hackthis_archive ([personal profile] hackthis_archive) wrote2010-10-07 02:42 pm

Friday Recs (Yes, it's still Thursday)

Yes, these are Friday recommendations. Yes, it's still Thursday. Yes, I am sure because I'm sober. Why am I doing them today? a) Because I fucking can b) Because it's been that kind of week and c) See a & b.

Before we get to the Inception Recs, however, there are three other things that I'd very much like to draw your attention to:

a. Flowers for a Girl by [livejournal.com profile] yahtzee63, which is season five Mad Man about Joan and Peggy and Don. This story fit so seamlessly between last week and this week that when it was over I was pretty sure I'd just seen a scene from the TV show. Sharp, visceral writing of which even Matt Weiner himself would be like "That's what I'm talking about."

b. Bloodbuzz by [livejournal.com profile] wearemany -- Southland fic. Oh Southland how I love you. How I miss you. How nobody ever seems to write you. Why is that? I suppose because it's so dense. So complete on its own. And yet, there's always a tiny thread that you can tug on. [livejournal.com profile] wearemany tugged on the Ben Sherman Sr. thread. And man did the rug unravel. Ben/John, NC-17. With suits.

c. You all know how I feel about film recs. You only get one a year and I spent that vote on Inception this year. However. If you feel like I steered you in the right direction with that one, if you feel like maybe I know what I'm talking about sometimes, then listen to me now when I tell you: Go see The Social Network. I detest Facebook. I couldn't give a shit about Aaron Sorkin. The last good thing David Fincher did was Fight Club. Every time this movie trailer came on I wanted to slit someone else's throat. The only reason I think I got suckered into going is because they used an a cappella version of Radiohead's Creep and Kayne's Power for the previews. But you know what? The movie was extraordinary clever. And smart. And human. And you will leave there amazed by the power of just wanting to belong. Two very very enthusiastic thumbs up. (And there's a special treat for LJ people. No, for real). Go. See. It. When you get back you can write me fic about you know who (or you will once you see it).

And now, to that other stuff.


Art Recs

Get The Fuck Out Of My Head_2 by tatarnikova -- The artist gave this a much more poetic title than I did. I think of it as, "OMG that drawing where Arthur's in the shower!"

Hard Candy#1 and Version #2 by Sofie Hallor -- If you suspect I'm a tad picky about my Arthur/Joe art, you have no idea how I am about the Eames/Tom art. When I looked at this, all I could think, apart from "That is how you use color, people!", was, "Oh, look, it's Tom." I should also point out that version #1 is the artist-preferred version, because she didn't like the way the eyes looked (but I do, which is why you also get version 2).

Mal & Eames by smilevintage -- The artist put this together as a push for Mal/Eames. I'm including it, not because I am interested in the pairing, but because this Mal? This is my Mal. Smiling and happy and mischievous and loved. There seems to be a segment that believes that Mal is some how manipulative and mean and harsh, that Dom was her victim or whatever, but I don't buy into that shit at all. I think Dom betrayed her love and her trust when he incepted her. I think she gave him everything and he turned out to be a selfish ass. If anybody's a manipulative prick it's Dom. My Mal is Arthur's Mal, and we both think, "she's lovely."



Fic Recs

Believe Me if You Can (The House at Pooh Corner) by [livejournal.com profile] gyzym -- See. This. What. I can't even. Tee. Eye. Double Guh. Err. That's what this story is about. You have been warned. Also, Rabbit's growing pot in his garden. In the last three weeks my childhood has been utterly besmirched by [livejournal.com profile] angelgazing, [livejournal.com profile] aredblush and [livejournal.com profile] gyzym I need to go cry somewhere.

Beni Asla Bırakma by [livejournal.com profile] atomicskull -- This is the Yusuf fic of my heart. No, that's not hyperbole, that's the truth. [livejournal.com profile] atomicskull knew what I needed and wrote it without me even needing to ask and I am eternally grateful. Yusuf is smart, and kind, and falls in love and his friendship with Eames is built on the firmest foundations. There is a life pre-Inception and there's one post-Inception.

