Last night was a film, and the film listings threw up Papanasam, an Indian film, as top in terms of IMDB ratings. The trailer looked decent - however, typically for Indian films (which tend to be quite long and only shown in the suburbs), the only showing I could manage was at Cineworld Staples Corner. And to get there in time, I'd have to take the 6.30 Overground - which is not fit for human transportation, it's so crowded. For my sins, I've done it a few times before. So, instead, I took the easy option of the second in the list - Love & Mercy: a biopic, as it happens, rather than a documentary, about Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, who suffered from psychosis. It had a good recommendation from someone in the office, as well as the advantage of showing in the Odeon Kensington, which I could walk to.
I left straight from the office, and it was a mighty pleasant stroll to the cinema. Bought my ticket from the machine, and went straight in, because - as usual here - there was no-one to check it. It turned out to be in Screen 3, which was right at the top of the building. Well, that does give you time to admire the staircase. When I finally panted my way up there, seating was unallocated and I seated myself centrally and relaxed - seats here come up to head level, which means you can lean your head back. Which is nice, and which you don't find everywhere.
John Cusack plays the older Wilson, and vaguely resembles him physically. His older self is depicted about 20 years after the Beach Boys' heyday, suffering terribly from his mental issues, but also under the obsessive care of his psychiatrist - a very shady Paul Giamatti. And the narrative flicks between the 60s - where we see the beginnings of his mental problems - and the 80s, where they control his life.
There's plenty of Beach Boys music in it, of course - and much like ABBA, you can't be down while listening to it. So that's cool. And the story is interesting, as Wilson's new love interest tries to save him from the prison he finds himself in. But.. that's about it. It's interesting, as I say, and those with an interest in music will appreciate the detailed description of how he went about his work. But honestly, unless you're a massive Beach Boys fan, you're not going to get much out of this, and it's probably not worth seeing. Catch it on tv, when it's eventually broadcast there.
Tonight is the London For Less! outing to see Silent, at the Soho Theatre. Tomorrow, I have friends visiting and we're headed on a South Bank by Night walk, which I went on a few months ago and thought perfect for them. On Saturday, we're headed on a sightseeing cruise.. and for more, watch this space!
Showing posts with label Odeon Kensington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Odeon Kensington. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Film: What If
So, last night I decided to go to the pictures, and when I trawled through that enormous film list of mine, I discovered that I could delete about 50 films from the top of the list, that weren't showing for the rest of the week! Not at times that suited, anyway.
This left me with.. What If. Now, I was a bit dubious about this. It's a rom-com with Daniel Radcliffe, and I remember him appearing on a talk show recently to promote it, and looking very, very awkward. But anyway, I said I'd go.
The nearest place showing it was the Odeon Kensington, so I had a vigorous walk there yesterday evening. Ah, it was nice to get out again - I haven't been out since Sunday! It's also a while since I've been up this way. The door to the self-service machine lobby was locked, it being past 9, so I entered the main foyer, and bought my ticket from a human. They might have improved their customer service, because it was no time before someone came to tear my ticket - v unusual for this venue. He mentioned that the standard seats were the first three rows, or the back row.
He could've saved some time by telling me to just not sit in the fourth row, which was the premier row - this screen only has five rows altogether! Anyhow, the third row was just fine. Interestingly, the trailers included one for Horns, a horror film to be released at Hallowe'en, also starring Daniel Radcliffe. Hmm - Harry Potter as the devil, following Harry Potter as the romantic hero. You don't think they might be trying a bit too hard to find a new niche for him?
Now, I came very close to walking out during the first scene - mainly because it features Daniel heavily, as you would expect - also because it seemed as though this was going to be ridden with rom-com cliches. Sorry Daniel, I just don't buy you as a leading man, I think. You're just too awkward. I know this character is supposed to be shy and retiring, but - does he have to be cringeworthy?
Daniel Radcliffe, for me, is lacking something - charisma, maybe. I didn't buy him as a romantic lead, and I groaned inwardly when he attempted comedy. Stiil n all, I'm glad I decided that one scene in was too early to make up my mind - because everything else about the film is rather good! It's got a cool soundtrack, I liked all the other characters - the female lead is cute and quirky, the guy who plays her cousin has a knack for comedy. Even the female lead's boyfriend, Daniel's love rival, is a likeable soul, but one whom you could learn to despise. The film even has an international element - it's set in Toronto (ooh, a film made in Canada that admits it was made in Canada! how rare) but the boyfriend conveniently gets a job transfer to Dublin, allowing Daniel and the girl to get closer. But then she goes to visit the boyfriend to try to rekindle their relationship, so we get that international bit. Oh, and Daniel's character is downplayed a bit. So I quite enjoyed most of the film.
Except the last scene, which has a bit more of Daniel in it again than I would've liked. Nah, I don't think he'll be winning me over any time soon. Hey-ho, good luck to him.
Well, I could go out tonight - or I could stay in and wash my hair, which is sounding more attractive. I'm back in Ireland for the weekend, and for Monday, it's looking like a film again. Luckily, the film list for next week is waay less - full - than this week's, so I've done it already, and after I reject a documentary about Donald Trump, I have a choice of three for Monday: Finding Fanny - an Indian rom-com, In Order of Disappearance - a Norwegian thriller, and One Night in Istanbul, a comedy about British soccer fans abroad.
And would you believe, in the few hours between checking those ratings and checking the links again to add here, the ratings for two of those three have shifted! Now that's fast.. Right then, it's looking like Finding Fanny for Monday. For the moment..
This left me with.. What If. Now, I was a bit dubious about this. It's a rom-com with Daniel Radcliffe, and I remember him appearing on a talk show recently to promote it, and looking very, very awkward. But anyway, I said I'd go.
The nearest place showing it was the Odeon Kensington, so I had a vigorous walk there yesterday evening. Ah, it was nice to get out again - I haven't been out since Sunday! It's also a while since I've been up this way. The door to the self-service machine lobby was locked, it being past 9, so I entered the main foyer, and bought my ticket from a human. They might have improved their customer service, because it was no time before someone came to tear my ticket - v unusual for this venue. He mentioned that the standard seats were the first three rows, or the back row.
He could've saved some time by telling me to just not sit in the fourth row, which was the premier row - this screen only has five rows altogether! Anyhow, the third row was just fine. Interestingly, the trailers included one for Horns, a horror film to be released at Hallowe'en, also starring Daniel Radcliffe. Hmm - Harry Potter as the devil, following Harry Potter as the romantic hero. You don't think they might be trying a bit too hard to find a new niche for him?
Now, I came very close to walking out during the first scene - mainly because it features Daniel heavily, as you would expect - also because it seemed as though this was going to be ridden with rom-com cliches. Sorry Daniel, I just don't buy you as a leading man, I think. You're just too awkward. I know this character is supposed to be shy and retiring, but - does he have to be cringeworthy?
Daniel Radcliffe, for me, is lacking something - charisma, maybe. I didn't buy him as a romantic lead, and I groaned inwardly when he attempted comedy. Stiil n all, I'm glad I decided that one scene in was too early to make up my mind - because everything else about the film is rather good! It's got a cool soundtrack, I liked all the other characters - the female lead is cute and quirky, the guy who plays her cousin has a knack for comedy. Even the female lead's boyfriend, Daniel's love rival, is a likeable soul, but one whom you could learn to despise. The film even has an international element - it's set in Toronto (ooh, a film made in Canada that admits it was made in Canada! how rare) but the boyfriend conveniently gets a job transfer to Dublin, allowing Daniel and the girl to get closer. But then she goes to visit the boyfriend to try to rekindle their relationship, so we get that international bit. Oh, and Daniel's character is downplayed a bit. So I quite enjoyed most of the film.
Except the last scene, which has a bit more of Daniel in it again than I would've liked. Nah, I don't think he'll be winning me over any time soon. Hey-ho, good luck to him.
Well, I could go out tonight - or I could stay in and wash my hair, which is sounding more attractive. I'm back in Ireland for the weekend, and for Monday, it's looking like a film again. Luckily, the film list for next week is waay less - full - than this week's, so I've done it already, and after I reject a documentary about Donald Trump, I have a choice of three for Monday: Finding Fanny - an Indian rom-com, In Order of Disappearance - a Norwegian thriller, and One Night in Istanbul, a comedy about British soccer fans abroad.
And would you believe, in the few hours between checking those ratings and checking the links again to add here, the ratings for two of those three have shifted! Now that's fast.. Right then, it's looking like Finding Fanny for Monday. For the moment..
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Film: Calvary
Well see, what happened was that Locke was the highest rated film (according to IMDB)showing in London today - that I hadn't seen and would be interested in seeing (my usual criteria). But when I checked its rating some days later, it had slipped slightly - putting it on a par with Calvary, which I would rather see. So I did. (My mother didn't fancy going to the cinema over the weekend, after all.)
It's unfortunate that, unlike Locke, it isn't showing in my local cinema. The nearest place, in fact, that it's showing is in the Odeon Kensington - still walking distance, but that bit further. It's actually closer to the office - but the only evening showing is at 8, which meant that I had to go home first and go from there. And it was raining, too. Bah humbug!
I didn't bother waiting for someone to rip my ticket - I know better here, now, and there was nobody anyway. I meandered my way to Screen 6, and arrived during a trailer for another Irish film - Jimmy's Hall. A typically gritty-looking Ken Loach film, it's released next month and not yet rated. Looks worth a look - set in the 30s.
And so to Calvary. Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh, who also wrote and directed The Guard, Calvary stars a veritable who's who of Irish talent. Brendan Gleeson, who also starred in The Guard, stars in Calvary as the parish priest of a small Sligo village. No mistaking the location - the bulk of Ben Bulben looms large throughout the film, an ominous landmark to match the dark deeds taking place in its shadow. His son, Domhnall Gleeson, has one scene, as a young man imprisoned for murder. David Wilmot, who also appeared in The Guard, plays the hapless curate, Orla O' Rourke the local femme fatale, and Gary Lydon the local not-so-long-arm of the law.
And, as is apparent from the trailer, the thing is packed with comedians!
Before I saw this, I remember discussing it with another Irish person who hadn't seen it, and who was dubious. Despite its popularity in the UK, he put it down to the general popularity of Irish films abroad, and was suspicious that it would be full of twee characters.
Boy, was he wrong.
An early line - the priest, in the confessional, saying, "That's certainly a startling opening line" - got a laugh from the back. That was the last time anyone laughed in that cinema during this film. Which isn't to say that there aren't some terrific one-liners. And the aforementioned comedians are a joy to watch, vaguely humorous even when they're playing it straight.
But if this is a comedy, it's a very black one. This priest's community is a microcosm of modern Ireland, its members taking cheap potshots at Ireland's two favourite punching bags - the Church and the banks. Everybody has an axe to grind, and here is this honest, humble priest, with a true vocation, trying to bring a message that nobody wants to hear. This is a very, very powerful film, and makes a very serious point in a visceral way. The final scene is played in silence, and the credits roll over a black screen, in silence for about 60 seconds. You're meant to take a message from this film, which delivers it as effectively as it possibly can.
