The post about Benedict Cumberbatch . . . . And an important vote.

Yeah, of course I was going to write about him eventually.

I had a crazy weekend basically conquering all of western Iowa (it’s more exciting than it sounds…all those cornfields, all those barns) and hanging out with some of my favoritest friends. I still don’t understand why they all haven’t decided to relocate to MY town, but whatever. No hard feelings. 🙂

The road trip included:

  • The funniest conversation I have ever had about communion. And honestly, right now I can’t even remember what exactly made it so funny. I just remember spitting out my coffee at one point and tears of laughter at another.
  • Driving past a billboard that said “Keep it classy, Iowa.” Which is just funny in a state that produces 30% of the nation’s pigs.
  • The death of a bird…that flew right into my windshield! And all I could think was, “Why couldn’t this have happened a couple hours ago when I had people in my car so somebody else could’ve seen it?” And then I listened to Coldplay’s Up With the Birds because it just felt fitting.
But aside from connecting with people I love, the best part of my weekend? 
Benedict. Cumberbatch. 

The man did not disappoint in Star Trek Into the Darkness. Nor did the movie. Loved it. It may or may not be true that I went solely because I’m a long-time Benedict Cumberbatch fan (as in, ever since I saw BBC’s Sherlock earlier this year), but I have to say there may be an inner Trekkie side to myself I never knew. 

Back to Benedict. He’s kinda the epitome of awesome…for so many reasons. But you know, I never really considered his name to be one of those reasons. I mean, really…Benedict Cumberbatch?*

But yesterday it hit me…one of my other favorite actors has one of the funniest names ever: Cary Grant. Um, no, that’s not the funny part. Cary Grant was his stage name. His real name? Archibald Leach.

So today, we take an important vote!! 

You’ve just had a baby and the only two names you’re allowed to choose from are Benedict Cumberbatch and Archibald Leach. Which do you pick?? 
(And if you’re a guy, since the whole having a baby thing probably doesn’t apply to you, just tell us which actor you like best.**)
*Once I was talking about Benedict Cumberbatch, as I do often, and someone overheard and said “What about cabbage patches?” Which reminded me how my sister and I used to have the disconnected heads of a couple Cabbage Patch dolls on our bedposts. Why did that not freak us out??
**Unless, that is, your name is Arnold Schwarzenneger, in which case, you can go ahead and answer the first question. 
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    Comments 31

    1. Benedict Cumberbatch. Hands down. And, of course, that means I would marry the original Benedict Cumberbatch and name our baby after him, right? Because why else would the baby’s last name be Cumberbatch?? *wink*

      OK, now I sound like one of those gushing, creepy stalker-fans, LOL. 😉 Mostly, I really, really admire his acting in the Sherlock series. So good!! And his voice and looks are rather attractive, I will admit. 😉

      I saw the new Star Trek movie about a week ago. It was pretty good! I’m new to the this Star Trek thing, actually, as my only experience up until a week ago (when I watched both newer movies a few days apart) was some older movie with whales that I don’t recall much of. But these newer movies are quite enjoyable – and that’s a lot coming from someone who doesn’t really care much for sci-fi! Like you, I mostly just wanted to see the new movie for Benedict Cumberbatch. 😉

      I did wish for a little more from his character – a little more depth and complexity, I suppose. I think his acting was showcased so much better in the Sherlock series. But still… He’s good. 🙂

      ~Amber

    2. They are both scary 🙂 But I couldn’t do Leach. Cumberbatch makes me giggle though. My husband is from northwest Iowa, keep it classy Iowa makes me laugh too. Oh, how I love the cornfield drive through Iowa two times a year!

    3. Benedict Cumberbatch also. I went to Star Trek Friday and loved it. I confess I was not familiar with Cumberbatch beforehand, and I have not seen Sherlock either. He is a charismatic actor! Must look up Sherlock now …

    4. I’m not sure Cary Grant could have been so alluring for me as Archibald Leach. But Benedict Cumberbatch? I am in love with the name! It’s so British and seems to fit him. I haven’t paid much attention to things lately so didn’t realize he is in the new Star Trek movie that my husband has been trying to persuade me to see. Guess this might tip the boat and get me to the theater!

      1. It IS a very British name. And the first name is pretty fun. It’s that last name that’s hilarious and then all together, it’s quite the mouthful. 🙂 And the movie is great!!

    5. I’d pick Benedict Cumberbatch hands down. I really don’t mind the first name, Benedict. Beyond that, I applaud someone who decided to embrace his legacy instead of bend to the will of ‘what will work’ !

    6. Oh, yeah, Benedict anytime over Archibald…unless I can choose Cary Grant. I’ll have to check Benedict Cumberbatch out…of course that would mean I’d have to watch television.

      1. Haha to that last line! I will really never tell someone they need to watch more TV or anything, BUT if you’re going to take on a new show and need a suggestion, Sherlock (which is really more like a set of mini-movies) is soooooo good. 🙂

    7. So, you should have seen my 12 y.o. daughter’s eyes when I said, “Okay, CJ, you’ve just had a baby …” Yeah, that question freaked her out while she was eating her cereal. She picked Archibald Leach, and was delighted to discover that was Cary Grant’s name. (I’ve raised her right. She’s a classic movie fan.) I, however, would go with Benedict Cumberbatch. Sorry. I’ve never been a fan of the name Archibald, despite liking Archie comics. (My daughter says there’s no nickname for Benedict, and she said he’d be called “Cumbersome,” so it doesn’t work for her at all.)

      1. Haha, that question would freak me out too and I’m a lot older than 12. 🙂 And YAY for raising CJ right. Also, CJ has great vocabulary if she’s concerned about Cumberbatch being called “cumbersome!”

    8. Yep, hands down it’d be Benedict.

      Must admit that while I have every confidence he’ll rock the role in Star Trek (he’s just a good actor), I’ll be much fonder of his persona (or his moral character) in Sherlock. All I know about the Trekkie thing is the 2009 re-boot (or re-make or whatever it’s considered ;D) so I felt more confused as not. However, I thought it was way fun (the humor and Bones/Kirk/Spock dynamics were A-mazing!).

      Enjoyed it very much and am thinking the sequel will be MORE awesome. 🙂 Happy you liked Benedict Cumb- err, I mean Stark Trek Into Darkness, Melissa. 😉

      1. Haha, thing is, I’m not so sure Sherlock is always that moral. I mean, he borders on rude and ruthless at times…and yet, I still love him so much! Of course, at the end of the second series, we get to see him sacrifice for his friends and that is soooo sweet…also reeeally interested in how they’re going to get him out of that!

    9. Oh totally Benedict. All the way. Though Cary is one of my ultimate, favorite, bestest, most loved actors. Oh, and I cannot WAIT to see Star Trek. There are so many great movies out right now!

      1. I LOVE Cary Grant too. If I’d been stuck with Archibald Leach, I’m pretty sure I’d have changed my name too. (Sidenote/fun fact: In Cary Gran’s movie His Girl Friday, they joke about a random person named Archie Leach…)

        And YES to so many great movies out. Sorta just want to spend all my time in a theater…eating popcorn.

    10. Sigh. Mr. Cumberbach IS pretty dreamy. I think his name is perfect for him! And I can’t wait to see this movie. Glad you enjoyed it.

      PS – I’m pretty sure I had a bird die on my windshield once. But not 100% sure, because I think I tried to block out the memory!

      1. Hope you enjoy the movie.

        Dead birds were following me last week. The day after the bird died on my windshield, I walked out of the office to see a dead bird on the sidewalk. Then a friend called me to tell me she’d had a bird smack into her window. It was sorta the theme of last week, I guess!

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