Childish Thoughts, Adult Minds by [livejournal.com profile] sekkritbandlj -- You would think my Kryptonite would be wee!Eames. I thought my Kryptonite was wee!Eames. Turns out it's wee!Arthur. And Eames with wee!Arthur. On the slide. And at the ice cream parlor. And tiny Arthur. You don't understand. I was defenseless. I blame [livejournal.com profile] johanirae since she made the art for it that showed me its existence

Eames Character Study by [livejournal.com profile] temperance_k -- There are all kinds of Eames characterizations in this fandom. Everyone sees something different. Some people believe Eames comes from some sort of abusive home, that it's all rag-tag gutter living and that he's unspeakably dim. I don't see that. I don't buy it; you couldn't sell it to me on a naked man. Then again, there are people who don't believe that Eames planned the entire fucking Inception job. I can only assume that anti-monopolistic sentiments are being discussed on the back of a can of Carlsberg. Doesn't make it any less valid. Just means it doesn't work for me. My characterization tends to come from the idea of Eames being a public school boy, from money, from his clear military background and the fact that he uses an endearment once, ostensibly to get Arthur's head back in the game; [livejournal.com profile] lazlet insisted he was firmly middle class. She only capitulated to me when she found an interview where Tom and Chris admit that Eames is old money, but you know, it's like I said before. Everybody sees things differently. And this story. The one that [livejournal.com profile] temperance_k wrote. I buy this story. I believe this story. So will you.

A Piece of the Plate (Got Stuck In My Heart) by [livejournal.com profile] jibrailis -- IRON CHEF AU FTW! Run, scurry, flee, read it now!

Plate Tectonics by [livejournal.com profile] indysaur -- Arthur moves in with Eames when his ex-fiancee tries to kill him. Like you do. But this story isn't really about that. This story is about living together and making room in your life for somebody else. But really, this story is about the awesome that is Yusuf. \o/ I love the Yusuf in this story. I want to take him home and make tea for him and give him biscuits

Plus One by [livejournal.com profile] someidiothasice -- I found this story last week through [livejournal.com profile] foxxcub and I'd give her a pony as a thank you, but I already gave her a pony. I can't have her running around taking other people's ponies. This is a story about Arthur in his off hours, about what he potentially gets up. This is about what happens when Eames comes along. It's the kind of thing you'll want to smoke something after, whether that's incense or a cigarette is up to you.

Put Your Hands On Me by [livejournal.com profile] meiface -- Arthur likes to be touched more than he thinks he does. This is yet another one of those things that is just kind of bulletproof for me. I know everybody's shocked. But I love the way [livejournal.com profile] meiface explores it here. The way Arthur thinks it's all about Eames when it's really all about him.

And before I go...

Upon my most recent viewing of Inception I am firmly convinced of the fact that Arthur is not a cold fish, that he's anything but repressed. That he's sensitive and emotionally aware. If you look a) at the scene where Ariadne wakes up after being stabbed and Arthur immediate runs to her side, b) when he talks about Mal being lovely c) when Dom is yelling at him, and Arthur's upset -- yes, because he fucked up but also because Dom is furious with him and d) where he drops down to Eames' side in the hotel room, that conversation. They'll run you down. Go to sleep, Mr. Eames. That shared smile. It's all there.

Arthur is astute. He is emotionally aware. He picks up on other people's cues. Whatever he is. He is not a fucking robot. Whatever he is, he feels things and he feels them deeply. Do not discount that.

Also, while I'm on my soapbox I'd just like to say that, "I love Eames clothes." I think they show a lot of fucking character and personality. I don't think they're tacky or gauche. They may not be bespoke suits and whatever, but the man fucking has style and he owns it. It's easy to wear something that comes preassembled from the same cloth. It's easy to stack black with black. It's a lot harder to decide who you want to be and let your clothes say that. Whether you spend an hour getting dressed or two minutes it all makes a statement, what do you want your statement to be?