* * * * *
Go see. Film of the year so far.
Well! For tomorrow, I got THE very last ticket for 'Tis Pity She's a Whore at the Barbican. Sold out tonight and on Friday. We'll see whether the production merits such enthusiasm! It's a modern setting for a 17th-century play - always interesting to see how they go. And then Hard Façade is playing again on Friday - at Club 229. Must see about tickets for their next two gigs tomorrow..
It's unfortunate that, unlike Locke, it isn't showing in my local cinema. The nearest place, in fact, that it's showing is in the Odeon Kensington - still walking distance, but that bit further. It's actually closer to the office - but the only evening showing is at 8, which meant that I had to go home first and go from there. And it was raining, too. Bah humbug!
I didn't bother waiting for someone to rip my ticket - I know better here, now, and there was nobody anyway. I meandered my way to Screen 6, and arrived during a trailer for another Irish film - Jimmy's Hall. A typically gritty-looking Ken Loach film, it's released next month and not yet rated. Looks worth a look - set in the 30s.
And so to Calvary. Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh, who also wrote and directed The Guard, Calvary stars a veritable who's who of Irish talent. Brendan Gleeson, who also starred in The Guard, stars in Calvary as the parish priest of a small Sligo village. No mistaking the location - the bulk of Ben Bulben looms large throughout the film, an ominous landmark to match the dark deeds taking place in its shadow. His son, Domhnall Gleeson, has one scene, as a young man imprisoned for murder. David Wilmot, who also appeared in The Guard, plays the hapless curate, Orla O' Rourke the local femme fatale, and Gary Lydon the local not-so-long-arm of the law.
And, as is apparent from the trailer, the thing is packed with comedians!
- Chris O' Dowd is the butcher, unfortunately married to Orla O' Rourke, poor chap!
- Dylan Moran is the best I've seen him, as the local financier that everyone loves to hate.
- Pat Shortt, another cast member from The Guard, is the publican.
- Finally, in an inspired piece of casting that's hilarious in itself, David McSavage is the bishop! Anyone that's familiar with his satirical series, The Savage Eye, will appreciate - given how much he lambasts the Catholic Church - just how much he must have relished playing a bishop..
Before I saw this, I remember discussing it with another Irish person who hadn't seen it, and who was dubious. Despite its popularity in the UK, he put it down to the general popularity of Irish films abroad, and was suspicious that it would be full of twee characters.
Boy, was he wrong.
An early line - the priest, in the confessional, saying, "That's certainly a startling opening line" - got a laugh from the back. That was the last time anyone laughed in that cinema during this film. Which isn't to say that there aren't some terrific one-liners. And the aforementioned comedians are a joy to watch, vaguely humorous even when they're playing it straight.
But if this is a comedy, it's a very black one. This priest's community is a microcosm of modern Ireland, its members taking cheap potshots at Ireland's two favourite punching bags - the Church and the banks. Everybody has an axe to grind, and here is this honest, humble priest, with a true vocation, trying to bring a message that nobody wants to hear. This is a very, very powerful film, and makes a very serious point in a visceral way. The final scene is played in silence, and the credits roll over a black screen, in silence for about 60 seconds. You're meant to take a message from this film, which delivers it as effectively as it possibly can.
* * * * *
Go see. Film of the year so far.
Well! For tomorrow, I got THE very last ticket for 'Tis Pity She's a Whore at the Barbican. Sold out tonight and on Friday. We'll see whether the production merits such enthusiasm! It's a modern setting for a 17th-century play - always interesting to see how they go. And then Hard Façade is playing again on Friday - at Club 229. Must see about tickets for their next two gigs tomorrow..
Monday, 7 April 2014
Film: The Double
On a wet, miserable day like this, the best thing you could do was to go to the cinema. The nearest place that The Double is showing is the Odeon Kensington, which is walking distance from work, and closer to there than to home. So the plan was to head straight from work for a meal nearby and from there to the cinema. However, someone in the office had a birthday, and the birthday treats kept coming all day - so by evening, the last thing I wanted was a big meal! But I headed up that way early anyway.
I decided to buy a ticket first, and was delighted to discover that the member discount has been reinstated! 25% off - if you buy in the cinema, at least. And I even managed the convoluted process of making sure my membership card had points added. Then I wandered off down Kensington High Street, coming to a halt at Hotel Chocolat, which I see has a chocolate café now as well. I didn't intend to buy on this occasion, but got some ideas, and was again delighted to find that it's open till 7 every evening except Sundays, and till 8 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. That'll make Easter shopping easier!
When I went to take my seat at the cinema, as usual there was nobody to take my ticket. So I wandered up without having it looked at, and was not stopped. When I got to the screen, I went in, but it hadn't been cleaned yet, so I wandered out again, where I ran into the person that must have been the manager. Sure enough, she was also the cleaning crew.. she soon came out, brandishing some rubbish, which she popped in the nearest bin, and then she left. So I and another confused person made our unauthorised way in. Just as well we hadn't been sitting inside for longer - it was boiling hot.
And so to the film. The Double is based on a story by Dostoyevsky. It concerns an office clerk - here, by the name of Simon James, and played by Jesse Eisenberg. He's an awful doormat - constantly apologising, constantly in bad luck. This part of the film actually made me regret I'd come - I'm not mad about Jesse Eisenberg anyway, and this was just frustrating. He's had the same job for seven years, but few of his coworkers even recognise him. He fancies Mia Wasikowska, but can never get up the nerve to even speak to her. He has a great mind, and great ideas, but can't get anyone to listen to him. And his id card is corrupted, and the security guard never, ever recognises him, and makes him sign in every day as a visitor.
Enter the new employee - James Simon, a dead ringer for Simon James. Except this guy has confidence and charm, is soon popular, and catches the eye of management. Everyone loves him, and it's not long before he befriends Simon James and promises to teach him some life skills. But all is not as it seems - soon, he has Simon James doing his work for him, while he takes the credit, and takes Mia Wasikowska from under his nose. What is the embattled, hard-done-by Simon James to do?
The film really picked up when James Simon came along (see? Even I preferred him!), and it is a delight to see the same actor play such wildly differing personalities. He must have had great fun with it himself. Chris O' Dowd has one very funny scene as a nurse, Sally Hawkins plays the receptionist, Wallace Shawn plays Simon James' (and James Simon's) boss, James Fox is the company CEO. Paddy Considine is the nurse at the nursing home where Simon James' mother lives.
All-in-all, it's a strange film. But then, it's a strange story! I bought a sandwich on the way home, and was glad I hadn't had a big meal..
The next two nights' films are booked because they were more than half sold out when I checked. Tomorrow is In Bloom, at the British Film Institute - 6.15, so a rapid departure from work. It's a coming-of-age story set in a newly independent Georgia, and the trailer looks excellent. On Wednesday, I'm heading, for the first time, to The Electric Cinema, in Notting Hill, where the seating is in armchairs, separated by little tables with lamps on them. The film in question is The Wind, a silent film with Lillian Gish, which will have live musical accompaniment. The catch is the price - this is not a cheap cinema, and the ticket cost me over twice what I paid tonight! Well, never mind - it's an experience, and still cheaper than a play.
Speaking of which.. for Thursday, I came up with a production of Hedda Gabler, by Ibsen. I've seen it before, and don't usually repeat myself, but this production has something else going for it - it's in a stately home, Fulham Palace, somewhere I haven't been. It's not that far away, either. Interestingly, when I checked their website for booking information, I could find no mention at all of the production! There still isn't - very remiss! I got in touch, and they emailed me the link - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hedda-at-fulham-palace-apr-10-11-12-tickets-9521708687?aff=eorg. So I booked a ticket. You would think they'd advertise it a bit better, though! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend..
I decided to buy a ticket first, and was delighted to discover that the member discount has been reinstated! 25% off - if you buy in the cinema, at least. And I even managed the convoluted process of making sure my membership card had points added. Then I wandered off down Kensington High Street, coming to a halt at Hotel Chocolat, which I see has a chocolate café now as well. I didn't intend to buy on this occasion, but got some ideas, and was again delighted to find that it's open till 7 every evening except Sundays, and till 8 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. That'll make Easter shopping easier!
When I went to take my seat at the cinema, as usual there was nobody to take my ticket. So I wandered up without having it looked at, and was not stopped. When I got to the screen, I went in, but it hadn't been cleaned yet, so I wandered out again, where I ran into the person that must have been the manager. Sure enough, she was also the cleaning crew.. she soon came out, brandishing some rubbish, which she popped in the nearest bin, and then she left. So I and another confused person made our unauthorised way in. Just as well we hadn't been sitting inside for longer - it was boiling hot.
And so to the film. The Double is based on a story by Dostoyevsky. It concerns an office clerk - here, by the name of Simon James, and played by Jesse Eisenberg. He's an awful doormat - constantly apologising, constantly in bad luck. This part of the film actually made me regret I'd come - I'm not mad about Jesse Eisenberg anyway, and this was just frustrating. He's had the same job for seven years, but few of his coworkers even recognise him. He fancies Mia Wasikowska, but can never get up the nerve to even speak to her. He has a great mind, and great ideas, but can't get anyone to listen to him. And his id card is corrupted, and the security guard never, ever recognises him, and makes him sign in every day as a visitor.
Enter the new employee - James Simon, a dead ringer for Simon James. Except this guy has confidence and charm, is soon popular, and catches the eye of management. Everyone loves him, and it's not long before he befriends Simon James and promises to teach him some life skills. But all is not as it seems - soon, he has Simon James doing his work for him, while he takes the credit, and takes Mia Wasikowska from under his nose. What is the embattled, hard-done-by Simon James to do?
The film really picked up when James Simon came along (see? Even I preferred him!), and it is a delight to see the same actor play such wildly differing personalities. He must have had great fun with it himself. Chris O' Dowd has one very funny scene as a nurse, Sally Hawkins plays the receptionist, Wallace Shawn plays Simon James' (and James Simon's) boss, James Fox is the company CEO. Paddy Considine is the nurse at the nursing home where Simon James' mother lives.
All-in-all, it's a strange film. But then, it's a strange story! I bought a sandwich on the way home, and was glad I hadn't had a big meal..
The next two nights' films are booked because they were more than half sold out when I checked. Tomorrow is In Bloom, at the British Film Institute - 6.15, so a rapid departure from work. It's a coming-of-age story set in a newly independent Georgia, and the trailer looks excellent. On Wednesday, I'm heading, for the first time, to The Electric Cinema, in Notting Hill, where the seating is in armchairs, separated by little tables with lamps on them. The film in question is The Wind, a silent film with Lillian Gish, which will have live musical accompaniment. The catch is the price - this is not a cheap cinema, and the ticket cost me over twice what I paid tonight! Well, never mind - it's an experience, and still cheaper than a play.
