My Very Cumberbatch Night

Though not quite in that sense. Last night I had a Benedict Cumberbatch Film Festival.  Well, not really: I watched Hawking and Third Star, respectively. I have the unaired Sherlock pilot on my computer as well, so I watched a bit of that. This amounted to over two hours of watching Mr. Cumberbatch portray such varied parts, and I think it is safe to say that those were a few should-have-been-in-bed hours well spent.

For one, I can now say that I am a Benedict Cumberbatch fan (not a Cumberbitch!). This is not lightly said, for I am very careful of calling myself a “fan” of an actor/actress. I have my special criteria: I must watch and approve the actor/actress’s performance in at least three different roles, those roles comprising the majority of the works in which I have seen said actor/actress perform. Until then, I cannot call myself a fan—I can be a fan of one of their works, I can admire their skill, I can even name them as my favorite actor/actress. But I cannot be a fan. However, I have now seen Benedict (the Internet puts you on first-name terms with everyone) produce three stellar performance, and if pressed I can name myself as—though the term usually implies more squeeing—a Cumberfan. 

I began to admire Benedict Cumberbatch’s acting (and, yes, his cheekbones) as soon as he appeared on Sherlock; further watching has convinced me that he is indeed a superb actor. For one, observe his body. No, not that way! Watch him—objectively, please—as he moves. Perhaps he simply has onoe hell of a body coach, but I’m inclined to think of it as talent. Listen to his speech (again objectively). Concentrate on how he becomes each character. Do this: notice his abilities as well as his arse, and post some more intelligent-sounding comments on YouTube. Another advantage to having watched these movies: In addition to being able to call myself a fan, in the event that I ever meet Benedict Cumberbatch I will be able to compliment him on his work in Hawking, a small thing that is nevertheless important to me, for in greeting an artist (albeit theoretically) who is well-known for playing a certain role, I would like to imply that, say, David Tennant is more than just the Doctor—Recovery is on YouTube in nine parts. Watch it now. Also, having a broader range of knowledge I will also be able to discuss Cumberbatch’s acting more intelligently.

Now, about the movies:

Regarding Hawking: Watch it. Just…watch it. If you’re into good-looking actors with European accents, it provides, and if you’re a nerd—well, it’s physics all ’round. Cumberbatch rocks the nerd glasses and I discover that nothing turns me on like hardcore math. Theorems and Einstein stuff and physics limericks, oh my! You might want to stay away if you prefer to avoid intellectual-type film, but I for one am going to carry chalk from now on, just in case I need to help someone draw their dissertation on a sidewalk. Sapiosexual. Yeah.

Regarding Third Star: Highly recommended. Summary: Less of an intellectual treat than a cryer’s; a character has cancer (and a cool hat); what do you think is going to happen (not necessarily involving the cool hate)? Lesson: If your friend with a terminal illness asks you to accompany him on one last hiking trip to Funny-name Bay…keep him at home. Advice: if it’s between this and reading Alone on the Water, I recommend this movie. There is no Johnlock cuddling, though there is a reference to Brokeback Mountain. General result: I got through it all tear-free, and tomorrow I shall begin creating macros with the sole intent of making Tumblr bawl.

Regarding Sherlock: Again, the unaired pilot is worth watching if only for drunk!Sherlock (again note the body acting) and the opportunity to see how many things have changed. For example, the unaired pilot has no Mycroft, the superimposed text is nonexistent, Sherlock wears jeans and Anderson has a beard.

Apologies for incoherency. I wrote this late at night. And if you're wondering why I posted this so soon after the post in which I claimed that I don't post much, it's simply because I wanted to have an introduction up.