i'm not even ashamed, which is troubling

I am not watching Atonement just because McAvoy is indecently hot in it. It is a depressing movie. Watching the trailer makes me cry. Well, to be fair, because I read the Wikipedia article first because let me tell you, that trailer did not imply happiness. It kind of implied unshaveness and hotness, but I don't trust that to tell me if there will be crying into my keyboard.

Dear McAvoy,

Have you made a movie where you didn't a.) die tragically before reuniting with the love of your life, b.) have to leave the love of your life due to her refusing to run off with you and leave your family destitute, c.) turn into a giant sandworm (though to be fair, you didn't lose the love of your life, her being your sister) or d.) get shot by the love of your life on a beach due to a philosophical issue and some tragically bad aim when he deflected bullets?

...or Wanted--are you kidding me? MY ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO HYSTERICAL CRYING IS THE MAGICAL WEAVER ASSASSINS WHO WORK OFF A GODDAMN LOOM OF FATE? Though I do like guns and shooting things, so there is that.

*stares at Amazon cart* I can't believe I'm doing this. There has to be a point in a media fan's life where they say "This far, no farther," and honest to God, two months ago the Loom of Fate would be that point.

Hating self,
Seperis

*hands* Oh, do not judge. I've been rewatching Children of Dune for years. Now you see why? Look at what I have to deal with. Giant sandworm, yes I can see how that could be questionable sometimes, but running around the desert half-naked and making out with his sister? Awesome. Also, he gets drugged and writhes a lot and really, so what giant king sandworm thing, there is writhing.

Manual Crosspost: Posted at LJ.

Comments

[margrave]

... I think I have caught up to all of McAvoy's film-history barring Atonement. I refuse to watch the film for all your stated reasons. Just no.

I have also come to the conclusion that if Hollywood is going to re-make Akira with a full on white cast, then I need James McAvoy to be Tetsuo. However, him turning into a giant blob of flesh and other things that is slowly eating Neo Tokyo (or New York as it may be) at the end of the film can be probably dumped into the same category as turning into a giant alien worm.

But, James McAVoy as Tetsuo.

Awesome. Also, he gets drugged and writhes a lot and really, so what giant king sandworm thing, there is writhing.

Gods. Those scenes. Like, my noncon detectors were ping-ing like mad, but oh gods, so delicious. WANTS.

[seperis]

HOLY GOD YES. And the half-naked running and artfully placed sandtrout and making out with sister on her wedding day. And being hot.

Goddamn him. Adding my Childre of Dune icon over here now.

Spoilers for Wanted

[hollyberries]

You know, even Wanted has the Hottest Girl in Wesley's Life killing herself with a circle/boomerang bullet.

I guess we'll always have Narnia.

Re: Spoilers for Wanted

[seperis]

Mr. Tumnus!

...I swear I used to have limits. God help me, Mr. Tumnus.

[cleito]

I hated Atonement, not because of McAvoy (hot, hot, hot) but because the entire concept made me want to reach in and strangle the author (fictional and real).

Have you seen State of Play? Not the crappy US movie version, but the good BBC series? Cause he's in that, too, and it will not lead you to tears.

[seperis]

Well,now I want to like a lot. *bounces*

[cesare]

You could think of it as the sadness and horror of that godawful Loom of Fate movie, or you could think of it as The James McAvoy Gets The Absolute Fuck Beat Out Of Him For Twenty Minutes Straight Show. Guess which one I have opted for! Guess which part I watch the most.

:D

[seperis]

...your arguments are convincing.

Love your icon so much.

[nafs]

He plays Paul Bettany's younger brother in Wimbledon. I seem to recall there's some sort of bicycling that may involve tight bicycle shorts.

Also, mostly-naked Paul Bettany for a minute or two if not in the presence of James McAvoy.

...was I supposed to be watching it for some other reason?

[seperis]

These are valid and wonderful reasons all.

[minim_calibre]

He's pretty non-doomed in Starter for 10.

[legionseagle]

Provided you don't have an embarrassment squick the size of Ben Nevis, which is my problem with Starter for Ten.

[petronia]

Wanted becomes infinitely better if you assume the Fight Club ripoff was 100% instead of 65% and that James McAvoy is hallucinating most of the plot due to having misfilled his anxiety meds.

It is actually pretty bracing to see Angelina Jolie dom the fuck out of the dude, though.

[niqaeli]

Oh, hey, I'd been going to comment linking to your entry on the topic but you actually commented already so... um. Yeah.

I'm sort of morbidly curious about this film, having heard it described, i have to admit. Not really my kink but I'm just -- fascinated by watching other people's kinks hit the big-screen variously.

[green_grrl]

Atonement pinged my radar after I loved Saoirse Ronan so damn much in Hanna, but I just can't. Me + tragically sad movies, just not mixing. Happy McAvoying to you, though!

[jamjar]

Have you sen State of Play? UK miniseries, 6 episodes, with James McAvoy, Polly Walker, Bill Nighy, John Simm and other amazing actors. Lovely, twisty politics-and-reporting thriller.

[cereta]

Man, I JUST took that off my Netflix queue, and now I have to put it back!

[annaalamode]

LJ ate my comment (THREE TIMES) so I will go with the short version: Shameless UK S1/2. Lots of hotness, less(ish) angst.

[glittertine]

:D :D :D If only I had money, I'd be doing the same thing. Right now. I don't know whether to be happy or glad at the lack of funds for this!!

Also, State of Play, the original. Good on its own right, but he is GLORIOUS in it.