Speaking of which.. for Thursday, I came up with a production of Hedda Gabler, by Ibsen. I've seen it before, and don't usually repeat myself, but this production has something else going for it - it's in a stately home, Fulham Palace, somewhere I haven't been. It's not that far away, either. Interestingly, when I checked their website for booking information, I could find no mention at all of the production! There still isn't - very remiss! I got in touch, and they emailed me the link - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hedda-at-fulham-palace-apr-10-11-12-tickets-9521708687?aff=eorg. So I booked a ticket. You would think they'd advertise it a bit better, though! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend..
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Film: The Railway Man
It was raining quite badly in the middle of the day today, so I researched bus routes to and from the cinema. Fortunately though, it was fine in the evening, and I ended up walking both ways.
It was my first time buying a ticket from the machine at the Odeon, and my problem was that I wanted to add points to my card as well. It was a bit of a palaver, but I figured out how eventually. And I was peckish, having come straight from work, so bought a packet of Rolos on my way in. And made sure I got points on those, too! There was someone wandering around to take tickets, so I got my ticket checked fairly immediately for once, and I was in Screen 5, which is one of the closest to the lobby, so for once, no traipsing all over the cinema. When I got in, I was surprised at the size of the screen, which was tiny! for the size of the room, anyway. So I sat third row from the front - further forward than anyone else there.
The Railway Man is an excellent film, I'm happy to say. It stars Colin Firth as a war veteran, with baggage from his time in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He marries Nicole Kidman, who's shocked to see how badly he's been damaged, and who seeks the help of another veteran, Stellan Skarsgard, who has founded the local veteran's club, and is able to tell her much of what happened to her husband during the war. Jeremy Irvine, whom you might remember from War Horse, does a decent job of playing Colin Firth's younger self. But it's really Colin himself who steals the film - he's electrifying every time he's on screen, playing an unpredictable character.
Towards the end of the film, the story started to sound familiar to me, and I realised that I read about the real story in the papers some years back. Apparently, this guy wrote a book about it, and this is the film of the book. He died in 2012.. I won't give away any more of the details, but it's a great story.
Tomorrow evening, I've booked to see Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana. Showing at the BFI again, it's apparently a Finnish road movie. Well, fine by me! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend..
It was my first time buying a ticket from the machine at the Odeon, and my problem was that I wanted to add points to my card as well. It was a bit of a palaver, but I figured out how eventually. And I was peckish, having come straight from work, so bought a packet of Rolos on my way in. And made sure I got points on those, too! There was someone wandering around to take tickets, so I got my ticket checked fairly immediately for once, and I was in Screen 5, which is one of the closest to the lobby, so for once, no traipsing all over the cinema. When I got in, I was surprised at the size of the screen, which was tiny! for the size of the room, anyway. So I sat third row from the front - further forward than anyone else there.
The Railway Man is an excellent film, I'm happy to say. It stars Colin Firth as a war veteran, with baggage from his time in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He marries Nicole Kidman, who's shocked to see how badly he's been damaged, and who seeks the help of another veteran, Stellan Skarsgard, who has founded the local veteran's club, and is able to tell her much of what happened to her husband during the war. Jeremy Irvine, whom you might remember from War Horse, does a decent job of playing Colin Firth's younger self. But it's really Colin himself who steals the film - he's electrifying every time he's on screen, playing an unpredictable character.
Towards the end of the film, the story started to sound familiar to me, and I realised that I read about the real story in the papers some years back. Apparently, this guy wrote a book about it, and this is the film of the book. He died in 2012.. I won't give away any more of the details, but it's a great story.
Tomorrow evening, I've booked to see Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana. Showing at the BFI again, it's apparently a Finnish road movie. Well, fine by me! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend..
Monday, 16 December 2013
Film:The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug isn't showing in the Cineworld Fulham except in 3D, which I don't watch, but it is showing in 2D in the Odeon Kensington, so that's where I headed today. I checked how much they're charging in points these days, since I have a fair amount saved in my Odeon Premiere membership, and discovered that they've increased the quota for a peak-time film ticket from 800 to 1200 points. By 'eck, that's quite a bit above inflation.. however, the price for a super-saver ticket, such as for the matinee today, is only 600. Now, I had over 1200, so I was sure to get a free ticket. Yay!
Google Maps estimated that it would only take 1 minute longer to walk there than to Cineworld Fulham, so I determined that was what I would do. The weather was decent, so off I set. The route took me past a Nando's, then an Oxfam shop on the other side. Could prove useful for Secret Santa.. and in due course, I had no problem in finding the cinema. End of Earl's Court Road and turn left, basically.
There was a queue at the box office, so I said I'd try my luck with the machine. :-) Well, I got my ticket. In the end. But what a palaver! You start with the normal specification of the day, film, time, seat type (standard or premium), then you say how you'd like to pay. So far, so much the same as ever. They have an option for paying by membership card. Good! Insert card, withdraw. Then they must needs ask again whether you want to pay by points or with money. Points, please. Then they have to ask, again, how many tickets you want (I could have bought two to that showing with my points total). Then you have to confirm, again. The whole process must have taken five minutes!
I sat three rows from the front, and was happily ensconsed watching ads and waiting, when a veritable army of small boys appeared. O no! That's what you get for going to a matinee! And, of course, they sat themselves in the front two rows. I dreaded what this was going to be like. But, to be fair, they were quite well behaved.
And so we launched into The Hobbit (2). One reviewer described it as not as sophisticated as Lord of the Rings, in that the baddies are more easily despatched and the goodies are immune from being killed. This is true. Also true is that those of us of a certain age are inclined to get a teensy bit tired of the parade of dwarves, elves, and orcs at the start of the film. But.. well, this is Peter Jackson territory, and you will not be disappointed. The scenery is as stunning as ever, the dwarves grow on you. I found the Elvish king a bit camp, but my goodness, there was a great Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom) fan club in front of me, judging by the reaction every time he came onscreen! Never could see the attraction, m'self..
That reviewer was right - the spiders will send the fear of God into anyone with a touch of arachnophobia. But the great crowning glory of the film is the title character. I defy anyone - of any age - not to gape at the glory that is the dragon, Smaug! (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, of all people. He really is everywhere.) This is what I call a dragon! Once he appears, you can forget everything else that's going on. His great tail appearing from under the mounds of gold.. his great snout poking around pillars, in search of Bilbo (Martin Freeman), come to steal from him.. and the end of the film has him flying off to lay waste to the town, thus setting the scene for the final film of the series. I'm already looking forward to that opening scene!
So, who else is involved in this? Cate Blanchett makes a cameo appearance in one scene, as the Elvish queen, Galadriel. Sir Ian McKellen is back, as the wizard, Gandalf the Grey, of course. Stephen Fry is excellent as the Master of Lake Town, and James Nesbitt does his obligatory Irish turn of being the dwarf that gets drunk and is left behind. Aidan Turner, another Irish dwarf, is quite the hottie as the dwarf romantic lead. Billy Connolly does an uncredited turn as another dwarf.
And I ate in Nando's on the way home, to escape the rain that was by now falling, and still is.
For tomorrow, I'm heading to the theatre again, to a performance of Fred and Mary, the final part of the trilogy of stage adaptations of the novel Middlemarch, showing at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond. It's a long while since I've been out there - I would have liked to see the other parts of the trilogy, but Part 1, Dorothea's Story, is sold out tomorrow, and Part 2, The Doctor's Story, isn't showing tomorrow. Still, they say that each is self-contained.
Google Maps estimated that it would only take 1 minute longer to walk there than to Cineworld Fulham, so I determined that was what I would do. The weather was decent, so off I set. The route took me past a Nando's, then an Oxfam shop on the other side. Could prove useful for Secret Santa.. and in due course, I had no problem in finding the cinema. End of Earl's Court Road and turn left, basically.
There was a queue at the box office, so I said I'd try my luck with the machine. :-) Well, I got my ticket. In the end. But what a palaver! You start with the normal specification of the day, film, time, seat type (standard or premium), then you say how you'd like to pay. So far, so much the same as ever. They have an option for paying by membership card. Good! Insert card, withdraw. Then they must needs ask again whether you want to pay by points or with money. Points, please. Then they have to ask, again, how many tickets you want (I could have bought two to that showing with my points total). Then you have to confirm, again. The whole process must have taken five minutes!
I sat three rows from the front, and was happily ensconsed watching ads and waiting, when a veritable army of small boys appeared. O no! That's what you get for going to a matinee! And, of course, they sat themselves in the front two rows. I dreaded what this was going to be like. But, to be fair, they were quite well behaved.
And so we launched into The Hobbit (2). One reviewer described it as not as sophisticated as Lord of the Rings, in that the baddies are more easily despatched and the goodies are immune from being killed. This is true. Also true is that those of us of a certain age are inclined to get a teensy bit tired of the parade of dwarves, elves, and orcs at the start of the film. But.. well, this is Peter Jackson territory, and you will not be disappointed. The scenery is as stunning as ever, the dwarves grow on you. I found the Elvish king a bit camp, but my goodness, there was a great Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom) fan club in front of me, judging by the reaction every time he came onscreen! Never could see the attraction, m'self..
That reviewer was right - the spiders will send the fear of God into anyone with a touch of arachnophobia. But the great crowning glory of the film is the title character. I defy anyone - of any age - not to gape at the glory that is the dragon, Smaug! (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, of all people. He really is everywhere.) This is what I call a dragon! Once he appears, you can forget everything else that's going on. His great tail appearing from under the mounds of gold.. his great snout poking around pillars, in search of Bilbo (Martin Freeman), come to steal from him.. and the end of the film has him flying off to lay waste to the town, thus setting the scene for the final film of the series. I'm already looking forward to that opening scene!
So, who else is involved in this? Cate Blanchett makes a cameo appearance in one scene, as the Elvish queen, Galadriel. Sir Ian McKellen is back, as the wizard, Gandalf the Grey, of course. Stephen Fry is excellent as the Master of Lake Town, and James Nesbitt does his obligatory Irish turn of being the dwarf that gets drunk and is left behind. Aidan Turner, another Irish dwarf, is quite the hottie as the dwarf romantic lead. Billy Connolly does an uncredited turn as another dwarf.
And I ate in Nando's on the way home, to escape the rain that was by now falling, and still is.
For tomorrow, I'm heading to the theatre again, to a performance of Fred and Mary, the final part of the trilogy of stage adaptations of the novel Middlemarch, showing at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond. It's a long while since I've been out there - I would have liked to see the other parts of the trilogy, but Part 1, Dorothea's Story, is sold out tomorrow, and Part 2, The Doctor's Story, isn't showing tomorrow. Still, they say that each is self-contained.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Film: Captain Phillips
Yep, didn't ever get to that play I was going to, in the end. But that was because the second flat I was going to see last night, whose agent didn't show, rescheduled for tonight. And.. I said I'd take it!! So that was well worth the trouble. Now all that remains is for the paperwork to go through before someone steals it from under my nose. But I'm hopeful there won't be such demand - the other room, the smaller, is the one that's being advertised, and has been up for a long time. (I said I'd treat myself to the bigger room.)