And on a final note: if Eames were an animal, he'd totally be an otter. Adorable, self-absorbed, quick on the paw and unable to be denied at all.


And with that, you'll have to excuse me, I have to go back to my life being utter shite.

[identity profile] jibrailis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Recs, yay! My favourite time of the week has come early, and that's just the way I like it. Plus, more Yusuf fic. That is always good by me!

I've been dithering about whether or not I want to see The Social Network but now I think I definitely shall.

[identity profile] atomicskull.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Ok -

1) ♥! Thank you so much for the rec. :D

2) That Eames + Mal art - it's giving me ideas. Seriously, I should just start assuming that every Friday you'll have some new crazy inspiration for me.

3) YES TO EVERYTHING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTRY. Yes, Arthur is human. I think it was [livejournal.com profile] strzyga who said that Arthur isn't Vulcan, and there is no higher truth in the world. He's a real person with real emotions, and more than that he understand people. Also, from time to time he rolls up his sleeves and his tie is askew and he's ok with that, because he cares about his work at the people around him.

Also I think half the reason I wrote that fashion week story is because I wanted Eames to have at least one fic where he wasn't lambasted for his sartorial choices, haha. (The other half would be a desire to see Eames in a Spurr sweater with scuba divers on it. I never said I wasn't shallow/easily amused.)

Also, holy shit is that the most adorable otter EVER. <3!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I am always happy when you are happy, bb :)

That Yusuf fic is stun-ning. After I read it my heart grew several sizes. Also, I was so anti-Social Network I nearly had a conniption.

And then I saw it.

Two minutes into the opening scene I was agog.

Within the first thirty minutes my brain had had so many mental orgasms I was slumped in my seat unable to move.

[identity profile] innueneko.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
YES I am so glad someone else thinks Eames has neat clothes! He dresses like someone who would be on the sartorialist! (http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
1) Story of my heart, bb. No lie.

2) IDEAS! I win! \o/ I like giving other people inspiration. It makes me v happy. Especially when I can't write anything at all.

3) You know how you have one thing that starts to bother you, but it's only one thing, so you let it go. And then something else starts to bother you, so suddenly now the first thing and the second thing are bothering you. Well, let's consider this set of recs, between the Mal characterization dissertion, the Eames characterization dissertation and the Arthur character dissertation, the one where I had some stuff on my mind. Both of my longer stories No One Gets Out Alive and j'veux ton amour, et je m'en fous d'après were about me getting a chance to step into the respective characters and see, as the saying goes, what's really hood.

The more I write them, the more I revise who I think they are. It helps me get to know the character. :)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I am not a fan of The Sartorialist (putting it politely), so maybe that's not the best comparison for me, but I do think Eames has great style.
Edited 2010-10-07 19:27 (UTC)

[identity profile] atomicskull.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I totally get this. I think it was somewhat of a challenge coming out of the movie with concrete characterizations for anyone, just because the movie was so plot driven. So people latched onto the Arthur: snappy dresser thing and... I can't actually justify where the Eames characterization of being a bad dresser came from. Americans who don't have as much access to European fashion? But I'm still not sure how Arthur: snappy dresser = Arthur: robot. I always saw Arthur who flirted with Ariadne and ribbed back at Eames and, in some way, cared about Mal.

But yeah, the more I write, the more I settle into them. I think you don't really know a character until you've churned out several thousand words of them and finally something just clicks.

[identity profile] msloserrific.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Dude, I have to say, I admire you for these lists. I do this for my other blog and it is SO not easy.

[identity profile] dremiel.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, as always, for the recs. But also for the soapbox!!! YES! Eames has style. He does not drop pet names into every conversation, nor is his every utterance a flirtatious one. He is frightfully sharp. Arthur has a heart. He feels deeply. He is not always in a three piece suite, nor is he always wearing a tie. He does not hate Eames nor is he afraid of him.