[malnpudl]

I found Wanted enjoyably bad, for what that's worth. Popcorn movie, you know? And my goodness, but MacAvoy is so oh, very lovely when he's beaten bloody. And shirtless. And suffering prettily. Which happens sort of a lot.

[majoline]

Um, he was good in Narnia? And Stage of Play?

My embarrassment squick is so high, it's Olympus Mons. I had to turn Starter for 10 off and I don't really feel like watching him be tragic.

McAvoy, why so typecast? He should be in something that is full of sparkles and unicorns, like some sort of family movie.

[dancinguniverse.livejournal.com]

I just watched Atonement, and while it is deeply depressing, I could not believe how awesome McAvoy was in it. I mean, some of it was breaking my heart, but he, he makes these little noises in his make out scenes... so hot. I thought it was worth it, but then, I really like heartbreaking movies when the mood is right.

[suzvoy]

I cannot recommend Penelope enough - one of my favourite movies - and it has a happy ending!

[inkjunket]

Seconded! It's a happy place movie, and my go to source for a non-sob-inducing dose of McAvoy.

[wildestranger]

I second the rec to State of Play - the show is brilliant on its own but James McAvoy is gloriously charming and delightful in it. I kept blushing and squirming every time he smiled!

[beck_liz]

*hands* Oh, do not judge. I've been rewatching Children of Dune for years. Now you see why? Look at what I have to deal with. Giant sandworm, yes I can see how that could be questionable sometimes, but running around the desert half-naked and making out with his sister? Awesome. Also, he gets drugged and writhes a lot and really, so what giant king sandworm thing, there is writhing.

Not judging; right there with you. The majority of his other movies are either a) depressing or b) he's Mr. Tumnus, which no. There's only so much you can do! And I adore Leto and Ghanima's relationship SO MUCH. They are the awesome twins.

[lian]

Hah, I've only watched the first couple of minutes of "The Last Station" so far, but McAvoy's eager-puppy-attitude is ADORABLE. Also, boss Helen Mirren! Should continue watching. I don't even know it it's a tragic sort of movie...it doesn't have that feel so far.

I'll be giving Atonement a try once I have my BFF here to hold my hand and give me a shoulder to cry on. ...Maybe.

*laughing*

[evildrem]

Atonement caused me and the sig other to have a very long and involved arguement/discussion about whether the film was condoning the protagonists behaviour or not. I suppose it has done its job i it provokes that kind of response when viewed. It remains one of the most upsetting films I have ever watched on several levels but there is no getting away from the Mcavoy hotness.

I would rec Starter For 10, State Of Play and Bright Young Things if you want more Mcavoy pretty without too much trauma. His episode of Shakespeare re-told is very good as well. If you have difficulties tracking down any of these let me know and I will see what the interweb faries can arrange.

Re: *laughing*

[wrenlet]

BYT has trauma, poor thing.

[feanna]

Leto/Ghanima! And they had SO MUCH on screen chemistry, it was kind of oozing out of the screen and threatening to drown my laptop (and me, not that I minded). (If you ever write fic about them, esp. non-depressing fic, you'll be my hero.)

I thought Penelope was a very cute movie! And McAvoy was really cute in it too. And I really liked the solution to the "problem", I won't say it's deep or anything and it has it's moments that require a little suspension of disbelief, but then that fits the mood, so no biggie.

[domarzione]

As commented above, State of Play is just good drama and while McAvoy isn't a lead, he's a key supporting player.

Last King of Scotland is McAvoy playing someone not adorable, but he's good in it even if he's overshadowed by Forest Whitaker's award-winning performance.

Penelope is much cuter than it has any right to be, although you will spend the movie wondering why McAvoy has to use an American accent.

The Last Station is on my Netflix queue, so I cannot report.

He's also in the first episode (I think) of Foyle's War, but it fits into the paradigm of roles you mentioned above, shall we say. He's very young and wee-looking, though.

[jeeps]

augh, god, Atonement. I just finished it today and was like FUCK THIS MOVIE I FUCKING HATE IT MCAVOY HOW IS YOUR FACE EVEN REAL FUCK YOU TOO and then I continued to leak tears for a long time afterward.

I kind of wish a post existed somewhere of all of his movies for download, because waiting for them from Netflix is like torture.

[out_there]

turn into a giant sandworm (though to be fair, you didn't lose the love of your life, her being your sister)

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*sniggers*

You know, I watched Atonement for James McAvoy and Keira Knightly (I was still big on her after the Pirates of the Caribbean), and did not know the end. Yes, it is depressing and sad and terrible. Really terrible. (Mind you, James is really, really hot and if you could manage to not watch the last twenty minutes or so, it would be well worth it.) I support the idea of Youtube for the library scene though. Definitely the part that stands out the most in my mind.

(Also, I didn't mind Wanted. I mean, it's action-without-too-much-thought but I think both Ms Jolie and Mr McAvoy are hot like burning, so I was happy.)

[paintedmaypole]

I really think you need to reconsider these feelings you're having about Wanted. I mean, it's not the loom of fate, it's... THE LOOM OF FATE AND IT'S DEADLY SHUTTLE!!! Also, he needs to CURVE THE BULLET!!

This is a film FILLED WITH ALL CAPS!!! And fast cars. And Angelina Jolie kicks some ass too.

I say, wait for a really hot day, crank the AC, make popcorn, turn off all the lights and pretend you're at the movies. Wanted is the perfect film for when it's too hot to move and you just need to be trapped in a movie theater for a while.