So, knowing I wouldn't get to the play, I planned early in the day what I was going to do with myself, after the flat viewing was done. Film, of course. So I redid my film ratings - Captain Phillips won. It's not that much of a surprise, really - it started a lot lower, but has risen meteorically in the IMDB ratings. It's showing in the Odeon, and I remembered I still had an Odeon voucher from Amazon Local. So that was that.
I had intended to walk, but I've been doing so much of that over the last couple of days that a blister popped up en route, so I took the bus instead. And duly forgot what the closest stop was to the cinema (it's rare for me to take the bus to the Odeon Kensington). So I still had a little walk. I was early (cried off the last flat viewing, I knew I really wouldn't take it - it was more expensive, and not that much closer) so had time to kill. I treated myself to a celebratory, and very yummy, slice of chocolate and orange window cake at the Costa café attached to the cinema. Note: pay the takeaway price, which is lower, and go eat it outside and people-watch. There's usually something interesting going on - like the lady who wanted to know what time Blue Jasmine was letting out and what time The Great Beauty was letting out, because she wanted to go to one and her husband wanted to go to the other!
And so to the film. Beforehand, they showed the trailer for Gravity again - not as scary the second time round, I found. But I'm sure the film overall will get me going, when it is eventually released. The feature, "Captain Phillips", is directed by Paul Greengrass, also notable for The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and United 93. Hey, and I see he directed a tv documentary on U2! Well, he's ok in my book then.
Back to the film, which stars Tom Hanks as the Captain Phillips of the title, who was captain of a Maersk cargo ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. Based on a true story, this is not your average action film. Filmed throughout on shaky handheld cameras that put us in the thick of the action, it's pacey, short on dialogue, and has a terrific score that heightens the tension at relevant points. But it also shows us something about the Somalis' background, and makes them real characters to us. I really felt for their ringleader, when the story came to its inevitable conclusion. Gripping stuff, and Tom Hanks is excellent, as ever. This is more intelligent than the vast majority of action films. Recommended.
Right! That's it from London for this week - back to Ireland tomorrow. Next event is Aida, on Thursday, playing at the University Concert Hall, Limerick - the same venue as last week's Cinderella. Well, I should certainly know the way - time was I used to give lectures in that same concert hall!
So, knowing I wouldn't get to the play, I planned early in the day what I was going to do with myself, after the flat viewing was done. Film, of course. So I redid my film ratings - Captain Phillips won. It's not that much of a surprise, really - it started a lot lower, but has risen meteorically in the IMDB ratings. It's showing in the Odeon, and I remembered I still had an Odeon voucher from Amazon Local. So that was that.
I had intended to walk, but I've been doing so much of that over the last couple of days that a blister popped up en route, so I took the bus instead. And duly forgot what the closest stop was to the cinema (it's rare for me to take the bus to the Odeon Kensington). So I still had a little walk. I was early (cried off the last flat viewing, I knew I really wouldn't take it - it was more expensive, and not that much closer) so had time to kill. I treated myself to a celebratory, and very yummy, slice of chocolate and orange window cake at the Costa café attached to the cinema. Note: pay the takeaway price, which is lower, and go eat it outside and people-watch. There's usually something interesting going on - like the lady who wanted to know what time Blue Jasmine was letting out and what time The Great Beauty was letting out, because she wanted to go to one and her husband wanted to go to the other!
And so to the film. Beforehand, they showed the trailer for Gravity again - not as scary the second time round, I found. But I'm sure the film overall will get me going, when it is eventually released. The feature, "Captain Phillips", is directed by Paul Greengrass, also notable for The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and United 93. Hey, and I see he directed a tv documentary on U2! Well, he's ok in my book then.
Back to the film, which stars Tom Hanks as the Captain Phillips of the title, who was captain of a Maersk cargo ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. Based on a true story, this is not your average action film. Filmed throughout on shaky handheld cameras that put us in the thick of the action, it's pacey, short on dialogue, and has a terrific score that heightens the tension at relevant points. But it also shows us something about the Somalis' background, and makes them real characters to us. I really felt for their ringleader, when the story came to its inevitable conclusion. Gripping stuff, and Tom Hanks is excellent, as ever. This is more intelligent than the vast majority of action films. Recommended.
Right! That's it from London for this week - back to Ireland tomorrow. Next event is Aida, on Thursday, playing at the University Concert Hall, Limerick - the same venue as last week's Cinderella. Well, I should certainly know the way - time was I used to give lectures in that same concert hall!
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Film: Blue Jasmine
So finally, after all my blogging about it, I got to see Blue Jasmine tonight, in the Odeon Kensington. It was packed - whether because of the film, or because of Orange Wednesdays, or for some other reason. Anyhow, I didn't mind going to the front, because the screen (#4) is TINY! You really need to be at the front of this cinema, or the screen will be smaller than some tvs..
So, Cate Blanchett plays Jasmine, a woman whose life is falling apart around her. Alec Baldwin is the scheming husband whose financial shenanigans led her to this mess. (My, isn't his IMDB bio full of it?!) Sally Hawkins, who is actually from London, and whose face is vaguely familiar, plays her sister, with whom she moves in. Bobby Cannavale is the sister's boyfriend, as much a loser as her ex-husband, in Jasmine's eyes. And Peter Sarsgaard plays the new love interest in Jasmine's life.
Well, this is an extremely good film. Thought-provoking, too. Kudos to Cate - that's an Oscar nomination if ever I saw one. Her performance is magnificent, and completely believable as she veers from fragile elegance to drunken despair and back again. And as they say in the reviews, even when she's being obnoxious - criticising her sister's life, for instance - you tend to agree with her on some level. Yes, she's made a mess of things herself - but she's the first to admit it. And she's doing her best.
Actually, one thing I found interesting, thinking about it afterwards, was the extent to which these women's lives are dictated by the men in their lives. Jasmine gets herself into this mess by being completely dependant on her husband, who ends up in prison and leaves her bankrupt. Her sister's only chance for an easy life came when her husband won the lottery - he then invested it all in Jasmine's husband's schemes and lost it all. Neither sister is happy without a man in her life - Jasmine's hopes seem to rest on finding an eligible man with a "substantial" job, while her sister is keen to have a man about the place, as a role model for her sons. Her actions through the film indicate that she is, as Jasmine accuses her at one point, willing to "settle" for what she can get. In men, as well as everything else.
You could also make the point that the only real female independence shown in the film is by Jasmine. I won't give away the plot, but she is the only one to try to take steps, independent of a man, to improve her lot. And she suffers for her independence at every turn.. Excellent film, highly recommended.
Probably a film tomorrow night again - currently top of the list is "Everyone's Going to Die". (!) No, it's not a horror film.. I see the rating for it shot up today. For Friday, I'm going to see Land of Our Fathers - must look up where that is on again - and on Saturday, Scenes from a Marriage. And then back to the ever-increasing film list. I swear, they really did release fewer over the summer!
So, Cate Blanchett plays Jasmine, a woman whose life is falling apart around her. Alec Baldwin is the scheming husband whose financial shenanigans led her to this mess. (My, isn't his IMDB bio full of it?!) Sally Hawkins, who is actually from London, and whose face is vaguely familiar, plays her sister, with whom she moves in. Bobby Cannavale is the sister's boyfriend, as much a loser as her ex-husband, in Jasmine's eyes. And Peter Sarsgaard plays the new love interest in Jasmine's life.
Well, this is an extremely good film. Thought-provoking, too. Kudos to Cate - that's an Oscar nomination if ever I saw one. Her performance is magnificent, and completely believable as she veers from fragile elegance to drunken despair and back again. And as they say in the reviews, even when she's being obnoxious - criticising her sister's life, for instance - you tend to agree with her on some level. Yes, she's made a mess of things herself - but she's the first to admit it. And she's doing her best.
Actually, one thing I found interesting, thinking about it afterwards, was the extent to which these women's lives are dictated by the men in their lives. Jasmine gets herself into this mess by being completely dependant on her husband, who ends up in prison and leaves her bankrupt. Her sister's only chance for an easy life came when her husband won the lottery - he then invested it all in Jasmine's husband's schemes and lost it all. Neither sister is happy without a man in her life - Jasmine's hopes seem to rest on finding an eligible man with a "substantial" job, while her sister is keen to have a man about the place, as a role model for her sons. Her actions through the film indicate that she is, as Jasmine accuses her at one point, willing to "settle" for what she can get. In men, as well as everything else.
You could also make the point that the only real female independence shown in the film is by Jasmine. I won't give away the plot, but she is the only one to try to take steps, independent of a man, to improve her lot. And she suffers for her independence at every turn.. Excellent film, highly recommended.
Probably a film tomorrow night again - currently top of the list is "Everyone's Going to Die". (!) No, it's not a horror film.. I see the rating for it shot up today. For Friday, I'm going to see Land of Our Fathers - must look up where that is on again - and on Saturday, Scenes from a Marriage. And then back to the ever-increasing film list. I swear, they really did release fewer over the summer!
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Film: Prisoners
Went to see Prisoners last night - late-ish, and it's a long film, which is why I didn't have a chance to get the blog in afterwards. Had time to grab a bite at Nando's first - it's getting increasingly uncomfortable though, they're so busy, and when my food finally did arrive, the garlic bread was cold.
Well, whatever has happened to the Odeon Kensington? That's twice in a row now they've had someone standing there, ready to take my ticket! Heavens, they must be sickening for something.. anyway, it was gratifying to get an extra discount last night, for Film Fan Monday. I didn't realise you could get that in-cinema, must remember in future if I'm going to the Odeon on a Monday. Saves a booking fee, and, as usual, has the added advantage that you're not held to it if your plans change. Sadly, it didn't help their attendance, all the same - there weren't half a dozen of us in Screen 1 for this. (I see they've moved Rush down to Screen 2 - interesting decision. Although I don't know what their attendance was like at the weekend.) Anyway, it helped when I wanted to cough, that I wasn't disturbing many people. Nobody was sitting near me - I did as I was supposed to, and sat in the front four rows, which are unreserved. Nobody else did, but all sat in the reserved section. Whether they'd reserved, I don't know. But anyway, I think the front rows are fine.
Prisoners stars Hugh Jackman as the father of a little girl that goes missing, along with her friend, when they go out alone and weren't supposed to. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the investigating officer. It's set in small-town Canada, although there isn't any scenery to speak of. And my, is it bleak! But oh, as you'll read in the reviews, such beauty the cinematography brings to the bleakness! It's beautifully shot. And for lovers of a good thriller, this is a must-see. Such twists and turns to a story, I haven't seen in an age. Bet you don't see it coming! The critics murmur about the other actors not having much of a part to play, but the story is so powerful that there isn't room for much grandstanding. Highly, highly recommended.