[identity profile] dremiel.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, the more I think about it the more I LOVE what you did with Eames in j'veux ton amour, et je m'en fous d'après. I was so happy to read him as smart and creative and with a great relationship with his parents. Beyond that, though, the insecurities you gave him - the added weight of a forger needing to be loved for who he really is, his near-crippling inability to risk the things he loves most getting messed up...it's not something I would have thought of but it works so well.

Arthur's simple "We fix it" is so very HIM. I imagine that as Arthur settles into the flat the Basquiat and Severini and the sculpture slowly get moved out of the art room and into the "real world" because Eames doesn't have to hide the important stuff away to protect it anymore.

Thanks so much for sharing your character dissertations and your stories!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I know plenty of snappy dressers who are also perfectly happy to wear ripped shirts and jeans with stains. I just... there is always so much more to people than whatever's on the surface. So Arthur's a snappy dresser, and what else? What side of the bed does he sleep on? What's his favorite book? Color? Does he cry at movies? Does he even like movies? What about TV? Does he cook? What's his favorite food? His favorite place? I can only speak for myself, but what I love about writing is a chance to expand, to create. I don't ever want just one thing, I want to see everything, to discover. People are nebulous, ephemeral and inconsistent. Maybe he loves tomatoes today and hates them tomorrow, that's how I write. But that's just me.

Also, the vast amount of American men have no style. None. If it's not a shirt from the GAP and jeans from... whomever then it doesn't match. If you can't buy it at the mall then it's just totally wrong. Isn't that how it works? If I can't mix and match all my plain white shirts and blue shirts and crappy khakis and whatnot then it's just too much work. But women do the same thing. It takes effort, most people don't want to put it in. Then again, the designers don't help either. The same cookie cutter shit in every store, no place to go to have some personality unless you want to churn out made $$ or make your own.

But yeah, the more I write, the more I settle into them. I think you don't really know a character until you've churned out several thousand words of them and finally something just clicks.

WORD.

[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I couldn't agree more about Arthur, him being cold has somehow become a horrible cliche. He's controlled, yes, but that doesn't mean he's emotionless. Quite the contrary, I would say, I think he feels very deeply, he just chooses not to be showy with his emotions.

[identity profile] innueneko.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
He would have his photo taken by street fashion photographers is what I meant if the sartorialist isn't your cup of tea. :D

[identity profile] atomicskull.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I still maintain that Arthur secretly loves movies where shit blows up, or there is a badass car chase. I bet he loves anything with Jason Stathum, haha. My mental picture of Arthur is that he has an incredible love of art and literature, but he watches trashy TV and movies because sometimes you just have to sit on your ass on the couch and not worry about a goddamn thing except what Michael Bay is going to blow up next.

(ps - your Arthur is so gorgeously, gorgeously done. I've always been in awe of what you can get him to do. He's incredibly real.)

And, oh my god, preaching to the choir on that American men have no style point. I'm lucky enough to live in Manhattan, so I do see guys who you can tell really care about their appearance and looking put together, and it is such a breath of fresh air. But chances are I'm still sitting on the subway between a bro with a popped collar and A&F flip flops (dude, it was 50 today, it's time to put them away) and the guy in ripped jeans and almost the same shade of blue t-shirt.

And ugh, The same cookie cutter shit in every store, no place to go to have some personality unless you want to churn out made $$ or make your own. forever and ever. I don't have the coin it takes to have a wardrobe even half full of designer clothes.

[identity profile] foxxcub.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING A PONY.

Ahem. But yes, there is definitely a difference between being a robot and being skilled at controlling your emotions. I think people get the former from the opening scene, where Arthur is all business and cool and collected. In my head, this comes from years of practice and possibly his (supposed) military background.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
No, it's really not, is it?

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, exactly. *hands a drink* There's no hate. There's a healthy rivalry and respect and friendship. I dunno where the hate came from. That one makes my skin crawl. Eames is brilliant and kind and impossibly smart. He's not a flirt. One endearment does not the Whore of Babylon make. Arthur likes frayed t-shirts and fixes the holes in his socks with yellow thread regardless of the color of the sock. (I think that has to go in my next story).

