7.) has someone ever made you cry?

All my friends and most of my family 
8.) have you ever been in love? if so, describe the moment you knew it? N/A

9.) which came first the chicken or the egg?

Considering I believe in god, I’m gonna go with the chicken. 
10.) are you part of the lgbtq+ community? do you support them?

I identify as bi and support all the lgbtq+ community. Everyone deserves to have a support system and find people who are similar and have had similar experiences to them 
11.) how many siblings do you have?

Just the one 
12.) have you ever been in love with someone you couldn’t love? N/A

13.) are you a good cook?

I like to think so, though the number of dishes I can makes probably wants expanding 
14.) what is your favorite tv show?

Omg don’t ask me this 😭😭 Supernatural, Criminal Minds, The OA, 3%, Brooklyn 99, Arrested Development, Broadchurch, Whitechapel, Orphan Black, The Get Down….I have so many and I don’t have a singular favourite! 
15.) what is the last movie you cried during?

Idk, probably beauty and the beast (animated version) I always cry watching that
16.) what are songs you’ve cried to when you first heard them? (if any)

Omg a youtuber who does videos mainly taking the piss. Is actually super into music and can sing and I heard a cover he did of a one direction song and cried! 
17.) do you have a middle name?

I have two even 😂
18.) have you been out of your country?

Lmao definitely 
19.) are you a chocolate fan or not?

Fucking hell yes! I’d die without chocolate tbh 
20.) how many people have you kissed?

Maybe 4????
21.) what is your favorite album?

Forest Hill Drive - J Cole & 4 your eyes only - J Cole 
22.) what is your dream car?

Either an Classic American Muscle car or something from a James Bond film
23.) what is your lucky/favorite number?

18
24.) what is your favorite flower?

Forget me nots or baby’s breath (?)

25.) books or movies, why?

Depends, I love books. But I watch way more movies! So probably movies 
26.) have you ever been on a blind date?

Nope and wouldn’t be that keen to try
27.) has one of your friends ever backstabbed you?

Yup, should have know they were a snake 
28.) have you ever backstabbed one of your friends?

Not purposely, no!
29.) what thing do you symbolize love with?I’m not really sure 
30.) do you have neat handwriting?

Depends on what pen I’m using honestly 
31.) do you have a friend with benefits?

No ahahahah
32.) do you want a friend with benefits?

It would be cool to try, but I feel as though I wouldn’t be able to cope with it 
33.) if you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

Rich
34.) have you ever been blackout drunk?

No, but I’ve had some nights that have been a bit patchy 
35.) have you ever met someone famous?

I met the all blacks team once 
36.) how many concerts have you been to?

One and going to another in October 
37.) which concerts have you been to?

I went to see The Cure and and going to see J Cole soon 🎉
38.) do you have a hidden talent?

I can poke you exactly in the belly button, even if I can’t see where it is 
39.) what do you do when you’re stressed?

Sleep, or procrastinate to the point of even more stress 
40.) do you think money can buy love?

No
41.) how old would you date?

Well I’m 18, almost 19. So I probably wouldn’t date past 25.
42.) have you ever done something illegal?

Probably 
43.) what is your biggest fear?

Being alone 
44.) what is an unusual fear you have?

I don’t really have one 
45.) can you drive?

Yeah but only in New Zealand 
46.) do you believe in supernatural creatures?

For sure 
47.) do you believe in karma?

Definitely, I’m just waiting for a few people to get what they deserve 
48.) what is one quality you need in your partner?

Humour 
49.) do looks matter?

Not particularly, but they definitely help. But in the end it doesn’t matter 
50.) does size matter?

Nope, as long as you are happy
51.) who is the last person you forgave?

My best friend for cracking not even 2 days into Junk free June. Something we are suppose to be doing together lmao 
52.) what is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Oooooooh! Ben and Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup or Mint chocolate chip 
53.) what languages can you speak besides english?

Unfortunately just English 
54.) ever been on a plane?

Yes, I love planes 
55.) ever been on a boat?

Yeah! 
56.) is there anyone you’ve lost touch with that you wish you hadn’t?

A few people, but it is what it is
57.) are there any friendships you regret?

Surprisingly not that many, but there are a few I wish could have been avoided 
58.) are there any friendships you wish you could make?