Unusually, I'm at a play tonight - Time Out must be sending people to review plays again, there's a whole batch of new ones near the top of the listings. So, I'm going to see The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, by Brecht, at the Duchess Theatre. I've been here once before, and, as I recall, found it hard to find the box office in the crush (it's straight ahead), found the decor plain, and the seating above average for comfort, in the dress circle. Well, lastminute.com played a blinder and, as usual, provided the cheapest tickets. And, with them, you might always be upgraded. Tomorrow night, I'm off to see Blue Jasmine at last - the new Woody Allen film, starring Cate Blanchett as the "Woody Allen" character, full of neuroses. But apparently, this is an atypical Woody Allen film. Alec Baldwin plays her ex-husband, and Peter Sarsgaard her new love interest. I hear good things..
Well, whatever has happened to the Odeon Kensington? That's twice in a row now they've had someone standing there, ready to take my ticket! Heavens, they must be sickening for something.. anyway, it was gratifying to get an extra discount last night, for Film Fan Monday. I didn't realise you could get that in-cinema, must remember in future if I'm going to the Odeon on a Monday. Saves a booking fee, and, as usual, has the added advantage that you're not held to it if your plans change. Sadly, it didn't help their attendance, all the same - there weren't half a dozen of us in Screen 1 for this. (I see they've moved Rush down to Screen 2 - interesting decision. Although I don't know what their attendance was like at the weekend.) Anyway, it helped when I wanted to cough, that I wasn't disturbing many people. Nobody was sitting near me - I did as I was supposed to, and sat in the front four rows, which are unreserved. Nobody else did, but all sat in the reserved section. Whether they'd reserved, I don't know. But anyway, I think the front rows are fine.
Prisoners stars Hugh Jackman as the father of a little girl that goes missing, along with her friend, when they go out alone and weren't supposed to. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the investigating officer. It's set in small-town Canada, although there isn't any scenery to speak of. And my, is it bleak! But oh, as you'll read in the reviews, such beauty the cinematography brings to the bleakness! It's beautifully shot. And for lovers of a good thriller, this is a must-see. Such twists and turns to a story, I haven't seen in an age. Bet you don't see it coming! The critics murmur about the other actors not having much of a part to play, but the story is so powerful that there isn't room for much grandstanding. Highly, highly recommended.
Unusually, I'm at a play tonight - Time Out must be sending people to review plays again, there's a whole batch of new ones near the top of the listings. So, I'm going to see The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, by Brecht, at the Duchess Theatre. I've been here once before, and, as I recall, found it hard to find the box office in the crush (it's straight ahead), found the decor plain, and the seating above average for comfort, in the dress circle. Well, lastminute.com played a blinder and, as usual, provided the cheapest tickets. And, with them, you might always be upgraded. Tomorrow night, I'm off to see Blue Jasmine at last - the new Woody Allen film, starring Cate Blanchett as the "Woody Allen" character, full of neuroses. But apparently, this is an atypical Woody Allen film. Alec Baldwin plays her ex-husband, and Peter Sarsgaard her new love interest. I hear good things..
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Film: About Time
It's ironic. Someone remarked to me on Saturday how much I was going out, and here I am and haven't been out since, until tonight. Stinking flu, y'see - I've been in bed ever since. Took yesterday off work, only made it back today - and might have gone straight back to bed this evening, except I'd booked to see About Time, and wasn't feeling too bad, so I went. And boy, I'm glad I did!
I'm saving tons on the Oyster card - what with not going out over the last two days, and walking to the cinema this evening.. It's in the Odeon Kensington, you see. And, for once, there was actually someone there to take my ticket! Ooh.. Unfortunately, it was in Screen 3, which is at the top of the house. And I'm still getting out of this flu, and climbing to the second floor was the last thing I needed. I had to stop a couple of times to get my breath. Well, as it occurred to me during my ordeal - good job it's not the Coliseum!
So, this is another of those charming, light romantic comedies, brought to you by the people who made Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and the Bridget Jones films. Oh, and the writer also wrote several Mr Bean episodes, it seems. Anyway, it was already highly rated, and I see its IMDB rating has increased since I booked it. Besides, frankly, it's impossible not to like one of these films.
Taking the Hugh Grant role, we have Domhnall Gleeson, with a plausible English accent. We have Bill Nighy as his father, and Rachel McAdams as his love interest - whom I know primarily from the disaster that was Morning Glory, in which she was one of the very few good things. Perky, I think she's best described as. (And much prettier in this, as a brunette, than in the hideous photo of her on her IMDB page. What was she thinking?!)
Anyway, if you've seen any of the hype for About Time, you'll know that our hero's father takes him aside at one point to explain that the men of the family can time travel. This proves very useful, as they can use it to go back to points in their lives where they felt they could have done better. Cue many hilarious redos.
So far, so much frothy entertainment. But, you know, it's impossible to dislike one of these films - they're so sweet. And eventually, they start to bring in plot points you hadn't thought of, and they start to gently bring in a message, and I was in tears by the end. Really, it's a lovely film - more understated than the others, but well worthy of taking its place amongst them.
And I did love place-spotting, now that I live here. :-) So, he goes to the National Theatre one evening - well, I've been there often enough! I was there just last week for Edward II. By the look of it, I think they were in the Lyttleton, but I couldn't swear to it. The BFI is right next door, with the Southbank Centre just down from that. And they're pictured outside, describing how buzzing the area is, with all the public displays. Check. And then they cross the same bridge I do. Check! And I presume that's Embankment station, although he's not taking the same line I do, so I can't be sure. And Lonsdale Road is pictured - Notting Hill direction, I know where that is. She has a flat in St John's Wood.. OK, it's not definitely there.. they get the Tube from Maida Vale.. well, I see there are 1-beds available in Maida Vale from about £250 per week, which is affordable.
So, to conclude, I'm extremely glad I went. Not least because it beats another night in the flat. There is one place advertised - currently on "Early Bird", which means I'd have to pay to upgrade my account to contact them. Not wishing to act prematurely, given that my lease isn't up until January, I'm waiting until it comes off Early Bird, and then I might contact them about a viewing, if it's still available. It'd cost a bit more than I'm paying now, but so did the last place I was in. It's still walking distance from work, albeit a bit further. And it seems to have way more storage than where I am now, which is a major consideration. And a cleaner, which avoids those awkward inter-flatmate arguments about cleaning.
Tomorrow night, there's a film called Happiness playing at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Sounds sufficiently quirky for my taste.. and I do believe I'm back in the saddle now. So to speak.
I'm saving tons on the Oyster card - what with not going out over the last two days, and walking to the cinema this evening.. It's in the Odeon Kensington, you see. And, for once, there was actually someone there to take my ticket! Ooh.. Unfortunately, it was in Screen 3, which is at the top of the house. And I'm still getting out of this flu, and climbing to the second floor was the last thing I needed. I had to stop a couple of times to get my breath. Well, as it occurred to me during my ordeal - good job it's not the Coliseum!
So, this is another of those charming, light romantic comedies, brought to you by the people who made Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and the Bridget Jones films. Oh, and the writer also wrote several Mr Bean episodes, it seems. Anyway, it was already highly rated, and I see its IMDB rating has increased since I booked it. Besides, frankly, it's impossible not to like one of these films.
Taking the Hugh Grant role, we have Domhnall Gleeson, with a plausible English accent. We have Bill Nighy as his father, and Rachel McAdams as his love interest - whom I know primarily from the disaster that was Morning Glory, in which she was one of the very few good things. Perky, I think she's best described as. (And much prettier in this, as a brunette, than in the hideous photo of her on her IMDB page. What was she thinking?!)
Anyway, if you've seen any of the hype for About Time, you'll know that our hero's father takes him aside at one point to explain that the men of the family can time travel. This proves very useful, as they can use it to go back to points in their lives where they felt they could have done better. Cue many hilarious redos.
So far, so much frothy entertainment. But, you know, it's impossible to dislike one of these films - they're so sweet. And eventually, they start to bring in plot points you hadn't thought of, and they start to gently bring in a message, and I was in tears by the end. Really, it's a lovely film - more understated than the others, but well worthy of taking its place amongst them.
And I did love place-spotting, now that I live here. :-) So, he goes to the National Theatre one evening - well, I've been there often enough! I was there just last week for Edward II. By the look of it, I think they were in the Lyttleton, but I couldn't swear to it. The BFI is right next door, with the Southbank Centre just down from that. And they're pictured outside, describing how buzzing the area is, with all the public displays. Check. And then they cross the same bridge I do. Check! And I presume that's Embankment station, although he's not taking the same line I do, so I can't be sure. And Lonsdale Road is pictured - Notting Hill direction, I know where that is. She has a flat in St John's Wood.. OK, it's not definitely there.. they get the Tube from Maida Vale.. well, I see there are 1-beds available in Maida Vale from about £250 per week, which is affordable.
So, to conclude, I'm extremely glad I went. Not least because it beats another night in the flat. There is one place advertised - currently on "Early Bird", which means I'd have to pay to upgrade my account to contact them. Not wishing to act prematurely, given that my lease isn't up until January, I'm waiting until it comes off Early Bird, and then I might contact them about a viewing, if it's still available. It'd cost a bit more than I'm paying now, but so did the last place I was in. It's still walking distance from work, albeit a bit further. And it seems to have way more storage than where I am now, which is a major consideration. And a cleaner, which avoids those awkward inter-flatmate arguments about cleaning.
Tomorrow night, there's a film called Happiness playing at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Sounds sufficiently quirky for my taste.. and I do believe I'm back in the saddle now. So to speak.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Film: Rush
My, but it was nice to be able to walk to something again. Close enough, and a fine evening, if chilly coming home. And, for once, the usher apologised for having walked right past without taking my ticket. An improvement, then, for the Odeon Kensington.
There was a scattering of people there, which, I guess, is good for a Wednesday. But then, they do have these Orange Wednesday Two-for-One cinema ticket offers, which probably helps. And there was an old man with a cane, who gingerly made his way to the front row. I guess he's really into his motor racing.
The ads, as someone remarked coming out, had, as you'd expect, a conspicuous motoring theme. And so to the main feature. Rush, directed by Ron Howard, highlights the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, which culminated in the 1976 F1 season, during which Lauda suffered a horrendous crash that left him badly burned and permanently scarred, and nearly killed him. And then he was back racing a month later.
Does that turn you off if you're not a F1 fan? DON'T LET IT! I'm not either - although, after this film, I'm not so sure. The racing sequences are thrilling, and, despite the very interesting personal stories of the drivers, the races are the thing I was always dying for the film to get back to. And my, such races.. you nearly need a seatbelt just to watch them. The suspense, the tension.. the camera angles, the roar of the engines. O yes, it has all that. It's great. And I don't know about the reviewers saying we were rooting for one or the other - I was rooting for both. Terrific film, with a real sense of the period and some great music of the day. Go see, even if you never took an interest in F1. And if you are interested in it.. what are you waiting for?
Small quibble about the toilets - no toilet paper. In more than just my cubicle, by the sound of it. But they were fragrant, at least.
Tomorrow night, I'm off to a free preview of The Merry Wives of Windsor, in Croydon - which will be my first time there. And for the weekend, I'm taking myself off to Greywell, for some festivities - weather promised good!