Sláinte.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
You totally got a pony. Did you lose it? You lost your pony?!

Yeah, some military men are a bit... err, stilted. But some of them are fucking apeshit crazy. And more emotional than an episode of Jerry Springer. And I say that with love.
Edited 2010-10-07 22:08 (UTC)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Arthur can be awkward sometimes, but I would never think he's cold. Also, people are heavily controlled tend to explode in strange ways. Like Cobb said the greater the issues, the greater the catharsis. I think Arthur is just... oh fuck it, I shall have to write it ;-)

[identity profile] liketheroad.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
That Eames & Mal art warms my SOUL even though I only ship them as secret best friends, but smiling and happy and mischievous and loved is exactly how Mal should be portrayed, always.

ALSO, YES, THANK YOU, ARTHUR IS TOTALLY EMOTIONALLY AWARE. When he smiles and jokes in the first dream he takes Ariadne into? Even more "she was lovely" *flaps*

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Agreed 100% on Arthur. No idea where this read of him as emotionally deficient came from, he was feeling all over the place in the movie. PICKING ANGRILY AT HIS SALAD~ and all that.

The poor salad got stabbed to death. The way he literally skids to Ariadne's feet, the wistfulness over Mal, and the smile exchange with Eames in the hotel? C'mon, people. Also, that kiss in the hotel, he's all "I thought it would work" I just laugh every time, because seriously, he thought he could transfer from Eames to Ariadne, aw, bless.

Re: *delurking*

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Arthur's never been a robot to me, but everybody sees things differently. Being attentive to your clothes comes in all sorts of ways, using color shouldn't be ostracized, just because it doesn't come from *gag* the GAP. By that same thread, paying attention to your clothes (Arthur) doesn't mean you're an anal-retentive prick unable to let go.

[identity profile] ohfreckle.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I absolutely agree. I think it may also be because most of the movie he's at work, we don't really see his private side.
I know this from own experience, I can't afford to show a lot of emotions at work. It doesn't mean that the things I hear or experience don't affect me, I just have to maintain a professional face. But if people push me far enough, I explode quite violently.
Long story in short, a professional persona can be quite different from how you are in private. I can easily picture Arthur be affectionate and passionate in his private life.

Great! You write it, and we'll wait. Just hurry, I'm dying to read your take on this!

[identity profile] lilylines.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Your rec posts are kind of my favorite part of Friday! (Which probably says something about me, but whatever. lol.) And now it's come day early! Yay!

Also, yes, yes! to your soapbox. Eames has the best clothing out of the entire cast, I think. The color, the texture, the giant watch, and that gold pocket chain. Unf. I love Eames characterized as old money, and I think his clothing is totally a reflection of that. It's high quality stuff, but kind of strangely mishmashed because he's seen it all, worn it all, and at this point, he only wants to wear what he loves. As soon as I started reading this I imagined that photo. Not all men can lean like that. Unf again, indeed.

I love your Arthur analysis so much as well! Oh Arthur. Always so buttoned up and repressed in fics, when in fact you are so much more nuanced and alive. <3

WAIT. WAIT. EAMES WOULD SO TOTALLY BE AN OTTER. Omg, I love that so much. Otters are the most ridiculously cute animals, but they will fuck you up. Spirit animal badassery FTW.

[identity profile] angelgazing.livejournal.com 2010-10-07 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I will apologize for my part in ruining the Care Bears for you. I feel really bad about that! So many childhood memories tarnished! I'd swear to never do it again, too, but then [livejournal.com profile] gyzym would hunt me down and make a liar out of me.

But I will not apologize for shamelessly encouraging [livejournal.com profile] gyzym on the Pooh thing, because that is just genius.

Now if only I could get someone to write me the story where Eames is Arthur's Carmen San Diego...

I hope your life gets better soon.

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