August SFX - UK

[Unregistered(d)]

I've just finished scanning the pics - I'll post them on Amazing Amber tomorrow - I have an really slow connection right now!

I

[tommo]

Something else from this issue: a review of this year's sci-fi programmes. There's one for Angel and one for Buffy; seeing as we're in the OT season, I shall put them here for ya reading plaisir...

quote:

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SFX Review by Jayne Dearsley

The second year of Angel looked pretty straightforward to begin with, but any fan of Whedon's world knows better than to be complacent. Gunn joined the main credits, Wolfram & Hart were set to become this season's bad guys and the biggest problem facing Angel Investigations was finding a new place to work...however, the rug was soon pulled from under everybody's feet (and don't you just love it when a show does that?). Angel was summarily driven off the rails, his companions were disbanded, and the audience actually found themselves feeling sorry for Darla. There was even demon karaoke, dammit!

It was a dangerous experiment with the show's form, and luckily it paid off. Angel as a character always works better when he's caught between being good and being bad, and shwo after show saw him driven to the brink as his companions bonded without him. Darla and Drusilla caused havoc, Wesley came into his own as a leader and Angel even had a roll in the hay (but instead of losing his soul he reached an epiphany: well, that's one word for it).

Solid, entertaining and yet poignant stuff, rounded off by a complete change of pace for the final spate of shows in which Angel and company took a trip to Pylea, the Host's homeworld. Love the comedy or hate it, it was definitely different, and provided some memorable scenes, not to mention the new cast member for next year, Amy Acker as Fred. Without a doubt, Angel is riding high and deserves all the success it can get.

And finally we come to Buffy, which has had (quite literally) a year of glory. There were those who said from the start that pitting Buffy against Glory lacked the suspense or the dread of some of her previous enemies - the Mayor or the Master; even Angel. However, it all became clear as the show progressed that the crux of the crisis wasn't whether Buffy could defeat Glory, it was "What will happen to Dawn?"

Michelle Trachtenberg's heartfelt performance made Dawn seem as though she'd been a member of the family since the start - by midway through the season, she truly belonged. Which made it all the more tense as it became apparent that she was going to have to die by season's end; by turning the heat from Buffy onto her sister the show gained a new twist.

Of course, the episode everyone raves about is 'The Body' - if only all television could be as moving and heartfelt - but there were plenty more fine moments in a season which set every character firmly on their feet to face the future. The Scooby Gang aren't kids anymore. Willow is the kind of wiccan you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley when she's pissed off. Xander and Anya are engaged and very happy. Giles has killed, and Spike somehow retained his cool, even after falling head over heels in puppydog love with Buffy.

And Ms Summers herself? She gave her all, just like always, and Sarah Michelle Gellar's taut, controlled, tear-jerking performance slayed her fans one more time. Sigh...how long till season six?

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Footnote: I for one would love to meet Willow in a dark alley. Pissed off or not...

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

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[urnofosiris]

Thanks for typing it up Ruth.
That is a very nice review. Well put. Oh and yeah, I would *love* to meet Willow pissed (off) in the dark anyday. She can give me pain.

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Amber Benson has really nice hair and I want her shampoo.

I

[Unregistered(d)]

The scans are going up now - www.amazingamber.co.uk/p_sfx.html

I've also typed the article at www.amazingamber.co.uk/a_sfx4.html

Hope everyone likes the scans!

I

[tommo]

Thanks Kath. Looking good.

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[Unregistered(d)]

Just brought the magazine today ( well yesterday) and I read the line about jigging to Its raining men...and silly me thought it said jiggling, so I stood in the middle of WH Smiths and said to myself- Why did no-one mention jiggling? It would have been alright but I also said it out loud as well (Did I mention I'm insane)

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[tommo]

Jiggling. Just for the record, I love that word.

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[fell]

quote:

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Originally posted by 1D10T:
I noticed that theres a mention of the Kittens when the article starts talking about Amber -
"She had been followed to the convention by a vast congregation of adoring "Kittens" from her internet fanbase..."

-James

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My first thought upon reading this was that it seems as though the writer is under the impression that Amber's fans in general (and perhaps by extension Willow's, as well) are known as "Kittens."

And now we know why one day, in the not too distant future, some pop culture journalist will be searching for early citations, trying to discover how the internet fan communities of various lesbian entertainers came to be known collectively as "kittens."

Nice site Kath, thanks for posting the SFX article. Couple of questions for those of us Americans for whom actual English is a foreign language:

What's it mean when they say Joss was as "pissed as a fart shocker" or is it best that I just not ask? I won't blame you for taking a pass on that one.

But that still leaves me wondering about the description of JM as: "ever the '70s Bromley contingent apostle." Whazzat, huh?

I spent 2 months powdering my nose in Chelsea in 1984 and never heard either one of those. Probably should have spent less time hanging out with the nappy pin in the eyebrow crowd and more time guzzling warm Watney's with Fergie in the Admiral Codrington, eh?

[This message has been edited by WillTara (edited July 24, 2001).]

I

[Unregistered(d)]

Found another tiny pic of Amber hidden on the back page of the mag, scanned it and now its up with the rest. Do I need to type the link again... nah.

I

[tommo]

Listen fell, I'm English and these phrases kind of have me stunned a bit. Perhaps it was my northern upbringing.

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[tommo]

But who'd want to be from Bromley? I mean...come on...

*realises her above statement is both incendiary and unreasonable; apologises for her northern-ness*

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[Unregistered(d)]

Exsqueeze me but I'm originally from Bromley, but not during the 70's...actually yeah your probably right...and I live in Wrexham now, which u could probably say the same about...okay I'll go now

I

[tommo]

Heh, you moved from Bromley to Wrexham? Is that a move up or a move down? Cuz from here, it's kind of hard to tell...

Okay, no disrespect to anyone. Please. I'm only kidding.

*just about manages to leave the thread before hysterics take over again*

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[Unregistered(d)]

HEY!...okay not hey...I'm not sure either, I mean I was 5 when I left...is it me or is discussing the whereabouts of my home address a little OT?

I

[tommo]

It's a lot OT, actually. But we're not talking about your home address per se. We're more just laughing at where you've lived in the UK. Ha ha. See?

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I

[Unregistered(d)]

K...thanks!

I

[tommo]

Um...no problem. And before anyone gets pissy because it's OT. It's OT. Ok? I apologise profusely for having offended anyone blah blabbity blah or whatever...

Just funnin'. Those who live in Wales understand.

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"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity

I