There was a scattering of people there, which, I guess, is good for a Wednesday. But then, they do have these Orange Wednesday Two-for-One cinema ticket offers, which probably helps. And there was an old man with a cane, who gingerly made his way to the front row. I guess he's really into his motor racing.
The ads, as someone remarked coming out, had, as you'd expect, a conspicuous motoring theme. And so to the main feature. Rush, directed by Ron Howard, highlights the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, which culminated in the 1976 F1 season, during which Lauda suffered a horrendous crash that left him badly burned and permanently scarred, and nearly killed him. And then he was back racing a month later.
Does that turn you off if you're not a F1 fan? DON'T LET IT! I'm not either - although, after this film, I'm not so sure. The racing sequences are thrilling, and, despite the very interesting personal stories of the drivers, the races are the thing I was always dying for the film to get back to. And my, such races.. you nearly need a seatbelt just to watch them. The suspense, the tension.. the camera angles, the roar of the engines. O yes, it has all that. It's great. And I don't know about the reviewers saying we were rooting for one or the other - I was rooting for both. Terrific film, with a real sense of the period and some great music of the day. Go see, even if you never took an interest in F1. And if you are interested in it.. what are you waiting for?
Small quibble about the toilets - no toilet paper. In more than just my cubicle, by the sound of it. But they were fragrant, at least.
Tomorrow night, I'm off to a free preview of The Merry Wives of Windsor, in Croydon - which will be my first time there. And for the weekend, I'm taking myself off to Greywell, for some festivities - weather promised good!
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Film: The Heat
Well, I seem to have found the secret to getting my ticket checked immediately at the Odeon Kensington. Wander past the guy standing outside the other door, the one not associated with your screen. He'll take it for you - or at least, he will if he's the chap with the beard and the black, curly hair. Yay! Third time lucky, eh?
With free seating now, I decided to put myself in front of the empty wheelchair space, so I'd have loads of legroom. Sat through the same old ads again.. including the "Summer 2013 at the cinema" one, where I've got decent at namechecking the film clips shown. I've seen some of the films in that by now.
The Heat is a cop comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, whom I only know from the tv series Mike & Molly, which I've seen maybe a couple of times. However, it seems she's been appearing in lots of comedies I haven't seen, but have heard of - The Back-up Plan, Bridesmaids, This Is 40, Identity Thief, The Hangover Part III..
This could be her big break. Reviews I've read of this before now have noted the great chemistry between her and Bullock, and they're absolutely right. It's comedy gold - they are really terrific together, a great double-act, and that's rare. The sequel is already in the pipeline, I hear, and that ain't surprising at all. Strongly recommended!
Oh, and I can now testify that the downstairs toilets at the Odeon Kensington, while not quite as fragrant as those upstairs, are still quite a step up from those in the Vue Shepherd's Bush..
Taking a break from films for the next couple of days, and shifting to plays instead. Tomorrow is The Boat Factory, at the King's Head, Islington, where I've been a couple of times before. A nice, intimate venue - just a room behind a pub - they show some interesting productions. It'll make a nice change from the cinema.
With free seating now, I decided to put myself in front of the empty wheelchair space, so I'd have loads of legroom. Sat through the same old ads again.. including the "Summer 2013 at the cinema" one, where I've got decent at namechecking the film clips shown. I've seen some of the films in that by now.
The Heat is a cop comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, whom I only know from the tv series Mike & Molly, which I've seen maybe a couple of times. However, it seems she's been appearing in lots of comedies I haven't seen, but have heard of - The Back-up Plan, Bridesmaids, This Is 40, Identity Thief, The Hangover Part III..
This could be her big break. Reviews I've read of this before now have noted the great chemistry between her and Bullock, and they're absolutely right. It's comedy gold - they are really terrific together, a great double-act, and that's rare. The sequel is already in the pipeline, I hear, and that ain't surprising at all. Strongly recommended!
Oh, and I can now testify that the downstairs toilets at the Odeon Kensington, while not quite as fragrant as those upstairs, are still quite a step up from those in the Vue Shepherd's Bush..
Taking a break from films for the next couple of days, and shifting to plays instead. Tomorrow is The Boat Factory, at the King's Head, Islington, where I've been a couple of times before. A nice, intimate venue - just a room behind a pub - they show some interesting productions. It'll make a nice change from the cinema.
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Film: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa went on general release today. Well, its IMDB ratings have been bouncing around like a rubber ball. First time I saw the ratings, it was at 8.3, then 8.4, which is what it was at on Thursday. By Monday, it had gone down to 7.8, by yesterday to 7.1, and now it's back to 7.4. If I were Alan Partridge, I'd be dizzy.
They're getting better at taking tickets - I was only waiting for three minutes today.. other observation: my, the screen in Screen 5 is small! I went all the way to the second row, which is unusual for me.
Well, it's obvious, isn't it? If you like Alan Partridge, you'll like this film about him. If you don't, you won't. Also features Colm Meaney as the crazed, fired dj who takes the station hostage. I've always liked Alan Partridge, I found this funny. I think its current rating is about right - I might go for 7.5. What was nice was that, of course, being its first day on general release, most people in the cinema were fans, which meant they laughed uproariously. Always helps.
And no matter your opinion of Alan Partridge, you have to love the scene where they take the outside broadcast unit around town, playing "The Voice" by John Farnham, while people in the crowd wave placards proclaiming "Day of the Partridge". Pure cheese.
The last of my run of mainstream films is tomorrow, with The Heat.
Oh, final observation about the Odeon Kensington. The toilets - at least the ones upstairs - are so much more pleasantly fragrant than those in the Vue Shepherds Bush, it's really worth mentioning. Kudos!
They're getting better at taking tickets - I was only waiting for three minutes today.. other observation: my, the screen in Screen 5 is small! I went all the way to the second row, which is unusual for me.
Well, it's obvious, isn't it? If you like Alan Partridge, you'll like this film about him. If you don't, you won't. Also features Colm Meaney as the crazed, fired dj who takes the station hostage. I've always liked Alan Partridge, I found this funny. I think its current rating is about right - I might go for 7.5. What was nice was that, of course, being its first day on general release, most people in the cinema were fans, which meant they laughed uproariously. Always helps.
And no matter your opinion of Alan Partridge, you have to love the scene where they take the outside broadcast unit around town, playing "The Voice" by John Farnham, while people in the crowd wave placards proclaiming "Day of the Partridge". Pure cheese.
The last of my run of mainstream films is tomorrow, with The Heat.
Oh, final observation about the Odeon Kensington. The toilets - at least the ones upstairs - are so much more pleasantly fragrant than those in the Vue Shepherds Bush, it's really worth mentioning. Kudos!
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Film: Red 2
I haven't seen Red, but somehow didn't expect that would be a problem when it came to Red 2, which I saw tonight. I don't remember why I didn't see Red - possibly just wasn't interested.
Walked to the cinema, it being a pleasant evening. Ate in Nando's, a couple of doors away from the cinema, beforehand - I do like them, they're reasonably priced and good quality. Tonight, I splashed out - the house white, Cara Viva, can be a bit watery, so I went for the Spier Chenin / Sav Blanc from South Africa, which was lovely, and well worth the extra 10p. And - would you believe it - despite them having the best chocolate cake I've had anywhere, I didn't fancy any! Well, it is very heavy.. don't worry, I shan't make a habit of that.
Had a nice surprise when the ticket machine at the Odeon did what it was supposed to, and spat out my tickets for all three nights! Now all I have to do is not lose them. And had no surprise at all when I was left waiting for several minutes for anyone to take my ticket. Honestly, what is it with them?! Of course, the solution is easy - just make your own way in and they will magically appear. I actually wondered whether even that would work this evening, as I had got halfway up the stairs before I heard someone behind me call, "Excuse me, can I take your ticket?" "Finally!" I said as I gave it to him. No response, of course. Wonder if they'll make it three nights in a row for that. We shall see..
This was in Screen 1. I know it's a Tuesday night, but it still felt deserted - there were about a dozen people there, I guess. Don't know what it was, but I felt my seat strangely uncomfortable tonight. No lower back support. Didn't have that problem when I was last here, in the same screen. Maybe it's me. Anyway, so to the film.
Yep, I was right, I didn't need to have seen Red to understand Red 2. Neither did I need to actually pay attention tonight to understand what was going on, although there was a plot that was decently complicated, if you cared. Nah, but it was good fun, though. The ladies - particularly Helen Mirren, who's always a joy to watch, and Mary-Louise Parker - played a blinder. I was a bit worried at the start, because it was a bit po-faced and the humour hadn't properly engaged yet, and there was a bit too much Bruce Willis (I'm automatically suspicious of any film where he stars, I'm fairly guaranteed not to like it), and there was a bit too much action - I tend to find action sequences very boring. But then the humour kicked in, and things started to happen, and even I got engaged in the action sequence at the end, which has some iconic shots. Recommended, for a fun couple of hours.
Tomorrow, I get to see - on its first day of release - Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. Holy moley, I have never seen a film's ratings plummet so fast on IMDB! It started at 8.3, then went to 8.4, where it was when I booked it - must have been Thursday. Now, I only booked it because I got a discount.. and in the meantime, when I checked yesterday it was at 7.8, and now.. 7.1! I mean, I'd still see it at that, and it's booked anyway - but what a fall. Well, again, we shall see..
Walked to the cinema, it being a pleasant evening. Ate in Nando's, a couple of doors away from the cinema, beforehand - I do like them, they're reasonably priced and good quality. Tonight, I splashed out - the house white, Cara Viva, can be a bit watery, so I went for the Spier Chenin / Sav Blanc from South Africa, which was lovely, and well worth the extra 10p. And - would you believe it - despite them having the best chocolate cake I've had anywhere, I didn't fancy any! Well, it is very heavy.. don't worry, I shan't make a habit of that.
Had a nice surprise when the ticket machine at the Odeon did what it was supposed to, and spat out my tickets for all three nights! Now all I have to do is not lose them. And had no surprise at all when I was left waiting for several minutes for anyone to take my ticket. Honestly, what is it with them?! Of course, the solution is easy - just make your own way in and they will magically appear. I actually wondered whether even that would work this evening, as I had got halfway up the stairs before I heard someone behind me call, "Excuse me, can I take your ticket?" "Finally!" I said as I gave it to him. No response, of course. Wonder if they'll make it three nights in a row for that. We shall see..
This was in Screen 1. I know it's a Tuesday night, but it still felt deserted - there were about a dozen people there, I guess. Don't know what it was, but I felt my seat strangely uncomfortable tonight. No lower back support. Didn't have that problem when I was last here, in the same screen. Maybe it's me. Anyway, so to the film.
Yep, I was right, I didn't need to have seen Red to understand Red 2. Neither did I need to actually pay attention tonight to understand what was going on, although there was a plot that was decently complicated, if you cared. Nah, but it was good fun, though. The ladies - particularly Helen Mirren, who's always a joy to watch, and Mary-Louise Parker - played a blinder. I was a bit worried at the start, because it was a bit po-faced and the humour hadn't properly engaged yet, and there was a bit too much Bruce Willis (I'm automatically suspicious of any film where he stars, I'm fairly guaranteed not to like it), and there was a bit too much action - I tend to find action sequences very boring. But then the humour kicked in, and things started to happen, and even I got engaged in the action sequence at the end, which has some iconic shots. Recommended, for a fun couple of hours.