Probably with my mutuals and a few people I went to high school with who seem really cool! But it’s too late to try and initiate anything now
59.) have you ever stayed awake for 24 (+) hours?

Yes, and like with my 48 hours awake. I died. I love sleep too much 
60.) have you ever walked outside after 12 am?

Yeah, to get Maccas and because i was too broke to taxi and it was to late for buses 
61.) have you ever seen a sunrise completely through?

Yeah, me and a friend specially got up to watch it! Sat on the room in out sleeping bags to see it! 
62.) are you scared of rollercoasters?

Ahahahahah yes but I still love them 
63.) on a scale of 1-10 how stressed are you usually?

Currently it’s pretty low probably a 2 
64.) do you have any plans this weekend?

Might go clubbing but also might sleep
65.) do you miss anyone right now?

@dysfunctionalgroup
66.) who do you wish you were talking to right now?

I’m already talking to the people I want to be talking to! 
67.) if you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Mind Reading
68.) who is your favorite superhero?

At the moment Iron Man and Wonder Woman 
69.) are you dirty minded?

Ahahahah yes 
70.) what is your favorite song from every decade starting at that 80’s?

Red Red Wine- U2 (80’s)Don’t Speak- No Doubt or Ready or Not- Fugees (all of the 90’s have some good vibes tho so…)Fuck You- Lilly Allen (00’s)Stay with Me- Sam Smith (2010’s) 
71.) how many kids, if any, do you want?

2 ideally but I wouldn’t be opposed to more or less
72.) who is your biggest OTP?

DESTIEL 
73.) what is your favorite food?

All food 
74.) do you want to be married one day?

It would be nice!
75.) dogs or cats?

Both but I probably would go for a cat 
76.) do you drink enough water daily?

I drink so much water, I’m currently at about 3 litres a day 
77.) have you ever seen a shooting star?

Yeah, they are cool! Sadly none of my wishes have been granted 
78.) if you had the opportunity to go to the moon, would you?

I guess 
79.) how many best friends do you have?

I think 4?????
80.) when was the last time you cried?Like 2 days ago, I had really bad period cramps 
81.) have you ever laughed so hard you peed yourself?

Yes ahahahah, it’s always a major concern of mine!
82.) have you ever made anyone laugh so hard they peed? N/A
83.) if you could travel any where in the world, where would you go?

Well I want to go back to New Zealand, but also really want to go and visit Italy again 
84.) what are 3 words you would use to describe yourself?

Funny, Kind and Cuddly 
85.) do you consider yourself a loyal person?

I like to think so 
86.) what is your favorite season and why?

Summer, I love the heat and the fashion, I like going to the beach and chilling by pool! I like day drinking and being lazy! I like seeing the sun and having long days! 
87.) have you ever told anyone you loved them, and didn’t mean it?

Yes, and there are few who I know have done the same back 
88.) do you know how to play any instruments?

I can technically play the piano but not very well
89.) do like like falling asleep to music or not?

Depends on my mood and the music 
90.) what are you allergic to?

Nothing that I know of
91.) have you ever wanted to be someone else for a day just so you could see what there life is like?

Yeah, anyone famous or rich tbh
92.) if you could be any character from your favorite tv show would you, and if so, who would you be?

I really don’t know 😒
93.) if you could be best friends with any celebrity who would it be and why?

Definitely want to be friends with Rhianna or Chance the Rapper they seem like a lot time honestly! And can’t go wrong with someone who’s always gonna have good music going! But also love to have Misha Collins as a bestie 
94.) are you outgoing?

When I want to be! 
95.) have you ever wanted to kiss someone, but weren’t brave enough to?

Yes 
96.) are you a good flirt?

When I’m not being awkward and putting my foot in my mouth yes! 
97.) have you ever been turned down, or have you ever turned anyone down?
Yes to both

98.) which planet is your favorite? N/A
99.) are you superstitious?

A little bit but not majorly 
100.) are you a good listener?

I think so! 
101.) are you a good kisser

I don’t know, probably just average! I don’t get that much practise 
102.) would you kiss any of your friends?

All of them!!!!! Well @dysfunctionalgroup and maybe a couple of others who I know wouldn’t take it seriously if I kissed them!