Tomorrow, I get to see - on its first day of release - Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. Holy moley, I have never seen a film's ratings plummet so fast on IMDB! It started at 8.3, then went to 8.4, where it was when I booked it - must have been Thursday. Now, I only booked it because I got a discount.. and in the meantime, when I checked yesterday it was at 7.8, and now.. 7.1! I mean, I'd still see it at that, and it's booked anyway - but what a fall. Well, again, we shall see..
Friday, 26 July 2013
Film: The World's End
Well, I heard a bad review of this, but you see, here's the story; looking for a film this evening, top of my list was an Indian film about an athlete called the Flying Sikh. There were two problems with this film - firstly, I'd never heard of the man, and secondly, the film is over three hours long. The climax of the film is obviously supposed to occur when he's running races, but frankly, I don't give a hoot whether he wins. So that wasn't going to work. Then there was a film in Hoxton, but that's only showing at 11pm. Off the list. Then there was a film called Frances Ha. This is apparently about a twenty-something woman with a Walter Mitty vibe, who seems to live a life of pretence. Said to be good, but frankly, she sounded annoying. Then I watched the trailer, and she looked annoying. And then there was a whole heap of films not showing today.
Which brought us to a choice of two - The World's End, or The Village at the End of the World. The latter being a documentary about a village in Greenland - which is, no doubt, very interesting - nonetheless, I thought The World's End stood a better chance of being entertaining. So I said I'd give it a shot, and it was nice to go to something local for a change - cheaper, and less hassle. And it was a lovely evening for walking. So I booked myself a ticket, as it's in the Odeon Kensington, and I'm a member and get a discount for booking in advance. It was in Screen 1, which I've never been in before, and I saw that it's divided into different price sections. The cheapest seats are in the front four rows, which have unreserved seating. So I hummed and hawed and decided that would be ok. And then they gave me 100 points more than they should have! which was nice, if unexpected. (You also get points for Odeon purchases, if you're a member.)
When I got there, I discovered why I had got the extra points. Turns out this film is named British No. 1 film, or something, and you get 100 points extra for booking it, until 4th August. Cool. Nipped up the road to get cheap chocolate from Waitrose, and when I returned to the cinema, was amazed to see that, for the first time ever, there was somebody to take my ticket! Well, I never. Turns out that getting to Screens 1 and 2 is rather confusing, as there's no sign to say that you don't climb more stairs - I only knew from experience that upstairs from that is just Screen 3. I see there are more concession stands outside Screens 1 & 2 - I don't know how often they get used, though; they looked quite abandoned.
The screen itself, as you would expect, is nice and big, and I was pleased to discover that the fourth row from the front, which had all of one occupant before me, was quite far enough away from the screen to be comfortable. Speaking of occupancy, I really don't know that this film, for all its publicity, is making anyone any money - there weren't a dozen people at this screening, in the main screen, at prime time on a Friday night.
BTW, the trailer for The Conjuring was included in the programme. Now, I'm a huge horror fan and very interested in this, which is very highly rated - sadly, not quite out yet. I had avoided seeing the trailer until now, but was glad to be given an excuse. Verdict? I didn't see a single thing in the trailer - which I scrutinised very closely - that I haven't seen before in many horror films: which I suspect means that this film isn't really original - unless there's something they've hidden from the trailer - but the ratings, and the filmmakers' cv, make me think that they've probably done it really well. And that makes it worth a look. I expect to be seeing this fairly promptly.
PS Just watched a much scarier trailer on YouTube..
Back to the business at hand. So, this is a pub crawl film, and d'you know, it's fine. It's about as entertaining as many a night I've had in pubs. I chuckled at many parts, didn't expect much, because of what I'd heard about it, and had a quite decent time. The only thing I can really say I didn't like about it was I thought they went a bit far with the aliens. I thought the filmmakers were a bit optimistic with the pontificating aliens, and I didn't think it really worked - as I didn't think the apocalyptic ending really worked. It would've worked much better had they stayed a bit more realistic, perhaps. Hey-ho. Not a wasted night.
Tomorrow is film again, and those films that weren't showing today aren't showing again tomorrow. Well, nothing if not consistent. Anyhoo, that allows me to get down to films that I wouldn't otherwise see, and I have a choice of three for tomorrow, at a rating of 7.3. There's Blancanieves, a Spanish version of Snow White, set in 1920s Seville. Frankly, it wins over the other two, at the BFI. And I'm delighted to finally get to see it - it's been on the listings for ages. Interestingly though, I was reminded to check the cinemas' own websites for showing times - the time shown on LondonNet for Blancanieves was completely different to the time on the cinema website.
Which brought us to a choice of two - The World's End, or The Village at the End of the World. The latter being a documentary about a village in Greenland - which is, no doubt, very interesting - nonetheless, I thought The World's End stood a better chance of being entertaining. So I said I'd give it a shot, and it was nice to go to something local for a change - cheaper, and less hassle. And it was a lovely evening for walking. So I booked myself a ticket, as it's in the Odeon Kensington, and I'm a member and get a discount for booking in advance. It was in Screen 1, which I've never been in before, and I saw that it's divided into different price sections. The cheapest seats are in the front four rows, which have unreserved seating. So I hummed and hawed and decided that would be ok. And then they gave me 100 points more than they should have! which was nice, if unexpected. (You also get points for Odeon purchases, if you're a member.)
When I got there, I discovered why I had got the extra points. Turns out this film is named British No. 1 film, or something, and you get 100 points extra for booking it, until 4th August. Cool. Nipped up the road to get cheap chocolate from Waitrose, and when I returned to the cinema, was amazed to see that, for the first time ever, there was somebody to take my ticket! Well, I never. Turns out that getting to Screens 1 and 2 is rather confusing, as there's no sign to say that you don't climb more stairs - I only knew from experience that upstairs from that is just Screen 3. I see there are more concession stands outside Screens 1 & 2 - I don't know how often they get used, though; they looked quite abandoned.
The screen itself, as you would expect, is nice and big, and I was pleased to discover that the fourth row from the front, which had all of one occupant before me, was quite far enough away from the screen to be comfortable. Speaking of occupancy, I really don't know that this film, for all its publicity, is making anyone any money - there weren't a dozen people at this screening, in the main screen, at prime time on a Friday night.
BTW, the trailer for The Conjuring was included in the programme. Now, I'm a huge horror fan and very interested in this, which is very highly rated - sadly, not quite out yet. I had avoided seeing the trailer until now, but was glad to be given an excuse. Verdict? I didn't see a single thing in the trailer - which I scrutinised very closely - that I haven't seen before in many horror films: which I suspect means that this film isn't really original - unless there's something they've hidden from the trailer - but the ratings, and the filmmakers' cv, make me think that they've probably done it really well. And that makes it worth a look. I expect to be seeing this fairly promptly.
PS Just watched a much scarier trailer on YouTube..
Back to the business at hand. So, this is a pub crawl film, and d'you know, it's fine. It's about as entertaining as many a night I've had in pubs. I chuckled at many parts, didn't expect much, because of what I'd heard about it, and had a quite decent time. The only thing I can really say I didn't like about it was I thought they went a bit far with the aliens. I thought the filmmakers were a bit optimistic with the pontificating aliens, and I didn't think it really worked - as I didn't think the apocalyptic ending really worked. It would've worked much better had they stayed a bit more realistic, perhaps. Hey-ho. Not a wasted night.
Tomorrow is film again, and those films that weren't showing today aren't showing again tomorrow. Well, nothing if not consistent. Anyhoo, that allows me to get down to films that I wouldn't otherwise see, and I have a choice of three for tomorrow, at a rating of 7.3. There's Blancanieves, a Spanish version of Snow White, set in 1920s Seville. Frankly, it wins over the other two, at the BFI. And I'm delighted to finally get to see it - it's been on the listings for ages. Interestingly though, I was reminded to check the cinemas' own websites for showing times - the time shown on LondonNet for Blancanieves was completely different to the time on the cinema website.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Film: Now You See Me
Regular, eagle-eyed readers will notice that this film is not the one I thought yesterday that I'd be going to today! This is true..
The film I was supposed to be going to was on in town at 4. I left home at about 3.10, made it to the Tube at about 3.15, caught a Tube at about 3.20. We were at the next stop, Earl's Court, at about 3.25. So far so good.
..and there we stayed. And waited, in the sweltering heat. After about 10 minutes, the driver came on the PA to tell us that there was a signal failure at the next stop, and he didn't know when we'd be underway again. I waited another five minutes, then, noting that if we didn't leave immediately I'd be late, and with no indication of when we might leave, I myself left. On foot. Back home. At least I was close enough to walk.
Mind you, by the time I did get home I was drenched in sweat - 30 degrees again today. Checked my film list for an alternative. The first three films are only showing tomorrow. So that brought me down to the two rated at 7.5 / 10 on IMDB - Much Ado About Nothing and Now You See Me. This was a choice I'd been expecting to make on Tuesday. On balance, I decided on Now You See Me - I'll see the other on Tuesday, all going well. This choice of film did have the advantage that the film is showing locally and I could walk. Signals not an issue, whereas I could have had serious trouble getting into town for the other one. And there was a showing in about an hour - excellent! Now, both of these are showing in the Odeon, and I have an Odeon voucher - but when I checked, it's only valid Monday to Thursday. Fine, I can use it on Tuesday.
So along I went shortly after, and collected the ticket I'd booked in advance (I get a discount with Odeon for that, being a member). Passing through the lobby, after all that walking in the heat, I fancied an ice cream - lighted on Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie. And waited to pay. And waited.. Honestly, I don't know what it is with the staff in the Odeon Kensington, but they're hopeless at serving! Usually, I can't get anyone to take my ticket, although there tend to be plenty of people at the tills. Today, of course, there were all of three people waiting to take tickets, but was there anyone on the tills?! Had to wait some minutes before being served. Then the poor fellow was confused that I didn't want a cinema ticket, not that he said it - but after taking for the ice cream, he said he hoped I'd enjoy.. my evening. Obviously not wanting to say "the film", just in case I wasn't seeing one..
I do like that the Odeon has done away with specific seat reservations. It was very annoying, having to choose your seat in advance without necessarily knowing where was a good place to sit. And so to the film - now, this is a very good film indeed! and what a nice change, to see something classifiable as a major Hollywood release, and which is actually worth seeing. Stars plenty of people you'll recognise; Jesse Eisenberg (who played Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, but whom I didn't recognise for most of the film), Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and some guy I didn't recognise play talented magicians who are recruited by a mysterious figure to rob banks during their shows and distribute the proceeds to the audience. Mark Ruffalo is the FBI agent out to get them, Mélanie Laurent (whom you might know from Inglourious Basterds) the Interpol agent who gets involved when they rob a French bank, Michael Caine is their backer, and Morgan Freeman the man who makes a living from exposing magicians' tricks, and is out to get them in that way.
It's a glorious piece of misdirection, this film - right to the end. The actors are misdirected, and so are we. Even the magicians who are stars of the show don't really know what's going on until the last few minutes of the film. And the shows themselves are spectacularly staged - it's just like going to a big Vegas production. The film is packed with magic tricks, old and new, and will be a delight in particular to anyone with any interest in magic. Go see - this is an unusually good film, for a major release.
Right - films for the next couple of days. Tomorrow's is (ahem) Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Well, it is top of the list.. as long as it stays there, that's on the menu for tomorrow. Assuming I can get into town. And, as I say, Much Ado About Nothing for Tuesday, which is the original Shakespearian text in a modern setting. The trailer looks gorgeous - looking forward to that!
The film I was supposed to be going to was on in town at 4. I left home at about 3.10, made it to the Tube at about 3.15, caught a Tube at about 3.20. We were at the next stop, Earl's Court, at about 3.25. So far so good.
..and there we stayed. And waited, in the sweltering heat. After about 10 minutes, the driver came on the PA to tell us that there was a signal failure at the next stop, and he didn't know when we'd be underway again. I waited another five minutes, then, noting that if we didn't leave immediately I'd be late, and with no indication of when we might leave, I myself left. On foot. Back home. At least I was close enough to walk.
Mind you, by the time I did get home I was drenched in sweat - 30 degrees again today. Checked my film list for an alternative. The first three films are only showing tomorrow. So that brought me down to the two rated at 7.5 / 10 on IMDB - Much Ado About Nothing and Now You See Me. This was a choice I'd been expecting to make on Tuesday. On balance, I decided on Now You See Me - I'll see the other on Tuesday, all going well. This choice of film did have the advantage that the film is showing locally and I could walk. Signals not an issue, whereas I could have had serious trouble getting into town for the other one. And there was a showing in about an hour - excellent! Now, both of these are showing in the Odeon, and I have an Odeon voucher - but when I checked, it's only valid Monday to Thursday. Fine, I can use it on Tuesday.
So along I went shortly after, and collected the ticket I'd booked in advance (I get a discount with Odeon for that, being a member). Passing through the lobby, after all that walking in the heat, I fancied an ice cream - lighted on Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie. And waited to pay. And waited.. Honestly, I don't know what it is with the staff in the Odeon Kensington, but they're hopeless at serving! Usually, I can't get anyone to take my ticket, although there tend to be plenty of people at the tills. Today, of course, there were all of three people waiting to take tickets, but was there anyone on the tills?! Had to wait some minutes before being served. Then the poor fellow was confused that I didn't want a cinema ticket, not that he said it - but after taking for the ice cream, he said he hoped I'd enjoy.. my evening. Obviously not wanting to say "the film", just in case I wasn't seeing one..
I do like that the Odeon has done away with specific seat reservations. It was very annoying, having to choose your seat in advance without necessarily knowing where was a good place to sit. And so to the film - now, this is a very good film indeed! and what a nice change, to see something classifiable as a major Hollywood release, and which is actually worth seeing. Stars plenty of people you'll recognise; Jesse Eisenberg (who played Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, but whom I didn't recognise for most of the film), Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and some guy I didn't recognise play talented magicians who are recruited by a mysterious figure to rob banks during their shows and distribute the proceeds to the audience. Mark Ruffalo is the FBI agent out to get them, Mélanie Laurent (whom you might know from Inglourious Basterds) the Interpol agent who gets involved when they rob a French bank, Michael Caine is their backer, and Morgan Freeman the man who makes a living from exposing magicians' tricks, and is out to get them in that way.
It's a glorious piece of misdirection, this film - right to the end. The actors are misdirected, and so are we. Even the magicians who are stars of the show don't really know what's going on until the last few minutes of the film. And the shows themselves are spectacularly staged - it's just like going to a big Vegas production. The film is packed with magic tricks, old and new, and will be a delight in particular to anyone with any interest in magic. Go see - this is an unusually good film, for a major release.
Right - films for the next couple of days. Tomorrow's is (ahem) Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Well, it is top of the list.. as long as it stays there, that's on the menu for tomorrow. Assuming I can get into town. And, as I say, Much Ado About Nothing for Tuesday, which is the original Shakespearian text in a modern setting. The trailer looks gorgeous - looking forward to that!
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Film: The Great Gatsby (2013)
Went to The Great Gatsby tonight. Typically, for the Odeon Kensington, there was nobody to take my ticket and I spent some minutes trying to get any staff to notice me. The one who finally did actually looked surprised that there was nobody there to take tickets - which, in itself, surprised me, considering that that is my usual experience at this cinema.
Must remember the optimal seat number. I am usually, like tonight, in Screen 6, and I did remember that the optimal row is D. Optimal seat number - the most central - probably 8. Anyway. I spent the first ten minutes or so of the film thinking "This is terrible. This was a dreadful mistake. What is everybody making a fuss about?" It was overblown, overacted, overchoreographed. It was full of unnecessary sweeping shots, obviously intended for the 3D version, which, thankfully, this wasn't. And it didn't look real.
And then.. just about when our narrator (Tobey Maguire) showed up at his first party at Gatsby's.. the whole thing started to make the most marvellous sense. The parties, by the way, were fantastic. They needed to be for this, and they were. The stupid sweeping shots stopped (pretty much) and we got down to the story. And it is beautifully done. Leonardo DiCaprio is terrific in the role - much better than Robert Redford was, back in the day. Much more believable as a war hero. The costumes and sets are gorgeous. Sometimes it still looked a bit unreal to me - something about the lighting - but it was less noticeable. Also notable was the modern soundtrack, which doesn't always work in period films but I thought fitted in beautifully here.
Highly recommended. Best film I've seen in months.
Passion Play tomorrow night, followed by The Play That Goes Wrong on Saturday..
Must remember the optimal seat number. I am usually, like tonight, in Screen 6, and I did remember that the optimal row is D. Optimal seat number - the most central - probably 8. Anyway. I spent the first ten minutes or so of the film thinking "This is terrible. This was a dreadful mistake. What is everybody making a fuss about?" It was overblown, overacted, overchoreographed. It was full of unnecessary sweeping shots, obviously intended for the 3D version, which, thankfully, this wasn't. And it didn't look real.
And then.. just about when our narrator (Tobey Maguire) showed up at his first party at Gatsby's.. the whole thing started to make the most marvellous sense. The parties, by the way, were fantastic. They needed to be for this, and they were. The stupid sweeping shots stopped (pretty much) and we got down to the story. And it is beautifully done. Leonardo DiCaprio is terrific in the role - much better than Robert Redford was, back in the day. Much more believable as a war hero. The costumes and sets are gorgeous. Sometimes it still looked a bit unreal to me - something about the lighting - but it was less noticeable. Also notable was the modern soundtrack, which doesn't always work in period films but I thought fitted in beautifully here.
Highly recommended. Best film I've seen in months.
Passion Play tomorrow night, followed by The Play That Goes Wrong on Saturday..
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Film: Mud
Heard good things about Mud for a while, and with its high IMDB rating, had to go see it eventually. And eventually came last night.
Hey, who knew I only live fifteen minutes' walk from the cinema? Cool! Nice evening for it too. So I'm spending ever less on the Oyster card.
Ah, a seat with a high back again. Such luxury! And so to the film. "Mud" turns out to be a coming-of-age film, but less schmaltzy than many of that ilk. It's absolutely charming, Matthew McConaughey is scruffier than usual and only scrubs up towards the end, and check out Tye Sheridan! Heart-throb of the future. I mean, don't go see it if you really, really hate coming-of-age films, but this has plenty of adult goings-on to keep it balanced.
In Guildford today, eating in Bombay Spice tonight. First Indian I'll have had in ages! then back in Ireland for the long weekend. Will be seeing a play there, so will probably give that a mention. Otherwise, the next scheduled event is The Hothouse, by Harold Pinter, in Trafalgar Studios on Tuesday.
Have a good weekend, all!
Hey, who knew I only live fifteen minutes' walk from the cinema? Cool! Nice evening for it too. So I'm spending ever less on the Oyster card.
Ah, a seat with a high back again. Such luxury! And so to the film. "Mud" turns out to be a coming-of-age film, but less schmaltzy than many of that ilk. It's absolutely charming, Matthew McConaughey is scruffier than usual and only scrubs up towards the end, and check out Tye Sheridan! Heart-throb of the future. I mean, don't go see it if you really, really hate coming-of-age films, but this has plenty of adult goings-on to keep it balanced.
In Guildford today, eating in Bombay Spice tonight. First Indian I'll have had in ages! then back in Ireland for the long weekend. Will be seeing a play there, so will probably give that a mention. Otherwise, the next scheduled event is The Hothouse, by Harold Pinter, in Trafalgar Studios on Tuesday.
Have a good weekend, all!
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Film: Star Trek - Into Darkness
As previously mentioned, it was nice to get to a film again, and something showing locally too. So, headed straight there after work. Not enough time to get something to eat, so was delighted to remember I had a packet of Chocos in my bag.
And so to the film. When Star Trek - Into Darkness started, I had some seconds' worry that this was, despite glowing reviews so far, going to be another of those sci-fi remakes with young, pretty faces, big explosions and not a lot else. That fear lasted no more than about a minute. Simply put, this is the equal of pretty much any sci-fi movie I have ever seen. And that's a lot of movies. The reviews consider this a return to the old style of Star Trek we know and love. I also saw traces of the original Star Wars trilogy (IV - VI) in there. Full of thrills and spills and special effects. And younger versions of all the original characters, some dead ringers for the actors who played their older selves. Oh, and check out Leonard Nimoy's cameo - my, he's looking old. I've heard criticisms of Simon Pegg as Scotty, but didn't see any problems with his performance. A great film - but I still don't understand the review on the poster that pronounced it "delightful"!
Ate in Nando's again, just up from the cinema. Well, if it ain't broke.. and a five-minute bus ride to right outside my house rounded off a pretty good evening!
And so to the film. When Star Trek - Into Darkness started, I had some seconds' worry that this was, despite glowing reviews so far, going to be another of those sci-fi remakes with young, pretty faces, big explosions and not a lot else. That fear lasted no more than about a minute. Simply put, this is the equal of pretty much any sci-fi movie I have ever seen. And that's a lot of movies. The reviews consider this a return to the old style of Star Trek we know and love. I also saw traces of the original Star Wars trilogy (IV - VI) in there. Full of thrills and spills and special effects. And younger versions of all the original characters, some dead ringers for the actors who played their older selves. Oh, and check out Leonard Nimoy's cameo - my, he's looking old. I've heard criticisms of Simon Pegg as Scotty, but didn't see any problems with his performance. A great film - but I still don't understand the review on the poster that pronounced it "delightful"!
Ate in Nando's again, just up from the cinema. Well, if it ain't broke.. and a five-minute bus ride to right outside my house rounded off a pretty good evening!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)